YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 11, No. 4
Including Surrounding Communities
www.brentwoodpress.com
Locals celebrate Obama, diversity by Rick Lemyre Staff Writer They came to Cortona Park in Brentwood to celebrate and support increased opportunities for women and other under-represented groups in government. There were booths offering health care tips, children’s books, hats, purses and vitamins, and there was singing, barbecue, and certificates of appreciation for the civic leaders on hand. But the buzz was all about the man whose lifesize cardboard cutout stood stoically in the corner: President Barack Obama. The event was the Women Leading Change Now vendor showcase and inauguration celebration, and although public turnout was light, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 50 or so people there to share their support for diversity and each other on a historic day. “I’m a real fan of Obama,” said Oakley’s Robert Duncan
Tamika London has her photo snapped with a likeness of President Barack Obama during the Women Leading Change Now inauguration celebration on Tuesday.
Photo by Rick Lemyre
as he posed for a picture with “the president.” “Every once in a while you get a guy that will grab you, make you think he can get something done. I like that about him; I couldn’t be happier.” Antioch’s Matt Vance said
he was impressed by Obama’s intestinal fortitude, and expects to see great things over the long haul. “I like his guts,” he said. “I like the fact that he’s not conforming to anyone’s expectations, just his own
morals and God. If things don’t all turn around right away, I’m not going to blame him. It’s going to take some time, but every small decision is going to add up to an overall see Obama page 13A
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January 23, 2009
THIS WEEK
Nuptial nuances
Let our Wedding Planner help you sweat the details now so you can relax on your big day.
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Dancing to a unique tune An East County support group for young women with special challenges is throwing a special party.
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Patriots get burned
Delta devotee dedicated to discovery This sign, located at the southeast corner of Highway 4 and Byron Highway, is one of more than 20 to be posted around the Delta perimeter by the Discover the Delta Foundation. The purpose of the sign project is to increase the awareness of the unique California Delta.
by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer Ken Scheidegger believes there are tales of the Delta to be told and he considers himself one of the storytellers. Scheidegger is the founder of the Discover the Delta Foundation, a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and celebrating the Delta’s 1,000 miles of inland waterways. “There is so much about the Delta that people don’t know,” said Scheidegger. “People seem to focus on the water and its problems, but there are also the people, the farmers, the wine makers and the rich history that needs to be shared. My dream is to do something that isn’t and hasn’t been done before: I want to tell the Delta’s story.” And the story’s called the Discover the Delta Information Center, a two-story, 7,700-square-foot facility featuring education, interpretive, computer and information centers, as well as outdoor picnic and gathering areas. Meeting facilities and student research areas are also on the boards, as is a privately owned farmers’ market, plus twin wind towers designed to illustrate
Photo courtesy of Ken Scheidegger
one of the area’s greatest energy sources: the Delta breezes. “What this (Delta Center) is going to do is give people who come out here an opportunity to see the wheres and whys of the area,” said Scheidegger. “To get a sense of the Delta and to come and get involved. Did you know that there are over 90 agricultural
products grown here in the Delta? I sometimes think people think it’s only corn that grows out here.” Scheidegger, a former marine biologist and retired local business owner, created the foundation two years ago as a way to dredge see Delta page 17A
Two sizzling squads took the court, but it was the Wolverines who made the hot shots.
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INSIDE Calendar ..........................30A Classifieds ........................26A Coplog .............................15A Education ..........................6A Entertainment ................29A Food ................................... 6B Milestones .......................22A Opinion ...........................14A Outdoors ...........................4A Sports ...............................19A Wedding Planner ............. 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A