The Columbia Sportswear Company is again inviting PIDO members to shop at its employee stores (Richmond and Union City) from December 6 through 29. Brands are being offered at steep discounts include Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardwear, prAna, and Sorel. In early December PIDO will email the invitation and proof of PIDO membership to PIDO members only. Contact us at info@pido.org if you are a member and we don’t have your email address.

PIDO’s famous Barktoberfest dog costume contest and parade is Sunday, October 27, 12:30 to 2 pm, in the field next to (north of) Mudpuppy’s/Sit & Stay Café at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.

The costume contest is free for PIDO members and their friends – dogs and humans.

The short parade along the shoreline begins at 1 pm, followed by judging, prizes, and photos of winners.

Prize categories are Small Dog (up to around 20 lbs.), Medium Dog (around 20 to 45 lbs.) and Big Dog (45 pounds and up)., and a grand prize.

Once again, PIDO members have been invited to shop at the Columbia Sportswear Company employee stores (Richmond and Union City). Point Isabel Dog Owners offer is valid September 6th - September 29th! The stores are stocked with current season products from our family of brands – Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna – items are marked at employee store pricing.

The Los Angeles Times published a story May 14, 2024 by staff writer Tony Briscoe about possible radioactive debris at Cesar Chavez Park (Berkeley) and the Albany Bulb.

The five locations documented by the former Stauffer Chemical Company include Cesar Chavez Park (Berkeley’s former garbage dump) and the Albany Bulb (Albany’s former dump). Point Isabel Regional Shoreline and North Point Isabel are not on the list. The two sites closest to Point Isabel are Blair — a fenced area that is a short walk up the Bay Trail — and a location that the Stauffer list referred to as "South End of Richmond Plant."

Los Angeles Times on MSN: link

(Photo by Los Angeles Times/Paul Kuroda)

PIDO is hosting a midweek clean-up and weed pull work party and Southwest Airlines volunteers are coming to help Wednesday, May 22, 10 am - 12 noon. Everyone is welcome! Get details about where we're focusing that day when you sign in at our table between the Rydin Road entrance and the footbridge. Bring your own gloves and gardening tools or borrow the ranger's.

Volunteer for an hour or more to earn PIDO Dog Bucks discount coupons redeemable at the café or dog wash (courtesy of the Mudpuppy's crew and PIDO).

Join us for a few minutes or the whole two hours! Sign up ahead at info@pido.org or just show up.

This year's Earth Day Weekend work day with EBRPD will be Sunday, April 21, from 10 to noon. We'll meet in the flat, grassy field on the southern half of the park, between Hoffman Channel and the Bay Trail loop/USPS distribution center. (Same location as last year. If you park near Mudpuppy's, walk toward the bridge. If you park in the Rydin Road parking lot, walk toward Mudpuppy's.)

This year we'll be adding dirt around the young trees and filling in holes to reduce tripping hazards and improve the appearance of the park.

Bring your own water, plus a shovel and work gloves if you have them. Volunteer for 15 minutes or the whole two hours. Join us!

PIDO members have been invited back for bargains at the Columbia Sportswear employee store (Mountain Hardwear headquarters) in Richmond! Point Isabel Dog Owners offer is valid March 8 - March 31. The store is stocked with current season products from Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna – items are marked 40 – 60% below retail prices.

For store access, please provide your digital invite (printed or shown on your mobile device) + proof of affiliation. Invitees can bring up to four additional guests with each visit. This offer is for store access (not valid online). The store is in the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park, 1414 Harbour Way S #1010, Richmond, CA.

Donate to the RIchmond Emergency Food Pantry through the Coumbia Sportswear food drive. Bring in non-perishable food items to the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond.

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.

PIDO’s famous Barktoberfest dog costume contest and parade is Sunday, October 29, noon to 2 pm, in the field next to (north of) Mudpuppy’s/Sit & Stay Café at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.

The costume contest is free for PIDO members, $5 for nonmembers. (You can join on the spot. A lifetime PIDO membership is just $10 to $20.) The parade and festive atmosphere are free for everyone.

The short parade along the shoreline begins at 1 pm, followed by judging, prizes, and photos of winners.

The prize categories are Small Dog (up to around 20 lbs.), Medium Dog (around 20 to 45 lbs.) and Big Dog (45 pounds and up). The esteemed judges this year include East Bay Regional Park District Director Elizabeth Echols and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia.

For a limited time, you can order PIDO’s Barktoberfest tees and hoodies at our estore, thanks to DGH Outfitters in Berkeley.

PIDO members are invited back to the Columbia Sportswear Company employee store in Richmond! 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 is September 8 through October 8, 2023. PIDO has emailed all members with the invitation. You'll need to show the email to get into the store.

The store is stocked with current season products from our Family of Brands – Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna – items marked with discounted pricing 40-60% below retail price

UPDATE (Aug. 15) — The harmful red tide has dissipated, according to San Francisco Bay Keeper.

Original story (Aug. 4): The East Bay Regional Park District has posted warning signs at Point Isabel about the possibility of red tide algae along shoreline areas of the San Francisco bay. The warning advises people to stay away from “algae and scum in the water, and do not let pets get into or drink the water or eat scum on the shore where the red tide is present.”

The Alameda County of Environmental Health advises dog owners to call their veterinarian if your dog gets sick after going into the water. You may see these warning signs posted by the parks department at Point Isabel and Albany Beach.

More information is here.

Congratulations to our star canines (and to their owners) who completed the Canine Good Citizen test at Point Isabel on July 29. Dogs are evaluated on a non-competitive 10-skill test, such as recall and sitting and staying, that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their guardians.

Great thanks to our expert evaluator Pam Wu and to all of the PIDO volunteers who made the testing event rewarding for canines and humans alike.

PIDO will offer this test again next year!

Trainer Birgit Hafermann worked with people and their pups at PIDO’s first Off-leash Skills 101 session on June 17. Pups Arlo, Bob, Bobo, Merlin, Mikey, Nala, Schatze, Sondheim, Tele, Ty, and Zisa all did great.

We’re holding additional sessions in September and December that are designed to 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. Email info@pido.org to sign up. The class is free but limited to 10 participants.

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

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.

Point Isabel Dog Owners and Friends (PIDO) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Regional Parks Foundation to document the history of Point Isabel, in advance of Point Isabel’s 50th anniversary in 2025.

The grant will fund photo rights, cartography, design, layout, and other development costs. PIDO board member Mary Barnsdale will research and develop the material – which may become a book or online story map – for free, working closely with EBRPD Archives.

The Point Isabel area is rich historically. It has included Ohlone settlements, a Mexican rancho, a commercial ferry landing, a dynamite factory, a frog farm, and a gentleman’s shooting club. It was a place where raw sewage was pumped into San Francisco Bay.

In April 1975, USPS and EBRPD signed a 50-year lease for an L-shaped fringe of landfill around the postal facility. That became Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.

Back by popular demand, the Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store in Richmond is again opening its doors for a limited time to Point Isabel Dog Owners members.

From November 25 through December 18, PIDO members will get steep discounts on Columbia Sportswear, Prana, Sorel and Mountain Hardwear brands apparel and gear at the Richmond store.

If you’re already a PIDO member, you will receive instructions in The PIDO Pointer Winter newsletter (being mailed in late November) on how to take advantage of this exclusive discount — use any PIDO Pointer with your address (back page) as proof of affiliation and be sure to download this invitation flyer.

You may take four guests. The store is located at 1414 Harbour Way near the Rosie the Riveter Museum and Craneway Pavilion in Richmond.

PIDO’s famous Barktoberfest dog costume contest and parade is Sunday, October 30, noon to 2 pm, in the field next to (north of) Mudpuppy’s/Sit & Stay Café at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.

The costume contest is free for PIDO members, $5 for nonmembers. (You can join on the spot. A lifetime PIDO membership is just $10 to $20.) The parade and festive atmosphere are free for everyone.

The short parade along the shoreline begins at 1 pm, followed by judging, prizes, and photos of winners.

Prize categories are Small Dog (up to around 20 lbs.), Medium Dog (around 20 to 45 lbs.) and Big Dog (45 pounds and up). The grand prize includes a custom pet portrait by Olive Little. The celebrity judges this year include East Bay Regional Park District Director Elizabeth Echols and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia.

The City of Richmond has been very responsive to PIDO's request to fix the traffic hazard at the corner of Central Avenue and Isabel Street (where the Costco gas station queue is hard to get around or see around).

Step one was painting the curb red to eliminate any vehicles parking there. Next, the city will begin work with Costco on traffic management, and we hope it includes signs and paint lanes (one for the queue, one for through-traffic) and arrows on the pavement, too.

Big thanks go to Nickie Mastay, Robert Chelemedos, and others at City of Richmond. Thanks to Mark Delepine for bringing the issue up again and to Janet Lyons for her firsthand account of having had her car hit near the gas station entrance. Many thanks to Mary Barnsdale who has been urging the city to address this situation on behalf of the PIDO board of directors.

Limited edition PIDO hoodies and tees are on sale now for our upcoming Barktoberfest Halloween costume contest and parade. We have new sizes and colors decked out with our spooky Barktoberfest logo while they last. PIDO gets a few dollars for every purchase, thanks to DGH Outfitters in Berkeley. Barktoberfest will be held on Sunday, October 30.

Repairs have begun to add rock and reinforce about 350 feet of crumbling shoreline north of the windsurfing launch ramp (opposite of Mudpuppy’s) at Point Isabel. Temporary fencing has been installed to keep people (and dogs) away from heavy equipment and vehicles. Work started Sept. 6 and is scheduled until Oct. 31, but may take place through the end of the year. The EBRPD contractor may be working at night due to the tides schedule. Work areas will be fenced and park access remains open during this time.

In a separate ongoing project, some of the current small, fenced areas on North Point Isabel may soon be enlarged to combat erosion.

And, a major project, unrelated to this current work, to repair the landfill cap on North Point Isabel is slated to begin in 2023.

The East Bay Regional Park District has issued a warning about the possibility of red tide algae along shoreline areas of the San Francisco bay. The warning advises people to stay away from “algae and scum in the water, and do not let pets get into or drink the water or eat scum on the shore” where the red tide is present.

The Alameda County of Environmental Health advises dog owners to call their veterinarian if your dog gets sick after going into the water. You may see these warning signs posted by the parks department at Point Isabel and Albany Beach.

There is also a separate warning about cyanobacteria, a toxic blue-green algae found mostly in fresh or brackish (part fresh, part salt) water at Del Valle Regional Park's West Swim Beach, Quarry Lakes, and Big Break Regional Shoreline.

Being a PIDO member has its benefits. The Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store in Richmond is opening its doors for a limited time to Point Isabel Dog Owners members. From August 19 through September 11, PIDO members will get steep discounts on Columbia Sportswear, Prana, Sorel and Mountain Hardwear brands apparel and gear at the Richmond store.

If you’re already a PIDO member, you will receive instructions in The PIDO Pointer Summer newsletter on how to take advantage of this exclusive discount.

If you've been thinking about joining PIDO, now is a good time to do so here. The store is located at 1414 Harbour Way near the Rosie the Riveter Museum and Craneway Pavilion in Richmond.

Congratulations Shadow, Rosie, Hakeem, Mac, and Dunbar (and to their owners) who completed and passed the Canine Good Citizen test at Point Isabel on July 23.

Dogs are evaluated on a non-competitive 10-skill test, such as recall and sitting and staying, that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their guardians. Guardians are asked to sign a pledge to take good care and be responsible for their dog’s health, safety and behavior. Dogs who didn’t pass all skills should hold their heads up high (of course they will). Keep practicing, attend a class or learn more about the CGC requirements (see Berkeley Humane).

Great thanks to our expert evaluator Pam Wu and to all of the PIDO volunteers who made the testing event rewarding for canines and humans alike. PIDO will offer this test again next year!

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Point Isabel was closed for two months. To open the park safely, East Bay Regional Park District made the bridge over the Hoffman channel, which connects Point Isabel with the north side, one-way-at-a-time because people crossing in opposite directions can’t stay six feet from one another. That change has now been made permanent on the narrow bridge. The pandemic showed that one-way-at-a-time offers benefits without being much of an Inconvenience. People rarely have to wait more than a minute to cross. Please be aware of groups of people walking together. Allow others time to finish crossing, and wait six feet back from the bridge entrance to give them and their dogs a little space.