from the publisher
GOOD RIDDANCE TO 2021 E
Congratulations to my son Nick and new daughter-in-law Jessica. Married October 27, 2021. What an amazing couple.
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very year we inevitably get to December and every year my mind is boggled at how the year flew by so fast. Especially this last year, marred by uncertainties about our future and historic evidence of epic change. Yet despite what might have felt exhausting or at times mundane, the year trekked on as it always does, not letting anyone escape the wrath of time. And so, yet again, I find us here in December, the end of another year looming just in front of us. Annually, I make a winter bucket list. It’s my way or wrapping up all of the little “to dos” I longed for and haven’t gotten to, but it’s also my way of remembering to embrace the season and not get caught up in the holiday hubbub that can steal our Christmas joy. For me, it’s a conscious mix of tradition and trying something new that makes up my list, in an effort to build lasting memories without getting stuck in a rut—especially after the last couple of years we’ve had, which could be described easily as rut-inducing. So, this holiday season I’ll be embracing what I always do. I’ll be searching out San Joaquin County’s most epic holiday light displays with CaliforniaChristmasLights.com as my guide, I’ll be donating toys to Toys For Tots, purchased on Black Friday on the only commercialized shopping extravaganza I, for some reason I cannot explain, enjoy, and I’ll be hosting a full Christmas dinner with my family. The new parts of my list are still coming together. The craze of ski bikes has got me curious, though I know I’ll need to travel to find the burgeoning trend. And snowshoeing is another adventure I think would serve me well. Regardless of what I land on, I know it’ll be epic—even if I only do it once. If you have ideas – share them with us. I’d love to hear what you do to celebrate the holiday season.
@ SJMAG.com FLY SOUTH FOR THE WINTER CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
FELIZ NAVIDAD
Happy reading!
MEXICAN CHRISTMAS DISHES TO TRY
THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CENTRAL VALLEY
TONY ZOCCOLI
tony@sjmag.com
14
DECEMBER 2021 | SJMAG.COM
LAST THOUGHTS GET OUT OF TOWN Speaking of travel, while embracing the holiday season is certainly on my list, I know I’ll eventually tire of the cooler temps and be ready to pretend it’s spring again. That feeling is the inspiration behind our Fly South for the Winter travel feature, an exhilarating look at three destinations south of San Joaquin County brimming with outdoor activities and other adventures hard to have when it’s cold outside, page 46.
70 YEARS OF LC For any resident of Stockton—long-term or short-term—you likely have memories at Lincoln Center. From the artificial yet still magical snowfall that comes each December to the live music played on the brickwalk, there’s a lot of reasons to love the Stockton shopping center. And this year, the LC is celebrating 70 years of serving our families with endless cheer. Read more, page 44.
