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The Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office recognizes that COVID-19 restrictions may have severely impacted many businesses and commercial property owners and may have led to a reduction in property values. In order to provide assessment relief to those who may have been impacted, the Assessor’s Office is legally required to have qualitative evidence to support a reduction in value.
Not all businesses and commercial properties have been affected, but if you believe the value of your business or commercial property has dropped below the current assessed value due to COVID-19, Assessor, Gus Kramer, urges you to please visit our website at the link below for guidance on what information and documentation to submit to our office for a FREE review of your assessed value.
For information and forms to request a 2021-2022 value review, please visit the link to the Assessor’s webpage “Review Your Value” at: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6919/Review-Your-Value.
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Najee Harris hurdles a player during Alabama’s 63-48 victory over Ole Miss on Oct. 10, 2020. Photo: University of Alabama Football
National Champion Alabama Running Back
Najee Harris. Photo: UAF
By Luke Johnson
Antioch High graduate, Alabama standout and 2021 national champion, Najee Harris is expected to be drafted into the NFL on Thursday. He will be the school’s first player in the NFL Draft in decades.
The last time an Antioch High alum was selected in the NFL Draft was 1999 when the Dallas Cowboys picked tight end Mike Lucky. In fact, five players from Antioch High made it to the NFL in the 1990s: Lucky, Jeremy Newberry, Mark Butterfield, Frank Beede and Evan Pilgrim.
So how does a high school football program go from putting five players in the NFL in one decade to zero players for more than two decades?
We’ll get to that. But first, let’s talk more about Harris, who won the Doak Walker Trophy for being the best running back in college football last season.
He set new records at Alabama, arguably the most prestigious program in college football, for career rushing yards and touchdowns. He also shattered almost every record imaginable at Antioch High — records many experts say will never come close to being touched. For example, the previous career touchdown record at Antioch High was 32 by Brian Boccio. Harris surpassed that mark in a single season (twice!) and finished with 99 career touchdowns. His 100th was actually called back by a holding penalty.
“The kids look up to him because he’s this mythical creature to them,” said Brett Dudley, Antioch High’s assistant head coach. “He’s almost like a comic book character or an action-movie star. He’s just this larger than life character that obviously everyone knows about.”
Antioch pro wrestling legend Ferris Anthony said he knew Harris was going to be a star when he “first saw him walk on campus.”
Anthony was the freshman football head coach at the time and remembers watching campus security escort Harris to practice on a golf cart. Anthony quickly responded, “You’re taking him to the wrong team! He’s gonna hurt somebody playing over here!”
Harris was 6-foot-2 and a chiseled 185 pounds with wide shoulders and a big frame. Within just a few weeks of joining Antioch High’s football program, Harris was pulled up to varsity as a freshman.
He had a breakout performance that season against a Freedom High team led by senior running back Joe Mixon, who now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. Not only did Harris rush for more yards than Mixon, but he scored his first varsity touchdown and also had three solo tackles on Mixon — including a forced fumble.
Almost eight years later, Harris now awaits to be the first Antioch High alum drafted in the NFL since the new millennium.
Why has it been so long? There are two key factors.
One factor, other high schools opened in the area in the mid-90s.
When Deer Valley High School began operating on the other side of town in 1996, it essentially cut Antioch High’s football team in half. Since then, Deer Valley alumni Taiwan Jones, Sterling Moore, De’Ondre Wesley and Nsimba Webster have made it to the NFL.
Freedom High School also opened in 1996 — which took away many student athletes from Antioch High who lived near the Antioch-Oakley border. The aforementioned Mixon played for Antioch Youth Football, lists his hometown as Antioch, but played at Freedom High.
Another factor, De La Salle High School established its dominance as a national powerhouse in the 90s — which compelled many star athletes from Antioch to commute to Concord for high school. This list includes three-time All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew, Super Bowl Champ TJ Ward and many others.
Nine players from Antioch have made it to the NFL since 1999, but none of them attended the city’s oldest high school.
Antioch High head coach John Lucido said many high school teams tried recruiting Harris, but he stayed loyal to Antioch High because he believed in the school and the city when not many people did.
In his freshman year, Antioch High went 1-9. However, by his junior year, Antioch High went undefeated and won a league championship for the first time in 31 years.
“He’s very loyal. He knows he could make a difference and that’s what he wanted to do within the community and his school and his teammates,” Lucido said. “He wanted his teammates to get more exposure and go to Division-I schools and that’s what he did.”
Most NFL Draft experts project Harris to be picked in the late first round this Thursday. He is often slated to be selected No. 24 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in mock drafts, but predicted to go as high as No. 16 by the Arizona Cardinals.
Marcus Malu, Harris’ long-time personal trainer, said he thinks Harris fits best with the Cardinals, because his skillset compliments their quarterback Kyler Murray’s playing style. Lucido said he’s intrigued by the Buffalo Bills potentially selecting Harris, because he thinks Harris could be the missing piece to take the team to the Super Bowl within the next few years.
The 6-foot-2, 232 lb. running back has a 6.46 draft Prospect Grade, the 16th highest ranking and is one of 58 players to participate in the draft, according to the NFL.
The only Antioch High alum to be an NFL first-round draft pick was Ron Pritchard in 1969, who was an All-American linebacker at Arizona State and inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame. The last alum to be drafted in the second round was Newberry in 1998.
Malu said this is a moment he and Harris have been getting ready and “grinding” for almost nine years.
“I told him you have to be the best in high school. Then you have to be the best in college to have a chance to play in the NFL,” Malu said. “His football IQ is off the charts. His work ethic is off the charts.”
Harris is having a draft party — with limited guests — at Marshawn Lynch’s restaurant Rob Ben’s in Emeryville on Thursday.
Just a few months ago, Harris signed with Lynch’s Beast Mode Marketing and is currently working on a deal with Nike.
He debuted his “Young Naj clothing line” earlier this week with costume-made pajamas on “Up All Night” by Progressive insurance. They featured a logo inspired by Michael Jordan’s “jumpman” which resembled a hurdling football player, because those are the type of plays by Harris that dazzle the fans the most.
The NFL Draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes on Thursday, April 29 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (PT), Friday, April 30 at 4:00 PM PT and Saturday, May 1 at 9:00 AM PT.
Read MoreApprove $233 million Regional Action Plan for unsheltered homeless; $12.99 million Buchanan Field Terminal project; ban retractable dog leashes
Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer.
By Daniel Borsuk
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors decided in closed session on Tuesday to take “no action” on Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer’s claim to pay him $325,000 in legal fees stemming from a misconduct trial that was declared a mistrial in November in Superior Court.
“This is going to cost the county much more money,” commented Kramer, who was unaware of the supervisors’ executive session decision when contacted by the Contra Costa Herald.
The supervisors’ inaction on his claim means Kramer will appeal the executive session “no decision” to Superior Court.
In his claim, Kramer says former Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa had told him on several occasions that the attorney costs for the misconduct trial would be paid by the county.
“I took him (i.e., Twa) at his word,” the 70-year-old Kramer said. “He said this to me up to 10 different times. Just how does a person who was responsible for managing the county’s money can make promises like that and then the county does not come through with the money?”
Twa, who retired as Contra Costa County Administrator earlier this year and returned to his native Minnesota, continues to work as a consultant on the county’s redistricting that needs to be completed by the end of this year.
Supervisors honored Twa by dedicating the new 3 ½ story, 72,000 square foot administration building in Martinez in his name.
Supervisors did not comment on their executive session decision on Tuesday, especially District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who when contacted by the Contra Costa Herald, refrained from issuing any remarks other than informing this reporter on the board’s executive board decision on the Kramer claim.
Supervisor Glover defeated Kramer in last November’s election for the supervisorial District 5 seat. Glover is currently serving his sixth four-year term as a county supervisor, the longest tenure of any supervisor now on the board.
Supervisors Approved Regional Action Plan for Unsheltered Homeless
During their regular meeting on Tuesday, on a 5-0 vote, supervisors accepted an ambitious regional action plan, by All Home, that aims to shelter the homeless at a cost of about $223 million, partly covered by Measure X sales tax revenues over the next three years. If funded and properly implemented as planned it will reduce by 75 percent the unsheltered homeless population by 2024.
According to the presentation to the board, “All Home is a Bay Area organization advancing regional solutions that disrupt the cycle of poverty and homelessness, redress the disparities in outcomes as a result of race, and create more economic mobility opportunities for extremely low-income (ELI) individuals and families.”
The action plan is based on a statement by the Regional Impact Council that the Bay Area is a “Region in Crisis.”
Board Chair Burgis, who represents the county on the nonprofit’s board of directors, called the plan a “bold plan” several times in addressing the complex issue of homelessness in the county.
Supervisors Gioia of Richmond and Burgis admitted that any effort to adequately house the homeless will require spending Measure X dollars, a new source of sales tax revenue county officials is expecting to come into county coffers later this year.
“This is a great time of opportunity to get people off the streets by leveraging our tax dollars,” said Gioia. “Contra Costa County is a great leader.”
“I am really excited Contra Costa County is shining the light on this crisis (i.e., homelessness). This will be presented to the Mayors’ Council and the Measure X Committee,” added District II Supervisor Candace Andersen of Danville.
Buchanan Field Terminal Project Approved
Supervisors approved as a consent item the $12.99 million construction of a new Buchanan Field Terminal to replace the existing terminal at 181 John Glenn Dr. in Concord. Supervisors approved a construction contract submitted by W.E. Lyons Construction Co.
The Federal Aviation Administration will cover $6.1 million or 47 percent of the project’s cost. CalTrans will provide $150,000 or 1 percent of the construction cost and the Airport Enterprise Fund will fund $6.74 million or 52 percent.
The new building will replace the existing terminal structure at the north end of John Glenn Drive. The new terminal will include space for the Airports Divisions Administrative staff, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting staff and equipment, public space to support scheduled and unscheduled air service providers, office space for aviation businesses, and general public meeting space.
The W.E. Lyons Construction Co. bid topped six other bids for the Buchanan airport project to be found to be responsive and in good faith. The other six bids submitted for the project were:
Marcon Builders, $14,489,355; Zovich & Sons Inc., $14,559,000; Thompson Builders, $14,680,000; Patriot Contracting, $14,990,000; Rodam Builders, $15,315,000; and CWS Construction, $15,975,000.
Ordinance Bans Retractable Dog Leashes
With no public comment, supervisors approved a new Ordinance No. 2021-13, allowing community members to care for found dogs and cats and establishing new leash restrictions. Dog and cat leashes cannot be longer than six feet under the newly adopted ordinance.
Ordinance 2021-13 provides that a dog will be deemed to be “at large” if it is on a leash that is longer than six feet or that is extendable or retractable. A long, retractable, or extendable leash allows a dog to get too far away from its handler, which does not allow for effective control of the dog.
Ensuring that a dog is walked on a leash that is six feet or less could reduce dog bites to children due to helping to ensure more effective control. According to a Consumer Reports and Consumer Union’s analysis of statistics collected in 2007, there were 16,564 hospital treated injuries associated with pet leashes, 10.5 percent of those injuries were to children less than 10 years old.
Antioch Library Closure
Supervisors approved the temporary closure of the Antioch Library to the public from April 21 through May 31 so that Public Works workers can paint the interior of the library and install new carpet and new shelving. The library is slated to reopen on Tuesday, June 1.
“Although initially planned to take place the prior fiscal year, the improvements were postponed for several months due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said County Librarian Alison McKee. “Despite the initial delay, shelving has been purchased and scheduled for installation, and work requests have been submitted for Public Works for the paint and carpet work.”
During the closure, Antioch library staff will be temporarily reassigned to other libraries to fill vacant positions. The book drop will not be open at the Antioch library, and holds will not be available for pickup. Those needing library services during the closure should visit the nearby Prewett or Oakley libraries or any other county library.
EHSD Language Line Contract
Supervisors approved a $1.1 million contract with Language Line Services, Inc. to provide interpretation and translation services for the Employment and Human Services Department from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Language Line Services provides telephone interpretation, on-site interpretation, and document translation services to the Employment and Human Services Department and to the clients serviced by the department.
Over One Million COVID-19 Vaccines Given in County
On the COVID-19 news front, Contra Costa Health Services Director Anna Roth announced the county has administered over one million vaccines, the second highest in the state. That translates into 90,000 vaccines a week were administered, said Roth.
Persons 16 years old and older can now get the vaccine, said Roth. “No appointment is necessary.”
“A million doses are amazing!” said board chair Diane Burgis of Brentwood. “I want to acknowledge the hard work.”
“I also want to acknowledge everyone in Public Health on one million vaccinations,” said District 1 Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, a frequent critic of the department’s inability to adequately vaccinate minorities in underserved communities like Richmond, El Sobrante, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, and Oakley.
“County Equity Officer Gilbert Salinas has done a great job in closing the equity gap,” Gioia said.
Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said people will have a choice of vaccines when they report for their shots. Dr. Farnitano said last Friday the CDC and FDA had accepted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations to lift pausing on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for all adults. The region’s health officers agreed that the risk of developing the rare clotting disorder in females is extremely low.
“According to the CDC, to date there have been only 15 confirmed cases of the rare clotting event among nearly 8 million total doses administered in the United States, all in females, which translates to a risk less than 2 cases per million doses overall and 7 cases per million doses among women between 18 and 49 years of age,” a joint press release of Bay Area Health Officers states.
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Contra Costa’s Glazer is a committee member
By Greg Burt
This Wednesday, April 28, the Senate Education Committee is again considering approval of a bill to require school districts to put their sex education material online for easy parental access. The same bill, SB 217, failed in March, even with the support of the committee chair Senator Connie Leyva (D-San Bernardino). The author Senator Brian Dahle (R-Redding) is hoping that removing the requirement that sex education lessons be translated into various languages, will guarantee passage this time. Senator Steve Glazer is a member of the committee.
The President of the California Family Council Jonathan Keller commended Senator Dahle for working hard to resurrect the commonsense proposal. “Whether they vote Democrat or Republican, all parents believe in government transparency, especially regarding the education of their children,” Keller said. “We urge elected officials on both sides of the aisle to set aside partisan politics and support these reasonable protections for kids and families.”
Senator Dahle believes the need for the bill has increased because of the pandemic. “Given the new structure of our schooling system as changed due to COVID-19, we should encourage that parents actively participate in their child’s development and instruction,” Dahle wrote. “The shift to internet-based and technology heavy education has forced schools to prevent parents from physically accessing the school campus during the pandemic. … As such, we need to ensure that parents and students have access to all of the material and curriculum being taught by the school.”
The idea for this bill came from a Bay Area mother named Denise Pursche several years ago when her elementary school resisted showing her the new sex education curriculum to be used for her twin 5th graders. After being sent on detours, and then asking again and again, Denise finally got a chance to look at the actual lessons being used, but she could only review them at the school district office for a limited period of time. Once she saw the graphic, age-inappropriate content, Denise realized why school personnel tried to hide the curriculum from her.
It is common practice for school officials to require parents to come to the school or district offices during school hours if they want to review the sex-ed lessons, a difficult prospect for single parents or homes with two working parents.
With the help of the California Family Council, she got former Senator Mike Morrell to introduce SB 637, a bill not only required sex education materials to be translated into various languages and put online, but required schools to get parental permission before teaching comprehensive sex education to children in elementary school. Currently, parents can opt their children out of classes, but they must initiate the process.
The Senate Education Committee heard Morrell’s bill, SB 673, in January of 2020, but it died along party lines. The committee chair Senator Leyva said at the time she supported the transparency part of the bill, but not the opt-in procedure. So this year, Senator Dahle took Leyva at her word and introduced SB 217 that only included the transparency part of the bill, plus the costly provision that required the curriculum to be translated for parents who didn’t read English. Unfortunately, the bill died 3 – 3, with Senator Richard Pan not voting.
Hopefully, with the cost-prohibitive translation provision removed, at least one of the four Democrats on the education committee, Senators Richard Pan, Dave Cortese, Steven Glazer, or Mike McGuire, will change their minds and vote for the bill. SB 217 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Education Committee on the morning of Wednesday, April 28.
Take Action
CALL your State Senator and tell them to vote “Yes” on SB 217!
Burt is the Director of Capitol Engagement at the California Family Council.
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The Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) has announced that the 39th Annual Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifying tournament will be held at the Brentwood Golf Club this Friday, April 30th at 8:30 am. With over 180,000 members, the NCGA supports and promotes the game of golf in Northern California.
Rex Choe, Chief Operating Officer of the Brentwood Club, said he is “very excited” about the upcoming event and is pleased that the association has chosen the Brentwood Club to hold this qualifying event.
The 120-year-old association is made up of golfers who like to golf, whether daily, once a week or even once a year. Located at 100 Summerset Way, the golf course has had many improvements made to the playing area, this past year and Choe is happy to showcase them for the golfers of Northern California.
“The community is welcome to join their neighbors for an exciting day of golf,” Choe said.
For more information about the event contact Carl Thorenson, NCGA Rules Official, at (925) 368-9500 or click here.
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Kimberly Anne Meredith to judge the 145th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Source: WKC
Westminster Kennel Club. Photo: WKC
New York – Pleasant Hill, California resident Kimberly Anne Meredith is among the judges at the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Presented by Purina Pro Plan® in Tarrytown, New York on June 13, 2021. Due to the pandemic the dog show was moved from its traditional winter date in New York City to an outdoor venue this spring at the Lyndhurst Estate, a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She will officiate over several breeds during her eighth judging assignment at Westminster.
Meredith will be judging the Portuguese Water Dogs, Rottweilers, and Siberian Huskies. All Best of Breed winners she selects will go on to compete in the Working Group held on Sunday evening.
Meredith has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs since 1972. A breeder-exhibitor of Alaskan Malamutes, she has bred more than 60 champions, including multiple all breed Best in Show and multiple national specialty winners. In addition, she has owned and exhibited Akitas, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Lhasa Apsos, Clumber Spaniel, Bassett Hound, and Whippets. Meredith has judged numerous national specialties and judged abroad in France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Finland, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, Japan, Denmark, China, and Korea. She judges the Working, Sporting, Herding, Hound, Non-Sporting, and Toy groups, Junior Showmanship, and Best in Show.
An effort to reach Meredith for comment was unsuccessful. Please check back later for any updates to this report.
All daytime preliminary breed and junior showmanship judging as well as evening Group competitions will be held on Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, 2021. The Best in Show and Junior Showmanship Finals judging will be held on Sunday evening. The dog show is preceded on Friday, June 11, 2021 by the 8th Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster Presented by Purina Pro Plan® and the 6th Annual Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster Presented by Purina Pro Plan® will be held on Sunday, June 13, 2021.
For the schedule of events click here. For television coverage click here. Live streaming of daytime events and dog show results can be found at www.westminsterkennelclub.org. Westminster Weekend events are presented by Purina Pro Plan®.
About the Westminster Kennel Club
144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Best In Show in competition.
The Westminster Kennel Club, established in 1877, is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of dogs. It hosts the iconic, all-breed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the second-longest, continuously held sporting event in the U.S., and since 1948, the longest nationally televised live dog show. The annual dog show—a conformation competition for purebred dogs—and the Masters Agility Championship and Masters Obedience Championship—where dogs from all backgrounds are eligible to compete—make Westminster Week with its nearly 3,000 dogs from the U.S. and around the world a pinnacle experience for any dog lover. America’s Dog Show has captivated canine enthusiasts for more than a century with its educational benched format, where the public can engage with more than 200 breeds of dogs in New York City. The Club’s mission, which enhances the lives of all dogs, celebrates the companionship of dogs, promotes responsible dog ownership, and breed preservation. WESTMINSTER. There’s only one.® Visit: westminsterkennelclub.org and follow us @WKCDogShow.
About Purina Pro Plan
144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Best In Show.
Purina Pro Plan is a leader in the advanced nutrition category, with more than 70 formulas in dry and wet pet food to help meet a variety of needs. Its science is backed by 500 Purina scientists globally, including nutritionists, veterinarians and behaviorists, who continuously rethink what nutrition can do. It is also the food of choice for 13 of the past 14 Westminster Best in Show winners*. For more information, visit www.proplan.com or follow @ProPlan on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. The brand is manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which promotes responsible pet care, community involvement, and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health, and wellness.
*The handler or owners of these champions may have received Purina Pro Plan dog food as Purina ambassadors.
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Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days (BTWD) organizers have named the winners of the 2021 Bike Champion of the Year awards. Given to individuals for inspiring bicycling in their Bay Area communities, this award recognizes an individual (or in one case, a whole family) from each of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties for their commitment to bicycling as the primary mode of transport.
Smitty Ardrey. Photo: MTC
The 2021 winners include Smitty Ardrey, from Contra Costa County, who can be found every Thursday in the summer fixing bikes at Bike Concord’s Bike Tent at the Concord Farmers Market in Todo Santos Plaza. Nominator Claire Linder says: “He has organized bike rodeos, pop-up bike repair clinics, and since 2019, a bike education class at Olympic High School in Concord. His drive, foresight and commitment have made biking more accessible in central Contra Costa County, bringing to life [Bike Concord’s] mission of MBOB (More Butts on Bikes)!”
Daniel Wood and his triplets – Hazel, Alden, and Malia – from Santa Clara County, who can be seen riding their bikes to and from school each day. According to nominator Sharlene Gee, “I am so proud of them for using their own power to get to school on time, in good moods and ready to learn. I’ve seen their road skills and awareness rapidly and organically grow. They set a powerful example for everyone at the school.”
2021 MTC Bike Champions of the Year
Here is the complete list of 2021 Bike Champion of the Year award winners:
- Contra Costa County: Smitty Ardrey helped organize advocates passionate about cycling in Concord into Bike Concord, which is now an integral part of the bicycle movement in the city and surrounding areas.
- Alameda County: Lionel McNeely first taught himself how to ride when he was 7, and his work with bikes hasn’t stopped since. He laughs, “I took my first bike apart when I was 10 years old and got it back together when I was 12.” An 11-year volunteer with youth empowerment program Trips for Kids in Marin, he leads monthly art rides with Oakland collective Rock Paper Scissors and has ridden and fundraised with AIDS/LifeCycle three times, among other achievements.
- Marin County: Hilary Noll has a vision of bicycling in the future: “People from ages 8 to 80 feeling comfortable biking for everyday needs. More women riding, especially as commuters. More women- and minority-owned bike shops. A cycling culture in which everyone – from elite riders to everyday folks getting started – are welcomed and empowered.”
- Napa County: Kate Miller started bike commuting in the mid-1980s when she lived in Seattle and never stopped. She recalls being mistaken for a bike messenger, because in major cities like Seattle, those were the only people found riding around the city.
- San Francisco County: Lydia Francis moved to the city in 2018 and took up cycling at the start of the pandemic. Getting a bike transformed her perspective of San Francisco, encouraging her to explore new neighborhoods and master the geography of the city. “Overall, biking has given me a deeper sense of belonging here in San Francisco,” said Lydia, “both to the literal geography of this place and the people I meet while exploring on two wheels.”
- San Mateo County: Sonia Elkes, avid bicyclist and founder of the advocacy group San Carlos Bikes, is referred to as “the voice for bicyclists in San Carlos.” She is constantly working to improve the state of biking in San Carlos and increasing the number of people who bicycle for their health and the environment.
- Santa Clara County: Daniel Wood and family (see above) encourages other parents to get their kids out on bikes and set an example, while making sure everyone knows and follows the rules of the road. “I think with everything it just starts with changing one mind and then that person hopefully changes one other,” says Daniel.
- Solano County: Cande Medrano, now 71, rides everywhere: from dental appointments to grocery stores, even all the way to Berkeley for doctor appointments. In 2020, Cande logged more than 14,000 miles.
- Sonoma County: Sherry Adams is not just a passionate cyclist, but a champion of social justice. She volunteered at local nonprofit Community Bikes – a reuse and repair training program and worked as a bike mechanic at the ReCyclery Bike Thrift Shop operated by Trips for Kids. Her biggest and most recent achievement has been the creation of Changing Gears, an educational program for inmates at the Sonoma County jail.
Each winner will receive a Tailgator Brake Light and water bottle from Mike’s Bikes, a bicycle-only membership for 24/7 roadside assistance from Better World Club, a laminated, boxed set of San Francisco Bay Trail map cards from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), and a cycling jersey from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Read all about the winners here.
Details about Bike to Wherever Days can be found online at Bayareabiketowork.com. Follow us on Facebook at @biketoworkday, Twitter @BikeToWorkSFBay, and Instagram @biketoworkday_bayarea.
Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days is presented by MTC (the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area), and 511 (the region’s traveler information system). BTWD 2021 also receives regional support from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), as well as from many sponsors at the local level. Prizes for the Bike Champion of the Year winners were donated by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Better World Club and Mike’s Bikes.
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By CHP – Contra Costa
Monday afternoon, April 26, 2021, at approximately 12:45 pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a possible freeway shooting incident that occurred one hour prior (11:45am) in the area of HWY-4 westbound at I-680. The victim (adult female) self-transported herself along with her child (juvenile female) to John Muir Hospital. Once there the hospital staff notified law enforcement.
According to the victim, she was driving westbound on HWY-4 near I-680 when she observed a white sedan pull alongside, attempting to gain her attention. She continued driving and then heard several gunshots as the vehicle drove passed her. Her vehicle was struck and her daughter sustained a minor abrasion to her head as a result of the gunshots. The victim described the white sedan occupied by two black male adults and the passenger firing the gun.
This is an ongoing investigation and all the information we have at this time to release. Anyone with information regarding this shooting incident, the white sedan, or occupants inside is encouraged to call Contra Costa CHP at (925)646-4980. We are thankful the little girl and her mother did not suffer more serious injuries.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Orinda police are continuing to investigate the burglary of four businesses on Moraga Way and Brookwood Road in downtown Orinda.
The burglaries occurred on Sunday, April 25, 2021, between midnight and 2 AM. In each case, the suspect entered the business after breaking the glass front door. The male suspect, who appeared to be the same suspect in all four cases, fled after taking some cash.
The Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab responded and processed the scenes for evidence. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact Sergeant S. Valkanoff of the Orinda Police Department at (925) 253-4217. For any tips, please email: sorindatip@cityoforinda.org or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
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Samples of clay artwork by (l-r) Bonnie Fri, Linda Goren, Mary Leigh Miller, Nicole Collins and Olga Jusidman. Photos: Main Street Arts
And Then…There Was Clay
Main Street Arts member, Olga Jusidman has gathered together a group of talented artists from the clay studio in Walnut Creek to for an exhibit at our gallery in Martinez. After a year of not working together in the studio, these artists are excited to put on this show of their new work and see each other again at the open house. Please join us on May 8 from noon to 6 pm for an open house reception.
For a preview of the show, see https://www.mainstreetarts.net/and-thenthere-was-clay.html
Opening: May 1st
OPEN HOUSE: May 8th from 12pm to 6pm
Closing: July 1st
Artists include: Melanie Wallas, Linda Goren, Nicole Collins, Mary Leigh Miller, Bonnie Fry, Karen Hildebrand, Mary Ellen Brownell and Olga Jusidman.
Main Street Arts is located at 613 Main Street in Martinez. For more information call (925) 269-8049 or visit www.mainstreetarts.net.
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The Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office recognizes that COVID-19 restrictions may have severely impacted many businesses and commercial property owners and may have led to a reduction in property values. In order to provide assessment relief to those who may have been impacted, the Assessor’s Office is legally required to have qualitative evidence to support a reduction in value.
Not all businesses and commercial properties have been affected, but if you believe the value of your business or commercial property has dropped below the current assessed value due to COVID-19, Assessor, Gus Kramer, urges you to please visit our website at the link below for guidance on what information and documentation to submit to our office for a FREE review of your assessed value.
For information and forms to request a 2021-2022 value review, please visit the link to the Assessor’s webpage “Review Your Value” at: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6919/Review-Your-Value.
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Najee Harris hurdles a player during Alabama’s 63-48 victory over Ole Miss on Oct. 10, 2020. Photo: University of Alabama Football
National Champion Alabama Running Back
Najee Harris. Photo: UAF
By Luke Johnson
Antioch High graduate, Alabama standout and 2021 national champion, Najee Harris is expected to be drafted into the NFL on Thursday. He will be the school’s first player in the NFL Draft in decades.
The last time an Antioch High alum was selected in the NFL Draft was 1999 when the Dallas Cowboys picked tight end Mike Lucky. In fact, five players from Antioch High made it to the NFL in the 1990s: Lucky, Jeremy Newberry, Mark Butterfield, Frank Beede and Evan Pilgrim.
So how does a high school football program go from putting five players in the NFL in one decade to zero players for more than two decades?
We’ll get to that. But first, let’s talk more about Harris, who won the Doak Walker Trophy for being the best running back in college football last season.
He set new records at Alabama, arguably the most prestigious program in college football, for career rushing yards and touchdowns. He also shattered almost every record imaginable at Antioch High — records many experts say will never come close to being touched. For example, the previous career touchdown record at Antioch High was 32 by Brian Boccio. Harris surpassed that mark in a single season (twice!) and finished with 99 career touchdowns. His 100th was actually called back by a holding penalty.
“The kids look up to him because he’s this mythical creature to them,” said Brett Dudley, Antioch High’s assistant head coach. “He’s almost like a comic book character or an action-movie star. He’s just this larger than life character that obviously everyone knows about.”
Antioch pro wrestling legend Ferris Anthony said he knew Harris was going to be a star when he “first saw him walk on campus.”
Anthony was the freshman football head coach at the time and remembers watching campus security escort Harris to practice on a golf cart. Anthony quickly responded, “You’re taking him to the wrong team! He’s gonna hurt somebody playing over here!”
Harris was 6-foot-2 and a chiseled 185 pounds with wide shoulders and a big frame. Within just a few weeks of joining Antioch High’s football program, Harris was pulled up to varsity as a freshman.
He had a breakout performance that season against a Freedom High team led by senior running back Joe Mixon, who now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. Not only did Harris rush for more yards than Mixon, but he scored his first varsity touchdown and also had three solo tackles on Mixon — including a forced fumble.
Almost eight years later, Harris now awaits to be the first Antioch High alum drafted in the NFL since the new millennium.
Why has it been so long? There are two key factors.
One factor, other high schools opened in the area in the mid-90s.
When Deer Valley High School began operating on the other side of town in 1996, it essentially cut Antioch High’s football team in half. Since then, Deer Valley alumni Taiwan Jones, Sterling Moore, De’Ondre Wesley and Nsimba Webster have made it to the NFL.
Freedom High School also opened in 1996 — which took away many student athletes from Antioch High who lived near the Antioch-Oakley border. The aforementioned Mixon played for Antioch Youth Football, lists his hometown as Antioch, but played at Freedom High.
Another factor, De La Salle High School established its dominance as a national powerhouse in the 90s — which compelled many star athletes from Antioch to commute to Concord for high school. This list includes three-time All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew, Super Bowl Champ TJ Ward and many others.
Nine players from Antioch have made it to the NFL since 1999, but none of them attended the city’s oldest high school.
Antioch High head coach John Lucido said many high school teams tried recruiting Harris, but he stayed loyal to Antioch High because he believed in the school and the city when not many people did.
In his freshman year, Antioch High went 1-9. However, by his junior year, Antioch High went undefeated and won a league championship for the first time in 31 years.
“He’s very loyal. He knows he could make a difference and that’s what he wanted to do within the community and his school and his teammates,” Lucido said. “He wanted his teammates to get more exposure and go to Division-I schools and that’s what he did.”
Most NFL Draft experts project Harris to be picked in the late first round this Thursday. He is often slated to be selected No. 24 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in mock drafts, but predicted to go as high as No. 16 by the Arizona Cardinals.
Marcus Malu, Harris’ long-time personal trainer, said he thinks Harris fits best with the Cardinals, because his skillset compliments their quarterback Kyler Murray’s playing style. Lucido said he’s intrigued by the Buffalo Bills potentially selecting Harris, because he thinks Harris could be the missing piece to take the team to the Super Bowl within the next few years.
The 6-foot-2, 232 lb. running back has a 6.46 draft Prospect Grade, the 16th highest ranking and is one of 58 players to participate in the draft, according to the NFL.
The only Antioch High alum to be an NFL first-round draft pick was Ron Pritchard in 1969, who was an All-American linebacker at Arizona State and inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame. The last alum to be drafted in the second round was Newberry in 1998.
Malu said this is a moment he and Harris have been getting ready and “grinding” for almost nine years.
“I told him you have to be the best in high school. Then you have to be the best in college to have a chance to play in the NFL,” Malu said. “His football IQ is off the charts. His work ethic is off the charts.”
Harris is having a draft party — with limited guests — at Marshawn Lynch’s restaurant Rob Ben’s in Emeryville on Thursday.
Just a few months ago, Harris signed with Lynch’s Beast Mode Marketing and is currently working on a deal with Nike.
He debuted his “Young Naj clothing line” earlier this week with costume-made pajamas on “Up All Night” by Progressive insurance. They featured a logo inspired by Michael Jordan’s “jumpman” which resembled a hurdling football player, because those are the type of plays by Harris that dazzle the fans the most.
The NFL Draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes on Thursday, April 29 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (PT), Friday, April 30 at 4:00 PM PT and Saturday, May 1 at 9:00 AM PT.
Read MoreApprove $233 million Regional Action Plan for unsheltered homeless; $12.99 million Buchanan Field Terminal project; ban retractable dog leashes
Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer.
By Daniel Borsuk
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors decided in closed session on Tuesday to take “no action” on Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer’s claim to pay him $325,000 in legal fees stemming from a misconduct trial that was declared a mistrial in November in Superior Court.
“This is going to cost the county much more money,” commented Kramer, who was unaware of the supervisors’ executive session decision when contacted by the Contra Costa Herald.
The supervisors’ inaction on his claim means Kramer will appeal the executive session “no decision” to Superior Court.
In his claim, Kramer says former Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa had told him on several occasions that the attorney costs for the misconduct trial would be paid by the county.
“I took him (i.e., Twa) at his word,” the 70-year-old Kramer said. “He said this to me up to 10 different times. Just how does a person who was responsible for managing the county’s money can make promises like that and then the county does not come through with the money?”
Twa, who retired as Contra Costa County Administrator earlier this year and returned to his native Minnesota, continues to work as a consultant on the county’s redistricting that needs to be completed by the end of this year.
Supervisors honored Twa by dedicating the new 3 ½ story, 72,000 square foot administration building in Martinez in his name.
Supervisors did not comment on their executive session decision on Tuesday, especially District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who when contacted by the Contra Costa Herald, refrained from issuing any remarks other than informing this reporter on the board’s executive board decision on the Kramer claim.
Supervisor Glover defeated Kramer in last November’s election for the supervisorial District 5 seat. Glover is currently serving his sixth four-year term as a county supervisor, the longest tenure of any supervisor now on the board.
Supervisors Approved Regional Action Plan for Unsheltered Homeless
During their regular meeting on Tuesday, on a 5-0 vote, supervisors accepted an ambitious regional action plan, by All Home, that aims to shelter the homeless at a cost of about $223 million, partly covered by Measure X sales tax revenues over the next three years. If funded and properly implemented as planned it will reduce by 75 percent the unsheltered homeless population by 2024.
According to the presentation to the board, “All Home is a Bay Area organization advancing regional solutions that disrupt the cycle of poverty and homelessness, redress the disparities in outcomes as a result of race, and create more economic mobility opportunities for extremely low-income (ELI) individuals and families.”
The action plan is based on a statement by the Regional Impact Council that the Bay Area is a “Region in Crisis.”
Board Chair Burgis, who represents the county on the nonprofit’s board of directors, called the plan a “bold plan” several times in addressing the complex issue of homelessness in the county.
Supervisors Gioia of Richmond and Burgis admitted that any effort to adequately house the homeless will require spending Measure X dollars, a new source of sales tax revenue county officials is expecting to come into county coffers later this year.
“This is a great time of opportunity to get people off the streets by leveraging our tax dollars,” said Gioia. “Contra Costa County is a great leader.”
“I am really excited Contra Costa County is shining the light on this crisis (i.e., homelessness). This will be presented to the Mayors’ Council and the Measure X Committee,” added District II Supervisor Candace Andersen of Danville.
Buchanan Field Terminal Project Approved
Supervisors approved as a consent item the $12.99 million construction of a new Buchanan Field Terminal to replace the existing terminal at 181 John Glenn Dr. in Concord. Supervisors approved a construction contract submitted by W.E. Lyons Construction Co.
The Federal Aviation Administration will cover $6.1 million or 47 percent of the project’s cost. CalTrans will provide $150,000 or 1 percent of the construction cost and the Airport Enterprise Fund will fund $6.74 million or 52 percent.
The new building will replace the existing terminal structure at the north end of John Glenn Drive. The new terminal will include space for the Airports Divisions Administrative staff, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting staff and equipment, public space to support scheduled and unscheduled air service providers, office space for aviation businesses, and general public meeting space.
The W.E. Lyons Construction Co. bid topped six other bids for the Buchanan airport project to be found to be responsive and in good faith. The other six bids submitted for the project were:
Marcon Builders, $14,489,355; Zovich & Sons Inc., $14,559,000; Thompson Builders, $14,680,000; Patriot Contracting, $14,990,000; Rodam Builders, $15,315,000; and CWS Construction, $15,975,000.
Ordinance Bans Retractable Dog Leashes
With no public comment, supervisors approved a new Ordinance No. 2021-13, allowing community members to care for found dogs and cats and establishing new leash restrictions. Dog and cat leashes cannot be longer than six feet under the newly adopted ordinance.
Ordinance 2021-13 provides that a dog will be deemed to be “at large” if it is on a leash that is longer than six feet or that is extendable or retractable. A long, retractable, or extendable leash allows a dog to get too far away from its handler, which does not allow for effective control of the dog.
Ensuring that a dog is walked on a leash that is six feet or less could reduce dog bites to children due to helping to ensure more effective control. According to a Consumer Reports and Consumer Union’s analysis of statistics collected in 2007, there were 16,564 hospital treated injuries associated with pet leashes, 10.5 percent of those injuries were to children less than 10 years old.
Antioch Library Closure
Supervisors approved the temporary closure of the Antioch Library to the public from April 21 through May 31 so that Public Works workers can paint the interior of the library and install new carpet and new shelving. The library is slated to reopen on Tuesday, June 1.
“Although initially planned to take place the prior fiscal year, the improvements were postponed for several months due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said County Librarian Alison McKee. “Despite the initial delay, shelving has been purchased and scheduled for installation, and work requests have been submitted for Public Works for the paint and carpet work.”
During the closure, Antioch library staff will be temporarily reassigned to other libraries to fill vacant positions. The book drop will not be open at the Antioch library, and holds will not be available for pickup. Those needing library services during the closure should visit the nearby Prewett or Oakley libraries or any other county library.
EHSD Language Line Contract
Supervisors approved a $1.1 million contract with Language Line Services, Inc. to provide interpretation and translation services for the Employment and Human Services Department from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Language Line Services provides telephone interpretation, on-site interpretation, and document translation services to the Employment and Human Services Department and to the clients serviced by the department.
Over One Million COVID-19 Vaccines Given in County
On the COVID-19 news front, Contra Costa Health Services Director Anna Roth announced the county has administered over one million vaccines, the second highest in the state. That translates into 90,000 vaccines a week were administered, said Roth.
Persons 16 years old and older can now get the vaccine, said Roth. “No appointment is necessary.”
“A million doses are amazing!” said board chair Diane Burgis of Brentwood. “I want to acknowledge the hard work.”
“I also want to acknowledge everyone in Public Health on one million vaccinations,” said District 1 Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, a frequent critic of the department’s inability to adequately vaccinate minorities in underserved communities like Richmond, El Sobrante, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, and Oakley.
“County Equity Officer Gilbert Salinas has done a great job in closing the equity gap,” Gioia said.
Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said people will have a choice of vaccines when they report for their shots. Dr. Farnitano said last Friday the CDC and FDA had accepted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations to lift pausing on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for all adults. The region’s health officers agreed that the risk of developing the rare clotting disorder in females is extremely low.
“According to the CDC, to date there have been only 15 confirmed cases of the rare clotting event among nearly 8 million total doses administered in the United States, all in females, which translates to a risk less than 2 cases per million doses overall and 7 cases per million doses among women between 18 and 49 years of age,” a joint press release of Bay Area Health Officers states.
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Contra Costa’s Glazer is a committee member
By Greg Burt
This Wednesday, April 28, the Senate Education Committee is again considering approval of a bill to require school districts to put their sex education material online for easy parental access. The same bill, SB 217, failed in March, even with the support of the committee chair Senator Connie Leyva (D-San Bernardino). The author Senator Brian Dahle (R-Redding) is hoping that removing the requirement that sex education lessons be translated into various languages, will guarantee passage this time. Senator Steve Glazer is a member of the committee.
The President of the California Family Council Jonathan Keller commended Senator Dahle for working hard to resurrect the commonsense proposal. “Whether they vote Democrat or Republican, all parents believe in government transparency, especially regarding the education of their children,” Keller said. “We urge elected officials on both sides of the aisle to set aside partisan politics and support these reasonable protections for kids and families.”
Senator Dahle believes the need for the bill has increased because of the pandemic. “Given the new structure of our schooling system as changed due to COVID-19, we should encourage that parents actively participate in their child’s development and instruction,” Dahle wrote. “The shift to internet-based and technology heavy education has forced schools to prevent parents from physically accessing the school campus during the pandemic. … As such, we need to ensure that parents and students have access to all of the material and curriculum being taught by the school.”
The idea for this bill came from a Bay Area mother named Denise Pursche several years ago when her elementary school resisted showing her the new sex education curriculum to be used for her twin 5th graders. After being sent on detours, and then asking again and again, Denise finally got a chance to look at the actual lessons being used, but she could only review them at the school district office for a limited period of time. Once she saw the graphic, age-inappropriate content, Denise realized why school personnel tried to hide the curriculum from her.
It is common practice for school officials to require parents to come to the school or district offices during school hours if they want to review the sex-ed lessons, a difficult prospect for single parents or homes with two working parents.
With the help of the California Family Council, she got former Senator Mike Morrell to introduce SB 637, a bill not only required sex education materials to be translated into various languages and put online, but required schools to get parental permission before teaching comprehensive sex education to children in elementary school. Currently, parents can opt their children out of classes, but they must initiate the process.
The Senate Education Committee heard Morrell’s bill, SB 673, in January of 2020, but it died along party lines. The committee chair Senator Leyva said at the time she supported the transparency part of the bill, but not the opt-in procedure. So this year, Senator Dahle took Leyva at her word and introduced SB 217 that only included the transparency part of the bill, plus the costly provision that required the curriculum to be translated for parents who didn’t read English. Unfortunately, the bill died 3 – 3, with Senator Richard Pan not voting.
Hopefully, with the cost-prohibitive translation provision removed, at least one of the four Democrats on the education committee, Senators Richard Pan, Dave Cortese, Steven Glazer, or Mike McGuire, will change their minds and vote for the bill. SB 217 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Education Committee on the morning of Wednesday, April 28.
Take Action
CALL your State Senator and tell them to vote “Yes” on SB 217!
Burt is the Director of Capitol Engagement at the California Family Council.
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The Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) has announced that the 39th Annual Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifying tournament will be held at the Brentwood Golf Club this Friday, April 30th at 8:30 am. With over 180,000 members, the NCGA supports and promotes the game of golf in Northern California.
Rex Choe, Chief Operating Officer of the Brentwood Club, said he is “very excited” about the upcoming event and is pleased that the association has chosen the Brentwood Club to hold this qualifying event.
The 120-year-old association is made up of golfers who like to golf, whether daily, once a week or even once a year. Located at 100 Summerset Way, the golf course has had many improvements made to the playing area, this past year and Choe is happy to showcase them for the golfers of Northern California.
“The community is welcome to join their neighbors for an exciting day of golf,” Choe said.
For more information about the event contact Carl Thorenson, NCGA Rules Official, at (925) 368-9500 or click here.
Read MoreKimberly Anne Meredith to judge the 145th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Source: WKC
Westminster Kennel Club. Photo: WKC
New York – Pleasant Hill, California resident Kimberly Anne Meredith is among the judges at the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Presented by Purina Pro Plan® in Tarrytown, New York on June 13, 2021. Due to the pandemic the dog show was moved from its traditional winter date in New York City to an outdoor venue this spring at the Lyndhurst Estate, a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She will officiate over several breeds during her eighth judging assignment at Westminster.
Meredith will be judging the Portuguese Water Dogs, Rottweilers, and Siberian Huskies. All Best of Breed winners she selects will go on to compete in the Working Group held on Sunday evening.
Meredith has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs since 1972. A breeder-exhibitor of Alaskan Malamutes, she has bred more than 60 champions, including multiple all breed Best in Show and multiple national specialty winners. In addition, she has owned and exhibited Akitas, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Lhasa Apsos, Clumber Spaniel, Bassett Hound, and Whippets. Meredith has judged numerous national specialties and judged abroad in France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Finland, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, Japan, Denmark, China, and Korea. She judges the Working, Sporting, Herding, Hound, Non-Sporting, and Toy groups, Junior Showmanship, and Best in Show.
An effort to reach Meredith for comment was unsuccessful. Please check back later for any updates to this report.
All daytime preliminary breed and junior showmanship judging as well as evening Group competitions will be held on Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, 2021. The Best in Show and Junior Showmanship Finals judging will be held on Sunday evening. The dog show is preceded on Friday, June 11, 2021 by the 8th Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster Presented by Purina Pro Plan® and the 6th Annual Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster Presented by Purina Pro Plan® will be held on Sunday, June 13, 2021.
For the schedule of events click here. For television coverage click here. Live streaming of daytime events and dog show results can be found at www.westminsterkennelclub.org. Westminster Weekend events are presented by Purina Pro Plan®.
About the Westminster Kennel Club
144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Best In Show in competition.
The Westminster Kennel Club, established in 1877, is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of dogs. It hosts the iconic, all-breed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the second-longest, continuously held sporting event in the U.S., and since 1948, the longest nationally televised live dog show. The annual dog show—a conformation competition for purebred dogs—and the Masters Agility Championship and Masters Obedience Championship—where dogs from all backgrounds are eligible to compete—make Westminster Week with its nearly 3,000 dogs from the U.S. and around the world a pinnacle experience for any dog lover. America’s Dog Show has captivated canine enthusiasts for more than a century with its educational benched format, where the public can engage with more than 200 breeds of dogs in New York City. The Club’s mission, which enhances the lives of all dogs, celebrates the companionship of dogs, promotes responsible dog ownership, and breed preservation. WESTMINSTER. There’s only one.® Visit: westminsterkennelclub.org and follow us @WKCDogShow.
About Purina Pro Plan
144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Best In Show.
Purina Pro Plan is a leader in the advanced nutrition category, with more than 70 formulas in dry and wet pet food to help meet a variety of needs. Its science is backed by 500 Purina scientists globally, including nutritionists, veterinarians and behaviorists, who continuously rethink what nutrition can do. It is also the food of choice for 13 of the past 14 Westminster Best in Show winners*. For more information, visit www.proplan.com or follow @ProPlan on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. The brand is manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which promotes responsible pet care, community involvement, and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health, and wellness.
*The handler or owners of these champions may have received Purina Pro Plan dog food as Purina ambassadors.
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Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days (BTWD) organizers have named the winners of the 2021 Bike Champion of the Year awards. Given to individuals for inspiring bicycling in their Bay Area communities, this award recognizes an individual (or in one case, a whole family) from each of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties for their commitment to bicycling as the primary mode of transport.
Smitty Ardrey. Photo: MTC
The 2021 winners include Smitty Ardrey, from Contra Costa County, who can be found every Thursday in the summer fixing bikes at Bike Concord’s Bike Tent at the Concord Farmers Market in Todo Santos Plaza. Nominator Claire Linder says: “He has organized bike rodeos, pop-up bike repair clinics, and since 2019, a bike education class at Olympic High School in Concord. His drive, foresight and commitment have made biking more accessible in central Contra Costa County, bringing to life [Bike Concord’s] mission of MBOB (More Butts on Bikes)!”
Daniel Wood and his triplets – Hazel, Alden, and Malia – from Santa Clara County, who can be seen riding their bikes to and from school each day. According to nominator Sharlene Gee, “I am so proud of them for using their own power to get to school on time, in good moods and ready to learn. I’ve seen their road skills and awareness rapidly and organically grow. They set a powerful example for everyone at the school.”
2021 MTC Bike Champions of the Year
Here is the complete list of 2021 Bike Champion of the Year award winners:
- Contra Costa County: Smitty Ardrey helped organize advocates passionate about cycling in Concord into Bike Concord, which is now an integral part of the bicycle movement in the city and surrounding areas.
- Alameda County: Lionel McNeely first taught himself how to ride when he was 7, and his work with bikes hasn’t stopped since. He laughs, “I took my first bike apart when I was 10 years old and got it back together when I was 12.” An 11-year volunteer with youth empowerment program Trips for Kids in Marin, he leads monthly art rides with Oakland collective Rock Paper Scissors and has ridden and fundraised with AIDS/LifeCycle three times, among other achievements.
- Marin County: Hilary Noll has a vision of bicycling in the future: “People from ages 8 to 80 feeling comfortable biking for everyday needs. More women riding, especially as commuters. More women- and minority-owned bike shops. A cycling culture in which everyone – from elite riders to everyday folks getting started – are welcomed and empowered.”
- Napa County: Kate Miller started bike commuting in the mid-1980s when she lived in Seattle and never stopped. She recalls being mistaken for a bike messenger, because in major cities like Seattle, those were the only people found riding around the city.
- San Francisco County: Lydia Francis moved to the city in 2018 and took up cycling at the start of the pandemic. Getting a bike transformed her perspective of San Francisco, encouraging her to explore new neighborhoods and master the geography of the city. “Overall, biking has given me a deeper sense of belonging here in San Francisco,” said Lydia, “both to the literal geography of this place and the people I meet while exploring on two wheels.”
- San Mateo County: Sonia Elkes, avid bicyclist and founder of the advocacy group San Carlos Bikes, is referred to as “the voice for bicyclists in San Carlos.” She is constantly working to improve the state of biking in San Carlos and increasing the number of people who bicycle for their health and the environment.
- Santa Clara County: Daniel Wood and family (see above) encourages other parents to get their kids out on bikes and set an example, while making sure everyone knows and follows the rules of the road. “I think with everything it just starts with changing one mind and then that person hopefully changes one other,” says Daniel.
- Solano County: Cande Medrano, now 71, rides everywhere: from dental appointments to grocery stores, even all the way to Berkeley for doctor appointments. In 2020, Cande logged more than 14,000 miles.
- Sonoma County: Sherry Adams is not just a passionate cyclist, but a champion of social justice. She volunteered at local nonprofit Community Bikes – a reuse and repair training program and worked as a bike mechanic at the ReCyclery Bike Thrift Shop operated by Trips for Kids. Her biggest and most recent achievement has been the creation of Changing Gears, an educational program for inmates at the Sonoma County jail.
Each winner will receive a Tailgator Brake Light and water bottle from Mike’s Bikes, a bicycle-only membership for 24/7 roadside assistance from Better World Club, a laminated, boxed set of San Francisco Bay Trail map cards from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), and a cycling jersey from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Read all about the winners here.
Details about Bike to Wherever Days can be found online at Bayareabiketowork.com. Follow us on Facebook at @biketoworkday, Twitter @BikeToWorkSFBay, and Instagram @biketoworkday_bayarea.
Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days is presented by MTC (the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area), and 511 (the region’s traveler information system). BTWD 2021 also receives regional support from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), as well as from many sponsors at the local level. Prizes for the Bike Champion of the Year winners were donated by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Better World Club and Mike’s Bikes.
Read MoreBy CHP – Contra Costa
Monday afternoon, April 26, 2021, at approximately 12:45 pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a possible freeway shooting incident that occurred one hour prior (11:45am) in the area of HWY-4 westbound at I-680. The victim (adult female) self-transported herself along with her child (juvenile female) to John Muir Hospital. Once there the hospital staff notified law enforcement.
According to the victim, she was driving westbound on HWY-4 near I-680 when she observed a white sedan pull alongside, attempting to gain her attention. She continued driving and then heard several gunshots as the vehicle drove passed her. Her vehicle was struck and her daughter sustained a minor abrasion to her head as a result of the gunshots. The victim described the white sedan occupied by two black male adults and the passenger firing the gun.
This is an ongoing investigation and all the information we have at this time to release. Anyone with information regarding this shooting incident, the white sedan, or occupants inside is encouraged to call Contra Costa CHP at (925)646-4980. We are thankful the little girl and her mother did not suffer more serious injuries.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Orinda police are continuing to investigate the burglary of four businesses on Moraga Way and Brookwood Road in downtown Orinda.
The burglaries occurred on Sunday, April 25, 2021, between midnight and 2 AM. In each case, the suspect entered the business after breaking the glass front door. The male suspect, who appeared to be the same suspect in all four cases, fled after taking some cash.
The Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab responded and processed the scenes for evidence. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact Sergeant S. Valkanoff of the Orinda Police Department at (925) 253-4217. For any tips, please email: sorindatip@cityoforinda.org or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
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Samples of clay artwork by (l-r) Bonnie Fri, Linda Goren, Mary Leigh Miller, Nicole Collins and Olga Jusidman. Photos: Main Street Arts
And Then…There Was Clay
Main Street Arts member, Olga Jusidman has gathered together a group of talented artists from the clay studio in Walnut Creek to for an exhibit at our gallery in Martinez. After a year of not working together in the studio, these artists are excited to put on this show of their new work and see each other again at the open house. Please join us on May 8 from noon to 6 pm for an open house reception.
For a preview of the show, see https://www.mainstreetarts.net/and-thenthere-was-clay.html
Opening: May 1st
OPEN HOUSE: May 8th from 12pm to 6pm
Closing: July 1st
Artists include: Melanie Wallas, Linda Goren, Nicole Collins, Mary Leigh Miller, Bonnie Fry, Karen Hildebrand, Mary Ellen Brownell and Olga Jusidman.
Main Street Arts is located at 613 Main Street in Martinez. For more information call (925) 269-8049 or visit www.mainstreetarts.net.
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