Drought yields brown Christmas trees
Christmas trees may be the state’s latest drought victim. Growers across the state say many of their firs are dry and brittle, while others are growing at a slower pace. “I think 99 percent of everything we planted last year died,” said the owner of a Los Gatos tree farm. Ref. Source 1a
Costa Mesa has very scary Christmas
The nearly 100-foot-tall Christmas tree in Costa Mesa outside the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel went up in flames yesterday, sending a plume of heavy smoke skyward that could be seen from the 450 freeway. Anyone have a spare giant tree to donate?
Father Joe's Nativity sets up for sale
Father Joe Carroll, a well-known figure in San Diego for the decades he spent raising money to help the homeless, has put part of his collection of 700 Nativity sets up for sale. The retired priest said he needs to raise money to pay off his own bills. Ref. Source 3h.
Christmas tree selfie a hiking tradition
A group of friends have a holiday tradition where they hike to the top of a Bay Area peak with a 30-pound Christmas tree just to take a selfie with the decorated greenery. One hiker said the group, now in its fourth year, is known among locals as the "Tree people." Ref. Source 2j.