Farmer’s market, concerts welcome summer in Clayton

Farmers Market – If you’re looking for fresh grown or organic produce, then Clayton’s Farmers Market is the place to be. The market is open 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays. All the vendors are friendly and offer tree-ripened fruits, strawberries and vegetables to taste and buy. It’s a great destination walk to downtown. The market promises to add more vendors as the produce season progresses and as more of Clayton’s residents utilize this treasure trove of healthy produce.

Concerts In The Grove Park – We hope the weather cancellation of the first two concerts scheduled for May 7 and 21 did not inconvenience our loyal patrons. With forecasts of rain and temperatures in the low 60s, our outdoor concerts were not viable. The good news is we were able to reschedule these two great concerts. Retromaniax will be performing July 9, and Larry Lynch and the Mob will be here July 23. Please add these to your Saturday concert schedule.

Clayton Valley Little League – As the school session winds down, I once again congratulate Clayton Valley Little League on a great year for our boys and girls. This year, CVLL had more than 700 youth participating in baseball and softball and has partnered with other Little Leagues throughout Contra Costa to play interleague games. By the time you read this, CVLL will have crowned its division champions who will represent the league in the district Tournament of Champions in early summer. They will also be forming All-Star teams for 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds who will play for a chance to go to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

CVLL is an all-volunteer organization that has been in our community since 1964 and is one of the most successful Little Leagues in the Bay Area. They use sports fields throughout Concord and Clayton and help teach our children teamwork and sportsmanship. If you are interested in volunteering for this great organization, go to www.cvll.org and let them know.

Clayton Valley Charter High School – With graduation around the corner, I am sure many students will be enjoying summer breaks, vacations and time with friends and relatives. CVCHS offers freshman students their Summer Bridge to Success Program. This provides all incoming freshmen with an opportunity to get a head start in English and Algebra or learn valuable time management and organizational skills. About 400 incoming freshmen will participate.

CVCHS also offers a Summer Credit Recovery to allow returning students to complete classes online that they failed or want to make up due to earning a D. About 250 students will be attempting one or two courses during the summer.

It is partly due to these types of programs that CVCHS has been so successful in moving its graduation from 83 percent pre-charter school to an impressive 98 percent. This rating equals the top-rated public schools in our region. It is no wonder CVCHS has become the school of choice for students in the Clayton Valley and neighboring communities.