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Fans in sections 136-141 of AT&T Park sit in cozy proximity to the action, though never out of eyeshot of unnatural wonders urging them to part with their money.<br><i>Photo by Ger Erickson</i>

‘Progress’ fires 100 mph fastball
East Contra Costa County was never meant to remain a best-kept secret. The lords of commerce and politics were never tempted to build a barricade against the tide of population growth.

Sep 06, 2012 | 0

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The challenging work-in-progress of Black Diamond’s Hazel-Atlas sand mine rests in the capable hands of Mine Manager John McKana.
Photo by Ger Erickson

Time travelers mine the riches
The mine reveals a past marked by more than veins of coal and fossils of ancient sea creatures imbedded in the tunnel walls. It’s a past echoing with the voices of people.

Aug 02, 2012 | 0

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Superstitious folk beware: January 13, April 13 and July 13 of 2012 all fall on Friday – exactly 13 weeks apart. <br><i>Photo by Ger “Zorax” Erickson</i>

Superstitious Earthlings’ days are numbered
You humans crack us up – me and my crewmates aboard the Mother Ship, that is. (You know: the UFO in synchronous orbit 117 miles above East County.) We find your fixation on arbitrary numbers quaint...

Jul 13, 2012 | 0

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Trondheim, Norway, 1938. Art apprentice Victor R. Erickson sets up shop in the snow.
Photo courtesy of Ella Erickson

Father’s Day awakens watercolor memories
The father. How can we be objective about a person so powerfully ingrained in our psyche? What tribute to him can run the gauntlet of emotion accrued over years of affection and resentment, submiss...

Jun 12, 2012 | 0

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Evening light floods a buckeye grove high above the floor of Round Valley Regional Preserve. <br>Photo by Ger Erickson</br>

April goes out in style
Not so fast, summer. Those of us hankering to bake in the convection-free oven known as late June in East County can wait. Unless planet Earth whacks it into reverse gear and begins chauffeuring us...

Apr 17, 2012 | 0

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Mt. Diablo’s prime destination via Murchio Gap is the mountain’s Summit, which affords this vista south.<br><i>Photo by Ger Erickson</i>

Savvy navigators head for Diablo’s hallowed hub
Murchio Gap marks the nexus of no less than four trails – all highways to hiking heaven.

Mar 14, 2012 | 0

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In the shadow of Earth
We are no strangers to the night. Precisely half of our existence takes place in the shadow side of our planet. But as familiar with night as we are, one intriguing facet of it is rarely observable...

Dec 09, 2011 | 0

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Green and white – the gift of winter
Grass and fog; green and white. How fitting that two colors from our holiday palette are the colors of winter in Northern California.

Dec 07, 2011 | 0

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When viewed through a large telescope, the Andromeda Galaxy occupies a section of sky more than six times the width of the full Moon. As a naked-eye object, only Andromeda’s galactic nucleus is visible. Train your binoculars on M31 and you’ll be able to resolve the inner galactic disc surrounding the nucleus like fog framing a streetlamp.<br><i>Press graphic by Jac Carter</i>

Galaxy gazers rack up zillions of zeroes
How far can you see? The answer might surprise you. You resolve letters on an eye chart from a distance measured in feet; words and symbols on a road sign from a distance measured in yards; the out...

Nov 08, 2011 | 0

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The California coast redwoods that inhabit Muir Woods’ National Monument are the tallest living things on planet Earth.<BR><i>Photo by Ger Erickson</i>

Majesty and tranquility in perfect harmony
A walk through Muir Woods is an exercise in more than neck-craning. In the presence of the mighty redwoods we feel small, but not alienated.

Oct 06, 2011 | 2

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