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Hey everyone! You are listening to the Local Turlock Podcast for the week of November 27th. Giving you some of latest scoops, news, stories, and business spotlight for the week. Let’s start with our first story, Hickory Farms, famous for its handcrafted cheese and summer sausage, now pops up in Turlock. Next on our list, Covenant Care Home and Hospice partnered to pilot a Meals on Wheels and Well Check Calls program open to needy seniors in Stanislaus County. Moving on, what will pandemic Black Friday look like? Take a look at when the major retailers will open on Black Friday, Nov. 27! Next, what are your holiday plans this pandemic? Let’s discover some of the events planned for the holiday season. Following the app roadmap titled “PARENTS – What You Wish You Knew: A Quick Guide to the Basics of Social Media (and the Potential Risks for Children and Teens)”, an updated version of the guide was released to provide new information to help parents oversee social media screen time during pandemic. . It’s time to show our support to our local businesses especially during this pandemic as I give you 2 business spotlights this week. Also sharing the latest updates about COVID 19 in Stanislaus County. All that and more today in this week's Local Turlock podcast.

Hickory Farms pops up in Turlock

Turlockers are in for a savory treat this holiday season as Hickory Farms has forgone its annual Modesto mall location for a seasonal storefront in Monte Vista Crossings.  Hickory Farms, famous for its handcrafted cheese and summer sausage, is a longtime gift choice for many food lovers and will operate its seasonal location in Turlock until the end of December. The shop offers customers a taste of nostalgia and their products bring people the love and comfort from when they were a child. It brings back memories of sitting around with our families on Christmas and eating the traditional items that we’re all used to. From gift boxes and platters to cheese balls and spreads, Hickory Farms has a variety of products synonymous with Christmas celebration. Hickory Farms also has other treats to choose from aside from meats and cheeses, like wine gifts, chocolates, appetizers and more. Local Christmas shoppers are used to finding Hickory Farms gifts inside of Vintage Faire Mall, but with COVID risks, the business wanted to open their seasonal shops in storefronts which would allow for easy online or call-in ordering and curbside pickup to keep customers safe.  They are located at 2727 Countryside Dr., Turlock with Operational Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Black Friday. You may also contact them at 209-279-5643.

New program to provide meals, check-ins for area seniors

A program providing free meals and daily check-in calls to some of the most at-risk and isolated residents of Stanislaus County and northern Merced County is now open to the public. Seniors are facing the most severe risks and complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of stay-at-home recommendations, many have limited interaction with their neighbors and families and often can’t get groceries on their own. In response, Legacy Health Endowment and Covenant Care Home and Hospice partnered to pilot a Meals on Wheels and Well Check Calls program. The program is now open to other needy seniors in the area. This program provides free meals Monday through Friday and a daily wellness phone call. If a senior cannot be reached, or is having an emergency, Covenant Care staff is prepared to step in to get them the help they need. Meals are prepared by the United Samaritan’s Foundation, which has a long history of providing fresh and balanced meals for hundreds of seniors each week through their existing senior feeding programs. Access to the program will not require a prior hospital stay, but slots are limited. To see if you or a loved one is eligible to apply by calling (209) 250-5200 and choosing option 5, “Wellness Check.” The program is only open to the following zip codes: 95301, 95303, 95307, 95313, 95315, 95316, 95322, 95324, 95326, 95328, 95334, 95358, 95360, 95363, 95374, 95380, 95381, 95382, and 95388.

What will a pandemic Black Friday look like? And when will stores open in Modesto?

The traditional start of the holiday shopping season, and a boatload of bargains, will look a lot different in 2020 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Most major retailers will stay closed on Thanksgiving Day, bucking years of trends that saw scores of people rush to finish or delay their family dinners in order to shop sales on the holiday day itself. This year most big box retailers will reopen the day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday because as consumer legend tells it that was when stores finally turned a profit on sales for the year. In the valley, that means shoppers might tuck in to bed a little sooner — no doubt also due in part to a hefty and delicious dose of Tryptophan — to find the best deals as stores open early Friday morning. Online Black Friday sales have already begun in earnest, and are also being offered as a safer alternative. Curbside pickup, which many retailers are offering, is another option. Online shopping, in addition to being contact-free, does not require a mask or social distancing. Though still wash your hands because that’s just good hygiene.  Here’s a look at when the major retailers will open on Black Friday, Nov. 27.

• Bass Pro Shop: Open 8 a.m.-6. p.m. Thanksgiving, 5 a.m. Friday
• Big Lots: Open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Thanksgiving, 6 a.m. Friday
• Best Buy: Open at 5 a.m. Friday
• Burlington: Opens 7 a.m. Friday
• Costco: Open 9 a.m. Friday
• GameStop: Open 7 a.m. Friday
• Harbor Freight Tools: Open 7 a.m. Friday
• Home Depot: Open 6 a.m. Friday
• Kohl’s: Open at 5 a.m. Friday
• Lowe’s: Open 6 a.m. Friday
• Michael’s: Open 7 a.m. Friday
• Office Depot/OfficeMax: Open 9 a.m. Friday
• Old Navy: Open midnight Thanksgiving through Friday
• Staples: Open 9 a.m. Friday
• Target: Open at 7 a.m. Friday
• Vintage Fair Mall: Open 6 a.m. Friday
• Walmart: Open 5 a.m. Friday

And remember, wherever you go out to shop this holiday season, wear a mask. They protect you (they really do), they protect others, and they’re a way to show the no-doubt exhausted store staff that you care about their safety as well.

Here’s your planner for Modesto-area holiday parades, events, and how to enjoy them

Several communities and groups still plan to bring some holiday spirit to the region at the end of what’s been a festive-challenged year. Many of the traditional Christmas events in the Modesto and Mother Lode regions have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. But others will go on with modifications, downsizing and virtual options. Among the larger events canceled in Modesto are the Dickens Faire and Mod Shop Indie Crafters Market. But the city will hold a Christmas parade, with a twist: Onlookers will drive past stationary yuletide displays. The following is a look at some of the events planned for the holidays season. Note that they could be canceled or adjusted depending on county and state pandemic guidelines.

COWBOY CHRISTMAS – Nov. 28: Oakdale Cowboy Museum outdoor holiday market. COVID-19 guidelines will be enforced. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Cowboy Museum, 355 E. F St., Oakdale. www.thecowboymuseum.org/santa-.

GUSTINE’S OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS – Nov. 28: There will be a drive-through breakfast with Santa at GPS Hall from 8 to 11 a.m. A Christmas market will be held downtown, with social distancing in place, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children can see Santa and take home craft bags, also from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Cornerstone Dance on Fifth Street. There will be a live virtual tree lighting on the city’s Facebook page at 6 p.m. 209-587-0810.

ANGELS CAMP HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE – Nov. 28: Merchants will participate in a community open house with raffles, shopping and dining. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Citywide in Angels Camp. www.angelscampbusiness.com/event/small-business-saturday.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHT EXPERIENCE – Dec. 1-24: Shelter Cove Community Church offers a drive-through Santa’s village, Christmas tree lane and white Christmas, as well as a live-action nativity scene. There will be a drive-through, 150,000-light show with Christmas music. The event runs 6 to 9 p.m. nightly at Shelter Cove, 4242 Coffee Road, Modesto. The event is free, but it’s recommended to RSVP for Fridays and Saturdays. 209-567-3200. sheltercovelive.com/christmas.

LATHROP VIRTUAL TREE LIGHTING AND SHOEBOX PARADE – Dec. 1 and Dec. 12: A virtual tree lighting will be shown on the city’s website and Facebook page Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. A parade Dec. 12 will feature small floats videotaped and shown on the city’s website and Facebook page beginning at 10 a.m. It will remain up through Christmas. www.ci.lathrop.ca.us/parksrec/page/christmas-shoebox-parade.

TURLOCK CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 4: A Christmas Cruise will be held at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. People will stay in their cars and drive past the decorated lights and displays. 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway.

MODESTO CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS – Dec. 5: A Downtown Drive-Through Holiday Cruise will feature displays of lights and decorations on stationary floats, as well as storefront decorations and Rockin’ Holidays displays and tree lighting on Tenth Street Plaza. The parade begins at 17th and I streets, turns on 10th Street and ends along Tenth Street Plaza. 5:30-8:30 p.m. www.modestogov.com/553/Holiday-Parade

CHRISTMAS TREE LANE – Dec. 5 through Christmas: Neighbors off Moffett Road across from Smyrna Park will put up their annual lavish holiday lights display for people to drive through. The city stresses social distancing for those who choose to walk. 209-538-5628.

OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS FAIRE – Dec. 5: Modesto Free Methodist Church will have vendors selling crafts and homemade items. They will sell tri-tip, $25, and half chickens, $6. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Modesto Free Methodist Church, 1520 Rose Ave. www.modestofm.org.

ESCALON CHRISTMAS ON MAIN PARADE OF LIGHTS – Dec. 12: A drive-through parade of lights will feature stationary floats along Main Street as well as decorated storefronts and sidewalks. There will be a one-way flow of traffic for onlookers to follow. 5:30 p.m. 209-838-2793.

Guide aims to help parents oversee social screen time during pandemic

Although Legacy Health Endowment first released its social media guide for parents over a year ago, the need for families to understand technology continues as the pandemic wears on. LHE, a nonprofit healthcare grantmaking foundation, originally produced and promoted the app roadmap titled “PARENTS – What You Wish You Knew: A Quick Guide to the Basics of Social Media (and the Potential Risks for Children and Teens)” in October 2019. The guide was well-received and provided families with statistics, instructions and solutions which ensured their Internet-savvy kids are safe while using popular cell phone apps like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. An updated version of the guide was released by LHE this month, providing new information for these fast-changing times. As the pandemic keeps children and teens from socializing in person, Lewis believes the guide can be even more helpful now as kids seem to be glued to devices day in and day out. The pandemic is challenging for families in so many ways, but LHE President and CEO, Jeffrey Lewis hopes the social media guide can help parents navigate at least one facet of everyday life which has been changed by COVID. The guide is available for download and viewing at www.legacy health endowment.org.

Business Spotlight:

Carnivore's BBQ Sandwich Shop
Carnivore's BBQ Sandwich Shop serves up an affordable alternative to fast food with locally sourced meats and produce.  It is a California based style of BBQ that originated in Santa Maria, just south of San Luis Obispo. It's based on using the freshest locally sourced Tri-Tip cuts of beef, good ole- California Red Oak with the bark, and a technique of smoking that combines direct and indirect heat. 

Location: University Plaza 2685 Geer Rd Turlock, CA 95382

Phone Number: (209) 250-1175

Operational Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sun 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Quickly Turlock

If you are looking for the best boba place of all time, Quickly Turlock is the place to be. Their add ons and milk tea flavors are always amazing. And the pearls are always cooked perfectly. Quality hasn't gone down at all even with the troubles of pandemic and offers curb side delivery with fast service. If you’re looking for a flavorful tea or smoothie visit Quickly Turlock.

Location: 2014 W Monte Vista Ave Turlock, CA 95382

Telephone Number: (209) 250-2026

Operational Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Sunday 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Coronavirus update, Nov. 26: Stanislaus has 343 new cases, 167 patients in hospitals

New cases of the virus hit another three-month high in Stanislaus County, as hospital counts continue to rise, too. The state reported 343 positive tests in the county Tuesday, the most since the 365 on Aug. 26. The number needs to average 40 or fewer to start reversing the limits on gatherings that tightened earlier this month. The county’s positivity shot up to 23.65% on Tuesday, based on 1,450 tests. The rolling seven-day average was 12.62%. The 14-day average was 11.96%. The state requires a positivity rate of under 8 percent to advance to the next less restrictive tier in its system. Two more residents have died of COVID-19, for a total of 422 as of Wednesday. The county has 21,145 people who have tested positive, 215,999 who tested negative and 19,023 who are presumed recovered. Geographically: Modesto has 7,481 positive cases, Turlock has 2,862 and Ceres has 2,332

Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode. Don’t forget to visit our website, localturlock.com, to stay up-to-date on our local news. You can always email me at turlock@localturlock.com and visit our Facebook at Facebook.com/localturlock and leave us some comments! Stay tuned for next week’s exciting episode! Have a great weekend and always stay safe!

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