At the mouth of the River Mersey in Liverpool is one of England’s top tourist attractions – the Royal Albert Dock. The historic complex of red-brick warehouse buildings is bustling with visitors who come for its restaurants, shops and excellent…
A view of the Royal Liver Building with the tall ship Glaciere in the foreground at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, England
A roundup of the biggest news stories in California this week, including a coronavirus update, election news and the latest from Sacramento. White House Rejects, then Approves, Emergency Aid to California Earlier this week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected…
California State Capitol building in Sacramento
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a delightful family-friendly attraction just outside Yosemite National Park. Every day from April through to the end of October, passengers of all ages ride in open-air cars pulled by genuine vintage steam trains.…
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad vintage steam train ride through the forest
Travel writer Roger Allnutt remembers exploring the (pre-pandemic) highlights of Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Fort Worth By Roger Allnutt                It is hard to imagine that six of the 20 largest cities by population in the United States are…
River Walk in San Antonio, a major tourist attraction in one of the biggest cities in Texas
A roundup of the biggest news stories in California this week, including a wildfire update, coronavirus news and the latest from Sacramento.   Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Physics Awarded to UC Berkeley Faculty Jennifer Doudna of UC Berkeley won the…
California State Capitol building in Sacramento
How an Italian chocolatier created the sweetest San Francisco icon By J.C. Thomas Ghirardelli, the third-oldest chocolatier in the United States, is today a beloved international brand. Contemporary consumers can’t get enough of the company’s filled chocolate squares, brownie mix…
Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, California
A historic landmark, architectural masterpiece and cultural institution with the mission to bring astronomy to the people, Griffith Observatory means a lot to the people of Los Angeles. It’s a top tourist attraction too, with visitors from all over the…
Griffith Observatory on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California
These five organizations work for better mental health awareness and services for all Californians, every week of the year In 1990, Congress declared the first week of October to be Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), and in 1992 the World…
Mental Illness Awareness Week 2020 graphic
South Coast Winery, Resort and Spa in Temecula, California offers luxury accommodations, farm-to-table cuisine, a full-service spa, and an award-winning winery all in one scenic spot By J.C. Thomas As the first and only full-service winery resort in the Temecula…
South Coast Winery, Resort and Spa in Temecula, main building housing the restaurant, tasting room and wine shop
Courtesy of South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
A roundup of the biggest news stories in California this week, including a wildfire update, coronavirus news and the latest from Sacramento.   Glass Fire Devastates Napa Valley and Sonoma County  The Glass Fire, which started burning on September 27th, has…
California State Capitol Building in Sacramento, California
On the side of Route 246, just minutes off Highway 101 near Buellton, is a curious sight indeed. Hundreds of ostriches and emus roam an enormous enclosure with a scenic mountain backdrop. Pull over at OstrichLand USA, and you can…
OstrichLand USA Buelton California ostrich feeding attraction
A roundup of the biggest news stories in California this week, including a wildfire update, coronavirus news and the latest from Sacramento.   Governor Newsom Passes a Series of Significant Environmental Bills  Governor Newsom this week signed several bills plus an…
California State Capitol Building in Sacramento, California