God Knows
BY REV. STEPHEN HAMMONDSenior Pastor of Bethel Community Church “God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us...
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Fix grandma’s arthritis or get her an electric scooter?
No electric scooter! Electric scooters are good for patients with a bad heart or bad lungs or if they cannot walk. If the patient is well enough to have total joint surgery, then replacing the hip or knee joint is much-much...
Read MoreCare tips for treating signs of summer stress in woody, herbaceous perennials, shrubs
Hello again, Westside Gardeners! As we enter early winter, many of our woody, herbaceous perennials and shrubs still show signs of summer stress. Foliage is disfigured and burnt. Stems are discolored and weak. How can we help...
Read MoreCrab feed and zinc
The Jiggs Graham Memorial All You Can Eat Crab Feed is Jan. 25 at the DES Hall in Dos Palos. Cocktails are at 5 p.m., and dinner is at 7:30. There is a silent auction and raffle. No take outs or outside alcohol is allowed....
Read MoreCommon Metabolic Profile: Know your blood tests
The common metabolic profile (CMP) panel is a test done as part of an annual physical examination. It is also part of a specific disease workup. The CMP test includes the four commonly tested electrolytes: sodium, potassium,...
Read MoreGalaxy not far away for R2D2 owl
It looks like R2D2 from a George Lucas episode of Star Wars, except it has yellow eyes and feathers and can fly. But one doesn’t have to go to Tatooine or the forest moon of Endor to see the little guy. Just visit any local...
Read MoreI’m dieting. My brother is exercising. Who is right?
That depends on what you want. Dieting properly means you will lose weight but may not feel like exercising. Exercising means you will gain fitness but may gain weight. It is difficult to both lose weight and get fit, so where...
Read MoreAnd I woke up appreciating the gift of life
This is my story. I don’t remember much of it, but I guess you can say I had a life-changing experience. I almost died, but I am here enjoying the gift of more time. I will never again underestimate the gift of waking up. I hope...
Read MoreDo the dance: Growing in faith by spreading gospel message
Rev. Bob Gilberg, Olive Branch Community Church of FirebaughContributing Writer I hope your Christmas and New Year holidays were meaningful and blessed. For some, your gatherings may have been small and intimate. For others,...
Read MoreIn case you haven’t heard, ‘influencers’ are a big deal
Some days I feel like I’m out of it — that I’m just not with it, not with what’s happening in the world today. Such was the case when I was listening to the nightly news recently and heard a story about “influencers.” The story...
Read MoreRestoring tree health with simple, effective root invigoration program
Hello again, Westside Gardeners! As a certified master arborist, I would like to discuss our local shade trees within our city parks and street trees and how to invigorate them into a healthy stage. As we all know, our native...
Read MoreEmbracing mental health in the new year: a fresh start
As the calendar turns to a new year, many of us seize the opportunity to reflect, reset and set goals for the months ahead. While resolutions often focus on physical health, career aspirations or personal achievements, it is...
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