SEP 17 The Pioneer 2021

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September 17, 2021

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Concord’s Afghan community rallying to help new refugees TAMARA STEINER The Pioneer

THE PIONEER STAFF

Refugees from Afghanistan began arriving in Contra Costa County earlier this month with little more than what they were wearing. And Concord’s tightknit Afghan community is ready for them.

Sedique Popal, president and imam of the Noor Islamic Cultural Center in Concord, is leading a massive effort to support 65 families who are temporarily housed in a motel in Pleasant Hill – with 25 more families expected this week.

And they are doing it with the full support of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier. He met with the group at the center on Treat Boulevard on Aug. 31 and talked with the Pioneer in a phone interview last week.

“We have a moral obligation to support the refugees,” De Saulnier said, while acknowledging the challenges facing those settling in the Tamara Steiner photo East Bay. Sedique Popal, president and imam of the Noor Islamic Community Center in Concord, is calling for a community

can, Vaquero and early American pioneer cultures.

The area is rich in archaeological treasures, including much evidence of the Volvon tribe of Bay Miwok Indians, whose presence dates back 7,000 years.

“Given the house’s standing in our local history and the rich archaeological composition surrounding it, restoring this treasure will be a huge benefit to students, nature lovers and history buffs from throughout the region,” Glazer said.

“There are so many opportunities for the community to take advantage of all the park has to offer,” Burgis noted. “A lot of kids think that history happened somewhere else, but a lot happened right here in our backyard, too.”

In a surprising 3-2 vote at a special Saturday remote meeting Aug. 21 that was broadcast on local television and the internet, the Concord City Council selected a joint venture between Discovery Homes/Seeno Companies, Lewis Planned Communities and California Capital Investment Group as the master developers for the 2,300-acre Concord Naval Weapons Station mixed use community.

After more than nine hours of presentations questioning of the three candidate representatives, and despite heavy public opposition, councilmember Edi Birsan, vice mayor Dominic Aliano, and mayor Tim McGallian opted for the locally based, family owned Seeno company over Brookfield Properties and City Ventures LLC. Councilmembers Laura Hoffmeister and Carlyn Obringer voted for the publicly traded Brookfield Properties which assembled a development team that included Sunset Development Company, long-time developers of Bishop Ranch Business Park in San Ramon.

“Who do we have the most leverage with? Birsan said. “A multi-billion-dollar Wall Street firm [Brookfield] or a group of three companies all who have their reputations on the line and are invested in making this thing work?”

Discovery Homes was among the candidates vying for master developer in 2016 when the council selected Lennar Corp. but didn’t have a strong enough team to make the final cut, Hoffmeister noted. They were stronger this time with the addition of the Lewis Group and CCIG of Oakland, but not strong enough to sway her vote.

The Discovery/Seeno companies are headquartered in Concord and have been building homes in Contra Costa for over 80 years.

The Lewis Group of Companies was founded in 1955 and lists itself as one of the

See Marsh, page 7

See CNWS, page 7

See Refugee Aid, page 4 response to meet the immediate needs of Afghan refugees coming into Contra Costa County.

State funding moves Brentwood’s historic John Marsh House a step closer to restoration PAMELA MICHAEL Correspondent

After more than 20 years of lobbying, fundraising and hard work by local history-minded citizens and politicians, the John Marsh House has moved a few steps closer to being restored to its former glory.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of state Sen. Steven Glazer and Contra Costa Supervisor Diane Burgis, the new state budget includes $1.4 million for construction and restoration of the 7,000 sq. ft. mansion in Brentwood.

The house will be the centerpiece of the yet-to-open John Marsh State Park, a 3,700Photo courtesy of California State Parks acre parcel set between the Bay Marsh’s wife Abby chose the location of the home next to Marsh Creek, with a view of Area and the Delta and Central Mount Diablo. Designed by San Francisco architect Thomas Boyd, the stone fortress origi- Valley. The park will commemnally had a 65-foot tower and exterior porch supported by octagonal pillars. The entire orate the site’s Native Americost of the home was $20,000

What’s Inside Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Directory of Advertisers . . . .7 From the Desk of . . . . . . . . .8 Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Next issue, October 15, Deadline, Oct. 4

Seeno team tabbed for Naval Weapons project

Concord’s Yealimi Noh wins two matches as Solheim Cup rookie but Europeans edge USA JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

Fall quarter begins at UCLA on Monday and Yealimi Noh might have been sitting in her Concord home getting ready to start her junior year at Westwood on a full-ride scholarship that the Bruins golf team offered and she had verbally accepted.

But after an incredible run of success as the 2018 Rolex Junior Girls Player of the Year, Noh decommitted from UCLA and instead set her sights on a pro golf career, which she began before her

19th birthday.

Noh attended Carondelet High as a freshman and sophomore before being homeschooled to better concentrate on golf, so it’s been some time since she was in the classroom.

This month, LPGA tour rookie Noh did get a report card and she finished near the top of her class (team).

The Golf Channel gave her a B+ after winning two matches and was tied with three teammates for the best grade for the United States team as the Americans lost to defending champion Europe 15-13 in the Solheim Cup at the Inver-

ness Club in Toledo, Ohio over the Labor Day Weekend.

The leading website for the sport, Golf.com, rated the 12 members of the losing American squad and said, “One bright spot was more of the world being introduced to Yealimi Noh, a Solheim Cup rookie who made the most of her three matches.” She had the third best USA rating.

At the end of the biennial tournament after taking part in one match each day Noh said, “It’s been incredible, so much more than I imagined. It was

See Solheim, page 10

LPGA Tour rookie Yealimi Noh (left) won two matches and was rated as the third best performer for the United States team as the Americans lost to Europe 15-13 in the biennial Solheim Cup over Labor Day Weekend. She was interviewed on NBC-TV with teammate Mina Harigae after winning a fourball match against a European duo. Noh also won her singles match on the final day of the tournament.

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MDHS culinary grad and best friend find success with spicy chicken sandwich KAREN JENKINS Correspondent

“SOLD OUT of birria, only 20 spicy chicken sandwiches left for the evening,” Papi Clary’s Kitchen’s Instagram page announced on a recent Thursday.

That elicited a small dinnertime surge, prompting a follow-up post: “Sold out of EVERYTHING – thank you all!!!”

Best friends since their student days at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, co-owners Claryzza Abille and Gustavo Gomez opened the restaurant in July. They welcome the lines that snake outside of their 2186 Solano Ave. business, especially at lunchtime when people clamor for the signature spicy chicken sandwich or birria tacos.

But the business is not completely new. They operated from the backyard of Abille’s Bay Point home for two years before finding the Concord location and opening on July 15, Abille’s 25th birthday.

Their backyard operation brought them loyal customers, who sometimes arrived with children or dogs in tow. Others followed them to east Bay Area locations when they sold food at events such as grand openings and celebrations.

They continued even when county officials cited them for operating unlicensed – which happened about six times, Gomez said.

“Every time we got shut down, we went up the street.

We sold out of trunks of our cars, or from friends or family members’ houses,” Gomez explained during a break from serving customers recently.

“Wherever we were, we

Karen Jenkins

Mt. Diablo High School grads Claryzza Abille and Gustavo Gomez run Concord’s Papi Clary’s Kitchen, serving specialties such as their signature spicy chicken sandwich and birria tacos.

hard and developed her skill,” said Fuller, who has taught for 26 of the program’s 40 years.

Fuller recently took an opportunity to see Abille in action – and to try the spicy chicken sandwich. “The people love her. The line was out the door,” he said.

Recalling the challenge of losing her father as a sophomore and her perseverance to the present, Fuller called her the bravest person he knows.

“She is amazing at believing in herself and doing what is needed to accomplish her dream,” he said.

Eddie Pennes made it to the Concord restaurant for the first time Sept. 9, although he had bought food previously from the Bay Point location.

“I was on my way home and my wife asked me to stop,” the Antioch resident said after ordering birria macaroni and cheese, tacos and a chicken sandwich. “I was so surprised there wasn’t a line out the door.”

Faithful followers disregard the restaurant’s stated closing times of 8 p.m. WednesdaySaturday and 5 p.m. Sundays; they know the doors will close when the food is gone.

An hour after the recent Instagram post that food was sold out, a more reassuring message appeared: “Daily special for tomorrow, FRIDAY @ 4pm: Seafood boil. Comes with 1 lb. shrimp, 1 lb. potatoes, half lb. hot links and corn.”

And yes, a new day would bring a new batch of spicy chicken sandwiches – at least until they sold out.

toward a culinary career. In 2018, a year before opening the backyard business, she tasted success. After advertising on her Instagram account, named Papi Clary’s Kitchen, she sold 4,000 orders of pork lumpia. Chocolate-covered WORKING THROUGH LOSS strawberries were also a seaAbille’s lifelong love of sonal specialty, for Valentine’s cooking has always come nat- Day or Mother’s Day. urally. She enrolled in Mt. Dia“But it was really tacos that blo High School’s culinary arts my Instagram page blew up program, a three-year academy on,” she said with a smile. “It culminating in working at the was just me introducing student-run restaurant, myself to the world.”

Serendipity. She also tells how When she started the backloss played a role in guiding yard business a year later, a her. friend joked that Abille should “My father passed away use her Instagram name. She unexpectedly when I was a did, and the page now has sophomore,” she shared. “My 15,000 social media followers. mom said, ‘Do you want to keep your mind off of all of BELIEVING IN YOURSELF Another person following this? There’s a taco truck that’s hiring.’ I took that job as her progress is Kevin Fuller, a distraction to keep my mind the instructor of Mt. Diablo’s International Hospitality and off of things, but I have Visit their Instagram at Tourism Academy. always loved cooking.” instagram.com/papiclaryskitchen/ “Being on the team came Internships and jobs in for more information. naturally. She really worked food service steered Abille

had a line of people following us,” Abille added.

“That was part of the journey,” Gomez said, continuing the story. “We couldn’t give up. What pushed us was the support.”

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Page 3

Three Clayton women share reflections on life as they turn 100

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PAMELA MICHAEL Correspondent

The dining room at Diamond Terrace Retirement Community was filled with laughter, a lively banjo serenade, glasses of bubbly and the animated good cheer of residents who’d been mostly confined to their apartments for many months due to the COVID pandemic.

But now they were gathered to celebrate three of their own who are turning 100 this year: Adel King, Arlene Romano and Kay Conover. These women are part of one of the fastest growing demographic groups on the planet – centenarians, people who have defied the odds to reach a venerable age. It’s a rather exclusive club; there are only 97,000 centenarians in the United States (the largest of any country) and just more than 500,000 worldwide.

Adel remembers a time when there were 23 dairy farms in Sutter County, her family’s farm among them.

Raised in the tiny town of Nicolaus, she grew up milking cows as the eldest of three children. She attended Heald Business College in Sacramento and put her skills to use at the John Breuner Furniture Co. for 44 years.

She enjoys tending her plot in the Diamond Terrace garden and shares her luscious tomatoes with neighbors and the home’s staff.

Adel’s son and family live in Clayton, as do the relatives of many Diamond Terrace residents.

Arlene grew up on a farm, too, in Oklahoma. The Depression forced the family

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to sell off their land and belongings and head west, eventually settling in Campbell.

Left behind were the beautiful quilts Arlene crafted as a young girl and her father’s prize mules. “They were unlike other mules,” she recalled, “large and graceful. My father was so proud of them.”

After graduating from Campbell High School, Arlene worked at a variety of retail jobs. She ended up managing a grocery store for much of her working life and married a baker who later drove the delivery van for the bakery. They worked hard, saving every penny, and eventually bought a home in the Dry Creek neighborhood, where they raised their son, who now lives in Clayton. Arlene is still an avid quilter and also paints canvasses with scenes from her travels.

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Cheshire, England, and met Pamela Michael is an her GI “Yank” husband dur- author and communications ing World War II. They specialist who has lived in moved to New York shortly Curry Canyon for 20 years. after the war, but the prospect of work in postwar California drew the couple to the Golden State, where they raised four children. She remembers Walnut Creek, where they eventually settled, as a small town with a downtown railway station with direct service to Los Angeles.

Though Kay’s husband died of leukemia at age 60, she considers herself lucky to have had a good marriage and a happy life.

Starting Sept. 24 When asked if they thought they’d lived to be 100, all three women cited Featuring the importance of a positive outlook. “It’s a matter of German beers reducing stress,” Kay sugand fine wine gested. “Doing what’s right, building friendships, being with gourmet happy with yourself,” offered Arlene.

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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been veriAll verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. fied. All measurements and square footage are approximate.

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September 17, 2021

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A new Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI) is helping Concord seniors age comfortably at home.

Sponsored by PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), the center at 1465 Civic Court provides a full-service, seniors-only medical clinic, several social and activity centers, a large computer lab, a state-of-theart senior gym, a spiritual room and a gorgeous outdoor patio.

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Refugee aid, from page 1

“We have one of the largest Afghan communities,” De Saulnier told the Pioneer.

“But housing costs here can be an obstacle.”

Many coming here don’t have refugee or other legal status – a barrier his office is working to overcome.

“We can help this process by coordinating the various agencies and the non-profits,” he noted.

It’s the non-profits that will step up to find housing for the refugees, Popal said.

“If there isn’t enough housing, the media will come forward.”

Popal has organized more than 200 volunteers to put together care packages for the refugees – from infants to the elderly. Donations from the community are coming in, and volunteers expect to fill a donated 40-foot shipping container parked next to the center. One end is already stacked with boxes of little boys’ khakis.

Popal was on his way to greet the dozens of people staying in temporary quarters in Pleasant Hill, taking basic supplies like toothbrushes, socks and children’s clothing.

His wife will accompany him to help with the women and children who do not speak

Photo courtesy Congressman DeSaulnier

Congressan Mark DeSaulnier speaks with Faiza Issaq, a member and volunteer, at the Noor Islamic Cultural Community Center in Concord Aug 31.

English.

“They left the country like you saw – clinging to a plane,” he said. “We share the same language, religion, same culture, so we can comfort them.”

Popal, a linguistics professor at the University of San Francisco, identifies closely with the refugees. He was one of the five million who fled Afghanistan in 1980 during the Soviet invasion. He has two nieces still in the country who have been unable to leave.

For Popal, the community response has been gratifying.

“People are opening their homes and offering apartments. Whoever comes to our area, we do everything possible to take care of

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September 17, 2021

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Page 5

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Local restaurants capitalize on the poke revolution

RICHARD EBER

TASTE & TELL

With the growing popularity of sushi and sashimi in the region, the demand for quality raw fish increases each year.

Poke eateries are one segment of this expanding market.

This cuisine, which originated in Hawaii, has been wellreceived on the Mainland. Poke (pronounced poh-kay) has gained mass appeal, especially among young people.

One such place is Fresh Box at 1645 Willow Pass in Concord. Tucked away in the far

corner of Park and Shop, it has remained busy even during the COVOD-19 pandemic.

“Word of mouth and exposure on the Internet have greatly contributed to our success,” says owner Samson Cheung, an Ygnacio Valley High alum.

As with many poke establishments, patrons select the ingredients that go into their bowls. Things start with a base of rice, mixed greens or

See Poke, page 6

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Page 6

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

September 17, 2021

Concord funeral business pioneer John Ouimet dies at 92 John J. Ouimet, long-time Concord businessman who co-founded and operated a local funeral business, died at his home at 92 years surrounded by family on Sept. 1.

John Ouimet and his wife Sharon opened Lough-Ouimet Funeral Chapel with partners Roy and Ardell Lough in 1958 at the downtown corner of Grant Street and Concord Boulevard when Concord’s population was about 35,000.

The Loughs left the business in 1971 and John Ouimet’s brother Don and wife Bea joined. They changed the name to Ouimet Bros.

Concord Funeral Chapel.

When redevelopment of the downtown claimed their block, the partners moved the business to its current location on Clayton Road. Now in its 63rd year, the funeral chapel is one of the longest operating businesses in Concord.

The only funeral services existing when the funeral chapel first opened were either Catholic or Protestant. With the city’s population now over 125,000, the business has

John in an interview for the chapel’s 60th anniversary. “First call-forwarding helped. Now, with cell phones, they can answer calls anywhere.

John Ouimet was a perfectionist in his profession, bringing comfort to so many families who were grieving the loss of a loved one. He helped many young embalmers and funeral directors to perfect their skills.

The Ouimets sold the business to Carriage Services in 1997, but the two couples have remained involved on a parttime basis.

John Ouimet grew up in Quebec, Canada and New York. In 1950 he joined the Air JOHN J. OUIMET Force and served as a junior radio operator during the Koreevolved over the years. They an Conflict. After spending now offer services in every reli- time in Florida and Greenland, gion as well as non-religious he was stationed near Cambria services. Cremation is also more to monitor radio signals along popular now and technology California’s coast. It was there has influenced how they work. that he met a high school girl “We used to have a night named Sharon from nearby man’s room where someone Templeton. had to stay on-site 24/7 because He used the GI Bill to you could be needed any time attend mortuary college in San of the day or night to transfer Francisco while Sharon attendpeople into our care.” explained ed Heald Business College.

After they wed in 1956, his employer fired Ouimet, explaining that they had no need for a married man.

The couple traveled around the Bay Area, stopping in every town that had a mortuary to look for work. It was in San Jose where they got their first break, and he finished his apprenticeship at Darling-Fischer Garden Chapel. By 1958, the couple were ready for their own business and chose Concord for its friendly community and small-town feel, even as it was continuing to grow.

Ouimet was a charter member of Knights of Columbus Concord Council 6038, a founding member of St. Agnes Church, active member of Concord Elks Lodge 1994, past president of Clayton Valley Lions Club and long-time member of Concord Chamber of Commerce, Concord Historical Society and Wahoo Tribe, Improved Order of Redmen.

He was an Oakland A’s season ticket holder, enjoyed playing hockey with his brother and helping coach the younger players. In later years, John enjoyed

Two rough summer fire seasons with different causes The myriad lightning strikes sparked hundreds of wildfires. By the end of SepWOODY WHITLATCH tember 2020, more than 2 WEATHER WORDS million acres of Northern California were charred by For the second summer in a these blazes. Three Lightning row, wildfires have scorched Complex Fires in the Bay Northern California months Area consumed more than before the beginning of the tra- 200,000 acres each. ditional California fire season.

Several periods of offWeather conditions that shore wind flow events folled to these abnormally early lowed last August’s lightningconflagrations were different generated wildfires. These for each summer, as was the dry winds pushed flames impact of wildfire smoke on rapidly across forests and East Bay residents. grasslands already abnormalLast summer’s wildfires ly dry due to subpar rainfall were triggered by an unusual the previous winter. The offlightning storm event in mid- shore wind events blew August. More than 12,000 dense smoke into the Concloud-to-ground lightning cord/Clayton area, resulting strikes were recorded in in extremely unhealthy air Northern California in one quality for several weeks. day.

Last winter, fingers were

Joe Ronco 925-872-3049 Over 35 years Clayton/ Concord resident Lic#844344

crossed that plentiful rains would fill reservoirs and keep wildfire fuels moist.

Unfortunately, most of Northern California received less than half the expected normal rainfall last winter – resulting in record two-year rainfall deficits.

That didn’t bode well for the 2021 fire season, and sure enough the fires began even earlier this summer.

The enormous Dixie Fire near Lake Almanor started in mid-July. As of the first week of September, it had consumed more than 900,000 acres and was only 50 percent contained.

In late July, the Monument Fire began in Trinity County. So far, it has consumed more than 200,000 acres and is not yet 50 percent controlled.

The third large blaze in Northern California this summer, the Caldor Fire, began in El Dorado County on Aug. 14 and has consumed more than 200,000 acres and threatened the community of South Lake Tahoe. It also is less than 50 percent contained.

While the major wildfires of 2020 were lightninginduced, the official causes of this summer’s largest fires are currently classified as unknown – but lightning definitely was not involved.

It is likely that the two-year

When D&H fixes it, the thing that needs fixing stays fixed...

drought and human activities will be co-blamed as culprits for these early wildfire events.

East Bay skies have been hazy on many days so far this fire season, but there have only been a few times when air quality readings have been worse than moderately unhealthy. One reason is that this season’s major fires are located in the Sierra, further away from the Bay Area than last year’s Lightning Complex Fires.

Even so, jet stream winds have managed to push smoky plumes in our direction. Fortunately, persistent onshore sea breeze winds have helped keep conditions near the surface relatively healthy compared to last summer.

We can expect more wildfires and smoke in the coming months. The best-case weather scenario for California would be an early onset to the rainy season this fall, followed by enough rain events to help make up the water deficits of the last two winter seasons.

Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist retired from PG&E. Email your questions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com

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and many dear friends.

A funeral mass was held recently St. Agnes Catholic Church and a Rite of Committal at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.

Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Youth Families, 5167 Clayton Rd. #F, Concord, or St. Agnes School, 3886 Chestnut Ave., Concord 94519.

Jay Bedecarre & Kara Navolio contributed to this obituary.

Poke, from page 5 chips. Then come the proteins, which include sushiquality albacore, yellowtail and/or spicy tuna. Fresh Box offers octopus, salmon, crab, shrimp and scallops to round out their seafood selections.

Added to the proteins are some 21 extras, with veggies such as corn, edamame, cucumber and nori (seaweed, white onion and ginger). What makes all these diverse flavors work is the wide variety of homemade sauces. Among the most popular are ponzu (soy sauce, citrus, mirin, bonito flakes and kelp), a garlic offering, spicy poke and a unagi mixture.

The selection process, similar to at MOD and Blaze Pizza, gives consumers what they want rather than being limited to specific items on a menu.

“Poke offers patrons a quick, tasty and less expensive alternative to traditional Japanese sushi bars,” says Cheung.

As a bonus, he added: “Those on diets can enjoy a satisfying low-calorie meal that fills one up.”

The demographics of poke bars differ from traditional Japanese and other Asian restaurants. “Our crowd tends to be in the 25 to 35 range, although older folks are being added to our customer base,” says Nate Olaes, owner of Oke Poke on 1529 Locust in Walnut Creek.

Olaes says business has more than doubled during COVID, with delivery orders now making up 45 percent.

Judging from the seven servers behind the counters on a Tuesday evening when I was at Oke Poke, they are one busy place.

Like at Fresh Box, Olaes recommends that customers mix the large variety of house-made dressings. I found this to be good advice as I consumed a bowl featuring spicy hamachi tuna, blanched octopus and various add-ons.

It was delicious and made me momentarily forget my addiction to Japanese sushi bars.

Another popular poke locale

Fresh Box owner and Ygnacio Valley High alum Samson Cheung with one of his creations.

is Pokeatery at 1345 Newell Ave. Suite B, adjacent to Whole Foods in Walnut Creek. It has a similar menu to other poke restaurants in the area but with a definite Hawaiian twist. One of their best creations is Limu Poke, which features yellowfin tuna, onion, seaweed and spices.

Pokeatery not only imports tuna from the islands, but also ‘Ulu chips, nori and other food item.

The success of poke eateries has resulted in traditional Japanese restaurants offering their own versions. I recently sampled poke bowls at Sushi Momoyama on Monument Boulevard in Concord and at Kobe Japan on Oak Park Boulevard in Pleasant Hill. Both were excellent and utilized highquality fish, though they lacked some of the ingredients found at poke restaurants.

It is obvious that the California-style treat from Hawaii is here to stay. Although keeping a continuous supply of raw ingredients on hand is no easy task, fresh and healthy semi fast food is a popular formula for success in today’s health-conscience world.

Rich Eber is a local journalist and long time resident of Concord.

He covers topics from politics to gourmet food. Contact him at rjerje@pacbell.net

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being with his sons car racing.

The Ouimets enjoyed traveling in their retirement.

John is survived by his wife Sharon of 65 years, sons John R. (Jan), Tim (Shari), daughter Kathy (Roger); grandchildren Amanda Hayford, Steven Ouimet, Melissa Rieger, Chris Ouimet, Erik Rieger, Danielle Ouimet, Chelsea Ouimet and Giulia Sarti, five great-grandchildren as well as his brother Don and wife Bea Ouimet, numerous nieces and nephews

ASK

THE

EXPERT

Ugh, it’s that time of year again where sunsets and sunrises are beautiful but the air is unhealthy.

Sadly, the fire season seems to hit new records each year. While we can’t control

the weather, we can take a few steps to keep our homes and families safe during this unnerving time of the year.

When the smoke is heavy outside, minimize the penetration into your home by inspecting windows for good alignment. Generally, you can address a misalignment on your own with small adjustments. But if the problem is more complicated, a handyman should be able to assist.

Additionally, address any gaps at the windows with appropriate sealants.

People often overlook the smoke penetration into a home from an open damper on the fireplace. In addition to preventing smoke intrusion, consider clearing vegetation

from decks and fences as well as minimizing the use of gasoline-powered tools that can create sparks that may wreak havoc in our excessively dry hillsides.

Lastly, this time of the year is great to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, refresh the family’s fire safety drill and have a grab-and-go kit ready in case emergency.

Scott Denslow is the owner of Safe at Home Inspection Service.

He is an InterNACHI and ASHI certified inspector who has 59 five-star ratings on Yelp.

Contact him at scott@safeathomellc.com. For more info visit www.safeathomellc.com.

See ad, page 14

September 17, 2021

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page 7

Ob i tu a r y Bernard Christian Fichtenkort

P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite F, Clayton, CA 94517 TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design, Website, Social Media B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor, Calendar Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports Editor, Schools Editor S TAFF W RITERS : Jay Bedecarré C ORRESPONDENTS : Bev Britton, Karen Jenkins, Kara Navolio, Pamela Michael, David Scholz,

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calendar@pioneerpublishers.com The Pioneer is a monthly publication delivered free to homes and businesses in 94517, 94518, 94519 and 94521. ZIP code 94520 is currently served by drop site distribution. The papers are published by Clayton Pioneer, Inc., Tamara and Robert Steiner, PO 1246, Clayton, CA 94517. The offices are located at 6200 Center St. Suite F, Clayton, CA 94517 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Pioneer welcomes letters from our readers. As a general rule, letters should be 175 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date.

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August 24, 1929 – August 3, 2021 Shortly after the start of the Korean War, Bernie enlisted in the Air Force. He served for two years, becoming a First Lieutenant, and stayed on as a reservist until 1966. Bernie earned an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Iowa in 1954 and subsequently went to work for Standard Oil of Indiana. While there, in Early in the morning of Tuesday, August 3, peacefully 1957, a fellow engineer introduced him to an attractive in his sleep, our beloved father, grandfather, and great nurse in Chicago and it was love at first sight. He married grandfather, Bernard (Ben, Lillian Mary Holland in SepBernie) Fichtenkort, left this tember of the same year, world to join our Lord.

Born in West Point, Iowa, moved to California shortly on August 24, the fourth son thereafter and raised five children. of five, to Christian Henry Bernie and Lil settled in and Cecilia Jansen Fichtenkort, Bernie grew up during the Clayton in 1962 and immedigreat depression in a tiny Ger- ately became active with St. Bonaventure Catholic Comman Catholic town in the munity. Over many years, they middle of corn fields, gently rolling as far as the eye could worked with other parishioners to help the young see. He graduated from West Point’s St Mary’s High School church grow into the vibrant place of worship it is today, in 1947 and then Marquette University in 1951 with a B.S. making lifelong best friends in in Mechanical Engineering. the process.

In addition to teaching Catechism, singing in the choir, and serving on the Parish Council, Bernie found time to found Clayton’s first Boy Scout Troop, Troop 262.

An Eagle Scout since his teen years, he served as the Committee Chairman for its first six years and, through it, helped local charities such as the We-Care School for disabled children and the inaugural Clayton Fourth of July Parade and Celebration. He worked for and retired from the Fibreboard / Gaylord paper mill in Antioch as Plant Engineer and Maintenance Superintendent.

Bernie will be remembered by all who knew him for his quiet generosity, calming influence, and self-deprecating sense of humor. He was the unknown inspiration and strength behind many projects, mostly preferring to stay out of the limelight and taking joy from the endeavor’s success.

There was never any doubt Bernie placed love for his family above all else. He is survived by his brother James Fichtenkort of Vero Beach, FL (wife Paula), son John Fichtenkort of Modesto (wife Shelly), daughter Mary McFarland of Clayton (husband Kevin), daughter Jean Fichtenkort of Berkeley (wife Wendy Heffner), daughter Therese Hathaway of Wichita, KS (husband Jay), and daughter Sara Larose of Orinda (husband Jonathan). Bernie was also deeply loved and will be missed by his eleven grandchildren, his seven great grandchildren, and his extended family and many dear friends.

Bernie is inurned at the Oakland Diocese Cathedral of Christ the Light Mausoleum.

In memory of Bernie, please humbly share a gift of service with another.

Marsh, from page 1 MORE FUNDING NEEDED The John Marsh Historic Trust, founded in 1997 to restore and preserve the iconic sandstone house and its surroundings, hails the new funding as “a game changer.”

“The trust’s dream of a fully restored Marsh House serving as East County’s site for the public to restore and relive the Rancho era leading up to the Gold Rush and statehood has taken a giant leap,” said trust president Barry Margesson.

The $1.4 million, however, is far short of what will be needed to fully stabilize the house, much less restore it.

Earthquakes and time have caused much damage over the years; walls have collapsed, and sandstone building blocks have eroded.

The trust is launching a new effort to match the state’s investment and is working with California State Parks and other government agencies to bring about their shared vision.

A STORIED HISTORY The house was built in 1855-’56 from stones quarried in the nearby hills and bricks fired on site. The gabled house was the first stone mansion in

He set up a practice and even performed operations successfully, thus becoming the California and was considered first practicing doctor on the in its day to be “the finest West Coast. ranch home” in the state.

Once at the center of an GO WEST, HE PROCLAIMED After purchasing the immense agricultural empire that stretched from Antioch to 50,000-acre land grant Rancho Discovery Bay, the Gothic- Los Meganos from José NorieRevival behemoth stands ga in 1838 for $500, Marsh rather forlornly on the banks realized he could increase his of Marsh Creek. It’s been wealth by “importing” cusshored up and reinforced by tomers for his cattle and other previous restoration efforts commodities by persuading that were cut short by lack of people to travel overland to funds and the COVID pan- California. He began an aggressive letter-writing camdemic.

“Doctor” John Marsh was paign, touting California’s clithe first American-born pio- mate, rich soil and other neer to settle in Contra Costa amenities to prospective setCounty. The enterprising tlers.

Newspapers around the grifter from Massachusetts arrived in Southern California country published his letters, in 1835 – fleeing trouble-filled complete with maps of the stints in New Mexico and the California Trail, as it came to Midwest, where he was be known, which terminated at accused of selling guns to the Marsh House in BrentNative Americans and inciting wood.

Marsh and John Sutter, of an Indian war among the Gold Rush Sutter’s Mill fame, Sioux.

Having spent a year study- became fierce advocates for ing medicine with a Boston Western expansion and immidoctor years before, Marsh gration. Later, they were took advantage of the lack of among the most influential medical care in Los Angeles voices calling for California and professed himself to be a statehood.

However, Marsh was not a physician. He presented his BA diploma from Harvard, written popular man. One of the richest in Latin, to Alta California men in California at the time, he paid low wages, charged high Mexican officials as proof.

Pamela Michael

This graceful bannister gives a hint at the long-ago elegance of the house

prices and treated employees badly. John Bidwell, the founder of Chico, who led the first wagon train over the Sierra Nevada in 1841, called him “the meanest man in California.”

Marsh was murdered by disgruntled employees three weeks after moving into his mansion. He and his wife, Abby, who died just before the house was completed, are buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.

Pamela Michael is a freelance writer with a special interest in local history. Email her at pmgoodwright@gmail.com

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CNWS, from page 1 nation’s largest privately held real estate development companies. The Lewis Group focuses on developing mixeduse planned communities and residential subdivisions in California and Nevada, as well as building and owning rental communities, shopping centers, and office and industrial parks.

According to their website, CCIG is a Bay Area market leader in commercial real estate sales and leasing. For over 25 years their focus has been on Northern California, specifically the East Bay/Oakland. The firm has brokered commercial sales and leases valued at over $1 billion with lease transactions in excess of 2.5 million square feet.

“I’ve been to Bishop Ranch, I’ve seen it develop,” Obringer said. “They’ve already gone through this experience and delivered it.

Discovery has a team in place, but no performance to show.”

“It was a matter of ‘this is what I’ve done’ as opposed to ‘this is what I’m going to do.’”

Public opposition to the Discovery/Seeno group was heavy, based mainly on the company’s negative history with environmental issues.

Save Mount Diablo mounted a strong campaign against the company and is currently suing the City of Pittsburg for approving the Faria project, Discovery Homes’1,650unit project planned for the ridge between Concord and Pittsburg adjacent to East Bay Regional Park District Thurgood Marshall Park.

A lawsuit brought by Discovery Homes against the EBRPD earlier this year was settled last week, according to Birsan.

Albert D. Seeno III follows his father and grandfather as head of Discovery Homes. The company has a well-documented history of suing and being sued and of environmental violations.

Birsan quizzed Seeno on his involvement and the councilman said he was satisfied that, “he wasn’t involved in the stuff that came down.

The sins of the father should not be visited on the son,” Birsan said.

This was the second time the council has been through the CNWS master developer selection process. A deal with national homebuilder Lennar Corp. tanked over labor issues in March 2020 when the council refused to extend their Exclusive Negotiating Agreement. At that time, Hoffmeister and McGallian wanted to grant the extension but were overruled by Obringer, Birsan and Aliano.

The city has been firm from the beginning on requiring local labor for all construction on the project. All three candidates this time had project labor agreements with the Contra Costa Building Trades Council by the time of their presentations. Local labor supported the Discovery/Seeno candidacy while stating they were the first of the three to sign a PLA.

With the selection made, the city will begin work on an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement and Term Sheet with the winning candidate, a process that is likely to take several months. “If we don’t get what we want, we take another swing at it,” Birsan said.

That will seem a short time frame if it finally gets the CNWS project headed towards turning the first shovel of dirt in the decadesold effort. Concord envisions13,000 homes (25% affordable housing), retail businesses, office space, tournament sports complex, schools, parks and perhaps a college campus to the Naval property that the city has yet to take ownership of.

The meeting agenda contained the Concord staff report prepared by Director of Economic Development and Base Reuse Guy Bjerke, presentations by the three candidate companies as well as correspondence submitted on the issue from the public and organizations.

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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

September 17, 2021

From the Desk of...

With ever-changing situations, the key is to be prepared September is national emergency preparedness month. With wildfires burning across the West and Hurricane Ida impacting millions of people in the South and East, weathering a natural disaster is top of mind for many of us.

On Sept. 2, the city hosted its annual emergency preparedness fair in Todos Santos

Plaza. It featured members of our Police Department and Senior Citizens Club, as well as first responders and representatives from various partner agencies, including the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, American Medical Response, Contra Costa’s HAZMAT team, the American Red Cross, the Con-

SB9 deals a blow to local land use control

CARL “CW” WOLFE

CLAYTON MAYOR

community engagement will be a part of our planning, and I urge you to get involved in the process.

Cal Cities has communicated a legislative effort to allow for the continuation of virtual council meetings during the pandemic. Our virtual meetings have been much better attended by the public than in-person meetings, and we are working on the technology to accommodate those wishing to attend virtually once we do return to Hoyer Hall.

The Contra Costa Mayors Conference has decided to continue meeting virtually throughout 2021. This means that Clayton will not host the November meeting at Oakhurst as originally scheduled but will host the first in-person meeting as soon as they resume.

Council members are meeting with various business owners in town to explore their needs regarding the American Rescue Plan funds distribution. The council recently prioritized helping Clayton businesses recoup some of their losses due to the pandemic.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to welcome our new community development director, Katherine Korshak, as well as our “new” finance director, Dana Ayers. Korshak comes to us from Kensington, with more than 10 years of experience, and Ayers was our interim finance director and has chosen to stay with us on a permanent basis. So happy to have these talented individuals on Team Clayton.

Senate Bill 9 (SB9), a housing bill that I discussed in my March and July 2021 Pioneer articles, has passed and awaits the governor’s signature.

Despite lobbying efforts, California legislators seem to think they know best when it comes to taking local control of cities. Minor compromises did not go far enough, and Clayton city officials remain opposed.

Our hope is that the governor vetoes this bill. He has until Oct. 10 to decide. You can read more on SB9 at www.leginfo.legislature.ca.go v, and you can make your voice heard by writing to the governor.

City Council members have preliminarily met with the consultant hired to begin the process of looking into Clayton’s upcoming Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Clayton must define zoning for a statemandated 570 additional housing units. This is going to be a most difficult task for our nearly built-out city.

Clayton has filed an appeal of these numbers, but appeals are rarely upheld.

The City Council and PlanPlease direct questions or ning Commission will hold a comments to cw@claytonca.gov or joint housing element work- 925-673-7324. shop on Sept. 28. Future

cord Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Concord Listos program, the Concord Auxiliary Emergency Radio Services (CARES), the Contra Costa Crisis Center, Concord’s Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) and more.

These organizations shared valuable tips and offered safety demonstrations, allowing visitors to practice using a fire extinguisher, turning off gas flow at the source and performing CPR. Representatives from our local Home Depot were also there to showcase a variety of safety products, which they generously gave away to help people build their safety kits.

As you think about your own safety plans, keep these tips in mind: Make a Plan: Talk to your family and friends about how

TIM MCGALLIAN

CONCORD MAYOR you will communicate before, during and after a disaster.

Build a Kit: Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home.

Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly.

Low-Cost, No-Cost Pre-

paredness: Know the risk of disasters in your area and learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards.

Check your insurance coverage to make sure it is up-todate.

Teach Youth About Preparedness: Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.

We are fortunate to have partner agencies like the American Red Cross and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, which are actively engaged in supporting the victims of California’s wildfires.

Donations to these and so many other nonprofits are always welcome.

The Food Bank says that $25 provides a family of four a day’s worth of ready-to-eat food, snacks and water. The Red Cross says that in addition to monetary donations, they are in critical need of blood donors. They are also seeking volunteers.

When disaster strikes in Concord, we will certainly want our community members prepared to respond, which is why I highly encourage residents to participate in our CERT program. CERT educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact Contra Costa County and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and res-

See McGallian, page 9

Tiny homes could be part of a rapid response to homelessness percent from 2018 to 2020, and we are at risk of seeing that statistic grow as more than 4 in 10 California households have unaffordable housing costs.

There is no one solution to our homelessness crisis, but I think tiny homes may be one leg of the stool. Tiny homes are scaled, self-contained homes that are rapidly deployTIM GRAYSON meaning they can be 14TH ASSEMBLY able, quickly built and installed into DISTRICT our communities. The tiny home that I used for demonDuring my time in the Assembly, I have worked tire- stration at the capitol, which was provided by Access Houslessly to reform our housing ing, was built and delivered in policies to help communities only 30 days. Imagine the difbuild the housing that they ference that we could make in want and need. our communities by offering Everyone agrees that any solution to our housing crisis that kind of rapid response to families who have no place to is going to involve increasing call home. our housing supply, but it’s These homes also come on going to take some real time wheels, so we would have the to both implement policies ability to put it on a property that can spur production and where people are unhoused to start seeing shovels hit the and later move it when those ground on new development. individuals are able to find a In the meantime, we need more permanent place to live. to address the immediate need These houses can be used of getting Californians off the for more than transitional streets and into homes. At the housing. I see them as a critibeginning of the month, I highlighted one possible solu- cal tool to use during our tion to this problem by bring- state’s response to wildfires. ing a tiny home to the steps of The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has our state capitol.

California’s homeless pop- used tiny homes as temporary ulation increased by nearly 25 housing during emergency

response, and these units can be brought to wildfire-affected areas to serve both displaced families and firefighters on the front lines.

The tiny home that I brought to the capitol for

See Grayson, page 9

We can all take simple steps to help conserve water

With a historic drought upon us and reservoirs reaching critically low capacity across the state, it is more important than ever to conserve water and find ways to reduce consumption.

California’s rainy season continues to arrive later and with less water each year, so it’s essential that we all work together to preserve our water resources for the dry months to come.

Conserving water starts at home. With a few simple changes around the house, you can reduce your consumption.

One tried and true strategy is to keep a bucket in the bathroom to capture water as your shower warms up and use it to water plants at your home. Another is to wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine until you have a full load. Washing your car at a carwash, where water is recycled, is a simple and easy way to conserve as well.

Make a difference while ate hearing all of it. To me it You will just as likely If you’re looking to take earning a living. These words means you are engaged with interact with people who your water conservation to are not an empty promise, your police department and come to you for help and the next level, one of the but an invite to anyone who care enough to reach out and solutions to problems that M ARK B USTILLOS best ways is to reorient the wants to rise to the challenge give me feedback – whether they cannot fix themselves. landscaping to be droughtand serve their community. positive or negative.

You are a mobile problemCHIEF OF POLICE resistant.

The biggest culThe Concord Police If you opt for a career in solver.

C ONCORD prits are lawns, with thirsty, Department is looking for law enforcement, I promise For those of us in the non-native grass. people who are passionate that no two days will be alike business, the satisfaction ingly intractable problems, or In my supervisorial district, about serving their commu- – ever. Each day brings differ- comes from solving other to help people when they are the East Bay Municipal Utility nity. ent challenges, whether you people’s problems in an equiquite possibly having the District (EBMUD) and the I am often asked why are in patrol or in investigatable and kind fashion. That worst day of their lives and Contra Costa Water District anyone would want to be a tions. You will be asked to might mean taking a traffic you are there to help bring (CCWD) have been hard at police officer in the current think critically, react to stimuli report where you console the calmness to the storm. work implementing programs environment. Well, let me around you, and make split person who just totaled their If you want to do the same and mobilizing resources for tell you why. second decisions based upon only car. It might mean getjob every day, don’t go into law residents to help conserve Locally, the residents your training and experience. ting county services to a famenforcement. However, if you water – specifically when it overwhelmingly support You will not work banker’s ily or individual that has no want to be challenged mentally, comes to the yard. Both water their police department and hours, with weekends off. idea there are agencies that agencies have lawn-to-garden go out of their way daily to You’ll have to work nights at support various social needs. physically and emotionally while serving the Concord rebate programs, which will let us know. I personally some point. You will interact Of course, it also means community, then give our pay you by the square foot to appreciate all of you who with the entire cross section you might make an arrest of recruitment sergeant, Ollie replace grass with turf or have stopped me in coffee of the population, which someone terrorizing a shopSansen, a call at 925-671-5000 more drought-resistant plants. shops and restaurants and means you will interact with ping center or neighborhood. or email him at You can find more info at told me that my staff, your some people who don’t like It could also mean you solve a Ollie.Sansen@cityofconcord.o ebmud.com/water/conservaofficers, are doing an outwhat law enforcement repreburglary or robbery and bring rg. tion-and-rebates/ and ccwastanding job. sents and some people who resolution to crime victims. ter.com/160/Lawn-to-GarYou also let me know are afraid of you because of There is no greater feeling Contact Chief Bustillos at den-Rebate. when we fall short in our the uniform you wear. But than being able to help somemark.bustillos@cityofconcord.org The water districts offer response. Frankly, I appreci- that’s OK; we serve everyone. one find solutions to seem-

When you work for Concord PD, every day is a new opportunity

demonstration was set up to house one family, but additional configurations would allow for up to five individuals to be privately housed.

KAREN MITCHOFF

COUNTY

SUPERVISOR professional expertise to help households conserve water as well. From the websites listed above, you can access experts with these agencies to help advise on ways you might be able to save water, improve your landscaping to be drought-resistant, or access other resources such as watersaving devices like flow meters, educational opportunities and other rebates for water conservation.

Californians are all too familiar with the realities of living in a dry environment, but since the last major drought in our state spanning 2011-’19, many more resources, rebates and opportunities are available to our community.

If you have more questions about water-saving techniques or need more information about these programs, contact EBMUD at 1-866403-2683 and CCWD at 925688-8000.

My office stands ready to assist as well in these efforts.

You can reach us at 925-5217100.

Let’s all do our part to make sure that we preserve our precious and limited water resources.

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

September 17, 2021

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page 9

Bocce traveled the world before settling in Concord House of Savoy dynasty (1003-1860). Before the 1850s, players used custommade wooden balls – sometimes fortified by using blacksmiths nails. The modern game uses composite or metal balls.

Lawn bowling, nine pins, skittles and pétanque are a few of the names this popular game has been called.

Bocce for the average player is simple. Two, four or eight players make a team.

Each player gets two boccias (balls) to throw near the pallino – a small ball thrown to the middle of the court before the game.

In Concord, bocce began as a Sunday afternoon game between Italian friends and slowly grew to the city level

CAROL LONGSHORE

YESTERYEAR

Many of you may know the offspring of the Italian friends who brought the game of bocce to Concord.

The first known documentation of bocce was in 5200 B.C., with an Egyptian tomb painting that depicted two boys playing.

The game spread throughout the Middle East and Asia. The Greeks eventually adopted it, and then passed it on to the Romans.

While unifying and nationalizing Italy, Giuseppe Garibaldi popularized bocce as it is played today.

Bocce frequently lost and

gained popularity throughout the first bocce Olympiad was The bocce balls were the ages. During a resurheld in Athens. It went on to made near the cities of Torigence of popularity in 1896, be an international sport. no, Italy, and stem from the

LAURA CARTWRIGHT

ALL

THE

COLORS

1981: I am 6 and the pool is my safe place. One day, my sister’s coach tells me that if I swim the whole length of the pool without stopping, I could be on the team. I muster up all my courage, take a deep breath and jump in.

Studies continually show that there are multiple health and educational benefits associated with physical activity and playing sports.

They include better sleep, improved mood, better concentration, higher GPAs, and reductions in depression and anxiety.

It is striking to then look at the Trevor Project National Survey, which clearly illustrates the mental health crisis and heightened risk of suicide for transgender youth.

It is not a far leap to connect how participating in sports can be an intervention tool for all youth, especially those who identify as LGBTQI+.

1985: I am 10 and my dad

McGallian, from page 8 cue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

To learn more about how to get involved, please visit cityofconcord.org/CERT. I would be remiss not to mention the recent situation in Afghanistan. With tens of thousands of Afghanis resettling in the United States, the humanitarian efforts to aid these families will extend for many months. Concord is a welcoming, inclusive and diverse city, and I know that we will continue to support all members of our community, including newcomers.

So much is happening in our world right now. Kids are returning to school, which is a great thing, but COVID rates are on the rise again. Wildfires

Carol Longshore has been a Concord resident since 1950. She is a community leader and past president of the Concord Historical Society. Send comments and suggestions for future topics to editor@pioneerpublishers.com.

Photo courtesy Concord Historical Society

First-generation Italians played bocce ball in the backyard of Victor Lavagnino, who made the court. From left, Pasqua Ziotitti, Jack Buscaglia, Agostino Ferrari, Emilio Coppola, Andrea Moresco, Giovanni Massoni, Victor Guerisoli and Lavagnino.

are burning and hurricanes are wreaking havoc. The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has triggered global unrest and a humanitarian crisis.

Add these up and it amounts to a tremendous weight we are collectively carrying on our minds and in our hearts. We must continue to support each other in these challenging times.

The community’s ability to be resilient is incredible, and we will continue to work together to get ourselves and each other through these difficult times.

Concord chamber supports local hiring

tra Costa County is a great resource to solve workforce challenges by partnering with local education, economic development, labor and community organizations.

The WDB offers a variety of services to help further your career, whether it be searching for a job, creating an just signed me up for the play professionally. So, what attention-catching resume or local basketball team. I am is the purpose of youth brushing up on various M ELISSA R EA one of two girls playing on sports? I believe it is the lesskills. They also offer spethe fifth-grade boys’ team. sons we learn about who we CHAMBER OF cialized training to help My dad tells me to not hold are and the chance to grow employees be placed into the C OMMERCE back. He says that I am just into confident, trusting, coltrades and vocational jobs. as good as the boys, maybe laborative and productive Many businesses are curExpress Employment better. Next year, there people who contribute to the rently hiring, but the pool of Professionals, a chamber might be more girls who will world. applicants is not applying as member, helps job seekers play.

2021: I am coaching a usual. find a job that works with Sports are for all of us, Division 3 college volleyball Throughout the pandem- their skillset and experience but historically the world of team. When I ask the players ic, many people needed to and also gives employers athletics has excluded marwhat they love about volleyseek new employment – assurance that employees ginalized people. Whether ball, one athlete says: “It’s whether it was a decided will fit well with the busiwe are women, folks of like I get to have another career change or an unfortu- ness. Express Employment color, queer, nonbinary, trans family who supports and nate layoff. There are many can assist with both full-time or differently abled athletes, believes in me.” resources available for both and temporary staffing, as we are faced with the reality The NCAA’s transgender job seekers and employers in well as human resources that we may be one of one policy was established more our communities to help hire services and consulting. The on the team this year. than a decade ago and conor even provide training to Concord branch is locally 1992: I am a junior in tinues to be refined. While ensure the proper skills are owned, providing confidence high school and my softball there is room for this policy met. the staffing agency is aware team has qualified for the to be even more expansive Chamber members can of the community needs and Michigan Class A state semi- and less binary, it is an post open positions on the insights on who is in need finals. I am on third base example of how sports chamber’s website at while receiving personalized and the score is 0-0. The organizations can be leaders www.concordchamber.com/j help. coach calls a clutch play. My in creating inclusive spaces obs. The information will Hiring a local workforce teammate up to bat must for transgender people. This also be shared via the cham- ensures we can create a “live, contact the next pitch and gives me hope that gender ber’s various social media work, play” community, lay it down on the ground identity will one day cease to platforms. These are great investing in our workforce, because I am stealing home be a barrier for participation ways for businesses to keeping dollars spent locally on the release. I have never in sports and more youth increase search engine optiand driving economic vitalibeen so scared and so sure at will thrive. mization (SEO) and searcha- ty. the same time. The last thing In your conversations bility.

I remember is nodding at the around transgender sports In addition, the chamber Melissa Rea is Director of batter, smiling at my coach policies, I invite you to recently created a Facebook Operations & Marketing for and then the umpire yelling reevaluate how you define group called “Greater ConConcord Chamber of Commerce.

“SAFE!” as I slid into home. the purpose of youth sports cord CA Job Listings” for For more information call 925My team did not win the and strive to create systems businesses in the area to 685-1181, visit www.concordchamgame that day, but we won where all athletes experience post and share their jobs. ber.com or stop by the office at that moment. belonging on the team.

The Workforce Develop- 2280 Diamond Blvd., Suite 200, Millions of kids 6-17 parment Board (WDB) of Con- in Concord. ticipate annually in youth Laura Cartwright is a Queer sports. Less than half will educator and oversses the training continue to play in high and currciulum at Rainbow Comschool, even fewer in college munity Center. Contact Laura at and less than 1 percent will laura@rainbowcc.org

Real teamwork is when everyone feels they belong on the team Whenever I smell fresh-cut grass, hear squeaky shoes on a gym floor or feel the burn of chlorine in my eyes, I am instantly transported to my youth – where I existed almost entirely on a field, in a gym or poolside.

I remember heart-racing moments, passionate coaches and teammates whom I loved, but mostly what I recall is this undeniable feeling that I belonged.

My experience in athletics was empowering, and it inspired me to become a coach like my mentors. For the last 25 years, I have worked with beginner athletes as young as 3, competitive and recreational youth teams, Special Olympics athletes and elite players at the collegiate level. This wide scope has deepened my connection and clarity around the purpose of youth sports.

As a coach and LGBTQI+ youth advocate, I celebrate the recent clarifications that public schools have an obligation under Title IX to provide safe and non-discriminatory environments to LGBTQI+ students. At the same time, I am concerned about the uprising of anti-trans sports legislation in response.

As I listen to the arguments being made about equity, safety and level playing fields for girls, I keep coming back to the same question: What is the purpose of youth sports?

with tournaments and leagues.

These Italian friends started playing in the ’30s and ended when BART took over Victor Lavagnino’s property in the early ’60s.

They toasted their final game with their last glass of wine brought up from the cellar.

Then with a tear in his eye, Lavagnino watched his house and court be torn down.

The city built two bocce courts and the leagues began, continuing to grow with gusto.

Grayson, from page 8

Over the course of the two days that the tiny home was displayed, I invited my legislative colleagues and the public to tour the unit and discover first-hand how innovative and adaptable a solution it can be. Nearly everybody who visited the tiny home said they were impressed by the speed of its construction and the comfort of its interior.

My hope is that I’ve inspired my colleagues to be part of this solution to bring immediate shelter and relief to Californians experiencing hardship and homelessness.

Last year, 70 percent of Mayor Tim McGallian can be Californians experiencing reached at 925.671.2489 or email homelessness were considered Tim.McGallian@cityofconcord.org “unsheltered.” A problem of

that magnitude demands a response of equal measure.

You can count on me to continue to fight for new and immediate solutions to help individuals and families struggling in our communities.

To watch a virtual tour of the tiny home, please visit me on Facebook (@AsmGrayson). To learn more about my work on housing and homelessness issues, call my Concord district office.

Reach Assemblyman Tim Grayson at (925) 521-1511.

Visit or write the district office 2151 Salvio Street, Suite P, Concord, CA 94520

Page 10

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

September 17, 2021

Here comes the sun – exploring the energy chain

STEPHEN GOURLAY

SCIENCE BYTES We all know that energy is a big deal. Life on Earth depends on various forms of energy to survive.

In every case, the sun is the primary source. There is direct benefit from the sun warming the Earth to make it habitable and other sources in the form of plants and animals. For example, burning wood effectively releases the solar

energy stored by a tree, and we get energy by consuming both plants and animals.

Crude oil and natural gas are the result of dead sea animals (plankton) settling to the bottom of the ocean some hundreds of millions of years ago. Coal was formed by decaying plants in ancient swamps. Both types of fossil fuels were produced through geologic processes where the material was covered, heated and subjected to intense pressure in an oxygen-free environment over a very long time.

We can extract the stored solar energy via oxidation, i.e., burning, releasing the energy that binds the molecules together. I have been known to refer to fossil fuels as “dead dinosaurs,” but only as a joke. It’s not true.

Other forms of energy

It’s now time to take computing to the Max

you might think of such as wind, hydro, wave, geothermal and solar cells are also examples of converted solar energy. But what about nuclear? Hang on.

All other forms of energy are transformations of solar energy. That begs the question: “Where does the sun’s energy come from?”

Nuclear fusion is a process where two light nuclei are combined to produce a heavier nucleus along with other subatomic particles such as

protons, neutrons and energy.

All the elements up to iron are created this way. All the elements heavier than iron require energy input.

If a star has sufficient mass (much greater than our sun), there is a point during its life cycle where the core collapses and it explodes in an event called a supernova – creating heavier elements that are scattered over the universe and eventually captured in dust clouds.

Under the influence of

gravity, these clouds condensed to form new stars and planets, including our own. It’s the source of heavy elements used in fission reactors.

Nuclear fission is where a heavy nucleus, uranium for instance, is broken apart into smaller nuclei, releasing the energy that bound them together. Just the opposite of fusion. In that sense, it is like burning fossil fuels but on the nuclear level. Nuclear fission also originates with stars or suns.

For decades, scientists have been trying to find ways to reproduce fusion reactions on Earth, but on a much smaller scale, of course. Mimicking the sun is no easy task. The sun is a plasma, a hot gas (27 million degrees in the core) made up of bare nuclei and electrons. Remember that nuclei are bound together via the strong nuclear force, and it has a very short range. But the two nuclei have a positive

See Science, page 15

Picture book a great way to introduce kids to Shakespeare SUNNY SOLOMON

BOOKIN’ WITH SUNNY

Georghia Ellinas’ picture book retelling of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to say a slice of binary silicon is is a one-of-a-kind recommendaeither on or off. Never both. tion.

What if there were a way to The first thing to remember introduce a third state of matis that Shakespeare was a funny ter: on+off. This third state, guy, and “A Midsummer Night’s called tertiary, extends the com- Dream” is one of his funniest puting power exponentially, plays. Actually, it’s slapstick. And thus elevating the need to make kids love slapstick. things smaller. The thinking is Read to your children about to make the chips do more in the royal marriage between the same space. Tertiary adds a Queen Hippolyta and Duke WILL CLANEY third state of matter that trans- Theseus that is soon to take lates to more power and speed place in Athens. However, it will TECH TALK for the next generation of com- not happen until a nobleputers.

Computing technology is woman, Hermia, marries This is “propeller-head” beginning to reach a point Demetris, the man her father stuff, but fun to think about. where silicon chips will no has chosen.

Say hello to Max Planck, the longer be able to shrink. That means they will reach their the- German theoretical physics oretical speed limits in the next who originated quantum theory (1918). Quantum computing is few generations. the next generation in the quest Faster computer speeds depend on shrinking the size of to increase the speed of a computer by adding more states or chips. So how do we shrink conditions other than just on or chips further and continue to off. According to Bing, a quandevelop faster chips? tum computer “makes use of In the chip business, speed the quantum states of subatomand functionality depend on ic particles to store informamaking shorter and smaller It often takes a fresh eye to tion.” connections. These connectake a fresh look at a film.

That means the current tions, or traces, are made from a Newcomer Nia DaCosta process of lithography. Simplis- physical limitations of silicon reimagines the world of 1992’s tically, design a chip, take a pic- slices become moot. We move “Candyman” through the social ture of it, shrink it, then super- from the physical state of matlens of 2021. ter to the quantum state of impose it to silicon.

To summon the bee-ridden Computers go fast because qubits.

Candyman, it still only requires Qubits represent atoms, they switch ones and zeros, saying his name five times in ions, photons or electrons and known as binary, faster when front of a mirror.

When I was a their respective control devices their traces are smaller. But young lad, Tony Todd was so what happens when we reach a that are working together to act realistically terrifying as the origas computer memory and a physical size limit? inal Candyman, I could not Silicon can only shrink their processor. Because a quantum bear to watch it.

Michael Harcomputer can contain these trace so far, currently 5 grove comes close in 2021, but nanometers. One nanometer is multiple states simultaneously, it he does not have Todd’s menachas the potential to be millions one billionth of a meter. For ing screen presence. of times more powerful than scale, a sheet of paper is DaCosta’s “Candyman” today’s most powerful super100,000 nanometers. takes it cues from the original; it computers, reports the How “A strand of human DNA took me about a third of the Stuff Works website. is 2.5 nanometers in diameter film to get up to speed. The When you are ready for a on a comparative scale. If the shabby neighborhood of Cabriquantum computer, call me. I diameter of a marble was one ni Green has changed over the have access to a desktop. Price nanometer, then the diameter past 30 years.

Young artists, like of a SpinQ: $4,950. of the Earth would be about Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdulone meter,” according to Bing.

William Claney is an independent Mateen), have started moving Current silicon technology is tech writer and former owner of Com- into the newly gentrified comonly capable of two states of matter, either positive or nega- puters USA in the Clayton Station. munity. Anthony lives with his tive – thereby defining the con- Email questions or comments to will- art dealer girlfriend Brianna (Teyonah Parris). dition known as binary. That is claney@gmail.com.

However, Hermia does not love Demetrius; she loves Lysander. Hermia’s best girlfriend, Helena, does love Demetrius, and she tells him that Hermia and Lysander are going to run off and get married. This is a good spot in the story to introduce the word “elope” to the children’s vocabulary.

The story is told by a sprite known as Puck, who lives in the enchanted forest of the Fairy Kingdom ruled by King Oberon and Queen Titania.

Puck is a bit of a trickster and can become invisible so that all who live in or enter the enchanted forest cannot see him. Oberon and Titania are arguing because Titania will not give Oberon her adopted son (the only character whose name we don’t know).

Now comes the slapstick.

Hermia and Lysander enter the enchanted forest, followed by Demetrius, who wants to win

Hermia back and is upset that Helena is following him.

Oberon, unhappy with Demetrius’ unkindness to Helena, instructs Puck to find a flower with magic dust and sprinkle it on Demetrius’ eyes when he’s asleep so that when he wakes and finds Helena next to him, he will fall in love with her.

It is now dark, and Puck mistakes Lysander for Demetrius. Making matters worse, after the magic has been sprinkled, Helena lies down with the elopers. Lysander wakes and sees Helena before Hermia, and the madness begins.

Puck continues to make a mess of things, and the chase is on – with all the wrong people swearing their love for all the wrong people. In the end, Puck brings the chaos to a happy conclusion and begs his audience their friendship despite his unintended mischief.

Jane Ray’s illustrations add beauty and depth to Ellinas’ retelling of the story.

Here’s a final suggestion: Remind your children that the story was originally written as a play, and they might like to produce their own version with dolls, stuffed animals or other toys. If you are a teacher, it might be a fun chance to get your young students to produce their own version. I can imagine the fun they’d have chasing one another and all the other goofy behavior.

What a wonderful introduction to Shakespeare for youngsters to remember when “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be required reading in high school. It’s another reason to value picture books.

Sunny Solomon is a freelance writer and head of the Clayton Book Club. Visit her website at bookinwithsunny.com for her latest recommendations or just to ‘talk books.’

New versions of ‘Candyman,’ ‘Suicide Squad’ worth a peek

Solheim, from page 1 kind of last minute, like getting a captain’s pick and all, but it was always on my mind the entire year and just before, too.

Just actually being here and getting to experience all of this, all the fans, the crowds and just the atmosphere has been really incredible.”

This was Noh’s third taste of international competition and the first time her USA team lost. She was on winning 2017 Junior Solheim Cup and 2018 Junior Ryder Cup teams.

It was soon after that Junior

rookies this year.

Her summer results prompted USA Solheim Cup Ryder Cup win in France that captain Pat Hurst to make she announced she would Noh one of her three capforego the UCLA golf schol- tain’s picks along with Brittany Altomare and Mina Harigae. arship and turn pro.

When Noh tied for 13th at CAPTAIN PICKS NOH this year’s final major, the “This was an incredibly difAIG Women’s Championship in Scotland, she earned ficult decision, but I’m very $85,328, bringing her official happy to have Brittany, Mina LPGA Tour earnings over the and Yealimi as my picks for $1 million mark. Although Team USA,” said Hurst. “Mina Noh was a rookie last year, the and Yealimi have played so well LPGA ruled that because of over the last two years, and just the pandemic-shortened sea- because they’re Solheim Cup son the class of 2020 golfers rookies on paper doesn’t mean would still be categorized as they’re rookies inside the

While at dinner, Brianna’s brother tells a scary story that pretty much amounts to the plot of the first film. Looking for inspiration, Anthony goes in search of anything pertaining to Candyman. But he digs a little too deep, and his newest art is maybe a little too inspired by Candyman.

His obsession leads to Candyman re-entering the local consciousness, to understandably bad results.

DaCosta stuffs a few too many topical discussions into the film, leading to some being underexplored. Yet, it is refreshing to continue to see modern horror films like “Get Out” and “Candyman” be unafraid to tackle difficult subject matter while putting out some good scares at the same time. B I didn’t see 2016’s “Suicide Squad,” which was a revolting, PG-13 dumpster fire. Luckily, zero knowledge of that film is required for viewing 2021’s triumphant “The Suicide Squad.”

Director James Gunn, of Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, knows how to write comedy that works for superhero movies. Even if the dialogue falls flat, you will not notice as you are likely to still be catching your breath from a previous fit of laughter.

Idris Elba is Bloodsport, leader of a “team” sent in to subdue a coup and secure dangerous technology. The team is made up of incarcerated villains whose heads will explode if they deviate from the mission.

The plot is not important; we’re only watching to laugh and see each villain die in as gory a way as possible.

DC would be wise to steer from the dreariness of the “Justice League” films and focus more on the gleeful nature of “The Suicide Squad.” ALATE SUMMER TV “The Head.” (HBOMAX) Lost in the 2020 shuffle, this mini-series is worth seeking

out. Murders during the sparse, dark months at an Antarctica research facility throw the returning expedition leader into a compelling mystery.

“The Serpent.” (Netflix): Confusing at first, this eightpart series weaves back and forth through time, but mostly only spans a few years. Covering the true story of serial murderer Charles Sobhraj and the Dutch diplomat obsessed with catching him, the show dances between at least five different countries. The 1970s have never looked as sleek.

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.

ropes. I have no doubt they’ll be great competitors at Inverness.”

Harigae and Noh rewarded their captain’s faith by winning a Sunday afternoon fourball match 3 and 1 over European opponents, Sophia Popov and Celine Boutier.

The front nine saw the U.S. Solheim rookie duo make the turn with a 3-up lead but the Europeans birdied three holes to tie the match and set up a shootout for the last five holes.

Three more winning holes on birdies gave the Americans a victory.

On the final day when all

12 golfers from each team are paired in singles matches, Noh came out on fire against European stalwart Mel Reid, winning the first four holes for an early 4-up lead. Reid chipped away at the advantage, winning 5 and 6 to give Noh a 2-up lead that she carried through 13 holes.

The feisty Englishwoman did not go down without a fight. Wins for Reid at 15 and 17 gave Noh a tenuous 1-up lead going to 18. But with a pair of swapped bogeys on the final hole, Noh emerged the victor, finishing 2-1-0 in her Solheim Cup debut.

Noh’s first Solheim Cup competition was Saturday afternoon when she was paired with Altomare in fourball against major champion Georgia Hall and Leona Maguire, who turned out to be the star for the victorious European team.

Two consecutive birdies by Noh on Nos. 6 and 7 helped the Americans rally to go 1 up through the turn. Hall made a crucial birdie at 15 to regain the lead 1 up on the United States. The Europeans sealed the 1-up victory on No. 18 when Noh and Altomare failed to birdie.

JEFF MELLINGER

SCREEN SHOTS

September 17, 2021

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page 11

SPORTS

De La Salle’s 30-year undefeated streak ends Another historic and most likely never-to-be-duplicated streak by the De La Salle football program came to an end last Friday night in Mountain View when the Saint Francis Lancers scored the winning touchdown with 16 seconds left for a 31-28 win over the Spartans.

It was the first time since Dec. 7, 1991 that the Concord powerhouse lost a game to a California team north of Fresno. The Spartans were unbeaten in 318 consecutive games against NorCal opponents since coach Herc Pardi’s Pittsburg squad defeated them 3527 in the Oakland Coliseum in the North Coast Section championship game.

Of those 318 games, there were 316 wins and ties in 2004 to Palma and Clayton Valley (also coached by Pardi). In the midst of that run, of course, was the 151-game winning streak of which a movie and multiple books have been written. It started with the first game of the 1992 season through Sept. 4, 2004 when the Spartans lost in Seattle to Bellevue.

St. Francis lost to De La Salle 48-0 in 2019. The year before when the Class of 2022 players were freshmen, the Spartans frosh team lost one game all season and that was to St. Francis!

De La Salle coach Justin

Alumbaugh acknowledged that his team was second best last Friday and told the East Bay Times, “I give them all the credit in the world. They showed up prepared and fired up and physical. They were the better team tonight. ... They’re a great team, and they beat us tonight. It’s not like one of those, ‘Well, we should have.’

No, they beat us.”

The fired-up home crowd of students, parents and alumni saw the Lancers go up 24-7 early in the third quarter. De La Salle TV reported that it was the first time the Spartans trailed a NorCal team by three scores since 1979 when Salesian of Richmond blanked DLS in the old Catholic Athletic League during coach Bob Ladouceur’s first season.

The Spartans came back last Friday overcoming fumbles, penalties and a dropped interception in the St. Francis end zone for a sure TD in the fourth quarter to take their first (and only) lead 28-24 with 1:38 left in the game.

Very few of the 318 games in the steak were even close and this time St. Francis had the winning answer as the Lancers drove 80 yards with senior runningback Viliami Teu making a huge run to put the ball in DLS territory and quarterback Matthew Dougherty throwing a 16-yard TD pass to Nicolas Andrighetto for the winning score.

SPORTS UNDERWAY OVERCOMING BAD AIR, HEAT AND PANDEMIC

The last 18 months have been like no other for local high schools so who should have expected the 2021-22 school year sports schedules to be much different? A combination of late summer heat and poor air quality from the numerous wildfires gave school officials, coaches and their student athletes more challenges since athletics returned last month.

Concord High’s first football game of the season against Dougherty Valley was canceled due to air quality issues. De La Salle and Clayton Valley Charter had their first games delayed by one and three days, respectively.

Northgate’s opener at Deer Valley was moved to Oct. 1.

Last Saturday at the Honor Bowl in Brentwood, Clayton

BRENDEN BUSH CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER

Valley Charter edged Liberty See more high school sports of Bakersfield 14-13 with Ugly results all month at Eagles quarterback and co- pioneerpublishers.com. captain Brenden Bush named FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Character Player of the Game. & RESULTS His senior classmates running Clayton Valley Charter 2back/linebacker Jordan Barbadillo and running back/safe- 1 (Div. 1)- 8/30 W 35-23 at ty Rahsaan Woodland II were the game’s co-MVPs. All fall sports except girls volleyball are contested outdoors so the air quality issues and extreme heat have been challenges for practice and games.

Cross country celebrated the return of the Ed Sias invitational in Martinez last Saturday after the bizarre 2020-21 season when “meets” were held on school campuses.

Carondelet finished third in the girls small school varsity race as junior Mary DeMartini took fourth and sophomore Kendall Foxworthy 10th. Clayton Valley Charter girls were ninth in the large schools led by soph Skylar Bennett who was 13th overall.

On the boys side College Park was third and CVCHS seventh in the large schools race. Alex Walker and Daniel Messer were 18th and 19th for the Ugly Eagles.

The 26th De La Salle Nike Invitational returns this Saturday at Newhall Park in Concord. The first DAL center meet is Sept. 29 at Hidden Valley Park with the second center meet Oct. 20 at Newhall.

School: Mt. Diablo

D’Antonio Jerome

JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

DE LA SALLE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Coach Mark Halvorson is posthumously inducted into the De La Salle Athletics Hall of Fame. He was named the head varsity wrestling coach in 1999 and led the school’s program until 2021 when he died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 57. In his 21 years as the head wrestling coach, he led the school to 11 each North Coast Section dual meet and team championships in the past 12 years while sending nearly 100 Spartans to state meets, where they claimed 23 medals and two individual state champions (Peyton Omania in 2018 and Kyle Parco in 2019). Halvorson also coached for Team USA Wrestling in Singapore, Mexico and Brazil.

In 2016 he was selected as a Greco-Roman volunteer coach on Team USA for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Photo courtesy Tennessee Athletics

Kevin Simon was a star linebacker and running back for the Spartans and never lost a varsity game in three years, including two De La Salle USA Today national championship teams. As a senior, Simon was named 2000 Rivals National Defensive Player of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports’ State Defensive Player of the Year, and rated the No. 1 linebacker in the nation by ESPN and Rivals.com. He played football at the University of Tennessee from 2001-05, before a brief NFL career.

Noah Merl (Class of 2001) was a standout soccer player for De La Salle for three seasons, earning two first team all-BVAL selections. A captain of the 2001 NCS championship team along with classmate Chris Wondolowski, he was named all-Contra Costa Times following his junior and senior seasons. Noah played college soccer at UC Berkeley where he was a threetime all-Pac-10 and Pac-10 allAcademic honoree and a three-year team captain. Merl was selected in the third round of the 2005 Major League Soccer Draft by the San Jose Earthquakes and later played three seasons with the Seattle Sounders, winning a United Soccer League championship in 2007.

Travis Pfeifer (Class of 1997) excelled as a two-way lineman at De La Salle. He was named a Prep all-American by PrepStar.

Following his senior season, he earned first team all-State, allCity, all-League, all-East Bay and all-Bay Area honors as an offensive lineman. Additionally, he was selected the City Player of the Year, East Bay co-Offensive Player of the Year and NCS Defensive Player of the Year. Pfeifer helped De La Salle win three straight mythical Division I state championships (1994-96) as the Spartans were 38-0 during that stretch. As a sophomore, he was part of the 1994 football team

that won the program’s first national championship and as a junior helped the Spartans to a No. 4 national ranking. His senior season team ranked second nationally. He earned a full scholarship to Stanford, where he was a three-year letter winner at nose guard and a member of the Cardinal’s 2000 Rose Bowl team.

Jason Price (2006) was a three-year standout for De La Salle track and field. During his senior season, he posted the third-fastest 400-meter time in school history (48.28) and finished second at the NCS Meet of Champions. He also ran the first leg for the Spartans’ 4x400m relay team, which set a school record of 3:17.27, before finishing first at the 2006 NCS MOC. After De La Salle, Price attended the University of Southern California and was on the track and field team four seasons. A team captain as a junior and senior, he was Academic all-American in 2010 and a two-time all-American as part of USC’s 4x400m relay team, placing fifth in 2010 and seventh in 2009 at NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Price graduated from USC as a Presidential Scholar and also graduated from Harvard Business School in 2018.

Kevin Simon (2001) was to be inducted with the class of 2020, but due to scheduling conflicts,

See Football, page 13

Athlete Spotlight

Mt. Diablo, De La Salle honor latest Hall of Fame inductees De La Salle and Mt. Diablo high schools will be honoring their latest Hall of Fame classes this fall with in-person ceremonies after neither Concord school was able to hold a similar ceremony last year.

The class of 2021 with one coach, one team and six athletes will be inducted into the De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. on the school campus.

The event is open to the public and registration is available online through the school’s Hall of Fame webpage.

The Mt. Diablo Sports Hall of Fame will hold its delayed 2020 induction dinner honoring five athletes on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Zio Fraedo’s in Pleasant Hill. Tickets are available from Lou Adamo by calling 212-9332 or mailing a check to MDHS Hall of Fame, 1401 Stonecreek Ct., Martinez 94553. Checks are payable to MDHSSHOF. Tickets are $55 per person with proceeds going to help fund girls and boys athletic and academic programs at the school. DH

Turlock, 9/3 L 20-26 at Del Oro-Loomis, 9/11 W 14-13 Liberty-Bakersfield (Honor Bowl) at Liberty (Brentwood), 9/17 Stellar Prep-Hayward,

he will be inducted this year. He excelled at De La Salle as a star linebacker and running back for the Spartans. He played on two De La Salle USA Today national championship teams (1998 and 2000) and contributed to the school’s national-record 151game winning streak. As a senior, Simon scored 16 touchdowns as the team’s leading runningback. He was named 2000 Rivals National Defensive Player of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports’ State Defensive Player of the Year, USA Today, Parade, PrepStar and Super Prep all-American and was rated the No. 1 linebacker in the nation by ESPN and Rivals.com.

He played in the inaugural U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2000, before playing football at the University of Tennessee from 2001-05, before a brief NFL career. Simon was selected by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. After his playing days ended, he has coached and scouted at both the collegiate and NFL levels. He on now on the Vols football staff.

Dan Vinson (2004) was a four-year starter for the De La Salle lacrosse team beginning with the school’s inaugural 2001 season. A team captain for the Spartans in 2003 and 2004, Vinson earned all-America honors

See Hall of Fame, pg 13

High School

Grade: Senior Sport: Football & Basketball Coach Donald James is in his fourth year coaching Mt. Diablo football. One of the first players he met when he started in the fall of 2018 was freshman D’Antonio Jerome, one of five seniors on this year’s team who started on the junior varsity that first year and have been with the varsity the past three seasons. “D’A is a leader on and off the field.

He’s one of those kids who works hard. He’s at practice every day, even when he’s injured,” his coach says. The team’s quarterback and free safety has been a captain for three years. Jerome was all-Diablo Athletic League Valley Division his sophomore year when the team was 2-8 after James’ first team went winless the previous fall. Last year’s squad won the school’s first league football championship in decades. There were no playoffs or all-league teams last year for the abbreviated spring season when Jerome led his team to an unbeaten record. In the DAL title game against crosstown rival Concord Jerome threw five touchdown passes to freshman Willie Ward and ran for another TD in the 60-13 victory. More than his success on the football field or basketball court, James looks forward to Jerome graduating next June and hopefully finding him a spot to continue playing in college. To demonstrate his player’s dedication, Coach DJ says Jerome is in the weight room with football teammates after his basketball practice. The Red Devils defeated American 16-6 last Friday in their first home game, but the QB was disappointed by his performance and told his coach, “I need to get back in the lab and watch film.”

The Pioneer congratulates D’Antonio 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.

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JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

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September 17, 2021

Clayton Valley Charter’s Tim Murphy says this season is his last as Ugly Eagles coach

Athlete Spotlight

Ryan Morimoto School: Clayton Valley Charter High Grade: Junior Sport: Football & Soccer Varsity soccer and football player Morimoto has been able to juggle two sports in high school plus club soccer while maintaining a strong academic record. His soccer career started when he was only four years old and his love for the sport has carried all the way to high school. He first played for MDSA, then transferred to the competitive Diablo Valley Wolves. During his freshman year, Morimoto was a captain for the junior varsity soccer team, then has moved up to varsity for his sophomore and junior years. Morimoto has always been a big football fan, but he waited until high school to play on a team. Even before he started classes at Clayton Valley Charter he tried out and made the freshman football team. He moved up to JVs last year and is on varsity this season. Football head coach Tim Murphy commends Morimoto on his success and drive, “Ryan is one of the most mature and good-natured players I’ve ever coached. He has the rare combination of talent, hard work and intelligence’ and is someone you can always rely on. No matter what he does with his future he is going to be extremely successful. His family has done an amazing job raising him.”

Morimoto’s hard work is exemplified in the awards he has received over the first two years at CVCHS, including special teams player of the year on freshman football, student athlete of the month during his freshman soccer season and JV football team’s Ugly Eagle award for exemplifying good character. He notes that his favorite part of being a student athlete is being able to represent all of the students and staff members of his school. Morimoto’s motivation to do well in both sports and school is derived from the support of his friends, peers, family and teachers. In addition to his performances on the football and soccer fields, Morimoto’s drive to succeed carries over to his academics.

He achieved a 4.3 weighted GPA for his sophomore year and currently holds a 4.5 GPA this year. Throughout high school, Morimoto has maintained an unweighted 4.0 GPA, participates in the Medical Careers Academy and is a member of CSF. He hopes to continue playing football at the college level and plans to pursue a career in medicine, specifically in the pediatrics or physical therapy area. Morimoto’s positive mindset, well-rounded personality and determination to prosper are guaranteed to contribute to his success in college and beyond.

CVCHS student journalist Katherine Pugh wrote this Spotlight.

The Pioneer congratulates Ryan 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. 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.

JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

This is the 10th year that Clayton Valley has been a charter high school and during that time Ugly Eagles football has experienced unprecedented success under head coach Tim Murphy.

CVCHS will be looking for a new coach before next season after Murphy announced last month that this will be his final year in charge.

Clayton Valley has started this season with two wins in three games as they look to reach the North Coast Section playoffs for the ninth successive time during Murphy’s tenure (no playoffs were held during the shortened 2020-21 season).

Murphy had told The Pioneer that he stepped away from most summer coaching preparation and duties as he struggled with a decision as to whether he would retire immediately. He says CVCHS interim executive director Dave Fehte convinced him to “give us one more year.”

Athletic Director Eric Bamberger says the school will conduct a formal search for a new head coach following this season.

If Murphy has any say he feels his successor is already on campus in assistant coach Nick Tisa. Murphy considers Tisa his co-head coach this season. “He’s doing more of the stuff on the field and I’m coaching the coaches,” Murphy told the local media in explaining how the duties are being handled this year. “I’m trying to get him to be as close to a head coach as possible.”

Tisa was head coach for six years at Dougherty Valley in San Ramon before joining the staff at Clayton Valley, just 10 minutes from his Concord home, in 2018.

Watching a recent Ugly Eagles practice Murphy is still the man in charge although, as always, his focus is on the offense.

Tisa has been an Ugly

Jay Bedecarré

It will be the end of a decade of unparalleled success for Clayton Valley Charter High football when coach Tim Murphy (right) steps away from his head coaching duties at the end of this season. His tenure has seen the Ugly Eagles win four North Coast Section championships and the 2019 State 2-AA title. Defensive coach Nick Tisa (left) is taking on more responsibilities this season with Murphy calling Tisa his co-head coach.

Eagles’ defensive coach and is a U.S. History teacher. He explains that he has helped Murphy coordinate all things for the football team in the classroom. Murphy intends to continue as a PE and strength trainer at the charter school following his coaching retirement.

Murphy was recruited to Clayton Valley in the months leading up to its charter conversion by former AD Pat Middendorf. He had accepted a coaching job in Utah, resigned almost immediately and then was introduced at a March 2012 Ygnacio Valley High Boosters dinner as coming back to the school he led to the 1999 North Coast Section 3A East Bay championship.

Shortly thereafter he was at CVCHS, and the Ugly Eagles won their first four NCS football championships (2012, 2014, 2015, 2019) plus the CIF State 2-AA championship in December 2019

Football, from page 11 9/25 at Monterey Trail-Elk Grove, 10/8 at California-San Ramon, 10/15 San Ramon Valley, 10/22 Amador Valley (Homecoming), 10/29 Monte Vista, 11/5 at De La Salle.

Concord 0-2 (Div. 4)- 8/27 Canceled Dougherty ValleySan Ramon, 9/3 L 0-62 Marin Catholic-Kentfield, 9/10 L 025 Tokay, 9/17 at Deer Valley, 10/8 College Park (Homecoming), 10/15 at Ygnacio Valley,

10/22 Northgate, 10/30 at Berean Christian, 11/5 Mt. Diablo.

De La Salle 2-1 (Div. 1)8/28 W 52-16 St. Mary’sStockton, 9/3 W 68-6 Monterey Trail-Elk Grove, 9/10 L 28-31 at Saint Francis-Mountain View, 9/17 Cathedral Catholic-San Diego, 10/1 St. Frances Academy-Baltimore, 10/8 at Folsom, 10/15 California-San Ramon, 10/22 at San

under his watch, utilizing his renowned double wing offense. Murphy’s Ugly Eagles reached the 2014 and 2015 CIF State Bowl championship game but lost both before breaking through for the 2019 title effort. His record part way into his 10th season stands at 93-22.

Between his time at Ygnacio Valley and CVCHS, Murphy spent a decade at Clovis East in the Central Valley and there earned the new school its first two Central Section

championships.

Murphy graduated from College Park High and UC Santa Barbara before getting into coaching.

Murphy replaced longtime CVHS coach Herc Pardi, who stepped down in 2012 after 16 years at the helm of the Eagles with a 107-75-2 record. Pardi’s Clayton Valley teams made the NCS playoffs eight of his last nine seasons and a dozen times overall while reaching three Section championship games.

PIONEER WANTS TO PUBLISH

YOUR SPORTS NEWS Please let us know about your sports news, special events, fund raisers, tryouts, signups and accomplishments. Youth leagues, clubs, schools and adult programs are all welcome to send us a rundown on what you’re doing. Include all the necessary details (too much information is better than too little!) and your contact information. It’s as simple as sending an email to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.

Ramon Valley, 10/29 Amador Valley, 11/5 Clayton Valley Charter.

Mt. Diablo 2-1 (Div. 4)8/27 L 26-49 at Lathrop, 9/3 W 50-0 at Albany, 9/10 W 166 American-Fremont, 9/17 at Dougherty Valley-San Ramon, 9/24 Oakland Tech, 10/8 Ygnacio Valley (Homecoming), 10/15 at Northgate, 10/23 Berean Christian, 10/29 College Park (Senior Night), 11/5 at Concord.

Northgate 1-1 (Div. 3)9/3 W 41-21 Ukiah, 9/10 L 22-45 at Las Lomas, 9/17

Bethel-Vallejo, 9/24 at Rodriguez-Fairfield, 10/1 at Deer Valley, 10/8 Berean Christian (Homecoming), 10/15 Mt. Diablo, 10/22 at Concord, 10/29 Ygnacio Valley, 11/5 at College Park.

Ygnacio Valley 0-2 (Div. 6)- 9/3 L 14-20 St. Patrick-St. Vincent-Vallejo, 9/10 L 0-39 at Rosemont-Sacramento, 9/24 at Bradshaw Christian-Sacramento, 10/1 at Stone Ridge Christian-Merced, 10/8 at Mt. Diablo, 10/15 Concord, 10/22 College Park, 10/29 at Northgate, 11/5 Berean Christian.

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September 17, 2021

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Hall of Fame, from page 11

by US Lacrosse both seasons. He was also a member of the school’s National Honor Society, was a peer helper and a youth educator. After graduating from De La Salle, he attended Georgetown University, where Vinson walked on to the men’s lacrosse team, playing four seasons for the Hoyas.

Brandon Zoetewey (2005) was a four-year letter winner in wrestling, three-time Bay Valley Athletic League champion (including an undefeated season in 2005) and two-time North Coast Section individual champion. As a junior, He placed sixth at state in the 112-pound weight class and as a senior he was sixth in the 119-pound division. After graduating from De La Salle, Zoetewey attended California State University Bakersfield, where he was a three-time letter

winner on the wrestling team and qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 125-pound weight class in 2008 and 2009. He compiled a 74-40 record during his four years at CSUB, which included three top-five Pac-10 Championship finishes.

The 1994 De La Salle Football Team posted a perfect 13-0 record, enroute to the school’s third straight and 10th North Coast Section championship in 13 years. The team outscored their opponents 115-14 in the three playoff games as “the streak” was extended to 39 consecutive wins. Following the 35-0 victory over James Logan in the NCS championship game, De La Salle was named national champion by National Sports News Services and the World Features Syndicate National Prep Poll, marking the first of 12 national

titles for the Spartan football program. Some of the key players on the team were quarterback Mike Bastinelli, Matt Padilla, Tony, Mike, and Aaron Ponce, Saleem Muhammad, Mawuko Tugbenyoh and Pfeifer.

MT. DIABLO SPORTS HALL OF FAME HONOREES

Jim Wharton (Class of 1967) made his biggest mark as a standout runner for coach Howard Breivik but also was on Red Devils cross country and football teams. He capped his high school career with an eighth-place finish at the 1967 CIF State Track and Field Meet in the 440. He was DVAL champion and second at NCS Division and third at NCS in the 440 that year.

He also set a league record in the 180 high hurdles and was third at Section and was voted team MVP. Wharton received a full-ride scholarship to Idaho State University where he won 14 individual Big Sky Conference

MDSA Thunder U12 boys champions in San Ramon

Photo courtesy MDSA

MDSA Thunder 2010 Boys Elite defeated Manteca Rangers 3-2 in the championship game of the San Ramon Soccerfest Navy Division last month. Manteca and MDSA each won all their group stage games by lopsided scores before playing a tight game in the finals. The local team includes, front row from left, Will Watkins, Jerry DeLeon, Vinny Carone, Anthony Gonzalez, Ieuan Azarcon, David Dombrowski, Brayden Shen, Ethan Manion, Raymond Lucia, Ian Meyer, Max Habermeyer, Juan Terriquez; back row, coaches Chris Dombrowski, Joe Lucia and Ryan Carone. Not pictured, coach Jason Habermeyer.

S P O RTS SHORT S 36TH ANNUAL CONCORD MAYOR’S CUP GOLF CLASSIC OCT. 22

Mayor Tim McGallian will host the 36th annual Concord Mayor’s Cup Golf Classic Tournament on Friday, Oct. 22, at Diablo Creek Golf Course. The event begins at 11 a.m. with lunch and registration and ends at 7 p.m. after dinner and awards. The entry fee of $150 ($125 for golfers age 60+) includes a golf shirt, green fees, cart rental, lunch, prizes and an awards dinner. All proceeds benefit the Concord Historical Society, Concord Junior Giants and The First Tee Contra Costa Youth Golf Program.

For more info call 686-6266. Registration is being taken online at cityofconcord.org.

LONG-TIME CARONDELET ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DONA SMITH PASSES AT 94

One day short of her 95th birthday, long-time Carondelet High School athletic director Dona Smith died Aug. 28. The Walnut Creek resident defined much of her life around her love of sports. Born Aug. 29, 1926, Smith was a tap dancer and band majorette in her younger years.

Basketball was her biggest passion and legend has it that she was the Steph Curry of her day. She held the single-game scoring title for many years at the University of Montana. Smith parlayed her love of sports into the athletic director position at Loretto High School in Sacramento for 10 years prior to holding the same position at Carondelet for 18 years until her retirement in 1990. Friends and family are invited to a graveside service on Friday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. with a reception immediately following at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Monument Crisis Center, 1990 Market St., Concord 94520.

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track titles and set records in the 500- and 600-yard indoor runs.

He placed third in the 440 IH and fourth with his Idaho State teammates in the mile relay at the 1969 NCAA meet. He won several team awards, was all-Big Sky Conference four years and three-time NCAA Division I allAmerican. He was inducted to the Idaho State Hall of Fame in 1990. He coached D-1 men’s and women’s track and field for 20 years at the University of Montana, Eastern Washington and Idaho while coaching numerous conference champions, four NCAA all-Americans and five Olympic qualifiers. Wharton earned his PhD in Education/Sports Ethics at the University of Idaho in 2005.

John Capas Morales (1968) was a star lefthanded pitcher for MDHS with a three-year varsity record of 17-3. The pitcher and first baseman also batted .369, .340 and .341. He was twice voted team MVP for Hall of Fame coach Steve Bordi. His accomplishments led to him being selected to the Concord Transcript’s 1960’s decade team. The Red Devils won the DVAL title in 1966 with sophomore Morales on the mound at the end of the titleclinching game at Antioch, the school’s sixth straight but the last baseball league championship for MDHS. Morales is being honored posthumously.

Tim O’Connor (1986) won all-DVAL football honors his junior and senior seasons as a linebacker and tackle. He was second team in 1984 and a team captain and first-team all-league and all-Eastbay as a senior. He was also on San Francisco Chronicle and NorCal all-star teams. He was on the Contra Costa All-Star team for the Cerebral Palsy Game in the summer of 1986 and chosen for the Contra Costa Times “Cream of the Crop” listing. He went to Boise State on scholarship coached by former MDHS coach Lyle Setencich and his linebacker coach Chuck Pagano, a future NFL head coach. At Boise State he was all-Big Sky and team co-captain two years. After graduation he was a graduate assistant coach at UNLV and Fort Hays State. He went on to coach in Italy and was defensive coordinator and head coach at Fort Hays.

Sandi Gomes Yoland (1984) is Mt. Diablo’s only female Hall of Fame inductee in this class.

She was a three-sport athlete in basketball, softball and volleyball. She was also senior class

a shortstop she was honorable mention all-league her junior year and first team as a senior.

She batted .457 for the secondplace Red Devils her senior season and was second team all-East Bay. Showing her incredible versatility Gomes Yoland played soccer for UC Davis.

JOHN CAPAS MORALES MT. DIABLO HIGH SCHOOL vice president and assumed the Class of 1984 presidency midyear. Gomes Yoland was a first-team all-DVAL basketball player as a junior and senior. As

Bob Penny (1970) posted outstanding marks for Hall of Fame gymnastics coach Darrel Lickliter.

He was 17-1 on the side horse in dual meets his junior and senior seasons, winning the league and East Bay meets both years. He was fourth in the all-around at the 1970 DVAL meet. At the Northern California meet he was fourth as a junior and champion his senior year on the horse.

Penny was team captain his senior year. He continued competing at Diablo Valley College and as a freshman was also a volunteer coach at MDHS. Penny took fourth on the horse at the 1971 Berkeley Invitational for elite gymnasts, including Olympians.

He ranked second in Northern California on the apparatus and received honorable mention Junior College all-American honors.

He was voted most inspirational gymnast at DVC.

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03/04 National Premier League team member Sydney Boele and Clayton resident Natalia Brunal were selected as members of the Western Pool of the US Youth Soccer ODP program. Boele and Moraes are part of the girls 2004 group while Brunal is in the 2009 age group. Their selections came after regional camps in June and July. The girls are now looking to be selected to compete at the upcoming US Youth Soccer ODP Interregional events in November Nov. 20 - 24 in Orlando, Florida.

CARONDELET SHARPSHOOTER KALEIGH CASTILLO WINS BRONZE

Carondelet High senior Kaleigh Castillo won bronze in the U.S. Junior Olympics Championships open junior women trapshooting this summer in Hillsdale, Michigan. Castillo finished behind shooters from Tennessee and Texas. She picked up a shotgun for the first time less than four years ago when she joined the Cougars trap team in her freshman year.

DE LA SALLE JUNIOR TIGHT END COOPER FLANAGAN CHOOSES NOTRE DAME

Cooper Flanagan, a 6-6, 240-pound junior tight end for De La Salle, made a verbal commitment to Notre Dame earlier this month. He had also received interest from Arizona, Colorado, Cal and Florida State. He posted his decision on Twitter thanking his Spartan coaches and teammates along with the Notre Dame staff. His message concluded, “Thank you coach Kelly and the entire coaching staff for believing me and giving me this chance of a lifetime opportunity, I’m all in! Go Irish!”

ST. BONAVENTURE CYO CROSS COUNTRY, BASKETBALL

St. Bonaventure CYO basketball and cross country programs are both taking registrations. Coach Joe Sullivan says cross country is for boys and girls in third through eighth grades. Basketball begins this month and runs through the playoffs in the new year. Boys and girls in second through eighth grades can take part in CYO basketball. For more details on cross county contact Sullivan by email rleprcn@pacbell.net or phone (925) 9690207. For St. Bonaventure basketball contact 3 LOCAL SOCCER PLAYERS SELECTED Ferd Santos stbonaventurecyo@gmail.com or (925) 270-9390. Registration is taken online FOR ODP WEST REGION POOL Clayton Valley Charter High School goal- at stbonaventurecyo.com. keeper Laine Moraes, Diablo Valley Wolves Junior Optimist Baseball League is having co-ed baseball this fall for ages 4-9 years old. Fall Ball will be held on Saturdays through Oct. 30 at the JOBL Complex in Concord. The program is considered both instructional and recreational baseball. JOBL fall ball has been held for the better part of 20 years while the traditional spring JOBL season was first held in 1963. Visit joblconcord.com for more information and to register.

Page 13

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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

September 17, 2021

TH E ART S Ghostlight, Pittsburg theatres preparing October runs Sergel) and the name changed age. For tickets, go to ghostto “12 Angry Jurors.” lightte.org/12-angryThe play opens with a 19- jurors.html. year-old man standing trial for Pittsburg Community Themurder. What looks like an atre is finally opening its new open-and-shut case becomes black box venue PCT@Steelsomething much more comtown, which was just about to SALLY HOGARTY plicated as one juror questions debut when COVID closed the evidence. everything. This intimate setSTAGE STRUCK Salim Razawi directs the ting at Steeltown Coffee & Ghostlight production, which Tea in Old Town Pittsburg Is it safe for theaters to runs Oct. 1-10 at the El Cam- will launch with Tom Stopopen? Do I need proof of panil Theatre in Antioch. pard’s farce “The Real Inspecvaccination? Do I need a mask Everyone age 12 and older is tor Hound.” to attend? required to show proof of Think Agatha Christie on So many questions – with vaccination. Negative COVID steroids and you have an idea answers that change dependtests will not be accepted. of how crazy this whodunit ing upon the number of Masks required regardless of can get as Stoppard pokes fun COVID cases –have theater companies and audience members feeling rather stressed as we all long for more normalcy in our lives.

Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble catches the mood of many with the title of its upcoming play, “12 Angry Jurors.” Adapted from a 1954 teleplay by Reginald Rose and later produced as a feature film called “12 Angry Men” starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Just who is this dead body and why is everyone ignoring it?

Cobb and Jack Klugman, the Find out at Pittsburg Community Theatre’s production of show has once again been “The Real Inspector Hound” in Old Town Pittsburg. adapted (by Sherman L.

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(L-R) Heather Taylor, Charles Phalen, David Ghilardi, Robert Marcus, Michael Wilson and Amy Waldeigh (sitting) rehearse Ghostlight Theatre’s “12 Angry Jurors” running Oct. 1-10 at Antioch’s El Campanil Theatre.

the show and had started rehearsing on their own in the hopes of performing in October. The CDC, state, county and city COVID mandates was not conducive to producing a show. CTC hopes to reopen soon when it is safer to do so.”

The cancelling of last season and now this season has placed a financial burden on the small company, which has

ongoing financial commitments. If you would like to help, tax-deductible donations can be made at claytontheatrecompany.com.

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

Concord Art Association awards help teachers expand art education

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at theater critics, murder mysteries and more.

Two theater critics, Moon (Jason Berner) and Birdboot (Kevin Burns), figure prominently as Stoppard infuses the show with many levels of deception, satire and absurdism, and a touch of reality.

Other cast members include George Doerr, Denise Eberle, Amy Hart, Sam Logan, Atessa McAllenan-Morrell and Lisa Marie Taylor.

“The Real Inspector Hound” runs Oct. 1-9. Masks and proof of vaccination required. Due to limited seating, advance tickets are encouraged. Call 925-4397529 or go to pctca.org.

Sadly, Clayton Theatre Company must cancel its October show, “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” for the fourth and final time.

“This was a difficult decision, but the health and safety of our valued patrons, artists, crew and staff is of the utmost importance,” said managing director Roxanne Pardi. “The actors had continued their commitment to

IN

MOTION

Eight elementary school teachers from the Mt. Diablo Unified School District have each received microgrants of $100 or more from the Concord Art Association (CAA).

Through the fourth annual teacher grant program, nearly 300 local children will benefit from new art supplies and enhanced curriculums.

Carol Lutz and Cynthia Aguilar, teachers at Gregory Gardens Elementary, view art as a valuable means of selfexpression. “With so much emphasis on language, math and science, I worry that our fifth-graders aren’t spending enough time on art, which is so healing and therapeutic,” Lutz explains.

Kids in Aguilar’s secondgrade class use pastels to trace textures of fall leaves and learn why they change colors.

“We write poems about the leaves, which become gram-

mar lessons,” Aguilar says.

“With the pandemic, sharing art supplies is not an option, so I’d like to provide each student with their own pastels for projects throughout the year.”

Second-graders at Sun Terrace Elementary use art to learn more about their family history with their teacher, Lori Farr. “Each student creates their own family tree, a heritage clothespin doll and a poster about their country of origin,” she says.

Ashley Sansoe, who also teaches second grade at Sun Terrace, adds: “Art is one of my favorite subjects to teach, because you can tie it in to anything.”

At Strandwood Elementary, where Jillian Cary teaches kindergarten, art is the children’s favorite part of the day.

“As a newer teacher, I don’t have a plethora of art materials. I would love to build up a supply of oil pastels, papers, paints and art books so that my students can build their artistic creativity.”

Michelle Anaman with Hidden Valley Elementary wants to teach her kindergarten class about collages.

“This would encourage them to be more creative beyond coloring and copying. We’d work with textural items and recycled materials to add variety,” she says.

Lisa Fulmer

A student works on an art project at Wren Avenue Elementary in Concord.

Floor easels for plein air painting are at the top of Beth Miller’s shopping list for the fourth-graders at Wren Avenue Elementary. “We have lots of outdoor space just outside my classroom where I want to set up art stations,” says Miller.

“All students deserve an art education,” notes Lisa Romano, a third-grade teacher at El Monte Elementary. “I plan to spend the money on a one-year subscription to Art in Action, which helps teachers with the tools they need to develop a comprehensive and engaging art curriculum for their classes.”

Raising funds for the annual teacher grants is a yearround effort for CAA. “Our board of directors

voted to increase the budget this year so we could help more teachers bring more art into their classrooms,” says Catherine Hensiek, CAA president. “We couldn’t be happier with the variety of grant applications we received, and we absolutely love seeing all the different ways that kids are embracing art with guidance from fabulous teachers.”

Visit concordartassociation.org to learn more and donate to their community outreach programs.

Lisa Fulmer is a mixed media artist, Concord Art Association board member and founder of MadeinConcord.com. She also consults with local artists on self-promotion and personal branding.

Summer and fall collide at the farmers’ market this month! Tomatoes, peaches, and peppers, sitting side-by-side with apples, pears, grapes, figs, and even winter squash. Join us for the end of the summer concert series on Thursday nights.

Fortunately the Tuesday morning market is year-round! For an updated list of participating farms, visit: pcfma.org/Concord

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September 17, 2021

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

At 30 acres, Concord Community Park has plenty of room for ballgames and picnics Editor’s Note: This is the eighth in our series on local parks.

www.cityofconcord.org/440/Pi cnic-Sites.

The park, located at 3501 KARA NAVOLIO Cowell Road, is mostly situated Correspondent away from the road so patrons do not hear the traffic. There Unlike many of Concord’s are seven tennis courts, two small neighborhood parks that playgrounds and a paved walkcater to nearby residents, Coning path along the perimeter. A cord Community Park and Pool website called is a place where people from all TennisRound.com will connect over the city travel to for organyou with other tennis players ized activities, classes, swimming who want to play at this park. and large group picnics.

The courts are not lighted and At 30 acres, this is one of Kara Navolio are for use during daylight Concord’s largest parks and a A group of children enrolled in the city’s after-school sports hours only. great treasure of the city. Many program practice their ball handling skills on the fields at Ample parking is available residents learned to swim at the Concord Community Park. for the many activities going on Olympic-sized swimming pool, at the park year-round. But on a It’s also the home of the Terra- es. Currently available at the heated to 80 degrees yearrecent September weekday pins Swim Club and a place for park are flag football, volleyball afternoon, it served as a quiet round. recreational swimming and lap and soccer for many age “When our kids were little, escape for a few families enjoyswimming.

Check online for the groups, including the littlest tots ing the playground and a small we took them here for swim current schedule at cityofconaged 2 and up. lessons,” notes Concord resigroup of children in an aftercord.org/634/Swimming.

Lots of mature shade trees school sports program taking dent Hillie Rodriquez. “The Many Concord kids have keep the three large group pic- place on the large field. Coachswim lessons were awesome.” played soccer games here or nic areas cool for groups of up es’ whistles echoed in the air as The pool serves about enjoyed the city’s summer camp to 240 people. To reserve one 124,000 swimmers each year. swimmers practiced laps. programs and recreational class- of the large picnic areas, visit:

Page 15

Science, from page 10 electrical charge and repel each other. The challenge is to overcome the repulsive force and get the nuclei close enough for the strong force to take over.

The sun’s advantage is that it is massive, so gravity, despite being the weakest force in the universe, does all the work of heating the atoms and creating a plasma that is hot enough and dense enough to overcome the electromagnetic repulsion to fuse the nuclei and release energy. Fortunately for us, this will go on

for a very long time.

Next time, I’ll look at some ways scientists are trying to create a sun on the Earth.

Hint: It’s not so easy.

Steve Gourlay is a career scientist with a PhD in experimental particle physics. He recently retired after working at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, CERN (the European Center for Nuclear Research) and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Send questions and comments to him at sgpntz@outlook.com.

Create a unique bedroom décor that’s a dream come true JENNIFER LEISCHER

DESIGN & DÉCOR A bedroom is a private sanctuary, solely designed for its inhabitants and no one else.

It’s a living space where you are able to indulge and be a little self-centered.

When designing your bedroom, the design should create a specific mood. You don’t need to be concerned about functional window treatments or paint colors that will directly work with different areas of your home.

There really isn’t a right or wrong way to design this living space. The traditional checklist includes a bed, a side table or two and possibly a dresser. And don’t forget lighting, bed linens, upholstery, paint, wallpaper or wainscoting.

Whether you are starting from scratch or it’s time for a re-do, I recommend beginning with your bed because it’s really the foundation of the room. Consider a fully upholstered bed, an iron four-poster bed, a leather sleigh bed or a wooden platform bed. The style will dictate the general aesthetic and mood you hope to create.

Then you can move on to

When planning the design for your new bedroom, start with the bed. It sets the stage for the rest of the room

the supporting pieces. For example, side tables should enhance your bed. Consider side tables or cabinets that suit your storage needs but also pieces that can stand on their own. If you have a fantastic leather upholstered headboard with tarnished bronze nail heads, a rustic yet refined chandelier and an old world, earth-toned area rug, your side table might be equally rustic and refined with a natural finish.

Focus on coordinating the textures, the feeling of the pieces and the finishes.

Lighting is an important feature of any living space, and in your bedroom, even more so. Lighting can be romantic and sultry or clean and minimal. An oversized drum shade fixture or a chandelier with an abundance of swag crystals and polished metal make for unique state-

ments. Consider layering the lighting, with decorative and recessed task lighting on a dimmer. This will give you control over the general ambiance.

Bedroom design can be a therapeutic process as you consider the elements you’d like to incorporate into your sanctuary. And that means a never-ending collection of pillows placed at the head of your bed, from king-sized to boudoir, is perfectly acceptable. Or maybe a super-plush shag area rug, so thick that your 3-inch heels or a single cuff link are forever lost amongst the woolen tendrils.

When you select fabric for your lounge chair and ottoman, why not an incredible gossamer ivory silk and linen chenille – so fine that its only possible use could be tucked away in the privacy of your bedroom, away from

sticky children’s fingers or your bestie who occasionally spills her glass of red wine.

It’s your private escape. So whatever mood you are after, or additional function you may need in the way of a mini office or home gym, take the time to research ideas that will allow you to drift off into a pleasant slumber, as well as awake in surroundings that make you smile.

Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Contact her with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.

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5 ways to preserve fall fruits

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Cheryl recommends pre-inspections to determine any key items that need to be fixed prior to going on market, instead of during the negotiation process.

gar, salt and pickling spices.

People usually pickle vegetables, but pears, grapes, figs and persimmons can also be pickled.

There’s not much that surPickled fruits can last up to two passes the flavors of apples, years because of the acidic conpears, grapes, figs or persimtent. Uses: Impress at your next mons in the cool fall months. dinner party featuring homeConsuming produce in seaASIAN PEARS made pickles on your charcuson provides the best flavor and terie board, or pepper jelly topcanning, which preserves fruit nutrition, but sometimes it’s ping on a block of cream for about a year or so. Jams, nice to have the taste of an spreads, butters and fruity syrup cheese. apple or pear to enjoy during Dehydrating: Love apple are just some of the delicious the off season. Preserving fall chips? Using a dehydrator, the produce for later use means you foods you can create with a oven or even the sun can prosimple water bath canner, jars can enjoy seasonal favorites all duce some great snacks with fall and a few tools. Apple butter year long. and pears in light syrup are two and winter produce. PersimA bag of crispy cinnamon apple or persimmon chips, a jar easy ones to try. Be sure to fol- mon, apple and pear chips are some favorites. A dehydrator is low recipe directions to avoid of canned pears, or even pickan easy way to make raisins at illness or contamination. Visit led figs and grapes could be home. Dehydrated foods what you need. When preserv- the National Center for Food should be used within four Preservation website at ing, remember to start with months. One drawback to nchfp.uga.edu for more inforhigh-quality fruit from your dehydrating is that it takes time mation. Uses: Top toast or ice local farmers market for the and patience to dry fruit to the cream with jams and butters; best results. Their produce is desired consistency, but the pour on chicken or pork. fresh and flavorful, often with results are delicious. Uses: Mix Pickling: This version of unique varieties available. your dried fruit with nuts for a Canning: One of the most canning allows for many fruits flexible ways to preserve fruit is to be preserved by adding vine-

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Page 16

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

September 17, 2021

Opt for drought-tolerant plantings this fall and ash (Raywood) are among the most popular shade tree installations. Strategically install trees to provide shade and a canopy for patios and sitting areas.

NICOLE HACKETT Large shrubs can be used as fence covers and property diviGARDEN GIRL sions. There are so many great September is a busy time in choices to consider. Grevillea is the nursery as we are in prepa- a fabulous family of evergreen ration mode, stockpiling inven- shrubs that need little water once established. Consider tory for all the fall planting selections such as Superb with must-haves. its hummingbird friendly The focus this fall planting salmon-colored blooms, Spirit season is the redesign of landof Anzac with its pine-like scapes to include as many water-wise installations as possi- foliage and red flowers or Noellii, another hummingbird ble.

After this long, hot summer, friendly selection.

Pineapple guava bushes folks should look for spaces in have a dense shape and tight their landscape to add shade leafing, making them a good trees. Crape myrtles (planted in installation for a fence with lots groups), maples (October of gaps.

Leucophyllum Texas Glory, Red Sunset), Chinese pisRanger has bright gray leaves tache (Keith Davey), arbutus (Marina), redbuds, elms (Drake) and lavender flowers.

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Be , s e e r Fruit T s & Grape Bushe ines V

esting foliage and is exceptionally water-wise. Consider selections such as Silver Swan, Ascot Rainbow or Rubrum. Small leaf salvia typically stays below 3 feet and comes in red, coral, pink, white and blue. Lantana bushes also are available in multiple colors. They are incredibly heat loving and their flowers can withstand all the summer sun. Acacia Cousin Itt has a cascading growth habit of evergreen, bladed foliage.

Grass-like plants to consider Ascot Rainbow Euphorbia will thrive in sun to partial shade for a water-wise garden are and is drought-tolerant, making it a great addition to most Lomandra Breeze (solid green) gardens. and Platinum Beauty (variegated green and cream). Bulbine is a Focal point shrubs and yellow flowers, is another excel- succulent that looks grass-like. multi-trunk trees add so much lent drought-loving, multi-trunk It has orange or yellow flowers, to positions of interest. Chilop- tree. Fremontodendron San depending on the selection. sis is commonly called a desert Gabriel has yellow flowers in Kangaroo Paw plants give the willow. Orchid-shaped flowers the spring and is both deer- and feeling of grass within the landof purple and white last nearly gopher-resistant. scape. Its bold-colored flowers all summer. Desert Palo Verde, Shrubs that mature to can stand 3-5 feet tall. with its green bark and bold heights less than 3 feet are very Groundcovers to consider desirable. Euphorbia has inter- for a drought-tolerant landscape

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Family owned and operated since 1983

Farmers, from page 15 homemade trail mix, or add to quick breads, muffins, yogurt or your morning oatmeal.

Fermenting: This form of food preservation has been experiencing a renaissance as people discover the advantages of fermenting for the probiotics that are created. Start with a fermenting kit or visit reliable websites to learn how. Apples, figs, grapes and more can be fermented. The difference between fermentation and pickling is that fermentation is preservation through a bacterial reaction, whereas pickling is preservation via salt and acid.

Uses: Make pastrami and homemade sauerkraut sandwiches, add to potato salad or toss in salads.

Freezing: Almost all fruit can be easily frozen, but some do not maintain their firmness.

• Texture Matching • Interior Exterior Painting • Cabinet Painting • Color Consulting • Wood Refinishing • Digital Color Renderings • Power Washing When we started the process to get the exterior of • Exterior Cleaning our house painted, the ginormous color wheel as well as the various contractors we interviewed threw • Drywall Repairs

us in a loop. Whit’s painting stood out, not only for their prices but for their approach through every single phase of the job.

—Bondon.

Whit’s Painting is family owned and operated by longtime Clayton residents.

A generational company built on strong family values since 1979.

Improvement Special

10% off

Exterior painting projects over $2,500 Expires 09/30/21

Mention The Pioneer for discount

925-429-2669

2 lbs. very hard Asian pears 1 1/3 c. Chinese white rice vinegar (Can substitute distilled white vinegar. Cider vinegar not recommended as it adds too much apple flavor.)

1 1/3 c. water ½ c. sugar 2 tsp. salt Peel, wash, seed and cut the pears in quarters. Add to pint glass mason jars.

Mix all remaining ingredients well, until dissolved. Pour into the jars. Cover tightly. Keep in refrigerator, undisturbed, for at least three days before use.

These pears will keep refrigerated for at least six months.

Adapted from “The Chinese Kitchen” by Eileen Yin-Fei Lo. The Concord Farmers Market is in Todos Santos Plaza Tuesdays & Thursdays. See ad pg. 14 for hours.

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6200 Center St Ste A Clayton, CA 94517 Bus: 925-672-2300

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5433 Clayton Road, Ste K #322, Clayton, CA 94517

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PICKLED ASIAN PEARS Makes 2-3 pint jars

Frozen fruit is better used for sauces and jams. If you do a lot of freezing, one of those seal-ameal machines is a good investment. Many types of seasonal produce selections can be stored, defrosted and used at a later date. Frozen fruit should last several months. Uses: Pull fruit from the freezer for easyto-prepare jams or making healthy smoothies in the blender.

This month at the Concord Farmers Market, yind crisp apples from Rainbow Orchards in Camino, plump grapes, persimmons and apples from J&J Ramos out of Hughson, and apples from Smit Farms in Linden. Support your local farmers and shop the farmers market, where you know you’re getting the freshest and most diverse selection of fruit.

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are manzanita, grevillea, ceanothus, teucrium majoricum and trailing lantana. They are all sun-loving and evergreen.

All these plants become tolerant of drought once established. Wait until the weather begins to cool before taking on a landscape project. With any planting in clay soil, dig wide holes and amend with the proper soil conditioners. For many drought-tolerant plants, I partially amend with cactus mix combined with compost. Lightly fertilize new water-wise installations using fish emulsion every two weeks at half strength until night temperatures dip back into the 40s, then stop.

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Call me for a quote to see how much you can save. You might be surprised.