JUL 22 Concord Pioneer 2016 by Pioneer Publishers

Olympians head to Rio IT’S YOUR PAPER

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From the desk of...

July 22, 2016

925.672.0500

LAURA HOffMeISTeR

MAYOR

City approves twoyear capital improvement budget

The Concord City Council adopted a budget for operations (general fund) and capital projects on June 28. The budget process began at an April workshop, reviewing goals, community desires and providing staff direction on priorities. Ideas and suggestions are more than funds allow, and this process allows us to strategize and prioritize within our means. Another public workshop was in May, followed by two public hearings in June. The budget is balanced and continues all programs and services at current or enhanced levels, with some support of the half-cent sales tax that voters extended in 2014. It also provides additional investment in roads, buildings, information technology and parks through the capital improvement budget. In 2015, the city established two-year budget cycles. In 2015, extra time was spent on the two-year operating budget covering 2015-’16 through 2016-’17. In 2016, we focused on the $32 million capital improvement budget covering 2016-’17 through 2017-’18. This two-year cycle allows City Council, staff and community more time to focus on each of the budget components. We approved a modest capital budget using funds available, including state or federal grants that are restricted in how and where they can be used. The City Council has adopted priority focus areas for the budget: long-term financial stability, economic development, public safety, infrastructure maintenance, organizational strength and employee success. The operating budget, approved at $91 million, had some minor midcycle adjustments. Increased planning and building activity

Photo by Aaron Okayama

CONCORD’S MARIYA KOROLEVA (LEFT) AND HER PARTNER ANITA ALVAREZ FROM NEW YORK will be representing the United States at the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro synchronized swimming duet competition Aug. 14-16 in the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre, which is an outdoor venue opened in 2007 to host the Pan American Games. In the same pool Aug. 15-16, diver Kristian Ipsen (left in photo on right) will compete in the 3-meter springboard competition. The De La Salle High and Stanford University grad will be joined on the American 3M team by Michael Hixon (far right).

New partner in Rio for Concord’s Koroleva JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer

Mariya Koroleva will be heading for Rio soon to take part in her second Summer Olympics as half of the American synchronized swimming duet pair and the Concord resident will probably feel being in the Athletes Village and concentrating on her routines with partner Anita Alvarez will be less hectic than the schedule she’s maintained in the past 11 months since she was named to the team by USA Synchro. The duet competition will be held in Rio’s Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre Aug. 14-16 with free routines on the first day and technical routine on the second day before the field is cut down from 24 teams to the top 12 for the free routine medal finals on See Mayor, page 7 Tuesday, Aug. 16.

United States partners Koroleva and Alvarez enjoyed success in international competition earlier this year in China, Germany and France. They won the duet free gold medal at the China Open Synchronized Swimming Championships in April. The duo also won silver in duet tech at the China Open, finishing second to the host team. However their most important result this year was in March when they secured America’s entry in duet with a seventh place at the Olympic Qualification Tournament in the same Rio pool they’ll return to next month. The tech program they will perform at the Olympics is 2:20 in which the duo goes through a series of required elements in a specific order.

See Koroleva, page 13

Watch local Olympians in Rio

NBC is having near wallto-wall coverage of the Olympic Games from Rio Aug. 3-21. Using its stable of broadcast and cable networks NBCUniversal will present 6,755 hours of programming for the Games.

Men’s 3-Meter Diving

Anticipated to be on NBC Monday, Aug. 15, 11:15 a.m. Preliminaries Tuesday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. Semi-finals Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2 p.m. Medal finals

Synchronized Swimming

Scheduled for USA and NBC Sports Network Sunday, Aug. 14, 7 a.m. Duets Free Routine Monday, Aug. 15, 7 a.m. Duets Technical Routine Tuesday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. Medal Free Routine finals Information subject to change. Be sure to verify all times and stations. NBCOlympics.com

De La Salle’s Ipsen going solo this time JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer

He’s not a Stanford freshman just a year out of De La Salle High like he was in 2012 when as a 19-year-old he went to the London Olympics. Globetrotting Kristian Ipsen is now one of the veterans on the United States Olympic diving team for the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro prepping for his event Aug. 14-15. Ipsen won a bronze medal in the three-meter synchronized event four years ago with partner Troy Dumais who was taking part in his fourth Olympics. Ipsen and Dumais lost out on a chance to compete again when they finished second at the recent Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. Showing the maturity and experience he’s gained over the

past quadrennial Ipsen, now 23, was able to put aside that disappointment and resultant pressure to have two excellent days and win the Olympic Trials 3M springboard competition. Rather than part of a synchro team as in London, he’ll be competing by himself against the world’s best 3M springboard divers in Rio. The 30 or so competitors will do six dives in the preliminary round Aug. 15. The field will be cut down to the top 18 scores for the semi-finals Aug. 16 and then the top 12 will compete for medals after a short break later that day. Ipsen says he’ll be “more strategic” this year in selecting his six dives, doing a slightly easier list in the prelims just seeking to qualify for the semis. He’ll then do a list of six dives includ-

See Ipsen, page 13

Concord filmmaker ready to shoot second film JEFF MELLINGER Correspondent

Jeff Mosley is staying local for his second movie, “My Advice,” which will be filmed in Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and Martinez. Having shot his previous film, “Chasing Rodriguez,” exclusively in Contra Costa County, he plans to make it work again by sticking to a small budget and networking with local businesses. FILMMAKER JEFF MOSLEY (right) goes over the logistics of a shot While it is exciting when a with stuntman Tom Anderson (left) and set builder Mike sweeping shot of the Golden Granelli on location for his first film, “Chasing Rodriguez.” Gate Bridge or Coit Tower

appears on the big screen, San Francisco is an expensive and logistically difficult place to film. Big budget films set in the Bay Area typically film in another city or shoot on a backlot. Mosley says it is easier to film in the Bay Area on a small budget, because big budget films take up massive amounts of room with giant trucks and lots of equipment. “When we filmed ‘Chasing Rodriguez,’ it was like we were invisible,” says Mosley. “Our cars and trucks were only at some locations for half a day,

and no one even noticed.” Norris film “An Eye for an It also helps to get on the Eye” was filming in an alley good side of businesses and below, so Mosley visited the set. the general public. Mosley “The scene I watched was a hopes to get product placement deals before filming, as See Mosley, page 5 well as vendor and business donations for things like meals. He expects to shoot at Centre Inside Concord and Clayton Bowl. “We carefully mapped out Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .15 our locations and made sure we Community . . . . . . . . . . .2 had the proper permits,” he From the desk of . . . . . .7 added. Born in San Francisco, Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Mosley went to visit his cousin Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 at the San Francisco Chronicle Performing Arts . . . . . .17 in the early 1980s. The Chuck

COMMUNITY

Page 2

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

In Brief...

BBQ launches summer meals program

Book Sale this weekend

The friends of the Concord Library will hold a three-day book sale July 22 to 24. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. friday and Saturday, and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Paperback books are 25 cents, most hard covers are 50 cents. On Sunday, attendees can fill up a bag of books for $5. The library is located at 2900 Salvio St. Concord.

Lupus fundraiser set for Aug. 6

Team JMJ invites you to their fourth Annual fish fry from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 3441 Thunderbird Drive in Concord. Admission is $20 per person. All proceeds support the Lupus foundation of America. Team JMJ participates in the Walk to end Lupus Now event in San francisco, this year on Oct. 23. for more information about the fish fry, contact jones.phylicia@gmail.com

Healing the Heart Workshop

The Healing the Heart ministry at St. Bonaventure’s will hold a grief workshop beginning Tues., Aug 23, 7:30-9 p.m. at the church, 5562 Clayton Rd., Concord. The workshop is a safe place to express grief and begin healing after the loss of a loved one. Call Helene Billeci at (925) 686-4870 for more informaion or to register. There is no cost to attend the workshop, but registration is required by Aug. 10.

Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer

CHERISH SIMPSON AND TATIANNA GONZALES, BOTH 11, enjoy the barbecue at Sun Terrace elementary, where they are students. Both girls say their grandmothers “always have a lot of fruit in the house.”

The cafeteria was packed as Sun Terrace Elementary School held a barbecue June 29 to kick off a new free summer meals program for students in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. Concord City Council members Tim Grayson and Ron Leone helped serve a lunch that included a hamburger or hot dog, fresh veggies and fruit and a brownie. The fruit was the biggest hit. Kids were going back for seconds and thirds. The event also featured library book giveaways, a Ballet Folklorico performance by Costa De Oro and family activities. The federally funded program provides free meals to keep kids healthy and engaged with their schools and local community during the summer. By partnering with the Contra Costa Library, the school district encourages children to take advantage of summer reading programs, feeding minds as well as bodies.

The Cool Concord Cars show had a record attendance of 92 cars on July 5 at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord. This once-a-year car show kicks off the Tuesday Night Blues music program in July at the plaza. Spectators wandered through a wide variety of automobiles ranging from classics to current models and makes while listening to the silky voice of Annie Sampson performing on the stage. This is the first year that the Volvo Club came out in force. The Studebaker turnout was also the largest so far. The car show is sponsored

Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.

Photos by elizabeth Cofer

THE BEST OF SHOW WINNER AT COOL CONCORD CARS was Digger Sturgill for his 1970 Mach 1 (left). Mayor’s Choice went to Joe Silva for his 1947 ford Woody (right).

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Concord Market Update

To find locations serving free breakfasts and lunches to kids this summer, text FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877.

by the city of Concord and is receives a special dash plaque manufacture. Winners receive donated by downtown merfree to enter. Each entrant identifying the car and year of a trophy and a bag of goodies chants.

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The Seamless Summer Meals program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, helps ensure that students who would typically receive school breakfast and lunch during the school year continue to have access to free and healthy lunches during the summer time, hence ensuring the food program is “seamless.” The MDUSD program is offered at 16 locations for kids 18 and younger as well as disabled adults. MDUSD is one of 58 school districts across the state which participate in California Thursdays, a program committed to serving freshly prepared meals with California-grown ingredients. Extending the program into summer supports children’s health, local farmers and producers and the community as a whole.

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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Boatload of fun

Monument Crisis Center honored

Page 3

DISTRICT 14 ASSEMBLYWOMAN SUSAN BONILLA (second from left) presents the Nonprofit of the Year Award to Monument Crisis Center’s executive Director Sandra Scherer (second from right). With them are Cal Nonprofits board members Cindy Duenas (far left) and Mary Jo Schumann (far right).

Concord’s Monument Cri- nonprofits and our entire sis Center has been selected community.” by California Assembly memThe Monument Crisis Tamara Steiner/ Concord Pioneer ber Susan Bonilla to receive Center (MCC) is a family Without a doubt, the coolest place in town last week was the Meadow Homes Splash Park. The park was loaded the 14th Assembly District’s resource center dedicated to with kids oblivious to the 100-plus-degree temperature. The Meadow Homes Spray Park, 1351 Detroit Ave., is open Nonprofits of the Year” providing food, education, 7 days a week during the summer from noon until 7 p.m. award. Executive Director safety net services, tools & Meadow Homes Park is slated for major playground improvements by the end of 2016. The plan is for three sepSandra Scherer joined other assistance, concrete referrals arate play structure areas: one for 2-5 year-olds, one for swings, and one for 5-12 year-olds. The entire area will nonprofit leaders from across and resources for families, be surrounded by fencing, with several entry gates. the state for the inaugural seniors and individuals in criCalifornia Nonprofits Day sis situations, provide pathevent in Sacramento on June ways toward health and self22. “We are thrilled and hum- sufficiency, and promote bled to receive this special community awareness of recognition from Assembly needs and available resources Todos Santos Plaza was all Insurance, the Greater Con- member Bonilla,” said Scher- to at-risk, low income Contra about purple last Saturday cord Chamber of Commerce er. “She is a champion for Costa County residents. when the American Cancer and Mountain Mike’s Pizza. Society kicked off the annual “Nearly everyone has been Relay for Life. The 12-hour touched by cancer, either event started with an opening through their own personal ceremony at 10 a.m. and ran battle or through the battle of through 10 p.m. that night. someone they love,” says Jacob The event celebrates the lives Perez, president of Concord of those who have battled can- Young Professionals, a subcer in our community and group of the Chamber of Since I started advertising in the Clayton and beyond. Commerce. “I’m participating Concord Pioneers, my business has exploded. Local businesses joined in the Relay For Life event I can hardly keep up with the calls. individuals and teams in pledg- because I know I am making a Kevin Schmidt, ing funds for research. Spon- difference in the fight to end General Contractor Concord’s Colleen Gerhaghty (far left) and fellow cancer sors included Waterworld, cancer by raising funds and Diablo View Construction survivors and caregivers led the first lap of the annual Archer Norris, State Farm awareness.”

Concord walks for cancer research

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Concord celebrates an old fashioned 4th of July

Page 4

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Live Band, Classic Car Show, free hors d’oeuvres, $6 wine glasses, themed food kiosks, and Pro Shop Sale

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TOP: MAKENA FRISCHERZ AND HER MOM, Dani, cross the finish line and slap a high five with Stomper. Bottom left: Three siblings proudly display their finish line medals; Bottom right: Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps wrap up the parade

The 2016 Concord 4th of July Celebration started early at 8 a.m. with the Kid’s Fun Run. The Oakland A’s Stomper was on hand encouraging kids to get across that finish line. At 8:15 more than 900 runners finished the 7th Annual Police Officers Association 5K run/walk. Families from as far away as Ireland participated in this year’s race, taking home some of the top prizes for their age group. Next, the Tesoro Golden Eagle Refinery’s Fire Engine kicked off the 25th anniversary of the 4th of July Parade. This year, the parade

played host to 75 participants including horses, dancers, community groups, cool cars and ending with Concord’s pride, the Blue Devil’s Drum and Bugle Corps. Later in the afternoon, local residents and hometown favorites took the stage for the 3rd Annual Festival. The crowd favorite by far was the band Stung, the ultimate tribute to Sting and the Police. Over 15,000 people enjoyed a kids’ carnival, exhibitors and vendors, and some great local food. The day ended with a traditional July 4th fireworks display.

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West Nile virus risk increases as 3 more birds test positive The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District confirmed today that three dead birds, one from Antioch and two from Brentwood, tested positive for West Nile virus. In June, a dead bird from Antioch also tested positive for the disease. "West Nile virus activity is not uncommon at this time of year since the disease is endemic---here to stay," said the District's Scientific Program Manager Steve Schutz, Ph.D. "But, we all have a duty to control mosquitoes and reduce our risk of mosquitoborne disease. First and foremost: dump standing water. This activity should be as automatic and as common as taking out the trash. Don't breed mosquitoes in the first place. It's the most important thing you can do to stay safe from their bites." Reporting dead birds also helps the District determine where West Nile virus activity

is taking place. All bird reports from the public are critical in helping the District direct mosquito prevention operations. Members of the public can report dead birds to the state hotline at 1-877968-2476 (1-877-WNVBIRD) or by visiting the California Department of Public Health's website. Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines: • Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes can't begin their lives without water. • Defend yourself - use repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. • Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically dawn and dusk. • Maintain neglected swimming pools . Just one can produce more than 1 mil-

Mosley, from page 1

car crash, and the stunt man got set on fire. I was hooked,” he recalls. Mosley began his film career as an extra on “The Right Stuff ” and has done stunts on more than 70 features. He has worked with Samuel L. Jackson, Danny Glover and Sean Penn. More recently, he transitioned to the director’s chair. In 2011, Mosley funded the entire budget for “Chasing Rodriguez” himself. For “My Advice,” he has set a crowd-

lion mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away. • Report dead birds to the state hotline: 1-877-9682473. All reports are crucial. Since 2005, 55 people in Contra Costa County have been diagnosed with West Nile virus. In 2006, two people died from the disease. For a current list of West Nile virus activity this year,visit this page on the District's website. For human case information, please contact Contra Costa Health Services at 888-959-9911.

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Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord. Call the District to report mosquito problems at (925) 771-6195 or visit the office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to get FREE mosquitofish for ornamental ponds, horse troughs or neglected swimming pools. of the cast and crew from a pool of local talent. With help from local businesses as well as extra publicity this time around, he believes his new film will go just as smoothly as the first one. Married with three children, Mosley started out small and has opted to continue to pave his own path while staying local. Not only does he create jobs for local actors and crew, but he also generates positive buzz that may attract future film productions to our backyard.

funding goal of $80,000. “My Advice” is a romance centering on two people trying to win a talent contest. One wants to win to support his ailing grandmother and the other wants to become a singer. With the help of their loved ones, Courtney and Derrick attempt to make their love work despite competing against each other for the top prize. Mosley hired a team of writers to take on the differFor more information, visit My ent acts of the script on spec Advice Movie on Facebook. and plans on hiring the bulk

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Pickleball is headed to Concord in a big way

July 22, 2016

JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer

Pickleball is called the “fastest growing sport in America” and Concord is ready to take full advantage of this trend. Starting Aug. 1 the city of Concord will be converting four underutilized tennis courts at Willow Pass Park into 14 pickleball courts and plan on unveiling “the largest pickleball venue in Northern California” at a ribbon-cutting on Saturday morning, Sept. 17. Concord planned to resurface 11 of its tennis courts (three at Concord Community Park and all eight at Willow Pass Park) using the Building Replacement Operational Fund this summer. After a grassroots effort demonstrated the rising popularity of pickleball, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department presented an alternative surfacing plan to the city council. Pickleball is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels with a large component of middle age and senior citizens taking up the sport as well as the younger generation. Its simple rules make the game easy for beginners to learn, but can also be a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. It is played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a

Jay Bedecarré

INSTRUCTOR KAREN SIEMSEN (right) will soon be holding her pickleball classes on 14 new courts that will be developed starting Aug. 1 when the city of Concord converts four tennis courts at Willow Pass Park to pickleball surfaces. On a recent Wednesday July evening Mike Aiello and Carmen Alcaterez were part of Siemsen’s class.

slightly modified tennis net with a paddle and plastic ball (think wiffle ball). The estimated cost for resurfacing 11 tennis courts was approximately $391,000. In order to convert the four WPP courts to 14 pickleball courts and procure the nets and equipment needed it would add $39,000 to the new total project cost of $430,000. This spring the council approved a contract with Vintage Contractors (the only bidder) to take on the revised project. The resurfacing of the Willow Pass and Concord

Community tennis courts is currently nearing completion. This will mean that the city has four lighted tennis courts at Willow Pass (adjacent to Salvio St.) and two more at Pine Hollow “Pocket” Park. The resurfacing at Concord Community nearly doubles the useable tennis courts there to seven unlighted courts. The city’s exposure to pickleball began with an email in November 2013 titled “suggestion for a class” that gave a little background about the game

See Pickleball, page 9

Meadow Homes grant supports after-school arts The California Arts Council has awarded a grant to Meadow Homes Elementary School as part of its Artists in Schools program. The program supports projects that integrate community arts resources—artists and professional art organizations —into comprehensive, standards-based arts learning projects. The $6,715 grant was awarded jointly to Walnut Creek Civic Arts Education, along with Meadow Homes and Tice Creek School in Walnut Creek to offer high-quality, after-school arts learning communities for at least 50 students in grades 1-6. Students will receive standards-based arts instruction in two disciplines, one visual and one performance-based, draw connec-

tions between them and hold a community performance/ exhibition. “Teaching artists from Civic Arts can’t wait to share visual and performing arts like anime and African drumming to help Meadow Homes students explore their creativity,” said Linda Johnson, Civic Arts Education program manager. Nellie Meyer, superintendent for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, praised the Artists in Schools grant as a valuable tool to contribute to student achievement and success in school and beyond. “A strong arts education promotes the skills our students need to be successful and is essential to promoting self-directed learning, and critical and creative thinking skills,” Meyer said. “We believe

firmly that what students learn in arts education helps them to master other subjects, including mathematics, language arts and science.” Meadow Homes serves about 900 students, representing 19 ethnic groups. “When you tie arts education into all areas of the curriculum, you create a rich environment for student learning that truly celebrates and honors students’ cultural backgrounds and traditions,” noted Meadow Homes principal Sandra Wilbanks. “Having diverse arts experiences is empowering for students. By exercising creative expression in all subject areas, students can be proud of who they are and how they are developing as young learners and future leaders.”

F r om the desk o f . . . July 22, 2016

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Affordable housing solutions can start with a simple conversation

CARLYN OBRINGeR

PLANNING COMMISSION

People’s distrust of government, coupled with an affordable housing problem that doesn’t have easy answers, makes it difficult to see how we can affect change with just a simple conversation. I was happy to help start a process recently that is trying to tackle a complex problem in our community. I am sharing it to help inspire more of these conversations. My friend “Meredith” owns a four-bedroom home but lives alone. She plans to retire in the near future and wants to generate supplemental income to help cover property taxes. Meredith also plans to travel frequently and would like the peace of mind that having a renter can provide. At the same time, she wants to maintain her personal privacy but doesn’t have the budget to build a detached unit. Another friend, “Leo,” is a teacher’s aide who rents a room in a house and lives with four strangers. He has been unable to find an affordable studio apartment around town

and is looking for other options. Both Meredith and Leo were on my mind recently as I was speaking on a panel about Concord’s Planning Commission. I discussed Concord’s Secondary Living Unit Pilot Program, and afterward I was approached by fellow panelist Marianna Moore, director of the Ensuring Opportunity Campaign to End Poverty in Contra Costa. She described how cities throughout the Bay Area have begun to view Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) as an innovative solution for affordable housing since they involve repurposing a bedroom(s) with an attached bathroom into a second unit that can be rented out while the original homeowner continues to reside in the home. Intrigued by this concept and its potential to help meet some of the affordable housing needs in our community, I convened a meeting in June with Moore, Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition members and city staff to discuss the idea further. Creating a JADU requires a homeowner to do the following to an auxiliary bedroom with attached bathroom: add an exterior door so the renter can enter and exit the residence

independently; add a lock to the interior door which seals the JADU off from the rest of the house; add a counter, cupboards and a sink for a mini kitchen to the bedroom; and potentially add soundproofing to the new unit. While still under discussion, the unit size for Concord would range between 275 and 640 sq. ft., enough living space for one to two people. Because a homeowner like Meredith is not adding a new water meter, fire sprinklers or electrical service, related permits are not required. This means that creating a JADU is less expensive than building a detached unit. And this will make it more affordable for someone like Leo. Since the unit is carved out of an existing home, all of the water, energy, waste, road use and parking allocations have already been accounted for in the original building permit. This translates into a minimal environmental impact. Also, because JADUs do not involve new development, are limited in square footage and may not be sold independently of the existing home, they help maintain the character of established neighborhoods while adding affordable units to the community.

A Concord-specific JADU ordinance is being drafted and could be released for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council this fall. While this proposal is not a silver bullet solution to Concord’s affordability challenges, it could add much-needed housing stock while enabling those on fixed incomes like Meredith to remain in their homes. Every day I work together with people and businesses from our community to find solutions to difficult problems, and sometimes the process can be challenging. This is especially true when it comes to complex problems like affordable housing. But it helps to remember that sometimes a solution can start with a simple conversation, connecting the right people and taking small and manageable steps that will make life much easier for some in our community, like Meredith and Leo. Carlyn Obringer is a member of the City of Concord Planning Commission. Professionally, she focuses on California education issues as an Education Policy Analyst. Carlyn resides in Concord with her husband, Justin, and dog Crystal. Contact her by email at carlyno@yahoo.com.

Aging population needs continued services

Our aging population is growing at a steady pace in Contra Costa County. It is estimated that by 2025, the population of those over 65 will increase by more than 30 percent. This population deserves thoughtful planning and services that can assist them in aging with dignity. In 1975, the county created its Area Agency on Aging (AAA), whose aim is to develop a system of care and support for adults aged 60 and older, including adults with disabilities. The AAA is a partnership between the county and community organizations dedicated to identifying services and meeting unmet needs within the aging adult population. Part of this important work concentrates on decreasing cases of elder and dependent adult abuse. Contra Costa is home to more than 228,000 residents over the age of 60, and many are isolated, low income or have disabilities. Elder abuse reporting rose by 34 percent

KAReN MITCHOff

COUNTY

SUPERVISOR

from 2014 to 2015, and as many as 50,000 cases of elder and dependent adult abuse go unreported every month in California. In an effort to combat this growing issue, Contra Costa’s Adult Protective Services Program recently applied for and was selected to receive funding through the Elder Abuse Program of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). This grant will provide for a multi-disciplinary team tasked with refin-

Mayor, from page 1

resulted in two added positions in Community and Economic Development, with the majority of costs paid by developer application fees. We also added a police sergeant and funded redeployment of the police Special Enforcement Team (SET) to target reducing various crimes. The capital budget covers maintenance, replacement and new physical items. Requests come from the public to staff or City Council, initiated by city departments, or mandates from the state or federal government. These are evaluated using criteria such as implementing one of more of the priority focus areas, addressing critical health and safety needs, continuing a phased project from a prior year, necessary for regulatory compliance issues,

restricted grant funds with use and timing limitations, meeting city General Plan goals, addressing a large community segment, generating new revenue or decreasing ongoing costs and whether it is costeffective. Thereafter, more analysis clarifies project scopes, refines cost estimates and identifies funding sources. Various projects are compared against the available funds. The information is then presented to the City Council public budget workshop for review and modification if needed, then to public meetings by the Planning Commission and the Measure Q Oversight Committee. Finally in June, there are two City Council public meetings held, with the final adop-

ing documentation and training for improved outcomes for victims of abuse and neglect. The grant will also create a Forensic Death Review to examine the circumstances of elder death in our county and identify gaps in service. Our dedicated county staff has amazing partners in the community striving to address these and other concerns affecting seniors. Organizations such as Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa County are actively working to decrease cases of elder and dependent adult abuse everyday. Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa County is the primary and first advocate for the 9,000 residents of longterm care. They are committed to visiting facilities monthly or even weekly to ensure that we are accessible to residents, families and facilities. They also help families navigate the maze of long-term care and make the best choices for their family members. There are also numerous

tion by the City Council in late June. This two-year capital budget funds continuing projects and 32 new projects. However, 64 projects are unfunded. Even though the economy is recovering, funds are still less

organizations in our county committed to helping seniors stay in their homes, such as Meals on Wheels and Rehabilitation Services of Northern California. I am grateful to have a robust system in place but am also looking forward to continued improvements. With that in mind, I supported allocating significant funding to seniors and people with disabilities in the Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s Transportation Expenditure Plan. This plan creates a framework for the next 30 years of transportation development in the county. It is critical that this planning include access to increased mobility for the vulnerable members of our community. I welcome you to join me in the effort to increase the services and support for our growing senior community.

Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to karen.mitchoff@bos.cccounty.us

than our desires. One upcoming project I’d like to highlight is interior improvements to the Concord Branch Library. See page 8 for the full story. Contact the Mayor at lmhoff@comcast.net.

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July 22, 2016

Grant helps create a 21st Century library on Salvio Street PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer

Kimberli Buckley never wanted to be an interior designer. But somehow that’s what the senior community library manager at the Concord Library on Salvio Street found herself doing after she came on board a little over a year ago. “I was told we were given a Refresh Grant, and to go at it,” she says. That county Refresh Grant was $25,000 aimed at transforming libraries into vibrant and inspiring community spaces, which meant re-envisioning the dark, outdated bookshelves and furniture with items that better reflect the

momentum of 21st century learning spaces. It’s a concept that has been going on for several years at university libraries across the nation, including at Saint Mary’s and UC Berkeley. It creates more inviting spaces for group discussions and modern learning, ideal for group projects that young people will see in the workforce. It’s even trickling down into high schools, says Rula Kassicieh, librarian at Northgate High School. This project is a first for Concord’s public library, and isn’t just centered on young people – although there will be major changes to the teen and children’s areas. “It’s about making the library a more comfortable,

Concord passes mid-cycle budget PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer

The City of Concord’s fiscal budget for the next year looks like a civic dream in this day and age, as it is balanced and continues all programs and services at their current or enhanced levels, and provides additional investments in roads buildings and parks. The $95,197,500 budget reflects a 2.7 million increase in revenue and an increase in in total expenditures of approximately $1.1 million. Measure Q funds provide strong assistance to the city, adding $7.5 million in revenue. Sales taxes are the biggest piece of the budget pie, contributing $32.4 million to the budget, while property taxes add $22.93 million. Franchise fees add $6.02 million, while charges for services add $7.78 million. The rest of the revenues are made up of business license fees, transient occupancy taxes and miscellaneous other revenues. On the expense side, $52.4 million will be directed to the police force, mainly because of it has the largest staff of any city department. Economic and community development will receive $7.8 million, public works will receive $7.4 million, and parks and recreation will receive $5.3 million. Other expenses include expenses related to the city attorney’s office, human resources, the city manager’s department, the finance department and various non-departmental services. The main discussion points of the budget at the June 28 meeting, which were carried over from the June 14 public hearing, dealt with public safety issues. Council member Edi Birsan has proposed socking money away for the use of police body cameras. This was before the police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota, and before the sniper attack in Dallas that left five officers dead. Concord has not experienced such tragedies, but Birsan did say that the city has paid out more than $600,000 in legal fees due to suspects suing the police department. “Cameras provide a source of support for the police,” he said. Still, his request fell on deaf ears to the rest of the council, all of who said they would prefer the request to come from the police itself. “Mayor Laura Hoffmeister said that Police Chief Guy Swanger was meeting with chiefs from other Contra Costa cities and would decide at a later date the course he would like to take in Concord. He told Concord staff preparing the budget report that he did not think it was necessary to incur the cost install body cameras at this point as state laws and local regulations are still in

transition, and he advises waiting on this particular issue. Another public safety issue that Birsan brought up was the reinstallation of a police substation in the Monument area, with the idea of opening another one in north Concord at a later date. This too met opposition from his fellow council members. “Again, I’d like to hear from the police directly if this is a need,” said vice mayor Ron Leone. Birsan pointed out that this was an opportunity to build community and show residents that police are allies. “A child can go into a substation and get a lollypop or a sticker from a police officer and grow up knowing police are there to support her,” he said. “Even if it isn’t an immediate need, it has a positive generational impact.” But his suggestion was met with opposition from Leone and the other three council member, as council member Tim Grayson pointed out that the police station was located close to the heart of the Monument Corridor, and a substation was not needed at this time. Hoffmeister pointed out that the idea for substations was popular in the later 1990s and early 2000s largely due to Megan’s Law, as they provided residents the opportunity to check the police database. But as more people owned computers and had access to the Internet, that wasn’t a factor anymore. “There used to be people lining up at the police station to see if there was a sex offender in their community,” she said. “Now they can access that from anywhere.” But the prevailing factor in the opposition to the substation was not its idea, but where it came from: Grayson, Leone, Hoffmeister and council member Dan Helix wanted any public safety requests to come from Swanger, and the chief is not recommending any additional changes at this time. Birsan struck out a third time with his colleagues on the issue of raising the minimum wage for seasonal employees, who make less than $11 an hour. But Parks and Recreation department said that it was not an issue attracting and retaining qualified season candidates, such as lifeguards, so his suggestion was not taken up. But the council did acknowledge that the minimum wage would be raised to $15 an hour by 2022. “Raising the minimum wage at this point will have an impact on an already strained budget,” Grayson said. To see the full budget, go www.ci.concord.ca.us and click on Government and Financial Information

relaxed space, with mobile bookshelves that are more browse-able,” Buckley says. “The space will just be more engaging.” The library will close from Aug. 22 to the day after Labor Day, Sept. 6, so they can put down new carpet – courtesy of the city – and repaint walls, as well as setting up the new furniture that Buckley so painstakingly selected. “We will have much more comfortable furniture, with tablet attachments so that people can use their laptops or read easier,” she said. Most of the new furniture Buckley picked came from specialty catalogs geared toward learning environments. As she has always focused on teen readers, she was especially excited to update the library’s teen area. “It had a funky old desk full of computers,” she said. “We’re clearing everything out, and we will now have a laptop lending machine anyone can use.” She solicited the help of the library’s Teen Advisory Board to help pick out furni-

Tamara Steiner/Concord Pioneer

LIBRARY STAFFERS, LOUISA CARNATHAN AND CHRISTINA BENSON, check out the new plantings in the fledgling learning garden at the library. The garden is in the “trial and error” stage but with the help of a master gardener will soon be producing veggies and flowers for workshops.

available to check out, it will offer 3-D printing – not available in many civic libraries. Not all of the changes are reserved for indoors, either. Buckley instituted a learning garden earlier this year. “At first we didn’t really know what we were doing,” she says with a laugh. “But then we got the help of a master gardener and we saw our flowers and vegetables take off.” Not only will the learning garden be available for school projects, but Buckley hopes to institute monthly master gardener workshops for the public – another first for the library. In addition, a back room that housed periodicals and was, in Buckley’s opinion, underserved, will be cleared out and made into a community meeting room. This will allow groups and organizations to meet there, something Buckley says is needed. “All in all, we want the library to be an inviting and vibrant community center,” she says.

ture. “It will be done in shades of red, black and yellow and feature a combination of furniture: high tables, bean bags and comfy chairs. It will be a fun and creative space for teens to hang out with friends or spend time reading.” In the children’s area, Buckley is painting the walls bright colors and adding modular

tables that can be arranged in different sizes and shapes for various groups of children. There will be play tables for exploration, emphasizing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Technology), a major buzzword in education circles these days. The library also will undergo a bit of a technical makeover. Besides the laptops

and three alternates — who will be allowed to vote only if a committee member permanently leaves the committee. The committee, which will be a two-year commitment, will meet monthly on the third Tuesday of the month at a location that is still being determined. The council chambers — which is usually dark that week as the council does not meet — is perhaps the favorite location of council members, because of the ease of which the committee meetings could be televised and the fact that the original location proposed by staff — a classroom in the Senior Center — was deemed too small for such important and potentially crowded meetings. “If you don’t think you’ll get a big crowd, think again,” said council member Dan Helix. Community Reuse Planning Director Guy Bjerke said that his staff will begin taking applications July 26, with interviews with council members scheduled for September. He hopes to bring his committee’s recommendation of the full committee membership to the council by early October.

When council member Ron Leone asked how the council would be advised of the committee’s activities, Bjerke said he would give updates at his regular appearances in front of the council, which he has said he hopes to do monthly. During the public comment period for the issue, Sun terrace resident Hope Johnson, a vocal opponent of Lennar during the selection process, said she hopes to see that some of the committee positions be reserved for residents from neighborhoods directly affected by Phase 1 of the project, including Sun terrace, Holbrook Heights, Dana Estates and Bishop Estates. Mayor Laura Hoffmeister agreed with her when voting on the committee’s establishment, a sentiment seeming shared by all the other council members, who voted yes. Matt Leiber, who represents several community housing coalitions, said he would like the makeup of the committee to reflect underserved population, specifically residents of the Monument Corridor and the Latino community.

Outreach to the public was another big issue, and community activist George Fulmore suggested a newsletter about the base development be established. Others spoke about the need to improve the web presence of the reuse plan. Bjerke agreed. “Our website is dreadful. We are working on bringing it up to date,” he said. Since it is a Brown Act-covered committee, any CAC members living within 500 feet of a part of the project must recuse themselves from commenting on or voting on the issue at hand. Helix was concerned that this would eliminate many residents directly impacted by the base development from having input. But the council was reminded that there are many acres of grassland separating the Phase 1 development from housing tracts, so not that many people would be affected.

and the couple was able to slip into the Concord rental market before it became so hot that renters and homebuyers are in a frenzy to scoop up available housing. The city is now considering rent control ordinances. The Concord City Council will hold a public forum on rent control and some of the issues facing renters at its July 26 meeting. It is the next step following a June 27 meeting of the city’s Housing and Economic Development Committee, which met for an education session on rent stabilization in Concord. By the standing-room only crowd, it was clear that rent stabilization is an issue of major concern to residents. John Montagh, the city’s economic development and housing manager, told the committee that about 10,000 apartments in the city were built before 1995 and would be eligible to be controlled by a rental ordinance. He said that a household income of about $73,000 is

needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment today in Concord, but that the median household income in the city is only about $67,000. The city has 15 apartment complexes with restricted rents, and the city works with these complexes to help them maintain affordable rentals. Montagh then moderated a panel of housing representatives, including rent control expert Kenneth Baar, who has consulted with more than 40 California cities and other jurisdictions on issues related to rent stabilization; Joshua Howard, senior vice president for local government affairs for the California Apartment Association; and Aimee Inglis, acting director for Tenants Together, a tenants advocacy group that has been working with renters in Concord, mostly in the Monument area. Baar gave a history of rent control and stabilization ordinances and recommended setting annual limits at the full Consumer Price Index. He urged making the ordinance

simple and called for more density in newly constructed multiple-family housing. Howard blamed the local rent hike problem on the fact that not enough housing has been built of late. He said his organization has educational materials and training for landlords but noted that such materials were optional to property owners. Inglis also went over the history of rent ordinances, then talked about some of the myths about such ordinances. She cited studies that showed, for example, that cities with rent ordinances did not have reductions in new construction. The HEDC meeting came on the heels of a Raise the Roof workshop two days earlier at St. Bonaventure Church. That workshop was organized by local clergy and activists who have been fighting against unfair rent increases in Concord, such as the exorbitant ones seen earlier this year in some apartments on Virginia Lane.

Citizens group to advise on CNWS PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer

The idea of a citizens’ advisory committee for the development of the Concord Naval Weapons Station is not new to the city of Concord. After all, it used one in the early and mid2000s to help craft the current vision of the vast piece of Navy-owned land. Indeed, with hundreds of public speakers already on record just in the past year with the selection of the master developer, it is clear that the community wants to have their voices heard now that project is within a few years of breaking ground. The city is again going to its residents for help with the development of the Specific Plan of the first phase of development, guiding the reuse staff and master developer Lennar Concord LLC. The city council on July 12 unanimously adopted the establishment of a Community Advisory Committee to encourage and provide public input into the Specific Plan. The CAC will comprise of 11 members

Applications for the CAC will be available on the city’s website, www.cityofconcord.org, or from the city clerk, (925) 671-3390, beginning July 27. Deadline to apply is Aug. 26 at 5 p.m.

Public forum on rent stabilization on Council agenda for July 26 meeting PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer

When Tommy Wolf and Vanessa Rodriguez decided to open a chiropractic business, they wanted somewhere in central Contra Costa County. So they decided Concord was an ideal location – and it made sense to live in the city as well. The young, engaged couple was able to rent a condominium in Concord without much trouble. And like many millennials and young families, they are enjoying what the city offers. “Concord is growing with new restaurants and activities, so more families are interested in the area,” Rodriguez said. In the past three years, they have seen their rent increase $350, from $1,400 a month to $1,750 for a two-bedroom, onebath condo. “I guess it’s fair, because it’s similar to the surrounding options,” Wolf said. Because of timing, Rodriguez and Wolf are lucky. About 45 percent of Concord residents live in rental housing,

July 22, 2016

B U SINESS

MARILYN fOWLeR

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Face-to-face networking is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to grow your business. When business people get together to talk about their products or services, it creates opportunities. It is about building connections with other people and maintaining relationships that can be mutually beneficial. Building business relationships does not start and end with a single meeting or event. It takes time to cultivate relationships. Attend several networking events and re-connect with people that you met at prior functions. Don’t forget to follow up. Keep your lines of communication active. Seek to network with people outside of your own industry groups. Those in the same industry are not the people who will be buying your products or services. Look for groups that bring in a variety of business indus-

Sponsored by Colleen Geraghty

Summer is here, and Bike Tent is in full swing every Thursday at the Todos Santos Farmers Market. Bike Tent is a free bicycle repair service operated by Bike Concord. It started in 2014 as the project of just two people, Adam Foster and Smitty Ardrey, but it has grown into a social hub for Concord’s bicycling community. Bike Tent opens each week when Smitty or his appointed deputy rides into Todos Santos Plaza, hauling Bike Concord’s trailer, “Mr. Bill.” The trailer was a donation to Bike Concord from Surly Bikes, a maker of cargo bikes and bicycle accessories. Bike Concord’s members

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Grow your business through networking

tries so that you are expand- working opportunities. For more information on neting your connections. Take advantage of oppor- working or any of our chamber proMake time to participate tunities that will help expand grams, call 925-685-1181 or email with a networking event or and grow your business. mfowler@concordchamber.com. group that will most benefit your business. The more that people talk with you at these events, the more they will build trust and friendships with you that will often lead to business opportunities. The Concord Chamber of Commerce offers many networking opportunities. We facilitate the Concord Business Referral Group that meets twice a month with 20 memCash & Carry Smart house carrying wholesale bers all from different indusFoodservice has taken 22,500 restaurant supplies and tries. This group exchanges sq. ft. of the old OSH store meats, dairy, produce, frozen leads and referrals on a regular on Monument Blvd. and has foods and groceries. While basis, and through their consubmitted an application for the majority of the companections, members often reach a building permit for the pro- ny’s customers are in the out to people outside of their posed improvements. food service industry, the group. The remaining approxi- store also serves the individThe Concord Chamber mate 8,300 sq ft, on the side ual consumer. also hosts monthly First Friof the building with the forCash & Carry Smart Foodday Coffee morning mixers at mer Garden Center will be service is a separate company Sam’s Club and evening Busimarketed as a separate lease, from the smaller Cash and ness After Hours mixers at according to Concord’s Eco- Carry Warehouse on Vincent various businesses throughnomic Development Manag- Dr. in Pleasant Hill. The Wareout the year. If you are a er Brian Nunnally. The house carries restaurant supply young professional, we have a architects have indicated a items, but no food. Warehouse group that meets each month desire to attract a restaurant manager Jim Connell expects to cultivate new business that could use the outdoor that there may be some confurelationships. We also host a area as a dining patio. sion initially with customers monthly Women’s NetworkCash & Carry Smart who think the smaller, locally ing Group that meets for Foodservice is an Oregon- owned company is moving, lunch at the chamber in a based wholesale food distrib- but says it should not have a casual environment with a utor and food service ware- lasting impact. variety of speakers and net-

Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice coming to Monument Blvd.

Downtown Bike Tent is bike central for local riders

KeNJI YAMADA

BIKE CONCORD

ride for many different purposes. On any given Thursday at Bike Tent, you may see a bicycle loaded with groceries, a long-tailed Yuba that can carry up to three children behind the adult rider, a lightweight road bike, an e-bike with battery assist for seniors and tired riders or a Dutch-style cruiser with a cushioned saddle and a full chain guard to keep the rider’s work attire clean.

Pickleball, from page 6

and encouraged the city to do its own research by providing sources for info on the sport. City staff call Addie Mattox “our pickleball ambassador.” Within a year the Parks and Recreation Department had acquired a contract pickleball instructor. As registration for those classes as well as attendance at drop-in sessions on two tennis courts at WPP increased the city also did outreach through social media to gauge interest in Concord pickleball. Staff also surveyed other municipal recreation departments in California and found out that pickleball players were filling up all available court time. Deb Harrison, called “Most Decorated Gold Medalist of the Decade,” put on a pickleball clinic earlier

Page 9

A lot of Concord residents have a bicycle that they’ve been thinking of riding to the grocery store or maybe just for leisure, but its tires are flat or the brakes aren’t working well. If so, we’d be glad to see you at Bike Tent. Thanks to a grant from John Muir Health and donated staff time from REI, a professional mechanic is on duty each week, supported by Bike Concord’s experienced volunteers. They will do all they can to make your bicycle safe and fit to ride. If you need parts, they will show you where to buy them. In most cases, you can bring them back to Bike Tent and have them installed for free. If you want to learn how to do a little bicycle maintenance, Ken from REI or Bike Concord’s Bronwen Mauch will be happy to explain as they work. If you’d like to get more

involved in Bike Concord, we’d be glad to have you join our community. We are all local resident volunteers, and every contribution helps toward our mission of safe, convenient bicycling. We are working for a future Concord in which traffic injuries and deaths are rare or nonexistent, streets are welcoming and friendly, and your trips to work, school or the grocery store help keep you strong and healthy.

Visit us online at our active Facebook group and subscribe to the Bike Concord blog at BikeConcord.org for event and advocacy updates.

Kenji Yamada is a Concord resident and works with Bike Concord. He does not own a car and gets around Contra Costa County exclusively by bicycle. Contact him at hajenso@gmail.com

cost-effective way to take USA Pickleball Association underutilized space and sanctioned tournaments, transform it into a sport bringing people to Concord venue that provides health from all across the region.” this year at Willow Pass. and wellness benefits to the Siemsen hopes the new community.” courts will host a national NOT A POWER GAME He added, “Concord qualifying tournament this Karen Siemsen conducts could be the premier facility November for the 2017 50+ introductory and intermedifor pickleball leagues and Nationals in Birmingham, ate pickleball classes for the local, regional and national AL. city. Last Wednesday evening she was telling new players at the drop-in session that pickleball “is not a power game. It’s a patience game.” Siemsen is excited about the perFinancial manent courts coming in after using four “overlaying” Professional court lines at WPP as well as Associate setting up and taking down temporary nets for the past Cell Phone For products and services that can help form the year and a half. 925-305-0321 foundation of your financial life, turn to Prudential. Steve Voorhies, the city’s new Parks and Recreation Proud Concord • LIFE • INVESTMENTS** • ANNUITIES director, noted a reduction in resident • LONG TERM CARE* • RETIREMENT since 1968 use of the Willow Pass Park courts by tennis players as Insurance issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ and its afPrudential, the Prudential logo, the Rock symbol and Bring Your Challenges are another reason for making filiates. service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc., and its related entities, registered in many juristhe conversion. He said that dictions worldwide. **Securities products and services are offered through Pruco Securithis pickleball project “is a ties, LLC. *Availability varies by carrier and state.

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P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports Editor PAMELA W IESENDANGER , Administration, Calendar Editor S TAFF W RITERS : Peggy Spear, Pamela Wiesendanger, Jay Bedecarré

C ORRESPONDENTS : Cynthia Gregory, Kara Navolio, John T. Miller

PIONEER INFO CONTACT US

Tel: (925) 672-0500 Fax: (925) 672-6580

Tamara Steiner editor@concordpioneer.com Send Ads to ads@concordpioneer.com Send Sports News to sports@concordpioneer.com Send School, Club and Calendar Items to

newsandcalendar@concordpioneer.com

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

LET US KNOW Weddings, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a resident in our home delivery area. Submit on our website and be sure to attach a JPG photo that is at least 3 MB. Also on the website are forms for calendar items, events & press releases.

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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Page 10

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

July 22, 2016

Landmark 50th City Meet will fill Concord pool Aug. 5-7 JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer

Concord Community Pool opened in 1967 and since then the city-owned aquatic center has hosted international, national, regional and high school meets featuring the greatest swimmers in the world with dozens of world and national records set in the pool on Cowell Rd. No event there, however, has the longevity and panache of the Concord City Meet Swimming Championships (aka The City Meet) which comes around every August. Springwood Swim Team puts on the meet and on the Aug. 5-7 weekend will host the 50th annual edition of the meet that features local area recreation swim teams with over 1000 swimmers in A and B divisions. The firs city meet was held at Concord Community Pool sponsored by the Concord Jaycees in 1967. In the 1970’s Springwood took over operating the meet and moved to its pool on Concord Blvd. In 1996 the meet was integrated into the Concord Cup youth sports series and moved back to Concord Community Pool where it has remained with Springwood continuing as the host team. The city of Concord refurbished the pool so that in 2004 the competition moved to the “deep end” of the L-shaped pool which was able to accommodate 10 lanes rather than six

Jay Bedecarré

ONE OF THE UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THE CONCORD CITY MEET IS THE ANNUAL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD and the friendly competition between the local recreation swim teams as they engage their swimmers, coaches and supporters in a fun theme for the weekend. The Bishop estates Swim Team paraded around the pool deck at last year’s City Meet in colorful costumes. The sportsmanship plaque goes to the team that “best exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship as voted on by the participating teams.”

in each heat. Dana Farms (1977), Dana Hills (1985) and Oakhurst Country Club (2000) swim teams from Clayton were added to the core of Concord-based swim teams over the years. This decade, teams

from Pleasant Hill, Martinez and Crockett have also taken part. The host team won the 2002 City Meet A division championship, the only time since 1992 that Dana Hills has failed to finish atop the stand-

ings. Prior to Dana Hills success in the A Division, Walnut Country, Springwood and Forest Park all claimed team titles with Walnut Country winning four of five meets from 198791. The meet added B Division

in 1987 allowing for fairer competition based on times the swimmers logged during the season. Awards are presented to the top 10 finishers in both A and B Divisions plus high point boys and girls in A and B for each age group and

the outstanding relay team of each gender. Swimmers can enter three events plus two relays. Looking at the history of the City Meet after its first 49 years and you see how times have improved as time progresses. Of the 82 meet records, 11 still stand from the 1970s and six each from the 80s and 90s. Interestingly, all of those marks are in the youngest (six and under and 7-8) age groups except for two 9-10 boys records from the 1990s. The oldest record on the books is from Craig Marble in 1972 in the six and under 25yard butterfly (18.8 seconds). Nicole Chatham of Ygnacio Wood set three six and under records in the 1979 meet and they all still stand today. Last year’s meet saw 12 records set and one tied. This year’s golden anniversary meet features 12 teams including seven from Concord — Forest Park, Springwood, Ygnacio Wood, Bishop Estates, Walnut Country, Gehringer Park and Vista Diablo — plus Pleasant Hill Dolfins, Crockett Swim Team, Forest Hills from Martinez and Oakhurst and Dana Hills from Clayton. The City Meet begins Friday, Aug. 5, with the individual medley races and then continues Saturday (butterfly, freestyle, medley relay) and Sunday (breaststroke, backstroke, free relay). Admission is free.

Clayton Valley Little League crowns 5 champions

Photos courtesy Clayton Valley Little League

MINOR A DODGERS won the regular season and post-season baseball tournament for the CVLL championship and then reached the AAA semi-finals of the District 4 Tournament of Champions. The team is, front row from left, Jack Dress, Zachary Claunch, Nate Luehs; middle row, Diego Navas, Jackson Huffman, Ryder Bartholomew, ethan Alden, Aidan Hendricks, Benjamin Garner, Benjamin Hosler, Luke Dress; back row, coach Lou Luehs, manager Andy Hosler and coach Tony Dress. Not pictured, Josh Sandy.

MINOR B BROOKLYN DODGERS finished 10-3 riding the team’s defense and excellent hitting to the title. The success of the post-season playoffs was anchored by strong pitching by Dominc Tanyag, evan Lomax and Marc “MJ” Lopez, who pitched 4 1/3 innings of no-hit ball in the championship game. The team includes, front row from left, Lomax, Kaleb Caldwell, Kieran Schmitt, Aidan Cooper, Tanyag, Logan Remington; middle row, Trento Schweiger, Kaiden Ramirez, Blayne Ballard, Lopez, Adam Sokolowski, Morgan Masterson; back row, coach Ben Ballard, coach Jesse Schweiger, manager Marc Lopez and coach eric Schmitt.

EL DIABLOS WON THE CLAYTON VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE MAJOR DIVISION PLAYOFFS with a 9-4 win over the Cubs in the championship game after earlier taking down the regular-season champion Coyotes. Backed by strong defense Gabe Lauricella didn’t give up a run in the final four innings of the finals en route to a complete-game victory. Drew Warner, Zak Rath and Noah Robinow combined for seven RBIs. The team includes, front row from left, James Canclini, ethan Cline, Cody DeMartini, Lauricella, Jake Solis, Bobby Lattin, Corbin Clifton; back row, coach eric Warner, Robinow, Ben Juarez, Rath, coach Ken Solis, Jesse Burns, Warner, coach Mike Clifton and manager Mike Lauricella.

THE MINOR DIVISION SOFTBALL HURRICANES capped a 16-0 record by beating the Blaze and Vipers in the CVLL playoffs. The team was anchored by strong pitching and excellent hitting throughout the spring season all the way to the finals of the District 4 Tournament of Champions before losing the AAA title game to Martinez. The Hurricanes included, bottom row from left, coach Aaron Baker, Cassidy Baker, Sofia Carmichael; standing, manager Dave Scolini, Isabella Scolini, Anja Perreira, Madison Tuohey, Lizbeth Rios, Sofia Weber, Gianna Orozco, Antionette Wirth, Abigail McCormick, Camille Cherepy, coach Danielle Carmichael, Liana Pursche and Ruby Bartholomew.

CV DUCKS ARE CVLL MAJOR DIVISION SOFTBALL CHAMPS after winning the double-elimination season-ending tournament. The mound duties were handled by Karlie Seastrand, Sophia Miller and Taylor Nunez. The CV Ducks are, front row from left, Grace Baker, francesca Stolarz, Nicki Campton, Nunez, Alyssa ferrari, manager Manny Nunez; back row, coach Marty Miller, eliana Goldstein, Sarah Graff, Seastrand, emily Storn, Miller, Natalie Pursche, Cassidy Gunter, coach Ron Storn and coach Kerry Seastrand.

July 22, 2016

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com Forest Park team records including two six and under, all five 7-8 and four 9-10 marks. Coach Jeff Mellinger says, “She is a critical member of her relays and of the team as a whole. Her workout ethic is nearly unmatched. She has a very bubbly personality and craves pushing herself to her limits...and loves doing it. A real pleasure to coach.” Out of the pool “Jules” is a member of the State Cup champion Diablo FC 05 premier soccer team where her mom is assistant coach, an MVP on Warriors Lacrosse and basketball player for St. Bonaventure CYO. She will be in fifth grade this fall at Sequoia Elementary School.

Athlete Spotlight

Juliannah Colchico-Greeley

Age: 10 Teams: Forest Park Gators, Diablo FC 04, Warrior Lacrosse Sports: Swimming, Soccer, Lacrosse, Basketball

Juliannah Colchico-Greeley comes from an athletic family. Her grandfather Dan Colchico went from Mt. Diablo High School to an eventual pro football career with the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints. Her mom Kris Colchico is a member of the Clayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame and also played professional soc-

cer in Japan. The younger Colchico offspring has been a member of the Forest Park Swim Team since she was five and has qualified with County times every year since she was six, losing only one City Meet race since then. She broke the City 7-8 IM record by six seconds and was County Meet high point that year. She holds two City and a slew of

The Concord Pioneer congratulates Juliannah 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 .

Diablo FC teams win titles, Nationals rankings

Photos courtesy Diablo fC

DIABLO FC 05 PREMIER GIRLS are ranked in the top 20 in the United States among under 11 teams and No. 2 in Northern California. They won the San francisco evolution Cup and were runners-up in the California Cup in their most recent tournaments. Coach Miguel Gonzalez’ team includes, from left, Amanda Monohan, Courtney Wagner, Indigo Whitely, emily Beeson, Lil Bailey, Jackie Bellamy, erika Upson, Alyssa Pringle, Juliannah Colchico and Grace Dausses. Not pictured, Ananda Walker, Gonzalez and assistant coach Kris Colchico.

THE NEWLY-FORMED DIABLO FC 2000 NPL GIRLS TEAM has vaulted all the way to No. 4 in National U16 girls rankings. They dominated the super group bracket in the US Club Soccer Regionals last month, taking first with three wins and one draw. The 2000 girls allowed only one goal in four games as the defense and UC Berkeley commit goalkeeper Amanda Zodikoff controlled the action. Coach Zach Sullivan’s team lost the championship game in a penalty kick shootout to host Davis Legacy in this month’s Davis Legacy College Showcase. The team is headed to the prestigious Surf Cup in San Diego next weekend. The Diablo fC 2000 team includes, from left, Sophie Harrington, emily Kaleal, Marianna Giovannetti, Sophia Runte, Jenae Packard, Kylie Schneider, Samantha Götz, Stephenie Neys, Zodikoff, Cassie Bizicki, Holly Gallagher, Jessie Verderame, Sullivan, Kylie Zentner, Santana Merryfield and Katie Hollister. Not pictured are Katelyn Beasley, Colette Cardinale and Catie Logan.

Page 11

Concord infielder Miller plays for Boston Red Sox JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer

His first experience didn’t last long but you can never take away the fact that Clayton Valley Little league and De La Salle High School grad Mike Miller made it to the major leagues and played for the Boston Red Sox just before the Major League Baseball All-Star game break last month. The Concord native was called up June 27 and was in at second base that evening against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning for a game the BoSox lost 13-7. In the ninth inning Miller got his first MLB at bat and grounded out to shortstop. He took over at second base the previous inning for former American League MVP and rookie of the year Dustin Pedroia. His journey from Clayton Valley Little League to the majors includes time at De La Salle, Cuesta College and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and then minor league stops at Lowell (MA), Greenville (SC), Salem (VA), Portland (ME), Surprise (AZ) and Pawtucket (RI). The infielder was with his AAA Pawtucket Red Sox on a bus ride to Rochester, NY June 26 when his manager Kevin Boles told him to check his email. The email contained information he had dreamed about since he was a young kid growing up in Concord. Miller recalls the moment. “We were on the bus to Rochester and our manager emailed me. He didn’t want to make a big commotion on the bus, so he told me to check my email and said ‘Keep it quiet. Don’t show a lot of emotion right now, but congratulations.’ And he sent me the itinerary for my flight [to meet up with the Red Sox]. It was cool to see.” The Red Sox had purchased his contract and he needed to get to St. Petersburg, Florida to join up with the “big club” for a threegame series against the Rays that started Monday night. Wasting no time Miller caught a “4:30 [a.m. ET] shuttle to the airport. Didn’t get any sleep with the calls and excitement, first time coming up here, just a whirlwind, but it was fun.” The versatile infielder was drafted in the ninth round of the 2012 MLB Draft after his senior season at Cal Poly. He was the Mustangs leading hit-

MIKE MILLER

ter at .354, topping the team in hits and runs and had a 14game hitting streak for the 36-20 Mustangs. He was firstteam all-Big West shortstop. He had batted .306 as a junior before his breakout senior season. At De La Salle he was second-team all-Bay Valley Athletic League as a 2007 senior batting .299 for the league and North Coast Section champion Spartans and coach Eric Borba. Miller wasn’t a heralded prospect coming up through the Red Sox minor leagues since beginning his professional career in 2012 at Lowell in the Class A short season. He had never been on the 40-man roster until his promotion to the Major Leagues. Miller was with the Red Sox for the three-game series against the Rays before being optioned back to Pawtucket on July 1, before he had a chance to play in legendary Fenway Park. On July 4 he was outrighted to Pawtucket and taken off the 40-man roster. He’s batting .251 in 53 games for Pawtucket this year playing at second, third and shortstop. “Dream come true,” said Miller. “Wasn’t expecting it at all. So to get the opportunity to come up and play at the highest level, it really is a dream come true. And to play with the guys in the clubhouse — I started my Red Sox career with [AL All-Star] Mookie Betts in Lowell, so it’s cool to catch up to some of those guys and see them a few years later is great.” A right-handed hitter, the 26-year-old Miller hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games for the PawSox before getting called up, sporting a .326 average in that span. He is a .267 career Minor League hitter.

Concord American Little League Bulls are champs

Photo courtesy Concord American Little League

DURHAM BULLS CLAIM CONCORD AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE FARM DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP Carrying the name made famous in the move “Bull Durham” the team included, front row from left, assistant coach Antonio Borja, Ryder McCabe, Avery Down, Marco Borja, eric ford; back row, assistant coach John Borba, Nicholas Veran, Jake McCabe, Johnny Borba, Adesh Sivakumar, Cody Martin, Nicolas Voss, coach Ryan McCabe, Zeke Chapman and Kiani Kali.

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Page 12

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Local preps named to Bay Area 75 by SportStars magazine The 2015-16 school year is now in the rearview window and fall high school sports are only weeks away from beginning but awards continue to come for local athletes. SportStars magazine recently unveiled its Bay Area 75, denoting the athletes who defined the high school sports year with over a dozen athletes from area schools receiving mentions. De La Salle capped its incredible athletics year by sweeping the three major 2015-16 North Coast Section sports championships. The Spartans were NCS football, basketball and baseball champs, in addition to taking Section titles in golf, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. Those accomplishments were reflected in 10 Spartans in

the SportStars 75: Boss Tagaloa (No. 6), Antoine Custer (8), Devin Asiasi (10), Jordan Ratinho (13), Keanu Andrade (33), Nick Sparks (42), Donovin Guerrero (49), Damon Wiley (52), Conner Roberts (56) and Jonathan Harvey (64). Clayton Valley Charter’s run to the CIF football championship game was sparked by senior Jake Peralta and the senior safety was No. 60 on the SportStars list. Carondelet’s outstanding swimmer Maddie Murphy (40) and soccer goalkeeper Kaylie Collins (69) were also tabbed on the list. Junior Isaiah Hodgins (58) led Berean Christian to the NCS Division V championship football game to land a spot on the list.

Kohler misses out on Rio Games JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer

The area’s other international-calibre athlete looking for a repeat trip to the Olympics, Clayton Valley High School grad Kara

Kohler was among the last cuts for the U.S. Rowing women’s eight and quad boats missing out on a trip to Rio. She was not among the final selections for the quad late last month at the American training camp at Prince-

Northgate, Carondelet coaches earn 2016 state, NorCal honors

Team: • Coached by former NCAA Div.1 player with very experienced coaching staff • Trains year-round in the Clayton/Concord area • Participates in Elite league & various Club tournaments

Interested players: Contact Coach Nomellini at 925.788.2923 or email lxn1@comcast.net

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ton. She won a bronze medal in that event four years ago in London. She returned home to Clayton and is undecided about her future in rowing. The 25-year-old Kohler says she is just reaching her prime in the sport and is “dramatically better than [she was] in 2012.” Rowers typically peak in their late 20s. She says a tough part about the Olympic team selection is that there is a subjective phase to the team picks and races between the

candidates were determined by tenths of a second on a stop watch where a human element is involved. Kohler was a four-time all-America at Cal and was named recently to the Pacific 12 Conference all-century team. She graduated from Cal in 2014 as she chose to finish up her college career and education during a time she could have been spending full time at the American team training camp and building up her strength.

Like to talk Bay Area sports? How about writing about them for the Pioneer?

MDSA ELITE SOCCER U14 (2003-2004) Boys Team looking for competitive, exp. (Select/ELITE/CLUB) players for the upcoming season.

July 22, 2016

Photo courtesy Northgate High School

NORTHGATE HIGH SCHOOL’S SWIM TEAM CO-COACHES Tommy Ortega (left) and Jeff Mellinger were feted last month at the annual California Coaches Association awards night as the California State boys swimming coaches of the year. The duo led the Bronco boys team to the inaugural CIf State championship in 2015 after winning both the DVAL and North Coast Section meets that spring. A year ago, Northgate’s Steve Chappell was named California athletic director of the year. Carondelet’s John Harvey was named Northern California girls track and field coach of the year at the event with the Northgate duo.

Sports Shorts

DiABLO FC FALL REC LEAGuE PROGRAM BEGiNS SEPT. 6

All skill levels are welcome to participate in the nine-week Diablo FC soccer fall recreation league in Concord. Players born between 2007 and 2012 will be grouped by age and skill levels to learn key fundamentals to being a successful soccer player with sessions and games on Tuesdays and Saturdays from Sept. 6 Nov. 5. Diablo FC professional staff will be the instructors. To register go to diablofc.org or email questions to director of coaching Zach Sullivan at docdiablofc@gmail.com.

REGiSTRATiON OPEN FOR ALL OuT SPORTS LEAGuES SOFTBALL, BASKETBALL PROGRAMS

The Pioneer newspapers are looking for someone interested in writing a monthly column about Bay Area professional and college sports. For the past three years our readers have enjoyed our SportsTalk column with sports takes of Tyler Lehman. He started writing for us in 2013 about the Raiders, 49ers, Giants, A’s, Warriors and more while he was a student at Diablo Valley College. He transferred to San Francisco State and continued his column. He recently graduated and is starting his professional journalism career. We’re looking for someone who would like to follow in Tyler’s footsteps, giving us their take on local teams and national matters impacting pro and college sports. We don’t offer any monetary remuneration for the column but our sports editor Jay Bedecarre will give editing and style guidance and the published columns will certainly add to a writer’s portfolio. Anyone interested in this assignment should send a letter of interest and writing samples to sports@claytonpioneer.com. If a prospective writer has any questions they can address them to the same email address.

announced by the league last month. The all-time leading scorer at Clayton Valley, Pascoe earned a 3.4 GPA. She was also a member of the Patriot League all-rookie team while starting 24 of the team’s 31 games.

MDSA TAKiNG WAiTLiST REGiSTRATiON THROuGH JuLy 31

Boys and girls 4-18 years of age wanting to play in Mt. Diablo Soccer Association fall league can register for the waitlist through the end of the month. Fall league practice begins Aug. 1 when all registration closes. Families are requested to sign up for volunteer duties to help the organization offer its AYSO program. For complete information visit mdsoccer.org.

CLAyTON VALLEy JR. EAGLES READiES FOR NEW FOOTBALL, CHEER SEASON

CVAA Jr. Eagles are taking last-minute registrations for its Programs offered by All Out Sports Leagues in Clayton are taking registration now online. Open programs include sum- fall football and cheer squads. Fall practice begins Monday, Aug. mer/fall adult softball league and fall/winter youth basketball 1. Visit their website cvaajreagles.com for more information and leagues. For complete information on All Out Sports programs, to register. visit alloutsportsleague.com.

CLAyTON VALLEy HiGH ATHLETiC HALL OF FAME SEEKiNG NOMiNATiONS FOR 2017 AWARDS

Clayton Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its fifth class on Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Shadelands Art Center in Walnut Creek. The Hall of Fame committee is seeking nominees for that 2017 induction class. Nominees must be a CVHS grad from 1959-2006 and was all-league in at least one sport. Nomination forms can be picked up at the high school office during business hours. Contact Herc Pardi herc_pardi@hotmail.com or Dee Billeter deebilleter@yahoo.com with any questions. The committee will accept completed forms until Oct. 15.

WALNuT COuNTRy’S CROSSiNGS CHALLENGE THiS SATuRDAy iS WARMuP FOR 50TH CiTy MEET

The 16th annual Crossings Challenge at Walnut Country in Concord this Saturday will help local swim teams gear up for the landmark 50th Concord City Swimming Championships Aug. 57. The Crossings Challenge is the premier B swim meet in the area and is designed to recognize the effort and achievements of swimmers who have not yet achieved A times. Six of the nine participating teams are from the Concord/Clayton area: Vista Diablo, Ygnacio Wood, Springwood, Dana Hills and host Walnut Country. Over 750 swimmers will be taking part.

CONCORD AySO TAKiNG FALL REGiSTRATiONS

Concord AYSO is accepting registration for fall soccer league for boys and girls up to 18 years of age. Players can also register DANA HiLLS SWiM TEAM’S MiLE SWiM-A-THON online at concordayso.org. For more information email FuNDRAiSER COMiNG JuLy 30 info@concordayso.org, call (925) 603-3861 or visit eayso.org for The Dana Hills Swim Team is holding its annual fundraiser region 305 to register. to fund equipment purchases for the Clayton swim team and pool. Chairperson Steve Longley is projecting that this year’s CONCORD RECREATiON HOSTiNG event on Saturday, July 30, will pay for new team pop-up tents VARiETy OF SuMMER SPORTS CAMPS and flags around the pool. A number of prizes will be awarded Concord Parks & Recreation Department is offering a wide to participants who swim from one lap to one mile (66 laps) that variety of youth sports camps, clinics and classes this summer day. Swimmers can encouraged to collect pledges for each lap including Gymnastics + More, Kidz Love Soccer, Make Me A they swim. For complete details visit danahillsotters.com. Pro camps in cheerleading, flag football and basketball, Pee Wee Cheer, Skateboard Camp, many Skyhawk camps, Water Polo FOOTBALL OFFiCiALS ASSOCiATiON Camp and World Cup Soccer. Concord Rec has on-going sports SEEKiNG NEW MEMBERS If you’ve ever thought you might want to learn more about classes like swim lessons, junior tennis, Taekwondo (Little Dragfootball from the real inside the Contra Costa Football Officials ons) and more. For more information on any of these youth Association can teach you. CCFOA provides officials for local sports programs, visit concordreg.org. high school and youth games along the I-680 and Hwy. 4 corriCONCORD PiONEER WANTS TO dors. They are looking for new members for the upcoming fall PuBLiSH yOuR SPORTS NEWS season. Training is provided with new member evening sessions. Please let us know about your sports news, special events, There is an all-day clinic Aug. 14 in preparation for the new seafund raisers, tryouts, signups and accomplishments. Youth son. For more information visit ccfoa.com. leagues, clubs, schools and adult programs are all welcome to send us a rundown on what you’re doing. Include all the necesHAiLEy PASCOE NAMED TO PATRiOT LEAGuE sary details (too much information is better than too little!) and ACADEMiC HONOR ROLL Freshman Hailey Pascoe, a 2015 graduate of Clayton Valley your contact information. It’s as simple as sending an email to Charter High School, was one of 11 Lehigh women’s basketball sports@concordpioneer.com. players named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll

The media’s unalienable right to distort reality EDI BIRSAN PULSE OF

CONCORD

The current political environment is rife with media spin, which got me thinking about how historical events might be interpreted by today’s media. There is a great line in the Declaration of Independence that states: “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Unalienable means that you have certain rights that cannot be transferred or given up. Then how were these rights alienable, such as slavery? Seems to be a little paradox there. But remember that the words were used to inspire people to revolt or commit treason (depending on the

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

media spin) against government. So they needed to fit an emotional framework before a rather more mundane listing of offensive actions can be listed. Here’s how MSNBC might have reacted: “It was no surprise that the progressive wing of the Colonist Freedom Movement dominated the new Continental Congress, calling all men equal and entitled to liberty. We have dispatched several reporters to plantations in the South to get the reaction about the apparent liberation, however, the reporters have not been heard from since arriving at the plantations. Women, meanwhile, are beginning to comment negatively on the effort due to their being left out. Abigail Adams said: “I wrote to John to tell him to remember the women.” It’s no wonder why there is now a bed sheet and pillow on the back sitting room couch in the Adams’ house.” Meanwhile, over at Fox News: “In a stunning development, the 13 colonies have unanimously supported prolife positions. It is expected that they are on the path to ban all abortions, which are currently legal throughout the new United States of America even though it is rarely used. Furthermore, it appears that they will establish liberty – which certainly could not apply to the slave population. It may

Koroleva, from page 1

How they integrate music and tie the routine together with the required moves will set them apart with the five panels of judges. Their free routine is three minutes long. Koroleva made her Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games, finishing 11th in duet with Mary Killman. Besides her 40-plus hour weekly training regimen with Alvarez, Koroleva is one of 15 athlete ambassadors who have led the charge for the 2016 edition of Team for Tomorrow, a community outreach program started in 2008 that has featured 59 American athlete ambassadors. The role of Team for Tomorrow athlete ambassadors is to serve as philanthropic representatives of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, spreading awareness about the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle, and leading the way through volunteerism

and goodwill. Late last month she was at the Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA in Pleasant Hill speaking to club members about the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle, and sharing her story of determination and commitment to earning a podium finish in synchronized swimming at the Rio Olympic Games. Following her presentation, Koroleva led participants in various physical activities, signed autographs and donated a sport package to the local YMCA, including a variety of equipment, such as hula hoops, basketballs, jump ropes and cones. The blonde athlete from Concord has also been in high demand for photography sessions and interviews for newspapers, magazines, websites and electronic media. Her image and story are prominently featured on many Olympic-themed sites. The American senior synchro team has been training for

Ipsen, from page 1

ing some with increased difficulty to compete against “a field of so many talented people.” Each of the three rounds is scored separately with no points carried over, unlike at the US Olympic Trials. Ipsen spent his training time this month with his coach of one year, Oleg Andriyuk, at the Stanford Diving Club before departing early this week for Atlanta to join up with the rest of the American diving team. They spent a few days in Atlanta and one day in Houston before heading to Rio. They will acclimate themselves in Rio for a couple days before going to a training camp elsewhere in Brazil, returning in time for the Opening Ceremonies. Brushing aside the widespread fears about the Zika virus (“our team doctor and my mom have lots of bug spray”) Ipsen is looking ahead confidently to competing in Rio at the outdoor Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre where he dove in February in a World Cup meet that served as the qualifier for the US in several events. “I’m used to diving outdoors (at Stanford) and the weather elements seemed to bother many of the divers in Rio,”

Ipsen said. He added he’s going to “soak up the entire Olympic experience” including marching in the Opening Ceremonies. The Olympic Trials were a roller coaster for Ipsen, which matched the last 10 months of his diving journey since he graduated last fall from Stanford.

HAND iNJuRy SCARE He suffered from pain in his right hand for several months during a crowded 2015 diving schedule that included collegiate, national and international competitions. Finally at the end of September it was discovered he had a fracture, spent five weeks in a cast and two more weeks in a splint. This was all in the lead up to the Winter Nationals last December when the 2016 US National teams were being determined. He was finally able to dive without any impediments for two weeks before Nationals and took first in both individual and synchro 3M springboard. That landed him on the National team and early this year he competed in Rio, Beijing and Dubai. He won his first-ever senior level individual international medal with a 3M bronze at the World Cup in Rio including beating

mean a two-week shore leave for all sailors, however, the maritime industry is expected to comment shortly on the dangers of having idle sailors. Pursuits of Happiness are expected to be detailed further when the Christian values have been resolved between the Puritans, Pilgrims, Quakers and others, once the non-conforming sects such as the Papist have been isolated and registered for security purposes.” And over at the National Enquirer: “Scandalous Hypocrisy in Congress: A confidential insider has let it be known that author Tom Jefferson has been found to secretly maintain an intimate affair with his wife’s half sister, who he keeps as a slave. He has fathered several children with her and kept them too as slaves, all the while boasting of his phrase of equality, liberty and happiness. Possibly he actually meant exquisite libido hip-ness. Meanwhile, unalienable is clearly a reference to a failed autopsy or cross-breeding experiment at Area 51 of Monticello that gives new meaning to Jefferson’s call for biodiversity, clearly a hidden agenda masquerading as a vegetable garden. Pictures are too gruesome for this journalist to even describe.” Maybe it’s a good thing that we celebrate July 4th with fire-

the past year at the Soda Aquatic Center in Moraga at Campolindo High School. This has allowed the 26-year-old Koroleva to live at home with her parents and younger brother Ivan, a senior swimmer and water polo player at Northgate High.

AquANuT VETERAN The Walnut Creek Aquanut swimmer has been with the U.S. Senior National Team since 2007 and has served as the Athletes’ Executive Council President on USA Synchro’s Board of Directors for the past two years. She is a 2013 Stanford graduate currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of San Francisco. Koroleva was born in Russia. Her father was one of a number of software engineers who came to work in Silicon Valley in 1999 seeking better opportunities. Mariya Koroleva was nine and a fourth grade student. She says her Walnut Creek elementary school (“we lived behind Las Lomas High”) was constantly sending home fliers Olympic contenders Chao He of China and Evgenii Kuznetsov of Russia. Then just a couple months before the Trials USA Diving decided to break up the synchro team of Ipsen and Sam Dorman, citing their less than optimal results in international meets this year. They put Dorman with Michael Hixon and reunited Ipsen and Dumais. Unfortunately Dumais suffered an injury that halted any training with Ipsen. They finally got to dive together just before Trials but had a couple missed dives in the preliminary and semi-final rounds that put them too far behind the DormanHixon team to overcome in the final six dives. There are only eight teams in synchro diving events at the Olympics and a country gets only one entry.

SCORiNG SySTEM HuRT Unlike most competitions, at the Olympic Trials the scores from preliminary and semi-final dives are combined with the finals scores. Ipsen and Dumais won the finals session but they were too far behind Dorman-Hixon to win over the three sessions. The synchro event’s first two sessions were June 25 and just two days later Ipsen was back in

Page 13

works and parades, so we can would occur today – if such an Send comments to EdiBirdrown out the potential for the event were to occur ... or is it san@gmail.com or 510-812-8180 insane twisting of words that already going on? or visit www.PulseOfConcord.com

Rental vacancies happen even in tight market LYNNe fReNCH

REAL ANSWERS

q. i have a rental property. As hard as this is to believe in this rental market, it is sometimes difficult to keep it rented. Are there any pitfalls in having a vacant property? A. You are right. There is a huge market for rentals. Are you sure you have yours priced correctly? Does it show clean and well maintained? The California insurance commissioner is encouraging California homeowners to review their policies and consider their options regarding vacancy protection. According to the commissioner vacant or unoccupied homes can leave the homeowner exposed to loss and liability about school and community programs. One day she brought home a notice from the Walnut Creek Aquanuts about a twoweek “crash course” in synchronized swimming. Since she had been a swimmer and gymnast in Russia her mom thought synchro would combine those two sports nicely. Mom and daughter both also felt it would be a great opportunity to get involved with girls her age as she was struggling to learn English and make friends in a foreign land. Now 17 years later she is still a member of the Aquanuts and also has coached a young WCA age group team. During the years as she rose through the ranks to make National junior and then senior teams Koroleva has had to make sacrifices while training four hours a day. She never competed in high school sports or clubs at Las Lomas and even missed a month and a half of her senior year as she trained for the Junior World Championships. That same year the family moved to Concord. the pool for the individual springboard prelims and semifinals. “Four years ago I would have been pretty discouraged and nervous [after the synchro misses]. This time I was super motivated and didn’t look at it as ‘do or die.’ I was mentally alert all week.” He landed some excellent dives and moved into first place with his final two semi-final dives, putting him seven points ahead of Hixon but with a substantial 116-point lead over third-place Matt Anderson. Four years ago Ipsen missed a couple dives late in the 3M finals and slipped to third place, missing out on an individual Olympic berth. With two Olympic spots at stake Ipsen and Hixon were able to glide through their final six dives. Ipsen ended up 67.3 points over the runner-up and 152.6 points ahead of Anderson in third. Ipsen says he will be adding two more difficult dives to his list for Rio as he competes against the world’s best where degree of difficulty is very important in the scoring. The Clayton diver expects to have nearly a dozen fans in the stands at the Olympics including his parents, sister, girlfriend (and fellow Stanford diver) Lilly Hinrichs, family and friends.

ing more homeowners to that may not be covered by want them. your insurance. Homeowners’ policies are 3. Outdoor living areas: The days of the McMansions intended to insure occupied are over. Although famihomes. Generally home insurlies still want enough space ance policies include excluto do all they need to do, sions for neglect or property people are much more abandonment on a home left practical today. Using outvacant or unoccupied for a door spaces adds to the livspecified number of days. ing area of the home. Vacant homes pose a higher There has been a trend for risk for damage than occupied creating a more functional homes, so insurance compaspace outdoors with furninies insure these properties ture, outdoor kitchens, differently and usually at a fireplaces or portable fire higher price. pits. Etc. q. My family and i are 4. Energy-saving features: I hope your builder is offering having a home built in one solar for your electricity. It of the new subdivision in is pretty nice not to receive Brentwood. There are many an electric bill. Other things options to choose from. desired by buyers are douWhat are some of the latest ble and triple glazed wintrends for new homes. dows, tankless water A. Nearly 300 Architects heaters, and low maintewere surveyed about the latest nance materials. design preferences. Here are some highlights from the survey. WHAT’S OuT: 1. Exercise rooms WHAT’S iN: 1. Home offices: More people 2. Media rooms/home are working out of their theatres homes or telecommuting , 3. Hobby/game rooms prompting more home- 4. Kid’s wings/guest wings owners to want a dedicated workspace in their homes. Send your question and look for 2. Mud rooms: My favorite type your answer in a future column. Email of space. The need for Lynne@LynneFrench.com. French is additional closets and other the broker/owner of Windermere storage space, as well as the Lynne French & Associates. Contact increasing informality of her at 672-8787 or stop in at 6200 space in the home, is driv- Center St., Clayton.

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Mittens to pounce and catch the toy and bat it around, then jerk the toy away for her to chase some more. End the play session by allowing Mittens to capture the toy. Avoid laser lights, as it is important for the cat to enjoy the satisfaction of catching the toy as she would prey. Sessions should be long enough for Mittens to get tired – 15-20 minutes, depending on her age and activity level. About five minutes after the end of the session, feed Mittens canned cat food. This mimics the “reward” at the end

of a real hunt. And don’t be surprised if Mittens takes a long nap after playing. Schedule several sessions at regular intervals during the day, preferably at times when Mittens is normally active. This allows the cat control over her environment, as she can pre-

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Shangri-La and Fancy are this month’s ARF stars

FANCY

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Three-year-old Shangri-La is a sweet, delicate flower looking for a home where she can feel safe and get lots of cuddles. She’d love a daily walk in the park and a bit of play time, then a quiet evening by your side. Shangri-La has a positive history with other dogs. We recommend Shangri-La take a Basic Manners class where she can learn polite ways of seeking creature comforts in life. She currently weighs 6 pounds. The adoption fee for dogs is $250 and includes a discount

on the first six-week session of Tony La Russa’s Animal Resa manners class. cue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during Twelve-week-old Fancy is a adoption hours: Noon to 6 pm cutie pie who prefers to watch Wednesday & Thursday, Noon and observe more than initiate to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 attention or play. Once she pm Saturday & Sunday. becomes comfortable, she will be more outgoing, but for the Would you like to be part of the moment she needs a home full heroic team that saves the lives of of patience and love, She is rescued dogs and cats? Can you suitable for a first time cat share your talents to connect people guardian. and animals? ARF volunteers are The adoption fee for making a difference! For more inforkittens under 6 months $125. mation see our website, www.arflife.org, or call (925) 256Meet your forever friend at 1ARF.

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Now there is a way to stop these thieves with Remote Monitoring and Management. RMM services use Enterprise, military grade, HIPAA compliant versions of antivirus that include crypto attack protection and prevention. These powerful remote management systems do the updating, blocking and virus protection. According to SolarWinds sources, people paid more than $18 million to ransomware thieves between April 2014 and June 2015. More than 6 million detected ransomware attack attempts occurred in just the fourth quarter of 2015, and more than 50 percent of all malware issues are now ransomware attacks. The attacks are getting worse and accelerating in frequency. They are expected to triple in 2016 and again in 2017. “Industry experts agree that a staggering 93 percent of phishing emails now contain encryption ransomware (crypto locker virus),” SolarWinds reported. “Many emails are opened by end users who don’t understand they are the targets of carefully crafted social engineering.

WILL CLANeY

TECH TALK

For example, you may receive an email saying you owed a debt. And if you don’t pay, they are going to sue. Of course, they attached a copy of the invoice you owe. Just click and open it. Another scam says that your order has been confirmed. If you want to see what you ordered, just click and open it. Or, it says your credit card has just been charged. Please click here to confirm the charge. Most people are smart enough not to open untrusted emails, but what if an invitation to a birthday party came from your best friend? Or if one titled “the results of your lawsuit” was sent by your attorney? You would be duped if the email list was stolen.

It’s hard to know which email or internet ads are safe, and retail versions of antivirus aren’t robust enough to stop the threats. Our company has stopped recommending stand-alone anti-virus and anti-malware versions. We now recommend Enterprise versions only, but they had been expensive and require constant upkeep. Now Enterprise editions are affordable and available through a local distribution network. The local network acts as if it were a large company, redistributing resources to local users. This makes it affordable. Think of it as a band of locals getting together to fight crime in their city, with the local service provider as sheriff. You can’t buy this kind of protection outside of massive networks systems, so join one of these networks through your local RMM service provider. It just so happens, I know a good one.

William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station. Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.

July 22, 2016

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PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. AUG. 17 FOR THE AUG. 26 Mondays Off the Grid

IN CONCORD

Rotating lineup of food trucks. 5 – 9 p.m. 2151 Salvio Street. offthegridsf.com.

Tuesdays Farmers’ Market

Tuesdays year round, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org.

Tuesday Nights in July Blues Series

Some of the best blues in the Bay Area. July 26, The Shari Puorto Band. 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 28, Foreverland; Aug. 4, Zepparella; Aug. 11, Carlos Reyes; Aug. 18, Project 4 Band; Aug. 25, Caravanserai. 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.

On Sale Now Concord Pavilion Concerts

The Concord Pavilion is located at 2000 Kirker Pass Road. livenation.com. Concert schedule for 2016: July 28, Sublime, 6:35 p.m. July 30, New Edition, 7:30 p.m. July 31, Kevin Hart, 8 p.m. Aug. 13, Slipknot, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Disturbed, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27, Outcry Tour, 6 p.m. Aug. 28, Snoop Dogg, 7 p.m. Sept. 4, Hot Summer Night Feat, 4 p.m. Sept. 10, Fifth Harmony, 7 p.m. Sept. 18, Daryl Hall and John Oates, 7 p.m.

Aug. 4 Artist Reception and Show

“Women Face to Face” features the work of hairdresser and artist Pat Viera. Reception 7 – 9 p.m. Show runs through August. aRt Cottage, 2238 Mt. Diablo St., Concord. Free. artcottage.info.

Aug. 11 Mayors’ Healthy Cookoff

Mayors from Contra Costa County and chefs from their cities compete to prepare the best healthy meal. 4 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. wellnesscitychallenge.org.

Aug. 13 - 14 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. Sat. 1 – 9 p.m. Sun. 12 – 8:30 p.m. Japanese American Religious and Cultural Center, 3165 Treat Blvd., Concord. Free admission, parking at Ygnacio Valley High School. www.diablojaclub.com.

Aug. 14 Concord Museum and Event Center

Docent-led walk through of restoration progress on former Masonic Temple. 1, 2 and 3 p.m. 1928 Clayton Road, Concord. Free; donations requested. concordhistorical.org.

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8 a.m. – 12 p.m. New location: 6095 Main St., Clayton in KinderCare parking lot. pcfma.org.

July 23, 30, Aug. 13 Saturday Concerts in the Grove

July 23, Larry Lynch and the Mob; July 30, Cut Loose; Aug. 13, Diamond Dave. 6 – 8:30 p.m. Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Free. cityofclayton.org.

Aug. 3, 17 Wednesday Classic Car and Concerts in the Grove

Aug. 27 Tarantula Trek for Adults

ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO

Leisurely hike looking for Mount Diablo’s infamous spiders. 6 – 8:45 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Reservations required: sweettrails00@gmail.com or ken_lavin@hotmail.com.

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

Thru November Hazel-Atlas Mine Tours

Learn about the mining history and geology at Black Diamond Mines. Guided, 90-minute tour; Saturdays and Sundays. Must be age 7 or older with parent. $5. For reservation and ticket information, go to ebparks.org.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Thru July 31 “Oliver!”

Pathos, drama and outstanding musical numbers. Allan E. Jones Performing Arts Center, 850 Second St., Brentwood. $8-$25. thebrentwoodtheater.org.

July 22 Piano Duo

Performed by Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $29. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

July 22 “That’s Amore! A Tribute to Dean Martin”

Presented by Chris Gardner. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $35. lesherartscenter.org. 9437469.

July 23 Leslie Odom, Jr.

Odom’s Bay Area solo concert debut presented by Feinstein’s at the Nikko. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $45-$85. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

July 24 Concert

Page 15

newsandcalendar@concordpioneer.com

2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $5, $3 children under 12. vfwpost1525.org.

July 30 Baking for a Cure

Bake sale for Relay For Life Clayton. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Starbucks, Clayton Station. relayforlife.org/claytonca.

Aug. 11 Annual Gourmet Gallop

Food and wine walk benefiting Diablo Ballet and its Performing Arts Education and Enrichment for Kids program. 6 – 9 p.m. Check in at Massimo, 1604 Locust St., Walnut Creek. $39; $45 after July 31. diabloballet.org. 943-1775.

Aug. 13 – 14 Relay For Life Clayton

American Cancer Society fundraiser. Join a team or walk as an individual. Activities for participants and spectators. 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. Mt. Diablo Elementary School, 5880 Mt. Zion Drive, Clayton. Register at relayforlife.org/claytonca.

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 6465455. July 22 - 24: Book Sale, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun. 1 – 3 p.m. July 28: Adult Coloring and Storytime, 6 p.m. July 29: Random House Book Talk, 10:30 a.m. July 30: Hawks, Honkers and Hoots, 11 a.m. Aug. 4: Origami, 4 p.m. Aug. 9: Arts and Crafts, 4 p.m. Registration required. Aug. 13: AARP Free Tax Assistance, 10 a.m. Aug. 16: Teen Craft, 4 p.m. Aug. 18: Concord Library Book Club, 6:30 p.m.

The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at claytonlibrary.org or call 673-0659. Thru July: Veterans’ Self-Portrait Display July 25, Aug. 8: Clayton Knits, 1:30 p.m. July 30: Hawks, Honkers and Hoots, 2 p.m. Aug. 3: Photography Through the Painter’s Lens, 6:30 p.m. Registration required. Aug. 8: Clayton Library Book Club, 7 p.m. Aug. 18: Bubbles, 4 p.m. Registration required.

GOVERNMENT

Performed by Mazella Houston and The Big Band Era. 2 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $18-$23. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.

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

Belly dance certification performances by Salimpour School. 7:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $16.50. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

1st and 3rd Wednesdays Concord Planning Commission

July 24, Aug. 6 Recital

July 30 Geri Allen Quartet

Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

July 30 “I Can’t With You”

Comedy with Mario Hodge. 8 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $20-$30. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.

Aug. 3 Health Seminar

Dr. Stephen Taylor and Dr. Richard Long discuss erectile dysfunction and male incontinence. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Walnut Creek Library, Oak Room, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek. Free. Reservations required: (877) 433-2873.

Aug. 5 – 7 “The New Mikado”

Chaos, desperation and comical mayhem presented by Lamplighters Musical Theatre. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $50-$55. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

6:30 p.m., Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org. 7 p.m. Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.

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

Offering All-Season • • • •

Training & Riding Instruction

Private Riding Lessons Western & English Beginner to Advanced Youth to Adult

Aug. 6 Warren Vache Quintet

Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

Aug. 14 Mariachi Music

Performed by Mariachi Tapatio de San Jose with Grupo Folklorico Los Laureles. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $10-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.

Aug. 20 Arturo Sandoval

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Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40. Aug. 3, PhD’s; Aug. 17, car show only. Car show, 6 – 8 p.m. Concert, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Grove Park, downtown Clayton. Free. city- lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. ofclayton.org.

Aug. 6 Rib Cook-Off

Professional and amateur rib cooking contest. Family fun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Main Street, downtown Clayton. Free admission. claytoncbca.org.

ON AND AROUND THE MOUNTAIN

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

July 30 Evening Hike

Discover how the natural landscape has changed since the Morgan Fire. 6 – 8 p.m. Meet at Perkins Canyon Trailhead. Reservations required: ken_lavin@hotmail.com.

Aug. 19 Common Poorwill Birdwalk

Hike near the upper portion of White Canyon listening for birds of the evening, the common poorwill and local owls. 7 – 10:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center. Reservations required: blkittiwake@yahoo.com.

Aug. 26 “The David Bowie Concert Experience”

Presented by West Coast Performing Arts. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $45. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

Aug. 27 Mark O’Connor’s “Hot Swing”

Presented by Diablo Regional Arts Association. 5 and 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.

CHURCHES AND RELIGION

July 22, 29, Aug. 5 Moonlight Movies

July 22, “Aladdin;” July 29, “Cinderella;” Aug. 5, “War Room.” Bring a lawn chair, blankets, invite friends and neighbors and join us at sunset for a surround sound spectacular evening. Activities begin at 7:30 p.m. Movies start at 8:45 p.m. Clayton Community Church, 6055 Main St. Free admission. claytoncc.com.

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FUNDRAISERS

2nd and 4th Sundays Pancake Breakfast

Veterans of Foreign Wars serve breakfast to the public: Eggs, pancakes, sausage, beverage. 8 – 11 a.m. VFW Post 1525,

State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI) State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) Bloomington, IL

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Page 16

Jeff MeLLINGeR

SCREEN SHOTS

In Pixar’s latest sequel, “Finding Dory”, the titular character is a fish with a short term “remembery” problem. As a child, she continually forgot the safety rules implemented by her parents. Although patient with their teachings, Charlie and Jenny’s rhymes, songs and jingles just do not work.

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

July 22, 2016

‘Finding Dory’ delivers sweet and courageous message

Played as an adult by a gleefully exuberant Ellen DeGeneres, Dory cannot remember much of her childhood. It is from these fragments of memory that we get our movie title. The new film sticks to the same formula as its predecessor “Finding Nemo”. However, the addition of lively new characters and a beautifully rendered location give “Finding Dory” its charm. By finding her parents, Dory hopes to put the missing pieces of her life back together. As a child, she lost all self-confidence because of her frequent bouts with absent-mindedness. In some ways, the best parts of the

film are the flashbacks to Dory’s youth. Terrifically voiced by 7year old Sloane Murray, young Dory is heartbreaking with her giant, sad eyes and poignant voice. A crotchety octopus voiced by Ed O’Neill provides excellent comic relief. Director Andrew Stanton brings back Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and his son Nemo (now voiced by Hayden Rolence). When the film starts, it is clear they have been living with Dory and grow weary of her constant forgetfulness. Nemo convinces Marlin that Dory is part of their family and they go after her. They come across a few old friends and Marlin is reminded more than once about the importance of family. For Dory, the only thing she remembers is that she had a family once and they must have loved her. For anyone who has ever felt the loss of a family member or perhaps never even known their parents, Dory’s plight is tremendously affecting. Seen from the view of Dory’s parents, the film might be even more heartrending. In one scene, they both break down because they feel they cannot help Dory when it comes to her forgetfulness. Parents of children with disabilities can relate only too well. But they should take heart as it is films like “Find-

ing Dory” that shed a nondiscriminatory light on the subject. Pixar knows how to deliver messages that come across to audiences of all ages. On the car ride home from the theater, thousands of parents were likely asked questions related to family, loss, and memory debilities. Cin-

CYNTHIA GReGORY

ema transcends being an art form when films like “Finding Dory” generate these kinds of discussions. The latest Pixar offering is not on a level of “Inside Out”, but it does stand on its own as another beautiful film in their repertoire. A-

Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. You can send comments by Email to editor@concordpioneer.com.

There’s more to ‘Housekeeping’ than meets the eye

dental or intentional – is a central theme of “Housekeeping.” FOR THE BOOKS One day, Ruth and Lucille are deposited with a box of Marilynne Robinson’s graham crackers on the porch groundbreaking debut novel, of their grandmother’s home “Housekeeping,” earned many in Fingerbone, not long before accolades when it was released their mother drives a borrowed in 1980, including the car off a cliff in a spectacular PEN/Hemingway Award. dive into the lake. Years before, A deceptively simple yet Ruth and Lucille’s grandfather lyrical novel, “Housekeeping” is had perished in the same frigid the tale of sisters Ruth and waters when the train on which Lucille. It’s set in the town of he was traveling somehow Fingerbone, perched on the came loose of a trestle and shores of a ravenous lake locat- nosed its way in a long, slow The grandmother raises the “FINDING DORY” REUNITES THE FRIENDLY-BUT-FORGETFUL blue ed vaguely east of Spokane. girls well enough. But when arc into the water, passengers, tang fish Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a Abandonment – whether accishe passes, the sisters are once freight and all. search for answers about her past. again untethered from all familial connection. Soon after the funeral, two maiden greataunts arrive to care for the girls. Misses Lily and Nona Foster live in genteel poverty and are unaccustomed to children, to their noise, their extravagant needs. The aunts devise a plan to locate another relative, the sister of the girl’s dead mother, the girls’ Aunt Sylvie. However, Sylvie Fisher is a hobo, and being transient, she is difficult to find. The ancient ones do not give up hope and conspire for her arrival. “Sylvie would be happy This FREE, one-hour doctor presentation on what you can do to here. She knew the town – the dangerous places, the unsavory reestablish normal blood glucose levels NATURALLY, will be hosted at the people – and could watch us Harvest House Health Food Store, Saturday afternoon @ 1 p.m. and warn us, as (we) could not.” To the joy of the elder aunts, Sylvie arrives one frigid winter day wearing an unseasonably thin dress, a man’s overcoat and loafers. Lily and Nona beat a fast retreat, and Ruth and Lucille are left in the care of a vagabond who hasn’t the first clue about the care of children or the mechanics of housekeeping. “Who would think of dusting or sweeping the cobwebs down in a room used for the storage of cans and newspapers – things utterly without value? Sylvie kept them, I think because she considered accumulation to be the essence of housekeeping and because she considered the hoarding of worthless things to be proof of a particularly scrupulous thrift.” Being the more practical of the two, Lucille soon arranges foster care for herself with her school’s home-ec teacher. Once again, Ruth is abandoned. “Housekeeping” is a story of loss and connection. Robinson explores the myriad manifestations of love and tribe in a way so as to enchant the reader from the first word to the last. “There is so little to remember of anyone – an anecdote, a conversation at table. But every memory is turned over and over again, every word, however chance, written in the heart in the hope that memory will fulfill itself, and become flesh, and that the wanderers will find a way home, and the perished, whose lack we always feel, will step through the door finally and stroke our hair with dreaming, habitual fondness, not having meant to keep us waiting long.”

Saturday Aug. 6, 1 p.m. Harvest House Health Food Store

2395 Monument Blvd., Concord

925-407-0888

You must reserve a seat to attend

Cynthia Gregory is a North Bay nonprofit leader, writer of short fiction and author of a blog. Email comments and questions to Editor@ConcordPioneer.com

July 22, 2016

T H E ARTS

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

Discrimination, family strife merge in ‘Fences’ Center or at least part of in in the persona of the “King of Cool,” Dean Martin. Gardner channels the legendary crooner in his world premiere musical event “That’s Amore!” at 7:30 p.m. July 22. The fast-paced musical features many of the classic crooner’s hits, including “Volare,” “Everybody Loves Somebody” and, of course, “That’s Amore.” A 16-piece orchestra accompanies Gardner, who promises several special guest stars. Performing as Dean Martin for over a decade, Gardner has starred in both award-winning Las Vegas Rat Pack shows. A complimentary champagne reception follows his Walnut Creek performance. Also at the Lesher Center at 7:30 p.m. July 22 is the popular piano duo of Anderson and Roe. With their adrenalized performances, original compositions and notorious music videos, the

SALLY HOGARTY

STAGE STRUCK

California Shakespeare Theater continues its powerful rendition of August Wilson’s “Fences” through July 31. Running at the beautiful Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way in Orinda, this Pulitzer Prize-winner tells of Troy Maxson, a former Negro League ballplayer turned sanitation worker, his dutiful wife Rose and his two grown boys. Tensions between Troy and his boys and his own affair resulting in a baby girl throw the family into turmoil. While the play is certainly about the discrimination of black athletes and workers, it is also about family relationships. Michael Locher’s freeflowing set centers on a front porch and ramshackle yard, with sound designer Mikaal Sulaiman adding appropriate 1950’s music to help create the Maxson’s northeast Pittsburgh neighborhood. Director Raelle Myrick-Hodges has assembled a dynamite cast, led by Aldo Billingslea and Margo Hall. For tickets, call 510-5489666 or go to www.calshakes.org.

July 22 is one busy night for entertainment in Contra Costa County. Good luck deciding between the plethora of performances taking place. Starting off is the teen theater company STARS 2000 with one of my favorite families “The Addams Fami-

Page 17

ALDO BILLINGSLEA

STARS AS

boyfriend to meet her rather unorthodox family. It’s full of wonderful music and exciting dance numbers performed by local talented teens. For tickets, call 800-838-3006. For further information, call 925324-7359 or go to CHRIS GARDNER brings the www.stars2000.org.

“King of Cool” to the Lesher

Also opening on July 22 is Center on July 22. the Orinda Starlight Village Players production of “Aria’s.” The show runs through Aug. 13 at the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheatre, 26 Orinda Way. The company has been working on the romantic comedy with playwright Robert Merrill, who will attend opening night. “As a family theater open to doing new works, we thought Robert’s play was a great fit for us,” says director Jill Gelster. “It’s charming, poignant and funny.” According to Gelster, the play takes place in an Italian restaurant named Aria’s and includes a large range of character types. For tickets, call 925-528-9225. Veteran entertainer and Walnut Creek resident Chris Gardner brings the Rat Pack to Walnut Creek’s Lesher

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Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com

with Memoir Coach Jill Morris

production of “fences” now at the Bruns Amphitheatre in Orinda.

STARS 2000 PRESENTS “THE ADDAMS FAMILY THE MUSICAL” at Diablo Valley Performing Arts Center through Aug. 7. Pictured, Rachel Wirtz, Amanda Neiman, Kevin Pack and Kit Harroun.

two are revolutionizing the piano duo experience. For tickets to “That’s Amore!” or Anderson and Roe, call 925-943-SHOW or you can go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

Write Your Own Life Story

TROY in Cal Shakes’ powerful

ly, a Musical Comedy,” running July 22-Aug. 7 at Diablo Valley College’s Performing Arts Center in Pleasant Hill. I’ve always loved the television show featuring that loving couple Morticia and Gomez Addams, their son Pugsley and daughter Wednesday. Not to mention a giant named Lurch and a disembodied hand named Thing. This wonderfully weird story tells of daughter Wednesday bringing home to dinner her new (normal)

GREG ANDERSON AND ELIZABETH ROE perform their piano magic at the Lesher Center for the Arts on July 22.

Leave your grandchildren a family history they will treasure.

Author and memoir coach Jill Morris leads 5-day memoir-writing workshops this summer in Lafayette and Walnut Creek for those who want to put their life stories down on paper.

Summer Classes Open for Registration

July 25 - 29, 10 am - 1 pm, Lafayette Library Aug. 22 - 26, 10 am - 2:30 pm, Walnut Creek Community Center

For further info, go to www.yourlifeyourwords.com

Page 18

Marron thrift store a heart-warming shopping experience

CHRISTINe KOGUT

SAVVY SENIOR

Some people wouldn’t be caught dead in a thrift store, but I know they are chock full of bargains, baubles and blessings. If you take the time to peruse the racks of clothes and shelves of goodies, you may hit upon some treasures. More than once I’ve found pieces of jewelry that were worth much more than the store had priced them. I’ve also discovered name-brand clothing in almost new condition. I am one of those who loves a bargain. And when your retired it’s more than for bragging rights, it’s necessary. I discovered a new shop, the Marron House Thrift Store in Concord. It has an assortment

of all the types of items one would expect. But what touched my heart is that 100 percent of the proceeds are funneled back into their foundation and are used to house, feed, guide and support young men who have “aged out” of the foster care system. About half the boys who have reached the age of 18 are homeless within six months. In California, 50-60 percent of all state penitentiary inmates have, at one time, been in the foster care system. By age 19, 40 percent of the boys have been incarcerated and the girls are 2.5 times more likely to have become pregnant than their non-fostered peers. But these statistics don’t mean foster kids are bad apples. I cannot imagine being thrust into the “system” at a young age because of some type of family misfortune and then trying to wrap my head around all that is expected of you when you’re just trying to cope with the situation you’ve been placed in unexpectedly. These kids need our love and support.

See Senior, page 19

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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

July 22, 2016

Red fountain grass brings sparkle to any landscape

NICOLe HACKeTT

GARDEN GIRL

It is hard to not love the feathery plumes of red fountain grass. This ornamental grass has become a Clayton Valley landscape staple. Its thin, strap-like purplishred foliage and warm taupe fuzzy cattails are a reliable summer accent plant for many landscape situations. Introduced to the gardening masses over a decade ago, red fountain grass surged in popularity and has never lost its luster in the eyes of plant lovers. Folks are intrigued by its movement and the texture it provides to the landscape. Because red fountain grass does well in windy environments, it is perfect for Clayton Valley residents who live on hillsides. You’ll find red fountain grass in nurseries and garden centers under the name Pennisetum Rubrum. This ornamental grass loves to be planted in full sun, where it can reach toward the sky. Pennisetum Rubrum can grow quite

large. Expect about 4 feet of height and 3 feet of width at maturity. This ornamental grass is winter deciduous, meaning it browns-out when the weather chills and regrows from the roots as spring warms. Consider the deciduous winter behavior when placing. Try to hold off from pruning last season’s foliage until you see signs of new growth, usually midMarch. Red fountain grass requires light to regular watering and prefers welldrained soil. It will do much better planted on a slope than around a lawn. Through the years, dwarf and variegated selections of Pennisetum have been introduced. They are fun to incorporate in the landscape. Red fountain grass is an accent ornamental that can be used nicely adjacent to a decorative boulder or surrounded by contrasting foliage. Consider installing red fountain grass along with gray- or green-leafed plants for maximum drama. It looks nice with Emerald Carpet manzanita, gray-foliaged Teucrium majoricum and sedum

THE CASCADING LEAVES ON RED FOUNTAIN GRASS have a fountain like appearance. This clump-forming grass grows in mounds or clumps, making it ideal for many areas without becoming invasive.

Angelina. If you desire taller companion installations, plant along with Moonshine Yarrow, Salvia Indigo Spires and Coral Drift roses.

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

Try tomatillos for a flavorful salsa or sauce

Captain Grammar Pants

Today's post concerns the need to AVENGE (Latin, "vindicate") a wrong, and how that compares with the wish for REVENGE (Latin, "re-vindicate"). Avenge is a verb, and it is often centered on impersonal social justice issues. You might sue a person if he polluted a river, for example; in doing so, you would avenge a wrong. Revenge is both a noun and a verb; you can revenge an insult, or you can take revenge on the insulter. The difference is that revenge is personal and vindictive. If you remain confused, remember the adage, "revenge is a dish best served cold." It means that it is better to exact revenge after waiting a bit, rather than doing it in the heat of the moment.

Sean Williams is a professor of ethnomusicology at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. She is currently working on a Captain Grammar Pants book. Follow her regular postings on Facebook.

Ph:

925.672.9840 travel-2-go.com

Clayton Station Shopping Center 5439, Clayton Road (Suite F) – Clayton

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shriveled and dried. Unlike tomatoes, tomatillos should be firm and free of Tomatillos are widely used defects. Look for nice tomatilin Mexican and Latin foods, los at Bautista Ranch at the Concord Farmers Market. especially in sauces. The green fruit is about the size of a large cherry tomato, TOMATiLLO SALSA VERDE while the inside is white and 1 lb. tomatillos, husked meatier than a tomato. They ½ c. finely chopped onion grow to maturity inside of a 1 tsp. minced garlic husk and range in size from 1 serrano chili peppers, minced about an inch in diameter to a ½ tsp. ground cumin couple of inches. The papery 2 T. chopped fresh cilantro brown husk should be 1 T. chopped fresh oregano removed before use, but it’s 1 ½ tsp. salt, or to taste worth the effort to uncover the 2 c. vegetable broth delicious meat inside. Tomatillos are bushy annual Place tomatillos, onion, garplants that are a member of lic and chili pepper into the tomato family. They grow saucepan. Season with cumin, easily in sunny warm areas, cilantro, oregano and salt; pour thriving in the warmer seasons in broth. Bring to a boil over in California. Tart and slightly high heat, then reduce heat to acidic, tomatillos are high in medium-low and simmer until potassium, vitamins A and C, the tomatillos are soft, 10-15 calcium and folic acid. They make a fantastic salsa, soup minutes. Using a blender, carefully addition and sauce for vegetapuree the tomatillos and broth bles, chicken and enchiladas. in batches until smooth. Serve Choose small tomatillos as with your favorite chips or use they are sweeter than the largas a green sauce for enchiladas. er, golf ball size ones. The condition of the husk is a good indication of freshness. The The Concord Farmers Market is in husk should be light brown Todos Santos Plaza Tuesdays & and fresh looking, not Thursdays. See ad page 6 for hours. DEBRA MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market

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July 22, 2016

Make a statement with fall fashion trends for women

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

SUSAN SAPPINGTON

CLOTHES UP

As always, the end of New York Fashion Week brings the inevitable forecasting of next year’s biggest trends. While it’s too early to tell which styles women will embrace, there was a handful of strong recurring looks that emerged with a vengeance from the high-fashion fall 2016 runways. A few – like statement fur and thoughtful layering – are holdovers from this past fall, but trends such as neck adornments and excessive ruffles feel shiny and new. Overall, the biggest trend appeared to be not really paying attention to the season at all. Blame it on the exceptionally warm weather most of the country faced this winter. Nearly every designer presented fall collections with slinky slip dresses, billowy off-theshoulder tops, florals and strapless tops. While coats were present in most collections, I was hard-pressed to find chunky knits, wintry trousers and other pieces typically found on fall runways. I’ve highlighted 12 trends for fall: Statement fur. Fur – real and faux – made a strong showing on fall runways in various forms, but it was the use of bold colors and prints that really caught my eye. Ruffles. I’m used to seeing over-the-top pieces on runways that often employ laughable proportions. But for fall, designers managed to fuse structured high-fashion ruffles with wearability.

Shades of tan. Expect to see tons of pants, knits, skirts and outerwear in varying shades of tan. It’s perhaps the chicest, most classic color there is – from muted khaki to soft camel. Etcetera has a beautiful camel jacket this season. Come see it at one of our local shows. Super shine. Once upon a time, the thought of shiny gold attire called to mind glitzy grandmas or Las Vegas party girls. However, thanks to an especially strong showing on fall 2016 runways, metallics – specifically gold – are poised to be a seasonal standout. Shearling jackets. Classic aviator-style shearling jackets are back, with designers showing them with everything from kick flares to midi dresses. Turtlenecks under dresses. Why wait until fall? Start testing the mega-trend of long-sleeve shirts layered under dresses right now. Not only is it easy for any body type to pull off, but it also allows you to take those slinky slips, glitzy sequins and low-cut cocktail dresses out in broad daylight. Restrained plaid. Fall runways usually bring more tartan than we can handle, but this year, designers approached plaid in a cleaner, subtler way – using the print on everything

from outerwear to cocktail dresses. Off-the-shoulder cuts. Perhaps taking cues from the fact that OTS cuts were massive in retail space throughout 2015, designers amped up their offerings for fall. Many are showcasing dramatic blouses and luxe-looking dresses with a subtly sexy silhouette. Dusty pink paired with yellow. At first blush, this modern color combination felt more suited to spring than fall. But designers were careful to use separates that had an autumnal feel, such as turtlenecks and coats. Pantsuits. It’s probably

not a coincidence that fashion wasn’t shy about updating the dowdy pantsuit for fall, thanks to Hillary Clinton. Slim, stylish and often colorful, the new power suit is just as usable for a night out as it is for the boardroom. Print motifs. It’s not every fall that designer play with florals and colorful graphic patterns, but for 2016, a hefty number kicked minimalism to the curb and added small yet bold prints to sweatshirts, skirts and sweeping dresses. Neck adornments. It doesn’t matter if you prefer a skinny silk scarf or a chunky choker, just make sure something is around your neck this fall to add extra oomph to everything from button-down blouses to cocktail dresses. Not every trend is for each of us, but try one on for size and let me know the result. Susan Sappington is the area development manager for Etcetera designer clothes from New York and a stylist for J.Hilburn customized menswear. Contact her at Susan@etcstyles.com.

Senior, from page 18

The residents of Marron House average 20 weekly hours pursuing formal education and/or vocational training. The residents live in the home from two to five years. A Marron House for girls is in the works. Like Teen Challenge, Hospice Thrift Stores, Goodwill Stores, ARF and others, shopping in these establishments can be fun and thrifty. But more importantly, it will bless your socks off. And if you need new socks, they can prob-

ably sell you a pair.

The Marron House Thrift Store is at 3624 Willow Pass Road. For more information, call 925-4710097.

Christine Kogut is a marketing director for the Concord Senior Citizens Club. She has lived in the area for 40 years and formerly worked for the Contra Costa Times. To find out more about the Concord Senior Center, call (925) 6713320 or see the city’s website at concord.ca.us

Page 19

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Page 20

Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com

July 22, 2016

Find your inspiration, then design your dream bathroom

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Who doesn’t want a fabulous bathroom? A gorgeous tile scheme, fluffy towels, classic accessories, lighting that adds sparkle, modern plumbing fixtures. It’s like having your birthday every day, with cake and extra frosting. Whether you’re creating a bathroom from scratch or reworking an existing space, you need a good plan. Beyond the physical layout of where the vanity, shower/tub and toilet will be placed, you need thoughtfully selected materials that will make your bathroom shine. To start the design, you need to be inspired. Find that one wallpaper color, that one crackled tile with the blue hazy sheen, that one amazingly chic rain shower head that you saw in House Beautiful. Let’s say your special find is an old world chandelier from an antique faire. It’s a beautiful, scrolling piece with exposed light bulbs to resemble candlelight and dainty crystal beads that add sparkle and whimsical charm.

Maybe you’ve always wanted a white bathroom, as there’s something clean and crisp about this look. It’s traditional, but transitional – a design that looks good today and several years down the road. Cabinetry of any kind needs style, so consider elegant crown molding, a substantial baseboard and open shelving for towels and necessary bathroom knickknacks. Tile is next on the list. Continuing with the white scheme, polished Crema Marfil tile is a logical choice. Don’t opt for simple 12-inch by 12-inch square, but consider a brick shape of 16 by 24 installed in an offset pattern. It’s a solid, but decorative foundation. Creamy Dreamy Marfil

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Caesarstone countertops, vanity backsplash and tub decking adds to the soft white pallet. Because Caesarstone is a man-made slab material, you don’t have worry about nail polish remover accidentally etching your countertops. Fabulous, yet functional. Polished chrome plumbing fixtures and cabinet hardware make for a great metal finish in a bathroom like this. There’s something classic about this finish — it’s solidlooking and bold, but also soft and unassuming in any setting. There also are many other finishes that are just as nice and also make a statement: oil rubbed bronze, satin or polished nickel, antique brass. At this point, you’ve covered your major design ele-

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5132 Brookside Ct., Concord Beautifully updated single story Concord home. Features a

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.

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ments. It’s assumed you’ve hired a contractor that speaks and understands your design language and aesthetic goals. Fast forward a couple of months, and it’s time for accessories. Consider a beautiful area rug, a feminine, but sturdy vanity chair and a lovely soft, dipping Roman shade constructed of a beautiful, light gold Damask pattern that has the same warm tones as the area rug. Add crisp white towels, fresh flowers and a lavender scented candle. And to think, it all started with a chandelier. Fabulous. Just fabulous.

gorgeous back yard perfect for entertaining with a gas fireplace & brick patio. Numerous updates through out including new flooring, fresh paint & updated bathrooms.

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4413 Arrowwood Ct., Concord Gorgeous transformation in the Crossings!

Boasts 4 bed/2.5 baths remodeled kitchen & baths with marble counters, new concrete patio with sitting wall and new flooring through out. Perfect for entertaining! Don’t miss out on this transformed beauty in this highly sought after community! Offered at $774,000

15 Southampton Pl., Lafayette A complete remodel and tons of privacy!

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We helped over 51 families buy and sell homes again so far in 2016. How can we help you and your family today?

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