As Mother’s Day approached, florists prepared bouquets and social media filled with joyful tributes. For many, it’s a day of celebration, gratitude, laughter and cherished memories with a beloved mother or as a proud...
Read MoreIt is a fine line between feisty and fierce, one defined by the beholder. The long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) straddles that line, feisty as it stands up to a curious coyote and fierce as it attacks and kills a rabbit for...
Read MoreACL Rehab is harder than other knee surgeries for several reasons. 1. Your anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the biggest ligaments in your body. 2. It is one of the few ligaments that will not heal itself. Most...
Read MoreBulging discs are common and usually don’t cause back pain. Sciatica is nerve pain going from your buttocks down to your knee, ankle or foot caused by a disc pushing on a nerve root. Surgery to stop bulging discs from pushing on...
Read MoreBY REV. BOB GILBERGThe Olive Branch Community Church of Firebaugh G. Michael Hopf, author of the post-apocalyptic novel, “Those Who Remain,” wrote: “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create...
Read MoreThe zoological term sexual dimorphism doesn’t define anything as weird as one might think. Translated to common speak it means male and female birds have different colored feathers. In general, the boys sport the brightly...
Read MoreBY PASTOR SUSAN YOUNGOur Father’s House Put your foot down…but not with me. Make a decision already…but learn to go with the flow. Take some time for yourself…but be there for me. These statements came up for consideration after...
Read MoreMay marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to breaking the silence, challenging the stigma and promoting mental wellness for all. It’s an opportunity to open a conversation about how mental health affects...
Read MoreToday’s column is being published on April 30, the start of the 2025 Los Banos May Day Fair, also known as the Merced County Spring Fair. For me, this will be the 53rd May Day Fair since I moved to Los Banos. Over the years I’ve...
Read MoreTrauma often lies in the body and nervous system, not just in the mind. For many people, especially those who struggle to put painful experiences into words, traditional talk therapy might not feel like enough. That’s where...
Read MoreIt’s fair time! The Merced County Spring Fair in Los Banos is from April 30 through May 4. While there are many amazing exhibits and activities, youth animal projects are a main component of the fair. Animal sales provide an...
Read MoreIf you want to go to medical school, don’t major in pre-med—minor in pre-med and major in something completely different that you love. If you major in pre-med, your application will be with hundreds of other pre-med or biology...
Read More