There is an urgent need for volunteer English tutors in Madera County. Immigrants eager to learn to speak, read and write English are anxiously waiting for tutors. To meet Madera County’s growing need, the Mountain Area Literacy Council (MALCO) has scheduled a two-part tutor training workshop. The workshop will be offered on consecutive Saturdays, September 22 and 29, at the Oakhurst Branch Library located on 49044 Civic Circle Drive in Oakhurst, California.

• Part 1: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, September 22
• Part 2: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, September 29

MALCO currently has 19 adults awaiting tutors on its waiting list. Volunteers are urgently needed. For information or to sign up for the workshop, contact Agnes Frye at 559-641-7691.

Madera County has long followed our nation’s path as a melting pot. Our descendants are a diverse lot including many nationalities: Mexican, German, Irish, African Americans, English, Italian, American Indian, Filipino, Asian Indian, Danish, Polish, Scottish, Norwegian, Swedish, Portuguese, Dutch and French. First lured by the Gold Rush and then the timber industry, people of diverse cultures flocked to Madera County in the mid 1800s. The stunning natural scenic beauty of the Sierras and lush fertile soils of the San Joaquin valley enticed them to stay. Our thriving agricultural and recreational industries continue to draw people to Madera County.

As a nation we have just marked the passing of the sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Patriot Day ceremonies on Tuesday remembered citizens and rescue workers who died at the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon and on a lonely farm field in Pennsylvania. Since that fateful day, America has worked to build a strong system of homeland security. If a 9/11 disaster struck Madera County, would we be ready? Yes.

Madera County agencies have been proactive in developing coordinated disaster plans. Emergency response drills that mimic natural and terrorist disasters are conducted periodically. These mock disasters to allow personnel and volunteers from multiple services to come together to practice emergency skills, assess facilities and fine tune response systems.

For example, should Madera County be threatened by an act of bioterrorism or a pandemic influenza, the Madera County Public Health Department is prepared to initiate emergency drive-through flu clinics in addition to point of dispensing clinics to provide medications to the entire population of the county. Not long ago, the county health department, area hospitals, local schools, EMS, fire and police worked together to successfully control a mock chemical contamination of students at John Adams Elementary School.

If you would like to volunteer to serve as a Public Health Disaster Responder, click here to access a volunteer form. To learn more about Madera County’s bioterrorism preparedness program, click here to visit the county website. The Madera County Public Health Department also offers an Emergency Preparedness Pocket Guide in both English and Spanish. Contact the health department at 559-675-7893 or email bernie.smith@madera-county.com for your free copy.

Madera means timber and with Yosemite National Park, one of the nation’s most popular national park destinations in the northeast section, timber abounds.

Madera County is a beautiful place to live and is located in the Central Valley of California just north of Fresno County. With a population of 123,109 this County is large enough to offer a variety of shopping and amenities, but small enough to have real charm. The population that lives in Madera County is relatively young with a median age of 33. Wikipedia has some great additional information on Madera County that you may find helpful as well.

If you are considering moving to Madera County and specifically Eastern Madera County, I would be delighted to have the opportunity to meet you and to help you with your real estate needs.

The start of a new school year in Madera County is just around the corner. That means it’s time for school and sports physicals and immunizations. Immunizations provide lifetime protection from a host of virulent diseases that used to kill or cripple our children. Protect your children by getting them immunized.

If your child is entering a new school, a list of required immunizations will be provided when you register. The Madera County Public Health Department website lists recommended immunizations at various ages from birth to age 5. Click the link to see which vaccinations your child needs. 

If you see a family doctor regularly, your children are most likely already on an immunization schedule. If you don’t have a regular family doctor or are new to Madera County, the Public Health Department holds regular clinic hours in Madera, Chowchilla and Oakhurst. Click here for clinic locations and hours or call the Public Health Department at 800-427-6897 for more information. If you cannot afford the cost of immunizations, your child’s school can also refer you to free clinics.

Coarsegold 4-H News Update July 28, 2007 Eirena Ewert

As happens every year, 4-H is going to start up again. Coarsegold 4-H welcomes newcomers to 4-H. 4-H is open to kids 9-19 years old, and the adults can help by being leaders. The new officers for next year are Evan Ewert, President, Lindsey Soares, Vice President, Daphne Norman, Secretary, Jennifer Lyons, Treasurer, Amanda Miller, Hostess, Elyjah Hussey, Historian, Jackson Soares and Clara Briley, Sergeant at Arms, and I, Eirena Ewert, Reporter.

As you can see, our 4-H club has fun every year. We have project sign-ups at the first meeting. We have a Christmas Party, which in the past, is at the Bowling Alley. We have the Chowchilla Fair that almost everybody participates in, Madera Fair, and other fairs also. We have the End-of-The-Year-Party, which in the past, is at Bass Lake. During the summer there is 4-H Camp which is really fun!

What I mean by the project sign-ups is that we have animal projects and actives. The projects we have are sewing, swine, beef, sheep, quilting, leadership, horse, dog, and many other things. We have a record book that we have to put what projects we did and our improvements.

Our club did very well at the County level with their Record Books. The results are : Clothing & Textiles: 1st Jennifer Lyons, 3rd Eirena Ewert, Outstanding 1st Year Member: 2nd Elyjah Hussey, Poultry: County Winner Steven Zimmerman, Sheep: 2nd Daphne Norman, Swine: 6th Evan Ewert and, Reporter: County Winner Daphne Norman.

We had 12 Coarsegold 4-H members go to 4-H Camp on July 15th –19th. This is the list of members that went:
Robert Zimmerman-All Star, Jessica Gambril-All Star, Steven Zimmerman-Jr. Counselor, Evan Ewert-Asst. Counselor, Lindsey Soares-Camper, Clayton Gambril-Camper, Daphne Norman-Camper, Jackson Soares-Camper, Elyjah Hussey-Camper, Eirena Ewert-Camper, Clara Briley-Camper, James Gonzales- Camper.
Camp is held at Jack Ass Camp and is a lot of fun. While at camp, Daphne Norman got a medal in archery and Eirena Ewert got a metal in Scrap Booking. That makes them County Winners in those categories! There were activities like hiking, archery, firearms, scrapbooking, cake decorating, camp sports, woodcarving and many more. Everyone had a great time!

We have a lot of people from our club going to the State Fair in August. On Aug 14th several members will be heading to Sacramento for the California State Fair. In the Sheep Project Robert and Steven Zimmerman, Jessica, Cody & Clayton Gambril, and Daphne Norman all have several entries each. Jessica and Daphne will also be showing Market Goats this year.
The next article that I submit will have the places and awards from the people who went to the Fair.

4-H is fun and very educational. You don’t have to have an animal to be in 4-H. You can just learn about the animal or do something like sewing and quilting. Don’t forget, we always welcome newcomers. Our fist meeting of the year will be September 13th, at the Coarsegold Community Center. Come join in the fun!

In his latest book, Forclosures For Dummies, Ralph Roberts shares his experiences with all aspects of forclosures. The book is useful for anyone interested in investing in forclosures and explains the process of finding, and purchasing the properties as well as the dangers and things that one needs to know before buying forclosures.

In Forclosures For Dummies, Mr. Roberts names professionals in each state that specialize in foreclosures. Each state has different laws and procedures so be sure to know what your state laws are. One of the California specialists is Brandon Fairbanks and The Fairbanks Real Estate Group at Montecino & Associates in Coarsegold California serving Madera County.

Whether you are interested in purchasing forclosures or are experiencing a foreclosure yourself, The Fairbanks Real Estate Group can help you. Please feel free to visit our websites or call us anytime.

Montecino & Associates
35285 Hwy 41 Suite C
Coarsegold CA, 93614
(559) 683-7268
www.mymaderacountyrealestate.com
www.myyosemiterealestate.net
www.easternmaderacountynews.com

I would like to take a moment to thank all our troops for their hardwork and dedication for our country and our freedom. Let’s pray for the families who have lost loved ones this Memorial Day and remember and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Remember when you see one of our soldiers to thank them and let them know we are proud of them.

Happy Memorial Day,

Brandon Fairbanks