HAPPY EASTER FROM YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 20, No. 13
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Opposition Marching for their lives growing over D golf project
elaney Sorenson, 17, Lily Partida, 18, and Ava Partida, 14, of Brentwood, walk during the March For Our Lives rally at the Civic Center in San Francisco on Saturday, March 24. The event was part of a nationwide student rally calling for an end to gun violence in the wake of the recent mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Owners of the struggling Deer Ridge and Shadow Lakes Golf Clubs want to combine the courses and build two senior housing complexes on portions of reconfigured land. But neighborhood residents have teed off on efforts to halt the project. The proposed amendments call for the courses – currently a combined 36 holes – to be consolidated into one 18-hole facility and two complexes up to three stories high, totaling 560 units, placed on 32 acres of closed holes. A golf-cart bridge would connect the reconfigured course, and the remaining 142 acres of vacated land would be devoted to open space, possibly including walking trails, picnic areas, community gardens, bocce ball courts or other amenities.
Photo by Heather Partida
see Golf page 26A
Cherry farm blooming in Brentwood by Aly Brown Staff Writer
Many travelers along Byron Highway have noticed the log cabin that’s sat empty for years, and the rustic charmer may soon became a stand for one of Brentwood’s newest farms. The cabin is owned by Kevin and Deneen Vornhagen who sold their auto body shop after 24 years and decided to invest in another endeavor: cherries. Kevin grew up in Brentwood alongside local farmers and admitted he knew very little about farming when his longtime friends – wellknown farmers Tom Bloomfield, Mark Maggiore and Jim Moffat – convinced him to invest in the cherry business. “With the auto business I owned, I was busy every day, and
Photo by Tony Kukulich
The land situated around this iconic log cabin along Byron Highway is now part of Vornhagen Farms, Brentwood’s newest cherry farm. The cabin will most likely become its farm stand. when I (retired), it was cool for about six months, but then I started to feel that itch you get when you’re a kid, telling your mom you’re bored,” said Kevin. Now, he owns yet another business but one that allows him
to make his own hours and ride his tractor in the quiet early morning while smoking a cigar and watching hawks dive from the sky to pick up the jackrabbits that dart from their burrows when the engines roar. Jackrabbits nibble at
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the roots of his trees and breed in great numbers, so Kevin welcomes the amazing sight of nature at its best. And while Kevin’s farm would become competition for those friends who suggested he invest in one, that competition is welcome. “The demand for cherries is very high. There are about 900 acres of cherry orchards in Brentwood, but, in addition to U-pick, our town’s cherries are shipped worldwide – there aren’t enough,” said Kevin, who saw potential for East County to become a ‘little Napa’ despite the encroaching development. Moffat said Kevin has been doing a great job learning the ropes and sees success in his future. see Cherry page 26A
BART Arrests
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BART officers made 1,730 arrests in 2017, up nearly 40 percent from 2016.
March 30, 2018
Driving Into Spring
Maintenance tips, popular models and more – it’s all in The Press Auto Guide. Page 1B
Meet The Supe
BUSD Superintendent Debbie Gold is profiled in this week’s edition. Page 7A
A Winning Lineup
BVAL wrapped up winter season with announcement of its top athletes. Page 17A Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................20A Cop Logs.............................25A Entertainment..................10A Food.....................................11A Milestones........................... 9A Opinion...............................16A Pets........................................ 8A Sports..................................17A
Wildfire Safety
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PG&E is working on comprehensive Community Wildfire Safety Program.