Even at UC Berkeley, where it takes a lot to turn heads, and even during the summer, when the campus opens its classrooms to a diverse group of visiting students, some of Saturday's visitors stood out.
Attendees at a retirement party at Alumni House for West Contra Costa Unified School District teacher and Cal alumni Steve Kirby took turns riding two equine visitors from the Martinez-based Ponies R Us Party Ponies.
Kirby, who is retiring after 35 years, has diverse interests ranging from to the environment, but has a special fondness for all things western, thus the party invitation promising "Country Themed – Country Band – Country Food – Country Photo Ops!"
Kirby closes his career with the school district at Hanna Ranch Elementary School in Hercules and is a resident of that city as well but was a longtime resident of El Cerrito and teacher at the now-closed Castro Elementary School.
