front page 09 25.qxp - Clayton Pioneer

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Page 8 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com September 25, 2009 At the start of the school year, students noticed a new addition to the Clayton Valley High School campus. This summer, school officials put a huge black fence around the perimeter of the campus to “keep intruders and vandals out.” There has been much controversy over the fence and its true intent. I understand that our district relies on funding gained by students attending class, but is the school spending money to try to earn End of Summer Special Mention the Clayton Pioneer and get $150 off your complete interior or exterior repaint! Proudly serving the greater Bay Area for more than 82 years! License: 150361 30-year Clayton residents money by confining students on campus? If students really want to ditch school, the fence isn’t much of a deterrent. Plus, students who attended class off and on may now decide to avoid school altogether. I talked to some students about the fence, and my peers all seemed to feel that our school has a prison-like atmosphere. “I believe that this fence that was meant to ‘protect’ us was a complete waste of money and resources,” said sophomore Joanna Fan. “I feel that Clayton Valley focuses more on trying to keep the students who don’t care about their education from leaving school and dropping out than focusing on inspiring and helping the more driven students at the school succeed. They really should have a balanced focus, but, unfortunately, this is not the case.” Junior Chase Johnson said the money wasn’t well-spent on a fence. “It would be much Your home is your greatest investment. Protect it with quality painting Hire the professionals at S&K Nellis Painting, Inc. Law Offices of Richard A. Littorno (925) 687.2233 www.sknellis.com Nursing Home Costs Can Be Controlled With Medi-Cal and Asset Protection Planning If you or a loved one is facing the huge costs of nursing home care, our Medi-Cal and estate planning techniques can reduce or eliminate these costs, protect your home and other assets. Learn about your options NOW, before you spend too much money on nursing home costs. Clayton Office: 6160 Center St., Suite D Clayton, CA 94517 Phone: (925) 672-6463 Richard@LittornoLaw.com www.LittornoLaw.com Students question value of new fence at CVHS SARAH ROSEN STUDENT REPORTER Pittsburg Office: 2211 Railroad Ave. Pittsburg, CA 94565 Phone: (925) 432-4211 Fax: (925) 432-3516 Since 1979 more beneficial if put into our sports programs.” Not only is the fence locked right after school starts, but CV employs a campus supervisor to “guard” the gate all day. Supervisors have a list with the names of students with an open fifth or sixth period to monitor that the students leaving campus truly have an open period. Wouldn’t CV benefit more from having this supervisor patrol the campus, stopping fights or kids Diablo View Middle School held its Second Annual Welcome Back to School Picnic on Friday, Sept. 11 to welcome the students and families to smoking? I have seen bigger problems than kids taking a “fried chicken run” off-campus. Recently, my mom came to school to give me a pizza as my birthday lunch. She saw the supervisor “guarding” the gate, so she joked with me, “Sweetie, I’ve hidden a nail file under the pizza. You can try to break free later!” This goes to show that the prison-like atmosphere is not only noticed by students. I understand that the funds used for the fence were slated for campus improvements. But in addition to all the cuts made last year to sports teams, teachers and classes, we have two unusable bathrooms, no theater and antiquated science labs. This is one purchase that I will never understand. Sarah Rosen is a sophomore at CVHS. Email her at sarah_rosen@claytonpioneer.com. Music camp a bonding experience for Clayton teens SARAH ROSEN Special to the Pioneer In August, Clayton teens united with teens from all over the West Coast for a week of music-making, inspiration and bonding. Set on Alpine Lake, the Bear Valley Young Musicians Camp offers an unforgettable experience for 30 musically inclined teens. This year’s theme for the camp, “Music Island,” split the tents into “tribes.” The four tribes competed to be named the “Most Supremely Bodacious Tribe.” The tribe worthy of this honor was the Tortouga tribe, consisting of seven “bodacious” campers and one counselor. Four out of the seven attend Clayton Valley High School, and counselor Darcy Smith is a CV alumni. Joanna Fan, Heather Raymond, Maggie Keenan and Sarah Rosen are part of the CVHS music program under the musical direction of Mundy Viar. The bond that the campers THE TORTUGAS SHOW OFF THEIR “MOST SUPREMELY BODACIOUS TRIBE” TROPHY WON AT THE BEAR VALLEY YOUNG MUSICIANS CAMP. Top row: Rebecca Streitz, Darcy Smith, Maggie Keenan, Kristin Butler and Cassidy Garrett. Bottom row: Heather Raymond, Sarah Rosen and Joanna Fan. build each year is extraordinary. “BVYMC is one of the most indescribable events you could ever experience,” says Fan. “To put the week of Bear Valley into words would be like explaining the meaning of life – it’s impossible.” DVMS picnic welcomes students back to school Photo: Mike Dunn/Clayton Pioneer a new school year with fun, food, and entertainment. The warm evening was filled with families enjoying the food, the company, and mountain scenery. Kids were running, playing, and having fun while the jazz band played several tunes, led by band instructor, Mr. Kaiser. The songs went perfectly with the atmosphere. Lines for fresh BBQ snaked through the campus. Families, happy and content munched in the school’s amphitheatre, enjoying the entertainment. To the audience’s delight, Drama Mama performers, sang numbers from their recent production of “Suessical”, and families gathered around getting their fill of delicious BBQ; including Tritip, chicken and all the fix-ins. Robbie Parker DVMS Student Reporter
September 25, 2009 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 9 Music foundation hopes to rescue music programs axed in last round of budget cuts ANDRÉ GENSBURGER Clayton Pioneer The fledgling Mt. Diablo Music Education Foundation must raise $500,000 by February to save 5th grade instrumental music and restore 4th grade instrumental music lost to last spring’s budget cuts. Gary Coartney, one of the principals for the foundation’s push, knows that time is not an ally. “I ask every teacher to get this information to all of your parents and site administrators,” he said. “I ask the parent and community members to please ask people whom you know to become apart of this all-important effort. We have to mobilize now. Inaction will surely mean the end of music education as we currently know it.” Known for his dedication to students and drive in getting a decent music education program at Concord High School, Coartney has also seen the fruits of his labor in competition wins for his groups. The school’s Jazz Ensemble beat out 20 top high school bands at the Heritage Music Festival in Seattle last April. “There is great value in this current educational model, and the students reap the rewards of a quality music education,” Coartney said. “I’m not teaching music – I’m teaching life skills through music.” MDMEF committee member Lauren Sinz says the situation is dire. “Fourth grade music is cut. It’s out. Fifth is next, depending on cuts, and that is pretty imminent,” she said. “It’s Jet Lag, from page 4 hours long, it may make you feel worse when you land. If possible, book a flight that arrives in the late afternoon. After you land, get out in the sunlight or bright light as much as possible. Stay up until 10 p.m. local time. If you land earlier in the day, nap in the early afternoon – but not for more than two hours. Try to adopt a normal meal schedule as soon as you arrive. You may have heard that melatonin supplements can ward off jet lag, but many physicians do not recommend them. Melatonin is sometimes called “the hormone of darkness” because it is naturally produced in your brain at night. It helps control your body’s schedule for sleeping and waking. Despite the publicity, much remains unknown about melatonin and its effects on your body – especially when used with other medications. A recent article in Good Housekeeping mentioned a new remedy: pine bark extract Mention the Clayton Pioneer & receive a Build-a-Bear gift card with new patient visit! Less than 10 min. from Clayton Randall E. Chang, DDS, Inc. Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry 3050 Citrus Cir., #110 � Walnut Creek (925) 938.2392 � www.cd-wc.com We Specialize in the Treatment of Infants, Children, and Young Adults BRUCE AND KATHY FARRELL (MDMEF VICE PRESIDENT) AND CINDY AND HOYT WELLER handed out a few hundred information fliers at the California Symphony event at Todos Santos Park in Concord. unbelievable.” The initial effort of the MDMEF is to provide funding to restore the lost instrumental music programs to the district’s elementary schools, with medium- and long-term objectives of providing supplementary support to music programs at all levels of the district. As it is, schools are scrambling to raise funds at the local level with car washes and other creative ideas. Many schools are asking for participation in “a dollar a day” program, which equates to a yearly commitment of $180-300, depending how you define a year. At the California Symphony’s Pops in the Plaza in Concord Sept. 12, the MDMEF set up an information booth to (brand name Pycnogenol) that is available at natural food stores and pharmacies. Your brain tissue swells slightly on long flights and this substance is an anti-edema, which cuts the swelling significantly. I just saw an ad in the Costco magazine advertising this as well. I once tried the Argonne National Laboratory Anti-Jet Lag Diet. It was developed and used by the military to help soldiers adjust across many time zones. It is a coordinated plan of feasting and fasting three days prior to travel. You can check it out at www.antijetlagdiet.com. I found that it was successful, but involved a lot of effort. My favorite remedy, and the one that I use consistently, is the No-Jet-Lag chewable tablet. It was developed in New Zealand and has been available since 1990. It is a homeopathic and natural product that is safe for all ages, has no side effects and does not interfere with any other types of medication. The hand out fliers as well as solicit donations. Manned by two families, the Farrells (Kathy Farrell is vice-president of MDMEF) and the Wellers, the booth attracted people who chatted about the state of the music program and found out ways to support it. “We handed out over 260 fliers,” said Hoyt Weller, who graduated from Clayton Valley High in 1974. “So far no one has donated, though.” And therein lies the dilemma faced by all the fundraising groups connected by the district. The Unified Mt. Diablo Athletic Foundation also is out actively pursuing parent dollars to fund sports. Coupled with a See Music, page 14 chewable tablets are taken during flight, along with utilizing the other sensible measures mentioned above. They are used by business travelers, vacationers and athletes alike and can be found at travel stores or through www.magellans.com. It allows you to hit the ground running when you reach your destination. Travel Tip: If you are traveling with a companion, pack some clothing for each person in each suitcase or in your carryon. In the unlikely event that one of your bags doesn’t arrive, this will help reduce the stress of waiting for your luggage to catch up with you. I had a friend whose luggage didn’t arrive for four days and she figured out new ways to tie her scarf so it didn’t look like she was wearing the same outfit every day! Recently retired, Clayton resident Peggy Bidondo now has the time to indulge her passion in travel planning and writing. Send your questions and column ideas to Peggy Bidondo at timetogo@claytonpioneer.com. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see their dentist by their first birthday. Clayton estate home on 1.26 acres–Now only $1,225,000! This custom “Country-Tudor” home built in 2002 has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 4,025 square feet plus 500 more in a basement for storage, and has extras galore! From a stone column front with parking for 9 cars, to a huge marble entry, 10’ ceilings, For all your Electrical Needs. All work done by owner. Residential g Commercial g Industrial � Professional Installation of: Ceiling Fans, Recessed & Track Lighting � Kitchen or Bath Remodel � Exterior/Security/Landscape Lighting � Complete Home Wiring - Old & New Bonded & Insured Licensed l Lic. # C10-631523 phone cell 925.672.1519 925.212.3339 Serving Contra Costa since 1991 30 years experience www.burkinelectric.net “Can’t find someone who understands your imported car? Our mechanics have over 50 years experience working on Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Volvo, VW and Land Rovers. 1891 Market Street, Concord. 925-521-1001 1-866-95 NEMES NemesisMotors.com nemesismotors@gmail.com 3 fireplaces, a gourmet granite kitchen, beautiful formal dining room, to its Master Suite with his & hers walk-in closets, this home is filled with casual elegance. Located 3 doors from Mt. Diablo state park it has awesome views from there to over Clayton to the Sacramento River & Napa hills beyond. A 9-Hole putting green, it’s own regulation horseshoe pit, granite outdoor kitchen with Bar and BBQ, a 9’x12’ inground Spa, a burning pit, Barn, rose garden, room for a pool, and it’s own KNOWLEDGE � SERVICE � INTEGRITY � RESULTS Pete Laurence, Broker, Realtor, GRI 2950 Buskirk Avenue, Ste. 140, Walnut Creek Direct 940-2777 � Cell 890-6004 � Fax 937-0150 Now is the time to buy. � Electrical Service Upgrade � Spa Installation � Custom Homes � Office & Building Maintenance Repairs � Insurance Repairs � Troubleshooting & much more Call Jim for a FREE Estimate Today 1 Hour FREE DIAGNOSTIC * 20% OFF with any service OIL CHANGE * First Time Customer Only A/C SERVICE * only $ 79 .95 Includes: inspection of hoses, fittings and compressor. Perform system leak test, run performance test, Freon extra. Transmission Tune-up * only $ 69 .95 secluded meadow and trails for your own private park! Call PETE or your Agent to see this great home and value while it’s still for sale! DRE#00344166 James J. Burkin Sole Proprietor Includes: fluids, remove pan, visual inspection, remove sump and screen, adjust bands and linkage, replace pan gasket and fluid. *Most vehicles. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 10/15/09 Come shop our selection of quality used cars
Page 1 and 2: IT’S YOUR PAPER www.claytonpionee
Page 3 and 4: September 25, 2009 Clayton Pioneer
Page 7: September 25, 2009 Clayton Pioneer

front page 09 25.qxp - Clayton Pioneer

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?