May 17 The Pioneer 2024

Old Fry’s building to see new life with Urban Air adventure

Urban Air Adventure Park promises an extreme experience – from 40-foot climbing walls to a “huge” zipline and a 38-foot play structure that owner Yvonne Lin calls “the greatest jungle gym ever.”

And, don’t forget the trampolines – including those with basketball hoops, one that flows into a giant airbag and pint-sized options for the smaller tykes. There will even be dodgeball courts on trampolines.

It’s like the Willow’s old Jungle on steroids.

After a year and half of design and permitting, Lin and husband Boris Itin started construction in December 2023 in half of the large building formerly occupied by Fry’s Electronics. They are hoping to open in late summer or early fall. It will be the fourth Urban Air in California, with other locations in Sacramento, Fullerton and Hanford.

Former College Park High athlete Amit Elor is headed to Paris on Olympic wrestling team

When she was just three or four years-old Amit Elor loved to tag along to her teenage brother Orry’s wrestling matches. He competed for three years on the College Park High wrestling team placing eighth and third in the CIF State Meet as a heavyweight. Now 20, Amit Elor is the sensation of US wrestling, having swept through last month’s Olympic Trials at Penn State to grab the American team berth at 68 kilograms (150 pounds) and will be among the favorites for the gold medal in Paris when her event is contested on the first two days of wrestling Aug. 5-6.

Orry Amit says his baby sister, who is the youngest of six children in the Walnut Creek family, “loved everything about wrestling. She would try to get on the wrestling mat to support me.” He recalls a female referee gave the young Amit a US Olympic singlet and she’s never looked back.

As a freshman at College Park in the 2018-19 school year she won all 36 of her matches and in the 150-pound weight class she pinned all nine of her North Coast Section and State Meet opponents with her two championship matches ending in 15 and 20 seconds, respectively. Her older sister Ronny had won an unofficial state championship for College Park about a

decade earlier before female high school wrestling was fully sanctioned and organized by CIF. Amit Elor’s club wrestling coach at the time discouraged her from continuing with high school folkstyle wrestling, fearing it would negatively impact her training for national and international freestyle competition.

Starting with her sophomore year she enrolled in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Horizons independent study program and also took courses at Diablo Valley College, which units counted three times those of high school. Effectively she had enough credits to graduate

New drop-in times to guide landlords through provisions

As the city begins implementing its new rent ordinance, staff has set up Q&A opportunities and also plans to send a letter to all residents, homeowners and landlords.

The Residential Tenant Protection Program went into effect April 19, after a resident’s effort to put the measure before voters didn’t collect the required signatures before the April 18 deadline. The rules establish a Rent Stabilization Program, increase “just cause,” no-fault eviction protections and expand the city’s Rent Registry.

Concord’s housing staff will be available via Zoom 1-3 p.m. Mondays, with in-person, dropin meetings 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Housing manager Sophia Huckabay said five residents and landlords had questions during the first session on May 6.

“They were really pertaining to understanding what the allowable rental increases were and if their units were covered by the ordinance, how the rent rollbacks work, and if the just cause for evictions provisions apply to them and if relocation assistance is due and, if so, how much,” she said.

Staff will be verifying compliance through “a complaintdriven process” – meaning tenants must inform city officials if they didn’t receive a rent rollback or if a rent increase is higher than allowable under the rules. The city will hire hearing officers to adjudicate any issues. Meanwhile, landlords must complete the Rent Registry, although the typical July 30 deadline will be extended.

I’ve heard of Guitars Not Guns for years, however, I’ve personally never really understood the specifics of the work they do, nor seen them in action.

The mission statement prominently featured on their website seems to reinforce what I had assumed: “We provide guitars and lessons to foster children and at-risk youth in a classroom setting with qualified teachers as an alternative to violence.”

To see what this looks like at the local level, I dropped in on a classroom earlier this month at the Concord Library.

The class I observed was in its fourth session of the eightweek course, and the kids were clearly excited to build on the knowledge and skills they had acquired over the prior month.

Nine roaming instructors guided the roughly 20 children aged 8 to 16. Five of the teachers serve on the board of Guitars Not Guns Contra Costa County.

“We’re all volunteers. We’re driven to do this from our hearts,” explains president/director Barbara Gorin.

She is quick to point out how learning guitar helps chil-

dren to condition a sense of structure, worth and responsibility.

“When these kids learn how to play guitar, they’ll find they’re better at their schoolwork and they’re more disciplined. We tell them they gotta take care of their guitars, they gotta practice, they gotta come to the classes – those are the three things we expect of them.”

Guitars Not Guns equips each student with an acoustic guitar, strap and case. Individuals donate most of the guitars,

Photo courtesy Yvonne Line

The jungle gym and zipline are starting to come together at the new Urban Air Adventure Park in Concord. In the background are the birthday party rooms that are part of the former Fry’s Electronics store in Park and Shop.

Tony Rotundo photo courtesy USA Wrestling WrestlersAreWarriors.com

It was a family affair when 20-year-old Amit Elor was crowned champion of the 68 kilo weight class at the United State Olympic Wrestling Trials last month. Her mother Elana raised her daughter’s arm while brother Orry looked on sporting a Team Elor t-shirt. The family hopes to repeat the ceremony in Paris this August.

BEV BRITTON The Pioneer See Adventure, page 3

JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

BEV BRITTON The Pioneer

Graduates from previous 8-week courses work with an instructor focused on advancing abilities. Students learn from nine roaming instructors led by Brooks Lundy. Guitars Not Guns equips each student with an acoustic guitar, strap and case. Lessons are conducted in a classroom setting.

DAVE HUGHES THE BEAT OF DIABLO

After 30 years Mudville is still a Clayton favorite

Ed Moresi knew the staff had planned a little celebration for May 3 to mark the exact 30th anniversary of the opening of Ed’s Mudville Grill in Clayton.

What Ed and his wife Stephanie didn’t know was that it wasn’t a little celebration cooked up by John Mahloch and their son Dominic Moresi. After the Friday evening dinnertime rush the Moresi’s found themselves amidst a celebrating crowd of over 250 family, friends and customers that spilled out of the popular downtown family eatery.

May 3 is a recurring landmark in Moresi’s professional career. It was on May 3, 1974 that he began busing tables and washing dishes for Skip Ipsen’s new Skipolini’s in Clayton during his junior year at Clayton

Valley High School. Exactly 20 years later in 1994 he opened Mudville at the corner of Center St. and Marsh Creek Rd.

Not wanting to tempt fate, his upscale Moresi’s Chophouse opened in 2007 on the only possible date, May 3.

Over these past three decades Moresi had a pair of business challenges that make the longevity of operating two restaurants in a small town of 12,000 people all the more remarkable. Although the pandemic is much fresher in people’s minds, it was the 17month long Great Recession starting in December 2007 that “was the scariest.”

After a “gangbuster” first few months of business at the Chophouse, the recession came down like a ton of bricks. “The next three years were brutal,” according to Moresi. When the pandemic hit in

early 2020 the restaurant initially shut down before Domonic, now Mudville’s general manager, started a social media campaign for takeout from Ed’s. “The residents of Clayton were very supportive during this time. Not only did it seem like everyone shutdown their home kitchens to have takeout every night, but they were so extremely generous in tipping our employees.”

Moresi estimates he’s had over 750 employees between the two restaurants in 30 years. The roll call starts with Mahloch (28 years behind the bar), Chris “Mac” McCormick (28), Carol Ricetti (28) and Lorenzo Garcia (24). Son Dominic was 13 when the restaurant opened, and he would work there in the morning before grandpa Al Moresi would drive him to the new nearby Diablo View Middle School.

Ed Moresi is proud of how many high school age youth who had their first job at Ed’s come back while in college or later and say they are so grateful they learned how to be an employee while working there. The front of house and kitchen crews propose new menu items. They experiment on the recipe and some then become “specials” for diners to see if they make the cut. Those new items still have to share menu space with classic Ed’s fare of Ty Cobb salad, Clayton Burger, Mudville’s Famous Zucchini Sticks and other favorite salads, burgers and chicken sandwiches. Unlike the food menu, alcohol coming from the bar has definitely changed. The early 1990s was the start of the craft beer craze and Moresi’s

Diabetes Youth Families strives to help children thrive

Concord non-profit helps normalize life for diabetics

Camp is always fun, but when all your campmates have the exact same thing in common – Type 1 diabetes (T1D) –it makes it that much more inclusive.

Members of Diabetes Youth Families (DYF), a Concord based non-profit, run one of the oldest diabetes camps in the country. Dr. Mary Olney of UC-San Francisco founded it in 1938.

“Her belief was that with proper management, kids with T1D could do anything that children without T1D could do,” said Marissa ClarkeHoward of San Ramon, director of Development & Communications. “She was a visionary – she pushed the boundaries of what T1D care and management looked like.”

Olney started hosting kids every summer at Camp Whitaker in Sequoia National Forest, then moved it up the road to Bearskin Meadow Camp in 1950. Programs include sports, arts and crafts, dancing, singing and much more. The backdrop of kids checking their blood sugar and counting carbs creates a common bond and community.

FINDING SUPPORT

Castro Valley resident Elaine Albanesi’s entire family has attended DYF’s camps for the last 11 years, starting when her T1D son was 3 years old.

“What we love most about DYF is that they have given us a community of families that deal with T1D and the struggles we face every day. We don’t feel alone,” she said. “We,

nurturing community, promoting personal development, learning and autonomy,” she said. “In today’s society, where both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are rapidly increasing, organizations recognize this trend and are actively seeking ways to improve the lives of those facing these challenges.”

A model influenced by 1940s’ fashion, Hobbs supported DYF’s gala on April 20 at the Fairmont San Francisco. With the theme “Life Without Limits,” the event raised funds to subsidize costs for campers, camp operations and programs.

assistant camp director during the summer. She says it’s a place where she feels “normal.”

“That’s because I don’t have to explain what I’m doing or what I mean when I say, ‘I’m high’ or ‘I’m low’ – people know and understand and ask what I need,” said the Oakland resident. “It’s also a place to build community and get support. Over all the years of being part of the organization, no matter who is working, it always feels like a safe space to come back to.”

According to Clarke-

Howard, DYF remains a leader in the diabetes camping field and is also a founding member of the Diabetes Education Camping Association (DECA). Ultimately, DYF wants to remove the stigma around diabetes. “I hope people learn not to assume or make value judgements around diabetes and instead approach it with an open mind,” she said.

For more information, visit DYF.org. Follow Doris Hobbs on Instagram @richinlovefashion.

as a family, would not be where we are today without these camps. This organization has changed our lives, and it has given us support and a bright vision for my son’s future.”

Camp director Samantha Gomez of Hanford first attended the camp when she was 13, after being diagnosed with T1D in 2005.

“I was nervous at first.

After skipping a couple of summers, I came back and attended teen camp and fell in love with everything Bearskin had to offer,” she said. “I’ve met some of my closest friends at camp. The community and support we give one another is truly amazing.”

GOING BEYONDCAMP BOUNDARIES

DYF also hosts community programs, weekend family retreats and adventure programs.

“They have a wonderful diversity of program offerings at DYF that really meet people where they are at in their diabetes journey,” noted Whitney Wright, a program director seasonally since 2016 and full-time since 2022.

Free monthly Bay Area meet-up groups are offered in-

person and online, tailored to specific audiences: kids, parents and adults affected by Type 1 diabetes.

The weekend family retreats invite the entire family to camp.

“Parents spend the weekend learning from some of the best doctors and endocrinologists in California, while the kids get a chance to play and spend time with other kids that are also living with T1D,” Wright said. “And at the summer camp program, a child with Type 1 can bring a nonType 1 buddy to share the camp experience with.”

NURTURINGCOMMUNITY’

‘A

After searching for ways to serve the diabetic community, social media influencer Doris Hobbs of Walnut Creek founded DYF online.

“Intrigued by their mission, I reached out to collaborate on an event I was coordinating at Neiman Marcus Walnut Creek Since then, they’ve become an organization close to my heart,” said Hobbs, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 10 years ago at age 31.

“I deeply appreciate how the organization fosters education and recreation within a

“Doris has had such an impact on our ‘Life Without Limits’ gala,” said Shanti Peterson of Brentwood, senior manager of Development & Communications. “She reached out to her community and secured great auction items that enhanced our auction. We are grateful for her commitment to supporting DYF.”

FINDINGHERSAFESPACE

Julia Philips started with DYF in 1996, when she was only 3, and is now the community program coordinator/ community associate and also

Adventure, from page 1

says Lin, an innovator by nature.

“I’ve done everything from designing cars for Nissan to designing water bottles for Gatorade and working with the United Nations in different countries like Tanzania and South Sudan to increase vaccination rates,” she says.

The inspiration for the new

venture is simple. “I have a 9year-old and a 6-year-old, so we’re constantly looking for a place where they can run around and scream and wear themselves out. And, you know, I feel like my husband and I are just big kids,” says Lin, whose enthusiasm and sense of adventure is apparent even in a phone interview.

Both Lin and Itin have coached ski teams, and Itin – a scientist by trade – is also a

mountaineer and rock climber.

“We’ve spent a fair amount of time around kids and sports,” Line notes.

The 50,000 sq. ft. facility will also feature laser tag, a doublelayer rope course that requires a harness and a smaller version for kids, Ninja Warrior obstacle runs along with a battle beam, plus rooms for birthday parties and a café offering favorites like pizza, wings and Icees. Yup, that should wear out the little ones – and their parents, too.

Photo courtesy of Diabetes Youth Families

Diabetes Youth Families’ campers gather around Bearskin Meadow Camp’s mascot, Bruno.

Photo by Rachel Capil

Marissa Clarke-Howard, left, Doris Hobbs and Shanti Peterson celebrated at the “Life Without Limits” fundraising gala on April 20 at the Fairmont San Francisco.

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Hours: Sunday through Saturday 9 am to 6 pm www.Harvesthouse.com

Delving into evolving rules regarding agent commissions

With all the buzz in the news regarding real estate agent commissions and the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) settlement, I thought I’d explain a few changes that we are already starting to see and will continue to see in the future.

The most current issue affecting Realtors is the outcome of the NAR settlement agreement regarding several outstanding lawsuit plaintiffs. That settlement is expected to go into effect in mid-August. However, a few weeks ago, the Department of Justice (DOJ) received court approval to intervene in the lawsuit. Therefore, it is possible that the DOJ could object to the settlement or request addition-

al changes.

I’d be remise if I did not start by saying that all real estate commissions are negotiable. They always have been.

Here is a summary of changes as currently outlined in the settlement agreement. These rules are subject to change.

1. The offer of buyers’ broker’s compensation through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) will be prohibited after the August timeframe. Offers of compensation will no longer be displayed in MLS or its publications. Buyers, sellers and agents will negotiate compensation to agents through other media, advertising, etc.

2. Buyers’ agents will need to sign a buyer representation agreement with their buyer/client prior to touring property. It must specify the amount of compensation a buyer’s agent will receive. A buyer’s agent cannot receive payment from all sources which when combined totals more than the amount specified in that agreement.

3. According to CAR.org, both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last week addressed the current treatment of property

seller-paid buyer agent fees under their interested party contribution requirements. Both confirmed their policies on commissions for home sales, stating that property sellers and their agents are permitted to make financing concessions toward the borrower’s closing costs in maximum amounts between 2% and 9% of the property value.

On May 2 , the California Association of Realtors (CAR) placed an open letter in numerous newspapers throughout the state related to the pending NAR settlement. The letter, written under the current CAR president’s signature, aims to clarify misinformation and confusion about the process of buying and selling a home once new business practices become effective.

I will write a follow-up article in August, once the process is further along. If readers have any questions, please feel free to contact me at jennifer@bhrbroker.com.

Jennifer Stojanovich is an owner/broker with Better Homes Real Estate. Send questions and comments to jennifer@bhrbroker.com

Pacific Coast Farmers Market

We’re jumping for joy because farmers are telling us that California’s sweet cherries are arriving right on schedule.

Last year, they had to harvest two to three weeks late because of the heavy rain and wind. The bad weather came –and continued – when the cherry blossoms were just setting their fruit and they were unceremoniously knocked off the trees. The yield was less, and the season was shorter than usual.

This year, farmers are looking forward to sweeter cherries and an abundance of fruit through the harvesting season, about two to three months. This winter brought the perfect number of chill hours between 32 and 45 degrees, which trees need for flowering and fruit production. There’s been plenty of rain and sun mix, dry days interspersed with wet, to allow the trees to produce loads of fruit.

Missy Gotelli of Gotelli Farms says the trees looked

heavy with blossoms and fruit. “Can’t wait for cherry season,” she exclaimed. “It’s like our annual reunion at the farmers markets – catching up with familiar faces, sharing stories and, of course, seeing everyone’s face light up when they see Gotelli Farms cherries.”

Guy Allard of Allard Farms is also optimistic, saying: “The crop looks good, decent yield and larger fruit.”

He says ground water is better, giving tree roots a chance to grow deeper. His farm in Westley in the Central Valley is about 100 acres. Since 1909, they’ve been farming a variety of fruit and nut crops. His Champagne, Brooks and Coral varieties should arrive at the markets first.

Harvesting a strong crop of cherries depends on many factors, from good soil and attentive care to rain and sunshine.

This year looks to be a great, thanks to Mother Nature’s cooperation.

Cherry farmers are ready for another season with the best fruit they can grow. Stop by your farmers market this

May and June and enjoy some of California’s finest sweet cherries. You’ll find cherries at the Concord Farmers Market from Diaz Farm in Hollister, Gotelli Farms from Stockton and J&J Ramos Farms out of Hughson.

CHERRY-ARUGULA SALAD

½ c. walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped

1/3 lb. fresh cherries, pitted ½ lb. baby or wild arugula

2 oz. feta, crumbled

4 T extra-virgin olive oil

3 T balsamic vinegar Flaky coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Toast nuts in a dry pan for 5 minutes. Cut cherries in half lengthwise and place them in a large serving bowl. Add arugula, feta and nuts. Drizzle with the oil and vinegar. Add a few generous pinches of salt and season with pepper. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. The Concord Farmers Market is in Todos Santos Plaza Tuesdays & Thursdays during the summer.

by

JENNIFER STOJANOVICH CLOSE TO HOME

DEBRA MORRIS

Complete seclusion and privacy. Gated entrance leads to a winding driveway that takes you to the main estate, proudly perched on a knoll with a grand gated entrance. When you enter this over 6000 sf. home, you are greeted with a sweeping staircase, the formal office (or 6th bdrm), formal living roomwith fireplace. The expansive kitchen will delight any chef. Open to sun filled breakfast nook & family room with fireplace & wall of windows. Impressive primary & ensuite with the walk-in closet of your dreams, soaking tub surrounded by windows & walk-in shower for two. 4 other generous sized bdrms, 5 full & 2 half bathrooms. Work out & craft rooms, decks, pool & spa & lit sports court. Additional gated shop (approx. 10,000 sq ft) with 3 bays & fully appointed 2 bed, 1 bath ADU. Offered at $2,900,000

Four separate parcels totaling over 21+ acres nestled in the foothills of Mt. Diablo. Main home is a grand Victorian estate with 4435 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, loft, attic bonus playroom and finished basement. The grounds include lush gardens, solar heated pool, spa, built in BBQ and outdoor kitchen and Gazebo with fireplace. Huge shop with a 2-bedroom, 1 full bath apartment. 4-stall barn with paddocks, tack and feed storage. Next parcel has a charming log home with 1654 sq.ft. 2 bedrooms plus loft, 2 baths, 1-car garage + carport. This parcel also has a covered 125 x 60 ft. arena perfect for most riding disciplines. Enjoy as one estate or sell off the log cabin home and or build on the 2 other vacant lots. Endless possibilities. Offered at $3,250,000

family compound on 21+ total acres

Just steps from the greenbelt, this home has five bedrooms, with the fifth serving as a spacious bedroom but it's truly a bonus room. A bedroom on the ground floor features its own entrance and a modernized bathroom. The formal living room is accentuated by a soaring vaulted ceiling. The galleystyle kitchen is thoughtfully designed with a casual dining area and island, leading into a warm family room complete with a fireplace. Great yard with sparkling pool, patio for entertaining & large play area. The property offers close proximity to community clubhouse, pool, playground, as well as to downtown and two local schools K-8. Offered at $1,279,000

Turkmenistan delegation explores U.S. journalism practices

Seven young business professionals from Turkmenistan learned about America’s freedom of the press during an April 26-May 4 visit.

The Rotary Club of Concord, in partnership with Open World and Rotary International, hosted the journalists and publishers. Established in 1999 under President Bill Clinton, Open World aims to foster cultural exchanges and promote democracy building.

Few Americans are familiar with Turkmenistan, a country dominated by the Karakum Desert and bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran and the Caspian Sea. Known for its stringent state control over media, the country offers little freedom to journalists working for independent outlets. All print and electronic media is either government-owned or

tightly controlled, and Internet access is highly censored.

During their weeklong visit to the Bay Area, the delegates met with officials at major newspapers, toured San Francisco and engaged in discussions with local journalists. They gained insights into best practices in journalism, schools for journalism and how to operate under difficult conditions.

Their final day included a two-hour conversation with Pioneer editor/publisher Tamara Steiner, with whom they found

common ground despite operating under vastly different systems. One of the key takeaways was the delegates’ satisfaction with their jobs, even with the restrictions they face. While they lack flexibility in reporting content, they have creative control over how their outlets present the news.

Language constraints slightly hampered the conversations, but the visitors were adept at working with interpreters. There was much camaraderie over shared experiences, such as

last-minute deadlines, late-night production meetings and technical challenges.

The group included the director of the Main Government News website, the head of the department of journalism at the Institute of International Relations, the deputy chief editor of a Turkmen newspaper, the managing editor of a foreign

affairs magazine, a broadcasting and cinema editor, and a senior newspaper editor. The team leader was the press information officer from US Turkmenistan.

Open World, which focuses on fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between Eurasian and American leaders, has brought together participants from countries such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Ukraine. Delegates come from various sectors, including government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), media and the private sector. The exchanges focus on specific themes, such as rule of law, education or accountable governance.

The Rotary Club of Concord, the only club on the West Coast participating in Open

World, has previously hosted delegations from Ukraine, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The U.S. embassy in each country promotes and operates the exchanges, with candidates submitting applications and undergoing screening before selection. While Turkmenistan remains a closed country with limited media freedom, the visit to the United States provided them with valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration. Open World continues to serve as a bridge for international understanding and cooperation, creating lasting connections between emerging leaders around the world.

Rotary member and Open World coordinator Michael Barrington contributed to this story. To learn more about this local author and journalist, visit mbwriter.net.

while the group purchases others at discounted rates using money from various fundraising efforts.

“Our biggest fundraiser is at Vinnie’s Bar and Grill the Saturday after Thanksgiving,” Gorin notes.

quick one. And then, very important, you mute your strings.”

A small arm raises meekly from the front row.

trying to master these skills,“ shares Concord City Councilmember Laura Nakamura, who had attended the previous week.

Halfway into the eight-week course, the students I observed were already comfortable with five major chords, three of which they employed on this day to learn a popular Bob Marley song. Led by VP Brooks Lundy, the class strummed along to a slowed-down rhythm of the iconic worry-free anthem “Three Little Birds.”

A seasoned rock ’n’ roller himself, Lundy added his own twist to teach the kids some showmanship.

“OK, you guys, listen up. On this last A chord right here, I want you all to strum as hard and as fast as you can, and keep going, and then – junt! – one last

“Um … how come ... I mean, why do we have to mute the strings?” asks one of the younger students.

“So you can hear the applause,” assures Lundy.

The kids look at one another with wide eyes and big smiles as the instructor seizes their moment of enthusiasm. “OK, you guys ready to do this? From the top, here we go.”

We were then treated to the slowest version of the reggae classic that I’ve ever heard, with the newly added rockstar finish that had the instructors, students and those of us watching all erupt into applause. The kids were loving it. Everyone was.

“I was impressed by the dedication of the instructors and the focused intent of the students

“There’s no single word to express my admiration for the Guitars Not Guns organization,“ Nakamura says. “Children need mentors and creative outlets so that they are better equipped to face life’s challenges.”

While the organization aims its efforts at foster children and at-risk youth, all kids interested in learning guitar are welcome to enroll in the free course. Graduation for the current class is open to the public at 6:30 p.m. June 3 at the library. To learn more about how to help keep this community effort going, Guitars Not Guns encourages readers to follow them at Facebook.com/GuitarsNotGunsContraCounty.

Contact Dave Hughes at MrDaveHughes@gmail.com.

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State-Farm, Tim McGallian

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Monkeys, Bluey and Dinos star at

33rd Bay Area KidFest in Concord

KidFest opens its door next Saturday for the 33rd version of the Bay Area’s longest-running family event on the Memorial Day Weekend. A full lineup of attractions, arts and sports activities, jampacked entertainment, rides, food and fun will be available at Mt. Diablo High School in Downtown Concord.

In a spacious outdoor setting, the low KidFest admission price includes Meet and Greets all day with children’s favorites Bluey, Super Mario, Princess Peach and Sonic the Hedgehog, free non-stop entertainment on the Community Stage, traveling attractions Wild About Monkeys, Dino Encounters and Kids’ Town America.

There are dozens of other free kid’s activities including balloon hats, spin art, keepsake handprints, inflatable slides and crawls, kiddie golf, soccer and much more included for the low admission price.

For the 13th year, KidFest presents a special Memorial Day Ceremonyat 12 noon Monday, May 27, with the 21-time World Champion Concord Blue Devils C Drum and Bugle Corpsand Mt. Diablo High School Jr. ROTC color guard honoring America’s service people past and present.

On Saturday and Monday afternoons from 1-4 p.m., Bike East Bay will once again presentthe popular free Bike Rodeo.

Dino Encounters makes its KidFest debut direct from Missouri with three interactive shows focusing on the Cretaceous period with music and songs daily at 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Throughout the day at KidFest the fun and educational Dino Fossil Zone is open for attendees to enjoy with hands-on activities.

Wild About Monkeys is the most popular show ever with KidFest audiences and returns this month for the first time since 2017. The presentations at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily feature Mickey the Baboon, Chiquita the Capuchin Monkey, Chewy the American Alligator and Monti the Burmese Python.

KidFest’s perennial attraction Kids Town America has 10 activity stations for youngsters to play in all day.

KidFest offers an all-day, all-ride wristband to be used on all 20 thrilling rides such as Dragon Wagon roller coaster, Bungee Spider Jump, Water Ballerz, giant slide, Spider Mountain, Ferris wheel, petting zoo, pony rides, Stars ‘n Stripes train and more.All-day KidFest discounted ride

Photo courtesy Dino Encounters Bay Area KidFest is hosting an all-new attraction for the Concord family festival this month with Dino Encounters presenting interactive shows each day on the Memorial Day Weekend at 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The show focuses on the Cretaceous period with music and songs. All day the educational Dino Fossil Zone is open for attendees to enjoy with hands-on Dino activities.

wristbands are now on sale through Eventbrite.

There are two eclectic Food Courts, arts and crafts and exhibitor booths in the KidFest Marketplace surrounding the Marketplace Pavilion sponsored by Stanford Medicine Children’s Health where children’s favorite characters Bluey, Super Mario, Princess Peach and Sonic will meet their

Ed’s, from page 2

opened serving only craft beers. “It wasn’t until John (Mahloch) came on board that we added Coors Light since he said that’s what he drinks,” Moresi explained.

Over the years more domestic beers were added. In recent times hard seltzer has become popular, wine sales have waned since the pandemic and, recently, Moresi obtained a liquor license. “Golfers coming in after playing at Oakhurst would order a gin and tonic or vodka soda and we’d tell them they’d have to go to the Clayton Club or the Chophouse for that.”

Mudville is only closed on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas and after the Clayton 4th of July parade. The busiest days of the year are Saint Patrick’s Day and the weekends of the Clayton Art & Wine Festival and Oktoberfest.

And few days can beat having the 49ers, Warriors, Giants or A’s in post-

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fans every half hour all three days.

Admission is just $8 with a donation of canned food to the Monument Crisis Center or $9 without donation to the Food Bank. On Saturday, May, 25, a donation of two cans will get $2 off one admission. Babies under 24 months and seniors 65+ are free.

Proceeds from the 33rd Bay Area KidFest benefit local educational, health and sports non-profit groups. KidFest continues for the 27th year as one of the major annual food donation events in the area.

KidFest has donated over $100,000 in cash to local educational, health, arts and sports programs since the move to its spacious Mt. Diablo High School location in 2010 and KidFest attendees have donated over 150,000 pounds of food.

The first 500 families each day receive a KidFest Goody Backpack presented by Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.

KidFest is open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Memorial Day Monday. KidFest is at Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St. in downtown Concord, just off Highway 242. On-site vehicle parking is $10 with plenty of free street parking around the festival site.

For more information and schedule updates visit theKidFest website KidFestConcord.com

season play where the 13 TVs encircling the dining area are showing the local teams in high leverage action. About a year ago the restaurant converted its small game room into a group dining area with three TVs and an L-shaped table. “The first two events we had there were allwomen fantasy football league drafts,” Moresi said.

Ed and Stephanie Moresi‘s sons Dominic and Nicholas were 13 and nine when Mudville opened. The couple now has three grandchildren and two daughters-in-law.

Long-time teacher and coach Herc Pardi sums up the feelings of many locals, “Ed's is the perfect venue for postgame youth and high school sports. Whether you won or lost, his destination completed the journey of competition. Our family made lifelong connections at Ed's. He and his staff are top shelf servers, and our community is so blessed to have them for 30 years.”

From concerts to fireworks, mark your calendar for summer fun

This summer is shaping up to be busy for our residents and visitors on a bunch of different fronts.

With the completion of the affordable housing building across from the Police Department at 1315 Galindo St., RCD will be taking applications for the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments restricted to household incomes between 30% and 60% of the area minimum. In June, check at their website: https://rcdhousing.org. They are also making some units available to homeless people making the transition to permanent housing.

The July 4th festivities will be taking place, oddly enough, on July 4th. We are excited to again be home to a series of exciting events, including a fun run, pancake breakfast, parade, festival and fireworks. Tim McGallian and friends are stepping up to make this event another success. Submit

parade questions at parade@concordjuly4th.com or check out www.concordjuly4th.com for more information.

In just a few weeks, we will launch our annual Music & Market concerts at Todos Santos Plaza. This weekly free series, which runs June 6-Sept. 26, brings thousands of people out to the plaza on Thursday evenings.

Concert-goers can enjoy

delicious hot food and snacks as well as fresh produce courtesy of our farmers market, which begins at 4 p.m. The music starts at 6:30 p.m., and the lineup is eclectic. There is something for every musical taste – blues, rock, salsa, pop, jazz, R&B, country and even a Taylor Swift tribute.

Beyond this Concord fanfavorite, there are a whole host of concerts happening in and around the city this summer. From the Veranda to Side Gate to Couch Concerts in the park, music lovers will have no shortage of entertainment. For details, please refer to the events listing at www.visitconcordca.com.

When the summer days get hot, hot, hot, you can cool off at the Concord Community Pool, which offers recreational swim (with inflatable obstacle courses) as well as swimming lessons, or visit our Spray Park at Meadow Homes Park.

If you’re looking for a day-

Get involved to help build Pleasant Hill’s community

This month, I am going to talk about ways in which you can learn about your Pleasant Hill community as well as ways in which you can get involved.

I’m excited to say that after a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the city has reinstituted the Local Government Academy Program. The LGA is a great way to get to know your city government and how it works. Starting on May 30, participants will gather every week for five weeks and learn about different areas of government.

We will cover how city government differs from state or federal government, look at the city’s departments and how they work, as well as get an overview of how they all interconnect as we bring to life a program, project or event in the city. They’ll tour our maintenance and police facilities and even have an opportunity to see how city

budgets are created. The spring session is already full, but for those interested, we will be doing the LGA again. It’s an excellent opportunity for residents to get a look behind the scenes and gain a deeper understanding of how government works. It’s a perfect jumping off point for those interested in pursuing a seat on the City Council or one of our commissions.

Speaking of which, as we transfer from an at-large City Council to a district-based council, Pleasant Hill residents in voting Districts 1, 2 and 5 will vote for one new council member to represent them in the Nov. 5 General Election. Residents may only vote for a candidate within their district. To learn what district you live in, you can use the city’s tool at pleasanthillca.org/mydistrict.

Those interested in running in one of those three districts will be able to make an appointment with the city clerk to take out candidacy papers beginning July 15.

If you’re not ready for the council, consider applying for city commissions. To find out if there are current vacancies and obtain information on how to apply or learn more about commissions, go to www.pleasanthillca.org/vacancy or contact Juanita Davalos at jdavalos@pleasanthillca.org.

Beyond that, there are many ways to help out and give back

to the community. This year marks the 20th annual Community Service Day. This year’s event is set for Sept. 21. We’re in the process of getting ready to commemorate the anniversary, but what we need most at the moment are great community projects for our volunteers. If you have a neighborhood project that could really use some help, or if you have ideas for projects to help out your community, register your project with us now at www.pleasanthillca.org/csd. That way, we can build a wide roster of projects for our volunteers.

Other ways to help out include becoming a volunteer for CERT, or the Community Emergency Response Team. We train CERT members to prepare their families and homes to be ready in the event of wildfires, earthquakes or other calamities, as well as how to provide assistance within the community during such an event. The CERT course is seven weeks, with a graduation training exercise. Signups are underway for the next training course, set for September-October. For more information, go to pleasanthillca.org/CERT. If you’re someone who wants to know more and give more to your community, we’ve got plenty of ways to do it. How do you want to help?

Contact Matt Rinn at Mrinn@plesanthillca.org.

long water adventure, check out Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, which features water slides, a wave pool and a lazy river.

While you’re downtown this summer, you may notice the great improvements that have taken place over the last year. Through a partnership with the Todos Santos Business Association (and sup-

ported by American Rescue Plan Act dollars), the city was able to implement a Downtown Welcome and Cleanliness Program to hire a dayporter and security guard, and fund additional pressure washing services.

As a result, we have seen less trash and graffiti, and cleaner sidewalks. The security officer has been able to handle

smaller, more routine issues and minor disturbances, saving calls to Concord PD. For more information on the downtown program, see the new column by the Todos Santos Business Association president on Page 9. Send comments and questions to EdiBirsan@gmail.com.

Interim city manager ready to lead Clayton staff

At the April 16 meeting, the City Council welcomed interim city manager Adam Politzer to the Clayton community.

Politzer brings a wealth of experience to Clayton with more than 15 years as a city manager. He also possesses a high level of leadership skills that he will bring to his position and to the city staff. The City Council and I look forward to working with Politzer as he offers many talents to complement our community.

The City Council had one action item: Receive and accept the appointment of Frank Gavidia to fill the third seat on the Community Finan-

cial Sustainability Committee, as recommended by the city Budget & Audit Committee. Additionally, the Budget & Audit Committee recommended renewing the terms of existing Community Financial Sustainability Committee members Hank Stratford and Howard Kaplan, for terms expiring Dec. 31, 2026.

All three members of the Community Financial Sustainability Committee have extensive and credible financial backgrounds. Stratford, current volunteer city treasurer, former City Council member and mayor, is a Certified Public Account (CPA). Kaplan is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and local business leader. Gavidia is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who leads his own financial investment firm.

This team will review the city’s financial position and provide recommendations on how best to proceed with a sound financial plan that ensures Clayton’s ability to maintain and improve our services.

Meanwhile, a big thank you to all the community volun-

teers who participated in our annual Clayton Cleans Up on April 20. A job well done! The 2024 Clayton Art & Wine Festival, held April 2728, was another huge success. Once again, Clayton residents demonstrated their creativity and talents, illustrating what a wonderful community we are. Thank you to Art & Wine chair Sandy Johnson and her entire volunteer team.

Finally, as I mentioned in a previous column, the council and I look forward to planning for Clayton’s 60th anniversary of its 1964 inauguration. We encourage everyone to get involved. Please contact City Hall if you would like to volunteer your time or expertise.

Again, as your mayor, I will work hard to maintain Clayton’s small-town charm and character while running an open and transparent local government.

You can reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns at 925-673-7316 or JimD@claytonca.gov. Let’s make 2024 a year to remember in Clayton. Looking forward.

Buchanan Field flying high as public safety resource

Located in Concord, Buchanan Field is a small but mighty airport that has a long history of providing aviation services to the Diablo region and adding to the economic well-being of Contra Costa County.

The origins of Buchanan Field go back to 1942, when Contra Costa County purchased more than 400 acres of land to build an airport in central county for $98,000. One year later, while the airport was being developed, the United States entered World War II and the U.S. Army commandeered the airport land. They added 100 acres of land and spent $2 million to construct facilities.

daily flights to Burbank, Orange County and Las Vegas.

To meet the workforce demands of tomorrow, there are also several flight schools that train commercial airline pilots at Buchanan Field. In addition, both airports welcome emerging technology companies shaping the future of autonomous flight and testing new technologies.

In 1947, the U.S. Army transferred the airport back to the county for public use and it was renamed Buchanan Field after County Supervisor William J. Buchanan. Since then, Buchanan Field has been the heart of aviation in Contra Costa.

Buchanan Field and Byron Airport are run by the Airports Division, a unique, selffunded branch of the county Public Works Department. No property tax or local funds are used to support and operate Buchanan Field and Byron Airport. In fact, the airports generate revenues contributing more than one million dollars to the county’s general fund and more than two million dollars to support school districts within the county.

In my role as vice chair of the Board of Supervisors’ Airport Committee, I have had the opportunity to see the economic impact firsthand. We review lease agreements for hangars and surrounding land, potential new development and other uses of airport property.

Currently, the biggest project at the airport is the nearly complete Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) General Aviation Terminal and Administration Building. This new building will include multiple aircraft rescue and firefighting bays, a state-of-the-art general aviation terminal, public meeting spaces and administration offices for the Airports Division. Buchanan Field is home to many businesses involving and supporting aviation. Since 2016, JetSuiteX has been a public charter operator that offers private air travel with attainable fares. They provide

Important safety assets are maintained at Buchanan Field. The Office of the Sheriff houses the Sheriff’s Tactical Airbourne Reconnaissance and Rescue (STARR), which provides support for search and rescue operations in our waterways and open spaces. The Contra Costa Fire Protection District’s helicopter is staffed to respond to fire and medical emergencies. These resources service the entire county and provide mutual aid throughout the region. Buchanan Field has proved to be both an economic asset and an important public safety resource for Contra Costa. I am excited about what the future holds for aviation in our county. I invite you to learn more about the Airports Division at www.contracosta.ca.gov/4694 /Airports.

JIM DIAZ CLAYTON MAYOR

KEN CARLSON COUNTY SUPERVISOR

Lisa Chow: A rich life that put others first

For 60 years, Lisa Chow brought joy and light to family, friends and coworkers as well as to the occasional stranger who she would meet and strike up a conversation with in the shops.

Fighting cancer, Lisa battled to her final breath and peacefully passed away - on her terms - at her Pleasant Hill home on April 22, where she so desired to be.

Born July 22, 1963, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Harold and Ethyl Chow, Lisa grew up in the quiet community of Manoa Valley near the main campus of the University of Hawaii

A brown album tucked away in a downstairs shelf is a window into Lisa’s youth and her childhood friends who grew up alongside her and were but a short walk or bike ride away. Each page documents her formative years, including family activities, special school occasions like high school proms, graduation with honors from Roosevelt High School, and the sites of, experiences with classmates, and graduation from the University of Notre Dame. The photo array marks moments that Lisa reveled in with siblings, parents, extended family and friends. Though the pages have yellowed with time, not so have the memories evoked by the still vibrant colors of the images.

Additional albums and boxes contain countless more photos of a beautifully maturing Lisa and documenting the good times and memories

1963 to 2024

forged with an invaluable network of new friends that she gained after moving to Califiornia in the mid-1990s and settling in the East Bay, eventually buying a home in Pleasant Hill.

Lisa met David Scholz as part of an informal Catholic singles weekend gathering at Yosemite in 2002, and they later married on July 19, 2003, at the Mission San Jose in Fremont.

Lisa worked for many years as a computer consultant and project manager, which took her on the road to client sites from coast to coast for weeks and months at a time. For the better part of the past decade, she worked for Oracle.

Travel and roadtrips, baking and cooking, sewing to create handbags and purses as well as hats and beanies, and growing and caring for orchids and other plants were among her personal passions. Lisa is survived by her husband, David; father, Harold; three sisters, Leona, LiAnn and Linda; sister-in-law Julie; Uncle

Keith and Aunty Stella and Uncle Leonard (Awai) and Aunty Charlotte; two nieces U’I Nani and Corie; nephew Layne; two grandnephews Elijah and Blayze; and a grandniece, Alysa. Lisa was preceded in death by her mother, Ethyl. The celebration of Lisa’s life is slated for May 25 in Walnut Creek and continuing later in Honolulu for family and friends there. In lieu of flowers, though she loved them, donations in Lisa’s memory can be made to:

• Campaign to Conquer Cancer. Your gift in Lisa’s memory will support patient care in the John Muir Health Infusion Center of the new Cancer Pavilion. Go to www.johnmuirhealth.com/giving or send checks to John Muir Health Foundation, 1400 Treat Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. Call (925) 9412155 for assistance.

• Pleasant Hill Library.

Either hand deliver or mail your donation to 2 Monticello Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, and include a letter or instructions that states the bookplates inside the new books should read “In memory of Lisa Chow.”

Please contact the Pleasant Hill Library Senior Community Library Manager Patrick Remer at patrick.remer@library.cccou nty.us or call (925) 349-0885 with any questions.

Welcome & Cleanliness Program a boost to downtown Concord

The Todos Santos Business Association (TSBA) invites you to revisit downtown Concord and see the great improvements. The TSBA is a non-profit organization that represents the core Concord downtown businesses. We work closely with both the public and private sectors to better the business environment for downtown visitors and residents. In early 2023, we identified several key priorities to improve our downtown and established the Downtown Welcome & Cleanliness Program.

Priorities include:

•A daily security officer to patrol the parking garages, Todos Santos Plaza and the downtown business district by foot, bike and vehicle. This officer is uniformed and unarmed, carrying a clearly marked identification badge and cell phone.

•A daily day-porter to foot patrol designated routes within the business district to pick up trash, clean graffiti, and wipe down park benches, tables and trash cans.

•Additional pressure washing services conducted monthly on popular pedestrian pathways and sidewalks of Todos Santos Plaza and the surrounding streets.

Thanks to the amazing support of the Concord City Council and city staff, the TSBA received a one-time

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant of $458,000. Using an additional $50,000 grant from the Brenden-Mann Foundation, we launched the Downtown Welcome & Cleanliness Program in May 2023. It is now May 2024, and I am happy to say it has been an overwhelming success.

TSBA chose security company AX9, based in downtown Concord. We selected one main AX9 officer with the first name of Israel to work the bulk of hours. Israel’s work has been incredible.

He and his relief officers were asked to verbally deter individuals who were blocking exits, doorways, stairwells and elevators, using drugs or alcohol, or urinating and defecating in public areas. In the first few months, their contacts with individuals falling within the above scope were numerous and consistent. Monthly totals for these interactions were in the 70s and 80s.

However, with a consistent patrol and excellent communication and cooperation with Concord PD, these contacts now average 10-15 per month and are still dropping.

Moreover, Israel has met with most of the local managers, owners and daily employees of the downtown. They all know his name, and he has helped inspire a sense of community.

Our main day-porter is Brenda, who works for another downtown Concord company: Building Services Maintenance. Brenda is easy to spot in her bright yellow vest with the TSBA logo. She has been an absolute workhorse in her daily cleaning. She is nonstop,

it seems, in helping clean the downtown. Since May of 2023, Brenda and her relief help have removed 347 large trash bags of debris and have scrubbed countless public touch and contact points.

Our pressure washer services are from Welcome Business Maintenace, which has serviced the downtown hightraffic pedestrian pathways once per month over the past year. Workers target bird droppings on sidewalks and pavers, public benches and railings and areas surrounding public trash cans.

The TSBA also wishes to compliment and thank the Concord Public Works and Engineering Departments. We have met several times to review the Welcome Program and coordinate their own cleaning and pressure washing program. They have really joined the effort to make the downtown look as good as possible with beautiful landscaping, new decorative pavers, new streetscaping and striping.

In addition, they are currently painting and repairing much of the city garage next to Plaza Tower.

The city’s Economic Development team has been incredibly supportive and a huge assistance to TSBA and the downtown. The long list of wonderful events and festivals held at Todos Santos Plaza, such as the Tuesday Farmers Market, Summer Concert Series and Holiday Tree Lighting, have been very successful.

It’s a perfect time for you to plan your next activity downtown.

WALTER EICHINGER

TSBA board president

College Park sports medicine students put skills to the test

Like many student-athletes, Marisa Rabanal, a senior lacrosse player at College Park High School, has suffered her fair share of injuries.

While she could have simply played with her injuries without a second thought, she didn’t because of the resources offered by the Pleasant Hill school’s sports medicine class.

Rabanal has paid multiple visits to an after-school clinic offered by the program. In addition to having her injuries evaluated and treated, she’s also learned the importance of receiving treatment in the first place.

“I probably would have just kept playing on it or rested it and eventually gone back,” she said. “I wouldn’t have taken it seriously.”

Rabanal is one of many student-athletes who have attended the clinic, staffed by fellow students and open every day after school. The sports medicine class not only provides a place for athletes to be treated, but is an opportu-

nity for students to study kinesiology, human anatomy and emergency medicine.

Thirty-four students enrolled in the class are required to dedicate time after school to staff the clinic, sports practices and events. This allows them to gain hands-on experience and apply the knowledge they use in class in a practical environment.

Senior Grace Tymo stays after school for the clinic nearly every school day and has taken the lead in becoming the designated sports medicine student for the girls soccer team under the supervision of the class teacher.

For each clinic, she has a list of specific athletes who come in for different reasons. Depending on their needs, she goes through evaluations, performs special tests to identify injuries and starts or continues a rehabilitation program.

The experience gives students like Tymo the push they need to develop their own voices, which can be challenging but equally beneficial for those with a timid personality.

“The more time I put into this, the more I get out of it,” Tymo said. “I feel more at ease with myself and with talking to new people. I have adopted that mindset into my daily life of just trusting myself and applying that confidence into all aspects of my life.”

Contra Costa County has about 20 high schools with a sports medicine program, estimates Ronald Roberts, who teaches the College Park class.

Taking a sports medicine class also can offer advantages after high school. Sarah Butterfield, a former College Park student, had been planning on going into nursing. It was only after taking the sports medicine class that she discovered

other medical careers. Now she plans to pursue a career in physical therapy and is in her first year at UC Berkeley.

“Physical therapy was something I wasn’t really even aware of prior to taking sports medicine,” she said. “And now it’s something that I’ve become genuinely passionate about.”

The College Park program gave her an advantage in some of her college classes, such as

Intro to Physiology. With the knowledge and experience gained in high school, she breezed through the coursework while helping classmates when they encountered challenging material.

“You gain so much clinical and rehabilitative experience in the training room, evaluating injuries and developing and administering different plans of care,” she said. “You even get a taste for research as

you explore in class how medicine is constantly changing and expanding, and just how intuitive and conceptual a lot of it can be and more.”

Louise Aparicio-Weil is a senior at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill and enrolled in the sports medicine class. This story was originally written for CCSpin.net, the website of the Contra Costa Youth Journalism program.

Sunshine is nice, but it’s the people who really shine

It’s great to live in Concord for the beautiful weather, something my circle of friends often discusses while sitting in our community garden on a 70-degree bluebird day.

But let us be real, we live here for the people. Diversity, relationships, family, common goals, hard work ethic – and let us not forget the great food.

As I look at this community, it seems Concord is as diverse as any city in this state. In my community garden alone, I have friends who are Bulgarian, Polish, Swedish, Mexican, Russian, Japanese, Filipino, Irish, English, Chi-

nese, Italian, Greek and Portuguese. I am positive I have missed a nationality, and I apologize now.

Some of these folks are recent immigrants. Engagement with these diverse groups brings a lot of friendly conversation and world knowledge, as well as gardening techniques that have improved all our skills.

This also relates to my responsibilities at the chamber, where we engage with individuals of various nationalities worldwide. This includes professionals from South Africa, Morocco, India, Iran, Vietnam, Ukraine, Spain, China, Canada, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Peru, Bolivia and Guatemala. It is amazing, and there are so many more nationalities that the list would fill the page.

Recently, Concord received recognition for Great Suburban Places to Eat, and it is true.

Local favorites such as Luna and Papi Clary’s have received press for their hard work and excellent food. You can eat just about any style of food in the Park ’n Shop Plaza. Look around and check out some of the great cuisine cooked by trained chefs as places like Swagat Indian Cuisine – a longtime

restaurant downtown across from Brenden Theatres – or go old school and hit up Barney’s Hickory Pit, which is still serving great food in the same place on Clayton Road. Don’t just eat but engage with the people running the restaurants, and you will find they are the owner, chef, server, accountant and social media pro – amazingly talented, hardworking Concord business folk There is absolutely no question I have left out a nationality represented in Concord, and that goes to prove just how diverse Concord is and how much we should be engaging with our population to learn. My point is to appreciate the weather and celebrate the diversity of Concord. Grab onto it and explore new relationships and learn firsthand from people how they celebrate, work and, most importantly, eat. Do not forget that when you are eating out, keep it in a Concord zip code so we all can benefit from your spending.

Businesses and organizations interested in learning more about the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce can visit our website www.concordchamber.com.

LOUISE APARICIO-WEIL

SPORTS & LIFESTYLE

Northgate, De La Salle boys spear NCS spring titles

Northgate got off to a great start in this spring’s North Coast Section competition as the Bronco boys won the Division II volleyball championship and were second in the lacrosse playoffs. De La Salle claimed the D’I swimming and diving championship but were denied another lacrosse title as the three-time defending champions were defeated in the title game.

Top seed Broncos volleyball had as good a run as possible with four consecutive 3-0 victories in the tournament, defeating Windsor, Livermore, Alameda and No. 2 seed Campolindo in the finals. The victory over Campo was the third in four meetings this year between the Diablo Athletic League rivals. Northgate was 31-3 heading into the Northern California CIF playoffs this week.

LOCALSWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPS

De La Salle notched its third successive NCS boys swimming and diving team title while Carondelet finished second to Campolindo on the girls side as the Cougars tried to defend their 2023 title.

The Spartans had no firstplace finishes but team depth including a third in the 200 freestyle relay racked up a winning point total. Northgate took sixth in the meet.

Clayton Valley Charter junior Molly Gray once again dominated the girls diving competition for her third successive NCS title. But that was just a prelude to last week’s CIF State Meet when the Ugly Eagles diver finally nabbed her first state one-meter diving title after finishing second as a freshman and sophomore.

Northgate’s Mason Wendler and Clayton Valley Charter’s

Defending champion De La Salle was third seed in D-II and lost to Campo in the semi-finals.

Diego Castaneda were the outstanding local boys performers at NCS. Wendler was first in the 100 free and second in the 200 free while Castaneda won the 100 back title. Northgate won the boys 400 free relay.

Carondelet was not able to repeat as NCS champions, but the Cougars did win the 200 medley relay, Elisabeth Butler won the 100 butterfly and Madison O’Connell was a double winner in the 100 backstroke and 100 free.

O’Connell followed up her NCS exploits with a championship in the 100 back at the State Meet last weekend in Clovis, helping the Cougars to a second-place team finish.

BASEBALL, SOFTBALL

PLAYOFFS STARTING

De La Salle baseball has been almost as dominant as the school’s football and wrestling programs over the past 15 years, but the Spartans are seeded second heading into the start of NCS playoffs this week.

Almost as surprising is the fact that crosstown rivals Clayton Valley Charter, which lost last spring’s Section championship game to DLS, did not make the tournament with a rare overall losing record that came about with the Ugly Eagles dropping their final five games of the season.

East Bay Athletic League rival Granada of Livermore is

Olympics, from page 1

before she was officially a junior. This allowed her to spend more time training for a wrestling career that has taken off like a rocket.

Over these past few years Elor has been a sensation on the mat and is at the forefront of the women’s wrestling movement in America. She has won eight world titles since leaving College Park while principally training in New York. In 2021 she was cadet and junior world champ. The following year she was junior, U23 and senior world champion and last year she repeated

those three titles. While winning those gold medals Elor had a 29-0 record with 17 technical falls, seven pins and outscored her 29 opponents 251-9.

Winning back-to-back senior world championships, she is unbeaten in eight matches with a 60-6 point advantage, three technical falls, a pin and five shutouts.

Her mother Elana and brother Orry accompanied her to the Olympic Trials where she was top seed and defeated Forrest Molinari 6-0 and 2-1 to sweep the best-of-three series

seeded in the Division I playoffs with De La Salle second. The two schools met once this season with Granada prevailing 5-4.

College Park is seeded third and could face DLS in the semifinals if each wins its first two games. The Falcons are the last team to deny the Concord school an

and secure her spot on the plane to Paris. Elana Elor was at Kaiser Walnut Creek with her youngest daughter Monday talking to The Pioneer and added that the entire family will be in Paris this summer. Mother and daughter Amit were headed the next day to New York for a trip that included an appearance on Access Hollywood.

OMANIAFALLS SHORTOF OLYMPICTEAMBERTH

One truism of Olympic Trails in individual sports is that there is only one winner and the rest of the places don’t seem to matter when just one athlete in an event or weight class is

allowed to represent their county on the sport’s grandest stage. Concord’s Peyton Omania was seeded second heading into the Greco Roman 67 kilos (147.7 pounds) weight class at the same Trials. His division was considered the most competitive of the six men’s Greco weight classes with three former Olympians plus Omania, who represented the country at the 2021 World Championships, in the field of 11 wrestlers. The 24-year-old De La Salle wrestling legend was shocked by Javier Johnson with a pair of four-point moves in a 9-0 loss in the quarterfinals, ending the 2024 Olympic dream for the Concord man.

Photo courtesy Northgate

Tony Rotundo photo courtesy USA Wrestling WrestlersAreWarriors.com

A rising star in the women’s wrestling Amit Elor (left) won the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials by sweeping her best-of-three finals series over Forrest Molinari at 68 kilograms. The 20-year-old former College Park High student athlete won both matches, 6-0 and 2-1, to make her first Olympic team.

Athlete Spotlight

Savannah Sawyer

Grade: Junior School: Ygnacio Valley High Sport: Track and Field

After her family moved from Castro Valley to Concord last summer Sawyer knew she wanted to continue improving as a track and field athlete at her new school. And she indeed has realized some goals this spring. She won the 100 meters and was second in both the 200 and her new event the 300 hurdles at the Diablo Athletic League meet. “I’ve been doing track and field since I was about eight years old. I started out sprinting and long jumping, but developed a love for sprinting,” she said. Sawyer was on the Steale Gazelles track club before high school. “While I didn't gain any major rewards for that part of my track experience, it taught me many of the skills I know today and prepared me for the road ahead.” She stopped competing with the club and dedicated her time to high school track. Last spring, Sawyer was part of the Castro Valley 4x100 relay that competed at the Bayshore North Coast Section Meet.

At Ygnacio Valley this spring “I managed to break 13 seconds in the 100, PR in the 200 with a 26 and even began running 300m hurdles for the first time to achieve a sub 50 time. To my surprise, I’ve gotten the fastest time for the girls 100m dash at Ygnacio Valley in the last few decades.”

This month her league results led to Tri-Valley NCS beths in her three individual running events and

encouraged her to “plan on going to State my senior year.” Wolves track and field coach Mark Tran says, “Savannah made great strides this season. She was able to improve her personal best in every event. Her potential is limitless, and I am excited to see what she does in the future.” In the classroom she has a 3.83 GPA, especially enjoying her careers in teaching and theory of knowledge classes. “After high school, I hope to attend a four-year college in SoCal while continuing to run track.” She isn’t sure what career path she will pursue but would like it to be sports related. “I have always wanted to study abroad in college and Europe currently piques my interest. I know that I want to travel as much as possible while also honoring my love for track and field.”

The Pioneer congratulates Savannah 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 Spotlight to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.

21 seniors formally commit to college programs for the fall

JAY BEDECARRÉ

The Pioneer

Carondelet, Mt. Diablo, Clayton Valley Charter and De La Salle high schools celebrated 21 senior student athletes this spring who signed their National Letters of Intent last month to play their sport starting in the fall at 18 colleges from coast to coast.

The signees will be playing 12 sports in college including soccer, swimming, basketball, lacrosse, competitive cheer, rugby, wrestling, football, volleyball, track, baseball and cross country.

Besides Northern and Southern California, the local college signees are headed for Illinois, New Hampshire, Oregon, Nevada, Missouri, Arizona and Washington DC to further their academic and athletic pursuits.

SPRING NLI SIGNEES (SPORT ANDCOLLEGE):

Carondelet

Natalie Aiken (Swimming, Georgetown)

Sophia Bruzzone (Lacrosse, San Diego State)

Gabriella Dedes (Lacrosse, Westminster)

Sophia Lohmeier (Basketball, Dominican-Chicago)

Marina Miller (Volleyball, Keene State)

Ella Reardon (Cheerleading, Cal Baptist)

Clayton Valley Charter

Jerry Coakley (Baseball, William Jessup)

Daniel Messer (Cross Country and Track, American)

Makenna Brady (Soccer, Willamette)

Zoe Lahanas (Track and Field, Cal Berkeley)

Skylar Bennett (Track 2and Field, Nevada Reno)

De La Salle

Landon Dunn (Football, Southwest Baptist)

Manuel Martir (Wrestling, Simpson)

Kaelan Meyer (Rugby, Arizona)

Caleb Tatad (Wrestling, Cal Poly Humboldt)

Dominic Zapata (Rugby, Arizona)

Chris Biller (Rugby, Cal Berkeley)

Joey Deitchman (Rugby, Saints Mary’s)

Dom Gallwitz (Football, Redlands)

Parker Beilke (Rugby, Arizona)

ketball, Pacific Union) Visit pioneerpublishers.com for more photos and information.

Mt. Diablo High Jr. ROTC takes 2nd at National Fitness Challenge in Florida

TRACKANDFIELDREACHES

SEASONCLIMAX

De La Salle won the Tri-Valley NCS meet last Saturday and hopes to contend for the championship this Friday and Saturday at Dublin High in the NCS Meet of Champions. Trey Caldwell (3200), Anthony Dean (triple jump) and Jayden Nicholas (400M) all won their events at the Tri-Valley meet to spark the team victory, which also included a first place by the Spartans 4x100 relay.

Taking second in their events were Sophomore Jaden Jefferson in the 100 and 200 meter sprints, Darrell Cenido in the

110 high hurdles and freshman Chase Young in 300 hurdles.

Clayton Valley Charter boys were ninth in the meet including a first-place finish in the 4x400 relay.

The Ugly Eagles girls were fourth in the team standings led by Cal-bound Zoe Lahanas who won the 800 meters and Vivienne Magu runner up in the long jump. The CVCHS 4x400 relay was third.

Carondelet’s Malia Velasco won the 100 hurdles.

DE LA SALLESECOND IN LAX Third seed De La Salle’s

lacrosse team wasn’t able to defend its NCS D-I lacrosse championship but the Spartans upended No. 2 Redwood 13-12 in a thrilling overtime semi-final to reach the championship game before losing to Marin Catholic for the second time this season. The Spartans had won three successive NCS championships. Northgate boys, also seeded third, made it to the Division II finals with three straight victories before losing to top seed Justin-Siena of Napa. Carondelet made it to the DI girls semi-finals before losing to top seed and eventual champions San Ramon Valley for the second year in a row in the playoffs.

Photo courtesy Mt. Diablo High School Jr. ROTC

Mt. Diablo High’s Jr. ROTC made a return trip to the All-Service National Fitness Challenge Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida this month. Coach Ronnie McGee’s Mt. Diablo Raider team took second in the 3K run out of 74 highschools. Red Devils football standout Herschel Turner Jr. finished fourth in the power ball toss and 10th overall in the Male Ultimate Cadet Challenge out of 254 male cadets. Stephanie Zuniga finished 35th in the Female Ultimate Cadet Challenge out of 111 cadets. The team included, front row from left, Genesis Lopez Morales, Carolina Pardo-Leon, Zuniga, Jenifer Castro, Natalie Dance, Mykalyn Gutierrez; back row, McGee, Makayla Powell, Omar Gonzalez Gonalez, Alexander Lopez Mejia, Brian Azanza Alvarez, Marco Ibarra and Turner.

Mt. Diablo Mykalyn Gutierrez (Bas-

De La Salle once again had the largest number of area athletes in the spring NLI signing period. The Spartan signees are, from left, Landon Dunn, Manuel Martir, Kaelan Meyer, Caleb Tatad, Dominic Zapata, Chris Biller, Joey Deitchman, Dom Gallwitz and Parker Beilke.

Clayton Valley Charter feted five seniors penning their NLI in Dan Della Gym. They are, from left, Jerry Coakley, Daniel Messer, Makenna Brady, Skylar Bennett and Zoe Lahanas.

Six Carondelet seniors made their commitments for their college futures by signing national letters of intent last month. They are, front row from left, Gabriella Dedes, Sophia Bruzzone, Natalie Aiken; back row, Ella Reardon, Marina Miller and Sophia Lohmeier.

MYKALYN GUTIERREZ MT. DIABLO HIGH SCHOOL

Photo courtesy De La Salle Athletics

De La Salle won its third successive NCS boys swimming and diving team championship at Concord Community Pool earlier this month. It is the eighth overall for the Spartans, breaking a tie with neighbor Ygnacio Valley, which won seven Section swimming titles. Locally, Northgate also has three boys titles and Concord High two.

Local swim teams rally to return City Meet to Concord as Springwood team skips season

JAY BEDECARRÉ

The last three Concord City Swimming Championships have been held in Walnut Creek at Northgate High School. This July the 57th City Meet hopes to return to Concord Community Pool on the July 26-28 weekend, but it will do so without the meet’s hosts of over 50 years.

Springwood Swim Team has faced a daunting financial issue regarding repayment of the $90,000 balance that remains from a $130,000 private loan to repair the pool in 2018. The swim team board decided to pause the team this season as efforts are ongoing to resolve the loan issue.

Team families have found new homes for the 2024 season at neighboring Bishop Estates and Forest Park swim

teams as well as Dana Hills, Scottsdale and other area rec programs. Marco Ramos served on the swim team board, which has reportedly all resigned, as well as the vice president of the Springwood Swim Club board that manages the facility on Concord Blvd. “The pool will be available to family members of the club this year as we continue to work towards a resolution on the loan payment,” an optimist Ramos told The Pioneer last week.

He said a recent article in The Pioneer brought a lot of attention to the situation with many well-meaning people reaching out to help. However, several parties also contacted the board “looking to make a quick buck” without serving the needs of the swim team and Springwood community.

Athlete Spotlight

Fernando Perez

Grade: Senior School: Clayton Valley Charter High Sport: Track and Field

“Track and field saved my life,” senior runner Fernando Perez reminisces, reflecting on his fight back to the track. Perez was first introduced to running in seventh grade when he joined the St. Bonaventure CYO cross country team. There, he developed his passion for running, which has translated to his four years on Clayton Valley Charter’s varsity track and field team. Last summer, before his senior year Perez was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer. He beat it, which he attributes to the strong, determined mindset that running helped him develop. In fact, he says, “I knew beating cancer would

In the meantime, the remaining local rec swim clubs including Forest Park, Bishop Estates, Ygnacio Wood, Walnut Country, Oakhurst, Dana Hills and Gehringer Park have banded together to plan this year’s meet, the first at Concord Community Pool since before the pandemic. Concord aquatics supervisor Matt Galindo says, “We are currently working with City Meet to complete the required paperwork and permits to utilize Concord Community Pool.”

Besides Springwood, also missing from the meet, wherever it is held, will be the Vista Diablo Dolphins. The swim team of over 40 years canceled its 2024 season due to a lack of swimmers. It has been a tumultuous time for the local rec swimming community in

be nowhere near as challenging as training for a 400.”

Despite that setback, Perez has accomplished a lot on and off the track. His junior year he qualified for Arcadia Invitational, Mt. SAC Relays and the CIF State Meet, as well as winning multiple awards: Rookie of the Year, MVP twice and the Eagle Award, which is the highest honor for an Ugly Eagle track runner. His coach Keisha Lowe had this to say, “Fernando is a coach's perfect athlete. He constantly works hard to better himself. He’s supportive of his entire team. He’s that one you can always depend on, on and

Sports Shorts

RED DEVIL GOLF CLASSICSET FOR JUNE 28

The Red Devil Golf Committee announced its annual fundraising tournament will be Friday, June 28, at Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord. Registration starts at 11 a.m., followed by lunch, golf, dinner and raffle/silent auction. Proceeds help academic and athletic programs at Mt. Diablo High School. Interested participants should contact Lou Adamo by phone (925) 212-9332 or email louadamo@gmail.com or Rudy Perez (925) 408-6790 or Rudyperezrdc@gmail.com.

FLAG FOOTBALLCAMPAT

CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER JUNE 24-26

Be Elite 3-Day Summer Youth Camp at Clayton Valley Charter High School is June 24-26, 9 a.m. to noon daily. The camp is designed to provide youth (K-7th grade) with an immersive, fun flag football experience to enhance skills and learn new techniques. Camp includes skill-building drills, team-building exercises, friendly scrimmages and coaching from CVCHS student-athletes. Open to girls and boys of all skill levels from beginners to experienced athletes. For more info and to register visit beeliteathlete.com/summer-camps.

CONCORD CUPSOCCER THIS WEEKEND

About 90 teams will take part this weekend in Concord Cup XXIX youth soccer tournament for girls and boys 9U through 19U teams from AYSO, US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer programs. Teams in bronze through silver divisions are participating in the 29th edition of the area’s largest tournament at five field sites in Concord. For schedules and results visit concordcup.com.

CLAYTON SHARPSHOOTER TAKES TOP 5 AT HOOP SHOOT NATIONALS

Jackson Ramirez of Clayton took fifth place in the Elks Hoop Shoot 12-13 boys national championship last month making 21 of 25 in the finals at Wintrust Arena, home of the WNBA's Chicago Sky and DePaul's Blue Demons.. Overall, he made 118 of 125 attempts during the months long competition. He won the 8-9 boys division in 2019-20, which was a pandemic-mandated virtual competition completed in 2021.

recent years as Walnut Country of Concord was threatened with losing its pool use in 2019 due to a conflict with the Cowell Homeowners Association board that was eventually removed from office.

A few years after the Concord Jaycees started the Concord Swimming Championships (popularly called the City Meet) in 1967, Springwood took over operations and was the team’s largest fundraiser. 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 1000 participants and spectators to enjoy the weekend-long festivities.

off the track. He is going to give 110% every single time. He doesn’t let his limitations determine how high he can go. Fernando has been an excellent example of a true athlete in spirit and talent.”

Perez also has many accomplishments off the track. He maintains a 3.69 weighted GPA as well as managing many roles in clubs. He is president of CVC’s La Raza club, National Honor Society and is the Associated Student Body president. He is also a Link Crew and Blue Crew commissioner, Faith Club leader, sports medicine student and a CBCA Youth Ambassador. Perez hopes to continue running in the future, work his way to becoming a physician for a professional sports team and stay cancer free.

CVCHS student journalist Corinne Jeandheur wrote this Spotlight.

The Pioneer congratulates Fernando 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.

DIABLO VALLEY FC SOCCER TRYOUTSTHISMONTH

Diablo Valley FC is holding its annual tryouts for boys and girls in the U8 to u19 age groups this month. The area’s premier competitive youth soccer program participates in Development Player League, National Premier Leagues, MLS NEXT, Elite Academy and NorCal Premier. More tryouts will be held next week. Visit diablovalleyfc.com for more info and tryout registration.

TERRAPINS SWIM TEAM OFFERING SPRING , SUMMER PROGRAMS

Terrapins Swim Club has a spring Orange program for swimmers six years and older who have completed advanced swim lessons and are interested in learning about the swim team experience. The spring program runs three days a week at Concord Community Pool through June 7. The USA Swimming team is also offering stroke and racing skills clinics for three age groups fron 8 and under through 11 and over in June and July. For more info and to register for swim programs visit terrapinswim.com.

There are many ways of getting your diet under control, but the public is confused when some theories seem to contradict elements of other theories.

I like to simplify the message: Your diet should protect the liver, feed the gut and support the brain. One scourge of our time is the widespread consumption of sugar and processed food. The result has been a rise in obesity and the related increase in diabetes. Glucose monitors are an important tool in the fight against diabetes, helping people understand what foods cause spikes in their levels.

Expected in the next five years is the development of continuous insulin monitors that people will find more effective in seeing what foods are good or bad for them, reports my friend and coauthor Dr. Robert H. Lustig. It’s important to comprehend what causes insulin to spike and inhibits efforts to lose weight.

Lustig, a professor emeritus of pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at UC San Francisco, recently discussed the biochemistry of food on a podcast, “The Doctor’s Farmacy,” hosted by Dr. Mark Hyman.

Some people are frustrated by their inability to lose weight because of a lack of fiber in their diet. On the podcast, Lustig talked about how many food companies, aiming for convenience, eliminate fiber in processed food. Fiber can’t be frozen, inhibiting the consumer’s ability to toss a box of “food” in the freezer.

For those who can’t resist processed food, there are companies now researching ways to insert water-soluble fiber into packages of food. The soluble fiber mimics the effects of natural fiber to signal your system that you’re full and can stop eating, helping prevent glucose and insulin spikes.

Natural sources of fiber, like kale and broccoli, are food for the microbiome in

your digestive system. You need to feed the gut. In my next column, I will discuss food obsession. Plenty of people have come to me and said, “I just can’t stop eating.”

Here’s a healthy recipe to try at home.

RED LENTIL CURRY STEW

6 servings

2 T avocado oil

½ c. onion or 1 small onion, diced

1 c. sweet potato or 1 small sweet potato, diced (or butternut squash)

2 small stalks or 1 large stalk celery, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped ¼ c. curry powder

1 T salt

1 T turmeric

1 T coriander

½ T cumin

1 tsp. fresh grated ginger or ½ tsp. dry ginger ¼ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. cayenne pepper or red chili (optional)

1 c. red lentils

15.5-oz. can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

13.5-oz. can coconut cream

14-oz. can crushed tomatoes

½ can tomato paste (3 ounces)

1-2 c. water or vegetable stock (less water makes stew thicker)

½ c. nutritional yeast (optional)

8 oz. frozen chopped spinach

½ T dry dill or 1 T fresh

½ c. halved cherry tomatoes Dollop of yogurt (optional)

Heat avocado oil in a large pot until hot and add all the ingredients through the cayenne pepper in the order listed. Sauté until tender. Add the next six ingredients and cook 30 minutes with lid on pot. Note: Using cooked lentils rather than raw will reduce cooking time. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Add the rest of the ingredients and serve topped with yogurt if desired. The nutritional yeast will increase the Vitamin B12, which supports the function of your nerve cells and is needed for red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis.

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.

CINDY GERSHEN FARM TO TASTE

Helping teen through abusive relationship

Q. As a concerned mother, I’m deeply troubled by my teenage son’s relationship, which seems to have the potential for violence. His girlfriend’s explosive outbursts, along with incidents where she has damaged his personal belongings and verbally berates him, are alarming. Despite our efforts to intervene and discourage their relationship, my son continues to reconcile with her or see her secretly. I’m genuinely fearful that my son might suffer serious harm or get into trouble because of this situation. What steps can I take to protect him? – Camilia

A. It’s incredibly distressing to see someone we care about potentially facing harm, especially when they seem unable to extricate themselves from a troubling situation. The statistics on domestic violence in teen relationships paint a con-

DOMINIQUE KING LEANIN WITH LOVE

cerning picture. Approximately one in three adolescents in the United States will experience physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner before they reach adulthood. Sadly, teen dating violence is often underreported due to factors such as fear, shame and lack of awareness about what constitutes abuse. Boys may be less likely to report abuse due to societal expectations about mas-

Setting the record straight on antivirus options

WILL CLANEY TECH TALK

Does your antivirus software hold up to current stringent standards, or was it just a freebie afterthought?

If you think your files, photos and banking passwords are protected, read no further. However, if you suspect your antivirus protection could use a review, continue reading.

Given today’s cyber threats, Windows XP would be infected within 30 seconds of being on the Internet, according to Microsoft’s Co-Pilot. Windows 10 and 11 are much better –now it takes hours to days.

Tyler Von Harz of History

Computer tells the tale of products to avoid: “Some of the most famous antivirus software brands are not something that you should put on your computer.”

Many brands introduce their own problems, from poor performance to outright messing with other installed software. Here are some reviews from Tyler and me.

Norton, one of the most well-known antivirus brands.

“The most misleading loophole in Norton’s offerings is that it does not include realtime protection, ultimately defeating the entire point. You also shouldn’t notice that antivirus software is running at all, but Norton makes its presence known.”

McAfee. “More known for the annoying popups that come with the service, rather than the service itself. Then, when people do talk about the service, it is usually with an attitude of annoyance beyond those popups. Users cannot control updates, with many reporting activities being completely interrupted with no real way out. Ultimately, McAfee is completely outdated, while some of these other options may still have one or two positive redeeming qualities.”

MacKeeper. “MacKeeper has a long history of misdeeds,” according to Tyler. “On the surface, it even seems like a scam or like it’s malware that you’re trying to avoid.”

culinity.

Victims of teen dating violence are more likely to experience long-term negative effects on their physical and mental health. In light of these alarming statistics, here are some steps you can take to support your son:

Listen with empathy. Give your son the space to express his thoughts and emotions without judgment. It’s crucial for him to feel heard and understood, even if his perspective differs from yours.

Provide education about domestic violence. Help your son understand the dynamics of abusive relationships, including

Webroot . “Should come with a warning sign that tells every user not to attempt uninstalling it. It is incredibly difficult to uninstall the program, with many users giving up entirely, succumbing to their fate, and realizing they should have avoided the software altogether.”

Avast. “Another company that managed to do exactly what a security company should never even think of –sell their customers’ data to a third party. One simple action completely tarnished the brand’s reputation forever. Before then, though, Avast would show extremely threatening popups to its users. Antivirus software is meant to protect users, not scare them.”

Kaspersky. Ditto. Banned by the U.S. government, this Russian made software is among the worst, in my opinion. Full stop.

PCMatic. In my opinion, all bad news with a review rating of 3.5 out of 5 from respected reviewers. This is a “whitelist” software that requires you to tell it if you think the website you are going to visit is OK. Really? “Blacklists,” on the other hand, are downloads that run a scan against your files to detect hacks.

There is some good news: Microsoft includes Windows Defender with Windows 10, 11 and 12. It’s free, and it’s pretty darn good. If you want free, this is the only one I would recommend, although it uses a blacklist.

Antivirus powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) includes real-time protection vs. downloading definition files, making it many times more effective than anything else on the market. It’s not a whitelist or a blacklist. It doesn’t use a definition file to try to match a virus to a definition of a virus, it is intelligence.

When a program wanders off and tries to do something it isn’t supposed to do, it’s a virus.

SentinelOne is the winner in my view. It real-time AI. It thinks and acts without user involvement, it is managed for you and it is the best money can buy.

Now go do the right thing and protect yourself.

William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station. Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.

the signs of potential violence. Find interactive outings or outlets that discuss domestic violence. Doing this gives him the opportunity to make internal connections.

Provide access to resources. Leave informational pamphlets around the house where he might pick them up and browse through. These pamphlets can offer counseling services and support groups that your son can turn to for assistance.

Bring in the other side. Communicate your expectations regarding his relationship with his girlfriend and her parents or guardians. Be firm about your

concerns for his safety and wellbeing and express that you cannot condone behavior that puts him or her at risk.

Involve trusted adults.

Consider enlisting the support of other trusted adults in your son’s life, such as family members, teachers or mentors.

Sometimes, hearing concerns from other men can be vital.

Seek professional help. If your son continues to downplay the seriousness of the situation, consider obtaining guidance from a therapist or counselor who specializes in adolescent relationships and domestic violence.

Ensure immediate safety.

If you believe your son is in imminent danger, take swift action to ensure his safety. This may involve contacting law enforcement or seeking a restraining order against his girlfriend if necessary.

Above all, continue to be present and available. For more information, call the domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233.

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.

Stop! The last place that Qtip should be is in your ear

function.

Did you hear that? No? Perhaps that’s due to the industrious nature of your ceruminous glands – working overtime to ensure you are well stocked with nature’s own votive, more commonly referred to as earwax. Those adorable Elvin sound receivers adorning the sides of our heads function as de facto protective candle shops. The ceruminous glands are specialized sweat glands found in the outer portion of the external auditory canal. They are small, coiled tubes comprised of two layers of cells.

The cells of the inner layer produce a secretion that drains into the guard hairs of the external canal and begins the production of cerumen. From the Latin Cera (or wax), cerumen is a combination of ceruminous secretion, sebum (skin oil) and epidermal cells.

Although it may sound (and feel) a bit yucky, cerumen performs a range of vital protective functions. It maintains the moisture and pliability of the eardrum as well as basic housekeeping in and around the external auditory canal. This includes the trapping and neutralizing of foreign bodies such as dust, bacteria, fungi and excess water. The sticky ceruminous coating of the guard hairs of the ear allows them to effectively perform their protective

An overabundance of cerumen, while great for keeping the bad stuff out, can also keep out the good, such as cool music and juicy conversation. This can drive us to risky and inadvisable behavior. The proper way to clean the ears is with a damp cloth along the outside –only.

The normal movement of the jaw propels excess cerumen through the canal toward the opening, where it dries and is effortlessly expelled on an ongoing basis. If excess cerumen becomes a nuisance or an impediment to hearing, the safest and most effective solution is to see a medical professional with an otoscope and appropriate training.

Wax softening products

such as Debrox are, for the most part, safe if not contraindicated and used correctly and sparingly. They may provide a small measure of relief. Never insert a cotton swab or any other object into the ear under any circumstances. It is ineffective at best and permanently damaging at worst. The ear is quite capable of cleaning itself. Trying to help it do so is not a DIY project. Perhaps some among you may remember the wisdom of a bygone era: Don’t put anything in your ear that is smaller than your elbow. This is as good advice now as it was then.

Please send comments and question to Nathalie Montijo at newwavenightingale@gmail.com.

‘Book of Illusions’ a masterful story about love and loss

Paul Auster’s death last month was the jolt I needed to go to my shelves and pull out his 2009 “The Book of Illusions.”

Although not his most recent, it’s one I’d promised myself I would eventually read. In short, it is a novel about life, which means it is about death, loss, family, love, mystery, synchronicity and, above all, life.

David Zimmer’s world falls apart upon the death of his wife and two young sons, whose lives end as the plane they were in dropped from the sky. His life as a college professor and published author disintegrates into the arms of depression, alcohol, suicidal fantasies and the lack of any way to escape his grief.

That all changes when Zimmer sees a clip from a television show highlighting the last silent film comedians before the miracle of sound. In a brief bit of film, Hector Mann – a comedic actor he’s never heard of – makes him laugh for the first time since the death of his family.

SUNNY SOLOMON BOOKIN’ WITH SUNNY

The two-minute TV clip was from 1928. When Zimmer learns from the same broadcast that Mann mysteriously disappeared from films in 1929 and is presumed dead, Zimmer becomes obsessed with Hector Mann. Who was he? How many of his earlier films could still be seen? Did they ever find out what happened to him?

Zimmer’s grief had a new direction, which included traveling to every film museum or library that had at least one of the 12 known Mann films. He watched the films over and

Rent, from page 1

“Because we have to implement the software, it’s gonna take a little bit more time,” Huckabay said. “So we’re targeting fall this year to get all the units registered.”

According to Huckabay, Rent Registry fees will “pay forward” administration of the rent stabilization and just cause evictions provisions, while also providing more data about the rental market. “It will help the council to understand what rents look like and whose being evicted and for what rea-

son to inform future policies.”

The rent stabilization and rent rollback sections only apply to multi-family rental complexes of two or more units built before Feb. 1, 1995. Single-family homes and condos are included in the just-cause, no-fault eviction portions.

Tenant rights groups have long advocated for more safeguards for Concord renters, but Jo Sciarroni began the petition drive last month because she objected to the inclusion of single-family homes. The

over, taking notes, almost memorizing what it was about Mann that made him different from others.

By 1988, Zimmer had written and published a book about the films, mostly about why Mann’s comedic acting was so distinctive. He could not write about the actor himself because there was so little information available.

After all those years, Zimmer believed that Mann was indeed dead. But Zimmer receives a letter from a woman claiming to be Mann’s wife, telling him that Mann has read Zimmer’s book and wants to meet him at their ranch in New Mexico. And the story takes off.

Zimmer responds, but before he hears more, a stranger claiming to be related to Mrs. Mann arrives at his house in Vermont. Backed with a gun, she tells Zimmer that Mann is dying, and they must fly back to New Mexico immediately. She will explain it all.

Auster packs everything into the last two days of Mann’s life: his disappearance, a romance,

City Council planned to discuss the single-family home component again on May 14, after the Pioneer’s deadline.

“We could amend the ordinance; we could decide to put it on the ballot if we can’t make up our minds or we don’t want to do it ourselves; or we could do nothing,” Mayor Edi Birsan said last month.

Before the council approved the rules 4-1 earlier this year, Councilmember Carlyn Obringer brought up concerns about single-family homeowners not being aware that they would be included. Councilmember Laura

contractual tragedy, arson, murder, more romance and suicide. Hardly time to catch one’s breath, the reader is back in Vermont with Zimmer.

“The Book of Illusions” is mystery, film history, romance, tragedy. I loved the plot and all the characters, dead and living. Five hundred words are not enough.

Sunny Solomon is a freelance writer and head of the Clayton Book Club. Visit her website at bookinwithsunny.com for her latest recommendations or just to ‘talk books.’

Hoffmeister also said she had been approached by residents who were just learning about the plan.

Sciarroni did not return the Pioneer’s call for a comment after she withdrew the petition, but she previously called the ordinance “an unfair taking of property rights, especially when it concerns single-family homes.” If the council decides to adjust the rules for single-family homes, there would be a second reading in 30 days before any changes would take effect.

NATHALIE MONTIJO NEW WAVE NIGHTINGALE

THE ARTS

‘Cabaret’ and ‘Mass Appeal’,

fun shows that will make you think

The vibrant musical

“Cabaret” comes to Center Rep May 26-June 23. Full of fabulous music, colorful characters and, of course, romance, Kander and Ebb’s musical features a hedonistic Berlin at the close of the 1920s.

Expats and locals congregate at the seedy Kit Kat Klub with its irreverent Master of Ceremonies (Rotimi Agbabiaka) and the popular chanteuse Sally Bowles (Monique Hafen Adams). This carefree atmosphere, however, is set against the ominous rise of Hitler.

Center Rep’s artistic producer Markus Potter directs.

Raised by a civil rights activist, the Concord native has always

been a bit “obsessed” with “Cabaret.”

“This show does a little bit of everything I believe theater hopes to do,” said Potter. “Brilliant music, incredible characters – plus a call to action.”

Potter believes our own society is on the brink, as many fear losing elements of our democracy.

“I hope people are delighted and tickled by the fun of ‘Cabaret,’ the musical numbers and the beautiful comedy and

Center Rep’s artistic producer Markus Potter directs “Cabaret” at the Lesher Center May 26-June 23.

our incredible cast but are left with a warning call to action, to not be complacent,” Potter said.

To that end, Potter and scenic artist David Goldstein have designed large vertical mirrors facing the audience.

“That’s our motif – holding the mirror up to ourselves. At the end of the show, we’re left with questions: Who are we? What do we want?

There’s no clean answer in our production,” said Potter, who has also directed at Berkeley Rep and ACT as well as OffBroadway and London’s Southwark Playhouse.

Performances take place at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to CenterREP.org.

You can still catch the final performances of Plotline Theatre’s wonderful “Mass Appeal” at the Campbell Theater.

Premiered in 1980 and updated in 2021, “Mass Appeal” follows Father Tim Farley, pastor of a prosperous Catholic parish. It seems the good father’s love of all things enjoyable has led him to flatter and entertain his parish-

ioners, telling them what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear.

All that changes with the arrival of young seminarian Mark Dolson. Lacking diplomacy, Dolson energetically attacks many church policies and causes friction between Farley and his conservative bishop. Ultimately, Dolson’s enthusiastic blunders remind Farley of his own youthful mistakes. Together, they both grow in wisdom as they deal with the challenges of their congregation’s spiritual needs.

Farley and Dolson are multifaceted characters in need of talented performers to bring out all their nuances.

Fortunately, Plotline’s Randy Anger found the perfect combination in Jerry Motta as Farley and Jess Rodgers as Dolson.

Under Anger’s astute direction, Motta and Rodgers discover the fragilities and strengths of their characters as their relationship grows –gaining insights into themselves along the way.

“Mass Appeal” continues through May 19 at the Camp-

bell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. Call 925-350-9770 or go to www.campbelltheater.com.

The Eugene O’Neill Foundation at Tao House is taking registration for its 10-day studio retreat June 19-30 at O’Neill’s former home in the Las Trampas hills above Danville. The retreat features a master class in acting and playwriting taught by theater professionals.

For more information, go to www.eugeneoneill.org.

Clayton Theatre Company is also offering signups for its Summer Stage 2024. The twoweek camp for students aged 7-16 focuses on musical theater training and preparation of excerpts from Disney and Broadway shows. This year’s camp will be July 8-19 and features “Snow White, a very modern tale” by Nicole Dial. Go to www.claytontheatrecompany.com/summer-stage for more information.

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

Final reflections on Diablo Valley’s vibrant art scene

Editor’s Note: Thank you, John, for your insightful look at Concord and the Diablo Valley’s wonderful artists. We wish you well in retirement and your new home in Oregon.

Julia O’Reilly, owner of JOR Gallery in Clayton and Danville will take over reporting on the area’s fine arts scene. Watch for her profile of local artist Rhu Bigay in the June issue.

It is with mixed emotions that I write this final column for the Pioneer, as my wife and I are moving to a suburb of Portland, Ore. We’ve discussed the possibility of a move for some time, and we’re ready now to enjoy wetter weather and to be closer to several family members in the Pacific Northwest.

Although I am looking forward to this new location, I

will always hold the San Francisco Bay Area and especially my 30+ years in the Diablo Valley fondly in my heart.

I’ve spent hours reflecting on the natural beauty of this area. I love the magnificent views of Mount Diablo and the Diablo Valley, with cows grazing on grassy brown hillsides and hawks flying overhead. I will not soon forget those soothing Delta views at parks like Big Break or the marina in Martinez. As I looked out over the valley from Mount Diablo or ran single track trails across an open space, I often wondered about the local history. What was it like for the Native Americans, fishing and foraging among these foothills? I’d try to imagine Spanish missionaries, the pioneers following their Manifest Destiny or the Gold Rush 49ers looming in the landscape. For me, connecting with the history of a place enhances its beauty and gives me inspiration.

The splendor of this area is inspirational to countless talented artists, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. This has been the biggest benefit I have received from my time writing this column.

Before this, I would enjoy our local artists’ work, but as I

got to know not just their art, but their enthusiasm and motivation, I gained a new appreciation of the art. Each artist creates based on their personal life experiences, so it is no wonder how much variety there is in art. When you get to know an artist, their artwork becomes even more meaningful and inspiring.

Contra Costa County is a great area to meet artists. The art network here is vibrant and alive, and my involvement has enhanced my experience as an artist. I’ve worked with several artist communities, such as the Concord Art Association, Martinez Art Association, Las Juntas-East Bay Artist Guild, Lamorinda

Art Alliance and Arts Benicia. I’ve also participated with local art galleries, such as The aRt Cottage, JOR Fine Art Gallery, Main Street Arts and Studio 55.

Be sure to get involved, and remember to check out the many small independent art studios where you can take a class, buy art and crafts, or just spend time viewing the art.

This area is filled with inspirational visual images, beyond the natural beauty of the hills, mountains and water, as well as the native flora and fauna. It has been amazing to find such an impressive amount of public art.

Art organizations through-

out our area work to fill art in public areas, such as libraries, church halls, senior centers, businesses, and public and private offices. Many organizations coordinate activities like Paint Jams in the park, art and wine events and pop-ups at various venues. You can see murals on public buildings and art on utility boxes at street corners.

Even the mayor of Concord has gotten involved, promoting art and artists by installing an art gallery in the hallway of City Hall and by publicly recognizing the art of elementary school students.

Finally, I want to thank all the readers who have followed this column and have contacted me with encouraging comments. I will miss all of you. It has been my pleasure sharing my art discoveries with you. If you’d like to share your own art discoveries with me, contact me through my website at johnnakanishi.com.

John Nakanishi is an acrylic painter and a ceramic artist. Email comments to phjona@gmail.com.

I hope you will take advantage of these and other opportunities to experience art and will continue to support our great artist community.

You know I’m always here with Good Neighbor service. But I’m also here with surprisingly great rates for everyone. Call me for a quote

Photo by Savannah Daniels

Jerry Motta plays Father Tim Farley and Jess Rodgers is the young seminarian in Plotline Theatre’s “Mass Appeal” through May 19 in Martinez

Columnist John and wife Alice Nakanishi in front of their new home in Oregon are ready for retirement.

Fresh ingredients the stars at Concord’s Pizzalina

Pizzalina Pizzeria Tap Room is that rare eatery finding instant success.

Long-time Concord residents Mike and Jacque Baker have created a unique culinary experience where their modest menu of homemade pizzas, pastas and salads excels.

“It is our intention to give patrons the best bite of food in their life,” notes Jacque. who previously toiled as deck hand to the captain for the Blue & Gold Fleet.

To back up such high standards, Mike has a lifetime of experience in the restaurant trade. Growing up in New England, he worked in coastal Clam Shacks prior to studying in Rhode Island’s Johnson and Wales University Culinary Program. He then found opportunities in Atlanta, Hawaii and New Orleans as chef for the iconic Commander’s Palace. Migrating to the Bay Area, he worked in several restaurants – from Piatti in Danville to being culinary director for the Chalet Group in Oakland.

This has been a gardening type of the year. With two years of decent rains, folks have been motivated to get their landscapes and gardens flowering again.

We are constantly refilling nursery shelves with flowering annuals and perennials as many get their hands dirty for the first time in years. There are so many great choices for us to enjoy. Penstemon, salvia, sea

The Bakers purchased Pizzalina in San Anselmo in 2020 before opening recently in the space once occupied by Sorrento’s in Walnut Creek’s Countrywood Shopping Center. When patrons venture into the new restaurant, they

are greeted with a short menu of three styles of pizza, pasta dishes, salads, wine and a large selection of draft beers from nearby breweries.

A good place to start is with an appetizer of housemade meatballs drenched in a thick sauce featuring highquality Bianco DiNapoli Tomatoes. We also enjoyed

scrumptious garlic bread made with their pizza dough.

I recommend the sauteed Half Moon Bay Brussels sprouts and the insanely delicious vegetarian Minestra Italian white bean soup. The broth was rich without having a hint of soup base.

Now comes the difficult task of ordering pizza.

First is the lighter, Tavern style with a cracker thin crust. It is modeled after a similar dish made famous in English pubs to encourage beer consumption. House-made sausage and pickled vegetables mixed with a provolone-mozzarella cheese blend round out this masterpiece.

Another pizza selection is the square Sicilian with garlic cream covered by cheeses and selected toppings. It was crisp and juicy. My favorite was the Forest, containing roasted cremini mushrooms, fresh spinach and red onion.

The All-In with many top-

pings, including prosciutto and wild arugula, is delicious. They also serve classic pizza with premium ingredients. There are several other combinations I hope to try on subsequent visits.

On Monday through Friday until 4 p.m., Pizzalina offers a daily special of one large slice of a selected Sicilian or regular pizza for $8.

The menu does not end with pizza. They also have several house-made pasta creations. The seafood combo with sauteed Gulf white shrimp, Mediterranean mussels and saffron in a creamy garlic sauce reflects Chef Mike’s time in New Orleans.

Another favorite of mine is the Gnudi, spinach-ricotta gnocchi sealed with potato flour in a tomato meat sauce topped with pecorino cheese.

Pizzalina makes all its pastas with premium Italian flour. Their salads feature homemade dressings.

A list of sure-fire hits for your flower

lavender, calibrachoa (Million Bells) and alstroemeria are some of the showiest and most flowertastic plants to install in Clayton Valley gardens and landscapes.

First and foremost, you’ll need happy, healthy soil for flowering plants. Whether your soil is in a container or in the ground, it needs to look dark and loose. Work in rich soil conditioners. Choose a product that looks like potting soil, smells a bit like manure and doesn’t have too much visible wood.

Penstemon is one of the simplest, yet most attractive evergreen perennials available. Depending on the selection, expect penstemon to grow roughly 2-3 feet tall and wide. Trumpet-shaped flowers are

born in rows along dark green stems. Penstemon has a color for every palette: reds, pinks, white, purple and many bicolors. This perennial blooms May-October and attracts hummingbirds.

Salvia is a huge group of woody and herbaceous perennials. The woody selections have tiny, two-lipped shaped flowers in pinks, red and lavender. Some favorites to consider are Hot Lips (red and white bicolor blooms), Leucantha (commonly called Mexican sage) with fuzzy, purple flowers and white tips, and Maynight, an herbaceous selection that reaches 2 feet tall and wide and creates a stunning impact in any full-sun garden bed.

Salvia Mystic Spires has a woody shape. It reaches 30

inches tall and 20 inches wide, with dark green leaves and royal blue stacked flowers. A couple new series of salvia to look for are the vibe and mirage series. Both host great colors of twolipped flowers in reds, purples and hot pinks, yet they reach only 16-18 inches tall and wide – making them great for smaller, sunny garden areas.

Sea lavender is old-fashioned, and recognizable. Folks have seen it on walks through the neighborhoods for years. It has large, lettuce-like dark green leaves. Stems stand 18-30 inches

tall and hold purple flower clusters that can be as large as 6 inches wide. This evergreen perennial is nearly everblooming. Bees and butterflies use the flower clusters as landing pads. Occasionally the winter gets too frosty and some plants may succumb to the cold temperatures, but the rewards are worth the risk.

Calibrachoa is the family of plants that we know as Million Bells. Calibrachoa is a type of petunia that doesn’t get sticky and seldom suffers from petunia bud worms. Million Bells

It is understandable that Jacque can boast: “We only have a small freezer at the restaurant as a larger one is unnecessary.”

Pizzalina is at 2064 Treat Blvd. in Walnut Creek. It is open 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday- Thursday, closing at 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Reservations are encouraged, especially on weekends, at 925-5461064.

Rich Eber is a local journalist and long time resident of Concord. He covers topics from politics to gourmet food. Contact him at richeber9@gmail.com.

garden

are best planted in raised beds, hanging baskets and containers. They have a desirable cascade to their growth, and the color selections are outrageous. The plant only lasts two or three years, but it’s so awesome you’ll just get another once your original dies. Million Bells flower March-October. They require hard prunes occasionally and like regular fertilizer formulated for blooms. If alstroemeria wasn’t so expensive, it would be the perfect perennial. Azalea-shaped flowers surge into waves of blooms all growing season. Alstroemeria is available in standard sizes and dwarf selections. They can be divided and shared. Alstroemeria serves as a great cut flower. There are many amazing perennials to grow, but this list of plants contains nearly sure things. As you peruse your garden centers, ask to see these selections. They do great around here.

Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. You can contact her with questions or comments by email at gardengirl94517@yahoo.com

Clayton ‘marches with Pride, stands with love’

In June 2022, Clayton became the first city in Contra Costa County to host a Pride Parade.

It was just a couple of years earlier that Clayton had joined with their surrounding Contra Costa County cities, becoming one of the last cities to recognize Pride Month in June.

Those same volunteers who petitioned City Hall in 2020 migrated that small rag-tag group into what we now know as Clayton Pride, with the mission of impacting the perception of Clayton as a welcoming and inclusive place to live for all. That first parade was an unmitigated success, garnering a crowd of nearly 2,000 from far and wide to celebrate an undeniable message of love and joy for all.

This year’s June 2 event is shaping up to be an even grander celebration, with Congressman Mark DeSaulnier as the keynote speaker as well as nationally renowned musician Arnold Muller and an expected crowd of more than 6,000 as Clayton “Marches with Pride and Stands with Love.”

Tucked into our small hamlet at the base of Mount Diablo, it can be easy to remove ourselves from the challenges that we see

on the news in larger cities – to fool ourselves that Clayton is too small and unique for hate, inequality and discrimination to exist. Our children tell us otherwise.

Cis-gender parents and volunteers, otherwise known as allies, started Clayton Pride. After countless stories of bullying, feeling unworthy and isolation, this group has been determined to build inclusivity from the ground up with the mindset of “build it and they will come.”

Clayton has a small LGBTQ+ population and the few here often want to blend into the masses without recognition or pomp and circumstance. Some can garner safety and comfort from this approach, though for others, the need to fit in can mean life or death.

Everybody deserves to be

the best version of themselves. While some can argue that a parade can only do so much, the flip side of that coin is: What if that parade changed someone’s life? What if they, for once, felt safe, accepted, loved and a part of something bigger? What if?

We hope all will join Clayton Pride and the larger Clayton community at 10 a.m. June 2 as we will celebrate loud and proud a message of inclusivity and love because if you lead with kindness, you can never go wrong. Clayton Pride welcomes support from all in the community who wish to see us unite in love and care for one another. Private donations from individuals and businesses of all backgrounds fund the parade. If you are interested in learning more, please visit www.claytonpride.com.

Penstemon: this North American native plant produces charming colorful tubular flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Rich Eber

Concord residents Mike and Jacque Baker opened Pizzalina Pizzeria Tap Room in the Countrywood Shopping Center.

RICHARD EBER TASTE & TELL

NICOLE HACKETT

GARDEN GIRL

Pete Cruz

Funkmode Dance marched at last year’s Pride parade.

SCOTT DENSLOW All the Colors