When Karen Leffler sets agoal, very little gets in her way.

Whether it’s a fear of publicspeaking, rain on the day of aplanned hike or even encounter-ing an angry rattlesnake coiledon a hiking path, she’s going tofind a way around it and reachher goal.

Once terrified of speaking

IT’S YOUR PAPER

www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010 925.672.0500

PR

SR

TS

TD

US

PO

STA

GE

PA

ID

CLA

YT

ON

, C

A

PE

RM

IT190

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

Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Church News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

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

Clayton History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . .14

Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . .5

DVMS Reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

From the Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Movie Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

On the Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Parenting Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Police Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Teen Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

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

What’s Inside

HANK STRATFORD

MAYOR’S CORNER

Creating character as a community

When Benjamin Franklinwas 20, he launched an ambi-tious plan to achieve “moralperfection.” His plan includedidentifying 13 virtues and sys-tematically focusing on eachvirtue.

The 13 virtues were temper-ance, silence, order, resolution,frugality, industry, sincerity, jus-tice, moderation, cleanliness,chastity, tranquility and humility.Franklin worked on thesevirtues throughout his life.

Recently, a group met to dis-cuss the concept of a communi-ty-wide character developmentprogram. The goal wasn’t toachieve “moral perfection” butto infuse positive character traitsinto the culture of our schoolsand community.

Principal Patti Bannister,vice principal Connie Cirimeli,campus supervisor DebbieFarley and Parent Faculty Clubpresident Alison Bacigalupowere in attendance from DiabloView Middle School. Vice prin-cipal Rick Leach from ClaytonValley High School also wasthere. Unfortunately, an emer-gency prevented principal BobDodson of Mt. DiabloElementary from attending.

In addition to representa-tives from the schools, ClaytonBusiness and CommunityAssociation president EdHartley and vice president KeithHaydon, Clayton Police ChiefDan Lawrence, retired educatorKay Lane, organizer/facilitatorCandace Bass and Clayton

See Mayor, page 18

Summer concerts open with classic rock and roll The third fabulously free

Concert in The Grove series isprimed and ready to igniteClayton rockers. Shows begin

this Saturday, May 8, with Aja Vufeaturing danceable R&B andclassic rock hits from Steely Dan,Sly and the Doobie Brothers.

“This is promised to be thebest season as far as quality ofbands,” said Councilman and

concert organizer HowardGeller. “We took back the creamof the crop.”

Mamaluke – with four mem-bers who attended ClaytonValley High, Mixed Nuts andDiamond Dave from Lafayette

all return as popular favorites fortheir third year.

New bands include LaurentFourgo & His Orchestra on July31, fulfilling a popular requestfor big band sound. The groupboasts a six-piece horn section

and soaring vocals.“Swing appeals to another

generation,” promisedCouncilwoman Julie Pierce, con-cert coordinator for the city,“and introduces the youngergeneration to big band sounds.”

A new country band alsoshould satisfy some requests,Pierce noted. The Michael PaulBand, slated for July 17, enter-tains with hot new country andSouthern rock.

NICCI SHIPSTEAD

Clayton Pioneer

CBCA’s annual Art and WineFestival now a regional event

If you were looking for sun-shine, fun shopping, good eatingand plenty of wine, then down-town Clayton was the place to belast weekend for the 15th annual

CBCA Art and Wine Festival.Booths selling everything

from tattoos to teriyaki, jewelryto jambalaya and bonsai to “Leeand Larry’s Bad-ass BBQ” linedMain Street and filled the foodcourt.

By mid-afternoon on

Saturday, Keith Haydon, co-chairman of the two-day event,thought the weekend crowdmight top 50,000 – a long wayfrom the two or three thousandthat attended the first festival in1995.

“We had less than 50 vendors

at the first one,” recalls eventfounder Don Fitzgerald, whoserves as advisor to co-chairsHayden and Ed Hartley. Thisyear’s event drew 120 vendorsfrom all over California.

TAMARA STEINER

Clayton Pioneer

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

DON FITZGERALD, LEFT, ART AND WINE FOUNDER AND EVENT CO-CHAIR KEITH HAYDON stroll Main Street during the 15thannual CBCA Art and Wine Festival last weekend. All proceeds from the event are donated to local schools andcharities.

Spend a lovely day on the Clayton garden tour

Many honor their moms andmotherly figures on Mother’sDay by giving flower bouquets,flowering plants or cards withflower prints. This Mother’s Dayweekend, perhaps you couldspend time with your mom,grandmother, aunt, sister orfriend while looking at the flow-ers during the Clayton HistoricalSociety’s 18th annual ClaytonValley Gardens Tour.

The tour takes place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 7, andSaturday, May 8. Touring ClaytonValley gardens with someone

you love and appreciate wouldbe a great prelude to this nation-ally recognized holiday. The gar-dens exhibited during this year’stour have something for any typeof garden lover.

The panoramic views sur-rounding the California livinglandscape at the home of Johnand Meridy Challoner is breath-taking. All of the spring rain haskept the hills beneath Mt. Diablolush and green, creating a beauti-ful backdrop to the Challoners’pool and waterfall. The slopegarden behind the outdoorkitchen is in full bloom, withalstromeria, wallflower and lan-tana. The Challoner home has

dynamite curb appeal, with tradi-tional plantings and cool greengrass.

The Clayton garden of KellyMarshall and Michael Weidner isa contrast to traditional land-scape. This home’s entire frontyard is planted with Californianatives. From afar, the frontlooks cottage-like with piles ofpurple, deep pink and whiteflowers. Walk the stone path toget a better look at the vast selec-tion of California natives repre-sented in this landscape. Or situpon the iron bench for anotherview. A Mediterranean inspired

NICOLE HACKETT

Special to the Pioneer

See Concerts, page 19

Photo by Ed Rose

KAREN LEFFLER, left stands withfriend Pam Appel at CataractFalls on Mt. Tamalpais on arecent fundraising hike forShelter, Inc.

Volunteerhikes it intohigh gear to aidShelter, Inc.

SEE THE POSSIBILITIES OFFERED BY ALL NATIVE PLANT GARDENING atlandscape designer Kelly Marshall’s Clayton home on theClayton Gardens Tour, May 7-8.

See Shelter, page 11

See Art & Wine, page 6

See Garden Tour, page 20

DENISEN HARTLOVE

Clayton Pioneer

Page 2 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

Around Town

CCllaayyttoonn MMaarrkkeett UUppddaattee pprroovviiddeedd bbyy GGeeoorrggee VVuujjnnoovviicchh ooff BBeetttteerr HHoommeess RReeaallttyy

5297 Herriman Drive ................$555,000 . . . . .1618 . . . . .4/2 . . . . .4/29/10

458 Grenache Circle ................$655,000 . . . . .2391 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . .4/29/10

403 Mount Sequoia Ct .............$680,000 . . . . .2694 . . . . .5/2.5 . . . .4/20/10

219 Mountaire Circle ................$560,000 . . . . .1919 . . . . .4/2 . . . . .4/20/10

3054 Windmill Canyon Dr ........$645,000 . . . . .2854 . . . . .4/3 . . . . .4/20/10

179 Mountaire Parkway ...........$365,000 . . . . .1800 . . . . .3/2 . . . . .4/19/10

3365 Aspara Drive....................$405,000 . . . . .2204 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . .4/16/10

20 London Court ......................$562,500 . . . . .1648 . . . . .3/2 . . . . .4/16/10

172 Brandywine........................$780,000 . . . . .3308 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . .4/15/10

407 Grenache Circle ................$659,000 . . . . .2052 . . . . .4/2.5 . . . .4/12/10

3908 Coyote Circle...................$400,000 . . . . .1595 . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .4/8/10

1351 Yosemite Circle ...............$460,000 . . . . .1609 . . . . .4/2 . . . . . .4/7/10

ADDRESS PRICE SF BED/BATH SALE DATE ADDRESS PRICE SF BED/BATH SALE DATE

HHeellppiinngg ffrriieennddss,, nneeiigghhbboorrss && nneewwccoommeerrss bbuuyy aanndd sseellll

tthheeiirr hhoommeess ssiinnccee 11997799

66116600 CCeenntteerr SStt..,, SSuuiittee EE,, CCllaayyttoonn

Each Office Is IndependentlyOwned & Operated.

((992255)) 667722--44443333

GGEEOORRGGEE VVUUJJNNOOVVIICCHHBBrrookkeerr

Breathtaking setting perched on anoak studded knoll on approx. 5.00acres over-

looking valley & hills! Darling newer home with 3 bed-

rooms, 2 baths & a huge family/multi-use room!

Gourmet kitchen boasts travertine tile floor, custom tum-

bled travertine tile counters, custom hickory cabinets &

stainless steel appliances. Large master suite features

a dramatic ceiling & a multitude of windows offering

magnificent views! A truly beautiful, serene and natural

setting. $495,000

Clayton

Clayton

Clayton

georgevujnovich.com

Oakhurst Country Club! “Serenade”model in Falcon Ridge backing toopen space! 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, approx.

3079sf, 3 car garage & 3 fireplaces. Extensively upgrad-

ed throughout from flooring to window coverings!

Downstairs bedroom and full bath + a den. Large master

with fireplace overlooks open space. Private lot boasts

an refreshing in-ground pool with spa and waterfall fea-

ture and tropical themed landscaped with a nature fence

that allows yard to blend into open space! $749,000

Oakhurst Country Club!

Large “Serenade” model at the top of Falcon Ridge ona prime view lot overlooking City, valley & hills below!3 bedrooms plus a Den, 3 baths, approx. 3079sf,inside laundry & 3 car garage! Gourmet kitchen opensto large family room. Spacious master with magnificentviews!

$719,000

Better Homes DRE#00933393

PENDING

ClaytonSprawling Single Story Rancher in a

serene wooded setting located on a quiet court! Pride of

ownership abounds! 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, approx.

2109sf, inside laundry & 3 car garage! Large kitchen fea-

turing slab quartz counters & an abundance of oak cabi-

nets including a butler’s pantry opens to adjoining family

room with stone fireplace. Living & dining room. Private

lot boasts mature towering redwoods & pines, multiple

decks, a relaxing spa & large lawn area + side yard with

storage shed! $639,000

Contact Jennifer Stojanovich at

(925) 567-6170 or jenstojanovich@yahoo.com

ClaytonOakhurst Country Club! StunningSerenade model on a HUGE lot! 5 bed-

rooms, 3 full baths, approx 3,079sf, inside laundry & 3

car garage! Den/down bedroom with closet & French

doors. Elegant living and dining rooms. Gourmet kitchen

boasts pro-

fessional

grade stain-

less steel

appliances,

maple cabi-

nets, pantry

& corian

counters.

Expanded

family room

with fire-

place &

hardwood floors! Spacious master suite. Huge park-like

approximately .50 acre lot with sport court, lush sprawling

lawn area and a variety of maturing trees, colorful orna-

mentals, flower & ground cover. $729,000

PENDING

ABC7 news anchor DanAshley and his wife, Spalding,will host this year’s spring bene-fit for the California Symphonyat their home in Walnut Creekhome.

“Virtuoso al fresco” will fea-ture premiere wines, exquisiteartisanal faire and a chance tomeet acclaimed music directorBarry Jekowsky and his wifeRosalind,.

The event is scheduled forSat., May 15, 3-6 p.m. Ticketsare $100 per person and can bepurchased online atwww.CaliforniaSymphony.orgor by calling the Symphonyoffice at (925) 280-2490.

Ashleys hostsymphonyfundraiser

Daisy Scouts wrap up food drive

In November of 2008, thegirls of Daisy Girl Scout Troop30905 began bringing cans offood to their scout meetings.Finally, in February this year,

they had 190 pounds to donateto the Contra Costa Food Bank.

Pictured are: Back Row -Olivia Yoshii, FrancescaBrinkerhoff, Frieda Nemon,

Brenna Duggan, KamrynCoyne, Alexa Turnage; FrontRow - Rochelle Cloven, EmmyKinney, Lauren Wickham, andLainey Djajakusuma.

Clayton officer namedMADD hero, 4th time

The word is definitely out. Ifyou’ve been drinking, it’s not agood idea to drive anywherenear Clayton – especially, not

on Clayton police officer RichEnea’s shift.

For the fourth time, Eneahas received the MothersAgainst Drunk Driving HeroAward in a presentation ceremo-ny in Sacramento on April 24.

During 2009, Enea made 35DUI arrests accounting for 61percent of the departmenttotal.

“He definitely has a knackfor spotting the bad driving thatcan signal a drunk driver,” saysPolice Chief Dan Lawrence.

Lawrence and his wifeSandy, Clayton officer ShannaDeCoite and Enea’s parents andsister were on hand for thepresentation. Enea’s father,Rich Enea, Sr., retired from theClayton police force in 2005.

Officer DeCoite was recent-ly voted Officer of the Year byher peers at the Clayton PoliceDepartment.

ABC7 NEWS ANCHOR DAN ASHLEYand his wife Spalding are for-mer Clayton residents. Ashleyemcees the annual July 4parade in downtown Clayton.

CLAYTON OFFICER, Corporal Richard Enea with Chief of PoliceDan Lawrence at the MADD awards on April 24.

Falcons cheer squad takes second at nationalsThe Clayton Valley Falcons

enjoyed fine seasons last fall onthe football field and the localclub’s cheer squads carried thatsuccess into 2010 as they tooksecond place at the USA JuniorNationals at Disney’s CaliforniaAdventure in Anaheim.

Coaches Karla Rousseauand Alexa York took their teamof 10- to 12-year-old girls to thejunior nationals after whatRousseau termed “an amazing”season with the Clayton ValleyAthletic Association.

The squad of girls fromClayton and Concord includesAlexis Cannedy, Morgan Dyer,Monae Freeman, KaliseMamea, Katie Mayhew, LeilaOdgers-McGuire, Holly Price,Kaitlyn Rousseau, AlexWilliams and Sarena Wisyanski.

The girls are getting readyfor the 2010 football season.Teams are now being formedfor ages 5-14.

For more information, visitcvaafalcons.com or call 927-7377.

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 3

Clayton Resident & Broker Owner

144 Widmar Place, Clayton $669,000Mitchell Canyon – 4BD+office/2.5BA offers fantasticlocation & perfect updates including expanded mastersuite w/deck & spa. Expansive yard. WWiiddmmaarrPPllaaccee..ccoomm

5498 Michigan Boulevard, Concord $349,000Clayton Valley Highlands – 3BD/1BA with large yard& potential RV parking. Bright,updated kitchen withample storage & indoor laundry for convenience.

3014 Windmill Canyon, Clayton $485,000Windmill Canyon – PRICED TO SELL! 3BD/2.5BAwith RV parking & a big yard with a great patio.Fabulous floor plan & lots of windows to bring in light.

3030 Windmill Canyon, Clayton $629,000Windmill Canyon – “Sunset” landscaping in backincluding fruit trees. Pristine 4BD/2.5BA offers mastersuite w/two closets & gorgeous kitchen w/island.

4004 Hummingbird Way, Clayton $569,000Oakhurst “Ironwood” – Sought after one-story"Augusta" model home offers 3BD/2BA & numerousexquisite upgrades. Professionally landscaped for curbappeal. MMyyHHuummmmiinnggbbiirrddHHoommee..ccoomm

1169 Via Doble, Concord $569,000Pine Hollow – Pride of ownership shows in this4BD/3BA offering updated flooring, paint & carpet.Backyard pool & decks for entertaining.11116699VViiaaDDoobbllee..ccoomm

5537 Alaska Drive, Concord $349,000Clayton Valley Highlands – Remodeled kitchen w/breakfast bar is great to keep the fun going. SpaciousFlorida room & fenced yard at this 3BD/1.5BA.

379 Mt. Sequoia Place, Clayton $779,000Dana Hills – 5BD/3BA located on the end of a courtoffers 3 car garage & RV parking. Upgraded doors &windows w/Mt. Diablo views. SSeeqquuooiiaaPPllaaccee..ccoomm

DRE# 01122025

NEW PRICE!NEW PRICE!

Around Town

The Clayton LibraryFoundation wrapped up thelibrary’s 15th BirthdayCelebration last week with“Death by Checkmate,” a mur-der mystery written and pro-duced by CVHS Arts Academyseniors Christine Sifferman andIsa King for their senior projects.

The two-act play, in classic“whodunit” style, featured acast of familiar locals andincluded City Manager GaryNapper and his assistant LauraHoffmeister; Clayton Pioneerpublisher Tamara Steiner,Contra Costa County librarianAnn Cain, City CouncilmanHoward Geller, Mayor Hank

Stratford, former council mem-ber Gregg Manning and ClaytonCommunity Church pastorShawn Robinson.

Before the show and duringintermission, the audienceexamined strategically placedclues and listened carefully asthe characters in Act I“accused” each other of thedastardly murder of thewealthy and powerful Charles

Jamison. At the end of inter-mission, they turned in theirown best guesses.

Library volunteer MarnieMalcolm correctly guessed themurderer to be CharlesJamison’s illegitimate daughterand and won a book bag withEd’s gift certificates and a cook-book.

The play is done on each 5-year anniversary of the library.

‘Murder by Checkmate’ exposes small town’sdark side in library mystery spoof

Photos by Arlene Kikkawa-Nielsen and Mike Dunn

Clockwise from top: 1) Laura Hoffmeister and 2) Gary Napper both come under suspicion as siblingsand partners in a local law firm; 3) Student writers and producers, Christine Sifferman and Isa King;4) Jamison’s illegitimate daughter and reporter for the Clayton Weekly News, played by TamaraSteiner, is led away in handcuffs by police officer played by Stephen King; 5) Napper, Hank Stratfordas Jamison’s son and a local pastor foiled by Jamison in his attempt to expand his church each pointto the other as possible suspects in the murder.

Auction benefitshigh school

sports programThe United Mt. Diablo

Athletic Foundation raised over$25,000 at its first Sport Aid2010 dinner, dance and auctionat Pyramid Alehouse in WalnutCreek.

Former Clayton Valley HighSchool football standout andlong-time Oakland Raider SamWilliams was one of the celebri-ties on hand to help raise themoney that goes to the six highschool sports programs in theMt. Diablo Unified SchoolDistrict.

CVHS Athletic Director Pat

Middendorf is chairperson ofthe foundation. Among thehonorees that night were Debraand Steve Gonsalves and Mikeand Laurie Rose, who have beenbig boosters of UMDAF. Thefoundation’s next event is BayArea KidFest in DowntownConcord on Memorial DayWeekend May 29-31.

HomeTeam Sports Photography

OAKLAND RAIDER SamWilliams with CVHS athleticdirector Pat Middendorf

McTeacher’s at McDonaldsraise money for McStudents

MDES teachers werebehind the counters and wipingtables at McDonalds onClayton Road April 27 in afundraiser hosted by storeowner, Brad Goldblatt.

McDonalds donated 20 per-cent evening’s revenue to MDESPFC, netting $885 for supplies

for supplies, yard duty support,computer technology and a hostof other programs and items.

Pictured are HelenCoverdale, Charles Mori, KellyMori, Ronald McDonald, DorisOng, Mitzi Schenke, andMcDonald’s Franchise OwnerBrad Goldblatt.

Garden Tour brochure to featurewatercolor by local artist

When the Clayton HistoricalSociety needed ideas for a coverfor the Garden Tour brochure,

they went no further than theClayton Valley ArtsCollaborative.

Local artist, Karen Leffler,submitted the winning design.Her watercolor of the ClaytonMuseum was one of fourentries and won on a tie break-ing vote.

“We had 16 members votingand it was a four-way tie,” sayshistorical society member LindaPinder. “Then the 17th membercame in and broke the tie.”

The winning painting will beon display at the museum dur-ing the Garden Tour May 7 and8. Leffler, however, will be lead-ing a fundraising hike in theGrand Canyon for Shelter, Inc.See story page 1.

Photo by Jim LefflerKAREN LEFFLER’S WATERCOLOR ofthe museum will be the cover ofthe Garden Tour brochure

1 2

3

45

Page 4 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

Please show your appreciation by supporting our sponsors.Check out: http://mdes.maestroweb.com for a full listing of our generous sponsors.

The MDES PFC thanks all the volunteers, teachers, and parents who helped us make this our BIGGEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL MDES Auction!

ccÄÄttàà||ÇÇââÅÅ ffÑÑÉÉÇÇááÉÉÜÜáá� Jean and Joe Alamillo

– Grandparents of Emma & Jack Skow

� Peter Tamases & Assoc.

� Constellation Wines US, Jason Fabrizio� Prima Ristorante

� D & D Jewelers, Moe Ansari� Fit 2 the Core

� Horizon Beverage, Al Stellini� Kelly Marshall

Garden Design

� Law Office of Joel A. Harris

� Longfellow Wines, Mark & Kristy Smith

� Moresi’s Chophouse,Ed Moresi� Redwood Painting Co.,

George and Mary Del Monte� Roberta Mendonca

– Grandmother of Georgia & Laine Moraes

� The Family of Alexandra Picklolick

� The Ryan Kearney Family

� The Gallagher Family

� The Baum Family

� Virgin America & the Levy Family

� Denny Walch, Kris Karr and ARAMARK Sports &

Entertainment

� ARAMARK Uniform Services,Toni Mancini� Canon Business Solutions

� Castlerock Arabians

� Cegielski Jewelers

ZZÉÉÄÄww ffÑÑÉÉÇÇááÉÉÜÜáá

WW||ttÅÅÉÉÇÇww ffÑÑÉÉÇÇááÉÉÜÜáá �The Dianda Family �Paul and Diane Temple

– Grandparents of Sophia Brown

�Elegant Occasions,Catering Sponsor

The Annisonssupport MDES –Going to Sonomaand Cline Cellars!

The Lingua Family is going to the A’s game!

Cam Larner is goingto Esperanza inPunta Ballena, CaboSan Lucas!

The Keils – lookingforward to the 4thof July parade FireTruck ride.

The Millers are going to the Beach!

At Left: Mary Del Monte’ssupporting MDES – Going Behindthe Scenes with Dan Ashley!

No Parking in theWishnow’s Spot!

`xÜv| UxtâvÉâÑMt. Diablo Elementary School PFC sends out a great big THANK YOU

to the generous sponsors of Springtime in Paris,

MDES’ 10th Annual Benefit Auction & Dinner Dance.

Great

entertainment

by MDE

Dads’ band

Clayton hates trash.That was clear the morning

of April 24 when more than 150locals turned out at City Hall forClayton Cleans Up.

First up was coffee, donatedby Peets in the Clayton ValleyShopping Center. Then to theregistration table where partici-pants signed in and picked uptheir trash bags and ClaytonCleans Up t-shirts supplied byAllied Waste and Cathy’sCustom Creations.

The annual event, whichcoincides with Earth Day, is a“spiff-up” day to get the town

ready for the Art and WineFestival the following weekend.

All morning, adults and kidswith big orange trash bags werevisible all over town, picking uplitter, sweeping up cigarettebutts, pulling weeds and comb-ing the streets and trails for hid-den treasure. One young womanpulled a tire from the creek androlled it all the way back to thedumpster at City Hall.

This was the second ClaytonCleans Up for the Reiser family.“It stays with you throughoutthe year,” said Mike Reiser.“Now when we see a piece of

trash, we stop and pick it up,notes Patrick, 11. “Kind ofturns you into trash Nazis,”laughed mom Tory.

After a couple of hours ofhard work, the trash patrol wasrewarded with a BBQ lunchback at City Hall, complimentsof Allied Waste.

The event is sponsored bythe Clayton Pioneer and the cityof Clayton.Photos: 1) Clayton Pioneer pub-lisher Bob Steiner and accountexec Randy Wenger;2) Councilwoman Julie Piercerescues recyclables from the

trash can; 3) Daisy Girl ScoutTroop 30905 ready to head outon their trash hunt; 4) BBQchefs Councilman HowardGeller, Allied Waste sponsorFred Repetto, Keith Hayden andSteve Pierce; 5) Photographerof the day, Pete Barra; 6) JohnBlatter, 9 (with shovel), NealMeyer and Dane Sorenson, 10,of Cub Scout Pack 492 scoopcigarette buts and litter onCenter Street; 7) Hungry trashcollectors wash up for lunch; 8)Peet’s Coffee and Tea donatedthe gallons of coffee that fueledan early morning start - pic-tured are baristas Roya Biarashand Max Marcil; 9) former

Councilman Gregg Manningtosses loaded trash bags intothe dumpsters provided byAllied Waste

Photos by Pete Barraand Tamara Steiner

Clayton is cleaner thanks to community effort

1 2

3 4 5

986 7

installation. If you want more

flowers this year, call or email

Nicole Hackett 673-1746, or

gardengirl94517@yahoo.com.

WANTEDReal Estate Agents

Be Successful! Lynne French is

expanding and interviewing for

a few agents. Call her today

(925) 672-8787.

VOLUNTEERSWANTED

Contra Costa County Fair

The Fair needs some helping

hands during the Exhibit

Judging days on May 19 and

May 26. Volunteers will assist

the judges and clerks and will

organize exhibits for the judges.

By helping on a judging day,

volunteers will get a preview of

all exhibits entered in the Fair.

For more information, please

contact Karen Howe at

(925)757-4400 or email

khowe@ccfair.org.

Meals on Wheels Drivers

673-0300 or hairbyjim@sbc-

global.net.

Anna’s Attic Volunteers

Call 674-9072 or (925) 766-

5066.

Hospice of the East Bay

Call Volunteer Dept. at (925)

887-5678 or email volun-

teers@hospiceeastbay.org.

Clayton Historical Society

Museum

Call the museum at 672-0240.

Clayton Community Library.

673-9777 or email:

akikkawa@ccclib.org

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 5

Auto

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

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

Children’s Services

Kid’s Choice Jumpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .457-9543

Construction and Trades

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

Closets & Kitchens Van Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .914-7557

Haddon Heating & Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .521-1380

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

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

Smith & Bernal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0138

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

Dentist

Children's Dentistry of Walnut Creek . . . . . . . . . .938-2392

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

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

Dining and Entertainment

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

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

Events

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

Financial and Insurance Services

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

CD Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .825-0900

College Track Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287-8900

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

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

Fitness

Jo Nash Dance Workout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .707-812-3863

Traveling Trainers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .890-6931

Funerals

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

Gifts

The Royal Rooster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2025

Home and Garden

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

California Aerating Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-6539

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

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

Floors to Go Danville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .820-8700

Lewis & Lewis Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .939-2145

Pacific Coast Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .609-2151

Navlet’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-0550

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

Pans on Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600-7267

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

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

Mailing and Shipping

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

Personal Products and Services

A Perfect Tan & Body Wraps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8261

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

Clayton Mind & Body Connection . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0686

Sport Clips Haircuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5686

Pet Services

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

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

Rodie’s Feed and Country Store . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4600

Vet Tech Pet Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .899-7354

Real Estate and Mortgage Services

Cutrifelli, Wendy - Alain Pinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 934-1111

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

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

Kavanaugh, Mike - RE/MAX Town & Country . . .672-7800

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

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

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

Moore, Wendy - Alain Pinel Realty . . . . . . . . . . .682-3255

Morucci, Kim - Intero Real Estate Services . . . . .280-8563

Robin’s Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-7323

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

Recreation

Castle Rock Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-7661

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

Earthquake Arabians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3760

Senior Services

Always Available Home Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .349-4854

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

Services, Other

Adopt a Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .510-245-2700

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

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

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

Contra Costa Water District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .688-8044

Household Hazardous Waste . . . . . . . . . 1-800-646-1431

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

Next Energy Solar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .798-0600

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

Shopping

Clayton Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-3325

Travel

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

Travel Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305-4000

Directory of Advertisers

P.O. Box 12466200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517

TAMARA AND ROBERT STEINER, PublishersTAMARA STEINER, EditorRANDY WENGER, Display Advertising PETE CRUZ, Graphic DesignBEV BRITTON, Copy Editor JAY BEDECARRÉ, Sports CHRISTINA SCARLOTT, Administrative Assistant

STAFF WRITERS: Denisen Hartlove, Lou Fancher, NicciShipstead, Pam Wiesendanger, Mike Dunn, Harry Stoll

We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse

PIONEER INFOCONTACT US

Tel: (925) 672-0500Fax: (925) 672-6580

Tamara Steinertamara@claytonpioneer.com

Randy WengerRandy@claytonpioneer.com

Send ads toads@claytonpioneer.com

Send Sports News tosports@claytonpioneer.com

Send Club News toclubnews@claytonpioneer.com

Send Church News tochurchnews@claytonpioneer.com

Send School News toschoolnews@claytonpioneer.com

CLASSIFIEDSClassified rates per insertion:Non-profit: $12 for first 30

words, $.20 each additionalword

Individual/non-commercial:$18 for first 30 words, $.30each additional word

Commercial: $48 for first 30words, $.40 each additionalword

To place your classified ad over thephone, call the office at (925) 672-0500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.Mon.-Fri. Or, you may fax your type-written ad and credit card informa-tion to (925) 672-6580. All classifiedsmust be paid for in advance by creditcard (Master Card or Visa)

We will not accept any ad that dis-

criminates on the basis of race, color,sex, religion, nationality, family statusor disability. The Clayton Pioneerreserves the right to reject any adver-tising we believe is unsuitable.

LET US KNOWWeddings, engagements, anniver-

saries, births and deaths all weavetogether as part of the fabric of ourcommunity. Please let us know ofthese important events. We ask onlythat the announcement be for aClayton resident. You will find theappropriate form for your announce-ment on our Website. Attach yourphoto to the form. Make sure theimage size you are about to send is atleast 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB.The only format we accept is JPG. Youcan also mail or bring your print to theoffice and we can scan it for you.

Also on our Web site are formsfor submitting Community Calendaritems and press releases for yourorganization.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORThe Clayton Pioneer welcomes

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

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

E-mail your letter in a Worddocument to tamara@clayton-pioneer.com. Letters MUST be sub-mitted via E-mail.

Classified

QUESTIONS ABOUT

DELIVERY OF YOUR

CLAYTON PIONEER?The Clayton Pioneer is pub-

lished twice a month.The paper is distributed

FREE to all of Clayton (94517)by direct mail and to 7600selected addresses in 94521 byhome delivery.

If you live in 94521 andwish to stop delivery, please callour home delivery service, ABCDirect at (510) 532-2432.

If you are outside of ourfree distribution area and wantto receive the Pioneer, pleasecall (925) 672-0500 to subscribe.Annual subscription is $50.

Free shuttle service for major repairs

Official smog check and repair station

SMOG Special$69.88

+ cert.

FREE RE-TESTMechanical repairs and computer diagnostics including 30K, 60K, 90K factory maintenance on all European,Imported and domestic vehicles.

AANNYY SSEERRVVIICCEEEXCEPT SMOG

20off$

Clayton Valley ShellFull Service Auto Care

FFRREEEESSpprriinngg

CChheecckk--UUppIInncclluuddeess iinnssppeeccttiioonn ooff ttiirreess,, bbeellttss,,hhoosseess aanndd fflluuiidd lleevveellss..

Offers may not be combined and expire 5/22/2010

SSPPRRIINNGG SSPPEECCIIAALLSSCLAYTON VALLEY SHELL

with coupon only

$57 value

“I’ve been going there for years. It’s nice tofeel you have friends at the gas station.Whenever something is wrong they take careof it, no hassles. I like that.”-Robert Sponberg

Amir Jameson Gary Alex Peter

Corner of Clayton Road & Kirker Pass Road � (925) 672-3900

FFRREEEE TTIIRREE

RROOTTAATTIIOONN$25 value

SERVICESGirl Gardening

Garden care for your roses,

perennials and ornamentals.

Monthly pruning and fertilizing

services. Plant suggestions and

Upcoming Events

MAY 8FARMERS MARKET OPENS

Fresh fruits and veggies,bakery items, live music.Saturday mornings 8 a.m. untilnoon through October. DiabloStreet between Main andCenter. See story on page 9 andad on page 21 for Mother’s Daycoupon.

MAY 8SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Spread blankets after 4 p.m..Bring a picnic dinner and kickoff the concert season with AjaVu. 6-8 p.m. in The Grove. Formore details, see story on page1.

MAY 8-9GARDEN TOUR

This self-guided tour, spon-sored by the Clayton HistoricalSociety includes six gorgeousClayton gardens. Tour hours 10a.m – 4 p.m. Saturday andSunday. See Page 1 for gardenpreview and more information.

MAY 15SPRING PLANT SALE

The annual Clayton ValleyGarden Club plant sale, will fea-ture vegetables, herb gardens,color bowls. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in theEndeavor Hall parking lot, 6008Center Street. One-Gallonplants are $4. Buy five and getone free.

MAY 31MEMORIAL DAY

Sponsored by the VFW, thisannual service remembers thosemen and women who have losttheir lives in defense of thenation. The one hour servicewith speakers, traditional obser-vances and music by the middleschool bands and local choirYesterday’s Kids begins at 10a.m. at the VFW flagpole onMain Street.

JUNE 14CLAYTON CLASSIC

GOLF TOURNAMENT

CBCA’s 24th AnnualClayton Classic GolfTournament will be held atOakhurst Country Club. Teetime (shotgun start) is 12 noon.Registration and a box lunchwill be served beginning at 10a.m, with a full sit-down dinnerafter the tournament.Application deadline is May 28.For a registration form, go towww.claytoncbca.org/golftourna-ment.

$50 off any service of $300 or more or

$100 off any service of $1000 or moreoffer expires 5/20/2010

�Arborist Consulting�Landscape Division�Crane Services�Firewood

�Stump Grinding�Pruning�Removals� Installation

“A SHADE BETTER”

Professional Tree Management

925-250-0334

Page 6 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

5433 D Clayton Rd., Clayton � www.claytonbookshop.com

Recycling Center& Transfer Station

www.contracostawaste.comOpen 7 days a week

7 a.m. to 6 p.m.925-473-0180

Please call for prices

Mt. Diablo Recyclingwww.mtdiablorecycling.comWe’ll buy back your recyclables!8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Open Monday - Friday925-682-4518Please call for prices

1300 Loveridge Road,Pittsburg

Brought to you by

Concord DisposalRecycle yourwaste at ourplace

The huge crowds are goodfor business, say the downtownmerchants. The Clayton Clubwas packed and owner SteveBarton ran out of buns for histri-tip sandwiches before 5 p.m.Cup ‘O Jo, Canesa’s deli andJohnnie’s International Delireported a steady stream ofbusiness all day. At Ed’sMudville Grill, there was anhour’s wait at dinner time.

“Maybe this is a signal thatthe economy is turning around,”noted Cup ‘O Jo owner, PriscillaBarbosa.

New to the event this yearwere the private security guardsat festival exit points and thechain link fence between theVillage Market and the park –measures designed to keep alco-hol confined within the festivalboundaries. These measureswere in response to concernsraised by the Alcohol andBeverage Control at last fall’sOktoberfest.

The Art and Wine Festival isone of three major fundraiserssponsored by the CBCA eachyear—the others being theOktoberfest and the ClaytonClassic Golf Tournament.Profits from these events funddonations to local schools andcharities.

“If we do as well as wethink,” says CBCA treasurerJennifer Giantvalley, “we couldnet as much as $100,000.”

This is in stark contrast tolast year’s Art and Wine when asick economy and bad weatherkept both vendors and their cus-tomers at home. That event net-ted barely $25,000.

The CBCA is a civic organi-zation dedicated to “the good ofthe Clayton Community.” Formembership information, go towww.claytoncbca.org or call672-2272.

Art & Wine, from page 1

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

1) A jubilant CBCA Treasurer Jennifer Giantvalley was predicting a possible $100K for charityfrom this year’s Art and Wine; 2) New this year, Elite Jazz Band; 3) A corn dog was first up forGianni Castoro who came with his mom Marissa from San Francisco for the “fair on the side ofthe mountain;” 4) Tattoos, permanent and temporary, were the “art” of the day 5) Eric Sundlinand Fredetta Pardini kick up a little dust to ‘Honky Tonk;’ 6) The Kettle Korn booth has been onthis corner at every Art and Wine since the first.

The Mt. Diablo InterpretiveAssociation is working with Mt.Diablo State Park officials tomake significant improvementsto the Summit Visitors Center.

Scheduled for completion inmid-2010, the visitor center isbeing remodeled to be moreaccessible and improve the inter-pretive experience. It will be thefirst update since the centeropened in 1993.

Most of the funding is pro-vided by the state Department ofParks and Recreation. MDIA issupplementing funds for keyimprovements.

For example, MDIA plans toprovide a computer kiosk forinteractive park information anda new handicap accessibleentrance door. The group alsowill supply interpretive materialsfor some of the new displaysand renovate the sales and giftarea.

“We are excited to offer thisrenovation to our visitors,” saidpark superintendent RolandGaebert. “The people of the BayArea have a long history ofdeveloping and supporting Mt.Diablo State Park.”

According to MDIA presi-

dent Jim Mitchell, the visitorcenter hosts thousands of visi-tors from all over the world. Thebuilding was built by the CivilianConservation Corps from fossil-laden sandstone quarried in thepark. It was recognized as aNational Historic Landmark in1949.

To complete the work, MDIA haslaunched a $30,000 fundraising cam-paign. Donations can be sent toMDIA, P.O. Box 346, WalnutCreek, CA 94597.

For more information, contactLeslie Dawson at 945-7722 orleslie@forensicCPA.com.

Upgrades planned for Mt.Diablo summit visitors center

1

2

4 5

6

3

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 7

RRiiddee

wwwwww..ccaassttlleerroocckkaarraabbiiaannss..ccoomm

Established 1971

11335500 CCaassttllee RRoocckk RRdd..Walnut Creek

(925) 993377--77666611

$120/day � 2 days - $100/day

LLeessssoonnssCCaallll ffoorr ddiissccoouunnttss

LLeeaarrnn ttoo

CChhiillddrreenn,, TTeeeennss,, AAdduullttssEEnngglliisshh,, WWeesstteerrnn aanndd TTrraaiill

BBeeaauuttiiffuull ggeennttllee hhoorrsseessWWoorrlldd--ccllaassss ccoouunnsseelloorrss

aanndd ttrraaiinneerrss

SSccoouutt SSeessssiioonnss//RRiiddeerr’’ss BBaaddggeeApproved by Girl Scouts of N. California

BBiirrtthhddaayy PPaarrttiieessSee our website for details

SSuummmmeerr CCaammppss1122 oonnee--wweeeekk ccaammppss

ffrroomm JJuunnee 1144 ttoo AAuugg.. 3300$525 / week

$$110000 ddeeppoossiitthhoollddss yyoouurr wweeeekk

MMeemmoorriiaall DDaayy 22--ddaayy CCaammppMMaayy 3300 -- 3311,, 99 aa..mm.. ttoo 33 pp..mm..

AApppplliiaanncceeRReeppaaiirrssbbyy BBrruuccee,, IInncc..

We repair all major appliances,

most major brands, and we’re local

35 years experience“We do a dog gone good job”

- Zoey & BruceBruce & Holly Linsenmeyer30 year Clayton residents

Office: (925) 672-2700Cell: (925) 956-8605State of California B.E.A.R license #A44842

http://appliancerepairsbybruce.com

SAVE WATER THIS SUMMER� Renovation � Reseeding � Fertilizing

Yearly Lawncare ProgramDan Molloy – 40 Years experience

672-6539Clayton Resident

California Lawn Aerating Thatching Service

CCllaayyttoonn MMiinndd && BBooddyy CCoonnnneeccttiioonnss

((992255)) 667733--00668866

6200 Center St. , Suite I

1 hr massage $45Save on our other services too

BBuuyy GGiifftt CCeerrttiiffiiccaatteess oorr mmaakkee aappppooiinnttmmeennttss oonnlliinnee aatt

wwwwww..mmiinndd-aanndd-bbooddyy-ccoonnnneeccttiioonnss..ccoomm

Ask about ourpunch card

Ask how to get 4 one-hour

massages for $140

Thursday’s with David1 hour massage $35

We accept

SpaFinder

gift certificates

11117700 BBuurrnneetttt AAvvee..,, SSttee.. EE,, CCoonnccoorrdd 992255--668866--99990011

Contra Costa Floors Showroom hours: MM--FF 99--55 SSaatt 1100--44

AAbbbbeeyy CCaarrppeett && FFlloooorr Flooring & Interiors

CCaarrppeettStarting at

$$11..9999 sq.ft.

LLaammiinnaatteeStarting at

$$11..0099 sq.ft.

TTiilleeStarting at $$22..0000 sq.ft.

HHaarrddwwooooddStarting at $$22..9999 sq.ft.

A ‘small world’ story Sometimes “it’s a small world”doesn’t always convey thepower of the message. Lastmonth, Victor Thole died tragi-cally at 88. His path crossed myfather’s on Guadalcanal 68years ago. Both men wentashore assigned to the SecondMarine Aviation Battalion onHenderson Field in those darkdays before any major land suc-cess for an America avengingPearl Harbor. Both men facedthe same unknown that becamea three month hell before thetide turned.

Victor was the father ofTamara Steiner, publisher ofthe Clayton Pioneer. My father,Robert Armstrong, was one oftwo corpsmen (medics) servingthe needs of the battalion asthey faced shelling from off-shore and bombing raids fromabove. Victor was a corporalserving the needs of his pilotsand planes. Surely their pathscrossed, as everyone eventuallycame to “Doc” Armstrong for

malaria, fungal, dysentery andother debilitating infections,not to mention the constantthreat of trauma from explo-sions and infiltration byJapanese commandos.

Tamara and I are acquaintedby our service to and interest inall things “Clayton;” children ofheroes but not knowing. Nowit’s too late to put all thingstogether. My father passed a fewyears back at age 86. He wasborn seven years before Vic, buttheir common valor knew noage. If you have living veteranstake time to learn their storiesbefore they too pass from thescene. How I wish Vic and“Doc” could have reunitedwhile both lived in this smallworld.

- Bob ArmstrongClayton

Some ‘tea party’ comments Pete Laurence called (The

Tea Party event on April 15 inThe Grove) “an Americanaevent,” yet he called critics of

Bush, the Commander in Chief,to be unpatriotic, terrorist sym-pathizers.

One tea partier told me hefavors a theocracy, as long as it’sChristian, of course.Paraphrasing the gentleman – Idon’t have to research facts; myconservative Christian radioshow tells me all I need to know.

Do tea partiers really want tolower taxes, or just reject givingfellow Americans the right tolife, liberty, and the pursuit ofhappiness? I don’t want highertaxes and I do think what ismorally right for all Americanscan be accomplished withoutraising taxes.

- John CarrClayton

. . . If it’s our paper, why doyou keep quoting PeteLaurence, time and time again?You’ve never published myopinion before. We’ve read hisright wing, conservative state-ments many times in thePioneer. Now the Tea Partymovement gets his endorsementand on the front page no less.Taxes on the middle class arethe lowest they’ve been in 50

years (look it up) and suddenlyit’s “Patriotic” to not want topay them. That’s not what myparents taught me. Chevronmade $35 billion dollars in theU.S. in 2009 and paid $0.00 infederal income taxes in the U.S.Again, look it up. Is that patriot-ic? They paid income tax inevery other country in the worldin which they operated but notto the U.S. taxpayer. That’s whythe middle class taxpayer feelsover taxed and somewhat, right-fully so. The middle class hasalways paid more than their fairshare yet we don’t expect richpeople or corporate America topay their’s. Why aren’t the TeaParty activists calling for the oil,coal, and financial industries topay their fair share of taxesinstead of shoveling out billionsof dollars worth of bonuses. Isthis “Patriotic” too. Again, that’snot what I was taught. It’s timeto grant another Clayton resi-dent the freedom of speech; ordo some people have more free-dom to speak than others? If so,that’s unpatriotic as well as badjournalism.

- Gary RutledgeClayton

Letters to the Editor

Copper wirethefts on the rise

Bay Area publisher HarryWarren Green will spend fivemonths in jail and five monthsunder community confinementfor filing false tax returns for2000-’03.

Green operates severalnewspapers in the Bay Area,including the Brentwood Bee,Bethel Islander and the OakleyHerald. He is the former ownerof the Clayton Pioneer.

In his plea, Green admittedthat he under-reported incomereceived while operating thesenewspapers and failed to reportthe proceeds of the ClaytonPioneer sale in 2003. According

to court documents, Greencashed checks rather thandepositing the funds, so hisbank account did not reflect theincome.

A bank employee and one ofGreen’s co-workers confirmedGreen’s intent to conceal theincome to evade payment offederal taxes.

Green was sentenced to fivemonths incarceration and fivemonths community confine-ment and was ordered to pay$75,000 in restitution for filingfalse tax returns, along with a$2,000 fine. He is ordered tosurrender on or before June 4.

Theft of scrap metal, most-ly copper, has plagued manyareas of America for the pastseveral years. These thefts usu-ally increase when worldwideprices for scrap metal rise.

In recent years, the pricesfor metals have risen dramati-cally due to rapid industrializa-tion in India and China. Themetals most commonly stolenare copper, aluminum, brassand bronze.

In 2001, scrap metal soldfor $77 per ton, increasing to$300 per ton in 2004. In 2008,the price hit $400 per ton.Most law enforcement officialsbelieve many thefts are perpet-uated by addicted metham-phetamine users. However, thisvaries by location.

The increased price ofscrap metal seems to supportan increase in metal thefts.However, there is evidence thatwhen the price of metal drops,metal thefts may actuallyincrease in order to compen-sate for the loss in value.Regardless of the reason,developing nations such as

China, India and South Koreaare fueling the demand.

The city of Clayton has notgone unnoticed by copperthieves. During the past year, atleast three copper wire theftsoccurred in Clayton.

Thieves took copper wirefrom the light poles along thetrail from the middle school tothe community park. Althoughno copper wire was taken,thieves pried open the boxes atthe base of two neighboringlight poles on Oak Street –exposing a stretch of wire thatconnects the poles under-ground. The thieves thensnipped the wires and left thearea. The thieves apparentlywere not able to return to com-plete the theft of the copperwire. The most recent caseoccurred at the Clayton Stationduring the hours of darkness.Thieves took copper wire fromconduits behind the east wingof the shopping center. Thetotal loss was estimated at$7,500-$10,000.

The theft of copper,bronze and brass has alsooccurred in neighboring com-munities of Concord, WalnutCreek and Pleasant Hill.

Clayton officers are diligentin their patrolling habits and

cover virtually all of Clayton’s42 miles of roads and streets.The officers are looking forsuspicious activity or behaviorthat could be criminal activity.When they see it, they stop andinvestigate.

Street lights, machinery orother equipment requiringcopper wire are usually locatedin plain view of the generalpublic. The officers need yourhelp. If you see work activitynear a light pole by people whodo not appear to be associatedwith the city, PG&E or otherutility, please call the policeimmediately. This activitycould be copper thieves atwork.

If you are a victim of atheft, call the police immedi-ately. Do not disturb anythingor clean up until the police sayit is OK to do so.

If you have any informa-tion relating to the theft ofscrap metal or any crime,please call the Clayton PoliceDepartment at 673-7350.

DAN LAWRENCE

FROM THE CHIEF

Dan Lawrence is Clayton’s PoliceChief. Please send your questions,comments or topics you’d like to see covered to DanL@cpd.ci.concord.ca.us

Former Pioneerowner gets jail timefor tax woes

Local businesspays high pricefor copper theft

Part of the ClaytonStation was without powerfor four days recently whenthieves, after the copper wirein the conduit, cut the powerline.

Jocelyn Jensen, owner ofA Perfect Tan and BodyWrap says her business wasdown 90 percent during thethree and a half days it tookto repair the line.

“We’re struggling rightnow, like everyone, and thenthis hits,” said Jensen, whorecently opened a secondlocation on Clayton Road inthe TJ Maxx Center.

According to Claytonpolice, thieves cut the powerline on April 24, sometimebetween 9 p.m. and 9.a.m. thenext morning, and stole 170feet of copper tubing valuedat between $7,500 and$10,000.

Police ask anyone withinformation to call thedepartment at 673-7350.

Copper thefts are on therise, says Police Chief DanLawrence, because worldwideindustrialization has drivenup the price for scrap metal.

For more on this, seeLawrence’s “From the Chief ” col-umn on this page.

Page 8 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

Floors to Go is now your shop at home partner

(925) 820-870099 Railroad Ave., Danville

www.diablo.floorstogo.comfloorstogodanville@sbcglobal.net

Locally owned and operated by 30-yearClayton residents Keith and Mike Baker

OpenMon - Fri 10-6

Sat 10-5

We bring the samples to your home.Same great service and quality installations.

Now with lower prices. Free estimates.

This Morgan Territory home built in 1980 has 3

bedrooms, 2 baths, a formal living room, family

room with rock fireplace, and it's master suite has

a delightful

added sun

room! The

beautiful oak

kitchen has

Corian coun-

ters, a dish-

washer, break-

fast bar and

pantry and views

out to your huge forested

patio/entertaining area!

On 3.15 acres with oaks, animal

and garden pens, a 3 stall barn plus hay storage

and a riding corral, and it has CCWD water, but

you're all set for natural country living! This

delightful home is

away from the busy

craziness of city

life, yet close

enough to commute

to your good paying

job or career!

KNOWLEDGE � SERVICE � INTEGRITY � RESULTS

Pete Laurence, Broker, Realtor, GRI

2950 Buskirk Avenue, Ste. 140, Walnut Creek

Direct 940-2777 � Cell 890-6004 � Fax 937-0150

Now is the time to buy. DRE#00344166

CLAYTON HORSE SET-UP!

For a personal showing,

call PETE at 890-6004.

$759,000rreedduucceedd 3300kk ttoo$$772299,,000000!!

FHA Buyer’s Welcome!

925-672-7800

DRE#0888284

Located in Downtown Clayton1026 Oak St., Suite 204, Clayton, CA

ResidentialCommercial

RentalsBank Owned Properties

RE/MAX Town & Country

Buying or Selling“When Experience, Integrity

and Local Knowledge Count”

#1 in Contra Costa County

Always Available Home Care3013 Windmill Canyon Drive, Clayton

Serving the Elderly Population in the Comfort

of Their Own HomesFree Assessment � We Beat all Prices

Staff are Fingerprinted � Licensed & Bonded

No Hourly Minimum Charge

Companionship � Meal Preparation,

Shower Assistance � Hygiene, etc. � Fast Response

AJ’s Senior Care Home3938 Cowell Rd., Concord

(925) 349-4854

Quality of Care is Our Focus!� Six Beds RCFE� Private & Shared Rooms

(925) 349-4854 Office

(888) 926-5888 Cell

Both Locally Owned & operated by a Registered Nurse

Tough economy and lost leaseforce Clayton Books to close

Unless a fairy godmotherswoops in on a rescue mission,the family-run Clayton Bookswill close its doors on May 22.

Christy and Joel Harris haveoperated the independentbookstore since 2007, takingover the Bonanza Books loca-tion in the Clayton StationShopping Center. The book-store is a community gatheringplace, the site of more than 200author events, and a resourcefor local schools and charities.

“Right from the start, wedonated books and items tojust about every charity thatever asked us,” says Joel.

Store book clubs, fromAmerican Girl to mysteries,met without charge. “They’regoing to try to find anotherplace to meet,” Joel says, “butsome may die out becausethere’s no open space.”

Beyond the confines of itsfour walls, Clayton Books pro-vided free author visits to K-8schools in Clayton, Concord,Walnut Creek and Pittsburg.Teachers, librarians and localauthors had permanent dis-counts. The owners also con-tributed boxes of books andrelated materials to schoollibraries throughout the area.

However, the economy and

publishers’ policies of sellingbooks at steep discounts onAmazon and big box stores leftClayton Books bruised and bat-tered. Negotiations over thelease dealt the final blow to thestore’s bottom line.

“There are customers sayingthey’re going to lie down on theground and weep,” says Joel.

Instead, what the storeowners need is action. Theyhave to liquidate more than35,000 books and gift itemsbefore May 22. “It’s time forpayback,” says Joel, expressingan honest appeal to customerswho have benefited from the

store.After the last day of sales,

any remaining books and fix-tures will be donated to localschools and charities. “Givingto the community, it’s how westarted. And that’s how we’llend,” says Christy.

On May 23, Clayton Bookswill have a wake. Christy andJoel have invited one and all toa cookies and tissues gatheringfrom noon-4 p.m. to honor theemployees, customers and thetremendous effort it has takento be an independent, commu-nity-minded bookstore in the21st century.

LOU FANCHER

Clayton Pioneer

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

JOEL AND CHRISTY HARRIS at the opening of their bookstore inClayton Station in 2007.

April showers bring Mayflowers. The fact that rain orshowers were reported nearlyone out of three days lastmonth should result in a boun-tiful harvest of spring flowers inthe Clayton area this month.

Gardeners, however, are notthe only beneficiaries of therecent rains. The previous threewinters were classified as dryyears throughout California, asseasonal rainfall totals werebelow normal. In addition, theSierra snowpack had also expe-rienced three below normalyears. The lack of mountainrunoff resulted in reservoir lev-els that reached near all-timelow levels late last year.

Last fall, the CaliforniaDepartment of WaterResources (DWR) Website con-tained the headline “California’sDrought … Preparing for YearFour.”

Fortunately, Mother Naturemust have felt pity on our state,and the rains came. Thanks in alarge part to a strong El Ninopattern that established in thetropical Pacific, moist air massescarried by jet stream winds fre-quently traveled acrossCalifornia this winter andspring. This resulted in aboveaverage rainfall and mountainsnowfall.

Locally and throughout thestate, measurements taken at theend of April are very encourag-ing. The rain gauge at Mt.Diablo State Park recordedmore than 29 inches of rain thiswinter, compared to an averagevalue of just more than 21 inch-es. At the Marsh Creek FireStation, the 28 inches of rainfallmeasured this season is morethan 9 inches above average.

Statewide, the news is equal-ly as good. At the end of April,

northern Sierra precipitationwas nearly 105 percent of nor-mal, compared to 88 percentlast year. Southern Sierra precip-itation was almost 115 percentof normal, compared to 93 per-cent last year.

Reservoir water managersare more interested in the meas-urement of snow water contentthan precipitation itself. Highsnow water content results inenhanced spring and summerrunoff in the mountains, allow-ing these water storage facilitiesto capture and store more water.

The cold nature of the lateseason storms has boosted thesnow water content to a

WOODY WHITLATCH

WEATHER WORDS

Heavy rains put state in better condition

See Weather, page 9

www.robinsranches.com

tel: (925) 550-2383voicemail: (925) 672-7323E-mail: robin@robinsranches.com

Gorgeous New parceljust listed in Martinez. 10+ acre parcel in a gated community. There are

also three other parcels in same gated community

for sale a 12+, a 14+, and a 17+ acres parcel.

All have paved roads to the parcels. Power is

already set up at each property. Septics have been

approved and wells are already in place. Parcels

are ready to bring your plans and build your

Custom Home. Bring your horses too!

ROBIN’SRANCHES

Property is just 20 minutes from the Orinda, CA, B.A.R.T station. It is located in the

exclusive Bear Creek area of Martinez. Very quiet, peaceful and absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

Property is nearly 100% usable. Listed at $649,000.

Seller will consider carrying to a qualified buyer.

Shown by appointment ONLY! Hurry as these parcels are selling fast.

KKrrooppaa RReeaallttyyWalnut Creek, CA

Pittsburg Office:2211 Railroad Ave.Pittsburg, CA 94565Phone: (925) 432-4211www.LittornoLaw.com

Clayton Office:6160 Center St., Suite DClayton, CA 94517Phone: (925) 672-6463Richard@LittornoLaw.com

LLaaww OOffffiicceess ooffRRiicchhaarrdd AA.. LLiittttoorrnnoo

�� LLiivviinngg TTrruussttss �� WWiillllss �� MMeeddii--CCaall PPllaannnniinngg�� PPrroobbaattee && TTrruusstt AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn �� EEllddeerr LLaaww�� CCrreeaattiivvee EEssttaattee && TTaaxx PPllaannnniinngg �� AAsssseett PPrrootteeccttiioonn && GGeenneerraall BBuussiinneessss�� AAddvvaannccee HHeeaalltthh CCaarree DDiirreeccttiivveess

Since 1979

Certified

Weed & Fire

Abatement

MMoonntthhllyy//WWeeeekkllyy LLaawwnn && LLaannddssccaappeeMMaaiinntteennaannccee PPrrooggrraammss

Clayton Resident

� Lawn, Shrub & Garden Care

� Irrigation Repair

� Tree Service – ISA Certified

Arborist on Staff

FREE ESTIMATES

Save 15% offAll Yard Clean-Up

Not valid with any other coupon.

$50 OffAny LandscapingService of $300 or more.

Not valid with any other coupon.

Handyman ServicesLet me complete your “Honey Do” list.

Does your home need some help?

at Handyman Prices

General ContractorDerald Clearwater Contracting since 1988 � Clayton ResidentBonded & Insured � Lic. # 524547 (925) 639-4209

at Handyman Prices

General Contractor

A Perfect Tan & Body Wrap5435-L Clayton Rd.in Clayton Station (near Walgreens)

(925) 672-8261

A Perfect Tan & Hair Studioformerly Sunset Tan4691-E Clayton Rd., Concord

(925) 691-8267

� FREE TAN DAY & samples� Snacks & Refreshments� Raffle drawings

30%Offall lotions in stock

Our NEW Concord salon

www.perfecttanonline.com

Grand

Opening

Sat. May 15

9 am to 7 pm

QHow would you suggest Ipick a Realtor to sell my

home? The last time I sold, Iused a referral from a friend andwas not happy with the result.

AOne of the ways I suggestis to get a referral from a

friend who was happy with theRealtor’s service. This shouldbe one of the Realtors whomyou interview. Just becausethey were referred by a friend,though, doesn’t mean you haveto hire them if you are notcomfortable that they are theright one for the job. You alsomight interview Realtors withsold signs in your area. Withrare exceptions, it is best touse a listing agent who is alocal specialist.

It is usually suggested thatyou interview three localagents. But if you find anagent that you believe is morethan competent and you feelcomfortable, you might wantto go with that one.

I interviewed several activeRealtors about this questionand some of them said thatthey sometimes feel encour-aged to price a home too highbecause the potential seller isgoing back and forth betweenRealtors – trying to get themto quote the highest price.They believe that they coulddo the best job if they couldjust be 100 percent honestwith the seller, without fearthat if they tell the truth theywon’t get the listing.

Beware of Realtors whorecommend a high list pricejust to get the listing. In thereal estate business, this iscalled “buying the listing.” Justbecause they quoted you ahigh price doesn’t mean youwill get any more than the

market will bear. Ask them forcomparables to show how theycame up with the price and askhow they are going to marketit. Also ask them to showrecent sales they representedand how much they were orig-inally listed for and the actualsale prices.

Be wary of a Realtor whomakes disparaging statementsabout the competition. Agentswho are Realtors (members ofthe National Association ofRealtors) subscribe to a codeof ethics that forbids know-ingly making misleading state-ments about fellow Realtors ortheir business practices. If aRealtor uses this tactic, it couldbe a red flag that the agent isless than ethical.

For best results, list with aRealtor who has extensiveexperience in your area andwho is well-known andrespected by other Realtors inyour area.

QHow important are creditscores called FICO scores

when getting approved for ahome loan? What determinesthese scores?

AFICO scores play a largerrole than ever before in

determining interest rates andloan eligibility. Scores canrange from 300 to 850. Theyare a statistical calculationbased on payment history (35percent), credit utilization (30percent), length of history (15percent), credit type (10 per-cent) and recent credit checks(10 percent). Items stickaround for seven years; bank-ruptcy for 10.

Maxing out a credit card, a30-day late mortgage payment,debt settlement, a foreclosure(150-point ding) or bankrupt-cy (150-200 point hit) all nega-tively impact credit scores.

How a short sale affects one’scredit depends largely on howthe lender reports the shortsale, so try to negotiate “debtrepaid in full.”

A credit bureau is alwaysrequired to report why a scoreis “not perfect.” Even if bor-rowers have a fantastic scoreof 800, the credit bureaus willstill list myriad flaws in thereport. This is to show whythe credit is not perfect, as nocredit can be. Borrowers neednot panic when they see flawson their credit report.

Q I might sell my home inthe next year or two.

Would any remodeling be pru-dent?

AHomeowners are spending$12 billion more this year

in remodeling than last year,according to the NationalAssociation of HomeBuilders. The return on invest-ment, however, has beendecreasing. Costs recouped atresale were approximately 64percent last year, compared to67 percent in 2008. I don’t rec-ommend any major remodel-ing as you are not likely torecoup the expense.

Homeowners planning toremain in their homes for thelong term, however, may wantto consider adding energy-effi-cient windows, roofing anddoors as these enhancementsrecover a large percentage oftheir outlay. They also reduceenergy costs.

Send your question toLynne@LynneFrench.com and lookfor an answer in a future column.French is the broker/owner ofWindermere Lynne French &Associates and a Clayton resident.For any real estate needs or questions,call 672-8787or stop in at 6200Center St., Clayton.

Interview at leastthree Realtorsbefore choosing

LYNNE FRENCH

REAL ANSWERS

FarmersMarketlaunchesMay 8

The Pacific Coast FarmersMarket Association opens anew season of the ClaytonCertified Farmers Market onSaturday, May 8.

The vendors will assemble 8a.m.-noon Saturdays at DiabloStreet between Main and Centerthrough Oct. 30. The marketshowcases NorthernCalifornia’s freshest fruits andvegetables at reasonable prices.

“We are pleased to continueour well-received presence inthe community as a way to helppromote buying local and eatinghealthy,” said John Silveira,director of the market associa-tion.

The Clayton Pioneer is run-ning a special Mother’s Daycoupon that customers canredeem at the market for a freebouquet on May 8. Marketpatrons can also enter to win apotted plant from the ClaytonValley Garden Club. The con-test will start on May 8 and thewinner will receive the prize onMay 15.

Clayton city officials willkick off the new season with acabbage toss, a new tradition tomark opening day. Kids can joinin the fun by making buttons atthe Information Booth.

“There will be food, fun,live music and other greatentertainment offered through-out the season,” says marketmanager Roxanne Terres.“We’re really excited to kick offanother great season.”

The Pacific Coast FarmersMarket Association is the state’slargest operator of certifiedfarmers markets. The venuesoffer only California-grownproducts sold directly to con-sumers by the farmers that grewand harvested the crops. Themarkets accept WIC FMNPand EBT coupons.

For more information, visitpcfma.com or call 800-949-FARMor 825-909.

statewide average of more than130 percent of normal, com-pared to less than 70 percent ayear ago. Although many reser-voirs are not filled due to thelack of rain for three winters,DWR recently announced anincrease of its 2010 allocationto 30 percent. While this figureis still low, the estimate lastDecember was for 5 percentdelivery.

Our April showers ensure

that May flowers will make thisa beautiful month in Clayton.Fortunately, the rainfall andmountain snowfall of the pastwinter will go a long way torelieve the drought conditionsour state has endured for thethree previous winters.

Woody Whitlatch is a meteorolo-gist with PG&E. Email your ques-tions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com

Weather, from page 8 Dan Rosendich

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 9

Page 10 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

�� RReemmooddeelliinngg �� DDeecckkss �� OOvveerrhhaannggss�� WWiinnddoowwss//DDoooorrss�� CCrroowwnn MMoollddiinngg�� SSiiddiinngg�� TTrriimm

�� RReemmooddeelliinngg �� DDeecckkss �� OOvveerrhhaannggss�� WWiinnddoowwss//DDoooorrss�� CCrroowwnn MMoollddiinngg�� SSiiddiinngg�� TTrriimm

General ContractorGeneral Contractor Clayton ResidentClayton Resident

Declan Woods 925.216.2679

Noel O’ Meara925.518.0821

license# 783799, B, HIC

free estimatesfree estimates

Recommended by

“Realtor of the Year”

Lynne French

Recommended by

“Realtor of the Year”

Lynne French

Specializing inBathrooms andKitchens

Specializing inBathrooms andKitchens

We shred your past toprotect your future.

Stop by and try our newdocument shredding service.

The UPS StoreIndependently owned and operated

Clayton/Concord Location:Vineyard Shopping Center

5100 Clayton RoadConcord, CA 94523

ph: 925-689-6245

Notary, Packaging, Fax and Copy Services are available too!

Store Hours

M-F 8-7

Sat 9-5

6096 Main Street, Clayton, 673-0440

May 7, 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Relyks

May 14, 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crossman Country

www.claytonclubsaloon.com

All entertainment from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Music Video

Happy Hour

Mondays 4pm to 8pm

2 for the price of 1Beer only. Good

anytime with originalcoupon. Exp. 5/20/10

Karaoke Wed. nights Open Mic Thur. nights

(925) 935-74471610 Locust St., Walnut Creek

www.cruiseadventuresunlimited.com

CST 2074362-40

Cruise Adventures UUnnlliimmiitteedd

Serving all cruise linessince 1987

Dec. 22, 20107 Nights Roundtrip Los Angeles / Mexico Cruise

Visiting -

Puerto Vallarta

Mazatlan

Cabo San Lucas

Call us for special pricing

Sapphire Princess Holiday Sailing

Owners Valerie O’Connell (Clayton resident, 30 years) & daughter Colleen O’Connell

925-939-2145 � 2615 North Main St., Walnut Creek

www.lewisandlewiscarpets.com

Authorized Dealer

National Karastan MonthSemi-Annual Sales Event

Save up to $1,000 Cash Back

M-F 9 - 5, Sat. 10 - 3,

� Carpet � Hardwood

� Ceramic Tile

� Laminate � Vinyl

� Cork � Bamboo

� Free In-HomeEstimates

� Financing Available

Sales � Service � Installation

(925) 457-5423 www.belfastplumbing.com

LLiicceennssee.. 990066221111

�elfast

�lumbingCCllaayyttoonn RReessiiddeenntt

Installations – RepairsToilets � Faucets � Water heatersGarbage disposals � Clogged drains

Rhine family businesses dominatedClayton commerce in early days

The Rhines are a true pio-neering family of Clayton.Brothers Charles and Jacobwere two of the early enterpris-ers, shaping the business dis-trict of Clayton and providingconveniences and entertain-ment to its people.

Abraham Rhine and HindaNathansen were married andhad three children in Germany:Charles on March 11, 1836;Jacob, March 22, 1844; andAmelia (no date available).

Charles set sail for Americaat age 16. After time in NewYork and the gold mines ofCalifornia, Charles opened ageneral store east of Clayton.In 1859, Charles moved thebusiness into Clayton and part-nered with Joel Clayton.

The Charles Rhine GeneralMerchandise Store had aninventory of about $20,000. Itincluded fabric, coffee, sugar,salt, tea, potatoes, butter, lob-ster, suits for $7, lamps,whiskey for $3.50/gallon andmore.

Charles owned a 900-acrefarm and sold most of what heproduced in the store. He alsolent money at 2.5 percent inter-est per month as there was noreal bank in town. Additionally,he was a postmaster, telegra-pher, notary public and civicleader.

In 1862, Charles Rhinebought out Joel’s share of thebusiness and remained a mer-chant and strong businessleader in Clayton until sellinghis business to HansRasmussen and retiring.

On August 16, 1868,Charles married Cecilia Lobree.She and Charles had eight chil-dren: Rachel, Adaline, Pauline,Ester, Abraham, Annie, Eliasand Lou.

JACOB JOINS HIS BROTHER

Jacob left England forAmerica and arrived on the dayPresident Lincoln was assassi-nated. Jacob came to the WestCoast by covered wagon. Heworked in Coos Bay, Ore., untilan unsuccessful business deal inthe 1870s drove him to Clayton.

Jacob owned Jake Rhine’sSaloon and Hotel and RhineHall. Each year, the hotel hadthe largest, most beautifulChristmas tree in the lobby. Thehall, one of two in town, waswell-known for social events.An admission ticket for theGrape Picker’s Ball boasts“Good Music and a Good TimeAssured.”

Jacob married DinaOttenberg on Dec. 1, 1874.They had 14 children: Pauline,

Fanny, Hilda, Abraham, Samuel,Herman, Leon, Nathaniel, Bella,Alexander, Irvin, Milton Henry,Sophia Ruth and Yetta.

In the early 1900s, Charlesand Jacob moved their familiesto San Francisco. Jacob part-nered with his sons to open theRhine Optical Co.

Amelia married a Mr.Klapper in England. After hisdeath, she married Mr. Barnettand came to the United Statesand they resided in SanFrancisco.

TOSSING OUT A NAME

As with any large family,many interesting stories reflectthe spirit of the Rhines’. Themost infamous story involvingthe Rhine family is the coin tossof 1857. Both Charles Rhineand Joel Clayton wanted toname our town. Rather thanduel for the name, they flipped acoin and, as you guessed, Joelwon.

In 2007, Robert StevenRhine – great grandson ofCharles – proposed a new chal-lenge to Clayton. The city decid-ed to honor the Rhines byrenaming the city “Rhinesville”during Oktoberfest. ThirtyRhine family members came tocelebrate. Robert reenacted thecoin toss and, unfortunately,lost again.

The Rhine family crest isthat of a mermaid in waterwearing a crown. One of theRhine ancestors reportedly

saved a German princess fromdrowning in the Rhine River. Hewas given the title of baron andhis last name changed fromSchwemmer to Rhine (or Rein).

Charles’ son, Elias, was abuilder in San Francisco andopened the Hotel Mayflower in1929. The rooms had innova-tive, disappearing “Rip VanWinkle” beds. The hotelremains a family-owned busi-ness.

Jacob’s daughter, Hilda,caused a stir when, at 19, shemarried John Atchinson. Acousin tried to stop the wed-ding. The police were called, butto no avail. Hilda and John werehappily married for more than50 years.

CARRYING ON HISTORY

Two streets in Clayton arenamed after the Rhine clan:Rhine Court and AtchinsonStage Road. The Rhyne (sic)Quicksilver Mine and RhineCanyon in Mt. Diablo StatePark were named after Charles.

Robert has dedicated a web-site to the family,rhinesville.com. He follows inhis father, Larry’s, footsteps.Larry was a comedy writer forsuch well-known sitcoms as“All in the Family,” whileRobert publishes a magazineworldwide with his own uniqueblend of humor.

The Jacob Rhine family vis-ited the Clayton Museum andhad a reunion at Endeavor Hall

on June 7, 1987. Five genera-tions and 120 family membersattended. Charles’ and Jacob’sdescendants united at the 2007Oktoberfest and remain intouch. The oldest living relativeon Charles’ side is CeceliaRhine Michaels, 98, and JeanWerner Fisher, 93, on Jacob’sside.

The Rhines would loveanother Rhinesville for a day oras Jacob’s great granddaughter,Diane Rhine Herz, suggested,an “Art and Rhine Festival.”

Rhine history courtesy of RobertSteven Rhine and Marsha Klein.

PAMELA WIESENDANGER

Clayton Pioneer

Photos courtesy of Clayton Historical Society

THE CHARLES RHINE GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE was originally located where Skipolini’s Pizza is.Later the store and a house were rebuilt on the site where Cup o’ Jo’s is. The house facedDiablo Street. Other Rhine-owned businesses were a hotel which stood where the ClaytonSaloon is now and Rhine Hall which was where the Clayton Community Church parking lot is.

Photo courtesy of Robert RhineCHARLES RHINE

Doug Van WyckCLU ChFC, AgentInsurance Lic. # 05863966200 Center St. Ste. AClayton, CA 94517925-672-2300

Protect your family for less,

build cash value or even get

your premiums back if the

death benefit has not been

paid out at the end of the

level premium period.

Oh, to be young and in love.Or better yet, to make a movieabout it and win cash to boot.

The Clayton CommunityChurch Film Festival is solicit-ing short film entries from stu-dents 18 years and younger,with the theme of “love.” PastorShawn Robinson says the themeties into a message series called“Summer Love” that parish-ioners will undertake in June

and July, based on “The Song ofSolomon” from the OldTestament.

“It’s not meant to be achurch-based video, by anymeans,” he notes. “But sincewe’re going to be talking aboutlove, we thought, ‘Why not getpeople’s ideas about it?’ ”

When making films,Robinson asks contestants toconsider: “What is love? Whatdoes it look like? What state-ments do I want to make thatwill influence my viewers andshow them the essence oflove?”

The entries can act out astory to go with a song or fea-ture dialogue using live or ani-mated actors. Professionalactors or filmmakers are not eli-gible to participate.

All films must be 3-5 min-utes in length and submitted ontwo CDs (DVD format), whichbecome the sole property ofClayton Community Church.

One winning film will debuteach week at the Clayton down-town movie nights at 9 p.m.Fridays, July 9-30. The firstplace winner receives $500, with$250 for second, $100 for third

and $50 for fourth place.The competition is spon-

sored through a collaborativeeffort of Clayton CommunityChurch and the ClaytonPioneer.

“We’re really excited aboutthis,” Robinson adds. “It’s a funopportunity for kids to be cre-ative.”

Entry deadline is Friday, June25. Submit films to CCC FilmJudging, 6055 Main St., Clayton,CA 94949. For more information,contact Jennifer Lutz at 673-9060.

CONCORD UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

Sonja Christopher will speakat the church at 11 a.m.Wednesday, May 19.

Christopher was a castmember on the first “Survivor”television series and is a promi-nent spokesperson in the fightagainst breast cancer. All areinvited to hear her presentationon her survival journey, alongwith a lunch following the pro-gram.

The church is at 1645 WestSt., Concord.

To RSVP for the luncheon, callHelen Johnson at 682-1775 orSandy Blazer at 686-1440.

BAHA’IS OF CLAYTON

This month’s talk andevening of fellowship has beenmoved to Friday, May 14.

The subject of the talk is“Service in Haiti after theDisaster.” Speakers Dr. TinaEdraki and Dr. TorstenJacobsen have already traveledtwice to Haiti on medical mis-sions.

The program starts at 7:30p.m. with a period of interfaithdevotions at the Toloui resi-dence in Clayton. All are wel-come.

For more information and direc-tions, call 672-6686.

to crowds, Leffler recently gath-ered her courage around her likea warm blanket and strode pur-posefully to a center stage podi-um. There, she explained to agroup of 50 or so well-heeleddonors from the Lamorindaarea her rationale for raisingmoney for Shelter, Inc.

Shelter, Inc.’s websitedescribes the non-profit’s mis-sion: “to prevent homelessnessand promote self-sufficiencyamong Contra Costa residents.”That can mean anything fromhelping a family avoid losing theirhome by providing them with asingle rent payment, to offeringshelter and food to a familyreduced to living in their car.

“We all have things we arecalled to give,” Leffler said. “Forsome of us it is time, for some itis talent, for some, treasure.”

For Leffler, it is all three. Justa few years ago, Leffler contact-ed Shelter, Inc. – an organiza-tion she’d previously assumedwas a building contractor – todonate her extra blankets andbedding.

Since then, Leffler has con-tinued to give and give somemore. Recently, Leffler and herfriend Pam Appel started agroup for Shelter, Inc. calledHike for Shelter.

There, volunteers age 23-71were offered a chance to go ona once-in-a-lifetime hiking tripto the Grand Canyon. Thegroup plans to leave for Arizonaon May 6 and return on May 9.To go, each hiker was required

to raise at least $4,000 forShelter, Inc. in contributions.Working together since fall of2009, her group has gatheredmore than $166,000.

“I can combine my love ofnature with that of the missionof the Shelter,” said Leffler.

Shelter, Inc. isn’t the firstrecipient of Leffler’s efforts.Following Hurricane Katrina,she was contacted by a friendwho, like her, sold Weekendersbrand clothing.

“You need to get your button a plane – we have some workto do in Mississippi,” Lefflerrecalled being told.

Once there, she saw school-teachers living in cars and shel-ters; finding new clothing wasthe least of their worries. Butthe teachers were being calledback to work in the start of thearea’s efforts to rebuild resi-dents’ lives. Leffler and herfriend collected wish lists fromnearly 800 teachers before head-ing back home.

On the plane home, she hada moment of panic. “Do yourealize you and I just promised$400,000 worth of clothes tothese women – just you and I?”she asked her friend.

Nevertheless, Leffler beganraising awareness of the teach-ers’ plight amongst her clients,and contributions began flow-ing in. Soon the clothing wasdelivered.

From the experience, Lefflerlearned that one person canmake a difference in the lives of

many thousands of people.More important than raising

money immediately, says Leffler,her group is helping spread theword of Shelter, Inc.’s continu-ing need for help from the pri-vate sector to support the risingtide of homeless and near-homeless people in ContraCosta County.

Since 2007, the number ofpeople Shelter, Inc. has helpedeach year increased by 65 per-cent, from 3,000 in 2007 to5,200 in 2009.

“You may not think (home-lessness) impacts the moreupscale communities – but itdoes,” said Shelter, Inc. presi-dent David Gerson. He pointedout that Shelter clients haveincluded postal workers, librari-ans and a full-time high schoolteacher. “The people you knowmight have been clients ofours.”

“Even if we had 50 hikersthat each asked a hundred peo-ple (for donations), that’s 5,000people that now know we have ahomeless problem in ContraCosta County,” said Leffler.“What this has done is we havegenerated almost 2,000 newdonors to Shelter, Inc.”

Shelter, Inc.’s executivedirector Tim O’Keefe isimpressed with Leffler’s effec-tiveness. “A lot of people have avision of what they want toaccomplish. But she has theability that when she sets thatvision out in her mind, it’s likedamn the torpedoes, she’s goingto go.”

Leffler, 61, describes thisstage of her life as “rewiring,

not retiring.” An avid photogra-pher, quilter and watercolorartist, Leffler created art thatadorns the cover of this year’sClayton Garden Tour brochure.

She recently left her career indirect sales to devote more timeto raising funds and awarenessfor groups like Shelter, Inc.

“When you find your voice,you can really make a differencein the world,” she said.

For more information, visit shel-terincofccc.org.

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 11

Retirement Community

6401 Center Street Clayton CA 94517

www.diamondterrace.net

(925) 524-5100

Enjoy a “Walking Tour” of the town of Clayton through an historical slide show

with photos dating back to the 1860s.

Thurs., May 20, 7-8:15 p.m.

�� Refreshments served�� Public invited

�� FREE event�� Bring a friend

Historical “walking tour” of Clayton

Presented by Dick Ellis,past president, Clayton Historical Society

Discover the travels of founder, Joel Clayton, as heventures from Buxworth, England to California.

925-672-9955wwwwww..nniicchhoollssllaannddssccaappee..ccoomm

LLiicc.. 554422881122 FFuullllyy IInnssuurreedd Boyce Nichols - Owner

COMPLETE LANDSCAPE

INSTALLATION

�� Paver Patio & Walkway

�� Retaining Walls �� Drainage�� Lawn & Plant Installation�� Lawn Renovation - Aeration & Thatching�� Low Voltage Lighting�� We Design & Install Landscape

FFRREEEE EESSTTIIMMAATTEESS

If you’ve left a job and have a 401(k) or other retirement accounts,don’t forget about them. Rolling over assets you have with formeremployers or other institutions to an Ameriprise IRA can be importantin making your retirement dreams a reality.

And, if you roll assets over to an Ameriprise IRA, the annual custodialfee will be waived for life.*

To start a conversation, call me at (925) 685-4523.

MMuurreelleeeenn BBeennttoonn,, CFP®, Financial Advisor5356 Clayton Rd., Suite 211 Concord, CA 94521(925) 685-4523Mureleen.M.Benton@ampf.comCA License #0692378

* If you transfer or roll over $10,000 or more of new assets into an Ameriprise traditional, SEP or RothIRA from January 1 to May 31, we’ll waive the custodial fees. The annual custodial fee waiver does notinclude product fees or sales charges. Offer expires May 31, 2010. Ameriprise Financial cannot guaran-tee future financial results.Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise FinancialServices, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdic-tions or to all clients. © 2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Jobs may change.Retirement dreams don’t have to.

Wendy Moore of Alain Pinel Realtors was awarded the highest level of serv-

ice achievement in the real estate industry, Quality Service Certified® Platinum.

The award is in recognition of earning 100% client service satisfaction in both

2009 & 2008!

Quality Service Certified (QSC) status is the only award in the real estate

industry based on independently validated, measurable service results. Clients of

QSC agents receive a customer satisfaction survey at the end of each transac-

tion. Client feedback from the surveys becomes part of the agent’s credentials.

Larry D. Romito, President and CEO of QSC says “Consumers have greater

confidence in service reliability, results and satisfaction with a QSC agent

because they know the agent’s service record has been validated. 100% service

satisfaction record like Wendy Moore has achieved is just awesome.”

3430 Camino Tassajara l Blackhawk, CA 94506Office: 925-682-3255 l Fax: 925-682-6556

DRE #01408930

24/7 Video & Photo Gallery Available Online At www.EstatesBy Wendy.com

Shelter, from page 1

ChurchNews

Summertime film festival seeksstudent entries on the subject of love

Clayton History From the Archives

CLAYTON’S MAIN STREET HOLDS PLACE IN HISTORYThe sight of Main Street from Clayton’s Grammar School in 1903 is a little bare com-

pared to the modern structures of present-day Clayton.A few businesses and houses were scattered along Main Street, while other streets hadchurches, saloons and a slaughterhouse. The rest of the town was a mix of houses andfarmland.

A view directly from the top of the hill facing where the dirt road entered Oak andHigh streets showed the tall structure of the grocery store and the livery next to it.Today, Main Street is the home of several popular and important buildings such asSkipolini’s Pizzeria and the Clayton Museum. The street is host to many traditional festivi-ties that families look forward to every year, such as last weekend’s Art and Wine Festival.

- Sarah Minton, CVHS senior

Photo courtesy of the Clayton Historical Society

In this time when youngstersoften concentrate exclusively onone sport from an early age, it’srefreshing that the ClaytonValley High School varsity vol-leyball team has four seniorsbrand new to volleyball this year.And, they have helped the Eaglescontend for league and NorthCoast Section honors.

“We started off the seasonwith four new players who hadnever played the sport beforeand got them up to varsityspeed,” says coach StephenCoddington. “One thing thathelped the four players is thatthey are naturally athletic.”

Tom Sprague, Pierce Bartley,Nick Sharapata and Joey Detmermade the 10-man varsity squadand have helped the Eagles to a

top two position in the DiabloValley Athletic League.

This is not to say the squaddoesn’t have experienced volley-ball players. Co-captains setterAaron Blatter and outside hitterMitchell D’Angina were instru-mental in the thrilling victoryover College Park that ended 16-14 in the fifth set. The 6-6 juniorD’Angina had 22 kills and fourblocks against the Falcons, whilesenior Blatter registered 40assists and six kills.

Middle blocker Detmer had14 kills and five blocks, and sen-ior opposite hitter Taylor Bredellhad seven kills.

Standing 8-1 in the DVALentering this week, the Eagles area victory over defending leagueand NCS champion Northgateaway from claiming a co-leaguechampionship. The teams metTuesday to determine the likely

league champ.Northgate has an incredible

34-1 record a year ago, includingthe NCS championship matchvictory over Las Lomas – whichhad eliminated Clayton Valley ina tough four-set match to openNCS play. Coddington thinks hissquad is poised to go much fur-ther in section playoffs this year.

“I believe if this team puts ittogether for this final stretch thatwe can play for an NCS champi-onship,” he says. “We took a stepforward in our game againstCollege Park, with the team cap-tains Mitchell and Aaron step-ping up to lead the team to ahard-fought win.”

Three experienced juniors,libero Clark Stratford, outsidehitter Austin Woods and defen-sive specialist Bryan Crase, com-plete the 10-man varsity squad ofupper classmen.

Page 12 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

Clayton Sports

Clayton resident, Mike Rose, has been in

business for over 36years and has always

provided quality repairwith excellent

customer service!

Antioch

(925) 755-1739

Brentwood

(925) 634-6366

Concord

(925) 686-1739

Pittsburg

(925) 432-9910

Walnut Creek

(925) 210-1739

Walnut Creek

(925) 979-1739

Mike Rose’s Auto Body

Concord (925) 689-1739

Six otherSix other locations to serve youlocations to serve you

Visit our website WWW.MAUTOBODY.COM

I Car Gold and ASE certified technicians

Approved by most major insurance companies2 for 1 Two classes for the price of oneone c

oupon per customer or Bring a Friend for FREE!

Jo Nash is back!!!CCllaasssseess bbeeggiinn MMoonnddaayy,, AApprriill 1122Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center Street, Clayton

CCllaassss sscchheedduullee:: Mondays 11:15am-12:10pm ZumbaMondays 12:15pm – 1:10 Yoga Stretch/Ab*Tuesdays 10am- 10:55 Zumba GoldThursdays 12pm- 12: 55 Yoga Stretch/Ab*Fridays 10:30am-11:25am Zumba

*Bring your own mat

Classes must have a minimum of 3 people to start so please call to verify class is running.FFeeee $$4400 ppeerr ffoouurr ccllaasssseess.. DDiissccoouunnttss ffoorr mmuullttiippllee ccllaasssseess..

Jo Nash707-812-3863

www.earthquakearabians.com360-7454 3142 Morgan Territory Rd.

Summer Camp!June 14-18 &

June 21-259 am to 3 pm$400/week

Enroll by June 1and save $50

Horse back riding, Horsemanship, Horse painting, Free camp T-shirt

Limited spots available

DDrreeaamm......RRiiddee......

SSmmiillee......

Three soccer teams reach Comstock finals

Three local teams left theirmark by reaching the finals ofthe Comstock Shootout inCarson City, Nev., in April.

The Diablo FC 99 team camehome with under 10 girls cham-pionship medals from the Sierragold bracket. Mt. Diablo SoccerAYSO Region 223 claimed run-ner-up medals in two under 12brackets, by the MDSA StrikersFC boys and MDSA Velocitygirls.

Coach Stacey O’Callaghan’sDiablo FC 99 team gave up onlyone goal in four games whilescoring 19. “Our defense playedreally well,” she noted.

En route to the finals,Diablo FC defeated PHMSAPride 5-0, host team CapitalSoccer Club Strikers 6-0 andMDSA Stampede 7-0. In thechampionship match, the localteam was tested before defeat-ing PHMSA Barbie Girls 2-1.

Diablo FC 99 includes KatieChristman, MariannaGiovannetti, Gabrielle Hair,Janet Lopez, Francesca Monti,Stephanie Neys, Lindsey Osmer,Kylie Schneider, Cassie Silvaand Sophie Wheeler.

Meanwhile, Velocity got offto a slow start at Comstock witha 6-2 loss to the PHMSAShockwave. Velocity had goalsfrom Savannah Pomeroy andLauren Russell.

In their second game,Velocity was up againstcrosstown rival ConcordFusion. The team was able toshut out Fusion 4-0 with domi-nating defense led by Eryn

Dudley, Briel Araujo andPomeroy. Velocity got deter-mined work from midfieldersRussell and Allyson Bourque.Goals were scored by AlyssaWeed, Natalie Ruzicka and JuliaDeJesus.

In the Sunday semi-finalgame against Pleasant HillGalaxy, the Velocity fell behind1-0. The defense clamped downand was backed by solid goal-keeping from MadisonPomeroy, Maria Sparvoli andHaley Robertshaw. MadisonPomeroy had to leave the gamewith an ankle injury, but theteam rallied with three unan-swered goals from Dudley, SofiaCampos and Ruzicka to win thematch 3-1 and move to thefinals.

The final was a rematchagainst Shockwave. Each teamcreated multiple opportunitiesthat were shut down by excel-lent defense. Shockwave wasable to find the back of the netfor a lone goal in the first half.

Despite lots of offensivepressure, Velocity could notproduce a tying goal and had tosettle for second place after a 1-0 loss.

“This team really cametogether this weekend and theirconfidence was soaring,” saidVelocity coach Chris Ruzicka. “Iwas proud of this team andtheir resilience this weekend.”

The MDSA U12 boysStrikers FC were coming off achampionship at the AYSOArea 2C/D Select tournamentin Davis. Strikers FC had defeat-ed clubmates MDSA United inwet, windy conditions of theArea Select finals before they

headed to Nevada for one ofthe area’s largest youth soccertournaments.

In the first game, MDSAdefeated Bishop 3-2 as DiegoCordova scored twice and MikeHathaway once. Key defendersas Bishop pushed for the tyinggoal were Bryden Connel, EvanLonestar, Dylan Gois, PabloHernandez, Cade Hermestonand Scott Lorentzen.

The next game was a lop-sided 9-1 decision over Heritage

Blackhawks. Taylor Heuermanended up with a hat trick, scor-ing three goals in the secondquarter. Ryan Anchondo scoredtwice, and Pablo Hernandezalso tallied in the win.

To reach the finals, StrikersFC needed a tie or win againstPHMSA Outlaws. Heuermangot the tying goal before half-time after PHMSA took an earlylead. Goalkeeper MikeHathaway denied all the Outlawshot attempts as they pressed

for the winning goal and thegame ended 1-1.

The finals pitted the localteam against Davis Dynamite,whom the Strikers eliminated 5-2 in the semi-finals of the Selecttournament. Strikers goalkeep-ers Zachary Lamb and BrydenConnel worked hard to containDavis’ attacking offense, butDynamite scored a goal in eachhalf for a 2-0 victory.

“We had a good number ofscoring opportunities but could

not find the back of the net,”coach Jorge Cordova said. “Itwas indeed an exciting game,and our boys played hard andnever gave up.”

Brothers Mike and RyanHathaway of Strikers FC met inthe finals of U12 boys KeeperWars at Comstock, with Miketaking the title.

“Our boys had a great timein Comstock as they got to playtwo teams for the first time,”noted coach Dave Lonestar.

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

Photo courtesy of Mt. Diablo Soccer

MDSA VELOCITY TOOK SECOND PLACE AT THE ANNUAL COMSTOCK SHOOTOUT. The team includes, front row from left, Sofia Campos,Allyson Bourque, Eryn Dudley, Natalie Ruzicka, Briel Araujo, Alyssa Weed; back row, coach Aaron Pomeroy, Maria Sparvoli, JuliaDeJesus, Lauren Russell, Haley Robertshaw, Savannah Pomeroy and coach Chris Ruzicka.

Volleyball rookies help Eagles contend for NCS title

Photo by Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer

THE CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM has its eyes on a NCS title. TheEagles are, from left, Joey Detmer, Pierce Bartley, Austin Woods, Mitchell D’Angina, NickSharapata, Aaron Blatter, Clark Stratford, Tom Sprague and Taylor Bredell.

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 13

Clayton Sports HHeellpp tthhee PPiioonneeeerr ccoovveerr tthhee llooccaall ssppoorrttss sscceennee.. Sendcompetition results, story ideas, announcements, sportsshorts, etc. to sports@claytonpioneer.com. Please attach ahigh-resolution photo whenever available.

Sports Shorts

925.689.4631925.689.4631

visit: claytonvalleybowl.comvisit: claytonvalleybowl.com

Clayton Valley Bowl5300 Clayton Road �� Concord, CA

Clayton Valley Bowl

SUMMER LEAGUES start in May

5 BIG DVD SCREENS

Digital Thunder PLUS on the last 12 lanes

FRI 4 pm - 6 pm (kids), 10 pm - 1 am, Sat 10 pm - 1 am

Digital Thunder Glow Bowling

Nifty $1.50 Nights for everyone

$1.50 games, Mon. thru Thu. 9pm to midnight

Freaky Funday on Sundays - 5pm to midnight - $6 cover charge gets you

$1-games, shoes, hotdogs, sodas and small beers.

FALL LEAGUE AYSO REGISTRATIONMt. Diablo Soccer AYSO Region 223 registration for its 30th

anniversary fall season continues noon-3 p.m. Saturday, May 8, atMountain View Elementary School in Concord. Everyone playson the teams for girls and boys age 5-18.

Fall season begins with practice in August, followed by gamesthrough the season-ending Mt. Diablo World Cup in October forUnder 10, U12 and U14 age groups.

For more information, visit mdsoccer.org.

LOCAL SOCCER TEAMS IN CONCORD CUP XVIIThe local soccer community will be represented by 14 teams

at Concord Cup XVII on May 15-16. The tournament has arecord 138 teams coming from Idaho, Nevada and throughoutNorthern California.

Mt. Diablo Soccer AYSO Region 223 has a dozen teams tak-ing part, while the competitive Diablo Futbol Club has a pair ofteams entered. For a schedule and results, visit concordcup.com.

EAGLES SUMMER BASEBALL ACADEMYDefending North Coast Section champion Clayton Valley

High Eagles coaches and players will present the annual SummerBaseball Camp June 15-July 1 at the Concord school. The pro-gram is for boys and girls 7-15, from beginners to advanced play-ers.

Current college players and student coaches from ClaytonValley provide positive role models and give hands-on instruc-tion. For more information, call 682-7474 ext. 3115 or visiteaglebaseballacademy.com.

CLAYTON VALLEY YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMPThe 10th annual Football Camp runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 21-

25 at Gonsalves Stadium on the CVHS campus. It is for boysentering fifth-ninth grades.

Head football coach Herc Pardi and his staff provide funda-mental instruction and competition. There is a trainer on site.Each participant gets a camp shirt and a written evaluation.

Cost is $125 plus a refundable $75 equipment fee. For moreinformation, call 682-7474 ext. 3115, press 5, or pick up abrochure at the CVHS front office. Deadline to apply is June 9.

whereyou need it,

whenyou need it,

No phone lines or cable access required

925-260-4119 ext. 2 www.aircloud.comairCloud Broadband Services � Your local Internet Service Provider

Servicing Contra Costa County since 2001

Mention the Clayton Pioneer & receive a

Build-a-Bear gift card with new patient visit!

Less than 10 min. from Clayton

Randall E. Chang, DDS, Inc.

Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry3050 Citrus Cir., #110 � Walnut Creek

(925) 938.2392 � www.cd-wc.com

WWee SSppeecciiaalliizzee iinn tthhee TTrreeaattmmeenntt ooff IInnffaannttss,, CChhiillddrreenn,, aanndd YYoouunngg AAdduullttss

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see their dentist by their first birthday.

Four years of dedication netsEagles DVAL boys tennis title

Finishing off their leagueseason between rainstorms, theClayton Valley High Schoolboys tennis team claimed ashare of the Diablo ValleyAthletic League championshipand earned the top league rank-ing in a tiebreaker withNorthgate.

This matched the goal sen-ior co-captain Marc Albano setwhen he said, “Our expecta-tions for the team are simple:to win the DVAL champi-onship.”

The Eagles needed to win apair of postponed matches lastweek in order to ensure thetitle, and they eventually com-pleted victories over Concordand College Park. The team’ssuccess can be traced fromcoach Rick Ortega to threededicated seniors, RenatoCastro, Oscar Barbosa andAlbano, who have been withthe Eagles the same amount oftime as Ortega.

“We have dedicated muchof the past three plus years tobettering ourselves as individu-als and as a team,” Albano says.“Since our first year, we have allplayed year-round and helpedform the foundation of ourteam.”

Ortega is in his fourth yearwith Clayton Valley. “To say heis the main reason for our suc-cess would be an understate-ment,” Albano explains.“Coach Ortega has devotedcountless hours over this timeto make us the championshipcontender we are today.

“The year before he andcoach Suzanne Beck came to

the Clayton Valley boys tennisprogram, the boys team was 1-15. In his first year, we went 5-11,” he adds. “In his secondyear, we were second in ourleague with an 11-5 record.Last year, we regressed slightlyin a new league (DVAL) butstill placed third.”

The team includes manyplayers from Clayton – Albano,Jonathan Kim, Chase Johnson,Ricky Ahlgren, Chris Gasparroand Mike Jayko.

One of the main sources ofthe Eagles strength is that they

have a competitive lineup fromplayers 1-10. Returning seniorsare Castro (No. 4 singles),Barbosa (2 doubles), Carlos Via(3 doubles), Gasparro (1 dou-bles), Albano (3 singles) andJayko (2 doubles).

Underclassmen who alsoplay tennis year-round and aremaking their mark for thechamps are junior co-captainAhlgren (1 doubles), juniorJohnson (2 singles) and sopho-more Kim (1 singles). Kimmight be the youngest varsitymember but the Clayton resi-

dent, nicknamed JK, is unde-feated on the season and astrong contender to advance tothe North Coast Section singlestournament this weekend.

Two other sophomores,Ryan Dugan and Zach Shaw,are “good signs for the futureof CVHS tennis,” according toAlbano.

The Eagles split the seasonseries against Northgate, defeat-ing the Broncos 7-0 at homebefore losing a 4-3 decision inWalnut Creek. The team was 7-1 in DVAL and 18-3-1 overall.

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

Photo by Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer

FOUR YEARS OF DEDICATION HAVE PAID OFF FOR THIS TRIO OF CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS asthe Eagles boys tennis team won the DVAL championship last week. From left, Renato Castro,Marc Albano and Oscar Barbosa have spent the past four years with coach Rick Ortega helpingestablishing the standards for a championship team. The year before these seniors and Ortegastarted at Clayton Valley, boys tennis was 1-15 and this year they were 18-3-1

Photo by Mike Dunn

SHORTSTOP CODY STEPHENS is the infield mainstay of theClayton Valley High School baseball team. The three-yearstarter and returning All-DVAL player has helped the Eaglesto the No. 1 ranking in the East Bay and a top 10 rating inthe state. The defending DVAL and North Coast Sectionchamps are gearing up for another run at the playoffs as theyhold a two-game lead in league play. Stephens is a Division 1college prospect. The CVHS coaching staff says his work ethicis an example for the entire squad.

Clayton Valley baseballNo. 1 in Eastbay

Glasbergen Chuckles

“As outgoing C.E.O. of this fishbowl, I’m entitled totake the water, the bowl and all the colored stones

as my departure package.”

Advertisewith

the Pioneer 672-0500

Page 14 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

Clayton Community CalendarPLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. MAY 10 FOR THE MAY 21 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com

ENTERTAINMENTMay 7-16“Fabulous Follies”The Vagabond Players mark their fifth anniversary. $10-$20. ElCampanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. 757-9500 orvagabondplayersinc.com.

May 8-9“Music that Dances”The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra features the premiere of awork by Bay Area composer and cellist Gianna Abondolo. 7:30 p.m.May 8, Los Medanos College Recital Hall, Pittsburg. $5-$10. 2 p.m.May 9, Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek. $15-$18. 943-SHOW or lesherartscenter.org.

May 14Second Friday Concert SeriesThe final concert of the season features the Mt. Diablo String Band.

7:30 p.m., Walnut Avenue United Methodist Church, 260 WalnutAve., Walnut Creek. $5-$10 or $25 per family. Free childcare. 2ndfri-dayconcertseries@walnutavenueumc.org.

May 16, 23Kenn Adams’ AdventureTheaterAn innovative theatrical experi-ence for kids and teens wherethe audience helps create theshow. 1 and 4 p.m., Under theSun Studios, 2956 Treat Blvd.,Suite B, Concord. $12.kennadamsadventuretheater.comor 408-8540.

May 20-June 26“The Noel Coward Celebration”The Bay Area premiere of an evening of song and sparkling repartee.Center REPertory Company, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $18-$45.CenterREP.org or 943-7469.

Through May 23“Betty’s Summer Vacation”A serio-comedy collaboration of Diablo Valley College students andfaculty. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, 321 GolfClub Rd, Pleasant Hill. $10- $17. No one under 17 admitted withoutconsent. 687-4445.

May 21Diablo Valley Masterworks Chorale and OrchestraFeaturing Gabriel Faure's “Requiem” and solos from Judy Wing Rykenand Scot Evans. 8 p.m., Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49Knox Dr., Lafayette. $20, or $25 at the door. 687-4445.

May 21, 23, 26TapestryThe Bay Area’s only vocal and handbell ensemble, presents “Shall WeDance?” 8 p.m. May 21, St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 5562

Clayton Road, Concord. 4 p.m. May 23, Walnut Creek UnitedMethodist Church, 1543 Sunnyvale Ave. 7:30 p.m. May 26, AsburyUnited Methodist Church, 4743 East Ave., Livermore. Free-will dona-tions for FESCO and the Food Pantry. Contact Cindy at 672-7751.

May 23Diablo Women’s Chorale Spring ConcertFeaturing Pergolesi, Mendelssohn and Gershwin. 3 p.m., TrinityLutheran Church, 2317 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. $10-$12.Reception follows concert. Proceeds benefit the Mt. Diablo MusicEducation Foundation. diablowomenschorale.org.

Through June 6“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”Willows Theatre Company presents the award-winning musical fea-turing the “Peanuts” gang. Willows Cabaret, 636 Ward St, Martinez.$22-$32. 798-1300 or willowstheatre.org.

Through Sept. 16Music and Market SeriesConcerts at noon Tuesdays through June 29, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays July6-Aug. 3 and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 16, Todos SantosPlaza, downtown Concord. Also, Elvis tribute 2 p.m. Mother’s Day,May 9, and Motown music Father’s Day, June 20. ci.concord.ca.us or671-3464.

CLAYTON EVENTSMay 8, 22Concerts in the GroveMay 8: AJA VU, playing the music of Steely Dan, Sly, the DoobieBrothers and other ’70s groups. May 22: Mamaluke, a classic rockdance band. 6 p.m., Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Ajavu.com ormamaluke.com.

May 12-22“Back to the Eighties”A nostalgic musical from Drama Mama Productions students atDiablo View Middle School. 6:30 p.m. May 12, 13, 14 and 20. 3:30and 7 p.m. May 22. DVMS multi-use room, 300 Diablo View Lane,Clayton. Contact Micki at 787-3183.

May 31Memorial Day ProgramHosted by VFW Post 1525. 10 a.m.-noon, downtown Clayton flag-pole. Contact Ming at 672-4911 or Pete at 682-6533.

FUNDRAISERSThrough May 15Mt. Diablo Music Education Foundation$10 and $20 raffle tickets offer chances to win Disney vacations.Winners announced at a Musical Festival 2 p.m. May 15 at the SleepTrain Pavilion. Advance concert tickets are $10 for the first ticket and$5 for other tickets on the same order. At the event, $6 for studentsand $12 for adults. mdmusicfoundation.org.

May 15Clayton Valley Garden Club Plant SaleOne-gallon plants are $4. Buy five and get one free. 8 a.m.-1 p.m.,Endeavor Hall parking lot, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Contact Neal at672-2624.

May 21-23Clayton Valley High School Music BoostersJamba Juice in the Clayton Valley Shopping Center will donate 20percent of purchases May 21-23. Print flier at claytonbands.org.Instrumental music students will host a carwash 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May22, Mountain Mike’s, 5358 Clayton Road, Concord. $10. ContactLinda at lcfm@sbcglobal.net.

AT THE LIBRARYThe Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Most programs arefree. 673-0659 or claytonlibrary.org.

May 10Storytime and CraftsIn honor of Children’s Book Week. For children pre-K through firstgrade. 4 p.m. Register in advance.

May 10Maneuvering in Today’s High-Tech Job MarketSean Hallihan will discuss hot technologies, the job outlook, whatskills top employers are seeking, resumes and what to expect duringan interview. 7 p.m. RSVP at ccclib.org/programs or contact Doug at673-0659.

May 11Patty CakesStory time for babies to 3-year-olds. Child attends with caregiver. 11 a.m.

May 11, 18Paws to ReadChildren in grades 1-5 can read aloud to a dog to encourage thosewho have trouble reading. 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays. Registration by a par-ent is required.

May 13Picture Book TimeStory time for 3- to 5-year-olds. Child may attend without caregiver.11 a.m.

May 17How to Sell, Even if You Don’t Like SalesRandall Shores will explore simple sales techniques that require littleor no money to attract new customers. 7-9 p.m.

June 5-6Summer Reading FestivalThe county library kicks off Summer Reading with free events aroundthe county. Captain Jack Spareribs will offer pirate humor, jugglingand a talking monkey, 4 p.m. June 5, Clayton Library. Writer DaveEggers will appear 1 p.m. June 6, Lesher Center for the Arts, WalnutCreek. 943-SHOW or lesherartscenter.org. For more on SummerReading, visit guides.ccclib.org/srf.

June 16Personal Finances 101David Green, president and CEO of the Contra Costa Federal CreditUnion, presents experts who will introduce tools to help put yourfinances in order. 7 p.m.

June 26Prenatal YogaCandice Garrett talks about yoga, pregnancy, birth and her book,

“Prenatal Yoga: Finding Movement in Fullness.” 2 p.m. RSVP for a2:30 p.m. demonstration on breath awareness and yoga. Bring yourown mat. alturl.com/mdw2 or ccclib.org/programs/index.html.

MEETINGSMay 11, 25Clayton Planning Commission7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 orci.clayton.ca.us.

May 11, 25Mt. Diablo Unified School District7:30 p.m., 1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord. mdusd.org.

May 18Clayton City Council7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304 orci.clayton.ca.us.

CLUBSClayton Business and Community AssociationMeets 6:30 p.m. the last Thursday of the month, except holidays,Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Call Sueat 672-2272.

Clayton Valley Garden ClubMeets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month, Diamond Terrace,6401 Center St., Clayton. On May 12, Prodromos Stephanos willspeak about bees and how we benefit from them. Contact Nancy at673-3522 or claytonvalleygardenclub.org.

Clayton Valley Woman’s ClubMeets 9:30 a.m. for coffee, 10 a.m. meetings, second and fourthTuesdays of the month, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 AlbertaWay, Concord. Call Joan at 672-2471.

Clutch Busters Square Dance ClubMeets 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Mt. Diablo Women’s Club, 1700 FarmBureau Road, Concord. Contact Dorothy at 754-8117.

Concord Stompers Square Dance ClubMeets 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Mt. Diablo Women’s Club, 1700 FarmBureau Road, Concord. Call Jennie at 672-9676 orangelfire.com/id/stompers.

Contra Costa Chess ClubMeets 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Starbuck’s, 1536 Kirker Pass Road,Clayton. Players of all ages and skill levels welcome. Contact Mike at639-1987 or uschess.org.

Contra Costa Mineral and Gem SocietyMeets 7:30 p.m. second Monday of the month, Centre Concord,5298 Clayton Road. 779-0698 or ccmgs.org.

Creekside Artists GuildMeets 7-8:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month, ClaytonLibrary Story Room, 6125 Clayton Road, Clayton. All artforms andboth emerging and experienced artists welcome. Contact Arlene at673-9777 or nielsenjanc@aol.com. Creeksideartists.org.

Diablo Valley Democratic ClubMeets 7-9 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month, Ygnacio ValleyLibrary, 2661 Oak Grove Road., Walnut Creek. 946-0469 ordvdems.org.

Diablo Valley Macintosh Users GroupMeets 6:30-9 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. BancroftElementary School, 2700 Parish Dr., Walnut Creek. 689-1155 ordvmug.org.

East Bay Prospectors ClubMeets 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month, Gold PanCalifornia, 1021 Detroit Ave., Unit D, Concord. Clayton residentDoug Junghans is president. eastbaygpaa.webs.com or 672-1863.

Knights Of Columbus, Concord Council 6038Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month, except holidays,Cauchi Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, 3966 Chestnut St, Concord.Contact George at 685-9547 or visit kofc6038.org.

Rotary Club of Clayton Valley/Concord SunriseMeets 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 PeacockCreek Dr., Clayton. Includes breakfast and a speaker. Contact Chuckat 689-7640 or claytonvalleyrotary.org.

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

Sons In Retirement (SIRs)Meets 11:15 a.m. the first Thursday of the month, Crown PlazaHotel, 45 John Glenn Dr., Concord. The chapter no longer meets atOakhurst Country Club. 429-3777.

Soroptimist International of Diablo VistaMeets 12:15 p.m. the first, second and third Wednesdays of themonth, September-June, Sizzler, 1353 Willow Pass Road, Concord.Clayton resident Sue Manning is president. 672-2727.

Widows/WidowersMeets for dinner, brunch, theater, etc. This is not a dating service noris it a greiving class - just a way to meet other people. Contact Lori at998-8844 or lori@lorihagge.com.

Tapestry

Kenn Adams

Bay Area Realty

Beautique

Bella Mia Spa

Canesa's Brooklyn Deli

Cat Hospital of Clayton

CD Federal Credit Union

Cegielski Jewelers

Clayton Bicycles

Clayton Books

Clayton Community Church

Clayton Dental Office on

Main St.

Clayton Furniture

Clayton Valley Medical Group

Clayton Valley Presbyterian

Computers USA

Concord Locksmith

Concord Optometry

CVS Pharmacy

Diamond Terrace

Dryclean USA

Ed's Mudville Grill

Hair's the Place

Lela's Hair Salon

Lynne French Windemere

Real Estate

Perfect Tan

Pet Suite Inn

R&M Pool, Patio and Garden

Re/Max Accord in

Flora Square

Rodie's Feed & Country Store

Royal Image Day Spa

Skipolini's

Snap Fitness

St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church

St. John's Episcopal Church

The Clayton Club

The Cutting Edge Knife Works

The Royal Rooster

The UPS Store

TLC Pet Grooming

Travel to Go

Window Works

Don't becaught withoutyourAAllmmaannaaccPick up your FREE

copy at one of these local

businesses:

or at the Clayton Pioneer,

6200 H Center St, Clayton.

Patients often ask if anesthe-sia is safe for pets.

While anesthesia has its risks,veterinary medicine has come along way in raising the standardsof care during anesthetic proce-dures. Clients are often amazedat the sophistication of anesthet-ic agents, pain medications andmonitoring used now by veteri-narians.

Proper sedation or anesthesiaallows the veterinarian to per-form surgery, dentistry, X-rays orany uncomfortable procedurewithout pain or stress to theirpatients. Struggling to restrain adog or cat for a painful proce-dure creates fear and high levelsof anxiety. This could escalate tobiting or scratching and harm tothe veterinary staff. Also, the petmay develop aversion to futureveterinary visits.

Safe anesthesia starts with athorough physical exam. First aTPR will be taken, whichincludes temperature, pulse (orheart rate) and respiratory rate.

Your pet is examined for

unhealthy weight loss or gain.The chest is assaulted for heartmurmurs and arrthymias as wellas abnormal lung sounds. Thebody is palpated for masses, largelymph nodes and any joint painor abnormal anatomy. Mucousmembranes are assessed forproper pink color, tackiness (anindication of dehydration) andcapillary refill time (to assess tis-sue perfusion). The eyes and earsalso are examined.

Blood work is essential forassessing internal metabolicfunctions. The veterinarian willrecommend a blood panelappropriate for your pet’s ageand level of health. These panelsrange from a small screeningpanel consisting of renal andliver values, blood glucose andred blood cell levels to seniorpanels with up to 30 bloodchemistries, complete blood cellcount, thyroid levels and urinaly-sis. Other lab tests may be rec-ommended depending on yourpet’s health condition.

Full body X-rays and ultra-sounds may be given to betterevaluate heart, lung and organdisease. These tests screen forcancer in senior pets even whenthey appear healthy.

If lung masses are present,there is an additional risk of res-

piratory problems under anes-thesia. Once there are chesttumors, life expectancy is shortmaking an expensive and painfulprocedure unnecessary for yourpet.

After review of all the diag-nostic tests, a master problem listis generated. Then an anestheticrisk level is assigned to help theveterinarian decide the appropri-ate anesthetic agents.

If your pet has liver disease,medications that are metabolizedthrough the liver will be avoided.If not, the anesthetic will takelonger to be excreted by a dis-eased liver and the patient willsleep longer.

Full anesthesia takes threesteps. First, a pre-anestheticinjection is given either subcuta-neously or intra-muscularly. Thisinjection is a cocktail consistingof a sedative, an opiate painmedication and often an anti-arhythmic drug. The second stepis placement of the IV catheterand induction. Induction agentsare given intravenously to induceanesthesia.

Once the patient is relaxed,an endotracheal tube is placedinto the trachea and attached to agas anesthetic machine, whichalso administers oxygen. Thisthird level of anesthesia achieves

surgical level of pain control.During anesthesia, it is

important to monitor thepatient’s vital signs. Vets’ anes-thetic monitors now rival thosein human medicine. Most veteri-narians have monitors to meas-ure blood pressure, oxygen andcarbon dioxide levels, heart rate,respiratory rate, temperature andelectro-cardiogram.

With continuous monitoringof these values by a techniciandedicated to the anesthesia ofthe patient, problems are caughtearly. Adjustments to fluid rate,anesthetic levels or pain medica-tions are made to compensate.

Vital signs are supported byIV fluids, which are imperativefor safety while under anesthesia.An IV catheter provides an openport to the body in case emer-gency drugs are needed. Butmost importantly, administrationof fluids at a surgical rate helpsmaintain blood pressure duringthe procedure.

Body temperature is kept atnormal levels with warm watercirculating heating pads or warmair blankets.

The technical staff is on con-stant alert for the level of painexperienced by the patient. Wehave a wide variety of pain med-ications, including opiates, tokeep pets comfortable. It hasbeen proven that controlling apatient’s pain provides for quick-er healing.

Post-anesthetic recoveryincludes monitoring tempera-ture, heart rate and respiratoryrate as well as pain status.Generally, the goal is to send thepet home walking with appropri-ate medications to control painand infection.

If an anesthetic procedurehas been recommended for yourpet, ease your fears by discussingthe anesthesia, monitoring andpain control plans before handwith your veterinarian.

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 15

It could be a virus or it could just need a tune-up.

Prevent problems caused by viruses and spywarewith Regular proactive maintenance.

TTOOTTAALL DDEESSKKTTOOPP CCAARREE && SSEERRVVEERR WWAATTCCHH Low cost, fixed feeservices thatmonitor & maintainyour networkto minimize IT problems Call Mark 925.672.6029 or

info@netsolutions-ca.com

Dizzy is an intelligent andbusy dog. She will thrive in anactive home that can provide herwith outlets for her energy multi-ple times a day.

Attending a Basic Mannerstraining class would be a greatway for her to bond with hernew adopters.

The adoption fee for adultdogs is $225 and includes 60% offone 7-week dog training session.

Rain is a super sweet girl that

wants to be close to her family.She will make a great cat for anyfamily.

The adoption fee for adultcats is $50.

Meet your forever friend atTony La Russa’s Animal RescueFoundation, 2890 MitchellDrive, Walnut Creek, duringadoption hours: 3 to 7 p.m.Thursday and Friday, Noon to 5p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Theprimary caretaker must be pres-

ent to adopt. ARF also encour-ages kids 16 and younger andcanine family members (dogadoptions only) to be presentduring the adoption process.

Would you like to be part of theheroic team that saves the lives of res-cued dogs and cats? Can you share yourtalents to connect people and animals?ARF volunteers are making a differ-ence! For more information see ourwebsite, www.arf.net, or call925.256.1ARF.

Dizzy and Rain areARF’s Adoption Stars

RAINDIZZY

Office: 925.975.5255email: granyflany@msn.com, home & fax: 925.672.0541

DRE#00906625

Clayton Rental: 3 bdrm, 3 bath house - $2200/Mo.

Patty FlanneryYour local neighborhood REALTOR

since 1986

Proper procedures keep petssafe during anesthesia

MARYBETH RYMER, DVM

PAWS AND CLAWS

Extraordinary Care for your Pet

Josie Van Fleet, Owner and Operator

(925) 432-PETS (7387)671 Willow Pass Road #6, Pittsburg

PetSuitesInn.com

Staffed

24/7

MAY SPECIAL

25% off Boarding & Grooming services

FREE Pick up & DeliveryFirst time customers Must bring this ad. 1 per customer, exp. 5/31/2010

Come check us out

Marybeth Rymer, DVM, can bereached at Monte Vista AnimalHospital, Concord. 672-1100.

We recently discussed ourcareer goals in one of my class-es at school. The vocationsranged from psychologists tolaw enforcement, garneringplenty of admiration and com-mentary from classmates.

However, when one studentexpressed her desire to be ahomemaker, the generalresponse was decidedly unflat-tering. Many believed her aspira-tion was ludicrous. Is choosingto rear a child, essentially influ-encing and mentoring a futuremember of society, a lowlyambition?

I believe society has begunto overlook the role of themother. In women’s drive toachieve professional and socie-tal equality with men, we haveeducated an entire generation

with the mentality that a careeris necessary for self-actualiza-tion. I believe that each individ-ual should have the right todetermine whether she wants topursue a career, motherhood, orboth.

I know that women have notalways had the opportunity tobe a part of the workforce; I’mgrateful for the doors opened tome as a result of the women’sliberation movement. However,the fact that women now havemore work options does notmean it’s necessary to ridiculesomeone for desiring to be amother.

To demean motherhood inlight of a so-called “real career”is contradictory. Caring forsmall children is a full-time job.Being a good mother necessi-tates responsibility, sacrifice, aselfless attitude, unconditionallove and infinite patience. Agood mother receives no vaca-tion, no sick days and she alwaysworks overtime.

From the act of childbirth to

the care and maintenance ofrearing children, a mother’swork may vary, but it doesn’tdiminish.

I plan to pursue a career injournalism. After I become amother, I hope to balancemotherhood and my careergracefully. In the field I’ve cho-sen, this is not out of the realmof possibility.

Each woman’s situation willbe different. Some will havecareers with limited flexibility;some will have extenuating cir-cumstances. Each woman needsto choose to pursue what bene-fits both her and her family.

The issue at hand is choice;women can choose whetherthey want careers, whether theywant to be mothers – orwhether they want to balancecareers and motherhood. Wecan’t afford to degrade someonefor her personal choice, whetherthat means she rocks a cradle orrocks the workplace.

As Mother’s Day approach-es, I’ll be grateful as I think

about the sacrifices that mymother has made for me and mysisters. Her choice to stay athome to educate and care for ushas undoubtedly influenced ourcharacter.

With a teenager, pre-teenand 5-year-old in the house, shehas done an excellent job in hercareer as a mother. She makesthe infinitely difficult job ofrearing three girls appear easy.

Many times in my life, I’veexperienced situations that test-ed my patience and I wanted togive up. I was worn out. I wasdoing my best, but I was con-cerned my best was not goodenough.

I was hoping to convinceothers that quitting was thesmartest option. Really, I wasjust trying to save myself fromthe humiliation of defeat.

However, the idea of perse-verance continued to ring in myears. I realized I couldn’t give upI had to keep trying.

Failing an assignment or los-ing at sports doesn’t makesomeone a failure; however, sur-rendering does. Spending somuch time making a fuss orplacing the blame on others is awaste of time. Usually, you haveto look within to find theanswer.

The same principles canapply to every aspect of ateenager’s life. Sometimes atschool, I forget my homeworkor just miss an A on that histo-ry exam. It is incredibly frustrat-ing, but that does not stop me.

I could easily give up. I couldtake the easy way out, or let onemissing assignment lead to threeor four. However, perseveranceis what keeps me going.

At the same time, persever-ing can seem too difficult or toomuch to handle. Life’s situationsmay seem to have no solution,but they almost always do.

Two years ago, I broke myelbow and was in need of anoperation. The surgery andrehabilitation affected manythings in my life. I fell behind atschool and had to work hard toget caught up.

Most of all, it affected myswim season. I started the yearlate and almost gave up halfwaythrough. The pain and muscleweakness crippled my swim-ming ability and I was at thebottom of the rank most of theseason. I was not improvingbecause I did not have thestrength or arm power. I strug-gled through every swim prac-tice. I fell behind and wanted togive up. Sometimes, I ques-tioned why to even try – espe-cially after adding a few seconds

to my stroke times.Even through trial and hard-

ship, I chose not to give up.That was one of the best deci-sions I ever made. My friendsand family would tell me aboutall the potential I had and that’swhen it hit me. I could not sur-render just because thingsbecame difficult. I could nottake the easy way out. I had todo it for my family, my teamand, most of all, myself.

I know now that giving in isthe worst possible solution andthat perseverance and determi-nation are the keys to achievingyour greatest goals. That year, Iended up winning the high-point award for my age groupand broke pool records at theCrossings Swim Meet.

Whether it’s school, sportsor anything you endeavor, per-severance takes hard work. Ittakes time to see the rewardsand it might take a couple triesto get it right.

Set a goal and find anotherpath and soon you will see your-self succeeding. When difficul-ties arise in anything you do,perseverance is the willingnessto keep on trying. Even whenlife knocks you down, the trickis persevering and getting rightback up. Bottom line, never giveup and realize you can do it.

CADY LANG

TEEN SPEAK

Cady Lang is a senior at BereanChristian High School. She would liketo major in English and eventuallypursue a career in writing. Email herat cady_lang@claytonpioneer.com

Robbie Parker is a seventh-grader at Diablo View. Send com-ments to Robbie@claytonpioneer.com

ROBBIE PARKER

DVMS REPORTER

Motherhood getting short shrift inwomen’s drive for career success

CLAYTON VALLEY

HIGH SCHOOL

A campus cleanup andbeautification day is scheduled10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May15. Grab your gardening glovesand tools and join students,staff and community membersto spruce up CVHS.

The school district’s budgetcuts have caused a significantdecrease in services at CVHS,including janitorial, mainte-nance and landscaping.

Meanwhile, with donationsfrom the Parent Faculty Club,the Clayton Business andCommunity Association andlocal families, several bencheshave been purchased for use atthe school. District mainte-nance crews should have theminstalled before the end of theschool year.

For more information on thecleanup day, contact Megan Mayhewat omgitsmegan@msn.com, KellyClough at kamclough@yahoo.com orMicki McCabe Walls atmcwalls@comcast.net.

MT. DIABLO MUSIC

EDUCATION FOUNDATION

More than 20 schools fromaround the Mt. Diablo UnifiedSchool District will perform inthe first All Area Music Festivalon Saturday, May 15. The musiceducation foundation is hostingthe fundraiser to support musicprograms in the district.

Groups from Clayton ValleyHigh School and Pine HollowMiddle School will be featured.The music festival will begin at2 p.m. at the Sleep TrainPavilion in Concord.

Advance tickets are $10 forthe first ticket, and $5 for othertickets on the same order. Atthe event, tickets will be $6 forstudents and $12 for adults.

Raffle tickets can be pur-chased for $10 and $20 forchances to win Disney vaca-tions. Winners will beannounced at the concert.

For more information or tickets,visit mdmusicfoundation.org.

Learning to persevereis a lesson in itself

SchoolNews

Remodeling Specialist

Kitchens

Bathrooms

Concrete

Luigi BarberioGeneral Contractor

License #570107

LHIConstruction@astound.net (925) 682-9941

Proudly serving

the Diablo

Valley for over

25 years –

“experience

counts”

Jason M. Renner, D.D.S.

Richard C. Rissel, D.M.D

925-689-2800

Dentistry for Infants, Children & Teenagers

wwwwww..ddiiaabblloovvaalllleeyykkiiddss..ccoomm

22887755 WWiillllooww PPaassss RRdd..,, CCoonnccoorrdd

Required kindergarten

screening – complimentary

Less than 5 miles

from Clayton

UUTTOOPPIICC GGAARRDDEENNSS

Drought Resistant & Beautiful992255..552244..00005555DESIGN & INSTALLATION

LIC. NO. 898331 Fully Insured - Clayton Resident

www.utopicgardens.com

On April 22, the PublicService Academy hosted thesecond annual “If I CouldChange the World” Fair atClayton Valley High School.Over 135 students strove to

educate peers, parents and facul-ty about their topic, demon-strate passion for service, andmotivate others to take actionon causes ranging from humantrafficking to community serv-ice advocacy.

The Public Service Academy(PSA) is a small learning com-munity within Clayton Valley

High School with a vision tocreate a warm, welcoming envi-ronment for students to grow.Founded on a project-basedcurriculum, PSA students makea difference in the world whiledeveloping the life skills ofproblem solving, organizationand leadership. According tojunior Tooba Qadri, “The com-

munity provides so much for usthat we should reciprocate. Ifyou want to see change happen,then you should be a part ofthat change”.

At the fair, students dis-played their passion and skilltoward effecting change on a

CVHS students change minds andthe world with community service

AAMENA ALLOO AND

MIRANDA LUTZ

Special to the Pioneer

See Service, page 17

Page 16 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

wide variety of topics coveringdifferent global and local areasof service. These topics includ-ed community service advocacy,Soles4Souls, Haiti relief, animalcruelty, human trafficking, sup-porting U.S. troops, high schoolmentors, Make A Wish, dia-betes, clean drinking water inAfrica, women’s rights inAfghanistan, and teen pregnan-cy prevention.

One group, in particular,who excelled at reaching out,was Community ServiceAdvocacy. These studentsfocused on the ramifications ofone simple question, “What iscommunity service?” After pos-ing this question to a first gradeclass at Highlands ElementarySchool, the PSA students dis-covered that many first gradersbelieved community service wasa punishment. However, afterhelping the class plant a gardento beautify their school whilediscussing community service,the PSA students posed theirquestion once again, andreceived drastically alteredviews. According to freshmanBianca Rubalcava, “The greatestthing about the project was thatwe changed opinions-we made adifference.”

Another group focused onthe second largest crime in theworld, the horrifying practice ofhuman trafficking. To demon-strate the harsh reality ofexploiting people for profit, avisitor to the booth encountereda “victim” badly beaten, hand-cuffed and gagged with ducttape. While a visitor was lookingat this graphic visual, sophomore

Jae Greenwald explained that“5000 people are sold a day foran average of $90 leading to $32billion a year spent in humantrafficking”. To help eradicatethis crime, students raised over$655 for the Polaris Project andThreads of Hope.

Students visiting anotherbooth were shocked to learnthat 1 million girls under the ageof 20 become pregnant eachyear, and four in five pregnantteenagers do not graduate fromhigh school. Although a con-troversial issue, the group rec-ognized that teenagers strugglewith conflicting pressures fromsociety and their peers.Recognizing the need for infor-mation, the group distributed apamphlet entitled “A 101 Waysto say No”.

For junior Stephen Cuff, themost enjoyable aspect of thePublic Service Academy’s “If ICould Change the World” fair“was seeing how our hard workbenefitted our community.”Kelsey Riessen enjoyed “gettingto know my classmates andwatching everyone’s work cometogether for a good cause.”Parent Laura Ploetz recognizesthat “It is a good learning expe-rience and will hopefully inspirestudents to continue volunteer-ing in the future. Perhaps, fresh-men Jared Deely captured itbest when he stated that “ThePublic Service Academy is morethan a group dedicated to serv-ice. It is a state of mind, givingus a purpose in the world.”

Aamena Alloo and MirandaLutz are juniors at CVHS.

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 17

For up to date information on Clayton’s Real Estate Market go to

Community Calendar � Local Businesses � Local LinksSports and Recreation � Groups and Clubs

Clayton Real Estate

Sponsored by Wendy Cutrufelli

www.EverythingClayton.com

www.EverythingClayton.com

(925) 457-9543wwwwww..kkiiddsscchhooiicceejjuummppeerrss..ccoomm

Jumpers - Combos - Slides. All sizes available

1800 Monument Blvd., Ste. L, Concord

Family owned and operated Clayton Resident

License #5009243Insured

Est.1972

Smith & Bernal

R o o f i n gTile repairs �� Reroof �� Ventilation

Gutter Cleaning � Inspections � Bird abatement

Free Roof Check-up

Clayton resident

(925) 672 0138

Lic. Number 727021

AA ppuurrvveeyyoorr ooff uunniiqquuee ggiiffttss,, hhoommee ddeeccoorr && ppaannttrryy

1028 Diablo St., Clayton � 925-672-2025

Tue.-Fri.: 10-5 Sat.: 8*-5

Sun.: 11-5

Available Now

The Metro Basket

A collapsible,insulated tote for all yourMarket purchases.

*we open with the market

Music programs are taking a hit as focusshifts to Advanced Placement classes

Clayton residents are learn-ing a harsh lesson when itcomes to education: You can’thave it all.

Clayton Valley High Schoolhas been a mecca for strong aca-demics and vibrant music,drama and athletic programs.However, the music programsare being strangled.

Media coverage points tostate budget cuts as the cause,but closer scrutiny uncovers anunderlying issue. Instead ofproducing well-rounded stu-dents with a broad base, educa-tors, parents and students areracing to compete in a fiercecollege application process byplacing an emphasis onAdvanced Placement (A.P.)classes.

A 4.0 grade point average isno longer enough. Now, stu-dents must have a 4.4, 4.5 orhigher. The only way to rack upthe percentage points is to elim-inate electives – like music andart – and take A.P. classes.

“I definitely know it’s a fac-

tor in what classes students signup for,” says Katelan Bowden, aCVHS senior who recently hadto choose choir over A.P.Spanish.

Music and A.P. classes fallinto the “zero” period, a sev-enth period before the standardsix-period school day starts, sostudents must choose betweenclasses that earn extra points forcollege and classes that allowthem to explore, create andimagine.

“It was the hardest decisionto make,” Bowden says, “but Icouldn’t imagine my year with-out music.”

Elizabeth Emigh, director ofchoirs for 12 years at CVHS,reports that her program is suf-fering. “What we’re seeing iswho has signed up,” she says,“and the lists are incrediblysmall at this point.”

To boost enrollment, sheand instrumental teacherMundy Viar must combineclasses. “We’re constantly try-ing to put more numbers in,”Viar says, “but you start get-ting into things like five guitarplayers in jazz band and the

balance is off.”Both teachers say the push

for class size undermines thequality of their elite level classes,the equivalent of advanced aca-demic courses.

“It’s another way for stu-dents to learn,” Viar says ofmusic education. “It’s one ofthe few disciplines that connectsto other parts of the world: tosociety, to oneself, to other sub-jects.”

With the school board’s cut-ting of instrumental music inthe fourth grade this year andfifth grade next year, the prob-lem now extends to the elemen-tary grade level.

“We’ve had to rewrite thecurriculum for middle schools,”Viar notes. “The cuts – they willaffect all three levels.”

“It has reached the pointwhere we cannot afford to loseanything else on the individualschool level,” says Clayton resi-dent Linda Minorsky, whose10th-grade daughter is in windensemble.

Emigh and Viar suggest thatduplication of effort could beeliminated in programs withmultiple sections, saving funds

for smaller programs. Still, pub-lic school resources would notbe enough to revive the threat-ened music programs.

Minorsky points out that theClayton Business andCommunity Association alreadyprovides scholarships and spon-sors activities to support musicstudents. And the Mt. DiabloMusic Education Foundationplans a May 15 fundraiser at theSleep Train Pavilion in Concordin an attempt to save fifth-grademusic.

The remaining responsibilityfalls to the community – to fam-ilies, taxpayers and politicalactivists. “I would love to seepeople support our school withtheir votes, with letters to ourelected officials, with donationswhere possible,” says Minorsky,incoming president of theMusic Boosters.

“Music education teachesstudents to be good citizens, todemonstrate leadership and tocontribute to the whole,” Emighstates proudly.

“Music is something thatisn’t on the STAR test,” sheadds, “but it leads to greaterunderstanding of the world.”

LOU FANCHER

Clayton Pioneer

AS MUSIC PROGRAM ENROLLMENT DECLINES, band teacher MundyViar finds it more and more difficult to maintain quality andbalance in his jazz band and advanced music classes.

TO BOOST ENROLLMENT IN THE MUSIC PROGRAM, CVHS choirteacher Elizabeth Emigh finds it necessary to combine choirclasses with instrument classes.

Service, from page 16

Photo credit: Aamena Aloo

SENIOR JOHNNY BEKEKIS SHOWS JUNIOR MACKENZIE AYERS

pictures drawn by first graders of people completing acts ofcommunity service.

Page 18 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

Pioneer editor Tamara Steinerattended. The meeting was pos-itive, with valuable input fromeveryone.

The goals of a community-wide character program mightinclude: inspiring individuals,families and organizations totake responsibility for theirchoices and actions; motivatingindividuals, families and organi-zations to make a difference inthe world around them; andrecognizing individuals, familiesand organizations for modelingthe character expectations.

The schools could tailor theprogram to best meet theirneeds. The intent is not to addcurriculum but to encourageteachers to weave it into theirexisting lessons. This willrequire an intentional andproactive shift in focus.

We still need to decide thecore character traits or expectedbehaviors, while also coming upwith a name. For example,Pleasanton’s Community ofCharacter has adopted the traitsof responsibility, compassion,self-discipline, honesty, respectand integrity.

A recent staff meeting atDVMS yielded the desired traitsof integrity, courtesy, compas-sion, respect, kindness,accountability and gratitude.DVMS currently calls its pro-gram Character in Action.

A nationwide program,Character Counts, has adopted“Six Pillars of Character” –trustworthiness, respect,responsibility, fairness, caringand citizenship.

Think about the expectedbehaviors or character traits youwould like to see in your chil-dren, grandchildren, parents,siblings, neighbors, coworkers,teachers or community leaders.By focusing on a core set ofbehaviors we, as a community,can provide a consistent mes-sage by using a common lan-guage. Our students will hearand see a consistent message atschool, at home and in thecommunity.

While Pleasanton was for-mulating its program, a parentapproached a school adminis-trator and expressed her beliefthat a character developmentprogram was a bad idea. Shesaid such a program would putthe students at a disadvantagecompared to those who werenot being held to high ethicalstandards.

I believe this example pointsout the need for a communityapproach that will benefit bothstudents and adults. LikeBenjamin Franklin, we canmake developing good charac-ter a lifelong pursuit.

Email your suggestions andthoughts tohank_stratford@yahoo.com.

Mayor, frompage 1

Websites investigate urban legends

My inbox is often filled withdire emails. A young girl hasgone missing. A new virusthreatens my computer.

These emails often encour-age me to pass on the word tomy friends. But before I do, Icheck Snopes.com.

Snopes investigates theseInternet urban legends anddetermines their validity. TheWebsite, run by husband andwife sleuths David and BarbaraMikkelson, has thousands ofarticles that prove or debunkthose emails you get from AuntMatilda.

The Website doesn’t claim tobe the ultimate source of infor-mation on urban legends, but itmight be the most reliable.

“Unlike the plethora of anony-mous individuals who createand send the unsigned,unsourced e-mail messages thatare forwarded all over theInternet, we show our work,”Snopes says on its FAQ page.Indeed, every Snopes’ articleincludes their references.

Here are some examples ofhow these Internet detectivessift out the truth:

Claim: A 13-year-old girlnamed Ashley Flores is missing.

Snopes’ verdict: False. Thismessage tugs at people’s heart-strings, but it’s a hoax. Snopessays the email lacks “some ofthe most basic information onewould expect to find in a gen-uine missing child plea” – likewhere the girl went missing, aphysical description and policecontact numbers. Even thoughthe email includes a picture ofthe “missing” girl, it turns outher status was “concocted as akids’ prank.” The site alsoquotes newspaper articles that

analyzed the hoax and uncov-ered the same findings.

Claim: A devastating newcomputer virus is circulatingacross the Web and could burnyour hard disc.

Snopes’ verdict: False. Whilethere are many viruses outthere, Snopes says none ofthem act like the ones describedin the email. One version of thismessage claims CNN reportedthat the virus was “the mostdestructive virus ever,” butSnopes points out the networknever made such a claim. “Thissame basic hoax has been circu-lating in various languages sinceat least 2000,” Snopes reports.

Claim: A dying child wasnamed an honorary fireman bythe Phoenix Fire Department.

Snopes’ verdict: True. Thisstory is an example of whatSnopes calls “glurge,” or “chick-en soup with several cups ofsugar mixed in.” The emaildescribes how the child, sickwith leukemia, was given an

opportunity to ride alongsidesome firemen. While he was inthe hospital for the final time,several firemen used a ladder toclimb to his window to saygoodbye. The boy, BopsySalazar, was the first to behelped by the Make-A-WishFoundation; one of his wisheswas to be a fireman. Snopeseven confirms that the “mostfantastic claim in the email” –the firemen climbing throughhis hospital window – is true.

Snopes even tackles oldwives’ tales and some classicurban legends. For instance, theWebsite links to a 15-page arti-cle that debunks the theory thatthe Beatles included referencesto Paul McCartney’s “death.”

Those who enjoy Snopes’investigative approach shouldvisit TheSmokingGun.com,which posts actual policereports, court documents andother evidence connected tocurrent news stories. ThisWebsite’s articles are usually

much longer than those onSnopes.

For example,TheSmokingGun includespolice reports filed by victimsallegedly assaulted by PittsburghSteelers quarterback BenRoethlisberger. The article hasscanned images of the reportsand details of the incidents.Note: Some of this content isnot appropriate for children.

The Internet Age has some-times been called the“Misinformation Age” becauserumors and hoaxes can travel soquickly. But with Websites likeSnopes and TheSmokingGun,you can be reassured someone istrying to track down the truth.

MARK FREEMAN

ON THE NET

Mark Freeman is a student atSt. Mary’s College in Moraga, study-ing economics and English. He enjoyscreative writing and is a reporter forthe school paper. Questions/com-ments can be sent to mfree-man543@gmail.com.

Helping kids stimulate sensory inputWhen things go wrong with

the sensory integration system,it can cause disruption in dailylife and interfere with dailyfunctions. This can includebehaviors such as excessiveseeking or avoiding of certainobjects or activities.

When our brain is “disor-ganized,” it can be like a “trafficjam with some bits of sensoryinformation tied up in traffic,”says A. Jean Ayres, author of“Sensory Integration and theChild.”

Without clear feedback, aperson may have difficulty withautomatic movements. As onehas to think about each move-ment, it becomes more difficultand less enjoyable.

Excessive seeking or avoid-ing behaviors in a child may sug-gest “I need more of this input”or “That input is really unpleas-

ant to me.”Sensory processing disorder

manifests differently in every-one. The causes of sensory dys-function are not clearly under-stood, but there is a great deal ofresearch being done. Visitspdfoundation.net to find out

more about the SensoryProcessing DisorderFoundation in Greenwood,Colo.

With decreases in theamount of recess and physicaleducation time in schools andincreased time spent withhomework and after-schoolactivities, children have feweropportunities to engage in sen-sory play activities that can helpenrich and organize their brains.However, parents can provide avariety of opportunities for chil-dren to engage in sensory play athome.

Here are some activities thatstimulate sensory input:

� Head Movement (vestibu-lar): Swinging, climbing,rolling down a hill or logrolling on the floor, walkingon uneven surfaces or on a

line, pretending to be differ-ent animals such as hoppinglike a frog or waddling like aduck.

� Deep Pressure (propriocep-tion): Body hugs, squisheswith pillows,pushing/pulling heavy itemsin a wagon or cart, poppinglarge bubble wrap by rolling,stomping or jumping on it.

� Touch (tactile): Finger paint-ing with pudding, playing inthe dirt or sand, rolling ropesof play dough and makingshapes with them. To make“Cornstarch Goo,” mix 1cup cornstarch with ½ cupof water. Watch what hap-pens when you squeeze it,then let it go. For variety, mixin a few drops of food col-oring.

� Hand/Eye Coordination:Scooping and pouring water

or sand into a variety of con-tainers, stacking and nestingdifferent objects such asplastic mixing bowls, throw-ing objects such as balls orstuffed animals into a laun-dry basket. Practicehand/foot coordination bykicking balls or use a clean,empty can to play Kick theCan on cement. (It makesthe best noise there.)

The next column will focus onfeeding and eating concerns. For com-ments or questions, contact We CareServices for Children at 671-0777,ext.26.

Kathy Youngson is a therapistworking in Early Intervention at WeCare Center. She is trained in senso-ry integration theory and techniques,feeding and eating, and in handwrit-ing and hand skills. Email your ques-tions to kyoungson@wecarebmcc.org.

KATHY YOUNGSON

WE CARE CENTER

PARENTING TODAY

Mac vs. PC – the answer isn’t clear-cutIf you’re trying to decide if

you should buy a Mac or a PC,the choice is easy. Get a Mac,end of story.

Well, perhaps there’s a bitmore to it.

I hear it all the time: “MyPC is slow and full of virus; Ithink I’ll buy a Mac.” That’s afair and common statement butone that is likely uninformed.

It is true that PCs with theMicrosoft Windows XP operat-

ing systems are plagued byvirus and malware attacks. PCsrequire special software to pro-tect them against such prob-lems. The Mac, for the mostpart, is not subject to virusattacks. PCs need additionalsoftware to accomplish whatthe Mac does innately.

I believe the PC is malignedfor two reasons. First, there aremany more PCs in this worldthan Macs, so there are morepeople seeking help whenproblems occur.

In addition, there are morehackers trying to make a namefor themselves hackingMicrosoft products. Famecomes from the number ofinfections one can create. PCsdraw a bigger crowd becauseWindows dominates the marketwith 85 percent, while Macshave l0 percent.

Second, the Windows XPoperating system is more than10 years old. It wasn’t designedto root out the type of malwarethat exists on the Internettoday. Most compare WindowsXP to the latest Mac version ofSnow Leopard, which is abouta year old. That’s not a faircomparison.

The good news is PCs nowenjoy the security of Windows7, which I say is a game chang-er. Windows 7, approaching itsfirst birthday, has a secure sys-tem design from the ground up.To compare Mac againstWindows 7 is a fair and reason-

able comparison, and I give theedge to the PC.

The most compelling rea-son to own a PC is the ever-expanding library of applica-tions available. The Windowsoperating system (OS) is gener-ally more open and receptive tonew applications than the Mac.That means more developerswrite and release applications(programs) for Windows. Macapplications must withstand ahigher level of scrutiny andnothing gets released unlessApple CEO Steve Jobs says itmay. The most compelling rea-son to own a PC is software,lots and lots of software.

PCs are less expensive thanMacs. If cost is a major pur-chase consideration, you willspend less for a PC and getmore power for your dollars.The Mac will cost more andyou get less hardware.

In addition to the hardware(the computer itself), Mac soft-ware is generally more expen-sive due to the limitationsimposed by Jobs and a smallermarket.

You should note that Macsbreak down as frequently asPCs. Repairs are necessary forjust about any PC or Mac. Forexample, the Mac and PC usethe same hard drives and thosedrives break down at the sameinterval.

However, getting a harddrive installed into a Mac sim-ply costs more. Getting Macs

repaired can be tough becausethere are fewer Mac repairshops compared to the shopsand stores repairing PCs.

If you have trouble locatinga Mac repair shop, you couldsend your Mac to the repairdepot. It may be your onlyalternative, but that’s not allbad because my sources tell methey provide excellent service ifyour Mac is under warranty.

Frequently, Mac techs willreplace your computer with anew one rather than have yousuffer the rigors of repair.

On the other hand, Macscan be flexible, says AndrewStuart, a repair tech who ownsand repairs Macs and PC atComputersUSA in Clayton. “It(the Mac) has something foreveryone, from the novice tothe windows administrator tothe Unix professional. The easeof use for most casual users ismagnificent,” he notes.

It seems that out of the

box, you can be productive as asingle user. No doubt the Macis a winner. And special soft-ware will allow you to run bothMac and Windows applications.

However, in various busi-ness environments, the PC isstill king and Macs can beunruly. If you’re an existing PCuser and have a PC networks,stick with them. Mixing plat-forms isn’t recommended.

In the end, neither platformholds a major superiority edgeagainst the other. It reallydepends on your application,need and budget. I would notsuggest Macs for specializedbusiness applications, systemmonitoring, power networkusers or users that can’t affordthe luxury. Macs are expensive,even when compared to PCsthat need constant antivirusmodifications.

If you get your email from aMicrosoft Exchange server,then stick with Microsoft. Ifyou don’t know what a serveris, it may not matter. If you’relooking for an uncomplicated,easy computer and can affordit, go Mac.

In any case, you should seeka licensed computer profes-sional for advice on your situa-tion.

WILL CLANEY

TECH TALK

Will Claney is the CEO ofComputers USA! in the ClaytonStation. Contact him at 925-672-9989.

TWO WEEKS ENDINGAPRIL 29, 2010

AccidentsApr. 20, 1:32 p.m., Clayton

Rd. Accident non injury.Apr. 24, Mt. Zion & Pine

Hollow Rd. Accident non-injury.

ArrestsApr. 21, 10:37 p.m., Clayton

Rd. & Washington Blvd.,Driving on a SuspendedLicense, Concord man, 29.

Apr. 24, 2:12 p.m., SemillonCir. Warrant Arrest, Claytonman, 23.

Apr. 26, 8:48 p.m., ClaytonRd. & Delaware Dr. DrivingUnder the Influence ofAlcohol; Driving on aSuspended License, Oakley

man, 29.Apr. 29, 12:36 a.m., Clayton

Rd. Warrant Arrest; Driving ona Suspended License, Vallejowoman, 27.

Burglaries/TheftsApr. 20, 11:32 a.m., Peacock

Creek Dr. Grand theft.Apr. 22, 10:12 p.m., O’Hara

Ct. Stolen vehicle.Apr. 22, 11:12 a.m., Center

St. Vehicle burglary.Apr. 25, 10:47 a.m., Joscolo

View. Petty theft.Apr. 27, 12:25 p.m., Clayton

Rd. Grand theft.

VandalismApr. 17, 2:31 p.m., Roundhill

Pl.Apr. 25, 12:30 p.m.,

Yosemite Cir.

Police Log

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 19

CLOSETS & KITCHENS VAN GOlocal, fresh, unique.TM

ckvango.comCSLB l icense # 924932

your neighbor-Clayton Designer

Maury Komins

914-7557

theRamos’DREAM

KITCHEN

Guy’sdreamcloset

Financial sponsorship

Volunteer labor sponsorship

Great opportunity forbusinesses, clubs,

families or individuals.Financial sponsors will

have their name on atrail marker sign

Helpmaintain

improveClayton trails

two ways:

&

call the Clayton Trails and LandscapeCommittee (925) 673-7369

www.cityofclayton.org

Movie Review

‘Dragon’ an exciting adventure for the familyHistorical merits aside, “How

to Train your Dragon” is a funny,thrilling and entertaining romp.

The Dreamworks animatedadventure, based on the popularchildren’s book by CressidaCowell, brings the story of ayoung Viking named HiccupHorrendous Haddock III to life.Vikings apparently had accents

ranging from those of suburbanAmerican kids to thick Scottishbrogues and had to fight offrampaging dragons to survive.

The story follows the tem-plate of many of today’s kid’smovies: A young, awkward out-

cast finds a way to prove him orherself to parents and friends.Hiccup’s rough and toughScottish/Viking father, voiced byGerard Butler, can’t understandhis son, whose talents are farmore mental than physical.

Accident-prone Hiccup isdetermined to find his place inViking society, which is meas-ured by how well you can defendthe town from dragons thatattack in the night and raid theirisland village. Instead of fightingthem with sword or axe, Hiccupinvents a dragon-trapping devicethat allows him to come face toface with a dragon he callsToothless.

Hiccup tames Toothless,learns not to fear the dragonsand eventually understands whythey attack the village. He comesinto conflict with his father, whoonly wants to slay the beasts. Asyou might guess, he finally gainshis father’s respect when he savesboth the village and the dragonsfrom destruction.

There are some interesting

surprises added to the well-wornformula that keep the moviefrom being stale. And the anima-tion is an excellent visual feast, in3-D or not. Goofy young actorJay Baruchel, most recently seenin “She’s Out of my League” and“Night at the Museum 2,” does agreat job with Hiccup’s reluctantnerd-hero, taking him fromclumsy loser to town savior.America Ferrera, as the Vikinggirl Astrid, portrays the toughwarrior and compassionate loveinterest equally well.

The biggest departure fromCowell’s original story is thatHiccup’s heroic acts stay a secretin the book and he never gets thecelebration seen in the film.Movie audiences seem to needthat big happy ending, but eitherway, it’s a fun fantasy that kids

and grownups can enjoy togeth-er.

Rated PG for some intenseaction during battles betweendragons and Vikings, a couple ofscary images and brief mild lan-guage.

Photo courtesy Dreamworks

Young Viking Hiccup learns how to befriend and ultimately ridethe dragon he calls “Toothless” in “How to Train your Dragon.”

DON PEDRO CRUZ

AT THE MOVIES

Don Pedro Cruz is a local free-lance writer and graphic designer.Send your comments todpvc2000@gmail.com

������

I knew I would love “TheGuernsey Literary and PotatoPeel Pie Society” as soon as Icracked open the cover and read:“I wonder how thebook got toGuernsey? Perhapsthere is somesecret sort ofhoming instinctin books thatbrings them totheir perfectreaders.”

I havea l w a y sb e l i e v e dthat bookswe loved o n ’ tr e a l l ybelong to us somuch as we belong to them.

As a picky (sometimessnooty) reader, I don’t usuallyfavor the epistolary form of sto-rytelling – considering it tootransparent a device to be con-vincing. I was pleased to beproven wrong, however, by MaryAnn Shaffer and Annie Barrows.They created an utterly charmingand heartbreaking tale using theexchange of letters betweencharacters.

Juliet Ashton, our novel’sheroine, is clever, crafty andcompletely delightful, and herletters won me over in an instant.

It is just after “the great war”in London, and writer Juliet

Ashton’s apartment has beenbombed out in the air raids.Juliet, famous for her wartimecolumn – Izzy Bickerstaff Goesto War, is looking for a new writ-ing project when she receives a

fan letter from DawseyAdams, asweet man

from the Isleof Guernsey.

Though sheis wooed by a

rich American,kind-hearted Juliet

and Dawseybecome pen pals

and eventually shefinds her way there to

research the story of alocal hero named

Elizabeth McKenna.Once there, Juliet falls in

love with a little girlorphaned by the war and ischanged forever.

It’s remarkable how closelyJuliet and her company areaffected by the war. Juliet’s oldfriends in London, as well as hernew friends in Guernsey, experi-enced the cruelty of war up closeand personally with a sense ofduty and responsibility andheart. They suffered war rations;they felt the thunder of bombsfalling at night; they did withoutbasics like sugar and cooking oilas acts of patriotism to supportthe brave soldiers in combat.

When Juliet learns of the

heartbreak experienced onGuernsey during the war, shetakes their torment personallyand does what she can to help.

Juliet is astonished to learnthat the island had suffered inthe war in ways that even bomb-ravaged London did not:Guernsey had been occupied byNazi troops because Hitler con-sidered it to be strategicallyimportant, situated betweenFrance and England. The resi-dents of Guernsey braved theinvasion with British stoicismand formed their own resistancecorps that actually kept themalive.

The Guernsey Literary andPotato Peel Pie Society wasinvented during the war as acover for ordinary social activi-ties like eating roast pig, and thenit took on a hidden meaning.

I dare you not to love thisnovel. Written from the heart, it’sthe story of how and why wecare for one another.

CYNTHIA GREGORY

FOR THE BOOKS

Cynthia Gregory writes bookreviews, award-winning short storiesand a blog. Visit her at www.twogirlstakeonlove.com or write ceegregory@aol.com

Book Review

‘Guernsey’ an intriguingtale of the human story

The Willows TheatreCompany continues its outreachto children by presenting freeperformances of “You’re aGood Man, Charlie Brown” May17 and 18 at the John MuirAmphitheater in Martinez.

The event is open to allschools and students in gradesK-8. Tickets are donated byShell Oil, US Bank and the cityof Martinez.

The musical presents “anaverage day in the life” ofCharlie Brown and his friends,based on the comic strip

“Peanuts” by Charles M.Schultz. The day also includes atour of the nearby WillowsTheatre scene shop, an opportu-nity to meet the cast, and freemilk and cookies.

Show times are 9:30 a.m. and12:30 p.m. For reservations, call798-1300 or email david@wil-lowstheatre.org.

The regularly scheduled runof “Charlie Brown” continues atthe Campbell Theatre, 636 WardSt., Martinez, through June 6.For tickets, call 798-1300 or visitwww.willowstheatre.org.

Willows offers free studenttickets for ‘Charlie Brown’

An unbelievable seasonfinale is promised on Sept. 11with the Hit Waves, a 12-piece,high-energy dance band that will“take you on a musical journey”from the ’60s to now and “pro-pel you out of your seats.”

“Expect big crowds,” Gellersaid. Last year’s concerts grew700-2,000 attendees.

Blankets and chairs can be setup on the grass after 4 p.m. forthe 6 p.m. concerts, keeping TheGrove available for recreationaluse during the day. “Order take-out from downtown food estab-lishments and have an early pic-nic,” Pierce suggested. “What anice way to spend a Saturdaynight, with Mt. Diablo as a back-drop.”

Christiane Brinkerhoffdescribes the beauty of the set-ting. “You get the alpenglow onthe western facing hills whenthe sun sets,” she said. “It makesliving in Clayton more fun.”

“You see lots of people youknow,” adds Dana Wiggenhauser,whose family attended concertslast year when out walking theirdog. “We got a place on the grasseven though we got there later,”she added.

The 10-concert series issponsored by the city ofClayton, the Clayton Businessand Community Associationand Allied Waste Services andonly promoted through theClayton Pioneer and a banner atthe Town Center entrance.

“Howard Geller is the driv-ing force behind the series,”Pierce said. “He puts in a lot oftime and effort out of the good-ness of his heart.”

Jars passed last year netted$7,000 in donations toward the$25,000 cost. “Folks were verygenerous,” said Pierce, notingthat the city would like the con-certs to be self-supporting.Donation jars will be located bythe sound engineer booth andeach end of the bandstand.

“That’s what makes Claytonso great – the way so many peo-ple pitch in,” said Pierce.

For more information, visit cityof-clayton.org, and click on Concerts inThe Grove.

Concert,from page 1

Page 20 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

*Travel good Now through June 7 and September 7 – December 15, 2010. Holidayand Thanksgiving dates priced slightly higher. Taxes extra. Prices subject to change.

call 925-305-4000or toll free: 800-675-4050. Book online:

www.off2hawaii.com

SHERATON PRINCESS WAIKIKI from $799* pp

SHERATON PRINCESS WAIKIKI from $799* pp

7 night stay includes airfare from San Francisco

Travel Services

6200 Center Street, Ste. 270, Clayton

Live in luxury in this 4 bedroom 2.5 bath single level beauty.Gated property and flagship lot. Offered at $765,000

www.20LondonCt.com

www.112LaEncinalCt.com

Expansive single level Pulte home built in 2002. This is a fantas-tic 5 bedroom 4 bathroom executive home with high-end upgradesand a gorgeous landscaped yard. Offered at $750,000

www.5181OliveDrive.com

Your dream rancher with sunroom and hardwood floors is nowon the market! 3 bed/2bath with HUGE private landscaped yardsand beautiful finishes throughout! Offered at $450,000

www.5074NettoDrive.com

411 Meadow View Lane

Pending614 La Corso Drive - $515,000810 Oak Grove Road - $112,900400 Garretson Drive - $295,0001656 Oak Park Rd. - $499,0001820 Ohlone Heights - $500,000

INSPIRED REAL ESTATE

SOLD in 7 Days

for $1,090,000

SOLD

for $562,500

The Diablo TrailEndurance Ride offers 30-and 50-mile rides that startand finish at Castle Rock Parkin Walnut Creek on June 25-26.

The course is challengingand includes steep climbs,descents and creek crossings,along with beautiful Mt.Diablo scenery. Participantsare welcome to camp bothFriday and Saturday nights.

The event is sponsored bySave Mount Diablo.Registration for juniors and 30-mile riders is $75, with $125 for50-mile riders. Awards andevent T-shirts are included.

To register, visit savemountdia-blo.org or call 947-3535.

Endurance ride features two days on Mt. Diablo

Cheese or not, ricottaserves many purposes

Lasagna, tortellini, manicotti,cannoli … oh, yum. Thosecreamy savory Italian delicaciesall have something in common:ricotta cheese.

Ricotta is indeed Italian inorigin. References are found dat-ing back to the early RomanEmpire. However, there’s adebate whether it’s originallyfrom Rome or Sicily. The Sicilianconnection is a bit more persua-sive.

Ricotta is technically not acheese at all but a creamy curd.The term is derived from theItalian word for “twice-cooked”and this is how it is produced.Milk is heated so the solids sepa-rate from the whey, a liquid by-product. The whey is then heat-ed with some acidic liquid likelemon juice, vinegar or evenyogurt and then stirred andcooled until curds form.

Experts insist the best ricottais made from sheep’s milk. Thinknutty and sweet with a dry tex-ture. Most of us only have accessto cow’s milk ricotta, anAmerican variation that’s moremoist and bland. If you can’tfind whey derived from moz-zarella or provolone production(hey, let me know if you do), youcan make an acceptable substi-tute for ricotta with the follow-ing recipe:

SIMPLE RICOTTA CHEESE

1 gallon whole milk8 T. fresh lemon juiceSalt to taste

Note: Be sure you havecheesecloth before starting.

Pour the milk into a large potand heat over medium heat. Stiruntil it starts to simmer (notboil!) and forms foam on top.

Remove the pan from theheat and add the lemon juice. Stirgently until the curds (bumpysolids) form. When you get 1-2cups of curds, pour the milkthrough dampened cheeseclothdraped over a strainer.

Let the cheese drain for 20minutes up to an hour at roomtemperature. The longer itdrains, the more firm it willbecome.

Work in salt, ¼ tsp. up to 1tsp. according to taste. Use thecheese immediately or tightlycover with plastic wrap and usewithin two days.

We tend to use fresh ricottain recipes. In Italy and in Italian-American neighborhoods, how-ever, you’re likely to encounter itpressed and dried (ricotta salata),baked to a charred crust (ricottainfornata) or smoked (ricottaaffumicata).

Ricotta salata is growing inpopularity in gourmet circles. Ithas the consistency of a hardcheese and is grated or shaved indishes.

Years ago, Bon Appetit print-ed a yummy recipe for an arugu-la salad with ricotta salata. I buy

the cheese at Whole Foods andpick up a bag or two of arugulaat Trader Joe’s.

ARUGULA SALAD WITH

FENNEL AND RICOTTA SALATA

1 large shallot, minced2 T. fresh lemon juice3 T. extra-virgin olive oil10 c. loosely packed arugula1 medium fennel bulb3 oz. ricotta salata

Rinse and dry the arugula.Trim the stem and halve the fen-nel lengthwise. Remove and dis-card the core; thinly slice the fen-nel. Shave the ricotta into longthin slices with a vegetable peel-er.

Combine lemon juice andshallot in a salad bowl. You canadd a pinch or two of dry mus-tard for a tangy taste. Whilewhisking, slowly drizzle in the oilso you get an even emulsificationin which the juice and oil don’tseparate. Add the arugula andfennel and toss. Top with theshaved ricotta salata.

Some food writers suggest thatcottage cheese and ricotta areinterchangeable in recipes. I dis-agree, because cottage cheese has

distinct curds in a soupy base thatresults in more liquid in the dish. Ialso think the saltiness of cottagecheese throws off the flavors.

Cottage cheese simply won’tmake a nice cheesecake orlasagna filling. Just use ricotta.

If you like doughnuts, tryzeppole, the Italian version,when you’re in the mood for adecadent dessert.

ZEPPOLE

2 qts. oil for frying1 c. all-purpose flour2 tsp. baking powderPinch salt2 T. sugar2 eggs beaten1 c. ricotta cheese½ tsp. vanilla paste or 1 tsp.

vanilla extract½ c. powdered sugar, for

dusting

Heat oil in a deep fryer ordeep pan to 375.

Combine flour, baking pow-der, salt and sugar in a saucepan.Stir in the eggs, ricotta cheeseand vanilla. Heat over low heatuntil mixture comes togetherand is sticky.

Drop batter by the table-spoon into hot oil. Fry untilgolden brown. Drain on papertowels and dust with powderedsugar. Serve warm.

By the way, when you eatricotta, you might help the envi-ronment. “Cheese Primer”author Steven Jenkins says thatwhey is not readily disposablebecause it fouls up sewers andrivers by increasing the growthof algae. That depletes the oxy-gen supply in the water andeventually leads to fish kills.

LINDA WYNER

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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

Direct your suggestions or questionsto lwyner@claytonpioneer.com

side yard is anchored by an urnwaterfall and engulfed with fra-grant lavender. The children ofthis home spend free time play-ing on the play structure, plantedwith a living roof. This is quitean inspirational sight to see.

Pete and Sherie Laurence’sgarden is an opportunity to getlost in nature. Meandering walk-ways lead tour-goers to variousfountains, sitting areas and secretgarden settings. Located under

several mighty oak trees, this gar-den has many entertainmentpossibilities – including a puttinggreen, regulation-size horseshoepit, firepit sitting area, and BBQisland and bar.

When you approach thehome of Steve and Julie Pierce,you can’t help but notice thedetail taken with the paved drive-way and staked stone walls. Thehardscape is exceptional. Oncein the back yard, the monument-

sized waterfall attracts the eye.Colorful plantings include roses,salvia, heartleaf bergenia andazalea. This garden shares afence with an historic bonus gar-den. You are encouraged to passthrough the gate and see a bit ofClayton’s rich history.

Brian and Kim Wurtz’s VistaPoint garden is personal andplanted with loving detail. Eachplant and tree has been chosenand planted by the Wurtz family.The container plantings that sur-round the entry area and thepoolside patio are filled with col-ors and textures. Kim has deco-

rative garden pieces placed onthe fences and walls of thehome. Ornamentation is hangingin the trees, and obelisks standsturdy for the vines to travel.Take the steps to the gazeboatop the back hill for a stunningview of Clayton and Concord.

Tickets are available on tourdays at the downtown ClaytonMuseum. Tickets are $30, withproceeds going directly to thehistorical society.

For more information, call 672-0240 or visit claytonhistory.org.

Garden Tour, from page 1

Scott Hein, Save Mt. Diablo

CLAYTON VALLEY

GARDEN CLUB

The club is holding a fundraising Plant Sale 8a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 15, in the EndeavorHall parking lot, 6008 Center St., Clayton.Vegetables, colorful plants in pots and one-gal-lon plants will be for sale.

Through last year’s fundraising, the clubdonated soil, plants and labor to the DiabloView Middle School gardens – resulting in won-derful crops this year. Teacher Kim Lewisreports that her classes have been making won-

derful dishes, and the students have been able totake home some of their crop.

The school has cleared out the winter gardenand is prepared for summer vegetables. The ele-vated bed for wheelchair access has worked verywell and currently has herbs growing in it.

The Clayton Valley Garden Club has beenactive this spring with civic beautification proj-ects, such as helping with the Clayton Museumgarden, maintaining flower planters on MainStreet, preparing the Clayton library beds forreplanting and helping clear the DiamondTerrace bed for planting vegetables.

Recent field trips include the Filoli Mansionand Gardens in Woodside, a wildflower hike onMt. Diablo and a visit to Annie’s Annuals. Thegroup’s next meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday, May12, at Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St.,Clayton. The presentation will be about bees.

For more about the club, visit claytonvalleygarden-club.org. For more on the plant sale, call Neal at 672-2624.

MT. DIABLO ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

The group will host a family astronomy pro-gram about telescopes at 7:30 p.m. Saturday,May 15, in the lower summit parking lot of Mt.Diablo.

Bring warm clothes and binoculars. If youbring a flashlight, cover it with red plastic. Theevent is weather-dependent. Although there is apark entrance fee, the program is free.

For more information, visit mdas.net.

May 7, 2010 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 21

Bella MiaTTHHEE

SSPPAA

Pamper Mom

with the gift of

RELAXATIONMMootthheerr’’ss DDaayy SSppeecciiaall,, $$112200

30 minute Massage, Express Pedicure & European Facial

Call 992255--668800--77779922

55443399 EE CCllaayyttoonn RRdd..,, CCllaayyttoonn(across from Blockbuster’s)

WWee wwiillll bbee ooppeenn SSuunnddaayy,, MMaayy 99

ffoorr MMootthheerr’’ss DDaayy

www.haddonheatingcooling.com

79$

� residentialfurnaces

� heating � ductwork� air conditioners� upgrades � repairs� maintenance

& service

Your comfort is our #1 priority

925-521-1380

Serving Clayton and the surrounding communities.We are YOUR neighborhood heating and AC experts.

Local Familyowner andoperated.

SpringFever

tune-upIncludes Free duct

inspection and indoor

quality check. Find out

how to decrease the

amount of Allergens in

your home! Call today!

Offer good through 6/07/2010

Fast Service

Free Estimates

Honey bees swarm Pardi Lane home

Brent Wakefield was garden-ing on Saturday, April 24, whena veritable storm of bees circledthe court at his Pardi Lanehome in Clayton. They tookrefuge in an historic oak tree inhis front yard.

Jeanine Wakefield calledYgnacio Bees’ Jarl de Boer toassist with the almost foot-deepcluster of about 20,000 bees. “Itliterally looked like the Winniethe Pooh movie cloud of bees,”Jeanine said. “I was not braveenough to get a picture of themswarming. We have children, sowe decided to call a beekeeper.”

The Mt. Diablo BeekeepersAssociation Website maintains a“swarm list” of volunteersavailable for swarm removal.The site says: “Relax! Whenthey’re swarming, bees areprobably the most docile theywill ever be. Before they leavethe hive, they fill up on honey tokeep themselves going untilthey find a new home. Fat andhappy honeybees, with no hometo protect, are less likely tosting.”

MDBA advises asking: “Isthe swarm yours to give away?Occasionally, there is a beekeep-ing neighbor who wants theswarm but is not aware that ithas issued. Asking this question

may avoid a legal problem ormoral dilemma.”

De Boer, a private beekeeperand member of MDBA, ascer-tains that the Pardi Lane bees

are wild since the queen andhalf her hive swarm when, as acollective, they deem themselvesovercrowded and set out toexpand their territory. Issuing

from within 500 feet, the hive isalmost certainly wild since thereare no beekeepers in that areaoff Pine Hollow.

When de Boer arrived at theWakefield home, he found hisladder was too short to reachthe 30-foot tall branch wherethe swarm bunched, forming aprotective layer around thequeen while scouts searched outa new hive location. De Boerrented a taller ladder, and withthe Wakefields’ assistance, col-lected most of the bees for hisown hives using a low-suctionvacuum.

De Boer maintains six hiveson his one-acre Walnut Creekproperty. “It’s enough to keepmy trees pollinated,” he said,“and I sell enough honey thatthe bees pay for themselves.”Hive material costs $500-$1,000maintenance each year.

“We bought some of hishoney,” Jeanine said. “Localhoney is a good natural remedyfor allergy relief.”

Contact Ygnacio Bees at 934-4248. The Mt. Diablo BeekeepersAssociation meets7:30 p.m. on thesecond Thursdays (except Novemberand December) at Heather FarmsGarden Center, 1540 Marchbanks,Walnut Creek. On May 13, RobbinThorp presents “Native Bees: TheirDiversity and Lifestyles.” For details,visit diablobees.org.

NICCI SHIPSTEAD

Clayton Pioneer

USING A MILD SUCTION HOSE, JARL DE BOER PREPARES TO REMOVE

the swarm of an estimated 20,000 bees from an historic oaktree on Pardi Lane as homeowner Brent Wakefield looks on.

The Pioneer -- It’s your paper!

Ilima Heuerman

(925) 890-6931

travelingtrainersllc@gmail.com

www.travelingtrainersforlife.com

Introducing fun, fat-blasting, calorie-burningclasses to blast your body into the Spring season.

Zumba Fitness - dance to hypnotic Latin rhythms.

Aerobic Bar Training - learn functional training while you push your endurance.

CardioKickboxing - challenge your core and improve your power.

For more information or to signup go to www.cityofconcord.org/recreation.

Be “Poetry in Motion”

New sessionsbegin May 12!

Sign up today!Club News

A tour guide from Filoli Mansion and Gardensshows Clayton Valley Garden Club members a14th century fountain. Standing to the right ofthe guide are Tina Frost, Bob Frost, TonyEistetter and JoDell Durrett.

Recycle

this paper

Page 22 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com May 7, 2010

Avoderm (Lamb, Chicken, Lite)

reg. $44.99 Salee pricee $34.99

Canidae All Life StageFormula 30lb.

reg. $39.99 Salee pricee $29.99

Merrick Grammy’s Pot Pie, 30 lb.

reg. $51.99. Salee pricee $41.99

Nutroo Max Lamb / Ricereg. 33.99 Salee pricee $23.99

Naturall Balance Potato & Duck

reg. $53.99 Salee pricee $43.99

Horizonn Legacy $100 OFFLarge Bag of Puppy or Dog Food

$55 OFF Cat Food

Fromm - $55 OFF any Large

size bag of Dog or Cat Food

Eagle 33lb. & Eaglee Holistic

30lb. Dog Food $55 OFF

Pinnacle Chicken & Oats, 30 lb.

reg. $48.99 Salee pricee $38.99

Diamond Natural Lamb & Rice,

44 lb. Bonus Bag

reg. $29.99 Salee pricee $19.99

Bluee Buffalo - Buy 1 bag get the

2nd bag HALFF PRICE.

Buy any case of dog or cat foodand get a second case HALFF PRICE

CUSTOMERR APPRECIATIONN DAY

RODIE’SS FEEDD && COUNTRYY STOREE (925)) 672-46000 � 88633 Marshh Creekk Rd.. inn Clayton

Sat.. Mayy 159 am to 5 pm

Sat.. Mayy 159 am to 5 pm

� Mountainn Bike� Kidss Bike� $1000 GIFTT

CERTIFICATEE too Rodie’ss Feedd

� Visionn Birdd Cage� Aviann Adventuress

Travell CageAnd many more.

PROPANEE $2.99/gal.

$200 OFF!CUSTOMERR APPRECIATIONN DAY

99 A.M.. -- NOONN ONLY

your purchase of $100 or moreValid 5-15-10 only. P510

Limit one coupon per customer.Not valid with already discounted items

Firstt 500 Customerss gett aa FREEE BIRDD CAGE

Firstt 300 Customerss gett FREEE WEE-WEEE PADS

sponsored

by .......

Nyjer Thistle, 20lb bag

reg. $30.99 Salee pricee $24.99

Superr Finchh Stationreg. $36.99

Salee pricee $24.99

Seedd Vittlee Vault, 255 lb.. Capacity

reg. $34.99 Salee pricee $24.99

Evercleann Unscented, 255 lb.

reg. $21.99 Salee pricee $16.99

Elkk Grove Stable Mix$11 OFF $55 OFF

50 lb. Bag Barrel(Limit 20 per customer)

DOORR PRIZESS ALLL DAY!FREE

FREE

Tail waggin’

good deals!

Onee Dayy Onlyy Specials!

FREE Hot Dogs, Soda & ChipsFREEE Pony Rides

Kids 12 & under

Noon - 2 p.m.

Durvett Ivermectin .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $5.99

Duraa Mask .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $10.99

Broncoo Flyy Sprayy 1qt... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. $5.99

Duraa Guardd Flyy Sprayy 32oz. .. .. $18.99

Horsee Supplies

200 %% OFF

BLOWOUTT PRICES

� Alll Birdd Supplies,, Food,, Cagess && Toys� Alll Dog,, Horse,, Catt Toys� Groomingg Supplies� Horsee Tack