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Hedge fund purchase a loss for readers:
MediaNews Group (Alden Global Capital) buys Sonoma publications
The metro papers spun it differently, but, in my mind, there was no good news with the MediaNews Group purchase of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and several other local papers in that county.
The parent company that has plundered major newspapers across the country, Alden Global Capital, was spelled out in the documentary film, “Stripped for Parts” that the Pleasanton Weekly and Embarcadero Media Foundation have sponsored local showings. I already have written about that, having working for the one-time MediaNews Group CEO Dean Singleton for more than 20 years and seen how he operates — it was a tight ship that was nowhere near enough profitable for Alden Capital.
Good luck to staffers in Sonoma County and readers be thankful for the quality you had with local ownership. It’s unfortunate that the local owners could not make it work and serve their markets.
As God allows me to spend more time on this globe, reading the obituary pages has more meaning than ever.
Last week, I had the privilege of helping family members with an obit on their mother, Roz Gamble, a friend for decades through GraceWay Church. A couple of years ago, I did the same when her husband, Dave, went home to the Lord. The memorial service will be later this month.
Two obits last week took me back to my younger days when I spent more than a decade writing local sports for the Tri-Valley Herald. One obit related the passing of Dan Chiolis, a long-time coach at Foothill and Dublin highs and genuinely nice man. He was the type of guy you enjoyed being around, but that gentle demeanor masked a competitiveness he brought to his team. He died at 90, living in the first and only home he bought in Pleasanton in 1969 after he and his wife moved here when he was hired as a teacher. They were married 63 years.
The other obit, Harold (Hal) Brown, was very much my contemporary. My wife and I worked in a side business with Hal and his wife, Martha (who both were long-time ValleyCare employees) for a brief season, but I remember him most for his exceptional high school athletic career. He played tackle both ways for the Livermore team coached by Tom Davis that ended Amador Valley’s run of East Bay Athletic League championships in 1972 with a 28-21 win over the Dons who were led by runningback Rick Kane, who went on to play collegiate and pro football.
Brownie’s stalwart performance helped Livermore pull off that fourth quarter win—I can still see the 80-yard winning touchdown pass from Tim Duffy to Dale Mauldin (if memory serves).
Celebration Church Pastor Larry Ihrig is a long-time biker and I’ve often seen multiple motorcycles parked outside the church office when I’ve been on the Livermore campus.
He and his fellow bikers celebrated the last Saturday in April with a gathering of Christian bikers that included a BBQ, blessing of bikes, a raffle and silent action plus live music. Sounds like it was fun — I passed being a former bicyclist. I’ve been on a motorcycle —as a passenger — once in my life.
Pleasanton Military Families are preparing for their 4th of July packout to send supplies to the troops serving overseas. Items range from crew socks (the Costco specials are fine as are whatever you can find on Amazon). The organization does a summer packout and a holiday one and they need donations.
You can check their website at pleasantonmilitaryfamilies.org.
For a list if you want to buy locally or they have a wish list on Amazon. If you choose to order off Amazon list, when it is time to choose the shipping address, choose PMF shipping and handling coordinator.
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