We had a visit from Mari Segura in the studio. She brought presents. Bill got a mug and some chocolates, along with a nice card. Rosemary got a framed painting of three smiling donkeys. She got chocolates, too. 

Michael Olson told of his credit card being maxed out when he wanted to go Christmas shopping, so he borrowed some money to pay it off, then borrowed more to shop with. He was having us on. He was really talking about the Continuing Resolution the folks in Washington are arranging. Merry Christmas to all?

Dr. Pete was with us, discussing:

Alex and Rosemary could not manage a pick of the week for movies, but agreed there is plenty for children to see during the holiday break.

Jeff Manker went birding yesterday. It was the annual Christmas count, where they log species counts. He did two Christmas bird counts. He also shared an interesting bit of trivia. Remember the albatross Wisdom, who laid an egg at 78 years of age? Well Jeff has seen her, at Midway Island, in-person. Or in-albatross, anyway.

Jacobi told us a joke he already told us last year. You may have missed it then, so you should listen anyway.

In the good news we heard about a very cool prosthetic called a Hero Arm.

Listen to this episode if you want to learn everything you need to, including a few tricks, about making beef stock. Chef Jaime Smith gave up his secrets.

To hear Rocky Snyder tell it, Christmas has come early this year, and the Christmas miracle is projected to last even into the new year. Christmas surf's up!

Charles Pasternak, artistic director for Santa Cruz Shakespeare, joined us. They are presenting A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. They stick close to the book, and sing traditional Christmas Carols. According to Rosemary, the costumes are spectacular.

We also heard a song from an episode of Top of the Pops.

Gail Pellerin gave us some perspective on all the residential building going on in Santa Cruz at this time.

Mark Mozina suggested perhaps the drones seen in New Jersey are just hobbyists not telling us what they are up to. Is he part of an official effort to cover up something more nefarious? He also covered these topics.

Dr. Pete explained that the water in the basin at the bottom of a Christmas tree stand is toxic to dogs and cats. He gave ideas of how to keep them away from it. In recognition of pet cancer month, he let us know how to do a home exam of our pets, both to get a baseline feel for how they are, and to reveal any changes that ought to concern us. He suggested to keep holiday treats away from them, in favor of their own pet food, then promised to deliver home made cookies to Rosemary and Bill.

Alex and Rosemary agreed on what were the movies worth checking out. They are Nickel Boys, The Last Showgirl and Theater of Thought. Kraven the Hunter looked laughably bad.

Charlie talked berries, cane fruit specifically. Once you listen you'll know where to plant them, how to trim them and how to care for them in general.

Oh, and we heard disco Christmas bumper music.  :-)

In the Good News we heard of Colleen Wall and her project A View for a Room. We also learned of a benefactor who donated enough money to the Milwaukee museum for art that all kids under 12 can get in for free. So it was all about art in the good news today.

The bumper music was all from The Nutcracker, which Rosemary and Bill both love.

We had planned to have the public information officer from the local office of the California Highway Patrol with us, but because of the rain, he got too busy. He will come back next Wednesday, which ought to be episode 474.

Jaime Smith agreed that prime rib for Christmas dinner would be really expensive. Shrimp would be a good alternative. He told us what a remoulade is, and gave a recipe for cocktail sauce. We settled on gelato as the dessert choice, so now Rosemary has her plan.

The last half hour was spent with Johnny Fabulous in the studio. Rosemary and Bill look forward to his annual visit. He brought jingle bells and sang several songs for us and the listeners.

Rachael had heroic stories about cats and dogs. They involved adoption of the two cats in longest residence at a shelter, and a small cattle dog herding it's owner away from an unnoticed mountain lion, then chasing it off.

Cabrillo Cantiamo Chorus set a new record for number of people in our studio. They sang several Christmas songs, even mentioning you Santa Cruz Voice listeners in one. Cheryl Anderson, the conductor, is retiring after this season, so this is the last time she will lead them in performing for us.