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Free Whiskeytown Ranger Programs Offered

The ranger-guided programs at Whiskeytown National Recreation area are in full swing for the summer, and organizers have added two new programs aimed at the youngest park visitors.

New programs this year are “It’s All About Nature” story time for pre-school children at 3 p.m. on Fridays at the visitor center, and the toddler ranger program for children 3 to 6 years old at 11 a.m. on Sundays at the Oak Bottom amphitheater.

Other programs available this year include kayak tours for individuals, groups and people who need a little extra assistance, educational activities for kids, slides shows and lectures, and water safety demonstrations. And here’s the best part: The ranger-guided programs are free. All you need is a $5 day pass or $25 season pass. The Friday afternoon story time program doesn’t require any pass.

The full schedule is available on the National Park Service’s website for Whiskeytown. Some programs will come and go as the summer wears on, so it would be a good idea to check with the visitor center for updates at (530) 246-1225.

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• Three Shasta County children have contracted whooping cough this year, according to Shasta County’s Health and Human Services Agency.  All the children have recovered, but, as you might have heard, the California Department of Public Health declared a whooping cough epidemic last week. The state is on track to break the 52-year-old record of 3,847 confirmed cases, and at least five babies younger than 3 months old died have died from the disease. Public health officials are recommending that all people in a family expecting a baby or with a young baby receive the Tdap vaccine, which serves as a booster shot for adults and teens. Learn more on the county public health website.

• Congratulations to Gerber-based Pacific Sun Olive Oil, which won five medals at this month’s Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. Always nice to see a longtime family farm from this region do well. I’m happy to report there’s a bottle of the silver medal-winning Pacific Sun Proprietor’s Select in my pantry.

• The MLK Jr. Multicultural Center in Redding is hosting free family dinners starting between 5 and 5:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through August 6. For details, contact the center at 225-4375.

Paul Shigley is senior editor of California Planning & Development Report, a frequent contributor to Planningmagazine and thinks a Whiskeytown pass is the best $25 investment you could make. He lives in Centerville. Paul Shigley may be reached at pauls.anewscafe@gmail.com.