Many of our readers may recall the little yellow VW bug that became former Riverbank News editor John Branch’s ‘signature’ vehicle. We laughed (mostly with him) at the trademark jet engine sound when he fired the bug up, shared our concern when one of the wheels literally fell off as he was turning the corner to come to the Oakdale office – luckily he was close enough to park with three wheels ... Read More
May always makes me think of Mother’s Day and flowers. And this year we added a graduation, planning for a wedding in June, and everything else in between. » Read More
Who knew there would be an adjustment period to living the dream? I certainly didn’t. Many of you know I published my first book in December 2006 and it’s been a dream of mine for longer than I can remember to support myself solely on my fiction writing income. After many years of incredibly hard work, I managed to make that dream a reality and I left my post at The Leader to live the dream. » Read More
Monday, April 15 did not start for me as it did my friend and running teammate Cathy McClelland or Oakdaleans Vanessa Walton and Tom Burchell, or Jesse Santana of Riverbank. I did not board a motor coach in my sneakers with a race bib pinned to the front of my shirt in anticipation of running the 117th Boston Marathon. » Read More
No need to check the calendar and this isn’t an April Fool’s Day joke – I am just trying to get my column schedule back ‘on track’ after having been haphazard about it the last couple of months. I know one ran just last week, so forgive me for the back-to-backs. » Read More
More than a week past deadline, I finally have taken a few deep breaths and will try to get this column written. Typically, the ‘Marg-Ins’ column appears the first Wednesday of the month, which means it is running a week later than normal this time. Being the editor comes with certain privileges, one of which was giving myself a break on writing this last week. It’s because the subject ... » Read More
Hello, Escalon, Oakdale, and Riverbank. I am the new girl at the Oakdale Leader office. You may have seen my name on a few different articles, pictures, or both in various issues. Or by now, you may have even met me in person. » Read More
Happy New Year! We all survived the Mayan calendar apocalypse and the “Fiscal Cliff” – kind of started to remind me of the Y2K phenomenon 13 years ago. » Read More
I have an issue with finality. At the end of every year, as everyone is celebrating the ball drop on a New Year, I’m lamenting the fact that I’ll never be in that moment again — another year lost to time, never to experience again. In that second before the big calendar change, I panic just a little knowing that it’s over. I’m happy to report that the panic doesn’t last but ... » Read More
Resigning from any job is bound to quicken the heartbeat but retiring from a career is downright frightening. I did just that at the end of November although I’ve been on medical leave since August. » Read More
When you start adding it up, a column a month for 19-plus years working for The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News, I’ve probably covered about all there is – and some topics, more than once. » Read More
Happy Holidays to our wonderful community! MOPS/MOMSNext would like to extend a warm wish for love, peace and togetherness during this holiday season. We here at MOPS/MOMSNext have been having a great time crafting, cooking, sharing meals and also listening to some amazing speakers. We recently went out into the community and attended our very first community block party put on by our local Center for Human Services. What a great and fun family outing! ... » Read More
Elections are over, the political ads are gone from television, radio and the print media, and now people can turn their attention to everyday life and getting back into the routine. » Read More
What a difference a month can make. Our columns here give us a chance to put down our ‘reporter’ or ‘editor’ labels and just be real people for a change. It provides us with an opportunity to offer an opinion, talk about something personal as opposed to writing a story about a football game or a council meeting. » Read More
Dear Editor, On behalf of the Friends of Oakdale Heritage Board, I’d like to thank those who have offered their generous support of our efforts at the Oakdale Museum and Heritage Center this past year: Kim and Lori Contreras of Oak Valley Jewelers for their donation of a lighted display case; Gary and Bonnye Spray of Spray and Sons for their services in procuring flat files and cleaning expertise; Oakdale High ... » Read More
Stanislaus County agriculture comes alive in April with almost all perennial crops coming out of winter and spring dormancy. Grapes usually are one of the last to emerge with the green tissue you see bust out and grow with vigor. Soon you will see forage crops being harvested and you can tell by seeing big choppers blowing chopped material into a truck traveling alongside. Most of this will be going to dairy ... » Read More
When Hurricane Sandy swept up the East Coast, it left billions of dollars of devastation in its wake. After any disaster, many people come forward to help the victims. Unfortunately, however, these emergencies also bring out con artists who seek to exploit the situation using illegal scams. » Read More
Natural disasters are inevitable, unpreventable and often come without warning. No part of the world seems to be spared, whether it’s a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, drought or flood. Even though such catastrophes can’t always be predicted, their likely aftermaths often can, including property loss, power or water service disruption, scarcity of food and supplies or overtaxed relief organizations. » Read More
It’s an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to serve California’s Tenth Congressional District in Congress for the next two years. This is an opportunity that will not be taken for granted, but rather a chance to bring the Valley’s voice to Washington as we work to find common ground on issues that affect our families, our businesses and our communities. » Read More
As scoutmaster, I gathered my 18 scouts to plan our winter campout. To earn an honor patrol for scout month in February, one of the requirements was that we needed to go camping. My wife, who is from California, was astounded that we camped in the winter here. » Read More
Many people file their income tax returns as early in the year as possible. Some are eager to claim their tax refund right away, while others are simply following their New Year’s resolution not to procrastinate until midnight, April 15. » Read More
Kicking off February as National Cancer Prevention Month, World Cancer Day was observed on Feb. 4, 2013 as a global effort to raise awareness and dispel common myths about cancer. The World Health Organization estimates that eight million of the 84 million expected global cancer deaths in the next decade will be due to avoidable causes. The organization has designed a cancer control plan that will seek to reduce chronic disease death ... » Read More
Super Sunday typically equals several hours logged jumping up and down on the couch, shouting at the television, and consuming mass amounts of waistline expanding substances that lead to a serious calorie overdose, all while a befuddled pet looks on. Pets aren’t passing judgment as they watch the party’s outrageous antics. They are simply imploring you with their eyes to take care of their special physical, mental, social and emotional needs, which ... » Read More
By now, most people have already broken at least a few of their New Year's resolutions, but the National Federation of Independent Business, NFIB, Small Business Legal Center has come up with a list of five resolutions every small-business owner should keep. » Read More
More than 1 million people nationwide live in assisted-living facilities, according to government estimates. There’s no commonly accepted definition for these facilities, but they all offer some level of assistance to people who don’t need full-time attention but who may need help with personal care, taking medications or other concerns. » Read More
The New Year is a time of resolutions. It’s a time when people commit to making a change in their life. Losing weight, changing jobs, saving money, making money, a new relationship, getting in shape, going back to school, or giving up smoking, are just some of the goals people set for themselves on Jan. 1. » Read More
Pie, mashed potatoes, cookies, and carved ham – these are just a few of the popular seasonal dishes we tend to consume more of during the holidays. However, the holidays don’t have to sabotage your healthy meal planning. » Read More
Have you talked to your children about the value of money and the importance of managing it wisely? All parents hope that their children will grow up to make prudent use of their money, yet few actually spend time talking to them about how to accomplish these goals, a new study has found. » Read More
The holidays can be a wonderful, yet stressful time. Reduce stress and enhance your families’ enjoyment this season by increasing the benefits of holiday décor and gifts and by taking a few shortcuts to properly care for holiday trees and plants. » Read More
From now until New Year’s is probably when you have the least amount of time to spare on mundane financial bookkeeping tasks. But if you can dedicate a few minutes to review your benefits and tax paperwork, you might be able to shave hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars off your 2012 taxes. » Read More
Now is the time to protect yourself against the flu by getting your flu vaccine early, before flu season hits full force. Medicare covers the flu vaccination, along with many other preventive-health services. » Read More
The politically charged debate over high-income tax cuts is reaching a fever pitch, and the question being asked across the nation is whether small businesses’ hiring ability will suffer if these cuts expire at the end of the year. Recently released scientific opinion polling shows what real small business owners think, and it might surprise you. The majority of small employers in the poll — more of whom ... » Read More
The extraordinary feats of our mythical superheroes, Superman, Wonder Woman and Captain America, pale in comparison to the strength, stamina and compassion of our real life, unsung heroes: family caregivers. While caring for a loved one is expected of close family members, the daily life of a caregiver can be one of sleepless nights, unceasing anxiety and unrelenting strain and stress. While caregiving is to be celebrated, it often comes with a cost. » Read More
A recent study found that 67 percent of middle-income baby boomers are expecting a retirement that is different from the one their parents enjoyed. » Read More
As we honor our Armed Forces this Veterans’ Day, let’s also acknowledge the financial challenges they and their families often face, both while in service and after discharge. Fortunately, service members needn’t go it alone: Many tax benefits, social services and financial assistance programs are available to help. » Read More
Transitioning from my Reporter role at the Oakdale Leader was necessary in my life for a number of reasons. The one most at the core were my children. I knew I needed to work full-time. I knew I needed to stay local, but I desperately needed flexibility. » Read More
There are a number of things I thoroughly enjoy about being a parent. Many of them I have the pleasure of being able to share here, with our readers. Among my ‘favorite’ things in the way of living with children, would be their innate ability to point things out which adults may give little thought to. I am of the belief that children not only pay attention, but understand ... » Read More
Generally speaking, I’m an analytical type. More simply put, I think too much. Personally, I think it’s inherent with becoming a mommy; however I have many male friends who struggle with the same topic. It’s a two part problem for me, as I wake at 3 a.m. to recount what day it is and what I need to remember to stuff in my children’s backpacks to which activity or ... » Read More
It’s barely February and yet here I find myself, penning yet another ‘sports related’ column. Truth be told there was a time when new sports reporters passed through our office on a routine basis. During that period I thought it might be fun to maybe ‘switch it up’ and actually approached Editor Marg Jackson with a proposal of possibly getting my feet wet in the Sports section. Much to ... » Read More
My month of December was not dissimilar from most of our readers. It was packed full of parties, shopping, holiday tradition and even a little quality family time. » Read More
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve forced my mind to share some thoughts. Truthfully we all need a reprieve on occasion and as the only staffer who does this weekly, there does come a point where I too must take a break. » Read More
We survived. If you’re reading this, then the world indeed did not end. Or perhaps it did and now you and I are left with the cockroaches to figure out what’s next. Chances are, however, both are highly unlikely, not to mention improbable. I am no scientist, but after living through the let down of the Y2K hype I consider myself ‘experienced’ in such silliness. Of ... » Read More
Another season has been wrapped up. This year marks one that dreams are made of, for many of this town’s young men and their families. The 2012 Oakdale Mustang football season will now live on in the history books as well as the memories of all who will say ‘I remember when.’ » Read More
I honestly don’t remember when I first gained an interest in politics. In a column a few weeks back I candidly shared my interests were pretty typical ‘girly’ in my formative years (i.e.: music and teen heartthrobs). » Read More
Another Halloween has made it into the Hammond Family memory books. This may also be interpreted as ... mommy has survived yet another Halloween. » Read More