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April 16, 2021
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Only one-third of high school students so far returning to on-campus learning JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Late last month students in local public schools got the greenlight to return to campus in hybrid schedules that combine continued distance learning with limited on-campus instruction that is slated to continue through the end of the school year in less than seven weeks. Initial reports show that Mt. Diablo Unified School District elementary school students have returned to their campuses in substantially larger numbers than teens in middle and high schools. Officials note that classroom attendance increased day by day and they anticipate larger numbers this week after Spring Break on MDUSD campuses and at Clayton Valley Charter High. MDUSD spokesman Austin Breidenthal said, “Attendance trended slightly upwards during the [first] week, seeming to match a comfort level with safety assurances.”
See School, page 5
BEV BRITTON The Pioneer
A.J. Chippero
Mt. Diablo Elementary School students head back to school after being kept off campus since last March by COVID-19 precautions.
Concord waterpark site of new mass vaccinations
cent of residents reportedly choosing to get it. The first step in the appointment process is submitting the interest form through www.cchealth.org.
Officials ask that recipients do not arrive to Hurricane Harbor before designated appointment times in order to avoid traffic jams leading from Willow Pass Road. The parking lot for Hur-
ricane Harbor, 1950 Waterworld Parkway, opens for the day’s first appointments about 7:45 a.m. Wait time is 30-45 minutes upon arrival to the waterpark. Drivers will undergo a prescreening for allergies. Once each car is told to pull up to an available station, county health, Kaiser and National Guard personnel will request information. If the recipient of the jab happens to be a passenger, that person can get out of the vehicle and sit in a chair to receive the vaccine at the station. Afterward, drivers pull forward to an observation area to ensure there are no adverse reactions to the vaccine and to receive support if necessary. The county’s mass vaccination operation is the first in the state to allow individuals as young as 16 to receive the
“Vegetation is already dry much earlier,” warned fire marshal Steve Aubert, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District. “Without more rain, we are in a world of trouble.” Wildfires and evacuations are a way of life for the 300 or so homes in the heavily wooded Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek hills and valleys—an area FEMA deems a high-risk Wildland Urban Interface Zone. Preparation and defensible space are critical to surviving the kind of fire that swept the Sonoma Valley last year, says Aubert. Led by 51-year-old Morgan Territory native John Khashabi, the Morgan Territory Community Association is actively helping neighbors prepare for and manage this constant threat. The 150member non-profit has amassed a fleet of trucks, a fire truck, water tender, bull-
dozers, and other emergency equipment. Volunteers, many with firefighting and emergency training, will show up wherever they are needed, says Khashabi. “We bridge the gap until the fire department or EMTs can get there,” he said. Once loosely organized as the Morgan Territory Volunteer Fire Department, Khashabi’s truck would often arrive first on a fire, red lights flashing and siren blaring. Unsanctioned, the rogue volunteers were a thorn in the side of ECCFPD and CalFire. The volunteers were operating outside the law, ECCFPD Chief Brian Helmick explained. “Without training and legal status, they were impersonating a firefighter,” Helmick said. “They were putting themselves and others in danger and the liability is just too great.” As the Morgan Territory
Community Association, however, Khashabi and the volunteers are recognized and supported by ECCFPD. “We are working well together,” Helmick said. “Better than we ever have.” Sanctioned by ECCFPD, the group’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is assisting with logistics at vaccination sites. The group is bringing the Firewise USA wildfire reduction training individual neighborhoods. MTCA members are ready to assist with evacuations if necessary. They will be asking residents for waivers this month to allow access to private property in the event of an emergency. Without the waiver, says MTCA safety officer, Doug Fountain, we can’t help. “I love the MTCA,” said resident Kelly McDougal. “I know John and the others are
DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
Health officials hope to hit COVID-19 like a hurricane with the mass vaccination site now up and running at Hurricane Harbor. At its peak, Contra Costa County will administer up to 16,000 doses a week in the effort to get all residents fully vaccinated. The site offers all three vaccines by appointment at stations set up in the parking lot of the outdoor water amusement park that has sat idle since it was ordered closed one year ago. Those receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will automatically get an appointment for the second dose. The figure now stands at about 375,000 residents still needing the vaccine, with 80 per-
Concord chief, council worried about DA’s lack of prosecutions
David Scholz
A National Guard member talks to a passenger waiting for the COVID vaccine in the Hurricane Harbor parking lot.
vaccine. Those underage need verbal or written consent by a parent. County deputy health officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli said it was a simple decision to open the site up to a wider population. The Centers for Disease Control has approved the vaccines for individuals 16-49, so Tzvieli said there was no reason not to move forward to get the county to a post-pandemic state faster. Concord Mayor Tim McGallian voiced pleasure that his city, the largest in the county, was able to serve as a staging area for this important effort. He echoed others in attendance at a press conference in encouraging family and friends to help those who might not be as tech savvy to get signed up and make appointments as soon as possible.
there if I need help.” Membership in MTCA is open to all, not just residents. There are no dues, but donations are welcome, Fountain said. The group is applying for grants but in the interim, indi-
As the Concord City Council reviewed updated crime statistics on Mar. 23, Police Chief Mark Bustillos and council members expressed frustration about the lack of prosecution for repeat offenders. “Over the course of the last few weeks, we’ve pretty much seen the same person – or one or two people – and they’ve hit the same businesses and they’ve actually caused damage to now five or six places,” said Mayor Tim McGallian. “And it’s even the same person that decided to come into City Hall and actually broke into City Hall and robbed City Hall.” According to city attorney Susanne Brown, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has opted not to prosecute certain misdemeanors – so-called “quality of life crimes” such as narcotics possession, petty theft, shoplifting and disorderly conduct. “The reason was to focus on high-level crimes such as gang violence and felonies,” Brown told the council during the virtual meeting. “The issue is that while they’re not high-level crimes in terms of what the district attorney is dealing with, they directly affect the quality of life of us community members in Concord.” CONSIDERING LOCAL PROSECUTION
Councilman Edi Birsan asked Brown for an update on a proposal to have a Concordbased adjudication court. “If they’re not gonna do it in Martinez, maybe there’s some way that we can do it here that will give us a sense of justice – and justice quick,” he said. Brown said it may be possible for the city to prosecute
See Crime, page 7
Morgan Territory braces for another year of fire and smoke TAMARA STEINER The Pioneer
Go-bags packed with toothbrushes, medications, pet food, account numbers and passcodes sit by the front door. Mowers and ‘tillers kick up dust clouds as acres of dry grass disappear under their blades. Family heirlooms and picture albums rest safely in a storage units miles away. Noses are turned to the wind and Pulse Point is on every phone. This is fire season on Morgan Territory. And with the lack of rain, it’s looking to be even worse than last year.
vidual members maintain all the equipment at their own expense. For more information, email morganterritorycert@gmail.com or visit on Morgan Territory Community Association Facebook.
Tamara Steiner
Morgan Territory native John Khashabi leads a growing association of volunteers who are often first on the scene of a neighbor’s emergency, ready to assist until authorities arrive.
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Concord council recognizes grocery workers’ ‘invisible’ role with hazard pay
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The Concord City Council unanimously approved an urgency ordinance calling for $5 per hour in hazard pay for grocery store workers at large area chain operations in the city limits. The action, which passed on March 30, targets these so-called “invisible” employees during the ongoing pandemic. The wage increase covers 120 days or until Contra Costa County reaches the Yellow Tier as set by state health orders, whichever is later.
April 16, 2021
The measure applies to workers in stores or franchisees with 300 or more employees nationwide. Thirteen stores were on a preliminary list presented to the council. Noticeably absent were Costco and Sam’s Club. Costco is regarded as a bulk distributor not defined as a grocery store under city ordinances, and Sam’s Club is in an unincorporated area of the county. The council included a David Scholz credit to companies, includBryan Altuzar, who works at the Safeway Willow Pass Road ing Lucky, Food Maxx and store, fills an online order. He says the hourly bump in his Trader Joe’s, that are already paycheck is a “great thing” and will help with his bills. paying a premium hourly rate during COVID-19. council “stand for those who munity,” Vice Mayor are not able to stand for Dominic Aliano said, POTENTIAL FOR A LEGAL BATTLE themselves.” acknowledging that “invisible Legal counsel for the city He added: “We have to be workers” is an apt description advised that Concord could able to listen to the represen- for these individuals. face legal action by the enti- tatives of the people, and we “This being a blue-collar ties that represent the gro- have to be the representatives community, they were there cery store community, similar of the people. As such, this in a time of need and it is to what has happened in ordinance fits in (with our important for us to support Oakland and San Leandro. duties) to our community and them,” he said. The potential fiscal fallout for the future community by Michelle Wade, who has could mean paying hundreds setting our values forward; worked in customer service of thousands of dollars for this is important and this is for Safeway in Concord for attorney fees and far more proper for us to do.” five years, spoke of contractfor back pay, depending on ing the virus and unknowing‘PUTTING OURSELVES how many employees were ly exposing her kids and pretON THE LINE’ involved. ty much every customer she Numerous representatives encountered. Such issues did not dissuade the council members, from across the union land“If there is a reason for us who heeded the overwhelm- scape weighed in during pub- to wear masks, that means the ing citizen support for the lic comment at the virtual hazard is still there. If the proposal expressed during a meeting. hazard is there, we deserve “It’s important that we as the pay,’’ she said. lengthy public comment perileaders of the community od. “We are putting ourselves Councilman Edi Birsan, recognize the important work on the line every day to help for one, did not pull any that these frontline workers our community,” Wade have been doing in the com- added. punches. “This homey don’t play that game. I am not going to be threatened and bullied by Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and their corporations lawyers,” he said. Birsan advocated that the
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Contra Costa libraries to open April 26 with ‘temporary’ service options April 16, 2021
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
A safe environment is priority one as nearly all Contra Costa County library branches prepare to reopen April 26 with regular hours for the first time in over a year. The hallmark of the effort is a Grab and Go program that emphasizes visits of no more than one hour either for browsing for books or using an available computer. County librarian Alison McKee does not see the reopening as “a new normal” for the system. “The libraries are going to look and feel a little differently at first, but this is a temporary change to library services,” she said. “We have made every effort to prepare our libraries for reopening with as many services as possible while providing an environment that is safe for patrons and staff.” McKee declined to speculate on any further adjustments and when they might occur. “We will continue to increase capacity based on the tier system from the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. We will add more services as the county health officer and the county administrator’s office advises,” she said. Services available as part of the Grab & Go model include browsing the shelves, picking up and checking out holds, signing up for a library card, reference help and account services, and copying. Public computers will also be available with a one-hour limit. Patrons can self-check at every open library. Due to size limitations, the Crockett and Rodeo libraries will continue to offer Front Door Service only. And the Ygnacio Valley and Pinole branches remain shuttered for use as COVID-19 testing sites.
A message on the computer screen will alert patrons if they are permitted to use that specific station at the Concord Library. Chairs will also only be placed at usable stations.
PUTTING SAFETY FIRST Mask requirements will be enforced, as well as additional safety enhancements including plexiglass at service desks, enhanced cleaning of “hightouch” surfaces such as doorknobs, door push bars and elevator buttons and increases to air intake with HVAC systems. “I think our patrons are already prepared. We have all been living through this pandemic for over a year. We are all used to social distancing, masks and changes to services,” said McKee. “In the libraries, we are going to focus on providing a high level of customer service and meeting the needs of our communities in a safe environment.” The occupancy levels will vary from one branch to another, and the number to be allowed in will be posted on the front entrance of each site. Similarly, the number of computers available will vary by location.
“We expect the libraries to stay below capacity for a while because many people do not feel comfortable coming inside buildings yet,” McKee said. While not going as far as to say the pandemic may have forever changed the role of the library, she acknowledged the county’s system has made many adjustments that the public has come to embrace. “Though our circulation of physical materials is down, the numbers for digital circulation are way up. In 2020, we saw more than one million digital checkouts for the first time. We
also saw huge increases in use of online newspapers, streaming videos and digital magazines,” she said. The county libraries have offered services via chat, email and over the phone for years, but McKee reported that requests through these channels have increased in the past year. The organization has added to its operating budget for digital materials, made it easier to obtain a library card online and, in general, worked with many of its partners to feature more digital services for use from home that once were only available in the physical libraries. Complementing the adaption of a wide range of digital offerings was ensuring the staff was prepared for the new demands from the public. They trained personnel on new platforms for creating online programs to accommodate hundreds of recorded videos and live Zoom programs. The system also began lending Wi-Fi hotspots and Raspberry Pis. “We have seen the value of offering more services online, and we will evaluate which services will continue in the coming months,” McKee said.
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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been veriAll verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. fied. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
Clayton resident aims to Stop the Hate with rally downtown
Page 4
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April 16, 2021
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An Asian man subjected to harassment by his Clayton neighbor took a stand against racism with a Stop the Hate rally in the Grove downtown last Saturday. Jonathan Lee, a professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, rallied members of the community, the City Council and fellow SFSU professors to deliver a strong response to anti-Asian hate speech and violence. Those attending the hastily organized event heard statements of solidarity read from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, State Assemblyman Tim Grayson and County Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. “It pains me that we even have to be here today,” Clayton Councilwoman Holly Tillman said, addressing a crowd of about 100. “But I’m grateful that we are all here to support our neighbor who has spoken out and said ‘Enough.’ ” Lee is Chinese, Cambodian and Vietnamese, his husband Mark Quady is white and their 8-year-old son Owen is Hispanic. The biracial/bi-cultural family moved to Clayton in November 2020, looking for a friendly neighborhood and a chance to make new friends. Lee and Quady initially reached out to their nextdoor neighbor in friendship, but the gesture was not met in kind.
Matt Tilman
After troubled encounters with a neighbor, Clayton resident Jonathan Lee organized an anti-racism rally in Clayton on April 10. His 8-year-old son Owen spoke at the event.
ton, D.C., a Confederate flag appeared in the neighbor’s front yard. “I had a visceral reaction,” said Lee. “It haunted me for days.” Lee countered what he saw as overt racism with several Black Lives Matter and We Believe yard signs in front of his home. The neighbor objected to the signs, and it escalated. At one point, the neighbor raised a closed fist in the White Power sign and told Lee, “I’m gonna call the good old boys on you,” a reference ESCALATING RACIAL Lee believes to the KKK. TENSIONS Lee reported the harassOn Jan. 8, two days after the insurrection in Washing- ment to Clayton police and
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This isn’t the first time racism has taken center stage in this small town. In 2019, the city made national news when Canesa’s Deli owner offered a free side dish to anyone who used President Donald Trump supporters’ rally cry of “Send her back,” referring to Rep. Ilhan Omar, when they placed an order. There has been a growing anti-racist movement since the ill-fated BLM march on June 2, 2020, that ended with smoke grenades and tear gas. A peaceful BLM rally in the Grove followed three days later. Anti-racist grassroots groups are growing on social media, and Clayton Speaks sponsored a series of webinars on racism in the community and schools. Last November, voters elected the first Black woman to the Clayton City Council, where Tillman joined two sitting members, Jeff Wan who is Asian, and Jim Diaz, a Hispanic. A community effort is underway to bring a Little Free Anti-Racist Library to town. Despite those gains, resistance is strong. Social media posts desperate to “save Clayton” defend the White Power salute, while others accuse Lee’s supporters of “political opportunism.” The divide appears wider than ever, with those committed to anti-racist action going toe-to-toe with those who believe no racism exists in their mostly white town.
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Concord OKs $1 million to help local businesses with back rent DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
In a move to give already stressed small businesses a bit of breathing room for the rest of 2021, the City Council allocated $1 million in Measure V funds to help fend off displacement of commercial tenants as a local moratorium is lifted June 30. The money will fund 95 $10,000 grants to be paid directly to commercial landlords after the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce approves a joint application with a tenant. The program prioritizes retail, restaurants and personal services, including hair salons, barbers, nail salons, day spas and fitness studios. In addition to having a physical location in the city
can then submit applications April 26-May 14. If the number of applicants exceeds the available funding, it moves to a lottery system. “It is not going to solve everyone’s problem, but it will help,” said Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister, who sees it as “a bridge loan to fill the gap’’ over the next six months. She hopes that applicants left out of the program can get on some kind of waitlist for federal funds expected from the Biden administration. Concord may be eligible for reimbursement for the funding, as it’s the sort of novel program that the federal FEDERAL FUNDING OPTIONS American Rescue Plan is The chamber has begun a designed to support. three-week outreach to commercial landlords and tenants, ‘KEEPING OUR NEIGHBORS EMPLOYED’ including a webinar on April In response to public com21. Businesses and landlords
ment about the absence of tenant will not be evicted prior determine the long-term viability of a tenant, said Guy funding to support other sec- to the end of 2021. tors of the community, Coun“It’s a simple way to stress- Bjerke, director of Economic cilwoman Carlyn Obringer said test the relationship” and Development. she believed this latest action is attempting to serve a wide swath of the community. “This is the opposite side of the same coin – whenever we are enabling businesses to pay rent, we are keeping some of our neighbors employed,” The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce will host a Obringer said. webinar via Zoom at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, to provide Because this program an overview of the city’s new Commercial Rent Relief Prorequires joint participation by gram. the landlord and tenant, ecoThe webinar will explain how to apply and what to expect nomic development officials if the business is selected to receive the grant. A Q&A sesexpect it may not receive a lot sion will allow business owners to ask clarifying questions. of applications. Still, the chamBusinesses must register for the webinar ahead of time to ber’s prior outreach received obtain the Zoom link and are encouraged to submit quespositive support, so there is tions upon registration. optimism going forward. To register for the webinar, visit tinyurl.com/CommercialTo ease concerns that a Grant-Webinar. landlord could take the money For questions about the Measure V Commercial Rent and run, the program includes Relief Program, contact the chamber at 925-685-1181 or signing a Memorandum of grantprogram@concordchamber.com. Understanding that states the
revitalize it, because we recognize the need for a non-profit like this that is education based,” said Melissa Rea, director of programs and marketing for the chamber. “We want to try to grow the fund, using the chamber workforce, to benefit education needs throughout the whole spectrum, including the trades and what services day cares may need,” she added. “We’re really looking at this as a tool to give back to the community in a useful way because education seems to be top of mind right now. It’s a great founda-
will be distributed locally – with the chamber providing labor costs. In lieu of scholarships this year, CAF started by donating $500 to Concord’s KinderCare to purchase headsets for online learning. Rea discovered the need through a conversation with a friend who works there. “She told me she has 20 students in her class, and that’s 20 different teachers in 20 different schools – and the kids can’t hear because they don’t have earbuds,” Rea said. As the CAF fund grows, the chamber hopes to help
limits, the commercial tenant must have an active business license and must be $10,000 or more behind on rent (arrears) between March 31, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Businesses not eligible include lending/investment institutions or insurance business, those engaged in illegal activities, gambling establishments and corporate-owned chains or independent franchises with more than three locations in Concord. Homebased businesses and nonprofits are also excluded. Homebased businesses don’t qualify because they are not paying rent for commercial space.
Webinar for Commercial Rent Relief Program
Concord chamber expanding aid for local education Given the current national spotlight on education, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce is refocusing its Community Alliance for the Future (CAF) to serve a broader spectrum. CAF has been awarding about $3,000 a year in college scholarships to local seniors since its foundation in 1990. Now, the chamber wants to expand the support to other educational venues. “We’re making a push to
tion with a wonderful purpose.” The non-profit CAF started with a $20,000 grant from PG&E, and the chamber has maintained the fund through money raised at the dessert auction at its annual crab feed. As the chamber looks to expand CAF’s focus, the staff is reaching out to chamber members and the community at large for donations. Acknowledging the competitive climate for non-profits, chamber president/CEO Kevin Cabral emphasized that 100 percent of all donations
Search is on for new Concord Naval Weapons Station master developer TAMARA STEINER The Pioneer
The City Council gave the green light to begin looking for a new master developer for the Concord Naval Weapons Station with unanimous approval of a Request for Qualifications at the April 6 meeting. The project has been in review mode since a deal with previous master developer Lennar Concord LLC collapsed in March 2020, after Lennar and the Contra Costa Building Trades Council were unable to reach agreement on
how much union labor the developer would use on the $6 billion project. The next developer must adhere to the city’s Concord First policy, which requires 40 percent of construction labor be local hires and payment of prevailing wage on all construction. This was the issue that sunk the Lennar agreement last year. During the selection process, the council will quiz applicants on their vision for the project as well as their experience and bandwidth to take on a project this size. “We want to pin down
School, from page 1 He supplied The Pioneer with figures from the first few days of hybrid learning: Elementary sites: 7,887 students enrolled in hybrid out of 14,729 total (54% coming to campus) Secondary sites: 5,055 students enrolled in hybrid out of 17,706 total (34% coming to campus) Breidenthal said that “roughly 60% of teachers are working in-person at our school sites.” The MDUSD numbers for middle and high schools were almost identical to CVCHS where executive director Jim Scheible says about 800 students out of the 2,250-member student body (35.5%) were back on campus during the week of Mar 29. The charter school has had about 300 students in cohorts on campus for the majority of the school year and 500 more were in classrooms when the campus started full hybrid learning. Scheible anticipated
that number increasing this week after Spring Break. He added that 77% of CVCHS teachers were conducting instruction on campus.
RECALL OF MDUSD TRUSTEES EFFORT STARTED A group of disgruntled MDUSD parents started an effort in the past two months to recall the five district trustees over their delay in getting children back to on-campus learning. Organizer Walter Eckalbar said, “There is an element of trust that has eroded. I hope nobody sees this as punishment (of the trustees) — this is another means of pressure so the board members hear our voices and react to them.” There are two Facebook pages for the organizers, Contra Costa Parents for In-Person Learning, that have a combined 770 members or likes. Those numbers have not increased appreciably in recent weeks, possibly due to the
their ability to comply with the Area Plan as it exists now and bring up any anticipated changes up front,” Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister said. The RFQ prohibits any applicant from making political contributions to elected city officials or staff or to any candidate running for city office during the selection process. This language was inadvertently left out of the draft, and the council added it back before approving the final RFQ. “We knew this was going to be a part of the agree-
reopening of campuses. To get a recall election on the ballot organizers need to collect signatures from 10% of the registered voters for the three trustees still considered at-large (Linda Mayo, Debra Mason and Cherise Khaund) and 20% of the registered voters in a district for the two newest trustees, Erin McFerrin and Keisha Nzewi, who were the first to be elected in 2020 through district voting. Breidenthal said that board president Khaund was served with notice of intent paperwork last week for her recall. Khaund said, “The Board takes our responsibility to MDUSD families very seriously. In a community where 50% wanted in-person instruction and 50% wanted to stay completely in distance learning, we reopened with a hybrid model only 13 days after Contra Costa entered the red tier. This pandemic has been devastating, and our district is focused on supporting all children and families through this difficult time. “To return to in person learning, we ensured safe
ment, so we had the language ready,” Councilman Edi Birsan said in answer to public comment criticizing the omission. “We don’t condone bribery.” Deadline for application is June 18, with interviews and review throughout the summer. Council expects to wrap up the process and finalize an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement by Sept. 23. Funding for the selection process comes from previous loans from the city to the Local Reuse Authority. Once selected, the master developer will pick up all costs.
learning environments for children and staff. The Board approved MDUSD’s COVID safety plan, advocated for vaccines for all school staff, and personally visited schools to see that protocols were enacted. Returning before these systems were in place would have irresponsibly put lives at risk.” She concluded, “We all want safe learning environments for our children, and we can never rush that or cut corners. Today we have over 13,000 students learning on our campuses and we are on track for fully reopening this fall.” District spokesman Breidenthal added, “We are not here to tell you that any parents are wrong for having feelings, but I can tell you that since February [when the recall group started], our landscape has changed dramatically for the better, with our county health improving, schools reopening, students safely on campus and a joint statement with our teachers union about a full reopening in the fall.”
more local organizations. “The idea would be to identify needs in the community, through all levels of education, and provide them support to try to solve their needs,” Rea said. “Giving someone $500 is nice, but we’d really rather give
them $5,000,” Cabral noted. “We’d like to have more money in there to make an impact.”
To make a donation to CAF or for more information, visit concordchamber.com/community-alliancefor-the-future.
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April 16, 2021
Two programs aim to boost Concord businesses
The city of Concord has been working diligently to not only help residents but to support the small business community as well. I am pleased to announce a new grant program that will provide 95 businesses with much-needed rent relief. The City Council approved $1 million in Measure V funding to create a commercial rent relief program, which will offer onetime grants of $10,000 to
city’s small businesses by encouraging residents to shop locally during the holiday season. When the campaign relaunches, the city will kick it off with a $10,000 contribution. Those who purchase a $20 gift card will receive a $10 bonus, and $50 gift card purchasers will get a $25 bonus. Visit concordfirst.com for updates. To support residents across the county, the city of Concord was honored to partner with Contra Costa Health Services and Kaiser Permanente to help expand vaccine distribution. On March 30, a drive-through vaccination site began operating at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Concord. I was excited to have been a part of the press conference and opening day of the clinic.
We all know Hurricane Harbor as a fun and exciting waterpark for all ages, but unfortunately, like many other businesses, it has been closed to help get a handle on this deadly virus. I am grateful that this venue can now benefit families in a different way. Contra Costa Health Services has done an amazing job with distributing the COVID19 vaccine. Not only was the county the first in the state to make the vaccine available to everyone 16 and older, but as of April 5, 476,064 people have been partially vaccinated and 271,345 have been fully vaccinated. I want to encourage everyone to get vaccinated and then make sure that your family (including your teenage and young adult children),
friends and neighbors know how to make vaccine appointments. Contra Costa Health Services also has “Help Your Neighbor Get Vaccinated” resources available at coronavirus.cchealth.org/appointment-guide. Lastly, I want to share information about the latest “Concord Connected” pod-
Fire season is around the corner, and it’s critical that we start preparing now to keep ning Commission, bringing our communities safe. the commission back to full A report from San Jose strength. There will be open State’s Fire Weather Research seats on the Planning Commission again this June. Please Laboratory warns of extremely low moisture content in consider applying when the vegetation across the state and process is announced. widespread drought. It’s a The city reviewed and warning Californians know all approved the Diablo Meadtoo well and cannot delay in ows housing development. Council approved funding confronting. Preparation is the best way for two new police patrol vehicles to replace aging ones. to stop a fire in its tracks and is something that every homeWe proclaimed March 11, owner can do. Three proven 2021, as “Bob and Eldora fire-prevention methods at the Hoyer Day.” As of this writing, it looks disposal of our residents are weed abatement, tree limb as though SB9 (reference trimming and creating defenMarch 2021 Pioneer) may sible space. make it through the Senate. Weed abatement involves We will continue to put pressure on our state legislators to cutting grasses down to 3 further our position as this bill inches or less. Clear tree limbs works its way to the Assembly. as much as possible from the We may call upon you to assist us by writing letters to your state representatives stating your thoughts on SB9, as well as on other bills that arise. We encourage you to stay involved and to join the City Council and Planning Commission meetings, currently held via ZOOM. We will provide monthly legislative updates during council meetings. When you cannot attend, we urge you to watch the video replays. Find information on these meetings and videos at ci.clay- BRIAN HELMICK, CHIEF EAST CONTRA COSTA FIRE ton.ca.us. You can also subPROTECTION DISTRICT scribe to e-notifications there to get city information sent directly to you. With the mostly dry winter and the predicted intensity of Send questions and comments the 2021 fire season, the fire to cwolfe@ci.clayton.ca.us, or call district is addressing hazards (925) 673-7324 earlier than ever.
ground up to 10 feet high. If a fire starts on the ground, nearby low branches can create a ladder effect for a fire to climb into the tree canopy. Once a fire reaches the canopy, it’s called a crown fire. It can grow and spread much more easily to homes, structures and other vegetation. Defensible space involves creating space around your home by removing thick brush, flammable debris or vegetation. The Contra Costa Fire Protection District recommends eliminating this dry, combustible fuel within 100 feet of your home. Creating defensible space is especially crucial if you live on a steep or dry hillside. Proper defensible space dramatically increases the chance of your house surviving a wildfire. ConFire is also working
hard to prepare for this year’s fire season. We recently welcomed five new fire inspectors for the Fire Prevention Bureau, which is identifying and mitigating fire risks throughout the county to keep residents safe. The department also has several guides on its website to help the community prepare for fire season. For more information on preparing defensible space and weed abatement, visit cccfpd.org/defensible-space. For more information on general wildfire preparedness, visit ccfpd.org/ResidentsWildlandFireGuide. If you need assistance installing smoke detectors or creating an emergency escape plan, reach out to the American Red Cross at redcross.org and look for the Bay Area chapter.
We have reviewed and modified our program with the hope of achieving abatement well prior to the dry heat of the summer months. We are asking all of our communities to assist with the prevention of fires by having their properties abated and maintained by May 15 in the Local Response Area of East County and within 30 days of your defensible space inspection in the State Response Area of Marsh Creek and
Morgan Territory. On May 16, we will begin our inspections of those properties known to the district of having annual and reoccurring hazards with an aggressive hazard mitigation plan of removing combustible items. We will also be accepting complaints of properties unknown to the district and will begin the education/enforcement process to have the properties become fire safe.
Time and time again, we have seen the threat fire has on our area. Please take the time now to help us protect our communities. As always, please be safe, be aware and keep up to date on the district’s activities through our website, social media or attending a monthly fire board meeting.
In the early 2000s, he cochaired the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission, which advised the federal government on how to increase U.S. Department of Defense efficiency in part through the closure of military bases. Very few are aware of his service on BRAC, but it was instrumental in the closure of the Concord Naval Weapons Station and its eventual availability to the city of Concord. Even then, the major general had a vision for this land and how it could benefit our community as a long-term source of revenue. When the Great Recession hit, the city of Concord had dangerously low reserves. Dan worked with his colleagues on
the council to truly save our city and rebuild the reserves account to an astounding 30 percent. He always kept in mind the people and families of Concord, doing everything he could to serve them well and fairly. During the recession, our public service officers in Concord personally sacrificed a lot in terms of wages and benefits, and did so voluntarily. Dan worked hard to make sure that our peace officers were made whole and secured a fair contract that aligned with the financial recovery of the city. He always had a heart for the people of Concord and the well-being of the city first and foremost, whether it be reducing fees, promoting
local jobs or government efficiency. This is just a brief snapshot of his service. In the time I was privileged to know him, I witnessed his love for his family and friends, his commitment to his fellow veterans and service members and his passion for improving our community. I am comforted by the knowledge that his legacy will live on and the work of his life will continue to be felt by us all. Dan, I love you and I miss you sorely.
local small businesses. Applications open at 8 a.m. Monday, April 26, and close at 5 p.m. Friday, May 14. For more information, visit concordfirst.com. I am also excited to share that we will relaunch the “Shop Concord” gift card program soon. The city and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce created “Shop Concord” in November 2020 to help support the
Clayton residents: State of the city is sound
The City Council, Planning Commission and staff have been working hard to stay on top of various projects and city business, as well as the growing list of legislation coming from the state that may/will affect Clayton. Here are some highlights: Our city budget is approved and strong. We are also applying for various grant opportunities and will soon receive funds from the federal American Rescue Plan. We will identify the best utilization of those funds as soon as we have them. The council held its annual goal-setting session and has a list of both achievable and aspirational objectives. A priority is to start the process of identifying possible uses for the vacant land at the entrance to downtown. We will ask citizens to get involved in this process to ensure the widest cross-section of thoughts and opinions and to achieve the best possible future use. The Do the Right Thing program has restarted, honoring outstanding students from Mt. Diablo Elementary and Diablo View Middle schools. March had “integrity” as its core value pillar, and the program awarded five students for their efforts. From MDE, Daelyn Chippero and Emma Del Bianco; from DVMS, Corinne Jeandheur, Ruby Nunez and Yoseph Sakhi. Congratulations to these fine students. April will honor students leading the way in “courage.” We installed new lighted stop signs, along with some new crosswalk striping, near the schools. City Manager Reina Schwartz is working on recruitment to fill the vacant community development director position. The ad hoc Public Safety Committee met and worked with residents of the Keller Ridge/Kelok Way areas to mitigate traffic, noise and safety concerns. Ed Miller joined the Plan-
CARL “CW” WOLFE
CLAYTON MAYOR
TIM MCGALLIAN
CONCORD MAYOR
Creating defensible space can save your home in a fire
cast. On the April 1 episode, I check in with Lavonna Martin, director of the county’s Department of Health, Housing and Homeless Services. Lavonna tells us how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our unsheltered residents and how the Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement (CORE) team is supporting the Concord community. You can find all the podcasts on Apple, Spotify or Soundcloud. For direct links, visit cityofconcord.org/news. I am proud of the city of Concord and its residents for continuing to work together to help one another and the community, and I look forward to the months ahead. Mayor Tim McGallian can be reached at 925.671.2489 or email Tim.McGallian@cityofconcord.org
KAREN MITCHOFF
COUNTY
SUPERVISOR
If you would like more information regarding weed abatement or wish to report an exterior weed hazard in your neighborhood, call the Exterior Hazard Control Division at 925-941-3300, ext. 1505. If you have any additional questions, contact ConFire at info@cccfpd.org.
Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Mitchoff at supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us
Take weed abatement seriously and avoid citation
For more information, please visit the Fire Prevention link at www.eccfpd.org.
Reflecting on Maj. Gen. Helix’s local legacy
partner. Since his death, I’ve found myself reflecting often on his legacy. You would be hard pressed to find an aspect of life in our community that Dan did not personally work on to improve. TIM GRAYSON He was an American hero and Korean War veteran who 14TH ASSEMBLY retired after an esteemed and DISTRICT decorated 41 years of service in Last month, we suffered a both the Army and Army Reserve. However, his service great loss with the death of retired Maj. Gen. Dan Helix, a to his country and community did not end there. During the former mayor and council 1960s and 1970s, Dan served as member in Concord. a mayor and council member in The Pioneer honored his Concord and as a director of life by publishing his accomplishments and personal story, BART. He returned to the City Council in 2010 and served and many others in the community shared their memories through 2016. It was during this time that I had the privilege of of him. Dan was my close serving alongside Dan and had friend, mentor and prayer
the opportunity to learn how he had shaped our community in the past and witness how he continued to lead. The millions of memories made at the Concord Pavilion – from concerts to high school graduations to community events – all have a place in Dan’s legacy. During his service to the city of Concord in the early 1970s, Dan was instrumental in the vision and creation of the pavilion. He worked closely with local developer Ken Hofmann to retain land dedicated to the project. Decades later, he revived the pavilion by establishing a strong relationship with Live Nation and negotiating a contract that was more favorable for the city.
Reach Assemblyman Tim Grayson at (925) 521-1511. Visit or write the district office 2151 Salvio Street, Suite P, Concord, CA 94520
O bituaries April 16, 2021
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
Merle Calvin Hufford Jr.
ber of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He played multiple instruments, including trumpet in the Husky Marching Band. It was not uncommon to have an impromptu sing-along around a piano. After college, he got a job at Standard Oil (Chevron) and moved from Seattle to Merle Calvin Hufford Jr. died March 2 with his devoted San Francisco. On a visit wife Vicki, daughter Heidi and home, he met his love Vickbeloved golden retriever Holly ums. They were married just shy of 53 years. After 32 by his side. He was 80 years years with Chevron, he old. retired in 1997. He was born in Port During his Chevron Townsend, Wash. He graduated from Port Townsend High tenure, he became a CPA and School and was known as MC had the great fortune of taking his family on assignment by many growing up. He graduated in account- to London and the jungle in Sumatra, Indonesia. He traving from the University of Washington and was a mem- eled and played golf around
March 2, 2021
the world. He was an avid lover of golf, Washington Huskies, Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. His career was mainly in the Bay Area, living in his beloved town of Clayton. During retirement, he kept busy with a new career of volunteerism. He worked as Clayton city treasurer for 20 years, Chevron Retirees Association treasurer for eight years and an AARP tax consultant doing taxes for seniors for many years. He was a member of the Clayton Business & Community Association and loved volunteering for many Clayton events. He also enjoyed playing bocce for the Clayton Bocce Association. No worries though, he managed to
James (Jim) Michael Seven
Long time resident James (Jim) Michael Seven died in March. He was 77. He was born in Grand Forks, N.D., to Ruth Kilgore Seven and Sosthene Seven. He moved to Eugene, Ore., at a young age. He attended St. Mary’s grade school, where he met his future wife, Shannon Starr, in the first grade. (It turned out that both Jim and Shannon were one of 10 children.) Jim graduated from St. Francis High School and won a scholarship to Oregon State University, where he studied engineering for two years. He then transferred to the University of Oregon, where he graduated in accounting and business. He was recruited by Standard Oil (Chevron) and had a satisfying career for 34 years.
At one point, Jim was offered the opportunity to work in New Orleans and the family moved there for an enjoyable two years. When they returned to California, they settled in Clayton. Jim was active in Sons in Retirement (SIRS) and participated in everything the organization offered. He was also treasurer of the Clayton Historical Society and a volunteer when needed for Oktoberfest and the Clayton Art & Wine Festival. He played on the local bocce team. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Church in Concord. Sports were a big part of Jim’s life. He never missed the Giants and Warriors and would also watch the recorded games again. His life revolved around attending his grandkids’ sporting events in cross
Crime, from page 1 certain crimes but only with the permission of the district attorney. She says there have been discussions with the chief and his staff on the concept. Later, McGallian told the Pioneer the idea was in “real simple planning stages,” adding that “there’s a limited amount we can do, legally.” Brown said one approach could be to focus on diversion programs to help avoid recidivism. “The diversion would be to try to get these folks into treatment – mental health treatment, alcohol treatment, drug treatment – because those are typically the root causes of some of these repeated crimes,” she said. Bustillos pointed to the city’s upcoming Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) pilot program to help provide such interventions. “We’re gonna already know who some of these folks are, because we’ve had frequent interactions with them.”
weapon or Great Bodily Injury to the lesser charge of petty theft. On March 30, a coalition of California district attorneys, police, business leaders and crime victims held a news conference to express opposition to the bill.
COVID’S IMPACT ON CRIME In reviewing Concord’s fiveyear stats, Bustillos said crime in the city is “fairly consistent.” That said, the COVID pandemic and Shelter-In-Place orders likely affected crime levels over the last 12 months. Comparing 2020 to 2019, rapes were down 43 percent (67 to 38), robberies down 26 percent (234 to 172), larceny-thefts down 25 percent (3,512 to 2,621) and aggravated assaults down 7 percent (228 to 211). Burglaries, however, were up 7 percent (434 to 467) and motor vehicle thefts went up 13 percent (614 to 695). The homicide rate was unchanged, with three deaths in each year. Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister expressed concern that the decrease in rapes may actually be due to a lack of reporting. “There isn’t really a place for them to go because of the pandemic, so they’re just tolerating it because they don’t have any other choice,” she said. Acknowledging the potential for underreporting, the chief said he expected an increase in rape cases as restrictions continue to be lifted.
POLITICAL PRESSURE The chief encouraged council members to bring their concerns to the district attorney. “We will continue to arrest those folks. We’ll try to bundle cases, cajole, guilt, shame, whatever, get some charges put on some people,” Bustillos said. “But we have a strong headwind. … The rest of the justice system is doing what they want, going through their great experiment, and we have no control over that.” A new state Senate bill, SB EFFORTS ON GANGS, 82, could further muddy the THE HOMELESS waters by downgrading some On a positive note, the chief felony robberies to misdenoted that police seized 116 meanors. The bill would redefine firearms in 2020. a robbery without the use of a
schedule a round of golf in between duties. Merle is survived by his wife Vicki, daughter Heidi Kime and her husband Brad, his grandchildren Baxter and Hadley, sister Carolyn Abolins and her husband Talis, and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thank you to his amazing caregivers, Mark, Brian, Bhey and Rex, as well as the impressive care team with Hospice of East Bay. A private celebration will be held later this year. Donations can be made to City of Clayton, Merle Hufford Memorial Bench, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton CA 94517 or Hospice East Bay at hospiceeastbay.org.
Page 7
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country, track, soccer and baseball. He was the one who talked most of them into running cross country and track. Jim was proud of his own athletic accomplishments. He loved to quote from the newspaper clipping from when his high school team won the state basketball tournament. He was described as “the slim junior with lightning fast hands.” He was a master at jigsaw puzzles and Apple products of any kind. He kept up on all the latest gadgets and continued to educate himself. He was a whiz at numbers and enjoyed investing. He traveled and loved planning the trips. He leaves his wife Shannon and their four children, Shelley Hight (Terry), Jason Seven, Jeremy Seven and Amanda Gioia (Dave). His
grandchildren are Madison and Emma Hight, Charlotte Seven, and Charlie, Tommy, Henry and Teddy Gioia. Jim is also survived by his siblings, Robert, Liz, Janet, Lois, Richard, Scott and John. He was predeceased by two sisters, Linda and Marianne. There will be a private funeral mass for family friends in late April at St. Bonaventure’s Church in Concord.
“Each firearm we take off the street, or take off a person during an investigation, in my experience represents multiple felony crimes,” he said, adding that none of those firearms were owned legally. The joint Operation Boulevard Blues sweep also had an impact on gang activity in Concord, with several people in leadership roles jailed. “But as with any organization, the younger generation is up and coming and we’ll have to establish who that leadership is,” he said. “But to the eye, when you drive and look at some of the locations that were quote ‘hangouts,’ there are fewer.” As for another chronic issue in Concord, the chief said his
department follows county protocols for when to break up homeless encampments. “Unless there are health and safety code violations or criminal violations, we’re not moving encampments,” he said. “But when there are needles, health and safety violations, open flames in fields, peeking on neighbors, defecating on neighbor’s lawns or backyards, making neighbors feel captive within their home, then we are going in, doing the process of tagging encampments, using the CORE (Coordinated Outreach Referral Engagement team) to see if we can get people some services and then abating the encampments.”
Tamara Steiner
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Questions of and about the homeless
Page 8
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
structured campsites for people experiencing homelessness? 6. Do you believe that if Concord provides more services for people experiencing homelessness, that more unhoused people will come to EDI BIRSAN Concord? These touch in a general PULSE OF manner and leads to questions CONCORD like: if people want homeless living in parks then which one(s). If not in parks then There is not a homeless problem. There are many prob- where? If you are to provide garbage pick ups and porta-potlems so forget the idea that ties then where are they to be there is ‘a’ problem. provided if there are not stable The current survey: locations? If put in an area will www.PulseOfConcord.com they attract homeless? If there deals with a few Homeless is a stable location who is going questions but there are many more aspects not only of what to be responsible for security, the sheltered think in regard to safety and health? How many the homeless but trying to get a should be in a single location better understanding of them as and what are the screening techniques and what do you do with people. Here are the questions those that do not meet the that are asked in the screening. Ask yourself this: Survey and PLEASE take it: 1. Should homeless encamp- 100 homeless people in a single location a major portion with ments be allowed in public mental illness, addiction, PTSD parks? 2. Should homeless encamp- (after all living on the streets for ments be allowed under bridges years seems like an ideal situation for PTSD), etc. What could and/or along go wrong? creek/stream/river beds? Trying to find paths out of 3. Should the city provide their situations also rests with porta-potties for homeless those willing to take the path. I encampments? am glad to report some recent 4. Should the city provide success from CORE where a garbage service for homeless runaway kid was reunited with encampments? family and another was sent to 5. Should the city provide
ALL
THE
COLORS
Despite recent brazen acts of violence fueled by hate and fear, there is tremendous opportunity for continued learning and education of each of our loveliness, identities, histories, lived experiences, cultures and circumstances. I recently sat with a young Black trans woman and listened to her lifelong story of trauma. Stories like hers of rape, rejection, harm, imprisonment and invalidation plague our communities. I thought, “How can I ever do enough to help make this world a safer place?” This young person has light despite the insurmountable injustice they have endured. They have hope for a future, specific aspirations and a desire to share their love and gifts with the world. There are times when you realize you can’t do it by yourself. That you alone are simply not able to reflect enough light to see and be seen. We need mirrors. We need representation and visibility. This young woman was a mirror for me. They inspired me to reflect light back to them. I left feeling motivated. But when I encountered another story of hate in our community the next day, it was like the air deflated and the light dimmed. Fear crept back in. Do we name the confederate flag flown in the face of gay neighbors these past few months in Clayton, accompanied with “White Power!” paired with a Nazi salute? Do we acknowledge the damning postcards and letters sent to our staff members because
sometimes year after year. Another confounding aspect we need to question for ourselves: who are the homeless that the public is most concerned about. So far the answer would appear to be those that you see roaming around with a stolen shopping cart or some carriage with the piles of their possessions, or those camping in sight. Yet those are typically the most difficult to get on a
path. There are many more who do not want to be seen or if you saw them you would not say they were homeless and they are maybe the most successful transition candidates. CORE has a tough job and privacy rules sometimes prevent them from sharing their successes which are out there. So please help with this set of questions at www.PulseOfConcord.com and let us see
what it leads to in a future follow up of the next set of questions. The views contained herein *(or is there above) are the views and ramblings of Edi Birsan personally and not to be confused with the press releases of any organization or dis-organization or un-organization.
Send comments to EdiBirsan@gmail.com or 510-812-8180.
Some historical perspective on two old homes slated for demo
Family, neighbors and friends rallied to help Clarence build his three-bedroom, onebathroom bungalow, which also included a brick-lined DEBBIE EISTETTER well, a basement and a unique THE WAY slate roof. As is true with any WE WERE house, it was subject to wear and tear by people and the elements. The beautiful roof This is a brief homage to sustained damage from a bultwo modest Clayton homes, let when Clarence’s son accieach 90 or so years old, that dently discharged his gun are scheduled to be demolished prior to construction of while cleaning it in his bedthe Olivia apartment complex room, and the basement was prone to flooding from the later this year. nearby creek. (A branch of The houses are on the edge of the downtown, across Diablo Creek used to run the street from the Stranahan behind these houses until it was rerouted.) neighborhood on a 3.3-acre In the late 1940s, Clarence parcel that was rezoned in and wife, Alma Rasmussen, 2011 from rural/agricultural were blessed and surprised by to multi-family density. the birth of Ruth, who arrived The builder and first resi19 years after their last child. dent of the white stucco A cow that grazed in the field house with brown trim at next to the house provided 6450 Marsh Creek Road was Clarence Frank, a member of milk for their growing little girl. Ruth was allowed to roam the formidable Frank family freely between her house and whose ancestors had arrived they simply work for Rainthe one next door and just in the 1870s. Through the bow? Do we hide the Facemarriages of their many chil- down the road. book messages diligently so as dren, numerous Clayton famiThis second house was to not perpetuate the harm lies could boast of at least one built around the same time that we are “teaching filth” and was owned by Albert Frank relative. and “the harmful LGBTQ+ ideology”? Do we continue to advoSponsored Content cate for our neurodiverse adult community members who are forbidden to continue to be connected to the queer community they have been a part of for years? Do we make known unspeakable verbal and physical abuse that goes unaddressed in Bay Area and/or rodents have not worn jails and prisons when it thin during the winter seaLGBTQI+ community memson. Lack of insulation can bers are arrested for DWB cause you to use refrigerant at (Driving While Black) and not an accelerated rate or build up read their Miranda Rights? S COTT D ENSLOW frost on your lines, which can Who speaks for them? Who is idle your system. acknowledging them? ASK THE EXPERT Check the top grill, side How do you pick your batunits and fan blades for rusted tles when the battle is so conAs the weather heats up, components or excessive vegstant, clever and unrelenting? it’s wise to do some seasonal etation and debris. Rust can Can we lead with love when maintenance before flicking cause fan blades to wobble we are targeted and fearful? that AC switch: and potentially damage your We are persistent and we Inspect the insulation compressor. It’s cheaper to are tired. We are light and we sleeve on the refrigerant line replace the blades than deal need to see it reflected back to to ensure that the elements us, so we do not fall victim to fear. Tell someone in the LGBTQI+ community how much they matter and that they are valued. Show up in solidarity with your neighbors to support the targeted. Write a letter to your city or send a As baseball season begins love note of appreciation to this month in partially filled staLGBTQI+ advocates. Sit with diums, every crack of a bat proa child and remind them that pels a baseball into the atmosthey are loved no matter phere. whom they love or what their How far a ball travels gender is or may become. depends on the forces of Flood social media with physics, including the effects of your joy and appreciation for weather conditions. our beautiful and diverse Pitch velocity, bat speed and intersections. Do not wait. We the launch angle of the bat on WOODY WHITLATCH need you now. the ball largely determine how “Darkness cannot drive WEATHER WORDS far the struck sphere will travel. out darkness; only light can do Fielders are aware that weather that. Hate cannot drive out variables like wind, temperature toward center field can carry a hate; only love can do that.” – and humidity also play a role in routine fly ball into the bleachMartin Luther King Jr. ers. altering the flight path of a Even at lower wind speeds, baseball. Kiku Johnson is Rainbow there is a noticeable effect on Of all the weather variables, Community Center’s executive flight distance. A 5 mph wind wind has the greatest effect on director. As a man of color and blowing out to center field can a batted ball. Both wind directrans experience, Kiku has invested tion and wind speed influence add about 10 percent to the dishis life engaging and elevating youth where a ball will land. tance of a ball hit well enough and adult voices of marginalized Strong crosswinds can pro- to travel into the outfield. intersectional identities. Send Warm air is less dense than pel popups out of the reach of questions and comments to cool air. For example, air densithe fastest fielders. Winds that kiku@rainbowcc.org. ty is about 7 percent higher on blow hard from home plate
A call for the light of love KIKU JOHNSON
a supporting friends in another state. Sadly there are also those that refuse help for now. For example we now have a $1400 Stimulus program for ALL, which takes just a little effort with help from the services to get for the unsheltered who are eligible and yes I will use the word ‘entitled’ to, yet just this week an individual I spoke to just refused. You have to simply keep going in engagement
April 16, 2021
Clarence Frank built the stucco house at 6450 Marsh Creek Road, which is set to be demolished to make way for apartments.
“Curly” Rasmussen and his wife, Lois Frank, who was Clarence’s sister. It was sold to George “Honey” Robinson and his wife, Alice Margarethe Rasmussen, Albert’s sister, who was fondly known as “Auntie.” Little Ruth enjoyed taking off on her own to visit Auntie’s house, and the family often used a crank phone between the two houses to warn of her whereabouts. Sometimes she would include a visit to Mrs. Graves at the Stranahan Ranch across the
street. Through the years, both houses have been remodeled, rented and sold and now will soon be gone. But it’s important to remember a little history of the people who lived there.
Debbie Eistetter is a board member of the Clayton Historical Society. For more information or to become a member, visit claytonhistory.org. The Clayton Museum is open 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays at 6101 Main St.. Admission is free.
Stay cool – and check out your AC before summer hits with the bill of a new compressor. Ensure the mounting and bolts are secure. Seismic activity over time can loosen bolts, which can cause the unit to wobble off the foundation when in operation. I’ve seen this in the field. Once the AC is up and running, check each room to ensure good air flow. Low flow could be due to an obstruction or leak in your air ducts, which will add up on
your power bill. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way in keeping you cool this summer.
Scott Denslow is the owner of Safe at Home Inspection Service. He is an InterNACHI and ASHI certified inspector who has 47 five-star ratings on Yelp. Contact him at scott@safeathomellc.com. For more info visit www.safeathomellc.com. See ad, page 12.
Of windy weather and fly balls a 50-degree night game than a 90-degree afternoon contest. A batted ball stroked hard enough to travel 350 feet on the cool night would travel about 365 feet on the hot afternoon. Calculating the effects of increasing relative humidity is a bit trickier. A common assumption is that moist air is heavier than dry air, and, therefore, more dense. Actually, the opposite is true. The molecular weights of nitrogen and oxygen, which make up 99 percent of our atmosphere, are 38 and 32 atomic units, respectively. Water vapor only has an atomic weight of 18 atomic units. Increasing the humidity, which means adding water vapor molecules to replace dry air molecules, actually results in less dense air. Unlike wind and temperature, the effect of increased relative humidity on distance trav-
eled is slight. At a temperature of 70 degrees, a ball hit 350 feet will travel about one foot farther if the relative humidity is increased by 30 percent. When air becomes extremely moist, condensation begins and microscopic water droplets start to form. In that case, a fly ball would begin to absorb some of the moisture and gain weight, shortening the distance it would travel. On Opening Day this year, the first home run of the new season sailed through snow flurries in Detroit before landing in the stands. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone calculates how far that homer would have traveled if it hadn’t collided with all those snowflakes.
Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist retired from PG&E. Email your questions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com
Assembly bills aim to reduce fire risks, protect homeowners April 16, 2021
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
Assemblyman Marc Levine a Public Safety Power Shut(D-Marin) announced a packoff (PSPS). age of bills to support home- • 1409, requiring a local govowners living in high climate ernment’s general plan to crisis risk areas like Clayton, include emergency evacuawhile also helping prevent tion locations. property loss by encouraging • 1439, requiring property planning that takes the realiinsurance providers to take ties of the climate crisis at into consideration local govface value. ernment investments in wildThe Assembly will considfire prevention when deterer the bills this spring: mining insurance rates. • 1403, allowing a governor or • 1445, requiring a local govlocal government to declare a ernment to take emergency state of emergency related to evacuation capacity and the
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Following the devastation in Paradise caused by the 2018 Camp Fire, Levine successfully authored legislation that required local government general plans to include emergency evacuation routes necessary to protect lives during an emergency. Levine’s AB 1409 would update this law by requiring local general plans to include specific emergency evacuation locations. Devastating wildfires, floods and other natural disasters over the past decade have forced state and local governments to rethink their roles in reducing future wildfire, flood and climate crisis risk. Levine’s AB 1439 would incentivize local governments to make investments in reducing and mitigatmately, they failed. Nature is applications or whole new ing wildfire risk by requiring a not always kind. industries. Some examples, like residential property insurance this one, are obvious. Others discount if a local government FINDING COMMERCIAL are more subtle but just as adopts a dedicated local fire SUCCESS impactful. The Commonwealth ScienSo, what is my answer to the prevention program. Governments must also take tific and Industrial Research question “What good is basic into account where we grow. Agency (CSIRO), the Australian research?” It’s a journey that Levine’s AB 1445 would require laboratory where O’Sullivan can lead to amazing things we a local government to take worked, was looking for ways can’t begin to imagine, and the to commercialize their capabili- only map we have is curiosity. ties in radio astronomy. Isn’t that enough? In the early 1990s, the development of wireless networking Steve Gourlay is a career scienwas a major technical challenge tist with a PhD in experimental Two small grassfires of interest to many companies particle physics. He recently retired reported less than 15 minutes around the world. The main after working at the Fermi National apart April 7 loudly signaled obstacle to wireless networking Accelerator Laboratory, CERN the arrival of fire season. was that radio signals bounced (the European Center for Nuclear The fires were report just around, off walls, ceilings and Research) and the Lawrence Berke- before 6 p.m., first on Mitchell objects in a room – arriving at ley National Laboratory. Send Canyon Rd. followed by the different times. questions and comments to him at second at Peacock Creek Dr. This problem was well-suit- sgpntz@outlook.com. and Clayton Rd. ed to the technology that O’Sullivan and his team had already developed. All they had to do was dust off their previous work and find a way to put their mathematical algorithm on a microchip. Which they did. Their technology, known as Wireless LAN or WiFi, appeared on the market in 1999 and was made an industry stansee “Judas & the Black Messidard. Look at the specs on your ah” or “The Father.” laptop and you’ll find IEEE “Mank.” With a script 802.11, the networking standard written decades ago by his used on hundreds of millions JEFF MELLINGER father, David Fincher nails of devices all over the world. this ode to classic Hollywood. S CREEN S HOTS (https://csiropedia.csiro.au/wir Shot in stunning black and eless-lans/) In the weirdest 365 days white, “Mank” tells the fasciThere are many more stoany of us will ever experience, nating story of screenwriter ries like this, where fundamental movies have undoubtedly proHerman Mankiewicz and his research has led to unexpected vided an escape. time spent while writing “CitiHowever, in another cruel zen Kane.” Flashbacks show twist of fate, said escape had us how he ingrained himself to take place in our homes, into Hollywood elite’s inner from which most of us could circle, winding up with a job not escape. for the ages. A But after seeing only two “Trial of the Chicago 7.” films in theaters between March Aaron Sorkin brings together a 2020 and March 2021, I saw fantastic cast to shine a light on three in the first week of April. the absolute sham of a “trial” This year’s best picture involving seven men accused of bruising on her cousin’s body. Oscar nominees all seem to starting anti-war riots in 1968 The bruising persists throughhave the same common theme: Chicago. Frank Langella is out the summer, but she says individuals deeply set in their nothing, attributing it to Daisy’s ways must adapt to major chal- dynamite as the pathetic Judge Julius Hoffman. Sacha Baron rambunctious brothers and ban- lenges to their lifestyles. I Cohen is rightly nominated as ishing thoughts that it might be enjoyed the six films I got to best supporting actor for his portrayal of Abbie Hoffmann. See Books, page 13 see. I did not get a chance to impacts of climate change into consideration when determining future housing development. • 1522, prohibiting an insurer from denying a property owner insurance coverage just because the property is in a high-risk wildfire area. In October 2019, PG&E initiated a series of PSPS events that left millions of Californians without electricity. The unprecedented scale of these power shutoffs significantly impacted
first responders and left millions of residents and small businesses scrambling to find alternative sources of electricity. Because they were planned electrical outages, they did not meet the existing definition of emergency – thus delaying state and local government emergency declarations. Levine’s AB 1403 would give a governor and local leaders explicit authority to declare an emergency based upon a PSPS and ensure a rapid deployment of resources.
The story of black holes and WiFi
When people find out what I do for a living, they often ask: “What good is basic research?” It’s a fair question, so you might think that by now I would have a good, quick answer. But each time, I struggle to try and figure out what they might think is “good.” I’m going to give you one of several examples of the STEPHEN GOURLAY consequences of basic research and then give you my SCIENCE BYTES answer for the real reason at supermassive compact object at the end of this article. the center of our galaxy that, BASIC VS APPLIED RESEARCH for lack of a better explanation, is a black hole. Basic research, sometimes (nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/ referred to as pure, fundamental 2020/press-release/) or curiosity-driven, is used to What you may not be aware improve scientific theories in of is that in 1974, Professor order to better understand and Stephen Hawking predicted the predict natural phenomena. existence of “mini” black holes One example is particle physics, the size of a proton with a where the general goal is to mass of a mere billion tons. He understand the fundamental also predicted that these mini aspects of matter and energy black holes would evaporate or and how they interact. explode, emitting a tiny radio Applied or directed research signal. is aimed at answering specific A group of Australian radio questions or solving practical astronomers, led by Dr. John problems: finding a cure for O’Sullivan, decided they would cancer or making a more effitry to detect the signals from cient battery for electric cars. these exploding mini black I’m assuming that most holes. This was a daunting task readers have heard of black because the universe is full of holes, the incredibly massive, radio waves and the tiny signals compact objects with an insathey were looking for were lost tiable appetite for matter. In in a sea of “noise.” fact, the 2020 Nobel Prize in the process, they develIn physics was for the prediction oped a mathematical techof black holes based on Einnique to try and sort out the stein’s Theory of General Relasignals they were seeking. Ultitivity and the discovery of a
Fires in Clayton
SUNNY SOLOMON
BOOKIN’ WITH SUNNY
It was book-sorting time around the scatter last week when I came across Alice McDermott’s “Child of My Heart.” The book was a gift from the widowed husband of a dear friend and, although I wrapped it in protective Mylar, it remained unread. My loss, but now both my and your gain. I never hesitate to review an older book when it’s from a novelist as fine as McDermott and can still be found in used bookstores or your public library. “Child of My Heart” is a coming-of-age story unlike any other I’ve read. Theresa is 15 and an only child of older parents, Irish Catholic immigrants. Her parents move to Long Island when she is only 2. Theresa is stunningly beautiful. She says her hard-working parents “moved way out on Long Island because they knew rich people lived way out on Long Island, even if only for the summer months, and putting
Less than an acre was charred on Mitchell Canyon and Peacock Creek was held to 1.5 acres. The official cause is still under investigation, but fireworks are suspected according to CCCFPD Public Information Officer, Steve Hill.
Oscar’s top films about adapting to change
Coming-of-age novel tells of the bright and the bruised me in a place where I might be spotted by some of them was their equivalent of offering me every opportunity.” The story takes place in the late 1950s or early 1960s. During a summer of babysitting, Theresa sits for a famous artist’s pampered toddler and does cat-feeding and dogwalking for more wealthy summer residents. Her favorite cousin, 8-yearold Daisy, is staying with her for the entire summer. Daisy adores her cousin, and the feeling is mutual. All the children and all the animals love Theresa, as do their parents and owners. But their beach-side days are not always idyllic. Life can get in the way – divorce, death of pets, domestic violence. Thought she is a student at an all-girls Catholic school, we do not know if Theresa has any school friends. We know she reads classic literature, loves storytelling and is comfortable being responsible for others while her parents work out of town, not returning home until 7. She understands the closed Irish Catholic backgrounds of her and Daisy’s parents. Theresa delights Daisy by dressing her in clothing that she wore at Daisy’s age. Her world is basically her own, except for what she shares with Daisy, while Daisy shares her own sheltered thoughts. Daisy is the child of Theresa’s heart, two hearts remarkably alike. Almost from the day of Daisy’s arrival, Theresa notices
emergency evacuation capacity and the impacts of the climate crisis into consideration when determining future housing development. While action must be taken to address California’s housing crisis, building new housing in high-risk areas will only increase potential loss of life and property in areas prone to wildfire, flooding or other impacts of climate change. As California’s wildfires and floods have become more destructive, many homeowners in high-risk areas have found it increasingly difficult to maintain insurance policies. In November, state insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced a one-year moratorium on insurance companies nonrenewing or canceling residential property insurance policies. Levine’s AB 1522 would prohibit an insurer from denying a new or renewed residential property insurance policy because the property is in a high-risk area.
Criminally overlooked was the best performance of the movie, Eddie Redmayne as Tom Hayden. A “Minari.” Steven Yeun (“Walking Dead”) earns his best actor nomination as Jacob Yi, a Korean immigrant who moves his family from California to the countryside of Arkansas in the 1980s. Jacob’s wife does not believe in his plan to create a Korean farm, and the Americanization of their kids is a constant presence for both parents. This film is beautiful, even when not a lot happens. A “Nomadland.” The recession of 2008 dooms Fern (Frances McDormand) to a life of wandering. She picks up odd jobs and meets captivating people mostly played by real-life nomads. The stories of those who weave in and out of Fern’s
It’s not your dad’s laptop “When we buy something – especially something as expensive as a high-performance laptop or tablet – the expectation is that it’s ours to do with as we please.” – Notebookcheck.net
make the motherboard and all its components fastened. I call it a race to the bottom that engineers design ever more cheap products to sell more of them. The thinking goes something like, “If I can make it Hold those thoughts, my look good, remove processes or replace parts with cheaper ones friend, because the engineers that do more, we will sell more in the laptop industry have laptops.” very different views of what WILL CLANEY you can or cannot do with For example, the old normal their products. was to have brackets to hold TECH TALK Experts express concern RAM in place. Just snap in a two. that laptops lack the ability to module and you have 4, 8 or “If you do end up springing 16GB of memory. Snap in a upgrade much beyond adding for a compact notebook PC, RAM (memory) and larger hard new module and the user has you may run into a related issue more memory. Today’s manuor solid-state drives (HDD or SSDs). Today’s laptops are mak- that has many enthusiasts upset: facturing practice is to solder the ever-increasing number of ing it even harder to service. the RAM directly to the board, “Like so many things in life, laptops with storage and RAM which means it has no path to soldered to the mainboard, ren- upgrades. You can watch a wave though, there’s usually a tradedering them impervious to off for such svelte notebooks solder demo at wave solderupgrades.” ing/Wikipedia. and tablets,” continued NoteSoldering is a process of The manufacturer saved a bookcheck. “When it comes to melting metal (mostly lead), buying an ultraportable laptop, few pennies on the bracket it no then waving the motherboard you could say that there are longer supplies and a few over the melted metal so that it moments of time where somethree selling points to choose from – fast, compact and cheap adheres to the electrical compo- one has to install the RAM in nents loosely attached to it to – and you only get to choose the first place. If the manufac-
See Oscars, page 12
turer can save a dollar per unit and they sell a million units, then someone gets a bonus. (Reference: Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch) Teardown – iFixit (copy/paste.)) The problem occurs when anything goes bad on the motherboard, because your data is on the motherboard. Your data, applications, programs are stored on the hard drive or SSD that is soldered to it. How do you get your data? Get the picture? Ultra-thin laptops, example the Surface, have everything soldered to the motherboard. So, a single failure can cause a catastrophe. If you run a business, spend a few bucks and get a repairable, reliable desktop or laptop computer. Ask your rep to explain.
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.
SPORTS
Page 10
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
April 16, 2021
Mt. Diablo, DLS hope to end football seasons undefeated JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
This weekend’s final round of high school football games finds two Concord schools hoping to complete undefeated— albeit shortened—seasons. And both opponents looking to spoil those unblemished records are crosstown rivals. To no one’s surprise, one team is De La Salle (5-0), which has had 21 unbeaten seasons since 1982 in its legendary run over the past four decades. The Spartans visit Gonsalves Stadium Saturday evening to face defending CIF 2-AA State champion Clayton Valley Charter (4-1). The other Concord school looking to wrap up the “2020 football season” in April of 2021 without a loss is none other than the oldest school in the area, Mt. Diablo (3-0). Even in this abbreviated season having the Red Devils go through a varsity football schedule without a loss is noteworthy since it has not happened since 1953. Standing in the way of Mt. Diablo achieving a perfect season is Concord High (2-2) in a Diablo Athletic League rematch this Friday evening at Hart Fairclough Red Devil Stadium on the Mt. Diablo campus. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. A quick review of the record book by The Pioneer and checking with local coach and prep
Photo courtesy Mt. Diablo High School
Mt. Diablo is the area’s oldest high school and has a rich, but long ago, football tradition. In this pandemic-shortened season, coach Donald James’ team will be trying for an undefeated season when they host Concord High this Friday evening at Hart Fairclough Red Devil Stadium. The Red Devils are unbeaten in three games and need to beat their crosstown rivals a second time in order to finish with an unblemished record for the first time since 1953.
historian Herc Pardi and Red Devil Hall of Famer Marty Piscovich did not uncover an undefeated Red Devils team since the 1952 (7-0-1) and 1953 (8-0) seasons. Those teams featured future NFL star Dan Colchico (’52) and coaches Fairclough, Rod Franz and John Ralston (yes, that two-time Rose Bowl champion coach John Ralston).
RED DEVIL REVIVAL Donald James is in his third season leading the Mt. Diablo football team. His first squad lost every game before the Red Devils captured a pair of victories in the 2019 season.
Athlete Spotlight Richard Reed IV
Grade: Senior School: De La Salle High Sport: Volleyball
Reed started his volleyball career in league volleyball at his hometown All Out Sports League in Clayton with coach Casey Copeland at six-years-old. Since then, he played for three Bay Area clubs, starting with Diablo Valley Volleyball, Bay to Bay in San Jose and Pacific Rim Volleyball Club. Combined with his four years on De La Salle varsity his hard work earned $79,200 in scholarships to attend St. Ambrose University this fall. He formalized that commitment this week, signing his National Letter of Intent to join the SAU Fighting Bees in Davenport, Iowa. His first coach Copeland of AOSL says, “Richard was always a hard worker and committed to being the very best he can. I am proud of him, but not surprised. His hard work is paying off and I’m excited for his future. “ From the ages of 13 to 17 Reed was on many USA teams for both indoor and beach volleyball, reaching the highest level for his age at 16 as one of the top 100 in America for indoor and top 25 for beach. The 6-2 outside hitter competed and
trained with the USA Jr. Olympics and Northern California High Performance indoor and beach volleyball teams throughout his high school career. His DLS coach Stephanie Cline says, “Richard will be a returning four-year varsity standout. He is a fierce competitor who leads and inspires his teammates on the court with his skills, dedication and enthusiasm for the game.” She adds, “Although less than a traditional year, [our 10 matches] are four more than we were able to compete in last year. I am grateful that we have any season for our young men... especially the seniors.” Reed snowboards every winter and is working on a patent for an athletic sports product he designed. He volunteers at DLS kids camps during the summer.
The Pioneer congratulates Richard and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to Sports@PioneerPublishers.com.
In this once-in-a-lifetime season of March-April football, the Red Devils have won their three DAL games based on a stingy defense that has allowed only two touchdowns. Senior David Clark, who will be signing his National Letter of Intent to play college football, has played a key role along with junior safety Dantonio Jerome, who has six interceptions including a Pick 6 touchdown in a 40-12 win over Concord earlier this season. Coach Paul Reynaud’s Minutemen beat Berean Christian 32-15 last Friday to setup a rematch with their long-time rivals and chance to play spoiler. Mt. Diablo’s defense has two shutouts in three games, receiving strong play also from freshman linebacker Jeremiah
Powell and senior defensive ends Eric Estrada and Jeremiah Cross, who had three sacks in the Concord game. On offense, Clark lauded tight end Clark, junior linemen Angel Hernandez and Dylon Murray and runningback Jayden Kennedy, who has three touchdowns this season.
UGLY EAGLES HOST DLS De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh took over for the legendary Bob Ladouceur for the 2013 season and recently coached his 100th game in charge of the football powerhouse April 1. His Spartans will be looking for a sixth successive victory when they visit Clayton Valley Charter. Alumbaugh now has a record of 92-9, a Ladouceurian
Terrapins get to compete against another team for the first time in a year JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Swimming was less affected than many sports by the shutdown early last year when the coronavirus pandemic brought most of American life to a halt. The Terrapins Swim Team halted training in mid-March but was able to resume practices two months later. What was impacted was putting the benefits from all those training laps into competition. It was just last month—fully one year after the initial COVID-19 shutdown—that the local USA Swimming club senior swimmers were in races against another team in a dual meet with the Pleasanton Seahawks. Coach Dan Cottam said, “It was so great to see the swimmers get to compete against another team and they did a wonderful job with all the safety components. The Terrapin swimmers thrived in the environment and combined for 135 best times.” Diego Castaneda of Clayton had six best personal times including a 13-14 Terrapin team record in the 400 individual medley. Dominic Maffei had four personal bests and a new Jr. Olympics qualifying swim. Maile Andresen of Concord had a Jr. Nationals time. Posting seven best times were Grace Cleary and Daniel Lewis while a trio of Terrapins, Davidka Skov, Brooke Koller and Mason Wendler, had five best times. Also logging multiple BT were Kaya Andresen, Aubrey Newton, Finn Cleary, Elizabeth Joseph, Logan Faulkner and Damien Donado. In addition, the 13-14 boys 400 freestyle relay (Wendler, Castaneda, Aden Li and Skov) time currently ranks fifth in the US and their 200 free relay posted ninth fastest time in
the country. The Terrapins age group teams ended their 2020-21 short course competitive season at a special Age Group Intra-Squad Meet at the end of March in Concord Community Pool. The 52 swimmers racked up 341 best times, including many new A times, Junior Olympic cuts, Far Western cuts, new team records and Top 10 board qualifiers. Morgan Wendler broke multiple 10 and under team records and set a new Pacific Swimming mark in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:01.00. Cottam added, “All of the swimmers did such a wonderful job following COVID-19 safety and social distancing protocols. It has been amazing to watch the swimmers thrive, grow and persist through the past year under such unordinary circumstances.”
.910 winning percentage. DLS has outscored its opponents 237-77 with seniors Dorian Hale, Nico Torrez, Mekhi Norfleet and Cal-bound Lu Hearns providing the bulk of the offense. In most of its games Alumbaugh has emptied his bench in order to get playing time for all the players who have stuck through the challenges of the pandemicdelayed season. Clayton Valley Charter was moved to the East Bay Athletic League for football before the 2019 season. The Ugly Eagles of coach Tim Murphy received a rude welcome, losing all but one EBAL game. The team had the last laugh, however, when it went through the North Coast Section playoffs followed by wins in the Northern California and State Bowl games for the school’s firstever State football title. The CIF championship game was a 10-7 win over Aquinas of San Bernardino with the CVCHS defense carrying the day. This season has been more of the same with Ugly Eagles defensive efforts holding opponents to 15, 16, 14 and 14 points in their four wins including 3-0 in the EBAL while avenging
2019 defeats to San Ramon Valley, Monte Vista and California. The lone defeat was to unbeaten Monterey Trail in Elk Grove. Murphy has pointed to the leadership of his two “outstanding linebackers” Dylan Seeley and Lukas Linkhart. “We’ve been good about not giving up big plays and those guys play smart.” Clayton Valley Charter has scored 91 points and allowed 83, mirroring the closeness of all its games. The team’s highest offensive output has been 21 points. De La Salle’s lowest score this season was 35 points against St. Mary’s – Stockton, so CVCHS will need all its defensive talents performing at their highest level to pull off an upset. YGNACIO VALLEY PULLS EARLY PLUG ON SEASON
Coach Bryan Shaw regretfully called off the Ygnacio Valley High football season after just two games. “One of my biggest concerns with the spring season was the ability for our players to be safe. Without touching a weight in a year and with players getting jobs to help their families remain in housing, our ‘off-season’ really impacted our numbers. Last year we had 70 players between our varsity and JV program. We averaged 17 to 21 most of this offseason,” Shaw explained. “We lost two players during our scrimmage with Mt. Diablo and then we lost four more in a quarter and a half against Berean Christian. We didn’t finish that game due to the injuries. We showed up to practice after the Berean game with five linemen and 15 total players. “That last game broke my heart. A kid got knocked unconscious. Two major knees and a dislocated shoulder,” Shaw said of their loss to Berean. All of this following the 2019 season when Ygnacio Valley was 7-4 and went to the North Coast Section playoffs.
John Saylor photo courtesy CVCHS football
Clayton Valley Charter football has flipped the script this season with the Ugly Eagles defense the featured unit for coach Tim Murphy. The team hosts De La Salle in a battle of prep powerhouses Saturday evening at Gonsalves Stadium. The swarming CVCHS defense has made plays like this against Monte Vista High while holding four of its five opponents to two touchdowns each.
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Athlete Spotlight
THURSDAY NIGHT PASTA Feed
Matthew Hubbard
Grade: Senior School: Clayton Valley Charter Sport: Lacrosse
Hubbard’s lacrosse career, although briefer than he may have hoped, has nonetheless been characterized by passion, grit and excitement for what’s to come. After making the JV lacrosse team at Clayton Valley Charter as a freshman, that first glimpse of the sport was one that drew him in for the next three years. Hubbard was pulled up to varsity during the NCS playoffs of his sophomore year for the Diablo Athletic League champion Ugly Eagles and has been playing at the varsity level under coach Scott Neal ever since. He has also participated in several summer tournaments and indoor lacrosse leagues since falling for the sport his freshman year playing club LAX for Talon Lacrosse and Booth Lacrosse. After a year of remote learning and minimal on-campus activity, Hubbard and many other student-athletes have awaited Clayton Valley’s newly introduced hybrid in-person schedule, as well as the reintroduction of sports as close to full-swing as public safety precautions allow. Clayton Valley’s boys varsity lacrosse is scheduled to play 10 games this season, with their first match at College Park on April 28. Complying with intermittently stringent COVID-19 protocols, the team was able to stay in shape with summer workouts and cohort shooting practices a few times per week
throughout the year. Hubbard speaks for the entire crew when he emphasizes how excited he is for the new season. After having only a few games last year before the Mar. 16 school closure, he stresses that “all four years of work are going into this one season” and his highly anticipated senior season is one that he doesn’t intend on wasting. Hubbard is a member of Clayton Valley Charter’s Public Service Academy and has received the Student Athlete Honor Roll Award after each lacrosse season. He will be attending Utah Valley University in the fall and plans on majoring in business. CVCHS student journalist Alexa Oldham wrote this Spotlight.
The Pioneer congratulates Matthew and thanks Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to Sports@PioneerPublishers.com.
Yealimi Noh off to “slow” start in second LPGA season JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Yealimi Noh of Concord entered her second full-time season on the LPGA tour this year still considered a rookie due to the abbreviated slate of tournaments last year amidst the pandemic. Her early 2021 results on the scoreboard have not been up to par and she was fined $10,000 for a repeat slow play offense in the third round of the Kia Classic last month. The fine was more than double the amount she won that weekend by tying for 61st place. In fact, the 19-year-old has only tallied $15,742 in official earnings over the year’s first four tournaments. In 2020, Noh had second- and thirdplace finishes among the shortened 16-tournament schedule and earned $415,307 in purses while missing only one cut. The $10,000 amount of the fine was because Noh is a repeat offender of the slow play rule, having been cited at her very first tournament as a
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YEALIMI NOH
tour member last January at the Gainbridge LPGA. She told Golfweek, “It’s all my fault. It will serve as a lesson. Of course, I will never do it again. I lost a lot of money.” LPGA spokesperson Christina Lance says the Tour does not announce specifics on pace-of-play fines and only confirms information shared by players. When Noh isn’t globe-trotting on the golf circuit, the former Carondelet High golfer is still living in her family’s Concord home. And, she has yet to get her driver’s license. Her outstanding rookie sea-
son of 2020 placed her among the top 50 women golfers in the world. This year’s early results have been less robust with finishes of 44, 57 and 61 places plus the missed cut at the season’s first major, ANA Inspiration, the week her fine was announced. Last year, she had one missed cut and only three finishes of 44th or lower. In this week’s Rolex World Rankings Noh has slipped to 51st in the world. Her highest ranking last year was 44th. Noh will be looking to jump start her season this week at the LOTTE Championship at the Kapolei Golf Club in Oahu, Hawaii. Next week the Tour is in California at the LA Open before events in Singapore and Thailand. Noh will also be eyeing the first event on the June calendar—the US Women’s Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco—when she will have the first chance for a hometown feel in her professional career. With the improved COVID-19 numbers in the Bay Area she may be able to have her own personal rooting section.
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April 16, 2021
Troupes look for a return to stage as restrictions ease atre starts it off June 11-13 at Church of the Good Shepherd Spiritual Park in Pittsburg, followed by Pinole Community Players June 18-20 at Four Fools Winery in Rodeo. On June 25-27, Ghostlight sponsors the show at a venue to be announced in the Brentwood/Antioch area. In October, Ghostlight conSALLY HOGARTY tinues its season with “12 STAGE STRUCK Angry Jurors.” The adaptation of the 1954 teleplay “12 Angry As vaccination numbers Men” allows roles for men and increase and COVID cases women. The production takes decrease, theater companies can place at El Campanil Theatre in actually look ahead to a season Antioch. The total lunacy of of live theater. “The Complete Works of Whether outside with social William Shakespeare distancing or inside with limited (abridged)” follows in January, capacity, there is finally a light at with the venue to be the end of a very dark tunnel announced. for local art organizations. The second annual “Festival Keeping that light burning 10” returns March 25-27, 2022. bright is Brentwood’s GhostThe treasury of original 10light Theatre Ensemble, which minute plays takes place at the recently announced its 2021-22 Brentwood Community Center. season. It all begins with a joint The season closes with Ross production by three local and Adler’s Tony Award-wingroups of Stephen Sondheim’s ning musical “The Pajama “Company.” Each group will Game.” Featuring Fosse choresponsor the show for one ography, a union conflict at the weekend in a local outdoor Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory and a space. battle of the sexes, this show Pittsburg Community The-
claimed the award for Best Revival of a Musical. It runs July 29-Aug. 7, 2022, at the El Campanil. For more info on the season, go to ghostlightte.org/ upcoming-shows.html. Younger theater lovers are not forgotten as theater companies come back to life. In July, Ghostlight’s inaugural youth program will perform “The Wind in the Willows.” Auditions for the two-week summer program, for ages 7-15, take place in April or early May. Email helen@ghostlightte.org for details. Meanwhile, Clayton Theatre Company is busy putting finishing touches on this year’s Summer Camp for ages 6-16. The one-week session offers performing arts training with an emphasis on building technical skills and self-confidence and culminates with a performance.
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Teachers Roxanne Pardi and LaTonya Watts will select the show tunes to be performed based on the ages of the camp participants. Each performer will also have a professional head shot taken and receive a personal resume.
Initially, only the first 18 campers will be accepted – with others put on a waiting list. “We hope new CDC and county guidelines will allow us to increase the number by this summer,” said Pardi. Camp takes place 10 a.m.-1
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The Concord Art Association (CAA), in partnership with the city of Concord, has announced the second round of design teams who will paint four more utility boxes downtown. Each team, consisting of two local artists, submitted a design with the theme “Celebrate Concord.” A CAA committee juried the applications, and then the City Council approved the teams. Sponsors include the Concord Historical Society, Bank of America and individual donors. The new project begins at the end of April. CAA’s completed its first downtown utility box project in 2019, with the theme “Music and Market.” “In this challenging time, CAA decided to push forward with this second utility box public art project because we believe in the healing power of art, both for artists and for the community,” says Catherine Hensiek, CAA president. “Part of our mission is to support public art in Concord and, thanks to our generous sponsors, artists will begin painting the boxes this month.” Janice Davis and Karen
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Giorgianni are excited to present images that reflect the area’s beautiful open space on their box at Salvio and Galindo streets. “We want to celebrate the wildflowers that grow here. From Mt. Diablo to the Delta waterways, we’re fortunate to have a plethora of natural beauty that enriches our environment,” says Giorgianni. Jennifer Granat and Melissa Claros are reuniting to paint a box on Clayton Road at East Street. The first utility box they painted together is in front of the playground at Todos Santos Plaza. “We’re honored to create whimsical images that celebrate some of the local features that make Concord such a great place to live and visit, including our trails, the airport and Mt. Diablo,” says Granat. Renaye Johnson and Thea Jue are teaming up again to depict local families throughout time for their box on Concord Boulevard at Galindo Street. Their first box is on the corner of Grant and Salvio streets. “We think our scenes are a great way to celebrate the wonderful history of Concord – from the native Mi-Wuk population, to the city’s founders, to modern-day families enjoying a concert,” says Johnson. Laurie Mansur and I will paint the box on Colfax Street at Willow Pass Road with a wisteria motif. “There used to be a large pergola filled with wisteria that surrounded the downtown plaza in the 1930s. Concord held a popular annual Wisteria Festival in those
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Wisteria motif leads off second round of utility box art in downtown Concord. The choice recalls the wisteria-covered pergola and Wisteria Festival from the 1930s.
days,” says Mansur. Be on the lookout for artists starting to paint the weekend of April 24. Follow CAA on Instagram (@weheartconcordart) to see more work from local artists.
Lisa Fulmer is a mixed media artist, Concord Art Association board member and founder of MadeinConcord.com. She also consults with local artists on self-promotion and personal branding.
life are more intriguing than her own; perhaps that was the point. A“Promising Young Woman.” Carey Mulligan plays a woman hell-bent on turning the tables on men who take advantage. Her personal life takes a backseat to her agenda. If there is such a thing as an elegant raperevenge movie, this is it. B+ “Sound of Metal.” In a mostly one-note performance, Riz Ahmed portrays a drummer who recently lost his hearing. Ahmed is not asked
to stretch his acting chops. He does fine work, but his character Ruben does not show much emotion. The best scenes are when he interacts with the deaf children and adults at a summer camp. BLastly, if you’re ready to return to theaters, “Godzilla vs. Kong” is a perfect welcome-back movie. B+ Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. Email comments to editor@pioneerpublishers.com.
Oscars, from page 9
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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
Theme for second round of utility art in downtown will ‘Celebrate Concord’
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Hayley Finetti, left, Jesse Rodriguez and Wendy Rodriguez appeared in Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble’s 2018 production of “Man of La Mancha.” The troupe is now busy preparing for a full 2021-’22 season of live theater.
p.m. July 12-15 from and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 16 at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. The showcase performance is set for July 16, with audience limited to parents plus two additional family members per student. To sign up, go to claytontheatrecompany.com. Like many small local arts organizations, Clayton Theatre has had a rough time this past year. Its major funding source was forced to shut down during COVID, putting the theater’s existence at risk. If you’d like to give a tax-deductible donation, go to the website and click on the Donate button.
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Find your garden muse on two spring garden tours April 16, 2021
Garden lovers can spring into action with two tours in the coming weeks. The 17th annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour features two Clayton gardens and one in Concord. Registration is now open for the free virtual event, which will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, April 25 and May 2, 16 and 23.
Look for new ideas for your own garden from homes on the Clayton Gardens Tour.
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
Page 13
The 29th annual Clayton Gardens Tour offers self-guided tours of five Clayton Valley gardens 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 14, and Saturday, May 15. The event is a perfect time to join friends and family in a safely distanced, outdoor event to relax and revel in some refreshing spring beauty. FROM OUTDOOR KITCHENS TO VEGGIES AND FRUIT TREES
The Clayton tour will provide lots of refreshing and inspiring ideas, with gardens ranging from compact and secluded to large and rambling. Two of the gardens are just doors apart in Dana Hills. Both were recently renovated and feature expansive, elaborate front landscapes and back yards with fabulous outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas along with colorful plantings. The Turner/Holmes yard has evolved significantly over their 30 years in the home, with
Michael May
Native penstemon and lilac verbena de la mina line the path in Dan Wanket’s Concord garden, which is part of the virtual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour.
the deletion of the playhouse and addition of the outdoor kitchen, a secret garden and an area for relaxing. The Gellers replaced a former owner’s sport court with a gazebo and raised planters for their year-round veggies and a precious playhouse for the grandchildren. Drought-tolerant plantings and sophisticated design make for easy care.
Another home off Alberta showcases the creativity of the Harts’ 40-plus years of devotion to this established, yet everevolving garden. It includes 12 mature fruit trees and a prolific blueberry bush. Dozens of gorgeous year-round orchids hang from the trees and in her greenhouse. You may find kale, Swiss chard, herbs, onions, eggplants, tomatoes, squash and peppers
in the colorful landscape. Scattered throughout are succulents, flowers and more than a dozen roses. While the lot is a mere 0.18 acres, this prize-winning gardener has maximized every inch. You’ll find a treat at every turn, so take your time. The Rogers’ large rambling lot off Myrtle features a newly remodeled front landscape and colorful open rear yard, with two large decks for entertaining. Dozens of roses front and back will be in glorious bloom for the tour. Mary raises many of her plants from starts, and her expansive potting area gives her plenty of space to play in her garden. The McLeod garden on Claycord is a compact lot packed with color, shade, trickling water features and an elegant outdoor dining area with lots of festive wall art. Betsy has created a beautiful oasis of calm in her quiet, complex and colorful backyard.
Birds and butterflies thrive at Brazil Quarry Park necting path from the park travels north along the rocky creek bed to Concord Boulevard. The children’s play structure LISA FULMER is small but nicely turfed, and Correspondent the main lawn in the center is vast and sunny – perfect for that game of catch with your Brazil Quarry Park is favorite baseball or football. It’s tucked away in the middle of a quiet place that’s also doga quiet neighborhood on the friendly, as evidenced by the east side of Concord, near well-stocked plastic bag stations Clayton and Ayers roads. Surrounded by a tree-lined for picking up after your pooch. This park is also quite the walking path, this four-acre hotspot for birdwatching. Conopen space sits adjacent to cord’s resident birder, Albert Mt. Diablo Creek, a 17-mile watershed that flows from Mt. Linkowski, has observed 80 difDiablo to Suisun Bay. A con- ferent species.
Editor’s note: Fourth in a series on Concord and Clayton parks.
Dome home, which was built As you drive down Kent This park has attracted a variety of volunteer efforts over Way to the park, you’ll also get in 1985 with energy efficiency the years. The colorful butterfly to see Concord’s Geodesic in mind. garden at the park’s entrance was developed as an educational environmental project for students at some local schools, in partnership with the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. A group of 60 high school girls cleaned up the park a few years back as part of a community beautification project. A local Boy Scout once earned his Eagle Scout rank by refurbishing the horseshoe pit. The neighbor’s chickens might even fly their coop to come to the fence line and watch you play.
Ready for the heat?
NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL
The promise of a hot, dry summer has garden and landscape lovers taking early steps to ensure a happy, successful growing season. Mulching the ground around landscape shrubs, roses, ornamental trees and perennials is one step to helping your landscape stay healthy. Mulch with a product that contains fir bark and at least 15 percent chicken manure. This type of mulch will help loosen hard soil, improve water penetration and keep the soil surface cool. Spread the mulch around the drip line of the plant or shrub. The drip line is the area beneath the canopy of the plant’s foliage. Spreading two inches of mulch under landscape shrubs, roses and ornamentals will make a huge difference in your plants’ performance. Any bare soil around the landscape should have a layer of bark spread throughout. Micro, black, brown, shredded – whatever appeals to you. All bark is good for the bare soil and will keep the soil from cracking. Apply thick enough so it impedes weed growth. Those who love their lawns also have a few lawn chores now. First, assess your irrigation. Turn on the sprinkler system and watch were the water droplets fall. Also take note how high the water vapor rises above the lawn. Knowing where the water goes when the system is on is the best way to see potential problems. Make sure the sprinklers water the area uniformly.
When setting up a timer, divide water times for better absorption. This will allow for deeper water penetration. Water before dawn to give time for proper absorption before the heat of the sun. Lawn aeration is especially important this spring. Removing compacted plugs of soil allows fertilizer and water to penetrate better. Once the lawn is aerated, apply a thin layer of premium soil condition. Look for a product that includes both chicken manure and mushroom compost. Once you have spread the soil conditioner, apply lawn food. Consider going organic when feeding your lawn this year, because it has all the best nutrients and minerals for a healthy lawn. What organic lawn food does not have is tons of nitrogen. Because nitrogen promotes rapid plant growth, the lawn grows faster and demands more water. Organic lawn food satisfies all the demands of the lawn with a manageable dose of nitrogen. It provides a healthier looking lawn with slower growth. Another tip for a happier lawn during dry summers is to let the lawn grow. Taller blades of grass shadow the soil beneath to help conserve mois-
ture and shade the lawn’s roots. Mow every other week or set the mower at a higher level. Keep your lawn 3-4 inches high. Continue fertilizing garden shrubs and flowers as the weather warms. Plants that are not stressed will be stronger to fend off the summer heat. Those irrigating with drip systems will have to use a watersoluble fertilizer. Through the spring, feed with water-soluble 16-16-16 for overall health and a blooming formula to initiate flower. Blooming formulas should read 2-10-10, or 3-20-20. The first number of the formula represents growth, and the last two numbers represent flower/root promotion and pest/disease tolerance. When the summer is at its peak, apply fish emulsion to flowers and landscape plants. Fish emulsion formulas should read 4-1-1 or close. It is an excellent way to keep plants healthy without encouraging too much growth. With proper care, we can ensure our landscapes continue to stay happy through our hot, summer season.
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
Books, from page 9
something else. Theresa’s parent’s hopes for her future are not lost on her. She does not shy away from the way men look at her. Throughout the novel, her voice is curiously as youthful as it is wise. McDermott is not afraid to write of Theresa’s struggle to choose which life events she
will or will not embrace. As we all learn, life with its moral realities resides tenuously alongside our paths to maturity. 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.’
Lisa Fulmer
Although tiny and hidden, Brazil Quarry Park has a butterfly garden, playground and tree-lined walking path.
Tickets, Get Your Tickets
Clayton Gardens Tour: Advance tickets of $35 may be purchased online by 5 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at www.claytonhistory.org or by mail to P.O. Box 94, Clayton, CA 94517. Tickets will be on sale for $40 on tours days outside the Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St. Checks and credit cards preferred. Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and Green Home Tour: Register for the free virtual events at BringingBackTheNatives.net
GOING NATIVE – AND GREEN The award-winning natives tour features 25 beautiful native plant gardens, along with Q&A conversations with hosts and “Ask the Experts” opportunities. Inspirational, best-selling author Doug Tallamy will kick off the event with a presentation. In addition, participants can join garden tour host Kathy Kramer and clean energy expert Amy Kiser at a companion event: the first annual virtual Green Home Tour 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, June 6 and 13. Learn how to save money and time and protect your health while combating climate change by ditching natural gas, generating clean electricity from your own home, and installing energy-efficient (and health-protecting) induction stoves and heat pumps. The hosts will also discuss a potpourri of other “green home” features, offering information on contractors, appliances, cost savings and rebates. Julie Pierce and Kathy Kramer contributed to this story.
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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
April 16, 2021
Redwoods’ French Trail for otherworldly beauty
as you circumvent the northernmost part of this 1,833-acre park. French Trail is the quintessential extreme trail in terms of footing, obstacles and general trail navigation. The trail follows a knife-like ridgeline, then dives into a dark and eerie “Star Wars” Ewok world – if you can imagine that. Picture third-genKEVIN PARKER eration redwood groves with HIT THE TRAIL moss and ferns as far as the eye can see. Like a coveted surf spot The backbone of this hike whose location remains a secret is French Trail. But with lots of for generations, French Trail in choices that spire in different Redwood Regional Park is the directions, check out Tres kind of place I couldn’t believe Sendas, Madrone and Redwood was so easy to access. Peak trails. Every downward How could a trail this good plunge was combatted with a remain hidden before our very leg screaming climb-a-thon. If eyes, neatly tucked away in that is your thing, this trail was some of Oakland’s best landmade for you. Picture a chutes scapes and bragging rights, and ladders routing that leaves namely its parks. you wondering how much this I have spent my life wander- equates to on the stair-master at ing the dusty trails of the your local gym. greater Bay Area, but French About 95 percent of this Trail and the surrounding nethike is covered in shade, and it’s work made such as impact on quite peaceful. It’s amazing that me that I find myself returning a relatively small slice of park every couple of years. And it can make the visitor seem so far keeps getting better. away from civilization. No West Ridge Trail is an easy sounds pierced my veil of quiet. warmup that leaves directly There is one small “con” to from the parking lot and cuts this hike. Make no mistake, this through scenery with a high up could be your itchy and scratchy in the trees feel. The crowd you paradise if you are not very just left near your car will be a careful. I had to use more than distant memory within minutes a few of my trail moves to
Kevin Parker
jump over, around and under branches of poison oak (#Tecnu). French Trail is the perfect recipe for all things outdoors. Take a pinch of solitude, throw in some roots, rocks and stumps, stir in brilliant trail routing, four shakes of shade, a dash of poison oak, 39 shades of green, mix it all up and now you have the ultimate in outdoor trail adventure. This park has very liberal off-leash dog policies, which means a well-trained dog can have the run of the place. Add in Redwood Bike Route (8.22 miles) and a portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and make this your next hiking destination. Enjoy life’s adventures. Contact Kevin Parker with comments or questions by email at LukeHollywood@gmail.com
Redwood Regional Park
Trails: French Trail Distance: 6.91 miles Elevation Gain: 1,883 feet Duration: 2.5 hours Trailheads: Skyline Gate Staging Area (limited parking, restrooms, water, maps
Concord to bolster pedestrian, bike safety on Monument Blvd. DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
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The city is moving forward with the design process for long-awaited improvements to address safety concerns for bicyclists and pedestrians along Monument Blvd. and within the intersections that dot the Concord corridor. Work on the $5.33 million project, dubbed the Monument Blvd. Class 1 Path, remains on target for starting as early as 2022 after the final design is completed later this year. A Class 1 Path is one with a shared use that has separation from a roadway, similar to the Iron Horse Trail. Key improvements are centered at the intersections of Systron Drive/Walters Way and Cowell Road/ Oakmead Drive along Monument Blvd.. Plans include installing a new pathway next to the thoroughfare between these two intersections, and a connection to the BART path.
The $5.33 million bike safety project includes a pathway along Monument Blvd. to separate bikes.
nity meeting is anticipated in late June or early July. The final design is expected to be completed in October, with the project going out to bid in January or February 2022. INTERSECTIONS KEY TO SAFETY
The Concord project is part of the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Safe Routes to Transit Plan, which was established in September 2016. Kenji Yamada, a member of Bike Concord’s Advocacy ComSEPARATING BIKERS, PEDES- mittee and an active bicyclist TRIANS FROM MOTORISTS around Concord since 2009, Artist renderings feature was involved in this project durbright fluorescent markings in ing the initial stages five years the intersections to alert ago. At that time, he noted motorists of the designated there were a couple of good pathways for pedestrians and features that began to move bicyclists and a new multi-use closer to something Bike Conpathway accommodating both cord has advocated for a long pedestrians and bicyclists that is time: full mode separation. That well separated from existing means bicycle traffic, pedestrian vehicular traffic traveling on traffic and motor traffic are Monument Blvd.. fully separated from each other No major changes to the by either time or space, rather scope of the project will occur than bikes being alternately as the project enters the final mixed with pedestrians or design phase. Additional public motor vehicles. comment will be accepted June In the current project plan, 9, when this matter goes before Yamada sees the intersections the Bicycle Pedestrian and as the most crucial spot for Advisory Committee (BPAC) bicycle and pedestrian safety, for further discussion. Members and he says separation from the of the public voiced support motor traffic and from each during a March 31 presentation other is most needed there. of the design. A final commu- With the emphasis on a Class 1
Path, a shared use and not separation among users is the focus. For Yamada, separation between bicycle and pedestrian traffic is important not so much for the sake of bicyclists, but for the safety and comfort of pedestrians – including people in wheelchairs, with small children and dogs. “I think it’s a good step, although a relatively small step compared to what’s needed,” he said, calling this project “a welcome contribution.” “Over the last six or seven years, we have been sometimes appreciative of and sometimes disappointed in staff ’s efforts to deliver serious bicycle infrastructure,” Yamada continued. “As in nearly all American cities and towns, it’s an enterprise in which mediocrity is frequently passed off as excellence.” Another welcome improvement with this project is limiting unfettered right turns by motor traffic at the intersections. Design improvements will allow more time and increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists as they move through these corridors. The city applied for a One Bay Area Grant (OBAG 2) in December 2016 and was awarded $4.37 million in federal funding for design and construction. However, funding was not available until the 2020 federal fiscal year.