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June 5, 2020
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Tear gas ends Clayton protest JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
TAMARA STEINER
PUBLISHER
Digital and print, we keep on keepin’ on
After a two-month break from print during the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s good to be back. In a world where chaos, uncertainty and disconnect are the rules of the day the local paper has never been more important or played a bigger role in uniting communities. We need each other. We need information. We need to know what’s happening with our city councils, our doctors, our businesses, our schools. We need to ALL know, and we need to know it at the same time. You find that in your local paper— in The Pioneer. Although you haven’t seen us in print for two months, we have not been idle these weeks. Take a look at our amped up website. We learn fast. Sign up for email news alerts and “So This Happened” weekly review. We are posting current news, information and stories on our website and social media every day. We are also working hard for our advertisers who continue to look to us to write and design the ads that will reach their market. We’re good. They’re back. Buy their stuff. Advertising revenue is the gas in our engine. Along with our revved-up website, we are making some changes to our delivery schedule. Beginning with this issue, half of our Concord routes will receive the paper each month. This means, if you are in our Concord distribution area, your free Pioneer will come every other month. Check the rotation schedule on our website. To be sure you get every issue of The Pioneer, SUBSCRIBE. Or you can simply DONATE to help support local journalism. Do either on our website. Or, pick up a free copy at Concord City Hall or Harvest House on Monument Blvd. Check the website frequently as we will add more pick-up sites as businesses reopen. These two months have challenged us all. To our leaders, citizens and businesses, thank you for your spine and spirit. This is what it means to suit up and show up. And finally, a massive THANK YOU to the nimble Pioneer staff, especially Pete Cruz, our talented graphic designer and web manager who learned how to build an airplane while flying it. PioneerPublishers.com
Tamara Steiner/The Pioneer
A peaceful protest Tuesday ended moments after this photo was taken when Clayton Police used tear gas to disperse a remaining small group of protestors who refused to pay heed to the 6 o’clock curfew. There were no arrests or property damage reported after the crowd of primarily young people, many displaying handmade signs, left the area. Visit pioneerpublishers.com for additional photos and video.
Mayors face off in census challenge PAMELA MICHAEL Special to the Pioneer
In the tradition of epic rivalries like Sparta vs. Athens, L.A. vs. San Francisco or Cal vs. Stanford, Clayton Mayor Julie Pierce has thrown down the gauntlet to Piedmont Mayor Bob McBain. The challenge: Which city can deliver the highest response rate to the 2020 Census count. Currently, Piedmont ranks No. 1 in California with 84.7 percent of households responding, just less than its 2010 score of 85.8 percent. Clayton ranks No. 2, with 82.6 percent – already besting the 2010 response rate of 81.4 percent. “We’re determined to post the highest response rate in the state for the 2020 decennial,” says Pierce. “The stakes are very high for California this time around; we could lose a Congress person, in fact. It’s essential that everyone be counted. “Clayton residents have a proud history of civic engage-
Tamara Steiner/The Pioneer
Gray Cathrall/Piedmont Post
Clayton Mayor Julie Pierce has thrown down the gauntlet in a good natured challenge to Piedmont mayor Bob McBain. Pierce vows to pass the neighboring city in online census responses.
Protesters who marched about two miles from Concord to the edge of downtown Clayton Tuesday afternoon were dispersed by police with tear gas after they failed to leave when law enforcement informed the crowd they were in violation of Clayton’s 6 p.m. curfew. Anticipating the publicized local protest in the wake of the George Floyd murder last week by police in Minneapolis, Clayton Police initiated the 6 o’clock curfew on Tuesday. The majority of Contra Costa County is under an 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. curfew. The crowd, primarily coming from their peaceful protest at the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in front of a Bank of America branch, got as far as the VFW Flagpole Memorial at Clayton Rd. and Oak St., a one-way street into the downtown for one block across from the Clayton Bocce Courts. A Clayton Police sergeant first began announcing that everyone had to leave the scene about 30 minutes before the curfew start. After multiple warnings to leave, it was 6:40 when police threw out colored smoke and then tear gas to disperse the remaining group of several dozen protesters. Between 4 and 5 p.m. crowds gathered on busy street corners in Concord and Clayton to peacefully demonstrate their concerns about deteriorating race relations and police violence in America. The crowd swelled to 300 in Concord and waved to passing motorists who honked in support as chants of “No justice, no peace,” “Black lives matter” and “No more killer cops” rang out. A much smaller group was in front of Clayton’s Grove park. During that time there were as many onlookers at local businesses as protesters. Concerned about the looting and vandalism that took place in nearby Walnut Creek and other Bay Area cities Sunday, most businesses in the small downtown of Clayton and the Clayton Valley area of Concord closed at 1 p.m. and had plywood boarding up their windows and doors.
ment and participation,” she adds. “We’re going to show Piedmont, and the rest of the state, just how engaged we are.” McBain met Pierce’s challenge in good humor. “This competition is a great way to engage our communities in an effort that’s important to
both our cities,” he told the Pioneer. “We need to reach out to all our residents to ensure that they have the chance to participate in the census.” “And if a little competition can step up the effort, then we will have some fun and support a very good goal.”
session to begin the special board meeting. The following day, Lawrence said in a prepared statement, “The MDUSD Board voted unanimously to invoke article 7.4 of the Superintendent’s contract and begin the process of his separation from the District. We did not make this decision lightly.” Martinez is due one-year’s salary of $277,000 under the terms of his contract. To dissect the reasons why a board that so enthusiastically hired Martinez last summer did a complete change of heart so quickly, you might need no more than listen to the May 28 special session that went on nearly six
a contract with MDUSD since hours, including 60 recorded County or State. Martinez inherited the 2019- June 30, 2018 (a span of over public statements. During the meeting, the 20 budget and a situation with board unanimously rejected the teachers who now have not had See MDUSD, page 10 tentative agreement that was reached with the teacher’s union last December following mediation, citing the draconian effects of the coronavirus pandemic has on the District budget. They also discussed three potential methods of reopening school in the fall following the sudden closure of all campuses March 13. The Contra Costa County Office of Education has put MDUSD on notice that they must balance their budget or face being taken over by the DR. ROBERT MARTINEZ
The two towns, 23 miles apart, have nearly identical population numbers and similar demographics. Coming in at No. 2, however, prompted Clayton’s mayor to issue the good-natured challenge to
See Census, page 10
MDUSD superintendent terminated suddenly JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Last July the Mt. Diablo Unified School District board of education concluded a nationwide search for a superintendent by announcing the selection of Dr. Robert Martinez as “the ideal candidate for this important leadership role.” Just 10 months later that same board gave Martinez 30day’s notice last Thursday after their fifth closed door performance evaluation since April 20. Board President Brian Lawrence made a very brief announcement of the action following a two and one-hour closed Zoom
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Drive-through food collection benefits Food Bank at site of postponed Bay Area KidFest
For the first time in 31 years there was no Bay Area KidFest on Memorial Day Weekend in downtown Concord. However, KidFest’s longtime team was on hand Saturday, May 23, to help one of its loyal partners for the past 24 years, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. DriveThrough Food Collection was held at the KidFest site in Concord during the first two hours of the traditional KidFest opening. Each family donating received a free admission ticket to KidFest. KidFest producer Jay Bedecarré of Bay Area Festivals reported that donations at the Drive-Through Collection actually were one pound more than during one of the days at KidFest 2019. Over the years, KidFest attendees have donated over 130,000 pounds to the Food Bank. Food Bank Drive Administrator Neil Zarchin said that in the past two months during the coronavirus pandemic, “our food distributions are up
June 5, 2020
Clayton proudly joins Contra Costa cities honoring Pride Month
As a parent of a gay son, Clayton resident Dee Vieira wants to make this world a safer and more inclusive place for LGBTQ+ youth. Knowing that City Councilmen Jeff Wan and Carl “CW” Wolfe had shown likeminded support during their
the council voted 5-0 to recognize Pride Month via a proclamation as well as flying the rainbow flag at City Hall, the Grove and the Clayton Library. Several council members reported receiving tremendous support for this initiative via letters from Clayton residents and the community beyond, including Shawn Kumagai. The gay Dublin City Council member faced a rather tumultuous battle to have Pride Month recognized Photo courtesy Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano in his city last year. It served The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano benefitted from a as a catalyst for solidary supDrive-Through Food Collection at the Bay Area KidFest site in port throughout Contra Costa Concord last month. KidFest staff, from left, Larry Witus, and Alameda counties. Janine Witus and producer Jay Bedecarré joined the Food As of 2019, 17 of the 19 Bank’s Sharon Zeppegno as bins from the drive were loaded. cities in Contra Costa County 40 percent in terms of the Hunger Food Drive, we lost had recognized Pride Month number of people served. We over 200,000 pounds of food via a proclamation and/or flyhave just completed a forecast donations.” ing the Pride flag – leaving that even as people return to KidFest is the largest only Danville and Clayton. work during the next year, we annual event in Concord. Kid“To be clear, gay rights are anticipate an overall increase Fest 2020 has been reschedcivil rights,” Wan noted at the of 25 percent in terms of uled for the Labor Day WeekApril 21 meeting. pounds of food served. With end, Sept 5-7, and Bedecarré Wolfe added: “The time the postponement in April of says a decision will be made has finally come for Clayton In a small celebration June 1, Clayton became the 18th the National Association of soon if it will be safe and Contra Costa city to raise the Pride flag at City Hall. to stand up and say, ‘We do Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out practical to host KidFest then. support Pride Month, we will fly the flag and we will do the right thing because we welcome our gay brothers and sisters to our community.’ ” Cesar Zepeda and Kiku Johnson donated the rainbow Zoom or FaceTime. At least one of the parties “We went away having the DAVID SCHOLZ the Rainbow Comvia flags, Deborah Cooper, the best experience,’’ said Hardy , to the marriage must be a Correspondent munity Center. The Pride flag Clerk-Recorder who officiated “where I thought it was going Contra Costa County resident. was raised for the first time at Couples are not letting the the first one May 12 for The couple must appear be detached and clinical (and Clayton City Hall on June 1, Coronavirus deter them from Matthew Hardy and Amanda bureaucratic).” together on the video and be with Mayor Julie Pierce readmaking their love official, and Varner of Concord, said “it’s physically present within the They were pleasantly suring a proclamation. The city the Contra Costa County been a big hit” with the proState of California. Invited prised to see 12 different also ran the fountain that day, Clerk-Recorder is doing its screens with all of their family guests may join in to view the ceedings ranging from with Clayton residents sponpart. “somber’’ and “business like’’ and friends linked in, includceremony. Civil ceremonies pering his father in a tux ``smilto more flamboyant with the This is one service that must soring the cost in honor of Pride Month and our formed by department staff ing from ear to ear’’, when parties and family all dressed See Marriage, page 10 LGBTQ+ youth. are being done online via they entered the room. for a traditional wedding. campaigns, she reached out to Wolfe. He later requested the city’s recognition of Pride Month for council consideration, and Councilwoman Tujia Catalano co-sponsored the effort. During a well-attended Zoom meeting on April 21,
Love connections now being made official, virtually
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Concord soccer stadium project gets red card June 5, 2020
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Hall Sports Ventures has relinquished its exclusive negotiating rights with the City of Concord to develop 33.5 acres between the Concord BART Station and police headquarters on Galindo St. where they originally proposed building an 17,000-seat soccer stadium, hotels, convention center, housing and retail. Joe Garaventa, long-time Concord businessman and president of Hall Sports Ventures, says that in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic “the future is rather difficult to
forecast for all types of real estate projects. The added factor of social distancing and how that will impact venues like soccer stadiums makes this project very problematic.” He added, “With so many unknowns as to how and when people are going to feel comfortable sitting next to strangers at stadiums and concerts, we’re taking a ‘wait and see’ stance on these projects.” Garaventa added that the firm still “loves the 680 Corridor” and will look for new projects locally when economically feasible. Mayor Tim McGallian told The Pioneer, “While it’s unfor-
tunate that Hall Ventures has discontinued its feasibility study of this development effort, we remain committed to exploring future opportunities to develop our city in a thoughtful way that brings new jobs, housing and retail space to Concord.” Walnut Creek-based Hall Sports Ventures is in the final stages of completing its Shadelands Sports Mall in Walnut Creek, which houses indoor facilities for 10 high caliber sports programs including soccer, basketball, gymnastics, swimming, baseball and volleyball. The Concord City Council
in March 2019 entered into an 18-month Initial Exclusive Agreement Negotiating (IENA) with Hall Sports Ventures to develop the site adjacent to the BART station on parcels owned by the city and BART. The Hall proposal included a mixed-use, soccerspecific stadium, hotels, a convention center, multi-family housing and retail/office/commercial development. Although not in the original proposal, there were discussions about the stadium also hosting concerts, perhaps replacing the 45-year-old Con-
See Stadium, page 9
Page 3
A proposed downtown Concord soccer stadium is another victim of the economic challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic. Hall Sports Ventures recently relinquished its exclusive negotiating rights with the City of Concord to develop 33.5 acres by the Concord BART Station and police headquarters for a 17,000-seat soccer stadium, hotels, convention center, housing and retail.
Businesses see mixed results as COVID restrictions ease DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
Whether a business is operating now or opening in the coming weeks, the same minimum guidelines apply: maintain social distancing protocols, require face coverings by staff and customers alike and have hand sanitizer available. As Contra Costa County inches into Phase 2, health officer Dr. Chris Farnitano offered those reminders in a live broadcast on the department’s Facebook page on May 27. “The virus does not operate on a fixed schedule,” said Farnitano, noting that the county is following the slow but sure approach and “not going necessarily as fast as the state.” Two weeks is the closest he would offer as a timetable for when any additional big changes could be announced. As of May 28, the list of business types not permitted is steadily declining. Still banned are bars and night-
Tamara Steiner/The Pioneer
Some businesses, like R&M Garden in Clayton have been able to adapt to the restrictions with parking lot service. Others, like daycares have suffered as much as a 90 percent drop in business.
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checkout area are also the new normal. Clayton-based R&M Pool, Patio & Garden is fully back open and proud to say its bills and employee have all been paid. The shop was something of a trendsetter, using curbside service before it became the rage for small retailers in this COVID-19 era. Along with phone orders, R&M owner Nicole Hackett said customers sent photos of things they wanted, like pots, and she would shop for them. Then they would come by the parking lot later to pick up their purchases. But for every success story, there are businesses that suffered losses even while staying open. The day care at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Clayton could only serve children of essential workers until recently. Though it once again can accept all children without restrictions, the business has yet to enjoy a resurgence. Parents are hesitant, said
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Following event cancellations, local residents find virtual ways to keep emotional ties strong
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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
y cop e re a f oneer p Pi ku Pic f the o
June 5, 2020
DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
Serving our Local Community since 1977
Organizers have hit the pause button on many annual events that mark the summer and fall seasons in Concord and Clayton. While the cancellation of so many familiar events is disappointing to the thousands who attend, organizers are already looking forward to robust returns in 2021. Charmetta Mann, 78, views the shutting down of events due to the coronavirus as necessary for the future good. “We are doing the right thing. We have to protect ourselves,” said Mann, whose ’57 Chevy Nomad is a fixture in Clayton’s July 4th parade. To understand how crucial these steps are, Mann says one only needs to see graves in the Live Oak Cemetery of infants and adults who perished during the years surrounding the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918. A NEW WAY TO HONOR WAR HEROES
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While nearly 500 residents normally would have gathered at the VFW Flagpole in downtown Clayton to mark Memorial Day, Post Commander Mark Steinberg said the event was scaled back to a simple placing of a wreath provided by R&M Pools of Clayton. MAINTAINING COMMUNITY TIES
Concord Mayor Tim McGallian lauded the way residents and business owners are acting amid these uncertain times, believing the city will be able to reopen in a truly meaningful way in the long run. “Not having (the downtown concerts) in our normal, everyday routine, every week, gosh it’s unbelievable,” said McGallian. “So the goal right now is to help people figure out things we can do.” One example is maximizing the city’s cable television access for offerings like the Concord Couch Concerts that showcase local talent. Lisa Potvin, Concord’s downtown program manager,
AJ Chippero
An abbreviated Memorial Day ceremony in Clayton replaced the 500 plus crowds that usually attend the annual event.
believes everyone is discovering new ways to come together – especially virtually. “We are finding those emotional ties that you would in live events,” she told the Pioneer. Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) member AJ Chippero acknowledges that events such as the Concerts in the Grove, bocce and the parades would provide badly needed breaks from the disappointment and boredom the public is feeling. So to help fill that void, he has reached out to bands scheduled to perform at Concerts in the Grove this year to create videos that will stream on the day they were scheduled to appear. CONCERNS ABOUT A DROP IN DONATIONS
The biggest losers from the public’s rich support of the much-anticipated slate of events are the nonprofits, community organizations and individuals who would be the eventual beneficiaries. With money raised at the BBQ, Art & Wine Festival and Oktoberfest, the CBCA donated more than $150,000 in 2019. In neighboring Concord, local musicians and farmers who bring a buzz to Todos Santos Plaza through the summer concerts and farmers market experiences are feeling the pinch. Concord’s Oktoberfest, the most recent addition to the large gatherings in the plaza, provides funds for local organizations too. To help offset the loss of support, the Clayton Bocce
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Committee spearheaded a donation program that is purchasing gift certificates from local businesses to benefit those served by the Monument Crisis Center. So far, they’ve raised more than $3,500, much from the players. “The courts have been a social anchor of the downtown,” said Ed Hartley, chair of the CBCA Bocce Committee. “We are all confident that once the community gets back playing that bocce will be strong, and even stronger, for having gone through this together. “You don’t know how much you have taken something for granted until you lose it,” he added. Kevin Cabral, CEO of the Concord Chamber of Commerce, credited the community’s resilience and hardworking nature for figuring out ways to weather this period. “We will make the most out of this situation and move forward. It’s just the way we do things will be different,” said Cabral, pointing to things like wearing masks at large events.
LIST OF CANCELED EVENTS The following community events have officially been canceled in Concord and Clayton as of June 1. Organizers of other events have yet to announce if their offerings might be adjusted based on changing conditions set by the Contra Costa Health Department. CONCORD • Summer concerts at Todos Santos Plaza. • Farmers markets held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Todos Santos Plaza. A small market remains open at Concord High 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays. • July 4 parade and celebration. • Contra Costa Con • Oktoberfest.
CLAYTON • Concerts in the Grove. • Bocce competition. • Art & Wine Festival. • BBQ Cookoff. • July 4 parade and Rotary pancake breakfast. • Oktoberfest.
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Now that we’re past the worst part of the storm and life is coming back to some normalcy, the question I keep getting is, “Has my home’s value been affected?” It depends.
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Here’s what we do know. Interest rates are low. We’re seeing pent-up buyer demand, and inventory is nationally deficient. That’s a win for anyone who wants to sell now.
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TAMARA And R ObERT S TEInER , Publishers TAMARA S TEInER , Editor P ETE C Ruz , Graphic Design, Social Media b Ev b RITTOn , Copy Editor, Calendar Editor J Ay b EdECARRé, Sports Editor, Schools Editor S TAFF W RITERS : Jay Bedecarré
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CVCHS extends Executive Director Jim Scheible’s contract through 2022 JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
In what may have been its least surprising action of the past several years, the Clayton Valley Charter High School governing board recently announced that the contract of Executive Director Jim Scheible has been extended two years through June 2022. Scheible began at the Concord public charter high school in August 2018 three months after the sudden departure of the school’s first executive director David Linzey. Following the tumultuous final years of the Linzey tenure, Scheible’s success in the role was most apparent as he galzanized the once deeply fractured group of stakeholders to mount an effective campaign that culminated in the school receiving a five-year charter renewal last December by a narrow 3-2 vote of the Contra Costa County Office of Education trustees. CVCHS board chairperson Kristy Downs said, “The Board appreciates and commends Jim for exceeding our expectations and always finding ways to serve students and improve the operational efficiency of our school. He is a strong collaborator committed to building positive relationships with all stakeholders through effective communication.” In unanimously approving the new contract, Downs and her fellow board members cited Scheible’s operational efficiency, academic supports and successful charter renewal. CVCHS has over 2,200 students, operates on a $26 million annual budget and graduated more than 550 students this term. 4-YEAR COLLEGE-BOUND The Class of 2019 in Scheible’s inaugural year became the first group of seniors in the school’s history to
lawsuits, budget controversies, audits and troubles with the CCCOE. Scheible took over following Linzey’s termination and set about pulling together the disparate CVCHS segments. His success in that effort was apparent late last year at two public hearings on the charter renewal petition where hundreds of supporters—students, faculty, staff, parents and community members—came out in school colors to speak passionately to the school JIM SCHEIBLE CVCHS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR board in favor of the renewal.
have more students enroll at four-year colleges than twoyear schools. Clayton Valley was opened by the Mt. Diablo Unified School District in fall 1958. “Every day our dedicated staff shows up for work to make sure students have the best chance of succeeding,” said Scheible. “I am grateful for the Board’s confidence extending my contract and I look forward to working together to inspire, engage, educate and empower every student here.” SUCCESSFUL START Linzey began in the summer of 2012 just months after a teacher-led conversion charter petition was unanimously approved by the county board of education. MDUSD had rejected the charter petition the previous November. A veteran charter school administrator, Linzey was initially very successful in leading the school to remarkable improvements in test scores, receiving national attention from Congress in Washington, DC. A couple years into his term Linzey began having personnel issues with hold-over faculty and administrators that led to a damaging splintering both internally and in the greater CVCHS community, large turnover in staff, several
NO. 1 TEACHERS PAY During the charter renewal hearings, Scheible said CVCHS had the highest paid teachers in Contra Costa County in 201920. Clayton Valley art teacher Jennifer Moore has been at the Concord school over 20 years. She says, “Jim Scheible has always been very ‘present’ on campus. I have witnessed his active interest in student achievement. Last year, he followed many students on a personal caseload. He would check their academic progress weekly, keeping kids at risk accountable. “His dedication as a director is easy to get behind. I view him as first, student centered, second teacher supporting and third making sure CVCHS is a unique and high functioning school! He has put systems in place to make sure we as teachers can thrive during these crazy times.” Scheible’s initial two-year contract, which concludes the end of June, called for a $175,000 salary for 225 days a year (compared to Linzey’s contract for 215 days). The new deal is $192,000, working 246 days annually.
CVCHS sought its charter renewal, labor negotiations with teachers and staff needed to be concluded and the WASC re-accreditation process was scheduled. Little could Scheible, principal Jeff Anderson and the staff envision that success in those endeavors would be overshadowed by the challenges of the final three months of the spring semester when the coronavirus pandemic shutdown the campus. Since Mar. 13, the new reality is virtual instruction of students, spring sports canceled almost before they started, weekday free food distribution to the community, no proms and no commencement exercise at the Concord Pavilion.
PARENTAL SUPPORT “Jim Scheible has done an excellent job at communicating and keeping the CV community informed during normal times and during the uncertainties of the pandemic,” Lauren Velez, mother of senior Rylie and incoming freshman Connor, told Pioneer student journalist Alexa Oldham. Another parent, Chris McNevin said, “In the time that Mr. Scheible has been the director of CVCHS, he has provided clear and thorough communication with parents and the community. Following the uncertainty with regard to the exit of the previous director, he has brought a sense of stability to the CVCHS campus and community. He maintains high expectations for the students and faculty at CVCHS, challenging everyone to not accept mediocrity. “He has provided guidance and direction for the culture of the campus during the charter renewal and, more recently, with the COVID-19 issues CHALLENGING 2019-20 affecting educational practices SCHOOL YEAR at CVCHS,” McNevin, father Last summer, this 2019-20 of senior Ryan and sophomore school year appeared to be Kaitlyn, told Oldham. uniquely challenging as
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June 5, 2020
June 5, 2020
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From the Desk of Concord city officials continue to navigate the ‘now’ normal Page 8
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can also be seen as way to acknowledge that so many have made sacrifices during this time and even risk their lives trying to deal with this invisible killer. Some people feel that masks are uncomfortable or believe that they just don’t work, but we must remember the point of wearing them is to protect others – especially TIM MCGALLIAN our loved ones. Wearing a mask is also sign of solidarity, CONCORD MAYOR acknowledging that we are all The past few months have in this together. taken a toll on so many, both The most common quespersonally and professionally. tion I get is, “When are we We followed the orders, we going to get open?” City staff flattened the curve, and we and I have been working changed the way we live, work closely with local business and play. There has been a owners and the county to help great deal of tragedy to go them navigate next steps. The along with why we are shelstate of California seems to tered in place; the United be moving at a faster pace States has lost more than than some of the Bay Area 100,000 people to this virus counties, especially Contra that still does not have a vac- Costa, but our health officials cine. are being cautious. We need to We have all learned the continue to take a conservaimportance of hygiene: wash- tive approach to opening so ing our hands constantly, that we can reduce our using hand sanitizer, and wear- chances of having to go ing gloves and masks. While through all of this again. there may be some resistance The good news is that to wearing a mask in public, it many businesses are open,
Taking care while crafting the California state budget during COVID-19
orders have been implemented. At the same time, statistics show an alarming drop in child abuse reports because teachers, who often make these reports, have not seen their students in weeks. California has 24 Family Justice Centers that provide services and support to victims of inter-personal vioTIM GRAYSON lence, including domestic 14TH ASSEMBLY abuse, child and elder abuse and human trafficking. As we DISTRICT look for ways to ensure that all Californians are safe during Gov. Gavin Newsom’s these times, we should considrecently revised state budget er funding existing places, like proposal represents the uncer- Family Justice Centers, that tainty of these times and are providing life-saving servdetails the devastating cuts our ices to those who need help state will be facing if Conmost. gress does not act to provide Before this pandemicrelief. induced recession, our state – The social and economic and specifically our communiimpacts of COVID-19 have ty of the Bay Area – was hit Californians, especially our already facing a housing and most vulnerable, hard. It is homelessness crisis. While critical that we do not lose California has implemented sight of how our decisions policies such as Project will affect families and hardRoomkey to ensure that working Californians, many of homeless individuals have safe whom were already struggling housing conditions during the to keep a roof over their pandemic, this is only a temheads. porary first step. We must As the Legislature partners consider long-term solutions with the governor to craft a for housing the homeless that balanced budget, I will be pay- include wraparound services ing close attention to a few and policies that will spur new areas of concern. housing production to close Across the country, news our ever-growing housing reports are shining a light on deficit. It is critical that we do the dark truth that domestic not allow this pandemic to violence has increased since COVID-19 stay at home
See Grayson, page 9
albeit with a number of limitations. That means we need to change the way we do things; adjusting our expectations of the customer experience is something we are all going to have to embrace. We can still shop local and get food from our favorite restaurants, but it will either be curbside pickup or curbside dining in the coming weeks. We are working on creative solutions to help restaurants move into the next stages of reopening, and I will continue to stress the importance of
June 5, 2020
going out and supporting your local favorites. You can find a list of local restaurants (#ConcordEats) and businesses that are open at Concordfirst.com. So many are making efforts to pivot during this “now” normal, and that includes us at the city of Concord. From virtual City Council meetings, Facebook Live concerts and cooking shows to virtual recreations, we are all trying to find ways to come together while being apart. While the Music & Market
Series is canceled for the summer of 2020, we are still working on options for highlighting local entertainment that you can enjoy virtually. The big news is that Concord’s July 4th festivities are still on, but going virtual, and everyone can participate. This year, we will hold a virtual neighbor parade along with local music starting at 5 p.m. on Concord TV or streamed live from Facebook and YouTube. Anyone can be a part of the parade by submitting a video of their very own
4th of July float, bike, wagon or any creative entry parading down your own street. For more information and how to submit an entry, visit concordjuly4th.com. Finally, I want to thank every resident in the city of Concord for doing your part, for staying home when necessary, for making donations, for volunteering and for being resilient.
We are hopeful the opening of additional parking areas will relieve the impacts on our local neighborhoods. If you are out for a hike, an additional ¼ mile should not be a deterrent in order to respect our neighborhood residents. On June 1, Clayton initiated Pride month by raising the rainbow flag on City flagpoles with a small, physically distanced ceremony in the City Hall courtyard. Clayton is proud to be a city of inclusion where everyone is welcome and respected. As the council embarks on budget season this month, we are evaluating the impact of COVID-19 to our bottom line. While still early, it appears the financial impacts may be relatively minimal to our General
Fund since we rely on limited sales tax revenue. The largest impact will be to our local streets and roads maintenance programs through Measure J. Since we banked two years of funds for this year’s street maintenance, even that impact will be limited to future years in its impact. We are proceeding with our usual repaving program this summer doing the streets most needing repair first. Clayton is fortunate to be tied for the second-best streets condition in the entire Bay Area – a tribute to our long-time staff and prudent management of our limited resources. While virtually all of our traditional community events are cancelled through yearend, and we know how anx-
ious we all are to get back to whatever our new “normal” will be, I want to thank everyone for doing their best to adhere to the Contra Costa County health orders. We will “open-up” with our county as soon as we can do so safely. The entire city of Clayton wishes our 2020 graduates, at all levels and all schools, a very Happy Graduation! You are our future and we wish you all the best.
Mayor Tim McGallian can be reached at 925.671.2489 or email Tim.McGallian@cityofconcord.org
Parking, maintenance and budget issues on front burner
JULIE PIERCE
CLAYTON MAYOR
Welcome to June. I hope you are all staying well. Mt. Diablo State Park has reopened its Mitchell Canyon trailhead parking lot. Similarly, Clayton is reopening the lower parking lot at Clayton Community Park and strongly encourages hikers to use these spots instead of parking in nearby neighborhoods. Due to excessive crowds using the Donner Creek trailhead, the Council is researching the idea of adding permit-only parking to the Dana Hills side of the canyon on Mountaire Parkway.
Julie Pierce is mayor of Clayton and chair of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority .She is a past president of the Association of Bay Area Governments and serves on the executive committee where she represents Contra Costa cities. Reach her at 925-673-7320 or Julie.p@ci.clayton.ca.us.
Glazer’s town halls cover variety of coronavirus topics
tancing and taking protective measures such as wearing masks in public. We have weathered so much, and for that I’ve been grateful. But we STEVE GLAZER are still seeking a healthy and STATE SENATOR safe ending to this, and for that, we’ll need more patience. I can only express my Throughout this time, I’ve deepest condolences to those tried to be helpful by hosting who have lost family members coronavirus telephone town over the last three months, as halls – I’m up to 19 of them the coronavirus has taken the now. I hope they’ve been lives of more than 100,000 informative to those seeking people around the nation. answers to so many difficult The communities of my questions. I have included Bay Senate district have sacrificed Area leaders and experts in jobs, businesses, classroom health, education, business instruction time, school gradu- and other fields to answer ations, dining out and so many questions about COVID-19 more basic aspects of our and its impact on our commulives. We’ve endured long nity. lines, empty store shelves, the To listen to my talks, visit inability to visit loved ones my website at and the fear of the unknown. https://sd07.senate.ca.gov/ We are all working togeth- and go to the Town Hall er under shelter in place Archives. Here is a list: orders, practicing social disThe future of restaurants.
New tools to warn people about exposure to COVID-19. How are journalists reporting during COVID-19? What’s in the latest stay at home order? Are nursing homes safe? Is our fresh food supply chain breaking down? Is testing the way out of stay at home orders? New discoveries about COVID-19. Distance learning tips for parents. Unemployment and medical leave benefits. Grocery/pharmacy shopping, home delivery and store curbside pick-up. Small business relief. Pet safety. Coping with stress from the pandemic. The unfolding health crisis, with Sen. Richard Pan, M.D. Food and grocery supply chain and product shortages.
School shutdowns. Hospital capacity and preparedness. The nature of the virus and the public health response. I understand how difficult this time has been for you, your family and friends. We are all in this together. Our communities of the Senate district have done a great job of helping lower the number of infections. And I hope to continue to explore ways to minimize the impacts so we can ultimately return to a normal way of life. If you have suggestions for topics you’d like to hear about in future virtual town halls, please write to me at senator.glazer@senate.ca.gov. Steve Glazer is the California State Senator representing the 7th Senate District.
Concord Planning Commission adapting to new public comment option
JASON LAUB
CONCORD PLANNING
COMMISSIONER
For the Planning Commission, the rapid spread of COVID-19 caused the cancellation of our March 4 meeting while we all tried to understand more about the disease and what we needed to do to protect ourselves, our families and our community. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. We canceled the scheduled March 18 Planning Commission meeting while staff worked on alternative ways to keep the
commission’s business going during the pandemic. On April 1, we held our first hearing via video conferencing with all staff and commissioners at their homes. We had a fairly full agenda, and one item in particular drew a substantial amount of public comments. But the forum for public comments was much different than it had been when our meetings were held in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Community members used to be able to provide testimo-
ny in person a few feet away from the Planning Commission. In that venue, we could see people’s body language and read their emotions – providing an opportunity to better understand someone’s view on a matter. The new venue offers written form only. Community members send their comments to staff members, who then read them to the commissioners. We received many public comments requesting that the agenda item be postponed
until a time when the Planning Commission could hear the matter in the Council Chambers. I understand the request, and I also would much prefer to hear people’s comments in person. However, the timeline for when we may be able to hold regular hearings at Council Chambers is unknown. I think it could be sometime next year before we hold inperson meetings again. In the meantime, we must continue to move forward with our business as a city –
albeit in a different way. We’re all finding new ways to keep our lives functional. Online meetings are the best we can do for the time being. My fellow commissioners and I will continue to do our best to listen and understand the views and comments of community members.
Jason Laub is Chief Operating Officer at RAD Urban and is a City of Concord Planning Commissioner. Email questions or comments to jlaub.concordplanning@gmail.com
Clayton city manager abruptly resigns June 5, 2020
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
TAMARA STEINER The Pioneer
In a complimentary letter to the city council dated May 29, Ikani Taumoepeau abruptly resigned as Clayton city manager after only five months on the job giving no reason. Taumoepeau was hired in December 2019 to replace former city manager Gary Napper who retired in July
2019 after 18 years with the city. In an email to the Pioneer, Taumoepeau paid high regard to the council. “I am blessed and honored for the privilege of serving as the City Manager in Clayton and wish City Council, staff and this great community the best of success going forward!� He included a copy of his resignation letter in which
Stadium, from page 3
cord Pavilion. The stadium was to serve as home of a United Soccer League franchise. There are currently 35 clubs in USL Championship League, the tier of men’s professional soccer in Canada and the United States directly below Major League Soccer. Hall acquired the rights to a USL Championship franchise in 2017 and first sought to locate it in Oakland before approaching Concord in 2018. After doing community outreach and holding discussions with city staff, Hall Sports Ventures explored a smaller modular stadium in the 5,000—6,000 seat range. Garaventa reports they also looked at “a couple alternative sites in downtown Concord� for the stadium. Hall Equities Group president and CEO Mark Hall says his organization will continue looking for a site to host its USL franchise, which is exclusive for Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara counties, and the southern sections of Napa and Solano counties. Concord Councilman Edi Birsan first broke the news about the project effort stopping on his Facebook page. He was mayor in 2018 when the project was first proposed.
“What was always called the Stadium Project evolved into a housing and downtown development project with a very small stadium (5,000), a possible business building, below market housing for 1000+ rooms and a hotel. “I am disappointed that the community and the Council did not get to look at the totality of a final design, which may have been worthy of support. We will not know now. All projects go through many changes and to fixate on the first presentation is to deny the possibilities for improvement.� A self-styled grassroots group, Concord Communities Alliance, was formed in opposition to the project and lobbied attendees at a number of Thursday Music and Market concerts last summer in Todos Santos Plaza. Their informal polling there showed strong opposition to the project. A promotional handout from CCA said “public outcry is essential to ensuring� city councilmembers do not approve the final project. The group issued a press release that in part said, “The withdrawal of the proposal by a Walnut Creek developer to build a stadium in downtown is a win for Concord residents.
manager. Howevdetails a long list of er, in light of the accomplishments protests expected including “managing downtown that the Olivia Project and day, the meeting entitlement process was postponed while minimizing “until further legal exposure to the notice.� city.� Mayor Julie The agenda for Pierce declined to the June 2 council IKANI comment on the meeting included an TAUMOEPEAU item to discuss how resignation. As to move forward with hiring did Taumoepeau when asked an interim and permanent city why he resigned.
This is the conclusion of the Concord Communities Alliance, which determined in informal polls last summer that an overwhelming majority of residents were opposed to the proposal.� One of the founding CCA members, Laura Nakamura, adds, “We are looking forward to moving forward as a community and focusing on making Concord a better place for all who call Concord home. As part of the IENA signed last year Hall Sports Ventures paid for all city staff time and would have also paid for a feasibility study had they felt ready to proceed. The IENA was due to expire this September but city staff were ready to offer an extension to allow them to complete the study. The withdrawal by Hall is the latest blow to development in Contra Costa County’s largest city. Since last April four major projects have stalled or been abandoned. The proposed AvalonBay mixed use project, just one block from the stadium site, fell apart after the council required union labor, the same fate that befell the master developer agreement with Lennar Concord LLC this March for the massive Concord Naval Weapons Station conversion.
Grayson, from page 8
most impacted by COVID-19. We need results so that people are not limited to fighting for compound our existing hous- face devastating and impossi- survival, but are able to prosper and live the American ble budgetary decisions. ing struggles. These are just a few of my Dream here in California Local governments, which If you would like to learn are on the frontlines providing priorities, and not all solutions more about the work I’m direct services during the pan- will be found in the budget. I doing in Sacramento or if you know that there must be legdemic, have been hit incredineed assistance during these islative action that works in bly hard. Cities will need the difficult times, please call my tandem with the budget to state’s assistance to preserve Concord office at 925-521public education, public produce results, which is why 1511. It is my pleasure to health, public safety and jobs I am co-authoring Assembly serve you. as they are already facing cuts. Bill 1842 that will allow us to The state needs to dedicate take immediate action to reviVisit or write Assemblyman Tim funding for localities already talize our economy, create job Grayson at the district office 2151 grappling with budget deficits opportunities and provide Salvio Street, Suite P, Concord, CA so that they do not have to needed relief for businesses 94520
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Earlier this year the city and the U.S. Coast Guard were unable to come to terms on the purchase of 58 acres on East Olivera Rd. where local homebuilder DeNova Homes was to develop a mixedincome residential project.
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Census, from page 1
Piedmont’s mayor to encourage Census awareness and response. Pierce promises a gift basket of Clayton-produced honey and other offerings, should the town not come in first by the Aug. 11 deadline. After that, Census enumerators will contact households that haven’t responded to the brief survey with a knock on
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the door. This is an expensive method of data collection and, in the era of COVID-19, the choice of last resort. It’s never been easier to respond to the Census, which only takes about 10 minutes. For the first time ever, residents can respond online. They can still respond by phone or mail, as well.
MDUSD, from page 1
700 days). Even with those circumstances, observers noticed public comments and actions by board members that indicated their growing dissatisfaction with his performance, including rejecting one of his proposed manager hires. Martinez came to MDUSD from the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District which he served for over 30 years. He was replacing popular superintendent Nellie Meyer who surprisingly resigned last spring to take a similar position across the Bay. As the board began another recruitment process this week, the District faces uncertain financial waters and is just five months from a Nov. 3 board election to fill two seats in the first-ever trustee by area election. Voters in Area 3 (Ygnacio Valley High feeder area) and Area 5 (Concord High area) will elect new trustees. Lawrence and 2019 board president Joanne Durkee both announced last year that they would not be seeking reelection. Lawrence sent an email to every District employee last Friday that said, in part, “The Board has defined a transition plan. We have immediately started the search for a new Superintendent and will be sharing the details of that timeline at our June 8 board meeting. Executive Director of Instructional Support Jennifer Sachs and Executive Director of Special Educa-
tion Dr. Wendi Aghily will be stepping in as liaisons between the Board and staff during this time.” A sign of the Board’s thinking concerned Bel Air Elementary principal Robert Humphrey On March 20 he was one of three administrators who were demoted to teaching positions based on the recommendation of Martinez. Following an outcry from teachers, parents and the Mt. Diablo Education Association that action was rescinded unanimously in the same closed session as Martinez’ final evaluation. One of Meyer’s strong points was her seeming ability to be everywhere in the District, visiting schools and events, much of which was captured on social media. Critics of Martinez speaking to the board and privately pointed out that his “selfserving selfies” and social media posts on Twitter and Facebook seemed to mainly promote his book and appearances at conferences. Other comments said he only appeared at and posted about a select group of high performing District schools. Teachers union president Anita Johnson pointed to her member’s dissatisfaction that the tentative agreement they voted in favor of in January was not dealt with more quickly by MDUSD. The CCCOE required the District to trim $20 million from its budget in order to meet
June 5, 2020 The Census occurs every 10 years, as mandated by Congress. The count will determine Congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding every year, and provide data that will impact our roads, schools, fire protection, health care and many other essential services for the coming decade. So, come on, Claytonians: Let’s rise to this challenge and do right by our community.
You can respond online at 2020census.gov or call toll-free 844-330-2020. Questionnaires are available in 12 languages in addition to English, with language support for 59 other languages. All answers are confidential and protected by the most advanced security technology in the world.
the financial requirements of the new agreement. At a prolonged Mar. 9 board meeting 98 teaching positions were eliminated for the 2020-21 school year to reach needed budget cuts. Four days later the state-wide school closures went into effect and all contract discussions ceased while distance learning was instituted for the District’s 30,000 students. The County is now projecting at least an additional $10 million shortfall for MDUSD, which each Board member pointed to in voting down the tentative agreement last Thursday 5-0. Johnson said, “The timing of the termination of Dr. Robert Martinez is problematic because of all the work that must be done to re-open schools safely during this COVID-19 pandem-
ic. If this school board truly prioritizes students, then MDEA will be part of the process to find a new superintendent who will work collaboratively with educators to get the best resources and opportunities our students need to succeed.” She told The Pioneer that the first time she ever heard of Dr. Martinez was when the Board announced his selection. Johnson called on the board to immediately begin new negotiations with her union—even in the absence of a superintendent—and further claimed that, “These interventions by the Contra Costa County of Education are detrimental to the collaboration we truly need to move forward during this crisis.” Visit pioneerpublishers.com for more information, updates and documents.
be done in person, and as if occurring in the department’s offices, couples must hold their IDs up to the camera. A computer, tablet, or cell phone with a microphone/camera and an internet connection is required for the ceremony. No additional software is needed, but the couple must complete required forms in advance. The new service was made possible after California Gov-
ernor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order permitting the issuance of marriage licenses and the conducting of remote civil wedding ceremonies via teleconferencing technologies. Appointments are available Tuesday through Thursday through June. If couples would like more information or to schedule an appointment, send an email to marriages@cr.cccounty.us or call (925) 335-7900.
Clayton resident Pamela Michael is a media specialist with the Census Bureau.
Marriage, from page 2
SPORTS & LIFESTYLE
The Pioneer
June 5, 2020
Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B4 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . .B6 Hit the Trail . . . . . . . .B10
The Pioneer, Section B
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High schools honor 2019-20 athletes of the year JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Five local high schools have announced their athletes of the year, honoring students who excelled in their chosen sports during 2019-20 abbreviated sports year. De La Salle chose this year to honor athletes by sport but did not select an athlete of the year.
CARONDELET Scholar Athlete of the Year: Kaitlyn Sheffield of Clayton had an in-season 4.38 GPA to earn the honor, which “recognizes excellence in the classroom and on the playing field in season.” In her case, it
JORDAN FROST CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER
JAYME BLACKARD CARONDELET
was in the pool as a water polo player and swimmer for the Cougars. Last fall, Carondelet polo lost an incredible 17-16 overtime game to Tamalpais in the North Coast Section Division II championship game as she finished her third varsity season for CHS. Each year the team made the post-season playoffs. She also swims for the Terrapins Swim Team and will be attending Ohio State University in the fall.
Athlete of the Year: Jayme Blackard spent four years on varsity basketball and as part of three straight NCS championship teams before falling in the semi-finals this year to eventual champion San Ramon Valley. She was team MVP this season, all-EBAL second-team and selected to alltournament teams at the West Coast Jamboree and Miramonte‘s Jim Peyo Tip-Off Classic. Blackard also excels in track and field as a state qualifier in her sophomore year 4x400 relay and third in the NCS Meet of Champions triple jump, qualifying for State as a junior. She was part of Carondelet’s all-time record in the sprint medley relay and currently is second all time in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump at the school.
CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER Female Athlete of the Year: Jordan Frost played the key goalie position for Ugly Eagles varsity water polo for four years. Her team reached the NCS semi-finals this past fall, the fourth consecutive trip the playoffs for Frost and her teammates. She earned three firstteam all-Diablo Athletic League laurels and was two-time league MVP. CVCHS won the DAL valley division championship her first two years. Frost also swam for the school in the spring. She plays club polo for 680 Drivers and is in the Olympic Develop-
KAITLYN SHEFFIELD CARONDELET
ERIC CASTENADA CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER
JOEY SOBERON CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER
ment Program. Frost is going to play Division I water polo in the fall for UC Irvine after earning 4.0 GPA at CVCHS. Male Athlete of the Year: Edgar Castenda led the Ugly Eagles NCS semi-final soccer team in scoring this year with 15 goals and 15 assists, which earned him DAL Offensive MVP. He was a three-year varsity player, two-time all-league and coach Guillermo Jara says he “has been influential in helping build the Clayton Valley Charter soccer program to be one on best Division I soccer programs in NCS.” The coach said this year’s team was the best in Clayton Valley history at 18-2-4. “Edgar was influential on and off the field to make it the best season to go down in the CVCHS history books.” The MVP is going to Humboldt State in the fall. Scholar Athlete of the Year: Joey Soberon matched his ability on the baseball diamond with a 4.31 GPA. The righthander was a three-year ace of the Ugly Eagles pitching staff. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to follow up with 2019 DAL pitcher of the year exploits with this spring season cut short. Soberon was 7-3 with a 2.01 ERA as a junior and this year’s team was off to a 6-1-1 start when the sea-
son ended. He’s headed to UC San Diego in the fall to resume his baseball career.
CONCORD Female Athlete of the Year: Marina Delaluna earned the prestigious White Block C this year by competing in eight varsity seasons as a fouryear member of varsity water polo and softball. She won many accolades through the years, including five all-league recognitions (3 times in water polo and 2 in softball), team defensive MVP three times for water polo and 2019 MVP Offensive Award for softball. She started her Concord High career as a member of the 2017 NCS championship softball team where coach Megan Coddington says Delaluna “quickly found a home as the starting center fielder and competed in the top of the batting lineup each season bringing a work ethic, positivity and insight to our program.’” She accumulated a 4.4 GPA and is headed to Trinity University in Texas this fall. Male Athlete of the Year: Ryan Murphy was a four-year member of both the football and baseball programs and earned six varsity letters. Head football coach Paul Reynaud says, “As a coach it is rare that
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you find a player that can play multiple positions at such a high level, but he played so spectacularly at quarterback, punter, and free safety, that he was awarded first team all-league utility player.” He was a three-year varsity starter as a shortstop and centerfielder and earned all-league accolades in his 10th and 11th grade years. He going to Sonoma State this fall.
NORTHGATE Female Eric Griffin Memorial Award: Eden Broussard is called “a driving force at Northgate in the classroom, through NG leadership, student government and athlet-
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ics.” New athletic director Ben Ballard says, “She is loved and respected by all she comes in contact with. On the basketball court she is a skilled post player and great competitor. In track and field, she was a standout in shot put and discus”. Broussard was in the NHS Leadership program for four years and was elected to officer positions three years. As a senior she was ASB VP while maintaining a 4.1 GPA. Ballard adds, ”She’s courageous on the court and field and is a force to be reckoned with. She does it all with efficiency and grace.” She is going to Cal State Northridge. Male Eric Griffin Memorial Award: Cole Sanchez finished off a stellar career and will go down as probably the best wrestler ever at Northgate. He set the school record with 161 career wins (old record was 142), finished his senior year with a 49-5 record, setting the singleseason school record for wins. He was a four-time NCS place winner and three-time CIF State qualifier (both firsts in school history). He was 2020 NCS Champion (first at Northgate since 2001) and was all-league and team MVP all four years. He captained this year’s team to undefeated DAL division championship, NCS Division 2 East Bay Dual Team title, DAL
See Athletes, page B3
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Frank Allocco Jr. named CVCHS basketball coach Page B2
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JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Frank Allocco Jr., who made a name for himself as a standout guard for the 1995 state championship Northgate Broncos and went on to play four years at Saint Mary’s College, is the new boys varsity basketball coach at Clayton Valley Charter High School. Allocco, 42, is the son of legendary high school coach Frank Allocco Sr., who led Northgate to the CIF state ’95 Division III championship and moved a couple years later to De La Salle where he won two state D-I and 17 league titles during 18 years at the Concord parochial boys school. After winning the 1995 state title as a junior, Allocco Jr. was named all-state at Northgate as his 1996 Broncos were second in the Division II state finals. He then had an excellent career at SMC where he was a three-year starter, a WCC all-conference player and participant in the 1997 NCAA tournament. Andrew Doss, coach of CVCHS boys basketball for the past two years, is moving with his family to Arizona where he has landed a job as a history teacher and basketball coach at Horizon High School in Scottsdale. Before taking over the Ugly Eagles varsity for the 2018-19 season he was on the basketball staff for eight years, assisting head coach Eric Bamberger for four seasons on the varsity bench. Bamberger stepped down after a record-breaking 201718 season for CVCHS in order to watch is daughter Ali play her final season at Carondelet and son Mason play as a De La Salle freshman. Bamberger returned last year to assist
FRANK ALLOCCO JR.
Doss and his son transferred to Clayton Valley for his sophomore season. The Pioneer understands that Bamberger was a finalist for the Clayton Valley job this month. The new Ugly Eagles coach has spent the 20 years since graduating from Saint Mary’s in 2000 in the family business: basketball. His dad has run Excel Basketball Camp since 1981 and Allocco Jr. has been on the coaching staff for a majority of that time. He was on the De La Salle staff from 2001-2014, primarily as a varsity assistant. He founded Advanced Skills Academy in 2004 and added Prime Basketball for year-round AAU teams seven years ago. He currently runs 25 Prime teams for third through eighth graders and another 15 teams in the ASA program. Among the facilities his programs use is the Ultimate Fieldhouse in Walnut Creek, which he co-founded in 2016. The Northgate and De La Salle teams coached by Allocco Sr. were known for their tenacious defense and the new CVCHS coach says all Ugly
Eagles teams from frosh to varsity will build their foundation around defense and eliminating turnovers. “Our offensive style may change and adapt to our opponent but defense, eliminating turnovers (keeping them to single digits) and rebounding will ensure we get extra possessions.” The new coach adds, “We will teach our players how to win. I am excited to coach and mentor at a school that I truly believe has unlimited potential. Being born and raised in Concord, part of my childhood was spent attending Clayton Valley games and rooting for the Ugly Eagles. “Clayton Valley is in a great place as a school and an athletic program, and I am excited to build on the foundation that has been set by my predecessors Andrew Doss and Eric Bamberger. My high school basketball experience changed my life and remains something my teammates and I still reminisce upon as some of our fondest memories. I look forward to building on a program that the basketball community and the cities of Concord and Clayton can continue to showcase as a source of community pride,” said Allocco Jr. He went to Mountain View Elementary School and El Dorado Middle School while he played for St. Agnes CYO basketball teams. He transferred to Foothill Middle School when his dad began coaching at nearby Northgate. In the recently completed 2019-20 season, the Ugly Eagles were 19-8 overall and finished second in the Diablo Athletic League, earning the No. 3 seed in the NCS
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Division I playoffs. They were upset by Heritage of Brentwood in the opening round, the second time in three years CVCHS was eliminated by lower seeded Heritage in the Section playoffs. CVCHS athletic director Bob Ralston adds, “We are excited to have Frank lead our men’s basketball program. He has a great reputa-
June 5, 2020
tion as a teacher of skill development. Frank has passion, energy and will motivate our players to be successful on and off the court.” The first big challenge for the new coach is getting a chance to meet his players and get them on the court under the current shelter in place guidelines. Allocco says that he’s learned a lot about
Zoom and remote training in the past two months, some of which he says he will incorporate into his regimen on a regular basis. Allocco Jr. says his two SMC coaches, Ernie Kent and Dave Bollwinkel, along with Clayton Valley alum and Excel coach Brian Sullivan are coaching mentors along with his dad.
Summer swim season looking less likely as big meets canceled JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
The area’s two largest swim meets have been canceled, which does not bode well for over 1000 local girls and boys on recreation and year-round swim teams who would now be in the early stages of their summer meet schedules. Terrapins Swim Team announced the cancellation of July’s Long Course Far Western Age Group Swimming Championships it was hosting. The Concord-based USA Swimming competitive program promised the Far Westerns will be back in Concord in July 2021. The summer recreation season culminates annually in Lafayette with the Contra Costa County Swimming Championships. This was to be the 60th year of the meet. Tournament official Jeff Miller told The Pioneer, “Although we are hopeful youth swimmers in the area
Jay Bedecarré
The Dana Hills Swim Team is like all local summer recreation swim teams who are hoping to get in their swimming pools for at least a modified season this year. The Clayton team has canceled its 26th annual Devil Mountain Pentathlon in late June.
will be able to get some swimming activities in this summer, we don’t think it is realistic to have thousands of swimmers/spectators on a pool deck in the near future.” The city of Concord is in a similar situation with its Olympic-style Concord Community Pool where the 54th
annual Concord Swimming Championships are slated July 24-26. Director of Parks and Recreation Steve Voorhies explains, “Unfortunately, no updates to the current health orders allow for the opening of public pools.
See Swimming, pg B3
June 5, 2020
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com doing what we love.” CVCHS lacrosse coach Jenna Ebert’s team won four of its first five games before the season ended abruptly in March. “My experience coaching Sarah has been great. She is always positive, working hard and growing as a player. Her teammates look to her as a positive role model and someone they can trust on and off the field,” the coach said. Grigsby will attend Cal Poly SLO in the fall. CVCHS student journalist Alexa Oldham wrote this Spotlight.
Athlete Spotlight
Sarah Grigsby Grade: Senior School: CVCHS Sport: Lacrosse
Grigsby began playing lacrosse her freshman year at Clayton Valley Charter and said, “I have looked forward to my senior season, specifically senior night, since the moment I began playing. We had a very strong team this season and were likely to go very far. Unfortunately, our season was cut
short due to COVID-19.” This was her third year on the Ugly Eagles varsity, where she played as an attacker. “It’s disappointing to know I played my last game of lacrosse without even realizing it. My teammates turned into my best friends and it’s a shame I no longer get to see them every day while
The Pioneer congratulates Sarah and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Former Carondelet basketball star Ali Bamberger heads to her dad’s alma mater at Saint Mary’s College
Athletes, from page B1 tournament championship and led the Broncos to best-ever NCS finish in fifth place. In addition to wrestling Sanchez was a three-year varsity letter winner in water polo, serving as captain his senior year as his team won NCS and placed second at NorCal championships. He is also a four-year varsity swimmer. He is a four-year scholar athlete with 3.86 GPA and will attend Cal Poly in the fall.
YGNACIO VALLEY Female Athlete of the Year: Piper Kunesh is a repeat winner of the Athlete of the Year award and she’s still only a junior. She again kept busy on the cross country, soccer and track teams this school year. It is in track that Kunesh most distinguishes herself but was deprived of the majority of this spring season. Last year, she was team MVP and placed third at the
DAL championships in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. She qualified for the NCS Tri-Valley championships in both events and then made it to the NCS Meet of Champions in the 300 by taking sixth at the Tri-Valley meet. Male Athlete of the Year: Alex Lopez spent a lot of time in Dick Ryan Stadium as a member of the Warriors football and soccer teams this school year, helping both teams to the post-season playoffs. He was a first-team all-DAL soccer selection, completing four years of all-league recognition. Lopez was a key component of the NCS Division III championship squad that went on to the Northern California championships as the D-III top seed where they lost their opening game in a shootout. The Warriors were second a year ago at NCS and NorCal. He is headed to Humboldt State this fall on a soccer scholarship.
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Concord’s Ali Bamberger (left) of Carondelet High is headed to Saint Mary’s College after spending her freshman basketball season at the University of Washington. The Carondelet High grad will be a Gael player like her dad Eric Bamberger was 30 years ago.
high 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting while adding five rebounds and a season-high three assists against the Bruins before the injury when she was going for a rebound. Bamberger had played in 27 of 29 games when she was felled by the injury.
FIRST SERIOUS INJURY Eric Bamberger said it was the first injury of any consequence his daughter has suffered in 12 years playing basketball. After the swelling went down, she had surgery a month ago in San Francisco at UCSF and is currently undergoing physical therapy in San Ramon. She is completing online classes at Washington and will start school in the fall at Saint Mary’s. The rehab for an injury of this nature is estimated at nine to 12 months so Bamberger will redshirt next year and have three years of eligibility remaining.
Swimming, from page B2
Swim meets generally involve gathering of large groups which still seems highly unlikely this year. “That said, we are hopeful that when and if health orders are relaxed, Concord will be in a position to appropriately reopen the community pool for certain types of programs identified as lower
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JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Before Ali Bamberger of Concord began her 2018-19 senior basketball season at Carondelet High School, she announced that the University of Washington was her collegiate destination. Since then, she helped her Cougar team to a fourth successive North Coast Section championship while making the all-state team like her father Eric Bamberger did 30 years previously and followed that playing her freshman season for the Huskies, which ended prematurely when she suffered the first major injury of her career. To top off that whirlwind year and half, Bamberger announced recently that she is transferring this fall to Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, her dad’s alma mater. “Ali will be a great addition to our program,” SMC head coach Paul Thomas said. “As a person, she has all the qualities we look for: unselfish, caring and driven. These are the same qualities she possesses on the court. Ali will be a great teammate for the Gaels.” The Gaels communications department transfer announcement said: Bamberger is not your traditional center as she can shoot the three-pointer, making her an excellent fit for head coach Thomas’ run n’ gun style of offense. Of the 92 shots Bamberger took during her freshman season at Washington, 46 of them came from three-point range, where she shot 34.8%. Thomas has coached Saint Mary’s since 2006. This year’s Gaels suffered some tough injuries and finished with a 12-19 record, breaking a streak of eight consecutive 20+ win seasons. The 6-3 Bamberger suffered a torn ACL and MCL in her right knee in the closing minutes of a Feb. 23 UW upset win over No. 8 UCLA. Bamberger scored a season-
Page B3
risk. For example, we would love to be able to provide learn to swim opportunities this summer.” Dana Hills Swim Team of Clayton canceled the 26th Devil Mountain Pentathlon June 27-28 and the Otters team has yet to get going while its pool is one of many in the area closed dur-
The elder Bamberger played four varsity seasons for the Gaels from 19881992, earning all-conference honors as a junior and senior. He played professional basketball on four continents before starting a long career as a boys basketball high school coach. He prepped at Ygnacio Valley High, leading the Warriors to the CIF Division I state championship game against legendary Mater Dei in 1987. YVHS won NCS the following year. He mentioned that being able to be closer to the family home in Concord played a part in his daughter’s decision to transfer. Eric Bamberger can appreciate her process as he took steps to transfer from SMC to Cal as a sophomore before returning to the Moraga school in the fall. Cal had recruited him out of high school to play football for the Bears.
Saint Mary’s recruited Ali Bamberger but wasn’t among her final four college choices of Washington, UC Davis, Boise State and San Diego State. She was ranked the No. 8 player in California and No. 81 overall in the Class of 2019 by Prospects Nation. At Carondelet, Ali Bamberger finished with a 99-25 record in four years and capped that with a 26-5 senior season averaging 19 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game as the Cougars won that fourth straight NCS title and finished No. 4 in Bay Area rankings. Emily Howie, Erica Miller, Alex Brown and Tatyana Modawar joined Bamberger as the Cougar’s Fabulous Five that won those 99 games. Brown and Bamberger actually started playing together as second graders for St. Bonaventure CYO in Concord.
ing the pandemic. DHST has won 27 of the past 28 Concord City Meets. Long-time Forest Park Swim Team and Northgate High coach Jeff Mellinger acknowledges there will be “no true summer season at this point. No big meets at all. If dual meets happen, they wouldn’t happen until August.” He explains that FPST is “going forward assuming
swim team will not happen as usual. We are holding swim camps in line with the orders set out by the County. They will run for four weeks and then we will see if there are any changes to the county’s orders.” On Tuesday it was announced that the County will be consulting with the state about reopening swimming pools.
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four years for a swim team to get started and the year we get it running, it got taken away from me. There past four years have been amazing and I can’t wait to start my life.” He formed an American Sign Language club on campus. Casey plans to take some time off from school before enrolling at DVC, possibly next spring. He won’t be too far from his alma mater, though, as he promised Clark that he will return next year to help her coach the swim team. Clark also has more plans for MDHS aquatics as she’s looking to form boys and girls water polo teams in the fall.
Athlete Spotlight
Adrian Casey
Grade: Senior School: Mt. Diablo High Sports: Wrestling, Swimming
Mt. Diablo High School hadn’t had a swim team since the last millennium until this spring when coach Shawna Clark realized the fruits of her six-year effort to form a Red Devils team for its refurbished on-campus pool. Senior Casey had never swum competitively but joined the team as one of only two boys on the small squad that originally included about 16 girls. Not only was
Casey swimming but he was using his experience as a lifeguard for the Boy Scouts during the summer to “inspire and help” teammates who were learning to swim, his coach added. Mt. Diablo had two meets before the coronavirus shut down the season. Casey, who also wrestled for the school during the winter at 152 pounds and is a cheerleader, said, “I have been waiting
The Pioneer congratulates Adrian and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Concord’s original high school honors 2 titans with facility naming recognition First in a series about athletic facilities at local high schools JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer
Mt. Diablo High School opened in 1901 and its rich athletic history includes championship teams and outstanding athletes like Dan Colchico, who played for the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints, and Todd Lichti, who was elected last year to the College Basketball Hall of Fame. The downtown Concord campus opened its first building on the Grant Street site in 1904. Called “the largest and best equipped in the area,” a gymnasium opened in 1920 and the school says there were “many victories with honor” in the gym. It was later converted to the Music Building and was removed during a 1963-64 building program. The current gymnasium opened 70 years ago in 1950 and was named after MDHS coach and school administrator Peter J. Kramer in 1965. The football stadium was built after World War II along with adjacent grass fields and outdoor basketball/badminton/volleyball and tennis courts. Legendary football coach Hart Fairclough’s name is shown above the Mt. Diablo
High Red Devil Stadium sign on the school side of the home bleachers. P. J. Kramer was a Mt. Diablo High coach and Mt. Diablo Unified School District administrator for more than 50 years before retiring in 1964. He died in 1986. He played football and basketball at Washington State University before he began his coaching and teaching career at Mt. Diablo in 1925. During that era, the head coach handled the entire MDHS athletic program and one year coached six sports: football, basketball, track, baseball, tennis and swimming! During his quarter century coaching Red Devil athletic teams, Kramer emphasized the slogan “victory with honor.” For decades, the Concord school honored its athlete of the year with the P.J. Kramer Award. Even after his retirement in 1964, Kramer continued to support athletic and social functions at Mt. Diablo. The California Coaches Association honored Kramer in 1967 by electing him to its Hall of Fame. Fairclough is regarded as one of the best high school football coaches ever in Contra Costa County as he led the Mt. Diablo football team through one of its most successful eras in the 1950s and 1960s. He was named one of the Contra Costa Times’ Top 20 Coaches
June 5, 2020
PETS Help your pets get ready for when you return to work
routine now will help them tremendously in the months to come. Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) recommends training your pet to get accustomed to spending time by themselves with the goals of proving to your pet that they are safe and showing ELENA BICKER them that alone time can be fun. ARF NOTES With proper management and training, separation anxiAs we prepare to return to ety can be avoided. Here are the office once the shelter in several suggestions to start place in lifted, we must also implementing now: prepare our companion aniLow-key departures and mals. arrivals. During the 10-15 Your pet has grown accus- minutes before you leave the tomed to having you home – house or when you arrive it’s part of their new routine. home, strive for a calm, neuAdjusting to your sudden tral atmosphere. Avoid hugabsence could cause stress and ging, kissing, petting or highundesirable behaviors. Adding daily training into your pet’s See Pets, page B8
Remembering Casey Suddereth
Our best friend June 3, 1997- December 26, 2014
of the 20th Century. Fairclough was 89 when he died in 2013. The Red Devils’ head football coach from 1956-69 led his teams to five Diablo Valley Athletic League titles. He also taught math at Mt. Diablo before he moved to Ygnacio Valley and then Northgate. Fairclough served as commissioner of the DVAL from 1972 until his retirement in 1988. Fairclough served three
De La Salle grad Devin Asiasi drafted by New England Patriots
Don Liebig photo courtesy UCLA Athletics
Two-time De La Salle High School state champion Devin Asiasi (86) was selected in the 3rd round of the NFL draft by New England after the Patriots traded up with the Las Vegas Raiders to grab the UCLA tight end with the 91st overall pick. Asiasi began his college career at Michigan but transferred to UCLA after his freshman season joining his Spartan teammate Boss Tagaloa on the Bruins. At both Michigan and UCLA his first pass reception went for a touchdown. The 6-3, 257-pounder will be one of three rookie tight ends trying to replace former Patriots star Rob Gronkowski.
years in the Army during World War II and then enrolled at Cal, where he served as team manager and studied under legendary Cal coach Pappy Waldorf before he became a junior varsity assistant at Oakland Tech, where he coached future 49ers quarterback John Brodie. Fairclough arrived at Mt. Diablo in 1951 as a 26-year-old and served on the JV staff. Former Cal All-American Rod Franz was hired as varsity coach and one of Franz’s assistants was John Ralston, who would go on to coach Stanford and the Denver Broncos. Although he never played organized football, Fairclough’s ambition was to one day lead a team. “I never played the game,” Fairclough said in a 2003 Contra Costa Times interview. “I went into high school at 81 pounds, came out at a whopping 103. But I loved the game.” Fairclough was an innovator at the high school level, as players were given scouting reports and often watched film at lunchtime, so they knew exactly what to expect from opponents. His wing-T offense produced 2,392 rushing yards during the 1960 championship season. In his first five years, Fairclough’s teams had a league record of 22-3-1 and an overall mark of 31-9-2. As a track coach, Fairclough helped the Red Devils win three DVAL titles.
Casey was 3 ½ months old and had a broken leg when she came to live with us. She lived over 17 more years and they were some of the best years of our lives. Casey went to work with us every day. She went with us to our boat and any place we traveled. She was our constant companion. She was so well known around town people would come to the office every day just to see her. It’s hard to explain how much we loved her. Her loss is still felt very much to this day. Ted and Judy Suddereth
ARF adoption stars
JAXON
Jaxon Two-year-old Jaxon is an exuberant dude looking for an active family! This guy LOOOVES all people—especially kids and doggie friends. There’s no such thing as a stranger to Jaxon, only people he hasn’t said “Hi!” to yet. Jaxon is also quite smart and figures out most food puzzles within a few minutes. This smarty-pants has already received his Canine Good Citizen certificate. Visit pioneerpublishers.com for John more details and photos of Mt. DiaTwelve-year-old John is a blo and other area high school athlet- sweet, older gentleman with ic facilities. the biggest heart. This brave
JOHN
boy doesn’t let anything slow him down. He loves to explore and investigate new smells. Once he’s had his fill of adventures, he’s ready to cuddle up and rest in your lap. John is a senior with special needs. The adoption fee for puppies (under 6 months) is $300, for adult dogs is $250, for senior dogs (7+ years) is $125, and includes a discount on the first six-week session of a manners class. For more information see our website, www.arflife.org, or call (925) 256-1ARF.
Physicians studying rare COVID-19 condition in children June 5, 2020
Meanwhile, families debating decisions on summer camps, day care DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent
As doctors begin to understand the rare inflammatory condition related to COVID19 in children, diagnosis is complicated because its symptoms mimic those of other viruses. The serious health condition called Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) shares some symptoms with Kawasaki disease – another rare childhood condition. But experts have determined it to be a different illness. Symptoms linked to MIS-C include: • Prolonged fever of more than 24 hours. • Abdominal issues like diarrhea or vomiting. • Headaches. • Redness of the eyes.
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
al lead of pediatric infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Northern California, voiced both a cautious and optimistic tone. “The good news is the cases of MIS-C appear to be rare, and death is even rarer” when associated with symptoms related to COVID-19, she said.
• Rashes and changes in skin color. • Trouble breathing. • Confusion or being overly sleepy. “If you’re noticing these types of symptoms in your child, contact your pediatrician or doctor to figure out the next step,” said Dr. Yungting Liao, associate medical director with John Muir Health & Stanford Children’s Health pediatric hospitalist services.
AN EMERGING SITUATION First centered in Europe, MIS-C more recently appeared in New York City hospitals. No cases have been identified yet in the Bay Area, but Liao said some have appeared in the Los Angeles area. Liao noted that sharing of information is essential for a better understanding of the nuances of this emerging condition. Among the mysteries that physicians and researchers are wrestling with is how the condition is transferred or transmitted. Issues being examined
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DECISIONS ABOUT CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
Dr. Yungting Liao advises parents to watch for unusal symptoms in children who may have had the virus a while back and are just now showing symptoms.
take a back-to-basics approach with this new wrinkle in the COVID-19 era. If a child is having digestive problems, not eating or looks ill, contact your doctor or pediatrician and follow their instructions. “This is a new disease that we are all learning about,” she said. “We are working with parWATCH FOR SYMPTOMS ents as this evolves.” Her advice to parents is to Dr. Tara Greenhow, region-
include if MIS-C resulted from close contact with somebody else, if the condition is a postvirus response, or if the child had the virus a while back and is only now showing symptoms. “We don’t exactly know,” Liao said.
After doing the hard work of sheltering in place and practicing proper hygiene and social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 the past few months, Greenhow acknowledged the period going forward will present new challenges for parents as they seek to maintain a balance between safety and their kids’ relationships with other youngsters. Parents are weighing the emotional needs of their children as they consider summer camps in the current environment. Greenhow said there are guidelines put out for the
camps, and parents can do their part by checking in with camps and asking questions to see that those guidelines are being followed. “Many of us are having this conversation with our parents about what is happening,” said Greenhow. “That decision has to happen at the family level.” Another heavy decision is whether to place the little ones back in day-care centers as those facilities reopen in the coming weeks and months. “For some, it is a necessity for a parent to successfully return to work, but for others the decision is different. They may have other options available to them,” she said. View the Centers for Disease Control’s camp information online at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/CampsDecision-Tree.pdf. For more about MIS-C, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics at healthychildren.org.
PPE, mask donations an uplifting community experience
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tion company that donated its extra construction masks, then the parents from Dorris-Eaton School organized a mask donation drive on our behalf that yielded 100 N95 masks and goggles. Next, the Tri-Valley and Lamorinda Chinese American communities donated hundreds and hundreds of surgical masks and face shields. A high school student who learned of our PPE drive printed 3-D face shields, and a patient generously donated hundreds of surgical masks through his business connections. Through it all, countless
numbers of patients and community friends donated their extra masks and sewed cloth masks. We even received hundreds of cloth masks from a group called the Mountain Masketeers, who were sheltering in place in a mountain community far away. These donations helped make it easier for us to remain open and to continue to provide high-quality medical care for our patients, including performing necessary diagnostic imaging exams and oncologic surgery, and delivering radiation and chemotherapy. Our providers continue to
see new and current patients with full clinic schedules, as well as offering teleheath visits via Zoom. Early on, we implemented infection prevention practices and protocols in all of our facilities, including temperature and respiratory symptom screening and mandatory face coverings for all employees and patients. If you or a loved one is in need of urology, surgery, oncology or hematology medical care, please call us for an appointment. The health, safety and well being of our patients and staff remain our
Always the entrepreneur, town founder had many activities outside Clayton
dairy and a sizable vineyard. Coal deposits were discovered in 1857 on the land of William Israel northeast of Clayton; the claim was later known as the Black Diamond Mines. The “soft coal” was sent by barge to San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton to be used in homes and industries, and soon the mines became the DEBBIE EISTETTER largest coal mining operation in the state. THE WAY The town of Clayton and WE WERE the area around it buzzed with activity as people arrived to work the mines and to set up Part 2 of the Joel businesses, like Joel’s general Clayton story developed as a township with a store in Nortonville, to support to live in Wisconsin with the school, town hall, hotel, general the growing population. couple’s three children, while store, livery stables and taverns. Joel spent the next couple of Joel Clayton arrived in the Not able to stay in one place years in the Washington Territo- At an earlier time, the area was for long, the Census of 1870 California Gold Country in ry looking for coal deposits and known as Deadfall. Joel had 1850, having led a wagon train records Joel in Santa Barbara helping to work the Bellingham wanted to name the new town with his two sons. He added from the Midwest. Garibaldi for the Italian patriot. 320 acres to his Clayton ranch He brought a herd of cattle Coal Co. claim. He set up a But after the town map was trading post on Puget Sound, with him on the advice of his in 1872, but he died that same drawn up in 1857, a coin toss and the site on Highway 11 is brother, Charles, who noticed year of pneumonia at the age of between Joel and Charles Rhine 60. still called Clayton Beach. the scarcity of beef and dairy determined the official town products as the state became A March 1872 newspaper THE MOVE FROM name would be Clayton. overrun with gold seekers. article remembered him as “a WISCONSIN In 1860, Joel worked with Never one to waste any time man of moderate education but While in Washington, he George Hearst (father of establishing new business venof much intelligence, extensive received a letter from his wife William Randolph Hearst), head observation and much selftures, Joel drove his cattle to of the largest private mining Stockton and opened a butcher notifying him that she had left reliance. (He was) extensively firm in the United States. When known and universally respectshop and also operated a dairy Wisconsin with the children. Joel’s eldest daughter, Eliza in Cow Hollow near San Fran- She was sailing to Panama and ed.” would be arriving in San Diego. Clayton, married in 1864, cisco. Hearst’s young wife Phoebe was He also continued to pursue He hurried down the coast to Debbie Eistetter is a board his interest in mining, exploring collect his family and settled in the matron of honor. member of the Clayton Historical Mud Springs near Fort Tejon, the Pacific coastal ranges for Society. For more information or to SETTLING IN CLAYTON mineral deposits and becoming where he ran a stagecoach stop become a member, visit claytonhistoThe Clayton family moved interested in the geology around on the Butterfield Stage route. ry.org. The Clayton Museum is from Washington to Joel’s small open 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Mount Diablo. In 1853, he pur- Three infant children died in quick succession, and the Clay- cottage, where they lived until a Sundays at 6101 Main St.. chased 40 acres in the Diablo two-story house was built on Valley and built a small cottage tons moved to Stockton and Admission is free. then to the Willamette Valley. the banks of Diablo Creek. In as a home base. Joel sold a portion of his 40 1861, he purchased an additionHis wife Margaret continued acres in the Diablo Valley to be al 1,200 acres and installed a
top priorities. We are here and ready to take care of patients in a safe and secure environment.
Lori Orr is the chief operations officer for Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group, Pacific Urology, West Coast Surgical Associates and the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay, with offices in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Brentwood and San Ramon. PPE and mask donations are still being accepted. For more information, visit dvohmg.com or call 925-6775041.
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challenges faced by medical facilities that needed to provide care to seriously ill patients, while at the same time protecting these patients and staff from infection. To address this shortage, many organizations including ours, initiated PPE collection drives and started accepting masks, face shields and other items from the community. We want to thank all who answered our call for PPE Lori Orr donations. You lifted us up with your generosity and In the early phase of the thoughtfulness. coronavirus crisis, shortages The first donation we of personal protective equipreceived was from a construcment (PPE) compounded the
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O bituaries Page B6
Clay Hertz
December 30, 1957 – May 21, 2020
with customers and brightened their days as he went. Clay lived selflessly, with genuine care for others, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He loved the outdoors, spending much of his time in the mountains of Grizzly Flats, restoring classic cars and finding the adventure in everyday life. Most of all, Clay loved his family and lived each day as a proud father to his children, Clayton and Marie. Clay instilled in others the values of hard work and kindness. He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. The family feels at peace now that he is with his beloved mother Virginia and father Ray.
With profound sadness, the family announces the passing of Clay Hertz, a loving and devoted father and friend to all. He left us peacefully in his sleep at his home in Clayton on May 21. For 30 years, Clay served Flowers can be sent to the town of Clayton as the Oakmont Memorial Park in local UPS driver – creating lifelong friendships with many Lafayette, where his family will be holding a private servresidents. Excited to stop in ice on Friday June 5 with a smile on his face, he enjoyed daily conversations
Joan Elaine Senavsky January 25, 1926 – November 15, 2019
To know Joan was to love her because she left a sparkle wherever she went. She had a sharp wit, an irresistible sense of humor and a fiery love for life. The world was a better place with her in it. She was born to Emerson Watts and Gertrude Kelly Watts on January 25, 1926 in Belen, NM, and she had one older brother, Dale (deceased). They moved to Louisville, KY when Joan was five, where she grew up with her brother Dale and her cousin Forest. Joan met her husband Lt. Val Senavsky “where the pigs has wings” on the TennesseeKentucky border on a chilly January night in 1945. They fell in love, moved to Calif. after Val returned from the war, and were married 67 years. Val died in December of 2013. Val and Joan had three children Steve (Katie), Mark, and Buff (Tim), five grand-
children Nikolas, Carolyn (Jeff), Leah (Dan), Christine, and Valerie, and nine greatgrandchildren. Joan loved her family unconditionally and raised us with her whole heart and soul. Joan was a one-of-akind, gem of a woman and is greatly missed by all who knew her. Until we are all together again, we’ll meet you in our dreams
Things may be looking up for local real estate market
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
June 5, 2020
But thanks to a rapid pivot by real estate professionals, consumers have been buying and selling despite coronavirus-related restrictions. By LYNNE FRENCH implementing virtual tours REAL ANSWERS and virtual open houses, along with digitizing much of the Q: Shortly after I put my transaction process, savvy home on the market, the agents, sellers and buyers have COVID-19 pandemic escabeen able to close deals. We lated. We took it off the are lucky in our area that real market at that time. When estate was considered an could be a good time to sell essential business early on. it? We really want to move. If you are anxious to sell A: I think this might be a your home, consider the folgood time to put your home lowing: back on the market. I fully While people have been understand why you took it staying home, web search off. Back then, it seemed like activity is increasing – creating there was no viable way to sell new exposure for your for-sale a home with all of the uncerhome. tainty and guidelines.
With total inventory down 19 percent, according to Realtor.com, there is less competition in the market. Unbelievably low interest rates present new opportunities for buyers who might have previously thought they couldn’t afford the home they need and want. Buyers in the current marketplace are usually highly motivated, either because of the need to relocate quickly or because of the investment opportunity today’s climate presents. Although median listing prices are still growing at a slower pace than prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, they are expected to regain some
tion. They cannot be purchased on DVD or Blu-ray. Unless you still have your old videotapes, the only place to JEFF MELLINGER find them is in VHS-quality, SCREEN SHOTS tucked onto special features discs in a multi-disc set of the As an appeasement for the special editions. much-maligned prequel triloAbout 10 years ago, one gy, George Lucas presented fan became angry that he the original “Star Wars” trilocould not watch beautiful rengy to fans both new and old ditions of the versions of the with special editions of all films he had grown up loving. three films in the late 1990s. Lucas had long ago sold his Lucas made all kinds of Disney, to soul (and his films) changes, ranging from new so the fan and his friends effects to changing voice decided to remaster the origiactors, reordering scenes and nal trilogy themselves. new musical choices. (Han By using the newest Blushoots first, George.) rays of the special editions for I did not grow up a big fan most of the material, they of “Star Wars.” I was a used old LaserDisc footage to teenager before I finally saw fill in the gaps. These “despethe originals and did not see the special editions in the the- cialized editions” look fantastic. The audio and video are ater. Of the millions who edited together so perfectly, it were eager to experience the is impossible to tell that a films again, many left with a feeling they’d been had. Some felt that Lucas had altered the films so much that they should be considered different movies entirely. Lucas thought so much of his special editions that the original versions were never re-mastered into high defini-
major studio didn’t put them together. For the passionate fan, the casual one and definitely for those new to “Star Wars,” these are the versions to seek out. A-
Send your question and look for your answer in a future column. Email Lynne@LynneFrench.com. French is the broker/owner of Windermere Lynne French & Associates. Contact her at 672-8787 or stop in at 6200 Center St., Clayton.
Despecialized ‘Star Wars’ editions are the best bet QUARANTINE TV PICKS: “Line of Duty” (AMC). This British import from early last decade has finally made it stateside. Expertly written and acted, “Line of Duty” digs deep into the anti-corruption side of the police department. Lennie James, in particular, is great as the mysterious DCI Tony Gates. AMC is airing the first three seasons. “Snowpiercer” (TNT). Before “Parasite,” Bong Joonho made sci-fi films like “Snowpiercer.” The world has entered such a deep freeze that the only people now reside on a 1,000 car long
train speeding around the planet. After a few years of tinkering, TNT has finally debuted its series based on the film. It should expand on some of the socio-political discussions the movie presented. “War of the Worlds” (EPIX). Forget the Tom Cruise film from 2005 (although it was pretty good). This is the best version of “War of the Worlds.” Eight episodes take place in Europe and pull absolutely no punches. This is as serious as sci-fi gets. A handful of people survive the attacks, but why? And how are they connected?
Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. Email comments to editor@pioneerpublishers.com.
‘Half Broke’ a tale of discovery within alternative prison
tive prison on a 17-acre ranch near the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico. It is run by the prisoners, who also operate the ranch. Second, it is the story of rehabilitation through experience – learning to run the ranch and participating in teams that rotate in programs such as food, automotive shop, woodshop and animal SUNNY SOLOMON care. No masks are required to speed increases and scaling Third, it is the BOOKIN’ WITH visit Comet Lake, and it’s core counts starting to reach story of the brocoming to a store near you. the edge of what can fit on SUNNY ken men and We are talking about tech- the package and still be adewomen who have nology, so anything is possiquately cooled.” Ginger Gaffney’s memoir, been accepted ble. But, of course, it’s not Intel’s new CPU increases “Half Broke,” resonates on so into this prison to really a lake with water. Comet clock speed to 4.1GHz (from many levels it’s hard to know serve out their Lake is a code name for an about 3.4GHz), with turbo where to start. terms, especially amazing product from comboost 3.0 bringing a tempoI had to look twice at the those in the liveputer giant Intel. It refers to a rary speed jump to 4.8GHz. dark cover when I spotted the stock team Yikes. The chip has a decent new central processing unit advanced reading copy of the responsible for WILL CLANEY price point and an advanced (CPU), the brain of a combook on the W. W. Norton the handling of puter. memory that makes throughTECH TALK table at the Northern Califor- abandoned and Since the secret is out, I put better (or how many 1s nia Booksellers Association broken horses, as don’t really need to use the and 0s go through the CPU). some. But that’s a story for Discovery Show last October. well as the cats, another time. code name for a 10th genera- It’s available for the i3, i5, i7 Was that a horse’s head barely dogs, chickens and ducks livComet Lake is worth the tion processor chip that and the latest i9. Look for the discernable? Yes, but why so ing on the ranch. Fourth, it is effort to investigate, especially hidden? Or was the title “Half the story of Gaffney and the boasts substantial escalation i5-10400K for the best bang of speed, reliability and for the buck and best results. if your computer is older than Broke” meant to hide more chance phone call from a desfour years. If you are a gamer, than a horse? options. Lots of options. With a pedigree like this, perate member of the livephoto enthusiast or engineer, These new chips are now who needs AMD? In my W. W. Norton is a publish- stock team asking if she you’ll want this. available for the opinion, they lie and don’t er to trust for quality reading. would come to the prison Go explore, but stay safe. desktop/tower computer. honor their warranties. I’ve I especially look to them for ranch to help them find a way I’ll bet most of you are had first-hand experiences. poetry, but the eyes and wild to handle their horses. For more information, visit The bad news: You need a running older generations of mane and forelock of the half “Everything at the ranch, Intel chips, and that’s fine for new motherboard because the tweaktown.com/reviews/9465/10t broke horse on the cover of all the knowledge and skill it h-gen-intel-core-i9-10900k-i510th Gen is not compatible now. But you really need to this book would not let me takes to keep the property in with older LGA1151 sockets. 10600k-cpu/index.html. explore the possibilities of leave it behind. Gaffney, a tal- good order and the residents current technology. According That means the new chip ented horse trainer living in cared for and well-fed, is William Claney is an independent New Mexico, is also one heck supervised by the residents to TweakTown, a website won’t plug into the older tech writer and former owner of Com- of a talented writer. reporting on such things, motherboard sockets that who have lived here the puters USA in the Clayton Station. “Intel has really squeezed the hold the CPU. But fear not “Half Broke” is really four longest. The elder residents 14nm node for all its (sic) my fellow computer buffs, the Email questions or comments to will- stories. First, it is the story of are the officials in charge. It is claney@gmail.com. worth it seems, like clock new motherboards are awean almost 50-year-old alterna- a long chain of knowledge
Head over to Comet Lake; your computer will thank you
momentum in the coming weeks as restrictions relax. As Realtors have quickly developed expertise in marketing your home virtually and providing safe environments for showings now that they are allowed, you can have peace of mind that your home will be sold safely, effectively and for a good price. Given the specifics of each particular situation and market, local expertise is more important than ever.
handed down, one person at a time, ensuring that the strong traditions and standards of the ranch will continue.” But that chain of knowledge had been broken as far as the handling of the horses. The horses, ill-treated out of that ignorance, retaliated by running in packs, like dogs, attacking the residents who were supposed to be caring for them. An experienced horse trainer of 20 years, Gaffney found herself “in the middle of the most dangerous horse situation I had ever encountered.” “Half Broke” is as much about the horses as it is about the halfbroken people, including Gaffney, who populate this fascinating memoir. She remains working with the livestock team for a year and a half, learning as much about herself as she does about the residents. Readers will cheer for those residents who succeed and mourn for those who do not. The same goes for the horses, whom we will know by name and temperament. What we can learn from animals will amaze the reader not familiar with horses, but what we can learn from each other is equally impressive.
Concord grad finds a balance between ‘the hustle and the home life’ June 5, 2020
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
ty” tells the true story of North Dakota livestock rancher Gary Dassinger, who was facing federal felony charges for animal neglect. Released May 2, the movie is already on IMDb’s list of the top 40 movies of 2020.
Doom.” “I remember in my first acting class that I had written down that ‘I wanted to be Clayton Valley High Indiana Jones’ – just like School graduate David everybody else,” he recalled. O’Neill takes on complex “I put together the Indy political stories in his screenlook, took some photos and plays and films, and these met with the producers over days, he’s doing it from the BAY AREA BEGINNINGS in Marin. A few weeks later, I comfort of his hometown of Like many Northern Califound myself in wardrobe Concord. fornians who pack up and with the infamous hat and “It’s not an easy thing take a stab at the Hollywood whip and walking over to my actually to get any project experience, O’Neill had his first-ever, on-screen experiwritten, funded, produced and first opportunity at Lucasfilms ence with director Steven distributed,” noted O’Neill, County. in Marin Spielberg. “but being out of L.A. and In 1983, the casting call “I was terrified. I introback home again is the perfect went out for someone to fill duced myself to him,” O’Neill balance between the hustle Harrison Ford’s shoes as a added. “He smiled, put his and the home life.” photo-double in “Indiana hand on my shoulder and said, His new Netflix drama Jones and the Temple of ‘Indy for a day, huh?’ ” “The Stand at Paxton CounTAMARA STEINER The Pioneer
Jacqueline Toboni, left, plays a soldier who returns to her family’s North Dakota ranch in “The Stand at Paxton County.”
David O’Neill of Concord wrote the screenplay for “The Stand at Paxton County,” now showing on Netflix.
convinced Reed to come to L.A. a year later, and he moved into their apartment – HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD “The Dive at 405.” After college, O’Neill “I remember Reed sleeping moved to Los Angeles with on the couch in his blue robe fellow CV Class of ’79 grad reading script after script Chis Maes. As O’Neill purwhile I’d come home after sued acting, Maes eventually doing my plays at night,” went into the business side of O’Neill said. “He’s since Hollywood and is the general become one of the most sucmanager at Shine Creative. His cessful and prolific screenwritbackground includes stints ers in Hollywood.” with Warner Brothers, NationSteiner works mainly in telal Geographic, PBS and Disevision. Shows have included covery Communications. “Nash Bridges,” “The DisMeanwhile, their high trict” and “NCIS.” school friend Reed Steiner was holed up back at home writing HAPPY AT HOME scripts in his bedroom. They Steiner’s influence would
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rub off onto O’Neill as he evolved into writing and directing. Handed the task of writing the Forrest Lucas/ESX production of “The Stand at Paxton County,” O’Neill found himself once again in own backyard – Petaluma. The plot follows a soldier (Jacqueline Toboni) coming home to care for her ailing father (Michael O’Neill), only to end up battling corruption to save their land. The film explores the balance between ranchers and animal rights
groups, as well as how law enforcement finds itself in the middle of sensitive Constitutional law. For now, O’Neill seems to have found the right balance between Hollywood and Hollywood North. “The next production is on the books, and I’ll be happy enough to write it right here in Concord,” he said. View a trailer for “The Stand at Paxton County” at netflix.com/gb/title/81271289
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Look for perennials that thrive in local gardens NICOLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL
With so many stuck at home, creating beautiful outdoor spaces seems to be helping keep folks sane. We are constantly refilling the nursery shelves with flowering annuals and perennials as many get their hands dirty for their first time. There are so many great garden choices to enjoy. Penstemon, salvia, sea lavender, calibrachoa (million bells) and alstroemeria are some of the showiest and most flowertastic plants to install in a Diablo Valley garden or landscape. First and foremost, you’ll need happy, healthy soil for flowering plants. Whether in a container or in the ground, the soil needs to be dark and loose. Work in rich soil conditioners to existing soil. Choose a product that looks like potting soil, smells a bit like manure and doesn’t have too much visible wood. Penstemon is one of the simplest, yet attractive evergreen perennials available. Depending on the selection, expect penstemon to grow roughly 2-3 feet tall and wide. Trumpet-shaped flowers appear in rows along dark green stems. Penstemon has a color for every palette: reds, pinks, white, purple and many bi-colors. This perennial blooms May through October and attracts hummingbirds. Salvia is a huge group of woody and herbaceous perennials. The woody selections have tiny, two-lipped flowers in pinks, red and lavender, while the herbaceous selections have tight stacks of teeny flowers that stand above larger green leaves. Herbaceous means that the plant completely dies back in the autumn and returns in the spring. Herbaceous plants live for many years and are frostproof. Some favorite salvias to consider are Hot Lips with red and white bi-color blooms, leucantha (commonly called Mexican sage) with fuzzy, purple flowers and white tips, and May Night, an herbaceous selection
Million bells are best planted in raised beds, hanging baskets and containers because they create a desirable cascade.
that reaches 2 feet tall and wide and creates a stunning impact in any full sun garden bed. Sea lavender is an old-fashioned plant that folks have seen on walks through the neighborhoods for years. It has large, lettuce-like, dark green leaves. Stems stand 18-30 inches tall and hold purple flower clusters that can be as large as 6 inches wide. Bees and butterflies use
the flower clusters as landing pads. This evergreen perennial is nearly everblooming. Occasionally, the winter gets too frosty and some sea lavender may succumb to the cold temperatures, but the rewards are worth the risk. Calibrachoas are a type of petunia that don’t get sticky and seldom suffer from petunia bud worms. Million bells are best
It could be a virus, or it could just need a tune-up.
planted in raised beds, hanging baskets and containers because they create a desirable cascade. The color selections are outrageous, with so many fun combinations. The plants only last two or three years. But they are so awesome that you can just get another once your original dies. Million bells flower March through October. They require hard prunes occasionally and like regular fertilizer formulated for blooms. If alstroemeria weren’t so expensive, it would be the perfect perennial. Azalea-shaped flowers surge into waves of blooms all growing season long. Alstroemeria is available in standard and dwarf selections. They can be divided and shared, and they serve as great cut flowers. There are many amazing perennials to grow, but this list of plants features nearly sure things. As you peruse garden centers, ask to see these selections. They do great around here.
Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. You can contact her with questions or comments by email at gardengirl94517@yahoo.com
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It’s all downhill on the Crabtree Trail at Pinecrest
Page B8
The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com
June 5, 2020
Kevin Parker
that takes you literally to the grins were contagious in our top of the world and the group, as each new lap has us beginning of Crabtree Trail. riding faster and with more The view was an auspicious confidence. sign of a trail that conjured up For mountain bikers with hoots and hollers the entire local knowledge, you have a way down. lot of choices in and around Within seconds of blastoff, Pinecrest and Dodge Ridge you hit a series of drops and Ski Area. I need more field jumps that quickly descend R&D time to learn the area, into a blur of granite and unless someone who is an KEVIN PARKER greenery flashing past every expert emails me. corner. If shuttling, leave a vehicle HIT THE TRAIL I would classify this 5.8at the junction of Dodge Honey, can we go someRidge Road and FS-4N689Y mile downhill as challenging where? Anywhere? terrain that has enough banks, near the North Fork of the That plea kept spinning in logs rides, creek dips, bumps Tuolumne River (near Camp my head, and we needed a and other trail features to keep Oski sign). plan for the three days of hot experienced bikers holding Just when you think you’ve weather on Memorial Day their breath. But like all things found the next best trail, along weekend. in life, taking it slow and easy comes a new place to raise Then we got the call to proved to be the solution for your spirits in these unprecemeet at a classified rendezvous the junior riders. As my dented times. Go explore a point in Mi Wuk Village, youngest stated: “Take the new place, say hello, help othlocated a short drive below first lap SLOW, then on the ers, do the right thing, be Pinecrest. I knew some much- second and third, let it good to yourself and get outneeded chill time was in our FLOW.” I couldn’t have said it side. future. better. With dozens of outdoor Using a two-vehicle shuttle Contact Kevin Parker with comhotspots closed, including system allowed us to take mul- ments or questions by email at Pinecrest Lake and Cleo’s tiple laps every day. PermaLukeHollywood@gmail.com Bath Trail, we had to get creative in these crazy times. So we loaded up the kids, a couple of Clydesdale dads and some dirt-thirsty bikes to head Where: Pinecrest up Crabtree Road past Dodge Ridge. What: Crabtree Trail (downhill single-track) You can navigate this ride Distance: 5.8 miles (downhill only) as a loop but figure paved Elevation loss: 1,896 feet road riding for about half the Time: 55 minutes (downhill only) journey. That’s where a shuttle Difficulty: “Hoot & Holler” factor of 8 scenario proved to be valuable for the kiddos and for maxiTrailhead: Junction of Crabtree Road & Forest mizing time on dirt trails. Route 4N25 (near Aspen Meadow Pack Station) Just before Aspen Meadow Closures: Most recreational trailheads and lakes Pack Station, make a hard closed, but these trails were open right onto a short forest road
Crabtree Trail
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Pets, from page B4
energy play. It’s best to simply ignore your pet for that time period. Long-lasting treats and food games. Experiment with long-lasting treats and creative feeding methods for your pet’s meals. You’ll want to test these out before you actually leave your pet home alone with them. If your dog or cat doesn’t eat the food when you’re around, they likely won’t eat it when left alone. When you find a treat your pet especially loves, only give
it to them before you depart the home. This will keep the treat extra special. Ideas include: food dispensing toys, food puzzles, interactive feeding mats (like snuffle mats), and hiding kibble/treats in cardboard or paper products that your pet can tear apart (like cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, egg cartons or paper bags). Practice alone time. Identify a comfortable, safe area for your pet to be alone. This might be in a room, an area
separated by a baby gate or in a dog crate (if crate trained). At least once a day, set your pet up with a long-lasting treat, some of their favorite toys, a comfy bed and water. Start by leaving them alone for short periods – even just a few minutes. You can alternate between leaving them completely alone and sitting nearby while not engaging. Vary the length of absences so it’s not predictable. Pets can get very good at keeping time. Bicker is the executive director of ARF. For more pet care tips and resources, visit arflife.org.