JUL 17 The Pioneer 2020 by Pioneer Publishers

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July 17, 2020

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Two movements, one common cause as Concord residents stage protests

TAMARA STEINER

Tenant protection, police services at heart of rallies for racial justice

PUBLISHER

Are you an ‘odd’ or an ‘even’?

If you found this issue of the Pioneer in your driveway this month, you are an “odd” one, indeed. Starting with the June issue, we began rotating free delivery in our Concord distribution area. Half of Concord , roughly 94518 and 94521 in the southwest corner of the city, will receive delivery in EVEN months. The rest of our Concord routes in the northeast parts of town will receive free delivery in ODD numbered months. Our full distribution map is on our website. Check there to see if you are ODD or EVEN. If you don’t want to miss a single issue of the Pioneer, please SUBSCRIBE. There is a form on our website. Payment is by credit card or PayPal. Your paper will come in the mail, every month. We are now four months into COVID 19. It has been a time of confusion and fear for many. We have stayed home, gone out, masked up and stayed home again. Our businesses have suffered, some fatally. But we are a nimble people. We are finding new ways to go to school, work and play. None of it is anyone’s first choice. Never has the role of community journalism been more important than now. Demand for news has tripled, even quadrupled. Our advertisers are staggering under the economic realities of months of closure with no revenue and now the added costs of retooling for the new normal. Despite the hardship, they continue to support us and the community. This month, we welcome new advertiser Whit’s Painting to the Pioneer. Many will recognize the work of this family owned company on homes and condos throughout Clayton and Concord. Please see their ad on page 13. Support all the advertisers in the Pioneer. Because of them, we can bring you local news that you can’t get anywhere else. This month, we also introduce a new correspondent. Diane Zermeno is a broadcast journalism major at CalState Northridge. She is taking her classes online at home in Concord for this semester. Look for more from her in future issues.

DIANE ZERMEÑO Correspondent

Diane Zermeño

Protestors stood outside Concord City Hall during the City Council’s meeting time on July 7, calling for a shift in some funding from the Police Department to community services.

Concord residents gathered at two separate protests on July 7 to demand better tenant protections and to defund the Concord Police Department, with both relating their causes to racial justice issues. One group of residents drove to Meadow Homes Park at 11 a.m. to participate in “Day of Action: Housing Justice is Racial Justice.” The caravan then passed by the homes of Mayor Tim McGallian and Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer to ask that the city implement better tenant protections than those in the City Council’s proposed solution, as well as an extension of the eviction moratorium. The city’s proposed ordi-

See Protest, page 2

Buy honey and keep the bees working KARA NAVOLIO Correspondent

National Honeybee Day on Aug. 15 is a time to celebrate the insect responsible for more than a third of our food supply. If not for honeybees, crops like almonds and other nuts, fruits and many vegetables would not be pollinated and bear fruit. Even herbs, coffee beans and clover that feeds our cows would not survive without the honeybee. And, of course, there is also the honey made by the busy insects in 2.5 million hives across America. TROUBLING POPULATION DROP

But as we take time to honor the honeybee, beekeepers want us to understand the dangers the population faces. The number of hives has declined by half since the

1960s and ’70s. “I got into beekeeping for environmental reasons,” said Clayton resident Bassam AlTwal, who is on the Planning Commission. “We are losing bees every year, and they are so important for our food chain.” The major factors in the declining population are pesticides, loss of habitat and the Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite that came from China in the 1980s and affects only honeybees. Asian bees have evolved to have a symbiotic relationship with this mite, but the European bees (which we have in the United States) have not adapted. The University of Maryland is conducting a large study on this pest. According to Al-Twal, the murder hornets in the press recently are not yet a threat to U.S. honeybees. These hornets are 10 times the size of honeybees and do kill them, but so far they have not appeared

beyond a few in the Northwest.

DON’T BLAME THE BEES The Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association (MDBA) is dedicated to supporting honeybee hobbyists and professional beekeepers, as well as educating the public about the benefits of honeybees. They receive more than 100 requests a year for presentations to groups of adults and children. Mike Vigo, president of MDBA, says people should not be scared of bees. “Bees don’t want to sting you. They are vegans, only eating pollen and nectar,” he said. “The insects that bother your picnics are most likely yellow jackets. Yellow jackets can be aggressive and sting or bite The Pioneer multiple times. Bees, on the other hand, can only sting once Beekeepers Bassam Al-Twal (left) of Clayton and Isa Orta of and then they die. They only Concord captured a queen bee and the unwelcome swarm with her in the backyard of a Dana Hills home in Clayton

See Bees, page 4 last month.

MDUSD selects new superintendent from Vallejo JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

Next issue, August 21, Deadline, Aug. 12 Postal Customer ECRWSS

ADAM CLARK MDUSD SUPERINTENDENT

Exactly two weeks shy of one year since the announcement of their last appointment, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District said that Dr. Adam Clark, Vallejo City Unified School District superintendent the past three years, has been selected as the finalist to become the new MDUSD Superintendent. The 51-year-old Clark will be the third leader of the 29,000-student MDUSD since last spring. The board terminated the contract of

Dr. Robert Martinez, who also came from a Solano County district, on May 28. Martinez served in that capacity for only nine months after he was selected following the surprise resignation of Dr. Nellie Meyer, who held the position for six years from 2013. Board president Brian Lawrence announced on a June 29 Zoom call with his fellow board members that they had selected their candidate following interviews that day with superintendent finalists. Dr. Clark’s appointment was officially revealed

July 1 in a press release from committed to helping every student succeed and making the District. In part, Lawrence was every employee feel valued.” quoted as saying, “It is with great excitement that I share See Supt., page 5 the news that the MDUSD Board has selected a finalist to become our next Superintendent. The Board was thoroughly impressed by Dr. What’s Inside Clark’s dedication to student Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 achievement, building posi- Directory of Advertisers . . . .7 tive relationships throughout From the Desk of . . . . . . . . .6 the community, fiscal discipline and academic excel- Graduate Celebrations . . . .11 lence. Dr. Clark embraces Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 working with a diverse stu- Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 dent population like the one we have in MDUSD. He is

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA 94517 PERMIT 190

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July 17, 2020

Protests, from page 1

nance would repeal and replace the Residential Rent Review Program, which offered mediation if a tenant received a rent increase of 10 percent or more. The new Residential Tenant Protection Program would require relocation assistance for tenants and a minimum of one-year leases.

Remembering Casey Sudderth

S EEKING RENT CONROL,

Our best friend June 3, 1997- December 26, 2014

JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS

Casey was 3 ½ months old and had a broken leg when she came to live with us. She lived over 17 more years and they were some of the best years of our lives. Casey went to work with us every day. She went with us to our boat and any place we traveled. She was our constant companion. She was so well known around town people would come to the office every day just to see her. It’s hard to explain how much we loved her. Her loss is still felt very much to this day. Ted and Judi Sudderth

Nicole Zapata, an organizer with Raise the Roof Coalition, said the council’s new ordinance “doesn’t include the policies that we’ve been proposing, like rent control and just cause. ... We need policies that would prevent those unjust evic-

tions from happening in the ly going to the root of the first place.” problem.” She called the plan a William Colin, secretary of band-aid, rather than “actual- the Central County Regional Group, said it was “absolutely” a racial justice issue. “These people have to pick between having a place to live and having food n the table 6160 Center Streeet, Suite F, Clayton, CA (because of COVID-19). Access isn’t equitable.” A large number of protestors honked and chanted through the streets before ending their movement at Concord Civic Center with chants of “we’ll be back,” in reference to the council meeting later that evening. In that virtual meeting, the council voted unanimously to repeal the old program and replace it with the Residential Tenant Protection Program.

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that are “far better equipped to handle these situations,” according to a press release. Organizer June Higginbotham described her concern with the council’s discussion of “having to build a budget around obligation,” a reference to the June 23 decision to extend a contract with the police union that would secure police department employment levels through 2023. “They’re trying to avoid embarrassment,” she said. Organizer Mara Berton got involved with the movement after researching police budgets with her wife. “Right now, we’re seeing the data skew very far to where people of color are being arrested more for crimes that are not felonies, like drug possession or loitering,” she said. “We’re seeing those crime spikes more than what represents people in the community.” A small altercation occurred when two counterprotestors arrived, but they remained at a distance for the rest of the event.

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LOOKING BEYOND POLICING The second group of protestors, labeled Defund Concord PD, met at 6 p.m. outside the Concord Civic Center to demand that the council cut the police department’s more than $60 million budget and instead “invest in equitable communities and systems”

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Port Chicago’s National Memorial a key step in remembering the tragedy

July 17, 2020

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

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Page 3

Social Distancing protocols in place Please wear masks

The Port Chicago National Memorial lists the names of those who died there on July 17, 1944. DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

Ten years ago this month, the official dedication of America’s newest national park ended a lifetime of waiting for a formal way to honor those lost at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine (PCNM). For years, Concord’s historic site held only affiliate status, which proponents viewed as a slight. The Friends of Port Chicago is now collaborating with the East Bay Regional Park District for a visitor center that will further tell the story of the horrific events of July 17, 1944, and the racial injustice that Black service personnel endured. In all, 320 men died in the accident, including 202 Black enlisted men. Just 51 bodies were sufficiently intact to be identified in the aftermath of the late evening explosions. Another 390 sailors and civilians were injured, including 233 Black enlisted men. Unlike other memorials defined by statues in heroic

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Pool, Patio, Gifts & Gardens The original stained glass windows from the chapel show men unloading munitions at Port Chicago Naval Magazine.

poses, the PCNM National Memorial site has four granite placards with the names of those who perished. It overlooks the dock’s original pilings that extend out into Suisun Bay. “The starkness of it’’ stands out for the Rev. Diana McDaniel, who since the early 2000s has helped carry the torch of making the Port Chicago Memorial a reality. “You can almost feel one of those lost in the explosions.” The National Park Service will hold is annual observance virtually this year. Go to nps.gov/poch at 1 p.m. July 17 to find the link.

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The local group’s plans for the visitor center to educate the community about the events at Port Chicago include having a quiet space for reflection with a display of the chapel’s original stained-glass windows. “They are beautiful depictions of what was going on,” said McDaniel, whose uncle, Irvin Lowery, was among the survivors. He told her he was sitting in a chair in the barracks when the explosion occurred, and he was blown against a wall of windows. Long-term plans also call for artifacts, maps, audio and video presentations, and classrooms in the center. She envisions visitors taking a card with a sailor’s picture and the name of his hometown to hold as they move through the exhibits. “I would like the people to have the experience of what it felt like – the racism and discrimination of the time,” said McDaniel. “I will keep putting my toe in there to make sure we get the Port Chicago story told.” Donations to the Friends of Port Chicago can be made at portchicagomemorial.org.

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Obituary

Page 4

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

July 17, 2020

Richard A. (Dick) Walsh July 27, 1927 – May 15, 2020

Serving our Local Community since 1977

Richard A. (Dick) Walsh, age 92, passed away on May 15, 2020 in Walnut Creek, California. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 27, 1927, the son of Richard A. Walsh, Sr. and Agnes (Muleady) Walsh. Dick was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII in the Pacific Theater and served in the U.S. Army National Guard during the Korean War and several years after. In 1953, he married Lucille (Lucy) Mesenburg at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Richmond. They moved to Concord and established their permanent home there. They had 11 children together and were married 53 years before Lucy passed away in 2006. He then married Ritamarie Sustek in 2017 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Walnut Creek. Dick was the owner of Walco, a drywall construction business for over 60 years. He

was a faithful and active member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Clayton, where he served as an usher and was a member and former President of the Parish Council. Dick was active in Little League baseball for over 40 years. He served as Chief Umpire and President of Clayton Valley Little League and was District 4 Assistant Administrator. He is survived by his wife, Ritamarie, and 10 children, Susan Walsh, Richard A. (Jill) Walsh Jr., Ann (Ron) Rudd, Mary (Martin) Kersey, Elizabeth (Bob) Mason, William (Cindy) Walsh, Joseph (Dina) Walsh, Daniel (Lori) Walsh, Timothy (Chris) Walsh, and Sarah Walsh, step-sons Robert (Cindy) Sustek, and Richard (Kimberly) Sustek, a sister, Janet Dihl, and sister-in-law, Jean Walsh. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille, son Patrick, brother

sting if they accidently get stepped on or swatted at or get stuck in your hair or clothes.” In 2006, MDBA had only 80 members; they now have more than 400. The members share resources, and their goal is to increase the number of honeybees. They also provide

volunteer swarm collectors like Al-Twal. “When a hive gets too big, the bees will create a new queen and kick out the old Photo by Mike Vigo queen,” Al-Twal explained. Honeybees help pollinate “The old queen and her bees many crops, and they rarely will swarm together in one sting people. large group, protecting the queen in the middle, to find a new location for a hive.” Sometimes they choose an undesirable spot, from a human perspective, and need to be moved. Swarm collectors are trained how to do this safely by capturing the queen. The rest of the bees will follow her to a bee box, which can then be brought to a local beekeeper.

Bees, from page 1

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Vigo would like to spread the news about ways to help the beneficial honeybees, including planting ornamentals such as lavender that bees use for food. Ask your local nursery staff for other options. It’s also important to avoid using pesticides. Another step is buying local honey at places like farmers markets and local hardware stores or nurseries. The honey sales help the beekeepers continue to do their work to promote these hard-working insects, and eating local honey can help people with seasonal allergies.

For more information, visit diablobees.org. To learn more about National Honeybee Day, visit honeylove.org.

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Two efforts to take on racism in Clayton July 17, 2020

TAMARA STEINER The Pioneer

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

an open forum with residents. Topics will vary depending on public concerns. Separately, a group of private citizens took their discussion to the Internet July 9 with “Clayton Speaks,” a public panel about racism in the community.

Taking steps to address what many say is a culture of racism in their small town, the City Council established a Public Safety Committee at its July 7 meeting. Mayor Julie Pierce appointed MOVING BEYOND TEAR GAS council members Tuija Catalano Both were responses to and CW Wolfe to serve on the events of early June, when a ad hoc committee that will meet Clayton protest that ended regularly with the police chief in with tear gas was followed

three days later by a peaceful, emotional Black Lives Matter rally in the Grove. At the council meeting last week, more than a dozen speakers called for city action because of the police response to the protest in early June. Additionally, many were incensed when earlier in the day city workers began hanging new flags on the light poles downtown. Residents Dane and Kahni Horton donated the flags, which were not standard

of the Planning Commission. Wan, who is Asian, was furious at being passed over, objecting to Catalano and Wolfe because they are “potentially” running for reelection in November. “I find it odd that we have three Caucasian members, and they think they are the right ones to represent people of color,” Wan told the council. “That’s privilege right there. “You have to live it,” he added. “This is what I’ve lived my whole frickin’ life.” Several believe Diaz, who is Hispanic, should be disqualiCONTROVERSY OVER fied because of his backAPPOINTMENTS ground in law enforcement. In establishing the Public “He will never question his Safety Committee, Pierce own,” one speaker said. appointed Catalano and Wolfe without considering members Jeff Wan and Jim Diaz. They each wanted the appointment but faced opposition from other council members and those present at the meeting. Many objected to Wan’s statement supporting the use of tear gas and foam bullets following the June 2 protest. “On this committee, we need people who have the courage to question, not rubber stamp (law enforcement) BEV BRITTON actions,” said Bassam Al-Twal, The Pioneer a Clayton resident and member Given the “immediate impact” of the COVID-19 shutdown, the Concord City Council approved an adjusted city budget on June 23 that includes seven layoffs while also relying more heavily on reserves. Three community service officers and assistant city manager Kathleen Trepa are among ects meet the criteria laid out in those being laid off. The city is the bill, including parking and eliminating 36 full-time equivalents (FTEs) through layoffs, hirtransit requirements. ing freezes and voluntary separaOther housing bills sparktions. In addition, all non-union ing conversation were SB899, city employees are delaying raiswhich would negate a munices, suspending retirement contriipality’s zoning authority, and butions and/or taking furloughs. SB902 that provides full At the June 23 meeting, the authority for a city related to council also voted to accept an proposed development in its offer from the police unions that jurisdiction. will save $1.2 million over three Birsan put forth the sceyears. That is in addition to the nario of land owned by a police positions in the 24 fewer church or other institution Fiscal Year 2020-’21 budget. that is zoned for single famiThe city is in talks with the ly, such as exists along Oak Teamsters and Local 29 of the Grove Road, and if a fiveand Professional Office story affordable housing project could “boom, pop Employees International Union in.” De Luca acknowledged about other possible cost reducthat could happen under tions. In reviewing the budget SB899 as it is already zoned changes, the council opted not for residential or mixed use. to cut the $43,000 allocated to the Family Justice Center. Councilwoman Carlyn Obringer called the services addressing things like elder abuse, domestic violence and childhood trauma “vital” to the community. “This is too important – 40 percent of our violent crime is domestic violence,” said Countion Nov. 3. Both incumbents cilman Edi Birsan. Obringer suggested the city announced they are running help the center find a “supportfor reelection. Obringer ive off-ramp” to private funding recently held a fundraiser. for future years, rather than cutBirsan was first elected to ting them off “cold turkey.” the council in 2012, was council members Several reelected four years later and also expressed concern over the served as mayor in 2018. loss of two code enforcement Obringer is completing her first term on the council and officers through vacant positions, so they agreed to include was mayor in 2019. American flags. The “Blue Lives Matter” flags did not have city approval. Staff immediately removed the flags, but the anger was still simmering. “Some believe the flags show support for officers,” one speaker said. “But during these times now, it shows opposition to Black Lives Matter.” Clayton resident Matt Foley said the flags are a sign of respect and should be replaced. Kahni Horton did not return the Pioneer’s calls for comment.

Page 5

ONGOING DISCUSSION The “Clayton Speaks” committee is “separate from but supported by” the city, according to organizer Holly Tillman. Pierce, Catalano and Wolfe sit on the committee along with a dozen community members. Matt and Holly Tillman and their daughters Jordan and Jada were speakers at the Black Lives Matter rally on June 5. The Tillmans are well-known around town for their community involvement and leadership, and many residents found it jarring to hear their experiences with racism in Clayton. More than 162 people signed on for the Zoom discussion, the first of many, said Holly Tillman.

Balanced budget means Concord layoffs, deep dip into reserves

In an online forum on racism in Clayton, “Clayton Speaks,” panel members spoke of personal experiences and the need for change. Top row: moderator Michael Broome, Lawrence Montgomery. Middle row: Erin Bennett, Kim Newman, Peter Cloven. Bottom row: Matt Tillman.

Senate Bill 1410 may bring welcome support to both tenants and landlords DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

Relief for tenants and landlords tops the list of housing bills that Concord City Council members are seeking before state lawmakers wrap up the legislative session in late August. Discussion at the July 7 council meeting focused on Senate Bill 1410, which would allow tenants and landlords to enter into optional tenant/landlord eviction relief agreements to ensure the tenant is not displaced due to any impact from COVID-19. Under the proposed legislation, tenants would owe the state at some point. They would be required to pay all or

a substantial portion of the deferred amount to the state, depending on their income, beginning with the 2024 taxable year. Landlords will get tax credits before that. The concern is that the legislation benefits major corporations with large holdings and any relief for small landlord lags. “We need to communicate to legislators that this tax business is not helping the little guys,” said Councilman Edi E Birsan. In advocating for change and clarity in the legislation, Birsan said “the little landlord and the little tenant don’t have to mutually destroy each other.” Councilwoman Carlyn

Obringer echoed her colleagues, questioning what good is does to help the smaller landlord when there will be no property value increases in the foreseeable future. The council directed city staff to work with lobbyist Niccolo De Luca, the Northern California director with Townsend Public Affairs, to draft a statement to the legislation’s sponsors and Senate pro tem so Concord’s voice is heard as the legislation evolves. The panel also discussed SB1120, a bill allowing for duplex development on residential property. Developments could be approved over the counter, provided the proj-

Concord City Council candidate nominations accepted for Nov. 3 election through Aug. 7

Nomination papers for seats on the Concord City Council in Districts 2 and 4 are now available by appointment. Because of COVID-19, City Hall is closed to the public so candidates must make an appointment with City Clerk Joelle Fockler prior to picking up papers to review the filing process. Call her at

(925) 671-3390 to schedule an appointment. To be eligible to run for these offices, a candidate must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a resident and registered voter in either District 2 or District 4. Nomination papers must be filed with the City Clerk in

Supt., from page 1

CLARK ALWAYS EYED MDUSD Clark told The Pioneer that as his educational career evolved in Contra Costa and Solano counties, he always saw MDUSD “as the center of everything” in the region. “The diversity of communities in the district [Clayton, Concord, Bay Point, Pleasant Hill, Martinez and Walnut Creek] made it a place I’ve always had my eye on.” He says when the opening for the position came up a year ago he “was knee deep in a lot of things in Vallejo” and did not apply. During his tenure at

VCUSD he had to chop about $7 million a year from the budget ($20 million overall) and had the “very painful” task of closing and then consolidating six schools. Clark was quick to add that “in no way am I talking about closing schools” in his new district. Clark gave Vallejo his 30days’ notice at the end of June and, with some unused vacation time available, expects to be on board at the district office in Concord later this month. “I’m anxious to get going and take the stress off board president Lawrence and

person no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. In November 2018, Concord voters participated in the City’s first district-based election, when three City Council seats were up for election in Districts 1, 3 and 5. City Council seats in Districts 2 (Carlyn Obringer) and 4 (Edi Birsan) are up for elec-

some key staff who have had Clark began his tenure in extra burdens in the past Vallejo in Sept. 2017. Among the month,” Clark explained. accomplishments listed on his LinkedIn profile, Clark says he CAREER BEGINS IN reduced the budget and CONTRA COSTA improved fiscal solvency utilizHe began his education ing transparency and collaboracareer in 1994 as an elementary tion. Of course, he takes the teacher in West Contra Costa helm of MDUSD still without a Unified School District. He contract with its teachers going then spent 10 years as an ele- back over 700 days and major mentary and middle school fiscal challenges further exacerprincipal in Brentwood and bated by the coronavirus panfive years as principal at Mira- demic that shutdown the Dismonte High in Orinda. trict’s campuses in mid-March. His district office adminisVallejo City Unified had trative career started with four 22,000 students in 22 schools, years in East Contra Costa as but declining enrollment Assistant Superintendent in dropped the number of stuLiberty Union High School dents in half without any District in Brentwood and as school closures before Clark Associate Superintendent in came on board. Antioch Unified. The new superintendent

has been married 24 years to wife Michelle, a second-grade teacher in Brentwood where the Clark family lives. They have two sons and a daughter.

the issue in a July 15 Community Forum on policing.

LONG-TERM IMPACT Like in communities worldwide, the shelter-in-place order severely reduced the city’s tax income – which comprises three-quarters of the General Fund budget. “The city was already facing significant financial challenges, and these challenges have increased substantially,” noted budget officer Donna Lee. The 2020-’21 budget now allocates $4.9 million more in reserves than anticipated. That leaves the city with a 21 percent reserve, which is well above its threshold of 17 percent. Finance director Karen Reid said staff might need to recommend additional budget stabilization measures should the drops in revenue be more significant than current estimates. “It’s very likely that a number of businesses won’t reopen,” she said at the June 9 meeting. “People have changed their spending habits – everybody has learned to make bread at home. So now they’ll probably be doing less purchasing of taxable items and being more focused on experiences, which aren’t taxed. And there may be less travel.” Lee listed some key financial issues facing the city going forward: • Deferred maintenance and infrastructure needs. • Increases in state pension costs. • Continued reliance on Measure Q to maintain essential services. The tax expires in 2025.

“There are projected budget shortfalls into the future of the long-range forecast,” she said. “Fiscal stability measures will need to be implemented within the next two years in order for the city to maintain essential services.”

ings, washing hands and getting “passive health screenings” upon arriving each day, reduced bus and classroom capacities, social distancing on campus and staggered class and meal hours. There would be three choices for parents to choose from for their children: full distance online learning, full-time in person on campus (4 or 5 days a week) or hybrid 2 days on campus and 2 days on line. The preliminary plan developed by staff included adherence to Contra Costa County Office of Education, Contra Costa Health Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention directives.

ROADMAP FOR REOPENING AUG. 13 MDUSD schools reopen on Thursday, Aug. 13, and a preliminary Roadmap to Reopen was released in June. The final plan is to be announced July 30. The District says 13,000 individuals participated in an initial family survey. Follow-up comments to the preliminary plan were also surveyed through last week. The plan is an outline of the health and safety measures on each school site including staff View the plan and updated and students wearing face cover- information at mdusd.org/reopen.

From the Desk of... Page 6

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

July 17, 2020

To move forward, we must listen to each other

TIM MCGALLIAN

CONCORD MAYOR

The past four months have brought about some of the most difficult emotions that many of us have ever tried to manage. We are living through a global pandemic, along with seeing a spotlight focused on many of the divides that still exist in this country. So many of us took heed to the warnings when our workplaces, schools and houses of worship were forced to close. We went inside and stopped seeing our extended family and friends. We did this in an effort to slow the spread and flatten the curve of a deadly disease. Since then, we have all experienced moments of isolation and emotional exhaustion. We have hope for the moment when we may see an

end, but that day has not yet arrived. Health officials imposed a face mask requirement, but it still kept coming. We tried to open the doors of local businesses and places of recreation, to move toward what we know to be normal (practicing our faith, getting a haircut, taking a walk through the park – all to find ways out of this difficult time), but it still kept coming. Officials urged our community to work together to stay safe and take precautions, but it still kept coming. Our patience grew thin, and we questioned what to do next. And then we experienced another trauma. Our nation and community felt the pain of injustice push us to a collective tipping point with the killing of George Floyd, and it still kept coming. We found isolation, but what we didn’t realize is that there was an isolation occurring prior to this shelter-inplace. The social discord has been happening for years, even lifetimes. With our curated social media feeds and handpicked news sources, we

now have a hesitation to engage in true and meaningful dialogue because we might not know the right information. So the pain and uncertainty of this pandemic and social injustices continue.

We need to find a way to talk to each other, not over social media or text message, but find the courage to talk and the courage to listen. We need the courage to ask hard questions, debate viewpoints

with civility and empathy, and find common ground. We can do this. We can be strong together by having good two-way conversations, by working toward ending the isolation, pain and discord,

and finding a meaningful way to unite – as people, as a community, as Concordians.

Mayor Tim McGallian can be reached at 925.671.2489 or email Tim.McGallian@cityofconcord.org

Don’t forget to fill out the Census – and support local restaurants

If you haven’t completed your Census 2020, right now is the time. The higher Clayton’s count, the more federal and state dollars are returned to our city. Thanks to all who have responded; you have made Clayton No. 2 in the state for highest rate of returns. We trail Piedmont by less than 2 points statewide. Let’s show California that Clayton can be No. 1 statewide. Go to my2020census.gov to complete your response now. Meanwhile, here we are in the heart of the summer and still stuck in the pandemic. Thank you to the conscientious mask-wearers who continue to help keep Clayton’s number low. We have many vulnerable people in our community, so your vigilance is much appreciated. As you know, our beloved Concerts in the Grove and all of the Clayton Business and you navigate state agencies Community Association’s spethat might provide assistance cial events have been canceled during these difficult times. for this year. We are all missSince the pandemic began, my ing those great activities. staff and I have helped hunSo, how about some good dreds of constituents with issues specifically related to the Employment Development Department, and we are available to help you, too. If you need help navigating any TIM GRAYSON state agency or have questions about what resources may be 14TH ASSEMBLY available to you, please call my DISTRICT Concord office at 925-5211511, or 925-338-0766 for Over the past few months, assistance in Spanish. COVID-19 has brought on an While ensuring the safety unprecedented and rapid of our community during the transformation to daily life in COVID-19 outbreak remains California. my top priority, I am continuAs our state is experiencing my efforts to move legislaing a new spike in cases, we tion forward that will address must all become more vigilant some of California’s biggest and cautious. In order to do challenges and help those who our part to stop the spread, need it the most. When the the Legislature has adjourned Legislature returns from for an extended recess until recess, I will continue my we can safely return to Sacra- multi-year fight to ensure that STEVE GLAZER mento. our state is prepared for any In accordance with health disaster or emergency by STATE SENATOR orders from Gov. Gavin New- funding life-saving air ambusom and county officials, we My legislative agenda – lance services. This pandemic are not taking physical meethas demonstrated the impor- including a three-bill package to ings at my capitol and district tance of being prepared for help residents survive power offices. But my staff and I are any emergency, and it would outages – cleared the Senate still working full-time to serve be a mistake to let this fund- this spring and moved to the you and are available to take Assembly. ing lapse now. your phone calls and emails. Despite challenging condiThis pandemic has also Far too many in our com- shown us how our other tions brought on by the munity are struggling right COVID-19 pandemic, I also See Grayson, page 7 carried measures to deter unsafe now, and my offices can help

Assembly office staff can help with unemployment and other pressing issues

JULIE PIERCE

CLAYTON MAYOR

news? We balanced Clayton’s 2020-’21 budget and, unlike many cities around us who are experiencing severe cutbacks, we are in good shape. That is largely due to the fact that we budget very conservatively and the economy-driven sales tax is our fourth source of income, behind vehicle license fees (keep buying those new cars), local property tax and franchise fees. School is scheduled to start next month. The city will fund the additional crossing guard at Mt. Zion and Pine Hollow by the elementary school and add safety improvements near both of our schools, including

flashing stop signs at the intersection of Pine Hollow and Mitchell Canyon and on old Marsh Creek at Center. At the middle school, flashing warning lights on Marsh Creek Road on the approaches to the Diablo View Middle School intersection will soon alert and, we hope, slow drivers. We will modify the crosswalk pattern at that intersection to allow a full four-way, no-turn stop for cars and add diagonal crosswalks for the students. We hope these measures will slow the drivers on Marsh Creek and improve the safety of our children at the school. We had planned to get these safety projects completed before school starts, but with the early return-to-school dates, it may be later in the fall. Our police officers will be diligent to make sure drivers pay attention. Many of you in Oakhurst have seen the improvements to the play equipment at North Valley Park. We are all looking forward to the day when the COVID regulations allow us to open that for play. We will commence our

every two year street paving program later this summer. This year, we are partnering with other cities to obtain improved prices on paving contracts. All streets are rated on a Pavement Condition Index (PCI), using a program prescribed for the Bay Area. We generally address the worst streets first. We are incorporating the most efficient techniques to maximize the surface of our neighborhood roads so what travel we can do is smoother. If you are tired of cooking, please remember all our wonderful local restaurants and businesses that need our support. Let them cook dinner tonight. They have some great deals for us. Please send me your questions and concerns at julie.p@ci.clayton.ca.us.

service, medical devices and hospitals during shutdowns triggered by utilities trying to avoid sparking a fire during high-wind events. The bills were: SB 431: Co-authored with Sen. Mike McGuire, to require a 72-hour backup power for cell towers to ensure people have access to cell phone communications during a wildfire power shutdown. SB 801: To require utilities to provide backup power sources to protect residents who rely on electricity to power life-saving medical devices. SB 1099: Co-authored with Sen. Bill Dodd, to allow hospitals to use backup power without facing local penalties. The Senate also approved my bill, SB 1049, increasing penalties for short-term rentals

that allow disruptive and dangerous events. Last Halloween in Orinda, a mass shooting left five people dead at a party hosted at an Airbnb property. In a few short months amidst a deadly crisis, lawmakers were asked to scale back their legislative agendas. So, I am thrilled with how much important work we were able to get done, and am especially glad I could address some critical issues for residents in my district. The Senate also approved SB 793, which I co-authored with Sen. Jerry Hill, to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products. I have worked closely with schools in the 7th Senate District to learn more about how tobacco and e-cigarette

Julie Pierce is mayor of Clayton and chair of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority .She is a past president of the Association of Bay Area Governments and serves on the executive committee where she represents Contra Costa cities. Reach her at 925-673-7320 or Julie.p@ci.clayton.ca.us.

State bills address senior homeowners, flavored tobacco and power outages house parties in short-term rentals (prompted by an Orinda tragedy in which five people were killed) and another to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, which have been used to lure kids into the nicotine habit. Behind the scenes, I played a key role in passing a constitutional amendment that could make it easier for seniors to sell their house and buy another without incurring huge increases in their property tax bills. That measure would also raise money for fire protection by closing a loophole that has allowed out-of-state investors and absentee landlords to take advantage of a law meant to help people pass on their family home to their children. The power outage package addresses issues with cell phone

See Glazer, page 7

As fire season arrives, underfunding forces ECCFPD to reduce services

Due to severe underfunding, the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is taking urgent measures to maintain its extremely limited operations and keep firefighters safe. As of July 1, the fire district is only sending firefighters inside a burning building if human life is at risk. Due to the lack of resources, ECCFBRIAN HELMICK, CHIEF PD must now focus on conE AST CONTRA COSTA FIRE taining the fire to the structure PROTECTION DISTRICT involved. Unfortunately, this defenwithin our communities just as sive operation strategy raises the 2020 fire season is getting the safety risk factors for famunderway. ilies, businesses and property

All public outreach events and station visits also will be eliminated indefinitely for the district, which serves Marsh Creek, Morgan Territory, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen and Byron. The safety risk of being underfunded and short three fire stations is real and growing. In fire emergencies, every second counts. When a fire or emergency strikes, people need help quickly. Response times matter. Delayed response times can allow a fire to double in size every 30 sec-

onds. But our reality is that these East Contra Costa communities, homes, businesses and families will, on average, face slower responses than national standards recommend, when calling 911. Due to severe underfunding, our firefighters are continually overrun responding to calls, maintaining required training and trying to be active in public education. We must take necessary steps to save lives and provide the safest environment for our workforce, so firefighters are ready and able to answer the call

when it comes. These are not steps we want to take – and, candidly, they may not be the last. We may have to consider even more drastic measures. The reality is we have to live within our means and keep our firefighters safe. We are working tirelessly to address our severe funding shortfall, including correcting past oversights and renegotiating developer fees and other fees that should have been put into place decades ago. We are also practicing full transparency, asking our community for input and continu-

ously listening in every direction. Our goal is to find common ground that helps shape a local ballot measure that our community can support, authorizing a new, stable and reliable (i.e. guaranteed, sustainable and sufficient) local funding source that secures adequate ECCFPD fire protection in the future and that doesn’t take resources away from our public service partners.

For more information, please visit the Fire Prevention link at www.eccfpd.org.

From the Desk of...

July 17, 2020

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Page 7

KAREN MITCHOFF

COUNTY

SUPERVISOR

bursement for housing, utilities, child care, telework equipment and other costs. To find out if you’re eligible, call Rubicon Programs at 510-323-1104. For more information, visit wdbccc.com.

concordchamber.com/business-resources, cityofconcord.org/850/COVID-19response or concordfirst.com/concordforward.

visit claytoncbca.org, claytonbocce.org/event/about/9 or ci.clayton.ca.us. HELPING BUSINESSES REBOUND

The city of Walnut Creek has launched the Rebound ProBOOSTING CLAYTON RESTAURANTS gram, which is a comprehensive Contra Costa County cities KEEPING CONCORD INFORMED The Clayton Business and approach to helping businesses and chambers of commerce The city of Concord and Community Association reopen as we transition through took quick action and have conthe Concord chamber have (CBCA) has also been workthe COVID-19 crisis. This tinued to provide support and been sending out e-blasts regu- ing closely with local business- includes free permitting and resources to local businesses larly about county orders as well es. They have been providing simplified processes and appliduring this incredibly difficult resources and materials about cations to help businesses as business resources. The time. reopening with physical dischamber staff have been disreopen quickly. The Workforce Developtancing and other modificatributing signage to businesses The city has also been ment Board of Contra Costa tions in place. They update working in partnership with the County is a helpful resource for so that customers know the businesses on health orders so Walnut Creek chamber and the both employers and job seekers. protocol before they enter an that they can prepare as need- Downtown Business Associaestablishment. They have also Its #BounceBackContraCosta tion to make changes necessary ed. initiative supports employers by been working with businesses to allow for use of outdoor They have organized a connecting them with resources to ensure they have the approdonation drive to collect mon- public space for outdoor dining priate supplies to reopen, and information that can help and displaying retail items. For etary donations to purchase their businesses, as well as iden- including personal protection more on what Walnut Creek gift certificates from local equipment (PPE). tifying employers who may be restaurants. They then donate and Pleasant Hill are doing to Mayor Tim McGallian hiring. help businesses stay open and holds regular live streams these gift cards to residents In addition, the board is experiencing food insecurity. recover, see the full story on online to update the public doing outreach to community The city of Clayton is also our website about COVID-19 issues. He members whose income has PioneerPublishers.com. has featured Dr. Chris Farni- coordinating with restaurant been impacted by COVID-19 owners who may need assisMore information can be tano as well as John Muir to let them know they may be Health. The Concord City tance with expanding the found at walnut-creek.org, waleligible for one-time financial footprint for outdoor dining, nutcreekdowntown.com and assistance. Contra Costa County Council approved the Conand they have made changes walnut-creek.com. residents who experienced lay- cord Forward Action Plan, offs, reduced work hours or the which is a marketing and busi- to the permit process as well. Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa ness assistance program that City development staff are inability to work due to available to assist and support County District IV supervisor. Email school/child-care closures and includes business license local businesses however they questions or comments to Mitchoff at those at high risk of contracting relief. For more information, supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us visit can. For more information, COVID-19 may receive reim-

Glazer, from page 6

loophole that gives people a property tax break when they inherit a home from their parents. People who live in the disabled people to sell their companies are marketing to home they inherit would still get children via flavored products – home and buy another one and how a state ban could help without having to pay the sub- the benefit, but it would no stantially higher property taxes longer be available to landlords. stop this harmful practice. The two changes could The Senate also approved that would typically be my bill, SB 1232, to help stu- assessed on the new purchase. eventually raise $1 billion a year in new revenue that This will help more emptydent parents pay for books nesters to move out of larger would be dedicated to fire and college supplies with a protection. I worked with the homes that have more space Cal-WORKS grant. It would authors of the measure to than they need while freeing exempt these students from ensure that a portion of the having to meet work require- up homes for young families revenue would be available to who have been squeezed out ments. the East Contra Costa Fire by the housing shortage. Assembly Constitutional Protection District, which has If approved by voters in Amendment 11, which I been forced to reduce services helped push through the Sen- November, the constitutional amendment would also close a and close a number of staate, would allow seniors and

Grayson, from page 6

challenges do not pause when a new crisis begins. California has been working to overcome a housing crisis decades in the making, and it would be foolish for us to stop trying to address it now. This year, I am continuing my efforts to increase our housing supply by authoring legislation (Assembly Bill 831) that will help us build new housing faster and more affordably. I also remain committed to sup-

porting legislation that will immediately help hard-working Californians who are trying to keep a roof over their heads. We know far too well that some of the most vulnerable Californians are the ones who are struggling the most because of this outbreak. During the budget process, I advocated for funding for family justice centers that are on the frontlines helping vic-

tions because state funding formulas gave it far less property tax revenue than a typical fire district. This fire district has never had the revenue it needs to serve the fast-growing East County. ACA 11 is smart, fair tax reform that will help seniors while generating more resources for fighting fires. If it passes, I will work with my fellow legislators to make sure that the East County district gets its fair share. Steve Glazer is the California State Senator representing the 7th Senate District.

tims of intrapersonal violence lies, friends and communities. who are currently facing addi- In the meantime, I urge everyone to adhere to state and tional risk and hardships due local health orders, wear a face to the pandemic. I have also recently introduced legislation covering and maintain a physical distance from others. (AB767) that will increase Remember to prioritize your access to compensation for victims of violence. It is more mental and physical health, to important than ever that we do things that bring you peace step up our efforts to help and joy and even safely enjoy those most in need of supthe outdoors. Let’s all do our port. part to keep each other safe. Together we will get through these challenging Visit or write Assemblyman times and return to a more Tim Grayson at the district office routine lifestyle, with new2151 Salvio Street, Suite P, Confound gratitude for our fami- cord, CA 94520

Words matter. Black Lives Matter. Change matters

the opportunities I was afforded. I’ve been supported and encouraged when others were labeled and discouraged. DORANN ZOTIGH It’s why when I was 10, ALL THE COLORS walking down the road with our suitcases, my mom easily Words matter. accepted a ride from a police Naming things matters. officer – who dropped us off How you show up for oth- at a motel to stay. ers matters. When we learned about And as you read this, I the Holocaust in sixth grade, hope you already saying: Black the teacher held an experiLives Matter. ment. Separating the class, he More than anything, I told those with blue/green hope you are doing what you eyes that scientifically they can to make the change we were smarter, showing an artineed to get to a place where cle as “proof.” The kids on Black lives do matter to all. the blue/green side, “my” I’m white. To name it side, said hurtful things. The identifies the privileges I have, intent was to show how easily the culture I grew up in that we could succumb to rhetoric shaped my understanding and and false claims. People

believed they were better than someone who could be made an “other.” Too many believe today that some are worthy of love, compassion and rights and others are not because of “X” – transgender, Black, immigrant. Some downplay xenophobic remarks from our country’s leader so people can believe a pandemic is the fault of “others.” The words he uses matter and impact people’s lives. Our silence about things that are unjust also matters. The world is showing what happens when we allow ourselves and our leaders to repeat wrongs, to perpetuate systems that work for the few at the expense of many and to

make others “less than.” We must not step on the backs of others to get to the finish line. We need to come together, acknowledge when we have privilege and do what we can to make sure others can succeed too. Our future demands we act now and use our words with intention and thought. We either fail being individuals or we succeed together. For an extended piece from Zotigh, visit pionerpublishers.com.

Dorann Zotigh is the board president of the Rainbow Center serving the LGBTQ community in Concord. Send questions and comments to Dodi@rainbowcc.org.

Ginochio-DeRosa house part of Concord’s rich history Page 8

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

The Ginochio family built the house in 1887. Antonio and Marcella Ginochio came to Concord in 1867 and farmed the large acreage with mostly vegetables and vineyards. Joe DeRosa Jr. and his wife Isabelle bought the Ginochio house in the early 1940s. Isabelle had to quit teaching CAROL LONGSHORE when she got married, as was the practice at the time. MeanYESTERYEAR while, Joe had to resign his Driving down Cowell Road City Council seat in 1942, near Concord Community because the Cowell Road Park, you may have noticed home was then outside the the big house set back off the city limits. In 1944, he was road with palm trees lining the appointed postmaster for the driveway. Concord area. Ultimately, he

Computer designed for seniors comes with unpleasant surprises

In my opinion, the thousand dollar computer offer prepared especially for seniors is the swindle of the month. The plan is advertised as assisting seniors in using their new computers. I visited the website and read the ad after a customer contacted us with problems, and I can see why they still have issues. The tech support contract should protect them against defects or, at least, help customers resolve issues. However, sadly, it did not. The purchase came with an extra monthly charge for tech support. After contacting tech support in an effort to fix problems, the customer feels they didn’t get what they paid for and now they’re “stuck” with a computer that appears to be a complete dud. The pitch is designed to ensnare unknowing senior citizens into buying a computer that shouldn’t be sold as new in today’s market. It’s old technology, with software features that are now available on the web for free. The features highlighted in the advertisement include the ability to “send photos” and “search Google.” Seniors can also “use Facebook.” Oh my, how exciting. But wait, there’s more: Communicate with your friends and “make restaurant reservations.” It just doesn’t get any more special than that, does it? The hardware offers an old (two versions or more old) Celeron CPU. Technically, this CPU can’t do math because the math co-processor is disabled. How much would you pay for a giant calculator (computer as the name implies) that can’t do math? In addition, this 19-inch all-in-one comes with 4GB of old-style RAM, Windows 8 and an extremely slow hard drive. Perhaps the worst hard

had a lot to do with expanding the city limits. The 10-room house had plenty of room for their three daughters and son, Joe the third. The house had a magnificent front yard. Joe planted the palm trees lining the driveway, along with a wisteria grove. As you walked through the front door, to the left were the dining room and screened porch where the family ate meals during the summer. To the right was a living room with a huge fireplace, where the ivy began to grow through. Joe liked it, so the ivy remained through the years. The big kitchen was beyond the staircase. In the olden days, farmhands would come in the back door and use the bathroom that had two showerheads. The kitchen also had a huge table where the farmhands were fed. The DeRosa family filled the table fairly well.

Antonio and Marcella Ginochio built this house in 1887 and farmed the surrounding acreage.

The upstairs had a long hallway leading to the big bedroom, where they added a screened porch as a sleeping area for the younger Joe. The sisters used the other bedrooms off the hallway. However, there was only one bathroom with a shower/tub on the second floor. You can imagine how busy that was as the children grew. They had horses and chickens and an old tank house on the four acres. The kids would swing on a large oak tree or play on rafts in the

Joe DeRosa Jr. added the palm trees leading up to the historic home off Cowell Road in Concord.

creek, which would flood sometimes. As the kids slowly moved on, Joe and Isabelle sold a lot of the property that became the St. Francis Drive homes. When that development was complete, they moved into one of the houses there and sold the Ginochio-DeRosa house in 1980. Next time you drive by the

historic house, imagine what it was like when it was mostly open land. You can almost hear the chickens clucking and the horses neighing.

films. The writing and editing, however, leave much to be desired. The film clocks in at well more than two hours, but it still feels like shortcuts were taken. The plot telegraphs several would-be suspenseful things, and I found character motivations difficult to comprehend. It seems like several plot devices exist solely to get the characters to the cliché “final battle.” Now is the right time to tell as many Black stories as possible, and Lee is more qualified than most to do so. Yet, it might be best to check out some of his older films instead of “Bloods.” C

ties to the Nazis may be the undoing of a New York Jewish family and millions like them. “Dark” (Netflix). From Germany we get the third and final season of this mindbending show. Does the nuclear power plant in a small town cause people to go missing? If so, where do they end up? Every nuance is layered with important information. Do yourself a favor, deal with the subtitles and German audio because the dubbing is awful. Aussie Rules Football (FS1 and FS2). The networks aired a few weeks of this sport back in March, and now it has returned. You can find this fun mix of football, soccer and rugby on Friday and Saturday nights.

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

Spike Lee’s ‘Bloods’ not his finest effort

For more than 30 years, Spike Lee has been making movies about African-Americans who struggle and fight to have their voices heard. “Do the Right Thing,” WILL CLANEY “Malcolm X,” “Get on the TECH TALK Bus” and “Miracle at St. Anna” are just a few of his drive in the world, in my opin- films that showcase strong ion. There is no CD or DVD Black characters realizing the drive, and who knows what deck has been stacked against the motherboard is. them their whole lives. Lee’s Support is not locally new Netflix-only film, “Da 5 based, but in Houston. And Bloods,” is a flawed if they are open half a day. respectable addition to his They are charging three legacy. times as much as this old “The Wire” alums Clarke clunker’s retail value. But hold Peters and Isiah Whitlock Jr. on, it has software, too. Not join Delroy Lindo and Norm anything anyone uses anyLewis as four Vietnam vets more, but it does have a word returning to the jungles for processor. Not Word, Excel or the first time since their final Outlook. No, you pay extra tour of duty. Their publicized for that. reason is retrieving the Speaking about extras, the remains of the 5th Blood, tech support subscription is Stormin’ Norman (Chadwick $19.99 a month on a longBoseman). Their secret reason term contract. For that, you for the trip is to find the gold get to ask questions. However, bars their superior officers the answers are cryptic, and I had tasked them with delivercannot see how they fix anything. That’s why the customer called us. By the way, Internet security isn’t included from what I can tell. I am sure if it did have anti-virus, it would be in big bold letters. I believe seniors deserve more than a broken-down, 4year-old model that is overpriced and underpowered. If you love your moms and dads or have senior friends and relatives, help them avoid this SUNNY SOLOMON stuff. In my opinion, stay away BOOKIN’ WITH from MyGait Elite II Computer. SUNNY

JEFF MELLINGER

SCREEN SHOTS

ing before their plane went down. Before their trek, we learn a little about who the men have become over the last half-century. Paul (Lindo) is a paranoid MAGA-backer with a son (Jonathan Majors) for whom he cares little. Eddie (Lewis) has made a sizable amount of money, enough to fund the trip. Otis (Peters) and Melvin (Whitlock), like their friends, are often haunted by the man they left behind. The acting and directing are superb, as usual in Lee’s

QUARANTINE TV “Plot Against America” (HBO). From the co-creators of “The Wire” comes a miniseries with eerie parallels to 2020. In this alt-history tale, hero Charles Lindbergh runs on an anti-war ticket against FDR in 1940. Millions fall for his rhetoric, but his suspected

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

Keeping marriage ‘Afloat’ at heart of novel

works for downsizes, introducing David to the world of unemployment and daytime TV. Time passes, David’s severance package runs out, no job offerings are on the horizon and the family’s survival on his unemployment alone is no longer tenable. What I liked best about William Claney is an independent “Staying Afloat” is not the “Staying Afloat” is Judith tech writer and former owner of Comstory of a bored housewife Marshall’s pitch-perfect tone puters USA in the Clayton Station. finding excitement and much of Crystal Scott, the novel’s Email questions or comments to willmore upon reentering the protagonist, a woman with a claney@gmail.com. workforce. It is the story of a husband and two children. The novel’s shadow pro- woman, who for months, walks on eggshells around her tagonist is the marriage husband. Crystal hides her itself. “Staying Afloat” opens as feelings about her husband’s Crystal sits in her parked car, unemployment from her children and does not want to Looking for a furry friend ing forev- preparing to face a third job accept financial help from her This one is with a interview. during this trying time? Good er home retired parents. news — ARF is now offering where she startup tech company lookThe distance between ing for a director of corpoa no-contact, virtual adoption can curl Crystal and David grows. By rate travel. It’s been more process! If you see an animal up with than a few years since Crys- the time she tells him of her you’re interested in on our her perdecision to look for work to tal has been part of the website, just fill out an online son. augment their financial situaworking world, not since her inquiry form. Once your The tion, the lack of closeness husband David, a well-paid inquiry has been received, you adoption CPA, convinced her that his they once valued has found its will be added to our virtual fee for SADIE way into their bedroom. adoption queue. puppies ( income was sufficient for The only person Crystal their lifestyle and their growThree-year-old Sadie is a under 6 months) is $350, for confides in is her sister, ing children needed her at polite and sensitive girl who just adult dogs is $250, and senior Brook, an organic farmer. She home. It was not a difficult needs someone to shower her dogs (7+ years) and special sells her produce to some of decision for Crystal. She is a with lots of love. She has a lov- needs dogs are 50 percent off the Bay Area’s best restaurants devoted wife and mother, ing personality and is very loyal the adoption fee. and is extremely popular at and the time spent with her to her person. She would do the local farmers market. best in a quieter home where ARF volunteers are making a parents and sister is equally Brook’s success in the face of important to her. she can build her confidence a difference. For more information see Crystal’s difficulties adds to Due to a troubled econobit more. Sadie is a total love website, www.arflife.org, or call the empathy we feel for her. my, the firm her husband bug and can’t wait to find a lov- (925) 256-1ARF.

ARF Adoptables

July 17, 2020

Marshall gives us a heroine to either cheer for or just throttle, and sometimes it’s both. Not only is her boss, Jeff, good looking, but he is seductively supportive. The reader sees it coming before Crystal. A new, high-end company car, travel to Hawaii and New York – and Jeff. What makes this story different is that Jeff is as decent as Crystal. Decency plays catch up with Crystal’s sexual reawakening and self-confidence. David, on the other hand, has discovered baking. He is good at it and getting better. He sells his baked goods with Brook at the farmers market

and then to local restaurants. He, too, is now ready to reenter the workforce, but as a baker. Crystal and David find themselves in places they never expected to be. Decisions will be made. Regrets and forgiveness weigh in heavily as to whether or not the shadow protagonist, the marriage, will – or even should – survive. “Staying Afloat” is the Concord author’s second novel and is available on Amazon.

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.’

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SPORTS

July 17, 2020

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page 9

Fall high school sports face uncertain fate JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

Veteran Sacramento Bee prep sportswriter Joe Davidson says it is “fourth down and super long” when describing the chances of high school football—and all other fall sports for that matter—starting as scheduled or even at all in 2020. California Interscholastic Federation, which oversees all high school sports in the State, stated in mid-June that by July 20 a determination would be made and announced as to the status for sports in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. When that press release came out June 12 the news on the health front was encouraging as cases in California were down and parts of the economy were re-opening. Oh, but how things have changed since then. The country, with California among the worst hit, has experienced a large spike in positives tests, hospitals are gearing up for a feared influx of patients and government officials on the state and county levels are pulling back their re-opening timetable. And all of this during a hot summer that was supposed to see the virus at least temporarily fade into the background. Major college conferences have announced that their football schedules will be with league games only and some

conferences have scuttled all fall sports. California Community College Athletic Association has a new schedule with shortened seasons during the first half of 2021. Practice will start in midJanuary and competition in February for cross country, women’s golf, basketball, football, soccer, women’s volleyball, water polo and wrestling. Badminton, baseball, beach volleyball, men’s golf, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and men’s volleyball are scheduled to start practice in late March before commencing competition on April 10. A variety of ideas have been floated about high school football but any of them involving playing and playing in front of spectators this fall are now those with the longest of odds. Something similar to what the community colleges are doing might be the most likely when the 10 sections of CIF make their final determination no later than Monday. Any plan is dependent on the course the virus takes as government, health and school officials will have the final call to even allow the CIF plan to be implemented. In a state as large and varied as California it is extra hard to have a one size fits all solution for this unique circumstance as has been demonstrated over the past four months. All decisions are subject to change as there are no guaran-

tees the virus will cooperate with any timetable. Districts are currently grappling with decisions on how to conduct instruction during the 2020-21 school year that starts in less than a month. Should schools, such as the 35,000-student Fremont Unified School District just announced, have all

distance learning, where does that leave athletics, which would be coming on an otherwise closed campus for training and competition? Intersectional football games including De La Salle traveling to Texas in August for a game on ESPN and the Washington state champions coming to the Bay

Area to play Clayton Valley Charter were canceled weeks ago. Any change in the schedule—-even to only delay by weeks or months—will almost assuredly spell the end of any post-season playoffs. And the more condensed time frame for a schedule that might all take place after the cal-

Shay Caban

Just as all high school sports came to a screeching halt in March, so did youth sports that bloom in the spring and summer—-baseball, soccer and swimming, in particular. Seniors missed their final seasons last spring and now so have 12-year-old little leaguers like Caban. Set for her seventh year in Concord American Little League, Caban was looking forward to her third and

Check Pioneer website for updates at pioneerpublishers.com.

all-star teams the past two seasons. Next year she will move up to the 50/70 division for 13- and 14-year-olds managed by her dad Shay. In the fall Caban plays Concord AYSO soccer and “definitely wants to play sports” when she gets to high school. Caban hopes that will include the Concord High baseball team, however would consider playing softball although she has never batted against underhand fast-pitch pitchers. The Oakland A’s fan says Ricky Henderson and Babe Ruth are players she admires but she really does not have any favorite player in the majors now.

Athlete Spotlight

Team: Concord American Little League Yankees Age: 12 Sports: Baseball, Soccer

endar changes to 2021 will put a strain on facilities that are already maxed out at most schools. Elite high school athletes hoping to attract interest from colleges face the prospect of those chances diminishing as well.

final season playing for the Yankees as the only girl in CALL major division baseball. The incoming seventh grader at El Dorado Middle School in Concord followed in the footsteps of her dad who also played on the Yankees and older brother Keoni in Concord American. Primarily a second baseman, Caban also played some outfield. She bats left, throws right and was on league

The Pioneer congratulates Shay and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com

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

SF Giants sign De La Salle’s Harrison for $2.5 million JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

Photo couresty De La Salle Athletics

De La Salle High grad Kyle Harrison signed a contract with the San Francisco Giants that included a $2.5 million signing bonus just days after his high school graduation. The lefthanded pitcher was picked in the third round of the Major League Baseball draft last month as the 85th player taken.

The San Francisco Giants drafted lefthanded pitcher Kyle Harrison of De La Salle High School in the third round of the Major League Baseball draft last month as the 85th player taken. Within a week after the draft the 18-year-old Harrison signed his contract, which included a $2.5 million bonus. Only two players selected in the second round and one in the third received a larger bonus. The 85th pick in the draft was slotted for a $710,700 bonus so Harrison got about $1.8 million more than that, signifying the talent the Giants see in the Spartan southpaw. He was the only high school player drafted by the Giants this year in the abbreviated five-round draft where the Giants made seven selections. Harrison, 6-2, 200 pounds, committed to attend UCLA but turned down joining the Bruins by signing the contract with the Giants, who also drafted former Spartan and UC Santa Barbara outfielder Armani Smith in the seventh round last year. His De La Salle coach

David Jeans posted on Twitter “Giants are getting a winner and a great kid. One of the most competitive kids that I ever coached. Couldn’t be happier for Kyle and his family.” Harrison went 21-1 with a 1.19 ERA and 192 strikeouts in his high school career. The Spartans won the North Coast Section championship in his sophomore and junior seasons. This spring’s campaign, of course, was cut short as Harrison was 2-0 in DLS’s four games. De La Salle was ranked second nationally in 2019. Jeans thought the 2020 De La Salle team may have proved the best-ever at the school. De La Salle coach Jeans called Harrison “the best pitcher in the state” and gave a scouting report on his prized lefty to Melissa Lockard for The Athletic: A left-hander with a low-90s fastball that was clocked as high as 94 last summer and three playable secondary offerings (curveball, changeup and slider), Harrison has the potential to be a fixture in a major-league rotation. Jeans says what sets Harrison apart is not just his physical gifts, but his ability to remain confident and calm no matter how big the situation.

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“He’s unbelievably mature and competitive. He might be the best baseball player I’ve ever coached in terms of not getting too big for the moment,” Jeans said. “He truly believes that he’s better than the guy that he’s facing. He’s a special talent.” He was 10-0 with a 1.26 ERA as a junior for the Spartans and Jeans says Harrison was poised to be even better before the coronavirus pandemic cut his senior season short. Last summer, Harrison had the top ERA in the 2019 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup while pitching for Team USA. He did not allow a run in 10 innings, striking out 12. Harrison also underwent physical maturation over the past year, adding 15-20 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame. Some scouts think he has room for more growth,

which may also allow for increased velocity.

Many scouts thought Harrison may have been a late first-round to mid-second round pick had this high school season played out. That assessment explains why Harrison’s bonus was almost as much as the Giants three second-round draft picks combined. “If Kyle had been a kid who had been seen all spring and had a full season, I think he’d be a guy being talked about in the mid-first round,” Ryan Ozella, former California area scout for Prep Baseball Report and founder of Ozella Baseball Consulting, told Lockard. “He knows how to pitch. Every time I see him, his work ethic just keeps showing up.”

Athlete Spotlight

Nick Muller

School: Clayton Valley Charter High Grade: Senior Sports: Cross Country, Track

Muller ran at Clayton Valley Charter since his freshman year. “Throughout this time, I have looked up to many groups of seniors and am grateful to have been a part of some of the best track teams the school has seen,” the recent graduate told The Pioneer. Those teams took him to league and North Coast Section championships and the CIF state meet in relays. And this spring he hoped to return again as an individual in the 800-meter race. “I dreamed of being one of the school’s few runners to run sub 2:00 in that race. After opening the season [with a personal record] 2:00.75, I was hopeful it would happen.” However, the coronavirus pandemic soon called a halt to those hopes and dreams for Muller and the rest of the Ugly Eagles track and field team when all spring high school sports in California were cancelled. The senior, who is headed for UCLA this fall, added, “Myself and the whole team are devastated. We have always looked forward to big meets like the Stanford and Arcadia Invitationals as team bonding experiences. I am still grateful for the team and coaching staff at Clayton Valley, especially coach Keisha Lowe, for a great four years.” His coach said, “Nick has always had a passion for running. He is fast enough to be an outstanding sprinter and, coupled with his endurance, he is an all-around great runner. Nick is a hard worker. He’s always trying to perfect his races. He is the type of kid a coach looks forward to coaching... a coachable athlete who is always willing to do what is best for his team. Nick is always willing to step in and run anything I ask from the 100 meters to the 1600M to a relay at a moment’s notice. Nick was definitely an asset to the team that I’m going to greatly miss.” CVCHS student journalist Alexa Oldham wrote this Spotlight.

The Pioneer congratulates Nick and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com

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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

July 17, 2020

Concord High recognized 2 coaches in naming baseball field, gym after them JAY BEDECARRÉ the Pioneer

Second in a series about athletic facilities at eight local high schools.

Concord High was the last of six comprehensive high schools to open in Contra Costa’s largest city when the school began classes in the fall of 1966. That concluded a hectic eight-year period starting in 1958 with Clayton Valley, Ygnacio Valley, De La Salle and Carondelet along with Concord all opening to handle the fast-growing Concord population that previously only had Mt Diablo High. The first Minuteman varsity football coach Don Lockyer is still featured on the Concord Blvd. campus under the scoreboard in Don Lockyer Gymnasium. And not too far away in the back corner of the school grounds is the Jack Dress Memorial Ball Park, honoring a man who was not quite able to realize his dream to coach the CHS varsity baseball team. Although Lockyer gained the most notoriety for his football coaching, he guided an undefeated Diablo Valley Athletic League championship Minuteman basketball team in the 1972-73 season after he earlier led the school to its historic unbeaten 1969 DVAL football title. Lockyer had the distinction of coaching the school to its first title in both sports. In fact, the basketball championship came in the first year he coached the sport at Concord. The team won the Mid Valley Classic in December and in the final game handed defending league champ Clayton Valley the first of four defeats that season between the rivals, the exact opposite of what had happened the previous campaign.

PLAYOFF SCARE After going 14-0 in league play Concord was shocked in the opener to the DVAL playoffs, losing to Mt. Diablo before rebounding over perennial powers Clayton Valley in the semi-finals and Pittsburg in the championship game, an overtime thriller. That put the Minutemen into the Top of the Bay postseason tournament (pre-North Coast Section playoffs which began two years later). The local team won the consolation title there over Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa. Senior Curt Minges led the DVAL in scoring and classmate Jeff Sprague was second in rebounding. Both earned first-team all-league honors while guard Dave Ruybalid was second team for the Minutemen.

Basketball and football coach Don Lockyer.

Concord High baseball coach Jack Dress in his playing days in Mississippi.

The 9-0 Minuteman football team in 1969 featured senior captains runningback/defensive back Andy Maez and guard/middle linebacker Rich Prigge, who were both voted to the Contra Costa All-Star team along with center John Slobodnick. Prigge was first-team allNorthern California while Maez became the school’s first 1000-yard rusher. The league championship was essentially decided in the fourth game of the season on a windy afternoon at Ygnacio Valley High when Concord outlasted the Warriors 28-22 in one of the all-time classic DVAL games. Ygnacio was led that year by quarterback Mike Sullivan, Dan Fitzgerald and future Baltimore Oriole Kiko Garcia. However, that wasn’t the only close call in league play as Concord won other DVAL games by two, four and six points while also posting shutouts in three of their final four games. That group ended with a 21-4-2 record over three years for the Green and Gold. Lockyer was an Idaho native and World War II veteran. He was on the Pleasant Hill High football coaching staff before coming to Concord

High, where he stayed until his 1985 retirement. Lockyer’s son Tom also coached at CHS. Don Lockyer died in 2011 at age 83. Last fall the 1969 team celebrated the 50th anniversary of its magical season at a Minuteman football game. COACHING DREAM UNFULFILLED

Jack Dress coached at Concord High for nearly a decade assisting varsity coach and close friend Gary Luoma. Dress was in charge of the junior varsity. When Luoma stepped down after the 1992 season the school appointed Dress to take over the varsity for the following spring. Dress had battled Hodgkin’s disease 23 years earlier during the time his wife Yvonne was expecting their fourth child Tony. Overcoming a dire diagnosis by doctors, he recovered and spent 10 years coaching basketball at St. Agnes School, 11 years coaching in Concord American Little League and three years as a hitting instructor at Grand Slam Batting Cages in Concord in addition to his duties at Concord High. The summer he was appointed varsity coach, sarcoma cancer was discovered, a result of the heavy radiation he had received 23 years earlier. Although school officials tried to talk him out of coaching so

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he could concentrate on recovering, Dress was bound and determined to fill his new position. Luoma said that Dress broke one of the cardinal rules of coaching in that he had all his players—young and old— call him “Jack” and not “coach.” Luoma credited Dress with helping the Minuteman varsity to three league titles and nine playoff appearances during their years together. Dress was an all-star catcher on the 1951 Mississippi state championship team. He moved to Concord and played two years at Diablo Valley College following four years in the Air Force. In 1959 he signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs, playing some minor league ball in Iowa. On Jan. 15, 1993 at 64 years of age he died following an eight-month cancer battle, just weeks shy of realizing his dream to coach the Minutemen varsity baseball team. Besides his widow and son Tony, he left behind three daughters. Tony Dress followed in his father’s footsteps, coaching at Acalanes High, Los Medanos College and San Francisco State.

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Page 10

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Page 11

Congratulations to these 2020 Grads

Congratulations Olivia on your graduation frrom CVCHS! Your perseverance, poise and grace during this unprecedented time have been nothing short of remarkable.

The fu uture holds great things — you are a true fo orce of nature and will succeed at whatever you set your intent! Your charisma, talent, incredible mind and razor sharp wit never cease to dazzle and amaze! You have it in you to help change the world fo or the better. We love you with all of our hearts!

Mark (Dad), Nathalie (Mom), Bella and Wren.

The Webb Family is proud to announce the graduation of their daughter, Giovy, frrom YA ALE.

Giovy received a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethics, Politics & Economics, an honors major, and a minor in Geology & Geophysics Energy Studies. Giovy graduated with distinction while playing softtball for the Ivyy League and the Peruvian National Softtball Team. She participated in the 2019 Pan-American Games.

Congratulations Giovy! You were just 6 when you began playing T-ball with CV VLL. Fast fo orward 16 years and here you are, playing internationally in Olympic Qualifiiers, sharing the fiield with your soft ftball idols frrom Team USA, and accomplishing so much offf the fiield as well! To say we are proud of you is truly an understatement! Your drive will be key to your continued success. Keep working hard and remember to enjoy the moments!

-Love, Mama & Pops

i e’

To our 2020 Mustang Graduate,

Mick, we are so proud of the wonderfu ul, wild and wise young man you are. But more importantly, you are strong, compassionate and loving. We didn’t think we could be prouder of you aftter you graduated high school, but you blew us away at Cal Poly. We know you have wonderfu ul things waiting in your fu uture. At At least we hope so – you have to take care of your parents! Remember, you didn’t make a huge mistake. There’s always money in the banana stand.

r .

’

’ .

Love always, Mom, Dad, Frannie and Charlie

Nicholaus & Jasmine plan to complete and pass the Califo ornia Bar Exam & pursue careers in law in Califo ornia

eartfeelt congratulations to our son, cholaus Harrison Woltering, and s girlfrriend, Jasmine Samuels, on eir graduation frrom the University San Diego (USD) Law School in ay of 2020!!! We are extremely oud of both of them fo or their three ars of dedication, hard work, and is accomplishment!!! Both Nick nd Jasmine have been amazing ursuing this path of interest, work, nd contribution. While attending SD and afftter receiving their underaduate degrees in Political Science om Cal State Fullerton (Jasmine) nd UC Davis (Nick), they each did veral internships, including a udicial Externship fo or Judge Gallo asmine) and a Judicial Externship fo or Judge Loren (Nick). We wish them both all the happiness and success possible as they move fo orward in their life fe journeys!

From your fa amilies — The Wolterings and the Samuels

To say that we are proud of you as you graduate frrom UCSC with a degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology would be a wicked understatement! We are undeniably proud but not at all surprised as you have always had the ability to understand and master nearly anything you set your intention to. Your abilities are truly profo ound. You will go fa ar in whichever fiield you choose to pursue. You possess incredible intelligence, compassion, beauty and a marvelous sense of humor. We love you and honor all you have accomplished so fa ar!

Mark (Dad), Nathalie (Mom), Bella and Olivia

T HE ARTS Page 12

The Pioneer â&#x20AC;˘ www.pioneerpublishers.com

July 17, 2020

Contra Costa theater companies create online experiences

I give thanks every day for the resilience of our local performing artists who refuse to let COVID-19 stifle their creativity. With no live theater in sight, our intrepid local theater companies endeavor to bring what art they can via streaming of past performances, live broadcasts of new performances, Zoom readings of plays, music and more. Orinda Starlight Village Players designed a special murder mystery experience for players to enjoy from the comfort of their homes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Night of Creeps, Haunts and Murderâ&#x20AC;? takes place Thursday evenings throughout July and maybe beyond as online guests try to solve the murder of the ultra-rich curmudgeon Bartholomew Mugwort. Mr. Grim leads you through the evening, offering riddles and clues to help you solve the murder at Mugwortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ghostly manor in Amity Hill. Not only are their eight sus-

of suspense. The event is free, although donations are gratefully accepted. For more information and reservations, call 925-528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org. Meanwhile, Center Repertory Theatre has been putting together entertaining and educational interviews conducted by artistic director Michael SALLY HOGARTY Butler and entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ask Three Questions.â&#x20AC;? STAGE STRUCK Currently available is a chat with choreographer Kevin pects, but the manor itself Gruwell and actor/dancers seems to be alive and definite- Glenn Delos Santos, Justin P. ly not in a good mood. Lopez and Carleena Manzi Up to nine guests can about the music, story and enter the manor and try to some thoughtful questions solve the murder. They can regarding Repâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2019 producinterrogate the eight suspects tion of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Native Gardens.â&#x20AC;? and receive clues from Mr. This new play by Karen Grim after solving one of his Zacarias provided some puzzles or riddles. unique challenges for the Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done through Zoom, three performers, who star as with guests and suspects all on the Gomez Landscaping team. view. So, sharpen those detec- They managed to dismantle tive skills and have your and install major set/landscapfavorite beverage and snacks ing pieces while dancing up a at the ready for a fun evening storm. Usually as an audience

porary theater as local actors create a special evening. The current production features Pamela Kingsley and Kimberly Ridgeway in Jen Silvermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Roommate.â&#x20AC;? Directed by CCCT artistic director Marilyn Langbehn, the dark comedy follows the recently divorced Sharon (Ridgeway), who takes in a roommate (Kingsley) to help make ends meet. It soon becomes apparent that the new roommate is a fugitive of sorts. As the two Photo by mellophoto.com women become friends, they each attempt to transform Carleena Manzi, Glenn Delos Santos and Justin P. Lopez are Gomez Landscapingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative scene changers in Cen- their lives. The show performs live on Zoom at 7 p.m. Monter Repâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Native Gardens.â&#x20AC;? member, I want set transitions in Repâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early 2020 production day, July 20. Suggested donation is $10. RSVP to to happen quickly so we can of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music,â&#x20AC;? ccct.org/reading-stage-thereflects on the singerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and get back to the action, but in the case of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Native Gardens,â&#x20AC;? legacy. Both interviews can be roommate/. I was happen to have the tran- seen at centerrep.org. Sally Hogarty is well known Contra Costa Civic Theatre sitions linger. around the Bay Area as a newspa(CCCT) has resumed its ReadCenter Repâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous per columnist, theatre critic and ing Stage series, albeit online. interview with actor/singer working actress. She is the editor of Launched in 2015, Reading Katrina Lauren McGraw is the Orinda News. Send comments Stage offers audiences the also available. McGraw, who to sallyhogarty@gmail.com opportunity to hear contemwas fabulous as Bessie Smith

Burgeoning artist finds new community calling

sion for art to decorate my classroom and celebrate my studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; creativity,â&#x20AC;? says Perryman, who moved to Walnut Creek from Iran when she was 9. Perryman currently works LISA FULMER with students who have speneeds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These exceptional ARTS IN MOTION cial young people have opened my Samineh Hamidi Perryman eyes to a whole new world of has been interested in art and love, innocence and purity.â&#x20AC;? After several years of teaching for as far back as she pouring all her creativity into can remember. the classroom, she recently â&#x20AC;&#x153;When my dream of teaching first became reality, I started looking for ways to was so excited to use my pas- rekindle her own artistic spirit.

She came up with an idea to make â&#x20AC;&#x153;Windows of Creativity,â&#x20AC;? which are tabletop dioramas using branches, found objects and miniatures to tell a story. Her custom assemblages feature peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite hobbies and other personal themes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After making my first few windows for friends, I was able to sell 12 more fairly quickly,â&#x20AC;? she notes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so exciting to not only make art, but sell it, too. Dreams do come true.â&#x20AC;? Perryman believes art has

the power to bring people together and help build community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It enhances our lives in so many ways. Art gives me reasons to step outside my comfort zone and experience new things,â&#x20AC;? she says. After learning about the Concord Art Association (CAA), she joined and displayed some of her windows in member exhibits. Then one of her very first acrylic paintings was accepted for CAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s utility box public art project in

See Arts, page 13

Samineh Hamidi Perryman used a classroom theme for this â&#x20AC;&#x153;windowâ&#x20AC;? art.

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Ornamental grasses bring the bling to any landscape July 17, 2020

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

At maturity, expect red fountain to reach 5 feet tall and wide. Red Fountain goes dormant during winter months, with its blades becoming brown and dry. This is part of its cycle, so consider the dormancy when placing within your landscape. Pennisetum has another family member worth mentioning. Pennisetum hameln is a dwarf fountain grass with green NICOLE HACKETT blades and blond plumes. Use it GARDEN GIRL along a border, to accent boulders or as a mass planting. This time of year, our landNew to the scene, Lomanscapes surrender to the swaying dra grass has been getting lots plumes of ornamental grasses. of attention. This ornamental We see these grasses grass is a lush green and creates throughout the area, providing a perfectly arched growth habit. texture, movement and grace. Lomandra Lime Tuff grows 30 Unlike with flowering inches tall and wide. It creates a shrubs, the slightest breeze nice living border along a walkbrings an ornamental grass to way or surrounding a patio. life. Installing ornamental grassLomandra Platinum Beauty is a es to a landscape, hillside or cream and green variegated container will add interest to the ornamental selection. Use Platoverall look. inum Beauty to accent a red Red fountain grass is foliage Japanese maple or a probably the most popular multi-trunk fruitless olive. All of ornamental grass for our area. the Lomandra family are everFolks adore the reddish-brown greens but would look nice foliage and rose-colored pruned down to the ground plumes. Pennisetum setaceum every other March for a fresh ‘Rubrum’ is the botanical name foliage look. for this fountain-like grass.

Page 13

bronze and orange. Ornamental grasses add interest and texture when incorporated into a landscape. They are readily available, drought-tolerant and easy to grow. Read up on the mature sizes of your considerations to

ensure you are happy with your installations.

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

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Karl Foerster Calamagrostis is commonly called feather reed grass. This selection makes an awesome hedge or screen, reaching 6 feet tall while in bloom. The purplish plumes of Karl Foerster pair nicely with its deep green foliage. This ornamental grass is both deerand drought-tolerant. Karl Foerster Calamagrostis grows from the center out and will need to be divided every few years to prevent the holein-the-doughnut effect. It may be extra work, but the results are worth it. Blue fescue and several

selections of Carex grasses have become quite the rage since many people are removing their lawns and opting for water-wise plant material. Blue fescue is a predictable ornamental grass. Depending on the selection, expect growth of 816 inches tall and wide. The color of the foliage is what sells it: The bluer the better. Look for selections such as Beyond Blue, which has a metallic blue color, or Cool as Ice, which is a true blue. Carex creates a waterfall effect in the landscape and is available in green, variegated,

Arts, from page 12

Samineh Hamidi Perryman was among the artists selected for Concord’s utility box public art project.

group has also partnered with Wren Avenue Elementary to teach three kids art classes in July via CAA’s Facebook page. downtown Concord. the CAA board is working Follow CAA on Instagram “I was so honored to be hard to develop more virtual @weheartconcordart. Visit part of this city beautification opportunities for members project, and I’ve made some and the community at large to concordartassociation.org to see more dates for inspiring wonderful friends through the enjoy art. art association,” Perryman “I love posting art news on online lectures and demonstrations, as well as plenty of says. Instagram for CAA, and I’m new work from members and She took her new relation- thrilled to be conducting my details about membership. ships a step further and joined first online painting demonAnyone who makes art, loves stration for members via CAA’s board of directors to take a more active role in Zoom on Aug. 11,” Perryman art or just wants to support local artists is welcome to join. building community through says. the arts in Concord. CAA sponsors a free art Lisa Fulmer is a marketing conWith so many festivals, art class each month on the city sultant, published author and a comexhibits and other events can- of Concord’s Facebook page munity arts advocate. celed for the rest of this year as part of the city’s Concord due to COVID-19 concerns, Live! At Home series. The

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The Pioneer â&#x20AC;˘ www.pioneerpublishers.com

July 17, 2020

Craving some Yosemite?

A FR EE W EB I N A R

FIVE E WI WIS SHES S A unique appro p oach to end-of--liife e planning

Kevin Parker

reparing for the eventuality off the time when you will pass on is a pricelesss gifftt you can leave e your loved ones. But pondering medica al what-ifs and choicces may not be easyy conversations to have h with your familyy. Join Hope Hospicce as we discuss Five Wishes, an easy-to--understand advance ce healthcare directivve that helps you evvaluate and record your y desires in critical a areas off concern.

Little Yosemite Trail is a singletrack trail that crosses over into Mt. Diablo State Park from Diablo Foothills Regional Park

July 29, 10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1 11:30 :30 a.m. a | Auggust 5, 4:30â&#x20AC;&#x201C;6 p.m m. (same pro ogram, off fffer fferred d twice)

It will be helpful to or ord der yourself yyo f a copy of o Five i Wishes for a nominal fee can view a sample at that website.

Register at HopeHospice.c peHosp com/townhall. Thi his is a free web binar. PANELISTS: REV V. MELISSA A TUMANENG, MBA, MDIV V,, BCC

Melissa is the Su upervisor of Spiritual Care for Hope H Hospice. She is an active with the Associa ation of Professional Chaplains. She w was ordained by the United Church o of Christ and serves on the Nortthern n Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Nevada Conference Boa ard Council.

MICHELLE RUSSELL

Michelle is a Community Liaisson for Hope Hospice. In this role, she provides educational lectures on senio or-car - e topics to both residents and staf s fff at sing assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, as well as hospice educa ducation. She has over 15 years experience ence working in social services in the he skilled nursing facility setting.

KEVIN PARKER

HIT

THE

TRAIL

We met some friends for a mellow 90-minute afternoon stroll, which like on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gilliganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island,â&#x20AC;? turned into a three-hour tour. Gilligan never made it home, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we did. And this six-plus mile loop into the heart of Diablo Foothills Regional Park was one to remember. Access to this park is easy, even in these crazed pandemic times. The East

Bay Regional Park District has closed the last quarter mile of road and requires everyone to park in a large gravel spot near the equestrian area. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look for a restroom or drinking fountain; they are all closed. But if you want shady trails, wind-protected ravines and a walk near the coveted peregrine falcon breeding grounds, then this is a nice place to visit. We walked into the park via a combination of paved and dirt trails until we passed Castle Rock Recreation Area. Hop on Castle Rock Trail, which heads directly up Pine Canyon, and get ready to lose the crowds with each step. The trail is mostly sand and rock, has lots of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mom, where does this go?â&#x20AC;? side trails for the kids and even

Where: Diablo Foothills Regional Park Trails: Castle Rock Trail, Little Yosemite Trail, Briones to Mt. Diablo Trail, Buckeye Ravine Trail Distance: 6.8 miles Elevation Gain: 1,184 feet Time: 3 hours (includes 30-minute scenic detour) Trailhead: Gravel parking area off Castle Rock Road (near Equestrian Staging) Closures: Castle Rock parking, restrooms, drinking fountains, Castle Rock Singletrack Trail

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some caves peppered along the route. Pine Creek is dry this time of year, but expect numerous creek crossings and wet shoes in winter. We followed Castle Rock Trail until we met up with Little Yosemite Trail. This trail is surely a treat but easy to miss if you are not paying attention. Little Yosemite is a singletrack trail that immediately picks up elevation as you cross over into Mt. Diablo State Park (although youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never know it). The rushing water of winter months would make this trail a little better, but it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter as we were showered with a panorama of beauty. Valley oaks, grassy hills, dry creek beds and one of those days where the clouds all look like mystical creatures from another world created a recipe for feeling good. Little Yosemite junctions into Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail, a highly exposed fire road that dips and dives back into Diablo Foothills and eventually links up with Buckeye Ravine Trail. This vantage points offers views of China Wall and the cliffs above Castle Rock. Just as quickly as Little Yosemite blasted you up into the hills above Castle Rock, Buckeye Ravine does just the opposite. The abrupt downhill dive will weaken even the most seasoned trail legs. Much like the rest of this hike, Buckeye Ravine is shaded but very steep in sections â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so keep an eye on your footing. Once back on the canyon floor, we returned to the staging area on Castle Rock Trail. Time permitting, Shell Ridge Loop and Diablo Scenic Trails are always on my list. The trail climbing is serious fun, and the rewards are easy to come by and never get old. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to smile, help others, be cool to your neighbors and go to nature, my friends. Contact Kevin Parker with comments or questions by email at LukeHollywood@gmail.com

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