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January 17, 2020
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Japan trip honors sister city anniversary DOMINIC ALIANO Special to the Pioneer
Contributed photo
The group in the background performed an ancient Japanese dance during a sister city reception in Kitakami, Japan. Front row from left, Kitakami Ambassadors president Akira Ito, Concord Ambassadors president Mike Pastrick, Justin Gerdes, Concord Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer, Kitakami Mayor Toshihiko Takahashi, Concord Mayor Tim McGallian, Concord Councilman Dominic Aliano and Andrew McGallian.
Network of services aid area homeless We have just tapped the surface.” No argument there from Jaime Jenett, community engagement specialist with Contra Costa County, who is pleased to see the state starting to put more money toward the homeless. But the challenge remains to find funding resources for shelters on an ongoing basis.
Part 2 of a series on homelessness. DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
Caltrans’ unceremonious cleanup at an encampment at its Concord Park and Ride lot attracted the interests of local television in late December. But far from the glare of the camera lights, more creative and compassionate efforts have taken root through the years to complement local government resources to address homelessness. Yet even backers of these good-hearted efforts say they are being stretched thin and government needs to shoulder a greater burden to counteract
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David Scholz
Area homeless can get a shower and clean laundry once a week from Martinez based Bay Church.
the persistent problem. “We are kind of tapping out,” said Jo Kerner, a volunteer grant writer for more than 10 years and the Winter Nights representative to the Social
Justice Alliance of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. “I don’t know much more we can do,” Kerner added. “This is a community problem.
A GROWING SHELTER SYSTEM
There are three clearly defined avenues by which homeless can enter the system to gain services to address their barriers to housing: dialing 211, walking into one of three care centers (Richmond, Concord and Walnut Creek) in the county and meeting with
the county CORE (Coordinated Outreach, Referral and Engagement) teams. “We advise any homeless person to take advantage of the local municipalities’ social service programs,” said Julie Clemens, director of development for Shelter Inc. Winter Nights has operated its emergency mobile shelter for homeless families since 2004, and its host congregations have grown from 17 to more than 40. Beginning in early September and concluding June 15, about 3,000 volunteers contribute their time, talents and gifts to make the mobile emergency shelter possible, said Kerner.
See Homeless, page 10
In October, members from the Concord City Council, the Concord Ambassadors and the Concord community traveled to Kitakami, Japan, to celebrate the 45th sister city anniversary. Court Kirkeeng of Concord and Zenji Katagata of Kitakami formed the relationship in 1974 after meeting at a conference. The two cable TV executives quickly became friends and eventually persuaded their city leaders to approve the sister city relationship. In 2019, it was Concord’s turn to send a delegation to Kitakami. The group included current Mayor Tim McGallian, Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer, myself and about 20 members of the Concord community. President Mike Pastrick and board members represented the Concord Ambassadors, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that maintains the sister city relationship through education, culture, social affairs and economics. It is hard to put my feelings into words because I felt euphoric every moment of this trip. The city of Kitakami welcomed us with a warm embrace, leaving us with experiences that we will remember for a lifetime. We learned about the Japanese culture through food, ancient and traditional rituals, conversations with locals, museum visits and by spending a couple of nights with our house hosts. The opening ceremony at city hall and the welcome dinner featured greetings from Kitakami Mayor Toshihiko Takahashi and the president of the Japanese Ambassadors. Obringer, who was our mayor at the time, and Pastrick spoke on our behalf to let the Kitakami residents know how grateful we were to share this moment with them. The ceremonies also included a tour of city hall, a gift exchange and a dinner of traditional Japanese food and dances. Culturally enlightening experiences during the rest of the trip made me realize that even though we come from different parts of the worlds and speak different languages, we are similar in many ways.
See Sister City, page 3
Concord sends Lennar, unions ‘back to the table’ BEV BRITTON The Pioneer
While acknowledging an impasse in negotiations, the Concord City Council told Lennar/FivePoint and the Building Trades Council (BTC) to continue to meet regarding labor contracts at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. “Ultimately, if there is no agreement between the parties, this thing is going to die. I’m just trying to get you back to the table,” Councilman Edi Birsan said before the Jan. 8 vote. Lennar/FivePoint has an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with the city to
build Phase One on 500 acres. According to community reuse planning director Guy Bjerke, the term sheet states that the “developer anticipates entering into, and will negotiate in good faith to secure, one or more project labor agreements for project construction.” To meet the Concord First objectives, Bjerke said the agreement also “obligates the developer to address local hire, vocational training and incentive programs for military veterans.” Kofi Bonner of FivePoint told the council that the BTC’s plan “sinks the project, financially.” “To be clear, no one can
See Lennar, page 10
Tamara Steiner/The Pioneer
Union members came out in force at the Jan. 7 Concord City Council meeting to support labor agreements for the Concord Naval Weapons Station development.
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January 17, 2020
Concord woman joins county art commission Woman’s Club donates to First Place for Youth Joan D’Onofrio of Concord is the new commissioner of the Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County. Her responsibilities include promoting, growing and advancing the arts in the county through education and preservation of cultural expression. She is currently working with the Concord Veterans Center and Diablo Valley College to provide art programs for veterans. D’Onofrio began her career in legal publishing in New York at Oceana Publi-
JOAN D’ONOFRIO
cations. After 16 years, she moved to educational publishing for EMC Publishing in St. Paul, Minn. After retiring from a 29year career, she moved to Concord and opened four Curves for Women fitness franchises. When they closed in 2008, she founded the Michelangelo D’Onofrio
Arts Foundation. The nonprofit presents monetary awards and scholarships to public school students who demonstrate outstanding talents in the visual and digital arts. She is also a member of the Clayton Valley/Concord Rotary Club, serving as newsletter editor.
High-tech help for Ugandan students
Clayton Valley Woman’s Club co-presidents Linda Garden, left, and Joan Bergum presented a donation to Khadeeja Mirza of First Place for Youth in December. At right is club membership chair Claudia Gray.
vulnerable young people with the tools they need to reach their full potential in school, work and life. The Clayton Valley Clayton Valley Woman’s Woman’s Club meets at 10 Club co-presidents Joan a.m. the second Tuesday of Bergum and Linda Garden most months at St. John’s chose First Place for Youth as Episcopal Church, 5555 Claythe recipient of the presiin Clayton. ton Road dents’ charity in 2019. On Feb. 11, the club will Members donated $705 in host Clayton Police Chief gift cards, which they gave to Elise Warren’s presentation, interim clinical program man“General Law Enforcement.” ager Khadeeja Mirza at the After completing a bacheclub’s December luncheon at lor of science degree at Cal Endeavor Hall in Clayton. Poly San Luis Obispo, Warren The future can be perilous started her career in law and uncertain for the more enforcement in 1990 with the than 25,000 young people Contra Costa County Office across the United States who of the Sheriff. She spent 28 transition out of foster care years there, promoting into adulthood each year. That’s why First Place for Youth programs provide these See CVWC, page 3
Clayton chief will speak in February
The Ssaku Secondary School in Nsawo, Uganda, received $30,000 in grant funding from the Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club for its computer lab. Ssaku purchased more computers and upgraded operating systems, providing students the opportunity to achieve national-level computer science certification. Through the Adopt-A-Village initiative, the Rotary club has had an eight-year community development relationship with Nsawo for medical, infrastructure, economic and educational projects. With the motto “Ending poverty one village at a time,” club members have worked with Nsawo residents on projects such as a medical clinic, drinking water and sanitation systems. Other local Rotary clubs, including Rossmoor, Martinez, Concord, Orinda, Danville/Sycamore, Concord Diablo and Diablo View, also have contributed to the initiative.
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C ommunity January 17, 2020
Town Center apartment project appeals head to Clayton City Council The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
Benevolence Program changes lives
A new car won’t change the world, however, it changes life for one of the families in the Winter Nights program. With this 2010 Chevy Equinox donated by D&H Enterprises and Clayton Valley Sunrise Rotary, the parents can get the children to school and themselves to work. It gives them the ability to hold down a steady job and income allowing them to move back into a permanent home.
CVWC, from page 2
through the ranks and retiring as an assistant sheriff in 2018 to become Clayton’s chief. In 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her to the state 911 Advisory Board as a representative of the California
Police Chief ’s Association. Guests are always welcome at club meetings. For more information, call Joan at 925672-4597 or Linda at 415-6523503. Or visit claytonvalleywomansclub.org.
The cities and the people have a special bond that I hope never fades. At the end of the trip, the Concord elected officials and Takahashi discussed the possibility of a high school student exchange. I would like to thank the Concord Ambassadors, especially Pastrick and Mary Rae
Lehman, for putting together the trip and for maintaining the sister city relationship. I also extend a heartfelt thank you to the city of Kitakami.
Sister City, from page 1
Dominic Aliano is the vice mayor of Concord, representing District 3 on the City Council.
Page 3
DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
After two marathon public hearings, the Clayton Planning Commission delivered a 2-2 decision on plans for an 81unit, high-density senior housing development in downtown Clayton. The split decision effectively denied the project and triggered four appeals to the City Council. The fifth seat on the planning commission was vacant after William Gall resigned in November. “The Olivia on Marsh Creek” is facing heavy resistance from residents opposed to the three-story complex, which they say has inadequate parking and is too big for its location near the town center. The project was hotly contested and debated at public hearings Nov. 12 and Dec. 10. The proposed three-acre development is located on three adjacent parcels just south of the town center. The parcels are zoned multifamily, high density in the city’s General Plan, which would normally be 20 units per acre–60 total. However, the State Density Bonus Law, which encourages high density affordable housing, allows for 35 percent more (81 units), if at least 10-15 percent are designated Very Low Income. Additionally, under state law, the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. In the end, a three-part resolution made up of an Affordable Housing Density Bonus Application, a Site Plan Review Permit and a Tree Removal Permit failed to garner the majority support needed to
An architect’s rendering shows of one of the three, 3-story apartment buildings in The Olivia at Marsh Creek, denied by the Clayton Planning Commission on Dec. 10. The City Council will hear appeals from the developer and three residents on Feb. 4.
approve the project. Commissioner Bassam Atwal and Chairman Peter Cloven voted to approve the resolution. Vice-chair A.J Chippero and commissioner Frank Gavidia voted to deny. The commissioners did, however, agree by a 3-1 vote that the project qualifies for a CEQA exemption as infill development. Gavidia voted against the exemption. The City Council will hear four appeals at its Feb. 4 meeting. Kent Ipsen, whose home is on the hill above the project and two neighbors from the Stranahan development across the street from The Olivia are appealing the CEQA exemption. The project’s developer William Jordan is appealing denial of the plans. Jordan is confident he will eventually prevail as ``it meets city and state laws to a tee. We have delivered a project that meets the objectives.” Jordan originally brought the project to the city in September 2017. Most of the more than 80
public comments opposing the project were concerns about lack of parking. The Olivia is a senior housing project for age 55 and over and speakers speculate most of the units will have two cars. They fear the overflow will take up downtown parking, impacting merchants and spilling over into the Stranahan neighborhood across the street. And they say the increased traffic on Marsh Creek Rd. presents a safety hazard. Vice chair Chippero voted against approving the project. He maintains he is neither antigrowth nor against the housing the project would provide. However, he says ``any growth must be smart.’’ ``This property is zoned for growth; something is going to eventually be built there, I just hope it’s a sensible project that respects our little gem of a city,’’ he continued. Chippero called it ``unrealistic’’ to think that the project will not have a major impact on [parking and traffic] downtown. “This isn’t an assisted
living facility where the majority of the residents don’t drive,” he explained. “So my vote is more of a protest vote against the state’s ‘one size fit all approach’ [to affordable housing projects]. Peter Cloven reluctantly voted to approve the project. The current zoning, the project’s adherence to the General Plan, and state laws ``prohibit me from voting with my heart.’’ “The conditions for denial were very limited. Based on my hours of research, I did not see an avenue to cause a motion to deny based on the conditions provided.” Although not the result he’d hoped for, developer Jordan was nevertheless optimistic. “We are going to go forward and move this project in a direction to get it approved,’’ he said in choosing to appeal. Believing the law is on his side, he said the city could face millions of dollars in fines and lawsuits if it tries to block the project.
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January 17, 2020
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The first thing you notice about Ikani Taumoepeau is that he is very tall. The next thing you see as your eyes move upward is his 1000-watt smile. As you struggle a bit to say his name (tau-mo-eh-pe-ow), his eyes silently laugh a little and he says, “Call me I.T.” Taumoepeau is Clayton’s new city manager. He replaces Gary Napper, who retired in July after 18 years. Taumoepeau comes to Clayton well prepared from his former position as assistant city manager of Santa Paula, a southern California city remarkably different from Clayton demographically, culturally and economically. Clayton’s population (11,000+) and average household income ($146,000) are nearly triple that of Santa Paula, where the population is 30,200 and average household income is $50,000. Although the differences are striking, Taumoepeau says the people and challenges are not. “In Santa Paula, if someone feels passionately about something, they let you know.” No different from any other city. He has a high regard for transparency and engagement. “Any communication is good,” he said. “Whether it’s good or bad.” Taumoepeau is looking forward to meeting the challenges that come with his new job. Right now, his highest priority is filling two key staff positions. The city has been without a permanent finance manager
IKANI TAUMOEPEAU
since Kevin Mizuno resigned last summer. Clayton resident and BART director Debra Allen has been helping out in between board meetings and running her own business, but her available time is coming to an end. An outside consulting firm has been covering the community development spot since the interim director’s contract ended in December. The city is entering its third round of recruiting with a new search firm. Low pay and heavy responsibility with limited staff help make the job a tough one to fill. Undaunted, he said, “I find joy in wearing many hats.” Taumoepeau, 38, was born in San Francisco to parents that immigrated in the early 1960s from the Polynesian island of Tonga. Taumoepeau means “fight against the waves,” he explained. “The name was given to our family by the Queen of Tonga a long time ago; another story for another time.”
Tamara Steiner/The Pioneer
He was excited to return to the Bay Area especially to be closer to his mother who, sadly, died suddenly immediately after he and his family arrived in Clayton. His wife, Dagmar is from the village of Copenhagen in Upstate New York, population 747. They have three daughters, ages 6, 3 and 1, all of whom he describes as “lively.” They currently live in Clayton Valley Highlands but plan to move to Clayton soon. Taumoepeau holds a master’s in public administration from Brigham Young University in Utah where he played rugby. But that was then. Now he says his “true passion” is pickleball. “I am excited about the opportunity to work in one of the best communities in the entire state and build upon the past successes,” he said. “Thank you for adopting me into the Clayton family. I am looking forward to earning your trust.”
Concord Chamber sets 2020 goals
This year, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce has three goals in mind: 1. To be the catalyst for business growth, assisting members in any way possible to improve their businesses. 2. To be the convener of leaders and influencers who can make strong connections for local business owners. 3. To be the champion for a stronger business community in the greater Concord area. If one of your goals is to be more physically fit this year, please connect with one of the many options in Concord. The Big C Athletic Club has been providing results for its members for years. The UFC Gym turns 10 years old in Concord this year and continues to “Train Different” and be a strong fitness provider. If one of your goals is to start a new business and you are looking for funding, do not hesitate to contact the Opportunity Fund. As one of the largest non-profit lenders to
KEVIN CABRAL
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
small businesses in the country, they invest in small business owners who do not have access to traditional financial resources. If one of your goals it to be more involved, keep on the lookout for activities from the chamber’s Young Professionals Network. The vibrant program promotes the growth of professionals in their early 20s to mid-40s by providing them
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with professional development and networking opportunities in a welcoming setting. The chamber is committed to all of our members, but we recognize the need to be relevant to younger business people. We want to be the catalyst for that group’s success in our community. I am looking forward to working toward these goals for the chamber and to the exciting opportunities for businesses and the community. If you are planning to make a change in 2020, look to us as a resource to help guide your journey. I hope to connect with you at one of the chamber’s many functions and events. Contact the chamber in person at 2280 Diamond Blvd. Suite 200, Concord, or call 925-685-1181. Learn more about what the chamber offers businesses, our events and how we can work together at concordchamber.com.
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SB50 would put unfair housing strain on Clayton Guest Editorial
JEFF WAN Clayton Vice Mayor
State Sen. Scott Wiener is targeting single-family zoning and trying to force communities across California to dramatically increase housing density. Wiener introduced SB50 to force increased residential density and eliminate single-family housing in California. If SB50 passes, fourplexes would be allowed on virtually any singlefamily zoned property. That
January 17, 2020
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
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means anyone could build a fourplex in any neighborhood currently zoned single family, eliminating single-family zoning everywhere in the state. In addition, any location determined to be “job rich” or “near transit” could receive waivers on requirements for parking, density, height, size, etc. This would be on top of any waivers received as a result of the California Density Bonus Law, which already undermines local control. The criteria of being “near transit”
would mean that a city’s zoning rules could change at the whim of outside transit authorities adjusting the timing of bus routes. Further, the definition of “job rich” is sufficiently nebulous so that most populated areas in the state could be included, even if they are nowhere near transit. Because commercial space yields greater revenues to cities than residential development, places like San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Clara scramble to
attract and build more and more commercial space to fuel tech booms and feed their coffers. But because of the jobs to housing imbalance, which from 2010 to 2016 was 13:1 in San Francisco, 17:1 in San Mateo and 8:1 in Santa Clara, surrounding cities are subsidizing their lack of housing production. This fact alone displaces existing residents, and the impact would only be exacerbated with SB50. Building
five- and eight-story luxury condos helps builders and tech companies, but the rest of us in smaller communities pay the bill in increased traffic, density and the change in character of our neighborhoods. Housing production requirements should target areas with greater job growth. Housing shortages in California will not be solved by forcing small cities like Clayton to upzone while requiring limited to no parking, increased densi-
Contra Costa & Solano’s front door swung both ways to begin 2020. The board recently named Joel Sjostrom as the new president and CEO. But as ink on that announcement
dried, Caitlin Sly said she was leaving to head the Diablo Region of Meals on Wheels. She is the daughter of retiring Food Bank executive director Larry Sly. “This is an incredible opportunity to combine my passion for community service and blend it with my professional business experience to grow this incredible organization,” Sjostrom said. “I look forward to continuing the momentum toward the Food Bank’s 50th anniversary and beyond.” A long-time Contra Costa County resident, Sjostrom was the CEO of Fairn & Swanson, one of the largest wholesalers and retailers in the American duty-free and travel retail industry. “This is the first time I have been able to be fully dedicated to a mission-driven
organization,” he said, adding that his experience with building teams and processes will be valuable. He intends to focus on advocacy and accelerating the momentum to serve unmet needs. Sjostrom believes the Food Bank’s efforts as a safety net are in danger from the Trump administration. “Cuts to these programs would threaten food insecure residents, and that would put a considerable strain on Food Banks,” he noted. Meanwhile, the board lauded Sly, a major driver who officially joined the Food Bank in 2008. She led a highly effective team overseeing 10 programs, agency relations and CalFresh Outreach. Sly, who starts her new job Jan. 21, sees Meals on Wheels as a great fit for her.
“I have a real passion for working with seniors.” She says society overlooks the senior population, so it can be difficult to raise money for that demographic. “That is an injustice that I really want to work on.” The non-profit does more than just deliver meals, she added, pointing to new offerings like health, cooking and exercise classes. “Meals on Wheels is about promoting the social connections so that a person is not isolated,” Caitlin Sly left the Food Bank Sly said.
ty and little consideration for lengthy commutes. SB50 is a one size fits all cudgel that folks like Wiener are pushing so that small cities are forced to subsidize the lack of housing being produced where jobs are being created. Write to your state representatives and urge them to oppose SB50. In Clayton, that is Assemblyman Tim Grayson and state Sen. Steve Glazer. Jeff Wan is the vice mayor of Clayton.
New leaders for two non-profits feeding the hungry
In greeting a new leader and bidding farewell to another long-time team member, the Food Bank of
David Scholz
New president and CEO Joel Sjostrom is ready for handson work at the Food Bank.
Concord bans smoking in multi-unit residences and most city-owned areas BEV BRITTON The Pioneer
In an effort to cut down on second-hand smoke dangers, the Concord City Council voted on Jan. 7 to ban smoking in multiunit residences and many public areas. The rules go into effect Feb. 6 for new units and on Jan. 1, 2021, for existing units. According to Concord planning manager Mindy Gentry, the city hasn’t comprehensively updated its smoking regulations since 1993. She cited significant legislative changes, the evolution of how products are consumed and “societal shifts in acceptable behavior due to continued concerns of the dangers of second-hand smoke.” She noted that the U.S. Surgeon General concluded in 2005 that second-hand smoke is harmful and determined that dangerous substances are present in vaping aerosol. Gentry also pointed to studies documenting that smoke migrates to neighboring residences through cracks in shared walls, vents and windows. SPEAKERS IN FAVOR OF RESTRICTIONS
The council vote was unanimous, and public comments at the Dec. 10 meeting were overwhelmingly supportive. “There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke,” said Concord resident Dan Peddycord, who is the director of Public Health for the county. “To this day, approximately one in three non-smokers in the United States live in a rental housing where they are subjected to second-hand smoke.”
“I feel that my well-being and the well-being of all the families in my mobile home park aren’t cherished when I often find myself shutting windows in order to keep drifting second-hand smoke from entering my room,” said Carla Gonzalez, who lives in the Trees Mobile Home Park on Monument Boulevard. However, other residents vented on social media. On Councilman Edi Birsan’s Facebook page, Shelley Mack said she doesn’t see why renters should be targeted when they “haven’t been proven to be any more irresponsible than homeowners with their smoke.” Marshall Lewis said the ordinance is another example of trying to treat addiction by punishing addicts. “It never works,” he posted.
O RDINANCE SPECIFICS The amendment to the Municipal Code affects any kind of smoking, e-cigarettes or vaping of tobacco and cannabis. Affected areas include: • Housing units containing two or more residences or having shared walls, including group homes, residential care facilities, supportive and transitional housing and assisted living. • RVs, manufactured homes and mobiles homes in mobile home parks. • Rental and home ownership of multiunit condos and townhomes. The no-smoking policy pertains not only to the interior of these units but also to patios, balconies, decks, porches and common areas. A landlord can designate a smoking area in an exterior common area.
The ordinance also bans smoking in public places such as city-owned property, parks, streets, sidewalks, trails and parking lots and within 1,000 feet of a school, day-care center or youth center when children are present. Smoking will be prohibited within 25 feet of an exit, entrance or operable window of city/public buildings. Hotels and motels will be required to be 80 percent smoke-free – an increase from 30 percent. In addition, it will be illegal to smoke while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Cabs of trucks are exempted. Smoking will still be allowed in single-family detached units, accessory dwelling units – attached or detached, and RVs, mobile homes or manufactured homes not in a mobile home park.
ed that landlords will not be held liable if they’ve complied with the ordinance. “Well, that is music to my ears,” said Blaine, who noted that he supports the plan and already includes a no-smoking clause in leases. Sixty-three other jurisdictions in Contra Costa County prohibit smoking in multiunit residences, including the county and the town of Clayton. “I hope to be able to stand before you in not too many years and be able to proclaim that every jurisdiction in our county has passed a multiunit smoke-free ban,” Peddycord said. “That would be a great day for public health.”
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Gentry said city officials will have the authority to cite violators and collect fines. “Although it is problematic to some degree, because the staff actually has to witness the violation in order to issue a citation. And the city also has limited resources to enforce this ordinance,” she told the council. The rules specify a private right of enforcement, “which means any person can file a civil action in a court of law to enforce the city’s smoking ban,” Gentry said. “This allows the public to take action and removes the city as the solitary enforcer.” At the December meeting, landlord Blaine Carter questioned whether residents could bring civil action against a property owner. City attorney Susanne Brown respond-
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F r om the desk o f . . . Page 6
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
January 17, 2020
With the new year comes new opportunities
our successes. While we are saying goodbye to Police Chief Guy Swanger, who has had a tremendously positive impact on the culture of Concord’s police force, we look forward to bringing in the next chief of police, who will lead the department with a continued TIM MCGALLIAN focus on building strong relaCONCORD MAYOR tionships with the community. We also look forward to the The start of every new year of the Concord development brings with it the excitement of Naval Weapons Station. This possibility and new beginnings. has been a long-term project It is a chance to set ambifor the city, but we’ve made tious goals and resolve to do incremental steps forward in something for the betterment recent years – with the transfer of ourselves and our community. It is also a chance to take of land to the East Bay Regional Park District last year stock of where we are and and ongoing discussions about where we are headed, and to the planned campus district of envision a future that we can higher learning. create together. Concord will continue to As I look ahead to 2020, I vigorously pursue the developam excited by the opportuniment of this land, which ties that we have to build on
would add thousands of homes and ultimately become an East Bay jobs hub benefiting the entire region. The city continues to evaluate transportation safety and traffic operations for all modes of travel within Concord. We have been successful in obtaining competitive grants to fund projects such as the Willow Pass/Galindo/Cowell Complete Streets Feasibility Study. We are examining street design options for each of these corridors to improve safety, accessibility and efficiency. I am particularly interested in reviewing and providing feedback on the design concepts when they come before the full council in early 2020. As with any organization, Concord has its share of challenges that must be addressed. The most pressing challenge is
the city’s projected budget deficit. Despite 11 years of national economic recovery, cities across California continue to grapple with operating costs outpacing revenues – particularly with road maintenance and state-mandated costs. Last fall, the city held a series of community meetings to discuss this issue and solicit feedback on priorities. The council will continue to keep fiscal stability front and center, and we will seek community input as we develop solutions. Other challenges that are affecting all Bay Area cities are homelessness and access to housing. Through partnerships with the county and local nonprofits, Concord will continue exploring ways to support our most vulnerable populations. In addition to funding home-
Making your voice heard in 2020
There are important elections throughout our communities every year, but this year our nation will also participate in a presidential election. No matter your political preferences, it is important to be informed on California’s election laws and how you can make sure your voice is heard. Since coming to Sacramento, I’ve made it a priority to shine a light on the dark money in politics. In 2017, I coauthored the California Disclose Act, which lets voters know who is really paying for political ads by requiring that ballot measure and SuperPAC ads clearly and prominently list the three largest fundraisers. This last year, I fought for additional transparency by supporting AB 201, the first law in the nation to require “paid for by” disclosures on mass campaign text messages. I also voted in favor of SB 47, which requires that the official top funders of state and local initiatives, referendums or recall petitions be disclosed on the petition. I am proud to have supported these measures and others to
TIM GRAYSON
14TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
bring transparency to campaigns and ensure voters have the best information when they are at the ballot box. In 2017, in an effort to increase California’s influence in the presidential primary election, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill to move our primary up to the earliest date permissible. Instead of our usual June election, this year California will join 13 other states in voting on March 3, known as “Super Tuesday,” for primary elections. If you are registered with any particular political party, you can expect to vote as you usually do. However, if you are
registered with “no party preference” and vote by mail, you likely received a postcard from the county elections office to request a primary ballot with presidential candidates. Political parties get to decide if they will allow no party preference voters to vote in their presidential primary. Certain parties, such as the Republican and Green parties, allow only those registered to their party to vote in their primaries. No party preference voters can request to vote for Democratic, American Independent or Libertarian party presidential candidates, but they should consider reregistering if they wish to vote for candidates in other parties. For Californians, registering to vote or checking registration status is as easy as visiting the secretary of state’s website at sos.ca.gov. There, you can also request a vote-by mail ballot, find your polling place and get information on campaign finance. Eligible 16- and 17-yearolds can also pre-register so that they are ready to vote as soon as they turn 18. Accord-
ing to a study by CIRCLE, a research arm of Tufts University, only 31 percent of eligible young people voted in the 2018 midterm elections. Pre-registering has been found to be an effective way of engaging young people in the political process. However, life can be busy and sometimes we aren’t able to check everything off our todo-lists, which is why I supported a bill last year to have California join 11 other states in allowing all eligible residents to register to vote and cast a ballot on Election Day. Our nation is better when all our voices are heard. Elections are the bedrock of our democracy, so in 2020 make sure to vote and encourage friends and family to vote too. If you have any questions about registering to vote and election laws or would like to share your opinion on legislation, please contact my Concord district office at 925-521-1511. Reach Assemblyman Tim Grayson at (925) 521-1511. Visit or write the district office 2151 Salvio Street, Suite P, Concord, CA 94520
County reviews how new state laws apply here
a variety of stakeholders, the Legislation Committee develops the state and federal legislative platforms. KAREN MITCHOFF When the county advoCOUNTY cates for state or federal legisSUPERVISOR lation, it either falls in line with the county platform or At the Jan. 7 county Board the Legislation Committee takes a formal position. Laws of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Candace Andersen passed by the state Legislature was sworn in as chair, and the or U.S. Congress directly impact local government. board approved her recommendations for new commit- Many times, the county has the responsibility to enact tee assignments. state and federal programs. The board has a number Gov. Gavin Newsom of internal standing committees that examine a multitude signed many bills that took effect Jan. 1. Here is a brief of issues that impact the county. Two members of the update on a few bills that will board serve on each commit- have a direct impact on Contee. I have been on the Legis- tra Costa County: SB 13/Accessory Dwelling lation Committee in recent Units (ADUs). Makes it easier years and am the new chair for property owners to build this year. The Legislation Committee junior ADUs and standard ADUs. The Contra Costa reviews federal and state legislative programs. It also iden- County Department of Conservation and Development tifies strategies to improve awareness, understanding and has prepared a revised ADU advocacy on issues and legisla- ordinance to be consistent tion of importance to Contra with the state changes. This ordinance update will come Costa County. With input from county departments and before the Board of Supervi-
sors in late January or early February. SB 22/Rape Kits Testing. Requires a law enforcement agency to either submit sexual assault forensic evidence to a crime lab or ensure that a rapid turnaround DNA program is in place. It requires a crime lab to either process the evidence or transmit the evidence to another crime lab for processing. SB 591/Mental Health Evaluations for Incarcerated Persons. Requires psychiatrists or psychologists from the Department of State Hospitals, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or the Board of Parole Hearings be given access to prisoners temporarily held at a county correctional facility, a county medical facility or a stateassigned mental health provider. SB 716/Juveniles: Delinquency: Postsecondary Academic and Career Technical Education. Requires a county probation department to ensure that juveniles with a high school diploma or Cali-
fornia high school equivalency certificate who are detained in, or committed to, a juvenile hall, ranch, camp or forestry camp have access to, and can choose to participate in, public postsecondary academic and career technical courses and programs offered online, and for which they are eligible based on eligibility criteria and course schedules of the public postsecondary education campus providing the course or program. This is just a snapshot of legislation that impacts our county. I encourage you to check our Legislation Committee website to review agenda notices and regular updates at contracosta.ca.gov/2292/Legislation. If you call my office at 925-521-7100, we can also add your email to the committee’s contact list so that you will receive agendas when they post. Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Mitchoff at supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us
less services, the city allocated $7.8 million to Resources for Community Development to help finance the construction of 62 units of affordable housing on Galindo Street. I am honored to have the opportunity to address these topics and more at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the City luncheon on Jan. 29. The event is open to all, and tickets are available at concordchamber.com. If you are interested in learning more about what’s happening in Concord and how the City Council and staff
are addressing these issues, I encourage you to join us for this great event. Over the next year, I also look forward to meeting you at one of my Mayor’s Meet-Ups. The first will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Willow Pass Center; the next will be Saturday, Feb. 22, at Centre Concord. Please check the city website (cityofconcord.org) and social media for further information and future dates. Mayor Tim McGallian can be reached at 925.671.2489 or email Tim.McGallian@cityofconcord.org
New city manager, planning commissioner for City of Clayton
JULIE PIERCE
CLAYTON MAYOR
As we begin a new year and a new decade, I want to welcome our new city manager, Ikani Taumoepeau. He comes to us from the city of Santa Paula in Ventura County. Ikani is full of energy and enthusiasm, and he and his family have discovered what we already know – we all love Clayton. We are enjoying working with him and look forward to meeting new challenges together. See the full story on him on Page 4. I sincerely thank William Gall for his service on the Planning Commission. I also want to thank the three strong candidates who applied to fill that vacancy. The council appointed Terri Denslow to finish the term ending June 30, at which time three positions will be up for appointment. Thanks also to the Clayton Business & Community Association (CBCA) for the wonderful holiday decorations and festivities. Every year, they make the holidays special in our downtown. The CBCA provides all the decorations,
and its members do the setup and takedown as well as producing the Tree Lighting and Dessert with Mrs. Claus and Santa, all at no expense to the city. If you were downtown over the holidays, you saw that the planter boxes on Main Street have been removed and are being replaced with larger boxes. We are also replacing the rootbound trees that were too large for the planters with crape myrtles, which will fill in and match some of the other trees we already have. With the new year, planning has begun for our 13th annual Concerts in the Grove. We have a great lineup of bands to enjoy this summer. The flier with the official schedule will be in the March issue of the Pioneer; until then, mark your calendars for every other Saturday, beginning May 9 and continuing until Sept. 12. Yes, there will be a concert on the 4th of July. Please contact me if you or your company would like to be a major sponsor of the concert series, with your company logo appearing on the large banners during concerts. Late last year, we launched live video-streaming of all City Council meetings and some Planning Commission meetings. As some of you have observed, it got off to a bumpy start, but our tech folks have worked out the glitches and it’s working now. You can now “virtually” attend a council meeting, live,
See Pierce, page 7
Get involved to learn more about Concord’s serious budget issues As you may be aware, the city of Concord has been struggling with budget challenges for quite some time. And, the problem will only increase over time if something significant doesn’t change. We are dipping into General Fund Reserve, and Measure Q is propping up the budget. Measure Q is a voterapproved, half-cent use and transaction tax that was established to protect and maintain essential city services. It was first approved by voters in November 2010 with a fiveyear sunset. Then 77 percent of the voters approved an extension of the tax on the November 2014 ballot. Measure Q is set to expire on March 31, 2025. The fiscal year 2019-’20 budget uses $7.65 million of Measure Q revenues, with FY 2020-’21 using $10.9 million from
JASON LAUB
CONCORD PLANNING
COMMISSIONER
Measure Q. Even with the Measure Q funds through 2025, the city will be facing a $33 million deficit. I can’t possibly address the various issues that are causing the gap in revenues and
See Laub, page 7
January 17, 2020
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
From the desk of...
Fire chief addresses growing safety concerns
P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517
more actively tell our story and ask the community to join us in exploring solutions for maintaining fire service levels.
TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design, Social Media B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor, Calendar Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports Editor, Schools Editor S TAFF W RITERS : Jay Bedecarré, Bev Britton C ORRESPONDENTS : Kara Navolio, David Scholz
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Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580 Tamara Steiner
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sports@pioneerpublishers.com The Pioneer is a monthly publication delivered free to homes and businesses in 94517, 94518, 94519 and 94521. ZIP code 94520 is currently served by drop site distribution. The papers are published by Clayton Pioneer, Inc., Tamara and Robert Steiner, PO 1246, Clayton, CA 94517. The offices are located at 6200 Center St. Suite F, Clayton, CA 94517 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 175 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit let-
ters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print anonymous letters. E-mail your letter to tamara@pioneerpublishers.com. Letters must be submitted via E-mail.
CIRCULATION The Pioneer is delivered monthly by the third Friday to 38,500 single-family homes and businesses in 94518, 94519 and 94521. Papers to Clayton are delivered by US mail. Concord zip codes are delivered by commercial carriers for ABC Direct. To stop delivery for any reason, call the office at (925) 672-0500 . If you are NOT receiving the Pioneer, please check the distribution map on the website. If you live in a single-family home within the shaded area and are not receiving the paper, please let us know. If you are not in the shaded area, please be patient. We will come to your neighborhood soon.
BRIAN HELMICK, CHIEF
EAST CONTRA COSTA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT At 3 a.m. on Aug. 3, multiple 911 calls of fires along Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek Roads came into the East Bay Regional Communications Center. Upon arriving, all three fire engines of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) along with CalFire’s Sunshine Station confirmed the worst: multiple fires with significant threats to structures and residents. Ultimately, the Marsh Complex Fire consumed 757 acres and threatened multiple homes. It took 400 firefighters and other personnel to bring under control and is still under investigation.
WELCOME TO OUR “NEW NORMAL.” Longer fire seasons and greater potential of larger fires are accelerating the need for faster response times while fires are small. And the need is growing. In 2018, ECCFPD firefighters responded to 7,782 emergency 911 calls. We operate three fire stations, each expenses in this column. Rather, I invite you to do your home- staffed by three firefighters, work, be engaged and come to city events about the issue. for nine firefighters on shift at The city has put together a tremendous resource on revany given time. We are not enues and expenses, which is available at adequately staffed or equipped cityofconcord.org/831/Budgeting-for-the-Future. to serve our community of Near the bottom of the webpage, there’s a link to concord- 115,000, covering nearly 249 ca.opengov.com/ so you can really drill down on the city’s square miles. budget. It’s a remarkable site with a lot of information. A simiLet me be clear: Status quo lar amount of information in paper form would gobble up is not acceptable. We are conmany D-ring binders. stantly looking for ways to The challenges we face are large. The ideas we need must improve and excel in protectbe bold. So, I encourage you to engage, participate and send ing the lives and property of your feedback and ideas to me or your City Council district the residents, families and representative: communities that ECCFPD • Mayor Tim McGallian, tim.mcgallian@cityofconcord.org. serves. We launched a “We are • Vice Mayor Dominic Aliano, dominic.aliano@cityofcon- Listening” initiative last fall to cord.org. • Councilman Edi Birsan, edi.birsan@cityofconcord.org. • Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister, laura.hoffmeister@cityofconcord.org. • Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer, carlyn.obringer@cityofconcord.org. from the comfort of your Also, please sign-up for updates on budget matters, and home. Or, you can watch the other matters of interest to you, at cityofconcord.org/notivideo of the meetings the folfyme. lowing day. During the meetings, there will be a link on Jason Laub is Chief Operating Officer at RAD Urban and is a the home page of the city City of Concord Planning Commissioner. Email questions or comments website (ci.clayton.ca.us) to to jlaub.concordplanning@gmail.com directly connect. Over the past two months, 150+ people tuned in to Follow us on Facebook and Instagram watch each of the Planning Commission hearings on the Olivia project. That project ADVERTISING Advertising rates and circulation maps arei posted at www.pioneerpublishers.com or call (925) 672-0500.
Laub, from page 6
WE FACE TWO SERIOUS CHALLENGES: Past growth without adequate funding. Since 1978, East County has exploded in population growth without matching increases in funding to meet the existing demand for emergency fire protection services. Future growth that will impact fire services even more. East County is projected to grow to 160,000 by 2040, placing even more pressure on severely underfunded firefighting service. This is not a new set of challenges, but we are redoubling our efforts to more effectively deal with both. To address the impact of future growth, we are renegotiating developer impact fees and adding CFDs (new homeowner impact fees) to new residential projects. To address past growth’s impact on current service, we are investigating solutions that include asking the community to support a ballot measure for a new, stable funding source that secures East County’s fire protection future. (More on that in a future column.) The bottom line: Based on National Fire Protection Standards for a community our size, we should have at least six fire stations open with 18 firefighters on duty 24/7. Without additional funding, East County residents risk living with steadily deteriorating service as the threat to life and property grows and property owner insurance rates continue to rise. Please join this conversation. Your opinions matter. Help shape the future of your East Contra Costa Fire Protection District. Yes, this is your district. The residents of East Contra Costa own this public agency. So ask questions and weigh in. “We are Listening.” For more information, please visit the Fire Prevention link at www.eccfpd.org.
Pierce, from page 6
Concord Clayton Pioneer
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will be coming to the City Council, and the meeting will be streamed live, beginning at 7 p.m. Feb. 4. We have a busy year ahead. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. You can email me at julie.p@ci.clayton.ca.us or call 925-673-7320. Leave me a message and a contact number or email, so I can get back to you.
Page 7
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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
January 17, 2020
Understanding your breast cancer risk factors Sponsored Content
MICHELLE FRANKLAND
About 10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary, 65 percent are considered sporadic and the other 25 percent are familial. Those with
some sort of familial link really need to understand their risk. The first step is talking to your family. Find out if parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., have had any kind of cancer. Next, talk to the health-care provider who orders and reviews your mammograms. Ask if you have dense breast tissue and if there are any areas the radiologists are monitoring. Third, initiate a conversation about cancer risk with your gynecologist or primary care provider. Ultimately, the best and most comprehensive way to understand risk is to talk to
a genetic counselor and, if recommended, undergo genetic testing. Because of my family history, I knew I needed additional screening and genetic counseling. My health-care provider ordered a screening breast MRI, which found suspicious areas that required biopsy. They found a highrisk lesion and recommended surgery. I proceeded with genetic testing, which showed that I have a mutation. It is most likely not BRCA since my mom tested negative, but rather a mutation that falls into a category of VUS, “variants of un-
known significance.” If you have a VUS, the genetic testing labs and geneticists will follow the mutation as scientists seek to understand if it increases cancer risk; 98 percent of VUS are ultimately found to be benign. While I had several options, I have decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction. Understanding my cancer risk allowed me to make this decision with confidence and certainty. Make it a goal to learn more about your family history and tell your friends to do the same. If you have had breast cancer and have not had ge-
not too far from where I live in Clayton. Can you tell me the advantages of these communities? A: Retirement looks very
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I am an expert in these communities, so let me know if you would like a tour.
netic testing, talk to your providers to understand if you would benefit from it. If you have family history and have not had breast cancer, talk to your provider to see if you should be referred for a genetic risk evaluation. Bottom line, truly understanding your cancer risk helps you make decisions about yourself. And if you have children, it will aid in seeking appropriate and necessary screening and surveillance for them. Michelle Frankland is an oncology certified nurse practitioner with Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology
Breast Cancer Risk Seminar What: Medical experts will explain genetic counseling, MRI breast screening, chemoprevention therapy and lifestyle changes. When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 28 Where: Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. RSVP: 925-677-5041 or sjung@dvohmg.com
Medical Group and the nurse navigator for the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay, both located in Pleasant Hill. She can be reached at 925825-8878.
Retirement communities a good option for today’s seniors Q: I am encouraging my parents to move into a retirement community. I know there are some beautiful ones in Brentwood,
HOME OWNERSHIP One of the most attractive parts of living in a senior community is that each resident owns his or her own COMMUNITY OF SENIORS. home. These retirement Seniors want to retire in community homes might be communities because they built with seniors in mind, are full of their peers. Being but they’re still independent living units over which the surrounded by like-minded residents have full control. people is great, especially It’s ideal for those who want when you are looking to to maintain independence. keep active while retired. It’s also easier to make the Most communities have transition into retirement numerous clubs and social when it’s coupled with a new events, making it easier to find friends and pursue hob- home instead of a retirement bies. And they have beautiful facility. These are gorgeous homes where the retiree grounds. Summerset in Brentwood is older and on a choses every update and fingolf course. It’s more afford- ish. able but very nice. Trilogy is GREAT AMENITIES actually still building in Many senior living communiBrentwood and features a gorgeous 30,000 sq. ft. club- ties are centered around golf courses, but that’s only part house.
FREE ESTIMATES •Lawn & Plant Installation
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•Retaining Walls •Drainage •Low Voltage Lighting
925-672-9955
www.nicholslandscape.com Lic. 542812 Fully Insured
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LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ANSWERS
of what makes them so great. Some have a highrated restaurant and a full spa. For many, retiring to one of these communities feels like getting a wellearned reward after a long career.
HIGH STANDARDS Retirement communities tend to place a premium on keeping property values high. This means tight control over who can live in a com-
munity and how the properties must be maintained. Whether looking at their homes as an investment or not, owners can feel good knowing that their community will always adhere to high standards. Seniors are choosing to retire in communities because they offer amazing retirement experiences. Whether they’re looking for new friends, great homes or just a place to enjoy life, these communities provide everything they need. Retirement is changing along with the nation’s seniors, and these new communities are a response to that change.
Lynne French is a Realtor with Compass Real Estate and captain of the Lynne French Team. Contact her at lynne@lynnefrench.com or 925-672-8787.
244 Promenade Ln. Danville, $937,500 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, approx. 2195 sq.ft. Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
Coming Soon
21 Emerson Ct. Concord, $1,099,000 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom Approx. 3321 sq.ft. Listing agent: Rula Masannat
SOLD Buyer’s Rep SOLD Buyer’s Rep SOLD
728 Black Pointe Pl. Clayton, $840,000 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, approx. 1760 sq.ft. Listing agent: Rula Masannat
4297 Morgan Territory Clayton, $1,049,000
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, approx. 1899 sq.ft. Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
Call Travel-To-Go
2534 Talaria Dr. Oakley, $575,000
4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, approx. 2923 sq.ft.
Rental Property
CST #2033054-40
Listing agent: Rula Masannat
4411 Morgan Territory Rd. Clayton
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, Horse property Call for info. Matt Mazzei
Matt Mazzei, Jr.,
Paula & Rod Johnstone
Rula Masannat
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Broker/Owner 925-766-6745 matt@mazzeirealty.net
925-693-0757
Broker Associate Paula 925-381-8810 Rod 925-286-5765
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Sales Agent 415-310-2905 rulawithmazzei@yahoo.com
MazzeiRealty.net
925.672.9840 Clayton, CA travel-2-go.com
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*Fares are per guest and apply to minimum lead-in categories on a space-available basis at time of booking. Fares are non-air, cruise- or cruisetour-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two guests in a stateroom. Fares and other values quoted in U.S. dollars. Please refer to princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings. †Premier Beverage Package is valid only for guests in a stateroom who are 21 years or older. Guests who are under 21 years of age at the time of sailing can still book the Best. Sale. Ever. pricing, but will only receive the Premier Coffee & Soda Package and will not receive any refund or otherwise for the alcohol portion of the Offer. A daily limit on alcoholic beverages will apply. ‡‡Wi-Fi included for one device per guest. Wi-Fi details will be delivered to guests prior to sailing or in the stateroom. All Internet usage subject to Princess Cruises’ standard policies, which may limit browsing of sites due to network security and bandwidth usage. Applications that use high bandwidth may be blocked and offerings subject to change with or without notice. ‡Gratuities valid on select items only and are included in U.S. dollar amounts. Amount of gratuities paid on behalf of guest may vary based on stateroom type. This amount is paid on the behalf of each guest. Gratuities do not include gratuities added to bar charges, dining room wine accounts, or Lotus Spa services fare includes drinks† wi-fi‡‡ gratuities‡ a value of $1,045 General Terms (applicable to all portions of the Offer) – ONLY available if all guests in a stateroom elect to participate in the Offer. Offer expires February 29, 2020 and is only available to residents of 50 United States or D.C., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Offer and its parts are non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash at any point, and may not be combined with other offers or other onboard credits. Offer’s Drinks, Wi-Fi, and Gratuities are only available on board the ship (not applicable to land portions), may only be used on a single voyage, and expire at the end of such voyage. Offer available on select voyages sailing starting March 26, 2020. If one guest in a stateroom elects not to avail itself of the Offer, the Offer may not be available for other guests in the same stateroom. Offer is only available on cruises indicated as “Best. Sale. Ever.” Cruises at capacity will be excluded. Visit princess.com for full terms, inclusions and restrictions. Offer valid: December 11, 2019 – February 29, 2020 on select cruises sailing starting on March 26, 2020. Call Princess Cruises at 1.800.PRINCESS, your Cruise Vacation Planner, or your travel advisor with any questions about the offer. Changes or refunds may not be permitted. Deposit of $100 per guest is refundable. Full Suites require a $200 refundable deposit per guest. Cruises under 6 days require a $50 refundable deposit per guest. Deposits are required for guests 1 and 2 only. Reference promotion code: NZ*. Note: For assistance reserving a wheelchair-accessible stateroom, please call 1.800.774.6237. ©2019, Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.
January 17, 2020
CC County Civil Grand Jury seeks new applicants
Contra Costa County Superior Court is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury Service for fiscal year 2020-’21. The Civil Grand Jury has 19 members who serve for one year, July through June, to monitor, review and report on city and county governments, special districts and school districts. The county makes every effort to ensure that the Grand Jury reflects the makeup of the residents of the county. The Grand Jury Selection Committee, composed of superior court judges, will interview about 75 applicants. Then, the judges will nominate about 30 applicants to constitute a grand jury pool. The final 19 will be selected by a random drawing on June 12, and the members will be sworn in that day. The final 30 nominees will be fingerprinted before the drawing. Individuals selected must be available June 22-July 2 for orientation, where they will meet with department heads, become familiar with their colleagues, learn about juror responsibilities and proce-
dures, and select committees on which they will serve. Grand jurors must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, who have been a resident of Contra Costa County for at least one year prior to selection. They cannot currently hold any elected position within the county. Applicants should have reliable transportation to Martinez and must be prepared to devote at least 30 hours per week to Civil Grand Jury service. Applicants should have access to a computer, be familiar with Microsoft Word, and be able to send and receive email. Jurors receive a stipend for attending full jury and committee meetings and are reimbursed 57.5 cents per mile for allowable jury travel. Permits may be provided to park in Martinez while performing Grand Jury duties. Application deadline is March 13. For more information, contact the Office of the Civil Grand Jury at 925-6082621 or visit cccourts.org/grandjury to obtain an application.
MSPs are best way to fend off cyber attacks
A great MSP product, like the one at ComputersUSA, won’t bug you to update your software or purchase additional products. But it will automatically remove viri, without pop-up messages asking you what the AV should do with questionable files. A great MSP offering has everything one needs – all managed for you WILL CLANEY for about 10 bucks a month. TECH TALK Your bigger worry should be some of the websites you With the news about posvisit. It has become evident sible cyber attacks by Iran over the 25 years I have and its proxies, I am here to been reporting on computer tell you that if you have a products and services that managed security service far too many web developfrom a top-brand company, ers, and to some extent IT you have a less than 0.25 percent chance of being the professionals, are clueless about keeping their sites target of a nasty virus or secure. ransom attack. I am more worried that Look for brands like bad people will insert virus, CUSA Care Cyber Security, ransom ware and hacks into LifeLock with Norton, Bitwebsites you visit than I am defender Military Grade and about direct attacks to your other Managed Service computer. If I were a rogue Providers (MSPs). government, I would attack All computer owners these unsecured websites in fight cyber crime daily, and an attempt to infect users. the recent threats by hostile But if you have a manregimes are not a big deal if aged service, it will stop that you are prepared. However, malicious activity for you. regular anti-virus (AV) purAm I being too scary? chased at a retail store or Well I hope so, because online company like Amaeverything you do on your zon do not offer adequate computer, laptop, tablet and defenses. Sure, retail verphone is at risk if you cell sions are cheap, but you fail to protect them. need to be an informed user You’re just not safe with and keep them up to date. whatever free software you No offense, but I bet most Just OK is not good have. users have no idea if their enough, not on my watch. AV is working. Now go do the right I recommend, no admonthing. ish you, to switch to a MSP cyber-security product immeWilliam Claney is an indediately. MSP means the prodpendent tech writer and former uct or service is managed for owner of Computers USA in the you. The MSP will scan your Clayton Station. Email questions computer, update the softor comments to ware and detection files and willclaney@gmail.com. remove viri (the Latin plural for virus) when found.
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SCHOOLS
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Clayton Valley gets charter renewal on narrow 3-2 County Board vote JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Clayton Valley Charter High School is in the process of hammering out a memorandum of understanding with the Contra Costa County Office of Education in order to formalize the renewal of its charter though June 30, 2025. In a dramatic 3-2 vote last month, the Concord school received its second five-year renewal from the county after its initial approval to leave the Mt. Diablo Unified School District to operate as a public charter school in the summer of 2012. CCCOE staff recommended the renewal following a nearly year-long process that included a forensic audit of school finances and concerns about its governance structure and portions of its bylaws. The board conditionally approved the five-year renewal Dec. 11 in the Pleasant Hill Elementary School multipurpose room packed to overflowing with CVCHS supporters. Following over two hours of presentations, board questions and public comment from 32 supporters of charter renewal, board vice president Vikki Chavez made a motion to approve the staff recommendation for renewal. No board member seconded the motion until president Mike Maxwell. Chavez and Maxwell both voted in favor while first-term trustees Sarah Butler and Annette Lewis voted no. That left Dr. Fatima Alleyne to cast the deciding vote. Alleyne is the only one of the five trustees who does not represent voters within MDUSD, which operated the school from 1958
Jay Bedecarré
County Board of Education member Dr. Fatima Alleyne (left) spoke with Clayton Valley Charter students Alison Pamer and a tearful Andrea Mitsanas after Aleyne cast the deciding vote to approve the school’s charter renewal. County Board president Mike Maxwell talked to his CVCHS governing board counterpart Kristy Downs.
until the charter conversion in 2012. After what seemed an eternity to the overflow crowd, she voted “aye” to pass the motion, 3-2. As he had done at the Oct. 16 CCCOE board hearing on the charter application, Clayton Valley Charter executive director Jim Scheible made a presentation presenting the school’s case for renewal prior to a bevy of questions and comments from the board and public comments by students, teachers, staff, coaches, parents and community members in support of the renewal. It was fitting that the vote was so dramatic after over four years of controversary, primarily revolving around original executive director Dave Linzey, dating from late in the 2013-14 school year until he was fired in May 2018. Linzey’s tenure featured large improvements in test scores as well as a school having to hold a lottery every year to handle the volume of applicants.
Against that backdrop was a large turnover in faculty, dissatisfaction among a vocal segment of the community, hiring and contractual policy disputes and, most recently, concerns over the salaries Linzey and his wife earned in the latter stages of their CVCHS employment. Scheible was hired in the summer of 2018 and has been credited with “calming the waters” during the nearly 18 months he’s been in charge and in leading the process of procuring charter renewal. He said, “Hundreds of Clayton Valley families, students, staff and community leaders packed Pleasant Hill Elementary School to witness the County Board of Education vote. CVCHS delivered a presentation showcasing the amazing results achieved by our students and demonstrating how CVCHS has exceeded the criteria to have its charter renewed. “The best part of the evening happened as the floor
was opened for public comment. The testimony of CVCHS students, parents, teachers and staff was the highlight of the evening, as always. It is inspiring to hear about the impact Clayton Valley has had on the lives of our students.” He adds that he’s “convinced that the positive comments from our students and parents were the difference in getting us the yes vote for renewal.” The school held its annual lottery last week for 827 students who have applied for the 202021 school year. Of that number, 727 are incoming freshman and 600 of those were given tentative acceptance following the lottery. The school projects total enrollment of 2250 next year. All of the accepted applicants are in the former MDUSD enrollment feeder area for Clayton Valley High. The other applicants are on the waitlist. The school and county staffs must develop the memorandum of understanding agreeable to the County Board. There are several “material changes” in the charter petition and three issues raised by board members during the meeting: supporting students struggling to meet the A-G requirements, revisiting CVCHS governance and resolving the dispute over facility fees with MDUSD. The MDUSD board had the issue of the fees litigation with the charter school on its closed session agenda this week. In October, CVCHS paid the district $925,256 for the 2013-14 through 2016-17 school years. The MOU needs board approval with the tentative time schedule setting up a potential final County Board vote in March.
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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
Homeless, from page 1
Use of parking lots is another idea developed to address the needs of homeless residents who live in their cars but desire a safe place. Separate funding supports a parking lot from January to April that can accommodate 15 cars, and the users don’t have to be part of a family. According to Kerner, everyone who comes to the parking lot undergoes the same vetting as those in the mobile church shelter program. This alternative addresses those who are reluctant to go into a shelter because they fear their children will be taken away. “Living in the cars is not safe and not good for kids, but this was the best they could do,” she said. MORE AID FOR FAMILIES Winter Nights tailors a plan with each family based on their needs, from financial and credit services to mental health services to employment assistance through resume development and East Bay Works. Families are coming into Winter Nights pretty traumatized after being on the streets, couch surfing with friends or living in a motel for a time. “It is not always a smooth journey for them,” Kerner said. Because more births have been a trend in recent years, a new service offers moms and dads a week in a motel after the birth and leaving the hospital. “This gives them a chance to bond as a family before going back into the mobile shelter,” Kerner said. The reality for Winter Nights is the families it is accommodating are staying longer due to the lack of housing for those it serves. “We’re doing what we can, and we are doing pretty well,” Kerner said of the emergency shelter.
OTHER OUTLETS PROVIDING HELP
About 25 percent of the homeless prevention clients served by Shelter Inc. receive intensive case management services in addition to limited financial assistance. Similar to Winter Nights, each Shelter Inc. family creates a self-sufficiency action plan with written goals and objectives to help them move toward economic stability. Using a combination of financial support, case management and individualized strategies, it helps families and individuals in crisis maintain or obtain housing, achieve greater stability and make progress toward self-sufficiency. Shelter Inc., like other organizations, continues to seek ways to bolster its offerings. Many staff members participate in the annual Point In Time Count of homeless who live “on the streets.” It also has an outreach worker who returns to encampments to encourage entry to shelters and programs to regain self-sufficiency in housing. Support services include tutoring from credentialed teachers for adults and children living at the Mountain View Emergency Shelter in Martinez, mental health counseling, the Positive Parenting Program that promotes healthy relationships and providing family workshops that foster the importance of healthy, nutritious meals. Shelters of Hope, new this past fall with funds from Veteran Affairs, is another bridge for veterans struggling with homelessness. Shelter Inc. currently offers three homes in Contra Costa County, including one on the Concord-Pleasant Hill border. This kind of transitional housing is necessary because veterans often have a housing voucher but haven’t found a place to accept it yet. They also may be working on health issues and increasing their
David Scholz
The Winter Nights program provides shelter for homeless families, rotating among area churches at two-week intervals.
centered in a strip mall along Arnold Industrial Way, with three adjacent operations. The evening Concord shelter provides beds for 120 days, the county-run Philip Dorn Respite Center caters to the medically fragile who have been discharged from a medical provider and the CARE center run by the Berkeley Food and Housing Project offers daytime services Monday through Friday. Warming centers are an example of how the county’s Health, Housing, and Homeless Services Division is thinking creatively about the most effective uses of available resources. So the CARE (Coordinated Assessment, Referral and Engagement) center is now open in the evenings too and has 30 beds available one night at a time. Access only occurs through CORE, which people can reach by dialing 211. The county’s CORE outreach teams have been in place for nearly three years. They are charged with prioritizing those who need the spots in the shelters as part of efforts to help clients begin the process of accessing services. Just a handful of CORE teams were operating when the county program began. Now MAXIMIZING RESOURCES there are 12 teams, and two The central county effort is more are coming soon. The cities of Concord and Walnut Creek are partnering to fund half the cost of a CORE team that serves on the front lines in their communities. Beyond this, Jenett acknowledge it is a tall order for cities of this size to do any more. Direct services can be too complicated for smaller cities, she said, unlike places like SOLD Oakland that can “braid a bunch of resources together.” 1806 Wildbrook Ct. #A, Concord Jenett noted that the income to stabilize into permanent housing. “Our shelters and services are collaborative relationships where the participants work with case managers to establish their own goals to increase employment income through training programs, learn budgeting techniques, and find the most affordable and appropriate housing to suit their particular situation,” Clemens said. Trinity Center in Walnut Creek takes a membershipbased approach in serving chronically homeless adults. More than 25 percent of the homeless going through the center are from Concord. First, they conduct an interview to figure out the individual’s particular needs. Then, if the person is willing to commit to Trinity’s program, a more indepth dive follows, said Donna Colombo, founder and advisor. She said Trinity aims to provide “a sense of ownership” to make progress toward “helping homeless to help themselves.” As further incentive to commit, it offers program participants a parking lot for their vehicles and can currently accommodate 10 cars. “The goal is working on a stable living environment and not be in a vehicle,” she said.
STEPHANIE LOPEZ 925.305.9099
FANTASTIC LEASE LISTING 1328 Shell Lane, Clayton
January 17, 2020 greater coordinated effort taking hold is a result of improved communication among entities providing services. The majority receive federal funding and are required to input data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which enables agencies to share information. “This helps us to understand the demographics and what the needs are,” even if the county cannot provide services right now, said Jenett. She expects HMIS expansion will occur naturally as agencies understand the bigger system of care. As the years have gone by, Jenett has seen less fingerpointing among stakeholders. “There is more recognition that it takes more than one single entity to fix the problem,” she said. “It is going to require a lot of those partners for lasting solutions. We must maximize the resources we have.”
HELPING BRING DIGNITY Jenett lauded the Bay Church for its laundry and shower services as an example of the creative solutions that continue to be devised. The church’s Compassion Outreach effort began the Clean Start program in 2013, with its main focus being to provide free laundry services to the homeless. “Our guests got two free loads of laundry, a hot meal and even got to pick out new clothes and shoes,” said director Carey Gregg. But that was just the beginning, as coordinators thought the people being served would benefit from being able to put clean clothes on a clean body. Hence, the shower concept was launched. Gregg said this dream became a reality when someone’s idea was backed by another’s financial contribution, and yet someone else came up with a practical of way of delivering the shower trailer. “In a tangible way, we offer a hot shower, haircuts, hygiene products and a smiling face,” said Gregg. “In a non-tangible, but just as important way, we aim to offer a chance for dignity, a ray of hope and the message that each person is precious and has value in God’s eyes. The Clean Start showers serve once a week in Martinez. On average, 20-25 people receive a 15-minute shower,
Lennar, from page 1
Beautiful light, bright, view townhome featuring 3 bedrooms and 2/5 baths. NEW Carpet and plank flooring throughout. FRESHLY painted, NEW washer and dryer, dishwasher, and microwave. If that's not enough, additional climate controlled mini-split A/C installed upstairs to enhance central air comfort. The extra large two car garage includes extra storage area and workbench too! Beautiful Chapparal Springs complex features a lovely pool and spa with cabana, walking trails, and dog walking areas.
SOLD
$3,000/Month
Beautiful, crisp, and completely updated townhome in a peaceful community. Featuring 3 generous bedrooms, 2.5 fully remodeled baths, a beautiful kitchen gleaming w/new cabinets, granite, decor tile backsplash, appliances, and so much more. New high quality luxury vinyl plank flooring & soft fresh paint. Full size inside laundry & large private patio! 2-car garage, newer windows, tankless H20, HVAC, Wireless ++. The awesome complex features greenscape grounds and a very nice pool! Convenient to transit, shops and schools
Offered at $465,000
Offered at $850,000
Wonderful Custom Home - 3363 Walnut Ave.
This special home sits at the end of a private lane on a near 1/4 acre flat landscaped lot. It’s completely custom and unique interiors feature 3 very large master suites complete with walk in closets, and gorgeous baths. Large bright dining room and living room with hearth and additional 1/2 bath convenience are all light and bright. The downstairs master features soaring ceilings with lots of light and
Realtor® / ASP Stager@ / Relocation Specialist
additional storage, and french doors leading out to the vacation style pool deck. The upstairs masters, each generous in size are also fully equipped, with one having an upstairs lanai overlooking the pool and views! The chef’s kitchen is incredible with upgraded EVERYTHING. There are 3 attached garage spaces, a huge side yard for your RV/boat, and additional drivewayparking for your whole fleet. The rear yard features beautiful pool, outdoor bar, patios, planting areas, and outside storage. Located right quick to BART and commute arteries, shoppes, schools, entertainment — FANTASTIC! Call for details BRE#01370548
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deliver the project envisioned by this community in the area plan, satisfy the agreed to community benefits and meet the Navy and city’s revenue objectives under the terms of the building trades’ PLA (Project Labor Agreement).” Dan Cardozo, an attorney for the BTC, says Lennar hasn’t provided financial information to back up its claims. The consortium of local unions has submitted three Public Record Act requests seeking documents. “We need to know what labor costs they assume,” Cardozo told the council. “The city could not provide the labor costs data because Lennar had only given it to the consultants.” With both sides stating impasse, city staff had asked the council to determine whether Lennar satisfied the term sheet provisions. Instead, the council opted to push further negotiations. That decision came on the second night of meetings. On Jan. 7, more than 100 people spoke at an overcrowded meeting that went until after midnight. Comments were largely pro-labor, while many said they wanted the two parties to work together. The 4-0-1 vote (with Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer
abstaining) asked the labor groups and the developer to “collectively refocus” to accomplish the following Concord First goals: 1. Forty percent local hire of all workers. 2. An apprentice program. 3. Veterans’ assistance and priority placement in the workforce and training. 4. A prevailing wage requirement that would ensure that project build out does not drive down area wage standards. Bonner called the council vote “a little unclear” and “confusing.” “I’m not sure this necessarily gives us some guidance to get out of this impasse,” he said. “Therefore, one wonders how one goes forward.” Mayor Tim McGallian said the developer has several ways to meet the Concord First policies. “It can be meeting with unions or a number of other elements.” Both the ENA and term sheet expire March 31 but could be extended. Lennar suspended funding for city work on the project on Oct. 31. Since then, about $37,000 a month for staff work has come out of the city’s general fund. There was some discussion about how to proceed should
plus shampoo, conditioner, soap, towels, prayer and friendship. Compassion Outreach’s grassroots effort is also joining forces with Winter Nights by providing the Clean Start services to families. “This is Clean Start – a place where we don’t try to change anyone. We just show up with a heart willing to serve,” Gregg added. For the past six years, Laundry Basket volunteers do laundry for those in need on the third Saturday of the month in Martinez. About 3540 people each get two loads of laundry done, plus a hot meal, toiletries, prayer and friendship.
FEEDING THE HUNGRY Services for the area homeless also benefit from the recent distribution of Rice Bowl grants from Catholic Relief Services. Concord organizations receiving funds include Monument Crisis Center, the Sister Rose Carroll Ministry and Christ Community Church of the Nazarene. In December, the Monument Crisis Center distributed 150 sleeping bags and 150 tarps, as well as gloves, scarves, hats and socks to the area homeless. Operations manager Yolanda Gonzalez said they will use the funds to add little extras like hot chocolate and coffee to twice monthly food boxes. Looking ahead, she pointed to the inclusion of more ready-toeat items with longer shelf life because of the instability and irregularity that homeless residents face. The one-person road show of the Sister Rose Carroll Ministry, in which the 80-year-old namesake tirelessly distributes food from her car to those living on the street, may be small but no less important. Some of her allotment comes from St. Bonaventure’s food pantry, while she buys things like fresh fruit with donations and grants. As she goes about her day, she learns how those on the streets came to that point because of circumstances like losing a job, which meant not having the salary to pay for housing or a car. “My transportation is limited, but I enjoy it and l love it. I am happy that I have fed many people so they are not hungry for at least a day,” Sister Carroll said of her nearly 20 years of service that seems destined to continue motoring on.
Near the end of the Jan. 8 meeting, Kofi Bonner of Lennar/FivePoint was quiet and reserved as he told the Concord City Council he was unsure how to move forward with union negotiations.
the developer drop out. While Obringer noted that much of the city’s $14 million in expenditures “would have had to have been done anyway,” consultant Dahlia Chazan couldn’t say the same for the $15 million spent by Lennar. “Much of the work that the developer has completed would need to be revisited by a new developer or by the city in order to identify a land plan that is feasible within the constraints of the union participation that’s been identified,” Chazan told the council.
SPORTS & LIFESTYLE
The Pioneer
Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B4 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . .B5 The Arts . . . . . . . . . . .B6
The Pioneer, Section B
2010-2019: A memorable sports decade of achievements for area athletes, teams January 17, 2020
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JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
When the calendar turned to 2020 a couple weeks ago it gave us time to look back over an incredible decade of sports in Concord and Clayton. Here are the Pioneer’s Top 10 Sports Stories (in no particular order):
1. KRISTEN IPSEN AND KARA KOHLER OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALISTS A pair of young Clayton natives, Kristian Ipsen and Kara Kohler, stepped onto the biggest international sporting stage in 2012 and on the same day won Olympic bronze medals at the 30th Summer Olympics in London. Ipsen was a diving child prodigy and excelled as all-American, record-setting diver at De La Salle High and Stanford. At 19 he was the youngest member of the USA’s Olympic diving team where he was paired with the oldest American Olympic diver Troy Dumais in the three-meter synchronized. Four years later he competed in Rio in the threemeter springboard outdoors with winds upwards of 40 mph to take fifth. It was his final competition after a grueling career that took him around the world to national, international and world championships. “I’m really happy with how I ended,” Ipsen recently told The Pioneer. At 21, Kohler was the youngest rower in the entire London Olympics. Unlike Ipsen, she came to her sport just three years earlier as a freshman at Cal Berkeley. The Clayton Valley High grad went on to an all-American career at Cal and has been in the US National rowing team program for almost the entire decade, competing in a variety of boats at national and world championships. In London she was part of the thirdplace USA quad. Four years later she just missed out on another Olympic berth for Rio and subsequently has changed to the single skulls, which she is aiming to qualify for in this summer’s Tokyo Games after being named 2019 USRowing female senior athlete of the year. 2. CARONDELET DOMINATES NORTH COAST SECTION BASKETBALL Carondelet lost one East Bay Athletic League girls basketball game in the decade while playing in 10 consecutive North Coast Section championship games, winning five Division II titles and the past three Division I crowns. In 2015 they lost the D-II championship game by two points to Dublin after also falling short by two points to Berkeley in the 2011 D-I finals. During the decade the school was 242-53 while playing an increasingly difficult schedule that expanded after they began a limited league schedule in 2017-18.
The senior class that graduated last spring featured Ali Bamberger (24), Emily Howie, Erica Miller, Alex Brown and Tatyana Modawar who were on varsity together all four years, taking a Section championship each time and going on to the Northern California championships. The 6-3 Bamberger was the team leader. She is now a University of Washington freshman. Last season she was named first team allState, matching her dad, Eric Bamberger, who was so honored in 1988 as an Ygnacio Valley postman. 3. CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI BECOMES MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER’S SCORING KING
Wondo played club soccer at Diablo Valley Soccer Club in Concord, starred at De La Salle and then led Chico State to a runner-up finish in the NCAA playoffs. As a professional he played a reserve role with the San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo before having a breakout season with the Quakes in 2010. During the entirety of the decade he scored in double figures every year and during the 2019 season became the leading scorer in the history of Major League Soccer, a record that now stands at 159 goals. Earthquakes captain and club legend Wondolowski announced 2020 will be his final season. He played in the 2014 World Cup for the United States as well as on three American Gold Cup teams and the USA Copa América Centenario squad in 2016. He scored 11 goals for the National team but his miss in the World Cup round of 16 game against Belgium is his most remembered international moment.
4. TEENAGER YEALIMI NOH GOES FROM CARONDELET SOPHOMORE TO LPGA GOLF IN TWO YEARS In 2016 and 2017 Carondelet was one of the state’s top high school golf teams featuring underclassman Yealimi Noh, who helped the Cougars to NCS title as a freshman and was Section medalist as a sophomore. She left the school after her sophomore year to concentrate on her golf game and be home schooled in Concord. In the summer of 2018, she burst onto the national scene by winning three consecutive prestigious amateur tournaments in July and that fall helped the United States win the Junior Ryder Cup in France. Before that year ended, she had competed in her first professional tournaments, been named Rolex Junior Player of the Year and soon made the decision to turn down a full-ride scholarship to UCLA and turn professional. She had two near misses of winning 2019 LPGA tournaments in Wisconsin and Portland. Those accomplishments led her to the grueling LPGA Q-Series
where she earned her tour card for this year while taking third among a field of pro aspirants which began with golfers from 32 countries and 23 states. 5. CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER
FOOTBALL SUCCESS LEADS TO CONTROVERSARY
The Ugly Eagles football program has been in the news through most of the decade with on-field success that sparked the team’s removal from its league last year and then ended the decade with its first-ever State football championship. Tim Murphy was hired as head coach in 2012, replacing longtime coach Herc Pardi, who had taken the team to three North Coast Section championship games. Murphy used a bruising, take-no-prisoners running attack to lead the school to four Section titles and three appearances in CIF State Bowl games which culminated last month when CVCHS defeated Aquinas of San Bernardino 10-7 in the 2-AA finale. That game came a week after the Ugly Eagles pulled off a miraculous last -minute rally to defeat Elk Grove in the Northern California Regional Bowl game 28-26. The irony of the 2019 success was that it came at the end of a season when the Eagles had their worst record (10-5) in the Murphy era. They were a team without a league last winter and spring while the NCS grappled with the issue of realignment after every other school in the Diablo Athletic League requested the removal of CVCHS, which hadn’t lost a league game in seven years. Following months of discussions and votes CVCHS was placed in the East Bay Athletic League and then proceeded to win only one of five league games before starting a playoff roll with five consecutive victories. 6. LEGENDARY DE LA SALLE FOOTBALL COACH BOB LADOUCEUR, HANDS OVER REIGNS TO PROTEGE JUSTIN ALUMBAUGH
Ladouceur retired following the 2012 season with a 399-25-3 record that included De La Salle’s 151-game national record winning streak that stretched from 1992-2003. The future Hall of Fame coach started at DLS in 1979 as a first-time head coach and ended by winning another National Championship in his final season. Two years after his retirement as head coach, the school was featured in a major motion picture “When the Game Stands Tall” based on the book by former local journalist Neil Hayes chronicling the winning steak and its end in the first game of the 2004 season. Ladouceur was portrayed by actor Jim Caviezel in the film. De La Salle alumnus Justin Alumbaugh took over as Ladouceur’s handpicked successor and the Spartans con-
tinued their winning wins through the decade. Ladouceur was an assistant coach until the 2019 season when he stepped away from day-to-day on-field coaching but helped the team with film study of the Spartans and their future opponents which he shared daily with coaches and players. 7. DE LA SALLE THE NATION’S NO. 1 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM ON FIELD, MOVIE SCREEN
To say there have been volumes written about De La Salle football in the past four decades would be quite the understatement. There have been at least three books and in 2104 the school was featured in the major motion picture “When the Game Stands Tall.” Renowned actors Jim Caviezel (Bob Ladouceur), Michael Chiklis (Terry Eidson) and Laura Dern (Bev Ladouceur) portrayed the school’s long-time coaching duo and Coach Lad’s wife in the film. Standouts Boss Tagaloa (75) and Devin Asiasi (16) made their college commitments live on ESPN and several Spartan games were telecast nationally through the decade. The Spartans (130-10 in the decade) earned the moniker as California’s high school football team of the decade by reaching all 10 State Open Bowl games, winning five of the first six title games before running into the SouCal buzz saw of Mater Dei and Saint John Bosco, who defeated DLS in the past four championship games. In the past year the Concord school has been ranked as the greatest US high school football program ever.
8. MT. DIABLO LEGEND TODD LICHTI INDUCTED IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME Mt. Diablo High School has retired one jersey number in its 118year history—No. 41 in basketball. Lichti received that honor when he was graduating in 1985. He went on to become one of Stanford’s greatest players and then was the 15th player selected in the 1989 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. Last November he was inducted to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame for his Stanford exploits. A three-time All-America selection, Lichti is one of only four players in conference history and the lone Cardinal to earn all-conference honors each of his four years. Lichti completed his career as Stanford's leading scorer with 2,336 career points. More than three decades after his graduation, the total ranks second all-time. He scored in double figures in 121 of his 124 career games on The Farm. As a senior Lichti guided Stanford to its first NCAA Tournament berth in 47 years.
9. MARIYA KOROLEVA REPRESENTS USA TWICE IN OLYMPIC SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
Koroleva spent most of a decade through 2016 training up to 10 hours a day with the Walnut Creek Aquanuts and the United States National team. The Russian-born swimmer reached the pinnacle of American synchronized swimming with two trips to the Summer Olympics representing her adopted country in the duet competition in 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio. Concord resident Koroleva and her London Olympics partner Mary Killman were 11th in the duet. She teamed with Anita Alvarez to improve that showing by taking ninth in Rio before making her second visit to the White House with the American Olympic team to meet President Obama. 10. MAZZA-MAZZA LOCAL ATHLETES MAKE MARK IN BASEBALL AND GOLF
Chris Mazza (74) played on the Clayton Valley High varsity baseball team in 2007 and 2008, primarily as an infielder, pitching a total of 2-1/3 innings. Last year, the 29-year-old made his Major League Baseball debut on the mound for the New York Mets on June 29 and ended that magical season by earning his first MLB victory in the season finale. The promotion to the Mets came after an outstanding early all-star season in the minors (his eighth year of a nomadic minor league journey). His reward for that success? The righthanded pitcher was cut by the Mets a week before Christmas and then claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. His cousin, Dominic Mazza, has made national headlines three times this decade. At CVHS the junior finished second as a 16-year-old in the 2011 Re/Max World Long Drive Golf Championship in Nevada. He turned down the $70,000 second-place prize money to retain his amateur status and eligibility to pitch for his high school and then college teams. Six years later, he was the punchline in a story about former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow hitting his first homerun as a pro baseball player off Mazza. Later the same April for his Augusta GreenJackets minor league team of the San Francisco Giants., Mazza became the first pitcher in the history of the Class A South Athletic League to throw a perfect game as he retired 27 consecutive Lexington Legends batters. OUR DECADE HONORABLE MENTION LIST IS NOTEWORTHY IN ITS OWN RIGHT:
Dana Hills Swim Team continues City Swimming Championship streak alive: Much like De La Salle football, the Otters continued its winning streak at the Concord City Swimming Championships during
See Decade, page B4
Ugly Eagles breakthrough for first State football championship Page B2
JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Clayton Valley Charter High School football has built its reputation over the past eight years with a hard-charging offensive attack that rarely, if ever, punts and attempts to overwhelm opponents with a grinding ground attack featuring fleet runningbacks and very selective passing. That they would finally reach the summit of California football success last month in a 10-7 game that featured a stifling defensive effort would surprise most observers. However, that’s exactly what happened when the Ugly Eagles won the CIF 2-AA Bowl Game at Cerritos College over Aquinas of San Bernardino, which rode a 13-game winning streak into the championship game. Not quite as surprising was De La Salle’s fourth successive loss in the State Open Division game 49-28 to No. 1 nationally ranked St. John Bosco the next day on the same field. After winning five of the first six Open Division Bowls this decade, the Spartans have fallen twice each to Bosco and Mater Dei, as the Southern California powerhouses have changed the equation in prep football with teams loaded with Division I players, many of whom are transfers to the two parochial schools. Clayton Valley Charter faced near certain defeat in the Northern California Regional Division 2-AA finals a week earlier when they fell behind 26-14 to Elk Grove with less than five minutes remaining, but the Ugly Eagles rallied for two TDs in the final 2:22 to pull out a 28-26 victory. That gave CVCHS its third State Bowl berth under coach Tim Murphy since 2014. The first two games resulted in losses 28-14 in 2015 to Narbonne and 34-33 a year earlier to Redlands East Valley.
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UGLY EAGLE D
coaching CVCHS lacrosse this spring. The third time did prove After the game he told the charm as the 10 points is reporters, “I don’t know. Every the fewest ever in a CVCHS year I re-decide.” football victory since Murphy took over in 2012. Over those SPARTANS MISS CHANCE LATE IN GAME eight years their lowest point De La Salle racked up its total in 87 victories had been 28th straight North Coast Sec21 points (three times). After being switched to the tion title in November to earn East Bay Athletic League last the automatic NorCal berth in spring the Concord school the Open Division Bowl. won only one of five league Coach Justin Alumbaugh’s games to finish the regular sea- team began the season back in son 5-5. However, they had August facing then-No. 1 been reclassified out of the ranked St. Thomas Aquinas of now defunct Open Division to Ft. Lauderdale, FL and lost a D-II and their tough schedule mistake-prone game they earned them top seed in the could have won. In their season finale they North Coast Section playoffs and they breezed through were back on the field against three games, allowing a total of the No. 1 ranked team, this time Bosco, which had twice 23 points. In the State finals it was previously this decade defeated again the defense that would the Spartans in State finals. Alumbaugh told his team carry the day for Clayton Valley Charter. The Ugly Eagles they just had to be “the best scored late in the first half on version of themselves” in the a one-yard run by late-season Bowl Game to give Bosco a hero junior Omari Taylor for a battle. In the waning moments 7-0 lead and held the strong of the fourth quarter the team Aquinas offense out of the was on the Bosco two-yard line end zone until late in the looking to again pull within fourth quarter. By then one score when a missed CVCHS added a 35-yard field exchange between quarterback goal by sophomore Shane Nel- Dorian Hale and runningback Shamar Garrett—the team’s son for a 10-0 lead. Junior quarterback Jake offensive standouts all seaKern, a key figure with a pair son—resulted in a fumble and of TD passes in the Regional 96-yard return for a Bosco TD Bowl Game comeback, got to to seal the win. The Spartans stayed within knell down on the game’s final play in the victory formation as reach of Bosco in spite of the the local team was able to run spectacular game by 6-5 Clemout the clock to preserve the son-bound quarterback DJ cherished victory after Aquinas Uiagalelei and his bevy of got on the board with a touch- future college receivers. He had 398 passing yards and was down. Players doused Murphy Bosco’s leading rusher as well. Before the botched with ice water from Gatorade buckets after the final whistle, exchange with 3:23 left Garrett “the best feeling” the longtime had run for three touchdowns coach has ever had on a foot- and seemed primed for No. 4. It was the Spartans only ball field. Murphy turns 50 this year turnover of the game. Hale and with his daughter a senior passed and ran for over 250 in high school he’s made noises combined yards. about stepping away after WINS THE DAY
John Saylor photo courtesy CVCHS football
Head coach Tim Murphy displayed the CIF State 2-AA Bowl football championship trophy to his team, coaches and fans at Cerritos College in Norwalk last month after his Clayton Valley Charter team defeated Aquinas of San Bernardino 10-7 in the bowl game. The Ugly Eagles turned in a stout defensive effort to halt their Southern California foe’s 13game winning streak. It was Murphy’s 87th and sweetest win since taking over at the Concord school in 2012.
Winter sports teams, athletes aim for postseason in league after busy holiday schedule JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
League play is fully underway for winter sports team this week after a busy holiday time period with most teams involved in tournaments.
Girls Basketball For the first time in memory, Carondelet has a losing record this late in a basketball season. The four-time reigning North Coast Section champions were 6-8 entering the week after playing in the competitive Nike Tournament of Champions and the Pearl Division of the 20th annual West Coast Jamboree. The Cougars graduated the quintet of four-year varsity stalwarts led by all-State standout Ali Bamberger and has found the going much tougher. Their near two decades long streak of 20+ win seasons is in jeopardy as well as 12 straight NCS championship game appearances. In the Diablo Athletic League both Clayton Valley Charter (Ruby) and Northgate (Sapphire) won their division at the West Coast Jamboree to lead into DAL Foothill Division action. The Eagles were 9-6 with six victories in a row and the Broncos 13-4 after winning seven of their past eight games. Ygnacio Valley at 6-5 is the only DAL Valley Division team with a winning mark before league play starts this week.
and De La Salle (11-3) have the top local records entering midJanuary among local schools. DLS won its own Chris Vontoure Spartan Classic over Bishop Walsh of Maryland in the championship game before losing three in a row against teams from Arizona, Washington and SouCal after opening with a win at the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in Rancho Mirage. Last week Northgate (7-9) beat the Broncos’ crosstown rivals from Las Lomas for the first time since 2011. Northgate and CVCHS are in the DAL Foothill Division. Ygnacio Valley (9-7) has the best pre-season mark in the Valley Division. Mt. Diablo has won three of its past four game after a slow start. League play is underway this week. North Coast Section playoffs run Feb. 18-29.
Girls Soccer Carondelet broke a string of three straight championship game defeats to win the 2019 NCS Division I championship. The Cougars are 8-4-1 on the season with a 2-1 loss to rivals Monte Vista in East Bay Athletic League play. Clayton Valley Charter is 8-22 and 3-0-1 in the DAL while Concord is 7-1-3 with its only loss 2-1 to Alameda. It figures to be a wild league race with the single round-robin schedule. Both the boys and girls DAL soccer schedule features all 13 school in the same division. NCS playoffs follow league Boys Basketball Clayton Valley Charter (12-3) play Feb. 19-29.
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Boys Soccer De La Salle has won seven of the past 11 Division I Section championships but have dropped two of the past three title games to Berkeley, including last year’s surprising 4-1 defeat, the heaviest ever for coach Derricke Brown’s team. This year the Spartans are 81-1 after a 2-0 EBAL defeat last week in Danville to San Ramon Valley. DLS won and drew in two games at the College Showcase last month in Los Angeles. The DAL boys race figures to be wild with Clayton Valley Charter (9-1-1), Northgate (4-31), Concord (5-4-1) and last year’s NCS D-III and NorCal DIV runner-up Ygnacio Valley (44) competing against early favorites undefeated Las Lomas and Acalanes.
Wrestling De La Salle will look to defend its NCS dual team championship Feb. 8 in Antioch and the NCS team title Feb. 21—22 at James Logan in Union City. The Spartans have won five years in a row in each tournament plus 12 of the past 13 dual titles and 10 of 11 team championships. Northgate won the annual Bill Martell Invitational beating a 22-team field last month on their campus with four individual champions--Angelo Esposito, Cole Sanchez, Nic LeSieur and Hudson Blaney. The EBAL league tournament is Feb. 15 while the DAL tourney is in Benicia Feb. 14-15.
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the kind, genuine person that she is.” He also emphasized how her dramatic improvement throughout her four years in the program have propelled her into becoming “a key player on this year’s varsity team.” Kiyemba takes pride in being a part of her Ugly Eagles teams and representing her school. She also represents Clayton Valley by taking part in Advanced Show Choir and the Black Student Union. A true 2020 CVCHS icon, she is sure to continue inspiring people through her passion and dedication long after her high school years. Kiyemba plans on attending a four-year university and earning her undergrad in biology, which will propel her to medical school so she can become a pediatrician.
Athlete Spotlight
Rosie Kiyemba Grade: Senior School: CVCHS Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Track
If you were to ask a random Clayton Valley Charter student if they know Rosie Kiyemba (member of varsity volleyball, basketball and track & field, featured singer in nearly every rally, Link Crew Freshman Orientation commissioner and much more) you are almost guaranteed to be answered with an enthusiastic “Of course!” Kiyemba has proved to be a crucial addition to the basketball roster this year. In fact, before their game on Dec. 30, she was awarded the coveted West Coast Jam-
CVCHS student journalist Alexa Oldham wrote this Spotlight.
boree scholarship in honor of her unmatched “athletic achievement, good sportsmanship, academic excellence and leadership.” The West Coast Jamboree is the only high school tournament in the country to assist seniors in their college expenses and could not have made a better choice in selecting her as their winner. CVCHS head coach Paul Kommer says, “Rosie is the type of person who makes everyone cheer for her. She is very coachable and is a great teammate. Her teammates love her for
The Concord Clayton Pioneer congratulates Rosie and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@PioneerPublishers.com
20 Terrapins swimmers excel at Husky Invitational in Washington
The Terrapins sent 20 swimmers to the Husky Invitational in Federal Way, WA. last month and they collectively achieved over 60 best times in both long course and short course formats. The local club was led by Weylin Foo, Adrian Dulay, Maile Andresen and Gigi Baldacci. Weylin was the men’s high-point winner at the meet
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with highlight swims in the 200 individual medley (1:51.93, 2nd), 100 butterfly (49.35, 8th), 200 fly (1:49.20, 7th) and 100 breaststroke (55.79, 3rd). Dulay’s top swims were 200 IM (2:09.8 LC, Top 10), 100 fly (49.28, 7th), 100 breast (56.05, 2nd) and 200 breast (2:03.09, 6th). Andresen made the champi-
S PORTS SHORTS
onship final in the 50 freestyle (23.37, 2nd). Gigi Baldacci is new to the Terrapins, coming off summer recreation swimming, and made a huge splash in her biggest meet to date. She made the championship final in the 100 breast (1:03.80, 4th) and was top 24 in the 200 breast. Several other Terrapin
swimmers made finals during the meet including Will Birdsong (100 backstroke, 200 back and 200 free), Serafina Celentano (200 breast), Devin Masongsong (100 free and 200 fly) and Damien Donado (100 fly). The team will be travelling to Arizona in February to swim in the Phoenix Winter Invite.
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DIABLO FC BENEFIT CRAB FEED JAN. 31 AT CENTRE CONCORD
The 18th annual Diablo FC benefit crab feed, raffle and dance is Friday, Jan. 31, at Centre Concord. Tickets are on sale for the event that benefits programs for the local competitive MT. DIABLO HIGH HALL OF FAME youth soccer club affiliated with the San Jose Earthquakes. CRAB FEED THIS SATURDAY The annual Mt. Diablo High School Hall of Fame crab feed Visit diablofc.org for more details and to get information on is this Saturday, Jan. 20, at Zio Fraedo’s in Pleasant Hill. The event sponsoring and purchasing crab feed tickets. evening, which benefits the school’s Sports Hall of Fame, YGNACIO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES includes music, dancing, 50/50 raffle and lots of raffle prizes. ITS 2020 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS For more information on ticket sales call Lou Adamo at 212Five athletes, two coaches and a special award recipient 9332 or email louadamo@gmail.com. have been elected to the Ygnacio Valley High Athletic Hall of Fame and will be inducted as the Class of 2020 on May 16 at CONCORD CUP XXVII ACCEPTING Contra Costa Country Club. Long-time principal Dr. Ernest TEAM REGISTRATIONS The area’s largest annual youth soccer tournament, Con- Wutzke is receiving a special award. The inductees are coaches cord Cup, returns for its 27th year at a variety of Concord Jack Biglen (football and golf) and Triss Carter (boys and girls parks May 16-17. Boys and girls club and AYSO teams from cross country and track) and athletes Oliver Hanf (Class of under 10 through U19 are eligible to participate. Diablo FC, 1987, wrestling, football, track), Jim Mayo (1975, wrestling), Mt. Diablo Soccer and Concord AYSO co-sponsor the tourna- Julie Pitois (1989, basketball, softball, volleyball), Eric Lakin ment. Visit concordcup.com for complete information and to (1982, baseball, football) and Chris Iglesias (1980, baseball, football). Visit yvathletichof.com for more details and to register a team to participate. reserve tickets.
CONCORD AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION FOR SPRING BALL OPEN ONLINE
Concord American Little League is still accepting registration for its 2020 spring baseball and softball seasons. The league’s website has complete information for t-ball through senior baseball and softball (4-14 years old) and Challenger (418 years) programs. Call 472-8940 for more information or register online at callbaseball.org.
DIABLO FC WINTER DEVELOPMENT SOCCER PROGRAM UNDERWAY
Boys and girls born between 2009 and 2014 are invited to sign up for the Diablo FC winter soccer development program. Sessions are held on Mondays and Saturdays on Concord-area fields through the end of February. Professional coaches from the area’s premier soccer club focus on technical ball skills and offer small-sided games to supplement training sessions. Visit diablofc.org for details.
CONCORD AYSO ACCEPTING SPRING REGISTRATION
Concord AYSO begins this month accepting registration for its spring soccer program online. The spring season is from March through May. There are programs for 6U-8U and 10U through 14U. The registration fee includes a team shirt and insurance. Visit concordayso.org to register and get more information.
ALL OUT SPORTS YOUTH LEAGUES TAKING SIGNUPS
Youth basketball and volleyball leagues are accepting registrations for winter leagues. Spring basketball league commences Mar. 13. For complete information on All Out Sports programs including camps and clinics, visit alloutsportsleague.com.
MDSA SPRING LEAGUE REGISTRATION OPEN
Registration is open for Mt Diablo Soccer Association’s spring season. The program is open to boys and girls under 6U-19U divisions. The older divisions are co-ed teams. Games are Mar. 21-May 16. For more details and to register visit mdsoccer.org.
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Please let us know about your sports news, special events, fund raisers, tryouts, signups and accomplishments. Youth leagues, clubs, schools and adult programs are all welcome to send us a rundown on what you’re doing. Include all the necessary details (too much information is better than too little) with your contact information. It’s simple. Send an email to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
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Decade, from page B1
the decade, stretching their record to 27th titles in 28 years. Host Springwood interrupted the win streak in 2002. The Clayton team has also become a fixture among the top three teams at the County Meet. Forest Park wins three County Division II swimming championships: Forest Park Swim Team won the County Meet Division II (mid-sized teams) championship in 2012, 2015 and 2019 during the decade matching its earlier three titles in the 1970s and 80s. Concord High School football and softball earn North Coast Section titles: In 2010, Concord High hadn’t won an NCS team championship since the baseball team in 1979. Then the Minutemen girls won the section softball title that spring and followed up with three more championships while the CHS football team won NCS in the 2010 fall season and took second three more times in the next four seasons. Carondelet opens Athletic Complex with Olympic superstar Natalie Coughlin: Carondelet purchased a former tennis club in Walnut Creek and developed the six-acre Carondelet Athletics Complex that opened in 2018, serving the school’s swimming and diving, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, water polo and softball teams. The aquatics center was named for Olympic legend and CHS alumnus Natalie Coughlin, who competed in her third and final Olympic Games in 2012, winning her 12th swimming medal. De La Salle, Ygnacio Valley, Carondelet claim NCS soccer crowns: De La Salle won six NCS Division 1 soccer championships and finished second three times during the decade. Ygnacio Valley boys won the 2016 D3 title and were second last year while Carondelet ended three years of heart-breaking championship game losses to take the NCS 2019 title, ending an eightyear championship drought. Concord High’s Rayna Stanziano runs to glory: From her freshman cross country season in 2015 through her senior track season in 2019, Stanziano stood out as the decade’s top runner. She also was a standout swimmer for Concord High and the Forest Park Swim Team before heading off to St. Mary's College last
fall. She’s the only four-year, threesport varsity athlete at Concord in over 15 years with four trips to the State cross country finals and three track State Meets. Chuck Berkeley sleds to 2010 Olympic berth: Berkeley represented America at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics in the four-man bobsled while living in Clayton. He was the second Winter Olympian with local roots after skier Daron Rahlves, who grew up in the city. Berkeley seemed in line to return for the 2014 USA team in Sochi before becoming a last-minute scratch. The UC Berkeley grad didn’t go quietly into the night, ranting against the subjective final USA Olympic team selections which put him off the team. Clayton Valley track and field nearly won state championship: Competing against the powerhouses of high school track and field, CVCHS nearly pulled off an incredible upset at the 2018 CIF Championships in Clovis. An injury to standout hurdler Aidan Jackman deprived the Ugly Eagles of expected points that could have propelled them from third place to the state title. Juniors Cameron Reynolds (400 meters) and Daylon Hicks (high jump) each took second in their specialties while the Eagles 4x400 relay of James Ward, Justin Lowe, Reynolds and Bryson Benjamin was also runner-up in the country’s most competitive high school track and field championships. Olympic champion Don Bragg marks 50th anniversary of Rome victory: Don Bragg, who spent many of his later years in Clayton, won the pole vault gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics, four years before Clayton was incorporated as a city. Starting the decade, he returned with his wife Theresa on the Golden Anniversary of his victory. Before the decade ended, Bragg died last Feb. 12 at 83 years. Northgate boys wins inaugural CIF State Swimming Championship: Bronco swim team cocoaches Tommy Ortega and Jeff Mellinger were feted as the California State boys swimming coaches of the year after guiding the Northgate boys team to the inaugural CIF State championship in 2015 after winning both the DVAL and North Coast Section meets that spring. The team also won NCS the previous year.
January 17, 2020
through his four years here. He’s been a real joy to coach and I know he will go on to bigger and better things once his time is up being a Warrior.” Lopez played a key role last winter when Ygnacio made it to the North Coast Section Division 3 and Northern California D4 championship games. His teams have only lost 19 of 79 games during his high school career. He will be attending college in the fall majoring in kinesiology or sports management and hopes to play soccer there as well.
Athlete Spotlight
Alex Lopez
Grade: Senior School: Ygnacio Valley High Sports: Soccer, Football, Volleyball, Cross Country
Lopez has made a big mark on the soccer field for the Warriors but he’s also been on Ygnacio Valley varsity cross country, volleyball and football teams. The midfielder has been a soccer team captain and all-league selection three years. Assistant coach Bijan
PETS
Sadeghy says, “Alex is a four-year starter who is one of the most talented players to come through the YVHS soccer program. He represents this program very well on and off the field. But what’s been most satisfying for us coaches is how much he’s grown and matured
The Concord Clayton Pioneer congratulates Alex and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Obesity a big problem for our furry friends
quality of life, while avoiding costly veterinary expenses for diagnostic testing and medicaELENA BICKER tions. If your pet could stand ARF NOTES to lose a few pounds, the solution is usually as basic as it is New year fitness and for humans: diet and exercise. health resolutions are comHere are some suggestions: mon in January, and it’s also a Make mealtime more intergreat time to consider the esting. Involving food games health of your pet. into your dog or cat’s mealAccording to the Associa- times can provide additional tion for Pet Obesity Prevencalorie-burning opportunities. tion’s national survey, more Hiding meals in various locathan half of our cats and dogs tions around the house or are overweight or obese. using an interactive feeder While a little chubbiness may keep your pet’s brain and body appear adorable on our furry challenged, even with limited friends, extra weight creates space. numerous health risks, includFind the right food. Your ing diabetes, arthritis, heart veterinarian offers the best disease and cancer. guidance for diet modification. Keeping your pet trim can With so many food products increase their longevity and on the market, it’s easier than
ever to tailor nutrition to your pet’s specific needs and weight concerns. Once you’ve selected the ideal diet, portion control is key. Avoid leaving food out for long periods of time or utilizing a self-feeding container. If you can’t monitor intake during the day, purchase an automatic feeder that reveals limited, measured amounts at specific times. And if you don’t trust your own willpower around those pleading puppy dog eyes, opt for low-calorie options. Carrot pieces, green beans or airpopped popcorn make terrific, calorie-smart treats. Just as with humans, always consult with a veterinary professional before starting a pet’s new diet or exercise routine. Weight gain could be
a symptom of an underlying medical issue, so a full checkup will help both you and your pet work toward a healthier 2020.
Elena Bicker is the Executive Director of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be reached at (925) 2561ARF (1273)
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tens (under 6 months) $125 or 2 for $200, for adult cats is $75 or 2 for $100, and for senior cats (7+ years) is $50. Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: noon to 6 p.m Wed. and Thurs., noon to 7 p.m. Fri. and noon6 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people FLEETWOOD ROSEMARY and animals? ARF volunteers are head in when she wants gen- to lounge on, window sills to making a difference. For more tle attention. She is an affec- soak up the sun, toys galore, information see website, tionate cat that knows what and of course people to www.arflife.org , or call (925) she wants. She is looking for cherish her. 256-1ARF. a forever home with couches The adoption fee for kit-
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The long journey to preserve Concord’s history
January 17, 2020
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
tence if not for Ruth Galindo, a spinster Spanish teacher at Mt. Diablo High School. She was raised in the house, built by her great grandfather in 1857. It was the first wood CAROL LONGSHORE house in Concord. YESTERYEAR As members of the Historical Society board of direcWhile sitting with two dear tors, we started reflecting on friends in the Rose Parlor at our progress through the the Galindo Home after years. It seemed as if Ruth undecorating from Christmas, herself was guiding our we thought about how it must thoughts. have been when the Galindo Fifty years ago, a few piofamily lived there. neer families foresaw the The Concord Historical development starting to Society and the Galindo destroy several historic buildHome would not be in exisings. They formed the non-
profit Concord Historical Society and started getting the historic houses registered at the state and national level, which meant they could not be torn down for redevelopment. The early board members collected archives and saved artifacts that Concord pioneers donated for a future museum. The society has been working for years to bring a museum to Concord, which has such rich history. But back to Ruth Galindo. Her great grandfather gave the house to his son, who had married a Spanish woman
Feb. 8 Valentine’s Orchid Show & Sale
Society. Knowing it was easier for the city to maintain the house than the volunteer society, she stipulated that the society could have the house after 10 years. Sadly, the house was run down and needed attention. When the society received the keys from the city, it started to raise money and renovate the Galindo Home back to its old style and class. It took quite a lot of research to chose paints and wallpaper that were in style back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 2010, the Historical Society was able to open the
CALENDAR
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. FEB. 3 FOR THE FEB. 14
IN CONCORD
named Mariana Amador. (The street and court around the Galindo Home are named after her.) Ruth’s grandmother was a classy lady, and she added two large parlors downstairs and two large bedrooms upstairs in 1875. She brought in the high ceilings, marble fireplaces and a magnificent staircase. When her son married and had three children, the youngest being Ruth, they occupied the house. Ruth lived there her entire life. She was the last living Galindo and left the house to the city of Concord and the furnishings to the Historical
Page B5
Sponsored by the Diablo View Orchid Society. Orchid and supplies vendors, raffle, workshops, judging, repotting service. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., First Lutheran Church, 4000 Concord Blvd., Concord. $5, $3 with coupon from website; 12 and under free. Free orchid for joining the society on day of show. dvos.org.
Tuesdays Farmers Market
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Todos Santos Plaza. pcfma.org.
FUNDRAISERS
Jan. 18 Bay Area Crisis Nursery Crab Feed
All you can eat dinner with salad, crab, pasta and French bread, plus auction items. 5-10 p.m., Garaventa Center at Carondelet High School, 1133 Winton Dr., Concord. $65. bayareacrisisnursery.org/events/crab-feed/.
Jan. 23 Veterans Hall Pasta Night
Pasta and dessert; vegetarian available by request when making reservation. 6-7:30 p.m., Veterans Hall, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $10. RSVP by Jan. 18. 925-389-0057.
Feb. 1 Concord High School Athletic Boosters Club Crab Feed
All you can eat dinner with salad, crab, tritip, pasta and garlic bread, plus silent and live auctions, a dessert auction and dancing. Must be at least 21. 6-11 p.m., Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. $60. concordhighschool.net/crabfeed.
Second Sundays VFW Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale
Pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, tea, juice, 8-10:30 a.m. second Sundays of each month, Veterans Hall, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $5, $3 for kids under 12. vfwpost1525.org.
Feb. 14 Rotary Club of Concord’s Love Fest
Dinner, dance and auction to benefit the mobile RotaCare Clinic and other Rotary projects. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Clarion Hotel, 1050 Burnett Ave., Concord. $75. concordlovefestcom.
Feb. 23 Veterans Hall/VFW Crab Feed
Doors open 5 p.m., dinner 6 p.m., Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Dr., Walnut Creek. $50. RSVP by Feb. 14; chicken available by request when making reservation. 925-389-0057.
Feb. 29 Blue Devils Crab Feed
All you can eat dinner with salad, crab, pasta, garlic bread and dessert, plus silent auction, raffle, music and dancing to benefit B and C Corps. Door opens 5 p.m., Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road, Concord. $65 or $600 for table of 10 until Feb. 16. eventbrite.com/e/bd-performing-arts-crab-feed-fundraiser-tickets-75709943479. For info, contact Teresa Saunders at teresa@bluedevils.org.
March 7 Festival Opera Benefit Gala
“Carmen” themed evening with fortune telling, dinner, concert, dancing and auction to benefit the 2020 season. 6 p.m., Scott’s Garden, 1333 N. California Blvd. Walnut Creek. festivalopera.com/gala or 925-944-9610.
VOLUNTEERS
March 7, 14 Diablo Valley Literacy Council Spring Workshop
For adults interested in helping ESL (English as a Second Language) adults in the community to learn the English language. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4000 Clayton Road, Concord. Volunteers must attend both sessions and commit 1-2 hours per week after match with a student. $20. RSVP at 925685-3881 or dvlc4esl@gmail.com.
HEALTH
Jan. 18 “Understanding Breast Cancer Risk Factors”
A panel of medical experts will give an overview of the genetic counseling process, MRI breast screening guidelines, understanding extremely dense breast tissue findings, recommendations for chemoprevention therapy and lifestyle changes, followed by a Q&A. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lafayette Library Community Room, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. RSVP at sjung@dvohmg.com or 925-677-5041.
Galindo Home to the public as one of the Bay Area’s many historically furnished houses. It’s open 1-4 p.m. Sundays for tours. Since then, the society purchased the Masonic Temple for $1 and moved it next to the Galindo Home. It was serendipitous that the little piece of property was for sale. We moved the building on the exact last day of the city’s deadline. May 31, 2013, was quite a day for those who watched the move at 6:30 a.m. The temple is now the
See Yesteryear, pg B8
ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO calendar@pioneerpublishers.com
Jan. 21-Feb. 25 Grief Support Workshop
A six-week program offering a safe place to share experiences and gain insight in your grief journey. St. Bonaventure’s Catholic Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Free. Register with Helene at 925-681-8105.
Feb. 13 Advance Health Care Directives for Seniors Clinic
Legal clinic to prepare and notarize advance health care directives for those 60 an older in Contra Costa County. 9:15 a.m.11:30 a.m., Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. Free. Call for appointment at 925-671-3320.
OUTDOORS
Trails Challenge Guide
The 2020 edition is available at East Bay Regional Park visitors centers or online at ebparks.org/TC. The Trails Challenge encourages visitors to complete any five of the 20 trails. Turn in your trail log by Dec. 1 and receive a commemorative pin while supplies last.
Jan. 20 MLK Day of Service
Volunteer to help clean up the MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline, 8:30 a.m.-noon. Registration required at volunteers@ebparks.org or call 888-327-2757, option 2.
Weekends through February Black Diamond Mines
“Nature Discoveries,” 10-11 a.m. Saturdays. “Meet a Snake,” 1:30-2 p.m. Saturdays. “Historic Somersville,” 1-2 p.m. Sundays. End of Sommersville Road, Antioch $5 per vehicle. 888-3272757, ext. 2750.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Through March 22 “The Great Wave: Contemporary Art About the Ocean” Inspired by Katsushika Hokusai’s woodblock print “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.” Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center.
Jan. 17-Feb. 2 “The Glass Menagerie”
Tennessee Williams classic, Onstage and Plotline. Campbell Theater.
Jan. 24-Feb. 22 “The Devil’s Music, the Life & Blues of Bessie Smith” The career, loves and losses of the “Empress of the Blues,” Lesher Center.
AT THE LIBRARY
Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. Full schedule at ccclib.org/locations/Concord.html. 925-646-5455.
Baby & Toddler Storytime, 10:15 a.m Tuesdays. Ages 0-3. Forever Young: Adult Book Club, 4 p.m. Jan. 21 Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Ages 3-5. Friends of the Library Book Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 24-25, 1-3:30 p.m. Jan. 26. Census Job Opportunities, 12-3 p.m. Jan. 24. Coffee and Conversation, 2 p.m. Jan. 27. Adulting 101 for Teens, 6 p.m. Jan. 27. Learn to Download eBooks, 3-5 p.m. Jan. 28. Registration required at 925-646-5455. Free AARP Tax Services, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 7, 8,14, 15. Call 925-405-5135 for appointment. Concord Knitting and Crochet Group, 1:15 p.m. Feb. 2. Valentine’s Craft for Kids, 4 p.m. Feb. 6. Concord Mystery Book Club, 1 p.m. Feb. 9. SPARK: Creative Writing for Kids, 4 p.m. Feb. 13.
Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. Full schedule at ccclib.org/locations/Clayton.html. 925-673-0659. Clayton Knits, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 20, Feb. 10. Patty Cakes Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Ages 0-3. Picture Book Storytime, 11 a.m. Thursdays. Ages 3-5. Winter Night Painting, 5 p.m. Jan. 29. Ages 11-18. Registration required. Paper Penguin Parade, craft and stories, 4 p.m. Jan. 30 Library Book Club, “Waking Lions,” 7 p.m. Feb. 10.
GOVERNMENT
1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Concord City Council
6:30 p.m., Council Chamber, Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.
1st and 3rd Wednesdays Concord Planning Commission
7 p.m. Council Chamber, Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.
1st and 3rd Tuesdays Clayton City Council
7 p.m. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. ci.clayton.ca.us or 925-673-7304.
2nd and 4th Tuesdays Clayton Planning Commission
7 p.m., Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. ci.clayton.ca.us or 925-673-7304.
Jan. 25, Feb. 22 Concert Series
Jan. 25: Jubilee Road, a trio of singers/instrumentalists. Feb. 22: Jazz with Matt Zebley. 7:30 p.m., Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton. $15 at the door. Contact Lyle Swallow at 925-689-5070 or lswallow@astound.net.
Daddy-Daughter Dance
For the spring season. 6:30 p.m., St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Contact Jennifer at 925-8902899 or twothemacks@gmail.com.
Sat., Feb. 8, 6:30-9 p.m. Oakhurst Country Club
Jan. 27 Diablo Woman’s Chorale Auditions
Jan 28-29 Pittsburg Community Theatre Auditions
For “The Real Inspector Hound” and “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” pctca.org.
Jan. 29-March 1 “The Road Traveled”
Tamsen Armstrong paints the Western landscape. Artist’s reception, 2-5 p.m. Feb. 8. Main Street Arts, 613 Main St., Martinez. 925-269-8049 or mainstreetarts.net.
Feb. 1-2 Brahms Fest
Featuring a pair of Bay Area rising stars, California Symphony. Lesher Center.
Feb. 7-8 “Balanchine & Beyond”
Dads, grandpas, uncles, friends and mentors of all ages welcome
1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton Music provided by a live DJ.
Ticket includes delectable desserts and beverages and a complimentary professional photo.
Our theme is “Puppy Love,” and colorful attire is encouraged. $25 per couple, $5 for additional guest. (Under 3 years free). Reserve online at claytoncc.com/daddydaughter. Mail checks to Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main Street, Clayton 94517. For more info, contact Jamie Davis jamie.davis@clayton.cc.com, 615.495.4349
y y Eas a d n Su tening Lis 4-7pm usic
Live m
Offerings from five ballets, Diablo Ballet. Del Valle Theatre.
Feb. 13-March1 “White Guy on the Bus”
Exploration of race, B8 Theatre Company. El Monte Plaza.
Theater Contact Key B8 Theatre Company, El Monte Plaza, 3503 Clayton Road, Concord. b8theatre.org. Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. campbelltheater.com. 925-350-9770. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. lesherartscenter.org. 925-943-7469. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. lesherartscenter.org. 925-943-7469.
Meeting dates and times for local clubs and organizations are listed at concordpioneer.com. Click on ‘Links’
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T H E ARTS Page B6
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
January 17, 2020
Troupes head back to the classics to launch a new decade Glass Menagerie,” Poison Apple Production’s “Diary Of Anne Frank” and Center REPertory Company’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Mother and daughter Anna and Shay Oglesby-Smith play Amanda and Laura Wingfield in the Onstage/Plotline coproduction of “The Glass Menagerie” at the Martinez Campbell Theater. Directed by Randy Anger, the iconic play also stars Carter Chastain and Ariel Sandino. It runs Jan. 17-Feb. 2. For more info, visit campbelltheater.com. Want more classics? See Town Hall artistic director Susan E. Evans’ version of “The Cherry Orchard,” with a translation by Richard Nelson, Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. It plays Feb. 27March 21 in Lafayette. Call 925-283-1557 or townhalltheatre.com.
KATHRYN G. MCCARTY
ON
THE
MARQUEE
The old is new this season as several theater companies resurrect classic works. They include Town Hall Theatre presenting “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov, Onstage Theatre and Plotline Theatre’s rendition of Tennessee Williams’ “The
Diablo Ballet’s “Balanchine & Beyond” includes selections from five ballets at the Del Valle Theatre.
Next up, Michael Butler directs Center REP’s production of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” adapted by Kate Hamill and running March 27-April 26. Call 925943-SHOW or lesherartscenter.org. Rounding out the plethora of classics is “The Diary of Anne Frank,” one of the most famous and haunting stories to emerge from the 20th century. It’s adapted for the stage by Wendy Kesselman, Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. Poison Apple artistic director Noelle Arms directs the show April 3-19 at the Campbell Theater. Visit poisonappleproductions.org/tickets. Clayton Theatre Company will produce in its 8th season starting with “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” directed by La Tonya Watts with Roxanne Pardi assisting. The show runs March 19-April 4 at Clayton’s Endeavor Hall. Visit claytontheatrecompany.com or 925-222-9106. Congratulations to B8 Theatre Company for moving into its new home in the El Monte Plaza, 3503 Clayton Road, Concord. In keeping with its production of cuttingedge dramas, the group will feature “White Guy on the Bus” Feb. 13-March 1. For updates on the season, visit b8theatre.org. Diablo Theatre Company and its resident youth performing company, SingOut
Brentwood’s Ghostlight Theatre will produce back-toback shows on Feb. 1 to preview the upcoming season. “The 2020 Showcase” will include songs and announce the season’s productions. It will be performed at 2 and 6:30 p.m. at the Theatre at Edna Hill, 140 Birch St., Brentwood. Visit ghostlightte.org. “Workforce,” a new musical by local playwrights Jim Maher and Alan Beliakoff, will debut Aug. 7-16 at the Campbell Theater. For audition information, visit campbelltheater.com. Diablo Ballet celebrates the new year with the second program of its 2019-’20 season, “Balanchine & Beyond,” Feb. 7-8 at the Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek. The proThe real life mother and daughter team of Anna and Shay grams features selections from Oglesby-Smith star in “The Glass Menagerie” at the Campfive ballets, including bell Theater. George Balanchine’s “Who Cares?” set to the music of Musical Theatre for Bay Area Costa/Diablo Valley region. Children and Young Adults, Patterned after Broadway’s Gershwin, the choreographic have found a new home at Tony awards, the Shellies hon- debut of company dancer Starlight Dance Studios and ored more than 120 individu- Michael Wells, the bravura Esmerelda, and a celebration Theater, 6648 Alhambra Ave. als. Regional companies par#B, Martinez. SingOut offers ticipating are Brentwood The- of female choreographers musical theater programs for ater Company, Center REPer- with works by Sally Streets and Penny Saunders. Call 925ages 4-18. For information on tory Company, Clayton The943-SHOW, classes and tickets, visit sinatre Company, Contra Costa lesherartscenter.org or diagouttheatre.org or 925-944Musical Theatre, Onstage Theatre, Pittsburg Community bloballet.org. 1565. Theatre, Town Hall Theatre The Lesher Center was Kathryn G. McCarty is wellCompany and the Vagabond filled with honorees for the known around the Bay Area as an Jan. 11 Shellie Awards, found- Players. The event features ed by Scott Denison in 1979 performances from each nom- educator, playwright and journalist. comments to to recognize outstanding inated musical and non-musi- Send KGMcCarty@gmail.com. achievement in the performcal show. This year’s winners ing arts in the Central Contra will be listed online.
Experiencing art makes all the difference Concord resident Carissa Fei holds a variety of freelance jobs, including dog-walking and delivery services, but her dream is to pursue art full-time. “My interest in anime started in seventh grade,” Fei says. “One of my friends loved drawing anime so much that I decided I wanted to do it too. I started taking art classes to learn the basics like perspective, composition and color. Japanese anime has a very interesting color palette that you don’t always see here in the U.S.” She finds inspiration in many Japanese artists, including Takashi Murakami, Makoto Shinkai and Masaaki Yuasa. “I’ve actually met Yuasa – that was surreal to meet a real Japanese animator.” she says.
After studying illustration in college, Fei explored many different paths of creative expression. “By experimenting with lots of different materials, I have learned more about composition,” Fei notes. “For example, I’ve made costumes for anime conventions. With cosplay, you get to know different types of fabrics and learn how colors work together best to fit a person’s body.” Fei works with a variety of mediums and styles for painting on canvas, drawing for reproducing prints and creating murals. “I really like acrylics because they dry quickly. I like layering and just painting over mistakes,” she says. “Painting with watercolors is more strate-
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real or soothing, and sometimes I’m inspired by a funny graphic or meme on the internet,” she says. “With a lot of my illustration work, I want you to laugh and have fun with it. Sometimes we like silly things and that’s OK.” Fei, who has lived in Concord about 10 years, was recently awarded the opportunity to paint a utility box downtown to celebrate Concord’s Music & Market series. Carissa Fei painted jazz musicians on the utility box on the “I like that we have an arts corner of Salvio and Grant as part of a downtown public art community that’s doing their project. best to connect with people here in Concord. New opportugic but also nice because it’s go.” nities await me now that I’ve portable and you can reactivate Her concepts derive from created public art,” she says the colors. For speed and flexi- many places. “Sometimes I’ll enthusiastically. bility, digital art is the way to base it on music that feels etheFei believes that art makes
LISA FULMER
ARTS
IN
MOTION
life more worth living. “I feel that experiencing art is important for both the artist and the viewer. You can change people’s minds and hearts with art and expose them to lots of interesting things about the world.”
Lisa Fulmer is a marketing consultant, published author and a community arts advocate.
In 2019 Star Wars bids farewell and Clint Eastwood keeps on keepin’ on
There is one fifteen minute sequence about halfway through that brings the entire series together. In collecting old friends and new, Abrams JEFF MELLINGER beautifully intertwines reminders of the glory of Star SCREEN SHOTS Wars. As someone not born It was not going to take when the original trilogy much to improve on “The began, I still have more affinity Last Jedi.” In my review for for those characters than any Episode VIII of the Star Wars introduced in later installments. saga, I noted that ‘The best Yet, for those whose primary thing going for “The Last Star Wars experiences are in Jedi” is that its visuals are as the 21st century, does that good as or better than all the sequence just represent a break other films.’ In the finale to from the story they are there the entire saga, “The Rise of to see? Or does it mean anySkywalker” improves on its thing more, as it does to older predecessor. fans? After handing the reins to Therein is the fundamental Rian Johnson (who helmed the problem of a FORTY-year old brilliant “Knives Out” this franchise. Generations of fans year) for Episode VIII, J.J. can adore it, but is it possible Abrams returns for Episode for anyone to fully grasp the IX. Johnson demonstrated a significance of its closing flair for action scenes in “The chapter? B Last Jedi”, but not much else. Abrams, while not having to In 2010, Clint Eastwood deal with the troubling ‘midbecame an octagenarian. He trilogy film,’ takes all the best then set about celebrating his parts about Star Wars and cre- 80s by directing eight movies ates a satisfying denouement. during the next decade! There
were some hits (“American Sniper” and “Sully”), and one giant miss (“15:17 to Paris”). He spent most of his time telling stories about real-life heroes. His latest, “Richard Jewell”, tells a story about a would-be hero turned suspect. Jewell, an authorityobsessed security guard working at the Atlanta Olympics Centennial Park in 1996, found a suspicious package. Not long after he convinced officers to clear people from the ongoing concert, the bomb went off. Initially hailed as a hero for his efforts, he soon was the FBI’s number one suspect. Relative newcomer Paul Walter Hauser expertly captures Jewell’s attitude of subdued acquiescence. All Jewell wants is to be respected by those in law enforcement, yet he digs himself in deeper on account of his desires. A who’s who of actors play the secondary characters: Kathy Bates is heartbreaking as Jewell’s overwhelmed mother, Sam Rockwell is excellent as Jewell’s friend and lawyer, Jon
Hamm is at his smarmiest as the underhanded FBI agent in charge, and Olivia Wilde is a spunky, unscrupulous reporter. Jewell is a man caught in a moment our country would unfortunately forget. In 2020, there are signs everywhere telling us to report suspicious packages. For Richard Jewell, doing so in 1996 taught everyone an important lesson. You do not have to be a hero to save lives. ATOP 10 TV OF 2019 1. Chernobyl 2. Watchmen 3. The Deuce 4. Mindhunter 5. The Orville 6. Star Trek: Discovery 7. Primal 8. Mr. Robot 9. Silicon Valley 10. Snowfall
Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. Email comments to editor@pioneerpublishers.com.
Don’t let home projects get the better of you January 17, 2020
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
Our homes are extremely high maintenance. They need constant attention to ensure that they remain functional and aesthetically pleasing. And we are enablers. We pamper our homes like we have money growing on trees in the backyard. A new washer and dryer this month, an exterior facelift the next. JENNIFER LEISCHER We all have our methods of approaching home projDESIGN & DÉCOR ects. Determining how to jump into all the fun really Do you ever get the feeling boils down to two concepts: Shelley Long and Tom Hanks were unprepared for that your home is a money How much money can you what this house had in store for them in the movie pit? allocate to home projects and “The Money Pit.” Of course, we love our what is the priority of your homes. They are our private projects? tank is confined to the garage, that needs to be replaced with sanctuaries, our fabulous Maybe the priority of the composite, the fences being and only a handful of your abodes, our cozy nests. project dictates the budget, or held up by bushes and trees, But let’s get real. If you’ve belongings were damaged. the drapery your mom helped maybe you have a specific Cheers. seen the ’80s movie “The amount in mind with hopes The long overdue kitchen you pick out a few years ago Money Pit,” you know what (say, 1984) and the decorative that it will cover as many I’m talking about. Sometimes remodel has been mocking our homes put us through the you for the last five years but entry lighting you thought was items on the to-do list as possible. cool in 2000. ringer with their needy, erratic has really become nasty As with any design plan, It’s safe to say that we’re all these last few weeks. Cabinet behavior. take your time to formulate a continually working on our door hinges break, cracks Picture these scenarios: appear in the backsplash and homes to some degree – from strategy. Then find the right Your water heater has contractors to help you forge the refrigerator is making an general cleaning to a major approached 10 years old and ahead, or create a DIY plan of remodel and everything in has given an ill-timed resigna- odd crackling noise. That attack. between. Most of us have a tion, just when the New Year’s can’t be good. Keeping our homes up to And let’s not even get to-do list that never truly goes ball drops in Times Square. date, with all parts and pieces started on the shingled roof away. Thank goodness the leaking
‘Giver of Stars’ relates how books help bring freedom
Horse Library Project, a program of book lending for the mountain people of Kentucky – one of the most depressed SUNNY SOLOMON states. BOOKIN’ WITH Moyes’ story begins in London, where an independSUNNY ent and feisty young woman, Alice, meets Bennett Van What a joyful New Year’s Cleve, the young son of an celebration to wildly and American mining magnate enthusiastically recommend The handfrom Kentucky. British writer Jojo Moyes’ latsome young man proposes est book, “The Giver of and, in Alice’s determination Stars.” to escape the confines of her If you love books, couraLondon family, she marries geous women, libraries and him. She moves not to coshorses, you will find this story mopolitan New York or even about the pack borse librariLouisville, Ky., but ends up in ans of Kentucky hard to put the small mining town of Baidown. It begins with the leyville, surrounded by the Great Depression and PresiAppalachian Mountains. dent Roosevelt’s New Deal Alice is totally unprepared program, originally called the for this rural life, and the folks Works Progress Administrain town are equally unpretion in 1935 and renamed the pared for Alice with her so Work Projects Administration ways. Instead of British very in 1939. an exciting life of freedom, Eleanor Roosevelt came up Alice finds herself trapped in with the idea of the Pack
her father-in-law’s large home and what soon becomes a loveless marriage. It is not until she volunteers to be a part of the Pack Horse Librarian Project that Alice begins to find a passion for a life of independence. Moyes spent time in Appalachia on horseback and in conversation with the folk who lived in the same small towns and far away mountain
Winter mushrooms can be deadly to humans and pets
and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present.” The death cap is a medium-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. 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. Other Bay Area mushrooms, including Galerina and Lepiota, may also carry deadly toxins, so it’s best to avoid anything growing wild. “Collecting mushrooms in East Bay Regional Parks is not allowed,” noted public information supervisor Dave Mason. To learn more, visit the Fungus Fair 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Jan. 25-26 at Tilden Nature Area’s Environmental Education Center, 600 Canon Dr., Beware of the death cap, left, and Western destroying Berkeley. angel mushrooms that pop up locally after the winter rains.
ins, a group of molecules that inhibit cellular metabolism in many animals and people. Mushrooms that grow in Symptoms usually appear 12 the wild this time of year can hours after consumption, look beautiful and are ecologi- beginning as severe gastroincally important, but some of testinal distress and progressthem contain dangerous toxing to liver and renal failure if ins. treatment is not sought immeThe death cap (Amanita diately. phalloides) and Western “Both of these toxic destroying angel (Amanita mushrooms can be lethal to ocreata), two of the world’s humans and pets if conmost toxic mushrooms, can be sumed,” said East Bay Regionfound in local parklands dural Park District naturalist ing the rainy season. Trent Pearce. “They are mostThey both contain amatox- ly associated with oak trees JEN VANYA Special to the Pioneer
cabins as those in “The Giver of Stars.” Moyes creates characters, women and men, to admire and cheer for and others to fear and despise. At the novel’s heart is the power of books to move mountains and heal hearts and culture. It takes place at a time when women had few choices. Under the powerful influence of her father-in-law, Alice faces a culture that believes a woman’s only place is in the home. The five women most present in the story find their strength and influence as pack horse librarians. The story is filled with heart, danger, surprising laughter, politics, and unexpected twists and turns. It should send many readers to Google to find out all they can about this remarkable project, which lasted beyond the years of the New Deal. The book’s title, “The Giver of Stars,” is aptly taken from a poem by Amy Lowell, and once read, you will understand why it was chosen. “The Giver of Stars” says as much about the grateful Kentuckians, adults and children, whose lives were as touched by the books as by the women who delivered them on horseback.
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.”
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functioning at 100 percent, takes time and determination. And a fairytale money tree planted in the backyard … or just a really well thought out plan.
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.
Fresh citrus makes the season bright
Bearss Limes are among the winter citrus at the Concord Farmers Market.
DEBRA MORRIS
FARMERS MARKET
Winter is a delicious time for mandarins, tangerines and oranges at the Concord Farmers Market. Navel oranges, mandarins and lemons are the most popular varieties of citrus, according to producebusiness.com. Cara Cara oranges are swiftly growing in popularity, along with blood oranges and yellow limes. Amazing and exciting citrus hybrids are also in the works. Plus there are heirloom varieties of navel oranges, sourced from navels that are at least 45 years old, to bring back flavors many of us remember from childhood. Bumpy-skinned Gold Nugget mandarins are extremely popular, along with minneolas and tangelos. You’ll also find mandarinquats – a combination of mandarins and kumquats– and even finger limes, which are about 2 inches long. Every Tuesday, you can visit Diaz Farms from Fowler, offering bags of big navel oranges, easy-peel Satsuma mandarins, sweet Cara Cara oranges and tart lemons. J&J Farms of Hughson brings fantastic pink grapefruit, navel and Valencia oranges, pomelos, and both Satsuma and mandarins. The farmers market is the best place to find the freshest, most delicious fruit. The farmers bring it straight from their orchards, offering many varieties you won’t find elsewhere. With its bright fresh flavor, abundant nutrition and
versatility, citrus is the perfect accompaniment for heavy winter meals. Fresh citrus salads, tangy dressings and marinades, and delicious sauces can lighten any dish. Try this lovely Blood Orange Marmalade for a real treat on your morning toast or as a topping for baked chicken.
BLOOD ORANGE MARMALADE 4 lbs. blood oranges (about 8 oranges) 3 T. fresh lemon juice 4 c. sugar
Using a vegetable peeler or knife, carefully remove peel from 3-4 oranges. Using a sharp knife, remove any white pith from peel. Cut peel into extremely thin slices; set aside. Remove peel from the remaining oranges; discard peel. Remove white membranes and seeds from oranges. Cut oranges into small pieces. Place orange pieces, lemon juice and sugar in three-quart saucepan. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium; simmer about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, place orange peel slices in one-quart saucepan and cover with water. Heat to boiling. Cook about 4 minutes; drain. Add orange peel slices to orange marmalade mixture during last few minutes of simmering. Ladle marmalade into sterilized jars. Top with sterilized lids/rims. Boil (“process”) jars in a large pot for 10 minutes. Water should cover tops of jars. Carefully remove jars from water bath. Place jars on kitchen towel, being careful they do not touch each other. Listen to the “pop” of lids to ensure they are sealed. Cool completely before storing.
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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
January 17, 2020
Jump start your Valentine’s at 4th Super Valentine’s Boutique Jan. 26
Valentine’s Day comes early with the ultimate local shopping experience at the 4th annual free Super Valentine’s Boutique on Sunday, Jan. 26, in the elegant Hilton Concord Golden Gate Ballroom, complete with a red carpet and wine and cocktail bar. Shoppers will be able to pamper themselves and buy gifts for their Valentine’s Sweethearts from over 60 vendors. The indoor Boutique is open from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. with free admission and free parking at the Hilton. The free fair allows shoppers to get their special Valentine’s outfit and Valentine’s gifts for family and friends from over 60 arts and crafts vendors, homebased businesses and commercial exhibitors. The Hilton Concord will have a wine and cocktail bar open in the Boutique for shoppers to relax during and after they shop. This year, there’s a Valentine’s Boutique red carpet for attendees to take free commemorative holiday photos. Clothing for women, teens and kids, makeup, jewelry, purses, scarves, candles, soaps, fashion accessories, books, honey, jams and jellies, dips, pillows, plants, greeting cards, home goods, bath and body, gift baskets,
DODI ZOTIGH
ALL
THE
COLORS
Becoming a parent is daunting, no matter your background or identity. It’s an incredible responsibility to raise a human being to function in this world. You’re guiding another life, setting boundaries, providing sustenance and hoping to make happy this entity that you really have no control over. It’s a balance of holding their hand while somehow teaching them to fly on their own. Being an LGBTQIA parent can make an already hard job more difficult at times: from conceiving, to adopting, to how the world regards or disregards you, to discrimination, to not having rights to your own child depending on what state you live in. I’ve had some hurdles building my family as a lesbian, but I’m fortunate compared to some LGBTQIA parents. My children are 6 and 3. My oldest was conceived on the third try on New Year’s Eve through artificial insemination. My best friends decided to get married that same morning. The only problem was that they lived in Seattle and I needed to be in Oakland with the sperm that same day. Another friend picked the sperm up for me, texting a picture of the
Their will be over 60 vendor tables at the 4th annual free Super Valentine’s Boutique at the Hilton Concord Hotel in the Golden Gate Ballroom on Sunday, Jan. 26. The boutique is a unique opportunity to fill a Valentine’s shopping list in one place while also getting a photo on the Valentine’s red carpet and enjoying the wine and cocktail bar in the ballroom. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with free admission and free parking.
home improvement products and much more will be available. There will be free eyebrow waxing, chair massage and more to do at the Boutique. The first 200 women through the door will receive a Valentine’s Gift Bag. Each attendee gets a free raffle ticket for numerous Valentine’s-themed prizes. Donation of food to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano will earn the donor another raffle ticket for each can donated. The Super Valentine’s Boutique is presented by Bay Area Festivals, which hosts
Visit SuperValentinesBoutique.com for more information and to register for free $2 Sweetheart Buck to be used towards a purchase at the Boutique and automatic entry in the raffle. The Boutique is free to the public with ample free parking at Hilton Concord, 1970 Diamond Blvd. across from the Willows Shopping Center and The Veranda.
The challenges of LGBTQIA parenting canister in her front seat, seatbelt on to keep the little swimmers safe. I went to the courthouse to see my friends finally marry (it had just become legal earlier that month), then to the airport, then the doctor’s office with lots of hope in my heart. It worked out and our ginger baby arrived, early, 34 weeks later. For my 3-year-old, we went through in vitro fertilization (IVF). We could only afford one try, since we had to pay more for double the fertility drugs since I would carry my partner’s egg. When you’re queer, there’s an extra layer added to the ups and downs of fertility treatments, being pregnant, financial tolls, interruption of work, and the worries and fears that all parents have. Micro aggressions or rude comments remind you that you’re “other” and make you feel “less than.” Try explaining to random people how you could be pregnant, as if they didn’t know that modern medicine helps make babies for straight couples too. Or having to educate your own doctor on why your age isn’t a factor in the genetic testing of your baby, because it’s an egg from your partner. You get that look, like you’re an oddity he doesn’t understand. And this is when he’s telling you that your baby has a heart defect. It’s having a friend who’s ex decided that she couldn’t be
Yesteryear, from page B5
Concord Museum and Event Center and is renovated enough to hold rentals in the hall, fireplace room, and the gazebo and gardens. We’re still in need of financial support to finish the museum, which has been the society’s dream from the very beginning. We feel Ruth would be prouder than punch of all the
the Super Holiday Boutique annually in Pleasant Hill and Concord (Dec. 5-6 this year) as well as Bay Area KidFest (May 23-25) and Contra Costa Con 2 (July 19, also at the Hilton).
work we’ve done to save history and have a place people can visit to remember the past. Thank you Ruth for your foresight to preserve Concord’s history. And thank you to the Concord Historical Society for 50 years of volunteer work. It’s a lot of fun at our
around the child they worked to have together. She lost her child even though she helped pay for conception and was actively raising the child for years. There was no legal precedent or recognition, no legal marriage, no name on a birth certificate, no second parent adoption. I’m privileged because so many others made it possible for a lesbian like me to have children and to share openly that I am a queer parent. I’m hopeful as there continue to be changes that support LGBTQIA parents. A small example is the new birth certificate application in California. With my oldest, the only option on the birth certificate was mother and father. At the time, we just crossed out father and wrote in parent. But for our littlest, the birth certificate had “mother/parent” and “father/parent.” We felt seen and included. I’m grateful that my parenting village is filled with fabulous people who range on the spectrum of LGBTQIA and ally identities. It means my little ones are already surrounded by people who accept them fully and completely. For resources, check out rainbowcc.org.
Dodi Zotigh is the board president of the Rainbow Center serving the LGBTQ community in Concord. Send questions and comments to Dodi@rainbowcc.org. social events as people rediscover friends they haven’t seen in years. If you would like to join the society and help in any way, visit concordhistorical.org.
Carol Longshore has been a Concord resident since 1950. She is a community leader and past president of the Concord Historical Society. Send comments and suggestions for future topics to editor@concordpioneer.com.