VIFE Spend a presents merry free Berkeley morning Christmas City with Santa Concert Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ Page 20 Page 19 Page 39 Scan for our FREE App or Search App Store for TCV 510-494-1999 [email protected] www.tricityvoice.com December 15, 2015 Vol. 14 No. 50 eginning Wednesday, December 16, the Filipino BCatholic community will gather for nine consecutive mornings in a series of liturgical masses called “Simbang Gabi” (Night Mass). Simbang Gabi is observed by Filipinos all over the world in anticipation of Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a traditional practice, the masses are held between the early hours of 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. or during late evenings. “It’s a tradition to help wel- come the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the days leading up to Christmas,” says Mark Bilbao, a devoted Catholic who has been attending Simbang Gabi masses with his extended family for about 20 years now. continued on page 39 Photo by Robbie Menor SUBMITTED BY MICHELLE POWELL for all the work they do for our community! Finger food and drinks will be available, as well Fremont Bank and Union City Chamber of as a chance to win a holiday gift donated by Commerce will be hosting a “Holiday Party our Chamber members. with the Cops” on Thursday, December 17. We will also be collecting canned food for The community is invited to enjoy wonderful Centro de Servicios, if attendees would like to holiday music while socializing with Chamber donate. members, Union City Police and City Offi- Set aside December 17 to join us at the Fre- cials, and other Union City residents. mont Bank. If you have never been to a mixer “It’s a bit of an extension of ‘Coffee with the or social event, this would be an excellent time Cops’ – an evening event where people who to do so. See you there! might not be able to make those daytime coffee SUBMITTED BY ARATHI SATISH dates can come and socialize a bit with UCPD, Holiday Party with the Cops PHOTOS BY CONNIE CHEW Fremont Bank, City and Chamber staff, and Thursday, Dec 17 enjoy holiday cheer,” says Union City Chamber 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The celebration of “Las Posadas” has been part of Christmas festivities in Board President Michelle Powell. Fremont Bank Fremont since 1982. The Fremont Cultural Arts Council (FCAC) and the This is an opportunity for you to talk to a 32000 Alvarado Blvd, Union City Committee for the Restoration of the Mission San Jose have co-sponsored this police officer and find out what is happening (510) 952-9637 event for more than thirty years, and continue the annual tradition in the in your neighborhood, suggest new ideas for www.unioncitychamber.com/ucevents/up- Mission San Jose district Tuesday, December 15 through Wednesday, neighborhood safety, or just commend them coming-events December 23. Posada means “inn” or “shelter” in Spanish and this event re-enacts Mary and Joseph’s search for a shelter in Bethlehem. The nine nights of posadas leading up to Christmas symbolizes their nine days journey to Bethlehem, or alternatively, the nine months Mary was pregnant with Jesus. The procession generally includes people costumed as Joseph, Mary, angels, shepherds, and the Three Wise Men who travel to different houses seeking shelter. They are denied entry, until finally they are allowed to enter the designated house where the festivities take place. continued on page 14 INDEX Classified. 35 It’s a date . 21 Public Notices. 36 Arts & Entertainment . 21 Community Bulletin Board . 34 Kid Scoop . 25 Real Estate. 15 Contact Us . 29 Mind Twisters . 18 Sports . 26 Bookmobile Schedule . 23 Editorial/Opinion . 29 Obituary . 31 Subscribe . 35 Business . 10 Home & Garden . 13 Protective Services . 33 Page 2 WHAT’S HAPPENING’S TRI-CITY VOICE December 15, 2015 Healthy Eating Strategies this Holiday Season Thanksgiving is past but winning the And, she cautions, it’s not just the spe- Control temptation by keeping treats yogurt also is a great substitute. Use olive challenge of healthy holiday eating is far cial holiday itself that leads to weight gain, out of sight — not on your desk or in oil instead of butter to cook. Instead of from over. Christmas, New Year’s and but all of the days leading up to the cele- places you frequent. And don’t skip meals chips, cut up pita bread and bake it in the other holiday celebrations still lie ahead. brations and the days in-between. to “make room” for food later in the day. oven. Serve with hummus for a great How can you manage your weight with Alvari suggests some strategies for Skipping meals almost always leads to low-fat, nutritious treat. the many parties and family dinners that healthy eating during the holidays: overeating later. Finally, Alvari suggests using a smaller are a part of the season? Plan in advance: When going to a When you cook: Make healthier ver- plate such as a nine-inch plate instead of Pecan pie, eggnog, cookies and candy party, decide ahead of time what type of sions of some traditional holiday appetiz- the standard 12-inch size. “A smaller are holiday treats that tempt. And that list food you’ll eat and what and how much ers or main course dishes and seek out new plate holds less food, so you can save 200 – doesn’t include the extra potatoes and you’ll drink. Eating a healthy snack be- recipes for tasty healthy options. For exam- 300 calories by reducing the plate size. If gravy, stuffing, rolls with butter, the ab- fore you leave for the party will help con- ple, substitute light and low-fat cream you are hosting a party, do your guests a solutely delicious desserts and other special trol your appetite and desire for all the cheese and sour cream for full-fat ones in favor by using smaller plates.” treats that come with the holiday season. food on display. Ask your host/hostess if recipes. Low-fat and non-fat Greek style Before you know it, you are adjusting you may bring a dish to the party — one your belt a notch or two. And, in January you consider healthy — so there will be at when you tackle the problem, you find least one “sure thing” on the table for you. that losing that extra weight is much more Autumn Kale Salad difficult than anticipated. Eating at the event: Start with lighter The average person can gain from two appetizers such as raw veggies and salads. ½ large butternut squash, cut and peeled 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon into ½ inch pieces (about 20 oz) 8 cups torn curly kale leaves to five pounds during the holidays and the Look over the entire selection before 4 T olive oil, divided (about 2 bunches, de-stemmed) danger comes when you don’t lose the deciding what to eat; otherwise you might end up overloading your plate since you ¾ tsp salt, divided ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted extra pounds. Over the years, weight Freshly ground pepper to taste ¼ cup pomegranate seeds don’t know what else is being offered. Se- keeps building, bringing with it the in- 2 T lemon juice ½ shallot, thinly sliced creased risk of high blood pressure, dia- lect one or two higher-calorie favorites betes, heart disease and other problematic from the buffet table and then step away Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss health issues. so that you aren’t tempted to load up your the butternut squash with 1 tablespoons olive oil, ¼ tsp salt, and pepper to taste. Spread The holidays don’t have to be about plate with other treats. on the baking sheet and roast until tender and golden brown, about 25 minutes. denial, says Kimberlee Alvari, Registered Drinking at the event: Include your Dietitian and Director of Food and Nutri- drinks as part of your healthy eating In a small bowl, whisk together tion Services at Washington Hospital. strategy. If you are watching carbohy- 3 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon juice, “You can still enjoy some of the special drates, think about the carbs in sweet ½ tsp salt, cinnamon, and pepper to taste. dishes you always look forward to, but mix drinks like margaritas, beer and eggnog. If them up with some healthier choices so you are diabetic, it’s critical to monitor In a large bowl, combine the kale, squash, that the table — and your plate — isn’t your blood sugar level and to be aware of pecans, pomegranate seeds, sliced shallot, loaded down all with high-calorie food.” the effect of alcohol. and dressing up to an hour before serving. Alvari warns that the holidays are not During the holiday season: Keep Add more salt if necessary, and transfer to a the time to try to lose weight. “Don’t be moving so the pounds can’t catch up with serving platter. Makes 8 servings. overly ambitious with healthy holiday you. Don’t skip regular exercise and add a eating strategies or you could set yourself little more physical activity to counter the For the next holiday gathering, ask the host if you up for failure. It probably will be more extra calories. Limit treats to one small Per serving: 178 kcals, 4 g protein, 12 g fat, can contribute by bringing a dish to the party. Con- 17 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 247 mg sodium realistic to aim to keep your weight at serving a day during the holiday season, sider a healthy dish, such as a delicious and nutri- your pre-Thanksgiving level.” such as cookies or a piece of candy or pie.