209 Magazine - Issue #66

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025 - ISSUE #66 - $4.95

GIVE THE GIFT OF

FRESH AIR

TIME TO

LANTERN FESTIVAL RETURNS TO STOCKTON

CELEBRATE

MEMORIES of Christmas past

$4.95US

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Tis the Season

Her Favourite Holiday Gift 3200 Sisk Road, Modesto, CA 95356 Regular Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-6 Holiday Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-6 • Sunday 11-5 (209) 524-7746 • www.ciccarellijewelers.com Follow Us

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For the you taking care of your heart, and theirs.

We deliver proactive preventive care that’s proven to keep you healthy, and world-class treatment if you do get sick.

Choose Kaiser Permanente, and get high-quality, personalized care, designed to help you spend more healthy years doing more of what you love. Learn more at kp.org/centralvalley

For all that is Central Valley. For all that is you.

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GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Family, friends or associates... we have the perfect gift.

From our Orchards to you!

Modesto Company Store in McHenry Village New Holiday Hours Starting 11-06 Mon-Tues:11am-7pm, Wed-Fri:10am-8pm, Sat 10am-7pm;Sun: 11-4pm

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NEWMAN 3500 Shiells Road

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PATTERSON 2985 Renzo Ln., Suite D

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ime T elebrate!

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to

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Give the Gift of Good Taste.

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join us for the holidays!

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Family SteakHouse 11/7/2024 1:48:05 PM

FEATURES The holidays are upon us once again and it’s time to celebrate.

There are so many ways to enjoy the holiday season with events around the region.

34 35 36 37

Celebrating Hanukkah

Tree lightings around the 209

Christmas Town Sonora

Sutter Creek Las Posadas Candlelight Walk

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DEPARTMENTS IN THE KNOW 10 14 18 21 24

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 44 Sierra Splendor

Scene in the 209 Calendar of Events Memories of Christmas past Modesto on Ice Stockton Lantern Festival

FULL OF LIFE 48

A PLACE CALLED HOME

ARTS&CULTURE 26 27

54 56 60 61

Modesto Symphony Orchestra “All is Calm” at the Gallo

FLAVORS 30

Fitness and Beyond

Rain barrels for your garden Ideas for kitchen islands Holiday treats for dogs Green home cleaning

New Town Café

NAVIGATOR 40

The House of Seven Gables

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Vol. 11 No. 66

December/ January 2025

PUBLISHER/OWNER Hank Vander Veen

EDITOR Kristina Hacker

MANAGING EDITOR Sabra Stafford

WRITERS & PHOTOGRAHERS Jeff Benziger Christopher Correa Kristina Hacker Matt Johanson Claudia Newcorn Sabra Stafford Dennis Wyatt

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Harold L. George

ARDVERTISING Chris Castro Beth Flanagan Rich Matheson Karen Olsen Corey Rogers Melody Wann Charles Webber

SCAN this to advertise in 209 Magazine or call Manteca • (209) 249-3500 • Newman • (209) 243-8170 Oakdale • (209) 847-3021 • Turlock • (209) 634-9141 209 Magazine is published 6 times a year

Welcome to the holiday edition of 209 Magazine. As we are in the middle of the busy holiday season, I hope all of you take the time to reflect on how blessed we are to live in this region. There are a number of unique holiday events and traditions that you can only find in the 209 and we share a number of them in this issue.

We also focus on some of the winter happenings around the area like the Modesto on Ice skating attraction and the return of the Stockton Lantern Festival.

Jeff Benziger will share some of his favorite memories of Christmas past and Dennis Wyatt will offer a suggestion for the perfect fitness-related holiday gift.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and every issue of 209 Magazine. We welcome your comments, calendar events and stories. We hope you will support the businesses and charities that have chosen to partner with us. We appreciate them and look forward to being the most relevant magazine in your home, a place called 209.

Hank Vander Veen Publisher hvanderveen@209magazine.com

209 Magazine is a product of

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©Copyright 2024. 209 Magazine All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of 209 Magazine is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in 209 Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of 209 Magazine management or owner. 209 Magazine assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.

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intheknow

Scene

in the

T

he 209 was harvesting plenty of fun activities and events over the fall.

To have your event featured in Scene in the 209, email sstafford@turlockjournal.com.

PHOTOS BY SABRA STAFFORD/ 209 Magazine

EDIBLE EXTRAVAGANZA The Center for Human Services along with Beard Land Improvement Co. and Modesto and Empire Traction Co. hosted the 38th Annual Edible Extravaganza on Sept. 26. The Edible Extravaganza is the Central Valley’s highly anticipated food and beverage show featuring over 50 local vendors.

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LETTERS TO SANTA The Letters to Santa charity has provided food, clothing and essentials to children and families in need during the holiday season. The operation is made possible with the help of dozens of volunteers, community sponsors and one major fundraiser, the annual Letters to Santa Charity Gala, which was held Oct. 5 at the Assyrian American Civic Club in Turlock.

PHOTOS BY DAN GOMES

TRACTOR RUN The 5th Annual Snelling Tractor Run was held Oct. 27. The farm machinery was spiffed up and paraded along the highway in Snelling for the yearly get together.

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intheknow

PHOTOS BY DAN GOMES

PEACE OFFICER MEMORIAL RUN On Oct. 6, the Peace Officer Memorial Run of Stanislaus County held their 12th annual half marathon, 5K and kids’ fun run through the streets of downtown Modesto. In 2002 the Peace Officer Memorial Group of Stanislaus County was formed. The primary goals of this non-profit organization are to educate the public about officers who die in the line of duty, to support and assist the families of fallen officers, and to raise public awareness of the Stanislaus County, State and National memorials for fallen officers. The Peace Officer Memorial Run was started in 2012 and is held on the first Sunday of October each year.

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Hospice of San Joaquin warmly invites you to honor the memory of your loved one.

Light up a light in their name and join us at one of our ceremonies to celebrate their life and legacy.

Visit hospicesj.org/events/tree-of-lights to purchase your light.

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intheknow

COMMUNITY EVENTS 23

NOV

2024

HARVEST OPEN HOUSE

Stuyt Dairy Cheese will hold their 2nd annual harvest Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 23 at 22000 Mariposa Rd. in Escalon.

There will be shopping, coffee, raffle prizes, samples and more.

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NOV

2024

HOSPICE OF SAN JOAQUIN TREE LIGHTING

Every October through December, Hospice of San Joaquin hosts the annual Tree of Lights all throughout San Joaquin County. The Stockton tree is located at San Joaquin Delta College and features a lighting ceremony with live entertainment.

The ceremony is from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at 5151 Pacific Ave.

DEC

4

2024

THE STATE THEATRE’S 90TH BIRTHDAY

The State Theatre in Modesto will celebrate its 90th birthday starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 4.

For three hours the theatre will be giving tours, sharing historical photos, serving lite bites and birthday cake.

Admission is free. The theatre is located at 1307 J St. in Modesto. For more information, visit thestate. org.

The community is invited to join with family and friends to memorialize loved ones or to recognize the people who have impacted their lives by dedicating a light on the Tree of Lights.

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DEC

7

11

2024

DEC

LIGHTED BOAT PARADE

2024

STOCKTON ART NIGHT

Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade, also known as The Lynn Hahn Memorial Parade, is a yearly event to entertain the community and raise funds for charity. This year’s event will begin at 5 p.m.

Dec. 7 along River Drive in Stockton.

The Stockton Arts Commission will host the Stockton Art Night from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the Civic Auditorium. Walk through a gallery of local artwork while listening to local performing artists. The auditorium is located at 525 N. Center St. in Stockton.

This year’s charity is the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

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DEC

2024

CHRISTMAS MASQUERADE BALL

The Woman’s Club of Lodi is hosting a Christmas Masquerade Ball from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 14.

The event will feature signature cocktails and an exquisite dinner to delight your senses, live music from the talented Chrstal Image and DJ Bashkingz to keep you dancing all night long and the chance to don your most dazzling formal attire and embrace the mystery of the masquerade.

PHOTO BY CRAIG ADDERLEY/Pexels

For tickets visit: bit.ly/3YQEe6t

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intheknow

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DEC

2024

POETRY SLAM

The Ill List 19: Poetry Slam Invitational will be held at the State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14.

By invitation only, the ILL LIST features a prestigious line-up of renowned spoken word artists, national and international slam poetry champions, many having appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, Verses & Flow, NPR’s Snap Judgment, Button Poetry, and elsewhere in the media. Through three rounds of original spoken word poetry, witness poets match metaphors and battle rhyme for rhyme on their quest for $1,500 in cash prizes and the right to be crowned “ILL LIST Champion.”

Tickets are $27.50 to $50 and are available at thestate.org.

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JAN

JOURNEY REVISITED

The West Side Theatre in Newman is bringing Journey Revisited to the stage on Jan. 19.

Journey Revisited is a professional tribute band that faithfully recreates Journey’s music. The band provides an astonishingly accurate tribute to the Perry & Rolie Journey era, performing hit songs note for note without pre-recorded backing tracks.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

For tickets visit westsidetheatre. ticketleap.com/journey-revisited3.

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2025

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25

JAN

2025

BORED TEACHERS COMEDY TOUR The Bored Teachers The struggle is Real Comedy Tour will be coming to the Bob Hope Theatre at 7 p.m.

Jan. 25.

This one-of-a-kind show captures the hilarious and often ridiculous reality of being a teacher. From grading papers and dealing with parent-teacher conferences to classroom chaos and student shenanigans, the comedians share stories that every educator—and anyone who’s ever been in school— can relate to.

For tickets visit stocktonlive.com.

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intheknow

Memories of

Christmases past

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By JEFF BENZIGER

11/7/2024 1:44:55 PM

I

used to get so excited about Christmas that I once literally got a stomach ache on Dec. 24. It wasn’t just the anticipation of opening the presents — it was also the anticipation of family coming over to fill the house with words, warmth, hugs, and okay, more gifts.

Thoughts of Christmas take me back to my days as a boy and to the people in my family who are gone. The memories of them are stronger than the memories of the gifts.

Christmas invariably included a visit with my great-grandparents, my great aunt and uncle, cousins and others.

Things have changed and kids today usually don’t get the privilege of pouring over the Sears or J.C. Penney catalogues in search of the perfect gift. I remember circling a lot of items, hoping to get a fraction of what I hoped to get.

Perhaps because of the Kodak slides of those early Christmases I remember playing with a metal toy train that produced smoke as we’d wear our flannel PJ’s. In 1965, toys were made of metal, not plastic. I wish I had kept that train in the box for it would be highly collectible today.

Granddaddy — he was my mother’s father — would always buy us pop rifles. They only popped, mind you, unlike the Red Ryder B-B guns that could put your eye out, kid. For several years in a row he’d buy those rifles because we’d wear out the ones from the year before. In those days it was politically acceptable for little boys to tote around pretend carbines since we were interested in being good little cowboys, not twisted sick people who use weapons to kill kindergartners today.

I remember for one Christmas in the 1960s my brother Kevin and I got this Creepy Crawlers kit where we could make rubber items like scorpions, insects and other creatures by pouring this goop in a metal mold and heating it up. I can almost remember the smell it produced and I certainly remember the burnt smells produced by our wood burning kits. I liked gifts that allowed us to be creative.

I later got into GAF Viewmasters - big time.

I’d escape the confines of our house and go

all over the world with me eyes peering into the device, seeing the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. Other packets allowed me to visit Disneyland or Yosemite or Washington, D.C. And when GAF developed the talking Viewmaster, I made sure it was on my Christmas wish list. That was the Christmas I distinctly remember feeling my gifts through the wrapping to make sure it was a talking Viewmaster. When Mom wasn’t around, I confess to having ripped the paper enough to find out which three-pack Viewmaster reels she bought me. Kids are such masters are squeezing, shaking and hearing gifts to find out what they are. No kid is ever surprised. They just know what you got them by a sort of Christmas osmosis.

That’s why one time my Mom wrapped up a bunch of garbage that included a jar of seeds, to stump us rascals. She’d laugh at our inability to discern that was inside. Once I accidentally - no, really — walked out into the garage as my Dad and my mom’s cousin Jackie were assembling my bike complete with banana seat. I was mortified to have spoiled the surprise.

When I was about 10 I got into performing magic tricks and I was given this magic kit with cool tricks that include a small top hat where I could make things disappear, including a twoinch-tall rubber bunny rabbit. I later abandoned everything when my grandmother suggested that magic was the “work of the devil.”

I think she overreached on that conclusion but it ended things for this good Christian boy. The performer in me later wanted a ventriloquist doll.

My plastic Danny O’Day doll could only move his mouth, not his eyes, so I tried my best to get him to speak without moving my lips. Around 1973 my brother got Lester, a black ventriloquist doll popularized by Willie Tyler.

That was the year I got the latest tape recorder. I was allowed to open up the gift early on Christmas eve so I could go around the Christmas gathering and interview relatives, sometimes inserting my smart-aleck impersonation of President Nixon.

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intheknow

Thoughts of Christmas take me back to my days as a boy and to the people in my family who are gone.

On a visit to my grandmother’s house in Delhi, my cousins wanted to speak into the mike and they thought it would be cute to say some dirty words they would later find would haunt them. With evidence on the cassette, I played it back for their dad, who ordered them into the bedroom for a quick administration of justice courtesy of the belt he pulled off his waist. Gosh that was a traitorous thing for a cousin to do. Come to think of it, that was probably the last time I had encounters with them.

One really cool gift I received one year was this multi-band portable radio where I could tune into weather stations, AM-FM, short wave radio and ham operators. It had a deep rich tone and was probably wider than I was.

I received numerous walkie-talkies in Christmases past. Of course, living in the isolated country of Stanislaus County didn’t allow me to interact with many people but when the voice of a mysterious girl about my age came through the crackling signals, I develop my first heartache of puppy love. I still remember a pitter-patter in my heart at age 12 to be speaking with this young lady who was, by my estimation, less than three miles away. She told me

her name was Cindy and that she was visiting relatives from Indiana. She sounded like a real cutie. I wanted to meet but ... nah, I was 12. Such are the first stirrings — stupid and irrational — of a young boy who has just realized the opposite gender is something quite magical. I was heartbroken when my repeated calls for her went unanswered.

She was gone.

Walkie-talkies never seemed to survive beyond three months’ worth of use. Those were the days when they came with telescoping metal antennas.

They later made them these stubby rubber things so you couldn’t stab yourself or others with them.

My maternal grandmother who lived on El Capitan Way in Delhi gave us small toys and an outfit of clothing. I’m ashamed to say that us boys could care less about clothes as gifts. I wish I had her today to tell her how much I loved her and appreciated the love in those gifts that I didn’t really appreciate at the time.

As I grew up the pampering of the gifts grew less and less, as I was expected to be the giver, not so much the receiver. I remember the disappointing task in the late 1970s of cashing in my Kennedy half dollars to come up with

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Christmas money; the coin dealer offered me a fraction of what I was hoping to get. My gift giving didn’t go far since I was a teen and didn’t have a job.

Through the raising of four children, I enjoyed the magic of Christmas through their eyes and their excitement. Embedded in my mind is a photo of my youngest son, Jeremy, with his face filled with wonder as his eyes are lit up by the sights on Christmas Tree Lane in Ceres.

Now it’s payback time. Today I am the grandfather buying gifts for my four grandsons and a granddaughter.

My children, now adults, of course, ask me what I want for Christmas and I tell them “world peace.” That’s the hint that I really don’t need or expect much.

I’ve had a wonderful life. I have led a blessed life with plenty of love from plenty of ones who loved me past and present. I have been too familiar with plenty, so much so that I cannot relate to my grandmother telling me that the only way she knew it was Christmas as a child was the telltale scent of oranges that were their only gifts. And to think that today I am still awaiting frivolous gifts like that Christmas Story leg lamp. ● Merry Christmas!

D E C E M B E R/J A N UA RY 2025

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intheknow

The Coolest Place in Modesto

By SABRA STAFFORD

L

acing up a pair of skates and circling around the rink may not seem a likely winter activity for the Central Valley, but it has become a beloved winter tradition at Modesto on Ice and is always bound to put smiles on the faces of many visitors.

Set up in the heart of downtown Modesto at 1131 11th Street (corner of 11th and K Streets), Modesto on Ice Presented by Modesto Subaru offers lots of wintertime fun from mid-November to mid-January. The rink is an outdoor tent-covered venue and it’s generally just a few degrees colder on the ice than it is outside. There are a couple fire pits and patio heaters to keep skaters and onlookers warm.

Opening day for the ice rink is Nov. 23 and it will remain open through Jan. 20, 2025. The ice rink will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturdays and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

Skate sessions are priced at just $14 for skaters ages 3-12 and $18 for ages 13 and up, and the skate rentals are included in pricing. Children under 3 are not allowed to skate or be on the ice at any time. Skate sessions are 90 minutes apart. Each session includes approximately one hour and 20 minutes of skating time and about 10 minutes between sessions to clear and resurface the ice. Those just wanting to watch the skaters get free admission.

Modesto on Ice will also have passes this season. A 10-pack pass for children will be $110 and $150 for adults. A season pass will be $245 for children and $295 for adults.

This season Modesto on Ice will offer hockey lessons for different skill sets.

One is learning to play and the other for

skill building.

The ice rink also offers lessons for those needing to learn how to skate.

The first key to learning to ice skate is to pick the right pair of skates. The skates shouldn’t be too big or too small, You should be able to wiggle your toes. The skates also need to be laced up tightly. If you can fit your finger under the laces, it is too loose.

As much as we would all like to think that we could glide out on the ice like a seasoned pro, the truth is that you are highly likely to fall your first time on the ice. Even your twelfth time on the ice.

All the skating tips suggest newcomers to ice skating practice falling. If you feel yourself falling, as best as you can try to bend your knees and squat. Try to fall sideways and put your hands in your lap.

The ice rink has a snack shack with items like the loaded hot cocoa with peppermint sprinkles, hot cider, espressos,

MODESTO ON ICE WILL HOST A NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY ON DEC. 31.

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and cup of noodles to keep skaters warm, along with other goodies and beverages.

No outside food or drinks are allowed.

This season Modesto on Ice will have some special events. The first will be mascots on ice at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 5.

Mascots from all over the area will be at the rink to mingle and try their skills on the ice. For this event, kids skate will be half off.

Modesto on Ice will host a New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31. This two-hour, limited number of guests, special event includes music, party favors, photo booth, prizes, and a midnight balloon drop followed by a sparkling cider toast. Costs are $20 for children and $25 for those 13 and older.

The party will start at 10:15 p.m. and wrap up at 12:15 a.m.

Other special events are in the works.

For more information about Modesto on Ice or to make a reservation visit www.modestoonice.com. ●

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intheknow

Lantern Festival

T

showcases a ‘Magic Ocean’

he Lantern Festival is returning to the Stockton Ballpark this winter.

The festival will take over Stockton Ballpark for 59 nights, Nov. 22 through Jan. 19. Following an auspicious first year, Stockton Lantern Festival returns with larger lanterns and a new theme for 2024-2025, Magic Ocean.

As the sun sets, visitors will head below sea level and enter the ocean, as Magic Ocean comes alive. The Stockton Lantern Festival promises an immersive walkthrough experience that will captivate travelers of all ages.

The experience features a magical interplay of light and shadow as visitors explore this mystical realm.

The Stockton Lantern Festival will once again feature live stage performances, showcasing a vibrant mix

of music, dance, and acrobatics. The talents of performers are sure to transport you to a world of pure entertainment and delight.

“We are ecstatic to welcome back the return of the award-winning Stockton Lantern Festival, with a new theme,” said Jason Perry general manager, ASM Global – Stockton.

“Visitors will be mesmerized by the new larger than life lanterns for this year’s Magic Ocean theme. Each guest will be brought on an adventure, with new and interactive lanterns at each turn.”

Visitors will encounter stunning art installations, meticulously handcrafted by lantern artisans using the ancient technique of traditional Chinese lantern making. With a history spanning over 2,000 years, this unique art form combines tens of thousands of LED lights, vibrant colors, and a fusion of metal and fabric to create an awe-inspiring spectacle of winter night lights.

Tickets for Magic Ocean are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com and in-person at the Stockton Arena box office. Tickets to Magic Ocean start at $19 for children ages 2-12 and adult tickets start at $23. The Stockton Ballpark is located at 404 West Fremont, Stockton. ●

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Fun Facts

•T he lantern displays are designed and handcrafted by the artisan team of Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., the biggest lantern festival producer in the U.S. •T he festival will include more than 60 larger than life lanterns with the tallest being 50 feet and the longest nearly 100 feet.

•O ver 20,000 LED bulbs and more than 82,000 feet of light rope along with 11,500 feet of fabric were used to create the lanterns.

•T he lanterns were shipped to Stockton in 67 shipping containers, one of the largest installations in the US, and the first of its kind in a ballpark.

•2 00 people spent 50 days in China to build the lanterns.

•2 0 people will spend 30 days on-site to assemble and set up the festival.

D E C E M B E R/J A N UA RY 2025

11/7/2024 4:19:26 PM

Open Wednesday - Monday, 10:00am - 5:00pm 2 North Sacramento Street, Lodi

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arts&culture

Modesto Symphony Orchestra rings in the holidays

T

he Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concerts offer fun for the entire family. Complete with holiday décor and favorite carols, the MSO’s holiday concerts have become community favorites.

The first of the MSO’s two holiday concerts is Holiday Pops! Set for 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, this lively and festive concert features Broadway star Nikki Renée Daniels and the MSO Chorus.

Tickets for Holiday Pops! Start at $23.

The Holiday Candlelight Concert is a more intimate concert and is returning to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church at 8 p.m. on Dec. 17. Led by MSO Chorus Director, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., this traditional holiday concert that will also

feature the MSO Chorus and the Opus Handbell Ensemble. Adult ticket pricing starts at $39.

Youth ticket pricing starts at $10.

“I’m really excited about Holiday Pops this year! It’s always a great pleasure to share the stage with our wonderful Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and to celebrate the Holiday season the community!” said Murray, Principal Pops Conductor for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.

“I’m so excited to introduce Broadway star Nikki Renée Daniels to Modesto and to hear her amazing voice. I’m also excited to be bringing some brand-new pieces to this concert this year. Nikki has some new and interesting arrangements of our favorite holiday songs and we’ve added in some new orchestra showpieces as well. I’m also very excited to be performing a piece

by Dr. Daniel Afonso, our incredible MSO Chorus director. And we will still have all of our wonderful MSO traditions like Sleigh Ride, our sing-a-long, and

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O Holy Night. We’ve had a great time putting the program together and we’re really looking forward to performing for our wonderful Modesto audience!”

Holiday Pops headliner, Nikki Renée Daniels, recently starred in “Once Upon a Mattress” (Lady Larken), and in the Tony Award-winning revival of “Company” (Jenny) on Broadway. Daniels has performed as a soloist with many symphony orchestras worldwide, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Capetown Philharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, the Philly Pops, the New York Pops, Indianapolis Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and the Houston Symphony.

“We hope that both our Holiday Pops and Holiday Candlelight Concert can bring a little extra warmth and joy to our community,” says Caroline Nickel, President and CEO of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. “It’s a special feeling being able to take the time to slow down and spend time with friends and family during the holiday season and each year we look forward to extending that feeling to our audiences.” ●

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The power of song

By KRISTINA HACKER

T

he Western Front: Christmas 1914. Out of the violence of World War I, a silence, then a song.

The Gallo Center Repertory Company will bring back a holiday favorite, “All is Calm,” based on a historic event that brought peace in the midst of war.

Late on Christmas Eve 1914, men of the British Expeditionary Force heard German troops in the trenches opposite them singing carols and patriotic songs and saw lanterns and small fir trees along their trenches. A German soldier stepped into ‘no man’s land’ singing “Stille Nacht.” Messages began to be shouted between the trenches.

The following day, British and German soldiers met in no man’s land and exchanged gifts, took photographs and some played impromptu games of football. They also buried casualties and repaired trenches and dugouts. After Boxing Day, meetings in no man’s land dwindled out.

An a cappella chorale, “All Is Calm” is the remarkable true story in the words and songs of the men who lived it. The musical is written by Peter Rothstein, with vocal arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach.

The musical blends iconic WWI patriotic tunes, trench songs, medieval ballads, and Christmas carols from England, Wales, France, Belgium, and Germany with texts woven from letters, autobiographies, poetry, gravestone inscriptions, and an old radio broadcast.

“All Is Calm” debuted as a live broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio in 2007 and has since

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toured the U.S. as a production, playing in such venues as The Kennedy Center, Cal Performances, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The GCRC’s production of “All is Calm” will be directed by Modesto native Roberta Inscho, with music direction by Modesto music powerhouse Polly Vasché.

“We last presented it in 2021 and it received rave reviews.

Audiences loved it and asked for us to bring it back,” said Ryan Foy, director of produced theatre and special programming at the Gallo.

“All is Calm” will be at the Gallo at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 20 and 3 p.m. Dec. 15, 21 and 22. ●

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flavors

up Sp ce

your plate

American Classics with a Mexican Twist

By CHRISTOPHER CORREA

Abraham Leon poses with some of his dishes from the vast menu of his new restaurant, New Town Café.

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ot often does a man’s parttime job working as a dishwasher eventually result in the launch of his own restaurant, but it happened to Abraham Leon.

Leon’s journey began 30 years ago, washing dishes at the popular Sonora Café in the urban neighborhood of La Brea in Los Angeles. He worked so quickly and effectively, his bosses moved him into the culinary line. He never wanted to leave.

He never did.

Leon worked for years as a chef at Sonora Café, a five-star eatery that served stars like Jennifer Lopez, Jackie Chan and Johnny Depp.

Soon, he moved to the Central Valley to be closer to family, but remained a chef, first at Redwood Café in Modesto and at Loza Wine and Crepes in both Ceres and Turlock. In July, Leon went all in on his love of cooking by opening New Town Café at 811 W. Hawkeye Ave. It s the third restaurant to operate in the space following stints by Mexican spot Restaurante Los Gallos and Crostini Italian-American Restaurant.

“My passion is food. Since I started cooking, I’ve had a passion,” he said. “I learned in Hollywood, kept it going at Loza and Redwood, and just wanted to expand with a restaurant of my own. It’s a very new, learning experience.”

New Town Café is not just incredibly different from its predecessors, but also from most restaurants

I do everything.

I make the sauces, the spices, I cut all the meat, the fish. I guess I do it all.

in the region.

The 47-year-old is of Mexican descent and is always excited to share the rich flavors or his equally rich culture. The mainstay meals are rib eye steaks and risotto plates.

Since opening, the variety of sandwiches and salads have also been hits with visitors. Most menu items are traditional American or Italian meals, but the spices he uses makes each bite unique.

“This is mainly an American restaurant with just a good touch of Mexican spice. There is some spice

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to some of the dishes. And I do everything. I make the sauces, the spices, I cut all the meat, the fish. I guess I do it all,” Leon said with a laugh.

New Town Café opens their doors at 9 a.m. on each day of the week, starting customers off with a brunch menu that heavily consists of crepes and French toast. A total of 18 sandwiches are offered during lunch and dinner, as well as eight salads and nine pastas and several seafood appetizers and entrees.

“A lot of options with, like I said, our own twist on it,” Leon said.

While the opening of his own restaurant has been described as a learning experience, Leon said that it is all worth it to see people enjoy his food.

“When they give this,” he said, putting his thumbs up, “it makes me feel good. I love to serve the customers.” ●

IF YOU GO GETTING THERE: New Town Café 811 W. Hawkeye Ave., Turlock Turlock, CA CONTACT: 209 581-5238 HOURS: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

DECEMBER/JANAURY 2025

11/7/2024 4:30:32 PM

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Welcome Holiday Season

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MONTH/MONTH 2024

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feature

The Festıval of Lıghts

By KRISTINA HACKER

ongregation Beth Shalom, The Center for Jewish Life in Greater Stanislaus County and the Central Valley based in Modesto, will once again celebrate the eight nights of the Chanukah holiday.

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a minor Jewish holiday celebrating the victory of the Maccabees in their struggle for religious freedom in 164 BCE. The winter holiday is timed based on the lunar calendar and this year starts at nightfall on Dec. 25 and concludes on Jan. 2, 2025.

At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash (“attendant”), which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night, just one candle is lit. On the second night, an additional flame is lit.

By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are kindled.

On Friday afternoon, care must be taken to light the menorah before Shabbat candles are lit, and the following evening they are to be kindled only after Shabbat has ended.

Special blessings are recited, often to

Chanukah is always during the darkest night of the year.

We respond to the darkness by literally adding more light. ­—Rabbi Shalom Bochner a traditional melody, before the menorah is lit, and traditional songs are sung afterward.

A menorah is lit in every household (or even by each individual within the household) and placed in a doorway or window. The menorah is also lit in synagogues and other public places.

In recent years, thousands of jumbo menorahs have cropped up in front of city halls and legislative buildings, and in malls and parks all over the world.

“Chanukah is always during the darkest night of the year. We respond to the darkness by literally adding more light.

The message of the holiday is clear: light is more powerful than darkness and hope is more powerful than despair,” said Rabbi Shalom Bochner.

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For several years, Congregation Beth Shalom has held public menorah lightings at different locations around Stanislaus County.

This year there are menorah lightings tentatively scheduled for: Dec. 27 at McHenry Village, near the marque in the front of the shopping center; Dec. 28 in Turlock; and Dec. 29 at the Downtown Plaza in Modesto.

There is also a Latkes on the Rocks: Return to the 50s dinner scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and a Chanukah party planned for Dec. 22 at the temple.

For more than a decade, the congregation has also hosted a First Responder Dinners over Christmas for police officers, fire fighters, emergency responders and those who are home-bound. This will again be offered this year on Dec. 25 as part of the congregation’s Chanukah events. The First Responder Dinners are part of the congregation’s commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and making the world a better place for everybody.

For more information on local Chanukah events or public menorah lightings, visit cbsmodesto.org or call 209-571-6060. ●

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‘O

By KRISTINA HACKER

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feature

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H

istoric Sutter Creek has brought a contemporary one-night version of Las Posadas, a festive Christmas tradition, to life in a heartwarming evening.

This year the event will start at 6 p.m.

December. 7th.

Los Posadas is the Spanish tradition of re-creating the biblical story of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Join Joseph and Mary on her burro as they make their way through town looking for shelter. This beautiful candlelight procession will wind its way from the Immaculate Conception Church, down Spanish Street, then

continue along Main Street where it will end at the stable in front of the Historic Methodist Church.

Everyone is invited to join in the procession, singing familiar Christmas carols and listening to the narration of this ancient story. There will be cookies and hot beverages in the social hall following Las Posadas.

Any child who wishes to participate

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as a character in the drama may do so as a shepherd, angel, or animal (or bring a stuffed animal).

Meet at the Immaculate Conception Church (Spanish and Amelia Streets) at 6 p.m. for a candle and a song booklet. Dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes to enjoy this unique experience in a beautiful Gold Country town. ●

D E C E M B E R/J A N UA RY 2025

11/7/2024 2:27:42 PM

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HAWTHORNE’S ‘THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES’

By CLAUDIA NEWCORN

O

Anchored in Time Once the busiest seaport on the Eastern seaboard, Salem’s old downtown boasts many centuries-old buildings. Captain John Turner, a prosperous merchant, began construction of a home that would gradually expand over three generations into a 14-room mansion overlooking Salem Harbor, complete with a wharf where his ships could moor.

Much like homes of today, successive owners remodeled the building along the fashions of the time. Originally a tworoom, two and a half story house with a massive central chimney, Turner’s son and grandson added a parlor, bed chamber, kitchen, and new wing with a three-gabled garret. From its original Medieval style, the home advanced through Colonial to Georgian. Gables came and went.

Turner’s grandson lost the family fortune, and the house was acquired by the Ingersolls. Susannah Ingersoll was a cousin to Nathaniel

ne of the oldest surviving mansions in the U.S., the House of the Seven Gables, was built in 1668 and served as the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous 1851 novel of the same name. Yet the home’s history also served as the inspiration for a woman’s vision that would preserve history for generations to come – long before it was fashionable to do so.

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Hawthorne. A frequent visitor, he was fascinated by the house’s history, especially the structural changes in the attic which revealed locations of the former gables. All this would become the seeds the Gothic Romance story that blended witchcraft and the supernatural along with other mid-1800s themes.

Preservation Foresight In the early 1900s, an influx of Europeans inspired Salem resident Caroline Emmerton to begin what was known as a Settlement Program to assist these new immigrants in their transition into American life and culture. These social work programs included English language skills, homemaking, vocational training, nutrition, and childhood education.

Conscious of Salem’s rich history, in 1908 Emmerton purchased the House of the Seven Gables to generate revenue for her program. She worked tirelessly with historic preservation architect Joseph Chandler to restore the home to the 1840s era of Hawthorne’s novel, which included reconstructing missing gables. In her book, “The Chronicles of Three Old Houses,” Emmerton wrote of her extensive research and the historical genesis of the home.

Recognizing the opportunity to share history through build-

ing preservation, Emmerton was ahead of her time. Seven Gables was a forerunner to such places as Colonial Williamsburg and Plymouth Plantation. Such was the success of her venture, that over the next 20 years she was able to purchase and restore more of Salem’s historic properties. The entire site is on the register of National Historic Places and includes Hawthorne’s house of birth.

History Under a Bell Jar It’s a fascinating place, time suspended to reveal insights that no history book can provide.

Our tour began in the old kitchen, its huge fireplace built with some of the first bricks ever made in America, a 1630 blunderbuss and 1750 rifle hanging over the mantle.

When Emmerton and Chandler restored the house, they did so using the same methods of each respective building period. The only Georgian parlor remaining in the U.S. is painted in verdigris; gray paint overlaid with copper filings that oxidized to green. The hand-scalloped china cabinet is done in blue and gold leaf. The 1700s-era wallpaper is hand-painted, using block prints and stencils. Furnishings are period pieces, some dating back to the 1600s, such as the Lantern Clock in the accounting room and the canopied beds.

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IT’S A FASCINATING PLACE, TIME SUSPENDED TO REVEAL INSIGHTS THAT NO HISTORY BOOK CAN PROVIDE.

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My favorite was the garret, or upstairs attic, where the servants slept on stuffed sacking. Here you see history in the raw. The 20-inch wide floorboards, hand-hewn from oldgrowth trees were deliberately cut down below 24-inches, because such large trees were known as “king’s wood” and by law had to be shipped to England. The peaked roof ’s rafters are age-mellowed pine with chestnut pegs that wouldn’t rust or leak.

The bare wall reveals “noggin” or old brick insulation as was used in England, but which colonists quickly learned didn’t work well in Salem’s colder climate.

There’s a secret hidden staircase that contorts up within the old chimney, possibly built during the Salem witch trials that often targeted women from good families. It would have provided a safe haven in the event of a mob’s arrival.

In a tiny corner room is an exquisite ornate Chinese sewing chest,

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IN BUSY SEASON, ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED (7GABLES.ORG).

PLAN TO SPEND A COUPLE OF HOURS, AS THERE’S MUCH TO SEE AND READ.

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possibly a wedding gift, replete with ivory needles and spools, a reflection of the era’s extensive trade, when Salem sea captains journeyed around the world.

Beside it is a beautifully Japanned piece (so called because of the hand-painted oriental scenes) from the 1680s.

The gray weathered wooden mansion, cozied up beside a lovely flower garden across from the other homes preserved by Emmerton looks as if it’s just waiting for its owners to return, even as it has welcomed visitors for over a century to slip back to an older time.

If you go: Multiple packages and tour options are available; in busy season, advance reservations are recommended (7gables.org). Plan to spend a couple of hours, as there’s much to see and read. ●

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thegreatoutdoors

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

AND

HIGHLIGHT

A

OUTDOOR NEWS

loud howl pierced a dark night in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. For most of my life, wolves were extinct in California, but I knew that some had crossed into the state and reproduced. Yet I was backpacking 500 miles south of their Northern California turf. Could I really have heard one?

When I got back to civilization, I learned that I could have. Since a wolf known as OR-7 passed from Oregon to California in 2011, the canines have multiplied in the Golden State. One pack grew into seven which produced 30 pups this spring, the most in a century here. A pack migrated as far south as Sequoia National Forest. The wolves’ return to California marks perhaps the most astonishing recovery for an endangered species in state history.

Wildlife comebacks and conservation successes highlighted California’s outdoor news in 2024. Sea otters have helped revitalize kelp forests on the central coast. Beavers have rebounded from near-extinction in the Sierra Nevada and northeast areas, building dams which capture water and help to stop wildfires.

Sure, 2024 saw outdoors athletes break records and perform amazing feats as they do every year. Runner Emily Keddie set a speed record on the Lost Coast Trail, covering the 25-mile northern section of the rugged route in 5 hours and 29 minutes. Climber Alex Honnold broke yet another speed record, climbing the Salathé Wall on El Capitan alone in 11 hours and 18

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minutes, beating the previous record by more than eight hours. Such achievements are inspiring and worth celebrating.

Yet how can those compare with the restoration of a wild river and the native species it supports?

After Native Americans campaigned for decades, government officials agreed and workers labored to remove four dams along the Klamath River which spans the California-Oregon

border. The dams nearly wiped out the river’s salmon population for decades.

Their destruction this summer marked the largest dam removal in US history, delighting Native tribes and allowing the salmon population to begin a recovery.

California boasted 22 Olympic medalists this year.

Kudus to them and all the state’s 121 Olympians. I’ll bet they would agree that the Golden State’s efforts to preserve its lands and coast-

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Climbers who summit Polemonium Peak earn this view of neighboring Thunderbolt Peak, Starlight Peak and North Palisade.

al waters are more important to our current and future people.

Under a directive from Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state has conserved 1.5 million acres or 2,350 square miles in the last four years. California now protects 25 percent of its land and 16 percent of its coastal waters. Newsom has called for 30 percent by 2030.

Here’s a shout-out to those who do for others through their outdoor pursuits. A list of those names would stretch out longer than the line for Half Dome permits, but here are a few efforts

CALIFORNIA BOASTED 22 OLYMPIC MEDALISTS THIS YEAR. KUDUS TO THEM AND ALL THE STATE’S 121 OLYMPIANS. I’LL BET THEY WOULD AGREE THAT THE GOLDEN STATE’S EFFORTS TO PRESERVE ITS LANDS AND COASTAL WATERS ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE PEOPLE.

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which caught my eye. At this year’s California Coastal Cleanup, 28,571 volunteers at more than 750 sites recovered 242,312 pounds of trash. Thousands of volunteers have gathered to clean up Yosemite through annual Facelift events for 20 years, removing more than 1.2 million pounds of garbage.

Tens of thousands of cyclists have participated in the AIDS LifeCycle Ride, pedaling 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles, since 1994. Together they have raised more than $300

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thegreatoutdoors

million for HIV and AIDSrelated services. And the Every Kid Outdoors Program grants all fourth graders and their families free access to federal public lands, waters and shores for a year. Since 2015, the program has helped 1,105,805 students experience and enjoy nature.

Take a bow, one and all.

Outdoors authors seem to outdo themselves every year and 2024 was no exception.

For a great read, pick up “Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail.” Author Andrea Lankford takes readers on a riveting quest to find three men who disappeared from the famed backpacking route.

Those who sought the missing hikers for years bring new meaning to the term “trail angel.”

Climbers will greatly appreciate the new guidebook “High Sierra Climbing Volume 3.” Authors Roger Putnam and Vitaliy Musiyenko share the knowledge they gained from years of climbing remote and challenging mountains. This third volume

covers peaks between Bishop Pass and Sonora Pass like the Minarets, Mount Ritter and Banner Peak. I’ve seen no other guidebook reveal such specific details which serve to make the climbs safer and accessible for more people.

If you’d rather watch a movie, check out “Monster Mavericks” on YouTube. The free 45-minute film by Tim Bonython shows remarkable footage of big-wave surfing at the Mavericks surfers’ mecca north of Half Moon Bay. Riveting close-ups of giant waves may make you want to try surfing yourself, or you’re like me, glad you’re seeing other brave souls do so from the safety of home.

My own outings in the last year included long-awaited ascents of six California 14ers: Middle Palisade, Split Mountain, North Palisade, Starlight Peak, Thunderbolt Peak, and Polemonium Peak. Five years after a storm chased me off Charlotte Dome, a friend and I returned and ascended the 10,630-foot granite peak in Kings Canyon National Park.

For the climbers in the audience, that’s 12 pitches with a

Wolves have multiplied rapidly in California since 2011.

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5.8 crux. Those climbs all felt great.

But giving to others beats personal accolades so I’m glad I was able to do that too. I coaxed my two nephews, who are both high school freshmen, into running on their school cross country teams. They’re both making friends and getting into the best shape of their lives. I got to take friends and relatives onto several modest climbs near Ebbetts Pass and introduce them to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. They loved it and vowed to return. Though I would have enjoyed it, it’s probably best that we didn’t hear any wolf howls.

I hope you got outdoors in 2024, but if not, there’s your New Year’s resolution for 2025. Happy trails. ●

D E C E M B E R/J A N UA RY 2025

11/7/2024 4:41:58 PM

San Gabriel Mountains National Monument expanded as California sought to conserve more land.

Dam removal on the Klamath River has restored flow and salmon habitat.

Climber Kevin Jonaitis celebrates reaching the summit of Thunderbolt Peak.

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HEALTH, INSPIRATION & ADVENTURE

By DENNIS WYATT

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ifts for exercise or health nuts - on your Christmas list can be challenging.

The latest gizmos are just that, gizmos.

Gift cards are always a fallback.

But they are not really inspirational.

They feel like a cash transaction because they are.

So what do you do?

Give the card that is multi-faceted and inspirational.

An annual National Park Pass for $80.

The passes are available for purchase online via the National Park Service.

Being a part of nature’s grandeur is priceless.

It is also one-size-fits-all.

And it can provide physical and mental health benefits.

It is an access card to endless trails for casual walkers, serious hikers, and trail runners.

It can open up new vistas for rock scramblers, skiers, and those who get their exercise from fishing.

And there are other benefits.

It can inspire photographers, poets, and painters.

There are more than 2,000 locations across the United States the annual America the Beautiful National Pass can be used.

The pass covers entrance fees as well as day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a vehicle in locations where admission is by the vehicle.

It also covers up to four adults for sites that charge admission per person.

And there is no other state with as many national parks you can use the pass at than in California.

Not only are there 10 national parks — two more than runner-up Alaska — but the national parks in the Golden State have the most variety.

They include unique desert ecological systems and glacier carved Sierra valleys to soaring redwoods and a volcano that last erupted 104 years ago.

Two of those national parks — Yosemite and Pinnacles — are easy day trips from the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

YOSEMITE

There is a reason as many as 4 million people from all parts of the globe make their way to the only national park in the 209.

It offers everything from stunning glacier carved valleys surrounded by

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soaring granite, alpine lakes, towering 14,000-foot peaks, incredible waterfalls, especially between late March and early May, and more than 750 miles of hiking trails within its 1,069 square miles.

You’ve got 1,062 square miles of splendor with much of it just you and nature.

PINNACLES

Pinnacles is California’s newest national park, having been confirmed that status in 2013.

It was declared a national monument in 1908 to protect the remnants of a volcano created 23 million years ago during an eruption on California’s most famous earthquakes fault zone — the San Andreas Fault.

It is a collection of volcanic created features mellowed over the passage of time in the form of cliffs, talc caves, spires, smooth boulders and jagged ridges. ●

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aplacecalledhome

How to create

rain barrels

for your garden G

ardeners typically understand plenty of water, good ground and a steady stream of sunshine all play vital roles in the food production process.

However, on those hot, dry days when there isn’t any rain in sight, harvesting rain and storing it may be

a perfect solution. A tried-and-true gadget like a rain barrel allows for the collection of rainwater from a home’s gutter system for later use.

Not only are rain barrels budgetfriendly and good for the environment, they’re also good for your plants and crops. Rainwater is chemical-free, nonchlorinated, naturally soft, oxygen rich and warmer than water coming from the hose or sprinkler. That means flowers, trees, vegetables and shrubs may be more vibrant and hearty when irrigated with rainwater.

The nuts and bolts of making a rain barrel are simple. All it takes are three holes cut into a 55-gallon barrel and a few supplies from the hardware store: A small hole is cut into the side of the barrel, just 2 1/2 inches from the bottom. A brass adapter is then inserted

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so a hose can be attached for easy watering.

The second hole allows excess water to drain away if the barrel gets too full.

It is made approximately 4 inches from the top of the barrel, directly above the hose adapter.

Drill a large hole into the top 2 inches from the side of the barrel. This hole must align with a downspout in your home’s guttering system. It is often fitted with a screen to filter out sticks, leaves and other debris.

Instead of a rain barrel, create a simple collection system by placing any recycled, water-tight container directly under a downspout. Buckets, trash cans and large pots make for easy collection containers.

Find more solutions for your garden at eLivingtoday.com. ●

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aplacecalledhome

A

dding an island to your kitchen offers many functional and aesthetic benefits, and there are styles to suit every type of kitchen.

Galley Kitchen Island: This type of island is more functional than design-forward, conveniently adding extra storage and counter space.

This conventional configuration works well in most kitchen layouts, both large and small, and can be constructed to fit almost any kitchen.

Table-Style Kitchen Island: If you want a unique addition, an island table is the way to go, whether you opt for a custom-made piece or upcycle an antique. The beauty of a table-style island is that it serves a functional and decorative purpose, warming up a modern kitchen and adding personality.

Double Kitchen Island: Incorporating multiple islands – often called a double island kitchen – can improve traffic flow, increase storage space and seating, and create additional space for meal prep, cooking, washing and eating.

Plus, islands are ideal for implementing design elements such as complementing materials and finishes, pops of color and unique cabinetry components including door styles and hardware.

Rolling Kitchen Island: This convenient solution adds flexibility with extra storage and counter space. You can easily tuck it away to open up more floor space when done, and this portable

island can easily roam around the kitchen so you can place it where you need it.

Two-Tier Kitchen Island: While you can cook and eat on any island, the two-tier creates a clear boundary where you can cook on one side and eat on the other. This all-encompassing island is perfect for larger families and homeowners who like to entertain.

Chef’s Kitchen Island: If you want to showcase your cooking skills or have a private chef cooking for friends and family, a chef ’s island is a unique solution. Installation requires the appropriate ventilation and electrical, which may be well worth it if you frequently cook for family or friends.

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Round Kitchen Island: Compared to a typical rectangular island, a rounded option is an eye-catching way to add more seating in your kitchen for entertaining family and friends.

L-Shaped Kitchen Island: If you have a lot of space in your kitchen, an L-shaped island can fill the area. The design provides extra cooking space, allowing you to accommodate multiple chefs in the kitchen. You can also add seating for family and friends.

U-Shaped Kitchen Island: Best suited for large, open-concept kitchens, a U-shaped island creates storage space and room to install appliances such as a bar fridge, sink or range with prep space left to prepare meals. ●

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Take into account these five tips from the experts at Wellborn Cabinet to help first-time kitchen remodelers achieve the kitchens of their dreams: 1. Plan Your Budget Establish a clear and realistic budget. Factor in costs for materials, labor and some extra for unexpected expenses. Sticking to your budget can help ensure you enjoy the outcome of the project while avoiding financial stress. Your contractor can help you strike a balance between your vision and financial resources. You may also find it helpful to consult with a real estate professional who can ensure your plans are in line with the overall value of your home and neighborhood.

2. Prioritize Functionality Design with practicality in mind. Ensure there’s enough counter space and storage to create an efficient workflow. Consider the kitchen work triangle; that is, be conscious of the travel pattern among the sink, stove and refrigerator.

Additionally, look for opportunities to incorporate functional storage in unexpected places. One example is the exposed end of a cabinet run or side of the refrigerator, where there is often wasted space.

One example is a shallow cleaning utility cabinet that fits a broom, dustpan and everyday cleaning supplies neatly, giving you practical access to frequently used supplies. A variation on this cabinet offers a spice rack designed for easy access to cooking essentials. Other options in the line include an over-fridge cabinet with a combination of shelves, sheet pan or cutting board storage and a trash can-cutting board combination.

3. Choose Quality Materials Consider factors such as durability, maintenance requirements and compatibility with your design aesthetic when selecting materials for your kitchen. You may be tempted to cut corners and stretch your money further, but quality materials are a critical element of successful renovations. Prioritize high-quality materials that stand the test of time. Durable countertops, solid cabinetry and reliable appliances typically save money in the long run, and they’ll enhance the overall look and value of your kitchen.

4. Hire Professionals Work with experienced contractors and designers. Their expertise can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your remodel meets all safety and building codes. What’s more, these professionals have likely encountered and overcome all kinds of challenges, which means they’ll be well-prepared to help you navigate unexpected obstacles and provide a wealth of knowledge from previous clients to help make recommendations for the perfect finished space.

5. Stay Flexible Be prepared for unexpected challenges and delays. Stay adaptable and open to changes and remember patience is key to achieving the kitchen of your dreams. Materials go on backorder and paperwork gets misplaced all the time. Set a realistic timeline for your project that allows for some hiccups and try to avoid becoming too rigidly attached to any single element of the design, so if you have to make a modification, it doesn’t feel like a monumental sacrifice.

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aplacecalledhome

Festive foods for your pup

PHOTO BY ANNA SHVETS/ Pexels

B

and more. If ingested, pet parents should monitor their pup closely and check with a veterinarian.

Enjoy fresh meats When cooked, fresh meat such as chicken, turkey, pork or beef can satisfy cravings while also offering pups a nutritious meal that is easy to digest. Pet parents can also choose a kibble made with fresh meats as a convenient option that supports dogs’ overall wellness.

Avoid table scraps For many reasons, it’s best to skip the table scraps. Not only could an allergen or toxin be present that pet parents may not be aware of, there are several other health risks associated with feeding dogs table scraps, such as digestive issues (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) and even more serious problems like pancreatitis.

Plus, giving dogs calorie-dense food can contribute to obesity.

Enjoy pumpkin A staple of holiday feasts, pumpkin is not off the table for pups to enjoy.

In fact, pumpkin is a superfood full of nutrients. Feeding dogs cooked or plain canned pumpkin can also be beneficial for their digestion because pumpkin contains fiber – just be sure to serve it free of seasonings like sugar and spices.

Just like their pet parents, pups deserve to indulge a little over the holidays, but it’s important to ensure what they eat leaves them feeling great. Remember to always check with a veterinarian about any concerns, especially when introducing new foods. ●

ring on the list-making, giftgiving, party-going time of year. The holiday season would also feel incomplete without delicious dishes to keep everyone feeling merry and bright. By everyone, that includes canine companions, too.

Consider this list of pup- and petparent-approved festive foods, as well as those to avoid, from the experts at Petcurean, makers of premium quality, nutrient-rich food for pets: Enjoy steamed vegetables Holiday feasts are all about the side dishes. Dogs can savor their own sides with plain vegetables like steamed green beans or carrots, making for a flavorful, nutritious addition to their meals.

Vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals, and steaming them allows more of the nutrients to be retained while also supporting proper digestion. Be sure to chop veggies into small pieces and stay clear of seasoning or sauce.

Avoid chocolate There’s no way to sugarcoat it – chocolate is a no-go for dogs.

The presence of both caffeine and a chemical called theobromine makes chocolate toxic to dogs because they aren’t able to metabolize them the way humans can. If ingested, chocolate can lead to a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, seizures

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D E C E M B E R/J A N UA RY 2025

11/7/2024 4:47:02 PM

Go

gr e

cle ers an

en

home h t i w

I

Just spray some lemon juice on tile surfaces to remove soap scum or hard water deposits.

f you’re among those looking for ways to clean your home while also going green, it may be easier than you think.

Consider these easy and affordable solutions to help you live more environmentally friendly. You may be surprised to find you already have many of these household products on hand.

Baking soda—A natural, safe, effective and gentle solution, baking soda can serve multiple home cleaning needs. Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub onto silver with a clean cloth or sponge.

Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining serving or decor pieces. Additionally, you can sprinkle baking soda on upholstery and carpet to get rid of odors.

Vinegar—With the acidity to help get rid of dirt and grime around the home, vinegar can be used to clean

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cloudy glassware.

Simply soak paper towels or a cloth in full-strength white distilled vinegar and wrap around both the inside and outside of the glass.

Let sit before rinsing clean. To remove lime deposits on your tea kettle, add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the water and let it sit overnight. In the morning, boil the vinegar for a few minutes then rinse with water.

Lemons—With a fresh, natural smell, lemons have the acidity to remove soap scum, clean and shine brass and remove hard water deposits.

61

Just spray some lemon juice on tile surfaces to remove soap scum or hard water deposits.

Squeeze lemon juice on a cloth and use to polish brass around the home.

Houseplants—Plants serve as natural air purifiers.

African violets and ferns are beautiful ways to help clear the air.

Other easy, green ideas for keeping your home clean include opening windows and doors while you clean to improve air quality and taking off your shoes when you come inside, which can help avoid tracking dust, dirt, pollen and more throughout the house.

Visit eLivingtoday.com for more eco-friendly advice. ●

DECEMBER/JANAURY 2025

11/7/2024 4:49:57 PM

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In the final days of life, they need to be cared for.

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