Off-Leash Skills 101 is a session by professional trainer Birgit Hafermann who will review essential off-leash skills, explore lesser-known techniques (such as emergency recall commands), and share tips and tricks learned by PIDO members over the years.

New dog owners who want to shorten their learning curves as well as dogs and people who want to sharpen their skills are all welcome.

Sessions are being held March 16, June 15, September 14 and December 14 at Point Isabel. The class is free but limited to 10 participants. Email info@pido.org to sign up.

See PIDO’s events page for more details.

The Columbia Sportswear Company occasionally invites PIDO members to shop at its employee store at Mountain Hardwear headquarters in Richmond.

Our final invitation of the year runs from December 8 through January 7 and includes a Golden Ticket for 10 percent off already bargain prices.

The store is stocked with current season products from Columbia's family of brands: Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna. The store is on the Richmond shoreline near the Rosie the Riveter Museum and Craneway Pavilion.

PIDO will email the invitation and proof of PIDO membership to PIDO members early in December.

(If you're a member who didn't get the invitation this past May, contact us at info@pido.org so we can add you to the members-only email blasts. If you've joined since May and given us your email address, we have you covered!)

PIDO Pointer cartoonist Damon :) Guthrie is making several of his classic Point Isabel cartoons 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.

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