OCT 15 The Pioneer 2021

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October 15, 2021

Coming out of COVID

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Art imitates life in Concord mural LISA FULMER Special to the Pioneer

TAMARA STEINER

PUBLISHER

This month we are exactly halfway through the second year in The Time of Covid, and it seems the end is near… or not.

There’s no question that the virus hit us hard. Our culture, our youth, our economy, our mental health, and our community newspapers have all taken it on the chin. Just in the first months of the shutdown, more than two dozen community newspapers turned the lights off and went home.

Our colleagues and friends at the Community Focus were among the shuttered leaving a pretty big news hole in Pleasant Hill. So, into the breach.

With an affectionate nod to the ladies of the Focus, The Pioneer begins our limited coverage of Concord’s closest neighbor.

This month, we have a front page story by Pamela Michael on Pleasant Hill Cohousing where we catch up to former Concord city council candidate and Bike Concord activist Kenji Yamada. A story on page 5 by David Scholz covers the Pleasant Hill Police Department Citizens Advisory Panel.

Look for From the Desk of... columns from PH police chief Bryan Hill, and mayor Sue Noack on page 6. Future stories planned include the library, the history of Pleasant Hill, what the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Creek are doing and what’s happening on the business scene from the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Also new in this issue local lifestyle blogger Dominique King brings us Lean in with Love, a straight-on look at how to navigate work, marriage and parenting while staying fit and grounded in a far from calm world.

In November, music commentator Dave Hughes brings us The Beat of Diablo. Those who followed Concord’s Couch Concerts last year will welcome Dave’s take on the local music scene.

Finally, an appeal to those who love local journalism.

The Pioneer is delivered free to 38,500 readers’ homes and is 100% advertising supported. Please keep this in mind when shopping and dining and SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS. They make The Pioneer possible.

Next issue, Nov. 12 Deadline, Nov. 1

Samineh Hamidi

Arsenio Baca lays the foundation for the new mural reflecting his early years in Concord. The mural hangs on the back patio at the Visit Concord office in Don Salvio Pacheco square.

CONCORD – Visit Concord just unveiled a new 20foot mural that celebrates life in our town with bright colors, vivid imagery and lots of familiar details.

Concord artist Arsenio Baca created the mural, which was installed outdoors on the back patio of Visit Concord’s Salvio Pacheco Square office.

Baca’s work features sunbeams shining brightly behind Mt. Diablo in the center, surrounded by the warm, female energy of Mother Nature with iconic local scenes like the drive-in, the water slides and a BART train coming ’round the bend.

Flanked by glowing poppies and a custom license plate, the mural also highlights our appreciation for California living. Baca gave a nod to the Concord Art Association (CAA) inside the movie screen as a thank you for recommending him to the Visit Concord team.

“This mural has been our passion project for a while

See Mural, page 3

Faith communities bring back the Winter Nights program to give homeless a hand up DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

With crisp conditions more reminiscent of fall descending on the area, families like Marianna and Princeson and their two children relish having a place to call home as part of Winter Nights.

They are among a handful of clients at the Walnut Creek Evangelical Friends Church as Winter Nights enters its 18th season of serving homeless families.

A year after a global pandemic all but scuttled the sheltering efforts of the nonprofit, houses of worship around Central Contra Costa

County are again joining forces to help Winter Nights restore a sense of normalcy for its clients.

“It beats having my children living in a car,” said Marianna.

Her partner echoed the sentiment.

“I love it,’’ he said of the security that having a roof overhead provides.

EXPANDING TO MORE LOCATIONS

As the new shelter season kicked off in late September, members of Grace Episcopal Church in Martinez provided co-hosting support as Evangelical Friends Church housed

three families representing 11 clients.

With Winter Nights moving into larger locations this season, the numbers being helped will increase to as many as six families and possibly 18-20 clients in accordance with county Health Department guidelines for congregate living and shelters.

This is a significant change from the scaled-down 2020-’21 edition of Winter Nights. The program could only accommodate four families per week at seven locations last year, as David Scholz Winter Nights reinvented its After the pandemic drastically limited the program in 2020, a reinvented, fully compliant program is back See Winter Nights, pg 3 on track for 2021.

PH Cohousing founder sees communal living as sustainable way of the future PAMELA MICHAEL Correspondent

The scale is human and the vibe bucolic at the tiny “village” with mango-colored townhouses that make up the hidden oasis called Pleasant Hill Cohousing (PHCH).

With cars banished to the periphery, the homes sit on welcoming, winding paths lined with lush greenery that manages to be orderly and wild at the same time.

PHCH is home to 32 households and 60+ people who have made a commitment to “live in a community that fosters harmony with each other, the larger community and nature.”

Tucked away on a 2.2-acre triangle of land just off Mon-

size group, no matter how committed.

“Our self-governance has evolved and improved over time,” observed PHCH resident Kenji Yamada, who noted that cohousing is not for everyone, perhaps not even for most people.

To reach consensus on issues during monthly meetings, the group adopted an innovative system that utilizes a series of colored cards that signal their positions. Various colors indicate “More Info Needed,” “Point of Order,” GOVERNING BY CONSENSUS “Not Decided Yet,” etc.

Cohousing groups are Green=Agree, Red=Block. small, participatory democra- The goal is to see a sea of cies based on shared ideals of green, of course.

Pamela Michael communication and cooperaCohousing residents use color coded cards to raise issues tion. Governance is by consenSee Cohousing, pg. 4 affecting the community wher matters are settled by consent. sus, not an easy process in any

ument Boulevard, wedged between the Contra Costa Canal and the Iron Horse Trail, PHCH is part of a growing movement of intentional communities. The neighborhoods combine the privacy of individual homes – generally townhouses or condominiums – with shared amenities like laundry facilities, gardens, craft rooms, exercise equipment, workshops, libraries, gathering spaces and sometimes even cars.

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Kids on bikes, great food, happy cops and Latin dancers all came together on a sunny, breezy day at Meadow Homes Park in Concord last Saturday.

The festive event was the “first ever, inaugural” community Bike Rodeo organized by the Concord Police Department.

“This was a great day to bring the community together,” said event chair Murtazah Ghaznawi wearing a big smile as he surveyed the crowd.

Safety skills were front and center as kids by the dozens lined up for one-on-one instruction from officers.

Young cyclists learned to give arm signals before turning, how to read road signs and how to safely cross an intersection.

Happy with the turnout for the first-of-its-kind free event, Ghaznawi said the department is already planning another Rodeo in the spring.

“This is so fun,” com-

Tamara Steiner

Kids learn bike safety skills from Concord police at Saturday’s Bike Rodeo at Meadow Homes Park.

mented one parent of a novice rider who very recently shed his training wheels. “He got balloons and his bike fixed.

Bike Rodeo organizer Sgt. Murtazah Ghaznawi (right) promises another rodeo in the spring. Also at this year’s event (from left) Police Chief Mark Bustillos, Lt. James Nakayama and City Councilman Dominic Aliano.

Latin dancers added a festive touch to the event.

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Mural, from page 1 now. We are inspired by the art that continues to pop up throughout Concord, thanks to CAA,” says Elaine Cortez Schroth, CEO and president of Visit Concord.

“Arsenio Baca’s thoughtful mural is the perfect mix of art and culture, and it highlights Concord’s commitment to our artist community,” Schroth adds. “We are proud to have his work as a significant part of our offices, and we invite everyone to come see this beautiful tribute to his (and our) hometown.”

MURALS FOR THE MASSES Baca has many great childhood memories of growing up here.

“From a young age, I really took to all the hidden trails around town, and I’ve always had a deep fascination with Mt. Diablo. Going to the Solano Drive-In with my family was a special treat as a

kid, too,” he says.

“I used to love drawing cartoons and anime when I was young. I remember always doing well with creative projects in school,” he recalls.

His biggest artistic influence as a child was his Uncle Jorge, an abstract artist who painted huge canvases.

“I was always fascinated by him and the fact that he was a working artist right up until he passed away in 1996. Ever since, I’ve had crazy experiences that make me feel like he has somehow been following my art journey, still helping me along the way.”

Baca was introduced to murals while attending Sequoia Middle School in Pleasant Hill.

His art teacher recognized his talents and encouraged him to design and paint a mural at the school.

“It’s still there, my tribute to Bob Marley on one of the classroom walls,” Baca points

Winter Nights, from pg 1 offerings in response to restrictions imposed by local health officials.

This season, Winter Nights executive director Bill Shaw said more than 18 houses of worship are back on board serving in host roles. Another 30-plus faith communities are contributing in co-hosting capacities by providing food, meal preparation, and volunteer support for daily breakfast, lunch and dinner service as well as tutoring, games and crafts to keep the youngsters engaged.

A COMPLICATED OPERATION Running through June 6, 2022, the new season means a return to some sense of normalcy and the level of pro-

gramming that Shaw is accustomed to offering. This includes the opportunity to once again use volunteers – all fully vaccinated. First and foremost, the volunteers provide warm and welcoming smiles to the families of various sizes who will be guests for a week at a time.

While the churches and houses of worship could not provide physical accommodations last season, Shaw lauded the great numbers that stepped up to assist Winter Nights in equally vital roles.

“They made it work,” he said of generous support and gifts in-kind that emerged from various circles, such as providing a week’s worth of meals or games and crafts that

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everyone who can see it is a stakeholder and they don’t have to buy it to enjoy it,” Baca says. “I want to keep making public art to give future generations the same kinds of creative inspiration that I grew up with. That means more to me as an artist than anything else.”

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The mural’s familiar images are drawn from Baca’s memories of his early life in Concord.

out, adding that the experience had a profound impact later in his life.

“After focusing mostly on sports in high school and college, I didn’t pick up a paintbrush again until right after graduation to create another mural. Even after all those years, I was happy to discover I’d still retained my basic

skills.”

Then, he was hooked. You can also find his murals at Vinnie’s Bar & Grill and Pine Hollow Middle School.

“Murals are the most rewarding for me to make because they are meant for the people. Art is often tied to some type of ownership or price tag. But with a mural,

the Winter Nights’ staff needed to press on doing the daily heavy lifting.

Shaw noted that the past year’s trials and tribulations are shaping current Winter Nights’ efforts, as everyone grasps what is involved in the day-today and week-to-week operations. He cited the extensive training of staff and volunteers regarding food preparation and cleaning of the facilities. In the past, he said, such issues were taken for granted and just seemed to get done with little forethought.

hand out,’’ Marianna said of the support they are receiving.

And the person providing guidance is no stranger to what the clients are going through. Program manager Melissa Washburn was once sitting across the table receiving Winter Nights assistance.

Eight years later, the mother of two brings an empathetic lending hand to clients as she endeavors to shepherd them through the program toward a brighter future.

For those like Marianna and Princeson, the road won’t suddenly become a bed of roses free of challenges. But for at least the next eight months, the stability of a safe place will set in motion a path to potentially break the cycle of homeless.

PROVIDING A PATH FORWARD In being accepted into the Winter Nights shelter program, clients agree to engage in a process that includes receiving employment and housing services.

“It’s hand helping up, not

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means to them.”

Art has given Baca a true path in life.

“Before I really dedicated myself to art, I felt lost and aimless. I tried to fit in with the people around me, but I couldn’t really tell you who I was until I found myself with art. It has tested every foundation of my being,” he describes.

He believes it’s not enough to just paint well; there must be something of substance behind it.

“An artist must be able to tear down the walls we build to protect ourselves from the outside world, in order to present what is truly inside,” he says.

“Art helps me rediscover myself and remember what my true nature is. I’m still that kid who admires his uncle’s passion for creativity.”

FINDING HIS PATH His process for designing the Visit Concord piece required a bit of patience and a lot of trial and error.

“I had to figure out the composition first to get all the different elements mapped out, then jump in with a color scheme that would take it to the next level,” Baca explains.

“I like to add lots of details with varying scale to draw the observer in so that a story emerges, which can be different for everyone. Part of the thrill of making art is For more of Baca’s work, visit hearing people’s interpreta- abacaart.com. tions of my work and what it

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October 15, 2021

Cohousing, from page 1

SEEKING STRONGER CONNECTIONS

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Yamada, a former Peace Corps volunteer, now a software tester and community activist, is typical of PHCH residents, if not most “communitarians,” as they are sometimes called, in his motivation for choosing cohousing. He and his wife sought to live in a place that offered more real connections to neighbors than typical suburban living.

They were seeking an oldfashioned sense of neighborhood that affords opportunities to connect with each other and interact in meaningful ways, an antidote to the isolation of much modern life.

New resident Timothy Silk, a tech consultant, echoes Yamada’s desire for closer contact with his neighbors. When he and his wife, empty nesters, were exploring local cohousing options, he was impressed by how much the PHCH residents seemed to care for each other. New members, for example, are treated to a welcoming ceremony.

Pre-COVID, there were many celebrations and gatherings in addition to the twice-aweek communal meals in the Common House, which contains, in addition to a kitchen, a dining room (Great Room), sitting room, laundry, kids’

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Cofounder Barbara Lynch with residents Timothy Silk, Kenji Yamada.

room, teen room, crafts room tects Charles Durrett and his and two guest bedrooms with then-wife Kathryn McCamant, who introduced the idea of bath – a welcome feature. cohousing (and coined the BRINGING THE CONCEPT term) to the United States in TO AMERICA the late ’80s. They had previThe same desire for more ously lived in Denmark, where real connections to her neigh- the concept was pioneered in bors prompted PHCH co- the 1970s before spreading founder (and project guiding throughout Europe and, force) Barbara Lynch and her thanks to Charles and Kathryn, late husband to gather like- to this country. minded folks in 1995 to seek a The architects and their parcel of land suitable for Cohousing Company, based in building what would become Berkeley for many years and the first cohousing develop- now in Nevada City, remain ment in Contra Costa County. devoted to the cohousing con“We were living the dream, cept. They wrote books and a big house with a pool in Wal- articles, held introductory nut Creek,” says the former meetings and helped many Los Medanos College comput- groups navigate the often-diffier sciences teacher. “But when cult process of creating their I read an article about a own communities. cohousing project on BainWorking closely with Lynch bridge Island in Washington, I and the Pleasant Hill group, knew immediately that I want- they designed a community ed to live in a more conscious, that is multigenerational, cooperative way – I wanted to diverse, non-hierarchical and live in cohousing.” environmentally conscious In 2001, she got her wish, with passive heating and coolmoving into the newly com- ing features, efficient water use, pleted PHCH complex. natural, non-toxic materials By happy coincidence, the and many more amenities.

Bay Area was home to archi“Cohousing helps stem the tide of consumerism,” Durrett told the Pioneer. “Instead of 32 lawnmowers, you only need one, for example.”

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DARING TO SOLDIER ON Durrett sees his job as helping to create a viable society and sees the biggest obstacle to cohousing development as a culture stuck in outdated ideas about living arrangements.

After designing the first newly constructed cohousing community in the country, Muir Commons in Davis, in 1991, and PHCH in 2001, Durrett remains undeterred.

He has completed more than 50 of the more than 150 cohousing communities in the country.

Cooperation is the key to human survival. It is the basis of how we live together in families, in communities, of how we govern ourselves and of the global economy.

Cohousing offers a compelling model for getting along and – in these difficult times – for addressing our increasing isolation.

Kurt Vonnegut once wrote, “The most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.”

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Pamela Michael is an author and communications specialist who has lived in Curry Canyon for 20 years.

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Strong public backing for Pleasant Hill’s new police advisory panel DAVID SCHOLZ Correspondent

With his new Chief ’s Advisory Panel, Police Chief Bryan Hill is leaning into the public debate about policing in a bid toward greater transparency.

He sees the 15-member panel as an extension of several community outreach programs and activities related to racial equity and social justice that will examine, research and provide feedback in the development of strategies to foster the department’s partnership with the community. The group will likely begin monthly meetings in the new year.

“This panel will give community members a voice, be a conduit for two-way communication and bolster our goal of practicing transparency engagement,” said Capt. Scott Vermillion.

“It will be a vital program

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where the chief can hear directly from members of the community to learn what expectations they have for their police department,” Vermillion added.

Current issues on the table for discussion include challenges impacting the community and its police, such as the department’s response to individuals suffering mental health emergencies, homelessness, use of force, transparency, criminal activity and trends, use of new technologies and ordinances pertaining to public safety.

“As an agency, we recognize that establishing (a community) bond involves proactive engagement, providing community access to public safety information and, when appropriate, involving the community in decisions that affect them, in addition to being transparent to help build and maintain

public trust,” Hill wrote in his new Pioneer column.

The panel will act solely in an advisory capacity to the department, and it will not engage in disciplinary or personnel actions, ongoing criminal or internal investigations, legal issues or active incidents.

To ensure the greatest effectiveness, the plan is to include diverse members from the Pleasant Hill community that represent ethnic, socioeconomic and experiential backgrounds as well as different ages. Those tagged for the panel will be selected from Pleasant Hill residents, business owners or their employees and individuals intimately involved in organizations that serve the Pleasant Hill community.

Pleasant Hill City Councilmember Ken Carlson, who formerly served on the Concord Police Department, said

there has been “exceptionally positive” response from the public to this panel.

Drawing on his experience in law enforcement, he noted that residents can feel intimidated when it comes to interactions with those wearing the badge. However, he lauds what Hill is attempting to do through the panel.

“It opens the doors wider with the community,” Carlson said.

Although City Council approval wasn’t needed in developing the panel, Carlson said Hill came forward to present his ideas to “keep everyone in the loop” and keep a finger on the pulse of the public.

“This is his baby,” Carlson added.

For more information, visit pleasanthillca.org/1468/ChiefsAdvisory-Panel. See Chief Hill’s column, Page 6.

Beware! Don’t follow Alice down the rabbit hole

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WILL CLANEY

TECH TALK

Alice followed the rabbit down its hole only to find a dizzying array of bizarre options and complexities. Just like with computers today – weird.

So, shall we join her?

Many people attach emotions to devices like computers, laptops and smartphones. It’s simple human nature to do that with things that seem human or perform human tasks.

Therefore, when something goes wrong with a device, the instinct is to try to “save” it by attempting a repair. Let us examine when it is advisable to repair vs. replace.

We had a customer that would replace the entire computer as soon as anything went wrong; I think he had more money than an ability to determine when a replacement was in his best interest and when he should repair. For example, he replaced a computer on his network when the browser froze.

He spent about $600 on a new computer rather than $100 to have a simple fix. Don’t be an Alice.

Most repairs these days are software-related – meaning some software/program glitch hits a computer and an inexpensive fix is available. We recommend all software repairs as long as the software provider is still supporting the product.

Software support is one of the most critical conditions in your decision.

Hardware like CPUs, motherboards (the central platform where everything mounts) and video/display performance comes with an expiration date.

Hardware reaches obsolescence when support stops. According to Bing, “End-of-support refers to a situation in which a company ceases support (repairs, fixes or updated drivers) for a product or service. This is typically applied to hardware and software products when a company releases a new version and ends support for previous versions.”

Hardware manufacturers are dependent on the operating system, for example, Windows or OSx. When the OS changes,

the hardware manufacturer must decide whether to continue rewriting software to match.

Most choose to support only their latest products.

In conclusion, if your hardware is still supported, a repair is usually the least expensive way to return to normalcy. Eat the candy and escape the rabbit hole. However, if support has ceased, you should replace.

By the way, data moves from one device to another so you will have a new computer

with better performance and support.

The rabbit hole has come a long way since Lewis Carroll’s 1865 classic “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” According to Bing, “A rabbit hole, in a metaphorical sense, is a long and winding exploratory path with many connections and offshoots. The term rabbit hole is often used to describe online activities. The Web was essentially designed to function as a rabbit hole because of the way

hyperlinks work, and Web surfing in general can be considered a voluntary trip down the rabbit hole.”

William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station.

Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.

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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

October 15, 2021

From the Desk of...

Concord continues to devise plans to help the homeless Tens of thousands of people across California are currently experiencing homelessness. Addressing this epidemic and trying to meet the needs of our unhoused residents is a challenge that local government agencies, nonprofits, businesses and individuals

have been grappling with for years.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, about 2,300 individuals were experiencing homelessness in Contra Costa County. The pandemic and subsequent economic fallout made the situation even more

Important Clayton Housing Element workshop on Oct. 20 facilitate the required update to our housing plan to meet the number of housing units across all income levels that have been assigned to Clayton through the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process. The housing plan, called a Housing Element, is a component of Clayton’s longrange plan (the General Plan) and must be completed before January 2023.

CARL “CW” WOLFE is required to zone CLAYTON MAYOR for Clayton an additional 570 housing units. There is important work I attended the League of to be done, and one key comCalifornia Cities (Cal Cities) ponent will be residents’ parannual conference in Sacraticipation and understanding mento last month as an alterof the process and what we nate to our voting delegate, are facing. The city will hold a Councilmember Jim Diaz. public workshop at 6:30 p.m.

Aside from the conference Oct. 20 via Zoom at general sessions, we sat in on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8 separate seminars. This is 8204351379. There is no pregood for Clayton, as we were registration required. able to gain insights on a wide The workshop is an range of topics from environopportunity for community mental issues to building betmembers to share ideas and ter cities, public safety, capital perspectives to enrich the disimprovements, public outcussion. It will provide Clayreach and other informative ton residents with a common symposiums. We also spent foundation and understanding time on the expo floor to of the constraints, challenges learn about new city-focused and opportunities associated products and technology. with providing for new housThe conference gave us ing. opportunities to meet with This workshop represents statewide mayors and counthe first of several opportunicilmembers to foster relationties for community members ships and discuss the comto contribute to the conversamon issues facing California tion. A survey will be cities. A main topic of conlaunched in October. Downversation was the state’s town pop-up events will be onslaught of bills aimed at held between now and Februreducing local control, espeary 2022, and a second workcially on housing. Clearly, we shop is planned for February must all stay engaged moving or March 2022. forward on the proposals, I urge you to participate. bills, mandates and regulations For questions/comments, that will directly affect Clayemail cw@claytonca.gov or ton. call 925-673-7324.

To that end, the Clayton City Council and Planning Please direct questions or Commission held a virtual comments to cw@claytonca.gov or joint meeting on Sept. 28 with 925-673-7324. our consultant hired to help

dire for many.

Congregate shelters – including the Concord shelter that housed upwards of 75 – were closed due to health concerns. In addition, the temporary closure of businesses caused many people to lose their jobs and steady income, resulting in even more people at risk for losing their housing.

Thankfully, the state created Project Roomkey. The program housed unsheltered individuals safely and separately in hotel rooms, including nearly 200 rooms at two hotels here in Concord. Before the state’s program, Concord provided emergency funding early in the pandemic to house 37 vul-

we have invested nearly $250,000 into a variety of programs and services, including the Contra Costa Crisis Center, Monument Crisis Center, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, RotaCare, STAND! For Families Free of Violence, Winter Nights Shelter and the Trinity Center.

These programs provide food, shelter, emergency childcare, TIM MCGALLIAN employment services, case and more.

CONCORD MAYOR management Unhoused residents need these support services to get nerable individuals at three back on their feet and into local hotels.

Long before the pandemic, permanent housing.

Concord previously shared the city of Concord had been the cost of a county outreach examining ways of addressing team known as CORE (Coorhomelessness. This year alone,

ships with those we serve have a direct impact on the well-being of the residents of Pleasant Hill, and we are committed to partnering with the community to make Pleasant Hill a great place to live and visit.

As an agency, we recognize that establishing this bond involves proactive engagement, providing community access to public safety information and, when appropriate, involving the community in decisions that affect them, in addition to being transparent to help build and maintain public trust.

To better understand our community’s expectations and concerns, in 2020 we engaged in a series of “Community Conversations” hosted by the city’s Civic Action Commission. With our residents, we worked to share timely and relevant information regarding

See McGallian, page 7

Pleasant Hill remains focused on the future SUE NOACK

PLEASANT HILL MAYOR Thanks to the Pioneer for expanding your coverage area to include Pleasant Hill.

We were so sad to lose the Community Focus but so happy we can now look to the Pioneer for local events and information.

As we begin to come out of this pandemic, I want to reflect on the many bright spots in our community. We had community members step up to keep our community safe, informed and engaged – from teens leaving positive chalk messages to neighbors shopping for those who couldn’t leave their homes and those who engaged the community through social media. I also want to thank the health-care professionals, essential workers, teachers and first responders.

We had so many businesses, especially restaurants, that had to pivot to takeout and later to outdoor dining. I know they all want to thank the community for continuing to support them.

The city was able to provide some support for restaurants and retail operations, and we hope to develop ways to assist our economy in recovering. We have all learned to adapt, and

we have proven to be resilient.

From a city perspective, we were fortunate. As a result of early cost-saving measures and smaller than expected losses in sales tax revenue, the city’s financial position remains strong. The city took advantage of the reduced traffic to get some street work done, including Pleasant Hill Road, Monticello and repaving roads between Gregory and Boyd.

Our online permit process enabled work to continue to be done. And we were able to start construction of our new library, with a grand opening expected mid-2022.

Our 2040 General Plan process took a hiatus early in the pandemic but has restarted in recent months. This process will continue in conjunction with the development of our Housing Element.

We want to encourage everyone to get involved so that our General Plan reflects the wishes of our community. We will be hosting a Town Hall meeting focusing on the Housing Element on Oct 27.

During the pandemic, issues involving diversity and inclusion became front and center. We are committed to making Pleasant Hill a welcoming community for all, as evidenced by the Community Conversations put on by the Diversity subcommittee of the Civic Action Commission. These Community Conversations will continue with one focused on LGBTQ+ scheduled for Oct. 20.

Pleasant Hill PD working to expand police transparency On behalf of the dedicated men and women of the Pleasant Hill Police Department, I am grateful for this opportunity to address the Central County readers of the Pioneer.

Our agency is committed to collaborating with the communities we serve. I welcome and appreciate opportunities such as these where I am able to speak directly to people within these communities and share insight, offer information and, I hope, spark meaningful dialogue.

The past 18 months have been challenging and difficult for many of us – including those of us serving in law enforcement. From the ongoing worldwide pandemic to the protests and calls for justice, the Pleasant Hill Police Department took notice and took action.

We believe the relation-

dinated Outreach, Referral and Engagement) with the city of Walnut Creek. But thanks to the passage of Measure V, we have been able to fund our own full-time CORE team working exclusively in Concord since March 2021.

The CORE team visits unhoused residents in the places they live and offers access to a variety of services to help move people into housing, along with basic survival needs such as tents, sleeping bags, clothing, food, water and personal hygiene supplies. The team also serves as the entry point to the county’s coordinated system for

our processes, policies, training and other practices. We continue to participate in those regular dialogues and have taken these conversations further in 2021 with the creation of a Chief ’s Advisory Panel.

The new panel is intended to provide a forum for discussions regarding community/police concerns and allow for greater transparency and communication with the community. The panel’s objective will be to act as a resource for the chief in working with the community to form strategies, develop community policing concepts, increase public awareness, bolster engagement, improve transparency and identify best practices.

The process for accepting applications for panel participation concluded on Oct. 12.

For more information, visit

BRYAN HILL

PLEASANT HILL POLICE CHIEF pleasanthillca.org/1468/Chief s-Advisory-Panel.

As chief of police, I am extremely proud of the professionalism, respect and courage displayed by our personnel on a daily basis. Likewise, I am honored by the appreciation often expressed by our community for our personnel who serve them.

We will continue to serve in a manner worthy of your trust and faith.

Contact Chief Hill at BHill@PleasantHillPD.org

To ensure the broadest focus on this topic, a new Diversity Commission has been formed. I am excited to see what evolves from this group.

Pleasant Hill is a community that loves its small-town feel. As we continue to emerge from

this pandemic and go about our daily lives, please keep this in mind. Keep an eye out for each other, extend a hand, make new friends and stay safe.

Contact Mayor Noack at Smargriet@outlook.com

Renters need to be aware of COVID relief options With the sunset of state and local eviction moratoriums on Sept. 30, Contra Costa County is still working hard to make sure that families that have been most impacted by the pandemic can access rental assistance.

Behind masking and vaccination, keeping people housed is the third most effective intervention to keep COVID at bay.

Though blanket eviction moratoriums are no longer in effect, the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program is providing support to eligible tenants and landlords, and there is still time to apply.

If you have had trouble paying your rent due to COVID19, you can still qualify for rental assistance. The easiest way to learn more or apply is by calling 833-430-2122.

The Rent Relief Program pays eligible tenants and landlords 100 percent of a tenant’s past-due rent and utilities going as far back as April 1, 2020.

Having your overdue rent paid by the Rent Relief Program can protect you from eviction and debt collection lawsuits. The program is free and does not currently have a deadline. But because funding may be limited, renters are encouraged to apply as soon as possible if they know they may struggle to cover past or prospective rent and utilities.

The program prioritizes those receiving rental assistance funds based on Area Media Income (AMI). The goal has been to reach those with AMIs of 30 percent (extremely low income) to 50 percent (very low income). For Contra Costa, a family of four at 30 percent AMI would have household income of $39,150. A family of four at 50 percent AMI would have household income of $65,250.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2021, landlords must apply for rental assistance before they can try to evict anyone through the courts for failing to pay rent. Although landlords may give a renter notice to “pay or quit” (which gives a renter a certain amount of time to pay the outstanding

KAREN MITCHOFF

COUNTY

SUPERVISOR rent or vacate) at any time, they will not be able to legally evict anyone without first applying to the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program.

If you receive a notice to “pay or quit,” it is strongly recommended that you immediately get legal assistance to determine and protect your rights. If your notice to “pay or quit” includes a “Declaration of COVID-19 related financial distress” and you have been financially impacted by the pandemic, you should sign and return the declaration to your landlord within 15 business days to bolster your protections.

It is important that people apply for rental assistance within 15 business days of receiving a “pay or quit” notice, or within 15 business days of receiving a notice from the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program that a landlord has started an application on your behalf.

It is also recommended that people notify their landlords once they have applied for rental assistance, as this step can help renters in both eviction and rental debt collection lawsuits.

To learn more about this program or to apply, call 833430-2122 or visit housing.ca.gov. For additional assistance, please give my office a call at 925-521-7100 or email supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us.

Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Mitchoff at supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

New laws boost wine tasting and curb short-term rental parties When one of your bills is signed into law, it is very gratifying.

It’s a nice reward for all the hard work put in by key allies and friends when the governor ushers them across the finish line with a signature. It’s especially gratifying to have important legislative priorities for my district signed into law.

Gov. Gavin Newsom STEVE GLAZER signed three such bills and proposals that I’ve been workSTATE SENATOR ing on with partners, in some cases, for years. laws. SB60, which took effect immediately, authorizes localiEXPANDING WINE TASTING ties to impose fines up to SB19 will allow licensed $5,000 for a violation of a winegrowers or brandy manu- short-term ordinance. facturers to operate two offThe law is an attempt to site tasting rooms under their rein in house parties, somewinegrower licenses. This bill, times violent, that have been which takes effect Jan. 1, occurring at short-term rentals 2022, will particularly help because of lax oversight of small and family-owned winer- these properties. These large ies to operate as California gatherings have made some continues to recover from the short-term rental properties pandemic. the sites of underage drinking, There are about 55 winer- brawls, noise complaints and ies in my district, including in violence.

Livermore, Oakley, Brentwood Local governments will and Moraga. now have the tools to ensure Small and family-owned the safety of those who want wineries have struggled to continue to use short-term because they rely heavily on rentals and of residents who visitors and direct sales. With live nearby. tourism taking a terrible hit The legislation was sparked from the pandemic and conse- by a spate of violence at quences of the wildfires, I’m short-term rental properties, glad Gov. Newsom recognized most notably a mass shooting that these wineries need that in Orinda, where five people additional outlet to provide were killed. Other abuses at tastings and sales to their cus- short-term rentals occurred in tomers.

Los Angeles and other locales in Northern California, LIMITING SHORT-TERM including a party at a SunnyRENTALS vale short-term rental where a Under SB60, cities and teenager was shot and killed in counties will be allowed to August after violence erupted impose increased penalties on at the gathering. short-term rental hosts who Smaller fines were ineffecviolate local property rental tive in deterring violations.

and Native Americans have long considered it a sensitive historical site.

That land will now become a new state park closed to motorized recreation. The state will reimburse the Off-Highway Vehicle fund for the purchase price of the land, its appreciation in value and the money spent planning the expansion, which was opposed from the start 20 years ago by nearby residents and public agencies. That money will go toward the purchase and development of an off-road park at another location.

Our community and region will preserve this natural and cultural treasure, leaving it pristine for future generations to enjoy. Meanwhile, off-road enthusiasts will be able to keep their current park and receive funding to develop another park on land that’s more suitable to that kind of recreation.

I appreciate the hard work that so many key individuals played in moving this critical environmental and cultural issue to the governor’s desk, and, of course, for the governor to work with all the players to sign this important agreement.

I was proud to partner with TESLA PRESERVATION Assembly member Rebecca Thousands of acres of East Bauer-Kahan, the Sierra Club, Bay wilderness threatened by Friends of Tesla Park, and the expansion of an off-highother environmental organizaway vehicle park will instead be tions and individuals in getting preserved. final approval from the goverThe legislation, approved in nor. Earlier, former Assembly the governor’s recent budget member Catharine Baker bills to take effect immediately, worked with me on the same will end plans to expand the issue.

Carnegie State Vehicular RecreSteve Glazer is the California ation Area into the 3,100-acre State Senator representing the 7th Tesla parcel in the southeast Senate District. If you have quescorner of Alameda County. Sci- tions about this or other topics, you entists have described the area can reach out to him at as a biologically unique habitat, sd07.senate.ca.gov.

Hosts could charge so much rent for big houses that the fines were just seen as a cost of doing business.

The use of short-term rentals has skyrocketed by 105 percent over just the past three years, according to vacation rental data compiled by AirDNA. Though short-term rentals offer a way to improve tourism and earn owners some extra money, their recent proliferation has allowed bad actors to use the platform to advertise and secure homes for large parties, often in violation of local ordinances.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in people using short-term rentals to evade public health restrictions on large public gatherings. Noise complaints as a result of parties have tripled since the start of the pandemic, according to Host Compliance, which tracks legal compliance among short-term rentals for 350 cities and counties in the United States.

In the last half of 2019, 42 people were shot inside or just outside a short-term rental property nationwide and 17 people died.

Concord continues to support Accessory Dwelling Units Concord, became a ministerial process instead of discretionary. In other words, as long as you submit an applicaJASON LAUB tion within the guidelines provided, the approval process is CONCORD relatively quick.

PLANNING The Concord Planning COMMISSIONER Commission and City Council supported the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units additional housing by adopting (ADUs) are a popular option local ordinances that not only in California, and the city of to comply with state law, but Concord is working to ease further relieve the barriers by the approval process. reducing city fees for ADUs. In 2016, the state passed • Also referred to as granny legislation that empowered flats, in-law units, backyard homeowners to create secondcottages or secondary units, ary living spaces on their ADUs can: property by easing regulatory • Create housing to help hurdles. Essentially, the review address the housing supply and approval of ADUs by crisis and, in turn, relieve local jurisdictions, including the high cost of housing.

McGallian, from page 6

• Provide an affordable type of living space to construct as they don’t require the cost of land or significant new infrastructure.

• Provide income for existing homeowners going into retirement on a fixed income or new homeowners needing to offset high home prices and mortgage payments.

• Allow extended families to live near each other while maintaining privacy.

The city of Concord has been working with a consultant to develop preapproved plans for homeowners to utilize in building an ADU. The Design Review Board was scheduled to review a preliminary set of plans at its Oct. 14

“Concord Connect” app (either through a smartphone or the city’s website). These unsheltered individuals. remain in the community and notifications go to our ComSince going full-time in avoid future crisis intervention munity Impact Unit, which coordinates a response with March, CORE has made con- and interactions with law CORE and determines the tact with 334 unsheltered peo- enforcement. need for abatement. Unshelple in Concord and placed 24 While the Police Departtered persons living in in a shelter, hotel or motel. ment’s Community Impact encampments are offered On Sept. 28, city staff provid- Unit works closely with the services through CORE; ed an update on how the pro- county to assist our unshelencampments that have gram is going. To view the tered residents, being homeunsafe or unsanitary condipresentation, visit cityofconless is not a crime. cord.org/HomelessServices.

Some of the concerns and tions are then cleared.

On Nov. 2, the City CounIn addition to investing complaints the city receives cil will consider the addition more resources into CORE, are related to encampments of staff and resources to help the City Council voted to and unsanitary conditions. If us better address the homefund a Mental Health Evalua- you see an individual who lessness challenge. The role of tion Team (MHET) pilot pro- poses a serious, immediate this new position would be to gram in Concord, which risk to themselves or others, began in June. Through the call 911. If you see an individ- coordinate the city’s efforts and leverage partnerships with program, a county mental ual who could benefit from health specialist is paired with the resources provided by our the county and other agencies to help the unsheltered. a city police officer. The two CORE team, contact them We recognize that there is work proactively to provide through 211 or email no one-size-fits-all approach referrals to outpatient mental core@cchealth.org. health services and other If you would like to report to homelessness, and we are resources to help individuals an encampment, use the city’s trying to determine what will

meeting. The plans will likely be available for public use by the first quarter of 2022.

This is a great benefit to residents wanting to build an ADU as it takes the long and costly design phase out of the process. I hope a lot of residents take advantage of this program once the plans are available.

For more information about ADUs, visit hcd.ca.gov/policyresearch/AccessoryDwellingUnits.shtml or cityofconcord.org/documentcenter/view/4637.

Jason Laub is Chief Operating Officer at RAD Urban and is a City of Concord Planning Commissioner.

Email questions or comments to jlaub.concordplanning@gmail.com

work best in Concord.

We also know that one critical solution to homelessness is housing. The city has a state-mandated goal of adding more than 5,000 housing units by 2031, and we are developing a plan to get there through our Housing Element Update.

To learn more, please attend one of our upcoming community meetings or visit concordhousingelement.org.

Addressing homelessness in our community is one of the city’s top priorities. We are committed to continuing to explore regional solutions in partnership with the county and the numerous community-based organizations that are working tirelessly to help our most vulnerable neighbors.

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

Page 7

Concord chamber happy to aid businesses succeed

Contributed photo

Concord Chamber members and local dignitaries were on hand for a celebratory ribbon cutting at Side Gate Brewery last month.

cannot miss them.

Even though they do not cut, they do open and close – mimicking real scissors. Students at both Mt. Diablo and Concord High have refurbished the scissors over the years. We will be giving them another facelift soon. Follow us on our social media platforms to see their new look.

A few ribbon cuttings we MELISSA REA celebrated in September CHAMBER OF include the grand openings of the Visit Concord Visitor COMMERCE Center, Side Gate Brewery & Ribbon cuttings are a great Beer Garden, Office Evoluway to share with the commu- tion and Huckleberry’s Breaknity that a business or organi- fast & Lunch. We also welzation is open for business. comed back the city of ConThe Concord Chamber cord and Concord Police can help businesses not only Department Volunteers in with grand openings, but also Police Service (VIPS). remodels, relocations, new In October, we will hold ownerships, anniversaries and ribbon cuttings for the Joint more. You name it – we can Chiropractic and Kids Care find a reason to celebrate.

Dental & Orthodontics, both The pandemic has put var- opening at the Veranda. ious openings and celebrations For more information on hold, but the chamber is about ribbon cuttings and the back to booking ribbon cutConcord Chamber of Comtings in a safe manner for all merce, call 925-685-1181, visit those in attendance. concordchamber.com or stop What makes the ribbonby the office at 2280 Diamond cutting ceremonies special are Blvd., Suite 200, in Concord. the infamous scissors. Built by woodshop students more than Melissa Rea is the Director of 30 years ago at Mt. Diablo Operations and Marketing for the High School, the scissors Greater Concord Chamber of stand 68.5 inches tall. You Commerce

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October 15, 2021

SCHOOLS CVCHS loses principal, MDUSD saves taxpayers millions JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

In a school year that has placed extra stress on everyone involved in the educational process from school administrators to students, Clayton Valley Charter High School received an added, unexpected jolt when Principal Jeff Anderson suddenly retired last month.

Anderson had earlier informed the charter school’s acting Executive Director Dave Fehte and the governing board that the 2021-22 school year would be his last. Citing “personal circumstances,” Anderson announced he was retiring immediately, just a couple days after his weekly newsletter to the CVCHS community was emailed Sept. 21.

The next day Fehte sent an email to school parents. In part it said, “We will all miss Mr. Anderson’s presence around campus. I hope you join me in wishing him the best and thank him for his five years of service to Clayton Valley and the community. Soon, we will host an event for staff, students, and parents to give Mr. Anderson the sendoff he deserves.”

District announced last month that it recently refinanced $198 million in general obligation bonds, which “will save District property owners more than $48 million in taxes over the next 16 years.”

The District explained it had taken “advantage of interest rates that were near all-time lows due to the COVID pandemic and economic uncertainty” to refinance bonds originally sold in 2011 and 2012, when interest rates were higher.

The bonds were approved

by MDUSD voters in 2002 and 2010 elections both titled Measure C. The funds from those bond elections were used to build new school facilities and provide for renovations, upgrades and other classroom improvements to existing schools. Interest rates on the old bonds ranged from 3.5% to 5.5% and the borrowing cost for the new bonds ranges from 0.08% to 1.79%. The District says the difference in rates will save property owners $48,698,777 through 2037.

BOND REFINANCING “Our community has SAVES MDUSD TAXPAYERS always trusted us by supportMILLIONS ing our bond measures,” said Mt. Diablo Unified School Superintendent Adam Clark.

The governing board has its monthly meeting this week and it’s anticipated a process for finding Anderson’s successor will be discussed.

Anderson was hired in June 2017 to take the reins that fall for the sixth year of the Concord site as a charter school.

Clayton Valley became a conversion charter school before the start of the 2012-13 school year. Dave Linzey was hired as the first executive director and he served in the dual capacity of executive director and principal for three years before hiring Jeff Eben as the first principal of CVCHS in 2015.

Eben served until September 2016 followed by co-principals Patrick Gaffney and John McMorris for the balance of that school year before Anderson was hired.

Fehte has been serving as interim executive director since March of this year when Jim Scheible left that position shortly after the majority of CVCHS students returned to campus on a part-time basis.

“As stewards of taxpayer dollars, we felt this refinancing was the right thing to do.”

The final Measure C projects are due to be completed before the beginning of next school year with the exception of improvements at CVCHS which have been held in abeyance pending the resolution of a long-standing legal dispute between the District and charter school.

The District says homeowners can anticipate their property taxes reduced by an average of $5.25 per $100,000 in assessed valuation starting next year. The example provided is that District homeowners currently paying $90.90 per $100,000 in assessed value would see their property taxes drop to $85.65 per $100,000 in 2022-23.

On a home valued at $600,000, this would amount to a drop from $545.40 to $513.90 a year for an annual savings of $31.50. Over 16 years, the savings in the scenario would total approximately $473, depending on assessed value growth.

The District School Board unanimously approved the bond refinancing in August.

“With rates near the lowest they have ever been, we wanted to take advantage and lock in savings for our taxpayers,” said Board President Cherise Khaund. “We are thrilled with the results of the sale.”

11 LOCAL STUDENTS NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS

Eleven local seniors were recently named semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship program for the 2021-22 school year.

Northgate seniors Colin Bausley, Shivum Ganesh, Evan Leach and Aidan Sunbury along with Jack Holden of College Park were MDUSD students to achieve the honor.

Carondelet and De La Salle High each had three semifinalists. Alison Arndt, Emily Hou and Kayla Nuti from Carondelet and Michael Kostolansky, Marcel Latasa and Samuel Pickett from De

La Salle were advanced in the process from the parochial schools.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship program. About 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth around $30 million will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. Approximately 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

The 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test for high school juniors served as an initial screen of program entrants.

Contra Costa receives $5 million Olympic High teacher, counselor grant to support literacy efforts honored by state organization ing staff trainings on current teaching methods and strategies.

He is on the Olympic High leadership team and is the head of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee.

JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

Teacher Yuri Buechler and counselor Keegan Pittman were both feted last month in San Diego with top awards from the California Continuation Education Association for their work on the faculty and staff of Olympic High School in Concord.

Buechler was awarded California Teacher of the Year and his colleague Pittman was Counselor of the Year for the 2019-20 school year. They were notified of their honors months into the pandemic last year but CCEA, the state association representing about 500 continuation high schools in California, was unable to have an in-person presentation until their annual conference this September.

Speaking to the two men last week at their school on Salvio Street it was readily apparent they enjoy their jobs and the students they serve at Olympic, the District’s continuation high school founded over five decades ago.

YOUNG COUNSELOR HONORED

Jay Bedecarré

Counselor Keegan Pittman (left) and social science teacher Yuri Buechler were honored last month in San Diego with counselor and teacher of the year awards from the California Continuation Education Association for their work on the staff and faculty of Olympic High School in Concord.

Olympic Principal Lynsie Castellano nominated the social science teacher as teacher of the year and said, “Mr. Buechler has a natural ability to relate to students. His easygoing, structured classroom creates a welcoming environment. His knack for building relationships shows in his student’s admiration for him

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as a person they can rely on for instruction in the classroom and real-world advice outside. “[Buechler] is a trailblazer when it comes to curriculum. He is often the first to implement new teaching strategies. Yuri is able to structure project-based units that are rigorous and at the same time accessible. He has a keen ability to focus lessons on student interest and relate said lessons to the lives of our students.”

10 YEARS AT OLYMPIC Buechler has been at Olympic for a decade. This school year he is teaching world history and service learning.

Buechler is especially proud of the service learning program which sends Olympic students to a Mt. Diablo Unified School District elementary school near their home to serve as teacher’s assistants.

For five weeks the student spends Monday through Thursday as a TA. On Fridays they are back at Olympic to review their progress. During the program the high school student keeps a journal to record their reflections on how it is benefiting them and the students (primarily kindergarten through fourth graders) in the classroom they are assisting.

His principal also lauded Buechler for regularly attending education conferences and lead-

Buechler nominated his 29year-old colleague Pittman for the CCEA counselor award using a sports analogy, saying he “is so much more than a counselor to Olympic High School.

Keegan is like the athlete that does not always show up in the stat sheet yet is essential to the success of the squad.

“He does all of his work and often the work of others with the same attention to detail, professionalism and enthusiasm. He does so happily, never complaining that his plate is too full or that he has already done his fair share. When someone is in need, he is always there for both students and staff.”

Pittman and Paula Barker share counselling duties for the approximate 400 students who matriculate through Olympic each year. The school year is divided into eight terms since some students attend Olympic for awhile before returning to their comprehensive high school in MDUSD and other students come to Olympic at various times during the school year.

Pittman explains that much of his counseling work goes beyond academics and revolves around “getting students resources to remove obstacles” from achieving success in the classroom and life. He is in his fourth year at Olympic and says his Masters degree in marriage and family therapy is put to good use in his current role.

Buechler concluded his nomination of Pittman saying, “Keegan is a mentor and a role model. His attitude and advice are infectious, and his impact on the campus is notable by those in the know and newcomers alike. Keegan is an integral cog in our complicated machine. Moreover, although he has not been in education for that many years, he is like a guru who has found his calling.”

Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey announced the county office of education has been awarded a grant worth $5 million over three years to build school capacity to support students struggling with reading, including, but not limited to, students with disabilities and students with dyslexia.

As one of seven county offices of education to receive the grant from the California Department of Education, Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) will serve as a Local Literacy Agency as part of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLDS) federal grant program. San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) will receive about $2 million of the grant as CCCOE’s partnering agency.

CCCOE will work with Oakley Union Elementary School District (OUESD) to implement the grant in Northern California, and SDCOE will work with Oceanside Unified School District in Southern California.

“We are thrilled to be recipients of such an important grant that will allow us to develop and design strategies for literacy learning for all students, and also support our most vulnerable and challenged students,” Superintendent Mackey said.

“This type of foundational work is crucial for the lifelong success of all students and we look forward to completing this crucial work with the Oakley Union Elementary School District.”

The funds will help to build capacity to serve struggling readers, including students with disablities and dyslexia, by strengthening district and site multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS); developing district and pilot site literacy plans and implementing evidence-based strategies through improvement cycles; and increasing family and community engagement in literacy.

The Oakley school district

LYNN MACKEY, CONTRA COSTA SUPERINTENDENT

was chosen based on review of their Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) goals, student enrollment and demographics, and academic performance data. The expertise and resources that Literacy Lead Agencies generate with their model schools will be disseminated to educators across the state through the Statewide System of Support.

“This is an exciting opportunity to improve literacy for students in the Oakley Union Elementary School District, and ultimately throughout the state,” OUESD Superintendent Jeffrey Palmquist said.

“We look forward to working with Superintendent Mackey and her staff at the county office of education to research, implement and refine practices proven to improve student literacy outcomes.”

CCCOE’s project, “Every Child Reads,” is focused on literacy through the use of evidence-based practices, activities and interventions, including pre-literacy skills, reading and writing. Grantees are directed to use the funding to build expertise in strategies that address the statewide literacy priorities identified in the Comprehensive Literacy Plan and implement these strategies through a three-year, small-scale pilot with a local school district.

For more information about the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant and/or the California Comprehensive State Literacy Plan, please visit the CDE webpage.

October 15, 2021

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Page 9

Sustainable fusion power is hard work – but it’s worth the effort

STEPHEN GOURLAY

SCIENCE BYTES Last month, I promised to describe some of the ways scientists and engineers are trying to recreate the energyproducing fusion reactions of the sun and stars.

First, I want to review the basic process required to produce useful energy. It always begins with a plasma – a very hot, charged gas composed of ions and free electrons. When light nuclei (protons + neutrons) combine into heavier nuclei, they produce energy that is carried away by the reaction products.

A combination of three criteria is essential for producing a sustainable fusion reaction: 1. Sufficient energy (high temperature) to overcome the electromagnetic barrier and allow the short-range strong force to take over and bind the two lighter nuclei.

2. Confine the plasma long enough to produce enough reactions.

3. Density to increase the probability of an interaction.

CREATING CLEAN ENERGY Building a power plant based on nuclear fusion has several formidable challenges, yet there are several

reasons to pursue it. It would be a virtually limitless source of clean energy. The reactor would be fueled by deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen found in seawater, and tritium, another isotope of hydrogen that would be produced in the reactor.

Compared to a fission reactor, it would produce less and shorter-lived radioactive waste with no danger of a runaway reaction or meltdown.

There are several approaches to producing a sustainable fusion reaction, but I’ll focus on one. First create a plasma by heating up a gas. No problem. Next, confine and heat the plasma to about 100 million degrees.

The plasma cannot be allowed to touch any material, as it would immediately cool or damage the walls of the reaction chamber. Magnetic fields exert a force on charged particles and are used to contain the plasma, a technique referred to as “magnetic confinement.”

In a device called a Tokamak, a doughnut-shaped chamber contains the plasma in a ring. Now it gets really difficult. The plasma must be squeezed using subtle combinations of very strong magnetic fields to increase the density and produce sufficient reactions. Imagine taking a handful of gelatin and trying to compress it in your hands without any squirting out. So-called plasma instabilities are the most challenging aspect of developing a fusion reactor.

Deuterium and tritium are favored as reactor fuel not only for their availability

Deuterium and tritium nuclei fuse to produce a helium nucleus, referred to by scientists as an alpha-particle, and a neutron that carries away a large fraction of the energy.

but also because they each have a single electric charge (one proton), minimizing the repulsive force. The deuterium and tritium nuclei fuse to produce a helium nucleus and a neutron that carriers away a large fraction of the energy.

The neutron is not affected by the magnetic field and will hit the chamber wall, giving up its energy, producing more fuel (tritium) and generating heat that will make steam to drive a turbine.

CLOSING THE GAP? Fusion energy has been pursued for decades. There is an old joke that says, “Fusion power is only 30 years away and will always be 30 years away.” Despite the many challenges, the immense potential drives the community to keep moving forward.

There are currently many active programs around the world, the largest being the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France. There has

been a recent breakthrough that may shorten the “30year” timeframe for putting fusion power on the grid. A partnership between MIT and a private company has built a very high field magnet that promises to reduce the size (and cost) of future Tokamaks.

It’s a significant step forward and there are still many problems to resolve, but with persistence and patience, it could happen.

For more information, visit iter.org/mach/Tokamak, cfs.energy/news-andmedia/cfs-commercial-fusionpower-with-hts-magnet or news.mit.edu/2021/MIT-CFSmajor-advance-toward-fusionenergy-0908.

Steve Gourlay is a career scientist with a PhD in experimental particle physics. He recently retired after working at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, CERN (the European Center for Nuclear Research) and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Send questions and comments to him at sgpntz@outlook.com.

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October 15, 2021

Capturing the rare ‘green flash’ is tricky business

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atmosphere bends the sunlight passing through it, separating the light into its different colors WOODY WHITLATCH – much like a prism splits sunrainbows.

WEATHER WORDS lightAinto green flash is more likely When I first studied meteor- to be seen in cloudless condiology at San Jose State decades tions when skies are free of ago, I went camping at Big Sur haze and smoke. This allows more of the light from the setwith some fellow students. ting sun to reach the observer While gazing at a sunset over the ocean, a friend insisted without being scattered. A that conditions were perfect to strong low-level temperature inversion, which is common see a rare event known as a green flash. I’d never heard the over the ocean at our latitude, maximizes the refractive nature term before. of the atmosphere on the horiWhen atmospheric condizon. tions are right, a distinct green Unfortunately, our group of spot is briefly visible above the budding meteorologists didn’t upper rim of the sun’s disk as it catch a glimpse of the green sinks below the horizon. Since flash that evening.

As a matter it appears for no more than two of fact, of the hundreds of seconds, it has been appropriocean sunsets I’ve observed ately labeled as a green flash.

This sky spectacle is caused since that time, I’ve never experienced the flash. by the refraction of sunlight, I’ve often wondered if the which is particularly prominent perfect atmospheric conditions at sunset. When setting, sunjust don’t occur on the days I’m light travels through more of looking west over the ocean as the Earth’s atmosphere. The

Meteorologist Jan Null captured this “mock mirage” green flash at Half Moon Bay this summer.

the sun drops down behind it.

Recently, I’ve discovered that it wasn’t bad luck that kept the holy grail of weather phenomenon out of my sight. My eyes were opened, so to speak, by some sunset pictures taken by fellow Bay Area meteorologist Jan Null.

Jan’s resume includes several decades as a forecaster at our local National Weather Service office, where he retired as lead forecaster, and several recent

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years as president of Golden Gate Weather Services.

Jan recently moved to Half Moon Bay, and his photograph hobby now includes frequent trips to the beach to capture sunsets. Like myself, Jan had a career filled with vain attempts to experience the flash. But now that he and his camera are regular evening beach visitors, everything has changed. He’s seen the light, on a fairly regular basis.

There are actually two common but different types of green flashes. One type, seen when the last rays of the setting sun fall behind the horizon, is known as the “inferior mirage.”

The other, which is seen above the sun as it takes the shape of a mushroom as it begins to set, is called a “mock mirage.”

Now that his eye is trained, Jan believes that about half the clear sky sunsets he captures on camera contain at least faint evidence of a green flash. I need to get back to the beach soon and train my blue eyes to see green.

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SPORTS & LIFESTYLE October 15, 2021

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Concord’s Peyton Omania earns Team USA berth at Greco Roman Wrestling World Championships JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

De La Salle wrestling legend Peyton Omania of Concord added to his expanding resume when he upset the seeding charts to win the United States Team Trials to represent America in Oslo, Norway at this month’s Greco Roman World Championships at 67 kilograms.

His experience at the World Championships ended abruptly last weekend when 2021 Junior World champion Hasrat Jafarov of Azerbaijan, who went on to win the bronze medal, defeated Omania, a redshirt freshman at Michigan State, by technical fall in the 67 kg (148 pounds) qualification round in Oslo.

Jafarov won his next match but was then beaten by technical fall in the quarterfinals by No. 1 seed, 2020 Olympic gold medalist and eventual 2021 World Champion Mohammadreza Geraei of Iran. That result eliminated Omania from the tournament.

In order to represent the USA in the World Championships all the 2018 CIF State wrestling champion from De La Salle needed to do was defeat past Senior Nationals champion Hayden Tuma, then No. 2 seed and 2016 Olympian Jess Thielke in the semifinal round and finally 2020 Olympian and No. 1 seed Alejandro Sancho in a best-ofthree final series for the World

Sam Janicki photo courtesy Michigan State University Athletics

Once a Spartan always a Spartan: De La Salle wrestling legend Peyton Omania of Concord won the United States Team Trials to represent America in Oslo, Norway at last weekend’s Greco Roman World Championships. Omania became the first-ever DLS State wrestling champion in 2018 and then enrolled at Michigan State, which carries the Spartan nickname for all its Big Ten teams.

Team berth which Omania swept in two matches.

Omania credited his mental preparation for those victories over America’s most recent two Olympians to the person he considers his biggest influence, former De La Salle wrestler Luke Sheridan. Indiana wrestling alum Sheridan told Omania just before the match with Thielke, “Just pre-

tend it’s a shadow. Just wrestle the shadow.” That he did!

Those victories and his World Championship berth came in a year that greatly tested Omania’s spirit. In February, his wrestling coach since he was five years-old, Mark Halvorson, died suddenly.

Halvorson guided Omania through his wrestling career starting at the Community

Youth Center in Concord and then at De La Salle where the pair achieved the school’s firstever CIF State championship in 2018 when the four-time league and three-time NCS champion

was seeded No. 1 at 145 pounds and backed up that ranking by getting to the top of the podium after winning his last two matches in hair-raising fashion.

The death of Halvorson hit Omania hard and his results this year suffered as he had two defeats in the Big Ten Championships, the NCAA Championships and at the USA Olympic Trials, where his top eight finish was obviously not good enough to earn the berth in Tokyo.

This was the fifth time the Concord athlete represented the USA in international competition. He won bronze at the 2019 World Junior Championships and that same year also claimed the 67 kg spot on the U23 Greco-Roman World Team.

Omania was a Junior World Team member in 2018, as well as on the 2016 Cadet World Team.

“All I wanted to do was to wrestle on the world stage,” he said after making his first senior American Greco Roman team.

That dream was realized after some self-reflection following the Olympic Trials when Omania began to look back at everything, the wins and the losses, that brought that five-year-old kid from Concord to a moment of indecision.

“I was just sick and tired of doubting myself,” Omania said.

“I felt like I was wrestling not to lose rather than to win. Previously in high school, I would convince myself that I could run through a brick wall,” Omania said. “I could do anything. I was unstoppable.”

The rise in [collegiate and national] competition changed something along the way.

Omania became consumed with opponents with better stats or bigger names, and they started getting the better of him.

In order to change the outcome, he needed to tweak all the habits along the way. He wanted to show up to every workout buzzing with positivity. He had to treat losses as one more lesson in how to become a champion.

“You can identify it pretty quickly, even as an average spectator, when someone steps out on the mat and they are truly enjoying their time and enjoying their moment,” Michigan State coach Roger Chandler said. “That’s Peyton.

The lights come on and Peyton shows up.”

His successful Team Trials performance earned Omania selection as USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week on Sept. 17.

Michigan State University Athletics contributed to this story.

MDSA Diamonds roll through San Ramon Shootout Tournament

Athlete Spotlight Brooke Townsend Grade: Senior School: Clayton Valley Charter Sport: Tennis Photo courtesy MDSA

Townsend has been successful on the tennis court and in the classroom during her four years at Clayton Valley Charter. She is wrapping up her fourth season on the Ugly Eagles tennis team after taking up tennis the summer before her freshman year at Oakhurst Country Club with lessons by former CVCHS tennis coach Rick Ortega. She was on junior varsity her freshman year. Then, with lots of hard work and drive, Townsend made it on the varsity team for three years. She was captain of both JV and varsity, this year sharing the role with three senior teammates. Townsend started playing tennis so that she could be a part of a community during high school. Her parents always encouraged her to participate in sports to meet new people, improve teamwork skills and challenge herself. Townsend had tried swimming and dancing, but once she started tennis she found a love for the sport that motivated her to work hard to excel. She found that hand-eye coordination came easily to her, which also contributed to her success. Additionally, Townsend’s interest was encouraged by good friend Ella Potts, who was also open to trying tennis during the girl’s freshman year.

Fast forward four years, both Townsend and Potts are varsity team captains. Townsend says that having Potts by her side for the entirety of her tennis career has been “monumental to my great experience with a high school sport.”

Townsend is known for her school spirit and says that her favorite part about being an Ugly Eagle is being able to represent Clayton Valley Charter through good sportsmanship, integrity and talent. As this tennis season comes to a close, Townsend feels that she contributed to

the connection between all team members, which she believes was her greatest accomplishment this year.

Townsend’s current unweighted GPA stands at 4.0 and her weighted GPA is 4.6. She has been an active member of the Clayton Valley Public Service Academy, in addition to participating in the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, CVCHS Link Crew, CVCHS 2022 Senior Women, CVCHS Lawn Chair Club and the Blue Crew. After she graduates, Townsend plans to attend Boise State University as an undeclared major going into college. She has expressed an interest in pediatrics and the medical field in general.

Townsend cites her family for being “incredibly encouraging and supportive throughout her journey” She also thanks her CVCHS tennis coaches (Shane Velez, Kimi Watada, Doug Wisman and Sayed Anwar) and Ortega for helping her believe she’s capable of anything.

CVCHS student journalist Katherine Pugh wrote this Spotlight.

The Pioneer congratulates Brooke and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry. laceyandruzicka.com Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@PioneerPublishers.com

The goals were aplenty for MDSA Diamonds as they tallied four consecutive shutout victories to take first place in the San Ramon Fall Shootout under 12 girls division at the end of September by scoring 25 goals in four games while allowing none. It was the first-ever tournament championship for the Diamonds. The team includes, front row from left, Sydney Mills, Julianna Sheehy, Emma Forrester, Camila Guerrero, Ruby Hackett; back row, coach Juan Guerrero, Caraline Smith, Charlotte King, Violet Parra, Sophia Urban, Lily Wirth, Giselle Ramirez and Kylie Mingear. Not pictured, coaches Amy Scott and Lindsay Bradburn.

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Playoffs are back for high school sports after 20-month hiatus JAY BEDECARRÉ The Pioneer

One day before the 2020 CIF State basketball championship games were to start, COVID-19 brought a halt to sports from preps to the pros.

This month, post-season competition is back for the local schools in the North Coast Section for the first time in 20 months.

The league, NCS and CIF state championships will wrapup a fall season that has had its ups and downs trying to overcome continuing pandemic health issues as well as the alltoo-familiar challenges from California wildfires.

The Diablo and East Bay athletic leagues host their first league championships since winter 2020 with their girls golf tournaments. DAL golfers compete this Friday at Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord and the EBAL championship is at Callippe Preserve Golf Course in Pleasanton on Monday, Oct. 18.

Top teams and individuals from those tournaments will advance to the NCS Division II Championships Oct. 25 at Blue Rock West Course in Vallejo and the Division I Championships Nov. 1 also at

WILLIE WARD MT. DIABLO HIGH

Diablo Creek.

The DAL girls tennis championships are Oct. 28-30 while the EBAL finals are Nov. 4-8. The NCS Team Championships are Nov. 9-13 and the section Singles/Doubles Championships are Nov. 1516.

The NCS girls volleyball championships begin Oct. 26 through Nov. 6. Girls and boys NCS championship water polo tournaments are Nov. 3-13.

The series of invitational cross country meets is winding down as local harriers prep for league, section and state races in November. DAL Championships are Nov. 6 at Hidden Valley Park in Martinez and the same day the EBAL Championships are in Concord at Newhall Park. NCS is Nov. 20 at Hayward High and the CIF State Championships a week later on Nov. 27 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

LOCAL SCHOOLS EYE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

With DAL and EBAL football leagues beginning play last weekend several local schools are eyeing their road to the NCS playoffs. Concord powerhouses De La Salle and Clayton Valley Charter are both 4-2 and look likely to make the eight-team Open/Division I playoffs.

De La Salle scored its most significant win of the season last Friday when the Spartans defeated Northern California’s top-ranked team Folsom 31-10 before a packed house of 6,000 in the Bulldogs’ Prairie City Stadium.

DLS was coming off a rough 42-28 loss on national television to Saint Frances Academy of Baltimore and needed a win in its fifth showdown since 2012 with Folsom, each of which featured NorCal’s top-ranked team. This

Photo courtesy CVCHS

Diablo Athletic League cross country Center Meet #2 is next Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Newhall Park in Concord with the DAL Championships Nov. 6 in Martinez at Hidden Valley Park. Alana Sevier (515) of Concord High and Clayton Valley Charter junior Katherine Pugh (439) will be running for their teams in those meets.

time that wasn’t De La Salle.

Even long-time Sacramento Bee prep writer Joe Davidson, an unabashed admirer of the Spartans, predicted a win for homestanding Folsom.

The same evening, Clayton Valley Charter lost a heartbreaker to unbeaten California High in San Ramon on a 20yard touchdown pass with 15.5 seconds left to fall 19-18. In a game with the teams splitting six touchdowns, it was California’s extra point kick in the third quarter that was the margin of victory.

The teams have now met three times since CVCHS was moved to the EBAL and the final scores have been 17-14, 20-16 and 19-18 with the Ugly Eagles losing on both their trips to San Ramon.

Northgate has posted a 4-2 record and the Broncos seem

poised to return to the playoffs in Division III. College Park is also in D-III and the Falcons have four games left to pull up their season record that stands at 2-4.

Mt. Diablo (3-3) is in D-IV and most likely needs to at least split its final four games to secure a playoff berth.

See more high school sports results all month at pioneerpublishers.com.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE & RESULTS Clayton Valley Charter 42 (Div. 1)- 8/30 W 35-23 at Turlock, 9/3 L 20-26 at Del Oro-Loomis, 9/11 W 14-13 Liberty-Bakersfield (Honor Bowl) at Liberty (Brentwood), 9/17 W 48-0 Benicia, 9/25 W 35-28 at Monterey Trail-Elk

See Playoffs, pg B8

S p ort s Shorts 36TH ANNUAL CONCORD MAYOR’S CUP GOLF CLASSIC OCT. 22

Mayor Tim McGallian will host the 36th annual Concord Mayor’s Cup Golf Classic Tournament next Friday, Oct. 22, at Diablo Creek Golf Course. The event begins at 11 a.m. with lunch and registration and ends at 7 p.m. after dinner and awards. The entry fee of $150 ($125 for golfers age 60+) includes golf shirt, green fees, cart rental, lunch, prizes and an awards dinner.

All proceeds benefit the Concord Historical Society, Concord Junior Giants and The First Tee Contra Costa Youth Golf Program.

For more info call 686-6266.

Registration is being taken online at cityofconcord.org.

MT. DIABLO HIGH SPORTS HALL OF FAME

DINNER POSTPONED FOR 2ND TIME

With concerns regarding hosting large events and gatherings, the Mt. Diablo High Sports Hall of Fame has made the decision to postpone its annual induction dinner scheduled for Nov. 6. Chairman Lou Adamo says, “We now plan to honor our very deserving inductees next year on Nov. 5, 2022.” The inductees who have now had their ceremony canceled two years in a row are Jim Wharton, John Capas Morales, Tim O’Connor, Sandi Gomes Yoland and Bob Penny.

Adamo also said the status of the school’s annual fund-raising Crab Feed set for Jan. 22 will be updated by Dec. 1.

For any questions regarding the Induction Dinner or Crab Feed you should feel free to contact Adamo by email louadamo@gmail or phone 212-9332.

Simon, Dan Vinson and Brandon Zoetewey. The event is open to the public and registration is available online through the school’s Hall of Fame webpage.

PIONEER WANTS TO PUBLISH 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. Include all the necessary details (too much Mark Halvorson set a standard for De La Salle wrestling that may be hard to ever duplicate winning 11 North Coast information is better than too Section championships in 12 years before his sudden death little!) and your contact information. It’s as simple as sendon Feb. 15 at 57 years old. Halvorson is part of the DLS ing an email to sports@pioHall of Fame Class of 2021 being inducted Oct. 24. neerpublishers.com. tryouts or draft and everyone TERRAPINS OFFERING plays offense and defense.

WINTER PRE-SEASON Weekend practices and games HIGH SCHOOL are the same day starting in SWIMMING TRAINING The Terrapins Swim Team January. Non-contact environhas announced details for its ment games are 5 on 5 except winter pre-season high school seventh and eighth graders training program. The pro- play 7 on 7. Coaching is done gram offers high school swim- by student athlete mentors. Fee mers the chance to get a jump includes participant’s custom start on their technique and jersey (name and jersey numconditioning in preparation for ber) and shorts. For registrathe 2022 high school swim sea- tion information contact son next spring. The Terrapins CVCHS football coach Nick program begins Dec. 13 and Tisa by email nick.tisa@clayruns through Feb. 4. All 90- tonvalley.org or visit beeliteathminute practices Monday lete.com. through Thursday are at Concord Community Pool. For DE LA SALLE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME more information visit website CEREMONY OCT. 24 terrapinswim.com The class of 2021 with one coach, one team and six athCLAYTON VALLEY CHARTER HOSTING FLAG letes will be inducted into the De La Salle Athletic Hall of FOOTBALL PROGRAM Clayton Valley Charter Fame on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 3 925.348.5609 High School will host a Be p.m. on the school campus.

Elite Flag Football Season on The honorees are the late legNick Eisenbart 10 consecutive weekends. The endary wrestling coach Mark Owner/Service Provider co-ed program is open to Halvorson, 1994 football team Concord resident kindergarten through eighth and athletes Noah Merl, Travis grade students. There are no Pfeifer, Jason Price, Kevin

October 15, 2021

Athlete Spotlight

Rylee Chilson School: Carondelet High Grade: Senior Sports: Volleyball, Beach Volleyball Chilson has so many activities in and out of school it’s surprising the Carondelet senior can be a key member of the Cougar volleyball team in the fall and beach volleyball in the spring, which she has done all four years except for a lost beach season during the initial COVID-19 outbreak. She keeps up her sports year-round as a member of Diablo Valley Club Volleyball and Kleos Beach Volleyball Club elite team. Carondelet volleyball coach Jerry Mix says, “Rylee has been an integral part of the Cougars volleyball program as both an outside hitter and as a student trainer at away games. She has put the skills she learned in her sports medicine internship to good work taking excellent care of her teammates while we are on the road." Her sports medicine internship is with the De La Salle football team. Chilson adds, “Reaching goals and surpassing expectations can only be achieved with an Aristotle complex; you have to truly believe that your hard work will pay off. As my boyfriend says, ‘Dedication and Determination lead to Domination.’” She has been captain of her club volleyball and CHS beach volleyball teams. Beach volleyball has yet to gain status with North Coast Section for post-season play, so the Cougars schedule includes matches around the Bay Area against the likes of Northgate, Monta Vista, Half Moon Bay and Marin. Carondelet home matches are at Northgate and the Broncos train with the Cougars team. The Concord resident went to Kings Valley Christian School from kindergarten through eighth grade where she was awarded Athlete of the Year in seventh grade and earned the Academic Athlete of the Year in eighth grade.

Chilson’s accomplishment away from sports are perhaps even more significant. She put together a fundraiser collecting $2,500 instead of receiving birthday or Christmas gifts. She used $500 putting together 200 care packages full of things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, water, snacks, socks and feminine products and passed them out over a few months’ time around Concord, Martinez and San Francisco. She donated the leftover $2,000 to Dorothy’s Place, a food kitchen in the Salinas Valley working on creating affordable housing for the thousands of homeless people there. She has volunteered at Bay Area Crisis Nursery and Teen Challenge East Bay Thrift Store in Concord and on multiple food drives. She teaches the basics of weight training to her peers and is an assistant coach for a 12 Power team at her volleyball club. Lifting weights, doing plyometrics and resistance training for volleyball, attending church and youth group, surfing and reading fill her “spare time.”

Maintaining 4.0 GPA the past two years, Chilson plans to go to Pepperdine and play beach volleyball next fall.

The Pioneer congratulates Rylee and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.

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October 15, 2021

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Pleasant Hill Park has a place for everyone Ninth in our series on East Bay Parks

The 16.5-acre park at 147 Gregory Lane also features bocce courts, baseball/softball KARA NAVOLIO fields, horseshoe pits and Correspondent three group picnic areas that can be reserved, one of which The aptly named Pleasant stands beneath a grove of redHill Park is the city’s central wood trees. Pleasant Hill Rec park. runs the park’s bocce leagues.

Flanked by the Teen CenDaniel Kantine of Conter and Aquatics Center on cord visits the park often with one end and the Senior Center his two young children. on the other, the park is the “I like this park for the perfect spot for community people who come here, nice gatherings, sports and meeting people,” he said. “It has everyup after school. thing – lots of activities like On a typical weekday after- sports, places for kids and noon, you will find plenty of dogs. It’s not too crowded children playing in the three because there’s lots of room playgrounds, teens shooting to spread out.” hoops, families walking dogs The sand area is a popular and residents attending to spot for kids. As many parks their plots in the community have eliminated the sand garden. below play equipment, Pleas-

ant Hill Park has a special area for digging and making sandcastles.

“We love the sand pit,” says Manami Kunz of Pleasant Hill, who brings her 8year-old daughter Stella.

“Every time we come, she goes right for the sand pit.”

Kunz and her friend Sara Sullenger have been meeting at the playground often with their children since the beginning of the COVID pandemic as a way to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Sometimes they join a larger group of moms while the kids play.

“This park has something for everyone,” Sullenger said.

“Teenagers can play sports, and the younger ones enjoy the playground. It’s also nice and shady on the warmer days.”

There is also a fenced playground just for toddlers, keeping them safe from running off.

Unlike most parks in Concord and Clayton, Pleasant Hill Park is owned by the Recreation and Park District rather than the city. The district is 70 years old, older than the city of Pleasant Hill, and runs most of the city’s parks and recreation programs using separate tax money.

Pleasant Hill Park will host its first Haunted Trail, a free Halloween-themed path that will delight all ages, 6-8 p.m.

Oct. 29. Everyone will receive a goodie bag and not too many frights. Registration is required for a specific time Kara Navolio photo slot and closes on Oct. 22.

Spiderman shows up at Pleasant Hill Park, getting ready for Register at pleasanthillrec.com. the Haunted Trail on Oct. 29.

Make a décor statement with the rich colors of Autumn tures, soups and chili, and wool and colorful plaid accessories mark the beginning of the yearend holidays and the general sentimental feeling of a year inching its way toward a celebratory close.

I love the fallen leaves with rich golds, rusts and reds so deep they have the color, and JENNIFER LEISCHER feeling, of fine wine. These jewel-toned colors are definitely DESIGN & DÉCOR picked right off of Mother Nature’s personal color palette.

The first day of fall has How else could they be so peralready come and gone in a fect? quiet, unpublicized event.

It’s interesting how colors The prolonged heatwaves of can affect our state of mind. summer are probably to blame There’s a notion of fall: a perfor our misdirection of the sea- fect cup of coffee in hand while sonal change. Yet fall, in all its enjoying a toasty fire, tall suede Autumn glory, is officially here. boots, my big knit sweater, a Such a lovely and cozy time of perfectly tailored trench coat or year, as the sun retires earlier rain dancing on the family each day and cooler temperaroom window because it’s being tures are truly welcomed. pushed here and there by the Fall is my most favorite time wind that swirls around in our of the year. The lower tempera-

colors are best for bedrooms.

Various tones of gray and blue, red and gold, violet and ivory are always interesting color combinations.

Certain living spaces are reserved for relaxation and quiet time, and the colors we choose must reflect this mood.

The color white doesn’t have to be stark or bleached out. If you look at a paint fan deck from any paint manufacturer, you will see that there are at least 100 white tones. It can have an White walls are the perfect backdrop for a bright rug and underlying tone of brown, blue, fall-themed accessories. yellow, pink, green or gray.

Some of the most restful backyard. shingles for the roof, a tile living spaces are those done in Colors can also make a scheme for the kids’ bathroom, various shades of white, with room into a living space. They or putting together an outdoor bold accents like a dark hardevoke personal emotions and seating area with drapery hangwood floor or a perfect piece of feelings, creating ambiance and ing from a pergola, upholstered colorful artwork that sets the mood. seating and a variety of pillows. tone for the room.

Regardless of your design We choose colors because Our kitchens and family project, chances are you’ve had they make us feel a certain way. rooms are usually vibrant, highto deal with color. New paint I think most of us would agree paced living spaces with meals for family or dining rooms, that soothing, relaxing and quiet

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and entertaining, homework and book clubs, football games and poker. These spaces need to have a feeling of energy and life. A white kitchen, though neutral, can still feel energetic with the use of colorful accessories or a colorful painted island. A family room can have a subdued upholstery scheme that’s the perfect foundation to incorporate a wild and colorful area rug or a statement piece of art.

Whatever color schemes move you, the only “must” is that they make you happy – whether they’re bold and bright or quiet and non-descript. Keep color personal, and your design project will always result in success.

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.

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The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

October 15, 2021

Marsh Creek preventorium aimed to keep kids healthy The sign in front of Fire Station 16 naming it the “Sunshine” station puzzled me.

Perhaps you’ve seen it when you drive east on Marsh Creek Road just past Morgan Territory Road.

I spoke to a lifelong Clayton resident, and she had been jokingly told by her mother and grandfather that there had been a nudist camp in that vicinity. Then the helpful folks at the Martinez Historical Society provided me with copies of news articles from the ’20s and ’30s that revealed details of a facility in that area known as the Sunshine Camp Preventorium.

In an effort to curb tuberculosis outbreaks, preventoriums were established throughout the United States in the early 1900s. The rural retreats were designed to transform “puny, undernourished youngsters, prey to every minor or major ill of childhood, into sturdy, active, healthy boys and girls.”

They targeted children ages 6-12 who possessed one or more of the following qualifica-

the help of state Sen. Will R. Sharkey and his friend, Thomas B. Swift, a Martinez civic leader. This collaboration resulted in the formation of the Contra Costa Public Health Association, which took over the Christmas Seal campaign and successfully raised enough funds to finance a camp for a small DEBBIE EISTETTER group of children.

THE WAY The first camp was erected of borrowed tents in the WE WERE Mitchell Canyon Boy Scout tions: an exposure to tuberculo- Camp and was able to serve only a few children over the sis but no active form of the disease, a history of rheumatic school summer vacation. The next year’s camp still fell short heart disease, a diagnosis of malnourishment, a tendency to of expectations, and leaders tire easily and frequent absences realized more funds were needed for its operation and from school due to recurring for the purchase of a permarespiratory issues. nent location.

FINDING THE FUNDING RELISHING THE GREAT A school nurse named OUTDOORS Rachel Miller had first-hand In 1925, the Shell Oil Co. knowledge of the problems offered to lease its Marsh ravaging youngsters, so she Creek property to Sunshine ran a campaign to raise funds Camp for $1 per year.

The for treatment by selling location was “unexcelled for Christmas Seals in 1920. The healthfulness as well as scenic result of her efforts was measurroundings.” ger, so in 1923 she enlisted

Wan’s ‘Malignant’ is horrifyingly bad news her head into a wall.

Not long after, a creepy shadow figure crawls its way into the house. Derek is horJEFF MELLINGER ribly murdered, and Maddie SCREEN SHOTS is the only suspect. The two detectives on the case work James Wan has made with Maddie’s adopted sister some of the best horror to find out who this figure is films of the 21st century, and if it is connected to such as “Saw,” “Insidious,” Maddie.

“The Conjuring” and “The The end of the second Conjuring 2.” Even “Aquaact brings the best part of man” was better than it the film. Wan executes a should have been. beautiful reveal that leads So I went into “Maliginto a kill-fest at a police stanant” with high expectations tion. A few things that I inibut ended up woefully disap- tially thought were out of pointed. place – like Maddie checking “Saw” was a brilliantly for blood on the back of her conceived, well-executed head several times – now horror film. Its one drawmade sense. However, this back was the overacting by was not enough to save the some of the leads, Cary film.

Elwes being the main culprit.

I expect much more from Since that film, Wan has Wan than one good proven adept at getting the sequence, a creepy villain most out of his actors. and a scare or two. “HalYet along comes “Malig- loween Kills” is out in a few nant,” with Annabelle Wallis weeks; it does not have to do turning in both a poor and much to be the best horror over-the-top performance. film of the season. C Granted, the script by Wan, Ingrid Bisu and Akela CoopA SCARY LIST INDEED er did not provide the cast Most classic horror films with much depth. are great, but they do not Wallis could have outperscare me. The most frightenformed the subpar script. ing ones put chills down Instead, she makes it hard to your spine throughout and care much about the plight of affect you for days, or even her character, Maddie, who is the rest of your life. In the pregnant again. Her husband spirit of the Halloween seaDerek (Jake Abel) is tired of son, here are the 10 scariest her miscarriages, so he throws horror films I have seen.

10. “Insidious.” You will never look at a red door the same way again.

9. “Autopsy of Jane Doe.” Tiny bells still creep me out.

8. “The Others.” Children plus creepy mansion plus WWII England.

7. “The Conjuring.” The family ensemble works beautifully in this possession story.

6. “Paranormal Activity.”

Part 3 had moments, but the first set the standard for found-footage horror.

5. “Event Horizon.” The orbit of Neptune is desolate enough. Now add the spaceship from hell.

4. “The Descent.” Lesson: Do not go off-map when spelunking.

3. “The Strangers.” The only non-supernatural film here proves that what humans are capable of is terrifying.

2. “The Orphanage.” The rare film that scares and brings tears.

1. “Halloween.” Its minimalist production is the benchmark for all great horror films.

Jeff Mellinger is a screen writer and film buff. He holds a BA in Film Studies and an MFA in film production. He lives in Concord.

Email comments to editor@pioneerpublishers.com.

This picture was likely taken in the early 1930s of the boys and girls attending the Sunshine Camp Preventorium near Clayton. They are holding toothbrushes to exhibit their excellent oral hygiene.

The former pumping station had cottages and buildings in place, and that same year, the Sunshine Camp Preventorium, as it was now called, greeted more children in need and was able to offer year-round care. Staff included a doctor, nurse, school teachers and, in later years, a social worker and psychologist.

Through the years of the retreat’s existence, Sharkey and Swift were its most ardent supporters. In 1930, the Board of Supervisors included $12,000 per year in the budget for its operation.

The mission was “to assist a child’s mental, moral and spiritual development” through fresh air, sunshine, healthy food, exercise, rest and education conducted in open air classrooms. A camp visitor noted children clothed in breechcloths worn during “all but the most severe of weather conditions” and windows open wide in sleeping quarters, though they had plenty of warm covers and screens to keep out flies and mosquitoes.

By 1936, Sunshine Camp Preventorium had served nearly 600 Contra Costa children. But the need for preven-

toriums waned after WWII, as antibiotic therapies and citizen education became more successful in limiting disease.

The site continues today as the Diablo Valley Ranch, an inpatient detox facility that carries on the tradition of restoring health and wellbeing.

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

Admission is free.

‘Time for Bed’ a cozy bedtime story SUNNY SOLOMON

BOOKIN’ WITH SUNNY

Janet Costa Bates’ “Time for Bed, Old House” is a gem of a book for two reasons.

First, the story of a child’s first night away from home is classic. And second, the illustrations by A.G. Ford will give the reader many opportunities to talk about what the pictures, in addition to the words, can tell us about the boy and his grandfather.

The illustration across the title and publication pages shows an old man and a young boy on the porch of a large, old house, which appears to be located in an isolated rural setting. They are waving at a car driving away, with the female passenger leaning out the window, waving back.

The boy is Isaac, and the old man is Grandpop. We assume those in the car are Isaac’s parents.

Isaac loves his Grandpop, and from the illustration

covering the first two pages of the story, we see Isaac and Grandpop on the floor happily playing a board game. Look more closely.

There’s a plate of pretzels, sliced apples and crackers.

And to the side of the plate?

Yep, a box of juice with a straw. On the other side of the room is an opened box of blocks. And don’t forget the teddy bear next to Isaac.

We know it is getting late because Isaac is wearing PJs bought especially for the sleepover.

When Grandpop tells Isaac that’s it’s time for bed, Isaac responds with words parents hear all the time, “I’m not sleepy.” And Grandpop’s response? “Then stay awake.

But it’s time to put the house to bed.”

And so, the story begins with Grandpop’s instructions.

“First, you move kind of quiet and slow.” Next, Grandpop turns off a lamp, “Now, let’s make it nice and dark and cozy.” What an ingenious description of the dark.

Isaac is OK until a clicking noise scares him. He takes Grandpop’s hand because noises can be scary even if the

dark is nice and cozy. But the noise is only the sound of Grandpop’s old dog Snuffles clicking across the hardwood floor.

They hear more scary noises: like the wind outside and the creaking of stairs. Windows are closed and shades lowered. “Looks like the house is closing its eyes to sleep.” These are the sounds an old house makes when it goes to sleep.

Isaac is to sleep in his “Mommy’s old bedroom.”

When Grandpop says it is time to read the house a bedtime story, Isaac tells him he doesn’t read yet. Wise Grandpop sits in a big chair next to the bed, pulls Isaac and the bear onto his lap and asks Isaac to read the pictures to him.

By the end of the book, Grandpop has fallen asleep. I won’t say what Isaac does next. But this book is full of love and lessons. “Time for Bed, Old House” is such a keeper.

Sunny Solomon is a freelance writer and head of the Clayton Book Club. Visit her website at bookinwithsunny.com for her latest recommendations or just to ‘talk books.’

Think of year-round use when considering a vacation home Q. My husband and I into perhaps where to buy are interested in buying a or even what some guidesecond home for the fami- lines might be? ly. Do you have any insight A. I can’t really tell you

Joe Ronco 925-872-3049 Over 35 years Clayton/ Concord resident Lic#844344

where to buy but I would be happy to give you some guidelines. What could be better than going to your vacation home to escape reality and spend quality time with people who matter the most? Often however, a secondary residence may only be used for part of the year, such as a summer beach home or winter ski lodge. If you are looking for a vacation property that can be put to good use throughout the year, here are several tips to help guide your search.

CONSIDER THE CLIMATE Of course, some destinations simply cannot be enjoyed throughout the entire year because of the climate. Whether it is too

hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, there’s no getting around it when the weather isn’t on your side.

The best solution is to choose a location with a favorable year-round climate. Luckily California has some great options.

ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY SEASON A year-round getaway will give access to different activities each season. For example, a lake home where you can enjoy the water in the summer, hiking trails in the fall and skiing or cross-country skiing in the winter is surely going to provide endless fun for the whole family, no matter what time of the year it is.

lack a cozy ambiance. That’s why a year round home should embrace a look that lends itself to any season.

SENSE OF COMMUNITY Many resort destinations can turn into a ghost town for part of the year, which can feel a little isolating when you go there in the LYNNE FRENCH off-season. For this reason, you may want to consider a REAL ANSWERS community with year-round residents, so you know that VERSATILE AESTHETIC While its impact might be there will always be plenty of more psychological than any- things to do. thing, a home’s interior Lynne French is a Realtor with design can certainly affect Compass Real Estate and captain of how you use it. For the Lynne French Team. Contact her instance, a summer home at lynne@lynnefrench.com or 925that’s decorated with a cool 672-8787. breezy aesthetic might feel too cool in the winter and

October 15, 2021

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page B5

Listen actively and be clear about your expectations Editor’s note: Dominique King is a blogger who centers around marriage, family, fitness and personal growth. Her insightful and practical approach to advice gives everyday couples, parents and individuals a space to get answers to their questions.

Stacey, short and sweet answer. Stop treating and looking at your husband as a child. You have an opportunity to set the tone of your marriage, and that starts with taking some accountability, incorporating intentional communication, active listening, and establishing personStacy M, a newlywed from al and relationship boundAntioch is frustrated with her aries. Before you exchanged DOMINIQUE KING husband’s immature behavior. vows and bands, logic would Two years of marriage, and I say that his potential to hand LEAN IN am ready to call it quits. The over the reins in particular moment I said, “I do,” I became areas was staring at you. As WITH LOVE my husband’s surrogate mother. He couples work toward the big flame too long. When we were dat- day, they often place mental went from being an independent adult to being incapable of picking ing, he always said I would make a blinders, overlook or explain his socks up off the floor, making a great mother. I thought he meant to away minor annoyances and our future children, not himself. doctor’s appointment and paying a ignore red flags. Marriage How do I get my husband to stop bill. I worry about leaving him is where the big reveal acting like my child? alone in the kitchen with an open happens.

INTENTIONAL COMMUNICATION

How are you two communicating? In the first few years of marriage, no one wants to be the one to bring the honeymoon phase to an end. Instead of waiting for the moment you explode, set a date to talk. Pick neutral ground where you both can feel safe. Write down what you want to say and think about how you would want someone to speak to you.

saying. Don’t just dismiss it as him trying to one-up you.

Stay away from adding a “but” to the end of his statements. (“But if you didn’t do this, I wouldn’t have …”) Allow yourself to be vulnerable and open.

boundaries. Make time to check-in with each other to discuss what is going well and areas that may need tweaking.

A WORK IN PROGRESS There are so many versions of what a successful marriage looks like, and all of them take continual work.

Lean in with love, decide to communicate, actively listen, create boundaries, commit to trying, celebrate each other along the way. Your wedding was no doubt a beautiful celebration. Welcome to the marriage.

Be well. You are worthy.

ESTABLISH BOUNDARIES Stacey, you may have said or not said you dislike a particular behavior your husband exhibits. However, by continuing to mother him, you have tacitly agreed he ACTIVE LISTENING can continue as if nothing is Do not unload all of your wrong. If you put a dirty complaints and wait for him dish in the sink and each to say, “Yes dear, you’re time you come back, it was right.” Your husband might clean, why would you have his two cents, too. change? Both of you need to Email questions to King at Actively listen to what he is create individual and marital leaninwiththekings@gmail.com.

Head over to the Monument for unique Asian entrees Asian restaurants in the region. One of the best is Korean BBQ Plus at 1450 Monument Blvd. The owners of nearby Hancock Market ran the eatery until 2011, when they sold it to thenwaitress June Eim and her family.

With limited capital, this out-of-the-way place made a reputation for serving excellent food while gaining RICHARD EBER patrons from word-of-mouth TASTE & TELL advertising. From the kimchi to the unique sauces, every From the Visit Concord item on the menu is housefolks to Yelp, there is no made. doubt that the local Taco You can get your meal Trail flows through the pre- started with the presentation dominantly Latino Monuof 10-12 small plates of banment corridor. chan, prepared daily by With Mexican restaurants June’s husband Yoshi. Each on virtually every corner, the item is unique, ranging from Monument has evolved into kimchi to beans sprouts, the center of South of the pickled Daikon radish, brocBorder cuisine. coli, fish, potatoes or mariBut it’s not as well-known nated cucumbers. that this same district is For appetizers, it is hard home to some of the finest

to go wrong with Jab Chae featuring low-calorie yam noodles with beef and vegetables. For larger parties where food is shared, the Hae Mul Pa Jeon pancakes with green onions, scallops and oysters are an excellent choice. Served like a small pizza, this dish is full of exotic flavors not easily found elsewhere. For more conventional tastes, the pot stickers are good as well.

Playoffs, from page B2

EBAL League Championships Oct. 18 (Callippe Preserve Golf Course, Pleasanton) NCS Division II Championships Oct. 25 (Blue Rock West Course, Vallejo) NCS Division I Championships Nov. 1 (Diablo Creek Golf Course, Concord) NorCal Championships Nov. 8 (Berkeley Country Club) CIF State Championships Nov. 17 (Poppy Hills Golf Course, Pebble Beach)

Grove, 10/8 L 18-19 at California-San Ramon, 10/15 San Ramon Valley, 10/22 Amador Valley (Homecoming), 10/29 Monte Vista, 11/5 at De La Salle.

Concord 0-6 (Div. 4)- 8/27 Canceled Dougherty ValleySan Ramon, 9/3 L 0-62 Marin Catholic-Kentfield, 9/10 L 025 Tokay, 9/17 L 23-30, 9/25 L 7-25 at Valley, 10/2 L 13-35 at Bethel-Vallejo, 10/8 L 7-40 College Park (Homecoming), 10/15 at Ygnacio Valley, 10/22 Northgate, 10/30 at Berean Christian, 11/5 Mt. Diablo.

College Park 2-4 (Div. 3) – 8/28 L 0-48 at Redwood-Larkspur, 9/4 L 27-43 FoothillPleasanton, 9/17 W 9-0 at Hercules, 9/24 L 21-40 WoodVacaville, 10/1 L 13-20 at Alhambra-Martinez, 10/8 W 40-7 at Concord, 10/15 Berean Christian, 10/22 at Ygnacio Valley, 10/29 at Mt. Diablo, 11/5 Northgate.

De La Salle 4-2 (Div. 1)8/28 W 52-16 St. Mary’sStockton, 9/3 W 68-6 Monterey Trail-Elk Grove, 9/10 L 28-31 at Saint Francis-Mountain View, 9/17 W 49-21 Cathedral Catholic-San Diego, 10/1 L 28-43 St. Frances Academy-Baltimore, 10/8 W 31-10 at Folsom, 10/15 California-San Ramon, 10/22 at San Ramon Valley, 10/29 Amador Valley, 11/5 Clayton Valley Charter.

Mt. Diablo 3-3 (Div. 4)8/27 L 26-49 at Lathrop, 9/3 W 50-0 at Albany, 9/10 W 166 American-Fremont, 9/17 L 22-65 at Dougherty Valley-San Ramon, 9/24 L 0-2 forfeit Mission-San Francisco, 10/8 W 10-6 Ygnacio Valley (Homecoming), 10/15 at Northgate, 10/23 Berean Christian, 10/29 College Park (Senior Night), 11/5 at Con-

cord.

Northgate 4-2 (Div. 3)9/3 W 41-21 Ukiah, 9/10 L 22-45 at Las Lomas, 9/17 W 30-0 Bethel-Vallejo, 9/24 L 2129 at Rodriguez-Fairfield, 10/1 W 27-12 at Deer Valley, 10/8 W 41-6 Berean Christian (Homecoming), 10/15 Mt. Diablo, 10/22 at Concord, 10/29 Ygnacio Valley, 11/5 at College Park.

Ygnacio Valley 0-6 (Div. 6)- 9/3 L 14-20 St. Patrick-St. Vincent-Vallejo, 9/10 L 0-39 at Rosemont-Sacramento, 9/17 L 0-54 El Cerrito, 9/24 L 8-63 at Bradshaw Christian-Sacramento, 10/1 L 6-17 at Stone Ridge Christian-Merced, 10/8 L 6-10 at Mt. Diablo, 10/15 Concord, 10/22 College Park, 10/29 at Northgate, 11/5 Berean Christian.

SHORT RIBS SENSATION When it comes to the main course, the most popular choice is the short ribs.

Served on a sizzling hot stone platter atop sautéed onions, this signature dish is not to be missed. A marinade that includes fresh kiwi and pear brings this dish a delicate quality.

We also sampled the Kim Chi Dol Sot Bi Bim Bob, comprised of a variety of

TENNIS (GIRLS) DAL Foothill Division Championships Oct. 26-28 (Northgate and Acalanes High) DAL Valley Division Championships Oct. 28-29 (Alhambra High) EBAL Championships Nov. 4-8 NCS Team Championships Nov. 9-13 FOOTBALL NCS Singles/Doubles NCS Playoffs Nov. 12-27 Championships Nov. 15-16 NorCal Regional ChampiNorCal Team Championships Dec. 3-4 onships Nov. 16-20 CIF State Bowl Games Dec. 10-11 (Site TBA) VOLLEYBALL (GIRLS) NCS Championships Oct. CROSS COUNTRY 26 – Nov. 6 (BOYS & GIRLS) NorCal Championships DAL Championships Nov. 6 (Hidden Valley Park, Mar- Nov. 7-16 CIF State Championships tinez) EBAL Championships Nov. 19-20 Nov. 6 (Newhall Park, ConWATER POLO cord) (BOYS & GIRLS) NCS Championships Nov. DAL Valley Division 20 (Hayward High School) CIF State Championships Championships Oct. 29-30 Nov. 27 (Woodward Park, (College Park and Northgate High) Fresno) DAL Foothill Division Championships Oct. 29-30 GOLF (GIRLS) DAL League Champi- (Campolindo) NCS Playoffs Nov. 3-13 onships Oct. 15 (Diablo Creek NorCal Tournament Nov. Golf Course, Concord) 17-20

Advertise in The Pioneer. 672-0500

added that many office workers who used to frequent Stix at Park and Shop now work from home. “Thus far, the gamble has paid off as our loyal customers have followed us.”

Stix offers a unique Laotian twist to Thai food, and their authenticity reminds one of food served in their homeland.

The menu, which lends itself to take-out and delivery, features a unique papaya salad that is tarter than the Thai version. Other dishes feature spicy Lao sausage.

The coarsely chopped fatty pork, seasoned with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, cilantro, chilies and garlic, is a winner.

Stix serves many traditional Thai dishes, including crispy drunken noodles and Richard Eber Pad Thai, while keeping their Diners at Korean BBQ Plus can start with small plates of flair from Laos. banchan featuring a variety of items.

Also located in the neighborhood is Sushi Momoyavegetables and mushrooms clients are Asians and lovers ma, at 1800 Monument. As resting upon a bed of rice of Korean food who live the oldest Japanese restauwith a fried egg underneath. outside the Monument area,” rant in Concord, they have Served on highly heated noted general manager Yuna found continued success stoneware, the rice is crispy Takeda. with a combination of highon the bottom and diners at quality food, large portions A BLEND OF my table mined scraps from and fair prices.

LAOTIAN-THAI FLAVORS the bottom of the terrine.

As these Asian restauA similar scenario exists Korean BBQ Plus also rants can attest, there is at Stix Eatery, close by at offers a wide selection of much more in the Monusoups and stews that can be 1500 Monument A-2. The ment than tacos. restaurant recently relocated a meal in themselves. They utilize a variety of fish, shell- from Park and Shop.

Rich Eber is a local journalist “We moved over to the fish, beef, pork and poultry, and long time resident of Concord. resulting in multiple choices Monument because of havHe covers topics from politics to for their loyal customer base. ing to lower our overhead,” gourmet food. Contact him at said owner Nam Ing, who “The majority of our rjerje@pacbell.net

Meet ARF stars Bono and Bonsai

BONO

BONSAI

Looking for a furry friend during this trying time? Good news — ARF is now offering a by-appointment adoption process. If you see an animal you’re interested in on our website, just fill out an online inquiry form. Once your inquiry has been received, you will be added to our virtual adoption queue.

One-and-a-half-year-old Bono is a large strikingly handsome youngman with a lovable, affectionate side.

Meeting new people, children, and other dogs are three of his favorite things, followed closely by running, playing, soaking up belly rubs, and

being brushed. Bono would love to find a home where he can hit the road for daily hikes but he is also looking for a patient adopter who can take the time to help him learn the ins and outs of chilling and relaxing when he is home alone. Bono has a positive history with other dogs and currently weighs 63 pounds.

ARF adoption fees: $250 for an adult dog, $350 for a puppy under six months, $125 for a special-needs dog, $175 for a special-needs puppy over six months, and $125 for a senior dog seven years or older.

Eight-year-old Bonsai

might be a tad bit slow to warm up in a new environment, but once he feels safe, he is an affectionate guy who loves pets. He’ll follow you around the house, chirping with delight and rubbing up against you. He’s also quite playful – his current favorite toy is a ball. Plus, Bonsai’s adoption fee has been prepaid by a generous donor.

ARF Adoption fees: $100 for an adult cat, $150 for a kitten under six months, $150 for two adult cats, $250 for two kittens, $50 for a specialneeds cat, $75 for a specialneeds kitten under 6sixmonths, and $50 for a senior cat seven or older.

Meet your forever friend at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, during adoption hours: noon to 6 p.m Wed. and Thurs., noon to 7 p.m. Fri. and noon-6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. 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 website, www.arflife.org, or call (925) 256-1ARF.

Page B6

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

October 15, 2021

T H E ARTS

From double the improv to ‘The Children’s Farm’

SALLY HOGARTY

STAGE STRUCK Improv for Good will tickle your funny bone in its improvised theatrical show at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez.

The first half of the show features short-form games with a scene-based twist made up from audience suggestions. The second half, “Improv After Dark,” is a bit more adult themed, and I’ve been told it’s not for those with sensitive ears or feelings.

The show benefits Onstage Theatre Company and the Martinez Campbell Theater.

Then at 7 p.m. Oct. 16, the Campbell Theater holds a fundraising concert featuring the Grindstone Band.

Rock out with this eclectic, blues-infused group and support the theater as well.

Tickets are $17 at the door or $18.84 with service fee in advance at

Photo by Arastoo Darakhshan

Nikki Vilas, left, Lynn Shields and Eileen Tumlin are the three witches in Synergy’s production of “Spontaneous Shakespeare” running through Oct. 24 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center.

grindstoneband.brownpapertickets.com.

Just a reminder: All guests, performers and crew must be fully vaccinated to attend events at the Campbell. Masks will also be required indoors. For more information on events or vaccination policy, call 925350-9770.

For even more great tunes, try “All Together Now!” featuring songs by classic and contemporary Broadway composers and lyricists performed

by Pinole Community Players and Pittsburg Community Theatre performers. Music Theatre International has made the cabaret performance

possible to help theater companies recover from the pandemic.

The local fundraiser happens 8 p.m. Nov. 12 and 4 p.m. Nov. 13 at Steeltown Coffee & Tea, 695 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. It benefits the Betty Brown Scholarship Fund, which provides support for local youth to attend fall and summer youth workshops as well as a scholarship to a graduating senior.

The cast includes Christina Boothman, Kevin Burns, Justin Cole, Torrell Henderson, Gregg Klein, Justin Madres, Anjee Norgaard-Gallia, Shauna Shoptaw, Stefanie Suzuki and Leah Wilson.

Given the intimate venue, advance tickets are recommended. Call 925-439-PLAY

or go to pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.

There’s still time to catch Town Hall Theatre’s return to live programming with “The Children’s Farm.”

Written by Sean Dunnington, the lightly produced show is part of the company’s New Voices series that strives to feature plays written by traditionally underrepresented and underproduced artists. According to director Ciera Eis, the show “is an honest interpretation of a child’s journey of self-discovery and family belonging … an imaginative and deeply fun dive into the world of a child through the beauty of queerness, acceptance, therapy and resilience.”

The show runs Oct. 15 and 16 at the Lafayette theater, 3535 School St. For tickets, go to townhalltheatre.com.

The Grindstone Band will give a benefit concert at the Campbell Theater in Martinez on Oct. 16.

Synergy Theater is back and with a new play by William Shakespeare. Well, maybe the Bard didn’t write every word, but it will be in his style as the improv company presents “Spontaneous Shakespeare.”

The completely improvised two-act comedy runs through Oct. 24 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr. “We do our best to emulate the style rather than send it up,” said artistic director Kenn Adams. “We read his plays try to figure out just what makes Shakespeare Shakespeare. As it turns out, his plays are full of outrageous comedy.

Bawdy humor, double-entendres, wild disguises, mistaken identities, broad physical humor and a lot of very groan-worthy puns and wordplay. He really had a knack for some very low comedy. And, naughty, too.”

As the company says: “Thou wilt not believe it’s improvised.”

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

Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com

Artists create inviting studios in downtown Concord “Finding something affordable, safe and not too far from home was not easy,” says Viera. “I looked at several places but couldn’t find what I wanted.”

Then serendipity stepped LISA FULMER in via two Facebook groups: ARTS IN MOTION Concord Comes Alive and Concord Community for As most creative types Artists. Viera had posted in know, finding space to create one group that she was lookcan be a constant struggle. ing for studio space, and a You’re working on the kitchen table or in the corner photographer posted in the of the bedroom, and you can’t other group that there were buy new towels because your rentals available in the downlinen closet is stuffed with art town building where she used to work. I saw both posts and supplies. Maybe you’ve converted your grown kid’s room connected these two women, into a craft room, or your car which yielded Viera a very productive chat with the has to live outside because building owner. your garage is now your stuThe space was big enough dio. to share, and I got first dibs.

At some point, though, So, we moved our treasured your art space can and will art supplies out of our homes totally take over your living and into our new studio. space. Along with local artists “Ever since retiring, I try Pat Viera and Cheryl Jones, I to make art every day,” Viera came to that crossroads and says. “Some days I’m drawing started looking for studio portraits and other days I’m rentals.

assembling collages. It feels so good to have a place to go and make that happen.”

Within a couple weeks, we learned that the space next to ours was available.

Our Facebook groups came to the rescue again and Jones quickly became our new neighbor. We three discovered we had something wonderful in common – even though we use our studios to create and exhibit our own work, we also love sharing art with others. So, we’ve all carved out space for people to visit, play, shop and take classes.

“For me, art is refreshing, relaxing and rejuvenating,” says Jones. “I want to bring that to people of all ages and remind everyone that creativity is in the eye of the beholder. Whether you’re 5 or 85, you can come here to enjoy making whatever kind of art you like.”

Viera agrees and believes art should always be

Contributed photo

Pat Viera, left, Cheryl Jones and Lisa Fulmer are happily making art in their Grant Street studios.

approachable and relatable. “I enjoy showing people how to create something custom that’s poignant and meaningful to them.”

My own day job involves writing about art supplies for manufacturers, so I’ve always loved helping people try new

mediums and techniques.

It’s so important to find something that excites you about being creative, and you’ll definitely find it with one of us. Stop by to visit our new studios at 1924 Grant St. (upstairs from Baskin-Robbins). Our hours vary, but

times and events are posted in our windows.

Lisa Fulmer is a mixed media artist, Concord Art Association board member and founder of MadeinConcord.com. She also consults with local artists on self-promotion and personal branding.

USE YOUR CALFRESH/EBT CARD WE'LL MATCH YOUR PURCHASE UP TO $15!

Find out more at: pcfma.org/market-match CONCORDFARMERSMARKET

October 15, 2021

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

Page B7

Drought shortens harvest season for Alhambra Valley pear crop DEBRA MORRIS Pacific Coast Farmers Market

The sky begins to lighten as the sun rises over the rolling hills above Martinez, filtering light through the pear trees.

It’s going to be another hot and dry day at Alhambra Valley Pears & Beef, a farm nestled in the beautiful Alhambra Valley/Briones Valley Agricultural Preserve near Martinez.

It’s quite an enchanting rural area to live and farm in.

The valley is surrounded by hills covered in stately old valley oaks and scrub. The French Butter pear trees were planted in 1919, followed by the planting of Bartlett pear trees in 1930.

Today, Alhambra Valley Pears & Beef comprises two neighboring ranches that came together in 1941 when Emma Sindicich married Edward Pereira – combining pear orchards and a cattle ranch.

On the surface, everything seems calm and peaceful in the early morning light. The pear trees gleam in the sun, and the cattle quietly graze on the hillside. But the Pereiras are concerned about how to get enough water to the orchards. They’re also anxious about whether there’s enough grass to feed the cattle and even enough drinking water for them.

They live near the Alhambra Valley Creek, but water hasn’t flowed there in more than two years. They’re using their dwindling well water, which is running low because the ground water is not being replenished.

The hills and orchards are dry and brown, and the soil is parched and dusty. The 500 pear trees, some more than 80

Staging + Selling Tips to Keep in Mind The pear crop in Alhambra Valley was limited this year due to the water shortage.

years old, are still producing, but the drought has shortened the growing season. Even though their dry-land farm technique is an example of their respect for the land and without water waste, they’re hard-pressed to get enough water to the trees.

“This year has been a difficult one,” Darryl Pereira says.

“In a normal year during peak season, we harvest about 600 boxes of pears. This year it’s 25 percent of that, and the season is shortened to only four or five weeks.”

During a normal year with plenty of rain, they can harvest and sell pears through the end of October. This year, they finished bringing pears to the farmers market in midSeptember.

“There were two bad drought years in the 1970s, where the orchard saw less than 10 inches of rain,” he adds. “But the trees are much older now and can’t handle the stress of no water as well as they used to.”

The Pereiras hope for plentiful rainfall this winter, bringing a larger crop next season as they struggle to preserve their century-old family farm.

Small farms like Alhambra Valley don’t have the resources that larger farms

have during a crisis such as this, so please support them at your local farmers market when you can.

ALHAMBRA VALLEY PEAR CRISP 6 c. Bartlett pears, peeled, cored, sliced thick ½ c. butter, melted 4 T sugar Topping: 2 c. all-purpose flour, or more as needed 1 c. brown sugar ½ c. white sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon ½ tsp. ground nutmeg ½ c. butter, chilled, cut into pieces Preheat oven to 375.

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Spread pears on the bottom of the baking dish; toss with melted butter and sugar.

For the topping, stir together the dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut the butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes.

Recipe: Alhambra Valley Pears & Beef adaptation.

The Concord Farmers Market is in Todos Santos Plaza every Tuesday.

See ad page B7 for hours.

A BIG THANK YOU to all our employees for their hard work and dedication to help keep our communities and customers healthy and safe during this devastating pandemic!

– CEO Ron Proto. #BeResourceful

www.mdrr.com

1. Declutter. Remove as much clutter as possible from your home, including trophies, books, signage, collections and other knickknacks on your counters, tables, shelves and walls. The simpler and cleaner the space, the better.

2. Deep clean. Take some time — or hire someone — to deep clean your home from top to bottom to make it shine! Dust fan blades and light fixtures, wipe down walls and baseboards, vacuum behind furniture, mop the floors, and thoroughly clean each bathroom.

3. Depersonalize. This is one of the most important elements when it comes to staging. It can be difficult for a potential buyer to imagine themselves living in your home if it is filled with family photos, signage with your last name, and other personal mementos.

4. Make repairs. You know that squeaky door you always ignored? And that loose door handle?

How about that leaky faucet? Now’s the time to make those minor repairs you’ve been putting off.

5. Stage where it counts. You don’t need to stage every room. In fact, the most important rooms when it comes to staging are the living room, primary bedroom and kitchen. Focus on those spaces and consider staging the other bedrooms and bathrooms if necessary.

6. Stay neutral. While we all love some bold color, the more neutral, the better when it comes to staging.

Choose furniture and décor that appeals to a wide range of tastes — or trust your staging company to go neutral and stay on trend.

7. Improve curb appeal. The front yard and exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see upon arrival. Make a good first impression by planting

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925.628.8220 cheryl@cherylhammond.com cherylhammond.com 5-Star Agent Top Listing Agent Senior Sales Specialist

Page B8

The Pioneer • www.pioneerpublishers.com

October 15, 2021

Shrubs from Down Under can brighten a winter garden the perfect time to introduce Australian plants to your landscape.

Several super-hardy, evergreen bushes with long flower displays come by way of Australia. Correa, Grevillea, Callistemon and Westringia are all tough as nails and worthy of any local landscape.

Correa has the common NICOLE HACKETT name of Australian fuchsia GARDEN GIRL because the flower’s shape resembles the coastal fuchsia we If you want more blooms in all know. Correa is a dense everyour autumn landscape, look no green that can reach 3 feet tall farther than Australian plants. and eventually 6 feet wide. This Our fall is Australia’s spring. shrub is great on slopes and So, as many of our plants banks as the flowers can be change color for their winter appreciated more when looking break, shrubs from Down up into the plant. Correa Under are getting ready to blooms from fall through late bloom. spring. Plant in mostly sun. It Australian plants are very will need little summer water adaptable to our climate. They once established. thrive in our heat, are very Grevillea is a large family of drought-tolerant, take little to highly attractive, evergreen no fertilizer and can deal with shrubs and ground covers. our soil challenges. Autumn is Peaches and Cream has bro-

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cade-shaped leaves that create a weeping, rounded shape to it growth. Expect it to reach 5 feet tall and equally as wide.

Give this beauty room to mature because this type of shrub looks best when it is allowed to grow naturally. Fragrant peach and cream flowers appear in early winter and continue through early summer.

This shrub looks best on a hillside, along a fence line or used to create a property line. Hummingbirds are extremely attracted to Grevillea Peaches and Cream.

Callistemon is better known as a bottlebrush bush. The bottlebrush of the ’70s has been replaced by Little John Callistemon, a very desirable dwarf.

Little John grows naturally rounded, reaching 3 feet tall and wide. The gray-green leaves appear to spiral off the stems, giving the foliage a unique patterning. During the middle of winter through late spring,

New ar garden rivals of decor a nd statuar y

growth. Plant it along a fence line, where its foliage can contrast off the wood.

Anigozanthos, aka Kangaroo Paw, is the most popular Australian plant. Grass-like foliage acts as a base for tall stalks of red, orange, yellow or sometime pink flowers. The common name comes from the description of the flower bud once it’s open, when it looks like the bottom of a kangaroo’s paw. The plant does have a davesgarden.com moderate failure rate due to Australian fuchsia is a dense evergreen that blooms from summer overwatering. The fall through late spring. foliage tends to brown, so consider installing behind a boulder. intense crimson, bottlebrushWestringia fruticosa is fabuThere are many drought-tolshaped flowers are sprinkled lous. This evergreen shrub has erant plants to consider to make along stem ends. The flowers of hazy, gray foliage and tiny peri- your landscapes unique while Little John are both bee- and winkle flowers from autumn being easy to care for and beauhummingbird-friendly. Install through spring. Westringia has a tiful. this evergreen as a foundation freeing growth style that can Nicole is the Garden Girl at planting in a mixed garden bed reach 5-6 feet tall and wide.

R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. or along narrow strips since it Like many Australian shrubs, can be easily shaped. Little John install this where it has room to You can contact her with questions or can tolerate heat, clay soil and mature. Westringia looks awful comments by email at gardengirl94517@yahoo.com drought. when folks try to control the

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5433 Clayton Road, Ste K #322, Clayton, CA 94517

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your utility bills, reach out to a trusted contractor, handyman, home inspector or even the utility company to help troubleshoot the potential cause for the spike. Catching these issues early can often mitigate problems before they become significant – and costly.

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