aug 16 clayton pioneer 2013

By this time next year, if adedicated contingent of civicleaders keep the ball rolling,Clayton’s summer nights will befilled with the thwack of palinoshitting bocce balls.

At the last Clayton Businessand Community Association

(CBCA) meeting, Skip andKent Ipsen and Ed Hartleyshared their vision of having theorganization help create fourbocce courts at the corner ofMain and Oak Streets, on prop-erty owned by the Ipsen family.

It’s an ambitious plan, andone that hinges on CBCA sup-port, switching the tax exemptstatus of the CBCA, city plan-

ning approval and funding forthe $250,000 project.

But, borrowing from anoth-er sports metaphor, Skip Ipsenand Hartley think that they havetheir bases covered.

“This is by far the biggestendeavor CBCA has ever done,”Hartley says. “But it’s really awin-win-win for the city. Notonly do we think we can affordit, the idea of bringing a vibrantpresence to downtown Claytonwill be a boon for current andfuture businesses.”

Under the proposal, theIpsens will build the courts ontheir property during theplanned remodel of Skipolini’srestaurant next January. SkipIpsen would also contribute$125,000 cash to the CBCA,while the club would agree to

front the remaining $125,000.CBCA would operate and main-tain the courts, and residentswould have the opportunity topurchase “naming rights” to thecourts, benches tables and otherattractions at the lot.

To solicit donations, CBCAwould have to ask the IRS tochange its status from a501(c)(4) “social group” to a501(c)(3) charitable organiza-tion, a process that can take aslong as several months.

“We’ve talked about doingthat for years anyway,” saysHartley, past-president ofCBCA. “Now, we have theimpetus.”

Bocce talk is nothing newfor Hartley. As a vice-commis-sioner of the Concord BocceFederation – which maintains

the bocce courts at Newhall andBaldwin Parks – he knows whatgoes in to creating what he calls“a vibrant public meetingplace.” For 12 years he and hiswife Cecilia organized the Sun-day Clayton leagues at NewhallPark, which grew to more than280 players. They were alsoinstrumental in trying to buildseven courts behind ClaytonCity Hall four years ago, a proj-ect that got a lot of communitysupport but that was ultimatelyderailed by rising costs.

Skip Ipsen has also been along-time bocce player, but hisdevotion to the proposed courtsgoes a bit deeper. “I have alwayswanted to give something back tothis community,” he says. “I love

Those motorists stuck insnarled eastbound traffic onYgnacio Valley Rd. leading ontoKirker Pass Road during the July23 commute can blame theMatchbox Twenty concert at theSleep Train Pavilion. But theycan take solace in the fact thatthere won’t be another concertat the venue for an entire monthand not a single other weekdayevent this year.

While drivers and those inand around the Pavilion will behappy about that, the city ofConcord, which owns the facili-ty, is more than a little con-cerned about the lack of activityin the venue. Over the past threeseasons, operator Live Nationhas presented just 11 concerts ayear, and its contract is set toexpire this year.

To see what’s next for thePavilion, it helps to take a lookback.

The district attorney has filedfelony drunk driving chargesagainst a 21-year-old Claytonwoman for a June 27 crash thatcritically injured a motorcyclist.

According to police records,Jessica Mercurio’s blood alcohollevel was more than three timesthe legal limit when she lost con-trol of her car on Clayton Road,jumped the median and hit MarkTomaszewski, 51, head on. Wit-nesses at the scene say they over-heard her tell officers she wastexting at the time of the crash.

Because of the seriousness ofthe injuries caused, Mercuriofaces eight years in state prison ifconvicted.

Tomaszewski, an operatingroom technician at the SequoiaSurgical Center in Walnut Creek,suffered internal injuries, severehead injuries and multiple brokenbones. He remains in the traumacare unit at John Muir MedicalCenter where, according to hisbrother, he is progressing welland is “humbled by all the sup-port from the community.”

His co-workers have donatedtheir unused time off to him anda website has been set up to raisefunds to help with his mountingmedical bills.

For information, go tohttp:/www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/teammarkt/70184.

I hope everyone has had agreat summer. As we enter thelast two weeks before schoolstarts, I think we’re all lookingforward to that day. The level ofmalicious vandalism to cityproperty this summer has beenextraordinary. The Grove Parkhas taken the brunt of it, but allour parks and public facilitieshave been targeted.

Our staff works hard tokeep our facilities in top shapefor events, and it’s frustrating tohave the damage repeated assoon as it’s been repaired. Anexample: staff pressure washedthe surfaces in The Grove theday before the last concert;

IT’S YOUR PAPER

www.claytonpioneer.com August 16, 2013

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

Behind the Badge . . . . . . . . .7

Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . .16

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

Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Community Calendar . . . . .16

Concord Beat (NEW) . . . .15

Design and Décor . . . . . . . .18

Directory of Advertisers . . . . .5

Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

From Oakhurst (NEW) . . . .6

Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

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

Mind Matters . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . .17

Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Pocket Parenting . . . . . . . . . .7

Readers Forum . . . . . . . . . . .7

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

Sports Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

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

Sports Shorts . . . . . . . . . . .12

Take a Hike . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Teen Reads . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Travels with Woody . . . . . . .20

What’s Inside

JULIE PIERCE

MAYOR’S CORNER

See Mayor, page 13

See Bocce, page 3

PEGGY SPEAR

Clayton Pioneer

Photo by Jay Bedecarré

THE NUMBER OF CONCERTS AT THE SLEEP TRAIN PAVILION HAS DROPPED TO JUST 11 each of the past three years, makingthe box office at the venue on Kirker Pass Rd. not the busiest of places. In bygone years, August alone would seemore than 11 concerts.

Vibrant new Pavilion on horizonas Concord looks to revive venue

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East BayRegional Parks ActivityGuide Inside this paper

See Pavilion, page 14

(925) 672-0500

THIS MONTH, THE CBCA MEMBERSHIP WILL VOTE ON WHETHER TO COMMIT $125,000 and ongoingmanagement for a bocce park downtown. The Ipsen family has pledged the use of the lot atOak and Main Streets and another $125,000 for construction. If approved by the city, the parkcould open by early 2014.

Bocce ball plan is now in CBCA’s court Driver in June 27crash withmotorcyclecharged withfelony DUI

Dana Hills wins 21st City Swim Meet title

Photo courtesy CSKphotography.net

Over 1000 swimmers took part in the 47th annualCity Meet Swimming Championships earlier this monthover three days at Concord Community Pool. Dana HillsSwim Team of Clayton won its 21st championship in thelast 22 years with local teams Springwood third,Oakhurst seventh and Walnut Country ninth. This heat ofthe boys 9-10 50-yard breaststroke included, from left,Nolan Degener (Oakhurst), Joshua Ewert (DHST), DevinKelly (DHST), Robert Santa Maria (Forest Park) and JoeyDern (DHST). For our story see page 10.

Malicious vandalism isfrustrating and expensive

Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com August 16, 2013

Walkers and dollars raisedgrew by leaps and bounds forthis year’s Relay For Life in Clay-ton on Aug. 3 and 4 at ClaytonCommunity Park. Over 300walkers raised $75,000 for theAmerican Cancer Society com-pared to 160 participants and$43,000 in 2012.

Hope for a cure for cancer

remains immeasurable.Event chair Mindy Thomp-

son welcomed and thanked theteams for their dedication. “Ittakes a village to build a relay,”Thompson says.

Guest speaker and cancersurvivor Bruce Bogart steppedup the enthusiasm by acknowl-edging that teams chose to attend

the relay over ball games and bar-becues that day “because we’regoing to beat cancer.”

Cancer survivors wearingpurple relay shirts walked thefirst lap of the event after open-ing ceremonies to celebrate theirsurvival. Team members tookturns walking laps to keep some-one on the field for all 24 hoursof the relay. Team Christy carrieda cardboard cutout of their cap-tain, Christy Harris, who is cur-rently fighting cancer, for theduration of the relay.

Teams also had booths flank-ing the track with goodies liketrail mix or jewelry for donationsor give-aways like sunscreen.

Campers For A Curereturned with their popular freebeads to thread on a string track-ing one’s laps. Eight laps equaleda mile. Kathryn Mills of Con-cord had a colorful string totaling36 miles. “I’m walking in memo-ry of my Dad, but to help raise

money, too,” Mills says.Magic Entertainment DJ Ser-

vices kept the energy level highwith music and midnight movies.

Giants’ mascot Lou Sealmade a guest appearance to showoff the Giants’ two World Seriesrings and encourage walkers.Raffle prizes included Giantstickets and autographed base-balls.

Luminarias decorated withwords of remembrance for lovedones touched by cancer lit therelay track as night fell. A shortceremony set the tone beforeparticipants walked the first lapin silence. When Joy Armstrongwas overcome with emotion andcould not finish singing “In MyLife” by the Beatles, the crowdsang for her.

Walkers wrapped up the relaywith a final lap in commitment tofighting back against cancer bymaking strides to live a healthierlifestyle.

Around Town

Clayton’s Dick Ellis reunitedwith college friend and famoussinger, Johnny Mathis, on July21 at the Eric Marienthal benefitconcert for the High Hopeshead injury program in New-port Beach. Ellis was a javelinthrower and Mathis was a highjumper at San Francisco StateUniversity. On Mother’s Day1955 — the day after Mathis setthe college high jump record —he, Ellis and two others decidedto buy cards for their mothers.Only Ellis had enough moneyfor the 50-cent cards, so he paidfor everyone. Ellis reminded

Mathis of this debt at the con-cert. Mathis says, “If I pay you,we’ll lose the story.” So the beat— and the debt — goes on.

DICK ELLIS ANDJOHNNY MATHIS

CHRISTY AND JOEL HARRIS LEAD MORE THAN 100 FRIENDS and sup-porters of “Team Christy” on the first lap in the AmericanCancer Society’s 2013 Relay for Life. The team raised morethan $33,000 of the $75,000 event total for cancer research.

Bud Harmon, who turned90 in June, doesn’t believe in sit-ting it out – especially when Sat-urday night concerts are rockin’The Grove.

Bud is a big fan of brass andis really looking forward to theAugust 17 concert when Lau-rent Fourgo’s six-piece band,The Flash Backs brings all theold swing and big band eratunes to downtown.

The concert begins at 6 p.m.Blankets and chairs can be setup anytime after 4 p.m.

BUON GIORNO FROM ITALY

When Judy Crosby, KathyBurton and Patty Bowerspacked for their June trip toItaly, they didn’t forget the mostimportant thing – US!

Here we are on the lovelyIsle of Capri with the three life-long friends who started schooltogether in 1950 at Queen ofAll Saints in Concord and grad-

uated together from Mt. DiabloHigh School in 1963.

Pioneer Travels

Last month, Chris Smith andSue Elliott of Clayton hiked thesix Yosemite High SierrasCamps on a 7-day, 56 mile trek.We let them do the heavy workwhile we rode along in the back-pack and enjoyed the scenery.The highest camp, Vogelsang, at10,100 feet sits in a true alpinesetting nestled next to FletcherCreek.

Even after landing on thefront page of the Pioneer forher work organizing Clayton’sFamily Fair, Emma Hall justcouldn’t get enough of us. Wetagged along with Emma on her20-day community service tripto Peru where she worked withher group from AthenianSchool building a greenhouseand helping in the local schoolin a remote village in the Andes.

We were also there whileshe worked in a shantytown onthe outskirts of Lima, Peru’scapital city.

But, it wasn’t all work. Herewe are at the top of the world(or at least near it) at MachuPicchu.

Dick Ellis and Johnny Mathistake a stroll down memory lane

Cancer Relay for Life donations top $75,000

Clayton nonagenarianfills his dance card

YOSEMITE

HELLO FROM MACHU PICHU

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When Concord residentGina Scheer and her husbandRod moved from New York toCalifornia, the last thought ontheir minds was helping outtheir new community as volun-teers for the local police depart-ment. But what was on the topsof their minds was, “We have noidea what to do in an earth-quake.”

They attended CommunityEmergency Response Team(CERT) training to educatethemselves and continued goingto monthly CERT meetingswhere they learned about Vol-unteers in Police Service, orVIPS, for the cities of Claytonand Concord.

“We just absolutely love it,”Gina says. They each work, butare driven to participate in suchprograms as NeighborhoodPatrol, tow hearings, CERT andthe Park Steward Program. Theysay they now value assuring citi-zens that VIPS are there makingsure everything is all right, andboth have been honored as Vol-unteer of the Year. “We’ll makea difference in someone’s life

when that earthquake hits,”Scheer says.

The VIPS program is basedon the concept of community-oriented policing, an organiza-tional philosophy that promotescommunity, government andpolice partnerships to solveproblems. In other words, no

one police department is largeenough to keep a city safe on itsown. VIPS get involved tocreate a safe, vibrant place tolive, work and play.

Concord VIPS formed 25years ago by now retired Lt. JimAlcorn, who still actively partici-pates in the program. It is run

today by Margaret Romiti, man-ager of volunteer services.

In the late 1990s, ConcordVIPS had about 60 volunteers.Today, there are 116 volunteersand more than 34 programs withthe fundamental goal of bringing

Saturdays6 to 8:30 p.m.

At the Gazebo inThe Grove

Set up chairs and blanketson the lawn after 4 p.m.

Concerts

in The Grovein The Grove

August 17Flashback

Six-piece band featuringhits from big band/swing,

early rock 'n' roll,Motown/soul, R&B/funk,

classic rock, disco andcountry.

August 31The Chicago Tribute

AuthorityThis upbeat tribute band

plays the music of thegreatest hit bands of the

last 45 years.

Sept. 14East Bay Mudd

This 10-piece cover danceband with a powerful 4-

man horn section, willkeep you on your feet

asking for more.

For more band info, go to

www.cityofclayton.org.

Chairs and blankets

may be set out

after 4 p.m. on concert days.

Around Town

Thursday Night Concerts

In the Grove7 – 8:30 p.m.

Aug. 22 My Evergreen(Contemporary)

Sep. 5 Mamaluke(Pop/Rock)

Sep. 19 PHDs(R&B/Rock)

Whooo is thenew neighbor?

Five owlets made LindaCruz’s Clayton home their homethis summer. The adult owlsnested in the Cruz backyard in2011.

“Mama and papa owl havebeen busy helping five owletscome out of their nest box andinto the world. It is a very noisyjob,” Cruz says.

Cruz is a member of theClayton Valley Garden Club.She reports that the GardenClub recently sponsored similarnest boxes for Ryan Nebeker’sEagle Scout project. Ryan builtsix boxes. They were installednearby, including at Mt. DiabloElementary School, DiabloView Middle School and theClayton Museum.

Biologist Jim Hale offeredto make a display box for themuseum showing the variouscreatures consumed by Clay-ton barn owls based on study-ing the pellets of the owls inCruz’s yard.

VIPS work to keep neighborhoods safe

the idea of having something thatattracts people to downtown,where people can have fun. Boccejust makes sense.”

Indeed, bocce is not the bas-tion of old Italian grandpasanymore. In a recent survey inClayton, residents voted bocceas the No. 1 desired recreationalamenity. Nearby cities havealready seen the growth in pop-

ularity, as the 25 courts in Mar-tinez and the 12 courts in Con-cord are always full with leagueplay, tournaments and recre-ational players.

“Bocce is ageless,” Ipsensays. “You can be 8 or 80 andstill enjoy the game. It is a verysocial game where friends andfamily can have fun in a relaxing,yet competitive atmosphere.”

The construction of theClayton courts will hinge on theSkipolini’s remodel, which isscheduled for January throughMarch 2014. Skipolini’s wouldabsorb all “soft” costs related tothe court design, plans, specifi-cations and the city approvalprocess.

Clayton City Manager GaryNapper said he could not com-ment on the bocce proposal yetbecause nothing official hascome before the city, but Hart-

ley says he believes the planshould have no trouble adheringto the Town Center SpecificPlan. At this point the CBCAmust wait until after its Augustmeeting to formalize any plans.

At that meeting, scheduledfor Aug. 29 at the OakhurstCountry Club, two-thirds of themembers present must approvethe proposal to convert to a501(c)(3), and agree to take onthe responsibility of running thecourts.

Bocce, from page 1

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170 Brandywine Pl. Clayton $925,000Peacock Creek – Single story on prime, corner lot has4BD/3BA & 3,030 sq. ft. of living space. Over $200K inquality upgrades. Open floor plan w/ lots of light.Manicured landscaping, outdoor kitchen & oversized spa.

Clayton $559,000Oakhurst – Designer paint & wide plank wood floorsare lovely features of 3BD/ 2.5BA home near commu-nity pool, golf course & trails. Main level has mastersuite & kitchen remodeled w/top-notch appliances &fixtures.

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COMING SOON

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer

CONCORD VIPS ARE AN ACTIVE REMINDER OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING PRACTICES. The royalblue-clad volunteers are a mainstay every week at Music and Market in the Todos Santos Plaza.Pictured are Captains Gina and Rod Scheer (center front) together with their team Ken and PatRishell, Pam Erickson, Tom Ferruggia, Suz Josephs, Ben Hornstein, Dorothy Ziolko,CherylLundstrom and Ernie Bonacum.

ONE OWLET remains andpeeks out of a nest box atthe Cruz home in Clayton.

PAMELA WIESENDANGER

Clayton Pioneer

See VIPS page 4

August 16, 2013 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com


in people with definite talentsand skills to fill gaps in police andother services, Romiti says.

The application processincludes a background check andquestionnaire to match skills andinterests with available roles. Forinstance, those with a desire tokeep neighborhoods safe can getinvolved with NeighborhoodWatch meetings or Neighbor-hood Patrol. Those who likemore behind-the-scenes workcan help out with administrativetasks at the police department.

Other VIPS activities thatinvolve contact with the publicinclude attending the weeklyMusic and Market concerts,conducting the Pre-schoolSafety Program and the ParkSteward Program.

Clayton resident Janet John-son volunteers for both Concordand Clayton. Johnson was part ofthe Neighborhood Patrol pro-gram in Concord until recently.She does administrative work,training and tow hearings now.She developed the VIPS websitefor Clayton.

“It’s a really rewarding pro-gram for me,” she says. “I thor-oughly enjoy the tasks. They real-ly try to fit your skills.”

The Clayton VIPS programis less than a decade old and isled by Sgt. Tim Marchut.These VIPS offer Neighbor-hood Patrol, NeighborhoodWatch and lead the CERT pro-gram. CERT conducts freetraining to residents about dis-aster preparedness and nowparticipates in CPR and Auto-mated External Defibrillatortraining to qualify Clayton as aHeartSafe community.

It is a great opportunity “ifan individual wants to givesomething back to the commu-nity,” Herb Yonge of ClaytonVIPS says.

Marchut says, “The depart-ment recognizes there are resi-dents throughout our city whopossess key skills that canassist Clayton Police Depart-ment with certain tasks. To saywe are appreciative of theirefforts would be a huge under-statement.”

For more information about Con-cord VIPS, go to cityofconcord.org/police/joinin/volunteers. For ClaytonVIPS, visit claytonpd.com/VIPS_t.html.

Plus four other locations in the Greater Bay Area.Go to www.floorstores.com for directions.

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Beautiful Expansive Rancher on ClaytonBorder. 4 bedrooms 4 1/2 baths, 2 masters,4080 square feet, possible in-law, or au pair setup. Beautifully landscaped lot 29,621 sq. ft. RVparking-Clayton Valley Charter High School!

Offered at $850,000

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INSPIRED REAL ESTATE

Fantastic one story home in desirableneighborhood. This home features 4 bedroomsplus a bonus room, spacious master bedroomsuite, gourmet kitchen with granite counters,stainless steel appliances and eat-in area. Attached3 car garage - front atrium with fireplace.

Call for details!

1898 Saint Michaels Dr., Brentwood

1588 N Mitchell Canyon Drive – one of a kindspectacular rancher features 4 bedrooms, 3 +baths and infinite charm and amenities! Fabulouscustom quality remodel throughout incl. chefkitchen, luxury master suite, glorious pool, spa,cabana, outdoor kitchen, and so so much more!Top Drawer Tip to Toe!

Offered at $749,000

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Black Diamond Duet Stunning three bedroom2 1/2 baths 1904 square foot home. Vaulted ceil-ings, updated kitchen and baths, fabulous yardwith lush landscaping and decking.

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Oakhurst Black Diamond

SOLD

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ComingSoon

VIPS, from page 3

CLAYTON VIPS JOHN MOILAN

prepares to leave on aVacation House Watch patrol.He checks the outside of thehome to be sure it is secureand if there is a problem, henotifies Clayton police. Theemergency contact providedby the resident is also notified.

Severe cuts to the Contra Costa Fire ProtectionDistrict budget has resulted in the closure of severalstations. In looking forward, the District has con-tracted with a private consulting company to studyand recommend future service options. As part ofthis study, the consultants have scheduled threeTown Hall meetings and are asking for input fromthe public.

Date: Monday, Aug. 19Time: 6:30pmLocation: Pittsburg Community Library

80 Power Avenue, Pittsburg

Date: Tuesday, Aug. 20Time: 6:30pm Location: Lafayette Veteran’s Memorial Bldg.

3780 Mt Diablo Blvd., Lafayette

Date: Wednesday, Aug. 21Time: 6:30pmLocation: Clayton Community Library

6125 Clayton Road, Clayton

Supervisor Candace Andersen of District IIstated that citizen engagement in the study processis key to its success. “Citizens offer direct, practi-cal feedback that is critical to evaluating the futureof the Contra Costa County Fire Protection Dis-trict,” Andersen added. Fitch plans to presentstudy findings to the Board of Supervisors in Jan-uary 2014.

For more information regarding Fitch and Associates,LLC and the Fire Study, please visitwww.cccounty.us/ConFireStudy.

Town Hall meetings on CCFPD closures seek input from citizens

CHILDCARE/

PRESCHOOLClayton Community School at

Mt. Diablo Elementary offers

school-age childcare 6:45 a.m. -

6:15 p.m. Preschool 9 a.m. - 11:30

a.m. Mon.-Fri. Call 672-0388 for

details.

GARDENINGFlower Gardening

by Nicole Hackett

Perennial, ornamental, rose and

container care. Keep your garden

in flowers this year with monthly

fertilizing and pruning visits.

Email for consultation or details.

[email protected].

HELP WANTEDComputer Tech

Growing business has position for

onsite pro computer tech in Contra

Costa County. Must have experi-

ence in Windows and Mac OS, net-

work repair and troubleshooting.

ComputersUSA! 672-9989.

Come join Mazzei Realty!

Currently interviewing and hiring

new and experienced real estate

agents. Call 693-0757 for details.

Real Estate Agents Be Successful!

Lynne French is expanding and

interviewing for a few agents. Call

her today 672-8787.

VOLUNTEERS Help Fight Hunger

Anna Chan – AKA: The Lemon

Lady needs your help! Weekly

commitment appreciated. For more

info and contact numbers, go to

thelemonlady.blogspot.com.

Clayton Historical Society

Museum. Greeters needed for two

hours per month from 2-4 p.m.

Wed. or Sun. Summer volunteers

needed 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Sat.

and 6 – 8 p.m. Wed., through

August; 4 – 6 p.m. on concert

Saturdays. Call 672-0240.

Clayton Community Library

Needs volunteers. Minimum age

13. Minimum commitment is 6

months. Some training provided.

Contact: Arlene at 673-9777 or

[email protected].

P.O. Box 1246

6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517

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

STAFF WRITERS: Denisen Hartlove, Pam Wiesendanger, Peggy SpearWe remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse

Beauty and Pampering

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

Business Services

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

Village Oaks Building . . . . . . . . . . . .408-371-8770, ext. 21

Construction and Trades

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

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

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

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

Gary’s Home Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .787-2500

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

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

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

Dining and Entertainment

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

Johnny’s Deli & Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-1203

La Veranda Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0011

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

Events

City of Clayton – Concerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-7300

Clayton Community Church – Derby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

Financial, Insurance and Legal Services

DuRee, Daniel – The Law Office of . . . . . . . . . . .210-1400

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

Littorno, Richard – The Law Office of . . . . . . . . .432-4211

Mingham, Pete – Guild Mortgage Company . . . .906-8166

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

Sorensen, David – Wells Fargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296-3086

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

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

Funerals

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

Groceries

Doorstep Farmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .349-4568

Home and Garden

Clayton Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-2299

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

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

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

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

Refresh Pool Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286-8601

The Floor Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .969-9890

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

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

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

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

Mailing Services

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

Optometry

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

Pet Services

Cat Hospital of Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2287

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

Pittsburg Pet Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432-7387

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

Real Estate and Mortgage Services

Crosby, Meg – J.H. Russell Real Estate Group . .323-2139

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

Geddes-Sinclaire, Christine – RE/MAX Realty . .286-7593

Howard, Don – Better Homes Realty . . . . . . . . . .408-3184

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

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

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

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

Stojanovich, Jennifer – Better Homes Realty . . .567-6170

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

Recreation and Fitness

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

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

East Bay Regional Park District . . . . . . . . . .888-327-2757

Senior Services

Chateau on Broadway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .686-1700

Diablo Senior Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-2936

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

Services, Other

ComputersUSA! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9989

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

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

Travel

Celebrity Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .888-456-7887

Travel to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-9840

Directory of Advertisers

PIONEER INFOCONTACT USTel: (925) 672-0500Fax: (925) 672-6580

Tamara [email protected]

Send ads [email protected]

Send Sports News [email protected]

Send Club News [email protected]

Send Church News [email protected]

Send School News [email protected]

Send Classified Ads [email protected]

CLASSIFIEDSClassified rates per insertion:$48 for first 30 words, 40 cents

each additional word Non-profit: $24 for first 30

words, 20 cents each additional word To place your classified ad over thephone, call the office at (925) 672-0500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. All classifieds must be paid for inadvance by credit card (Master Cardor Visa) We will not accept any ad thatdiscriminates on the basis of race,color, sex, religion, nationality, familystatus or disability. The Clayton Pio-neer reserves the right to reject anyadvertising we believe is unsuitable.

LET US KNOW Weddings, 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 a resi-dent in our home delivery area. Sub-mit on our website and be sure toattach a JPG photo that is at least 3

MB but not bigger than 6MB. Youcan also mail or bring your print tothe office and we can scan it for you.

Also on the website are forms forcalendar items, events & press releases.

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 prior-ity. We may edit letters for length andclarity. All letters will be published atthe editor’s discretion. Please includename, address and daytime telephonenumber. We will not print anonymousletters. E-mail your letter to [email protected]. LettersMUST be submitted via E-mail.

CIRCULATIONTotal circulation of the Clayton

Pioneer is 15,500. Papers are deliv-ered to households in ZIP codes94517, 94518 and 94521.

In Clayton, all papers are deliv-ered Every Door Direct by the USPost Office. We cannot start or stopindividual addresses.

All Concord delivery is by carrierand delivered twice a month on a Fri-day morning. To stop delivery for anyreason, call the office at (925) 672-0500 or email [email protected].

If you are NOT receiving thePioneer, please check the distributionmap on the website. If you live in theshaded area and are not receiving thepaper, please call us or send an emailto [email protected] you are not in the shaded area,please be patient. We will come toyour neighborhood soon.

SUBSCRIPTIONSTo subscribe, call the office at

(925) 672-0500. Subscriptions are$50/year and are not pro-rated formid-year stops.


Classified

James “Jim” Schmalzel, alongtime Clayton resident andavid volunteer in everythingfrom the Lesher Theater toMeals on Wheels to the Con-cord Police Department, passedaway on July 20. He was 79.

Jim was born to Joe andLucile Schmalzel, July 28, 1933,in Arizona. He graduated fromBenson Union High School in1951 and attended and playedfootball at Stanford University.He then transferred and gradu-ated from the University of Ari-zona in 1956, with honors inmechanical engineering. Hespent the next 30 years workingfor Babcock & Wilcox in SanFrancisco and Walnut Creek as aproject engineer.

After retiring from B&W,Jim kept busy by working atExxon, taking courses at DVC,and volunteering at the LesherTheater, the Suicide & CrisisHotline, Meals on Wheels, theClayton Library, OperationShoebox, Boy Scouts of Ameri-ca, coach and board member forPCL and CAL, and the ConcordPolice Department’s CrimeScene Investigation with goodfriend Ekk Keller.

Jim married wife Priscilla in1959 in Tampa, Florida. Aftershort stays in Georgia,Lafayette, Atascadero, Pacheco,and Concord, they decided toraise their sons in Clayton,where they have lived since1965. Jim was a world travelerand had placed a foot on allseven continents.

An avid Giant and 49er fan,Jim’s most joyous times werewhen his family and their

friends would visit, especiallythe grandkids.

Jim was predeceased by hisolder brother Joe in 2005. He issurvived by his wife, Priscilla;his son Bill, sons Eric and Ryan,and grandson Andre; son Steve;grandchildren Alex and Andie;son Ed; and grandchildrenBrock, Dana and Carter; broth-er in-law Dick Hamilton; andsister in-law Janet Hearn.

Memorial donations may begiven to the Clayton PoliceDepartment’s Heart Safe Com-munities Program (6000 Her-itage Trail, Clayton, 94517) orConcord Police Department’sK9 Association (1350 GalindoStreet, Concord, 94520).

Service and interment will beheld at a future date in Benson,Arizona.

Obituary

James Watkins SchmalzelJuly 28, 1933 – July 20, 2013

Buyers and Sellers – the time is right

Pete Laurence,Broker, Realtor, GRI

Cell: (925) 890-6004

Serving Clayton and ALL of C.C. County.Walnut Creek office

DRE#00344166

This expanded 3 bedroom, 2 bath also has a

huge family room, dual pane windows, cen-

tral heat & air, a stucco-walled front court-

yard, sliding doors to rear patios, RV

Parking, very nice landscaping and is in the

CV Charter High School attendance area!

Priced to sell at $449,900!

3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATH AT ONLY $449,900!

KNOWLEDGE � SERVICE � INTEGRITY � RESULTSCall PETE LAURENCE at (925) 890-6004

This 3200 sq. ft. estate home is located in the

East Bay’s most prestigious community com-

plete with security gate entrances and drive-

able to Silicon Valley employment. Enjoy

custom moldings and upgraded appointments

throughout, its gourmet kitchen, a Master suite fit for Royalty, a large 3+ car

garage, manicured grounds front & rear, and its pool, spa, privacy and Views!

BLACKHAWK ELEGANCE & SECURITY, $1,350,000!

SOLDPete can sell

yours too!

For all you exercise nuts outthere, try this: Combine dancingand aerobics, then add gymnas-tics, some lifts and dives, and doit with a group, to music.

Now do it underwater, inhigh heels.

That’s the basics of synchro-nized swimming, and for 18-year-old Clayton resident Mor-gan Boneberg, this underwaterballet is her life.

Boneberg took up the sportwhen she was eight, and she nowbelongs to the prestigiousAquanuts swim team in WalnutCreek. Under the tutelage of OlgaKouznetsova and Olympic gold-medalist Kim Probst, the teampractices 10 hours a day for sixdays a week during the competi-tive summer season. Even in theoff-season they practice fourhours a day for six days a week.Not surprisingly, many of the girlshope to land spots on the USANational Team, and potentially

even compete at the Olympics.Boneberg – along with many

of her teammates – practice soextensively they end up switchingfrom traditional classroomschools to independent studyprograms in order to be able todevote the time demanded toachieve success.

Their efforts seem to pay off.The team itself boasts 12National Championships, andcounts as its alumni 17 peoplewho went on to compete in theOlympics, eight of whom tookhome gold medals.

In addition to the prestige ofbelonging to such an award-win-ning team as the Aquanuts – andon top of the excitement oflooking forward to competing atnational and Olympic levels –this year the swimmers attainedpop culture fame when they trav-elled to New York and competedon the popular TV show “Amer-ica’s Got Talent.”

Dressed in glamorous tuxe-do-styled and rhinestone-adorned suits reminiscent of anEsther Williams routine, andwearing high heels (not usuallyswim gear), the team shonebright as they first blew handfulsof glitter towards the camerasbefore diving, one at a time, intoa rooftop pool.

Surrounded by screamingfans, the athletes (who perse-vered through auditions in sever-al cities before competing on theshow) performed their routine toRhianna’s song “Diamonds,” legsflashing and making seeminglyeffortless formations in the water– and wowing the show’s celebri-ty judges in the process.

“What you do, it’s amaz-ing,” said Howard Stern. “It’sspectacular.”

Heidi Klum agreed. “It’shardcore what you girls do. Ireally enjoyed it.”


DENISEN HARTLOVE

Clayton Pioneer

See Aquanuts, page 16

CLAYTON RESIDENT MORGAN BONEBERG (circled), who recentlycompeted with her team, the Walnut Creek Aquanuts, onAmerica’s Got Talent, said one of the greatest parts of her expe-rience was the camaraderie and friendships developed betweengroups backstage at the show. Here she is shown with herteam, as well as a few of the other hopefuls, including countrysinger Marty Brown and rap group Tone the Chiefrocca.

Aquanuts dive into national spotlight

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Pending Properties:5425 Concord Blvd., Concord $132,0001194 Central Ave., Livermore $550,000

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For the past several years, themartini – a drink once reservedfor genteel rat-packers, JamesBond and Don Draperwannabes – has taken on a newlife as a refreshing summer liba-tion. Stacey Billera, mastermixologist, shares her recipe forThe Perfect Martini.

Billera, who prides herself asbeing is an alchemist and enter-tainer, performs on her stage at

the stylish Bistro 19 bar, over-looking the golf course, ClaytonValley and the vista beyond.

First step: She fills a beakerwith chiseled ice. Then, vodkaor gin from exclusive sources isadded and the chosen infusionsdropped in, and all gentlystirred. She takes a chilled glass,lined with a splash of vermouth,holds it at arm’s length belowthe beaker, and from a greatheight the liquor is poured, theflavor expanding as it falls intothe glass. She adds a final twist,and the martini is complete.

Stacey Billera is the Food andBeverage Director for the OakhurstCountry Club.

A stirring martinithat's just perfect

STACEY BILLERA

FROM OAKHURST

Most parents are prettysavvy about how to feed theirchildren to make their bodiesstrong, but what about food forthe mind? Most experts agreethat sensations are consideredthe best “food for the brain.”

Sensory information comesinto our brains from our eyes,

ears, nose, mouth, muscles, skin,and from every part of ourbody. Our brain has the job oforganizing this incredibleamount of input into usefulinformation. Learning to organ-ize sensory input can help chil-dren with many things, includ-ing learning to tolerate noisyenvironments and learning toconcentrate on a task.

The main sensory systemsare vision, smell, taste, hearing,touch (tactile), head movement(vestibular), and deep pressure(proprioception). The tactile

system is the largest sensory sys-tem and is very important to usboth physically and mentally. Itoften operates automatically,such as when you touch some-thing hot your hand pulls awaywithout you thinking about it. Ithelps us determine textures andshapes and adds feedback tomost other sensory systems.

The vestibular system isfound in the inner ear and tellsus many things, including howfast and in what direction we are

As I write this, I’m stunnedthe summer is coming to aclose. It seems only yesterdaywe were celebrating the close ofthe school year and began mak-ing plans for summer vacations.With the return of the schoolyear, you will no doubt noticeincreased traffic, especially dur-ing the morning hour. Many ofour high school kids will be offdriving themselves, and ouryounger kids will be carted bymoms and dads entering thecrowded traffic patterns aroundthe elementary and middleschool.

Remember, many of ourstudents and parents are drop-ping off at their respectiveschools for the first time. Ittakes a couple weeks for every-body to learn the routine, so bepatient. Traffic, especiallyaround the elementary schools,is congested. Officers from theClayton Police Department willbe on hand to help facilitate thetraffic flow.

Here are few pieces ofadvice that will help everybodyas we move through the firstweeks of school:

In the last issue of the Clay-ton Pioneer, Pete Lawrence ablypointed out that BART workers,threatening to shut down BARTin a strike, already receivesalaries and benefits far inexcess of their counterparts inother industries and agencies.Why are BART workers allowedto hold the transit systemhostage in the first place? Andwhy is this fundamental issuealmost completely absent frommedia reporting?

Northern Californians spent$1.6 billion – in 1960’s and ‘70’sdollars – to build the beginningsof the BART system. Now weinvest over half a billion dollarsevery year to run BART. Do wepay these astronomical amountsto provide the public with a reli-able alternative transportationsystem? Or did we build BARTin order to give a small group ofworkers a nuclear weapon forsalary negotiations? Accord-ing to BART’s website, it is the

former. Yet somehow the pub-lic’s investment in BART hasbecome the latter.

California citizens are freefrom the threat of police / firestrikes. They are illegal. The leg-islature recognizes that the wellbeing of the general public out-weighs the risk of interruptionof these important services. Isour public transport different?While police / fire strikes wouldpose a heightened risk of publicharm, a BART union strike rep-resents guaranteed monumentalpublic harm. Businesses losetens of millions of dollars inproductivity. Air pollution sky-rockets. Many dangers arisefrom traffic gridlock. Tens ofthousands of daily schedulesare thrown into turmoil. Quali-ty of life is downgraded foreveryone.

So why does the legislatureallow BART unions to wave thisgun in the face of the citizenrywho paid to build BART?

Could it have something to dowith union influence in thepolitical party that dominatesCalifornia politics? Why is thistopic completely missing frommedia coverage of the “negoti-ations?” Why are they evencalled “negotiations?” Holdingthe strike card, the union has allthe leverage. It is permitted tounleash chaos should itsdemands not be met.

Unlike the real world, BARTworker salaries have nothing todo with the marketplace value ofwork skills. It’s the same withSomali pirates. In bothinstances, the compensationrates result from unbalancednegotiating leverage, based onone party’s threat and ability toinflict harm on a hostage if itsdemands are not met. Althoughin fairness, the harm the piratescan inflict is not so far reaching.

Our legislature’s fiduciaryduty is to be a vigilant stewardof taxpayer dollars. Thus, work-

ers the government hires,including BART workers,should be paid according to themarketplace value of their skills,not according to a ransommeasured by our desperation toavoid a threatened sabotage.

Of course anything resem-bling a negative view of unionpower is akin to criticizingScientology in terms of drawinginflamed response, but pleasenote, this is not an indictment ofunions. It is an invitation to addan important topic to the publicdiscourse on this issue – why dowe extend, to certain publicemployees, the power to crippleour region as a negotiating tool?

In places like New York andWashington DC it is illegal fortransit workers to strike. There,lawmakers have determinedthat the transit systems belongsto the public, not unions.

David DeMordauntClayton resident


See Car Smarts, page 9See Parenting, page 9

Readers Forum

CHRIS THORSEN

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NowResidents of the Clayton

Regency Mobile Home Park willhave something to toast soon, as anew project aims to bring clean,reliable water to the park.

The County’s Health Depart-ment recently determined that themobile home park’s treated watersupply system constitutes a publichealth emergency. Contra CostaCounty officials requested thatthe Contra Costa Water Districtinstall an Emergency PipelineExtension and DisinfectantBooster Station to keep residentshealthy.

While generally welcomed byresidents, the pipeline project,which began July 28 and shouldtake two to three months to com-plete, will not be without its shareof construction issues:

There will be single lane clo-sures when work is underway.Motorists should expect up to 30-minute delays.

Street work will occur onMarsh Creek Road betweenapproximately Royal Oaks Drive

and the Clayton Regency MobileHome Park.

Work will occur on a rollingbasis down Marsh Creek Road tominimize impact to residents andmotorists.

The speed limit will bereduced to 25 MPH in work areasfor motorist safety.

Convenient access to drive-ways will be maintained as muchas possible. In situations whereaccess restrictions are necessary,residents will receive advancenotice. Access restrictions will bekept as brief as possible.

Traffic controls (includingCalifornia Highway Patrol cars)will be in place to help motoristsand cyclists safely navigate theroad.

There will also be some noiseand dust associated with this proj-ect, which could be noticeablefrom homes along Marsh CreekRoad.

Certain residents mayencounter driveway restrictionsduring the construction of the

pipeline. There may be one-waytraffic or open trenches nearsome homes. To ensure residents’safety, access to and from drive-ways may be restricted for up to20 minutes from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.Sunday through Thursday.

If there is work or single laneclosure currently in front of yourhome, and a resident needs to exittheir driveway, they should stop intheir driveway before reachingMarsh Creek Road and notifyconstruction crews. Constructioncrews will provide instructions onhow to safely exit the driveway.

When returning to theirhomes, residents should notifyone of the flaggers that they arereturning. Construction crews willprovide instructions on how tosafely enter the driveway.

Construction crews may needto have steel plates temporarilyplaced over a trench and moveequipment to ensure residents cansafely access their residence.

For more information or updates goto ccwater.com

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DARCIE AZZOLINI PAIVA

POCKET PARENTING

Want to get fit, but are intim-idated by all the choices outthere? Don’t worry –setting upan exercise program is not asdifficult as it sounds. Planning isessential to keeping on track. Bewilling to learn about yourselfand your limitations. Be willingto accept yourself and gainaccess to the strength and wis-dom that has been hiddeninside.

For beginners: Start slowlywith a basic cardio program anda full-body resistance trainingroutine. You’ll want to haverecovery days to allow yourbody to rest and your muscles toheal from your new routine. Atypical beginner program willinclude about three or so days ofcardio and about two days ofstrength training.

Here is a sample schedulejust to give you an idea of a typ-ical week of workouts:

Monday: Cardio for 20-30minutes, stretch

Tuesday: Full-body strengthtraining, stretch

Wednesday: Cardio for 20-30minutes, abdominalworkout, stretch

Thursday: Rest or Pilates/yogaFriday: Full-body strength

training, stretchSaturday: Cardio for 30

minutes, stretch

For Intermediate/AdvancedExercisers with the goal ofweight loss and health: If you’vebeen exercising for a while andyour goal is to lose weight, youwant to shoot for 20-60 minutesof cardio about five times aweek. Your strength trainingschedule will depend on what

type of workouts you’re doing(e.g., total-body training or asplit routine). You can do cardioand weight training on the sameday, depending on your timeconstraints. It doesn’t matterwhich one you do first, so varyyour routine and try differentcombinations to find the onethat is right for you.

Here’s a sample week ofworkouts:

Monday: Cardio for 30minutes, upper body, lowerbody, strength training,stretch

Tuesday: Rest or Pilates/yogaWednesday: Cardio for 30

minutesThursday: Rest or Pilates/yogaFriday: Full-body strength

training, stretchSaturday: Cardio for 60

minutes, stretch

For Intermediate/AdvancedExercisers with the goal of mus-cle gain: If you’re trying to gainmuscle mass and strength, focuson your strength-training rou-tine. Doing too much cardiobeforehand can make you tootired to lift. Since you’ll be usingmore weight and doing moreexercises for each muscle group,you’ll typically do a split trainingroutine and less cardio.

Here’s a sample week ofworkouts:

Monday: Chest, shoulders and triceps, and cardio for 20 minutes

Tuesday: Rest or Pilates/yogaWednesday: Back and biceps,

legs and abs, and cardio for 20 minutes

Thursday: Rest or Pilates/yoga

Friday: Full-body strength training for one hour, stretching

Call Travel to Go • (925) 672-9840CST #2033054-40

Q. Last year we put ourhouse on the market and gotan offer after two weeks. Weaccepted a price that wasbelow market value becauseour home needed somerepairs. We gave the buyerour disclosures that we filledout and after reading themthey agreed to buy the house“as-is.” After the buyers did

their inspections, and whenthey removed their inspectioncontingency, they asked for ahuge price reduction basedon the findings of theirinspectors. This reductionincluded repairs they hadagreed to accept “as-is.” Isimply said no. The newprice was ridiculous and,more importantly, I feel thebuyer negotiated in bad faith.I took my house off themarket.

I am planning to put itback on this spring. Is thereanything that I should havedone or that I should do dif-ferent now?

A. If you want to sell yourhome “as-is” you should pro-vide complete inspections whenyou put it on the market. Thatwould be a “Structural PestControl” report (termite

report), a general buildinginspection and a roof inspec-tion. If you feel there is struc-tural damage you should pro-vide an engineering report. Thatway the buyer knows exactlywhat they are buying. You candeal with issues at the offerstage.

One thing you could havedone before simply cancellingthe contract is given the buyers a24-hour notice to remove theircontingency. This is providedfor in the contract. If the buyerproves to be really unreasonablethough, then it is best to cancelthe contract. You could wasteyour time holding out hope for abuyer that may never perform.

Sometimes it’s not easy todetermine which party to thecontract is behaving unreason-ably. In an ever-changing marketlike we have, the gap between

the seller’s expectations andwhat buyers will be willing topay could widen. Before giving abuyer an ultimatum, carefullyconsider the pros and cons ofthe transaction. Is the buyerfinancially able to close the salein your timeframe? Could youeasily replace this buyer or willyou need to wait for another onewhile the market softens? Youcould be stuck selling for a less-er amount. Though you may notapprove of the buyer’s tactics,don’t let your emotions interferewith closing a sale that works toyour advantage.


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Clayton residents may havenoticed a bit more activity at thefarmers’ market last week as thePacific Coast Farmers’ MarketAssociation celebrated NationalFarmers’ Market Week.

But if you missed the give-aways and special activities, don’tworry, as PCFMA will celebrateNational Farmers’ Market Weekduring the entire month ofAugust with the “Love My Mar-ket” photo contest. Those inter-ested in participating, should sub-mit a photo of what they loveabout their farmers’ market [email protected] byAug. 31. Winners will beannounced Sept. 16.

Contestants will have a chanceto win the grand prize of a twonight retreat at Lone Oak Ranch,including cottage accommoda-tions on the Kings River, dinnerand a farm tour. Lone Oak Ranchis a certified organic fourth-gener-ation family farm that producescitrus fruits, grapes, almonds andmore. Second and third prizesinclude “Carrot Cash” (which isgood at any farmers’ market thatPCFMA operates), a reusable bagfilled with fresh seasonal produce

and a market cookbook.Each year, an increasing num-

ber of Americans in diverse com-munities get more of their foodfrom farmers’ markets. From1994 to 2011, the number offarmers’ markets in the U.S.Department of AgricultureNational Farmers Market Direc-tory increased from 1,755 to7,175 – a 308 percent increase.Still continuing to rise, from 2011to 2012, farmers’ marketsincreased 9.6 percent, with 7,864farmers’ markets being listed inthe directory.

The Pacific Coast Farmers’Market Association is the state’slargest operator of certified farm-ers’ markets and celebrates its 25thyear in 2013. With more than 70weekly markets in the Bay Area.

All PCFMA markets acceptWIC FMNP (Woman Infant andChildren Farmers’ Market Nutri-tion Program coupons) and Cal-Fresh EBT (the Golden Stateadvantage food stamp cards).

For more information, contact thePacific Coast Farmers’ Market Associ-ation at 800-949-FARM or visitpcfma.org.

Send your question and look for youranswer in a future column. [email protected]. French is thebroker/owner of Windermere LynneFrench & Associates and a Clayton res-ident. For any real estate needs or ques-tions, contact her at 672-878 7or stop inat 6200 Center St., Clayton.

LYNNE FRENCH

REAL ANSWERS

Show how your farmers’market really clicks

Ilima Heuerman holds multiple fit-ness certifications. She trains at LevityFitness studio in Clayton. Email Ilimaat [email protected]

ILIMA HEUERMAN

FIT WITH LEVITY

A week’s worth of fitness plans

Plan ahead: There will betraffic congestion, so it willtake you longer than expectedto maneuver through the traf-fic. Plan on leaving a bit earlierthan normal.

Consider Carpooling:Simply put, the roads aroundthe school, particularly the ele-mentary school, were neverdesigned to handle a large vol-ume of vehicles in such a shortperiod of time. Reducing thenumber of vehicles will ulti-mately help everybody arriveon time.

Have an agreed uponplace for pick up with yourchildren: Encourage yourchild to be at their pick-upspot immediately after school.By parking in the pick-up lane,you are impeding traffic andslowing the process.

Don’t arrive too early:There are parents who arriveas much as an hour early toassure they have a “goodspot.” However when you arewaiting, you clog the process.

It all works best if your movethrough the drop-off andpick-up areas is quick anddoesn’t require you to stop forlong.

Be prepared: Drop off isnot the time to search thetrunk for last night’s home-work assignment or lunch forthe day. Have your child readyto exit the vehicle, drop themoff and move along as soon aspractical.

Respect the neighbor-hoods: The established trafficpatterns have been put in placein part, to preserve the qualityof life for those who live nearthe schools. Please help every-body concerned by abiding bythe rules.

Be patient. We all want thechildren to arrive safely and ontime. Safety is the primary con-cern. Nobody benefits whendrivers are angry or frustratedin a school zone.

going and if we are upside downor not.

The proprioceptive respons-es are so automatic that we areoften not aware of them. Whenwe bend, stretch, reach, pull andpush we are getting feedbackfrom this sense. This helps usknow how to respond to manythings, such as how to bring acup of coffee to our lips whilereading the paper, stayingupright when we walk onuneven surfaces, or judging howand where to throw a ball.

Everyone needs sensoryinput and nobody has “perfect”sensory integration. We all varyin how we process input fromthese different areas and in howmuch input we need and howoften we need it.

GO PLAY

Play is the way children learnalmost everything. Childrenlearn about the physical proper-ties of their playthings by inter-acting with a variety of itemsand watching the results of

those interactions. They learnabout many things includingsize, weight, texture, depth per-ception, spatial relations andhow things fit together.

The brain needs input inorder to function well and learnto make adaptive responses.When we are successful this isusually perceived as “fun.” Welearn and grow from thisprocess. Think of learning toride a bicycle. The whole body isinvolved in learning what itneeds to do to repeatedly cor-rect itself until you finally learnto stay upright. Sensory inputgives our body more informa-

tion helps us learn more aspectsof an activity or task.

Many fun activities alreadyinclude sensory components.Going for a walk and collectingleaves or flowers then using glueto make a collage, planting flow-ers in the dirt, rolling and cut-ting play dough, swinging,rolling down a hill and jumpingon a trampoline are just a fewexamples.

Experiencing a variety ofactivities increases your child’sopportunities to learn new skills.

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Car Smarts, from page 7

Parenting, from page 7

Everyone knows that highschool is a challenging fouryears. Even people who haven’texperienced it yet know that.But in “The List” by SiobhanVivian, high school life is evenmore dreadful.

Every year at Mount Wash-ington High School, eight girls,two each from the freshman,sophomore, junior and senior

classes, are put onto one listthat is posted throughout thewhole school for every studentand staff member to see. Onegirl is the ugliest and one is theprettiest. This story focuses onall eight girls throughout theyear and describes their reac-tions, their classmates reactionsas the plan reverberatesthroughout the school and theall the nerve wracking eventsthat are caused by the list. Thebiggest mystery is that nobodyknows who the author is untilone day when the truth isrevealed, Mount WashingtonHigh changes forever. Thisintriguing story will keep you onthe edge of your seat and youreyes glued to every page.

Eight girls face dramaand heartbreak whenthey land on ‘The List’

Emily York is a freshman atCVCHS. She loves to read andhopes her reviews will keep teens read-ing through the summer.

EMILY YORK

TEEN READS

Chris Thorsen is Clayton’s chiefof police. For questions and com-ments, call him at (925) 673-7350.

Darcie Azzolini is Director ofDevelopmental Services at We CareServices in Concord.

Since taking up rowing as afreshman at Cal in the fall of2009 Clayton’s Kara Kohler hastraveled all over Europe formeets in Great Britain, Switzer-land, Serbia, Belarus and Slove-nia. Now she’s off to Chungju,South Korea where the second-ever World Rowing Champi-onships held in Asia take placeAug. 25-Sept. 1 as a climax andconclusion to the 2013 interna-tional rowing season.

As part of the United Statesquad team Kohler might be inanother country but she’ll besurrounded by familiar women.The USA team also includesMegan Kalmoe, Esther Lofgrenand Susan Francia.

Kalmoe was Kohler’s team-mate just about one year agowhen their boat took third andthe bronze medal at the LondonOlympics. Kohler, Lofgren andFrancia were three-quarters ofthe American quad squad lastmonth in the final World CupIII race in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Kohler has competed at thehighest levels over the past five

years and this is her secondWorlds but the first time she willbe in an Olympic Class event atthis meet. In 2011 she was part ofa gold medal American team inthe Women’s 4- boat, an eventthat is not part of the Olympicprogram.

The American quad will belooking for some redemption atthe World Championships. Intheir World Cup race last monththey were in contention for thebronze medal nearing the last300 meters in the finals whenthey caught a crab and had torow across the finish line morethan a minute behind the field insixth (and last) place. As downas they were it turns out that bycompleting the course theyearned two points for the US inthe meet standings.

After their teammates wenton to have a fabulous final daythe United States topped theWorld Cup medals table. It is thefirst time since 2008 that thecountry had won a men’s event.Along with the men’s andwomen’s eights, the UnitedStates also struck gold in themen’s four. The US also wonmedals in the women’s pair

(bronze), lightweight women’sdouble sculls (silver) and thewomen’s double sculls (bronze).

The final country standingsgave the US the team champi-

onship over New Zealand. Themargin of victory was two points.Had the women’s quad not fin-ished their race down one rowerthe US would not have received

those two points and won theoutright team championship.

After the World Champi-onships Kohler will return toBerkeley to prepare for her sen-

ior season with the GoldenBears. The three-time All-Amer-ica skipped the 2011-2012school year to prepare for theLondon Olympics.

With over 1000 swimmerscrowding Concord CommunityPool the Dana Hills Swim Teamdid what it’s done so many timesbefore in winning its 21st CityMeet championship in the past22 years with strong perform-ances across all age groups.

The meet used a differentscoring method for the thirdstraight year but the final tallysaw Dana Hills 360 points aheadof runner-up Forest Park, whichactually entered a few moreswimmers than the Otters. HostSpringwood was third in A Divi-sion scoring. Forest Park tookthe B title with DHST second.Oakhurst Country Club wasseventh in both divisions.

Dana Hills and Forest Parkdominated the top awards at the47th City Meet with the Ottersagain taking best boys and girlsrelay honors. In the individual ADivision high point awards For-est Park edged Dana Hills withsix top scorers vs. five for DanaHills.

Clayton’s Jordan Tate ofSpringwood tied for the leadingscorer in 15-18 boys while RyanLevy of Springwood and SeanThomas from Dana Hills dead-

locked for 13-14 honors. DanaHills girls grabbed four topscorer honors with NikkiPalmer (15-18), Jenna Ewert(13-4), Gabi Mancini (11-120and Molly Boland (6 and under).Miley Catalan (6 and under,DHST), Julia Urteaga (13-14,Oakhurst) and Ian Wright (9-10,Walnut Country) all nabbed BDivision high point awards.

Once again Dana Hills usedits tremendous depth to takeboth outstanding relay awards.The 13-14 girls medley relay ofLily Stagner, Erica duLong,Ewert and Alina Weigelt swam1:54.72. The Otters 11-12 boysfreestyle relay shattered twomeet records including posting1:45.79 with strong swims byAnthony Trimble, NiklasWeigelt, Colton Seastrand andJackson Trimble. The quartetwas almost four seconds belowthe 2003 standard. The same11-12 boys medley was 3.7 sec-onds under the 2003 meetrecord to sweep both relayfinals. The Trimble twins andWeigelt were part of a DHSTteam that also got the meetrelay award in 2012.

MEET RECORDS FALL

Thirteen meet records fell bythe wayside with DHST settingfour of the new marks. Amongthe records that fell were 7-8boys standards that had stoodsince 1979 and 1983 broken byAJ Fong of Forest Park.

Isabella Samardzic clocked26.43 in the 50-yard free for 11-12 girls while Anthony Trimblebroke a 20-year-old mark in the11-12 backstroke by over onesecond with a 27.96. WalnutCountry’s Levy also nabbed ameet record with a 22.99 clock-ing in the 13-14 50 freestyle, thefirst time a swimmer in that agegroup got under 23 seconds.

The City Meet doublespoints for relays compared toindividual placings and DanaHills continued to rack rolled up15 relay victories and five run-ner-up finishes in the 24 relayevents. In fact, Dana Hills wouldhave finished fourth in the meetsimply with the Otters relayscoring of 380 points.

Dana Hills relays swept the9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 free styleand medley relays for boys andgirls. DHST girls free relays had

five firsts and one second.Oakhurst Country Club got

top three finishes from NolanDegener, John Safipour, ClariceRoo, Jena Lewis-Bernardo, Geor-gia Moraes, Ryder Conrad, TylerBrown, 9-10 boys medley and freerelays, Julia Urteaga, WilliamMiller, Hunter Silva, Carly Urtea-ga and Terrell Hopson.

Springwood swimmers fromClayton in the top three wereJordan Tate, NicholasWilliamson and Alex Jennings.

WCST EARNS MEDALS

Walnut Country listedAkshitha Kannan, Jessie Bouch-er, Eric Taboada, Levy, JerronMiller, Asa Johnson, AmiBoucher, Brady Cannon, WillBadorf, Wright, Nathaniel Wu,Sidnee and Skyleur Prince, KaraHoward, Aiden Johnson, LukeHaymes, Troy Beckon, Ryan

Bulmer, Sydney Valett, MarisaDelizo, Grace McNally and 13-14 boys free relay and first, sec-ond and third-place finishers.

Dana Hills had individualevent winners in Logan Meyer,Mancini, Jenna Ewert, AbbieKubota, Connor McMurdo,Morgan Streeter, RyanneBoland, Jason Woodling,Samardzic, Sarah Mirabella,Alina Weigelt, Palmer, MollyBoland, Libby Celentano, PaigeLandstrom, Joshua Ewert,Isabella DeVera, Sean Thomas,Anthony Vines, Catalan,duLong, Nick Bazan, JakeDern, Jason Woodling, Manciniand Anthony Trimble.

Other Otter swimmers whotook top three finishes wereCami McGee, Isabella Cas-taneda, Camille Cline, EmranSolayman, Kayla Conger,Mason Bamberger, Joey Dern,

Kate Madigan, Anthony Fried-man, Bethany Anzelone, LiamCalkins, Zoe Lahanas, ColtonSeastrand, Jack Skow, LoganSherman, Jackson Trimble, JoeSnyder, Kayla Conger, StellaSheridan, Isabella Belusa,Niklas Weigelt, Kate Madigan,Kyler Kubota, Cami McGee,Ethan Cline, Kennedy Little-john, Karlie Seastrand, ClaytonSeastrand, Kaiti O’Connell,Lily Stagner, Gabby Brown,London Kochly and KeeganD’Arcy.

Vista Diablo Dolphins wonthe coveted Team Sportsman-ship Award.

The rec swim season endedlast weekend at the 53rd annualContra Costa County Meet atAcalanes High in Lafayette.Dana Hills had nearly 60 swim-mers earn county qualifyingtimes during the season. The

Otters were second at countymeet two years ago and fifthlast year. Based on those results2013 is the “up” year for anumber of DHST swimmers.

CITY MEET TEAM STANDINGS

A Division - Dana Hills1131, Forest Park 771, Spring-wood 423, Bishop Estates andPleasant Hill Dolfins 244,Ygnacio Wood 221.5, OakhurstCountry Club 182.5, ForestHills 175, Walnut Country 164,Gehringer Park 117, Vista Dia-blo Dolphins 107.

B Division - Forest Park195.5, Dana Hills 142, BishopEstates 119.5, Pleasant HillDolfins 104.5, Walnut Country93.5, Ygnacio Wood 75.5,Oakhurst Country Club 74.5,Springwood 74, Forest Hills73.5, Gehringer Park 67, VistaDiablo Dolphins 53.5.

Clayton’s Kristian Ipsenreached the finals of the three-meter springboard at the recentWorld Swimming Champi-onships in Barcelona. It’s thefirst time in three individualevents at the senior world cham-pionships the Stanford diver hasmade the finals.

Ipsen ended up 12th in the3M by scoring 413.35 points,highlighted by 84 points on hisreverse 3 ½ tuck in the fifthround. He was 11th after hisfirst two dives but missed hisinward 3½ tuck for just 42.50points in the third round todrop to 12th for the duration of

the final.“I didn’t compete that well. I

was a little excited so I ended upgoing over on just about every-thing, but I didn’t want to holdback on anything. You just can’tin a contest like this,” Ipsen said.“But I’m really happy that I didthree great reverse 3½ tucks inthis meet.”

China’s He Chong won the3M gold with 544.95 points,with Russia’s Evgeny Kuznetsovsecond and Mexico’s YahelCastillo third at 498.30.

Ipsen had finished 10th inthe three-meter semifinals,recovering from a missed third-

round dive to qualify for thefinals. Ipsen scored just 37.40points on his inward 3½ tuckand found himself in 17thplace at the halfway point of thecontest. He responded with81.60 points in the next round,bumping him up to 15th. Thenin round five, he scored 77points that moved him into 13th– one spot shy of qualifying forthe finals – with one round togo. He closed out his list with86.70 points on a reverse 1½with 3½ twists to jump to 10thin the final standings in thesemis.

“I didn’t know where I was

(heading into the last round ofthe semis), but I told myself Iwanted to end with a good diveregardless. I thought back toOlympic Trials when I neededto do a really good dive and toldmyself I’ve done this dive a mil-lion times,” Ipsen said. “In div-ing you always have to think youhave a chance to come back, butI knew it was going to be tough.I knew if I drilled those lastthree dives, I’d have a chance,and I did it. I’m really happyhow it turned out.”

USA Diving contributed to thisstory.

Sports Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com August 16, 2013

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

Dana Hills 21st City Meet swim title just as sweet as the others

Susan Safipour photo

OAKHURST HEAD COACH JASMINE MILLAN (center) is surrounded by her Orcas at The City Meet in Concord. The Clayton team wasseventh in both A and B divisions and included B Division high point winner Julia Urteaga in 13-14 girls.

Kara Kohler off to Korea for World Rowing Championships

Kristian Ipsen finals in FIFA WorldChampionship 3 meter in Spain

Photo courtesy CSK Photography

MORIAH MCCLOSKEY, a 10-year-old on the WalnutCountry Swim Team, placedeighth in the final of the 9-1050-yard breaststroke in45.66 seconds while drop-ping 2.22 seconds from herpreliminary time. Herimprovement was the largestamong the 10 finalists in herrace at The City Meet.

Girls and boys teams fromDiablo FC continue to rack upexcellent results this summerat tournaments up and downthe state with the under 14girls Diablo FC 99 leading theway with a pair of titles lastmonth. The club also had arecord four teams take part inthe prestigious Surf CupXXXIII in San Diego, led bythe Diablo FC 96 boys wholost the U17 championshipgame to the Texas Southchampions.

At the Pleasanton Rage10th anniversary CollegeShowcase Diablo FC 99 wonthree bracket games includinga pair of shutouts to reach thepremier division finals. CoachRichard Weiszmann’s teamthen defeated Marin FC 2000Blue in the finals of the 12-team bracket 4-2.

The U11 girls Diablo FC 02coached by Miguel Gonzalezwere also undefeated in RageCollege Showcase bracket play,outscoring their opponents 9-3to earn a finals berth againstClovis Jr. Crossfire, which wonthe title game.

At the 12th annual SantaCruz Breakers Cup Diablo FC02 again went 3-0 in bracket playbefore losing a 1-0 game to Ajax03 Green in the premier divisionchampionship match.

Chris Linzey and his DiabloFC 99 Black girls ended up

winning its U14 division at theBreakers Cup. They openedthe tournament tying their firstgame 2-2 then rattled off 10goals while giving up only oneincluding a 4-0 shutout ofMustang Fury in the BreakersCup finals.

At the 11th annual DiabloFC Summer Classic for GirlsDiablo FC 01 girls coached byWeiszmann were undefeatedwhile playing up in the U13 agegroup. They defeated Diablo FC

00 Blue 1-0 in the finals. In theU14 bracket at Summer ClassicDiablo FC 99 won 2-0 over Dia-blo FC 99 Blue in a U14 semi-final but then fell by the samescoreline to Spanish Springs SCAquila in the finals. It was thethird straight trip to the SummerClassic finals for Diablo FC 99.

In the Summer Classic forBoys Diablo FC 99 lost in theU14 semi-finals.

The Surf Cup draws the topteams from around the countrywith strict acceptance guide-lines. Diablo FC got four teams

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Summer is currently windingdown, but excitement for MLBplayoffs is almost upon us. Inthe dog days of summer, base-ball teams tend to start showingtheir true colors, whether theyare a “contender” or a “pre-tender.” The Oakland Athleticsare currently showing how theyare very much a contender,especially sitting atop the ALWest with a 64 win and 47 lossrecord (as of August 5). Unfor-tunately for the A’s they have avery strict budget, and this wasmade apparent at the tradedeadline, which ended on July31.

There is no debating the factthat the Oakland A’s are a greatteam this year, possibly even thebest in baseball, but they dohave holes. Second base hasbeen a big issue of productionfor them, being primarily filledthis year by Eric Sogard, whohas produced only 20 RBI’s onthe season. A’s General ManagerBilly Beane definitely could havebeen more aggressive in acquir-ing a starting second basemen,possibly Michael Young of thePhiladelphia Phillies. The A’salso could have acquired morepitching at the deadline.

Starting pitching should be avery big concern for the A’sright now. They currently onlyhave one reliable starter in Bar-tolo Colon, who is a possible CyYoung candidate with the fan-tastic year he has been having.Their next four pitchers in the

rotation, A.J. Griffin, JarrodParker, Dan Straily and TommyMilone, have all shown flashesof greatness, but also shownextreme inconsistency on themound.

When heading into the play-offs, if a team is serious aboutwinning a World Series, theymust have at least two startingpitchers, if not three, that theycan count on to go out andthrow six to seven innings andgive up less than three runs.Simply put they need theirstarters to have quality starts inthe playoffs. All the A’s pitchersare capable of doing this, butwill they do this is the big ques-tion. The A’s definitely couldhave added another arm to therotation to add some consisten-cy, but again failed to address aserious need through the trade-deadline.

The A’s were not completelystagnant at the trade-deadline.They at least acquired thirdbaseman Alberto Callaspo fromthe Los Angeles Angels forinfielder Grant Green. Thetrade itself isn’t bad. The A’s geta veteran guy who can DH, andspell Josh Donaldson at thirdwhen he needs a rest. This tradeisn’t one that puts the A’s overthe top and makes you say“Wow, they are definitely readyto make a run for the WorldSeries now.” It makes sense whythe A’s didn’t spend a bunch ofmoney at the deadline and makebig trades; it is because the own-ership has a very profitable teamand doesn’t want to spend toomuch money. When your teamis obviously ready to contendfor a title though, the fans wantto see a championship, not prof-it margins.


See Diablo FC, page 12

Sports

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer

DIABLO FC 99 GIRLS WON A PAIR OF U14 CHAMPIONSHIPS inrecent weeks while sweeping to victory in the Pleasanton RageCollege Showcase and Diablo FC Summer Classic. CoachRichard Weiszmann’s team was undefeated in both events. Theteam includes, front row from left, Carly Agostino, KatieChristman, Amanda Zodikoff, Kailee Gross, Kylie Schneider;middle row, Alexandra Diaz, Mariana Giovanetti, SusannaGarcia, Rajneet Sahota, Gabby Hair; back row, StephanieNeys, Cassie Bizicki, Maaeva Dwiggins, Janet Lopez, Saman-tha Gotz, Kaytlin Brinkman, Sophia Jones and Weiszmann.Not pictured, Payton Mannie.

Photos courtesy Diablo FC

COACH CHRIS LINZEY saw his Diablo FC 99 girls zoom past Mustang Fury 4-0 in the champi-onship match at the 12th annual Santa Cruz Breakers Cup tournament. The team includes,front row from left, Sarina Valerio, Kailey Lewis; middle row, Lizzie Annison, Isabella Aguilar,Hannah Thompson, Caroline Silberglitt, Kaitlyn Parodi; back row, coach Peter Valerio, XyaireHartwell, Emily Roberts, Karina Linzey, Kaitlyn Linzey, Maddie Annison, Rebecca Phelan, EmilyKaleal, Rebecca Lonergan and coach Linzey.

ONLY THE TEXAS SOUTH STATE CHAMPIONS STOOD IN THE WAY ofDiablo FC 96 boys winning the prestigious Surf Cup U17 boystitle recently in San Diego. Coach Chris Brown’s finalistsinclude, Chris Kwasny, Chase Corallo, Seth Kofman, ArthurChiok, Michael Samaniego, Blaz Perko, Scott Smoot, ChaseRedd; back row, Luke Dennison, Matteo Notini, Tony Zumaya,Ryan Donat, Jeremy Raine, JJ Hernandez, Aiden Lineweaver,Miko Villarama, Alfredo Ornelas, Ben Linzey and Preston Kil-wien. Not pictured, Jacob Buchanan.

Diablo FC teams claim championshipsat major tournaments this summer

TYLER LEHMAN

SPORTS TALK

Did A’s drop a chanceat 2013 playoff run?

Tyler Lehman is a sophomore atDiablo Valley College and a 2012CVHS graduate. He plans to majorin journalism and wants to be a sportswriter. Email your comments or ques-tions to [email protected].

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into Surf Cup XXXIII. DiabloFC 94 and 95 boys have wonSurf Cup crowns in recent yearsand their clubmates Diablo FC96 almost made it three with astrong run by coach ChrisBrown’s U17 team.

Diablo FC 96 opened play

with a 1-0 loss to Lonestars 97Red, the No. 1 team in TexasSouth. From that setback theteam came back with wins overBlack Watch Premier of NewYork and Central Valley Gun-ners to make the playoff roundin the 16-team gold division.

In the quarterfinals DiabloFC 96 blanked the No. 4 teamfrom Illinois Cicero MayasAcademy 2-0 and then matchedits earlier 3-1 win over CentralValley in the semi-finals. Thatbrought them full circle to arematch with Lonestars Red inthe Surf Cup finals. Despitestrong play coach Brown’s teamagain dropped a 1-0 verdict to

finish second.Diablo FC 95 boys fell short

of the playoff round in the U18bracket while the U14 DiabloFC Academy boys coached byCody Worden won its bracketwhile tying eventual tournamentchamp Pateadores 3-3. CoachScott Alexander’s Diablo FC 97U16 girls made their first trip toSurf Cup as well.

ST. BONAVENTURE CYO CROSS COUNTRY

TRAINING UNDERWAY AUG. 21St Bonaventure CYO cross country begins its third season with

training Aug. 21. The program is open to boys and girls in 2nd-8thgrades in the St. Bonaventure attendance area. Cross country is ashort, family-oriented season with practices Monday, Wednesday andFriday at 5:30 p.m. Parents are highly encouraged to run too. Meetsbegin in late September on Friday evenings with the Oakland Dio-cese meet in mid-October. The team meets at Newhall Park by thebig oak tree. Signups will be taken at practice.

CLAYTON VALLEY FALL YOUTH

BASEBALL PROGRAM STARTS SEPT. 10Clayton Valley Charter High School baseball coaching staff and

players are offering a fall instructional program Sept. 10-Nov. 14.The 10-week, 30-hour program focuses on the skills necessary to bea successful player including batting, fielding, pitching, catching andbase running. Sessions are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5:30p.m. at the Clayton Valley Varsity Baseball Facility for boys and girlsages 5–13. Contact Eagles head coach Casey Coakley at [email protected] or (925) 285-9417 with questions.

NORTHGATE FOOTBALL MEAT & SEAFOOD FUNDRAISER AUG. 17-18

The Northgate High School football team is holding a meat andseafood sale at the school this Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon-5p.m. A butcher will be on hand for the sale of USDA choice or bet-ter meat. Proceeds benefit the Broncos football team, which isranked No. 25 in pre-season poll by PrepsByTheBay.com. For moreinformation on the sale email [email protected].

SPORTSTARS TEAMS UP WITH CAL-HI SPORTS

FOR PREP COVERAGEConcord-based SportStars magazine and CalHiSports.comeditor-publisher Mark Tennis jointly announced that Cal-Hi

Sports will provide SportStars with official statewide high schoolrankings as well as all-state teams and state records beginning thismonth. In turn, SportStars publisher Mike Calamusa of Clayton says

his publication will be the “Official Prep Sports Magazine Partner”of the CalHiSports.com website. SportStars Magazine launched in2010 while Cal-Hi Sports was started in 1979.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES SOCCER SCHOOL

IN CONCORD THIS FALLThe San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer are holding

their Regional Development School fall session at Boatwright Fieldsin Concord on Fridays from Sept. 13 through Nov. 1. Girls and boys5-10 years of age are eligible for the school which brings profession-al coaching experience and guidance to youth soccer players of allskill levels. Brazilian World Cup and Olympic player Tafa heads theteaching staff. For more information visit the Earthquakes YouthAlliance Partner’s website at diablofc.org.

FALL YOUTH, ADULT PROGRAMS

COMING TO CLAYTON GYMFall leagues are taking signups now for All Out Sports League

programs through Clayton Community Gym. Adult softball (ages 18and older) begins Sept. 8 and youth volleyball league (8-16 years-old)starts Sept. 14. Evaluations for rec basketball (4-16 year-olds) are thisSaturday from 6-9 p.m. and Blaze AAU-style basketball tryouts arethis Sunday from 2-6 p.m. at the gym. There are different deadlinesfor each program. A basketball clinic for girls and boys 6-16 is com-ing up on Tuesday evenings Aug. 27-Sept. 10. For complete informa-tion, visit alloutsportsleague.com.

Clayton Valley Charter, DeLa Salle and Carondelet highschools finished in the top 11of the SportStars Cup for the2012-13 school year. Thelocally-based magazine accu-mulates results for league andsection championships inevery sport during the yearand ascribes points to deter-mine the top performingschools in the East Bay.

Campolindo won the cupfor the second successive yearwith 7300 points with De LaSalle (6600) second, Caron-delet (5800) fourth and Clay-ton Valley Charter (2800)11th. The next highest localfinisher was Concord (800) in33rd.

The rankings assign pointsfor league, section and statechampionships for teams andindividual section and statetitles. There are also pointsfor team academic honors andindividual post-seasonawards.

Clayton Valley Charteraccumulated its 2800 pointswith the football team’sNorth Coast Section champi-onship plus Kristina Artega’sNCS wrestling 146-poundtitle. The Eagles also wonDiablo Valley Athletic Leaguetitles in football, girls basket-ball, baseball and softball.Although no points are givenfor second place, CVCHSgirls softball and basketball

teams were NCS runners-up.De La Salle was second to

Campolindo for the secondyear. The Concord school isall-male and thus competes atthe disadvantage of not hav-ing girls teams to earn points.DLS exclusively scored pointsin all nine categories thatSportStars uses to determinethe Cup standings. They wonthe football state champi-onship and hurdler MarquisMorris was state 110Mchamp.

The DLS golf and footballteams were NorCal champswhile they won NCS teamtitles in wrestling (team anddual), soccer and football.Those teams also took EastBay Athletic League champi-onships as did Spartan waterpolo, basketball and lacrosse.Michael Hutchings and AustinHooper of the football teamand wrestlers Aaron Peaseand Devin Aiello earned indi-vidual honors while the crosscountry team was NCSscholastic winner.

As an all-girls schoolCarondelet has its point totalsdoubled to make up for nothaving a boys program.(SportStars does this for allsingle-gender schools exceptDe La Salle as they feel DLScan be competitive in thestandings without that adjust-ment.)

Carondelet was fourthoverall as the basketball,lacrosse and swimming teamswon NCS along with sectiontitlists Chelsea Chenault (2X

swimming), Madison White(swimming) and ChristinaChenault (track) along with aCougars girls swimming relay.They also won the scholasticaward for softball and theEBAL basketball champi-onship.

SportStars Cup is fash-

ioned after the Sports Direc-tors Cup that tracks the topperforming NCAA schools byplacing an equal value onboth genders and all sports.In the collegiate ranks Stan-ford has won the DirectorsCup 19 years in a row.

JAY BEDECARRÉ

Clayton Pioneer


Sports Shorts

Sports

3 Concord high schools in top 11of SportStars Cup 2012-2013

Diablo FC, from page 11

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An all-new blue running track with eight lanes isalready in use after a summer installation at ClaytonValley Charter High School. The project was ready foruse late last month before the high school teams begantheir official training for the 2013 fall sports season. Theschool opens Aug. 14. Operations Director PatMiddendorf announced that new bleachers, snackshack, fencing and walkways will be installed during thefall to complete the project which began over theDecember-January holiday break with a new turf field.

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THE PIONEER WANTS TO HEAR YOUR SPORTS STORYWe get plenty of information from local high schools, sports

leagues and clubs. What we don’t hear about so often are fromour neighbors who are competing below that radar screen. Thereare Claytonians who are participating in sports and recreationalendeavors that we don’t normally hear about but we’d like to telltheir stories too. If you know of someone—-or even if you arethat someone—-let us know what you’re doing and perhaps we’llfind it something our readers would love to read about!

If you’re running, jumping, hiking, biking, swimming, skydiv-ing, bowling, golfing or participating in any of dozens of othersports and recreational activities let us know. Give us a brief run-down and your contact information and we might be in touchwith you. It’s as simple as sending an email to [email protected].

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Pet lovers can sink theirteeth into this: The AmericanAnimal Hospital Association,AAHA, has published newDental Care Guidelines this

year compiled by a board ofDiplomates of American Vet-erinary Dentistry. The guide-lines state that dental care isessential for the preventativehealth of our pets. Untreateddental disease is painful andmay lead to other local andsystemic diseases. Because ourpets cannot speak, we areoften unaware of their dis-

comfort until dental disease isquite advanced.

A new recommendation isto rename “dentals” as a Com-plete Oral Health Assessmentand Treatment, COHAT, orbetter yet an Oral Assessment,Treatment and Prevention,OralATP. This reflects thesteps taken in a thorough pro-fessional dental procedure

which must be performed by alicensed veterinarian.

Assessment starts with anoral exam performed on anawake patient. This allows theveterinarian to design a pre-liminary treatment plan. Acomplete and thorough oralassessment can only be donewith general anesthetic, whichincludes gas anesthesia admin-ister by an endotracheal tube.AAHA advises that “Cleaningwithout general anesthesia isconsidered unacceptable andbelow standard of care.”

Anesthesia allows the tech-nical staff to perform a tooth-by-tooth evaluation with fullmouth dental x-rays and gumprobing. Findings are thenrecorded on a dental chart.

Full mouth x-rays are rec-ommended because 60 percentof dental disease is foundunder the gum line. Abscesses,cracked roots, resorptivelesions, extra teeth, non-erupt-ed teeth and jaw bone tumorsmay be found.

Treatment plans are thenformulated after the assess-ment. This may have changedfrom the original plan if addi-tional disease is found. Treat-ment may include teeth extrac-tions, root canals with crowns,periodontal therapy, gum sur-gery and antibiotics. As well aspain management with nerveblocks, opioid injections dur-ing and after the procedure,non-steroidal anti-inflamma-tories and home oral painmedications can be used.

Prevention starts after theoral procedure. The veterinaryteam will provide home oralhygiene counseling to developa customized plan that bestmeets you and your pet’sneeds. Routine brushing is thebest prevention.

24 hours later, there was anunknown sticky goo all over thesidewalks and many of thetables.

The cost to repair the dam-age comes out of our park andgeneral funds and the time takesaway from other maintenanceduties. If you witness vandalismin progress, please report itimmediately to the Clayton PDat 673-7350. If you find damagesomewhere, let us know. Pleasebe as specific as you can.

MILESTONES

Earlier this month, ClaytonFinance Manager Merry Pelletierannounced she will retire inDecember following 13 years ofservice to our city. We will missher bright smile at City Hall andwish her well in her upcomingretirement. The city will be con-ducting a search for her replace-ment. The job posting will be onthe city’s website in September.

Contact City Hall for furtherinformation.

Some good news: To addressthe speed of commute andother traffic and improve thesafety of students near DiabloView Middle School, Claytonhas accepted a $40,000 grantfrom the 511 Contra CostaStreet Smarts InfrastructureProgram for the purchase andinstallation of two solar-pow-ered traffic signs with flashingbeacons and speed readoutsalong Marsh Creek Road adja-cent to DVMS. The signs will beplaced in the median islands tohelp reduce vandalism.

Clayton had introduced anordinance that will prohibit theestablishment of marijuana dis-pensaries within city bound-aries. It also will prohibit anycultivation of marijuana beyondthat for personal medical usewith a permit. Final adoption ofthe ordinance is anticipated

following the public hearing atthe August 20th council meet-ing.

Fire Station Closure update:In response to the closure offour stations, including Clay-ton’s, and anticipated closure ofadditional stations, the countyBoard of Supervisors has com-missioned a study of the Coun-ty Emergency Medical Services(EMS) Agency and an integrat-ed operations study of the Con-tra Costa County Fire Protec-tion District. The studies ofboth the EMS Agency and FireDistrict are being conducted byFitch & Associates, LLC. Aspart of the study, the consultingteam is seeking input from citiesregarding the future of the FireDistrict. Fitch & Associates willconduct a community meetingat the Clayton Library at 6:30pm on Wednesday evening,August 21st. Bring your ques-tions, concerns and suggestions.

As always, you can contact me byemail at [email protected]


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60 TO 70 EVENTS A SEASON

The Concord Pavilion openedin May 1975 and was run by thecity while Live Nation Worldwide(and predecessor companies) hasoperated the Pavilion since 2000.

Concord Mayor Dan Helixhas a lot of history with the facil-ity. As mayor and a city council-man in the early 1970s he negoti-ated with developer Ken Hof-mann to get 122 acres of rollingland as a site for the Pavilion. Itwas part of a large parcel of morethan 300 acres on Kirker PassRoad that Hofmann was lookingto develop for homes.

The venue was originally con-structed as an 8,500-seatamphitheater designed by world-renowned architect Frank O.Gehry and costing $4.5 million.

In the early 1980s, with thesummer concert business becom-ing more competitive and muchlarger amphitheaters springing uparound the country, the city decid-ed to expand the Pavilion. Thatproject began at the end of the1995 season and the new 12,500-capacity version, also designed byGehry, opened in August, 1996. Itwas expected that increasedcapacity would enhance the viabil-ity of attracting larger, morelucrative acts. With the new con-struction also came a $20.1 mil-lion price tag and yearly debt serv-ice many times the original$220,000 annual bond retirementfrom 1975.

In the 1970s and 80s the Pavil-ion regularly would host 60-80events during a season thatextended from April throughOctober. During those busy earlyyears of the Pavilion the venuedrew most major artists (asidefrom “stadium-caliber attrac-tions”) in rock, pop, country, jazz,R&B and classical music. In addi-tion there were numerous freeand low-priced concerts andcommunity events, which havetotally disappeared from thePavilion calendar.

PROMOTER TAKES REINS

The city of Concord ceasedoperating the Pavilion after the1999 season, turning over opera-tions to SFX Entertainment, thesuccessor to Bill Graham Presents– which had done concert book-ing at the Pavilion since 1985.When the operating contract firstwent into effect in the 2000-2003time period there were 26-29 con-certs annually with total atten-dance ranging from 153,000-190,000.

But since 2003 there have onlybeen three years with as many as20 concerts and only once in thepast five years have there beenmore than 11 Pavilion shows.Annual attendance has beenunder 100,000 each of thoseyears, even while the average per-concert attendance has been thehighest during the 13 years of thecontract.

Joan Carrico, Concord’sDirector of Community and

Recreation Services, is the staffperson overseeing the Pavilion.The Clayton resident expects thatthe city will soon be soliciting for-mal proposals for the contractstarting in 2014. She reports citystaff and the city council havealready held closed sessions todiscuss the Pavilion’s future.

Helix, who returned to thecity council in 2011, says, “Wewon’t be able to return the Pavil-ion to its ‘glory years’ but we cando a lot better than we have been.We’re looking at alternatives [foroperating and booking].”

Live Nation is responsible forpaying the city a $500,000 rentalfee plus $3 per ticket surcharge.The contract with Live Nationhas been renegotiated three times(most recently in March 2011) asthe promoter produced fewer andfewer events in Concord, yet themodified arrangement still did notbring more acts to the Pavilion.

Live Nation did not respondto phone calls and email from thePioneer to comment on the sea-son or their intentions to seek acontract extension.

CHALLENGES TO OPERATE

Gary Bongiovanni, the editorof Pollstar, a leading concertindustry trade publication andwebsite, says that Live Nationowns and/or operates “90 per-cent of the summer amphithe-aters around the county.” He saysthat Live Nation only sells under-performing venues to outsideinterests who are buying for realestate purposes and not to keep asa concert venue.

An industry insider explainedthat the Pavilion contract has sev-eral challenges for an operator,including a separate food andbeverage arrangement betweenthe city and concessionaire Ara-mark that runs through 2020 andlimits the possibility of a promot-er gaining sufficient ancillaryincome above ticket sales fromunderperforming concerts. Headded that the lack of concertdates impacts selling box seatsand sponsorships as well. Ara-mark’s predecessor paid $2 mil-lion in 1995 to help fund thePavilion expansion in return for along-term contract.

Another issue at Concord isthe need for capital improve-ments. With the city owning thebuilding – yet going through itsown economic challenges – anypromoter is unlikely to pledgelarge sums for new amenities tokeep the venue up to industrystandards.

Bongiovanni cites three Cali-fornia-based potential companiesmost likely to enter the biddingwith Live Nation to operate thePavilion. Other industryobservers confirmed his list.

AEG Live is a national pro-moter that operates 35 venuesaround the country (“not big inamphitheaters,” according toBongiovanni) including theWarfield Theatre in San Francis-

co. As well as being North Amer-ica’s largest producer of festivals,AEG is also involved in profes-sional soccer.

Another Planet Entertain-ment is an East Bay companyformed in 2003 by long-time BillGraham Presents executivesGregg Perloff and Sherry Wasser-man. They produce the wildly-successful Outside Lands Festivalevery year in San Francisco andbook the Greek Theatre concertseries in Berkeley. The duo wasalso very involved with bookingacts into Concord for many years.

Nederlander Concerts wasthe exclusive booking agent forthe Pavilion from 1979-1984before being displaced by BGP in1985. Nederlander was the origi-nal national amphitheater pro-moter and still operates through-out the West Coast including SanJose Civic and Greek Theatre inLos Angeles. The family-ownedcompany is a major producer ofBroadway shows and is partner inShorenstein Hays Nederlander of

San Francisco.“The problem is not the size

of the venue but competitionfrom other venues in the BayArea,” Bongiovanni says, men-tioning the Shoreline Amphithe-atre in Mountain View (22,500capacity), Berkeley’s Greek The-atre (8,500) and Mountain Win-ery in Saratoga (2,500).

Whatever the outcome infinding an operator for seasons tocome Helix is adamant that thecity “can’t assume any risk” inmeeting its annual obligations tomake Pavilion financing pay-ments and he’s “very enthusiasticabout re-invigorating the Pavilionand returning the facility to avibrant community asset.”

There’s a concert biz adagethat “there are no bad acts, justbad deals.” The months andyears ahead will test that truismin Concord.

Editor’s note: The author was onthe original Concord Pavilion staff anddid the venue’s marketing for 25 years.

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Pavilion Timeline1969-1974 Concord Summer Festival founded and

run by local businessman Carl Jefferson atConcord Blvd. Neighborhood Park (nowDave Brubeck Park), providing impetus forconstruction of the Concord Pavilion,which is owned and operated by the city ofConcord.

1975 Concord Pavilion opens May 16 with ben-efit concert featuring Henry Mancini andSarah Vaughan.

1976 First sellout concert of Pavilion’s 8,500capacity May 21 for Boz Scaggs & Friends.Front row seat: $6.50

1977 Bing Crosby gives his final U.S. concertAug. 16 at the Pavilion on the same dayElvis Presley dies. Crosby died two monthslater.

1979-1984 Nederlander Corp. is exclusive bookingagent for the Pavilion.

1985 Bill Graham Presents of San Franciscoawarded Pavilion booking contract.

1985-1999 BGP is booking agent for the Pavilion. Thecity of Concord continues to also produceevents and operate the facility.

1986 BGP opens 22,500-capacity ShorelineAmphitheatre in Mountain View.

1991 Promoter Bill Graham dies Oct. 25 in hel-icopter crash after leaving a Huey Lewis &The News concert at the Pavilion.

1995-1996 Pavilion re-opens in August 1996 after anexpansion that increases capacity to12,500.

1997 Bill Graham Presents sold to SFXEntertainment.

2000 SFX takes over full operation of the Pavilionfrom the city of Concord.

2001 SFX purchased by Clear ChannelEntertainment and facility renamedChronicle Pavilion at Concord.

2004 35th Fujistu Concord Jazz Festival heldOct. 24 as free concert. No festival held in2003 or since 2004.

2005 Clear Channel concert operations spun offto Live Nation Worldwide.

2006 Venue renamed Sleep Train Pavilion atConcord.

2013 Operating contract with Live Nationexpires at end of year.

Pavilion, from page 1

One of the things I’m mostproud of in Concord is ourChange 4 Real Change program,which was initiated last year toaddress our large homeless prob-lem. Through these efforts, pluswith the Concord Police Depart-ment’s homeless sweeps, we have

worked to reduce our homelesspopulation by nearly 50 percent.

Many members of our localhomeless support advocates andour business community havejoined together in this venturebecause they believe that this pro-gram can help get many of thehomeless away from our busi-nesses and into shelters wherethey can receive much-neededsocial services. Through theChange 4 Real Change program,we have jars for collecting moneyin stores around Concord.Because this is an all-volunteerprogram, 100 percent of themoney collected goes to either

Anka or the Central CountyHomeless Shelter.

We also have a Change 4 RealChange voucher program.Vouchers can be purchased at theConcord Police Station or theConcord Senior Center for $5 fora packet of five. Tear off onevoucher and give it to a homelessperson for free transportationand a meal at the homeless shel-ter.

We recognize that many peo-ple are sympathetic with theplight of the homeless; however,the common practice of givingmoney directly to a homeless per-son is often counterproductive.

When we give money directly tothe homeless we are enablingthem to stay on our streetsinstead of encouraging them toseek the help that so many ofthem need.

Please help us end the home-less problem in our communityby giving to the jars for Change 4Real Change in our retail stores orpurchase the C4RC vouchers

Ron Leone, a Concord city council-man and former mayor, welcomes com-ments and questions. Call him at is aConcord city councilman and formermayor. Call him at 925.680.1776 [email protected].

Concord police, local resi-dents and dog lovers fromthroughout the East Bay are stilltrying to make heads or tails of anofficer-related dog shooting thatgarnered media attention fromthroughout northern California.

No one disagrees as to thebasic facts of what happened thatJune evening.

Concord Police officersresponded to a report of suspi-cious activity in the residentialneighborhood near Treat and OakGrove Road in Concord. In theprocess of searching for aprowler, an officer crept into thebackyard of Jason Grimm’s homevia a side gate, where he was metby Kirby, a Cocker Spaniel-Gold-en Retriever mix. Kirby barked,and then charged at the officer.

The police officer responded,however, with what some say wasan out of proportion use of forcegiven the circumstances, and shotthe elderly, 29-pound dog.

Horrified, Grimm, who was

home at the time, immediatelyrushed his injured and bleeding petto the veterinarian, who performedsurgery and was able to saveKirby’s life. Bills topped $1,400.

Considerable media coverageensued, as print and broadcastmedia descended, social mediapostings appeared, and wordspread. One online article aboutthe incident garnered 184 respon-sive comments, the majority criti-cal of the police.

Grimm filed a complaint withthe Concord City Attorney’soffice. “He should never havebeen in my yard in the first place,”he fumed about the respondingofficer.

In a development sure to settails wagging, the Concord PoliceDepartment responded.

Following the shooting – aswith any police situation involvinguse of force – the departmentconducted a review to determineeverything from whether the offi-cer performed exactly as depart-ment training mandates, whetherdisciplinary action was warrantedbased on officer conduct and

behavior, or something inbetween.

Although they wouldn’t pro-vide a copy of the report, citing itas an internal document, PoliceChief Guy Swanger added hisdepartment’s perspective.

“The officer felt threatened

while he was doing his job, whichwas looking for a suspected bur-glar,” Swanger said. He explainedthat the officer had attempted tokick the dog away, only to becharged again. It was only thenthat the officer – a former Ani-mal Control Services worker –shot the dog.

Swanger pointed out thatwhile officers do also carry Tasersand pepper spray, they aren’t nec-essarily a foolproof solution.

“The officer used the levelof force he thought wasappropriate,” he said. “It wasn’taccidental.”

Nevertheless, the CPD, whosemembers are in large part doglovers themselves –as evidencedby their own well-regarded K-9division – has agreed to cover thenot inconsiderable cost forKirby’s veterinary treatment andincidentals following the shooting.

“We have very high stan-dards,” said CPD spokesmanCaptain Garrett Voerge. “And weneed to have a process to ensurethat we’re doing the right thing,and the right thing the right way.”


DENISEN HARTLOVE

Clayton Pioneer

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RON LEONE

CONCORD BEAT

Make change for real change

Denisen Hartlove

KIRBY, WITH OWNER JASON

GRIMM, recovers at homeafter taking a gunshot to theshoulder from a cop chasinga burglar.

IN CLAYTONAAuugg.. 1177,, 2244FFaarrmmeerrss MMaarrkkeett8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays. Diablo Street between Main and Centerstreets, downtown Clayton. Music: Aug. 17, Paul Anderson; Aug. 24,Flutopia. pcfma.com/clayton.

AAuugg.. 2222,, SSeepptt.. 55,, 1199TThhuurrssddaayy CCoonncceerrttss iinn tthhee GGrroovveeFeaturing local talent. 7-8:30 p.m. Grove Park, downtown Clayton.Free.

AAuugg.. 3311CCoonncceerrttss iinn tthhee GGrroovvee6-8:30 p.m. Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Free. For a completeconcert series list, see Page 3.

AAuugg.. 3311DDeerrbbyy aanndd CCaarr SShhoowwClayton Community Church’s 10th Annual Labor Day event. Kids 7 –14 race derby cars down Main Street. Car show and parade. 9 a.m.– 3 p.m. Main Street, Clayton. Free. Register at claytonderby-carshow.org.

FFiirrsstt TThhuurrssddaayyssOOaakkhhuurrsstt BBuussiinneessss NNeettwwoorrkkMeets first Thursday of the month for social hour. Hosted hors d’oeu-vres, cash bar. 5 – 7 p.m. Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 PeacockDrive, Clayton. oakhurstcc.com.

IN CONCORDTThhuurrssddaayyss tthhrroouugghh SSeepptt.. 1122MMuussiicc aanndd MMaarrkkeettThursday night live music and farmers market. Market 4-8 p.m.;music 6:30-8 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free.Music: Aug. 22, Zepparella; Aug. 29, California Symphony; Sept. 5,The Mashtones; Sept. 12, Evolution. cityofconcord.org.

ON THE MOUNTAINMount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free withthe exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click onEvents Calendar for more information.

AAuugg.. 1177MMoouunntt DDiiaabblloo bbyy MMoooonnlliigghhttAn evening nature hike in the Mitchell Canyon area. 6:30 – 9:30p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Reservations required.

AAuugg.. 2244TTaarraannttuullaa HHuunnttJoin Helene Cahill with her pet tarantula to learn about the life of thehairy spiders and then hike at a slow pace to see if you can find thenative tarantulas. 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon VisitorCenter. Reservations required.

AAuugg.. 3311TTaarraannttuullaassLearn about the hairy spiders that roam the mountain at this time ofyear and meet the Visitor Center tarantula. Then take a walk to see ifyou can find any. 6 – 8:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon VisitorCenter. Reservations required. Check the website for more tarantulahikes. Reservations are required and fill up fast.

Save Mount Diablo programs listed are free unless otherwise noted.Go to savemountdiablo.org and click on Activities/Guided Hikes formore information. 947-3535.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

AAuugg.. 1166RReedd && NNaavvyy iinn CCoonncceerrttLive rock music. Support new artists. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for theArts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $8-$10. lesherartscenter.org.943-7469.

AAuugg.. 1166YYuurrii LLiibbeerrzzoonnClassical guitarist. 7:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 CivicDr., Walnut Creek. $25. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

AAuugg.. 1177VVooiidd WWhheerree IInnhhiibbiitteeddImprovised interaction between actors and audience presented byReady or Not Improv. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $13. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

AAuugg.. 1177,, 2244JJaazzzzJazz in Walnut Creek comes out swinging in August. Aug. 17,singer/pianist Eliane Elias; Aug. 24, Stride Piano Summit. 5 and 8p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $25-$40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

AAuugg.. 2233 –– SSeepptt.. 11““[[ttiittllee ooff sshhooww]]””Musical comedy by OMG, I Love That Show Productions that documents its own creation from idea to Broadway opening.Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $30-$35.lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

AAuugg.. 2266MMiinnii MMoonnddaayyssChildren aged 2-5 discover the natural world around them. Childrenmust be accompanied by adult. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Lindsay WildlifeMuseum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. $15. wildlife-museum.org.935-1978.

AAuugg.. 2288IIlllluussiioonn FFuussiioonnThe magic of Alex Ramon. 7 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W.Second St., Antioch. $25. elcampaniltheatre.com.

AAuugg.. 3300SSuummmmeerr CCoonncceerrttLure of the South Pacific. 6:30 p.m. Montecito, 4756 Clayton Road,Concord. Free. Reservations required. Call Michaela at 692-5838.

AAuugg.. 3300,, 3311LLeess MMiisseerraabblleess iinn CCoonncceerrttPresented by Cinestage Theatre Company. Lesher Center for the Arts,1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $30-$35. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

SSeepptt.. 66 –– 2288““SShhrreekk tthhee MMuussiiccaall””Diablo Theatre Company brings the hilarious story of everyone’sfavorite ogre to life on stage. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 CivicDr., Walnut Creek. $49-$53. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

SSeepptt.. 66 –– OOcctt.. 1122““EEllllaa tthhee MMuussiiccaall””Exhilarating new musical that weaves myth, memory and music to tellthe uplifting and poignant story of one of the greatest jazz vocalistsof all time. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek.$37-$64. centerrep.org. 943-7469.

CHURCHAAuugg.. 2233,, 2244MMoovviiee NNiigghhttShowing “The Finger of God,” an uplifting movie about miraclesGod has performed all over the world. Refreshments served. Fri. 6p.m. Sat. 7 p.m. Crossroads Covenant Church, 5353 Concord Blvd.,Concord. Free. 798-5905.

AAuugg.. 2255KKaalleeiiddoossccooppee,, AA HHaarrpp RReecciittaallDelightful afternoon of classical music, jazz and spirituals. 4 p.m.Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton.Free will offerings accepted. 672-4848.

AAuugg.. 2277HHeeaalliinngg tthhee HHeeaarrttA safe place to express grief and begin healing after the loss of aloved one. Tuesdays for six-weeks beginning Aug. 27. 7:30 – 9 p.m.St. Bonaventure Catholic Community, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord.Registration required. Call Janie Eddleman at 623-6254.

FUNDRAISERSTThhrruu AAuugg.. 3300BBaacckkppaacckk CCaammppaaiiggnn11th annual back-to-school backpack program by the ClaytonBusiness and Community Association. Provide backpacks (no red orblue) for any grade (K through 12) and/or supplies. Contact Sue at672-2272 or Joan at 672-6710.

AAuugg.. 1188JJooeell:: ““TThhee BBaanndd””A tribute to the songs of Billy Joel to raise money for the Relay ForLife fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. 3 p.m. El CampanilTheatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $15-$33.elcampaniltheatre.com.

SSeepptt.. 77MMoooonnlliigghhtt oonn tthhee MMoouunnttaaiinnElegant dinner, live and silent auctions, live music and dancing tobenefit the care of Mount Diablo. 4 – 10 p.m. Mount Diablo’s ChinaWall. $250 per ticket. savemountdiablo.org.

SSeepptt.. 1155CCaabboooossee RRiiddeeClayton Historical Society’s chartered caboose rides the rails throughNiles Canyon to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the groundbreak-ing for the First Transcontinental Railroad and to raise money for themuseum. 12:30 p.m. Niles Canyon Railway, 5550 Niles CanyonRoad, Sunol. $15-$20. Space is limited. Reservations required.Contact Steve Lane at 672-8325.

AT THE LIBRARY

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

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

The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. ccclib.org or 646-5455.

AAuugg.. 1199CCoolllleeggee PPllaannnniinnggChoosing, applying to and funding college. 6 – 7:30 p.m.

GOVERNMENT

11sstt aanndd 33rrdd TTuueessddaayyss,, eexxcceepptt SSeepptt.. 33CCllaayyttoonn CCiittyy CCoouunncciill7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-7304or ci.clayton.ca.us.

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

11sstt,, 22nndd aanndd 44tthh TTuueessddaayyss,, eexxcceepptt AAuugg.. 2277Concord City Council6:30 p.m., Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 ParksideDr.

Community CalendarPLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. AUG. 21 FOR THE AUG. 30 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO [email protected]

Meeting dates and times for local clubs andorganizations are listed atclaytonpioneer.com. Click on ‘Links’


Every once in a while it’sgood to immerse yourself in afable, something to slow youdown and make you think aboutthe small things. MetteJakobsen’s debut novel, “TheVanishing Act,” (W. W. Norton& Company; September, 2012)is a gem of a work that whilesmall in stature, earns itself aplace in the lexicon of modernfables.

“The Vanishing Act” is a tale

delivered by 12 year-old Minou.She lives on a small island that isso remote that all of the inhabi-tants live in each other’s pockets.There is Minou, a girl whowatches the people around herand measures their need fornecks scarves, which she knitswith dedication, sitting high inthe lighthouse and surveying thelandscape that is her home.There is Minou’s Papa, light-house-keeper and philosopher,who believes that he and hisdark-haired daughter aredescendants of the greatphilosopher, Rene Descartes.The island is also home toPriest, a sweet and neurotic manwho is afraid of the dark, andwhen storms buffet the islandhe rings the church bell forcomfort. Priest has a penchantfor making pretzels, and occu-

pies his days baking. There isalso Boxman, a retired magician,whose name is also his profes-sion. Boxman occupies himselfwith making magic boxes forillusionists across the sea, whilesimultaneously pining for lostloves. Boxman is a dreamer,much like Minou’s absentMama. The last resident of theisland is No Name, a frisky littledog who arrived mysteriouslyon a ship one day and withouthesitation moved into Boxman’sbarn.

There are two final inhabi-tants of the island: Minou’sMama, who is really more of aghost, having disappeared theyear before, and whom all butMinou believe was carried off ahigh cliff by a gust of wind anddrowned. The only clue to herfate is a single shoe found on a

beach, and even though a “shoefuneral” is performed in herhonor, Minou steadfastlybelieves that her Mama hastaken a journey to an exoticland and will return again to herhome. The last inhabitant of theisland is Dead Boy, a bodyfound washed up on the shoreby Minou and her Papa. Being aremote island with few visitors,Papa and Minou bring the boyinto the blue room of the house,Mama’s room, and lay him onthe bed until the next boatarrives to take him away for bur-ial. They prop the window opento let in the freezing air and tokeep the body ice-cold. Minouand Papa take turns visiting withDead Boy, keeping him compa-ny, telling him stories and tryingto make sense of his arrival.

Minou’s island is a habitat of

the magical, the unusual. Mamabelieved in magic, and Boxmanis a man of magic. Even thoughshe is a philosopher like herPapa, Minou wants to believe inmagic. In the end, Minoudreams of her Mama floating inthe crashing surf, of sailing awayin a bathtub. She understands,finally, that her Mama will notreturn.

This is a beautiful book anda charming tale. Be sure to add“The Vanishing Act” to your listof must-reads, before summerdisappears altogether.

Don’t lose sight of ‘The Vanishing Act’Book Review

Cynthia Gregory writes bookreviews, award-winning short storiesand a blog. Visit her blog at PersephonesStepSisters.Wordpress.comor send email to her at [email protected]

Although the team didn’twin the show’s $1 million prize,Probst said the girls enjoyedmost the chance to meet andbond with the other acts back-stage, while enjoying the sup-port the community gave themfrom back home. “There wasreally a cool hometown spirit,”she said.

Now back home, Bonebergis ready to dive in again. After aweek off to rest following theshow, team members are back inthe pool, rehearsing their annualwater spectacular, “AquanutsInto the Abyss,” an opportunityfor locals to see them performin person.

“It’s a whole new level ofperseverance, of never givingup” said Boneberg – who oneday plans to major in businessand go on to practice law – ofthe team’s efforts. “You can’tjust move on. You have to keepgoing, until it’s perfect.”

Aquanuts,from page 6

CYNTHIA GREGORY

FOR THE BOOKS

George Balanchine, “Billy theKid” and a new resident choreog-rapher will highlight the 20thAnniversary season of theacclaimed Diablo BalletCompany.

“Diablo Ballet’s 20th Seasonwill not only honor the past but itwill also celebrate the future,” saysLauren Jonas, Diablo Ballet’sartistic director and co-founder.“I am humbled and honored tobe celebrating this milestoneanniversary.”

Robert Dekkers, dancer andchoreographer with Diablo Ballet,has been promoted to ResidentChoreographer, and will be amajor part of the company’sAnniversary Celebration onMarch 6, 2014. There, DiabloBallet will offer a special perform-ance at the Lesher Center for theArts that will feature works fromthe ballet’s 20-year history. Thecelebration includes the companypremiere of Eugene Loring’sSweetheart Pas de Deux from“Billy the Kid,” Val Caniparoli’s“Lady of the Camellias” Act 1Pas de Deux, GeorgeBalanchine’s “Who Cares?” and anew work by Dekkers.

A film retrospective will be an

integral part of the performance,featuring surprises by formeralumni dancers. Following theperformance will be a Gala recep-tion and dinner with the dancersat Scott’s Garden.

The season begins Nov. 9 atthe Smith Center at OhloneCollege in Fremont with theDiablo Ballet premiere of “OurWaltzes” by renowned choreogra-pher Vicente Nebrada of BalletNacional de Caracas. Also on theprogram is the West Coast pre-miere of “Compulsive,” choreo-graphed by Mário Radaèovský.

The November program con-tinues Nov. 15-16 at the LesherCenter for the Arts in WalnutCreek with the 2013 Edition of“A Swingin’ Holiday,” created in2012 by Sean Kelly, former resi-dent choreographer for thenational tour of the musical “BillyElliot. Diablo Ballet’s new 2013edition features favorite holidaytunes from the 1930s and ‘40s bysuch legends as Duke Ellington,Nat “King” Cole, WyntonMarsalis, and Tchaikovsky’s “TheNutcracker Suite” performed liveby the Diablo Ballet SwingOrchestra, under the direction ofGreg Sudmeier.

Diablo Ballet’s season contin-ues in 2014 when the acclaimedInside the Dancer’s Studio seriesreturns Jan. 31-Feb. 1 and May9-10 at the Shadelands ArtsCenter Auditorium in WalnutCreek and April 11-12 atHillbarn Theatre in Foster City.The Inside the Dancer’s StudioSeries places the audience withinyards of the stage, and featureslive music and a lively, interactivequestion-and-answer sessionwith the dancers hosted by localcelebrity moderators.

For ticket information, perform-ance times and venues, go to diablo-ballet.org, or call 925-943-1775.

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-A happy Doorstep member

American ConservatoryTheater will launch its 2013–14season with passionate – andpatriotic – fireworks with theWest Coast premiere of TonyAward–winning director FrankGalati’s new staging of themusical “1776.”

In the spirit of the nationalpolitical debates spurred on bythe acclaimed film “Lincoln,”“1776” is a vivid musical look atthe revolutionary events thatshaped the republic more than230 years ago, as foundingfathers wrestled with infighting,

held heated debates, and negoti-ated compromises while draft-ing the Declaration ofIndependence.

Filled with superb music andcolorful characters, this newproduction will include 15 BayArea actors new to the produc-tion takes audiences on a timely,rousing and suspenseful adven-ture into the fascinating firstchapter of American history.

When it premiered onBroadway in 1969, “1776” ranfor more than 1,200 perform-ances and was the recipient ofthree Tony Awards, includingBest Musical. The musical fea-tures the songs “Sit Down,John,” “Momma, Look Sharp,”and “He Plays the Violin.”

A.C.T.’s production of “1776”runs Sept. 11 through Oct. 6 at theGeary Theater, 415 Geary Street,San Francisco). Tickets are on salenow and may be purchased online atact-sf.org or by calling 415-749-2228.


Performing Arts

Rousing ‘1776’ comes to A.C.T. in Sept.

Juan Davila

JARROD ZIMMERMAN AS EDWARD RUTLEDGE performs ‘Molasses toRum’ in the passionate and patriotic ‘1776’ opening at theAmerican Conservatory Theatre on Sept. 11.

The Queen of Jazz, EllaFitzgerald, will take centerstage as Center REPertoryCompany kicks off its 2013-2014 season with “Ella, theMusical!”

This exhilarating new musi-cal weaves myth, memory andmusic to tell the uplifting andpoignant story of one of thegreatest jazz vocalists of alltime.

It’s 1966 and the fabledsongstress is preparing for one

of the most important con-certs of her career. Fitzgeraldreflects on her life, her secretsand the love of music thatmade her soar.

Featuring more than adozen of her most famoushits, including “They Can’tTake That Away From Me,”“How High the Moon” and“That Old Black Magic,” thisswinging celebration is a must-see dazzling musical event foranyone who loves the magicand soul of Ella Fitzgerald.Broadway veteran YvetteCason stars as the indomitableElla.

“Ella, the Musical!” runs Sept.6 - Oct. 12. All performances will beheld at the Lesher Center for theArts,1601 Civic Drive, WalnutCreek. For more information or topurchase tickets, visit centerrep.org orcall 925-943-SHOW (7469).

Yvette Cason plays EllaFitzgerald in “Ella, the Musical!”at the Lesher Center opening inSeptember.

Aris Bernales

DIABLO BALLET CELEBRATES ITS 20TH SEASON when it opens in Novemberwith the premier of “Our Waltzes.”

Singers, come out of theshower and let your voices beheard. The Diablo Women’sChorale is looking for somenew members to help launch itsfall season beginning Aug. 26.

The Diablo Women’sChorale, founded in 1942, is adiverse group of womensingers from the Bay Area.Main concerts are presented inDecember and June. TheChorale also performs at com-munity and private events in thearea. It is directed by MarySorenson and accompanied byStephen Evans.

Recent concerts have includ-ed the music of AaronCopland, Duke Ellington, ColePorter, George Gershwin andJames Taylor. American styles

of music are emphasized,including jazz, folk, country,blues, spirituals, gospel,Broadway and pop.

Rehearsals are from 7 to 9p.m. Mondays at St. MatthewsLutheran Church, 399 WigetLn., in Walnut Creek. TheDecember concert “Home forthe Holidays,” will featuremostly American music themedto home and the season.

Open rehearsals will be heldon Mondays, Aug. 26 and Sept.1. An informal audition isrequired to join; call directorMary Sorenson at 925-256-8961for an appointment.

For further information visit dia-blowomenschorale.org/join.html.

The Diablo SymphonyOrchestra is looking for talentedmusicians for its 51st season.The orchestra especially needssection string players, but quali-fied woodwind and brass playersare also welcome to audition.

The DSO is a Walnut Creek-based community orchestraunder the leadership of MatildaHofman. The orchestra per-forms throughout the year atthe Lesher Center and othervenues. The first concert of theseason is Sunday, Oct. 13 at theLesher Center and will featureBeethoven’s Fifth Symphonyand the Schumann PianoConcerto performed by EricZivian.

Auditions dates are Sept. 4 and5. To set up an audition time, emailRobert Hamaker [email protected] or call925.215.6293.

Communitytheatre setsauditions forSimon’s ‘OddCouple’

Pittsburg Community Theatrewill kick off their 40th season inOctober with the Neil Simonclassic, “The Odd Couple,”directed by Clayton residentBarbara Halperin-Jacobs.

The group has been a “cultur-al gem” in the community since1973, says Halperin-Jacobs. Thecompany, its actors and staff havereceived numerous ShellieAwards over the years.

Last year, PCT made their per-manent home in the recently ren-ovated California Theatre at 351Railroad Ave in downtownPittsburg. After being dormantfor 60 years, theatre underwent a$7.2 million renovation in the ArtDeco style and opened with ablack tie affair last January.

Auditions for “The OddCouple” are Sept. 3 and 4, at 7p.m. at the CommunityPresbyterian Church, 200 E.Leland in Pittsburg.

For more information, go topittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.

Center REP starts seasonwith jazzy Fitzgerald tribute

Auditions setfor DiabloSymphony

Diablo Women’s Chorale seeksnew voices for upcoming concerts

Diablo Ballet plans lively anniversary season

The Best of Edgy,Independent Theatre

Coming in September

Eating Pastaoff the Floor,

one of the 36 shows at

this year’sFringe

Festival.

EXIT Theatre 156 Eddy St., 2 Blocks from Powell St. BART, 3 blocks from Union SquareFor Info, Contact Gary Carr 925-672-8717 [email protected]

$5-10 per show

Fringe FestivalSSeepptt.. 66 -- 2211

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Early July’s heat proved toostrong for some of our ClaytonValley landscape favorites.Lucky for us, the past couple ofweek’s weather has been verykind to our plants, and manyhave begun to repair themselves.It is now the time for us gardenlovers to care for the plants thatmake us so happy.

Hydrangeas will need sometending to. Their browningflowers need to be cut back. It iseasy to see where to make yourcuts. Hydrangea shrubs aren’tshy about telling their growerswhat they need. New leavesshould be growing from the budunions down the stems of thefading flowers. Make your cutsright above what looks to be thestrongest set of leaves.Sometimes you’ll cut at the firstset or you may cut at the thirdset. As you are reaching intoyour hydrangea shrub, keep youreyes open for any dead branch-es. Cut those entire stems away.After tending to yourhydrangeas, you should follow

up with a dose of acid fertilizer.Maxsea Acid is perfect for aquick shot of natural nutrients.Acid loving plants reallyrespond to this product.Application is very easy. Just dis-solve in water and apply. Followup with a drink of water aftersummer fertilizing.

Lawn care is a must duringthe month of August. Summerheat and drying winds have leftour Clayton Valley lawns brown-ish and tired. There are a fewthings that you can do for yourlawn to really help it out. Firstoff, apply a soil surfactant. Thisproduct will make your lawnmore accepting of water andfertilizer. Apply to a wet lawn.After application, turn the sprin-klers back on to work into soil.Some soil surfactants have anadditional touch of nitrogen

built in. This type of product isrecommended. Two weeks afterusing the surfactant apply lawnfood. Two weeks after applyinga fertilizer, hit the lawn with adose of iron. As always followproduct directions, and be awareof surrounding concrete. Ironcan stain.

Grubs in a lawn equal rac-coons. They can’t resist those fatlittle larvae. August is the timeto apply a granular insecticide toyour lawn to kill the grubs. Ifyou had a raccoon problem lastyear, they’ll be back, so applysoon.

Some vegetable plants aren’tbehaving this year. Many arecomplaining about lots ofgrowth, but not a lot of produc-tion. We have to get busy fertil-izing with a product that focus-es on flowers and fruit, not

plant growth. Look at productlabels. All fertilizer labels havethree numbers separated bydashes on them. You are look-ing for a label where the firstnumber is smaller than the sec-ond or third. It would be a goodidea to use a water soluble fertil-izer at this time. This type offeeding is available to the plantsfaster. Consider feeding everyother week to get the results youdesire.

As you prune your roses,take deep cuts. Strip offunsightly leaves. Resist sprayingroses in the summer. It neverseems to make leaves look anybetter. Fertilize instead toencourage new, healthy growth.

When I think of summer Ithink of moving vans. While Iwas growing up, my familymoved five different times andalways during the summerbecause I was out of school. Youcan imagine that I started todread summer vacation becausewho knew where I’d end up next.

Considering that one out offive American families moveeach year, this is not an uncom-mon experience for children tohave. However, a recent study inthe Journal of Social andPersonality Psychology reportedthat moves can be especiallytough on children and disruptimportant relationships. It can bemore problematic for kids whotend to be introverted, anxiousand inflexible. While moves canbe exciting and due to positivelife events, moves are more oftenprecipitated by family stressors(i.e. divorce, job loss, death).Whether you are consideringleaving Clayton or are just set-tling in to your new home here,here are some tips from theNational Network for Child Careto help ease the transition foryour child.

MOVING YOUR INFANT

OR TODDLER

The youngest ones tend tohave the easiest time moving.However, they may pick up on

your stress and become morefussy and demanding before andafter the move. It is important tomaintain as regular and pre-dictable a routine as you can.Also, make sure you take time tohold and play with your baby.And, of course, don’t pack awayany favorite lovies.

MOVING YOUR PRESCHOOLER

Preschoolers can get veryexcited about moving. However,they may not understand com-pletely what is going on and why.They may not comprehend thatthey won’t keep their old houseor that their friends are not mov-ing too. Preschoolers also tend tointernalize and blame themselvesfor the stress and chaos aroundthem. So if a parent is having ahard time, their child will thinkthey caused it. Try to pack yourchild’s belongings last andinclude children in the cleaningand packing as much as theywant to be involved. See if youcan find picture books aboutmoving. Also keep your child’sroutine as predictable as possible.

MOVING YOUR

SCHOOL-AGED CHILD

School age children can havereal mixed emotions about mov-ing. On one hand, they get excit-ed about the move and can see itas a project to put energy into.

On the other hand, they get thatthey are going to be separatedfrom friends and neighbors andmay feel angry or grieve this loss.Give children a concrete way tosay good-bye and research waysto get them connected in theirnew community.

MOVING YOUR TEENAGER

Teens can have the hardesttime with moves as they aredeveloping skills in making long-lasting relationships and finding apeer group to belong in, and somay experience a profound senseof loss. It is important to giveteens as much advance notice ofa move as possible. Allow them achance to explore their new envi-rons. Also, remember to providea listening ear to help your childthrough their mixed feelingsabout their experience.

How do you find a materialfor your kitchen countertops thatwill fit your design aesthetic, aswell as stand the test of daily wearand tear? From well-known andwidely-used natural stone to eco-friendly and trendy countertopmaterials, here are a few cate-gories to consider when searchingfor your kitchen counter material.

NATURAL STONE

Natural stone is a very popularcategory when it comes to kitchencountertops because of its dura-bility, natural heat-resistant com-position, and because there are somany textures and variations tochoose from. Stone slabs can besomewhat of an investmentbecause of the labor to fabricate(meaning to cut down the slabs tofit the kitchen counter layout) aswell as the labor to install the

slabs, typically by a contractor.The wear and tear factor of natu-ral stone is high, but with themore porous stone slabs like lime-stone, marble and soapstone,these materials need to be sealedroutinely, every six months or 12months is recommended. If rou-tine sealing is not done, the poten-tial for permanent stainingincreases in a busy kitchen.

CULTURED-STONE VS.SOLID SURFACING

These two categories have afew things going on when itcomes to the materials that makeup their composition. They useground-up quartz, granite andpolyurethane resins to create slabsthat have amazing durability, rela-tively low maintenance and areresistant to heat and stains. Notnecessarily less of an investmentthan natural stone – because it stillhas to be fabricated and installedby a contractor – these categoriesoffer wide ranges of color andpatterns.

TILE

Tile is a timeless kitchencounter material that has beenused for many, many years. Youcan find tile at just about any DIYhome store, at any price point,and in any color and design. Sometiles are even being made withrecyclable content for those of us

who are looking to create an eco-friendly environment. Tile is natu-rally heat-resistant and the tileitself is easy to clean, but thegrout lines can be an issue forsome. This material is great for abacksplash to add interest to anatural stone slab or culturedstone countertop.

ECO-FRIENDLY & TRENDY

Bamboo, recycled glass andpaper composites (combinationof resin, pigments and recycledpaper) are all eco-friendly coun-tertop materials. Most of theseare really easy to clean and carefor, but do come with their ownmaintenance routine. Countertopmaterials such as wood, cementand stainless steel are very festive

and chic, but again, have theirown maintenance routine thatneeds to be followed.

When using a material thathasn’t been traditionally used inthe past, I like to do my research– and then research the productagain. Countertops of any kindare a significant investment foryour kitchen because they areused daily, to some degree, andnot only provide a functional prepand cooking area, but also play ahuge part in the overall design anddécor of your kitchen.

Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J.Designs Interior Design based inClayton. Contact her with questions,comments and suggestions [email protected]


JENNIFER LEISCHER

DESIGN & DÉCOR

Scratching the surface of countertops

Children need specialcare during moves

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Stephanie T. Ho is a licensed psy-chologist. She has a private practiceoffice in Walnut Creek and alsoworks at UC Berkeley. She can bereached [email protected].

Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&MPool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. Contacther with questions or comments [email protected]

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL

Give your garden some late summer love

Courts were on the minds ofthe Clayton Business andCommunity Association lastmonth when the club met at theOakhurst Country Club. Not thelegal kind, but the fun kinds: tennisand bocce.

By a strong majority, CBCAvoted to donate funds for therepair and resurfacing of the sixtennis courts at Clayton ValleyCharter High School. The club willrequire the CVCHS tennis teamand its supporters to raise half themoney on their own as a conditionof receiving the balance fromCBCA. In addition, the tennisteam and supporters will continueto volunteer at club events like theArt & Wine Festival and

Oktoberfest.In other voting, the group

approved the donation of funds toVestia for its backpack and schoolsupplies project. Vestia providesthese materials to needy schoolkids in grades K through 12 inContra Costa County.

In addition, CBCA is holdingits 11th annual Back-to-Schoolbackpack campaign. The club willbe collecting backpacks (no red orblue) for any grade K through 12,as well as all the fillings: paper,pens, pencils, etc. For more infor-mation, contact Sue (925-672-2272) or Joan (925-672-6710).

The club also approved a smalldonation to the summer OutdoorMovie Program organized by theClayton Community Church. Thepopular program is open to all. Inaddition, CBCA will sponsor a

soapbox derby car in the LaborDay race, also overseen by thechurch and open to all. No wordon who will be plastering CBCAdecals on the race car.

The final portion of the meet-ing featured a presentation by Skip

Ipsen (live) and his son Kent (ontape) explaining the concept ofbuilding a four-court bocce com-plex on the vacant lot at the cornerof Oak and Main streets, which isowned by Ipsen. For more on thisstory, see the front page.

Travel back in time to see theConcord Southern Pacific passen-ger and freight depot site whereConcord BMW stands today.

Next stop is the Walnut CreekDepot, home of a former electricrailway passenger and freightdepot site, now home of LesherCenter for the Arts.

The final destination is thecommunity of Cowell and the

Cowell Portland Cement Plantand limestone quarries of LimeRidge where trains were a vitalpart of construction and dailyoperations.

A sampling of the railroad dis-play is also at the Clayton Librarythrough Aug. 31.

The Clayton Museum is at 6101Main St. For more information, go toclaytonhistory.org.

My favorite way to escape thedry East Bay heat is with a dip insome cool mountain water.California’s Mammoth Lakes isthe best spot with so many choic-es for lakes, streams, and myfavorite, waterfalls.

I decided to backpack intoEdiza Lake at 9,300 feet in theAnsel Adams Wilderness. It is aseven-mile round trip with 1495feet in elevation gain.This hike starts at AgnewMeadows in Devil’s Postpile. It

follows the San Joaquin River upthe canyon. After climbing a fewswitchbacks you are cooled offwith waterfalls from breathtakingShadow Lake. From there I fol-lowed more waterfalls, lushfoliage and colorful wildflowersto Ediza. If I had continued twoand a half miles past Ediza, Iwould have arrived at IcebergLake at 9,780 feet. But I washappy camping at the bottom ofthe 13,000-foot peaks.

I took an extra day at Edizaand hiked to the bottom of RitterRidge glaciers. I looked to theSouth at the Minarets and to thenorth toward Banner Ridge. Whata view! Climbers with the rightequipment were actually climbingthe Ritter Glacier.

The alluring nature ofMammoth is that there is some-thing for every level of outdoorenthusiast. If backpacking is notyour thing you can day hike, fish,kayak, mountain bike, or go four-wheeling.

If you don’t want any strenu-

ous hiking you can choose fromlakes that are in a moderate four-mile hike. Swimming, wildflowers,great fishing and dramatic viewscan be found on the Duck PassTrail. Starting at ColdwaterCampground the trailhead sits at9,128 feet. It climbs one-and-a-half miles to Arrowhead Lake.Then there is Skeleton Lake, thenBarney Lake and then the climbbegins to the pass at 10,814 feet.The reward is looking down onDuck Lake with its intense deepblue color.

Emerald Lake can be found atthe same trailhead and that is justa relaxing mile hike following themeandering stream. All of thesetrails are a great opportunity forfantastic photographs.

Sherwin Lakes has the lowestelevation trailhead in Mammothat 7,823 feet. This is off the oldMammoth Road. This trail leadshikers from the sage-covered val-ley floor to the dramatic subalpinebasin. The roundtrip to theSherwin Lakes and back is about

four-and-a-half miles with a littlebit less than 1,000 feet of eleva-tion gain. The largest of SherwinLakes sits at 8,700 feet. Continueup another 1,000 feet in elevationto Valentine Lake, which liessandwiched between rugged wallsof granite. There is great fishinghere.

If pulling up to a shoreline isyour style, try Lake George, LakeMary and Lake Mamie around8,966 to 9,010 feet. This is theLakes Basin. They are morecrowded, but with all three youcan usually find a little spot to callyour own. Within a few shortmiles from Lake George you willfind Barrett, T.J. and Crystal Lakesat 9,600 feet.

Yes, dipping in Ediza Lakewas very cold, but it sure did feelgood.

Directions: Take theMammoth Lakes exit off ofHighway 395. You will be onHighway 203 which runsthrough town. Follow 203 pastthe Mammoth Mountain Ski

Area, bringing you to theentrance of Devils Postpile anda pay station. In early springyou may drive down to the trailsand lakes for a fee. After a cer-tain date you will need to take ashuttle for a fee. Although dur-ing that time you may driveyour own car down if it isbefore 7 a.m. The Agnew

Meadows trailhead is on theright of the road at the bottomof the long descend. Agnew’strailhead can take you toShadow, Ediza, Garnet andThousand Lakes.

[email protected]

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Club News

SHARON ANDERSON

TAKE A HIKE

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Sharon Anderson is a Claytonresident and lifelong hiker. This is thesecond of a four-part series on hikingin the Sierras.

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I’ve always thought that a tripto Venice is like going to anotherplanet. There is truly no otherplace like it on Earth.

Venice, like many Europeancities, has a long and varied cultur-al and political history. From theninth to the 12th century Venicedeveloped into one of the mostpowerful city-states in Europe,and remained a military poweruntil the 15th century.

The city was built on a groupof 118 small marshy islands in alagoon in the northern AdriaticSea. Its buildings were construct-ed on wooden pilings made most-ly from alder trees, which werechosen for their water resistancecapabilities. The pilings were driv-en through a layer of sand andanchored in a layer of hard clay.

A maze of canals serves as thestreets of Venice. The GrandCanal is the S-shaped “freeway”that cuts through the heart of thecity. More than 400 pedestrianbridges connect the islands of thecity. The most famous bridge,Ponte di Rialto, is one of four thatcross the Grand Canal.

The city is divided into six sec-tors called sestiere. Most touristsflock to Sestiere di San Marco, thehome of St. Mark’s Cathedral.

We chose to stay at a bed andbreakfast in Sestiere diCannaregio called DomusOrsoni. The Orsoni family estab-lished a residence and mosaicglass factory in the 19th century.Our room was beautiful, and dec-orated with mosaic glass artifacts.

The Orsoni mosaic factorycontains the only operationalglass furnace in Venice. Our hostsprovided us with a tour of thefacility, and we were dazzled bythe array of colors of glass thatare produced. In fact, the factoryhas a “color library” that containsthousands of examples of col-ored glass.

We did spend some time walk-ing through the main tourist-crowded areas along the Grand

Canal and in St. Mark’s Square.However, most of our Veniceadventure was spent away fromthe tourist havens.

Roaming along the canals ofvarious neighborhoods wewatched children playing soccer inthe alleyways while moms hunglaundry out to dry on clotheslinesstrung between houses.

Several times we felt hopeless-ly lost in the Venice maze of nar-row walkways. However, we couldalways find a cozy outdoor tableat one of the thousands ofVenetian restaurants and enjoy agelato or glass of wine while con-sulting our maps to find our way.

One wonderful Venice attrac-tion was the GuggenheimMuseum, which houses one ofthe premier modern art collec-

tions in the world. PeggyGuggenheim’s collection ofworks from Picasso, Calder,Motherwell and dozens of otherartists are displayed in her palazzooverlooking the Grand Canal.

Walking along the canalsmakes you forget that cars andtrucks even exist. On an earlymorning walk we watched agarbage boat equipped with metalarms that dumped refuse binsinto the hold. Later that after-

noon we saw the boat-equivalentof a moving van, ferrying furni-ture down a canal.

Police boats patrol the canals.Red and white fire boats with thewords “Vigili Del Fuoco” paintedon the side scream past gondolasand water taxis on their way to anemergency. There are no trafficlights or traffic jams.

Just about every experiencewe had in Venice was unique inthis world. And the food, well letsjust say it’s out of this world. Yes,a visit to Venice seems like a visitto another planet.


Just call or stop by today!

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No rocky roads onVenetian vacation

WOODY WHITLATCH

TRAVELS WITHWOODY

Woody Whitlatch, a retiredPG&E meteorologist, regularlywrites the Pioneer’s Weather Wordscolumn in addition to contributingfrequent travel articles.

WOODY WHITLATCH AND SANDY STEINER

aug 16 clayton pioneer 2013

Documents

maintainsthe bocce courts

fourbocce courts

biggestendeavor cbca

bocce talk

skip andkent ipsen

courts ontheir property

skip ipsenand hartley

time bocce player