Thanksgiving, golf, book signings, and Christmas

At the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims would have starved if not for the help of the Indians. However, "Chief Pushmataha" here (not to be confused with the actual Chief Pushmataha of the Choctaw) seems less gifted in the culinary arts. Although he's already warming his hands, he's forgotten to actually light the camp fire. Luckily, he's at the Buffalo Ranch in Newport Beach, and it's 1954, so there are plenty of burger stands and "to go" windows to serve his tribe. (Note the paper coffee cup hanging on the fence in the background.)

Werner Weiss recently posted an article about golfing at the Disneyland Hotel, based on a new book by Don Ballard. It's amazing how much of the place was once given over to the time-honored tradition of hitting things with sticks.

Juanita Lovret, who writes the "Remember When" column for the Tustin News, has completed her second book, Tustin As It Once Was. Following a style similar to her column, the book covers people and events in Tustin from its founding to its Centennial celebration in 1986. The author will hold a book-signing on Dec. 3, from 10am to 2pm, at the Tustin Area Historical Society Museum, at 395 El Camino Real.

Author Chris Epting, who's done several local Arcadia books and also some fun books on the history of baseball and pop culture, will also hold a book-signing that day, but at Barnes & Noble at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach (that's Huntington Center for those who remember), beginning at noon.

And if that doesn't give you enough to do on Dec. 3, you can head over to the Victorian Christmas Open House at the Dr. Howe-Waffle House Museum in Santa Ana, hosted by the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society. Admission is free. However the optional "seasonal" walking tour is $8. (They are also looking for volunteers to help decorate on Nov. 26, starting at 10am.)