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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 9, No. 27
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July 8, 2011
the Water weed spraying extended Stalking CornFest story by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
The concentration of egeria densa in Discovery Bay has been significantly reduced since the state’s intensive eradication program began in April, according to the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW). But not all of the targeted areas have responded as well as expected, so treatment on the tenacious waterweed will continue for an additional few weeks. “From what I understand, they are going to extend the treatment period and focus on some of those areas that have not responded as well to the applications,” said Discovery Bay General Manager Rick Howard. “It appears that the farther back into the bays they go, the more effective the treatment is. The closer they get to running water, such as near Indian Slough, it hasn’t worked as well.” The original program, which began in April, was
The annual celebration named after Brentwood’s top crop has a long and intriguing history. Page 1B
From Boston to Broadway Photo by Rick Howard
Samples of egeria densa show the plant in various stages of decomposition. The Department of Boating and Waterways has been spraying in and around Discovery Bay to erradicate the stubborn Delta weed. scheduled for 12 weeks, but the treatment will now continue for an additional four weeks in the two targeted locations. Area 1 is 192.2 acres and includes Ma-
rina, Shell, Sand and Cypress bays as well as Newport, Lighthouse and Beacon bays. Area 2 encompasses 76.9 acres and stretches from Lido Bay and
Kellogg Creek to Cabrillo Bay. “It is clear that the egeria densa is dying back throughout
A Discovery Bay stage star earned a scholarship that she plans to convert to a career in the Big Apple. Page 9A
In it for the long haul
see Weeds page 26A
Redistricting process moves ahead by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors (BoS) will head back to the bargaining table next week to review – and possibly approve – a new supervisorial redistricting map for the county. Every 10 years as dictated by the federal census, electoral districts are required to redraw their boundaries to accommodate changes and/or growth in population. Following a series of community workshops and public comment periods, the BoS pared down its choices on June 28 (each
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“ The number-one thing we’ve been hearing is that people want to keep the cities whole.
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District III Supervisor Mary Piepho supervisor originally submitted a version of the redistricting map) to include three possibilities. County staff was instructed to bring those three maps back to the board on July 12 with the requested revisions, amendments and modifications. “This is my first time doing this,” said Patrick Roche, Contra Costa County project planner. “And it’s definitely challenging because there are, as you can
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imagine, many ways to draw a map. But we’re working on it and we fully appreciate how important this is for the board. It’s coming along.” Of the 13 original concepts and proposals, the supervisors agreed to further consider options six, nine and 12. Concept six is a hybrid of District I Supervisor John Goia’s original map proposal, and meets the BoS guidelines,
Cheap chow
go to news/WebExtras! Local kids can apply for free or reduced-price school breakfast and lunch.
including maintaining each district’s population within 5 percent of the others and avoiding splitting communities and cities where possible. Concept six would give Goia the incorporated cities of El Cerrito, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo and its surrounding unincorporated areas as well. Map nine was first proposed by District II Supervisor Gayle Uilkema and modified by District III Supervisor Mary Piepho.
“The number-one thing we’ve been hearing is that people want to keep the cities whole,” said Piepho. “And I think that see Redistricting page 26A
We R Grateful
go to news/press releases An arts and crafts studio is joining a campaign to boost the morale of our troops.
A local couple’s odyssey in mere weight loss has culminated in a lifestyle of fitness. Page 21A Business ............................. 11B Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 13B Cop Logs ............................19A East County Life ................ 1B Entertainment ................... 2B Food ...................................... 8B Health & Beauty ................ 7B Opinion ..............................18A Outdoors ............................. 6A Sports .................................21A ravemotionpictures Brentwood 14 +
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FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Flashy bash
go to multimedia/videos Oakley marked its 12th birthday with a barrage of colorful kabooms.