Pierce, Medrano, Geller for Council - Clayton Pioneer

PRSRT STD 

US POSTAGE 

PAID 

CLAYTON, CA 

PERMIT 190 

GREGG MANNING 

MAYOR’S CORNER 

Young resident really 

cleans up 

Before I get to the election 

which occurred last Tuesday, I 

have to give a shout out to 

Brooke Thompson. Brooke is 

the 4-year-old Clayton resident 

who inspired me with her dedication 

to Clayton’s trails. 

She felt the trails she walked 

every day with her mother were 

being trashed. She saw litter on 

the trails and took action, walking 

the trails with a bag and filling 

it up. She continues to do 

Brooke Thompson with 

Mayor Gregg Manning 

this and has gotten me doing the 

same thing. I walk the trails 

every day and I always have a 

bag for stuff I pick up. I also 

carry latex gloves. 

For her dedication to 

See Mayor, page 3 

Clayton Pioneer 

Annual 

Christmas 

Events 

Enter the Home 

Decorating 

Contest 

page 3 

Enter the Cookie 

Contest page 10. 

What’s Inside 

All About You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 

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

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 

The Clayton Bocce 

Federation is asking the city to 

consider using Redevelopment 

Agency funds to build a bocce 

ball park. 

In 2005, the city agreed to 

lease the land next to City Hall to 

the federation for $1 a year with 

the understanding that the park 

would be built with private funds. 

The 7-year-old federation has a 

membership of about 280, with 

more than 200 playing on a given 

Sunday. 

The group has obtained three 

bids for a seven-court park that 

range from $580,000 to $1.6 million, 

likely putting the park out of 

the range for the federation, says 

CBF representative Ed Hartley. 

MONEY NEEDED DOWNTOWN 

Hartley’s request was met 

with resistance on two fronts. 

The city wants all of the 

Redevelopment Agency money 

used for economic development 

in the downtown corridor. 

I’m torn. I play bocce,” said 

Mayor Gregg Manning. “But, 

Redevelopment Agency funds 

are limited and need to be spent 

on the downtown. 

“We’re in competition with 

the state for this money,” he 

added, referring to the recent 

diversion of nearly $500,000 of 

this year’s redevelopment 

money to the state budget. 

Clayton resident Jeff 

Glassauer, a neighbor of the 

proposed park, agreed. “The 

city has already been generous 

in donating the land and 

fronting the Planning 

Department expenses,” he said. 

“Read my lips – no bocce 

bailout.” 

The city used redevelopment 

IT’S YOUR PAPER 

www.claytonpioneer.com November 7, 2008 925.672.0500 

Pierce, Medrano, Geller for Council 

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

Deal With It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 

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

DVMS Reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 

Financial Sense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 

money to build the Grove park, 

Glassauer said. “(But it) was 

planned, designed and constructed 

for all the citizens of 

Clayton.” The bocce park would 

be for the benefit of fewer than 

300, he noted. 

Food for Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 

From the Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 

Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 

Going Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 

Holiday Shopping Guide . . . . . .10 

IS IT A NEED VS. A WANT? 

Redevelopment money cannot 

be used for expenses that 

would appropriately come out of 

the general fund, such as maintenance 

and routine repairs. They 

must be used to 1) cure blight, 2) 

create economic development, 3) 

Movie Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 

On the Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 

Paws and Claws . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 

Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 

School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 

Check out our Holiday 

Shopping Guide 

Page 10 

Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer 

VOTERS SENT JULIE PIERCE BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL for a fifth term in an unsurprising landslide victory for one of the three open seats. 

An unofficial tally at press time on election night had businessman Joe Medrano and real estate broker Howard Geller claiming the other two. Dan 

Richardson was running a close fourth. This was Medrano’s second run at the council, having lost out to Hank Stratford and David Shuey in 2006. 

Medrano, center, is shown taking a congratulatory call from Geller, right, while Julie Pierce celebrates with friends and family at her home. 

City approves TLC Adopt-A-Trail program 

TAMARA STEINER 


Adopt-A-Trail is coming to 

Clayton. Businesses and community 

groups will soon have an 

opportunity to sponsor a segment 

of one of Clayton’s many 

trails. 

Beginning early in 2009, 

groups can sponsor a trail in two 

ways—with a $1000 donation, or 

with a $200 donation and a com- 



mitment to provide maintenance 

labor. 

When the Landscape 

Maintenance District was 

approved in 2007, it provided for 

a barebones trail maintenance 

budget. The Adopt-A-Trail program 

is a way to offset the cost of 

maintaining and improving the 

trail system while providing 

another volunteer opportunity 

for Claytonians. Annual revenues 

from the program could poten- 

tially top $12,000. 

“I hope we get to the point 

where we are auctioning off 

sponsorships,” said an enthusiastic 

Julie Pierce, Clayton’s vicemayor. 

The Trails and Landscape 

Committee, which oversees the 

Landscape District budget, is recommending 

26 markers at strategic 

locations along the trails. A 

marker would include pertinent 

trail information and the name 

and logo of the trail sponsors. 

Each segment could have two 

sponsors, one $1000 contributor 

and the other providing $200 and 

the labor. Both sponsors would 

be listed on the sign. 

First year costs of the program 

are estimated at $10,000 

and would include the initial 

investment in the 26 trail markers 

and t-shirts for sponsoring 

groups members. 

Bocce league asks city for funding help 

See Trails, page 15 

create jobs or 4) create affordable 

housing opportunities. 

By 2013, the city will have 

collected all of the redevelopment 

money it is entitled to, leaving 

only five years to spend $5 

See Bocce, page 17 


SIGNS OF RESISTANCE TO USING REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FUNDS to build a 

bocce park greeted those attending the Oct. 21 City Council meeting. 

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 

Tax Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 

Travel Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 

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

Page 2 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com November 7, 2008 

JUST LISTED 

Clayton $599,980 

Dana Hills – Single-story 4BD/2BA incl. master suite. 

Updated kitchen has stainless steel appliances & ample 

counter & cabinet space. Spacious family and living 

room w/fireplace. Private back deck with cover. 

Beautiful yard w/mature trees, plants & partial Diablo 

views! www.141MountaireParkway.com 

Clayton Resident 

& Broker Owner 

Around Town 

Diablo View students really clean up 50th Anniversary for Bob 

and Judy Yancey 

THE DVMS YEARBOOK STAFF headed to the trails for clean-up duty. 


Jeffry Ranch – 4BD/2.5BA has RV Parking, 3-car 

garage and huge yard with guest house in back incl. 

1BD/1BA & laundry. Main home has skylights in hall & 

bath and the living room has cathedral ceilings. Tile 

kitchen with garden window. Florida room off Master 

bedroom. Very private. Great neighborhood! 

www.250JeffreyRanchPlace.com 

JUST LISTED 


Eagle Peak – The best views are from the premium lot 

of this former model home with 4BD/3BA & nearly 

3,000 s.f. Grand dining room with columns, French 

doors & lots of light. Family room is also stunning! The 

elegant, open floor plan of the McKinley model will be 

a joy for your family for years to come. 

www.320AhwaneeCourt.com 

NEW PRICE 

Concord $559,000 

Cozy Concord – 2,274 s.f. remodeled in & out! Custom 

touches & amazing craftsmanship highlight this 

4BD/3BA home on a cul-de-sac in a great neighborhood. 

Gourmet kitchen w/coffered ceiling, recessed 

lights & breakfast bar. Great backyard w/covered patio, 

hot tub, tasteful landscaping plus RV Parking. 

www.1584LaverneWay.com 

Students from Rob Nichols’ 

yearbook class at Diablo View 

Middle School recently spent an 

afternoon picking garbage along 

the Cardinet Trail. In the 

process, they also found what 

appeared to be an abandoned 

homeless camp and recovered a 

Safeway shopping cart. 

The kids decided to pitch in 

after reading an article in the 

Clayton Pioneer about a teen 

who was injured when he was 

riding his bike on the trail and 

hit a piece of pipe. 

Haley Morucci organized the 

event, and it was a great success. 

The class is thinking about planning 

a larger event that would 

include the entire school and a 

bigger area targeted for clean 

up. 

After they cleaned up, the 

kids went to the park above the 

middle school for pizza and 

treats. Then they returned to 

school for a late night of yearbook 

work. 

Clayton Rotary goes Venetian for fundraising auction 

Despite rainy weather and a 

bad economy, almost two hundred 

people attended the 

Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise 

Rotary's “Venetian Carnivale” 

on Nov. 2 at the Walnut Creek 

Civic Arts Center. 

As an evening in Italy, complete 

with masks, costumes, as 

well as a silent and live auction, 

the evening was a fund raiser for 

the club's Adopt-A-Village program, 

demonstrating the power 

that people can make in global 

assistance projects such as ending 

poverty. 

Following an opening reception 

with caped figures wearing 

old fashioned masques – 

masques available at the 

entrance for those unadorned – 

dinner was served buffet style 

students from the Clayton 

Valley High School Interact 

Club – the high school equivalent 

of Rotary. 

See Rotary, page 8 COSTUMED GUESTS RAISED MONEY to end poverty at Rotary’s 

Venetian Carnivale dinner and auction last month. 

NEW PRICE 


Expansive Country Estate – Nearly an acre sub-dividable 

lot w/ breathtaking valley views. 5BD/2 updated 

BA & 3,202 s.f. Chef ’s kitchen w/granite countertops, 

Cherry cabinets, Thermador gas range & grill, prep 

island w/sink. Family room has stone fireplace, hardwood 

flooring & more. Huge pool & Guest House/ 

In-law Unit. Horses/RV! www.5KirkwoodCourt.com 

NEW PRICE 


Silvercreek II – Great curb appeal & fantastic neighborhood! 

This 4BD/2.5BA is a gardener’s paradise 

w/pool, patio and planting areas on one level & spa, 

decking and landscaping on the level adjacent to the 

family room. Open kitchen/dining area w/view to back 

& dining room with sliding door to backyard. 

www.5605OhmanPlace.com 

Bob and Judy Yancey recently 

celebrated their 50th wedding 

anniversary at a luncheon and 

reception at Endeavor Hall in 

Clayton. They were joined by 

family and friends, including 

three members of their original 

wedding party. Following the 

reception, the couple sailed 

aboard the Golden Princess to 

Hawaii to celebrate their golden 

anniversary. 

Bob and Judy met while both 

were attending Diablo Valley 

College in Pleasant Hill. They 

JUDY AND BOB YANCEY 

NEW PRICE 

were married at Walnut Creek 

Presbyterian Church on Oct. 25, 

1958. Bob, a native San 

Franciscan, and Judy a native of 

Concord, have resided in Concord 

since they were newlyweds. 

Bob and Judy are spending 

their retirement enjoying time 

with their two daughters Susie 

and Wade Cunningham and 

their daughters, Dana and 

Kristen, and Karen and Kyle 

Coffey and their sons, Benjamin 

and Nathan. Both daughters and 

their families live in Clayton. 


Crystyl Ranch – Fabulous 5BD/3.5BA w/marble 

foyer, lower level B/B. Sophistication & style underscore 

the formal living & dining rooms and Chef ’s 

kitchen w/16” Travertine floors, island, GE Profile 

appliances & Cherry cabinets. Huge master w/walk-ins 

& balcony overlooking Grecian pool, waterfall/spa & 

views! www.5358FernbankDrive.com 

Clayton $1,095,000 

Country living without the Drive – Custom singlestory 

4BD/3BA w/ over 3,700 s.f. sits down a private 

lane at the foot of Mt. Diablo on a .5 acre lot. Chef 

kitchen w/granite & prep island/bar & a wonderful, 

open floor plan w/huge rooms. Massive wrap-around 

Trex deck & beautifully landscaped lot w/pool & spa. 

www.8114MarshCreekRoad.com 

* ASSISTING MORE BUYERS AND SELLERS 

THAN ANYONE ELSE. 

* Statistics based on Clayton closed listings by listing/sales agent 

(1/05-12/05). Data by MaxEBRDI.

November 7, 2008 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com Page 3 

Change MDUSD candidates strike 

voter chord with election win 

ANDRÉ GENSBURGER 


With a strong lead, incumbent Gary 

Eberhart and newcomer Sherry 

Whitmarsh, who joined together for a 

strong campaign run against incumbent 

April Treece and newcomer Jeff 

Adams, found solace in the votes that 

empowered a change within the 

MDUSD board of education. 

“I have been so thankful for everyone 

who has worked so incredibly hard 

for this campaign,” said Gary Eberhart. 

“The public wasn’t fooled by the district 

rhetoric. We have serious problems 

in this district and it is our hope that we 

will now be able to address those concerns 

and focus on the needs of the 

stakeholders of our district.” 

“The support has been overwhelming,” 

said Sherry Whitmarsh. This was 

her first campaign for public office 

despite years of experience at a site 

level and on the superintendent’s parent 

advisory committee. 

“Teachers had a lot of input in the 

direction of this campaign,” said board 

member Paul Strange. “The public is 

tired of the status quo and is ready for 

Mayor, from page 1 

Clayton, the City Council gave her a certificate 

of recognition for voluntary 

Community Beautification and Litter 

Removal. I was pleased to meet Brooke 

and present her the certificate at the Oct. 

21 council meeting. I found her to be 

precocious, wise beyond her years and 

absolutely charming. 

One of the reasons Brooke found 

trash on the trails is that Clayton has had 

neither a spring nor fall Clayton Cleans 

Up. I am pleased the Clayton Pioneer has 

taken on the task of organizing this project 

for next year. We have never lacked 

All types of mechanical repairs and computer diagnostics including 

30K, 60K, 90K factory maintenance on all 

Free shuttle 

service for 

major repairs 

SAFETY 

INSPECTION 

$10 off 

coupon valid for 

most cars 

European, Imported and domestic vehicles. 

Our professionals are here to serve you: Amir, Jameson, Gary, Alex, Peter 

Corner of Clayton Road and Kirker Pass Road � 925 672-3900 

FLUSHES 

$10 off 


most cars 

exp. 11/20/08 

exp. 11/20/08 

André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer 

CELEBRATING AN EARLY VICTORY, incumbent Gary Eberhart and Sherry 

Whitmarsh flash victory signs to supporters during the election party 

a change.” 

Supporters for Eberhart and 

Whitmarsh had been campaigning 

relentlessly for the past few months 

with massive rallies organized by parents 

and teachers, as well as many informal 

question and answer sessions host- 

volunteers and it was this year’s lack of 

organization that led to the event being 

scrubbed. 

Maybe Brooke can be the poster child 

for Clayton Cleans Up. I have heard it 

said: “A child will lead them.” 

Meanwhile, the election is over. You 

have all read more than enough about the 

national elections, so I will spare you my 

thoughts. I will only address my impressions 

of the Clayton City Council election. 

This year, there were eight candidates 

running for three openings. My first 

BRAKE 

INSPECTIONS 

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exp. 11/20/08 

SMOG CHECK 

$10 off 

(plus certificate) 


most cars 

exp. 11/20/08 

ed by Eberhart and Whitmarsh. Their 

platform promises change within the 

district. At press time both Eberhart 

and Whitmarsh held 32 percent of the 

votes compared with 15 percent for Jeff 

Adams and 19 percent for incumbent 

April Treece. 

Official 

Smog Check 

and Repair 

Station 

HVAC 

SERVICE 

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impression is that things have changed a 

great deal since I first ran in 1984. I got 

literature on my doorstep from six of the 

eight candidates and saw signs for seven 

of them. 

As I look back, my first fliers were 

primitive in the extreme. They were a single 

sheet, printed on one side on pale 

green paper. I ran them off myself on a 

copy machine. My signs competed with 

the fliers for the primitive look. They 

were 12 by 18 inches, one primary color 

on white, one-sided and on a stick. 

The brochures I received from this 

year’s crop of candidates were a modern 

marvel. They were multi-color tri-folds 

on high-grade glossy paper with photos. 

The signs were plastic coated, corrugat- 


most cars 

exp. 11/20/08 

OIL CHANGE 

Includes free 30 

point inspection 

$34.96 

(regularly $39.96) 


most cars 

exp. 11/20/08 

HOSPICE TREE LIGHTING 

NOV. 19 

The Hospice Foundation of the 

East Bay will hold their annual Tree of 

Lights ceremony at 5 p.m. The tree honors 

loved ones touched by debilitating 

disease and is sponsored by Hospice 

and Palliative Care of Contra Costa. 

Every light on the tree symbolizes a life 

and will shine in honor or memory of a 

friend or family member. The mayor 

and the Mt. Diablo Elementary Choir 

will be on hand to add to the moment. 

Starbucks and Safeway have donated 

cookies, coffee and hot chocolate for all. 

Location is the Hospice Tree in the 

Clayton Station parking lot between 

Safeway and Starbuck’s. 

CLAYTON TREE LIGHTING 

DEC .6 

Meet at the Gazebo at 6 p.m. and 

bring a flashlight. The kids from Mt. 

Diablo Elementary will sing Christmas 

songs and Santa will lead the parade 

down Main Street for the annual Tree 

Lighting festivities hosted by the 

Clayton Business and Community 

Association. Stop by the Clayton 

Community Church for free donut 

holes and hot apple cider and be on 

hand when the mayor flips the switch 

on the city’s tree, officially kicking off 

the Christmas season. 

PIONEER COOKIE CONTEST 

DEC. 11 

The Clayton Pioneer’s annual 

Christmas Cookie Contest Judging 

Party is at 6:30 p.m. at the Library. 

Bring out your favorite Christmas cookie 

recipe, bake up a batch and join us for 

the judging and Christmas Party. All will 

share in the cookie bounty. Clayton’s 

own Vintage will provide live music and 

lead the carol sing. There will be games 

for the kids and it’s rumored that Santa, 

himself, may stop by. 

DESSERT WITH MRS. CLAUS 

DEC. 13 

Visit Santa and have dessert with 

Mrs. Claus from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 

the Clayton Community Library. The 

event is a family favorite with prizes, 

goodies and a photo with Santa. A 

donation is appreciated, but the event is 

free for children 12 and under. This 

event is also sponsored by the Clayton 

Business and Community Association. 

Enter the Clayton Pioneer’s 2008 

Holiday Home Decorating Contest 

and be part of Clayton’s 

Parade of Lights 

Homes’ exteriors will be judged on 

Originality and creativity, attractive use of light and color, creative 

use of non-lighting decorations and overall effect. 

First, second and third place winners will each receive a 

Winner’s Plaque to place on their front lawn and will be featured in 

the December 19 issue of the Clayton Pioneer. 

Judges: TBA 

Judging will be on Sun., Dec. 7 

Deadline for entry is Fri., Dec. 5 by 5 p.m. 

All entries will be included in the 

Parade of Lights 

So that everyone in Clayton will have time to drive by and enjoy the 

decorated homes before Christmas, all entries will be listed by address 

in the December 19 issue of the Pioneer. 

NAME 

ADDRESS 

Please enter my home in the Clayton Pioneer’s 

2008 Home Decorating Contest 

NEIGHBORHOOD 

PHONE 

EMAIL 

Upcoming Events 

ed, double-sided thick stock on wire 

frames. I am sure the signs alone cost 

more than my first two campaigns. 

In fact, the cost of the almost mandatory 

“candidate statement” now costs 

more than my first two campaigns if only 

because it has to be printed in English 

and Spanish. 

I don’t recall getting any mailers from 

Clayton City Council candidates, but they 

would be hard to detect in the flood of 

other campaign literature. I always 

believed Clayton did not appreciate candidates 

who use mass mailings since it 

got them wondering why the candidate 

was spending so much money. 

I am a firm believer in going door to 

door and meeting the voters. That was a 

lot easier when the population was 3,000. 

Now we have 7,979 registered voters and 

a population of more than 11,000. That’s 

a lot of doors to be knocked. 

With the election over, the county 

clerk has 30 days to verify the election. 

That means we will swear in the new 

council members in early December. The 

new City Council will elect a new mayor 

and in mid-December a new name will 

be attached to this column. My next column 

is the penultimate one. I will get into 

my years on the council, the rule of law 

and maybe what I see in the future. 

As always, I welcome your thoughts and 

comments, which can be e-mailed to me at 

claytonmayor2008@comcast.net. 

RULES: Must be a Clayton resident. 

All contestants agree to have their address and photo of their home published in 

the Pioneer. 

Print out this entry, complete and mail to Clayton Pioneer, PO Box 1246, 

Clayton CA 94517, or drop off at the office at 6200 H Center Street, Clayton.


Looking behind a crime scene investigation 

The Clayton community 

awoke to a major police investigation 

when a body was found 

in the crosswalk in front of Mt. 

Diablo Elementary School last 

month. 

It became the job of the 

police department to conduct a 

methodical and thorough inves- 

tigation to determine who, 

what, why, when, where and 

how the death occurred. 

Due to the many rumors 

and misinformation that circulated 

about this case, it presented 

an opportunity to provide 

some insight into the nature 

and scope of death investiga- 

“If it’s broke, I can fix it.” 

Automotive Services, Marine Services, 

Welding and Light Fabrication work 

Brian Richmond 

tions, which are in contrast with 

TV shows. 

After receiving the first 

phone call, a Clayton officer 

responded and determined the 

scene was suspicious and was 

possibly a homicide. The incident 

quickly expended the limited 

number of personnel and 

resources available to the 

Clayton Police Department. As 

a result, we asked for assistance 

from the Concord Police 

Department and the Contra 

“Clayton 

Counts 

Down” 

counts on 

volunteers 

The 6th Annual “Clayton 

Counts Down” New Year’s Eve 

celebration is quickly approaching. 

This fun event has quickly 

become a tradition thanks to 

the busy hands and strong 

backs of dozens of volunteers. 

They say “it takes a village to 

raise a child.” Well, it takes a village 

to celebrate New Years 

Eve, Clayton style and volunteers 

are needed to ensure the 

success of this event. No meetings 

are required, just willing 

hands early in the day to help 

set up, and at the event to help 

with craft activities, games, sign 

in, and food, take down-clean 

up. We need volunteers to fill 

time slots between 1 p.m. and 

10 p.m. To volunteer, call the 

city clerk at (925) 673-7300, or 

email to 

ljackson@ci.clayton.ca.us. 

Clayton Counts Down is at 

the Clayton Community Gym, 

6:30 -9:30 pm on New Year’s 

Eve. This FREE celebration is 

funded entirely by community 

donations and run by an all volunteer 

committee with assistance 

from the City of Clayton 

and the Mt. Diablo Region 

YMCA. 

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Costa County Sheriff ’s Office. 

Since these events don’t 

occur on a regular basis, the 

Clayton PD doesn’t have 

trained in-house staff to conduct 

homicide investigations or 

collect the type of evidence typically 

found at death scenes. 

This cost-effective strategy 

allows the city of Clayton to pay 

for these extra resources only 

when they’re actually needed. 

For this investigation, several 

Concord PD officers and 

support personnel helped us 

secure the scene and conduct a 

neighborhood canvass for possible 

witnesses. The sheriff ’s 

office sent members of their 

nationally acclaimed crime lab 

to collect evidence, and one of 

their homicide investigative 

teams assisted us with the investigation. 

This particular investigation 

took about eight hours 

to reach a resolution. 

During a typical death investigation, 

many aspects must be 

considered. The first officer to 

respond evaluates the scene to 

determine the type of resources 

and the number of additional 

personnel that will be needed to 

conduct a proper investigation. 

The death of a human can 

result from several causes, such 

as an accident, natural causes, 

self-inflicted injuries or at the 

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hands of another. If the officer’s 

evaluation of the scene 

indicates that criminal behavior 

may have occurred, the investigation 

will require specialized 

resources, additional personnel 

and more time. 

During this investigation, 

Clayton PD retained responsibility 

for managing all investigative 

personnel and resources. 

This role is managed by an incident 

commander (IC), who is 

the on-duty Clayton sergeant. 

The investigation typically 

includes the following activities: 

securing the scene, establishing 

a large perimeter around the 

incident, collecting evidence, 

controlling vehicular traffic in 

the area, talking to witnesses, 

questioning possible suspects 

and evaluating the culled information 

while keeping an open 

mind as to what may have 

occurred. 

The IC also must consider 

logistical aspects, such as providing 

water and food for the 

personnel assigned during the 

investigation and coordinating 

the department’s response to 

routine calls for other police 

services that occur during an 

investigation. 

Meanwhile, managing the 

press for television, radio and 

newspapers becomes a massive 

Upgrade requirements 

close pumps at CV Shell 

JEANNA ROSS 


The distressed economy and 

new environmental regulations 

dealt a one-two punch to 

Clayton Valley Shell when the 

station closed for the installation 

of a new vapor recapturing 

system in late October. 

The project closed the 

pumps for three days – costing 

owner Amir Hatambeiki more 

than $5,000 in lost sales in addition 

to the $10,000 payment 

required by Shell. 

When the project started, 

Hatambeiki’s tanks were 60 per- 

cent full. That’s 18,000 gallons 

bought at the top of the market. 

“I lost three days of sales, 

and also during this time, the 

gas prices fell,” he said. “The 

prices went down, so the gas 

was devaluated.” 

The $80,000 system, 

required by California’s air quality 

legislation, operates as the 

customer pumps gas. It transfers 

fumes from the vehicle tank 

to a preservation tank installed 

in the station, rather than allowing 

those fumes to be released 

into the atmosphere. Eventually, 

the residual gas will be transferred 

back to the main tank. 

Financing Available 

Lic. #373538 

DAN LAWRENCE 

FROM THE CHIEF 

challenge. Because of the 

nature of this investigation and 

the recognition that Clayton is a 

safe community, a possible 

homicide in front of a school 

caused the media to descend on 

the scene. Police personnel 

were busy answering telephone 

calls from concerned citizens 

and the media. 

A previously designated 

press information officer (PIO) 

is responsible for preparing 

press releases. These releases 

and any verbal information provided 

to the media (or anyone 

else) must include only basic 

information and not specific 

details about the investigation. 

Specific information about 

injuries, weapons, the nature of 

the scene or any information 

that a suspect alone would 

know is not released so the 

investigation will not be compromised. 

This strategy is necessary so 

that investigators can identify 

suspects and/or eliminate persons 

as suspects or persons of 

interest. 

Because specific details 

about a crime are not freely 

given out, rumors and misinformation 

often circulate – as they 

did during this investigation. 

The PIO balances the “need to 

know” vs. the need to have an 

uncompromised and thorough 

investigation. 

Although this case was not a 

homicide, it still resulted in the 

tragic loss of life. Had it been a 

homicide, however, I am confident 

the case would have been 

solved by the highly qualified 

investigative team assembled 

for this effort. 

Dan Lawrence is Clayton’s Police 

Chief. Please send your questions, 

comments or topics you’d like to 

see covered to DanL@cpd.ci. 

concord.ca.us 

Library Foundation has variety of gift options 

The Clayton Community 

Library Foundation has several 

holiday gift suggestions. 

You can “Buy a Brick” for 

$55, which includes three lines 

of engraving. It’s a great way 

to remember a loved one or 

honor that special person. Gift 

cards can be supplied. A new 

order will be placed in January. 

The foundation also offers 

a book bag in heavy-duty red 

canvas. The bottom is gusseted 

and stands easily for filling. It’s 

a bargain at $10. 

“Buy a Book” is another 

way to honor or memorialize 

someone. Book plates are put 

into the book you choose. 

Fiction books can be purchased 

for $25 or non-fiction 

for $50. 

Another gift item is a membership 

in the Clayton 

Community Library 

Foundation $10 for an individual, 

$15 for a family and higher 

categories. This is a gift that 

any book lover is sure to 

appreciate. 

“Clayton Cooks …” is a collection 

of favorite recipes, including 

some by local celebrities such 

as Gregg and Joan Manning, Joan 

Culver, Susan Fossan and Skip 

Ipsen. Cost is $5. 

T shirts with the 94517 logo 

are available for both adults 

and children. It’s $14 for adult 

shirts and $10 for children’s. 

All proceeds from sales go 

to purchase new materials for 

the Clayton Community 

Library. Order forms are available 

at the library, 6125 Clayton 

Road, or online at www.claytonlibrary.org. 

� Custom pools & spas 

� Pool remodeling 

� Landscapes 

� Spa only 

See us at the 

HOME and 

GARDEN SHOW, 

Nov. 7, 8 & 9


P.O. Box 1246 

6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 

TAMARA AND ROBERT STEINER, Publishers 

TAMARA STEINER, Editor 

ANDRÉ GENSBURGER, Reporter and Feature Writer 

JEANNA ROSS, Reporter and Feature Writer 

PETE CRUZ, Graphic Design 

BEV BRITTON, Copy Editor 

RANDY ROWLAND, Sports Writer 

BETH NEUDELL, Sales and Administrative Support 

LINDA MANZECK, Administrative Assistant 

We remember Jill Bedecarré - Her spirit is our muse 

PIONEER INFO 

CONTACT US 

Tel: (925) 672-0500 

Fax: (925) 672-6580 

Tamara Steiner 

tamara@claytonpioneer.com 

André Gensburger 

Andre@claytonpioneer.com 

Beth Neudell 

beth@claytonpioneer.com 

Send ads to 

ads@claytonpioneer.com 

Send Sports News to 

sports@claytonpioneer.com 

Send Club News to 

clubnews@claytonpioneer.com 

Send Church News to 

churchnews@claytonpioneer.com 

Send School News to 

schoolnews@claytonpioneer.com 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Classified rates per insertion: 

Non-profit: $12 for first 30 

words, $.20 each additional 

word 

Individual/non-commercial: 

$18 for first 30 words, $.30 

each additional word 

Commercial: $48 for first 30 

words, $.40 each additional 

word 

To place your classified ad over the 

phone, call the office at (925) 672- 

0500 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

Mon.-Fri. Or, you may fax your typewritten 

ad and credit card information 

to (925) 672-6580. All classifieds 

must be paid for in advance by credit 

card (Master Card or Visa) 

We will not accept any ad that discriminates 

on the basis of race, color, 

sex, religion, nationality, family status 

or disability. The Clayton Pioneer 

reserves the right to reject any advertising 

we believe is unsuitable. 

LET US KNOW 

Weddings, engagements, anniversaries, 

births and deaths all weave 

together as part of the fabric of our 

community. Please let us know of 

these important events. We ask only 

that the announcement be for a 

Clayton resident. You will find the 

appropriate form for your announcement 

on our Website. Attach your 

photo to the form. Make sure the 

image size you are about to send is at 

least 3 MB but not bigger than 6MB. 

The only format we accept is JPG. You 

can also mail or bring your print to the 

office and we can scan it for you. 

Also on our Web site are forms 

for submitting Community Calendar 

items and press releases for your 

organization. 

LETTERS TO 

THE EDITOR 

The Clayton Pioneer welcomes 

letters from our readers. As a general 

rule, letters should be 300 words or 

less and submitted at least one week 

prior to publication date. Letters concerning 

current issues will have priority. 

We may edit letters for length and 

clarity. All letters will be published at 

the editor’s discretion. 

Please include your name, address 

and daytime telephone number. We 

will not print letters from “anonymous.” 

E-mail your letter in a Word 

document to tamara@claytonpioneer.com. 

Letters MUST be submitted 

via E-mail. 

FOR RENT 

Office Space for Sub-lease 

Office space for sublease. 

Approximately 250 sq/ft. professional 

office space. Near bowling alley and 

athletic club. Available immediately. 

Call 685-4523. 

SERVICES 

House Cleaning 

Blonde ambition housecleaning. 

Excellent references, Hourly rate $25. 

Most homes are cleaned in 3 hours. 

Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or special 

occasions. All work is done by owner 

who is a Clayton resident. Call Mary 

Lee at (925) 522-8079. 

Childcare/Preschool 

Clayton Community School at Mt. 

Diablo Elementary offers school-age 

childcare from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., preschool 

9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Monday – 

Friday). Call 925-672-0388. 

Tutor/Educational Coach 

Experienced classroom teacher. Tutoring 

for grades 2-5 all subjects. Study skills/ 

Homework help. Professional, mature, 

and kind. Will come to your home or 

the local library. Please call Janet, 925- 

672-4360. 

HELP WANTED 

Real Estate Agents 

Be Successful! Lynne French is 

expanding and interviewing for a few 

agents. Call her today (925) 672-8787. 

Tai-Chi Teacher 

Seeking teacher to practice Tai-Chi or 

Qigong in Downtown Park – one morning 

a week to start. If you are interested 

in sharing this experience and can lead 

the practice, please call Stephanie 925- 

Please join us for a special reading and book signing 

by local author and Clayton Pioneer reporter 

André Gensburger 

author of 

“Signs You May Be 

An Idiot! and other musings” 

Thursday, Nov. 20, 4 p.m. 

Call today for a personal tour 

& complimentary lunch 

(925) 524-5100 

Retirement Community 6401 Center Street Clayton CA 94517 

www.diamondterrace.net 

FOR LEASE 

Across from the Clayton Post office and 

next to the new downtown park. 

call Johnny Sandhu, 

Cell (925) 567-5065 

The city of Clayton is 

seeking feedback on 

the summer concert 

series. 

Please go to the city’s Website at 

www.cityofclayton.org to complete a short survey. 

6101 Center Street 

Ground Floor Retail 

1,554 s.f. - Ready for a small 

restaurant/deli 

2nd floor offices 

Suites A & B, 

470 s.f. & 550 s.f. 

Each suite has a main room, a 

private office with closet and a 

private bathroom with shower. 

Classified 

932-7329 or email stephanie@helenandstephanie.com. 

LOST AND FOUND 

Golf Clubs 

Found golf clubs. Set of clubs in Nike 

dark color golf bag. Found outside on 

Amaranth Ave. on Clayton border of 

Concord. Must describe clubs to me at 

vbogut@astound.net. 

Found Cat 

Young tabby with grey, black and white 

coloring. Chest and belly are white 

along with some white on her face. All 

four of her paws are white as well. She 

has a small black speck on her left nostril. 

Her eyes are light green-yellow and 

her tail is raccoon-striped. 

Please email Sue Fania suefaina@hotmail.com 

Found Keys - set of keys found on trail 

near Samuel Court. 

Please call (925) 673-3853 

VOLUNTEERS 

WANTED 

Meals on Wheels Drivers 

1 – 1 1/2 per week. Drivers and relief 

drivers needed for delivery of Meals on 

Wheels in East County. People are on 

the waiting list due to lack of drivers. A 

small amount of your time can make a 

big difference in someone’s life. If you 

can help please call Jim at 673-0300 or 

e-mail hairbyjim@sbcglobal.net. 

Hospice Thrift Shoppe 

Volunteer at one of the Hospice Thrift 

Shoppes located in Alamo, Danville, 

Walnut Creek, Concord and Antioch. 

You will have the opportunity to help 

customers, stock shelves and prepare 

merchandise for sale. Thrift shops are an 

inexpensive way to find old treasures or 

vintage clothing, but for the volunteers 

in our thrift shops, it’s a way to make a 

difference in a meaningful way.” 

Anna’s Attic Volunteers 

Volunteers needed at the Hospice of the 

East Bay thrift store. The address of the 

store is 5350 Clayton Road. Call store 

manager, Debbie, at 674-9072 or 

Lamont Campbell at (925) 766-5066. 

Hospice of the East Bay – 

Anna’s Program 

Anna’s Program, (formerly Hospice and 

Palliative Care of Contra Costa), is 

seeking dedicated, caring volunteers to 

provide home companionship and practical 

support for women with recurrent 

breast cancer. Women served reside in 

Central or East Contra Costa. To apply 

for free training, call Hospice of the 

East Bay at (925) 887-5678 and ask for 

the Volunteer Department, or email 

volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org. Anna’s 

Program is generously supported by the 

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Anna’s 

Attic Thrift Shop, and other community 

donations. 

Clayton Historical Society Museum 

The Clayton Historical Society Museum 

needs a greeter for two hours per month 

from 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays or Sundays. 

No experience or extensive knowledge 

of Clayton history is necessary. All you 

need is a cheerful smile and a “hello” as 

our guests come through the door. 

You’ll meet interesting people and learn 

a lot about our historic town. Call the 

museum at 672-0240 and leave your 

name. 

Clayton Community Library. 

We are seeking to fill the following volunteer 

positions: (All positions require a 

minimum age of 13 years and a 6 month 

commitment.) Lead Tutor - to help 

facilitate the request for tutors in our 

volunteer tutoring program. You will 

match the students needs with a corresponding 

tutor. Required good communication 

skills and a desire to help students 

in the community. Telephone and 

email work can mainly be done from 

home. Graphic Displays and Events 

Photographer - can be done by one or 

two people. Take photos at our many 

library events and put the photos on display 

in the library before it is eventually 

placed in our library scrapbook. Choice 

photos of library events can be used for 

submitting to newspapers. Contact: 

Arlene @ 673-9777 or email: 

akikkawa@ccclib.org 

Directory of Advertisers 

Auto 

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

Diablo Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288-0981 

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

Business Services 

Take Charge of Your Future . . . . . . .877-336-8369 x 4712 

Construction and Trades 

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

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

FS Construction/AFU Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4546 

Hatley Construction Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .680-8554 

Insite Design and Build . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .980-0465 

Majestic Pools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .676-1545 

Mario Navea General Contractor . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5260 

Michael Dwyer & Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-3980 

Nu Image Painting and Decorating . . . . . . . . . . .672-1777 

Pavers by Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .766-2574 

S&K Nellis Painting, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687-2233 

Straight Line Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-9801 

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

Tip Top Kitchen and Bath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .497-5699 

Dining and Entertainment 

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

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

Financial and Insurance Services 

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

Carol Keane and Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .937-5200 

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

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

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

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

We the People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246-0370 

Funerals 

Neptune Society of Northern California . . . . . . . .944-5100 

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

Home and Garden 

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

Alise Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .998-9990 

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

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

Contra Costa Home and Garden Show . . . . . . . .682-7227 

Design Dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4968 

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

Lamorinda Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284-4440 

Navlet’s Garden Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .681-0550 

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

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

Son Bright Window Cleaning Service . . . . . . . . .674-9455 

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

Today Hauling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .497-4907 

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

Mailing and Shipping 

Postal Annex + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-5246 

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

Medical Services 

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

Dr. Jenny Chong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .827-5595 

Personal Products and Services 

Beautique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0405 

Dryclean USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-5653 

Rosebud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-888-476-7328 

Perfect Tan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-8261 

The Healing Hut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-6710 

Yoga Sol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288-9642 

Pets and Pet Services 

Aussie Pet Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-738-6624 

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

Dan and Dave’s Country Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524-0652 

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

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

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

Real Estate and Mortgage Services 

Coates and Sowards, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408-371-8770. 

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

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

Laurence, Pete - RE/MAX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . .937-0150 

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

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

Rahimzadeh, Helen - Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . .932-7375 

Village Oaks Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408-371-8770 x 19 

Village Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .567-5065 

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

Recreation 

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

Mavericks Sports Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .602-5600 

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

Senior Services 

Aegis of Concord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .692-5838 

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

Services, Other 

Allied Waste Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-4711 

CBCA Festival of Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-2272 

Concord Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .943-0180 

Roberta Claire Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625-1123 

Sho Sho’s Daycare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207-1479 

Shopping 

Cegielski Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-2855 

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

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

Donna's Quilting Loft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-0401 

Seasonal Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .672-4425 

Sonset Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .685-8200 

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

Travel 

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

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


Sponsored by: 

Allied Waste Services 

Is the LED light bulb the new king 

of the green lighting choices? 

Perhaps the ultimate “alternative to the 

alternative,” the LED (light-emitting diode) 

light bulb may well dethrone the 

compact fluorescent (CFL) 

as king of the green 

lighting choices. But it 

has a way to go yet in 

terms of both 

affordability and 

brightness. 

LEDs have been 

used widely for decades 

in other applications— 

forming the numbers on 

digital clocks, lighting up watches 

and cell phones and, when used in clusters, 

illuminating traffic lights and forming 

the images on large outdoor television 

screens. Until recently LED lighting has 

been impractical to use for 

most other everyday applications 

because it is built 

around costly semiconductor 

technology. But the price of 

semiconductor materials has 

dropped in recent years, 

opening the door for 

some exciting 

changes in energyefficient, 

green 

friendly lighting 

options. 

LED bulbs are 

lit solely by the 

movement of 

electrons. Unlike 

incandescents, 

they have no filament 

that will 

burn out; and unlike CFLs, they contain no 

mercury or other toxic substances. 

Proponents say LEDs can last some 60 

times longer than incandescents and 10 

times longer than CFLs. And unlike incandescents, 

which generate a lot of waste 

heat, LEDs don’t get especially hot and use 

a much higher percentage of electricity for 

directly generating light. 

But as with early CFLs, LED bulbs are 

not known for their brightness. According 

to a January 2008 article in Science Daily, 

“Because of their structure and material, 

much of the light in standard LEDs 

becomes trapped, reducing the brightness 

of the light and making them unsuitable as 

the main lighting source in the home.” LED 

makers get around this problem in some 

applications by clustering many small LED 

bulbs together in a single casing to concentrate 

the light emitted. But such LED 

Allied Waste Services 

is a community partner providing solid waste 

and/or recycling services. Our 200 employees 

service 120,000 residential customers and 5,000 

commercial customers in Contra Costa and 

Solano Counties. 

Our Mission 

is to provide high quality, comprehensive 

solid waste and recycling collection services 

for residential and commercial customers. 

We conduct our operations in a 

safe, ethical and environmentally 

conscious manner and dedicate our 

(925) 685-4711 �� http:\\awsccc.com 

“bulbs” still don’t generate light much 

brighter than a 35-watt incandescent, much 

too little light for reading or other focused 

tasks. 

If LEDs are going to replace incandescents 

and CFLs, manufacturers will 

have to make them brighter. 

EarthLED is lighting the way 

with its EvoLux and ZetaLux 

bulbs, which use multiple 

LEDs in a single casing to 

generate light. The 

EvoLux delivers 

light equal to that 

of a 100-watt 

incandescent, the 

company says. But 

the $80/bulb price 

tag may be tough 

to swallow. The 

ZetaLux, which 

retails for 

$49.99, delivers 

light equivalent to 

a 50- or 60-watt 

incandescent, will last 

50,000 hours and costs 

only $2 a year to run. 

Other bulb makers are 

working on similar designs for 

high-powered LED bulbs, hoping 

that an increase in availability will help 

spur demand, 

which will in turn 

lower prices 

across the board. 

Until then, consumers 

can find 

LED bulbs suitable 

for secondary and mood lighting purposes 

in many hardware and big box stores. 

C. Crane’s 1.3-watt LED bulb, for example, 

generates as much light as a 15-watt incandescent 

bulb. Check your local hardware 

store for other options, as well as online 

vendors such as Best Home LED Lighting, 

Bulbster, SuperBrightLEDs.com and We 

Love LEDs. 

Contacts and Sources: 

How Stuff Works, www.howstuffworks.com/led.htm; 

EarthLED, www.earthled.com; 

Best Home LED Lighting, 

www.besthomeledlighting.com; 

Bulbster, www.bulbster.com; 

SuperBrightLEDs.com, www.superbrightleds.com; 

We Love LEDs, www.weloveleds.com. 

LED BULBS HAVE NOT BEEN KNOWN FOR THEIR BRIGHTNESS, 

but manufacturers are working hard to change that. 

Newer bulbs can deliver the equivalent of 100-watt 

and 50-60 watt incandescents, respectively. 

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The 

Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: 

www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read 

past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php. 

resources to improving the quality of life 

within the communities we serve. 

Comparative market 

analysis an effective tool 

A comparative market analysis, 

or CMA, is a real estate 

agent’s evaluation, based on 

local listing and sales data, to 

determine the probable sale 

price of a property in the current 

market. 

Sellers can use a CMA to 

help determine a list price. 

Buyers can use it to help them 

decide what to offer on a listing 

they want to buy. 

The accuracy of the analysis 

will depend in part on the quality 

of the data. The listings used 

for comparison should ideally 

be located in the neighborhood 

and they should be as similar as 

possible to the subject property. 

To get a complete picture of 

your local marketplace, the 

CMA should include information 

about currently available 

comparable listings, pending 

sales, sales that occurred within 

the last six months, as well as 

information about listings that 

did not sell during the listing 

period. These are called expired 

listings. 

For sellers, the currently 

available listings would be your 

competition if your home were 

on the market. How you price 

your home relative to the competition 

is critical to the success 

for your marketing efforts. If 

possible, visit Sunday open 

houses to see how your home 

compares before you select a list 

price. 

Pending sale listings in your 

neighborhood represent the 

most recent sales activity. Try to 

find our as much about these 

listings as possible. But beware 

of the neighborhood grapevine. 

A combination of wishful 

thinking and enthusiasm can 

result in a rumor that a listing 

sold for an inflated price. 

Even before you have the 

closing price, inferences can be 

made about the selling price 

based on the market history of 

the listing. Find out how long it 

took to find a buyer for the 

home. Were there multiple 

offers? Or did the listing take 

months to sell? Did the sellers 

have to lower their price to 

attract a buyer? This sort of 

information tells you a lot about 

current market conditions. 

Expired listings usually indicate 

a high water mark. The 

most common reason why an 

expired listing didn’t sell during 

the listing period is that it was 

priced too high for the market. 

Carefully analyze the information 

about listings that have 

sold and closed. Closing occurs 

when title to the property transfers 

for the sellers to the buyers. 

These are the sales that actually 

went through. This sales data is 

the most reliable indicator of 

what the market will bear, pricewise. 

Market value is determined 

by what a willing and able 

buyer will pay. 

LYNNE FRENCH 

REAL ESTATE 

Typically, the sales should 

have occurred no longer than 

six months ago. However, in a 

market that is changing rapidly, 

six months may be too long. 

When home prices are moving 

up or down quickly, it’s wise to 

shorten the timeframe. Try 

three months. 

Estimating a probable sale 

price based on a CMA involves 

a certain amount of subjectivity. 

Accurately predicting a sale 

price is easiest in neighborhoods 

of tract housing, where 

all houses are pretty much the 

same. It’s more difficult in 

neighborhoods where there’s a 

lot of variability in home size, 

style and condition. 

A real estate agent’s knowledge 

of the local market can 

affect the accuracy of a CMA, 

particularly in a neighborhood 

with a lot of variability in the 

housing stock. Unless the agent 

has actually seen the comparable 

listings, he or she may not 

draw the correct conclusions. 

Lynne French is the broker/owner of 

Windermere Lynne French & Associates 

and a Clayton resident. For any real 

estate needs or questions, contact her at 

672-8787, Lynne@LynneFrench.com or 

stop in at 6200 Center St. in Clayton. 

Clayton mom juggles family, 

career, and chronic illness 

JEANNA ROSS 


The word “arthritis” may 

conjure images of great-grandmothers 

massaging their careworn 

hands. However, rheumatoid 

arthritis can strike 

any age. 

For Kathy Bergstad 

of Clayton, that age was 

4. 

“I woke up in the 

morning with ‘trigger’ 

fingers, where my fingers 

would get stuck 

shut,” she said. “My 

mom took me to an 

orthopedic surgeon. 

The synovial tissue, 

which lubricates the 

joints, was murky, so 

they did a biopsy.” 

After a diagnosis of 

juvenile rheumatoid 

arthritis, Bergstad began 

a treatment cycle of 26 

baby aspirin a day. “I’ve 

had a great medical 

team and family support 

system. I’m not 

where I am because I did it on 

my own – I had a lot of help.” 

The disease was never an 

inhibiting factor in Bergstad’s 

childhood. Her schools accommodated 

her disability by 

arranging notetakers, extra 

books and multiple lockers. Her 

PE class was physical therapy. 

However, the problems 

inherent in growing up with a 

chronic disease aren’t just about 

the discomfort. “I don’t think of 

pain like other people do. Aches 

and pains are just life,” she said. 

“What I notice is fatigue. People 

don’t realize how much energy it 

takes to be in pain. Going to the 

grocery store, cooking dinner or 

playing a game become a 

process. The fatigue is the pain.” 

Her three daughters – 9year-olds 

Alyssa and Karma and 

6-year-old Amanda – are the 

focus of Bergstad’s adult worries. 

Bergstad, who works fulltime 

as an X-ray technician, 

notes that health insurance is 

always a concern. 

“My biggest fear in life is 

that I never want my children to 

have to take care of me. I don’t 

want to be a burden,” she said. 

Her philosophy is simple. 

“You just do it,” said Bergstad, 

KATHY BERGSTAD 

who was a single mom until her 

remarriage in 2006. “You can’t 

fall apart, so you don’t.” 

For new husband Steve, 

Kathy’s disease was never a factor. 

“We were next-door neighbors, 

so I knew about the arthritis 

before we began our relationship,” 

he said. “But the arthritis 

is not who she is.” 

Coping with the day-to-day 

realities requires a degree of subterfuge 

for Steve. “I help out in 

things she can’t do, but it’s important 

to help without being asked. 

She has great pride even though 

her body limits her,” he said. “I 

make it easier without her knowing 

that I’m doing it. Otherwise, 

our life seems totally normal.” 

In an effort to control her 

symptoms, Bergstad has tried 

every arthritis treatment – 

including gold injections, Aleve, 

and immunosuppressant and 

anti-inflammatory drugs. She 

has just completed her 22nd 

orthopedic surgery: a total hip 

replacement. All the treatments 

slow the process that leads to 

debilitating joint damage. 

It was not, however, until 

her newest treatment – a 

Genentech BioOncology product 

called Rituxan – that 

Bergstad has felt relief. 

“People take for granted 

being able to take a walk 

or ride a bike, which can 

be debilitating to people 

with arthritis,” she said. 

“Now, it’s possible to lead 

a normal life.” 

The Rituxan treatments 

are tailored to fit 

her busy lifestyle, with 

two, 1,000 mg IV drips 

every six months that can 

take up to 10 hours to 

complete. 

In the beginning, her 

body rejected the invasive 

drug. Over the past two 

years, the drug has built 

up in her system, making 

the transition process 

easier to bear. “Now,” 

Bergstad said, “the results 

are almost immediate.” 

“She’s quite a bit better on 

the Rituxan,” Steve added. 

“About a month before her next 

one, it will start to tail off. She’ll 

become stiffer. She will groan in 

her sleep. However, after the 

dose, it’s better for months.” 

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs 

when the body’s immune system 

attacks the joints. According to 

Genentech, B-cells are believed 

to play an important role in 

causing this attack. Rituxan is 

the first RA treatment that targets 

B-cells. It is also used for 

the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s 

lymphoma. 

There is no cure for rheumatoid 

arthritis and Bergstad’s body 

has always grown immune to 

treatments in the past. However, 

she eagerly awaits the development 

of biological drugs like 

Rituxan to help her continue to 

live her life to the fullest. 

For more information on 

Genentech’s research, visit 

www.gene.com.

November 7, 2008 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 7 

Students mirror national election day 



As Americans spent the day 

casting their votes at official 

polling stations,student candidates 

at the CVHS Arts 

Academy mock election took 

their place on stage Nov. 4 with 

a realistic portrayal of the whole 

electoral debate and voting 

process. The event, moderated 

by KTVU meteorologist Steve 

Paulson, brought together five 

weeks of intense planning. 

“It’s all pretty exciting to see 

all this energy,” said Carylon 

VanEssen, one of the academy 

teachers involved in the mock 

election. “even the voting is tallied 

through the electoral college 

– we have people assigned 

to record all the votes.” 

With an audience of over 

three hundred parents, students, 

alumni and others, pre-recorded 

candidate commercials were 

BMX riders rev up the anti-drug message 



Schools have pushed the 

anti-drug message over the 

years, with programs such as 

Red Ribbon Week becoming the 

mainstay. Offering assemblies 

and thematic tie-ins to instruction, 

the goal is to educate kids 

of the perils of drug use while 

showing alternatives. 

New Pine Hollow Middle 

School principal Shelley Bain 

wanted this Red Ribbon Week 

to resonate with the students 

and believes that the professional 

BMX riders from the Cap 

City Stunt Team could achieve 

this. 

“Things are going really 

well,” Bain said, walking 

New student leaders 

ready for action 


LOGAN DONGALLO AND RACHEL ROBINSON, of the Pride and Freedom 

Party, prepare for their presentation on voting day at CVHS 

projected onto a large screen on 

stage as people were seated. 

prised and grateful that he was 

chosen and congratulated 

everyone else on their efforts. 

He wants to work with 

Leadership and begin representing 

the sixth grade. 

Ashley expressed a need to 

begin working right away. “I am 

excited about speaking out for 

students and making positive 

changes,” she said. 

The first thing she wants to 

Delegates mingled with 

prospective voters, walking past 

through the campus and noting 

the large red ribbons tied to 

each support pole. A poster in 

the office hallway is filled with 

cutout hands that the students 

decorated and signed the week 

before – a symbol of their commitment 

to be drug free. 

The events are driven by the 

Leadership Class, which helped 


BMX PRO PETE BRANDT CLIMBS OVER HIS BIKE MID RUN to show the 

complexity of the moves involved. 

School News 

sign waving supporters and wall 

posters of the candidates and 

the parties they represented. 

“Vote for Michael Moore,” 

one supporter announced, 

handing out M&M candies. 

“It is going to be evident by 

the ton of time that they have 

put into this what they have 

learned of the process,” said 

Principal Gary Swanson. “This 

is fun. Anytime you take theory 

and transfer it to a real life setting 

the understanding of the 

lessons are stronger.” 

Aline Lee, the primary 

organizer of the event was likewise 

excited. “This is very 

impressive,” she said. “The students 

dove into the issues and 

from this they are enjoying politics. 

This is a good day in 

America.” 

“When these kids go home 

tonight maybe they can explain 

the election results to their parents,” 

Swanson added. 

See BMX, page 9 

ROBBIE PARKER 

DVMS REPORTER 

The votes have been counted 

and the results are in for the 

election of student representatives 

at Diablo View Middle 

School. According to Principal 

Patti Bannister, the race was a 

close one. 

All the candidates put up 

posters, distributed fliers and 

did their best to get the students 

to vote for them. After the ballots 

were counted, Ashley 

McNulty and Jason Kreske were 

selected as the new sixth-grade 

representatives. Both Ashley 

and Jason were excited about 

their new positions. 

“I was relieved and happy 

that I was elected. The hard 

work paid off,” Jason stated. He 

also mentioned he was sur- 

do is get students involved and 

have them bring ideas to her. 

She also wants to thank everyone 

who voted for her. 

Meanwhile, librarian Katie 

Comeaux is excited about 

involving students more in reading, 

so she is holding a 

lunchtime book club. The students 

meet to discuss the 

assigned book during the last 

Tuesday of the month in the 

DVMS library. 

“We have a lot of kids who 

enjoy reading on our campus,” 

she noted, adding that they 

should like discussing books in 

a group. She also wants to 

expose the students to new 

books. 

Robbie Parker is a sixth-grader 

at Diablo View. Send comments to 

Robbie@claytonpioneer.com 

CLAYTON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 

The Clayton Valley Eagle band will perform Nov. 8 at the 

Vintage Reserve Band Review in Napa and Nov. 15 at the Review of 

Champions in Stockton. 

The competitive, show-based marching band is judged on music 

proficiency, visual performance and general effect. The band is 

defending its first place wins at these locations during the 2007 season. 

Last month, the band competed at the Foothill Band Review in 

Pleasanton – earning second place for brass and woodwind proficiency 

and third place in general effect at its first outing of the season. 

This year’s fall show theme is “The Eagles in Concert.” The 

band plays music from the Eagles, including “Take It Easy,” 

“Already Gone,” “Heartache Tonight” and “Desperado.” 

MT. DIABLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

The school is holding its annual School Holiday and Craft 

Boutique and secret shopper (for the kids to buy the family reasonable 

gifts), 1-7 p.m. Dec. 3. There will be new vendors and special 

guest authors. 

Some table spaces are still available. For more information, email 

marydm64@yahoo.com. 

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Jet stream unlocks some weather mysteries 

Wind can be defined simply 

as air in motion. In the Clayton 

area, we experience several different 

types of wind throughout 

the year. 

For example, we get the 

cooling benefit of a sea breeze 

in the summertime and hot dry 

Diablo winds during the fall. 

Those types of wind affect the 

lowest layer of the atmosphere. 

Thousands of feet above the 

earth’s surface, unique wind patterns 

also exist. The most common 

of these is a phenomenon 

known as the jet stream. 

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phere, and at our latitude is 

about eight miles high. Jet 

stream winds can be pictured as 

rivers of air that move in wavelike 

patterns around the world. 

The average location of the 

jet stream varies with the seasons. 

In our Northern 

Hemisphere, the jet stream sags 

southward over the central portion 

of the United States. 

During summer, it retreats 

northward to a mean position 

near the Canadian border. 

The jet stream wind pattern 

was first documented in the 

1920s by a Japanese scientist, 

Wasaburo Ooishi. He analyzed 

data from some of the first 

weather observation balloons 

and wrote about the unusually 

strong wind speeds measured at 

high altitudes above the ground. 

Wiley Post is credited with 

making the first direct measurements 

of the jet stream. Post, 

the American pilot who made 

the first around the world solo 

flight in 1933, also invented a 

pressurized flight suit that 

enabled airplanes to fly at altitudes 

exceeding 20,000 feet. 

The jet stream name was 

coined several years later by 

German meteorologist Henry 

Seilkopf, who wrote a journal 

article about the strong upper 

level winds documented by air- 

plane pilots. 

During World War II, meteorologists 

were asked to create 

daily flight maps for pilots. 

Locating the jet stream using 

weather balloon and pilot 

reports was critical to long-distance 

flight planning. Pilots 

needed to find strong 

tailwinds in their eastward 

flights and 

calmer winds on the 

return flights to 

increase flight 

speeds and preserve 

fuel. 

After the war, 

computer model- 

ing of the atmosphere 

enabled 

weather forecasters 

to not only map 

current jet stream 

locations, but also 

predict future paths for 

these rivers of air. 

Research showed that 

jet stream wind patterns were 

key to the successful prediction 

of future weather conditions on 

the ground. Jet stream winds 

develop near the boundary of 

adjacent air masses, where significant 

differences in air temperature 

can occur. Since warm 

air is less dense than cold air, 

strong pressure gradients form 

at the air mass boundaries and 

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these winds develop vertically. 

The strongest jet streams are 

located over the middle latitudes 

of the earth in both hemispheres. 

This is where cold 

polar air masses meet warm 

tropical air masses, and the jet 

stream in this area is known as 

the polar jet stream. 

Due to the curvature of the 

earth and the fact that the earth 

spins, jet streams develop as 

waves with ridges and troughs. 

Ridges in the jet stream are usually 

associated with dry clear 

weather, and troughs are associated 

with wet and windy weather. 

Accurately forecasting the 

position and strength of jet 

stream troughs is the most 

important tool for 

accurately predicting 

storm intensity. 

The discovery 

of the jet stream 

was one of the 

most important 

events in meteorological 

history. 

The study of its 

causes and characteristics 

has 

allowed weather 

forecasters to 

connect the dots 

in the relationship 

between weather 

conditions on the 

ground and wind conditions 

in the atmosphere. 

The next time you fly, think 

of it as a journey on a ship sailing 

on a river of air – a meandering 

river of air known as the 

jet stream. 

Disaster drill tests volunteers’ skills 

On Oct. 25, a fictitious 8.9 

earthquake hit Clayton and 

about 30 members of the city’s 

emergency team leapt into 

action. 

Community Emergency 

Response Team (CERT) members 

from Clayton and neighboring 

zones rallied near the 

Dana Hills cabana club for the 

incident response exercise. 

There, the CERT area coordinator 

dispatched teams into 

the neighborhood to respond to 

training scenarios consistent 

with a large-scale earthquake. 

Upon completion of the 

neighborhood observations and 

responses, CERT members 

returned to the rally point for a 

Rotary, from page 2 

A brief Powerpoint presentation 

hosted by Orthopedic 

Surgeon and Rotarian Torsten 

Jacobsen showed the far reaching 

effect that Rotary has had 

in virtually eliminating Polio 

worldwide, providing medical 

services to people in Nigeria 

and Southeast Asia as well as 

the thrust of “Ending poverty, 

medical triage exercise. 

“Victims” were assigned various 

injuries and symptoms, and 

CERT members assessed their 

condition and stated the necessary 

actions. 

CERT is a volunteer organization 

made up of Clayton residents. 

It was established in 2007 

as a way for the city to be prepared 

and have a formal structure 

in the event of an emergency. 

CERT training includes 

search and rescue, triage and 

first aid. 

Clayton residents interested 

in CERT membership can visit 

www.claytoncert.org for more 

information. 

one village at a time,” the 

evening concluded with a live 

auction. 

“It was a fun evening,” said 

Clayton resident, Michael King, 

whose daughter bid on an won 

several of the auction items. 

“The food was great.” 

Some of the silent auction 

items included a family photo- 

Subtropical 

Jetstream 

Polar 

Jetstream 

Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist 

with PG&E. Email your questions 

or comments to 

clayton_909@yahoo.com 

CERT VOLUNTEERS practice their emergency response skills 

in a recent area-wide drill at the Dana Hills cabana club. 

graphic portrait package, a 

Tahoe weekend complete with 

cabin, and a collection of specialty 

Australian wines in a gift 

basket. Live auction items 

included a helicopter tour. 

The Clayton Valley/ 

Concord Sunrise Rotary also is 

involved in obtaining and distributing 

dictionaries to local 

area schools, food sorting at 

the Food Bank of Contra 

Costa and Solano Counties, 

sponsorship of Camp Venture, 

a business/ entrepreneur outdoor 

experience and Camp 

Royal, a youth leadership camp, 

among many other worthwhile 

endeavors. 

Rotary is part of a global 

organization of over 33,000 

clubs in 168 countries and 

remains an important non-governmental, 

non-religious, nonpolitical 

service organization 

with over 1.2 million members.

November 7, 2008 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com Page 9 

A year of writing dangerously 

A year ago I began this “Deal 

With It” column as a way to poke 

fun at life’s quirks, as well as the 

quirks we all carry around. The 

response to the column has been 

outstanding and overwhelmingly 

positive. Most readers understand 

that it is not rocket science; 

just a perspective of what we are 

all exposed to. Sometimes you 

chuckle and sometimes you do 

not. Most certainly one should 

never lose any sleep over the column. 

I have become aware, however, 

that some readers have missed 

that perspective, focusing instead 

on an overly analytical dissection 

of the column for hidden meanings 

and hidden agendas. 

Case in point; the last column 

on toothpaste elicited some negative 

responses from a few readers 

who saw it as a political statement 

(because it contained the 

word “vote”) with a racial bias 

(because it contained the word 

“white”). 

It was, in all honesty, a silly 

piece about toothpaste brought 

on after a visit to Longs Drugs 

where, while waiting in line to 

pick up a prescription, I noticed 

the row after row of competing 

toothpastes, each vying for the 

Say you suspect that a disagreeable 

family member with a 

penchant for stirring conflict 

might object to the terms of 

your will. If so, he or she could 

cause lengthy probate delays and 

subject your family to costly and 

time-consuming litigation. 

Not including a no-contest 

clause in your will can leave your 

estate – and loved ones – unprotected. 

A no-contest clause is a will 

provision that penalizes a beneficiary 

who makes a challenge to 

your will. It doesn’t guarantee 

that there will be no will contests, 

but it makes a beneficiary considering 

such litigation think 

twice. 

Of course, laws of the state 

where the will is being probated 

will dictate rules with regard to 

the challenge. It’s possible that a 

beneficiary could be penalized 

for instance, by losing a part of 

an inheritance – even if the chal- 

BMX, from page 7 

organize and coordinate the 

week, along with the PTSA, 

which sponsored the Oct. 28 

BMX show. 

“The message is you could 

do this instead of doing drugs,” 

said Rick Delaney, founder of 

the Balance BMX Stunt Team, 

now part of the Cap City Stunt 

Team performing at the school. 

Delaney, 41, had been riding 

professionally since 1980. 

Joining him for the assembly 

was pro BMX rider Pete Brandt, 

38. As with many pro BMX 

teams, Cap City offers anti-drug 

message assemblies to schools 

and groups. Delaney and Brandt 

are far enough removed from 

the youthful image of most 

sports professionals that they 

offer hope to kids who see that 

this level of fun can be had at 

any age. 

The sixth- and seventhgraders 

sat on the blacktop, with 

a large swath of ground left 

empty for the riders. As the riders 

climb over their bicycles 

while lifting and twisting the 

frames in an interesting dance 

of metal and flesh, students are 

amazed, with some applauding. 

Clearly this is a skill that comes 

with years of practice and endless 

bruises. 

Visibly, not all the kids are 


DEAL WITH IT 

consumer’s attention. One even 

had printed across it “Voted the 

Whitest,” which prompted the 

title. Certainly it is election year 

and certainly the word “vote” 

can mean something political, 

but honestly, reading the content 

of the piece, it was clearly about 

toothpaste, the history of toothpaste 

and nothing more. 

The few negative responses 

have reminded me that you cannot 

please everyone, and that 

there will always be some conspiracy 

theorist who sees subliminal 

political and racial messaging 

in the most benign of things. 

In fact, it is a fair statement to 

say that a large chunk of the 

workable vocabulary we have in 

this country could be skewed and 

slanted to one side or the other 

Consider adding a nocontest 

clause to will 

lenge is successful on another 

part. 

This clause is most effective 

when the challenger stands to 

lose something of value. So 

when drafting a no-contest 

clause, it’s important to bequeath 

something to likely challengers. 

Otherwise, they have nothing to 

lose except time and legal fees. 

If someone is disinherited 

and is successful in contesting 

your will, he or she may be able 

to have your will nullified in 

whole or in part. If this occurs, 

your entire family is subjected to 

time delays and may receive 

diminished inheritances, which 

could cause substantial hardship 

on your loved ones. 

Because the judicial view of 

no-contest clauses isn’t consistent 

in all states, they might not 

be the best solution in all situations. 

Many states have legal provisions 

that invalidate such a 

clause if the challenger of the 

captivated. One sixth-grader, 

longer hair braided, with oversized, 

non-regulation school 

clothing falling off his body, lies 

on the blacktop and stares at the 

sky. 

“Some kids this age act 

indifferent,” Bain said. “At this 

age, there is a lot of bravado 

masking more sensitivity 

beneath the surface.” 

“We’re raising awareness,” 

she said of the program. “They 

had wear red yesterday and it is 

slipper day today, crazy hair day 

on Wednesday, silly socks on 

Thursday and a Halloween costume 

on Friday.” 

Bain, a transfer after four 

years as vice principal at 

Riverview Middle School in Bay 

Point, already enjoys the closerknit 

community and the opportunity 

to bond with her students. 

She believes programs 

like Red Ribbon Week “start 

conversations.” 

However, critics of the 

many anti-drug programs for 

school children question the 

effectiveness such messages 

have by the time a child reaches 

high school. They claim the 

messages are over-simplified 

and may even have an opposite 

effect. 

Nonetheless, the No Child 

(notice no reference to right or 

left here) and heaven forbid (no 

religious bias) that we can write a 

simple sentence like “See Dick 

run. Run Dick run,” without 

someone having an issue with it. 

I write this editorial on the 

evening before election day, with 

no knowledge of how the results 

will play out. It seemed a safe day 

to report to you that my little column 

is intended to amuse you, to 

poke fun at our compulsive idiosyncrasies, 

and to offer a little 

discussion that might offset the 

otherwise generally gloomy news 

of the day. 

I intend to keep writing it, 

especially given the many wonderful 

comments that have come. 

And, to those detractors who see 

no value in it, I am pleased that 

you have taken the time to read it 

enough to take issue with it. 

While I can’t change your interpretation, 

with a huge grin on my 

face, I can ask simply that you 

“Deal With It.” 

André Gensburger is a staff 

reporter and feature writer for the 

Pioneer. Email him at andre@claytonpioneer.com. 

His book “Signs You 

May Be An Idiot” is available at 

Clayton Books. 

RICHARD LITTORNO 

FINANCIAL SENSE 

will has a probable cause to contest. 

But many states still hold 

the view that the last wishes of 

the deceased should be honored, 

and that the no-contest clause 

should remain effective. 

Consult with your estate planning 

attorney about no-contest 

clauses before including such a 

clause in your will. Other strategies, 

such as forming a trust, may 

better ensure that your estate 

plan carries out your wishes. 

Richard Littorno is an attorney 

specializing in estate planning. He 

has offices in Clayton and Pittsburg. 

Send your questions to 

rlittorno@msn.com. 

Left Behind Act of 2001 

includes a component called 

Safe and Drug Free Schools. 

Every public school is supposed 

to offer some kind of drug prevention 

education. 

In the past, programs such 

as D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse 

Resistance Program) wound up 

costing $750 million to $1 billion 

for a 16-week curriculum 

offered in classrooms by police 

officers who would share their 

experiences on the city streets. 

For many, completing D.A.R.E. 

was a fifth-grade promotion 

requirement. 

The National Institute on 

Drug Abuse found that despite 

a dip to 40 percent of high 

school seniors who had used an 

illicit drug in 1990, the rates 

have risen to about 52 percent – 

showing a cyclic nature without 

a defined reason. Therein lies 

the problem of how to gauge 

the effectiveness of the programs. 

Bain believes that it is a matter 

of reaching a child through 

personalized contact. She will 

spend time in what she considers 

“meaningful discussion.” 

“We’re developing community 

with this,” Bain added. “We 

get the kids involved and they 

come up with the themes and 

the slogans. I’d like to think that 

because it starts conversations, 

that it keeps kids on the right 

track.” 

Large, custom updated 

5 bedroom! 

This 2,844 square foot 2-story home has 

new carpets, pergo and paint, a granite 

kitchen w/custom cherry cabinets and 

new microwave, a step-down huge family 

room with vaulted beam ceiling, wet-bar, 

fireplace and 2 sliders to yard & patios! 4 

bedrooms plus a 5th or Den, 3 full baths, 

indoor laundry room, mirrored closets, 

two balconies and a tile roof! Secluded 

court setting in nearby Concord, parklike 

yards, a view of Mt. Diablo. 

Now is the time to buy. 

Just call PETE LAURENCE to see this property and others. 

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 

Club Hours 

4-10 M-F � 7-7 Sat. � 7-5 Sun. 

Childcare Open: 8 am – 8 pm, M-F 

8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Sat. 

PRICE REDUCED 

$579,500 

Start your 

30 Days of Fitness today 

Congratulations 

to the new Clayton 

City Council! 

Try something new at Mavericks SportsClub! 

Schedule of Nov. events 

In the Clayton Station 

at Mavericks… 

Celebrate your new fitness program with a great 

challenge – we are so sure you will look better 

in 30 days, that we are proud to offer you 30 

Days of Fitness. 

Try us out for 30 days, 

and if your fitness program 

doesn’t get off the ground, 

you may cancel your agreement 

with no penalty 

(must use the club 12 times over 30 days in order to qualify, 

for 12 month agreements only – other restrictions may apply) 

5294 Clayton Rd., Concord 

925-602-5600 phone 

925-798-2666 fax 

MMeeett tthhee authhoors aatt CCllaaytton Boookkss 

11/13, Tue. 4 p.m. . . . . .Michael Slack. Illustrator of “Knuckleheads,” “The Flim Flam Fairies” and more. 

11/13, Tue. 7 p.m. . . . . .Patricia Evans. “Controlling People” and “The Verbally Abusive Relationship.” 

11/14, Fri. 7 p.m. . . . . . .American Girls Club meeting. Bring your favorite doll. 

11/15, Sat. 2 p.m. . . . . .Cindy Ng. Learn to make origami with the author of Girligami. 

11/16, Sun. 1 p.m. . . . . .Brian Copeland. Author of “Not a Genuine Black Man.” 

11/16, Sun. 3 p.m. . . . . .Bill Soto-Castellanos. “16th & Bryant: My Life and Educations with 

the San Francisco Seals,” bay area baseball history event! 

11/19, Wed. 7 p.m. . . . .Camille Minichino presents her new dollhouse murder mystery series. 

11/23, Sun. 2 p.m. . . . .Local Author Extravaganza with Lloyd Lofthouse, Vincent Silva, Mary 

Pols, Barbara Bentley, Elvera Reese, Queenelle Minet, William Sawyers and André Gensburger. 

11/30, Sun. 11 & 5 . . . . .Meet the Grinch. Take your photo with the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. 

joelharris@aol.com � www.claytonbookshop.com 

If you cannot attend, we are happy to 

get books signed for you. 

Open 

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily 

5433 D Clayton Rd., Clayton � (925) 673-3325


Quality dentistry 

with gentle care 

General, 

Cosmetic 

and Family 

Dentistry 

New Patients 

Welcome 

Jenny H. Chong D.D.S 

925 827-5595 

5167 Clayton Rd., Ste. E, Concord 

Located on Clayton Rd. across from Lucky & Kmart between Ayers & Ygnacio Valley Rd. 

Nothing says high-end 

like natural stone. 

For countertops, bar and vanity tops, bath 

and shower enclosures and fireplaces. 

Owned and operated by 

Rick Fox and Steve Neal 

335-9801 

3795 Pacheco Blvd., Martinez 

www.straightlineimports.com 

Full service remodeling 

FREE 

In-Home Estimates 

� Patient Focused – 

“We value your choice and your time” 

� Same day appointment 

� Digital X-rays 

� Invisalign 

New Patient Offer 

$ 65 

Exam, cleaning, 

X-rays and 

consultation 

Includes FREE Bleaching Trays 

for all new patients. 

(expires Feb. 28, 2009) 

Insurance may cover some services. 

www.drjennychong.com 

When only the best is good enough call 

Straight Line Imports 

Lic.#789325 

Enter the Clayton Pioneer’s Annual 

Christmas Cookie Contest 

Nothing says Christmas like mouth 

watering Christmas cookies. This 

year will be our third annual 

Christmas Cookie Contest – a chance to 

stir up, bake up and taste up a storm of 

those delectable sweets that bust the diet 

and send us over the moon. 

So, dust off the cookbooks and dig out 

Aunt Mae’s ginger snap recipes, cook up a 

few practice rounds and enter our Sixth 

Annual Christmas Cookie Contest. 

Judging will be December 11, 6:30 

p.m. in the Clayton Library Community 

Room. While the judges are tasting and 

testing, Santa will be on hand with candy 

canes and Clayton’s own Vintage Trio will 

provide live music and lead everyone in 

singing Christmas carols. Judges will be 

announced in the next issue of the Pioneer. 

Recipes and photos of all the winners 

will appear in the Dec. 19 issue. 

Deadline for entry is December 8. 

Clayton Pioneer’s 

2008 CHRISTMAS COOKIE CONTEST 

ENTRY FORM 

Name (Please print) 

Please fill out a separate form for each entry. 

You may enter up to three recipes, but only one can win 

Address (Must be a Clayton resident) 

Phone Number 

Name of 

Recipe__________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________ 

� Master Baker (20+) 

� Teen Baker (Ages 13-19) 

Your age____ 

� Junior Baker (Ages 6-12) 

Your age____ 

Parent's Signature (for Junior Bakers) 

Contestant agrees to being photographed at the 

competition. Recipes used from published books must 

identify source. 

Signature 

Mail your entry to: the Clayton Pioneer, PO Box 1246, 

Clayton, CA 94517; or drop off at our office at 6200 H 

Center Street, Clayton. If the office is closed, slip it 

through the mail slot. 

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, Dec. 8 

FREE 

18 gauge 

stainless steel sink 

with all purchases and 10% off of all 

Eclipse faucets through November 30, 2008 

Some restrictions apply.


APPLIANCE REPAIRS 

BY BRUCE 

Holiday time means joy and 

fun. But it also means a little 

more work and a tighter schedule. 

And it’s a big “uh oh” should 

one of our appliances decide to 

take some time off. If this happens 

to you, Appliance Repairs 

by Bruce, located in Clayton, will 

be right there to set things right. 

Bruce Linsenmeyer and his wife 

Holly pride themselves on their 

availability, with Clayton and 

Concord residents receiving the 

benefit of proximity. 

“They get appointments first 

thing in the morning or late afternoon 

times,” which makes his 

service incredibly convenient for 

everyone. 

While he generally works from 

9-5, Monday through Friday, he 

also schedules emergency weekend 

appointments. “My customers 

shouldn’t have to wait until 

Monday to hear from someone.” 

Customer service is the key to 

this business, and the key reason 

Bruce went into business for himself. 

Holly runs a tight ship to ensure 

that their reputation remains 

stainless. “He’s there when he 

says he’s going to be there.” 

Making appointments is simple. 

Call (925) 672-2700, visit their 

Website at http://appliancerepairsbybruce.googlepages.com, 

or email 

repairsbybruce@gmail.com. 

BURKIN ELECTRIC 

Lighting up your life is what Jim 

Burkin does best. As the sole proprietor 

of Burkin Electric, Jim 

handles all of your residential, 

commercial, light industrial and 

remodeling needs. 

This year, light up your home 

for the holidays. Jim can install 

safe, approved electric outlets 

right where you need them. He 

will provide free estimates for residential 

ceiling fans, recessed 

lighting and landscape lighting, 

service and repair. Jim is the first 

and last person you’ll see on any 

job because he believes in excellent 

service and a quality product. 

Jim has devoted his 30-year 

career to the electrical industry 

working in a variety of venues. 

He does all the work himself, so 

you know it’s done right. Call Jim 

for a free estimate at (925) 672- 

1519 or (925) 212-3339. 

CD FEDERAL 

If one of your New Year’s resolutions 

has anything to do with 

managing your money, now is 

the time to get started. 

CD Federal Credit Union is a 

not-for-profit, member-oriented 

financial institution with a family 

environment. They have been 

serving members since 1954, 

offering a wide range of financial 

products and services such as free 

checking, online banking, mobile 

banking, bill pay, auto and home 

loans, credit cards, free financial 

planning and much more. 

CD Federal regularly offers free 

financial education seminars to 

members. Visit their Website, 

www.cdfcu.org, for a schedule of 

upcoming seminars and 

events.We are insured by the 

NCUA (National Credit Union 

Administration) and ASI 

(American Share Insurance). 

Each individual share account 

is insured for $350,000 and 

additional insurance is available 

according to account ownership. 

To learn more about CD Federal 

and how you can join, call (925) 

825-0900, visit www.cdfcu.org or 

stop by 1855 Second Street in 

Concord. 

DRYCLEAN USA 

Although Anoop and Manjit 

Cheema have run Dryclean USA 

for 18 years they still believe in a 

“hands on” approach to the business. 

The loyalty of their hundreds 

of customers proves that 

what they’re doing is right. “I still 

personally inspect the wedding 

gowns, carpets, clothing and 

laundered shirts,” says Manjit. All 

work is done on the premises. 

That is how they are able to provide 

top quality product and 

excellent customer service. The 

holidays are fast approaching, 

which means it is time to pull 

your favorite fancy clothes out of 

the closet for parties and dressup 

events. Bring in your dresses, 

sweaters, suits and ties for cleaning. 

Let Dryclean USA help you 

Weekend 

Specials and 

Raffle 

look your best for the holidays. 

The store is located in Clayton 

Station next to Walgreens. You 

can reach them at 672-5363. 

HOLIDAY CRAFT 

FAIRE 

A true one-stop shop for all of 

your Christmas needs can be 

found at the Holiday Craft Faire 

at the fairgrounds in Antioch. 

This special event Nov. 7-9 and 

Nov. 14-16 boasts the largest 

such faire in Contra Costa 

County and features wood crafts, 

candles, country and floral crafts, 

custom jewelry and more. 

Parking is free and the Faire is 

offering $1 off admission on 

Fridays. Don’t miss this chance to 

get a jump on your Christmas 

list. You might even find something 

for yourself. Call the Faire 

for more information 757-4400 

or visit the Website: 

www.ccfair.org. 

DR. JENNY CHONG 

Dr. Jenny Chong is one of the 

newest additions to the family 

dentistry scene. 

Dr. Chong just celebrated her 

first full year in business in 

Concord, after eight years in an 

Alameda group practice. She is 

accepting new patients, including 

walk-ins, so there is no excuse 

not to have that cleaning done 

today and face the holidays with 

a sparkling white smile 

Dr. Chong’s modern office utilizes 

the latest technology. Her 

patient-focused approach is 

extremely gentle, but for the dental-phobic, 

she also has the 

option of sedation. 

Guide continues 

on page 12 

Annual Holiday 

Open House 

Saturday, Nov. 15th 

9 am - 7 pm 

Sunday Nov. 16th 

11 am - 6 pm 

1028-1030 Diablo St., Clayton 

925-672-2025 

www.theroyalrooster.com 

Think Local. 

Shop Clayton 

FRI. 10-4 �� SAT. 10-5 �� SUN. 10-4 

Hurry for your holiday gifts and ideas! 

Largest Craft Faire in Contra Costa County! 

Over 100 unique booths including candles, wood crafts, country 

and floral crafts, custom made jewelry, gift items and more. 

1201 W. 10th Street, 

Antioch 

(925) 757-4400, 

craft@ccfair.org 

www.ccfair.org 

Win tickets at trideltatransit.com 

Ride the bus & save $1 on regular admission 

with proof of ridership 

FREE 

PARKING 

Nov. 7-9 & Nov. 14-16 

Health Care Tour. 

Free screenings, 

Nov. 7-9 

$1 OFF 

ADMISSION 

with this ad 

Regular admission $2. 

Not valid with other 

offers 

at the 

Fairgrounds 

in Antioch!


North Pole Room 

coming Nov. 10 with 1,500 sq. ft. of pure 

Christmas pleasure featuring: ornaments, 

commercial grade Christmas trees, and the 

largest selection of lights in the East Bay. 

$5 off 

$10 off 

Collectibles, rentals and clearance/sale items 

excluded. Expires 11/26/2008. 

Extended holiday store hours: 

Mon - Thu 10 - 9, 

Fri & Sat 9 - 10, 

Sun 10 - 7 

purchase of 

$75 or more 

We bring the gym 

to you! 

Our trainers travel with equipment 

and training is done in your home 

(Optional sessions available 

in our private gym.) 

� Pilates – Pilates Reformer 

� Kickboxing/Muay-Thai 

� Cross/Endurance Training 

purchase of 

$100 or more 

50% off 

your initial 

training sessions 

(Limited time offer) 

The Holiday 

and Party 

Superstore 

John Sharapata, owner 

672-4425 

Clayton Valley Shopping Center 

5434 Ygnacio Valley Road, Ste. 130 

online store: www.seasonalreflections.com 

� Plyometrics/Resistance 

� Aerobic Bar Training 

� Isometric Training 

Ilima Heuerman 

(925) 890-6931 

travelingtrainersllc@gmail.com 


Bruce & Holly Linsenmeyer 

30 year Clayton residents 

Office: (925) 672-2700 

Cell: (925) 956-8605 

State of California B.E.A.R � License #A44842 

She offers both general and 

cosmetic dentistry. Consultations 

for cosmetic procedures (including 

teeth whitening) and Invisiline 

braces are free. 

Dr. Chong accepts most types 

of insurance. The office is at 

5167 Clayton Road, Suite E, 

across from Lucky’s. For information, 

call 827-5595 or visit 

www.drjennychong.com. 

Appliance 

Repairs by 

Bruce, Inc. 

35 years experience 

We repair all major appliances 

most major brands 

and we’re local 

ApplianceRepairsByBruce.googlepages.com 

Guide continued 

From page 11 

Tabletop artisan trees and wreaths, 

each decorated in a specific theme, will be on 

display in the Diamond Terrace lobby 

from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day until December 6. 

All proceeds benefit the CBCA’s Adopt-a-Family program 

which provides groceries for needy families in 

the Clayton Valley area during the holiday season. 

Trees have all been decorated by CBCA members and the community. 

See these beautiful trees and wreaths at Diamond Terrace, 

6401 Center Street, Clayton, 524-5100, www.diamondterrace.net. 

To find out more about the Clayton Business and Community 

Association, call Sue White, 672-2722. 

MARIO NAVEA 

GENERAL BUILDING 

CONTRACTOR 

Autumn brings a much closer 

inspection of our living quarters 

than those bright summer months 

when we were busy with outdoor 

activities. 

Starting to notice all those tiny 

imperfections? Call Mario Navea, 

General Building Contractor, for 

all your home improvement 

needs. 

Navea is available for nearly 

any project his clients can dream 

up, from general repairs and 

handyman services to building a 

brand-new house if the old one 

just won't suit. 

Navea has experience with 

even the most unusual projects; 

however, his typical tasks include 

termite reports and the subsequent 

repair work, electrical and 

plumbing, and installing doors 

and windows. 

He can also spruce up your 

home's landscaping by building 

retaining walls, retrofitting, and 

replacing foundations, or building 

a beautiful new patio or deck 

on which to enjoy the sights and 

smells of the fall. 

Mario Navea works all over the 

Bay Area. Lic. #: 672628. Call 

(925) 673-5260 or email 

Mario@marionavea.com today. 

NICHOLS LANDSCAPE 

It is a little-known fact that the 

California autumn is the perfect 

time to completely renew your 

home’s landscaping. The cool 

weather of the fall, winter, and 

spring allows cool season grasses, 

trees, and plants time to 

establish before the blistering 

GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS 

10% Discount 

for Yard Cleanup * 

For a “manicured” yard, you need 

our weekly or bi-weekly maintenance. 

Mow and blow, edge, trim, aerate. 

heat of the summer reeks its 

havoc. 

To redesign your yard, call 

Concord native Boyce Nichols of 

Nichols Landscape. Nicholas has 

been serving Concord for over 

twenty years, first learning the 

business from his older brother, 

then striking out on his own. 

“We specialize in any kind of 

installation, including sod installation 

and plantings,” says 

Nichols. “We can install pavers, 

concrete, patios, arbors, decks, 

sprinkler systems, low-voltage 

lighting, or retaining walls. We 

can also do awesome stuff like 

waterfalls and bridges.” 

For a free estimate or to 

reserve Nichols and his team, call 

(925) 672-9955, email 

Nicholslandscape@msn.com, or 

visit nicholslandscape.com. A 

complete photo gallery is available 

to peruse online. 

NU IMAGE PAINTING 

Nu Image Painting and 

Construction of Clayton offers the 

highest in work quality backed by 

twenty-two years of experience 

and references that will totally 

impress you that you won’t have 

to ask for. 

“I have a crew that specializes 

in high end kitchen and bath 

remodeling, as well as high end 

finish work,” says owner, Michael 

Reilly. “We cater to people with 

very high standards and expectations 

because that is the way I 

am. I have high expectations.” 

Nu Image offers a complete 

turnkey operation. “Since I can 

do all my design work, and 

installs, it cuts out any delays,” 

Friendly, Reliable and Affordable 

“For All Your Yard Needs” 497-4907 

Free Estimates todayhauling@yahoo.com 

*Offer expires 11/30/08 

Reilly says. “This reduces the 

overall cost of the job and also 

shortens project completion time 

which means greater savings to 

you.” 

Nu Image Painting and 

Construction serves Walnut 

Creek, Clayton, San Ramon, 

Alamo, Danville, Pleasanton, 

Orinda, and Lafayette. 

Contact Nu Image Painting and 

Construction at (925) 672-1777. 

POSTAL ANNEX+ 

Holiday shipping is a last 

minute headache that most consumers 

hate to deal with. And 

who wants to dumpster-dive 

through spoiled food to find a 

box? With long lines at the Post 

Office and having to know to 

pack right, the act of shipping a 

package can be more difficult 

than finding the perfect gift to 

send. You need help, but from 

whom? Fortunately, the friendly 

folks at the Clayton PostalAnnex+ 

located at 5433 Clayton Road 

are here to take the stress out of 

shipping. 

It's like having your own personal 

assistant. Movie stars have 

them, so why can't you? They'll 

help you pick the right box to 

save on shipping, pack your gifts 

carefully and give you options 

from UPS to FedEx to the Postal 

Service on how to get your shipment 

there on time and undamaged. 

Think of PostalAnnex+ on 

Clayton Road as your own personal 

assistant during this holiday 

season! Tel: (925) 673-5246.


Along with the bronze glow 

from tanning, we offer 

body wraps. 

Come and get that 

Perfect Tan & Body Wrap 

for the holidays, family portraits, 

parties & vacations. 

30 Tans for $39 

Perfect Tan. Some restrictions apply. Offer expires 11/30/08 

GRAND OPENING 

SPECIAL 

SEASONAL 

REFLECTIONS 

This big, bright, beautiful, holiday 

and party superstore in the 


has absolutely EVERYTHING for 

every holiday. One step inside 

and it’s pure magic. Clayton resident 

and proprietor, John 

Sharapata has always loved the 

holidays and it shows. 

There’s a year ‘round costume 

room with costumes for everyone 

in the family, even the dog and 

cat. In just a few weeks, it will be 

the Christmas season. Make an 

early stop in the year 'round 

Christmas room and choose from 

wonderful custom lights and decorations 

to trim every inch of your 

home, inside and out. There are 

hundreds of light sets. 

Seasonal Reflections Party 

Rentals can also outfit your home 

for every kind of party with 

tables, tents, chairs…everything 

you need to make a festive occasion. 

Like to avoid the shopping 

crowds? Then shop online at 

www.seasonalreflections.com. 

Seasonal Reflections is in the 


at 5434 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Ste. 

130. Tel (925) 672-4425. 

SONSET FLOWERS 

Sonset Flowers on Clayton 

Road will celebrate their second 

anniversary in January. Already, 

the shop has become the popular 

choice for unique flower arrangements. 

Owner and operated by 

Clayton resident, Donna Richey, 

Sonset Flowers has flower 

arrangements for every holiday 

FREE TAN 

and special occasion. They are 

also wire specialists. 

Donna personally serves the 

family who has lost a loved one, 

making sure every detail is 

attended to. "At that time in their 

life, the last thing they need is to 

have to worry about the flowers," 

says Donna. 

Donna has made her shop 

special with gifts, candies and 

bouquet items sure to please 

everyone on your guest list. And 

for holiday entertaining, Donna 

and her talented staff will work 

up a spectacular table arrangements 

or centerpiece and deliver 

it right to your home. 

Sonset Flowers is located at 

5354 Clayton Road. Call for your 

holiday flowers today, (925) 685- 

8200. 

STRAIGHT LINE 

IMPORTS 

Thinking about new granite 

counter tops? There is no better 

gift to yourself than to enhance 

the beauty of your kitchen or 

bathroom vanity by adding new 

custom fabricated granite or marble 

counter tops. Granite is virtually 

stain free and requires very 

little maintenance. 

Straight Line Imports is a custom 

fabricator and one of the 

larger fabrication and installation 

companies in the East Bay offering 

free in home estimating and 

free design ideas. They stock a 

variety of faucets, fixtures and 

sinks at below wholesale prices. 

“If you are thinking about 

remodeling or just replacing you 

counter tops you owe it to yourself 

to call us. We are a locally 

Painting & Decorating 

Complete interior painting 

Drywall repair & texturing 

Custom color consultation 

Special care to protect all furnishings 

$440000 

One per customer. 

exp. 11/30/08 

in Clayton Station near Walgreens 

5435-L Clayton Rd., 672-8261 www.perfecttanca.com 

OOFF 

Boyce Nichols - Owner - Clayton resident 

Patios (Pavers & Concrete), Decks, 

Retaining Walls, Lawn Installation, 

Low Voltage Lighting, Dry River Beds, 

Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Irrigation 

(Spray & Drip) 

owned and operated company. 

We wish you the best for a 

healthy and happy holiday season,” 

says owner Rick Fox. 

Straight Line Imports is located 

at 3795 Pacheco Blvd. in 

Martinez.Tel: (925) 335-9801 

RODIE’S FEED AND 

COUNTRY STORE 

Take a break from the malls 

and crowds this year with a short, 

pleasant drive out to Rodie’s Feed 

and Country Store on Marsh 

Creek Road in Clayton for some 

truly unique gift ideas. 

Topping the out-of-the-ordinary 

gift list are the exotic birds happily 

greeting customers and staff in 

one of the area’s favorite stores. 

Colorful macaws, cockatoos, parrotlets 

and canaries are just a few 

of the exotic birds at Rodie’s. 

With a staff of seven avian specialists 

certified by Pet Industry 

Joint Advisory Council, Rodie’s is 

the premier bird shop in 

Northern California. 

And while Rodie’s is definitely 

“for the birds,” owners Bob and 

Sarah Rodenburg have not forgotten 

Fido or Fluffy. With a complete 

selection of Merrick dog 

and cat food, cozy beds, snug 

dog houses, toys, collars and 

grooming accessories, you will 

find everything you need right at 

Rodie’s. 

And while you are shopping for 

the pets in your life, browse 

Robin’s Nest Country Gifts inside 

Rodie’s. Owned by Robin 

Thomas, Bob Rodenburg’s 

daughter, Robin’s Nest carries 

scores of unique gift items. Be 

sure to see her large selection of 

Serving 

Contra 

Costa for 

25 years 

COMPLETE LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION 

Renovation � Lawns � Sprinklers 

Call today for your FREE ESTIMATE 

Regular Pricing on any complete 

interior painting project 

January through March. 

Present coupon after estimate. Expires March 31, 2009 

925-672-9955 

www.nicholslandscape.com 

Contr. Lic. No. 542812 � Fully Insured 

Michael Reilly - Clayton resident 

925-672-1777 

License #572337 B, C-33 

Nu Image 

lovely Willow Tree figurines, 

including the newest 2008 releases. 

Rodie’s is located at 8863 

Marsh Creek Road, just past the 

eastern limits of Clayton. Phone 

(925) 672-4600. Take a ride out 

there. It’s well worth the drive. 

THE ROYAL ROOSTER 

Gorgeous home décor is just a 

short walk away at The Royal 

Guide continues 

on page 14 

VISA® 

gift card 

TWO BRANCHES IN CONCORD 


5442 Ygnacio Valley Road, 

Suite 10 

1257 Willow Pass Road 

Mon–Fri 10am–5:30pm 

Saturday 10am–2pm 

Present this ad for $5 off our intro special, 

and, on Nov. 28, receive a $5 coupon for every 

$50 spent on retail and gift certificates. 

Coupon may not be redeemed for cash, and must be presented at time of purchase, 

coupon good for entire household. One promotion per person. Some restrictions apply. Expires 11/30/08 

Come lose weight, gain strength, 

reduce stress, honor your body. 

We offer Hot yoga, Vinyasa flow, 

Core, Power Yoga, Astanga, 

and more. 

(925) 288 9642 

5416 Ygnacio Valley Rd. #30, 

Concord 

www.yogasol.net 

Simplify Gift Giving 

Stop by any TCU branch to do 

your holiday shopping for family 

and friends. VISA gift cards, 

available from $10 to $500, are 

perfect for convenient delivery to 

loved ones inside a greeting card. 

And, your gift can be used anywhere 

the VISA logo is displayed. * 

Clayton Station 

5435-M Clayton Road, 

Clayton, 672-5653 

Anoop and Manjit Cheema 

serving the community since 1990 

20% off 

All Drycleaning 

Must present coupon when 

dropping off clothes 

Dryclean USA. Restrictions apply. 

Offer good through 12/31/08 

Open Mon. - Fri., 7 to 7 

Sat., 9 to 5 

DRYCLEAN-U.S.A. 

We guarantee top quality 

and great customer service. 

Safer than cash. If lost, replace unused amount. 

Use it online. Use until the balance reaches zero. 

Where You Belong 

www.traviscu.org (800) 877-8328 

NCUA–Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. National Credit 

Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency. *Restaurant transaction authorizations include an additional 20% to allow for tips. Not redeemable at 

ATMs, hotels, or for pay-at-the pump gas, car rentals or cash advances. The purchase fee per gift card is $3.50. A fee of $10, subtracted from the card 

balance, applies to reissue a lost card at a TCU branch. After six months, a monthly maintenance fee of $3 is subtracted from the available balance. 

Everyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in Contra Costa County is eligible to join. Certain membership requirements may apply.


Mario Navea, General Contractor 

License #672628 

Quality work and 

affordable prices 

673-5260 

We have the perfect arrangement 

for your holiday event. 

5354 Clayton Road 

Place online orders at www.sonsetflowers.com 

toll free 800-603-ROSE (7673) 

Canaries 

Exotic 

Finches 

Parrotlets 

Our talented staff 

will help you create 

the perfect day. 

Open Mon. - Fri. 

8:30 am - 5:30 pm 

Sat. 9 am - 4 pm 

Ground up new 

construction 

Additions & 

remodeling 

Painting interior 

– exterior 

Patios, decks, 

fences, arbors, 

gates 

Retaining walls, 

foundations 

Landscaping & 

hauling services 

Windows & 

Doors 

Electrical, 

Plumbing 

wire service 

specialists 

major credit 

cards honored 

phone (925) 685-8200 

fax (925) 685-0633 

Quality cages for any bird 

at low, low prices 

Cockatoos 

Lorikeets 

Macaws 

Amazons 

8863 Marsh Creek Rd. 

Clayton, (925) 672-4600 

Rooster. Find the items you need 

to decorate every room in your 

house for your earth-toned 

autumn or shimmering holiday 

seasons. Tired of the same old 

look available in every nationwide 

chain store? The Royal 

Rooster has both hard-to-find 

antiques and custom-order furniture 

to fit your needs. 

Not just a furniture shop, The 

Royal Rooster also sells unique 

gifts for friends and family of all 

ages, including the popular 

Webkinz that the children in your 

life have been craving. 

Their French Country specialties 

includes gorgeous stationeries 

and bath items for every occasion, 

including distinctive lines 

like Thymes Bath & Body, 

Caldrea, Rosy Rings, Root, Mill 

Valley, and Seda France. 

Corporate gifts and personal 

shopping services are also available. 

The Royal Rooster is located at 

the corner of Center and Diablo 

Streets, in Clayton, behind Cup 

O’ Jo Coffee House. 

TODAY HAULING 

This holiday season, take some 

of the stress out of trying to do 

everything yourself Today Hauling 

and Unique Gardening of 

Concord is available to haul 

Bird grooming – 

first Saturday each month. 

Appointments or 

walk-ins welcome 

Largest cage showroom 

in Northern California 

Bird boarding at Rodie’s 

Pampered Perch Resort 

Handling and TLC daily 

With this coupon 

Conures 

Eclectus 

Greys 

$10 off 

any purchase of $50 or more. 

We carry a full line of 

Quality feed & pet supplies 

Guide continued 

From page 13 

Limit 1 per customer. Expires 12/31/08 

away all of your household, 

garbage, and yard debris. 

Replacing the refrigerator? Call 

Today Hauling! Cutting down that 

dead tree? Call Today Hauling! 

Need to ditch all that old junk in 

the garage so there is room for 

the car? Call Today Hauling! 

Today Hauling can also meet 

all your gardening needs. They 

install low-voltage mood lighting 

to accent those beautiful trees 

and brick paths, create high-tech 

sprinkler solutions to make sure 

that hard-earned landscaping 

lives through the California summer, 

and can overseed and aerate 

when the baking sun causes 

the ground to harden and crack. 

Available for both one-time 

clean-up of your yard or regular, 

weekly or bi-weekly maintenance. 

Here’s a great gift idea. How about 

six-months of yard maintenance for 

the “honey-do” in your life? 

For all your hauling and gardening 

needs, call (925) 497- 

4907 or email 

todayhauling@yahoo.com. 

TRAVELING TRAINERS 

Nothing beats stress like a 

great physical workout. But with 

the holidays coming and the bad 

weather approaching, the trips to 

the gym are usually the first casualty. 

“If only I had a gym in my 

house,” you wish. 

Well, Ilima Heuerman is about 

to grant that wish. Traveling 

Trainers will bring the gym to you. 

Yes, that means house calls. Now 

there are “no more excuses.” 

One-on-one instruction or 

buddy training available. Need 

nutrition or dietary planning? 

Ready to learn about Body Detox 

and it's amazing benefits? Ilima 

will have you feeling stronger 

and renewed in no time. 

How about a Traveling Trainers 

gift certificate for that really special 

someone in your life? 

So, turn away from the computer, 

get up from the desk and call 

Traveling Trainers to bring your 

personal trainer right to your 

house. 

Call today (925) 890-6931. 

TRAVIS CREDIT UNION 

In these uncertain times, Travis 

Credit Union puts their members 

first, doesn't take excessive risks 

and is well capitalized to weather 

tough times. 

If you're concerned about the 

ownership changes within the 

banking industry, become a 

member-owner at Travis Credit 

Union. TCU is one of the largest 

credit unions in California and 

has been financially safe and 

sound since 1951. 

At TCU, customers' savings are 

federally insured to at least 

$250,000 and backed by the full 

faith and credit of the U.S. government 

through the National 

Credit Union Administration. 

TCU has money to lend for 

homes, vehicles and more. So 

Call Jim for a FREE Estimate Today 

phone cell 

925.672.1519 925.212.3339 

stop worrying and take action by 

becoming a member-owner of 

Travis Credit Union. 

Everyone who lives, works, worships 

or attends school in Contra 

Costa County is eligible to join. 

Certain requirements may apply. 

For more information, call 800- 

877-8328 or visit 

www.traviscu.org. 

YOGA SOL 

Yoga Sol of Concord has a new 

location in the Clayton Valley 

Shopping Center. The new space 

includes a retail store where 

patrons can purchase their yoga 

supplies before and after class. 

This month, save $10 off any 

purchase of $50 or more. 

Yoga Sol offers classes in Hot 

Yoga, Pilates, Vinyasa Flow, 

Meditation, Kripalu, and more 

from 8 different instructors. “All of 

the classes are beginner-friendly,” 

says owner Tara Clay. “We really 

cater to the individual. It doesn’t 

matter how many years someone 

has studied yoga. We make pose 

modifications. We try to make 

each person feel as though they 

had a private class.” 

Come experience the physical 

benefits of yoga, including relief 

of back pain, stress, and sleep 

disorders, while losing weight 

and gaining strength and flexibility. 

Visit yogasol.net or call (925) 

288-9642 for more information. 

Local residents get their first class 

free! 

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Serving Contra Costa since 1991 30 years experience 

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Journey through 12 million years on Diablo 



If you’re looking for something 

to do on Mt. Diablo, why 

not take a stroll through 180 

million years of geological history. 

The Mt. Diablo Interpretive 

Association capped off a 13year 

project last month when 

they dedicated the Trail 

Trails, 

from page 1 

For more information or to 

express your interest in becoming 

an Adopt-A-Trail sponsor, 

email TLC member, David 

Disend, dsdisend@gmail.com. 

Clayton has long been recognized 

as one of the most walkable 

towns in the Bay Area. 

Within its 4.2 square miles, there 

are 27 miles of trails. Some are 

flat and some are hilly. Some are 

paved and some are dirt. There 

are trails for walkers, hikers, bikers 

and horses. 

A complete map of all 

Clayton trails is available at City 

Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail for 

$2. 

$5 off * 

Through Time. The 6½ mile, 

self-guided trek begins on 12 

million year old rocks at the 

South Gate Entrance on 

Sycamore Creek and climbs 

over geological formations that 

get older and older as the trail 

reaches toward the summit. 

Hikers will pass fossils embedded 

in the rocks, the spectacular 

erosion formations of Rock 

City and outcroppings of sub- 

HIKERS ON THE TRAIL THROUGH TIME ON MT. DIABLO can stop along the 

trail to read the 20 panels that explain geologic features of the 

mountain. 

Trail Diagram by Pete Cruz 

The Cosmetic 

Alternative to Botox® 

marine volcanic rock. 

Placed at strategic points 

along the trail are 20 large panels 

illustrating and explaining 

the geologic history of the area. 

Interspersed with these panels 

are others on the history, geography 

and ecology of the mountain. 

The Mt. Diablo Interpretive 

Association is an all-volunteer, 

non-profit organization that 

works with the State Parks 

Association in serving the 

700,000 visitors to the park each 

year. Clayton resident Sue 

Doneker joined the organization 

about four years ago when 

she was looking for a way to 

volunteer and be outside. 

“Actually, my husband volunteered 

me,” she says with a 

laugh. Sue works as a docent at 

the Mitchell Canyon Visitors 

Center and recently became a 

“rover” VIP – Volunteer in 

Park. “I get to put on a badge 

and a hat and hike anywhere in 

the park, answering questions.” 

To get to the South Gate 

Entrance from I-680 South, 

Age Defying Night Cream 

Now sold at 

BEAUTIQUE 

beauty supply & salon 

in the Clayton Station or visit our web site 

RosebudNightCream.com 

925-672-0405 

Made in the U.S.A. 

*Redeem only at Beautique beauty supply & salon, 

5439 A Clayton Rd., Clayton. expires Nov. 30, 2008 

VISITORS WITH QUESTIONS may 

seek out Clayton resident, Sue 

Doneker, a VIP “rover”on the 

mountain. 

take the Diablo Road/Danville 

exit and follow Diablo Road 3 

miles east. Turn left onto Mt. 

Diablo Scenic Boulevard, which 

becomes South Gate Road, 3.7 

miles to the South Gate 

Entrance Station. 

For more information on the Trail 

Through Time or the Mt. Diablo 

Interpretive Association, visit 

mdia.org. 

CLAYTON’S TRAILS 

Atchinson Stage Horse Trail . . . . . . .Pine Hollow Rd. to Lydia Lane 

Black Diamond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clayton Rd. to the East Bay Regional Park boundary 

Blue Oak Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indian Head (at the golf course) to EBRP boundary 

Bruce Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Center Street to Marsh Creek Rd. Also known 

as the Easley Trail 

Cardinet Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clayton Library to Westwood Park 

Dana Hills Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dana Hills greenbelt 

Donner Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marsh Creek Rd. near El Molino to the Mt. Diablo 

Trailhead at the Regency Gate 

Lower Blue Oak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Offshoot from Blue Oak trail to EBRP boundary 

Mitchell Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pine Hollow Rd. to Widmar 

Mt. Diablo Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marsh Creek Rd. to Regency Dr. 

North Valley Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Offshoot from Blue Oak trail along north side of 

North Valley Park to EBRP 

Peacock Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Peacock Ridge Trail to Black Diamond 

Peacock Flats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Community Park west to Equestrian Park 

Peacock Ridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clayton Community Park north to Peacock Creek 

BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS can “adopt” a segment of one of Clayton’s 

trails. Foot-high markers along the way will show pertinent trail information along with the 

name and logo of the Adopt-A-Trail sponsors. Proposed locations of the markers are indicated 

with a red star on the trail diagram below. 

We are the original painters of all 

the homes in Windmill Canyon. 

Proudly serving the 

greater Bay Area for 

more than 82 years! 

License: 150361 

30-year Clayton residents 

Take Charge Of Your Future! 

� Custom Design 

� Diamond Setting 

� Ring Sizing 

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Complimentary 

jewelry cleaning 

and inspection 

CA lic. No. E-77986 E-81057 

You name it 

FS Construction 

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Free Information 

1 - 877 - 336 - 8369, ext. 4712 

2-Minute Recorded Message 

When Your 

Computer 

Runs Right 

So Do You 

Let us solve your computer 

issues, remove pesky virus, pop 

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make the computer run right, so 

you have more fun & get more 

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help you need, call today. 

New construction, additions, kitchen and bath 

remodeling, foundations, driveways, patios, 

retaining walls, walkways, landscaping, arbors, 

outdoor kitchens and BBQs and fences. 

18 years experience 

FREE estimates 

925-672-4546 

CEGIELSKI 

JEWELERS 

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Clayton 

Clayton Station, 925-672-9989 

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We build it 

Your home 

is your greatest investment. 

Protect it with quality painting 

by the professionals at 

S&K Nellis Painting, Inc. 

(925) 687.2233 

www.sknellis.com


Thimbleberries Club 

Fabric block of the month. 

FREE GIFTS 

Starting in January. Call now to sign up! 

UTOPIC GARDENS 

Since 1973 

Over 70,000 members 

in Northern California 

Drought Resistant - Beautiful 

925.524.0055 

DESIGN & INSTALLATION 

LIC. NO. 898331 Fully Insured - Clayton Resident 

Preplanning means accommodating your 

wishes, your budget and your attitudes 

about death, dying and parting rituals. It 

means providing an environment where 

you can make choices based on your own 

personal values. It means dignity without 

an astronomical price tag. It means doing 

things your way, not someone else’s way. 

Call or write today for your free Neptune Planner. 

24 Hours: (925) 944-5100 

Cremation & Memorial Services 

1855 Olympic Blvd., Ste. 110 

Walnut Creek, CA 94596 

www.neptune-society.com 

FD1354 

Yes! I’d like to receive a free Neptune Planner. 

Name: 

Street: 

City State: ZIP: 

Signature: Phone: 

NSNC/05 I give you permission to contact me at the number provided. (a) ©2005 STEI 

Hardwood, Tile and Stone, Carpet, Laminate 

Free shop at home service! 

(925) 820-8700 

99 Railroad Ave., Danville 

www.diablo.floorstogo.com 

floorstogodanville@sbcglobal.net 

Fall Specials 

• Free custom baseboards with all hard surface orders! OR 

• Free upgraded pad with any new carpet order! OR 

• No interest and no payments 

for 12 months! 

Only a few weeks remain to claim extra depreciation 

A valuable business tax break 

is scheduled to expire at the end 

of December. That’s the special 

bonus depreciation allowed on 

the purchase of new business 

equipment. It was included in the 

stimulus legislation passed earlier 

this year. 

Now you shouldn’t run out 

and buy new equipment just to 

earn a tax break. But if you’re 

already planning some purchases 

for early next year, you might 

want to consider accelerating the 

purchase date to capture the 

bonus. 

The bonus depreciation 

applies to most new equipment 

you purchase, provided you place 

it in service before year-end. If 

Club News 

CLAYTON VALLEY WOMAN’S CLUB 

Get a head start on your holiday shopping by visiting the club’s 

Holiday Boutique, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Nov. 22-23 in the Community 

Room of the Clayton Community Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 

The boutique will feature fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas crafts 

and gifts that have been handmade by club members. Homemade 

baked goods, candies, jams and jellies will also be available for purchase. 

All proceeds benefit the club, which donates time and money to 

Clayton/Concord charities, including a scholarship for a graduating 

senior. For more information, call Peggy Arundell at 672-2043. 

For 35 years, members of the 

Clayton Valley Woman’s Club 

have been making a difference in 

the Clayton/Concord community. 

The non-profit organization 

focuses on local donations of 

time and money. This year, they 

successfully raised and distributed 

funds to the Clayton 

Historical Society, Concord 

Historical Society, Clayton 

Community Library, Food Bank 

of Contra Costa and Solano, 

Loaves and Fishes of Contra 

Costa, Comfort for 

Kids/Hospice Foundation of 

the East Bay and the Child 

Abuse Prevention Council of 

Contra Costa County. In addition, 

a four-year college scholarship 

was awarded to a 2008 

Clayton Valley graduate. 

Members participate in 

numerous service projects, 

including Blue Star Moms, cell 

phones that are donated to 

Mon - Fri 10-6 Church News 

Sat 10-5 � Sun 12-3 ST. BONAVENTURE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

Members of the Heavenly Harmony 

Children’s Choir from St. Bonaventure will be participating 

in the Pueri Cantores Choral Festival on 

Locally owned and operated by 30-year 

Clayton residents Keith and Mike Baker 

your purchase qualifies, you can 

deduct 50 percent of the cost as 

a bonus depreciation expense in 

2008. The bottom line is that 

you’ll have an extra deduction 

against this year’s taxable income. 

Most new business equipment 

and certain leasehold improvements 

qualify for the bonus. 

Another expanded tax break 

for business purchases is scheduled 

to end after 2008. That’s the 

provision that allows you to 

immediately expense the entire 

cost of some of your equipment 

purchases. Expensing allows you 

to write off the full cost against 

your taxes immediately, instead 

of deducting it as depreciation 

over several years. This year, you 

Clayton Valley Woman’s Club begins 36th year 

CVWC OFFICERS JOYCE ATKINSON, Merle Whitburn, Sheila Driscoll and 

Joan Bergum. 

STAND, eye glasses for the 

Lion’s Club program, Heifer 

International, Pennies for Pines, 

Prevent Blindness, “Read Across 

America” Day and collection of 

used ink cartridges that are 

donated to Futures Explored. 

For more information, call Joyce 

Atkinson at 672-3850. 

The Clayton Business and 

Community Association honored 

long-time member and 

tireless worker, Joan Culver for 

her 19 years of contributions to 

the club and the community 

A surprised Culver accepted 

the award from CBCA president 

Mike Fossan at the club’s regular 

meeting on Oct. 20. 

Culver edits the CBCA 

newsletter and the annual directory 

and was one of the original 

organizers of the annual 

Nov. 15 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the 

Assumption, 111 Gough St., San Francisco. 

The performance will include a choral concert at 4:15 

p.m. and a Eucharistic liturgy at 5:30 p.m. For more 

information, call Barbara Wolpman at 465-4468. 

BAHA’IS OF CLAYTON 

All are invited to a talk and an evening of fel- 

can potentially expense up to 

$250,000 of business equipment, 

subject to certain limitations. 

Most new or used tangible personal 

property you buy for your 

business qualifies. 

Note that bonus depreciation 

applies only to new property, 

while expensing may be taken on 

new or used property. Also, the 

two benefits can be combined; 

the expensing option can be 

taken for a purchase, and the 

bonus depreciation can be used 

on the remaining basis if the 

property qualifies. 

These tax breaks are two 

good reasons to do some careful 

planning right now. Figure out 

your business equipment needs 

CBCA honors Joan Culver for service 

CLAYTON LIBRARY FOUNDATION 

Last month’s Clayton Library Foundation used book sale grossed 

$8800. 

“The best ever!” reports sale coordinator Jeanne Boyd. “That puts 

us over $17,000 raised for this library for the year.” 

The Foundation had more books than usual for this sale thanks to 

Clayton Books, who donates at least a couple of boxes of books weekly. 

With so many books and so little time, Boyd reports that the 

Foundation will have a June sale of fiction and children’s books for summer 

reading in addition to the two annual sales in October and April. 

Following the October sale, a book dealer took almost all of the 

leftover books. “Nice that we did not have to recycle so many books 

this time,” says Boyd. 

For more information on the Clayton Library Foundation, visit their Website 

at www.claytonlibrary.org. 

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS 

A Veteran’s Day Ceremony, sponsored by the Jerry Novokovitch, 

Post 1525, branch, will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Hillcrest 

Community Park, 2050 Olivera Road, Concord. 

Speakers include Lt. General Dan Helix, retired Army, and Laura 

Hoffmeister, assistant to the Clayton city manager. An open microphone 

will be available for individuals to publicly honor a family 

member or loved one. 

For more, call Commander Pete Loechner at 255-3449. 

*** 

VFW Post 1525 hosts a monthly family breakfast on the second 

Sunday of each month. The next event will be 8-11 a.m. Nov. 9 at the 

Concord Veterans Memorial Hall, 2290 Willow Pass Road. 

Donation is $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and younger. For 

more information, call Commander Pete Loechner at 255-3449. 

GIRL SCOUT JUNIOR TROOP 31895 

The Clayton troop is involved in a Holiday Toy Drive for foster 

children. 

“To Kids from Kids” includes a short walk at 2 p.m. Nov. 16, followed 

by refreshments, children’s activities, games and prizes at the 

Grove Park in downtown Clayton. 

The troop also will have collection bins at Mt. Diablo Elementary 

School and Diablo View Middle School through Dec. 12. Toy donations 

should have a value of at least $15 and be non-violent themed. 

For more info, contact Christine Mitchell at clmitchell8@hotmail.com or 

348-3925. 

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus event. 

She started the CBCA’s 

Vestia program, filling countless 

backpacks with school supplies 

for underprivileged; she oversees 

the Adopt-A-Family program 

each Christmas and 

recently began a CBCA Clayton 

Cares committee to reach out to 

those in need. 

Culver has been a member 

of the CBCA since 1989, serving 

as president in 1992 and 

1993. “I didn’t realize I’d been a 

CAROL KEANE, CPA 

TAX TIPS 

for the next year or so. Once 

you’ve determined your needs, 

we can help you plan the timing 

to maximize tax benefits. 

Carol Keane is a Certified Public 

Accountant in Walnut Creek. Email her 

at carol@carolkeanecpa.com. 

Mike Fossan and Joan Culver 

member that long,” said a smiling 

Culver as the members present 

stood in ovation. 

lowship on Friday, Nov. 7. The subject of the talk 

is “Oh, Not Again! Economic Turmoil: Credit, 

Greed, or Moral Dilemma – The Baha’i 

Perspective.” The speaker is Russell A. Ballew. 

The program starts at 7:30 p.m. with a period 

of interfaith devotions, followed by Ballew’s presentation. 

The event is at the Toloui residence in 

Clayton. For more information and directions, call 

672-6686. 

HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH 

A Life Line Screening for the community for 

stroke prevention will take place on Nov. 17 at the 

church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. 

Pre-registration is required. Call 1-800-324- 

1851 to set up an appointment. 

CROSSROADS COVENANT CHURCH 

The student ministry has two free events 

scheduled: 

Senior High Turkey Hunt, 7 p.m. Nov. 25. 

Turkey Bowl, 1 p.m. Nov. 26. 

The church is at 5353 Concord Blvd., 

Concord. For more information, visit www.csmlive.org, 

call Jeremy at 798-5905, ext. 203, or email 

jbyouth@sbcglobal.net.


Rich, regal colors define fall fashion 

CHAR HOLIDAY 

ALL ABOUT YOU 

As we head into the 

fall/winter fashion season, a lot 

is going on – elegance with a 

touch of power, class with a bit 

of sass. 

Mixing textures, prints and 

colors such as tweed, printed 

silk and patent leather will be 

popular. Yes, you really can wear 

all those different textures at 

one time, along with short nails 

and long locks or fiercely 

defined brows and bottom eyelashes. 

This season, the key colors 

are deep, royal purples and 

majestic greens, with non-traditional 

accent colors like gray and 

gold. 

For day-care provider, youngsters are extended family 

JEANNA ROSS 


It’s difficult to believe that 

Shohreh Katoozian’s beautiful 

house, with its gleaming furniture 

and perfectly arranged 

décor, could possibly house 

children all day. But that is 

before meeting Katoozian. 

Katoozian, or Sho Sho as 

she is lovingly called by the kids, 

is like a grandmother to her 

charges at Sho Sho’s Daycare. 

Would you trash your grandmother’s 

house? Of course not. 

The day care features a playroom 

covered in Playskool’s 

best, with a stereo of kid’s music 

to encourage dancing and tumbling. 

There are two high chairs 

lined up in the dining room, 

alongside a kid-sized table and 

chairs for the older children. 

Bocce, from page 1 

million – assuming there are no 

more diversions by the state. 

While recreational opportunities 

fit the redevelopment 

funds criteria, the question, says 

Manning, is “should we spend 

public money on bocce, rather 

than can we.” 

Hartley encouraged the city 

to study the issue. He is convinced 

that the park would 

bring needed business to the 

downtown. The proposed park 

would be open for play week- 

Law Offices of 

Richard A. Littorno 

“Complete before year-end” 

�� Living Trusts �� Wills �� Medi-Cal Transfers 

�� Probate & Trust Administration �� Elder Law 

�� Creative Estate & Tax Planning 

�� Asset Protection & General Business 

�� Advance Healthcare Directives 

Clayton Office: 

6160 Center St., Suite D 

Clayton, CA 94517 

Phone: (925) 672-6463 

Richard@LittornoLaw.com 

www.LittornoLaw.com 

Here are some must haves 

this year: 

Capelets. You know what they 

are – those short little swing 

coats with big buttons. I think 

they were once called car coats. 

Look for tweed and jewel-toned 

colors. 

Short boots. These are bootie 

boots – with heels but they stop 

at the ankle. Try lace-up, opentoed 

or heel-out boots. 

Patent leather bags. Big ones or 

a stylish clutch in light gray, 

mustard gold or royal purple. 

Remember, your bag does not 

have to match your shoes or 

anything else for that matter. I 

was raised by a mother who 

insisted my purse matched my 

shoes and my fingernail polish 

matched my lipstick – but no 

more. Get jiggy with it and wear 

a purple bag with a red outfit or 

a patent leather bag with suede 

shoes. Mix it up! 

Tights. In every color. But, 

this is one area you definitely 

want to match with your outfit. 

Scarves. All kind – head 

scarves, wraps, short scarves, 

extra long scarves. Wraps are 

feminine, while long scarves are 

Michael, John, Sho Sho, and Marcus. 

But the most memorable 

image at Sho Sho’s is watching 

her interact with the children. 

When a tiny boy began to 

cough, she demonstrating how 

nights as well as Sundays and 

could draw 500 potential customers 

per week. 

“Is this a bailout or an investment?” 

he asked. “It needs a vigorous 

and open debate.” 

Since there are three council 

seats up for grabs in the 

November election, 

Redevelopment Agency chair 

Hank Stratford tabled further 

discussion until the newly 

formed council convenes in 

January. 

young and fun. A short scarf 

around the neck is powerful and 

sexy. Get a few and change your 

look. 

Short nails. This is where I 

tend to date myself because I 

love long nails. But I’m a slave 

to fashion, so off they went. No 

matter your age, there are only 

two ways to where them – dark 

and sexy or natural and healthy, 

but definitely short. 

Long locks. Many of us have 

been sporting some sort of bob 

for the past two years, so how 

do we come up with long hair? 

Easy – hair extensions. I’ve been 

using hair pieces and hair extensions 

for years. Use human hair 

only and treat it as if it were 

your own. Wash it, curl it or flat 

iron it with no problems. A fall, 

a half wig that incorporates 

your own hair, can be a lot of 

fun. Remember, any hair piece 

should match your hair color. If 

need be, take your piece to your 

stylist and have it colored. I like 

clip-in extensions rather than 

bonding or the traditional sewin 

extensions because they’re 

much less harmful to your hair. 

Changing your look with hair 

Pittsburg Office: 

2211 Railroad Ave. 

Pittsburg, CA 94565 

Phone: (925) 432-4211 

Fax: (925) 432-3516 

Jeanna Ross/Clayton Pioneer 

to cover his mouth. He complied 

for the rest of the afternoon. 

The same little boy tended to 

reply with “Uh huh” instead of 

“Yes.” Katoozian patiently waited 

until he used his words 

before accepting his answer. 

Katoozian wasn’t always a 

day-care provider. In her native 

Iran, she was born into a family 

with a maid and nanny of their 

own. At 19, she married and followed 

her husband to the 

United States, where he was a 

student. Six years and one son 

later, they divorced – leaving 

Katoozian to fend for herself. 

“It was a very hard time,” 

she recalls. She became a cosmetologist, 

working seven days 

a week to put her son Shary 

through private school. But she 

desperately wanted to spend 

Since 1979 

pieces is an absolute blast. 

Bottom eyelashes. They’re back! 

For the past five years or so, we 

haven’t seen mascara on the 

bottom lash. This fall brings the 

defined bottom lash and brow. 

If you’ve gone thin with the 

eyebrow, fill them in with powder 

to make them thicker. I’m 

not a fan of drawing on eyebrows. 

If you’ve been left with 

none for whatever reason, check 

into cosmetic tattooing. 

We can bring a few things 

from our summer wardrobe 

into the fall/winter season – 

such as a big, bright bag, your 

skinny jeans or long necklaces. 

When storing my spring/summer 

wardrobe, I always pull out 

things like tanks and shortsleeved 

shirts that can easily be 

incorporated with business suits 

or under sweaters. 

It’s all about mixing it up 

with textures and color while 

keeping a classic look. 

Char Holiday is a personal stylist 

and advertising professional. She 

has worked with several designers 

lines and many local businesses. 

Direct any questions for her to 

askcholiday@yahoo.com 

more time with him, so she 

decided to stay home and take 

in other children. 

For years, Katoozian cared 

for the children of the Jarrett 

family, honing her special combination 

of homemade food 

and undying affection. “They 

have endless love for children,” 

say Wayne and Kathleen Jarrett. 

“Our daughters love going to 

their home. I feel like I have 

peace of mind leaving my 

daughters in capable hands.” 

For the last year, Katoozian 

has been licensed for eight children 

and hopes to expand to 12. 

“I love all the kids. They’re all 

special. I have a good relationship 

with the children, and with 

the parents who work with me,” 

she said. “They’re part of my 

family.” 

The feeling is mutual, and 

Katoozian is still in contact with 

many of her former charges. 

She says caring for a houseful 

of children from 7 a.m. to 5 

p.m. isn’t exhausting. “They 

make me relax when I am 

stressed,” she reported. 

However, when the kids go 

home, she spends her evenings 

winding down. “I’m a very 

homey person. If someone 

invites me out during the week, 

I have to say no,” she said. “On 

weekends, I can go out to lunch 

or dinner with friends or my 

husband.” 

Sho Sho’s Daycare is accepting 

new clients. For more information, call 

207-1479. 

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The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that 

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Less than 

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Clayton Sports 

Diablo FC Aftershock helps spread the joy of soccer 

RANDY ROWLAND 


The Diablo Futbol Club 

’97 Aftershock joined hundreds 

of soccer players from 

as far away as Reno and 

Southern California in 

Soccerfest, a tournament for 

special needs children. 

The Oct. 12 tournament in 

Concord allowed these children 

the opportunity to play 

against those who have physical, 

mental or developmental 

limitations. The program is a 

unique division of the 

Concord AYSO region 305 

program and the only one of 

its kind in the East Bay. 

Soccerfest started off with 

a parade of all the teams, followed 

by the national anthem 

and an opening speech from 

the mayor of Concord. The 

Aftershock girls began the day 

by playing in a group with U6 

children. They held hands and 

encouraged them to kick the 

ball into the net. Mostly, there 

were a lot of hugs. 

The kids clapped and 

cheered and were awarded 

medals and T-shirts following 

the games. 

The club team then moved 

on to play with the older children. 

They passed the ball 

around and included their new 

teammates. Encouragement 

was the key. 

“My favorite thing was getting 

to play with my friend 

Cassie, who is on one of the 

teams,” says Jade Rafallo of 

Clayton. 

The VIP (Very Important 

Each issue, a panel of Clayton 

sports enthusiasts will air their views 

on a current topic in the sporting 

world. If you would like to suggest a 

topic or question to our panels, email 

sports@claytonpioneer.com. 

Can the California Golden 

Bears beat USC and can they 

win the Pac 10 and go to 

their first Rose Bowl since 

1959? 

RAFALLO: Certainly! Anything 

can happen. That’s the beauty of 

sports and why we play the game. The 

game will come down to defense, 

however, and right now, no one is 

Players) program is for children 

4½ and up, with no 

upper age limit, and attempts 

Can CAL 

Bears make 

it to the 

Rose Bowl? 

doing it better than USC. It will be a 

tight race this year in the Pac 10, with 

the top four teams having records of 

4-1 and 3-1 in conference play. Going 

to and winning the Rose Bowl is 

another story. I would also watch out 

for Oregon. They’re strong on both 

offense and defense, and I have a 

feeling they could take over and surprise 

everyone. 

STELZNER: At this point in the 

season, even Beaver fans are still 

hopeful for a Rose Bowl, but it’s not 

going to happen. Not for Oregon 

State, not for Cal. USC needs too 

much help to play for the championship 

and if they play more Pac 10 

teams like they did against Arizona, 

they’ll continue to drop in the polls 

and could be at risk of dropping out 

to organize teams by sex, as 

well as size, mobility and physical 

ability. The length of the 

games, the style of play and 

the rules are tailored to the 

players involved. The program 

Rob Helena Leigh Deanna 

Kirmsse Merrigan 

of the Bowl Championship Series 

(BCS). They are, however, by far the 

best Pac 10 team and do have the best 

shot at the Rose Bowl. The always 

disappointing Bears have too many 

flaws. Their QB is inconsistent, 

receivers are inexperienced and drop 

too many balls, and the defense is 

sporadic. They’ll likely lose to USC 

and Oregon and a win at Stanford is 

not a lock. 

KIRMSSE: My 12-year-old son 

Josh says: “The Bears can’t oust the 

Trojans. My prediction: 27-28 USC if 

Nate Longshore plays and 34-10 if 

Kevin Riley plays. Don’t get me 

wrong, I love Cal, but they won’t be 

special this year. Tune into Cal games 

in two years, when Jahvid Best and 

Riley are seniors.” My response: I predict 

Cal over USC but no Rose Bowl 

this year for the Bears. 

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Member FINRA and SIPC. *Based on the number of financial plans annually disclosed in Form ADV, 

Part 1A, items available at adviserinfo.sec.gov as of December 31, 2006. 

© 2008 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. 

is open to anyone whose physical 

or developmental challenges 

make it difficult to par- 

Photo by Jon Rafallo. 

Diablo FC Aftershock player Charlotte Burcher (right) and a Soccerfest player “battle” it out for the ball. 

HELENA: No to beating USC. 

Maybe on going to the Rose Bowl. 

USC has a big-time QB in Mark 

Sanchez. Cal has two decent QBs, but 

a decent Cal QB will not beat the 

nation’s best defense in LA. Even losing 

to USC, Cal may still get into the 

Rosa Bowl. After USC, and with 

exception to the Oregon schools, Cal 

has a winnable remaining schedule. If 

USC runs the table, plays in the BCS 

championship and Cal comes in second, 

Cal would be the Pac 10 rep. for 

the Rose Bowl. 

MERRIGAN: Making it to the 

Rose Bowl for the first time since 

1959 would be exciting for the Bears. 

Beating USC would be a step toward 

making it a reality. Always the optimist, 

of course, I think the Bears can 

win the Pac 10. They’ve had a good 

season so far, and I think it’s time that 

Tina Rafallo Chris Snyder Ralph 

Stelzner 

Antioch 

(925) 755-1739 

Brentwood 

(925) 634-6366 

they end a winning season with a trip 

to the Rose Bowl. The Nov. 8 game 

against USC will be one to watch. 

SNYDER: While it would be nice 

to have Cal win the Pac 10 and 

advance to the Rose Bowl, I consider 

it a long shot. But I expect them to 

find a bowl berth somewhere over the 

holidays. In the Pac 10, you have to 

beat USC to see if you are for real. 

Unfortunately at Cal, there are too 

many questions at the quarterback 

position to have the confidence to 

win big games against Oregon and 

USC. This year, the best we will see in 

the Bay Area is the Big Game. 

Are you a sports junkie? If you are opinionated 

and interested in becoming a panelist 

for the Speaking of Sports feature, contact us 

at sports@claytonpioneer.com. 

Concord 

(925) 686-1739 

Pittsburg 

(925) 432-9910 

ticipate on a mainstream team. 

VIP teams include players 

who may have impaired vision, 

hearing or mobility, and those 

with autism, Down syndrome 

or developmental delay, as well 

as other physical handicaps 

such as cerebral palsy and 

muscular dystrophy. 

John Beretta has been 

involved in the VIP program 

for several years. His goal is 

for the children to feel a sense 

of belonging and acceptance. 

The players have fun playing 

soccer, while learning teamwork 

and fair play and getting 

physically fit in the process. 

“The VIP soccer league is 

an awesome experience for the 

kids,” Beretta says. “It gets 

them outdoors to run around 

and get exercise. It provides 

them with great social skills by 

interacting with others – not 

only with their peers but with 

coaches, referees and opponents. 

“Above anything else, there 

is nothing in this world better 

than seeing the biggest smile 

you have ever seen when one 

of these children scores a 

goal,” he adds. 

“I felt it was really special 

to play these games and get to 

know how people really are,” 

notes Kyra Trowbridge of 

Clayton. 

Other Diablo FC girls participating 

were Niki Apana, 

Chelsea Bailey, Janine 

Bandayrel, Jamie Bullock, 

Charlotte Burcher, Kaylie 

Collins of Clayton, April 

Frantz, Courtney Sheffield of 

Clayton and Chanel Taliaferro. 

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The dynamic Diablo Futbol 

Club 98 girls captured the 

Under 10 Black Division championship 

medals before a cheering 

home crowd on Oct. 26, 

when they defeated Santa Clara 

Sporting 98 Green 4-3 in the 

10th annual Halloween Kick or 

Treat Classic at Boatwright 

Fields in Concord. 

The talented group of 9and 

10-year-old girls was 

formed early this year and 

pulled together to edge out the 

undefeated and favored squad 

from Santa Clara. After being 

down two goals in the first 45 

seconds of the championship 

game, the Diablo Golden 

Dragons rallied around their 

speed, determination and spirit. 

Scores by Minyon Moore 

and Fiona Dolan eventually 

brought them within 3-2. They 

tied it on a goal by Sophia 

Panella near the end of regulation, 

forcing extra time to determine 

the champion. 

“I saw my team’s enormous 

character,” said coach Kent 

Tambazidis. “It is amazing to 

watch the chemistry and enthusiasm 

of a group of 9- to 10year-old 

girls who have only 

been together for a short time.” 

During two overtime periods, 

several shots on goal by 

each team failed to reach the 

net. 

Moore and Briana Perez 

scored in the shootout but were 

matched by two scorers for 

Sporting. Diablo goalie Perez 

was able to stop three Sporting 

attempts, so the shootout continued. 

The tension was finally cut 

when Perez blocked a powerful 

Sporting shot and allowed the 

Dragons a chance to win. 

Forward Katie Hoyt sent in a 

bomb that left spectators and 

Clayton Sports 

CV athlete takes to tennis quickly 

RANDY ROWLAND 


Janelle Partida kicked her 

tennis game up a notch this past 

summer after going out and hitting 

a few balls with her mother, 

Angelica. The longtime soccer 

and softball player decided to 

give the tennis team at Clayton 

Valley High School a chance. 

She quickly landed on the 

junior varsity team, with the 

possibility of moving up to varsity. 

The sophomore had played 

tennis for fun but hadn’t considered 

taking up the sport competitively 

until her mom noticed 

her improvement. 

Partida has enjoyed all 

aspects of playing with the 

Eagles girls tennis team, especially 

the friendships she has 

developed with the other players. 

“I really like the environment,” 

said Partida. “My teammates 

are great and we really 

enjoying hanging out and doing 

pasta feeds and team parties. 

They all welcomed me and 

made me feel like a part of the 

team immediately.” 

Partida has come a long way 

since the beginning of the season. 

She began playing doubles 

and lately has moved up to No. 

6 singles, quite an achievement 

for a first-year player. She won 

her first varsity game against 

Northgate, traditionally considered 

one of the stronger tennis 

schools in the county. She 

recently had a 6-4, 6-1 win at 

No. 6 singles against Ygnacio 

Valley. 

She attributes the improve- 

RANDY ROWLAND 


Photo by Gabriela Rowland. 

JANELLE PARTIDA in action for Clayton Valley High School. 

ment in her game to her mom 

and coaches Suzanne Beck and 

Rick Ortega. “The coaches 

know how to teach and they are 

really into the sport,” said 

Partida, “and that makes us 

want to play more and more.” 

She credits her coaches for 

the technical skills of hitting 

forehands and backhands, as 

teammates alike jumping in happiness. 

In order to reach the finals, 

Diablo FC 98 won three preliminary 

round games in the U10 

Black Division. They earned a 

7-0 win over Sporting 98 White, 

a 5-0 shutout of FC Fremont 

Xtreme and then a narrow 4-3 

win over Walnut Creek 

Piranhas. Santa Clara Sporting 

98 Green was also unbeaten in 

its three games leading up to the 

finale. 

Diablo FC 98 is undefeated 

this season and hopes to continue 

the winning record as they 

travel to Sacramento this month 

for the NorCal U10 State Cup. 

Tambazidis is assisted by 

Dana Livingston and manager 

Sabrina Emigh. The team 

includes Dolan, Hoyt, Anita 

McNally and Samantha Perez of 

well as improving her serve. “I 

think the serve is probably the 

best part of my game,” she said. 

“Janelle is a natural athlete, 

which makes it very easy to 

coach her,” Beck said. “She does 

not hold anything back. I only 

expect her to get better as she 

continues to put more time in 

on the courts.” 

Concord; Katie Christman, 

Gabriela Tambazidis, Cynthia 

O’Neil and Moore of Pleasant 

Hill; Sarah Emigh and Perez 

from Martinez; Jenna 

There are nine matches in 

Diablo Valley Athletic League 

high school tennis, six singles 

and three doubles. Five wins are 

required to get a team win. With 

just a few matches to play this 

season, the Eagles have only 

three losses in league play – two 

to Northgate and one to College 

Park. 

“I think the team should end 

up second in the league,” 

Partida said, “and I am hoping 

we can do well in the playoffs.” 

“It has been a rewarding season,” 

Beck said. “The girls 

should be proud of themselves.” 

With Partida’s new participation 

in tennis, she has also 

begun to follow the tour on TV 

and was an avid watcher of the 

U.S. Open. “I really like Rafa 

Nadal. He hits the ball so hard. 

That makes me want to hit the 

ball hard,” she said, adding that 

Ortega wants her to develop 

better control rather than just 

hitting the ball hard. 

Between her daily tennis 

practices and her twice a week 

matches, Partida manages to get 

to soccer practice and is the left 

halfback for the U15 Diablo FC 

Blue Class I girls. Being a natural 

left-footed player is a big 

advantage to her game. 

Her soccer team has struggled 

this season, but Partida is 

still enjoying the experience. “I 

have a lot of fun on this team,” 

she said. “The girls on this team 

are all friends and there is no 

fighting or meanness, even if we 

don’t always win.” 

Diablo FC 98 girls win tourney in PK shootout 

Photo by Sabrina Emigh 

THE U10 DIABLO FC ’98 CHAMPIONS OF THE KICK OR TREAT HALLOWEEN TOURNAMENT. Back row 

Coaches Dana Livingston and Kent Tambazidis. Back row players, Jenna Livingston, Sophia 

Panella, Anita McNally, Katie Hoyt and Fiona Dolan. Front row: Briana Perez, Sarah Emigh, 

Samantha Perez, Gabriela Tambazidis, Minyon Moore, Cynthia O’Neil and Katie Christman 

Livingston of Clayton and 

Alamo’s Panella. The team 

works in concert with the 

Diablo FC 98 Blue players, also 

coached by Tambazidis. 

Son Bright 

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Clayton Valley Bowl 

New Qubica AMF synthetic lanes, 

bumpers, masking units and animated scoring system 

Nifty $1.50 Nights for everyone 

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

Freaky Funday on Sundays - 

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

Digital Thunder Glow Bowling 

5 BIG DVD SCREENS 

Digital Thunder PLUS on the last 12 lanes 

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

925.689.4631 

visit: claytonvalleybowl.com 

Clayton Valley Bowl 

5300 Clayton Road �� Concord, CA 

Abbey Carpet & Floor/ 

Contra Costa Floors 

Fashion Floor Sale 

OUR EXPERIENCED STAFF IS EAGER TO HELP 

YOU WITH ALL OF YOUR FLOORING NEEDS. 

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We currently 

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Clayton Library 

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EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

Through Nov. 8 

“42nd Street” 

The story of a naive young actress arriving in New York City. Contra 

Costa Musical Theatre, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., 

Walnut Creek. 943-7469 or www.lesherartscenter.org. 


“I Love You, You’re 

Perfect, Now 

Change” 

A musical comedy about 

the dating-mating-marriage 

game. Willows 

Cabaret at the Campbell 

Theatre, 636 Ward St , 

Martinez. $20-$30. 798- 

1300 or www.willowstheatre.org. 


“Frankenstein” 

The myth of the 

Frankenstein monster 

returns to its literary 

roots in this tale of a sci- 

Photo by Judy Potter 

entist's monstrous 

“I Love You...Now Change” plays through Nov. 9. 

attempt to play God. PAC 

Main Stage, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. $5-$15. www.dvcdrama.com 

or 

687-4445. 

Nov. 11 

Veteran’s Day Ceremony 

With speakers Lt. General Dan Helix, retired Army, and Laura 

Hoffmeister, assistant to the Clayton city manager. An open microphone 

will be available for individuals to publicly honor a family 

member or loved one. 11 a.m., Hillcrest Community Park, 2050 

Olivera Road, Concord. 255-3449. 

Nov. 12, 19, Dec. 23 

Karaoke Competition 

Preliminary competitions on Nov. 12 (oldies), Nov. 19 (country) and 

Dec. 23 (rock). Winners move on to semi-finals. $1,000 grand prize. 

Clayton Club Saloon, 6096 Main St. 673-0440. 

Nov. 17-Dec. 28 

“Mame” 

“Auntie” Mame sang, danced and laughed in the face of the Great 

Depression. Perfect fare for today's theater-goers. Willows Theatre, 

1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord. $30-40. www.willowstheatre.org or 

798-1300. 

Nov. 22 

Diablo Valley Masterworks Chorale/Orchestra 

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Requiem” and Arthur Honegger’s 

“Christmas Cantata.” 8 p.m., Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 

1801 Lacassie Ave. $20-$25. 687-4445. 


“Hold Please” 

New comedy by Annie Weisman reveals corporate America with its 

slip showing. The technology is different and the glass ceiling may be 

showing a crack or two but not much has changed for the receptionists 

and secretaries who hold businesses together. Diablo Actors 

Ensemble, 1345 Locust St., Walnut Creek. $10-25. 482-5110 or 

www.diabloactors.com. 

Dec. 6 

Dance Party 

With Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Buns. 8 p.m., Pleasant Hill 

Community Center, 320 Civic Dr. $18-$30. 707-869-9403 or 

www.communityconcerts.com. 

Dec. 12-21 

“It’s a Wonderful Life” 

The heartwarming production is based closely on Frank Capra's 

movie classic and is perfect for family audiences. Features Clayton 

residents Lauren Galvin and Adam Davis. Produced by Clayton resident 

Michelle Campbell-Wiggins. Del Valle Theatre at 1963 Tice 

Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $15-22. www.dlrca.org or 943-SHOW. 

AT THE LIBRARY 


Clayton Reads “When the Emperor Was Divine” 

Pick up a free copy of the book at the library, while supplies last. 

Read and pass the book on or return to the Clayton Library, 6125 

Clayton Road. 673-0659. 

Nov. 8 

Shigin (Japanese poetry chanting) 

This ancient Japanese artform was revived in America by Japanese 

Americans interned at Manzanaar. A Clayton Reads program. 3:30 

p.m., Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-0659. 

Nov. 8 

Ikebana Flower Arrangements 

Anne Nakatani, senior professor of Ikenobo Ikebana, demonstrates 

the special Japanese flower arrangements. A Clayton Reads program. 

3:45 p.m., Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-0659. 

Clayton Community Calendar 

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR CLAYTON COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. NOV. 12 FOR THE NOV. 21 ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@claytonpioneer.com 

“It’s a Wonderful Life” by Contra Costa Christian Theatre, plays Dec. 

12 -21. 

Nov. 10 

“Children of the Camps” 

This documentary shares the experiences and the grief felt by six 

Japanese-Americans sent to internment camps. A Clayton Reads 

program. 7 p.m., Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-0659. 

Nov. 16 

Clayton Reads Program 

1 p.m., martial arts demonstration by American Shaolin Kenpo 

Karate Academy. 

1:30 p.m., Diablo Taiko Drumming Group. 

2 p.m., “Living in World War II,” a panel discussion moderated by 

John Sasaki of KTVU. Local residents discuss their experience living 

through World War II in and out of camps. 

Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-0659. 

Nov. 17 

Book Discussion 

"When the Emperor Was Divine," moderated by 

librarian Karen Hansen-Smith. A Clayton Reads 

program. 7 p.m., Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton 

Road. 673-0659. 

Nov. 19 

Origami Craft and Story 

Students from Diablo View Middle School and Clayton Valley High 

School will help you create origami shapes. A Clayton Reads program. 

3-4:30 p.m., Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. 673-0659. 

Through Dec. 4 

Picture Book Time 

Those 3-5 years old can drop in for stories, songs and fun. Child may 

attend without caregiver. 11 a.m. Thursdays, Clayton Library, 6125 


Through Dec. 9 

Patty Cakes Story Time 

Babies to 3 year olds can drop in for stories, songs and fun. Child 

attends with caregiver. 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Clayton Library, 6125 


BOOKS 

Nov. 9 

Laura Shumaker Reading and Book Signing 

Shumaker is the author of “A Regular Guy: Growing Up With 

Autism.” Noon, Social Hall, Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 

Kirker Pass Road. Sponsored by the church and Clayton Books. RSVP 

if interested in salad lunch for a small fee. 672-4848. 

Clayton Books 

All events at 5433 D Clayton Road, Clayton, unless otherwise noted. 

673-3325 or www.claytonbookshop.com. 

Children's illustrator Michael Slack of “Knuckleheads” and “The 

Flim-Flam Fairies.” 4 p.m. Nov. 13. 

Patricia Evans, author of “Controlling People,” “The Verbally 

Abusive Relationship” and other books on verbal abuse. 7 p.m. Nov. 

13. 

American Girls Club. 7 p.m. Nov. 14. 

Brian Copeland, author of “Not a Genuine Black Man.” 1 p.m. Nov. 

16. 

Local baseball history event with Bill Soto-Castellanos, author of 

“16th & Bryant: My Life and Education with the San Francisco Seals.” 

3 p.m. Nov. 16. 

Camille Minichino presents her new dollhouse murder mystery 

series. 7 p.m. Nov. 19. 

Meet the Grinch who stole Christmas. Take your picture with him 

and get an autograph. 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 30. 

Wona Miniati, author of “Cooking with All Things Trader Joe's.” 7 

p.m. Dec. 1. 

Tea with Ann Packer, author of “Songs Without Words” and “The 

Dive from Clausen’s Pier.” 7 p.m. Dec. 4, Oakhurst Country Club, 

1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Reservations required. 

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS 

Nov. 7-9 

VFW Buddy Poppy Sale 

Members of VFW Post 1525 will be distributing Buddy Poppies, 

Safeway stores at Clayton Station and Bancroft/Treat. 

Nov. 10, 24 

Clayton Valley Woman’s Club 

Monthly business meeting 9:30 a.m. Monthly social meeting 9:30 

a.m. Nov. 24. Local attorney to speak on identify theft. Holy Cross 

Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. 672-3850. 

Nov. 10 

Contra Costa Blue Star Moms 

Blue Star Moms have children in the military. The social/support 

meeting is 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month. No meeting 

in December. Contact Becky at bwilliams@ccbluestarmoms.org or 

286-1728. 

Nov. 12 

Clayton Valley Garden Club 

“Raising African Violets,” 7 p.m., Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., 

Clayton. Guests welcome. 672-2526. 

Babysitter Training: Learn about feeding, diapering, 

playing with and caring for children. Participants also 

learn to respond to emergencies while babysitting. 

Participants will receive a YMCA Certificate of 

Completion. 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 23, Clayton Community 

Gym, 300 Diablo View Lane. $49 or $69 non-residents. 

Nov. 13 

Clayton Historical Society 

Fall potluck and annual meeting. Bring a side dish to share and your 

own table service. Drinks will be provided. 6 p.m., Endeavor Hall, 

6008 Center St., Clayton. 672-0240 or claytonhistory.org. 

Nov. 16 

“To Kids From Kids” 

Girl Scout Junior Troop 31895 is involved in a Holiday Toy Drive for 

foster children. The event includes a short walk, followed by refreshments, 

children’s activities, games and prizes. 2 p.m., Grove Park in 

downtown Clayton. Contact Christine at clmitchell8@hotmail.com or 

348-3925. 

Nov. 22-23 

Holiday Boutique 

Sponsored by the Clayton Valley Woman’s Club, featuring handmade 

fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas crafts and gifts, plus homemade 

goodies. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. Call 

Peggy at 672-2043. 

Nov. 29-Dec. 14 

Holiday Faire and Teas 

Sponsored by the Walnut Creek Historical Society. Crafts and holiday 

items for sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. High tea at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 

p.m. daily. $28 for tea. Shadelands Ranch Museum, 2660 Ygnacio 

Valley Road, Walnut Creek. 935-7871. 

Dec. 6 

Children’s Hospital Magnolia Branch 

A young mother will speak about her experience with the hospital at 

the group’s first fund-raising luncheon at the Pavilion Restaurant, 

1508 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. $30. Email lori@lorihagge.com. The 

group's general meeting is 7 p.m. first Monday of the month, Walnut 

Country Clubhouse, 4498 Lawson Ct., Concord. Call Lori at 998- 

8844 or email Roberta at robertajh@astound.net. 

NATURE 

Nov. 9 

Mangini Ranch Hike 

Sponsored by Save Mt. Diablo. 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Meet at MP 35 

Galindo Creek. (From Ygnacio, take Crystyl Ranch Parkway south, 

over the hill into Crystyl Ranch. Park on road at bottom at creek 

intersection with riding and hiking trail.) Heavy rain cancels. 947- 

3535 

Nov. 15 

Wright Canyon Hike 

Sponsored by Save Mt. Diablo. 9 a.m. Meet at Clayton Library, 6125 

Clayton Road. Heavy rain cancels. Contact Dick at 837-5018 or 

herondick@aol.com. 

Nov. 22 

Young Canyon Hike 

Sponsored by Save Mt. Diablo. 9 a.m. Meet at Clayton Library, 6125 

Clayton Road. Heavy rain cancels. Contact Burt at 820-2347. 

Nov. 23 

Lime Ridge Open Space Hike 

Sponsored by the Sierra Club. 2 p.m. Meet at MP 30. Email Ralph at 

RalphLWright@hotmail.com. 

GOVERNMENT 

Nov. 12 

Clayton Planning Commission 

7 p.m., Clayton Library Meeting Room, 6125 Clayton Road. 673- 

7304 or www.ci.clayton.ca.us. 

Nov. 17 

Clayton City Council 

7 p.m., Clayton Library Meeting Room, 6125 Clayton Road. 673- 

7304 or www.ci.clayton.ca.us. 

Nov. 18 

County Board of Supervisors 

9:30 a.m., County Administration Building, 651 Pine St., Room 107, 

Martinez. 335-1900 or www.co.contra-costa.ca.us. 

SCHOOLS 

Nov. 12 

Mt. Diablo Unified School District Board of Education 

7:30 p.m., Board Room, Dent Center, 1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord. 

682-8200. 

Nov. 18 

Diablo View Middle School Parent Faculty Club 

9 a.m., School Library, 300 Diablo View Lane, Clayton. 672-0898 

Nov. 18 

Mt. Diablo Elementary School Parent Faculty Club 

7 p.m., School Library, 5880 Mt. Zion Dr., Clayton. Day care provided. 

672-4840. 

Dec. 3 

Holiday and Craft Boutique 

Mt. Diablo Elementary School is holding its annual boutique, plus 

secret shopper for the kids to buy the family reasonable gifts. There 

will be new vendors and special guest authors. 1-7 p.m., 5880 Mt. 

Zion Dr., Clayton. Email marydm64@yahoo.com. 

Clayton Community Recreation 

Kids Night Out: Bring the kids down for an evening of 

fun while you have a night out on the town. Crafts, games, 

movies and dinner in a safe and friendly environment. 6-10 

p.m. Nov. 15 and Dec. 20, Clayton Community Gym, 300 

Diablo View Lane. $20 or $25 non-residents. 

For registration information, visit mdrymca.org or call 889-1600.


Helping your cat live with renal disease 

Last time, I wrote about 

detecting early disease in senior 

pets. One such disease is feline 

chronic renal disease (CRD). It 

may be the No. 1 killer in our 

older cats. 

MARYBETH RYMER, DVM 

PAWS AND CLAWS 

We can now detect kidney 

disease in early stages. Then, by 

making adjustments to diet and 

introducing oral medications, 

we can help extend the life of a 

cat with kidney disease for 

more comfortable years. 

Last September, I attended 

the American Association of 

Feline Practitioner’s meeting in 

Atlanta. For three days our 

main focus was on urinary track 

disease, particularly renal disease. 

The kidneys play an important 

part in removing toxic 

metabolic byproducts, conserving 

water, stimulating red blood 

cell production and regulating 

blood pressure. In renal disease, 

azotemia is the condition where 

toxins have built up in the 

blood stream to create illness, 

or uremic poisoning. Uremic 

poisoning includes nausea, 

weakness, decreased appetite, 

Tostito is a gentle and loving 

puppy. He will require physical 

as well as mental exercise to 

grow into a healthy adult dog. 

Continued socializaton is also 

very important for his development 

and growth. 

The adoption fee for puppies 

under six months of age is 

$250 and includes a seven- 

weight loss, increased drinking 

and urination as well as vomiting 

and eventually death. 

Anemia and hypertension also 

can develop. 

Early detection starts with a 

blood panel and urinalysis. Our 

wellness panels include several 

renal values, especially creatinine 

and blood urea nitrogen 

(BUN). Both are protein 

metabolites, which are excreted 

by the kidneys. Unlike the primary 

kidney value of creatinine, 

the BUN can also elevate 

with dehydration and after 

high-protein meals. 

The International Renal 

Interest Society has posed staging 

criteria for cats based on the 

creatinine value. Stage 1 is a 

normal cat with a creatinine 

level 1.6 mg/dl or less. Stage 2 

is mild disease, creatinine 1.4- 

2.0 (still within high normal values 

on our lab panels). Stage 3 

or moderate disease has creatinine 

between 2.1 to 5, and 

finally Stage 4, severe renal disease, 

with creatinine above 5. 

Other lab tests used to evaluate 

renal disease are urine concentration, 

the presence of 

urine protein and blood pressure. 

Cats are descendants of 

desert animals, so they spare 

water by concentrating their 

urine much higher than dogs or 

humans. We measure the concentration 

with specific gravity. 

Normal for a cat is 1.035 or 

higher. When this number is 

consistently low, the kidneys 

have lost their concentrating 

ability. Thus, cats will urinate 

more and drink more to make 

up for the water loss. 

week training class. 

Jasper is a nine-week-old 

kitten full of purrs and playfulness. 

He will definitely keep 

you on your toes! 

The adoption fee for kittens 

under six months of age is 

$125. 

Meet your forever friend at 

Tony La Russa’s Animal 

With certain types of kidney 

disease, there will be protein 

loss into the urine from the 

blood stream. This protein is 

called albumin. Two tests help 

detect this protein. The urine 

microalbumin (UMA) test will 

detect small levels, while the 

urine protein/creatinine ratio 

(UPC) will better quantitate the 

amount of protein. 

We also measure blood 

pressure in our cats and dogs. 

Our technical staff is trained to 

calm the pet while taking five 

readings to be average for the 

systolic pressure. Hypertension 

will aggravate renal disease, so 

it must be treated with medications. 

Other abnormal blood 

chemistry values that can play a 

part in debilitation from renal 

disease are phosphorus and 

potassium levels. Elevated 

phosphorus levels add to uremic 

toxicity. As renal disease 

progresses, potassium levels 

drop – creating extreme weakness. 

Decreased production of 

red blood cells will add to this 

weakness. 

Advanced tests to define the 

extent and cause of renal disease 

include X-rays for urinary 

stones, ultrasounds and urine 

cultures. 

The goal is to catch the early 

stages of this disease, before 

symptoms are seen. Then we 

can make changes in the cat’s 

lifestyle to prolong good kidney 

function. 

Since renal disease is rarely 

reversible, when it is diagnosed 

in the later stages the goal is to 

reduce azotemia to the level the 

Tostito and Jasper are ARF’s adoption stars 

TOSTITO JASPER 

$10 off 

“the works” 

New clients only. 

With paid 15step 

Grooming 

process. 

Exp. 12/31/08 

Rescue Foundation, 

2890 Mitchell 

Drive, Walnut 

Creek, during 

adoption hours: 3 

to 7 p.m. Thursday 

and Friday, Noon 

to 4:30 p.m. 

Saturday and 

Sunday. The primary 

caretaker 

must be present to 

adopt. ARF also 

encourages kids 16 

and younger and 

canine family members 

(dog adoptions 

only) to be present 

during the adoption process. 

Would you like to be part of the 

heroic team that saves the lives of 

rescued dogs and cats? Can you share 

your talents to connect people and 

animals? ARF volunteers are making 

a difference! For more information 

see our Web site, www.arf.net, or 

call (925) 256-1ARF. 

Your dog or cat can feel this good, too. 

Call Aussie Pet Mobile 

for a full service grooming. 

Special Services Include: 

� 15-step spa treatment � Pawdicures 

� Flea and Tick Control � Teeth Brushing 

� Special Therapeutic Shampoos 

� Aloe Treatment for Skin and Coat 

Try our FURminator ® 

reduces shedding by 60-80% 

when done every 4-6 weeks 

800-PET-MOBILE (800-738-6624) 

www.aussiepetmobile.com 

cat does not experience the 

above symptoms of uremic 

toxicity. 

Once Stage II is recognized, 

the first line of treatment is to 

lower protein consumption, 

with either a senior diet or a 

prescription renal diet. This will 

help lower the creatinine and 

BUN. Epakatin, a palatable 

powder to be mixed in food, 

has been shown to lower creatinine 

and BUN as well as bind 

food phosphorus. Potassium 

can be supplemented orally or 

through fluids. 

Antibiotics may be indicated 

by bacterial growth on the urine 

culture. If hypertension is present, 

your veterinarian will recommend 

blood pressure medications. 

Vasodilators are prescribed 

when urine protein is 

significant. 

As the disease progresses, 

additional treatments include 

antacids, anti-vomiting medications, 

appetite stimulants, 

stronger phosphate binders and 

injections to stimulate red 

blood cell production. Treating 

with fluids will help wash out 

the toxins. I have many clients 

giving their cat subcutaneous 

(under the skin) fluids several 

times a week. Or if severe 

enough, hospitalization and 

intravenous fluid will bring 

down the toxins to a livable 

range quicker. 

With early detection, kidney 

disease can be controlled with 

often simple treatments. The 

advanced stages require more 

nursing care but when the 

owner, veterinarian and cat 

work together we can provide 

many additional years of quality 

life. 

With appropriate diagnostics 

and treatment, more cats 

are gracefully reaching their 

20s. 

For more information, visit 

www.felinecrf.com or 

www.catvets.com. 

Marybeth Rymer, DVM, can be 

reached at Monte Vista Veterinary 

Hospital, Concord. 672-1100. 

Why kennel pets during your 

holiday travels? 

Peace of Mind Pet Services 

provides stress-free daily visits 

for pets in your home 

while you are away. 

� Diagnosis, treatment and surgery 

� Dental care 

� Dietary planning 

� Emergency services 

� Boarding and Grooming 

Office Hours 

M-F 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 2 – 5:30 p.m. 

Every other Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Dr. Linda M. Miller 

5435 Clayton Road, Ste I, Clayton 

925-672-CATS (2287) www.cathospitalofclayton.com 

Boarding for our 

Feline Friends 

“we don’t just 

‘bored’ cats, 

we give them 

a vacation!” 

Mention ad for 

15% off 

boarding 

Expires 12/31/08 

Call Linda at 

672-9781 for details 

Clayton Resident. Licensed. Bonded. Insured. PSI member. References upon request. 

Owner 

Denise Eberle 

with Dan 

& Dave 


Insured 

524-0652 

www.DanAndDavesCountryInn.com 

Outdoor landscape design 

starting at $975 

Landscape, hardscape, 

drainage, irrigation, 

materials lists 

Contact us at: (925) 672-4968 �� Designdynamics@aol.com


Patty Flannery 

Your local neighborhood REALTOR 

since 1986 

Call me. Let’s talk REAL ESTATE 

Office: 925.975.5255 

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

La Veranda Café 

(925) 524-0011 � 6201 Center St. Clayton 

Hatley Construction Co. 

Local resident with 39 years experience. 

Handyman services 

All phases of Construction: 

electrical, plumbing, roofs, tile, trim, drywall. 

Senior citizens special needs: 

grab bars, hand rails and ramps. 

Remodels, Fencing, Decks and more. 

Senior and 

Active Military 

discounts 

available 

Store Hours 

Mon - Fri 8 am - 7 pm 

Sat 9 am - 5 pm 

The UPS Store 

Independently owned and operated 

Small 

jobs welcome 

All work 100% 

Satisfaction Guaranteed 

680-8554 

General contractor 


You don’t need an 

appointment. 

A notary is on staff when 

the store is open 

Clayton/Concord Clayton/Concord Location: 

Location: 

Vineyard Vineyard Shopping Shopping Center Center 

5100 Clayton Clayton Rd., Concord Concord 

ph: 925-689-6245 

925-689-6245 

Holiday Special 

Color Copies for $.39 

(8.5 X 11) 

from Nov. 15 thru Dec. 31 

WE THE PEOPLE 

LOW COST,FAST,ACCURATE 

DOCUMENT PREPARATION 

YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS - WE PREPARE THE DOCUMENTS. 

Divorce . . . . . . . . . . . . .$399 

Living Trust . . . . . . . . . .$499 

Incorporation . . . . . . . .$399 

Probate . . . . . . . .(call for pricing) 

Olivia Moore-Wraa, owner, Clayton resident 

New 

Location 

We offer more than 100 services to meet your needs! 

LDA#68 We are not attorneys and cannot offer legal advice 

4474 Treat Blvd., Concord (925) 246-0370 

8395 A Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood (925) 513-2106 

www.wethepeopleconcord.com 

Space available in 

Village Oaks Center 

Prime Clayton location 

DOWNSTAIRS 

� 1,134 sq. ft. 

� 1,047 sq. ft. next to 


� Retail preferred 

Wine Makers Dinner, 

Monday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m. 

Beringer Winery 

Coates & Sowards 

Call 408-371-8770, ext. 19 

4 course 

dinner, 

$45 per 

person 

Mediterranean Night 

Lebanese Cuisine � Belly Dancing 

Monday, Nov. 24, 6 p.m. 

6200 Center St. 

To conquer the garden, 

divide and transplant 

Autumn is the time to transplant 

shrubs and divide perennials. 

Perhaps you have a Japanese 

maple that fried in the summer’s 

sun or a gigantic pile of agapanthus 

crowding out other valuable 

plants. It’s now safe to transplant, 

divide and conquer your garden. 

Deciduous shrubs and trees 

can safely have their locations 

changed during the fall and early 

winter months. Crape myrtles 

that do not bloom and Japanese 

maples that burn are some of the 

plants that can be safely transplanted 

now, as well as shade 

trees that are not growing well. 

When transplanting from the 

ground to the ground, have the 

Belly-up for Mediterranean Night at LV 



It was all Mediterranean at 

La Veranda one night last 

month when owners Anis 

Maamari and Johny Khalilieh 

hosted a festive evening of fabulous 

food, music and belly 

dancing at their family owned 

Clayton café. 

The restaurant was filled to 

capacity as guests feasted on 

baba ghanouge, spinach pie 

roasted okra, crispy green salad 

and a mouth watering mixed 

grill of chicken, prawns, scallops 

and kafta—a scrumptious 

ground meat with parsley and 

onions, followed by a pistachio 

pastry and all washed down with 

glass after glass of premium 

wines from La Veranda’s well 

stocked cellar. 

And if the food, wine and 

dessert weren’t enough to satis- 

You don’t have to be the 

Iron Chef to prepare a great 

Thanksgiving dinner. After a 

few clicks online, you can 

impress your family with gourmet 

recipes. 

Allrecipes.com, operated by 

Readers Digest, has a holiday 

section for those looking for 

main dish ideas. The Website 

has several user-submitted 

turkey recipes, including rosemary 

roasted turkey, upside 

down turkey and apricot-glazed 

turkey. Clicking on a recipe 

shows you its ingredients and 

cooking directions. You can also 

change the recipe based upon 

how many servings you want. 

You also can read reviews 

from people who have tried the 

recipes. The Easy Herb Roasted 

new site ready before you begin 

the big move. Make sure you 

have a substantial hole waiting 

for you. Look at the plant that is 

about to be relocated. As far as 

the branches reach is about as far 

as the roots reach; you will need 

to get as many of those roots as 

you can. 

Removing a tree or shrub in 

our Clayton Valley clay will be a 

challenge any time of the year. 

Once removed, you will have to 

reinstall quickly. Look carefully at 

the tree or shrubs roots. Make 

sure you untangle and straighten 

them out before replanting. 

Shrubs and trees can strangle 

themselves in our clay. Roots 

fy the senses, Natalia certainly 

was. Costumed in sparkles and 

Turkey, with 230 reviews, has an 

average of 4½ out of five stars. 

One comment said: “This 

turkey recipe is the best turkey 

recipe on the planet. Everyone 

loved it, including the kids!” 

Budding chefs with little 

turkey experience may want to 

read up on turkey preparation, so 

your bird is cooked safely and 

you don’t lose a finger while 

carving. The Department of 

Agriculture’s Food Safety and 

Inspection Service 

(www.fsis.usda.gov) says that a 

turkey is safe when its internal 

temperature reaches 160 degrees. 

It also tells you how long to cook 

turkeys of a certain weight. 

The University of Illinois 

offers tips on which methods 

work best for cooking a turkey. 

Its site 

(www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/Turkey 

) warns against using methods 

like putting your turkey in a 

paper bag or slow-cooking 

overnight. 

To keep safe while carving, 

read the how-to guide at 

Allrecipes.com. It provides pictures 

for every step of the way. 

Holidays.net makes it convenient 

to find recipes for other 

parts of the Thanksgiving meal. 

wrapping around them is one of 

the reasons trees fail to thrive. 

Use a premium planting mix 

to amend the native soil before 

installation. Add some starter 

fertilizer to initiate root growth. 

Water the transplant thoroughly 

after installation. 

Dividing spring and early 

summer blooming perennials will 

keep your plants productive and 

healthy. Agapantha, society garlic, 

canna lilies, bearded iris and 

daylilies are among some of the 

easiest, most grateful perennials 

to divide. Rudbeckia goldstrum, 

Echinacea, phlox, astible and 

Shasta daisies are not as commonly 

replanted, yet would 

rich colors, the lovely belly 

dancer brought several of the 


La Veranda partner Johny Khalilieh, pictured here with belly dancer 

Natalia, had a great time at his own Mediterranean Night party last 

month. Join them on Nov. 24 when they do it all again. 

It has recipes for stuffing, gravy, 

mashed potatoes and even leftover 

turkey concoctions. Cooks 

with too much turkey can try 

making turkey pot pie or turkey 

enchiladas. 

You can find similar recipes 

on sites like Myrecipes.com, 

which has 30,000 recipes. Its 

Classic Thanksgiving Feast 

describes how to make favorites 

like Brown Sugar Glazed Sweet 

Potato Wedges and Herbed 

Bread Stuffing with Mushrooms 

and Sausage. 

But Thanksgiving is more 

than just the main course. After 

stuffing themselves with turkey, 

your guests will likely want 

dessert. 

Joyofbaking.com offers 

mouthwatering dessert recipes 

for Thanksgiving, including 

pumpkin ice cream sandwiches, 

cranberry galette and classic 

apple pie. Perhaps the best part 

about this Website is that there 

are large pictures on every page. 

After visiting Joyofbaking.com, 

I thought about making some 

pumpkin ice cream sandwiches 

for myself. 

After feasting, your guests 

may want to unwind with some 

drinks. If you want to serve 

NICOLE HACKETT 

GARDEN GIRL 

appreciate division every few 

years. 

Plants become tight in our 

clay. The ground acts like a large 

pot, so after a while, some perennials 

just stop growing the way 

they have in the past. 

Dividing perennials is moderately 

labor intensive. The first 

step is to lift the whole plant 

guests to their feet, only to find 

out that belly dancing is much 

harder than it looks. 

If you missed the party, 

cheer up. Anis and Natalia are 

pairing up again next month on 

Nov. 24 for a repeat performance 

with a few variations in the 

menu. 

Look for a hummos dip and 

sambusik (mini calzones filled 

with ground chicken) openers, 

followed by a creamy yogurt 

with mint and garlic, stuffed 

grape leaves and a salad of wilted 

dandelion greens and 

caramelized onions. All of this 

is in preparation for the main 

event – the mixed grill of lamb, 

chicken, fish and vegetables, 

topped off by baklava. 

Cost is $40 per person. Call La 

Veranda, 524-0011 to make your 

reservation. 

It’s time to be thankful for recipe Websites 

MARK FREEMAN 

ON THE NET 

700 Ygnacio Valley Rd., #360 

Walnut Creek, CA 94596 

Carol@carolkeanecpa.com 

(925) 937-5200 

(925) 937-5202 fax 

www.carolkeanecpa.com 

See Garden, page 24 

something interesting, visit 

Thatsthespirit.com. The site has 

more than 3,000 drink recipes, 

along with tips for stirring and 

garnishing drinks. The site says 

that “light fruity reds seem particularly 

attuned to turkey,” 

while many modern Italian 

white wines also work well 

alongside a traditional holiday 

feast. 

These Websites can also be 

used for non-holiday occasions. 

For instance, Allrecipes.com can 

show you how to make Polish 

style lasagna while 

JoyofBaking.com has a recipe 

for chocolate biscotti with cranberries. 

MyRecipes.com showcases 

grilled cheese sandwiches 

with a twist. 

With all the recipes out 

there, even the most reluctant 

cook can have fun serving a 

Thanksgiving dinner. Too bad 

the Websites don’t have tips on 

how to deal with post-turkey 

fatigue. 

Mark Freeman is a student at St. 

Mary’s College in Moraga, studying 

economics and English. He enjoys creative 

writing and is a reporter for the 

school paper. Questions/comments 

can be sent to 

mfreeman543@gmail.com. 

Don’t plan under old rules 

Since 2001, Congress has passed at least one new tax law 

every year. These laws have been filled with provisions that 

phase in or out over several years and some that apply retroactively 

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planning under the latest rules, call on us. We’re here to help.


Glorious garden tour, romantic inns await around Half Moon Bay 

PENNY CANNON 

TRAVEL NOTES 

One of the things I love 

about writing this article each 

month is when I discover something 

new. Researching Half 

Moon Bay and the area around it 

is how I discovered Filoli in 

Woodside. 

This 1917 California mansion 

was built as the country estate 

for William Bourn, the owner of 

the Empire Gold Mine. The 

mansion is impressive, but the 

gardens are spectacular. Forbes 

magazine has listed Filoli as one 

of the top 10 World’s Most 

Beautiful Gardens. 

The 16 acres of formal 

grounds are divided into a succession 

of garden 

rooms, each representing 

unique 

character. The 

walls of each outdoor 

room consist 

of stone, trees, 

hedges and water 

features. 

Although fall at 

Filoli is probably 

the least dramatic, 

I found the colors 

and the trails lead- 

ing from one 

exquisite garden 

room to the next an experience I 

will fondly remember and definitely 

repeat. 

A variety of special events are 

scheduled throughout the year. 

From afternoon teas to jazz concerts 

and black tie dinners, you 

can always find something exciting. 

From Filoli, a short drive will 

take you to the oceanside town 

of Half Moon Bay, often called 

the Cape Cod of the Pacific. 

Although most tourists come to 

town in October for Pumpkin 

Festival, December is also a great 

time to explore this area. You’ll 

find a month-long holiday show 

of lights and entertainment filling 

the calendar for the town. 

Great restaurants, interesting 

galleries, eclectic shops, wineries 

and breweries make this a great 

place for your next romantic getaway. 

Oh, did I mention the 

beaches? The area is filled with 

miles and miles of sandy beaches. 

The world famous Maverick 

is recognized as having the 

biggest surfing waves in the 

world. 

If you’re not into surfing, you 

YOU CAN’T HELP BUT HAVE SWEET DREAMS in the luxurious 

and spacious rooms of Mill Rose Inn. 

IF YOU GO 

Filoli: 86 Canada Road, Woodside. 650-364-8300 or 

www.filoli.org. 

Mill Rose Inn, 615 Mill St., Half Moon Bay. 800-900-7673 or 

wwwmillroseinn.com. 

Centrella, 845 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650-726-4090 or 

wwwcentrella.com. 

Half Moon Bay. www.hmbchamber.com. 

Movie Review 

might try horseback riding or 

biking on the many trails that follow 

the Pacific Ocean. 

What you need to make a 

romantic getaway complete is the 

perfect place to stay. That is what 

you will find when you spend the 

night at Mill Rose Inn. Terry and 

Eve have owned and operated 

I never stop being fascinated 

with how peeling away a banana 

skin reveals a deliciously sweet 

and smooth-textured fruit. 

Every time I eat one, I’m also 

reminded of a silly joke from 

my childhood that brings a 

smile to my face. 

In all likelihood, almost all of 

the bananas I’ve eaten are the 

Cavendish variety. These first 

came to market about 60 years 

ago when the “Gros Michel” 

banana was wiped out by the socalled 

“Panama Plague.” Critics 

claim that a similar fate faces the 

Cavendish because the same 

growing practices persist—vast 

plantations using the same rootstock 

over and over. (Think 

Pondering the meaning of ‘W’ 

JEANNA ROSS 

AT THE MOVIES 

For months, the posters and 

trailers for “W” peppered the 

cinema, bearing the tagline “A 

life misunderestimated.” 

From that alone, 

it is obvious that this is 

not a film for die-hard 

George W. Bush supporters. 

The story unfolds 

in spectacular fashion, 

jumping back and 

forth between the 

early Bush years, 

beginning with his college 

frat days at Yale, 

and his terms in the 

Oval Office. 

Josh Brolin plays 

Bush, exhibiting a 

remarkable grasp of 

the physicality and speech patterns 

of our commander-inchief. 

I’m not a big fan of the 

news, but I have to assume that 

any time a media camera is present, 

that scene is true to reality. 

As such, the film pretty much 

skips to the points where W 

makes a fool out of himself in 

some ridiculously public blunder. 

His parents, played by James 

Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn, 

appear level-headed and cha- 

grined by “Junior” on a regular 

basis, even when he is addressing 

Congress. 

The film is peppered with 

familiar faces, in roles large and 

small. These actors must have 

watched miles of film reel to 

practice their craft. 

Elizabeth Banks plays a 

sweet Laura Bush, but the story 

of their relationship isn’t fully 

developed so we fail to see what 

this adorable librarian sees in 

that angry, drunken loudmouth 

of a Texan dropout. Thandi 

Newton (“Crash”) plays a bob- 

JOSH BROLIN AS GEORGE W. BUSH in Oliver Stone's “W.” 

ble-headed Condoleezza Rice. 

She does nothing but nod for 

the first 90 minutes, then we 

realize that was preferable to the 

grating shrillness of her voice. 

Toby Jones (“Infamous”) is 

an endearing Karl Rove. His 

enthusiasm for the Bush presidents, 

past and present, shows 

us the mastermind behind W’s 

transformation from bumbling 

fool to a candidate capable of 

skidding headlong into the 

White House. 

Ioan Gruffudd (“Fantastic 

THE FRONT DOOR OF THE MILL ROSE INN in Half Moon Bay offers a promise of piece and tranquility. 

this magnificent bed and breakfast 

in the heart of Half Moon 

Bay for more than 20 years. 

Their vision and hard work have 

transformed this property into a 

true work of art. 

The two gardens are filled 

with color every month of the 

year. The gazebo with hot tub 

about the lesson recently 

learned by California wine 

growers who planted grapes 

subject to a lethal fungus.) 

Although you may have 

thought that bananas grow on 

trees, the banana plant is actually 

a giant herb. As the banana 

stalk grows, “hands” form off 

the mid-stem. Each “hand” has 

“fingers,” which are the 

bananas. The similarity of the 

banana to a man’s finger caused 

Arabian slave traders to give the 

fruit its popular name – 

“banan” is Arabic for finger. 

Bananas are usually harvested 

green to minimize damage 

during transport. Undisturbed, a 

banana cut from the stalk will 

ripen in 20 days. Few distributors 

allow the fruit to ripen naturally 

because of transportation, 

storage and distribution 

demands, so they refrigerate the 

green bananas and then use ethylene 

gas to simulate ripening 

(similar to a process used on 

tomatoes). 

The commercial monopoly 

of the Cavendish aside, there are 

has tropical ferns and flowers 

and a door that locks for your 

privacy. Each spacious room is 

filled with luxurious antiques, an 

extremely comfortable featherbed, 

a fireplace, a TV and a 

mini-fridge packed with wine 

and other treats. 

If you are planing a wedding, 

more than 400 banana varieties 

around the world. Local varieties 

have different flavors and textures 

– like the little “apple 

banana” you can find at 

Hawaiian farmers markets. 

Investigators believe that 

Southeast Asia, probably 

Malaysia or Papua New Guinea, 

is ground zero for domestication. 

It’s also likely the bananas 

were the first domesticated fruit. 

Bananas are mentioned in 

Buddhist texts thousands of 

years old, and they are frequently 

cited in Islamic religious texts. 

Alexander the Great encountered 

the banana in India and 

introduced it to the Middle 

East. Seafaring explorers and 

traders spread the banana 

to tropical climes around 

the world. Arab traders are 

credited with introducing 

the banana to the African 

continent, while the 

Portuguese first established 

banana plantations in 

various ports of call. 

Despite the proximity to 

the Caribbean, Americans 

didn’t know much about 

bananas until 1876 – when the 

novel fruit was introduced at 

Philadelphia’s 100th celebration 

of the signing of the 

Declaration of Independence. 

So popular was the fruit in 

the United States and Europe 

that captains of industry identified 

them as a market to exploit 

during the late 1800s. They 

made arrangements with various 

Central American countries 

to provide capital to plant vast 

the gardens of Mill Rose Inn will 

make a great backdrop for your 

special day. Eve can work with 

you to plan every detail, from 

flowers to food. The inn had just 

hosted a wedding and the newlyweds 

were there during my visit. 

While enjoying a gourmet breakfast 

in the formal dinning room, 

I learned from both just how 

wonderful every part of their 

wedding day had been. 

There is a vast selection of 

restaurants both in town and 

along the coast. With the help of 

our hostess, we choose Centrella. 

An enjoyable walk through the 

historic downtown brought us to 

our destination. With its awardwinning 

cuisine, extensive wine 

list and live jazz, it proved to be 

the perfect end to our Half 

Moon Bay getaway. Try the deviled 

fig appetizer. It is a great 

beginning to a delicious meal. 

Penny Cannon is a published author 

and lifelong resident of Contra Costa 

County. Her most recent book, “Senso 

Oware” chronicles the life of her father 

and his years as a POW during WWII. 

Bananas are versatile – and fun 

4”) appears briefly as Tony 

Blair; Colin Hanks (“King 

Kong”) is a speechwriter; and 

Noah Wyle (“ER”) is Don 

Evans. They appear briefly, do 

their jobs and disappear again. 

If they weren’t recognizable 

actors, one wouldn’t even note 

their presence. 

The greatest scene of the 

film belongs to Jeffrey Wright 

(“Casino Royale”) as Colin 

Powell and Richard Dreyfuss as 

Dick Cheney. The topic is the 

invasion of Afghanistan vs. the 

pursuit of Osama Bin Laden, 

and the two of them 

basically ask the questions 

that all of 

America has been pondering 

for the last 

seven years – questions 

we still can’t answer. It 

is by far the most dramatic 

scene and the 

one that stands out in 

memory. If the answer 

Dreyfuss provides is 

true, then we are all 

bigger fools than we 

ever imagined. 

“W” is the first 

semi-biographical film 

about a sitting U.S. president 

and its release date was probably 

calculated to sway undecided 

voters. Take a chance – see how 

it makes you feel about the party 

that would support this man’s 

run for office or a nation that 

would elect him, not once, but 

twice. 

Jeanna Ross is an English 

teacher at Clayton Valley High 

School and a free lance writer. She 

regularly contributes to the Pioneer. 

Send comments to her at 

movies@claytonpioneer.com. 

LINDA WYNER 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT 

plantations. Those countries 

soon fell under the spell of the 

banana barons and became 

known as “banana republics.” 

For more “banana intrigue,” 

pick up a copy of Dan 

Koeppel’s “Banana: The Fate of 

the Fruit that Changed the 

World.” 

Any way you slice it, the 

banana is a nutritional powerhouse. 

It’s easily digestible and 

has tons of fiber, B 

vitamins and 

potassium. 

Available yearround, 

they are 

equally excellent fresh, frozen (in 

smoothies), sautéed (Bananas 

Foster) and baked. 

I recently developed a 

Vietnamese-inspired pudding 

made from bananas and coconut 

milk. It’s been a hit in our cooking 

classes at Pans on Fire. 

See Bananas, page 24


Saunter on over to Apple Hill this fall 

JEANNA ROSS 


Autumn in California is 

always a tenuous thing – 90 

degree Indian summer suddenly 

gives way to near-freezing, rainy 

winter days and we’re left muttering, 

“What happened to fall?” 

It is, therefore, important to 

include traditions and excursions 

to demarcate this vague 

line. This year, incorporate a 

family trip to Apple Hill into the 

activity repertoire. 

Apple Hill is just north of 

Placerville, 60 miles south of 

Lake Tahoe along Highway 50. 

The Grower’s Association lists 

54 orchards, wineries, farms and 

ranches and there are many 

more tucked away, just waiting 

for the seasonal tourists. 

There are four exits designated 

as Apple Hill entrances, 

with Schnell School and Pollack 

Pines forming the boundaries. 

It’s best to print the map off the 

Website (www.applehill.com) 

before going, if only to help 

keep your bearings among the 

winding country roads. 

October and early 

November are the best times to 

catch the largest number of 

farms open to the public, and 

oh, what a show they put on for 

Garden, from page 22 

from the ground by digging 

around the circumference and 

lifting out. Shake off excess soil. 

Remove dead leaves and stems, 

cleaning up the clump. 

Now it’s time to separate the 

plants. Sometimes you can get 

away with pulling chunks apart 

using your hands; other times 

you may need to use garden 

forks or even a sharp knife. Work 

from the outer edges, around the 

clump. Old perennials often will 

have lots of weak, dead wood 

toward the center of the clump. 

If that is the case, discard the 

woody center. You will still have 

the offshoots to enjoy. 

PENDING PENDING 

PENDING PENDING 

Transplant your divisions 

into prepared garden soil. 

Replant the sections at the original 

depth. Do not overbury. 

Remember to label your new 

plants, so you know where they 

are if they run dormant. Water 

all transplants thoroughly. 

If you have too many divisions 

to install in your garden, 

gift them to friends and neighbors. 

Shifting plants from containers 

to the ground should also be 

done this time of the year. Many 

times our container plants 

become overgrown. Kangaroo 

paws get tight, lavenders over- 

their guests! 

At some point, a farmer 

must have started giving buggy 

rides and when he got all the 

tourists, everyone followed suit, 

because these orchards seem 

determined to outdo each other. 

Nearly every farm has a bake 

grow, and citrus gets too large. 

Now is the time to put those 

good plants into the ground. 

Often our greatest garden plants 

were our former container 

plants. Emptying out those containers 

will give the gardener a 

chance to create a new combination. 

Transplanting trees and 

shrubs, dividing perennials and 

shifting plants from containers 

to the ground are all important 

parts of gardening. But work like 

this does not need to be done 

every fall, just as needed. 

Nicole is the Garden Girl at 

R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and 

Garden Contact her with questions, 

comments or suggestions at 

gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com 

shop offering a delicious assortment 

of apple pies, fritters, 

turnovers and strudel. 

That, however, is just the 

beginning. Wine, cheesecake, 

fudge, beer, cider – these people 

are serious about their fruit. 

And not just apples – pears, 

pumpkins, peaches, cherries. 

Now, there’s only so much 

one can eat before other amusements 

must be found. So, to 

keep visitors on-site until their 

next culinary decision, most 

locales offer entertainment. The 

Jack Russell Farm Brewing Co. 

has live music on the lawn on 

Friday nights. Denver Dan’s and 

Plubell’s provide free petting 

zoos. Plubell’s also features 

inexpensive face painting and an 

awesome tree swing. The 

Hillside Tree Farm showcases 

pony rides, El Dorado Orchards 

visitors love the train ride 

around their cider spring, and 

Abel’s Apples has created a 

maze from bales of hay. 

During the week, there are 

cooking and craft classes at 

many sites. Most of the activities 

are designed to entertain the 

shorter members of the family, 

but there are plenty of craft 

stalls and shops to please the 

adults. 

The gift stores allow visitors 

to enjoy the benefits of homegrown 

goodness year-round. 

Many of the orchards include 

homemade jams, jellies, butters, 

syrups and fruit-themed merchandise 

available for purchase. 

Most have pumpkin patches for 

Halloween, and seven tree farms 

will open for business the week 

before Thanksgiving. At the 

very least, pick up an Apple Hill 

cookbook and a bushel of “upick” 

apples. 

A brief warning: “Real” 

food is scarce in Apple Hill. A 

few growers serve lunch on-site, 

Trust your home to 

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Helping friends, neighbors 

and newcomers buy 

and sell their homes since 1979 

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usually barbecue items like hamburgers 

or tri-tip, and there are a 

few restaurants along Cable 

Road. But for the most part, it’s 

a dessert-lovers paradise. 

Support for this fantastic site 

is even more important this 

year. Coupled with strained economic 

times, a spring frost in 

the Camino area killed up to 80 

percent of some crops. Pat 

Martin, the owner of Denver 

Dan’s, has been using a neighbor’s 

apples to keep her incredibly 

busy bakeshop running 

Jeanna Ross/Clayton Pioneer 

At $4.50 a slice (with or without 

ice cream) the Apple Pantry 

Farm had no wait for their 

yummy Dutch Apple Pie. 

through the autumn rush. 

However, some of the independent 

growers have not been 

so lucky. The main roads are littered 

with “For Sale” signs and 

auction notices. Other farms 

have had to close their doors 

early for the season because the 

fruit has long since been picked. 

Don’t forget to wear comfortable 

shoes and don’t bother 

clean the car before leaving – 

farms are dusty places with little 

pavement. 

ALAMO! 

Tel: (925) 672-4433 

6160 Center Street, Suite E, 

Clayton 94517 

Clayton Market Update provided by 

George Vujnovich of Better Homes Realty 

Bananas, 

from page 23 

BANANAS IN COCONUT MILK 

¼ c. sesame seeds, toasted 

4 ripe bananas, peeled 

½-1 tsp. grated ginger, to 

taste 

1 can coconut milk 

1 c. water 

½ c. sugar 

Pinch of salt 

3 T. small tapioca pearls 

(rinsed in cold water, drained) 

Slice bananas in half lengthwise, 

then cut each piece into 

thirds (24 pieces). 

Combine coconut milk, 

water, sugar and salt in a 

saucepan and cook over medium 

heat, stirring often, until the 

sugar dissolves. Add the 

bananas, ginger and tapioca 

pearls. Cover and cook over low 

heat, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes, 

or until the tapioca pearls 

become tender. 

Serve warm or chilled in 

individual dessert bowls sprinkled 

with some of the toasted 

sesame seeds. 

QUICK DESSERT SMOOTHIE 

1 c. orange juice 

1 c. milk 

1 pint orange sherbet 

2 frozen bananas 

Process the ingredients in a 

blender until smooth. Makes 2- 

4 servings. 

Oh, yes, the joke from my 

misspent youth? 

Knock, knock. 

Who’s there? 

Orange. 

Orange who? 

Orange you glad I didn’t say 

banana? 

Linda Wyner, a local attorney and 

foodie, owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet 

cookware store and cooking school in 

Pleasanton. 

Direct your suggestions or questions 

to lwyner@claytonpioneer.com 

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ADDRESS PRICE SALE DATE SF BED/BATH 

1276 Shell Circle $412,500 10/24/08 1145 2/2 

1411 Greystone Ln $385,000 10/23/08 1105 2/2 

108 La Encinal Ct $759,500 10/15/08 2390 4/2.5 

4008 Hummingbird Way $695,000 10/10/08 2481 5/3 

5017 Raven Way $653,000 10/10/08 2467 4/3 

3141 Morgan Territory Rd $900,000 10/2/08 1500 3/2 

222 Mountaire Cir $725,000 9/26/08 2141 4/2.5 

107 Crow Place $566,000 9/26/08 1877 3/2.5 

222 Mountaire Circle $725,000 9/26/08 2141 4/2.5 

5108 Keller Ridge Drive $595,000 9/19/08 1877 3/2.5 

410 Hummingbird Pl $557,000 9/18/08 2313 4/2.5 

1206 Bridlewood Court $830,000 9/12/08 2805 4/3.5

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