Costco Shakes Things Up

The Bakersfield Brief! Everything you need to know, Briefly!

December 23, 2024

Good morning and week of Christmas! It’s been a wild ride this month preparing for this week’s festivities. Hope everyone is prepared for the marathon of gatherings to come. Drive safe for those traveling but before you do let’s get into what’s happening.

Today’s brief includes:

  • 🎉Party City Closing

  • 🥤Costco Switches it up

  • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑Monday Motivation

  • 📆Upcoming Events

  • 💡Christmas Poll

  • and more…

Enjoy!

Weather Forecast

Monday - 67°☀️ | Tuesday - 62°🌦️ | 🎄Wednesday - 55°⛅

Brief Update…

Costco Making Changes

Costco is rumored to replace Pepsi with Coca-Cola products at its food court soda fountains starting early 2025, according to social media reports. The switch includes Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and Sprite instead of Starry. Costco first switched to Pepsi in 2013 to maintain the $1.50 hot dog-soda combo. The change, alongside smaller muffins and the removal of book sections from most U.S. stores, marks a shift in offerings as the retailer heads into the new year.

source: msn.com

Party City Closing

Party City, after nearly 40 years, is closing all 800 U.S. stores, leaving over 16,000 employees without jobs. CEO Barry Litwin announced the immediate winddown, with no severance pay or benefits for staff. The company had declared bankruptcy in 2023 and attempted to cut costs, closing 80 stores. Financial struggles, including unpaid suppliers, led to the final decision. This closure adds to a trend of American retailers shutting down.

Pesticide Notifications Rule

Starting March 26, 2025, California will introduce a pesticide notification system allowing residents, including those in Kern County, to receive advance alerts about hazardous pesticide applications. Notifications will be accessible via personal updates or a state website, detailing application times and approximate locations within half a mile. While this improves transparency, it does not specify exact locations, leaving some advocates concerned. For Kern County consumers, this means better access to safety information about nearby pesticide use, though it won't significantly change existing practices for local growers.

Monday Motivation

❝

Don’t let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas. We are never alone.

Taylor Caldwell

Events

Christmas Events All Month

Let us know about events coming up!

Food Brief

Christmas Eggnog

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups milk

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 5 whole cloves

  • 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (divided)

  • 12 large egg yolks

  • 1 ½ cups white sugar

  • 4 cups light cream

  • 2 ½ cups light rum

  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Heat Milk & Spices: Warm milk, cinnamon, cloves, and 1/2 tsp vanilla over low heat, then bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Remove from heat.

  2. Whisk Egg Yolks & Sugar: Beat egg yolks until light yellow, add sugar, and whisk until fluffy.

  3. Combine Mixtures: Slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture to temper it, ensuring no scrambling.

  4. Thicken: Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 3 minutes). Do not boil.

  5. Strain & Cool: Remove cloves by straining, cool for 1 hour, and stir in cream, rum, remaining vanilla, and nutmeg.

  6. Refrigerate: Chill for 8 hours or overnight.

  7. Serve & Enjoy: Pour, garnish as desired, and savor!

Sports

Monday Night Football (NFL):

  • New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers at 5:15pm on ESPN

Christmas Poll - Lights

Which do you prefer for decorating your house: classic white lights or vibrant multi-colored lights?

Select your vote below

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Future Holiday Reminders

  • 2 Days until Christmas

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