By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

It seems a shame that all those recalled eggs are being thrown away. They could be cracked, pasteurized and sold as liquid eggs in cartons, says the Food and Drug Administration.

The old rules about eating eggs still apply, of course. As long as the salmonella investigation is under way, don’t eat raw eggs, as you might in eggnogs or home-made energy drinks, and don’t eat eggs that come out of the carton cracked. Those cracks could allow germs to get inside and make you sick.

A few years ago, food experts cautioned us to stop eating eggs over easy. “Order them over medium, and they will be cooked through,” was the advice at the time.

So, being a good boy, I have followed that advice. When the server in a restaurant asks how I want my eggds, I tell him or her, “over medium.” She writes that down, and about 10 minutes later brings them hot to the table. When I cut into them, I might get what I ordered — an over medium egg — or I might get an over-easy egg (as often as not) or I might get a hard egg.

To me, an over-medium egg should be cooked all the way through. No runny white, for example. However, there should still be some give to the yolk — just enough so one can dip one’s toast into it.
If you don’t get that when you order, start ordering scrambled eggs. They usually come out just fine — fluffy and cooked through, but not hard. Of course, one can’t dip one’s toast into the yolk of a scrambled egg, which is a bit of a loss.

Mrs. Doud always gets my over-medium eggs just right. I think she could go to the FDA and give egg-cooking lessons, and the FDA people then could fan across the country and teach others.

Meanwhile, as a nation, we are throwing away millions of eggs left and right. I find that eggs-asperating.

Masjid Madera, 16334 Road 26, has been vandalized on three separate occasions, said sheriff’s department spokeswoman Erica Stuart on Aug. 25.

Deputy Jeff Thomas recovered a brick Aug. 24 that was apparently thrown at a wall of the center Friday. He also seized a cardboard sign, which was discovered at the mosque Aug. 18. Then, sometime Aug. 24th night, two more signs were placed on the property.

Martha Herman, teacher: “Don’t promote violence with violence; it only perpetuates the cycle.”

Andrew Gorbatiy, college student: “America has freedom of religion, right? Protesting with violence is wrong. My (Ukrainian) parents were persecuted by the Soviets because Stalin said he was the only god.”

Mike Johnson, dialysis technician: “We have no right to accuse others or assume Muslims have negative motives in any way related to terrorists’ acts.”

Kendall Jones, principal: “I am saddened by the fact people are unable to practice their religion in peace.”

Chris Brett, driver: “Vandalism is always wrong and a hate crime is never the solution to a problem.”

Satnam Singh, student: “Not every Muslim is a terrorist and I am not a Muslim. Every person should have the right to worship their god.”

All comments are edited for length and content. Because of content or space limitations, some comments may not be published. More than one comment from the same person during the same week will normally not be published. Please limit calls to two minutes or less.

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“I must be a little dense,” began a man’s call. “I thought the casino out on (Avenue) 17 was a dead issue. I’m against it and I think if you took a survey of Madera they would be against it. Everyone should stand up and holler ‘no casino’ three times real loud. Maybe the city council, county council, council council, whatever they call themselves need to realize the people do not want a gambling place here.”

A few callers said otherwise after reading about the casino remaining a possibility. “That’s great. I think it will bring jobs, and most of all tax dollars for improvement to the city and county.”

Another caller said, “after reading that the next hurdle has been cleared by the casino on Avenue 17 I can hardly wait. I know there are people against it, but our economy is so bad here it can only help. Look what the mountain casino has done in support of Fresno and Madera. They gave a big grant to help with the new Youth Center and that’s just one thing.”

A woman “went to the hospital to have some tests done. Afterward, I ask one of the volunteers if she would please call me Dial-a-Ride. She refused. When I asked again, she picked up the phone and pretended to call Dial-a-Ride. I ended up calling them myself and didn’t get home until late.”

A lady “placed an ad for an English-speaking gardener. The lady who took my ad changed it to Spanish-speaking gardener. I got hundreds of calls from people that only spoke Spanish. The reason I put English only because I speak English, not Spanish. I hope these people would learn to write the ad as written by the customer.”

“Your coverage of the recent annual rib cook-off left a lot to be desired,” said a gentleman. “Good photos, but your reporter, Elsa Mejia, doesn’t seem to be able to get names or titles right. One of the volunteer judges was long time Shades of Grey vocalist Bud Sanders, yet she wrote his name as Buzz. The leader of the Elks Lodge is called the exalted ruler. It may sound a little uppity, but the title, and the history behind it, is deserving. She wrote president. A little more attention to detail by Miss Mejia would have made for a better read.” (WEBMASTER’S NOTE: Bud Sanders provided his name to the Tribune reporter as “Buzz” and confirmed it when she showed the name to him in writing at the event. If the name was in error, she could hardly be blamed.)

A woman who left her name, said, “in response to (people calling about) mistakes in the Tribune, pat yourself on the back. You’re more informed by reading the Tribune than most in the nation. I commend you. Even noting the mistakes you’re reading. Good for you.”

A woman “wanted to comment on last week’s caller that complained about illegals being on welfare. I disagree. Studies show that the majority on welfare are Caucasian, white people. You should get your facts straight.”

A lady said, “I think all schools should make kids wear uniforms. It would prevent problems with dress codes.”

A woman had a “message for John Stafford, Madera School District Superintendent, and his e-mails to CSEA (California School Employees Association). You’re not supposed to be using it for that.”

Yet another woman said, “The CSEA wants to have another vote to oust president Rachel Cam. I think that’s wrong. I sure don’t want Alice and don’t want the merit system.”

A similar comment from a female said, “The merit system can go out the window and Alice can go with it. I think Rachel is doing a great job and next time we vote I’d like to vote the merit system out. I know a lot of people that feel the same way.”

Online contributor Victor Sandoval said, “I’m glad we have the constitution to approve healthy programs like the one we’re working in Madera. It’s exciting to see progress in military efforts. Trust me, I know what it’s like to start over. I hope it follows the way its meant to be.”

“Invasion of illegals from other countries into the United States is an act of war, no mistake about it” said another online contributor. “(Problems happen) every day in our country because of illegals, and it is not just along the border states. They are taking our kindness, Bill of Rights, (and the 14th Amendment), and twisting it to meet their evil needs as criminals that hide behind their religion of hate.

“People need to know that the Madera County Courts will not allow you to borrow a pen when writing them a check,” writes a woman online. “They say it is due to budget. They stood there with a pen in their hand and told me I would have to leave and come back with a pen. When I took the issue up, it was then stated it was also a safety issue. I told them if it was a safety issue, then pens would not be allowed in the court house … then how would I write a check?”

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Thank you for your calls. Remember, the Red Line is open for your messages 24 hours a day by calling 674-4478 or by visiting maderatribuneredline.com on the Internet.

By Duane E. Furman, Ed.D.
For The Madera Tribune

We are down to the stretch. The San Joaquin Valley Paleontological Foundation is moving into the beautiful new Discovery Center near Fairmead, and members are working furiously to be as ready as possible for opening on a limited basis Sept. 1.

We can begin to schedule individuals and groups to come and see the results of an effort that began in 1993 with the official discovery of fossils at the Fairmead Landfill.

As personnel of Madera County continue installation of sprinkler systems, landscaping, and other touches to the site, members of the foundation, volunteers, and local businesses will prepare the interior of the building. This includes installation of exhibits, situating of electronics and obtaining items for the Center store. A pre-field-trip curriculum for teachers will be prepared. And a multitude of other things will need attention. It’s a little like you preparing to move into your brand new and almost completed home.
A grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 3.

Some things for you to anticipate include the reception area where visitors will be greeted and prepared for their Discovery Center experience. As you explore the center you will find a variety of exhibits, experiences, charts, displays, videos, and views. With time each of the exhibits, displays, and experiences will grow, be enriched, modified or changed.

Among the exhibits available:

* A dire wolf exhibit, presenting an opportunity to compare present wolves, coyotes and foxes of the northwest to those of the previous Fairmead era.

* A Columbian mammoth display. This will be a dual treat because the interior display of this largest creature from the site will be augmented by another in front of the center, a creation of the artistry of Chris Sorenson, a well known metal sculptor.

* Three different sloths were represented in the area; the bone structure of the one you will see will amaze you. You also will be surprised that a creature that ate plants would have such an amazing defense system.

* The smilodon, a saber-toothed cat, is California’s state fossil. You may have seen the skull of one in the Madera County Library in Madera. Eight-inch fangs caused this creature to be greatly respected.

* A camel is represented in the collection. Yes, a camel. A relative, an early representation of the llama, also was present here long ago.

* Scientists are impressed by small critters which were a part of the past, and are often still present. While the large animals were eliminated by changes in climate or other happenings, small creatures, some of which burrowed in the ground, more frequently survived. The Discovery Center will have a display containing a gopher, vole, pond turtle, and snake. We need help here. If you know anyone who is or has been a taxidermist, we sure could use examples of small creatures, which survived changes in time, to display in this exhibit and add to the scientific knowledge of students and other visitors (phone 674-4659).

* There were three species of horses in the Fairmead area, and the center will contain a model of the short-faced bear and other exhibits, complete with pictures and explanations.

* Adjacent to the center, you will find a watering hole, representing the source that drew so many creatures to this place. We plan to stock the pond with Sacramento perch and other fish and plant life that were a part of that environment.

* A mock dig awaits students on the other side of the building. There, they can dig, find replica animal fossil pieces and identify their finds through an attached number, with the creature from which the fragment originated.

* The gift store-concession booth will present an opportunity to have a snack and find a souvenir for the occasion. A display will answer the question, “What is a fossil?” A child’s arts-and-crafts area will be featured. A paleontologist will be present working on fossils and being available to the visitors. An area featuring valley sea creatures and dinosaurs will be a rotating exhibit.

The Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County was created to improve science education, bring scientists from all over the world to enhance their knowledge, bring business to Madera County through the tourism industry, instruct out citizens and be a place of pride for the area.

The center will also advertise agriculture and other products and opportunities for engaging with the county.

Please join the membership of the Foundation, visit the Discovery Center, and be a volunteer, docent, or sponsor to this new and important addition to the many values of Madera County.

You can obtain more information at www.MaderaMammoths.org.

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

Last night’s celebration of the annual Lifetime Achievement Awards presented by the Madera District Chamber of Commerce reminded us once again how much can be accomplished by individuals who make the right choices, who work hard and who put forth the effort and financial commitments to build their community.

As the federal government adds money to the country’s cash flow in an effort to produce jobs, last night’s honorees remind us that jobs in many cases are a local byproduct of an entrepreneur’s risk-taking and effort.

Don and Cathi Warnock, who own Warnock foods, now employ more than 100 people, but they started with no employees.

Bill Dawson, at his Round Table Pizza restaurant, has had hundreds of people over the years on his payroll.

Dim and Don Sambueso, proprietors of Gus’ Food Lockers, credit their employees with helping keep the business going through its second generation of Sambueso ownership.

Elvan and Eleanor Newcomb, through the 42 years they operated Newcomb Tractor, employed dozens.
And retired MUSD founding superintendent Duane Furman was the de facto employer of thousands over the years in the public schools.

All those employees, for the most part, spent their wages locally, helping to create more jobs — in stores, in professional practices, and in trades.

Last night’s honorees also contributed time and money to community organizations, and they continue to do so. They don’t sit and wait for the city to take care of them. They start out by working to take care of the city.

In that regard, memorial honoree Jerry Venturi, who died last year of cancer, gave us the joy of music. Those of us who still mourn the loss of his performances will be forever happy we heard him play.

Madera is a better place because these folks are among us. They are the true “stimulus package.”

Thank you for your article on the Traveling Wall and its visit to Chowchilla.

When my wife and I visited the site on Saturday morning, we were told that the people who erected the wall the day before found themselves short on help and short on materials. CertainTeed provided lumber and a work crew to assist, and the Wall was erected in time. CertainTeed deserves recognition and thanks for this.

Thanks!

T.W. Murray,
Madera

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

Now that five years has passed since Hurricane Katrina wrecked the Gulf Coast, and especially New Orleans, people are starting to ask “where has all the money gone?”

The federal government has been castigated for not doing enough to help New Orleans, but the facts don’t seem to bear that out. The federal government — that’s you and yours truly, folks — has pumped close to $200 billion into trying to bring the Gulf Coast back. And that doesn’t include what the insurance companies spent.

In New Orleans, the Army Corps of Engineers is spending billions on huge pumps, trying to prevent another flood disaster should another Katrina come along. More billions are being spent to fix up housing. And still more billions are going toward replacing worn out infrastructure.

But when did it become the nation’s responsibility to rebuild New Orleans, to turn it into a safe and secure city?

New Orleans was a basket case even before the hurricane. Its municipal services were among the least competent in America. Its police department was among the most corrupt. A simple thing like a title search on many of the properties that were destroyed was almost impossible.

To make all that worse, much of New Orleans sits below sea level behind huge dikes. It is webbed by canals that flooded when Katrina came along, and that likely will fail again if another big storm hits. It seems insane not to move the city to higher ground and turn the low-lying areas into parks and docks.

We see pictures of the French Quarter area of bars, restaurants and tourist traps, and are told that fabled neighborhood has come back. And if it has, that’s good.

But beyond the French Quarter, much of New Orleans is a place you don’t want to be at night, or even in daylight.

I wish the citizens of New Orleans no ill, but if another Katrina hits, I hope that as a taxpayer I don’t have to shell out once more to rebuild a city that may not be worth rebuilding unless it’s relocated to higher ground.

After watching the news last week about the graffiti in Fresno, it reminded me of how little graffiti we have in Madera now. I am not a “letter to the editor” person, but this is such a big deal, I could not resist the nagging feeling that we as a city have accomplished a very large task and should all be told about it.
Let’s call it the “Yes We Can” story!

A few years ago, a man named Manuel Ruiz was hired by the Madera Redevelopment Agency as code enforcement officer, and the graffiti program was placed in his area of responsibility. The city had a crew that daily went out to remove graffiti. On a good month, the crew maybe stayed even with the taggers. Maybe.

Then, Manuel hired Tim and Christina. And my, how things have changed! This is where my story takes shape. Let’s call Manuel, Tim and Christina the GAC (Graffiti Abatement Crew).

With the help of a consultant hired by the city, they realized it would take a bigger crew to do the job. The trio began to build the crew. The key, folks, turned out to be you, me and anybody else who cared enough to join in.

Guess what? Today, more than 800 citizens are involved. The GAC asked the citizens to chip in. They held meetings, formed teams, have captains. Today, you are hard pressed to spot the graffiti. Oh yes, there is still graffiti here and there, but not like it was before. In essence, people, you are the ones who have defeated the taggers. They know now that if they are caught, they are punished. Not a slap-on-the-wrist punishment, thanks to the efforts of the police, the District Attorney’s Office and the courts.

This whole plan evolved because of you. It’s not too late to get involved. Graffiti is not a one-time thing, it’s ongoing. But you have shown everyone, everywhere it can be done. So all you people who are a part of the 800, stand up, be proud and let out a big hooray!

I am proud of us, and you should be, too. If this has inspired you to join in, simply call Manuel, Tim or Christina at 661-5110.

I have signed my name because I live by an oath of truth. This is not intended to be political. Trust me, this is a true happening of the graffiti program.

Jack Perialas,
Madera

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

For the past few months, I’ve been using Pepsodent toothpaste after spotting it at the drug store for 99 cents a tube. Want to know something? It’s great tasting, and it works fine.

My grandfather, who was a dentist, once told me in answer to a question that the best toothpaste was “elbow grease.” I replied, in my best 7-year-old voice, “I like Pepsodent.”

Other brands of toothpaste cost much more than Pepsodent, some more than $5 a tube. I have tried them, and they pale before Pepsodent. Here’s hoping Pepsodent’s makers, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., don’t do anything to change it. The company also makes other brands of toothpaste — Arm & Hammer, Close-Up, Mentadent and Aim. Those other toothpastes aren’t too bad. I’ve tried them all. But compared to Pepsodent they just don’t do the trick for me.

For a few years, I used tooth powder, but you don’t see much of it around any more. I even used baking soda after reading that it was just as good as toothpaste, if not better. Well, I’ll tell you this: If you haven’t tried brushing your teeth with baking soda, don’t waste your time. It’s awful.

I think there might be too many brands of toothpaste. Choosing a toothpaste in the drug or grocery store can take a lot of time. Just looking at all the brands on display can make you forget what you have in your bathroom cupboard right now.

About four months ago, before my happy rediscovery of Pepsodent, I picked up a tube of Colgate and took it home. However, once I opened the box, took out the tube and tasted it, I could tell something wasn’t right. And I was right. It wasn’t just Colgate toothpaste, but Colgate with something in it to make your teeth look whiter than Styrofoam cups. And it tasted like Styrofoam, too. At first, I thought I’d have to use it all. Who throws away a perfectly good tube of toothpaste? But then, I saw Pepsodent in the store, and life was good again.

Tired of hearing about Pepsodent? Some day, I’ll tell you about Ipana, the second-best toothpaste.

We at the Madera Islamic Center would like to thank you for the articles you have been running about Muslims in general and the mosque at Ground Zero. These articles may serve as enlightening information to people in Madera. This week, someone left a sign in front of the Center that read, “No temple for the terrorists on Ground Zero.”

Whoever left that sign committed a terrorist act themselves. He or she should have the courtesy to come in person and state their opinion and perhaps we could have a discussion of the pros and cons.

Most of our community think the plan for a mosque at Ground Zero should be changed to another location since it is becoming a huge issue and many Americans do not want it there. It is too bad that the politicians have gotten involved, especially since we are coming up on an election.

Hopefully, they will move on to other things and not create a great division on the subject.

We are proud of our city of Madera and thank you again for your good work.

Adeeb Shamma, member,
Madera Islamic Center