May '20 Community Focus

COMMUNITY

MAY 2020

FOCUS ourcommunityfocus.com

IN THIS ISSUE: • SPRING SENIOR ATHLETES • HARD TIMES FOR HARDWARE • SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES PLEASANT HILL • CONCORD • MARTINEZ • LAFAYETTE • WALNUT CREEK

SMALL TALK WITH TERI independent & locally owned

by Teri Norbye PUBLISHERS: Becky Coburn Jennifer Neys Elena Hutslar info@ourcommunityfocus.com ADVERTISING: Community Focus info@ourcommunityfocus.com COPY EDITOR: Alison Clary GRAPHIC DESIGN: Trish Heaney

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SPORTS: Sport Story Submissions info@ourcommunityfocus.com CONTACT INFORMATION: Community Calendar calendar@ourcommunityfocus.com Content & General Inquiries: info@ourcommunityfocus.com SUBMISSION DEADLINES: All articles must be sumbmitted by the 15th of each month.

ONLINE: www.ourcommunityfocus.com

MISSION STATEMENT The Community Focus is a free, independent, monthly publication dedicated to highlighting the vibrancy of the local businesses and residents while strengthening and building connections within our community.

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What does Community Mean to You

A Defining Moment

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15 Read My Mind

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Hard Times for Hardware

18 Mexican Dishes

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COVER: Kevin Suto of Zachary’s Chicago Pizza in Pleasant Hill, poses during PH Rec and Park’s Gigs and Grubs. Thursdays at 6pm.

Photo by SusanWoodPhotography.com

2013

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2014

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Meet Shiba Ahmadi who lives in Martinez (near Pleasant Hill) with her husband, Fred, and their two kids. She’s lived in this area for 16 years and works as a realtor at Keller Williams in Walnut Creek. She’s had her real estate license and been in this line of work for over 20 years.

Shiba says, “I grew up in Kabul, Afghanistan, and came here in 1989. We left Afghanistan and walked for four nights over the mountains to Pakistan. I saw people die in front of my eyes. We weren’t sure if we would make it to Pakistan alive. I want to write a book one day about my journey.”

More about Shiba: 1. I came here at a young age with my family and didn’t speak much English. I moved my way up by working full time, going to school at night, and graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance. This hardship has made me a stronger person!

2. I always tell my kids how lucky they are to be born and raised here.

3. For fun, I like singing, going to the movies, watching basketball, and going to Lake Tahoe with my family, especially during the winter (we all love the snow)!

Real Estate News Real Estate During COVID-19

BY NORMA FLASKERUD

Since COVID-19 hit, we have been sheltering in place. By now, you have likely used every nook and cranny of your home to the max. The post-COVID-19 era will likely bring a slew of changes to the kinds of properties, features, amenities, and locations homebuyers will look for. Below are a few trends to expect.

The dining room table has quickly turned into a combination of home office, conference room, and possibly even home schooling hub. The living room may be the new “Zoom” center for video meetings.

Some may use a bedroom corner to take that private phone call. The kitchen may be a work and school cafeteria, stocked with a food-serving counter open 24/7.

Some of us may feel like we’ve overstayed our welcome in our own homes and decide they no longer work for our current lifestyle and needs. Some will have fallen in love with current spaces and appreciate features never fully utilized until now. Even if there is a lot to love about your home and location, work is needed to make it “perfect,” perhaps through remodeling, new furnishings, or more space and amenities.

It’s also possible that glaring concerns are pushing you to consider a relocation.

Shifts in homebuying are likely to occur in the post-COVID-19 era. Here are four trends to watch out for.

1. Less dense living Some may opt for a single-family home over a condo or townhome. Being able to go in your own front door without having to go through a lobby area or elevator is a treasured amenity in times like this. Plus, you gain your own storage in a garage, storage shed, or attic.

What about outdoor space? No matter how big or small it may be, having your own yard, patio, or porch is a prized possession —better than balconies that lack privacy or have restrictions.

2. Functional spaces Being cooped up may give way to needing a flexible floor plan, like a bedroom that can be convert-

ed into a home office. People might want a house with two master suites in case a grandma needs to move in. We foresee guesthouses becoming more in demand so they can be used as workspaces or comfortably house family members for extended periods of time. Bonus rooms with their own bathrooms, dedicated home offices, and third-car garages serving as home gyms could also come in vogue.

Last but not least, a baby boom is expected to occur nine months after the shelter-in-place began, so some will need a bigger house. Others will need to move due to the anticipated breakdown of marriages from the stress of too much togetherness.

3. Amenities Spending loads of time at home with a limited ability to travel in the immediate and not-too-distant future means a need for more spaces for relaxation, fun, and exercise. People are less likely to question the necessity of these features and instead consider them a requirement.

Properties boasting outdoor living areas with huge patios, outdoor TVs, fire pits, and pools may reign supreme. Summer or outdoor kitchens, some with outdoor bar areas for happy hour, may also gain popularity as an alternative space to cook besides the indoor kitchen and a place to relax with visiting friends and family.

4. Location This experience may drive some people to relocate altogether or finally buy that second home. Since flexible work arrangements will likely become the norm for a while or even permanent for some, people may choose to put their money toward their dream “shelter-inplace” escape. We are told home sales in Tahoe at some price points are booming!

Properties that offer people the ability to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle will likely become on trend. Mountain, lake, desert, beach, and coastal properties may provide a much-needed escape and the chance to experience an entirely new lifestyle several months out of the year — if not as a fulltime residence.

Along these lines, people may look at buying a second home that can be mon-

etized as a vacation rental to offset costs and provide some income. Buyers may also seek locations with parks, walkable neighborhoods, or other features known to promote a healthy living environment. Access to good healthcare may be paramount. In fact, some may choose to relocate based on that feature alone.

As we transition to a gradual reopening of the U.S., homes and locations that fit the above may be well-positioned to take

advantage of a positive market momentum. If you need a referral to an agent in an area where you want to move or buy a second home, please reach out to us. If you need contractor referrals so you can update or expand your home, we can help with that too.

The Flaskerud Team/Norma Flaskerud www.PleasantHillRealEstate.com Re/Max Accord. DRE# 00867031 SPONSORED CONTENT

Julie Says Bada-Bing

BY JULIE ROSS

A pun, a play on words, and a limerick walk into a bar. No joke.

Because there is nothing funny about the coronavirus pandemic, I thought it might be good for our mental health to take a break with some really bad puns. In honor of National Pun Day, which falls on May 15, I have assembled some terrible examples for your enjoyment.

Under quarantine, it’s hard to remember what happened yesterday and keep track of what day it is today, never mind making plans for the next few months.

Consider this take on the time warp we’re all caught in: The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar. It was tense. (So true.)

We can’t go out with friends or family to eat at our local restaurants. When the restrictions are lifted, I believe we might still feel a bit uneasy mingling with others.

When I first venture out to a favorite spot and the hostess asks, “Do you have reservations?” I hope to reply, “No, I’m confident I want to eat here.”

And while we’ve been missing out on attending live concerts, we can continue to enjoy music as we shelter in place. The following is perhaps the worst music-related pun I could find: C, E-flat, and G walk into a bar. The bartender shows them the

door and says, “Sorry, we don’t serve minors.”

(Ouch.)

Most of our trips, business and pleasure, had to be canceled. On the bright side, this means not enduring travel-related hassles. Packing was an easy decision for this electromagnetic particle: A photon is going through airport security. The TSA agent asks if it has any luggage. The photon says, “No, I’m travelling light.” (Sorry about that one.)

As time goes on, we’ll tire of our virtual get-togethers and look forward to going out for happy hour with a friend or co-worker, hoping for a better outcome than the protagonist in the following pun: A ham sandwich walks into a bar. The bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve food here.”

(I know, the puns just keep getting worse, but I can’t seem to stop myself…)

On the positive side, many people in our community are thinking of others and making donations to groups in need. So, you might wonder why crabs aren’t participating. It’s because they are shellfish.

And on that note, I’ll stop. You’re welcome. Hang in there.

Wait, I forgot to include a TP-related joke: If you’re American when you go into the bathroom and American when you come out, what are you in the bathroom? European. There you go.

You can reach Julie to complain about this month’s column at julieakross@comcast.net OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MAY 2020 | 3

Woman of the Year

Dawn Block has been selected Woman of the Year for Contra Costa County by Sen. Bill Dodd. Block is the owner of an executive search firm who has served the community on boards for the John Muir Land Trust and Chamber of Commerce. She says, “It’s truly an honor to be recognized this way and incredibly humbling. I recognize the sheer number of women in our county who tirelessly make Contra Costa County the best place in the world to live. Building a better world -Tikkun olam -- has always guided my actions. And there remains so much more to do!”

Dawn Block is the immediate past chair of John Muir Land Trust, which focuses on preserving open space in the East Bay Area. She was Pleasant Hill Chamber chair and served on the Pleasant Hill Education Commission, leading various task forces at College Park High School, where her two daughters were standout athletes. In the early 2000s, she donated her own money to rebuild the school’s all-weather, Olympic-size track.

“Dawn’s contribution to our community cannot be overstated,” Sen. Dodd said. “Her leadership and generosity have been invaluable. We are truly fortunate to have her, and I am honored to giver her the kudos she so well deserves.”

The New York native and self-described tree-hugger saw her first cow at age 12 in the Bronx Zoo. After graduating from Queens College, she worked overseas as an English teacher before settling in the Bay Area, where she started a successful career in banking and later, technology recruitment. As a single mother, she was the youngest woman promoted to officer ranks at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Later she was a vice president at Commerce One. She is married to Pleasant Hill City Councilman Michael Harris.

Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Contra Costa, Solano, Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.

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What is an ADU? How can you benefit?

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have been known by many names: granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units, and more. No matter what you call them, ADUs are an innovative, affordable, and an effective option for adding much needed housing in California. ADUs have grown exponentially in number as more cities, counties, and homeowners become interested in increasing the supply of affordable housing.

What are the benefits of ADUs? • ADUs are an affordable type of home to construct in California because they do not require paying for land, major new infrastructure, structured parking, or elevators.

• ADUs can provide a source of income for homeowners.

• ADUs allow extended families to be near one another while maintaining privacy.

• ADUs can provide as much living space as many newly built apartments and condominiums, and they’re suited well for couples, small families, friends, young people, and seniors.

• ADUs give homeowners the flexibility to share independent living areas with family members and others, allowing seniors to age in place as they require more care.

In October 2019, California Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 68 (AB68), into law making it easier and more affordable to build accessory dwelling units.

Summary of recently enacted, new ADU rules in California: • Faster ADU plan review times • Local agencies are prohibited from imposing strict requirements that exceed state mandates.

• More flexible ADU size and set back requirements • Allows both regular size and “junior” ADUs on the same property • Allows ADUs for multi-family units and duplexes • Prohibits local agencies from charging “impact fees” for ADUs under 750 sq. ft.

Regardless of its physical form, an ADU is legally part of the same property as the main home it resides near. It cannot be bought or sold separately as a condominium might. The owner of the ADU is the owner of the main home.

Installing an ADU in your backyard will certainly increase your property value. After all, it is an additional permanent living space on your lot. The kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms are viewed as additions to your primary home.

To discuss your options and see how these new rules can help you, contact your Central Contra Costa County resource, ADU4You, a one stop shop that handles the entire project at a fixed, affordable cost. 925-979-5516 or sales@ADU4You.com.

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GROCERY OUTLET

WiseGirl Ristorante Italiano This community means everything to me!

Home, forever friendships, strength, and longevity!

- Angela Warren

ZACHARY’S

Zachary’s Chicago Pizza This community means everything to me.

Only when apart do we realize how together we are here. PH is a special place. - Kevin Suto Grocery Outlet The community - It’s our whole world.

- Jason and Cathy Olson PH Market Community is important because it is the corners of our life and also our market.

It gives us a sense of belonging. It’s our pleasure to come together to serve our neighborhood communities during this difficult time. We are all in this together and

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together we can do so much.

- Preet (owner) and Jenna Luigi’s Deli I love this community! I lived in San Francisco for 13-14 years and then moved to Martinez and love it here. It feels like home.

It is my FOREVER home!

- Luigi Giant Chef Giant Chef is Pleasant Hill’s oldest and finest diner still serving the same fresh and delicious meals, TO GO throughout the shelter in place order!! Looking forward to seeing all of our regular customers and new ones TOO. - Nicholas Kikes, Owner Roxx on Main The first word that came to my mind when you asked that was “life. Small town is

WISEGIRL

PHOTOS BY SUSAN WOOD A special thank you to local photographer Susan Wood, who captures the heart of our community through the lens of her camera. ingrained in every strain of life in Martinez.

Everyone looks after each other. When there is a problem, you have no worries. There is a fundraiser, a parade, a dinner, something to help. The chain of connected life goes much deeper than rants and rave or Facebook. Its intuitive how people pick up on information.

And it’s not only when there is a problem.

Celebrations for life’s small victories are rampant and get parades as well. I love this town. I loved growing up between Pleasant Hill and Martinez, having our first restaurant, Haute Stuff here, and I love it still. Having Roxx on Main is a gift on every level from this community.

- Lesley Stiles, Chef / Owner Roxx on Main Wence’s We are speechless and so, so, so grateful from the bottom of our hearts for all your kindness. You are not only supporting our

restaurant, you are also supporting our workers and their families.

- Wence Family Jacks This community means everything to us.

We opened our very first Jack’s here 10 years ago. Almost overnight, it felt like we’d been part of this community for years. The love and support shown to us from the moment we opened our doors was overwhelming.

And now, during this unprecedented and unnerving time, this community’s love and support has never been on greater display, or been more deeply appreciated. It’s been our privilege to serve the wonderful people that call Jack’s their second home. And we look forward to serving this great big Jack’s family for many years to come. Thank you PH! John Marcovici,

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OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MAY 2020 | 7

CITY NEWS

Mayor’s Message

Hope this finds you well. Instead of going into specific details about COVID-19 this month, I wanted to share a few other thoughts along with some gratitude. If you would like the most up-to-date information on coronavirus, check the city website at pleasanthillca. org/covid-19 or visit coronavirus.cchealth.org.

The first full week of May is traditionally “Teacher Appreciation Week,” and this year it has an extra special meaning with the closure of schools.

Having two school-age children of our own, like most parents, my wife and I are finding ourselves helping with “distance learning” from our home.

While I appreciate the additional time with my children, the curriculum can be challenging. “Do it the way the teacher does” is a phrase often heard in my home.

The school district and teachers have done the best they can with learning to adapt with almost no notice and on such a massive scale. They have

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taken some heat from angry parents, all while trying to establish their own routines at home. I understand the new environment is frustrating, but take a moment and appreciate all our teachers do, day in and day out, for our children.

There are many stories of teachers going above and beyond to keep children engaged and get through this school

Teacher of the Year

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District is pleased to announce the five finalists for Teacher of the Year: Dylan Bland – College Park High School, selected MDUSD Teacher of the Year Beth Bremer – Wren Elementary, selected MDUSD Teacher of the Year Tannaz Heaney – Finalist, Sequoia Elementary Laura Wilson – Finalist, Pleasant Hill Middle School Kathleen Strange – Finalist, College Park High School

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District will honor these recipients at the regular governing board meeting to be held on May, 11.

Please join us in saluting them all! Next, the two MDUSD Teachers of the Year move on to the county level competition.

HATS OFF TO THE GRADS Show the class of 2020 how proud you are of them.

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If you have a high school, middle school or college graduate, they certainly deserve some extra celebration this year!

Devin Hutslar, College Park Congratulations on the close of this chapter and the beginning of the next. Your goal to be an EMT/firefighter suits you well!

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year.

This Shelter in Place has helped me appreciate more of the things we may have taken for granted. Having a great educational system is truly one of the many benefits of living in Pleasant Hill.

If you are a teacher, thank you!! Not just during Teacher Appreciation Week but all the time.

This June the Community Focus will again have special pages dedicated to the graduates.

Ads with photos, and up to 25 words are just $35. Send announcements to info@ourcommunityfocus.com Deadline is May 15, 2020. Photo must be high res in a JPEG format.

CITY NEWS

Pleasant Hill City News Food to Go During COVID-19

Alex Khodadad, Pleasant Hill resident and owner of Delphi Realty Group, created a group Facebook page on March 25 called “In and around Pleasant Hill FOOD TO GO during COVID-19.” His mission is to “support those local restaurants that support all of us during the normal time of year!” The page highlights those restaurants providing curbside pick up or to-go deliveries in Pleasant Hill and surrounding cities. He also adds spotlight interviews with restaurant owners. The community can post links, menus, promos, reviews and videos of their favorite local restaurant and how we can support them through this tough time. “I did not think it was going to get this big. It grew to over 3,500 members in 23 or 24 days,” said Khodadad. To date, the page has grown to over 4,000 members. To join the page, just search “in and around Pleasant Hill FOOD TO GO during COVID-19.” A supporter of our local schools, Khodadad recently donated $200 to the teachers at Valhalla Elementary for Teacher Appreciation.

401 Taylor Blvd Residential Subdivision Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

The City of Pleasant Hill intends to issue a Mitigated Negative Declaration for this project, located on the corner of Taylor Boulevard and Lucille Lane. The Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) prepared for this project is available for public review through May 13, 2020, on the city webpage at https://pleasanthillca.icitywork.com. Viewing of the document at City Hall can be done on an appointment basis by calling 925-671-5209. A hard copy can be mailed upon request (limit of one copy per requestor).

The proposed residential project would consist of 46 attached, two and threestory residential townhouse units with a maximum 35-foot building height, with three floor plans ranging in size from 2,101 square feet to 2,791 square feet, each with an attached two-car garage. Each residential unit would be located on separate parcels ranging from 1,763 to 4,146 square feet in an area for an average lot size of approximately 2,350 square feet. Twenty-four guest parking spaces and no less than 70,000 square feet of common open space, including the buffer areas, would be provided on the 4.96-acre project site. Sixteen of the 46 residential units would provide an accessory dwelling unit. The Architectural Review Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council will all hold public hearings on the proposed project.

City Looks at Finances and Community Resources

At the April 20 city council meeting, City Manager June Catalano reported that the city has taken a very deep dive into their finances in the past few weeks. “I have frozen all recruitments for positions. That will result in a savings of approximately 1.3 million over a year. We still need to scrub through our budget with the budget committee.” The city will review expenditures and the need to continue to deliver services to the community. The city manager went on the mention three informational webpages for local businesses and the community to visit. The webpage dedicated to business resource information is www.pleasanthillca.org/COVID-19-Businessresources. A second page is dedicated to supporting local restaurants: www.pleasanthillca.org/pleasanthilleats.

A third page, currently in the works, will highlight essential businesses in Pleasant Hill, with information and a map showing the location of these businesses.

Proposals For Library Project General Contractors Sought

The city has invited four pre-qualified general contractors to submit a proposal to provide general construction contracting for the Pleasant Hill Library. The four general contractors who were successful in the pre-qualification process were: Alten Construction, Inc., BHM Construction, Inc., C Overaa & Company, and Lathrop Construction Assoc., Inc. Proposal packages from the pre-qualified contractors are due on May 7 at Pleasant Hill City Hall. The preliminary project schedule anticipates construction to begin in mid-June 2020 and be completed by September 2121. The current estimated total construction cost is approximately $27 million.

Survey on Biking And Pedestrian Options

The city is updating its bike & pedestrian master plan. Where do you think we need better options for walking and bicycling? You can share your ideas through May at https://walkbikepleasanthill.com.

ARCHITECTURAL MOULDINGS

Pleasant Hill Library Update

At the April 20 city council meeting, Librarian Patrick Remer reminded residents to take advantage of all the digital collections the library has to offer. “I encourage folks who are reading on a smart device to pick up the Libby app and connect with a library card to start reading or listening to audio books at home,” he said. The app allows patrons to borrow a wide selection of eBooks and digital audiobooks. Community members that do not have a library card can receive an instant access card on the website (ccclib.org) to take advantage of all the materials. Remer also mentioned library resources and services the library currently has available, including learning a language with Rosetta Stone, digital magazines using Flipster, and the online book club through Zoom. Students studying for AP classes can use the Learning Express database, and Storytime can be accessed through the library Facebook page along with the popular Saturday Lego challenge. “We are continuing to explore ways that we can maintain robust services to the community in spite of the fact that we can’t get together face to face,” he added.

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CITY NEWS

Mayor’s Message

Over 18 years as mayor, I have seen many things and endured many hardships together with the community.

However, this is truly an unprecedented event. Yet I am inspired by how the Martinez community has banded together and moved forward, united. I want to take a moment to thank a few people today: • Our health professionals on the front line • Our retail and grocery store employees who keep our stores open so we can get essential goods and keep our essential businesses open • Our delivery drivers who drop packages at our doors

• Our restaurants who have stayed open to provide meals for us • Our teachers for their innovation as they teach our kids virtually • Our City of Martinez Public Works employees who keep our community clean and safe • Our City of Martinez Water Treatment staff who keep our clean water flowing • Our senior center team for providing food and care for our seniors in the community • Our City of Martinez administrative staff who keep city services operational • Our police department who keep our community safe

Rob Schroder, Mayor of Martinez

Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank you, the members of the Martinez community. You have risen to the occasion to help our city, our county, and our state stay safe. While I know the mayor and city council are here to lead the community, we cannot succeed without all of us working together.

Moreover, you are inspirational in your generosity, thoughtfulness, and patience in seeing this through.

So where do we go from here?

With the new health order, we are still sheltering in place through the month of May. Over this next month, we know that life will not go back to normal, but like you, I am hopeful we can take some steps forward. At City Hall, we are working to adapt how we do business

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to better serve the community as we slowly re-open. We have started to take online permit reviews, launched virtual council meetings, and changed our staffing hours to ensure that our community will be safe. There is an enormous amount of new information on our website at cityofmartinez.org to help you navigate in these tough times.

In addition, you can even find some virtual senior and recreation programs that will provide a small break to your daily routine. These are just a few of the ways our city services are here for you.

So what can you do as a community to help each other? Here are a few ideas:

Order food at one of our local restaurants for pick up or delivery. They are still in business and would welcome your order.

When you shop for groceries, shop local and buy only what you need. Support your neighbors and the businesses in our community and think about others who may need what you bought.

If you need to buy gas for those limited trips you are making, buy local. Every dollar helps our community.

Enjoy a walk outside, but keep a social distance and make sure not to leave behind any trash.

I know this is all very unsettling for us individually, for our families, for our children, and for the loved ones we cannot see right now do to social distancing. I miss my daughters and grandson too!

On behalf of the city council I cannot thank you enough for joining together to keep Martinez the truly special place that I have known for many years and call home. Like you, I am hopeful that this will end soon, but for now I am asking you as a community to follow the county health orders, support those serving you each day, and be kind to each other.

CITY NEWS

Martinez City News

Crafts with Kara

Grab the kids and tune in live at 11am on Fridays on Instagram for a craft session with Martinez Recreation Supervisor Kara Galindo. Follow @MTZRecreation and make the most with what items you have at home! For a list of upcoming crafts and supplies, visit http://tiny.cc/craftswithkara. Crafts are for children 3 and up. Past crafts have included Create a Sock Bunny, Create a DIY Spinner Toy, and a DIY Ball Toss Toy.

Council Meetings Go Zoom

The City of Martinez will continue to use the Zoom video/teleconference platform only to conduct its city council meetings during this countywide COVID-19 shelter-in-place order. Go to the Meetings page on the city website for the latest agenda details on how to join upcoming city council meetings through Zoom via mobile/desktop app, browser, or phone. Regular city council meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 7pm.

Campbell Theatre Closed

City Tenants Could See Rent Relief

Relief could come to tenants of places owned or leased by the city during the shelter in place orders imposed during the pandemic. At the April 15 city council meeting, council held a discussion and provided direction to staff regarding options for deferring and/or waiving lease and license rent for city tenants. Some tenants have had to cut back operations or close entirely because of COVID-19 orders.

The tenants are: Eagle Marine, which offers boat sales and services in Waterfront Park; OnStage Repertory Theater Company, a nonprofit organization that manages the Campbell Theater and produces shows; Martinez Yacht Club; and Kiwanis Club.

All aforementioned tenants except Eagle Marine are non-profit organizations.

The city will consider options for rent deferrals and/or waivers for these local tenants given the business disruption each organization has experienced. A resolution or action on these suggestions is expected to take place at the council’s May 6 meeting.

Theatre plans virtual live improv show

All performances at the Campbell Theatre are canceled until the shelter in place order is lifted. They have decided to delay the openings of Same Time Next Year and Quadrille into the fall season. According to their Facebook page, the production of Steel Magnolias will also move to the fall season. They will be updating all information on Facebook and their website. In order to help keep theatre alive in Martinez, they are asking for tax deductible donations that can be made online at the campbelltheater.org website. The theatre is planning a virtual live improv show from the amazing FunnyBone productions. More details will be coming soon. You can also make a payment towards tickets for a future show.  The Campbell is offering a discount of $18 for all tickets, each good for the Onstage play of your choice through January 2021. Â

Local Qualit y You Can Trust!

Learn About COVID-19

In response to growing concerns regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the city has a page dedicated to providing current information for the community. Visit www.cityofmartinez.org for more details.

Pleasant Hill

Drive-Through Testing Sites

Martinez Health Center, at 2500 Alhambra Avenue, is one of four health centers in the county now open for by-appointment drive-through testing for COVID-19. Contra Costa residents who have fever, cough, or similar symptoms can make an appointment for free COVID-19 testing at one of the four drive-through sites. Testing is available to people who have symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, coughing or shortness of breath, and fatigue. Any Contra Costa resident with these symptoms can call 1-844-421-0804 for a confidential screening by a health professional. Telephone screenings are available from 8am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday. The other three sites are: Contra Costa Public Health Clinic Services, 2500 Bates Avenue in Concord; Pittsburg Health Center, 2311 Loveridge Road in Pittsburg; and West County Health Center, 23601 San Pablo Avenue in San Pablo.

Screening and appointments are only available by phone. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis.

Reminder About our Parks

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at 10am for everyone else. If you visit the farmers’ market, please remember: 1. Customers may not touch anything for sale before they buy it. This means you will need to ask your farmers to bag up produce for you. 2. Farmers/producers will not touch reusable bags belonging to customers. 3. You must wear your face covering while shopping.

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Real Estate Advice

Buying or Selling a Home During the Covid-19 Crisis

BY PETE SABINE

Recently, the federal government and most of the states have confirmed that residential real estate is an “essential business.”

The COVID crisis has created significant challenges and restrictions for residential Realtors and their clients to show and sell homes up for sale, especially if the home is occupied.

The concept of a home buyer relying exclusively on a “virtual tour” to compel one to submit an offer is both impractical and improbable. Most home buyers want to personally visit a home to truly experience its unique subtleties and nuances before being comfortable enough to make the decision to buy.

Realtors are now allowed to show vacant homes for sale only if specific guidelines that align with safe social dis-

tancing protocol are followed.

We discovered a unique lockbox solution by SentriLock, the maker of digital lockboxes, which allows individuals to tour vacant homes on their own. A prospective buyer can register online with a valid ID and credit card to get a one-time lockbox code to access the home.

Employing SentriLock access for vacant homes for sale allows Realtors to comply with guidelines for COVID showing restrictions and, equally as important, provides prospective home buyers with safe access to properties, with minimal exposure to others.

We are now using SentriLock boxes for our vacant listings with great success and receiving positive feedback from people who have used the lockboxes for “self-guided tour” access of our vacant homes for sale.

Self-guided vacant home tours are a significant way to keep the vital real

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estate market alive during the COVID crisis. Each residential real estate sale transaction employs an average of 15 to 20 different professional services and trades people, boosting our economy during a time of unprecedented high unemployment.

For the month of March 2020, selftouring data shows that SentriLock is expected to facilitate 197,964 self-tours, a 30% increase annually over March of 2019.

SentriLock has seen a surge in demand for its devices, which nearly tripled in the second week of March with more than 1,500 devices sent to real estate operators. That’s really helping now with the COVID crisis

because Realtors and property managers can still place people in homes even when a Realtor can’t meet them at the property.

With low mortgage interest rates and a limited supply of homes for sale, we’re likely to see another homebuying surge after shelter-in-place orders have been lifted.

If social distancing restrictions are still in place, vacant homes can be purchased when potential buyers can see them on their own.

Pete Sabine. Call or Text 925.297.5335 Pete@FiveStarRealEstatePro.com Compass. License #00889760 SPONSORED CONTENT

Food Bank Update

Covid-19 Puts a Strain on Food Banks

BY JENNY KING

The increased strain on food banks from coast to coast has made national headlines and for good reason. Thousands of our very own neighbors have suddenly found themselves unemployed and turning to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano for the first time in their lives.

One such story involves a woman who happened to drive by one of our Community Produce Program distributions. She shared with us that because of the pandemic, she was laid-off after 27 years with her company. Our driver, Nick, told her about some other possible resources and she left with fruits and veggies – as well as tears of gratitude.

On average, attendance is up 2550% at food distributions held by the Food Bank and our almost 200 nonprofit partner agencies. Some sites have seen upwards of a 200% increase!

As part of our COVID-19 disaster response, we are: • incorporating social distancing measures, along with many other protocols, to best keep our clients, volunteers, and staff healthy.

• streamlining our process of getting food out into the community by building emergency boxes of purchased, shelf-stable

foods.

• enlisting the help of the National Guard at our Fairfield warehouse.

• conducting drive-thru distributions to minimize exposure for our most compromised populations.

• providing grants to our partner agencies to help increase their bandwidth in reaching as many people as possible.

So, where do we go from here? The reality is many families will be feeling the financial aftermath of this health crisis for many weeks, months, and yes, even years to come. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano will continue to be here for our community, just as we have for the past 45 years. Please, if you need help with food, do not hesitate to reach out. Learn where nearby distributions are taking place by visiting foodbankccs.org/GetFood or calling 855-309-3663 (FOOD).

For those of you who can help, please visit foodbankccs.org/COVID19, where you can make financial gifts ($1=2 meals) and learn about current volunteer opportunities and sign-up to receive email updates.

During these ever-changing days, we are more grateful than ever for our community’s steadfast support! Thank you for being on the front lines with us!

Stronger Than You Know A Defining Moment

BY DENA BETTI

The thunder of my heart banged and collided within me. My lanky athletic frame trembled like a small defenseless mammal under the watchful eye of an eagle in flight. Exposed to a chemical reaction between fear and expectation, the voice inside raged and begged for me to pack up my bag, not pass go, not collect $200, and drive off as fast as I could from what now seemed like the worst possible idea ever.

The clubhouse was a buzz. The clamor of metal golf spikes excited the air.

The competition was the best the 1987 field of amateur female golfers had to offer. Division One college athlete, public links winner, U.S. Open qualifiers -- each representing everything I dreamed of being. Eight weeks earlier, playing my first

tournament seemed like a good idea. The innocence that accompanied my adolescence made it seem like no big deal really.

Jake, the local golf pro, told my parents it was something I needed to do. “Being tested will show her what she’s capable of …even better, what she’s made of.”

Now I found myself standing on the first hole of one of San Francisco’s finest golf courses. Three focused and stoned faced female golfers stood over my right shoulder. Their caddies whispered to them as if solidifying their platoon’s battle plan. My caddy, my father, smiled half convincingly at me. His words piped in through a foggy haze. There was still time to leave, I thought, but neither the cutting edge of telling my father we must go or going through with this great test offered me hope. I was numb.

The steel shaft Callaway driver miraculously made its way into my shaking hands. I gasped for air, encouraged

by the notion passing out might be my only way out of this now. Time seemed to stop and the frenetic energy within me whirled and ravaged as I took the twelve steps to the imaginary line between the tee blocks. With each step came a barrage of thoughts powerful enough to fill every page of a well attempted amateur novel …theme, plot, drama, main character dies from fear, and so on. There was no hero …or was there?

As I took my backswing, darkness fell over me only to be shaken semi-conscious by the witness inside watching a white dimpled ball scream past the boxed hedges that lined the left side of the fairway. The ball lunged viciously to the asphalt road that flanked my hole. Out of bounds. Two stroke penalty. I re-teed and took another hack. Out of bounds. Two stroke penalty. I lied six and I hadn’t even left the first tee block.

My third shot whistled down the

middle of the fairway but my face couldn’t hide my despair. Then came the moment. A moment that would change me forever. My father, half broken by heartbreak and a father’s love said, “So are you just going to give up?” I glared daggers at him and in that moment, I knew what I was made of.

So that’s the moral of this short story.

Life has a way of testing us and COVID-19 is no different. Being tested isn’t a bad thing. It shows us what we’re made of …a strength, a resolve so strong it bears no defeat.

P.S. I made a 10 on that first hole but I never gave up.

Dena Betti is a graduate of the University of San Francisco, chairperson of the #hersmile Nonprofit, and a certified personal and business coach. Email dena@strongerthanyouknow.com to book a coaching appointment or for more information.

JENNIFER L. MARTIN, D.D.S. Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

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DUDUM REAL ESTATE GROUP W H E R E R E A L E S TAT E I S S T I L L P E R S O N A L To our beloved community. We are thinking of you and your families during these trying times.

We are honoring the Shelter In Place, and encourage our clients, family, and f riends to do the same.

Real Estate is now considered “essential” and therefore, we are still here to support you, albeit primarily virtual. We still have many county and statewide restrictions and regulations to abide by while facilitating our sales transactions. The health, safety and wellness of our agents, our staff, our community and each of you is still our primary concern! Agents and staff are here for you, just in a different manner. Reach out to your local Dudum Real Estate Group agent to learn more on how we are working remotely to best serve our clients.

Thank you for your loyalty and support. Dudum Real Estate Group is sending warm thoughts to you and your families, and together, we will get through this! Be cautious out there and please stay safe, stay healthy and stay home!

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DUDUM.COM ©2020 The information herein was obtained by sources deemed to be reliable by Dudum Real Estate Group. Dudum Real Estate group has not independently verified the information contained herein and therefore, assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should investigate any matters or items disclosed, identified or about which they have concerns to their own satisfaction. DRE Lic. 01882902

Hard Times for Hardware

Ace Hardware: 72 Years and 3 Generations of Community Support

BY ALISON CLARY

The rumors are true. Bill’s Ace Hardware store at 1530 Contra Costa Blvd. in Pleasant Hill is closing its doors in August. This is unwelcome news to locals who have shopped there since the 1970s, including the current site for 16 years and two previous spots across the street (at the Grocery Outlet strip mall).

The third generation current owner of Bill’s Ace Hardware, Bill Wygal, says their Pleasant Hill lease expired two years ago and they have struggled to meet increasing rental costs. The coronavirus pandemic has not helped matters. As it is, Bill says hardware stores have particularly high labor costs due to the ratio of sales people required per square feet of retail space.

Bill indicated their search for a new location over the last two years has proven unproductive due to insurmountable rents and regulations. Even prior to the current COVID-19 disruption and unsettled retail economy, brick and mortar businesses fight a daily battle with online shopping, resulting in more building vacancies. But even if and when things settle down, Bill says he is hesitant to enter into a long-term lease that would take him deep into retirement age in this uncertain time.

Pleasant Hill residents are upset at the closure of this family-owned business and haven’t forgotten the closures of countless other local hardware store over the years, including Eames and Orchard Supply. Customers are particularly dissatisfied at the prospect of CVS taking the place of Ace. The prevailing attitude is that Pleasant Hill doesn’t need another drugstore, and Walgreens, Rite Aid, Virginia Hills CVS, Safeway, and Costco are more than enough for this community’s current prescription and drugstore needs. If CVS replaces Ace and provides a drive-through prescription pick-up option, traffic becomes an additional concern. CVS has submitted

designs for the city to approve, however, the owner of the property gets to decide who their tenant is, and zoning has no bearing on the decision.

The majority of people weighing in on Nextdoor.com say they will greatly miss the friendly and personalized customer service at Ace, the convenience of shopping locally at a smaller store vs. a big box store, and being able to support a long-standing, family-owned business. Bill’s Ace Hardware has been a local mainstay since 1948, when Bill’s grandparents, Bill and Elva Wygal, opened their Ace Hardware store in Martinez. Their strong work ethic and successful business model still drives the third generation of Wygals today.

The current Wygal family lives in Martinez and has invested deeply in the community, contributing over $50,000 a year in donations. The trio of Bill’s Ace Hardware stores in Pleasant Hill, Martinez, and Concord employs 160 people in total and is the largest independent Weber BBQ Grill dealer in the East Bay. It has been a Contra Costa County certified Green Business for over 10 years and stands by the “Think Globally, Act Locally” motto.

Bill declares, “I would like to thank the community for their support over the years as it has been a pleasure doing business in Pleasant Hill, employing many of its residents as well as meeting endless numbers of local customers.

Thank you all.”

Bill wants people to know that Ace Hardware Corporation has a great program for those interested in buying a franchise, which requires a $1 million investment in California. Visit https:// www.myace.com/ Thousands of towns across America need a hardware store.

Sadly, unless something changes in the next several months, Pleasant Hill will be one of them.

Thank you to the Wygal family for many years of dependable service!

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MAY 2020 | 15

From the Contra Costa County Historical Society

A History Note Formally La Fayette

BY MARJORIE NEWTON

The first inhabitants of the area were natives of the Saclan tribe. Then the area came under Mexican rule and the land was granted to Candelario Valencia and named Rancho Acalanes. Elam Brown purchased the 3,328-acre rancho in 1848 for $900.

On March 2, 1857, the LaFayette Post Office was established. Although there was no formal name for the settlement before this, it was referred to as Brown’s Corner or Brown’s Mill. From a January 21, 1988, Oakland Tribune article by Jacqueline Ginley we learned that Benjamin Shreve, schoolteacher and owner of the General Store, applied for the post office in 1857 and requested it be named Centerville Post Office. The request was denied due to the fact there was already a Centerville Post Office in Alameda County in the Fremont area.

Shreve next suggested La Fayette for the post office name. It is believed that he wanted to honor the French hero of the Revolutionary War, Marquis de Lafayette.

However, it is known that Mrs. Shreve was a native of Lafayette, Indiana. Shreve held the position of postmaster for 24 years, according to Mary McCorker and Mary Solon in their book Lafayette.

LaFayette later became La Fayette, according to historian Ruth Dyer’s research.

It was the popular spelling of the community’s name until March 31, 1932, when the post office name was officially changed to one word with one upper case letter, La-

fayette.

The Marquis de Lafayette statue can be seen in Plaza Park at the intersection of Mount Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road. According to a June 30, 1991, article in the Contra Costa Times, the statue became the first piece of public art of the city.

The bronze statue was made in New Mexico in three pieces: the waist up, the waist down, and the sword. It stands six feet tall, weighs about 375 pounds, and cost about $20,000. The statue is identical to one standing in Lafayette, Louisiana. It seems appropriate that Lafayette has a statue of its namesake in case anyone wonders why the city was named LaFayette, La Fayette, or Lafayette.

“A History Note” is presented by the Contra Costa County History Center, at 724 Escobar St., Martinez, using materials from the society’s collections. Open hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, from 9-4, and the first and third Saturdays, from 10-2. While the History Center is closed due to the coronavirus, check out its website: www.cocohistory.org or join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cocohistory

Thank You!

Your Donations Lift Us Up

BY LORI ORR, MS

In the early phase of the coronavirus crisis, shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) compounded the challenges faced by medical facilities that needed to provide medical care to seriously ill patients while protecting those patients and staff from infection. To address this shortage, many organizations, including ours, initiated PPE collection drives and started accepting masks, face shields, and other items from the local community. To those who answered our call for PPE donations - Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! You lifted us up with your generosity and thoughtful donations!

The first donation we received was from a construction company that donated their extra construction masks. Then, the parents from Dorris Eaton School organized a mask donation drive on our behalf that yielded one hundred N95 masks and goggles. Next, the Tri-Valley and Lamorinda Chinese American Communities donated hundreds and hundreds of surgical masks and face shields. There was a high school student who learned of our PPE drive and printed 3-D face shields, and a patient who generously donated hundreds of surgical masks through his business connections.

Through it all, countless numbers of patients and community friends donated their extra masks and sewed cloth masks, and we even received hundreds of cloth masks from a group called the Mountain Masketeers, who

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were sheltering-in-place in a mountain community far away.

The outpouring of donations and support has been overwhelming. These donations helped make it easier for us to remain open and continue providing high quality medical care for our patients, including performing necessary diagnostic imaging exams and oncologic surgeries and delivering radiation and chemotherapy. Our providers continue to see new and current patients with full clinic schedules as well as offer tele-heath visits via Zoom. Early on we implemented infection prevention practices and protocols in all of our facilities, including temperature and respiratory symptom screening and mandatory face coverings for all employees and patients.

If you or a loved one is in need of urology, surgery, oncology, or hematology medical care, please call us for an appointment. The health, safety, and well being of our patients and our staff remain our top priority. We are here and ready to take care of patients in a safe and secure environment.

Lori Orr is the chief operations officer for Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology Medical Group, Pacific Urology, West Coast Surgical Associates, and the Women’s Cancer Center of the East Bay, with offices in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Brentwood, and San Ramon.

Please visit their websites for contact information or to request an appointment, or call 925-677-5041. Donations still accepted.

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During the Pandemic

Should You Bring Your Parent Home from a Care Facility?

BY JEFFREY HALL, CPA, JD Probate /Trust Attorney

With the coronavirus pandemic hitting nursing homes and assisted living facilities especially hard, families are wondering whether they should bring their parents or other loved ones home. It is a tough decision with no easy answers.

The number of coronavirus cases in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the country continues to grow. A Washington state nursing home was in one of the first clusters of coronavirus reported in the United States, with at least 37 deaths associated with the facility. As of April 2, the Associated Press estimated that “at least 450 deaths and nearly 2,300 infections have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and longterm care facilities nationwide.” In New

York, nursing homes account for one in four deaths, according to one report. In Massachusetts, nearly half of the state’s coronavirus deaths have been in long-term care facilities. As of April 9, more than 700 cases had been reported in assisted living facilities in at least 29 states.

To contain the virus’s spread, most long-term care facilities are limiting or excluding outside visitors, making it hard to check on loved ones. Social activities within the facility may also be cancelled, leading to social isolation for residents. In addition, long-term care facilities face staffing shortages even in the best of times.

With the virus affecting staff as well as residents, facilities are having trouble providing needed care. Assisted living facilities, which are not heavily regulated, may have greater trouble containing the virus than nursing homes because their staff is not necessarily medically trained. With this in mind, many families are considering

bringing their loved ones home. A Harvard epidemiologist is warning that nursing homes are not the best place to house the vulnerable elderly at this time. And a local judge in Dallas has recommended that families remove their loved ones from infected facilities. Before taking this extreme step, however, you need to consider the following questions:

Is your family able to provide the care that your loved one needs? Some patients require help with eating, dressing, medication, and going to the bathroom. You need to consider whether you can adequately provide that care at home. How well can you prevent infection? Will you be able to prevent infection better than a nursing home? If your entire household is homebound, you may be in a good position to

prevent bringing home the virus. However, if one or more members of your household is working outside of the home, you will have to take extra precautions to make sure you don’t bring the virus to your loved one. Are you taking the necessary precautions to keep your house and yourself disinfected?

For more on the considerations involved, give us a call. Consult with your neighborhood estate planning attorney, Jeffrey Hall. You may visit his website at www.HallLawGroup.com or call (925) 2309002. We are a veteran owned -- veteran friendly law firm.

Disclaimer: this article is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice nor the establishment of an attorney-client relationship.

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www.HallLawGroup.com 925-230-9002 OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MAY 2020 | 17

Read My Mind

©

Clive Cussler

BY MICHAEL G. HARRIS, OD

This month I’m paying tribute to my favorite “pulp fiction” author, Clive Cussler, who passed away several months ago. His books have entertained me for decades. Cussler wrote over 90 novels, including The Dirk Pitt Adventures, The NUMA Files, The Oregon Files, The Isaac Bell Adventures, and The Fargo Adventures. If you’re looking for

action-packed adventures with cool superheroes and devilish villains, Cussler’s books are the ticket. Because of his love for water and boats, most of his books deal with adventures at sea.

Cussler, a Korean War veteran, began his writing career in 1965 and published his first adventure novel, The Mediterrane-

Where Does All the TP Go?

Central San hosts virtual tour and Q&A on wastewater treatment process

Ever wondered what happens to the water (and everything else) that goes down your drain? Central San’s new Virtual Treatment Plant Tour offers an inside look from the comfort of home. Explore

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interactive 360-degree photos of Central San’s wastewater treatment plant in Martinez along with an audio overview of each stage of the treatment process.

Discover how the district uses engineering and science to collect and clean more than 13 billion gallons of wastewater every year.

Central San is also hosting virtual Q&A sessions on May 13 and 27 to answer your questions about the wastewater treatment process. How does the treatment process kill coronavirus? What happens to all that toilet paper? Where does the water go when Central San is done with it, and how can each of us help protect our environment? Register to get answers to these questions and much more.

Explore the virtual tour and register for a Q&A session at: centralsan.org/virtualplant-tour About Central San

Central San’s mission is to protect public health and the environment through safe and effective wastewater collection, cleaning, and disposal. It also operates a household hazardous waste collection facility, provides recycled water for landscape irrigation, and promotes pollution prevention through various educational, informational, and inspection programs. Central San serves nearly 500,000 residents and over 3,000 businesses over 145 square miles in the central Contra Costa County area. It is operated by over 280 employees and a five-member elected board of directors.

an Caper, in 1973. It featured his ultimate superhero, Dirk Pitt, named after one of Cussler’s sons. Pitt was no mere adventurer; he was also a highly skilled marine engineer and special agent for a fictional governmental organization called NUMA, the National Underwater and Marine Agency. (More on NUMA later.)

While his first two novels were moderately successful, Cussler became a best-selling author in 1976 with his third novel, Raise the Titanic, a fictional search for the luxury liner that sank in 1912 and the secrets it held. The real Titanic was actually located in 1985 with an unmanned submersible used by a group of oceanographers led by the famous American underwater explorer Dr. Robert Ballard.

Attempts to raise the Titanic have been unsuccessful, although artifacts have been recovered from the doomed vessel.

None of these artifacts had any relationship to the secrets found in Cussler’s novel.

I’ve read most of Cussler’s books and really loved the adventures of Dirk Pitt and his colleagues at NUMA, Al Giordino, Rudy Gunn, and St. Julien Perlmutter.

Each of these characters has his own unique talents that help solve each thriller. Cussler shares his fictional hero’s love of classic cars. Both own dozens of expensive cars and drive them with great delight. Many of Cussler’s novels feature one or more of these rare and priceless automobiles.

The beauty of Cussler’s novels rests in the fact that each chapter mixes some daredevil feat of the hero and his crew with their unique brand of humor.

Pitt’s constant banter with his best friend, Al Giordino, even in the most perilous situations adds a special dimension to Cussler’s books. My favorite character is the eccentric and wealthy computer wizard, St. Julien Perlmutter, whose genius and inventions consistently help the NUMA crews escape the most dangerous situations.

Here’s what you can expect from a typical Cussler novel. The book starts with

an historical event involving a famous person or incident. An ancient or historical artifact of monumental significance from that period is lost or stolen. Both the hero and a sinister villain recognize the importance of the long missing artifact and try to beat each other to its location.

The hero and his crew almost die rescuing a beautiful damsel in distress who is kidnapped by this evil villain.

In the process, the hero’s crew dispatches most of the villain’s henchmen while the hero just barely escapes death numerous times. In the end, the hero kills the villain, returns the missing artifact to its rightful owner, thus preventing some major worldwide catastrophe, and sails off into the sunset with the beautiful damsel. You do have to put reality aside and “go with the flow” to truly enjoy the thrill of Cussler’s adventures!

What makes Clive Cussler even more special to me is the investment he made in real underwater exploration.

He uses the megabucks from his novels to fund the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA), a real non-profit organization with the same name as the fictional government agency that employs Pitt. Cussler and the real NUMA discovered over 60 actual shipwreck sites, including the Carpathia, the first ship to rescue survivors of the Titanic sinking; the CSS Manassas, the Civil War’s first ironclad, previously known as the icebreaker Enoch Train; and the H. L. Hunley, another Civil War vessel. It was the first submersible used to scuttle an enemy ship. Cussler wrote several nonfiction books about these discoveries and even spent his own money to recover and preserve the Hunley.

In these uncertain times of stress and anxiety, a little escapism can go a long way. If you’re tired of hearing and reading about the coronavirus and the economy, take some time to read any of Cussler’s books. While predictable, you will find them highly entertaining and just plain fun! And who can’t use a little more fun in our lives at a time like this.

Principalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner Dear Falcons and Community JOSEPH G. ALVAREZ PRINCIPAL COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL

Despite all the uncertainty in these challenging times, what I am sure about is we have a fantastic student body and school staff that are stepping up with clear expectations for themselves. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thank our faculty and staff members enough for their flexibility, professionalism, creativity, and care and for putting in countless hours to ensure our students are getting the very best. I am genuinely in appreciation of our teachers for the assignments they have produced in this distant learning platform.

While we have accomplished much, we also understand the unique environment and miss the in-person opportunities. Our online platform is robust, and we are creating practical and significant learning outcomes for our students so that they are progressing with new content. The in-person opportunities cannot be replicated, but the acquisition of new skills can still be learned and put into practice. We all miss the unique and amazing, day-today, on-campus interactions among students, teachers, and staff at College Park.

We are working to have in-person

graduation for the Class of 2020, but we are realistic and have a hybrid model as an alternate plan as well. Know that we are committed to doing everything in our power to enable us to return to our campus and provide opportunities for in-person student involvement and experiences beyond the academic, classroom experience.

District personnel are working on a plan for the 2020-21 school year and opening school as planned. Until we have an absolute resolution from Governor Newsom, we can only work on multiple plans to continue to ensure that a robust program of study is in place. We are planning for ongoing and intensive cleaning of all facilities, and we are looking at including personal protection if we are indeed able to allow personnel back onto campus.

Planning is already underway as we address multiple alternatives and scenarios. We will continue collaborating with faculty and staff to ensure that College Park continues delivering the high-quality educational experience our students expect.

We are committed to getting through this together and to come out stronger. We are working hard to help ensure we can return to the fantastic school that College Park is. Now is a time to come together and help each other. #weareone

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May Special for Curbside pick up Regular menu is also available for curbside pickup 1). May Carry out Special add $2 for Soup or Salad And $3.50 for both Soup & Salad Chicken Fried Rice $7 Combo Special: Gyoza, Edamame & Ca Roll $9 Chicken Teriyaki with Veggies Over rice $8.5 NY Steak Teriyaki with Veggies Over rice $10.5 2). May Carry out Two Sushi Roll Combo add $2 for Soup or Salad And $3.50 for both Soup & Salad Classic Roll Combo: Ca Roll & Spicy Tuna Roll $7.5 Crispy Roll Combo: Dynamite & Spicy Sunset Blvd $16 3). Carry out May Hibachi w/ mushroom appetizer, Veggies & Steamed rice add $2 for Soup or Salad And $3.50 for both Soup & Salad Hibachi Chicken Breast $16 Hibachi Shrimp $22 Hibachi New York Steak (Certified Angus Beef ÂŽ) $22 Hibachi Hot & Spicy Shrimp & Chicken Combo $26 Hibachi Fried Rice are also available: w/ Veggie $4.25 or Bacon $5.25 4). Beers Carry out Special On Tap 32 Oz $10: Sapporo, Kirin, Lagunitas IPA, Blue Moon, Sculpin Large Bottle $7: Sapporo, Asahi Supper Dry & Kirin 5). Cocktails Carry out: Bonsai Martini $8 Fresh Pineapple Infused Premium Vodka Mango Margarita $8 Tequila, Mango Puree, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Agave Syrup on the rocks Mosco Mule $8 Premium Vodka, Ginger Beer, Fresh Lime Juice Please mention for Curbside pickup when placing the order w/ credit card ready Good through May 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020. Cannot combine with any other offer.

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MAY 2020 | 19

THANK YOU JEFF

A Tireless & Devoted Volunteer Retires College Park Shares their Gratitude for Years of Dedication and Service

Jeff Eide was the perpetual school volunteer. He served as a yard duty supervisor and classroom dad and was known as the “lunch lady man” at Strandwood Elementary and Pleasant Hill Middle School. Eide took his volunteering to a whole new level when his oldest son started high school.

Aside from volunteering in different school programs, he served six years on the CP Athletic Boosters as vice president in 2015 and then as president from 2016-2020. As Eide’s second and last son graduates from CPHS this year, Jeff will retire from his active role as a devoted volunteer.

Being at the realm of CP Athletic Boosters was a big role in itself, but Jeff didn’t stop there. He was visible at every school sport, working with coaches and asking how the boosters could help. CP Athletic Director Jim Keck told us, “He was always on site troubleshooting scoreboard and PA issues at the last minute; coming up with solutions to keep our games in play; insuring our pop ups and tables were at games and events when requested; driving the golf cart from the parking lot to the stadium to help fans with mobility issues to see the games; manning almost

every snack shack at the stadium; helping coaches with questions about the boosters and team websites; and assisting coaches with uniform inventory when needed.”

Here are some results of Eide’s leadership at CPHS: • Ipad point of sale system for snack shack • Helped CP get its 2nd golf cart and set up a maintenance schedule • New softball scoreboard

“I would like to recognize Jeff for his tireless efforts to make the athletic experience for all of our kids a positive one. Jeff is someone who has led by example. His presences on campus and willingness to get his hands dirty (fixing the golf carts or assembling soccer goals) have been an invaluable asset to the athletic program and me. He leaves our athletic program and boosters with numerous improvements since he came in six years ago. Thank you, Jeff!” ~JIM KECK, CP ATHLETIC DIRECTOR “Your leadership and humility is always obvious. You never want credit or recognition and are always there to support in so many things. Congratulations on the next stage of your life.” ~ JOE ALVAREZ, CP PRINCIPAL “To try to encapsulate Jeff in an article, where we must be brief and to the point, might fail to actually convey all of who he is and all of what he does. I thought of listing all that I’ve seen him do for our soccer program, from running extension cords to assembling our new goals, from selling banner space to hosting team gatherings, from setting up senior night festivities to setting up our shelters. But the list would be too long and it would only cover soccer. What I’ve seen him do to 20 | MAY 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

• Stadium sideline shelters and new benches • Swimming aquatics mural • Helped push for new gym hoists in the main gym • Funded glass backboards in the small gym • Helped obtain storage containers for teams at the stadium • Acquired a new shot put throwing area • Tara O’Sullivan Memorial

In April, after receiving the final word

regarding school closures, Jeff shared his sentiments on Facebook: “After 15 years working and volunteering in the MDUSD, this has been my final year. Like our seniors, I too looked forward to celebrating the culmination of years of work, but it was not to be. I have a few obligations that will bring me back to the campus, but it is generally time to move on. Being actively engaged not only with my children but a ton of others and watching them grow from kindergarteners to high school seniors and beyond has left me with a lifetime of friends and memories. It truly has been an enjoyable ride.

I sympathize with all the seniors that lost their last year of spring sports and so much more. While graduation and Grad Night might or might not happen, these events are not what defines them. They haven’t been working these last four years for a ceremony or particular event; they have been getting ready for the next chapter of their life, and that starts now.

As Henry David Thoreau said, ‘Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.’ Good luck seniors. Your future awaits.”

help in all areas of our school is truly remarkable. What he chooses to do with his time is admirable. If the value of life is measured by the lives we touch and the differences we make, my friend Jeff Eide is leading an amazing life!” ~ERNESTO SILVA, BOYS SOCCER HEAD COACH “Jeff is one of my favorite people on the College Park campus. He helped the softball program get our new scoreboard, and he was constantly trying to help bring in new ideas to better the program. It was always fun helping Jeff on projects because his sense of humor never made it feel like we had a ‘job to get done.’

Even while having fun when working on projects, he always found a way to teach us something new. Jeff’s dedication to the students of College Park was evident in everything he did. We always knew he wasn’t there for himself; he was there for us.” ~CHLOE VAN BOEKHOUT, STUDENT AND ATHLETE “Jeff is the invisible 6th man for me. He is behind the scenes making things happen that nobody knows about. He is always there cheering everyone on and just wants the best for every athlete along with the school. He will be truly missed.” ~ AJSHA PULLIN, BASKETBALL PARENT

ABIGAIL RESTIVO, LACROSSE I miss showing up to practice and continuing to create bonds with teammates. I plan on attending Washington State University.

ALEXANDER (STEPHEN) HOEFT, VOLLEYBALL Favorite memory was our comeback win against Heritage in the last set by 2 points. I will attend UC Santa Cruz as an environmental science major.

ANDREW HAMANT, BASEBALL

ARIA HAMITER, LACROSSE

My favorite memory is last year’s senior night against Miramonte. I will go to school at Sac City and will wrestle.

I have enjoyed lacrosse for four years at College Park.

AIDAN ALENCASTRE, LACROSSE I plan to attend DVC and continue playing lacrosse there.

ALISON HESS, SOFTBALL I’ll attend USD for softball and psychology. Favorite memory is making 1st team all league. I miss finishing with the best team CP’s had in 20 years.

ANDREW MOREHEAD, TENNIS I miss being with the team during game days. I will be attending Brown University, majoring in biochemistry.

BAILEY KECK, TRACK & FIELD I’ve enjoyed my time with coach Castro and the other throwers. In the fall I will be attending DVC and working.

CAMILLA SCHUMACHER, SWIMMMING I will be taking a gap year to go to a one year sports school in Denmark.

ALEC SCHAEFER, TRACK & FIELD Best memory is when I threw 117’ 9” in discuss, my PR. I will attend St. Mary’s College to pursue a degree in education.

ALPHONSO PALERMO, VOLLEYBALL Favorite memory is being awarded MVP in the last game before SIP. Now I get to graduate holding the title. I’ll attend Sonoma State.

ANNA SZAKATS, SWIMMING My favorite memory is Roseville 2019.

I will attend Purdue University to study aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

BEN HUH, TRACK & FIELD John Michael made me laugh at track meets. I will study biomedical science at Southern Adventist University in Tennessee.

CAROLINA ESPINOZA, LACROSSE I miss playing. Training was my favorite part of the sport. I plan to attend DVC in the fall.

BRIAN CHRISTENSEN, BASEBALL My favorite memory is when I went for a ball in practice and got covered in mud. I plan to attend University of Utah to major in electrical engineering.

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MAY 2020 | 21

CHLOE ORMEROD, CHEER/STUNT My favorite memory is winning our fist game at College Park.

DANIEL RAMIREZ, TRACK AND FIELD I have played all four years at College Park.

ELIJAH YOON, TENNIS My favorite memory is mastering how to serve for the first time. I plan to go to DVC and take courses related to my business major.

EVAN BRUNO, TENNIS Favorite memory is winning of course. I miss not seeing friends and finishing our senior year together. Not sure which college to attend.

GREGORY BORISSOV, TRACK AND FIELD My favorite memory is beating my best 2-mile time by nearly 2 minutes at the Dublin Distance Fiesta. I will attend UC Irvine as a mathematics major.

CHLOE VAN BOEKHOUT, SOFTBALL Favorite memory is hitting a triple against Granada in our NCS game last year. I plan to attend DVC and play softball.

DEVIN MASONGSONG, SWIMMING My favorite memory is swimming fast.

I will be attending college and maybe swimming some more.

ELISA NGUYEN, TRACK & FIELD My favorite memory is when every thrower got a PR and the invitational meets. I will study pre-pharmacy at University of the Pacific.

GABRIEL STERRETT, TENNIS I miss tennis practice - the structure and exercise I will attend Sacramento State and play intramural tennis.

HAILEY KNAPP, TRACK & FIELD Favorite memory is breaking 29’ in the shot put and the thrower’s BBQ. I’ll attend DVC and transfer for animal science and genetics.

CHRISTIAN SALLO, LACROSSE I have played for 3 years and had to sit out 1 year with an injury.

DRU IGLESIA, LACROSSE Favorite memory is scoring 6 goals against Acalanes my junior year. I will attend DVC and hope to play lacrosse.

EMMA MENDOZA, LACROSSE I miss everything about my sport; the girls I played with and their support. I will study international business at San Jose State.

GERARDO MUÑOZ, VOLLEYBALL I have played all four years at College Park.

HANNA PRICE, CHEER/STUNT I miss pushing myself to do better.

COURTNEY SILVA, TRACK & FIELD Favorite memory is a funny mishap on the field after helping a teammate then falling together. I’ll study nursing at Chico and hope to run track.

EJ CHAN, LACROSSE My favorite memory is stepping up junior year and becoming goalie. I am attending Cal State Long Beach or Cal State Northridge (still undecided).

ETHAN GAIGALAS, TRACK & FIELD My favorite memory was easily running 4:34 on 1600 race. I plan to attend Cal Poly, SLO and major in industrial engineering.

GRACE HARRINGTON, LACROSSE Favorite memory is jumping in the school pool, fully clothed. I’ll attend UC Irvine to study ecology & evolutionary biology.

HUNTER WETMORE, SWIMMING Favorite memory is competing in Roseville with friends. I will attend DVC then transfer to Maritime Mechanic School.

22 | MAY 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

IMANOL FERNANDEZ, LACROSSE I miss going to practice everyday and playing. I’ll attend DVC and hopefully have a season there if this all ends soon enough.

ISAAC WINN, VOLLEYBALL Favorite memory was going to the Aptos tournament and staying at a house on the beach. I’ll attend Chico to study construction management.

JAMES GILLESPIE, TRACK & FIELD I miss improving in pole vault, which looked to be my best season yet. I hope to start a photography business and/or go to DVC.

JORDAN SCHLOSS, LACROSSE Favorite memory is winning a face off against Alhambra. If I can get on the team, I’d like to play lacrosse in college.

KATHERINE JENSEN, LACROSSE I’ve enjoyed every practice, my amazing teammates, awesome coaches, and great wins. I plan to go to Oregon State for environmental science.

ISABELLA HANKEN, LACROSSE I miss messing around with my teammates. I’ll attend UC Santa Barbara to study psychological and brain sciences.

JACKSON KECK, LACROSSE My favorite memory is beating Clayton Valley. I will be going to LMC in the fall.

JASON EIDE, LACROSSE My favorite memory is beating Clayton Valley in overtime my sophomore year. I will attend Gwynedd Mercy University to play lacrosse and study occupational sciences.

JOSEPHINA (JOSIE) HARTUNG, LACROSSE I miss competing. Favorite memories are cheering together after we won. I plan to attend Oregon State majoring in exploratory studies.

KELSEY ORTNER, SWIMMING Favorite memory is the excitement and team spirit at Roseville tournament. I will attend University of Washington and study English.

ISABELLA LERA, SOFTBALL I’m going to miss playing in general because we had so much potential. I will study computer science & engineering at UC Davis.

JACOB STERRETT, TENNIS I miss traveling to away matches. I will attend San Diego State and play intramural tennis.

JESSICA VINOGRADOV, LACROSSE I will miss the fun at practice and playing with my friends. I plan to attend Cal Poly SLO and major in civil engineering.

JOSHUA HALL, BASEBALL My favorite part of the sport is being with all my friends. After high school I plan on MAKING MONEY.

KYLE NGUYEN, LACROSSE Favorite memory is beating Clayton Valley in overtime, and securing a spot in NCS. I’ll attend DVC then transfer to study construction management.

IZAAC MINO-FOX, TRACK & FIELD Favorite memory was winning finals and getting MVP. Was hoping to beat the school record and go to state. I’m headed to DVC for track and psychology.

JAKOB STANTON, SWIMMING My favorite memory is playing card games with friends while waiting for our races. I will attend UC Davis to study history while continuing to write stories.

JOHN MICHAEL BELISON, TRACK & FIELD My favorite memory is getting 1st in the 200m freshman and sophomore year. I will attend Berklee College of Music in Boston.

KAI ARELLANO, BASEBALL My favorite memory is getting moved up to varsity my sophomore year. I’ll play baseball at Los Medanos College and study journalism.

KYLE PICKLE, TRACK AND FIELD My favorite memory is how I felt breaking 5 minutes during DAL championships. I will attend UC Davis as an engineering student.

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MAY 2020 | 23

KYLER SULLENGER, SWIMMING My favorite memories include the cheers, making new friends, and working on my stroke. I will attend DVC.

LUCY DAJANI, SWIMMING My favorite memory was breaking the 200 medley relay record at Roseville. I will attend Boise State University to study communications and political science.

MARI SHIELDS, CHEER/STUNT Favorite memory was giving our all as a team and winning the 4 games we participated in. I hope to join the U.S. Marines then college.

MITCHELL BRAY, TENNIS I really loved how my teammates and I improved our skills together over the years. I will study cell biology at UC Riverside.

MANUEL (RENO) MORENO, LACROSSE I enjoyed the camaraderie and already miss it. I will be attending a private college as a pre-med student in the fall.

LAWRENCE BRYANT, TRACK & FIELD My favorite memory is getting a PR after an extended period of time without sleep. I will be attending UC Merced!

MACLAIN SHAVER, SWIMMING My favorite memory from swimming was Luc unclogging the toilet with a plunger at Roseville. I will attend college in the fall.

MAXWELL SMALL, BASEBALL My favorite memory is throwing a complete game after we fought Acalanes. I plan on going to San Diego State University to study computer science.

NICOLE HANSEN, SWIMMING My favorite memory was going to the Roseville Tournament and hanging out with the team. I plan to go to college to pursue nursing.

RILEY LEDIN, LACROSSE Favorite memory is playing on the same team freshmen year with my older brother and scoring the OT game winner vs Clayton Valley. I’ll play lacrosse at DVC.

LUC LAMOUREUX, SWIMMING My favorite memory is the annual Roseville Tournament. I will be attending Chico State.

MALCOLM MONTES, LACROSSE I miss being able to go to practice. I will attend DVC and play lacrosse.

MICHAEL PEREZ, LACROSSE I miss playing and the people that were on the team and coaching staff. I plan to attend Los Medanos College.

PATRICK ROARTY, LACROSSE My favorite memory is my 1st varsity goal (assist Jason Eide) as a JV call up against Campolindo. I will attend Chico in the fall.

ROCKY SIZEMORE, BASEBALL Favorite memory was hitting a walk off against Monte Vista and hitting a homer against Serra in a tied game. I’ll attend Los Medanos College.

LUCAS STEPHENSON, LACROSSE I miss the bros. I will be attending DVC in the fall.

MARCO DUARTE, TRACK & FIELD My favorite memory is starting off the blocks and the adrenaline rush to outrun other competitors. I will attend DVC.

MIKHAIL HUZIY, TRACK & FIELD My favorite memory is running bleachers for the entire day while it was raining.

I will attend DVC to get my associates degree, get a job, buy my own car.

RENEE SPEER, CHEER/STUNT My favorite memory is definitely competing on the mat and shutting out teams 21-0! I’ll study biomedical science at Cal Poly or UC Irvine.

RYAN JOSEPH, LACROSSE I miss being able to spend time with my friends. I plan on going to DVC in the fall.

24 | MAY 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

RYAN KARPINSKAS, SWIMMING My favorite memory is winning the spirit award at Roseville freshman year. I will be attending UC Davis to study mechanical engineering.

RYAN YI, LACROSSE My favorite thing about this sport is the rush I get when stepping onto the field. I will be attending DVC in the fall.

SYDNEY MARTINEZ, SWIMMING My favorite memory is being able to be part of the NCS team. I will be attending Syracuse University to major in international relations.

TOBY CUSSIMONIO, LACROSSE I miss practice and game nights with the team. I was looking forward to senior night. I’ll attend DVC, work, and apply for a radiology program.

WILLIAM NOACK, TENNIS Favorite memory was playing tennis with friends on the team. I’ll attend University of Nevada-Reno, majoring in mechanical engineering.

RYAN KONG, LACROSSE My favorite part of the sport are the games with the boys. I will be going to Cal Poly SLO as an electrical engineering major.

SIERRA LEES, SOFTBALL My favorite memory is making a diving catch in the last play of my senior season. I will attend Linfield University to play softball and study business.

TAYLOR THOMAS, SWIMMING Favorite memory is during DAL finals I saw that I got a Futures cut by .01. I will be swimming for Pepperdine and study sport medicine.

THOMAS AUSTIN, SWIMMING My favorite memory from swimming was Roseville 2018. After College Park, I will be attending DVC.

WILLIAM VAN HOLTEN, BASEBALL I miss bonding with all of the seniors on the team. Will attend DVC in the fall.

RYAN SETO, LACROSSE My favorite memory is time spent with friends on the team. I plan to attend UC Santa Barbara and study psychology.

SOPHIA LUCIO, SOFTBALL I’ve enjoyed bonding with teammates and winning many hard fought games. I plan on attending Willamette University to play softball.

TEMERLIN BROWN, TENNIS I miss just joking around with my teammate during practice. I plan on studying health science at Southern Adventist University.

VINCENT LOUTHAN, LACROSSE Lacrosse brought out something in me that made me want to be there and put in all my effort. I will attend DVC and then transfer.

ZOEY WESTRATE, SWIMMING My favorite memory is singing on the bus ride back from Roseville. I will attend the University of Colorado Boulder and major in communications.

RYAN STANKOVICH, TRACK & FIELD Favorite memory is when I won triple jump for Frosh/Soph league. I’ll go to UC Santa Cruz and hopefully continue to triple jump.

SOPHIA OUM, LACROSSE My favorite memory is the water balloon fights at the end of season. I’ll play lacrosse and study physiology and neuroscience at University of Connecticut.

TIM MARTIN, TENNIS Favorite moments were pizza nights at Mountain Mikes. I plan to attend Point Loma in San Diego.

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MAY 2020 | 25

PAIR UP

Para Tu Madre For Your Mother

BY MARIA TERRY

Cooking at home has never been so important. With our country mired in the Coronavirus and restaurants closed for dining, here is a restaurant quality meal you can make for your family at home. If your mom does not live with you but is nearby, this is a meal you can pack up and take over to her. If she lives far away, you can probably order a meal similar to this from a restaurant to be delivered.

Then, like so many are doing, enjoy the meal together over an Internet connection. This special gesture for mom will make Mother’s Day feel a little less lonely.

Margaritas with chips and pico de gallo is a great way to start the day. Honestly, you can start this Mother’s Day party any time you want. If you think about it, what are margaritas but just fruit juice with a little extra kick? Here is a margarita recipe that my husband and I modified from one we found online. I happened to have an extra orange in the fridge that had no place to go, so I added it and, bam, what a difference. Just that little extra sweetness adds so much flavor. I think it brings out the orange flavor of the triple sec. Those who are serious can even add an extra float of triple sec on top. Michelada is a Mexican Bloody Mary. South of the border, this version is known as a Michelada Cubana. With a flavor somewhere between A1 steak sauce and a Bloody Mary, it is bold and

perfect with chicken fajitas. Note: Maggi is a dark liquid seasoning that is reminiscent of soy sauce but doesn’t contain soy. It can be found in Asian and Latin markets. If you can’t find it, soy sauce is a fine substitute. If you need more than just chicken fajitas, open up a can of refried beans and cook up this Mexican Red Rice. It all depends on how many chips you’re eating with your margaritas!

You’ll probably be pretty full after you get through appetizers and the main course, but later you may want something sweet.

Go full south of the border with this fun Tres Leches Cake (see website for recipe) that takes a few liberties on the classic recipe. I like the idea of making a cake that is “not your mother’s cake” for Mother’s Day! Coffee is perfect with a super sweet dessert. And, if you are looking to keep the party going, try making it authentic Café Mexicano (see website for recipe) by adding a little coffee liqueur and tequila!

So, go on. Pair Up!

Maria Terry is a certified sommelier and wine educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. www.LaSommelierre.com.

Guacamole NGREDIENTS 1 large avocado 1 small clove of garlic, chopped fine Salt (to taste) DIRECTIONS Mix all ingredients until smooth Yield: 1 - 11/2 Cups

..........................................................

Red Rice NGREDIENTS 1 Tbsp.vegetable oil 1 cup long-grain white rice 1/3 cup finely chopped white onion 1 clove garlic, minced 2¼ cups chicken broth 3 Tbsp. tomato paste 1¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1 serrano chile 1 fresh cilantro sprig DIRECTIONS In a large heavy saucepan, heat the vegetable oil on medium-high heat. Add the rice, onions, and garlic. Sauté until rice is opaque and fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, and salt. Mix well to incorporate evenly. Add in the chile and cilantro sprig.

Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until broth is absorbed and rice is tender, about 30 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve immediately.

Yield: 6-8 Servings

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Grilled Mexican Lime Chicken Fajitas NGREDIENTS 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. chili powder ½ tsp. garlic powder 1/8 cup oil ¼ cup fresh lime juice 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts DIRECTIONS Combine all ingredients for the marinade.

Marinate chicken in mixture for at least 2 hours in a resealable plastic bag or dish.

Drain chicken well.

Grill outside over medium-hot coals or gas grill for 5-6 minutes per side or until cooked through. Or, sear in a bit of olive oil on all sides in an ovenproof pan and finish in a 350º oven for 10 minutes.

Cover and rest chicken for 5 minutes and slice on the diagonal into ½” thick slices.

Serve with hot tortillas, sautéed peppers and onions, guacamole, and sour cream.

Yield: 6 Servings

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26 | MAY 2020 | OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM

Michelada CubanaMexican Bloody Mary NGREDIENTS Salt, for rimming the glasses ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 2 medium limes), rinds reserved Ice 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp. hot sauce, such as Tabasco 1 tsp. Maggi or soy sauce 1½ cups light Mexican beer, such as Corona Freshly ground black pepper for garnish DIRECTIONS Place enough salt in a wide, shallow dish to cover the bottom. Rub the rims of two glasses with the reserved lime rinds and dip the glasses into the salt. Fill the glasses with ice and set aside.

Place the lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and Maggi or soy sauce in a pitcher and mix to combine. Add beer last and stir gently. Pour into the prepared glasses, top with a few grinds of pepper, and serve.

Yield: 8 Servings

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Pico de Gallo Salsa NGREDIENTS 2 large tomatoes, diced 2 Tbsp. diced red onion 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro Juice of one or two limes 1 tsp. chopped serrano pepper (opt.)

Salt and pepper (to taste) DIRECTIONS Mix all ingredients.

Yield: 2 Cups

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Margarita INGREDIENTS ¾ cup lime juice ¼ cup orange juice ¾ cup simple syrup 1 cup tequila ½ cup triple sec DIRECTIONS Mix. Chill well. Pour over salt-rimmed glasses filled with ice.

Yield: 4 6oz. Servings

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IN THE MIX

In the Mix

Local Take on Sheltering in Place

BY PAUL COTRUVO

Welcome to the new normal. These days, writing a music column is a little tough, mainly because live music has stopped.

Now, I am a “glass is half full” kind of guy, so I have hope there will be music for all of us to enjoy soon. But for now, who knows? I do know when I get back to playing music I will need to lose the “COVID-19” pounds I have gained, but that is a story for a different day.

For this column, I would like to feature a few folks who run their own small businesses and check in on how they are doing and, of course, ask what their favorite quarantine song is.

Pleasant Hill’s Jeremy Carlson of C&O Travel says: Our household is surviving the SIP ok. In early January when the news reports kept getting more ominous, I had a feeling we were going to have a rough road ahead for a while. I became a little more mindful of the warnings that we get here in earthquake country about making sure we had enough to sustain us in an emergency, and no, that did not include toilet paper or paper towels - that has been a train wreck to watch! The first couple of weeks were not good because of the anxiety and fear of the lockdown and what it meant. But as time wore on, the “normalcy” of the SIP set in, and now, here we are. Ken and I are in the process of finishing an assortment of projects around the house, including a chicken coop.

Cannot wait to have fresh eggs!

My business, C&O Travel, has taken a hit because of the international travel stoppages during this event, but I know it will bounce back in the next year. This time has given us time to reflect on aspects of the business we want to focus more energy on in the future. C&O Travel is a full-service travel agency, with land, river, and ocean travel available. We love working with individual groups of all kinds and are experienced with creating travel programs for individuals in groups of up to 50 or more! We have a strong team of travel professionals who have a true passion for creating memorable

travel experiences for our clients.

I cannot say that I have a favorite quarantine song during this time. REM’s “It’s the End of The World” is fitting but probably a little clichéd. Personally, I love listening to anything from Edith Piaf. When I start feeling overwhelmed, the one song of hers that puts me in a happy place is “La Vie En Rose.” An awesome version of that song was a duet with Andrea Bocelli.

Graphic designer and marketer Edie Mustard of Mustard Splatter Design (one of my favorite names for a business) states: At first, the shelter in place did not seem like it would be challenging since I am a homebody and introvert, but not having travel plans to look forward to has been the most challenging, along with missing going to my gym. I miss seeing my sister, parents, and community friends and going to meet up at restaurants. My daughter was heartbroken that the end of her 8th grade school year was cut short and all activities canceled. Going to the grocery store is incredibly stressful now, and I try to avoid it if possible. At least my family and I have been taking care of all those put-off household projects like painting the bathroom, replacing door hardware, and starting kitchen updates.

Regarding my business, I have been super fortunate to have an established online business that helps others be online. I have been able to continue working with clients to promote their businesses and services and their availability during this pandemic.

All the shifts to virtual events have kept me busy! I am incredibly lucky, and my heart goes out to all the people who are not able to work or work in environments that risk their health. My family is trying to do our part to support our local restaurants by getting takeout at least once a week (and, of course, making sure to tip!). So far, my favorite quarantine song is the Tiger King Joe Exotic’s “Here Kitty Kitty,” covered by The Offspring.

For over 30 years, Prime Time Entertainment out of Livermore has been producing and providing production equipment for concert venues locally and nationally. Owner Jim Douglas says, “The goal has

been to minimize expenses where we can on a business as well as a personal level.

While we have not received government support, we do have lines of credit. Most of our employees have received unemployment but not all. That is something we are working on. Every day I reach out to clients to check in and see how people are doing. It is a scary time for everyone. Just hoping for the best. As far as favorite quarantine song, my fave is a brand-new rendition. With all the protests and wondering how to spend stay at home time during the Covid-19 pandemic, The White Album Ensemble decided to see how far we could get recording a song for something to do and not go crazy thinking, “What Does The World Really Need?” while observing quarantine restrictions. This entire video, starting with its 60-track audio recording, was done with never more than one person in the room.

Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZFSocfbFfdE

Wade Cantrell of Cantrell’s Computer Sales & Service on survival: Fortunately, I have Betty to SIP with - what a lucky guy I am! For fun and sanity, I am enjoying cooking & BBQing, walking in the neighborhood and local park, doing Sudoku puzzles, watching YouTube music videos, and planning my next garden project.

I am putting in quite a few hours into the business, working both “on” and “in” my business. Cantrell’s Computer Sales & Service is an essential business, so we have been working hard to keep our customers (both organizations and individuals) connected to the outside world while transitioning into a remote workforce. We generally have one tech working at the office, with everyone else (including me) working remotely. We are working with our customers by appointment only and solving most of the computer and IT problems using our remote technologies. When that is not possible, we set appointments for the customer to bring the failed equipment to our office, where we practice social distancing and disinfect the equipment, both incoming and outgoing. On-site appointments are rare and done on a case-by-case

basis after plenty of questions. Before going to sleep, I like to go to YouTube and watch live performances of some of my favorite musicians. As far as a single song goes, I find myself coming back nearly nightly to this YouTube video of “Rain and Snow” from Live from Here, featuring Chris Thile. Four members from Crooked Still (including singer Aoife O’Donovan and Brittany Haas on the fiddle) are part of the ensemble. To me it is more special since, according to a comment below the video, they played this song because of a suggestion from the audience without any practice (which adds to the spontaneity). If interested, visit https:// youtu.be/olIzL_5KnZI

Please support these and other small businesses if you can. We need them and they need us!

Paul’s Picks Paul’s Picks this month will look slightly different. I am now recommending some great virtual concerts on Facebook.

Martinez Music Mafia in conjunction with Armando’s is continuing the ever popular “Happy Hour & a Half” every Friday at 4:30pm on their Facebook page.

Sin Silver provides a live stream every Friday at 1pm (9pm Irish time) on her own Facebook page.

Pleasant Hill Rec & Park have started the “Gigs & Grub” series on Thursdays at 6pm, featuring a new act every week, and partners in with a local Pleasant Hill restaurant that offers a special for that evening. Live on the Pleasant Hill Rec and Park Facebook page.

The Veranda in Concord is going strong with live streams on their Facebook page on Saturdays, from 5pm -6pm.

Also in Concord, check out “Concord Couch Concerts” on the Concord Couch Concert Facebook page on Fridays.

The Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette has started a Thursday evening show at 7pm on their Facebook page.

As you can see, there is always a silver lining in tough times. There are so many other streams I will feature next time.

Stay healthy and see you soon!

OURCOMMUNITYFOCUS.COM | MAY 2020 | 27