For some people the writing process is a form of release and filled with immeasurable pleasures. Gerald "Jerry" Avila is more likely to describe it as a self-imposed prison term wrought with its own unique tortures.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (SHP) in Jamestown will begin the first weekend of steam train operations for 2011 on April 2-3.
Celebrate St. Paddy's Day while contributing to cancer awareness and research at Wellington's British Pub & Restaurant in downtown Turlock.
Anyone wishing to get into the spirit of the shamrock a little early, need not look any further than the hills in Sonora.
The sounds emanating from radios have been a part of the American fabric for more than 100 years and a new exhibit at the Turlock Historical Society's museum is paying homage to the technology that changed the world.
The trail that winds through the San Joaquin Valley, which was blazed by the Yokut tribe and fortified by the soldiers and missionaries who followed in their footpaths, is re-opening again for the popular "Path of the Padres" hike.
"The Magic Pajamas" is a children's story set in rhyme about a brother and sister who go on an extraordinary adventure through the power of their PJs, but the real magic, says Turlock author Steve Olsen, is how the book made it to fruition.
A winter wonderland of snowy mountains, majestic pines, bustling outdoor ice rinks, and cozy country inns nestled among toy workshops and candy confectioneries has come to Turlock … at least in the miniature form.
The stockings are hung, the cookies are warm from the oven and it's time to turn on the Christmas movie. But which one is going to be playing on your television?
A story of hardships, perseverance and the bonds of family ties that span the generations are played out on the pages of former Turlock resident Debra Boroughs' newly released memoir "Chicana."
Ghosts, ghouls and goblins have plenty of trick-or-treating alternatives this year at area Halloween events. Several organizations are hosting their own Halloween carnivals the day before Halloween as an alternative to the traditional door-to-door candy collecting. Costume contests and pumpkin carving contests will also get families in the Halloween spirit this year.
The art and drama of towering skyscrapers, bridges that seem to defy gravity and the beauty of a solid structure will be the focus of the upcoming Modesto International Architecture Festival.
Nestled in a quiet Turlock neighborhood is a 5-year-old boy with rosy cheeks, a shy smile, and a twinkle in his eyes.
Home brewers are a dime a dozen these days. But home winemakers?
From its past days as a place where wheat grew in abundance to its contributions to the worlds of entertainment and politics, the history of Ceres is on full display in the latest installment of the "Images of America" series.
Columbia State Historic Park will be presenting "Diggins 1852," its annual living history event this coming May 30 through June 2. Over 150 costumed volunteers will recreate the experience of an 1850's era mining camp in detail from the clothing, food and entertainment to the powerful stories of the early miners as they struggled to strike it rich. Visitors will be able to meet the merchants, artisans and entertainers who ...
It's almost here – and chocolate lovers can't wait. The 20th annual Oakdale Chocolate Festival – known now as 'Cowboys and Chocolate' – will be staged in downtown Oakdale on Saturday and Sunday. This longstanding festival serves up something for everyone in the family and draws thousands of visitors annually to the Cowboy Capital of the World. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on ...
For Marylin Hayes-Martin inspiration struck on a flight to the Gulf Coast. Having turned the last page on "Cane River," a family saga of four generations set in Louisiana, Hayes-Martin's thoughts turned to her Cherokee-born great-grandmother and the line of women that grew in her wake in the Ozarks of Arkansas. "I knew I had all these great stories about these women and the hardships they endured," Hayes-Martin said. "I said to ...
Spring has sprung, and for local gardeners and plant fanatics, there is nothing like taking a stroll through a perfectly manicured garden. In an effort to highlight the outdoor arts of Turlock, the Turlock Garden Club will present its first annual "The Joy of Gardening Tour," from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The tour consists of four different home gardens, each representing a unique theme based on accessories and floral ...
If Livingston residents see a giant octopus, a purple dragon, or a flying turtle in the sky on April 14, they shouldn't be alarmed. It won't be the strangest invasion from outer space. It will be the 2nd annual "Time to Fly" kite festival. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 14, the Livingston skyline will be filled with a bevy of kites as enthusiasts and novices alike gather at Livingston Middle School ...
Those looking for treasure in Gold Rush country are sure to find it this weekend, as Columbia State Park hosts its annual Victorian Easter Parade and Egg Hunt. The historic state park that features a Gold Rush-era business district with preserved shops, restaurants and hotels will host a Victorian Easter celebration on Sunday. "Two to three thousand come to the park on Easter every year," said Columbia Chamber of Commerce President Gary ...
It's that time of year again. The grass is green once again - and so is the town. Yes, St. Patrick's Day is here and with it the greening of food, beer and apparel. Everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick's Day and there are a variety of events for Valley residents of all ages to participate in this holiday weekend. Celtic Family Night at the Carnegie The ...
Jennifer Lawrence is a live wire. The "Silver Linings Playbook" Oscar winner livened things up back in the press room Sunday night after winning her award as Best Actress. As those who watched the 85th Academy Awards show know, Lawrence tripped and fell on her way up the steps to retrieve her statuette. A reporter with a thick accent asked her what happened and if she meant to do that. "Was it on ...
For some, decorating a Christmas tree in their living room is one of the hallmarks of the holiday season. But for others, the actual process of figuring out the perfect placement of ornaments, lights and tinsel can be a real hassle. One Turlock store offers help for those looking to make the star of most holiday decors - the Christmas tree- a show stopper. "We offer fresh eyes to get a new ...
The youth dancers of Fantazia Dance Productions received an early present this holiday season when they learned that they were accepted to dance during the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. Before the college level super bowl game the dancers will take part in the Big Bay Balloon Parade after taking master dance classes in San Diego. The girls will get a chance to strut their stuff, and perform before thousands of people during ...
The Christmas spirit is supposed to be that feeling of goodwill, generosity, and kindness to all around you. So, why does it seem that in some years the Christmas spirit feels more like a case of ill-humor, anxiety and annoyance? In all the hustle and bustle that comes with the holiday season, it's easy to lose that sense of enjoyment and wonderment that seemed to surround the holidays as a kid. Last year my family ...
For the third year, Foster Farms put the call out to local chefs seeking the most innovative recipes they could come up with using that ever-popular main dish - chicken. Nearly 1,200 home, amateur and professional chefs residing in California, Oregon and Washington submitted their prized, original, fresh chicken recipes for consideration. Two contestants, Jackie Dodd and Merry Graham, both used fresh ingredients grown in the Golden State to win the California Regional ...
Area residents were offered an introduction to Mediterranean food and culture during the 5th annual Food Festival held at Saint Matthew Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church on Saturday and Sunday in Ceres. The festival ran 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days and offered free admission, raffle prizes, folkloric dances, live entertainment and a kids' bounce house. The church sold Mediterranean foods, including kabobs, chicken kabobs, Shawerma, Tabouleh, Bourak, Dolma and pastries. "It went fairly ...
Five - count 'em - five new talk shows are competing for viewer attention this season - the second wave of the "Who can ever replace Oprah?" quest for the grail that began last year. This week, Steve Harvey launched his new NBC show. Sept. 10 will bring the launches of Katie Couric's, Ricki Lake's and Jeff Probst's chat fests. And come Oct. 1, the Hallmark Channel will bring us Marie Osmond. Of last ...
"Ruby Sparks" is a clever riff on the ancient Pygmalion story. Here, instead of a sculptor, the protagonist is a blocked writer, whose lonely existence is transformed when the central character in the book he's working on suddenly comes to life. The movie is a glowing fantasy that approaches perfection in its character detail and its unlabored comic style -- and in the way it subtly develops dark themes of creativity and control as ...