John Anderson has over 45 years of experience in Law Enforcement.  Now he wants to add another 4 years as the Sheriff of Madera County. If elected, this will be his fourth term as Sheriff.  After a distinguished career with the California Highway Patrol, John knew he could play a major part in making the Madera County Sheriff’s Department a Department with pride and distinction within the State of California. After taking office, John faced many challenges and through the years has obtained many accomplishments. These challenges and accomplishments were met only because of John’s experience, abilities and hard work. Under John’s administration he implemented many programs which have received state and national recognition. Most noteworthy is the utilization of civilian volunteers. This includes Citizens on Patrol, Chaplain Program and the Search and Rescue Unit. He formed a multi-agency gang and narcotics task force and a regional SWAT Team, All at which greatly benefitted the citizens of Madera County at very little cost to the tax payer. Under Anderson’s watch, he equipped patrol vehicles with in-car computer systems. The department can now reach citizens throughout Madera County in a matter of minutes thanks to the installation of the “Reverse 911 Emergency Notification System.” He is also credited for securing an inter-agency radio system connecting the sheriff’s department with all other emergency responders in the county.During his tenure, he started the “Operation Lost and Found” program, which provides miniature bracelet transmitters to Alzheimer’s patients, so they can be located if they wander off. Other programs include, the SOS-911, or “Saving our Seniors”, where persons are provided donated deactivated cellular phones, capable of dialing 911 if the person needs assistance. This program also extends to victims of domestic violence. Madera County continues to need a man like John Anderson. A man with education and experience. A man connected politically and respected with county, state and federal leaders. A man, who is known, admired and involved in local community affairs. Madera County does not need a sheriff who lacks formal education, has no managerial experience and little real time experience in law enforcement. We do not need someone who comes to the job with limited personal and supervisorial skills who is responsible for supervising less than 6 people at a time.

One of those stories we hear that is worth looking into.  If true it may save a life and property.

A house burnt down… nothing left but ashes. Owners have good insurance so the house will be replaced and most of the contents.  That is the good news.

 However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire. The insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours. He had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom. He asked her sister-in-law what she had plugged in the bathroom. She listed the normal things…curling iron, blow dryer.  He kept saying to her, ‘No, this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures’. Then her sister-in-law remembered she had a Glade Plug-In, in the bathroom.

The investigator had one of those ‘Aha’ moments. He said that was the cause of the fire. He said he has seen more house fires started with the plug-in type room fresheners than anything else. He said the plastic they are made from is THIN. He also said that in every case there was nothing left to prove that it even existed. When the investigator looked in the wall plug, the two prongs left from the plug-in were still in there.

The sister-in-law had one of the plug-ins that had a small night light built in it. She said she had noticed that the light would dim and then finally go out. She would walk in to the bathroom a few hours later, and the light would be back on again. The investigator said that the unit was getting too hot, and would dim and go out rather than just blow the light bulb. Once it cooled down it would come back on. That is a warning sign

The investigator said he personally wouldn’t have any type of plug in fragrance device anywhere in his house. He has seen too many places that have been burned down due to them.

Will the Housing market return to 2005 prices within the next 15 to 20 years?  A few reasons why the housing market peaks may take longer than anticipated, if ever.

1. Home sales are dependent upon consumer confidence in the economy, which includes both their personal economy as well as that of the nation. 2. Loss of home equity will limit the inventory for buyers wishing to move up. Loss of equity and declining home values means fewer sellers will have the resources to purchase another home.3. Tougher lending restrictions combined with declining credit scores fewer buyers will qualify for home loans. 4. The continued high rate of foreclosures and REOs will depress both the housing market and the hopes of many potential buyers. Millions who have experienced foreclosure will be automatically ousted from the buying pool. 5. Slow increase in mortgage rates will reduce the number of qualified buyers. As we experience the higher mortgage payments associated with rising interest rates, many will fail to qualify for loans on the homes of their choice6. A raise in the housing market cannot occur as long as we have unusually high unemployment. Experts say unemployment could remain at higher than normal levels for several years.

It appears foreclosures across the country are showing some signs of recovery. One reason is banks are seeing the value in short sales vs. foreclosures. Forbes Real Estate ranked cities with the fewest foreclosures. A few California cities made the top 100 list.66. San Francisco Oakland74. San Jose Santa Clara79. Thousand Oaks84 Sacramento Stockton86. Modesto88. San Diego91. Los Angeles97. Riverside San Bernardino

Found an intersesting artricle.

It has been reported that nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and by 2050 that number is expected to reach 48 million. Diabetes is the condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin – the hormone needed to convert sugar and starches into energy. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, amputations and kidney failure. It is also the fifth leading cause of death in the country and it can triple a person’s risk for heart attack and stroke.*

National diabetes rates are surging, and although there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the immune system mistakenly destroys cells that make insulin, type 2 diabetes can often be prevented. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 percent of cases and is associated with obesity and lack of exercise. This type usually occurs after a condition known as pre-diabetes, which is currently affecting 57 million people in the United States. The good news is that pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented by making diet and exercise changes.

People do not have to give up their favorite treats but just find a better option that will help them achieve their health goals faster. For those who want to make a lifestyle change for the better, here are ways to incorporate treats into their diet:

Ice cream
No longer does reducing calories and fat mean that you have to give up a favorite treat – ice cream! New ice cream products can provide indulgence without the calories, satisfying your sweet tooth urges. If you are on the go, get a prepackaged 100-calorie bar or a frozen fruit bar. If you have to buy a family-size container, go for reduced fat, fat free or no sugar added. For example, buying no sugar added reduced fat vanilla will allow you to make banana splits and sundaes that have 100 calories less per cup. And if you want a treat that doesn’t require any prep, try the Blue Bunny No Sugar Added Fat Free Brownie Sundae ice cream – brownie chunks and ribbons of fudge in vanilla ice cream for 90 calories per serving!

Dark chocolate
Studies show that eating dark chocolate, above 60 percent cocoa, may contribute to improved cardiovascular health and lower blood sugar. Packed with natural antioxidants, dark chocolate and cocoa sit in the same good-for-you category as green tea and pomegranates. The trick is to shoot for 60 percent cocoa or above – the higher the natural cocoa content, the greater the antioxidant level. Keep in mind that dark chocolate is an indulgent treat and you only need a small portion. Moderation is key when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Light snacks
Making a few small changes when buying snacks can make a big difference. Go for multigrain crackers instead of cheese ones. Forget regular butter popcorn and grab a light pack or look for new varieties made with herbs and olive oil. When considering sweet snacks, choose light ones. The Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom line, for example, offers treats like the Black Raspberry bars made with no sugar added reduced fat ice cream. Choosing a Sweet Freedom dessert or a Sugar Free Bomb Pop will keep calories and carbohydrates low, which is essential to preventing diabetes.

Healthy Drinks
Soda contains no nutrients, yet it loads your body with extra calories and sugar. To get the most out of your diet, forget your daily soda and go for drinks that provide important vitamins. Low sodium 100 percent vegetable juice is a great option and so is vitamin or flavor-enriched water. Just make sure that you check drink labels for calories – healthy water drinks should contain zero calories. To get a fizz fix without all the sugar, try bubbly green-tea beverages.

While up in Coarsegold California, a small town in Eastern Madera County,  I had a chance to visit  my good friends mother. She is in her eighties and grass is not growing under her feet. Why do some grow old faster than others? I read this article from a health publication and maybe this is one of the answers.  

A strong social network can help keep your memory sharp as you age. People who had lots of contact with family, friends and neighbors had memory loss at less than half the rate of those who were socially isolated in a study done by Harvard School of Public Health. Volunteer activities, sports, joining clubs and taking classes are good ways to build a social network.

This is my friend’s mom.

 Source: American Journal of Public Health.

Is there a positive swing in the real estate market?  November 3rd, 2008, Judy Kunisaki Posted in Malibu, National Association of Realtors the following:| Malibu is always known for its fabulous real estate sales and recently these have been no exception with many celebrities buying and selling swathes of properties in the city. However despite negative national press about the housing market things are looking great in California! According to the California Association of Realtors, Sales of units increased 96.7% in September 2008 over last year! This is great news and shows that buyers are really snapping up those great deals out there. In fact sales Statewide edged past 500,000 for the month for the first time in more than 2 years. Also the level of inventory is down to a fantastic 6.5 months compared to 16 months a year ago. Also the median number of days it took to sell a single family home has shorted to an average of 46.1 days down from 56.7 a year ago. Nationally home sales have risen - with California leading the way. Definite signs of a market which is poised to grow in 2009.I believe Ms. Kunisaki is right. We have seen a spark in the central valley and in Eastern Madera County as well. I believe during this past year we have had so much negative events and reports, especially by our presidential hopefuls, that after the election, whoever wins, we should start hearing positive things that will bring back the confidence in America.

Coarsegold is a small town on the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada, not far from California’s exact geographic center and Yosemite National Park. The name Coarsegold was derived from nearby Coarsegold Creek, also known as Coarse Gold Gulch, in which gold rush prospectors found large nuggets of gold.

Coarsegold is rarely mentioned as part of the mother lode—but it is, in fact, the southernmost populated settlement in California’s famed mother lode territory. The town was once a stage stop for Yosemite-bound travelers. The Golden Chain Highway (State Route 49) through California’s old gold rush towns and foothill topography begins about seven miles north, in the town of Oakhurst.

Coarsegold consists of scattered ranches, homes on big lots, Indian trust land, and “estate-style” subdivisions. The most populated section is strung along an eight-to 10-mile stretch of State Highway 41 in Eastern Madera County. It’s well worth a trip to visit the town of Coarsegold but better yet to buy and own a piece of history. It’s a great place to live and raise a family. Go see my friends at Montecino and Associates Real Estate.

This weekend I drove up to Coarsegold to the annual Tarantula Festival. I meet my friend Dennis Fairbanks and he drove me out to his cattle lease. He drove me around showing me the effects of the drought which has plagued California the last few years. On the lease are two gorgeous lakes. Unfortunately the drought has turned them into large mud ponds.

The good news is or hopefully will be, the National Weather Service predicting the possibility of a wet winter.  They report that a weather phenomenon or system called Madden-Julian Oscillation seems to be developing in the Indian Ocean. In the past, this system has generated wet storms for California.

In 1971 Roland Madden and Paul Julian (1) stumbled upon a 40-50 day oscillation when analyzing zonal wind anomalies in the tropical Pacific.The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is an equatorial traveling pattern of anomalous rainfall that is planetary in scale. The mechanism and cause of the MJO is as yet not well-understood and is a subject of ongoing study. The wet phase of enhanced convection and precipitation is followed by a dry phase where convection is suppressed. Each cycle lasts approximately 30-60 days.

The prediction is that there is a potential of storms developing in November, providing a wetter than average fall. We shall see and HOPE.

This Saturday, October 25^th,  I will travel up to Gods country to visit my pal Dennis Fairbanks, in Coarsegold California. We are going to attend the annual Tarantula Festival at Coarsegold Historic Village, located on Hwy 41 in downtown Coarsegold. This year there will be an 8 foot tarantula carved by local woodcarver Wayne Boring. There will be a contest to name the bug that will be a permanent fixture in the area. Who knows this unnamed spider may become as popular as Oakhurst Talking Bear.

The weekend events will include a pumpkin pie contest, scream-off contest, Pizza eating contest and a live Tarantula derby.