BY JOE CORTEZ AND KRISTINA HACKER
Turlock Journal
What better time than the new year to start something new. And since today is Jan. 1, well, there’s no time like the present.
Starting today — starting right here and now, for that matter — Turlock Journal editor Kristina Hacker, and staff writer Joe Cortez will team up to write a twice-monthly column. From now on, the column will publish on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Our next joint effort will appear on Jan. 18.
Dubbed “About Town,” the column will be wide-ranging, with comment on hard-news items, calendar items, updates, trivia, and other quick-hitters.
We hope you like it.
A LIFE WELL LIVED — Paid a visit to the Turlock Public Library on Monday and noticed that the U.S. flag was flying at half-staff in honor of President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100. Regardless of political persuasion, and no matter what you thought of his presidency, we can all likely agree that Carter was an outstanding citizen who served his country with honor. As pointed out in Washington Monthly, “at various times in his life, he was a farmer, Naval officer, electrician, sonar technologist, nuclear engineer, businessman, equipment designer, agronomist, master woodworker, Sunday School teacher, land-use planner, legislator, door-to-door missionary, governor, long-shot presidential candidate, U.S. president, diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize winner, fly-fisherman, bird-dog trainer, arrowhead collector, home builder, painter, professor, memoirist, poet, novelist, and children’s book author.” And, most admirably, he was a loving husband to wife Rosalynn for 77 years, until her death in 2023. Carter will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9. His funeral service will be held Jan. 9 at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
PROMISES, PROMISES … PROMISING — Another year passed with kids on the Westside unable to utilize the Columbia Park swimming pool. The $9 million renovation project was supposed to be completed last spring, in time to help the Westies beat the heat. Along came summer, when things really got cranked up with 45 days in triple digits, and still no pool. Along came autumn, with a rare October heat wave, and still no pool. A dip in the pool would’ve been nice. 2025 is supposed to be the year. Perhaps it’s a hopeful sign that it will happen this year is the city of Turlock’s public works department announcing that it’s hiring lifeguards and swim instructors. Requirements for lifeguards: CPR, first-aid, and lifeguard Title 22 certifications. Requirements for swim instructors: CPR and first-aid. Visit the city of Turlock website, click on “recreation” in the pull-down menu, then click on “get involved/employment,” then finally on “employment” to submit an interest card.
HIGH TIMES — F&F Farms, the city’s fourth dispensary, is now fully operational. F&F purchased the fourth retail license from Evergreen Market — based out of Washington state — when Evergreen’s plans for California expansion went, ahem, up in smoke. F&F, located at 101 E. Glenwood Ave., joins, Firehouse, Perfect Union and NHC as dispensaries within the city limits.
CAR! GAME ON! — Driving down Colorado Avenue the other day, two youngsters were spotted playing hockey in the street … complete with inline skates, and two goalie nets. You don’t often see that in these parts. Pick-up basketball games? Sure. Kids playing catch? Of course. But hockey? Hockey is a rarity. It was neat to see.
ELECTRIC RIDE — While ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in front of Village Fresh Market in mid-December, three electric bicycles were clocked in the area in a one-hour period. Maybe that is normal and I’m just not used to hanging around outside grocery stores. I thought most e-bikes were used by college students trying to get around large campuses and city folk. Those who like a little power with their pedal should take note of a couple of new e-bike laws for 2025. SB 1271 requires e-bikes and their components to meet specific safety standards and AB 1774 prohibits modifying an electric bicycle’s speed capability to an extent it no longer meets the definition of an electric bicycle.
DON’T BE SAD — Upset that Don Tito’s taco truck has seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth? Well, Don Tito’s is now a full-fledged, sit-down restaurant in Denair, 4701 Main St. Best of all, their renowned fish tacos are still on the menu. The bar and grill is being hailed as the first bar in Denair.
WHY BE BORED? — Jan. 18 will be Board Game Day at the Turlock Public Library from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring your own game or choose one from the library’s vast collection. You don’t even have to know the rules! Food and drinks are welcome on the outdoor patio (indoor drinks limited to water). All ages are welcome, though most games are recommended for kids 10 and older.
HAVE A MARVEL-OUS TIME — On Jan. 11, the Carnegie Arts Center is hosting its Animated Film Series, and will show “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” The movie is rated PG and last just a few minutes shy of two hours. It’s free to the public. Friendly hint: beware of radioactive spiders.
WINTER FUN — Those with dreams of skating with Ilia Malinin in the 2025 World Championships — or just looking for a little winter fun close to home — still have time to don their skates at Fields of Ice rink, located at 716 N. Daubenberger Rd. in east Turlock. This family-friendly seasonal outdoor skating rink is open through Jan. 20.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — If you happen to run into Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak on Jan. 15, be sure to wish her a happy birthday. We won’t tell you exactly how old she’ll be, but suffice to say, it’s a milestone birthday.
TRIVIA — What famous actress from Hollywood’s Golden Age lived in Turlock, at the corner of Sierra and Shasta streets (answer will appear in our next column)? Give yourself an extra pat on the back if you know what she helped to invent.
