Discovery Bay Press_03.16.12

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 10, No. 11

CSD candidates take the podium by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer

The Discovery Bay CSD Board has unanimously agreed to appoint a director to fill the board’s fifth seat. The newest member will be chosen at the board’s regular meeting, scheduled for April 4. The appointee will serve out the remainder of the term, which ends in November. To date, the town has received 11 applications for the post left vacant last month by the resignation of CSD Director Brian Dawson. Nine of the applicants appeared before the CSD directors at the March 7 meeting to introduce themselves and answer questions from the board.

Bruce Hall Hall has an extensive background in finance and a wealth of experience serving on community boards. As three generations of his family live in Discovery Bay, the semi-retired businessman has a vested interest in the future of the town. “I’m interested in seeing the infrastructure and safety of the community maintained for my family,” said Hall. “I believe I have something to offer.” Marshall Harris Harris sits on the homeowners association and landscaping boards of The Lakes and is interested in seeing the town develop a commu-

Got a hankering to hike our communal mountain? Head for the hub from which adventures radiate. Page 1B

Photo by Richard Wisdom

ommunity Services District President Chris Steele presents Aimee Huebner of Discovery Bay Brownie Troop 31641 with a proclamation marking the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America. Troops 31510 and 30103 were also on hand to accept the honor at the town’s recent CSD meeting. Steele thanked the girls for their hard work on behalf of the community – and their delicious cookies.

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see Candidates page 13A

by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer

Photo by Ruth Roberts

Nadia Bagdasar, librarian at the Byron Boys Ranch, chooses books she thinks will speak to the residents’ experiences and appeal to their interests. to 17 and helps them build their minds, vocabularies and ultimately their self-esteem.

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March 16, 2012

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Boys ranch library makes reading cool They come in quietly, a few at a time, each with a book or two tucked under their arms and a greeting on their lips. “Hey Nadia, what’s good today?” asks one visitor. “Do you have that new book yet?” asks another. The questions are commonplace, the answers rote. But for Nadia Bagdasar, such requests are anything but ordinary. “It’s a great feeling when they ask me for a certain book or a recommendation from an author they’ve read before,” said Bagdasar. “I love that their interest has been sparked by something positive.” Bagdasar is the librarian at the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility – also known as the Byron Boys Ranch – and two days a week she opens the doors of the makeshift library to these young men 13

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“I’m always amazed at what voracious readers they are,” said Bagdasar. “Some of these boys had

never read a book cover to cover until they came here. It’s very satisfying to see.” The Byron Boys Ranch is an unlocked county facility designed to rehabilitate low-level delinquent youths who have committed non-violent, misdemeanor crimes. The average stay varies from one month to more than a year, depending upon the crime and the program imposed on them by the courts. The Ranch’s library is tiny. More than 4,000 titles are crammed into available spaces – some perched on racks or moveable carts, others stacked on nearby shelves. But they’re all there: Gatsby, Harry Potter, Holden Caulfield and even a vampire named Edward. “Oh, they read the ‘Twilight’ series,” laughed Bagdasar. “But of course they’ll never admit it.” “John” (not his real name) might not confess to reading “Twisee Library page 13A

Highway headway Creek caregivers go to news/WebExtras! The next phase of the State Route 4 Widening Project keeps rolling along.

go to news/press releases Efforts to preserve Marsh Creek and environs are meeting with success.

Rescue reciprocated A beneficiary of the Kids Helping Kids organization is returning the favor. Page 7A

The best of intentions

A Heritage soccer star who’d set his sights on Notre Dame de Namur made his goal official. Page 17A Arts ....................................... 6A Calendar ............................ 15B Classifieds ........................... 7B Cop Logs ............................ 14B East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 3B Food ...................................... 4B Milestones ........................14A Opinion ..............................16A Sports .................................17A FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A

Hizzoner huddle go to multimedia/videos Oakley business owners recently sat down to Breakfast with the Mayor.


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