LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The latest forecast from the National Weather Service calls for a rainy Christmas day and the potential for rain through the weekend.

Forecasters said parts of Lake County could see patchy frost on Wednesday morning, with sunny conditions throughout most of the day. Northeast winds of up to 15 miles per hour, with gusts into the 20s, are possible.

Thursday, Christmas Eve, will be partly sunny.

Temperatures on both days are anticipated to be in the 50s during the day and into the low 30s at night.

On Friday, Christmas Day, the forecast said rain is likely between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with showers after 4 p.m. and light winds of up to 9 miles per hour in the morning.

Rainfall totals on Christmas are estimated to be between half an inch and an inch, total, for the precipitation during the day and at night.

Temperatures on Christmas are expected to be in the high 40s during the daytime and in the high 30s at night.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for chances of showers to continue from Saturday through Monday, and temperatures ranging from the low 30s at night to the high 49s during the day.

Conditions are expected to clear on Tuesday, when the forecast calls for mostly sunny conditions but cold daytime temperatures in the 40s.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact jobs nationwide, on the local and state levels, November job statistics show the lowest jobless rates since March.

The California Employment Development Department’s newest report on unemployment puts Lake County’s November jobless rate at 7.3 percent – the same as it was in March, just before local and statewide lockdowns went into effect.

That’s down from 7.4 percent in October but up markedly from the 4.8 percent reported in November 2019, according to EDD data.

On the statewide level, California’s unemployment rate dropped 0.8 percent to 8.2 percent in November as the state’s employers added 57,100 jobs.

The California unemployment rate in November was down from 9 percent in October 2020 but up from 3.9 percent from November of last year, the EDD said.

The state’s November unemployment rate also was the lowest since the 5.5 percent reported in March.

On the nationwide level, employment numbers also are recovering. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the national jobless rate was 6.7 percent in November, down from 6.9 percent in October but up from the 3.5 percent reported the previous November.

Like the local and state situations, November was the best month nationwide for employment since March, when a 4.4 percent jobless rate was reported.

Lake County’s civilian labor force numbered 26,620 individuals in November, with 2,080 individuals unemployed, compared to a civilian labor force of 27,400 in October, when 2,200 people were reported to be without jobs.

State data showed that industry sectors that showed job growth in Lake County in November included leisure and hospitality, 12.9 percent; trade, transportation and utilities, 8.2 percent; professional and business services, 1.6 percent; government, 0.7 percent; and service providing, 0.3 percent.

Total farm jobs were down by 35.1 percent in November, but up by 26 percent in a year-over comparison, the state said. Other local industries showing year-over growth included professional and business services, 8.5 percent; federal government, 6.3 percent; and trade, transportation and utilities, 0.3 percent.

In November, Lake County ranked No. 35 out of the state’s 58 counties for its jobless rate.

Lake’s neighboring counties’ jobless rates and ranks in the latest report are Colusa, 10.8 percent, No. 57; Glenn and Napa tied at No. 16 with 6 percent; Sonoma, 5.5 percent, No. 8; and Yolo, 5.8 percent, No. 12.

Over the course of several months, some of the state’s rural counties had the lowest unemployment in California. Lassen, for example, held the No. 1 spot for the lowest jobless rate from May through October.

However, in November, Lassen was pushed out of the top spot by Marin County, which historically has among the lowest unemployment rates statewide but which saw its rate climb due to the business impacts of COVID-19.

Marin’s November rate was 4.7 percent, with Sierra County ranking No. 2 with 5 percent, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties tying for No. 3 with 5.1 percent, and Placer ranking No. 5 with 5.2 percent. Lassen fell to No. 6, with 5.3 percent.

The highest unemployment was reported in Imperial County, which reported 16.4 percent and ranked No. 58. The rest of the five counties with the highest jobless rates included Colusa, No. 57, 10.8 percent; Los Angeles, No. 56, 10.6 percent; Tulare, No. 55, 9.8 percent; and Kern, No. 54, 9.4 percent.

The statewide employment situation

The EDD reported that California has now regained approximately 46 percent of the 2,615,800 nonfarm jobs that were lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April. November marks the sixth straight month the unemployment rate fell below the all-time unemployment rate high of 16.4 percent set in April and May of this year.

California payroll jobs totaled 16,191,400 in November 2020, up 57,100 from October 2020 but down 1,336,700 from November of last year, the EDD said.

The state said the number of Californians with jobs in October was 17,347,000, a decrease of 141,500 jobs from October’s total of 17,488,500, and down 1,386,900 from the employment total in November of last year.

The number of unemployed Californians was 1,542,100 in November, a decrease of 186,000 over the month, and up by 788,400 in comparison to November of last year, the EDD reported.

The EDD’s newest report said that nine of California’s 11 industry sectors gained jobs in November: Leisure and hospitality, up 27,800; trade, transportation and utilities, 19,700; professional and business services, 12,900; education and health services, 8,500; financial activities, 2,300; information, 900; manufacturing, 600; other services, 300; and mining and logging, 100.

Two sectors reported job losses: construction, which lost 5,800 jobs, and government, which for the third straight month posted the largest industry job decline, losing 10,200 jobs in November.

The EDD also reported that there were 1,278,200 people certifying for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the November 2020 sample week. That compares to 1,650,946 people in October 2020 and 293,595 people in November 2019.

Concurrently, the state said 168,998 initial claims were processed in the November 2020 sample week, which was a month-over increase of 16,347 claims from October 2020, and a year-over increase of 119,552 claims from November 2019.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s two members of Congress voted on Monday to pass an end-of-year funding package that includes coronavirus relief and an omnibus spending bill that funds the federal government through Sept. 30, 2021.

Congressmen John Garamendi (D-CA) and Mike Thompson (CA-05) cast their aye votes for the omnibus and coronavirus relief bill, H.R. 133.

Both houses of Congress passed the package – which includes $900 billion in coronavirus relief and economic stimulus – on Monday. It next moves to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.

It contains billions of dollars for health care efforts, including $55 million for the Food and Drug Administration to continue working on vaccines and therapies to fight COVID-19 and $73 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services’ efforts to support public health, to research vaccines and therapies, diagnostic testing and contact regarding coronavirus, while also addressing substance abuse prevention and treatment services, and child care support.

Another $8.75 billion will go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support federal, state, local, territorial and tribal public health agencies to distribute, administer, monitor, and track coronavirus vaccination to ensure broad-based distribution, access and vaccine coverage.

For those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, the package restores the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation supplement to all state and federal unemployment benefits at $300 per week, starting after Dec. 26 and ending March 14.

It also provides a refundable tax credit in the amount of $600 per eligible family member. The credit is $600 per taxpayer – $1,200 for married filing jointly – in addition to $600 per qualifying child. The credit phases out starting at $75,000 of modified adjusted gross income – $112,500 for heads of household and $150,000 for married filing jointly – at a rate of $5 per $100 of additional income.

“I’m pleased that this much-needed relief will finally come to American families,” Garamendi said. “The House offered a strong pathway for additional COVID relief back in May when it passed the Heroes Act. I am relieved that the Senate has finally come to the negotiating table and agreed to a compromise that will advance bipartisan legislation to address every aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garamendi said the bill will accelerate the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and includes funding to help stop the rapid spread of the virus.

In addition to the $600 direct payments to individuals and the extension to Unemployment Insurance payments for millions of Americans that the House fought to secure, Garamendi said there’s also $82 billion in funding to support the education system to help schools mitigate the transmission of the virus so we can safely reopen our classrooms.

The critical PPP forgivable loan program that has helped small businesses weather the coronavirus storm also receives an additional $284 billion in funding under this legislation, Garamendi said.

“This emergency relief is an important step forward. However, it must serve as an initial building block that we will expand upon to provide additional COVID-19 relief under the Biden-Harris Administration,” said Garamendi, adding he’ll continue working in a bipartisan manner to address the community’s needs during the pandemic.

Thompson said the bill was “far from perfect and it is not commensurate to the magnitude of this crisis.”

He added, “It’s not nearly enough funding and does not include enough relief for our health care systems that are overwhelmed or the families, workers and small businesses that are struggling financially. The package does not include funding for state and local governments or aid to our restaurant industry.

“However, the bill does offer some relief and so it’s an important step in helping our nation respond to and recover from this pandemic. It includes critical aid to speed up COVID-19 vaccination rollout, support for our schools, funding for our struggling small businesses, and a desperately needed extension of the expanded unemployment insurance. I view this package as a bridge to a bigger agreement that we must pass in the coming months,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he will work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and President-elect Joe Biden to get more coronavirus relief legislation passed as soon as we can in the 117th Congress.

The full text of the legislation – which is nearly 5,600 pages – is available here, while a 29-page summary is here.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County CARES Small Business Assistance Grant Program issued $1.3 million in grants to eligible small businesses.

The county of Lake partnered with Lake County Economic Development Corp. to provide much-needed financial relief to businesses at a key juncture of COVID-19 pandemic response.

"Local businesses are the backbone of our community,” said District 2 Supervisor and County CARES Act Ad Hoc Committee member Bruno Sabatier. “They offer so much to our communities; employment, support for programs and activities – many of the things we need to find comfort in our lives. COVID-19 has had a great impact on their financial stability, and we need to do what we can to provide the respite they need in these troubling times.”

COVID-19 has severely affected the hospitality industry.

“The hotel was closed for three months in the spring,” said Bernie Butcher of the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Restaurant. “This grant from the Lake County Board of Supervisors will be extremely helpful in allowing us to retain staff and expand our services.”

“This grant is everything,” said Derick Fiske, owner of Middletown’s Perry’s Deli, another grant recipient. “It has helped keep our dream of running a small business in our hometown alive. We couldn’t be more proud to be part of Lake County. Thank you!"

Lake County Economic Development Corp. shared the county’s vision to bring relief to a broad set of pandemic-affected businesses, and administered the program with support from Economic Development and Finance Corp. of Ukiah.

“This grant program has helped bridge a funding gap for many small businesses,” said LCEDC President Stephanie Ashworth. “However, the work is not done, and we all have a part to play. Continue to support your neighborhood businesses, by using local pick-up services and home delivery. Shop local even when you shop online, and continue to visit Lake County businesses that can safely provide in-person services.”

“The Small Business Assistance Grant Program brought a breath of fresh air, and we must continue to find ways to help businesses endure the pandemic,” said Sabatier. “Keeping our communities safe and supporting Lake County’s business community are among our board's top priorities."

More resources for small businesses and a link to sign up for alerts regarding the state’s upcoming $500 million Small Business Relief Grant opportunity can be found at https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The forest supervisors from the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers national forests reported that the August Complex vegetation and resource rapid assessment has been completed.

The assessment and maps are available at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd865429.pdf.

The rapid assessment evaluates short-term post-fire restoration opportunities; identifies public safety, cultural, and natural resource concerns; and integrates a short-term strategy with medium- to long-term strategic management of the post-fire landscape across forest boundaries.

The Rapid Assessment Team was comprised of specialists in heritage, fuels, geology, wildlife, timber, public affairs, planning and other resources.

This assessment is a first step in identifying the hazard reduction and restoration activities the Forests will pursue within the August Complex fire area.

Additional resource considerations and public input will be included during the next steps to help refine and target areas for restoration work.

There will be more information provided after the first of the year about public involvement opportunities.

Any projects that are selected to move forward will go through additional field assessment and the necessary environmental compliance prior to implementation.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A group of 10 AmeriCorps youth from nine different states was in Lake County in December, fulfilling their mission of improving communities and achieving skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Headquartered at Clear Lake State Park, the group worked on projects for the Clear Lake State Park, Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, and the Lakeshore Fire Protection District.

During their stay in Lake County, they were also able to work on a project at the Lake County Land Trust’s Rodman Preserve near Upper Lake.

The youth, aged 19 through 23, helped Land Trust board members and volunteers construct the base of a boardwalk that will cover a portion of the trail that often gets flooded during the rainy season.

The Lake County Land Trust, or LCLT, was awarded a Cal Wildlands grant from the Rose Foundation that covered the materials for the boardwalk, but for the construction portion of the project, the Land Trust turned to volunteers for help.

After working for several days, LCLT members – all in their 60s and above – were more than pleased to secure the help of some young people.

“It was so much fun to work with this group,” noted LCLT President Val Nixon. “They were so enthusiastic, smart, and super hard workers.”

Bob Schoenherr, a Land Trust volunteer, and Tom Smythe, LCLT executive director, designed the boardwalk and oversaw the work. Schoenherr was impressed that he only had to demonstrate what needed to be done once and the volunteers were off and running.

The group of 10 have been “isolating,” together for weeks and were tested for COVID-19 illness before joining.

During the work shifts with other people, they wore masks and remained socially distanced, carefully following COVID-19 protocol.

After a full day of work and enjoying a lunch hosted by the Land Trust, the AmeriCorps volunteers had completed a significant – and the most difficult – portion of the new boardwalk at the Rodman Preserve.

Once it is done and the preserve re-opens for its monthly guided walks, the public will be able to appreciate the skills of this hardworking group of volunteers.

AmeriCorps is a voluntary civil society program that is supported by the U.S. government. It was founded in 1995 by the Clinton administration.

Youth are expected to work for a year and in return they receive housing, a living allowance, college tuition assistance, and “the satisfaction of improving the lives of the people in the communities where they work,” states the organization’s website. They work in education, public safety, health care and environmental protection.

The Lake County Land Trust was founded in 1994 with the goal to protect and preserve important natural habitats and wild land areas of Lake County.

The Rodman Preserve, located on Westlake Drive off of the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff, is the organization’s flagship property and also features a small nature center. The preserve totals over 200 acres and is home to a variety of flora and fauna.

The Land Trust owns four properties in fee title and holds three conservation easements. One of its main efforts is to protect and preserve the remaining natural habitat on the shores of Clear Lake.

For more information about the Land Trust go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Symphony Association – like so many others – has had a rough year due to COVID-19.

First, the annual June Wine Fest, the major fundraiser for the LCSA, was canceled just as Wine Club members were beginning to plan it.

The Mother’s Day Concert was the next casualty. Then, all the concerts for the year.

Music lessons for beginners and the LCSA Youth Orchestra also had to be canceled; they will start again once it is safe to do so, said Sue Condit, conductor of the youth orchestra.

Board members have continued to meet via Zoom to work on ideas for keeping things afloat and to plan how to satisfy the concerns of members and advertisers.

LCSA members and supporters were asked to donate the money they had already spent for this year’s concerts, and many did just that. Several even added additional amounts to their donation or membership renewal.

“The members really came through for us,” said Lynne Bruner, LCSA treasurer. “People are stepping up and being very generous. We are so grateful for their support. Without it, I don’t know where we’d be.”

Donations are always appreciated, said Bruner, who recommended folks consider giving gift memberships. “This can be done easily by going to our website and it’s an additional way to show support for our symphony.”

Advertisers, another treasured financial resource needed to keep the LCSA strong, have been assured that their ads would be placed in the concert program for the entire year of 2021, once live performances resume.

As an additional “thank you” to advertisers, the LCSA is currently in the process of listing all the display ads on the LCSA web site with a link provided to each advertiser’s web site. This will guarantee a full year’s coverage for ads, even if a concert is canceled.

One way the LCSA was able to reduce some expenses this past year was by foregoing the costs of mass printing and mailing of its newsletter, “The Overture.” Instead, it was emailed to all members and was also made available on the LCSA website for all to view.

The number of newsletters for the year was reduced to one – the fall issue – instead of the usual three, since there was less news to report due to cancellations of events and concerts.

Recent board meetings have included discussions on ways to keep music fans supplied with their “symphony fix,” and online video performances are one way to do that.

Although some Lake County Symphony musicians have previously been available on YouTube, tech-savvy LCSA members have added more video performances in the past several months to meet the current reality.

So, while there won’t be another sold-out Christmas Concert for all to attend at the Soper Reese Theatre this year, and there won’t be the usual “audience sing-along” finale, there are performances available online from previous concerts that will more than meet the needs of those of us who really need to hear their favorite Christmas tunes.

You will still be able to listen to talented vocalists sing holiday favorites with our top-notch symphony.

One of those talented vocalists is prolific entertainer Jude Darrin singing “Mary Did You Know?” from the 2019 Holiday Concert with a custom arrangement by family member, Camm Linden, who also happens to be the new LCSA board president and the energy behind the YouTube expansion.

Linden, a semi-retired music pro from the motion picture industry and a member of the symphony, moved into the board presidency after Ed Bublitz abruptly resigned this position. (For more details on this story, view the Overtures Newsletter on the LCSA website.)

Other available holiday videos show the Lake County Symphony playing classic holiday favorites, including “Let It Snow,” “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “A Cowboy Christmas.”

There is a long list of nonholiday performances available too. These feature the Lake County Symphony, individual musicians, the Youth Orchestra and the local fiddlers’ group that several symphony members perform with.

Want to hear Tchaikovsky’s Concerto #1, in B flat? Just click on Elizabeth MacDougall and watch her powerful performance in the LCSA 2017 LCSA November concert. Or, if you get goosebumps listening to great cello music, click on the videos featuring symphony member and music teacher Clovice A. Lewis Jr.

Then, there is the trumpet playing of Gary Miller, a standout in the Baroque Concert along with Oboist Beth Aiken. There is a lot to choose from, including some fine fiddling and jamming that will make some want to get up and dance.

To view, go to the LCSA web site and click on the link for Lake County Symphony Musicians Channel. You can also go directly to YouTube and search for “LC Symphony Musicians.”

The board is also considering putting on live, virtual concerts.

“I have been in contact with Dr. Pace at the health department to see how we might go about having a live performance that could be recorded or streamed live,” said Linden. “I think it’s very doable and would be okayed with proper safeguards. Ultimately, it will be up to the musicians involved and their comfort level. If we can make this happen, it would likely consist of a smaller group of musicians and not include wind instruments. We are exploring all options.”

The LCSA is cautiously optimistic that it will be possible for concerts and other activities to resume in the coming year.

Please continue to check the website periodically for updates. New information will be posted there as it becomes known.

Debra Fredrickson is with the Lake County Symphony Association.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Thanks to recent rains, the annual Lake County burn ban is being lifted.

The Lake County Air Quality Management District said the ban will be lifted as of 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21.

The ban is being lifted with Cal Fire’s determination that wildfire risk has been significantly reduced by the recent rains.

Burn permits are required for all outdoor burning in the Lake County Air Basin.

Burn permits are available at your local fire protection district. A smoke management plan is required for all multi-day burns, standing vegetation burns, whole tree or vine removals over one acre, burns over 20 acres in size, and any other burns where significant smoke impacts may occur or sensitive receptors may be impacted.

Smoke management plans can be obtained at the Lake County Air Quality Management District office most weekdays, call first to make an appointment at 707-263-7000.

Bring a map showing the burn locations, acres to be burned, and details of materials to be burned. A fee is required for all burn permits, payable at the time the permit is issued. Smoke management plans, agricultural burn permits and residential burn permits are $28, while land development/lot clearing burn permits are $84, cash or check only (exact change is appreciated).

Only clean dry vegetation that was grown on the property may be burned. Residential burn permits require a one-acre or larger lot of record, a burn location that is located at least 100 feet from all neighbors and at least 30 feet from any structure.

Lot clearing/land development burns require special permits available at your local fire protection district. Burn only the amount of material that can be completely consumed during burn hours. Read your burn permit carefully and follow all the conditions.

Consider using the vegetative waste pickup provided with your waste collection services or composting as an alternative to burning leaves. Please be considerate of your neighbors.

A permit does not allow you to create health problems for others. You can be liable for health care costs, fines, and other costs resulting from your burning.

Lake County’s joint fire agencies and Air Quality Management District’s open burning program has incorporated both fire safety and air quality management since 1987.

 

Editor’s Note: With a coronavirus vaccination effort now underway, you might have questions about what this means for you and your family. If you do, send them to The Conversation, and we will find a physician or researcher to answer them. Here, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a public health pediatrician whose research exposed the Flint, Michigan, water crisis, answers questions about the vaccine and allergies, and when kids might be able to get the vaccine.

If I have allergies, should I still get the vaccine?

If you have a history of allergies to food, pets, insects or other things, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you proceed with vaccination, with an observation period. If you have a history of severe allergic reaction, or what is called anaphylaxis, to another vaccine or injectable therapy, your doctor can do a risk assessment, defer your vaccination, or proceed and then observe you after vaccination. The only reason to avoid vaccination is a severe allergic reaction to any component of the COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC has specific recommendations for post-vaccine observation.

As the vaccine goes out to a broader population, how will adverse events be tracked?

The CDC and Food and Drug Administration encourage the public to report possible adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS. This national system collects these data to look for adverse events that are unexpected, appear to happen more often than expected or have unusual patterns of occurrence. Anyone who has experienced an adverse event should report it to the system.

Reporting an adverse event is a crucial step to ensuring safety and to help the CDC monitor the vaccines. Safety is a top priority, and scientists and public health officials need to know about adverse reactions.

An adverse event is different in most cases from a typical vaccine side effect. Vaccines may cause a side effect, such as soreness at the injection site or redness. Adverse events are more serious and can sometimes be life-threatening. If you are unsure whether you have experienced a side effect or adverse event, you can still report the event.

Participants are given a fact sheet when they are vaccinated. Health care providers who vaccinate people will be required to report to VAERS certain adverse events following vaccination. In addition, under the terms of the emergency use authorization, health care providers also must follow any revised safety reporting requirements that may arise.

The CDC is also implementing a new smartphone-based tool called v-safe to check in on people’s health after they receive a COVID-19 vaccine. When you receive your vaccine, you should also receive an information sheet telling you how to enroll in v-safe. If you enroll, you will receive regular text messages directing you to surveys where you can report any problems or adverse reactions you have after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

When might kids younger than 16 be vaccinated?

It is likely to be several months. The currently authorized Pfizer and soon-to-be-authorized Moderna vaccine are not applicable for children. More research and clinical trials need to be done to include younger children in COVID-19 vaccine trials.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Pfizer has enrolled children down to age 12 and submitted a request for emergency use authorization for vaccination down to age 16. Moderna, whose vaccine is expected to receive emergency use authorization from the FDA any day, is about to start a similar study.

In the United Kingdom, AstraZeneca has approval to enroll children ages 5 to 12 in clinical trials, but the pharmaceutical company has not yet enrolled any children in trials in the U.S.

Mona Hanna-Attisha, Professor of Medicine, Michigan State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With pillowy soft dough surrounding a succulent filling, some consider tamales the perfect comfort food. And while we love them all year long, there’s no time when they’re more ubiquitous than during the Christmas season.

December means it’s time for families with roots in Mexico or Central America (as well as people of all backgrounds throughout the American Southwest) to gather together and make tamales for Christmas.

There’s even a name for this time-honored tradition – such gatherings are called tamaladas in Spanish.

And remember – for most Mexican families, the holiday season extends from Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to Jan. 6, the Feast of Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day, making tamales a necessity for more than just one celebration.

Tamale-making is notoriously time-consuming and, depending on ingredients and method, can also be quite complex. (An Oaxacan-inspired tamale recipe, for example, contains more than 120 distinct steps.)

While most tamale recipes aren’t as elaborate, the process is still labor-intensive, with simmering meats and sauces that can take up to a day to bring to perfection. And then there’s the assembling – the rhythm of spreading masa dough on softened corn husks, adding just the right amount of filling, and the folding, wrapping, and tying that, while fairly simple to execute, takes patience and a lot of time.

It’s for this reason that when families gather, many dozens of tamales are created, not only to have handy for celebrations but to share with family and friends.

In one instance, a two-day tamalada involved 22 family members from multiple states, where a full 225 dozen tamales were made! That massive feat couldn’t have been accomplished without the cooperation and camaraderie of many working together to make the task lighter.

Tamales have been eaten in the Americas for an inordinately long time, with the first ones consumed as far back as 9,000 years ago, before corn was fully domesticated. Researchers believe they predate even the tortilla, another ancient food.

Tamales originated in Mesoamerica, a historical region and cultural area covering a swath of land that stretches from modern-day central Mexico southward through what is now Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica.

With wrappings of corn husks or plantain leaves, tamales were a highly portable food and were eaten by Olmec and Toltec hunters. Both of these civilizations predate the Aztecs, who later ate them, as did the Mayans.

In those days, tamales were filled with such things as quail meat, squash and varieties of fungus. When Spanish colonizers arrived, the ingredients shifted to pork, beef and chicken, with lard used as a binder for the dough.

Corn was considered sacred in Mesoamerican – it was literally the substance of life for the people there – and Mesoamerican civilizations had common creation myths identifying humans with corn.

For this reason, preciously wrapped, corn-based tamales were used as ritual offerings for the various gods of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations.

Masa (the Spanish word for dough) is the foundation of a tamale – it’s the delightfully cushiony base that surrounds the filling - and is made by grinding sun- or fire-dried corn which has been cooked and soaked in limewater (that is, water with dissolved limestone). The process is called nixtamalization and was invented by ancient Mexicans after corn was domesticated.

We may be used to seeing pork, beef or chicken in tamales (these are the most popular fillings in Mexico), but there are literally hundreds (perhaps thousands!) of ways to fill a tamale. The variations could be endless.

For example, in the southwestern Mexican state of Oaxaca, tamales are wrapped in plantain leaves and filled with chicken and onions and flavored with mole negro, a sauce made of poblano peppers and chocolate.

In Tabasco, on the Gulf Coast, they’re filled with garfish.

My El Salvadorian friends made them with white masa and filled them with potatoes, carrots and green olives.

They can be filled with beans, cheese, squash or sweet corn.

Sweet tamales, traditional at Christmas, can include such ingredients as pineapple or raisins.

The truth is that each region has its own version, depending on what’s available in their ecosystem. Tamales offer a culture in and of themselves, providing a direct connection to the most ancient traditions of Mexico and Central America.

If you’ve spent time in a fragrant kitchen elbow to elbow with friends or family, laughing and sharing stories while assembling tamales, you’ve been lucky indeed!

I hope you enjoy your holiday season, whether filled with tamales or not.

Today’s recipe is a twist on traditional tamales. Most masa dough is made with lard or shortening, neither of which is easy on the heart. Instead, this version uses pumpkin as the binder for the dough.

These are vegetarian tamales (vegan, actually), but you can feel free to add shredded chicken or cheese.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Tamales with Black Bean ‘Mole’

Ingredients:

1 bag corn husks (24 needed for this recipe)

For the filling:

1 whole dried Chipotle chile, split open and most seeds removed
1 large garlic clove
½-inch slice small yellow onion
1 jalapeno chile, halved and seeds removed
1 Roma tomato, halved and seeds removed
1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1 teaspoon smoked paprika or cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
2 cups cooked black beans (from a can, only slightly drained, or cooked from dry beans)

For the dough:

3 cups masa for tamales
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
1 1/2 tablespoons jarred salsa
1 teaspoon salt

To garnish:

1/2 cup sour cream (vegan or otherwise)
Lime wedges
Cilantro sprigs

Instructions:

1. Place corn husks into a deep container and cover with warm water; weigh down the husks and let stand at least 30 minutes until all are softened.

2. In a dry non-stick skillet or medium-high heat, lay the chile pepper flat and toast until it darkens and you just begin to see wisps of smoke, holding it flat with a spatula if necessary. Remove the chile and place in a small bowl with water to cover for 10-15 minutes to soften.

3. Add the garlic, onion, fresh chile and tomatoes to the pan. Continue roasting until vegetables are charred, turning to brown all sides and removing any that begin to burn.

4. Add the cumin seeds and continue to toast for 1 more minute until browned.

5. Place all into a blender or small food processor and pulse to small chunks. Add the dry spices and continue to blend 1 more minute.

6. Add the black beans and blend until the mixture is fairly smooth. Taste for salt and adjust to your taste, adding more heat (i.e., with additional paprika or cayenne pepper) if you like. Set aside.

7. In a stand mixer, combine the masa and baking powder and stir. Add the pumpkin, salsa, and salt. Mix well – it should have the texture of Play-Doh. Keep the dough covered with a slightly moist towel as you proceed so it does not dry out.

8. Using any softened husks that are too small or damaged, tear about 20 thin strips which will be the ties for the tamales.

9. One by one, pat corn husks dry with towels and lay flat on the work surface with the thin end nearest you. Dip out 1/4 cup dough and spread, using an offset spatula or your fingers, into a scant 1/4” thickness, into a square shape about 4-inch by 4-inch, leaving at least 1 inch of husk free on the sides.

10. Spoon one tablespoon of the “mole” down the center. Carefully pull the long sides together which will roll the dough over the filling and enclose it. Smooth and squeeze slightly into an even tube shape, then fold up about 2 inches of the narrow end. Tie securely but not too tightly with one of the torn husk strips.

11. Reserve any remaining filling to serve with the tamales

12. Assemble a steamer set up with at least 1 inch of water at the bottom, a steam basket at least 6” deep above and a tight lid. Position the tamales, open end up and packed closely together, into the steam basket, close the lid and bring water to a boil. Steam at a consistent low boil for 1 hour, checking after 40 minutes or so to be sure the water has not all evaporated. (see note, below)

13. Once finished steaming, turn off heat and allow to sit undisturbed for 10-15 minutes to firm up.

14. Serve tamales immediately, with some of the extra filling, and drizzled with sour cream.

15. Add lime wedges to be squeezed over the tamales and cilantro to garnish.

16. Tip: Drop a quarter coin into the bottom of the steamer where it will rattle as the water boils; if you notice there is no noise coming from the steamer it is a warning that the water has evaporated and you need to add more.

Esther Oertel is a writer and passionate home cook from a family of chefs. She grew up in a restaurant, where she began creating recipes from a young age. She’s taught culinary classes in a variety of venues in Lake County and previously wrote “The Veggie Girl” column for Lake County News. Most recently she’s taught culinary classes at Sur La Table in Santa Rosa. She lives in Middletown.

On Saturday, one of Lake County’s members of Congress said he has received the first of two injections for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) received the vaccine at the advice of the house attending physician for continuity of government purposes and he will receive the second dose in three weeks.

“At the strong recommendation of the Office of the House Attending Physician, I received the first injection of the COVID-19 vaccine. I plan to get my second and final dose in three weeks. These doses were made available to members of Congress for continuity of government purposes, consistent with direction from the National Security Council. I have no reservations about the science and research behind this vaccine and I’m grateful to all the scientists who made this possible. I encourage everyone to get it after consulting with their physician and following local guidance on distribution timetables,” Thompson said.

Thompson’s wife, Jan, is a nurse at St. Helena Hospital and she is to receive her vaccination on Sunday.

“We feel very lucky to get these early doses and I’m going to do everything I can to deliver Federal funding to help speed up the rollout of this vaccine. We both want to remind everyone that we still need to continue safety protocols to keep every safe and crush the virus. Please continue washing your hands frequently, watching your social distance and wearing your masks. Let’s get through this together,” Thompson said.

You can click here to read the guidance from the House Attending Physician regarding COVID-19 vaccines for Members of Congress pursuant to continuity of government purposes.

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

Editor’s note: Dr. William Teets is the director of Vanderbilt University’s Dyer Observatory. In this interview, he explains what does and doesn’t happen during the winter solstice on Dec. 21. Another cosmic phenomenon is also going to occur on the same day called “the great conjunction,” where Saturn and Jupiter, both of which can be seen with the naked eye, will appear extremely close to one another.

What happens on the winter solstice?

The winter solstice this year happens on Dec. 21. This is when the Sun appears the lowest in the Northern Hemisphere sky and is at its farthest southern point over Earth – directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. For folks living at 23.5 degrees south latitude, not only does this day mark their summer solstice, but they also see the Sun directly over them at local noon. After that, the Sun will start to creep back north again.

The sequence of images below shows the path of the Sun through the sky at different times of the year. You can see how the Sun is highest in the Northern Hemisphere sky in June, lowest in December, and halfway in between these positions in March and September during the equinoxes.

The winter solstice is the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere but not the day with the latest sunrise and earliest sunset. How is that possible?

The winter solstice doesn’t coincide with the latest sunrise or the earliest sunset. Those actually occur about two weeks before and two weeks after the winter solstice. This is because we are changing our distance from the sun due to our elliptical, not circular, orbit, which changes the speed at which we orbit.

If you were to look at where the Sun is at exactly the same time of day over different days of the year, you would see that it’s not always in the same spot. Yes, the Sun is higher in the summer and lower in the winter, but it also moves from side to side of the average noontime position, which also plays a role in when the Sun rises and sets.

One should also keep in mind that the seasons are due to the Earth’s axial tilt, not our distance from the Sun. Believe it or not, we are closest to the Sun in January.

What is ‘the great conjunction’?

Saturn and Jupiter have appeared fairly close together in our sky throughout the year. But on Dec. 21, Saturn and Jupiter will appear so close together that some folks may have a difficult time seeing them as two objects.

If you have a pair of binoculars, you’ll easily be able to spot both planets. In even a small telescope, you’d see both planets at the same time in the same field of view, which is really unheard of. That’s what makes this conjunction so rare. Jupiter and Saturn appear to meet up about every 20 years. Most of the time, however, they’re not nearly as close together as we’re going to see them on Monday, Dec. 21.

For a comparison, there was a great conjunction back in 2000, but the two planets were separated by about two full-Moon widths. This year, the orbits will bring them to where they appear to be about one-fifth of a full-Moon diameter.

We have been encouraging folks to go out and look at these planets using just their eyes between now and Dec. 21. You’ll actually be able to see how much they appear to move over the course of a single day.

The next time they will get this close together in our sky won’t be for another 60 years, so this is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for many people. In fact, the last time they got this close together was in the year 1623, but it was really difficult, if not impossible, to see them then because they appeared much closer to the Sun and set soon after it. Go back another 400 years to 1226 and this would have been the last time that we would have had a good view of this type of conjunction.

What advice would you give to people who want to see the great conjunction?

If weather permits at Dyer Observatory, we’ll be streaming a live view of the conjunction from one of the observatory’s telescopes, and I’ll be available to answer questions. Even if you don’t have a telescope or a pair of binoculars, definitely go out and check out this very rare alignment with your own eyes. Remember that they set soon after sunset, so be ready to view right at dusk!

[Understand new developments in science, health and technology, each week. Subscribe to The Conversation’s science newsletter.]

William Teets, Acting Director and Astronomer, Dyer Observatory, Vanderbilt University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.