Despite heavy rains and heat, Clayton finds time to celebrate
Downtown Clayton was a hub of activity in 2017, from the civic-minded Clayton Cleans Up and Relay for Life to always popular festivities like the Art and Wine Festival, Farmers Market, Classic Car Shows, Fourth of July Parade, Concerts in the Grove and Oktoberfest.
But weather issues hampered Clayton residents’ plans over the year. Winter’s heavy rains led to a slide and extended road closure on Morgan Territory. Then summer hit with long heat waves and smoke-filled skies in September.
Here’s a look at some of the year’s top stories, from a local vantage point.
January
Field of Dreams. A fundraising group announced plans to renovate the playing field at Mt. Diablo Elementary School. “The field is dangerous,” said committee co-chair Nancy Salmon. “Between the lack of regular maintenance and watering over the years and the gopher population, the field just seems to worsen over time.” According to co-chair Pat Middendorf, the school district is considering spending “a considerable sum” on the field. The MDES Playfield Project has almost $300,000 pledged and raised for the project. “Fundraising will continue soon, once we have the firm costs and commitment from the school district,” Middendorf told the Pioneer last week.
A good soaking. During the first few weeks of 2017, our area was buffeted by a nearly continuous series of storms. As a result, the drought for the northern half of the state was downgraded from severe to either slight or drought-free. “We may grow weary of the wet weather,” wrote Pioneer weather columnist Woody Whitlatch, “but we really needed the rain.”
February
More weather woes. Stories of flooding and mudslides dominated Bay Area headlines, with a rockslide on Morgan Territory Road bringing the disaster home to Clayton. The pavement was buckling and cracking and the water main broke three times before the road was closed on Feb. 24. Reconstruction got underway in July, and the road finally reopened on Nov. 18
Smile – you’re on camera. Police Chief Chris Wenzel outlined plans to install cameras at the four major entrances to the town. “These are not monitored surveillance cameras,” Wenzel told the City Council. “Nor will they be used to issue citations.” In August, Wenzel reported that the camera system was largely in place and being tested. During its initial setup, the system already acknowledged three stolen vehicles coming through Clayton, plus several reported lost or stolen vehicle plates.
March
A tribute to Main Street. This year’s Creekside Arts event at the Clayton Library presented varying interpretations on the theme “Life on Main Street.” The fundraiser for the library’s creekside wildlife habitat included an ecological presentation entitled “Life on Main Stream.”
Right on the money. Clayton finance manager Kevin Mizuno earned the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. Mizuno was honored for his professionalism in elevating the city’s financial records and disclosures to national stature.
April
High marks for Clayton. Mayor Jim Diaz touted two national reports that spotlighted Clayton. LendEDU ranked Clayton No. 106 nationally among Cities with the Smartest Residents and No. 124 as part of its Best Cities for a Teaching Career Report. “Such rankings are satisfying confirmations of what a distinct place we have managed to maintain amid the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area,” the mayor wrote in his Pioneer column.
Spring has sprung. The skies cleared and the sun shone for the 22nd annual Art and Wine Festival, with more than 90 vendors lining Main Street. The event is the major fundraiser for the Clayton Business and Community Association.
May
Flowers, flowers, everywhere. The annual Clayton Historical Society Garden Tour celebrated the end of the drought with lush and colorful spring gardens. Each garden on the tour is an imaginative expression of the owner’s personality.
Veggies and fruits take center stage. Clayton’s downtown Farmers Market opened with a ceremonial cabbage toss led by Mayor Jim Diaz. The Black Pack provided live music while residents browsed. Market manager Lynette Miscione said this year’s market will be “bigger and better.”
June
A day to honor Mangini. The City Council proclaimed June 18 as Father Richard Mangini Day upon his retirement after 21 years at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. “One of the things I enjoy about being a priest in the community so many years later is still serving many of the same families with whom I grew up,” said the Concord native. The church’s new leader, Father Mat Vellankal, made headlines this fall when he launched a drive-through prayer service on weeknights. “At the end of the work or school day, people may be stressed out and/or face a crisis in their life,” Vellankal said. “We want them to share a short prayer of three minutes or less with the team before they continue home.”
How hot was it? The Bay Area endured a strong heat wave, with afternoon maximum temperatures soaring well above 100 degrees for several consecutive days. “It’s safe to say that our recent heat event was the most severe since 2006,” wrote Pioneer weather columnist Woody Whitlatch. “It’s also safe to say that it can get a lot hotter.”
Limits on housing density. The City Council passed an amendment to the General Plan that will help preserve Clayton’s rural ambience. “This amendment is one more tool in the toolbox to allow us to build appropriately and not overbuild on sensitive areas,” said Councilwoman Julie Pierce. The council also approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2017-’18. “If we had to, we could actually operate for a full year on reserves alone,” noted finance manager Kevin Mizuno.
July
Old-fashioned American fun. As usual, the crowds came downtown for the Fourth of July Parade as well as the third annual Clayton Classic Car Shows from June to September. And more than 5,000 people attended the 8th annual Clayton BBQ Cook-Off, which featured 30 competitors.
August
A local hero. Clayton resident Michael Fossan didn’t hesitate when he saw three people in need. For his heroic rescue on the Russian River, the Boy Scouts of America presented him with the Honor Medal. On Memorial Day 2016, Fossan rescued a drowning man along with two people in a pool raft being pulled away by the current. “In the moment, it was just doing it. There wasn’t worry or excitement or anything. It was just getting it done,” Fossan recalled.
September
Heating things up. Although blistering heat and smoke forced the cancellation of the Sept. 2 Concert in the Grove, the 10th annual season ended on a high note with crowd favorite East Bay Mudd on Sept. 16. “The lineups get better and better. It’s just a great experience,” said founder Howard Geller. “From what people tell me, this was one of the best things that ever happened to the city.”
Holiday humbugs. Spider mites have infested the town’s Christmas tree near the corner of Main and Oak streets. Although it showed signs of growth after a chemical infusion over the summer, arborists say the tree will not recover. The decorated tree in the gazebo was used for this year’s Christmas tree lighting, and the city plans to find a suitable replacement tree for future celebrations.
October
Plenty of oom-pah. The 14th annual Oktoberfest was the biggest yet, says co-chair Maryann Lawrence. “I’ve never seen so many people on Main Street,” noted City Councilwoman Julie Pierce. The Clayton Business and Community Association hosts the fall event, which includes a carnival, polka music, traditional German food and, of course, a biergarten.
Dog-gone good book. Clayton residents joined together for the 10th annual Clayton Reads, focusing on “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” Author Garth Stein tells the story from the viewpoint of Enzo the dog. “It’s a very accessible story and it speaks to a lot of people – anyone who has a love of dogs or pets in general,” said Clayton librarian Karen Hansen.
November
Changes at police department. Joseph Kreins is the interim police chief, after Chris Wenzel resigned for personal reasons. A new chief is expected to be appointed in the new year. In his farewell column in the Pioneer, Wenzel thanked the community as well as PD and city staff. “Many years ago, I learned that the success of any city involves partnerships with numerous people and organizations willing to spend the energy to make life better,” he wrote. “Current events have shown us that times are changing, and we must remain vigilant in protecting ourselves and our community.”