Our Bloggers
Jeremy Walsh | Deborah Grossman | Tim Hunt | Gina Channell Wilcox | Chandrama Anderson | Sherry Listgarten | Elizabeth LaScala
El Dorado for modern Mexican fare in Dublin
For holidays, social and family gatherings, El Dorado Modern Mexican Kitchen & Cantina is a new Tri-Valley option.
Blog: Wednesday vote likely to limit new gas water heaters in 2028
The proposal includes generous exemptions when there are affordability or feasibility concerns.
Check the new digs: SRVUSD moves into new headquarters – and new role as landlord
Following a similar strategy to Pleasanton Unified three years earlier, San Ramon Valley Unified has fully moved into the Canyon Commons Corporate Plaza building it purchased to house its headquarters operations and open up a new revenue stream of rental income.
Governors celebrate a dubious achievement
“While Schwarzenegger and Newsom shared the spotlight and congratulated each other, those of us who take a dim view of the ill-advised act had the opposite view. The Legislature and governor surrendered all of the power to establish regulations to the unelected state air board. That’s been a disaster in practice.”
Dish N Dash in Dublin for fresh flavors and good value
From kebabs and shawarma to other Middle Eastern classics, Dish N Dash aims for quality.
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.”
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