JUN 21 The Pioneer 2024

New music, new traditions this year for cities’ summer concerts

From Pleasant Hill’s 25th anniversary season, to the weeknight tradition in the heart of Concord and Concerts in The Grove bringing families together in Clayton, a robust summer concert scene is sure to please musical tastes from one end of the Pioneer readership area to the other.

NEWACTSIN CONCORD

This marks the 35th season for Concord’s Music & Market concert series in Todos Santos Plaza. From its humble beginning, the Thursday evening combination of music and food has grown into a huge affair –with crowds arriving early to put dibs on nearly every bit of the available green space.

While Lisa Roeber, the downtown program manager who oversees organizing the event, would love to bring in other activities, she also recognizes that would mean taking

See Concert, page 5

Top firefighter blessed that ‘job found me’

As a youth, Capt. Josh Andrews came to a career crossroads. Well more than two decades later, the vocation he chose to pursue has resulted in an unforgettable life as a member of the firefighting fraternity.

He’s the latest honoree of the Kiwanis Club of Concord’s Contra Costa County Firefighter of the Year, now in its third year.

While Andrews has warmed up to being honored, it initially made him feel uncomfortable.

“I don’t think we do our job for the recognition,” he said of being “the accolades

guy.”

“We do it for the guys and gals we work with on a regular basis. It’s a family, and you live with these guys for two or three days at time,” he said, adding that he appreciates the award’s intention.

UP CLOSEANDPERSONAL

The job, he noted, is about service to others and you have to learn how to interact with the public. Likewise, it a job involving some of the most intimate moments of someone’s life, whether it has been informing someone on the side of the road or outside a residence that their loved one has died or helping bring a new life into the world. Andrews has done both.

“The intimacy of this job and how you spend the time with people you work with and the people you serve have made for some of the most rewarding times of my life,” he said.

However, another unfortunate reality of this vocation is the hardship that lands on loved ones, namely his wife and three daughters.

“This job can cause imbalance in your life,” he said. “So it’s my family members who are the recipients of a lot of that imbalance.”

In accepting the job, warts and all, and this honor, Andrews has come to view the whole package as a window

scorned led to three arrests in the violent stabbing death of a Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District custodial worker.

Pleasant Hill police investigators arrested three people on May 31 in connection with the Feb. 10 death of Santiago Jacobo, 37, of Pittsburg. Pablo Gutierrez-Morales, 31, Concord; Vanessa Vera-Aguilar, 24, Antioch; and Jazmin Ruiz, 25, Antioch, all knew Jacobo. They were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The department’s threemonth investigation revealed that Jacobo and the assailants worked together at the Watermark assisted living facility in San Ramon. Jacobo had held multiple jobs to help his family make ends meet.

The evidence showed that the suspects planned, coordinated and carried out the attack on Jacobo after he finished his night shift as a custodian at Pleasant Hill Park, according to a department statement. Detectives determined that prior to Jacobo’s murder, he had been in a relationship with Vera-Aguilar while Gutierrez-Morales was pursuing a new relationship with her.

Pleasant Hill Police Chief Scott Vermilion noted at the outset of the investigation that there was no evidence and no one was coming forward.

“What was apparent was a very violent attack,” he said of the crime scene. “Number of times he was stabbed showed there was rage and anger behind it.”

That led investigators to believe high emotions were involved between the victim and

Diablo Ballet teaches students coping skills through dance

and deal with challenges.

When people think of a professional ballet company, they often visualize slender, muscular dancers whose incredible strength translates into beautiful movements.

While that is certainly the case with Diablo Ballet, the 30year-old company has another side – one that features young enthusiastic students finding new ways to express emotions

“I always wanted to be part of the community, and arts education has always been really important to me. I knew when we started the ballet company that I also wanted to start something more educational,” said Diablo Ballet cofounder Lauren Jonas.

Just a year after Diablo Ballet’s first performance, Jonas established the PEEK Outreach Program. Since 1995, it has reached more than 75,000 under-served children as well as at-risk teens incarcerated in the juvenile justice system.

BOOSTING SELF-ESTEEM

The only arts education program of its kind offered by a professional dance company in the Bay Area, PEEK provides in-school creative, social and emotional curriculum designed to help students express their feelings through movement and teamwork. The youngsters learn to utilize dance, body language and facial expressions to help cope with challenging situations as well as to enhance their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

According to Jonas, the program helps students devel-

op self-esteem by expressing their emotions and experiences through original movement and encourages teamwork as students work in a group to present a story.

“We usually start with the second and third graders talking about something in a circle, and then we ask them to show a movement that represents what they were just talking about. Then we’ll have them mirror each other and memorize the movements before we put it to music,” Jonas said. “It helps with their academics as

See Arrest, page 3 See Firefighter, page 5 See PEEK, page 5

Pete Cruz

Thousands head to Todos Santos Plaza each Thursday for the summer of Music & Market, which features traditional farm-

market fare plus a concert. Concerts in Clayton are every other Saturday through August and in Pleasant Hill, lakeside concerts are on Sundays

David Scholz

Kiwanis Firefighter of the Year, Capt. Josh Andrews, joined Concord’s Station 6 a year and a half ago.

Diablo Ballet founder Lauren Jonas encourages three students in the company’s PEEK program to portray an emotion through movement.

DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

SALLY HOGARTY Correspondent

DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

Personal insights on finding the perfect Realtor

Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make, and having the right Realtor by your side can make all the difference.

As someone who has navigated the real estate market both personally and professionally, I’d like to share some tips on picking the perfect Realtor –along with a bit about my own journey in the field.

Experience and local knowledge. It’s essential to choose a Realtor with extensive experience and a deep understanding of the local market. When I started in real estate, I spent a lot of time learning about different neighborhoods, market trends and pricing strategies. This knowledge helps me guide clients to make informed decisions. Ask potential Realtors how long they’ve been in the business and find out where they specialize. I have been in the business for 20 years and have completed more than 1,000 transactions, which has provided me with a wealth of experience to assist my clients effectively.

Check the track record. A Realtor’s track record can

give you a good idea of their effectiveness. When I began my career, I focused on closing successful deals and ensuring my clients were satisfied. Look for Realtors with a history of successful sales and happy clients. You can often find this information through reviews and testimonials or by asking the Realtor directly. Communication is key. Effective communication is crucial in real estate transactions. I pride myself on being readily available to my clients, keeping them informed every step of the way. When interviewing potential Realtors, pay attention to how they communicate. Are they responsive? Do they listen to your needs and concerns? Good communication can prevent misunderstanding and ensure a smooth process. Understand their process. A strong marketing strategy is vital for selling a home quickly and at the best price. I use a mix of traditional and digital marketing techniques to reach a broad audience. Ask potential Realtors how they plan to market your property. Do they use professional photography, virtual tours, social media and other online platforms? On a personal level. Having a personal connection with your Realtor can make the process more enjoyable and less stressful. I always strive to build rapport with my clients, understanding their unique needs and preferences. Choose a Realtor you feel comfortable with and who understands your goals. This connection can make a significant difference in your

Warehouse fire affects multiple small theater troupes

After a June 9 fire destroyed its warehouse and much of the contents, Pittsburg Theatre Company (PTC) wasted no time in forging ahead and starting a $50,000 fundraising campaign.

PTC hopes to maintain its vital role of supporting local productions with props, costumes and sets along with a place to store them. The blaze, named the John Fire, originated in PTC’s warehouse on John Henry Johnson

Parkway. Whipped by gusting winds, the inferno spread to about 55 acres of adjacent grassland.

While some contents were salvaged, the staggering losses impacted not only PTC’s upcoming production of “The Sunshine Boys” (through June 23 at the California Theatre), but also show essentials that were in storage for other area theater productions including Onstage’s August presentation of “Spamalot” at the Campbell Theater in Martinez.

Home, from page 2

overall experience.

Verify credentials. Ensure that your Realtor is properly licensed and has any additional certifications that could be beneficial for your specific needs. When I started, I made sure to get all necessary licenses and pursue further education to better serve my clients. As a real estate broker, I have additional training and experience beyond that of a standard Realtor, which allows me

to manage other agents and handle more complex transactions. Don’t hesitate to ask potential Realtors about their credentials and any specialized training.

The customer knows best. Finally, trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, keep looking. Real estate transactions are significant, and you want to feel confident in your choice of a Realtor. When I meet with new clients,

I encourage them to trust their gut feelings and choose someone who makes them feel at ease.

Selecting the right Realtor can turn a potentially stressful process into an exciting and rewarding journey. After reading this, I hope you feel more prepared to find the perfect Realtor to guide you through your real estate adventure.

Jennifer Stojanovich is an owner/broker with Better Homes Real Estate. Send questions and comments to jennifer@bhrbroker.com

“Our loss is everyone’s, too,” said Dianna Schepers, who handles PTC’s public relations.

Area troupes built what they needed and then stored them at PTC’s warehouse. Likewise, ensembles “use our resources and they rent them,” she continued.

In the wake of the fire, groups including Brentwood’s Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble, Clayton Theatre Company, Onstage Production in Martinez and Pinole Community Players all reached out to PTC officials to offer in-kind support.

“The theater community is very tight-knit, and we rely on each other,” Schepers said of the cooperative approach that has been nurtured over the years.

“Whatever we need, if they

have it, we can have it,” she added.

Schepers noted the financial burden carried by these smaller theaters is a lot more than people realize. While bigger companies like those operating at the Lesher Center for the Arts may have $100,000 budgets for a production, smaller companies see costs of $30,000-$35,000 for musicals and $15,000 for plays when budgeting for sets, props, costumes and production rights.

The blaze represents a major setback for “Clue,” another production planned for the Martinez theater this fall.

“We had so much of the set pieces for it that we didn’t have to build for that show,” said Schepers. “So now we have start from scratch.”

While some of the losses will be covered by insurance, PTC is looking to rise from the ashes through the fundraising campaign dubbed The Phoenix Project. In addition, a cabaret benefit has been scheduled for July 27. Theater performers

Arrest, from page 1

suspect, excluding other possible motives like robbery and a chance encounter.

About 4:50 a.m. on Feb. 10, Jacobo’s wife Alejandra’s discovered his body in the main parking lot of Pleasant Hill Park along Gregory Lane. She had come to the park after he failed to return home after his shift. She called 911, but officers and medical personnel responding to the scene determined Jacobo had died from stab wounds.

Investigators started looking in Jacobo’s background, leading them to the Watermark connection.

“At one point we did interviews with some of the involved people, and we later found that

they had been dishonest to us,” Vermillion said.

“Evidence does not lie and people do. Circumstantial evidence was found that connected them to the scene and contradicted statements that were obtained by us,” he added.

Vermillion didn’t know if Jacobo’s spouse was aware of the apparent situation involving her husband. Jacobo’s wife was cooperative from the beginning and continues to be, Vermillion added.

The investigation became more challenging because of a double homicide a month later involving a cannabis industry delivery person and one of his assailants.

touched by the incident inquired about contributing their talents, and the California Theater donated space for the event.

“What I hope is that people will want to come over the hill, see our shows and donate to us,” said Schepers. “Our shows are just as good as what is produced at the Lesher.

“We are not going away,” she added. “The show must go on.” The fire remains under investigation. Lauren Ono of the Costa County Fire Protection District noted the warehouse was an older building not equipped with a sprinkler system, but there were never any complaints. Because of the building’s particular classification for general storage, Ono said it did not require an annual inspection.

Donations to The Phoenix Project can be made online at www.pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org. The public also can contribute through www.givesendgo.com/search/ PTC. Details of the cabaret benefit are pending.

“We had to prioritize our resources in working two cases at one time,” said Vermillion. “We have never worked two homicides at one time. In all times I have been with the department, this was a first.” While the investigation is continuing to tie up loose ends, officials had enough to move forward with charges against the suspects. Vermillion lauded the hard work of his investigators and sworn personnel who assisted with getting search warrants in what was hardly an easy case to solve due to the lack of evidence and witnesses. The agency also expressed thanks to San Ramon police for its assistance, as well as to the Recreation and Parks District for its support during the homicide investigation.

Photo courtesy of Dianna Schepers.

A rainbow emerges as Con Fire personnel continue pouring water on the smoldering remains of the Pittsburg Theatre Company warehouse.

Luxury estate with amazing panoramic views. Grand 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 3865 sq ft, 3-car garage on sprawling .95 acre lot. A beautiful vineyard that produces 3 different Italian varietals of grapes. Billiards room, wine cellar, owned solar, hot tub.

DAVID SCHOLZ

Concord newlyweds meet after 50 years

Home to mostly rants about uninvited cats in backyards or slow restaurant service, the social media site Nextdoor actually helped two couples find each other from decades ago – within minutes.

Mike Webb’s May 7 post on Nextdoor was more of a “whatever happened to …” rather than a 50-year search for another couple who happened to be at the Concord Inn on Sept. 15, 1973.

Webb posted a photo of his bride Betsy and him standing in front of the Concord Inn, with the words “Happiness Betsy & Mike, Lorrie & Dennis” on the marquee behind them. Located at 1601 Willow Pass Road, the inn has since been replaced with a business high-rise.

His Nextdoor post read, “A little over 50 years ago my wife and I got married. We had our wedding reception at the old Concord Inn. We even have a picture out front, under the sign, with our names on it. I have always wondered what ever happened to the other couple. I know this is a very wildly weird thing, but does anyone know a couple ‘Lorrie & Dennis’ who were married around the 15th of Sep. 73?”

Minutes later, a wildly weird thing happened: The search ended.

“Yes. I’m the Lorrie of the Lorrie and Dennis sign, 50 years ago,” wrote Lorrie Howerton of Clayton.

SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM

Betsy, retired from the state of California, was born in Berkeley. Her family moved to Pleasant Hill in 1949.

“My folks bought an old farmhouse that was once part of the Alexander Boss farm, early settlers in 1850,” she said. “Mike and I moved back to the house after my folks passed away.”

Mike was born and raised in and around Detroit, Mich., and is retired from 31 years in the computer industry. He also spent 7½ years in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service. The couple are parents to grown kids Molly and Andy.

Mike and Betsy met over

wine – sort of.

“I moved into a bottom floor apartment at the Camelback apartments across from Diablo Valley College, the summer of 1972,” said Betsy. “I cooked myself a celebratory steak dinner and had a bottle of wine, but no corkscrew. I went to the upstairs apartment, knocked on the door and asked the guy (Mike) if I could borrow a corkscrew. He said no and closed the door.”

They didn’t meet again until May 17, 1973.

“We sat outside on the apartment steps, drank a little wine and talked until 4 a.m. in the morning,” Betsy recalled. “It was a long drive into work that day, but I remember telling workmates I had met this really great guy.”

CHRISTMAS KISMET

Lorrie and Dennis, on the other hand, met through a family gathering.

“Dennis was traveling to Oregon and stopped in Concord to visit his brother in December 1972. His brother is married to my aunt,” said Lorrie, who was born in Vallejo and raised in Concord. “My mom and I stopped at their house to pick up my aunt to attend a baby shower and I was introduced to Dennis. It wasn’t until Christmas Day, we finally talked.”

Dennis was born and raised in Long Beach and moved to Fountain Valley after active duty in Vietnam in 1970.

They were married at Queen of All Saints and held their wedding reception, like the Webbs, at the Concord Inn. But the couples never met while clinking champagne glasses at their respective receptions.

“The first we heard about them was the photo on Nextdoor,” said Lorrie, a retired office manager. Husband Dennis is retired from VP of operations and marketing.

HAPPILYEVERAFTER

According to Weber State University, “fewer than 5% of all marriages last 50 years.” The couples shared what’s kept them in that percentile.

“Mike and I met after both of us had gone through difficult relationships,” said Betsy. “Because of that, I realized things that were really important – consideration, kindness, selflessness, openness – in both directions. And a good sense of humor.”

Mike said the key to their long marriage is “love, respect for one another, humor and adventure.”

Lorrie and Dennis, parents to adult children Kyle and Kourtnie, said it’s all about “respect, communication and commitment.”

With more than 96 comments on Mike’s Nextdoor message, he’s happy to see such positive, heartfelt posts from complete strangers.

“It’s nice to find Lorrie and Dennis still in the area, and also so nice to have many congrats from folks on Nextdoor,” said Mike, age 80. “As I grow older, I find myself wondering about the many seemingly unrelated things that put this Midwestern boy in an apartment in Northern California, where he could meet this wonderful woman.”

As for the initial rejection from Mike, Betsy has a theory.

“In Mike’s defense, a corkscrew was probably the last thing on his mind,” she said. “He was working the night shift and I woke him up.”

Photo by Charleen Earley

After a post on Nextdoor, Mike and Betsy Webb, left, met Lorrie and Dennis Howerton at 1401 (now renumbered from 1601) Willow Pass Road. Behind them was once the Concord Inn, where both couples held their wedding receptions on Sept. 15, 1973.

CHARLEEN EARLEY Correspondent

Concord’s KTVU Zip Trip spotlights food, music and art

So far in 2024, things have been great for the Concord Chamber of Commerce and, from my view, with the city of Concord as well.

There was an excellent Zip Trip segment on KTVU Channel 2 that brought film crews and anchor people all over Concord on May 24. Really good stuff that reflects who we are and all the cool things we do in Concord.

Of course, food was a big topic as we all know Concord has turned into this amazing food town, The Concord Blue Devils were jamming the whole time, the West Wind Solano Drive-in got a segment, our breweries got a mention, along with art installations, Brenden Theatres, pickleball and music in the park. There was recognition of our people,

who did a great job telling our story. It deserves a look. Check it out at https://www.ktvu.com/video /1461041.

In honor of the Zip Trip, I thought I would throw out some fun facts and other stuff

Concerts, from page 1

space away from folks who bring their blankets and lawn chairs to the plaza.

“It is a blessing to have so much interest,” said Roeber, “but we are limited on space. We are full.

“That is why this year we have focused on just bringing in new music,” Roeber added.

Sixteen concerts are on this year’s card, running through the end of September. The city had to whittle down from the hundreds of acts that again reached out to be part of the series.

Among the new notables Roeber sees attracting big crowds include a Taylor Swift cover act called Twist on Taylor Swift scheduled for Sept. 12 and Queenology on Sept. 26. Prior to that, a fan favorite will be My Latin Roots performing a salute to Selena on Aug. 15.

“We have always had the main tribute (acts) and local bands, but we have tried to broaden the musical genres and offer more,” Roeber said. “Concord is a diverse city, and we are trying to have our music reflect it – something for everyone.”

She hopes the takeaway from this season is a family-friendly experience the community enjoyed, “something they will look back on.”

HEADINGDOWN TO THE LAKE

Meanwhile, this year marks the 25th anniversary of Pleasant Hill’s Sunset by the Lake summer concerts that have drawn bigger and bigger crowds to the grounds of City Hall on Sundays through the years.

“We had no stage and no sound system or sound guy. The band set up on the sidewalk against the wall of City Hal,”

recalled community relations manager Geoff Gillette. “About two years later, the city hired a sound engineer for the concerts and the music got even better.”

A few new acts coming to the stage include The Uninvited, Dirty Cello and Zebop, who join local favorites such as The Big Jangle representing a range from cover bands to some originals.

“We have a good selection of bands this season covering different genres like bluegrass and Latin roots,” said Gillette. “There should be something for everyone over the course of the season.”

Coming out of COVID, the number of applications has increased each year. The city selected performers from 125 acts that applied for this year’s eight slots. “The whole season is top-notch,” said Gillette.

Picnic fare has long been a tradition for attendees drawn to the lake site, with food vendors and local restaurants providing other alternatives. Post-COVID concerts have included a beer/wine truck.

“This year marks a full return of food vendors, with two food trucks and a beer/wine truck from Taste of the World at each concert,” Gillette said.

The goal has always been providing an event for the whole community. Following the success of a pilot program last year, the Civic Action Commission is holding a Family Fun Zone at

about this wonderful city. For example, did you know that Concord incorporated on Feb. 5, 1905; Concord’s first name was Todos Santos; Concord was named Happiest City in America by House Fresh in 2022; Concord will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with our sister city Kitakami, Japan, in October of 2024; our city’s motto is Where Families Come First; and the Concord Blue Devils are 21-time World Champions.

Here are a few businessrelated facts: The oldest licensed business in Concord is Lehmer’s and they have also been the longest member of the Concord Chamber; the second longest chamber member is Ouimet Brothers Concord Funeral Chapel; West Wind Solano Drive-in is one of

the June 9, July 7 and Aug. 4 concerts this season. The area will feature a bounce house, face painting and more.

At the June 23 concert, the Bay Area Metropolitan Car Club will show off some of its rides on Trelany Road.

GROOVIN’ IN THE GROVE

Clayton has been welcoming folks to the Concerts in The Grove on Saturday evenings for 17 summers.

Vice Mayor Kim Trupiano described the current season as “eclectic and something for everyone. Lots of fun dance music with favorites from the past and today’s current pop tunes.”

The event kicked off May 25 and continues June 22, with two additional concerts in July before three concluding the season in August. Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers perform July 20, along with returning favorites like Pride & Joy on Aug. 3 and East Bay Mudd on Aug. 31.

Working with a promoter, Trupiano said they did not have any issues lining up an exciting season again this year. The city is partnering with the Parent Faculty Club from Mt. Diablo Elementary School to collect donations, which will in turn provide support for the school.

“Lots of fun for the entire family, with music and dancing in Clayton’s idyllic Grove Park. It’s something our community at large looks forward to every year,” Trupiano said.

Summer Concerts Schedules

Concord: cityofconcord.org/DowntownEvents

Pleasant Hill: pleasanthillsummerconcerts.com Clayton: claytonca.gov/our-city/annual-events/ concerts-in-the-grove/

from page 1

well, since we’re working on how to memorize.”

PEEK’s curriculum is based on the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards and National Core Standards. In addition to dance, the program brings in a Bolivian guitarist to talk about rhythm, clap complex rhythms with the students and show them how to do improvisation.

“Our program director Rosselyn Ramirez and the dancers she brings have built such trust and connection with the students,” said Jonas. “We’re in nine schools every single month for the academic year, plus Mt. McKinley Court School housed in Juvenile Hall. What’s great is the students don’t feel like it’s another class. They’re having fun and learning in different ways.”

MAKING A CONNECTION

The program came to Mt McKinley in 2015 after then principal Lynn Mackey (now Contra Costa Superintendent of Schools) asked Jonas to bring

arts education to the school.

“These kids in juvenile hall are often on their own. Their parents and siblings might be incarcerated, so they don’t have anyone they can rely upon. We show up week after week, and the consistency is very important for them,” Jonas said. “We talk a lot about self-image and how they see themselves in the world. Many of the students aren’t very verbal, but they can connect to the physical movements.” Jonas found the PEEK program even more valuable during and following COVID, when it addressed mental health issues students developed during the isolation.

“We had so many social, emotional conversations with the students as they talked about their feelings and fears as they began to navigate in-person learning again,” Jonas said.

MOVING BEYOND THE SELF

Not content with just running a professional dance company and bringing arts education to the schools, Jonas branched

300 left in the country; Costco provides the most tax revenue to Concord; Sunvalley shopping center opened in 1967; the Toyota Pavilion at Concord opened in 1975; and the top employer is John Muir Health, at 2,400 employees. Do not miss the Fourth of July celebration in Concord. The fun annual event is in its 33rd year. The festivities begin at 8 a.m. in Todos Santos Plaza with a Stars and Stripes Kids

Fun Run. The Rotary griddles up a pancake breakfast, and there is also a Stars and Stripes 5K Run and Walk.

The Independence Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. The Concord Chamber will be part of the parade and celebration – register to march with us or come on down and root us on.

At 4 p.m., there is a free festival followed by fireworks at Mt. Diablo High School. Go to www.concordjuly4th.com for

all the event details. And remember, when you are shopping and eating out, be kind to the people serving you and spend your money in a Concord zip code when you can. Businesses and organizations interested in learning more about the Concord Chamber of Commerce or to register to march with us in the parade, visit www.concordchamber.com.

Kennedy's infection sheds light on parasitic dangers

When news of presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr.’s bout with a parasite dropped last month, it brought to light the dizzying possibilities of sci-fi level infections.

In Kennedy’s case, the most likely culprit is thought to be Cysticercosis, an infection of tapeworm larvae. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this tapeworm, more formally known as Taenia solium, is transmitted through the ingestion of its eggs. The larvae are drawn to nutrient-rich tissues such as muscle, brains and eyes. Once established in vivo, they form cysts called cysticerci. When cysts develop in the brain or central nervous system, it is called Neurocysticer-

cosis. While this is a truly disturbing picture, there is some reassuring news.

“It is absolutely incorrect that this form of T. solium ‘eats’ brain tissue,” declares Stephen Felt, a professor of comparative medicine at Stanford University. “In fact, the human immune system recognizes it as foreign material and walls it off by forming a cyst and the larva then dies.” While this mechanism is effective in isolating the problem, it causes other issues. Pria Anand, an assistant professor of neurology and director of Boston University’s Neurology Residency Program, completes the picture for us: “The human body’s immune/inflammatory response to the dying worm, or the physical presence of a calcified dead worm, remains lodged within the brain.”

While stuck there, it may lead to a host of issues.

Anand states that Neurocysticercosis can cause “epilepsy, as well as blindness, increased pressure in the brain, weakness and headaches.”

In many infected people, it will remain dormant for years.

Once diagnosed, it is generally successfully treated with antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory medications.

While a significant problem globally, parasitic diseases such as Neurocysticercosis are rare in the Unites States. The CDC sees fewer than 1,000 cases per year.

Lori Ferrins, a research associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Northeastern University, is an expert in neglected parasitic disease. She states, unequivocally, that the primary cause is consuming raw or undercooked pork.

“Parasitic infection tends to occur in unsanitary environments, when pigs are exposed to human excrement, consume the fecal matter and are then consumed by humans,” Ferrins continues. Exercising extreme caution in the preparation and consumption of pork products is vital if one is unwilling to simply avoid them altogether. Aside from that, the importance of hand hygiene cannot be overstated. Anything transmitted via the fecal/oral route, including the eggs of tapeworms, is preventable if we maintain awareness of and vigilance around keeping our hands clean.

Please send comments and question to Nathalie at newwavenightingale@gmail.com.

out further. Members of Diablo Ballet now bring dance to Parkinson’s patients at two different locations.

“They say dance for the elderly is the best thing for your brain and mobility – better than crossword puzzles or golf. And that is especially true for Parkinson’s patients,” explained Jonas. “One woman in our class was having trouble walking even with a walker. But with the rhythms of a waltz, repeated over and over, she was able to use the walker and graduate to walking sticks.”

Jonas also enjoys exposing her professional dancers to young students and the elderly through the PEEK program, especially the younger dancers.

“I feel it’s important for an artist to give back because the art itself is kind of self-centered. You’re giving to an audience, but to do that you make yourself the best you can be, which is selfcentered – so it’s good to have them involved with the students,” Jonas said.

For more information on the PEEK Program and Diablo Ballet, go to https://diabloballet.org.

Firefighter, from page 1

into his world.

“It allows them to see what dedication and commitment will get you for all that you put into the job,” he said.

EARLY CLASSROOM OPPORTUNITY

Andrews’ journey in the firefighting profession began as a teenager in a firehouse in Laytonville, located about halfway between Leggett and Willits, along 101 in Northern California. His time at Laytonville’s volunteer fire department was part of a community classroom activity that allowed high schoolers to go into a local business for an hour a week to learn about different occupations.

With only a few options in that small town, the fire department turned out to be fortuitous as Andrews met Mark Robertson. That encounter would forever change the course of his life.

“He mentored the heck of out me, and he put opportunities in front of me,” Andrews said. “Hanging around the fire department, that kind of planted the seed.”

So at 18, Andrews volunteered with the department and has never looked back. He recalled working on a helicopter there for a season and later putting himself through paramedic school.

LEADERSHIPSKILLS

Everything ultimately came full circle for Andrews when he asked Robertson to pin on his badge when he graduated from the Con Fire Academy in 2003.

“You work really hard to earn that,” said Andrews, who knows Robertson was a big influence and important role model in shaping that achievement.

“I was lucky that job found me,” Andrews added.

So is Greg Sawyer, a Con Fire battalion chief whose office is in Concord’s Station 6 where Andrews was assigned a year and half ago. Sawyer has known Andrews for a long time, as both rose through the ranks together.

“He’s a leader, and that is what I like about him the most,” said Sawyer. “He is not afraid to say what on his mind; he is direct, and he speaks the truth in a respectful way.”

Sawyer lauded Andrews for his style of attacking a problem rather than ignoring it or sweeping it under rug. “There is not an obstacle that he can’t overcome.”

Such was the case when it came to Station 6. Andrews recognized its visual deficiencies and the culture shift that it needed, and he wasted no time transforming the facility into a place worthy of its occupants.

Similarly, Sawyer recalled a training class where Andrews demonstrated his leadership by stepping in in a pinch and getting it on track.

“He took a class that was going to be a waste of everyone’s day, and he made it a worthwhile experience for everyone,” Sawyer said.

NOW A MENTOR HIMSELF

That hands-on approach with fellow firefighters, subor-

dinates and probationary firefighters further epitomizes that Andrews doesn’t just talk a good game.

“That empowers other crew members to train those new guys – teach them the skills so they can take over for him down the road,” Sawyer said.

“(Andrews) is just as tired as you are, but he is still going to provide maximum effort,” Sawyer added. “He is the model who you should model yourself after.”

True to his straightforward approach, Andrews is not one to sugarcoat it when writing a report about a member of the team. Where others might be afraid or too lazy to do what needs to be done, Sawyer said Andrews accomplishes the goal.

“If a probationary firefighter is doing a bad job, he will write a truthful review,” Sawyer said, noting that the person then has essential information to do the job right going forward.

Such straightforwardness applies to his involvement in recruiting the next generation of Con Fire personnel, ranging from interview prep for each one, setting up ride-alongs, ensuring the tests are accurate and relevant to what the agency is looking for in applicants, and holding Zoom meeting with new recruits and providing them with all the pertinent information they need to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision about if this vocation and department are right for them.

“That is strong leadership you can rely on,” Sawyer said.

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From the desk of...

Concord takes multi-faceted approach to help the homeless

Earlier this month, Contra Costa County released its annual Point-in-Time Count data about homelessness in the region. I was pleased to see that the number of unsheltered individuals in Concord decreased by 28%, even though overall numbers throughout the county increased.

The decrease in Concord is welcome news, and I give credit to the work done by a bunch of folks who operate together and separately.

The county’s Coordinated

Outreach, Response and Engagement (CORE) team works full-time in Concord. Their job is to interact with unsheltered individuals on the street, make referrals to supportive services and provide transportation to overnight shelters. The team delivers case management to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness are connected to the resources they need.

The percentage decline was also facilitated by the supportive services provided by a variety of community groups, including Rainbow Community Center, Veteran Ascension Housing and Grass Roots Outreach Warriors (GROW), along with individuals who have reached out.

I am also particularly proud of the success of our city’s rapid rehousing program run through Hope Solutions. Since we launched the program in 2022, we have been able to provide immediate housing to more than a dozen families who were experienc-

ing homelessness. These investments are consistent with the strategies that we identified in our recently approved Homeless Strategic Plan.

At our meeting on June 4, my City Council colleagues and I directed city staff to use the $5.2 million of one-time funds that we had previously set aside for homeless response to support the top six strategies recommended by the Homeless Strategic Plan Working Group.

The idea is to get support out on all the approaches and see which can be both sustained by the bidders and deliver results within our city. By using a request for proposal (RFP) approach, we are allowing organizations to propose their own methods for implementing the strategies we’ve identified.

To advise on the competitive grant process, we created an ad hoc committee that will be co-chaired by Dominic Aliano and Laura Hoffmeister

to work on the specifics of the wording. While we remain committed to serving our unsheltered population through interim transitional shelter, outreach and other services, we recognize that what is truly needed is more housing at all levels. We all need to remember that there is not “A” homeless

On May 7, the City Council recognized local business owner and longtime resident Ed Moresi with a proclamation on the 30th anniversary of his restaurant: Ed’s Mudville Grill.

His contributions to Clayton are numerous and continue with his other restaurant: Moresi’s Chophouse. Congrat-

Police partnership with community essential in Pleasant Hill

This month, I’d like to talk about public safety – how important it is and what a valuable job our Pleasant Hill Police Department does for the community.

This year has been marred by a pair of incidents that led to loss of life here. A Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District employee was attacked in the early morning hours after completing his shift. Then, a longtime resident was attacked while exiting his work van at home in a robbery attempt that led to a shootout. Both those crimes led to a lot of questions from residents about the safety of the community and the ability of PHPD to keep us safe. Despite these two outliers, Pleasant Hill is a safe city and our police department does an outstanding job. PHPD

Pride Month is deeply personal for me as a member of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) community.

On June 4, I was honored to lead the Board of Supervisors’ Pride Presentation for the second time. This year’s event honored Clayton Pride, PFLAG Clayton Concord, Pride Martinez, Rainbow Community Center, the RYSE Center, and the Royal Grand Ducal

is filled with men and women dedicated to law enforcement and ensuring the safety of our community.

In each of the cases, police detectives were able to piece together the evidence, find the culprits responsible and put the suspects in jail. In addition to getting these criminals off the streets, making those arrests provided closure to the friends and family grieving the loss of a loved one.

For those who feel that crime is on the rise, I would point you to the figures provided by Police Chief Scott Vermillion that I shared at the Mayor’s Breakfast. The reality is that most crime in the city has

fallen from fiscal year 2022 to 2023. The exception is shoplifting, which PHPD has been stepping up its efforts to combat, with special details aimed at catching the thieves. It is an unfortunate fact of the times in which we live that there is a section of the community that does not have the same faith that I do in our police department and law enforcement professionals. I strongly encourage you to take the time to get to know our police department and how they operate. Understanding the strictures that they have to operate under and the ways in

See Rinn page 9

Supervisor’s personal reflections on Pride Month

Council of Alameda and Contra Costa. Contra Costa Health (CCH) staff shared personal testimonies and highlighted the compassionate care CCH offers at the county’s Gender Clinics. This recognition of services and advocates highlights the many ways that Contra Costa County strives to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Over my lifetime, I have watched LGBTQIA+ politicians and advocates work tirelessly toward safety and inclusion. Harvey Milk is one of the most prominent advocates, as he dared to be out of the closet and fight against hateful legislation on a statewide level. He famously fought against the Briggs Ini-

tiative in 1978, which was a ballot measure that would have banned lesbian and gay people from working in public schools. The famous Briggs Debate took place at our local Northgate High School between then San Francisco Supervisor Milk and state Sen. John Briggs. Voters defeated the Briggs Initiative, and Milk’s work left a lasting impression on the LGBTQIA+ community.

In the 1980s, HIV/AIDS was on the rise and the medical field needed to build trust and partner with our community to educate and safeguard every person, regardless of sexual orientation. This broke down more barriers for our community. Out of the spotlight, advocates worked to increase the number of safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community by creating support groups, inclusive restaurants and bars and, eventually, supplemental health-care services.

In 1995, Ben-David Barr and a group of individuals founded Rainbow Community Center (RCC). Barr was able to turn a social club into an inclusive health-care clinic where services are rendered without prejudice. Barr served as executive director until 2017, and RCC continues to be a resource staffed with LGBTQIA+ indi-

viduals, allies and advocates. When I came out in 2002, I knew that Contra Costa County had come a long way from the conservative community of my youth. I am honored to have been the first openly gay City Councilmember in Pleasant Hill and now the first openly gay member of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. I know that I am privileged to stand on the shoulders of Milk, Barr and numerous other advocates, and now it is my responsibility to be the “shoulders” for the next generation. I am honored to serve with many LGBTQIA+ public servants, city council members and advocates.

As I reflect on this Pride Month, I want to invite Contra Costa County residents to create safe spaces where the LGBTQIA+ community can feel loved and supported and be their authentic selves. To learn more about ways to support our community, I encourage you to reach out to one of the many organizations named above and ask how you can help.

Ken Carlson is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to SupervisorCarlson@bos.cccounty.us or call his office at 925-655-2350.

There is progress, but we hope to build more momentum and put Concord in concord with our needy folks.

Send comments and questions to EdiBirsan@gmail.com

problem. There are many unsheltered people who have a whole series of individual dynamics that trap them in a cycle of homelessness, and we must build different paths and services out of those disabilities. With our limited funds, we are hoping to have a surge in successes by dealing with families first, then those who want to be helped and can be helped and make a network that can sustain itself from there.

Clayton making progress on budget, staff consolidation

ulations to Ed and his family.

The council also received an update from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) on the prescribed fire status at Mount Diablo State Park. Battalion Chief Whit MacDonald presented the information.

Council action items included authorizing the city manager to execute an extension to Theis Engineering & Associates to provide city engineering services for one year from June 30, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and directing city staff on the restriping and paving of Mountaire Parkway, between Marsh Creek Road and Mountaire Circle, south of the Cabana Club and swimming pool.

On the city personnel front, the city manager has engaged the services of Regina Rubier as our financial advisor, effective April 19. Rubier will work part-time and lead the city’s budget adoption process. She will also support the Budget & Audit Committee and the recently appointed Community Financial Sustainability Committee.

Rubier comes to us with more than 20 years of govern-

ment accounting and management experience. She currently serves as the chief of Administrative Services for CCCFPD, overseeing and managing the $330 million budget and the Human Resources Division. She has worked with the city of Stockton as the Water Resources program manager and as the city administrator in Isleton. Please welcome Rubier. Regarding the Community Financial Sustainability Committee, the group elected Howard Kaplan as chair. Congratulations to Kaplan. He is a certified financial planner as is member Frank Gavidia, while

See Diaz page 9

Variety of factors make state budget process complicated

Depending on whom you ask, California is either the 5th or 6th largest economy in the world, with a Gross Domestic Product of $3.86 trillion in 2023.

To put that in perspective, the only economies larger than our state are the nations of the United States ($27 trillion), China ($17.7 trillion), Germany ($4.4 trillion) and Japan ($4.2 trillion). With that context, I’m sure it can be a bit of a headscratcher when you see news stories describing the challenges that legislators are facing to pass this year’s state budget.

Putting aside the natural political challenges that come with putting together any budget, there are a number of structural issues that exist in California that make the budgeting process even more challenging than normal. California is one of 26

states with an initiative process that empowers its citizens to bypass the legislative process to directly amend the state Constitution as well as regular statutes. Our state’s initiative process is extremely deferential to the people, as we are one of the few states that prevents the Legislature from amending anything created by the initiative process unless there are provisions that explicitly allow for legislative amendments. It is because of this process that approximately 40% of the state’s budget is spoken for before legislators act, due to the passage of Prop. 98 from 1998. That important and very necessary initiative added a minimum allocation of funds for K-14 education into the state Constitution. Another structural challenge to California’s budgeting process is the extremely volatile nature of the state’s revenues. Because the majority of the state’s budget relies upon income taxes and capital gains taxes, our states fiscal fortunes tend to rise and fall with the success of the stock market (more specifically the issuance of new stock IPOs) and the overall economy. This volatility can cause budget surpluses to become

See Grayson, page 9

EDI BIRSAN CONCORD MAYOR

JIM DIAZ CLAYTON MAYOR

MATT RINN PLEASANT HILL MAYOR

TIM GRAYSON 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

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David George Hackett entered the Garden of Heaven on May 21, 2024, after a brief illness.

He was born Dec. 13, 1965, in Concord. David was an avid gardener, animal lover and artist. David worked for decades at his family’s business, R&M Pool, Patio and Gardens in Clayton, until his retirement in 2015.

David graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a bachelor of arts degree in sculpture. He traveled to Italy several times to carve and be surrounded by art. David also possessed a love for animals, both fur and feathered. His canine kids, as he called them, were his most loyal companions, and he will be missed by Marley, Steve and Love.

David was a friend to many. He was

Hank Stratford is a CPA.

On May 21, the city recognized the annual “Mayor for the Day” contest winner, Alex Silvermaster. The Mt. Diablo Elementary School student presided as mayor, calling the meeting to order, made the roll call and led the Pledge of Allegiance. He also assisted Councilmember Peter Cloven with the presentations for “Do The Right Thing” awards to both elementary and middle school students. Well done, Alex.

Also, the council approved the interim city manager’s proposal to upgrade our accounting technician to accountant.

happy to lend a hand to any in need. David would plow the snow from the driveways of his neighbors and help cut fallen trees, since he almost always had a chainsaw close by. He was most giving. His home was open if anyone needed a place to sleep or shower.

David spent the past years in Long Barn doing what he loved. He spent countless days fishing, riding his quad, splitting wood and collecting treasures.

David is survived by his brother, Jonathon (Nicole); nephews, Tyler and Lance; Roy Alarcon, the man who raised him; Uncle George and Aunt Jane (Bob); and cousins, Heather, Leesa and Sara. David is also survived by his biological father David (Anastasia) and half siblings, Kasandra, Katelyn, Nicholas,

Further staff changes included combining the city clerk with the assistant to the city manager position. And finally, we combined the finance director with the new job of assistant city manager. These actions save the city more than $20,000 annually.

On June 4, the council approved the Fiscal Year 2024-’25 General Fund budget and related fund budgets, along with the Fiscal Year 2024-’25 salary schedule.

Also, the council approved the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2023-’24 to 2027-’28.

Meanwhile, the council

Grayson, from page 8

deficits in the blink of an eye, as we have seen in the last couple of budget cycles.

Because we must pass a balanced budget, this sudden volatility can lead legislators to make difficult decisions.

Last year’s state budget totaled approximately $310 billion, which is nearly the size of the state budgets of Michigan, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois and Georgia … combined. With a deficit that is estimated to be anywhere from $40 billion to $45 billion, there is much work to be done.

In spite of the uncertainty

we face at the moment, I do remain hopeful. With the recent economic growth at the state and national level, I am cautiously optimistic that we will see surpluses much like the $97 billion we had just a couple of years ago.

I continue to be a big believer in California and its most powerful resource – we the people.

If you would like to learn more about the budget that was passed, or to connect with me on other matters that are important to you, please contact my Concord office at 925-521-1511.

Rinn, from page 8

which they do an extremely difficult job can go a long way to building trust and confidence.

Here are some ways to learn more about our police department and building those relationships:

Chief’s Advisory Panel: CAP is a body of community members who live, work and/or attend school in Pleasant Hill. CAP serves as a resource for PHPD in working with the community to identify best practices, improve transparency and build engagement with residents. They meet quarterly. CAP is accepting applications for members through the month of June. For more information, go to www.pleasanthillca.org/cap.

National Night Out:

One of the best opportunities to meet and get to know your Pleasant Hill police officers is to come to City Hall 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, for National Night Out. Communities across the country get together with their local police during National Night Out as a way of building bonds. In Pleasant Hill, officers will be on hand for a BBQ, demonstrations of the drone and K9 units, tours of emergency vehicles, kids activities and more. To learn more about National Night Out, contact

continues interviewing for a new city manager. Again, as your mayor, I will continue to work hard to maintain Clayton’s small-town charm and character while running an open and transpar-

ent local government. You can reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns at 925-673-7316 or JimD@claytonca.gov. I look forward to working with you.

Investigations at 925-2884630.

In addition, members of our police department attend numerous public events each year and are always available to say hello.

As a City Council, public safety is one of our highest priorities. We strongly believe that a solid community/police partnership is the bedrock to achieving that goal.

Contact Matt Rinn at Mrinn@plesanthillca.org.

Justin and Robyn. David was preceded in death by his beloved mother Melanie Cooper, grandparents George and Lenore Cooper and some dear friends. A private memorial will be held later this summer. To honor David, please donate to the NorCal Aussie Rescue in Auburn in his name.

Ornamental grasses provide visual garden variety

This time of year, our landscapes surrender themselves to the swaying plums of ornamental grasses.

We see these grasses throughout the city, providing texture, movement and grace wherever planted. Unlike with flowering shrubs, the slightest breeze brings ornamental grass to life. Installing ornamental grasses to a landscape, hillside or container will add interest to the overall look.

Red Fountain is probably the most popular ornamental grass installation for our area. Folks adore the reddishbrown foliage and rose-colored plumes. Pennisetum Setaceum ‘Rubrum’ is the botanical name for this foun-

tain-like ornamental grass. At maturity, expect Red Fountain to reach 5 feet tall and wide. It goes dormant during the winter, with the blades becoming brown and dry. This is part of its cycle, so consider this when placing it within your landscape.

Pennisetum has another family member worth mentioning. Pennisetum Hameln is a dwarf fountain grass with green blades and blonde plumes. Use Pennisetum Hameln along a border, in a dry riverbed, to accent boulders or as a mass planting.

Lomandra has become more common in the past few years. This ornamental grass is lush green and creates a perfectly arched growth habit.

Lomandra Lime Tough grows 30 inches tall and wide. It makes a nice living border along a walkway or surrounding a patio.

Lomandra Platinum Beauty is a cream and green variegated ornamental selection. Use Platinum Beauty to accent a red foliage Japanese maple or a multi-trunk fruitless olive. All the Lomandra family are evergreen but would look

nice pruned down to the ground every other March for a fresh foliage look.

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 pair nicely with its deep green foliage. This ornamental grass is both deer- and drought-tolerant. Karl Foerster grows from the center out, so you will need to divide it every few years to prevent the hole-in-the-doughnut effect. It may be extra work, but the results are worth it.

Blue Fescue and Carex satisfy the desire for a tufted type of ornamental grass. Depending on the selection, you can expect Blue Fescue to grow 816 inches tall and wide. The color of the foliage is what sells the Blue Fescue. The

Summertime in downtown Concord always brings exciting and popular events for all ages. I’ll highlight a few here, so go to www.visitconcordca.com/eve nts for a complete list.

The successful Music & Market Concert Series returned June 13 and runs through Sept. 29 each Thursday at the beautiful Todos

Red fountain grass is a fast-growing perennial grass with fox-tail like flowers beginning in summer lasting through fall.

bluer the better. Look for the selection Beyond Blue, which has a metallic blue color. Carex creates a waterfall

effect in the landscape and is available in green, variegated, bronze and orange. Cappuccino and Prairie Fire are some

of the most sought after varieties.

Recently, the ornamental grass called Pink Muhly has garden lovers in an uproar. They simply adore the pinkish-red feathery plumes that appear in late summer. This ornamental grass, called Muhlenbergia capillaris, makes an excellent border or focal planting.

Ornamental grasses add interest and texture to the landscape. They are readily available, drought-tolerant and easy to grow. Read up on the mature sizes of your considerations to ensure you will be 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

Head downtown Concord for sizzlin’ summer fun

Santos Plaza. This event rou-

tinely draws 3,000-4,000 funloving attendees: some in lawn chairs or on picnic blankets, and others just dancing the night away.

The market starts at 4 p.m. with local fresh vegetables, fruits, crafts and delicious food vendors. The music begins at 6:30 p.m. See the entire concert lineup at www.cityofconcord.org/dow ntownevnts.

And don’t forget the Tuesday farmers market runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m. year-around at the plaza.

The annual Concord July

4 Parade is always a huge, family-friendly hit. Activities start at 8 a.m. with Fun Runs and a Pancake Breakfast in the plaza, with the parade at 10 a.m. Enjoy fireworks at 9 p.m. at Mt. Diablo High School. Please come out and salute your hometown heroes and wave the flag with us.

On June 23, Todos Santos will host the Juneteenth Celebration from noon to 4 p.m.

This is an excellent presentation of performers, music, spoken word artists and kid activities.

The luxury Brenden Theatres has all the summer

blockbusters, including “Despicable Me 4” opening July 3 and “Deadpool & Wolverine” on July 26. While you are in downtown Concord, don’t forget the huge variety of ice cream shops, coffee and tea shops, gift and clothing stores, and a long list of family-friendly restaurants. Come down and see us soon.

Walter Eichinger is president of the Todos Santos Business Association and a senior executive with Brenden Theaters. Email comments or questions weichinger@brendentheatres.com

Dog-gone it. . . That pavement gets hot

Many pet owners enjoy taking their dogs to warm-weather events like festivals, concerts and Fourth of July parades. But please keep in mind that even with milder air temperatures, the ground may be just too hot for canine tootsies.

One way you can be sure it isn’t too hot for your pup is to frequently feel the pavement with your hand. If it is too warm for your bare hand, it definitely is too warm for your dog’s bare paws. A rule of thumb is if the air temperature is 77 degrees, asphalt in the direct sun can be 125 degrees. If it is 87 degrees outside, the

ground can get to 143 degrees, and so forth.

Even on a mild day, it is good to bring a travel water bowl for your pup to make sure they are staying hydrated.

Of course, there are other heat-related concerns with dogs. Dogs mainly cool down their bodies by panting or seeking cool places to hang out, since they essentially have no way to sweat other than on the bottoms of their feet.

(Explains a lot about stinky dog feet, doesn’t it?)

Short-nosed breeds like Frenchies and other bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Pekingese and the like will overheat more quickly than other dogs because they cannot efficiently cool down by panting. Short noses and narrow airways mean minimal airflow.

There is also a medical condition called laryngeal paralysis that happens almost exclusively in older, larger dogs. It prevents efficient panting because the larynx cannot open and close normally with each breath. The loud panting you

Captain Grammar Pants

If DESERT and DESSERT weren’t so very different from each other in their meaning, it wouldn't be quite so funny to see one used in place of the other. They aren’t even pronounced the same way; desert has an emphasis on the first syllable, while dessert has an emphasis on the second syllable. Dessert's second syllable is often spoken firmly and with enthusiasm! Alas, from a student paper we have “I couldn't keep my hungry eyes off the desert table.” I bet those eyes had quite an adventure, all on their own, wandering around in the sand. On the other hand, the joy of being at a “dessert oasis,” which I once saw posted at a gallery, would be incomparable.

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

hear is airflow trying to traverse a poorly opening larynx, which can cause local friction and lead to swelling and obstruction of the airway.

This can then result in an emergency situation of hypoxia (not enough oxygen delivery to the lungs) and overheating very quickly, even with only mild heat.

Remember, never leave your pet in a closed car in the sun unless you can temperature control your car. The temperature outside the car can be mild, but the interior will heat up very quickly. One study showed that as little as 70 degrees outside temperature can heat to 89 degrees within 10 minutes and up to 104 after a half an hour. On a 90-degree day, that translates to 114 degrees in 10 minutes and 124 degrees in 30.

Other things to consider include noise and interactions with strangers, human and canine alike. Just because you like chatting with people at festivals, your dog may not appreciate the social situation. It is a great way to learn canine body language to assess if they are enjoying the festival scene as much as you are. Sometimes it is better to leave your dog home and take them for a nice cool hike later.

Micki McCabe, DVM, DACVIM, FAAVA, is a long-time Clayton resident. The recently retired local veterinarian has an interest in internal and integrative medicine. Email her at drmccabevet@gmail.com

Mt. Diablo’s early settlers understood land management

The diaries of the first Europeans to set eyes on the Mount Diablo region described the landscape as wild and untamed. But in reality, they were seeing a garden the native peoples had been tending for thousands of years.

Burning, pruning and selective harvesting were some of the techniques used to manage the native plants in a way that would provide a plentiful food supply and material for shelters, clothing and tools.

Burning was the “primary management tool,” according to author M. Kat Anderson, and the results were beneficial to the environment in many ways. In the oak forest, for example, dead leaves, branches and small understory plants would collect around the tree trunks – creating a barrier to

It is not the size or shape of your body. It is the health of your liver and your gut that nurtures your body. If you feel your body is letting you down, you can fix that with real food.

DEBBIE EISTETTER THE WAY WE WERE

needed nutrients and a home for pests that threatened the acorn harvest and overall health of the trees. When a fire cleared the forest floor, the trees enjoyed better growing conditions with more room, sunlight and access to nutrients.

The people could collect the increased yields of acorns easily, and other edibles like

mushrooms, bulbs and greens were able to flourish. Fire also extended the range of grasslands that fed grazing animals needed for meat and improved sightlines for hunting. Most importantly, clearing by fire prevented the possibility of future catastrophic blazes.

Pruning was a second technique used to create space that optimized both plant health and food production. They carefully pruned branches of manzanita to encourage increased berry harvests to be made into a delicious cider. Meanwhile, they used the flexible new shoots from pruned oaks and redbuds to make baskets and bows.

Selective harvesting by the native peoples was characterized by a respect for the plants and harvesting only the amount that was needed so the plant could flourish and

Tony Eistetter

Native Americans managed the oak forest wildland fire risk by selective burning, pruning and harvesting.

provide for other animals. They gathered grass seeds with a handled shallow basket held in one hand used to “beat” the seed heads into a second basket in the person’s other hand. This technique

left each grass plant intact to produce more seeds and forage for animals. These are only a few examples of how the indigenous peoples in this area wisely managed their natural

resources according to the seasons and the individual characteristics of each plant. The idea of the ‘huntergatherer” moving through the landscape aimlessly collecting whatever food happened to be at hand is a false label assigned by early observers who had no desire to look further into ancient plant practices and the sophisticated knowledge behind them.

Anderson’s book, “Tending the Wild,” is an excellent reference with fascinating examples of native ingenuity.

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

Break the cycle of unhealthy eating

Many people are stuck in a vicious cycle of unhealthy eating. It often starts first thing in the morning with a latte laced with sugar to sip while devouring a piece of coffee cake. This causes a huge blood sugar rush that leads to a bigger crash later in the morning. It’s a slide into lunch, with a craving for pizza or a sandwich because you feel you need a big lunch to keep going. Maybe the day proceeds with sugar ups and sugar

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downs. You find yourself wanting bigger portions. And you vow to start a healthy diet … tomorrow. If this describes your day, it’s an indication that your body has a problem processing sugar. You should get checked for diabetes.

I like to start the morning with as little sugar as I can, with a meal high in protein. Often, it’s a plain Greek yogurt. Or, I might combine yogurt with dry rolled oats.

Greek yogurt has more protein and less sugar than regular yogurt because Greek yogurt is strained and some of the whey is removed. Whey has lactose, a naturally occurring form of sugar. Look on the yogurt label

for something that has 16-22 grams of protein in a serving. Don’t eat yogurt with processed fruit mixed in — that leads to a higher sugar content. Put your own fresh fruit into plain yogurt, particularly fruits low in sugar like raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. Don’t worry about the fat in the yogurt.

For a large container of yogurt, the organic brand costs a dollar more. Remember: You’re worth it.

Dairy is a fat, a carbohydrate and a protein – the only kind of food that is all three.

Another way to stay healthy is to wait four to six hours between meals. Snack-

ing in between will rile up your blood sugar count.

Here is a can’t-miss breakfast recipe that combines yogurt and oats.

OVERNIGHT OATS

Serves 1

6 oz. plain unsweetened yogurt or kefir

1 T chia seeds

1 oz. oats* soaked in 4 oz. water or almond milk

2 oz. very ripe banana, chopped

Optional: Vanilla, cinnamon, chopped nuts

*For a creamier option, use quick oats

FRUIT TOPPING

4 oz. chopped fresh fruit*

*Or use 3 oz. frozen fruit plus 1 oz. unsweetened applesauce. The pectin in the applesauce helps absorb the water and maintain the fruit flavor.

Mix all ingredients in a wide-mouth 16-ounce Mason jar.

Scoop the fruit on top. Refrigerate overnight, or longer. The oats will last about four days – the longer they sit, the better they are.

Cindy Gershen is a culinary teacher and the chef-owner for 40 years of Sunrise Bistro and Catering in Walnut Creek. Send your questions and comments to cindymgershen@gmail.com.

CINDY GERSHEN FARM TO TASTE

SPORTS & LIFESTYLE

9 local athletes named spring sports league MVPs

JAY BEDECARRÉ

The Pioneer

Nine local athletes received most valuable player honors as spring sports wrapped up the 2023-24 athletic year for area schools in the East Bay and Diablo athletic leagues.

Tabbed for league most valuable player honors in the DAL were College Park’s Nate Leffel (baseball) and Evelyn Delbono (lacrosse), Clayton Valley Charter’s Joey Postlethwaite (volleyball) and Katie Dargani (stunt) and Northgate’s Luke Steinert (volleyball)

and sophomore Ashley Herman (softball pitcher). The De La Salle duo of Andrei Gran (lacrosse defense) and Luke Nobrega (volleyball) and Carondelet’s Gabriella Dedes (volleyball defense) were EBAL standouts. Local schools in Diablo Athletic League plus Carondelet and De La Salle (East Bay Athletic League) all-league honorees:

BASEBALL

DAL Foothill MVP – Leffel (College Park). First Team –Jerry Coakley, Dylan Cesario

(Clayton Valley Charter), Diego Emerling, Sam Johnston, Connor Berkowitz (CP). Second Team- Josiah Morris, Hank Phifer (CVC), Jimmy Voorhies, Tino Vasell (CP), Blayne Ballard, Nate Luehs (Northgate). Valley First Team – Aaron Hunt (Concord). Second Team – Jared Bennett (Con).

EBAL First Team- RJ Meyn, Hank Tripaldi, Tyler Spangler. Second Team - Alec Blair, Jack Karst, Joe McGee, Ethan Sullivan.

See MVPs, page B3

De La Salle track, golf champions claim final 23-24 titles

By any normal assessment, De La Salle High had quite the haul of championships during the just concluded 2023-24 school year with seven North Coast Section team titles as well as a slew of individual boys champions in cross county, track and field, golf and wrestling.

In fact, there are many schools in the Section who have not had seven team championships in their history, highlighting the accomplishments of the private all-boys parochial school in Concord.

However, five other Spartan teams fell just short while taking second in NCS including the baseball team that lost an epic championship game to East Bay Athletic League rival Granada 10 in a game that spanned two days over 14 innings last month. It was the first time since

2015 that DLS didn’t rule the Section in baseball. It was the 11th consecutive time the Spartans reached the NCS title game since 2011. When De La Salle baseball lost to Granda it also snapped a 33-game winning steak in Section games since they were defeated by College Park in

the 2015 championship finale.

Granada proved De La Salle’s Achilles heel this year as the Matadors also beat their Concord rivals in EBAL play and then ended the De La Salle season by beating the defending champ Spartans in the second round of the Northern California tournament.

This spring De La Salle won four NCS spring sports championships in swimming, track and field (Tri-Valley and Meet of Champions) and golf, which incredibly is about half the number of titles they claimed a year ago.

DLS’s rugby team in a club sport that does not have NCS post-season play was ranked No. 1 in California and third in the nation after winning the all-California Schools and NorCal Premier championships this spring.

The legendary Spartan football program has won every NCS championship since 1992 and were also Northern California champions last fall. DLS wrestling claimed its ninth successive section dual and team titles.

De La Salle basketball, baseball, cross country, water polo and lacrosse were all 2023-24 runner-up in NCS.

The DLS golf team followed the NCS victory with secondplace finishes at both Northern California and CIF State championships. as they now have four consecutive NCS titles.

BRONCO BOYS CHAMPIONS

Northgate boys volleyball

was the only other local team to win a Section championship this year and it was achieved in impressive fashion as the Broncos won all four section games 3-0. Northgate was runner up in Division II lacrosse this spring. College Park lost in the NCS baseball semi-finals to De La Salle and the Falcons softball team took second in Division I. De La Salle’s neighbors Carondelet went the entire school year without a Section crown, very unusual for the allgirls Concord school. The twotime defending champion Cougar soccer team was second during the winter while Carondelet’s swim team this spring also was runner up after winning the 2023 NCS title. Clayton Valley Charter’s stunt team was third in NCS for the second successive season following a second-place finish in 2022.

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Photo courtesy De La Salle Athletics

KATIE DARGANI CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER STUNT

NATE LEFFEL COLLEGE PARK BASEBALL

LUKE NOBREGA DE LA SALLE LACROSSE

Athlete Spotlight

Zoe Lahanas

Grade: Senior

School: Clayton Valley Charter

Sports: Track and Field, Swimming

Zoe Lahanas has had to overcome countless challenges in her athletic career and each time has come back stronger and more determined. She has faced many injuries that have set her back in her athletic pursuits. As a soccer player and high jumper her freshman year, tears to her ACL, MCL and meniscus prevented her from continuing those sports. Her sophomore year she turned to running and excelled, experiencing successes such as winning the 400 meters at North Coast Section Tri-Valley and Meet of Champions, and earning MVP for Clayton Valley Charter track.

As a junior Lahanas had to persevere through ankle injuries. Most dramatically, her senior season began with a serious car crash that left her bedridden with a concussion for two weeks. However, she recovered, returned to running and went on to win the 800 at Tri-Valley and Meet of Champions as well as placing eighth at the ultimate CIF State Meet. She was Diablo Athletic League first team all-league in track for three years. Her coach Keisha Lowe had this to say, “She has a work ethic that is out of this world. Other athletes see how hard she works and greatly admire that. She will bring her strong work ethic to her new team. I hope they are

up to the challenge.”

Lahanas was also on CVCHS’s varsity swim team her sophomore year and swims recreationally for Dana Hills in the summer. In addition, she runs for the Diablo Valley Track Club in her off season. She holds a 4.4 GPA and is a member of Senior Women, California Scholarship Federation and the CVC Engineering Academy.

Lahanas is signed to the University of California Berkeley where she will continue to run track and study civil engineering in the pursuit of working in architecture.

CVCHS student journalist Corinne Jeandheur wrote this Spotlight.

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

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

Molly Gray towers over California high school divers after 2 close calls

Special to The Pioneer

Clayton Valley Charter is now home to the best one-meter female high school diver in the state of California. Winning the state diving championship, holding the all-time NCS record and being a two-time NISCA AllAmerica, Molly Gray has accomplished a lot in her first three years of high school.

A rising senior, Gray has been diving for the Stanford Diving Club since fourth grade under coaches Oleg Andriyuk and Ryan Wallace.

Competing for this prestigious club requires Gray to commute to Stanford six days a week. Her mom has been driving her over an hour each way to practice for years while Gray completes her homework in the car.

She balances her schoolwork during her busy schedule, maintaining a 4.13 weighted GPA. All of this effort has paid off in her three trips to California’s State Diving Meet.

Her freshman and sophomore years she fell a few points short of the title. In fact, her freshman year she missed winning by .35 of a point and last year she shattered the state meet record score but was 2.15 points behind champion Isabella Chen.

So going into her junior year she was determined to win it all and at last month’s CIF State Meet, Gray finally reached the

MOLLY GRAY CLAYTON

top of the victory stand, outdistancing the runner-up by 22.2 points. “When I saw the scoreboard after my final dive, I was ecstatic. My entire family had traveled to Fresno to support me and winning with them by my side was an incredible feeling,” Gray said.

She hopes to follow this achievement by breaking the state one-meter diving record next year.

Gray also has many successes at the junior level of USA Diving. She was a silver and bronze medalist at the 2022 Junior National Championships in the three-meter and one-meter events, respectively. In addition, she was a silver medalist in the one meter at the 2022 FINA Junior World Championships as well as placing eighth in the 10meter platform and 12th in 3M. Her sophomore season, Gray was also a three-meter

TERA boys rock at CIF State Swimming Championships

Three Terrapin Swim Team boys competed in the CIF State Swimming Championships last month in Clovis. Mason Wendler of Northgate took fifth in the 200 freestyle and fourth in the 100 free. Clayton Valley Charter junior Diego Castaneda was eighth in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 100 back. Aden Li represented his Benicia High team with eighth in the 100 back and 13th in the 100 butterfly. Terrapin coach Dan Cottam said the team was proud of the trio. “They showed toughness and resiliency as that was their third consecutive championship meet (league, NCS and State). Wendler is headed to UC Santa Barbara on a swimming scholarship while Li will be attending Johns Hopkins in Baltimore on an athletic and academic scholarship. All three will be competing in the USA Futures Championship in Sacramento for the Terrapins at the end of July.

finalist at the 2023 USA Diving Spring Senior National Championships.

Her state title performance recently earned her Clayton Valley Charter’s Mark of the Year Award.

One of her CVCHS coaches, Niki Rodriguez, had this to say about their limited time together, “I can tell you that when I do get the chance to be around her, she is humble, sweet and extremely hard working. She came to swim team practice, worked hard and even kept up with some of the varsity kids in certain sets that we were doing, never once complaining about anything or asking for a break.”

Despite her long commute and time commitment to her Stanford team schedule, Gray still finds time to participate on the Ugly Eagle swim and diving team and values the relationships she has made with her fellow high school athletes. She credits her success in diving to her athletic childhood where she participated in several sports including basketball, soccer, softball, swimming

and gymnastics. All of these, especially gymnastics, helped build the foundation for her diving career. Gray grew up in an athletic family, including her grandfather legendary basketball coach Frank Allocco Sr. who guided Northgate and De La Salle teams to state championships. Her uncle Frank Allocco Jr. has taken CVCHS boy basketball to a pair of North Coast Section basketball titles this decade.

However, her interest in diving was sparked by watching the 2012 Olympics, which caused her to beg her mother to sign her up for the sport.

Looking to the future, Gray verbally committed to Stanford last summer to further her diving and academics. Competing in those 2012 Olympics that inspired her was diving bronze medalist Kristian Ipsen of Clayton, who still holds the boys NCS and unofficial state diving record. Ipsen also trained with and attended Stanford where he was a national champion.

Sports Shorts

RED DEVIL GOLF CLASSIC SET FOR JUNE 28

The Red Devil Golf Committee is still accepting registrations for its annual fund-raising tournament on Friday, June 28, at Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord. Registration starts at 11 a.m., followed by lunch, golf, dinner and raffle/silent auction. Proceeds help academic and athletic programs at Mt. Diablo High School. Interested participants should contact Lou Adamo by phone (925) 212-9332 or email louadamo@gmail.com or Rudy Perez (925) 408-6790 or teamperez9@gmail.com.

FLAG FOOTBALLCAMPAT

CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER JUNE 24-26

Be Elite 3-Day Summer Youth Camp at Clayton Valley Charter High School is June 24-26, 9 a.m. to noon daily. The camp is designed to provide youth (K-7th grade) with an immersive, fun flag football experience to enhance skills and learn new techniques. Camp includes skill-building drills, team-building exercises, friendly scrimmages and coaching from CVCHS student-athletes. Open to girls and boys of all skill levels from beginners to experienced athletes. For more info and to register visit beeliteathlete.com/summer-camps.

TERRAPINS SWIM TEAM

OFFERING SUMMER PROGRAM

Terrapins Swim Club is offering stroke and racing skills clinics for three age groups from 8 and under to the 11 and over through July. These clinics are designed to work 100% on stroke and turn technique with the goal being to improve swimmers’ techniques for maximum summer improvements. All strokes and turns will be covered as well as starting techniques. Clinics are led by year-round Terrapin coaches who have developed some of the top Age Group swimmers in the United States. For more info and to register for USA Swimming-affiliated Terrapins swim programs visit terrapinswim.com.

PIONEER WANTS TO PUBLISH YOUR SPORTS NEWS

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

Photo courtesy Terrapins Swim Team

VALLEY CHARTER

CORINNE JEANDHEUR

Athlete Spotlight

Chris Billar

Grade: Senior School: De La Salle High Sports: Rugby, Football

Cal Berkeley’s legendary rugby program won a fierce recruiting battle with local rivals Saint Mary's College along with other teams from around the county to land a commitment from De La Salle’s Chris Biller. The Concord athlete was a two-sport standout for the Spartans. He was an all-league lineman on the football team while his rugby coach Derek Holmberg says he was “considered the most dominant No. 12 (inside center) in the entire state” this season.

BOYS GOLF

DAL Valley First Team –

Nicky Conti, George Simpkin, Johnny Warrander (CVC), Josh Ochoa (CP), Hudson Freitas (Con). Second Team –JP Barnaba, Peyton Alexander (CP), Ethan Sampanes (Con), Peter Campora (CVC).

EBAL First Team- Josh Kim, Colin Keith.

LACROSSE

DAL Boys: First Team – Luke Foster, Tim Fenstermacher, Jack Richardson, Tony Pucci (NG), Henry Morse, Collin Cabuatan (CVC). Second Team – Brady Mize (CP), Jack Berger, Finn McLean, Eytan Joergens, Zach Gossett (NG), Logan Knapp (CVC).

DAL Girls Valley MVP –Delbono (CP). First Team –Rio Rauschmeier, Katherine Isherwood, Emma Jones-Bay, Gabby Mihaylova (CP), Kiley Ruff, Sofia Xiaris, Avery Boughton (CVC), Nanci Garcia (Ygnacio Valley). Second Team – Abigail Smith, Ally DeMartini (CVC), Abigail Turner, Alyssa Hennefer, Avila Jopes (CP), Lucero Garcia (YV).

DAL Girls Foothill: First Team – Kelsey Shaffer, Piper Stientjes (NG); Second TeamJocelyn Vanderbeek (NG).

EBAL Boys MVP – Gran. First Team - Mikey Lencioni, Hud-

GRAN

And the coach knows of what he speaks as De La Salle was the consensus No. 1 team in California and ranked third in the nation this spring. Biller led the way for the Spartans in tackles and was a repeat NorCal all-star. Holmberg adds, “Chris was a two-time captain and three-year varsity player who will go down as one of the most dominant players on both sides of the ball we’ve ever had. He has the potential to be a star at Cal for the Bears and might even

son Lee, Henry Benner, Jackson Barth, Kellen Dunn. Second Team – Hudson Hilal.

EBAL Girls Defensive MVP –Dedes. First Team – Anna Mollahan, Jenna Balousek, Sophia Bruzzone; Second Team - Emily Ahern.

SOFTBALL

DAL Foothill First Team –Anja Perreira, Kate Hadley, Ruby Bartholomew (CVC), Abby Wood, Jessica Delatorre (CP). Second Team – Angelina Vargas, Annika Scheafer, Lucy Kimura (CVC), Ava Davis, Maya Davis, Keira Pfeiffer, Alexis Weiler (CP). Valley MVP Pitcher – Herman (NG). First Team - Makenna Choi, Liliana Canfield, Addison Baxter, Taelyn Jriyasetapong, (NG) Shay Caban (Con). Second Team – Aislynn Newlin (Con), Katelyn Takahashi, Marina Johnsen, Stella Hanko (NG). Mountain First TeamLily Quezada, Jasmine Guardado, Dazzelynn Alon (MD).

EBAL Second Team – Angela Gates.

STUNT

DAL MVP – Dargani (CVC). First Team – Sam Totah, Niobe Reed, Stephanie Castellanos, Gabriella Weeks (CVC), Siena Barsetti, Mara Hill, Lila Nikolich (CP), Jasmine Diaz, Natalia Arreola (Con). Second Team –

be able to put on the USA jersey when all is said and done.” To get their high rankings the Spartans went 14-1, won the Northern California premier Championship and the California State Championship. The local squad beat the #3, #5, #8, #10, #12 and #15 ranked teams in the country and defeated one of the top teams in British Columbia who finished 2023 ranked #1.

Biller attended Ayers Elementary and Pine Hollow Middle School before De La Salle. DLS football coach Justin Alumbaugh says of his three-year player and all-EBAL lineman last fall for the Northern California champions, “Chris is one of the toughest, team oriented and versatile athletes I have had the pleasure of coaching. A true Spartan.”

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

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

Chyann Valdehueza, Emma Lam, Emily Cademartori, Sophia Canesa (CVC), Roxy Lara (Con), Malia Fortini, Chloe Mercer (CP).

EBAL Second Team – Sophia Brown.

SWIMMING & DIVING

DAL Boys First Team - Diego Castaneda (CVC), Kyle Kengla, Mason Wendler, Marcus Manuel, Ben Nonaka, Brady Cannon (NG).

DAL Girls First Team – Lily Struempf (NG), Madison Bautista (CVC). Second Team – Haylee Wong, Kayla Joseph, Gianna Kougios (CVC). Honorable Mention –Madison Turner (CP).

BOYS TENNIS

DAL Foothill First TeamSingles – Jon Lee, Raihan Lele. First Team Doubles – Colin Sheldon, Romtin Pourzand (NG).Second Team Singles –Dimitri Bazulin (NG). Second Team Doubles – Ryan Collins, Kian Khomjani (NG). Valley First Team Singles – Nicholas Ashley (CVC). First Team Doubles – Zach Pili, Jiayi Zhang (CVC), Juan Vera, Gael Rodriguez (MD). Second Team Singles – Daniel Yoshimoto, David Yoshimoto, Alex Mihaylov, Alan Berrera (Con), Arman Mirza (MD). Second Team Doubles – Henry Dolor, Jonathan Caole (CVC), Caesar Dolor, Oswaldo Palacios (YV).

TRACK & FIELD

DAL Boys First Team – Ryan

Christy, Jad Ghbeish, Andres Watts, Charles Smith, Coleman Krause, Logan Remington (CVC). Second Team –

A solid budget with reserves is essential to any home project

JENNIFER LEISCHER DESIGN & DÉCOR

Construction project budgets are not for the timid.

Anyone who has taken a tour through Home Depot or Lowe’s would agree that as you start to build a project material list, that bottom line has the potential to grow quickly.

Weekend warrior projects are the best. A gallon of paint and a new piece of art or furniture for the guest bedroom. A new chandelier, sconces and drapery in the dining room. Or a new pullout faucet in the kitchen. Projects like this end with immediate gratification and the budgets, for the most part, are easy to digest.

But some construction projects are quite a bit more involved. So before you start to purge that overstuffed guest bedroom closet where your new home gym with sauna will be installed, it’s important to think through the process and really focus on your budget.

THEMOVE OUT

Construction projects can be disrupting. More often than not, they will completely inconvenience your way of life. Temporarily, yes, but nonetheless, the project will add some chaos to your schedule.

You have two options: Live in another part of your home while work is being done, maybe even investing in a pair of noise-canceling headphones, or vacate the premises. If you choose to move out, that cost should be part of the construction budget.

This could be finding a header inside a wall that is not properly supported or plumbing that should be reworked to avoid leaking down the road. You might find electrical wires are too short to relocate a sconce or an electrical outlet. Necessary foundation work might also be a surprise after viewing the subfloor. These are just a handful of “what ifs?” that can be discovered when opening up walls and taking down ceilings. Therefore, the budget must have wiggle room. Reserving additional funds will set you and your design team up to take care of issues as they surface.

SCOPE CREEP In this same breath, it’s also important to recognize “scope creep.” As your project moves along, you may see a design detail in a friend’s home, a hotel or even a magazine that you hadn’t considered during the planning process.

Evolution of a project is completely natural. Given your investment in time and money, do it once and do it right. If you want to change a design detail, it’s best to request a change order with your contractor. This ensures that the potential change is within your budget and doable.

For example, a change order might not make the most sense if the contractor is too far along on the project. But if the change order comes at a time when the contractor can make a smooth transition, it makes sense to move forward.

Daniel Martinez, Julian Walker (CVC), Jack Rattary, Eli Long (CP), Ethan Cunningham, Arthur Gainant, Boston Molinelli, Zachary Simon (NG). Third Team – Daniel Messer (CVC), Robert Benard, Justin Faustini (NG).

EBAL Boys First Team – Trey Caldwell III, 4 x 400 and 4 x 100 Relay, Anthony Dean, Jaden Jefferson, Jayden Nicholas. Second Team – Toa Faavae.

DAL Girls First Team – Shantia Ali, Kimora McDonald, Zoe Lahanas, Vivienne Magu, Stephanie Vojtenyi, Kaelyn Ramos (CVC), Katarina Muellerleile (CP), Finn Carlson (NG), Savannah Sawyer (YV). Second Team – Thea Jeffress (CVC). Third TeamElla Kopper, Gabriela Manning, Armita Javidi Parsijani, Ava Scattergood, Reagan Thomas (NG).

EBAL Girls First Team –Malia Velasco, Jayla Addison. Second Team - Kiana Kenion.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

DAL Foothill MVP – Steinert (NG). First Team – Atilla Yeh (CP), Ingmar Nordberg (NG). Second Team – Zeon Hubp, Trey Broussard (NG). Valley MVP – Postlethwaite. First Team – Jeremy Oviedo (CVC), Jumaiya Tabayoyong (Con). Second Team – Zachari Modina, Carter Kano (CVC), Scotty Bliss (Con), Adam Clamucha (YV).

EBAL Offensive Player – Nobrega. First Team – Antonio Pinto. Second Team –Kyle Lemmons.

This situation requires a frank conversation with the contractor about the length of time the job will take, and this feedback can’t be sugar-coated. But moving out of your residence should help the project move along at a consistent rate, so the contractor and crew can focus on the work – and not about keeping your belongings safe and sound.

THE WHATIFS

Construction projects usually predetermine every detail, but unexpected situations do come up and must be resolved before any work can continue.

Change orders are an official change to the budget and can affect the timeline. Scope creep is OK as long as you are aware of and approve what it will do to the overall scope of the project. You should create a budget for any size construction project and discuss it openly with your design and build team. If everyone is on the same page, there is little room for misunderstandings.

Contractors know what is required for a project and the associated labor. Designers know where to source decorative items and building products. So between the two, you have a winning combination for a project completed within your budget and the eternal goal – on time.

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

JOEY POSTLETHWAITE

CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER VOLLEYBALL

ANDREI

EVLYN DELBONO COLLEGE PARK LACROSSE

Peter Fukumae photo ASHLEY HERMAN NORTHGATE SOFTBALL

GABRIELLA DEDES CARONDELET LACROSSE

Photo courtesy De La Salle Athletics

Led by first-team all-EBAL golfers Josh Kim and Colin Keith, De La Salle was crowned NCS champions for the fourth time in a row and the Concord golf squad went on to finish second at both the Northern California championships and the CIF State meet.

Q. Hello Dominique. Any advice for a stay-athome mom transitioning back into the workforce?

A. The move from being a stay-at-home mom to reentering the workforce is a journey with several forks and sometimes options to completely U-

Stay-at-home moms embrace new career paths

turn along the way. It is also a process brimming with opportunities for self-discovery.

For years, a stay-at-home mom’s primary focus has been nurturing her family, managing the household and being the anchor that holds everything together. When the mom makes the decision to step back into the professional world, it can feel like navigating uncharted waters. The key lies in balancing the roles of wife, mother and professional while rediscovering your identity.

The first step often involves confronting a mix of excitement and anxiety. The excitement comes from the prospect of reigniting a career and contributing to a broader

community, while the anxiety stems from doubts about skills, relevance, the ability to juggle multiple roles, and the guilt many wives and mothers feel around prioritizing their professional development.

It’s essential for stay-athome moms to recognize that the skills honed during their time at home are highly transferable to the workplace. Examples of competencies that employers highly value are organizational abilities, multitasking, crisis management and empathetic communication.

To ease the transition, one of the most effective strategies is to start with self-reflection. Understanding personal

Clayton parade exemplifies spirit of Pride Month

On June 2, Clayton Pride held the third annual Clayton Pride Parade. It was a resounding success. I hope you had a chance to see it. Clayton Pride organized three years ago to let the LGBTQ members of our community know that Clayton is a safe place where all its residents are valued, where discrimination due to gender identity and sexual orientation is not acceptable. Clayton embraces traditional values, which include appreciating neighbors for who they are and their contributions to our town.

Wanting to raise our children to reach their best does not mean excluding some children from opportunities. We are lucky to live in an abundant society where everyone can, and should, have the chance to shine in their own way. This is the message of

Pride, and the reason Clayton Pride goes to such lengths to give the town such an elaborate event every year. The Pride flag is all the colors of the rainbow, which includes cisgender heterosexual (CisHet or “straight”) allies.

Most of the Clayton Pride committee members are straight allies. Many of us have gay family members and children.

The multiple letter designations may look like labels, but they throw off the narrow labels that have empowered bullying and kept so many of our neighbors closeted. Being excluded means living in fear. No one in our town should live in fear.

A few weeks before the parade, PFLAG held a Pride Ball for area high schoolers who did not feel safe taking their dates to their own high school dances. Sadly, the current divisive political environment has encouraged harassment of queer youth. On top of that, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning for Pride event organizers to take extra precautions against possible disruptive groups. This had the unfortunate effect of convincing some kids to stay away from the Pride Ball, and attendance was noticeably lower this year.

The good news is that the

Clayton Pride Parade had a record turnout of 58 entries, more than 40 booths and more than 4,000 attendees who all wanted to have a good time on a beautiful day. There were no incidents. The haters couldn’t compete with that much goodwill.

As one of the organizers, I got to see “backstage” as well as walk in the parade. The enthusiasm of both the participants and the attendees was heartwarming. Everyone embraced the spirit of inclusiveness. Everyone was happy to see everyone else sharing that same feeling. It was exactly what Pride is all about.

The first year, only a handful of us pulled it off against the odds. We were amazed at how welcoming the town was. The second year was about using lessons learned. And the town responded with double the attendance. This year, people turned out as never before. I guess they figured we know what we’re doing by now. So, of course, we will do it again next year.

Jay Hartlove is the multiple award-winning author of five fantasy novels and a musical. Concord residents for 27 years, he and his wife Denisen are the parents of two grown LGBTQ children, now happily making their way in the world. Contact him at jay.hartlove@gmail.com.

strengths, interests and passions can guide the job search process. It’s also beneficial to update professional skills. This might mean taking online courses, attending workshops or even volunteering in relevant fields to gain current experience and expand your network. Embracing lifelong learning not only boosts confidence but also ensures that your skills are up-to-date.

Networking plays a crucial role in this journey. Reconnecting with former colleagues, joining professional groups and leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn can open doors to opportunities that might not be advertised. Networking is not just about finding a job – it’s about creating a support system of individuals who can offer

advice, share experiences and provide encouragement.

Balancing the roles of mother, wife and professional requires meticulous planning and open communication with family members. It’s important to involve the family, discussing new schedules, responsibilities and the support that will be needed. A family that understands and shares in the journey can make the process smoother and less stressful.

In addition to logistical planning, self-care is paramount. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when trying to excel in multiple roles. Regularly setting aside time for oneself, whether through hobbies, exercise or simply quiet reflection, helps maintain mental and emotional well-being. Self-care is not self-

ish; it’s a necessary component of being able to give fully to one’s family and job. The move from stay-athome mom to working professional is a multifaceted process of rediscovery and growth. It involves leveraging existing skills, updating knowledge, building a supportive network, and balancing personal and professional responsibilities. With determination and support, stay-at-home moms can successfully navigate this transition, finding fulfillment and purpose in both their family lives and careers. Be well; you are worthy.

Dominique King is a wife, mother, lifestyle blogger and avid long-distance runner. Email questions and comments to her at leaninwiththekings@gmail.com.

Explore London’s ‘other’ world in fanciful ‘Neverwhere’

If you’ve never read Neil Gaiman, “Neverwhere” is a fine place to start. Gaiman is that rare author who can captivate any reader, of any age, who recognizes and appreciates a master storyteller.

While away for a weekend, the only promising book at my Airbnb was Gaiman’s “Neverwhere.” Because it was a busy weekend, I was only 100 pages into it when I left. I bought a copy at SFO. It was money and time well spent.

Gaiman believed his original text, written as a screenplay for BBC television, was better suited as a novel. The author’s introduction is a must read. If you’ve never been to London, you’ll want a Post-it on the map of the London Underground and a rendering of what’s

beneath it.

“Neverwhere” is a story of getting lost. And a story of getting found.

We meet Richard Mayhew in Ireland at his farewell party the night before he leaves for London and his future in the financial world. It’s not without some foreshadowing – indicating life in London might not be everything Richard expected. Shortly after that, we meet a pair of very strangely formidable characters.

With his map of the London Underground, Richard acclimates himself to the complex city that exists above ground. He’s further helped by his girlfriend Jessica, who introduces him to the theatre, museums, art galleries and the proper clothing for a young man on his way up. Is this who he really wants to be? He thinks so.

While on their way to a function where Richard is to meet Jessica’s very influential boss, they come upon a young woman who had been attacked and left bleeding on the sidewalk. They were late. Someone else can help her. But that someone is Richard. His life is about to change.

Who is this young woman? Who attacked her? And why? Is she just another street person?

4DX a great addition to apes’ latest ‘Kingdom’

When I went to the Regal Fresno Riverpark for the first time in May 2023. I noticed that one of its theaters had something called 4DX. I did not see a movie there, but after doing research, I could not believe I had not heard about it before.

Films released into 4DX theaters must undergo considerable post-production treatment. Sadly, the filmmakers themselves don’t do this, but rather the company responsible for 4DX technology. Once a film is completed, the company must decide which 4DX effects to use and during which portions of the movie.

They have their choice of wind, snow, water, scent, heat, lightning, fog, smoke and seat motion. I won’t get into the nuts and bolts of the technology, but I will highlight what works and what does not.

I loved all three of the most recent “Planet of the Apes” films. The CGI was always flawless; the apes never looked anything less than 100% real. Surprised as I was to find out a new film in the series was coming out, I knew I had to see it.

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” takes place many generations after the previous trilogy ended. Caesar (Andy Serkis) is seen as a messiah by all the apes, who have now usurped humanity as the domi-

nant species on the planet. His descendants worship him in different ways. Some groups have twisted his words and use them to justify their attacks and assert authority over others. Sound familiar?

Noa (Owen Teague) is an adolescent ape who discovers a human named Mae (Freya Allen), who is very concerned that some of the rogue apes are trying to utilize human technology for their own gains. Upon capture, Noa and his friends must decide whether to help her or not. The plot isn’t the greatest, but once again, we care about the characters and their cause. The cinematography is fantastic. Beautiful scenery and camera work are the norm for this film. The 4DX seat motion enhances every aerial shot. The seat slowly moves in whatever direction the camera moves.

If a character dodges an arrow or a punch, the seat may move quickly in the same direction. When the apes are on horseback, the seat jerks back and forth. Anytime there is a chase scene, the seats jolt violently. I was not a fan of this part of the technology. Perhaps it was because every preview shown before the film made use of the seat shakes and bounces. I had spilled my soda and was already feeling slightly nauseous

before the film even started.

There are a lot of water scenes in the film, so little jets on the back of the seat in front of you will spray mist on you at appropriate times. This is the only 4DX feature that has an on/off button on the armrest. During stormy scenes, bursts of cold wind flowed through the theater. I found this feature to be tremendously engrossing.

I expected some sort of warm blast during the fire scenes, but I was disappointed. The fog apparatus released fog right below the screen and definitely created a 3-D smoke effect. However, the machine was way too loud and distracted me from what was going on in the movie. If lightning hit in the film, large flashes went off around the periphery of the theater. They also occasionally used forest scents to make the theater consistently smell of trees. When the characters were inside musty buildings, the scents were very fitting. I never noticed any ocean/beach scents, though.

Quite possibly the best feature is the movement of the back of the seat. If a character got grabbed from behind, I would feel a little “poke” in my back. If a character fell, the back of the seat would rumble. These instances heightened a

lot of the suspense in the film. All-in-all, I found the 4DX technology to be well worth the $25 ticket. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is a perfect film in which to experience 4DX. I look forward to going to the Dublin location to see another film in the format.

Film: A- Film+4DX: A ‘VIOLENT NATURE’ ISJUST PLAIN BAD

During a horror film, the director often chooses to follow the point of view of the killer/villain for one or more scenes.

Several of famed Italian director Dario Argento’s films spend a lot of time behind the “mask” of the killer. “Friday the 13th” films often put the audience in Jason’s shoes as he does his business. Yet, because the audience identifies more with the hapless regular people in these films, directors tend to spend most of the time telling their stories.

In Chris Nash’s debut feature, “In a Violent Nature,” the audience has to spend nearly every minute with his hulking killer. It’s a neat concept. It is just too bad that the killer’s story is abjectly boring and cliché.

It opens with a fixed camera position focusing through the window of a rundown shack in

the woods. We hear dismembered voices coming from all angles. With the trite dialogue, it is obvious we are listening to a few moronic, twentysomething males. We never see them, but right before they leave, one of them reaches in and takes a necklace off a post.

At this point, we assume a cut and then another scene. Perhaps a scene of the gentlemen screaming down the highway, necklace in hand, espousing more inane dialogue. But no, Nash holds the shot … and holds it … and holds it. After what seems like several minutes, the angle changes and something comes crawling out of the ground. Seen only from the back, it is clear this monstrosity is a long-dead spirit somehow connected to the necklace.

Of the 87-minute runtime, I would say a good 60 minutes is spent with the camera following Johnny (the walking corpse) as he tramples and stomps – never in a hurry – through the forest. Most of the time, I felt like I was playing a video game where my character was slow-moving and I had to walk from one faraway place to another. Not the most exciting part of a game, and it does not work in a film either. Even when it is clear he is stomping his way toward a good killing, there is zero tension.

We now remember the foreshadowing, the strange men. Has Richard put his life in danger by helping her? Will Jessica forgive him for leaving her to meet her boss without him?

Fantasy novels are not my favorites, but how can you pass up a book with such wonderful characters? And can we believe there really is a world beneath the London Underground?

Richard’s life is now in great danger from those who are after the girl, those who live above and below the Underground. The girl has a key she must safeguard with her life, a life becoming dear to Richard. Fantastical characters: evil, good, funny, scary, deceitful and even kind. And a plot that, with all its twists and turns, never loses sight of Richard’s struggle to find himself. As otherworldly as the characters may be, feathered, scaled, masked, winged, they all force Richard to question his strengths and goals. Does he want the life he once sought, Jessica’s monied world, or a life to challenge his mind and heart?

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.’

Using only diegetic (onscreen) music for the soundtrack, we get no suspense-building score. We also get no cool editing tricks or smart camera work. What we do get is a halfdozen or so completely idiotic characters, ridiculously poor acting and an extremely weak script.

The one saving grace for gorehounds is that there are a few extremely graphic kills –including one that is guaranteed to have never been seen in a film before. Kudos to Nash for trying something unique. Notes to Nash for next time: Give the guy you spend the entire movie with a story worth caring about. D+

Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a

JEFF MELLINGER SCREEN SHOTS

SUNNY SOLOMON BOOKIN’ WITH SUNNY

JAY HARTLOVE ALL THE COLORS

DOMINIQUE KING LEANIN WITH LOVE

THE ARTS

Center Rep’s Cabaret revisits Berlin as Nazi threat looms

Center Rep’s “Cabaret” is a look back at a decadent time in Berlin. The party, however, is about to end, as Hitler rises to power.

Kander and Ebb’s awardwinning musical continues through June 23 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr.

While many parts of Center Rep’s production are praiseworthy, The Emcee (Rotimi Agbabiaka) and the Kit Kat Klub dancers highlight the show. Between Agbabiaka’s expressive vocals and choreographer Jessica Chen’s in-your-face choreography, the progression of a complacent people slowly overtaken by a powerful regime becomes evident. Graceful kicks turn into harsh

will be sung in English and Spanish and follows the Mexican folklore tale about the first poinsettia. For more information, go to https://soloopera.org.

Gestapo marches and tender caresses into anything but.

Costumer Becky Bodurtha created elaborate outfits for the denizens of the Kit Kat Klub, including a skirt made of money for The Emcee during the “Money” number and a show-stopping outfit, also

for The Emcee, that unfurls into a gigantic German flag engulfing the ensemble.

For tickets, call 925-9437460 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

Center Rep is also busy promoting the new season. The company has added new incentives: additional PayWhat-You-Can tickets and new single-price subscription tickets for all seats and dates. Each subscriber ticket is priced at $49 per show regardless of the day of the week or the seat in the house.

Subscriptions are currently on sale, with single tickets going on sale July 24. For tickets, go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

Concord’s Juneteenth cele-

bration features Solo Opera soprano Shawnette Sulker. The annual event takes place noon-4 p.m. June 23 at Todos Santos Plaza. Sulker will be singing between noon and 12:30 p.m. The afternoon includes a variety of performers, spoken word artists, kids activities and lots of food trucks. For more information, go to www.visitconcordca.com.

Solo Opera is promoting its 2025 opera “Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena” by doing free community outreach at such events as Juneteenth, Creative Concord (Oct. 6) and the Concord Library (Dec. 9). The intimate 45-minute show by Evan Mack and Joshua McGuire

Orinda Starlight Village Players continues Agatha Christie’s “Spider’s Web” through June 29 at Orinda Community Center Park. In Christie’s mysterious tale, a diplomat’s wife, who loves spinning tales of adventure, finds fantasy is much more fun than reality when a murder takes place in her own drawing room. Desperate to dispose of the body before her husband arrives with an important politician, she enlists the help of her guests.

For tickets to “Spider’s Web,” call 925-528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org.

Despite a June 9 fire that destroyed its warehouse and 40 years of theatrical history, Pittsburg Theatre Company managed to open “The Sunshine Boys” June 14. The Neil Simon comedy continues through June 23 at the California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg.

For tickets, go to https://pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.

“Phantom of the Opera” star Franc D’Ambrosio joins the Pacific Chamber Orchestra for its summer pops concert at 7:30 p.m. June 29 at the

Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette.

In addition to the orchestra, the company’s 50-voice chorus will accompany D’Ambrosio for a selection of Broadway and pop hits. He will also sing the duet “All I Ask of You” with coloratura soprano and local star Elizabeth Hunter Ashley. For more information, go to https://pacificchamberorchestra.org. Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com

They’re a little bit country … and a little bit old blues, too

“There’s a lot of country music that’s really just blues with a hat on.” – B.B. King

While I don’t know that I’d describe either of the local songwriters I’m about to introduce to you as “country” or “blues” artists, they do both employ elements of each genre on their new records.

I became acquainted with Jon Lawton’s music when he submitted some then-unreleased tunes for airplay consideration on KVHS. “Why Don’t You Stay?” was one of those songs and is now the opening track on his new album, “The Good Old Days.” It sets the tone for what you can expect across

most of it: a rich mix of acoustic instruments that create warm ballads. His gentle voice – often spoken – offers odes of self-reflection, doubt, love and loss.

Expect elements of early country and folk, and even a little nod to New Orleans-style jazz on the track “Lazy Man’s Blues,” which features some wailing clarinet and trumpet.

There’s a sincerity to Lawton’s delivery that isn’t exclusive to how he sings his thoughtful lyrics. It’s as if every guitar or banjo note he plays has its own emotional value, and he seems mindful of that.

A prime example is during the instrumental break on the introspective acoustic song “Firefly,” where one might expect a lead instrument to appear and take a solo. There’s no need for that kind of showiness in this tender moment. All the music we need is right here, as Lawton’s fingers purposefully pick through the chords until coming around to the next verse, some 40 seconds later.

Like many great musicians, Lawton loves playing and listening to a multitude of genres. The one thing that unifies

it all for him: honesty.

“I’m a singer-songwriter who enjoys writers like Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch and John Prine. When I listen to music, I listen for some of those traits: clear truthful, emotional lyrics, purity in composition, and the ability and the courage to be themselves. Soulful and friendly, with a minimum of guile,” he explains when asked about what drew him to my next artist: Ruby Lee Hill.

“When I heard Ruby, I heard those things,” he continued.

Earlier this year, when Lawton performed at Scotty O’s Wednesday Night Listening Room at Luigi’s Deli in Martinez, he brought Lee with him. The up and coming songwriter took turns with Lawton, with both sharing their original music for the captive audience. Lee returned to Oakland knowing she had some new fans on this side of the tunnel.

Last month, she released her debut EP “John Wayne.” It opens with the barn-burner “Too Late,” an upbeat number that showcases her impressive vocal ability to slide from note

to note gracefully, as the aspiring artist asks: “Is it too late for us to make it?”

Most of this record could perhaps best be described as country-inspired, but the song “Stay Home” and the closing track “Adios” are both in the style of manouche jazz, a sound largely defined by 1940’s era jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and later resurfacing in the late ’90s with groups like the Squirrel Nut Zippers. Lee’s rich voice lends itself well to this unique foot-tappin’ flavor of swingin’ blues.

The emotional apex of the

EP might be the mournful “Widow’s Waltz,” a song about a couple’s fading love sung from the perspective of a woman who sees the man she married as being long dead: “You left without leaving /you’re dead without dying /and I’m here grieving /over a grave where no body’s lying.” At Singer Songwriter Sunday earlier this month, Lee shared with the audience the meaning of the record’s cover art and title. “It has to do with a woman sort of asking for her fantasy John Wayne to come and save her, to untie her from the rails. I guess it’s a little bit of a confession about the delusions of love that we sometimes allow ourselves to believe.”

“John Wayne” is available on all streaming platforms, as well as on CD and vinyl at rubyleehill.com/store.

You can find “The Good Old Days” on all streaming platforms and available for purchase at https://jonlawton.bandcamp.com. For more local releases, visit ConcordRockCity.com. Contact Dave Hughes at MrDaveHughes@gmail.com.

Ruby Lee Hill’s debut EP “John Wayne” came out May 25. Jon Lawton released his fourth full-length album, “The Good Old Days,” on June 6.

Photo by David Dierks

Tom Westlake, left, William Spongberg and Shiv Harris appear in Agatha Christie’s “Spider’s Web” at the Orinda Community Center Park through June 29.

Photo by Kevin Berne

Sally Bowles (Monique Hafen Adams) and the Kit Kat Dancers perform in Center Rep’s “Cabaret,” through June 23 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center.

Photo courtesy of Solo Opera Shawnette Sulker of Solo Opera will be part of Concord’s Juneteenth celebration on June 23 at Todos Santos Plaza.

Corner Kitchen delivers quality at a reasonable price

Despite what some politicians might tell us about the effects of inflation, dining in restaurants is much pricier than several years ago.

To economize, some families share entrees, avoid alcohol purchases and patronize restaurants where you can escape in the $15-$20 range per person.

One place that meets affordability needs is the Corner Kitchen in Concord. The traditional burger place features a menu on par with an upscale diner. It reminds me of the early days of the iconic Fog City Diner in San Francisco.

Located in an isolated strip mall on Willow Pass Road, Corner Kitchen has a much lower overhead than what might be found in downtown Concord or on Lafayette’s Mt. Diablo Boulevard.

Brothers John and A.J. Groppetti are partners in this venture with Sal Morales. All of them grew up locally and are alumni of Concord High

School. Morales also graduated from the Culinary Arts Program at Diablo Valley College. What makes Corner Kitchen unique is their use of fresh ingredients. They grind Angus chuck for their hamburgers and sliders each day, resulting in a product that can be enjoyed cooked on the rare side. Among favorites are the classic, blue, mushroom-Swiss

and Brie burger.

Smaller sliders help keep prices down, if full portions aren’t desired. In addition to beef sliders, the pulled pork option is popular. They slow cook the shoulder cut for 13 hours with seasonings that include fresh Jalapeno peppers. The result is melt-in-your mouth flavor. My favorites are the Mojo with garlic citrus sauce and the Colorado featuring house-made coleslaw and a pickled pepper relish.

Fried or grilled chicken breast sliders and sandwiches are a Corner Kitchen mainstay. Along with the beef and pulled pork, they all feature sauces made in-house. Preparation time is no problem for the three owners, who are almost always around to custom cook each order.

As an indication of the restaurant’s attention to detail, their French-fried potatoes are coated with flour and cooked twice in the European style.

The flavor and crunch are far superior to what is found in most fast-food establishments.

The falafels are my favorite dish. While most competitors use a powdered mix, Corner Kitchen grinds chickpeas to produce this Mediterranean fried comfort food. They served it with a delicious yogurt-based tzatziki sauce for which I ordered an additional helping.

Falafels are not the only vegetarian item on the menu. As a non-meat eater, John Groppetti is proud of their three-bean chili, which is a perfect accompaniment to sliders, burgers and chicken wings. In the green department, Corner Kitchen makes an excellent coleslaw and a diverse group of salads including a wedge, quinoa and cranberry chicken.

Also on the menu are grilled skewers of chicken, steak, shrimp and roasted vegetables. All are seasoned to perfection and pair well with a side of Jas-

Experiences as military nurse still influence artist

Editor’s Note: The Pioneer welcomes Clayton resident Julia O’Reilly as the new art columnist. After moving here from Istanbul, she specialized in interior design at Las Positas College. She began her career as a jewelry artist in 2003, with Diablo Magazine naming her Best Local Jewelry Designer in 2012. After being involved with the Blackhawk Gallery in Danville and the Alamo Danville Artists’ Society, she opened JOR Fine Art Gallery in Clayton in 2022. Email comments to her at joreillyfineartgallery@gmail.com

Rhu Bigay’s story is one of resilience, passion and dedication to art. Born in the Philippines to a lineage that traces back to the French Castilian, he began his pursuit of art in high school, much to the dismay of his parents who believed that “art would not feed you.”

Despite their concerns,

Bigay’s passion for art persisted – ultimately shaping his remarkable career.

Before fully embracing his artistic talents, Bigay served in the military and worked as a nurse in the burn unit. Rhu took a deep breath before recalling those days.

“Oh boy. Very difficult times I had in the past – knowing that they won’t be making it to the next day,” said Bigay, who now lives in Concord.

The harrowing experiences left a profound impact on him, leading to a struggle with PTSD. It was during the quiet nights after his shifts that Bigay found solace in painting, using it as an outlet to cope with his trauma.

Bigay’s artistic style is deeply influenced by his military background, often featuring dramatic scenes of military life and aviation. His unique focus on

patriotic and military themes set him apart but also posed challenges. Despite his undeniable talent, art galleries often found his work too intense and provocative for their audiences.

Unfazed by rejection from the traditional art world, Bigay found a niche that embraced his work: airshows. He also has a

trademark called Air Show

Blues. By painting vivid scenes and selling prints of his originals, he garnered enough success to support his family.

His dedication and distinctive style did not go unnoticed. Notably, the Monterey County Catholic organization commissioned him to create a portrait

of the pope and author John Steinbeck’s company hired him for a painting to be placed in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Still, Bigay often felt alienated from nonprofit art organizations and constantly feared vandalism of his patriotic work. His decision to abandon galleries and shows was a bold move, but it led him to a new and rewarding venture: creating his own art calendars.

A pivotal moment in Bigay’s career came when he entered the Sunol Wildflower Art Contest after learning about it from a local newspaper. His entry, “This Side of Mt. Diablo,” is a captivating oil painting featuring the Southern Pacific 1744 locomotive and the USS Macon, surrounded by California golden poppies and a family of California quails. This intricate piece won first place, earning him a

mine rice. They can be shared, so everyone at the table can enjoy a taste.

The restaurant offers special on a regular basis. Their pork belly slider with a pineapple/pickled pepper glaze is not to be missed. Also of note is a large selection of draft beers, along with several cocktail

spot in the JOR Fine Art Gallery in Clayton. The recognition was a triumphant affirmation of Bigay’s talent and perseverance, symbolizing not only his artistic achievement but also his enduring spirit and service to his country. Bigay’s journey from a high school art enthusiast to a celebrated painter is a testament to the power of passion and resilience in the face of adversity.

A.J. Groppetti, left, his brother John and Sal Morales are living their dream at the Corner Kitchen in Concord.

Rhu Bigay’s “This Side of Mt. Diablo” won the Sunol Wildflower Art Contest.

RICHARD EBER TASTE & TELL

JULIA O’REILLY ARTFUL INSIGHTS