You won't have to go too far for weekend family funYou won't have to go too far for weekend family funOctober 22, 2004
So much to do, so little time. That is what Oakley residents will be saying this weekend when they think of all the activities there are available for family fun, especially tomorrow. Whether it's taking the family for a walk on the Delta, checking out the spirits at the Redman-Pocahontas Hall, or relaxing in the evening with friends for a good cause at the "Tasting the Wines of the Delta," you won't have to go far to do it.
The Ironhouse Sanitary District will be opening the Ted and Helen Halsey Trail on Saturday on Jersey Island. Over the past few years, members of the Ironhouse board of directors have been working on ways to open up Jersey Island for the public to enjoy. They began with allowing fishing and pheasant hunting. Now, hikers can enjoy the island as well. The only cost for these activities is a $30 annual parking pass that can be obtained at the district's office at 450 Walnut Meadows Drive in Oakley.
For tomorrow's grand opening of the Ted and Helen Halsey Trail, the parking permit is not required. Anyone interested in getting a sneak peak at the trail and a few refreshments is welcome to attend. The grand opening ceremony will start at 10 a.m.
The trail will provide hikers and sportsmen access to acres of unspoiled Delta shoreline. The $23,000 trail project is funded entirely through Ironhouse Sanitary District’s hunting and fishing permit fees collected during the past three years. The trail includes 3.5 miles of unpaved levee access.
To get to Jersey Island, take East Cypres Road to Jersey Island Road and follow the road over the bridge. Turn right on Ferry Road and follow Ferry Road all the way to the ferry slip. The trailhead is located at the northern end of Ferry Road. The trail follows the southern shore of False River, coming right to the water’s edge. Few other nature trails in East County allow users such close contact with the Delta.
The trail is named for Ted and Helen Halsey, longtime Jersey Island ranchers who sold the property to the sanitary district in 1993 for use in wastewater recycling. If you can't make the trail walk tomorrow, consider getting a parking pass and visit the trail in the future. For more information, contact the Ironhouse Sanitary District at 925-625-2279.
"Tasting Wines of the Delta" is a fund-raiser for St. Anthony's Catholic Church. The money raised will go into the building fund of a community center that the church is building on their property. The building will be considered a community center because it will be open to everyone, not just church members. According to the "Tasting Wines of the Delta" coordinator, Harriet Zych, when it is built the building will host activities such as CYO basketball and volleyball as well as 10 different classrooms for public meetings and activities.
"Tasting Wines of the Delta" will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. and will include wines from Cline Cellars, Dwight Meadows Vineyards, Duarte Vineyards, Planchon Vineyards and Vianno. The event will include food and wine from the area. Expect to see places like Brentwood Olive Oil to be giving samples of their locally famous product. Zych donated special commemoritve wineglasses to help raise more money for the building fund.
Tickets are $20 each. The event is located at Dwight Meadows Vineyard and Miriam Mefferd's house. Tickets must be purchased in advance, or at least RSVP to reserve a tickets. For more information, call Zych at 625-0646 or Bob Pope at 625-5409.
The Redman-Pocahontas group is hosting its third annual Halloween Haunted House tomorrow evening from 5 to 9 p.m. There is no admission charge and it is open to kids of all ages. For more information, call 625-9986.
Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.
Distributed by the Contra Costa Times