Remembering the less fortunate at Christmas
Guest editorial by John W Whitehead laments rising Christmas spending while highlighting global crises. It cites disasters in South Asia and Pakistan, famine in Niger, AIDS impacts in Africa, North Korean camps, Darfur’s humanitarian crisis, and suffering in Iraq. It condemns materialism and calls for compassionate action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mother Teresa
U.S
Indian Ocean
Southeast Asia
Pakistan
Niger
West Africa
United Methodist Committee On Relief
Africa
U.S. Census Bureau
sub-Saharan Africa
China
North Korea
Darfur
Sudan
Iraq
Accumu
Shafter Lions Club Hosts Christmas Dinner with Santa
The Shafter Lions Club held its annual Christmas dinner for members and families last Wednesday. Santa appeared, distributing candy canes and delivering presents to the children, adding a festive note to the community gathering.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
Shafter Lions Club
Santa
Las Posadas Inspires Latino Christmas Tradition
A reader shares a warm account of Santa visits and tamale making for Christmas, then explains Las Posadas a Spanish Christmas tradition now common in the United States. The procession reenacts Mary and Joseph seeking shelter with candles, carols, and a festive fiesta at every stop.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa
Joseph
Mexico
United States
U.S
Las Posadas
Mary and
Mary
Shafter
Lack of Control Keeps Indian Gaming Suspect
The article contrasts Indian casinos in California with Nevada, noting card table craps using card decks and limited oversight by California’s Gambling Control Commission versus Nevada’s strict regime. It highlights full parking lots, hotels, spas, shows, and widespread gambling, while questioning claims of lower odds for players and stressing regulatory differences. The piece emphasizes the commission’s limited reach amid 55 tribes operating casinos and 100 cardrooms, underscoring oversight gaps.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Las Vegas
Reno
South Lake Tahoe
California
Nevada
Gaming Commission
Nevada Gaming Commission
State Gambling Control Commission
California Commission
Commission
California Focus on Gaming Oversight and Staffing Gaps
California focuses on license fee control and tribal slots while the state agency, with 48 employees, lacks reinforcements for at least a year. The governor’s budget sought to double staff but was halved amid party opposition and casino funding ties. Without inspectors or independent testing, observers doubt Indian gaming honesty and fear the public cannot trust slot machines or card games in California casinos.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Commission
California
State Commission
Nevada
Elias
Burzynski
Tdelias
Aol
Christmas Snow Mishap Leaves Glass Shards in Ohio Home
In southeastern Ohio in 1962 a large family Christmas lunch at the Davis home ended with a sudden accident as a window shattered and glass sprayed near relatives. The event disrupted the gathering as children played outside and adults attended to the chaos.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Davis
Ohio
Also Mentioned on This Page
John W. Whitehead
Que
Deanna Rodriguez Roo
Thomas D. Hiss
Rex M. Rogers
Shafter Oriess
Reed Print Inc
Shafter Press
East Lerdo Highway
Reed Print, Inc
Aldrin Ct
Bakersfield
P.O
Frank W. Reed Donald L. Reed
Melissa Hill
Diane Givens
Lerdo Highway
P.O. Box
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