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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 10, No. 44
Harvesting fun by Samie Hartley Staff Writer Cloudy skies didn’t keep Oakley residents away from pre-Halloween fun at the second annual Harvest Festival. The city-sponsored event, held last Saturday, offered activities ranging from a pie-eating competition to the costume parade and pumpkin carving contest. Raindrops did force the festival to close down earlier than anticipated, but more than 600 people passed through the event during the first three precipitationfree hours. “I’m really pleased with the turnout,” said event organizer and Recreation Supervisor Cindy Coelho. “We weren’t sure if people would come out because the weather was so gloomy, but I thought the chill in the air was perfect. It feels more like Halloween with a little autumn chill in the air.” This year’s event featured more activities and games – all of which were free. Coelho said that’s why festival attendees are turning the Harvest Festival into an Oakley tradition. The Harvest Festival was
initially planned as part of the city’s decennial celebration series last year, but after the city received such positive feedback from the public, officials decided to do it again, and Coelho said the festival is on its way to being a permanent fixture on Oakley’s calendar. Witches, butterflies, ninjas, superheroes and many other creatures took a lap around Civic Center Park, waving to cars as they walked along Main Street, and 18 hungry contestants took part in a pie-eating contest while other guests watched a search-dog demonstration, navigated the hay maze or got their faces painted. Some kids were even bold enough to sport spooky temporary tattoos, while others took a break from all the action to make a harvest wreath at the craft station. “I think the Harvest Festival has been so popular because it is completely free for anyone who stops by,” Coelho said. “There’s no admission or fees to enter any of the contests or to take part in any of the activities. We have a lot of kid activisee Fun page 15A
Falcon royalty
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October 29, 2010
This Week Spine-chilling schedule
You’ll find our Halloween lineup of creepy occurrences a real scream. Page 10B
Endorsed by the Press Photo by Kyndl Buzas
reedom High School Homecoming King Marqueise Williams and Queen Emma Molenhauer celebrate their victory while posing for a bevy of camera-wielding family and friends at the Homecoming game. Despite the immense pride showcased by the Falcons, they lost their Homecoming game to Deer Valley 28-25. For more details about Freedom’s Homecoming festivities, turn to page 10A.
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We’ve covered the issues and hawked the campaigns. Now it’s time to pick the prime contenders. Page 16A
Deflating development
Community mourns passing of icon by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
RUTH JEANNE ADAMS Feb. 7, 1921-Oct. 18, 2010
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Generations of Brentwood residents lost a beloved matriarch and icon last week with the passing of Jeanne Adams. Adams died on Oct. 18 at the age of 89. “Jeanne was a fabulous and amazing woman,” said Gail Crockett, who worked for Adams’ son, former Brentwood school district superintendent Doug Adams. “She brought sunshine into the room and was involved in everything. It’s a great loss to her family and to the community.” Born Ruth Jeanne Weitze in Nora Springs, Iowa on Feb. 7, 1921, Adams was raised on a farm in Corning, Calif. along with her six siblings. She met her husband, Jack, while a student at UC Davis, but World War II interrupted their college educations when the campus closed for
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the remainder of the war. During that time she worked in area hospitals, serving meals to stateside soldiers while Jack served in the Army Air Corps. Adams later completed her science degree at UC Berkeley, but when she and Jack married in 1944 and moved to Brentwood, she was forced to switch careers. “When she came here (Brentwood) there were no hospitals in the area, so she turned to teaching and had no regrets,” said her son, Doug. “Mom was very good at balancing her career with family, not to mention her community service, and that was unusual in her generation. She believed that no matter what you do, no matter what challenges you face, you have a responsibility to take them on, and she did – with relish.” Adams taught in the Brentwood Union
Fall farm fun
go to news/WebExtras! Preschoolers moseyed through a maze, hoofed a hoedown and secured squash.
see Icon page 15A
Salute our vets
go to news/press releases Civilians get to show their appreciation for veterans at an upcoming bash.
A penalty and an errant kick prevented the Falcons from pulling off a remarkable comeback. Page 1B
Plus: Calendar ............................ 19B Classifieds ......................... 13B Entertainment ................. 10B Food ...................................... 9B Health & Beauty ................ 8B Opinion ..............................16A Sports ................................... 1B
FOR MOVIE TIMES SEE PAGE 5A
Town treats
go to multimedia/videos Hometown Halloween trickor-treaters found downtown a sweet spot.