Back in my early 20s, I became aware of something that has served me well ever since. What I discovered was, that most people believe the first thing they hear and cannot be swayed from it. Therefore, arguments are pointless and often counter-productive. Children learn from their parents, and with few exceptions (such as hormonal rebellion), they will cling to that for life. After all, mom and dad are the smartest people they know, so why shouldn’t they believe them? This exp

Long-time fans of Lisa Scottoline, like me, won’t be disappointed with Every Fifteen Minutes (2015, 415 pages in paperback format). Initially known for her tightly-written courtroom scenes, Scottoline has branched out to mystery thrillers. She left the practice of law after her daughter, Francesca Serritella, was born and has crafted 30 bestselling novels. They have been translated into at least 30 languages, and about 30 million are in print. At age 67, her novels are as vib

Pexels, freerangestock.com If you are planning a barbecue for friends and family, chicken wings are very popular. Even though we know that Memorial Day is certainly about much more than a chance to get together and share a meal, it is still a very popular way for families and friends to observe this holiday. Monday, May 25 is the date, and if you are thinking about inviting folks over, perhaps you may be thinking along the lines of a barbecue event. If so, you will hopefully

For The Madera Tribune Cockfighting has always been popular in Madera. Posing with their birds before a fight in 1905 are, clockwise from top left, John Barnett, Walter Brown, Frank Barnett, and Fred Barnett. John Barnett later became sheriff of Madera County. “Two men arrested in cockfight raid at Madera home.” “Deputies arrest 2 at cockfight.” “Maderan faces cockfighting charges.” These recent headlines in the Madera Tribune give evidence of the persistence of cockfighting

For The Madera Tribune Madera Rebeldes Club runners Isai Orea and Miguel Gonzalez show off their bib numbers before completing the historic Boston Marathon in April. Madera’s Isai Orea recently completed the Boston Marathon, and came away with a personal record while moving up more than 400 places than was anticipated. Orea, a 2008 Madera High School graduate, who was a runner-up in the Central Section Cross Country Championship and won three team Valley Titles, completed th

The Madera Unified School District’s School Board has voted to change the name of Cesar Chavez Elementary School to Cottonwood Creek Elementary School. At first blush, this appears to be a fairly safe move. How much trouble can a creek bring on a school? On the other hand, however, how much pride will the new name engender? Actually, the name change was not a slam dunk deal. It took the board a couple rounds of voting Tuesday evening to remove the name of the discredited Cesa

Madera’s O.L.I.V.E. organization, with help from the Madera County Department of Social Services, will host a screening of Perfect Strangers, a documentary exploring what happens when dangerous impostors infiltrate the digital worlds, romantic fantasies, and longing for attention of unsuspecting young women and underage girls. Tickets are on sale for Thursday’s screening for $8 on Eventbrite, or one can visit the organization’s website at www.olivemadera.com for a link to pu

Madera Police Department officers responded to a report of a pedestrian getting struck by a train on the railroad tracks at the south side of East Yosemite Avenue. When officers arrived Wednesday morning at about 10:30 a.m., they found an adult male on the track who had sustained injuries consistent with being struck by a train, and he was deceased. The coroner arrived and took possession of the decedent. MPD is still waiting on confirmation from the Coroner’s Office on the i