YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 9, No. 29
Including Nearby Communities
www.thepress.net
Teen talent has success sewn up by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer Sara Trail is only 14, but the Antioch teen hopes no one will hold it against her. Despite her youth, the high school sophomore is developing a reputation as a sewing and quilting phenom; a teenage Rachel Ray. “I would love to have a show like Rachel Ray but geared toward sewing and quilting,” said Sara. “It’s really more about the creative aspect than the talent. It’s about applying yourself and not giving up. Anyone can do what I do.” Perhaps, but few have experienced a summer like Sara has. The wunderkind recently returned from a cross-county press tour, appearing on local ABC and CBS affiliates in Florida and Atlanta, promoting her first book, “Sew with Sara.” Thanks to the efforts of her mom Kay (“she’s a great promoter and really nice supporter”), who organized the book signings, Sara has enjoyed the broadcast circuit, but what has really impressed her has been the behindthe-scenes activities. “It was really a lot of fun,” said Sara of her television guest spots. “All the anchor people and camera crew were so nice, but what was really fun was that they do your hair and makeup; made me feel like
Photo courtesy of C&T Publishing
Sara Trail, 14, has published her first how-to book for teens interested in sewing and quilting. a star.” And a rising star at that. Sara began sewing and quilting at 8. She remembers being struck by the myriad fabrics and creativity involved in bringing patterns and designs to a finished product. Since then,
the surprisingly grounded young woman has continued to dazzle even her greatest supporters with her maturity, creativity and natural ability. “I’ve never seen anyone like Sara. She needs to look at something only once and she can do it,” said Eleanor O’Donnell, Sara’s good friend and mentor. “She’s got excellent instincts. I’m old enough to be her grandmother, and when I see someone at her age who can look at a pattern and figure it out – well, it’s just amazing.” Sara’s first book (“yes, I plan to write another book at some point”) is a how-to of eight simple but teen-friendly items, including pajama pants, tote bags, hair scrunchies and iPod covers. She also teaches classes at local fabric stores for both sewing and quilting, and has made dozens of her own outfits, which she wears when attending a book signing. “I always wear something I made when I go to meet people,” said Sara. “Because the first thing they ask me is if I made what I’m wearing. It’s very fun to hear their responses and to be able to tell them that they can do this, too. Meeting people is really fun; it’s a big part of what I love about it.” When she’s not sitting at the sewing machine or signing copies of her book, Sara see Teen page 22A
Antioch adopts Press picks up greenhouse goals national awards Study: new regulations will increase costs to residents, businesses by Dave Roberts Staff Writer The Antioch City Council recently agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the city in an effort to stop global warming, getting out ahead of state mandates that will also affect Brentwood, Oakley and un-
incorporated far East County – mandates that critics say will greatly increase costs to residents and businesses while doing little to change the planet’s climate. Before unanimously voting on June 23 to approve the CO2 emission reduction goals, the council was told by the city’s Climate and Energy Assistant Nicholas Tagas that if nothing is done to stop global warming, Knightsen, Discovery Bay and eastern Oakley will be underwater by 2059. In addition, 60 to 80 percent of the Sierra snowpack will disappear, the Delta will increase see Goals page 22A
The Brentwood Press and Publishing Corporation has earned four awards in the National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper and Better Newspaper Advertising contests. The Press picked up a Third Place award for Best Editorial for a piece written by Editor Rick Lemyre about letters to the editor and the First Amendment. Columnist Ger Erickson’s piece about the effects on air quality and breathing of the California wildfire season of 2008 earned an honorable mention for Best Serious
Column. On the advertising side, the paper’s Best of Antioch publication earned a First Place award for Best Sales Promotion Section. Our Fall/Winter Wedding Planner picked up a Third Place award in the same category. “I’m ecstatic that we’re once again being recognized nationally for all the hard work our fantastic team has done,” said Publisher Greg Robinson. The Press, which publishes weekly newspapers see Awards page 22A
Fast finds! Search the business directory. Shopping, dining ... anything you need. Find it in the business directory at www.thepress.net. See page 11A.
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July 17, 2009
THIS WEEK
Moonwalker mourned
The odds were 1,600,000-1, but two East County fans of the King of Pop won an invitation to his sendoff.
Page 3A
State of disrepair
The city and school district will attend a summit aimed at proposing ways Sacramento can get its act together.
Page 10A
No rinky-dink operation
It’s hard to imagine an indoor sport that this new facility can’t – or isn’t trying to – handle.
Page 1B
INSIDE Business ...........................11A Calendar ..........................19B Classifieds ........................12B Cop Logs ..........................16A Entertainment ................19B Food .................................10B Health & Beauty ............... 8B Milestones .......................20A Opinion ...........................15A Outdoors ...........................6A Sports ................................. 1B Talk About Town ..............5A WebExtras! ....................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A