IT’S YOUR PAPER
City dives into park funding
www.concordpioneer.com
From the desk of...
March 25, 2016
925.672.0500
LAuRA HoffMEiSTER
MAYOR
Funding transportation a multifaceted process
I recently returned from a week of meetings in Washington, D.C., at the National League of Cities conference. Mayors and elected officials from around the nation attended. I learned helpful and current information on issues that are not only facing Concord but cities nationwide. One issue was transportation, including multimodal planning and infrastructure maintenance funding. The key take-away was that access to limited federal funding will require larger amounts of local and regional funds. Translated: We feel your pain, but you will need to do more self-help funding at the local level to address your communities’ needs. Washington can boost local and regional funds for new roads and expansion of roads, but when it comes to maintenance of existing roads, it’s really a community responsibility. This leads to the importance of the discussions underway by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, a countywide group of city elected officials
Jay Bedecarré
ELLIS LAKE PARK, which neighbors have avoided due to safety concerns and broken equipment, is one of the two Monument Area parks to get major overhauls this year. Meadow Homes Park will also construct new play equipment and repair broken structures. PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
Soon, children will be playing and grown-ups will be celebrating around Ellis Lake Park again. For years, many Concord residents have known that the
parks in the city have needed facelifts. Damaged play structures, broken water fountains and an element of crime surrounded several, especially Ellis Lake, located near downtown and the Monument Corridor. Several parents have complained of
finding needles in the grass, and police have warned of drug deals and prostitution occurring there. But Concord is taking back its parks. The level of decay and crime at Ellis Lake is one of the reasons the city of Concord and community
$775,000 in Measure WW bond funds to pay for new play structures and other upgrades at the parks, a move the City Council embraced. “This is more than just a feel-good project; it’s a respon-
Kentucky Derby Louisville, Grand Haven on the shores of Lake Michigan and arts outpost at 7,200-feet elevation Sante Fe. The fourth US city? Concord! A spokesman for Conde Nast Traveler said, “This was an editor-curated list. As we have experts on the ground, they research the topic they are covering so thoroughly. In this particular case, the selection
was based upon culture, access to health services, quality of life, and community.” Under a photo of the Crystal Ranch subdivision in the evening to illustrate Concord, the story described our attributes of being near San Francisco but with a lower crime rate, home to farmers markets, excellent health care facilities, free community events
JOHN T. MILLER Concord Pioneer
contention, with the city saying it cannot sustain the current level of funding. Deputy city manager Jovan Grogan pointed to medical benefits for retirees. “We have one of the best retirement plans compared to other local governments, but the costs are not sustainable,” he said. “We have an $8 million annual shortfall and an over-reliance on one-time monies and Measure Q (the sales tax extension). We are
See Parks, page 11
Spend your golden years anywhere you want? National magazine says
See Mayor, page 6 Concord is the place
CNWS Master Developer selection set for April 5 at Concord Senior Center
groups identified that park and Meadow Homes Park on Detroit Avenue as the two priority parks that will undergo major overhauls this year. Last month, the city decided to seek permission from the East Bay Regional Park District to reallocate
JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Who woulda thunk it? There are nearly 500 cities in California and 20,000 in America, yet the editors of Conde Nast Traveler in New York selected our fair town as Rochelle Douglass one of the four best places in C ONCORD’S QUALITY OF LIFE SCORED HIGH MARKS with Conde the United States in which to Nast Traveler, which named it the fourth best place to retire retire. Author Cynthia Drescher in America started her story, “These are to health services, quality of Malaysia along with a highland the best 10 cities in the world life and community.” location in Mexico, a lakeside for Americans to retire to, takShe listed coastal cities in city in Ireland and four AmeriThe drama around the ing into account culture, access Belize, Panama, Portugal and can cities—the home of the contentious selection of the Master Developer for the Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse Plan has settled down and the City Council is finally ready to decide whether Catellus Development Company or Lennar Concord LLC will get the contract. The council will hear a staff report and presentations from both finalists at the regularly Volunteers and stuscheduled meeting on April 5 dents find rewards at 6:30. The meeting will not be in KARA NAVOLIO its usual venue in the Council Chamber at City Hall. With Correspondent the expectation of a large Many of us take the ability to crowd, the Council will move read and write English for grantthe meeting to the Concord ed. But it doesn’t come easy for Senior Center at 2727 Parkside students at Project Second Circle. Chance. In the event that the counThe Contra Costa County cil runs out of time on TuesLibrary program offers tutoring day, April 5, the selection will to adults over the age of 16 who be continued until April 13 at struggle to read and write. The 6:30 in the City Council Chamstudents typically fall into two ber, 1950 Parkside Dr., ConTamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer groups: Those whose primary cord. The staff report will be DANIEL KENNEDY has struggled with dyslexia his entire life. language is English but they canon the city’s website at Encouraged by his wife and family, he entered the Literacy www.cityofconcord.org on the Council’s Project 2nd Chance tutoring program. Here he Friday preceding the meeting. works on phonetics with Literacy Assistant, Megan Brown. See Literacy, page 11
Library offers Second Chance for those struggling with English
See Retirement, page 5
City, Teamsters remain at impasse on contract
After months of negotiations and mediation sessions, the city of Concord and the Teamsters Union continue to be at an impasse in contract talks for city workers. The Teamsters Local 856 represents 137 employees, including police dispatchers and administrative, clerical and maintenance workers. They have been working without a contract since June 2015. While tentative agreements have been reached on most issues, the two parties broke off talks concerning wages and retirement benefits. The city offered raises of 4 percent for fiscal year 2015-16 and a 4.5 percent increase for 201617, with a one-time $2,000 lump-sum payment in lieu of retroactive pay. The retirement issues remain the largest bone of
See Teamsters, page 11
Inside
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Community . . . . . . . . . . .2
From the desk of . . . . . .6 School News . . . . . . . . .8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Performing Arts . . . . . .18
COMMUNITY
Page 2
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
In Brief...
Bonilla names Woman of the Year Job Fair a new opportunity
Brown Act, Beyond the Basics
The public is invited to a training session on the Ralph M. Brown Act that governs how meetings of public commissions, boards and city councils are conducted. The training will be at a special city council meeting Tues., March 29, 6– 9 p.m. in the Concord Council Chamber, Civic Center 1950 Parkside Drive. To reserve your space, please RSVP to joelle.fockler@cityofconcord.org, 925-671-3390 This is a public meeting and reservations are not required, but it will help staff estimate attendance to ensure that enough training materials are available at the meeting.
Garden Tour heralds spring
The Clayton Historical Society’s Annual Gardens Tour is April 23, 10-4 and April 24, 11-4. five homes showcase droughttolerant gardens, garden art and hardscape. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 on day of the tour. for more information and pre-sale tickets, go to ClaytonHistory.org.
Take Mom to Tea
for Monument residents
named District 14’s 2016 Woman of the Year. Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) learned of Carroll’s important work as President and Executive Director of California Reentry Institute (CRI) in a 2015 CNN Hero piece. CRI provides inmates with tools and assistance to become contributing members of society, proving the cycle of incarceration can be broken. Carroll believes in the power of transformation and helps participants understand who they are authentically. “It is my privilege to share who they are,
NICCI SHIPSTEAD Special to the Pioneer
If you had never met Collette Carroll (above left), it’s not likely you would picture her as a regular in a federal penitentiary. But, make no mistake; this 65-year-old, soft-spoken, petite, blond from Clayton speaks for the men of San Quentin Prison. She speaks of their fear of freedom when handed $200 to “make it” in a society they feel already threw them away. Last week, Carroll’s voice was heard on the California Assembly floor when she was
The Concord Historical Society will celebrate Mother's Day at their annual Spring Tea at the Galindo House. There will be two sittings each day at 11:30 a.m. and 2 pm. on May 6, 7 and 8. Tickets are $35 a person. for reservations, call 925229-0529.
on April 6. The Division 3 seat along with two other board positions will be up for election in November 2016. Avila lives in Concord and currently is vice president of a private engineering firm. His background includes 32 years of engineering experience. Over a decade ago he was an
Helping friends, neighbors and newcomers buy and sell since 1979
Each Office Is Independently Owned & Operated.
Better Homes BRE#00933393
George Vujnovich,
Broker, Clayton Resident
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cell: (925) 348-5700 georgevujnovich@sbcglobal.net
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Jennifer Stojanovich Broker-Associate,
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who they are becoming and who they want to be,” Carroll said. In February, Bonilla presented 43 certificates to the newest graduates of CRI’s 20month Empowered Reentry Program. The graduates erupted with excitement when Bonilla announced Carroll’s appointment as Woman of the Year. She said her first experience at that level of politics was humbling. In a system that routinely sees a large number return to incarceration, CRI’s graduates
See Carroll, page 3
Concord resident new Water Board director
Last week, the Contra Costa Water District Board of Directors unanimously approved Concord resident Ernesto Avila to fill the Board vacancy left by the retirement of Board President Joseph L. Campbell. Avila will participate in his first Board meeting Continued next page representing Division 3
Cal BRE #00933393
employee of the CCWD, then accepted a position running a water agency in the Monterey area and finally started his own engineering firm. He has been a Planning Commissioner with the City of Concord for the past 10 years and is an active member of the Concord community.
howardhomeseastbay.com
Cal BRE #01846446
Job seekers also included day laborer program members, participants in MI’s job readiness program, MI board members and Monument neighborhood community members. Monument Impact provides a variety of employment training and support, including for English language learners, via employment readiness coordinator Janeth Cortez, who organized the event. The agency plans to offer more small job fairs such as this because they are proving invaluable to the community. To learn more about Monument Impact and its programs, visit http://monumentimpact.org.
Roundhill Country Club! Exceptional & Exquisite Single Level Custom Estate of Highest Quality Craftsman Style Construction & Design built in 2004! 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, approx. 4501sf! Separate Cabana with additional full bath. Resort style .57 acre lot backs to golf course with pool, spa, sport court, outdoor kitchen & 3-tier pond. Sensational gourmet kitchen. Wine cellar. Lavish master suite!
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Roundhill Country Club! Spacious Executive Home on an approximate ½ acre lot. 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approx. 2741 sf!
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5065 Valley Crest Dr., #237 . $300,000 1686 Georgia Dr . . . . . . . . . $705,000 1605 Lindbergh Dr . . . . . . . . $525,000 4418 Sugar Maple Ct . . . . . . $728,500 3019 Tosca Way. . . . . . . . . . $525,000 1075 Jamie Dr . . . . . . . . . . . $775,000 5074 Saint Patricia Ct . . . . . $590,000
Windmill Canyon at Oakhurst Country Club! Stunning Single Story “Keller” model! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, approximately 2053sf. Gleaming hardwood floors. Gorgeous updated kitchen with top of the line stainless steel appliances including wine fridge & slab granite counters. Private lot on a tranquil court! $747,365
S OL D
Realtor-Associate, Clayton Residents,
SF
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32 Essex Court – Alamo
505 Raven Place – Clayton
Diane and Bill Hayes
provided by Better Homes Realty
Elba Velasquez, Janeth Cortez, Eva Chena, Maribel Delgado and Andrea Rios staff the Monument impact Job fair.
Spacious Executive Home! On a prime view lot with sweeping views overlooking hills and city! 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths approx. 3211sf! Desirable downstairs
Realtor-Associate, Clayton Resident
(925) 408-3184, Donald.kent.howard@gmail.com
At the Monument Impact Job Fair, students and other jobseekers quizzed local companies about opportunities and participated in on-the-spot interviews. The local nonprofit held the Job Fair March 11 at its Monument Boulevard location. Employers such as the city of Concord and Wells Fargo set up tables in the large community room. “Many of the employers told me that it was very professional and really helped set the stage for what to expect if hired,” said Eva Chena, technology instructor for Monument Impact (MI). Career-track students from MI’s technology program attended the fair as part of a 10-week course in which they have been learning Word to create resumes. Chena said some students were apprehensive because they were unfamiliar with the concept of a Job Fair, but the presence of familiar Monument Impact staff helped put them at ease.
5255 Crystyl Ranch Dr.–Concord
P E ND I NG
Don Howard
Concord Market Update
March 25, 2016
BED/BATH SALE DATE ADDRESS
. . . . . .2/2 . . . . . . .3/17/16 . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .3/15/16 . . . . . .3/2 . . . . . . .3/11/16 . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . .3/9/16 . . . . . .4/2 . . . . . . . .3/6/16 . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . . .3/2/16 . . . . . .4/2 . . . . . . .2/29/16
Fantastic Dana Hills Rancher! In a great court location! 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, approximately 2619sf! Updated kitchen. RV/Boat parking. Inground pool with separate spa. Access to greenbelt at the end of the court. $839,000
795 Silver Hills Dr. – Brentwood
Exceptional Custom Built Estate in Exclusive Gated Silver Hills Community! Gentleman’s ranch on 11.40 acres! 4 bedrooms, library, bonus room, 4.5 baths, approx. 4816sf & 6 car garage. A must see to believe! $1,699,000
1839 St. Michaels Wy.–Brentwood
Sensational sprawling single Story in Montelena! Extensively upgraded throughout! 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, approx. 3785sf. Gorgeous gourmet kitchen! Refreshing in-ground pool! $749,000
PE ND I NG
4706 Curletto Dr. – Concord
Stunning updated home with first floor master suite! 4 bedrooms, 2.5 updated baths. Striking modern kitchen with custom cabinets, ss appliances & granite counters. Large backyard! $679,000
P E ND IN G
5065 Valley Crest Dr. – Concord
SO LD
PRICE
1741 Sapling Ct., B . . . . . . . $390,000 5386 Aspenwood Ct. . . . . . . $975,000 1161 Kalima Pl . . . . . . . . . . . $640,000 5099 St. Celstine Ct . . . . . . . $627,500 4073 Castlewood Ct. . . . . . . $730,000 1370 Tree Garden Pl . . . . . . $275,000
SF
. . . . .1288 . . . . .3841 . . . . .2141 . . . . .1659 . . . . .2326 . . . . .1268
Updated Valley Terrace Unit! 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, approximately 1100sf with inside laundry! Kitchen features granite counters & tile floors. Both baths are updated. Central location walk to shopping & dining! $300,000
BED/BATH SALE DATE
. . . . . .3/2.5 . . . . .2/26/16 . . . . . .4/3 . . . . . . .2/25/16 . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .2/25/16 . . . . . .3/2 . . . . . . .2/23/16 . . . . . .4/2.5 . . . . .2/23/16 . . . . . .3/1.5 . . . . .2/18/16
March 25, 2016
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Page 3
In Brief...
John Muir nurse receives Free Monument Community national honor
shuttle aiming for July launch
Linda Minnich, a leader in pain management at John Muir Medical Center, is the 2015 National Nurse of the Year for Press Ganey. Minnich, RN, BSN, CPAN, is a staff nurse in the Perioperative Services Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at the Concord hospital. “Linda has touched the lives of our patients for more than 35 years and is a very worthy recipient of this award,” said Donna Brackley, senior vice president for patient care services and chief nursing officer. Press Ganey is a leading national provider of patient experience measurement and performance analytics. Minnich was honored for her superior leadership and active role in developing and implementing pain management strategies that have improved the patient experience across John Muir Health. Minnich’s interest in pain management began in 2012, when she and two other staff nurses, Heather Crowder and Tammy Montoya, attended the
Pain Resource Nurse training program at the City of Hope in Los Angeles. Since then, they have been driving forces in championing pain management in the care of post-surgical patients at John Muir Health. “I appreciate the individual recognition from Press Ganey, but this is really a team award that represents the great work of my very talented colleagues,” Minnich said.
have zero recidivism. “They are coming home – better to have the support so they don’t go back,” Carroll said. The next step is meeting with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). “People in power are listening and wanting input as to how to do it right,” Carroll said. Locals can help CRI by shopping at 2nd Chance Boutique in Concord, a social enterprise offering gently used
and new fashionable apparel. Profits benefit CRI, a nonprofit organization. 2nd Chance Boutique is located at 4305 Clayton Road, Concord. Open Mon-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-6. For more information about CRI visit www.californiareentryinstitute.org. Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) represents California’s 14th Assembly District which includes Contra Costa County and Solano County.
PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
LINDA MINNICH
Carroll, from page 2
The long-awaited Monument Shuttle should start rolling this summer, if all goes according to plan. Organizers are in the thick of those plans, Monument Impact executive director Mike Van Hofwegen told the Pioneer earlier this month – just minutes after stepping out of a meeting about the free service. The Monument Shuttle is a joint venture between several agencies, the city of Concord and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. It will provide free rides for those living in and around the Monument Corridor to locations including BART, John Muir Medical Center in Concord and the Concord Senior Center. “The whole idea is to connect people from the Monument community to those essential services they need, free of cost,” Van Hofwegen said. The program is partially funded by $471,841 from Measure J, the half-cent sales tax for transportation projects in Contra Costa County, which is expected to last three years. The city of Concord is also kicking in the staff time to leverage the funding. Van Hofwegen says there will be a specific emphasis on disabled riders who may not have other affordable means of transportation. Groups from the Monument Crisis Center, Head Start and Con-
tra Costa Health Services have been helping with the plan, but no specific routes have been established. The group is working with a transportation consultant to help gear up the project, then they will hold several community meetings to obtain riders input. The Pioneer will publish those meeting dates when they are set. A Request for Proposal will go out in May or June for shuttle operators, with the launch taking place in July, Van Hofwegen said. “We will have a designated phone line for people to call in and get information about routes, once they are set and we are off and running,” he said. “But we definitely want to hear from the community as we go along in this process.” There have already been a series of meetings about the shuttle, which was proposed in 2012 but was delayed for three years after the project lost federal funding. The Concord City Council approved the project last fall. “This is something I’ve been fighting for since 2010, and I’m very happy we’re finally here,” Councilman Edi Birsan said. Van Hofwegen agreed with the sentiment. “It’s very exciting to see all these groups (from the community) come together to get this moving,” he said. He noted that County Connection and Mobility Matters have also been helping with the initial planning. This will not be the first
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Clayton
$899,000
Jeffrey Ranch – Picture perfect 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with upgrades galore. Custom cabinetry and lighting systems, high end appliances and gorgeous porcelain tile throughout. 2 Master suites with walk in closets, and one with a separate shoe closet. Built in surround sound system, Italian tile fireplace, & double wine cooler. Pool & Trex decking.
le
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Clayton
$739,000
Regency Woods – Breathetaking views of Mount Diablo from this lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom rancher. New windows and plantation shutters, beautiful hardwood flooring and newer central heating and AC unit. Sparkling pool with waterfall and spa, fruit trees and RV parking.
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Obituary
Clayton Valley Highlands – Pottery Barn Perfect rancher featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 full, updated bathrooms. Remodeled kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances and cherry cabinets. Light and airy with newer, dual pane windows and doors and gorgeous Brazilian wood flooring. Nice backyard with patio & RV access/boat parking.
$669,000
Dana Hills – Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on over a quarter acre with views of the hills. Approximately 1727 square feet of living space with dual pane windows, 2 fireplaces and newer water heater. Extended family room & wet bar. Priced to Sell!
Lynne & Sylvia offer free staging on ALL LISTINGS
“Honoring our Ancestors” is the theme of the Creekside Arts, April 1-3 at the Clayton Library. The event is free and will feature arts and crafts sales and juried art awards and hands-on demonstrations. See the complete “Creekside Arts 2016” Schedule of Events” available at www.claytonlibrary.org or come pick one up at the library. for more info, contact Arlene Nielsen, akiksen@aol.com or 925673-9777.
1934–2016
Resident of Concord
Why advertise in the Pioneer?
At her request, there will not be a memorial service. Remembrances may be made in her name to Hospice of the East Bay.
Since I started advertising in the Clayton and Concord Pioneers, my business has exploded. I can hardly keep up with the calls. Kevin Schmidt, General Contractor Diablo View Construction
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Concord
$779,000
Ayers Ranch – Completely remodeled 4 bedroom, 3 bath rancher on over a half acre. Gourmet kitchen with Quartz countertops and stainless appliances. Gorgeous laminate flooring, dual pane windows, and crown molding. Separated master retreat w/ walk in closet & a luxurious bathroom. Wonderful grounds, perfect for entertaining with pool, patio and deck.
Walnut Creek
$998,000
Got Boats? – Enjoy gorgeous sunsets from this luxurious 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home at the end of a court. Master on 1st level with fireplace and spa-like bath. Grand entrance with views to the water, Gourmet kitchen with walk in pantry, and great room with double high ceilings. Deck with built in bbq and double covered boat slips on deep water. Carol vanVaerenbergh, (925) 672-1772 CVanVaeren@aol.com Cal BRE#01221965
$819,000
Carriage Square – Updated 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in sought after community. Living room with tile fireplace, formal dining room, and inside laundry room. Remodeled kitchen and hardwood flooring throughout. Peaceful backyard with potting shed, nice patio, and well water for irrigation.
le
Clayton
Creekside Arts Festival Apr. 1-3
Edna Holmes
Sa
$549,000
Mount Diablo Peace and Justice Center will hold its 19th Annual Art and Writing Challenge for Contra Costa County middle and high school students on May 21. This year's topic is “Cherish These Natural Wonders.” Submission deadline is April 22. Awards will be presented to the winners at an awards dinner on May 21. for more information go to creatingpeacefulschools.weebly .com or call the Center office at 925-933-7850.
shuttle service for the Monument community. A neighborhood shuttle service run by County Connection from 2007-’09 had low ridership, in part because there wasn’t an effective marketing and outreach campaign, according to Ray Kuzbari, transportation manager for Concord.
Discovery Bay
Concord
Middle School Writing Challenge
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Clayton
$679,000
Mitchell Canyon – Charming 4 bedroom, 2 bath rancher with owned solar. Updated kitchen with granite counters. Backyard with sparkling pool and patio area, perfect for entertaining. 2 car attached garage PLUS 2 car detached garage/workshop & RV parking. Low maintenance front yard and fruit trees. Carol vanVaerenbergh, (925) 672-1772 CVanVaeren@aol.com Cal BRE#01221965
Assisting More Buyers & Sellers than Anyone Else* *Statistics based on Clayton/Concord and Contra Costa County Closed sales by volume (1/2014-12/31/2014). Data by Maxebrdi
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State law named for Concord businessman Zandonella Page 4
JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
John Zandonella brought his family to Concord in 1957 and soon began a successful court reporting business that he ran for five decades until his death in 2008. Now, a new California law bearing his name helps regulate the industry he loved. Concord Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla introduced the John Zandonella Act of 2015. Gov. Jerry Brown signed it into law, effective Jan. 1 this year. The bill addresses issues of actual or perceived impartiality of court reporters, explains daughter Patty Garaventa, now the president of Zandonella Reporting Service. When John and Fosca Zandonella moved to Concord with their three children (and a fourth soon to come), he was court reporter for Judges John Garaventa and Louis McKannay. Lawyers began asking him if he could do depositions in his spare time. With a growing family, he jumped at the chance for extra work. Court clerk Margaret Mangini encouraged him to take the assignments and she would cover if the judges inquired about him.
LAUNCHING THE BUSINESS He soon went into business with another reporter, Ruth Barrus. They rented office space in the old Bank of America building in downtown Concord. After a couple years, Zandonella Reporting Service
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
was born. The word “workaholic” doesn’t do justice to John Zandonella. He was in the office before 6 a.m. and took every assignment that came his way, including serving as reporter for the Contra Costa Grand Jury for many years. His wife began transcribing his notes at home and then became office manager, supervising dozens of employees and scheduling reporters to courts and law offices around the Bay Area. As the business grew, it moved into converted houses on East Street and Concord Boulevard before moving into its current location on Stanwell Drive in 1987. He worked by his motto “Yes we can, no problem.” His handshake was his word, said daughter Anna Bob, who also works at the business.
March 25, 2016
Photo courtesy Zandonella Reporting Service
JOHN ZANDONELLA (AT STENOTYPE MACHINE) was one of two court reporters for the trial of JUAN CORONA TRIAL notorious Mexican serial killer Juan Corona (left on the witness stand). The trial took place In 1972-’73, he was one of in fairfield in front of Judge Richard Patton in 1972-73. Corona was convicted of 25 two court reporters for the trial counts of first degree murder in the deaths of 25 itinerant farmworkers around Yuba City.
of notorious Mexican serial killer Juan Corona. The trial was in Fairfield, with Concord defense attorney Richard Hawk representing Corona. He was convicted of 25 counts of first degree murder for killing 25 itinerant farmworkers in Yuba City. Providing printed copies of depositions and testimony is at the core of the court reporting business. Zandonella offered copy services, first from the office basement then evolving into a full-service printing
business, Zandonella Automated Printing (renamed ZAP Printing). His oldest son Louis was a court reporter for Judge Gerald Belleci, while daughters Patty and Anna have made their careers with the family business.
The daily grind of the reporting business wasn’t enough for the Zandonellas, who founded and ran Zandonella Italian Restaurant at Delta View Golf Course in Pittsburg for 15 years beginning in 1993. The always dapper John Zandonella was there
to open for breakfast, check in at lunch and be back for dinner, often staying for banquets that went to 2 a.m.
PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
indoor edible plants, and a craft beer brewery. The Orchards and the zoning changes jumpstarted a resurgence that began a few years ago with the addition of Muir Orthopedics, a surgery center, Children’s Hospital and a few other big name tenants. Still, the business park suffered from a 33 percent vacancy rate, according to Colliers International executive vice president Jeffrey Weil, who has been leasing office space in the Shadelands for 40 years. Traditionally, he said, the Shadelands has been a hard sell for companies because of Ygnacio Valley Road traffic and lack of BART access. A Shadelands Shuttle from the Pleasant Hill BART station helped, but “the world has grown up and the Shadelands hasn’t kept up,” Weil said. Still, Shadelands has remained relatively affordable – especially compared with San Francisco and even downtown Walnut Creek. In 2014, lawmakers approved the creation of the Shadelands Property and Business Improvement District to help fund the shuttle
and safety patrols, and the Shadelands has set up a website for the park, www.shadelands.org. Now it’s a getting a facelift that will not only benefit those who live nearby but will pull in people from outlying areas such as Concord and Clayton. Already drawing from the region is the new Ultimate Fieldhouse, a sports complex located in the former Contra Costa Times building, owned by Hall Equities. It features basketball courts, volleyball courts, training facilities and even a place where students can study and receive tutoring. In addition to the zoning amendments, the City Council agreed to changes put forth by the Design Review Commission to reduce or waive additional building setback requirements, and permit encroachment within a setback along Ygnacio Valley Road – a move that would free up more space for surface parking lots and expansions, including possible growth of the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital facility. Two new tenants have also signed leases, Precision
UNDERSTANDING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
John Zandonella was active in his industry. Conflict of
interest for court reporters was one of the issues that prompted him and other independent reporters to found Deposition Reporters Association. Zandonella was a president of the organization and “was extremely influential in maintaining the integrity of independent court reporting firms,” Patty Garaventa said. Two students receive DRA scholarships in his name annually. DRA championed Assembly Bill 1197 and now educates court reporters, court reporting firms and legal professionals about the law’s requirements and ramifications. The bill was also supported by Consumer Watchdog, Consumer Attorneys of California and California Official Court Reporters Association. The Zandonellas were deeply involved in the Concord community at their Catholic churches, their children’s and grandchildren’s schools, in local political campaigns, multiple service clubs and Italian American organizations. He was president of Concord American Little League for five years. Fosca and John Zandonella were both diagnosed and succumbed to cancer within 10 months of each other in 2007 and 2008.
Retail, senior facility among changes to Shadelands district of Walnut Creek Anyone driving on Ygnacio Valley Road can’t help but notice the burgeoning construction at the corner of Oak Grove Road on a former vacant lot. The Orchards at Walnut Creek is growing from the dust up, to be anchored by a Safeway superstore. It will be joined by a Stein Mart department store, a Petco and a Crunch Fitness Center. The development will also include a double-decker parking lot, walking trails, at least one restaurant and Viamonté at Walnut Creek, the area’s first continuing care retirement community for seniors. This major development isn’t the only change to the usually quiet Shadelands area. Walnut Creek passed zoning laws last month that allow the business park to include hotels, public and private schools, and skilled nursing facilities that limit stays no more than 100 days, with conditional use permits. It will also accommodate artists’ studios, horticultural growing of plants, trees and
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Sports Medicine and Vitas Innovative Hospice. However, not everyone is sold on the improvement plans. Steve Elster, a resident of the nearby Woodlands neighborhood, is a leader in the fight against the Orchards. His main concerns are the additional traffic, the quality of life and the fear that the new Safeway store will force the shuttering of Nob Hill Foods in the nearby Citrus Center. “Many in our neighborhood have expressed concern about the size of the Orchards, and we will watch the other developments apprehensively,” he told the Pioneer. “The Orchards seems to have a much bigger feel to it when I drive by, and I am concerned about the traffic and the increased possibility of accidents.” He said some residents have contacted the city about putting in a pedestrian bridge over Ygnacio Valley Road at Oak Grove, similar to the one by Walnut Creek Intermediate School.The Walnut Creek City Council has not discussed building a pedestrian bridge, according to City Spokesperson Gayle Vassar, who also verified that it was not included in the city’s long-term Capital Improvement Plan. Meanwhile, just across the street from the Orchards, the Encina Grande shopping center is getting its own facelift. It will be anchored by a new Whole Foods and the addition of a PetSmart. An existing Walgreens has already moved to the corner of the lot and now includes a drive-through. “The whole vibe is more energized,” said Rocco Biale, owner of Rocco’s Pizzeria in Encina Grande and a member of the board of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce. “This will be a different place by the fall of 2016,” he added. “A lot of people complain about the added traffic, but we will adapt. We always do.”
March 25, 2016
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Page 5
Highway 4/680 interchange plan hit by state cutbacks JOHN T. MILLER Correspondent
Revenue shortfalls have effectively eliminated a new interchange that would have replaced the cloverleaf where Interstate 680 meets Highway 4 in Contra Costa County. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) of California has slashed $754 million from its five-year budget for projects. The Bay Area’s share of the cuts is projected to be $80 million to $96 million. Contra Costa and San Mateo counties have been asked to take the biggest cuts of the region. This huge hit leaves the region unable to keep pace with growth and the upbeat economy. While past cuts have resulted in many projects
being delayed, this is the first time in a decade that counties have been asked to terminate some of the projects. The BART modernization project is another proposed cut affecting Contra Costa and other East Bay counties. The Highway 4/680 upgrades have been in the planning stage for more than 20 years, according to Randy Rentschler, director of Legislative and Public Affairs for MTC. When asked when plans might be resumed, he said it “could be never.” The interchange is an outdated and overwhelmed cloverleaf design that is snarled with commuters forced to weave in and out of traffic at high speeds with little room to merge. The Highway 4/680 interchange is fur-
Retirement, from page 1
throughout the year and BART service. For the coup de grace to cap off our selection, did Conde Nast mention: • Concord is home to the 17time World Champion Blue Devils drum and bugle corps • World-renowned Concord Pavilion which has presented concerts for retiree favorites like Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Welk and the Boston Pops • Sunvalley Shopping Center (at one time the largest indoor shopping center in America), a great spot for mall walkers • Local entertainment options to take the grandkids to: Waterworld California, Bay Area KidFest, Pixieland Amusement Park, Concord
Skatepark, The Entertainment Zone/Qzar, Ghost Golf and The Jungle • Educational opportunities at Cal State University Concord Campus and De La Salle High School, home of the perennial national football champions No, Conde Nast said that Concord “is one of the few U.S. cities to have a working drive-in theater!” I’m not sure if that’s one of the top features the Chamber of Commerce or Concord Senior Center mentions to the social security set who come looking for local housing. Editor’s note: The author moved to Concord with his family in 1955 and has lived or worked in the area ever since. He’s now qualified for Social Security and thus studied the Conde Nast list very carefully.
ther encumbered by a ruling from state engineers that the Grayson Creek Bridge must be torn down and rebuilt rather than widened to six lanes, at a cost of an extra $30 million. Randy Iwasaki, executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, is hoping that a funding solution can be found soon. “The interchange is a bottleneck that must be fixed. But without proper funding, it should not be done piecemeal,” he said. MTC uses money raised through state gasoline taxes to fund inter-city rail, state highway improvements and county transit projects. Because of a tax component that is based on gas prices, gas taxes have plummeted from a high of 18
Eye on Concord
cents a gallon a few years ago to 12 cents a gallon last year. It is estimated that the tax might go as low as 10 cents a gallon next year. Each penny drop represents a loss of about $140 million a year. The decline in gas prices is a contributing factor in the funding shortage, but not the sole reason for the cuts. The loss of gas tax revenue is “just the last nail in the coffin for what has been a very long illness,” Rentschler said. “A generational neglect in infrastructure and larger forces at play have resulted in these cuts,” he added. “The gas tax hasn’t been raised since the early ’90s.” Julie Pierce, a commissioner on the MTC board, is also concerned. “The dip in gas prices is a boon for the citi-
zens, but is killing the roads,” said Pierce, a member of the Clayton City Council and president of ABAG. “All the cities are facing real problems with local street maintenance, with no money for even pothole repairs.” Pierce says the index of the gas tax needs to be fixed to account for inflation – or we need to “find different ways to assess commuters’ impact on roads.” She cited electric cars and vehicles that get far better mileage per gallon as reasons to use a different method to assess a tax on road usage. She also pointed out the state’s irresponsibility in funding transportation. “For years now, the state has manipulated gas tax funds to pay off bills that had nothing to do with
push the Council to establish guidelines/rules for reasonable rent controls. One couple at the meeting moved to Concord in July 2013, paying $1,000 for a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment on Virginia Lane. In 2015, they had two separate rent increases – pushing the rent to $1,250. This year, they have already had two more raises. The March hike brought it to $1,400, with a pending May increase moving it to $1,675. That is a $425 increase in just the last five months. And they are now being asked to pay more than 50 percent more than two years ago.
Some residents at the meeting believe this is the norm, not the exception, in the Monument community. Another story told of a complex where two units were vacated and quickly rerented at higher amounts – even though there had not been any major improvements. Worse yet, the painting and cleaning were left for the new tenants. Because the city has no rules or guidelines, landlords are free to raise rents as they like. Renters are finding fewer options, with new listings rare and prices at all-time highs. New listings for one-bed-
transportation. There’s no reason local money should have to be used for an interstate highway.” Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown called for a special session of the Legislature, but they failed to come up with an agreement on new transportation funding. Although the Legislature is currently gridlocked in negotiations over new taxes and funding for transportation projects, Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) and her colleagues have proposed a plan for long-term sustainable transportation funding. “Local governments and in particular, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, should not be hampered with a backlog of deferred maintenance,” she said.
Monument residents tackle rent control BY GEORGE FULMORE
Huge rent increases are putting Concord tenants in a foul mood if the recent Monument Democrats meeting is any indication. More than 30 people came to talk about rent control at the March 15 meeting at Diablo Bowl. Concord City Councilman Edi Birsan reported that he was studying a stack of information on rent control options. He said he will again urge the council to research what the city can do about unreasonable rent increases. He urged residents to make their voices heard at City Council meetings to
room, one-bath units in the Monument area are reaching $1,500 or more. Rents for two-bedrooms, two-bath options top out at more than $1,800. Two or three years ago, these units would have rented for $850 or $1,000. Residents of these units are not seeing their wages rise significantly, if at all. They are clearly getting squeezed, with less expendable income left after they have paid rent.
The next Monument Democrats Club meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at Diablo Valley Bowl, 1500 Monument Blvd., Concord.
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Services will be FREE to members and will include
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Opening next year to serve seniors in Clayton & South Concord
From the desk of ...
County, cities explore energy options
We are now looking for Volunteers
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March 25, 2016
Contra Costa County is considering the concept of Community Choice Energy (CCE), described in state law as Community Choice Aggregation. CCE involves cities and counties, or a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) composed of cities and/or counties, pooling (“aggregating”) retail electricity customers for the purpose of procuring and selling electricity. The CCE entity would become the default electricity provider to
all customers within the service area. Customers would have the ability to opt out of service from the CCE and return to service from the incumbent electrical utility – in this case Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). Most other counties in the Bay Area and many counties throughout California are now in the process of implementing or studying the creation of CCE programs. The city/county of San Francisco and San Mateo County are planning to launch CCE programs this year. Alameda and Santa Clara counties plan to launch programs in 2017. In October 2015, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors accepted the recommendations of its Internal Operations Committee and directed county staff to initiate outreach to cities within the county to determine the level of interest they have in joining us to investigate three
alternatives for potentially implementing CCE. The three alternatives are: 1. Form a new JPA of the county and interested Contra Costa cities. 2. Form a new JPA in partnership with Alameda County and interested cities in both counties. 3. Join the existing CCE program in Marin County, known as Marin Clean Energy. Between November 2015 and January 2016, county staff conducted a variety of outreach activities to engage cities on the topic of CCE. This included meetings with city managers and other city staff, attendance at the Dec. 3 Mayors Conference, three public workshops in midDecember in different regions of the county and presentations by county staff and consultants at five City Council meetings in January. Sixteen cities responded that they would be interested
in receiving further information on having CCE in Contra Costa County. Richmond, El Cerrito and San Pablo are already members of the Marin group. At the March 15 meeting, the county board directed staff to work with the 16 cities to complete a technical study of the three CCE alternatives. This study will involve obtaining electrical load data from PG&E and will take approximately 10 months to complete. The issue will then return to the Board of Supervisors for a decision on which alternative to select. I welcome your input and comments on this matter, and I also encourage you to let your City Council members know of your interest.
Coast Section quarterfinals. Northgate sent a wrestler to the CIF Wrestling Championships, and Ygnacio Valley’s boys soccer team brought home the school’s first-ever NCS soccer title, beating defending champion Marin Academy in the final. We also honor our artists and musicians who were recognized in a variety of ways. College Park recently participated in concerts that included members from elementary school and advanced high school players. They also held a concert with Diablo View Community College and demonstrated the professional-caliber quality of their
musicians. Northgate High and Concord’s Honor Orchestras held a concert at Diablo View Community College, and Northgate participated in Band on the Run. Future events include Concord’s Music Hope Night, Annual Band Dinner Dance and Choir’s Crab Feed; College Park’s Area Band Festival, Choir’s Bella Notte Italian Dinner Show and the Choir Performance Tour to Disneyland.
important aspect is ensuring that an adequate level of funds from such a measure will be able to be used locally for needed street maintenance. It does not do any good to have funds to build new things when we can’t maintain what we have. Other transportation needs being reviewed include setting funds aside for bus service, senior/paratransit, bicycle lanes and sidewalks (collectively called multimodal transportation). The
needs list is greater than the funds that would be available, so difficult discussions are underway to pare the list to match with the potential funding. The Concord City Council and city staff are fully engaged to ensure that the outcome of this process meets the city’s transportation needs and your priorities to the maximum extent possible. Please contact the mayor at lmhoff@comcast.net
Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to karen.mitchoff@bos.cccounty.us
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Mt. Diablo Unified does a great job of providing a wellbalanced instructional program for all students. Research shows us that if students are connected to an extracurricular activity, their likelihood of graduating increases, as does their chances of continuing to a college or university. We see this to true at our campuses and celebrate the excellent work of our school leadership and teachers. In February, we saw our teams excel in the playoffs. College Park High School celebrated a freshman wrestler who placed 2nd in the 106-pound weight divi-
DR. NELLiE MEYER
MDUSD
SUPERINTENDENT
sion and qualified for California Interscholastic Federation Championships. Concord’s boys soccer team beat Rancho Cotati in the North
Mayor, from page 1
that oversees the voterapproved sales tax for city and countywide regional transportation improvements. The group has been evaluating future needs of the region’s roadways and maintenance of existing roadways. They’re reviewing a needs list, including input from citizens in each of the communities via workshops, emails
and surveys. It appears the public wants to continue to enhance the self-funding of our roadways to see more improvements and better maintenance. This includes fees from developments, plus regional sales tax funds placed before the voters that receive two-thirds support. Voters are expected to see a new regional measure on the November ballot. An
We are committed to making your visit at the new Alpine Pastry a special event, reminding you of days gone past and the promise of a bright and tasty new future!
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Dr. Nellie Meyer is Superintendent of Schools for MDUSD. Email questions or comments to meyern@mdusd.org
March 25, 2016
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Medical-biotech program motivates MDHS students
CARLYN oBRiNGER
PLANNING COMMISSION
Since childhood, Madison Serrano has wanted to become a nurse – inspired by her caregiving responsibilities for her grandmother. Daniela Figueroa and Jesus Garcia have grown up accompanying family members to the doctor, witnessing firsthand how difficult it can be to find someone to translate a medical diagnosis. Carmen Tocaci dreams of becoming the first in her family to pursue a four-year degree in the United States. These four Mt. Diablo High School seniors demonstrate an inherent desire to help others and are learning how their passions could be realized in fulfilling careers through the Medical and Biotechnology Academy (MBTA) at the high school. MDHS instructor Sandra Johnson-Shaw founded the program in 1999, and it became a full academy embracing 10th-12th grades in 2010. It is designed to motivate students toward careers in the medical and biotechnology fields through unique coursework and career-related experiences. “John Muir Health and other local medical profession-
MDHS Biotechnology instructor Colin Jones, Carmen Tocaci, Madison Serrano, Daniela figueroa, Jesus Garcia, MBTA founder Sandra Johnson-Shaw.
als have always been an incredibly supportive partner, continuing to mentor and eventually hire several of our former MBTA students once they have graduated from college,” says Johnson-Shaw. MBTA students are expected to achieve a C or better in all their classes to ensure that they are academically prepared for college and beyond. MBTA students graduate with many more science credits than usual. After receiving a foundation in chemistry and sports medicine as sophomores and in biotechnology as juniors, seniors can specialize in biological lab science research or sports medicine, combined with a year of physiology. Students also receive career technical education and internship placements. Daniela and Jesus decided to focus on sports medicine. “I enjoy solving problems in real time,” explains Jesus. “Going through the MBTA centered me on what I want to do with my life. Now, I want to pursue a career as an emergency room health-care professional. As a senior, I
chose the sports medicine specialization to be exposed to injuries that are commonly occurring and to learn how to rehabilitate athletes.” Initially, Daniela was unsure about which option to pursue. “Eventually, I leaned toward sports medicine because I enjoyed the handson opportunities that this pathway provides,” she says. The sports medicine curriculum requires students to spend 150 after-school hours supporting injured and rehabilitating athletes on all MDHS sports teams. “I’ve had the chance to participate in the treatment of everything from concussions to finger dislocations,” Daniela notes. “I don’t know exactly what I want to do but definitely plan to pursue a fouryear degree in a health-care related field, thanks to my MBTA experience.” Carmen and Madison chose the lab research pathway, which includes an eight-week internship at John Muir Medical Center in Concord that provides opportunities for students to observe medical pro-
fessionals at work. After the internship, Madison no longer wants to be a nurse; she wants to become a surgeon. “I’ve been interning in the short stay department and have had the chance to watch a procedure in the operating room,” she says. “I’ve gotten to talk to the nurses and the surgeons; their level of knowledge amazes me. Someday, I want to be where they are now.” Carmen was inspired after being stationed in the emergency room. “I have now seen blood drawn so many times that I could gather all of the equipment needed for the procedure,” she proudly shares. “I have also had the chance to clean and prep a room and stock it with a technician. And, the nurses know so much, including what the long names of medications really mean. I’m not sure yet, but I might want to become an emergency room nurse.” The four students are among the first in their families to go to college. They feel more confident about their futures after having gone through the Medical and Biotechnology Academy. “Getting real-world experience in these fields has helped us gain good exposure to see if this is the direction that we want to go with our lives,” Jesus says. “That’s invaluable.”
Carlyn Obringer is a member of the City of Concord Planning Commission. Professionally, she focuses on California education issues as an Education Policy Analyst. Carlyn resides in Concord with her husband, Justin, and dog Crystal. Contact her by email at carlyno@yahoo.com.
Fear of the unknown a powerful element I was sitting on a plane, getting ready for takeoff recently. A couple in front of me was having a conversation about plane safety. He was explaining, in some detail, why it is safer to fly on a plane than drive a car. He talked about the staff on the ground that just spent time going over the outside of the plane to make sure everything was working correctly. He talked about the pilots conducting a massive checklist prior to the engines starting, much less moving. His inspirational speech on the training and qualifications of the pilots made me proud of their commitment. He also commented on how the flight attendants brief everyone on the plane’s safety features. He even mentioned the investigation and studies conducted when there is a plane crash, in order for others to make improvements in
GuY SWANGER
POLICE CHIEF
equipment design, maintenance and training. He quickly moved into the dangers of driving a car. He asked if she ever checked her car prior to starting the engine and driving away. He even mentioned that she does not even look over her shoulder when backing up. She just puts in it reverse. He talked about the number of other people driving on the road whose only training to drive a car took place when they were 16. He asked her how many
times she checks to make sure everyone is using seatbelts prior to driving away. Or how many times she has struck something with her bumper. Do that in a plane and you won’t be flying for awhile. She responded that she does not know the pilots or the ground crew, but she knows who is in her car. Fear of flying may have something to do with fear of the unknown. This conversation got me thinking about fear of crime. I often mention to people I meet that most of the aggravated assaults are between persons that are related or know each other. But when you speak with those involved in acquaintance violence, there is often not fear. There is an explanation. A downplaying. A “it will not happen again.” A “I have this under control.” Fear of crime frequently draws its strength from the unknown or lack of control.
Walking down the street at night is different than walking down the same street during the day. What I cannot see or influence can scare me. More than 90 percent of sexual assaults are committed by acquaintances. I have shared this stat with people before, but it does not diminish their fear. The possibility of a stranger committing this type of crime can rock a community. As for the gentleman who chose to have this discussion prior to takeoff, I made the same mistake – once. My wife and I took our oldest son on a New Year’s Eve cruise in the Caribbean. We are sitting on the deck and I may have mentioned that “The Poseidon Adventure” was based on a New Year’s Eve cruise. My timing may have been a tad off. Guy Swanger is Concord’s Chief of Police. Send questions or comments to ContactCPD@cityofconcord.org.
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SCHOOLS
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Clayton Valley Charter High Jeff Eben CVCHS PRINCIPAL
CV students gain global perspective
At Clayton Valley Charter High School, our responsibility to graduate global citizens cannot be understated. We ensure that our students have unique
access to the world’s theater. Global learning is the knowledge that students acquire through a variety of experiences. It allows them to
understand world events, analyze global conflicts, respect cultural differences and demonstrate compassion and concern for others. Last week, CVCHS’s students attended the 61st Model United Nations Conference at UC Berkeley. Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council or other multilateral body. It introduces students to the world of diplomacy, negotiation and decision-making. CV students stepped into the shoes of ambassadors of
CVCHS STUDENTS ATTENDING MODEL UN: Ersun Erdem, isaiah Thruman, Yennifer Molina, Grace Gius, Tehya Balido, Vanessa Wan, and Nisha Ramasubramonian
Mt. Diablo High
Liane Cismowski MDHS PRINCIPAL
Top awards for Culinary Arts students
Mount Diablo High School IHTA (International Hospitality and Tourism Academy) students, from the Serendipity pathway, attended the FHAHERO Regional Leadership Conference held at Mills High School in Millbrae on Saturday, February 27, 2016. FHAHERO is the career technical organization for students enrolled in Home Economics Careers and Technology (HECT) programs. This intracurriculum organization prepares members with leader-
ship, career and citizenship skills for family, community and work roles. Our dedicated students and teachers spent many hours after school preparing their creations in Culinary Arts Display. Culinary Arts Display categories are Advanced Presentation Cakes, Appetizers, Art Display, Breads, Decorated Wedding Cakes, Patisserie and Tortes. Eleven students attended the event and nine returned as State Finalists.
Katia Hernandez (senior) came away with 1st place in Advanced Presentation Cakes, pictured above. Tyler Cooks (junior) received First Place in Tortes with his version of a Dobos Torte. Gaby Cabrera (senior) received First in Patisserie. Nathley Balcazar (junior) received Second in Tortes. Miguel Plascencia (senior) received Second place in Culinary Arts. Humberto Lopez (senior) received Second in Culinary Arts. Brian Campos (senior) received second place in Culi-
Ygnacio Valley High Soccer victory sweet
onship in 11 years with a 1-0 victory over visiting Marin Academy on Feb. 27. The Warriors scored in the 68th minute on an own goal. It was the first NCS soccer title in school history. Students, staff and other members of the crowd rushed the field to celebrate. Lauren Curtis “I couldn’t believe we won YGNACIO VALLEY it,” team captain Jose GeroniCORRESPONDENT mo said. “It was such an unbeThe Ygnacio Valley High earned our school its first lievable feeling.” School boy’s soccer team North Coast Section champiSeveral players expressed
Efa Huckabye
YGNACIO VALLEY PRINCIPAL
YV cheers victories from soccer to leadership
Ygnacio Valley High has many things to celebrate. The boy’s soccer team made history by winning its first North Coast Section championship game in February, beating Marin Academy 10. I also want to recognize
Socorro Lomas, our former student services coordinator for 12 amazing years of support, compassion and dedication. I am glad to announce that our Western Association of Schools and Colleges visit was
informative and rewarding. After reviewing our action plan and awaiting the recommendations, we are on the path to success. Another achievement is with our California Scholarship Federation enrollment. Student engagement has quadrupled this spring semester, thanks to the efforts of science teacher Rochelle Macaluso. At the beginning of March, YVHS staff shared our outstanding work with other educators by presenting at conferences for the California Association of Directors of Activities and the California Partnership Academies. Our Associated Student
countries that are members of the UN, from Argentina to Zimbabwe. The “delegates” debated current issues on the organization’s vast agenda. They prepared draft resolutions, plotted strategy, negotiated with supporters and adversaries, resolved conflicts and navigated the UN’s rules of procedure – all in the interest of resolving problems that affect the world. Before playing out the ambassadorial roles, the students researched the particular global problem to be addressed. Model UN delegates learned how the international community acts on its concerns about peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization. It’s an amazing experience, and I’m confident it will be applied to their lives so that they may thrive and contribute as global citizens.
Send comments and questions to editor@concordpioneer.com
nary Arts. Dalia Cortez (senior) received Third in Advanced Presentation Cakes. Remi Gallagos (senior) received Third in Breads. Crystal Ayala (senior) received Fifth in Advanced Presentation Cakes. Some of winning cakes and breads will be displayed at Serendipity. Please come visit the restaurant, plan to have lunch, and see our students’ impressive work. Serendipity is open Tues. – Thurs., 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
March 25, 2016
CVCHS takes a step to increase enrollment this fall JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
For the past several years Clayton Valley Charter has had a lengthy waitlist of students wanting to get into the area’s only charter high school. This month the CVCHS governing board greenlighted the administration’s request to increase enrollment “up to the capacity of the facilities,” citing a need for additional students to keep the budget balanced. Executive director Dave Linzey told the board he expects an increase of 250 from the approximate 1990 current enrollment, primarily incoming freshmen. The Class of 2020 would then have about 750 students. Another class of this size would not happen until the 2020 group graduates. The increase would bring the total student body to about 2250, the largest in over 25 years. When Pacifica (1976) and Pleasant Hill (1980) high schools closed, CVHS and other Mt. Diablo Unified School District schools had large enrollment spikes. Clayton Valley had about 2500 students during that era. Since the 1996-97 school year enrollment has ranged between 1800 and 2000. From the beginning of the Charter in 2012-13 a lottery has been held to prioritize applicants who were not within the MDUSD boundaries for Clayton Valley High. There are currently over 500
Concord High
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the opinion that the Warriors’ success came by playing as a team and not as individuals. A family-like bond also grew during the season, and players said that was another key to Ygnacio Valley’s success. The victory also proved emotional for the fans. “The team and coaches did the hard work,” one player said. “But tonight, we all get to be champions.” Send comments and questions to editor@concordpioneer.com
Body Leadership Program won CADA Outstanding Activities Program, and our incredible math teacher, Leslie Addiego, presented about our “Week of Welcome.” The Careers In Education Academy staff presented a workshop, “Building Your Own Student Leadership Team.” The academy’s founder, Laura Hallberg, presented her study of the middle school to high school transition, “Wildcat to Warrior.” I also want to congratulate the Health Academy for being a Distinguished California Partnership Academy. Send comments and questions to editor@concordpioneer.com
students on the waitlist after every ninth and 10th grader within the boundaries (plus siblings of current CVCHS students) were accepted. Linzey and his staff are determining how to best utilize rooms currently not used full-time for classes. He said two computer labs can be converted to classrooms with rolling laptops, enabling teachers to make use of the technology in their own rooms. At the meeting Kevin King, a founding board member who lives near the school, expressed concerns about resident’s street parking becoming scare with more students on campus. Linzey said the school is looking into alternatives for additional parking, including carpooling and nearby lots. It’s anticipated about six new faculty members would be hired to meet the additional instructional demands. Long-time science teacher Kipp Penovich, CVCHS teacher’s union rep, says he surveyed faculty and they were “split around 50-50” about increasing enrollment. He said, “An increase in enrollment could impact the working conditions for teachers on campus, which is a union concern. Some of those working conditions are logistical, some are financial. There have been general comments made regarding how to accommodate the increase in enrollment, but no specific plan listing detailed benefits and costs has been shared with the teachers.”
Aasim Yahya
CONCORD HIGH CORRESPONDENT
Leadership Exchange brings schools together
One of the most important components of every school is the strength of its leaders. With strong student leaders, schools can improve culture, spirit and, most importantly, the campus atmosphere. Every year, Concord High School holds its annual Leadership Exchange. It’s an opportunity to improve student leaders, exchange ideas and create friendships with students from our local high schools. Leadership Exchange brings together nearly 250 leadership students from all over the district and local community. Participants include College Park, Ygancio Valley, Northgate and De La Salle. The purpose of Leadership Exchange is not only to improve basic leadership skills but also to exchange ideas on how we can improve our campuses. This year’s theme was puzzle pieces. We wanted to emphasize that every student leader is only a small part of a much bigger picture on the campus. Keynote speaker Phil
Boyte spoke about the importance of inclusion on our respective campuses. The event, which featured a surprise dance party and photo booth, is also a time for students to take a break from the demanding responsibilities of leadership. The Leadership Exchange allows schools to create new relationships with other local high schools. While competitive sports bring rivalries, leadership classes are uniting in order to improve every aspect of our campus – from school spirit to volunteering to fundraising. Individually, our skills and creativity are limited. But together we can achieve even greater heights. Concord High School’s Leadership Exchange has become a day for every school to unite regardless of our competitive spirits and differences. Aasim Yahya is a sophomore and student body vice president. He has a passion for basketball and plays on the school team. Send comments to editor@concordpioneer.com
March 25, 2016
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Rocketship charter school seeks landing pad in Concord PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
It appears that Rocketship Charter School will launch in Concord after all. Earlier this month, the California Board of Education approved the controversial charter, after it had been denied by both the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and the Contra Costa County Board of Education. The action was greeted with glee by the school’s supporters, including some members of the Monument community who made the trip to Sacramento to lobby on behalf of the charter school, which plans to target children in the Monument area. “I’m excited and hopeful about my son attending the new Rocketship school here in Concord,” said Cristina Gutierrez, a parent in Concord who signed the petition for the new school. “When I looked at the test scores and college attendance rates for Latino students in the County, I knew I needed to find a better choice for my son. Only 15 percent of Latino students in our county graduate high school ready to attend college.” However, many educators
and parents were upset with the ruling, stating that Rocketship won’t serve just children from the Monument Corridor, and attacking its model of high-academic thrust at the expense of other disciplines. Mainly, detractors were upset that the state didn’t listen to the concerns of many residents opposed to the school. “Personally I think it was a horrible decision by the State Board,” said MDUSD Trustee Brian Lawrence, a comment MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Nellie Meyer said she “wholeheartedly” agreed with. “[The State Board] seems intent on approving charters regardless of the educational merits,” Lawrence said. “Both the MDUSD staff and the county staff found huge issues with the proposed Rocketship charter. Two elected boards rejected the application only to have it approved by an appointed body that is not part of this community. This decision was not in the best interest of kids in our district.” Rocketship leaders vehemently disagree. Rocketship’s Chief Growth and Community Engagement Officer Cheye Calvo called his school
Northgate High Mick Ucciferri
NORTHGATE CORRESPONDENT
School spirit rests on Rally Commissioners
One of the best decisions I have made in my high school career was to be a Rally Commissioner at the school. I have been in Leadership for three years, and I have always looked up to the Rally Commissioners. They are energetic, fun-loving individuals who are capable of pulling almost anything off for a rally. As a Rally Commissioner this year, I am basically in charge of school spirit at Northgate. My fellow commissioners and I plan spirit weeks such as Homecoming and Multicultural Week. We play music and put on mini rallies at lunch. And when we have huge all-school rallies, we are the ones on the microphone in front of all 1,800 students and faculty members. We are quite literally the voice of the student body, and the process still terrifies me sometimes. A Rally Commis-
sioner needs to possess certain attributes, including being passionate about the school and each rally. I have worn yellow tights and red short shorts in front of every student at my school, and I don’t mind because that is the job. You have to be able to think on your feet. There are times when a rally implodes in front of me, and it is my job to make it seem like that was intentional. Finally, you have to be able to have fun. I will constantly stress about every detail of a rally, but as soon as it begins, I find myself loving every part of it. Being a Rally Commissioner has made me not only love my school more, but it has also brought me more self-confidence.
Mick Ucciferri is a senior at Northgate High School. Send questions and comments to editor@concordpioneer.com
a “joyful” place to be, and “The new Rocketship public elementary school in the Monument Corridor means more of the youngest students in the community will get on the right track and graduate prepared to succeed in college and beyond.” He says that there has been a lot of “misinformation” printed in the media and on blogs about the school, and parents should come and visit one of 10 schools already operating in “underserved” communities and see for themselves if Rocketship is working. “We have parent involvement, and we educate the whole child,” he said. “Just because the schools are performing at a high academic level doesn’t mean it’s at the exclusion of social growth, language arts, social studies and other disciplines.” Calvo also said that “all Rocketship teachers are credentialed,” a frequent complaint of those opposed to the charter who said that the
schools employ teachers who did not pass all the state exams.
LOCATION UP IN THE AIR The two main issues facing the new charter school will be harder for Calvo to hurdle. MDUSD offered space for the school at two locations, Silverwood and Ayers elementary schools. But Calvo rejected that idea, hoping to get space at existing schools in the Monument area. Ideally he would like to see a school built, which he says would come from state funds and per-pupil enrollment. Lawrence said he doesn’t know what Monument will do in terms of location. “We have offered them space at Ayers and Silverwood. Rocketship has the option of using a non-district facility as well. The choice is up to them.” The other major issue is that now that Rocketship is
See Rocketship, pg 16
Early research a smart start to college prep
LiSA SPENCE COLLEGE BOUND
Some students begin thinking about college early in high school or even middle school. That’s great, but if all they do is focus on grades and extracurricular activities, they’re missing a great opportunity for preliminary planning. The first step is to look at finances. If your family doesn’t have a college savings account, start one now. Every dollar saved now means one less dollar to be financed. You can also look at options such as refinancing a home or taking out reasonable loans. Decide how much you can afford and how you will cover those costs, but don’t assume the only thing you can afford is an in-state school. There are a lot of tuition discounts out there if you know where to look. That leads to the next step, which is researching colleges. Think outside the box and explore the hundreds of smaller, lesser-known, unique colleges – especially ones that are beyond our state’s borders. They frequently offer small class sizes, passionate teachers, individual attention, hands-on learning, tight-knit communities and
much more. Many people assume that if they haven’t heard of a college or university, it must not be good. The reality is that these schools may offer a better education and college experience than many of the well-known schools everyone else is considering. To find hidden gems, start asking people where they went to school – especially if they’re from the East Coast (which has a lot more colleges than the West). You can also use search engines such as the one on the College Board’s website or books such as “Colleges that Change Lives.” Make a point of touring colleges when on vacation. You should also tour local colleges, even if the student has no intention of staying local. It’s a good way to get a sense of what a college looks like and the difference between large research institutions and smaller, private colleges. By following these steps, students will be in a better position when they reach junior year and have to start making decisions about where they plan to spend the next four to six years after high school graduation. Many California public colleges are impacted and it often takes five to six years to complete an undergraduate degree.
Lisa Spencer is an independent college consultant, career counselor and owner of Next Phase College & Career Advising. You can reach her at lisa@next-phase.net or 925-7261209. For more information, go to www.next-phase.net.
Carondelet students aid refugees for project marking the Lenten season
Students at Carondelet High School used this Lenten season to learn more about the plight of refugees around the world and how teenagers can make a difference for refugee families. Led by the school’s Spiritual Life Council, a student group that plans spiritual activities for the campus community, Carondelet students chose to focus on the refugee crisis. They knew about it from the news but wanted to understand the issue more
fully. “This is a relevant issue politically and in our faith community, and many of the refugees who are fleeing their homes are people of faith,” said Eva Bergman, a junior from Concord and SLC member. “Our Catholic teachings tell us to reach out and help. We decided to use this Lenten season to build greater empathy on campus toward refugees, to learn to see beyond the stereotypes and realize that they are often fam-
ilies just like our own.” Although the students say building campus awareness of the issue is a key goal of their Lenten project, they are also focusing on taking concrete action to help refugee families. The school community has been collecting baby carriers to donate to Carry the Future, a California-based non-profit that provides baby carriers and relief packs to refugees to assist them on their long journeys. The students are also collecting money for Catholic
Charities of the East Bay’s refugee programs. In addition, a number of Carondelet faculty members are incorporating discussion of the refugee crisis into their English, social studies, math and religion classes. “Our goal was to help build greater empathy toward refugees, to learn to see beyond the stereotypes and realize that they are not that different from our own families,” Bergman said.
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P.O. Box 1246 6200 Center Street, Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517 TAMARA AND R OBERT S TEINER , Publishers TAMARA S TEINER , Editor P ETE C RUZ , Graphic Design B EV B RITTON , Copy Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports Editor PAMELA W IESENDANGER , Administration, Calendar Editor S TAFF W RITERS : Peggy Spear, Pamela Wiesendanger, Jay Bedecarré
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Two Concord 8th graders Oakland Diocese Science Fair finalists
Photo courtesy St. francis School
CESARIO RANDAZZO, an eighth grader at St. francis of Assisi School, was a finalist at the annual oakland Diocese Science fair last month in Alameda. His project titled “When in Drought, use Hydroponics” was about growing plants without soil. A Concord resident, Randazzo will attend De La Salle High School next year. His science teacher at St. francis, Robert Rangel, said this was Cesario’s second year participating in the Diocese Science fair after taking second place for his project a year ago.
SOLIMAR GUZMANRUBALCABA from Queen of All Saints School was also a finalist in the biological science category. The QAS eighth grader will be attending The Athenian School in the fall. She credited her science teacher Roberto Perez and her mom Mary Grace with helping her on the Photo Jay Bedecarre project, “Cross Contamination.” it examines how families with food allergies can deal with the growing issue of children with food allergies. Her project’s motto was “prevention is worth a cure” showing best food preparation surfaces and cleaning methods can prevent cross-contact.
March 25, 2016
School of Performing Arts less than five months from reality JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
The countdown has begun for the start of the inaugural school year for the Contra Costa School of Performing Arts. The new public charter school will welcome students in grades six through 10 starting Aug. 10. Founder Neil McChesney and his staff are in the final stages of securing a site within Mt. Diablo Unified School District boundaries to house 300 students and a staff of about 20. McChesney says the “long-term vision” of the School of Performing Arts is still at the Concord Pavilion. For now, they are in the process of finalizing a site that will be the school’s home this fall and perhaps indefinitely. He adds that “we will have a relationship with the Pavilion starting this year.” While there is a great deal of excitement as the school continues accepting students (“about 260-270 so far”) for the initial student body of 300, McChesney is glowing over the hiring of Michael Berry as the school’s artistic director. Berry has been associate
artistic director and chair of the School of Theatre at Oakland School for the Arts for the past seven years. The SPA website says, “A veteran actor, director and educator, Berry brings with him a wealth of artistry, vision, dedication and passion as he continues to influence and shape the artistic direction and academic success for all students with which he works.” His accomplishments as an educator, include being the creator and visionary for such initiatives and projects as the Bay Area Collegiate Theatre Auditions and “Oakland’s Got Talent.” Among Berry’s most distinguished accomplishments was his appointment as the 2014 National Teaching Artist Fellowship Award Winner, enabling him to study abroad at the Royal Conservatory of Scotland, focusing on Deaf/Visual Theatre. Berry says his philosophy “is deeply rooted in the belief that all students can learn. Arts and academics share equal value in the ultimate vision; creating well-balanced students, prepared for future success and equipped to be contributing members of their
Photo courtesy School of Performing Arts
MICHAEL BERRY is artistic director for the new School of Performing Arts charter school opening in August.
community, regardless of their In the 2016-17 school year future career endeavors.” McChesney anticipates about 66 students (two classes of 33) for grades six through nine and about half that many in 10th grade. There will be a waitlist this year of nearly 200 students. The following school year the student body is projected to increase to 500 as 11th grade is added. The first seniors will graduate in 201819 school year. The school is currently funding its staff and other financial obligations through grants from the Silicon School Fund and Public Charter Schools, a federal program for startup charter schools. They have also applied for a State This FREE, one-hour doctor presentation on what you can do to Charter School loan. It will reestablish normal blood glucose levels NATURALLY, will be hosted at the most likely be sometime in the fall before the school starts Harvest House Health Food Store, Saturday afternoon @ 1 p.m. receiving “average daily attendance” funding from the state. McChesney says that “over $100,000 in cash donations and in-kind services have been pledged” to the charter. That includes 1700 square feet of free office space in Walnut Creek for the current staff of five.
Saturday April 2, 1 p.m. Harvest House Health Food Store
2395 Monument Blvd., Concord
925-407-0888
You must reserve a seat to attend
CHARTER WINS LAWSUIT McChesney also announced that the school successfully defeated a lawsuit filed by MDUSD challenging the approval of SPA’s charter petition on appeal by the Contra Costa County Board of Education. “SPA is pleased with the Court’s decision and is excited to move forward with its plans to open this fall,” said the executive director. “The approval of SPA’s charter petition withstood MDUSD’s challenge. This outcome is a victory for school choice in our community and acknowledges the County’s authority to exercise its expertise to approve charter petitions.” Last October, the school district filed a lawsuit against the CCCBOE and SPA alleging that the county board abused its discretion in approving SPA’s charter petition and improperly amended SPA’s petition through a subsequently entered Memorandum of Understanding. The relief sought was the setting aside of the approval of SPA’s charter petition and an order to CCCBOE that it re-evaluate and vote to grant or deny the petition in accordance with Education Code section 47605(b). Contra Costa County Superior Court rejected MDUSD’s arguments and denied all relief sought earlier this year.
March 25, 2016
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
B USINESS
Expo focuses on senior resources
The Concord Chamber of Commerce plays an important role in our community. We help businesses grow and thrive by providing opportunities for them to network and become better known in the Concord area. Throughout the year, we provide business networking events and community events. The East Bay Senior Resource Expo consists of 50-plus booths with information and resources for the senior population, baby boomers and caregivers on how to enhance your senior years and those of your loved ones. The best time to learn about senior services and resources is before you need them, so this is a perfect opportunity to learn what is available in our community. This year’s Senior Expo will be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 15
MARiLYN foWLER
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Dr. There will also be bingo, plus health checks such as blood pressure testing. Some of the booths will represent senior living communities. Diamond Terrace, an independent and affordable retirement community, features gourmet dining service, weekly housekeeping and fresh
Teamsters, from page 1
trying to bring the costs in line, while still respecting the employees’ needs.” Grogan listed the city’s goals for the negotiations – citing a need to treat the employees fairly, position the city to be competitive with recruitment and retention, obtain agreements that meet the city’s goal for long-term fiscal stability and modify retirees’ bene-
GAINING A SENSE OF PRIDE Daniel Kennedy of Concord has been a regular student of the program since 2011. His dyslexia was never addressed during his youth, because he had to change schools while bouncing between foster homes in Los Angeles and Vallejo. He adapted by memorizing everything, such as driving
fits to achieve sustainability. Health care costs have risen more than 400 percent since the city first offered medical benefits to retired employees and their dependents – from $387 to $1,662 per month. Negotiations between the two parties ran April through September 2015, with 15 tentative agreements reached.
signs. He could watch someone repair something once and immediately copy it. With the program’s help, he is now reading at a 4th- or 5thgrade level. His goals are to pass the GED (high school equivalency exam) and advance at work. Project Second Chance has already improved his confidence and allowed him to be able to read to his grandchildren. “The program has made my life easier and given me a sense of pride,” he says. His reading progress has paid off in improved employment opportunities, he says. “I have a good job with Sierra Pacific, now. And I own a home and just bought a new truck.” Lucy Edwards, also of Concord and a three-year student in the program, feels similar to Kennedy. “The program has helped me with the skills of reading, writing and spelling, but also it has helped me have more confidence and not to feel ashamed,” Edwards says. “I
know now that I can accomplish Book Club. They are currently my goals if I work hard reading “Charlotte’s Web” together and will gather with enough.” other students and tutors to disFOSTERING A JOY OF BOOKS cuss the book. The club creates Students meet with volun- a community around the conteer tutors twice a week for 90 cept of reading for pleasure and minutes each time, usually at one connecting with others. of the county’s libraries. Vicky DeYoung of Walnut Creek, a ALWAYS A NEED FOR MORE VOLUNTEERS tutor for two years, has always According to Seaholm, the been an avid reader and book club member. She knew that program has served 56,000 stuwhen she retired she wanted to dents with 3,500 tutors since its inception in 1984. It is funded by get involved in literacy. After the 24-hour training, the county, with some assistance she began working with Sandra from the state and local S. to use the Wilson Method for fundraisers. “We want to use as many teaching those with dyslexia. Although the program asks vol- ways as we can to reach out to unteers for a one-year commit- the people in the community ment, DeYoung wants to keep who can benefit from the progoing because of the growth she gram, as well as to those who may be interested in volunteerhas seen in Sandra. “It’s the most rewarding vol- ing to tutor,” Seaholm notes. DeYoung summarizes: “I unteer work I’ve ever done,” explains DeYoung. “Sandra can can’t change the whole world, now write a grocery list, read but I can change the world for books and is working on com- one person.” posing emails and using the The next volunteer training is computer. Her confidence has scheduled for April 20, 23 and 30 really grown.” The two also participate in (one evening and two Saturdays). Sign the Project Second Chance up at http://ccclib.org/psc.
Parks, from page 1
sible action by the city to provide an essential place for children and families of the Ellis Lake, Monument and Meadow Homes communities to gather together safely in a healthy environment,” said Councilman Tim Grayson. His colleague Edi Birsan agreed. “Good parks are where the neighborhoods see the building blocks of community. People playing with families and friends is at the heart of a healthy society.” He says that the Ellis Lake and Meadow Homes park projects show the city responding to community needs. “We look forward to working with park improvement groups all over the city.” Of the total $775,000 requested, Ellis Lake Park playground and improvements will cost $365,000, the
You will be able to learn about mortgage protection and insurance from Farmers Insurance/the Vergara Family Agency, financial information from Edward Jones-Umberto Leone and funeral details from Ouimet Bros. Concord Funeral Chapel. Also available will be information about skilled nursing facilities such as Stonebrook Healthcare Center and Grace Healthcare, which specialize in post-acute rehabilitation, longterm care needs and skilled nursing care. This is just a sampling of some of the resources that will be available to you. Come by the Crowne Plaza on April 15 to learn more. For more information on becoming a member of the Concord Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.concordchamber.com or call (925) 685-1181.
After the two parties mutually declared an impasse, mediation sessions ran from September to January 2016, with another five agreements obtained. At the last mediation session on Jan. 21, the city offered a “last, best and final offer” to the Teamsters. The Teamsters voted to reject the offer on Feb. 22. Representatives of the union did not return phone calls when asked to comment. A three-party panel – con-
Literacy, from page 1
not read or write above the 6thgrade level, often due to dyslexia. And those whose native language is not English. They are conversational in English but want to improve their reading and writing in English. These adults, typically between age 30 and 60, may struggle with filling out job applications, reading medicine labels, taking tests, reading road signs, advancing in their careers and reading to their children or grandchildren. According to program manager Laura Seaholm, the challenge is letting them know about this free, confidential program.
linens, and a full program of diverse recreational and cultural offerings. Oakmont of Concord, an assisted living and memory care development, is set to open later in 2016. Oakmont will offer its residents a full-time concierge, health and fitness programs, world-class chefs and chauffeur service. Also on hand will be resources from Meals on Wheels & Senior Outreach Services. Their mission is to “enhance the lives of older adults in Contra Costa County who have a full range of needs by providing coordinated care that enables older adults to live independently and with dignity for as long as possible.” Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging will be providing information on their organization, a nonprofit with care management and fiduciary services.
Meadow Homes Park playground installation will cost $265,000, and Ellis Lake Park pathway improvements will cost $145,000. Construction will be going on this spring at Ellis Lake Park, and work on new play structures and improvements at Meadow Homes, which is identified as $325,000, will begin this fall. Weather permitting, it will be done before the end of the year. Still, that project might not be complete until spring of 2017. Many community groups lauded the plan, including Monument Impact, First 5 Contra Costa and the Contra Costa Health Services. However, some park supporters believe that Meadow Homes is not getting the attention it deserves. George Fulmore partici-
pated in community meetings as far back as 2013, when interested parties and city staff first met to discuss park improvements. He says that Meadow Homes was identified as a No. 1 priority by the group. Then last June, as the city was preparing its annual budget to fund the parks, Rhea Laughlin, community engagement officer at First 5, wrote a letter to then-Concord Parks and recreation director Joan Carrico implying that the focus should be on Ellis Lake rather than Meadow Homes. The City Council took that stance when it adopted its 2015-’16 fiscal budget and vowed to find funds to make improvements in both parks. Laughlin did not return calls to the Pioneer. Fulmore contends that there were “closed door meetings” that changed the priority of the parks, but city staff and council members
sisting of Grogan, Peter Finn, secretary-treasurer of the Teamsters, and an independent party – is resuming the fact-finding process, as requested by the Teamsters. The city is also in negotiations with its three other employee groups, including Local 29, whose contract expired in April 2015, and the Police Officer Association and the Police Management Association, both of whose contracts expired in June.
disagree. They say the extra funding for Ellis Lake was due to the fact that the park needed more money for upgrades. “The result of the staff investigation and community outreach and the council decided that the priority was Ellis first, then Meadow Homes,” Birsan said. “While I fought for us to do both from the start, I agreed with the decision as to the Ellis project going forward, making that park attractive to families. And we can reclaim the park from a low use. Meadow Homes is improving an already in-use family park. I cheered that we are doing both.” City parks director Steve Voorhies is pleased both parks are being renovated. “It’s a win-win,” he says. “I’ve lived in Concord for 18 years, and it’s great to see us build more areas where the community can come and enjoy themselves.”
Page 11
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
March 25, 2016
Ygnacio, Carondelet, De La Salle claim NCS titles JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
De La Salle and Carondelet, each with a rich sports history, have had an unusual amount of success in winter sports and this year was much of the same in basketball and wrestling, mixed in with big disappointment for each school on the soccer pitch. Ygnacio Valley broke an 11-year drought with its first North Coast Section team championship since 2005 when the top-seeded Warriors claimed the inaugural NCS DIII soccer championship.
GIRLS BASKETBALL Carondelet was shocked by Dublin in last year’s Division II NCS finals but the Cougars won their 11th Section championship since 2003 when they eased past Acalanes 68-42 in this season’s finals. This placed Carondelet as the eighth seed in the NorCal Open Division Championships. And a reward for that was an opening-round game at the No. 1 team in America, St. Mary’s of Stockton. The Cougars played even in the first quarter before St. Mary’s started to wear them down.
Phillip Walton/SportStars Magazine
JORDAN RATINHO was the East Bay Athletic League MVP during his junior season and then committed to attend the university of San francisco on a basketball scholarship beginning this fall. The De La Salle player didn’t let up for his senior year leading the Spartans to EBAL, NCS and NorCal championships.
Photo courtesy Ygnacio Valley High School
YGNACIO VALLEY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF BEING THE TOP SEED in the new Division iii of the North Coast Section soccer playoffs to claim the school’s first NCS team championship since 2005. Coach Cesar Chavez’s Warriors were 19-2-2 with 16 shutouts. The Section champs included, front row from left, oscar Mendez, Jesus Romero, Jose Geronimo, Jose Hernandez; middle row, Alberto Garcia, oscar Rios, Ramiro Andrade, Matthew Lynch, Eduardo Corraltitlan, Abraham Sanchez, Jony Negrete, Angel Silva, assistant coach Gustavo Ponce, assistant coach Matt Kendall; back row, assistant coach Rocky Gaglioti, Pedro Garcia, Alan Herrera, Chavez, Eric Zaragoza, Jorge Velasquez, Bradley Lane, John Zazueta, Jorge Regalado, Humberto Chavez, Juan Arias, Jose Diaz, Erik ochoa, Jose Solis and team manager frankie Cervantes.
Concord High went undefeated through the DVAL league and playoff schedules, earning No. 5 seed in NCS DII. The Minutemen won their first game and then lost to Montgomery in the quarterfinals as a fourth-quarter comeback fell short.
BOYS BASKETBALL De La Salle under new coach AJ Kuhle won its sixth Northern California championship last Saturday in the final seconds over Modesto Christian 41-40 as reserve guard Colby Orr scored the Spartans last five points in the final two minutes. Earlier DLS took its 11th NCS championship and the first since 2012 with a revenge victory over EBAL rival Monte Vista 47-29.The Mustangs had eliminated DLS the last two years at NCS. Concord won its NCS opener in Division II before the DVAL regular-season champion and No. 4 seed Minutemen were eliminated by Newark Memorial in the quarterfinals. WRESTLING Coach Mark Halvorson’s De La Salle Spartans dominated both Section championships, taking two team titles for the seventh time in the past eight years.
St. Bonaventure 5th graders win Diablo East CYO basketball title
Photo courtesy St. Bonaventure CYo basketball
ST. BONAVENTURE WON THE 5TH GRADE DIVISION of Diablo East CYo basketball this winter, losing only two games before the oakland Diocese tournament. St. Bonaventure’s boys teams in fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades all advanced to the Diocese basketball championships, as did the St. Agnes fifth and sixth grade girls teams. St. Bonaventure fifth graders were, front row from left, James Machi, Tommy Martin, Dylan Gentile, Gabe Lauricella; standing, Colton Seastrand, Victor Valencia, Luke Cuneo, Jared Rickard, Cooper Kawalkowski; back, coach Terrance o’Kelley.
At the NCS Championships De La Salle set a record with 339.5 points. Five Spartans won individual titles and a nine DLS wrestlers qualified for State Meet. Two-time Diablo Valley Athletic League champ Ian Morford of Northgate and junior Ryan Fischer of Clayton Valley Charter both took second at NCS and got tickets to State. DLS’s Donovin Guerrero won his fourth East Bay Athletic League individual title and then captured his third successive NCS championship medal this winter, beating No. 2 seed Bryar Edwards of Liberty. Incredibly the friends met in the section finals for the third straight time. Guerrero continued his winning ways to the State finals where he lost 6-3 to David Campbell of Mission OakTulare in the championship match.
See NCS, page 15
Deja vu for De La Salle in State championship game Saturday?
Last December De La Salle High School played for the State Open Division championship against an undefeated Huskies team from Southern California ranked No. 1 in the United States featuring an offense of epic proportions that had racked up eye-popping statistics. That was in football. The Spartans, led by a coach in his first head coaching assignment, went up against a team with the national high school coach of the year on its sideline. DLS figured out a way to slow down Centennial of Corona’s fast-paced style of play (holding them 35 points under their average) and the Concord school came away
with its seventh CIF football crown in the past 10 years. This Saturday evening in Sacramento De La Salle with a first-year head coach will face another reigning national coach of the year leading a team that has remained undefeated in 33 games, beating opponents from eight states as well as the cream of the crop in Southern California and scoring over 100 points 17 times. This showdown between Chino Hills and De La Salle will be on the basketball court and the Spartans new head coach AJ Kuhle faces the daunting challenge of coming up with a game plan to slow down national player of the year Lonzo Ball and his two
brothers (all of whom who have committed to UCLA). De La Salle won state championships in 2000 and 2006 with Kuhle a key component of that first Spartans championship squad. The Spartans lost three other state finals (1996, 2004, 2011). Chino Hills was stunned in the State Division I finals last year by San Ramon Valley High in the Huskies first-ever title game appearance. The CIF Open Division boys game at Sleep Train Arena will be telecast this Saturday evening on CSN California at 8 o’clock following the 6 p.m. girls Open Division game featuring Miramonte of Orinda and Chaminade-West Hills.
Ipsen makes college, international history as Summer Olympics prep hits full steam JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
It’s been quite a February and March for Kristian Ipsen as the De La Salle grad was named to the All-Century Pacific-12 swimming and diving team, earned his first-ever individual international senior diving medal at the site of the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and then took a bronze medal with new synchro partner Sam Dorman in China during the first leg of the FINA World Series in Beijing. At the FINA Diving World Cup Ipsen took third in the three-meter springboard, earning the US its first World Cup medal in that event in 10 years. For Ipsen it was his first time to place in the top five, let alone on the podium, on the senior international stage. He was twice a world junior champion in 2006 and 2010. A major component of the World Cup in Rio was the placement of divers to determine how many slots countries would earn in each event for this summer’s Olympic Games, which will be held in the same outdoor Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre. Ipsen helped the US secure spots in both the 3M springboard and 3M synchro. Who will fill those places on the American team will be determined at the US Olympic Diving Trials June 18-26 in Indianapolis. Olympic diving competition is Aug. 7-20.
Photo courtesy uSA Diving
KRISTIAN IPSEN EARNED HIS FIRST-EVER international senior diving medal last month at the site of the 2016 Summer olympics in Rio de Janeiro. At the fiNA Diving World Cup the De La Salle grad took third in the three-meter springboard, earning the uS its first World Cup medal in that event in 10 years.
Ipsen finished with 457.60 points in the 3M for the USA’s first World Cup medal in men’s three-meter since Troy Dumais (Ipsen’s partner for the bronze medal in 3M synchro at the 2012 London Olympics) won bronze at the 2006 World Cup. Shockingly, China didn’t win a single medal in the men’s 3M, the only event of the World Cup where they did not make the podium. The Chinese won gold in six of the eight World Cup events, ironically missing out only in the two events Ipsen competed in. “I didn’t think this was how this was going to happen, but I’m really happy. I actually felt
zero pressure. The most pressure I felt was in the prelims because I wanted to be top 18 to get an Olympic spot for the US,” said Ipsen after enjoying his bronze medal ceremony. “I’m actually really tired, but I was excited to compete in the semifinals and finals because I hadn’t done individual three meter since 2013. I didn’t have many expectations and I didn’t really know how it was going to go. I think it actually helped me because I wasn’t nervous and was just excited to compete. “I was using a new dive at the end. Thankfully it went well, and I was happy with it. I
wasn’t happy with it in the semifinal. I felt like I needed a little more adrenaline and I definitely had that in the final. I missed my fifth dive and I thought I was out of it. I thought I would be in eighth or ninth. I didn’t think I had the potential to get a medal, but my coach told me I was still in it,” said Ipsen, whose previous best finish on three meter at a World Cup or World Championships was sixth at the 2010 World Cup. Dorman and Ipsen scored 391.98 points for sixth place, coming from behind to clinch the final men’s three-meter synchro Olympic qualifying spot by .36 points. In fifth place through four rounds, they dropped to seventh with one dive to go after scoring just 56.70 points on their fifth-round effort. They trailed Canada by 4.92 points heading into the last round and needed to finish in the top six to secure the Olympic berth. The Americans responded with 77.70 points on their reverse 1½ with 3½ twists to move ahead of the Canadian pair. “That was a great contest. I don’t think either of us were really watching, but after our reverse, I think we were both kind of discouraged. Then I looked up at the scoreboard before our last dive and I was
See Ipsen, page 14
March 25, 2016
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com first-team all-DVAL after being on the second-team all-league squad last season and honorable mention as a freshman. In earning the honors this year she averaged over 11 points a game, was third in the league in steals (almost three a game) and assists (also three a game). The speedy 5-6 player also grabbed 3.5 rebounds a game. Her coach added, “Alyssa was instrumental in getting our team into the right sets, both offensively and defensively.” Pluth runs the 100, 200 and 400 meter sprints during spring track season. Besides athletics she is in the leadership program at Concord High.
Athlete Spotlight
Alyssa Pluth Grade: Junior School: Concord High Sports: Basketball, Track
Concord High School’s young girls basketball team made its final season in the Diablo Valley Athletic League one to remember with an undefeated regular season and then a playoff championship by beating rival Clayton Valley Charter in the finals 62-50. They broke up the domination of Northgate and
CVCHS winning all seven previous league titles while earning the Minutemen’s first North Coast Section berth since 2010. Junior point guard Alyssa Pluth “had a tremendous season for us,” says head coach Terrance O’Kelley in his third year of a second stint as Concord’s coach. Pluth was named
The Concord Pioneer congratulates Alyssa and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@concordpioneer.com.
Page 13
DVAL sails into the sunset after spring sports season JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Springs sports are in full bloom for the teams and athletes in the Diablo Valley Athletic League and seniors at the seven DVAL schools share something with their league: they are both getting ready to move on. Students in the Class of 2016 will matriculate to college, the military, a job or perhaps just take a break from work or education. The DVAL is an entity that will go back on the shelf after eight years hosting Berean Christian, Clayton Valley Charter, College Park, Concord, Mt. Diablo, Northgate and Ygnacio Valley high school sports teams since the 2008-09 school year. The Diablo Valley Athletic League has a rich history in the area, running from the fall of 1958 (when Clayton Valley High
School also opened its doors for the first time) through 1988. The league started with Pittsburg, Antioch and the now longdeparted Pleasant Hill and Pacifica highs competing with Mt. Diablo and CV. In its last season of 1987-88 the league included Pitt, Antioch, Northgate, Ygnacio Valley, College Park, Concord, CV and MD were in the league. As the number of schools in the North Coast Section proliferated and school enrollments ebbed and flowed the Section set up a quadrennial league align-
See DVAL, page 15
Concord schools’ athletes garner 9 DVAL, EBAL MVPs JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
DVAL TOP DOGS Concord High went undefeated through the DVAL girls basketball schedule with a young team led by junior MVP Ciara O’Kelley that ended up with five all-leaguers, none of them seniors. The post player for the Minutemen, O’Kelley hadn’t received any all-league notice during her first two years on varsity but this season her coach (and dad) Terrance O’Kelley said, “The huge jump in her game was due to her hard work during the last two summers with a personal trainer that she wanted to work with on her own and with more game experience due to a
Viviana Aceves, Morgan Kreamer (CVC), Sara Wheeler, Katie Hollister (NG), Deana Vander Meulen, Megan Maloney (BC), Melissa Torres, Jena Moran (CP), April Frantz, Samantha Perez (Con), Michelle Cisneros, Viviana Ramirez (MD), Megan Clifton, Alexa Jara (YV) EBAL: Carondelet - MVP Collins; 1st team - Erin Ospeck, Jade Rafallo; 2nd team- Brooke Cilley, Chelsea Bailey, Danielle Crawford; HM- Keeley Murphy, Madeline Duncan, Katie Hoyt
Jay Bedecarre
Clayton Valley Charter boys soccer had a great three-year run from 2010-2012 culminated with back-to-back semifinal runs in the 2011 and 2012 North Coast Section playoffs. The Eagles then missed out on the Section playoffs until this year when coach Guillermo Jara’s team won the DVAL title and got back in the post-season. League MVP osboldo Solis (right) and DVAL offensive MVP Pedro Hernandez played big roles in the Eagles revival.
Photo courtesy Ygnacio Valley High School
Ygnacio Valley High School‘s soccer teams this winter featured strong defenses and that resulted in Jose Diaz (left) and Jessica Jaime winning DVAL defensive MVP awards. The Warrior boys emerged as North Coast Section champions in new Division iii while allowing 11 goals all year in 23 games with 16 shutouts.
Natalie Hastings (YV), Ancelica Suttice, Alexa Soto (MD), Nerisa Yokoyama (CVC) EBAL: Car – MVP – Cruz; 1st team – Maaeva Dwiggins; 2nd team – Brianna Simonich; HMMichaela VanderKlugt
BOYS BASKETBALL
DVAL: MVP- Watkins (CP); 1st team – Garrett Pascoe, Matt Osterkamp (CVC), Dru Solis, Romeo Campbell (Con), Andrew Leonard (YV), Dre Sunga (CP), Naj Singh (NG); 2nd team - Alex Schaufler (NG), Josh Lunsford BOYS SOCCER (BC), Nick Klarman (CVC), Zyon DVAL: Player of the Year - Pullin (CP), Patrick O’Shea, T. J. Solis (CVC); Offensive MVP- Her- Quezon (Con); HM- William nandez (CVC); Defensive MVP- Kresch, Andres Capener (NG), Diaz (YV); 1st team- Taylor Heuer- Tarof Rovers, Joseph Lawrence man, Jesus Martinez, Elham (MD), DeAndre Morgan, Marqel Rahiq (CVC), Kaei Kamiya (BC), McCoy (Con), Eli Zurita-Haber Dean Lewis (NG), Agustin Mejia (YV) (MD), Jorge Regalado, Jonathan EBAL: De La Salle – MVP – Negrete (YV), Roberto Barahona Ratinho; 1st team- Nikhil Peters, (Con), Justin Bedig, Krisofer King Emeka Udenyi; 2nd team – Con(CP); 2nd team – Duncan Morri- nor O’Dea; HM- Nick Macarchuk son (BC), Peyton Rhodes, Miguel Hernandez (CVC), Eric Zaragoza, Jose Geronimo (YV), Sean Roarty,
Jay Bedecarre
Winter sports honors have been doled out by coaches in the Diablo Valley and East Bay athletic leagues and Concord’s six high schools dominated the list of basketball and soccer most valuable players. In the final year of the DVAL before its seven schools move into the new Diablo Athletic League this fall, Clayton Valley Charter (3), Ygnacio Valley (2) and Concord (1) took six of the eight MVP awards with College Park claiming the other two. De La Salle won the EBAL basketball title and Spartan senior Jordan Ratinho was again the league MVP. Carondelet was undefeated in soccer and basketball league play and seniors Kaylie Collins and Vanessa Cruz, respectively, were named MVPs from the Cougars.
“Savannah was the pinnacle of our defense. She controlled the defensive line and provided vocal leadership,” Ballard added. Her twin sister Madison Pomeroy was a goalkeeper on the undefeated league championship team. The league’s soccer coaches recognized Ygnacio Valley’s Jessica Jaime, a senior, and junior Jose Diaz as DVAL defensive MVPs. The Warrior boys were seeded No.1 in the new Division III of the NCS playoffs and upheld that placement CONCORD HIGH JUNIOR CIARA O’KELLEY by winning three straight literally and figuratively towered over games by shutout after an the opposition as the 6-2 center Jay Bedecarre opening-round bye for the helped power the young Minutemen SAVANNAH POMEROY (left) was master of the Clayton Valley Concord school’s first NCS team to an undefeated league and Charter soccer defense as the Eagles won their second team championship since foot- DVAL playoff record. Playing for her straight Diablo Valley Athletic League title before getting ball captured the 2005 East dad and head coach Terrance o’Kelbounced in the second round of the North Coast Section ley she was named the league MVP. Bay 2A title. playoffs. She was named league MVP for her efforts as CHS ended up 23-6, including a spot College Park sophomore in the NCS playoff quarterfinals. CVCHS held half of their 22 opponents scoreless this seaJasmine Safarians was the son. Goalkeeper Kaylie Collins was the anchor of CaronDVAL offensive MVP. She was delet’s defense earning her East Bay Athletic League MVP the only underclassman in league game since 2008-2009 Reece Burkhart (CP), Enrique Porfor the Cougars who went all the way to overtime of the NCS championship game before tasting defeat this season. either EBAL or DVAL to be with six undefeated seasons in tillo, Marvin Navarro (Con), seven years. Cruz shared the Jonathon Plasencia (MD), Zack named an MVP. league MVP award with Caro- Lamb (NG); HM- Ronaldo Herton of AAU and varsity offensive MVP. line McMorrow of runner-up nandez, Isaac Salcedo (CVC), SPARTAN, COUGAR MVPS Erik Ochoa, Ramiro Andrade games.” Solis had eight assists and De La Salle began a new era Foothill. (10), Ryan Jones, Ray MuhAnother junior, Raazhel three goals as a defensive midDVAL and EBAL after the unexpected departure lenkamp (CP), Miguel Avalos, Watkins of College Park, was fielder for Clayton Valley socof long-time basketball coach (Carondelet and De La Hunter Johnson (Con), Nick the boys basketball MVP as the cer. The team ended the season Frank Allocco and Ratinho Salle only) winter sports Giannini, Ryan Roo (NG), FerFalcons upset regular-season with an 18-2-3 record for was a key figure on the court. all-league honorees: nando Artiga, Jack Sodergren champ Concord in the DVAL coach Guillermo Jara with the (BC), Kevin Mendez, Alberto New coach AJ Kuhle enjoyed playoff finals. second loss coming in the secGIRLS SOCCER Romo (MD) that USF-commit Ratinho didClayton Valley Charter’s ond round of the NCS playDVAL: Player of the Year – EBAL: De La Salle – 1st teamn’t rest on the laurels from his two varsity soccer teams lost offs to defending champ San Pomeroy, (Clayton Valley CharKai Squires; HM- Omar Jiron, junior season when he was only one of 24 Diablo Valley Ramon Valley. Hernandez, a ter); Offensive MVP - Safarians Marco Monti, Will Birna, James EBAL co-MVP. He led the (College Park); Defensive MVP – Person, Jackson Still Athletic League games while junior forward, had 14 goals Spartans to a 14-0 league mark Jaime (Ygnacio Valley); 1st teamwinning girls and boys champi- and two assists. and the North Coast Section Taylor Chaplin, Hunter Kenney GIRLS BASKETBALL onships and moving into the Last year Pomeroy was Division I championship. (Northgate), Kaci Trujillo, Emma DVAL: MVP – O’Kelley (Con); North Coast Section playoffs. injured in the middle of her Carondelet, with Collins in Nelson, Julia de Jesus (CVC), 1st team –Bridget Hyland (CVC), That success was reflected in first varsity season, didn’t play goal, won its first EBAL regu- Sabrina DeBardeleben (Con- Megan Ikeda (NG), Jessica Solis, the all-league teams with sen- much towards the end of the lar-season soccer title since cord), Alejandra Rosas-Gomez Alyssa Pluth (Con), Allison Lo iors Osboldo Solis and Savan- year and wasn’t even menback-to-back championships in (Mt. Diablo), Sofia Campos (YV), (BC), Casey Doronkina (CP); 2nd nah Pomeroy DVAL MVPs. tioned for all-league. This year 2010 and 2011, giving the Emily Dutton (Berean Christian), team- Meilin Bruder (CP), Kelly Adding to the laurels, junior coach Cristina Ballard said the unbeaten Cougars the top seed Olivia Gin, Marianna Giovannetti Osterkamp, Katriel Segovia Pedro Hernandez was the boys senior central defender saw a in NCS DI. Collins will be (CP); 2nd team – Sierra Bruni, (CVC), Celestina Olquin (NG), chiropractor regularly to keep playing college soccer in the Emily Kaleal (CVC), Charlotte Maki Ngirabedechal (MD), GraBueno, Madison Cantrell (CP), cie Mitchell (BC), Franchesca her back pain away and it fall for USC. Ana Carabez, Madalina Chaney resulted in the league’s outCruz and the Cougars this (YV), Lauren Conley, Carley Orte- Calagui (Con); HM- Gaby Lomeli (Con), Jackie Ocoa, Dariana standing performance with the season ran their EBAL unbeat- ga (NG), Sabine Silva (BC), Ally Mihalache (CP), Kylie Tamura, Eagles posting 11 shutouts in en basketball streak to 53 Roberts (Con), Daniela Estrada Julia Gamez (NG), Haley 22 games. games. They have lost one (MD); Honorable Mention - Robertshaw (BC), Isela Garcia,
Page 14
4th class inducted to YVHS Athletic Hall of Fame May 14 Ygnacio Valley High School is holding its 4th annual Athletic Hall of Fame induction dinner on Saturday, May 14, at The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak Walnut Creek. The hall of fame committee at the school is inducting five athletes, two coaches and one team. This year’s inductees are Jim Anderson track and football, class of 1968), Rich Martini (football and baseball 1973), Chuck McGinnis (football and baseball 1984), Minet Roach Gunther (volleyball and basketball 1982) and Dave Tamori (wrestling 1967). The coaches are Bob Burkhart (1961-91) and Rich Mohr (1961-68). The Warriors 1972 baseball team is also receiving entry to the Hall. In the pre-North Coast Section playoffs era the team capped its season with 18 consecutive wins.
Social gathering May 14 is at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 o’clock. People interested in attending should contact Debbie Carlin by phone at (925) 518-8455 or email wccarlin@astound.net.
Photo courtesy Ygnacio Valley High
RICH MARTINI is among the inductees to the Ygnacio Valley High School Athletic Hall of fame on May 14. The class of 1973 football and baseball athlete played for three YVHS Hall of fame coaches—Dick Ryan, Kent Robie and fellow 2016 inductee Bob Burkhart. After a uC Davis Hall of fame collegiate football career he became a Super Bowl XV champion in 1980 with the oakland Raiders as a wide receiver.
Ipsen, from page 12
like ‘Oh my gosh, we still have a chance.’ I don’t think we even realized that. I felt like we could easily do it, especially finishing up with our gainer twister,” Ipsen said.
points while the Mexican duo missed their dive to put the Americans ahead of them by 1.83 points for the bronze medal. Ipsen and Dorman were in sixth place at the halfway point but scored 75 3RD IN WORLD SERIES points or more on their final Ipsen and Dorman opened three dives. the 2016 FINA Diving World Series earlier this month in BeiALL-CENTURY LAURELS Ipsen was a standout in jing with a bronze medal in synchronized three-meter, conference and national colletheir first international medal giate meets during his 2011together. The FINA Diving 2015 career at Stanford, World Series is a four-leg, invi- including winning the school’s tation-only circuit for the top first men’s NCAA diving title finishers from the 2015 World in 82 years as a freshman in Championships with April 2012. The most recent of Stanstops coming in Canada and ford’s seven all-century swimming and diving selections, Russia. In fourth place with one Ipsen was a four-time allround to go, Dorman and America in all three diving Ipsen closed out with 82.95 events, three-time Pac-12
S ports Shorts
COUNTY SWIM CHAMPIONS FOREST PARK SWIM TEAM READIES FOR SEASON
Last year’s Contra Costa County Division II swimming champions Forest Park begin practice April 11 under the watchful eye of head coach Jeff Mellinger in his 17th year with the Flyers. Before then they have tryouts for new swimmers this Friday from 3:30-5 p.m. and next Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. - 1p.m. For more info email jeff.mellinger@gmail.com or call Tina (510) 912-2316. Signups are being accepted online at forestparkswimteam.com.
AQUANUTS HOST CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS AUCTION, FUND FUNDRAISER MAY 21
Walnut Creek Aquanuts are on the Road to Rio during this Olympic year. They will bring some Olympic flair to their annual synchronized swimming exhibition and fundraiser. Their own Aquanut and coach Mariya Koroleva and her duet partner Anita Alvarez are representing America at the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro this summer. Koroleva, Alvarez and the entire USA National team will perform at this year’s event on Saturday, May 21, sponsored by BMW of Concord and Mini of Concord. The event will include a live auction and world class synchronized swimming from 4-9 p.m. at Clarke Memorial Swim Center in Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek. For more info and tickets visit aquanuts.org.
GEHRINGER PARK GATORS ACCEPTING SUMMER SIGNUPS
Gehringer Park is accepting online registration for boys and girls 4-18 years for their summer swim season. For more info on the Gators email gehringergators@gmail.com or go online eteamz.com/gehringerparkgators.
DIABLO FC RECREATION LEAGUE BEGINS APRIL 4
Diablo FC is offering a spring recreation league April 4-June 4 for girls and boys born from 2007 to 2012. The nine-week program includes practice on Tuesdays at Newhall Park and Saturday morning games at the same park. The competitive club’s professional coaches will be conducting practices in conjunction with volunteer parent coaches. The program focuses on more touches on the ball and 1v1 offense and defense. Under 6 teams are co-ed while the U8 and U10 boys and girls teams are balanced. For more contact coach Brian Voltattorni bvoltattorni@diablofc.org or visit diablofc.org.
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
March 25, 2016
Spring training signals start of baseball season coming soon
TYLER LEHMAN SPORTS TALK
The start of the Major League Baseball regular season is 10 days away with both the A’s and Giants kicking off their seasons April 4. Both teams were extremely busy in the offseason. The A’s attacked their bullpen issues and the Giants added three high-profile free agents. A’s – The A’s finished last year in the cellar of the AL West with a record of 68-94. Billy Beane retooled the roster of his 2014 playoff team, decisions that subsequently blew up in his face, as new players like Billy Butler and Brett Lawrie severely underperformed. Beane attempted to right the ship this offseason by acquiring relievers Ryan Madson, John Axford and Mark Rzepczynski. The A’s pitching staff was putrid last year with a 4.63 collective ERA, third worst in the league, and they may be without starting pitcher Jarrod Parker again this year, due to an elbow injury he sufchampion in one meter, a twotime three-meter titlist and platform champion. He won the NCAA 1M and 3M national championships in 2013. A panel of coaches, swimmers, administrators and media members selected the Pacific12 Conference team consisting of 26 swimmers and six divers, plus a coach, swimmer and diver of the Century. The Pac 12 is celebrating its first 100 years of 1915-2015. Culminating the selections, the panel picked Olympic champion Matt Biondi of Cal (and the Concord Swim Club) as the conference swimmer of the century, USC coach Peter Daland coach of the century and Joona Puhakka of Arizona State as top diver of the past hundred years. USA Diving contributed to this story.
fered this spring. Madson is far-and-away the best reliever acquisition. He had an amazing year for the World Series champion Kansas City Royals with a 2.13 ERA and a WHIP under one. A healthy Sean Doolittle will also do wonders for the A’s bullpen. However their batting wasn’t the greatest last season either, which led Beane to trade for Khris Davis last month. Davis is a power hitter who hit 27 home runs for the Brewers last season and should add some much needed pop to the heart of the A’s batting order. The AL West is stacked this year, so the Green and Gold have a tall task ahead of them to be competitive with the Astros, Angels, Rangers and Mariners. Even if this year is another down one for the A’s, the farm system looks very promising. According to a San Jose Mercury News article, Beane felt the infield prospects
for the A’s are the best he’s seen in 20 years. Giants – It’s an even year, so odds are the Giants have a pretty good shot of winning the World Series! Superstition aside, the Giants made three huge acquisitions in the offseason to bolster their roster which could help them improve on their second-place finish in the NL West last year. Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija were two big signings that instantly made the Giants starting rotation better. Both had shaky seasons last year, but if they can regain their 2014 forms they could help the Giants have one of the best staffs in the big leagues. Madison Bumgarner, Samardzija, Cueto, Jake Peavy and Matt Cain can be a formidable staff over the course of the year. Spring training injury setbacks to Cain, Bumgarner and Hunter Pence gave Giants executives and fans a lump in
their stomachs after an injuryfilled 2015. Cueto also has concussion concerns after having a line drive bounce off his forehead in a 10-3 loss to the A’s in midMarch. Along with the starting pitching signings the Giants also signed veteran outfielder Denard Span. The speedster takes the place of Nori Aoki, who left for the Mariners in the offseason. The Dodgers are always spending big cash and Arizona signed free agent superstar pitcher Zack Greinke, so it was imperative that the Giants kept pace with the spending of the rest of the NL West.
Tyler Lehman is a senior at San Francisco State University and a 2012 CVHS graduate. He is majoring in print/online journalism and wants to be a sports writer. Email your comments or questions to tyler@claytonpioneer.com.
Diablo FC 99 under 16 boys win Las Vegas Players Showcase
Photo courtesy Diablo fC
COACH MARQUIS WHITE’S DIABLO FC 99 BOYS TEAM won the Las Vegas Players Showcase under 16 tournament this month over a field of 16 soccer teams from seven states. The local team won two and lost one to win their round-robin bracket. in the semi-finals they blanked Albion SC White from Southern California 4-0 and then took the championship match against Bay Area rival Santa Clara Sporting 99 Green 1-0 as David Rosas scored in the 70th minute assisted by Jesus Hernandez of Clayton Valley Charter HS. Diablo fC 99 is now ranked second in Northern California and sixth in the Western Region. Santa Clara Sporting is one spot behind them in each ranking. The team includes, front row from left, Alex Berumen, David Rosas, James Person, Harrison Sturgeon; back row, Corey Alford, Erick Hernandez, Miles Ramos, Devin Martinez, Tim van der Waart van Gulik, Jesus Martinez, Jason Stockwell, Tyler Hanson, francisco Ayala, Eduardo Garcia and coach Marquis White. Not pictured were Ross Gruen, Pedro Hernandez, John fuentes and Sebastian Hansen.
girls club and recreation teams from under 10 through U19 are eli- oakhurstorcas.com for more information or e-mail head coach gible to participate. Visit concordcup.com for complete information Castillo at swimcoach@oakhurstcc.com. and to register a team or referee to participate.
CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL HAS 2016 FALL COACHING POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Concord High School is seeking a boys varsity head water polo coach and girls varsity and JV volleyball coaches. All three positions come with a stipend. Coaching requirements include MDUSD fingerprint, current TB and First Aid/CPR, coaching principles course, concussion course and sudden cardiac arrest course. Interested coaches can send resume to CHS athletic director Megan Coddington at coddingtonm@mdusd.org.
CONCORD COBRAS FOOTBALL SIGNUPS TOMORROW
Concord Cobras tackle football program is taking signups for its fall season this Saturday and on April 9 at Round Table Pizza, Port Chicago Highway at Olivera Rd. in Concord. In-person registration will be from 12 noon – 3 p.m. both days. The football program is open for youth five to 14 years of age. For more info email concordyouthfootball@yahoo.com or visit concordyouthfootball.com.
DANA HILLS SWIM TEAM ONLINE REGISTRATION
Dana Hills Swim Team is getting ready for the summer swim season with online registration now open. The Clayton-based team has won 23 of the past 24 Concord Swimming Championship DIABLO FC TEAMS HOLDING TRYOUTS THIS MONTH The area’s competitive soccer club, Diablo FC, is holding tryouts meets. They have finished in the top five of the last five Contra this month for U15-19 girls and boys teams in all levels—premier, Costa County meets. Practice begins April 11. For additional info gold and silver. Diablo FC Premier teams compete in the National email registration@danahillsotters.com or visit danahillsotters.com. Premier League of US Club Soccer and participate at several college CLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER JUNIOR showcase tournaments each year. For more information on the club, GETTING COLLEGE FOOTBALL INTEREST United States Soccer Development Academy, premier teams and Clayton Valley Charter football coach Tim Murphy reports that tryouts for all ages contact director of coaching Zach Sullivan at junior lineman Koti Vaisima, a first-team all-DVAL player last fall, zachsullivan@gmail.com or visit diablofc.org to register online. has received his first college offer from Hawaii. The 6-2, 275 RED DEVILS GOLF CLASSIC RETURNS JUNE 24 pounder runs a 5.0 40 and is projected as a top defensive tackle in The Red Devil Golf Committee is holding its 21st annual Red the 2017 recruiting class for the reigning NCS Division II champiDevils Golf Classic on Friday, June 24, at Diablo Creek Golf ons. Course in Concord. Proceeds help athletic and academic programs WALNUT COUNTRY SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION OPEN at Mt. Diablo High School. Registration starts at 11 a.m. followed by Walnut Country is a community-based, competitive summer lunch, golf, dinner and raffle/silent auction. For more information contact Lou Adamo (212-9332 or louadamo@gmail.com) or Ralph recreational swim team in Concord. The Stingrays host the Crossings Challenge Invitational, the premier swim meet in Contra Costa Vallis (825-7593 or rv76667@aol.com). for “B” swimmers. Visit wcstingrays.com for details on Stingrays ST. BONAVENTURE CYO TRACK SEASON UNDERWAY events and online registration. St. Bonaventure CYO spring track and field is open to boys and JR. EAGLES SIGNUPS FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL, CHEER girls in second through eighth grades. Practices are Monday, TuesCVAA Jr. has opened registration for its 2016 football and cheer day and Thursday from 5-6:15 p.m. at Newhall Park. The season runs through May 7, culminating with the Oakland Diocese cham- squads. Two of their cheer teams won national championships in pionships. For more information call (925) 969-0207, email coach January at the JAMZ Nationals in Las Vegas. Visit their website Matt Tillman at matttillman@gmail.com or go to stbonaventure- cvaajreagles.com for more information and to register. cyo.com.
OAKHURST ORCAS SET MEET AND GREET APRIL 19
Head coach Jasmine Castillo is back for her fifth season in charge of the Oakhurst swim team and has announced that the CONCORD CUP XXIII COMING MAY 14-15 Orcas are accepting mail or drop off registrations for the summer The area’s largest annual youth soccer tournament, Concord rec swim team season at Oakhurst Country Club. The final meet Cup, returns for its 23rd season at a variety of local parks. Boys and and greet registration is on Tuesday, April 19, from 6:30-8 p.m. Visit
SPRINGWOOD SWIM TEAM REGISTRATION OPEN
Springwood Swim Team offers a Mini-Sprinter program for young kids 4-6 years-old who are learning how to swim. The summer recreational team is open to girls and boys 4-18. Practice starts Monday, April 18, and the season runs through Aug. 7. For more info go to springwoodswim.com.
March 25, 2016
More Sp o r t s S h o r t s DEB HARRISON INTENSE PICKLEBALL WORKSHOP IN CONCORD APR. 14-17
Pickleball gold medalist Deb Harrison is visiting the East Bay from Florida and offering a series of her Intense Pickleball Camp Workshops in Concord April 14-17 on the Willow Pass Park tennis courts. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in America and Harrison’s workshops are for tournament and recreational (intermediate and advanced) players. The daily workshops are limit-
NCS, from page 12
Morford won a pair of 182pound matches at State but was eliminated with losses to the eventual second- and eighth-place finishers. Fischer of CVCHS was ousted from State after a pair of losses. Darryl Aiello of De La Salle beat Fischer in the 220-pound NCS finals and took eighth at State. At NCS, Patrick Ramirez (120), Peyton Omania (145) and Andrew Cervantez (152) joined Guerrero and Aiello at the top of the podium for De La Salle. Halvorson was proud of his team’s NCS accomplishments. “Their goal was to break that [NCS team scoring] record and they did that.” The Spartans were ninth at State, once again topping NCS schools as they did a year ago while taking sixth. Besides Guerrero’s second place and Aiello in eighth, Omania was fifth and Marshall Huberty (195) seventh. Huberty was third at NCS, barely qualifying for State. Clayton Valley Charter coach Kyle Behmlander lauded Sierra Sleight (seventh at 143) and Jasmine Schiappapetra (eighth at 150) for their placements at the NCS girls championships last month. Both were first-year wrestlers. GIRLS SOCCER Heartbreak is the word to describe Carondelet’s final
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com ed to 24 players. The city of Concord is co-sponsoring the workshops. Email cathytaruskin@yahoo.com for more information on the workshops.
BISHOP ESTATES SWIM TEAM SIGNUPS APRIL 10
The Bishop Estates Swim Team offers competitive and noncompetitive learning as well as private lessons in a family setting. Final in person registration day is Sunday, April 10, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Bishop Estates Swim Club cabana. Online registration is now open at bestswimteam.com. Practice begins April 11 and the first meet is May 21. For more information email info@bestswimteam.com.
CLAYTON VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE SEASON UNDERWAY
Clayton Valley Little League held its opening ceremonies last Saturday and then got the 2016 season underway for 55 teams (40 baseball, 11 softball and 4 Challenger) with 658 players. The regular season will end in early June with Tournament of Champions during June. For more information on the league minutes of the 2015-16 sea- visit cvll.org. son. The Cougars were in their 25th and final game without suffering defeat until league rival San Ramon Valley beat them in overtime of the NCS championship match 1-0. ment review process “to balance games continue until May 19 Carondelet won their first the needs of geographic prox- with a one-game tiebreaker playEBAL regular-season title since imity, time and cost of travel, off set (if needed) for May 20. back-to-back championships in loss of instructional time, and Every DVAL school except Mt. 2010 and 2011 and that gave competitive equity for all stu- Diablo earned a Section playoff the unbeaten Cougars the top dents and member schools with- berth last year. The NCS playseed in NCS Division 1. in the Section. The purpose of offs begin May 24-25 with the league alignment is to provide an finals set June 3-4. The Falcons BOYS SOCCER environment where there is dethroned De La Salle in the Ygnacio Valley hadn’t lost equity in a common set of rules NCS Division I finals last June. a DVAL game since 2013 and opportunity to succeed Boys Golf- All the schools before falling twice to competitively within a reason- except Mt. Diablo are in the golf CVCHS this year but the able span of years.” league. Matches are held TuesWarriors earned the top seed For the 2016-2020 period the days and Thursdays through the in new DIII at NCS. Coach seven schools now in the DVAL end of April. The DVAL tourCesar Chavez’s team had have joined with five from the nament is May 2 hosted by Colthree straight shutouts in Diablo Foothill Athletic League lege Park at Contra Costa CounNCS and benefitted from a to form a new 12-school super try Club. Northgate is the Marin academy own goal late league named Diablo Athletic defending league champion. The in the NCS title game for a 1- League. NCS Division I qualifier is May 0 victory and the landmark This year’s DVAL spring 9 at San Ramon Golf Course win for the YVHS. league play is underway for all and DII is same day in Santa De La Salle won six con- sports except softball and base- Rosa. The DI championship is secutive North Coast Section ball, which begin April 5 with May 16 in Antioch at Roddy Division I soccer champi- their schedule that pits two Ranch, one week before the onships from 2009-2014 schools in Tuesday-Thursday NorCal championships. De La before losing to San Ramon home and away games during Salle won the NCS team chamValley on penalty kicks in last the same week. pionship a year ago. year’s finale. This year’s SparSchedules and highlights for Lacrosse- Piedmont, Berketans also fell out of the tourna- spring sports: ley and Bishop O’Dowd comment on penalty kicks but it Baseball- Defending DVAL pete against Ygnacio Valley (girls was in the opening round to and NCS champion College only), Northgate, Clayton Valley Heritage of Brentwood after a Park sits out the first week of Charter and College Park in scoreless draw through regula- league play while the other six DVAL lacrosse. League play tion and overtime. schools take the field. League continues until May 3 with a
DVAL, from page 13
Page 15 YGNACIO WOOD SWIM TEAM TAKING REGISTRATIONS NOW
The Ygnacio Wood Swim Team for girls and boys 4-18 years of age begins practice April 11. For more info and online registration visit ywst.org.
ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUE CROWNS VOLLEYBALL CHAMPS
Team Crush won the All Out Sports League winter Co-ed 5 volleyball championship. The team, which also won the league last fall, includes Konstantin Zadorozhny, Mike (Marat) Mudriyan, Segal Boaz, Britany Job and Taylor Job. Runner-up team was Demolition Crew followed by Hammer Time and Spike Happens.
VISTA DIABLO DOLPHINS TAKING SWIM SIGNUPS NOW
The Vista Diablo Dolphins are accepting swimmers’ online registration now. Girls and boys ages 3-18 years (as of June 15) can join the VDD recreation swim team. They offer a mini Dolphins program (for those who cannot swim unassisted) in addition to Dolphin swimmers. Afternoon practice starts April 25. For more information and two register visit vistadiablodolphins.com. one-game tiebreaker playoff tentatively set for May 6, if needed for boys or girls. Piedmont was undefeated in DVAL boys and girls last year with O’Dowd second and College Park third in both. NCS tournament runs May 11-21. Swimming & DivingNorthgate’s boys made history a year ago winning the first California State championship after sweeping through the DVAL and NCS fields. Northgate also won the girls league title. League dual meets conclude April 20 (Mt. Diablo doesn’t have a team). This year the Broncos new aquatic center will host the DVAL championships April 2930. Concord Community Pool will again host NCS May 12-14 with the Clovis West Aquatic Complex site of the second CIF State meet May 22-23. Softball- Concord High won the league title last year by a half-game over College Park. The Minutemen were NCS DII champions in 2010-12-13. DVAL games continue until May 19 with a one-game tiebreaker playoff set (if needed) for May 20. College Park, Berean (DIV semi-finalist) and Northgate also were in NCS last year. The NCS playoffs begin May 2425 with the finals June 3-4.
Boys Tennis- Matches continue for DVAL schools (Berean doesn’t have a team) until April 21. The DVAL championships are April 26-28. DVAL singles and doubles are May 6-7 at CVCHS with the Section team championships May 10-12-14. College Park was 8-0 in DVAL last year to earn the NCS team berth. Track & Field- Northgate won the DVAL boys and girls track meets last year with CVCHS second in both. League dual and tri-meets began this week and conclude April 27. The DVAL championships will be on the all-weather track at Ygnacio Valley May 5-7 with the top three finishers in each event advancing to the NCS meet May 21 at Foothill HS in Pleasanton. The State Meet is in Clovis June 3-4 Boys Volleyball- College Park and Northgate were both 11-1 last year in DVAL with the Falcons designated champs. CP advanced to the DI quarterfinals (De La Salle was a finalist in DI), Northgate was a semifinalist in DII and Berean made it to the DIII volleyball finals. Concord also reached NCS. League games wrap up May 5 with NCS play running May 11-21. NorCal championships are May 24-28.
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Lenders open about waiving impound accounts attached to mortgages Q. Are impound accounts required for all mortgage loans? A. Impound accounts typically can be waived on a conventional loan if the loan amount is 80 percent or less of the purchase price. I have heard of lenders charging up to an additional quarter-point for the option to waive the escrow. Sometimes, the lender agrees to let the borrower raise the down payment slightly to avoid an impound account., which usually also can be dropped on an owner-occupied loan once the load-to-value ratio equals 80 percent of less. In this case, restrictions usually apply and payments have to be current and the record of making on-time payments needs to be solid.
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A. Congratulations on securing on of the most important investments of your life. Here are some tips for your dream home: 1) Select the right moving company. Moving remains one of the most stressful aspects of buying a home, and hiring movers can give you hands-on control of Q. What are some tips every aspect of it. A realtor to help make the “Dream or friends can provide a recHome” we just purchased ommendation, and those who can afford movers should feel like home? receive at least two bids
before deciding whom to hire. 2) Confirm the recording of the house deed. The title company that helped facilitate the sale or the county recorder’s office can provide this information. Store the information in special folders that go in your filing cabinet. File everything electronically, too, with all the safeguards. 3) Invest in home security from disasters and theft. Select a home insurance company before the close of the deal and find a security company after the move. Referrals are helpful in finding the right companies. 4) Get to know your neighbors and make yourself familiar with your new town or city. Remember, you are joining a new community. 5) Enjoy your new sanctuary by rewarding yourself with some relaxation after all of the hard work house hunting, moving and settling.
Q. When does the spring buying season start?
A. Early readings on February inventory and activity show that the spring homebuying season has started. Home sales have accelerated in a way not normally seen until well into March or April, driven by a strong demand and slight inventory growth. “It looks like the groundhog was correct,” Realtor.com chief economist Jonathon Smoke said. “Spring is coming early this year and not just when it comes to weather.” Incidentally, California maintains its real estate dominance by featuring eight of the top 10 markets in the country. Send your question and look for your answer in a future column. Email Lynne@LynneFrench.com. French is the broker/owner of Windermere Lynne French & Associates. Contact her at 672-8787 or stop in at 6200 Center St., Clayton.
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At a funeral for a friend, I learned she was a Druid. One by one, the mourners put the white carnations they were carrying into a vase at the foot of her casket as the leader of the service explained the simple Druid traditions. I became fascinated with their philosophy of living and dying. As I researched the Druids, I discovered an interesting story. Their influence can be traced back to the shores of Ireland to the West of France. They were the guardians of a magical and religious tradition. They worked to understand our greatest yearnings – expanding the concept of respect to include an awareness of the sacred, sharing a belief in the fundamentally spiritual nature of life while having no sacred text or equivalent of a bible. They follow the cultivation
Photo courtesy of Concord Historical Society
Druids participated in an installation dinner in the 1950s. Many were from prominent Concord families with familiar names.
of wisdom, creativity and love. Wisdom is illustrated by two stories of older men from Ireland and Wales searching for wisdom, telling tales that contain instructions on achieving wisdom by the symbolism and sequence of events. In the old days, bards transmitted the wisdom of Druidry creatively through song, dance and shared genealogies of the tribes and local landscape. Druids foster love and encourage a broader understanding of the experience so we can love widely and deeply.
Reverence is a word used to describe this approach. Druids treat the body, relationships and sexuality with respect and as sacred. Their reverence for nature encourages us to love the land, the earth, the stars, the wild and peace. I believe we could use a little more of this kind of thinking in today’s world. In the 7th century, Christianity replaced this practice. However, by the 18th century, a group of Britons were inspired by the idea of the Druids and, like a planted seed, began a new growth.
Rocketship, from page 9
approved, it is available not only to students in the Monument area, but to students throughout the district. If there is still room available, there will be openings for students from throughout the county. “I’ve only heard of a small contingent of families that want to attend Rocketship,” Lawrence said. “I’m not sure that it will have much appeal throughout the district.” Calvo said that Rocketship will market heavily in the Monument area, trying to get students from those neighborhoods. Since Rocketship encourages parent involvement, he said the school will hold community meetings, and once the school opens, have
teachers pay home visits to encourage parent participation. “We will have coffees with the principal, once that person is announced, and have translators available if needed.” FINANCIAL RAMIFICATIONS UNKNOWN The financial hit MDUSD will take is still unknown. “It is safe to say that this will have a negative financial impact on the district but we don’t know the extent of it yet,” Lawrence said. “We are still looking at all of our options for additional classrooms as we continue to reduce class sizes in elementary schools over the next few years.” Despite the district’s vehe-
The men formed Groves and later the women formed Circles. The first Grove came to Concord in the 1860s and the first Circle was formed in 1942. Almost all the men were the movers and shakers of Concord, and same with the women when they started their Circle. Carol Longshore has been a Concord resident since 1950. She is a community leader and current president of the Concord Historical Society. Send comments and suggestions for future topics to editor@concordpioneer.com.
ment opposition, Calvo says Rocketship will plan to open in fall of 2016 “somewhere,” serving students grades preK through third. It will eventually move up to accommodating grades Pre-K through fifth. He says MDUSD has until April 1 to offer up a new location. The Ayers/Silverwood option was considered the most cost-effective by the district. The Silicon Valley-based Rocketship Education is a nonprofit public charter network of elementary schools “working to eliminate the achievement gap,” according to a statement from the school. Founded in 2007 in San Jose, Rocketship has since expanded to 12 charter schools in three regions. It serves primarily low-income students in neighborhoods where “access to excellent schools is limited.”
March 25, 2016
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Page 17
Social Security loopholes gone, but options remain
The Budget Bipartisan Act of 2015 (BBA) closed two popular loopholes for future Social Security benefits. As a result, certain retirees may now realize less in the way of benefits during their lifetime and leave a smaller nest egg for their heirs. But astute planning can still maximize the Social Security benefits you’re entitled to receive during your retirement years. Generally, you may receive monthly benefits based on your earnings history or your spouse’s earnings history, whichever produces the higher amount of benefits, and the age when you apply for benefits. You’re entitled to 100 percent of the allowable benefits if you wait until your “full
retirement age” (FRA) before applying for benefits. You can opt for a reduced monthly benefit if you apply early or a greater monthly benefit if you wait until after your FRA to apply.
The FRA, established by the Social Security Administration (SSA), is based on your date of birth. For example, the FRA for someone who was born before 1938 is age 65, the “traditional” retirement age. But it gradually increases to age 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954, encompassing the majority of the Baby Boomer generation. For younger people, the FRA stretches even further until it reaches a maximum of age 67 for those born after 1959. If you’re a Baby Boomer and opt for early retirement, you can start claiming Social Security benefits as soon as age 62 – although your monthly benefits will be reduced by about 30 percent. The reduction gradually
decreases as you near your FRA. If you delay retirement past your FRA, your monthly benefit will increase by about 8 percent a year until maxing out at age 70. The new law ends two loopholes that enabled savvy retirees to increase their monthly benefits in the past: File-and-suspend strategy. The SSA allows an individual worker to initially claim benefits and then suspend them, thereby earning Social Security credits until age 70. Typically, a higher-earning spouse would apply for benefits at FRA and then suspend them until age 70. In the meantime, the lower-earning spouse could claim benefits based on the higher-earning spouse’s
at Castle Rock Recreation Area in Diablo Foothills, Walnut Creek. The 50K, traditionally a point-to-point run, will this year be a loop from Castle Rock Recreation Area, including both of Diablo’s peaks and a stretch of one of Save Mount Diablo’s grandest protected lands which is not yet open to the public. All races will be professionally timed. The 50K starts at 6:30 a.m. and all other races will take off at 8:30 a.m. All runners receive medals and Tshirts after the race. For more information, visit http://brazenracing.com/r/di abloregistration.html At the same time, SMD, in association with the Mary
Bowerman Science and Research (MBSR) Program, is providing small grants, especially to students, for research projects on SMD properties and the network of protected lands in the Mt. Diablo region. Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to applicants who are conducting studies that will enhance the ecological understanding of the region and inform land management and conservation practices. In addition to research on the mountain, the goal of the MBSR program is to share data with the general public. SMD, in partnership with UV Berkeley, hosts an annual Mary Bowerman Science and Research Colloquium in which grant
recipients and other researchers working on the mountain present their findings. This event informs other scientists, researchers and interested public attendees about discoveries on the mountain. It is SMD’s hope that the stories and findings emanating from the MBSR Grant Program will reach new audiences, spark interest in the community, and inspire more visitors and researchers to the Mount Diablo Region. For more information on submitting proposals, visit www.savemountdiablo.org/do wnloads/MBSRGrant2016.pdf . Deadline for the grant proposals is March 31.
RICHARD LITTORNO INSIGHT ON
ESTATE PLANNING
Trail race, grants help explore Mt. Diablo PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
Save Mount Diablo has two important events coming up this spring. The Diablo Trails Challenge on April 21 is a run for everyone, from those hitting the trail for the first time to experienced ultra-runners with a 5k, 10k, Half- marathon and 50K. Hosted by Brazen Racing, this fundraising run for SMD showcases just a fraction of the Diablo wildernesses’ beauty and helps SMD to preserve, defend and restore more land for residents, wildlife and future generations to enjoy. The 5K, 10K and Halfmarathon will all begin and end
earnings history. Under the new law, this file-and-suspend strategy isn’t available. If you suspend your benefits, your spouse’s benefits will likewise be suspended. However, if you were already using this method, the benefits are “grandfathered in” and you’ll still receive the higher amount. Restricted application strategy. Using this technique, a spouse who’s approaching FRA and is eligible for benefits based on both his or her earnings history and the other spouse’s earnings history files a restricted application for spousal benefits only. Then the spouse waits until age 70 to apply for benefits based on his or her own history. This enables the spouse’s Social Security credits to continue to grow. The BBA eliminated the
Leave No Trace in regional parks of the national Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Leave No Trace, a nonprofit organization based in Boulder, Colo., promotes principles that emphasize outdoor recreation with little impact on the environment. The organization says 85 percent of all recreational area NED MCKAY is based in what the organization calls “front country” -PARK IT areas easily accessible by car The East Bay Regional Park and used mostly in the dayDistrict has become a member time. Most parks that comprise
the East Bay regional parks fall under that definition. Leave No Trace advocates seven principles for anyone visiting the great outdoors: 1) plan ahead and prepare 2) travel and camp on durable surfaces 3) dispose of waste in garbage bins 4) leave what you find, 5) minimize the impact of camp fires, 6) respect wildlife, 7) be considerate of other visitors. Those all sound reasonable to me. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org
option to file a restricted application for only spousal benefits. If you turned age 62 after 2015, you must claim all of your benefits upon filing, based on the higher amount of your own or spousal benefits. While you won’t be able to sock away as much as you could before the new law, there’s still plenty of flexibility if you intend to retire early or wait until a later age to stake your claim. Consult your advisor to coordinate your Social Security strategies with other aspects of your estate plan to deliver the optimal results for your situation.
Richard A. Littorno is an attorney specializing in estate planning. He has offices in Walnut Creek and Pittsburg. Send your questions by email to Richard at Richard@LittornoLaw.com.
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Speaking of disposing waste correctly, people who walk dogs in the regional parks are required to scoop up their dog’s waste and drop it in a trash can. Most dogs seem to conduct their business at the start of their walks, close to trailheads and trash barrels, so it shouldn’t be hard. Same assumption applies on the paved trails inside parks such as the Iron Horse Trail in center Contra Costa County, where trash barrels appear at regular intervals. I sometimes see plastic bags left by the trail when hiking farther into the parks. Giving the benefit of the doubt, I hope that pet owners are planning to pick up the bags on their way out. Please do so. It shouldn’t be ing information. left to other park visitors or I regret that I thought mess- park staff to clean up after ing with my phone was more someone else’s dog. rewarding than getting to know this brave human being. I sensed Ned McKay is Public Informahe enjoyed our conversation as tionSupervisor for EBRPD. Email well, perhaps because it was so him at nedmackay@comcast.net brief. I’ll never know and isn’t that a shame? He’s fighting for our freedom and I didn’t even ask him his name. Serving Northern California for Over 30 Years There are many wonderful and friendly veterans in the Concord Senior Citizens Club. Come down for lunch and you may be able to meet one of the last survivors of Pearl Harbor or a great guy who served in the U.S. Army in Japan during the occupation following WWII. Call (925) 825-1488 from 924 HOUR 11:30 a.m. the day before for FREE EMERGENCY reservations and join us for the ESTIMATES SERVICE best $2 lunch you’ll ever eat.
Plugged in but tuned out I flew in from the East Coast recently and missed a wonderful opportunity to make a new flight friend. These are fellow passengers you meet on an airplane. You’ve never seen them before and more than likely will never see them again. They range from being just congenial to kindred spirits, and they can make all the difference on an otherwise long, tedious trip. Not all seatmates can be classified as flight friends; it’s rare to find a person you hit it off with and can share tidbits about your journey. It is fairly easy to tell if people want to chat or just do their own things, so I try to be sensitive to this. As soon as we’re safely in the air and at the proper altitude, the crew says we can use our electronics. The female passenger on my left, the young man on my right and I all pull out our gadgets and immerse ourselves in the World Wide Web. We spent practically the entire flight to the Dallas/Fort Worth airport from Norfolk, Va., oblivious of our surroundings as we fiddled with our various devices.
CHRiSTiNE KoGuT
SAVVY SENIOR
After the flight attendant tells us to stow our toys, I become aware of my milieu again and ask the young man if Dallas is his home. In the time it takes us to land and taxi to our gate, I found out that this personable fellow is a sailor who will be boarding a connecting flight to San Diego to meet his wife for a little R and R. Anytime I encounter members of the Armed Forces, I ask if I may shake their hands and thank them for their service. He thanked me for my appreciation and proceeded to tell me a little more about himself. We enjoyed only about 15 minutes of shar-
Christine Kogut is a marketing director for the Concord Senior Citizens Club. She has lived in the area for 40 years and formerly worked for the Contra Costa Times. To find out more about the Concord Senior Center, call (925) 6713320 or see the city’s website at concord.ca.us
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Page 18
T HE ARTS
SALLY HoGARTY
STAGE STRUCK One of my favorite Neil Simon comedies will be performed by the Clayton Theatre Company in April. “Rumors” is a hoot from start to finish, as a couple’s 10th anniversary party goes awry. Guests arrive, but the host is indisposed and the hostess is missing as is the kitchen staff. The confused friends add to the chaos as they try to help. Mayhem ensues as a gun
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
March 25, 2016
‘Rumor’ has it Clayton show will be hilarious accidentally goes off. One guest trips over a telephone cord, another’s back goes out so she spends much of the evening crawling around on the floor, and a third flirts with everyone to make her husband jealous. Rumors fly as the police arrive to take this hilarious farce up another notch. La Tonya Watts directs, with Roxanne Pardi as assistant director. “We’ve set the show in present-day New York to give it a fresh, modern-day feel,” says Watts, who notes that the couples in the play “bring new meaning to family dysfunction.” The show runs April 8-23 at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. For tickets, go to Claytontheatrecompany.com or you can go to www.Brownpapertickets.com.
Deborah Black, Dawn Day, Don Tamblyn and Ryan Terry. It plays through April 2 at the Martinez Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. Call 925-518-3277 for tickets.
How much would you pay for a solid white painting? $200,000? Decades-long friendship? These are some of the issues at the heart of Yasmina Reza’s award-winning comedy “Art,” as three friends find themselves caught at the crossroads of art and friendship. Presented by Center Repertory Company, the comedy stars Cassidy Brown, J Michael Flynn and Liam Vincent under the direction of Center REP’s artistic director Michael Butler. “Art” runs April 1-30 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr. For more information, call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.
CLAYTON THEATRE COMPANY BRINGS NEIL SIMON’S “RUMORS” TO ENDEAVOR HALL in Clayton Apr. 8-23. Cast in the rowdy romp are (standing) Terese McGregor, Bill Dietz, Teresa Grosserode, Ron Craven, James Bradley, Nathalie Archangel; (Seated) Tamara filener, Terry Tracy, Peggy Scalise
Pittsburg Community Theatre presents the romantic comedy “6 RMS RIV VU” April 15-17 at the gorgeous California Theatre. Directed by
Michael Wilson and Betty Brown, the show focuses on a vacant apartment with six rooms and a river view that is open for inspection by prospective tenants. A Realtor’s nightmare ensues when two strangers, a man and a woman, end up locked in after everyone leaves. Although both are happily married, they discover a mutual attraction as they wait out the long night. The cast includes Lisa Luttinger, Bill Schneider, Roberta Tibbetts, Robert Brown, Bonnie Williams, Xavier Ali and Michael Wilson. Tickets are $10-$25 for the show at 315 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. Call 925-427-1611 or go to www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com for tickets.
I hope you like the color red because it seems Onstage Theatre Company will have plenty of it with the opening of “Bloody Murder” on March 18. The British murder mystery has all the usual suspects, including a major who served in India, an innocent ingénue, a mysterious Chinese gentleman and an exotic lady in red. Of course, someone suddenly dies of poison and the lady who owns the country estate where the action takes Photo: Kevin Berne place refuses to summon the LYNDA DIVITO, shown here in police. It’s Agatha Christie Center Repertory’s producmeets Pirandello as the chartion of ‘The Rosemary acters rebel against their Clooney Musical,’ plays author and it’s bloody murder Mama Rose in Contra Costa for all. Musical Theatre’s production Directed by Edwin If you like Motown, be sure Photo credit: Richard Schwab of ‘Gypsy,’ opening at the Peabody, the play features DON TAMBLYN, RANDY ANGER AND RYAN TERRY appear in on to catch “The Best Intentions” Lesher Center April 1. Randy Anger, Anne Baker, Stage’s”Bloody Murder” at the Campbell Theatre in Marat the California Theatre in tinez through April 2. Pittsburg at 8 p.m. April 23.
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This six-member group is an unforgettable experience of the great Motown acts of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, featuring tributes to the Temptations, the Four Tops, Smokey & the Miracles, Gladys Knight & the Pips and the Spinners, to name just a few. The individual musicians have quite the resume, including gigs with the likes of Patti LaBelle, the Temptations, James Brown, Zakiya Hooker, Rod Stewart, Stanley Turrentine and many more. So if you’re looking for a great show and authentic Motown sound, the California Theatre is the place to be. Tickets are $25-$30. Call 925427-1611 or go to www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com
Sittin’ in on gin and romance Even amateur card players take their games seriously, but in D.L. Coburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Gin Game,” a contest of gin rummy becomes an explosive pastime for two old-timers. Alameda’s Altarena Playhouse, located at 1409 High Street, presents this high stake match between two septuagenarians weekends through April 10. Local performers Kip Wixson (Weller) and Sally Hogarty (Fonsia) bring these two curmudgeonly characters to life. Both have ended up in a notso-nice old folks home. Without friends and family, they are drawn to one another and to a possible romance.
The gin rummy game brings out the best and worst in each of them as Coburn’s tightly wrought work shuffles its way to an explosive end. Making this intimate game even more so is director Sue Trigg’s decision to stage it in the round. Audiences practically sit at the card table as Weller and Fonsia try to outwit each other. As they play, the two tell intimate details of their lives which come back to haunt them by the final round of cards. “The Gin Game” plays Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., and Sun. at 2 p.m. through April 10. Several performances are already sold out. Call 510-523-1553 or go to KIP WIXON AND SALLY HOGARTY are at their curmudgeonly best in “The Gin Game,” now at the Altarena in Alameda. www.altarena.org.
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Page 19
Rotating lineup of food trucks. 5 – 8 p.m. 2151 Salvio Street. offthegridsf.com.
Mar. 26, Apr. 16 Wildflower Walk
Concord United Methodist Church 1645 West St., Concord
ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO
Walk up Mitchell Canyon Road looking for and identifying spring wildflowers. 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center.
(925) 685-5260
newsandcalendar@concordpioneer.com
351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $10-$25. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Apr. 2 - 3 “Mad About Mozart”
Tuesdays and Thursdays Farmers’ Market
Walk up Mitchell Canyon Road to Red Road looking for butterflies and flowers. 10 a.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead.
Performed by Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra. 2 p.m. Apr. 2: El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $7-$15. elcampaniltheatre.com. Apr. 3: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $10-$30. lesherartscenter.org. 9437469.
3rd Sundays, Starting Apr. 17 Antique Faire
Ideal time to see wildflowers and water on rugged north side of Mount Diablo. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead.
The story of a rock and roll singer about to be inducted into the Army. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $20. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Tuesdays year round, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursdays, starting April 21, 4 – 8 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. cityofconcord.org. Antiques, collectibles, handmade arts and crafts. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Free admission. concordantiquefaire.com.
On Sale Now Concerts
The Concord Pavilion is located at 2000 Kirker Pass Road. livenation.com. Concert schedule for 2016: Apr. 29, Luke Bryan, 7 p.m. May 17, Bad Company, 7 p.m. May 19, Janet Jackson, 8 p.m. May 29, KBLX Stone Soul Concert, 12 p.m. June 12, Spirit West Coast, 4 p.m. June 13, Slipknot, 6:30 p.m. July 9, Bryan Adams, 8 p.m. July 12, Taste of Chaos, 6:30 p.m. July 28, Sublime, 6:35 p.m. Aug. 19, Disturbed, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18, Daryl Hall and John oates, 7 p.m.
Apr. 2 – 3 Quilt Show
Quilts, demos, vendors, boutique, youth activities, opportunity quilt. Sponsored by the Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County. Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. $10; good for both days. gqccc.org.
Mar. 28 Cuba
Apr. 2 Butterfly Walk
Apr. 3 Back Canyon and Diablo Falls Hike Apr. 8 Windy Point Hike
Apr. 15 Pine Canyon Hike
Hike in and out of Pine Canyon. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Meet at Borges Ranch.
Apr. 17 Butterflies and Insects Apr. 22 Mt. Olympia Hike
Mar. 26 Wright Canyon
Hike the east side of the mountain. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Meet at Morgan Territory Road. Reservations required.
Apr. 17 Diablo Trails Challenge
5K, 10K, half marathon and 50K. Castle Rock Recreation Area, 1700 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek. See website for times, fees and registration.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT Hear about Carol Herington and Jeanne Boyd’s trip to Cuba on a Road Scholar tour. Sponsored by Clayton American Association of Thru Apr. 2 University Women. 7 p.m. Diamond Terrace, 6401 Center St., “Bloody Murder” Clayton. Free. Call 672-3672 for more information. Is this actually just another formulaic, all-too-predictable mystery story or is it something diabolically different? Onstage Theatre at Apr. 1 – 3 the Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. $10-$16. 518Creekside Arts 3277. Arts, entertainment, environmental education. This year’s theme, “Honoring Our Ancestors.” Fri. 6 – 8 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mar. 25 – Apr. 3 Sun. 12 – 5 p.m. Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Road. Free ad“I Love a Piano” mission. claytonlibrary.org. A celebration of the music and lyrics of America’s beloved Irving A dinner party, an accident and the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St. $15-$22. claytontheatrecompany.com. brownpapertickets.com.
Berlin. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $35. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Mar. 26 “A Tribute to the Music of Patsy Cline”
Presented by Joni Morris. 2 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $25-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Apr. 9 Identity Theft Protection Advice and Document Shredding Mar. 26 Clayton residents and small businesses can bring up to three Corey Cerovsek Trio boxes or paper grocery bags of documents to shred on site. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Travis Credit Union, 5441 Clayton Road. Free. traviscu.org.
Apr. 23 - 24 Clayton Gardens Tour
Apr. 10 “Spring Yearnings”
Presented by Diablo Symphony Orchestra. 2 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $33. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Apr. 13 – 14 “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Drop in and see many preserved examples of butterflies and insects from the area and around the world. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sum- Presented by Contra Costa Christian School. 7:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $10. leshermit Museum. artscenter.org. 943-7469.
Save Mount Diablo programs listed are free unless otherwise noted. Go to savemountdiablo.org and click on Activities/Guided Hikes for more information. 947-3535.
Apr. 7 – 23 “Rumors”
Apr. 9 Fleetwood Mask
Windy Point, Riggs Canyon and Black Hills hike. 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 Fleetwood Mac tribute band. 8 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. p.m. Meet at Curry Point Trailhead. Reservations required by Apr. Second St., Antioch. $25-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com. 6: jvanakkeren@comcast.net.
Hike up to Mt. Olympia and back down to Mitchell Canyon. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead.
IN CLAYTON
Apr. 8 – 9 “Bye, Bye, Birdie!”
Presented by Chamber Music San Francisco. 2:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $51. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Mar. 26 “Zep Live! The Led Zeppelin Concert Experience”
Apr. 15 Comedy
Performed by Rocky LaPorte. 8 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $15-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Apr. 15 – 17 “6 RMS RIV VU”
A sprightly, happy comedy of charm and humor. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $10-$25. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Apr. 16 Calefax
Classical ensemble with a pop mentality presented by Chamber Music San Francisco. 2:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $51. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Apr. 17 “Smoke and Mystery Tour”
Presented by Nelson Illusions, the largest touring illusion show in the United States. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $15-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Apr. 23
The Best Intentions Unforgettable experience of great Motown acts. 8 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $25-$30. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Thru Apr. 10 “Almost, Maine”
SCHOOLS
Delightful midwinter-night’s dream. Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. $16-$21. dvcdrama.net.
Apr. 15 – 16 “Theater Outside of the Box”
Students theatrically paint a mural of their deepest, bravest thoughts. 8 p.m. Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. $5. dvcdrama.net.
Apr. 16 Open House
Visit local Japanese language and cultural school serving K-12 students on Saturday mornings. 9 – 11 a.m. Diablo Nippongo Gakuen, 3165 Treat Blvd., Concord. Free. Direct questions to enrollment@diablonippongogakuen.org.
Beautiful gardens on self-guided tour in Clayton area. Benefits Clayton Historical Society. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Rain or shine. Starts at Clayton Museum, 6101 Main St. $30 in advance; $35 day of event. claytonhistory.org.
Presented by West Coast Performing Arts Presenters. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $45. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve programs are available for registration through ebparks.org. Parking fees may apply. For additional information, contact Black Diamond Visitor Center at (510) 544-2750 or bdvisit@ebparks.org.
Three friends find themselves caught at the crossroads of art and friendship. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $33-$53. centerrep.org. 943-7469.
Hosted by Crossroads Church. 10:30 a.m. 5353 Concord Blvd., Concord. Free for children fifth grade and younger. crossroads@astound.net. 798-5905.
Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee. Performed by Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $45-$65. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Speaker Micheal Pope, CEO of Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay; fellowship, lunch. 11 a.m. Concord United Methodist Church, 1645 West St., Concord. Free. concordumc.org.
ON AND AROUND THE MOUNTAIN
Mar. 26 Eagle Eyes: A Raptor-rific Bird Walk
Hike while using your own sharp eyes and ears to find raptors. 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Meet at Round Valley Staging Area.
Mount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free with the exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click on Event Calendar for more information.
Apr. 1 – 30 “Art”
Apr. 1 – May 1 “Gypsy” Apr. 2 Comedy
Performed by Erik “Awesome” Alston. 8 p.m. California Theatre,
CHURCHES AND RELIGION
Mar. 27 Easter Egg Hunt
Apr. 23 Elder Fraud and Abuse
See Calendar, page 23
Page 20
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
March 25, 2016
It’s all about the drama with flowering ornamentals
NiCoLE HACKETT
GARDEN GIRL
These past couple of weeks the spring flowering ornamental trees of Clayton have been absolutely gorgeous. I can’t recall a year when the spring blossoms have been so spectacular. The displays have folks excited about the possibility of adding one of these fabulous trees to their landscapes. But choosing a spring blooming ornamental tree can be somewhat challenging. There are many varieties of flowering
ornamental trees to consider. Which do you choose? Flowering cherry or plum, redbud or crabapple, perhaps magnolia? It is also hard to know their preferred growing condition differences, disease and pest tolerance and mature sizes. The baby pink colored blossoms that line our streets and many landscapes are flowering plum trees. The blossoms are followed by reddish-purple leaves. Mature heights depend on the specific variety. Two of the most sought after selections are Krauter Vesuvius and Purple Pony. Krauter Vesuvius can grow fairly large. Mature heights can reach 18-20’ tall and about 10-12’ wide. Krauter Vesuvius has a single light pink flower, and may yield some small, edible fruit. Purple Pony is naturally semidwarfed, sterile selection. It will only reach 10-12’ tall and about half as wide. This
selection has single pink flowers. Either one of these two flowering ornamental trees are standouts in the landscape. The purplish-red foliage is summer hardy, and will not green up with the heat.
SHOWY CHERRY Flowering Cherry trees have showy, fabulous flowers that are either single or double blossoms of pinks or white. Some of the most popular flowering cherry trees are the weeping selections. Grafted trunks swell with age, and weeping arms can hang close or sprawl wide. Snow Fountains with its white blooms is a garden standout. Yae-shidare-higan is a weeping flowering cherry with a double, rose pink flower. This dramatic ornamental is rare to find and very desirable. The ornamental cherry trees are sus-
Cycling in wet, winter weather worth the challenge
This winter, I was inspired by a fellow cyclist to try riding in inclement weather. It hadn’t dawned on me that this was even viable, but I thought I would try it. Though I didn’t ride daily, I did my fair share of riding in cold and wet weather. Now with flowers in bloom and sunshine on the horizon, I would like to reflect on my first foray into winter cycling. Having the right gear is crucial in order to bike during the winter. I was surprised at how well waterresistant/water-proof gear worked. Most important was a good jacket that was waterproof yet allowed for breathability to keep me from getting too hot. In addition, it served as a windbreaker on cold days and was light enough to fold up and carry
with me. Gloves and warm socks were must-haves, but that wasn’t enough. Since I typically use mountain bike cycling shoes, keeping my feet warm was challenging. On one cold morning, I thought I’d gotten frostbite after my commute. Vowing never to suffer through that again, I promptly purchased a pair of shoe covers. Some cover just the toe, but I opted for ones that fit completely over my shoe to ensure my entire feet stayed dry. To keep my legs warm, I typically used a pair of merino wool sweatpants. Merino wool is awesome, since it is lightweight but warm. Also, since bacteria don’t grow on it, they don’t funk up my gym bag. My legs got wetter from puddles than raindrops, so I
didn’t get waterproof pants. Instead I tried a pair of Rainlegs, which cover the front side of your lower body. They didn’t help much and looked too much like chaps for my taste. A pair of Dickies, cut at the knees over the merino wool, kept me mostly warm and dry. However, I will be investing in waterproof pants for those heavy downpours. I am glad I dipped my toe into winter riding. Bicycle commuters enjoy a heightened sense of community that is garnered through the more intimate traversal of our city’s landscape. The people, sights, smells and sounds are all taken in when pedaling through a trail or neighborhood. To some degree this was even more pronounced in winter – when I naturally
ceptible to scale infestation. Scale is very hard to control and just a few can become an infestation quickly. So keep your eyes open for ant trails. Flowering Crabapple trees prefer to be installed in a welldrained area, like raised bed, or hillside. They have large, showy flowers. Royal Raindrops is a lovely selection to consider. Redbud trees are fantastic. Eastern and Western both do very well. You can find low branch habits, multi-trunk and standard shaped trees. The spring-time white flowering trees in The Grove are a selection of redbud. Saucer magnolia trees have been in bloom for a couple weeks already. They are one of the first flowers of spring. Large flowers with heavy petals are a favorite of many. Install your saucer magnolia away from walkways, or drives, the petal drop can be messy.
TECH TALK
What is Virtual Reality (VR) and why would you ever want to step into that world when computers are confusing enough in actual reality? It’s all the same, isn’t it? Isn’t VR just a bunch of hype anyway? Not so much. VR, as the Oxford Dictionary puts it, is “the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way…” So one needs only to slip on a head set to be ready? Not so fast Buckaroo Bonzai. VR has much more to it than just the slipping on of a headset. VR comes in several versions. Let’s explore a few: Each VR comes with its own approach to the presentation and has a different effect by altering reality in various ways. Those can apply to travel and gaming fun, as well as industrial and medical purposes. VR offerings also utilize various tools to create the illusions and the way the illusions are created. One tool projects some-
thing in front of you, and through goggles, the image is superimposed upon reality. Others VR methods use a screen, such as the one on a smart phone, to create the illusion, a method akin to playing a graphically intense video game. Some VR methods don’t use headsets, but rather project the image directly onto the retina from a pair of glasses. Or, as is the case with Google’s VR, the image is mounted to small screen on glasses, allowing the person to peer into a tiny monitor at leisure. Regardless how the image gets to the brain, the results are similar. Individuals think they may be somewhere doing something exciting when in actual reality they are not.
According to the Association for Education Communications and Technology, four types of virtual reality exist, and they can be classified depending upon their characteristics. The four types: 1) immersive, 2) desktop virtual, 3) projection, and 4) simulation. Every company is different and takes a unique approach when it comes to the four. Microsoft features the HoloLens, a see-through bubble lens headset with semi-clear lenses similar to sunglasses. The HoloLens projects an image onto a table top, floor, or bench, where the image is anchored. Thus, people in a room can see different objects from their own perspective. I may see the front of a home as its being
Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. You can contact her with questions or comments by email at Gardengirl@claytonpioneer.com
Will El Niño be a ‘Splash Brother’? DERRiCK MCCRAY
BIKE CONCORD
tend to hibernate and, as a result, get out less in general. It was tough some mornings, but I enjoyed braving the elements on my morning commutes. I remembered the joy of splashing in the rain as a boy. And imagine the smile on my rain-soaked face as I rode by a canal, dry in the midst of a drought not six months prior, now swiftly snaking alongside my path so quickly that I could hear it before having seen it. Derrick McCray is a member of Bike Concord. He can be reached at derrick@bikeconcord.org.
Sorting through virtual reality and its many possibilities WiLL CLANEY
BAD CHOICE Flowering Pear trees are the most beautiful, disappointing trees around. When you read about this ornamental’s attributes, it boasts speed of growth, dramatic spring flower display, awesome fall color, etc. Unfortunately, Flowering Pear trees get blight. This blight starts at the tip of the branches in the summer, and many think their trees limbs are being burned. Quickly, the blight can travel through the tree, getting worse as each new summer progresses. Spraying, and pruning infected limbs hasn’t been successful. We advise folks to avoid planting this type of ornamental.
designed by an architect in that part of the home, while others in the back of the home may see the back of the home. HoloLens helps engineers visualize and confirm a customer’s needs and is an aid when a walk-through is conducted. Oculus Rift is another VR option. Originally funded by Kickstarter, it uses a headset within enclosed goggles to block out all external reality. A special screen inside the headset projects the VR composite to its internal screen. As an example, the device allows its user to imagine being on a field of athletics or battle. The perspective you see changes with each command typed on the keyboard. Other VR option comes from Samsung Gear VR, Sony PlayStation PS4 VR and a host of start-ups producing their own brand The arrival of VR already has touched the medical and engineering professions and may be here in a few months for the gaming crowd.
William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station. Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.
WOODY WHITLATCH WEATHER WORDS
in the entire state were paltry at best. Many Northern California weather stations reported only 10 to 20 percent of normal rainfall for the month. Sierra snowfall was also sharply curtailed in February as the storm track avoided the state. The March 1 snow survey indicated that statewide snowpack fell to 83 percent of normal for the date. Although still a welcome improvement to the prior year record low snowpack of 5 percent, this February’s precipitation pattern was downgraded from Splash Brother to Drip Brother. What happens this month will be interesting for both basketball fans and weather watchers. The Warriors have the talent and momentum to continue their winning ways, hopefully resulting in record winning streaks and a second consecutive world championship. We can only hope El Niño has that much stamina. So far the first part of March has brought a return of wet storms to the state. If this pattern continues winter rainfall totals and snowpack could again exceed normal values by the end of the month. We may have a Splash Brother rainfall season after all. Watching a rain gage fill may not be as exciting as watching the Warriors win, but both are very satisfying to Bay Area residents.
This winter there have been two main story themes dominating Northern California newsprint and airwaves: The Golden State Warriors and the El Niño influenced weather. Seemingly unrelated, both story lines have a common link – rain. For the Warriors, threepoint shots have been falling like rain. The uncanny longrange accuracy of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson has propelled the team on a record breaking winning pace. It has also reinforced their nickname “Splash Brothers.” For El Niño, the 2015-16 event evolved into one of the strongest on record. Over the last 50 years similar strong events have led to above-normal winter rains in California. At the beginning of winter there was hope that a drought-relief Splash Brother would emerge. By the end of January, the Warriors’ record stood at 44 wins with only four losses. Similarly, El Niño generated storms brought rain and Woody Whitlatch is a meteorsnow to California during ologist retired from PG&E. Email these first months of winter. your questions or comments to Many California cities report- clayton_909@yahoo.com ed above normal rainfall amounts through the end of January. Snowpack in the Sierra is an important predictor of future water supply in our state. California’s Feb. 1 snow survey results indicated statewide snowpack condiFlowers tions of nearly 115 percent of for all normal. While not a record occasions setting trend like the Warriors won-loss record, the above normal snowpack was good news, especially compared to the previous year’s snowpack of 22 percent. In February the Bay Area basketball wizardry continued as the Warriors lost only one game in the entire month. Unfortunately, the El Niño rains didn’t keep Mitzie Richardson Richardson Mitzie pace as the storm door was 925-705-3088 closed for nearly the entire flowersbymitzie@gmail.com flowersbymitzie@gmail.com month. Facebook/afloralexperience.biz Last month’s rainfall totals Facebook/afloralexperience.biz
A Floral nce Experie
March 25, 2016
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
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Cinco de Mayo a Mexican-American celebration of democracy
EDI BIRSAN PULSE OF
CONCORD
Whenever Cinco De Mayo comes around, there are stories about fights over showing the Mexican flag or the U.S. flag at schools and local celebrations. People seem to think it has to do with being pro-Mexico as opposed to pro-America. The fact is that Mexico and the United States were on the same side against the French. In the mid-1800s, Mexico had a massive trade deficit and debt to European countries. A coalition of France, Britain and others blockaded the port of Vera Cruz to force collec-
tion of custom duties on imports. The money was turned over to them, rather than the Mexican government. France decided to take it one step further. With the cooperation of treasonous
Mexican elites, they staged an invasion putting Maximilian (relative of the French monarchy) as a monarch over Mexico. The Mexicans revolted. On May 5, 1862, a group of 4,000 Mexicans stunned the
world with a resounding victory over 8,000 French and allied troops at the town of Puebla. The Americans were in the Civil War at the time. The French, who favored the South, were thus given a major check in their eventually failed attempt to secure Mexico – which would have opened a supply line to the South. Mexicans in America started the May 5th celebration as a victory for democracy, freedom and the will of the people. And it spread. Rather than being Ameri-
can vs. Mexican culture, the holiday is really a joint cultural celebration of the New World over the Old World. It was a victory against Imperialism in the spirit of Lexington and Concord of American Revolution fame. So, if you want to be obnoxious and anti-Mexican and anti-American, then display the French flag on the 5th of May.
Send comments to EdiBirsan@gmail.com or 510-812-8180 or visit www.PulseOfConcord.com
Sugars, spice, and making kitchens nice
netry, or improving the organization of an existing kitchen, taking the time to plan an interior layout is important. A completely organized kitchen is different JENNifER LEiSCHER from a kitchen that features items thrown into a nook DESIGN & Here are a few tips to guarDÉCOR antee the garbanzo beans and olive fork will be found at a Every gadget and morsel moment’s notice. has its unique place in the kitchen. DIVIDE AND CONQUER The oils and spices go in Drawers can get messy —the pantry. The cookies and scary messy. Dividers are the crackers are stored in a secret key, whether organizing a small snack drawer. The pots are in pencil drawer or a much deepthe extra deep drawers next to er drawer to house pots and the stovetop. And the cookie pans. sheets are stored vertically Dividers can be quite chic, above the oven. some made of preIt may not be rocket sci- finished maple and custom ence, but the satisfaction of designed to house specialtyhaving an accessible and sized flatware, wooden spoons organized kitchen will have and so on. you jumping over the moon Big box retailers sell all with joy. sorts of shelf and drawer Whether starting a new gadgets to help you achieve kitchen project, customizing organized interiors. the interiors of your cabi-
RACK ‘EM UP Spices seem to multiply at night. Start with one, and before you know it, dozens of tiny glass bottles take over the shelves. Are they really multiplying? Or are you buying the same spice bought over and over because you can’t see the old one on a flat shelf ? Consider buying a few tiered spice shelves to see what you have. Pulling out shelves inside your pantry, or in an extra deep lower cabinet will help you see what’s in the way, way back. If the pantry depth allows, create spice storage on the inside back of the pantry doors.
known is the installation of a Lazy Susan to access the depth. Lazy Susan’s come in different shapes and have various turning radiuses to accommodate storage needs. Corner drawers are an updated design on the corner cabinet. This bank of drawers, designed like others, follows the corner design. Sometimes, a larger cabinet with a hidden corner cabinet becomes apparent when starting the hidden space project from scratch. Accessing this space can be a challenge, and big box organizational stores carry pullout modular drawers and extra deep wire baskets that can store your goodies. All of these storage soluBRING THE DEAD tions should help gain access SPACE ALIVE to the extreme back of the The corner cabinet can be cabinet. called the dead space. People kneel down on their hands and Jennifer Leischer is the owner of knees to access this part of the J. Designs Interior Design based in cabinet. Clayton. Contact her with questions, A few strategies exist for comments and suggestions at hidden space. The most well jenna@j-designs.com.
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Cats Free to a Good Home
Shelter behavior not always the best indicator of temperment
Tommy & Stormy: Sunny’s 10-month-old babies
Sunny: 2-year-old tabby
We all take our jobs of playing very seriously. We are clean, healthy, vaccinated, fixed, micro-chipped and ready-to-go! Interested in granting our wish for a loving home (separately or together)? Please contact our foster mom at jeannemarsden@comcast.net or Home (925) 672-8961 or Cell (925) 246-3712.
See us at www.3catsofclayton.shutterfly.com
FREE ESTIMATES •Lawn & Plant Installation
•Paver Patio & Walkway
•Retaining Walls •Drainage •Low Voltage Lighting
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PETS
Boyce Nichols - Owner Clayton Resident
DEBBiE DEMELLo
PAUSE
FOR
March 25, 2016
PETS
Thinking about adopting a dog from your local shelter? The best thing about adopting from there or a rescue group is that there are so many amazing dogs to choose from. Man’s best friend comes in all shapes and sizes and of course, personalities. Any shelter dog can make a wonderful, lifelong companion, though some dogs need more training than others. Some will need more exercise, and some will be happy just sitting on your lap.
WHAT DOG TO CHOOSE? Start with your lifestyle. If you live alone in a small apartment, adopting a large active retriever-type dog might not be the best choice. But if you’re a runner and want a jogging partner, or if you have a family with kids who will keep the dog busy, a retriever might be a fine choice. A dog’s size, exercise requirements, friendliness, and compatibility with a family should all figure into the decision. Are you looking for a purebred or a mixed breed? All dogs fall into one of those two categories, and most animal shelters have plenty of both. The only real difference
between the two is that purebreds have parents and ancestors who are all members of the same breed and similar to a specific “breed standard.” A breed doesn’t always tell you much about a dog’s health or how he’ll behave, but it’s important to be aware of some breed characteristics. Some of them can indicate how big your dog will be. With a mixed-breed dog you get a unique, never-beforeseen blend. Mixed breeds are simply combinations of two or more breeds, so with knowledge of a mixed breed puppy’s ancestry — such as a Chihuahua Terrier mix — comes a good chance of knowing how that dog will grow, too.
Bronco and Papaya are ARF’s stars
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Visit with a shelter dog, and keep in mind that a shelter can be a stressful environment. Quite often a dog’s true personality doesn’t show until he’s out of the shelter and away from the other dogs. So when walking past a kennel, and a dog is barking, jumping and not vying for your attention, don’t count it out. The dog may just be scared or lonely. A shelter adoption counselor can help you select dogs who will match your lifestyle. There’s a dog out there who will love being a part of your family. Debbie DeMello is a dog trainer and owner of Who’s Training Who in Walnut Creek. Contact her at debdemello@aol.com
BRONCO
One-year-old Bronco is an athletic boy who can’t wait to get out and explore the world. He is happy to join in athletic activities – morning runs, hikes, etc. When not out enjoying activities, he may like learning to work out food puzzles. We recommend Bronco take a
Basic Manners class where he can learn polite ways of seeking creature comforts in life. He currently weighs 45 pounds. The adoption fee for adult dogs is $250 and includes a discount on a Manners class.
ERIN HORLACHER Special to the Pioneer
tuary for adoptable and senior dogs that need hospice. “The life of each senior dog is important,” Stephanie said. “Each one matters.” Many of the senior dogs at Tails of Gray experienced the extreme stress that comes with neglect, abandonment, abuse and life on the streets. Tails of Gray allows these dogs who truly have suffered to receive veterinary care and unlimited love until they’re placed into a foster or permanent home. When rescue dogs can’t be rehabilitated, Tails of Gray provides a comfortable, dignified environment in their final days that befits man’s best friend. “This isn’t the end of their lives, even though they are
PAPAYA
Three-year-old Papaya is a cutie-pie with her round face. She is an outgoing girl and enjoys gentle attention from her humans. She may do well with gentle dogs. Papaya’s adoption fee has been paid by a generous donor.
Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Dr., Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon-7 p.m. Friday and noon6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The primary caretaker must be present to adopt. ARF also encourages kids 16 and younger and canine family members (dog adoptions only) to be present during the adoption process. Would you like to be part of the heroic team that saves the lives of rescued dogs and cats? Can you share your talents to connect people and animals? ARF volunteers are making a difference. For more information, visit www.arflife.org or call (925) 2561ARF.
w e i V o l Diab truction Clayton sanctuary rescues senior dogs Cons Remodeling Specialist
Kitchens Bathrooms Windows Mouldings Decks Siding Painting interior & exterior w Kevin Schmidt, Clayton Resident w Family Owned and Operated license 962284
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Years ago, Stephanie Meissner struggled to get to work on time. Yet, it wasn’t the traffic that made the hour-long commute to her first job out of college so difficult. Rather, the constant trickle of stray animals created the traffic mess. I shared a cubicle next to her, and those days stoked her passion for dog rescue. In the decade since then, she used that passion to create a nonprofit organization for senior dogs. The organization, called Tails of Gray and located in the shadow of Mount Diablo, offers a peaceful, loving sanc-
BUTTERFLY lives out her sunset years comfortably thanks to Tails of Gray, senior dog rescue.
older,” Stephanie said, when asked whether it’s difficult to place an older dog. “It’s really just the beginning. It’s a chance for them to have the life they should’ve had years ago, and it’s a privilege to be a part of that as an adopter. Our Tails of Gray extended families understand and appreciate that.” Seven senior dogs remain available for adoption at Tails of Gray. The organization most recently rescued Butterfly, a blind Chihuahua mix found dumped in a field. Tails
of Gray found her at a shelter where she was confused, scared and barely able to walk because of her long nails. Now, Butterfly appears content when being held, wags her tail more often, and has begun to regain her health and sense of safety. The daily lives of the residents at Tails of Gray can be monitored by going to the organization’s Facebook page at facebook.com/tailsofgray/. Volunteers or donors should visit www.tailsofgray.org.
March 25, 2016
CYNTHiA GREGoRY
FOR
THE
BOOKS
First novels are often a love letter to a particular person or place. Everything new authors have pours through their skin directly to the page. Sherman Alexie’s debut novel, “Reservation Blues,” is no exception and is so deeply redolent of the Spokane Indian Reservation you can practically taste the summer dust blowing through it. “Reservation Blues,” published in 1995, follows the rise and fall of the Spokane rock and blues band Coyote Springs and its members. Thomas Builds-the-Fire is a natural storyteller, so he writes lyrics for the band’s original music. Victor Arnold is a notorious bully and drunk, but with a guitar in his hands, he strums the band to the
Alexie’s first novel a story of survival Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
brink of fame. Junior Polatkin is Victor’s sidekick, drinking buddy and the band’s mediocre drummer. Chess and Checkers Warm Water are Flathead Indians, but they are accepted into the group because they are requisitely beautiful and lend the right sound as back-up singers. Alexie’s prose is direct and unflinching. Life on the Spokane Reservation is not filtered with romance and nostalgia. While funny and lighthearted, the narrative is also deadly serious. “The guitar played itself while Thomas smoked the salmon. Before she died, Thomas’ mother, Susan, had draped the salmon across a bare mattress frame, threw the frame over the fire, and smoked it that way. Thomas didn’t have the courage to do that, so he cooked salmon in the old smokehouse that Samuel, his father, had built years ago. Susan died of cancer when Thomas was ten years old; Samuel had been drunk since the day after his wife’s funeral.”
Alexie doesn’t feel sorry for his characters, and he doesn’t ask his audience to either. Still, the educated reader can’t help feel the desperation creeping into the margins. When Coyote Springs is invited to play in Wenatchee, the band barely makes it to the bar in Thomas’ beat up van. When they get invited to play in a battle of the bands in Seattle, it takes six hours to drive from the Snoqualmie Pass to downtown Seattle because the van won’t go more than 40 on the freeway. When the band realizes that they don’t have enough money to rent a cheap motel room and eat, they decide to spend their money on a case of pop, a loaf of bread and a package of bologna, then sleep in the van. It’s a hardship they’re used to, and they don’t complain. Even at its saddest, Alexie’s voice never falters. “When any Indian shows the slightest hint of talent in any direction, the rest of the tribe starts expecting Jesus. Sometimes they’ll stop in the
‘Deadpool’ delivers no great message, just ‘Marvel’-ous fun
Page 23
middle of the street, look him in the eyes, and ask him to change a can of sardines into a river of salmon.” The band wins the contest and instantly become almostfamous. Soon, they’re courted by Calvary Records out of New York City. Historic evidence to the contrary, you can’t help but crave victory for Coyote Springs. But, of course, in
the end the Calvary wins and the Indians lose. “In the blue van, Thomas, Chess, and Checkers sang together. They were alive; they’d keep living. They sang together with the shadow horses: we are alive, we’ll keep living.” While it’s sad, that doesn’t seem to be Alexie’s intention. “Reservation Blues” is mostly
Calendar, from page 19 FUNDRAISERS
2nd and 4th Sundays Pancake Breakfast
Veterans of Foreign Wars serve breakfast to the public: Eggs, pancakes, sausage, beverage. 8 – 11 a.m. VFW Post 1525, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. $5, $3 children under 12. vfwpost1525.org.
Mar. 26 Laps for Leukemia
Walk/run fundraiser by Clayton Valley Charter High School Public Service Academy to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 7 – 9 p.m. CVCHS Track, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord. $5. For more information, contact Katie Essayan at kessayan07@gmail.com.
Apr. 22 Bingo Bash
Fundraiser for Clayton Valley Village. 5:30 – 9 p.m. Montecito, 4756 Clayton Road, Concord.
JEff MELLiNGER
SCREEN SHOTS
Superhero movies – as well as their small-screen counterparts – have become far too serious lately. Quips made by Tony Stark (“Iron Man”) aside, the recent spate of comic-based films generate nary a laugh. Actor Ryan Reynolds and director Tim Miller set out to change that with “Deadpool.” The film centers on the aptly named anti-hero title character created by Marvel Comics. What it lacks in story-telling, it makes up for with uproarious laughter, strong cinematography, and a couple of great action sequences. To fully enjoy “Deadpool”, one must be thoroughly ok with laughing at the misfortunes of others, especially such misfortunes as the severing of limbs, bullets to the head and removal of a person's skullcap. Ryan Reynolds' charm makes it easy to burst out laughing, or at least giggle uncomfortably. He delivers his lines perfectly Deadpool is a former cancer patient turned invincible vigilante, so his origin is not the funniest of stories. Miller tells most of it through backand-forth flashbacks and monologues that break the fourth wall. Yet, the subject of cancer, dark as it is, gets its share of laughs. The levity breathes some needed fresh air into the superhero genre. Deadpool does not want to be known as a superhero, telling metalskinned Colossus (thankfully given his Russian background from the original comic series) that he wants no part of the X-men. He wants to be free to kill and maim those who deserve it. Thanks to superior camerawork, Deadpool is able to kill with highclass panache. A swirling zoom-out starts the opening scene, the camera starting close in on a wound and pulling back to reveal that we are inside the freeze frame
AT THE LIBRARY
The Concord Library is at 2900 Salvio St. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at ccclib.org or 646-5455.
Thru Apr. 15: Tax Help, Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Mar. 28: Movie Monday, 7 p.m. Apr. 7: origami, 4 p.m. Apr. 12: Arts and Crafts, 4 p.m. Registration required.
The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. Programs are free unless otherwise noted. See full schedule of events at claytonlibrary.org or call 673-0659.
Mar. 28, Apr. 11: Clayton Knits, 1:30 p.m. Apr. 6: Movie: “A League of Their own,” 6:30 p.m. Apr. 11: Clayton Book Club, 7 p.m. Apr. 15 – 17: used Book Sale, 4 – 7 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat.; 12 – 4 p.m. Sun. Apr. 20: The Edible Garden, 6 p.m. Apr. 24: Civic Arts Jazz Band, 2 p.m.
Apr. 21 Eagle Arts Expo
Professionally-judged art show with students from Clayton Valley Charter High School, Pine Hollow and Diablo View. Raffle and silent auction. Proceeds go towards CVCHS Travel Club trip costs. 6 – 9 p.m. CVCHS Multi-Use Room, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord. Free admission. For more information, contact Katie at katie.nolan@claytonvalley.org.
GOVERNMENT
1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Concord City Council
6:30 p.m., Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.
1st and 3rd Wednesdays Concord Planning Commission
7 p.m. Council Chamber, Concord Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Dr. cityofconcord.org.
ANTIHERO DEADPOOL (RYAN REYNOLDS) reacts with humor in contrast to his more serious allies—steel-skinned Colossus and stoic Negasonic Teenage Warhead (seated)—in Marvel Comic’s violent and irreverent box office hit ‘Deadpool.’
of a massacre. Deadpool has caused a car to flip upside down, killing all its occupants. Reynolds gives an explanatory narration over the scene (he does this throughout the film), but we don’t really find out what happened until an exciting car chase later in the film. Cinematographer Ken Seng follows Deadpool as he leaps into a car and causes all manner of hell to break out. With its simplistic, revenge plot, the film needs these fantastical action sequences to complement the humor. The climactic sequence brings Deadpool and his pals to a massive S.H.I.E.L.D. heli-carrier. It unfolds with all the steel-bending glory expected by this point. Even with the situation at its most dire, Deadpool lightens the situation with inappropriate humor — much like when he is dying of cancer. Like Deadpool himself, Miller does not have much to say about society, except that we crave the release that
comes with watching excessive violence. Most superhero movies have lessons to teach and morals to learn. "Deadpool" does not. It doesn’t find the need to teach. It just entertains. It’s good, old-fashioned, R-rated fun that Hollywood needs to keep making. Already, it has become the second-highest grossing Rrated movie of all time, showing that films like this have been sorely missed at the multiplex for too long. Perhaps audiences have grown tired of the same young adult and banal PG-13 fare churned out over and over. “Deadpool” has not only re-invigorated the comic book genre of films, it has resurrected the R-rated action film. A-
Matt Mazzei,
Jr., Broker/Owner
BRE# 01881269
925-766-6745
ACTIVE LISTINGS
When you use a phrase such as “a number of,” that phrase requires you to focus your attention on what is being numbered to determine whether to use singular or plural. Consider the following examples: our group IS playing music, but a number of us ARE without our instruments. The number of stringed instruments IS small, and a number of them ARE missing strings. Notice this consistency: when you use “the number,” use singular. When you use “a number,” use plural. The number of errors in his paper IS small, but a number of those errors ARE truly egregious!
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.
mazzeirealty@yahoo.com
• 3799 Saint Peter Ct, Concord
4 bedroom, 2 bathroom Approx. 1874 sq.ft. $674,900
• 4530 Adams Dr, Concord
3 beds, 2 bath, Approx. 1749 sq.ft. $575,000
Listing agent: Paula Johnstone
Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
• 4407 Praire Willow Ct, Concord
4 beds, 2 bath, Approx. 2871 sq.ft. $769,900
• 5216 Valmar Dr, Concord
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Approx. 1100 sq.ft. $475,000
Listing agent: Rula Masannat
Listing agent: Matt Mazzei
mazzeirealty.net
925-693-0757 6160 Center St. Suite #C, Clayton Clayton Residents since 1959
Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord. Email comments to editor@claytonpioneer.com.
Captain Grammar Pants
Cynthia Gregory is an awardwinning author, blogger and creative coach. Her new book, “Journaling as Spiritual Practice: An Act of Extreme Bravery,” will be released this year through Green Tara Press. Cynthia can be reached at cgregory111@gmail.com.
$30 donation at the door. For information and reservations, call 672-2689 or 672-2727.
Mar. 26 Baking for a Cure
Bake sale for Relay For Life Clayton. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Starbucks, Clayton Station. Contact Sydney Alcock at sydney@sk-tm.com, Michelle Treshler at mrtres94@aol.com or Gigi Pishny at gmpishny@mmm.com to donate baked goods.
brave and funny. It is also a superb sample of the author’s early genius.
Robert Moody & Bay Area Realty Selling Clayton for Nearly 30 years! ton
y Cla
Phone:
925-673-8900 Email:
robmoody@comcast.net
Office located in downtown Clayton
COMING SOON – 1830 Yolanda Circle ton
y Cla
JUST SOLD by Robert – 5809 Pine Hollow Rd.
6160 Center St. Suite #C, Clayton, CA
BRE# 00984573
Food tales from the Mexican Riviera Page 24
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Photo: pacificsailor.com
ALTHOUGH SIMILAR IN SOME WAYS TO U.S WITH BOOTHS FILLED WITH FRESH FRUIT, vegetables and items found in grocery stores, they are vastly different in other ways. in Mexico, the entire animal is eaten. Nothing is wasted. Along with whole chickens and seafood, you might see carved cow heads and pig snouts.
Just in time for my birthday last month, hubby and I took off for a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise. It amazes me that cruise lines so rarely highlight the local cuisine of their destinations, and this cruise was no exception. It seems such a shame to overlook the fresh seafood, spices and flavors of Mexico. However, I’ve always wandered the marketplaces, road-side food stands and restaurants of our ports of call. In Puerto Vallarta, I spent the day strolling the Malecon – visiting food vendors and markets and enjoying a delicious lunch at a hillside restaurant overlooking Banderas Bay. I speak a little Spanish, and I find it opens some doors to learning about local cuisine. At Sí Señor, I had long chats with my waiter, the
Spring onions a lively addition to dishes DEBRA MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market
Spring onions are a variety of green onion or scallion with a strong flavor. They look almost like green onions, except their white bulbs are larger and more defined. All of the spring onion is edible. They’re sweeter and mellower than regular onions, but the greens are more intense in flavor than scallions. The bulbs can be red or white, depending on the variety. They are great grilled, roasted whole or used like pearl onions. They can be used interchangeably with green onions but add a stronger flavor. Dice or chop them and add to
Kosher salt Put onions in a large skillet, trimming top of dark greens to fit. Add 2 T. butter and 1/2 c. water to skillet; season with salt. Bring to a boil; cover. Reduce heat and simmer onions until greens are soft and bulbs are almost tender, 15-20 minutes. Uncover and cook, turning onions occasionally, until bulbs are completely tender, 5-8 minutes longer. Transfer onions to a plate. Simmer cooking liquid in skilBUTTER-BRAISED let until reduced to 2 T., about SPRING ONIONS 1 minute. Remove from heat 8 spring onions (about 1 and whisk in remaining 2 T. lb.), root ends trimmed butter. Return onions to skillet The Concord Farmers Market is in 4 T. (1/2 stick) unsalted and turn to coat with sauce. Todos Santos Plaza Tuesdays & Thursdays. butter, divided Serve.
sauces, stir fries and other dishes. Grilled or roasted, they can be served as a garnish or side vegetable. Or caramelize the spring onions to bring out their natural sweetness and complex flavors in eggs, quiches or savory tarts. When purchasing, look for crisp green leaves with no wilting or yellowing and firm, wellformed bulbs. Store in the refrigerator for no more than a few days or they will lose their distinctive strong flavor.
Nancy E. Bennett 15 SOUTHAMPTON PLACE, LAFAYETTE
Coming Soon!
Concord Crossings – 4 beds, 2.5 baths, about 2,000 sq feet – rehab in progress, call for pricing. Pleasant Hill townhouse – 3 beds, 2 baths, over 1,500 sq feet – updated and excellent location to downtown.
restaurant owner and the day’s chef about the food they were preparing. At the next table over, a young couple ordered guacamole. After a few minutes, the waiter appeared with a tray groaning with two large avocados and bowls of onion, cilantro, garlic, tomato, limes and – surprise – a bottle of avocado oil. I’ve never thought about adding avocado oil to guacamole but discovered it makes for an exceptionally silky, delicious dip. Coupled with house-made tortilla chips, it was an excellent appetizer. At my table, the tortilla chips were accompanied by red and green salsas. The light green version featured puréed tomatillos, chiles, onion and avocado. It was the salsa roja, however, that captured by attention. The chef toasted the veggies before blending them, but it was a secret ingredient that took it over the top. According to the restaurant owner, the salsa roja is made from grill-charred serranos, onions, tomatoes and garlic and puréed in the blender with Knorr chicken bouillon (“caldo de pollo”). It’s then seasoned with coarse local sea salt. A dash of vinegar provided a touch of acidity that made the salsa addictive. In Mazatlan, I found the Old Town market center bustling with locals (and not a few tourists) negotiating purchases of fresh fruits, meats
March 25, 2016
LiNDA WYNER
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
and seafood. This is no sanitized grocery store experience; in fact, the marketplace is quite rustic by American standards – filled with questionable aromas and non-stop swatting of flying insects. The pigs’ heads were disconcerting and the cuts of beef and array of animal organs weren’t what you typically see in a meat case in the United States. But just about everything I saw in the produce areas you’d also find in California. The prices (U.S. dollar to peso) for fresh commodities were reasonable – even cheap – but canned, frozen and processed foods were quite high. Our last port of call was in Cabo San Lucas, and I admit to quaffing a happy hour margarita (oh, all right, maybe I had more than one) at 10 in the morning. While I don’t recall much else about the port, I can tell you that I made it back on the ship on time to sail home. Linda Wyner owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet cookware store and cooking school in Pleasanton. Send suggestions or questions to lwyner@pansonfire.com
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Nancy sells more than 8 times as many homes as the average realtor, call today to learn how.
COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED LAFAYETTE BEAUTY!
Wow! Don’t hesitate on this one! Stunning renovations abound from top to bottom in this completely remodeled single story gem. No details were overlooked! The property offers 4 bedrooms 2.5 baths in 2465 sf’ on 0.65 acres. Miles of trails for hiking or biking are right outside your front door! Walk to schools plus easy access to BART & the freeway. The property is nestled in the hills on an expansive lot offering an abundance of privacy and serenity. Incredible master suite with impressive bathroom including a soaking tub, walk in shower and sizable walk in closet. New flooring & lighting through out entire home.
175 Miramonte Dr., Moraga
Location! Location! Location! This peaceful townhome features 3 bedrooms, den, and 2 baths in 1,525 sf, steps from the golf course and just a mile from downtown Moraga! OFFERED AT $650,000
OFFERED AT $1,538,000
Concord – Crossings home that needs you cosmetic updates. $625k. DIY project?
Martinez home – 4 beds, 2 baths, 4 car garage for contractors, extended family – $500k
Rental: Crossing Community, 4 beds, single story. Call for information.
4487 Leatherwood Ct., Concord
Spacious Tri Level Crossings Home 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms in 2,282 sq ft on a 5,520 sq ft lot. Expansive master suite with updated bath & large walk in closet. OFFERED AT $760,000
Who else wants to enjoy making more money on the sale of their home? 5251 Clearbrook Dr, Pleasant Hill
PENDING with 7 offers in 7 days!
SO
LD
3067 Windmill Canyon, Clayton
SO
LD
Listed for $728,000 and SOLD for $760,000
We helped over 29 families buy and sell homes again so far in 2016. How can we help you and your family today?
Nancy Bennett, Realtor @ Keller Williams Realty #1 Realtor in Concord, #1 Team, Keller Williams East Bay #5 Team Nationally (U.S. & Canada) Keller Williams Agent Leadership Council, Mentor, Faculty Member and Community Sponsor
CalBRE #01399870
Nancy@BennettBetter.com
925.606.8400
BENNETTBETTER.COM