The University of Chicago Press has put together a list of books about Irish history for Saint Patrick’s Day that the University of Chicago Press has published.
The list of books with their link follows:
https://t.e2ma.net/message/fh5tvi/vl7y5aok
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Quarter 1 Sales Drivers for Salinas and Surrounding Monterey County by Ruth Paget
Quarter 1 (Q!) sales between January 1 and March 31 are typically considered a dry period for sales after the Christmas season and before the end of tax season.
However, there are some ongoing and monthly events that can generate money from regional tourism. Regional tourists from Silicon Valley and the Bay Area can arrive in Salinas and Monterey County via car, train, bus, and commuter air flights from San Francisco. Day trips and weekend trips are areas for expansion.
Also, Salinas can profit from drive-through tourism by business people going from southern California to northern California.
Ongoing Tourism Events:
*seafood tourism –
Rainy, cold weather is good for seafood fishing and the perfect backdrop for seafood tourism. Maine has snow and sleet and a healthy seafood tourism industry. You can check tourism figures during winter months for Maine to see the magnitude of this tourism industry.
Salinas can pair seafood tourism with whale watching tours in Monterey as a mini winter vacation.
*spa recharge tourism –
This lucrative industry could be expanded to one-day or weekend tourists, especially for students in sustainable tourism, tourism workers, restaurant workers, and drivers in addition to traditional markets.
*Northridge Mall Farmers Market on Wednesday nights –
This market has 100+ food trucks and food stalls. Make sure that everything sells to Salinas and the surrounding regions. Reservations on food items managed with QR codes and Apple Pay might expand the number of people served and speed up the payment process so there are no lines. Expanded product sales might include spa products and potted herbs. (Part of agritourism - Portland, Oregon is famous for its market)
*Natividad Farmers Market on Wednesday morning and afternoon
Located on Constitution Boulevard. See remarks above about the Northridge Market. This market sometimes has cooking demonstrations. (Part of agritourism - Portland, Oregon is famous for its market)
*Main Street Farmers Market on Saturday mornings –
This market is well developed, but might also benefit from using a reservation pick-up system for food truck items similar to the one I described above. (Part of agritourism - Portland, Oregon is famous for its market)
*Salinas Valley Health Market on Friday mornings and afternoons -
See remarks on markets above (Part of agritourism - Portland, Oregon is famous for its market)
*Mall Shopping Tourism -
Salinas has malls with large parking lots so parking is typically not a hassle here even on busy weekends
*Restaurant Tourism -
Restaurants in Salinas have outstanding organic produce, meat, and fish to work with. All our restaurants should be top-notch within their food category. Websites should all include parking options in their directions descriptions even if people tend to uber there.
*Fashion Industry, Perfume, Make-Up, and Accessory Sales -
Clearance sales to make way for spring and summer collections in fashion, make-up, perfume, and accessories usually happen in January and run till everything is sold. Individuals can also go through their clothes and sell designer items at consignment shops or online.
Donations of old clothing to non-profit organizations can sometimes be written off taxes as well. You can stock up on Christmas gifts at a reasonable price January through March. This is a good time to buy winter coats, sweaters, and winter boots.
*Family Reunion and Genealogical Tourism -
Many families hold reunions in upscale restaurants with good photo opportunities. Family members might include hotel stays, tourism outings, and visits to grave yards as part of their reunions. Florists and photographers might be part of the tourism sale for a family reunion.
*Wedding Tourism -
Wedding and honeymoon travel are available in one spot in Monterey County.
*24/7 Salinas Traveler’s Services
24-Hour Pharmacies, gas stations, restaurants, and car maintenance facilities are on the following blog I put together:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/247-salinas-california-by-ruth-paget.html?m=1
*Little League Sports -
Visiting teams often eat in restaurants and stay overnight in hotels.
*Ticket Sales for Spring and Other Seasonal Events Can Start in January for events such as the following:
-season tickets for the Western Stage at Hartnell College
-season tickets for Ariel Theatrical the children’s theater
-Rodeo tickets
-Salinas Air Show tickets
-Ferrari Challenge tickets
-Planetarium tickets at Hartnell College
-Pro-Am Golf Tournament Tickets (held in February)
-season tickets to classical music events like Bach Fest, the Symphony, and Chamber Music of Monterey
-Steinbeck Center
-Steinbeck House Restaurant Reservations
Events that can generate sales for restaurants, grocery stores, books, and movie downloads by month for restaurant and at-home celebrations include:
*January
-New Year’s Day (January 1)
-Martin Luther King Day (January 18)
*February
-Chandeleur (February 2)
-Mardi Gras (February 17)
-Lent (40 days before Easter. Food products to be eaten include fish, seafood, dairy, vegetables, and legumes but no meat related products)
-Valentine’s Day (February 14)
-President’s Day (February 15)
-Chinese New Year’s and Vietnamese Têt – two-week celebration in February
-Super Bowl Watching Parties – various venues
*March
-Tulip viewing and purchasing at Earthbound Farms -
See my blog below for information on the history and cultivation of tulips:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/tulip-tourism-outside-salinas-at.html?m=1
-Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17) -
See my blog below for a home-based celebration:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/saint-patricks-day-recipes-and-cultural.html?m=1
-ComicCon Salinas held in Spreckels at the end of March
For ticket information, see my blog below:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/comiccon-salinas-is-march-22-2026-in.html?m=1
These cultural and educational events are what I would like to see sold to 100% capacity. With a little planning, I think this 100% sale of cultural and educational events can be a realistic goal.
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Tulip Tourism Outside Salinas at the Earthbound Farm Stand in Carmel Valley, California by Ruth Paget
While scrolling through my TikTok feed, I saw some posts about the You Pick Tulip Days at Earthbound Farm Stand in Carmel Valley, California.
My husband Laurent, daughter Florence Paget, and I all thought this would be a nice family outing for the weekend and set out on a warm Sunday morning for Earthbound Farm Stand.
I have put together a blog round up about tulip tourism for bouquet gatherers wanting more information.
Earthbound Farm Stand’s Instagram has the best souvenir photo of tulip days, which I have provided a link for below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUWFm4PD_ny/
Earthbound was packed with diners when we arrived at 9:30 am. People wanted their coffee and baked goods before heading out to snip their bouquets. We would pick up some food after visiting the tulip garden.
Earthbound Farm Stand naturally offers some great organic salads on its menu, which I have provided a link to below:
https://www.earthboundfarm.com/recipe-category/mains/
Tulips are most commonly viewed as a cultivated flower from the Netherlands. However, they are a wild plant that originally grew in the mountains of Central Asia. The Turks cultivated the tulip before it was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. At one time, tulips even became part of a speculation frenzy called tulipomania.
The following blogs go into more detail on the history and cultivation of tulips:
*Tulip origins – Amsterdam Tulip Museum
https://amsterdamtulipmuseum.com/blogs/tulip-facts/where-did-tulips-originate
*Tulip history and cultivation
*Tulipomania – fact https://www.history.com/articles/tulip-mania-financial-crash-holland
The tulip season is approaching its end in mid-March, so you might want to call and make sure they are still blooming at the Earthbound Farm Stand. 15 tulips currently cost $35. The tulip field is open 9 am to 3 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
After photographing tulips and visiting the tulip field, Florence bought a turkey club sandwich and a greeting card with a line drawing of the Earthbound Farm Stand by Margaret Schaller.
I like it that Salinas and Monterey County have no shortage of flowers like tulips or artists.
Note: I grew up in Michigan, which honors Dutch culture, especially tulips, in its town of Holland, whose website follows:
https://www.holland.org/things-to-do/dutch-experiences/
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
The 2026 Year of Games at the University of Chicago is still going strong, including a visit to the Gygax House in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where the game Dungeons and Dragons was born several decades ago.
For a calendar of events, lectures, and exhibits, click on the following link for the Year of Games at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois:
https://mailchi.mp/uchicago.edu/subject-line-5865619?e=cef015051e
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Shakespeare Santa Cruz is performing Vincent, a one-act play, from April 24 - May 10, 2026 in Danta Cruz, California about the life of Vincent van Gogh as told by his brother Theo.
Ticket information and play details follow:
https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/santa-cruz-shakespeare/vincent
Posted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Ariel Theatrical has tickets for sale for its 2026 spring season available now:
For ticket information and play details, click the following link to their website:
https://www.arieltheatrical.org/tickets-show-schedule/
Posted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France
The Salinas ComicCon with Anime and Cosplay is being held on March 22, 2026 in Spreckels, California.
For ticket information and event details, click on the event link below:
https://ohanacomiccon.com/salinas-toy-anime-comic-con/
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
The Western Stage at Hartnell College in Salinas, California has extended its 2026 season pass purchase period to March 31, 2026.
See the link below for ticket information and details about plays:
https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19cd9df99cd97681
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France
The Los Angeles (CA) ComcCon will take place from October 30 - December 1, 2026.
Details about tickets and the event follow:
https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19cd937cef152b40
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
The German Back -to-School Schultute Goody Cone Tradition and Craft Project Reposted by Ruth Paget
The German Back-to-School Scultute Goody Cone Tradition dates back to the 1800s.
Schultute cones are filled with Germany candy and school supplies. You can buy these cones ready made in Germany or make them yourself for a more personalized selection of candy and decorative style.
The following website details the current tradition, the history, schultute contents, and how to make these back-to-school cones at home:
Have fun planning for your next back-to-school project!
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
German Strawberry Jam Recipe reposted by Ruth Paget
This recipe from Best German Recipes is great for Monterey County California with its strawberry fields, too:
https://mybestgermanrecipes.com/german-strawberry-jam-recipe/amp/
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Jam-Filled Berliner Donuts reposted by Ruth Paget
The following post about Berliner donuts is interesting:
https://www.daringgourmet.com/berliner-german-donuts/
Donut Shops in Salinas, California:
Winchell’s
https://winchells.com/ or DoorDash
Sunshine Donuts
Order on Door Dash
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Making Classic Donuts with Beer reposted by Ruth Paget
I found this interesting blog about making Classic donuts with beer. There are some other recipes as well, but the old fashioned donuts are most interesting for brew pub California:
https://domesticfits.com/classic-glazed-beer-doughnuts/
Posted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
April 22, 2026 is Earth Day by Ruth Paget
National Geographic Kids - History of Earth Day
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/earth-day
Recycling Landscaping Trimmings Idea
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/03/recycling-landscaping-trimmngs-by-ruth.html?m=1
Making Biofuel from Landfill Idea
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/01/list-top-10-bioenergy-companies.html?m=1
Making Classic Beer Glazed Donuts
https://domesticfits.com/classic-glazed-beer-doughnuts/
Earth Day has an official organization. Their website follows:
Posted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Chinese Probiotic Black Bean Chicken with Vegetables at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget
The black beans used in black bean chicken with vegetables at Golden Star Chinese Restaurant in Salinas, California are fermented black soy beans.
As a fermented food not only do fermented soy beans have a delicious salty flavor, they are also a probiotic that promotes gut health. Fermented black beans are high in protein content and fiber. They usually replace oyster sauce as a flavoring agent when they are used in a dish. They enhance the flavor of vegetables, especially cabbage.
At Golden Star, they flatten the chicken used in black bean chicken with vegetables to make it cook quickly in a wok. When the chicken is done, it is taken out and set aside.
More oil goes into the wok to heat up followed by the seasoning trio of minced garlic, minced fresh ginger, and chopped scallions. Fermented black beans are added to the seasoning trio and stirred in before adding the following seasonal winter vegetables: carrots, green bell peppers, mushrooms, and cabbage.
Once the cabbage and carrots soften up, the flattened chicken is added back in and heated up with the vegetables. Just before serving, shaoxing wine is added in for flavor.
This dish is best eaten steaming hot over rice. I love the distinct vegetable flavors that become even more pronounced with the black bean sauce.
The flattened chicken curls in the wok when heated. There seems to be a lot of chicken in the black bean chicken, but flattening the chicken might make ¾ of a breast seem like twice that amount.
I like the flavor of salty, fermented black beans and the seasonal winter vegetables very much. This preparation also tastes good with shrimp. I am biased, but I think the seasoning trio of garlic, ginger, and scallions is pretty tough to beat for flavor and health.
The black bean chicken with vegetables at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California is a very flavorful dish that makes excellent use of the organic produce in Salinas Valley.
Chinese food lovers already know this is a tasty dish, but diners seeking a probiotic dish that is mildly flavored might enjoy trying black bean chicken with vegetables as well.
Note: There is parking behind Golden Star Restaurant with a passage to Main Street where Golden Star Restaurant is located in Salinas, California.
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Ruth Paget created the following music games to transmit family knowledge from one generation to the next.
Click on the link following the game titles to access the games or look up the game title in the search bar.
*Clefs: The Music Fundamentals Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/04/clefs-music-fundamentals-game-created.html?m=1
*Duple: The Musical Rhythm, Meter, and Metric Organization Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/04/duple-musical-rhythm-meter-and-metric.html?m=1
*Phrygian: The Musical Scales, Keys, and Mode Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/04/duple-musical-rhythm-meter-and-metric.html?m=1
*Solfege; The Sining and Harmonic Organization Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/04/solfege-singing-and-harmonic.html?m=1
*Plagal: The Harmonic Organization Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/04/plagal-harmonic-organization-game.html?m=1
*Bass Line: The Harmonic Composition Fundamentals Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/04/bass-line-harmonic-composition.html?m=1
*Cambiata: The Melodic Composition Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/04/cambiata-melodic-composition-game.html?m=1
*Picardy Third: The Harmonic Composition Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/04/picardy-third-harmonic-composition-game.html?m=1
*Codetta: The Visual Score Analysis Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/04/codetta-visual-score-analysis-game.html?m=1
Sylvain Tutoring in Salinas, California and Princeton Review can help prepare for the AP Music Theory Exam.
by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Ancient Western Civilization Games Created by Ruth Paget
Ruth Paget created the following games to transmit family knowledge from one generation to the next to promote lifelong learning and a pleasant lifestyle.
To access the games, type the name of the game in search bar or click the link that follows the title of the game:
*Pharoah Hatshepsut
*Thutmose III: The Ancient Egypt Game
*Ramses II: The Ancient Egypt Media Game
*Marathon: The Ancient Greece Strategy Game
*Salamis: The Ancient Greek Navy Game
*Tyre: The Ancient Greek Engineering Game
*Gaugamela: The Ancient Greek Bittersweet Victory Game
*Cannae: The Ancient Carthage Strategy Game
*Alesia: The Roman Conquest of Gaul Game
*Ancient Rome and Latin Reading List Games
Games Created by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Calzone Change-Up at Gino’s in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget
A calzone fills an entire large pizza box at Gino’s in Salinas, California.
Calzones at Gino’s are in no way a hand-held item. At Gino’s you split the calzone in two and share it with two people for dinner. You eat them with a knife and fork and do not carry them like you do in Naples, Italy where they originated.
I like the Italian-American calzone at Gino’s for size and flavor.
A calzone is made with a large, round piece of pizza dough. At Gino’s, they fill one side of the dough with ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and sweet pepperoni.
The unfilled side is turned over the side with the filling and the edges are sealed and crimped to look like a Galician (located in Northwestern Spain) empanada. The calzone at Gino’s is baked to form a crisp crust with a soft, warm interior. Gino’s calzone comes with mozzarella sauce on the side for dipping.
A family of four could amply eat with an order of two calzones at Gino’s in Salinas, California. I recommend the calzone as a multicultural change for a standing pizza night dinner.
For more information on calzones, check out the following website:
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
Gambrinus: The Global Beer Types Game Created by Ruth Paget
I named the beer types game for Gambrinus, the European king of beer, who was famous for drinking a stein of beer in one swallow.
Gambrinus Game Objective:
Enable player(s) to make better purchasing decisions based on knowledge.
Items Needed:
To play this global beer types game, you will need:
-A copy of the Oxford Companion to Beer edited by Garrett Oliver
-large index cards
-pens
-access to the internet to look up the hops used in various beer types
The following background information on beer culture can serve as an ice breaker for individual or team play:
European Beer Buying Tips:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2019/12/european-beer-buying-tips-lager-ale.html?m=1
Beer Economics in South Jersey
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2021/12/beer-economics-and-food-by-ruth-paget.html?m=1
Pub’s for Prime Pork Chops – Sustainable Animal Husbandry
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/10/prime-pork-chop-dinner-at-pubs-prime.html?m=1
Oktoberfest Food
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/12/oktoberfest-food-ideas-for-us-suggested.html?m=1
Alvarado Street Brewery - Sustainable Beer Practices
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/02/german-style-kolsch-beer-and-loaded-blt.html?m=1
Beer Hops Game Game Directions:
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2021/06/beer-hops-games-created-by-ruth-paget.html?m=1
Firestone Walker - California Brew Pub
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/11/pretzels-burgers-and-rock-music-at.html?m=1
To play Gambrinus you need to make an index flash card with the name of the beer on the front of the card and the following information on the back:
1-beer category – ale, lager, or hybrid
2-main city and/or country of origin
3-hopes used for flavor and/or aroma
4-2 or 3 historical facts for discussion (these will vary by player)
The Oxford Companion to Beer edited by Garrett Oliver lists 107 different types of beer in the world.
If you learn 10 beers at a time with all 4 pieces of information, it is easier to manage learning the entire list.
Start by learning one of the characteristics at a time for the 10 beers and so on.
Quiz yourself on all 4 characteristics for every 10 beer types you learn. When you have gone through all 107 beer types, quiz yourself until you know everything by heart.
Gambrinus is a great game for learning material individually and then playing as a team.
Happy Gaming!
By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games
I received an announcement in the mail that reports that Mathnasium Math Tutors now has an office in Salinas, California on Constitution Boulevard.
More information is available on the link below:
https://www.mathnasium.com/math-centers/salinas
Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games