A few times a year, the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond invites PIDO members to shop at employee discount prices. The next invitation period will be May 19 through June 11.

About a week before, Columbia will send PIDO an invitation similar to the one pictured here. We'll forward that by email to PIDO members only to serve as your proof of membership. You'll need to show the email to get into the store.

If you're a PIDO member and want to take advantage of this, be sure we have your email address. If you received the February invitation or have joined PIDO since then and given us your email address, you're on the PIDO Members Email List and will get the invitation.

(Email us at info@pido.org if you're not sure. We may not know that your email address is associated with your name on our snail mail members list.)

Whenever you see a tractor lawn mower at PI, observe the safety guidelines below from East Bay Regional Park District park area supervisor Scott Possin:

Mowing is still our best practice for foxtail mitigation. Other ideas and projects do not have the immediate effect that mowing does, right now, this year.

Lots of visitors are asking “what can we do to help?” The best answer is give us room when we’re mowing: 200 feet free and clear – 20 car lengths - is the safest and less stressful space for the rangers operating this equipment.

A mower can sling a rock or object at least 75 feet or more. We care about your safety, and your dog’s safety! However, if mowing is happening, ideally, the best and safest path are generally the asphalt paths close to the water on the channel or on the Bay.

Big Thanks in Advance!

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