The average American gains 6 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. "That's about 1 pound per week," said Michelle Sabol, a registered dietitian with Shasta County Public Health.
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Editor's note: The following is one in a series of articles designed to help runners prepare for the Redding Marathon.Running up the age-group ladder with pleasure and satisfaction requires acceptance of the many changes Father Time has built into our bodies. These include decreasing strength, coordination, balance, speed, aerobic capacity and maximum attainable heart rate. Muscles, tendons, bones and joints are more easily injured, and they heal from injury at a slower rate. Our tolerance for dehydration is diminished, and our ability to store fuel for long runs declines.
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Five days, 100 pounds of dough and 900 apples - that's what went into the 160 pies Serena Metcalf made for the Manton Apple Festival this year.
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For 31-year-old Moises Ibarra Jr., cooking is a passion. The oldest of eight children, Ibarra began cooking at an early age to contribute to the responsibilities of a large household. It wasn't until his college years that he began to crave the flavors of home.
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In a disposable world, traditions remind us that some things were meant to last. Whatever presents make their way under the tree, it is these traditions that anchor Christmas year after year. Full story »

Obedience is a hard thing to master.Growing up, one of the stories regularly told around the dinner table in my family involved my two obedience-challenged older sisters.
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North state high schools will launch a new computer-based career exploration program in partnership with Shasta College in December.
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Dear Straight Talk Every morning I drive my granddaughter to high school and sit there in traffic observing all the kids: backpacks slung over shoulders, every hand gripping a cell phone. I've been in the newspaper business 46 years, starting right out of high school, and I'd like to ask what young people today read. I know they're on the Internet, but are they surfing, or actually reading? Or is it mainly social networking? And, apart from school assignments, do they read newspapers, magazines, and books? - Barbara Hale, Features Editor, Merced Sun-Star, Merced CA
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Advent calendars are windows to Christmas, each offering varying views of the season.In their simplest form, tiny paper doors that are part of a colorful scene are opened to reveal a small picture, Bible passage or piece of chocolate. One door is opened each day in December until Christmas.
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• Christmas tour set in Cottonwood
• College to sell holiday plants
• Garden club offers wreaths, garlands Full story »

Mission holds luncheon, meeting
Potluck, concert offered at Unity
Tents of Hope to be discussed
Catholics present 'Advent' series
Catholic faith class slated at church
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A reader recently complained that religion is based on “just a bunch of stories.” I replied that the stories happen to be true — not necessarily as science, history, or journalism — but as an indication of how things are and how people are meant to be. Full story »

Q. Monday is World AIDS Day. What does your faith or religious leaders say should be our attitude toward people with AIDS? What actions should we be taking, if any? Full story » Comments (1)

The location Your starting point is the original starting point of the conveyor belt at the Kutras Tract Aggregate Plant “monolith” building at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Full story »

Dear friends: I’d like to thank all of you who recently shared your germs and viruses with me. Nothing says “special friendship” like a dripping nose. Full story »