As families spend more time at home and decorate earlier this holiday season, AAA East Central reminds residents to protect their homes and themselves from holiday dangers like fires and break-ins.

Roughly three-quarters of Christmas tree fires occur in December or January, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Between 2013 and 2017, the latest figures available, fire departments across the country responded to an average of 160 house fires each year that started with Christmas trees, according to NFPA statistics. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 15 injuries and $10 million in property damage annually.

Fires are unfortunately common this time of year, and burglaries and robberies are particularly emotionally scaring, says Mark Sisson, vice president of Insurance, AAA East Central. Even something as simple as not leaving empty online shopping boxes outside prior to trash day can go a long way.

AAA East Central tips to reduce the likelihood of fire:

Trees and Menorahs

Make sure your holiday tree is fresh and green when you buy it. Water daily as dry trees are a fire hazard.

Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to flip over.

Use battery-operated candles, not wax candles, in holiday decorations. Candles start almost half of home decoration fires.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Place menorahs on non-flammable surfaces.

Do not let children play with wiring or lights, and teach kids about fire safety.

Exterior decorations and safety

Outside the home, inspect all outdoor lights and decorations for damage. Do not use if lights are damaged or wires are frayed.

Do not block the front door entrance or patio doors with decorations.

Do not store firewood against the home or other structures. Stack firewood at least 30 feet away from your house.

Make sure your home is accessible to emergency vehicles.

More fire safety tips:

Be particularly careful when using heating items such as space heaters.

Smoke alarms are a key part of home fire safety. Make sure to have smoke alarms in bedrooms as well as main living areas of the house.

Remain in the kitchen while holiday cooking or baking. Fires in the kitchen occur frequently during the holidays.

Home security:

?Home burglaries spike during the weeks leading up to the holidays, when thieves are tempted by homes full of gifts. A homeowner loses an average of $2,416 in possessions and damages in a home burglary, according to U.S. Dept. of Justice statistics.

Holiday home break-ins are easily preventable by locking all doors and windows. But according to home security surveys, 64 percent of homeowners and renters dont lock their doors and windows before leaving home. Additional devices like window locks and sliding door rods block burglary attempts. Pet door locks also block entry via small pet entrances.

AAA tips to prevent home burglaries

If you shop online, dont leave the empty boxes outside prior to trash day. This can signal to potential thieves that a treasure trove awaits them inside your home.

Make sure holiday gifts, expensive electronics, and other valuables are not visible from outside your windows.

Lock all doors and windows before you leave to shop or run errands, including your garage and side doors.

If possible, install a monitored alarm system in your home with visible signs. You may be eligible for a discount on your insurance premium after the system is installed.

Video cameras, driveway motion detectors and smart home doorbells can be theft deterrents.

Make sure your dog or pet door is locked and cannot be used by a thief to enter your home.

Home Insurance tips

Make sure your home insurance is up to date and provides adequate coverage if you own luxury goods, jewelry and electronics.

Check to see if you need an additional rider or floater insurance policy for those items from the Auto Club or other insurance representatives.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.

Continued here:
AAA: Protect your property this holiday season - The Highland County Press

Construction on Turlocks new and expanded library has been zooming along and is expected to be completed by early spring of 2021.

Also nearing completion is an equally important fundraising project that aims to make sure that come the grand opening the new library is a truly stunning and innovative facility for the community.

The library project is renovating the old building and expanding the footprint at the current location on Minaret Avenue. In November 2019, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors approved the project with a budget of $12.7 million and construction began in March.

Once completed the new library will be 16,530 square feet and will include larger collections for adults, teens and children, as well as new technology for the public to use. Additionally, the library will have several specialized rooms like a quiet reading room, a makers space, and a community room.

Currently, the insides are being readied for plumbing and electricity and by January the drywall will be installed.

As construction began the Friends of the Turlock Public Library launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $1 million for architectural embellishments, furnishings, technology upgrades and long-term funding for the library. Taking up the lions share of this effort was a group of community members who volunteered their time and formed a fundraising committee that has been chaired by John and Jeani Ferrari.

The efforts have proven successful with the committee securing naming right donations for seven of the nine rooms.

Kent Johnson, a Turlock resident, said his family selected the quiet reading room to bear the familys name because it honored the role the library has played in their lives. Johnson is one of five boys raised by Dr. Everett and Lillian Johnson, who inspired their sons to be curious, to pursue academic endeavors, and to be community supporters.

I vividly remember the basement of the old library that housed the childrens books, Johnson said of visiting the original Carnegie Library in Turlock. It was an austere room that met its purpose. I chose my first books based upon the pictures and fewest words on each page. The new library opened as I was entering high school. It became a quiet spot for evening homework or honestly, a valid excuse to meet up with friends to visit where homework was the last thing on our minds.

One new room in the library will be the Imagination Station, which is an area adjacent to the Childrens Library that will be used for creative expression and learning. The space caught the attention of the Machado family.

Our family has utilized the library since our children were young, said Mary Machado. We look forward to continuing to make memories there. Were very excited to have our name as part of the Imagination Station. It is a perfect space for our energetic and creative grandchildren.

The two spaces that still have naming rights available are the adult reading area and the community room. The community room will provide space for lectures, programs, and expanded Story Time. Additionally, the room includes a kitchenette and restrooms and will be available for rental. A series of patio doors can be opened to extend access into the large enclosed courtyard.

The new library also will feature a Founders Wall and a Community Wall. The fundraising committee has already secured $765,000 in pledged donations for these permanent structures.

FOTPL President Pat Portwood said the group has been humbled by the communitys response.

Donations of $100 or more will secure a spot on the wall and can be used to memorialize family and friends.

The fundraising campaign will come to a close Feb. 14. Those interested in making a donation can contact FOTPL at P.O. Box 1260, Turlock, CA 95381-1260 or FriendsoftheTurlockLibrary2020@gmail.com.

Continued here:
Turlock Library renovations in full swing - The Turlock Journal

Marsha Fottler| Correspondent

Situated in Sarasotas South Poinsettia Park amid leafy streets named for flowers, a chateau-like compound at 1807 Oleander Street is setting a neighborhood standard for curb appeal while offering 9,492-square-feet of European sophistication and outdoor areas that are lavish and beautiful. This property, which was built on three adjacent lots, has a separate guest house and garage bays for five cars. Its is on the market for $4,399,000 through Anita and Frank Lambert of Premier Sothebys International Realty.

Homes in South Poinsettia Park date back to the 1920s and its always been a desirable residential neighborhood, today significant for its West of the Trail cache. There is no homeowners association in South Poinsettia Park and no neighborhood fees. But, there are multiple stately homes on these flower streets named orchid, tulip, magnolia and jasmine and owners are conscientious about maintaining their investment.

The 1807 Oleander Street residence was built in 2006 by a local builder as his family home. The present owners, retired bankers who wish to remain anonymous, bought it in 2013 and immediately began a massive remodel that took about two years during which they collaborated with an interior designer, landscape designer and a pool designer.

We started with an overall design and did the master bedroom suite first, said one on the homeowners Next up was the master bath and then closets. The remodel was total involving nearly every space in the house with changes in wall surfaces, lighting, custom cabinetry and flooring, everything. We paid extreme attention to tiny details because we wanted it exactly right both in the main house and in the guest house. Then we moved to the outside and the pool. I think we ended up with one of the most beautiful outdoor living areas that anyone could dream of. But, through the whole process we were conscious of balancing style with comfort and livability. This is our year-round home and we wanted it to function perfectly besides being lovely to look at.

The multi-level manse and guest house have a total of five bedrooms, seven full baths and two half-baths. On opposite sides of a handsome paver motor court are garage bays for five cars. The doors look like barn doors, not conventional garage ones. The floors throughout the house are wide-plank walnut and the high ceilings are coffered or beam. The double-volume living room, with its impressive raised-hearth stone fireplace, is open to an upper wrought iron gallery where there is a library and sitting area. The kitchen is separated from a formal dining room (beam ceiling) that opens to the outdoors with a double set of French doors. Two highly ornamental wrought iron and crystal chandeliers are suspended over a dining table that seats fourteen.

The kitchen is the heart and soul of this house, said the homeowner. The section with the bar/island works well for kitchen cocktails or for cooking dinner for two or twenty-two. And, its honestly a pleasure to cook there. We put in a six-burner gas stove with two ovens, plus a wall oven, microwave drawer, two refrigerators, upright freezer in the walk-in pantry, two dishwashers and two sinks. The counters are quartz and there is more than enough storage in the white cabinets. But, what people always notice are the custom mosaic backsplash and the range hood. Over the years weve found that this kitchen is amazingly functional and totally pleasant to work in.

Natural light, views to the outside, coffered ceiling and two glamorous chandeliers make the room refined but also comfortable. The homeowners carved out space in the kitchen for a desk nook and a flat-screen TV.

In the vicinity of the dining room and kitchen is a wine room that features a unique floor. The brick was rescued from a smaller house that originally stood on the lot. The space is for temperature-controlled wine storage but its also fitted out as a tasting room. The home also has a big home office with a separate entrance.

French doors in the owners bedroom open to the patio and swimming pool part of the property. Theres a handsome fireplace in the master bedroom, a beam ceiling and two more of the homes signature chandeliers. The bath features a free standing marble tub and a large walk-in shower.

Upstairs off the gallery is a library sitting room. A two-bedroom guest suite, private and separate from the rest of the living quarters, is above the garage.

Additionally, there is a two-story detached guest house on the property. It faces inward to the pool pavilion and covered outdoor spaces. The guest house has two bedrooms, two baths, full kitchen, laundry, and a living/dining area.

The unique T-shaped, 45-foot-long lap swimming pool weaves through the property bringing the three segments of the compound into harmony. The architecture was a joint effort among Artistic Pools, a landscape designer and an interior designer, said the homeowner. When we bought the house there was no pool, just a patio. So we had all the lush landscaping removed, transported and planted temporarily in a nursery where it was stored for the entire year that we created this new outdoor expanse. It seemed like a monumental task while we were at it, but when we look at it now or are outside enjoying it all, we know it was worth the effort. Its something special with stretches of patio, loggia, covered garden rooms, an al fresco dining area with a huge stone fireplace, ivy covered walls, and everywhere plants and flowers. The main house has eight sets of French doors that open wide to the natural environment.

To furnish the home and guest house, the two owners brought with them family pieces as well as American and European antiques and art they have acquired over the years. We worked with an interior designer to make the rooms more current, said the homeowner. We added some Asian accents throughout the whole property. We think the Asian artifacts blend nicely with what we already had and they add even more character to the outdoor rooms.

This French-inflected estate is the culmination of what these homeowners envisioned when they first saw the property seventeen years ago. And yet, they have decided to part with it.

Were retired now, said the homeowner, and I think we are ready to downsize. We intend to stay in Sarasota and make this our year-round home, but we both want to take the time to explore new and different vacation destinations. This home is ready for people who like to entertain, enjoy being outside, or plan to host out-of-town friends and relatives.

Lucky guests.

Read more:
Elegant French chateau in Sarasota on the market for $4,399,000 - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

2020 has been a rollercoaster ride for many businesses. Some having to close their doors for good.

News Channel 3s Caitlin Thropay brings us a look back at all the ups and downs.

It has been a roller coaster," co-owner of Beer Hunter, Kevin Steele told News Channel 3. "Weve been up and down, several closures and back open again, he said.

The ride started in March with the California stay at home order; limiting restaurants to take out. Gyms and theaters closed their doors.

Soon, changes were underway to safely reopen.

We want our businesses to reopen and we know theyre going to need help reopening, Nona Watson with the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce told us.

Businesses got innovative to stay afloat. Read article: Palm Desert spa owner invents unique device as they prep for new normal to keep clients safe

Now with the restrictions of just having the patio open we are down to way less than 25 percent of what we would normally be doing right now, Steele said.

To help restaurants expand outdoor dining, Palm Canyon in Palm Springs was closed to traffic in September leading to mixed reactions.

Businesses that are in the closure area concerned that they might lose or are going to lose their parking and lose their foot traffic, president of Main Street Palm Springs, Joy Meredith said.

We visited Zobo and Meesters in Cathedral City as they made their final meals. Read article: Draughtsman, Evzin and Zobo Meesters announce closures; are other restaurants not too far behind?

Were missing about half our customers ever since the COVID-19 restrictions went into effect," owner of Zobo & Meester's Bart Groendycke told News Channel 3. "Were just losing money every month so there was really no other choice, he added.

Now they are closed for good.

Its horrible that its happening to so many people," Groendycke said. "Ive watched a lot of businesses not even just restaurants go under around here in the plaza and its really unfortunate to see all these dark building spaces that used to be full, he said.

Meanwhile, hair and nail salons met changing restrictions. Same with gyms; many moving workouts outdoors.

Early fall brought hope as Riverside County moved to red tier.

Im getting a lot of comments saying thanks for opening up, thanks for surviving, Jerry Sanders said, the owner of British Invasion.

One month later, the county reverted to the purple tier and restricted even more on November 19 with a 10 p.m. curfew.

We had just started to get our feet back under us sort of, Mindy Reed, owner of Zin American Bistro said.

Having to close at 10 oclock, its just going to kill our business, Steele said.

In the final month of 2020 one more drop on the roller coaste, a regional stay at home order.

If the pandemic is going to last longer were going to have to work harder," Orn Chotiyanonta, the owner of Le Basil in Palm Desert said. "One day its going to be over," she said. "The rest is history. We look forward to the better future, she added.

The hope of a new year is something some of these business owners are holding onto.

Throughout it all, KESQ has worked to support local businesses. Right now, through cvlocal links.com we have a free and easy to use tool to find local offerings and see how businesses are ensuring a safe customer experience.

Link:
A look back at 2020 and the impact it had on local businesses - KESQ

THIS four bedroom renovated bungalow on the banks of the River Wheelock is our property of the week.

This spacious family home in Chester Road, Middlewich, is being marketed by Reeds Rains for 500,000.

Wrought iron gates provide access to a generous driveway with parking for a number of vehicles

Wrought iron gates provide access to a generous driveway with parking for a number of vehicles

The property has been recently redecorated and has a newly fitted kitchen.

The newly fitted kitchen

The newly fitted kitchen

The bungalow is nestled in a beautiful, tranquil spot, with the River Wheelock gently flowing between the garden and the open countryside fields to the adjoining bank.

The accommodation comprises an entrance hall, bathroom, cloakroom, living room, dining room, newly fitted kitchen, utility room, four bedrooms, bathroom and en-suite wet room to the master bedroom plus generous off road parking and a double garage.

A spacious lawn with an array of plants and shrubs

A spacious lawn with an array of plants and shrubs

Well-maintained lawns include an array of floral splendour and spacious patio.

The plot had historic planning permission for a further bungalow.

The newly fitted breakfast kitchen is light and airy

The newly fitted breakfast kitchen is light and airy

The newly fitted breakfast kitchen includes a range of wall, drawer and base units with marble effect preparation surface and upstands with peninsular breakfast bar. Appliances include a top of the range four ring hob, extraction hood and splashback, oven, grill. and dishwasher, fridge and freezer.

Chester Road, Middlewich

Patio doors lead out into the garden

The living room has PVC double glazed sliding doors leading out to the garden. There in an inset electric fire with tiled display shelves and traditional brick elevation.

The master bedroom has an en-suite wet room

The master bedroom has an en-suite wet room

The master bedroom has an en-suite wet room.

The plot measures approximately 0.68 acres and offers plenty of privacy in wonderful grounds with lawn areas, patio areas, an array of shrubs, plants and trees.

The bungalow is nestled in a beautiful, tranquil spot

The bungalow is nestled in a beautiful, tranquil spot

To the front wrought iron gates provide access to the generous driveway with parking for a number of vehicles. The gardens provide views across open countryside.

Read the rest here:
Property of the week: Renovated bungalow on banks of River Wheelock - Winsford Guardian

Formal entry is off Green Street from the sidewalk through a wrought-iron gate into the living room, while the more casual entry is from Jackson Street into the sunny breakfast room. Doors from the kitchen and laundry room allow access to the herb garden and courtyard patio. Original concrete blocks create the patio and walkway to the garages side entry.

The formal living room has a decorative fireplace mantel accented by ceramic tiles. Hardwood flooring fills the living room and continues into the formal dining room. The dining room has a storage closet, a chandelier and another decorative fireplace.

Branching from the dining room is the breakfast room and a quaint family room or office area. The office has built-in storage nooks and access to the full, divided basement.

The sunroom has several windows and a door that opens to the front porch. Tile flooring complements the exposed brick wall that divides the sunroom from the dining room. A tongue-and-groove wood ceiling treatment accents the sunroom and continues into the adjoining updated kitchen.

Maple cabinetry fills two walls and is complemented by the solid-surface countertops. A double sink is below triple windows. On the opposite side of the kitchen is the refrigerator nook, wall ovens, a cooktop and a coffee station. The kitchen has hardwood flooring continuing into the family room den.

A short hallway from the family room leads to a half bath that has a table vanity with a built-in sink and ends at the laundry area with hanging cabinetry. A door from the laundry room leads out to the courtyard patio.

A staircase off the hallway leads up to the second level where three bedrooms and three full baths are located. The first bedroom from the stairwell is the largest with a step-in closet, built-in storage nook and large bath. The bath has a converted furniture bureau with sink and a whirlpool tub with shower handle. The bath has mosaic tile flooring; subway tile accents the walls. The ceiling is slightly vaulted to make the space taller.

The second bedroom has a decorative mantel that is used as headboard. A wardrobe closet and the headboard convey at closing. The bathroom features a tub/shower, a single-sink vanity and ceramic-tile flooring. The third bedroom at the end of the hallway has a large closet and a private bath that includes a walk-in shower and single-sink vanity.

The houses full basement has a concrete floor and both interior and exterior entrances. The basement is divided into rooms and has storage options and updated mechanical systems. Central air-conditioning was new in 2020.

DAYTON

Price: $285,000

Open House: Dec. 27, 2-4 p.m.

Highlights: About 2,012 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 1 half bath, 2 decorative fireplaces, living room, dining room, family room, updated kitchen, morning room, first-floor laundry, basement, central air-conditioning, 2-car detached garage, covered porch, courtyard, corner lot, Oregon District, 12-month home warranty

Directions: Wayne Avenue to west on Cass Street, to right on Jackson to the corner of Green and Jackson streets

For more information:

Kamela Kordik, agent/owned

Kamela and Company Realty

937-299-0888

http://www.kamela.com

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY KATHY TYLER

Read the rest here:
Wraparound covered porch sets inviting tone to 2-story - Dayton Daily News

By Anne Marie Panoringan | 8 hours ago

Anne Marie Panoringan

Voice of OCs food columnist reporting on industry news, current events and trends. Panoringans prior work includes writing about food for 8 years at OC Weekly in which she interviewed more than 330 chefs, restauranteurs and industry professionals for her weekly On the Line column. She has been recognized by the Orange County Press Club and she also is a recurring guest on AM 830s SoCal Restaurant Show.

Subscribe now to receive emails letting you know about her latest work.

A year ago, the biggest concern I had was deciding on the opening story for Voice of OCs new food column. Fast-forward a few months, and nearly every article since mid-March has been pandemic-centric. In spite of the hardships facing the restaurant industry, I pushed for coverage that focused on a more positive outlook. There were selfless donations, industry pivots and the continued openings of restaurants that demonstrated the resilience of small business for much of 2020. Here are some of my favorite stories from this unusual first year.

The bar industry in general began a self-conscious turn toward promoting beverage menus with temperance. I wrote about a trending Fullerton pop-up of the same name, intrigued by the notion of a dry drinking movement. Foodbeast caught wind of the story and reached out to discuss it on its Katchup podcast. Two months later, as the nation was under quarantine, any and all establishments that served or sold alcohol saw a spike in sales. Social norms of going out for drinks werent an option, so cocktails to-go plus wine and spirits were heavily in-demand.

ANNE MARIE PANORINGAN, Voice of OC

Curbside pickup is available at OC Wine Mart, located at the Brickyard in Orange.

For OC Wine Mart owner Julie Lim, business needed to adapt swiftly at her Aliso Viejo, Orange and Yorba Linda outposts. She was forced to shut down the wine bars, leaving her to come up with additional opportunities for consumer sales. Lim immediately began offering curbside pickup and delivery options. Her business acumen found a workaround for the wine bar: We also started hosting virtual wine tastings. Our online sales increased, helping us to make up for some of the loss from the wine bar closure.

One memorable display of community support came from Glenn Tanaka of Tanaka Farms. In May, he coordinated the assembly and distribution of 500 produce boxes to Southern California residents struggling with food insecurity. In addition, kitchens including Twenty Eight Restaurant began feeding first responders at area hospitals with weekly box lunch deliveries. OC Baking Company opened its production facility to a weekly pop-up market featuring vendors representing a breadth of Southern California businesses including Tucker Family Farms, Brick Woodfired Cuisineand Chopped champion chef Shachi Mehras Indian flavors from ADYA.

The initial closure of dining rooms left thousands applying for unemployment. Chefs and restaurateurs stepped up to support their colleagues in a number of instances. Candace and Allan Tea of Hello Kitty Cafe founded Cali Dumpling Delivery, a specialty food service that raised $20,000 on behalf of affected industry professionals. OC Smoke Kitchen twas a drive-thru collaboration run by Daniel Castillo from Heritage Barbecue to nourish families of out-of-work restaurant workers. Most recently, Andrew Gruel of Slapfish created 601 Project (originally named 86 Struggle), a GoFundMe account where proceeds will go toward individuals in need of financial assistance.

ANNE MARIE PANORINGAN, Voice of OC

Blinking Owl Distillerys portable hand sanitizers, including a wrist sanitizer bottle.

From online ordering to previously non-existent patio seating, adapting to the changing dining protocols had restaurants rushing to revise the way service was provided. Those that could adjust were rewarded by a loyal customer base. Despite these updated procedures, the absence of indoor dining from March to early September (and again at the end of November to present) would limit sales for traditionally sit-down eateries.

Creative alternatives to attract business included the addition of preset family-sized meals and DIY cooking kits from Banh Xeo Boys and Taco Rosa. Curbside pickup worked for individuals seeking a brief respite from staying at home, but hesitant to step inside a restaurant. Local government pitched in, creating dining alcoves in Fullerton, Laguna Beach and Orange so patrons could enjoy meals while their food was still hot.

Pivoting was most apparent from select Orange County breweries and distilleries racing to mass produce and distribute hand sanitizer to frontline workers. Blinking Owl Distillery has produced over 15,000 gallons, donating approximately $50,000 worth to local hospitals. Co-founder Kirsten Vangsness separately donated more than $30,000 in sanitizer to organizations such as Black Lives Matter and the US Postal Service.

ANNE MARIE PANORINGAN, Voice of OC

Tenders and slider from Daves Hot Chickens first O.C. branch in Fountain Valley.

Despite declining sales for existing establishments, a new generation of restaurants emerged. Forced to launch with social distancing, mask requirements and hand sanitizer stations from day one, these concepts cautiously entered the market with aggressive social media campaigns. From QSRs (Quick Service Restaurants) to staffed dining rooms with hosts and waiters, it was a wide range of storefronts.

As early as April, Porch & Swing opened its doors with takeout-only selections of coastal Southern dining, including braised short rib and striped bass within a normally bustling office complex. The popularity of spicy hot chicken continued, with relative newbie Cluck Kitchen continuing to serve lines out the door since its July debut. Fountain Valley joins the poultry party this month, as Daves Hot Chicken hawks Reaper heat level sliders and tenders with its first Orange County location.

Chef Sergio Ortega of Chatos Bar and Grill expresses the sentiment of many, having opened in October: Weve been trying to roll with the punches and find the way to keep going, to keep adapting. What began as a full-service indoor operation transitioned to outdoors. With the ban on outdoor dining, they went old-school with a taco cart, putting al pastor on the trompo to serve up tacos (options include carne asada, chorizo and pollo) in front of the establishment. We think its helped to bring some awareness and visibility to Chatos, to let people driving by know were here and that were providing comfort eats at approachable prices given everything thats going on.

Large-scale ventures also found their footing, as Rodeo 39 Public Market joined the mix with a refreshing aesthetic and cohesive selection of new and existing Southland brands. Its expansion continues, as additional food and retail concepts along the side patio continue to build out.

The debut of Amazon Fresh supermarkets second brick-and-mortar infused helpful technology into a cumbersome task. I was eager to utilize the wireless checkout system to avoid having to wait in Costco-sized lines.

2020 was a reminder that the show must go on. Navigating through new requirements compounded with the uncertainty of COVID-19 and how it would dictate business became two more obstacles new and existing restaurants would endure. I have the utmost respect for places that closed their doors this year, as these food and beverage establishments fought through an unprecedented economy of change, a heated political climate, plus the stress that came along with it. Consider that the next time you want to get something to eat. Where will you spend your dollars?

On Saturday, Dec. 12, I spent the morning in-studio at Angel Stadium being interviewed on the air for a couple of segments with Andy Harris of the SoCal Restaurant Show. We went over our meals leading up to the second ban on outdoor dining, as well as my recent article on how restaurateurs were reacting to this restriction. I also looked ahead to 2021 and some new developments in San Juan Capistrano and Costa Mesa. To hear the first segment, follow this link. The second can be found here.

Besides the city in the 909, Corona beer likely had its worst year ever due to a namesake virus. That didnt deter it from spreading some holiday cheer this month, the 30th anniversary of its memorable O Tannenpalm television advertisement. In addition to a decorated palm tree giveaway over Twitter, Corona committed to donating $30,000 to the Los Angeles and Orange County regions of #HashtagLunchbag, a nonprofit that inspires and empowers individuals by sharing experiences and spreading love through bagged meals filled with nourishment and written correspondence. It may be a rough time to be named Corona, but its heart is in the right place.

Anne Marie Panoringan is the food columnist for Arts & Culture at Voice of OC. She can be reached at[emailprotected].

Here is the original post:
Panoringan: The Food Industry in 2020 Saw Closures, Openings, Pivots, Perseverance - Voice of OC

As with all things 2020, Christmas got cancelled (Picture: Getty Images)

And so begins that awkward bit between Christmas and New Year where no one knows what day it is.

Its the calendrical No Mans Land where dates become futile and the durability of our favourite pair of joggers is tested to the limit.

Except this year, the confusion began back in March.

The past nine months have rolled into one hellish nonsense full of tears, tiers and far too much Matt Hancock. With very few social events to mark the passing of time Ive lost track of entire months, which is why Christmas felt more important this year than ever before.

As with all things 2020, Christmas got cancelled.

But, like a bigoted celebrity who shouldve thought twice before publishing a tweet, Christmas didnt disappear altogether. It just had to remain low-key until its safe to go outside again.

Human beings find comfort in tradition, yet we also have an incredible ability to adapt them to fit our circumstances. Weve swapped whole turkeys for packet slices, board games for Zoom calls and Santa outsourced his delivery services to the Amazon elves.

Theres no denying that Christmas has been different for all of us this year but I doubt it will have been the first time our plans have had to be adapted.

I dont know a single family who hasnt had some sort of crisis strike around Christmas time. Divorce, death and illness dont wait until January to devastate our lives, so we do what we can to keep the yuletide cheer, regardless of our circumstances.

Weve had so many endings and beginnings taken from us this year. Weddings postponed, funerals reduced in capacity but that doesnt mean the love is any less real or the loss isnt just as painful.

People often rely on ceremony to outwardly express emotion, so when tradition issnatched awayit can take a toll on our mental and emotional wellbeing.

This year, theres less pressure to keep up with the Joneses as we focus instead on keeping a two metre distance from them

If Ive learned anything this year, however, its that human beings are a resilient bunch, and we discover new ways of dealing with adversity.

In our family alone weve got five positive Covid-19 tests, four isolated households, three shielding grandparents, two cancelled weddings and a partridge in a pear tree.

Weve exchanged presents through patio doors and sent Christmas dinners via Deliveroo. Our familial customs look a little different, but were still a family: perfectly imperfect and trying our best.

This wont be the first time that children have spent Christmas without a parent, or that grandparents havent been allowed to see their grandkids. Nor will it be the first time that people have spent it alone.

Just because Covid-19 has been at the centre of public discourse, doesnt mean other existing issues have ceased to exist. At least this year, we know that none of us have had the Christmas we were hoping for.

Christmas isnt always full of joy for everyone. It can be a time where many are haunted by the ghosts of Christmases past. Painful memories of family rifts, heartbreak and bereavement are made all the more vivid because the festive season comes with a sensory overload.

A Christmas jumper gifted by a late relative, the film youd watch withacousin you no longer speak to, the personalised bauble with a photo of you and an ex taken days before you found out they were cheating (cheers Etsy)can lead us into pits of despair. But its over now.

Boxing Day is for packing up those painful reminders into boxes, storing them in your emotional attic and eating your feelings away. Not the healthiest coping strategy, granted, but its a strategy, nonetheless.

We put so much pressure on ourselves to deliver the perfect Christmas. Many of us fall victim to obsessive comparison disorder as we compare the success of our festivities with those we follow on social media.

This year, theres less pressure to keep up with the Joneses as we focus instead on keeping a two metre distance from them. Just because no one posts videos of the fall outs, the culinary disasters and the Bucks Fizz-fuelled existential crises, doesnt mean they arent happening nationwide.

2020 has given us permission to let go of expectations and accept that just getting through the days in any way you can deserves a spot on thenice list.

Who knows what next year will bring or how long lockdown restrictions will continue to affect our existence. If only life was as predictable as the Hallmark Christmas movies I intend to binge on in this wasteland between Boxing Day and new year.

However you spend your Crimbo-limbo, Betwixtmas or Merrineum (my personal fave), I hope you find time to rest, reach out to those you want to and say a giant f*ck off to any brand trying to push a detox-agenda upon you come 1 January.

Youve suffered enough. Eat the mince pie. You deserve it.

Do you have a story youd like to share? Get in touch by emailingjess.austin@metro.co.uk.

Share your views in the comments below.

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Boxing Day is the start of a strange time - in 2020, that's not new - Metro.co.uk

Year built 2020-21

Utilities Tenant is responsible for electric, water, and sewer.

Pets $50 fee for dogs; $50 for cats. Maximum two pets per apartment. There are breed restrictions, as well as an 80-pound weight limit.

Bicycle storage Complimentary

Kayaks and paddleboards Will be available for residents to borrow.

Parking Grade-level parking is free for residents; guest parking will be available.

Trash Pickup is twice weekly.

Salem has its bewitching history, but Beverly has its history of producing shoemaking machinery and a new apartment complex on the shores of the Danvers River named after the Inuit Goddess of the Sea, Sedna.

The complex, by The Procopio Cos. and architect DMS Design, welcomed its first tenants in October, and is expected to be completed in early 2021. The exteriors of its two buildings are white with black windows and railings, a monochromatic design that creates a visual landmark for residents and boaters alike that allows for the buildings to be a canvas for shadows and reflections off the water, according to its brochure. The three-story buildings sit on a point of land adjacent to the MBTA commuter rail tracks and another regional landmark, known to locals as the Beverly-Salem Bridge and formally as Veterans Memorial Bridge (Route 1A). Inside, the nautical theme continues through the use of blue paint and bead board.

Each unit comes with smart locks, a smart video entry system, and a smart-home system, as well as built-in USB chargers in the kitchen.

The model featured here is a two-bedroom, two-bath unit of 1,415 square feet. The door opens into a small foyer with a closet straight ahead. A turn to the right leads to what might be considered an open-space troika: the kitchen and the dining and living areas, one after another, in that order.

Mirroring the style found throughout the unit, the kitchen is a study in how to work with neutrals. The appliances, including the electric stove, are stainless steel; the subway tile backsplash is white; and the wood-laminate cabinets are two-toned: gray uppers and lowers with white slab doors. The expansive island has a sink, seating for three, and a quartz counter with a waterfall edge. The island offers the cook a river view.

The kitchen is open to a dining area that currently holds a circular table with seating for four next to a trio of windows with black muntins on only the upper sashes, leaving the water view unobstructed.

The kitchen and dining spot share cork flooring with the living area. The space accommodates a couch, an end table, two armchairs, and an entertainment center all sitting beneath recessed lighting. The focal point of the room is the slider to the private balcony looking out to the bridge. Each unit comes with water views and either a private balcony or patio.

The units two bedrooms are reached via a hallway, but first, one finds a closet, a laundry closet with appliances behind a slatted door, and a guest bath with a single solid wood vanity topped with quartz, a cork floor, and a shower-tub combination.

The guest bedroom (132 square feet) boasts a 36-square-foot walk-in closet, a pair of windows with water views, and its own heating (air source heat pumps) and cooling controls. Walk-in closets are available in the primary bedrooms of every unit; a few dont have them in the guest room.

The main bedroom offers a respite. It has a sitting area, three windows, a 36-square-foot walk-in closet, cork flooring, and recessed lighting. The en-suite bath features a double solid wood vanity with a quartz counter, cork flooring, and a shower with a porcelain tile backsplash. The shower door is a glamorous black-framed beauty.

The complex amenities include a rooftop terrace on each building, a river walk, a fitness center in each building, sports/TV lounges in each building, work-from-home spaces and technology in each building, TransitScreen live MBTA updates, a clubroom/wine bar, common area Wi-Fi, a patio with fire pits and grills, a bicycle repair station and complimentary storage, paddleboard and kayak loaners, additional storage for rent, and a pet wash in each building.

Parking is free for residents and available for guests.

View more photos of the property and the unit below:

For more information, go to sednabeverly.com.

Follow John R. Ellement on Twitter @JREbosglobe. Send listings to homeoftheweek@globe.com. Please note: We do not feature unfurnished homes and will not respond to submissions we wont pursue. Subscribe to our newsletter at pages.email.bostonglobe.com/AddressSignUp

John R. Ellement can be reached at john.ellement@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @JREbosglobe.

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Home of the Week: At Beverlys Sedna, every apartment has a water view - The Boston Globe

Megan duBois, FamilyVacationist.com Published 12:29 p.m. ET Dec. 23, 2020 | Updated 3:09 p.m. ET Dec. 23, 2020

Archaeologists have found evidence that early humans stayed at Chiquihuite Cave around 30,000 years ago, suggesting that people reached the Americas 15,000 years earlier than previously thought. Buzz60

Sleeping in a cave may not be at the top of your post-pandemic travel bucket list, but maybe it should be.

More like luxury hideaways, the worlds best cave hotels arent filled with anything like bats or cobwebs, or annoying drips and drops instead, theyre beautifully furnished, come with all the modern amenitiesand offer endless ocean views or mountain vistas right outside your door.

With travel in 2021 still likely to be limited for at least the first half of the year, consider a unique family vacation where you can all sleep in a cave without traveling overseas or plan for international cave crashing as travel opens back up with these six spectacular cave hotels in the U.S. and around the world, assembled byFamilyVactionist.com.

This 5,800-square-foot luxury cave hotel in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas sleeps up to 12 people in its four-bedroom, four-bathroom accommodations. Nestled inside a cliffside cave with an open living space, well-appointed kitchenand sweeping views for miles, Beckham Creek Cave Lodge also boasts a natural waterfall right in the middle of the lodge that you can enjoy from the top or bottom floor.

The outdoor patio overlooks the mountains and a lake, making it an unforgettable spot for everything from romantic weekend getaways without the kids to once-in-a-lifetime family vacations. The upper floor is a dedicated private honeymoon suite, complete with a master bedroom and bathroom and rounded bed tucked into the natural rock formations of the cave.

Cave stays at Beckham Creek Cave Lodge start at $1,200 per night, but theres no multinight minimum except for bookings made over major holidays, which require at least a two-night stay.

Billed as the largest, oldest, deepest, darkest, quietest motel room in the world, the 80,000-square-foot Cavern Suite at Arizonas Grand Canyon Caverns Inn is a 65-million-year-old underground oasis that sleeps up to 10 guests. With 70-foot-high ceilings and a private elevator to and from the surface, this is a place to truly get away from it all. And dont worry, theres water, electricity, a bathroom, a TV, and a library stocked with books and DVDs for entertainment.

Overnight stays in the Cavern Suite book up quickly, so youll need to make reservations at this historic Route 66 attraction well in advance if you want to sleep in a cave 220 feet below the surface. But, the Grand Canyon Caverns also offers plenty of aboveground motel-style accommodations, as well as daytime cavern tours and evening ghost walks. You wont have to go far for other activities, either: The motel can arrange rafting tours and even an overnight trip to the scenic (and oft-photographed) Havasu Falls.

But: Arizona's famous Havasu Falls staying closed for COVID-19. Here's what to know

Built into sheer sandstone cliffs overlooking the La Plata River Valley near the the Four Corners region (the intersection of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado), Kokopelli Cave Bed and Breakfast in New Mexico is a 1,700-square-foot underground getaway made all the more special because theres no easy way to reach it. The spacious cave hotel is 70 feet below ground, and to get there youll need to walk a sloping path carved into the sandstone. (Youll probably want to pack lightly so you arent making more than one trip.)

Once inside, youll have access to a master bedroom, living area, dining area, kitchen, bathroomand replica Native American kiva. When its time to relax, sit back and enjoy the rock-wall waterfall and Jacuzzi. Its not all subterranean darkness,either. Theres a spacious patio with sliding glass doors off the main entrance and master bedroom.

Located high on a cliff above the Aegean Sea, the 20 amphitheater-inspired cave houses that make up the Perivolas Lifestyle Houses on the island of Santorini are almost unimaginably luxurious. Notable for their smooth whitewashed arches, sculpted wallsand vaulted ceilings with skylights, these breezy cave hotel rooms are an attraction all on their own. But theres also an infinity pool where you can cool down after your days or nights exploring the surrounding beaches and villages of this sun-drenched Greek island.

Twelve of the 14 rooms at the one-of-a-kind Les Hautes Roches hotel are carved into the cliffside, transforming caves that were once used by the monks of Marmoutier Abbey into luxurious accommodations overlooking the Loire River in France. Even the furniture is carved out of limestone at this cave hotel.

Beyond its unique architecture, Les Hautes Roches wows with its extravagant terraced gardens and central location within the Loire Valley. Outdoor dining with river views caps the experience. And, just a few hours away by train, Paris makes for a great family trip before or after your Loire Valley stay.

This small cave hotel in Matera, Italy, features four large suites, a common area, terrace, and a spa nestled into the rock face. At 3,200 square feet, La Dimora di Metello is larger than you might think based on the number of rooms. But perhaps thats to be expected: Cave dwelling has been a part of the regions culture since the Paleolithic period, and the hotels location in Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and past European Capital of Culture, means theres plenty to see and do when youre not enjoying the luxurious cave hotel.

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6 luxurious cave hotels where you can spend the night underground - USA TODAY