Discover the Gorgeous Landscapes of Guilin
Unusual karst formations bestow great natural beauty upon the Southern Chinese city of Guilin By Roger Allnutt For many visitors to China it is the bustling cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou together with man-made treasures like the Great Wall and the famous Terracotta Warriors at Xi’an that are the main drawcard. China is also […]
Weekly News Roundup for Friday, March 19th, 2021
A roundup of the biggest news stories in California this week, including a coronavirus update and the latest from Sacramento…. Governor Signs Paid Sick Leave Bill Governor Gavin Newsom today signed SB 95, legislation to ensure access to up to 80 hours of Covid-19 supplemental paid sick leave for eligible employees, including those advised to […]
A Trio of Treasures at Torrey Pines
In one prized pocket of La Jolla are three glorious landmarks: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Torrey Pines Golf Course, and the Lodge at Torrey Pines. By J.C. Thomas The Torrey pine tree (pinus torreyana), the rarest pine species in North America, is an intriguing natural treasure. It’s very finnicky about its home, existing only […]
Women’s History Month Started in Santa Rosa, California
How a grassroots group of Sonoma County educators launched National Women’s History Month By J.C. Thomas For more than 40 years, March has been recognized in the United States as Women’s History Month. Throughout March, schools, cultural institutions and communities nationwide recognize and honor the achievements of women in history. As recently as the 1970s, […]
Weekly News Roundup for Friday, March 5th, 2021
A roundup of the biggest news stories in California this week, including a coronavirus update and the latest from Sacramento…. California Introduces Vaccine Equity Metric he Newsom Administration on Thursday announced that California will enact safety protocols and vaccine equity in its efforts to end the pandemic and reopen the economy. The state has set […]
See a Gutenberg Bible – the Printed Book that Changed the World – at The Huntington Library
Gutenberg Bible No. 36 was printed in Mainz, Germany, circa 1455 on Europe’s first moveable metal type printing press. Today it’s on public display at The Huntington in San Marino, California. By J.C. Thomas Historians estimate that on this day in 1455, Johannes Gutenberg printed his first Bible – the first book ever produced using […]
Weekly News Roundup for Friday, February 19th, 2021
A roundup of the biggest news stories in California this week, including a coronavirus update and the latest from Sacramento…. Legislators Introduce Bill to Guarantee Health Care as a Human Right for All Californians Today, Assembly Members Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and Alex Lee (D-San Jose) introduced AB 1400, which would guarantee comprehensive, high-quality health care to […]
Discover the Delights of Cochin, India’s “Queen of the Arabian Sea”
Explore the exotic sights, sounds and scents of Cochin (a.k.a. Kochi), an ancient spice trading port and major modern city on India’s southwest coast By Roger Allnutt A group of nuns flutter around the famous Chinese fishing nets at the mouth of Cochin harbor and the fishermen joke with them. Are they praying for better […]
Here are 10 Virtual Exhibitions Celebrating Black History Month in 2021
Museums and cultural institutions play a vital role in Black History Month by connecting individuals and communities with educational, informative and celebratory programs. With most physical venues in California currently closed due to the pandemic, Black History Month exhibits for 2021 have gone virtual. Here are 10 remarkable virtual exhibits, tours, discussions and other presentations […]
Island Packers Seasonal Whale Watching & Excursions to the Channel Islands Now Open
Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, with daily departures to the Channel Islands from Ventura Harbor Village, has now re-opened! The family-owned company founded in 1968 is once again offering daily trips to the Channel Islands National Park as well as winter whale watching excursions. Winter Whale Watching A winter whale watch […]
Weekly News Roundup for Friday, February 5th, 2021
A roundup of the biggest news stories in California this week, including a coronavirus update and the latest from Sacramento…. Californians Warned Against Super Bowl Parties The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and local authorities are urging Californians to avoid Super Bowl parties this Sunday. Those who plan on watching the game are asked […]
2021 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
Whether your love is brand new or you’ve been together for decades, celebrating Valentine’s Day during a global pandemic is a new experience for everyone. The pressure’s off to plan a romantic night out, but a cozy night in is definitely on the cards. So is a thoughtful gift – ideally one that makes this […]