winner 777 Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.

Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.The dramatic rise in home values over the past few years has created an unprecedented opportunity for homeowners to leverage their property's equity . After all, millions of Americans are now sitting on substantial wealth tied up in their homes, with the average homeowner having about $330,000 in home equity right now, according to recent data. For savvy homeowners, this stored wealth represents more than just paper gains — it's also a potential springboard for increasing your earning power. Whether you're looking to expand your income streams or invest in future wealth-building opportunities, your home equity can be a powerful tool, and tapping into it strategically can lead to considerable financial growth. Like any financial decision, though, leveraging your home equity requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the best uses for this type of borrowing. So, if you want to increase your earning potential with the help of your home's equity, it helps to know how to harness your home equity to earn more money next year. Start comparing today's top home equity borrowing options online now . 6 ways your home equity can help you earn more money in 2025 Using these strategies to leverage your home equity could boost your earning potential in the coming year. One way to earn more money in 2025 is to transform your home — or part of it — into a revenue-generating asset. In areas with high tourism or business traffic, short-term rentals can generate substantial income, so finishing a basement, converting a garage or creating an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) can pay off. But even if you live in a quieter area, marketing your space as a retreat or remote work destination can attract guests year-round. And, the funds from your home equity are an easy and affordable way to finance these renovations. While the upfront costs can be substantial, the average home equity loan rate is just over 8% currently, making it one of the most affordable borrowing options available now. Plus, the potential for ongoing rental income can provide steady returns and help offset your mortgage payments. Find out how affordable the right home equity lending option could be . Investing in your education is one of the most effective ways to boost your earning potential . Whether you're pursuing a master's degree, professional certification or technical training, investing in your skills can lead to higher-paying job opportunities or new career paths. While student loans are a common option for covering educational costs, using home equity to pay for your education typically means getting lower interest rates and more flexible repayment terms. This strategy can be especially advantageous if you're transitioning to a high-demand field with strong earning prospects. For those with a higher risk tolerance, using home equity to invest in the stock market or mutual funds can yield significant returns over time. A lump sum from a home equity loan, for example, can allow you to take advantage of market opportunities or diversify your investment portfolio. It's essential to approach this option carefully, however — and with a full understanding of the potential downsides. Market investments come with inherent risks, so ensure you have a well-researched strategy and consider consulting a financial advisor. Done correctly, though, this approach can lead to substantial long-term growth. As sustainability becomes a priority, many homeowners are turning to green energy upgrades like solar panels, energy-efficient windows and geothermal heating systems. These improvements not only reduce your energy bills but can also qualify you for tax credits and incentives. In some cases, investing in renewable energy can even create additional income. For instance, homeowners with solar panel systems may be able to sell surplus energy back to the grid, depending on local regulations. Using your home equity to fund these upgrades can yield both immediate and long-term financial benefits. If you've always dreamed of being your own boss, home equity can help make it happen. Many small business owners cite a lack of funding as their primary obstacle. By tapping into your equity , you can bypass the challenges of securing a traditional business loan and focus on building a sustainable source of income. For example, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a home equity loan can provide the funds needed to cover startup costs, purchase equipment or market your new venture. So, whether you want to open a brick-and-mortar business, start an online store or dive into freelancing, the flexibility of home equity financing makes it a viable option. Real estate remains one of the most reliable ways to generate passive income , and with nearly $300,000 in tappable home equity, you may have enough to make a down payment on a rental property. Whether it's a single-family home, a duplex or a vacation rental, leveraging home equity to invest in real estate can be especially lucrative in 2025, as demand for rental housing continues to rise. Researching high-demand areas and understanding market trends will help ensure your investment pays off. The bottom line Your home equity is more than a number — it's an untapped resource with the potential to transform your financial future. By strategically leveraging this asset, you can pursue ventures and investments that increase your earning potential in 2025 and beyond. Whether you choose to start a business, invest in real estate, or improve your skill set, though, careful planning and thoughtful execution will ensure your home equity works for you. Angelica Leicht is senior editor for Managing Your Money, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications.

Ivoryton Playhouse announces 2025 season with play about local legend Katharine HepburnTORONTO — Canada's main stock index lost more than 100 points Tuesday ahead of an expected interest rate cut Wednesday, while U.S. markets were also down. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 121.09 points at 25,504.33. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 154.10 points at 44,247.83. The S&P 500 index was down 17.94 points at 6,034.91, while the Nasdaq composite was down 49.45 points at 19,687.24. “Relative to the churn we have seen in the markets the last few days ... today being a little bit of a boring day would be fairly welcome for many investors,” said Stephen Duench, vice-president and portfolio manager for AGF Investments Inc. Wednesday is set to be more exciting, with an interest rate cut expected in Canada and important consumer inflation data coming in the U.S. “I do expect a little bit more fireworks tomorrow,” said Duench. The Bank of Canada is widely expected to announce an outsized cut Wednesday of half a percentage point, he said. “Anything other than that would be a surprise.” The U.S. Federal Reserve has its last decision of the year scheduled for next week, and market watchers are leaning toward a smaller quarter-percentage-point cut there, said Duench. It would be the third cut this year after the central bank hiked rates to a two-decade high to fight inflation. The inflation report will be the last significant data point before the central bank’s decision, Duench said. If the inflation report shows price growth is proving more stubborn than expected, that could change the Fed’s thinking on rates next week, he said. “Maybe that's part of the reason we've seen churn in the market the last few days in the U.S.” Beneath the surface, there was some movement in the tech sector, where Oracle sank 6.7 per cent after its latest earnings report missed expectations. Meanwhile, Google's stock price rose by more than five per cent. The company on Tuesday unveiled its new chip meant for quantum computing. Duench said after the advent of artificial technology led a rally earlier this year, quantum computing could be another frontier for investors to keep an eye on. The Canadian dollar traded for 70.59 cents US compared with 70.77 cents US on Monday. The January crude oil contract was up 12 cents at US$68.59 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was down two cents at US$3.16 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was up US$32.60 at US$2,718.40 an ounce and the March copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.27 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian PressTikTok true crime sleuth helps police crack case and arrest suspect who gunned down mom holding childApiaries abuzz over ruling against widening cross-border trade in live honeybees

TikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada. The company filed in documents in Federal Court in Vancouver on Thursday. The government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business in November after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform. That means TikTok must "wind down" its operations in Canada, though the app will continue to be available to Canadians. TikTok wants the court to overturn the government’s order and to place a pause on the order while the court hears the case. It is claiming the minister's decision was "unreasonable" and "driven by improper purposes." The review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to harm national security. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement at the time the government was taking action to address "specific national security risks," though it didn’t specify what those risks were. TikTok’s filing says Champagne "failed to engage with TikTok Canada on the purported substance of the concerns that led to the (order.)" The company argues the government ordered "measures that bear no rational connection to the national security risks it identifies." It says the reasons for the order "are unintelligible, fail to reveal a rational chain of analysis and are rife with logical fallacies." The company's law firm, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, declined to comment, while Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the order would "eliminate the jobs and livelihoods of our hundreds of dedicated local employees — who support the community of more than 14 million monthly Canadian users on TikTok, including businesses, advertisers, creators and initiatives developed especially for Canada." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Darryl Greer and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian PressNEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that's he's preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect's threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park." Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn't a trolling-free zone for Trump's adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A." In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden's spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump's taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.Notation Labs Secures $2 Million Credit Facility to Accelerate Production of QwelTM, a Cutting-Edge Lead Detection and Prevention System

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Paris to modify cable agreementsOn Saturday the Bucs signed linebacker Antonio Grier Jr. to the active roster from the practice squad. Additionally, Tampa Bay has elevated punter Jack Browning and cornerback Dallis Flowers from the practice squad to the game day roster for the Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. It marks the first elevation of the season for both players. Grier was signed to the active roster because both starter K.J. Britt and backup J.J. Russell have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Vi Jones, a former practice squad linebacker is expected to start next to Lavonte David in Week 14 with Grier as Tampa Bay’s lone backup insider linebacker. Because the team downgraded reserve cornerback Josh Hayes to out due to a hamstring injury he suffered on Friday, Flowers was elevated to take his place on special teams. Reserve cornerback Troy Hill is also out due to a foot injury. As expected the Bucs elevated Browning to serve as the team’s punter after releasing Trenton Gill following his poor performance last Sunday in the 26-23 overtime win at Carolina. Browning has never punted or played in any NFL game – preseason or regular – and will be making his professional debut on Sunday. Browing and Flowers will have two more elevations before they’ll need to signed to the active roster to play any more than that. Details On The Bucs’ Signing And Activations Antonio Grier Jr. (6-1, 230) originally entered the league as a college free agent with the Bucs on May 10, 2024, and spent this season splitting time between Tampa Bay’s practice squad and active roster. He appeared in Weeks 5-8 for Tampa Bay, playing special teams and recording one special teams tackle. The Atlanta native played collegiately at the University of South Florida (2018-22) and the University of Arkansas (2023), appearing in a total of 58 career games and amassing 274 tackles (25.0 for loss), 10.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions (two returned for touchdown). He wears No. 48 for Tampa Bay. Browning (5-11, 190) entered the league as a college free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2024, spending time this past offseason with the Bills and Baltimore Ravens before joining Tampa Bay’s practice squad on October 23. He began his collegiate career at Grossmont College (2019-20) prior to playing three seasons at San Diego State (2021-23). He handled both punting and kicking duties in his final two seasons and earned All-Mountain West honors twice, in addition to being named the 2022 Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year. In 38 games for the Aztecs, Browning punted 122 times for 5,584 yards (45.8 average), while connecting on 35-of-47 field goal attempts (74.5%) and all 53 of his extra point attempts. The Lakeside, California, native wears No. 5 for Tampa Bay. Flowers (6-1, 196) originally entered the league as a college free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in April 2022 and remained with Indianapolis until he was waived on October 7, 2024. He then signed to the Bucs practice squad on October 16. Flowers has appeared in 21 career games with the Colts, making five starts and totaling 32 tackles (two for loss), three passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The Chicago native played collegiately at Pittsburg State (2021), Grand View University (2019-20) and Robert Morris University (2018). During his final collegiate season at Pittsburg State, Flowers started 9-of-11 games and logged 21 tackles (1.5 for loss), 10 passes defensed and four interceptions while adding 17 kick returns for 573 yards and two touchdowns. He wears No. 28 for Tampa Bay. This article first appeared on Pewter Report and was syndicated with permission.

The Ukraine missile crisis: Putin’s shadow war against the west finally breaks coverHeavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flightsIn the rapidly evolving field of computational social science, few individuals have achieved the remarkable balance of technical brilliance and impactful research as Rahul Arulkumaran. With a sterling academic background and a portfolio of groundbreaking contributions, Rahul has carved a niche for himself, particularly in analyzing social networks and combating the menace of online radicalization. His pivotal work, "Understanding User Vulnerability Towards Radicalization on Twitter," presented at the prestigious IC2S2 conference in Amsterdam, underscores his profound impact on addressing critical societal challenges. Rahul's journey began at Mahindra École Centrale, Hyderabad, where he pursued a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science Engineering. Here, he showcased his leadership as the head of "Enigma," the institution's computer science club. His early exposure to computational problem-solving laid the groundwork for his future endeavors. Later, he honed his expertise in data science at the University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo), solidifying his knowledge in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain technologies. Throughout his professional career, Rahul has donned various hats—AI/ML Engineer, Data Scientist, and Co-founder—demonstrating his versatility and commitment to innovation. Whether it was architecting AI solutions at Foundry, co-founding NFT Garage to revolutionize decentralized applications, or pioneering DeFi solutions at SpiritSwap, Rahul's contributions have consistently translated into tangible outcomes. The IC2S2 Paper: Analyzing Vulnerability and Radicalization At the heart of Rahul's scholarly acclaim is his IC2S2 paper, co-authored with esteemed collaborators. The research delves into the increasingly concerning issue of online radicalization—a phenomenon where extremist groups exploit social media platforms to propagate ideologies and recruit vulnerable individuals. Rahul's approach to this multifaceted challenge was both methodical and innovative. The study aimed to classify Twitter users into distinct categories: Vulnerable, Inert, Activists, and Radicals. Vulnerable users, identified as those susceptible to radical influence, are at the crux of the study. Using an extensive dataset derived from Twitter, Rahul and his team analyzed user interactions across a massive network comprising over 204 million nodes. Their research employed graph theory metrics to model and assess user lethality, connectedness, and susceptibility. The manual annotation of 500 high-ranking accounts within the radicalization network provided critical ground truth data. Employing a Naive Bayes classifier, Rahul and his team achieved commendable precision and recall scores, peaking at 0.71 and 0.68, respectively. This early-stage classifier demonstrated promising potential in identifying vulnerable users, even amidst the challenges of sparse datasets for inert accounts. One of the standout aspects of Rahul's research was the development of novel metrics such as Lethal Connectedness, Vulnerability Connectedness, and Weighted Closeness. These metrics quantified the degree of radical influence and the proximity of potential targets to radical networks. By incorporating content-based features using advanced natural language processing tools like the Stanford NLP library, Rahul ensured the robustness and adaptability of the classifier. The study's findings are not merely academic but carry profound implications for mitigating online radicalization. By identifying users at risk, policymakers and social media platforms can implement targeted interventions, thereby fostering a safer digital environment. Rahul's IC2S2 paper exemplifies the intersection of technology and social responsibility. It addresses a pressing global issue, demonstrating the role of computational science in combating extremism. The methodology and insights derived from this research can be adapted to various domains, including misinformation campaigns, cyberbullying, and political polarization. Furthermore, Rahul's broader work in decentralized technologies complements his research on social networks. By leveraging blockchain's transparency and security, he envisions creating decentralized frameworks to enhance data integrity in social media analytics. Rahul's trajectory is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence. His achievements extend beyond research, as seen in his contributions to decentralized AI and innovative blockchain applications. Whether mentoring teams, devising cutting-edge solutions, or addressing societal challenges, Rahul consistently exemplifies the ideal of a technologist dedicated to the betterment of humanity. As he continues to push boundaries, Rahul's work serves as an inspiration to peers and budding technologists alike. His IC2S2 paper stands as a milestone in the fight against online radicalization, highlighting the power of interdisciplinary research and the importance of ethical considerations in technology. Rahul’s multifaceted career embodies a blend of technical excellence, social responsibility, and visionary leadership. His work on combating online radicalization demonstrates the power of AI to address pressing societal issues. Meanwhile, his contributions to decentralized AI represent a forward-thinking approach to democratizing technology and empowering global talent. As the digital landscape evolves, Rahul's pioneering spirit and innovative mindset position him as a key figure in shaping the future of ethical AI and blockchain solutions. His work not only advances technological boundaries but also underscores the potential for AI to drive meaningful, positive change.

A SUPERMUM with 12 kids has shared some of her best buys for over the festive period. Zoe Sullivan, 46, husband Ben, 49, and their dozen children make up one of the Scotland 's biggest families. The couple are parents to Elisabeth, 19, Olivia, 18, Noah, 14, Evangeline, 12, Tobias, 11, Agnes, seven, Joseph, six, Florence, two, and two sets of twins - Charlotte and Isabelle, 16, and Leah and Erin, eight. The bumper brood live in a six-bedroom house in Burghead, Moray, where they regularly document their busy lives on their YouTube channel . And this week Zoe visited Aldi to stock up on some of the family 's festive favourite treats. But while she was checking out all the food on offer, she came across a brilliant bargain that's ideal for a youngster this Christmas. The adorable Squishees are a super soft dupe for Squishmallows, which normally retail at around £20. They come in a few different characters, including the new black and white striped Humbug. And they only cost £6.99. Zoe said: "They have these Kevin the Carrot, sort of Squishmallow things and the Bah Humbug Christmas ones, which are quite cute." And Aldi says of the toys: "Uncover our top-secret toys before they're gone! "Kevin and Katie are here to save the day. Snuggle up with Kevin, Katie and the Humbugs Squishees this Christmas, collect the whole gang for the ultimate Kevin the Carrot fan or treat yourself." It wasn't the only festive bargain that Zoe was impressed by. The self-confessed chocolate addict loves the little Christmas choccy lollies from the budget supermarket, which she said are a nice , occasional after-dinner treat for the kids . And they cost just £1.79 for 10. Zoe also says the chocolate Santa is a great buy. It's £1.49, which is around the same price as other shops , but the mega mum reckons Aldi's is bigger than the competition . Meanwhile, the family recently revealed 14 brilliant, bargain stocking fillers to keep the kids happy.Now is the time of year when I try not to brag too much about how great the weather is. Soon enough, my friends back home in the South will start posting on social media about ice, snow and bitter wind. Meanwhile, here in L.A., our fall is Goldilocks weather — not too hot, not too cold, but just right. (In our fairy tale, you should also keep an eye out for bears.) In other words, this is the ideal season to explore, and as the weather cools, go on an epic desert hike. And you don’t need to drive all the way out to Joshua Tree to do it. I love, for example, exploring the high desert of the Antelope Valley, a 3,000-square mile region in northern L.A. County and southern Kern County. There’s lots to love about a fall desert hike: cool crisp air, solitude, fascinating, alien-like plants and an abundance of geological wonders to observe. Personally I find a lot of comfort and connection as a queer person in a desert ecosystem. Take the California juniper. Despite drought and harsh winters, it makes use of its resources, and can survive whether it’s 10 or 110 degrees. Even in the harshest of conditions, it still thrives. The three hikes below are a bit of a drive from L.A. It can take an hour and half from downtown L.A. to reach the farthest hikes on this list. But they’re all still closer than Joshua Tree, and will probably never be as crowded. Make the day of it. If you get up early enough, you might even be able to cross out more than one hike on this list. Just make sure to pack plenty of water, and both sun and wind protection. Prime Desert Woodland Preserve walking trail Distance: 3 miles Elevation gain: Minimal Difficulty: Easy The Prime Desert Woodland Preserve is a 120-acre open space in Lancaster, California, that’s open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., weather permitting. The preserve includes the Elyze Clifford Interpretive Center, named after the environmentalist who championed desert preservation. Its programming is managed by the Lancaster Museum of Art and History and features educational displays on native plants and animals as well as young artist workshops where kids can create art inspired by the desert environment. The center is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum also regularly hosts night hikes here. Many animals call the preserve home, including the so-called desert wolf, also known as the coyote. Keep an eye out for a black-chinned hummingbird, cactus wren or California thrasher (of the feathered, not rock star, variety). You’ll notice California juniper and Joshua trees as you meander through the preserve. Although creosote brush is usually plentiful in the desert, the preserve has only one. But, preserve staff believe it may be the largest in the Antelope Valley. You can spot it near the appropriately named Creosote Loop Trail. The preserve has three miles of hiking trails, with short loops throughout. After your adventure, consider checking out a restaurant in Lancaster. I’m partial to Ogla’s. PCT and Apwinga Loop Trail at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Distance: 3.4 miles Elevation gain: 600 feet Difficulty: Moderate The first time I visited Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, I drove up, explored its famous rocks that jut from the ground like massive flying saucers, and then left. But this park has more to offer than spots to reenact Captain Kirk’s fight with the Gorn in the original “Star Trek.” To begin the loop, you can start at the gate after parking near the nature center (which features fun movie memorabilia of films made at Vasquez). Follow the Pacific Crest Trail clockwise, or westerly, and you’ll soon find yourself with your first great view of the park, including its iconic slabs of earth. You’ll follow the trail as it passes next to large rocks — including one that resembles a T. Rex — before entering an open area with a green picnic table beneath a pepper tree. Continue following the PCT. Soon, you’ll notice trail signs noting that you’re on both the PCT and the Apwinga Loop Trail. The PCT will eventually jag southwest. You will continue following the Apwinga Loop. Here you’ll see so much more than those big famous rocks: sweeping vistas, purple red rocks to scramble along, native desert plants, like buckwheat and yucca and — depending on when you visit — plenty of solitude. I enjoyed looking at the numerous rock formations and, like a high desert Rorschach test, deciding what I thought they looked like: a bolt screwed into the ground, stacks of vinyl records and pancakes. (Maybe I was getting hungry at that point.) In terms of difficulty, this trail is firmly moderate. Parts of it are flat or gently sloping, but you will run into a few stretches where you will briefly huff your way up. You will walk near the 14 Freeway for a bit, but unlike the drivers, you’ll have a close-up view of these remarkable rocks, created over thousands of years by wind, rain and moving earth. Vasquez Rocks has different hours depending on the season. From Nov. 1 to Feb. 28, it’s open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Its spring and summer hours, which run from March 1 to Oct. 31, are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Devils Chair Trail Distance: 7.4 miles Elevation gain: About 1,500 feet Difficulty: Moderately challenging Arriving at the Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area, you will soon spot the park’s namesake: massive tilted hunks of sandstone and other geological formations that look like they’d be a rock climber’s dream. I didn’t actually know what the devil’s chair was when I started this hike. I assumed it was going to be another formation. I had an incredible surprise ahead. The first mile of this hike is arguably the hardest part, as you gain 500 feet in a mile. You will see several burned and dead trees. This area was burned by the 2020 Bobcat fire and is still recovering. Meaning you should avoid it on especially windy days to so as not to be hit over the head, or worse, by a crispy trunk. After the first mile, you’ll find a creek that, as of early November, was still flowing. As you hike along the trail, you’ll probably spot chipmunks and gray squirrels. I also heard and saw a variety of birds, including hawks, ravens, white-crowned sparrows and dark-eyed juncos (which are very cute). There are patches of the trail where you will see what the region looked like before the fire. Occasionally, you might see the scant remains of pinyon pine. But despite the burn areas, this trail is still so worth it. There are so many different rock formations, orange, purple, green and gray, to see. And you get incredible views of the desert below and mountains in the distance, including nearby Table Mountain in Angeles National Forest and Tehachapi Mountain in Kern County. The end of the hike reminded me of a safer version of Angels Landing in Zion National Park. You will walk a narrow fenced path to a small boulder, surrounded by a short fence, that overlooks the valley below. From your perch, you can listen to the whistling wind as you take in a panoramic view of massive rock formations below. If lucky, you might spot a bighorn sheep, which a staff member told me like to hang out in the cavern below. Watch where you step along this last part of the trail, as there are some holes in the bottom of the fence. Drop your cellphone here and it’s gone. From here, you’ll gain about 300 feet as you return back from the devil’s chair. I was an in immense state of wonder at that point and didn’t mind the steep ascent after eating my lunch on one of the coolest lookout points in L.A. County. While at the Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area, make sure to check out the nature center. There are two female ravens who enjoy holding each other’s beaks — which I witnessed, and it was very sweet — and friendly staff who can answer your questions about the region. And there is a diabolical ironclad beetle, who staff say is not actually very diabolical, and various snakes, including a chonky senior rattlesnake. Speaking of, make sure to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, although they’re far less active in the winter. A park staffer also told me that at least one mountain lion calls Devil’s Punchbowl his home, but suggested I wouldn’t see him because he’s shy. I wasn’t upset by that! After you leave the Devil’s Punchbowl, consider a stop at Charlie Brown Farms, where you can enjoy a date shake or malt, burger and more. The store also advertises every type of jerky you could think of and dozens of fudge flavors. It also has a room stocked with craft sodas. You will be overwhelmed by their options in the best way possible! __________ ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.