As in years past, the cadets marched in uniform about three-quarters of a mile from their school to the Elks Club on East Chapman Avenue for the birthday celebration where local officials met them. There, they helped carry out the ceremony and provided the color guard.

Col. Mark Tull and Master Sgt. Carlos Mata — both retired Marines who are instructors with the ROTC program — also assisted with the afternoon’s events.

The JROTC program helps students learn leadership skills and build character in and out of the classroom, the school says. According to Orange High, it is designed to help students become ready for college.

The Marine Corps was established on Nov. 10, 1775, to aid in the Revoluntary War.

The retailer said it also updated its technology and grocery offerings at Amazon Fresh stores in Pasadena, Irvine and Woodland Hills.

The services were previously available only to Amazon Prime members.

Delivery fees for Amazon Fresh orders online range from $4.95 to $13.95 for customers without a Prime membership. That’s $4 more than Prime members pay per delivery. Prime members also get free delivery on orders over $100.

In its Thursday, Nov. 9 announcement, Amazon said customers also can order delivery from a variety of grocery and specialty retailers available on Amazon.com. Locally, that includes Bristol Farms and Cardenas Markets.

Amazon said it plans to expand grocery delivery and free pickup to all of its Whole Foods Markets, too.

Legal headwinds

Despite the expanded services, Amazon is reportedly facing lawsuits and getting into legal battles with landlords as the number of “zombie” stores — or properties where it was supposed to open Amazon Fresh grocery stores — is starting to pile up, Business Insider reported.

The company has been trying to establish a larger presence in the grocery marketplace, Supermarket News said, but that has been a struggle since the e-commerce giant first acquired the Whole Foods grocery brand in 2017.

Meanwhile, three local stores have been revamped.

Amazon said it added thousands of new products and Krispy Kreme Doughnut shops to Fresh stores in Pasadena, Irvine and Woodland Hills, according to Claire Peters, vice president worldwide for Amazon Fresh. The clunky Dash Carts are more user-friendly, too.

The carts, which are made heavy with technology that helps track what shoppers put inside them, got updated software and hardware providing real-time receipt totals. The carts can alert a shopper to store discounts and produce can be weighed on a built-in scale in the basket.

The smartcart allows shoppers to skip the checkout line, much like Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. When they’re ready to check out, customers exit the store through the Amazon Dash Cart lane and their payment is processed using the credit card associated with their Amazon account.

Shoppers also can check out the traditional way with cashiers.

The Southern California store upgrades follow the redesign of two Amazon Fresh stores in the Chicago area.

“We really spent the last couple months diving deep to understand what our customers really want,” Peters said. “They are focused on selection, value and convenience, so we improved on those areas.”

Peters said the Krispy Kreme shops are especially popular among shoppers.

“From what I’ve seen, everyone loves those — and our coffee sampling,” she said.

The typically five-day festival is widely celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists in India and across the world, usually in late October or early November depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. Communities come together to enjoy big feasts, festive lights, colorful fireworks and rangoli displays, and cultural customs depending on the region or religion.

Diwali — derived from “Deepavali,” which translates to a “row of lights” — celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

Here are some events across the southland honoring the Diwali tradition.

Inland Empire

Nov. 10-13: The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Los Angeles, the region’s largest Indian mandir located in Chino Hills, celebrates the Festival of Lights all weekend. Organizers shared suggestions for families to celebrate at home, starting Friday, Nov. 10 with the Dhanteras Puja prayers.  On Saturday, Nov. 11, all are invited to a children’s Diwali celebration at the mandir from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with activities, arts and crafts.

On Sunday, Nov. 12, an inaugural community Diwali celebration will include traditional and contemporary activities, starting at 4 p.m. There will be mehndi and henna booths, diya or oil lamp-lighting, rangoli/mandala art, a special veterans’ tribute program, and cultural performances from various regions of India. As part of Diwali community service, all are invited to bring food or clean hygienic goods to donate to local shelters and pantries. There will also be a blood drive and care-kit-making booths all weekend long.

On Monday, Nov. 13, the Festival of Lights continues with the Annakut celebration, which will include vibrant art displays, lights, and a grand food offering to sacred images at the mandir temple.

From Saturday through Monday, all weekend long, the mandir light and sound shows will be every 30 minutes beginning at 6:30 through 8 p.m.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Los Angeles is located at 15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd. in Chino Hills. For more information and registration, visit bapsladiwali.org.

Los Angeles County

Nov. 10-12: The Pasadena Hindu Temple, located at 676 S. Rosemead Blvd., celebrates Diwali Mahotsav 2023 all weekend long with puja prayers and events. Dhanteras puja prayer begins Friday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. More prayers are sheduled for Sunday, Nov. 12 starting at 4 p.m. A Diwali cultural program will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Monrovia High School, featuring a dinner and cultural performances. Visit thepasadenahindutemple.org for more details.

Nov. 11: The Center for Yoga in Larchmont Village celebrates a Festival of Lights Kirtan and Ecstatic Dance fundraiser to celebrate the start of Diwali. There will be live music, spiritual chanting and dancing. For more information and tickets: centerforyogala.com

Nov. 11: Elevate Lounge celebrates “Bollywood Dhamaka, A Diwali Bollywood Party,” at 811 Wilshire Blvd, 21st floor. Desi attire is recommended. Contact 605-933-9873 for @bihevents on Instagram for more info.

Nov. 11: Free Diwali Mela Block Party at the Greenway Court Theater, 544 North Fairfax Ave, starting at 4:30 p.m. The celebration includes live Bollywood and musical performances, Desi food and drink. KriyaShakti Performing Arts also hosts month-long performances of the new one-act play, “ABCD: American Born Confused Desi,” at the Greenway Court Theater, beginning Saturday.

Nov. 12: Celebrate Deepavali/Diwali at the Art of Living Dome, 948 West Adams Boulevard, in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 12 with lamp-lighting, a guided breathing and meditation session, the puja ritual, Indian cuisine and pani puri stations, a Bollywood flash mob and more. Visit artofliving.org for more info.

Nov. 12: The Awareness Center, 2801 E. Foothill Blvd., in Pasadena celebrates Diwali with different forms of yoga, dance, a puja ceremony and more, beginning at 6 p.m. Registration is $25 registration at awarenesscenteryoga.com/events.

Nov. 12: Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center LA offers an online and in-person Diwali celebration on Sunday, Nov. 12, at its studio at 3741 West 27th Street in Los Angeles. The program begins with a 5:30 p.m. Lakshmi puja prayer, and samosas and chai will be served. Suggested donation is $25. For more info, visit sivanandala.org/program/online-diwali-festival-of-light.

Orange County

Nov. 10: The Orange County Indian Women Diwali meetup will be held at 1 p.m. at Sweet Shade Park, 15 Sweet Shade in Irvine. Children are welcome. The OC South Asian Student Association also celebrates Diwali with a party on Friday, Nov. 10 at the Irvine Great Park poolhouse and veranda, 120 Newington Drive, at 6 p.m.

Nov. 11: The Southern California chapter of Akhil Bhartiya Shree Swami Samarth Gurupeeth organization celebrates Diwali at the Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles, 14451 Franklin Avenue in Tustin, from 3 to p.m. Join for festivities, food, music and other traditions. To participate and attend, visit bit.ly/absss-diwali.

Nov 17: Join the Desi Indian Youth Association for a Diwali gala dinner fundraiser with a four-course meal, live music and dancing at the Yorba Linda Community Center, 4501 Casa Loma Ave. Tickets are $50. Visit www.diyaca.org for more info.

• 

  Navy veteran Lynn Bennick signs a poster at the 11th annual El Dorado Fallen Heroes Ceremony at El Dorado High School in Placentia, CA on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Veterans and active duty service members gathered for roll call and to honor the three former EDHS students who died while serving. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• 

  Boy Scouts raise the flag during the 11th annual El Dorado Fallen Heroes Ceremony at El Dorado High School in Placentia, CA on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Veterans and active duty service members gathered for a roll call and to honor the three former EDHS students who died while serving. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• 

  ASB President Emma Kim speaks during the 11th annual El Dorado Fallen Heroes Ceremony at El Dorado High School in Placentia, CA on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Veterans and active duty service members gathered for a roll call and to honor the three former EDHS students who died while serving. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• 

  Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gustavo Ramos, left, salutes with other service members during the 11th annual El Dorado Fallen Heroes Ceremony at El Dorado High School in Placentia, CA on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Veterans and active duty service members gathered for a roll call and to honor the three former EDHS students who died while serving. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• 

  Boy Scouts escort service members to their seats during the 11th annual El Dorado Fallen Heroes Ceremony at El Dorado High School in Placentia, CA on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Veterans and active duty service members gathered for a roll call and to honor the three former EDHS students who died while serving. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• 

  El Dorado High School students listen as Taps is played during the 11th annual El Dorado Fallen Heroes Ceremony in Placentia, CA on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Veterans and active duty service members gathered for a roll call and to honor the three former EDHS students who died while serving. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• 

  Army veteran Don Ward salutes during the 11th annual El Dorado Fallen Heroes Ceremony at El Dorado High School in Placentia, CA on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Veterans and active duty service members gathered for a roll call and to honor the three former EDHS students who died while serving. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• 

  A Boy Scout presents Marine veteran Bernie Robertson with flowers during the 11th annual El Dorado Fallen Heroes Ceremony at El Dorado High School in Placentia, CA on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Robertson’s son, Marine Staff Sgt. William Harrell, is one of three former EDHS students honored at the Fallen Heroes Memorial on campus. Veterans and active duty service members gathered for a roll call and to honor the three former EDHS students who died while serving. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

El Dorado High students took a break from the books Thursday for an in-person history lesson honoring veterans who served their country.

Veterans and active duty members of the military gathered for a roll call in a courtyard of the campus and there were student and veteran speakers and a tribute to Marine Cpl. Claudio Patiño IV, Staff Sgt. William Harrell and Army Sgt. Jason M. Weaver, three Golden Hawks who died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Participate: Ceremonies planned for Veterans Day 2023 around Orange County

The early Veterans Day remembrance was started by an El Dorado student more than a decade ago. For an Eagle Scout project, Andrew Binnings lead the construction of a memorial on the campus to honor the three alumni of the Placentia high school. The accompanying ceremony because a campus tradition and welcomes veterans in the community each year.

It was Binnings’ father, Kenny Binnings, who got retired Army Master Sgt. Don Ward, a veteran of the Vietnam War, involved this year for the first time. Binnings also got Ward, after many years of asking, to participate in 2022 and again last month in the honor convoy that has become part of Placentia’s Heritage Festival and Parade.

That experience of having people salute him and thank him for his service “changed my life,” Ward said.  “I brought my uniforms back out again.”

And the reception he received from the students and the El Dorado community on Thursday? “It makes what we fought for worth it,” Ward said. “I can’t say much more than that. This is what we fought for … to see the young people be active in this, to really understand this and know what it is all about.”

“For the veterans it is to help them understand there are people who still care,” Ward said. “That they are not alone.”

• 

  A Loara color guard participant is a blur of colors at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  A trumpeter keeps on eye on the drum major at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  A color guard member is lifted by other members at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  A color guard member waves her flags at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Saxophone players at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Fans held up signs for their favorite bands at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Kennedy High bands show included the plant from Little Shop of Horrors and even featured a band member being eaten at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Euphoniums create a graphic pattern at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Cypress High band members create a pattern at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  A family member records the show on her cell phone at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  A student conductor leads their band at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Kennedy High band members keep time atThe Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Trumpets strike a pose at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Magnolia High band members start their show at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Sycamore Junior High tuba player, Alfredo Ruvalcaba participates in the all-star ensemble from all the junior highs in the district at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Kylee Cardona catches a flag during warmups for the Savana High color guard at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Savana High junior, Jesslyn Sanchez awaits the beginning of her band’s show at The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  Cypress marching band readies their show at Glover Stadium. The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

• 

  The Anaheim Union High School District Band & Pageantry Spectacular was held at Glover Stadium on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Eight high school marching bands participated with an all-star junior high ensemble as well participated. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

Anaheim junior high and high school marching bands put on a spectacular for their families and the community Wednesday night.

It is the time of year when many Orange County school districts hold band pageants as the fall competition and parade season wraps up.

For Anaheim Union High School District bands, it is an annual tradition that is 60 years old.

Wednesday night, the All-District Junior High Band got things started before each high school took a turn performing their competitive field show during the more than two-hour pageant at Glover Stadium.

The night ended with more than 250 students selected from the district’s schools forming a mass band to play the finale.

Sheriff’s officials did not disclose the identity of the woman, who was described only as being in her 30s.

The woman was at the maximum-security jail to visit an inmate on Saturday and was directed to a public visiting area for the barracks section of the facility, confirmed sheriff’s spokesperson Carrie Braun.

Braun said the inmate the woman wanted to see was unavailable and she fell asleep in a visiting booth while waiting. No one noticed the woman when the area was closed at 5 p.m. She was not discovered until the area was reopened the next morning at 8 a.m.

Braun said the woman was immediately treated for a laceration to her hand, but she would not disclose how the woman sustained the cut.

Security cameras inside the waiting area can only be monitored from the guard station inside the room, which was not manned overnight, Braun said. There is no phone inside the visiting waiting area. The woman was not allowed by state law to bring her cellphone into the jail.

The woman was in an area not freely accessible to inmates.

An internal investigation is underway to determine how the woman was locked inside and whether any procedures or policies need to be changed, Braun said. One immediate change has already been made — a supervisor must check the area at least once during overnight hours.

Additionally, an emergency phone will be installed in the waiting area.

“This unfortunate incident should never have occurred,” Braun said. “The department is committed to fully investigate and ensure this never happens again.”

Theo Lacy has a maximum capacity of 3,442 inmates, according to the sheriff’s website.

Revenue increased for Walt Disney Co.’s theme parks globally in the fourth quarter, but the numbers lagged at Walt Disney World, the entertainment giant reported Wednesday.

Disney’s experiences division, which includes theme parks, hotels, Disney Cruise Line and merchandise, saw an uptick in revenue of 13% for the quarter ending Sept. 30. Domestic parks earned $5.4 billion, up 7%, while earnings at international parks were up 55% to $1.7 billion.

The report said Disney World suffered “lower results” without offering specific numbers. They were attributed to lower guest spending because of a decrease in hotel room rates, the cost of the accelerated depreciation for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, the two-night theme experience that was shuttered in September, as well as inflation.

The company’s third-quarter report also indicated a slump at Disney World and pointed to the flattening of attendance and softening in other Florida tourism markets.

Higher attendance and higher ticket prices fueled the growth at Disneyland, officials said.

“Parks and experiences overall remains a growth story, and we are managing our portfolio exceptionally well,” Disney CEO Robert Iger said during an analyst call Wednesday afternoon.

“Even in the case of Walt Disney World, where we have a tough comparison to the prior year, when you look at this year’s numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels in fiscal ‘19, we’ve seen growth in revenue and operating income of over 25% and 30% respectively over the last five years,” Iger said.

Interim Chief Financial Officer Kevin Lansberry said Disney World numbers were suffering in comparison with those from the resort’s 50th anniversary celebration, which ended April 1.

Disney World will have “a little bit of that lapping effect that will continue for a little bit as we go through Q1,” he said. “But as I look out at the other domestic businesses … Disneyland continues to look exceptionally strong, as does Disney Cruise Line. So bookings, all of those continue to be very, very strong going forward.

“We continue to be bullish on the long-term positioning of our experiences business,” Lansberry added. “We expect those investments to ramp up towards the back half of that 10-year period, with more gradual increases in the first few years,” he said.

Iger repeated his $60 billion plan to “turbocharge” growth for the theme parks at multiple locations.

In an interview with CNBC’s Julia Burstin, Iger said the long-term success of the parks played a part in those investments.

“When we looked ahead and how we’ll allocate capital … we decided that a great place to place our bets or our capital is in the business that’s delivered the best results,” he said.

Fourth-quarter revenue for Walt Disney Co. overall was $21.2 billion, a 5% year-to-year increase.

The company reported an increase of almost 7 million subscribers to its Disney+ streaming service. The addition of theatrical releases “Elemental,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” boosted the service, Iger said.

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com

The workers, represented by the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, voted 98.5% in favor of the four-year labor agreement that runs from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2027. It affects Kaiser employees in facilities across California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Also see: How Kaiser unions strikes led to ‘historic’ deal

Kaiser operates three dozen hospitals and more than 500 medical offices throughout California.

“This is more than a contract – it signals a new day for frontline healthcare workers and for patient safety across Kaiser facilities,” said Angelica Mateo, a licensed vocational nurse at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. “When healthcare workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder to fight for our patients and our jobs, we can win.”

The contract follows months of tense negotiations and comes on the heels of a three-day unfair labor practice strike in early October that included 75,000 Kaiser employees – a move that was compounded by the threat of another walkout.

Also see: Pasadena acquires site from Kaiser Permanente with goal of housing, mental health complex

A tentative agreement was reached Oct. 13 after Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su helped the two sides bridge the gap on key issues.

“Frontline healthcare workers across states, facilities and professions have shown the world what is possible through unity,” Dave Regan, president of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, said in a statement.

The contract will:

• Raise wages by 21% over four years to better retain current employees
• Establish a minimum wage of $25 an hour in California
• Place new limits on subcontracting and outsourcing
• Create a one-year accelerated hiring process
• Upskill existing workers

In a Thursday, Nov. 9 online posting, Kaiser said the agreements “will help ensure we remain a best place to work and receive care.”

“We will begin implementing the national contract immediately,” the healthcare giant said. “We look forward to working together through the labor management partnership to advance our mission of providing high-quality, affordable healthcare services and improving the health of our members and the communities we serve.”

Also see: 76% of California’s pandemic pay hikes lost to inflation

The unions said last month that outsourcing was a major sticking point in negotiations, as Kaiser executives “have refused to place limitations on subcontracting and outsourcing.” Limits, they said, would keep experienced healthcare workers on the job and provide continuity of care for patients.

Jessica Cruz, a licensed vocational nurse at Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center, said employees have been stretched thin.

“I see my patients’ frustrations when I have to rush them and hurry on to my next patient,” Cruz said recently. “We’re burning ourselves out trying to do the jobs of two or three people, and our patients suffer.”

Caroline Lucas, executive director of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, said the contract is a victory for Kaiser’s patients and employees.

“Today, we celebrate a huge step forward in addressing persistent staffing problems,” she said. “When healthcare workers win, we all win.”

Road Scholar does a marvelous job of providing knowledgeable lecturers and tour guides, and Charleston was the perfect place to learn some of our nation’s history, seamy side and all.

One of the plantations we visited was the 18th century Middleton Place, a carefully preserved national historic landmark that survived the American revolution, the Civil War, economic upheavals and the devastating earthquake of 1886.

But beyond the breathtaking gardens and grand residence were the more than 2,800 enslaved Africans and African Americans – seven generations – owned by the Middleton family from 1738 to 1865 who made their economic empire and way of life possible.

The Middleton Place Foundation, a nonprofit educational trust that owns and operates Middleton Place, has made its key mission to research, document and share their stories. Their comprehensive 10-year study led to a permanent exhibit, Eliza’s House, a Reconstruction-era African American freedman’s dwelling; a book, “Beyond the Fields – Slavery at Middleton Place” published in 2008; and a documentary film of the same name.

At lunchtime we were treated to a typical Southern spread including some iconic Southern dishes: collard greens, corn pudding, biscuits, cornbread and, of course, Southern fried chicken.

If you think Col. Sanders invented the dish, you would be wrong. Early accounts from China, the Middle East, and West Africa go as far back as 9,500 years ago. Many believe that the Scots, who emigrated to the South in the 1700s and brought with them their custom of frying chicken in fat, invented the dish. Others believe it was brought from Africa.

The earliest published recipe for fried chicken appeared in “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy” by an English cook, Hannah Glasse. The recipe called for frying seasoned and floured chicken in lard.

The first recipe for fried chicken in the United States was printed in 1824 in “The Virginia House-Wife” by Mary Randolph, a White woman from a slaveholding family and a distant relative of Thomas Jefferson.

With the advent of fast food – Kentucky Fried Chicken, Popeye’s, Chick-fil-A and the like – this Southern dish went national.

Fullerton’s Judy Bart Kancigor is the author of “Cooking Jewish” and “The Perfect Passover Cookbook.” Her website is cookingjewish.com.

PERFECT SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

Southern cooks use a marinade of buttermilk for its distinctive tangy flavor. I found this authentic Southern version in “Deep South Dish: Homestyle Southern Recipes” (Quail Ridge Press, $19.95) by Mary Foreman.

If you don’t have a thermometer, oil is generally ready when a pinch of flour tossed in sizzles.

Ingredients:

Brine 1:

• 1 (3 to 4 pound) whole fryer, cut up
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt8 to 10 ice cubes

Brine 2:

• About 2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup hot sauce

Chicken:

• 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Peanut oil or cooking oil, for frying
• 2 tablespoons bacon fat, lard, or shortening

Method:

1. Brine 1: In large non-metallic bowl, dissolve salt in enough water to cover chicken; stir in ice. Add chicken; cover; refrigerate overnight.

2. Brine 2: Next morning, drain, and return chicken to bowl; cover chicken with buttermilk; mix in hot sauce; cover, and refrigerate until supper time.

3. Drain chicken in colander 15 minutes until room temperature.

4. Chicken: In large bowl, whisk flour with all seasonings. Set aside 1/3 cup; coat chicken pieces; place on rack.

5. Fill chicken fryer or cast–iron skillet with enough oil so chicken will completely submerge; add bacon fat. Heat oil to 375 degrees. Fry chicken in small batches, 10 to 14 minutes. Regulate heat; maintain 375 degrees. Drain on paper towels.

6. For gravy, stir 1/3 cup flour into 1/3 cup frying oil in skillet over medium heat until browned. Add 2 cups water; bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened.

The cameras were installed earlier this year and “have already aided law enforcement in several incidents,” according to a report to council members from Assistant City Manager Dave Christian.

An early contract extension was offered by Georgia-based Flock Group, Inc., “in an effort to incentivize and retain customers,” Christian reported. Fullerton and Buena Park are among 13 Orange County cities contracting with the Flock Group for the license plate readers.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department asked the council to consider purchasing the cameras “in order to improve the public safety services they provide to the community,” Christian noted in an earlier report to council members.

“Specifically, the cameras would enhance (law enforcement) ability to find stolen vehicles, find ‘persons of interest’ and conduct investigations,” Christian said. He added, “What really makes (the Flock) product unique is the user interface software.

“Within the software component, law enforcement can receive hotlist alerts and create custom alerts for plates under investigation,” Christian said. The Flock Group camera systems are live in more than 600 cities in 38 states and are used by more than 210 police departments.

“It should be noted that all data will be transmitted in encrypted form directly from the cameras to the cloud stored where it can be accessed only by law enforcement for a period of one year,” Christian said. The cameras are powered by solar energy and are not wired to a power source.

Sheriff’s Department and city staffers worked with the Flock Group to identify various locations in the city that best capture the ingress and egress of vehicles. Most are mounted on existing city-owned poles.

Only one resident spoke in opposition to the cameras when they were first approved Dec. 20 on a 5-0 vote. There was no opposition expressed to the five-year extension, which was part of 15-item consent calendar approved on a 5-0 vote Oct. 17.

* * *

Forty-one Yorba Linda signalized intersections are part of a countywide synchronization project in cooperation with the Orange County Transportation Agency to update a 2009 plan to improve travel times, reduce delays and congestion and increase the number of successive green lights drivers experience in their daily commutes.

Included in the new council-approved pact is the creation of a countywide signal synchronization baseline by retiming some 2,500 county signals along regionally significant corridors to avoid crossing conflicts and ensure signal timing is based on current traffic volumes, according to a report to council members prepared by Tony Wang, the city’s traffic engineering manager.

Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He gives his opinion on local issues weekly. Send e-mail to jimdrummond@hotmail.com.