Opinion

When Hans Christian Anderson wrote “The Snow Queen” in 1845, he could never have fathomed in his wildest imagination (and as we all know he had a wild imagination), that his story would become a steampunk musical. He never dreamed that in the never, never, once-upon-a-time land of future theatre there was a director named Rick Lombardo and an associate director named Kirsten Brandt who would supply songs and lyrics and a reworked story. A talented Haddon Kime adds music to create an enchanting (at times confusing) “Snow Queen” that tells a story of valor, loyalty and the triumph of love.

St. Peter and other apostles of the early church devoted themselves entirely to spreading the Gospel, living on money given by church members. St. Paul, a late addition to the group, frequently performed paid outside work so as not to financially burden the young churches he founded. Since his occupation was making tents, self-supporting or “non-stipendiary” ministry is often called “tentmaking.”

In my Christmas column last year, I wrote about my family's Christmas Eve menu and how it changed when I began hosting duties. I shared the recipes for Decadent Hot Chocolate and Spiced Apple Cider. I also mentioned one other item on the menu called sfingi. This week, I describe what it is and share the recipe.

Anyone doubting the quality of our local wines should read the recent Wine Spectator magazine that featured Josh Jensen of Calera Winery (Hollister) on the cover. Jensen's Burgundy-style Pinot Noirs are world famous for their vivid berry flavors and limestone minerality. Calera's wines are so good that the winemaker from Opus One in Napa Valley makes an annual visit to Calera to get pointers on growing wine grapes. In addition to Wine Spectator, Wine and Spirits magazine has again named Calera as one of the top 100 wineries of 2013. Calera may be a little off the beaten path, but the drive will reward you with a taste of its wines and equally spectacular views of the Diablo mountains.

Exactly one year ago, I challenged you. I hoped to either inspire you or provoke you to join me on a rugged hike to the top of Clouds Rest, one of Yosemite's iconic peaks. The first of our preparatory hikes was on New Year's morning. I have led a New Year's hike for several years, and it is usually an intimate affair. Last January, when more than one hundred of you came, I knew I had touched a nerve.

With mass media warning us that we have a mere four weeks (less one day) between Thanksgiving and Christmas, our “Holiday Season” is on the skimpy side this year. This had me worried.

Q: Our 14-year-old daughter developed a rash on her hand and arm. We took her to two different dermatologists before we finally got a diagnosis. She has contagious ecthyma, something I never heard of before. Her dermatologist asked if we have any sheep or goats. We have three new pet goats. He told us that this is a contagious skin disease she caught from those goats. But we checked, and none of the "kids" have any skin condition. Is this a common problem you see very often? Where does it come from? Our daughter is horrified what her friends will think so she wears long sleeves everyday to school.