BY DEBRA J. MORRIS California is synonymous with citrus and has a long history of developing new varieties for continuing customer needs. With a strong market for oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit, farmers are continually working to create new and delicious hybrids for your table. Older varieties are still deeply rooted …

BY KAYLA BEIRNE You might be surprised what you can achieve with a few basic household products and hard work. Avoid toxic chemicals by using these natural alternatives. Keeping your house clean is part of maintaining a happy and healthy home. When the chemicals you use to clean aren’t so …

Alan Morphy was born in 1943 to Anthony Nicholas and Marie Josephine (Gagan) Morphy, who lived in San Anselmo. He passed away peacefully in his sleep during the night of November 10th and 11th, 2021. He lived a healthy lifestyle, following a sensible diet, bicycling, and working out at the …

BY KAYLA BEIRNE If you keep having nights of poor sleep, think about these possible reasons why you’re not sleeping well. Then, adjust your lifestyle as soon as possible. Sleep is a natural bodily response to indicate you need rest. Better yet, a proper night’s sleep—approximately eight to nine hours—rejuvenates …

Contra Costa residents can be good Samaritans by providing life-saving medical care for homeless and abandoned cats in their neighborhoods through the 7th annual “Holiday Giving Tree” fundraiser sponsored by Community Concern for Cats, a local 35-year-old-cat rescue organization. All funds raised will support CC4C’s cat hospital in Clayton which …

BY KAYLA BEIRNE Shapewear is meant to help you get the curves you want while smoothing your midsection. Use these tips to make shapewear work for your body. Shapewear is a common type of garment for many women today. It’s meant for shaping and conforming the body to accentuate your …

Contra Costa County’s Redistricting effort is a once-a-decade process of redrawing the boundaries for Supervisorial districts after the U.S. Census. As part of that process, the County’s fifth Public Hearing on Redistricting was held on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. At the November 23, 2021 Public Hearing, the Board of Supervisors …

For the past seven years, the East Bay Regional Park District has celebrated Green Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, as a healthy outdoor alternative to Black Friday holiday shopping. To encourage time in nature, the Park District is again making Green Friday a FREE Park Day, meaning all District fees …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Oranges are coming into season this month at your Martinez Farmers Market. This delicious and healthy fruit can be prepared in a myriad of ways, from tangy sweet marinades and sauces to salads and desserts. Oranges are also perfect for decorating your home for the holidays. …

BY KAYLA BEIRNE Tennis is a deeply rewarding sport when you see yourself making progress, but when that progress stops, the motivation to keep playing goes with it. Sticking to what you’re good at and doing it regularly isn’t always enough to make improvement; tennis is no exception. Here are …