Thursday, November 26, 2020

CoViD-19 Thanksgiving Was Different | Holiday Season Fun | Photos: San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The Black Footed Cat Has An 60% Hunting Success Rate In The Wild
(Taken at San Diego Zoo Safari Park 11.26.2020)

I can't be 100% certain, but I think that this was the first Thanksgiving in many years in which I did not wake up with a hangover. The night before Thanksgiving is pretty much the biggest party night of the year, so when people were upset about bars closing or even alcohol sale bans for last night, I was thinking that it was actually a pretty good move, even if some people still opted for hangouts and gatherings. 
With that said, on Wednesday night we binged Dash & Lily on Netflix--because there's nothing I love more than teen romance and Christmas all wrapped up in one--and then Darren and I watched some Thelonious Monk performances that he'd never seen, and then I was in bed by midnight. I woke up far earlier than I expected and had three solid hours before anyone else did, so I cleaned out our cabinets, cleaned out the fridge, rearranged our kitchen storage areas, and made Hawaiian macaroni salad before I woke everyone up to go to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. 
We went about an hour later than I wanted, so we kept it to a short trip, but it was perfect. For one, it was relatively empty and the weather was ideal. But while we were there, half of the elephant habitat was being cleaned, so all of the elephants were actively interacting on the lower level. Then we moved on to the African Plains and there was a truck with staff who were bribing the rhinos with treats to take Happy Thanksgiving photos, so all 12 rhinos, including the calves Alice and M'weezy (?) were around and giving a show for quite a long time. We went all the way to the cheetah and then worked our way back up the hill before returning home, making my deviled eggs, and heading to my mom's. 
All those things about "Thanksgiving will look different this year," were not joking. My household and my sister ate outside and stayed there most of the time. My mom, niece, and godsister ate spread out in the patio, and my dad and other niece sat across the room from each other in the living room. Windows and doors were open, fans on, and the food was amazing. After dinner, Nova and Darren played a (socially distant) song for my parents--they've learned "Team" by Lorde with Nova on flute and D on guitar. We packed up leftovers, skipped dessert, and were home by 7pm. Kind of ideal after all, especially because we all got plenty of loving from my sister's new puppy, Roxy. 
I hope everyone had a great day. Today's stats, news, and some holiday fun thrown in below. And don't forget to skip the shopping on Friday and #OptOutside. 
 

  • COVID-19 (According to JHU Dashboard at 11/26 8:25pm):
    • 60,930,094 Global Cases 
    • 12,883,255 Total US Cases
    • 263,417 Total US Deaths
  • California COVID-19 Stats:
    • 14,640 New Cases/1,158,689 Total Cases (1.3% increase)
    • 104 New Deaths/18,979 Total Deaths (0.6% increase)
    • 6.1% 14-day test positivity rate
  • San Diego County Stats
    • State Data:
      • 944 New Cases/75,307 Total Cases
      • 4 Deaths/988 Total Deaths
      • 21.5 cases/100k population (Based on week ending 11/16, Assessed on 11/24. Unadjusted Case Rate Using Linear Adjustment)
      • 3.1% Test Positivity (Based on week ending 11/16, Assessed on 11/24)
      • N/A Health Equity Positivity (Based on week ending 11/16)
    • County Data (Limited Data due to holiday):
      • 1,052 New Cases/76,357 Total Cases 
      • 8 New Daily Deaths/996 Total Deaths
      • 13.1 cases/100k population (Based on week ending 11/16, Assessed on 11/24. Unadjusted case rate per 100,000 excluding prisons.) 
  • COVID-19:
  • Politics/Other News/Reading:
  • Holiday Fun: 
    • San Diego Zoo Safari Park Wild Holidays:
      • Wild Holidays Proudly Supported by California Coast Credit Union to Bring Festive Cheer to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Safe holiday fun for the family to enjoy begins Nov. 27
        Wild Holidays proudly supported by California Coast Credit Union are on the way at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and this year’s celebration— on select dates Nov. 27, 2020 through Jan. 3 2021—will offer safe, festive fun for the entire family.  See the Safari Park in a whole new light! Go on a holiday expedition of light and travel through places that glow and twinkle with holiday cheer. During Wild Holidays the Safari Park will be open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. each day, with holiday festivities from 4 p.m. to 8 pm.
        There will be culinary delights to enjoy at the Safari Park’s food stands, and guests can shop for the perfect holiday gifts at the Safari Park’s retail locations.
      • WHEN:  Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Nov.27–29; Dec. 5–6, Dec. 12–13, Dec. 19–23, Dec. 26–31, 2020; Jan.1–, 2021. During Wild Holidays the Safari Park will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with holiday festivities from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    • San Diego Zoo Jungle Bells:
      • Jungle Bells Festivities Return to the San Diego Zoo, Proudly Supported by California Coast Credit Union:
        San Diego Zoo guests are invited to ring in the holiday season with the Zoo’s annual celebration, Jungle Bells proudly supported by California Coast Credit Union. The jubilant festivities will take place Dec. 4–6, Dec. 11–23, Dec. 25–31, 2020 and Jan. 1–3, 2021, treating guests to views of some of their favorite animals, seasonal decorations, lighted displays, music and joyful roaming entertainers.
        There will be an abundance of culinary delights to enjoy at the Zoo’s many restaurants and food stands, and guests can shop for the perfect holiday gifts at the Zoo’s retail locations.
      • WHEN:  Jungle Bells runs Dec. 4–6, Dec. 11–23, Dec. 25–31, 2020 and Jan. 1–3, 2021. The San Diego Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this event, with the exception of Dec. 24, when the Zoo closes at 5 p.m.
    • Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! On the Radio
      • Free on KPBS Radio 89.5 FM, on the KPBS website and app, and on smart speakers!
        • Saturday, December 5 at 12:00 noon PT
        • Sunday, December 20 at 12:00 noon PT
        • Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) at 6:00 p.m. PT
    • Where to see holiday lights this year - Pacific San Diego (11.26.2020)







































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