Not a Book, Source Weekly

2023

On a recent smoky Saturday, desperate to get my young, squabbling kids out of the house, my family and I headed to the Downtown Bend Library. Instead of going straight to the children’s area where they could burn off some energy and refresh their books, we went upstairs to explore a collection I’d just learned about: the Library of Things.

Q&A with Bend’s New Director of Equity and Inclusion, Source Weekly

2023

Andrés Portela is the city’s new director of Equity and Inclusion, a role he feels ready to take on after spending nearly a decade working for equity in Arizona. In some ways, he says, coming to Bend means getting to join a movement he’s been following from afar for many years. * This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Source Weekly: I think it would be nice to start with your history and get a little bit of background on what you were doing before coming to Bend.

Childhood trauma spurred San Pablo chief to career in law enforcement, The Mercury News

2016

SAN PABLO — Lisa Rosales didn’t always want to be a police officer. But, during a brief career as a teacher, she couldn’t shake the memories of a childhood trauma that brought her community closer to police officers, and she soon found herself changing course.

FBI, other agencies join probe into Richmond Housing Authority, The Mercury News

2016

RICHMOND — As residents of the city’s worst housing project relocate ahead of a $20 million “revitalization,” the number of agencies investigating Richmond’s public housing agency has grown to include the FBI, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Of Bugs and Men: Cricket Ranching in America, Pacific Standard Magazine

2015

Jack Armstrong’s family farm, just outside of West Monroe in northern Louisiana, is one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. It’s an unconventional operation. In place of pastures, there are white warehouses. In place of traditional livestock, there are crickets. In 1945 Jack’s grandfather, Tal Armstrong, a plumber by trade, was trying to find a way to breed crickets, in Glennville, Georgia. He loved fishing, and crickets proved to be his best bait—but he was done paying people to catch them.

Jesse Jackson speaks at Richmond church, East Bay Times

2015

RICHMOND — Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson delivered a wide-ranging message on the historical oppression of black people and the continued fight for equality and opportunity Sunday at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. “Some of us talk about ‘back in the civil rights age,’” Jackson said during his sermon, “and I think, ‘when did it end?’”Those in attendance, including local dignitaries and elected officials, broke out into loud applause and laughter.

New citizens sworn in at Richmond’s historical park, East Bay Times

2015

Flanked by father Hari Dhital, left, and sister Anita Dhital, right, Samjhana Dhital waves an American flag as she participates in a naturalization ceremony in Richmond, Calif., on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. The Dhitals, originally from Nepal and now living in Richmond, were among 41 immigrants to receive their U.S. citizenship.

Antioch connections help couple build ‘casitas’, East Bay Times

2015

ANTIOCH — When longtime Antioch residents Nancy and Bob Monfort decided to retire a few years ago, they pictured their golden years split between relaxing days in a sunny climate and their hometown. They didn’t expect a second calling comprised of hard labor in the desert of San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico — just over the border from their new home in Yuma, Ariz.

Moraga: New gymnasium, playing field sought as part of joint work by town council and school board, Enterprise Record

2015

MORAGA — The town council and the Moraga School District board came together Tuesday night to discuss the future of local fields and recreation, and improvements of existing fields, development of at least one more new field and a new indoor gymnasium were identified as the town’s most pressing recreational needs. “I’ve been doing the scheduling for various youth groups for nearly 25 years,” said Judy McNeil, a member of the volunteer subcommittee.

First Person: Youth Engagement Award Winner Javier Ochoa Reyes, Bay Nature Magazine

2015

At 16, Javier Ochoa Reyes left his family, and the small village in Mexico where he lived, to go to school and find work in the United States so he could expand his horizons and help his family. He settled in Richmond and worked several jobs while he went to high school. Through involvement with several program for teens in Richmond he discovered a passion for helping youth, and the environment, which led eventually to his work with Groundwork Richmond.

How deft bid-riggers harmed ex-owners of foreclosed homes, San Francisco Chronicle

2014

By Jennifer Baires, Stephen Hobbs

It was noon on a fall day in Oakland. Heat radiated off the white concrete steps and picnic tables out front of the Alameda County Courthouse where a band of would-be home-buyers gathered. Robert Kramer, a regular at the daily foreclosure auctions, joined the crowd, sporting a safari hat and an unkempt white beard. He greeted many in the crowd by name, ribbing them with playful banter, as he settled himself at one of the concrete tables. He paused for a moment, taking in the scene.

Drought-stricken California agencies seek ‘water cops’, Reuters

2014

RICHMOND — In a race that received national attention thanks to big money from Chevron, a slate of candidates on shoestring budgets swept their oil titan-backed opponents on Tuesday night in a resounding political defeat for the company and its campaign tactics. Longtime local politician Tom Butt defeated his City Council colleague Nat Bates, garnering 51 percent of the vote to Bates’ 35 percent.

Chevron money rains down on Richmond election, The Mercury News

2014

RICHMOND — With its mighty East Bay refinery under attack from environmentally minded politicians here, Chevron is pouring staggering sums of money into this blue-collar town’s local election — raising eyebrows across the nation and questions about the role global corporations should play in local politics. Council candidates who accept matching funds in this city of 107,000 people are limited to raising $65,000 for their election campaigns.

Moraga’s iconic pear orchards in danger, The Mercury News

2014

MORAGA — A pear is more than a sweet summertime fruit in this community. It’s a symbol of local history and Moraga’s small-town charm. After a year filled with unusual weather, one of the last vestiges of that history is in jeopardy because of a destructive disease. Now volunteers are coming together to save the remaining pears.

Anti-Chevron candidates sweep to victory in Richmond races, East Bay Times

2014

RICHMOND — In a race that received national attention thanks to big money from Chevron, a slate of candidates on shoestring budgets swept their oil titan-backed opponents on Tuesday night in a resounding political defeat for the company and its campaign tactics. Longtime local politician Tom Butt defeated his City Council colleague Nat Bates, garnering 51 percent of the vote to Bates’ 35 percent.

Hayward man involved with 2012 armed robbery released, The Mercury News

2014

MARTINEZ — A Hayward man who was ordered to stand trial last year on one count of murder and three counts of robbery after a botched jewelry store heist in 2012 was released Tuesday following his sentencing hearing, after just over 2½ years in custody. Gregory Jamal Louis, 24, along with four other men allegedly attempted to rob Gold N Treasures in San Ramon on May 30, 2012. One of the other men, Kibrom Bairu, was shot and killed by the store owner during the attempt.

A Digital Drivers License for teachers, The Mercury News

2014

MORAGA — For over 35 years, Barry Eckhouse has taught at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, but this term he’s taking on a new kind of student — fellow professors. As the college expands the number of classes it offers online, Eckhouse is busy training instructors on how to teach web-centered classes effectively. He calls the training program a Digital Driver’s License, and he believes it’s the first of its kind in the nation.

Saint Mary’s singers on the rise, The Mercury News

2014

MORAGA — With her right arm lifted in the air, elbow crooked, thin conductor’s baton held steady, Julie Ford fills the chapel at Saint Mary’s College with song by a downward motion of her wrist. For five years, Ford has led these singers, and other like them, in rehearsals and performances as director of the college’s Chamber Singers and Glee Club.

Richmond woman winning battle against brain cancer, The Mercury News

2014

RICHMOND — Lying in bed with a white curtain drawn around her after a 12-hour surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumor, Sylvia Parisotto heard a group of interns talking about the likelihood of her recovery. She was groggy, confused and paralyzed on the left side of her body. “I guess they thought I couldn’t hear them because they were behind the white curtain, but the guy said, ‘She’s never going to get that back, she’s going to be paralyzed,'” Parisotto said, hands clenched in front of her.

Lafayette: Proposed Hilltop Drive house expansion plan rejected, Santa Cruz Sentinel

2014

LAFAYETTE — Another residential project with potential impact to the city’s ridgeline views came before the City Council this week, with the council saying the plans must be reworked before being considered again. The council on Monday also expressed concern about a proposed mixed-use development in unincorporated Saranap, on Lafayette’s east edge, and that a draft environmental report on the project ignores the city’s concerns.

Odds grow longer for Doctors Medical Center, East Bay Times

2014

SAN PABLO — Physicians, nurses and community members fighting to keep Doctors Medical Center open as a full-service hospital said Tuesday they weren’t giving up despite a double dose of bad news last week.

West Contra Costa Health Care District: Incumbents sweep race for board that oversees Doctors Medical Center, Mercury News

2014

SAN PABLO — With the future of the only public hospital in the region still unsettled, the incumbents retained the three seats on the board that oversees Doctors Medical Center. With all precincts reporting, incumbents Nancy Casazza, Beverly Wallace and Irma Anderson finished well ahead of challenger Marilynne Mellander. Casazza, Wallace and Anderson finished with 28, 27 and 26 percent of the vote, respectively, well ahead of Mellander.

Butt leads in early returns for Richmond mayor; Rogers, Myrick leading council races, Contra Costa Times

2014

RICHMOND — In a race that’s received national attention thanks to big money from Chevron, Tom Butt took the early lead over fellow longtime City Councilman Nat Bates in the race for mayor Tuesday night. Meanwhile, nine competed for three full-term seats on the City Council, and three vied for a two-year position. The county elections office reported Butt with the edge over Bates, who received heavy backing from Chevron,, with newcomer Uche Uwahemu well behind.

Richmond sales tax measure leading narrowly in early returns, East Bay Times

2014

RICHMOND — In an attempt to help close its budget deficit and improve miles of craggy roads, the city floated a half-cent sales tax increase that would take the city’s sales tax rate from 9 to 9.5 percent, and bring in an estimated $7.5 million in the first year. The measure was narrowly ahead in early mail-in returns.

Movie theatre opens in Point Richmond, Richmond Confidential

2013

Ross Woodbury looks around the lobby of his newly opened movie theater before hitting the lights and walking out. It’s just after 4 p.m., a little less than an hour until the next show starts. No one came to the earlier matinee.

Spawning a swimming culture in Richmond, Richmond Confidential

2013

Ducking under the water, seven-year-old Colin twists his body around in a tight corkscrew, shoots his hands in front of his head and pushes off hard against the pool wall. His slight frame cuts through the water like an arrow in flight—graceful, precise, direct. And then the arrow goes awry: a few yards down his head pops up, his right arm readies for the first stroke and his right leg suddenly juts out of the water too. Like a periscope, his leg trails behind him, turning his skilled swimming stroke into a thrashing crawl.

2009 Richmond-San Rafael bridge shooter found guilty of murder, Richmond Confidential

2012

After a two-week trial and one day of jury deliberations, Nathan Burris was found guilty Wednesday morning of two counts of first-degree murder in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez.