What the drought means for the East Bay

California is in a drought. Though the Bay Area experienced a few showers this week, far more rain is needed to make a dent in the state’s water shortage. Last year was the driest on record, and on January 17 Governor Jerry Brown made the drought emergency official. On Friday, the Department of Water Resources…

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Water costs will continue to rise

Ten years ago, the average East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) consumer was paying $26.09 per month for water. By July 1st of 2014, that number will have nearly doubled to $48.60. The next two years alone will see rates rise 9.75 percent ($3.96 per month) in 2014 and 9.5 percent ($4.19 per month) in…

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Apple cake with maple-walnut cream cheese frosting

Time consuming, but a fabulous dessert, worthy of your most elegant dinner parties. Ingredients: Cake: 1 lb. Pippin Apples (about 2 medium) peeled, cored, diced ¼ cup water 2 ½ cup plus 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking soda 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp ground…

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