Sharing the bounty IT’S YOUR PAPER
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From the desk of...
November 20, 2015
925.672.0500
KARA NAVOLIO Correspondent
TiM GRAySON
MAYOR
Mayor bids farewell as two-year term ends
Collecting my thoughts about my past two years as Mayor of Concord is more emotional than I expected. The overall sensation is one of satisfaction. In retrospect I attended hundreds of diverse gatherings, spent countless hours attending committee and city council meetings, and represented our city at national and international events. It was a pleasure and I always felt honored to be representing the great city of Concord. I’ve had some pretty heady Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer experiences for a young fellow who grew up in the Midwest, LARRY SLY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOOD BANK OF CONTRA COSTA AND SOLANO COUNTIES, and volunteer Willie Mendoza wedged somewhere in the help package and crate tons of food that the Food Bank will distribute this holiday season. “No one should every go hunmiddle of five children of a gry,” says Sly. One in eight Contra Costa residents rely on the Food Bank for fresh food and produce. lower middle-class working family with strong ties to the labor movement. Inculcated with the value of revering and respecting seniors, I was taught to embrace the joys of hard work and self improvement through education. hope El Nino holds off until ances, the Todos Santos BusiPEGGY SPEAR Like most young boys with December 6.” ness Association has arranged a similar economic backConcord Pioneer While the performances for carriage rides around the ground I worked myriad odd Santa Claus is taking a much- from local church, school and plaza, for a nominal fee. The jobs. One I remember as needed break from his busy community events are popular, rides have proven very popular being special was caddying for schedule on Dec. 5 to stop by it’s the visit by The Big Man him- in recent years. a disabled Navy veteran. His KGO anchorman Dan AshTodos Santos Plaza for the self that draws the most crowds. See Mayor, page 6 annual Tree-lighting and Mayor’s Last years, lines stretched around ley will again be the Master of the plaza for families and chil- Ceremonies, and the performers Sing-along. The community event draws dren to take photos with St. include the Concord High Jazz Band, D’Ann’s School of hundreds if not thousands of Nick. Weiss says that while Santa is Dance, Concord Parks and holiday revelers for a celebration of singing, dance and music per- scheduled to be there from 4 to Recreation Ballet, the Monte formances, highlighted by the 6 p.m., she has arranged it with Vista Cheerleaders, the Diablo Rochelle Douglass illumination of the official city some of his elves to stay a bit Vista Chorus, Concord High’s RUDOLF AND THE OTHERS will stay holiday tree. longer if needed, until everyone Ladies First, Queen of All Saints back at the North Pole while Children’s Choir, Calvary Tem“Rain or shine, it will hap- has a chance for a photo. Santa catches a ride into town He will arrive via fire truck, ple Kids Choir and the St. Franpen,” says Concord’s Downwith CCCFPD for the annual cis of Assisi Children’s Choir. town Program Manager for City as is tradition in Concord. Dec. 5 Tree Lighting in Todos In addition to the performThe actual tree lighting is Events Florence Weiss. “But we Santos Plaza.
As we plan for the annual Thanksgiving meal — deciding between pumpkin and apple pie, sweet potatoes or mashed, counting up the number of guests to prepare for — it’s easy to forget the thousands of Contra Costa County residents who can’t afford to put a Thanksgiving meal on their table, or on any day of the year, for that matter. Take Lisa for example: Lisa and her young daughter, Angel, directly benefited from the community support of the Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank during the holidays. Lisa was on dialysis and needed help with groceries. Last Thanksgiving they attended a distribution at a Food Bank partner agency and received a turkey and groceries. Angel spent the holidays with family and “ate lots of food!” The Contra Costa Solano
See Food Bank, page 22
Todos Santos lights up for the holidays
MDUSD sues CCCBOE over approval of charter school JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Still smarting from the Contra Costa County Board of Education’s approval in August of the Contra Costa School of Performing Arts, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District has filed a complaint in Superior Court asking the court to overturn the decision to grant the charter. MDUSD says in its 14page complaint that the CCC Office of Education had recommended that the School of Performing Arts not be approved when the petitioners appealed the MDUSD Board’s unanimous rejection on May 18 of the SPA charter proposal.
See MDUSD, page 15
Inside
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Community . . . . . . . . . . .2 From the desk of . . . . . .6 School News . . . . . . . .14
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Performing Arts . . . . . .16
scheduled from between 6:45-7 p.m., but if it is raining, some performances may be cut short and the lighting may take place about 6:30 p.m., Weiss says. “We tend to work a bit faster if it is bad weather,” she says. Weiss has organized the event for 14 years. Many of the shops around the plaza will remain open, and the restaurants are sure to be bustling. The Tree Lighting and Mayor’s Sing-along runs from 4 to 7 p.m. at Todos Santos Plaza. For more information, visit the city’s website at www.cityofconcord.org.
Cheering on School Resource Officers PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
The program, in its second year, is making a difference
For a guy in a police uniform at a high school, Concord Police Officer Ray Valeros looks way too happy. With a youthful demeanor and a grin the size of the Caldecott Tunnel, the married father of three and Concord Police Department veteran doesn’t look too much older than the Mt. Diablo High School students who surround him on a daily basis. “I love my job,” he says. “I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.” Valeros is one of Concord’s School Resource Officers, uniformed members of the police force who are stationed at the city’s high schools in an effort to thwart juvenile crime, truancy and even act as a extra coun-
selor when the situation warrants. The SRO program is back for its second year following its demise in the midst of the recession, in an effort funded jointly by the City of Concord and the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. According to school officials, the police force and even students, it’s working better than ever. “I’m very pleased with the fact we were able to bring back the SRO program,” says Concord Police Chief Guy Swanger. “One of the main reasons it’s working so successfully is that the schools’ administrations treat these officers as part of the staff, and integrate them into the daily workings of the schools.” Valeros agrees. “From day one I’ve felt a part of MDHS,” he says. “They’ve been welcoming, helpful…it’s been great.” Tamara Steiner And besides that, he has seen juvenile crime and other MT. DIABLO HIGH SCHOOL’S RESOURCE OFFICER RAY VALEROS jokes around on campus with Principal Liane Cismowski and students (L to R) Angelina Perez, Zebreon Wallace and
See SRO, page 9 Skyler Waldon.
COMMUNITY
In Brief...
Page 2
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Sign up for Concord Disposals paperless billing and “Give Back”
For the fifth year in a row, Concord Disposal Service is strengthening its commitment to the environment and to the local community leading up to the holiday season with the “Give Back” program encouraging the use of paperless billing. Continuing through Nov. 27, Concord Disposal Service will donate $2 to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties for every customer that signs up for free paperless billing for their account. The program has resulted in past donations of close to $5,000 for the Food Bank. “In preparation for the holiday season, our customers are looking for new ways to respect the Earth and our neighbors,” says Concord Disposal Service Chief Executive Officer Joseph Garaventa. “The ‘Give Back’ program is our way of saying thanks to every customer while also finding a collective way to help the community.” Current customers can sign up to “Give Back” and get free paperless billing by calling 925682-9113 or visiting www.concorddisposal.com.
Sing-Along Messiah
A sing-along messiah, will be presented Sun., Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Concord at the corner of Colfax and Salvio Streets. Come sing along or simply listen to the masterwork of Georg Frederich Handel. There is no charge but a free will offering will cover expenses. All offerings received exceeding expenses will be directed to the Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond. For more information call (925) 676-7177.
Continued next page
Concord Senior’s Club hosts veterans celebration tion Center introduced Concord Senior Club President Harry Driskill, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. Veterans, their guests and club members were invited to peruse the various examples of military memorabilia on display. Area recruiting offices provided a selection of items attendees could take home. The focal point of the evening was a massive American Flag bestowed upon the club by Concord Chevrolet. Eizo Kobayashi, club Army Honor Guard, led by SFC Danielle Kohut, SSG Andra member and local newspaper Bellamy, & SGT Jon McCoy present the colors in front of columnist, entertained everythe new flag presented to the Senior Center by Concord Chevrolet. one with comical and poignant
CHRISTINE KOGUT Special to the Pioneer
The Concord Senior Citizens Club recently celebrated members who have served in the Armed Forces with a meal prepared by Chef Cindy Gershen and her future chefs from Mt. Diablo High School. The meal was donated to the veterans by Windsor Manor Rehabilitation Center of Concord. The event opened with a United States Army Color Guard presenting the American Flag. Master of Ceremonies Maurice Delmer of the Concord Veterans Rehabilita-
New tails await for K-9 officers That’s right. Nine years old. No, the police department is not dipping into preschools for extra officers. Ben and Figo were part of CPD’s K-9 Unit, and retired after starting their career on the same day in August 2009. “These two have proven to be an invaluable asset to our city,” says Officer Ollie Sansen. K-9 Ben, a Belgian Malinois, worked side-by-side for his entire career with Officer Sansen. K-9 Ben was deployed more than 1,100 times for both protection and drug detection calls. Ben assisted in arresting more than 300 suspects, located more than 14 pounds of street drugs with an estimated street value of over $420,000, and helped seize over $100,000 in suspected drug money. When describing Ben finding a carjacking suspect in hiding, Officer Sansen says, “It was a proud father moment.”
PAMELA WIESENDANGER Concord Pioneer
Two 9-year-olds from the Concord Police Department retired Nov. 3 after serving the community for over six years each.
Officer Jim Nielsen
Retired K-9 Figo is ready for some fun in the sun as he begins his retirement years.
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anecdotes of his experiences during basic training. Afterward, the microphone was offered to anyone wanting to share their military experiences. The Concord Senior Citizens Club would like to thank Orchard Supply Hardware, Safeway Stores, Sunrise Bistro, Viand Winery and the recruiting offices of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy for their contributions. The club also thanks Doug Johnson and Lee Woods for providing the music and to photographers Darnel Jaime and his son, Patrick.
Officer Ollie Sansen
Retired K-9 Ben trades his police vest for chew toys and time with best canine buddy and family pet, Arkona.
tified by the state for police work. K-9 Figo, a German Shepherd, worked with a few different handlers, finishing his career with Officer Jim Nielsen. Figo was deployed almost 800 times since 2009 for both protection and drug detection calls. Figo also assisted in arresting hundreds of suspects, located more
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than five pounds of illegal drugs with an estimated street value more than $134,000, and helped seize more than $30,000 in suspected drug money. Figo will live the remainder of his golden years as a member of Officer Nielsen’s family. “Figo is the most loyal animal I’ve ever encountered,” Officer Nielsen says.
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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
1505 Kirker Pass Rd #106– Concord
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1070 Deer Oak Place– Concord
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BED/BATH SALE DATE ADDRESS
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$266,500
903 Condor Place– Clayton
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Concord Market Update
Ben was popular with the good guys, too, appearing in almost 60 K-9 demonstrations in front of thousands of people at community and school events. Officer Sansen says six-andone-half years is above average for a dog for police work. He knew it was time for Ben to retire when he started walking away from training sessions hurt or was so tired at times, he had to be picked up and carried. Ben will spend his retirement as part of Officer Sansen’s family. Officer Sansen is currently training a new K-9 Belgian Malinois. The dogs have initial training in their respective countries. Once brought to the CPD, they spend two weeks riding along with their handler to get used to the officer, the police car and shift work. Then they are in four weeks of training together before the dog is tested and cer-
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November 20, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
In Brief...
Historical Society fundraiser a rousing success
Record DLS Cereal Drive supports St. David’s Pantry
De La Salle High School’s annual holiday Cereal Drive concluded recently. Sophomore Brian Nimr (left) and freshman Aiden Guzman of Concord participated in the 15th year of the school’s preThanksgiving drive for St. David’s Pantry in Richmond. DLS Principal Brother Robert Wickman says “a
Page 3
The Concord Historical Society held its first dinner and auction on Oct. 17, and it was a rousing success, thanks to good food, good friends and a good amount of money raised. It was like old-home week for many guests, seeing people they have not crossed paths with in years, from former neighbors to old schoolmates. England’s catered the buffet and Stan Gaunt and Jim Trolan handled the bar with their bartender, John. To the delight of guests, there was a fundraising dessert table: people put money in an envelope at their tables and the table with the most donations tremendous showing” ended was able to get first pick of the with the school collecting delicious treats. Sunne and John McPeak 5,012 boxes of cereal, well above the goal and more than a year’s supply for St. David’s. The pantry serves 50 needy families a week as part of a monthly rotation feeding 200 total families in West County. Jay Bedecarre
Mines close for season
New City Treasurer Tim McGallian and Planning Commissioner Carlyn Obringer were on hand as well. CHS President Carol Longshore said, “Is was largest guest list we’ve had and we raised more money than we ever have for the Concord Museum and Event Center. I’m very excited about the future and all that we have in store for us.”
BRAD MORIMUNE EVENT CHAIR
stopped by to support the society, as did Concord Mayor Tim Grayson and city council members Edi Birsan, Laura Hoffmeister and Ron Leone.
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch will host its last mine open house of the 2015 season from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 21. Visitors 7 and older can take free, self-guided tours of about 1,000 feet of underground workings in the park’s restored 1930s-era silica sand mine. Nov. 28 and 29 will be the last days this year when guided mine tours will be available for a $5 fee. After that the underground mining museum and Greathouse visitor center will be closed until March of 2016. For more information about the mines and other Black Diamond Mine programs, call 888-327-2757, ext. 2750.
Eagle Scout goes back to the natives in Markham Park
Cowell pool gets needed repairs
Quilt raffle benefits area homeless
The Concord Community Pool on Cowell Rd. will close from Dec. 4-7 for repairs. Crews will fix the flow system, replace 5 tiles and paint and make repairs to the restrooms. For more info, call Concord Community Pool (925) 6713480.
Kids learn bike safety at Wren Avenue bike rodeo
Senior Craft Fair
More than 100 free wheelin’ kiddoes got serious about bike safety at a Bike Rodeo at Wren Avenue Elementary School on Nov. 3. The students received important information from volunteers of Bike East Bay and Cycles of Change including how to wear their helmets properly and how to do a bicycle safety check. Bike Rodeos teach children and families to share the road by following safety rules, such as signaling moveWren Avenue Elementary ments and respecting rights Vice-principal Stephen of way. This is particularly Slater gives some added asimportant in areas where sistance to a young cyclist at cyclists do not have designatthe Bike East Bay Bike ed bike lanes. Rodeo on Nov. 3
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5954 Wallace, Clayton
$749,900
Peaceful Paradise — Breathtaking views. 5 bedroom, 3 bath home on lushly landscaped, half acre lot. Open floor plan w/fresh paint in & out. Updated kitchen with granite counters, Formal dining & inside laundry Rm. Backyard features patio w/brick BBQ, deluxe redwood fencing and RV parking.
Cara Cook was a missionary, quilter and a community servant who for years cooked and fed the homeless in a local singles shelter. Before she died in June she donated a bag of her Hawaiian fabric to her friends at the Concord United Methodist Church and a group of friends put the goods to work to raise funds to continue Cara’s work.
This quilt will be raffled Nov. 29 at 11:30 a.m. after the late service at Concord Methodist. It will be displayed at church for next month after services. Tickets are 4 for $20. All proceeds collected will go towards meals the church provides for shelters. For tickets, call Chris Leyland, 925798-5091 or the church, 925-855260.
Julian Rike, Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 444, completed his Eagle Project at Markham Nature Park in October. Putting his passion for the outdoors and his conservation practices as a Scout Leave No Trace trainer to work, Julian spearheaded a project to remove invasive palm trees along the creek in the park and replace them with native and drought tolerant plants and trees. Scouts from neighboring troops helped Julian and others from Clayton’s Troop 444 complete the project.
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A Holiday Gift and Craft Fair will be held at the Concord Senior Center on Friday, Dec. 4, 9:30 a.m. -l 2:30 p.m. Shop and find some great handcrafted items for your family and friends at reasonable prices. Over 40 vendors will be on hand selling handcrafted jewelry, knit and crochet scarves and hats, decorated picture frames, wooden bowls, bird houses and other items. New vendors are still being accepted. Vendor spaces are available for $40. To participate, visit www.ConcordReg.org and use course number 98345.The Concord Senior Center is located at 2727 Parkside Circle.
2101 Ptarmigan, Walnut
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Rossmoor — What a gem! Rare “end unit” with skylights, dual pane windows and crown molding. Bright and airy 2 bedroom + Den & 2 updated bathrooms. Remodeled kitchen, cut glass front door and gorgeous wood flooring in living areas. Charming patio with water feature and views of the hills. Won’t last! Inge Yarborough, (925) 766-6896 www.IngeYarborough.withwre.com Cal BRE# 01309306
108 Lees Place, Martinez
$765,000
Brittany Hills — Stunning home on cul-de-sac in Brittany Hills. This gorgeous home features over 2,700 sq. ft. of living space including 4 beds and 2.5 baths. Guest bedroom on first floor, soaring ceilings & built in speaker system. Beautifully landscaped backyard w/ stamped concrete, fountain, pergola & built-in BBQ Convenient location near freeway, schools and shopping. Michelle Gittleman, (925) 768-0352 MichelleGittleman.com Cal BRE# 01745325
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
MTC, ABAG stave off take-over fight; Regional planning agencies to merge
Interim city attorney to hire investigators PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
tigator. Libow retired from San Pablo in June, after 25 years as city attorney. He completed his undergraduate studies at UCLA and holds a law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. “Our interim city attorney has made it his first priority to identify a qualified and available third-party firm or person to investigate the concerns raised and prepare a response,” Barone told the Pioneer. “When he gets someone under contract, we will update the city website.” She says that could happen as early as this week, but it is unclear on how long the investigative process will take. Concord Vice Mayor Laura Hoffmeister agrees that the process may take awhile. “Given the upcoming holidays it is not expected to have hearings resume until after first of year,” she said. The city council met this week to extend the negotiating contracts with both Lennar and Catellus, due to the new circumstances. Libow is under contract with the city to work about 20 hours a week at $195 per hour, not to exceed $150,000 in the current fiscal year. Besides the Master Developer investigation, Libow will continue to oversee the city’s legal department.
PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
The selection of a Master Developer for the Concord Naval Weapons Station took a small step forward earlier this month with the appointment of an interim city attorney to help get the process back on track. The city was set to select either Catellus Development Corp. or Lennar Urban for the job, but the process was put on hold after the suicide of City Attorney Mark Coon in September. Coon was investigating alleged wrongdoing on the part of Lennar, who Catellus accused of improperly lobbying city council members charged with voting on the final developer — specifically Mayor Tim Grayson, whose campaign for Assembly received donations from Lennar-affiliated groups. Catellus was also concerned that the city staff offered no recommendation on who the council should select, a rare occurrence in such cases. Grayson returned the campaign donations, and said he was not involved any wrongdoings. City Attorney Valerie Barone had said that the selection of a Master developer was halted indefinitely until an interim city attorney was hired, who would then work with a “third party investigator” into the The city’s website is www.cityalleged wrongdoings. ofconcord.org, and Barone urges That job now falls to residents to check it for updates. retired San Pablo city attorney Brian Libow, tapped to hire the independent inves-
It wasn’t exactly a regional planning cage match, but two major local agencies were poised to fight for their authority in a battle that would have long-reaching affects on the development of the Bay Area. But an agreement reached last month to merge the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments staved off the threat, a decision called a victory by the more locally oriented ABAG. “This agreement preserves local control,” says Julie Pierce, President of ABAG and also a member of the MTC. “We are all rowing in the same direction,” she said. Under the terms of the merger, MTC will provide the remaining six months of planning funds to ABAG until July, 2016. The agencies will retain a consultant to conduct a merger study and a implementation plan. The merger study will be directed by the Joint ABAG administrative Committee and MTC Planning Committee. And finally, the original proposal to transfer ABAG planners to MTC is put on hold during the merger study. Although ABAG had originally opposed the merger, the compromise agreement seemed to satisfy Pierce and other ABAG members, who were “deeply concerned” by the MTC’s original plan to envelop ABAG’s regional planners. “We have issued a Request for Qualifications and are pro-
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JULIE PIERCE PRESIDENT, ABAG
ceeding jointly to hire a consultant to help us through the next stages to identify how to proceed,” Pierce said. “We hope to award a contract in December and then the really heavy lifting begins to come to agreement on the new face of regional government.”
HISTORY OF AGENCIES ABAG, created in 1961, is an association made up of elected officials from city councils, boards of supervisors and other agencies in the nine-county Bay Area. It has a $23 million budget, which it receives planning funds from the MTC. The MTC was created nine years later with state and federal funds, and is not seen as representative of local governments as ABAG, said Concord Planning Manager Laura Simpson. The MTC is the regional governing body that oversees and coordinates transportation, like the design and construction of the new Bay Bridge eastern span. It has a $60.7 million budget from
state and federal funds, and it also collects and distributes toll money from Bay Area bridges (with the exception of the Golden Gate Bridge). Traditionally, it has not been involved in issues such as land use development, affordable housing, estuaries, and other planning issues. The MTC voted unanimously on Oct. 28 to proceed with a study of a full comprehensive merger of the two regional agencies, Pierce said. “The original MTC proposal has been put on hold and all energies will be dedicated to this effort. This is a major milestone in our regional planning efforts. I would like to thank Supervisor Dave Cortese, Chair of MTC and ABAG Executive Board member, for leading this effort,” she said. “Now the heavy lifting begins.”
LOCAL REPRESENTATION MTC’s original plan had worried so many local officials that many cities wrote letters of opposition to the plan, including Clayton and Concord. At the root of the opposition was MTC’s absorbing ABAG’s regional planners, something that ABAG officials like Pierce felt was not appropriate for a commission that was solely locked into traffic concerns. “We are in favor of one regional planning body,” Pierce told the Pioneer before the vote. “But it needs to have local representation, and with a few exceptions, MTC does not.” Other city officials in Contra Costa County weren’t so
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polite in their distrust of the MTC. Clayton Assistant City Manager and Concord City Councilmember Laura Hoffmeister reminded her colleagues at a recent council meeting when the issue was discussed that the MTC was in charge of the Bay Bridge redesign, and all the problems that have been recently associated with it. Others, like Concord City Councilman Dan Helix, said that the state and federal representatives would not be responsive to the needs and plans of local jurisdictions. Still, the idea of merging the two entities seems like a good idea to many, if only for economic reasons and to cut down on bureaucracy. “I believe the Bay Area is the only region in the state with two separate planning agencies,” Concord Mayor Tim Grayson said. “I would like to see how other regions merged, if indeed they did.” Regardless, it will be a large undertaking to merge the two agencies, Pierce said. “We have many issues of governance, planning tasks and organization to define,” she said. “We all need to be prepared for both challenges and opportunities that we will all face during the next eight months. This process will require not only MTC and ABAG Boards but local jurisdictions and stakeholders’ participation — the residents — if we are to create an agency that can truly serve the Bay Area… We have until June of 2016 to make significant progress or ABAG will again face the possibility of losing funding from MTC.”
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Inaugural science discovery day big hit at Cal State East Bay JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
“This science discovery day was the culmination of over five years of work in the Capitol – being able to bridge the gaps between public policy, students, educators, schools, private industry and, most important, our local community,” said an enthusiastic Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla of Concord following the science discovery day - Explore! Discover! Create! – she organized late last month at Cal State East Bay - Concord. Attendance reached nearly 1000 including over 500 students ages five to 14 who registered to take part in the activities presented by 19
community partner exhibitors from education, the private sector and government. The event was held in collaboration with the Bay Area Science Festival, which concludes this Saturday. Students were able to expand their knowledge of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields by participating in over 20 different hands-on science and technology activities at CSU East Bay’s Concord campus. Bonilla legislative aide Ryan Morimune said, “It was a beautiful day with plenty of engaged, excited and happy children jumping from table to table” around the outdoor quad on the campus off Ygnacio Valley Rd. “The
event was so successful, children and parents were already asking about other similar events. I’d have to say the liquid nitrogen/ice cream presentation and how to extract your own DNA were probably the most popular, however every table was busy throughout the entire event.” Bonilla, who terms out from her Assembly seat year, is chair of the Select Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education. She said, “The STEM fields are the future of California’s economy and it’s important that we engage our students at the earliest age possible, so they’re not only prepared for a quality education, but also equipped to be
competitive in our transforming economy.” She added, “It’s safe to say it was a successful event that exceeded our expectations. We look forward to building upon this day with future events.” The event was also presented in collaboration with CSU East Bay, California STEM Learning Network, Contra Costa College, Contra Costa Community College District, Contra Costa County Photo courtesy office of Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla Office of Education, Contra Costa Economic Partnership, A HANDS-ON SCIENCE DISCOVERY DAY for students ages 5-14 Diablo Valley College, Los featured science and engineering activities where students explored the STEM fields. Michelle Cox (left), representing Medanos College and Mt. Contra Costa Water District, demonstrated how filtration is Diablo Unified School Disused in the water treatment process. Filtration is one of the trict. Some school districts steps used at CCWD’s water treatment plants to ensure resi- provided transportation to dents have clean and safe drinking water at their homes. the event for their students.
ed a new system-wide schedule that had several “yellow line” trains turning around at the Pleasant Hill BART station, in order to alleviate overcrowding in the Lamorinda and Oakland stations. Concord riders were left waiting. And waiting. The results for Downtown Concord riders were fewer trains, longer waits and station overcrowding that one local official calls “dangerous.” “It can be almost traumatic, even dangerous, as people push onto the trains at the Downtown Concord station,” says Concord Planning Commissioner Carlyn Obringer. “There’s almost no place to stand on the platform, and the trains are packed.” Obringer is lucky, as she
doesn’t use BART as an everyday commute. But her neighbor in downtown Concord, Karen Siverson, does. She doesn’t own a car and relies on BART to get to her job. “My experience has been that the 7:08 train is sometimes too crowded to get on at all, and the 7:12 fills to standing room,” she says. “There have been a few times when I couldn’t get on that train, either. When there was a 15-minute gap between the 7:12 and the 7:27, half a dozen times the platform was filled with people in very long lines. That train is always packed.” And it’s not just the peak of the rush hour that is impacted. Early morning commuter John Keane, a San
Francisco police officer who lives in Concord, says that if the trains are too crowded, he will go back a station to North Concord just in order to get a seat. “I took the 5:12 a.m. train from Concord this week, and it was filled to capacity by the time it got to the Walnut Creek station — standing room only.”
Concord BART passengers steaming about service New system-wide changes result in packed trains, overcrowding at stations PEGGY SPEAR Concord Pioneer
When Patrick Hardy moved here from Boston last June, he thought he had found paradise — even with his commute. An easy hop onto an early morning San Francisco-bound train from the Downtown Concord BART station would drop him off near his Embarcadero office in less than an hour, and he never had problem getting a seat. Things changed in September, when BART institut-
ONE NEW TRAIN ADDED If there is a silver lining to the new schedule, it’s that all the Concord and North Concord trains are 10 cars — which still doesn’t make a dent in the overcrowding. Things will only get worse, Obringer says, when the new eBart system from East County comes online in the next several years.
“It’s going to get really ugly then,” Hardy says. Concord’s BART director, Gail Murray, is no stranger to the complaints from BART passengers, and it was her lobbying efforts with her fellow directors that propelled BART to recently add an additional Concord train between 7 and 8 a.m. Still, she is the first person to say that’s not enough. “The 8 to 9 a.m. commute is still tough. She said that when BART was making the schedule changes, it had to look at the whole system, and “do what’s right for everyone.” In fact, she says the inconveniences Concord BART passengers are facing have been everyday occurrences for riders in Richmond, Dublin, Hayward and Fremont. “The Fre-
mont/Union City station has traditionally been the worst. And they don’t always have 10-car trains,” she said. “The turnaround at the Pleasant Hill station was a way to recycle trains to alleviate overcrowding further along the tracks.” But riders and city leaders, including Obringer, feel that Downtown Concord riders are getting gypped. “We have farther to go, farther to stand, and we pay more,” she says.
MORE FUNDS NEEDED So what is the answer, especially with the massive Concord Naval Weapons Station development looming and new BART Transit Vil-
See BART, page 9
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
November 20, 2015
Turkey Trot drums up support for needy
CARLyN OBRiNGER
PLANNING COMMISSION
Concord residents are invited to kick off Thanksgiving Day with a fun and festive time at Concord’s very first Turkey Trot 5K/10K Run & Walk and Kids Drumstick Dash. The Trot will be held at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26starting at 2151 Salvio Street, in Downtown Concord. Organized by Calvary Temple Church of Concord, the Trot will enable participants to run or walk a quiet and mostly flat course through Downtown Concord and nearby neighborhoods while raising money for Calvary Temple Church’s Compassion to Community programs. Apple cider, coffee, pumpkin pie and water will be
available at the Trot finish line. According to Trot Course Coordinator Lori Ligouri, the inaugural Concord Turkey Trot was the brainchild of Carey Gregg, wife of the pastor of Calvary Temple Church (CTC). “She originally approached me and other members of the organizing team with this idea because we are runners, and she thought this would be a great way to give back to our community as well as raise funds for our compassion outreach program.” Calvary has a long history of giving back to the Concord community via events like the 25-year tradition of the Fourth of July “Singing Flag,” a popular three-day event held at Dave Brubeck Park until 2012, which included fireworks and a two-hour variety show promoting patriotism. “All proceeds will go back into the community through Calvary Temple Church’s Compassion to Community programs, which touch the lives of the underserved in the East Bay,” Ligouri says. These pro-
One holiday stressor you can avoid: crime
Guy SWANGER
POLICE CHIEF
impact car burglaries and thefts during the upcoming shopping season. These are crimes that community members can reduce through thoughtful actions, such as not leaving our personal items in plain view inside our car or in a basket unattended. Earlier this summer, we noticed car burglaries were moving upward. The Concord Police Department VIPS (Volunteer in Policing) began distributing pamphlets this summer to combat car burglaries in certain areas. We had tried other apprehension tactics but were still experiencing an upward trend. There are neighboring cities that were also experiencing rising car burglaries and they tried this intervention program. The results are in and for the first nine months of 2015 versus 2014, there has been a 10 percent decrease in car burglaries. I recently asked our crime analyst what the most common items were taken in car burglaries. They were purses, laptops, briefcases and coins. We can impact this crime by reducing the clutter in our car and not leaving valuable items in plain sight. Let’s reduce at least one stressor from our holiday shopping season.
The holidays are here and I hope everybody is preparing for a much needed rainy winter. The shopping season historically began right after Thanksgiving but based on my recent visits to the malls and large department stores, I believe it started well before Halloween. I walked into Costco right after Labor Day and I could swear I saw Christmas items already available. Holiday shopping should be stress-free. I mean, the act of holiday shopping is for the sole purpose of giving, for goodness sake. That should be a good thing. But tension and anxiety accompany holiday shopping and couple that with longer hours of darkness and traffic, add in a little procrastination and new nieces and nephews to shop for, and we have a challenge. Guy Swanger is Concord’s Chief of I want to add another chal- Police. Send questions or comments to lenge. Let this be the year we ContactCPD@cityofconcord.org.
grams include: Clean Start (doing laundry for the homeless); Hope2Home (meeting practical needs in food, clothing, assistance with maintenance and household chores, while building relationships); Adopt-aSchool (bringing hope and encouragement to teachers, staff, children, and families through practical acts of service such as school clean up days, reading in a classroom, teacher appreciation breakfasts, and Spanish translators at parent teacher conferences); and Convoy of Hope (a community event to be held on April 23, 2016, at Meadow Homes Park
that will include free groceries, dental and eye exams, haircuts and activities for children). The Trot will also generate support for organizations like the Central County Family Justice Center and Options for Women, which provides care for women in a crisis pregnancy. More information about CTC’s Compassion to Community programs is available here: www.calvarytemple.org/compassion. “Our hope is that this event will become an annual tradition for the city of Concord because it benefits so many people throughout the community —
from the people who run, to those it serves,” says Ligouri. “It allows the community to give back in a healthy way before indulging in Thanksgiving grub and fixings. We are all very fortunate to have the ability to run and walk, and to be able to give back in this way feels very rewarding.” In addition to hosting sponsor Calvary Temple Church, supporters of the Trot include Claycord News & Talk, the Concord Police Association, Pacific Service Credit Union, Push Ups 2 Pin Ups Transformation Center, Roto-Rooter and Road Runner Sports. Cost
to participate in the Trot is $35 until close of online registration on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m., and $40 in person at Early Packet Pick-up from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov.24, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. For more information, visit http://calvarytemple.org/turke ytrot/ or contact turkeytrot@calvarytemple.org.
posed by the Governor – is still a bad idea for the health of the Delta. I am happy to say we received a welcome reception from all those we met with. Our continued message is: 1) The Water Fix does not produce one more drop of water; 2) It will further degrade the health and environment of the Delta; 3) It’s too expensive; 4) Perhaps most important, there are other ways to provide quality water to other parts of the state. The drought should not be the driving force behind resolving this issue: together we can work towards a comprehensive, sensible, affordable, and science-based project(s) to meet the needs of ALL Californians. As an update on where the project stands now: the comment period concluded on Oct. 30, 2015, for the recirculated EIR (specifically relating to the Water Fix rather than the BDCP). The state now will review these comments and
provide responses to outstanding concerns. It is anticipated the final EIR will be available sometime in the spring of 2016. Most people agree that litigation will follow since those of us with concerns around the project do not believe the issues we have raised will be adequately addressed. No one likes to see money spent on litigation, but it is our belief we have one last chance to get this right. Governor Brown has made some very unfortunate comments to those who criticize his plan. Our actions have not been “shameful,” and our technical experts have spent just as many hours as state staff has – without the financial resources available to the state from the water exporters – reading and analyzing the information available. I find the Governor’s rhetoric to be outrageous, condescending and irresponsible given that a basic tenet of government is the right to disagree. His words do not move the project towards the kinds of solutions I have stated
above. My colleagues and I continue to work towards improving the health of the Delta, ensuring Delta agriculture remains just as important as Central Valley agriculture in evaluating economic impacts, moving forward on building reservoirs so when there is an abundance of water (such as the projected El Niño) it can be stored when there is a water shortage. Imagine if all the effort and financial resources available had been put to just this one use over the last several years … I believe the conditions exacerbated by this extended drought would not have created the havoc we have seen in the Central Valley. In the coming months, I pledge to you that I will continue to work towards a comprehensive water policy that will not only serve Contra Costa residents but the entire population of the State of California.
ence the importance to my personal development due to my volunteer service as Chaplain to the Concord Police Department. Receiving five annual Presidential Volunteer Awards for this service is of inestimable value. There are many other programs which I have sponsored but space does not permit a detailed listing. The experience of serving in an elective office, running for office as a relatively unknown individual, without the benefits of a well-known family name, can be a daunting challenge. The ladder of success has a mob at the bottom, getting a firm grip on the first rung and rising to the next level gives you a confidence that can only be earned,
and not conveyed by fiat. I am most grateful to you, the people of Concord, for re-electing me with a first place finish. You have affirmed my elective public service in the most meaningful way possible. I remain most enthusiastic about the bright future we face with the development of the former Naval Weapons Station. Finally, my wish is to continue seeking the challenges which come from serving the people of my community, utilizing the experience and opportunities which flowed from your support. Thank you.
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.
Working to keep Delta waters safe
KAREN MiTCHOFF
COUNTY
SUPERVISOR
A few weeks back, Supervisor Mary Piepho and I had the privilege of representing Contra Costa County in Washington, DC, as the Delta County Coalition (representing the five Delta counties) met with senate and congressional members, their staff, and staff of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, and the Army Corps of Engineers to continue our message that the Water Fix (formerly the Bay Delta Conservation Plan) – pro-
Mayor, from page 1
eyesight was diminished by his wounds, but I was always able to find “his” ball for the next shot. I loved all kinds of music and learned to play the trumpet. I had plans to study architecture, but my heart and faith led me to a Christian college where I prepared for a career I felt called to follow. I met my wife, Tammy, at a nearby college and knew she was the one with whom I wanted to raise a family and spend my life. Our marriage has been blessed with a son, Joseph, and a daughter, Cassie. Putting on my blue jeans and sweatshirt and
spending time with my family, at a barbecue, family outing or vacation is quality time and most relaxing. Relationships are very important to me. I have learned many lessons of life from my friends whose positions in life have ranged from highly elevated to the most humble. Every person has value and this knowledge has been the impetus behind many of the programs I have initiated and sponsored. The one example which comes immediately to mind is the Family Justice Center. I would be remiss if I did not refer-
Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to karen.mitchoff@bos.cccounty.us
Send comments or questions to tim@timgrayson.us.
Save Mount Diablo hires new Executive Director November 20, 2015
There’s a new king of the mountain. Following a nationwide search, the Save Mount Diablo Board of Directors tapped Ted Clement to succeed Executive Director Ron Brown, who announced his retirement in May of this year. Clement, who has been Executive Director of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and of the Aquidneck Land Trust in Rhode Island, began his new job on Nov. 2 The transition comes during a period of rapidly increasing development threats to the mountain, and in the middle of several huge planning processes, including the reuse of the Concord Naval Weapons Station and development of a $2 billion Countywide Transportation funding measure. “Ted Clement is the right leader at the right time,” says Scott Hein, president of the Save Mount Diablo Board of Directors. “Ted’s stellar background in organizational leadership, land conservation law, environmental educa-
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
TED CLEMENT
tion, and his vision for the role that organizations like Save Mount Diablo can play in building and sustaining healthy communities is exactly what will keep Save Mount Diablo an environmental force in the East Bay.” Clement was attracted to the role because of the combination of the mission and the potential for impact. “My professional goal is to use my land conservation experience and leadership skills to create
lasting public good by protecting and connecting people to the land which sustains us.” He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental studies from the University of Vermont and a law degree from the Vermont Law School, where he focused on land conservation. He was an environmental educator for the Outward Bound School in Maine over a three-year period and a Peace Corps national park volunteer in Thailand for more than two years. After completing his Peace Corps service, Clement worked in the stewardship and legal departments at Vermont Land Trust while at Vermont Law School. After completing law school, he worked for the Aquidneck Land Trust in Rhode Island, where he served as the Land Protection Director for five years and then as the Executive Director for seven years before joining the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust in 2013.
Clement assumes his new role at a transformational time in the life of SMD. Following 15 years of growth, permanent land protection through advocacy efforts, and collaborations with key partners, SMD is poised to expand its position in land preservation, and on critical land use issues and policy decisions. Brown led SMD for the past 15 years and is completing a career in non-profit work spanning more than 42 years. “I am proud of our accomplishments in expanding the footprint of protected lands and the policies that we have helped to craft that redefine the types of sustainable communities that future generations of Contra Costa residents will live in,” he said.
For more information on SMD, visit www.SaveMountDiablo.org, call 925-947-3535, fax 925-947-0642 or stop by its offices at 1901 Olympic Blvd., Suite 320, in Walnut Creek.
Say goodbye to your CD-Rom
WiLL CLANEy
TECH TALK
Yes, my friends, the CD ROM drive in your computer is now considered a Dodo Bird, a dinosaur, and that’s the good part. Now for the really bad part: The CD’s you wrote all that data to is not only extinct, it’s useless, dead, (as in “Its dead Jim,” — Dr. McCoy of “Star Trek”) and defunct because the material used to produce a CD is degrading much faster than originally predicted. Ugh, as if computing wasn’t complicated enough comes this news. “In the early ‘90s when the first CDR disc was introduced, manufacturers said the media had a data life in excess of 40 years,” according to Audioholics. But now the projected life of the best CDs is less than 14 years, and if you were fortunate enough to buy the “cheepie” CDs that life span has diminished to just seven years.
There are still industry “experts” that say all of the above is nonsense, that the CD will last 50 years. Okay, fair enough, but you’re dead wrong. My eyes have seen the coming of the demise and it’s called CD rot. Just the other day I pulled a burned CD from my cool, dry storage cabinet and the surface was peeling off. So I thought about Murphy’s law, “if something can go wrong, it will.” Some manufacturers did and are still making burnable CDs that will last a bit longer, but the truth is the way they are made is the real problem. A CD is nothing more than a plastic disk covered in a metal oxide material similar to the consistency of Saran Wrap, with metal bits glued to the surface of that plastic disk. The wrap is thin, very thin. Technically, “The reflective part of the CD-R comes from a metal foil that is glued to one side of the polycarbonate [plastic disk],” according to the website Technically Easy. They continued, “The reflective color of a CD-R is determined by two things: The metal foil and the dye used. The type of material used can affect how long a CD-R will last.” And you bought the cheap ones, didn’t you? “The biggest impact on
Page 7
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the longevity of a CD is the type of dye that is used. There are a few main dyes used in CD-Rs: cyanine, phthalocyanine and metalized AZO. Each dye has a different chemical composition, so their color and shelf-life are different,” says Paul Salmon, the author of the Technically Easy story. Of course they range in price from cheap to dear. Did you pay $2 each or 50 cents? Then there’s this: The CD has a 4GB limit to its size, and the transfer rate is slow, like the products it replaced: floppy drives and tape backup drives. One can buy a 4GB USB Flash drive (a thumb drive) from Staples for $4 that is 10- to 20-times faster than any CD device. And, oh yes, did I mention
CD media is degrading – rapidly. Put data on a HDD or SSD as they have the ability to recover data on failure, whereas the CD has no way to recover data. Once damaged, it’s lost. Conclusion: If you have valuable data on CDs transfer it to another media because you’re about to lose your data, which means years of photos, document files, music, art, family history, etc. Am I fear mongering? Yes. Justified for doing so? Yes. William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station. Email questions or comments to will@claytonpioneer.com.
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A question of questions
Page 8
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
www.PulseOfConcord.com
Take two minutes - make your voice heard
Weigh in on local issues Find out what people are asking
EDI BIRSAN PULSE OF
CONCORD
The questions are neutral The summaries are neutral Have a topic or question for a future Pulse? Email
EdiBirsan@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER: To the extent The Pulse of Concord reflects, suggests or implies a viewpoint, it is not intended or represented to be the viewpoint of the Concord City Council, the City of Concord, or city staff or officials (living, dead or undecided). Nor was this survey or the results created, distributed, tabulated, evaluated or analyzed by the Concord City Council, the City of Concord, or its staff or officials. Finally any placement of shoe leather in one’s mouth is most likely the fault of Edi Ersalesi Birsan – or whatever other variation on that theme may be in vogue, acting as an individual(ist).
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About six years ago I started the survey site www.PulseOfConcord.com to get feedback from the Concord residents on local issues, perceptions and concerns. Part of the emphasis was to propose very neutral questions — that is a question that doesn’t beg for a specific answer and biases the response. I remember being enraged by a question that was the equivalent of: “Would you like us to do ‘x’ or hang dead puppy dogs from the trees in Todos Santos?” However, making a neutral question that gives a response that is interesting and constructive can also be elusive.
For example, in one of the early surveys I asked: “Should the Concord City Council be required to have their main residence in Concord?” This received more than 450 responses with all but eight agreeing. While those eight may have been relatives of a certain council member whose main residence was in Sacramento at the time, the overwhelming one-sidedness didn’t really stir debate. It’s interesting that the issue, when brought up at the city council two years ago, was killed in committee. A good question that is neutral is one that highlights divisions and debate, has great value to the development of the social-political approach and is sometimes entertaining. I recall an early question on the placement of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary north of Highway 4 and the response was something like 40 percent opposed, 35 percent in favor and 25 percent undecided. However when you separated
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the Concord residents from the non-Concord residents, you found that the non- residents were about 2-1 in favor of the dispensary being in Concord, and the residents being less undecided but more opposed. This provided some points of discussion back then, and I may run the question again to see if the answers reflect the current wave of changed attitudes towards recreational use of marijuana. In the current survey I had a tough time constructing a question in which I was trying to get the attitudes of the “perception” of the relationship between the city government and the Hispanic community:
9.8 percent Disagree Somewhat 32.6 percent Neither Agree or Disagree 10.9 percent Do not care The problem with the question is not being able to distinguish between the respondents who are Hispanic and those that do not selfidentify that way. One of the things to be learned is if the non-Hispanic respondents think they are listened to, but the Hispanic residents think they are not, then we have a bigger problem that opens up debate in a different direction. So as you can see, when it comes to surveys it is a question of questions, their construction and ability to have Hispanic community mem- means to make the responses bers are listened to by the city meaningful. As always government. progress is made by doing and The results so far were: learning. Take a look at the sur26.1 percent Strongly vey and send in your suggesAgree tions and advice. 12.0 percent Agree Somewhat Send comments to EdiBirsan 8.7 percent Completely @gmail.com or 510-812-8180 or Disagree visit www.PulseOfConcord.com
Gardens don’t need a winter vacation
ward to, this and every winter season. By installing a couple of Local, experienced key evergreen plants, a handful Concord & Clayton references of perennials, and a scattering of bulbs, your garden will shine through our Clayton Valley winQuality cleaning ter. 100% guaranteed. Fall through early winter, gardeners can enjoy the blooms “If you aren’t from correa, leonotis and grevillea plants. Correa Dusky Bells completely satisfied, has orange colored, bell shaped N iCOLE H ACKETT then I’m not.” blooms that hang from its archGARDEN GIRL ing, woody stems. Correa Wyn’s Wonder has variegated foliage Clayton Valley gardeners and a slightly lighter colored have lots of blooms to look forflower. This evergreen thrives on 925-350-9179 silviacanalizo@gmail.com a slope or a hill. Correa plants grow wider than tall, they’re drought tolerant prefer not to be fed. Leonotis loves full sun, grows vase shaped and stays evergreen. Plant in the back of a garden, near a fence or against a wall for some show stopping flowers November through January. The whirl-shaped orange Family Owned Business for more than 25 years flowers are very hummingbird friendly. 4 bedrooms, 2 bath, 3571 Treat Blvd., Concord Grevillea is a huge family of 1688 sq. ft. on a 35,000 sq. plants from Australia. Members ft. lot. include shrubs, groundcovers and small trees. All of the various selections of grevillea are ACTIVE drought tolerant, hummingbird$550,000 friendly and flower fall through early spring blooming. Grevillea Low Form is a highly desirable sprawling groundcover. Grevil4 bedrooms, 2 bath, lea Little John has fern like 4451 Crestwood Cir., Concord foliage, and an arid growth habit which makes an interesting landscape installation where a large LEASE shrub is desired. $2,750 Cyclamen, camellias, and hellebores begin blooming up a
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storm in December and January. Most gardeners are familiar with cyclamen, and camellias. Cyclamen is a bulb plant for shady areas with shooting star shaped bloom stands atop tubular stems. They are great planted where you crave a shade loving color spot, or nestled in a container at one’s entry. Camellias are shade loving evergreen shrubs that grow 410’ tall and wide. Flower shapes vary from single, semi or full. Colors are usually in the pinks to reds, with some white and BIcolor blends. Litter from fallen blossoms can be a nuisance, but it’s the price you pay to have blooms in the winter. Helleborus is a family of evergreen, drought tolerant perennials that are also shade lovers. This hardy plant can reach 2-feet tall and wider with age. Hellebores can be found in reds, burgundy, wine, pinks, creams, chartreuse, February is not without bloom in the garden. Daphne is a wonder of this time of year. Bursts of sweet, citrus smelling
blossoms cover this evergreen for four-to-six weeks. Daphne needs afternoon shade, and can tolerate morning sun, or touches of evening summer sun. You can expect this shrub to reach three- to-four-feet tall and almost five-feet wide. This plant has softwood, so prune as needed after bloom. Daphne is drought tolerant, requiring little summer water once established. Hardenbergia is that purple vine that you will see in full bloom during February. Happy Wanderer is a sure thing, always reliable. Plant a Hardenbergia in a morning sun. This vine is never picky about soil, or fertilizer. Clayton Valley gardens and landscapes do not need to be dull during the drab days of winter, they can bloom and have life, and you just need to know what to plant.
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
November 20, 2015
B U SINESS
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Many choices for holiday celebrations; Keep it local
MARiLyN FOWLER
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
It’s the holiday season once again — time to get together with family and friends, attend holiday events and time to shop for gifts. And if you’re busy, you may find that you’re eating out a few more times this month. This is a great time to support local businesses. The Concord community has many opportunities to “shop local” at independent businesses and local retailers. Purchasing in our community is good for economic vitality in Concord, as it puts more money into the city and raises the local tax base. When you shop in Concord, you are supporting members of your own city who are vested in the success of the community. Concord has Sunvalley Shopping Center all decked out for the holidays, and it is a great one-stop spot for your shopping. In the center court’s Ice Palace, your kids can visit Santa Claus and enjoy an interactive experience with the Peanuts gang, locally sponsored by SAFE Credit Union. You can also buy the latest fashions at locally owned and
operated Tart Outlet. Husband and wife design team Jamie and Dana Finegold launched Tart in 1996 and the outlet in downtown Concord is a great place to buy your holiday outfit or the perfect gift. After a long day of shopping, take a break with a great meal at one of Concord’s many restaurants. Eureka! Restaurant features locally sourced foods and special holiday drinks. Plate & Vine at the Hilton Concord features seasonal selections and fine wines. Take the whole family to the Old Spaghetti Factory in their newly remodeled location in downtown Concord. Are you shopping for your holiday dinner? There are now two Grocery Outlets in town – one on Willow Pass Road
SRO, from page 1
mischief go down, especially this year. “Knock on wood, but we’ve had a very smooth year,” he says. “I’m never bored, but it’s nice that there haven’t been major issues to confront.”
carries weapons. Valeros’ favorite part of the job is getting to know the students, and that makes a huge difference. “Ray is more of a mentor than a disciplinarian,” Cizmowski says. “His whole goal is to educate the students about what is going on, and help them improve next time.” Student Jarreck Leafa is a big fan of Valeros. “He once stopped me from doing something really stupid,” he says. “He is a real big help on campus, a real good person to talk to.” Fellow student Angelina Perez agrees. “He really makes a difference in this community. Having him here makes me feel safer.”
DECREASE IN MISCHIEF At MDHS, this year is even better than last year, when the school had more instances of trouble, including some gang activity. But it is nothing like it was before the SROs started on campus, says MDHS Principal Liane Cizmowski. “A few years ago we used to call Fridays ‘Fight Fridays’ because of all the problems,’” she says. “Now, it’s very rare we get anything but typical schoolyard hijinks.” It would seem like the pres- A RESOURCE FOR STUDENTS Valeros is not just the cop ence of an SRO can make a positive impact, and not just on campus. He has insinuated because he is uniformed and himself in campus life, helping
BART, from page 5
lage possibly being built at the North Concord station? “It comes down to funding,” Murray says. “We are investigating the possibility of a transit bond on the 2016 ballot. That will help add additional trains, as well as help install a new train con-
trol system. Our old one is out-of-date, and it causes slower service through high traffic areas, like the transbay tube. If we can get a new train control system in place, trains will run much more quickly with less delays, and we can get them closer
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and the other on Ygnacio Valley Road. Check out their deals and great selection of wine and groceries. Visit Alpine Pastry & Cakes for delicious desserts. There are also many local caterers who are on hand to help you with your holiday parties. Among them are Englund’s Catering, Maverick’s Catering or Dave’s Cuisine, who can assist you with your party planning. Have a wonderful holiday season and remember to support local businesses. For more information on becoming a member of the Concord Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.concordchamber.com or call (925) 685-1181.
Business Briefs
OSH moves to PH
The Orchard Supply Hardware store on Monument is empty. The San Jose-based retailer has moved to the old Lucky Supermarket center in Pleasant Hill. The company has plans to sublet a portion of the space, but has no signed lease yet. The store’s departure adds another 40,000 empty square feet to the center that saw the Safeway close two years ago. Councilman Edi Birsan lives two blocks off Monument and has been a faithful OSH customer for many years. “I can’t say how sad I am that they’re leaving,” he said. “They’ve been a good community partner.”
Mels coming to old CoCo’s location
This Spring, the empty CoCo’s building on Treat will be the new home of The Original Mels Restaurant. The owner has applied for the building permits to remodel the old building which will have inside seating only – no drive in.
Know of a business on the move? Moving in? Moving out? Expanding? Hiring? Laying off ? Let us know. Send an email to editor@concordpioneer.com with details. We’ll take it from there.
coach the varsity football team and JV boys basketball team. Plus he is a resource for students who may have questions about law enforcement as a career, problems at home, grades or other things that weigh heavily on a high schoolers’ life. “The thing that SROs do really well is demystify the uniform,” Valeros says. “They don’t see me and think I’m the enemy because I wear a uniform. It’s good for them to see the uniform as a resource.” At Northgate High School, SRO Raquel Cantillon is also having an impact. Like Concord, her position is jointly supported by MDUSD and the City of Walnut Creek. Much of her emphasis is on educating parents on behavioral and drug problems that plague the school, such as a recent missive she sent out explaining that students were abusing cold medicine. “Raquel has been a great
addition to our staff,” says Principal Michael McAlister, adding that, like Valeros, she has time to develop relationships with the students that help curb problems later on. “I feel much safer with her on campus,” says student Jack Casey. MDUSD Superintendent Nellie Meyer, like Swanger, is very happy with the program. “Our school resource officers have developed positive relationships with our students and work with students to direct them in the right direction.” In addition, she says that the SRO serves as a liaison with the police departments, social services and other organizations that can assist students in crisis. “They also provide information regarding the law, government agency support and trends in our community,” she says.
together so wait lines will be shortened.” Until then, Murray says to be patient, and perhaps try to go to the Pleasant Hill station to get a seat. When it was pointed out that opens a whole new can of worms regarding BART parking, she sighed and said, “that’s a whole story in itself.” Meanwhile, she and the other BART directors are
going throughout the Bay Area, lobbying with service clubs and organizations to educate residents about the need for more BART funds without raising fares. Murray says she welcomes comments, questions and suggestions from her constituents in Contra Costa County. She can be reached at Gail.murray@BART.gov.
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Page 9
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 P EGGY S PEAR , Copy Editor J AY B EDECARRÉ, Sports Editor PAMELA W IESENDANGER , Administration, Calendar Editor S TAFF W RITERS : Peggy Spear, Pamela Wiesendanger, Jay Bedecarré
C ORRESPONDENTS : Patricia Romero, Kara Navolio, John Jackson, John T. Miller
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The Clayton Pioneer and the Concord Pioneer are monthly publications delivered free to homes and businesses in 94517, 94518, 94519 and 94521. ZIP code 94520 is currently served by drop site distribution. The papers are published by Clayton Pioneer, Inc., Tamara and Robert Steiner, PO 1246, Clayton, CA 94517. The offices are located at 6200 Center St. Suite H, Clayton, CA 94517
LET US KNOW Weddings, anniversaries, births and deaths all weave together as part of the fabric of our community. Please let us know of these important events. We ask only that the announcement be for a resident in our home delivery area. Submit on our website and be sure to attach a JPG photo that is at least 3 MB. Also on the website are forms for calendar items, events & press releases. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Both Pioneer newspapers welcome letters from our readers.
As a general rule, letters should be 175 words or less and submitted at least one week prior to publication date. Letters concerning current issues will have priority. We may edit letters for length and clarity. All letters will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number. We will not print anonymous letters. E-mail your letter to editor@concordpioneer.com. Letters must be submitted via E-mail. CIRCULATION The Concord Pioneer is delivered monthly to 30,000 homes and businesses in 94518, 94519 and 94521. Papers are delivered by carriers for ABC Direct around the last Friday of the month. To stop delivery for any reason, call the office at (925) 672-0500 . If you are NOT receiving the Pioneer, please check the distribution map on the website. If you live in the shaded area and are not receiving the paper, please let us know. If you are not in the shaded area, please be patient. We will come to your neighborhood soon. The Clayton Pioneer is delivered by US Mail to 5,500 homes and businesses in 94517 around the second Friday of the month. SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe to either the Clayton Pioneer or the Concord Pioneer, call the office at (925) 672-0500. Subscriptions are $35/year for each paper, $60/year for both.
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Page 10
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
November 20, 2015
Carondelet, Northgate claim NCS championships to come up short due to sickness, injuries and excellent competition from league rivals. This year, from the beginning of the summer, the boys were determined to work as hard as they could to attain victory. This team learned to love hills for the competitive advantage they could bring, even racing to the top of Mount Diablo to prepare for the season,” Munch said. Freshman sensation Rayna Stanziano of Concord completed an undefeated league season while winning the league meet by 18 seconds over Jessie Boucher of Northgate, who was third a year ago. The Minuteman runner barely missed breaking the meet record. Stanziano earlier set a course record at a DVAL center meet
JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Northgate High School boys made history last Saturday when they won the school’s first-ever North Coast Section water polo Division II championship with an 8-5 win over No. 2 seed Tamalpais. Carondelet captured the school’s second NCS golf title with sophomore Angela Bagasbas as tournament medalist. Clayton Valley Charter also experienced a bit of history with its boys cross country team winning its first league title in 21 years.
WATER POLO It’s been quite a year for Northgate aquatics. A longterm fund-raising project finally came to fruition with the opening of the $7.9 million Northgate Aquatics Center this year. The 25 yards by 40 meters pool will host Broncos PE classes plus the school’s water polo, diving and swimming teams. Last spring the Northgate boys won their second consecutive NCS team championship and then made its own history by winning the inaugural CIF State swimming championship. The team was able to practice in the pool in the final weeks of its historic season. Water polo coach Taylor Herman said after last Saturday’s NCS finale, “We’ve had great programs in the past. This was finally the team that went all the way and pulled through.” The Broncos were NCS runners-up to Redwood last fall and semifinalists the two previous years.
and Alexis Browne, freshmen Yealimi Noh of Concord and Courtney Gaorian and sophs Bagasbas and Annika Borrelli. Bagasbas shot even par 72 while Noh and Borrelli were both in the 70s at NCS. After their NCS title the Cougars advanced to the NorCal Championships last week where they tied for second with Dougherty Valley, six strokes behind winners St. Francis. All three schools advanced to this week’s CIF State finals at Poppy Hills Golf Course. Bagasbas was fifth shooting a three over par 75 and Noh tied for ninth with a 78 at NorCal. Carondelet won its only previous NCS golf title in 2001 with Allie Rowe taking medalist honors.
Photo courtesy Carondelet High School
UNDEFEATED CARONDELET SHOT 394 to win the North Coast Section golf championship and then followed it up with a second-place finish at the NorCal Championships. The team includes, from left, Isabel Minton, Alexis Browne, coach Rick Eisenhour, Yealimi Noh, Angela Bagasbas, Annika Borrelli, Courtney Gaorian and coach Ed Virtusio. Sophomore Bagasbas was NCS medalist with an impressive 72 even-par.
The Broncos drew a firstround bye, beat Justin-Siena 10-9 in the quarter-finals and defeated Bishop O’Dowd 1110 in the semis. O’Dowd shocked top seed and defending champ Redwood 7-6 in the quarter-finals. Fifth seed Northgate finished the season with a 20-9 record. Andrew joseph scored three goals in the finals for Northgate as the team’s defense limited Tamalpais to very few scoring opportunities. Goalie Tanner Armas ended the championship game with seven saves for the
perennial DVAL powerhouse. San Ramon Valley eliminated De La Salle and Clayton Valley Charter in the boys Division I playoffs. CVCHS and College Park were in the girls DI playoffs with the Eagles losing their opener and the Falcons dropped by champion San Ramon Valley in the quarter-finals. Carondelet won its first DII girls playoff game over Encinal but were then eliminated by eventual champs Miramonte. Northgate beat Diablo Valley Athletic League rival Concord in the first round of the DII tour-
Kimberly Maier photo courtesy Concord High School
MINUTEMAN GOALIE RYLIE PEARSON came out to block a shot by Northgate’s Carlie Polkinghorn in the opening round of NCS water polo playoffs. The Broncos beat Concord (16-9) 13-4 in the clash of DVAL teams before Northgate (18-10) lost in the quarter-finals to eventual NCS finalist Campolindo.
MDSA Team Lightning strikes twice for 2 titles
Photo courtesy MDSA
TEAM LIGHTNING led a 1-2-3 sweep by MDSA teams in the girls under 10 division at the AYSO Area 2C Cup earlier this month. Team Lightning won the MDSA World Cup tournament championship to qualify for the Area Cup, which they won in a shootout over MDSA Dynamite in the finals. The team includes, front row from left, Isabelle Shepski, Trista Giannini, Morgan Grove, Lian Blaisdell; back row, coach Dan Giannini, Natalia Avelar, Temi Okeowo, Ellis Adams and coach Jim Giannini. Not pictured, Kate Heyman.
nament but were taken out by Campolindo in the quarterfinals.
CROSS COUNTRY Anthony Munch took over as Clayton Valley Charter High School cross country coach in 2013, returning to his alma mater. He was able to re-live an experience this fall when the Eagles boys team won the school’s first league championship since 1994 when Munch was part of a title-winning team. CVCHS had five runners finish in the top eight at the DVAL meet at Hidden Valley Park to easily outdistance Northgate and defending champion College Park. Munch took up cross country as a senior and was part of the ‘94 Clayton Valley High Hall of Fame team that won the Mountain Bay Athletic League, was second at North Coast Section and fifth at State meet. Munch was named all-league for the undefeated league champs. This year’s Eagles were led by sophomore Dylan White who finished second to senior Jorge Velazquez of Ygnacio Valley, who also won the league meet two years ago. Sayed Opeyany was third, Michael Cox fifth, JJ Perez sixth and Anthony Maytum eighth to score 19 points for CVCHS. “The last two years the Eagles boys have gone into the DVAL finals tied for first, only
Photos courtesy Chris Ruzicka
YGNACIO VALLEY SENIOR JORGE VELAZQUEZ (right), who also won the league meet two years ago, and freshman Rayna Stanziano of Concord won DVAL cross country championships recently at Hidden Valley Park in Martinez. The two league champs will be competing in the North Coast Section meet this Saturday in Hayward.
when she clocked 21:34 at Castle Rock Park in Walnut Creek over a 3.3-mile course. Northgate won the DVAL girls championship over College Park, reversing a one-point dual meet loss to the Falcons. Stanziano (Division II) and Velazquez (Division IV) figure to be top contenders this Saturday at the NCS meet in Hayward.
GIRLS GOLF The Carondelet the Cougars shot 394 to win the NCS championship at Boundary Oak in Walnut Creek with a 14-stroke win. The team competed without a senior in the lineup that featured juniors Isabel Minton
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Clayton Valley and Northgate each defeated the other school as visitors during the DVAL season and then had a playoff to determine the DVAL champion with CVCHS taking a four-set match. At NCS the Eagles won in straight sets over Alameda in the opening round but lost in four sets to Granada of Livermore in the Division II quarter-finals. Northgate lost a tough five-set match to Newark Memorial in the Broncos first NCS game. Carondelet beat Arroyo but lost to Maria Carrillo at NCS.
De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame class includes “The Streak” starters JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
De La Salle has proved a dominate force in high school sports over the past several decades and the Spartans recently inducted five athletes, a coach and two teams into the De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame. The school’s Hall of Fame began in 2007. Tom Dixon Class of 1994: He was a starter on the varsity volleyball team for four years and a member of two league champion teams. He was twice a member of the USA youth national team, had a record-setting college career at Loyola Marymount University and played professionally in Denmark and Spain. As an assistant coach at De La Salle in 2000-02 he helped lead the Spartans to three NCS volleyball titles.
See Hall of Fame, pg 12
Photo courtesy De La Salle High School
DE LA SALLE FOOTBALL TEAM THAT BEGAN “THE STREAK.” Smarting from a loss in the 1991 North Coast Section championship game to Pittsburg, De La Salle’s 1992 team entered the season looking for amends. It turns out the school would not lose another game until 2004 while racking up a national record 151-game winning streak. The undefeated team were BVAL champs, regained the NCS title, were mythical state champions and ranked third in the nation. Among local players on this edition of the Spartans were Dalton Brown (79), Dave Mason (74), Jim Mc Adam (50), Mike Pelosi (35), Mark Spinelli (56), Joe Wasco (64), DJ Duperior (not pictured) and coach Terry Eidson (coach on left in 3rd row).
November 20, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com MDHS. He capped his season with 273 yards and three TDs against Northgate, a North Coast Section team. With the short roster Clements had to work with, Jones was rarely ever off the field as a running back or defensive back. “What makes him even more special is how humble he is and truly has a ‘team first attitude,’” the coach adds. Jones is playing baseball this spring as a shortstop and centerfielder. He says he’d also like to do some pitching for the Red Devils.
Athlete Spotlight
Harrison Jones Grade: Senior School: Mt. Diablo High Sports: Football, Baseball
Derek Clements took over the Mt. Diablo High varsity football coaching position last spring but he’s no stranger to local high school football. He’s been a prep coach in the area for nearly two decades and he played football all the way up to the professional Arena Football League. So when the Red Devils
coach says, “Harrison Jones is the most talented athlete I’ve ever been around as a coach or player” it’s high praise indeed. Jones transferred to Mt. Diablo from Pittsburg High for his senior year and had an immediate impact for the Red Devils. He rushed for 1654 yards while scoring 20 touchdowns for
The Concord Pioneer congratulates Harrison 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.
Local teams top seedings for NCS playoffs
Jason Rogers photo
Concord High running back Harold Tidwell (5) tried to fend off Clayton Valley Charter’s Jamel Rosales (1) as he helped the Minutemen to a 14-13 halftime lead over the Eagles. CVCHS came out roaring in the third quarter with 29 points to fuel a 42-22 Claycord Cup win at Gonsalves Stadium. Both teams advanced as high seeds to the NCS playoffs. JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
Top seeds De La Salle and Clayton Valley Charter begin defense of their North Coast Section Division I and II football championships this Friday on their home fields after the No. 1-2 teams in Bay Area high school football polls enjoyed a bye during the opening round of section playoffs last weekend. Each Concord team is hoping to win another North Coast Section championship and return to CIF State bowl games next month. DLS is seeking its 24th straight NCS crown and will host California High Friday night in their Division I opener. The Spartans beat Cal High of San Ramon 56-0 two weeks ago in their regular-season finale. A win will probably setup a semi-final game against long-time rival Pittsburg High on the Thanksgiving weekend. The Spartans (9-1) have gone 266 straight games against Northern California schools without a loss since Pittsburg defeated DLS 35-27 in the 1991 NCS finals. In the other side of the bracket undefeated Antioch (led by sensational junior running back and Alabama-commit Najee Harris) and Foothill seem headed for a semi-final matchup next weekend. CVCHS (9-1 overall) has gone four straight undefeated Diablo Valley Athletic League seasons. The Ugly Eagles host Windsor (7-4) which beat Pinole Valley 44-9 in last week’s NCS Division II opener. The 7 p.m. game Friday is at Gonsalves Stadium. Granada and Tennyson play in the other quarterfinal with that winner expected to travel to Clayton Valley Charter for a semi-final game the following week. In the other half of the DII bracket, third seed Concord High (7-4) began play with a 56-0 shutout of Hayward High. The Minutemen will host Maria Carrillo (7-4) of
Santa Rosa this Saturday in a quarterfinal matchup. Runningback Harold Tidwell scored three touchdowns in the first half as Concord ran out to a 50-0 lead at the intermission over Hayward. No. 2 seed Miramonte, which ousted CVCHS from the 2013 NCS playoffs as they won the championship, plays Casa Grande of Petaluma in the other quarterfinal. Wins by the higher seeds would pit Miramonte and Concord in a semi-final Nov. 27 or 28. Miramonte, Concord and Clayton Valley Charter will be in the Diablo Athletic League together starting next year. The three schools have won four of the last five NCS DII championships and expect to make that five this month. Top seed Berean Christian (9-1) begins its Division V playoffs hosting No. 9 Stellar Prep of Oakland (7-3) this Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Walnut Creek. The Eagles have a nine-game winning streak earning a first-round bye after opening the season with a 2824 loss at Cloverdale. Stellar, a NCS semi-finalist last year, blanked host Cloverdale 35-0 last week in the NCS opening round. Defending state champion Campolindo of Moraga (10-1) beat Ygnacio Valley 70-44 in the DIII playoffs last week. The Warriors (3-8) fell behind 42-8 in the first quarter and actually outscored Campo after that.
CVCHS OFFENSE HUMMING The Eagles outscored their five DVAL opponents 249-33. Their only loss this year was in the season opener to returning Division I state champion Folsom 27-26. The Bulldogs rank behind only De La Salle in NorCal rankings. Once again the wing-gun Eagles offense has a featured back. This fall, Ray Jackson III is averaging 11.5 yards per carry with 1786 total rushing yardage and 18 touchdowns.
Page 11
Blazing Warriors fast start to title defense
TYLER LEHMAN SPORTS TALK
The Warriors are absolutely on fire to start the season and they are playing like men with something to prove. Even after going 67-15 last year and winning the NBA title, the Warriors were heavily disrespected by other teams and media alike in the off-season. Terms like “lucky” and “fortunate” were thrown around, and some even went so far to say that the Dubs title needed an asterisks by it. The Warriors are simply proving the naysayers wrong. They might be even better than they were last season. Klay Thompson said that the Warriors have a chance to win over 70 games this year, which would put them in the echelon of all-time great regular-season teams. As they won their first 11 games GSW beat playoff contenders Memphis Grizzlies by 50 points. That isn’t a typo, the Warriors blasted the Grizzlies 119-69. The Warriors are systematically dismantling teams and they don’t even have their head coach on the bench. Luke Walton has done an amazing job filling in for Steve Kerr, as he recovers
from back surgery. Walton might be an upand-coming head coach but he certainly isn’t as skilled as Kerr, which shows how strong the Warriors depth chart is. Andrew Bogut, the injury prone big man, missed six games early on while he recovered from a concussion. The Warriors didn’t miss a beat without him as Festus Ezeli came in and filled the starting center role with ease. And what about Steph Curry? He’s proving every night that he deserved his MVP award last season. On Halloween, Curry dropped 54 points on the New Orleans Pelicans and had nine assists as well. The Warriors seem to be even better this season. They turn the ball over less and the ball movement is as crisp as it has ever been. Earlier this month the Warriors broke the record for most assists in a half with 28. When forward Draymond Green was interviewed on the sideline about the assist total, he looked like his head was about to explode in disbelief. The Warriors feel disrespected and the league is feeling their wrath. After starting their title defense with nine straight victories it is a very likely that the Warriors indeed win more than 70 games by season’s end. 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@concordpioneer.com.
to a number of mistakes and that pattern has continued even as the Spartans have won nine consecutive games in a strong schedule against teams from throughout California. The Spartans have relied on defense this year to overcome offensive turnovers and special team’s mistakes. The Spartans first-team defense, which in several games is hardly on the field in the second half of lopsided games, hasn’t allowed a touchdown since the third game of the season. The Spartans have only allowed 26 points total in their last seven games. “Our defense was awesome tonight,” De La Salle head coach Justin Alumbaugh told CalHiSports after the recent win over Long Beach Poly. “I’m really happy how they’ve come along [since the loss to Trinity].” Should De La Salle win NCS for the 24th year in a row they will likely be seeded into the open division State Championship game, held this year SPARTANS DEFENSE in Sacramento. Last December CARRIES TEAM DLS outscored rival CentenniDe La Salle lost its season al of Corona in the state finals opener to Trinity of Texas due 63-42.
Some polls rank Clayton Valley Charter No. 1 in California Division II. The Eagles will be seeking their third NCS title in four years as the top seed for the post-season playoffs. A win at Section will propel them to the DII Northern California bowl game where they are 1-1 in the last three years after winning the school’s first two NCS football titles in 2012 and 2014. Concord won the 2010 NCS crown and were runnersup last fall. "This time of the year is the best of all! Each week means so much and gets tougher and tougher. The goal is to take those championship pictures with your team after the deciding games...there are four championships in the next seven weeks and every year those four are the goal," Clayton Valley Charter head coach Tim Murphy said as his team prepared for the DVAL regular-season finale that would give them title No. 1.
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Page 12
Seniors make college commitments Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Diablo FC 04 girls garner 1st Classic championship
November 20, 2015
Jay Bedecarré photos
Photo courtesy Diablo FC
Diablo FC 04 girls took to the field dressed as “Braveheart,” complete with kilt, sash and warrior paint to win their first Halloween Kick or Treat Classic championship in the top under 11 division. They opened with a 4-0 win over Mt. Diablo Soccer Phoenix followed by a tournament-high score of 7-1 over Mustang Forza and 5-2 victory over Union Sacramento FC. In the finals Diablo FC 04 jumped to a 3-0 lead and then held on for a 3-2 win over California Magic from Orinda The team includes, front row from left, Ananda Walker, Courtney Wagner, Indigo Whiteley, Erika Upson, AJ Pringle; back row, Gigi Betti, Grace Dausses, Liliana Bailey, Helena Ban, Jules Colchico-Greeley and coach Miguel Gonzalez.
SIX SENIORS FROM CARONDELET signed their National Letters of Intent last Friday surrounded by the student body and their families. Cougars formalizing their Division I college choices were, from left, Sierra Blair (Arizona State softball), Givoy Webb (Yale softball), Samantha Coloma (Missouri swimming), Malorie Han (Northwestern swimming), Maddie Murphy (Cal swimming) and Kelsey Witkay (Florida Atlantic swimming).
LEFTHANDER PATRICK O'SHEA WILL BE PLAYING BASEBALL next year for the St. Mary’s Gaels. The versatile player committed to SMC as a pitcher but has also played first base and outfield for Concord High the past two years.
Hall of Fame, from pg 10 Rashad Floyd ’96: Floyd was a standout athlete, playing football and basketball and running track, all with great success. He graduated from Portland State University, where he was a starting point guard in basketball and an All-America defensive back in football, and went on to play nine years of professional football, winning an Arena Bowl championship.
Tom Prindiville ’97: He was a premier track and cross country runner all four years and was named DLS’s Athlete of the Year in 1997. He was all-state as a sophomore, junior and senior, and a 1995 All-America cross country runner. He still owns the school record in the 800meter run and went on to a stellar running career at the University of Arizona.
Charles “Chad” Taylor ’01: Taylor’s accomplishments in water polo, swimming and soccer were extraordinary. He was a twotime All-America in water polo and swimming, a North Coast Section MVP in water polo and is considered the best water polo goalie in Spartan history. In soccer he was named first team NCS, and in track and field he qualified for NCS meet in the pole vault. He was 2001 De La Salle Athlete of the year and went on to a great college career as goalkeeper for Stanford water polo. Maurice Jones-Drew ’03: Recently retired from the National Football League after a stellar career, JonesDrew was one of the country’s best running backs at De La Salle and then at UCLA before signing in 2006 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He led the NFL in rushing in 2011 and he was named to
the Pro Bowl three times. He was a national figure as early as 2001 for his breakout performance in De La Salle’s 2915 victory over Long Beach Poly. As a Spartan, he was rated the number one all-pur- DE LA SALLE HAD NINE ATHLETES SIGN THEIR NLI LAST WEDNESDAY in the Concord school’s gymnasium. The Spartans moving pose high school running on to college next fall are, from left, Jordan Ratinho (USF basketball), Armani Smith (UCSB baseball), Nick Sparks (St. Mary’s baseball ), Connor Redmond (Cal Poly baseball), Jordan Chriss (Columbia University baseball), Principal Brother back in the nation.
Tea Hieta: Coach Hieta is the first woman named to the Athletic Hall of Fame at this all boys school. Hieta coached volleyball at De La Salle from 1997 to 2001 and guided the Spartans to their first and second NCS volleyball titles. A four-time AllAmerican player for Brigham Young University and Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 1990, she is a native of Finland and was a member of that country’s World Champion team.
Robert Wickman, Josh McCarthy (Pepperdine golf), Conner Roberts (UCSB baseball) and Forrest White (Iowa swimming). Not pictured, Ben Allen (Marquette lacrosse).
Sports Shorts
NEW DIABLO ATHLETIC LEAGUE
MAKES FALL SPORTS ASSIGNMENTS
The Diablo Valley Athletic League’s seven schools and the five Diablo Foothill Athletic League schools (Acalanes, Alhambra, Campolindo, Las Lomas and Miramonte) who have been aligned together in a new super league have ratified the divisions for the 2016 and 2017 fall seasons. The super league called Diablo Athletic League has been split by competitive equity into two leagues for the fall sports. The leagues will remain the same for two years and then adjustments can be made. Each league division will receive an automatic berth into the NCS playoffs. The formulas for splitting the league involve objective data when available, normally the MaxPreps ranking for the prior two years. In football Clayton Valley Charter will be joined by Acalanes, Campolindo, Concord, Las Lomas and Miramonte in a six-team Division One. Berean Christian will return to the league in football and play in Division II. Northgate was placed in Division I of water polo, tennis, volleyball and golf for the new league. College Park is in DI of volleyball and tennis. All other current DVAL schools and Alhambra of Martinez are placed in DAL Division II for the next two fall seasons.
1992 Football Team: The core of this team was a group of student-athletes who were stunned by their loss to Pittsburg in the North Coast Section title game in 1991 and who were determined to work together as a team to achieve their utmost. Their dedication and commitment to one another were second to none and they made the 1992 season a perfect one, including winning the NCS title and state championship. WINTER PROGRAMS OPEN They were ranked third in the AT ALL OUT SPORTS LEAGUES nation and is the team that Winter programs are now open for signups in Clayton started “The Streak,” an offered by All Out Sports Leagues. Youth basketball signups unmatched 151-game winare taking place with the league starting Jan. 9. Thanksgiving ning streak. and Christmas break basketball clinics for boys and girls in 1997 Baseball Team: first through 10th grades are also accepting signups. For Winners of both the league complete information on All Out Sports programs, visit alltitle and section title, the outsportsleague.com. 1997 varsity baseball team DIABLO FC OFFERING FREE SOCCER CLINICS posted a 25-3 record, domiIN DECEMBER nating opponents in every Diablo FC is offering free soccer clinics for ages 5-12 this category of play. All nine December. Each clinic will be run by the Diablo FC professtarting players went on to sional coaching staff. All levels of players are encouraged to play college baseball, as did come to improve skills while having fun. Visit diablofc.org the team’s top three pitchers. for dates, times and to register online.
tryouts for the Blaze 2016 club teams are coming up in Clayton! • Boys AAU Basketball: 9u - 17u. Dec. 6. See site for times
• Girls AAU Basketball: 11u - 15u. Dec. 6. See site for times • Boys Travel Baseball: 13u - 14u. Dec. 12, 9am-Noon
Register online at www.blazetravelball.com The MOST organized club teams in California!
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ST. BONAVENTURE, QAS RUNNERS PLACE AT OAKLAND DIOCESE CYO
The recent Oakland Diocese CYO cross country championships were held at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland. Skylar Bennett of St. Bonaventure was third in the 3-5 grade girls while Lex Greenwood of Queen of Saints was third in the boys K-2 race. In the girls 6-8 grade flight Grace Zodikoff placed ninth to help her St. Bonaventure team to sixth place.
TRYOUTS FOR BLAZE BASKETBALL, BASEBALL COMING SOON
Blaze competitive team tryouts for baseball and basketball. Boys and girls in second through 11th grade have basketball tryouts Dec. 6 for spring/summer season that begins in February. Baseball tryouts are Dec. 12 for 13U and 14U teams. For complete information on Blaze competitive teams through All Out Sports programs, visit alloutsportsleague.com.
JUSTIN MASHORE PROMOTED TO TEXAS RANGERS MLB STAFF
The Texas Rangers has promoted Clayton Valley High Hall of Famer Justin Mashore from Triple-A Round Rock to be their assistant hitting coach with the major league team. His brother Damon and father Clyde are also in the CVHS Hall of Fame. Justin Mashore graduated in 1991 when he was honored as the CVHS Athlete of the Year following a stunning senior baseball season when he set school records of 40 stolen bases and 41 runs for the BVAL champion Eagles. The former mark still stands over two decades later.
CONCORD PIONEER WANTS TO PUBLISH YOUR SPORTS NEWS
Please let us know about your sports news, special events, fund raisers, tryouts, signups and accomplishments. Youth leagues, clubs, schools and adult programs are all welcome to send us a rundown on what you’re doing. Tell us about local athletes who are competing in college or elsewhere out of the area. Include all the necessary details (too much information is better than too little!) and your contact information. It’s as simple as sending an email to sports@concordpioneer.com.
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November 20, 2015
‘Del Mar’ examines the sands of friendship
That you can never truly know another person is the central truth of Rufi Thorpe’s debut novel, “The Girls From Corona Del Mar” (Vintage, July 2014), but the book is so much more than that. It is also a coming-of-age saga, one where the narrative begins with two golden-skinned teens in sun-drenched Corona Del Mar, and it ends years later and universes away. At the onset, best friends Mia and Lorrie Ann share lives as intertwined as any pair of young girls. So close are they, that they can’t see the stark difference between them as anything but mystical. Mia’s divorcee mom scrapes by in a second-rate apartment to make ends meet. Even after she remarries and Mia’s brothers come along, they remain planted in the same spot, as if by gravity. Lorrie Ann’s parents conversely, a divinely bohemi-
an couple, sink roots steadfastly in love and music. To Mia, Lorrie Ann’s family represents the happy ideal of an intact family. It turns out that Mia gets pregnant in high school, and naturally, it is to Lorrie Ann that she makes her confession. Seemingly chaste Lorrie Ann, the saint to Mia’s sinner, helps her through the subsequent abortion. At the end of high school, Mia is the one who goes to Yale to pursue a degree in the classics, while Lorrie Ann becomes pregnant herself, and chooses to give up on dreams of college to have the baby. But Lorrie Ann’s baby is born horribly deformed and from then on, she can’t seem to catch a break. She marries her baby daddy, who when his restaurant job can’t cover the requirements of his specialneeds family, enlists in the Army. Then he is deployed to Iraq and is killed. Poor and struggling, Lorrie Ann eventually loses custody of her son. Alternately, Mia becomes a scholar. Fifteen years later, their two lives intersect in Istanbul, where Mia and her fiancé, Franklin, are transcribing ancient narratives about the Sumerian goddess Inanna. Lorrie Ann calls Mia out of the blue and Mia goes to the marketplace to meet her, only to find her old friend traveling with a clutch of jet-setters, and addicted to heroin.
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
PETS
Bring the outside in for kitty CYNTHIA GREGORY
FOR
THE
BOOKS
The reunion is predictably strained. Mia is just beginning to realize that she may again be pregnant. Mia is afraid to tell Franklin, who is the best thing that’s ever happened to her. She is afraid that he won’t be ready to be, much less want to be, a father. Mia confesses as much to Lorrie Ann, who promises to keep the secret until Mia comes to terms with which path she will ultimately choose. But Lorrie Ann betrays her confidence almost immediately. One could say that as her friend, Lorrie Ann does what she feels is in Mia’s best interest. She can clearly see how much Franklin loves Mia. One could also say that as friends go, it isn’t Lorrie Ann’s secret to reveal to the fiancé of a friend she hadn’t seen in a dozen years. Friendship. Betrayal. The nature of love, and the powerful lure of ancient mythology. Thorpe’s novel is a deep and layered journey, and for anyone who has ever deeply loved a bestie, is well worth the exploration. Cynthia Gregory is a North Bay nonprofit leader, writer of short fiction, and author of a blog. Email comments and questions to Editor@ConcordPioneer.com
‘Martian’ could go a bit deeper
JEFF MELLINGER
SCREEN SHOTS
The last time we saw Matt Damon on another planet, he was making a surprise appearance in “Interstellar.” The last time we saw a movie about Mars…well, audiences don’t care about Mars movies. This time, however, Damon, director Ridley Scott and cinematographer Dariusz Wolski bring much needed life to the cinematic depiction of the red planet with “The Martian.” Damon plays Mark Watney, a botanist on a six-man mission in its 18th day on Mars. A powerful windstorm picks up and sends them all hurrying to evacuate. Watney becomes injured and believed dead so Commander Lewis (Jessica Chastain) leaves him behind. This all happens in the first 10 minutes. Watney spends the majority of the movie figuring out how to survive for hundreds of days while NASA plans a rescue mission. With typical “lost in space” films, whoever is lost spends a lot of time moping around in self-reflection and worrying about who they left on Earth. Refreshingly, Scott decided to only play up the survival aspects of the journey. Damon hams it up to the various cameras in his workspace, all-thewhile every wrong move could mean a quick death. He is completely in his element. Besides his botany skills, he also knows a lot about chemistry, agriculture and physics. Things that would be complicated on Earth in a similar environment (burning hydrogen to create water) go relatively smoothly for Watney. It’s
only far later into his journey that he runs into serious trouble and the timetable for rescue is sped up. Meanwhile back at NASA… Jeff Daniels plays the perpetually grumpy director of NASA, Teddy Sanders. Daniels isn’t given much to do besides creating conflict within the upper echelons of the
Page 13
ELENA BICKER
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It may surprise you to learn that indoor cats live longer than their outdoor counterparts. Unfortunately, outdoor cats face untold potential threats — including cars, roaming dogs, poison, coyotes, antifreeze, hawks and leg-hold traps. They are also susceptible to diseases and injuries that they can contract from their own kind, including feline distemper, FIV, feline infectious peritonitis, upper respiratory infections, heartworm, abscesses and more. While less deadly, fleas, ticks and other internal parasites to which felines can play host are also problematic for outdoor kitties. With some creative thinking, you can give Fluffy plenty of fun and enrichment inside your home while keeping her safe from the dangers of the outdoors. The “open solution” is as easy as opening a window or door for Fluffy. As long as screens are solidly in place, this simple solution allows Fluffy to enjoy many of the benefits of the outdoors with none of the risks, and
requires little effort. Fluffy can watch and hear the birds, soak up sunlight and feel the soft breeze ruffle through her fur — all from the safety of the windowsill. (If you don’t have a window box or sill for your cat, there are many easyto-install commercial products designed specifically for kitty lounging.) There are other great ways to bring the stimulation of the outdoors to your indoor cat. Maintain fish in an aquarium or birds in a cage for her viewing pleasure, making sure to secure cages out of her reach in case she has predatory tendencies. Purchase a bird video to play for Fluffy to satisfy her bird watching urges, and satisfy her herbivore habits by growing fresh kitty greens for her to munch on indoors. If you have the space, building an attached cattery on your patio would be a sublime treat for Fluffy. Create a wooden frame and cover it securely with sturdy woven
wire fencing with a one-halfby-one-ince mesh. Build the structure at least seven-feet high for ease of cleaning, and install a cat door in your patio door so Fluffy can enter and exit as she pleases. Installing several wooden benches at various heights utilizes vertical space and gives lots of angles for Fluffy to observe. For a “catio” that can’t be beat, add a cat tube. Attach sections of sturdy eight-footwide plastic pipe together to allow Fluffy free access to different areas. These tunnels are such a hit with cats that they spend as much time playing inside them as they do getting from one place to another. Choosing to provide Fluffy with safe “outdoor” experiences inside will enrich her quality of life while also ensuring her life lasts as long as possible. Elena Bicker is the Executive Director of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. She can be reached at (925) 2561ARF (1273)
Avocado and Tilda are this month’s ARF stars
to follow. All this aside, the real reason to see the film is for its effects. Never before has the red planet looked so real. Ask a child who has seen the film and they will likely assume it really was filmed on Mars. Noted cinematographer Wolski (“Prometheus,” “Dark City”) is no stranger to foreign worlds and does an excellent job capturing Mars’ gorgeous scenery. However, the effects and photography are not enough to make the film truly great. There are times when “The Martian” feels a little like an extra-long episode of a “What would happen if…” science show. It’s also hard to ever really feel like Damon is in danger because would they go AVOCADO through all this set up just for a downer ending? He does a fine Avocado is a silly, bubbly, job (even though we know it’s year-and-a-half- old boy who a body double when he wastes can’t wait to find his forever away to a skeleton), but one home. He is a social butterfly, can’t help but wonder if there and he’ll wiggly his way in to Andrus Monoghan would be more suspense if his new adopter’s lap and MATT DAMON portrays an asWatney had been played by home. Avocado is a big, tronaut who faces seemingly Cillian Murphy or Michael young lad who will need reginsurmountable odds as he Fassbender. The lasting lesson ular exercise to keep his body tries to find a way to subsist here is, next time you go to and mind healthy and strong. on a hostile planet. Mars, bring duct tape…lots of Avocado loves snuggling in it. B to enjoy a tasty rawhide from agency. As the mission directime-to-time. We recommend tor, Vincent Kapoor (Chiwetal Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer Avocado take a Basic ManEjiofor) spends a lot of time and film buff. He holds a BA in ners class where he can learn scrambling to come up with Film Studies and an MFA in film polite ways of seeking creanew rescue ideas alongside production. He lives in Concord. ture comforts in life. He curother department heads played Email questions or comments to Ed- rently weighs 74 pounds. by Kristen Wiig, Sean Bean The adoption fee for adult itor@ConcordPioneer.com. and Benedict Wong, there is no time to peek into anyone’s private lives. Over a year’s time is compressed into a little over two hours of film. When Watney is not in imminent danger, the suspense lags a bit. We also have no idea in what year this takes place. Yet apparently NASA has solved the whole zero-g problem in space as the crew of the HerWe repair Over 35 years Experience mes runs on treadmills and all major sits in chairs. Thankfully, Bruce & Holly Linsenmeyer Scott does not present an appliances, Clayton residents over-the-top amount of scimost major Office: (925) 672-2700 ence for the audience to have brands, and Cell: (925) 956-8605 to comprehend. The progreswe’re local State of California B.E.A.R license #A44842 sion of NASA’s herculean efforts to get a supply probe http://ApplianceRepairsbyBruce.com to Watney is exciting and easy
dogs is $250 and includes a discount on the first six-week session of ARF U Manners classes. Tilda, also 1 1/2, is a lovely, little lady with stunning emerald green eyes. She enjoys gentle pets and playing with kitty wands. She is suitable for a first time cat guardian. Tilda’s adoption fee has been prepaid by a generous donor. Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: Noon
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to 6 pm Wednesday & Thursday, Noon to 7 pm Friday, and Noon to 6 pm Saturday & 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 see our website, www.arflife.org , or call (925) 256-1ARF.
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Page 14
Concord High Aasim Yahya
CONCORD HIGH CORRESPONDENT
SCHOOLS Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
CHS music programs hit high notes
Beyond academics and athletics, Concord High School has been excelling in arts. Concord’s award-winning Instrumental Music program and
Choir program have been dominating recent competitions and entertaining many on the way. One of Concord’s oldest
Northgate High Mick Ucciferri
NORTHGATE CORRESPONDENT
Am I a Teenage Cyber bully?
This day and age, technology has given life to many different ways of communicating besides in-person talks, mainly online on social media or via texts. But with these advancements comes an inevitable problem: cyberbullying. Cyber-bulling is the act of verbal or psychological abuse over a technological medium. Most commonly seen in middle and high schools, cyber-bullying is an issue that I see occur daily is some way. And whether I like it or not (most usually not), it’s almost impossible to steer clear from it. Recently a good friend of mine was wronged by one of her close friends at the time, and she used social media as an outlet for getting her anger out. I reached out to her over social media and gave my full support, which I did out of friendship. Pretty soon, a full-fledged social media riot was taking place, with people using Twitter and other social media to attack the person who had wronged my friend. You could say the whole thing was an act of cyber-bullying. And I realized something: I may
Michael McAlister NORTHGATE PRINCIPAL
not have taken a direct place is the cyber-bullying, but by giving support to the cause behind it, I was allowing myself to be a perpetrator. This is why cyber-bullying is so commonly seen and dangerous. Sometimes you can’t tell if you are contributing to it. I wasn’t able to see that by supporting a friend, I was helping cyber-bully another person. No matter how benign my message was, it was fueling the fire, something which was definitely not my intention. Now I may still be in support of my friend, but I did delete everything I said on social media so that I wasn’t viewed as someone I am not, a bully. My advice: Keep it off the Internet. If you have an issue with someone, say it to their face. Thousands of people commit suicide every year because of something said about them on social media, and as technology keeps advancing, that number is bound to go up.
letes and their respective teams. Academically speaking, we are moving in exciting directions. Our math program, for example, is exploring ways to support all of our students by looking carefully at the way our current pathway could be retooled to better meet the needs of our students from the most basic algebraic applications to sophisticated concepts in calculus. In other departments, teachers are getting ready to post their syllabuses as well as curriculum maps for each of the courses we offer here at Northgate. The efforts of our teachers, in this regard, is nothing short of heroic and can’t help but enhance student learning as well as the overall academic achievement for all of our kids.
Send comments and questions to editor@concordpioneer.com
CHS MARCHING BAND Percussionist Heston Kent (Captain), Kyle Brosler (Drum Major) and Madeline Rittmann (Auxiliary Captain) accept their awards at the Lodi Grape Bowl Classic.
ing festival and competition awards among many other honors. The importance of art at CHS is evident through these two thriving programs. Band Booster president Theresa
Dowd believes, “Students of in community.” music are engaging their anaAasim Yahya is a sophomore lytical and creative parts of and student body vice president. He their brain. They are engaged has a passion for basketball and in an enriching environment plays on the school team. Send comthat celebrates diversity, pro- ments to editor@concordpioneer.com motes advocacy, and engages
Ygnacio Valley High
Claire Rader
YGNACIO VALLEY CORRESPONDENT
YV sees performing arts revival
Recently, the drama program at Ygnacio Valley High School has blossomed and turned into something wonderful. Last year our drama classes returned under the direction of Samantha Hopper. She is so excited to be able to bring back this part of
Mick Ucciferri is a senior at Northgate High School. Send questions and comments to editor@concordpioneer.com
Terrific Homecoming highlights Brono’s fall
As usual, things around Northgate are moving along at a fast and yet enjoyable pace. For those of you following us on Twitter (@NorthgateHS), you are already aware of what this looks and feels like. Please join in the fun by following our feed. To catch everyone up, know that we had an amazing Homecoming Week that culminated with one of the most successful dances we’ve had in years. One of our own students, Josh Williams, did a fabulous job DJing the event. All in all, the week’s celebration helped each of us make more than a few great memories. In sports news, our programs are going deep into the season since as league play has wrapped up, many of our teams qualified for the North Coast Section tournaments. Best of luck to each of our student-ath-
and most decorated programs is their Instrumental Music Program directed by Gary Courtney. At Concord, students can select between many different branches of the program such as marching band, percussion, jazz band, orchestra, symphonic band, stage band and several others. Most recently marching band and auxiliary participated in their last competition of the year at the Lodi Grape Bowl Classic, where the band placed first and auxiliary and drum major placed third. In addition to the decorated music program, Concord’s Choir program has been grabbing the attention of many locals. The Choir Programs consists of many different choirs such as Ladies First, Show Choir, and Concert Choir, all under the direction of Christian Emigh. Most recently, Ladies First sang at the Warriors game, something they have been doing for the past seven years. In addition to Ladies First, Show Choir and Concert Choir have performed all across America while receiv-
November 20, 2015
Efa Huckaby
YGNACIO VALLEY PRINCIPAL
performing arts to the school. This year, as part of her Masters project, Ms. Hopper directed the first full-length fall play to grace the stage at Ygnacio Valley High School in five years. Ms. Hopper’s Masters’ thesis is about
Accolades from all corners of YVHS
As we enter the holiday season, we at Ygnacio Valley High School continue our efforts in creating and maintaining a safe, respectful community by honoring and celebrating our community members and events. We celebrate one of our
very talented students, Jorge Bernabe Velazquez, as he is this school year’s DVAL Boys Cross Country champion. The NFL has also recognized Ygnacio Valley High School as a part of their Super Bowl Honor Roll, which celebrates players and coaches who were
“teaching history through theater,” and she told us she loves this unique approach. The play she chose to produce, called “Better Angels,” is set during the Civil War. Every moment of the play was filled with insight into this period of history, giving students and the audiences alike several opportunities to learn. The actors grew to understand more about this time period, through acting and working together, and through the play itself. They had a chance to meet and talk with the playwright, Judith Neilson, who shared her inspiration and her love of history and poetry with the students. Furthermore, meetings for our spring musical have already started, which will be
a part of the past 49 Super Bowls. During our Homecoming game, we received a Golden Footballs to honor YVHS football alumni Gordan Gravelle, Dave Tollefson, Rich Martini and Chris Walsh. Academically, we are making strives to provide accessible resources for our students and the Mt. Diablo Unified School District at large. Recently, International Baccalaureate consultants visited our campus, and we are projected to begin offering IB courses by the 2017- 2018 school year. These IB courses will promote more criticalthinking curriculum. On Oct. 26, through the hard work and dedication of
directed and choreographed by Kelly Cooper, with musical direction by Geoff Carter, in his 29th year at YVHS. This big event at the end of the school year brings the drama, choir and dance performing arts together and helps build all three programs. Amazing things are happening for performing arts here at Ygnacio Valley High School.
Claire Rader is a senior at Ygnacio Valley, where she serves as the Drum Major as well as the President of Renaissance Leadership. She participates in the musical and drama club, and is hoping to attend BYU in the fall.
parent Ilana Samuels and her team of YVHS parents, we hosted our annual MDUSD College Fair. With success, we welcomed more than 730 participants and 107 colleges and organizations. Finally, our highly anticipated Fall Play, adapted from Judith Neilsen’s musical, “Better Angels” is a historical theatrical piece that explores the American Civil War period and Walt Whitman poetry. We hosted four shows this month and received great support from our YVHS community, students and parents. We are extremely proud of our students and drama department.
Send comments and questions to editor@concordpioneer.com
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Page 15
Clayton Valley Charter High Jeff Eben CVCHS PRINCIPAL
Winning matters at CVCHS
In 1977, after a significant injury left me hospitalized and facing an uncertain future, I built a relationship with my high school coach who challenged me daily with the question “How many wins have you had today?” This question became a meaningful part of my recovery. I discovered the pursuit of winning brought about a belief system that eliminated the option of failure.
As principal at Clayton Valley Charter High School, I live this mantra everyday —that anything less than the pursuit of excellence is cheating our students and selling their futures short. Here at Clayton Valley: WINNING MATTERS. Last week, I overheard a parent from another school talking about CVCHS. In the course of our conversation, he was concerned that we were
Mt. Diablo High
Liane Cismowski MDHS PRINCIPAL
Title I Night celebrates MDHS excellence
Mount Diablo High School is a Title I school. That means that our students benefit from the Title I program which was created by the United States Department of Education to distribute funding to schools and school districts with a high percentage of students from low-income families. Each school served under Title I must convene an annual meeting to inform parents of their
school’s participation in Title I and to explain the requirements and the right of parents to be involved in those programs. The MDHS Title I meeting was held on Oct. 15 in Romaine Hall. More than 200 people attended. Our families and staff enjoyed a delicious dinner with food from Del Valle Mercado and wonderful performances from our
MDUSD, from page 1
Despite its staff recommendation, the County Board narrowly approved the petition 3-2. Since then SPA founder and executive director Neil McChesney and his governing board have implemented plans to open the school next August for students in grades six through 10. McChesney says “250-260 students” have already expressed interest in enrolling during the open enrollment period that concludes today. He says the school targeted 300 students in its inaugural year and “we’re very excited” about the public’s response during the past two months. He has “zero doubts” that the school will successfully open in August. “We have been approached by many perform-
ing arts groups and organizations for partnerships.” When MDUSD board rejected the charter application last spring it concurred with its staff report that said the SPA “presents an unsound educational program for the pupils… petitioners are demonstrably unlikely to successfully implement the program set forth in the petition.” The report went on to question the curriculum beyond the arts component. The Charter says it will offer a comprehensive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) curriculum but both MDUSD and county staff says this wasn’t sufficiently addressed in the proposal.
about “winning” and he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. Putting our students in situations where they are expected to succeed is vital for their personal growth and development. We cannot expect all students to achieve individual accountability without asking them to win at some level. As educators and parents, we cannot shy away from establishing high expectations for student success and teaching habits that come with this pursuit. Commitment to success permeates our campus. Our students perform at an elevated level and it’s not by accident. Our teachers and coaches pride themselves by creating habits that require our students to become successful. Daily repetitions, tutorials and continuous assessment are reflected in the
classroom, the arts and music programs, and on the athletic fields. To pretend that these behaviors only count in academia is selling our students short. Winning is an attitude. It’s easy to have a noble attitude when things are going well. It’s another issue when adversity strikes. Young people need to learn there is an alternative to despair, depression, and quitting – a belief that tomorrow is going to be a great day. So as a substitute to the daily grind of asking our children the tired old question of “What did you do at school today?” try the words shared by my coach and ask “How many wins have you had today?” Send comments and questions to editor@concordpioneer.com
were: Naomi Zuniga, Colin Caban, Rasheed Harris, Alana Lanway, Denis Martinez Quijada, Aimee Perez, Sarah Dunfee, Guillermo Galeno, Alondra Huerta, Ariana Garcia, and Arturo Zepeda. IHTA’s awardees were: Salma Martinez, Carlos Trejo, Arianna Mengel, Daniela Estrada, Emigio Gallegos, Juliana Pine, Gaby Cabrera, and Maria Castro. MBTA’s awards went to: Sidra Seddiquee, Raydon Padua, Anna Cordova, Mable Thai, Briceida Lopez, Ivonne Montes, Daniela Figueroa, and Carmen Tocacci. World Academy honorees were: Sami Abdas Hamidi, Maseema Khan, Paiman Nejrabi, Kelly Rivera, Bryan Pimentel, Evelyn Perez Monroy, and Mina Soliman. Congratulations to these well-deserving super-scholars.
The MDUSD complaint says that after SPA appealed their charter rejection to the county office, the CCCOE issued its own finding of facts which essentially mirrored the same concerns as the local district. McChesney feels his final response to county staff ’s report successfully answered each concern brought forth by CCCOE staff and thus wasn’t surprised when the county board approved the Charter. He says this recent court action was “a surprise” and that the complaint is “opinion based, not factual.” MDUSD’s court complaint says that the county board “committed a prejudicial abuse of distraction by approving the petition to form the Charter School without substantial evidence that the Petition contained
a sound educational program.” In the complaint “the District seeks a writ of mandate prohibiting CCCOE and CCCBOE from abusing their discretion and failing to perform their ministerial duty in approving the charter.” The complaint says the court should withdraw CCCBOE’s July 15 Charter approval and further pay all attorneys’ fees incurred by MDUSD and its lawyer John Yeh. McChesney says that Yeh’s firm has similar litigation in Santa Clara County concerning Voices charter schools. “This [lawsuit] is bigger than anti-SPA. It is part of the national movement to give parents choice” for their children’s education, which threaten public school districts. “MDUSD is not tolerating competition.”
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JROTC Color Guard, drama department, our student-led band, the Red Devil Chorus and our flag squad. At the meeting, administrators presented, in both English and Spanish, the Title I requirements, the school’s participation in the Title I program, and explained the district parental involvement policy, school parental involvement policy and school-parent compact. Copies of all of these documents are available on our website: mdhs.mdusd.org/. One of the highlights of Title I Night was the presentation of awards from each of the five academies. Teachers and administrators from each academy joined to present the awards to outstanding students at each grade level. The honorees for ACME were: Tariq Paulding, Megane Kayo, Steven Ramirez, Yohe Akuaku, Chrissa Pascual, Jason Rojas, Christine Book, and Joey Hornsby. The honorees for DSA
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T HE ARTS
Page 16
SALLY HOGARTY
STAGE STRUCK
Bay Area Stage brings Harper Lee’s award-winning story “To Kill a Mockingbird” to the Martinez Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward Street . Directed by Jeff Lowe, the large cast brings Lee’s small, Alabama town to life as the story of a white lawyer defending a black man accused of rape unfolds. The show closes Nov. 22. “No punches are pulled here, particularly in the portrayal of the ugly personification of the community’s racist ethos, Bob Ewell, played by Kenn Stevens with a chilling realism,” says Lowe. “We have an incredibly strong ensemble and the kids are amazing.” Set in 1935 during the Great Depression, the show features Concord resident Shawn Bonnington as prosecutor Horace Gilmer. Tickets are $18 (general) and $15 (senior/student). Call 707-649-1053 or go to www.bayareastage.org.
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
‘Mockingbird,’ ‘13’ highlight diverse fall shows The number 13 may not be considered lucky by many but for Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown and Pittsburg Community Theatre, it’s a magical number. PCT will present Brown’s “13 the Musical” at 8 p.m. Nov. 20, at 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 21, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at the beautifully renovated California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., in Pittsburg. The first and only Broadway musical to have an all teenage cast, “13” relives the angst, challenges and victories of navigating middle school. It follows Evan as he moves from his fast-paced New York City life into a sleepy Indiana town following his parent’s divorce. Director Steven MergogeyConti and musical director Doug Marttila are putting the enthusiastic cast of 15 teens through their paces. The talented young people includes local middle and high school students from Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood and Concord. For tickets, call 925-4271611 or go to www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. Director Steve Kinsella will host auditions for “I Love a Piano” on Dec. 5-6 at the Delta Gallery, 2485 Sand Creek Rd., in Brentwood. The show celebrates the music of Irving
‘(Not) a Christmas Carol,’ a comic spoof on an old classic, opens Dec. 3 at the Campbell Theater in Martinez.
Berlin as it follows the journey of a piano from one family to another from the turn of the century to the present. Those auditioning should prepare two contrasting songs, one ballad and one up-tempo, and bring music in their key. For more information, contact producer Shara Main at 925-852-3612.
Playwright Kathryn G. McCarty has been at it again. The Concord resident just finished a comic adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Entitled “(Not) A Christmas Carol,” the holiday piece runs Dec. 3-13 at the Martinez Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward Street. For more information, call 925-518-3277 or go to www.onstagetheatre.homestead.com. If you’re looking for a few laughs, try Stand Up Comedy night on Monday, Dec. 14, at Vinnie’s Bar and Grill, 2045 Mt. Diablo Street, Concord. Hosted by Mean Dave, the fun begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 925-685-9515 or go to www.vinniesbar.com. Those with a sweet tooth have quite a treat in store this December. Solo Opera will Joe and Katie Siino as Jem and Scout Finch in Harper Lee’s present Engelbert ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ at the Campbell Theatre through Humperdincks’ delectable Nov. 22.
John Buyer
Diane Squires as Gretel and Megan Stetson as Hansel in Solo Opera’s production of “Hansel and Gretel,” running Dec. 18 – 20 at Walnut Creek’s Del Valle Theatre.
confection “Hansel and Gretel.” The fairytale adventure features a mystical forest, two lost children, an enticing gingerbread house, and, of course, a wicked witch. The company has pulled many organizations together to make this a special event including the Contra Costa Children’s Chorus and dancers from Lori Buffalow’s The Next Step Dance Studio. Proceeds will benefit the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 19-20 at Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd, in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $25 (youth 17 and under), $35 (seniors) and $40 (adults). For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.
Scrooge returns to the Lesher stage
Kevin Berne
THE CRATCHIT CHILDREN laugh together with their father Bob (Michael Wiles) on Christmas Day in CenterREP’s ‘A Christmas Carol
This December, Center REPertory Company brings back the classic holiday favorite, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” This year, the annual production stars Michael Ray Wisely as Ebenezer Scrooge. Brimming with music and dance, love and laughter, spectacular special effects and scary ghosts, it’s no wonder the critics have called it “THE Christmas Carol to see in the Bay Area.” Many people in the Bay Area make seeing it a holiday tradition.
Fantasy Forum aims to ‘save’ Christmas Walnut Creek based Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble is back again this year with the timeless and original holiday tale, “The Biggest Gift,” at the Lesher Center Dec. 17-20. Did you send your letter to Santa? Then why has he not received it yet? No letters - no Christmas. Join the fun as Tucker the elf and the toys set out to save Christmas. This is an original family friendly musical that encourages audience participation from all ages which provides an exciting live theatre experience you and your children will never forget.
For performance times and ticket information, call (925) 943-SHOW, go to www.leshercenter.org, or in person at the Lesher Center for the Arts Ticket Office, 1601 Civic Drive Walnut Creek.
November 20, 2015
Performances run Dec.10 through Dec. 20 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. For more information go to www.centerREP.org or call 925.943.SHOW (7469). Or, visit the LCA Ticket Office at 1601 Civic Drive or the Ticket Office Outlets at Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek and the Downtown Walnut Creek Library.
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
First Presbyterian presents holiday concert
Guest artist Ken Medema will accompany the chamber orchestra at the Christmas concert presented by the Cathedral Choir of First Presbyterian Church on Dec. 13, which also features the church’s children’s and bell choirs Medema has been performing for audiences around the world for almost 40 years. He is best known for his incomparable artistry at the keyboard and as a singer. His trademark ability to take stories from the audience and weave those stories into a penetrating, improvisatory composition is second to none. The concert is free, but the church will accept free-will donations to help offset expenses. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. at the church, 1965 Colfax Street in Concord. For more information, call the church at 925-676-7177.
25 years of ‘Nutcracker’ Returning for its 25th year, Contra Costa Ballet presents the Bay Area’s most family-friendly production of “The Nutcracker,” for one weekend only, with seven performances Nov. 27-29 at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. Join Clara and her beloved nutcracker-turnedprince on a magical journey among giant mice and toy soldiers into the deliciously delightful Candy Kingdom. Contra Costa Ballet brings “The Nutcracker” to life in this festive production filled with colorful costumes, whimsical sets and an array of talented, young dancers. This one-hour performance is an elegant introduction to the holiday classic. For performance times and ticket info, call 925-943SHOW (7469) or go to lesherartscenter.org.
November 20, 2015
CALENDAR Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR EVENTS BY 5 P.M. DEC. 7 FOR THE DEC. 18
IN CONCORD
Nov. 26 Turkey Trot
Inaugural Thanksgiving 5K/10K run/walk sponsored by Calvary Temple Church. 8 a.m. Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. $35; Kids Drumstick Dash is free. calvarytemple.org/turkeytrot.
Dec. 4 Holiday Gift and Craft Fair
Handcrafted items at reasonable prices. 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. Vendor spaces available. $40. concordreg.org; course number 98345.
Dec. 5 Tree Lighting
Santa, entertainment, Mayor’s sing along and tree lighting. Santa arrives at 4 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza, Willow Pass Road between Mt. Diablo and Grant Streets, Concord. cityofconcord.org.
Dec. 5 - 6 Santa
Picture with Santa, tour and refreshments sponsored by the Concord Historical Society. 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Galindo Home, 1721 Amador St., Concord. $20. concordhistorical.org.
Dec. 14 Tree of Lights
Tree lighting for Clayton and Concord by Hospice of the East Bay. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. John Muir Medical Center parking lot, East Street and Almond Avenue, Concord. Donations accepted. 8875678.
IN CLAYTON
Nov. 30 Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa County
Nov. 24 - 25 “Giyera – The Musical”
ISSUE. ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO
Story set in a small Filipino village during the Japanese invasion of WWII. Presented by Music Repertoire. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $20. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 27 – 29 “The Nutcracker”
One hour performance by Contra Costa Ballet. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $35. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 1 Holiday Concert
Presented by Walnut Creek Concert Band. 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $14-17. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 2 – 5 “Ruined”
A reflection of the fight for survival in a small mining town located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Presented by Los Medanos College. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $10-$15. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Dec. 3 – 13 “(Not) a Christmas Carol”
Downtown festivities. Caroling, followed by Santa, tree lighting and refreshments starting at 6 p.m. Grove Park to Main and Oak Streets, Clayton. Free. Clayton Business and Community Association 672-2272.
Dec. 12 Dessert with Mrs. Claus
Prizes, party favors. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring camera. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton. Donations appreciated. Clayton Business and Community Association 672-2272.
Presented by Trapped in a Rumor Improv. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 4 – 5 “Once Upon a Christmas”
A delightful, narrated holiday ballet by The Ballet School. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $27. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 4 – 27 “A Christmas Carol”
A sparking, music-infused production. A.C.T.’s Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco. $20-$105. act-sf.org.
Dec. 5 “Christmas Swings”
ON THE MOUNTAIN
Nov. 27 Black Friday Hike Nov. 27 Black Friday Hike
Twin Peaks hike. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead. Reservations required.
Nov. 27 Transition to Winter Hike
Gentle stroll to see results of cooling temperatures and rain after four years of drought. 1 – 2 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead.
Nov. 28 After Turkey Hike
Dec. 5 “December Nights”
A swingin’ twist on holiday favorites. 2 p.m. Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. $10-$20. diablowomenschorale.org.
Holiday concert. 7 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 2317 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. $10-$15. walnutcreekchorus@gmail.com.
Dec. 5 “Home for the Holidays”
Presented by SF Gay Men’s Chorus. 3 and 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $30-$40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 5 Rugged and hilly five-mile hike. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at Mitchell “The Heartlight Show” Canyon Visitor Center.
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Thru Nov. 22 “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Presented by Bay Area Stage Productions. Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. bayareastage.org. (707) 649-1053.
Nov. 20 “The Improv Games: Scuttlebutt – Part 2”
Presented by Trapped in a Rumor Improv. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 20 – 21 “Dorothy in Wonderland”
Presented by El Campanil’s Children’s Theatre. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $8-$12. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Nov. 20 – 21 “The Christmas Ballet”
Presented by Smuin Ballet. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $56-$73. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 20 – 22 “13 the Musical”
Hilarious coming-of-age musical about discovering that “cool” is sometimes where we least expect it. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $10-$25. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Nov. 21 Illusionist
Timothy James performs. 2 p.m. Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. campbelltheater.com. 518-3277.
Nov. 21 Improv All-Stars
Presented by Commander Doug Productions. 8:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $15. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Nov. 22 Tribute to John Denver
Starring Jim Curry. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $25-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Nov. 22 “War of the Romantics”
Performed by the Diablo Symphony Orchestra. 2 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $33. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 13 “An East County Christmas”
Presented by the Summerset Singers. 3 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $5-$15. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Dec. 14 Stand Up Comedy
Headliners from throughout the Bay Area are hosted by Mean Dave. 7:30 p.m. Vinnie’s Bar and Grill, 2045 Mt. Diablo St., Concord. Free admission. 21 and up only. vinniesbar.com. 6859515.
Dec. 17 – 20 “The Biggest Gift”
Tucker the Elf and the toys set out to save Christmas. Presented by Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $14. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 18 – 20 “Hansel and Gretel”
Presented by Solo Opera. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $25-$40. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 18 – 20 “The Nutcracker”
Presented by The Ballet Company of East County. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $16-$20. elcampaniltheatre.com.
“Ringing in the Holidays: A Musical Revue”
Dec. 4 “It’s a Wonderful Improv!”
Mount Diablo Interpretive Association programs listed are free with the exception of park entrance fee. Go to mdia.org and click on Events Calendar for more information. Eagle Peak hike. 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Meet at Mitchell Canyon Trailhead. Reservations required.
newsandcalendar@concordpioneer.com
A comic adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ classic. Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward St., Martinez. $10-$15. onstagetheatre.homeDec. 20 stead.com. 518-3277.
Nicole Howell, executive director of Ombudsman Services, speaks about the organization’s works. Sponsored by the American Asso- Dec. 4 ciation of University Women 7:30 p.m. Diamond Terrace, 6401 “Soul 4 the Season” Center St., Clayton. Free. For more information, call 672-3411. A diva Christmas concert. Presented by Red Legged Frog Productions. 8 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $30-$35. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469. Dec. 5
Annual Caroling and Tree Lighting
Page 17
Tribute to the music of Neil Diamond. 8 p.m. El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. Second St., Antioch. $25-$27. elcampaniltheatre.com.
Dec. 6 Piano Recital
Wonderful holiday show perfect for the whole family. 2 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $15-$23. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
SCHOOLS
Dec. 4 – 13 “The Diary of Anne Frank”
Haunting, yet inspiring account of a young Jewish girl and her family’s lives during WWII. Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. $11-$21. dvcdrama.net.
CHURCHES AND RELIGION
Nov. 20 Movie Night
Come see a newly released DreamWorks movie. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; movie at 6:30 p.m. Faith Missionary Baptist Church Gym, 4266 Thompson Drive, Concord. Free admission; refreshments for sale. enhancements@yahoo.com.
Dec. 11 - 12 A Christmas Festival
Exciting musical presentation by the Bethel Baptist Choir. 6:30 – 9 p.m. Bethel Baptist Church, 3578 Clayton Road, Concord. bethelbaptistca.org.
Dec. 13 “And the Stars Will Dance”
A Christmas concert presented by the Cathedral Choir and featuring guest artist Ken Medema. 6 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 1965 Colfax St., Concord. Free will offering. 676-7177.
Nov. 22 Holiday Faire
FUNDRAISERS
Student and vendor booths, raffle, Chef Wayne’s Hungry Eagles Food Truck. Sponsored by the Parent Faculty Club. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Clayton Valley Charter High School, Gym, 1101 Alberta Way, Concord. Free admission. pfcholidayfaire@claytonvalley.org.
Nov. 29 A Sing-Along “Messiah”
Come sing along or simply listen to the masterwork of Georg Handel. Profits benefit Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond. 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church of Concord, 1965 Colfax St., Concord. Free will offering. 676-7177.
Dec. 5 Rummage Sale
Presented by The Ballet School. 3:15 and 6:15 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $12. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Benefiting Grad Night 2016 for Ygnacio Valley High School. 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Vista Diablo Cabana Club, 850 Sullivan Ave., Concord. Donations accepted on Dec. 4 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Marci Jones at marcimjones@gmail.com or Deidra Rader at ddrader@aol.com.
Be a part of the Any Body Can (ABC) Singers. Come when your schedule permits at locations throughout Concord for sing-along format. Call Maxine at 969-9693 or Victor at (626) 506-0355 for more information.
Crab and tri tip dinner. Entertainment by Concord High Ladies First Choir. Proceeds benefit charitable works of Saint Agnes Knights of Columbus. 6 p.m. Saint Agnes, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord. $40. concord.stagnesparish.net.
Dec. 7, 9, 14, 17, 23, 25 2015 Christmas Program
Dec. 8 An Evening with Director John Singleton.
Presented by Los Medanos College. 7 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $30. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Dec. 10 – 20 “A Christmas Carol”
Presented by Center REPertory. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $27-$49. centerrep.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 11 – 12 “On Beckett”
Plays, prose and poetry exploring Samuel Beckett’s work, starring Bill Irwin. 7:30 p.m. A.C.T.’s Strand Theater, 1127 Market St., San Francisco. $50-$100. act-sf.org.
Dec. 11 – 13 “#NewMagic”
Family-friendly magic show presented by Alex Ramon Magic. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $30. lesherartscenter.org. 943-7469.
Dec. 11 - 13 Super Holiday Boutique
Special one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. Holiday arts and crafts, entertainment, free Santa and Olaf photo opportunity. Canned food donations benefit Food Bank of Contra Costa. Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Alamo. Free admission. superholidayboutique.com.
Dec. 12 Dave Burleigh
Comedian and impressionist. 8 p.m. California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. $18-$21. pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com. 427-1611.
Jan. 9 Surf and Turf
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 6465455.
Dec. 2: Art Journaling, 1:30 p.m. Registration required. Dec. 3: History of Chocolate and sampling. 6 p.m. Registration required. Dec. 8: Arts and Crafts, 4 p.m. Registration required. Dec. 12: Holiday boutique, 10 a.m. Dec. 14: SF Opera: Sing a Story, 7 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. Dec. 3: Winter stories and craft, 11 a.m. Registration required. Dec. 3: Fratello Marionettes, 4 p.m. Dec. 9: Walnut Creek Civic Arts Jazz Band, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19: Holiday movie, 2 p.m.
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.
Hurricane’s wild wind-up and quick demise Page 18
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
Last month, Hurricane Patricia earned the title of the strongest storm ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere. Maximum sustained winds reached speeds of 200 mph, well above
the Category 5 threshold of 150 mph, several hours before striking the coast of southwestern Mexico. Patricia was a remarkable storm in many ways. The storm
developed into a record-breaking event quickly. In fact, based on sea level pressure data, it was among the most rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones ever recorded.
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The current El Niño certainly played a major role in strengthening this storm. Hurricane development can only occur when sea surface temperatures (SST) exceed 80 degrees. Patricia was fueled by nearrecord pool of warm ocean water that exceeded 85 degrees, a signature of the El Niño pattern. With an already moist air mass above warm water, this became an explosive combination of energy in the atmosphere. High SSTs increase the evaporative transfer of heat energy to the atmosphere, which increases hurricane strength potential. Full energy potential is possible only if wind shear (the change in wind speed with height) is minimal. It turns out that El Niño's effect on atmospheric circulation patterns is conducive to hurricane development in the tropical Pacific. El Niño strengthens in response to a weakening of tropical easterly wind flow, reducing wind shear. This hurricane had the potential to cause massive infrastructure and property damage as well casualties due to strong winds, storm surge and rainfall induced flooding. Because of Patricia’s rapid development there was little time to prepare for the anticipat-
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SAVVY SENIOR
It can be problematic trying to think of reasons to be thankful these days. The world we live in seems to be in constant turmoil. I worry about the sick, the homeless, the mentally ill, the hungry, the war-torn nations. I’m concerned about the kind of world my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will inherit. However, if we ponder too long on these issues we run the risk of falling into the “depths of despair” as Anne Shirley of Green Gables fame would say. Marilla Cuthburt would counter with “to despair is to turn your back on God.” So, no despairing. We can find joy in the little things. You woke up this morning and that’s about as basic as it gets. If you are blessed to have someone to love, love them with all your heart. If you don’t have a significant other and you want someone to love, go out and find them. There are several
November 20, 2015
WOODY WHITLATCH WEATHER WORDS
ed destruction that hurricanes of this strength can deliver. Fortunately, several factors combined to minimize the storm’s damage and loss of life. Hurricane-generated storm surge waves are typically the most devastating footprint of a hurricane. Storm surges are most destructive if a shallow seabed allow for the buildup of large waves. Luckily, the seabed between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta, where Patricia made landfall, is naturally shaped to minimize storm surges. One factor that resulted in the unexpectedly low loss of life was the sparse population density where the hurricane struck. Results would likely have been different the storm had be centered on the major shipping port city of Manzanillo or the popular resort area of Puerto Vallarta. Patricia was still a Category 5
storm when it reached the coast with sustained winds above 150 mph. Coastal wind records show that the core of the storm, with respect to wind speed, was relatively small. Hurricane force winds (sustained 74 mph or greater) were only observed within a radius of 30 miles from the center of landfall. Winds rapidly weakened as the storm sheared apart when it encountered the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains near Mexico’s western coast. Within 12 hours of landfall Patricia weakened to a Category 1 storm with 75 mph winds. Torrential rainfall, with the potential for flash flooding and landslides in the mountainous terrain, was the biggest danger inland. Fortunately Patricia accelerated once it reached the mountains, minimizing the flood threat. Hurricane Patricia was a record-breaking meteorological event with direct ties to El Niño. Some good luck with respect to geography at the point of landfall and the rapid dissipation of the storm once it hit land combined to spare Mexico from a major disaster.
Woody Whitlatch is a meteorologist retired from PG&E. Email your questions or comments to clayton_909@yahoo.com
Being thankful starts with helping yourself dating websites single or widowed seniors can access: w w w. e h a r m o n y. c o m ; www.seniormatch.com, and www.SeniorPeopleMeet.com to name just a few. And if you’re happy alone, relish your independence. An excellent way to focus on something positive is to volunteer your time and talents. Offering your services can be richly rewarding and helps your community. The Concord Senior Citizens Club, the City of Concord, the Volunteers in Police Service (V.I.Ps) all have many diverse volunteering opportunities and would love to enlist your services. The Volunteer Center of the East Bay can also help you find your niche. Call Heidi Denzler-Halsey at 925-4725771 for more information. If you’re unable to fulfill a volunteer position but need advice with an issue particular to seniors you can go to www.seniorcitizensdirectory.co m. This site is filled with articles that include information and resources for seniors who live throughout Contra Costa County. Click on the image of the guide and then scroll down to the directory on page three; from there you can glean information on Meals on Wheels,
adult day services, employment, financial counseling, recreation and transportation, just to name just a few. You will be surprised to learn how many sweet people are out there to help you. Concord’s Commission on Aging has a relatively new program entitled “Get Around” Taxi Program. Thirty dollar scrip books may be purchased for $15 (includes 4-tickets at $5 and 10-tickets at $1 value). You must be 65 years and older, be ambulatory or able to enter and exit a taxi without the help of another person and your mobility device must be able to be folded and stowed in the trunk of the cab. Service animals and well behaved pets may travel for free. Call the City of Concord at 925-6713220 for an application. Be pro-active. You’re the only one that can make yourself happy and thankful.
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
November 20, 2015
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 19
By Parminder Sethi, MD
Stress urinary incontinence is the unintentional leakage of urine. Stress incontinence happens when physical movement or activity such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or heavy lifting puts pressure or stress on the bladder. It is not related to psychological stress. Stress incontinence occurs when the muscles and other tissues that support the bladder become weakened. Childbirth can cause the pelvic floor muscles and uri-
nary sphincter to lose strength. Other factors that increase the risk of developing stress incontinence include physical changes associated with age, obesity, hysterectomy and pelvic floor surgery. Factors that may worsen stress incontinence include illnesses that cause chronic coughing or sneezing, smoking, excess consumption of caffeine or alcohol, high-impact activities and hormonal deficiency. There are a variety of medical interventions one can do to eliminate or lessen the episodes of incontinence. You and your doctor should discuss the treatment options available. These include behavior therapies, medication, devices and surgery. Behavior therapies that can help with incontinence include pelvic floor muscle exercises, biofeedback, neuro- stimulation, decreasing consumption of caffeinated beverages and alcohol, quitting smoking, losing excess weight, treating a
chronic cough and scheduling regular toilet trips. Duloxetine is a medicine that is usually used to treat depression. However, it can help with stress incontinence by interfering with certain chemicals that are used in transmitting nerve impulses to muscles. This helps the muscles around the urethra contract more strongly. Certain devices designed for women may help control stress incontinence, including vaginal pessary (shaped like a ring with two bumps that sit on each side of the urethra) and urethral inserts (small tampon-like disposable device inserted into the urethra that act as a barrier to prevent leakage). Surgical interventions for stress incontinence are designed to improve closure of the sphincter or support the bladder neck. Surgical options include injectable bulking agents, retropubic colposuspension, inflatable artificial sphincter and sling procedures (surgical mesh).
Transvaginal sling with mesh is the most common procedure performed in women with stress incontinence. In this procedure, the surgeon either uses the patient’s own tissue, donor tissue or synthetic material (mesh) to create a sling or hammock that supports the urethra. Research suggests that the complications are infrequent and rarely require follow-up surgery. There are many people who struggle with stress incontinence. It is not something you should feel embarrassed to discuss with your doctor. In many cases, patients can benefit from more than one option, giving them the ability to find the best solution for their individual needs.
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Bike Concord to light up the nights Bike Concord is working to make bicycling a safe, practical transportation choice for everyone in Concord. On Nov. 30, we will make a contribution to safety by distributing more than 90 sets of quality lights to bicyclists who don’t already have them. This project, titled “Operación Luz,” is a partnership with Bike East Bay and Monument Impact, along with many residents who have donated and volunteered to help. Safety is a main focus for us. We want every resident and visitor in our city to reach their destination without incident, whether they are on a bicycle, in a car, on foot or in a wheelchair. This requires that streets be designed with safe space for all those parts of traffic. But bicyclists also have a responsibility to do their part. A big part of this respon-
KENJI YAMADA BIKE CONCORD
sibility is proper lighting at night. An unlit bicyclist is invisible in the dark, and this endangers others as well as the bicyclist. Our goal is to seek out people riding without lights for various reasons, especially riders who may not have the means or time to acquire lights on their own. With Operación Luz, we will light up the night and help as many bicyclists as possible get home safe and sound.
Dec. 5 is our “Tamale Fest and Bikes” fundraiser. It will start at 4 p.m. at Keller House in Ellis Lake Park. Thanks to the generosity of Monument Impact and Monument neighborhood residents, all proceeds will go into Bike Concord’s fund for a future nonprofit community bicycle shop, also known as a “Bike Kitchen.” A donation of $15 will get you a tamale plate and a drink. Everyone is welcome, no matter what means of transportation brings them to us. Afterwards around 6 p.m. we will host a group bicycle ride around town, starting from Ellis Lake Park and ending at Todos Santos Plaza. The Bike Kitchen is one of Bike Concord’s most ambitious projects, but we are sure it can be achieved. Like existing bike kitchens all over the Bay Area, the Concord Bike Kitchen will be a
place where anyone can come learn how to fix their bicycle with the help of knowledgeable volunteers, use tools and draw from a supply of donated spare parts. It will bring together people from all backgrounds, income levels, ages and experiences to learn about bicycles. It will provide a space for young people to learn a useful skill, build confidence in their own abilities, and take pride in being an asset to their community. We hope to see you on Dec. 5. Please visit tamales.bikeconcord.org for updates and more ways to get involved. Kenji Yamada is an organizer with Bike Concord. He lives and works in Concord and gets around Central Contra Costa County exclusively by bicycle.
Holidays: A time for estate reflections
DANIEL DUREE
ESTATE PLANNING This month’s turkey and pumpkin pie-fueled extravaganza we collectively refer to as Thanksgiving marks the beginning of another holiday season and the winding down of yet another year. As we gather with our loved ones and reflect on 2015, it is a perfect time to consider the changes in our lives and how we have provided for them in our estate plan. This month I will talk about a few key areas to think about in the estate planning area that change over time as your family situation changes. Is your successor trustee still the person you want it to be? Often when children are young parents will have a sibling or even a parent named as the successor trustee of their trust and also as
guardian of any minor children. Over time as the children grow older and become responsible adults it is often better to make the children (who are the beneficiaries usually) the successor trustees. Also think about whether your successor trustee has moved out of the area or is just not the ideal person for the job anymore. Are there new family members? Families grow and change over time and different members have different needs. Are there any new members of your family that were not included in your trust that you would like to provide for? It is not uncommon for specific gifts inside a trust for educational purposes for younger members of a family. Are all of your assets properly titled? I feel like a nagging parent bringing this one up but it is truly the most important part of the estate planning process and it doesn’t end when you set up your trust. I recently assisted a client with his father’s probate where there was a trust, but by far the largest asset (the house) wasn’t in it. There is no way around this except for pro-
bate. Have you moved, bought a new property, or refinanced? About half the time in these circumstances the property doesn’t end up in the trust.
Doug Van Wyck
CLU ChFC, Agent Insurance Lic. # 0586396
6200 Center St. Ste. A Clayton, CA 94517
925-672-2300
www.dougvanwyck.com
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Daniel DuRee is a licensed attorney whose practice focuses on estate planning. He may be reached for questions or comments at Daniel@DuReeLaw.com or 925210-1400.
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* Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 9/15/15 – 12/7/15 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. A qualifying purchase is defined as a purchase of any of the product models set forth above in the quantities set forth above. If you purchase less than the specified quantity, you will not be entitled to a rebate. Offer excludes Nantucket™ Window Shadings, a collection of Silhouette® Window Shadings. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. © 2015 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas. HOL15MB5
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Devouring the rich flavors of Monument Page 20
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
RICHARD EBER & WHITNEY FLORES
TASTE AND TELL
One of the most delicious aspects of the recent Taste of Monument festival was sampling all of the great food from local Hispanic restaurants. Their dishes, ranging from carnitas tacos to rotisserie chicken, have delighted the local culinary scene for many years. While the dishes they prepare are significantly different, they all have one thing in common: using fresh ingredients. Unlike chain restaurants where sauces and dishes are mass produced in central kitchens, most of the restaurants in the Monument area make virtually everything from scratch. Sysco trucks spend little time making deliveries there. This produces cuisine which is bursting with flavor —
A Floral nce Experie s
Flower for all occasions
onions, cilantro, peppers, and spices are infused in traditional Mexican foods such as tacos, enchiladas, and tostadas. Pairing these ingredients with roasted chicken (pollo), pork (carnitas), and beef (carne Asada) provides a dining experience that reminds one of a vacation to Mexico. The Taste of Monument event showcased all of these flavors and more. Sapore Ristorante and El Molino supplied carnitas tacos, while Las Venegas made fresh Salvadoran papusas. Mi Oficina had plenty of baked goods from their cafe while Mercado de Sol contributed to the festival with delicious rotisserie chicken with Spanish seasonings. Another fast disappearing commodity was the Cuban sandwich samples dispensed by Los Rancheros. This Caribbean version of a club sandwich is like nothing else except their close cousins in the Torta family. La Cabana offered quesadillas de chicharron, prensado and tlacoyos from the Hildalgo region of Mexico. The only thing missing were shrimp and fish dishes, which many of these restaurants feature on their menus. They range from seafood cocktails to ceviche, and other specialty dishes. These items are priced reasonably compared to most other restaurants who serve seafood.
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The olive harvest here in the Bay Area is from late October to January. When the olives are harvested early they yield less oil, which in some people’s eyes means less profit. However, the early harvest oils are prized by many because of their robust flavors and their
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have one of our favorites that can be found at El Molino, called Bionicos, which is essentially a fruit salad with creamy sauce, granola and coconut. What makes the dish better than an ordinary fruit salad is the use of exotic fruits that are often overlooked, such as mango, papaya and pineapple. The restaurant serves the dish in a tall, clear cup and tops it with coconut and granola, a perfect touch to compliment the ripe. Using ripe-flavorful fruit is the key to success in this dish. We highly recommend visiting Concord Produce on Monument Blvd. or a Farmer’s Market for best selection.
BIONICOS Cut the following fruit into bite sized pieces, using as little or as much fruit as you’d like, depending on your preference
Lots to love about olive oils DEBRA MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market
Mitzie Richardson Richardson Mitzie
We also missed the presence of freshly made fruit drinks, smoothies, and slushies that many restaurants in the Monument feature. One will have to go back another time to experience these vine-ripe masterpieces which pair well with spicy foods. Naturally, for those trying to duplicate these recipes at home, it is not an easy task. Most “gringos” do their best making hamburger tacos using prepaid mixes, trying to doll up a can of refried beans, and making enchiladas with sauce provided by the supermarket. Creating anything as authentic and mouth-watering as what these restaurants produce is no easy task, but replicating some of these dishes at home can be done if fresh ingredients and a reliable recipe are used. For this month’s recipe we
November 20, 2015
Boyce Nichols - Owner Clayton Resident
Salad Dressing: Making your own vinaigrette for salads and other uses is easy — and much better for you! Mix 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil and 1/4 cup balsamic or red wine vinegar in a small mason jar that has a lid. (Use more or less vinegar to your taste.) Add salt and pepper to taste, shake well and enjoy. Herb Rub: Mix olive oil with fresh herbs, salt and pepper and rub generously on a roasting chicken for a nice crispy browned skin. (Same for your turkey.) Bread Dip: Mix Italian herbs, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Place in a small shallow dish for dipping, and bring on the sourdough baguette. Roasted Vegetables: Toss a mixture of your favorite cut vegetables with olive oil and seasonings and roast in the oven at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Pesto Pasta: In a blender mix olive oil, salt, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts and fresh basil. Toss with cooked pasta.
optimal nutritional benefits. Many people like the peppery and bitter quality of this oil. Flavor notes of grass, green leaf, pungent and astringent are used to describe early harvest fall oils. When the olives are harvested later in the season there is more oil per fruit but the flavors are milder and the color and the chlorophyll content is less. The later harvest olives invite the infusion of fresh ingredients such as Meyer lemon, basil, blood orange, garlic, and other added flavors. There are even jalapeño oils. Use these oils in recipes that need a little extra boost in fla- The Concord Farmers Market is in vor, such as baked fish, roasted Todos Santos Plaza Tuesdays & chicken, or roasted vegetables Thursdays. See ad page 6 for hours.
and how many people are being served: Mango Apple (Fuji recommended) Cantaloupe Papaya Pineapple Strawberry Banana Creamy Sauce Mix the following together: 1 16 oz. container sour cream 1 14 oz. can La Lachera, or sweetened condensed milk Honey to taste
Cinnamon to taste Mix all the fruit together and keep separate from other ingredients. After serving the fruit in an individual bowl or cup, drizzle the cream sauce on top. Add a sprinkling of your favorite granola along with shredded coconut to top it off. Rich Eber is a local columnist for the blog Contra Costa Bee and a selfdescribed “foodie.” He teams up with daughter, Whitney, a Concord native, student, and avid cook and taster. Email comments or questions to editor@concordpioneer.com
MDUSD launches healthy food initiative
PAMELA SINGH FOOD MATTERS
In an effort to promote health and wellness through education, Mount Diablo Unified School District, in partnership with Wellness City Challenge, launched its first districtwide program under the Change the Food Change the Future initiative with a Water Campaign at Cambridge Elementary School. The campaign began with students from Mount Diablo High School’s Sustainable Hospitality Pathway discussing the importance of drinking water and to be mindful of beverages that contain large quantities of sugar. A demonstration was completed showing students various drinks and how much sugar they contained. The campaign included distribution of non-disposable water bottles donated by Kaiser Permanente (as part of the Monument HEAL Zone Collaboration) for each of the students, along with a flyer to be sent home with the students so they could share what they were learning with their parents and family members. “This pilot launch, which will follow with an additional launch at Meadow Homes Elementary School and Mount Diablo High School, is an opportunity to learn best practices on educating our students, parents and administrators on the importance of keeping children hydrated as they stay active throughout the day and what healthy options
are available to do this,” said Pamela Singh, Executive Director of Wellness City Challenge. “We are also showing students how they can positively impact their environment by utilizing non-disposable products.” As part of the pilot, the school district installed three water stations over the summer in the cafeterias of the schools participating in the campaign. In a survey conducted with students two years prior, access to cold water was a key need identified to increase water consumption. MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Nellie Meyer was also onhand, reinforcing the school district’s and Board of Education’s commitment to provide students the education necessary to ensure they are in the best condition to learn. “We will continue to launch programs such as these under the Change the Food, Change the Future initiative that is being developed at Mount Diablo High School as an innovative center” Dr. Meyer said. “With an increase in early signs of metabolic disease such as diabetes in children, educating our youth and families on healthy food and beverage options available to them has become a very important topic on a national level.” In the months to come, programs will continue to be introduced in partnership with Wellness City Challenge, MDUSD Food Services and the Sustainable Hospitality Pathway taught by Chef Cindy Gershen and Patrick Oliver at Mount Diablo High School. The objective is to build a healthy community by implementing systemic change via best practices and providing educational tools for children, parents and school administrative staff. Pamela Singh is Executive Director of Wellness City Challenge.
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Step away from the ordinary this Thanksgiving Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
LINDA WYNER
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The “first” Thanksgiving at Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in the 1620s was more than likely a religious feast day held by the English settlers to celebrate surviving a harrowing year in a new land with scarce food and tenuous relations with local Native Americans. It wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, and then an Act of Congress, under President Franklin Roosevelt, set aside the fourth Thursday in November as the official day for celebrating.
‘The First Thanksgiving’ by J.L.G Ferris was published in 1932
It’s fitting that most foods on the traditional Thanksgiving table are native to America — turkeys, squash, corn, beans, cranberries and sweet potatoes. The typical mid-20th Century feast of roast turkey, candied
sweet potatoes, cranberry jelly and pumpkin pie is evolving, however, influenced by the globalization of American cuisine. These days, it’s not hard to find a Cambodian poached turkey, Mexican turkey mole, Cantonese
be called upon to head to court to argue a client’s case or meet with a prospective or important client. They know how they look can make a huge impact on how they are perceived. Even if suits are not the norm in your workplace, I suggest you always be prepared with a “suited” look because you never know.
Let me give you an example. It’s “dress down” Friday and you have no meetings on your calendar. You’re smart enough to know not to wear ripped, faded or tight jeans to the office, so you decided to wear a great pair of jeans and a cotton blend blouse. There you sit, comfortably working away, when your boss asks you to lunch. You’re no slouch; you’ve brought along your navy stretch jacket that goes with everything. In one instant you can look prepared. 2. Don’t forget shoes and fingernails Have you been told that the first things people notice are your shoes and your fingernails? It is not necessary to spend hours getting perfect manicures.
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6 poblano chiles 3 small onions, sliced 1/4inch thick, separated into rings 1 cup heavy whipping cream Chopped cilantro, for garnish Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Roast the poblanos over a gas flame or under a broiler until the skin is charred all over. Sweat them in a paper bag for 10 minutes, then remove the skin, remove the core and slice the chiles into thin strips. Arrange the sweet potatoes in the bottom of the baking dish and brush with half of the melted butter. Season with salt. Toss the onion and chile slices with the remaining butter MEXICAN-STYLE SWEET and season with salt. Layer on POTATO GRATIN WITH CHILES top of the sweet potatoes, then AND ONIONS drizzle on the cream (use more 3 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled, or less to taste—1/2 cup will sliced ½-inch thick make the gratin more of a dry 3 Tbsp. butter, melted casserole while a cup will make a
salt-baked turkey, Indian tandoori-style turkey and cardamom-scented Persian pilafstuffed turkeys. Such international dishes will certainly delight those suffering from “Pilgrim fatigue.” Want to try something different? Consider a Jamaican-influenced cranberry sauce to complement this year’s turkey: simmer together a package (12 oz.) of fresh cranberries with a tablespoon of orange zest, a cinnamon stick, one cup of orange juice, one cup of brown sugar and a half cup or so of water (for consistency) until you get a good, thick sauce. How about this for a twist on ooey-gooey sweet potatoes?
How you look can determine how far you go There is a reason we’ve all heard the saying “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” Love it or not, appearances matter and the way you present yourself can help you get noticed. Time and time again, my clients have thanked me for assisting them in putting together wardrobes which have helped them feel confident enough to ace their presentations, win their negotiations and close their big transactions. I can help you too. Just follow these three tips. 1. Dress as if every day is an important day Have you ever wondered why attorneys and bankers wear suits to the office? It’s because, on a moment’s notice, they can
Be sure you keep your nails trimmed and filed and, if polished, free of any chips. If you have weak or brittle nails apply hand lotion before bed every night to strengthen them. You will realize that you will notice when shoes are scuffed and dull. Make sure your shoes are polished, in good shape and free of any damage. Make sure that they coordinate with your outfit. Shoes do not have to be boring; in fact, a fun animal print pump can actually serve as a neutral, creative look to the right outfit. 3. Invest in alterations No one has a “perfect” figure, yet you can still look perfect in your clothes. Invest in your future by finding a good tailor to
make any necessary alterations to your wardrobe. You do not want to ruin your look by letting your pants drag on the ground because they are too long or look like you are wearing someone else’s jacket because the sleeves are too long. The majority of my clothing is altered as I have to increase the size of my jackets to fit my upper body. This results in my having to have them taken in to fit my lower body. Having my jackets fit perfectly for my figure is the best investment. If you need a recommendation for a wonderful tailor, contact me directly. I have been using the same person for more than 10 years and would never take my clothes to anyone else.
creamier casserole). Bake about 35 minutes until all of the veggies are tender. Serve the casserole warm with a scattering of chopped cilantro. Every year I let my Pans on Fire customers know they can call with questions while they’re working on their meal. The same invitation goes out to you. Let me be your resource if you have any questions on Turkey Day — just call 925-200-6622 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and I’ll do my best to help you solve your dilemma. Please note, however, if you call to tell me you forgot to defrost your turkey, my advice is to quickly make a reservation somewhere or order in pizza. Cheers, and have a blessed holiday. Linda Wyner owns Pans on Fire, a gourmet cookware store and cooking school in Pleasanton. Send suggestions or questions to lwyner@pansonfire.com
SUSAN SAPPINGTON
CLOTHES UP
One of the added benefits of dressing for the job you want is that you will feel professional and confident every day, not just on the days you have important meetings or presentations. Susan Sappington is the Area Development Manager and Wardrobe Consultant for ETCETERA Clothing of New York. Send comments to susan@etcstyles.com.
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How to host a homey holiday
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Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
JENNIFER LEISCHER
DESIGN & DÉCOR
With a ghostly white kiss, Halloween has come and gone like the whoosh of a witch’s broom. And in an instant, the “holidays” are upon us. Whether we’re grocery shopping for our Thanksgiving feast or shopping for this present and that gift, it’s hard to stay ahead of holiday cheer. It seems like we turn the calendar page to November and we all hit the ground running as
fast as we possibly can to get things, anything, done. Well, let’s all take a deep breath. Before any shopping shenanigans, let’s focus on the heart of the “holidays” — the gathering of friends and family, and, of course, decorating our homes.
Consider a hollowed out pumpkin containing a hidden vase of flowers. Using this same idea, pierce the pumpkin with a screwdriver to create a pumpkin lantern, candle hidden inside. To transform a pumpkin into a food container, first install a bowl that fits the inside. Fill with your grandmother’s famous butternut squash soup, your Uncle’s perfectly whipped potatoes, sugar cookies for the kids, or an ice bucket for that special bottle of sparkling wine.
KEEP THE SQUASH It seems to me, like Cinderella’s carriage, retail sources for pumpkins disappear at the stroke of midnight on Halloween. So whatever you have managed to keep away from the PAINT THE GREENERY GOLD Setting the Thanksgiving kids and their little plastic carving knives, you can now enjoy dining table was a festive family for a second round. Pumpkins tradition in my parents’ home. make for wonderful containers. The design evolved from year to
Food Bank, from page 1
Food Bank delivers food to food pantries all around Contra Costa and Solano Counties, serving 190,000 people per month (one in eight residents of Contra Costa). “The need for food is constant throughout the year, but people tend to think about donating more around
Top 10 items needed at the Contra Costa Soloano Food Bank
• • • • • • • • • •
Peanut Butter (plastic jar) Canned meat/fish/soup Iron-rich cereal Canned Fruits (in juice) Chili/Stew/ready to eat meals 100 percent fruit juice (plastic) Dry beans Enriched pasta or rice Powdered milk Canned vegetables and tomato products
year, but the idea of bringing the outdoors in was first and foremost. Some of us have lovely old Oak trees in our yards with amazingly shaped leaves. For those of us who don’t, you need to take a nature walk in the park and see what goodies you stumble upon. Fallen acorns, big leaves, small leaves, whatever delights you, consider adding a touch of gold by spray painting your finds for a Midas looking centerpiece or subtle backdrop to a lovely flower arrangement or two. A perfect leaf sitting on top of each place setting, a perfect acorn propping up a name card, a perfect twig sticking out of a creatively folded napkin — it’s just perfect.
HELPING WORKING POOR Many of the hungry in the county are working minimum wage jobs or on social security. Their income is not enough to feed their families and pay rent and other expenses in the highcost Bay Area. One in four of the people served by the Food Bank are children. Another one in four has served in the military, and many are seniors. Sly, who started working for the Food Bank in 1976 as a truck driver, says the most heart-warming experiences he has had involve the children they serve. When he asked a little girl what she was wishing for during the holidays, she responded, “all I really want is a good meal with my family.” The biggest change at the Food Bank over the past five years has been the addition of fresh fruits and vegetables which now make up half of the food distributed. The Food Bank is part of the California Association of Food Banks and is able to buy “less than perfect” fruits and vegeta-
MUSICAL CHAIRS, TABLES AND LINENS I remember one of the first Thanksgivings my husband and I hosted, we invited our entire combined family, about 40 people, before we thought through any of the seating logistics. Long story short, we moved our living room into the garage in order to create a single dining table made up of every table, chair and table cloth we owned. Did everything “match?” No. And it was absolutely charming. Many of my past columns have focused on using what you have in your home to create something new. Creating from within, for me, feels very much like the holiday itself. Using what you have
fare to those who need it. County residents can also harvest and transport their own excess produce to the Food Bank’s warehouse in Concord (see website www.foodbankccs.org for address and open hours).
the holidays,” says Larry Sly, Executive Director of the Food Bank.
Illness, loss of job or just the high cost of living in the Bay Area can mean a hungry holiday. Last year, Lisa, who was on dialysis, and daughter Angel, relied on the Food Bank for their holiday dinner.
bles from California farmers for very low cost. In addition, an organization called The Urban Farmers (theurbanfarmers.org) have partnered with the Food Bank to bring excess produce from backyard gardens and trees to the hungry. The group of volunteers will come to homes and harvest your crops, leaving for you what you desire and taking the rest to the Food Bank for distribution. Thanks to both of these partnerships, the Food Bank can now distribute much healthier
November 20, 2015
HELPING HANDS The Food Bank operates seven days a week; forklifts move palettes of canned goods and fresh produce in preparation for delivery to food pantries across the two counties. Seventy employees move 20 million pounds of food each year to the 19 food pantries located at churches or community centers, including the Monument Crisis Center. Staff at the Food Bank can also assist those who qualify to gather the paperwork and apply for CalFresh (California’s Food Stamp program). Last year the Food Bank was the beneficiary of 90,000 volunteer hours. Girl and Boy Scout troops, families and many other groups come in for shifts of sorting food or bagging produce. Another way to help is by donating money. For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can turn it into $3 worth of food, with only 4 cents going to administrative costs.
to create a festive environment is the epitome of “home for the holidays.” So enjoy your home for the holidays, wholeheartedly. Jennifer Leischer is the owner of J. Designs Interior Design based in Clayton. Contact her with questions, comments and suggestions at jenna@j-designs.com.
There is also a fundraising event. “Gourmet East Bay,” taking place 710 p.m. Nov. 21 at Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza, features top East Bay restaurants with tastings of wine and beer and live music, and proceeds go to the Food Bank. For more information visit www.gourmeteastbay.com. The Food Bank is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. As the need has grown, so has the operation. Sly has been there almost since the beginning. He has never thought about doing anything else in his 39 years there. “How can I ever have a bad day?” Sly explains, “At the end of any day, no matter what has happened, I know I’ve helped feed hundreds of people that day.” That is something for which to give thanks.
Other Ways to Help
• Donate canned goods • Donate excess produce from your yard • Volunteer to sort or bag • Donate money
Send your holiday cards this year without licking a single stamp.
Wish your friends and neighbors Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays with a brightly colored ORNAMENT or holiday GREETING CARD.
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