MONTCLARION NEWSPAPER – April 2, 2009
FARMS IN OAKLAND? Not exactly, but a new farm in Fairfield has a drop site in Oakland, where members can pick up a weekly basket of fresh produce. The Shootingstar Farm is the closest Community Supported Agriculture Project to the East Bay, and it’s run by the family that founded Lafayette’s Orchard Nursery. Continue reading
CONTRACOSTATIMES.COM March 27, 2009
IN A LIST OF THE world’s gourmet foods, sauerkraut never seems to make the cut. But don’t tell that to the folks who make their home in what’s known as North Dakota’s “Great Sauerkraut Triangle.”
The south-central part of the state dishes out some of the best German food, architecture and culture this side of Munich. In the words of North Dakota’s most famous German Russian, 1950s band leader Lawrence Welk, the region is “wunnerful, wunnerful!” Continue reading
MONTCLARION NEWSPAPER – March 27 2009
IT MUST BE REDWOODS, giving off all that oxygen. Something is stimulating brain cells here, because people seem more creative than ever.
I just finished reading a book by hills couple Al Musante and Pat Marino — called “Keep Playing!” It’s a guide to helping your child play college sports, even if they rode the bench on their high school team. Continue reading
MONTCLARION NEWSPAPER – March 20 2009
FINALLY, something to look forward to in old age. No, I’m not talking about my AARP discount, though Lord knows that’s a sweet deal.
I’m talking about Art with Elders. Continue reading
MONTCLARION NEWSPAPER – March 13 2009
LIKE A CHAMPION boxer, bloodied but proud, he fought to the very end.
Over the years, Gary Wong tried everything to keep Movie Express a competitor. He gave out popcorn and offered two movies for the price of one. He hired film-savvy employees and kept plenty of the most popular titles in stock. He gave and gave and gave to the schools and other local charities. Continue reading
CONTRACOSTATIMES.COM March 13, 2009
APRIL SHOWERS BRING May flowers, but our recent rains have brought 
something even better — waterfalls.
The Falls Trail up the back side of Mt. Diablo has never been prettier, with its swollen creek and four cascading waterfalls tumbling down from the peak. Having hiked there last weekend, I can vouch for their splendor. Continue reading
MONTCLARION NEWSPAPER – March 5 2009
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to run out and get a roll of Sea Biscuit stamps. And believe me — I get the irony of honoring a horse from the Great Depression at a time when our own economy is unraveling.
MONTCLARION NEWSPAPER – February 26 2009
TOWN CRIER’S TOP 10 reasons to be happy in hard times:
10. More game nights with your friends
9. Two buck Chuck could soon be a buck
8. Staying home means more time to update your Twitter Continue reading
CONTRACOSTATIMES.COM February 26, 2009
NOT SINCE the days of the old ’60s sitcom Mr. Ed have I felt so close to a 
horse. But my time in the saddle with Scatter Gun has changed my life.
Bonding with horses is a rewarding experience — in some ways better than bonding with humans. People have opinions, and rarely do they keep them to themselves these days. Continue reading
MONTCLARION NEWSPAPER – February 20 2009
I’VE JUST SPENT three days with a horse whisperer. That alone is odd enough 
— but I’ve now got an irresistible urge to befriend anything with feathers or fur.
Take the gobbler on Scout Drive in Montclair. He’s become quite a celebrity in the neighborhood, stopping motorists on their way to and from Montara Middle School each day.
What a bold bird. He walks right into traffic and starts pecking on bumpers and eating bugs off car headlights. Continue reading
