Stop Asian Hate Pages 5 & 16
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Stop Asian hate Pages 5 & 16 VOL. XXII, NUMBER 9 • MARCH 26, 2021 WWW.PLEASANTONWEEKLY.COM Pandemic leads to surge in demand for pets, supply shortage of available dogs Page 14 5 NEWS Zone 7 warns of drought, urges water conservation 11 PULSE Man takes plea deal in double-fatal DUI crash 18 TRI-VALLEY LIFE Pleasanton VFW chapter turns 75 CHECK YOUR METER Find your water meter, usually near your curb, and check the gauge. Turn off all water, then wait two hours, and check again. If there is activity, you may have a leak. #FixALeak www.zone7water.com/waterwise ÎūöŤ öŝŪĕċĕêÎŪöð &Îƌǔūļǔ&Îƌ ǥƧƪƥ JijǔöŞŤļijŰéŤ ]ļijČǔöŞIJ ǥƧƬƪ öŞūĕċĕêÎūöð ĒöIJĕijĕIJŰIJŞöŝŰĕŞöIJöijūŤċļŞŤŰéŤūĕūŰūöūöÎêĒĕijČÎŞöƼ ÎêĒöīļŞǞŤ&öČŞöö :( 5(+,5,1* ÎīĕċļŞijĕÎÎŤĕê,ðŰêÎūĕļijÎīĨĕīīŤöŤūǐ ,ǑƼ ŰéŤūĕūŰūööÎêĒöŞŤÎijð eÎƋö»ÎĕƄöð īÎŤŤĕċĕöðļŤĕūĕļijŤ @ĕijČöŞśŞĕijūêīöÎŞÎijêöċŞļIJūĒö&öśÎŞūIJöijūļċ YŰŤūĕêöǐ&oYǑ Apply TODAY: Questions? Contact Andi Antypas, Visit edjoin.org and search 'Pleasanton' [email protected] or (925) 426-4329 Page 2 • March 26, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly VALLEY VIEWS BY DOLORES FOX CIARDELLI One year later are I, too, weigh in with “This isn’t uphill,” she replied. comments on the Year “It is a slight incline,” I insisted, Dof Living Pandemically? adding, “What is your hurry?” News outlets have run interviews To which she rattled off a se- with people from myriad walks ries of errands she wanted to run of life. Photographers have shown before picking up the kids after the year in images. Artists have their shortened school days. I shared their evolving creations. remembered when my children “I have grown,” cheer some were young and there were never when asked to review the past enough hours in the day. I of- year. fered to return her library books, “I have suffered,” lament others. thereby saving her 10 minutes of “Children’s development has errand-time. been severely impacted,” we hear. We finished in record time (for “Old people have lost a precious me), and I waved her off after she year,” is also popular. handed me the stack of children’s I am in that last category. Last books. week, for the first time in more And I was left wondering: How than a year, my grandchildren, 9 many ways have I slowed down and 5, came over. They dashed for during the last year? Apparently the cat, Pumpkin, who responded walking by myself every day I’ve with purrs and rubs. Who knew slowed my pace. What about my he missed them? I thought he’d mental faculties? My ability to been happy alone with me. multitask? My response time to They walked around my home. outside events? Have I aged more What is new? they asked. I thought in the last year than I would about it. Not much, I responded. have if the pandemic had not I’d made a point to have yogurt happened? raisins in the fridge and all the in- My past year has been relatively gredients for smoothies, staples at easy. Although living alone, I’ve Grandma’s that they remembered. had friends and family on hand Two jigsaw puzzles were new, electronically, and Pumpkin to which I’d bought for us to enjoy cuddle. Each dawn I’m kept com- together. All year I kept telling pany by a book, coffee and music, myself it was time to update the all of which combine for the re- grandkids’ photos on the shelves laxed contentment that comes at but somehow I never got around the start of a leisurely day. to it. After all, I’ve been busy. So The year was not “lost” to me by many books to read; so many any means. It was just — different. videos to stream; so many friends My niece had a baby, making my and relatives to call and FaceTime. sister-in-law a grandmother, prov- And, of course, so many people to ing that life goes on, and providing interview and stories to write for a stream of darling texted photos the Weekly. that continue to bring me joy. Yes, The next day my daughter asked it would have been nice to actually if I would like to take a walk while hold the little baby but I don’t let the kids were in school. Would I?! myself think about that. Let’s go! One bit of “wisdom” imparted We met at the trailhead of a fa- to widows is that the grieving ex- vorite two-mile trek along a creek, perience will make them stronger, and I started off, mask in hand in force them to develop new skills case we saw others, at my usual and abilities. I’ve always loathed trudge. My daughter, on the other this sentiment: Did I really need hand, took off like a jackrabbit. new skills and abilities? I did not. “Whoa! Why are you walking so But the same could be said fast?” I called out, panting. about the last year, and I find it “This is my usual speed,” she more acceptable. We’ve all at least said over her shoulder. “OUR learned to be resilient, and to log usual speed.” onto Zoom. Oh, yes, and how to I picked up my pace and she properly wash our hands. Q slowed down hers because one Editor’s note: Dolores Fox Ciardelli is point of the walk, after all, was to Tri-Valley Life editor for the Pleasanton visit. Weekly. Her column, “Valley Views,” “Let’s at least slow down while will appear in the paper on the second we go uphill,” I suggested. and fourth Fridays of the month. About the Cover Interest in pet adoptions has skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic, as residents seek companionship during the often-isolating time. Photos in collage by Ryan J. Degan or courtesy of East Bay SPCA. Cover design by Paul Llewellyn. Vol. XXII, Number 9 Pleasanton Weekly • March 26, 2021 • Page 3 Streetwise ASKED AROUND TOWN How do you feel when you see your friends’ travel/vacation photos? Gayle Furukawa Taylor Oryall Retired Server/student I feel envious because I’m not there with them. I’m Honestly, I worry about my friends and family when I see fully vaccinated now and have made multiple attempts they are traveling. I wish they would just wait a bit longer to go to Hawaii but my travel companions have all until it is safe for everyone to travel. backed out for one reason or another. But I will get back there some day. Bobby Rios Cristina Rios Wrestling coach Nurse I feel happy. I love seeing my friends and family I feel envious because I wish I were there too. At the same members having a wonderful time traveling and time, I’m also happy for them, and hope to someday get to vacationing. And I look forward to their safe return wherever they are. home so that I can pick their brains about where they’ve been and all of the exciting things that they did. Armand Naima — Compiled by Nancy and Jeff Lewis Mechanic I am not on any social media sites, so it is rare that Have a Streetwise question? Email [email protected] I see friends and family members’ travel photos. However, when I do occasionally see them, I really The Pleasanton Weekly is published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 203, Pleasanton, enjoy them — especially because they give me great CA 94566; (925) 600-0840. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rate, USPS 020407. The Weekly is mailed upon request to homes and apartments in Pleasanton. Print subscriptions for businesses or residents of other communities are $60 per ideas for activities I want to do when I eventually get year or $100 for two years. Go to PleasantonWeekly.com to sign up and for more information. to their vacation destination. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pleasanton Weekly, 5506 Sunol Blvd., Suite 203, Pleasanton, CA 94566. ©2021 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Another year of award-winning journalism. Some of the reasons we’re the best-read news source in the Tri-Valley. Danville San Ramon Coverage of Youth and Education Editorial Comments Profile Story Series on Amador Valley High School “Livermore downtown referendum “Amazing Voyage” by Jeb Bing transcript probe and fallout by raises serious questions” Jeremy Walsh and Julia Baum by Gina Channell Feature Story “The gentle giants of Mount Diablo” “Did a bunny book really lead to Breaking News by Ryan J. Degan “PUSD transcripts: Investigator superintendent’s ouster?” finds two improper alterations, no by Gina Channell Awards presented by the California systemic problem” by Jeremy Walsh “District-based elections do not News Publishers Association for make sense here” by Gina Channell work published in 2019. Become a member today to support Are you supporting another year of award-winning journalism. our efforts? Visit PleasantonWeekly.com/join Page 4 • March 26, 2021 • Pleasanton Weekly Newsfront DIGEST Citing weak rain year, Zone 7 asks Fair food feast back The Alameda County Fair has extended its “Grab-n-Stay residents to cut back water usage Fair Food Feast” another week- end after the outdoor dining ‘Significant drought conditions’ are expected to be worse in 2021, agency says showcase at the Pleasanton fair- grounds was so well-received BY JULIA BAUM 46% of the usual rainfall has been drought conditions continue.” conservation or restrictions. over the original two weekends. ith dry weather impact- received at this time and only 38% Water storage for Lake Del Valle “We have seen tremendous sup- Now continuing today ing local water supplies, of rainfall in an average water year. was at 78% capacity with 31,000 port from our community in the through Sunday (March 26-28), Zone 7 Water Agency The lowest water rainfall record in acre-feet of a total 40,000 acre-feet past, and we know they are willing from 11 a.m.