December 2019

We all have a special need to feel that we belong.  Whether it is the community in which we live, our family or our work life, there is a basic human need in all of us to be included. As the holiday seasons approach, for some it is an activity or to do list that is completed without blinking an eye. For others, it is a task that they long to complete with an objective to be able to provide someone with a gift or gesture that they otherwise wouldn’t receive. However, what is a simple task for some can be a mentally and emotionally burdensome goal that they struggle to complete. Dire situations, whether financially, emotionally or medically, exist for many people around us. It is out of compassion that others take action to help alleviate some, if not all, of the burdens of others.

Just as holidays can be misrepresented as a time to buy expensive gifts out of obligation, the season can also be a time where we get to see the best in people through their actions. Whether it is individuals, businesses, or organizations, a sense of hope and inclusion is provided to others through compassionate, kind effort.  It is a way to let others know, whether we know them or not, that they are not forgotten. 

The collaboration of Bay Alarm Company and Toys for Tots is a perfect example of such compassion.

“To whom much is given, much is expected,” is a quote that says to help when you have the resources to do so, especially if you have an overflow of those resources. Mary Smith is one person who provides new meaning to this quote, who gives without expecting anything in return.  It is the pure joy of giving to others just to see the smiles on children’s faces and the display of relief and gratitude from the families. Remembering the experiences in her life when there were struggles, Mary Smith made it a part of her personal day to day life to help others through volunteering or giving gifts to those in need.

In 1986, she extended her fundraising activities to Toys for Tots and eventually through her employer, Bay Alarm.  Bay Alarm began generously matching the funds raised at 100%, doubling the financial ability to provide gifts for families that struggle all year long to make ends meet, let alone obtain extra provisions during a holiday.  It was in 2016 that Mary’s fundraising at work reached the highest earnings of $35,000.00 with all of it used to purchase gifts and care packages for the Toys for Tots families. Whether it was families in foster care, those struggling with addiction, or individuals with medical challenges, it was through her 30+ years of devotion to giving to others that still reminds the world that it takes a village.

In 2019, Mary Smith retired from Bay Alarm. At her retirement celebration she was surprised with an honorary gift—a dedication award from Bay Alarm that included the new title of the fundraising efforts to be named “Mary Smith Toys for Tots.”  Just as their logo says, “What Have You Got to Lose?”, her employer showed its gratitude because when a village practices unconditional giving, that village has nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Even though people may retire from jobs, people never retire from having a heart to compassionately give others a moment of joy just when they need it the most.  As the torch is passed for other kind-hearted Bay Alarm employees to maintain the momentum of giving, may the same selfless energy of these individuals carry on infinitely.  

That’s what the season is meant to represent—when we give it our all with a focus to benefit others, we never lose.  We gain memories and set the paths that last for generations.  Bay Alarm, Toys for Tots, and Mary Smith are reminders of what really counts in life; not the measurable and tangible, but the immeasurable and intangible.  May we all stay on a path to deliver hope from the heart, not just during the holidays, but every day.

For more information on how you can give to those in need, please visit:

www.toysfortots.org

For more information about Bay Alarm’s community support, please visit:

https://www.bayalarm.com/company/community/

It might not be quite in the league of A Christmas Carol but I recently saw, no strike that, experienced, a Christmas movie that I loved.  It was one of those one night in the theater movie events that they use to stir some word of mouth to promote the film either on streaming or DVD. After watching it, I decided that I needed to add it to my personal film collection. 

The Christmas Jars is based on the bestselling novel written by Jason F. Wright. It tells the story of reporter Hope Jensen, who uncovers the remarkable secret behind the “Christmas Jars,” literally old fashioned canning jars filled with coins and bills anonymously left for people in need. Hope is desperate for a Christmas story for her boss, and this one appears to fall in her lap.  She does the research and finds the family that she believes started the Christmas Jar phenomena. She engages them under false pretenses to get her story even though she knows they have worked hard at keeping their secret among their family. The more she gets to know this very special family, the deeper she gets into her lies. The film is well done.  The acting is amazingly good and the directing is thoughtful.     

It isn’t often that you find a story that creates a culture but when I decided to order my copy of the DVD, The Christmas Jars I went online at a major big box store.  What I found was very interesting.  Not only were they selling pre-orders of the movie, there had been over a million inquiries directly after a one night, single showing of this beautiful movie for, you guessed it…canning jars!  This was just one store!  What an incredible impact for such a small audience.  But then again, I too, was looking for my own Christmas Jar. I also realized that the very next day after I saw the movie, I started using bills to pay for my purchases instead of digging exact change out of my wallet or using my debit card.  I actually wanted the coins for the first time in my life.  I had found a true purpose for them!

So, if you’ve decided to skip the movie and go straight to the Christmas Jars idea, you will do yourself a huge disservice. Although the self-sacrificing act of the jars is a central theme to the film, the plot is much deeper, more tender, sweet, and downright heartfelt. Unlike A Christmas Carol, there are no ghosts, just an intriguing story that unfolds at a magical pace.  By the time the film ends, Christmas has arrived in so many ways.  The true Spirit of Christmas. The Spirit that every year we tell ourselves we’re going to make it last all year long, and then sometime after Valentine’s Day it’s nowhere to be found.

I want to challenge you this Christmas.  See The Christmas Jar, find your jar, even decorate your jar if you’re so inclined. More importantly, fill your jar packed full of “anyway money.”  Then let that “anyway money” make a huge difference in someone’s or some family’s life next Christmas.  It will change your perspective all year long if you let it.  Have a Merry Christmas and a Bless New Year! Carolyn@carolynhastings.com.

Every holiday season I aspire to be one of those blissfully calm women I see on television. The ones who pen warm, thoughtful messages in every greeting card; whose spotless homes are lovingly decorated inside and out, with elegantly wrapped gifts under the tree and spiced apple cider simmering on the stove. You know, the type of woman who had a Christmas wreath wired to the front of her SUV the morning after Thanksgiving.

Instead, most December mornings I’ve got wild, unkempt hair stuffed under a beret; hyperventilating as I inch my way through endless traffic jams, clutching a tear-stained “to do” list in my white-knuckled hands. It seems there is an endless number of big and small gifts to purchase this month—for hosts and service providers as well as friends and family.

Amidst all the madness, it’s comforting to take refuge at the farmers’ market early on Saturday, where you’ll never hear the beep of an electronic scanning machine or the tedious repetition of pre-recorded Christmas carols. This low-tech approach to open-air shopping provides endless bounty for your holiday meals, and plenty of creative ideas for gifts of good taste.

With a little imagination and a few yards of ribbon, you’ll be able to put a major dent in your shopping list. No need to order tissue-wrapped fruit of questionable quality from far-away places when the best selection of flavorful California-grown winter produce is right here. There are crisp apples, voluptuous pears, and fragrant oranges and tangerines just waiting to be tucked inside a wicker gift basket. You’ll also find locally-produced honey, artisan jams, and crimson sun-dried tomatoes. And the floral selection at the farmers’ market is more spectacular than ever, with bargain-priced holiday plants and greens intermingled with freshly cut flowers.

Not only are homemade or home-assembled gifts less expensive, their personal nature captures the true spirit of giving. It’s also the ideal way to support the people who grow the food we eat throughout the year.

# A bottle of California extra-virgin olive oil costs less than a good bottle of wine, and lasts a lot longer than one evening.

# Salad lovers will appreciate a bottle of good vinegar and a plump head of garlic to go along with that olive oil…and maybe a little bag of California almonds to toast and toss with greens. Take things a bit further by adding a small bag of homemade croutons.

# Guarantee tonight’s host a great breakfast tomorrow by bringing a few juicy grapefruit; a jar of glistening jam, locally-produced honey, and a loaf of artisan bread—with or without a new cutting board.

# Give your favorite baker a beribboned loaf pan brimming with locally-grown walnuts, California dried apricots, cherries, or raisins; and enclose a favorite quick-bread recipe.

# An earthy basket or ceramic bowl filled with perfect pears or leafy tangerines makes a fragrant, colorful, and caring gift—both decorative and practical.

# Keep friends healthy and happy with a big sack of sweet and juicy organic oranges, paired with a citrus juicer.

While perusing the citrus inventory at the market, remember that not all oranges are created equal. They may look similar to what you see at the supermarket, but the real test is in the taste. Farmers’ market citrus is grown locally, tree-ripened, and delivered directly to market by the growers—usually within 48 hours of harvesting. Fruit destined for supermarkets goes from the tree to a packing house, where it is stored for a while; then to a cooler, where it can be stored for months; then finally trucked an indeterminate number of miles to a grocery store warehouse, where it is stored again until needed.

Also consider that commercially grown oranges are often picked before they have attained optimum sweetness so they can be rushed to stores to meet the demand; and their skins are routinely dyed to cover green spots and give them a brighter, “fresher-looking” hue. Trying to out-smart Mother Nature takes a lot of time and labor….and the consumer ultimately pays for it in price as well as quality.

Orange you glad to know….

—Contrary to common logic, the orange is not named for its color. The name comes from the Sanskrit naranga, which comes from the Tamil naru, which means fragrant.

–Oranges have long been associated with fertility and good fortune, as the lush evergreen tree can simultaneously produce flowers, fruit, and foliage. The fertility trifecta.

–Although oranges are native to Asia and are now grow in warm-weather regions throughout the world, the U.S. is the world’s largest producer.

–Look for citrus that feels heavy for its size…this is a low-tech indicator of juice content. And since commercially-produced oranges are often dyed, skin color is not an indication of quality.

–Plenty of varieties of sweet oranges abound this month. Valencia is an all-purpose variety best known for its superior juice; navel oranges are conveniently seedless. Exotic blood oranges have stunning ruby-red juice that is lower in acid. Then there are all those loose-skinned relatives from the mandarin branch of the family—like tangerines, seedless clementines, and tangelos. Bitter oranges, like the Seville used for marmalade, are less common in the U.S.

–Almost all of the orange is usable: the flesh, the juice, and the aromatic skin. Only the spongy white pith is usually discarded because of its bitterness.

–Fresh-squeezed orange juice has a considerably higher Vitamin C content than canned, bottled, or frozen concentrate.

–Oranges will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad & Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.org. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well.