At this busy time of year, our many holiday activities can increase stress in everyone -- including children, who may respond by crying, throwing tantrums, clinging, excessive energy, and temporary regression such as thumb sucking.

Christmas trees are beautiful, but they can also be very dangerous. Two hundred times a year, a dried-out Christmas tree catches fire. Last year, those fires caused 10 deaths and $10 million in property damage. During November and December each year, about 10,000 people are taken to hospital emergency rooms as a result of falls, cuts, shocks and burns caused by decorations at home. The best way to prevent fires is by picking the freshest tree and watering it correctly. Julie Vallese, a spokesperson for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, who appeared on CBS’s “The Early Show,” says, "You don't want your Christmas tree to dry out.

Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi (R-Lodi) and Amador County Supervisor Ted Novelli will host a Town Hall meeting on health care, Monday, Dec. 3rd at 1 pm. “I have received numerous calls from frustrated constituents in my district in respect to health care in California,” said Nakanishi. “The governor has called a special session of the Legislature to address health care reform. I wanted to take this opportunity to update the community on what’s being done on this important issue.” Nakanishi currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Assembly Health Committee. Currently the legislature is looking at 3 plans to improve health care insurance for Californians – the governor’s plan, the Democrats’ plan and the Republicans’ plan. Nakanishi is holding town hall meetings throughout the 10th Assembly  District to update citizens on the progress of health care legislation. Monday’s town Hall meeting will be held at the Senior Center in Jackson, from 1 – 2 pm.

A shift in gears resulted in a gravel truck versus pick-up truck accident on Monday. According to the California Highway Patrol, a big rig with 2 trailers and 80,000 lbs of gravel was driving south on Volcano Pioneer Road when the driver attempted to shift into a lower gear, missed the gear and rolled backward into a pick-up driven by a Sutter Creek man. The semi jack-knifed and blocked the road until CHP officers could sort things out. No one was injured in the accident and all the gravel stayed in the truck. And a couple of local men received moderate injuries when they rolled their 1989 Pontiac on Jackson Gate Rd. The CHP report says Jeffrey Payne, 19, of Mokelumne Hill was driving at high speed, overshot a curve in the road and overturned. Payne and his passenger, 21 year-old Dusty Lister of Jackson, were taken to Sutter Amador Hospital with moderate injuries. And a Reno man failed to see the 4-way stop at Hwy 49 and Martell Road on Monday. He drove into the intersection without slowing, running into a Sutter Creek woman who was turning through the intersection. Fortunately, no one was injured. Be careful out there!

The California Highway Patrol has prepared 2 DVDs offering warnings about the dangers of aging drivers whose mental and physical capabilities are diminishing. One DVD is a message to baby-boomers about taking responsibility for their parents’ driving if and when signs of problems come up. The other message is for seniors – CHP asks seniors to recognize that the older you get, the more limitations you are likely to have. Medications and cataracts may affect your driving. Seniors are not the most crash prone drivers – but they are the most likely to be seriously injured or die in a crash, say state safety officials. Seniors need to prepare for the day they may have to give up their drivers license. These are not easy issues for seniors or their families to grapple with – and that’s why the CHP is helping with these educational tools. CHP Officer Craig Harmon will join us on the noon news Friday to talk about the CHP’s new DVDs and efforts in community outreach on this important issue.

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation to encourage state and local governments to improve fire-prevention efforts in areas prone to wildfires. “The risk of catastrophic wildfire for California is not going away. We are a tinder-dry state, we have extended droughts, and global warming is only making the risks greater. Wildfires are more frequent, and they burn hotter and with more intensity. So we must plan in advance to protect homes and communities from these massive fires.” Senator Feinstein said. Feinstein’s proposed Fire Safe Community Act would offer incentives for communities at risk of wildfires to adopt new model Fire Safe ordinances that will set a higher standard in building codes. Today, the Senator is meeting with state and local officials to hash out which building and zoning policies help or hurt fire-prevention efforts. Feinstein hopes the promise of federal grants will persuade officials to adopt national standards for new building in fire-prone areas and even for retrofitting of existing homes. 

6th Annual Children's Holiday Festival: "Winter Festivals Around the World" will be held Friday, November 30 from 5:30-8 pm at the Sutter Creek Auditorium. This a totally free event with holiday fun designed for the youngest children – and their older siblings and parents. Santa Claus will be there along with activities, music, snacks and holiday entertainment. Bring the whole family! This event is sponsored by First 5 Amador. For more information call 257-1092.

The Upcountry Community Center is hosting its 1st Annual Holiday Open House on Saturday December 1st from Noon till 4pm at the Upcountry Community Center, 19999 Highway 88 in Pine Grove. Children can give Santa their wish list and get pictures taken for a requested donation of $3. There will be refreshments and crafts. There is also an opportunity to help with there holiday project by bringing an unwrapped gift for a child aged 0-17. This is a project of the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency. For more information call 296-2785.

Mother Lode Scots Christmas Walk will be held on Saturday, Dec 1. in Plymouth this year. This Scottish candlelight procession is a favorite long-time Amador County tradition. Gather at the gazebo on Main Street at 5:30 pm. The candlelight procession on Main Street begins at 6.

35th Annual Calico Christmas Merchant Open House in Amador City will be held December 1st and 2nd. Enjoy true holiday spirit and small town charm. Hot cocoa, free refreshments and live music – and shops will be open until 8 pm. Special Saturday Events include Pictures with Santa from 1-5pm and Traditional Tree Lighting ceremony. Meet at the Imperial Hotel at 5:30 for the Walk of Light led by traditional caroling through the streets to the town tree. The lighting of the tree will be at 6:00. For more information, contact Aimee at The Antique Gardener, 267-5551