ICE SKATING IN THE 209

By ANGELINA MARTIN

Ice skating is synonymous with the holiday season and is a winter activity almost everyone can enjoy, no matter their skill level. Luckily for 209 residents, there are plenty of places throughout the area code where they can lace up and hit the ice this year.

FIELDS OF ICE

716 N. Daubenberger Rd., Turlock

When winter hits, RAM Farms in Turlock transforms from a festive fall pumpkin patch into Fields of Ice, where visitors of all ages can take to the rink under a large, shaded canopy. Event space next to the rink makes this location perfect for large groups celebrating office holiday parties or winter birthdays, and after skating visitors can pick out a Christmas tree. Fields of Ice in Turlock will be open to the public starting Nov. 19. Tickets can be purchased at www.turlockfieldsofice.com<http://www. turlockfieldsofice.com> with sessions held daily from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

LONG BARN LODGE ICE SKATING RINK CURRY VILLAGE ICE SKATING RINK

25957 Long Barn Rd., Long Barn

The Long Barn Lodge & Event Center is a beautiful getaway in the heart of the Stanislaus National Forest, offering wedding rentals through the warmer months and ice skating in the winter. The ice skating rink at Long Barn Lodge looks like it came straight out of a Hallmark movie, complete with Christmas lights and, usually, snow on the roof. The rink is just 66 miles from Modesto or 79 miles away from Stockton, making this getaway perfect for a day trip with the family. The ice skating rink at Long Barn Lodge will be open from Nov. 13, to Feb. 27, 2022. Public skating is available from 10 a.n. To 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. For more information, call 209-586-3533.

Southside Drive, Yosemite Valley

It doesn’t get more picturesque than the Curry Village Ice Skating Rink, nestled in the middle of Yosemite National Park with views of Half Dome. The scenic surroundings make any slips while skating worth it, and when you’re done dancing around the ice you can stop in for a slice of pizza in Curry Village or relax by a warm fire pit. Skaters have taken to the ice in Curry Village since 1928, and after COVID closures last year, the rink will once again open to the public on Nov. 12. Visitors can purchase ice skating tickets at the Curry Village Tour & Activity Desk adjacent to the Registration Office. For more information, call 209-372-8333.

OLD TOWN ATWATER RAZZARI ICE SKATING RINK

Fourth St. and Cedar Ave., Atwater

Brand new to the streets of Atwater is the Razzari Ice Skating Rink, an investment into the community by the residents themselves and facilitated by the downtown organization Old Town Atwater. The town’s first-ever ice rink is completely community-funded, and that monetary help allowed Old Town Atwater to provide thousands of local students the opportunity to skate for free. The brand new ice rink opened to the public Nov. 1 and will remain open through Jan. 16, 2022. The hours of operation are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit Old Town Atwater on Facebook.

OAK PARK ICE RINK

3545 Alvarado Ave., Stockton

Open since 1970, Oak Park Ice Rink in Stockton has provided family fun on skates for decades. Countless 209 residents have learned to ice skate on this very rink, and it also serves as the practice arena for the city’s professional hockey team, the Stockton Heat. This rink is open year round but is closed in July for ice maintenance, meaning you can enjoy the ice during every season. The Oak Park Ice Rink is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Amin Esfahani, MD

With the holiday season around the corner many of us are planning a warm, sunny getaway. As you finalize your plans and make your vacation shopping list, one of the most important items that is often overlooked is the dermatologists’ best friend: “the sunscreen”. Since not all sunscreens are created equal, shopping for the “right” sunscreen can be challenging and at times even confusing. It is, therefore, worthwhile to take a few minutes to read about the best approach to sun protection and my answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

Sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation that can damage your skin. Simply stated, ultraviolet A (UVA) is responsible for tanning, wrinkling and premature aging, and ultraviolet B (UVB) causes sunburns. Both UVA and UVB can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer. As such, there is no such thing as a “safe” or “healthy” tan.

What type of sunscreen should I use?

The best approach is to select a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen. These products protect your skin against both UVA and UVB. Sunscreen product labels should generally inform you if the product is broad-spectrum. In addition, it is recommended that your sunscreen contain a “physical” barrier. These include zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Most sunscreen labels do NOT contain the phrase “physical barrier”. You need to look for zinc

What SPF should I purchase?

Sun protection factor (SPF) refers to how much protection is offered against UVB. An SPF15 screens out 93% of the sun’s UVB rays, while SPF30 protects against 97% and SPF50 against 98%. As a rule of thumb, protection equal or greater than SPF30 is adequate.

It is very important that you do no forget to apply sunscreen to your nose, ears, around the eyes and lips. For your lips, you can purchase lip balms with at least an SPF30.

How much sunscreen should I put on?

While the exact amount depends on the size of the individual, as a rule of thumb, you can apply at least 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to cover your entire body and at least 1/4 teaspoon (nickel-sized amount) of sunscreen to cover your face.

Do I need to reapply sunscreen?

Sunscreen needs to be applied approximately 20-30 minutes before going out into the sun. It needs to be reapplied every 2 hours or any time you come out of the water, excessively sweat or towel off. There is no such thing as a “water-proof” or “sweat-proof” sunscreen. Even water-resistant sunscreens need to be reapplied after leaving water.

Are there any other ways of protecting against the sun? Wearing protective clothing is a good way of avoiding excess sun exposure and sunburns. Sun glasses and widebrim hats can help significantly. Wide-brim hats should have at least 3 inches all the way around to shade not just the face and scalp but also the ears, neck, shoulders and upper back. Furthermore, some manufactures are now producing stylish sun protective clothing that can help protect your skin against ultraviolet radiation. Remember that tightly woven clothing (like denim) offer more ultraviolet protection than do loosely woven ones.

Please keep in mind that since exposure to ultraviolet radiation is not always avoidable, it is very important to make sure you routinely self-examine your skin for atypical growths and follow up regularly with your dermatologist. We here at Lux Dermatology wish you a happy, safe, cool and shaded Holiday Season!