Festive Delights and Cautionary Tales for Cat Parents

Good morning! I trust you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Day and a joyful commencement of Hanukkah. Today’s blustery weather presents an excellent opportunity to stay indoors, unwind, and savor those holiday leftovers (I’ve got some mac ‘n’ cheese waiting for me—delicious!). Here’s your Morning Minute.

Did you discover a gift card in your stocking? Experts advise you to utilize them quickly! Americans are estimated to have spent around $28.6 billion on them in 2023, averaging $51.18 for each card. Nevertheless, nearly $21 billion worth of gift cards go unutilized annually, frequently because recipients reserve them for special occasions. However, experts caution that inflation can diminish their value over time.

The Festival of Lights has arrived; I met with Rabbi Micah Hyman at Congregation Beth David to gain insight into the events taking place for Hanukkah, and to discuss the significance of “light” this year. Click this link to discover more.

The Christmas season is winding down, but you can still experience the lights at the Cambria Christmas Market until the month’s end; check out the enjoyable moments I had there:

There is still time to witness the lights at the Cambria Christmas Market

Pet owners, inspect your pantry: Northwest Naturals is recalling 2-pound bags of its Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food due to bird flu contamination, with affected batches displaying “best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 and 06/23/26. This recall affects several states, including California, where retailers such as Maddie Mae’s Pet Pantry and Montecito Pet Shop might have sold the product; the issue became pressing after an indoor cat in Oregon passed away from H5N1 after consuming the tainted food.