Get Out and Have Fun

You mean I can turn off the air conditioner? Get rid of the cases of Gatorade? Get my corduroys out of the closet?

Yes, to all of the above. If you live in Death Valley with lawns, aka Imperial Valley, now is the time to go outdoors. So many of our public events are sandwiched into the weeks of December. Time is zipping by, so mark your calendars.

Saturday night we attended Pioneers Museum’s Holiday Tour Around the World. It’s the museum’s annual event to show off its ethnic galleries and celebrate the holiday season. The event could be named from kimchi to tai chi and chai tea, too. I sampled each, though I was only a spectator of the tai chi that the martial arts group demonstrated.

Kimchi, Korean fermented Napa cabbage with radishes, is a bit spicy for my dear wife, but the sautéed beef with veggies along with white rice suited us both. The women servers wore traditional silk dresses which appeared as giant, colored flowers. Next came the Greek gallery’s olives. The Swiss had their usual array of delicious cookies and, of course, Swiss cheese. We ate and examined the costumes and artifacts of each of the galleries.

We met Professor John and Betty Polich at the Chinese gallery. Chicken, eggrolls and rice were available there. Onward to the Mexican gallery and a bit of tamale. Not too much spicy salsa, please. Walk a bit to work off the international calories. At the Philippine gallery there was a short line. Great food. Grab a slice of French bread with camembert and salami and a mixed green salad at the French gallery. There we met Lois and Valerie Cantu of the longtime Calexico family.

Upstairs, the Jugless Jug Band was playing tunes while visitors were treated to Irish potato bread, raisin bread and Irish tea — with a drop of cream, of course. It seems like a lot of food, but the servings were modest and the walking was constant.

Downstairs in the auditorium, the martial arts group performed. The trio who went through the tai chi routine demonstrated how graceful the sequence can be. Cymbals and drums accompanied the performers. The event was crowned by an array of dragons that danced throughout the auditorium. The smallest of dragons had to be pointed in the direction of the stage. It was momentarily lost as young dragons can be.

Thanks to the dozens of volunteers from the galleries and the Pioneers Museum, itself, who make this a fantastic annual event. The holiday season was also celebrated last weekend by the multi-talented Imperial Valley Master Chorale and the IV String Ensemble who performed in Brawley and El Centro.

In Imperial on Friday at 6:30 p.m., there will be the Parade of Lights. Also in Imperial, on Saturday starting at 9 a.m., is Christmas in a Small Town. Plenty of shopping, crafts, food, and music.

In Calexico on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m., is the annual Christmas parade.

Also, on Saturday at 7 p.m., Valley Jazz will hold a concert at Southwest High’s Jimmie Cannon Theater. Admission is free with two cans of food for the Imperial Valley Food Bank. Special guests, Derek Cannon and Walter Beasley.

The El Centro Christmas parade was held on Dec. 1. There were 120 entries, and I want to recognize the winning float. No. I can’t take any of the credit for it, but I know and appreciate those who assemble it each year. The City of El Centro Community Services Department, which includes Parks and Recreation, won both the Public Service and Sweepstakes awards for best float. Leading the effort for many years has been Pat Urena, so congrats to her and others who add so much to the parade.

I haven’t been able to list all of the events going on in the Valley in December so check this newspaper, Facebook pages and Chamber of Commerce listings. Get out and enjoy the weather and festivities.