Good morning and happy Monday! Whether you're wrapping gifts, planning holiday gatherings, or simply soaking in the season's magic, let’s make this week merry and productive as we count down to the big day! 🎄✨

Today’s brief includes:

• 🌾 Losses for Agriculture

• 🍇 Food Pantry Expansion

• 💪Motivation Monday

• 📆 Upcoming Events

• 💌 Christmas Poll

Enjoy!

Weather Forecast

Monday - 61°☀️ | Tuesday - 66°☀️ | Wednesday - 60°☁️

Brief Update…

Major Losses for Ag

Economists warn that proposed tariffs by President-elect Donald Trump could spark a trade war, potentially costing California's agriculture sector up to $6 billion annually. Key agricultural exports like pistachios, almonds, and wine could be hit hard, with retaliatory actions from countries like China and Canada worsening the impact. Experts stress the need for balanced trade policies to avoid long-term damage to California's farmers, especially in vulnerable regions like the Central Valley.

source: msn.com

CSUB Expands Food Pantry

California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) is addressing food insecurity among students, with 40% of college students statewide affected. The CSUB Food Pantry, which began in 2017, now serves 800 individuals weekly, providing free meals and support. Recognizing growing demand, the university plans to expand its Food Pantry and Basic Needs HUB by spring 2025. The new space will offer services like Cal Fresh application assistance and emergency housing support.

source: turnto23.com

Motivation Monday

Lerdo Jail Struggles with Space for New Prop 36 Offender

Prop 36, passed in November, toughens penalties for repeat drug and retail theft offenders, reversing parts of Prop 47. However, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office struggles with overcrowded jails and early releases of felons, making it difficult to house new offenders from Prop 36. While Sheriff Donny Youngblood supports the measure, he warns that the lack of jail space may lead to the release of other inmates, and reopening more facilities would require substantial staffing and funding.

source: turnto23.com

Events

• Christmas Charcuterie Workshop - 12/9 - Wine Me Up

• Holiday Candle Making - 12/11 - Wine Me Up

• The Nutcracker - 12/13-12/15 - Mechanics Bank Theater (must purchase tickets)

• Second Saturday Holiday Pop up - 12/14 - 2819 F St. (9am-3pm; Santa 11am-2pm)

• Meet Santa – 12/14 – Café Smitten downtown (10am)

• NOR’s Christmas Parade - 12/14 - N. Chester (10am)

• Ugly Sweater Market - 12/14 - Stockdale High School (5:30pm-9:30pm; ugliest sweater wins a prize)

• Sip & Shop – 12/14 – TLO Winery (12pm-5pm)

• Cirque Dream Holidaze - 12/16 - Mechanics Bank Theater (must purchase tickets)

• Christmas in the Alley - 12/20 - Jerry’s Pizza (6pm-8:30pm)

• 1st Annual Christmas Pajama Takeover - 12/21 - Downtown Bakersfield

• Bako Market - 12/21 - 1001 Truxtun Ave. (10am-3pm)

• Christmas Cookie Crawl - 12/21 - participating locations downtown (1pm-4pm; tickets are limited)

• Christmas Grinch Market - 12/21 - Stockdale High School (5:30pm-9:30pm)

Christmas Events All Month

• CALM Holiday Lights - all month - CALM (purchase tickets)

• Bakersfield Christmas Town - all month - Kern County Fairgrounds (admission fee)

• Family Holiday Skate - all month - Valley Children’s Ice Center
  

2025:

• Boots in the Park - 3/7/25 - Bakersfield Sports Village

• Bakersfield Marathon - 3/30/25 - Kern County Museum

• Mud Factor - 4/26/25 - Kern County Raceway Park

• Lightning in a Bottle - 5/21-5/25 - Buena Vista Lake

Let us know about events coming up!

Kid Brief

• Junior Gardners - 12/14 - Jerry’s Pizza

• Santa - 12/7 & 12/14 - Frosty’s Forest (12pm-2pm; Brimhall/Coffee)

• The Polar Express - 12/16 - The Fox Theater

• Santa Letters Express - 12/2-12/16 -Riverlakes Community Center (and other participating locations)

  • Write and send a letter to Santa and receive a letter back

• Santa Home Visits - 12/2-12/19 - call to book

Sports

Monday Night Football (NFL):

• Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys at 5:15pm on ESPN

Food Brief

Week of Dinners

1. Sloppy Joes

2. Egg Roll in a Bowl

3. Mexican Chicken Casserole

4. Mississippi Pot Roast (crockpot)

5. Tacos - with the leftover roast

Future Holiday Reminders

• 16 Days until Christmas

Christmas Movie Poll

Results will be revealed Friday

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