Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Governor Flips Switch on Capitol Christmas Tree
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
December 6, 2019

Share

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife lit the Capitol Christmas Tree on Thursday with the help of a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome.

The governor’s office said this year’s ceremony highlighted the state’s cultural diversity and “spirit of inclusion.”
Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom were joined by Nayeli Lemus to light approximately 10,000 LED lights on the more than 66 -foot-tall white fir from the LaTour Demonstration State Forest near Redding.
The California Department of Developmental Services and the San Andreas Regional Center chose Lemus, who lives in Gilroy, to represent the more than 340,000 Californians who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. The tree has more than 500 hand-crafted ornaments made by children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The governor’s office said this year’s ceremony highlighted the state’s cultural diversity and “spirit of inclusion.”
Groups scheduled to perform included the Paradise Strong Chorus from Paradise Ridge Elementary School, where a devastating last year destroyed roughly 19,000 buildings and killed 85 people. Other performers include the Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps, the Brazilian Center for Cultural Exchange of Sacramento, the Palestinian Dabke Dancers and the Hmong Youth & Parents United.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Florida State Gunman Used Deputy Mom’s Former Service Weapon, Authorities Say

DON'T MISS

Giants Befuddled by Sánchez’s Changeup in Loss to the Phillies

DON'T MISS

Trump Officials’ Defiance Over Abrego Garcia’s Deportation Is ‘Shocking,’ Appeals Court Says

DON'T MISS

Jane Fonda Packs the Saroyan Theatre, Delivers an Empowering Message

DON'T MISS

AOC Emerges as Top Democratic White House Contender for 2028

DON'T MISS

Why Fresno Unified Tried to Keep Superintendent Search Secret

DON'T MISS

White House Eyes Overhaul of Federal Housing Aid to the Poor

DON'T MISS

Dems Step Up Trump Resistance as Base Hungers for More of a Fight

DON'T MISS

2 Killed and 5 Hurt in Florida State University Shooting; Gunman in Custody

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Trustees Passed Over a National Superintendent of the Year

UP NEXT

Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Trump Plan to End Birthright Citizenship

UP NEXT

Popular AIs Head-to-Head: OpenAI Beats DeepSeek on Sentence-Level Reasoning

UP NEXT

Al Sharpton Calls Meeting With Target’s CEO Amid DEI Backlash ‘Very Constructive and Candid’

UP NEXT

Former Pentagon Spokesman Tied to Online DEI Purge Was Asked to Resign

UP NEXT

The Kings Agree to Hire Scott Perry as General Manager, AP Source Says

UP NEXT

LA’s Schools Chief Knows What It’s Like to Be Undocumented

UP NEXT

Shooting at Florida State Sends Students Running; Nearby Hospital Says It’s Treating People

UP NEXT

Valero Books $1.1 Billion Impairment, May Idle California Refinery

UP NEXT

Actor Michelle Trachtenberg Died of Complications From Diabetes, Says NYC Medical Examiner

UP NEXT

Commercial Salmon Season Is Shut Down Again. Will CA’s Iconic Fish Ever Recover?

Jane Fonda Packs the Saroyan Theatre, Delivers an Empowering Message

14 hours ago

AOC Emerges as Top Democratic White House Contender for 2028

15 hours ago

Why Fresno Unified Tried to Keep Superintendent Search Secret

15 hours ago

White House Eyes Overhaul of Federal Housing Aid to the Poor

15 hours ago

Dems Step Up Trump Resistance as Base Hungers for More of a Fight

15 hours ago

2 Killed and 5 Hurt in Florida State University Shooting; Gunman in Custody

15 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Passed Over a National Superintendent of the Year

15 hours ago

Hamas Ready to Release All Remaining Hostages for End to Gaza War, Hamas’ Gaza Chief Says

17 hours ago

Ford Recalls More Than 148,000 Vehicles, NHTSA Says

17 hours ago

Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Trump Plan to End Birthright Citizenship

18 hours ago

Florida State Gunman Used Deputy Mom’s Former Service Weapon, Authorities Say

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The 20-year-old son of a sheriff’s deputy opened fire Thursday at Florida State University with his mother’s...

14 hours ago

14 hours ago

Florida State Gunman Used Deputy Mom’s Former Service Weapon, Authorities Say

14 hours ago

Giants Befuddled by Sánchez’s Changeup in Loss to the Phillies

14 hours ago

Trump Officials’ Defiance Over Abrego Garcia’s Deportation Is ‘Shocking,’ Appeals Court Says

14 hours ago

Jane Fonda Packs the Saroyan Theatre, Delivers an Empowering Message

15 hours ago

AOC Emerges as Top Democratic White House Contender for 2028

15 hours ago

Why Fresno Unified Tried to Keep Superintendent Search Secret

15 hours ago

White House Eyes Overhaul of Federal Housing Aid to the Poor

15 hours ago

Dems Step Up Trump Resistance as Base Hungers for More of a Fight

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend