So This Happened…Week of March 20 through 26, 2023
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 26, 2023) — Seems like we have plenty of good news to report this week, so let’s start with that.
Welcome to the neighborhood: Even if you missed last week’s Won’t you Be My Neighbor Day, it’s not too late to learn more about Mister Rogers’ message of kindness. Pioneer readers chimed in with their memories as our writer David Scholz recalled the PBS icon.
Somewhere over the rainbow: Pioneer contributor Kara Navolio shares the story of a courageous girl in her new book, “Maggie Discovers the Rainbow.” Local illustrator Tracie Timmer provided the colorful artwork for the magical world.
A pet project: Clayton artist Fiona Hughes took advantage of her pandemic time by focusing on pet portraits. “It’s an honor to memorialize someone’s treasured pet, and especially meaningful if it has passed on,” she tells Pioneer columnist John Nakanishi.
A super superintendent: Mt. Diablo’s Adam Clark received the Charles Mae Knight and Rex Fortune Superintendent of the Year Award for Excellence in Education. The honor comes from the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators. “I dedicate the Superintendent of the Year award to the adults who support our precious students of Mt. Diablo Unified School District,” Clark said.
More stories
Here are some other stories the Pioneer covered recently:
In Concord: The City Council began discussions about selecting a third developer for the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. Meanwhile, the city hired a consultant and established a community group to tackle homelessness.
In Pleasant Hill: Mayor Tim Flaherty reviews his State of the City address.
Police reports: One arrested after shooting death in Concord; three arrested for shooting assault rifle in Concord; and new online form for reporting anti-Semitic crimes.
In sports: Carondelet soccer loses NorCal heartbreaker. And, five seniors named winter sports League Players of the Year.
In the community: Concord celebrates Women’s History Month; volunteer tutors needed for Project Second Chance; and Contra Costa Health altering COVID-19 response.
What’s on the menu: Fuji’s sushi and other Asian fare a buffet worth sampling. And, learn about the farmers market, one piece of produce at a time.
Commentaries: Concord fails LGBTQIA+ community; supporting rental discount for CBCA; lawsuits won’t solve affordable housing crisis; and “Classic” California plates shouldn’t be brand new.
Obituaries: Denise Joy Brown and Dennis Olson.
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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.