So This Happened…Week of June 12 through 18, 2023
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (June 19, 2023) — There is a lot going on in Clayton right now – but one thing that isn’t happening is the popular BBQ fest. The Clayton Business & Community Association (CBCA) decided to cancel this year’s event due to uncertainty about city fees and the ability to turn a profit.
But Steve Biggs believes the popular cookout will come back next year stronger than ever. “We want to be able to plan an event that will benefit not only the barbecue community, but the people of Clayton,” he said. (Read full story here.)
The cancellation comes as Clayton Valley High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame gave the CBCA special recognition for the non-profit group’s community support.
Meanwhile, new Clayton City Manager Bret Prebula talks to the Pioneer about ways to unite what some see as a divided community and Mayor Jeff Wan provides an update on the city budget.
Controversial housing plan: Pleasant Hills’ amended Housing Element includes the potential for 298 low-income units on the Paso Nogal and Morello Terraces hillside sites – even though council members and residents believe the area is not a good option. Mayor Tim Flaherty places the blame on state housing mandates. (Read the full story here.)
Celebrating Pride: Music columnist Dave Hughes talks to local artists about how their sexual orientation and/or gender identity affects their music. “After I came out, I was way more willing to share my music openly,” notes songwriter Rachael Kayte. Also, Dominique King offers advice on how to address others using proper pronouns and Kadeth Pozzesi talks about acceptance and solidarity.
More stories
Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently.
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Feel the beat – and the heat – with Concord’s summer of fun.
To thwart scammers, seniors must be their own “gatekeepers.”
Graduations end unique high school journey for Class of 2023.
In sports: St. Bonaventure CYO track honors stalwart graduating members, plus Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Leniyah Fulsom and Navodit Pillala.
Actors dance and sing their way through “The Heights.”
Clayton dad-daughter gardeners like to keep things fresh.
Would you like Brussels sprouts fries with that?
Help Duke, Delacroix and Matisse find their forever homes.
Read past installments of “So This Happened…”: Click here.
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Bev Britton
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.