JAN 19 The Pioneer 2024 by Pioneer Publishers

January 19, 2024

www.PioneerPublishers.com

From housing to budgets, new mayors hope for more constituent involvement DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

Local incoming mayors are all looking to work closely with residents on key issues, with Pleasant Hill’s new mayor even declaring “Come Together” as his theme for 2024. However, Clayton Mayor Jim Diaz got off to a rough start last month after a divided council vote to elect him. Now, Diaz tells The Pioneer he wants to foster “a betterinformed community” and sees the town’s upcoming 60th anniversary celebration as a community rallying point. As the new mayors of Concord, Pleasant Hill and Clayton set their agendas, much of what was the focus a year ago is being recirculated. BIRSAN: LOOKING FOR CIVIL DISCOURSE

Concord Mayor Edi Birsan identified cleaning the roads and working on homeless issues as a couple of primary goals again for 2024. Along with improvement with these persistent challenges, add affordable housing

and maintaining the stable quality of life that residents have come to expect. From a civility standpoint, he hopes for more respect among individuals. “Some things are driving us apart that we need counter. We need to get back to having civil conversation with each other and working on things that are common,” he said. “I know we can respect each other,” added Birsan, who has lived in Concord since 1983 with his high school sweetheart and wife of 50 years. He has served on the council since 2012 and was previously mayor in 2017. While bothered by a decline in civil discourse over the last decade and increasing situations that are driving the community apart, Birsan noted examples that reflect how the communi-

The way forward, Birsan believes, is the avoidance of ID politics that have caused stratification nationally and locally as people have become entrenched on the extremes rather finding common ground in the middle. “Hope won’t make it happen,” he said. “People working together will make it happen.” DIAZ: KEEPING RESIDENTS INFORMED AND INVOLVED

EDI BIRSAN CONCORD MAYOR

JIM DIAZ CLAYTON MAYOR

MATT RINN PLEASANT HILL MAYOR

ty is coming together. He pointed to the raising of the Pride flag becoming the rule for Concord, not an exception, and increased attendance at the Pride Picnic as well as participation in the Clayton Pride Parade.

He also cited the first Juneteenth Celebration and growing Latino festivities, plus substantial representation from minorities, including residents of the Asian and Indian communities, appointed to city panels.

“We have made advances in diversity in the last seven years,” said Birsan. “And, I see it continuing.” In the year ahead, he also wants the Historical Society and arts group to become more active in the community.

BEV BRITTON & JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

Clayton next in line to receive new pails

Tamara Steiner

For over six decades swimmers and families have taken BEV BRITTON lessons, competed in meets and socialized at Springwood The Pioneer Swim Club on Concord Blvd. The local club is in danger of losing its swim team and pool if it can’t pay off a loan by If your New Year’s resolu- March 2025.

See COMPOST, page 7

Next issue, Feb. 16, Deadline, Feb. 5

See Mayors, page 5

Springwood Swim Team faces financial challenges to keep team, community pool, City Swim Meet

Kitchen composting a sign of the times – and the law

tions include reducing your carbon footprint, a new composting law will be right up your alley. Senate Bill 1383 requires residents to compost organic waste like food scraps, plant trimmings and food-soiled paper. Called a “climate super pollutant,” organic waste emits 20% of the state’s methane – a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Republic Services will deliver food composting pails to all Clayton residents the week of Jan. 22-26. In Concord, single-family homes received the pails from Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery (MDRR) last September. Sarah Davis, community relations

Progress with technology and closer examination of the budget to better serve the needs of the rural bedroom community top Diaz’s goals for Clayton in 2024. Updating the community’s resources translates into serving the community more efficiently, he said. And, achieving a balanced budget will further

Springwood Swim Club has been an integral part of the local recreation swimming scene since the 1960s, but the very existence of the team and its pool on Concord Boulevard are now at serious risk of closure. At issue is the repayment of a $150,000 loan taken out in 2018 to repair SPW’s deteriorating pool. The club gave back $20,000 that wasn’t spent initially and has made interest payments and brought the principal balance down to $90,000 since then. Now, without even having a head coach on board for this

summer season starting in a couple months, the parent owned and operated club is facing a March 2025 deadline to pay off the remaining loan balance. If it isn’t paid by then, not only will the team go away but the pool and property will be subject to sale. “With the high cost of PG&E, water and maintenance, we are having a tough time paying off this loan. Quite frankly, I’m not sure if we can make it past this upcoming season with this loan hindering us,” said new Springwood Swim Club president Melanie Bang. Losing the entire 2020 season due to the pandemic further complicated the situation.

PART OF CONCORD’S SUMMER SWIMMING FABRIC

A few years after the Concord Jaycees started the Concord Swimming Championships (popularly called the City Meet) in 1967, Springwood took over operations and it is the team’s largest fundraiser to this day. In the early 1970s the club moved the meet from Concord Community Pool on Cowell Road to its home pool at the corner of Thornwood Drive and Concord Blvd. In 1996 the meet moved back to Concord Community Pool with much more parking and space for participants and

See Springwood, pg 5

Dynamic changes in Clayton as new businesses and Flora Square revamp come to Town Center VINCE MARTELLACCI Correspondent

Clayton has struggled for years looking for different ways to create a vibrant, “Sonoma-like” Town Center in this out-of-the way suburb. While the business landscape has evolved over its 150 year history, during the last two years, it’s gotten a bit of an overhaul and may be closer to realizing the dream. Several new businesses came to town, and a few establishments went through some changes. Restaurants have gone and new ones have come. Cup O’ Jo coffee shop got some competition, with Sip ’N Sweet offering both coffee and ice cream since last spring. Newly opened Odyssey VRLounge adds a sorely needed entertainment option while Clayton Yoga’s move downtown from Clayton Station fills the physical fitness hole left by Snap Fitness’ move to the corner of Kirker Pass and Clayton

Rd. two years ago. Odyssey VR Lounge opened in November in Village Oaks Building in space vacated by retiring realtor Lynne French. The virtual reality arcade, sandwiched between Ed’s Mudville Grill and Sip ’N Sweet – is reimagining that building as a destination for Clayton’s younger crowd. Odyssey offers virtual escape rooms, family bundles and events, and more than 70 VR gaming experiences. CHANGES AT FLORA SQUARE In May, JOR Fine Art Gallery celebrated its first year in Flora Square. The two-story building across from the bocce courts at Oak and Center Streets is expected to be revamped under new ownership, potentially renamed Tamara Steiner Rhine House, which harkens Flora Square, renamed Rhine House for one of Clayton’s founders, Jacob Rhine, is headback to one of Clayton’s ing for a new life as the upstairs offices are slated to become apartments and the corner founders, Jacob Rhine.

See Businesses, pg 4

unit which has never been occupied will become a new restaurant. Skipolini owner Kent Ipsen is in the process of buying and renovating the 20 year old building at the corner of Oak and Center in Clayton.

Postal Customer ECRWSS PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA 94517 PERMIT 190

Page 2

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

January 19, 2024

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Residents Kori and Sammy Barton have teamed up to publish a beautifully illustrated ABC book focused on the treasures and history of the city. “This is a book by locals, for locals,” Kori Barton explained of “C is for Concord: An A to Z Journey through Concord, California.” “We simply wrote it for families in our community to enjoy and learn from and to better enjoy their city,” she added. “I think that’s part of the beauty of it: It’s a labor of love gift to all of our Concord neighbors – and I hope they feel that.” The husband and wife wrote the book together, while Kori created all of the illustrations. She was raised in Concord and spent much of childhood outdoors, exploring Concord’s natural environment. “I know the city and enjoy the city and its history,” Kori said. “We wanted to make a book that had all of that in one place in a kid-friendly way.” The couple’s two small children were the inspiration for the book and have experienced many of the sites in the book. The book covers well-

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S OL D

PE ND I NG

KARA NAVOLIO Correspondent

Kori and Sammy Barton worked together to create the children’s book “C is for Concord.”

known spots such as Mt. Diablo (D is for Diablo) and Buchanan Airport (A is for airport) and some lesser-known secrets from Concord’s history – Z is for zebra and E is for elk herd. They accompany the rhyming text with informative sidebars on each page that detail the history of each location, making the book appropriate for a wide range of ages. Kori was homeschooled in Concord and attended Cal State East Bay, where she took art classes. Her childhood was also filled with lots of art and crafts, guided by her mom and grandmother. Kori, who worked for a while as a graphic designer, used acrylic paint to capture the sights of Concord in a realistic/expressionist style. Sammy is a pastor at North Creek Church in Walnut Creek,

which Kori has attended since childhood. He is also an East Bay native and “is good with poetry and words,” said Kori. She said writing the book was a hobby they could enjoy together. “And it was so much fun.” Residents can join the Bartons at the Concord Library for a book launch event at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15. You will meet the authors and maybe even some Concord City Councilmembers. Councilmember Laura Nakamura stated: “The colorful artwork intricately weaves together Concord’s beloved landscapes with historical landmarks, creating a captivating visual narrative that celebrates Concord as home.” The Bartons plan a series of books on East Bay cities. Next up is Walnut Creek, followed by Martinez and others. “C is for Concord” is available at Berkshire Books, 3480 Clayton Road, the Visit Concord office in Todos Santos Plaza and through Amazon.

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CLAYTON

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January 19, 2024

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page 3

Obituary

Tim Tim

Allison Marie Macaulay Jan. 3, 1997-Dec. 18, 2023 Allison Macaulay, 26, of Pleasant Hill passed away on Dec. 18, 2023, after a valiant battle with cancer. Born in White Plains, N.Y., on Jan. 3, 1997, Allison graduated from Carondelet High School in 2015 and received a bachelor’s degree in family and human services from the University of Oregon in 2019. She was pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy at St. Mary’s College with the hopes of supporting patients in dealing with the realities of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Allie is survived by her parents Marc and Sandy Macaulay, sisters Hannah and Kelsey Macaulay and her life partner Matthew Jacobson.

She is also survived by her paternal grandparents, Thomas and Linda Macaulay of Massena, N.Y., and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is also pre-deceased by her maternal grandparents,

Joseph and Connie Meehan, of East Syracuse, N.Y. Allie was an extraordinary woman with incredible energy, compassion, unconditional love and a beautiful soul. Her dedication and ability to love and care for others is unmatched, and she continues to inspire her friends and family every moment of every day. Allie had a passion for advocacy, self-care, speaking her truth, helping others and her kitties, Everest and Puddles. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Allie’s honor to the Cancer Support Community in Walnut Creek, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Grayson G

DEMOCRA ATT ffoor State Senatte

“Californians are struggling to keep p pace with rising inflation and skyrocketing housing costs. I’ll stand up for them in the State Senate.” -Democrat Tim Grayson

L e t te r to th e Edi to r Treasurer appointment not just — or equitable Once more the Contra Costa County, Board of Supervisors has made fools of themselves and embarrassed the rest of the citizens of our county by its recent appointment to fill the vacancy of the County Treasurer-Tax Collector. The Board of Supervisors, after months of pontificating, chest beating, and self-con-

gratulating each other for creating a new department with two department heads called the Department of Racial Equity and Social Justice, proved how hypocritical they truly are. During the same board meeting, the board held public interviews for the County Treasurer-Tax Collector position, even though two of the candidates were current, highlevel managers, with many

• Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Northern California

years in the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, and both women of color, who were eminently qualified and credentialed. Predictably, the board instead picked a white man from Yuba County. Why should any of us ever believe anything these board members say or do about racial or social justice?

• Stood up to predatory lenders • Passed a statewide law to protect California renters from evictions and large rent increases

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Compass is a licensed real estate broker in California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

Page 4

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January 19, 2024

Businesses, from page 1

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Skipolini’s owner Kent Ipsen is in the process of purchasing the building and intends to open a restaurant with outdoor seating downstairs and convert the second floor into apartments. Planning commissioner Dan Richardson has high hopes for the Flora Square overhaul. He believes Ipsen will realize the vision the town developed for Flora Square over the last 20 years – creating a building full of life and local businesses. “I’m hopeful that it comes to fruition,” Richardson said. “And knowing the Ipsen family, I think it will. They’ve done a lot of things around here.” Richardson says the Town Center needs something to draw shoppers and diners. “Sometimes you just need that spark, and I’m very hopeful that this is going to do exactly that.” Ipsen’s restaurant, Enye, would open in the ground floor corner unit, which has never been rented. The top floor’s conversion to six high-end apartments would bring new residents into the Town Center. Ipsen brought his proposal before the Planning Commission in late 2023 and said: “It’s a beautiful building, but it’s gone through a series of owners and, sadly, it’s just been under-tenanted and so underfunded.” Ipsen has Planning Commission approval, and his next step is to obtain the entitlements. LOSS OF NAIL SALON, SUBWAY The inconsistency at Flora Square led to the closure of Nails Naturally By Lisa, which had rented space there for several years while it sat largely empty until JOR Fine Art Gallery came along. Owner Lisa Kerr says working in Clayton allowed her to return to her roots. “I was able to build into a small community and give back and volunteer.” However, when the building was sold to the current owner, who precedes Ipsen, Kerr said communication fizzled out. “I tried everything to stay,” said Kerr. She kept her business alive and is now located at 5356 Clayton Road in Concord. Meanwhile, Clayton’s Subway closed along with 13 others Subway sites in the Bay Area. The franchisees, John and Jessica Meza, have been ordered to pay $1 million in backpay and damages to employees. A federal investigation found that they directed children as young as 14 to use dangerous equipment, had minors work hours not legally permitted and regularly failed to pay employee wages.

Tamara Steiner

It was a full house on opening day as the CBCA holiday decorations committee joined other Claytonians for brunch at Sylar Bistro after striking and storing this year’s decorations. Owner Nicki Buyer is standing at left.

KNOWING THE LOCAL MARKET

JOR Fine Art Gallery owner Julia O’ Reilly, who owns another gallery in Blackhawk, has come to understand why running a business in Clayton is different. “Clayton is, of course, unique – a small town. And basically, it’s pure. It’s not commercialized too much.” Down the way in the Royal Rooster’s old building at 1030 Diablo St., Pat Pannell expanded Chickboss by selling gifts in 2023. She was getting feedback that people missed the Royal Rooster, which closed during the pandemic. However, she says, “The reality was the sales were not sufficient to warrant having an employee.” She is focused on her fairtrade jewelry business, which hails from Guatemala, and doesn’t want to be in the shop full-time, so the gift shop will only be open a couple days each month. Look for the balloons out front and head inside if you see them. Flourishing Learners, a tutoring and homeschooling center that focuses on enrichment and one-on-one instruction, opened its doors at 6160 Center St. when owner Stephanie Jones left teaching following the COVID-19 pandemic. She and her staff are able to provide one-on-one attention. They are also instrumental with homeschooling kids who made that change during COVID. EXPANDING DINING OPTIONS

Chef Judi Green closed the Groveside Bistro this year and has already returned to private catering, serving events around Clayton. She says that owning the restaurant was a wonderful experience, but business was inconsistent. “It used to be a destination place to eat,” she said, adding that not much is drawing people to the Town Center now. “We need to maybe develop some historical attractions.” Green said that some days the restaurant would be packed, but if there was a ball game in town, it would be empty. “There’s a lot of

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WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME

While the landscape of Clayton has shifted from lodging to dining and now a wider variety of businesses, certain establishments have remained staples. Ed’s Mudville Grill is celebrating 30 years, and owner Ed Moresi’s second restaurant, Moresi’s Chophouse, opened in 2006 and achieved success despite the recession. La Veranda continues to offer its Italian specialties, and despite the 2004 fire which nearly destroyed the building, the Village Market steadfastly chugs along with a large liquor and wine section and quick food items. Now, Nichole Simpson has opened Roadside22, a wine and beer bar down Clayton Road in the Clayton Station shopping center that borders Concord. They host events and happy hours for teachers, first responders and their entire clientele. She wants to unite Concord and Clayton where they meet, echoing a sentiment from nearly every business owner interviewed: “It’s important to have a place where people can come together and talk, know what’s going on in their community, help each other out and make new friends.”

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competing behavior because it’s a small, small town.” The Bistro changed hands and is now open as Skylar Bistro at 6101 Center St., with a combination of American and Thai food on the menu. Owner Nicki Buyer says she chose Clayton because of its location near Walnut Creek and its idyllic setting. Skylar Bistro is her first restaurant. Her unannounced “soft opening” pulled in a full house for brunch and a solid crowd for dinner. Sip ’N Sweet, at 6200 Center St., had a good first year, though it’s a challenge selling ice cream in the winter. Owner Danielle Grimsey suspects the reality is that most downtown Clayton business struggle. “The reason I built it is because I really felt like the city needed it. I felt like the kids needed it,” Grimsey said

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Welcome to this beautiful custom Peacock Creek home backing to open space. Note the grand entrance and 20+ foot ceilings, dramatic lighting, crown molding, planta tion shutters, and LVP flooring, chef's kitchen with huge center island, wolf gas stove, stainless steel appliances. Family room has loads of natural light. Enjoy the pergola, paver patio, lush lawn, and two storage sheds. The large side yard offers a possible ADU site. Enjoy Clayton at its finest with great schools, Oakhurst Country Club, hiking and biking trails of Mt. Diablo State Park.

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January 19, 2024

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page 5

Oakhurst residents may face new geological district fees VINCE MARTELLACCI Correspondent

Without increased funds from residents, the Oakhurst Geological Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) may soon become financially unsustainable. GHAD is a special assessment district formed when Oakhurst was built to protect homes and infrastructure within its boundaries from geological hazards. Now, GHAD funding through taxes may be heading for another vote of Oakhurst homeowners. If homeowners in the flat neighborhoods around Oakhurst vote no again, homeowners on the hills will face the consequences.

Tamara Steiner

This house at the end of Kelok Way on a high hill in the Oakhurst GHAD is vacant and red-tagged as uninhabitable due to the structural damage caused by unstable ground shifting under it. The District is seriously underfunded and Oakhurst residents are looking at a likely tax hike to save it.

At the Dec. 19, 2023, meeting, the City Council discussed the potential for updating GHAD’s Plan of Control. “The Plan of Control categorizes geologic hazards and identifies the (levels of risk to each neighborhood) regarding how the district is to prevent, mitigate and abate these hazards,” said outgoing Mayor Jeff Wan, the new vice chair of the district. Homeowners in the hills have been dealing with soil erosion, which could eventually make the homes unstable. One property has already been red-tagged and sits empty. In a statement, Wan explained that the district remains underfunded. “The

Police say hate vandalism at Pleasant Hill school reflects ignorance DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

An investigation is continuing into anti-Semitic and antiBlack messaging found on the grounds of Pleasant Hill Middle School at the start of the Christmas break. The vandalism, being investigated as a hate incident, occurred about 1:30 a.m. Dec. 21 when approximately five male juveniles walked onto campus, according to Pleasant Hill police. The juveniles used their fingers to draw swastikas on several school windows after fogging the windows with their breath. The males also drew swastikas on the infield dirt of the baseball and softball fields. In addition, Mt. Diablo Unified School District officials said the perpetrators left derogatory racial language against the Black community. No permanent property damage was found.

Lt. Jason Kleven noted no suspects have yet been identified in the case and nothing was observed on camera footage that revealed any distinguishing markings on the clothing. Along with vandalism charges, he noted enhancements could be added if interviews with individuals show that hate against protective classes underscored what took place. Based on what appears on the video, Kleven acknowledged ignorance, as much as hate mongering, was driving those responsible. ‘‘Looking at the age of the people in the video and they were just being stupid – that’s a possibility,” said Kleven. The district said police are “diligently investigating” the crime to identify those responsible. In the hours after the incident, Superintendent Adam

Clark contacted parents of local students. “It is with deep regret and sorrow that I write to you today. Regrettably, this week, Pleasant Hill Middle School experienced a disturbing incident of hateful vandalism. This act of vandalism involved the defacement of our school grounds with anti-Semitic symbols (swastikas) and derogatory racial language (‘N’ word),” he wrote in an email. “We are taking these actions with the utmost seriousness and have promptly reached out to the Pleasant Hill Police Department to assist in this matter. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our foremost concern, and we unequivocally condemn any form of prejudice, bigotry, or hate,” Clark continued. “We are committed to a swift resolution and holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions.”

To ensure that such episodes don’t quickly fade into the ether, Clark encouraged all schools to reference incidents that may occur on their campuses in their discussions about equity, tolerance, inclusiveness and creating welcoming environments in classrooms. When asked for her perspective in the incident’s aftermath, Pleasant Hill Middle School Principal Terry McCormick declined to spotlight student reactions or specify how it is being used as a teachable moment in classrooms. The hate-riddled vandalism comes in the wake of active roles Pleasant Hill area schools and their students are playing in recent city/diversity commission “United Against Hate” initiatives, including a Unity Walk and Community Conversations about Community, Equity and Inclusion.

Springwood, from page 1 Help Save the Sprinters

spectators to enjoy the weekendlong festivities. Over 1000 swimmers from Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Martinez and Crockett teams take part in the late July or early August City Meet. There was no 2020 meet due to the pandemic and, because of pool scheduling issues the past three years, the City Meet moved to Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, all presenting more challenges for Springwood. COVID IMPACT Springwood, one of seven recreation swim teams in Concord, is a parent-run club owned by its members. Three of the seven local teams are located within one mile of each other as Bishop Estates is across Concord Blvd. from Springwood and Forest Park is just down the road adjacent to El Dorado Middle School and Concord High. Gehringer Park is also nearby in Dana Estates. Bishop Estates pool is owned and operated by the homeowners association while both Springwood and Forest Park swim teams are financially responsible for their pools yearround. Bishop Estates and Springwood have had discussions about a merger of the neighboring teams. “Many parents work really hard to create wonderful memories for our Sprinters,” Bang said. The team’s roster last year showed about 40 club members and about 60 on the swim team, which contrasts with 131 Springwood swimmers taking part in the pre-pandemic 2019 City Meet. “Our numbers have declined in large part due to the pandemic that forced us to close our pool

for 2020,” she said. “Once the shutdown was lifted, most of our swimmers left the swimming community or went to other teams.” Other local swim teams experienced a similar drop in swimmers after the COVID-19 lost season. Ironically, in the midst of this financial strain, Springwood won its first-ever County Meet team championship in Division III at the end of the 2022 season and in 2018 the Sprinters were B Division City Meet champions. Springwood won the 2002 Concord City A Division championship; the only time Dana Hills of Clayton has been denied that title since 1992.

NOT FOR 1ST TIME A long-time observer of the recreation swim landscape says in the late 1990s Springwood was rumored to be closing. They recall opposing teams bringing “thank you” cakes to Springwood when they had a meet at the Concord pool that season thanking the club for their years as City Meet host. This is the second Concord recreation swim team facing a difficult situation in recent times. In 2021 the Walnut Country Swim Team in The Crossings had a dispute with the Cowell Homeowners Association that moved to evict the Concord team from its home pool of over 40 years. Eventually the swim team prevailed and is still part of the local summer rec program. FINDING A PATH FORWARD Bang and her family joined Springwood in April 2022 for their daughter to take part. “I’m so glad we enrolled her into the swim team, because not only did

Send checks to Springwood Swim Team, P.O. Box 21394, Concord, CA 94521. Venmo funds to the club treasurer @Dawn-Duke-7 (last 4 digits of confirmation are 7955). PayPal at spwswimclub@outlook.com. (Use send to a friend option or fees get taken out.) Donate at gofundme.com by searching for “Help Save the Sprinters.” she learn a key survival skill, but she also made some everlasting friendships.” Bang herself jumped right in, volunteering as a shepherd for the 7–8-year-old swimmers. “I also juggled many tasks in the Snack Shack that led me to coordinate and feed 2,500 people at City Meet,” she said. Parent volunteer Dori Frietas successfully organized City Meet for many years but stepped aside after last summer’s meet. In addition to raising membership and swim team fees for 2024, the club has hosted a variety of fundraisers. Board member Marcos Ramos launched a GoFundMe account to “Help Save the Sprinters.” New club president Bang adds, “Our lead fundraiser Krystie Scull hosted a Cornhole Tournament and Christine Ramos took charge of our 4th of July Silent Auction. We’ve had lemonade stands and swimathons in order to save SPW. “My daughter Makira even asked for donations to SPW in lieu of birthday gifts from family and friends in order to save it,” Bang told the Pioneer. A former swim team family provided Springwood with the 2018 loan at 7.5% interest with a 15% penalty if not paid back by the due date. “We can’t refinance this loan through a bank, because we will need one person

on the loan and the interest rate is really high right now,” Bang noted. She has met with former and current Concord mayors Laura Hoffmeister and Edi Birsan about the situation, but the City does not have any grant funds available at this time. The club is looking into hosting an alumni event to raise more funds, as well as renting out the pool and outdoor space to the public for parties. Membership outreach will also be key to the club’s future. 2024 SEASON NEARS Registration for the club and team starts mid-March. The pool is open to members April through October, and the swim team runs April 8 until the first weekend in August when the County Meet in Lafayette ends the season the weekend after City Meet. Before registration starts the Sprinters need to find a head coach for this season. “If the pool closes, it will be a detrimental loss to our swim families and community,” Bang said. “Not to mention, if it’s sold to a developer what could become of Springwood and the trickling effects on the community?”

GHAD funding level is insufficient to perform virtually all of the activities specified in the Plan of Control.” Former Mayor Julie Pierce is familiar with the GHAD. “There were set fees for each neighborhood, based on their geologic risk, when the district was created, and then there was a set scale on how much they could be increased,” she told The Pioneer. Pierce says several landslides were identified and fixed in the years before and after Oakhurst was built. However, some were much deeper and have been subsequently identified – leading to current issues around Peacock and Keller Ridge. “It was noticed that some of these open space slopes had some slips starting to show in them,” she said. “Many of those slip planes were as much as 90 feet deep, and they were creeping.” De-watering drains that were installed significantly slowed, but not eliminated, the creep. If it continues, homeowners will face landslides and problems maintaining their properties. Homeowners have voted down fee increases for the district a couple of times. “The folks who lived down in the lower part of Oakhurst, in the flatland, didn’t really care about the problems being experienced by those up in the hills, and they rejected any

increase to the assessments,” Pierce said. The entire Oakhurst district votes on whether to increase the fees, with different fees for different areas, based on their level of risk. Homeowners with less risk pay less, while those in the hillier areas with more risk would assume higher fees. At the Feb. 6 council meeting, the GHAD board and city will decide on the amount of funding to request from Oakhurst residents. “In February, the city engineer is coming back with the Plan of Control, which is the document that kind of dictates the level of initial funding that’s going to be required for each area based on their level of risk,” explained city manager Bret Prebula. If voters ultimately reject the plan, the district would not be able to perform its operations. “Then the Plan of Control would need to be severely curtailed, and basically all nonadministrative functions of the GHAD would cease,” Wan said. Prebula encourages everyone in the Oakhurst GHAD to watch or attend the meeting so they know what’s going on in each of their neighborhoods. “So, if or when it comes to the process of a vote for them to increase the assessment, they’re well-informed of what the impacts would be if it is passed or not passed.”

Mayors, from page 1 ensure that not only are residents getting the services they deserve now, but the city is prepared for financial challenges as they arise. A resident of Clayton for more than 44 years, Diaz has seen the city’s evolution through different lenses – from being a member of the Clayton Police Department for 10 years, serving with the Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) and working for two years on the Planning Commission. This is Diaz’ second time holding the gavel. He was mayor in 2017. Now as mayor, he is charged with positioning Clayton to take on continuing challenges, notably housing, and do it while also addressing and seeking a remedy to the growing divide in the community of just more than 10,000 with a rich ranching history. Along with achieving the state’s expectations for the Housing Element, staying in compliance with general maintenance and improving infrastructure persist as challenges that the council needs to continue navigating. “Making sure we follow through with the proper oversight on our finances, and making sure our police department is properly funded so that they can continue to provide the residents a safe community,” Diaz said of goals for the city. As Clayton wrestles with these unavoidable issues, 2024 also is the community’s 60th anniversary, and Diaz is excited to participate in planning for this special occasion. He noted the city has evolved in many ways, some positive and some not so positive. “However, in my opinion, a better-informed community would be a good starting point as we move forward with our daily challenges,” said Diaz. “My goal in 2024 is to provide an open and transparent City Hall, keeping the residents informed and involving them in important decisions,” he added. RINN: BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AGAIN

As one hurdle is crossed, For more information on Spring- following it is yet another wood club and swim team membership, obstacle. So goes the landscape email springwoodclub@gmail.com. facing Pleasant Hill officials in

2024. While the state finally approved the Housing Element, with its share of resident concerns wrapped in it, on its heels will come further discussions on how it impacts the city’s General Plan – with much of the next 12 months spent finalizing it, said Mayor Matt Rinn. Another goal is continuing the Bike and Pedestrian Plan, a project he said will benefit the community. Rinn is no stranger to the role of mayor, having served in 2020 after first being elected to the council in 2016. Now that everyone is unencumbered by the COVID shackles of recent years, he expressed confidence that it is full speed ahead. Like their peers in surrounding communities, Pleasant Hill officials are facing tough budgetary decisions to retain the high quality of services the city provides and the ever-increasing costs to provide them. “Pleasant Hill has been a great place to live, raise a family and run a business all while maintaining that quality of life is not easy in the Bay Area,” Rinn said. The Pleasant Hill Library branch remains a beacon of pride of what can be accomplished for the immediate needs of the community and for generations to come when everyone is pulling the oars in the same direction, and Rinn sees that as motivation for what is sure to follow. “My theme for 2024 is ‘Come Together,’ as we are coming out of the pandemic and are restarting many community events to bring our community together again in new ways with new events,” he said. An area for improvement is the rise in retail crime syndicates who target businesses and, in turn, finding better ways to prevent thefts and accountability in the justice system. “So many factors have changed in society itself, from workspaces and classrooms to even how public meetings were conducted virtually. I think most people are looking at everything with a different appreciation for friends, family and the community we live in,” he said.

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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

January 19, 2024

Optimistic look at 2024 real estate

JENNIFER STOJANOVICH

CLOSE TO HOME

The 2023 real estate market brought various shifts and nuances that left an imprint locally. Rising interest rates, a scarcity of housing inventory, and an intriguing dance between hesitant sellers and

cautious buyers characterized the landscape. Various reports showed that local inventory was less than half of where it was a few years ago. This echoed a broader Bay Area trend where relocation and market movement seemed markedly subdued. Mortgage rates started 2023 in the low 6% range and hit a high in the October timeframe slightly above 8%. Since then, rates have trended down and currently sit in the mid 6% range. According to Money.com, most experts believe the housing market should be “slightly” calmer in 2024 and I agree. Factors such as lack of inventory and interest rates that are double from

where they were a few years ago are still in play; however, most experts don’t anticipate the market will get any worse. With rates trending downward and steady improvement with inflation numbers, the Federal Reserve held the federal funds rate steady and signaled possible rate cuts in 2024. Given this news, we have seen increased buyer activity in recent weeks. That’s a great change from a quieter market in the last half of 2023. It appears many buyers are starting to feel more optimistic with the trend downward in interest rates, which in turn also has some sellers rethinking about list-

ing their home and making a move. Looking forward, 2024 seems poised to be an intriguing year with an anticipated ebb and flow in both local and national real estate dynamics. Many buyers have asked when more homes will start to hit the market. Based on recent meetings with sellers, I’d say the first quarter of 2024. As we embark on this year, the local real estate community braces for an exciting journey ahead. Jennifer Stojanovich is an owner/broker with Better Homes Real Estate. Send questions and comments to jennifer@bhrbroker.com

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The importance of Vitamin B12 as we grow older studies suggest long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (medicines used to curb stomach acid) can lead to B12 CINDY GERSHEN deficiency, reports Dr. Tracy FARM TO TASTE Hu, cofounder of East Bay Health. B12 deficit can manifest As we get older, it’s harder in anemia, numbness in your to maintain a healthy level of feet, neuro-psychiatric Vitamin B12. Some sources of B12 are changes such as weakness and fatigue in the legs, digestive eggs and cheese, dairy, fish tract issues, mood changes and meats. It’s also easy to and cognition issues. In get B12 with vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, fea- extreme cases, Hu says, doctured in recipes at the end of tors prescribe B12 injections, supplements and diet this column. changes. You can learn to cook B12 and other B and C with these healthy additions vitamins are water soluble, in Saturday classes at East which means they get washed Bay Health. The new medical out of the body through practice in Lafayette incorpoexcretion. Therefore, it makes rates culinary medicine, recsense to eat a diet consistentognizing that your diet affects your health in so many ways. ly robust with Vitamin B12. These recipes will help with Come change your life. See the offerings at eastbayhealth- that. The nutritional yeast gives these vegan dishes a care.org. “cheesy” flavor. Those at the highest risk of low Vitamin B12 are veg“CHEESY” VEGAN ROASTED ans, vegetarians, people with CAULIFLOWER blood sugar issues who have 6 servings taken metformin for a long time and people who have 1 large cauliflower head had bariatric surgery. Recent

4 T oil of choice 3 T nutritional yeast ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. garlic powder ¼ tsp. paprika Preheat oven to 450. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Chop cauliflower into bite-size pieces. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower with oil. Add all the spices and toss to coat. Transfer to baking sheet. Roast 20 minutes, or until crispy and tender, tossing halfway through. “CHEESY” VEGAN ROASTED BROCCOLI 6 servings 1 large head of broccoli, or about 4 heaping c. broccoli florets 1 T olive oil (a bit more if necessary) 3 T nutritional yeast (divided) ½ tsp. garlic salt (or more) Optional: cracked black pepper

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the broccoli into bitesize florets. Rinse in a colander and give them a good shake to dry them off. Transfer to large bowl. Drizzle florets with olive oil and sprinkle with 2 T nutritional yeast, followed by garlic salt. Toss with large spoon to evenly coat the florets. You could also cover the bowl and shake until evenly coated. Spread florets onto baking sheet and sprinkle with rest of nutritional yeast. Bake 1520 minutes, tossing the broccoli halfway through. Season with a bit of extra garlic salt if needed and cracked black pepper if desired. Cindy Gershen is a culinary teacher and the chef-owner for 40 years of Sunrise Bistro and Catering in Walnut Creek. Send your questions and comments to cindymgershen@gmail.com.

calendar@pioneerpublishers.com The Pioneer is a monthly publication delivered free to homes and businesses in 94517, 94518, 94519 and 94521. ZIP code 94520 is currently served by drop site distribution. The papers are published by Clayton Pioneer, Inc., Tamara and Robert Steiner, PO 1246, Clayton, CA 94517. The offices are located at 6200 Center St. Suite F, Clayton, CA 94517 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 175 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 name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print anonymous letters. E-mail your letter to tamara@pioneerpublishers.com. Letters must be submitted via E-mail. CIRCULATION The Pioneer is delivered monthly by the third Friday to 38,500 single-family homes and businesses in 94518, 94519 and 94521. Papers to Clayton are delivered by US mail. Concord zip codes are delivered by commercial carriers for ABC Direct. To stop delivery for any reason, call the office at (925) 672-0500 . Effective with the June 5, 2020 issue, delivery to homes will rotate between zones. Residents in our delivery area (check website for map),will receive free delivery EVERY OTHER MONTH. ADVERTISING Advertising rates and circulation maps are posted at www.pioneerpublishers.com or call (925) 672-0500.

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I am going to be honest with myself this year and not resolve to do anything. For 15 years, my dear friend Fran Pecho and I vowed to work out and eat better – saying this would be the year we got back into shape. But by the end of February or early March, we were cracking up at how quickly we fell off the wagon. This year, I will appreciate what is in front of me and look to grow relationships and strengthen Concord’s business community. In my line of work, you rely on a ton of moving parts and the generosity of others. Our staff spends countless hours keeping our members engaged and informed about the ongoings of Concord business and finding creative ways to stay relevant. I appreciate our staff at the chamber and am impressed daily by what this team can accomplish. Our board of directors consists of intelligent business community leaders who

been with the chamber for 20+ years and some one month, but we appreciate all for being the backbone of this nonprofit organization. Amazing. To our 460+ members, we appreciate you for your financial contributions to the chamber but most importantly the recognition you give all of us that you value what we do. We hope you KEVIN CABRAL remain proud members of CHAMBER OF this organization. Without the support of the businessCOMMERCE es, we would not be able to serve the business communiare successful in their own professions and still find the ty and help it grow. I hope Fran gives it her time to volunteer countless best this year. I will miss hours every month to keep cracking up with her about the chamber on task and how sore and hungry we are aligned with the mission. We for the first few months of always appreciate and respect their guidance and input. The chamber has more than 25 volunteer ambassadors who breathe the chamber way. They understand how just giving one to three hours per month can improve your business. Some of our ambassadors have

the year, then laughing when we fall back into our old routines. But I will appreciate it. Businesses and organizations interested in learning more about the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce can connect via phone at 925-685-1181, see www.concordchamber.com or visit the office at 2280 Diamond Blvd., Suite 200, in Concord. Contact the chamber in person at 2280 Diamond Blvd. Suite 200, Concord, or call 925-685-1181. Learn more about what the chamber offers businesses, our events and how we can work together at concordchamber.com.

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Please let our advertisers know you saw them in the Pioneer. To advertise, call 925.672.0500

January 19, 2024

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page 7

Clayton Museum’s Camellia Tea to honor pioneering families and museum docents In a celebration of history and community, the Clayton Museum is set to open its doors on Feb. 18 for the 48th Annual Camellia Tea. This cherished event, rooted in tradition, honors the descendants of Clayton’s settlers and pioneering families. Founded in 1977 by Eldora Hoyer, wife of Clayton’s first mayor Bob Hoyer, who envisioned a gathering to celebrate the town’s pioneer family descendants, the Camellia Tea has become a significant annual tradition. Hoyer's idea, shared with local realtor Nan Wallace, then president of the Clayton Historical Society (CHS), proposed a February tea adorned with camellias to introduce new members and pay homage to the town’s history. Over the years, the Camellia Tea has evolved, extending its tribute to include a special group of community workers. This year’s honorees are the dedicated docents who generously keep the museum open

on Wednesdays and Sundays. The event promises an afternoon filled with cookies, tea, coffee, or punch, providing an opportunity to meet Clayton's seasoned residents and relive the town’s history. Joel Clayton and his wife Margaret, who settled in Clayton in 1847, laid the foundation for the town's rich history. With nine children, only four surviving childhood, the Claytons’ legacy is memorialized in Live Oak Cemetery near Clayton. The museum, originally Joel Clayton’s home, serves as a tribute to the town’s roots. The Clayton Historical Society, the driving force

behind the museum, sustains its operations on an annual budget of approximately $25,000. Fundraising events, such as the Christmas Home Tour and the spring Gardens Tour, this year set for May contribute to the society’s financial support. As the Camellia Tea approaches its 48th year, the museum invites all to partake in the festivities. The museum, open Wednesdays and Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. and by appointment, stands as a testament to Clayton’s history. For more information on the Clayton Historical Society, visit claytonhistory.org or call (925) 672-0240.

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from page 1

I buy houses in any condition Take what you want to keep and leave the rest behind

Compost, and governmental affairs manager at MDRR, said the multifamily plan will be rolled out next month. Those living in Pleasant Hill started in-home composting years ago, according to Susan Hurl, municipal business manager at Republic. The most common question residents have is about the smell from the compost pails people keep in their kitchens. “I think once people use the pail, they will realize there is not that smell,” said Hurl, who lives in Lafayette and is already accustomed to the process. Republic recommends lining your in-home pail with newspaper, paper towels or BPI-certified compostable bags. Hurl suggests freezing the material and putting it out the night before pickup. She said mixing food items with yard trimmings in your outdoor bin also reduces smells – and will help keep away pests and foraging animals. Davis offered other helpful tips, such as placing baking soda in green carts and rinsing them frequently. Residents also often ask how to know which things can be composted. Clayton’s new pails feature a graphic that shows acceptable items, such as coffee grounds and the paper filter, pizza boxes and used paper plates, food scraps,

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Compost pails headed for Clayton’s countertops Jan. 22-26

meat bones and flowers. Items not eligible include: • Metals, glass and plastic. • Utensils and cups, even those labeled “compostable.” • Shiny food-soiled paper products, such as milk cartons and take-out boxes. • Pet waste or hazardous waste. “We’re working on a QR code for everything that’s compostable and everything that’s not. It’s a list that’s always in progress,” Hurl noted. Both Republic and MDRR process the compost, converting it into a soil-enriching material. “We either market it or give it back to the communities,” Hurl said. “We’ll have a compost giveaway at some point this year. People put it in their garden or use it for ground-

cover. There are all kinds of uses for it.” While there will be enforcement for misplaced organic material at some point, Hurl said it’s starting out as an education process in Clayton. “If there were to be food in the garbage cart, we’d leave what we call an ‘Oops’ tag,” Hurl said. “What we’ve learned during our route audits is that most people have good intentions and are trying to do the right thing. That’s all we can really ask of people.” She likens the learning curve to when recycling bins were launched decades ago. “With anything new, there’s always some questions and complaints and then people settle in. Now, recycling is second nature, and I think this will become second nature, too.” For more information, visit republicservices.com or mdrr.com.

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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

January 19, 2024

F rom the desk o f . . .

Concord mayor hoping for open dialogue reach out to your councilmember or myself and go over the issue. The Brown Act prohibits the council from discussing items that are not on the agenda, but a one-on-one meeting can allow for a conversation. EDI BIRSAN Additionally, I am willing CONCORD MAYOR to go over your presentation to help you make your statement a little more focused or I look forward to serving polished. One of the reasons I you as mayor of Concord. I have been going to Toastmashave set up the following ters for the last 14 years is to open meetings: 11 a.m.-noon Saturdays at work on those techniques, as well as listening to what the Peet’s Coffee at Oak Grove words are saying and what the and Treat. person is trying to communi4-5 p.m. Mondays in the cate – which are not always mayor’s office at City Hall. the same. On Tuesdays, I roam the I especially like to meet Todos Santos Farmers Market. face to face and go over I will offer to join my fellow councilmembers for con- things with people who are critical of my perceived posistituent meetings at their district’s favorite coffee/tea shop. tions. I encourage my critics to sit down and talk. SomeI also am willing to come to times you can find common any neighborhood meet and greet that you want to organ- ground; other times you can learn from each other and get ize. If you have a new topic to a clue as to how to get over bring up with the City Coun- the ill feelings. In practice it can work. For cil, I strongly urge you to first

Diaz promises open process as Clayton mayor tions, infrastructure maintenance and public safety. I am committed to working closely with the police department to ensure they have adequate funding to keep our community safe. I am excited to participate in planning the 60th anniversary of Clayton’s 1964 inauguration. It will be a wonderful event for us to come together as neighbors and friends. I JIM DIAZ everyone to get CLAYTON MAYOR encourage involved. Please contact City Hall if you’d like to volunteer It’s an honor and a priviyour time or expertise. lege to serve as your mayor Clayton is a special place for 2024. This town has been with real small-town charm. my home for more than 44 As your mayor, I’ll work hard years, and I care deeply about to maintain that character its future. while running an open and As we embark on this jour- transparent local government. ney together, upgrading the I want to keep you city’s technology infrastructure informed and involved in will be crucial. We need effiimportant decisions every step cient systems to provide top- of the way. I encourage you to notch services to residents. attend City Council meetings Reviewing our budget and in person to make your voice revenue streams will also be a heard. You can also reach out top priority. My goal is to to me directly with any quesdeliver the high-quality servic- tions or concerns at 925-673es we all expect, while main7316 or JimD@claytonca.gov. taining fiscal responsibility. Let’s make 2024 a year to At the same time, we must remember in Clayton. I look continue addressing persistent forward to working with you. challenges like housing regula-

example: Politically, I am the only person in this century to set up a public meeting and joint resolution with the Republican and Democratic Parties Central Committees in Contra Costa to stand against some grievous things by PG&E. Through the game of Diplomacy, I learned starting from my teen years that you need to talk to your oppo-

nents or those with whom you are fighting – and there is a difference. After all, when your friends, allies and family betray you, there is still someone to take to lunch. I saw what non-communication can do, having been abandoned by my father at age 4. Likewise, my mother abandoned me at 15 and I stayed with my stepdad: Dear Ole Dad, Saul Birsan – whose

name I took to honor him. Two years later, my mother had a massive stroke and died. I was left to guess what she was thinking. Now at City Council, it’s clear that there are members of our community who may not understand my actions or motives and it can frustrate them. I therefore offer to sit down with them and go over things.

Send comments and questions to EdiBirsan@gmail.com.

County Measure X funds mental health, social justice – even pet services In November 2020, Contra Costa County residents passed a countywide 20-year, half-cent sales tax, Measure X. This tax is dedicated to “keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers and emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential county services.”

KEN CARLSON

COUNTY

SUPERVISOR

The county began collecting the tax on April 1, 2021. As of September 2023, we’ve collected a total of $298.5 million. Measure X has allowed the Board of Supervisors to develop, expand, and maintain a greater equity of services and outcomes for all residents while addressing some of the gaps and disparities in our county’s health care, social services, housing and public safety.

We’ve used Measure X funds for several crucial programs and projects, including the A3 (Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime) Crisis Response, adding 3,000 sq. ft. to Psychiatric Emergency Services at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, funding the county’s newest department – the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, developing a family navigator program, creating a Housing Trust Fund

See Carlson, page 9

Clayton officers sporting new patch, with nods to the past RICHARD MCEACHIN

CHIEF OF POLICE CLAYTON

Clayton’s police officers have a new look. We recently began wearing a revised shoulder patch that is modern and historic at the same time. It contains a combination of both previous versions worn by the department since its inception in 1972. At its formation, the Clayton Police Department held a contest to design the first shoulder patch. Twelve-year-old Dave Watson drew the winning design, which depicted Mt. Diablo with a stagecoach and the phrase “EST. 1857” printed on it. (Joel Clayton founded Clayton in 1857). A yellow border and the words “CLAYTON POLICE” surrounded the landscape.

In 1975, then-Chief Bill Lorimor and his officers decided that they wanted to ditch the cowboy hats and tan and green uniforms, and instead wear blue uniforms, which were gaining in popularity with agencies across California. Along with new uniforms, the department designed a new shoulder patch – going from the traditional star badge to a shield badge with an eagle perched on top. The new patch still had the iconic mountains, but they replaced the stagecoach with a shield badge similar to the badge officers now wear on the left

chest. The badge included the phrase “ESTABLISHED 1857,” keeping in step with the previous version. The sky was teal colored, with “CLAYTON POLICE” placed above the mountains. The new patch brings back the stagecoach, which was a part of Clayton’s rich history. It’s pulled by a horse, which remains a focal point of our region to this day. The sky is now a more realistic blue, which matches the stripes our sergeants wear, as well as the lettering on our patrol vehicles. The mountains and clouds from the 1975 patch remain, and the bottom reads “EST. 1857” to keep in tradition with the previous incarnations.

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However, many have figured out that the worst thing you can do to me is to refuse to talk about it with me. I feel sorry for people who want to hold on to their ill feelings toward another. Meanwhile, the coffee at Peet’s awaits those who want to give understanding a try.

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Along with the new patch, Clayton officers are now wearing star badges again. Most police agencies in Contra Costa County wear a star badge, and it is well-known throughout the Bay Area. The Ed Jones Co., located in Berkeley, manufactured the badges. The company has been making badges for agencies all over California and parts of the country since 1898, including earlier versions of Clayton’s badges. We were proud to have such an icon in the industry help us create the new badges. They turned out great. Send questions and comments to the chief at richard.mceachin@clayton.ci.gov

Thank you to all of my wonderful clients and friends who's continued support and loyalty are so appreciated. I have been a full time top producing agent for over 30 years and I specialize in selling property in the Bay Area. If you know of anyone selling a property anywhere in Contra Costa County and the surrounding area, be sure to let me know. I would love to help them.

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January 19, 2024

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page 9

Jury still out on new respiratory disease afflicting our canines There has been recent media attention across the country about coughing dogs. The Associated Press and other news organizations are reporting a seeming uptick in upper respiratory disease that does not appear to respond to the usual treatments for common conditions like kennel cough, including typically chosen antibiotics. Some experts are recommending avoiding unnecessary contact with unfamiliar dogs, like in dog parks, kennels, etc. The veterinary community wants dogs to be as safe as possible but is stuck in a conundrum of having little substantiated information to share and not wanting to under- or overalarm the public. There is a strong belief in the veterinary world that the recent reports do not indicate a particularly perilous situation in need of COVIDlike restrictions, but veterinarians are ready and willing to change recommendations if the evidence arises.

and is known to be caused by multiple infectious culprits. The typical offenders include the virus Parainfluenza and the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica, both of which can be seen in concert with one another or each on its own, as well as with several other pathogens, viral and bacterial alike. MICKI MCCABE In addition, several years BEING PET SMART ago, canine influenza – yet another virus – started to And in case you are won- become identified infrequently in pockets of the country. The dering, COVID is not the United States approved an culprit. effective vaccine to help combat this disease, mostly seen in THE COMMON indoor-housing situations like KENNEL COUGH So, let’s talk kennel cough shelters and possibly boarding facilities. and its many faces. The offiA kennel cough vaccine cial catch-all name for this is exists that includes both Canine Infectious Respiratory Parainfluenza and Bordetella Disease complex (CIRD). The pathogens. It can be quite primary version of CIRD is helpful in preventing or lesskennel cough, also known as ening the severity of kennel infectious tracheobronchitis, a common condition character- cough infections caused by ized by a severe, honking, dry these two offending agents. cough, sometimes associated A DIFFICULT with a mild fever, malaise and TREATMENT PLAN ocular discharge. It is important to note It is typically self-limiting that in general, respiratory

Carlson, from page 8 and expanding fire services in East County. We typically allot these funds through the county’s budgeting process. However, this fall, there were funds unallocated: more than $33 million in one-time funds and $4.7 million in ongoing revenue. The board received status reports on previous allocations, new department proposals and recommendations from the Measure X Community Advisory Board. On Dec. 12, the board approved $4,493,000 in onetime funds to be allocated.

That included $50,000 for the Clerk-Recorder/Elections’ Mapping Prejudice Project, which will identify, map and redact illegal, restrictive local covenants related to race. Other funded projects are the development of a third youth center, expanding services in East County and developing the African American Holistic Wellness Hub. I proposed and my colleagues supported $750,000 over three years to Contra Costa Animal Services to develop a spay and neuter clinic/pet retention program.

After hearing from many advocates, this funding will improve the welfare of animals across the county. The board also allocated $4,700,000 in ongoing funds. The $400,000 for the ClerkRecorder/ Elections’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Democracy Initiative will add two bilingual DEI specialist positions to increase voter education, engagement and turnout. We also approved $1.1 million for a San Ramon Valley Fire Training Facility. We allocated the rest of the ongoing funds for issues that include mental health services, food insecurity and building new parks in the

viruses have no real effective treatment other than time, cough suppression and supportive care. To make it more complicated, vets often perform no further diagnostics other than a good physical exam and possibly chest X-rays to confirm that the upper airway infection has not progressed to lower respiratory disease such as pneumonia. There is a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test that uses a nasal or airway swab to try to identify presently known infectious agents. However, due to costs and delayed time for a pet’s presentation to a veterinarian, these tests are not often performed or are performed too late to catch the perpetrator. MORE RESEARCH PENDING As for this possible new disease, several doctors have published opinions recently. World-renowned veterinary infectious disease specialist Dr. J. Scott Weese of the University of Guelph Veterinary School in Canada

unincorporated county to ensure all residents have equitable access to open space. These new allocations focus on DEI, improving county services and enhancing the quality of life equitably. I encourage you to follow the Measure X projects and programs as they develop and expand. To learn more about Measure X, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/8530 /Measure-X. Ken Carlson is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Carlson at SupervisorCarlson@bos.cccounty.us or call his office at 925-655-2350.

opines that it may be the usual suspects with a bit of media attention – and not a true uptick in infections. However, Weese is not ruling out that something new is arising. He states that we don’t have enough information yet to panic. The good news is that labs such as the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory are looking into the possibility of regional pockets of infection and whether something could be spreading across the country. TAKE PRECAUTIONS In the meantime, definitely do not take your dog to the dog park if it has been coughing or exposed to a coughing dog. Even self-limiting kennel cough is contagious via airborne droplets in close proximity, as well as

from structures that have been coughed or sneezed upon. If you will be boarding your dog, have a kennel cough vaccine via the intranasal or oral route, ideally within six months of boarding as well as no closer than three days before boarding. If you are concerned about your dog getting sick, avoiding interaction with dogs you don’t know may be prudent – especially if you have a dog with poor immunity or other underlying conditions. New Pioneer columnist, Micki McCabe, DVM, DACVIM, FAAVA, is a long-time Clayton resident. The recently retired local veterinarian has an interest in internal and integrative medicine. Email questions and comments to Mcwalls1@gmail.com

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January 19, 2024

Prune roses now, then top off with special rose fertilizer Although January can be cold and wet, there are timely garden chores that need to be done. It’s the time of year to focus on your roses, deciduous fruit trees and acid-loving shrubs. Prune rose bushes, groundcover roses and rose trees now. If you prune annually, it should take less than five minutes per bush. As you approach a rose bush to prune, look right to the bottom of the plant. Do not worry about all the buds, blooms or leaves still left on the bush – begin at the bottom. A well-pruned hybrid tea, grandiflora or floribunda rose should have three to five straight, clean canes without any leaves. The object of pruning is to remove most of the past year’s growth, all the crossing canes and lateral branches. Make all your cuts at a slight angle, right before a swelling of

Prune rose trees the same way as rose bushes. Remove old canes, crossing branches and lateral branches. With rose trees, leave more canes so they will look fuller. Groundcover roses such as drift, carpet roses or mediland style do not need the same amount of attention. Reshape groundcover roses, bringing them down and in. If the groundcover style roses are out of control, prune severely. With a newer installation, the pruning will be lighter.

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL

growth. If you look closely at a rose cane before you make the cut, you will see a seam with a swell. This is where the rose wants to grow. I do not tell people how many inches of cane to leave on a rose, because it depends on the amount of room you have for your rose to grow. If you have limited space, then cut each cane farther back. If you like your roses tall, then do not cut down as far.

THE GARDEN GIRL’S ROSE RECIPE

Fertilizing roses is especially important. I have been sharing this recipe for more than a decade. Apply this after your winter prune to established ground-grown hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda or treeshaped roses. Each rose is to receive:

½ c. 16-16-16 multi-purpose fertilizer ½ c. bone meal ½ c. granular iron ½ c. alfalfa meal Work into soil along drip line and top-dress with an inch layer of chicken manure. Water in. Container roses get half a dose of each product. Give groundcover roses only the multi-purpose fertilizer and iron. This sounds like a lot of products but imagine how deep the roots of your rose are. Do not premix a batch of products. There is a reason for each ingredient and the quantity. The 16-16-16 multi-purpose fertilizer acts like a balanced meal. The bone meal is a source of phosphorus, encouraging bloom. Granular iron keeps your rose leaves green and free of chlorosis. Alfalfa meal will stimulate new cane growth.

WARDING OFF PEACH LEAF CURL

soil beneath the drip line of the tree with either manure or Since 2020, many folks have earthworm castings. Fertilizer turned their backyards into takes six weeks to activate and orchards. They planted many travels up the body of the tree, varieties of stone fruit, all of so it is OK to apply now. You which need to be sprayed now. won’t see any results until Once the buds swell, spray March. again for peach leaf curl. Azaleas and camellias need Yes, peach leaf curl affects two types of fertilizer currently. more than just peaches. It pres- Use fertilizer for blooms such ents in the late days of spring, as 0-10-10 and a dose of granuwhen you may notice red or lar iron to help plants green orange blistering on your back up after the winter. foliage. Peach leaf curl is usually Blue mophead hydrangeas mild the first season but can need an application of alucome back strong if left minum sulfate. This product is untreated. not a fertilizer, but rather a supThe only way to cure peach plement to help your leaf curl is while the trees are hydrangeas stay blue. dormant. Apply now and again Resist the urge to prune or once your peach, plum, necfertilize your hydrangeas until tarine or apricot has fat buds. March. They are summer plants Do not spray a tree that’s and should look poor this time already in bloom. of year. January is also a good time Send comments/questions by email to to apply a dose of organic fruit gardengirl94517@yahoo.com tree fertilizer and top dress the

Getting it right with pronouns a good start to 2024 In 2022, 41 victims were reported, and as of November 2023, 33 were violently killed. Many more are not reported. Violence against the LGBTQQIA+ communities remains serious, even with the progress we’ve made. Despite a societal reinforcement of traditional gender roles, more individuals are JONATHAN LEE expressing personal identities outside or beyond traditional ALL THE COLORS binary (fe)male gender and As we begin a new year, sexual identities, roles and one of my resolutions is to be expectations. This includes more mindful and not misthose identifying themselves gender my colleagues, family as transgender, non-binary, and friends. gender-non-conforming or The Human Rights Camgender-fluid. paign documented 59 deaths Gender identity is a of transgender or genderhuman rights issue. People are non-conforming people who challenging traditional gender were fatally shot or killed by norms/stereotypes, in particuother violent means in 2021. lar heteronormative concepts

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of gender roles based on a binary (fe)male dogma. This evolving social movement changes the language used to more accurately reflect the diversity of people’s sexual and gender identities that are both natural and socially constructed. Pronouns are important. We use them in our daily speech and writing to take the place of people’s names. Pronouns become a bigger deal when limited binary gender expression becomes a source of hate and violence targeting members of the LGBTQQIA+ communities. In English, the singular pronouns that we use most frequently are: I, you, it, she, her, him and he. I, you and it are gender neutral, while she, her, he and him are gendered. This creates an issue for

fied queer person, I continually misgender my colleagues, friends and family members. It is not a willful act of malice but rather reveals the power of heteronormative conditioning. It is a humbling experience to be corrected, but an important and necessary process of creating a world that is more accepting of the manifold possibilities of human diversity. If someone sees they are not being referred to correctly, it will cause feelings of harm and marginalization. A parent refusing to accept their child’s pronouns is expressing conditional love. Because pronouns play a significant role in every aspect of our lived experience, accurate use of pronouns is a core part of being a considerate,

kind and empathic person. Using correct pronouns to understand an individual’s gender identity and expression is life-transforming and life-affirming. It is compassionate language. It starts with an easy question: “What are your pronouns”? Immediately, one communicates: “I see you.” This is life-saving, because it will reduce acts of violence targeting transgender and gender-non-conforming individuals. This is why pronouns matter. Jonathan Lee is the interim executive director of the Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County. Visit www.rainbowcc.org. Jonathan Lee is Interim Executive Director of the Rainbow Commuity Center. For more information, visit www.rainbowcc.org.

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In a promising turn of events for prosp pective homebuyers, th he longawaited declin ne in mortgage interest rates seems to be on th he horizon. months sub Recent month hs have witnessed itnessed a s bstantial drop in rates, es and a the trend is anticipated to persist throughout 2024, o ering a silver lining for those navigating the competitive real estate market. For many, the dream of homeownership has been stifled by the specter of high mortgage interest rates. However, the prevailing economic landscape suggests a shift in favor of borrowers. Projections for 2024 indicate a dip in 30-year mortgage rates, with estimates ranging between 6.1% and 6.5%. This decrease not only provides financial relief for existing homeowners looking to refinance but also opens doors for first-time buyers or those aiming to upgrade to a larger propertty. The prospect of lower interest rates injects optimism into the real estate market, encouraging individuals to make their homeownership aspirations a reality. Amidst the positive outlook, experts advise potential buyers against adopting a wait-and see approach. Rather than holding out for even

transgender and gender-nonconforming people, because others may not use their pronouns correctly when speaking to or about them. An easy way to cultivate a gender-inclusive workplace is to use pronouns in our email signatures and to introduce ourselves at meetings with our pronouns. For example, “I am Jonathan Lee; my pronouns are he, him, his.” One may also use they, them and their pronouns as a way to communicate solidarity. Do not assume that someone’s pronouns are the same as their gender identity or sexual orientation. A person can identify as female and also use he/him/his or they/them/their pronouns. Because it’s a new concept to many people, misgendering will happen. As a self-identi-

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lower rates, seizing the current opportunity could pr p ove to be a strategic move. Industry insiders caution that delaying a hom me purchase may expose e buyers to increased competition in 2024. As s more individuals recogn nize the advantageous mortgage climate, the demand for homes is expected to surge, potentially driving up prices and intensifying the compe etition for desirable properties. o In light of this,, experts recommend that ho omebuyers act promptly to avoid the potentia al pitfalls associated with height i hh i h ened demand. A prudent strategy for those on the fence is to cons sider purchasing now and exploring refinancing opttions later. By locking in n a favorable interest rate today, buyers can safegu uard themselves agains st future increases and position themselves to ta ake advantage of any additional a declines in the coming years.

If you’re ready to buy or sell a home in 2024, reach out to Wendy Moore Real Estate Te Team m today!

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The Pioneer

SPORTS & LIFESTYLE January 19, 2023

The Pioneer, Section B

www.PioneerPublishers.com

Clayton Valley Charter boys seek NCS basketball threepeat last week, Clayton Valley Charters boys are on a mission to threepeat as North Fresh off a stunning Coast Section playoff chamfourth quarter comeback vic- pions. And the Ugly Eagles tory over rival Campolindo are only one of 10 local girls JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

Photo courtesy Mt. Diablo High Athletics

Senior Makayla Powell puts in a basket in a Mt. Diablo High win over Sonoma Academy earlier this season. The Red Devils with all-league forward Powell leading the way are headed for their third straight NCS playoffs. Guard Stephanie Zuniga (3) trails the play.

and boys teams aiming for their league and North Coast Section playoffs. De La Salle, Ygnacio Valley, Northgate and CVCHS boys teams all are poised for post-season berths while Carondelet, Clayton Valley Charter, Mt. Diablo, Northgate, Ygnacio Valley and College Park girls teams all are building their resumes for playoff seedings. The Ugly Eagles have already made school history with back-to-back Division I championships the last two years and the win over Diablo Athletic League foe and another two-time defending NCS titlist Campo strengthens the teams outlook heading into the final weeks of the regular season. Campo seemed to have control of the game in Dan Della Gym for three quarters, but the Ugly Eagles led by junior standout guard Elijah Perryman scored 21 of the game’s final 26 points for a 52-46 victory. Perryman filled the stat sheet with team highs of 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals. Clayton Valley Charter is 12-5 on the season (all records before MLK Day games) with the five losses all coming in neutral court tournament games. They are ranked in the top 10 of NCS Division teams. De La Salle is 15-3 and No. 19 ranked in California with the Spartans three losses against undefeated Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks and two in the Damien Classic tournament in Southern California. DLS is currently third and

San Ramon Valley fourth in NCS rankings. Other East Bay Athletic League schools Granada and Monte Vista are fifth and sixth, respectively. The Concord team’s difficult EBAL schedule will be capped by a showdown at San Ramon Valley on Jan. 30. The two schools clashed in two classic football games last fall as well. The nearly unstoppable pick and roll tandem of 6-11 center Evan McKnight and 63 point guard Antonio Kellogg Jr. has Ygnacio Valley at 13-5 and 5-0 in the DAL. The Wolves are ranked fifth in California D-4 and second in NCS behind Napa’s JustinSiena, which defeated YV in the Section semi-finals last winter. Northgate is 11-6 and in the top 12 of NCS D-2 rankings. Like the rest of the DAL schools they must navigate through a 13-team single round robin schedule against teams in various NCS divisions. The EBAL basketball playoffs for boys and girls are Feb. 5-10 while the DAL playoffs start two days earlier and also conclude Feb. 10. North Coast Section playoffs are Feb. 13-24. 6 GIRL TEAMS PLAYOFF BOUND? Carondelet has a nearly unmatched record for NCS success on the girls side, but the Cougars have only one Section championship since 2019. They won NCS championships in 14 of the previous 17 years. The Cougars are 15-2 with a 3-0 start in EBAL play.

Photo courtesy CVCHS Athletics

Clayton Valley Charter basketball coach Frank Allocco Jr. and guard Elijah Perryman celebrated the Concord school’s 2023 North Coast Section championship. It was the second in a row for the Ugly Eagles, who want to threepeat this winter.

They’ve had a typical challenging non-league schedule facing teams from Oregon, Missouri, Arizona and Southern California besides top NorCal squads. Their losses are to San Diego No. 1 ranked La Jolla Country Day and Alabama’s top-ranked Bob Jones. They too have a Jan. 30 EBAL showdown with San Ramon Valley in Concord. The Wolves at 17-1 are top ranked in NCS D-1 with the Cougars third. Carondelet is currently No. 20 in the State. Mt. Diablo, with a 16-3 record and 5-0 mark in DAL,

is California’s No. 5 ranked D-5 team and third in NCS ratings. The Red Devils are looking for a third straight NCS playoff run. The past two years the team also reached the Northern California championships. Northgate has started 144, good enough for fourth in the NCS D-2 rankings. The Ygnacio Valley varsity girls are 10-7 and in the top 13 for D-4. Clayton Valley Charter (D-1) is 11-6 and College Park (D-2) is 12-5 as they each eye a spot in the 16team NCS division playoffs.

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January 19, 2024

Red Devils soccer making noise heading towards playoffs JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

Mt. Diablo High athletics has had a renaissance since the pandemic with several teams earning North Coast Section playoff berths including boys soccer which is headed for post-season play for the third straight year.

Even after two straight NCS berths this season’s Red Devils 8-1-1 overall and 5-0 in the Diablo Athletic League figure to post the school’s first winning record in at least two decades. With eight wins in their first 10 games coach Octavio Guzman’s squad has already racked up as many wins as the five MD teams from 2017-2021 combined.

Photo courtesy CVCHS Athletics

Senior Cassidy Baker (left) won this dual with a Campolindo attacker as Clayton Valley Charter defeated the Cougars 2-0 in a recent Diablo Athletic League game. The Ugly Eagles are primed to return to the NCS playoffs next month.

Athlete Spotlight

The Concord school is ranked fourth in NCS D-4 and 17th overall as they look for a strong seed to help them surpass last year’s quarterfinal showing. Clayton Valley Charter, De La Salle, Northgate and Ygnacio Valley are perennial playoff participants. The Ugly Eagles are 8-1-2 overall and 4-0 in the Diablo Athletic League with their lone loss to No. 2 NCS ranked Berkeley 1-0. CVCHS is ranked 13th currently in NCS and, like Mt. Diablo, the remainder of their schedule is all DAL games in the 13team single round robin scheduling format. De La Salle lost in the Section quarterfinals last year as they failed to defend their 2022 title. The Spartans are 6-2-1 overall and 2-0 in the East Bay Athletic League. Their losses were to the nation’s No 3 and unbeaten Gulliver Prep of Florida and Harvard-Westlake in Southern California. With a No. 4 NCS ranking in D-I the Concord school hopes to get a high seed and progress towards its 15th Section championship. The Spartans and sister school Carondelet will conclude the regular season with EBAL playoffs Feb. 6-10. Ygnacio Valley reached the semi-finals of last year’s D-2 NCS playoffs and yet the Wolves were reclassified to D-3 this season. This should enhance the Wolves post-season prospects. The team is currently 3-3-1 and 3-1-1 in

Photo courtesy Mt. Diablo High Athletics

Mt. Diablo High are winning this season like no Red Devils boys soccer team has done in decades. At this pace the school is headed for a high seed in the NCS D-4 playoffs.

league action. Concord 4-5, Northgate 3-4-2 and College Park 3-6-1 all need to have strong finishes to get playoff berths. 3 GIRLS TEAMS PLAYOFF BOUND

Two-time defending NCS champion Carondelet is 6-4-2 with those four losses only one more than the Cougars suffered in the past three seasons combined. The team is ranked second in NCS

behind EBAL rival San Ramon Valley and just ahead of Danville’s other powerhouse Monte Vista. Those three schools have won the past five NCS Division I championships and 16 of the last 20. Northgate is 7-2-2 overall and 1-1-2 in the DAL aiming for a D-2 playoff berth again next month. Clayton Valley Charter hasn’t posted a winning season since 2019-20 but the

Ugly Eagles are off to a 7-0-2 record and a league leading 40 in the top heavy DAL. They are ranked in the Top 10 of NCS in this rebound season for a school which has a long history of top-flight girls soccer teams. North Coast Section playoffs run Feb. 13-24 with NorCal and State playoffs to follow into March.

Mt. Diablo’s Herschel Turner gains a slew of post-season recognition JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

James Moore Grade: Senior School: Clayton Valley Charter High Sport: Basketball Driven by his passion for the sport, Moore has utilized all aspects of his life to further his talent for basketball. Since he was young, Moore has pursued the sport in as many ways as possible. Beyond school, he has played for AAU and West Coast Elite teams. To further improve his technique, he joined a track team outside of school to increase his speed and endurance during games. All of this clearly paid off as he has been on the Clayton Valley boys varsity basketball team for four years. The 6’2” player was chosen second team all-Diablo Athletic League as a junior. Additionally, he placed 22nd in North Coast Section for field goals made. Coach Frank Allocco Jr. says, “James is one of the winningest players in Clayton Valley basketball history. . . [he] helped create a culture of great work ethic since I came to Clayton Valley. Most importantly, James is a great young man off the court and treats everyone around him with great respect." After an abbreviated freshman season due to the pandemic, Moore and his sophomore and junior year teams won the Division I NCS championship, the first in school history. The Ugly Eagles are currently ranked in NCS D-I top 10 as they gear up for the seasonend playoffs where they will be shooting for a threepeat. Not only does basketball drive him athletically, but it also pushes him to succeed in the classroom where he is improving his GPA to hopefully continue his basketball career in college or even beyond. CVCHS student journalist Corinne Jeandheur wrote this Spotlight. The Pioneer congratulates James and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry. Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or a great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.

Befitting an unprecedented senior football season, Herschel Turner Jr. of Mt. Diablo High has racked up numerous post-season honors. Turner transferred to Mt. Diablo in the latter half of his junior year and last fall rewrote the school record book with 43 touchdowns (all but one rushing) and 3027 years from scrimmage on only 177 carries, averaging 17 yards a carry and 275 yards per game. The Red Devils runningback helped his Concord team to the North Coast Section playoffs where they were eliminated in the first round by eventual State 3-AA champions Acalanes. First-year head coach Fetuao Mua’s team finished 8-4 and Turner’s heroics have not gone unnoticed.

He was selected Diablo Athletic League Foothill Division offensive MVP. He was named to the all-Bay Area News Group first team and also was all-Metro first team chosen by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Mitch Stephens. With his rushing total

MANUEL SERNA CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER

among the national leaders Turner was recently tabbed all-state first team by MaxPreps on a team dominated by national powers Mater Dei and Saint John Bosco. MaxPreps selected De La Salle defenders Chris Biller and Andrew Cunningham second team all-state. The all-Metro team also had Biller, Cunningham and Clayton Valley Charter’s Manuel Serna on the first team defense. ALL-DIABLO ATHLETIC LEAGUE FOOTBALL VALLEY MVP Offense – Herschel Turner Jr. (Mt. Diablo); 1st team – Monte Beam, Marcelous Rivera (Concord), Fred Fine (Ygnacio Valley), Jakorey Robinson, Jalen Dowens, Aidan Vanhoose, Jeremiah Owens, Taishaun Glover (MD); 2nd team – Tatum Laxa (MD), Julian Martinez, Isaac Schwartz

HERSCHEL TURNER JR. MT DIABLO HIGH

(Con), (YV).

Maurillo

Herrera

FOOTHILL 1st team – Ben Hosler, Tony Pucci, Max Anum (Northgate), Langston Cook (College Park); 2nd team – Jake Berger (NG), Julian Abeyta, Hunter Pelayo (CP).

Terrapins complete 2023 season with a pair of impressive December results JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

Terrapin Swim Team sent swimmers to a pair of meets in early December to wrap up the competitive portion of the 2023 season and came away with many top performances. A total of 17 Terrapin swimmers participated in the 14 & Under Short Course Winter Age Group Championships in Moraga and the team had over 80 lifetime best swims. Leading the way was 12year-old Marina Didenko of

Concord who was first in all seven of her events, posting breakthrough times and winning high point for her age group. Eleven-year-olds Sasha Gavrylenko and Grace Willis also scored in the top five for each of their events. Concord’s Morgan Wendler and Giovanni Castaneda, both 13, led the way for the

Terrapin boys, achieving multiple best times and qualifying for finals in every event they swam. The same weekend the Terrapins sent 21 swimmers to the Tualatin Hills Holiday Classic Invitational in Beaverton, Oregon. The squad racked up many best times while achieving some new

qualifying times. The contingent had many finalists including Addison Corso, Haylee Wong, Brooke Koller, Reagan Berger, Abbey Keller, Madelyn Cottam, Abby Ikeda, Nicholas Woolery, Shawn Boland, Christian Ceja, Calvin Tam and Luciano Crews.

The Pioneer wants to publish your sports news

Please let us know about your sports news, special events, fund raisers, tryouts, signups and accomplishments. Youth leagues, clubs, schools and adult programs are all welcome to send us a rundown on what you’re doing. Include all the necessary details (too much information is better than too little) with your contact information. It’s simple. Send an email to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.

January 19, 2024

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Athlete Spotlight Evan McKnight Grade: Senior School: Ygnacio Valley High Sport: Basketball The 6-11 McKnight literally and figuratively sticks out even on a basketball court and this winter he and junior teammate Antonio Kellogg Jr. have captained their Ygnacio Valley Wolves team to a hot start seeking a high North Coast Section playoff seed. “We’ve got a lot of momentum,” McKnight said a day after his 23-point, 16-rebound effort against Diablo Athletic League foe Alhambra. As an eighth grader at Foothill Middle School, McKnight grew from 5-11 to 6-5 and yes, there were growing pains. Up until then he considered baseball his favorite sport although he played CYO basketball as an eighth grader for Saint Francis.

During his freshman year at Ygnacio Valley he played baseball because it started early in the condensed spring only pandemic schedule. As a sophomore with his new height he joined the basketball team with a number of friends who also tried out. He made varsity as a 160-pounder (he now weighs 225). The team struggled and was winless before Michael Woolridge was bought in as coach and the team won two of their final games to finish 2-18. He also competed in cross country and track and field as a sophomore and volleyball as a junior. Last year under coach Woolridge’s full-time mentorship the Wolves qualified for NCS Division IV as the third

seed and reached the semi-finals. They then were placed in the CIF D-III NorCal tournament before losing their opener to finish 21-7. For the second year in a row McKnight earned all-DAL honors. This season McKnight has slowed down his growth (“I do measure myself and see small increases”) and Woolridge says his center has become healthier and stronger. Last summer he toured the country with the Nike-sponsored Oakland Soldiers club team (Lebron James is a Soldiers alumnus) facing tough competition in North Carolina, Indiana, Nevada, Arizona and Southern California. At Ygnacio Valley he is an active member of the International Baccalaureate program. McKnight wants to go to a college in state, preferably in Northern California so his family, including twin sister Claire, will be able to see him play basketball at the next level. The Pioneer congratulates Evan and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry. Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.

S p o rt s Shorts CONCORD AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION FOR SPRING BALL STILL OPEN

BAMBERGERS MAKE COLLEGE BASKETBALL HISTORY

Concord American Little League player evaluations are this month for its spring baseball season. The league’s website has complete registration information for t-ball (ages 4-6) through junior baseball (14). Practice begins next month. Visit concordamericanlittleleague.org for details and to register.

DIABLO VALLEY FC HOSTS INAUGURAL MARATHON CUP FEB. 24-25

Diablo Valley FC is hosting the inaugural Marathon Cup youth soccer tournament for boys and girl teams in the U7-U12 age groups on the Feb. 24-25 weekend. The tournament will feature 7v7 and 9v9 games for bronze through premier level team brackets. Among the sites used for the tournament will be the club’s newly refurbished fields at sponsor Marathon Petroleum. Visit the club website at diablovalleyfc.com to apply before the Feb. 9 entry deadline.

CLAYTON SHARPSHOOTER ONCE AGAIN AIMING FOR ANOTHER ELKS HOOP SHOOT NATIONAL TITLE

Jackson Ramirez won his fourth straight local Elks Hoop Shoot title last month in Walnut Creek with a perfect 25 for 25 effort and moves on to the District event Jan. 27 in Modesto. Now competing in the oldest 13-year-old division Ramirez has his eyes on a second National Championship before aging out of the competition. He also was recently 40 for 40 in the Knights of Columbus local and district competitions. He’ll be competing next in JACKSON RAMIREZ the February Regionals.

JUNIOR OPTIMIST SPRING BASEBALL

ERIC AND ALI BAMBERGER

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Boosting your immune system for good health

NATHALIE MONTIJO

NEW WAVE NIGHTINGALE

Sneezing and coughing, which have become nearly socially unacceptable in the past few years, are natural defenses against airborne attacks. According to researcher Jaouad Bouayed: “Sneezing and coughing are important defensive reflex responses to expel infectious agents or irritants.” Bouayed has written extensively about the Behavioral Immune System (BIS), which is the tendency to proactively avoid a perceived threat of infection. This defense mechanism, while useful, is prone to error and can lead to “stigmarelated behaviors such as social rejection and discrimination.” Intermittent sneezing and coughing are not necessarily indicative of infection and should not carry a social price. Aside from tolerating microbe expulsion in us and others, it is important to cultivate good habits. Eating well, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated are pivotal to maintaining health. Consuming foods rich in Vitamin B, including peanuts, fruits and green vegetables, is excellent as is consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods such as carrots, kale, mangoes, spinach, apricots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, squash and cantaloupe. Vitamin C, found in citrus, is another important building block of immune protection. There is also some evidence that adding fresh garlic, ginger, oregano, basil, sage, black cumin, fennel and lemon balm to the diet may contribute to development of a strong immune system. So let us start the year off strong, healthy and well-protected.

I hope everyone is having a happy, healthy new year thus far, embracing only realistic resolutions and enjoying great success. A resolution worth adopting is pursing the most powerfully effective immune system one is capable of building. Having studied Western and Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM), I can assure you there is no divide: The immune system is key to wellbeing. A staggering number of microorganisms are gunning for us, just on the other side of our skin. If we could see them, we would be tempted to build a bubble and never leave it. COVID continues to morph, flu is a forever factor and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has made a momentous comeback. And mind you, these are just the ones that get a lot of press. It is vital to have a protective mechanism in place. The human immune system is many splendored, but the most important component is our largest organ – the skin. Maintaining skin integrity is generally easy for healthy, active people, but it is important to maintain good hygiene practices and moisturize daily. Breaks in the skin can introPlease send yuur comments and duce microbes and bring dam- question to Nathalie by enail to age quickly. This is especially newwavenightingale@gmail.com. true of wounds caused by animals or certain plants.

When Ali Bamberger scored her 1,000th point for Saint Mary's in a December game she made history. The Gaels redshirt senior joined her father, Eric Bamberger, as the only fatherdaughter duo to score 1,000 points at the same school in NCAA D1 history. Dad was a two-time all-WCC player for the Gaels from 1988-92 before going on to a successful high school coaching career. He is currently athletic director at Clayton Valley Charter. Daughter Ali is leading the Moraga school in scoring average, rebounding and blocks as she seeks her third straight all-WCC first team selection. The duo were also the first fatherdaughter to be named all-State basketball, dad at Ygnacio Valley High and daughter at Carondelet where she was a four-time North Coast Section champion and all-Metro player of the year as a senior.

SIGNUPS CONTINUE

MT. DIABLO HIGH HALL OF FAME Junior Optimist Baseball League is still taking registration for CRAB FEED THIS SATURDAY boys and girls 4-11 for its spring season. There are two weekly The annual Mt. Diablo High School Hall of Fame crab feed games for teams, one a weeknight and the other on Saturday. JOBL started in 1963 and plays all its games at the JOBL Com- is this Saturday, Jan. 20, at Zio Fraedo’s in Pleasant Hill. The plex in North Concord. Visit joblconcord.com or email evening, which benefits the school’s Sports Hall of Fame, includes music, dancing, 50/50 raffle and lots of raffle prizes. info@joblconcord.com for more information and to register. For more information on last-minute tickets call Lou Adamo at FIRST TEE CRAB FEED JAN. 26 AT CENTRE CONCORD 212-9332 or email louadamo@gmail.com. First Tee of Contra Costa is hosting a fund-raising crab feed NEWEST YGNACIO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL on Friday, Jan. 26, at Centre Concord. The evening, which benATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS HONORED MAR. 23 efits the youth golf program, is from 5-9 p.m. with a delicious The Ygnacio Valley High Athletic Hall of Fame dinner for menu catered by Zandonella’s including marinated crab, salad, pasta with pesto, garlic bread and dessert. A silent auction will the Class of 2024 will be Mar. 23 at Zio Fraedo’s in Pleaasant benefit the program. For more information on tickets visit first- Hill. The distinguished group of six athletes and baseball coach Lou Adamo features Bill Piona (Class of 1971, football, baseteecontracosta.org/crabfeed. ball), Perry Lange (74, swimming), Doug Swallow (74, tennis), PLEASANT HILL BASEBALL ASSOCIATION Ryan Carey (91, baseball, basketball, football), Andy Hanf (90, soccer, track, football) and Shauna Adkins Bennett (98, basketACCEPTING BASEBALL, SOFTBALL REGISTRATIONS The all-volunteer Pleasant Hill Baseball Association, which ball, softball). Visit yvathletichof.com for more details and to was founded in 1958, is accepting signups for its spring baseball reserve tickets. and softball season for girls and boys ages 4-18. For more inforCONCORD CUP SOCCER REGISTRATION OPEN mation visit the PHBA website phba.org. Registration is now open for Concord Cup XXIX youth soccer tournament on May 18-19 for girls and boys 10U through CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER FLAG FOOTBALL 19U teams from AYSO, US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer PROGRAM KICKS OFF THIS MONTH Clayton Valley Charter High School hosts its third season of programs. Teams in bronze through silver divisions are invited Be Elite Flag Football season on 10 consecutive weekends start- to participate in the 29th edition of the area’s largest tournaing Jan 21. The co-ed program is open to kindergarten through ment. Team applications are open at concordcup.com. eighth grade students. There are no tryouts or draft, and everyPIONEER WANTS TO PUBLISH YOUR SPORTS NEWS one plays offense and defense. No football experience is necesPlease let us know about your sports news, special events, sary. One-hour weekend practices are followed by 5v5 non-contact environment games the same day from Jan. 21 – Mar. 24. fund raisers, tryouts, signups and accomplishments. Include all Coaching is by student athlete mentors. For registration info the necessary details and your contact information. It is as simcontact CVCHS football coach Nick Tisa at nick.tisa@clayton- ple as sending an email to sports@pioneerpublishers.com. valley.org or visit BeEliteAthlete.com.

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January 19, 2024

Learning to say no when overwhelmed tial strain on relationships. Many of us grapple with this challenge, feeling overwhelmed by a torrent of requests and struggling to decline without compromising our well-being. Let’s explore some practiDOMINIQUE KING cal strategies to navigate the delicate balance of saying no. LEAN IN Prioritizing self-care. The WITH LOVE first step is to understand that declining certain requests preQ. How can I effectively serves your mental and emonavigate the delicate baltional well-being. Prioritizing ance of saying no without self-care establishes a foundafeeling guilty or damaging tion for contributing more my relationships? I find positively to your relationships myself overwhelmed with and commitments. requests and struggle to Establishing clear prioridecline without compromisties. Taking the time to identiing my well-being. fy your priorities and commitments is fundamental. By A. Saying no is a subtle art knowing your limits and that requires finesse to avoid understanding what genuinely the pitfalls of guilt and potenmatters to you, informed deci-

sion-making becomes more achievable. Aligning requests with your priorities allows for easier acceptance, while conflicting ones necessitate saying no to maintain balance. Practicing assertiveness. Expressing your decision clearly and confidently, without unnecessary explanations or apologies, communicates both honesty and confidence. This fosters understanding while reinforcing the importance of your choices. Assertiveness is a crucial tool in the art of saying no effectively. Offering alternatives. Providing options can be a diplomatic approach when declining a request. Suggesting someone else for a task or proposing a compromise that aligns with your capabilities demonstrates your willingness to contribute differently. This

strategy softens the impact of refusal and showcases your commitment to finding solutions. Mastering the art of timing. Choosing the right moment to decline a request significantly influences its reception. Requesting time for consideration when caught off guard allows for a thoughtful response. This approach enables you to evaluate your availability, making your response more measured and considerate. Setting boundaries. Establishing clear boundaries is essential for maintaining a healthy balance. Communicating your limitations openly and honestly helps others understand your constraints, fostering respect for your decisions. Consistent boundary-setting reinforces your commitment to

self-care and effectively manages expectations. Learning to say no without apology. It’s crucial to avoid over-apologizing when saying no. While maintaining respect in your response is essential, excessive apologies can dilute the strength of your decision. Keep your refusal concise and direct, emphasizing your current limitations without unnecessary guilt. Reflecting on positive outcomes. After successfully saying no without compromising your well-being, take a moment to reflect on the positive outcomes. Acknowledge the impact of your decision on your mental health and the quality of your relationships. Recognize the benefits of boundaries. Navigating the delicate balance of saying no

involves a combination of self-awareness, assertiveness and strategic communication. Prioritizing self-care, establishing clear priorities and practicing assertiveness allow you to decline requests without compromising wellbeing. Offering alternatives, mastering timing, setting boundaries and learning to say no without excessive apologies further contribute to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Remember, your ability to say no is a powerful tool for personal growth and maintaining healthy relationships. Be well. You are worthy. Dominique King is a wife, mother, lifestyle blogger and avid long-distance runner. Email questions and comments to her at leaninwiththekings@gmail.com.

‘Ferrari’ takes too narrow a turn; ‘Poor Things’ is flat-out crazy Enzo Ferrari was a hardheaded man. Resistant to outside help with his company, he kept his focus on racing. He was also a family man. Yet his devotion to the Ferrari name exposed his biggest weakness: fear of failure. In Michael Mann’s hardcharging new film “Ferrari,” Adam Driver disappears into the titular role. Despite not learning a whole lot about anyone else, we get a great performance from Driver, excellent cinematography and some of the best on-screen racing ever filmed. Penelope Cruz plays Enzo’s wife, Laura. She’s the only other character given deep screentime, so we really get to know the depths of her frustrations about being his wife. Early in the film, she answers the phone repeatedly to people asking for her husband or trying to make her aware of a Maserati driver in town to break a Ferrari record. She boils over, knowing her husband is out with some

JEFF MELLINGER

SCREEN SHOTS other woman (although they have an agreement) and fires a gun two feet from Enzo’s head after his return. Cruz eats it up as her character seethes throughout. However, this does not endear her to the audience. Laura comes off as grating and irritating, despite her circumstances. Mann and Driver also make it hard to root for Enzo. We are not supposed to identify with him so much as pity him. He owns a fabulous company and has a wonderful family (two in fact) but cannot commit the necessary

father, Baxter, or God as he wants to be called, believes it is his life’s duty to experiment for experimentation’s sake. Half dog, half chicken animals roam his estate. AN EXPERIMENT IN For his coup de grace, FAMILY DYNAMICS God took the brain of a child Whether it be with “The and put it in the head of an Lobster,” “Killing of a Sacred adult woman he named Bella Deer,” “The Favourite” or his (Stone). She can barely walk, latest, “Poor Things,” no one wets herself and has the lancan accuse director Yorgos guage of a 3-year old. Yet, she Lanthimos of being unorigilearns at a rapid rate and soon nal. His films are wholly wonders about the outside unique and often outright world. bonkers. God encourages a union With a career performance between her and Max (Ramy from Emma Stone, “Poor Youssef), a medical student Things” fits perfectly in Lan- brought on to document thimos’ oeuvre. Bella’s day-to-day progress. Lanthimos’ third film, However, Bella feels the need “Dogtooth,” examines the to sow her wild oats and jets lengths an irrational father will off with scoundrel Duncan (a go to keep his adult children deliciously awful Mark Ruffain a perpetual state of childlo). hood. Lanthimos returns to Lanthimos has always been this theme in “Poor Things” able to look at life through a with the character of Godwin lens unfamiliar to most of us. Baxter, a craggily, perfect How else to consider the plot Willem Dafoe. of “The Lobster” – a dating Having been experimented service putting people with on mercilessly by his own their absolute perfect match gives couples 45 days to prove they belong together before turning each of them into a pre-determined animal. With “Poor Things,” Lanthimos knows it will be jarring to focus the audience’s lens through the eyes of a childlike adult experiencing sex (lots of it), fine cuisine, travel, high It will tell you everything and low society and love for you thought you knew about the first time. It certainly is a books and the people who buy tough watch at times, but the them, sell them and read them humor is fairly consistent and – and so much more. Trust me, allows the viewer some relief. there is a whole lot about the The costume design and book business that will surprise art direction are absolutely top you. notch. Taking place in an The economics of selling Buzbee will take you back to nuts and bolts is different from alternate turn-of-the-20th BC booksellers, through the Century, “Poor Things” sports selling books, and Buzbee’s Middle Ages, and up to Amacolors, clothes and machines insightful and realistic take on zon and the 21st century. But the business is a strong factor in from other time periods. The before he gets to Bookselling sky in every outdoors scene is how we, the customers, might 101, he shares his youth and his change our understanding of awash in pinks and oranges, excitement when his teacher and smoke emitted from independent bookstores. But would open the Weekly Reader make no mistake, the book is smokestacks is a bright green. box and hand him the books he not anti-internet book buying. Overhead motorized trams had ordered. Let’s get back to the “book- and bizarre automobiles fill in Buzbee wastes no time in the background, so there is shops” – those offering new telling you exactly who he is always something to look at. and/or used books. You will and what his book is about. His love and recognize the names Lanthimos’s films are ceropening sentence says it all: tainly not for everyone. Yet if of Bay Area bookstores and “When I walk into a bookstore, even those all over the United you like films that hew toward any bookstore, first thing in the States and the world. He gives the outlandishly bizarre, “Poor morning, I’m flooded with a Things” will do just fine. Anew meaning to the word sense of hushed excitement.” “browse.” What I especially appreciate WINTER TV ROUNDUP I’m going to guess that about the book is that one does many of you, while reading “Slow Horses.” (Apple+) not have to have his degree of how he feels when browsing in I’ve gushed over “Slow Horsbook lust to feel that this is es” for the past couple of a bookstore or even just walkyour book. years. Although Apple+ has a ing into a bookstore, will say, It doesn’t matter if he is “Yes – that’s exactly how I feel.” lot of great stuff, signing up writing about his professional “The Yellow-Lighted Book- just to watch this show is life as a bookseller (and what worth it. Season 3 debuted in shop” is a keeper, and I hope fun to read about his youthful December, and it delivers. you will consider it as the best persistence to work in a bookgift book for your favorite read- Gary Oldman is at the top of store), or sales rep, or explaining ing friends. his game, as usual. The rest of when books were first shelved the cast has been thinned a spine out, or making some Sunny Solomon is a freelance writer bit, allowing us to spend more sense of today’s book pricing and head of the Clayton Book Club. time with those who are left. (not necessarily a fair business The plot is more intense and Visit her website at practice), his enthusiasm for bookinwithsunny.com for her latest rec- suspenseful than ever, while every subject in the book is remaining quite simple. You ommendations or just to ‘talk books.’ never preachy or didactic. will not find much better than resources to any of them. The film does not go into Ferrari’s past enough to help us understand his overwhelming desire to win races. Ferrari puts winning and competition above all else and lets it consume him. Filming racing scenes on a track must be incredibly difficult. However, once the beats of the race are planned, camera set ups and choreography fall into place. It is another story when a race takes place across city streets and throughout the countryside. Mann’s filming of the famous 1957 Mille Miglia race at the climax of the movie is nothing short of spectacular: day shots, night shots, straightaways, twisty backroads and one jaw-dropping, heartwrenching wreck. “Ferrari” is well more than two hours long, but I could have used another 30 minutes. The drivers get very little attention. Why cast Jack O’Connell and Patrick Dempsey and barely use them?

‘The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop’ a must-read for book lovers

BOOKIN’ WITH SUNNY

Of all the books I have highlighted while writing for The Pioneer, Lewis Buzbee’s “The Yellow-Lighted Book-

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shop” is the most heartfelt recommendation of all. Despite huge differences in our backgrounds, Buzbee and I share something on a most personal level. We love books. We love reading. We love bookstores. Buzbee describes his love of books and the stores that sell them as “lust.” I’m more inclined to term mine as an addiction. After reading his memoir/history for the third time, I turn to you, my fellow book lovers to say: Go out and buy “The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop.”

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Mann is known for his excellent director’s cuts. Here’s hoping for a three-hour version of “Ferrari” on Blu-ray. A-

this to watch. “The Curse.” (Showtime) Only a few episodes in, I can say that this is the next generation of awkward television. In the vein of “The Office,” we have very flawed characters who are as likely to make us cringe as they are to elicit laughs. Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder play a goodnatured couple who suffer from not understanding their whiteness. They want to make a reality show based on their improvements of a Native American community in New Mexico. Yet, they are met at every turn with various forms of resistance that they cannot, or will not, comprehend. UPCOMING TV “True Detective: Night Country.” (HBO) Jodie Foster and Kali Reis are the detectives this fourth time around. Season 1 is one of the best seasons of television this century. Season 2 may have been a drop-off but is not nearly as bad as everyone thinks. Season 3 is a welcome return to form. Here’s hoping that season 4’s visit to the polar night brings vibes of Season 1. “Echo.” (Disney+) Disney has been going to great lengths to let everyone know that “Echo,” a spin-off of “Hawkeye,” is absolutely not for children. Bringing back favorite actors from the Netflix version of “Daredevil,” “Echo” has a lot going for it. Only loosely related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it should be easily consumable by those tired of, or clueless about the MCU. “Masters of the Air.” (Apple+) The producers of the all-time great miniseries “Band of Brothers” bring us a story about pilots in WWII. Austin Butler and a host of other good-looking actors will surely make this expensive show well worth watching. “Walking Dead: Ones Who Live.” (AMC) Finally, we get to find out what happened to Rick and Michonne after they left the main show. Shows like “Walking Dead: World Beyond” and “Fear the Walking Dead” have teased us here and there about what the couple might have been doing. I hope this show expands the wider universe so we learn more about how the rest of the United States has been faring since the zombies took over. “La Brea.” (NBC) It’s the third and final season of this show, so I might as well finish it out. Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. Email comments to editor@pioneerpublishers.com.

January 19, 2024

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

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T H E ARTS

Two fascinating shows with suicide at the center If you were asked to make a list of things that make life worth living, what would you put down? This is exactly the premise of Duncan Macmillan’s oneman show “Every Brilliant Thing,” playing at Walnut Creek’s Center REP. Macmillan, who wrote the piece with assistance from actor Jonny Donahoe, balances the struggles of life with its celebration in this poignant coming-of-age story. In the play, a young mother recuperates in the hospital following a suicide attempt. Her 7-year-old son makes a list of everything that’s brilliant

SALLY HOGARTY

STAGE STRUCK about the world for her to read, hoping it will stop her from trying to take her life again. “Every Brilliant Thing”

Photo by Colin Mandlin

William Thomas Hodgson stars in Center REP’s “Every Brilliant Thing” through Jan. 28 at the Lesher Center.

deals with a tragic topic through brilliant writing and touches of humor as the main character goes from childhood to adulthood. Looking back on a life full of ups and downs, he takes the audience on an aspiring journey celebrating pleasure in the mundane as he and the audience read items from his evergrowing list. (Ice cream is No. 1.) Award-winning director Jeffrey Lo guides William Thomas Hodgson as he gives a charismatic performance as the young boy/man. The engaging Hodgson draws the audience in as he weaves the story of his family with a mixture of humor and tenderness. It’s amazing to watch this accomplished performer as he effortlessly navigates a plethora of conflicting emotions for what becomes an extremely satisfying theatrical journey. “Every Brilliant Thing” runs through Jan. 28 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr. Additional matinees have been added to accommodate audiences. Call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org. J.B. Priestley’s multifaceted mystery “An Inspector Calls” begins the new year for Plotline Theatre Company. Con-

Breaking the ‘Solitude’ with new Bay Area music

Photo by Savanna Daniels

Jess Rodgers, left, Skyelar Clouse and Mark Alan Flores appear in the mystery drama “An Inspector Calls” through Jan. 21 at the Martinez Campbell Theater.

sidered one of the classics of mid-20th century English theater, Priestley’s work weaves a complex story of a young working-class woman’s possible suicide, her associations with a wealthy family who may have contributed to her death and harsh criticism of Victorian and Edwardian English society into an intriguing piece of theater. The play takes place in the spring of 1912 at a family engagement celebration that turns into a nightmare when a very aggressive police inspector intrudes. Through a seemingly unrelated chain of events, the inspector shows each person’s responsibility for the girl’s death, acting as if he is not only the family’s con-

science but also that of society. Set designer Diane McRice fashioned a well-appointed period parlor to create the ambiance necessary for the action to take place, aided by Dave Pursley’s lighting and Jana McDowell’s period costumes and wigs. Randy Anger directs a talented cast that includes Jason Berner as Inspector Goole, Beth Chastain, Skyelar Clouse, Kieran Cross, Savannah Daniels, Mark Alan Flores and Jess Rodgers. “An Inspector Calls” continues through Jan. 21 at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. Go to www.campbelltheater.com for tickets. The incredible actor, friend and teacher Stu Klitsner died

Jan. 4 at the age of 97. Anyone who ever met Stu was impressed with his positive energy, creativity and friendliness. Stu and his fabulous wife Rhoda, who died in 2003, graced local stages for many years. Stu also appeared in Hollywood films, television shows and commercials. A standing-room only memorial ceremony was held Jan. 8. Such a presence in this world will be missed. Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com

Master potter unveils mythical sculpture series beyond clay DAVE HUGHES

THE BEAT OF DIABLO It’s that time again when I attempt to convert readers into listeners by sharing my synopses of a handful of recent local releases. This month’s column comes with a hope and an ask. My hope is that at least one of these brief overviews will have you saying, “Now that sounds like something I might like.” My ask is that you take that next step and actually give the music a listen. I’ll begin with a couple of recent offerings from San Francisco, starting with the new album from SLUGish Ensemble, “In Solitude.” This pandemic-inspired album is the product of an instrumental jazz project led by bassclarinetist and composer Steven Lugerner. “Like many, I often felt lonely at the onset of the pandemic,” shares Lugerner. “I heard somewhere that it’s more appropriate to frame loneliness as ‘being in solitude.’ While loneliness is often a feeling of sadness, solitude is the acceptance of being on your own and being at peace with it.” This is definitely music to sit with – music that flourishes with elements of improv, while being tethered tastefully by Lugerner’s writing. These compositions often consist of shorter, mantra-like melodies upon which the ensemble builds. Expect large dynamic ranges, from the lightest touch of upright bass and piano, to the Charles Mingus-like cacophony of horns, guitar, drums and synthesizers. Another recent release

JOHN NAKANISHI

ARTS IN MOTION I met Kathy Kearns at Red Ox Clay Studio in Concord when I took her wheel-throwing class. She has a pleasant, familiar teaching style, and her class inspired me to throw on from The City comes from with upright bass and some the wheel after years away the experimental duo known tried and true country fiddle, from the art. as Late Aster. Recorded in before Burnham’s vocals start Yet there is much more to June of last year and released the story-tellin’: “I was sitting Kearns than teaching how to in the fall, “Light Rail Seswith my cellmate when the throw pottery. sion” is a live album, though warning came around – there She got her hands on clay you wouldn’t know that by lis- was panic in his voice – that very early in her life. She tening to the rich production. ‘California’s burnin’ down.’ ” began developing her skills as Late Aster electronically Last month also saw the a potter when her mother, an processes live trumpet, French debut EP from Oakland song- artist herself, put a pottery horn and vocals in real time writer Dani Offline. “Mirror” wheel in their garage. with synthesizers and a drum offers seven original, jazzy In high school, Kearns met machine to create their signa- R&B tunes that showcase the Betty Woodman, an accomture dreamy sound, which vocalist’s range, both as a plished ceramic artist who they describe as being “situat- singer and as a producer. became Kearns’s good friend ed somewhere between jazHer laid-back beats nudge and pottery mentor. At her ztronica, ambient electronic the grooves along, often urging, Kearns attended the and chamber pop.” employing comforting lo-fi Kansas City Art Institute in Across the Bay, the Oakelements that complement the Missouri, earning a BFA with land music scene continues to delicacy of her voice, which honors. From there, Kearns shine with an eclectic array of often shimmers with natural obtained a master’s degree offerings. I’ll start with a style vibrato. At times, she sings from the University of Colof music not often associated about as quietly as one can orado. with The Town: honky tonk. without breaking into whisper, In November, Aaron and yet her voice is never lost ART WITH DESIGN Burnham & the Brushfires in the mix. AND FUNCTION released their sophomore Self-production isn’t easy, After pursuing art using album, “Barnburner,” featurbut Offline has demonstrated other materials, Kearns was ing 11 fun original tunes that with “Mirror” that it’s all part drawn back to clay and realare sure to have fans of the of her artistry. ized her passion as a potter. genre tapping their feet. Find more local releases of She enjoys the way functional The opening track, “Into all genres at ConcordRockCi- pots combine art with everythe Fire,” quickly sets the tone ty.com. day living. More than just a with a slightly distorted guitar piece of art to be enjoyed riff reminiscent of grittier Contact Dave Hughes at visually, her work is handled Buck Owens. A giddy-up beat MrDaveHughes@gmail.com. and used by many people in a quickly joins the party, along hands-on way. Adventurous jazz, raucous honky tonk, entrancing expirimental, and R&B love songs make up just some of the recent release from the Bay Area. Find links to more new music at ConcordRockCity.com

Contributed photo

Kathy Kearns drew inspiration from her Greek heritage for her mythological sculpture series.

“I believe that using and living with a well-designed and handmade functional object brings a quality experience to the everyday act of living,” states Kearns. In the late 1990s, chef Philippe Jeanty commissioned her to produce French cassoulet bowls for his restaurant, Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. She now has a whole line of beautiful cassoulet dishware, filling a demand for this style of crockery used for traditional oven-baked French stew.

she calls her mythological sculpture series. They are an exciting departure from Kearns’s functional wheelthrown vessels. “It’s working in a different way than I’ve been working for a long time and giving myself permission to do that,” Kearns shares. After years of focusing on always keeping things symmetrical, Kearns is enjoying the freedom of asymmetry with her figurines. Her mythological sculptures are unique, imparting a feeling of antiquity and a sense of ancient civilizations. DELVING INTO MYTHOLOGY As with many ancient sculpAfter her mother died in tures, her pieces seem to 2014, Kearns wanted to learn evoke mysterious stories. more about her Greek her“My intention is not to itage. She made her first trip represent any specific myth, to Greece in 2016 and has but rather to create a personal tried to visit regularly since and universal expression of then. While at an artist session states of being,” says Kearns. at the Mudhouse Residency in This series is one that is perCrete in 2021, she created sonal and exciting to her as it some small sculptures based draws her closer to her Greek on what she was seeing and heritage and her family ties to feeling in this ancient part of the Peloponnese region of the world. Greece. Upon returning home, she used these sculptures as modSee Pottery, page B6 els for larger sculptures that

Page B6

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

January 19, 2024

Main Street Kitchen stays strong from brunch to dinner If Michelin readily bestowed stars on the Contra Costa side of the Caldecott Tunnel, Main Street Kitchen and Bar in Walnut Creek would be a worthy candidate. Their combination of quality ingredients, innovative seasonal recipes and excellent service makes it one of the best places to dine in the region. Ownerexecutive chef Arash Ghasemi and his wife Lauri serve a diverse brunch, lunch and dinner menu seven days a week. Immigrating from wartorn Iran, Arash learned the restaurant trade working his way up the ladder from being a dishwater in Holland. He moved to the United State in 1996 in search of better culinary opportunities. It was in San Francisco where he met and married Chicago native Lauri. The two operated a small café in Oakland prior to opening Main Street in 2015. The couple has distinguished themselves with a changing brunch menu that depends on availability of fresh products from local vendors. These purveyors of fish, produce, meats and dairy provide the foundation

was so popular, my family ordered a second helping. Also noteworthy are the Eggs Benedict utilizing a couple of pouched organic eggs covered by a made-toorder Hollandaise sauce. Main Street has a chicken and smoked salmon version that I look forward to sampling during a future visit. If one desires nonbrunch items, Main Street RICHARD EBER has the answer. Our table TASTE & TELL shared a delicious pear salad with a pistachio Meyer for Main Street’s success. lemon dressing. Also of note This was evident on a is the roasted beet salad with recent visit featuring a dates, avocado, persimmons chanterelle mushroom and almonds covered with a omelet, accompanied by yogurt sauce. home fries and an order of The menu also features Painted Hill thick smoked burgers, pizza, and fish and bacon. They also offer a chips, along with other lunch unique egg dish showcasing items. Medjool dates and Laura With such diverse offerChenel goat cheese. ings, one wonders how Arash Each breakfast item and Lauri can put so much comes with a fresh fruit time into making Main Street compote jam that changes a success. It helps that his parwith the availability of fruit. ents and Lauri’s mom assist The favorite at my table them in raising 9- and 12-yearwas the French toast made olds boys at their Danville with Berkeley’s Acme Bakery home. This arrangement Levain sourdough, served allows the couple to serve a with a small vessel of house- dinner menu that rivals the made cranberry-bananaquality of what they put out pumpkin mascarpone. Real earlier in the day. maple syrup completed this In the evening, we started masterpiece. This concoction

Pottery, from page B5 ARTIST TALK IN OAKLAND The firing technique Kearns uses for her figurines, in a large anagama kiln, adds a feel of antiquity. She enjoys the results that the wood-burning kiln creates on the surfaces of her pieces. The melted wood ash and other natural markings that result from the heat and flames create a complementary façade to the primal appearance of the sculptural

p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. You can also take her classes at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill and Red Ox forms. Kearns has just begun on Studio in Concord. To learn more about this new journey of discovKathy Kearns, view her artery. “I don’t really know work or sign up for her where they are going to go, and I’m not trying to control newsletter, visit that too much,” says Kearns. crockettpottery.com. You can see some of John Nakanishi is an acrylic Kearns’s work through Janupainter and a ceramic artist. ary at the Transmission Email comments and suggestions Gallery in Oakland. The for future columns to gallery is presenting an phjona@gmail.com. Artists’ Talk, featuring Kearns and Toru Sugita, at 2

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cheeseburger and Bavette (flank steak) provide tasty carnivore options. Main Street has a full bar with foo-foo drinks and extensive wine selections. They are a bit pricey, so I enjoyed an East Brother’s Pilsner. As might be expected, the dessert menu meets all expectations. Two people can easily share the apple crisp covered with a scoop of rich Straus vanilla ice cream. We also tried the lemon persimmon panna cotta that featured a delicate yogurt cream Rich Eber pudding. Arash and Lauri Ghasemi display some dessert creations Main Street Kitchen and from Main Street Kitchen and Bar in Walnut Creek. Bar should be at the top of local gourmet’s destinations. They are open 11 a.m.with marinated fresh green consists of a pounded chick9 p.m. Monday-Friday. They olives and fried calamari. en thigh covered by a Brusopen at 9 a.m. weekends and Next on our agenda was an sels sprout/butternut close at 8 p.m. Sunday at incredible Bartlett pear pizza squash/brown butter/sage 1358 N. Main St., Walnut featuring onion cream moz- combo. In the spring, the Creek. For more informazarella and tangy Point Reyes chef plans to use spinach, tion, call 925-933-1001. Blue cheeses. For more tradi- mushroom and feta cheese tional fare, Main Street has for this dish. Rich Eber is a local journalist Margherita, sausage, pepperAlso on the dinner menu and long time resident of Concord. oni, and prosciutto, pizza. is wild Alaskan halibut proHe covers topics from politics to These are ideal options for vided by Paul Johnson’s younger diners. iconic Monterey Fish. Sierra gourmet food. Contact him at Our favorite entree was Nevada Farms’ bone-in pork rjerje@pacbell.net the Chicken al Mattone. It chops, a half-pound Wagyu

From radios to records, Earl’s store was in tune

CAROL LONGSHORE

YESTERYEAR

Elmer Earl was a simple music store owner who built a successful life in Concord. He came here in 1933 after he received a letter from the owner of a little radio shop inside of Keller’s hardware store. His sister introduced him to Mildred Squire, who attended Cal Berkeley with her. They fell in love and got married in 1936. They moved to a house on Galindo Street and had their only child, Evelyn. He then built their home on Sutter Street. After working in his little shop in the hardware store, he opened Earl’s Radio and Electric Shop in 1946. He built it himself at 1919 Salvio St. and worked there until he retired in 1977. He loved tinkering with radios and anything electric and slowly got into photographs, records and musical

Concord Historical Society

Recording artist Frankie Avalon visited Elmer Earl’s Concord store because of high record sales there.

instruments. He was known for helping school music programs and selling records. He was tickled pink when Frankie Avalon came to town. The singer had contacted him because Earl had sold so many of his records that he just had to see this little store. The family had their house moved to California Street after developers bought them out to build Park and Shop. But he ended up having to sell the house to other developers who built apartments. They moved to Euclid Avenue, where he stayed until he died

in 1984 at age 90. Even though he had to move two times because of Concord’s redevelopment and growth, he loved being a part of the community. Evelyn graduated from Mount Diablo High School in 1961. She later came back to Concord and has been here since. She has three children, one who still lives in Concord. Carol Longshore has been a Concord resident since 1950. She is a community leader and past president of the Concord Historical Society. Send comments and suggestions for future topics to editor@pioneerpublishers.com.

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