Our Town

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Who can resist a fluffy baked potato or a creamy potato gratin? Few foods are as versatile, delicious, or as nutritious as the potato. A member of the night shade family, it was once thought to be poisonous. We can thank Sir Walter Raleigh for debunking …

Manuel Ferrao Jr., aged 92, passed away in his sleep on Friday, the 20th of August. He leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. Manuel is survived by his sister Laura Menzies, and his devoted children, Richard Ferrao and Kathleen Poppleton, and his grandchildren, Ryan, Tara, Augustus, and …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Apples are some of the first fall fruits to arrive for the season – with some varieties arriving as early as August. However, farmers say that the wet winter has delayed, their harvests, so we can expect them to begin harvesting a bit later than last …

James Lewis Mullins was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to the late Roger Mullins Sr. and Lonnie Lee Mullins on July 13, 1952. He is also the stepson of the late Minnie Mullins. He departed this life on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at age 70. James graduated from Bullard-Havens Technical High …

With summer heat warming up the region this week, snakes may become more visible along some East Bay Regional Park trails. Snakes, notably rattlesnakes, typically emerge in warm weather to explore their environment, which can lead to more encounters with humans and dogs. When visiting Regional Parks at this time …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Peppers are arriving! Everything from sweet bell peppers to the hottest habaneros is now at the farmers’ market. Toss on the grill, slice and dice in salads, stuff with cheese and rice or sweet Brentwood corn. Versatile and delicious, peppers are rich in antioxidants and other …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS There’s no better reminder that summer is here than to see juicy California stone fruit like peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots appear at the farmers’ market. Stone fruit gets its name from the large seed or “stone” inside and includes peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, pluots, and …

Shirley Caroline Peterson peacefully passed away at the age of 90 surrounded by her daughters and caregivers on January 22nd. She was born in Sacramento to Charles and Alta Majors. Survived by her daughters Susan Peterson Trebino (Bob), Terri Peterson Adamo (Lou), grandsons Chris Trebino (Leslie Kimura), Matthew Hammond (Melissa), …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Growing cherries requires a lot of patience, constant vigilance, and hard work to bring a successful and abundant crop to market. The work of pruning, watering, and fertilizing goes on through the entire year for a harvest that takes daily hand picking for only two or …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS In the verdant orchards of cherry trees, peach trees, blackberry vines, and star thistle fields of Brentwood you’ll find beehives filled with healthy honey bees. They roam over seven different bee yards throughout Brentwood and the Delta to fill the hives with pollen while also pollinating …