>From the Los Angeles Times of June 10, 2007 L.A. THEN AND NOW Hilltop grave may become a shrineBy Cecilia Rasmussen
Times Staff Writer
June 10, 2007
Atop an oak-shrouded hill near the Central California Mother Lode town of Coloma, a lonely grave holds the first Japanese woman known to have died on American soil.
The 136-year-old granite headstone, inscribed in English and Japanese, reads: "In Memory of Okei, Died 1871. Aged 19 years. (A Japanese Girl)." It has been retired for safekeeping; a replic
From today's (June 12, 2007) Contra Costa Times
Critics bogged down naming park By Denis Cuff CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched:06/12/2007 03:06:57 AM PDT His writings lured the first wagon trains on their westward journey to California. Now pioneer John Marsh is riding back into the public eye, this time in the center of a debate over the name of a new state park. History buffs want to name the 3,659-acre park south of Brentwood after Marsh. S
Found this in today's (June 8, 2007) Contra Costa Times
Tiny Pacheco celebrates its rich 150-year history
Over the years, the town has shrunk but has survived as its neighbors have grown around it By Nargis Nooristani CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched:06/08/2007 03:11:20 AM PDT When Kay Perry-Thayer moved to Pacheco 41 years ago, the view out her kitchen window was very different than it is today. "There wasn't anything around us but some past