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July 20, 2018
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RON LEONE Special to the Pioneer
EDi BiRSAN
MAYOR
When base news broke, local government jumped into action
Local city government is where you can put your hand on the face of democracy. You may want to slap them around or, for some, shake their hands, but there they are in person in front of you at a City Council meeting or at a coffee shop or supermarket line. City government makes decisions that have an immediate effect on your life – whether it is to force you to move your electrical breaker box from a closet to a hallway (grumble-grumble, bye-bye $3 grand for me), pave your road,
See Mayor, page 8
Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer
City Councilman Ron Leone, left, dedicates the Don Salvio Pacheco statue on July 4th. Artist Paula Slater and Carol Longshore of the Historical Society are on the right. The statue was funded entirely with donations with $55,000 to spare.
74 years later, Congressman fights to exonerate Port Chicago 50 KARA NAVOLIO Correspondent
Looking north toward the pier, the damage from the munitions explosions at the Port Chicago Naval Base was catastrophic.
July 17 marked the 74th anniversary of the worst homefront disaster of World War II, and officials are still working to exonerate the African-American sailors who refused to return to work after the Port Chicago explosion. At 10:18 p.m. on July 17, 1944, smoke and fire shot two miles into the air as the SS E.A. Bryan, loaded with 4,000 tons of ammunition, and the SS Quinault Victory, in the
process of being loaded, exploded. The blast killed 320 and injured 390. It was felt all around the East Bay, blowing out windows in Concord, Walnut Creek and surrounding towns. Martinez native, Alan Perry was barely two but recalls his father replacing all the windows in their Palm Ave. home. “The memory is pretty vague, but for years the subject came up with family and friends every year on the anniversary.”
See Port Chicago, page 8
Green boxes at intersections create safe space for bikes MARYAM ROBERTS BIKE CONCORD You can’t miss Concord’s latest bicycle lane improvement project. Just look for the green bike lanes and bike boxes. The bright green color is the standard for bicycle lanes and boxes, indicating a lane of travel and safe space for bikes. Bike boxes are new to Concord, and there’s been some buzz in the community and online – both pro and con. Bike boxes allow a safe and highly visible space in front of
waiting traffic during a red light. Bicyclists wait in the bike box to make a left turn or to go straight through an intersection. The green box also triggers the traffic light by the weight of a bicycle. If you’ve ever been a cyclist at an intersection without such sensors, you know how frustrating it can be to wait for a car to trigger the green light or to maneuver over to press the pedestrian signal button on the sidewalk. When cyclists are inside the bike box, they are allowed to move forward through the intersection ahead of traffic once the light turns green. A bike box is marked by a stop bar for motor vehicles, Drivers are required to wait white lines to designate the waiting space for bikes, and a behind the white line at the bike symbol. The box itself is painted green, along with the approaching bike lane that feeds it. Drivers must stop be-
See Bike Boxes, page 9 hind the stop bar, and not in the bike box.
In early 2016, my wife Maria and I saw a bronze statue of U.S. Vice President Schuyler Colfax (1869-’73) at the train station in Colfax. I thought this was impressive, and I was inspired to bring a statue of city founder Don Salvio Pacheco to Concord. I said to Maria: “This small town of approximately 2,000 people was able to raise a majestic statue of their town’s namesake. Why doesn’t our city of Concord, with a population of about 130,000, have a statute of our founder?” Concord was founded in 1868, so I figured the statue would be a great way to celebrate the 150th anniversary in 2018. When I got back into town, I contacted a foundry in Berkeley to find out approximately how much it would cost to have an artist design and create a statue and for the foundry to cast it in bronze. Considering the base and prep
See Pacheco, page 12
Concord golfer Bucey joins winners list with 4 Golf Hall of Famers
Photo courtesy Bucey family
Concord golfer Bobby Bucey holds the Edward B. Tufts Trophy after winning the 107th California Amateur Golf Championship. The Clayton Valley High School grad was able to win a tournament that Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods failed to win. World Golf Hall of Fame members Ken Venturi, Mark O’Meara, Johnny Miller and Gene Littler were champions of the State Amateur that began in 1912. JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Bobby Bucey had a fairly successful golf career at Clayton Valley High School. But when he graduated in 2007, the Concord resident didn’t draw much attention from colleges seeking him out to join their schools’ programs. Many schools might rue that oversight as the golfer recently did something only four World Golf Hall of Fame members have done by winning the 107th California Amateur Golf Championship, just like icons Ken Venturi, Mark O’Meara, Johnny Miller and Gene Littler achieved in the annual amateur that was first held in 1912. Oh, and by the way, a couple golfers who played in the California Amateur without winning are named Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Concord pharmacist Steve
Stimac lost the 1969 California Amateur championship match to future PGA touring pro Forrest Fezler, one year after Miller won his state title. Stimac, a fixture in local golfing circles for many years, was also runner-up in the 1975 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. At 29, Bucey was considered an “old man” in the field of 156 qualifiers at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad last month. The golfers competed for two
See Golf, page 6
Inside
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Community . . . . . . . . . . .5 From the desk of . . . . . .8 Hearts & Hands . . . . . . .2 Senior Living . . . . . . . .18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Performing Arts . . . . . .14
New center honors city’s heritage
Page 2
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
FAiTH BARNiDGE
HEARTS & HANDS
As Concord celebrates its 150 birthday this year, the city also is proudly premiering the Concord Heritage Center. Composed of the Concord Historical Society Museum and Event Center and the historic Don Francisco Galindo Home and Gardens, it’s located at 1721 Amador Ave. Many years of fundraising and countless volunteers contributed to the success of this enormous undertaking by the Concord Historical Society (CHS). Since the Galindo Home was transferred to CHS in 2010 and the Concord Masonic Temple was relocated to the property in 2013, this small but mighty group of less than 50 dedicated volunteers raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and contributed hours of hands-on labor to make their dream for our community a reality.
More than 75 percent of the reconstruction and funding is complete. The ground floor houses the Event Center, already hosting social and community events in a beautifully transformed space featuring the original and refurbished stage and dance floor thousands of residents remember from community events of yesteryear – plus updated with air-conditioning. A new, full-service catering kitchen is under construction, as well as an elevator to take visitors to the museum and Resource Center on the second floor. The Concord Heritage Center will form the centerpiece of Clayton Valley and Diablo Valley community events in the future. CHS has forged a lasting partnership with the community at large to not only preserve the legacy of our past and share that knowledge with residents and school children, but to invest their hearts and hands in creating and maintaining a beautiful testament to our future. CHS honored its volunteers at a recent luncheon in the Event Center, presided over by longtime CHS president Carol Longshore and catered and served by
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Volunteers celebrated at the Concord Heritage Center in June, from left, Noelle Quesada, Louise Turrin, Carrie Wong, isabel Hill, Nancy Haramaki, Vicki Allen, Pam Martin, Barbara Hayworth, Sandy Lane, guest Faith Barnidge, Susan Pace-Koch, Norene Mason, Barbara Strehlitz, Gene Dirks, Sharon Dirks, Gloria Lincoln, Lind Higgins, Jill McKinnon-Endicott, Gail Van Tassell, Vivian Boyd, Estella Barckley, Jackie Fontaine, Gloria Mattson, Carol Longshore, Daniel O’Connor, Dee Yount, Evelyn Cunningham and Barry Cunningham.
CHS volunteers. The camaraderie and friendship exhibited by these volunteers is evident in everything they do for each other and for all of us who will enjoy the benefits of their hard work. It was an honor to be included in this event and an opportunity to personally congratulate them on their success. Visit www.concordhistorical.org or call 925-827-3380 to reserve space for your next business, personal or community event. Join CHS as a member for added benefits, beginning at only $30 per year. Have a car you’re not using? Donate to clunkers4charity.org or cars2ndchance.org or call the Clayton Valley Concord Sunrise Rotary members who manage this program at 925-326-5868. Or tour Galindo Home from 14 p.m. any Sunday. Guiding at-risk kids:
Kops for Kids is a nonprofit organization of active or retired law enforcement officers who participate in positive activities with area youth to help prevent juvenile delinquency. Programs include PMA (Positive Mental Attitudes) presentations at area high schools, a Leadership Camp each July and youth mentoring program grants that fund educational and athletic activities. The Kops for Kids Golf Classic will raise funds for these programs. Registration and breakfast precede the 10 a.m. shotgun start on Monday, Aug. 27, at Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Dr., Clayton. Call Kasey at 925-827-1998 for registration information. Philanthropy awards: The East Bay Leadership Council is accepting nominations from the nonprofit community to
honor local leaders, businesses and service organizations that have made a real difference in our communities. Nominations forms and details can be found at https://www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com/pag es/nominate and must be submitted by Sept. 7. Categories include Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist, Individual Philanthropist, Foundation or Grant Maker, Collaborative Project, Volunteer of the Year, Next Generation Philanthropist and Lifetime Achievement Award. Winners will be honored at a breakfast in November at Blackhawk Museums in Danville. Call 925-2461880 or email events@eblc.org for more information. Helping kids see: Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall youth inmates with poor vision have problems completing
school work and participating in rehabilitation programs, so the Juvenile Hall Auxiliary provides new glasses to incarcerated youth at Juvenile Hall. Funding is through individual donations and the Hall Closet Thrift Store, 100 Glacier Dr., Martinez. Auxiliary members are volunteers from our communities who perform many services for incarcerated youths, including tutoring, scholarships, mentoring, the Late Night Readers Program and the Eyeglass Program. Prospective volunteers are always welcome. A volunteer luncheon in late June honored members who work throughout the year to make life a little better for children in Juvenile Hall. Visit juvenilehallauxiliary.org, email executive director Harold Leffall at harold@reachingouryouth.org or call 925-957-2718 to make a donation, volunteer or receive more information. Advocates for foster kids: Court Appointed Special Advocates for foster children in Contra Costa County was one of the first nonprofit CASA organizations created to recruit, train and provide support for individual volunteers to become a trusted and dedicated advocate and mentor for a child as they journey through the foster care system. Each volunteer advocate is matched with a foster child and agrees to provide a few hours a week in caring support at a foster home, school and at juvenile court. CASA represents about 150 children through the county office in Concord. Prospective CASA volunteers over age 21 are invited to learn about the program at informational sessions 12:30-2 p.m. July 21 or 27 at CASA
See Barnidge, page 3
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Concord Market Update ADDRESS
PRICE
20 Long Creek Cir. – Clayton
Super Cute Single Story in Marsh Creek Villas. 2 Bedrooms, 2 baths approx. 966sf with an attached 2 car garage. Great floor plan features large living room & dining area with semi vaulted ceiling & lots of natural light. Kitchen features newer white appliances & a cozy breakfast nook. Dual pane windows. Walking distance to town $450,000
181 Brandywine Pl. – Clayton
Fantastic Nantucket Model in Peacock Creek at Oakhurst Country Club on a prime level view lot at the end of a cul-de-sac with awe inspiring views of Mt Diablo. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large den, spacious loft, approx 3820sf with a finished 3 car garage. Gleaming “Acacia” wood floors, crown moulding, designer paint colors & more. $1,199,000
1608 Allegro Ave. – Concord
Terrific Single Story in Park Pavilion At Rear Of Complex. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths approx. 1200 sf with an attached 1 car garage. Open Floor plan with neutral décor. Large living room offers cozy fireplace. Kitchen offers newer appliances, ample cabinets & breakfast bar. Updates include: dual pane windows, newer AC & water heater. Low maintenance lot. $545,000
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provided by Better Homes Realty SF BED/BATH DATE
ADDRESS
5689 Lewis Way – Concord
Gorgeous Dana Farms Rancher. 4 bedrooms 2 baths approx 1763 sf with an attached 2 car garage. Updated & upgraded throughout. Kitchen remodel. Updated baths. Expansive .37 acre private level lot features a beautiful covered outdoor BBQ/expanded living space with ample square footage to entertain or quietly lounge, lush lawn area,and bocci court. Coming Soon
8 Malibu Court – Clayton
Charming Single Story Rancher in Regency Woods. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths approx 2010 sf with a 2 car garage plus covered sideyard for Boat/Small Vehicle parking. Updated kitchen, baths, designer paint colors, recessed lighting, crown moulding. Approx .24 acre park like lot on a court with drought resistant landscape & “Heavenly Greens” lawn in backyard. . Coming Soon
165 Silverado Court – Clayton
Desirable Nantucket Model in Peacock Creek t, Mult is L at Oakhurst r v e O Country Club. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths approx 3600sf with a 3 car garage. Huge level prime view lot on a quiet court setting with an in-ground freeform pebble tech pool & raised spa. Exquisite upgrades throughout. $1,195,000
G P EN DI Nltiple Of fers
PRICE
SF BED/BATH DATE
1060 Bancroft Rd . . . . . . . . . . . $390,000 . .1184 . .2/1.5 .7/11/18
921 Dawnview Ct . . . . . . . . . . $1,110,000 . .3240 . .4/3.5 . .7/3/18
1520 Lavetta Way . . . . . . . . . . . $675,000 . .2178 . .4/3 . . . .7/6/18
5706 Pepperridge Way . . . . . . . $825,000 . .2141 . .4/2.5 . .7/2/18
1749 Humphrey Dr . . . . . . . . . . $605,000 . .1680 . .3/2 . . . .7/9/18
1505 Kirker Pass Rd #114 . . . . $360,000 . . .833 . .2/2 . . . .7/5/18 1532 Maynard St. . . . . . . . . . . . $754,000 . .1924 . .3/2 . . . .7/3/18
1123 Vista Point . . . . . . . . . . . . $835,000 . .2159 . .4/2.5 . .7/3/18 939 Autumn Oak Circle . . . . . . . $912,500 . .3240 . .5/3.5 . .7/2/18 1810B Wildbrook . . . . . . . . . . . $445,000 . .1468 . .3/2.5 . .7/2/18
July 20, 2018
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Barnidge, from page 2
headquarters, 2151 Salvio St., Suite 299, across from Todos Santos Plaza. Support CASA at An Evening of Promise Oct. 13 at Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo. Join Master of Ceremonies Dan Ashley from ABC 7 for fine dining, with silent and live auctions. Email casa@cccocasa.org or visit www.cccocasa.org to learn more. Mega chamber mixer: Concord Chamber of Commerce members will meet and network with chamber members from Walnut Creek, Pleasant
11:45 a.m. each second Tuesday at the Concord Chamber office, 2280 Diamond Blvd. $10 for chamber members, or $25 for guests. Reserve your spot at mrea@concordchamber.com. At the June meeting, more than 60 members and guests shared lunch and learned about Yelp from Stephanie Yolish, senior community director of Yelp East Bay. The Internet reviewing site is for businesses of all kinds. Attendees included women and men from organizations and businesses throughout the Clayton and Diablo valleys. Kaiser supports nonprof-
Class Championship will be 610 p.m. July 21 at Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road. Pleasant Hill. Tickets start at $20 on eventbrite.com. The Blue Devils will compete with teams from all over California and one from Utah. The Blue Devils last free performance will be 2-8:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord. Visit bluedevils.org for more information. Relay for Life of Diablo Valley will raise funds for the American Cancer Society as families and friends participate in a 24-hour event to honor loved ones lost and those who have survived cancer. Participants from Concord, Clayton,
Melissa Rea/Concord Chamber of Commerce
The Women’s Networking Group of the Concord Chamber of Commerce welcomed more than 60 members and guests to Mary Kay Success Studio at the June meeting.
Hill, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda and the Hispanic Chamber, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at the Lafayette Veteran Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Make sure your business or nonprofit organization is included at www.concordchamber.com. Women’s networking: The Concord Chamber of Commerce Women’s Networking group represents organizations and businesses in the Concord area seeking to expand their contacts and resources. The group meets for lunch with a speaker at
its: Kaiser Permanente in the Diablo area will award $868,900 in community benefit grants to 34 local nonprofit organizations that improve the health of under-served communities in Central and East Contra Costa County and the Tri-Valley. Groups include Meals on Wheels, Brighter Beginnings, Monument Impact and the RotoCare free medical clinic at St. Vincent de Paul. Visit kp.org/share for more info. Save the date: The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps Diablo Valley Classic Open
Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga will meet at 9 a.m. July 28 at Pleasant Hill Middle School, 1 Santa Barbara Road, to walk around the track in teams or as individuals. The event lasts 24 hours to recognize that cancer never sleeps, and neither does the fight against the disease. Sign up for a team at www.relayforlife.org/DiabloValleyCA, or email relay4life@yahoo.com. The International Tea Party for the whole family will raise funds for Senior Scholarships, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 28 at
the Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. Enjoy iced and hot tea along with delicious refreshments representing different parts of the world. $29, $15 for guests under 14. Tables seat 10. Visit www.cityofconcord.org and sign up the excellent Concord E-Newsletter to learn about what’s happening in Concord. The Diablo Ballet Gourmet Gallop will feature 16 restaurants providing sips and samples of their gourmet cuisine, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, in downtown Walnut Creek. Proceeds benefit Diablo Ballet’s PEEK program bringing the healing art of movement to incarcerated youth in the juvenile justice system. Visit www.diabloballet.org or call 925-943-1775 for advance tickets. $39. The Alan David Vasilauskas Memorial Golf Tournament benefitting the Bay Area Crisis Nursery will be Aug. 26 at Boundary Oaks Golf Course in Walnut Creek, followed by a celebratory dinner with raffle prizes and an auction. $145 for golf and dinner, $35 for dinner only. Register before July 20 and receive five raffle tickets. Call Michele Vasilauskas-Conforto at 925-260-3290. Moonlight on the Mountain, Save Mount Diablo’s annual fundraising gala on top of Mount Diablo will feature majestic views, a gourmet dinner, live music, and live and silent auctions to raise funds to protect our open spaces beginning at 4 p.m. Sept. 8. This event always sells out. Contact Kristen Noe at knoe@savemountdiablo.org for sponsorship and ticket information. Hearts and Hands shares news, events and opportunities for all of us to learn more about our community, have some fun, and combine our resources and talents to help others. Send items to faithbarnidge@ pioneerpublishers.com.
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Revitalization is meeting resistance
George Fulmore
1500 Monument is one of four retail centers targeted in the city’s “war on blight.” Outdoor displays like this are illegal. TAMARA STEINER Concord Pioneer
A renewed effort to eradicate blight and bring four large shopping centers into compliance with current municipal code is meeting resistance among merchants. The city declared a “war on blight” earlier this year and seeks to put more teeth in enforcement than provided by the current code which is complaint driven and too passive for council’s taste. But the new stronger law will have to wait until at least the end of summer. At the June 26 meeting, the council rejected a proposed amendment that would more broadly define “blight” and increase penalties, sending it back to staff to better estimate the costs of the program and address the impact of enforcement on businesses. In the meantime, the city is continuing to enforce the current law which, among other things, prohibits outdoor displays of merchandise and limits the percentage of window area that can be covered by signs. 1500 Monument is one of the four centers targeted in the revitalization efforts. TJ Maxx and the Food Maxx centers on Clayton Rd. and the Bel Air Cen-
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Clayton
$699,950
Oak Hollow — Gorgeous single story home with 2 bedrooms + office and 2 full baths. Cathedral ceiling and flagstone fireplace in living room. Newer carpet, baseboards, and decorator paint. Remodeled kitchen, maintenance free yard with gazebo and covered patio & community pool near Mt Diablo. Michelle Gittleman (925) 768-0352 MichelleGittleman.com Cal BRE# 01745325
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Pri
Clayton
$679,000
Co-listed with Lynne French Team
Unlimited possibilities — Well maintained and charming 3 bed, 2 bath home in desirable neighborhood in Clayton. This home features a light and bright living space, eat in kitchen, large yard with covered RV/boat parking and much more. Morgan Boneberg (925) 330-8140 MorganBoneberg@windermere.com Cal BRE#02056436
Clayton
$785,000
Downtown — Highly desirable location in the center of downtown. From this charming Victorian style home you can walk to restaurants, concerts and festivals. Spacious 2,148 square foot home including 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, a Gourmet kitchen with granite slab and stainless steel appliances. Michelle Gittleman (925) 768-0352 MichelleGittleman.com Cal BRE# 01745325
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Brentwood
Clayton
Clayton
$699,800
Black Diamond — Located steps from downtown Clayton and Mt. Diablo trails, this beautiful 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home offers a light and bright family room with a fireplace and stunning views of Mt. Diablo, a spacious kitchen, formal dining space, comfortable living room with fireplace, and a laundry room with plenty of storage.
Lynne & Kelly offer free staging on ALL LISTINGS
Concord
$498,000
Near Downtown — Charming 3 bedroom 2 bath, single story home near BART, shopping and easy freeway access. Numerous upgrades including laminate flooring, remodeled kitchen with quartz counters and stainless steel appliances. Living room with fireplace and updated baths with tile floors and cultured marble counters.
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$582,000
$699,000
Dana Ridge — Updated patio home with great views of Mt Diablo. 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, remodeled baths, and inside laundry room. Remodeled kitchen with granite counters, crown molding and pantry. Engineered hardwood floors thoughout, newer hot water heater, furnace and roof. Great backyard with covered patio, deck and spa.
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Garrin Ranch — Spacious 5 bedroom 3 bath home on court location. Save thousands with solar system, dual pane windows and plantation shutters. Gourmet kitchen with Corian counters, island and pantry. Family room with brick fireplace, inside laundry room, media room and living room with soaring ceilings.
ter at Treat and Clayton Rd. are also under fire for code violations. All four centers were singled out because their size; all are over 25,000 square feet. Tenants at both 1500 Monument and Food Maxx routinely use outdoor space to display merchandise. Merchants at 1500 Monument have spoken out against the policy. The owner of Milly’s Multiservices addressed the council at the June 26 meeting saying the traditional displays bring in business. Moving them indoors will impact sales. Councilmember Ron Leone appeared sympathetic. “I kind of like all the displays,” he said. The council is also looking at ways to strengthen the Vacant Building Ordinance and put more pressure on owners to clean up trash, upgrade landscaping and fix broken sidewalks, curbs and asphalt. Four areas in the city— North Concord, Clayton corridor, Monument corridor and Downtown—have vacant parcels or abandoned buildings that are likely prime candidates for development. A revised amendment is unlikely to come before council until late August or September. There were no meetings in July.
Clayton
$879,000
Regency Meadows — Light & bright 4 bed., 2.5 bath home boasting approx. 2,390 sq.ft. Park-like, private yard with covered deck and fountain. Newer gutters, exterior paint & refinished fence. 2 fireplaces, custom window coverings & dual pane windows. Gorgeous views, RV Access and 3 car garage complete this beautiful property.
Assisting More Buyers & Sellers than Anyone Else* *Statistics based on Clayton/Concord and Contra Costa County Closed sales by volume (1/2014-12/31/2014). Data by Maxebrdi
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Page 4
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
July 20, 2018
COMMUNITY
July 20, 2018
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Page 5
Cool Concord Cars
We specialize in education to improve and maintain your wellness Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer
Mike Hogendorn, left, of Concord, won Mayor’s Choice for his 1957 Chevy and Mark Nunnally, Concord, took home the Visit Concord Award with his 1966 Dragon Wagon at Cool Concord Cars on July 10 in Todos Santos Plaza, kicking off the Tuesday Night Blues series. Over 100 cars were on display for the event sponsored by Visit Concord California.
Three students win Garcia awards
Abdul Roshangar, Luis Ramos and Guadalupe Yoali Zuniga will receive the 2nd annual George Garcia Educational Awards. Ramos and Zuniga attend Diablo Valley College. Ramos plans to transfer to Cal State East Bay to study graphic design. Zuniga’s goal is to major in humanities and work with children with disabilities. Roshangar is attending JFK University to obtain a paralegal certificate. Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union (DVFCU) provided the scholarships in memory of the late George Garcia, who served on the credit union’s board of directors for more than 40 years. “We wanted to do something to honor George’s passion and commitment to the community,” said CEO John Pamer. “We are proud to partner with Monument Impact to provide these recipients the chance to experience what George experienced – achieve-
It’s the
Abdul Roshangar, Guadalupe Yoali Zuniga, and Luis Ramos
ment of the American Dream through hard work and the backing of people who believe in their future.” Monument Impact serves families in Concord’s Monument Corridor with workforce development and other programs that engage community members in identifying solutions to the challenges and barriers they face. “The George Garcia Educational Award Fund provides
• We boast one of the most comprehensive supplement departments in Northern California.
a unique opportunity for members of our community to continue their education regardless of their background or age,” said executive director Debra Bernstein. “Mr. Garcia’s personal story deeply resonated with our applicants, who are hard-working and highly motivated to create a better life for themselves and their families. We are excited to collaborate with DVFCU on this important program.”
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
July 20, 2018
City a partner in plan for Galindo low-income apartments BEV BRITTON Concord Pioneer
The City Council approved $5.5 million to support construction of $25 million in low-income apartments at 1313 Galindo St. Resources for Community Development (RCD) is proposing a 44-unit project that will serve the veterans of Concord, as well as seniors, people
with disabilities and small families. Responding to feedback from the city, RCD revised plans so that 55 percent of the apartments are one-bedroom units – up from 36 percent in the original proposal. RCD also will set aside 10 units specifically for homeless vets. RCD estimated the affordable rates would be $519 a month, vs. $1,360 a month for the
average tenant. Much of the discussion at the June 26 meeting revolved around how best to market to target populations and concerns about RCD’s Lakeside apartments, including parking and gate operation. While Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister praised RCD for its “good track record” in Concord, Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer was
ly looking into alternatives. “We may replace it with paper, or go to washable plates,” says Santiago Morales. “We will be changing over, but either way it will cost the customers more money.” Polystyrene, commonly referred to as Styrofoam, is a petroleum-based plastic used in single-use disposable products, such as cups, clamshell takeout containers and other food service ware. Although polystyrene is recyclable, most centers will not accept it due to its light weight. With 95 percent air, it is unprofitable to process. The foam containers can take up to 500 years to decompose and account for up to 25 percent of the world’s landfills. In addition, polystyrene containers are a major component of urban litter. They can clog storm drains and wind up in the Bay and local waterways, where they leach toxins into the water.
It is the second most abundant form of beach debris in California, and marine animals can easily mistake it for food. Attempts to ban the product statewide have failed in the Legislature since 2008; hence individual jurisdictions, including seven other Contra Costa cities, have enacted local bans. In an attempt to inform the public, the city of Concord has reached out to the Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Todos Santos Business Association, Contra Costa County Climate Leaders, Meals on Wheels and Monument Impact. The city also notified major retailers, such as Safeway, Lucky, Costco and Grocery Outlet. The polystyrene ban is part of Concord’s efforts to meet the state’s 2020 requirement to divert 75 percent of solid waste generated by businesses and multifamily developments from the landfill.
City bans styrofoam food packaging effective Jan. 1 JOHN T. MILLER Correspondent
The Concord City Council voted unanimously to enforce a ban on polystyrene packaging, joining about a hundred other municipalities in California prohibiting its use. Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer, who introduced the proposal, said the ban would “reduce waste by requiring food or beverage service ware that is readily reusable, recyclable or compostable, reduce human health risks associated with polystyrene, reduce the risk of harm to wildlife and improve water quality.” The ban will go in effect on Jan. 1, 2019, with a five-month grace period to allow food distributors to use up their supply of polystyrene containers. The owner of the popular Tortilleria El Molino on Monument Boulevard appreciates the grace period and is current-
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tenths of a mile to BART but right in between bus stops and just over half a mile from Todos Santos Plaza.” By partnering with local community organizations, RCD will offer free support services such as after-school and summer youth programs, computer skills and budgeting. “All our of developments have resident services, which are social services offered to the residents free of charge to ensure that they can stay in the housing and also thrive,” noted RCD executive director Dan Sawislak. Concord has $14 million
available for affordable housing, with a goal of 3,478 units by 2022. Novin DevelopmentHabitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley recently submitted a proposal to increase the allocation of affordable units at the existing Argent apartments on Willow Pass Road. According to housing program analyst Sophia Sidhu, the Housing and Economic Development Committee will review that plan in August. A proposal may also be coming from Community Housing Opportunities before the September deadline.
BEV BRITTON Concord Pioneer
will include state university officials, those experienced in higher education trends, members of the county’s Community College District and the Mt Diablo Unified School District, workforce development advocates and representatives from major regional industries. The committee will consider socio-economic demographics, educational trends and projections, the physical site along with any environmental constraints, public-private partnerships, different college formats, campus designs and funding options. “This process allows for a lot of different content, ideas and discussion to take place, but it’s also very structured – making sure we get through this
process efficiently in a ninemonth period,” Iacofano said. In talking about the potential of a new campus, Councilman Ron Leone used the word “exciting” several times. “I really see this as an anchor-type project for the Naval Weapons Station. Once this gets established, there will be so much synergy in not only businesses surrounding it but also I anticipate there could be economic development because of the students coming through,” he said. “It has so much merit and benefit for our community.” The city estimates it will cost $105,000 for MIG’s services. MIG will come back to the council in August with a finalized plan for the committee.
New committee will help focus city’s plans for campus
As part of the effort to bring a 120-acre university campus to Concord, the City Council reviewed formation of a new Blue Ribbon Committee of regional stakeholders. Last winter, the city selected MIG consulting to help form and guide the committee as part of the Campus District Visioning Project for the former Naval Weapons Station. At the June 26 meeting, the City Council heard plans for a nine-month process after the committee is convened in September. Daniel Iacofano of MIG said there will be “very targeted solicitations in specific roles” for committee members, which
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troubled by inadequate parking both at Lakeside and the proposed Galindo development. Some neighboring residents also spoke about parking issues, but overall public comments supported the new project and the council’s approval was unanimous. RCD officials said the Galindo project would likely have fewer cars per unit because of the nature of the clientele and proximity to mass transit. “The site is terrific,” said RCD senior project manager Alicia Klein. “It is very close to great transit, not only just four-
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days of stroke play that whittled the field down to the top 32. Bucey was seeded 11th after the 36 holes of stroke play, despite a slow start in the first round with four bogies. He then faced a grueling schedule of six more rounds of match play over four days to claim the trophy. He had to rally in a couple of the matches, including his 1 up win over UCLA junior and No. 4 seed Hidetoshi Yoshihara of Irvine in the 36-hole Sunday finals, Bucey found himself down by three after the morning 18 holes. With his dad Bob serving as his caddy, Bucey maintained a positive attitude, believing it was more Yoshihara’s excellent play than his shortcomings that accounted for the difference in the match. “I felt I was hitting it really well and if I could just make a couple more putts, I’d be back in the match,” he said. However, he fell back a further stroke before he birdied the 24th and 25th holes to halve the deficit and give him “a second wind and a shot of adrenaline.” He eventually tied the match, gave back a stroke and then retied for the lead on the 33th hole. He finally took the lead on the 35th hole when Yoshihara made bogey. They halved the par 5 36th hole, and Bucey claimed the Edward B. Tufts Trophy that includes all those illustrious previous champions.
GOLFING AT AN EARLY AGE Bucey says the family story is that his golf-playing dad chopped down a club for him to start playing at 2 years old. He began taking lessons at Boundary Oak in Walnut Creek as a kid. As he went to Silverwood Elementary and Pine Hollow Middle schools in Concord, he played lots of golf and also baseball in Clayton Valley Little League. When he began Clayton Valley High, Bucey realized that his
two favorite sports were both played in the spring and he decided to “really focus” on golf. He helped his Eagle teams to North Coast Section tournament appearances as a sophomore and senior. His junior year, the team didn’t qualify for NCS but Bucey did by finishing eighth in the section qualifying tournament. Following his CVHS graduation, the only college offer he received was Cal State East Bay. Bucey attended the Hayward school for two years, helping the Pioneers to the NAIA National Championship playoffs as a freshman and then individually as a sophomore. Bucey transferred to Chico State and enjoyed two years of success with the Wildcats with Coach T.L. Brown, who “helped me learn to really believe in myself. He gave me a chance when really no other coaches wanted me.” Along with senior teammates Eric Frazzetta, Kevin Rei and 2011 NCAA Division II champion Kyle Souza, Bucey’s Wildcats made it all the way to the 2012 NCAA championship match before losing to topranked Nova Southeastern in the finale. Their team is considered the best in Chico State history. The team won the NCAA stroke play title and also captured the school’s first California Collegiate Athletic Association league crown. Bucey’s Cal Amateur championship was his fourth Northern California Golf Association title, but by far the most prestigious. He earned a 10-year exemption to the State Championship, which relieves him of having to qualify each year. In 2017, he was an alternate in the tournament and didn’t get to play. “The exemption is great, because you need to shoot under par just to make it into State,” he says. He’ll be back in action next
Photo courtesy Bucey family
The Concord family storyline is that dad Bob Bucey (right) chopped down one of his clubs for two-year-old son Bobby to get him headed toward a lifetime playing golf. Mom Karen or dad Bob have been caddies when their son has won his four Northern California Golf Association championships, including the 107th California Amateur last month.
week in the Pacific Coast Amateur at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, where Bucey figures to compete against the top collegiate players in world amateur rankings.
FOUR WINS IN FIVE YEARS Bucey has won an NCGA Championship in four of the past five years, starting with the 2014 NCGA Amateur Stroke Play in a playoff at Poppy Hills. He teamed with Brett Viboch to capture the 2016 NCGA FourBall Championship. Last year, he won a playoff for the NCGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Poppy Hills, that time with mom Karen as caddy. He was denied back-toback Mid-Amateurs when he lost a playoff in the final match this May. Bucey is a member of Oakhurst Country Club, where his father is also a member. A business administration major, Bucey “always liked numbers” and went into accounting. He works in San Ramon as
an audit supervisor for Vavrinek Trine Day & Co. He says the company has been great about allowing him some flexible scheduling when he is in a multi-day tournament, especially since he assumed the supervisory position. Bucey heads out to Oakhurst, which is close to his Concord home near the Pavilion, to play a round after work at this time of year or practice phases of his game: chipping, putting. He can also be found under the lights at the Diablo Creek driving range. He says PGA pro Dave DeLong of Boundary Oak is the one coach who “got me so far.” Bucey says he doesn’t see DeLong as much as he used to, but “I can text him a video or just tell him what my ball is doing and he can fix me over the phone.” DeLong also coached another Clayton Valley High golfer, Domenic Mazza, when he placed second in the 2010 World Long Drive Championships.
July 20, 2018
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Page 7
Navy withdraws plan for detention center at Naval Weapons Station TAMARA STEINER Concord Pioneer
Last month, a leaked internal Navy memo published by Time Magazine on June 22 set off a charged week for Concord with the report that the Concord Naval Weapons Station was a likely site for a detention center housing some 47,000 migrants. The news was a huge surprise and caught officials at the city, county and federal levels completely off guard. The CNWS is in the late stages of a 10-year planning process for redevelopment, but the federal government still holds title to the land. Last September, the Council adopted a resolution affirming Concord as an inclusive, welcoming city. An immigrant detention center would run counter to this statement, the city said in a statement issued that Friday afternoon. Anger and resistance to the purported plan gained heat and momentum over the weekend, reaching a fever pitch by Tuesday’s city council meeting when a crowd of demonstrators marched from BART to city hall and filled the council chambers to overflowing. But since the item was not on the agenda, the Council could only allow for 15 minutes of public comment at the beginning of the meeting. They scheduled an emergency special meeting for the next day. An hour before the meeting on Wed., members of the media lined the walls of the council chambers and sat on the floor. Crowds filled both the chamber and the overflow room, angry and ready for battle when unofficial word that the plan was a no-go reached Guy Bjerke, Dir. of Community Reuse Planning. “There will be no relocation camps in Concord or California,” he told a cheering crowd. Nevertheless, the meeting
Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer
Thousands turned out for an immigration rally on June 30 bringing to a close a stressful week that began with a Time Magazine report of a planned detention facility at the CNWS
continued for more than two hours with dozens of people speaking out against the nowdead proposal and current immigration policy. Official confirmation came on Thursday in a statement by Congressman Mark Desaulnier. “…We fought this proposal along with our local officials and dedicated community and will continue to fight against the inhumane and unjust policies proposed by this Adminis-
tration. It is important not to let our guard down as one tweet can change things.” The week wrapped up on Saturday, June 30 with an immigration rally in Todos Santos Plaza. Despite triple-digit heat, thousands turned out for speeches and songs to protest separating families at the border. Desaulnier was among the speakers, encouraging the crowd to remain vigilant and “agitate, agitate, agitate.”
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‡Free Premier Beverage Package: Package applies to guests booked in a balcony stateroom or above. It is valid only for guests 1 & 2 per stateroom who are 21 years or older, and is not applicable during the land portion of cruisetours. The Premier Beverage Package price is $59.99 per guest, per day plus 15% service charge (totaling $68.99 per day) and includes beer, wine by the glass and cocktails $12.00 USD and under, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only) fountain sodas, fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, Gong Cha items, Frappes at Coffee & Cones, milk shakes (if available) and Red Bull® energy drinks. The package includes the additional benefit of a 25% discount on the following excluded items; all bottles of wine, one liter bottles of water, canned soda and bottled juices. A daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.) will apply. The Premier Beverage Package does not include souvenir items, room service, vending machine or mini-bar items.
††Guests 1 & 2 who are under 21 will receive the Unlimited Soda & More Package. The package may be used on a single voyage only, is not redeemable for cash at any point during the cruise and expires at the end of that voyage. Package type will be assigned prior to sailing based on age of guest. Offer is not transferable, is not combinable with other select offers or other onboard credits and does not follow guests who change promotions prior to cruising.
* Fares apply to minimum lead-in categories on a space-available basis at time of booking. Fares for other categories may vary. Fares are per guest, non-air, cruise- or cruisetour-only, based on double occupancy and apply to the first two guests in a stateroom. These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth guests. This offer has limited space regardless of cabin availability and may not be combinable with any other public, group or past guest offers, including Air discounts. Offer is not transferable and may not be combinable with other select offers and onboard credits. Offer is available to residents of the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bermuda and the District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older and receive this offer. Fares quoted in U.S. dollars. Please refer to princess.com/sale for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings. Exclusions: Voyages 1 – 5 days & 57+ days are excluded from the Sip + Sail Promotion. There are a select number of Summer 2019 to Spring 2020 sailing dates that are not available for the Sip + Sail Promotion: voyages C911, C912, C913, C914 on Sea Princess® and voyages H930A and H911B on Sapphire Princess®. Offer valid: June 26 - September 5, 2018 ©2018, Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.
Page 8
Fro m t h e d e s k o f ... County libraries play key role in children’s learning
KAREN MiTCHOFF
COUNTY
SUPERVISOR
songs, rhymes, finger plays and stories. A new video will be available each month through the rest of the year. Early literacy is the process and activities that build a foundation to help children get ready to learn to read. Singing, reading, playing and talking are all critical early literacy skills. Storytime reinforces the library’s commitment to helping its youngest community members learn to read. It also provides parents and caretakers with a valuable resource in promoting early literacy skills. Thanks to help from Contra Costa County Television, these special videos feature several county librarians performing some of their favorites. I know that the Storytime at the Pleasant Hill library with Patrick is a popular one for many families, so it’s great to see some of our community’s treasured Storytimes included on the YouTube channel. Free summer lunch is another important program that the county library offers. Nine libraries provide this program in an effort to prevent a summer nutrition gap. Many children face nutrient deficiencies when school closes for summer break. This makes it hard for children to learn or focus on anything other than hunger. Lunch at the Library is part of a statewide collaboration between the California Library Association and the California Summer Meal Coalition to unite libraries and summer meal providers and keep kids healthy and engaged when school is out. Lunches are free for kids 18 and under. In addition to lunch, the libraries will offer free programs that include board games, arts and crafts, musical performances, Legos, movies and more. For more information about Lunch at the Library visit the website, ccclib.org/summer.
Libraries are such an important resource for our community. I have a passion for reading and enjoy hearing about the positive impact our libraries have on so many here in Contra Costa, especially children. My staff recently attended a policy briefing held by First 5 Contra Costa, which invests in programs and advocates for policies focused on children during their first five years – the most important time in children’s development. First 5 shared a recent study they completed that assessed kindergarten readiness in Contra Costa County. Many factors play a role in determining kindergarten readiness, one largely being family income. Another factor in this report was how many times a child visits a library. Investment in our libraries can significantly impact children in our community through the learning activities and resources available there. You can find the report at www.first5coco.org. The Contra Costa County Library hosts Storytime at all 26 branches. Storytime is an activity where parents and kids can learn and practice skills that are fundamental to early literacy. However, some families are not able to attend Storytime at their local library for a variety of reasons. The Contra Costa County Library is now offering Video Storytime through the Library’s YouTube channel. You can find this Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa channel at youtube.com/ County District IV supervisor. Email user/theccclib. questions or comments to Each playlist includes karen.mitchoff@bos.cccounty.us
July 20, 2018
Entertainment was Majestic in early days in Concord
CAROL LONGSHORE
YESTERYEAR
Some might wonder what the good people of Concord did before television. Taking a look at some of the ways early residents entertained themselves proved they had great imaginations and a lot of fun. One example was a program at Mount Diablo High School in 1921 that featured students, their parents and guests performing national dances. They used the money earned from this performance to buy a new Victrola for the high school. There was also a literary club held at the home of Mrs. Duncan, where Mrs. Wayman Ballenger sang and Florence Gabrielson played the piano. Local residents were not averse to reading books. In fact, the latest thrillers drew enough readers that local newspapers often carried them serially. In late 1921, the Transcript published Edison Marshall’s “The Call of the Pack” in serial form. However, the greatest thrill came in 1914, when Joseph
DeRosa built the Concord Hotel and the first movie theater in town. Before, the townspeople watched “flickers” shown in the upstairs room of the hotel. The Majestic Theatre’s grand opening brought large crowds to see the silent, black and white movies of Tom Mix, Fatty Arbuckle and Mable Normand. Norma Finney played background music on the piano. The theater had only one projector, so audiences had to wait while the reels were changed. Still, this was a comfortable movie house and a vast improvement from the room at the hotel. The Majestic was on the east side of Mt. Diablo Street, beyond the hotel. In 1921, it was sold to H.R. Parker of Stockton. The theater closed for a few days for renovating, which included adding new and more glamorous lighting fixtures. The townspeople were delighted with the upgrade and were proud of something new and classy in their town. Unfortunately, it was destroyed on April 25, 1917. Activities in the Concord community slowed down just around Christmas 1921, when
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The Majestic Theatre was the first movie theater to operate in Concord, opening in 1914.
one of the area’s worst wind and rain storms hit. Massive quantities of shingles blew off houses, utility lines were down, and trees and branches were thrown to the ground. One of the oldest eucalyptus trees in town was torn off at the roots. Undaunted, a large group of residents turned out for the New Year’s Eve party at the Farm Bureau clubhouse. The club was gaily decorated, and confetti was handy all night for celebrants. At midnight, a supper was served by the committee that consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Thoke, Mr. and Mrs. Sat-
tler and Mr. and Mrs. Burlew. The bad weather continued, but the spirits of local citizens were good. We’ve come a long way, baby, but there is still a great deal of old-fashioned enthusiasm and support for our wonderful city.
loaded then displayed. After the download was complete, your computer would open the file and display the contents. Not real time. This method was devised primarily because Internet speeds were too slow to allow action in real time. Funny how the world comes full circle on good ideas. Today, studios and videotape sessions are once again real time – thanks to technology and much faster Internet speeds. We owe this technical marvel to computer “streaming,” which does not require a file download. According to Bing, streaming is “a method of transmitting or receiving data (especially video and audio
material) over a computer network as a steady, continuous flow, allowing playback to start while the rest of the data is still being received.” Think Netflix. In a nutshell, streaming is just like live TV of old except it is displayed on a computer monitor. It doesn’t take up disk space to store a file and is, in effect, real time. Thank you, computer geeks, for reinventing TV. Now if they could just bring back that slide-out cup holder thingie. I appreciate your questions and hope the answers meet your expectations.
Naval Magazine National Monument was dedicated near the location of the blasts. In 2009, the area became part of the National Park System. Each year, people gather on the anniversary to honor those who lost their lives there. Along with a coalition of veterans, religious, civil rights and political leaders, Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial has been working for full exoneration of the Port Chicago 50. In 1999, President Bill Clinton pardoned Freddie Meeks, the last survivor of the group, in an effort led by Congressman George Miller. But for the 49 others, the guilty verdicts remain. After supporters sent a letter to President Barack Obama in 2014, he wrote: “AfricanAmerican service members at Port Chicago and at Posts around the world defended America with valor and distinction, even when their country did not treat them with the dignity and respect they deserved. Faced with tremendous obstacles, they fought on two fronts – for freedom abroad and equality at home.” But he did not grant any pardons. Mark DeSaulnier, Con-
gressman of Concord, successfully included a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that required the Navy to investigate the treatment of the sailors at Port Chicago. The Navy has indicated that they support the pardoning of the Port Chicago 50. However, DeSaulnier has shifted the focus to getting the men exonerated rather than pardoned because pardons imply guilt, and it is his opinion that there was no crime. With the support of the Congressional Black Caucus, he has introduced legislation supporting exoneration. In addition, DeSaulnier is working to develop a system that can review historical injustices and make recommendations for groups like the Port Chicago 50. Finally, he asked the Smithsonian to include information about the Port Chicago 50 in the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Smithsonian is exploring ways to incorporate the story.
Carol Longshore has been a Concord resident since 1950. She is a community leader and current president of the Concord Historical Society. Send comments and suggestions for future topics to editor@concordpioneer.com.
Streaming—kinda like the good old days WiLL CLANEY
TECH TALK
B. Whitely of Concord recently asked me about streaming. In the old days of TV (any of you remember broadcast TV?), actors were either “live” or videotaped. The live broadcasts came to you in “real time” from a studio in Hollywood. One watched the action as it happened, gaffs and all. It was a fun and magical time, especially the original Mickey Mouse Club. Even after live broadcasts were replaced with videotape, there was no problem reaching you still received the program the city folks. We drafted a response within hours and by Monday had a formal direct response to the origin of the suggestion, explaining that this was a terrible idea. Hundreds of people mobilized to come to a special City The ships and pier were Council meeting arranged on destroyed, and all those on 24-hour notice, and time was put board the ships died. Of the aside in the regular scheduled 320 sailors that perished, 202 meeting. City officials did TV were African-Americans and radio interviews. We conassigned to load ammunition tacted people up and down the onto ships headed for the war military and political chains, with in the Pacific. The sailors were the representatives in Washingnot trained to handle exploton being active. I even reached sives, and there was tremenout to the mayor of Yuma, Ariz., dous pressure to speed up the another city on the hit list. loading – which went on 24 Residents’ direct involvehours per day. ment with local officials is the Within a week after the hallmark of local government, explosions, the surviving whereas with the national govenlisted men were ordered to ernment, even representatives resume work loading munihad a hard time getting access tions at a nearby base. But 258 to decision makers. The final men refused. Percy Robinson, (if there really is a final in a one of the survivors, was interWashington world ruled by viewed in 1995 for the Podcast Tweets – or is that Twits?) “The Port Chicago 50: An change of position on the base Oral History.” He recalled that had no real explanation, so we when they were ordered to have no comfort that logic was return to work, he still had applied. Thus, the error could bandages on his face and be repeated elsewhere. hands. Many were frightened Nevertheless, sometimes all about the possibility of more you can do is to declare victory explosions. and move on. The men were threatened with charges of mutiny and Email questions and comments possible death sentences or to Mayor Birsan at prison time if they would not EdiBirsan@gmail.com return to work. All but 50 went
Mayor, from page 1
police a school or a park, add a stop sign or run a parade. The national government, meanwhile, is a distant behemoth sometimes affiliated with an overblown individual personality but always remote – appearing unresponsive and beyond effective reach. Its great power and sweep is often not felt directly or immediately. You talk to it through your representatives and try to keep the four-year vote on the top dog meaningful. But generally, the two do not directly interact in a single moment … but that was before the Net, Tweets and the instant newsflash of leaked memos. Now the concept of process and deliberative discussion seems to have no support in Washington, and we at the local level are not only the face of democracy but maybe the last bastion of it. With the sudden publication on a Friday afternoon of a leaked proposed Navy draft to put 47,000 immigrants in the Concord base, the nexus of the two came in crashing contrast. Immediately, emails, texts and social media exploded with contacts all through the local area – including being stopped on the street walking to the store. While people struggled to find someone in the national government who could cast immediate light on things,
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as it was broadcast – except the actors had been prerecorded. Now we have cable broadcast, but it’s really just the same as live or videotaped broadcast – meaning as the studios broadcast it, you see it. Move the clock forward to early computers, which showed live and videotaped episodes – but not the same way. The old TV method of broadcast and view in real time gave way to downloading, then reading the file. The information being sent to you was no longer really broadcasted in real time. It was sent to you as a download and displayed moments later as the computer read the downloaded file. Simply put, it was down-
Port Chicago 50, from page 1 back to work. A trial ensued two month later. The sailors claimed it was a work stoppage, not a mutiny, because they didn’t overtake a ship. However, they were found guilty of mutiny by the all-white court martial and sentenced to 8-15 years in prison. NAACP attorney Thurgood Marshall, who later became the first AfricanAmerican on the Supreme Court, attempted an appeal in 1944. The appeal was unsuccessful; however, he was able to speak out about racial discrimination in the armed forces. The incident spurred the Navy to make changes in training and to examine its policies on segregation. They began integrating bases and ships in 1945, before the rest of the U.S. military did so in 1948. When the war ended, the Navy released the men, granted clemency and sent the men to finish out their service – eventually giving them honorable discharges. But many believed it was not enough. In 1994, the Port Chicago
Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.
For more information, visit the website nps.gov/poch/ or portchicagomemorial.org.
July 20, 2018
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The Clayton Pioneer and the Concord Pioneer are monthly publications 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 H, Clayton, CA 94517
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Both Pioneer newspapers welcome 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 letters 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 editor@concordpioneer.com. Letters must be submitted via E-mail. CIRCULATION The Concord Pioneer is delivered monthly to 30,000 homes and businesses in 94518, 94519 and 94521. Papers are delivered by carriers for ABC Direct around the last Friday of the month. To stop delivery for any reason, call the office at (925) 672-0500 . If you are NOT receiving the Pioneer, please check the distribution map on the website. If you live in 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. The Clayton Pioneer is delivered by US Mail to 5,500 homes and businesses in 94517 around the second Friday of the month. SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe to either the Clayton Pioneer or the Concord Pioneer, call the office at (925) 672-0500. Subscriptions are $35/year for each paper, $60/year for both.
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Learn about Concord options at Tourism Breakfast Experience Concord with new eyes and explore the city’s assets through the stories of locals at Visit Concord’s first Tourism Breakfast on Aug. 22 at the Veranda. Participants can learn more about California tourism trends and how Concord events and meetings provide a powerful economic impact to our region. Together with Visit Concord, regional leaders, hospitality and business partners will congratulate the winners of the Tourism Advocate, Student and Hospitality Staff awards. Guests can also enjoy a swag bag with Visit Concord’s new branding. The event will be 8:30-10 a.m. Aug. 22 at the Luxe Cinema Theatre. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/ e/visit-concords-1st-annualtourism-breakfast-tickets-
47115548875 and use the password Concord. Visit Concord is the brand identity created for the Concord Tourism Improvement District (TID). Established on June 1, 2013, the TID allows a 3 percent collection on all room bookings from participating hotels in Concord. Visit Concord aims to improve economic growth by building awareness and consideration of Concord as a destination for travelers and meeting and event planners. For more information, contact Serena DeChristofaro at sdechristofaro@visitconcordca.com or 925478-5802.
Letter to the Editor No pot sales, still
Cannabis business advocates have been aggressively promoting recreational cannabis manufacturing and retail sales in Concord. Thankfully, 4 of our 5 city council members refused to be bullied or cajoled by this determined lobbying group. They have now voted twice against licensing of recreational cannabis businesses in Concord. Some ingredients in cannabis do offer helpful therapy for some illnesses, notably as anti-nausea agents and appetite stimulants for cancer. However cannabis used recreationally has many dangerous side-effects. Did you know cannabis smoke contains 33 different carcinogens? Habitual use, especially in young peo-
PETS
ple, permanently damages the lungs, and studies show diminished mental functioning as well. Driver impairment poses public safety risks, and our police department has expressed concerns about increased criminal activity around retail sales locations. Thanks again to Vice Mayor Obringer and Council members McGallian, Hoffmeister, and Leone for standing up for those of us who want to keep Concord a healthy, family-friendly community. Together we can find ways to provide people under doctors’ care the meds they need… without allowing Concord to go to pot. Mike McDermott Concord resident
Say hello to ARF stars Cyan and Paris
Page 9
Directory of Advertisers All phone numbers 925 area code unless otherwise noted
Business Services/Employment O.C. Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(916) 215-9309 O’Sullivan & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .691-6520 Refinery Construction Career Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .liunalaborers324@gmail.com Rising Moon Marketing & Public Relations . . . .672-8717 Construction and Trades Appliance Repairs by Bruce, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . .672-2700 Diablo View Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .822-5144 Gary’s Home Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .787-2500 J.A. Ronco Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .872-3049 Dining and Entertainment Clayton Club Saloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .673-0440
Events Bliss Music Festival . . . . . . .www.blissmusicfestival.com Pacific Coast Farmers Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . .949-3276 Shadelands Ranch Museum – Bridal Faire . . . .935-7871 Taste of Concord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285-2225 Financial, Insurance and Legal Services Chee, David – High Tech Lending . . . . . .(800) 967-3575 Van Wyck, Doug – State Farm Insurance . . . . .672-2300 Funerals Ouimet Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .682-4242
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CYAN
PARIS
Two-year-old Cyan is an outdoorsy type of guy who loves rollicking in the sunshine or stretching his legs in a good old fashioned game of fetch. Afterwards, he wouldn’t mind cooling off in the pool. He’s a perfect jogging or hiking partner, and can motivate you to go just one more mile! His goofy grin and infectious exuberance will bring joy and playfulness into your life. The adoption fee for puppies <6 months is $300, for adult dogs is $250, and includes a discount on the first six-week session of a manners class. Two-year-old Paris is a friendly cat who is quick to greet new people and say hi with cute little meows. She is inquisitive and will look for
creative ways to explore her environment The adoption fee for kittens <6 months $125 and for adult cats is $75.
Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon to 6 pm Wednesday & Thursday, Noon to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 pm Saturday & Sunday.
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 and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference! For more information see our website, www.arflife.org, or call (925) 2561ARF.
rear of the bike box and are not allowed to make a right turn during a red light. When drivers comply, bike boxes give the cyclist time to get through the intersection by giving them a head start. When driving, be sure to stop behind the green paint. Look over your right shoulder for cyclists and pedestrians before turning right. Intersections are one of the most dangerous places for cyclists and cars alike. One of the most common car-bicycle collisions is called the “right hook,” when a driver turns right and hits a bicyclist traveling forward through an intersection. Bike boxes allow cyclists to position themselves visibly in front of car traffic to avoid that risk. There are three green bike box locations downtown: Grant Street at Willow Pass Road, Grant Street at Concord Boulevard and Grant Street at Clayton Road. The project used grants solely intended for
active transportation projects and has nothing to do with the road maintenance and resurfacing budget. We appreciate the city’s work to build bike routes, and we look forward to expanding the network of safe transportation for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles to move through the city together. The official policy of the Transportation Element of the city’s General Plan is to “prioritize pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile safety over vehicle speed and level-of-service at intersections and along roadways.” It’s important that the safe use of the streets be prioritized, and then traffic flow (level-of-service) can be considered. More bikes on the road mean fewer cars, less traffic, fewer potholes, less pollution and less stress in our community. Maryam Roberts is a volunteer with Bike Concord. Send comments to maryam@bikeconcord.org.
SPORTS
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
July 20, 2018
Believe it or not, high school football just weeks away JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Local high school football teams have been having conditioning training, camps and 7v7 leagues and scrimmages since the last school year ended. With the starting date for official games moved up a week to Aug. 17-18, North Coast Section allows contact practices beginning this Monday and official practices start Aug 30. In the Diablo Athletic League, Concord and Las Lomas have been moved to the Valley Division along with new DAL school Benicia, making a seven-week league season (1 bye per team) that begins Sept. 14. After two strong showings in the Valley Division, Northgate and Alhambra were placed in the Foothill Division along with Clayton Valley Charter and the three Lamorinda schools. Foothill play runs for five Fridays from Sept. 28 – Oct. 26. The North Coast Section playoffs begin Nov. 2-3 weekend. De La Salle kicks off its 2018 schedule on Aug. 17 with one of the nation’s most anticipated games (rated No. 7 by MaxPreps) with defending State
I-AA champion Folsom from the Sac-Joaquin Section visiting the new AstroTurf field at Owen Owens Field in Concord. Folsom and DLS met in the 2012 and 2013 CIF Northern California Bowl Game with the Spartans winning a pair of high-scoring affairs. After those results the Northern California playoff system was changed so that a top team wouldn’t be eliminated from State Bowl Games after playing De La Salle. For the past four years the Spartans earned automatic berths in the Open Division Bowl Game after winning NCS titles, which they’ve done every year starting in 1992. The Spartans haven’t lost a game (289 total) against a Northern California team north of Fresno since the 1991 NCS championship game when Pittsburg defeated them 35-27. They are 39-0 against teams from the Sac-Joaquin Section, the second largest in the State. Folsom, the predominant Sac-Joaquin team in recent years, has three State Bowl game wins this decade and the Bulldogs of coach Kris Richardson (a College Park High grad) return 17 starters
BAILY TROTTER CONCORD HIGH
this fall including Sacramento Bee 2017 Players of the Year receiver Joe Ngata and quarterback Kaiden Bennett. DLS coach Justin Alumbaugh has two of the state’s most highly-recruited players in Henry To’oto’o and Isaiah Foskey while he may have as many as four players competing for the quarterback position. Last year’s junior starters Andrew Jones and Erich Storti return
HENRY TO’OTO’O DE LA SALLE
along with sophomore Dorian Hale, who made a rare appearance on the field last year as a freshman. Both Storti and Jones are likely to play somewhere for the Spartans if they are not used regularly as a quarterback. The fourth QB candidate may be Jack Fulp, the record-setting, two-time all-DAL quarterback from Northgate who transferred to De La Salle during the recent spring semester. His DLS
KITIONE TAU CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER
eligibility will be determined Aug. 1. He may be able to play from the beginning of the season, have to sit out five games or face some other NCS resolution. Coach Tim Murphy’s six years in charge of Clayton Valley Charter has resulted in six successive undefeated league championships (31 straight victories) and an overall record of 68-12, with only five of those 12 losses to Bay Area teams,
DAL fall sports athletes getting ready for formal practices Formal practice for high school cross country, water polo and girls volleyball, golf and tennis teams will be getting underway during the first two weeks of August with nonleague competition soon to follow. The Diablo and East Bay athletic league schedules commence in September. Entering its third season since realignment, the DAL has also adjusted its two divisions in football, cross country, girls volleyball and water polo. Additionally, Benicia High has joined the DAL and North Coast Section after realigned from the Solano County Athletic Conference in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Girls Golf – The DAL tournament for each division is Oct. 15. The NCS Division I qualifier and DII championships are Oct. 22 and the DI championship Oct. 29, one week before the NorCal championships on Nov 5. The State meet concludes the season Nov 13. Carondelet wont he NCS championship last year and also in 2015. The Cougars lost a tiebreaker for
third place at NorCals, ending two consecutive State championship appearances. Water Polo – DAL has moved Northgate to the Valley Division in water polo after two years on the Foothill Division while Benicia will also be in that division. Ygnacio Valley doesn’t have water polo teams this year while ”visiting schools” Hercules, Pinole Valley and St. Patrick-St. Vincent are no longer in DAL. This year, Valley teams are playing a single round-robin weekly schedule that runs Sept. 19 through Oct. 17. The Foothill Division has a double round-robin ending one week later. NCS tournaments for boys and girls begin Oct. 31 and ends Nov. 10. NorCal Championships are Nov. 13-17. Carondelet was runner-up in NCS Division II girls while Miramonte won the 2017 DI girls championship. Girls Volleyball – DLS moved Alhambra to the Foothill and College Park to Valley for this year and next. The seven-team Valley Division
has a double round-robin schedule including a bye n each round for one team. The schedule runs from Sept. 4 - Oct. 18. The six-school Foothill’s double round-robin begins Sept. 18 and ends Oct. 18. North Coast runs Oct. 23 through Nov. 13 with the NorCal Championships Nov. 6-13 and the CIF State finals Nov. 16-17. Carondelet (Division II) and Berean Christian (Division V) each reached the semi-finals at NCS before losing to their respective division’s Section champs. The Cougars then went all the way to the NorCal Regional Division IV championship match before losing to top seed Presentation. Berean got to the NorCal Regional Div.-V semi-finals. Cross Country – DAL moved Clayton Valley Charter up to the Foothill Division this fall. The league has two Wednesday center meets on Sept. 26 (Hidden Valley Park, Martinez) and Oct. 24 (Newhall Park in Concord). The Teams in each division will be scored against each other at the center meets. The DAL
Championships are on Saturday, Nov. 3, at Hidden Valley Park beginning at 1 p.m. Concord High’s Rayna Stanziano returns for her final NCS after placing third in Division III last fall. She was fifth as a sophomore and sixth (in Division II) as a freshman. De La Salle senior Connor Livingston won Division II in 2017 and the Spartans were third in the team standings. The NCS Meet of Champions is Nov. 17 at Hayward High School with the CIF State Meet Nov. 24 at Woodward Park in Fresno. Girls Tennis – DAL tennis matches for seven Valley Division schools are in a double round-robin format from Sept. 4 - Oct. 18 while the Foothill Division is Sept. 18 Oct. 18 for six schools. The DAL division championships are Oct. 2527. The NCS team championships are Nov. 6-10 with the singles and doubles tournament Nov. 12-13. The NorCal team tournament is Nov. 16-17.
including three to DLS and one to Pittsburg, their openinggame opponent Aug 17. The Ugly Eagles were in 2014 and 2015 State Bowl games but were seeded fourth and had to face De La Salle in the new NCS Open Division playoffs the past two years, eliminated each time from further post-season play by the Spartans. LOCAL SCHOOLS NON-LEAGUE SCHEDULES
Berean Christian – 8/18 John Swett, 8/24 at Kelseyville, 9/1 Middletown, 9/7 at St. Vincent-St. Patrick (Vallejo). Clayton Valley Charter – 8/17 at Pittsburg, 8/24 Stellar Prep (Oakland), 8/31 at Concord, 9/7 Antioch, 9/21 Canyon Springs (North Las Vegas). Concord – 8/17 Dougherty Valley (San Ramon), 8/24 at Arroyo (San Lorenzo), 8/31 Clayton Valley Charter, 9/7 Rodriguez (Fairfield). De La Salle – 8/17 Folsom, 8/24 Central Christian (Modesto), 8/31 Bishop O’Dowd, 9/7 at St. Francis (Mountain View), 9/14 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 9/21 at Buchanan (Fresno). Mt. Diablo – 8/17 Armijo, 8/24 at Mountain House, 8/31 at Hercules, 9/7 John Swett.. Northgate – 8/17 Hercules, 8/24 at Deer Valley, 9/1 at Santa Clarita Christian (Canyon Country), 9/7 Las Lomas, 9/14 Rodriguez (Fairfield). Ygnacio Valley – 8/17 Fremont (Oakland), 8/31 at Brookside Christian (Stockton), 9/7 Galileo (San Francisco).
Justin Joyner joins former De La Salle teammate Marcus Schroeder on St. Mary’s College basketball coaching staff JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Former De La Salle basketball standout Justin Joyner has been promoted to the coaching staff of the St. Mary’s College Gaels where he is reunited with Marcus Schroeder, his backcourt teammate from the Spartans 2006 State championship team. The two homegrown Concord athletes turned coaches went on from De La Salle to successful Division I collegiate careers and have circled back to their local turf as part of the highly-successful basketball program led by head coach Randy Bennett, who is entering his 18th season after the team posted a 30-6 record last winter and made its 11th straight post season appearance. Joyner and Schroeder will be assistant coaches for Bennett in the 2018-19 season. Joyner joined the St. Mary’s staff last August after spending one year at his alma mater,
Photo courtesy Saint Mary’s College/Tod Fierner
Former De La Salle basketball standout Justin Joyner (left) is joining the coaching staff of Saint Mary’s College this season where he is reunited with Marcus Schroeder (third from left), his backcourt teammate from the Spartans 2006 State championship team. The two Concord products are part of the staff of head coach Randy Bennett (right) as the Gaels seek their 12th straight postseason berth.
University of California Santa Barbara, where he served as Assistant Director of Basketball Operations/Graduate Manager. Prior to joining UCSB,
Joyner spent 2012-2016 as an individual basketball coach specializing in skill development. During this time, he worked with elite players ranging from professional to mid-
dle school. Joyner graduated from UCSB in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He played point guard for the Gauchos from 2006-2011, where he helped lead UCSB to three Big West Championships, two NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT. He is in the Gauchos record book multiple of times including eighth all-time with 357 assists. He was known for his defensive prowess as he is second all-time with 134 steals. “Justin was a strong addition last year and did a fantastic job in the operations role,” Bennett said. “Now having him on the court will help our guys improve. He brings a tremendous amount of energy and is excellent on individual training.” Joyner and Schroeder were outstanding AAU basketball and competitive soccer players in Concord in their youth athletic years. Both played for the
Diablo Valley Soccer Club, Joyner helping his team to a CYSA State Cup championship. Before high school each athlete decided to concentrate on basketball. De La Salle were the 2006 State CIF Division I basketball champs with its starting senior backcourt of Schroeder and Joyner leading the way to a 321 record that landed them the No. 8 national ranking for coach Frank Allocco. A third local player, junior Ryan Silva, was their backup that season. Silva went on to play at UC Davis. This season Schroeder will be entering his fourth season as an assistant coach and seventh season overall with the Gaels. Schroeder joined the SMC program in 2012 as a graduate assistant and video coordinator and was promoted to director of basketball operations in 2014. He assists in all facets of the Gaels’ nationally prominent program, including scout-
ing, recruiting, game preparation and player development. He served as a graduate assistant for the Gaels for two seasons while earning a masters degree in kinesiology from the Moraga school. A 2010 graduate of Princeton, Schroeder was a four-year letterwinner for the Tigers’ basketball team. He averaged 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. As a freshman, he led all NCAA Division I men’s basketball players in minutes per game (38.8) and was on the floor for 1085 of a possible 1,130 minutes during the 2006-07 season. He ended his career fourth in Princeton history with 156 steals and fifth with 295 career assists. His three-year record at DLS was 83-10 with three league titles and two NorCal championships. HIs sister, Anna, was a four-year letterwinner for the Saint Mary’s volleyball team.
July 20, 2018
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com lings — Keilee, Derek and Caleb – on the team to support him as well. “Eric is an all-around great kid. He’s well rounded and puts 110% effort into every practice, race and relay. He’s a swimmer that is there for not only himself but his teammates. I can’t wait to see what he does in the years ahead,” says Kronquist. “I remember working with Eric the first week or two during practice. He always asked me for help and asked if I would hold him while he swam…seeing him swim now, he’s absolutely fearless and that shows in all that he does,” Corkran adds. He will be competing in the City Meet in two weeks at Concord Community Pool for the host Sprinters. He also played baseball this spring in Clayton Valley Little League.
Athlete Spotlight Eric Tizon
Age: 6 Team: Springwood Swim Sports: Swimming, Baseball Tizon is a first-year swimmer at Springwood who his coaches say has “achieved so much in his short time being on the team.” Co-head coaches Sara Corkran and Karlee Kronquist explain that the incoming first grader at Silverwood Elementary wasn’t super excited about swim team at first. In the team’s first meet the new swimmer stopped on the lane rope multiple times. A week later at the first dual meet he
shaved 30 seconds off his time in the 25yard freestyle. This is when the coaches feel he began to see swimming in a different light and really started falling in love with the sport. His best strokes are free and butterfly and he really enjoys breaststroke. The coaches say their rookie “continues to blow us away with his popped times and tenacity - his love for competition is incomparable to kids his age.” Eric Tizon has three older sib-
The Concord Pioneer congratulates Eric 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@concordpioneer.com.
3 Concord little leagues announce all-star teams as season wraps up JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Clayton Valley, Concord American and Continental little league’s regular-season, District 4 Tournament of Champions and all-star play have wrapped up for the 2018 season. Here are the all-star teams for each local local league:
CLAYTON VALLEY Baseball 8-10 year-olds: Tyler Summers, Joaquin Hernandez, Cody Ross, Dylan Gettrost, Thomas Borbely, Danny Villasenor, Coy White, Spencer Chop, Wyatt Curran, Aiden Newberry, Nate Dobbs and Brady Frias; manager Michael Summers, coaches Danny Hernandez and Jeff Ross. 9-11 year-olds: Logan Knapp, Nathan Underwood, Mateo Perez, Michael Albert, Logan Remington, Johnny Warrender, Cole Edmonston, Johnny Reynolds, Blayne Ballard, Jeremiah Chop and Luke Dress; manager Joe Knapp, coaches Devin Underwood and Sal Perez. 11-12 year-olds: Ethan Alden, Derek Townsend, Joey Postlethwaite, Aiden Burgham, Jack Dress, Zack Peterson, Aidan Hendricks, Addison Young, Carson Seppala, Cayne Terry, Ryan Christy, Ben Hosler and Samuel Robinow; manager Andy Hosler, coaches Tony Dress and Dale Burgham. 50/70: Ryder Bartholomew, Ryan Buddle, Corbin Clifton, Ryan Cuddy, Ethan Davies, Paul Andre Germundo, Kyle Hetherton, Jake Morris, Giovanni Scolini, Dominic Vines, Alex Walker and Ryan Ward; coaches Dave Scolini and Jonathan Davies.
Softball 8-10 year-olds: Ruby Bartholomew, Riley Barton, Leah Cooper, Jordan Feeny, Addison Grimesey, Hannah Hosler, Tori Malsom, Hannah Muller, Liana Pursche, Madison Tuohey, Antoinette Wirth and Nathalie Wirth; coaches Kelly Cooper, Andy Hosler and Mikko Tuohey. 10-12 year-olds: Sofia Carmichael, Genevieve Dennis, Damia Glaze, Sophia Groce, Morgan Grove, Jasmine Hatanaka, Autumn Johnson, Jessie Lovett, Gianna Orozco, Anja Perreira, Sunny Ray, Jackie Sanchez, Isabella Scolini and Elizabeth
Page 11
Final rec swimming meets coming fast with City Aug. 3-5
Otters won their first A Division title in 1992. The City Meet includes 11 teams with Crockett and Forest Hills Swim Team of Martinez joining nine Concord and Clayton teams in the competition—Bishop Estates, Dana Hills, Forest Park, Gehringer Gators, Oakhurst, Walnut Country, Springwood, Vista Diablo Dolphins and Ygnacio Wood. Concord Community Pool underwent a $2.22 million refurbishing this year. The City Meet begins Friday, Aug. 3, with the individual medley races and then continues Saturday (butterfly, freestyle, medley relay) and Sunday (breaststroke, backstroke, free relay). Admission is free. DHST, Forest Park and Walnut Country were the top three finishers in A Division at last year’s City Meet. Forest Park won the B Division for the sixth straight year with Dana Hills second and Springwood third. A and B divisions are determined based on swimmer’s times during the season. DHST have been in the top five at County Meet Division I the past seven years. The Otters have finished third in the team standings for three consecutive summers. The team’s best-ever finish at County was second in 1995 and 2011. Forest Park won the County Division II championship for the fifth time in 2015. The Flyers were third and Walnut Country fifth in DII last year. Divisions at County Meet are based on the number of entries for each participating team.
JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Over 1000 local youth swimmers are in the final stages of their training with the recreation swim season due to wrap up in the next few weeks with the biggest meets of the year including the 52nd Concord Swimming Championships Aug. 3-5 and the 58th Contra Costa County Championships in Lafayette Aug. 10-12. This weekend the Crossings Challenge will feature both A and B division swimmers for the second time when Walnut Country hosts the meet Friday and Saturday. The Woodland Invitational this Saturday and Sunday features many of the county’s top A teams in Walnut Creek. Walnut Country Swim Team’s Crossings Challenge is their major team fund raiser. The focus of the Challenge is to recognize swimmers with B times, while also providing an opportunity for all swimmers to participate after making A swimmers also able to enter the meet. Only B division points will contribute toward team trophy and individual high-point awards. Springwood and Walnut Country compete in the Diablo Community Swim League championships on Saturday, July 28, at Northgate High School. The same day, Vista Diablo Dolphins are at American Canyon High School for the Twin Counties Swim League meet. Dana Hills Swim Team will be seeking its 26th Concord City Meet championship in the last 27 years since the
Photo courtesy Clayton Valley Little League
Clayton Valley Little League had two softball teams reach the championship game of the District 4 Tournament of Champions this summer. The major division Bombers bested the Wildcats in the CVLL playoffs to earn a berth in the District TOC. The Bombers had easy wins over Walnut Creek and East County before losing to Martinez in the TOC championship game. CVLL only has two minor division softball teams so the Firecrackers (above) and Extreme are very familiar with one another after the regular season that also included interleague games against teams from Antioch, Pinole, Pittsburg and Walnut Creek. The two CVLL teams contested a best of three playoff to earn a place in the District 4 TOC. The third and final game was decided in the bottom of the last inning with the Firecrackers winning 10-9. They went on to take second at District TOC after losing to defending state champion East County in the championship game. The Firecrackers include, kneeling, Rhyan Ayala; players standing from left, Riley Barton, Hannah Muller, Bree Meyer, Liana Pursche, Tori Malsom, Paige Ferrari, Grace Butticci, Hannah Hosler, Addison Grimesey, Leah Cooper; back, coaches Robert Muller, Andy Hosler and Kelly Cooper.
Wallace; coaches Danielle Schooler, Grant Malakoff, Freeman, Eric Riddell and Harrison Malakoff, Caden Roberts, John Zielinski, Danny Wallace. Andrew Dell, Mateo Garcia, CONTINENTAL Troy Gould and Khai 10-12 year-olds: Ayden deSpretter; coaches Jake Jriyasetapong, Christina Noo- Spurlock, Stephanie Roberts nan, Noah Jennings, Patrick and Mike Schooler. O’Connor, Ryan Collins, Tyler Staph, David Harris, CONCORD AMERICAN Juniors: Ryan Bomar, Gabriel Ramirez, Evan McKnight, Christopher Giannini, Keoni Caban, Logan Chew, Garrett Kamita, Adam Tealdi Jason Chew, George Lund, and Max Britz; coaches Tony Chad McElroy, Zachary Sean Murphy, Calero, Scott Jriyasetapong Munoz, Zachary Usedom, Damik Van and Dave Ramirez. 8-10 year-olds: Vincent Fanos and Nathan VanderkEllis, Will Spicer, Casey lugt; coaches Tim Stites, Joe Kress, Blake Ingersol, Conor Keane and Sterling Caban. 11-12 year-olds: Noah Walsh, Jack Chlebicki, Ethan Lindquist, Nico Campopiano, Bluth, Chance Brass, Klein Alex Acevedo, Liam Frucht- Brown, Javier Carrillo, Sean enicht, Joey Walson and Joe Cooke, Dalton Cooper, Joe Ivankovich; coaches Glen Matthew Gartner, Noah Walson, Nick Lindquist and Jones, Joseph Lawler, Justin Pelonio, Nico Roth, Dominic Jon Campopiano. 9-11 year-old Future Stars: Spencer, Eli Steers and Jake Jones, Jackson Jones, Zachary Willsie; Andrew John Boyles, Jacob Reyes, Gardner, John Junta and Don Colton Molinelli, Isaiah Bluth. 8-10 year-olds: Jacob Antipuesto, Jake Marks, Roberto Soto-Maynez, Vin- Asselin, Shay Caban, Blake cent Lopez and Sadie DeBacker, Xavier Drobick, Hansell; coaches Scott Jones, Eamon Fahey, Brandon King, Jasun Molinelli and Dave Cody Martin, Ryder McCabe, Jameson Munoz, Jesse Marks. 8-10 year-old Future Stars: Raines, Cannon Simpson, Rush Spurlock, Wyatt Stient- Justin Sullivan and Justin jes, Adrian Ochoa, Lucas Tougeron; coaches Sterling
Caban, Pete Asselin and Matt Drobick. 9-11 year-old Future Stars: Cameron Cooper, Adrian Croce, Brendan Donohoe, Aidan Dowling, Joey Patton, Jacob Randazzo, Darius Sanchez, Tavion Stafford, Tyler Swenson and Isaac Taylor; coaches Todd Long, Todd Randazzo and John Cooper.
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SPORTS
Page 12
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Local high schools unveil new turf fields, other facility upgrades this fall
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Athletes, coaches, fellow students and the community will be greeted by new or upgraded facilities at the majority of area high schools next month when the 2018-19 school year begins and the fall sports schedules get underway. Concord, Northgate and De La Salle have new and refurbished facilities on their campuses while Carondelet will open its athletics complex in Walnut Creek for its tennis, water polo, swimming and diving, soccer, softball and lacrosse teams this year. MDUSD SCHOOL FACILITIES OPEN
Concord High’s athletic teams felt like nomads during the 2017-18 school year as a new turf softball field was added and turf was installed for the first time on the football/soccer and baseball facilities. Only in the late spring were the softball and baseball teams able to have home games after football and soccer
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make history in California as the local school chose AstroTurf for its 75,000-square-foot athletic field. What makes this project noteworthy is it’s AstroTurf ’s first installation of SuperNatural EPDM infill and the 3D360 Blend turf system featuring Trionic Fiber in California. “De La Salle is excited to partner with AstroTurf,” said Leo Lopoz, vice president of athletics at the Concord school. “Throughout the selection process, AstroTurf has exceeded expectations and demonstrated tremendous professionalism. “After discussion with many other schools at different levels, it became apparent that AstroTurf checked all of the boxes that we were looking at. We look forward to the next phase of our stadium field surface and couldn’t be happier with our selection of AstroTurf.” The De La Salle project is DE LA SALLE INSTALLS using the Melos SuperNatural NEW ASTROTURF EPDM Infill. Advantages of AstroTurf, a leading syn- this super-durable system thetic turf company, has include hemp which wicks teamed up with De La Salle to water to help further reduce
had no games on campus last school year. All the facilities are now open and Minuteman football head coach Paul Reynaud says the team will unveil its new home field on Friday, Aug. 17, against Dougherty Valley of San Ramon. The school’s gymnasium has also been outfitted with new, larger bleachers. Most of the funding for the facilities at Mt. Diablo Unified School District schools have come from Measure C monies, although the CHS bleacher project was funded by the original Measure C bond. Every MDUSD high school plus Clayton Valley Charter now have lighted turf fields for football, soccer and lacrosse teams. Northgate is currently refurbishing its gymnasium floor and reconstructing its tennis courts.
Sports Shorts
LAST 2 WEEKS OF CARONDELET GIRLS SPORTS CLINICS THROUGH AUG. 2
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surface temperatures, no water required for the product integrity and the bulk density reduces the quantity needed. AstroTurf says it is pushing field performance and safety to a new standard, explaining that the new field includes a sublayer of crimped fibers that stabilizes the infill and increases shock absorbency. The company says all of the factors combine to make a synthetic turf that is stronger, safer, better and more resilient. Besides the legendary De La Salle football team, the school’s rugby club, soccer and lacrosse teams will also play on the new surface beginning this fall. This is the third artificial surface installation at DLS. One of the state’s most ballyhooed high school football games in years will serve as the debut for the new field when Sacramento-area powerhouse Folsom—the defending CIF State Division I-AA champion—visits Owen Owens field to kick off the season Aug. 17 against the Spartans, who have only lost four games in their stadium in the past 30 years.
2ND ANNUAL NORTHGATE FOOTBALL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT ENTRY DEADLINE JULY 27
The second annual Northgate football charity golf tournament will be held on Friday, Aug. 10, at Boundary Oak Golf Course. The tournament is limited to 144 golfers for the best ball scramble format. A 6 p.m. post-tournament reception is open to non-golfers. Contact tournament director Greg Schmidt at Schmidty5@mac.com for last-minute registration. Visit northgatebroncos.org for complete details.
Carondelet High School is offering summer sports clinics this monty for incoming middle school girls in basketball, dance, soccer, swimming, tennis and volleyball. The soccer, swimming and tennis clinics will be held at the new Carondelet Athletics Complex in Walnut Creek with the others on the CONCORD AYSO ACCEPTING FALL school’s Concord campus. The advanced sports clinics are for SOCCER REGISTRATIONS experienced middle school athletes looking to improve their Concord AYSO is accepting registrations for their fall soccer skills and prepare for high school competition. Carondelet coaches and athletes will work on sport-specific fundamentals program online. The fall season starts practices Aug. 1. The regand skills. Sessions are in the afternoon and early evening. Visit istration fee includes a uniform, ball and insurance. Visit concordayso.org to register and get more information. carondeleths.org/summer for details and to register.
DIABLO FC FALL REC SOCCER PROGRAM
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July 20, 2018
DIABLO FC OFFERS COMPETITIVE TEAM SOCCER EVALUATIONS
Boys and girls of all skill levels in the 6U-19U (1999-2014) age groups are invited to sign up for the Diablo FC fall rec soccer program which runs from August through October. The area’s premier soccer club is offering this new fall season program that includes two practices per week and one game per weekend. Volunteer parent coaches get free registration for their child. The 8-10 game season includes coaching education provided by Diablo FC staff. Additional free clinics run by Diablo FC coaches for rec players are offered in addition to team practices. Fee includes a uniform. Visit diablofc.org for details.
Diablo FC 8 under through under 19 competitive soccer teams (birth years 2000-2011) have held formal tryouts for the 2018-19 season. Players interested in joining Diablo FC should email director of coaching Zach Sullivan at docdiablofc@gmail.com with any questions about the club or to arrange a player evaluation for players in birth years 2000-2011. Visit diablofc.org to get more information on the area’s premier youth soccer club.
Terrapins coaches Dan Cottam and Doug Reed will be teaching one more session of stroke and racing skills for the summer recreational swimmer July 23-Aug. 2. The goal is to help all participants improve/refine strokes. In addition, the sessions will enhance racing skills like starts, breakouts, turns and finishes. Each session is two weeks, three days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays). For more info and to register visit terrapinswim.com.
CONCORD COBRAS FOOTBALL, CHEER
TERRAPINS SWIM TEAM OFFERING SUMMER STROKE AND RACING CLINIC JULY 23 – AUG. 2
DE LA SALLE HOSTING FINAL SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS
CHECK WITH ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUES FOR FALL PROGRAMS IN CLAYTON
Youth leagues, clinics and tournaments are scheduled by All Out Sports Leagues in Clayton this fall. For complete information on All Out Sports programs, visit alloutsportsleague.com. SIGNUPS TAKEN ONLINE
Concord Cobras tackle football and cheer programs are taking signups for the fall season online. The football and cheer programs are open to youth six to 14 years of age. The Cobras cheer program is returning this year. For more info on football email concordyouthfootball@yahoo.com or call 917-0785 and for cheer email CYFcobrascheer@gmail.com or call 383-1146. Visit concordyouthfootball.com for more info.
LIMITED MDSA FALL RECREATIONAL SOCCER De La Salle High School hosts summer camps appealing to AGE GROUPS STILL OPEN local youth with a variety of athletic interests. De La Salle’s final Registration for Mt. Diablo Soccer Association’s fall recresummer camps are for basketball, water polo and soccer. DLS Camps are open to K through incoming ninth graders. For more ation program for boys and girls born 2000-2014 is open in info email summercamps@dlshs.org or visit dlshs.org/athlet- selected age groups. Games begin mid-August. See mdsoccer.org for more info on specific openings and to register. ics/camps-clinics.
Pacheco, from page 1
work, I estimated that we would need to raise about $150,000. I knew that my fellow City Council members wouldn’t want to take money out of the city’s general fund for this project, so I talked with city manager Valerie Barone. We agreed that even though I would need to raise the money through donations, the council had to give its support to erect the statue on city property in
Todos Santos Plaza. I contacted Carol Longshore, president of the Concord Historical Society (CHS). She liked the idea of a CHScity partnership but was concerned that fundraising might interfere with CHS’s efforts to complete its Event Center. I convinced her that the statue would give CHS great publicity and that we would be able to raise additional money for its project as well. I then
asked several civic leaders to join the new Sesquicentennial Committee, which Longshore and I co-chaired. The committee voted to accept the logo that I designed for our 150th Founding Anniversary. We approved pricing sponsorships for donors and the plaques that would adorn the statue’s base, along with the type of bricks, pavers and granite base. We selected Napa County artist Paula Slater because of her historically realistic renditions and her close proximity.
We also decided to add two time capsules to the project. The committee sold 560 dedication bricks at $150 each, raising $84,000. I also secured $50,000 from PG&E. Justin Ezell, Concord’s director of Public Works, got the construction company to donate about $20,000 worth of its time for the foundation work. We dedicated the statue at noon on July 4, after our parade. At the unveiling, I presented a check for $55,000 to CHS with the extra money we were able to raise.
July 20, 2018
LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ANSWERS
Q. I am going to buy my first home. Can you explain how property taxes work? A. Congratulations on your first home. Unlike income tax and the sales tax you pay, property tax is not based on how much money you earn or how much you spend. Instead it is calculated solely on how much the property you own is worth. This is based on a comparison of the properties around you, as well as market factors. The real property tax is an “ad valorem” tax based on the
Understanding property tax calculations Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
value of property. Ideally, the owners of property of equal value pay the same amount of property taxes, and the owners of more valuable property pay more in taxes than owners of less valuable property. The tax is calculated using a variety of formulas and is based on a property’s assessed value – its full market value or a percentage thereof – and the tax rate of your jurisdiction, minus any property tax exemptions, such as those offered for the elderly or for veterans. City and county governments assess property taxes to generate the bulk of their operating revenues. The taxes help pay for such public services as school, libraries, roads and police. Re-valuations of the tax are done periodically, but vary in different areas and can be triggered
by factors such as a refinance or a room addition. Q. What are some statistics about millennial home buyers? A. One thing I find interesting is that male millennials attained higher mortgages than female millennial borrowers, according to Ellie Mae millennial tracker, a measure of applications by millennials for mortgages. Male millennials were approved for $30,000 more on average than female millennials. But the amount doesn’t tell the whole story. While men make up the larger percentage of overall millennial buyers, most of them are married. An interesting trend they were tracking last year is that single women are buying homes much more than single men. Sixty percent of women who were listed as the primary
Diablo Ballet moves at-risk teens to self expression They come in their sweatpants and T-shirts, not knowing what to expect. But the young women at John A. Davis Juvenile Hall in Martinez leave with a new sense of themselves. The California Arts Council’s JUMP StArts Program exposes youth in the juvenile justice system to high-quality arts education and artists-in-residence programs. Such programs have been shown to reduce the number of young people who return to the system. The Actors’ Gang Prison Project has significantly reduced recidivism rates – with some estimates up to 95 percent. Walnut Creek’s Diablo Ballet Company is continuing that trend locally. For 24 years, the award-winning professional dance company has presented classical and contemporary ballets to audiences as well as exposed youth in underserved communities to the arts through its PEEK (Performing Arts Education and Enrichment for Kids) Extension program. Dia-
SuNNY SOLOMON
BOOKIN’ WITH SUNNY
To read anything by Jacqueline Woodson is to expect the unexpected, not only for the stories themselves but for the imaginative way they are written. “Another Brooklyn” is no exception.
JEFF MELLiNGER
SCREEN SHOTS
In the last few years, Pixar has been rolling out sequels: the wonderful “Finding Dory,” the not-bad “Monsters U” and the less said about “Cars 3,” the better. While unique ideas have not been the norm lately, they had two absolutely exceptional, original films with “Inside Out” and “Coco.” Now comes
Page 13
borrower were single, compared to 42 percent of men. Q. What are some new flooring trends? A. What’s old will be new as vintage and retro looks take center stage in the hardwood flooring arena. Here are some options: Wide-plank floors. With planks 5-7 inches wide, these floors looks good with both modern and rustic decor and make the space appear larger. Parquet floors. The vintage,
BUSINESS
midcentury flooring look is back. But now it incorporates contemporary trends such as distressed wood, cool gray tones or even wide planks for a modern take on parquet. Distressed wood floors. This is one of the hottest looks for flooring, particularly the cooler gray tones. Gray wood floors. The grays I have been mentioning are in a cooler tone than last year, which featured more of what we call “greige” (gray and beige).
Varied-width wood plank floors. Reminiscent of historic homes, mixed width wood flooring allows you to choose any combination of widths for a given room. It creates a one of a kind look that fits your personal aesthetic. Send your question and look for your answer in a future column. Email Lynne@LynneFrench.com. French is the broker/owner of Windermere Lynne French & Associates. Contact her at 672-8787 or stop in at 6200 Center St., Clayton.
Variety of businesses help Concord thrive
MARiLYN FOWLER
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
blo Ballet has reached more than 68,000 school children in Alameda and Contra Costa counties since 1995. The California Arts Council (CAC) approached Diablo Ballet in 2015, suggesting they apply for a grant under the JUMP StArts program. The company received the grant and began
meeting with girls aged 15-18 at the McKinley Court School, where students at the Martinez Juvenile facility continue their education. “I’m in love with this program,” says Diablo Ballet’s artistic director Lauren Jonas. “When
See Ballet, page 15
The Concord Chamber’s goal is to provide a platform for members to grow their businesses. Here’s a glimpse of three of our new members. Thread Monster is a full-service screen printing company that specializes in high-quality printing at affordable prices. They had the humblest of beginnings, starting as a small clothing company run out of a garage in Concord. Realizing that they wanted to print their own clothing and also provide quality print services to others, they moved to a larger location at 1474 Wharton Way. Contact Thread Monster at 925338-0618. Red Ox Clay Studio opened a few months ago in Concord to provide a venue for ceramics artists to create and collaborate with other artists. The studio allows guests to throw clay, glaze and fire their works of art on the premises. Memberships and classes are also available at the
Woodson’s second adult novel is about an adolescence remembered. The story begins when August returns to Brooklyn for her father’s funeral and shares the facts of that return. The first 11 pages take up the funeral, the introduction of her brother (a devout member of the Nation of Islam), a short reference to a black Brooklyn in a 1970s white culture and the facts of her leaving Brooklyn to travel the world as an anthropologist. Following the funeral, she and her brother lovingly share a meal at a diner before she takes the subway back to her father’s apartment. “There were clothes
to be donated, old food to throw out, pictures to pack away. For what? For whom?” The memories begin when, seated in the subway car, August looks up and sees Sylvia sitting across from her. From that point on, the intimacy of August’s memories never lets up. Although these are August’s memories, they exist inside the friendship of four singularly remarkable young girls: Sylvia, Gigi, Angela and August. August, her brother and father are Brooklyn transplants from a not quite innocent life in rural Tennessee. It is an unhappy exodus, one made without
her mother. The period of adjustment to inner-city life – with its traffic, drugs, pop music and ever-present street danger – takes place under the watchful eye of a father who knows and fears the risk of bringing his children back to the streets of his youth. “The green of Tennessee faded quickly into the foreign world of Brooklyn, the heat rising from cement.” August’s memories happen in the black streets of Brooklyn. Yet each time I read the book, the fit becomes more comfortable for me. How do any of us remember our best grammar school
through high school friends? And who is lucky enough to almost hold them together before high school ends? Woodson touches adolescence so finely that when its pain surfaces, we are reminded of our own experiences, which in turn endears all her characters to us – with their dreams, betrayals, successes and failures. Family secrets, divorce, addictive parents and the secret excitement of their sexuality in response to the boys and men in their lives all weigh heavily in their surviving adolescence. Woodson’s writing lifts this novel from almost every other
coming-of-age story. Her sparse paragraphs and the space between them leaves room for the reader to take it all in. “Another Brooklyn” is the story of a young woman of color’s journey into her adolescence in Brooklyn and out into the greater world. For me, that journey and the reading of this book have become a powerful and moving memory of their own.
another sequel, “Incredibles 2.” Brad Bird is no stranger to helming spectacular films, including the original “Incredibles,” “Ratatouille” and “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.” It is only natural that he continue with the Incredibles franchise. I just wonder why it took so long. The 2004 film ended with a new villain, the Underminer, showing up to do damage. With a tag like that to end a movie, a sequel would be logically expected – except it took 14 years. Anyone who saw the first one in the theater as a young child is now well into adulthood. Often times, releasing a
sequel immediately after the first film looks like a cash grab. Bird admitted they did not want to do that but rather needed to be sure to tell exactly the story they wanted. Superhero movies have now become ubiquitous; Pixar had to find the right time to release the sequel to its only superhero film. Returning to voice their characters are Craig T. Nelson (Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter (Elastigirl), Samuel L. Jackson (Frozone) and Sarah Vowell (Violet). Admittedly, there is some comfort hearing their voices and seeing familiar characters onscreen once again. The worry for me was that
“Incredibles 2” would just repeat the original with a different villain. Much to my delight, Bird and company created a fresh story. Wealthy, superhero-worshipper Winston Deaver (Bob Odenkirk) and his inventor sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) are determined to end the law that bans superheroes. They enlist Elastigirl as their frontwoman, putting her conveniently near danger so she can save the day in the public eye. It is nice to see a female superhero take center stage. The villain she runs into, Screenslaver, is a shadowy personification of our screen addic-
tion. Had the movie come out a decade ago, neither of these two plot points would have even been considered. Meanwhile, tough guy Mr. Incredible is stuck at home watching the kids. Watching him deal with his unwanted gender role reversal brings considerable laughter. The comedic highlight of the film is the discovery of baby Jack Jack’s myriad powers. His battle with a feisty raccoon is Pixar gold. Speedster son Dash is mostly sidelined in favor of the adolescent growing pains of older sister Violet. Though in their race to help their parents in the third act, they are an exciting team.
With the failure of “Cars 3” and a giant like “Toy Story 4” on the horizon, Pixar needed a winning sequel. “Incredibles 2” runs a little long, and the big reveal is telegraphed. Yet it is charming, funny and tells a story made for 2018. For a sequel, it displays a lot of originality. We can only hope the Pixar movie pipeline is creating some non-sequels with as much freshness. B+
Lauren Jonas
Dancer Rosselyn Ramirez, left, PEEK associate director Edward Stegge and dancer Felipe Leon aim to lift the spirits of youth at Juvenile Hall.
The giant scissors at the ribbon cutting are just the beginning of the fun at Red Ox Clay Studio.
studio at 1811 Broadway St. Owner Roger Yee says he built the studio in Concord because he thinks people feel comfortable being here because it’s less pretentiousness. And, the artist culture here is large enough to support this type of business. Contact Red Ox at 925-822-3109. Yours Humanly is a nonprofit that believes quality education is a basic human right. The group funds local, national and international programs to provide access to educational resources. They provide K12 scholarships, cover students’ necessities, as well as funding and placing instructors in English and computer science programs.
Founder Sunny Singh saw poverty from a young age, which is why he wants to build better lives and brighter futures for children. Contact Yours Humanly at 925-6809700. The chamber is a business organization of almost 500 members. If you would like to grow your network of business professionals, check out one of our upcoming events. Meet new people and learn from them. Give us a call at 925685-1181.
Marilyn Fowler is the president/CEO of the Concord Chamber of Commerce. For more information on chamber programs, email mfowler@concordchamber.com.
‘Brooklyn’ isn’t just another coming-of-age story
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.’
‘Incredibles’ is great fun the second time around
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.
Page 14
T HE ARTS
SALLY HOGARTY
STAGE STRUCK
Editor’s Note: Thank you, Sally Hogarty. Our gratitude and best wishes go with you as your career takes a new direction.
I can’t believe that summer is already more than half over and that this is my last theater column in the Concord and Clayton Pioneer newspapers. I’ve so enjoyed sharing the wonderful productions taking place in the Bay Area with you, and it has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the Pioneers’ incredibly energetic editor Tamara Steiner and her staff. But it’s time to cut back a bit on my writing and spend more time on my acting career. For
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
July 20, 2018
The show must go on – but with a new twist some reason, casting directors have a need for “mature” performers with salt and pepper gray hair, and I intend to take full advantage of that need. I leave this column in the capable hands of actor/journalist/playwright Kathryn McCarty. I’m sure she will keep you well-informed. And speaking of informed, here’s what’s happening in July. The 12th annual Chevron Family Theatre Festival brings an extravaganza of theater, art and music to Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 21. There will be a bounty of free entertainment and some shows priced at a very low $5. Produced by the Diablo Regional Arts Association, the city of Walnut Creek and the Lesher Center for the Arts, this year’s event features such favorite performers as Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (Sesame Street’s Abby Cadabby), San Jose Taiko Drummers and
Chris Finetti
Hayley Finetti, left, is Antonia, Jesse Rodriguez is the Padre and Wendy Rodriguez is the Housekeeper in Ghostlight Theatre’s “Man of La Mancha.”
Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. New acts include Artrageous, a group of high-energy artists who create a giant work of art with the help of vocals, creative choreography, music and audience participation. The Lesher Center is at 1601 Civic Dr. For a complete schedule, visit lesherartscenter.org. You can still catch Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble’s inaugural main stage production of “Man of La Mancha,” July 20-22. This powerful show takes place at the Theatre at Edna Hill, 140 Birch St., Brentwood. Seating is limited, so reserve in advance. The cast includes Richard Howarter (Cerantes/Don Quixote), Mikayla Thompson (Aldonza/Dulcinea), Chris Finetti (Sancho Panza), Kal Berns (Innkeeper/Governor), Jesse Rodriguez (Padre), Hugh Patterson II (The Duke/Dr. Carrasco/Knight of the Mirrors), Justice Krugman (Barber), Emilio Lopez (Pedro/Captain of the Inquisition), Wendy Rodriguez (Housekeeper) and Hayley Finetti (Antonia). An ensemble supports the cast, bringing the prison setting to life. “There is so much about this story that I love,” says director Helen Dixon. “Quixote’s seeing the impossible as possible represents the trials that all of us face in our lives. We can say no or fight for what we believe in – regardless of the insurmountable odds – because it’s the right thing to do.” According to Dixon, this show has mature themes and is recommended for ages 14 and up. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit
Artrageous will combine singing, dancing and music to create giant works of art at the Chevron Family Theatre Festival.
www.ghostlightte.org. CJ Productions presents “If These Walls Could Talk” at Antioch’s El Campanil Theatre, 602 W 2nd St., at 6 p.m. July 21. This story of revelation to restoration follows Mother Mabel Blackstone’s prayer meeting that gets out of hand as she tries to nurture five women in need of additional love. For tickets, call 925-757-9500 or go to www.elcampaniltheatre.com. Broadway Repertory Theater presents the musical “The Secret Garden,” July 27-29 at El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd Street, Antioch, and Aug. 3-4 at the Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. “This show features some of the most beautiful music written for the Broadway stage, and we have attracted the talent to make it a ‘must-see’ experience,” says artistic director Steve Kinsella. For tickets, go to www.broadwayrepertorythe-
ater.com or call 925-757-9500 (El Campanil) or 925-943SHOW (Lesher). STARS 2000 and Performing Academy will present “Legally Blonde, The Musical” July 20-Aug. 5 at Diablo Valley College’s Performing Arts Center, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. Elle Woods appears to have it all until her boyfriend dumps her. Then she turns her life upside down as she follows him to prestigious Harvard Law School. There she struggles with peers and professors until she discovers her true power and intellect. But have no fear, that discovery doesn’t keep her from wearing lots of pink or decorating everything in sight, including her little dog, with the color. The story of Elle’s transformation is so much fun, it shouldn’t be legal. For tickets, call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006 or go to www.brownpapertickets.com.
That magical kingdom beneath the sea comes to Livermore as Tri-Valley Repertory presents Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” The beloved musical runs July 21-Aug. 5 at the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s popular stories and the classic animated film, the musical is a hauntingly beautiful love story appropriate for all ages. There’s the beautiful Ariel, the handsome human prince, an evil sea witch and such colorful characters as Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab. For tickets, call 925-373-6800 or go to www.lvpac.org. Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com
Clayton artist brings passion to the Concord art scene
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About 10 years ago, Renaye Johnson decided to check out an art show at the Clayton Library. The work inspired her, stirring up familiar feelings from her college days. Johnson had always loved to draw with graphite or pen and had even thought she would major in art. But she ended up with a master’s degree in psychology, moved to Clayton with her husband and spent a rewarding career in social work in Alameda County. When her daughter (who loves to paint) was heading off to college, Johnson felt the urge to get back to art. She started taking classes and going every Thursday night to the Center for Community Arts in Walnut Creek. These weekly escapes helped refresh her skills, rebuild her confidence and taught her about new mediums, including acrylics, which is now her favorite. “I discovered that I love to paint water scenes, especially those that I’ve photographed around the Bay Area,” says Johnson. “Water is such a meditative subject, plus it’s like I get to spend more time there while I’m painting. I also enjoy paint-
Renaye Johnson incorporates Bay Area waterscapes into artwork like “Dream Breeze.”
ing people near water. My daughter paints with an edgier style than I do, but her love of color inspired me to step out of the black and white comfort zone I had with pen and ink.” It didn’t take long for her to start showing her work. “I first joined the Creekside Artists Guild and showed my art in their exhibits here in Clayton,” Johnson recalls. “Once I could commit to finishing my paintings with a signature and a nice frame, it became so much more real. I was truly an artist and it felt so good.” After Johnson retired a couple years ago, she started painting more frequently and joined the Concord Art Association (CAA). She now serves on the board of directors. “Being an active part of an arts community is so encourag-
ing and supportive,” she notes. “I love all the feedback we give each other. By joining CAA’s board, I have input into decisions that are made for the organization and its members. I get to bring my passion to the table and I am heard. Joining CAA also motivated me to set up my own small business to sell more of my art.” Johnson’s work can be seen this month at the Clayton Library and Cup O’ Jo in downtown Clayton. She will also be part of CAA’s “Small Works” exhibit at the Concord Library in August. Lisa Fulmer is a mixed media artist and a small business marketing consultant. She serves on the Board of Directors for both the Concord Art Association and the B8 Theater Company.
July 20, 2018
CALENDAR Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. AUG. 15 FOR THE AUG. 24
IN CONCORD
Tuesdays Farmers’ Market
Year round, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org.
Tuesday Night Blues Thru July 31
Some of the best blues in the Bay Area. July 24, Tia Carroll; July 31, Jr. DeVille. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free. cityofconcord.org.
Thursdays Music and Market
Thursday night live music and farmers’ market. Music: July 26, Zepparella; Aug. 2, James Clark; Aug. 9, Stung; Aug. 16, Incendio; Aug. 23, Kingsborough. Market 4 – 8 p.m.; music 6:30 – 8 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org.
3rd Sundays Antique Faire
Antiques, collectibles, handmade arts and crafts. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free admission. concordantiquefaire.com.
July, Aug. Concerts
The Concord Pavilion is located at 2000 Kirker Pass Road. See full concert schedule for 2018 at livenation.com. July 24: Imagine Dragons, 7 p.m. Aug. 4: Angry Orchard Rock the Roots, 2 p.m. Aug. 11: The Comedy Get Down, 8 p.m. Aug. 18: Steve Miller Band, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24: End of the World Tour, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 28: Rob Zombie, 7 p.m.
July 21 Bliss Music Festival
Inaugural event with original live music, silent disco, flow arts, craft beer, makers’ faire. 2 – 8 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free. blissmusicfestival.com.
Aug. 9 Advance Health Care Directives
Legal clinic to prepare and notarize advance health care directives for seniors 60 and older in Contra Costa County. 9:15 11:30 a.m. Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. Free. Call for appointment (925) 671-3320.
Aug. 11 – 12 Japanese American Summer Festival
Japanese American Club’s annual event featuring Japanese food, Kendo and Judo demonstrations, Taiko drum performances, Japanese dance performance and flower arrangements. 1 – 9 p.m. Sat.; 12 – 8:30 p.m. Sun. Japanese American Religious and Cultural Center, 3165 Treat Blvd. Free admission, parking at Ygnacio Valley High School. www.diablojaclub.com.
Saturdays Farmers’ Market
IN CLAYTON
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 6095 Main St. pcfma.org.
Saturdays: July 21; Aug. 4, 18 Concerts in the Grove
July 21, Southern Comfort; Aug. 4, Diamond Dave; Aug. 18, Apple Z. 6 – 8:30 p.m. Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Free. ci.clayton.ca.us.
July 25; Aug. 8, 22 Wednesday Classic Car Show
Car show and DJ music. 6 – 8 p.m. 6099 Main St. Free. ci.clayton.ca.us.
ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO
July 21 Ice Cream Social and Open House
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day and tour the Contra Costa County History Center. 12 - 2 p.m. 724 Escobar St., Martinez. Free; $5 suggested donation. cocohistory.com.
July 21, 28 Improv in the Park
Sponsored by Pittsurg Community Theatre. 6 p.m. John Buckley Square, Old Town Pittsburg, between Fifth and Sixth Streets and Railroad Avenue. Free. oldtownpittsburgca.com.
July 24 “Summer ‘Pops’ Concert 2018”
Presented by Walnut Creek Concert Band. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $17.50. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.
July 26 – Aug. 2 “Festival of Showcases”
CenterRep’s Young REPertory. Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20-$22. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.
July 27 – 29 “The Secret Garden”
Enchanting musical. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $14-$25. elcampaniltheatre.com. (925) 757-9500.
July 28 Bria Skonberg with Wycliffe Gordon
Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $42. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.
July 28 “Rockabilly Saturday”
Presented by Running Scared Productions. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $35-$55. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.
July 28 “Seussical Kids!”
Presented by the Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble Performing Arts Youth Academy. The Theater at Edna Hill, 140 Birch St., Brentwood. Free. ghostlightte.org.
July 29 Recital
Presented by the Salimpour School of Belly Dance. 5:45 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.
Aug. 3 – 4 “The Secret Garden”
Presented by Broadway Repertory Theater. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $28. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469.
Aug. 4 -5 “The Pirates of Penzance”
Presented by Lamplighters. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $50-$55. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 9437469.
Aug. 5 “Abbacadabra”
The Ultimate ABBA Concert. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $15-$32. elcampaniltheatre.com. (925) 757-9500.
Aug. 10 – 19 “Mary Poppins”
Page 15
newsandcalendar@concordpioneer.com
Aug. 4 Water and Well-Wishes
Food trucks, water games, kid-friendly movie. Donate online to support the drilling of wells around the globe. 6 p.m. Crossroads Church, 5353 Concord Blvd., Concord. crossroadschurchweb.org.
Aug. 11 Sixth Annual Fish Fry
Proceeds go to support Team JMJ and the Lupus Foundation of America. 12 – 4 p.m. 3441 Thunderbird Drive, Concord. $20. jones.phylicia@gmail.com or meladevon@yahoo com.
CHURCHES
Aug. 10 End of Summer Movie Night
“Coco.” Bring a lawn chair, blankets, invite friends and neighbors. Activities begin at 7 p.m. Movie starts at dusk. Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main St., Clayton. Free. claytoncc.com.
Aug. 12 International Food Festival
Food, music, prizes, kids’ activities. 1 – 4 p.m. International Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1655 West St., Concord. Free admission. concordinternationalsda.org. (925) 676-4111.
AT THE LIBRARY
The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at ccclib.org or (925) 646-5455. Thru Aug. 4: Summer Reading Program July 20 – 22: Friends of the Concord Library Book Sale July 23: Family Program, Dot Painting, 7 p.m. July 26: Bird Program, 7 p.m. July 28: AARP Tax Help, call (925) 405-5135 for appt. July 30: Family Movie Night, 7 p.m. Aug. 4: HALO: Read to a Dog, 10:30 a.m. Registration req. Aug. 5: Concord Knitting and Crochet Group, 1:15 p.m. Aug. 7: National Night Out, 6 p.m.
The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at claytonlibrary.org or call (925) 673-0659. Thru Aug. 4: Summer Reading Program July 23: Destination Antarctica, 7 p.m. July 23; Aug. 13, 20: Clayton Knits, 1:30 p.m. July 30: Harry Potter’s Birthday Party, 6 p.m. Registration required. Aug. 2: Create Your Own Pet Rock Critter, 4 p.m. Aug. 13: Clayton Library Book Club, 7 p.m.
GOVERNMENT
1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Concord City Council
6:30 p.m., Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.
1st and 3rd Wednesdays Concord Planning Commission
7 p.m. Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.
Ballet, from page 13
Presented by Poison Apple Productions. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20. lesherartscenter.org. (925) our PEEK associate director a movement, they put them 943-7469. Edward Stegge and myself start- together as one unit before
ed this in 2015, we had no idea what to expect. But it has just ON AND AROUND THE MOUNTAIN been incredible. I feel very priviPerformed by Marcus Roberts. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve programs are available leged and honored to do this. It’s Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $42. lesherartscenter.org. for registration through ebparks.org. Parking fees may apply. For been one of the most life-chang(925) 943-7469. additional information, contact Black Diamond Visitor Center at ing experiences of my life.” (510) 544-2750 or bdvisit@ebparks.org. Aug. 12 Beginning its fourth year, July 21 “A Salute to the Eagles” Diablo Ballet brings music and Bat Monitoring Performed by Hotel California. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 movement to about 45 girls once Help monitor the local bat population. 7:45 – 10 p.m. Meet at W. Second St., Antioch. $12-$29. elcampaniltheatre.com. (925) a week from July to May. Stegge, Black Diamond Mines. Registration required. 757-9500. Jonas, two of Diablo’s profesMount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free sional dancers and world-class Aug. 18 with the exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click guitarist Gabriel Navia teach the Eliane Elias on Event Calendar for more information. classes, which follow Visual and Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association. 5 and 8 p.m. Performing Arts (VAPA) stanLesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $42. July 20, Aug. 24 lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469. dards that are part of the nationCommon Poorwill Bird Walk al CORE standards. Hike and listen to the birds of the early evening. 7 – 10:30 Aug. 18 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Reservations reAccording to Jonas, Diablo “Playing the 60s” quired: blkittiwake@yahoo.com. Ballet gives the girls tools to Performed by Mads Tolling. 2 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. express themselves, to work as a Aug. 11, 25 Second St., Antioch. $18-$20. elcampaniltheatre.com. (925) group, to gain confidence and to Tarantula Tales and Trails 757-9500. ultimately be good citizens. Hike Mitchell Canyon in search of Mount Diablo’s famous spi“As dancers, we express ourders. 6 – 9 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Regis- Aug. 24 selves through facial expressions tration required: sweettrails00@gmail.com. “Improv for Good” and our bodies. That carries over Presented by Funny Bone Productions. 7:45 p.m. Lesher Center Save Mount Diablo’s Discover Diablo is a free public hike series. for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. into everyday life and affects Go to discover-diablo.eventbrite.com for more information. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469. how we’re looked upon and how July 20 we’re perceived. It’s about learnAug. 25 Curry Canyon Ranch Evening Property Tour ing a more positive way to be in Gerald Clayton Quintet with Dayna Stephens Listen for critters that go bump in the night. 7 – 10 p.m. Meet the world,” Jonas explains. Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association. 5 and 8 p.m. at Park n’ Ride, 1000 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton. Reserva“Dancing also teaches the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $42. tions required. students how to memorize and lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469. how to focus,” she adds. “These Aug. 4 skills carry over to other classes.” Mangini Ranch Sun Salutation Aug. 26 Keep an eye out for wildlife that is active in the morning. 6 – 9 20th Anniversary Gala Concert A new study published in a.m. Meet at 5318 Crystyl Ranch Drive, Concord. Reservations Presented by Music Repertoire. 5 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, Frontiers in Human Neurorequired. 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. (925) science concurs, saying that 943-7469. dancing is the most effective Aug. 17 exercise for the brain – leading Perkins Canyon Evening Family Hike FUNDRAISERS to noticeable behavioral changes Learn about unique geology and mercury mining at the foot of Mount Diablo. 7 – 10 p.m. Meet at State Park parking area off 2nd and 4th Sundays and playing a key role in memory of Morgan Territory Road. Reservations required. and learning, as well as keeping Pancake Breakfast one’s balance. Veterans of Foreign Wars serve breakfast to the public: Eggs, EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT pancakes, sausage, beverage. 8 – 11 a.m. VFW Post 1525, In Diablo Ballet’s weekly 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $5, $3 children under 12. vfw- class, the girls at McKinley Court Thru July 22 post1525.org. School are asked to talk about “Man of La Mancha” various emotions and translate Presented by Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble. The Theater at Edna July 28; Aug. 11, 25 them into movement. Sitting in a Hill, 140 Birch St., Brentwood. $13-$20. ghostlightte.org. Adoption Fair circle, they start with one emoSponsored by Northern California Sled Dog Rescue. 11 a.m. – 1 July 21 tion, such as happiness. They say p.m. July 28, Aug. 25: Petco, 1150 Concord Ave, #160, ConChevron Family Theatre Festival what makes them happy and cord. Aug. 11: Pet Food Express, 5404 Ygnacio Valley Road, A day of affordable, high quality, family entertainment. 10 a.m. – Concord. norsled.org. then show it in a movement. 4 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. When all of the girls have done $5. lesherartscenter.org. (925) 943-7469. Aug. 11 “The Modern Jazz Generation”
going on to the next emotion. “One day, we asked each girl to say how they were feeling – the first thing that popped into their heads – and then put it into a movement,” recalls Jonas. “This one girl didn’t know how to express what she was feeling. She said she was perplexed and clasped her hands together, shook her head and looked up to the sky. One of our dancers remarked, ‘That was perfect.’ “The girl was completely shocked and looked to the girl on her left and asked, ‘Did you hear what she said? She said I was perfect.’ Some of these girls have never been told that they are smart, beautiful or perfect.” This year, Diablo Ballet received a $24,608 CAC grant to hire a VAPA specialist. “Because our program is so innovative, we wanted a specialist to be sure we were hitting everything we needed to in the national CORE curriculum,” Jonas explains. “We’re not an after-school program but rather a part of an academic block where students earn credits toward graduation. It’s important to us to have the specialist monitor what we’re doing and make suggestions, so we don’t miss something.” Diablo Ballet personnel run into former students from McKinley every now and then. “It’s wonderful to see how well they are doing since being released and how thankful they are for the skills we have helped them learn,” Jonas says. The Diablo Ballet Gourmet Gallop to benefit PEEK will feature 16 restaurants providing sips and samples of their gourmet cuisine, 6-9 p.m. Aug. 9 in downtown Walnut Creek. Tickets are $39 through July 26. Visit www.diabloballet.org or call 925-943-1775 for tickets.
Relish some sweet summer corn while it’s fresh Page 16
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
DEBRA MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market
Sweet corn is a quintessential vegetable that just screams summer. With its crisp tender kernels and sweet flavor, corn tops the list of easy, versatile and deli-
cious July treats. Bushels of fresh, local sweet corn are in season, and it’s time stop by your farmers market to pick up one of summer’s favorite vegetable. Corn is available at the farmers market in white, yellow and bi-color varieties from G&S Farms of Brentwood. Their
Providing Dignified Professional Services
Michael Nicosia, Managing Partner John & Sharon Ouimet • Don & Bea Ouimet
4125 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94521 925.682.4242 • fax 925.682.4281
Celebrating 60 years in Concord
corn is amazing and brought to you fresh every week. Here is some trivia about corn you can use to impress your friends: Corn is technically a grain, not a vegetable. The seed is a type of grass, like wheat. The sugar in corn quickly turns to starch if not kept cold after harvest. That’s why you’ll see farmers display their ears of corn on ice. It’s best to eat corn as soon as possible after picking. An ear of corn averages 600-800 kernels in 16 rows. A cob always has an even number of rows. Maize is a Native American word meaning “sacred mother” or “giver of life.” Corn is rich in Vitamin C, magnesium, B vitamins and carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Corn contains very little fat, less than 1 gram per serving, and is a good source of fiber. However, it is relative-
Summer means corn on the cob. Pick up white, yellow and bi-color Brentwood corn at the Concord Farmers Market.
July 20, 2018
California each year. Corn was once considered so valuable that it was used as currency. In North America, early settlers traded corn for other items. The fun never ends with sweet summer corn. Grill it, steam it, preserve it or freeze it – it’s all good. Try this easy corn relish to enjoy this summer and all year long. TANGY CORN RELISH Makes 6 half-pint jars
8 c. fresh corn kernels cut from the cobs, about 12 large ears ly high in carbohydrates. 2 c. each diced green and There is one strand of silk red bell peppers for each kernel on a corn cob. 2 c. chopped white or yelThere are more than 600,000 low onions acres of sweet corn produced in
¼ c. chopped fresh garlic 1 T. pickling salt 2 T. yellow mustard seed 4 c. apple cider vinegar 1 c. water 1/3 c. brown sugar
In a large saucepan, mix the corn kernels, green and red peppers, onion and garlic. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 20 minutes. Pack relish and liquid into sterilized pint jars, leaving ½inch of space. Add sterilized lids and rings. Process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes. Let cool. Store in a cool location for up to a year. The Concord Farmers Market is in Todos Santos Plaza Tuesdays & Thursdays. See ad below for hours.
How to visit the Grand Canyon and skip the lines
ROBERT CASEY PLACES TO GO
The Grand Canyon overwhelms the senses. Measuring about 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and a mile deep, this chasm carved by the Colorado River over 6 million years is truly a natural wonder. It’s designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visitors from around the world have traveled there for centuries to be awed by its orange and red grandeur. Grand Canyon National Park is the second-busiest national park in America, with more than 6 million visitors last year. Great Smoky Mountains National Park was No. 1, with 11.3 million visitors. Yosemite National Park was fifth, with 4.3 million visitors. The Grand Canyon can be crowded, especially this time of year. In addition, there are road improvement projects throughout the park. The National Park Service (NPS) says to expect delays, detours, closures and parking modifications. But no worries. NPS has come to the rescue by supplying shuttle buses that travel to most of the major sights. They advise taking the Tusayan route, which provides service from Tusayan, about two miles from the south park entrance, to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. With a bit of walking and riding the shuttles, you can see the Grand Canyon in about four hours.
Photo: National Park Service
The Grand Canyon features magnificent views, such as this one from Mohave Point on the South Rim’s Hermit Road.
Buy your entrance pass online at yourpassnow.com/ ParkPass/park/grca. Then get on the shuttle in Tusayan and bypass the entrance gate. Buses are white with a green stripe and display the route name on the front and side. No tickets are required inside the park. A portion of your entrance fee pays for the shuttles. Buses come every 15-30 minutes between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Bus stops are clearly marked throughout the park and are located about every mile along the 13-mile Rim Trail. You can walk part of the Rim Trail, hopping on a shuttle bus afterward. Bus stops are also close to great bicycling opportunities.
If You Go
Bicycle the Greenway Trail to South Kaibab Trailhead or ride Hermit Road to Hermits Rest and then get on a shuttle bus to return. The shuttles can accommodate two or three bicycles. If you plan to drive your car into the park, arrive by 9 a.m. and find a parking spot by the visitor center. If you want to beat the crowds even further, try the North Rim, which is open until Oct. 15, or delay your visit until fall when the park is less crowded and quite a bit cooler. Robert Casey is president of Fair Winds Cruises & Expeditions in Clayton. He can be reached at 925-787-8252 or visit fairwindscruises.com. His email is caseyrdc@gmail.com.
Entrance fees: $35 for single vehicles and all passengers, $30 for motorcycles. If you enter by foot, bicycle, park shuttle bus, Grand Canyon Railway or private rafting, the fee is $20. Annual passes for Grand Canyon National Park are $70. If you are 62 or over, you can get a lifetime senior pass for $80. There are also free military passes for active-duty personnel and dependents. Best sunset views: Get on the Hermits Rest (red) shuttle and watch the sunset from Mohave or Pima points, or take the Kaibab/Rim (orange) bus to Yaki Point. If driving, head out to Desert View Point. For more information: Visit nps.gov/grca for a visitor’s guide, maps and road condition updates.
July 20, 2018
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Page 17
Solitude and serenity on seldom traveled trails
KEViN PARKER
HIT
THE
FREE ESTIMATES
TRAIL
Seldom does so much solitude come with so little effort. For this week’s hike in Mt. Diablo State Park, timing is everything. Hitting these series of trails early morning or late evening will almost guarantee you won’t see another person. Within steps of entering the park from the Mt. Dell passageway, begin a gradual ascent on Water Tower Road past the iconic water tower to Oak Road in the direction of Mitchell Rock. A golden carpet of grass blankets the surrounding foothills, with an always impressive Mt. Diablo
If You GO
Getting there: Access the trail at the Mitchell Canyon Visitors Center at the end of Mitchell Canyon Road in Clayton where parking is available. $6 fee, water, restrooms, maps. Hike stats: Water Tower Road, Oak Road, Mitchell Canyon Road, Blackpoint Trail, Globe Lily Trail, Red Road, Mitchell Canyon Road, Terrace Trail, Bruce Lee Road Distance: 4.6 miles Elevation gain: 652 feet Time: 90+ minutes Level: Moderate Look Out For: Poison oak, rattlesnakes, ticks Hike-lights: Wildflowers, solitude, sun and shade, close to home, easy afterwork hike, summer breezes
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Hikers pass the old water tower enroute to Oak Road.
as the backdrop. Make a right onto Oak Road for a shady respite as you dive back down and pick up Mitchell Canyon Road near the staging area. Early signs of poison oak along the trailside are a good reminder to watch where you walk, but a careful eye will keep you out of trouble. (Remember: Leaves of three, stay away from me.) At the first bench, make a right onto Blackpoint Trail for a few hundred feet, then an uphill left onto Globe Lily Trail. Visitors hike past Globe Lily every day without even knowing it’s there, so let’s keep it our little secret. This single-track trail, cut high into the hillside, provides endless wildflowers. Toss in a few rocky, rollercoaster sections, views of Mitchell Canyon and the surrounding hillsides, not to mention a fairly easy hiking trail, and it’s a double thumbs up. Globe Lily drops you directly onto Red Road, another seldom used trail that dead ends at two park boundary gates. It’s an “out and back” hike that’s worth your
time. Dense vegetation, trees at every corner and, once again, total solitude make this a hiker’s treat on a hot summer day. The “out” portion of Red Road is all uphill, but when I decided to turn around at the park boundary trail junction, it was a mellow downhill all the way back to Mitchell Canyon Road. With its shady glory, Mitchell Canyon Road will take you back to the staging area. Just before the main gate, hang a quick right and
Boyce Nichols - Owner Clayton Resident
Kevin Parker
follow Terrace Trail, which drops you on the opposite side of the parking lot onto Bruce Lee Road. This road goes back to your start point, rounding out some of the most overlooked trails in this park. This hike can be broken up into “mini-hikes” or done as one loop in about 90 minutes. The days are long and life is short, so get out there.
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Contact Kevin Parker with comments or questions by email at LukeHollywood@gmail.com
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Listing agent: Rula Masannat
• 3295 Monika Ln., Hayward
$625,000 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, approx. 1690 sq. ft.
Listing agent: Rula Masannat
• 501 Suisun Ct., Clayton
$729,000 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, approx. 1904 sq.ft.
Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
• 214 Falcon Pl., Clayton
$699,000 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, approx. 1493 sq.ft.
• 9072 Powell Ave., Hesperia
Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
$320,000 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, approx. 2601 sq.ft.
Listing agent: Rula Masannat
PENDING • 25 Mozden Lane, Pleasant Hill
3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, approx. 1488 sq. ft.
$550,000
Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
• 627 Carpino Ave., Pittsburg Duplex
$399,000 3 bedroom/1 bathroom and 2 bedroom/1 bathroom
Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
mazzeirealty.net
Matt Mazzei, Jr.,
Paula & Rod Johnstone
Rula Masannat
BRE# 01881269
DRE# 00797857
DRE# 01923757
Broker/Owner 925-766-6745 matt@mazzeirealty.net
Broker Associate Paula 925-381-8810 Rod 925-286-5765
heypaula10@gmail.com
Sales Agent 415-310-2905 rulawithmazzei@yahoo.com
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
July 20, 2018
Senior Living
Maggie Lennon o Botox or not to Botox? That is the question I ask myself, as I follow the lines and furrows on my over 60 face in my three-way vanity mirror. On days like this, I dream of my youthful appearance and contemplate a trip to the Dominican Republic – a tourist destination for those seeking inexpensive plastic surgery. The uncharted terrain of aging can be a minefield of emotions for women. Valued for how we measure on the Richter scale of beauty, women
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fear losing our attractiveness and feeling invisible as we age. While most of us were raised to believe that beauty is only skin deep, having a youthobsessed culture that defines beauty as young and wrinklefree doesn’t help to allay women’s fears. The billion-dollar beauty industry sells products for older women that are “antiaging,” confirming that getting old is bad. Creams with names like Crepe Erase equate wrinkled (or “crepey”) skin with something repulsive. There have been inroads
into creating positive images of women as we age. It’s become trendy for fashion houses and magazines to use older women as runway models. While they are “model” versions of older women, at least it’s a beginning. The popular TV show “Grace and Frankie” is blazing a humorous trail in its portrayal of women “of a certain age.” Stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlinson, who are over 70, hilariously deal with real-life issues that affect older women. But Fonda, with all her Oscars and accolades, has
Stonebrook
Healthcare Center
clearly succumbed to the plastic surgeon’s knife. With few role models of natural aging portrayed in a positive light, what is the average woman to do as she deals with her changing looks? Vivian Diller and Jill MuirSukenick, two ex-models turned psychologists, offer suggestions on aging and appearance in their book, “Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change.” They believe it entails a change of attitude, perspective and focus – in a mainly internal process. The authors say women should regard beauty as not being in the eye of the beholder but rather as being in the “I” of the beholder. “This creates an internal lens that helps women start the practice of taking control over how we see ourselves rather than letting others determine it,” the book says. “That way, women can begin to fight back against the sometime menacing messages they actually send to themselves about getting older and can begin to affirm themselves.” They suggest not letting our chronologic age define us. They believe that the old adage “We are only as old as we feel” is true, but they contend it’s up to us to define it. They remind us that self-image is dynamic and fluid – it’s more than a still photo of ourselves. So working on seeing ourselves from within will help us conquer our fears. In the end, they say, “Our outward beauty is not our identity. Our identity is made up of the many different facets of ourselves – looks are just one.” So as I age, I must remember that my face reflects the wisdom learned along the way. I cannot count this woman
out. I must respect her successMaggie Lennon is a columnist es and failures and perhaps and is currently working on her learn to love how she looks, no blog. Contact her at matter how habitually I dissect maggielennon164@yahoo.com her in the mirror.
Faith Barnidge
rowing old can be easier with a little help from our friends. Through Home Match, senior citizens living alone on a fixed income can get assistance with chores around the house, extra income to pay for basic necessities or just some companionship. Home Match is managed by Covia, formerly Episcopal Senior Communities, and funded by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development. The program has also launched in Concord, Walnut Creek and Martinez. Senior homeowners 55 and older are matched with roommates over 18 who need affordable housing to remain in the area for jobs as teachers or nonprofit employees, or as students. Home Match interviews applicants, performs background screening and provides assistance with the housing agreements for all parties involved. Senior homeowners receive extra income as rent, usually $500 per month or more, in exchange for a little help around the house and companionship. This program enables seniors to continue to age in place in their own homes.
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For more information about sharing your home for finding a home to share, call 925-4519890, visit homematchsf.org or email info@homematchsf.org. Meals on Wheels can also help seniors live healthier and safer independent lives. Meals on Wheels Diablo Region raised more than $200,000 at its recent 50th Anniversary Gala to fund programs for early intervention in cases of elder abuse, fall prevention and food delivery programs for home-bound seniors. Visit www.mowdiabloregion.org to learn more. The Veterans Administration outpatient clinic in Martinez has partnered with Meals on Wheels to provide a new program, “A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls,” with a certified master trainer beginning Aug. 23. For more information, call Cathleen Firestone at 925-372-2000 ext. 5156. Meanwhile, seniors can kick up their feet as the High Steppers return to the dance floor – this time as senior citizens. Music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s will tempt dancers to get up and move to the beat 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at the Betty Martin Barnes Hall at the Concord Heritage Center, 1721 Amador Ave. Tickets are $10. Visit concordhistorical.org or call 925827-3380.
Our team of licensed nurses and certified rehabilitation specialists offer you or your loved one the highest level of care while working toward the goal of a timely and healthy recovery from surgery, fractures, stroke and other medical conditions.
Amenities include: • • • •
Private or semi-private rooms Salon • Activities TV • Internet Lounge Formal Dining • Family Support
You may be able to use a reverse mortgage to access the equity in your home Mortgage Loan Originator Certified Public Accountant
For more information, contact us at
(925) 689-7457 4367 Concord Blvd. Concord
stonebrookhc.com
• Turn Home Equity into Cash • No Monthly Mortgage Payments (Borrower to remain current on their property taxes, homeowners insurance and HOA fees, occupy home as primary residence and maintain property.) • FHA-Insured Program for Seniors
HighTechLending, Inc., Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. #4130937 NMLS #7147. Equal HousingLender. NMLS Consumer Access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. This material is not from HUD for FHA, and was not approved by HUD, FHA or any other government agency.
July 20, 2018
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Page 19
Advertise in our Senior Living section: 672-0500
Christine Kogut ummer food can be enjoyable – with fresh seasonal produce and outdoor eating for special occasions. However, food poisoning is more common in the summer than any other time of year. I got it from eating a tuna sandwich at the beach one summer and believe me, you don’t want it. Bacteria in food multiply faster in hot, humid weather. Most home kitchens aren’t designed for the safe handling of large quantities of food. Preparing and eating food outdoors – in the garden, when camping or at picnics and barbecues – can also be difficult because refrigeration and places to wash your hands are not always readily available. Food poisoning can cause vomiting and diarrhea and can
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be quite serious for children, older folks and people with conditions that weaken their immune systems. Prevent food poisoning from spoiling your summer fun by following these simple steps to keep food fresh. Make sure the thermostat in the fridge is set below 41 degrees and keep your freezer at 5 degrees. Stock your cooler well with ice packs or clean ice. Keep salads fresh and meat safe in the cooler or fridge at 41 degrees or less until cooking or serving. Take chilled, frozen or hot food straight home in insulated containers. If you don’t want to cool food immediately, keep hot food at 156 degrees or hotter. Reheat food thoroughly so it’s steaming (above 167 degrees) or boiling. Keep raw meat, chicken and seafood chilled and away from cooked food to prevent bacteria growth transferring to
the cooked dishes. Use different chopping boards for raw and cooked foods. Wash the board and your hands thoroughly after touching raw meat. Thaw frozen foods completely unless the food is manufactured to be cooked from a frozen state. For effective cooling, it’s important to have enough room for air circulation inside the fridge. If you’re catering for a crowd, keep drinks on ice or in an insulated cooler and reserve the space in your fridge for food. Store any leftovers in the fridge and eat within three to five days. If you don’t plan to eat them within this time. freeze them right away. Don’t eat food that has been out of the fridge more than four hours – especially poultry, meat, seafood, cooked rice or pasta. Spend this great weather having fun, not feeling ill.
Affordable care you can trust
ResCare is committed to finding innovative solutions to help seniors and individuals with disabilities stay in their own homes. • • • • • • • •
Drop-in visits Overnight care Medication reminder Personal care & homemaking Companionship Alzheimer’s and dementia care Respite Care Transport to/from appointments/errands
ResCare Home Care 1850 Gateway Blvd., Suite 280, Concord Johana Seminario, LVN, Branch Manager 925.685.5577 jlseminario@rescare.com
ResCare.com
CALL FOR FREE ASSESSMENT
Consider living at Carlton Senior Living
• We offer our residents a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee “Through our exclusive 70/70 Program” • Family Owned and Operated for 35 years “Experience makes a world of difference” • Fixed pricing or level pricing on personal care services “Your option, we do not nickel and dime you”
What you see with us is what you get at our communities. We have integrity and compassion and we realize that most seniors are on a fixed budget. With us there are no unexpected rental fees, charges, or service fees increases without proper notice.
CALL US TODAY to Enjoy Life 800-227-5866
Great communities throughout Northern California: Concord, Pleasant Hill, Fremont San Jose, Fremont Davis, Elk Grove and Sacramento.
Visit our Website at:
CarltonSeniorLiving.com
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
July 20, 2018
Slip into the tub and dream of your new design I think we secretly all enjoy a good bubble bath. Your hair wrapped up in a towel, mud mask delicately applied to your face, blow-up pillow cradling your neck and your favorite bath elixir adding bubbles or fragrance to your mini indoor oasis. The perfect bath. The perfect bathroom. So relaxing, so beautiful, so peaceful. Ahhh. But without warning, this state of calm can disappear just like a renegade bubble. The spa-like bathroom you thought you had is not a spa at all but, sadly, just a room with a vanity, a tub and a toilet. This plain, yet functional, layout has never bothered you before. It gets the job done. But maybe you’d like a bathroom that does more than just cover the basics. Maybe you’d prefer a bathroom with a little sparkle. A little pizzazz. A little
spa-like atmosphere. Fear not. Put those rosecolored spectacles back on and reimagine your perfect bath … in your perfect bathroom. The key ingredients to a fantastic bathroom are usable storage, functional and decorative plumbing fixtures, and materials and lighting that wow. Whether you’re starting a bathroom project from scratch or reworking an existing space, find a way to address the details and make the most of the space. Storage is a major necessity. In the bathroom, you need a nook and niche for just about everything: towels, toiletries, toilet paper, dirty clothes, clippers, hair dryers and so on. To keep things tidy and accessible, create specialty cabinetry to house your supplies or organize your existing cabinetry with
white calyx and occasionally pink. As Salvia leucantha matures, it can reach 3-5 feet tall and wide. Several years ago, a dwarf called Santa Barbra was introduced. This selection stays more compact and has the traditional purple flower. Growers can enjoy the flower spikes July-October, making Mexican sage a great perennial to incorporate in a landscape to extend the flower display well into autumn. Use Mexican sage as a companion to earlier blooming perennials such as Moonshine Yarrow, Santa Barbara daisies and Spanish lavender. Mexican sage is also sturdy and hardy enough to stand
alone in the landscape. Plant near a large boulder as an accent or encase a springblooming ornamental tree such as a redbud or red-leafed flowering plum for extended floral interest. Mexican sage makes an outstanding cut flower and becomes a creative ingredient for a fall-inspired flower arrangement. In the past, I have seen folks hollow out pumpkins and fill them with spikes of purple Mexican sage, silver-leafed eucalyptus and red alstroemeria for a super-creative combination. Consider installing Mexican sage in a large container. Plant gaillardia goblin or a blackleafed ipomoea as the filler,
Neutral colors and a natural view from the bathroom help create a leisurely spa-like feeling
pullout shelves and decorative baskets. Plumbing and lighting fixtures are a decorative force in the bathroom. The finish and style you choose for these fixtures will help dictate the design of your bathroom. Consider chrome or oil-rubbed bronze
JENNiFER LEiSCHER
DESIGN & DÉCOR
room counter can be just as messy as a kitchen counter. So go for a solid surface for your vanity countertop instead of one with tile and grout lines that will require constant and diligent cleaning. This will leave more time for you to enjoy a good bubble bath in your perfect bathroom. 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.
Mexican sage, hardy, colorful and loves the sun
NiCOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL
Salvia leucantha is a sensational sage that is perfect for Concord gardens and landscapes. This hardy perennial is commonly called Mexican sage, and it can tolerate every bit of sun and heat that our climate has to offer. It is incredibly drought-resistant, seldom needs fertilizer and is both beeand hummingbird-friendly. It is
and whether you want modern, traditional or transitional. You can opt for a pair of sconces or one perfect chandelier. How about a shower enclosure that has a rain shower head mounted on the ceiling, a fixed shower head on one wall and, to top it all off, a handheld shower near
the shower bench on the other wall? These decisions not only affect the aesthetics of your bathroom, but also your budget. Selecting materials for walls, floors, backsplashes and shower wall murals is an opportunity to create a bathroom with your personalized style. Sleek and streamlined, traditional and classic, eclectic and colorful or even an homage to your favorite spa. Always choose materials that are decorative and unique but also think about maintenance. Natural stone needs to be sealed, while ceramics and porcelains do not. Consider classic designs, whether traditional or modern, over trendy tile shapes and colors that are “right now.” With all the makeup, hair products, soap, lotion, nail polish and whatever, the bath-
Gardeners prize Mexican Sage for its ornamental and showy velvety flower spikes produced from summer well into fall.
also deer- and gopher-tolerant. Mexican sage has velvety, powder-gray foliage and lanceshaped leaves. By mid-summer, it begins to bloom. Flowering
spikes stretch 8-12 inches long and are covered with tiny, twolipped flowers. Colors differ depending on the variety. You’ll find purple, purple with
then add some yellow-blooming calylophus for an exciting combination to be enjoyed all season long. In winter, care for Mexican sage as you would lantana. In middle spring, prune the plant way down to encourage new growth. It is easier for a plant to generate new stems and leaves if you remove dry branches from the past year. Drought-tolerant plants aren’t effective until established, so water regularly the first few weeks after installing. Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. You can contact her with questions or comments by email at Gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com
Nancy E. Bennett 4460 Pinon Ct. – Concord
Beautifully updated single-story home in the Crossings. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1917 sq.ft., .17 acre lot, freshly painted. New carpet, interior doors and dual paned windows. Spacious living room includes a vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace and formal dining area. Openconcept kitchen/family room combo features lots of prep space, breakfast bar, gas cooktop and double oven.
Offered at $775,000
COMING SOON
4486 Camstock Ct. – Concord
Beautiful and spacious Crossings home is move in ready. 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 1842 sq. ft. Gorgeous laminate flooring, updated kitchen with granite counters, dual paned windows and a brand new roof. Spacious living room with vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace and a formal dining room. Fantastic backyard with shaded arbor perfect for enjoying the outdoors.
Offered at $767,500
• Concord – 3 beds, 2 baths, 1308 sq ft single story charmer • Concord – 3 beds, 2 baths, 1108 sq ft nicely updated single story • Walnut Creek, Rudgear Estates – 5 beds, 2.5 baths, 2604 sq ft beautifully updated 2-story
Fantastic opportunity with this bright and airy two-story open-floorplan home. This home is move-in ready and in a convenient commute location. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1536 sq. ft. on a .15 acre lot. Freshly painted throughout with new carpet, and dual paned windows, vaulted ceiling, fireplace and dining area. Bright and sunny eat-in kitchen with plenty of cabinet space.
Offered at $435,000
What our clients say
Nancy and her team were great to work with. They offered excellent advice and handled everything from getting the place updated and coordinating with various contractors as we were in another state. They also managed deadlines well in order to close on time within 21 days. They were great to work with.
CEO, The Bennett Team #1 Agent in Concord for the last 6 years combined
CalBRE #01399870
2927 Cashew St. – Antioch
925.606.8400
Nancy@BennettBetter.com
BENNETTBETTER.COM
Selling more than 8 times as many homes as the average realtor.