From April 10 through April 30, artist Olive Little will take commissions for custom pet portraits and donate $25 from each to PIDO. PIDO will match the amount raised for us and donate it all to an East Bay animal welfare or rescue group. Members of PIDO’s Facebook group will vote to choose which one.

Olive’s pet portraits begin with photos provided by the owners and cost between $150 and $200. Owners choose the size, medium (watercolor, pencil, or acrylic), and black-and-white or color.

Olive is a self-taught artist whose portraits are helping put her through college at Evergreen State College in Washington. She and her family volunteer at the Alameda Animal Shelter.

Contact Olive directly to arrange for your pet’s portrait: littleartsbyolive@gmail.com

Kids and adults who like coloring are in luck. PIDO Pointer cartoonist Damon :) Guthrie is making several of his classic Point Isabel comics available free for your coloring pleasure.

It’s easy to download the first set of cartoons – all created with the backdrop of Point Isabel Seashore – and print out at home, then color. We’re looking forward to seeing your creative flourishes.

Download: DOG-GONE GOOD COMIC COLORING! VOLUME 1

We’re going to publish some of our favorites online and may even offer token prizes in two categories: kids and adults. Email us your favorite-colored cartoons (include name of artist and category) by sending them to info@pido.org. Entry deadline is May 1. 

Damon has been creating exclusive comics for PIDO that we publish in the PIDO Pointer and on the Comics page of our website. Damon lives in Berkeley with his wife, kids, and dog.

Update: Mudpuoppy’s and restrooms reopened 2/3/2023.

EBRPD park supervisor Scott Possin reported that a major water line break closed water service to the Isabel Street entrance to the park on January 12. A contractor for the USPS facility will repair the break but this will be a major excavation that could take weeks.

The following closures will remain in effect at Point Isabel (until further notice):

• Mudpuppy’s Sit and Stay Café and dog wash are closed indefinitely;

• Bay Trail is closed between Isabel St. and Rydin Rd.;

• Restrooms at Isabel Street will be closed but there will be a restroom trailer – porta potties.

The park and parking lots will remain open. Rydin Road will still have water at the hose and drinking fountain, and the restrooms there will be open. See EBRPD for updates.