Brentwood Press_03.19.10

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 12, No. 12

The call of the wild – turkey by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer

Turkeys in Brentwood? That was the question enquiring minds wanted to answer last week following reports of wild turkeys strolling through neighborhood yards and parks. “I came out of my house the other day and there they were about 17 of them, just walking down the street like they were out for a stroll,” said Marlene Ewell. “I have lived in Brentwood for 13 years and I have never seen them before. It was so amazing; they were just gorgeous.” Don Graves and his daughter Amanda also spied a gaggle of the feathered friends taking what appeared to be their morning constitutional. “There were seven of them just walking down our street,” said Graves, who lives in Garin Ranch. “My daughter and I were heading to Starbucks and she pointed down the street and said

there were some turkeys. I have lived here for 40 years and have seen pheasant and quail, but never turkeys. Or course I didn’t believe her at first, but there they were. It was very exciting.” Commonplace in central Contra Costa locations such as Danville and Diablo, wild turkey sightings are still rare in East County, but perhaps not for long. “Wild turkeys have expanded their range considerably,” said Susan Heckly, wildlife rehabilitation director with the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. “Less than 10 years ago there were virtually none in the Danville/Blackhawk area and now they are everywhere. They’ll go wherever food is available; they are quite resourceful.” And oftentimes those food resources come from generous residents enamored by the novelty of the big birds, some weighsee Turkey page 9A

The East Contra Costa Historical Museum opens its doors to a new season, offering history you can handle. Page 7A Photo courtesy of Don Graves

Don Graves and his daughter Amanda were delighted to discover a couple of their new neighbors: a flock of wild turkeys.

Staff Writer

Online Now!

Have you sent in your 2010 Census questionnaire yet? More than 120 million households received Census forms this week, and the U.S. Census Bureau is encouraging everyone to respond as soon as possible. The Census takes place every 10 years, as it has since 1790, to get a head count of the nation’s population, but since the number of a state’s representatives in Congress is determined by its population, Census data is also used to determine that crucial figure. The other function of the Census is to guide government agencies in the allocation of more than $400 billion in federal funds to state and local governments. Using Census data, money is distributed to communities across the country to fund public works projects, enhance education, provide additional emergency services

www.thepress.net Your Hometown Web Site

This Week Taxation relaxation

The past comes alive

by Samie Hartley

The 2010 Census should have arrived in your mailbox this week. Filling out the 10-question form will help bring millions of dollars to East County to help fund public works projects, emergency services and education programs for public schools.

March 19, 2010

A partnership of agencies is offering free services to relieve low-income residents of taxation vexation. Page 3A

Census is more than a head count

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau

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and retrofit hospitals. Money is also given to state and local governments to build and fix roadways. On a broader scale, the Census serves as a snapshot of America, spotting economic and social trends. Brentwood resident Roland Fernandez, a Census partnership assistant based out of the Contra Costa County Census headquarters in Concord, said the motto of this year’s Census is “it’s easy, it’s safe and it’s important.” According to Fernandez, each person in Contra Costa County who participates in the Census will bring $11,450 in funding for local programs. “If 100 people return the form, that’s more than a million dollars in funding to be used in the county. So the more people who participate, the more money we’ll get to support our local programs.” Fernandez added that filling out the Census form is required by the Constitution.

Housing update go to news/WebExtras!

New statistics offer an inside look at the state of home sales in East County.

see Census page 9A

Lopsided lumber

The Patriots are wearing down the base paths, outscoring their opponents 41-5 in the season’s first four games. Page 1B

Plus: Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 13B Entertainment ................... 9B Food .................................... 10B Health & Beauty ................ 8B Opinion ..............................10A Sports ................................... 1B

FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Water widening Consigned to cash go to news/press releases

Environmental reports for the Los Vaqueros expansion are in the books.

go to multimedia/videos

Folks get needed money for uneeded stuff at Yesterday’s Treasure.


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