Soundings Magazine.net

12/08/2023

The crowds were smaller but the ceremony was just as emotional. Every year in downtown Stockton, as well is in countless other communities, people gathered to remember Pearl Harbor.

Michael Cockrell and Cyndy Green join forces to bring us this video story.

Waterfront Ceremony The crowds were smaller but the ceremony was just as emotional. Every year in downtown Stockton, as well is in countless other communities, people gathered to remember Pearl Harbor. As then-President Franklin Roosevelt stated, it is indeed a day that lives on in infamy; the d

12/05/2023

The city of Lodi, CA, held their annual Christmas Parade of Lights on Thursday, 30-Nov-2023. Lodi resident, 98-year-old WWII veteran, U.S. Marine Cpl. Frank S. Wright was Grand Marshal. The parade had over 80-entries and thousands of community members lined the street for the evening event. Enjoy this video sampling by Michael Cockrell at the link below.

The city of Lodi, CA, held their annual Christmas Parade of Lights on Thursday, 30-Nov-2023. Lodi resident, 98-year-old WWII veteran, U.S. Marine Cpl. Frank S. Wright was Grand Marshal. Wright is the last of two living WWII Marine Raiders (special forces) and fought many major battles in the Pacific

12/02/2023

It’s an annual celebration of light during the darkest time of the year – the San Joaquin County Historical Museum’s Festival of Trees.

See Cyndy Green's video and event information at the link below.

San Joaquin County Historical Museum's Annual Celebration It's an annual celebration of light during the darkest time of the year - the San Joaquin County Historical Museum's Festival of Trees. The event at Micke Grove Park, now in its 31st year, showcases sixty-six trees, each unique. The trees

11/30/2023

These tours of the newspaper usually started in our lobby, next to a framed copy of the paper’s mission statement, a list of “prime directives” for the paper to follow. The first directive still resonates, perhaps even more now than back then: TELL THE TRUTH.

For the rest of Jack Jacobs' story in Soundings Journal, follow the link below.

“Is it true? I can’t believe it.” The Eagles - 1974Nearly a quarter-century ago, at The Record, on Wednesday mornings, retired Retail Advertising Manager Fred Risso, Advertising Account Executive Harold Berg, and I would lead classes of fourth-graders on tours of our Market Street address.Thes...

11/30/2023

The timing couldn’t be better for the stage superhit to arrive here, given its spirit of enchantment for holiday audiences. Directed by Dominee Muller-Kimball, with live music conducted by husband Paul Kimball, the production runs until December 17, offering a lesson on the restorative power of love and kindness. Its storytelling magic appeals to the kid in all of us.

Click the link below for the rest of Howard Lachtman's review in Soundings Journal.

A Holiday Treat for Kids of All Ages "Beauty and the Beast" is a classic French fairy tale that never grows old, especially when it is in the right theatrical hands. The cast and crew of the Stockton Civic Theatre make it possible for us to take a tour of the cursed castle, merry tavern and bust

11/10/2023

For Veterans Day -

Something to thing about from Howard Lachtman.

For Veterans Day - One of the Lucky OnesOr so they saidwhen I returned to their praisesand thanks for my service, gratified their prayers were answeredand I was a home town herothough not to everyonegiven the unpopularity of the long warand the hasty retreat that signaledit was all for nothing,

11/03/2023

Most of us take these birds of prey for granted, but Moris Senegor gives us unusually stunning closeup views and information in his informative photo essay about local hawks at the link below.

Part II: Hawks Of the various raptors in our area, hawks are by far the most common. They can be easily spotted atop roadside poles and wires, keenly observing the ground for prey. My favorite sites for hawk spotting in the north county are the roads around Cosumnes Preserve and Walnut Grove. I c

11/01/2023

Since we launched Soundings Journal back in November of 2018 we’ve published 280 stories, photo essays, videos, fiction and public service messages by 49 authors.

Help us continue producing independent journalism and find out how to get a free print of those Sandhill cranes at sunrise on Staten Island by clicking the link below.

5 Years Already! Since we launched Soundings Journal back in November of 2018 we've published 280 stories, photo essays, videos, fiction and public service messages by 49 authors. Help us continue producing independent journalism. Become a member now at the Independent Journalism Supporter level (

10/30/2023

Dia De Los Mu***os -Day of the Dead – is a joyous celebration of life that brings ancestors (the dead) back for a brief period of remembrance with their living kin. Learn more in this short informative video by Cyndy Green and Michael Cockrell.

Day of the Dead Dia De Los Mu***os -Day of the Dead - is a joyous celebration of life that brings ancestors (the dead) back for a brief period of remembrance with their living kin. While Halloween is recognized on October 31, the Latino community awaits the arrival of the spirits of dead children o

10/19/2023

From 2016 -

UC Merced Library Student Assistant, Maria Higareda-Marquez hangs one of the pieces in "Delta Grandeur", my traveling exhibit that was on display through November 27.

Elizabeth Salmon, Head of Access Services and Library Liaison to the School of Natural Sciences, UC Merced had this to say:
"The deep connection Rich Turner has with the Delta comes through in his photographs and I am certain this exhibit will inspire our students and wider Merced community to explore and learn more about this beautiful natural resource."

This exhibit is available for bookings at your facility. Message me for details.

10/17/2023

No one can blame you for being a bit hesitant or reluctant about something called “Gruesome Playground Injuries,” given the g-word and i-word of the play’s title. But you’d be wise to ditch the hesitation and lose the reluctance. If you don’t, you’ll miss seeing one of the most unusual and intriguing plays of Stockton Civic Theatre’s season.

Follow the link below for Howard Lachtman's review, dates and times and how to get tickets to the final performances of unique live theater experience at the Stockton Civic Theatre.

I can tell by the expression on your face that you have certain misgivings about attending a play that sounds more like a medical disaster than a jolly evening at the theatre. No one can blame you for being a bit hesitant or reluctant about something called "Gruesome Playground Injuries," given the

10/16/2023

Trash is something you see every day – on the roadsides and around town. Rio Vista Litter Pickers has worked out a partnership between the city and local library to check out more than books. Litter pickup kits are now available for local citizens to check out so they can volunteer to clean up their town. Watch the story by Cyndy Green below.

Trash is something you see every day - on the roadsides and around town. Rio Vista Litter Pickers has worked out a partnership between the city and local library to check out more than books. Litter pickup kits are now available for local citizens to check out so they can volunteer to clean up their

10/14/2023

"Ode to Paul Fairbrook." by Mel Corren.

1923-2023 I had the pleasure of knowing Paul Fairbrook for many, many years and would like to make known some of his many accomplishments that bettered our city and beyond. Paul was just 15 years old when he and his family slipped out of N**i Germany, arriving in America in 1938. He was a Holocau

10/05/2023

Crop irrigation seems a simple concept from afar but is complex when a grower needs to decide when and how much to irrigate.

At the link below, find out how farmers know when and how much to irrigate, and how they save precious water in the process.

Sponsored Content The San Joaquin Valley of California is one of the top fertile regions in the world that settles above a large groundwater aquifer that is prime for high quality agriculture production. But at what cost? As the San Joaquin Valley receives minimal rainfall in a hot Mediterranean to

09/22/2023

Native American, Joseph Maes, is also a Stockton native. His earliest memories are of family and community. Now he looks back at how they shaped him as a man. But it his experience as a Vietnam draftee that changed the course of his life forever. And who he is today. These experiences are recorded in a book he wrote for his children.

Cyndy Green's video is at the link below.

A Grunt in Vietnam Native American, Joseph Maes, is also a Stockton native. His earliest memories are of family and community. Now he looks back at how they shaped him as a man. But it his experience as a Vietnam draftee that changed the course of his life forever. And who he is today. These experi

09/20/2023

Howard Lachtman's review of the Stockton Civic Theatre's production of "9 to 5."

"The sellout audience with whom I sat reacted to the musical version of “9 to 5” with enthusiasm for its energy, creativity, and the give-it-all-you-got efforts of its performers. There was no doubt in our minds that this was a winner from the start destined for continuous popularity during its run."

For the full review, dates and times of performances and how to buy tickets, please follow the link below.

The current Stockton Civic Theatre production of "9 to 5: The Musical" got off to an impressive start at the very end of August and early September with a delightful staging of the musical comedy that first beguiled audiences as a 1980 film starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton. 43 year

09/16/2023

Enjoy this new photo essay by accomplished photographer/writer, Moris Senegor.

“You probably have more wildlife where you live than we have here in Alaska,” said our Alaskan guide, a professional photographer who led wildlife photo safaris. Surprised, I objected. After all, here I was in Sitka, chasing humpback whales with my camera.

Beautiful birds close by? Learn where with a large selection of exquisite photographs at the link below.

Part 1: Waterfowl and Wading Birds “You probably have more wildlife where you live than we have here in Alaska,” said our Alaskan guide, a professional photographer who led wildlife photo safaris. Surprised, I objected. After all, here I was in Sitka, chasing humpback whales with my camera. The ...

09/13/2023

What happens when a group of motorcyclists enters a quiet suburban neighborhood? Good things. Especially when they are there in support of an eight-year-old entrepreneur selling lemonade. Cyndy Green and Michael Cockrell team up to tell us this upbeat story at the link below.

What happens when a group of motorcyclists enters a quiet suburban neighborhood? Good things. Especially when they are there in support of an eight-year-old entrepreneur selling lemonade. https://youtu.be/L-OB04kcGV8

09/13/2023

What are some of your first memories of freedom on wheels? Adam Gottstein's shares both is early and later bicycle memories at the link below. I think we can all, to some degree, identify.

Then and Now When I was single digits (seven, eight, nine…) my mom would take me out of school on a Friday in San Francisco and drive up to our country home in Volcano where we’d spend the weekend, often just the two of us. I kept my prized Stingray bike in Volcano, where there were way more opp...

09/08/2023

Native plants are are specially adapted to local soil conditions and require fewer resources like water and fertilizer.

In this new Soundings Journal article, Jodie Sheffield writes about sustainable landscaping in California. Follow the link below to learn more.

The Benefits of Water-Saving Sod in California's Delta Sponsored Content- When you think about sustainable landscaping in California, the choice of grass or turf can make a significant difference. For decades, Delta Bluegrass Company has been pioneering in this area on McDonald Island and Terminou

09/02/2023

Stockton Civic Theatre kicks off its new season with “9 to 5” and Howard Lachtman offers us a preview as well as a recap of their Willie Awards for last season’s performances. Not to mention a trivia question about The Bard, at the link below.

Love and loss, laughter and disaster, music and murder. They're all on the menu for the upcoming season of the Stockton Civic Theatre. The season kicks off August 31 with a musical comedy about three working women who deplore and detest their sexist office boss and plot to upgrade their careers by d