Diablo Gazette • JUNE 2016 • Page 2 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette •(925)-298-9990
from the publisher by David King
School Year Ends School is wrapping up and we have plenty of articles about them in this edition. What a nice surprise that Blake Anderson and Kyle Newacheck, Clayton Valley High alums turned Comedy Central costars, co-creator, and director of the hit show “Workaholics” returned to Concord to help judge the hilarious high school competition Improv-a-ganza at CVCHS last month. That was a treat for the audience, performers, teachers, and Principal Jeff Eben (see story page 21). Diablo Gazette has entered into a new partnership with SportStars Magazine providing in-depth highlights of local athletes and teams, starting with this edition with a photo recap of this year’s top sports moments from 10 area high schools (pages 18 & 19). Call 925-2989990 for new advertising opportunities that will go in both publications. The “Freedom of Wings Tour” is coming to Buchanan Air Field in Concord this month. This is where you can look, touch, step into the few remaining WWII
bombers and fighter planes - or, you can fly in them. Heck, if you want, you can pay to actually fly the fighter plane, just don’t shoot down the JetSuiteX private jet. Those people will be returning from Las Vegas and could already be having a bad. Be sure to check out our summer recipes. We covered the whole course, BBQ, produce, and dessert. (page 10.) You can also go to our website where we archive all of our recipes. www.diablogazette. com. Grocery Outlet at the Clayton Station is giving away cases of Crystal Geyser Water. It’s summer. Free Water! You will need to bring the ad on page 3 and spend at least $30, which at their low prices, would be quite a lot of merchandise for your pantry. Thanks for everybody’s contribution to another excellent edition. More stories and photos are on our website. Be sure to go to our facebook page http:// www. facebook.com/diablogazette and “like” it. Sometimes we give stuff away there.
What Really Matters
by Dan Ashley, ABC-7 News Anchor http://abclocal.go.com
University of California System Denying Admission to California Students
This is the time of year when thousands of seniors around the Bay Area are graduating from high school and getting excited about heading off to college in a couple of months. It is a special time in a young person’s life and there is nothing quite like it. Many of those graduates are going off to the college of their choice, while many others have had to face a hard lesson about the reality of the state of higher education in California. The dirty little secret in the University of California system is finally out in the open. A scathing new report reveals what so many parents of college-bound seniors have long suspected. Spots to deserving, academically qualified students across the state, the new report finds, are being denied admission in order to make room for more out-of-state students. Why? Money,of course. Out-of-state tuition and fees are several times higher than what in-state students pay. That creates a seductive financial incentive to discriminate against Californians and it is clear that is exactly what is happening. The report, vehemently denied and denounced by University of California President Janet Napolitano, even accuses the university of lowering admissions standards for those young
people applying from outside our state as a way to lure them, and their parent’s money, to California. Keep in mind, the U-C system was designed to ensure that all qualified California kids get the chance at a worldclass education. But the scathing 116 page state audit concludes that is not happening, going further to accuse U-C of hurting California young people by denying them access in order to make room for out-of-state students who pay a premium to attend. That is wrong. Private schools can do whatever they want, but we are talking about a public university with a prime directive to give deserving young people from across the state first dibs at one of the best university systems in the country. What Really Matters is that U-C administrators and lawmakers stop dismissing the tax-payers who fund this system and fulfill the promise made to the young people of this state. But, for the moment, to all of our new graduates--- congratulations, enjoy a wonderful summer, and good luck in the Fall! Dan Ashley is an anchor at ABC-7 News and can be seen weeknights at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. on ABC-7 and at 9 p.m. on KOFY TV20. Contact him at Dan.Ashley@abc.com. Visit http:// www.rockwithpush.com for more on the band.
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Clayton Update Concerts In The Grove Park – We hope the cancellation of the first two concerts scheduled for Howard Geller, May 7th and Mayor of Clayton 21st did not inconvenience our patrons. With forecasts of rain and temperatures in the low 60’s, our outdoor concerts were not viable. We are hoping Mother Nature will cooperate the balance of our concert season. The good news is we were able to reschedule these two great concerts. Retromaniax will be
performing on July 9th and Larry Lynch and the Mob will be performing on July 23rd. Please add these to your concert schedule. Our opening day concert will now be on June 4th featuring Garrett Wilken and the Parrotheads performing a celebration of Jimmy Buffet and many other summertime music favorites. Clayton Valley Charter High School – With graduation around the corner, I am sure many students will be enjoying summer breaks, vacations and time with friends and relatives. Clayton Valley Charter High School offers freshman students their “Summer Bridge to Success Program.” This program is designed to prepare all incoming freshmen with an opportunity to get ahead in English and Algebra or learn valuable time management and organizational skills. Approximately 400 incoming freshmen will participate in this summer program. For returning students, CVCHS offers a “Summer Credit Recovery” program allowing students to complete classes online they failed or want to make up due to an earned “D”. Approximately 250
students will be attempting one or two courses during the summer. It is because of these types of programs CVCHS has been so successful moving their graduation rate up from 83% precharter school, to an impressive 98%. This rating equals the top rated public schools in our region. It is no wonder CVCHS has become the school of choice for students in the Clayton Valley and neighboring communities. Clayton Round Up – Relay for Life – Only a few dozen tickets left. Clayton “Old Timers” will remember the “Clayton Round-Up” formerly sponsored by the Clayton Business and Community Association. On June 11th, the Relay for Life teams are kicking off their fundraising season with the “Round-Up for Relay” to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Held at the Mt. Diablo Ranch (aka Easley Ranch) off old Marsh Creek Road, dinner will be a catered barbecue with a no-host bar. There will be two bands, starting with a Country Western band and ending with a great cover band playing your favorite dance tunes. Tickets can be purchased at: http://roundupforrelay.wix.com/ home Farmers Market – Looking for fresh grown produce? Then Clayton’s Farmers Market is the place to be. The market is opened Saturdays from 8 A.M. until noon. All the vendors are friendly and offer samples of tree ripened fruits, strawberries and vegetables to taste before buying. It’s a great destination walk to downtown. The Market promises to add more vendors as the season progresses and more of Clayton’s citizens find this treasure trove of fresh produce.
News from the Chamber Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce It’s been an active month for the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce which celebrated its 90th anniversary on May 4. This year’s UXL Awards winners were presented honoring Citizen of the Year, Business Person of the Year, Educator of the Year, Innovator of the Year, among other categories. These exceptional businesses and individuals were nominated by their peers for the outstanding difference they made the Walnut Creek community. The Chamber ceremonial ribbon cuttings welcomed three cosmetic additions to Walnut Creek business
profile : 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon, Dr. Haena Kim and Dr. Christian Kirman, and Aurora Organic Spray Tans. 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons stylists are specialists trained and experienced in the art of men’s haircuts/styling, straightrazor shaves, and grooming services. Dr. Haena Kim, Facial, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, and Dr. Christian Kirman, Aesthetic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery & Breast Microsurgery; while Aurora Organic Spray Tans signature products give clients the natural glow that they desire. Congratulations to the graduation of the 29th Leadership Contra Costa Class.
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WWII Historic Aircraft Comes to Buchanan Field As a fitting follow-up to Memorial Day weekend, and in honor of WWII Veterans, the “Wings of Freedom Tour” will be on display at Buchanan Field Airport in Concord from June 8 through June 12. Celebrating its 27th year, the Collings Foundation’s “Wings of Freedom Tour” visits an average of 110 cities in over 35 states annually. In that time, tens of millions of people have seen the B-17, B-24 and P-51 display at locations everywhere. Fortunately, Concord is one of those locations. It is a crowd pleaser. This is your rare chance to explore inside and out, even fly in some of WWII’s most successful aircraft: the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” WWII Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII Heavy Bomber and P-51 Mustang fighter. Learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history and hear actual stories and experiences from local veterans. The B-17 is one of only eight in flying condition in the United States, the B-24J and Full Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the World. The B-25 is best known for being used in the daring Doolittle raid. Collings Foundation requests $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft. There are discounted rates for school groups. As fascinating as this flying museum may be to see, imagine the thrill of actually flying in it. Yes, you
can take a 30-minute flight aboard one of these historical and rare aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $450 per person. B-25 flights are $400 per person. It’s the bomb! (pun intended) Or raise the excitement even more and get some “stick time” in the world’s greatest fighter! P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. It’s once in a lifetime, so go for it. For reservations and information on flight experiences call 800-568-8924. Tour times, Wednesday through Sunday, June 8-12 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above. The “Wings of Freedom Tour” is a flying tribute to the flight crews who flew them, the ground crews who maintained them, the workers who built them, the soldiers, sailors and airmen they helped protect; and the citizens and families that share the freedom that they helped preserve. The B-17, B-25 & B-24 were the backbone of the American effort during the war from 1942 to 1945 and were famous for their ability to sustain damage and still accomplish the mission. Despite the risks of antiaircraft fire, attacking enemy fighters, and the harrowing environment of sub-zero temperatures, many B-17s and B-24s safely brought their crews home. The P-51 Mustang was
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Memorialization by Edi Birsan,
Concord City Councilman
This Memorial Day there will be speeches about the fallen soldiers who gave all for our country with poignant examples of individual sacrifice. Some will recall the impact on the spouses and how it reverberated through their lives. Few will talk about the children and the hole it put in the fabric of their family tapestry. The PTSD felt by adult survivors can be brought out and described with therapy and counseling, but the children’s wounds are often not wrapped in the signs of outward depression and clear disorder; but rather in a void where something should have been but was not to be. Remember the children. The names of the fallen will be on plaques, gravestones and the memories of those that they touched. Their deeds recalled in some cases, and in few simply the emptiness of the loss that overshadowed it all. Yet for few there will always be the guilt of what could
have been if this attack path was taken rather than that, or what if another had been there instead. Then there is the time I recall a Memorial Day in Washington DC, at the Vietnam Wall of names, where a now elderly man stood and sadly asked no one in particular- “how much shorter would this wall be if I had been more effective in the movement to stop this war?” Remember those whose burden lives on. Originally designed as Decoration Day to honor the dead of the Union soldiers after the Civil War, it was finally expanded to include all American dead of that war, though several Southern States still hold separate memorial days just for the Confederate dead. Remember that some losses are never healed. Now Memorial Day remembers those who lost their lives in the armed forces of the United States. There will be picnics and a day of sales to draw those off work to the shops and parks. Always striking me as an odd thing to do on such a somber day of remembrance. Forget those. Remember those that are gone and for what their hopes and dreams were for us.
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Wow, What a Nice Guy by Carolyn McArdle Dan Ashley is a well-known anchor in the Bay Area, anchoring the KGO-TV 7 news every weeknight at 5pm, 6pm, 9pm and 11pm. He also is a columnist for this paper. He seems like a really nice guy! Guess what? He is! I met Dan last year as the Big 103.7 morning show was partnering with Dan and his team for Dan’s “Rock The Casa” event. Rock The Casa is a non-profit public charity that Dan founded for the purpose of benefiting charitable organizations that serve children in need. This charity is Dan’s passion. He genuinely cares. It was their 1st annual event and Eddie Money was the musical guest and Dan was excited. I didn’t know Dan at all prior to this interview, but as soon as he spoke, I could tell he was different from other celebrities that we had interviewed in the past. He was genuine. He was sincere. He made eye contact and listened to what I had to say. He was polite and respectful and well spoken. He was a pro. He had planned out every single minute of the evening. “Carolyn gets here at 6pm. Doors open at 6:10pm. The meet and greet with the band is at 7pm. The first band takes the stage at 7:30pm. Carolyn will meet Dan at 7:40pm backstage.
Dan goes on at 7:45pm. Carolyn introduces Dan at 7:50pm. Eddie Money is on at 8pm.” The detail was unbelievable. I would catch glimpses of Dan throughout the evening before Eddie took the stage and he was always running around behind the scenes, making sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing at the exact time that they were supposed to be doing it, all while he kept a calm demeanor and a smile on his face. You could tell how appreciative he was for the evening. All the money just to see Dan’s band “Push” and then Eddie Money perform after, went straight to Rock The Casa. The first annual Rock The Casa was a huge success! We did it again this past year. Same venue (Lesher Center For The Arts in Walnut Creek). Different band (REO Speedwagon). Same calm, cool, appreciative Dan Ashley. The night, once again was a smashing success. We will do it again next year and I can already tell you, based on the amount of heart and hard work that Dan pours into this event, next year will be just as good as this year, if not better. For those of you that have been watching Dan on the news every night, wondering if he’s truly as nice as he seems on TV, the great news is, he is! See you in 2017. Go to www.rockthecasa. org for more information.
Mt. Diablo Recycling Offering
Free Summer Camps
School may be out for the summer, but it’s the perfect time to learn about recycling and respecting the environment at Mt. Diablo Recycling’s (MDR) fourth annual free Summer Camp. MDR is offering two separate sessions that will each include a tour of their 90,000-squarefoot recycling facility and recycling trucks, recycling games and an interactive activity about the 5 R’s (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-RespectRecover) The June camp session will take place on June 15th and the August camp session is August 10th. Both camps are from 10 am to 12 noon, at the Mt. Diablo Recycling facility located at 1300 Loveridge Road in Pittsburg. Calif. The
camp is free, though reservations are limited to 25 children per session. “Respectful appreciation of our environment should be taking place year-round regardless of whether school is in,” said Joseph Garaventa, MDR’s Chief Executive Officer. “Mt. Diablo Recycling is committed to offering fun educational opportunities to our youth, who will be making contributions to our community for years to come.” To sign up for camp sessions contact MDR’s Adriana Medina by phone (925771-2721) or email (Adriana.Medina@ Garaventaent.com). For more information about Mt. Diablo Recycling: http://www. MtDiabloRecycling.com
Tourism Business Improvement District Helps Travelers Choose Diablo Valley Diablo Valley Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) has redesigned and refreshed its website, www.diablovalleyca.com, to better attract tourism and conventions to the Diablo Valley. “The formation of the TBID has created awareness for Concord — both as a leisure destination and as a business location,” said John Montagh, Economic Development & Housing Manager for the City of Concord. “We’re already experiencing a positive financial impact from increased room nights from large groups and events that are coming to the area vs. other Bay Area locations.” The new website reflects the success of Diablo Valley and the need to further differentiate the TBID from other Bay Area destinations. From its inception in June 2013 through June 2015, Diablo Valley has generated $2,163,812.01 in revenue from a 3 percent hotel room revenue collection from participating hotels.
“From amenities and itineraries to events and attractions, our new website provides the key information busy planners and travelers are looking for, said Diablo Valley TBID President Jack Hlavac. “It offers everything you need to make your decision to visit and stay here easier than ever.” The new website, which was created by the TBID’s agencies of record — Red Sky and Carew Co. — will help undecided planners and travelers to choose Diablo Valley as their home base to experience the best of the Bay Area. In a message to Diablo Gazette, Red Sky executive Amber Broeckel expressed confidence in the TBID’s future success. “Tourism continues to be a large driver of revenue for the State of California as a whole and Diablo Valley has been successful in attracting visitors, business travelers and meeting planners from the Bay area”.
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Saving For Your
Down Payment
Jennifer Stojanovich Realtor
5 Steps to Start Saving Enough for Your Down Payment If buying a home is in your future, one of the realities you’ll need to face is the need to save for a down payment. Depending on the type of mortgage you qualify for, you’ll need anywhere from three to upwards of 20 percent of the purchase price in order to close. While that may seem like a lot of money to come up with in one lump sum, it can be done with some forethought, planning and discipline. Here’s some of our best advice for saving money for your down payment. Determine what you can afford. One of the first steps you need to take when you’re house shopping is to get prequalified for a mortgage. Not only will this make you more attractive to sellers, it will inform you how large a loan you can reasonably expect to carry. That, in turn, will tell you how much you need to save for your down payment. Depending on what percentage you’d like to put forward as a down payment, your mortgage lender can then calculate your target home price. Remember, the larger the down payment you can manage, the less you will need to pay each month for private mortgage insurance (PMI) and the better the interest rate will be for your loan, so it’s best to save as much as possible. Find out if you qualify for a mortgage with a lower down payment. There are certain types of mortgages that allow
buyers to put down a significantly lower down payment than a conventional loan, including an FHA loan, a VA loan and a USDA loan. Each loan type has its own set of qualifications, and these may be a good choice for you if you fit the criteria. Decide on a timeframe. You probably won’t be able to save enough money overnight, so it is a good idea to give yourself a timeframe for saving this money. If you would like to begin your home search in earnest in three years, take the amount you need to save and divide it by the number of months you’ve given yourself to determine how much you need to sock away each month. Open a savings account. If you don’t already have a savings account where you do your banking, now is the time to open one. Most banks will allow you to set aside a fixed amount each month to be transferred from your checking to your savings, and automating the process will help keep you on track. Consider depositing one-time payments, like tax refunds, directly into your saving accounts, to reach your goal more quickly. Check your credit. Your credit can help you score a better deal on your interest rate as well as create more breathing room with your down payment, as long as your score is good. As soon as you’ve decided to start saving, check your credit report to make sure it is accurate. Sometimes credit reports contain inaccurate information that can hurt you. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to clean up your report and your credit score. Compliments of Virtual Results.
aRt Cottage
“All Creatures Great and Small” is the June exhibit at aRt Cottage. Many mediums by Frogard Butler will be on display featuring animals. There will be an artist reception on Thursday, June 9 from 7pm to 9pm. The public is always welcome to come meet the artists and enjoy refreshments and live music. The show opens June 7 and closes June 30. aRt Cottage is open Tuesday - Friday from 11am to 5pm and Saturday from 1pm to 5pm. Events at aRt Cottage are always FREE. These images are just a small sample of what you will find on exhibit this month. 2238 Mt Diablo St, Concord. http://www.artcottage.info
aRt Cottage dog guards, left to right J. J. , Einstein, and Keiko on their famous “perch” in front of aRt Cottage. Lithograph prints by M J Coleman from her animal selfies series.
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Book Review: The Life We Bury
bookends
by Jill Hedgecock,
Program Coordinator Mount Diablo California Writer’s Club jillhedgecock.com
Circling the Sun (2015, Random House LLFathers come in all different forms. In The Life We Bury (2014, Seventh Street Books, $9.14, 300 pages) by Allen Eskens, Joe Talbert, a college student struggling to deal with his bipolar, alcoholic mother, finds himself serving as a father-figure for his autistic brother, Jeremy. The book opens with Joe visiting an elder care facility as part of an English assignment. This results in Joe meeting Carl Iverson, a dying Vietnam vet and convicted murderer. But before Joe has an opportunity to interview Carl, he gets a call from his mother. She’s been arrested for driving under the influence, forcing Joe to pick up his brother and bring him back to his apartment. Caring for Jeremy results in a big perk; it affords Joe an opportunity to meet his neighbor, Lila, an attractive college student and wannabe lawyer. Soon Lila is drawn into the mystery of whether or not Carl Iverson murdered fourteenyear-old Crystal Hagen thirty years ago. Joe’s sleuthing soon uncovers discrepancies which lead him, with Lila’s help to question whether Carl is telling the truth that he didn’t kill Crystal. Eskens’ suspense novel is more than a page-turning, whodunit mystery. His
book delves into the complexities of secrets and family relationships. The absence of Joe’s deadbeat dad in his life results in Joe finding a father-figure in his mother’s father. But the untimely death of his grandfather when Joe is eleven has left him scarred. By far my favorite character is Joe’s special-needs brother. Jeremy’s autism could easily have been written as a cliché, but Eskens’ portrayal resonates with honesty. The setting for the novel is Esken’s home state of Minnesota. The descriptions of weather and snow shine with authenticity. Beyond memorable characters and a well-painted setting, interesting facts are sprinkled throughout the novel. Eskins, a criminal defense attorney, uses his novel to educate readers on nuances of the law and to define obscure philosophical terms such as Pascal’s gambit. The Life We Bury received the best debut mystery award under the Left Coast Crime Rosebud Award and was an Edgar award finalist. Eskens’ second novel, The Guise of Another released in 2015, about a Minnesota detective under suspicion of corruption promises to be equally intriguing. The Life We Bury would make an excellent Father’s Day gift, especially if Dad is a fan of John Grisham novels.
Film Review: Neighbors 2
moviemavericks
by Jason Rugaard www.moviemavericks.com
Stars1½
I’m sure everybody has dealt with an annoying neighbor at some point in their lives. Someone intent on adding an irritation to your life through intentional and often unintentional means. Currently, I’m dealing with upstairs neighbors that have feet etched out of concrete. I digress. The appeal of the original Neighbors was universal in its concept, and superior in its well-thought out execution. It treated its characters fairly and balanced raunchy with sentiment in proper measures. The sequel squanders its perfect set-up and exposes itself early as a comically lazy and particularly sloppy filmmaking effort from the once heralded director Nichols Stoller. Mac Radner (Seth Rogen) and his pregnant wife Kelly (Rose Byrne) are in the process of selling their home. A perspective buyer has thirty days to decide if they want the property. All is in order for a smooth transition until the unruly sisters of upstart sorority Kappa Nu move in next door. As the rush parties, drug dealing, and sexual behavior intensifies, the Radner’s turn to ex-neighbor and one-time enemy Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron) for help. Now, the trio are teamed in an effort to rid themselves of the rebellious sorority. However, the young women of Kappa Nu, led by the obnoxious Shelby (Chloë
Grace Moretz) refuse to give in and exact a series of pranks on the older couple next door. The increasingly unbelievable scenario gets so outlandish that the girls would have to be ninja’s to pull off their revenge plot. Once of the greatest sins a filmmaker can commit is to hang his actors out to dry on-screen, letting them make a fool of themselves. Moretz is one of the best talents amongst her peers, but she is just awful here. There can be no other explanation than Stoller having no handle on the story or her characters. Meanwhile, Efron (once again) is mostly in a state of undress and gets another chance to show off his dancing and singing capabilities, his acting capabilities have yet to be seen. Neighbors 2 wants to position itself as a progressive comedy, with a gay main character, and a theme of female individuality. Having the girls act just as immature, raunchy, and shallow as the boys is not groundbreaking in 2016, even if the filmmakers think so. This is old-hat material parading itself as fresh and representative of the era. I suggest you revisit any of the American Pie films and you’d find bigger laughs and more rounded female characterizations. Director: Nicholas Stoller Stars: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Chloe Grace Moretz
Life Around Mt. Diablo Photo Feature by Charles Lindsey of CSK Photography
Killian, enjoying bubbles. Dogs are now happy that the Newhall Dog Park in Concord has reopened after being closed for maintenance. Photo by: Charles Lindsey of CSK Photography PHOTO TECH SPECS: Camera: Nikon D700 | Lens: Nikon 24-70mm @45mm Settings: 1/800, f2.8, ISO1250
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Concord High Engineering Project:
Build a House Concord High School students are building an actual house as their class project. It may be tiny, and on wheels, but it is a real house. The tiny house is built on a 8’ x 20’ trailer. The plans were donated to the class by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. They are constructing the Cypress Equator model. Tom Trowbridge has taught Building Trades and Engineering which includes wood shop, construction tech, civil engineering and architecture at Concord High for the past 11 years. “It has always been my goal to provide my construction students with an authentic project.” Tom says. “In the past, we have built models and mock-ups. Students would learn the fundamentals, but they weren’t learning how to work on a real jobsite. They didn’t learn how a project is staged, built in phases and how it all comes together.” Tom explains. Basically, with models, it’s tough to see how a small decision early in a project can come back, have to be dealt with… while delaying your progress. By actually building, students also learn valuable safety lessons Photos by Mikah such as how to work safely on a crew in a sometimes hectic environment. “I need to point out that when I say we are building, what I really mean is the students are building.” Tom clarifies. This truly is a student project. They have taken ownership of the project and are extremely proud. And why not? Who of the rest of us ever built a house in high school? “We have had tremendous amount of support from our community for the project. The County ROP program, teachers, parents, and local businesses have come together to get this project where it is now.” Support from Ashby Lumber and West Coast Windows and Doors have been “huge!” The project is slated to be completed on June 5th as school ends. “What we need to purchase to finish this project by June 5th are plumbing and electrical fixtures and materials. Shower, toilet, kitchen & bathroom sinks, water heater, stove, lights, waterpump and water storage tank, propane tanks, and the materials to plumb and install all of this. The suppliers we had lined up for those donations have not worked out.” So if you thought wood shop was a thing of the past, Concord High has elevated the game. These classes that can get these students on the way to building trade degrees, and skilled high wage jobs. Once the Tiny House is finished, it will be sold and the money will fund next year’s project. “Each of my students can build on for the rest of their lives with technical and work ready essential skills they learned here,” Tom says proudly.
Contra Costa Chinese School Touted as “Best Chinese School in the East Bay” That is quote from a 10th grade student at Contra Costa Chinese School posted on their website. This a quiet, small school specifically designed to teach Chinese language and culture. The school attracts three types of students. Those who are non-Chinese speaking but want or need to learn it, those who are students of immigrant parents, and those who are direct immigrants. Each group represents about a third of its total student population. The school was established in 1976. Since its humble beginnings, it has expanded into a respected and well-established Chinese language school for students in grades K-12. Classes are held on Saturdays at the Diablo Valley College campus. The School provides a complete pre-college Chinese language program, which is equivalent to many college level curricula. With over 350 students, 30 teachers, and 250 families attending every Saturday, the School is among the largest and oldest Chinese schools in Northern California. On a typical school day, students attend two hours of language instruction, morning or afternoon. Cultural Enrichment Program (EP) courses are also offered in the afternoon. The EP program introduces students to a wide range of skills and Chinese arts, including Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, western painting, Chinese knots, abacus and mental math, Chinese dancing, Chinese chess, Chinese martial arts/ kung fu, Chinese yo-yo, Applied Chinese conversation, Chinese poetry, homework tutoring, and basketball. In the lower grades (K- 4th grades), the School offers dual track teaching
in phonetics and pinyin for traditional and simplified Chinese texts. In the upper grades (8th grade and beyond), the classes use Integrated Chinese textbooks, the same texts used in U.C. Berkeley Chinese language courses. The high school accreditation program
allows high school students to secure their foreign language credits at numerous local school districts. Chinese SAT II and Adult conversation classes are also offered. The school also provides many events and activities such as Spring Festival and Lunar New Year celebrations, field trips, teacher and volunteer appreciation lunches, floral design classes, meet and eat for students and parents, and Tai Chi classes. Read some of the comments from past students on their website, and you will get a feel of the immersion into the Chinese culture the school provides. Contra Costa Chinese School is enrolling new and returning students for the 2016-2017 school year. Summer camp classes are also available from June 20 to June 30 at the DVC campus in Pleasant Hill. Interested parties can visit and sit in classes to observe instruction. For more information, go to http:// www.cococs.org/site/.
Diablo Gazette • JUNE 2016 • Page 8 • www.DiabloGazette.com | www.fb.com/DiabloGazette •(925)-298-9990
DIABLO GAZETTE FUN ZONE 13 Fun Facts You’ll Never Need to Remember
That’s why we wrote them down for you: 1.Banging your head against the wall trying to lose weight? Maybe you should start. It burns 150 calories an hour. 2.Did pteradactyls have pteronophobia? Perhaps, it’s the fear of being tickled by feathers. 3.The average woman uses her height in lipstick every 5 years. That’s one large lipstick. 4.During your lifetime, you will produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools. But I’m not sure the kids will wait that long. 5.The Pinnochio Paradox. If Pinocchio said the statement “My nose will grow now” it would cause a paradox. If his nose does grow that would mean he wasn’t lying, but if he wasn’t lying, his nose wouldn’t grow. But if it doesn’t grow that would be a lie… so his nose would grow… but then the statement wouldn’t be a lie… so his nose wouldn’t grow… you get the idea. Basically, his nose would have to grow to make Pinocchio’s statement not a lie, but then it can’t grow otherwise the statement would not be a lie. The Pinocchio paradox was thought of in 2001 by an 11-year-old called Veronique EldridgeSmith – the daughter of Peter EldridgeSmith, who specializes in the philosophy of logic. The article was first published in the journal Analysis, and the Pinocchio paradox rapidly became popular on the Internet. 6.If you have a pizza with radius Z, and a thickness of A, it’s volume is PI*Z*Z*A. 7. 55 percent of Americans think they are smarter than the average American. 8.Odd and Even are popular male names in Norway. 9.The only member of ZZ Top without a beard is Frank Beard. 10.Math Quiz: Without changing the order of the series 123456789, can you create an equation by inserting the functions so that the total equals 100? For example, 123 – 45 – 67 + 89 = 100. We know of three more scenarios. (answers at end). 11.The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is “uncopyrightable”! 12.Cows moo in accents specific to their region, just like humans. “Moo Y’all.” 13.Wrigleys chewing gum was the first product to feature a barcode. It was on a a 10pack of Juicy Fruit gum from Chicago-based Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. The bar code was scanned at 8:01 a.m. on June 26, 1974 at Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio.
Word Search Puzzle
Did you know that Mt. Rushmore was supposed to look different?
EDITOR WANTED
Councilman Edi Birsan is quite the Renaissance man. Now he is trying his hand at journalism and has submitted his column of newsbits to us. As editor, check his facts. Can you find any mistakes? (Answers next column.) OIVE GARDEN, SEENOW FOREST, AND OTHER MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO THE VALLEY It is now a widely held secret that John Montana of Concord City Staff is in negotiations with Olive Garden to put up an establishment along the south side of East Street downtown, with an alternative spot being the intersection of North Fifth Street and Fifth Street providing several red tagged structures can be razed. Meanwhile it is now being spoken of in certain circles that after a dizzying discussion between grandson Jacky Seeno and Grandfather Alberto Senior, that there will be a a planting of 10,000 trees along the south edge of the Concord Naval Weapon Station that is already marked off for a greenway. While local sensibilities may be opposed to the name Seeno Forest, maybe the SeeNow Forest Park would be acceptable. The Historic Society of Concord is now looking over the newly unearthed Galindo-Pacheco Deed of Gift which established the 125 acres of what was once called Todos Santos and renamed officially 4 years lateras Concord. It would appear that there is a legal case to
be made for the inclusion of the town of Pacheco since Don Salvio Pacheco was one of the Grantees and it referred to Pacheco-Lands in the deed. Martinez is expected to object. Meanwhile the Concord City Council law office has received a complaint from a local residents noting that the City of Richmond has passed an ordinance banning all Alien Space Weapons from the air over Richmond. “Space Aliens have a Second Amendment Right and we do not want it here, ” noted one of the pale green constituents from Blarney Lane off of Treat Boulevard this last March 17th. Meanwhile a Todos Non-Amicus Brief was filed by a Tump supporter from Danvielled asking it to be amended to apply to only Spanish speaking Space Aliens.
Answers
1. There is no John Montana, there is a John Montagh that does Economic Development. There is also no intersection between Fifth Street and North Fifth Street 2. No Jacky but there is a Jackie and she is the Grand-daughter not son. Also Albert (*not Alberto) Senior has been dead for a while, so unless there was a séance I doubt the conversation took place...but it is still a great idea for a community benefit donation ...hint, hint. 3. The official renaming of Todos Santos took place more than 37 years later when the Town of Concord was established and was incorporated under California laws. There is no reference to Pacheco Lands...though we would of course expect Martinez to object to the annexation of Pacheco which they have been trying to annex for a while. 4. It is true that the City of Richmond has a ordinance banning Space Weapons...aliens are not specifically called out, but the last check with Mayor Butts (real name) of Richmond is that it must be working since there has been no recorded violations of the law. Of course the good citizens of Concord have not complained about it. Blarney Lane does in deed go off of Treat and I do recall someone with Green Hair on a St. Patrick’s Day staggering down the sidewalk. Danville is probably a better spelling of Danvielled though I do not recall if there was a Dan elected to their City Council so maybe Danvielled is a nickname of sorts for the Dan’s of the valley. I know no Trump supporter that has filed a brief *(though they may wear them) and a Non-Amicus Brief does not exist...at least not yet. 10. Answer 123 + 4 – 5 + 67 - 89 = 100; 123 -4 - 5- 6 7 + 8 – 9 = 100; 1 + 23 -4+5+6+7 8-9= 100
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Ayers Elementary Wins MDUSD Rocketship Approval by Richard Eber
Rocketship is a network of public K through 5 charter schools serving primarily low-income students in neighborhoods, has received approval to start-up at Ayers Elementary in Concord, despite a lengthy process of objections by educators and parents. Ultimately, because of proposition 48, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson decided that those who opposed Rocketship Concord had no basis of objection. And after a contentious hearing, the State Board gave Rocketship Concord the green light to begin operations by nearly a unanimous vote. The MDUSD and their advocates in the California Teachers Association (CTA) are still unhappy that Rocketship will be operating in their home turf due to the lack of unionization for this charter school. Despite the fact that all Rocketship classroom teachers are credentialed and receive 300 hours a year in vocational training, they have often been depicted by the union to be unqualified. At a recent town hall meeting hosted by Assemblywomen Susan Bonilla, (D) Concord, and Senator Steve Glazer (D), it was asked why should Rocketship be allowed to exist with so many people opposing them? “No student has to go there.” Glazer replied. “It is parental choice which determines where students are to be enrolled. This is more important than other people’s opinions.” Ayers Elementary became the designated location, several miles away from the Monument Corridor where most of their targeted students reside. Now it is up to parents and families to determine if they want their kids to attend Ayers.
During the approval process, no one from the MDUSD had admitted to have actually visited a Rocketship site and so with a small group of parents and educators from Concord, I went to see first hand how it operates. How do they educate children primarily from Latino households where English is a second language and turn them into highly performing students? We visited Mateo Sheedy elementary in
with traditional public schools are quite pronounced. As we entered the small courtyard, which also serves as recess area and a point of congregation for its 800 students, we noted the banners of colleges including Stanford, Harvard, Yale, UC, Michigan, prominently displayed. From the moment a child arrives at Rocketship and dons their purple or green shirts, they are encouraged to reach for the stars. The school day is much longer than public schools with a daily schedule beginning at 7:45 am and ends at 4:15 pm, eight hours and lunch. Each student is provided with healthy breakfast and lunch served by Revolution Foods -- once featured on ABC’s Good Morning America – an Oakland-based company started by two mothers (also former teachers) that has since served over 200 million meals across the country, made possible because every student in the school qualifies for Federal programs that pay for these services. Parental involvement is strongly encouraged, and Rocketship personnel routinely make home visits to student residences to establish stronger family
standards. GLAD utilizes cultural differences in teaching methods. The accelerated process estimates that for every year of school attended, the language acquisition skills the students gain is equivalent to a year and half of learning. By fifth grade, Rocketship students’ language skills are far advanced. During my visit, I attended Ms. English’s humanities class. It was Famous American Women Week and the topic that day was aviator Amelia Earhart. Class discussions were timed. Ms. English asked pointed questions and challenged students to give their input. Those who disagreed shook their hands and were given the opportunity to voice what they learned. At the end of the segment, the egg timer was reset and the classroom discussion moved to a different topic. It was fast paced, yet all of the students seemed to be engaged in the learning process. In addition to gaining English competency, emphasis is also placed in other areas of STEM (Science, Technology, English, and Math). I was impressed with the math class. The topic of the day was building a bridge. To keep it interesting, fourth grade teacher Michael Yeung incorporated engineering and physics with a discussion of how much weight the bridge could support. The tactic
the humanities, reading, writing, language arts, social studies, and history. 100 minutes are devoted to STEM with the emphasis on math and science. This is augmented by 100 minutes in the learning/ computer lab. Other enrichments such as PE, gardening, and art have 40 minutes per day allocated to them. Lunch is served in the classroom in order to save time. There is no cafeteria. After touring Rocketship’s campus, I find it difficult to understand why there was such an outcry against opening a school in Concord. No one is forced to attend the charter school. If parents
bonds in this educational process. Socialization skills start in Kindergarten. As most students have limited English language skills, they are put on a fast track to language competency starting day one. The class I visited had four volunteer moms with the teacher reading stories in both English and Spanish. Rocketship utilizes the GLAD ( Guided Language Acquisitions Design) teaching
engaged the students and math became relevant as they learned. An important component of the Rocketship educational model includes computer laboratories and tutoring clinics which take an average of between one and a half to two hours per day. Critics from MDUSD has argued that most of the personnel were non-credentialed and that many are teachers in training and volunteer parents who help out. Rocketship defends this practice because time spent in the labs is supplementary to the 6 hours of class time they receive each day. They believe the labs enrich the educational experience and increase the achievement levels of each student. Credentialed personnel are not required. During the average extended school day, 200 minutes a day are spent in
do not favor this participation-style of learning, they can enroll their kids in other MDUSD neighborhood schools. Cindy Vavarro, a Concord resident said, “After visiting the Rocketship school, I had a chance to experience the inspirational and supportive environment. I want my children to succeed, and Rocketship brings a great option to parents and families here in Concord for an excellent education.” Even though most of their students come from households where English is a second language, this does not preclude other families from having their kids attend a Rocketship Academy. “Once kids get integrated into the program, racial and social backgrounds are secondary to the learning process,” said Jason Colon, who will be the first Principal of Rocketship Concord this fall. Presently, Colon, is the assistant principal at Mateo Sheedy. “I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to offer the exciting learning experience Rocketship provides to both kids in the Monument area but also children from different backgrounds in the entire community,” he said. School offices are adjacent to the Los Montanas Market at the shopping center at Monument and Walters Way.
San Jose. This school has been operating for ten years. It’s educational mission and methodology clearly states “By rethinking education from the ground up, we will eliminate the achievement gap in our lifetime.” Its differences
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The Diablo Gazette’s
June 2016
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FUNDRAISERS
Pancake Breakfast - Supporting Veterans of foreign Wars – 2nd and 4th Sundays includes eggs, pancakes, sausage, beverage. 8 – 11 a.m. Willow Pass Road, Concord $5, $3 Children under 12. http://www.vfwpost1525.org Thursday, June 2 Denim and Diamonds Gala – 6PM-10PM Concord Pavilion; BBQ, Dancing, Music, Live Auction and More. Presented by Contra Costa School of Performing Arts (SPA). General admission $50. For VIP sponsor and ticket information contact: michaelberry@cocospa.org. Saturday, June 4 Cobra Day Car Show - 12:00 – 4:00 pm. 777 Arnold Drive in Martinez. Enjoy cool cars, lunch, ice cream beverages , beer cars and camaraderie. The Show will feature over 150 Ford cars produced or reproduced through the 70’s. The event is free to attend as a spectator. Those who make a donation of $20 or more will have an opportunity to ride in the “Final Cruise Lap”, a short drive at the close of the show. Rides are limited, pre-designated and you must be present to participate. Application Deadline is May 21. Proceeds to Benefit The Cobra Experience, a non-profit museum committed to the promotion, conservation, education and preservation of the cars produced by Shelby American. Tax Id – 46-4161030. Visit http://www.cobraday.org for applications and more information. Now through July 3 “Hand to Heart” exhibit at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley is focusing on quilts, wood crafts, and other objects made to benefit the community. Diablo Woodworkers, both men and women build beautiful creations out of wood which they sell to raise funds for battered women’s programs, teaching disabled veterans, and a variety of children’s causes. For additional information contact: Carmen Curtis 837-9781 or Donna Hardman 820-1262. 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville.
Mt. Diablo Branch California Writers Club
LeeAnne Krusemark will present “Writing Irresistible Query Letters” at the next meeting of the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club (CWC) on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. LeeAnne Krusemark will discuss: What to include and leave out, how to establish credibility in your query, how to create an effective “elevator pitch” and other query letter essentials. She is an adjunct online publishing professor for Harvard, and more than 1,000 other facilities worldwide, a speaker, former journalist, editor, and author of magazine articles and several business books. She also represents writers as an editor and agent. Sign-in is 11:15 am. Luncheon 12:0012:45 pm. Speaker 1-2 pm. Registration is $25 for CWC members, $30 for guests. Reservations are required, and must be received no later than noon on Wednesday, June 8th. Contact Robin Gigoux
CLUB/SUPPORT GROUP EVENTS
at cwcrobin.gigoux@yahoo.com or by phone at (925) 933-9670. Expect confirmation only if you e-mail your reservation. For PayPal, click “Buy Now’ on the Mt. Diablo website: http://cwcmtdiablowriters.wordpress.comnext-program.
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown Presented by Crosslight Theater Conservatory
June 3-12, 2016, Don’t miss this musical classic for all ages based on the beloved comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. We follow hapless but always hopeful Charlie Brown and his friends through a day made of little moments of all the days of Charlie Brown. From Valentine’s Day to baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening. By the end of the day, they understand what “Happiness” is. Tickets Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, www.lesherartscenter.org
OUTDOORS: •DANVILLE: First Sunday of every Month: Cars ‘n Coffee, On the First Sunday of every month, automotive enthusiasts gather in the parking lots of the Blackhawk Automotive Museum to share their vehicles and admire the other fabulous classics, exotics, rods and anything else with wheels and a motor. There is no fee for Cars & Coffee. Also, the Museum opens at 9am on Cars & Coffee Sundays. 8am-10am , Blackhawk Museum • 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle • Danville p:925.736.2280 • museum@blackhawkmuseum.org, http://www.blackhawkmuseum.org/ carsncoffee.html •CONCORD: Todos Santos Park OFF the Grid Mondays •WALNUT CREEK: Off the Grid Every Tuesday; 1380 N. California Blvd. from 5-9pm; Live
music from 6-8 pm featuring, Quinn Deveuax , Food truck lovers rejoice! The community of Walnut Creek can come together to enjoy a variety of Off the Grid food trucks, live entertainment, wine and beer garden, and lots of tasty reasons to come back every Tuesday with family and friends for this ongoing weekly event. The rotating lineup of nine food trucks in Walnut Creek will include: Drewski’s Hot Rod Kitchen, Gyro Stop Kebab G, ADOruBOwl, and IzzyA’s Frozen Custard Find the full lineup available at http://www.offthegridsf.com.
The 8th Annual Flash Fiction Challenge is Open for Registration!
The Flash Fiction Challenge is a competition that challenges writers around the world to create short stories (1,000 words max.) based on genre, location, and object assignments. Each writer will participate in at least 2 writing challenges and as many as 4 depending on how well they place in each challenge. The competition begins with the first challenge starting at 11:59PM EDT on Friday, July 22nd. Writers receive feedback from the judges for every submission and there are thousands in cash and prizes for the winners. Sound like fun? Learn more and join the competition at http://www.nycmidnight.com
Thursday August 4 Mt Diablo Amateur Radio Club - Ham Radio “EXTRA License” Training class starts. Thursday 08/04 at 06:30 pm (The EXTRA license is the 3rd and highest level Ham license) Morse Code is no longer required. Registration required so we can electronically send you class links and notices - Email: HamRadioClass@gmail. com and you will receive a registration form. Classes are held at The Salvation Army Corps, 3950 Clayton Rd., Concord CA 94521, Fireside Room Registration required Email: HamRadioClass@gmail.com
FAMILY EVENTS Home & Garden/Farmers’ Markets • Clayton Farmers Market Saturdays 8am to 2 pm • Concord Farmers Market Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm, year-round, rain or shine, Todos Santos Plaza. • Concord Farmers Market Thursdays, 4pm to 8pm, Todos Santos Plaza. • Martinez Farmers Market, Sundays, 10am to 2pm, year-round, Main St. and Estudillo. • Walnut Creek /Diablo Valley Farmers Market Saturday 9a.m. - 1 p.m. Shadelands Business Park, N. Wigett Lane and Mitchell Dr. • Contra Costa Certified Farmers Market Sundays 9 am - 1 pm, Year Round, North Locust St between Giamona and Lacassie St. (925) 431-8361 http://www.cccfm.org •Galindo Home and Gardens - 1721 Amador Avenue, Concord CA (map) Visit the fully-restored 1856 Victorian home of Francisco Galindo, one of Concord’s founding fathers, and his wife, Maria Dolores Manuela (Pacheco) Galindo. This includes the 1875 addition by Francisco Galindo’s son, Juan “John” Galindo. Tours are Sundays 1pm – 4pm and by appointment. For further information, contact the Concord Historical Society www.concordhistorical.org •Wings of Freedom Tour - Buchanan Air Field in Concord. June 8-June 12 9AM-5PM. Come see the historical workhorses of WWII aircraft. Tour inside these rare aviation artifacts, take a once in a lifetime 30-minute flight in an actual B-17 or B-24, or B-25. or take the controls of the world’s greatest fighter
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CALENDAR CONTINUED plane the P-51. Tours $12 adults, $6 children under 12. Call 800-568-8924 for flight reservations. For more information http://www.collingsfoundation.org. • First Wednesdays Street Festival This family-friendly evening includes live music, a street full of local vendors, arts and crafts, and the aroma of tasty treats, both sweet and savory, under festive Tivoli lights as families stroll down Cypress. Free hot chocolate and apple cider are available to warm up the winter night. Every first Wednesday through June 2016. Admission: Free! Cypress Street, closed for foot traffic only between N. Main Street and Locust Street. Go to http://www.walnutcreekdowntown.com for more information. • PAWS de Tutu dog costume competition and parade Saturday June 18 form 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lafayette Reservoir. Benefits Diablo Ballet’s PEEK Outreach programs. Dress up your pup and enter the dog costume “ComPAWtition” to win amazing prizes or join in the “PAWrade” walk around the reservoir, enjoy snacks and have fun. PAWS de Tutu’s guest judges include Renel Brooks-Moon - Public Address Announcer for the San Francisco Giants, Pam Kessler - Walnut Creek Magazine, and Scott Ostler - Sports Columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle. Charly Kayle of the “Andrew & Charly” Morning Show on 96.5 KOIT Radio will be the guest emcee. All participants interested in attending should register at http://www.diabloballet. org. REGISTRATION FEES: $30 adults and $20 for youth under 17.
VISUAL ARTS/THEATRE/ MUSIC Music n the Grove - Clayton June 4 Garratt Wilkin & the Parrotheads will make you think of beaches, boats, bars and tropical drinks with those little umbrellas. “A Celebration of Jimmy Buffett’s Music” and many other summertime music favorites as only they can do. http://www.theparrotheads.com June 18 Dave Martin House Party - With a vast repertoire of over 700 songs, nine amazing “allstar” musicians, and two interactive performers; Be ready for musical variety, non-stop energy, exceptional performers, and exciting spontaneous passionate entertainment! http://www.davidmartinshouseparty. com July 2 Pride and Joy Pride and Joy is one of the most sought-after Pop/Soul bands in the Bay Area singing the sounds of Motown’s greatest hits, including Temptations and the Supremes. Rhythm, perfect pitch and harmony from four lead singers, and a five piece spot-on band will keep you on your feet all night long. This is a show not to miss! http://www. pridejoy.com Elsewhere June 4 & 5 The 35th Annual Art and Wine Festival in Walnut Creek -11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 511 a.m. – 6 p.m. Live from Heather Farm Park - Free Admission! Arts, Crafts, & Gourmet Vendors and Food Concessions. For a list of a list of activity and performances, go to www.chamberorganizer.com/ walnutcreekchamber/mem_artandwine/
Acalanes Adult Education Art & Photography
Show Highlights
Best Work
The public is invited to attend the Art & Photography Show showcasing the best works by some 80 adult students at Acalanes Adult Education (AAE) on Friday, June 10, 6- 9 pm. This free opening night reception includes samples of drawing, multi-media, oil/acrylic paintings, and special projects created in Art Lab. The exhibit also includes the photography of advanced students who have been working on personal projects. Samples of quilts, mosaics, and creative writing round out the exhibit. Some items will be available for sale. AAE is located at 1963 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. The exhibit will continue Monday-Friday through July 29, from 9am-4 pm.
Diablo Ballet Presents
Paws de Tutu Dog Costume Event
Diablo Ballet and its Teen Board present their first annual PAWS de Tutu event, June 18 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lafayette Reservoir. The dog costume competition and parade, benefitting Diablo Ballet’s PEEK Outreach programs. Participants are invited to dress up their dogs and enter the dog costume “ComPAWtition” and win some amazing prizes including a Grand Prize: $500 VISA Gift Card and a $250 Gift Basket from Pet Food Express; Second Prize: A WHISTLE dog GPS tracker and a $250 Gift Basket from Pet Food Express, and Third Prize: $250 gift card for Consignitcouture. If you don’t have a dog or don’t want to dress your dog up, participants can join in the “PAWrade” walk around the reservoir, watch the costume competition and enjoy the vendors, snacks and fun. All proceeds from PAWS de Tutu benefit Diablo Ballet’s PEEK Program (Performing Arts Education & Enrichment for Kids), the only arts education program of its kind offered by a professional dance company in the Bay Area. PEEK provides in-school
rising_stars June 11 Summer Wine Stroll, Martinez 2p.m. - 5:30 p.m.Spend the afternoon strolling the streets of Martinez sipping wine and sampling treats. $20 in advance $25 at the event. Includes wine glass, wine charm and map. Must be 21 and over. http://www. mainstreetmartinez.org Thursday, June 9 “ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL” at aRT Cottage. Artists’ reception at the aRt Cottage from 7 pm to 9 pm. Many mediums will be on display featuring animals. Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and live music. The exhibit opens June 7 and can be seen through June 30, Tues. - Fri. from 11 to 5 and Sat. from 1 to 5. Admission is free. 2238 Mt. Diablo St., Concord. Friday, June 10 Art & Photography Show Offers “The Best” of Student Work: The public is invited to attend the Art & Photography Show showcasing works by some 80 adult students at Acalanes Adult Education (AAE) on Friday, June 10, 6- 9 pm. This free opening night reception includes samples of drawing, multi-media, oil/ acrylic paintings, and special projects created in Art Lab. The exhibit also includes the photography of advanced students who have been working on personal projects. Samples of quilts, mosaics, and creative writing round out the exhibit. Some items will be available for sale. Refreshments will be served. AAE is located at 1963 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. The exhibit will continue on weekdays only thru July 29, from 9am-4 pm. Friday/Sunday, June 10 & 12 DIABLO CHORAL ARTISTS (formerly Voices of Musica Sacra) presents “Summer Nocturne”, a concert featuring Lauridsen’sNocturnes, Brahms’ Vier Quartette, Faure’s Cantique de Jean Racine, and Debussy’s Trois Chansons. Music Director, Mark Tuning. June 10, 8:00pm, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. June 12 - 3:00pm, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephen’s Drive, Orinda. Details and ticket purchase on website: http://www. dcachorus.org,925-680-7089. (adult & senior discount before 6/7)
movement curriculum and free dance performances to students and families in underserved areas who have few opportunities to participate in the arts. In 2015, Diablo Ballet extended the program to provide arts education to teenagers incarcerated within the Contra Costa County juvenile justice system.Anyone interested in participating, should register online at www.diabloballet.org as participation is limited. Registration fees are $30.00 for adults and $20.oo for youth 17 and under. Every registered participant receives a goodie bag with sponsor coupons, snacks and a t-shirt.
Now through June 25 Rock of Ages –A Tony Awardnominated Broadway musical featuring the times of big rock bands with big egos, big guitar solos and bigger hair. Feautes hits from Journey, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benetar, Twisted Sister and more. Lesher Center for the Arts. 1601 Civic Drive. Walnut Creek. See http://www.Leasherartcenter.org for ticket information. Thursday, June 2 Music and Market –The Bird Dogs - The Bird Dogs have been getting accolades for the twin Zmed brothers, whose familial voices invoke the exquisite vocals and repertoire of the Everly Brothers. 6:30pm – 8:00pm. Farmers Market 4:00pm-8:0pm. Todos Santos Plaza Concord. Free Parking.
GOVERNMENT •Concord City Council, 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Council Chambers, 1950 Parkside Dr, Concord. Or watch online at http://www.ci.concord.
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CALENDAR CONTINUED ca.us/citygov/agendas/council/ •Concord Planning Commission 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 7 p.m. Concord Chamber, Concord Civic Center 1950 Parkside dr. http://www.cityofconcord. org •Clayton City Council, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7pm. Hoyer Hall, Clayton Library, 6125 Clayton Rd, Clayton. http://ci.clayton.ca.us •Martinez City Council, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. City Hall, 7 pm, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez. Or Listen online at http://www.granicus.com/ streamingMediaHelp/minimumSystem. htm, http://www.cityofmartinez.org •Walnut Creek City Council, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7 pm. Or watch online at http://www.walnut-creek.org/services/ citizen/granicus.asp •Pleasant Hill City Council, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, Council Chambers of the Pleasant Hill City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Or follow online at http://www.ci.pleasanthill.ca.us/media/
CLUBS American Association of University Women - Concord Branch www.aauw-concord.org American Legion Post 171 - 5 p.m. third Tuesdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord. 687-1427. B2F Business Networking Group noon first and third Thursdays. 9988844. Beachcomber Singles - Social and service activities for active adults age 45 and above. For more information call (510) 799-2207, Or visit our website: www.beachcombersingles.org/ British Club - 11:30 a.m. first Wednesdays, Zio Fraedo’s, Pleasant Hill. 682-7978. Circle of Friends - second Mondays, Walnut Country Club, Concord. 9988844. Clayton Valley Garden Club- 7p.m. June 8, Diamond Terrace 6401 Center St., Clayton. Guest Speaker: Corky Quirk from U.C. Davis discusses “Bats in the Garden” complete with live bats. Contact: http://www. claytonvalleygardenclub.org Clayton Valley Woman’s Club meets at 10:00 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 5555 Clayton Road, in Clayton. New members are always welcome. Make new friends have fun working together for the community. For more information call Sheila at 925-672-7947 or visit http://www. claytonvalleywomansclub.org. Clayton Valley/Concord Sunrise Rotary Club- 7 a.m. Thursdays, Oakhurst Country Club, Clayton. 6897640 or http://www.claytonvalleyrotary.org. Clutch Busters Square Dance Club - 7:30 p.m.-9:30 pm Thursdays, New dancers and those wanting brush-up are welcome. Willow Pass Community Center, 2748 E Olivera Rd, Concord. 686-3774. Concord Art Association - 12:50 p.m. second Tuesdays, Concord Library. 646-5455. Concord Ducati Bike Night, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month at Lazy Dog Café, 1961 Diamond Blvd, Concord. 925/8491221 http://www.norcaldoc.com Concord Diablo Rotary - 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Concord. EXCEPT the 2nd Wednesday, meeting is at 6:15 P.M. at the Crowne Plaza. Contact EdiBirsan@Gmail.
“Workaholics” Stars Help with CVCHS IMPROV – A – GANZA Improv-a-ganza competition was started three years ago when former CVHS drama teacher Tom Wills passed away. The event was started as a way to raise money for a new scholarship called the Tom Wills Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship would be for aspiring theatre students graduating CVCHS. Both Blake Anderson and Kyle Newacheck were former students of Tom Wills. Since graduating from Clayton Valley, Blake Anderson and Kyle Newacheck went on to co-create and are co-stars in Comedy Central’s TV show Workaholics. Now in its sixth season, Newacheck also directs most of the Workaholics episodes. Blake and Kyle were contacted the first year of Improv-a-ganza to see if they would guest judge. When explained this would be a fundraiser for a Tom Wills Scholarship, they did not hesitate to sign up. This past Improv-a-ganza was CVCHS third year. The format has not changed since the first year. Local high school
improv teams come and compete head to head to see who is the best. The games are the familiar improvisational games played on “Whose Line Is It Anyway”. The judges consist of CV faculty, community members, and of course Clayton Valley’s own home grown guest celebrities, Blake and Kyle. This year’s event drew approximately 380 people! The event was a crowd pleaser-- an exceptional event, for an exceptional cause with exceptional talent. Who won? If you watch Whose Line is It Anyway, then you know , the points don’t matter. Well, San Ramon Valley High won.
com or 510-812-8180 for more information. Concord Garden Club - Meets third Tuesday of the month, The Salvation Army Community Church Fireside Room 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 3950 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94521. Contact Concord Garden Club President Devlyn Sewell 925-825-9097 for additional information. Concord Lions Club - 7 p.m. third Tuesdays, La Tapatia Mexican Restaurant, Concord. 687-3594. Concord Mystery Book Club - 2:30 p.m. second Sundays, Concord Library, 646-5455. Concord Senior Club - ballroom dancing, 1 p.m. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 p.m. second Saturdays. 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord. 798-4557. Contra Costa Genealogical Society 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Concord. www.rootsweb.com/~cacccgs. Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society - 7:30 p.m. second Mondays, Centre Concord. 429-2748 or http:// www.ccmgs.org Creekside Artists Guild meets 2nd Wed. each month @ 7-8:30pm. Clayton Library Story Room, 6125 Clayton Rd., Clayton. Arlene 673-9777, akiksen@aol. com Concord United Methodist Women Monthly Meeting 510-758-4837 Diablo Numismatic Society - 7 p.m. third Thursdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord. 825-0649 or xsteamerx@aol. com. Diablo Toastmasters, every Thursday 7 – 9 p.m., Sizzler Rest., Concord. http:// www.diablotoastmasters.org. Diablo Valley Democratic Club - 7 p.m. third Wednesdays, Ygnacio Valley Library, Walnut Creek. 946-0469 or http://http://www.dvdems.org. Diablo Valley Macintosh Users Group – 6:30 p.m. 3rd WednesdaysPacheco Community Center, 5800 Pacheco Blvd., Pacheco. 695-7655 or http://www.dvmug.org. Diablo Valley Mustang Assoc meets 7:00 pm second Wednesdays each month at Fuddruckers Concord. All Mustang afficiados invited. Nancy Russell 925825-5994. http://www.dvma.org Diablo Valley Wings, Chapter P of the Gold Wing Touring Association - 12:15 p.m. third Tuesdays, Sizzler, Concord. 686-3774 or http://http://www.GWTACA-DVW.org. East Bay Prospectors Club - 7 p.m.4th Wednesday, 1021 Detroit Ave., Unit D, Concord. 672-1863 or www.eastbaygpaa.webs.com. Ellen’s Guild - 10 A.M. second Tuesdays, Family Stress Center, Concord. 672-5409 or http://www. familystresscenter.org. Hope Academy Concord Open House, Third Thursday of each month, 9 – 9:45 a.m. Reservations required: Judy Davies 687-7555; 5353 Concord Blvd. http://www.hopeacademyconcord. org Kiwanis Club of Greater Concord - 8:15 a.m. Wednesdays, Buttercup Grill and Bar, 4301 Clayton Rd., Concord. 372-5348. Knitting Group - 2 p.m. first Sundays, Concord Library. 646-5455. Knights Of Columbus, Concord Council 6038 Meets 7:30 p.m. 1st Tuesday of the month, St.Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Contact Rayce at 683-9717 or rayce@aol.com. Martinez TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Thursday morning 9am-10am, in the Martinez Senior Center at 818 Green Street. Men and women are invited. First meeting is free. Membership is
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CALENDAR CONTINUED $4/month. For more information call Sharon (925) 229-2166. Merry Mixers of Contra Costa hosts dances on the 1st & 3rd Fridays at the Walnut Creek Elks Lodge at 1475 Creekside Drive in Walnut Creek. Bill Blankenship will give a complimentary dance lesson at 7:00 p.m. followed by live music at 7:30-10:30. Singles and couples welcome at $12 per person, free snacks, no-host bar. Optional dinner at 6:30 is available for an additional $15. Music schedule: June 3 “Take Two”, June 10 “100pruf”, July 1 “Manny Gutierrez Quartet” Please call (925)969-9693 with any questions. Mt Diablo Metal Detecting Club Meets at the Elks Lodge in Walnut Creek. 1475 Creekside Dr. 730 pm meets on the second Wednesday.www. mdmdctreasurehunting.com. http:// www.mdmdc.com National Marine Corps Business Network: www.nmcbn.com/ We normally meet the second Tuesday of each month. Contact 925-680-8714. Odd Fellows - 3 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Pacheco Lodge 117, Concord. 682-7358. Pleasant Hill Walnut Creek Mothers’ Club, http://www. phwcmothersclub.org Rising Stars Toastmasters. This group was created for job seekers. For more information, contact Derrick Smith at (925) 381-4551 or go to risingstarstm. toastmastersclubs.org. Snowchasers Ski Club - Snow skiing and Snowboarding- First and Third Wednesdays of each month. Snowchasers meets 7:30 pm Sizzlers Concord.Contact iSteve and Rosalie Rhodes,925-228-8145. http://www.snowchasers.org The Sons in Retirement (SIR) local Branch #19 Concord/Clayton meets over lunch at Oakhurst Country Club on the first Thursday of every month. Join thousands of retired men dedicated to maximizing the enjoyment of their senior years. Enjoy golf, bowling, hiking, bocce ball, travel outings, dine-outs, and more. Membership is free. Go to www.sir19.org for more information, or contact Bruce Persons at: brucep@astound.net, or call 925-338-1996. Soroptimist International Diablo Vista - 12:15 p.m. first, second and third Wednesdays, Sizzler, Concord. 672-2727 Toastmasters International - 7 p.m. Mondays, Montecito of Concord, 6827211. Also, 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, John Muir Concord Campus. Toastmasters can help! Our local club, Word Weavers, meets Mondays, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. at 4756 Clayton Road, Concord 686-1818. http:// www.toastmasters.org. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1525 - 9 a.m. second Saturdays, Veterans Memorial Hall, Concord.
Clayton Valley Woman’s Club Presents Donation Checks The GFWC Clayton Valley Woman’s Club held their “Celebration of Giving” at Diamond Terrace in Clayton. Each year in May, the Club presents monies raised by past fundraising activities to selected community organizations. This year, checks were presented to Hospice of the East Bay, Meals on Wheels, the Clayton Community Library, Clayton Historical Society and Photo by Michelle Pryor Concord Historical Society. Dannesha Lewis, 2016 scholarship recipient. In addition, the CVWC Back: CVWC scholarship commitee: Carole Gardner, provides a Diablo Valley Barbara Glass and Linda Brown. College scholarship for a woman with a financial need, excellent grades, community Club members have also supported involvement and leadership skills a number of other community who is transferring to a four-year organizations throughout the year university to pursue a degree. including Read Across America, This year’s scholarship recipient is Prevent Blindness, Blue Star Moms, Dannesha Lewis. She is a re-entry Heifer International and Pennies student with a 3.8 GPA, works 30 for Pines. The Club meets the hours a week, volunteers for church second Tuesday of the month at and community organizations, and St. John’s Episcopal Church, 5555 is active in two honor societies at Clayton Rd. in Clayton. Guests are DVC. She is the first in her family always welcome to attend meetings to graduate from college. Dannesha and social events. For more club has a great interest in the field of information, visit http://www. digital forensics. She plans to attend claytonvalleywomansclub.org. Sacramento State University this fall with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Computer Forensics.
Hand to Heart for Hospitalized Kids Handmade quilts do far more than just decorate beds. They cheer kids in hospitals. They share warmth and love with women fighting breast cancer. They mark anniversaries and celebrate momentous events such as the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Danville’s own, Captain Sullenberger safely landed his plane full of passengers in New York’s Hudson River. “Hand to Heart” is the theme of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley’s new exhibit focusing on quilts, wood crafts, and other objects made to benefit the community. Quilters and wood crafters create an astonishing array of items to donate to people in need. Handmade blankets and afghans go to “Project
SUPPORT GROUPS •Al-Anon Family Group 7:30 p.m. Mondays, St. Martins of Tours Anglican Church & Preschool, Concord. 932-6770 or http://www.ncwsa.org. •Alcoholics Anonymous - 939-4155 or http://www.aa.org. •Bereavement Support Group:1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 4:30 - 6:00 pm. pre-registration. Call (925) 887-5681 •The Bridge A program that provides support to children, teens, adults and their families grieving the death of a loved one. Hillcrest Congregational Church, 404 Gregory Lane Pleasant Hill. 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month Through June. Pre-registration is required. (925) 887-5681 or emailgriefservices@hospiceeastbay.org. •Cardiac Care Support Group - 7 p.m.
Linus” to offer love and support to seriously ill children or those who suffer traumatization. Through “Ryan’s Case for Smiles” colorful pillow cases have been sewn to hand out at Oakland’s Kaiser Hospital and John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. Quilts go to Downs Syndrome Connection in Danville and the Lucille Packard Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Through the “Stitchin for Kids” program started in 2009,
volunteers create dolls and gifts to cheer kids enduring tedious extended hospital stays. Many times quilt artists celebrate family anniversaries, birthdays, retirements and one Missouri quilter even commemorated Sully’s successful landing in the Hudson River through the medium of a special quilt she labeled “Miracle on the Hudson” and then donated her quilt to the Museum. It is the focal point in one of the Museum galleries in this exhibit. Colonial American women perfected the art of quilting by their creative reuse of household fabrics into warm blankets for cold winter nights. Today quilting has spread around the world. A huge selection of all the various items made for each of these special needs in the community is on display at the Museum. Each of these projects will raise your spirit during your visit to the exhibit. Diablo Woodworkers, both men and women build beautiful creations out of wood which they sell to raise funds for battered women’s programs, teaching disabled veterans, and a variety of children’s causes. Examples of their handiwork make for another artistic highlight of the “Hand to Heart” exhibit. The “Hand to Heart” exhibit runs through July 3, 2016 at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Ave., Danville. See museumsrv.org for a listing of special interpretive programs. For additional information contact: Carmen Curtis 837-9781 or Donna Hardman 820-1262.
second Thursdays, John Muir Walnut Creek or Concord. 947-5206. •Fibromayalgia Support Group - 2nd Friday of each month. 11A.M. - 1 P.M. Concord Library, 2900 Salvio St. Concord. More info: Call Joyce 925-6712779 •Concord Neuropathy Support – 1:30 p.m. 3rd Thursday of every month at the First Christian Church, 3039 Willow Pass Rd. Concord For more information call 925-685-0953 •Debtors Anonymous (DA) meets every Friday Night 7:00 to 8:30 PM, First Baptist Church, 1802 Downtown Martinez. Call Lynda K (925) 228-9111 or go to: http://www. debtorsanonymous.org. •Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implant Wearers Support Group - 7 p.m. 1st Wednesdays, Walnut Creek United Methodist Church. HLAADV@ hearinglossdv.org or 264-1199. •Hospice East Bay has announced a new schedule for their support groups and classes. All, except dropin, require pre-registration. Call (925) 887-5681 or emailgriefservices@ hospiceeastbay.org. Our Bereavement Services are provided free of charge to all community members in need. Services are provided at the following locations, unless otherwise noted: Pleasant Hill Office, 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill and our Brentwood Office, 80 Eagle Rock Avenue, Suite A, Brentwood. •Drop-In Grief Support Pleasant Hill 4:30 - 6:00 pm 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month •Drop-In Grief Support Brentwood 4:30 6:00 pm 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month •Drop-In Grief Support In Spanish •Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 500 Fairview Avenue, Library, Brent wood 4:30 - 5:30 pm 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month Through April 6 •Drop-In Grief Support For Seniors 55+: Pleasant Hill Community Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Game Room, Pleasant Hill 10:00 - 11:30 am, Mondays Through March 28 •Drop-In Pet Loss Support Group Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek 5:30 to 7:00 pm 2nd Tuesdays of the month •Parent Loss Support Group – Evening Pleasant Hill Mondays, 6:00 - 8:00 pm April 18 - June 13 •Spouse and Partner Loss Group – Afternoon Pleasant Hill Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:30 pm April 14 thru June 2 •Spouse and Partner Loss Group Pleasant Hill, Thursdays, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, May 2 thru June 27 •Understanding Grief Class - Pleasant Hill, Thursdays, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, June 16 Creative Writing Workshop Explore various styles of creative writing and discover a new way to give voice to the story of your loss and grief. No writing experience necessary. 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill Wednesday, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, March 23. Pre-register by March 21 •Forget-Me-Not Workshop - Decorate a flower pot in commemoration of your loved one, and take home a seed packet of Forget-Me-Not flowers to plant in their memory. 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill Tuesday, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. April 12. Pre-register by April 5. •HIV/AIDS Support Group - 7-9 p.m. 2nd & 4th Thursdays, John Muir Concord. 925- 674-2190. •John Muir Behavioral Health Center 2740 Grant Street Concord. Call 925-9420767 or www.namicontracosta.org •Leukemia Society Family Support Group - 7 p.m. first Thursdays. 947-4466, ext. 32797. For a FULL listing of Support Groups, please visit www.DiabloGazette.com
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Resident Tales
Boat Race Day,Yale Harvard Regatta by Marge Crawford
Every year in June, there were very special races on the Thames River in Connecticut. The contest between Yale and Harvard, that dates back to 1852! It was a festive time in New London and its environs. Spectators from all over New England and New York gathered for the Yale Harvard Regatta! President Franklin Roosevelt came to the even in 1934! His son, Franklin, was a member of the Harvard Junior Varsity Crew that year. My grandparents’ farm property bordered the Thames River. Views from that part of the farm were good and clear of the racing sculls as they scooted by. Many local people knew that this was the place to watch the races. On the days leading up to Race Day, my grandpa, uncles, and some locals prepared for the crowds. Signs were put up on the New London-Norwich roadside directing drivers to our road to the beach. In the big field bordering the river, our family members led each car to a spot to park. All was orderly and neat. Out on the river, pleasure boats gathered and anchored along the course that the racers would take. The spectators on the boats and on the shore were a noisy bunch, especially as the sculls would scoot by! Klaxon and oogah horns would blare, shouts through megaphones would sound out, and the rowers were urged on their way! A lot of partying was going on and lots of alcoholic drinks were consumed. It was a noisy and exciting time on those Race Day afternoons! I recall it all mostly from the viewpoint of a kid of 8, 9, or 10 years old. It was hours of pure fun! After the races were over and the crows of folks who watched from our farm were almost all gone, I’m sure our field was a mess of squashed grass, engine oil drips, and every possible kind of litter. But I don’t recall any complaints from Grandpa or my uncles about all the work it would take to restore our
farm to normal. They were farmers, accustomed to hard work. It was all in a day’s work to them. And the fees they had charged for each carload of spectators added up to a good days
pay for everyone. There were a few stragglers there at the end of the day. One vignette handed down through the years in our family was of one young man,
pant legs rolled up to his knees, beer bottle in hand, wading in the river asking, “Whish way to Noowavee?” There is no question, he must have been a Whiffenpoof.
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The Force is With You! computercorner
By William Claney, Computers USA
In a galaxy, not too far away, there is a disturbance in the force, and it will effect change in the way you interact with your computer. Embrace change the way I do, otherwise this could get ugly. I’m talking about Microsoft and Windows 10 upgrades. By now you’ve probably seen the notification on your desktop inviting you to upgrade to Windows 10. It’s no longer an option; it’s an edict from the forces of good, preparing a galactic battle with the forces of evil. Join the fight. Well, that’s one way to put it. Microsoft (the good guys) is preparing to do battle with the bad guys by requiring every computer on the planet to be running Window 10. They have cajoled you, invited you, nudged you and now may be forcing you to upgrade. The reasons are simple: first, Windows 10 is more secure and it is far easier to defend one operating system from the bad guys than to be spread out over the galaxy with various versions. So for security sake, upgrade!
The force is with you reason two. It’s a far better, more polished operating system than all its predictors and will work well with 98% of all legacy programs. That means everything that worked under Windows 7 and 8.x will work with Windows 10. Thirdly, there are new features never before available and included in the Windows upgrade, like HoloLens your gateway to virtual reality. Microsoft has made it a priority to get computers updated, they are serious. After a long period of free upgrades, which is coming to an end, Microsoft is forcing the upgrade issue. Don’t fight it, embrace it and upgrade. Yes your printer will still work. Need assistance should your starship stumble, consult your local professional. Do it now, before you are turned to the dark side and forever lost in the galactic abyss. May the force be with you.
Summer Challenges to
Dental Hygiene
lifetimeofsmiles Dr. Robert Waldman You have graduated…or your child has graduated…everyone is smiling. Are the smiles as bright and clean as they can be. Do those congratulatory kisses leave a trailing odor of halitosis behind? Has it been a while since you have seen your dentist? Summer is the perfect time to get your dental care back on track by visiting your dentist. Many people have extra time during the summer to call their dentist to make a check-up appointment. Often people find out too late in the summer that upon graduating they have lost their parents’ dental coverage. It would be worthwhile to call your insurance carrier to double check on your benefits and take advantage of them before they disappear. We tend to indulge in sugary beverages, popsicles, etc., especially kids, in the hot summer months. These summer treats can play havoc in the mouth. The sugar leaves a film on the teeth which can lead to cavities if not properly cleansed. Please make sure you brush after drinking that cup of lemonade. If you are unable to brush, at least rinse with water. It’s better than doing nothing at all. Foods such as corn on the cob and
ribs are also popular during the summer. These sticky foods usually leave food deposits between your teeth that brushing alone won’t remove. Who wants to see a smile with food particles stuck between the teeth? Just remember, when you are eating these summer BBQ delights extra flossing is needed. If you are planning a camping trip, remember to put dental floss on your camping gear list (and of course your toothbrush and toothpaste). Dental hygiene is so easy to maintain away from home, sometimes too easy. Swishing, flossing and brushing are always important whether you are camping in a park, vacationing in a 5-Star resort or just hanging around the house. Congratulations to all graduates and congratulations to all families of graduates! Continue to see your dentist at least every six months or as often as your dentist prescribes. And in closing, congratulations to all of you who have already made your summer dental checkup appointment. Please remember to swish, floss, brush and swish again every day and see your dentist regularly. Please visit my website at roberthwaldmandds.com or email me at robwaldmandds@gmail.com if you have any questions. I will be very happy to offer you a complimentary consultation. -Dr. Rob-
Testimonials: “I look forward to the Diablo Gazette at the beginning of every month, It’s a good community paper. I love the stories. You have good writers.” – Wayne C.
“Thank you, Diablo Gazette, so many people congratulated me on my anniversary, it was really nice” - Ray Rosenblatt, Sugar Plum Café
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Madelyn Murphy’s Chrondolet Story by Chace Bryson | Photos by Berry Evans III
As a freshman in 2013 Madelyn Murphy put her name on a national high school record. She won her first North Coast Section individual title
as a sophomore. And last year, she punctuated her junior high school season by winning a
Record Finish
state title at the inaugural CIF Swimming Championships. So it’s a little difficult to believe there was a time when Murphy was convinced she was so terrible at swimming that she needed to be bribed back into the water. At age 8, Murphy was ready to quit swimming for good. Only a creative proposition made her reconsider. “I was bribed that I could get my ears pierced if I could get three county meet (qualifying) times,” she said. “So I gave it
confidence slowly grew. By age 12, Murphy realized that swimming was a sport she could become serious about. She transitioned to the Crow Canyon Sharks competitive program and has trained with the San Ramon-based outfit ever since. On May 14, Murphy completed the Carondelet portion of her swimming career at Concord Community Pool where she set records in all four of her NCS Championship events. She won
one more try.” She got her qualifying times and piercing, and her
both of her individual events, the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly, in record times. The 50 freestyle record had stood since 2009, previously set by Las LomasWalnut Creek standout Kasey Carlson. Murphy also swam the anchor leg to Carondelet’s record-setting 200 medley relay finish,
and she closed her meet by setting the 100 freestyle record on the opening leg of Carondelet’s 400 freestyle relay victory. Carondelet won that 400 relay, making Murphy a four-time champion in the event. The Cougars have won the 400 freestyle relay in each of the last seven NCS Championships. Murphy has swum in each of the last four, including her freshman year when she joined Chelsea Chenault, Natalie Amberg and Madison White to set an independent (private schools) national record at the time. As for her 2016 medal haul, the championship swim in the 100 butterfly was probably the most meaningful to the Calbound Murphy. “I’ve never won the 100 butterfly,” Murphy said in the week leading up to the NCS meet. “That’s always been a goal too.” Her first three attempts resulted in a third place finish and two runner-ups. In each of the past two seasons, Murphy has finished the NCS 100-yard butterfly final right behind former Acalanes-Lafayette standout Brittany Usinger. However, Murphy finally got her revenge at the state championship meet when she beat Usinger to the wall by a half-second to take the top podium spot. Usinger graduated in 2015 and now swims for Harvard. This year, Murphy was part of a senior core that was
Sportstars Magazine in partnership wth The Diablo Gazette:
trying to lift Carondelet to the team title for the first time since 2013. Joining Murphy in pursuit of the crown was University of Missouribound Samantha Coloma, the defending NCS champion in the 100-yard backstroke, Northwestern-bound freestyler Malorie Han and Florida Atlantic-bound breaststroke and individual medley standout, Kelsey Witkay. “(Winning NCS) has been a goal of ours since our freshman year,” said Murphy, whose lone individual NCS medal came in 2014 in the 100 freestyle. “We’re at different clubs so high school is a special time for us, when we get to come together and hopefully make something. … It’s going to be hard to leave them all.” The team wasn’t able to keep San Ramon Valley from coasting to a third straight championship with 297 points. Carondelet finished third with 201. Monte Vista was second at 208. For Murphy at least, the NCS event will close her career. She’s made the decision with her coaches not to attempt to defend her state title, but rather double-up on her training to prepare for the Olympic Trials in late June. “My coaches have told me that I’ve brought my training to a new level this year,” Murphy said. “It’s brought a lot of confidence and I’m really excited to see how it plays out.”
For Advertising in this section (925) 566-8500 or email sales@sportstarsonline.com
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2015-16:
Top 10 SportStars
As the 2015-16 high school year draws to a close, here are 10 of our favorite images featuring teams and players from the region. The following gallery represents the work of SportStars photographers Phillip Walton, James K. Leash, Chace Bryson and Berry Evans III. SportStars will be publishing more of its favorite images from the 2015-16 high school sports season as part of its Yearbook Special Edition on June 16. That issue will also feature the popular Bay Area 75 — a ranking of the Bay’s top 75 athletes for the school year.
Campolindo goalkeeper Becca Buck stops a shot during a late September tournament in Roseville.
Members of the Acalanes baseball team celebrate a walk-off win over Dublin in mid-April. The Dons would earn the No. 1 seed in the NCS Div. III tournament Josh McCarthy helped lead the De La Salle golf team to a CIF State Tournament berth with his 3-under 69 at the CIF NorCal Championships in Salinas.
Carondelet forward Madeline Duncan contemplates her penalty kick opportunity during a mid-season match against Monte Vista.
Clayton Valley Charter’s Ray Jackson III breaks away from the Narbonne-Harbor City defense during the CIF Div. II-AA State Bowl game.
Berean Christian junior receiver Isaiah Hodgins led the Bay Area in both catches (94) and yards (1,483) as the Eagles went 11-2 and reached the NCS Div. V final.
De La Salle quarterback Anthony Sweeney sprints to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in the CIF State Open Division Bowl against Centennial-Corona.
Alhambra softball slugger Briana Perez locks in on Foothill pitcher Nalani Scates during a Livermore Stampede game in early April. Keana Delos Santos, second from left, and Sabrina Ionescu, third from left, lead an ecstatic Miramonte bench in the waning moments of the Matadors CIF NorCal Open Div. final victory over Pinewood-Los Altos Hills.
The Monte Vista girls volleyball team erupts in excitement upon defeating rival San Ramon Valley in five sets during a mid-October match.
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New Rossmoor Shopping Center Coming by 2018
Walnut Creek’s beloved Rossmoor Shopping Center received approval from the Walnut Creek Design Review Commission (DRC), the third of three approvals necessary to begin the Center’s dramatic redevelopment, hoping to make it the heart of the surrounding community and influencer of shopping patterns. Previously the Center received unanimous support from the Walnut Creek City Council and the Walnut Creek City Planning Commission. Now formally approved and entitled, the project can move forward. Ground breaking is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016 with completion expected in the fourth quarter of 2017 or the first quarter of 2018. When completed, it will include a refreshed facade, drive-through pharmacy, fashion-forward boutique shops and charming restaurants. The revived center will be dotted with plazas, hundreds of new trees, lush plantings, beautiful lighting, and highly accessible parking. The project will also include a public art component. Current lease signings include: Safeway, Drive-thru CVS Pharmacy, Starbucks, Better Homes and Gardens and Rossmoor Retirement Community stakeholders. Walnut Creek Mayor Loella Haskew appreciated the care that has been put into the center’s revitalization. Tallen Capital Partners, LLC and Citivest Commercial, LLC, along with their equity partner, led this 30-month redevelopment planning and leasing process “…we’ve worked very closely with the community and the city of Walnut Creek for the past two and a half years to bring the entitlements for this redevelopment to fruition,” said Mr. Tallen, principal, Tallen Capital Partners. “We’re thrilled to bring in compelling new shops and restaurants making this a destination for both the local community and the entire East Bay.”
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Thank You For Reading The Diablo Gazette
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The End of Another Outstanding School Year From the Principal’s Desk By Jeff Eben, CVCHS
Clayton Valley Charter High School concludes another exciting school year and now prepares to recognize our graduating students. It is quite remarkable to consider that our 2016 senior class began their high school journey as our first freshman class when CVCHS initially opened its doors as a new charter four years ago. Our entire school community certainly has much to celebrate! It is also the conclusion of my first year as principal. I still remember my first day last fall witnessing excited students eager to take on new challenges of the upcoming school year. I recognized early on that the culture of CVCHS was something unique and special -largely in part to our incredible teaching, counseling and coaching staff. I recognize there are so many student achievements and school programs to highlight this year – and each is due their own special recognition. However, for the sake of brevity, here are a few of
my favorite moments: Our athletic teams competing at state championship including cross-country, wrestling, football, and swimming. Struggling students overcoming academic challenges at Saturday Bridge. Parent volunteers addressing bullying and embracing empathy with our students at Challenge Day. Students presenting public service and community engagement programs at Back to School Night. The amazing musical and visual art performances of our bands, drama and dance students. And recognizing individual students for academic awards and personal growth achievements. We have a lot to be proud of at CVCHS this year. Our students reflect the best of our community. And as our graduates go out into the real world, I am confident that we have diligently prepared them for success in the 21st Century.
by A.W. Gensburger
The End of Flying: The Start of Sleeping Flying used to be a luxury experience, filled with personal touches, and the sheer marvel of a mass of metal gracefully lifting off the runway and into the endless skies. In the early days of commercial jet travel, passengers were VIP’s, greeted by name, pampered, and placed in a cabin with wide and comfortable seats. Flight attendants -called stewardesses back then -- would cater to children with equal grace having been sent to stewie charm school. Recently, it was announced that Economy Class would no longer be the baseline ticketing class. A new level of lack of service would be added. Called “Basic Economy”, it promised lower fares, even less than the already miniscule legroom, and no amenities whatsoever. They could have called it Cattle Class for all the excitement Basic Economy generates. There is, however, a far better solution. Removing all seats, windows, entertainment systems, food service equipment, most toilets, and most flight attendants would allow airlines to truly fill their cabins to the brim. What? Are you insane? Hear me out.... With my new system, passengers
arrive at the airport in much the same way. Check in bags, say goodbye to friends or family, and then report to the airline med bay. There, after a quick medical check, passengers are anesthetized and swaddled before being placed on a transport to be loaded aboard the empty craft. Placed in standing positions, secured by a med scanner, and monitored by in-flight anesthesiologists, the plane can now hold a thousand passengers. No more fear of flying. No more lousy airline food. No more problems with annoying passengers and screaming babies; just a silent flight of sleeping passengers. In addition, security just became a lot easier with no terrorists to contend with. For the passenger, you go to sleep at one airport and awaken at another, fifteen hours of flight having passed in an instant. After a nourishing beverage, passengers collect their bags and head out feeling happy and refreshed, with no jet lag at all. If the system works well, additional inflight services could be offered, such as face lifts and tummy tucks, all while you dream away at 37,000 feet. Fly the sleepy skies!
Hands Down: Reading the Right Time to Gardenwise
By Brian Larsen, Garden Manager at The Gardens at Heather Farms
I’m frequently asked for advice on how much to water plants. The notso-convenient answer is that there is no convenient answer. With every plant and every situation, there are so many variables that affect how best to hydrate your garden. Every day, a plant will respond and adapt to the specific environmental conditions, which can vary wildly from site to site and from place to place within your garden. So, how do I answer questions like “How many minutes should I water?” or “How many gallons should I use?” My gut response is, “Who knows?” When folks ask horticulturalists like me about watering their plants, it’s a challenge for us to answer because we’re not actually in your garden, we don’t know the backstory, we have no
Water Your
idea what’s going on there -- and in your garden is where the real answers lie. Your specific set-up, including methods of irrigation and application rates, combined
Plants
with the plant varieties, your garden landscape and the weather will all greatly influence calculating the optimum watering strategy. You can do the math, but less-experienced gardeners often get overwhelmed or miss important details needed for accurate results. In addition, these calculations would have to be run numerous times per season. We can all agree that the weather is in a constant
City of Concord Program Encourages
Building
Secondary Housing on Property The City of Concord has launched a two-year pilot program to encourage property owners to build small, secondary living units on their property. The units must be 640 sq. ft. or less. The program runs from May 12, 2016 through May 12, 2018. Through the program, the City hopes to increase the amount of affordable housing in the community. The City is offering a 50 percent reduction in city-charged impact fees for the units, resulting in a discount of $4,985, removal of the requirement for an owner to occupy one of the units on the property, and implementation of an amnesty program for existing secondary units that
were built without benefit of City permits (upon application and payment of fees
and compliance with Building Codes - no penalty fines will be charged). In addition, the Contra Costa Water District reduced its fees for detached secondary living units no larger than onebedroom by approximately $5,000 as of February 1, 2016.
The program makes it easier for property owners to re-invest in their properties due to the increased demand for housing and high local rents. The small units could also help seniors and long-time residents remain in the community if they are no longer able to afford the costs of a larger home or apartment. An added bonus is that property owners will have less landscape to water if an additional part of the lot is converted from lawn to living space, helping to conserve water. Details about the program are available on the City’s website,www.cityofconcord. org/housing.
state of flux. Well, then, how do we figure it out? First, know if your plants generally like moist or dry soil. The key to the next step is in the palm of your hands: Your finger. Stick your finger in the soil. If it feels too dry, water. That’s the simple truth of how it works. You can go buy an expensive moisture meter, but the tactile sensation in the human hand is far more sensitive. Save the money and read your plants. That’s how you know how much to water. http://www. gardenshf.org
“My father said there were two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better.” ~Marlo Thomas
Happy Father’s Day from
The Diablo Gazette Sunday, June 19
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Life After Death: Chase-ing Cancer
Chase’s father Maurice and younger brother, Clayton, at a Warriors game
Chase Van Sickle and his family were Hollow for middle school. He began huge Golden State Warriors fans and cancer treatment with chemotherapy and watched every broadcast they could radiation that went on for a year and a together. Chase had been battling Cancer half. Then the good news - it went into for eight years, since age 11. The Warriors remission. However, the treatment had had heard about Chase and presented killed the growth plates in his leg. As the family with tickets to actually see a he grew, his leg did not. Eventually it Warriors game in person. Chase became nearly three Center: Mrs. Kahl-Hernandez, Chase’s sixth grade teacher at Pine Hollow volunteered to homeschool Chase during his passed away before the game. inches shorter than his chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Chase lost his battle to cancer other leg. He had a at the age of 19. It is said one special shoe made with never fully heals from losing a a 3-inch sole to equalize entertained everyone that knew him: Hollow Middle School hosted a “Color child. This article is about the his footing. teachers, family and friends. Run” fundraiser for the Lucile Packard grieving process – the struggle Four and a half Chase was cremated. This article was Foundation for Children’s Health, in family and friends go through to years later in a titled “Life after Death” for a reason. It’s memory of Chase. Each participant keep the spirit of a lost loved one follow-up checkup, about how one keeps the spirit alive. bought “Chase-ing Cancer” T-shirts alive. doctors found that The family made a photoboard head with proceeds going to the foundation. It In fifth grade, Chase was 10 cancer had returned. of Chase to take on outings, including was well attended by students, friends, years old. He decided to grow This was a different the Warriors game he never made. His teachers and family. his hair long for Locks of Love as variation of cancer mother, Leslie carries some of his ashes Chase Van Sickle touched a lot of souls a tribute to his grandmother who called Osteosarcoma in a locket that she wears. had battled and survived breast which thrives on Three of his closest friends cancer. Both brother, Clayton bones weakened by each designed tattoos Judy Van Sickle, Chace’s grandmother and sister, Annaliese joined in radiation. They reminiscent of their friendship. the cause. Classmates would treated it surgically by This was Alex King’s first tease Chase about his hair length, but he removing the tumor, along with half of tattoo, a goofy owl, a private his femur and replacing his knee. It was joke between them. It successful, but in a follow-up check up, something they had shared on they discovered that the cancer thier birthdays; had metastasized in his lungs. disfigured owl After eight years, his battle decorations was coming to an end. that they It was during this time that had found at Chase met those who would Orchard Supply be his closest friends. They Hardware. were by his side at his home JT Vincent up to the very last day until he and Chase were passed. The night before he art academy died, after becoming too weak students didn’t care; he remained steadfast to his to talk, he gave a thumbs up at Clayton Valley and and despite his absence, his spirit has goal. “goodbye”. spent much of their time found fitting ways to stay with his friends In the fall, it was time to cut his hair. His services packed the drawing stick figures in and family; a never-ending sense of He had been complaining of a painful Multi-Use room at Clayton and out of school. One of humor and passion for which we he was bump on his leg and had it examined at Valley Charter High. Family Chase’s mother Leslie their drawings is now JT’s loved. John Muir. It was Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and friends, some traveling tattoo. bone cancer. from as far as Boston, paid their respects. And Julia Mangini had a tattoo That was when he was entering Pine This service revealed the full scope of just designed of his special shoe with the how strong, word “Mayonnaise.” This is how Chase brave and funny Chase was. Throughout his battle, Chase kept his sense of humor - an off beat, yet neverending string of wit and had signed her yearbook, with one word; absurdity “mayonnaise.” Runners getting powdered. that had And most recently on May 26, Pine
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WINGS continued from p.3 affectionately known as the bombers “Little Friend” – saving countless crews from attacking axis fighters. After the war, many aircraft were scrapped for their raw aluminum to rebuild a nation in post-war prosperity and therefore very few were spared. The rarity of the B-17, B-25, B-24 & P-51 - and their importance to telling the story of WWII is why the Collings Foundation
CHAMBER continued from p.2 continues to fly and display the aircraft nationwide. For aviation enthusiasts, the tour provides opportunity for the museum to come to the visitor! The Collings Foundation is a nonprofit educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” events that allows people to learn more about their heritage and history. You can find out more by visiting our website at www.collingsfoundation. org.
16th Annual East Bay Leadership Council Honors Local Small Businesses Nearly two hundred people joined the East Bay Leadership Council (EBLC) in Concord to celebrate the 16th Annual Small Business Awards . The Awards ceremony honored twelve small businesses selected by their respective local Chamber of Commerce that exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship, hard work, and community. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, a former longtime small business restaurant owner, shared his unique perspective. “Small businesses create more than 50 percent of the jobs in California, but they are also a very important part of the cohesiveness of a healthy community.”
Here are the 2016 Honorees selected by their respective Chamber of Commerce. Brookvale Pharmacy, San Pablo; Comerica Bank of California, Danville; Connolly & Taylor, Martinez; California Shakespeare Theatre, Orinda; De La Housaye & Associates, Walnut Creek; La Strada Italian Cuisine, Richmond; Moraga Motors, Moraga; Tower Grille, Concord; UPS Store, Pleasant Hill; Wealth Management Associates, Pleasanton; Venture Quality Goods, La Fayette; 925 Collision Repair, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce We congratulate all the winners.
Cuts For Mutts On May 22, Le Jardin at the Spa hosted a fundraiser for K9 Paw Print Rescue (K9 PPR) medical fund for local rescue dogs in Pleasant Hill. K9 PPR is a completely volunteer local animal rescue organization in Contra Costa County that rescues urgent shelter dogs rehabilitate them, and re-home abandoned, abused, stray and neglected animals from highkill shelters. The event raised funds through
donations ($20) and silent auction of items and gift baskets. Several dogs were on site looking for a “fur-ever” home. The event included haircuts, wine tasting, great activities for children including a visit from Anna and Elsa, a magic show, face painting and coloring . K9 PPR receives no government funding and rely strictly on the generosity of the community. Judging form the photos, there was plenty of generosity to go around at Le Jardin at the Spa. For more information about K9 Paw Print Rescue go to www. k9ppr.org or to their facebook page at www.facebook.com/ k9pawprintrescue. On behalf of these animals, thank you kind people.
Tawny and Cheryl at the K9 Paw Print Rescue fundraiser
ROSSMORE continued from p.20 “We listened to the community, the Planning commission, the Design Review Commission and as a result are adding 270 new trees, 60 bicycle racks and approximately 29,000 square feet of new anchor tenants and shops,” stated Mr. Belden of Citivest Commercial, LLC. The area will be looking forward to its completion and anxious to see who else moves in.
The LCC program accepts 25 to 30 individuals from throughout the county with diverse backgrounds who want to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work. The Chamber is now ready to begin recruiting for the 30th Leadership Contra Costa class. Coming June 4 and 5, it’s the Walnut Creek Chamber’s 35th Annual Art and Wine Festival at Heather Farms. Along with 250+ arts and craft booths, there are several new attractions. A new Premium
Collection for fine wine and master arts, Rising Stars performance stage, Freestyle Motocross exhibition,
and classic arcade games will all make their debut! Walnut Creek Aquanuts, the world-renowned synchronized swimming club, will be giving a synchronized swimming performance on both Saturday and Sunday. Every year, thousands spend both days at the Festival, while loyal beer fans take over the Craft Brew Garden for the coldest, but “hottest suds.” Children of all ages hang at the Kids Zone, and “something for everyone” can be found while strolling the 250+ arts & crafts booths. True to tradition, the midway will be filled with wines, beers, and food choices that have made the Walnut Creek Art &Wine Festival the East Bay’s best outdoor event!
Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce In Concord, the Ribbon Cutting force welcomed the opening of three new business locations. Buffalo Wild Wings 2090 Diamond Blvd. Concord – Restaurant specializing in delicious wings. Dogo Krav Maga 4115 Concord Blvd., Suite 42A Concord - A Self Defense and fitness gym. Regus 1320 Willow Pass Rd. Suite 600 Concord - Regus provides serviced offices, virtual offices, meeting rooms, and videoconferencing to clients on a contract basis. A Student Showcase at John Muir Medical Center Concord Campus presented the various MDUSD high
school career academies and pathways. Keynote Speaker MBUSD Superintendent Nellie Meyer points out the success
of its academy programs partnering with local business and designing curriculum that better prepares students to immediately join the work force or further their interest in higher education
opportunities. (See related story: Concord High Builds a House page 7) Sun Valley Food Court is Now Open! Ribbon cutting launched the official opening of Sun Valley Mall’s expanded (23,000 square ft.) Food Court featuring seating for 525 customers. It also features tech tables for those who need to recharge their electronics. Charley’s Philly Steaks, Cilantro, Chicken Connection, Pizza Studio, Suki Hana and Yeung’s Lotus Express are now serving during mall hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dojo Ramen Bar, is expected to be completed soon.
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Summer Squash Spectacular Rustic Summer Blueberry Tart FrugElegance farmerfresh by Debra Morris,
Pacific Coast Farmers Market http://www.pcfma.org/concord
The grill is fired up, the kids are out of school, the smell of freshly-cut grass floats in the air, and the splash of the sprinklers can be heard. The weather is perfect for grilling fresh summer vegetables. Summer squash tops the list of easyto-prepare and good-for-you summer fare. A very prolific vegetable, summer squash is a soft-shelled squash with thin edible skins and edible seeds, as compared to the hard-shelled winter squash with inedible skin. It has a tender flesh that requires only a short cooking time. Available at your farmers’ market now
through August or September, squash is very low in calories, high in vitamin C and high in fiber. Summer squash is picked immature while it is still tender and generally eaten within a short period of time. At your farmers’ market, stop by Bautista Ranch from Stockton, Tu Universo Organics from Watsonville, FT Fresh from Fresno, and others. Vidal Navarro of Bautista says, “At the core of our farm lies the commitment to producing the best produce we can.” Other small farms take the same stance and are also doing their best to bring you fabulous fresh summer squash. Pattypans, zucchini, globe, crookneck, Italian, and other squashes are available now. They are low in calories and have substantial vitamin, mineral, and fiber content. All have mild flavors that go well with almost anything.
Simple Grilled Summer Squash 2 zucchini, cut into 2 inch chunks 2 yellow squash, cut into 2-inch chunks 1 large onion, cut into chunks 2 small Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into
chunks (optional) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon minced garlic Salt and pepper
In a bowl, toss all the vegetables with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour onto large piece of aluminum foil and fold foil around vegetables into a packet. Cook on the grill for about 10 to 12 minutes. Recipe: PCFMA Staff
The Rustic Summer Blueberry Tart has been a long time family favorite recipe in Carol’s family. “When my girls were young, they would walk our dog, Jack, along the creek close to our home in Clayton and pick loads of blackberries. Then they would
by Carol and Randi The Frugirls
www.frugelegance.com
hurry home and we would make mini blackberry tarts.” We decided to post the recipe on our blog, FrugElegance.com. As proof that it must be easy to make, Randi made it each and every week … and for every bbq and get-together throughout the summer. “If a recipe isn’t easy, I simply won’t make it.” Since berries are now available and super sweet, “I (Randi) made a blueberry tart to bring with a container of soup for a neighbor who is isn’t feeling well. The best kind of “get well” package.” Most call it a Blueberry Galette but we call it a Summer Blueberry Tart. Why? Because if we call it “Galette”, it sounds like it must be complicated or difficult to make. It isn’t! This is so embarrassingly easy -but, shhh! Don’t tell anyone. Let them think you worked really hard to provide them with such an incredible fresh dessert. We are certain you will enjoy it’s tasty simplicity.
Rustic Summer Blueberry Tart
• 2 cups of fresh blueberries or a mixture of assorted berries • 1/3 cup sugar • 4 tsp cornstarch • pinch of salt • 1 pre-made, roll-out, pie crust 1. In a bowl, mix blueberries or (whatever fruit you are using) with sugar, cornstarch & salt. 2. Roll out pie crust on a piece of parchment paper. 3. Pour fruit mixture onto pie crust starting in center. Leave 1-1/2” of pie crust from the edges empty for room to fold. 4. Fold over edge of pie crust a little at a time. We like to have some spots overlap a little for a pretty design. Don’t worry if some crust breaks, just pinch it together so the fruit mixture doesn’t leak out while baking. 5. Bake at 375• for 20-25 minutes. Serve plain or with ice cream and whipped topping and ENJOY! Two little tidbits about the pie crust. Before unrolling it, let it sit for a few minutes rolled up. It unrolls and works better at room temperature. We like to use Trader Joe’s pre-made rolled out pie crust. It is the best of the best. Homemade doesn’t have to mean difficult. We only like easy recipes and easy home projects. For more easy frugelegance, come see us on our blog www.frugelegance.com
BBQ’s and Grill’s… How to Make Great Things Even Better! by Greg Rodriguez, Owner, Dog Day Spice Rub
As someone who enjoys the outdoors I have ample opportunity to cook a variety of meats and vegetables on my grill(s). There are all kinds of “grills” out there. You may think, is my grill really good enough? You may be thinking that you don’t have one of those fancy dancy thousand dollar grills. A lot of you and many of my friends have the $200 gas grill from the local hardware store. Maybe it’s an old 3 burner Charbroiler or a rusted out Ausi charcoal grill. Don’t toss those into the BBQ graveyard just yet. In fact, by the time I am done here you may have a change of heart about that old faithful grill of yours. I will start by saying this, I am not sponsored, nor do I have any ownership in any of the companies I want to talk about. The products I am going to mention are ones that have worked for me over the past few years with a variety of grills The most important thing to any BBQ, grill or smoker is to keep it clean. BBQ’s and Grills should be emptied of all ash, burnt food particles, drip pans, etc. All of that affects air flow and taste. If you have a piece of crusty Salmon stuck to your grill and you’re making burgers you’re in for a fishy tasting burger. Invest is a sturdy grill brush! On the other hand, if you have a wellseasoned smoker leave the sides alone. Clean out the ash, food particles and
grease. If you have exposed rust on the interior or exterior of any grill use a metal brush and scrape it off. Get a can of high temperature BBQ spray paint and repaint the rusted surface. One of the most popular grills out there is the Weber Kettle. The kettle is most commonly found in the 22.5” size followed by the 18.5”. I will say that the 22.5” is the backbone of BBQ. Everyone should have one of these in their arsenal. The number one improvement, in my opinion for this BBQ would be to upgrade the grill itself. You can run out to your local hardware store and get a replacement Weber grill for about $20-$30 that will get it back to stock condition. But WAIT…can I make a suggestion? As times change so does technology. The best thing for the Weber since sliced bread has got to be GrillGrates (grillgrate. com). They are made of Aircraft Grade Aluminum that you can buy fitted for the Weber grill. But if you have multiple grills you can buy them in sections that can be moved between grills. These devices are fantastic! All you have to do when you get them is fire your grill up (gas or charcoal) set these on top of your old rusted grill and you’re back in action. Having the ability to make restaurant grade sear marks with absolutely no flare ups is awesome; the days of burnt meat are history. Whatever size you get they
can be moved to any of your grills. The GrillGrate also takes hot spots on the grill and disperses them. Another item to look at for your Weber kettle grill is a Smoke EZ attachment (www.smoke-ez.com). It turns your regular 22.5” Kettle into a smoking/ slow cooking unit. With the attachment you can hang ribs, sausage, etc. from the hanging rack the unit comes with. This allows for long periods of cooking at lower temps with a lot of smoke.
If you want to kick the BBQ to the curb than all means do so. However, before doing that weigh your options and know there are solutions to many of the cosmetic and basic functionality problems you might face. Greg Rodriguez is co-owner of Dog Day Spice Rub along with his wife Kerry. Greg has a son named Wyatt and continues to explore the great outdoors with Wyatt and Kerry. Visit them at http://www.dogdayspicerub.com
Blue Cheese, Bacon Wrapped Deer Medallions Ingredients: • 8 deer back strap Medallions cut 1 ½ inches thick ( Beef Top Sirloin) • 8 pieces of thick cut peppered bacon • 8 tbsp crumbled blue cheese, room temperature • 3 tbsp Panko bread crumbs • Dog Day Spice Rub 3 Knucklehead Rub or your favorite steak seasoning • Tooth picks that have been soaked in water for 10 minutes Prepare the deer medallions by removing all silver skin. Lay each of the 8 medallions flat on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife cut a small pocket into the medallion without cutting all the way through, similar to a Pita Pocket. Mix the blue cheese with the Panko to make a paste. Stuff about 1 tbsp of blue cheese paste into each of the 8 medallions. Use one piece of bacon per medallion and wrap around the edge, covering the slit in the meat with the center of the bacon piece. Use a tooth pick to secure the bacon to the meat. Season each medallion on both sides with your choice of seasoning (obviously I favor the 3 Knucklehead Rub!). Prepare a hot charcoal BBQ or a gas grill on high. With each medallion, set bacon side down on the grill for about 15 seconds then roll the medallion every 15 seconds until all sides are slightly cooked then set aside. Once all 8 medallions are slightly cooked return all 8 to the grill and cook on one side 3 minutes then flip, cooking the opposite side another 3 minutes and remove from the grill and enjoy! If you prefer a more well done medallion leave on the heat for a couple more minutes on each side.