DEC 16 Concord Pioneer 2016

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December 16, 2016

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Roundup of the year’s top stories BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer

LAuRA HoFFMeiSTeR

MAYOR

Mayor ready for challenges of 2017

After being Concord’s mayor this past year, I am happy to continue serving as mayor for the new year. In 2014, the City Council decided to establish the mayor as a two-year position.

I welcome back Edi Birsan as a councilman, after being re-elected in November, and look forward to newly elected Councilwoman Carlyn Olbringer’s addition to the Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer City Council. The council TODOS SANTOS PLAZA WAS A FESTIVE SCENE ON DEC. 3 when the city officially ushered in the holiday season. unanimously selected Birsan Horse drawn carriages clip-clopped in time to the holiday music coming from local bands and choirs on as vice mayor, so I look forthe grandstand. A long line of kids and parents waited for the sirens that finally signaled Santa’s arrival ward to working with him in by fire engine. Mayor Laura Hoffmeister led a celebratory crowd in a sing-a-long before the countdown that capacity. to the grand finale and Concord’s official tree lit up the night sky.

The City Council also recently selected 11 members and three alternates to serve on the Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The advisory body will provide input and encourage public participation during the develop- Obringer, Birsan ask which enlisted man ment of a Specific Plan for deserved special recognition. phase one of the redevelop- sworn in; Grayson Helix would then go find ment. also exits that soldier, whether they were They are an eager group on the field or not, and bestow PEGGY SPEAR with varying backgrounds. an “Impact Medal” on the Concord Pioneer The group begins meeting in deserving man. It was his way January, and the process will of recognizing the value of the take two to three years. ForWhen Dan Helix had “little guys” and a way for mer Councilman Dan Helix worked himself up the ranks Helix to never forget his past. will serve in an emeritus posiLast week, Helix received of the Army, he had a tradition his own “Impact Medal” of See Mayor, page 7 of seeking out his command- sorts when the city of Coning officer every so often to cord named the Public Works’ outstanding service award the Daniel C. Helix Award of Excellence. It holds special meaning to Helix, who helped craft, design and fund the award three years ago.

“The award wouldn’t be what it is without Councilmember Helix’s leadership

Development and housing issues dominated the city in 2016, with progress being made on several key projects – including redevelopment of the Concord Naval Weapons Station, the Veranda and Renaissance Square II. As of fall, 875 units of multi-family development were either under construction or proposed in the city. The remarkable expansion moved U-Haul moving company to rank Concord as the No. 1 growth city in the country.

“Concord is a good place to invest right now,” said John Montagh, Concord’s economic development and housing manager. “We planted the investment seeds two years ago, and now we’re seeing the

See Roundup, page 7

Helix retires after a life of public service

No moratorium on rent increases

See Council, page 4

TAMARA STEINER/CONCORD PIONEER

INCUMBENT EDI BIRSAN AND NEWLY ELECTED CARLYN OBRINGER TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE from city clerk Joelle Fockler before taking their places on the Concord City Council.

Community rallies behind Rainbow Center after series of fall attacks Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer

LAURA NAKAMURA AND GREY COLLY, members of the Raise the Roof Coalition expressed disappointment with the city council’s lack of action on a rent increase moratorium at a silent protest in Todos Santos Plaza on Dec. 3.

TAMARA STEINER Concord Pioneer

Following nearly a year of study and several public meetings, the Concord City Council failed to move forward with a 45-day moratorium on rent hikes of more than 3 percent.

The motion for an urgency ordinance failed 2-3 at a special meeting Nov. 29, with council members Edi Birsan and Dan Helix voting yes and Laura Hoffmeister, Ron Leone and Tim Grayson voting no.

Both Grayson and Leone say the lack of affordable hous-

ing is the root of the problem.

“There is a housing shortage,” Leone said. “Not just here, but all over the Bay Area.”

He said the 45-day moratorium was a stop-gap measure and would do nothing to encourage investment in more affordable housing units.

According to a staff report prepared for the Housing and Economic Development subcommittee, Concord is not among the most expensive rental cities in the Bay Area.

Despite a 35 percent increase in

See Rent Hikes, page 3

dalism at both their Todos information from staff and Santos Plaza offices and its donors totaling nearly $40,000. nearby thrift shop.

“It’s taken quite a while to In addition, the thieves work it all out, closing all our They say there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, stole financial and credit card accounts, working with the and that’s what Ben Barr and his staff at Concord’s Rainbow Community Center seem to have found after a string of ugly crimes against their home.

Or, using another metaphor, the center is “making lemonade,” Barr says. “The community response has been phenomenal. We feel very supported and appreciated.”

Earlier in the fall, the center, which serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer and others in the sexual gender minority (SGM) population around the RAINBOW COMMUNITY CENTER VOLUNTEERS Joanna Ceponis region, was victimized by and J.S. Dean hand out food in the on-site food pantry, one break-ins, burglaries and van- of the many services offered through the center.

PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer

banks and such,” Barr says.

The police still have no leads on the criminals responsible.

Yet Barr wouldn’t call the crimes a nightmare, because the aftermath showed just how much support the people of Concord and surrounding communities were willing to give.

See Rainbow, page 9

Inside

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Community . . . . . . . . . . .2

From the desk of . . . . . .6 School News . . . . . . . .14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Performing Arts . . . . . .16

COMMUNITY

Page 2

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

In Brief...

A Victorian Christmas in historic Concord home

Input sought on alternative energy program

The city of Concord is exploring the possibility of participating in a program with other Contra Costa County cities and the county that would provide residents with an alternative to PG&E as the provider of electricity for homes and businesses.

Community Choice Energy is a local, not-forprofit governmental program that buys and generates electrical power on behalf of its residents, businesses and governmental entities, while still relying on the existing electrical utility, PG&E, for transmission, distribution and billing.

Residents are asked to complete an eight-question online survey to assess the community’s interest in Community Choice. The survey is available until Jan. 31 at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ VNML5GC. For more information, visit www.cccounty.us/cce or www.cityofconcord.org/page. asp?pid=7017.

Take a walk through Concord’s history with a holiday visit to the Galindo House and Garden Museum. This historic home was built for Don Francisco Galindo in 1856 and remained in the family until the death of Ruth Galindo in 1999 when title transferred to the city of Concord for use as a museum. The Victorian home

is fully decked out in all its holiday finery and open for tours Dec. 17 and 18, 1-4 p.m.

No reservations are needed.

Admission is $3 with children under 12 free.

The Galindo House is located at 1721 Amador Street, Concord, CA 94520. Go to concordhistorical.org for more information.

Bikes and tamales a successful blend Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer

The dining room of the Galindo House is just one of the rooms in this historic home decorated for the Concord Historical Society annual tours.

St. Francis girls cheer for turkey

benefited from their endeavors. The girls advertised, collected, delivered and distributed the turkeys on Nov. 18 under the guidance of their coach Julie Ottati. In addition, they were able to provide St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry with $275 worth of gift cards to supplement their holiday meals.

Commission Openings

The Concord City Council is seeking residents to serve on the Board of Appeals, Personnel Board, Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Concord Pavilion, Community Outreach Committee, Commission on Aging and Concord Pleasant Hill Health Care District Grant Committee.

Application deadline is 5 p.m.

Jan. 6. For term lengths and application forms, go to www.cityofconcord.org/ BCApplications.

December 16, 2016

Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer

Kids crowd around Santa and his bike sleigh during Bike Concord’s Tamales Fest on Dec. 3.

Bike Concord raised more than $1,600 at the second annual Tamales Fest and Bikes at the Keller House on Dec. 3.

There was a group ride from the Keller House to Todos Santos Plaza to join the tree lighting celebration. Participants ate tamales and drank Continued next page champurrado, along with

dozens of tamales sold to go.

Proceeds go toward Bike Concord’s plans to open a nonprofit community bicycle shop. The group is looking for a space that could be rented at a nonprofit rate. After this event, members have raised more than $10,600.

For the cheerleaders of St. Francis of Assisi in Concord, stewardship is just as important as spirit. Every year, they rally their community to

donate turkeys to those less fortunate, to ensure no one goes hungry. This year was no different. 125 senior citizens at the Monument Crisis Center

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December 16, 2016

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Poisonous mushrooms a hazard in East Bay parks

COMMUNITY

The Marclair Christmas elf gets help from Snoopy

Every Christmas for more than 10 years, Concord resident and Food Bank staff member, Kathy Gleason has embodied the spirit of giving by bringing Christmas to the kids in Concord’s Marclair Drive neighborhood. It started one day when she drove through the neighborhood and “saw people who needed a little bit of help.”

Gleason gathers the names of all the children on the block a few weeks in advance and then farms out the presents to

rents since 2012, Concord’s average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,474 and $2,042 for a two-bedroom unit – putting Concord right in the middle of Bay Area cities. The biggest rent hikes came in 2012’14, when landlords were making up for ground lost during the recession. Between 2013 and 2014, rents rose 14 percent.

Between 2014 and 2015, the

increases slowed to 4.4 percent.

Before casting the final no vote, Mayor Hoffmeister said she failed to see evidence to support an urgency ordinance.

“There is no crisis,” she said.

Betty Gabaldon lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the Monument area with her daughter. She works 50 hours a week as a cashier and says: “This crisis is real. I am living it.”

Due to the recent rains, the East Bay Regional Park District is seeing a surge in poisonous mushrooms growing in the parks. It’s illegal to collect mushrooms – or any plants – found in the parks. And pet owners should keep their dogs away from mushrooms.

The Bay Area is home to two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms: Amanita phalloides (the death cap) and Amanita ocreata (the Western destroying angel).

Both are robust, handsome mushrooms that grow near oak trees, and both contain lethal toxins.

The death cap is a medium

GALERINA MARGINATA

AMANITA OCREATA

to large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem and a large white sac at the base of the stem. It fruits early in the fall, usually right after the first rains. Though the death cap is mainly associated with oak trees, it has been found growing with other hardwoods. It was accidentally introduced to North America on the roots of European cork oaks and is now slowly colonizing the West Coast.

The Western destroying angel is a medium to large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that disappears with age and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring and is associated exclusively with oaks. Unlike the death cap, it is a native California mushroom.

Gabaldon said her rent went up $375 this year, and the apartment is infested with bedbugs.

She is afraid to complain for fear of being evicted. “If my rent goes up again, we will be homeless,” she said.

The decision was a crushing disappointment to Birsan, who is an outspoken supporter of tenant protections. Following the failure of the urgency ordinance, Birsan introduced four other motions asking for further research on the options for:

• Freezing rent increases on complexes in default on mandated building repairs.

• Requiring landlords to offer a one-year lease.

• Limiting increases to a max. of 10 percent, once a year.

• Requiring just cause for evictions.

All protections would apply to complexes of 28 units or more. All four motions died for lack of a second.

The council directed staff to come back with proposals for a

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In Brief...

Healing the Heart Grief Ministry

TRENT PEARCE Special to the Pioneer

friends and family.

Once everything is assembled, a big event is made for the kids on Christmas Eve, including a motorcycle convoy delivery donated by the Mt. Diablo Harley Club. “The kids love it when they rumble down the street and crank up the Harleys,” Gleason says. This year, Snoopy will ride with them.

To support Gleason and her friends in their remarkable efforts, contact her at kgleason@foodbankccs.org.

Rent hikes, from page 1

Page 3

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DEATH CAP

Both of these species contain amatoxins, a group of molecules that inhibit cellular metabolism in many animals. In mammals, the liver and kidneys are typically the first organs affected after ingestion. Symptoms usually appear about 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to liver and renal failure if treatment is not sought immediately.

While these two species are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly amatoxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota species – both of which occur in the Bay Area.

For more about mushrooms, read “Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast” or visit bayareamushrooms.org.

Pearce is a naturalist at Tilden Nature Area. hotline for tenants to report rent increases and a voluntary, nonbinding mediation board – neither one enforceable.

In addition to the hotline and mediation board, the city will step up its multi-family inspection program beginning in January. Reports from tenants of bedbugs, deteriorating buildings, mold, rats, leaking ceilings and broken appliances prompted the city to add two staff members and increase the inspection cycle to two years instead of three.

If you or someone you know is grieving the death of a loved one, Healing the Heart grief companions would like to invite you to attend the grief workshop.

Healing the Heart grief companions have also lost someone who is dear to them and know the value of having someone listen with their heart. The next workshop begins Jan. 24, 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Saint Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord.

There is no cost to attend the workshop; registration is required by Jan. 17. Please call Helene Billeci at (925) 6864870 for more information and to register.

Holiday hours for city offices

City of Concord offices will be closed Fri., Dec. 23 and Mon., Dec. 26, for the Christmas holiday, and Mon., Jan. 2 for New Years.

Concord Community Pool will be closed Dec. 1925 for maintenance. The pool will open Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lap swim.

There is a 24-hour selfserve sandbag station outside the gates of the City Corporation Yard, 1455 Gasoline Alley off of Bisso Lane.

Filled sandbags are available for the elderly by calling (925) 671-3448 during regular business hours. To see a sandbag station map, go to www.cityofconcord.org/ sandbags.

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Sylvia Sylvia Jones Jones

Carol Carol Van Van Vaerenbergh Vaerenbergh

Bonnie Bonnie Manolas Manolas

Kelly Kelly McDougall McDougall

N. Roxanne Brushaber

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Denise Denise Powell Powell

Nancy Nancy D’Onofrio D’Onofrio

Kelly Kelly Harrison Harrison

Inge Inge Yarborough Yarborough

Mike Mike Davis Davis

Michelle Michelle Gittleman Gittleman

Assisting More Buyers & Sellers than Anyone Else* *Statistics based on Clayton/Concord and Contra Costa County Closed sales by volume (1/2014-12/31/2014). Data by Maxebrdi

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Page 4

Council, from page 1

and his vision,” said Public Works director Justin Ezell.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the recognition would hold special significance for Helix, who was being honored after he retired from 14 years on two City Council stints. He has made public service to the community his personal mission.

Helix’s honors – including another one that named the terrace at the Concord Pavilion the Daniel C. Helix Pavilion Terrace – were the main focus of the council’s annual reorganization meeting. The evening also saw the departure of former mayor Tim Grayson, as he heads to Sacramento to take over the 14th District Assembly seat, and the swearing-in of reelected Edi Birsan and new Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer.

But it was clearly Helix’s night, even as he deftly deflect-

Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister gave a bouquet of roses to Mary Lou Helix, retiring city council member Dan Helix’s wife, for her years of “service” to community by letting her husband serve. “He never asked,” Mary Lou said. “He just did.”

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

41-year career in active duty and with the Army Reserve.

He wrote an award-winning novel set in the Korean War ed praise onto his colleagues, era and has published several city staff, his family and the articles and short stories in residents of Concord. It was a military journals. fitting tribute to a man who has been called the “moral ‘IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR’ compass” of the council and His wife Mary Lou hopes has devoted countless hours to he will continue writing in his studying every document that retirement – if he has time. crossed his desk.

Helix will serve on the new “The man reads everyCAC for the weapons station thing,” said Mayor Laura development, as well as workHoffmeister. That includes the ing on the Community Youth many proclamations bestowed Center. on him that night from a who’s “I’m very happy turning the who of local politicians, such reins over to someone else,” as state Sen. Steve Glazer, Helix says.

Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla But before he left, he gave a and county Supervisor Karen relatively brief statement on Mitchoff. the work he’s done for the city.

“Tonight ends 14 years of STORIED CAREER council service,” he told the Helix was appointed to the packed council chambers. “It City Council in February has been an honor serving the 2011to fill a vacant position people of Concord. Early in and was subsequently the top my career, I saw rapid growth vote-getter in the November and economic development.

2012 election. He served as During my recent service, I mayor in 2013. Helix was prewas pleased to see the revival viously elected to the council of the Concord Pavilion. in 1968, was reelected in 1972 Another highlight was the and served as mayor 1972-’74. development of the downtown In 2007-’08, he co-chaired the area. I expect this to continue.

Community Advisory Com“Measure Q was essential, mittee (CAC) for the Concord however, the application for Naval Weapons Station Reuse road improvement could be Project. accelerated,” he said of the But his service hasn’t been half-cent sales tax. “Stability is just on the governmental front. not self-sustaining, so we need Helix is a past president of the to enhance this priority. As a Rotary Club of Concord and Californian, as well as a public the former Mt. Diablo Hospiofficial, I know that the ground tal Foundation, now John Muir under my feet is never all that Health, Concord Campus. He stable.” served on the board of the All Using another military analWars Memorial Foundation ogy, he said he hoped the new and is active in many philancouncil will “act tactically, but thropic and military organizathink strategically. The greatest tions. He served on a U.S. Conopportunity and challenge I’ve gressional Commission considseen is the development of the ering changes in the DepartCNWS.” ment of the Army and Gov. He went on to recognize Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Milihis comrades on the dais. “I tary Base Retention Commiswant to thank my colleagues sion. for the pleasure of serving Helix retired as a major with them: Laura, dean of the general in 1989, completing a

December 16, 2016

Helix award winner Michele Fravel, center, is flanked by Mayor Laura Hoffmeister and Dan Helix. Ten co-workers nominated Fravel, a Public Works administrative clerk, citing examples of the assistance she has provided, her professionalism, her volunteerism on committees and, more than anything, her willingness and desire to go above and beyond.

council; Ron (Leone), for his artistic creativity; Edi, for his creativity of a different nature; Tim Grayson, my prayer brother. He does think strategically. His strong leadership will assert itself in the California Assembly. I know he will not forget the needs of local government.” He also had high praise for newly elected council member Obringer.

Like Hoffmeister did before him, Helix gave thanks for his spouse of 63 years. But Mary Lou Helix says community service – indeed, service in general – is a part of her husband’s make-up.

“He’ll never retire from service,” she says. “People are always coming to him for advice, council and mentorship. I don’t see that changing.”

However, she is relieved that he will no longer have the “unique pressures” of serving on the council. But others are willing to take on those pressures, as Obringer and Birsan were sworn in. Soon after, Birsan was elected vice mayor.

Hoffmeister is entering her quick to point out that any second year in a two-year stint accomplishment was not done alone. as mayor.

“I’ve had tremendous help PUTTING ‘CONCORD FIRST’ from staff and my colleagues Grayson also said goodbye on the council, especially when to the council after six years, I was new to the council,” he the last two of which were said. fraught with controversy over Before he stepped down, the selection of the master Grayson had some last words developer for the CNWS. His in his capacity as a council decisive victory over Mae Tor- member, promoting the “Conlakson in the Nov. 8 election cord First” initiative, which stemmed mainly from his strives to employ local resistrong local support, and he dents in projects in Concord. says he will not forget his “We have had developers roots. come in and promise to hire Bonilla had some advice to locally, and that isn’t happening the residents of Concord. all the time,” he said. “We have “You’ll have to share him to make sure that we put ‘Connow,” she said, referring to the cord First’ when developing district she served that the Naval Weapons Station.”

Grayson takes over and spans With that he shook hands, parts of west Contra Costa gave Helix a hug and took his County and Solano County. place in the audience.

Perhaps the crown jewel in The council is considering Grayson’s council service was taking applications to replace the establishment of the Cen- Grayson or whether to appoint tral County Family Justice Cen- Harmesh Kumar – the runnerter, which serves victims of up from the election – to the domestic violence and other vacant seat. crimes. But like Helix, he was

December 16, 2016

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Editorial

Pioneer takes a stand against political bullying

What could have started out as a harmless, albeit tasteless, late night prank on a neighbor turned ugly and frightening Thanksgiving weekend.

Denisen and Jay Hartlove were getting ready for bed on Nov. 26. Shortly after midnight Jay heard noises in the front yard of their Clayton Valley Highlands home. Stepping out on the front porch, he found 56 American flags stuck in the lawn, in the front door and on the door handle of his car.

Some had pro-Trump graffiti scrawled across them.

Jay watched as his neighbor’s back disappeared across the street and into his own garage. The Hartloves are outspoken liberal Democrats, and it seems their politics don’t sit well with this neighbor.

This was not the first time Denisen had crossed unpleasant paths with this man, and she had no desire to push

things further. Short of sending a quick “What’s up with the flags?” text, she and Jay were prepared to let things drop.

That is, until 20 minutes later when they heard what sounded like an electrical transformer blowing and their house lost power.

Thinking someone had hit a pole or a transformer, Denisen called the police.

While she was talking to them, Jay took a look outside and saw that their house was the only dark one on the street.

Their electrical box had been ripped off the side of the house. They were no longer simply annoyed. They were frightened.

The police are taking the incident seriously. And so are we.

The seemingly endless, ugly presidential campaign of 2016 brought out the worst in some of our citizens. Hatred has found a national platform. Bul-

lying has replaced discourse. A neighbor now finds it acceptable to rip the electrical box from the side of a house, endangering the family inside and scaring the bejesus out of everyone.

This is not First Amendment stuff. This is a crime.

With our constitutional protections come responsibilities. As citizens, we must speak out against bullies. And we must have the backs of the bullied.

As media, we have an even greater responsibility not to participate in the “normalization” of this kind of behavior.

When we see it, we will raise our voices and call it out.

To the neighbor in Clayton Valley Highlands and to anyone else who sees these actions as acceptable, WE CALL YOU OUT.

Page 5

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Tamara Steiner Publisher and Editor

Ghost Ship fire reminder of need for exit strategy NICK MARNELL Special to the Pioneer

It often takes an incident like the Oakland Ghost Ship fire to jolt people into action to prevent another tragedy.

Officials at the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District emphasize the importance of adhering to

fire codes and heeding fire prevention advice to stay safe in an emergency situation.

“The Fire Prevention Bureau is often overlooked as a valuable part of the fire district,” said Fire Chief Jeff Carman. Fire inspectors and code enforcers indirectly save many lives, probably more lives than the firefighters do,

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he noted.

Fire prevention work is often contentious, dealing with developers, contractors and private parties in an attempt to apply the fire and building codes. Lives saved include not only civilians – but also firefighters.

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Page 6

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

December 16, 2016

The ABCs of a city Planning Commission

Since my swearing in as a Concord planning commissioner, people have asked me what role the Planning Commission has in Concord.

A Planning Commission is an appointed committee designed to review matters related to planning and development. The City Council appoints commission members,

which means they serve at the pleasure of the council. Yet the commission and the council are always serving at the pleasure of the residents.

A Planning Commission holds public hearings to consider land use matters. Some examples include developing and maintaining the general plan of the planning area and providing

the City Council with recommendations regarding proposed general plan amendments and municipal code modifications.

Any item that is a general plan amendment, a rezoning or a development code amendment is later forwarded to the City Council. An example of this would be the Veranda project, which is the new shopping center going where the old Chevron building was on Diamond Boulevard. This project required the Planning Commission to make a decision about amending the Concord Development Code, and the commission forwarded its recommendation to the City Council.

At times, the commission children less than age 8 must be reviews items that do not need buckled into a car seat or booster in the back seat. Children age 8 or older, or who are 4-foot 9 or taller, may use the vehicle seat belt if it fits properly with the lap belt low on the hips, touching the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt crossing the center of the chest. If children are not tall enough for proper belt fit, they must ride in a booster or car seat.

Everyone in the car must be properly buckled. For each child DR. neLLie MeyeR under 16 who is not properly secured, parents (if in the car) or MDUSD drivers can be fined more than SUPERINTENDENT $500 and get a point on their driving record.

Buckling up is the single The California Department most effective thing you can do of Education had nominated to protect yourself and your Ygnacio Valley High School as a passengers in a crash. It is Distinguished California Partimportant to make sure all chil- nership Academy (CPA). It’s one dren riding in your car are prop- of only 14 CPAs out of 409 to erly secured before every trip. be nominated. Winners will be Please help me spread the word named in March. about this new change in law.

The nomination demonIf you need assistance on strates the state’s appreciation of how to properly secure a child in the Mt. Diablo Unified School a safety seat or if you think you District’s long-held commitment need a car seat installation check, to preparing students for college contact the local CHP office at and careers. That includes access 925-646-4980 and ask to speak to rigorous and relevant techniwith a child passenger safety cal experiences to bridge acatechnician. demic and career knowledge and Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa skills, along with effective comCounty District IV supervisor. Email munication, community collaboquestions or comments to ration, complex thinking and karen.mitchoff@bos.cccounty.us self-directed learning.

The car seat law changes on Jan. 1

KARen MiTCHoFF

COUNTY

SUPERVISOR

As we head into the new year, I wanted to inform people about a change in the car seat law. Starting Jan. 1, children less than 2 must be rear-facing unless they weigh 40 pounds or more or are 40 inches tall or more.

Most children will outgrow an infant seat before age 1. The next step is a convertible car seat. According to medical professionals, the heads of young children are heavier, and their necks and spinal cords are not fully developed. In an accident, young children facing forward have a 75 percent greater chance of injuring their spines or even breaking their necks in an impact. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

The current law states that

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to be forwarded to the council, but those items also have the potential of being appealed to the council. A perfect example of this is the automotive maintenance service business, which specializes in tire repair, that came before the Planning Commission in September. The owner of the tire shop applied for a use permit so that the business could operate in Concord, and the Concord Planning Commission approved the use permit. This item was not appealed and did not have to go before the City Council.

Overall, the City Council does not always need to follow the Planning Commission’s recommendation. The council has the final say in all city matters.

The Planning Commission is staffed by the city’s Planning Department. The planners advise the commission on the general plan, specific plans, zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance and other land use regulations. Most importantly, they provide the Planning Commission with background information and recommendations on proposals. They also answer technical questions and make sure that the meetings have been properly advertised in advance.

The public is always allowed to attend meetings and comment about any land use regulations, an item that is on the agenda or anything that they would like to mention about

The district’s college and career programs, academic and career pathways and academies provide students a strong sense of the role they can and will play in what is a demanding and highly technical workforce in California and beyond.

A CPA is a rigorous academic program that integrates academics with career technical classes. These programs receive funding from the state to create a school within a school, with

students taking three academy courses plus their academic classes together.

Academies engage in rich, project-based learning that provides students with real world experiences within their career interests. The academies also work closely with community partners to provide students with work-based learning experiences such as mentorships, job shadows and internships.

The district celebrates the

hard-working staff and students who contribute to the success of the current academies at Ygnacio Valley, Concord and Mt. Diablo high schools. For our students, the future is bright.

actions and emotions.

Yet, the good things are the glue that keeps neighborhoods and their residents together. At the police station, we have a holiday tree in the conference room and at the front counter that contains gift requests for seniors who may not receive any presents. Within a few days, all of the requests were gone. A second one was started, and it is nearly empty.

I am so impressed with the giving atmosphere of family members at the police department and the community members who stop by to aid in the Santa to a Senior program.

There are many other good things going on in our city, including new park equipment, improved roads and other infrastructure upgrades. There are donation barrels all over the city for the food bank, holiday gifts for the less fortunate and many others.

One of my favorite activities each year is participating in

the backpack giveaway before school starts at the Monument Crisis Center. The line is down the street. And all from donations.

As this year ends, it is a time for reflection. I challenge all of you to think about the good in our community. This is a city where families come first. While I know every family has its ups and downs, we should be enjoying the ups more than focusing on the downs.

We all have several families: our own, our close friends, our neighborhood and most likely where we work. There is a lot of good going on there, and we should celebrate it.

As the new year begins, think about what you will do to make our family better and safer. Give more. Get involved. And a year from now, celebrate it.

DoMiniC ALiAno

PLANNING COMMISSION

Concord. The Planning Commission must comply with the Brown Act, which guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings.

Dominic Aliano is a member of the Concord Planning Commission.

Email questions to him at dominicaliano@gmail.com

Ygnacio Valley recognized for its academy program

Guy SWAnGeR

POLICE CHIEF

Six years ago, my family moved to Concord. It was the next adventure in our lives, and we are happy we landed here.

There are so many redeeming qualities about the community, the neighborhood and our new friends. But, there are also challenges.

As chief of police, I get to see the good and the bad in society. Business owners, teachers and other workers share the same roller coaster observations of people’s actions.

It can be disheartening to focus on the bad parts. And easier. Watch any TV news, and the first 10 minutes or so talks about tragedies, divisiveness and controversies. This past national election also taught us all about those

For more information, visit www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/cpagen.asp

Dr. Nellie Meyer is Superintendent of Schools for MDUSD. Email questions or comments to meyern@mdusd.org

Remember the good – and make it better

Guy Swanger is Concord’s Chief of Police. Send questions or comments to ContactCPD@cityofconcord.org.

December 16, 2016

Mayor, from page 1

tion. Helix co-chaired the first Community Advisory Committee from 2007 to 2008.

That body was appointed to evaluate and comment on potential reuse alternatives for the property.

For more information about the project, visit www.concordreuseproject.org.

The rainy season is here, so the city has a free, 24-hour sandbagging station for residents at the Corporation Yard, 1455 Gasoline Alley. Pre-filled sandbags are available to accommodate seniors and

persons with disabilities.

Arrangements can be made for filled sandbags by calling 9250-671-3448.

Two additional satellite sandbagging stations are at Lime Ridge off Treat Boulevard and Hillcrest Park off Grant Street. Residents are asked to bring their own sandbags and shovels. A new interactive sand bag station map is available at www.cityofconcord.org/sandbags.

Public Works staff meets with private property owners throughout the year, provid-

Roundup, from page 1

fruits of our labor.”

As the city awaits more housing, various groups rallied to adopt some sort of rent control. But earlier this month, the City Council rejected a proposal to temporarily cap rent increases.

Here’s a look at some of the year’s top stories, in chronological order: A retiring state of mind: Concord senor citizens can pat themselves on the back for living here, since Conde Nast Traveler lists our fair city as one of the 10 best for Americans retirees. The March survey took into account culture, access to health services, quality of life and community.

Other cities on the list include coastal cities in Belize, Panama, Portugal and Malaysia along with a highland location in Mexico, a lakeside city in Ireland and three other U.S. cities – Louisville, Ky., Grand Haven, Mich., and Sante Fe. A pesky situation: Neighbors on Hitchcock Drive in Concord were under siege when a beekeeper’s honeybees went on a rampage in May. After furiously stinging Alex Janke through his bee suit, the bees fanned out over the neighborhood – attacking neighbors, a mail carrier and two dachshunds. The dogs, Milo and Gunner, died from the stings.

News crews then swarmed Concord, creating hype about Africanized honeybees – also called “killer” bees. In the end, that theory was disproven. The bees were just ordinary – but ornery – honeybees.

Successful gang sweep: The Concord Police Department was among 12 local and federal law enforcement agencies that coordinated for a huge gang bust in eastern and central Contra Costa County in August. Officials arrested 24 suspected Norteño gang members for a variety of crimes.

According to Lt. John Nunes, some of the cases related to the bust are going to trial this month. Charges included conspiracy to commit murder, human trafficking and drug sales – some with gang enhancements.

“We’re just waiting to see how things progress through the court system,” he told the Pioneer in early December.

“We’re feeling pretty positive that things will work out well for us.

Concord is susceptible to gang crime because of its size, proximity to freeways and accessibility to BART. Last winter, the Police Department join the Safe Streets Task Force, a regional group run through the county District Attorney’s Office and the FBI. “This allowed us extra resources and the ability to target higher-level criminals,” Nunes noted.

Crime stats improving: The day before the gang bust, Chief Guy Swanger reported a decrease in violent crimes – especially burglary. Swanger told the City Council that rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglary and larceny

had all decreased, with auto thefts remaining basically the same from January to June. For Swanger, domestic violence remains the largest problem in the city.

Concord Village under scrutiny: A letter from the Concord Residents for Responsible Development delayed plans to construct Concord’s largest apartment complex. The letter, presented at an August Planning Commission meeting, requested a denial of design approval for a five-story, 231-unit complex on a full city block near Todos Santos Plaza.

The group says the Concord Village project “is on a hazardous waste site, requires mitigation to reduce its significant impacts, would have significant impacts on water and air quality and may result in significant impacts to public health.”

Developer Brent Nicholson said he was aware of some contamination from the gas station and repair shop that used to be on the block, and the proposal includes plans to excavate the oil residue. The ground water on the site has been determined to be below cleanup levels described by the Regional Water Control Board.

According to city project planner Ryan Lenhardt, the city is working with an environmental consultant to prepare an initial study to determine appropriate environmental review. As of early December, no further public hearings had been scheduled.

Easing Monument travel: After four years of planning, the free Monument Community Shuttle took to the streets on Aug. 15. Managed by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, the program receives funds from the county’s half-cent transportation sales tax.

“Monument community residents face significant transportation needs and have worked diligently to make this shuttle service a reality,” said Mike Van Hofwegen, executive director of Monument Impact.

The thrill of competition: Kristian Ipsen, a graduate of De La Salle High, was one of the veterans on the U.S. Olympic diving team for the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. Unfortunately, the 23year-old’s dreams for another medal came up short as he placed fifth in the men’s threemeter springboard diving in mid-August. Still, his accomplishment made him the top diver from the Western Hemisphere among the 12 finalists.

Concord resident Mariya Koroleva also participated in her second Olympics as half of the U.S. synchronized swimming duet pair with Anita Alvarez. British commentators called their final freestyle performance “fantastic” and “terrific.” Their 9th place finish set a new starting point for American teams in the coming years.

Having a Devil of a time: After taking the world title the past two summers, the Concord Blue Devils A Corps was

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com ing guidance on private creek maintenance. Residents with questions regarding private creeks can contact Public Works at 925.671.3448.

The Christmas season is always a special time. We recently completed our community’s joyous celebration of the city’s tree lighting in Todos Santos, with Santa and various local entertainment. I encourage residents this season to consider gifts that will spread the joy all year long. Think about donating in a friend or family member’s name to such worthy causes as the Contra Costa Food Bank, Christmas for Everyone, Monument Cri-

sis Center, Cambridge Community Center, Diablo Valley Vets Center – or providing a membership to a local organization such as the Concord Historical Society, Concord Friends of the Library, Concord Senior Center, VFW Post 1525, Save Mt. Diablo, Friends of Camp Concord, Friends of Concord Parks, First Tee or, for music lovers, a donation to a local school music program.

Christmas is for all of us, whatever our beliefs. Merry Christmas to all. Spread the joy.

Email the mayor at laura.hoffmeister@cityofconcord.org

Page 7

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Gary’s Home Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 787-2500 J.A. Ronco Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 872-3049 Tipperary Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 216-2679 Dining and Entertainment

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denied a third consecutive Drum Corps International World Class championship.

The Bluecoats of Canton, Ohio, scored 0.4 more than the Blue Devils in Indianapolis in August.

Earlier that week, the Blue Devils B Corps won the World Championship Open Class in Michigan City, Ind. It was the fifth world championship since 2009 for the B Corps, made up of high school age local area youth.

“Having so many talented young people working together both locally and internationally to achieve a common goal in performance excellence is something that makes our organization very proud,” said Blue Devils CEO Justin Heimbecker.

Veranda breaks ground: After City Council approval in August, CenterCal Properties began construction on two of the eight buildings planned for the Veranda. The project calls for up to 375,000 sq. ft. of retail space at the site of the old Chevron headquarters on Diamond Boulevard.

Whole Foods 365 is slated to occupy one of the first buildings, with other plans for unique specialty shops, gourmet chef-inspired restaurants, a dinner-theater and destinationstyle landscape features.

“We hope to bring new elements to the marketplace, along with creating an amazing space for people to gather,” said Fred Bruning, CEO of CenterCal. Rocketship lands at Ayers: After the state Board of Education approved Rocketship’s petition in March, the charter school opened this fall on the Ayers Elementary School campus. Rocketship officials declined to provide enrollment figures or any other update for this story.

The state approval came after both the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and the county Board of Education denied the request for Rocketship Futuro Academy. School officials have said the Ayers site is temporary as they look for a permanent location in the Monument area.

Read all about it: After being closed for renovations, the Concord Library reopened in September with a new look.

The dark, musty, outworn bookshelves and furniture that screamed “last century” have been replaced with light, color and open community spaces.

With a revamped Teen Zone and children’s area, the library is attracting more patrons. In October, senior community library manager Kimberli Buckley told the City Council attendance has about tripled since the renovations.

Popular pastime: More than 200 people attended a Sept. 17 ribbon-cutting for new pickleball courts at Willow Pass Park. Resurfacing at the park resulted in 14 pickleball courts and four tennis courts.

Pickleball, a low-impact paddle sport, is growing in popularity among older athletes.

All aboard: In October, the BART board approved $3.2 million for a major makeover of the Concord station. The

redesign will improve pedestrian and bicycle access, add energy-efficient lighting and provide a more prominent dropoff zone. Work is scheduled to begin in February, taking an estimated nine months.

“The primary purpose is making it easier for riders when they come out of the station, orienting them down Grant Street, which will be an improved corridor leading to Todos Santos Plaza and downtown businesses,” said Joan Ryan, a city of Concord planner.

A second Renaissance: City leaders broke ground in October for the 180-unit Renaissance Square Phase 2 apartment complex on Galindo Street. Legacy Partners/SyRES JV acquired the already built 134-unit Renaissance Square Phase 1 in August. Phase II will share existing amenities and add a leasing office, clubhouse, wine bar and demonstration kitchen.

Across the street, additional development is underway at Town Center 2. Avalon Bay is proposing a mixed-use apartment project on three acres.

A new look for City Council: Planning commissioner Carlyn Obringer topped six other candidates for the City Council. Incumbent Edi Birsan was reelected for a second term. Obringer replaces Dan Helix, who is retiring after six years.

Meanwhile, Councilman Tim Grayson is heading to Sacramento after defeating fellow Democrat Mae Torlakson for the state’s 14th District Assembly seat. Before the June primary, mailboxes were jammed with negative mailers directed at both Grayson and Torlakson. While Torlakson led the primary voting, Grayson prevailed in November.

Grayson’s move to the Assembly left a seat vacant on the City Council. A discussion on how fill the vacancy was on the Dec. 13 City Council agenda, after press time.

Moving forward at Concord Naval Weapons Station: After a year filled with meetings about redevelopment, the City Council appointed a Community Advisory Committee last month.

The 11 residents will promote public outreach and provide input during the planning process for the first phase of development.

It was a calmer moment in the redevelopment process, after last spring’s independent investigator found one Master Developer at fault for lobbying and the council itself responsible for Brown Act violations.

“We’ve hit some bumps in the road in this process,” Mayor Laura Hoffmeister said at the time. “Now it’s up to us to regain that trust of the city.”

Last spring, the council decided to continue working with Lennar Urban – the only firm still left in competition.

The city will turn over individual parcels of the initial 500 acres when Lennar is ready to begin development and if the company demonstrates that it has the funds to do the work, posts bonds and secures insurance.

Events

Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market . . . . . . . . .(800) 949-3276 Financial, Insurance and Legal Services

Geraghty, Colleen – Prudential . . . . . . . .(925) 305-0321

Van Wyck, Doug – State Farm Insurance .(925) 672-2300 Funerals

Oakmont Mortuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 935-3311 Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 682-4242 Health and Wellness

Harvest House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 676-2305 The Grove Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 219-3939 Holiday

Concord Historical Society . . .www.concordhistorical.org Concord United Methodist Church . . . . . .(925) 685-5260

HobbyTown USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 685-3802

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Waraner Bros. Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 831-2323 Waraner Tree Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 250-0334 Mailing Services

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Bennett, Nancy – Keller Williams . . . . . . .(925) 606-8400 Clayton Fair Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(925) 685-0324

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Stojanovich, Jennifer – Better Homes Realty(925) 567-6170 Vujnovich, George - Better Homes Realty .(925) 672-4433 Recreation and Fitness

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Obituary or Memoriam

$190 for 200 words; $50 for photo; 90 cents/word over 200.

Example: A 350 word obituary with a photo is $385 ($200 basic plus $135 for 150 words extra and $50 for photo.

Send text and photo to

editor@concordpioneer.com Or call (925) 672-0500

Page 8

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

December 16, 2016

Advisory group to help guide weapons station project JOHN T. MILLER Correspondent

After almost two hours and five rounds of voting, the Concord City Council appointed 11 residents to a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to assist with the Naval Weapons Station

PAuL THieM

BIKE CONCORD

Appropriate clothing is the key to successfully cycling in the rain or cold. You don’t have to spend a ton of money; you just have to have the right clothes made of the right materials.

Here are the most important points to consider for keeping warm and (relatively) dry:

• Materials. Polyester and wool are your best friends; do not wear cotton. Look for 100 percent polyester or 100 percent merino wool when possible. Most fleece is polyester nowadays, and Polar-Tec is the best-known type – although there are a lot of variations.

Some of the best outdoor

reuse project implementation.

The CAC members are Jeff Allen, Niko Anagnostopoulos, Philip Arnold, Russell Case, Susan Guest, Claudia Hein, Jerome Hudson, Ajit Kaushal, Rosanne Nieto, Paul Sinz and Darrin Walters.

Randall Horton, Charles

Hofmann and Stuart Posselt will be the first, second and third alternates, respectively.

Terms will expire on Dec. 31, 2018.

Outgoing Councilman Dan Helix will join the committee in an emeritus position, with full voting rights.

He has been a part of the

reuse proceedings since 2004.

Helix co-chaired the first CAC in 2007-’08 and was instrumental in beginning the reuse proceedings. “I am honored and look forward to continue being a part of this process,” said Helix.

Hein, who has served on the board of directors of

In inclement weather, it’s all about the layers

clothing now uses a combina- the colder it is, the heavier you don’t get wet from the tion of wool and polyester. the insulating layer should be. rain, your own sweat will soak you if you’re riding hard or • Layering. You should • Shells. The best shell for any significant distance. have a base layer (underwear), material for pure wind and Softshell jackets keep you dry an insulating layer and a shell water resistance is Gore-Tex. by allowing the increased layer. The base layer wicks It’s expensive but worth it. body heat to drive moisture sweat away to keep you dry, I’ve owned many different away and out of your clothwhich is the key to keeping shell jackets over the years, ing. When you’re working warm outdoors when you’re made of different types of hard, the body heat will at exerting yourself. The insula- Gore-Tex knock-offs least evaporate the sweat/ tion layer goes between the (Columbia, North Face, Mar- water that’s closest to your base and shell layers and is mot, etc.). But in my experi- skin and keep you warm. what keeps you warm. The ence, none work as well as However, if you’re wearshell layer keeps out wind and Gore-Tex. ing street clothes while rain and holds in warm air But even with Gore-Tex, cycling and won’t be working created by the insulation you’ll still sweat if you’re hard on the bike, such as if layer. working hard. That’s why I you’re just going back and For the insulation layer, prefer to wear a softshell forth to the BART station, a use different weights for dif- jacket, even in the rain. hard shell jacket and pants ferent situations. In milder For high-intensity activity, would be the better choice. conditions, you can get away it’s best to avoid waterproof Paul Thiem is a member of Bike with a heavyweight base layer (hard) shells – even ones and a shell and avoid the claiming to be breathable. Concord, an organization working to insulation layer altogether. Instead, go with a soft-shell make bicycling a safe, convenient For days less than 40 degrees, jacket with a durable water transportation option in our commuaugment a base layer with an repellant (DWR) finish. nity. Email questions an dcomments insulating layer. In general, When cycling in the rain, if to paul@bikeconcord.org.

Save Mt. Diablo and the Mt. Diablo Audubon Society, pledged to “protect open space and ensure wildlife corridors” in order to “help people understand nature’s importance in life.”

Before the votes, community member Hope Johnson addressed the council with a concern about a lack of diversity and of young people in the applicant pool. Johnson, who ran unsuccessfully for City Council this year, has been an outspoken critic of the Master Developer selection process. She led an effort to recall Mayor Laura Hoffmeister, which did not get the required signatures to make it to the ballot.

After the appointments, Johnson stated: “This does not bode well for engaging the young or Latino communities in the process.”

Hoffmeister sympathized with her concerns but noted that very few applicants reflected the ethnic diversity of Concord.

The CAC, along with city staff and developer Lennar, will apply the Reuse Project Goals and Guiding Principles. The group will use adopted Reuse Area Plan policies and accepted Term Sheet provisions in evaluating and commenting on potential Specific Plan alternatives or issues. They will also serve as a communication link between the Reuse Project and the community-at-large by reaching out to neighborhoods and other interest groups, and promoting participation at workshops and public meetings.

Before complete transfer can take place, a number of hurdles remain – including environmental impact statements concerning endangered species and protection of wetlands, and other California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) concerns. The Navy must also document Finding of Suitability to Transfer (FOST) information for various contaminated parcels and what they’ve done to clean them up.

The city is currently in negotiations about what the Navy will receive as part of the economic conveyance and what the value of the property is.

In the first planned transaction, about 1,100 acres between Willow Pass Road, Highway 4 and the North Concord BART Station will be transferred to the city to be developed. Another 2,400 acres will go in a public benefit conveyance to the East Bay Parks District.

“We’re hopeful that these can take place in the third or fourth quarter of 2017,” said Guy Bjerke, director of Community Reuse Planning. “But the total transfer of the rest of the land may take up to five years.”

The CAC will meet at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month in the City Council Chambers, beginning Jan. 17.

The public is encouraged to attend and follow the process as plans for the Reuse Project unfold.

versation pit with fireplace, 30-foot ceilings, glass countertops in the kitchen and, of course, its nautilus shape.

Frank Sinatra’s desert Rat Pack pad is for sale for $6.25 million. It was built for Sinatra and named Villa Maggio after his role in “From Here to Eternity.”

It sits 4,300 feet above Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. The 10-acre compound has seven fireplaces, a mail house, guest quarters and a pool house.

The home comes with a private helipad and parking for 25 cars.

If you are looking for supremely luxurious living, 4130 Calle Isabella in stunning San Clemente is the residence for you. It is listed at $49.9 million. Designed by James Glover in 2007, the

estate features lavish details such as imported stone, arched openings, handmade roof tiles and a reclaimed fireplace. It has seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen and a swoonworthy swimming pool.

Needless to say, it’s great for entertaining. Situated on 2 acres with 450 feet of oceanfront, it is one of the widestspanning oceanfront lots up and down the coast. Of course, it has unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. I do not know who the owner is, but for the right price – it could be you.

For more information about the redevelopment, visit www.concordreuseproject.org.

How Trump policies may affect housing market Q: How do you think the Trump administration will affect the housing market.

A: I am going to quote Doug Duncan, the chief economist for Fanny Mae, from the November 2016 Economic and Housing outlook.

The outlook predicts shrinking housing affordability, especially if mortgage rates follow their post-election surge. However, the U.S. economy will continue to grow – though at a modest rate – through the end of the year and into 2017, with the president-elect’s proposed policies.

The lack of homes for sale, particularly at the lower end of the market, continues to be a significant challenge for housing. Demand from first-time buyers increased

Lynne FRenCH

REAL ANSWERS with household formation and is outpacing supply. This leads to significant price increases and affordability challenges for first time-buyers. Home purchase affordability will be constrained further if the recent pickup in mortgage rates persists.

“We haven’t changed the general tone of our previous

would be fun to share?

A: Thanks for lightening it up. I did find some fun properties.

Hip hop mogul Pharrell Williams’ Miami penthouse sold for $9.25 million. It has been on and off the market since 2012, originally listed for $16.8 million. The 10,000 sq. ft. penthouse has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, 5,000 sq. ft. of terraces and a rooftop swimming pool. It is perched on the top of the 40story Bristol Tower, with 360degree views of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic ocean and the Miami skyline.

The Flintstone House in Hillsborough failed to sell in a year. The home looks just like Wilma and Fred Flintstone’s abode. It is now being Q: Do you have some used as an Airbnb vacation noteworthy home sales that rental. It has a sunken conforecast at this time but will incorporate new policy assumptions as they become more concrete” said Duncan.

“Depending on the incoming president’s policy priorities, our forecast for 2017 is subject to both upside and downside risks. For example, we expect near-term growth would get a boost from any tax cuts and spending increases that are made. But if they renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement along with higher tariffs on China and Mexico, it would likely drag on growth.”

In my opinion, we must wait and see. But the higher interest rates will have the most immediate affect on the housing market.

Send your question and look for your answer in a future column. Email Lynne@LynneFrench.com. French is the broker/owner of Windermere Lynne French & Associates. Contact her at 672-8787 or stop in at 6200 Center St., Clayton.

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new event this year, the Bay Area Beer & Slider Fest. Held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, it featured local brews and sliders. The event was a huge success, with ticket sales exceeding expectations and guests coming from all over the Bay Area.

The Food Bank received a portion of the proceeds.

Another new event this year was the Business Insight Tour, which was a bus tour for local business leaders showcasing the many business districts in Concord. Participants learned about new and emerging industries and future business opportunities in the city.

The chamber facilitated more than 25 ribbon cuttings to honor new businesses or business anniversaries. The group also hosted many events, including the mayor’s State of the City Luncheon and the East Bay Senior Resource Expo, attended by hundreds of local residents and

Rainbow, from page 1

“People have come out of the woodwork willing to help and donate,” he says. San Francisco tech company Kabam, Inc. donated a couple of computers and monitors, as well as seven laptops, while the Concord Police Officers Association donated security cameras and gave advice on how to protect the building.

“The police have been great,” Barr says, adding that CPD has stepped up patrols in the area and at RCC-sponsored events.

“They want us to feel safe,” Barr says.

hosts social gatherings, HIV support groups, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings and other groups. The large center room is a gathering spot for parties and other social events, while the library offers a wide array of books to “check out on the honor system” says communications coordinator Bethany Lim, as well as two computers for public use.

“We serve people from age 11 to 94,” Barr says proudly, adding that more than 1,000 people a year come through the door, making more than 10,000 visits; it’s a place people want to return to.

“When I was young, an LGBTQ person had to rely on big cities for a sense of belonging, safety in numbers, and a place to turn in crisis,” says Concord’s Steven Scott, “It is comforting to have a port in the storm even in a suburban location. While many of us live in families that love and accept LGBTQ people these days, there are still parts of the population that don’t. This sense of belonging can prevent kids from running away from home, ending up homeless, and many (other bad) things.”

Scott says that as soon as he walked in the doors of the RCC, “the feeling of safety, caring, and warmth was real.”

A SAFE HAVEN And being a safe place is what the Rainbow Center is all about. Its unassuming office, flanked by rainbow flags and a staircase painted in rainbow colors, is the heart of the LGBTQ community in Concord. It offers counseling services, meetings, social gatherings, group sessions and information and advice to anyone who needs it. It even offers a food pantry to those who are sick with HIV or unable to afford warm meals.

The public space, which includes three large rooms and a library, is covered with inspirational sayings and flyers with information about activities and services dedicated to the SGM community. Inside the teen meeting room is a sign IMPORTANT FOR TEENS As he says, one of the most that says “FEAR: Feel Everything and Rise.” Another room important services the center

business owners. The Women’s Networking Group and Concord Young Professionals Groups continued to flourish and bring in new members.

The group sponsored 10 Business After Hours Mixers, giving members a chance to visit these businesses around town.

And the First Friday morning coffee at Sam’s Club was a great way to start the day.

The chamber was also involved in education. The annual Student Showcase at John Muir Health, Concord Campus, highlighted successful career pathway programs in the local high schools. The group also hosted BEST Day, where high school teachers shadowed businesses in the community.

The chamber participated in the Innovation Fair, a program at Mt. Diablo High School in which students develop a “virtual business” and showcase their work for the public to view. We offers is its youth program.

Barr agrees. “We’re a safe place for people to come who may be questioning their sexual identity, and they know they can ask questions and not be judged.”

A teen group meets there three days a week, and there are other support groups and activities for youth and their families.

“It’s important that teens feel accepted when they are first questioning their sexual identity,” Barr says, adding that in many cases, they may not get that acceptance at home.

“It’s tragic,” he says. “Studies show that LGBTQ teens who are accepted by their families are doing well by age 25, while those who are not are eight times more likely to make suicide attempts.”

It is a strange and confusing time for a questioning teen, but for 16-year-old Em Hartlove, the RCC has been a great source of support and empowerment. They identify themself as “gender queer,” choosing not to be identified by the he/she pronoun.

Em says that while they’ve been mostly supported by their family, they go to the RCC because it is “safe and nonjudgmental.” They participate in the teen groups, and to “be around friends who won’t judge me for my sexual orientation.”

They’ve been going to the RCC for about three years.

When they started, they were attending a Christian school that taught that being queer

P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 TaMaRa anD R OBERT S TEInER , Publishers TaMaRa S TEInER , Editor P ETE C Ruz , Graphic Design B Ev B RITTOn , Copy Editor J ay B EDECaRRé, Sports Editor PaMELa W IESEnDanGER , Administration, Calendar Editor S TAFF W RITERS : Peggy Spear, Pamela Wiesendanger, Jay Bedecarré

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CIRCULATION The Concord Pioneer is delivered monthly to 30,000 homes and businesses in 94518, 94519 and 94521. Papers are delivered by carriers for ABC Direct around the last Friday of the month. To stop delivery for any reason, call the office at (925) 672-0500 .

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Chamber active in business —and charity—in 2016 The Concord Chamber of Commerce has a great staff, board of directors and ambassadors who work all year long to help improve the business climate through programs and activities. As we approach the end of the year, it is good to review the accomplishments.

At the Installation Luncheon in July, the board chair challenged members to “give back to the community.” The group got off to a running start in July, with the Young Professionals helping organize the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Concord. The next month, members put together 37 backpacks filled with school supplies for the Monument Crisis Center Backpack Drive. In November, members sorted food at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, and the chamber office became a holiday donation site for the Food Bank in December.

The chamber introduced a

Page 9

MARiLyn FoWLeR

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

also gave out six scholarships for students entering college.

These are just a few of the programs and projects accomplished this year. The chamber looks forward to continuing the mission and bringing members more programs. The chamber is your partner in business, and wants to help your business grow and be successful in 2017 and beyond.

Marilyn Fowler is the president/CEO of the Concord Chamber of Commerce. For more information on chamber programs, call 925.685.1181 or email mfowler@concordchamber.com.

was a sin. “That was really hard,” they say. Now a student at Clayton Valley Charter High School, Em feels more comfortable and accepted. But safety is always on their mind.

“By being open about your sexual identity, you open yourself up to more hostility.”

That’s something both Barr and Lim agree with, and understand that the burglaries earlier this year may have been motivated by hate.

“I know some other businesses were vandalized around the same time,” Barr says, “so some of it may not have been directed only at us. But there was enough (evidence) to show that we were a target.”

He says Concord is still a conservative community, so he isn’t surprised by the attacks flung their way. But he was surprised by the positive reaction of most of the community after the attacks.

“One lady, who identified herself as a ‘proud PFLAG (Parents and Families of Lesbians and Gays) mom’ brought in homemade Danishes the day after one of the burglaries.”

And the day after the election, a woman, who identified herself as a devout Christian, brought homemade cookies into the RCC’s thrift shop.

“She said, ‘I know you all must be scared’ because of a Trump presidency,” Barr says. “Even though she didn’t believe in our way of life, she showed such kindness.”

For the RCC and its patrons, kindness, warmth and safety is all the gold they need.

LET US KNOW Weddings, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events.

We ask only that the announcement be for a resident in our home delivery area. Submit on our website and be sure to attach a JPG photo that is at least 3 MB. Also on the website are forms for calendar items, events & press releases.

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Page 10

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

December 16, 2016

DLS faces daunting foe in State Bowl Saturday night JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer

De La Salle’s legendary football program was pronounced in a “down year” as early as last summer before a game was played after virtually the entire starting lineup from the 2015 State championship team graduated. Many earlyseason Spartan results, including three wins by less than a touchdown and a rare home loss, seemed to bear out that prognosis.

Some much for that. De La Salle (11-1) will play in the CIF State Bowl Championship game for the 11th consecutive year Saturday evening in Sacramento’s Hornet Stadium. The Spartans face a feared and familiar foe in St. John Bosco (12-2) of Bellflower.

De La Salle will be a decided underdog to Bosco in the

Open Division Bowl Game.

With UCLA-bound quarterback Josh Rosen, Bosco was the last California team to defeat the Spartans in the 2013 Open Division finals 2014. De La Salle is the only school to play in the State Bowl championship game all 11 years since the bowls began in 2006. The Concord school has won seven titles over that time.

Two weeks ago, the Concord school won its 25th straight North Coast Section football championship by smothering previouslyunbeaten Freedom of Oakley 42-7 to extend their undefeated record against Northern California teams to 281 games, dating back to their last loss in the 1991 Section finals.

In order to get to the NCS finals for the 33rd straight year DLS had eliminated Clay-

Photo courtesy Phil Walton/SportStars Magazine

Senior quarterback Abel ordaz (10) overcame three major football injuries since eighth grade in order to get his chance to lead the De La Salle High football team. The determination needed to overcome those injuries will be called upon this Saturday when ordaz and the Spartans face powerful St. John Bosco of Bellflower in the State Bowl championship game.

Runningbacks Kairee Robinson and Jonathan Hackett will carry a large load but ordaz will likely have to complete some big passes for DLS in Sacramento.

Photo courtesy Dennis Lee/SportStars Magazine

Linebacker Henry To’ot’o (11) delivers a hit on fellow sophomore Clayton Valley Charter’s Thomas Alatini (15) during De La Salle’s 28-0 shutout of the ugly eagles in the nCS semi-finals over the Thanksgiving weekend. The Spartans again will be decided underdogs in the State open Division championship game this Saturday against high-powered St. John Bosco. Veteran DLS defensive coordinator Terry eidson will try to come up with a game plan to slow down and defeat the no.2 nationally ranked Bosco Braves.

ton Valley Charter in the firstever NCS Open Division playoff game 28-0 in the semi-finals pitting two Concord powerhouses against one another for only the second time in the playoffs and 30 years since the 1986 NCS semi-final game.

De La Salle has lived up to its long-standing reputation of improving as a season goes along. The Spartans lost a home game, 23-21, to eventual undefeated Utah State champion East of Salt Lake City back in September. That came a week after they barely

survived with a 28-27 victory in Southern California over Servite. A month later St. John Bosco beat Trinity League rival Servite 70-6 in the only instance of a common opponent this year between Bosco and De La Salle.

The Bosco Braves are currently ranked No.2 in the county despite having a pair of losses. They fell early in the year to national No. 1-ranked Bishop Gorman 35-20 and lost a Trinity League game 2621 to Mater Dei but they avenged that loss to the USA

No. 2 team in last Saturday’s CIF Southern Section finals 42-28. Bosco also won a 49-47 shootout in the Southern Section semi-finals over Centennial, the team DLS defeated in the last two Open Division state championships.

Undefeated Centennial was ranked No. 1 in the USA last year averaging 56.5 points per game when matched up with De La Salle but the Southern California champs lost for the fourth time in five State championships games against the Spartans, this time 28-21.

Bosco junior quarterback

Re-al Mitchell has passed and run for over 3800 yards while being able to call on two ball carriers and two receivers who have each racked impressive rushing and receiving totals respectively. The Braves average 44.5 points a game and DLS would seem to be at a disadvantage should the state final become a shootout especially with 6-5, 310-pound Ohio State-bound offensive lineman Wyatt Davis opening holes for Mitchell and mates.

In the past three games De

See State Bowl, page 12

Winter sports spring into action this month before league play

JOSE DIAZ YGNACIO VALLEY HIGH SOCCER JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer

High school basketball, soccer and wrestling teams have a busy month of nonleague and tournament action before the new Diablo Athletic League begins its first winter sports league season in January.

Local teams are hoping to get into the North Coast Section tournament at the end of the season by qualifying through the new DAL twoconference setup. The league split each sport into the higher seeded Foothill Conference and the lower seeded Valley Conference. The alignments

CIARA O’KELLEY & ALYSSA PLUTH CONCORD HIGH BASKETBALL

are meant to setup competitive equity among the 12 DAL schools. The top team in each conference automatically earns an NCS berth.

Among local schools, Northgate is in the Foothill Conference for basketball and wrestling. Clayton Valley Charter is in the top flight of boys soccer and wrestling and defending NCS Division III boys soccer champion Ygnacio Valley is in Foothill.

In wrestling, CVCHS, Northgate and the three other Foothill schools will have dual meets every Wednesday starting Jan. 4 through Feb. 8. The other seven DAL schools are

PEDRO HERNANDEZ (14) CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER HIGH SOCCER

teams from each school were all placed in the same conferences. Availability of gym space was among the reasons this was done.

Northgate hoopsters are in the Valley Conference. With six schools in each conference league games begin Jan. 13 and the double-round robin schedule continues on Tuesdays and Fridays through Feb. 17.

Girls and boys varsity teams will play following one another at the same site. During the first half of the double UNIQUE BASKETBALL round-robin schedule the boys ALIGNMENT varsity game will be at 5:30 Basketball is the only DAL p.m. and the girls at 7. That sport where the boys and girls format will reverse during the

in Valley and began their dual meets Nov. 30 in order to finish up the same day as Foothill Conference.

The NCS dual team championship is Feb.11 while the Section championships are Feb. 24-25 at James Logan in Union City, a week before the State meet. Defending champion De La Salle has won seven of the past eight NCS dual and team titles. Las Lomas was first and Northgate second in the Division II dual team finals last year.

second half of the schedule.

De La Salle made it all the way to the State championship game before losing to the legendary Chino Hills team last March. The Spartans won the Division I NCS and NorCal titles en route to the finals.

Miramonte boys were second in Division III last year.

Concord’s boys and girls both reached the NCS quarterfinals last winter and will be strong contenders in both Valley Conference leagues. Northgate’s two teams also made it into NCS last winter. The Minutemen girls are led again by Diablo Valley Athletic League MVP Ciara O’Kelley and

three-year all-DVAL honoree Alyssa Pluth.

NCS moved DII champion Carondelet into Division I while DIII girls champion Miramonte is moving up to DII. Carondelet won 11 of the last 14 DII Section titles and were second two other times.

CVCHS girls lost in the first round of the DI playoffs a year ago to eventual champs Castro Valley.

This year’s NCS basketball begins Feb. 21-25, the semifinals are Mar. 1 and the finals Mar. 3-4. NorCal tournament is Mar. 8-14.

See Winter, page 12

December 16, 2016

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Athlete Spotlight

Grade: Senior School: Clayton Valley Charter Sports: Football, Basketball, Lacrosse Playing football in the fall, basketball in winter and lacrosse in the spring leaves no breaks and frequent overlapping between finishing one sport and beginning season practice in the next. It is now a rarity to see an athlete who excels in three sports under those demanding circumstances and also manages to maintain academic excellence.

One of these rarities is senior Nick Becker of Clayton Valley Charter High School. He has played these three sports all four years

Jason Rogers

Nick Becker

of high school. He’s a tight end in football, forward in basketball and a midfielder for the Eagles lacrosse team. “[Becker] moves with incredible grace and promises to be a scoring machine this spring season,” says CVCHS lacrosse coach Scott Neal of the student athlete. Growing up, Becker played baseball, soccer, football, basketball and swam. He chose to play the sports he does in high school for different reasons. For football it was “to challenge

myself while in school...stay in shape and meet new people who later became my brothers and friends.”

“I have loved the sport since I was a little kid and still remember the days I used to dribble in the hallways,” says Becker of basketball. He enjoys bonding with his teammates and “hearing the crowd roar when I make a basket or a goal.” His hard work gives him a strong feeling of pride to play for his school. His achievements include winning the award for most goals in one season and Midfielder of the Year for lacrosse and Most Improved for basketball.

Becker has earned the North Coast Section Scholar Athlete Award for maintaining a GPA above 3.5 in all sports for the past three years and expects to get it again as a senior. Becker plans to attend a four-year university close to home, studying criminal justice to become an FBI agent and playing lacrosse at the collegiate level.

CVCHS student journalist Sydney Skow contributed to this Spotlight.

The Pioneer congratulates Nick 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. LaceyandRuzicka.com Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Send your nomination for the Concord Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@concordpioneer.com.

Year in Review

JACOB SAMUELS SPORTS TALK

With the calendar set to turn to a new year, it is only right that we, as sports fans in the greatest sports area on Earth, bask in our success.

There’s no better place to start than the record-breaking Golden State Warriors. NBA MVP Stephen Curry led the Dubs to 73 wins and a second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals last season. Even though Golden State lost to the Cavaliers in a memorable seven-game series, it was still an amazing year all around.

Page 11

2016: A fantastic year to be a Bay Area sports fan

The Warriors have also gotten off to a blazing start this season, with a 21-4 record including a 12-game winning streak.

The other Bay Area team that won a Western Conference Finals was the San Jose Sharks, playing in the first Stanley Cup Finals in franchise history. The Sharks, mirroring the Warriors, also came up short, losing to the Penguins in six games. The Sharks have started strong this fall and are

See Sports Fan, pg 13

Kronquist, Klock, Vaisima garner league MVP recognition JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer

Seniors Tori Klock and Koti Vaisima of Clayton Valley Charter High School and Karlee Kronquist of Concord High were recognized for their outstanding fall seasons as most valuable players in their sports by Diablo Athletic League coaches.

Kronquist was voted water polo MVP for the DAL Valley Division. Her coach Elizabeth Butticci-Lusca said, “Through perseverance and hard work in and out of the water, Karlee has proved herself to be the most exceptional player in our league. She is the type of player that is always thinking of the good of the team and as a result her team benefited greatly from her efforts.”

Her Minuteman team was second to CVCHS in the Val-

ley Conference standings with a 5-1 record. The team was runner-up to Marin Catholic in the Sierra Shootout, took fourth among 16 teams in Pinole Tournament and were undefeated at the Dixon Tournament. Concord defeated College Park 13-12 in overtime of the DAL post-season playoffs but saw their North Coast Section efforts stopped 12-11

by Justin-Siena of Napa in the opening round.

Over the season the MVP scored 100 goals (4.8 per game average), had 69 steals and 50 assists. This was the third time Kronquist received all-league honors. The four-year varsity member helped her team reach NCS the past three seasons.

Clayton Valley Charter girls volleyball coach Sebastian Wilson speaks glowingly of Klock.

“Tori is a four-year varsity middle blocker. She has led the

Photo courtesy Concord High School water polo

Concord High’s Karlee Kronquist culminated her four-year varsity water polo career by averaging nearly five goals a game for the Minutemen as they reached the nCS tournament for the third successive year. She was recently named Diablo Athletic League Valley Conference MVP.

team all season in blocks. As captain, she has motivated and led with her actions on and off the court. Tori has an upbeat personality and never gives up.

She has been a driving force on the team. The setters always look for Tori to get the big kills and blocks.”

Klock was second-team allleague a year ago. This season the senior, who also excels in the classroom, had 127 kills, 42% hitting, 39 blocks, 21 aces and 84% serving. She was part of four straight North Coast Section teams. The Eagles lost their NCS opener in four tight Jason Rogers sets to Livermore this fall in Middle blocker Tori Klock rises for one of her 127 kills this season for the Clayton Valley her final high school game.

She shared the Valley Con- Charter High School volleyball team. The eagle senior was voted Diablo Athletic League ference MVP award with soph- MVP by league coaches. omore Sterling Parker of NCS semi-finalist Alhambra.

Vaisima’s CVCHS football coach Tim Murphy says Vaisima is “one of the best defensive tackles in the state.” He was an integral member of the Ugly Eagles as they won three straight league titles and went to consecutive State Bowl Games during his sophomore and junior years as NCS and NorCal champions.

His senior season ended when CVCHS lost in the firstever NCS Open Division playDiablo FC, Concord's premier competitive soccer club, off game to De La Salle in the semi-finals. is hosting a winter soccer clinic. Come see all that DFC “Koti has outstanding hips, reads and tackles. He’s has to offer, and learn some new skills from the best extremely intelligent on and professional coaches in the East Bay. The cost is $75 for off the field. As of now Colorado is his first choice from non-DFC players. The dates are Dec. 12, Dec. 19, the [college] offers he has,” Murphy said. The senior had Jan. 2, Jan. 9, and Jan. 16. All sessions will be held at 66 tackles (including nine for Willow Pass Park. loss), 7.5 sacks, 24 QB hurries, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

See MVP, page 13

We are also offering an 8-week winter futsal clinic which will begin on Jan. 17, 2017. Futsal is a 5v5 indoor game that is widely recognized as being one of the most valuable ways to develop players’ soccer skills.

This clinic is open to boys and girls born in 2007-2010.

The cost is $125 per player. All sessions will be held at Diablo View Middle School.

Please visit our website at www.diablofc.org to register for either program This program is not sponsored by Mt. Diablo Unified School District and opinions are not necessarily those of the school district or school personnel. Este programa no esta patrocinado por el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Mt. Diablo y las opiniones no son necesariamente las del distrito escolar o las del personal en sus escuelas.

Page 12

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Winter, from page 10 3-time Olympian joins Terrapins YV Clayton Valley Charter boys at annual swimming awards dinner soccer bounced back with an SOCCER SEEKS REPEAT

Jay Bedecarré

Three-time united States olympian elizabeth Beisel (center) was guest of honor at the Terrapins Swim Team annual dinner last week at Centre Concord. Beisel represented America at the Beijing, London and Rio Games. She was the youngest member of the uSA swimming team in China and medaled twice in London. Joining Beisel are Terrapins from Concord are ian Mcintyre (left) , 15-years-old from Clayton Valley Charter High School, and Alexei Sancov, 17 from northgate. Sancov competed for Moldova in the 200-meter freestyle in Rio last summer.

Ygnacio Valley hadn’t lost a Diablo Valley Athletic League boys soccer game since 2013 before falling twice to CVCHS in the 2015-16 schedule but the Warriors still earned the top seed in the new NCS Division III. The Warriors had three straight shutouts in NCS and benefitted from a Marin Academy own goal late in the NCS title game for a 1-0 victory and the Concord school’s first Section team championship in any sport since 2005.

YV is led this year by DVAL defensive MVP Jose Diaz.

De La Salle won six consecutive North Coast Section Division I soccer championships from 2009-2014 before losing to San Ramon Valley on penalty kicks in 2015’s finale. Last year the Spartans also fell out of the tournament on penalty kicks but it was in the opening round to Heritage of Brentwood after a scoreless draw.

State Bowl, from page 10

La Salle outscored its three opponents—Monte Vista, Clayton Valley Charter and Freedom—115-24 over teams that combined had only one loss going into their game against the Spartans.

In the NCS championship game De La Salle faced an unbeaten Freedom team which never scored less than 41 points in their first 11 games before the Spartan

defense virtually shut down the Falcons. Their star running back Fresno State-bound Ronnie Rivers averaged 194 yards rushing per game coming into the NCS finale but was held to three yards in nine carries last Saturday.

The Spartans offense was sparked by running backs Jonathan Hackett and Kairee Robinson who combined for 308 yards from scrimmage,

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WINTER DAL CONFERENCES

outstanding season last winter making it to the NCS quarterfinals after a three-year absence from the playoffs.

This pushed the Eagles into the Foothill Conference where their league foes will include Ygnacio Valley and DII NCS runner-up Campolindo. DVAL offensive MVP Pedro Hernandez is back to lead the Eagles attack.

Carondelet beat cross town rival Clayton Valley Charter girls in the quarterfinals last winter and the Cougars went on to finish second in DI soccer at NCS. Las Lomas won DII and Miramonte was DIII runner-up. Ten of 12 DAL girls teams were in NCS last year.

DAL soccer games will be played on Wednesdays and Fridays from Jan. 6-Feb. 10 in a double round-robin format.

The Section playoffs run Feb. 15-25.

Boys & Girls Basketball – Foothill: Acalanes, Campolindo, College Park, Las Lomas, Miramonte, Northgate. Valley: Alhambra, Berean Christian, Clayton Valley Charter, Concord, Mt. Diablo, Ygnacio Valley.

Girls Soccer – Foothill: Acalanes, Alhambra, Campolindo, College Park, Las Lomas, Miramonte. Valley: Berean Christian, Clayton Valley Charter, Concord, Mt. Diablo, Northgate, Ygnacio Valley.

Boys Soccer – Foothill: Campolindo, Clayton Valley Charter, College Park, Las Lomas, Northgate, Ygnacio Valley. Valley: Acalanes, Alhambra, Berean Christian, Concord, Miramonte, Mt. Diablo.

Wrestling – Foothill: Alhambra, Clayton Valley Charter, College Park, Las Lomas, Northgate. Valley: Acalanes, Berean Christian, Campolindo, Concord, Miramonte, Mt. Diablo, Ygnacio Valley.

over 100 more than Freedom’s total passing and rushing yardage. The duo and quarterback Abel Ordaz need to keep the Spartans’ veer offense purring against a huge Bosco defensive line termed SouCal’s best by the Los Angeles Times’ prep writer Eric Sondheimer.

Justin Alumbaugh is wrapping up his fourth year in charge of DLS carrying a 523 overall mark and knowing that only Saturday’s foe Bosco is the only California team to beat DLS during his tenure.

After the NCS championship Alumbaugh summed up the year to SportStars magazine editor Chace Bryson.

“I’m not going to pull any punches, we weren’t very good [during the early-season stretch of games]. We’re a good team right now. Not otherworldly or anything like that, but we’re a physical, disciplined, tough team.”

Spartan fans have to hope that is sufficient when they face Bosco, a team Alumbaugh probably considers “otherworldly.”

CLAYTON VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE TAKING PLAYER

This year’s Super Raffle includes a Las Vegas Trip for two adults including airfare, room at Paris Hotel & Resort and $1000 VISA card. Visit diablofc.org for more details and to purchase crab feed and super raffle tickets.

DIABLO FC SOCCER TRYOUTS COMING UP IN JANUARY

The Northgate High School athletic department is hosting a Breakfast with Santa at Boundary Oak Golf Course this Sunday, Dec. 18. The event will include an all you can eat breakfast, visit with Santa and hug one of Santa’s elves and take family or silly friends pictures with a beautiful winter holiday backdrop. The breakfast is from 8 a.m. – 12 noon. Cost is $5 per person. Call 938-0900 or visit northgatebroncos.org for more info.

CLAYTON VALLEY HOLIDAY YOUTH

The Mt. Diablo High School Hall of Fame will hold its annual crab feed to support MDHS sports and academic programs at Zio Fraedo’s in Pleasant Hill on Saturday, Jan. 21. Attendees can count on a great meal including fresh cracked crab, pasta, salad, dessert, dancing and raffle prizes. Tickets are $55 until Dec. 31 and $60 afterwards. For more information call Lou Adamo 2129332 or email him at louadamo@gmail.com.

REGISTRATIONS ONLINE

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Registration for Clayton Valley Little League is now open for the spring 2017 season. Baseball programs for players ages four to 15 and softball for girls six to 16 are both open for registration. Tryouts are in January. The CVLL program includes a Challenger Division for players with disabilities and special needs.

Players must reside within the CVLL boundaries. Go to cvll.org for complete information and to register.

Diablo FC will be holding tryouts for its 2017 competitive teams Jan. 21- Feb. 5 for under 8 through under 11 (birth years 2010-2006) age groups. The U12-U14 (birth years 2005-2003) competitive team tryouts will be Feb. 13-27. Under 15 and older team tryouts will be in May after spring league games conclude.

Visit diablofc.org to get more information and signup for Winter Academy clinics and tryouts.

BASEBALL CAMP NEXT WEEK

Clayton Valley Charter High School baseball coaching staff and players is holding a Christmas holiday baseball camp Dec. 19-20. The camp is for ages 6-14 focusing on the skills necessary to be a successful player including batting, fielding, pitching and throwing. Sessions are held from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Clayton Valley Varsity Baseball Facility in Concord. Contact Eagles head coach Casey Coakley at uglyeaglebaseball@gmail.com with questions or to register.

MDSA SPRING LEAGUE REGISTRATION OPEN

Registration opened Dec. 15 for Mt Diablo Soccer Association’s 2017 Spring season. The program is open to boys and girls under 5-U19 divisions. The older divisions are co-ed teams.

Games start mid-March. MDSA AYSO Region 223 serves Clayton, Concord and surrounding communities. For more details and to register visit mdsoccer.org.

JUNIOR OPTIMIST ANNOUNCE BASEBALL, SOFTBALL SIGNUPS

Junior Optimist Baseball/Softball League is accepting 2017 registration for ages 4-15 for boys JOBL and Babe Ruth baseball and girls 4-14 for softball. There are also year-round travel team opportunities for Patriot baseball and Glory/Lady Liberty softball teams. For more information call Sheryl Dron at 827-0763, Adrienne Warren at 686-0673 or visit joblconcord.com.

CVCHS SEEKING COACHES FOR SPRING SPORTS TEAMS

Clayton Valley Charter co-athletic director Eric Bamberger announced several open coaching positions for spring sports teams at the Concord school. Open spots include varsity boys and girls swimming and diving, junior varsity and frosh girls lacrosse, varsity badminton (new sport) and varsity girls rugby.

Interested persons should send a resume and cover letter to eric.bamberger@claytonvalley.org. Call Bamberger with any questions at 682-7474 ext. 3162.

DIABLO FC BENEFIT CRAB FEED FEB. 3 AT CENTRE CONCORD

The 14th annual Diablo FC benefit crab feed and raffle is set for next Friday, Feb. 3, at Centre Concord. Tickets are now on sale for the event that benefits programs for the local competitive youth soccer club affiliated with the San Jose Earthquakes.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA THIS SUNDAY BENEFITING NORTHGATE ATHLETICS

MT. DIABLO HIGH HALL OF FAME CRAB FEED JAN. 21

CONTINENTAL LITTLE LEAGUE NOW TAKING REGISTRATION ONLINE

Continental Little League for boys and girls baseball and softball is now open for online player registration for ages 4-17. The 2017 season runs from Feb. 1- June 1. Players must live within the league boundaries. Cost is $185 per player and $10 less for “peanut players” ages 4-5. Online registration and more information is at continentalbaseball.com.

WINTER FUTSAL, SOCCER CLINICS OFFERED BY DIABLO FC

Diablo FC competitive soccer club is offering an eight-week futsal clinic beginning Jan. 17 in Clayton Community Gym at Diablo View Middle School in Clayton. Futsal is a 5v5 indoor game recognized as one of the most valuable ways to develop players’ soccer skills. Boys and girls born between 2007 and 2010 are eligible to take part.

Professional coaches from Diablo FC will be offering Monday evening skills training for girls and boys 6-12 years-old at Willow Pass Park in Concord on Dec. 19 and Jan. 2-9-16. Clinic is from 5:15-6:30 p.m. each Monday.

For more info on both programs visit or register at diablofc.org.

21ST CVCHS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS CRAB FEED & AUCTION MAR. 11

Clayton Valley Charter High School Athletic Boosters hold their 22nd annual Crab Feed and Auction on Saturday, Mar. 11.

Attendees must be 21 or older. For more info email cvchsboosters@gmail.com or go to cvhsboosters.org for info to order tickets online for a night of food, drink, dancing, auctions and raffle prizes.

CONCORD PIONEER WANTS TO PUBLISH YOUR SPORTS NEWS

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

December 16, 2016

WOODY WHITLATCH WEATHER WORDS

When I was in college, a good friend drove an old Ford Falcon he nicknamed “the golf ball.” That was because of hundreds of dimple-like dents from an encounter with a hailstorm.

Hail is rounded pieces of ice at least 0.20 inches in diameter. Hail is one of the three types of frozen precipitation generated in clouds that falls to earth; snow and ice pellets (sometimes called sleet) are the others.

The National Weather Service defines damaging hail as hailstones greater than one

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Damaging hail unlikely in California

inch in diameter. That threshold became effective in 2010.

The previous threshold was three-quarters of an inch.

Precise hailstone measurements are nearly impossible to make for several reasons. Most hailstones are not round, and many lose mass as they hit the ground. Also, some melting occurs before measurements are made.

The size of hailstones is best determined by measuring the diameter with a ruler. In the absence of a ruler, the size can be visually estimated by comparing it to known objects.

In their forecasts, meteorologists like to use common objects to estimate the size of hail. It can fall in small pieces, such as the size of a pea (0.25 inches) or marble (0.5 inches).

It can also form in larger chunks, like the size of a penny (three-quarters of an inch), a

quarter (1 inch), a golf ball (1.75 inches), a baseball (2.75 inches) or even a softball (4.5 inches).

The largest U.S. hailstone was found in South Dakota in 2010. It had a diameter of 8 inches and weighed nearly 2 pounds. Scientists estimate the fall velocity of that stone likely exceeded 75 mph.

Hailstones form within updraft air currents of thunderstorm clouds. As water droplets rise, they cool and eventually freeze – becoming ice pellets. These pellets attract super-cooled water vapor within the cloud. A process called accretion allows the water vapor to freeze, and the pellet grows in size.

As the hailstone becomes heavy and reaches the top of the updraft, gravity takes over and the hailstone falls toward the ground. Some falling hail-

stones get re-entrained in other strong updrafts and continue to grow.

The part of the United States most affected by hailproducing thunderstorms includes the tornado alley states of Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Hailstorms scarcely occur in California because the atmospheric conditions needed to trigger severe thunderstorms rarely are present.

Weather Service records from California indicate the state’s largest hailstone measured 3 inches. The record largest hailstone in Contra Costa County fell near Brentwood in 1983 and measured three-quarters of an inch.

In the Bay Area, most reports of hail are actually small ice pellets bouncing off the pavement. These harmless pellets form during winter

MVP,

from page 11

He was also a first-team allDiablo Valley Athletic League defensive lineman in 2015.

Local DAL school, DLS and Carondelet athletes on fall sports allleague teams:

DIABLO ATHLETIC LEAGUE

Cross County FOOTHILL Boys: 1st team-Michael Wheeler, Omar Kabbani (Northgate); 2nd team-Connor Kugler (NG).

Girls: 1st team-Jessica Boucher (NG); 2nd teamIsabelle Antolin (NG); Honorable Mention-Katrina Kohlmeyer, Sara Wheeler (NG).

VALLEY Boys: 1st teamDylan White, JJ Perez, Branden Bizicki (Clayton Valley Charter), Benjamin Stame (Berean Christian), Kenyon Kremin (Concord); 2nd teamNathan Robbins (BC), Paris Ruiz, Michael Cox, Matt Hyland (CV), Evan Stanziano (Con); HM-Floyd McCluhan (CV), Tyler Dresdow, Luke Wilson, Nicholas Morales (BC), Chris Funes (Con).

Girls: 1st team- Rayna Stanziano, Hannah Jenevein (Con), Kelly Osterkamp, Serena Connel (CV), Tessa Bolter (BC); 2nd team-Alyssa Granados (Con), Sarah Verderame, Natalie Ruzicka, Angie Dubnoff, Jessica Hevener, Cassie Bizicki (CV); HM-Calissa Burr, Natalie Vallet (Con).

Girls Golf FOOTHILL 1st team-Dymphna Ueda, Gia Felicia, Skye MingMing (NG); 2nd teamSerena Billeci (NG).

VALLEY 2nd team- Jenna Fassio (CV); HM- Morgan Christiansen (CV), Kendall Matrisian (BC), Kiana Bozeman (Con), Lauren Curtis, Kalina Campos (Ygnacio Valley).

Girls Tennis FOOTHILL 1st team-Nichole Markiewicz, Raquel Aguilar-Antonina Bazulin (NG); 2nd team-Jessie McCann (NG); HM-Euna Park (NG).

VALLEY MVP- Aya Miller (BC); 1st team- Dalia Anwar, Megan Brys, Tracy Nguyen (CV), Evelyn Almaraz (Con), Danielle Maestri, Melisa Hansen (BC), Paige Oka, Natalie Hastings (YV); 2nd team-Emi Tom (BC), Trinh Nguyen, Sam Alexander (Con), Sarisha Bhalia, Nelly Elahmadie, Grace Gius, Sarah Condon, Kaeli Calica (CV), Valeria Cruz (YV); HMTehya Balido (CV), Sophia Meals, Noel Wyzykowski (BC), Ariann Norori, Katrina Mutchie (YV).

Page 13

storms when drops of rain freeze as they fall through a layer of cold air near the earth’s surface.

“The golf ball” Falcon proves hailstorms can cause havoc. But Bay Area residents can enjoy the occasional spectacle of harmless ice pellets

and seldom worry about damaging hailstones thrown to earth by giant thunderstorms.

Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist retired from PG&E. Email your questions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com

Sports fan, from page 11

battling for first in the Pacific Division with Anaheim, Edmonton and Calgary.

The Giants had more even-year magic in 2016, winning a dramatic Wild Card game before losing to the eventual World Champion Cubs in heartbreaking fashion. While it may have let some fans down, a postseason appearance is nothing to take lightly (only 10 out of 30 MLB teams make it).

The Raiders had an encouraging outlook for the 2016 season, but they have blown away expectations. Oakland is currently tied for first in the AFC with New England with a 9-2 record. With five games remaining, the Raiders guaranteed their first winning record since 2002.

Three of the major colleges have also had national success in the past calendar year; the Stanford Cardinal, California Golden Bears and the St. Mary’s Gaels have excelled.

Stanford football started the year off with a bang, winning the 102nd Rose Bowl 4516 over Iowa. While Palo Alto’s football team didn’t repeat as Pac-12 champions this fall they still went 9-3 to earn a Top 20 College Football

Playoff ranking and a trip to the Sun Bowl Dec. 30.

Cal had achievements in both football and basketball.

Their star quarterback Jared Goff was taken first overall in the 2016 NFL draft and their star small forward Jaylen Brown was taken third overall in the NBA draft. In addition, the Golden Bear basketball team secured a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, their highest seeding ever. With top draft pick candidate Ivan Rabb staying home for a sophomore season the outlook this year looks strong.

St. Mary’s had an outstanding 2015-16 season, finishing with a superb 29-6 record.

However, they were snubbed from March Madness yet again. This season, the basketball team from Moraga is looking for more than just a berth in the tournament, as they are ranked 12th in the country.

While 2016 was a great year for Bay Area sports teams, there is no reason to believe that 2017 won’t be even better.

Now, if only the A’s and 49ers could get it together!

Email any comments or questions to sports@concordpioneer.com.

Jason Rogers photo

Three-year standout Koti Vaisima (7, middle in black jersey) did lots of the dirty work as a lineman for the CVCHS ugly eagles outstanding defense and was rewarded at the end of the DAL season as the league Defensive MVP. He is mulling offers from colleges after a stellar career for Clayton Valley Charter football.

Girls Volleyball FOOTHILL 2nd team-Ali Silva (NG); HM-Kinsey Anderson (NG).

VALLEY Co-MVP-Tori Klock (CV), Sterling Parker (Alhambra); 1st team- Erika Schaefer (CV), Michaela Charrette, Peyton Greene (BC), Victoria La (Con), Simona Veselinova (YV); 2nd team- Coco Alvarez, Madison Downs (CV), Becca Jones (BC); HM- Genna Love (CV), Emily Hockenbery (Con), Gillian Seguerre (BC), Isela Garcia (YV), Juliana Pine (Mt. Diablo).

Water Polo FOOTHILL Boys 2nd team-Decklan Cashman, Hunter Peeff (NG); HM-Ryan Henderson (NG).

FOOTHILL Girls 2nd team-Carlie Polkinghorn (NG); HM-Cameron Holian (NG).

VALLEY Boys: 1st teamCameron Brandt, Cal Brown (CV); 2nd team-Max Silverberg, Andrey Pristinsky (CV), Elon McCullogh (Con); HMJacob Coppa (CV), Cassidy Porter (Con).

VALLEY Girls: MVP-Karlee Kronquist (Con); 1st teamBailey Reading, Skyy Burney, Haley Darr, Caitlin O’Leary (CV), Ciara O’Kelley (Con); 2nd Team- Sydney Skow, Brooke Johnson (CV), Rylie Pearson, Leslie Maier (Con); HM- Camille Cline (CV), Megan Wadman (Con).

Football FOOTHILL Offense MVP – Tim Tague (Miramonte); Defense MVP – Koti Vaisima (CV).

Offense 1st team- Ryan Fischer, Jalen McKenzie, Dino Maraccini (CV), Mike Davis (Con); 2nd team- James Teofilo, Junior Alatini, Brandon Mello, Andy DeLira (CV), Nick Nunez, Ebarsito Rios (Con).

Defense 1st team-Jeff Williams, Adrian Dollo, Evan Barney, Bryce Brand (CV), De’Andre Morgan, Alex Cruz (Con); 2nd team-Brandon Abon, Masi Latu, Aaron Fonsela (CV), Marcos Oropeza, Greg Sandoval (Con).

VALLEY Offense MVP – Isaiah Hodgins (BC); Defense MVP- Isaac Hodgins (BC).

1st team-Jayden Jackson, Chandler Davis, David Summers, Nick Gaitan, Johnny Grillos (BC), Jackson Smith, David Ma’ake, Sean Garrigan, Brian Moorhouse, Gavin West, Chris Moser (NG), Robie Moore (MD), Asi Langi (NG), Darius McVay, Christian Ochoa.

2nd team-Tony Rodriguez, Jean Felix, (YV), Nate Greene, Semisi Saluni, Mark Shaffer, Tomas Wheelock, Calvin Smith, German Acasta, Jack Fulp (NG), Jajuan Roguemore (MD), Oscar Martinez, Reagan Rogers, Austin Sharp, Mitch McQueen, Daniel Grogan (BC).

Football Offense 1st team- Kairee Robinson, Wade Willet, Josh Wallunas; 2nd team-Luke Ogburn; HM-Isaiah Foskey, John Deitchman, Christian Villasenor.

Defense 1st team-Tuli Letuligasenoa, Isaia Taotua, Tre White; 2nd team- Elijah Short; HM- Heny To’oto’o, Jonathan Hackett, Jackson Walsh.

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Girls: 2nd team – Allison Carr; HM – Allie Bamberger, Alex Brown.

Girls Golf 1st team -Yealimi Noh, Angela Bagabas; 2nd teamAnnika Borrelli, Courtney Gaoiran.

Cross Country Boys: 1st team Isaias De Leon; 2nd team- Luke Giuato.

Girls Volleyball Honorable Mention- Catherine Helgeson, Lauren Barry.

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Page 14

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Student projects share holiday spirit As the holiday schools. The project time rolls into Conis a holiday-themed cord High School, the party that spreads spirit of giving back is across each school’s more evident than campus. ever. CHS is finding They set up varinew ways and ous activities, includstrengthening old traing letters to Santa, a ditions to make the meet and greet with winter safe and memo- Aasim Yahya Santa, arts and crafts rable for the communi- CONCORD HIGH and a dance party.

CORRESPONDENT ty.

The event concludes Concord’s leadership pro- with a short dinner. gram organized its annual HoliFormer leadership student day Project at Westwood, Wren Alia Cortez-Bridges created the Avenue, Sun Terrace, Cam- Holiday Project to bring holiday bridge and Meadow Homes magic to students who may not

necessarily be so lucky at home.

Along with the Holiday Project, leadership also organized its Winter Wishes committee. Concord’s original Winter Wishes committee is all about granting wish requests from students.

Before Thanksgiving, every student on campus wrote wishes and submitted them to leadership. For 12 days, the group granted 100 wishes – from simple wishes for Starbucks to having snow in the quad.

The clubs also have been working to help the homeless stay safe during winter. Con-

cord’s Little Girl, Big Dreams club, along with CHS We Inspire, created homeless care packages with food and blankets.

They went to the streets of San Francisco to hand them out.

For many, the holidays can be a struggle. But by lending a small hand, CHS students are doing their part to be productive members of the community.

Aasim Yahya is a sophomore and student body vice president. He has a passion for basketball and plays on the school team. Send comments to editor@concordpioneer.com

District’s Food Pantry opens at Concord High

Chronic hunger can prevent students from staying focused in school, no matter how hard they try to ignore it. Hunger can have both physical and psychological effects, making learning and functioning challenging.

Food is the essential fuel to get through a normal day. It provides energy and clarity so students have the ability to stay

focused on their work, rather than their empty stomachs.

Concord High is proud to become the new location for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District’s Food Pantry, which will serve district families that are in need throughout the year. The Food Pantry was housed at the district office, but it became difficult to manage as responsibili-

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ties of many staff develop a system that members shifted. will allow a fully Vivica Taylor, a stocked pantry all social work specialist year long, as hunger for the district, has doesn’t exist only worked with CHS during the holidays. administration to Once it’s undermake this project a way, MDUSD reality. Because Conemployees who serve Rianne cord High is a commuis social service posiPfaltzgraff nity service driven CONCORD HIGH tions will be able to PRINCIPAL campus, students of access the pantry and various affiliations will sort and collect food for families they maintain donated food items. identify. CHS students will preThe Health Academy, Leader- pare “standard” boxes of food ship class, Key Club and the spe- that can be quickly collected and cial education program will help distributed. keep the shelves stocked and, Residents are encouraged to ultimately, the community fed. donate to a local school’s canned Many schools in the district food drive or look for drop-off conduct yearly canned food times for the Food Pantry. drives. These drives are often around the holidays, when giving Send comments and questions to is a priority. Taylor is working closely with these schools to editor@concordpioneer.com

December 16, 2016

Scholarship club cooks up fun fundraisers

The California place at the Clayton Scholarship FederaLibrary during the tion (CSF) has been semi-annual book honoring particularsale, and the two ly outstanding high other groups sold school students baked goods at since 1921, making it events at CVCHS, the oldest scholarsuch as the Holiday ship and scholastic Alyssa Arino Fair and a Drama institution in the state.

Department funcCVCHS Clayton Valley CORRESPONDENT tion. The bake sales Charter High School made more than has a CSF club on campus, and $350 to go toward scholarstudents from all grades are ships. involved. The club splits into “It was a great event to groups, and CSF chairs lead bond with our group while them in a community service selling people all of our homeproject each semester. made goods for a good cause,” One CVCHS group volun- says Sophie Wheeler, a CSF teered with White Pony chair.

Express, which takes goods Another group organized a about to be thrown away from trash pickup at Newhall Park. grocery stores and redistrib- Despite the rain, they collected utes them to East Bay shelters. a large amount of trash.

This greatly cuts down on food One group organized a waste, as well as feeds many of canned food drive for the Conthe hungry people in our com- tra Costa Food Bank, with munity. each member donating a bag Two groups worked of food. They were able to coltogether to set up a bake sale at lect nearly 20 pounds of food. the Hospice Thrift Shoppe in Not only does the CSF Walnut Creek. The group club complete these semester members either baked goods, projects, but each student also worked the sale or did both. is required to do an additional They raised more than $170, 15 hours of community servhalf of which goes to Hospice ice each semester. The CSF and the other half to scholar- club encourages students to ships for the seniors. reach out to the community “We hope when we gradu- and help make it a better place. ate, members of our group will continue to have the Hospice Alyssa Arino is a sophomore and CSF Bake Sale,” says Jenna at CVCHS and has written for Armstrong, a CSF chair and a the school newspaper. She is on the senior at CVCHS. school’s cross country team. Send Three other groups also comments to editor@concordpiarranged bake sales. One took oneer.com

District’s jazz bands join at DVC

Several high Each group perschools from the formed a few Mt. Diablo Unified songs, followed by School District a critique from local came together on jazz professionals.

Nov. 17 to listen to Afterward, the stuand perform jazz dents listened to music at Diablo Valthe Hot Room, a ley College. Con- Lauren Curtis jazz group of four cord, College Park, YGNACIO VALLEY DVC students.

Northgate and Ygna- CORRESPONDENT They performed cio Valley all participated several songs, including the in the annual event. classic “My Favorite Things.”

The night concluded with a performance by the MDUSD Honor Jazz Band.

The band is a group of high school students from the district who had to audition for a spot. These students spend countless hours each night leading up to the performance practicing as a newly formed group.

As a member of my high school’s jazz band, I’ve

The Diablo Community Center (DCC) is a safe space that seeks to support the academic, emotional and social well-being of students and

mediation, communiThings disty links, youth cussed in the DCC employment support, and at DCC-relatstudent and family ed meetings advocacy, Foster remain confidenYouth Services, the tial. The informaHOPE Program tion shared with (Homeless Outreach DCC counselors is Program for Educanot shared with tion) and more. teachers or staff The support serv- Liane Cismowski unless a DCC staff ices at DCC are suc- MDHS PRINCIPAL member has reason cessful due to the colto believe a student laboration and coordination of is not safe. multidisciplinary stakeholders At this time of year, DCC at Mt. Diablo High School. takes special care to reach out DCC staff, administrators, to students who are in need. families, community members There are children who attend and students are partners in Mt. Diablo High who do not creating and maintaining the have enough to eat, stable center. DCC is open 8 a.m.-4 housing or parents in their p.m. Monday-Friday in Shop 1. lives. Life is a struggle and they Students come to DCC for are doing their best to overa variety of reasons, including come trauma, stress and hardreceiving individual counsel- ships. ing, meeting with a tutor, takFor more information ing a break from a stressful day, about how you can help participating in a DCC group, homeless and foster youth at hanging out with friends dur- MDHS and throughout the ing brunch or lunch or receiv- MDUSD district during this ing confidential health servic- holiday season, watch the es. During any lunch or YouTube video at brunch period, the DCC is http://www.youtube.com/ filled with students who are watch?v=7EaKConujIE. chatting, resting and connectSend comments and questions to ing with their friends and with editor@concordpioneer.com positive adult role models.

enjoyed attending the jazz festival the past two years. It’s encouraging to see how far along other high schools in the area have come with their jazz music. I also appreciate seeing college students who keep music in the forefront.

Lauren Curtis is a senior at Ygnacio Valley High. Email comments and questions to 17_lcurtis01@mdusd.net.

MDHS center helps students with life stressors their families.

Under the direction of Lynnea Hughes, DCC provides access to counseling services, peer-to-peer conflict

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From railroad to BART and the history in between

CARoL LonGSHoRe

YESTERYEAR

I remember walking the railroad tracks to Oak Grove Intermediate when I was in eighth grade. The packing shed was by the creek, and the pear orchard was across the street. The trains would stop and pick up the fruit and walnuts produced in the valley.

As time went by, those railroad tracks became the tracks for the new Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). Concord was growing quickly.

The pear orchard was sold to developers, and I knew everything would change. The country life was diminishing, and the freeways were becoming more congested.

In l962, we passed a bond measure to provide financing for BART. President Lyndon B. Johnson presided over a groundbreaking celebration in l964, and construction began at the Concord test track – where BART train and track designs were pioneered. The community grew excited watching the trains whiz down the tracks.

In September l972, the system opened its first route from Fremont to Oakland.

Page 15

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Photo courtesy of Concord Historical Society

The opening of the Concord BART station in 1973 launched a new era of transportation in the city.

But the Concord station didn’t open until May l973.

At the Concord grand opening, cheerleaders from Mt. Diablo, Clayton Valley and Concord high schools jumped through giant BART tickets to open the station with great fanfare. Nearly 7,000 passengers tried out the

trains that day. A one-way ticket to San Francisco was $1.20.

BART has extended and is still opening new stations up and down our freeway corridors and across the Bay. So if you ride BART to San Francisco to look at Christmas decorations and hear the

35 years Clayton/ Concord resident Lic#844344

Christmas tunes, just think how fortunate we are to not have to drive, or park, for that matter.

Carol Longshore has been a Concord resident since 1950. She is a community leader and current president of the Concord Historical Society. Send comments and suggestions for future topics to editor@concordpioneer.com.

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ESTATE PLANNING

In preparing for a new year, take time now for a quick estate plan review.

You should have already made certain estate planning provisions this year to protect the interests of your heirs and minimize potential estate tax liability. But that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.

You can’t just fill out the paperwork, lock up the documents in a file cabinet or safe deposit box (or store them electronically) and forget about it. Consider your estate plan to be a work in progress.

The plan should be reviewed periodically to ensure that it still meets your main

objectives and is up to date. • Receipt of a large gift or You could also be affected by inheritance. life events that should be • Sale of a business interest. reflected in your estate plan.

• Changes in federal or state income tax or estate tax Here are some life events laws. that could require a change: • Marriage or divorce.

Examine the critical com• Birth or adoption of a ponents of your estate plan, child, grandchild or great- including key legal docugrandchild. ments. A quick perusal might • Death of a spouse or take 15 minutes or even less. another family member.

If you have minor chil• Illness or disability of your- dren, you can designate in self, spouse or another fam- your will a guardian to care ily member. for them should you die as • Child or grandchild reaches well as making certain other the age of majority. provisions – such as creating • Child or grandchild has trusts to benefit teenagers. education funding needs.

Upon your death, the execu• Death of the person named tor named in the will assumes as guardian for minor chil- responsibility for administerdren in your will, your ing the estate. executor or trustee of trust.

Your durable power of • Changes in long-term care attorney authorizes someone insurance coverage. to handle your affairs and • Taking out a large loan or health-care decisions if incurring other debt. you’re disabled or otherwise • Sizeable changes in the unable to act. Typically, it’s value of assets. coordinated with a living will • Sale of your principal resi- and other health-care direcdence or a second home. tives. The power of attorney • Significant promotion at expires upon your death. work or change in job cirA living will spells out cumstances. your wishes concerning life• Retirement or retirement of sustaining measures in the your spouse. event of a terminal illness. It

Fire Safety, from page 5

“The No. 1 source of our code violations is exiting – lights burnt out, the exit sign turned the wrong way, blocked exits,” said fire marshal Robert Marshall.

He stressed the need for education at home, especially for children. Practice exit drills, and know two ways out of the house at all times.

Before enjoying a feature at the theater, scope out the exits. Hotel visitors should be sure to locate the exit stairway. Stay alert at places like the Concord Pavilion.

“Focus on that exit sign.

Walk toward it. It will lead you to the way out,” Marshall said. “If you can’t see a way out, your life is in danger.”

He noted that the 36 people killed in the Ghost Ship fire could not escape in less than five minutes, yet at no time were they more than 50 feet from an exit.

ConFire officials say that if you intend to put on an event, call the district. The Fire Prevention Bureau will inspect the venue and highlight the safety requirements.

“Had the fire code been adhered to, it would not have resulted in the high number of fatalities we saw there,” Carman said of the Ghost Ship. “Unfortunately, the Oakland fire is a stark reminder that the codes are there for a reason and, if followed, they will ultimately reduce the loss of life and property.”

Marshall sounded more hopeful than convinced that the public will heed the district’s exhortations. “We’d love to say that it’s never going to happen here,” he said.

says what means should be used, and not used, but it doesn’t provide legal authority for anyone to speak for you. For this reason, it may be coupled with a health-care power of attorney.

Although a letter of instruction isn’t legally binding, it can be as important as the others – if not more so.

The letter may provide an inventory and location of assets; account numbers for securities, retirement plans and IRAs and insurance policies; and a list of professional contacts that can help your heirs after your death. It may also be used to state personal preferences, such as funeral arrangements.

Don’t put off an estate plan review any longer. Identify the items that should be changed and arrange to have the necessary adjustments made when 2017 arrives. An estate planning advisor can help.

Richard A. Littorno is an attorney specializing in estate planning. He has offices in Walnut Creek and Pittsburg. Please send your questions or comments to Richard@LittornoLaw.com.

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T H E ARTS

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Local theater troupes counting down to Christmas

SALLy HoGARTy

STAGE STRUCK If holiday shopping has taken its toll on your Christmas spirit, get back into the true spirit of the holidays with a fine show.

Pittsburg Community Theatre presents the musical revue “Home for Christmas” at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at the California Theatre in downtown Pittsburg. Favorite Christmas songs performed by local groups will put you on the right track. For tickets, call 925-427-1611 or go to www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

Center Repertory Company continues to light up Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts with its lovely production of “A Christmas Carol,” which runs through Dec.18. Michael Ray Wisely returns to portray the old curmudgeon, with Kerri Shawn as Christmas Past, Jerry Lee as Christmas Present and Jeff Draper as the ghost of Marley.

Judy Potter

Daphe Dorman portrays Rene with Shaya Geraghty as nola in the world premiere of “Welcome to Little Fork, Rene Lundstrom,” through Dec. 17 at B8 Theater in Concord.

It’s a spectacle not to be missed as Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas.

Call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

The holidays wouldn’t be the same without Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble performing “The Biggest Gift.” For more than 30 years, this family-friendly theater company has been entertaining and enriching the youngest of theater-goers. One of my favorite things about this com-

Icons in Transformation

Over 100 paintings by Russian artist Ludmila Pawlowska plus traditional icons from Vassilevsky Monastery in Russia

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Dec. 11—Feb. 17, both churches.

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pany is how the performers, in full costume, mingle with their young patrons before the show.

In “The Biggest Gift,” Santa hasn’t received any letters from children. No letters – no Christmas. But Tucker the Elf won’t let that happen. He joins with the toys to find the letters and save Christmas. The show runs through Dec.18 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts. Call 925-943-

SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

Poison Apple Productions offers up a special treat for the youngest theater-goers with “The Happy Elf.” Running through Dec. 17, this new musical comedy follows Eubie the Elf, a lovable fellow who, while checking the naughty-ornice lists, finds that not a single person in the town of Bluesville has been nice. He sets off to change that.

Shows take place at Poison Apple Academy and Playhouse, 847 Arnold Dr., Martinez. Go to www.poisonappleproductions.org for more information and tickets.

For those who love dance, here’s a chance to see California Academy of Performing Arts students perform “The Nutcracker.” The beloved show runs Dec. 16-18 at Campolindo High School, 300 Moraga Road, Moraga. Go to www.capashows.eventbrite.co m for tickets.

A special treat awaits music lovers when California Symphony presents “Peter and the Wolf with Rita Moreno” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 4 p.m.

Dec. 21 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center. Moreno will narrate the popular tale, with

Fantasy Forum’s much-loved annual performance of “The Biggest Gift” takes place Dec. 16-18 at the Lesher Center for the Arts.

the orchestra playing a variety of classical and holiday tunes – including an audience singalong. For tickets, call 925-943SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

Concord’s B8 Theatre Company continues its world premiere of Harold Smith’s “Welcome to Little Fork, Rene Lundstrom” through Dec. 17 at its new home, 2290 Concord Blvd. Artistic director JanLee Marshall, company manager Maureen-Theresa Williams, the board and dedicated volunteers have worked hard to transform the former bank into a cozy theater with a variety of comfy seating options.

A selection of rock ’n’ roll classics transports the audience to a 1950s small West Texas town. Wonderful period costumes and hairstyles add to the ambiance.

The poignant story tells of a young man returning home after a 12-year hiatus to care for his mother Olga. In the interim, however, the young man has had an operation that changes him into a woman.

The California Academy of Performing Arts presents the Russell, now Rene (Daphne beloved story of Clara and the nutcracker toy that comes Dorman) decides to introduce to life at the Campolindo High School Performing Arts Cen- her new self to her former girlter Dec. 16-18. friend Valerie (Nicole Thord-

sen). This doesn’t go well and neither does the revelation to her mother (Deborah Black).

Valerie’s jealous husband (Kyle Goldman) and Rev. Wallace (Max Minton) further complicate the homecoming, while Valerie’s employee Nola (Shay Geraghty) has no problem accepting Rene.

Although the dialogue would benefit from some trimming and the action is a bit too dramatic at times, the show tackles important topics and provides insights into difficulties inherent in all relationships. The actors create interesting, very individual characters – with Deborah Black outstanding as Rene’s mother.

For tickets, call 800-8383006 or go to www. brownpapertickets.com.

Please remember that local theater companies can provide beautiful gift certificates to upcoming plays for last-minute holiday gifts.

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

Drawing the lines between love and loss

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As a child in Concord, Monica Meza fell in love with Disney characters, and she knew then that she wanted to work in animation.

When she was just 11 years old, she wrote to Disney asking for advice. They wrote back and told her the most important thing to do was to “draw from life.” She took their words to heart and started drawing every day – her family, her friends, even her own face.

Meza went on to study art at Cal State Fresno and moved to Los Angeles upon graduation to pursue animation work.

She enjoyed working with watercolor, oil and other mediums during college but found color theory to be a bit challenging. “Black and white just

feels more like home,” she said.

She and a friend worked together in L.A. to pitch ideas to Mad Magazine, Nickelodeon, Disney and other places. They received great feedback, but none of their proposals came to fruition.

Meza stuck with her day job and eventually met a man, fell in love and started a family.

With the demands of motherhood, her drawing came to a stop.

After a number of years, Meza’s marriage fell apart.

With much soul-searching, she made the difficult decision to move with her son back to Concord. Not long after coming home, while going through the ups and downs of a new relationship, she had to deal with the deaths of two loved ones. She became depressed and overwhelmed by loss. Lost love, lost family … but most of all, loss of self. She decided it was time to go back to the drawing board.

Once the burden of failed relationships was off her shoulders, she found herself drawing with fervor. Her art became introspective therapy for working through her grief.

She discovered more clarity about herself and her life as she drew layers upon layers of

Artist Monica Meza feels most at home in black and white.

unique imagery, ripe with symbolism of her personal experiences with love and loss.

“By making art, I was able to gain back the control in my life that I had lost. I felt I needed to conquer … or I would be conquered,” Meza noted. “I realized that I had been devoted to the wrong person when I was in L.A. I needed to become more devoted to my son and to myself, and as I get older, I’ll have to deal with even more complex issues in life. My art helps me prepare for that.”

Meza works at Village Cen-

ter for the Arts in Pleasant Hill, where she develops afterschool art programs for children. She was happy to join the Concord Art Association to meet more artists and get more exposure for her work. One of her drawings is on display at Selway Fitness Studio, 2647 Pleasant Hill Road, through December.

Lisa Fulmer is a mixed media artist, a small business marketing consultant, and president of the Concord Art Association. Visit ConcordArtAssociation.com for inspiration and information.

December 16, 2016

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

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Tuesdays Farmers’ Market

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Dec. 17, 18 Galindo House Holiday Tours

Tour historic Galindo house decorated with holiday charm. Sponsored by Concord Historical Society. 1 – 4 p.m. 1721 Amador St., Concord. $3. concordhistorical.org.

IN CLAYTON

Jan. 23 Water – More or Less

Reflections on the changing landscapes of California’s water with authors Rita Sudman and Stephanie Taylor. Sponsored by the Clayton American Association of University Women and Clayton Community Library Foundation. 7 p.m. Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. Free. For more information, call Jeanne at (925) 872-9807 .

ON AND AROUND THE MOUNTAIN

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve programs are available for registration through ebparks.org. Parking fees may apply. For additional information, contact Black Diamond Visitor Center at (510) 544-2750 or bdvisit@ebparks.org.

Dec. 18 Nature’s Ornaments Walk

Enjoy a wintry walk through peaceful Somersville valley to look for naturally decked trees and hills. 12 – 1:30 p.m. Meet at Black Diamond Mines.

Mount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free with the exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click on Events Calendar for more information.

Dec. 18 Winter Solstice Saunter

Join us as we search for signs of the season. 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Reservations required: mtdiablohiker@gmail.com.

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Hike

Hike to the Summit on a 6.6-mile or 9-mile route. 9 a.m. Meet at Parking Area above Buckeye Group Camp.

Dec. 30 Round the Mountain Hike

Views in all directions. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at Juniper Camp Trailhead.

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Dec. 16 – 18 “The Nutcracker”

Performed by The Ballet Company of East County. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $16-$20. elcampaniltheatre.com.

Dec. 17 “Home for Christmas: A Musical Revue”

Packed full of your favorite Christmas songs performed by various groups from around Pittsburg. 2 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $10-$25. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

(925) 427-1611.

Dec. 18 “Big Band Farewell” Show

Presented by Mazella Houston. 2 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $19-$25. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

(925) 427-1611.

Dec. 20 “An Irish Christmas”

Superb music-making, dancing and singing. 7 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $30-$40. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. (925) 427-1611.

Dec. 20 – 21 “Peter and the Wolf”

Presented by the California Symphony with guest Rita Moreno.

Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $42$72. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Dec. 30 “Big Fat Year End Kiss Off Comedy Show XXIV” Presented by Worst of Durst. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $30. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Dec. 31 Concert

Ring in the new year in style with Pete Escovedo and his orchestra.

9 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $59. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. (925) 427-1611.

Jan. 7 “Foolish Mortals!”

Improvised adventure of comedy with juggling nonsense. 3:15 and 7:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $25. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Jan. 11 - 21 “Back Home Again”

A new musical featuring the songs of John Denver. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $55-$61. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Jan. 19 – 22 “Spontaneous Sitcom”

Get ready to binge watch your favorite TV sitcom with Synergy Theater. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Jan. 20 Cheyenne Jackson in Concert

Presented by Feinstein’s Presents. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $62.50 - $92.50. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Jan. 20 – 22 “Snow Queen”

Thru Dec. 18 “A Christmas Carol”

Jan. 21 “The Music of Simon and Garfunkel”

A play of courage, honesty and acceptance. B8 Theatre Company, 2292 Concord Blvd., Concord. $20-$25. brownpapertickets.com.

Brimming with music and dance, love and laughter, spectacular special effects and scary ghosts. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $27-$49. centerrep.org.

Thru Dec. 18 “Christmas Caroled”

Presented by El Campanil Children’s Theatre. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $8-$12. elcampaniltheatre.com.

Performed by AJ Swearingen and Jayne Kelli. 8 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $10-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.

Jan. 22 “Peace, Love, Mozart & Beethoven”

Presented by California Symphony. 4 p.m. Lesher Center for the A unique take on a holiday musical that revisits TV Christmas spe- Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $42-$72. cials of the 1960s with a twist. 2 p.m. Delta Gallery of the Arts, lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

2485 Sand Creek Road, Brentwood. Free. thebrentwoodtheater.org.

Jan. 27 – 29

Join the fun and laughter as Tucker the elf and the toys set out to save Christmas. Presented by Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble.

Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $14. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

“Fiddler on the Roof JR”

Presented by Poison Apple Productions. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Jan. 27 – Feb. 25 “Women in Jeopardy!”

Fun and flirtatious new comedy presented by Center REPertory.

Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $33$60. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Jan. 13-14...Diamond Ridge

Karaoke Mon. & Wed. nights Open Mic Thur. nights, 8-11 pm

www.claytonclubsaloon.com

2 for the price of 1

ISSuE. ITEMS MuST BE SuBMITTED By EMaIL TO

Thru Dec. 17 “Welcome to Little Fork, Rene Lundstrom”

Thru Dec. 18 “The Biggest Gift”

6096 Main Street, Clayton, 673-0440

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Page 17

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CHURCHES AND RELIGION

Dec. 16 – 17 Nativity

A Christmas drive-through with live nativity scenes. 6 – 9 p.m.

Bethel Baptist Church, 3578 Clayton Road, Concord. Free. (925) 798-7470.

FUNDRAISERS

2nd and 4th Sundays Pancake Breakfast

Veterans of Foreign Wars serve breakfast to the public: Eggs, pancakes, sausage, beverage. 8 – 11 a.m. VFW Post 1525, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $5, $3 children under 12. vfwpost1525.org.

Thru Dec. 21 Train Set Raffle

Proceeds benefit the Clayton Historical Society. Drawing on Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. Need not be present to win. Raffle tickets available during open hours at museum: 2 – 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays. Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St., Clayton. $2 each or 3 for $5. claytonhistory.org.

Dec. 18 Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast and photo opportunity with Santa. Benefits Northgate Athletic Department. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Boundary Oaks Golf Course, 3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek. $5. For more information, email nhsad@mdusd.org.

Jan. 6 Comedy Night

Precursor to Stars to the Rescue variety show. Proceeds benefit Animal Rescue Foundation. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $25-$60. lesherartscenter.org.

(925) 943-7469.

Jan. 7 “Stars to the Rescue XXVI”

Variety show benefiting Animal Rescue Foundation. 7 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Tickets starting at $50. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.

Jan. 14 Annual Crab Feed

Food, raffle, silent auction, games. Sponsored by the Diablo Valley Lions Club. 6 p.m. Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road, Concord. $48; table of 10 for $450. For tickets and more information, contact Mary at maryjdes@gmail.com.

AT THE LIBRARY

The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at ccclib.org or (925) 646-5455.

Dec. 19: Holiday STEAM, 7 p.m. Registration required.

Jan. 5: Origami, 4 p.m.

Jan. 26: Master Gardeners, 6:30 p.m.

The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at claytonlibrary.org or call (925) 673-0659.

Dec. 21: Movie Night, 7 p.m.

Jan. 5: Chinese New Year Story Time with Author Oliver Chin, 11 a.m.

Jan. 9: Clayton Knits, 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 9: Clayton Library Book Club, 7 p.m.

GOVERNMENT

1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Concord City Council

6:30 p.m., Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.

1st and 3rd Wednesdays Concord Planning Commission

7 p.m. Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.

Meeting dates and times for local clubs and organizations are listed at concordpioneer.com. Click on ‘Links’

Page 18

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

‘Inheritance’ a mystery well worth discovering S

Funeral chapel helps families heal over the holidays

unny

FOR

If you’re looking for a perfect mystery as a holiday gift or maybe something for yourself while enduring the holiday mayhem, look no further than “The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra.”

The fun begins on Inspector Ashwin Chopra’s last day with the Mumbai Police Department. He is a sober, intelligent inspector, admired by all his coworkers, loved by his wife and almost everyone who knows him – except his mother-in-law. His early retirement was brought about by a recent heart attack.

On his last day, two important things occur. First, there’s the death of a young man the inspector believes is a case of murder and not an accident as his inferior and arrogant replacement believes. Then, his aged uncle, whom he has not seen for years, sends him the gift of a baby elephant with reputed extraordinary powers.

Author Vaseem Khan makes readers feel like kids sitting at the feet of a grandparent whose storytelling is exciting, funny, mysterious and even a bit magical. It is hard to put the book down.

The inspector and his wife Poppy are childless, and she has her heart set on taking good care of Ashwin in his retirement. However, the gift of a baby elephant is not what either of them can under-

The first holiday season following the death of a loved one can be especially difficult for families and friends. That’s why Ouimet Bros. Concord Funeral Chapel hosts a Service of Remembrance to honor loved ones in December.

A beautifully decorated Christmas tree, with the names of the loved ones, stands in the foyer. Each family receives a keepsake candle, inscribed with the name of their family member. The candles are lit and placed on a table prior to the service. Families can provide a picture of their loved ones for a video tribute.

Clergy of different faiths have given inspirational messages to help families cope with their loss during this festive season.

Following the service,

SoLoMon

THE

BOOKS

stand, any more than Chopra can understand why his replacement at the police department is so insistent on maintaining the murder is an accident.

In addition to Chopra and the elephant, the city of Mumbai is a major character.

Those who have visited Mumbai will recognize the sounds, colors and bedlams that are at the heart of a metropolis that is a world of its own. There are good cops, bad cops, gated communities and shantytowns. It is modern Mumbai, with its politicians corrupt, its music loud and its streets dangerous.

Chopra promises the parents that he will find out who killed their son and why. He tells his wife that he will explain later why he has been keeping such odd hours in what should have been a relaxed life of retirement.

Working outside the police department, while still calling himself Inspector Chopra, is only one of his secrets. How the elephant calf begins to play a part in the mystery is pure delight. Readers will come away with elephant facts to treasure.

The writing is endearing and well-paced, and the characters will find a place in your heart. This story is already a year old, but Khan’s second book, “The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown,” came out in August. I suggest you pick up both books for that special someone, or just for yourself. Find a comfy chair, maybe a nice cup of eggnog and discover why good mysteries are here to stay.

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.’

Why advertise in the Pioneer?

Since I started advertising in the Clayton and Concord Pioneers, my business has exploded. I can hardly keep up with the calls.

Kevin Schmidt, General Contractor Diablo View Construction

Call today to reserve your appointment.

We accept most Insurance plans

925.219.3939

6200 Center St. Suite I & J, Clayton

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SCREEN SHOTS

The advent of spoken and written language defined the rise of human civilization.

Once we became capable of communicating by more than mere grunts, progress – both social and technological – was inevitable.

Our need to trade with other societies necessitated finding a way to converse.

Eventually, hundreds of languages would dot the planet.

Some evolved, some died millennia ago. We have now deciphered just about every one of them.

With “Arrival,” Denis Villeneuve imagines a new language barrier – this time between humans and aliens.

Amy Adams plays professor Louise Banks, a linguist still coming to grips with a family tragedy. After a brief setup of Banks’ situation, Villeneuve does not waste any time bringing the aliens to earth. Twelve gigantic ships land in seemingly random places around the globe, including Montana.

Col. Weber, played by a gruff, succinct Forest Whitaker, immediately recruits Banks.

Weber’s other recruit is hard-

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families share fellowship with each other over light refreshments. Each family gets an angel memento to place on the family tree or in a special place in their homes.

Over the years, many families have expressed appreciation for this special service. They find it helps them heal a little more during the Christmas season.

Bruce Keim, one of the funeral directors, chairs this service with the help of all the staff. They find it to be a rewarding experience to see the peace it brings to the families the funeral home has served over the past year.

Ouimet Bros. Concord Funeral Chapel is at 4125 Clayton Road, Concord.

For more information, visit www.ouimetbrothers.com.

‘Arrival’ a beautiful roadmap for communicating with aliens

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Professor Louise Banks (Amy Adams) struggles to understand the language of extra-terrestrials in “Arrival,” based on Ted Chiang’s “Story of your Life.”

core scientist Ian Donnelly, played by Jeremy Renner. Renner is just fine as the sidekick, but he is not given much to do as the film is clearly a showcase for Adams.

Adams has truly come into her own as an actress. She is able to convey so many emotions without a word of dialogue. When she does speak, we grasp everything Banks feels as she builds up her confidence. She is thrust into the impossible job of trying to speak to – and decipher the language of – the aliens.

Villeneuve shrouds the aliens in mystery by obscuring their appearance with fog and

clouded glass. Thankfully, he also keeps their intentions a secret, allowing the characters to uncover it for us.

The “hectopods,” called that due to their seven limbs, do not speak so much as make low-frequency grunts and hums. Their main method of communication is a complicated visual writing style that incorporates multiple thoughts and ideas at once. Over the course of a couple months, Banks continues meeting with the hectopods and her progress is astonishing. “Arrival” may be the blueprint for how to deal with the language barrier pre-

sented by our own first extraterrestrial visitors.

Unfortunately, it is the natural response for most of humanity to innately fear that which they do not understand. The progress made by the other countries becomes stunted when several of them unsurprisingly grow to fear the aliens and threaten violence. Villeneuve creates wonderful layers of suspense as Banks and Donnelly rush to find out the hectopods’ purpose before a war erupts.

As she gets closer, Banks’ tragic past comes to the forefront of her thoughts. Is she overworked or are the hectopods messing with her mind? Villeneuve employs his own unconventional trickery in the third act to truly cement his latest masterpiece.

“Arrival” is the expected progression of a talented filmmaker on his way up.

“Incendies,” “Prisoners” and “Sicario” were all successive improvements. “Arrival” is one of the best films of the year. For our sake, let’s hope the sky is not Villeneuve’s limit.

A 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@claytonpioneer.com.

Oakhurst Country Club

Celebrate winter with a new membership at one of the area's best country clubs.

Membership Includes:

• Access to our beautiful clubhouse with amenities such as a fully stocked pro shop with special member pricing • Formal and casual dining and a private members' lounge • Yearlong calendar of social activities, dining events, and golf & tennis tournaments • Access to our Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness center and childcare facilities.

Contact us today to take a private tour of the club and join us for lunch, on us.

Call Susie at (925) 672-9737, ext. 205 or email ssutton@oakhurstcc.com.

1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton

www.oakhurstcc.com

December 16, 2016

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Page 19

Men’s attire tips for holiday gatherings SuSAn SAPPinGTon

CLOTHESUP

I decided to end the year with a “must have” list for the men who read my articles and the women who love them and want them to look amazing at upcoming holiday events.

To help you get into the holiday spirit and amp up your winter wardrobe, here are 10 winter must haves for men that are festive enough for any holiday occasion.

Looking appropriate for the occasion is an important part of the equation for a successful holiday event.

Put together a few of these seasonal separates and you’ll be ready for any holiday party:

CHAMBRAY SHIRT

SWEATER VEST

Plaid blazer. You’re going to need some warmth when heading out for late nights, so slip on outerwear like a plaid blazer. It will look like a part of your outfit instead of a last-minute addition.

Oxford shirt. A staple in any well-dressed man’s closet, the Oxford shines brightest when parties call for “dressy casual.” Oxfords are always

appropriate, and chances are you’ve already got one prepressed.

Brown leather shoes.

Smarten up your act with slick brown leather shoes, such as Brogues. They’re classy enough to pair with slacks but casual enough to wear with jeans. A pair of brown leather shoes is the ultimate piece of footwear, especially if you’re a

style, because tailored inseams keep you from looking sloppy.

Tailored jacket. A wellstructured jacket is a musthave for any type of holiday event.

Sweater vest. A sweater vest is festive without involving Rudolph. Unless it’s an ugly sweater party, that’s important to a man who’s serious about his style.

Dark denim. For family get-togethers that require nofuss fashion, bring out the jeans. But make sure they’re in PLAID BLAZER a dark wash, as anything too light looks summery.

Classic timepiece. man of few shoes.

Wool Peacoat. For out- Watches are a man’s way of door events, this timeless style accessorizing while maintainis sure to spiff up your look. ing a clean look. A classic Wear a plaid shirt underneath to dress it down if needed.

Chinos. They’re neutral enough to match just about any shirt you own. More puttogether than jeans, chinos are the perfect holiday season pants. Snag a pair in a skinnier

timepiece with a leather band looks great with a sport coat.

Put on your bigger bling for more formal affairs.

Chambray shirt. Layer right with a chambray shirt; it’s on-trend and timeless at the same time. Depending on the blazer, you can easily dress this versatile shirt up or down, which is great for events where you aren’t sure of the dress code. If you’re too dressed up, shed the jacket and you’re casual cool.

Susan Sappington is the area development manager for Etcetera of NY for Women and a personal stylist for J.Hilburn Custom Clothier for men. If you are in need a wardrobe overhaul for 2017, contact her at susan@etcstyles.com.

Christmas Eve

— 5-6 p.m.

Join us for a beautiful gathering full of carols, activities for kids and a candlelit “Silent Night”

Christmas Day a family celebration!

—

10:30 a.m. Waffle Bar 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Christmas Celebration Kids of all ages, wear your favorite Christmas pj’s!

The Bridge Church 2140 Olivera Ct., Concord (925) 685-1424 • bridgebayarea.com

Sunday, December 18 “Morning Star”

Free Nursery Care Provided

A Christmas Cantata and Service One Service at 10 a.m.

Saturday, December 24

Christmas Eve Services 5 p.m. – Family Service 9 p.m. – Traditional Service

Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day 10 a.m. – Service

1645 West St., Concord

925-685-5260

concordumc.org

2016 CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Thank you

to our donors, sponsors and volunteers

for a very successful

Second Annual Auction Dinner.

Concord Historical Society

ConcordHistorical.org

Christmas Eve Masses Saturday, December 24

3 PM

5:30 PM 8 PM 12 AM

Early Childhood Christmas Pageant & Mass Elementary Children’s Christmas Pageant & Mass Christmas Vigil Mass

Christmas Day Masses Sunday, December 25

8 AM 10 AM 12:45 PM

English

English

Spanish

Christmas Midnight Mass

St. Bonaventure Catholic Church

5562 Clayton Rd. Concord

(925) 672-5800

Page 20

niCoLe HACKeTT

GARDEN GIRL

Pieris shrubs make superb additions to Clayton Valley landscapes and gardens. If you’re seeking a shrub for a morning sun location and are tired of commonly planted

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Lily of the Valley shrub a step up from the ordinary azaleas, consider the Pieris.

This evergreen is amazing, with hardy flowers and foliage.

Robust, palmate-shaped leaves are densely stacked on the square stems. The end of each branch boasts several elongated clusters of cascading flowers from January to March.

Some bloom white, others cream and a few selections are pink.

The Pieris is commonly called the Lily of the Valley shrub. This describes the shape

of the flowers, which look a lot like the fragrant, bulb-grown plant.

The Pieris matures with a layered habit, making it a nice background installation. Pieris is considered slow-growing.

Depending on the variety, expect 3-5 feet of height and about half as wide.

Pieris Temple Bells has a tidy look. The green leaves are deep in color, and the buds begin their swell as a light green and open to a pinkish-

Senior Club a great way to stave off holiday loneliness

CHRiSTine KoGuT

SAVVY SENIOR

I have been reminded repeatedly this year how important it is to stay connected with family, friends and the community.

In 1624, the English poet John Donne penned the famous line “No man is an island.” We must stay connected and stimulated to be healthy

December 16, 2016

and happy.

The individuals I see on a daily basis who seem to struggle with more health issues, grumpiness or depression are those who have isolated themselves emotionally. I rarely see them converse and have seldom, if ever, seen them laugh.

I don’t claim to be privy to everyone’s personal story.

Many people where I work have lost their partners, children or grandchildren. Others face life-threatening health issues. When you reach a certain age, heartache seems to be reaching up to tap you on the shoulder at every turn.

I’m not immune to sadness.

I see it out of the corner of my eye, trying to get my attention.

People will say to me: “Do you realize you’re humming?” No,

Bigger and sweeter not always better

think fruit is healthy. While it’s a better choice than a soda, people still need to watch portions. I say, give me an old fashioned small apple off a local tree – even if it has a few marks and is a little tart.

I am looking forward to 2017 with optimism and willingness to work harder to make a difference. Our team CinDy GeRSHen has put together a 20/20 vision – things to achieve by 2020 – FOOD MATTERS for the school community.

I am committed to working I thought it was my imagi- for a stronger, healthier future nation that fruit seems bigger for all our children by: and sweeter than when I was a kid. But after a trip to UC • Cooking and serving “real Davis with 16 of my 11th food” in the cafeteria. Right graders, the mystery was now, we serve our children solved.

– our most precious The UC Davis Agriculture resource – commodity govDepartment has 40 greenhousernment food that’s mostly es and acres of organic vegetaprocessed. bles. It is the leader in the • Setting up a recycle and world for not just growing but reuse program that includes propagating fruits and vegetacollecting food waste and bles. reducing landfill. When we Department head Garry teach children well, they Pearson told us about his travwill go home and teach els all over the world to help their parents. communities figure out how to • Developing and supporting grow crops with no water and an overall nutrition educalots of heat. He just came back tion program for K-12, from Dubai. He also works along with outreach to famwith farmers here on fighting ilies. drought, farming organically • Including service clubs, city and making the fruit bigger councils and chambers of and sweeter. commerce in community UC Davis does not use wellness, based on what the genetically modified organisms schools are teaching.

(GMOs). Pearson says the fruit is made bigger and sweeter by Let’s all pull together. As breeding this plant with that they say, “As schools go, so do plant. cities.”

This also increases the fructose content, which can be Cindy Gershen is Chef/Founding problematic if people eat too Owner of Sunrise Bistro & Catering in much fruit, according to Dr. Walnut Creek, Mount Diablo High Robert Lustig of UC San Fran- School Sustainable Hospitality Pathway cisco. teacher, founding board member of the Growers want bigger, Wellness City Challenge and co-author of sweeter fruit because people “The Fat Chance Cookbook.” Contact love sweet things, and they her at gershenc@mdusd.org

I usually don’t – but it makes me happy. I may tone it down, but I’ll always have a song in my heart.

If you haven’t figured one of my secret weapon for happiness after reading my column this year, then I’ll tell you again: the Concord Senior Club.

See Senior, page 22

white. This selection is easy to find and sturdy in any Clayton Valley landscape where it is protected from the afternoon summer sun. Use it to add evergreen interest to a Japanese maple.

Pieris White Cascade is the selection of the Lily of the Valley shrub with a large, purewhite flower. Use this feminine shrub in a landscape with other shade-loving perennials. Or under-plant White Cascade with pastel colors of columbine and Astilbe for a lovely spring display.

Katsura is a patented Pieris introduced recently with not only fabulous flowers, but stunning new growth. After Katsura’s rose-colored flowers fade away in late spring, new growth explodes as a glossy, fiery red. The leaves become even more exciting than the flowers.

Katsura will reach about 3 feet tall and wide. If you don’t have room in your landscape for this gem, consider growing it in a colorful, glazed container.

It is easy to find complementing companion plants for Pieris. Consider installing Heuchera Key Lime Pie or

The striking red new leaf growth on the Lily of the Valley shrub in spring is often confused for flowers, as the real flowers gradually recede from view.

Peach Melba; their fancy foliage would contrast nicely with the Pieris. Winter-blooming helleborus would make a nice perennial accent. Add brunnera macrophylla for spring, along with some anemone for summer through fall color for a comprehensive garden area.

Pieris needs regular water

and performs better when fertilized. It is hardy for Clayton Valley’s heat and cold. You can expect Pieris to survive freezes down to 20 below.

Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden.

You can contact her with questions or comments by email at Gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com

Trade union apprenticeships offer good training option EDI BIRSAN PULSE OF

CONCORD

I am a strong supporter of trade schools and am disappointed that they are often not seen as a top tier education choice.

As a child I lived near Aviation High School in Queens New York, just one among many similar trade schools.

Sadly, they are sorely lacking on the west coast leaving traditional union programs often an excellent option to training for the trades.

One such program is offered by Sprinkler Fitters UA Local 483, a building

STACi HoBBeT

ON THE MOUNTAIN

While hiking in Pine Canyon last week, I wandered up the Little Yosemite Trail – a most optimistically named trail – to see if the rains had accumulated into a waterfall. The answer was no, but if this quiet little streambed can remind someone of Yosemite, then a gentle seep of water among the ferns and mosses might be considered a waterfall. It’s beautiful and calming – and that’s enough.

Not much sunlight makes its way into this narrow wrinkle of the mountain. It faces east, but the morning sun is mostly blocked by the opposite side of the canyon and the jawline of Castle Rock’s pinnacles.

Life is more delicate here.

Maidenhair ferns seem to float

trades union that represents the men and women that install, test and maintain life safety fire sprinklers. They stand in the path of fire with their expertise and represent a program to a career in making the world safer.

Fire sprinkler systems need to be inspected annually and re-certified by a licensed contractor every five years Sadly the recent tragedy in Oakland displays the dangers of not having a professionally installed, working sprinkler system.

Local 483 has a five year, state approved apprenticeship program. The apprentices that come through Local 483’s apprenticeship program get college credit through Chabot Community College.

Unlike traditional colleges and universities, once the stu-

dent finishes their apprenticeship program, they do not have an outstanding debt to pay for their schooling.

Local 483’s apprenticeship is funded and governed by a Joint Labor/Management committee.

Once apprentices graduate from Local 483’s apprenticeship program, they become journey level sprinkler fitters.

But the training doesn’t stop there. Per Local 483’s collective bargaining agreement, all Local 483 journey level fitters are required to do four hours of continuing education every year to stay on top of the ever changing fire codes.

What separates the Local 483 signatory contractors from other contractors is training. Over the course of five years, Local 483 apprentices have 720 hours of class-

room/shop training and a minimum of 8000 hours of on the job training.

If you are interested in a rewarding career in construction, a living wage in the Bay Area, medical benefits, and a pension, please visit Local 483’s website at Sprinklerfitters483.org and click on the Training tab or call Local 483’s Apprenticeship office at 510-782-9483.

If you’re a business owner that is looking for a reputable and quality life safety fire sprinkler contractor, you can also find a list of Local 483 fire sprinkler contractors on the website under the contractors tab or call 510-7858483.

Send comments to EdiBirsan@gmail.com, call 510-8128180 or go to www.PulseOfConcord.com

If you aren’t a squirrel, don’t eat the buckeyes

free of the soil. Thick mosses blanket the rocks. Brilliant orange mushrooms dot the fallen leaves of the many native trees and shrubs. And right now, there are buckeye seeds everywhere. I found large accumulations along the seam of the creek, where they’ve rolled like so many polished brown billiard balls.

Docents in Mt. Diablo State Park get a lot of questions throughout the year about the buckeye trees. In the spring, their enormous white candelabras of flowers draw the attention of hikers.

Because buckeyes lose their leaves in June or July to conserve water, we’re asked about “all the dead trees” in the park in the summer.

Come fall, people wonder about the “big fruit” they spot hanging from the tips of branches or strewn in profusion around the trails. The buckeye nut is hefty, up to two inches across and the biggest seed produced by any native

A buckeye nut pops from its leathery covering in the fall

and admire them again.

Perhaps the Native Americans felt the same way. It might explain why clumps of old buckeye trees thrive on many ridgelines in the Diablo region despite the fact that the seeds are dispersed largely by gravity, i.e., they roll downhill. You might think a bird, fox or coyote carried the seeds, but buckeye seeds are toxic. The only animal we know of that can eat the seeds safely are squirrels, and they aren’t big enough to lug whole seeds to the top of steep knolls.

But imagine a Native American sitting on a ridgeline on a late afternoon, watching as the blue shadows of evening flow into the valleys. He pulls a buckeye seed out of a pocket, rubs the glossy surface with a calloused thumb and then leaves it there.

plant in California. When it plummets to the ground, it has usually lost its leathery covering – revealing a rich, glossy, buttery-brown globe that’s Staci Hobbet is a docent with almost impossible not to pick the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Associup and rub. You may even feel ation.

You can send email to her at the urge to pocket one or two, anastasiahobbet@gmail.com so you can pull them out later

December 16, 2016

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

P ETS

New pets and holidays do not make for a good mix

DeBBie DeMeLLo

PAUSE

FOR

PETS

During the holiday season, many people looking for a gift for a loved one will be tempted by the adorable faces peering out at the pet store or local shelter.

A puppy or kitty could be the gift that cements a relationship with a significant other. It could be the gift that makes your child think you are the best parent on the planet. It could also be the gift of companionship for a

lonely or elderly relative. Or not.

There are some things to consider before getting a pet over the holiday season. Most importantly, think about whether the recipient is ready for a pet. Do they work 16 hours a day? Live in a studio apartment with no yard? If the recipient is a child, is the child old enough to be responsible for the care of a pet? Is the recipient allergic to pets? This is just the tip of the iceberg of what could go wrong when surprising someone with a pet.

Pets can be a blessing, but times that is too much for the bility as great as a pet is better they also need care. And some- recipient to handle. A responsi- when planned carefully.

The holidays are not always a good time to introduce a new pet into your home because people can be distracted with many things. A new dog or cat will be confused by the many people, the lights, sounds and the indoor tree, to name a few. It’s better to bring a new friend home during calmer times. The recipient and the pet will both appreciate it.

If you are considering giving a pet, get the recipient involved if you can. Buy a stuffed dog or cat, a toy or a book on pet care.

Tell the recipient you want to get them a pet but want them to pick it out. That way, they won’t have to figure out how to housebreak a puppy while hosting Christmas dinner. And if a pet was a bad idea, you won’t end up taking it back the next day.

Page 21

is a thoughtful and considerate act that your loved ones will truly appreciate.

A death in the family is difficult enough without the added burden of making arrangements at the last minute.

The holidays, when families are together, are a good time to talk about your family’s future.

The average funeral costs around $7500 Oakmont Mortuary is offering a 10% discount that could save you about $750 on Pre-Arranged Funeral Goods and Services until December 31, 2016.

Please call to arrange an appointment with Kate Lane

(925) 935-3311 klane@stonemor.com

Oakmont Mortuary & Crematory 2099 Reliez Valley Road Lafayette, CA. 94549

“Thoughtful service within the means of all”

FD #875

w e i V o l Diab truction Cons

Flower and Coral are this month’s ARF spotlights

FLOWER

One-year-old Flower is a pretty little petite girl who has lots of love to offer. She is sweet and delicate and wants to snuggle up and fall asleep in your lap or cozy up in soft blankets. She likes going for walks with her human and loves to explore her home surroundings. She is a real people lover and greets with enthusiasm.

The adoption fee for dogs is $250 and includes a discount

CORAL

on the first six-week session of Drive, Walnut Creek, during a manners class. adoption hours: Noon to 6 pm Wednesday & Thursday, Noon One-year-old Coral is a to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 beautiful and active young pm Saturday & Sunday. tabby. She enjoys attention Would you like to be part of the from her people, especially in heroic team that saves the lives of the form of playtime with rescued dogs and cats? Can you wand toys! share your talents to connect people The adoption fee for a cat and animals? ARF volunteers are is $75. making a difference! For more inforMeet your forever friend at mation see our website, Tony La Russa’s Animal Res- www.arflife.org, or call (925) 256cue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell 1ARF.

Captain Grammar Pants

The noun GooDS (old english, “property”) derives from the adjective GooD (German and Dutch, “having the right quality”). A sense of moral rightness (good vs. evil) pervades its usage as well. A “goody” is a goodwife, which once meant a married woman. The word “goodbye” originated as “God be with you,” which was a common parting phrase in england during the Middle Ages. When someone asks how one is, the common response is some variant of “good,” as in (the grammatically correct) “i’m good.” A good goody, who got a goodly share of good goods got with good will, will get going in good time. Goodbye!

Sean Williams is a professor of ethnomusicology at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash.

She is currently working on a Captain Grammar Pants book. Follow her regular postings on Facebook.

Remodeling Specialist

Kitchens Bathrooms Windows Mouldings Decks Siding Painting interior & exterior w Kevin Schmidt, Clayton Resident w Family Owned and Operated

Debbie DeMello is a dog trainer and owner of Who’s Training Who in Walnut Creek. Contact her at debdemello@aol.com

925-822-5144

738 Bloching Circle, Clayton

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• 419 W. 4th St., Antioch

$279,000

Agent: Matt Mazzei

Matt Mazzei, Jr.,

Paula & Rod Johnstone

Rula Masannat

BRE# 01881269

DRE# 00797857

DRE# 01923757

Broker Associate

Broker/Owner 925-766-6745 matt@mazzeirealty.net

Paula 925-381-8810 Rod 925-286-5765

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mazzeirealty.net Clayton residents since 1959

925-693-0757 (Main)

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Sales Agent 415-310-2905 rulawithmazzei@yahoo.com

6160 Center St. Suite #C, Clayton

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Metals add creative touches to home design Page 22

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

JenniFeR LeiSCHeR

DESIGN & DÉCOR

We all have design experience with metal, from a polished chrome desk chair in a home office, to brass door knobs and stainless steel sheeting on kitchen appliances.

With its texture and finish, metal is a significant design detail that should have its own

file tab in a design project notebook. Coordinating significant amounts of metal within a home – like doorknobs, decorative lighting or plumbing fixtures – should be discussed when you are starting a design project or reworking elements of your residence.

Incorporate the texture and finish of metal just as you would window treatments: It should be functional, decorative and the finishing touch to a living space.

In the mid to late 1980s through the early 2000s, polished brass was the metal standard for most new construction. While polished brass can be a lovely statement when contained to a master bathroom or powder room, it feels

outdated when used as a standard throughout a residence.

For brass enthusiasts who are looking for an updated twist on the look, consider an antiqued brass with a bit of an oiled, rubbed bronze wash.

When we think of chrome, many of us envision polished bathroom vanity faucets or bathroom lighting, or in a brushed form on a kitchen faucet. For more daring decorators, chrome is the finish of choice for living room furniture. Regardless of where you use chrome, it can add a modern feeling to a living space and, in smaller amounts, a classic finish for decor from candlesticks, photo frames, a large leaning mirror in the living room or a decorative dining

Gifts from the farmers market ease holiday shopping DEBRA MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market

Get your holiday shopping finished at a place where quality and freshness come first.

From baking ingredients to delicious gifts to meal planning, the farmers market is the place to come for the best ingredients.

Holiday baking will be easy with sweet local honey, crunchy almonds and walnuts, fresh eggs and sweet-tart citrus. Lemon cookies, almond crescents, nut bars, honey nut chews and more will disappear as fast as you can bake them.

Or fill holiday gift baskets with fresh citrus, honey, nuts, bakery items, sauces, pasta,

jams and jellies, local wine, flowers and so much more.

Your appetizers and holiday meals will be the talk of the party when you select fresh fruits and vegetables, grass-fed beef, fresh Dungeness crab and other seafood, dinner rolls and pies from the farmers market.

Fresh holiday flowers can decorate your home; handmade soaps and lotions make great hostess gifts; and other wonderful products will complete your “home for the holidays.”

Visit the farmers market each week to enjoy stress-free shopping without the holiday crowds while you select the freshest, locally grown and

room chandelier.

Because they are living finishes, copper and natural bronze are high maintenance when it comes to preserving their natural finish. These metals will patina after continued use, and you will end up with a finish that only Mother Nature could design. There are waxes and oils that can help preserve these metals, but their appearance will change over time.

Copper accents on the exterior of a home become greenish because of the natural outdoor elements. If you have bronze doorknobs, those that get used the most will have a patina from natural oils in our skin.

When I think of oil-rubbed bronze finishes, I think of

Delta Moon Soap – a Farmer’s Market stop for holiday gifts.

Spoon mixture into 1-quart casserole.

Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 12-15 Preheat oven to 350. Mix minutes or until dip begins to half the cheese with the may- bubble around edges. Serve onnaise, seafood seasoning, hot with crackers or pita chips.

Worcestershire and ground The Concord Farmers Market is in mustard until well blended. Todos Santos Plaza Tuesdays & Gently stir in the crab.

Thursdays.

Nancy Bennett

These oil-rubbed bronze barstools add a touch of the unexpected to this traditional kitchen design.

comfortable and up-to-date settings – farmhouse style or rustic in the sense of eclectic in a more modern setting. This finish can also be more of a flat black, painted or oiled finish. Sometimes, a touch of this dark metal in the way of light fixtures, interior door knobs or even breakfast nook counter stools adds just the right amount of depth and ground-

ing. If you’re looking for a metal finish that works well with just about everything in a residence, consider oil-rubbed bronze.

Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Contact her with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.

Senior, from page 20

homemade products.

HOT DUNGENESS CRAB DIP 1½ c. cheddar cheese, shredded (divided) ¾ c. light mayonnaise 1½ tsp. seafood seasoning, like Old Bay 1 tsp. Worcestershire ¼ tsp. ground mustard 1 lb. lump Dungeness crabmeat, cleaned and slightly shredded into smaller pieces Assorted crackers or pita chips

December 16, 2016

When I moved back to California, I was at a low place in my life. Then one day, I told myself to get the heck out of the house and go investigate the club. It had to be better than sitting around growing mold on my toes.

That decision was truly a great one. The club offers so many diverse opportunities: woodcarving, book club, Trivial Pursuit, afternoon movies, billiards, golf, softball, card games … and the list goes on.

There is no reason to sit around and mope. “Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag” and get over there and

join the fun. Look me up, and I will show you the ropes. Start the new year with a positive outlook and new hope for better things to come.

For more information, visit www.cityofconcord.org/pdf/r ecreation/programs/senior_ newsletter.pdf.

Christine Kogut is a marketing director for the Concord Senior Citizens Club. She has lived in the area for 40 years and formerly worked for the Contra Costa Times.

To find out more about the Concord Senior Center, call (925) 6713320 or see the city’s website at concord.ca.us

Nancy sells more than 8 times as many homes as the average realtor, call today to learn how.

e h B e T n nett Team m o r f Happy Holidays Happy Holidays to all of our clients and colleagues that have made this year such an enjoyable experience!

We are grateful for all of you and wish you and your families a most blessed holiday season filled with much love, joy and happiness.

FREE STAGING! Sign Now, Sell Later Call for Details

Up to $3500 value. Offer is good through Jan. 2017 for new home sellers only.

Bay Point

Ideal Location!

2330 Rockne Dr., Concord

Don't miss out on this renovated 3 bed/ 2 bath home in a convenient location. Features a beautifully updated kitchen, 2 fire places and modern baths. Great curb appeal!

Amazing Price!

Coming Soon!

Adorable 3 bed/2 bath bungalow with open layout.

Renovations in progress

Martinez

3 bed/2 bath home with a HUGE detached 4 car garage!

Renovations in progress

Offered at $595,000 Concord Crossings

This 3 bed/2 bath home with 1641 square feet will not last long at this price!

Home boasts a new $50,000 back yard space complete with a built in BBQ, firepit & pergola.

Open and airy feel to this fantastic property.

Offered at $662,000

We helped over 90 families buy and sell homes again so far in 2016. How can we help you and your family today?

Nancy Bennett, Realtor @ Keller Williams Realty CEO, The Bennett Team #1 Agent in Concord, #1 Team, Keller Williams East Bay #5 Team Nationally (U.S. & Canada) Keller Williams

CalBRE #01399870

Nancy@BennettBetter.com

925.606.8400

BENNETTBETTER.COM