Each week, the Concord Clayton Pioneer posts a summary of our news stories called “So This Happened…” and this post covers the week of January 15 through 21 2024.

So This Happened…Week of Jan. 22 through 28, 2023

Clockwise from left: Clayton Valley Charter basketball coach Frank Allocco Jr. and guard Elijah Perryman celebrated the Concord school’s 2023 North Coast Section championship. Flora Square, renamed Rhine House for one of Clayton’s founders, Jacob Rhine, is heading for a new life. Kathy Kearns drew inspiration from her Greek heritage for her mythological sculpture series.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Jan. 28, 2024) — Clayton’s vision of a vibrant downtown has gotten a boost from new businesses like Sip ’N Sweet and Odyssey VRLounge, along with a location change for Clayton Yoga.

Meanwhile,, Skipolini’s owner Kent Ipsen is in the process of purchasing the Flora Square building – with plans for a new restaurant and upstairs apartments. “It’s a beautiful building, but it’s gone through a series of owners and, sadly, it’s just been under-tenanted and so underfunded,” Ipsen told the Clayton Planning Commission. Read the complete story.

The local sports scene: With North Coast Section playoffs just weeks away, check in to see how your favorite high school soccer and basketball teams are faring. For more local sports news, see our Athlete Spotlights on CV’s James Moore and YV’s Evan McKnight.

Pre-prom prep: The Concord Library is looking for gently used prom dresses, suits and accessories for its Pop-Up Prom Shop. Over at the Clayton Library, kids can drop by on Jan. 31 for an activity pack for “Dogtown.

More stories

Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:

From the mayors: Birsan hoping for open dialogue, and Diaz promises open process. 

Letter to the Editor: Treasurer appointment not just – or equitable.

Obituary: Leonard Wyatt Burnand Jr.

In the garden: Diablo View Orchid Society show/sale moves to larger space for February event. Also, prune roses now, then top off with special fertilizer.

Clayton officers sporting new patch, with nods to the past.

Master potter unveils mythical sculpture series beyond clay.

Concord seeks representative for Contra Costa Transit Authority Advisory Committee.

Ditching resolutions for cheers to our staff, relationships and no more diets.

Concord police arrest report.

Read past installments of “So This Happened…”: Click here.

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Bev Britton
Bev Britton
Copy Editor at The Concord Clayton Pioneer | bevbritton@sbcglobal.net

Bev Britton graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and moved to the Bay Area with her soon-to-be husband Jim in 1986. She was features editor at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek before becoming managing editor of the Contra Costa Sun in Lafayette in 1995. She retired from newsrooms in 2001, but an ad for the Clayton Pioneer drew her back in. The family moved to Lake Wildwood in the Gold Country a few years ago - but working at the Pioneer keeps her in touch with her old neighborhoods in Concord and Clayton.

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