Our Bloggers
Jeremy Walsh | Deborah Grossman | Tim Hunt | Gina Channell Wilcox | Chandrama Anderson | Sherry Listgarten | Elizabeth LaScala
What a month: 11 election forums, big headlines, a new editor and a baby on the way
“Almost to the point where I can come up for air after a grueling month or so at work and at home – but any relaxing breath will be fleeting.”
Mourning the passing of a great wine pioneer
The Livermore Valley and the wine world lost one of its kindest and humble ambassadors when Jim Concannon went home to meet his maker Oct. 12, 2026, at the age of 95.
Blog: The Pros and Cons of Planting Natives
Native plants can encourage biodiversity, save water, and enrich your garden. But they can also look bad or die unexpectedly.
Carnaval at Firehouse: Santana tribute band frontman ready for concert close to home
Keep an ear out in downtown Pleasanton this Friday night for the smooth sounds of Santana, courtesy of a cover band fronted by hometown singer and percussionist Carlos Elizalde.
When I agree, check my brain
“During my decades of writing opinion pieces, I have developed a series of checks on my thoughts, a staple is seeing the positions of individuals and organizations.”
Blog: Plant a tree this fall, but be smart about it
How can you reap the benefits of trees without incurring much of the cost? Here are a few tips.
Meet the authors: The Tri-Valley women behind three new books
Highlighting three writers who reached out in recent weeks (and months) to let us know about their new books in 2026: “Murders in the Marquee” by San Ramon’s Dana Mentink, “The Evolution of My Smile” by Dublin’s Monique Rardin Richardson and “Iran, the Little Kitten Who Became a Lion” by Dublin’s Farzaneh Yassini.
Opining on ballot measures
“With ballots hitting the mail statewide, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on the contrast between election practices here and nationally.”
Olivina: A local leader in the olive oil renaissance
With the largest olive orchard in the East Bay, Olivina yields renowned extra virgin olive oil with a storied history.
Super rushed: On PUSD’s perplexing play to not disclose popular Diolazo as next superintendent
“Pleasanton Unified has built a strong reputation in education by being more than a bare minimum district, yet it is the pass-fail grading scale they want to be measured on here.”
Who is the Independent’s ‘Community Coalition’?
Something called the “Community Coalition” has emerged with a website and a competing plan that it claims is better. What’s strange, even by The Independent’s “standards”, is no member of the coalition is identified. It’s an anonymous group.
925 GIVES: Daylong donation drive benefits Tri-Valley nonprofits, including our own Embarcadero Media Foundation
“Today is an important 24 hours for nonprofit fundraising in the Tri-Valley. 3VCF is holding its second annual 925 GIVES campaign, which aptly falls on Sept. 25 in reference to the 925 area code that most of the eligible organizations operate out of.”
Tense contract renewal negotiations continue between county and fair board
The contract is set to renew Sept. 30 and it’s up to the supervisors to decide whether they want to modify the contract as part of the five-year extension. A county lawyer told them it was their option to tie the renewal and contract changes together, but they could proceed with changes apart from the…
College Profile: University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK)
Admissions to many flagship state universities used to be taken for granted, but this is not true for the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK). The university reported a record-low acceptance rate of just over 33% for the incoming Class of 2028.
105 years of service: Couple retire with enduring legacy in rural volunteer firefighting in Morgan Territory
Two of the most dedicated volunteer firefighters in the Tri-Valley are settling into a well-earned retirement.
2026 is a year to celebrate anniversaries
“You can check out the church through the years at the central exhibit area at the Museum on Main through the month — look for the banner over Main St. this month and all are welcome Oct. 11 for the special celebration service.”
Unifying Dublin: New Superintendent Campbell looks to rebuild community in first year after strike
It remains to be seen whether employee negotiations will dominate the headlines for DUSD in 2026-27 – which is the only year for which Campbell is currently under contract. There has certainly been a variety of news for the district since summer break…
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