header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
November 8
1977 - Castaic residents vote 168-54 to withdraw 7th-8th grades from Hart District, making CUSD K-8 [story]
vote tally


| Thursday, Nov 10, 2011

Stanislaus National Forest - Origin of the 2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Note: The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be at the Saugus Speedway on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 65-foot white fir Christmas tree that will be illuminated at the base of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. this Christmas season, has begun its 4,500-mile trek from the Stanislaus National Forest in northern California en route to the nation’s capital.

The tree’s journey, which is under the supervision of the U.S. Forest Service, began Saturday, November 5th in the Stanislaus National Forest and will arrive in Washington, D.C. on November 28th. The official lighting ceremony at the U.S. Capitol will be December 6th hosted by Speaker of the House John Boehner. A seven-year-old Sonoma, CA boy will officially light the tree, which is to be decorated with 10,000 lights and 3,000 ornaments.

The Diesel Technology Forum is one of the national sponsors of the U.S. Christmas Tree Tour and will provide daily Twitter and Facebook updates on its expedition across the country. Other sponsors also include DTF members Volvo Powertrain, Mack Trucks and Robert Bosch LLC, Diesel Systems North America.

“The Mack Truck transporting the tree across the country is a showcase of clean diesel technology, one of the many pieces of modern diesel technology that will play a role in getting ‘The People’s Tree’ to our nation’s capital,” said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

“From the diesel-powered crane that placed the tree in the clean diesel truck that will transport it across the country using ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, clean diesel technology plays a critical role in this holiday project as it does in the daily lives of all Americans. In addition, diesel-powered backup generators will provide power for the 12 ceremonies in communities along the journey designed to help celebrate this national event.”

The truck is a SmartWay-certified Pinnacle Axle Back model sleeper that meets California’s 2010 emission standards, which are the strictest in the country.

“The emissions from this truck are near zero, thanks to its more efficient engine and its new emissions control technology,” Schaeffer said. “It’s as clean as a compressed natural gas truck.”

He added that the nationwide availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel gives the U.S. Forest Service great flexibility in choosing its routes across the country, compared with the limited availability of other fuel sources.

As sponsors of the tour, the Diesel Technology Forum, Volvo Group, Mack Trucks and Robert Bosch LLC Diesel Systems North America, are among several major sponsors whose logos are printed on the 54-foot banner that surrounds the cargo trailer that carries the 65-foot tree.

“We couldn’t do the tour without their support,” said Maria Benech, the 2011 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree coordinator.

 

Upcoming Events for U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour

The following is an overview of upcoming events being planned in connection with the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour in California and across the country:

Nov. 10th: The tree will arrive in Modesto at 10 a.m. and Merced by 2 p.m., with stops allowing people to sign the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree banner.

Nov. 11th: The tree will be showcased in the Fresno Veterans Day Parade in late morning (beginning about 11:00 a.m.) and will make a stop at the Fresno Children’s Hospital in Madera about 2 p.m. The tree is also scheduled to arrive in Kingsburg between 4 and 5 p.m.

Nov. 12th: The tree will be at the Saugus Speedway/Swap Meet in the city of Santa Clarita from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 13th: The tree will be in Los Angeles at the parking lot of the Autry National Center in Griffith Park, near the Los Angeles Zoo between 9 and 11 a.m.

Nov. 14th: The tree is scheduled to make stops in Rancho Cucamonga and Barstow.

Nov. 15th: Travel Day.

Nov. 16th: Gallup, N.M. Activities are being planned for the afternoon in Gallup, including presentations by city officials, a high school choir and a safe trip blessing from a Navajo Medicine Man.

Nov. 17th: Gallup, N.M. to Santa Fe, N.M.

Nov. 18th: Santa Fe, N.M. to Amarillo, TX.

Nov. 19th: Amarillo, Texas to Tinker Air Force Base, near Oklahoma City.

Nov. 20th: Tinker Air Force Base to Ft. Leonard Wood, near Waynesville, MO.

Nov. 21st: Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. to Santa Claus, IN. Children’s activities are being planned for mid-afternoon outside the Santa Claus Christmas Store, which will offer hot chocolate and fudge samples during an event celebrating the arrival of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.

Nov. 22nd: Santa Claus, IN to Cherokee, NC.

Nov. 23rd: The tree is scheduled to be at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds in Cherokee, NC from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day begins with a traditional gift exchange between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wok Indians and will be followed by a musical presentation by the Cherokee Elementary Chorus and Kituwah Language Academy students. Students will also be able to make their own holiday ornaments after the formal event.

Nov. 24th: Cherokee, N.C. to Greensboro, NC The tree is scheduled to be on display from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. just outside of a seasonal ice skating rink in Greensboro’s downtown area.

Nov. 25th: Newport News, VA, Oyster Point City Center.

Nov. 26th: Hershey, PA, Hershey Entertainment Complex.

Nov. 27th: Hershey, PA.

Nov. 28th: The tree arrives in Washington, DC.

Dec. 5th: A tribal elder from the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wok Indians blesses a Christmas tree from Stanislaus National Forest that will be erected at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the Native American.

Dec. 6th: U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 5 p.m. at the U.S. Capitol Mall. The event is open to the public.

 

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org .

 

ABOUT THE U.S. CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE TOUR

For more information on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour and the donors who have made this year’s tour possible go to www.capitolchristmastree2011.org. Contact: Maria Benech at (209) 532-3671, Ext. 263.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Nov 7, 2024
UPDATE: Local Election Results as of Thursday Evening
The close race for Santa Clarita City Council shows Patsy Ayala increasing her slim lead from yesterday over Tim Burkhart by 96 votes at the close of business Thursday, 3,469 to 3,376
Thursday, Nov 7, 2024
Nov. 21: Salt Creek Grille, Veteran Services Collaborative Host Fundraiser
The Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative has announced the "Bringing it Home" fundraiser, an exclusive wine and hors d'oeuvre event hosted by Salt Creek Grille, will be held Thursday, Nov. 21.
Thursday, Nov 7, 2024
USPS Announces Holiday Mailing, Shipping Dates
The U.S. Postal Service announced its recommended mailing and shipping dates for holiday mail and packages. The following are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1977 - Castaic residents vote 168-54 to withdraw 7th-8th grades from Hart District, making CUSD K-8 [story]
vote tally
The close race for Santa Clarita City Council shows Patsy Ayala increasing her slim lead from yesterday over Tim Burkhart by 96 votes at the close of business Thursday, 3,469 to 3,376
UPDATE: Local Election Results as of Thursday Evening
The Child & Family Center has announced its Merry Mocktail Winter Wonderland Event Monday, Dec. 2, from 5-7 p.m. at 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Dec. 2: Merry Mocktail Winter Wonderland Event
All For Kids is celebrating National Adoption Month by seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
Nov. 21: All For Kids Offering Virtual Orientations for National Adoption Month
Did you know that our local Santa Clarita Public Library offers passport acceptance services? Whether you’re planning a vacation, studying abroad or reconnecting with family, the Santa Clarita Public Library is here to support your journey.
Jason Gibbs | Get Your Passport at the Santa Clarita Public Library
Parents and caregivers are invited to Empowered Families Workshops hosted by the Child & Family Center’s Prevention and Outreach team in collaboration with First Presbyterian Church of Newhall beginning 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 with a workshop on Social Media and mental health.
Nov. 10: Child & Family Center, First Presbyterian Church Collab for Workshops
Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Inc. has announced that it was awarded a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration to add new services that will include substance use disorder treatment programs.
Samuel Dixon Awarded 1.1 Million Grant for SUD Program
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Santa Clarita Valley will host its annual holiday boutique fundraiser, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church
Nov. 23: ACS Relay for Life SCV Holiday Boutique
The Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative has announced the "Bringing it Home" fundraiser, an exclusive wine and hors d'oeuvre event hosted by Salt Creek Grille, will be held Thursday, Nov. 21.
Nov. 21: Salt Creek Grille, Veteran Services Collaborative Host Fundraiser
The U.S. Postal Service announced its recommended mailing and shipping dates for holiday mail and packages. The following are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25.
USPS Announces Holiday Mailing, Shipping Dates
1940 - William S. Hart deeds land for theater at Spruce & 11th Street to American Legion [story]
American Theater
Due to projected power shutoffs related to the current wind advisory, the Child & Family Center’s Centre Pointe Pkwy location, will be closed for in-person services beginning 5 pm Wednesday
Child & Family Center’s Centre Pointe Pkwy Location Closes Due to Power Shutoffs
Beginning Wednesday, November 13, crews will begin the construction of median modifications, paving, grinding and overlay operations along portions of McBean Parkway at Newhall Ranch Road.
Upcoming Lane Closures on McBean Parkway and Newhall Ranch Road
The California Highway Patrol is proud to announce it received a $350,000 grant to address the growing issue of distracted driving on California roads.  
CHP Receives Grant to Combat Adult Distracted Driving in California
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation has once again recognized the city of Santa Clarita as a finalist for the prestigious 2024 "Most Business-Friendly City" award in the category of large cities (population over 60,000).
City of Santa Clarita Named 2024 Most Business-Friendly City Finalist
The County of Los Angeles is experiencing critical fire weather and is under a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag advisory from now until Friday evening. .
Animal Care and Control Urges Emergency Pet Preparedness
The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to announce the release of the 2025-2026 Notice of Funding Availability and has scheduled informational meetings for organizations interested in applying for 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant funding.
Santa Clarita Non-Profits Invited to Apply for 2025-2026 Funding Cycle
California State University, Northridge’s CSUN-al Gardening series returns this month just in time to prepare for fall planting.
CSUN-al Garden Class to Get Ready for Fall Planting
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath
Supes Support Expansion of Tax Credit Program for Entertainment Sector
Local educational performing arts charity Mission Opera, together with Oksana Foundation and Bella Cucina Italian Restaurant, is excited to announce “Bella Notte,” a new monthly event starting this Fall that blends the worlds of Italian fine dining, live opera, and community support.
Nov. 23: “Bella Notte” Italian Night Comes to Santa Clarita
For the fourth year in a row, California State University, Northridge has been named a Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
CSUN Named a Fulbright HSI Leader For a Fourth Year in a Row
Thompson Von Tungeln Trust and Estate Lawyers will host a free successor trustee training workshop on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hyatt Regency Valencia, 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, Calif. 91355.
Nov. 9: Free Successor Trustee Training Workshop
No. 12 College of the Canyons football scored 24 points, highlighted by a 95-yard kickoff return from sophomore Da'Marrie Smith, in what turned out to be a decisive second quarter to outlast visiting Moorpark College 27-21 on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Cougar Stadium.
No. 12 Canyons Outlasts Moorpark College 27-21
SCVNews.com