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AG EDUCATION SAVE THE DATE

THE CHRISTMAS US ASTRONAUT TO SPEAK

TABLE Gathering with love CASI FUNDRAISER

and the gift of food

BY JYNEL GULARTE, RIVER RD.
BY C. MICHAEL HOGAN, PHD, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF CALIFORNIA ARTS
Howdy neighbors! It’s Jynel, your local farm friend, here to talk AND SCIENCES INSTITUE, BAY RIDGE RESIDENT
about agriculture and Christmas! This time of year always feels
so special to me. It’s not about getting the nicest gifts or having
the most elaborate decorations; for me, it’s about preparing
ourselves for the celebration of the birth of Christ, and with that
comes giving and loving others through relationships - whether
that is with loved ones or people we do not even know. Even
though Christmas may feel like the peak of the giving season, it
should be a good reminder that we need to continue this season
year-round, whether it is within our communities, within our
families, or at our workplaces.
Farmers, ranchers, and our workers give a lot during the
year - we give our time, our resources, and our work to growing
wholesome food for others. I always say if farming was easy,
everyone would be doing it. Our work and lifestyles are truly a
labor of love - it motivates me and brings me great joy to think
of where our produce ends up. Is it feeding a family or someone

in need? Is it providing nutrition to a sick patient? Is it
being shared around a table? Is it bringing comfort to
someone who is suffering? Food is truly a staple for life
but also for culture.
Gathering around a table with loved ones and sharing
a meal I think is such a simple yet impactful custom. The
holidays always bring about special meals or dishes that
families maybe only prepare once a year. It is an honor to
work in agriculture and help provide these ingredients for US Astronaut Dr. James Newman will speak at a fundraiser responsibility for conducting flight crew and flight control
meals that families and friends will prepare and enjoy in for the California Arts and Sciences Institute (CASI) on team training for all mission phases in the areas of Orbiter
celebration together or maybe the meal will be given to December 16, 5 p.m., at Wave Street Studios, Monterey. propulsion, guidance, and control. He was working as
someone in need. Newman will relate his experience in NASA space travel and a simulation supervisor when he was selected for the
So no matter how, where or who you celebrate
Christmas with, I hope we are all reminded of the true spacewalk and delve into the future of space travel and space astronaut program. In that capacity, he was responsible for a
colonization. Dr. Michael Hogan, who led the design of the
team of instructors conducting flight controller training.
meaning behind this season - to celebrate Christ and to NASA Apollo heat shield, will lead the Q&A session. Tickets may be obtained at https://casicalifornia.
give with love to others. Merry Christmas and thank you Newman served as a NASA astronaut in space and org. All proceeds from ticket sales will go toward the
to all those who have had any part in in research functions. He flew as a mission specialist on CASI scholarships to student award winners in the CASI
providing food for our tables!
STS-51 (1993), STS-69 (1995), STS-88 (1998) and STS- Student Art and Writing
109 (2002). A veteran of four space flights, Dr. Newman Contests. Complementary
Jynel Gularte lives in the River Road has logged over 43 days in space, including six spacewalks wine and light refreshments
community and works for her family’s totaling over 43 hours. will be served. CASI is a
local farm. She is excited to help spread Dr. Newman’s early work was adjunct professor 501c3 public charity whose
awareness about the agricultural way of in the Department of Space Physics and Astronomy mission is to inspire youth
life in the Salinas Valley and the bountiful at Rice University. That same year he came to work at and provide information to
produce that’s grown here.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where his duties included the community.
Ag is crucial to our economy, our livelihood, and our dinner tables. Learn more about our
local ag industry as Jynel Gularte takes us through a farmer’s life. Contact Laurie.Martin@
n2co.com with any questions you have for Jynel.

48 December 2024 Greet HWY 68 Loop 49