outdoors
John Marsh Historic Trust Board Member Gene Metz describes the restoration efforts made by the trust to restore and stabilize the house.<br><i>Photos courtesy of John Marsh Historic Trust</i>
New park named Marsh Creek State Park
East County residents won’t need to travel far to immerse themselves in the beauty and history of a California state park. At a pair of meetings last week in Brentwood, State Parks Commissioners fi...
Feb 02, 2012 | 0 0 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend
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Wintery weather left its mark on a Brentwood orchard after temperatures dipped to 28 degrees.<br><i>Photo by Richard Wisdom</i>
Big chill
East County residents were scraping ice from their car windows Tuesday morning after the temperature dipped to 28 degrees the previous night. Several residents sent in photos of spectacular ice cre...
Jan 17, 2012 | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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The sharp profile of oak branches fades into haze on a foggy morning atop Round Valley Regional Preserve.<br><i>Photo by Ger Erickson</i>
Green and white – the gift of winter
Grass and fog; green and white. How fitting that two colors from our holiday palette are the colors of winter in Northern California.
Dec 07, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend
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<I>Photo by Richard Wisdom</i>
Swan sighting
This lovely lady (or gentleman) might be rehearsing for an upcoming production of “Swan Lake” or merely admiring its own rapturous reflection. Either way, this denizen of the Delta cut an elegant f...
Dec 01, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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Bold birds
One expects to see a lot of turkeys around Thanksgiving, but for the most part they’re spotted on dining room tables. Kelli Jeffs and her son Parker, 10, spotted this particular rafter of birds, ...
Nov 24, 2011 | 1 1 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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Delta weeds such as these along a property owner’s dock on Dutch Slough are taking over portions of Bethel Island. Residents are lobbying to get the Department of Boating and Waterways and other local agencies to help eradicate the weeds, as was the case in Discovery Bay last spring.<br><i>Photo courtesy of Clark Fratus</i>
Diehard weeds still flourish in Delta
Proliferation of the ergia densa weed has been significantly reduced in the waters of Discovery Bay since the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) began efforts to eradicate the Delta pests la...
Nov 17, 2011 | 1 1 comments | 6 6 recommendations | email to a friend
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When viewed through a large telescope, the Andromeda Galaxy occupies a section of sky more than six times the width of the full Moon. As a naked-eye object, only Andromeda’s galactic nucleus is visible. Train your binoculars on M31 and you’ll be able to resolve the inner galactic disc surrounding the nucleus like fog framing a streetlamp.<br><i>Press graphic by Jac Carter</i>
Galaxy gazers rack up zillions of zeroes
How far can you see? The answer might surprise you. You resolve letters on an eye chart from a distance measured in feet; words and symbols on a road sign from a distance measured in yards; the ou...
Nov 08, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
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The California coast redwoods that inhabit Muir Woods’ National Monument are the tallest living things on planet Earth.<BR><i>Photo by Ger Erickson</i>
Majesty and tranquility in perfect harmony
A walk through Muir Woods is an exercise in more than neck-craning. In the presence of the mighty redwoods we feel small, but not alienated.
Oct 06, 2011 | 2 2 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
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Call for Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta photos
The Delta Science Center in Oakley is looking for local photographers who would like to have their Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta pictures published in the center’s annual Sacramento-San Joaquin Delt...
Oct 04, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
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<I>Photo courtesy of Kathy Nelson</i>
Chain reaction
Over 60 families, teachers, neighbors and friends spent a recent Sunday beautifying the campus of Loma Vista Elementary in Brentwood. The effort included weeding, planting, pruning, landscape bor...
Oct 03, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 6 6 recommendations | email to a friend
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travel
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Rising expectations: Even in South, road crews know citizens demand speedy snow and ice removal
In the South, people now expect roads to be swiftly cleared of ice and snow. In northern climates, expectations have always been high, but are getting even higher as citizens realize impassable roa...
Dec 07, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 305 305 recommendations | email to a friend
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Italy tours: hidden treasures that let you savor the best of the country
If you're planning a trip to Italy, you're confronted by an almost overwhelming number of options, however Italy tours are hidden treasures that let you savor the best of the country. The country ...
Dec 01, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 96 96 recommendations | email to a friend
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Easing the stress of hosting guests during the holiday season
Whether it's for the holidays or another big occasion, hosting people in your home can be both gratifying and stressful. It can be especially tricky when you're entertaining out of town guests for ...
Dec 01, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 127 127 recommendations | email to a friend
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Help make your dreams a reality with wedding insurance
Getting married is a dream. Who hasn't fantasized about the dress, the jewelry, your dad walking you down the aisle, the music, the cake, the reception following the ceremony? Because people travel...
Dec 01, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 329 329 recommendations | email to a friend
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River cruises put an elegant spin on touring Europe
A trip to Europe has universal appeal, but not everyone feels ready for the practical side of the proposition. For some travelers, the challenges of independently planning a trip to countries where...
Nov 28, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 54 54 recommendations | email to a friend
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New destinations to ring in the new year
New York City and Las Vegas are perennial favorites for celebrating New Year's Eve. But a new year just begs for some new ideas, especially those that won't leave you in debt after the fireworks ar...
Nov 28, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 63 63 recommendations | email to a friend
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Health advice for small-business travelers
Packing in as much work as possible to maximize the cost benefits of your trip can leave you with little time to take care of yourself while you're taking care of business. One solution is to fit f...
Nov 27, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 33 33 recommendations | email to a friend
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Money-saving secrets for small business travelers
The need to travel on business may remind you of that old adage that you have to spend money to make money. But premium travel arrangements don't have to cost a premium price. Saving money on the b...
Nov 27, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 28 28 recommendations | email to a friend
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Don't let winter weather catch you by surprise behind the wheel
This year, millions of Americans will be hitting the roads and facing cold temperatures, along with the snowy and icy conditions winter weather brings. These factors are not only a nuisance, but at...
Nov 20, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 175 175 recommendations | email to a friend
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Five tips to avoid being an identity theft victim while on vacation
Whether you are planning a trip over the holidays or looking ahead to the spring or summer for a family vacation, realize that identity theft can happen wherever you are and also where you're not. ...
Nov 17, 2011 | 0 0 comments | 86 86 recommendations | email to a friend
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