IN THIS ISSUE:•EASTER SPECIALS • JAMES’ BRAIN GAMES • SOCIALLY YOURS •PHOTOS

BY MICAH NUNEZ • DAN ASHLEY’S “WHAT REALLY MATTERS • BONILLA

BILLS • FILM & BOOK REVIEWS • IN TUNE WITH THE ARTS • CATHY

TURNEY’S “A LITTLE BIT OFF!” • THE DEATH OF JOEL CLAYTON •

CRYSTAL FAIR • CALENDAR OF EVENTS and more...

Happy April and Happy Easter. This is the time of year that communities begin to come alive as the weather sets course for spring and summer, and activities abound.

This is also our sixth issue. You may have noticed a slight name change - we are now The Diablo Gazette - we were getting too much confusion with the other Clayton paper and our distribution is farther

out than just Clayton. Be sure to read our Easter specials

on page 9, and like me, get out in the garden and start planting!

Warmly,

Tiffany G.Tiffany GensburgerPublisher

HAPPY EASTER?A Word from the Publisherby Tiffany Gensburger

Socially Yours......................... 2James’ Head Games ............. 3Dan Ashley’s “What Really Matters” 5Bonilla Bills......... 7“A Little Bit Off!”... 7Resident Tales................ 8EASTER.................... 9Film & Book Reviews... 10Time for the Arts.......... 10Photos by Micah Nunez...... 12CALENDAR OF EVENTS 13Arts & Entertainment.. 15Blossoms for Barbara... 15Answers to James’ Games.... 15

March 9, 1872 Joel Clayton dies!Death Notice: News article March

10,1872

“A private telegram received in the city (San Francisco) announced the death of Joel Clayton at Black Diamond, Contra Costa County at 11:00 Am yesterday. Mr. Clayton was the founder of the town which bears his name, and the discoverer of the Mount Diablo coal mines. He was a man of moderate education but of much intelligence, extensive observation and much self reliance. When he was told by professional geologists that he was throwing away money in prospecting for coal about the Bay of San Francisco he exhibited several specimens of coal picked in canyons and said they were for him the highest authority”

At the time of Joel’s death his winery inventory consisted as follows:

6000 gallons of wine and 250

gallons Brandy.His estate consisted of 1300

acres with a value of $11.00 per acre, plus personal property assessed at $3600.00 (county recorders office)

Charles Clayton, brother of the deceased, was present at the death bed (date of death March 9, 1872, buried at Live Oak Cemetery near Clayton, California.)

My own footnote: Joel Clayton was an entrepreneur who would be very proud of the town that bears his name. The town of Clayton has evolved into a wonderful tight nit community. Where people still ride a horse to the Clayton club, families walk children down main street ,gatherings at the center of town still occur (music in the park), parades, people helping people. Much time has past since Joel was here, but some things never change. I love our town!

A Walk Through Time

with Misty Bruns, Docent at the Clayton Museum

Joel Clayton dies—143 years ago

Information and photo from the Clayton Museum

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 2 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

With a little inspiration, creative minds, strong teamwork, and a common goal (which is also GREAT fun), we can accomplish anything, right?

On February 28, one hundred sixty-eight teams from our local schools, have been on task, since October, to prove that!

The teams of all grade levels, met at Concord High School and Eldorado Middle School, to compete in the San Francisco Bay Area Tournament for Odyssey of the Mind, an organization in which “team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.” (per their website)

Some projects may resemble a “Rube Goldberg” type construction, while others might be theatrical, such as a silent movie.

All projects are student driven which encourages the inidividual to bring his or her unique creative abilities to the team.

Organizer Ann McAdam describes Odyssey of the Mind as, “ Science Fair + Theater + Art Class + Magic show and then special, unique and mystical touches that only kids could provide.”

Diablo View had 4 teams, led by Lisa Jones, participating in, and placing well

in all project categories.Mt Diablo Elementary brought six

teams to the competition led by Kelly McDougall and received the OMER award, as well as Brooke D’Arezzo’s team for Pandora’s box (3rd-5th grades); besides winning the OMER award, the

MDE team came in 6th place, in their division.

There were many parents who volunteered their time at the tournament to help make sure everything ran smoothly; some even dared to

volunteer as judges!Special thanks goes to Renee Culp

who, in coorperation with Mt. Diablo’s Parent-Faculty Club, allotted the funds and then sought information from the leaders of Ayers Elementary, Diablo View Middle School, specifically Kristi Buchholz, and Lisa Jones, who, as mentors, provided the support and inspiration for Mt. Diablo Elementary to follow in their lead.

World Finals for 2015 will be held May 20th-23rd, at Michigan State University

If you’d like to learn more about Odyssey of the Mind, and get involved next year, check out their website at http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/

Socially Yoursby Jill Mahoney Banks ✉ jill@claytongazette.com

Odyssey of the Mind

“The Gazette is full of great ads and interesting columns. I have clipped some of both from the issues I have received. Keep up the great work and I hope to be getting the Clayton Gazette for many years ~Ruth Olson, Clayton”

ONE READER’S TESTIMONIAL:

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 3 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 4 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Crystal Fair Time inWalnut Creek

The Pacific Crystal Guild has been presenting the Annual Summer Contra Costa Crystal Fair in Walnut Creek for the last 23 years. You will find a magical mix of crystals, minerals, beads, gems, jewelry and metaphysical healing tools. Thousands of items will be available at excellent prices, plus you can get a massage, have your aura read, and have a great psychic reading.

Location: Civic Park Community Center, 1375 Civic Drive at Broadway, Walnut Creek, Saturday, April 18, 10am - 6pmSunday, April 19, 10am - 4pm. Admission: $6 for the weekend (12 and under free with adult). For more information callJerry Tomlinson at: (415) 383-7837 of email: jerry@crystalfair.com. www.crystalfair.com SEE AD ON PAGE 11

The Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) will present its annual Contra Costa County Teacher/Certificated Staff Recruitment Fair, on Saturday, April 11, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at the Pittsburg High School gymnasium, 1750 Harbor St., in Pittsburg.

Attendees will discover a number of teaching positions in a variety of fields, including all levels of K-12 education, specialty, and substitute teaching positions. Representatives of some of these open positions will be offering interviews on site.

Along with the CCCOE, representatives from eight Contra Costa County school districts will be on hand: Clayton Valley Charter HS, John Swett USD, Liberty UHSD, Martinez USD, Mt. Diablo USD, Pittsburg USD, San Ramon Valley USD, and West Contra Costa USD. In addition, members from Brandman University and UC. Berkeley Extension will be on hand to talk about earning teaching credentials and their teaching programs.

For additional information about this free event, call (925) 942-3387 or visit the Recruitment Fair’s website. ~ Jonathan Lance

2015 Contra Costa County Teacher/Certificated Staff Recruitment Fair

Contra Costa County’s School Districts Announce their 2015-2016

Teachers of the YearCurrently, there are approximately 8,126 teachers educating more than 173,000

students in Contra Costa County’s public schools. To recognize their efforts and bring much-deserved honor to the teaching profession, the participating school districts in the county recently named their Teachers of the Year (TOY) representatives (See list below.) The upcoming school year’s 22 TOYs represent 17 Contra Costa County school districts, the Contra Costa Community College District, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE). Most of these representatives, those who teach grades K thru 12, are eligible to compete in the Contra Costa County TOY competition. The two top teachers in the county TOY program will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program this coming fall.

“We are immensely proud of these amazing educators,” said Karen Sakata, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. “They were thoughtfully chosen to represent their schools and districts, and truly represent what is best about public education.”

The county’s TOY program is directed by the CCCOE. With such a high caliber of teaching professionals to draw from, the CCCOE’s TOY program uses a three-stage selection process, with a point and percentage system to determine the final candidates

The 2015-2016 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Representatives are:

Michele Bain Knightsen Elementary School District, Knightsen Elementary Lourdes Beleche, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Cambridge Elementary Kathleen Doerr, John Swett Unified School District, Carquinez Middle School Paul Fitzgerald, Acalanes Union High School District, Miramonte High School Dawn Foote, Brentwood Union School District, Ron Nunn Elementary David Giordano, IV, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Olympic High Sripriya Gopalan, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Live Oak Elementary Debbie Henry, Oakley Unified School District, Almond Grove Elementary Vickie Hilty, Orinda Union School District, Sleepy Hollow Elementary Diane Klaczynski. Pittsburg Unified School District, Hillview Junior High Georgeann Kurtz, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Gale Ranch Middle

School Maribel Lopez, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Dover Elementary Maria McClain, Antioch Unified School District, Deer Valley High School Juanita McSweeney, Lafayette School District, Happy Valley Elementary Takeo Nobori, Byron Union School District, Excelsior Middle School Laurel Patterson, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Marchus School Katheryn Perry, Liberty Union High School District, Independence High School Don Read, Moraga School District, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School Christina Schreiber, Martinez Unified School District, Martinez Junior High School Shauna Tatum, Walnut Creek School District, Walnut Heights Elementary Keith Valdez, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Hanna Ranch Elementary

Seventeen of the eighteen Contra Costa County school districts represented, plus the CCCOE are participating in this year’s TOY program. (Because this year’s CCCOE candidate teaches ages 18-22, she is not eligible in the California State TOY competition.)

Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for his/her outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. (These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition.) This is Las Lomas College’s turn, their chosen TOY will be announced in the near future.

Due to the larger number of students in their districts, West Contra Costa USD, Mt. Diablo USD, and San Ramon Valley USD are allowed to submit two TOY candidates

Follow Contra Costa County’s Teacher of the Year program on Twitter: #CoCoTOYwww.GoPosit.us

WhatReallyMattersby Dan Ashley, ABC-7 News Anchor

Watch Dan’s live newscasts at http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/live

Rising Temperatures,

Rising Risk

Dan Ashley is an anchor at ABC-7 News and can be seen weeknights at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. on ABC-7 and at 9 p.m. on KOFY TV20.

Contact him at dan@myconcordian.com. Visit http://www.rockwithpush.com for more on the band.

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 5 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

I just watched a truly disturbing report on what is happening on the bottom of our planet.

Antartica, the scientists say, is melting at a shocking rate. The massive polar ice shelf is is shrinking at a rate of roughly one mile per year, eroded by an ocean that is getting warmer in a part of our world where it should be considerably colder. The phenomenon is part of a closed loop of climate change that only exacerbates the effect.

It’s not just Antarctica, the giant ice sheets of Greenland are melting at an alarming rate, roughly 140 billion tons of ice is lost there every year and is a major contributor to the rise in sea levels around the world.

In fact, according to one scientist I heard, one area of Greenland has lost enough ice to supply Los Angeles with fresh drinking water for the next two-thousand years. Two thousand years. Some scientist believe that we have reached such a point that there is a very real possibility that all of Greenland will melt and, if that happens, eighty of the world’s one-hundred biggest cities, including San Francisco, would be under water.

While the politicians continue to debate the reality and causes of global warming, a debate fueled by special interests, most of the worlds leading climatologists are not debating the reality that we are facing, they are worrying about it. Many experts are convinced that the vast majority of the global warming happening right now is directly tied to the activities of human beings. When they examine the tell-tale signs of natural causes like volcanic activity hear on Earth or solar activity from our sun, they do not record the kinds of changes that would produce the changes in our climate. Those experts also believe that we must reduce carbon emissions around the globe by eighty-percent in the next few decades to have any hope of slowing down the process. Shifts in weather patterns can

benefit some while adversely affecting others but, with sea level rise, there are no winners- everyone loses.

Even in just the past couple of decades, we have seen an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather causing catastrophic destruction including ferocious tornadoes and massive hurricanes and typhoons. As the planet warms, that effect will only increase.

Here in California, we are entering our fourth year of severe drought. It is so serious that NASA just released a report suggesting that California has only one, or perhaps two, years of water supply left.

More water restrictions are likely coming and the crisis is only expected to worsen as we move into the summer months. None of us can make it rain, but we can each do as much as possible to preserve what little water we have left until there is some relief from this drought.

Climate change is a little like smoking cigarettes, when you take that first drag, it doesn’t seem too bad for you. A few years later, a pack or two a day, no problem. But over time, the cumulative effects begin to take a toll and your health degrades. Reach that point and often, even if you quit cold turkey, your body may not be able to repair the damage.

Well, the planet has been smoking a few packs a day for a while now and all of the sudden, it doesn’t look so good. The worst of what the climate change we are experiencing will not impact us significantly, or our children or their children, but humans will pay a terrible price eventually if we don’t begin to address what happening in earnest.

Until they colonize Mars or find us some other place to live, What Really Matters, is that we move quickly as a species to better protect and preserve the only one we have.

Money Matters

Choosing the Right Checking Account

by Kristin Peterson, Pacific Service Credit Union

Choosing a checking account can be confusing. Switching your checking account to another financial institution can also be a challenge. The following tips will help you make an informed deci-sion and help make the process a little easier.

Monthly FeesMany financial institutions have eliminated free checking and have instituted a monthly service fee which can range between $5 - $30 a month. Sometimes the fee can be avoided simply by taking advantage of direct deposit, main-taining a minimum balance or making a certain number of debit card transactions each month. At Pacific Service CU, we offer a free checking account that features no monthly service fee, no minimum balance requirement, and no direct deposit requirement…just simple value.

ATM feesTypically, banks offer free access to their own ATMs. However, be sure to look at out-of-network and surcharge fees for using another bank’s ATM . These fees can range between $2 - $5. At Pacific Ser-vice CU, we believe you should be able to access your money when and where it is most convenient for you. That is why we offer ATM fee reimbursement. You can use any ATM to access your cash and if that ATM charges a fee, we will automatically reimburse the fee up to $3 per transaction and $15 per month as long as you have our Relationship Checking account.

30,000 Free ATMsThe largest banks have approxi-mately 16,000 proprietary ATMs. Through the cooperative spirit of

credit unions, we offer an ATM network of more than 30,000 locations. Any ATM that displays the CO-OP network logo is avail-able surcharge-free. These free ATMs are located at most credit unions, Walgreens, and even Costco. This is just one of the many ways credit unions work together to offer cooperative ser-vices to consumers like you.Branch convenienceLarge banks typically offer lo-cal branch convenience. Credit unions can compete on that level through another cooperative program called shared branch-ing. It works like this…if you are a member of Pacific Service CU, you can visit another participating credit union’s branch and perform transactions as if you were at one of our branches. Most of the transactions are free. There are more than 6,500 shared branch locations nationwide…to find one near you, simply visit the ATM/Branch locator on our website. Free servicesWhen choosing a checking ac-count make sure that you get the free services you deserve…online banking, bill pay, mobile banking, mobile deposit and eStatements. We offer all of those and more.

We know that switching your account is never easy, but we can offer tips for transitioning the accounts to ensure that there is no disruption in service. For more information or to open an account, please visit our branch at 3000 Clayton Road in Concord or 2051 Contra Costa Boulevard in Pleasant Hill. You may also call a member service representative at (888) 858-6878 or visit our web-site at www.pacificservice.org.

SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 6

If you want

BREAKING NEWSDon’t read a newspaper!

Claycord.comis where you get the news first!

If you want local features, people stories, with photos and videos from our team on the street,

then be sure to read

The Diablo Gazettewww.ClaytonGazette.com

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 6 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

by Robert H. Waldman, D.D.S.A LifeTIME of Smiles

Protect Your Child’s TeethSpring and Summer Sports are a go!

Ask Robert H. Waldman, D.D.S. your questions at 925-682-6940, DrRob@RobertHWaldmanDDS.com or www.roberthwaldmandds.com.

Spring and summer time tends to be very busy with many activates yet is somewhat unstructured at the same time. As you review all of the items on your spring and summer to do list, you find the one thing that didn’t get checked off. Oops, forgot to make that dental check up and cleaning appointment for you and your family. Summer is the perfect time to go to your dentist. Your children are out of school, so hopefully, anytime is a good time to go see your dentist. Discuss with your dentist any sports that your child participates in. Many coaches feel mouth guards are optional and don’t force kids to wear one (especially custom fit ones). Even if your child doesn’t participate in teams sports but does visit the neighborhood bike/skateboard parks they should consider wearing a sports mouth-guard. I have seen kids injure their teeth in both contact and noncontact sports including swimming, diving, bicycling and baseball. Teeth with braces can cause significant soft tissue damage if not protected by a sports guard.

It’s important to note that all mouth guards are not created equal. You can buy over-the counter mouth guards that are fitted by softening in hot water and placing in the mouth to cool and form around the teeth. They are usually large, bulky and difficult to adjust to. It’s also hard to talk while using them. These are some the reasons why your child probably will NOT wear the guard.

Your dentist can provide a custom made mouth-guard that not only protects the teeth but since custom guards fit better and are more comfortable to wear, your child WILL probably wear this guard.

Your first homework assignment for the Spring is to please call your dentist and make your dental hygiene appointments for you and your family. Discuss mouth-guards with your dentist if your child participates in any individual or team athletics.

Wishing you and your family a fabulous spring and summer.

As always don’t forget to swish, floss, brush and swish again at least twice a day, and of course see your dentist regularly for your dental check-ups.

So the bottom line is to help keep you and your mouth healthy it may cost you approximately $250 annually ($23.80 a month). Please also keep in mind it is recommended that you do get your teeth cleaned 2 times a year if possible. That may cost approximately $350 annually ($29.16/month) Even if it costs you $450 annually that is $37.50/month.

It is still less than the budget for manicures or just give up 2 of your 5 latte’s a week. Your teeth and body will love you!

I like to tell my patients that your mouth is the gateway to your body. When you smile it has been proven it not only puts you in a good mood but a smile is contagious and puts everyone else around you in a good mood also.

If your dentist is not seeing you regularly please give your Dentist a call and I guarantee that your Dentist will help try and make your dental care fit your budget.

As always…Please remember to always swish, floss, brush and swish again and continue to see your dentist at least every six months or as often as your dentist prescribes.

roberthwaldmandds.com for more topics of interest. Just hit the Blog tab for many of my articles or the video tab to see many educational dental procedure videos.

Keep Smiling-~Dr. Rob

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 7 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

High school academics can be a befuddling bundle of acronyms. From the time you are a freshman you are frequently bombarded with information about preparing for college and beyond: meet all your A-G requirements for the CSU or UC system; take AP classes to jumpstart earning an AA, a BS or a BA; take the ACT; take the PSAT before for the SAT; fill out the FAFSA and submit your letters of rec with your college applications. Fortunately for the students at CHS, help is available in navigating this alphabet soup in the form of Mrs. Becky Heindel. As the College and Career Advisor, she helps our students understand their college options, plan their career paths and stay on track in high school to reach their goals.

Mrs. Heindel has always worked in education, a career which began as in Instructional Assistant in the Science lab at Woodside Elementary. During this time she returned to school herself and earned a BA in Psychology. As her children got older she moved up with them, obtaining an office secretary position at then CVHS. She learned a lot about the college process through helping her own children and found that, more and more, she was helping other

students with letters of recommendation and basic college questions. Desiring to help students more fully, she applied for and was hired as the College and Career Advisor at Concord High in 2010.

I asked Mrs. Heindel if she ever has those moments where she thinks, “THIS is why I do this job,” and her response was immediate and emphatic. “Every year, all year I have those moments. It is an amazing feeling to share in their joy of being accepted to college, winning a scholarship, building their schedule for DVC or joining the military.” That she is successful in this position is very evident when you consider that in 2014, CHS seniors received letters of acceptance from over 90 colleges and universities and received offers of more than $1.3 million in grants and scholarships. Most recently, Mrs. Heindel has been instrumental in bringing Naviance to Concord High. This program helps students “align their strengths and interests to post-secondary goals” and also “build their 4-year high school course plan, search for colleges, research careers and build a resume.” The Minutemen are lucky to have this dedicated lady as their guide toward success beyond high school.

CHS School Reportby Rebecca Jensen

To College and Beyond!

Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) todAssemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) has introduced legislation to provide families fairness and predictability as they plan for college. AB 831, the College Opportunity Act, reverses proposed cuts to the Cal Grant, which is the state’s largest financial aid program. The bill also links Cal Grant award amounts for students attending private, nonprofit institutions to the average cost of educating a Cal Grant student at a four-year public institution.

“Cal Grants give academically deserving students the opportunity to go to college, who otherwise would not be able to attend,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. “It is imperative that we support our students in order to ensure the success of our state.”

Since 2000, the Cal Grant award amount for students attending private

institutions has not been linked to any funding formula, making it vulnerable to cuts, and resulting in a 37% decline in value. Last year, the Governor proposed an additional 11% cut to the Cal Grant for students attending private, nonprofit colleges. Assemblywoman Bonilla led efforts to prevent these proposed cuts, however they were only postponed for a year. The proposed 11% cut will take effect this July if no action is taken.

“Private nonprofit colleges, such as the University of San Diego, Saint Mary’s College, and the University of the Pacific, play a critical role in meeting the state’s demand for higher education,” continued Assemblywoman Bonilla. “Any reduction to the Cal Grant will close off this option for students, placing further strain on public institutions which have limited space and resources.”

Bonilla Introduces The College Opportunity Act to Ensure Student Access and Cal Grant Parity

Bonilla BillsNews from Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla

CoUNTY

the humor of Cathy TurneyJust A Little Bit

In preparation for John’s appointment at the gym, we go shopping for my workout clothes. The gym is situated on the periphery of the neighborhood from which I derive my income, so it’s very important that I look nice, serious…professional. It’s up to Melanie, my Sports Basement personal shopper, to translate that to spandex. As with everything pertaining to my triceps, this visit must be short and productive.

Me: “So, Melanie, I need workout clothes. This is all very foreign to me. I’m depending on you. And to assist you, I brought MyHusbandTheEngineer who will scrutinize each piece of clothing, determine its country of origin, assess the quality of materials, check for defects, then shrug his shoulders and say, ‘You choose,’ but we can use him as a runner.”

John makes a few remarks, looks impatient and leaves, freeing Melanie and me to get down to business.

Melanie: “Give me an idea of style. Do you want shorts, knee length?”

I’m flattered that she would suggest either of those, but then she can’t actually see the legs under my street clothes.

Me: “No, I’d have to shave my legs, and we’re only two weeks into spring. Do you have frumpy?”

Melanie just stares; frumpy is not a word in her vocabulary. She’s more familiar with tight, revealing, and hot. But, trying to accommodate me with every iota of resolve in her sweet, muscular little body, she moves on.

“What’s your favorite color?” she asks. “Fuchsia, but I’d rather blend in more.

Do you have gym-floor gray? You know,

so they can’t tell where I end and the floor begins? And I need it long—below my fanny.”

She is at a loss for helpful words. “Melanie, sweetheart, I don’t want to

look cool. I want to look invisible. Someday you’ll understand. If the elliptical cross-trainer doesn’t kill you first.”

So I direct her to just bring something to me.

Back she comes with 20 sets of pants and tops that by virtue of her being able to contain them all in her petite arm span will clearly fail to sufficiently cover my body. She plops them down on the bench and leans against the wall, apparently exhausted from the exertion.

“Do you want V-neck or crew?” she asks. Can’t this be simple? We haven’t even

gotten to the gym and I’m worn out. “Which will reveal less of me?” While Melanie is racking her

brain for the answer to this question, MyHusbandTheEngineer pops his head in.

“Here, you need a gym bag.” “Why?” I remind him that serious

workout gear only sets higher expectations in other people’s minds. And a brown paper bag will hold everything I could possibly need—car keys.

“You’ll look homeless,” he says. And so, with the guidance of my two

advisers, I choose two articles of clothing whose weight is in inverse proportion to their cost but that will fit into a brown paper bag I can take to the gym. To be continued...

Cathy Turney is the managing partner at Better Homes Realty in Walnut Creek, California, and author of Laugh Your Way to Real Estate Sales Success. www.CathyTurney.com.

Assemblywoman Bonilla Calls for Funding for Next Generation Science, Local Schools, and Teacher Development

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) recently introduced legislation that will help equip schools and teachers with the necessary resources to prepare California students for higher education and the shifting, technology-based economy. Assembly Bill 631 establishes the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards Implementation Fund, calling for the allocation of $2 billion from the State General Fund. “AB 631 takes advantage of this prime opportunity to increase much needed investment in professional development for teachers, technology-based instruction for students, and instructional materials aligned with the new Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards,” said Assemblywoman

Bonilla. “Nothing is more important than an investment on behalf of students to support the teaching and learning of California’s new Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards,” said Wes Smith, Executive Director of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).of students who are excelling and also for students who are struggling.

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) was elected in November 2010 and represents California’s 14th Assembly District, which includes Contra Costa County and Solano County.

MartinezThe Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 8 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

there is a way to curb what you are paying. Californians are going green

in an effort to reduce energy consumption and PG&E costs. One of the many changes you can make is to replace your heating and air conditioning system with high efficiency equipment.

Many cities in the Contra Costa County have adopted The CaliforniaFIRST financing program, including Clayton, Martinez, and

CaliforniaFirst Financing Available to Concord Homeowners This Spring

I recently had lunch with an old friend, Cathy, and her husband, Kevin. Our

conversation turned to their grandchildren and how these children are growing up with

a complete lack of discipline. Kevin recalled how his mom took care of punishing him

when he misbehaved. His favorite toy, his beloved erector set, was removed from his room, placed on a shelf in the kitchen where he could see it, but not touch.

One day, when he was six years old, he had had enough. He marched up to his mom and loudly told her he was running away. She never said a word, went over to a drawer and pulled out a large linen napkin. She spread the napkin on the kitchen table, put an apple in the center and then made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which she added to the apple. She then went into the garage and came back with a long stick. She made a bundle of the napkin and tied it to the end of the stick and placed it on his shoulder so that the bundle swung loosely in the air. His mom then put his jacket on him and escorted him to the front door. She finally spoke.

Mom wished him well, hoped that he would keep in touch and let her know how he was doing. She kissed him and opened the front door and all of a sudden he was on the porch and his mom was closing the door on him. Somehow, even his little six year old brain realized that this was not the way his pronouncement was supposed to have been received.

He had envisioned her crying and pleading with him not to run away, that there would be no more punishments, ever. He stood on the porch wondering what his next move would be.

Finally, he knocked on the door. His mom answered and in a surprised voice asked him how he had been and if he wanted to eat. She removed the bundle and offered him the sandwich and then went about her business. Nothing more was said.

Discipline accomplished.

The Son Away! By Ruth Dwyer

Sponsored by the Diamond Terrace 55+ Retirement Community, Claytonresident tales

www.diamondterrace.net

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 9 • EASTER SPECIALS| www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

EASTER

by Jason Rugaard, www.moviemavericks.comthemoviemaverickAvengers:Grimm

3.5 Stars

Someone had the (semi) bright idea to ride the coattails of the upcoming Marvel sequel to The Avengers, by collecting the title characters of the Brothers’ Grimm tales and placing them together in a movie. Instead of Iron Man and Captain America, we are treated here to the sight of Rumpelstiltskin and Cinderella doing battle.

Dastardly Rumpelstiltskin uses Snow White’s Magic Mirror in order to transport himself and White into the modern world. This transgression inadvertently brings three other princesses Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel along too. Now, out-of-place in the real world, the group of ass-kicking females must use their training and every bit of their magical prowess to defeat Rumpelstiltskin and his legion of enslaved men. Aided by Red Riding Hood, the ladies must confront the Wolf

and return Snow White to their alternate universe. Bodybuilding champion and one-time Hulk-ster Lou Ferrigno is Iron Jim, a monster of a man who transformers in a green colored wrecking machine.

This is one of the most enjoyable ‘Mockbusters’ to escape from the Asylum since Hercules Reborn. I’ve been accused of being both too kind and overly critical of these titles, but this time out the praise is deserved. Casper Van Dien knocks this one out with an intensity, and sense of wily mischief we haven’t seen from the actor in recent years, while Marah Fairclough’s slumbering beauty is a dream. The fight scenes are polished and the movie has a vibe similar to the X-men series, particularly the parallel between Rouge and Riding Hood.

Director: Jeremy M. InmanStars: Casper Van Dien, Rileah

Vanderbilt, Milynn Sarley

Maplecroft (The Borden Dispatches #1by Cherie Priest

You might be familiar with the schoolyard rhyme that was inspired by the infamous Lizzie Borden double murder trial.

If not, it goes like this: “Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks; and when she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one…”

Bestselling author Cherie Priest (Boneshaker, et al.) uses that schoolyard rhyme as a springboard to propel a fictional Lizzie Borden, trusty ax in hand and invalid sister at her side, into a nightmarish world filled with Lovecraft inspired horrors.

Seems that Borden was forced to use her legendary ax on her father and stepmother, because they had become infected by a strange illness from the sea. One that altered both their bodies and minds. That turned them into inhuman monsters.

Declared innocent of the crime of homicide, Lizzie, along with her sister, moves into a new house. One they name Maplecroft. There they attempt to study the strange illness that turned their father and stepmother into monsters, and try to learn enough about it to discover a cure.

They also find themselves coming under repeated attacks by strange

creatures that crawl from the sea. Lizzie fights them off. Using her trusty ax, of course.

And yes, Maplecroft does read every bit as silly as my synopsis no doubt makes it sound. But, like Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which clearly inspired Priest’s book, it is supposed to be dead serious. Problem is, I had a very hard time taking it even the slightest bit seriously. Sadly, I also had an equally hard time approaching it as just a bit of silly fun.

What made that so very frustrating: there were quite a few moments sprinkled throughout the novel that managed to generate a fair degree of tension, and the story’s stormy climax was a suspense fueled nightmare of horrors.

But those few moments are not at all well connected. Priest tells her story as a series of journal entries and/or letters written by various characters. The problem is all the letters and journal entries read as if they were written by the same writer. Even worse, what comes after the exciting climax was, well, far too anti-climatic to satisfy.

Maplecroft falls short. I cannot recommend it, not even to the most curious of readers.

Read more of Chad’’s book reviews at http://bit.ly/McHguP

bookends

A T

ale

to T

ell

by Chadwick H Saxelid

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 10 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Who are the Most Important Living Artists?

by Deborah AshleyTime for the Arts

Deborah Ashley has 20 years of teaching experience in piano violin and art and teaches ages 5 through adult. She offers private piano and violin lessons as well as private and group art classes. Contact Deborah at deblovesart@aol.com, or 925 588-5226.

The Answer to that question is a matter of opinion of course, but a century or more ago, visual artists weren’t often regarded as successful or influential in the greater scheme of the cultural world. They weren’t even financially very well rewarded until long after they were dead and gone. Today, that has all changed and over the last fifty plus years, living artists are recognized and celebrated while they are actually around to enjoy it.

But art is a subjective field, with a thousand different opinions about a painting, sculpture or any type of artistic piece. So who is to say what or who is a great work of art or a great artist? Galleries and auction houses are seeing rises in the art world and sales of paintings by living artists are soaring to new records all the time.

Several years ago, Vanity Fair did a poll of 100 art world authorities, professors and curators to name who they thought were the top most important living artists. The results of their poll included these six artists: At the top of the list with 24 votes was the German painter Gerhard Richter. Coming in second with 20 votes was Jasper Johns;Richard Serra was right behind with 19 votes. Bruce Nauman had 17 votes, Cindy Sherman 12 and Ellsworth Kelly with 10. There were many more artists on the list and if you asked a different group of authorities, you would probably get an entirely new group of top favorites. Some of the other artists in the running who didn’t make it in the top group

included John Baldessari, Jeff Koons, William Kentridge, Ai Weiwei, David Hammons, Brice Marden, Ed Ruscha, James Turrell and Kara Walker.

There are many, many more living artists who might make it on other top six artists lists, but isn’t it wonderful that there are so many regarded as important while they are still living and that the world is recognizing the importance of art and artists as playing a significant role in our culture.

So the next question is what does it mean to be an important artist? How do we define what is considered important? Artists are recognized for their ground-breaking innovations or for expressing themselves in ways that haven’t been seen or done before. An exceedingly difficult task, because how much hasn’t been done before? But there are those who challenge us to new ways of thinking and seeing in such unique ways, that it changes us. Through their eyes, we see into their individual world and it makes an impact on our culture.

Since Gerhard Richter made it to the top of his list, here is the link to see some of his paintings: https://www.gerhard-richter.com/en/art/paintings.

Clayton Theatre Company

The wait is almost over - Arsenic and Old Lace, the farcical black comedy about the Brewster family, is coming to Endeavor Hall in downtown Clayton. Admittedly the family is a little strange, even if they can trace their lineage to The Mayflower. The hero, Mortimer, has two elderly aunts who murder lonely old men by poisoning them with home made elderberry wine laced with arsenic. One of his brothers thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt and is digging locks for the Panama Canal in the basement which the Aunts are actually using as graves for their poisoning victims. There’s another brother, Jonathan, who has shown up under mysterious circumstances and with ill intent, with a face made unrecognizable by

plastic surgery. Poor Mortimer, with a houseful of contract killers and dear sweet old ladies with poisonous intent, is trying to convince himself

that marrying his lovely fiancee is a good idea. The plot is hilarious, the twists and turns ridiculous and you’ll enjoy every minute of it.

Half the ticket sales for the April 15 preview

go to Clayton Relay for Life. The play continues April 16 - 19 and April 22 - 25. You can purchase tickets now for all shows at brownpapertickets.com. There is more information on our website at www.claytontheatrecompany.com, about the play, tickets, and volunteering. You don’t want to miss this production. The cast is fabulous and the play is a delight.

Aresenic and Old Lace

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 11 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 12 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Stress-FREE Real Estate by Jennifer Stojanovich/Better Homes Realty

The Mortgage Pre-approval Letter: Why It’s Important to Get One

If you are thinking about buying a new home in the near future, you may already be searching online to get a feel for the different types of homes available in the local area. You may have reviewed your budget, and you may have a fair idea about a sales price that is comfortable for you to afford.

While you may feel as though you have taken the preliminary steps necessary to prepare yourself to buy a home, it is important that you also get a mortgage pre-approval letter for your financing before you starting hunting for that perfect new house or condo.

A mortgage pre-approval letter is issued to a loan applicant after he or she has passed through a preliminary credit review process. Most of these letters state that the individual is pre-qualified for a property with a maximum sales price, and it is contingent on the loan applicant providing supporting documentation, such as tax returns and bank statements.

This letter gives you a better idea about what it will take for you to get final loan approval and what loan amount you may qualify for. The letter is also provided to a seller, and it gives the seller the confidence that comes with knowing that you are a qualified buyer. When a

seller has an offer from a buyer with a letter and another offer from one without a letter, there is a good chance that the seller will opt for a buyer who is already pre-qualified for financing.

Getting a pre-approval is generally a straightforward process, but it can seem intimidating. You will need to complete a loan application, and this may be done in person or online with a lender or mortgage company. You will also need to sign an authorization for the lender to pull your credit report. After taking these steps, you typically will be able to receive a pre-approval letter within a day or two.

When you have plans to purchase a new home, you likely will need to apply for financing in order to complete your plans. Getting a pre-approval letter up-front can help you in a number of ways, and you can easily take the steps necessary to get pre-approved for your mortgage. Simply contact a mortgage company or lender today to get started with the process.

Contact me today to get started!Email me at jenstojanovich@yahoo.com or SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 6

[Article courtesy Mason McDuffie Mortgage]

Photos by Micah Nunez Clayton/Diablo Gazette

aRt Cottage 2238 Diablo St. Concord

continues next page

Calendar of EventsThe Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 13 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

HOLIDAYS/CELEBRATIONS3 Good Friday.5 Easter Sunday.3 Passover begins at sundown, lasts 8 days.15 Income taxes due (most years it is due on the 15th)20 Patriot’s Day Third Monday.22 Earth Day (U.S.)

FUNDRAISERS•Pacheco: 4/18, 5-9 pm, Pacheco Community Center, 5800 Pacheco Blvd. It’s a Showdown at the Poodle Corral benefitting Norcal Poodle Res-cue. Put on your western gear and join us for all you can eat the Bosses Chuck Wagon, prepared and served by Back 40 Texas BBQ, beverages, and an evening of casino entertain-ment: roulette, blackjack, craps, pok-er. Have fun! Win prizes! Help us bring the doggies home. Tickets are now on sale at norcalpoodlerescue-adoption.com or norcalpoodlerescue.net $75.00

OUTDOORS:•MARTINEZ: - See AD PAGE 14•DANVILLE: First Sunday of every •Month: Cars ‘n Coffee, On the First Sunday of every month, automotive enthusiasts gather in the parking lots of the Blackhawk Automotive Museum to share their vehicles and admire the other fabulous classics, exotics, rods and anything else with wheels and a motor. There is no fee for Cars & Coffee. Come when you want, leave when you want, but know that early arrivals do get the parking space they prefer. Also, the Museum opens at 9am on Cars & Coffee Sundays. 8am-10am , Black-hawk Museum • 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle • Danville, CA 94506p:925.736.2280 • f:925.736.4818 • museum@blackhawkmuseum.org, http://www.blackhawkmuseum.org/carsncoffee.html•LAFAYETTE: 4/12/15, 5/10/15, Fam-ily Day at Sienna Ranch, Each Fall and Spring, Sienna Ranch opens its doors for special family and commu-nity open house days. Come enjoy our lovable animals, fun activities,

good company, and wholesome environment. Bring your own picnic lunch or pre-order a healthy lunch to eat on the day. Family Day Passes are $85, Admission to Sienna Ranch Family Day for up to 5 people, 3 pony or horse ride tickets3 archery tickets, 5 tractor-pulled hayride tickets, Participation in the hands-on activity,Opportunity to go on a guided nature hike to our Tree Fort. Unlimited animal visits to goats, sheep and chickens during open pen times.http://bit.ly/1FOtrdc to register Sienna Ranch, 3232 Deer Hill Rd., Lafayette•SAN FRANCISCO: Gray Whale Migration Season, Numerous loca-tions along the Pacific coast Thru – 5/31/15, Paid boat tours or Free from shore . Watch some 20,000 gray whales migrating from the Arctic to Baja, Mexico. Tour boats leave San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Moss Landing and Monterey during this season. Or, watch them from on shore. http://www.hiddensf.com/gray-whale-migration-california.html

CLUB EVENTS•CONCORD: 4th Friday: Concord Ducati Bike Night, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month at Lazy Dog Café, 1961 Diamond Blvd, Concord. 925/849-1221 http://norcaldoc.com•Word Weavers Toastmasters invites the public to join us at these two Free special events and see how Toastmasters can improve your communication, presentation, and leadership skills in a friendly and entertaining environment.•“Tenth Annual Festival of Tables & Fashion” event. The proceeds from the luncheon and fashion show will go to selected community charities and scholarships. The date is Saturday, May 9, 2015, at 11:00 am and the place is the Concord United Methodist Church at 1645 West Street in Concord. Fashions are by Drap-er’s and Damon’s of Walnut Creek. Luncheon by Rick’s On Second. Seating is limited and the event was sold out last year. For reservation in-formation ($40), please call Rosemary Harwood at (925) 672-3490. For more information about the Woman’s Club, check out www.claytonvalley-

womansclub.com.

HOME & GARDENFARMERS’ MARKETS•Pacific Coast Farmers Market Asso-ciation: •Concord Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm, year-round, rain or shine, Todos San-tos Plaza. •Concord Thursdays, 4pm to 8pm, Todos Santos Plaza.•Clayton, Saturdays 10am - 2pm •Martinez, Sundays, 10am to 2pm, year-round, Main St. and Estudillo. •Pleasant Hill Saturday, May 3rd through November 15th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Downtown Plaza (in front of Jack’s Restaurant) http://www.pcfma.com http://www.pcfma.org •Contra Costa Certified Farmers Market Sundays 9 am - 1 pm, Year Round, WalnutCreek, North Locust St between Giamona and Lacassie St. (925) 431-8361 http://www.cccfm.org

VISUAL ARTS/BOOK SIGNINGS•WALNUT CREEK: Thru 4/2015 Artist Deborah Ashley -Twenty of Deborah’s paintings will be on exhibit until April 2015 at Kanishka’s Restaurant, 1518 Bonanza St. (near Locust Avenue), Walnut Creek

THEATRE/FILM•The Music Man, presented by Contra Costa Musical Theatre,th-ru- April 19, . Fast-talking con man Harold Hill sells instruments and uniforms to the naive Iowa towns-folk, promising to train the members of a new boys’ band – without giving music lessons. Plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian. Lester Center, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, (925) 295-1400, http://www.lesher-artscenter.org•Arsenic and Old Lace, presented by The Clayton Theatre Company, Wednesday April 15 - Saturday April 25. Comedy farce about two elderly aunts who murder lonely old men by poisoning them with home made elderberry wine laced with arsenic. The nephew just wants to marry his fiancee but is afraid his family’s madness is hereditary. Half the ticket sales for the April 15 preview go to Clayton Relay for Life. Tickets on sale now at www.brown-papertickets.com.

MUSIC/BANDS/DANCE/COMEDY

•WALNUT CREEK: Free Come-dy & Beer Night | Walnut Creek, The Sports Basement Walnut Creek store hosts a free comedy night on (most) fourth Fridays of the month from 6:30-8 pm. 1881 Ygnacio Valley Road Walnut Creek• Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ever-popular cinema sensation ‘The Sound of Music’ (1965) with an exciting live sing-along with Flock of Flutes, the East Bay’s premiere flute orchestra, on Saturday, March 28, 2 p.m. at the Lafayette Library (3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.). The concert and sing-along are free and open to the public.Flock of Flutes is the East Bay’s premiere all-flute orchestra, led by long-time director Monica Wil-liams. Flock of Flutes features a tal-ented ensemble of local flutists from middle-school through adult ages, all of whom have at least three years of experience playing and performing. For more information visit http://ba-yareaflutist.com.

å GOVERNMENT•Concord City Council, 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Council Chambers, 1950 Parkside Dr, Con-cord. Or watch online at http://www.ci.concord.ca.us/citygov/agendas/council/•Clayton City Council, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7pm. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Rd, Clayton. http://ci.clayton.ca.us•Martinez City Council, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. City Hall, 7 pm, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez. Or Listen online at http://www.granicus.com/streamingMediaHelp/minimumSys-tem.htm, http://www.cityofmartinez.org•Walnut Creek City Council, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7 pm. Or watch online at http://www.walnut-creek.org/ser-vices/citizen/granicus.asp •Pleasant Hill City Council, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, Council Chambers of the Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Or follow online at http://www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us/media/ CLUBS•American Association of University Women - Concord Branch www.aauw-concord.org•American Legion Post 171 - 5 p.m. third Tuesdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord. 687-1427.•B2F Business Networking Group - noon first and third Thursdays. 998-8844.•Beachcomber Singles - Social and service activities for active adults age 45 and above. For more information call (510) 799-2207, Or visit our web-site: www.beachcombersingles.org/

•British Club - 11:30 a.m. first Wednesdays, Zio Fraedo’s, Pleasant Hill. 682-7978.•Circle of Friends - second Mondays, Walnut Country Club, Concord. 998-8844.•Clayton Valley Garden Club- 7p.m. second Wednesdays, February-November. Diamond

Terrace, 6401 Center St., Clayton. Contact: www.claytonvalleygardenclub.org•Clutch Busters Square Dance Club - 7:30 p.m.-9:30 pm Thursdays, New dancers and those want-ing brush-up are welcome. Willow Pass Communi-ty Center, 2748 E Olivera Rd, Concord. 686-3774.

•Concord Art Association - 12:50 p.m. second Tuesdays, Concord Library. 646-5455.•Concord Diablo Rotary - 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Concord. dirk@wentlingstu-dio.com 685.7760•Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club- 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, Clayton. 689-7640 or www.claytonvalley-rotary.org.•Clayton Valley Woman’s Club. For meeting times call Aleta at 925-672-9448 www.claytonvalley-womansclub.org.•Concord Garden Club - 9:30 a.m. third Tuesdays, Bethel Baptist Church, Concord. 687-2334.•Concord Lions Club - 7 p.m. third Tuesdays, La Tapatia Mexican Restaurant, Concord. 687-3594.•Concord Mystery Book Club - 2:30 p.m. second Sundays, Concord Library, 646-5455.•Concord Senior Club - ballroom dancing, 1 p.m. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 p.m. second Saturdays. 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. 798-4557.•Contra Costa Genealogical Society - 7 p.m. sec-ond Thursdays, Church of Jesus Christ of Lat-ter-day Saints, Concord. www.rootsweb.com/~cacccgs.•Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society - 7:30 p.m. second Mondays, Centre Concord. 429-2748 or www.ccmgs.org.•Creekside Artists Guild Meets 2nd Wed. each month @ 7-8:30pm. Clayton Library Story Room, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton. Arlene 673-9777, akik-sen@aol.com•Concord United Methodist Women Monthly Meeting 510-758-4837•Diablo Numismatic Society - 7 p.m. third Thurs-days, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord. 825-0649 or xsteamerx@aol.com.•Diablo Toastmasters, every Thursday 7 – 9 p.m., Sizzler Rest., Concord. http://www.diablotoast-masters.org. •Diablo Valley Democratic Club - 7 p.m. third Wednesdays, Ygnacio Valley Library, Walnut Creek. 946-0469 or http://www.dvdems.org. •Diablo Valley Macintosh Users Group - 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays. Bancroft Elementary School, Wal-nut Creek. 689-1155 or www.dvmug.org.•Diablo Valley Mustang Assoc meets 7:00 pm second Wednesdays each month at Fuddruckers Concord. All Mustang afficiados invited. Nancy Russell 925-825-5994. www.dvma.org•Diablo Valley Wings, Chapter P of the Gold Wing Touring Association - 12:15 p.m. third Tuesdays, Sizzler, Concord. 686-3774 or http://www.GWTA-CA-DVW.org.•East Bay Prospectors Club - 7 p.m. fourth Wednesday, 1021 Detroit Ave., Unit D, Concord. 672-1863 or www.eastbaygpaa.webs.com.•Ellen’s Guild - 10 a.m second Tuesdays, Family Stress Center, Concord. 672-5409 or www.fami-lystresscenter.org.•Hope Academy Concord Open House, Third

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 14 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Thursday of each month, 9 – 9:45 a.m. Reservations required: Judy Davies 687-7555; 5353 Concord Blvd. www.hopeacademyconcord.org•Kiwanis Club of Greater Concord - 8:15 a.m. Wednesdays, Buttercup Grill and Bar, 4301 Clayton Rd., Con-cord. 372-5348.•Knife Throwing Club/Diablo Impalement Arts Group:We throw anything with a point on our 40 foot multiple target range, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun-part of the Diablo Rod and Gun Club, 4700 Evora Rd.Concord,(925)709-9199 www.throwzini.com/events.html•Knitting Group - 2 p.m. first Sun-days, Concord Library. 646-5455.•Knights Of Columbus, Concord Council 6038Meets 7:30 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, St.Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Contact Rayce at 683-9717 or rayce@aol.com.•Mt. Diablo Metal Detecting Club - 7:30 p.m. second Tuesdays, Contra Costa Water District Offices, Con-cord. 682-7428 or www.mdmdctreasurehunting.com.•Mt. Diablo Branch, California Writ-ers Club 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill $35 for CWC members. Contact jeaniegpops@comcast.net, or 934-5677 for more information.•Soroptimist International Diablo Vista - 12:15 p.m. first, second and third Wednesdays, Sizzler, Concord. 672-2727•National Marine Corps Business Network: www.nmcbn.com/ We normally meet the second Tuesday of each month. Contact 925-680-8714.

•Odd Fellows - 3 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Pacheco Lodge 117, Concord. 682-7358.•Pleasant Hill Walnut Creek Moth-ers’ Club, http://www.phwcmother-sclub.org•Rising Stars Toastmasters. This group was created for job seekers. For more information, contact Der-rick Smith at (925) 381-4551 or go to risingstarstm.toastmastersclubs.org.•Snowchasers Ski Club - Snow skiing and Snowboarding- First and Third Wednesdays of each month. Snowchasers meets 7:30 pm Sizzlers Concord.Contact iSteve and Rosalie Rhodes,925-228-8145.www.snowchasers.org•Toastmasters International - 7 p.m. Mondays, Montecito of Concord, 682-7211. Also, 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, John Muir Concord Campus. Toast-masters can help! Our local club, Word Weavers, meets Mondays, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. at 4756 Clayton Road, Concord 686-1818. www.toastmas-ters.org. •Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1525 - 9 a.m. second Saturdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord.

SUPPORT GROUPS•Al-Anon Family Group - 7:30 p.m. Mondays, St. Martins of Tours Angli-can Church and Preschool, Concord. 932-6770 or www.ncwsa.org.•Alcoholics Anonymous - 939-4155 or www.aa.org.•Cardiac Care Support Group - 7

p.m. second Thursdays, John Muir Walnut Creek or Concord. 947-5206.•Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implant Wearers Support Group - 7 p.m. first Wednesdays, Walnut Creek United Methodist Church. HLAADV@hear-inglossdv.org or 264-1199.•HIV/AIDS Support Group - 7-9 p.m. 2nd & 4th Thursdays, John Muir Concord. 674-2190.•Leukemia Society Family Support Group - 7 p.m. first Thursdays. 947-4466, ext. 32797.•Living with a Mental Illness? Join NAMI Connection Peer-led support group. Saturdays 1:00 - 2:30 pm Held at John Muir Behavioral Health Center 2740 Grant Street Concord. Call 925-942-0767 or www.namicon-tracosta.org

•Nar-Anon - 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, John Muir Concord. http://naranon-california.org.•Pet Loss Support Group, Every first Tuesday of the month, 12:00 - 1:30 PM. (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration required. •Rainbow Community Center - Check Website for services. 3024 Wil-low Pass Road, Suite 200, Concord.www.rainbowcc.org.•Retired & Senior Volunteer Pro-gram - 472-5777.•The Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County will hold its monthly meeting. For details of time and place contact Ann Dzuna at 925-376-6218. Meetings are free.

The Clayton Gazette of the Diablo Valley • APRIL 2015 • Page 15 • www.ClaytonGazette.com | www.fb.com/claytongazette • (925) 303-4779

Blossoms for Barbara Breaks Record 1,160 Valentine Flowering Plants of

Compassion Delivered!

Clayton Valley Garden Club members decorated and delivered 1,160 flowering gifts in the fourth annual “Blossoms for Barbara” event.

Linda Manss Karp, event founder and Chair, and her volunteer committee delivered the lovely plants for Valentines Day. All the festively decorated flowering gifts of love and compassion were delivered and gifted to those under hospice care, patients in assisted living and convalescent locations, Battered Woman’s Shelters, a Veterans Hospice, and the elderly and shut-in recipients of Meals on Wheels in the Contra Costa area.

All this was in part made possible by the generous donations from The Clayton Business And Community Association, Orchard Supply

Hardware, and businesses from local and far. A special surprise donation toward the event for $2,500 was received from Asera Care Hospice Foundation. Asera Care has received the lovely blossoms for their patients for three years. Asera Care was so pleased with the generosity of the plants, and the positive response from their patients and the families, the foundation gladly gave this generous donation.

Every year the Blossoms continue to touch so many hearts . I hope this continuing random act of kindness touched yours .

Contributions to “Blossoms for Barbara” can be made at any time via the ‘Contact Us’ tab on the CVGC website: www.claytonvalleygardenclub.org

Stop by our office today and pick up a copy of The Clayton Gazette Read Us Online: www.ClaytonGazette.com