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BY DEBRA J. MORRIS The fruit of summer – juicy melons, sweet cherries, luscious berries, plump figs, and succulent grapes – are what we wait for all year long, but it all begins with the utter bliss of biting into a sweet, juicy peach or nectarine. In their infinite variety …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS A spoonful of wildflower honey on a warm biscuit, a dollop of clover honey in your tea, and a drizzle of blueberry honey in salad dressings are made possible because of honey bees. These hard-working insects are responsible for pollinating most fruits, vegetables, legumes and more. …

BY JUDIE & JOSEPH PALMER When last we wrote, we discussed the Alhambra Pioneer Cemetery’s horse trough and the lack of information regarding its origins, disuse, and eventual decay. However, we recently found in the County’s library digitized newspaper collection, a series of articles regarding the meetings of the Alhambra …

A new art gallery has opened its doors in the small town Contra Costa county town of Crockett. Art enthusiasts would be well advised to plan a special trip or a stop on their way north to wine country to check out the current exhibition of new paintings by Ed …

To ensure that every dose of COVID-19 vaccine provided in the county is safe for patients, the Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) today temporarily paused its use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine while federal regulatory agencies examine new information about a possible, rare side effect that can cause …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Spring’s soft herbs are soon to appear at your farmers market. Soft herbs are some of the most flavorful available. They are leafy and tender and most often used fresh, rather than dried. Basil, parsley, chervil, chives, cilantro, tarragon, coriander, mint, and dill are examples of …

BY J.A.SCHWARTZ Only in the feverish cogitations of San Diego Padres General Manager AJ Preller could a plan to transform his nondescript baseball team into a legitimate threat to win a championship in 2021 be imagined. To contemplate the plan is but the first step in the process. Preller has …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Among the first seasonal spring vegetables to appear at the farmers market are beautiful bundles of asparagus. The first green spears typically begin to pop out of the ground in late February and are harvested through May or June, depending on the weather. Asparagus takes about …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Brassicas – you probably hated eating them as a kid, burying them under your mashed potatoes or surreptitiously feeding them to the family dog. We’re sure you’ve changed your mind since then because brassicas are flavorful, easy-to-prepare, and nutrient-dense. The Brassica family of vegetables includes broccoli, …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS Our health is of utmost concern right now. Fueling your body with healthy nutritious foods that improve your immune system and give you more energy and stamina will help you feel better and ward off illness. Fresh local produce from your farmers’ market will give you …