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February 18, 2022
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Super Bloom turns golden hills yellow DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
Once only found in Eurasia, there is now arguably not a single place on the planet where the tiny yellow Brassica rapa L flowers are not found. There’s even been evidence of them at the North Pole and Greenland. With this month’s unseasonably warm weather, Super Blooms of black mustard cover virtually all of California’s golden hills. No where are these displays more stunning than right here in Contra Costa County. This winter annual thrives in nutrient- and lime-rich soil. It grows extensively on the plains and mountains, cultivated fields, roadsides, waste places, pastures, gardens, clearings, shores, riverbanks, railways and orchards. Although it’s an inva-
See Bloom, page 5
BEV BRITTON The Pioneer
David Scholz
A burst of yellow beckons visitors to stroll among the mustard Super Bloom on either side of the Mangini Fruit Stand on Pleasant Hill Road.
Blue Devils co-founder Ann Odello dies at 93 JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Concord has gained national and international notoriety for many things, from the Concord Pavilion and all the spectacular events held there over the past five decades to being the birthplace of Academy Award winner Tom Hanks. And the city even got some unwelcome publicity for its notorious Spirit Poles. But the city has never had a better ongoing ambassador bringing pride and glory to Concord than the Blue Devils, marching arts organization. The co-founder of the Blue Devils, Ann Odello died Jan. 30 at the age of 93. She started the Blue Devils with her late husband Tony in late 1957 after a meeting with two dozen interested youngsters and parents in the living room of their Concord home. From that beginning, three generations of Odello’s have and still are involved with the Blue Devils, the 19-time World Champions considered the New York Yankees of the drum and bugle corps world. The passing of Ann Odello came as the organization is looking to get back training young people and competing against the best corps around the country. This is the 65th year of the Blue Devils and hopes are high they will be able to train, travel
What’s Inside
Directory of Advertisers . . . .7 Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 From the Desk of . . . . . . . . .8 Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1 The Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B5
Next issue, March 18, Deadline, Mar. 7
Clayton must move fast to get revenue measure on Nov. ballot
ANN ODELLO MARCH 21, 1928 – JANUARY 30, 2022
and compete after two years interrupted by the pandemic. Ann Odello was born and raised in San Ramon, the youngest of eight brothers and sisters. Shortly after World War II she met Tony Odello, just returned from service in General Patton’s army on the European front. They wed in 1948 and remained married for 61 years until Tony’s passing in 2009. The marriage brought the births of daughter Annette and sons Rick and Tony Jr. as well as the legacy they created in the Blue Devils. A young Annette wanted to
twirl baton. Her parents were active in the local VFW, which was sponsoring Concord area twirling groups, and they used that connection and experience to create the Blue Devils. A year after starting in 1957 the Blue Devils added a drum and bell corps, that along with the twirling group, would win nearly every contest and parade entered. In 1961 there was the addition of a color guard and in 1970 the addition of bugles. Two years after that the Blue Devils had their first out-of-state tour. They won their first of 19 Drum Corps International World Championships in 1976 and Ann Odello was there each step of the way. In a newspaper interview in 2009, she reminisced how they started the Blue Devils to give local youth a wholesome activity. “We used to save scrap metal and deliver to Oakland in the truck to raise money. It was just family and a few friends,” she shared. “We were never home on weekends! I mean, period. My house was always dirty, and I
never had time to do the dishes. Beds were never made. I didn’t have time to do that. But it was worth it.” The Odello home was open to all at all times, their swimming pool was constantly packed with Blue Devil members, and they became second parents to many, often taking a group camping with them on a rare weekend off. The Odello family has remained deeply invested in the Blue Devils. Their daughter Annette has led the Blue Devil C Corps color guard for decades while co-founding and leading the Blue Devils Special Needs Guard. Her influence on the Blue Devil’s legacy of excellence in twirling, color guard and education cannot be overstated. Son Tony Jr. was a key part of the development of the Blue Devil drum line’s dominance in the late 1960s and 1970s and son Rick was a critical part of the Blue Devils competitive successes and meteoric rise in the 1970s as a member, instructor and designer. He was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 2008. Rick Odello went on to lead and re-energize the B Corps for
14 years starting in 2004, an era that saw them win five DCI Open Class Championships, at the same time leading the beloved and important Blue Devil C Corps from 2001 to his retirement this year, introducing thousands of young children to music, performance and the Blue Devils. “Mom was one of a kind and as tough as they come” says Rick. “She would never hesitate to tell it like it is but would always be there for love and support.” Ann Odello’s legacy goes beyond her three children, as daughter-in-law Debbie (Milina) joined the Blue Devils in 1969, taught the A, B and C corps for years, was at her husband Rick’s side managing the B and C corps throughout the 2000s and worked full-time in the Blue Devils office in a multitude of capacities until her retirement in 2020. Grandsons Ryan, Adam, Ricky and Andrew were members of the Blue Devil A, B and C corps (and each won a DCI
See Odello, page 7
The City Council is looking to put a parcel tax on the November ballot to stave off a looming $1 million budget deficit predicted by Fiscal Year 2030-31. “Claytonians need to understand there is no Plan B. We have to do something,” Councilmember CW Wolfe said at the Feb. 1 meeting. “Otherwise, just take a look at all the red that is on the page.” To counter the growing gap between revenue and expenses, city manager Reina Schwartz outlined options including a sales tax, a property tax based on assessed value, a parcel tax and an assessment district. She emphasized that the council had a short timeline, with a June 21 deadline to request a consolidated election with the county. All five council members agree a general parcel tax is the best plan, but they are still finetuning the suggested $400 annual amount. However, they are clearly divided on whether to hire polling and communication consultants. The ensuing discussion was exemplified by vice-mayor Holly Tillman advocating the importance of sending a unified message to the community regarding the need for a tax, while Councilmember Jeff Wan said he would tell voters whatever he thinks is fit and suggested that children create informational fliers to save money. MAKING THE MESSAGE MEANINGFUL
Several council members noted that the city could benefit from the expertise of communication consultants. “I think all five of us understand very clearly what is in front of us and what the challenges are,” Mayor Peter Cloven said. “I’m more wor-
See Parcel Tax, page 9
John Muir Land Trust launches effort to preserve scenic Moraga ranch forever providing a critical buffer between essential wildlife habitat and encroaching residential The recently announced development,” explained Campaign to Save Harvey JMLT executive director Linus Ranch is one of the most Eukel. ambitious undertakings in the IMPORTANT 33-year history of the MarCONSERVATION OPTION tinez-based John Muir Land A land trust is a private, Trust (JMLT). nonprofit organization for The group seeks to raise $4 which the acquisition and promillion by the end of this year to acquire the 143-acre proper- tection of land (at the behest ty, nestled above Saint Mary’s of the property owner) form College Moraga campus, secur- its principal mission. Today, ing it in perpetuity as open this legal tool is used primarily for the protection and stewardspace. “Protecting the ranch will ship of natural areas. There are hundreds of land make accessible a heretofore trusts in the United States, the difficult-to-reach trail system Jordan Plotsky first founded in 1891, but the with exceptional views of the Martinez based John Muir Land Trust is well on the way to securing funds to pursurrounding East Bay hills, concept dates back at least as chase the 14e-acre Harvey Ranch which covers the hills above Saint Mary’s ColMount Diablo and the San lege in Moraga. The acquisition will provide a critical buffer between wildland Leandro Reservoir, as well as See Moraga, page 6 habitat and suburban development. PAMELA MICHAEL Correspondent
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