Tag: christmas

By now, I imagine things are beginning to wind down a bit for everyone. Christmas has come and gone and now we’re getting ready to head into the New Year. Gifts have been opened, exchanges have been made and deal-seeking crowds have dispersed.

Christmas came early this year for Christopher High School – twice – but the same Santa delivered both times.

’Twas the fortnight before Christmas when Steve Johnson was putting up festive Christmas decorations outside his home in San Martin and witnessed something strange going on in the field next door. Walking over, he discovered an injured juvenile peregrine falcon on the ground, with some turkey vultures circling it with curiosity. Steve rescued the 15-inch long raptor and brought it to the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center.

With rainy weather over the final shopping weekend before Christmas and more storms forecast for Christmas Day, the California Highway Patrol prepared itself for “some of the toughest challenges.”

Traditions of Christmas can be hard to change. New traditions may face some resistance. I have been caught between the old and new before. With the easygoing nature of my family, anything new or different has been completely embraced as part of the celebration.

With the holidays fast approaching, my thoughts turn to family gatherings, gift-giving and sparkling wine - not necessarily in that order. Since the topic of family gatherings would far exceed the limited word count of this column, I will focus on gift ideas for the wine lover on your list and sparkling wines that can be essential to getting through family gatherings.

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the parallel of the term “Christmas decorations” to words like “Titanic” or “Hindenburg?”

Did you know that before Gilroy became the Garlic Capital of the World it had the distinction of being the Tobacco Capitol of the United States during the 1870s? Since 1850 our fair city has also been deemed the Hay and Grain Capital, the Fruit and Nut Capital, the Dairy and Cheese Capital and the Prune Capital of California.   

I love this time of year, when the weather begins to cool and I can haul out my coat from the deep recesses of the closet. Aside from it being the holiday season, the spattering of rain and blustery winds never fail to make me reflect on and remember moments that have blessed my life.

The Santa Clara County Division of Agriculture released its 2011 Agricultural Crop Report Tuesday, revealing a 7 percent decrease in the gross value of agricultural production.