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NATIONAL FORTUNE COOKIE DAY We see a time when you will enjoy a crunchy, sweet treat on National Fortune Cookie Day! Each year on July 20th, Americans celebrate the cookie that is a traditional part of Chinese take-out. These crisp, folded cookies have a hint of buttery sweetness. Break them open, and you will find a slip of paper tucked inside with a message on it. The phrase will range from profound words of wisdom or tricky riddles to simple bits of common sense. Some fort...unes include quotes from famous philosophers. While these nuggets of enjoyment are most often found at the end of a Chinese meal, they didn’t originate in China. The distinctively folded cookie began in Japan, where elegant desserts and folding techniques are quintessentially Japanese. However, in Japan, the fortune was tucked in the fold on the outside of the cookie. Sometime in the late 1800s, the fortune cookie migrated to the United States and made its transition. During World War II, it exploded in popularity, and Americans have never stopped enjoying them.

NATIONAL GET OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE DAY Occasionally, we all need a free pass. National Get Out of the Doghouse Day on the third Monday in July offers the fast track home we all need once in a while. Generally, when you are in the doghouse, you have fallen out of favor with someone, usually your spouse or significant other. However, you can also be in the doghouse with a friend or your boss at work. This day uses all those good cliches to get you back in the big house where... you belong. Here are some tips to get out of the doghouse. Put down the technology If this is on your naughty list, don’t use email, texting, or other technology to apologize. A face to face or handwritten apology is best. Meet at a favorite coffee house The purpose here is to start talking. Listen to what the other person has to say and do not be judgmental or defensive. Find out why you are in the doghouse and give suggestions on how you can improve or fix the issue. Send flowers, chocolates, or an appropriate gift Include a hand-written note about how you are committed to fixing the issue. Do this AFTER you have already spoken. You will win extra brownie points as this will be unexpected. (Brownies will garner additional points, too!)

What is your favorite type of ice cream? NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY Dish or cone? That’s all we need to know. National Ice Cream Day on the 3rd Sunday in July offers up every flavor on the menu to honor the day! The holiday also lands in the middle of National Ice Cream Month. ...Continue reading

SR-242 CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND If SR-242 is your normal route of travel, seek alternative routes this weekend as Caltrans District 4 is conducting freeway construction this weekend, starting Friday, 7/9, at 10pm until Monday, 7/12, at 10am.

What is your favorite recipe or corn fritters. NATIONAL CORN FRITTERS DAY | July 16 National Corn Fritters Day on July 16th encourages us to fry up a batch of these crispy, flavorful bites of corn and batter! Make them with fresh corn and the celebration will be even better!... These bright crispy morsels make great additions to summer barbecues and backyard gatherings. The main ingredients include corn, meal, egg, milk, and butter. While they may have originated in the south, corn fritters can easily be changed up with peppers, onions, or herbs to give them regional and seasonal flair. When paired with other vegetables and a pan-fried fish filet, corn fritters added to a lightly toasted bun create a unique fish sandwich. Don’t look at corn fritters as just a side dish, but a functional part of a complete meal. Make your fritters small, and they become appetizers. When there’s a bumper crop of sweet corn, be sure to freeze some for a taste of summer during the winter. These corn fritters will brighten up a gloomy, cold day.

This is a great reason to clean your closet or garage. NATIONAL GIVE SOMETHING AWAY DAY Most of us have the benefit of having more than we need to live. National Give Something Away Day on July 15th offers us an opportunity to share some of our bounties. ... In the United States, giving is on the rise. According to Giving USA, giving rose in all nine major categories in 2016. Religion Education Human services Giving to foundations Health, public-society benefit Arts Culture and humanities International affairs Environment and animals. Giving benefits us all, too. It improves our community and puts much-needed services and assistance within the reach of those who need it most. The giver also benefits. Giving not only makes us feel good but it teaches gratitude, too. Whether we give financially or by offering our skills and services, we lift others up. Our words can be a gift, too. Showing empathy, encouragement, and compassion to someone during a time of need may make us feel vulnerable, but it empowers those we offer it to as well. You can also share your time with others by volunteering. While you may not think you have something to give away, you might be surprised. Tangible items like clothing, money, and food aren’t always what’s needed, though they may be the most common. On this day, broaden your goals and organize a give something away fundraiser. Also, look around your community, and identify the places that need you the most. Focus your energies there.

NATIONAL CORN FRITTERS DAY National Corn Fritters Day on July 16th encourages us to fry up a batch of these crispy, flavorful bites of corn and batter! Make them with fresh corn and the celebration will be even better! These bright crispy morsels make great additions to summer barbecues and backyard gatherings. The main ingredients include corn, meal, egg, milk, and butter. While they may have originated in the south, corn fritters can easily be changed up with peppers, onion...s, or herbs to give them regional and seasonal flair. When paired with other vegetables and a pan-fried fish filet, corn fritters added to a lightly toasted bun create a unique fish sandwich. Don’t look at corn fritters as just a side dish, but a functional part of a complete meal. Make your fritters small, and they become appetizers. When there’s a bumper crop of sweet corn, be sure to freeze some for a taste of summer during the winter. These corn fritters will brighten up a gloomy, cold day. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCornFrittersDay Head to your local Southern-style restaurant or grab your frying pan to whip up some homemade fritters! Here are a grilled corn fritter and a fresh sweet corn fritter recipe for you to try. Post on social media using #NationalCornFrittersDay.

NATIONAL FUDGE DAY National Fudge Day comes around each year on June 16th, allowing you to indulge in your favorite flavor of this delicious confectionery. Some of the most familiar fudge flavors are chocolate, chocolate nut, peanut butter, maple, and maple nut. Fudge lends itself to experimentation when it comes to flavors. Blending favorites or even a moment of inspiration will create a new delicious kind of fudge. Adding bits of candy, nuts or sprinkles can bring just the... right celebratory burst of excitement to an old favorite. In the late 19th century, some shops on Mackinac Island, Michigan, began to produce similar products as the Vassar College fudge and sold it to summer vacationers. Fudge is still made in some of the original shops located on the famous island. Three other fudge holidays entice us to celebration, too. Check out May 12th to celebrate all those nutty fudges. July 22nd marks Penuche Fudge Day. Finally, on November 20th Peanut Butter Fudge Day is celebrated. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFudgeDay Pick up some fudge at your local confectionery store and share it with family and friends.

NATIONAL SMILE POWER DAY On June 15th each year, National Smile Power Day shares one powerful expression. From the good morning greeting and the first How may I help you? present yourself with a smile. No matter where you are employed, job seeking, retired, or looking for new horizons starting the day with a smile is certainly more empowering than a pout or grump. Starting with a smile first is easier than trying to get there later in the day. ... When you smile at someone, you are telling them that they are valued and worth the smile that you just gave them. Smiles are morale boosters and confidence builders. Research has proven that smiling really does increase attractiveness and likability between humans. Smiling creates greater trust and increased interpersonal cooperation. Smiling at someone can help them to relax and relieve their stress while at the same time, it will make you feel right. Even if you do not feel like it, smiling will lift your mood and can make you a happier person. HOW TO OBSERVE #SmilePowerDay Challenge yourself to smile more often today. Use a smile to disarm a tense situation, or simply smile during your daily tasks. Are you having trouble smiling? Try these tips to help you smile more: Think of a few happy moments that automatically generate a smile for you. You know, those moments where you belly laughed until your stomach hurts or a time when you were so pleased with yourself your face hurt from smiling. Keep those memories handy and use them to help you smile more often. Save a couple of short jokes that are just so silly you can’t help but smile. Tell them to others, too. The best ones are simple children’s jokes or riddles that play on words. Learn Spoonerisms. This fun way of swapping letters in two words in a phrase to make new words make people stop and think. And then they smile and so will you! An example of a Spoonerism is instead of ordering peas and carrots at a restaurant you say, I’ll have the keys and parrots. Make a list of the things you’re grateful for. Which ones make you smile? Keep the list handy and refer to it often. Add to it and feel your smiles add up. Use #SmilePowerDay on social media.

NATIONAL GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE DAY On June 11th, National German Chocolate Cake Day celebrates a cake with American roots. It also happens to be one of the top 10 favorite cakes in America. Although the name may sound like the cake originated in Germany, it did not. The cake’s roots can be traced back to 1852 when American Sam German made a type of dark baking chocolate for the American Baker’s Chocolate Company. Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate’s brand was named in honor of ...Sam German. Over 100 years later in 1957, a recipe for German’s Chocolate Cake appeared as the Recipe of the Day in the Dallas Morning Star. This recipe, created by Mrs. George Clay, used the Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate, and it became quite popular. During this time, General Foods owned the Baker’s brand and distributed Mrs. Clay’s recipe to other newspapers around the country. The current name of German Chocolate Cake, as we know it today, came to be as publications started dropping the ‘s.

NATIONAL CORN ON THE COB DAY As we approach the first day of summer, June 11th marks the calendar to celebrate National Corn on the Cob Day each year. Fresh corn on the cob is a summertime treat people from all corners of the United States look forward to as we start the picnic season. In different regions of the country, corn on the cob is known as pole corn, cornstick, sweet pole, butter-pop, sweet corn, or long maize. Picking the corn when the kernels are tender and in its... milk stage serves up sweeter kernels. Boiling, steaming, roasting, and grilling are the most common ways to prepare corn on the cob. When grilling or roasting sweet corn, the husks may be left on to retain moisture and flavor during the cooking process. While it might seem rude, proper dinner etiquette for eating corn says holding the cob at each end with your fingers is appropriate. Serving corn on the cob with other seasonings, butter or oils can add even more flavor. On June 10th, we celebrated National Herbs and Spices Day. Anything you learned while celebrating that day can also be applied while enjoying your corn on the cob! Consider roasting your sweet corn with a little cilantro and chili pepper. HOW TO OBSERVE #CornOnTheCobDay As the flavor of fresh corn on the cob calls to us, get the butter and the salt shaker ready. The time is ripe to invite friends and family for grilling and that includes corn on the cob. Add corn on the cob to your favorite seafood boil. Whether it’s spice or mild, the sweet corn will be a crowd-pleaser. Even those who prefer corn off the cob can celebrate by slicing off those kernels. Use #CornOnTheCobDay on social media and tell the world!.

NATIONAL STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM DAY Each year on May 21st, we combine two favorites for a celebration on National Strawberries and Cream Day. Fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream is a must when strawberries are in season. They are the perfect, refreshing, light snack on a beautifully warm day! With these bright red berries in season, it should be no surprise that it’s also National Strawberry Month. Strawberries are a very healthy snack as they are low-fat, low in ca...lories, and an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and potassium. Strawberries grow all over the world. Not only are they delicious, but they are also fragrant. With over 600 varieties, we have quite a few to choose from, too. While strawberries and cream makes a great dessert, it can also be eaten for breakfast or a snack. You can also add a little granola for texture. If you enjoy chocolate, drizzle a little on top. No matter how you enjoy your strawberries, you just cannot go wrong with this treat. HOW TO OBSERVE #StrawberriesAndCreamDay Pick up some strawberries and whipping cream to celebrate the day. Enjoy this Strawberries and Cream recipe. Use #StrawberriesAndCreamDay to post on social media.

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NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day on April 9th honors the courageous men and women who have endured brutal treatment at the hands of their captors. As a result, they’ve also suffered separation from family and displayed incredible endurance and faith during their captivity. On this day in 1942, the largest number of U.S. Forces were captured by Japanese troops in the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. After battl...ing through extreme conditions and prolonged battles, the captured troops were forced to march 65 miles to the prison camp. Without medical attention, food or water thousands died. The mistreatment continued for those who survived the brutal journey. In the compounds, deep in the unfamiliar jungle, the hardships, brutality, and suffering lasted more than two years for those who could survive. Since the Revolutionary War, over half a million service members have been captured. This number does not reflect those lost or never recovered. However, each POW endures conditions much like the ones described above. These heroes deserve a day of recognition. HOW TO OBSERVE #FormerPOWRecognitionDay Government officials, veterans, civic and private organizations observe the day with ceremonies and events. Some states require organizations and government facilities to fly the POW/MIA flag on this day. Honor former POWs by helping to organize events. Ensure your organization flies the POW/MIA flag. Volunteer to help a veteran organization. Learn more by visiting the American Legion. Use #FormerPOWRecognitionDay to share on social media. NATIONAL FORMER HISTORY In 1984, a movement led by former POWs began seeking a day recognizing for former Prisoners of War on April 9th each year. In 1988, Congress approved legislation setting April 9th to commemorate the date the tragic number of captives were taken prisoner on Bataan. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on April 1, 1988, through Presidential Proclamation 5788. He set the observance for April 9, 1988. Since then, through legislation and Presidential Proclamations, the observance carries on.

NATIONAL UNICORN DAY National Unicorn Day on April 9th each year celebrates the mythical horse-like creature with a single, pointed horn growing from the center of its forehead. Unicorns have been a popular mythical creature since the Ancient Greek times when people believed they lived in exotic India. While they were once considered to be fierce, powerful animals, many now see them as a symbol of love, purity, enchantment, and magic. They also appear in many movies and carto...ons as magical creatures. Both adults and children find a fascination with unicorns. They also continue to find their way into fantasy novels alongside other mythical creatures. HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalUnicornDay There are serval ways to celebrate this fun day. Try these fun ideas: Make some brightly colored pancakes or cupcakes. Decorate them with multicolored sprinkles or glitter. Bake cookies in the shape of unicorns. Watch a favorite movie including unicorns. Draw a picture of a unicorn or write a story about one. Read your favorite fantasy novel featuring unicorns. We’ve also created a coloring page and a picture puzzle. Can you find the differences? Use the key to see if you find them all. Post photos on social media using #NationalUnicornDay NATIONAL UNICORN DAY HISTORY National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this holiday.

This faucet limits the number of things you have to touch when washing your hands

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MOUSSE DAY Every April 3rd National Chocolate Mousse Day recognizes the decadent dessert that gained popularity in France in the 1800s. Mousse is prepared by beating eggs or cream or both to a frothy, airy consistency and then folding the ingredients together to create a light, creamy delight.... While mousse can be either savory or sweet, for this day, we will focus on that all-time favorite, chocolate. The words mousse and chocolate are derived from the French language, so it isn’t difficult to believe France is where to begin looking for the beginnings of this versatile creation. While we have no exact point in time when this might have been, we do know chocolate was introduced to the French around the year 1615, and they fell in love. Then a century later, the French developed a method for making a mousse. Savory led the way, but it couldn’t have been long before the same approach was applied to chocolate. In the United States, an advertisement in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 1887 included classes on how to make chocolate mousse offered by a Miss Parloa. She also advised how to make potato soup, larded grouse, potato timbale, and corn muffins. From dark chocolate to milk chocolate, bittersweet, or any combination, there is plenty of variety when it comes to chocolate mousse.

NATIONAL FIND A RAINBOW DAY Each year on April 3rd, National Find A Rainbow Day challenges us to look to the sky and find a colorful ray of hope cast across it. There are people that see rainbows as an artistic masterpiece in the sky, to others it is a sign of hope and to many a sign of promise. It can be all three; beauty, hope and promise. (Jill Magnus) ... A spectrum of light in the form of a multicolored arc, appearing in the sky, is caused by both reflection and refraction of light in water droplets in the Earth’s atmosphere. These rainbows always appear directly opposite of the sun. The light is refracted (bent) when it enters a droplet of water, then is reflected inside on the back of the droplet and refracted again when leaving it. Red is the color that is visible on the outer part of a rainbow and violet on the inside of a primary rainbow. Children learn in science class the mnemonic ROYGBIV to help them to remember the sequence of colors in a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Many forms of airborne water can cause rainbows including, rain, mist, spray, and dew. HOW TO OBSERVE #FindARainbowDay Find yourself a rainbow or use the garden hose or a prism to make one yourself. Families, students, and classrooms, create a rainbow from the colorful hearts on this printable. There’s at least one for every color in the rainbow. Take out your color crayons and finish what we’ve started. Then cut them out and put them in a cheerful, sunny window to brighten the day of someone passing by.

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY On April 2nd each year, National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day celebrates a classic food favorite. The average American will have eaten over 2000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time they graduate from high school. Peanut butter was considered a delicacy in the early 1900s and was only served in New York City’s finest tea rooms. In a May 1896 article published in the Good Housekeeping magazine, a recipe urged homemakers to use a m...eat grinder to make peanut butter and spread the result on bread. That same year, in June, the culinary magazine Table Talk, published a peanut butter sandwich recipe. It is thought that Julia Davis Chandler issued the first reference to peanut butter (or paste) paired with jelly on bread in the United States in 1901. Her article is found in the Boston Cooking School Magazine of Culinary Science and Domestic Economics. In the late 1920s, the price of peanut butter declined, and the sandwich became very popular with children. According to the Peanut Board, during World War II, both peanut butter and jelly were part of the United States soldiers’ military ration list. In 1968, The J.M. Smucker Co. introduced Goober, a jarred product that combined alternating vertical stripes of peanut butter and jelly. HOW TO OBSERVE #PeanutButterAndJellyDay It may be a good day to try something different. The following are a few peanut butter and jelly ideas to help you out! Cupcakes French Toast Pie Sushi Cookies Donuts Pancakes Fudge We’ve also created a hidden picture puzzle. Find the hidden peanuts in the picture. We’ve included the key if you think you’ve found them all. Also, we turned the image into a coloring page. Download and print it off. Have fun! Use #PeanutButterAndJellyDay to post on social media.

WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), on April 2nd each year shines a bright light on a growing global health crisis. According to the National Autism Association, Autism affects 1 in 59 children. The bio-neurological developmental disability usually presents itself by the age of three, and it’s more prevalent in boys than girls.... As children with autism grow older, they face all sorts of obstacles. Because many don’t speak or use social cues as you or I do, they become targets for bullies or are excluded altogether. Children with autism are also vulnerable to drowning because they wander from their homes and schools. Due to their inability to communicate, they cannot tell someone their name or where they live, either. Additionally, as adults, they are more likely to unemployed or underemployed. However, resources are available for families and schools to help keep children safe and to support them lead happy and healthy lives. Visit the National Autism Association website for resources, guides and tips for families and schools. The day also focuses on the growing need for programs designed to support those with autism now and in the future. HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldAutismAwarenessDay or #WAAD Throughout the day, organizations hold events supporting autism awareness. Attend an event and show your support for someone you know. Share your story and make your voice heard. While the day also celebrates the stories and lives of those with autism, it’s also important to remember that autism is a life long condition with varying degrees of severity. It’s important to continue to support research for treatment and therapies that will improve the lives of those with autism. Speak out about autism to help eliminate the stigma associated with it. And use #WorldAutismDay to share on social media. WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY HISTORY The United Nations General Assembly declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness day in 2008 to draw attention to the growing need for innovative programs designed to support those with autism.