DEC 13 The Pioneer 2024

Clayton woman waited 80 years to meet her war hero father

U.S. Army Ranger First Lt. Jerry Sundstad was killed in Burma on June 5, 1944, when he engaged with Japanese forces in the Battle of Myitkyina. The following month his only child, daughter Dianne, was born in Santa Barbara.

Over the next nearly 80 years Clayton resident Dianne, her mom Dorothy and generations of the family never heard a definitive word as to exactly how Sundstad was killed or, more importantly, where his remains were.

Then on June 24 last summer, weeks before Clayton resident Dianne Carbine would celebrate her 80th birthday, she received a call that rocked her world. She was told that the DNA she had provided the Army several years ago had been used to positively identify her father’s remains. And on that day a death certificate for First Lt. Herman “Jerry” Sundstad was issued.

On Nov. 8 at Oakland Airport she was on hand as her father’s casket was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight from Omaha. Later that day at a Walnut Creek mortuary she was able to see and touch her dad, who would never get to meet and hold his daughter but intuitively told his wife to name their child (gender unknown) Dianne Adair to honor a teacher who played a significant role in his education and life.

On Veterans Day last month at Oakmont Memorial Park with scores of military and veterans on hand along with 60 family and friends, the World War II hero was buried with full military honors next to his grandson Todd Porter. The service included taps and a 21-gun salute.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” says Diane Adair Sundstad Carbine. Just last weekend a Rangers unit from Washington, who served as pallbearers at the funeral, visited her Morgan Territory area home to present her with mementos.

She adds, “I don’t know how to thank the hundreds of people

Dianne Carbine of Clayton touched the flag draped casket holding the remains of her father who was killed in Burma on June 5, 1944 during World War II, just over a month before his daughter Dianne Adair was born. His remains recovered for a battlefield were unidentified for 80 years until this summer when DNA collected from his daughter a few years ago helped make the identification. Carbine and her two living children were on hand with other family members, Army officials and veterans as the casket containing war hero 1st Lt. Jerry Sundstad came off a Southwest Airlines flight at Oakland Airport on Nov. 8.

responsible” for the identification and all the resultant memorable aspects of recognizing her father’s ultimate service.

If the name Dianne Adair sounds familiar, it’s because Dianne Carbine used the name her father bestowed on her when she founded Dianne Adair Day Care in 1983. She and husband Larry Carbine retired from the business in 2003. There are currently 16 school sites in the Mt. Diablo and Walnut Creek school districts with Diane Adair Day Care programs run by Larry’s son Brian Carbine.

80,000 CASUALTIESREMAIN

UNIDENTIFIED

How this happened is a story that a reported 80,000 American families have never been able to realize as their loved ones who were killed or missing from World War II, Korea and Vietnam as well as earlier conflicts going back to the Civil War have never been identified. Advancements with DNA, genealogical research and anthropological

analysis have the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) hopeful of painstakingly identifying 200 of those heroes a year.

Dianne and her children Ben Porter of Boston and Mindi Pemberton of Hawaii plus their combined 11 children now have a gravesite they can visit and quite a few—-but not all—-of the details of their dad and grandfather’s final days and his whereabouts since that fateful day in 1944.

It turns out First Lt. Sundstad was buried in Burma (twice) with others from Myitkyina, then India and for the past 60 years was in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu as Unknown X-75.

Unbeknownst to his family, in 2021 DPAA disinterred Unknown X-75 from Hawaii and transferred his remains to their lab for scientific analysis. Using dental records, anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence along with the Armed Forces Medical Examin-

er System’s DNA analysis they made a confirmed identification.

Jerry Sundstad was born in 1917 to a family of Minnesota farmers. Their farm was far from the small local schoolhouse and during severe winters the school was almost impossible to get to. Jerry was the only member of his family to go to college and he attributed much of that to his teacher Adair Ash who nurtured her student and at times housed him to be able to get to school. He graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College and taught on Oak Island at the northernmost school in the United States at the time.

He was attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota when he was inducted into the army in April 1941.

President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill created an American commando force code-named Operation Galahad. Their mission was to invade Japanese-occupied

Burma and reopen the Burma Road to allow supplies into China.

Sundstad was part of infantry reinforcements sent in May 1944 after more than half of the 3000 men from the unit died from disease, malnutrition, fatigue and in combat as they trekked 1000 miles over portions of the Himalaya Mountains.

Just days after arriving on

Historian chronicles Concord’s past and present

When Joel Harris, a Concord attorney, historian, and former bookstore owner, learned that his friend Lynn Kuehl was in crisis just before the busy holiday season, he didn’t hesitate to act.

Kuehl, the owner of Berkshire Books, was facing an emergency surgery to remove his leg due to a blood clot, leaving his beloved bookstore’s future uncertain. Harris stepped in, rallying a team of volunteers to keep the shop running until Kuehl could return to work.

“Joel immediately volunteered to help,” Kuehl recalled. “He said he had a lot of friends who would be happy to help us keep our shop going. Thanks to him and the volunteers, we had a very good December and made it through.”

This act of camaraderie is

just one example of how Harris has dedicated his life to preserving Concord’s history and fostering its sense of community. As an author and board member of the Concord Historical Society, he has worked tirelessly to document the city’s transformation from a small town to a bustling urban center.

Harris has authored two books on Concord’s history: “Images of America: Concord” and the recently released “Concord: Past and Present.” The latter, published Nov. 11, showcases 120 historical places in Concord, pairing vintage blackand-white photographs with modern color images and accompanying stories.

“You do learn something about your community through these books,” Kuehl said. “And I think Joel appreciates doing that—providing that information and helping people learn about the community.”

Harris is already at work on his third book, Concord After World War II, slated for release in the summer of 2025. This book, a sequel to Images of America: Concord, will focus on Concord’s evolution from 1944 to the 1990s. Interestingly, Kuehl played a pivotal role in shaping this project.

“The book the publisher wanted me to do wasn’t the one Lynn wanted,” Harris explained. “He wanted me to write a sequel to the first book that included things people remember from the ’50s to the ’90s. The publisher had a different series in mind, so we agreed to do both.”

As a former bookstore owner himself, Harris also shares Kuehl’s passion for connecting with the community through books. His work

As the country prepares for major political changes at the national level, Diablo Valley residents only have to look down the block to see significant transformations at the local level.

In Concord, Clayton and Pleasant Hill, the City Councils will have a brand-new look. Concord’s District 4 saw one of the tightest races in the county, as voters unseated longtime Councilmember and current Mayor Edi Birsan in favor of Pablo Benavente. The young Hispanic political newcomer snagged backing from the county Democratic party over Birsan.

In Clayton, current Mayor Jim Diaz came in third out of four candidates, barely sneaking back onto the council. Richard Enea bested incumbent Holly Tillman to take the top spot by only 10 votes. Pleasant Hill will have three new members learning the ropes, with Belle La and Amanda Szakats winning seats in the first district elections. The City Council previously appointed Andrei Obolenskiy, who was running unopposed in District 2.

BIRSAN ‘EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED’

The tight Birsan-Benavente race in Concord represented the old guard vs. a new face. Although Birsan is very popular in the community, the district obviously wanted change.

Despite Birsan’s record on helping the unhoused and public safety – he was endorsed by law enforcement – some people could not forget his support of the developer Seeno for the Concord Naval Weapons Station, said Pleasant Hill Vice Mayor Sue Noack, taking a bird’s eye view of the local elections.

That same 2022 vote for a partnership that included Seeno unseated longtime Concord volunteer Tim McGallian in 2022. The Seeno deal fell apart, but Concordians may have a long memory. And most were opposed to the developer taking on such a significant project.

Birsan has yet to comment on the final outcome of this race – which he lost by a mere 119 out of 10,768 votes cast. The morning after the election, before all the votes were tallied, he told the Pioneer that he expected a Benavente win and was “extremely disappointed” by the lack of support from local Democratic clubs. He called his Seeno vote “old news.”

BENAVENTETOUTS

‘COLLABORATIVE TONE’

Benavente is, of course, thrilled at his victory. “The success of my campaign was all about staying connected with people,” he said. “Engaging directly – knocking on doors, listening to concerns and having honest conversations – helped build trust. We stayed focused on clear priorities: improving roads and

Tamara Steiner

Historian Joel Harris (left) and Berkshire Books owner, Lynn Kuehl, became close friends after Harris and a cadre of volunteers kept the store open while Kuehl reccovered from leg amputation.

Photo courtesy ABC7 News

JAY BEDECARRÉ

The Pioneer

PEGGY SPEAR

The Pioneer

Photo courtesy Carbine family FIRST LT. HERMAN ‘JERRY’ SUNDSTAD

KEERTHI ERANIYAN Student Intern

Veteran, from page 1

Myitkyina, Sundstad was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for “Displaying courage and combat efficiency of a highly commendable nature while in commend of a forward reconnaissance unit.”

The unit had been ordered to secure an objective when “the enemy launched a barrage of heavy mortar and small arms fire…Lt. Sundstad, without regard for personal safety, advanced to reconnoiter positions for heavy machine guns and was forced to expose himself to the enemy. He was mortally wounded by enemy fire.”

Sundstad was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Ameri-

in 1944 but whose

month, 80 years after his

was

weeks after her father died in combat without ever meeting his child.

can Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and, as part of his unit, the Distinguished Unit Citation. All of those medals are

Book, from page 1

at Berkshire Books not only ensured the store’s survival during Kuehl’s absence but also reinforced his commitment to educating the public about local history.

“Joel has made every effort to ensure his books reflect the community’s interests and are as accurate as possible,” Kuehl said. “He genuinely enjoys talking to people about these things and helping them connect with

Concord’s past.”

Through his books and actions, Harris continues to bridge the gap between Concord’s storied past and its vibrant present, showing how friendship and shared passions can keep a community thriving.

“Concord, Past and Present” is available at Berkshire Books, 3580 Clayton Rd. in Concord and on Amazon.com.

Jay Bedecarré

Dianne Carbine with her youngest child Ben Porter and her daughter Mindi Pemberton display awards and documents for her father Jerry Sundstad, who was killed during World War II

remains were brought home last

death. Carbine

born

Those experiencing grief ‘call the shots’ for celebrating the holidays

DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

Grief doesn’t take a holiday, even during these most festive times that are all about warm memories and creating joyous new ones with family and friends.

The holidays can be a stark reminder of a loved one’s absence, regardless of when the death occurred. Over time, these periods will get easier, yet some find it hard to fill the void amid the trappings of the season.

“Whatever the holiday season has meant for you in the past, it is likely forever changed due to the death of your loved one,” said Joseph Lumello, who has served as Bereavement Services manager for Hospice East Bay Grief Support Services for more than 13 years.

Lumello and his peers in the grief support community share the mindset that having a plan A, B and even C is essential to just survive this period and the triggers that remind people of their loved ones.

“Don’t place a lot of expectations on your plate,” he said. “Just for this holiday, do what you need to do to get through it.

“You get to call the shots how you are going to experience the holidays,” Lumello continued.

story about a woman who is facing her first Christmas without her husband.

“It is about giving yourself permission to do something new and not do something,” she said.

Hence this year she is making sushi.

“Go with what your gut tells you is right and discard those things that don’t,” Kalm continued.

In doing so, Kalm noted one is reinventing themselves as a reflection of the change that has taken place in their lives.

Participating in grief counseling has also been a part of her journey forward.

John Muir Medical’s Spiritual Care Department oversees its grief support efforts, and one of the group leaders is Jeffrey Ishmael. The chaplain for 23 years echoed Lumello’s sentiments.

Grief, said Ishmael, is complicated and everyone’s experience at the holidays can be different, leaving some to wonder: “I thought I would have a harder time, and I am OK.”

Yet others grieving at the holidays “are just not up to it,” he added.

Even when people make plans, Ishamel said they shouldn’t be surprised not want-

Grief Support Services

Hospice East Bay: contact@hospiceeastbay.org, 925-887-5695 or www.hospiceeastbay.org/services/grief-support.

John Muir Medical’s Spiritual Care Dept: Leave a message at 925-674-2629 for a response within 24 hours on weekdays. The department’s Grief Support Group: A Chance to Heal is free.

Sutter Health Hospice: 925-363-4126 or www.sutterhealth.org/services/home-health-hospice/grief-support-concord.

2

ing to go when the day comes.

“Give yourself the freedom to change those things at the last minute,” he said.

‘TAP INTO WHAT FEELSRIGHT’

This will be the second Christmas for Denise Kalm without her husband, Mike, who died in October 2023.

“Mike is a spirit in my life,” she said, acknowledging she misses the sound and presence of him in the house.

Last Christmas, Kalm just put out the Christmas village display that was a part of their routine for the holidays. This year, she is changing it up to go with a live wreath and decorating with funny ornaments that she had gotten for her husband through the years.

“Tap into what feels right,” she said.

Kalm recommends being around people and keeping a pretty full schedule to ward off loneliness. This year, though, she felt she needed to add more down time to her calendar.

Although an annual letter was part of Christmases past, Kalm opted instead to pen a

“That has helped me to have a new purpose,” she said.

‘LEANING INTO YOUR GRIEF’

Veronica Carroccio, a bereavement counselor with Sutter Health Hospice in Concord for six years, also emphasized the importance of having a plan that sets limits to help navigate through the season and the potential roller coaster of emotions.

Like her peers, she suggested placing a photo, lighting a candle or putting a place setting on the table for the loved one as options to remember that individual. Marking all special days on a calendar when a grief trigger is approaching may help people better cope when they arrive.

“By leaning into your grief, much like when you do when you wade into the ocean, you find the footing to withstand the inherently unpredictable waves of emotional ups and downs,” Lumello said in Hospice East Bay’s YouTube video entitled “Coping with Holidays.”

“By preparing in advance, you will better navigate aspects of the holiday season that will be challenging,” he added.

The Pioneer’s own “New Wave Nightingale” can indeed sing like a bird. If you like her thoughtful advice, you’ll LOVE her brilliant interpretation of 10 classic songs originally made famous by the immortal Patsy

Reviews are exuberant and unanimous . . .

• Nathalie Archangel’s sultry and sexy interpretations with a modern production style blew me away. Robert Silverstein, RMR

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Downloadable on all platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, etc). CD available through Y&T Music Miami FLA or through direct contact with newavenightingale@gmail.com

David Scholz

Lighting a candle is a simple gesture to remember a loved one during the holidays.

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Blues legends headline New Year’s Eve at the Crowne Plaza

What: New Year’s Eve Celebration and Fundraiser

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Concord When: Dec. 31, 7 p.m. for live music and Southern Cuisine dinner

9 p.m. Music and Dance Only

The West Coast Blues Society invites you to their New Year’s Eve Celebration Fundraiser at the Concord Plaza Hotel in Concord, California. Doors open at 7 p.m. for an evening filled with incredible live music and Southern cuisine. During dinner, priced at $155 per person, enjoy the smooth sounds of Concord’s own Darlyn Pearl & The Groove Room as they perform jazz and supper club classics. Not planning on dinner? Arrive at 9 p.m. for the dance-only option at $100 per person, just in time for the party to kick into high gear with the West Coast Caravan of All Stars. The lineup features blues legend Fillmore Slim, Grammy nominee Xymphony performing hits by Aretha Franklin and Etta James, and Karl Bracy bringing the soulful sounds of Marvin

Gaye, Frankie Beverly, and Al Green. The night is packed with extra treats, including a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and festive party favors to keep the celebration going. Don’t miss the Bay Area’s most soulful and vibrant New Year’s Eve celebration. Tickets are going fast, so visit westcoastbluessociety.org, email westcoastbluessociety@gmail.com, or call 510-472-8800 to secure your spot. Let’s toast to 2024 in style!

WEST COAST CARAVAN OF ALL STARS

Concord council doesn’t want rules for mayoral selection

Birsan leaves office without reaching goals

BEV BRITTON

CONCORD – After it became clear the votes weren’t there, Mayor Edi Birsan dropped a proposal to update the policy on mayoral rotation.

Like neighboring cities Clayton and Pleasant Hill, Concord doesn’t have a directly elected mayor. Instead, the City Council meets each December to select a new mayor and vice mayor – typically following a predictable pattern.

However, Birsan noted that politics and failed interpersonal relationships have led to changes in the expected rotation in all three cities.

The current Concord procedure, which will remain in effect, states: “The City Council shall annually reorganize, choosing from amongst its members who should serve as Mayor and Vice Mayor for the coming year.”

The council Committee on Policy Development and Internal Operations, comprised of Birsan and Vice Mayor Carlyn Obringer, had proposed more clearly defined options:

• If there is only one nomination for the position of mayor and one for vice mayor, they both will be appointed.

• If tied, the candidate with the highest percentage of votes in their last election shall be appointed.

• A candidate shall not serve as mayor in their first year of office.

QUESTIONSABOUT

THE LANGUAGE

At the Nov. 12 meeting, Councilmember Laura Hoffmeister stated that the revisions were unclear and potentially unfair. She pointed out that it didn’t make sense to base the selection on the highest vote percentage. “One district could have five candidates running and the other district could have two, or nobody,” she said. “I don’t think it’s the right way to do anything because of the district situation. If it was atlarge, I could understand it.”

In addition, she questioned the criteria for a tie – assuming it meant that the council was locked 2-2 on a candidate.

Obringer explained that the tie referred to a situation in which both councilmembers under consideration had been on the council for the same length of time.

Councilmember Dominic Aliano seized on Hoffmeister’s concerns, saying: “As we just saw a moment ago with the questions from Councilmember Hoffmeister, I really still don’t feel comfortable moving forward with this because to me, this looks a little too descriptive from what we pre-

• In the event of two or more nominations for a single position, the candidate who has not held the position the longest shall be appointed.

From the desk of...

viously discussed and, at the same time, it’s not descriptive enough to answer a lot of the questions that are there,” he said. “It’s just going to make things a lot more confusing and a lot more complicated.”

Councilmember Laura Nakamura concurred with Hoffmeister and Aliano.

“I do support a very fair rotation for the mayoral appointments and vice mayor, but I do think that the council should have the ability to make those appointments without it being prescriptive in a way that might tie the council’s hands when there might be a different choice that presents itself for the best of the city,” she said. “And that is why we were elected – to make the decisions that best address the needs of our city and reflect the council that we are.”

ISSUES OF FAIRNESS , POLITICS

Obringer said her goal with the proposal was to “just try to be fair, to make sure that nobody gets skipped, that everybody gets their chance.”

Birsan, who brought the issue before the council in Feburary, expressed disappointment with the lack of support. He said the changes would have taken politics out of the decision.

“Every city that’s adjacent to us – Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek – has in turn changed what would be considered a normal rotation. And in every single case, it has been not in the interest of the city, but because of the political and interpersonal relationships that

Clayton Chief McEachin leaving for Central Valley post

After two years of dedicated service, Clayton Police Chief Richard McEachin announced his resignation to be appointed chief for the city of Atwater, effective Dec. 19.

In his new role, McEachin will oversee a Police Department with 31 sworn officers and 13 non-sworn administrative personnel. This transition marks a significant step forward in his law enforcement career, as he returns to the Central Valley, where he resides.

The Clayton City Council, city staff and the community extend their gratitude to McEachin for his service and wish him continued success.

To ensure a smooth transition, the city will engage a reputable executive search firm to assist in the recruitment for both an interim chief

and a permanent replacement. In other news, the council recognized students from Mt. Diablo Elementary School and Diablo View Middle School for the “Do The Right Thing” character trait of “respect” at the Nov. 19 meeting. Congratulations to all the awarded students.

• The council also recognized and proclaimed the following:

• November as Native American Heritage Month.

• Dutch American Heritage Day on Nov. 13.

• Homeless Awareness Week, Nov. 11-23.

There were no public hearing items. However, we discussed the following Action Items:

• Approved the installation of

a bronze plaque in memory of Clayton’s first mayor, Bob Hoyer. We will place the plaque near the flagpole in The Grove Park. The installation date is pending confirmation from the Hoyer family.

• Approved a budget amendment for improvements to the third-floor office space at City Hall, not to exceed $60,000.

• Received presentations from city staff to recommend adding five staff positions. This item received much discussion from the City Council and the public. We referred the item back to staff for further development.

Our next City Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 17 in Hoyer Hall.

were broken in their councils again and again,” said Birsan, who was passed over for the vice mayor role in 2015 in a move he called “political retribution.”

Although Birsan hadn’t held a leadership position since his election in 2012, the council voted for Ron Leone as vice mayor. According to the East Bay Times, Leone chided Birsan for supporting challengers when three councilmembers were up for reelection.

Birsan, who has since been mayor in 2018 and 2024, has also long advocated for a mayor elected by the public. However, after his defeat in the November election, that dream won’t be fulfilled anytime soon.

DELVING INTO PASTDECISIONS

The last time Concord didn’t follow the presumed rotation was 2020, when Aliano opted to stay as vice mayor so Tim McGallian could serve another term as mayor because of his familiarity with the issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I had very specific things I was managing in relation to disaster response for the city of Concord and the region,” McGallian told the Pioneer. He noted that both Aliano and Hoffmeister – who was next in rotation for vice mayor – supported him staying as mayor.

In contrast, things became contentious in Clayton when Jeff Wan didn’t move up to mayor that same year. The changeup came after a divisive election during which some councilmembers said Wan supported

disinformation and negative tactics.

Councilmember Holly Tillman said the 3-2 vote to support CW Wolfe also was triggered by Wan’s “treatment of other councilmembers, voting records in regard to the best interests of our city and leadership qualities.”

Councilmember Jim Diaz called the move “wrong and unacceptable,” adding that it “further divides our already divided city.”

The Clayton council did select Wan for mayor in 2022, during his second term.

DIAZ CLAYTON MAYOR

This will be my final column after serving as your mayor for 2024. It was an honor and a pleasure to serve the entire Clayton community. Thank you for your support. As your mayor, I worked hard to maintain Clayton’s small-town charm and character, always striving for an open and transparent local government. I wish you all happy holidays.

You can reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns at 925-673-7316 or JimD@claytonca.gov.

KEN CARLSON COUNTY SUPERVISOR

As 2024 comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on the accomplishments of my second year as county supervisor. This year, the county had many critical projects and initiatives come to fruition. For me, 2024 was about making Contra Costa a more wel-

coming community, improving access to essential services and developing a sustainable future.

A WELCOMING COMMUNITY Throughout my public service career, I’ve focused on making our community welcoming to all. As the first LGBTQIA+ councilmember and mayor, I authored the Inclusive City Resolution in Pleasant Hill to champion human rights, social justice and equality. I continue to bring my commitment to ensuring every resident feels supported as I represent District IV as county supervisor.

A particularly meaningful moment was the Naturalization Ceremony I hosted on March 18, 2024, at the county administration building in Martinez. The first of its kind in a county facility, the ceremony celebrated

the citizenship journey of 31 individuals from 17 countries –all now residents of Contra Costa.

In partnership with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, I had a front-row seat to this momentous occasion. Meanwhile, our county Elections Office was on hand for our newly minted citizens to register them to vote and empower them to engage fully in our democracy.

EXPANDINGACCESS TO ESSENTIALSERVICES

As the county continues to build a welcoming community, it’s equally important to expand access to services. In 2024, the Board of Supervisors took steps to ensure our most vulnerable residents get the support they need. I was proud to add the

In Pleasant Hill, Jack Weir didn’t advance to mayor in 2013. Although it was said that Weir was the most conservative member of the council, the three councilmembers who voted against him didn’t offer an explanation. “I am humiliated and I’m embarrassed for this council,” Weir said, according to the East Bay Times. “I think what you did is inappropriate and an embarrassment to this city.” For McGallian, it all comes down to the relationships among the councilmembers.

Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) takes our responsibility to provide safe, reliable water service seriously. Every dollar you pay is used to maintain, improve, and protect our system—both for today and tomorrow. As a not-for-profit public agency, the money we collect is invested directly back into infrastructure projects, daily operations, and essential services that keep water flowing 24/7.

This year, CCWD’s Board of Directors is considering a change to our rate review process, moving from annual reviews to a two-year rate schedule. While I’ve wrestled with making a change to our long-standing practice, I believe this change will benefit both the organization and you as our customer.

A two-year process will provide predictability for both CCWD and customers. Knowing rates for two years in advance will help households and businesses plan their budgets more effectively.

Under the current proposal, a typical customer in energy zone 1—our largest residential energy zone—using 230 gallons per day would see an increase of 20 cents per day in 2025 and another 21 cents

“Remember,” he said, “the mayor doesn’t have power but is the figurehead for the council. So, if the council doesn’t trust your decision-making or how you’re going to work with all the colleagues or other cities, then maybe you’re not ready yet.”

per day in 2026. Summarized differently, this amounts to spending approximately $3 per day in 2025 for all household water use needs, including cooking, cleaning, bathing, and outdoor irrigation. A full breakdown of the proposal is available at ccwater.com/rates.

Importantly, this new process aligns with our twoyear budgeting cycle and updates to our 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. Synchronizing these efforts helps us better manage resources and plan important infrastructure projects—like pipeline replacements, pump station upgrades, and treatment plant improvements—that are essential to maintaining reliable water service. This change is also about stability. It allows CCWD to efficiently manage the rising costs of energy, property insurance, maintenance, and operations. As always, we continue to explore ways to ease the pressure on rates through grants, land leases, and other income sources. We invite the community to learn more and share feedback during our public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on January 8, 2025, in the CCWD Board Room, 1331 Concord Avenue, Concord. If you have any questions, please visit ccwater.com/rates or call our Customer Service team weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Thank you for your continued support as we operate, maintain, and improve your drinking water system to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

Ernesto A. Avila, P.E., is the President of the Board of Directors for Contra Costa Water District.

Supervisor Carlson reviews three key goals of 2024

undocumented population to our Basic Health Care program, providing affordable healthcare access for uninsured county residents who don’t qualify for Medi-Cal or Covered CA for primary care, medications and more.

In addition to improving healthcare access, the board allocated Measure X funds for youth centers in Districts III, IV and V. I am pleased to report that District IV was the first district to utilize our $5 million capital investment to support the Community Youth Center (CYC) in Concord. The CYC currently serves more than 2,000 youth through sports, gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, tutoring and counseling.

To optimize my allocation, I believe it was important to collaborate with an existing youth

center. These funds will help expand the CYC into a 75,000 sq. ft. facility, increasing its capacity to serve more youth. The new facility is expected to open in September 2025.

PLANNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Alongside expanding services, the Board of Supervisors is planning a sustainable future. In 2024, we adopted the 2045 General Plan and the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), which will guide the county’s development for years to come.

The General Plan, last updated in 1991, addresses growth, affordable housing and environmental sustainability. The CAAP focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. The adoption culminates five years

of public outreach and more than 170 community meetings. It ensures that Contra Costa remains a place of balanced growth and environmental stewardship. As I reflect on 2024’s progress, there’s still much work to do. In the coming year, our county will continue protecting the vulnerable, improving access to services and fostering a welcoming community. Thank you to the constituents of District 4 for the honor of serving you. I look forward to continuing our work together to build a thriving, sustainable Contra Costa for generations to come.

Ken Carlson is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Carlson

JIM

Tragedies, milestones, and development shape 2024 across Clayton, Concord, and Pleasant Hill

Long after the New Year’s Eve confetti was swept away, residents were in party mode for much of 2024.

Clayton led the way, marking its 60th birthday of incorporation, along with the Clayton Historical Society’s 50th and the Clayton Business and Community Association’s 40th. Other anniversaries of note included Concord’s 50th year of its Sister City relationship with Kitakami, Japan, and Diablo Valley College’s 75 years in Pleasant Hill.

But things weren’t always bright, with a killing in Pleasant Hill, a fatal plane crash on a Concord street and a stabbing in downtown Clayton. A fire at the historic Keller House in Concord forced the relocation of Monument Impact employees, while a blaze at Pittsburg Theatre Company’s warehouse affected most local theater troupes.

Here’s a look at these and other stories the Pioneer covered in 2024:

JANUARY

Town Center remix: As new businesses like Sip ’N Sweet, Odyssey VRLounge, JOR Fine Art Gallery and Skylar Bistro make their mark in downtown Clayton, a Latin restaurant is next up on the horizon. Kent Ipsen, owner of the always-popular Skipolini’s, recently purchased Flora Square and renamed it Rhine House after Clayton’s “other” founder, Jacob Rhine. He expects Ñ, Enye Latin Table to open this month or early 2225. “Each dish is a celebration of the region’s cultural tapestry, combining traditional ingredients with modern flair to create a symphony of taste that transports you to the heart of Latin American cuisine,” the website promises.

Measure X making a difference: Supervisor Ken Carlson provided an update on the countywide 20-year, half-cent sales tax, saying it “keeps Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed, funds community health centers and emergency response, supports crucial safety-net services, invest in early childhood services and protects vulnerable populations.” Geological district on shaky ground: The Oakhurst Geological Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) is facing financial instability. Homeowners in the hills have been dealing with soil erosion, which could make the homes unstable, but those living in the flat neighborhoods oppose an increased assessment. In December 2023, the city discussed updating GHAD’s Plan of Control. They brought up the issue again in May, but according to Councilmember Peter Cloven, nothing moved forward.

“Essentially, it was punted,” he told the Pioneer last month. “The citizens who live within that district are going to have to decide whether they want to increase funding for the district, which is woefully unfunded for the maintenance that is required.”

FEBRUARY

WWII hero: Pearl Harbor survivor Earl “Chuck” Kohler talked with the Pioneer as he turned 100 years old. The Clayton resident has been instrumental in the annual beacon lighting on Mt. Diablo to remember the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. He says keeping busy is the secret to longevity. “Do whatever you see that has to be done – even if it’s not your responsibility. You’ll be glad that you did.”

Fatal airplane crash: Berkeley resident Jacek Romanski, 75, died when his homebuilt Van’s Aircraft RV-6 singleengine plane crashed near the intersection of Diamond Boulevard and Concord Avenue.

Reports say he often performed a risky touch and go maneuver. Calling him an experienced pilot, Peter Friedman of Pleasant Hill emphasized that the crash was “absolutely avoidable.”

Allegations against Concord PD: Four women filed a civil lawsuit against the Concord Police Department, citing a hostile work environment run by “misogynistic men who are unwilling to allow these four eminently qualified women to grow and thrive.” Jennifer Ortega, the city’s community relations manager, declined to comment further when contacted in November, noting that the case is still pending.

Fire at Keller House: Monument Impact had to shift staff to other offices in Concord and Antioch after a Feb. 4 blaze at Concord’s Keller House. It is believed a homeless person set the fire to keep warm beneath the porch. “We don’t have an estimated time to return,” communications manager Amie Lam told the Pioneer in November.

“It’s been a really slow process. It could take another six months before we’re able to access half of the building. The only thing we’ve been able to access is some files.”

Going strong at 60: The town of Clayton is gearing up for the 60th anniversary of its 1964 incorporation. With Concord expanding eastward, many Clayton residents were worried their small enclave would get swallowed up. After a failed effort in 1960, a dedicated group of volunteers successfully got a measure on the ballot. It passed overwhelmingly with record voter turnout. The City Council hosted a party at the March 5 council meeting, with the festivities continuing in conjunction with the Fourth of July parade. On a sad note, the town also mourned the loss of Robert “Bob” Hoyer, a key figure in the incorporation movement.

MARCH

Giving tenants a boost: The Concord City Council approved a Residential Tenant Protection Program with new rules for all landlords, including single-family homeowners. The

nity.” Resident Jo Sciarroni failed in an attempt to gather signatures for a referendum on the ordinance. The council also revisited the single-family home component in May, voting 3-2 to leave the ordinance as is – and review the data in a year’s time.

Safer streets: The city of Pleasant Hill moved forward with its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. “The plan provides a consistent, long-term guide for the city in developing connected networks of multipurpose paths, bikeways, sidewalks and street crossings,” Mayor Matt Rinn said. “It represents a shift in the city’s transportation development strategy from an automobile-oriented focus to an emphasis upon ‘complete streets’ that balance the needs of multiple modes of travel within the city’s transportation network.”

Chaos in Clayton: Citing staff turnover and animosity at the City Council level, the Pioneer advocated for the Contra Costa Grand Jury to look at Clayton’s city governance. The editorial noted that “a tradition of reasonably civil disagreements” has “devolved into ugly anonymous hate mail and personal attacks.” After Kris Lofthus joined Clayton as city manager this fall, he told the Pioneer: “I come into this situation with my eyes open and wanting to work with the council.”

APRIL

Moving forward with Brookfield: Concord approved a Term Sheet with Brookfield/ BCUS Acquisitions for development of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The plan includes about 12,270 housing units, along with commercial space, greenways, a city park, a tournament sports complex, a veterans hall, library/community center, food bank, schools and a college campus district. “The redevelopment of the Naval Weapons Station is an extension of the city fabric. It’s not an island,” said Barry Long of Urban Design Associates.

Fending off food insecurity: Caitlin Sly, the new president/CEO of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, comes from a family of nonprofit professionals. Her father Larry was executive director of the Food Bank for more than 40 years before retiring in 2020. “Giving back is in my blood, and I have always felt like if I was going to dedicate my career to something, it should be helping out those that are less fortunate,” Caitlin said.

MAY

Finding inspiration:

Music columnist Dave Hughes was impressed after attending a class offered by Guitars Not Guns at the Concord library.

“The kids were clearly excited to build on the knowledge and

Rent Stabilization Program affects multi-family rental complexes of two or more units built before Feb. 1, 1995. Councilmember Dominic Aliano said the council introduced the ordinance because a few landlords “have abused the rights and harassed people in our commu-

skills they had acquired over the prior month,” he reported about the program that provides guitars and lessons to foster children and at-risk youth as an alternative to violence. “When these kids learn how to play guitar, they’ll find they’re better at their school-

Passing of an icon: The lyric “They don’t write ’em like that anymore” rings even more true after the death of rocker Greg Kihn, a former Clayton resident. Songwriter Robert Berry called him a gentle soul. “Stardom yes, but he would talk to everybody like they were an old friend,” said Berry. “His death has left a huge hole in my heart.”

OCTOBER

work and they’re more disciplined,” said president/director Barbara Gorin.

Fostering community involvement: After a COVID19 hiatus, Pleasant Hill reinstituted the Local Government Academy Program, which Mayor Matt Rinn called “a great way to get to know your city government and how it works.” He pointed to September’s Community Service Day as another opportunity for residents to get involved.

JUNE

Arrests in deadly stabbing: After months of investigation, police arrested three people in the Feb. 10 death of Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District custodial worker Santiago Jacobo. Pablo Gutierrez-Morales was charged with murder, including a special enhancement with a deadly weapon. Vanessa Vera-Aguilara and Jazmin Ruiz face felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon. They all worked with Jacobo at the Watermark assisted living facility in San Ramon. The primary suspect is being held in the Martinez Detention Center while he awaits an April 2025 trial. The two female suspects posted bond.

Tough times for local theater community: A fire destroyed the Pittsburg Theatre Company (PTC) warehouse and much of the contents – including materials used by other local theater troupes. “Our loss is everyone’s, too,” said PTC’s Dianna Schepers. In an effort to move forward, PTC put on a cabaret benefit show dubbed “The Phoenix Project” in July. “We are not going away,” Schepers said. “The show must go on.”

JULY

Gussying up the greens: More than two dozen murals replaced the gray walls dividing the bays at the Skylinks driving range at Buchanan Fields Golf Course. “If it just makes them smile and reminds them of something good, then that’s what I hope it brings,” says Sydney Bader, whose artwork features the East Bay hills and a graceful heron.

Ashbury plan moves forward: The Concord City Council approved construction of a 183-unit, multi-family rental project on Ashbury Drive. The development includes demolition of the Church of the Nazarene’s vacant chapel and gymnasium. However, as of late November, no demolition or construction has occurred on the site, according to Concord housing manager Sophia Huckabay.

Violence at Clayton deli: John Canesa was recovering after being stabbed outside of Canesa’s Brooklyn Heros in downtown Clayton. Police arrested 45-year-old Peter Kerns, who Priscilla Canesa said “was very aggressive and antagonistic toward my daughter Gianna, who was taking orders from the front window.” According to Clayton Police Chief Richard McEachin, Kerns was found

guilty assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. He was sentenced to 285 days in jail and two years formal probation.

AUGUST

Seventy-five years of higher ed: Diablo Valley College (DVC) has been a staple of Contra Costa County since 1949, moving to the current Pleasant Hill site in 1952.

“Since that time, DVC has continued to grow and adapt with the times,” said Mayor Matt Rinn, pointing to such things as the introduction of Women’s Studies and the 2006 opening of a second campus in San Ramon. “We are fortunate to have DVC here in Pleasant Hill. It has left a lasting mark on many.”

Sister City going strong at 50: Concord is gearing up for an October visit from residents of the Japanese city of Kitakami. “Every five years, we arrange for formal delegations, and this year we will be graced with their arrival,” said Mayor Edi Birsan. “Our relations are further strengthened by the fact that several Concordians have moved to Kitakami to teach English and spread the rather special way we pronounce Concord, so as not to be confused with those other sites on the East Coast.”

The end of Cal Shakes:

In her August column, Sally Hogarty was enthusiastic that more than 700 donors came forward to help the California Shakespeare Theater open its 50th anniversary production of “As You Like It” in September. “Executive artistic director Clive Worsley started a GoFundMe campaign and a little over a week later, the shortfall was covered,” Hogarty wrote. However, Cal Shakes announced in October that the organization “hit an insurmountable financial impasse” and suspended operations. However, the company’s scene shop is going strong out of warehouse space in Concord.

SEPTEMBER

Forty years of community service: At this year’s Oktoberfest, the Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA) will mark 40 years of raising money for the small town. “It’s always been geared toward bringing together the city government, the businesses and members of the community – the residents,” says former president Gloria Utley. In a fitting tribute to the CBCA, crowds came out in droves despite blazing temps on Oct. 5 and 6.

Getting Creative in Concord: Local artists and musicians will take over Todos Santos Plaza next month for the third Art & Music Jam in the Park, hosted by Creative Concord. Among the performers will be Oakland’s Jesse Ray, aka Skinny Hendrixx. “Concord has been like a second home to us,” he said. “The music scene here is quite remarkable for a city of its size, which I attribute to strong leadership as much as the artists themselves.”

Promoting all voices: Pleasant Hill established the Diversity Commission in 2021 in response to the city’s growth – including residents from diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. Since its creation, the commission has reached out to the community through campaigns like the Everybody Belongs Pledge, the Juneteenth Celebration and United Against Hate Week. “As our city continues to grow and change, I look forward to seeing and supporting even more work to continue fostering and reinforcing an atmosphere of inclusion and belonging here in Pleasant Hill,” said Mayor Matt Rinn. Making history for a halfcentury: Dick Ellis will speak at a Nov. 7 event in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Clayton Historical Society. In her Pioneer column, Debbie Eistetter shared her own history with the organization. “My enthusiasm for the history of Clayton came about when I was in our museum research room one afternoon, casually thumbing through one of our many binders. Except for folks researching their family roots, I thought, how many people are going to open even one of these binders? Yet I found they contained so many interesting stories about the Miwok, miners, farmers, merchants and their families.”

NOVEMBER Airport taking off: A long-awaited 18,000 sq. ft. building is breathing new life into Buchanan Fields. It houses passenger processing for JSX, plus administrative offices for the county Airport Division. Supervisor Ken Carlson called the improvements “symbolic of our commitment” to the airport. Helping the homeless: When the Concord City Council adopted a $5 million Homeless Strategic Plan at the beginning of 2024, goals included a mobile resource center and interim small motel housing. As the year draws to a close, the city was able to check those boxes with the opening of a mobile unit at a local church as well as offering a dozen rooms at an old motel to the city’s unhoused. GROW Concord received $1.7 million for the Mobile Resource Unit. “This grant will enable us to go to locations near where the unhoused are with social workers, medical providers, veterans services, showers and other items that will help people make the next step,” said Kelly Fossan-McKinley. It’s a hopeful step that might make 2025 a little easier on those most in need.

BEV BRITTON The Pioneer

In February, Clayton resident and Pearl Harbor survivor Chuck Kohler celebrated his 100th birthday.

In September, rock legend and former Clayton resident died. His friend and songwriter Robert Berry called him a "gentle soul."

Pete Cruz

In October, despite triple digit temperatures, Creative Concord brought together artists, musicians, and the community to celebrate arts and culture in Todos Santos Park.

In May, Graduates from Guitars not Guns’ 8-week course worked with an instructor focused on advancing their abilities. Students learn from nine roaming instructors led by Brooks Lundy. Guitars Not Guns equips each student with an acoustic guitar, strap and case.

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EDUARDO CERVANTES OAKMONT MEMORIAL PARK

When couples visit a cemetery or funeral home to discuss preplanning, their goal is often clear: to ensure they leave no emotional or fi-

A LASTING ACT OF LOVE

nancial burden for their loved ones when the time comes. Preplanning is, in essence, one final act of love. When the inevitable day arrives, the impact of prearrangements is undeniable. Time and again, I witness a profound sense of relief among surviving family members. It’s not uncommon to hear heartfelt expressions of gratitude, such as, “I’m so glad Mom and Dad took care of this.” Their preplanning provides comfort and allows families to focus on honoring

Election from page 1

infrastructure, balancing housing needs and ensuring public safety, which really resonated with voters.”

He said he was fortunate to have an “incredible” team and strong support from voices within the community. That included Supervisor Ken Carlson and the might of local Democratic party boards.

Benavente said he is looking forward to “diving in” and connecting with the community.

“I want to spend time meeting with city staff, community leaders and residents to better understand the issues we’re facing and how we can tackle them together,” he said. “I’ll also be digging into the city’s budget and ongoing projects to see where we can make immediate progress, especially on things like improving our roads and addressing housing concerns.

“I’m excited to set a positive and collaborative tone with my colleagues on the council so we can work as a team to make Concord better for everyone.”

Benavente said his election team “stayed positive and determined, inspiring confidence in what we could accomplish together.”

Birsan disagreed, specifically pointing to removing election signs. Besides that, there was no nasty back-andforth between any of the candidates, including Myles Burks and Matthew Dashner, who came in third and fourth, respectively.

Meanwhile, Concord Councilmember Carlyn Obringer easily defeated Erik Antonick in a relatively quiet District 2 election.

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As far as drama goes, Clayton brought the most to the area campaigns – with the website Clayton Watch forming a political action committee to attack Tillman with negative mailers and other publicity. Tillman seemed unfazed by the negative campaign tactics by what she called an “independent expenditure group.”

dates fell in the final vote tally, she said she thinks Clayton residents want to see the city move in a new direction.

Diaz said he isn’t involved with Clayton Watch and its hit pieces on Tillman.

“I don’t do social media,” he said. “YouTube, Clayton Watch, all those are quagmires.”

He also said he hasn’t spoken with Enea since the election and has no idea how his arrival will affect the council.

For his part, Enea sees his victory as a signal that people desire a change from the divisiveness of the past four years. The longtime Clayton resident said he financed his campaign himself, taking no money from special interest donors, adding that he will remain staunchly independent.

“I think it’s from my law enforcement past,” he said. “People see me as a peacemaker, and I am going to try and be that on the council.”

Enea served two terms on the Crescent City council before moving back to Clay-

their loved one’s memory, free from the stress of making difficult decisions during an emotionally charged time.

Beyond easing immediate burdens, preplanning sets an important example for future generations. Many families choose to preplan because their parents or grandparents did so, and they want to carry forward this thoughtful tradition. It’s a way of teaching the next generation about love, responsibility, and preparation.

In the end, preplanning is

ton and serving on the Planning Commission.

HARD-FOUGHT RACESIN PLEASANT HILL

There was also drama in the usually quiet Pleasant Hill.

In another razor-thin margin, La beat Marshall Lewis by 33 votes out of 2,465 in District 1, which has the highest number of non-white voters, according to Noack. La aligned herself with many of the Asian-American civic leaders, which may have pushed her over the top.

“I believe what set me apart from my opponent is my unwavering connection to the community,” La said. “I’ve been consistently present at local events, actively engaging with residents.”

But from her vantage point, Noack said both La and Lewis ran hard, door-to-door campaigns and it was just the way the votes fell that gave La the victory.

In District 5, Szakats defeated Oliver Greenwood in what she called a “clean” campaign.

“Both Oliver and I campaigned hard,” Szakats said. “I think my platform of safety,

about more than logistics. It’s a way of saying, “I love you enough to make this easier for you.” If you’ve ever considered preplanning, take the first step today. It’s not just a decision—it’s a gift to those you cherish most.

Call Oakmont Memorial Park and Mortuary at 925935-3311 to schedule a free consultation and receive a complimentary planning guide.

especially bike and pedestrian safety, smart growth and revitalizing underdeveloped areas, resonated with voters. I also worked hard to connect with our commissions and community groups and win the endorsements of local leaders.”

She says her top priorities will be making sure the pedestrian and bike safety plan is implemented, maintaining the fiscal health of the city and filling empty retail space downtown. Noack says the new members on all the councils will have a surprise coming, as it will be hard to focus on local issues from the start.

“First, new councilmembers have to learn to govern,” she noted. “They have to learn how the budget works, the rules of meetings and get committee and commission assignments. It’s a steep learning curve.”

Noack says she will be doing “a lot of mentoring” with her three new colleagues.

“Being a city councilmember is not all handshakes and community events,” said the veteran politician. “It’s a hard job wherever you are.”

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“I am proud of the clean campaign my team and I ran,” she said. “We stayed positive and focused on the issues important to Clayton residents: public safety, wildfire prevention, pedestrian accessibility and roadway safety, and addressing our trails and landscaping maintenance needs.

“It’s unfortunate that some have attempted to bring big city politics to our small town,” she added.

Recently, the council has been split 3-2 on most decisions, with Jeff Wan, Kim Trupiano and Diaz voting in lockstep and Tillman and Peter Cloven allied. Cloven decided not to run this year.

While Tillman said it wasn’t her role to speculate on “horse race politics” in regard to where the candi-

• Start with just a

• Don’t delay! O er ends December 31, 2024 Call (925) 935-3311 today to arrange a complimentary tour of our beautiful park and learn more.

Brighten your winter days with these colorful flowers

This December’s weather feels a touch like spring, and many are feeling the urge to add color to containers, beds and borders to keep the winter months blooming. Install cyclamen, pansies, snapdragons, alyssum and violas now to replace flowerless petunias, leggy impatiens and browning begonias. Folks looking for winter color crave a different palette this time of the year. Rather than the oranges, russets and golds that we desired in autumn, we now seek white, reds, blues, wine and rose.

Cyclamen is an old-fashioned family of flowering plants with interesting leaves. The foliage features shades of green, shaped like a spade with differences in their sizes and leaf patterns. The flowers are uniquely shaped with a handful of petals

that shoot down toward the foliage. The flower can be white, pinks, reds and shades of purple. Each petal is thick; therefore, the flower’s color is long-lasting.

Grow cyclamen in containers or as excellent border installations. Cyclamen plants prefer morning or filtered sun. They can be prone to rot if planted too deep in the ground, so leave

your installation high.

Pansies and violas are some of my favorite winter colorspots. Their happy flowers that stand just above their pillowlike leaves are wonderfully pleasing to the eye. Pansy flowers are sometimes referred to as faces. They are bigger than the violas, which are often called Johnny Jump-Ups.

Both pansies and violas are available in a plethora of colors, almost any solid or combination that you could desire. Install these spots of color in garden beds, along walkways or in containers. With monthly fertilizing, your pansies and violas can bloom from October into April.

Snapdragons are a color spot that I like to mass plant. They are usually found in sixpack containers, and you can install three or all six cells into one hole for the maximum

Laura Nakamura

statement.

Snapdragons can reach varied heights, so read the labels. Some can grow to reach 30 inches tall, which looks amazing. Another good thing about snapdragons is that sometimes you can get a couple seasons out of them. With deadheading and monthly fertilizing, your snapdragon flowers should be productive from now through May.

Alyssum is one of those plants that you either love or hate. Small clusters of white, lavender, pink or salmon flowers stand just above tiny green leaves. This plant is considered a trailing plant and looks amazing planted in containers. This time of year, the white alyssum sells the best. The stark white looks like winter snow in our hanging baskets and container combinations.

A bonus of Alyssum is the sweet and subtle fragrance. The scent is at its best during the brisk morning hours.

Primrose and Iceland poppies deserve to be mentioned. Primrose has textured green leaves and small flowers stand-

ing above sturdy, short stalks. It’s great in a container placed on a stand or table so the flower makes more of a statement. Iceland poppies have a furry leaf that isn’t all that attractive, but the cup-shaped flower is a showstopper. Bright colors of yellow, red, pink and orange look great from far away. This is another plant that looks best planted in a mass.

You should provide monthly fertilizing for all flowering

seasonal color-spots. This time of year, fertilize color with a formula geared for flowers, either water-soluble or granular. Remember, the higher the second number in the formula, the more flowers you’ll encourage.

Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. You can contact her with questions or comments by email at gardengirl94517@yahoo.com

Understanding when it’s time to say goodbye to ailing pet

The human-animal bond is an amazing thing. In what other relationship do we experience unconditional love like we do with our beloved pets?

Our pets trust us to do the right thing, whether that is offering fresh food and water, providing good medical attention when it is needed, or simply getting them out to exercise on a regular basis, in addition to giving them our love and attention. In response, they give us their undivided love and attention and make us feel special, even when we wonder if we deserve it.

In truth, our pets often provide us a lifeline that gets us through dark times and loneliness.

So, how can we possibly navigate the difficult times when our pet approaches a point where quality of life is diminishing or has changed abruptly for the worse? We can often intellectually process that an aging or ailing pet is losing certain functions – eyesight, hearing, activity level – and sense that time is getting short, but processing the same information in our hearts can be a much harder task. This is even more difficult when the unexpected arises, such as trauma or cancer that strikes a younger pet.

exam and diagnostics, if appropriate. Your vet can also offer advice and even suggest ways to help lessen signs of aging or certain diseases, with pain relief or other appropriate medications.

If they offer it, acupuncture, well-chosen supplements and massage can be quite beneficial even with the most daunting diagnoses. Many times, exploring these “alternative” options can lead to high-quality extensions in our pets’ lives.

This still doesn’t completely avoid the decision-making process that comes with end-oflife discussions, but it can push the difficult choice off for a time. Over my years of being a veterinarian, I have acted as a confidant to several clients, friends and family members as they have navigated this difficult chapter in their pets’ lives. I have found the following to be useful.

especially in a heavier animal, can be daunting and may become an insurmountable problem: keeping the pet clean and safe while protecting your own back, etc. Again, at least in the short term, medication, supplements, acupuncture and massage/physical therapy can sometimes help improve function and strength.

If you are constantly worried about your pet and its quality of life or safety at home when you can’t be there to support them, this can be a guiding force in helping formulate humane decisions on whether to consider euthanasia. It isn’t always the answer, but it is worth exploring with your veterinarian.

This is a great time to reach out to your trusted veterinarian as well as possibly getting input from family or friends with whom you share a philosophy or those who also care for your pet. Choose wisely when deciding whom to ask.

Your veterinarian can help navigate the specifics of what might be happening via physical

When looking at quality of life in our furry loved ones, one of the most obvious to family members is a progressive lack of appetite that doesn’t respond to changing what food is offered. A variety of medications can possibly help, at least in the short term, and depending on what is happening with your pet. Sometimes offering bland foods such as eggs, pasta or pancakes can be more accepted than the usual delectable goodies like treats. When approaching end-of-life care, we worry much less about feeding a balanced diet than getting calories into our pet and giving them joy.

Progressive pain is another obvious issue. Severe weakness or difficulty getting around,

Euthanasia is a difficult subject to discuss, but in my experience, it is one of the most loving and humane decisions you can make for your pet when the time comes.

New Pioneer columnist, Micki McCabe, DVM, DACVIM, FAAVA, is a long-time Clayton resident. Email questions and comments to drmccabevet@gmail.com

Afghanistan has a long history of continuous warfare.

Going back to the days of Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan, foreign powers have occupied this land connecting Europe with Central Asia.

In recent history, the old Soviet Union and the United States both failed to tame these proud people. Ill-fated military efforts, conducted in mountainous terrain, led to the mass immigration of political refugees to the United States.

Contra Costa County has been a landing spot for thousands of these people, with several opening restaurants to make a living in their new home.

One such place is Kunduz Kabab at 3999 Clayton Road in Concord, started a year ago by Amanullah Makhdomi, a former interpreter for the U.S. government. He serves Afghanistan cuisine using his mom’s recipes. Having nine brothers and sisters to feed, many meals needed to be prepared while he was growing up.

At Kunduz, named for a province in Northern Afghanistan, where the family once resided, the signature dishes are kababs. The marinated skewers feature Halal-raised chicken, beef and lamb.

When he first opened, Amanullah cooked these tasty treats on a charcoal-fueled fire outside his back door. The city and fire department intervened, claiming it a fire hazard. For now, he prepares the kababs in the kitchen.

Afghan Cuisine adds flavor to local culinary scene

Not to be missed is the Mantu, dumplings filled with ground beef, onions and exotic spices covered with a tangy yogurt sauce. This is the best rendition of the classic Afghani delicacy I’ve had since Zalla moved to Danville more than five years ago.

Bolani is another Afghan standard. The fried flat bread is stuffed with a choice of potato, pumpkin or leeks and served with a delicious spicy dip. Not to be missed is the Qabili Palau, comprised of several vegetables, spices and a choice of meats, served on a bed of basmati rice.

My favorite menu item is the Bodinjon Borani. I normally don’t care much for roasted eggplant, but this dish, covered with a rich tomato, herb, yogurt mixture, simply melts in your mouth. This and many other dishes can be ordered vegetarian to accommodate non-meat eaters.

On my next trip to Kunduz, I am eager to sample their Chainaki lamb stew, cooked in a clay pot, and several other intriguing menu selections. Afghanistan shares borders with several countries, including Turkmenistan, Iran and Pakistan. These neighbors’ influence is evident in regional cuisines.

My only “complaint” with Kunduz is the size of their portions. In most cases, they are too large for the appetite of one person. Although they feature several combo plate options geared for individuals, this restaurant is best enjoyed splitting dishes by two or more diners.

Kunduz has a large Afghan following locally and from the entire Bay Area. It has limited seating, so reservations are especially recommended on weekends at 925-471-0033.

CHOPANANOTHEROPTION

On the other side of town is another excellent Afghan restaurant, Chopan Kabob.

Owner Javed Ahmadi has operated this business for 16 years. Because of the war being waged by Russia, Javed’s family was displaced by frequent bombings. Fleeing across the border to Pakistan, the family was able to immigrate to the United States in 1992.

While Chopin Kabob offers most of the dishes served at Kunduz, there are many subtle differences between these two excellent restaurants. Their Tandoori chicken and fish have ties to nearby Pakistan. Chopin’s basmati rice is unique, richly seasoned with cumin.

Especially enjoyable is the Beef Chapel Kabob, seasoned ground sirloin infused with fresh scallions, cilantro and Afghan spices, cooked in a clay oven. They offer several ver-

If you’ve read the 1995 novel, enjoyed the Broadway play or seen the fantastical new movie “Wicked” at the movie theater, then you know: There is a sensible reason the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba Thropp, abruptly leaves mainstream Oz and the Wizard for her independent pursuit of justice. When Elphaba abandons the “powers that be,” they label her the “Wicked Witch” mainly because, unlike the others, she refuses to accept the status quo, which she believes is seriously off kilter. I can identify.

sions of this dish with different levels of spice.

I also enjoyed the Tikka Beef steak flavored by a delicious marinade. On future visits to Chopan and Kunduz, I will

endeavor to ask for the beef and lamb to be less cooked to accommodate my “rarer” taste profile. Ordinarily, Afghans serve their meats on the welldone side.

Chopan Kabob is located at the edge of the Las Montanas Shopping Center at 2691A in Concord. Phone 925-689-5488. Neither of these restaurants offer alcoholic beverages. In addition to these full-service choices are several Afghan fast food places in Concord. Among them are Sam’s Kebab, International Market and Grill, the Kebab Shop and Aga Grill. All of these places offer healthier options than the usual bun and run hamburger places. Afghan cuisine has evolved into an important component of the diverse local culinary scene.

Rich Eber is a local journalist and long time resident of Concord. He covers topics from politics to gourmet food. Contact him at richeber9@gmail.com.

Maybe the Wicked Witch isn’t so wicked after all

In the political world, I’ve been called a witch by some, the “Queen of Mean” and the “Al Davis of Contra Costa County” by others … mainly for my hard work ethic in campaigns and my courageous take no prisoners approach to winning elections. (I might add, if I were a man, my label would be “good at his job.”)

Much like Elphaba, political consultants like me are often misunderstood. We rarely bow down to “the machine” and have our own vision for how effective government should work. Not everyone shares our vision, but it looks something like this:

Elected leaders should lead with courage. Even if they risk eventual defeat or they are vilified by mainstream politicos, our leaders should

stand up and do the right thing. Concord Mayor Edi Birsan, who recently suffered defeat in his re-election bid, is a courageous leader. He had a vision for Concord, always listened to differing views and was not afraid to stand up on the issues important to him.

(Thank you, Edi.)

Competency matters in our elected leaders. Just because a candidate is endorsed by the powers that be does not mean he or she is competent for the job. In fact, being a follower and going along with the “establishment” is often a hindrance to solving real problems. We have a lack of competency in local government today and have difficulty attracting good people to serve. Standing up and taking responsibility matters. As a

political strategist, I’m not afraid to bring to light documented truths, keeping my hits above the belt (maybe just slightly). But not all campaigners do that. This election season, the Contra Costa Building Trades did a mailer hitting county supervisor candidate Mike Barbanica that depicted people holding lit torches as if burning a person at the stake, calling him out as being associated with the KKK. Irresponsible, not true and definitely way over the line. They have yet to apologize. Our system of government is broken. It’s why I work as hard as I do to elect smart, competent individuals to office. We have big problems that require serious thinkers. Unfortunately, many

See Power, page 10

Richard Eber

Kunduz Kabab owner Amanullah Makhdomi proudly displays his kabab and rice delicacies.

RICHARD EBER TASTE & TELL

MARY JO ROSSI POWER PLAY

Ancient geological processes have made the Mount Diablo area rich in many types of rock and ores that act as starting points for creating important products.

Presently, the Clayton Aggregate Quarry on the south side of the mountain extracts diabase rock, a critical ingredient in concrete mixes used for buildings and roads. In the past, mines in the hills above Antioch yielded coal used as fuel to support the economy of 19th cen-

Clayton’s mining boom went bust pretty quickly

tury California. Not so well-known was the intense interest in copper mining that occurred in Clayton, largely due to the 1860 discovery of copper ore in Copperopolis. That small town in Calaveras County quickly became the largest producer of copper in the western United States as the metal was needed to manufacture munitions and shell casings for the Union Army during the Civil War. It seemed the small town of Clayton might strike it rich as well.

The price of copper kept rising, and when “a very rich copper lead” was discovered in the foothills near Clayton, as reported by the Contra Costa Gazette in March of 1863, two mining districts were quickly organized and a contract drawn up to build a road up Mitchell Canyon.

By April, the Gazette estimated about 15 companies and close to 500 people were involved in the copper boom, and Joel Clayton was building a smelting furnace. In May, the paper reported that “the copper excitement in this vicinity continues high and promises rather to increase than to abate.” Joel Clayton held a town lot auction on the 16th in anticipation of a real estate boom.

But, a notice appearing in the March 1864 issue of the Daily Alta reflects the common fate of Clayton copper mines –after the ores of a company in the Mount Diablo Mining District were judged “worthless” and the mine was to be abandoned.

A few mines were laboring on “in hope” in February 1866, but the price of copper had fallen from 55 cents to 19 cents per pound once the Civil War

ended in 1865.

In October 1867, the Daily Alta published an article relating a day a reporter spent on Mount Diablo “through the courtesy of” Joel Clayton,

describing him as “one of the solid men of the town, and genial withal, who is always very kind and attentive to strangers in search of information.”

The reporter and a neighbor

Winter meals just beg for the bright flavors of citrus

Editor’s Note: The Pioneer bids

Debra Morris a happy retirement with this, her last column for us. We thank her for 20 years of faithful farmers market coverage. For more stories about food in the Pioneer, see Cindy Gershen’s Farm to Taste column and Rich Eber’s Taste and Tell.

The cold winter months are here and with them comes delicious California citrus.

You will find many varieties at your local farmers market that you won’t see at the grocery store, and they’re brought to you fresh from the orchards of the farmers who grew them.

Look for tangerines and mandarins, sunny yellow lemons, lovely green limes, big grapefruit and even bigger pomelos, along with many varieties of oranges such as the blood orange and the Cara Cara. Researchers are develop-

ing varieties each year, so you might discover something new. Citrus was once king in California, with vast rolling hills of orange and lemon trees. Franciscan friars first brought them to the state to plant at the missions in the late 1700s. Others planted them in the 19th century as the “Second Gold Rush.” Citrus then spread to the rest of Southern California in the

early 20th century, with field after field of oranges, grapefruit and lemons.

The acreage is far less now, because housing has become a more profitable “crop.” But Ventura and San Joaquin counties still have a bounty of citrus trees. Smaller farms across the state also grow wonderful specialty citrus such as kefir limes, Golden Nugget tangerines, kumquats, pomelos, blood oranges, tangelos and other up-and-coming varieties. They grow mandarin oranges against the northern foothills, lemons near Santa Paula and Fillmore in Ventura County, and oranges on the flats of Fresno and Merced.

Citrus is the perfect accompaniment for heavy winter meals, offering bright fresh flavor, abundant nutrition and versatility of use.

Fresh citrus salads, delicious sauces, and tangy dressings and marinades can lighten any meal. Here’s a nice dessert to try this holiday season.

CANDIED ORANGE SLICES DIPPEDIN DARK CHOCOLATE

1½ c. sugar

1 c. water

2 blood oranges, sliced crosswise into quarter-inchthick pieces

5 oz. good-quality dark chocolate (preferably 70% cocoa), chopped Maldon salt for garnish

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved completely, about five minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add orange slices and simmer until translucent, 20-30 minutes.

Remove pan from heat and let cool completely, about two hours, in a cool spot. Place waxed paper over a sheet pan. Using tongs, remove the slices, shaking off excess syrup, and place them on the rack in a single layer. Let the slices dry overnight. Reserve the syrup for another use.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl placed over simmering water in a saucepan. Melt the chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.

Drag half of each candied orange slice through the chocolate, then place on the parchment in a single layer to dry. Garnish with Maldon salt. Leave until the chocolate has set, about one hour.

The Concord Farmers Market is in Todos Santos Plaza Tuesdays.

drove a wagon “behind a pair of fast nags” up what was probably Mitchell Canyon to spend the day viewing the tunnels of abandoned mines and examining ore specimens.

“Here was a field for thought and romance, and more particularly to holders of Mount Diablo copper stock,” he wrote. “Once upon a time, hundreds of miners were at work in this locality, eager in their search for wealth, but suddenly the bubble burst. Now the mines are deserted, and not a sound can be heard save the moaning of the wind among the pines.”

Debbie Eistetter is a board member of the Clayton Historical Society. For more information visit claytonhistory.org. The Clayton Museum is open 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays at 6101 Main St.. Admission is free.

from page 9

of our elected officials believe public service is handing out awards, smiling for the cameras and posting on social media. This needs to change. So as my final good-bye to 2024, let me say this: I’m not going to stop working to elect competent, courageous candidates in the Bay Area. In fact, I plan to start identifying, convincing and training the kind of elected leaders we need to turn this place around. Yup, I may be a witch. But, like Elphaba, I’m not so wicked. I just believe we can do so much better for the residents of this great region.

Mary Jo Rossi is a local political strategist managing state/local campaigns for more than 40 years and is owner of Rossi Communications in Concord.

Clayton Historical Society

Miners populated Clayton in the 1860s and 1870s.

DEBBIE EISTETTER THE WAY WE WERE

DEBRA MORRIS FARMERS MARKET

SPORTS & LIFESTYLE

There’s a cliché in sports that a player or coach doesn’t want to say something before a game that might inspire their opponent. It’s called “bulletin board material” because that team will put the quote on their bulletin board to remind its players of that real or imagined slight.

De La Salle’s football team has enjoyed unprecedented success over the decades and just recently edged long-time rival Pittsburg 10-7 to win its 32nd straight North Coast Section football championship to qualify for this Saturday’s CIF State Open Division bowl game against National No. 1 team Mater Dei.

Coach Justin Alumbaugh doesn’t need to tell his players anything to get them excited for this ultimate game in California high school football that is the team’s goal at the start of every season. However, when CalPrep.com this week posted the Spartans as 41-point underdogs that is something which might rev up the Concord school’s players just a little extra.

That comes on the heels of an article esteemed Los Angeles Times prep sportswriter Eric Sondheimer penned Dec. 2 asking “Is the state’s Open Division football title game viable for the future?”

He queried that with Mater Dei and their rivals Saint John Bosco winning the past seven Open Division bowl games— the last three over Serra-San Mateo by a combined 124-7 score—should the North vs.

such standouts.

De La Salle and Mater Dei are each undefeated at 12-0 with Mater Dei holding a pair of wins over Bosco. Alumbaugh was on hand two weeks ago when Mater Dei defeated Bosco 31-24 to take the SouCal title and set up the matchup with the Spartans.

De La Salle needed runningback Dominic Kelley’s heroics in the fourth quarter at rain-soaked Diablo Valley College almost three weeks ago to defeat Pittsburg for the 34th consecutive time—-usually in NCS playoff games—-since that now famous 1991 Section title game when the Pirates handed the Spartans their last defeat by a NCS team.

Since then, De La Salle has 277 wins and one tie to Clayton Valley when facing an NCS foe.

Pittsburg will be going to the CIF Division 1-AA bowl game this Friday after stunning Folsom by overcoming a 21point deficit in the Regional Bowl game last weekend. Earli-

er this season Pitt traveled south and showed they could hang with Bosco for a good part of the game before losing 35-14.

OTHER LOCALTEAMS

DROP NCS OPENERS Clayton Valley Charter was seeded seventh in the Open/Division I playoffs drawing Pittsburg in its opening game and losing 35-14 at Pirate Stadium to end the Ugly Eagles season. In Division III, Northgate was No. 3 and led San Leandro 24-17 going to the fourth quarter in Walnut Creek before a TD and two-point conversion stopped the Broncos six-game winning streak 25-24. No. 7 College Park gave second seed and

South finale become a thing of the past.

Prior to this SouCal domination which began in 2016, De La Salle won four straight CIF Open titles from 2009-12 and six of seven overall through 2015. Over the years DLS has lost three State finals to Bosco and two to MD.

During its historic 151game winning streak from 1992-2003 prior to the State football playoffs starting in 2006, the Spartans played Mater Dei three years in a row,

winning all three. The Spartans have been in a State Bowl Game every year but 2021, a record unmatched by any school in any division of the state playoffs. On the downside, DLS has lost its last six State bowl games.

Bosco and Mater Dei have not only dominated the State championship game—beating De La Salle for the first four of those seven consecutive titles—but the better of those two schools is usually crowned as America’s top team as well.

Mater Dei sits atop the national polls entering Saturday night’s finale at Saddleback College while their Concord foes are 22nd and Bosco seventh.

With transfers of high school players so prevalent, especially in SouCal during the past decade, Bosco and Mater Dei each typically have several dozen future Division I players on their packed rosters whereas NorCal powers like DLS, Pitt, Folsom and Serra might have a handful of

JAY BEDECARRÉ

The Pioneer

Athlete Spotlight

Colin Farley

School: Clayton Valley Charter High

Grade: Senior Sport: Soccer

Clayton Valley Charter soccer player Farley had to fight his way to the top, proving his strength and determination as a student athlete. At a young age, Farley experienced playing several sports, including tennis, soccer, basketball and taekwondo. Since he began playing it at age five, soccer appeared to be the one that stuck. Bouncing from team to team as a kid, Farley has now settled on Mustang SC as his club team. His main focus, however, lies with CVC varsity soccer. He began his high school soccer career on junior varsity, where he usually did not get any minutes of play during a game. Since he’s a goalkeeper there is only one spot on the field while the other 10 positions offer opportunities for all outfield players on a team. However, he kept working and by the end of his sophomore season he was the varsity team’s starting goalkeeper. In fact, he started the Ugly Eagles game in the Northern California CIF Division I playoffs against eventual state champions Davis. During his sophomore season he received all-Diablo Athletic League honorable mention and was named first team allDAL as a junior.

Farley’s leadership on the field translates to his role as a team captain where he guides his teammates. Farley and crew hope to advance further this season after losing in the North Coast Section semifinals the past two seasons.

Coach Guillermo Jara says, “Colin, the protector of the house! He continues to uphold the traditions and creed of our Ugly Soccer program. He has grit and is a team leader on and off the field. I am proud to be his

Farley’s growth on the field has had a few setbacks with several minor injuries hindering his play. He reflects on his experience as an Ugly Eagle, “Making friends for life, people I can call my brothers, is my favorite part of being an athlete and representing CV.” In school, he maintains a 4.1 GPA as well as participating in Senior Men and pickleball clubs. Although he is still undecided on a school, Farley is looking forward to playing soccer in college, and he hopes to pursue a degree in either environmental science or finance.

CVCHS student journalist Corinne Jeandheur wrote this Spotlight.

The Pioneer congratulates Colin and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry.

Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement, or a great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.

31 senior athletes make their college commitments to schools in 16 states

JAY BEDECARRÉ

The Pioneer

November and December

National Letter of Intent days at four local high schools saw 31 seniors from Carondelet, Clayton Valley Charter, De La Salle and Northgate make college commitments for the fall.

For perhaps the first time ever, a large majority of the athletes will be enrolling in out-ofstate schools.

Twenty of the 31 signees will matriculate to campuses in New Jersey, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Colorado, Tennessee, Kansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Maryland, Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah and Nevada.

These athletes will be taking part in collegiate swimming, lacrosse, gymnastics, volleyball, soccer, softball, diving, baseball, basketball, football, track/cross country, wrestling, equestrian, golf and water polo.

There are two more NLI days for the class of 2024-25 on Feb. 5 and April 16.

CARONDELET

Ellie Butler (Swimming, Vanderbilt)

Abigail Cheun (Lacrosse, Rider University)

Jessica Drobick (Gymnastics, Penn)

Bella Ehrlich (Volleyball, Boston College)

Miranda Goldner (Soccer, Idaho)

Lillie King (Volleyball, Saint Michael’s College)

Katie Lakin (Soccer, Mississippi)

Maia Scholtens (Softball, UC Davis)

Samantha Walker (Soccer, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)

CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER

Molly Gray (Diving, Stanford)

Fabian Gomez, (Baseball UC Santa Barbara)

Elijah Perryman (Basketball, Utah State)

Chase Duarte (Football, San Diego State)

Logan Knapp (Football, Oregon State)

DE LA SALLE

Trey Caldwell (Track & Cross Country, Colorado)

Toa Faavae (Football, Idaho)

Jed Johnson (Swimming, Cal Poly SLO)

Derrick Blanche Jr. (Football, Portland State)

DJ Asiasi (Football, Nevada Reno)

Danny Schaeffer (Lacrosse, Maryland)

Alexander Ortiz, (Wrestling, Franklin and Marshall College)

Antonio Castro (Baseball, Cal Poly SLO)

Joshua Kim (Golf, UCLA)

Davidka Skov (Water Polo, UC San Diego)

Alex Burks (Basketball and Baseball, Oklahoma)

Matthew Johnson (Football, Oregon)

NORTHGATE

Braddy Cannon (Swimming, University of Illinois at Chicago)

Mackenzie Hudson (Softball, Fort Hays State College)

Audrey Cheng (Golf, Cal State Monterey Bay)

Camille Panuwat (Equestrian, University of Tennessee at Martin)

Kyle Kengla (Swimming, UC San Diego)

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coach.”

Clayton Valley celebrated three athletes at a November NLI day ceremony in the school gym honoring, from left, Fabian Gomez, Molly Gray and Elijah Perryman.

The December NLI Day at De La Salle saw DJ Asiasi, Jed Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Derrick Blanche Jr., Toa Faavae, Alec Blair and Davidka Skov make theircollegecommitments.

Northgate’s fall group of seniors signing NLI included, from left, Mackenzie Hudson, Braddy Cannon, Kyle Kengla and Audrey Cheng. Not pictured, Camille Panuwat.

Carondelet’s fall national letters of intent signees were, from left, Bella Ehrlich, Miranda Goldner, Katie Lakin, Samantha Walker, Ellie Butler, Abigail Cheun, Lillie King, Jessica Drobick and Maia Scholtens.

De La Salle had five boys ink NLI in November. They were, from left, Danny Schaeffer, Trey Caldwell, Antonio Castro, Joshua Kim and Alexander Ortiz.

Sacred Heart Prep dashes fairytale finish for Carondelet, De La Salle

De La Salle and Carondelet

upset the apple cart at the North Coast Section Open Division water polo playoffs by winning the boys and girls championships by beating higher seeds in all four games the Concord parochial schools won.

The Cougars and Spartans took that momentum into the Northern California playoffs a week later, winning two games each to reach the playoff finals. In the championship games Sacred Heart Prep of Atherton proved too strong in both games to bring a premature end to those post-season runs.

Robert Arroyo coaches De La Salle while his wife Cat Arroyo leads the Cougars. The Concord schools now have five Section water polo titles between them since 2021.

In the Open Division semifinals both Concord teams came away with victories to reach the NCS championship game. The Cougars defeated three-time defending champions Miramonte 5-4 while De La Salle rose up as the fourth

seed to topple No. 1 boys team Campolindo 8-7. The boys final for the fourth successive year pitted Miramonte against DLS. The Spartans won the 2021 and ‘22 finals before the Orinda school turned the tables last fall. This go-round it was De La Salle taking a classic triple overtime sudden death win 14-13.

In the girls finale, Campolindo was the No. 1 seed and

hosted Carondelet, third seeded, in a battle of Cougars. The Concord Cougars prevailed 86 in the only of four Open Division games played by the local schools decided by more than one goal.

At NorCals, De La Salle was named Division I top seed off its NCS exploits and defeated Buchanan 16-9 and Campo 14-8 before running into No. 2 Sacred Heart in the

finals and losing 9-7. Carondelet also eased into the NorCal finals with victories 11-6 over Acalanes and 10-5 vs. Arroyo Grande. The Cougars were second seeds while Sacred Heart upheld its top seed and No. 1 ranking in America with an 11-4 championship victory over Carondelet.

CALDWELLCAPS PREP CROSS COUNTRY CAREER 3RD AT STATE

Northgate girls in Division III and Division II College Park boys each won North Coast Section cross country team championships while De La Salle senior Trey Caldwell won the NCS Division II boys individual title in dominant fashion and followed up at CIF State with a third-place finish.

College Park’s Jack Rattary was second at NCS to Caldwell and then finished 16th at State. Rattary and his Falcon teammates were seven points better than DLS in the D-II team standings at NCS.

Freshman Camila Terrazas was the top finisher for the Northgate Broncos at NCS as they overcame perennial power Campolindo for an impressive championship performance.

Junior Gretchen Yakaitis of Carondelet placed fifth for the top individual placing.

SPORTS SHORTS

CONCORD AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION FORSPRING BALL OPEN

Concord American Little League is accepting registration for its spring baseball season. The league’s website has complete information for t-ball (ages 4-6) through juniors (14). Player evaluations are Jan. 18 and 25 for players 7-13. Players 4-7 can take part in CALL regardless of where they live or attend school. Practice begins Feb.10, opening day is Mar. 22 and closing day is May 31. Visit concordamericanlittleleague.org for details and to register.

CLAYTON VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUESOFTBALL, BASEBALLPLAYERREGISTRATION OPEN

Registration for Clayton Valley Little League is open for the spring season for softball and baseball. Baseball and softball programs are offered for boys and girls ages four through 14+. Players must reside within CVLL boundaries. Tryouts are in January and the season runs through early June. The CVLL program includes a Challenger Division for players with disabilities and special needs ages 4-18. A new pilot CVLL select program allows chosen players to participate on both a recreational and CVLL travel team during the spring season. Visit claytonvalleylittleleague.org for complete information and to register.

JUNIOR OPTIMISTTAKING SPRING BASEBALLSIGNUPS

Junior Optimist Baseball League is taking registration for baseball ages 4-12 and girls softball 4-8 for its spring season. JOBL is part of Cal Ripken Baseball. Player evaluations will be Jan. 18 and 25. JOBL started in 1963 and plays all its games at the JOBL Complex in North Concord. Visit joblconcord.com or email info@joblconcord.com for more information and to register.

CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTERBASEBALL

OFFERS 2 HOLIDAY CAMPSTHISMONTH

Instruction in throwing, fielding, hitting and baserunning will be offered at the Clayton Valley Charter Holiday Baseball Camp on Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 21-22 at the Concord school’s varsity field. Ugly Eagles coaches and players will instruct players 5-12 years of age in all skill levels. Sessions are held rain or shine 9 a.m. to noon. Campers will also be involved in friendly competitions. For more information or to register for one or both sessions email cvchsbaseballcamps@gmail.com or call (925) 3053684.

YGNACIO VALLEY HIGHANNOUNCES 6 IN NEW ATHLETIC HALL OF FAMECLASS

Ygnacio Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2025 to be honored Mar. 22 with a dinner and induction ceremony at Zio Fraedo’s in Pleasant Hill. The newest members are Ryan Carey (Class of 1991), Lara Canders (2008), Tom Prado (1987), Richard Ravreby (1969), Matt Vaughn (1987) and golf coach Greg Williams. For complete information and to obtain tickets starting next month to the Mar. 22 event visit yvathletichof.com.

PLEASANT HILL BASEBALL ASSOCIATION OPENFOR SIGNUPS

The all-volunteer Pleasant Hill Baseball Association, which was founded in 1958, is accepting signups for spring season. New player evaluations are on Jan.11 and practice begins Feb. 1. Baseball and softball programs are for girls and boys ages 5-13+. For more information visit the PHBA website phba.org.

CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTERFLAG FOOTBALLPROGRAM LOOKING FOR GIRLS TO REGISTER

Clayton Valley Charter High School hosts its fourth Be Elite Flag Football season starting Jan 19 through Mar. 23. The co-ed program is open to kindergarten through eighth grade students. There are no tryouts or draft, and everyone plays offense and defense. No football experience is necessary. High school girls flag football has been a big success in its first two seasons and the 10-week CVC flag season for girls in second through fifth grades is taking registrations. Coaching is by student athlete mentors. For registration information contact CVCHS football coach Nick Tisa at nick.tisa@claytonvalley.org or visit BeEliteAthlete.com.

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 are doing. Include all the necessary details (too much information is better than too little!) and your contact information. It is as simple as sending an email to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.

Athlete Spotlight

Michael Albert

Grade: Senior

School: US Performance Academy Team: Olds Grizzly's Sport: Ice Hockey

When Michael Albert was attending Mt. Diablo Elementary and Diablo View Middle School and was swimming for the Dana Hills Swim Team and playing on Clayton Valley Little League teams, neither he nor his family could have envisioned how the next four years would play out.

Now a high school senior, Albert is finishing his senior year through United States Performance Academy, which says it is “the online school for elite athletes.” And he’s not doing this course work from his Clayton family home.

Instead, he is 1344 miles away playing semi-pro hockey in the Alberta Junior Hockey League as a rookie for the Olds Grizzly's.

Albert began skating at four years old with older brother Jim at Dublin Iceland. His talent shown as he progressed in age and hockey levels. By the time high school rolled around his family enrolled him at St. Mary's High School in Stockton so he could play for coach Domenic Pittis, former development coach for the NHL Calgary Flames and Hockey Canada. For three years he commuted to Stockton and racked up achievements and laurels on the ice. He played for the San Jose Jr. Sharks AAA program from 20182021 and for both the Sharks and St. Mary's his freshman year due to Covid.

As a junior he was the No. 1 ranked California

high school ice hockey player and was All-Star MVP of the San Jose Sharks NorCal High School Hockey League. Before his senior year Albert signed to play Canadian Junior-A Hockey in the Alberta Junior Hockey League for the Olds Grizzly's. The forward is hoping this experience and exposure will lead to an NCAA Division I college program and eventually professional hockey. A recent scouting report said, "Although a bit undersized, Albert is an effective grinder who holds his own against older, physically imposing competition. When defending, Albert gives the opposition little room to operate. Stays tight on his man and doesn't go chasing the puck. Offensively, Albert finds ways to contribute and keep the pace of the game flowing...he's shown he can bury it.”

The Pioneer congratulates Michael and thanks to Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades 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 a great heart. Send your nomination for Athlete Spotlight to sports@pioneerpublishers.com

Photo courtesy De La Salle Athletics

The NCS Open Division boys water polo final for the fourth successive year pitted Miramonte against DLS with the Spartans winning a triple overtime sudden death classic 14-13 on junior Hayden Tully’schampionship winning goal sparking wild celebrations in and out of the pools.

Photo courtesy Carondelet Athletics

Carondelet gave up a halftime lead and then had to rally for an 8-6 championship game victory over host and No. 1 seed Campolindo in NCS Open Division girls. The Concord school led 4-1 at halftime but following Campo’s strong second half push Carondelet needed to score four of the game’s final five goals for their first-ever Open Division title in the spot.

JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

2024 Sports Year in Review: Nothing like the Olympics to grab the headlines

JAY BEDECARRÉ

When I get an email message from The Pioneer editor saying she would like a Sports Year in Review story for December, the easiest way to start tabulating feats worthy of inclusion is to go through the sports pages of the January to November issues of the paper.

As I began to do that this month, I quickly realized the assignment actually had to start with the front page of the Pioneer. Between January and August, sports stories were prominently featured on the front page on five of those months and 80% of the August front page was filled by two sports stories.

With the Paris Olympics one

of the biggest stories in the world during 2024, it’s not surprising that the narratives of three local athletes attempting to make the American team and their subsequent exploits on the wrestling mat and in the water were BIG NEWS and not just locally.

Amit Elor, who first came to prominence just five years ago as a State high school wrestling champion for College Park, became a world-wide sensation, becoming the youngest American wrestler —male or female— to win Olympic gold.

As she has done while winning eight world championships since 2021, Elor dispatched all four of her Olympic opponents to win the first USA gold on the mat in Paris.

Another local wrestler, Peyton Omania, didn’t make it to Paris. The first-ever state champion for De La Salle High, the Concord wrestler competed in the final US Olympic Trials for Greco Roman wresting in the 67 kilograms (147.7 pounds) weight class, which was considered the most competitive of the six weight classes at the Trials with three former Olympians plus Omania, who represented the country at the 2021 World Championships, in the field of 11 wrestlers.

Omania wasn’t able to prevail at Trials to earn a coveted ticket to Paris.

Clayton’s Kara Kohler did earn her third Olympic berth on the American rowing team. She was the country’s single sculler

‘Reach Up’ offers a symphony of life lessons

Author Ginette DePreist (family name not revealed) graduated from high school in Quebec City, Canada, at age 15. Her goal had been to become a nurse until she found that she could not enter nursing school until she was 18.

Early on in “Reach Up,” readers learn how adept Ginette is in adapting to whatever life has in store. Before long, she had a job in a popular bakery, which led to a temp job at a local newspaper, which then led to a job with the Canadian Broadcasting Co.

By the time Ginette reached age 18, she loved where her working life took her. She was financially independent and proud that she was not adding to her parents’ family expenses.

In 1975, as assistant producer of the popular, live morning show, “Bonjour Chez Vous” (Good Morning at Home), Ginette attended a press conference welcoming James DePreist, the new music director of the Quebec Symphony. She describes the “tall (over 6’4”), bearded Black man” whose “overwhelming” presence totally captured those in attendance, especially her. That was the beginning of a mutually admiring friendship that grew into love, and then marriage. “Reach Up” is Ginette’s story of the amazing life she shared with DePreist for more than 30 years – a life she would never have imagined, but a life she would embrace with all the enthusiasm she

for the second successive Olympics. The 2012 Olympic bronze medal winner in quad took fifth in the Paris Olympic singles finals race in a very talented field.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF 1974 CONCORD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The world of swimming was focused on Concord Community Pool from Aug. 22 to Sept. 1, 1974 when the city “captured the hearts of the swimming world.”

From Aug. 22 to Sept. 1, 1974, Concord Community Pool hosted six days of swimming that was unprecedented outside of an Olympics. The annual United States AAU National Long Course Championships were Aug. 22-25 followed by the United States vs. German Democratic Republic dual meet on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. World records were set each of the six days.

Swimming World, the bible of aquatic sports, went on to say of Concord in a front-page editorial in the October 1974 issue, “You made this a meet that will be long remembered….it was one for the books. It was six days of swimming never equaled in the United States.”

Over those six days in Concord there were 25 world records and 47 American records tied or broken as the two

meets drew world-wide media attention. American, Canadian, Australian, Commonwealth, Brazilian, European and GDR (East Germany) records were smashed one after another, bringing thrills to the over 35,000 spectators that filled the temporary bleachers at the pool.

MANY MORENOTEWORTHY STORIES

Of course, there was so much more sports action close to home during 2024. Here are highlights we’ve selected for this review:

Recreation swimming: Both long-time fixtures on the local recreation swim scene, Springwood and Vista Diablo swim teams, did not host programs this year, putting at risk their long-term fates. It’s very possible that the Springwood pool and property may be sold.

Forest Park dramatically won its seventh County Meet title, this time in Division III while three-time Division I champs Dana Hills were overtaken this year by Rancho San Miguel. DHST did capture the Concord City Swimming Championships A Division for the 31st time in the past 32 meets. Significantly, the meet retuned to Concord Community Pool after being moved to Northgate High School since the pandemic.

Concord High sports team are now the Bears after introduc-

ing their new mascot Grizz at a school rally in February.

De La Salle football will write its final 2024 chapter this Saturday in Southern California at the Open Division Bowl Game (See Page B1). With their 32nd straight North Coast Section title, the Spartans are 12-0 entering the State finals.

Mt. Diablo High football won the Diablo Athletic League Mountain Division this year. It was the first time Red Devils football won a league championship since they were cochamps with Antioch in 1972. They were last undisputed league titlists in 1963.

Pleasant Hill High School inducted its first class of athletes, coaches and teams to the

school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, 44 years after the

ball was returned to the

Athletic League with

fare after a contentious

to

Understanding your Medicare options

brought to her life in Quebec. What will fascinate readers, especially those who may already be concert aficionados, are not only the particular events and difficulties faced and overcome by DePriest (polio, racism, employment, illness), but the fact that with his many conductor roles as music director, he brought an unusual ability to understand the financial, social and orchestral machinations embedded in the world of successful symphony orchestras.

His background included jazz, a degree from Wharton and, because his aunt was Marian Anderson, an awareness of the difficulty serious Black performers faced, especially in the United States. DePreist was handsome, talented, funny, tough, loving and lucky that as conductor and music director of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, he met Ginette, who became his loving partner for life.

It was a life of highs and lows, twists and turns, and always of love. DePreist died of a heart attack in 2012. Ginette returned to Portland, Ore., where Jimmy led the Oregon Symphony to world renown and where they both felt most at home.

“Reach Up” is heartfelt and educational at the same time. When I next attend a symphony, I will wonder how many competitions the conductor had entered and how long before recognition was received. I will watch the conductor’s movements and how the musicians look at the conductor.

And based on the talent and drive of James DePreist, I hope the American world of symphony orchestras opens its symphonic halls to more musicians without regard to race and gender.

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.’

In July 2025, Medicare will (I hope) celebrate its 60th birthday. Signed into law on July 30, 1965, by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the program was designed to provide basic healthcare for older Americans. Medicare’s original main function was to pay the cost of hospitalization for those no longer insured by an employer –Medicare Part A.

Now, Part A covers both hospitalization and skilled nursing care post hospitalization. Part B covers physicians as well as other outpatient services.

Nearly all beneficiaries enrolled in Part A also enroll in Part B.

In 1997, the Medicare Plus Choice Program debuted –allowing Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to participate. Medicare Part C, aka Medicare Advantage, is now responsible for nearly half of the country’s Medicare beneficiaries.

In 2003, Congress enacted the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA) in response to the increasing cost of prescription drugs. This is Medicare Part D.

In 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to negotiate with Medicare on pricing for a limited number of brand-name drugs. It imposes penalties on drug companies if their prices rise faster than inflation. The IRA sets a cap on out-of-pocket (OOP) spending by the beneficiary under Part D.

All in all, Medicare continues to be a blessing for countless Americans. Moving forward, we may see a push toward Managed Medicare (Medicare Advantage) and away from traditional Fee for Service (FFS)

Medicare. Under traditional Medicare, beneficiaries pay a monthly premium for Part B and choose a Part D plan. They can see any participating provider. There is a deductible and a 20% copay once it is met. The beneficiary does not need a referral to see a specialist. It does not generally cover vision, hearing or dental.

A beneficiary may enroll in supplemental insurance (Medigap). There is no out-of-pocket limit, outside of Part D. Medicare Advantage offers cost variations. There may be a monthly premium over and above that expected for Part B. Beneficiaries usually must make copays. Generally, the beneficiary is expected to see only innetwork providers and will need referrals to specialists. In most cases, the plan will provide Part D services. Plans may cover vision, hearing and possibly dental, but there may be a higher premium. There is an annual out-of-pocket limit.

Making a choice requires some consideration. I advise you to look closely at the options, beginning with a visit to www.medicare.gov. Different

plans work for different individuals at different stages in life. Thankfully, beneficiaries can reconsider annually during open enrollment.

Medicare has been the cornerstone of America’s commitment to elder care since 1965. President Johnson put it best:

“None (of the elderly) ever get enough. They are entitled to it. That’s an obligation of ours. It’s just like your mother writing you and saying she wants $20, and I’d always sent mine a $100 when she did. I never did it because I thought it was going to be good for the economy of Austin. I always did it because I thought she was entitled to it. And I think that’s a much better reason and a much better cause and I think it can be defended on a better basis. … We do know that it affects the economy … it helps us in that respect. But that’s not the basis to go to the Hill, or the justification. We’ve just got to say that, by God, you can’t treat Grandma this way. She’s entitled and we promised it to her.”

Please send comments to newwavenightingale@gmail.com.

Life’s fleeting moments bring home the importance of family, friends and Concord’s rich community offerings

Time seems to slip through our fingers faster than we can catch it.

The days blur together: One minute it’s Monday morning, and before you know it, the weekend is over.

We’ve all experienced this phenomenon, and it feels as though the years only accelerate as we grow older. As parents, we often find ourselves echoing the words of our own parents: “Time flies; cherish it while you can.” And for good reason –life has a way of reminding just how fleeting it really is.

For many, including myself, recent personal losses have only intensified the realization that what truly matters is the time we spend with family and friends. It doesn’t take grand gestures to make lasting memories. Sometimes, the small moments leave the biggest impact.

As we navigate our busy

lives, we must remember that our richest experiences often come from the people with whom we share them. And luckily, the Concord community offers plenty of opportunities to do just that.

Our Concord Chamber of Commerce hosts monthly events that bring together some of the most creative, hardwork-

ing and passionate people in the area. These gatherings are a great way to network, share ideas and expand your circle –all while enjoying the vibrant spirit of Concord. In a recent conversation with a wise woman from the city of Concord, she shared an interesting insight: “Concord has become a mecca for birthday parties.” This city is brimming with unique venues that are perfect for celebrating special occasions, especially kids’ birthdays.

You can take your little ones to Hurricane Harbor, enjoy the challenge at ATC or Red Door escape rooms, get active with simulators at Drive Sims, or rent a lane at Round 1 Bowling and Clayton Bowl.

For more adventurous spirits, there’s Jumpity Bumpity, Pixie Land Amusement Park, Ultimate Sports Connection and Urban Air.

And this list barely scratches the surface. Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a big celebration, there’s no shortage of ways to create lasting memories. In the end, the best part of any celebration is the time spent together. Whether it’s a birthday party, a weekend BBQ or a quiet afternoon with family, the moments we share with those closest to us are what make life truly rich.

As you enjoy what our local businesses have to offer, I encourage you to show kindness to those serving you and to prioritize shopping within our Concord zip code whenever possible.

For businesses and organizations interested in learning more about the Concord Chamber of Commerce, visit www.concordchamber.com. Let’s continue to strengthen our community together.

school closed. Clayton Valley Charter foot-

Diablo

little fan-

move by NCS

the East Bay Athletic League in 2018. The school also named the field in Gonsalves Stadium Tim Murphy Field, honoring the former State championship winning coach. Clayton Valley Charter diver Molly Gray won the CIF State championship after finishing second as a freshman and sophomore. Her junior classmate Abbi Cooper placed seventh at the CIF wrestling championships following her third straight NCS title.

Photo courtesy USRowing

Clayton rower Kara Kohler competed in her third Olympics on the American rowing team. She was the country’s single sculler for the second successive Olympics and took fifth in the Paris singles finals race in a very talented field.

Photo courtesy Elor family Amit Elor became the youngest American wrestler of either gender to win Olympic gold and that August evening in Paris celebrated in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower with her coach Sara McMann who won Olympic bronze 20 years previously.

The Pioneer

SUNNY SOLOMON BOOKIN’ WITH SUNNY

NATHALIE MONTIJO NEW WAVE NIGHTINGALE

KEVIN CABRAL CHAMBEROF COMMERCE

’Twas the Sunday before Christmas, and all through the Firehouse, lots of happiness is stirring, and don’t worry, it doesn’t include any mice.

What it does include, however, is a rare big-screen presentation of the magical musical movie “Once Upon a Time Step” featuring a colorful musical revue with song and dance numbers from “Cinderella,” “Aladdin and the Lamp,” “Snow White,” “Jack and the

Local theaters unwrap holiday magic

Beanstalk” and more.

But that’s not all, there will also be a live musical stage show featuring Santa Claus and the Elves performing holiday favorites. After the show, audience members can mingle and take photos with the characters.

Presented by East Bay Children’s Theatre, it takes place at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton, at 2 p.m. Dec. 22. Costumes and over-thetop holiday attire are encouraged. There is even a prize for the ugliest sweater.

The show lasts approximately one hour. To reserve tickets, go to www.firehousearts.org.

Star Quest presents “Magical Music Tour” with lots of singing, dancing, Dis-

Christmas music is fascinating. Some people genuinely love it, while most I know love to hate it.

Maybe we’re exhausted by the Christmas carols parodies in all those holiday ads; maybe it’s the redundancy factor of hearing different renditions of the same tired tunes year after year; or maybe we just simply resent these cloyingly festive jingles playing everywhere we go during a time that is often hectic and stressful.

Whatever the reason, I’ve always been with the “bah humbug” camp with Christmas music, but that changed for me back in 2020.

Part of this came from making the most of our first non-gathering holiday at home. We had the turntable going all day, spinning old country and jazz records, with Christmas albums rotated in seamlessly. I discovered that I genuinely enjoy a handful of holiday classics, typically when done instrumentally, and especially with some prominent slide guitar. I even happen to have a few steel string Christmas records.

Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that I’m really digging “With Bells On,” the new holiday EP from Oakley multi-instrumentalist Michael Edward Scott. The five-song instrumental release features familiar classics, served up in the style of electric guitar-driven Western

For tickets, call 925-9437469 or go to www.centerrep.org.

You can also join Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Lesher Center for an immersive, live theater experience courtesy of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. To set up your private meeting and photo opportunity, call 925-9437469 or go to www.centerrep.org.

Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., has its own take on holiday entertainment with “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!).”

Running through Dec. 21,

this fast-paced delight blends an array of beloved Christmas stories, characters and traditions with a playful, slightly irreverent twist. Directed by Ciera Eis, the cast features Cecilia Palmtag, Kristy Aquino and Benjamin Garcia playing a crazy assortment of characters. For tickets, call 925-2836673 or go to www.townhalltheatre.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

ney characters and surprises for all ages Dec. 14-15 at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez.

Performed by a cast of talented youngsters ages 5 to 18, this musical play is upbeat, familiar and just a little silly. Audience members are encouraged to wear costumes and qualify for a raffle prize.

Go to wwwcampbelltheater.com for tickets.

Scrooge, everyone’s favorite curmudgeon, returns to Center Rep with the forever popular “A Christmas Carol.”

Running through Dec. 22, the annual treat brings Christmas carols, dancing, special effects and, of course, spooky spirits to Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr.

The large multigenerational cast includes Michael Ray Wisely, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge for the

ninth year, Kerri Shawn returning as the Ghost of Christmas Past for 20-plus years and counting, and Jeanine Perasso in her 26th year as Mrs. Fezziwig. The cast also features Scott Coopwood (Ghost of Jacob Marley), Michael Patrick Wiles (Bob Cratchit), Terrance Smith (Ghost of Christmas Present) and Scott Maraj (Ghost of Christmas Future).

“Center Rep’s production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ has become a beloved Bay Area holiday tradition, bringing the timeless story of redemption, family and festive spirit to life year after year,” said Center Rep artistic director Matt M. Morrow. “This universally beloved tale invites us to embrace the magic of the season and serves as a reminder that compassion, generosity and second chances are at the heart of the holiday spirit.”

Have a holly, jolly Christmas with all new local music

swing, with some occasional appearances of upright bass, flute and my personal favorite: lapsteel.

The opener, “Deck the Halls,” starts out pretty straightforward but then delves into sort of a jam boogie, with different guitars (and techniques) stepping in and out to add their own element to this fun rendition.

Another highlight for me is the closing track, “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Scott employs intelligent fourpart harmony, creating an almost eerie feel with winds and strings falling chromatically behind the lead guitar’s signature melody. This slight dissonance is resolved by its own absence, when the accompaniment drops out during the “Gloria!” part, further brightening the joyful refrain. At times, without warning, big flute chords swell to create brief moments of suspended celestial wonderment, before coming back down to earth and returning to the familiar. A very imaginative take on this very old hymn (1862).

The other thing that had me changing my tune about holiday music in 2020 was dis-

covering new, original, local holiday music like Tiger Shade’s “Corona Christmas” and Sabertooth Unicorn’s “Hail Santa.” Since then, I always look forward to tasting the new holiday treats our local bands whip up each year. This brings me to “Happy Little Accidents,” the new single from Accidents At Sundown. It’s an upbeat, downstrummin’, fist-pumpin’ rock jingle that optimistically looks forward to an awesome Christmas, and the best year yet to come. Maybe that’s not what one would expect from a band who often sings of darkness and the underworld, but they delivered with bells on (literally). In keeping with tradition of the anthemic holiday pop songs, the fellas go grand toward the end and modulate up a step for the last minute of the song. Classic!

Another new holiday classic comes from local rapper Skinny Hendrixx, who’s had a phenomenal year in terms of output, live shows and artistic growth. Always one to express gratitude for his blessings, Skinny is all about love and appreciation in his new single “A Very Special Christmas.”

Recorded with his band the Earthtones, the new jam offers a warm, inviting beat that frames the setting of a Christmas family gathering: “And the uncles got drunk / and the aunties started yellin’ / and the boys was causin’ ruckus / and they sistas start tellin’ / when the dinner bell rang / everybody got together / passin’ dishes round the table / celebratin’ one another / It was a very very very special Christmas.”

You can almost hear him

smiling as he paints the picture, and you can’t help but smile along. That infectious positivity just might help you curb the bah-humbug energy that often robs us of holiday joy.

Hear all the aforementioned tunes and more on the Beat of Diablo’s annual Christmas special, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, on 90.5 FM, and streaming at KVHS.com. Additionally, look for a Spoti-

Contact Dave Hughes at MrDaveHughes@gmail.com.

Clayton Rock Garden–from pandemic pause to artistic bloom

In the quiet hills of Clayton, there’s an unassuming roadside spot on Keller Ridge Drive that has become a canvas for creativity, kindness and community. Known as the Clayton Rock Garden, this hidden gem is the heart of a story that began during one of the most challenging times in recent history.

Kevin Monaghan’s life reads like an ode to resilience and reinvention. Born in Connecticut, he moved frequently as a child before settling in Orinda for high school. Those early years set the stage for a life defined by discipline, leadership and a commitment to service.

Monaghan joined the Marine Corps, where he served for seven and a half years. He then earned a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly as well as a master’s degree from USC, courtesy of the GI Bill. He transitioned into business, co-owning a successful steel fabrication company in Concord with his wife.

After decades of hard work, the couple retired when Kevin was 54, embarking on a new chapter filled with travel and exploration. The Monaghans visited national parks, journeyed through Ireland and explored New Zealand.

On March 15, 2020, the day the world came to a halt, they returned home from Tahiti under the looming shadow of COVID-19. With time suddenly abundant and familiar routines disrupted, they stumbled upon an unexpected outlet: painting rocks.

What began as a simple pastime using dollar-store brushes and a handful of rocks from their yard soon became a daily ritual. They transformed their garage into a cozy art studio, complete with a large desk, neatly arranged paints and carpeting for comfort. Each day, they painted eight to ten rocks, infusing their creativity into each design.

The fruits of their labor now populate the Clayton Rock Garden. This modest roadside spot has become a

beloved landmark, where the couple’s painted rocks featuring whimsical patterns, vibrant colors and heartfelt messages bring joy to neighbors and strangers alike.

“We stopped counting last year after reaching 6,000 rocks,” Monaghan recalls with a chuckle. “Now we estimate it’s somewhere between 7,500 and 8,000, but we’ve let go of the numbers. It’s about the act of creating.”

The rocks rarely last long. Residents and passersby eagerly collect them, often sharing photos or stories of how these small tokens brighten their day. The ephemeral nature of the project adds a special magic: Each rock exists as a fleeting gift of joy, gone in hours but replaced the next day.

The Clayton Rock Garden has become more than just a local curiosity; it’s a symbol of resilience, creativity and connection. For the Monaghans, what began as a distraction from isolation turned into a mission of spreading happiness.

Julia O’Reilly Is the owner of JOR Fine Art Gallery in Clayton. Email comments to her at joreillyfineartgallery@gmail.com

fy playlist at thebeatofdiablo.com.

Oakley’s Michael Edward Scott offers instrumental Western swing renditions of holiday classics.

“A Very Special Christmas” brings positive holiday rap over an old school beat from Oakland lyricist Skinny Hendrixx.

“Happy Little Accidents” is a new holiday rock anthem from Concord’s Accidents at Sundown.

Photo by Kevin Berne

Michael Ray Wisely returns for the ninth year to play Scrooge in Center Rep’s “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 22 at the Lesher Center.

Photo by Jeff Goldsmith

Marah Sotello, the newly minted queen in “Rumpelstiltskin,” sings “It’s Good To Be Queen” from the movie “Once Upon a Time Step,” playing Dec. 22 in Pleasanton.

Kevin Monaghan uses acrylic paint and glazes so the rocks are suitable for outdoor use.

The Monaghans’ painted rocks at JOR Fine Art Gallery can be had for a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

JULIA O’REILLY ARTFUL INSIGHTS

DAVE HUGHES THE BEAT OF DIABLO

SALLY HOGARTY STAGE STRUCK