Members of the Sunrise Kiwanis Club on Tuesday heard the story of a trip of a lifetime from their president Rohi Zacharia, 26. He told them of a deeply moving, spiritual experience he shared with more than 400,000 other young people from 170 countries who descended on Sydney, Australia, in July for World Youth Day.
The journey began with a two-day retreat at St. Anne's Chapel in Raymond that brought together him, Art Cerpa, of Madera, Brother John Shearer, O.S.J., of Madera, and seven members of the "True Love Waits" Catholic youth group from St. Joachim Church. The group had spent a couple of years fundraising for the $3,000 per person needed for travel expenses, and met regularly for progress reports and Bible study. The retreat offered an opportunity to live together, bond and become a family before the trip, Zacharia said. FULL STORY...
Rohi Zacharia/Special to The Madera Tribune
Crystal Cantu of Madera, top left, Michaela Sobrak-Seaton of Santa Cruz, and Joemy Zengierski of Madera, bottom, keep warm in their sleeping bags as they await Sunday Mass on July 20 in Sydney, Australia. The Madera pilgrims had spent the night camping under the stars with thousands of other young people from around the world.
Dr. Sabrina Nassar, D.D.S., grew up in Madera, returned home four years ago after graduating from the University of San Francisco, and opened her own cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice at 924 Emily Way this summer.
"I knew at a young age I wanted to be a dentist." said Nassar, "When I was in 6th grade a local dentist spoke to our class about his profession, from that point on I knew what I wanted to do" FULL STORY...
ICE: Nearly 600 detained in 1 raid
8/27/2008
By The Associated Press - Holbrook Mohr
Historic sweep stirs panic, joy
LAUREL, Miss. - The largest single-workplace immigration raid in U.S. history has caused panic among Hispanic families in this small southern Mississippi town, where federal agents rounded up nearly 600 plant workers suspected of being in the country illegally.
One worker caught in Monday's sweep at the Howard Industries transformer plant said fellow workers applauded as immigrants were taken into custody. Federal officials said a tip from a union member prompted them to start investigating several years ago. FULL STORY...
Nominees for Old Timer's Day royalty are wanted
8/27/2008
By Tami Jo Nix
The Madera County Historical Society is actively seeking nominations for the Old Timer's Day King and Queen.
Old Timer's Day is Madera's annual celebration of its roots and the local version of founder's day. Activities include, period costume contest, beard contest, a mixer in Court House Park, Old Timer's Registration for 50-year-residents and king and queen coronation. The celebration culminates with the Old Timer's Day Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. The parade is followed by a community celebration in Court House Park. FULL STORY...
