- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Two newspaper accounts this week touched on the human side of UC Cooperative Extension. Food shopping savvy was the focus of an article in the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, in which the daughter of a veteran UCCE nutrition educator created a blueprint for people trying make ends meet in the new economy, the story said.
Gerardo and Briana Fernandez shared their personal financial trouble with reporter Jeremy Hay. Gerardo, a general contractor, saw his income slashed in half in the weak economy. The couple realized that, between eating out and grocery shopping, food was gulping $600 from their monthly...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
United States Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) will see 4-H's National Science Experiment first hand when he visits "Lights On Afterschool," a community event slated for Thursday evening in downtown Merced, according to UC Cooperative Extension 4-H advisor Richard Mahacek.
Lights On Afterschool (LOA) is a national public awareness effort to promote high quality out-of-school learning opportunities to children and youth. 4-H is a national partner.
In Merced, two blocks of Main Street will be closed from 6 to 8 p.m. for LOA displays and activities. The 4-H display includes its portable 4-H Science Center and the materials for the "National Science Experiment," which was conducted by children all...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Merced County UC Cooperative Extension 4-H advisor Richard Mahacek was quoted extensively in a Washington Times story published yesterday about a growing science focus in 4-H. The article precedes National Youth Science Day, set for Wednesday, when 4-H members all over the country will conduct a "National Science Experiment" by combining polymer materials from the inside of baby diapers with water to learn about water conservation.
The Washington Times story included details of Mahacek's work with Merced 4-H youth on robotics. With common household materials -- such as ice-cream-bar sticks,...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Twenty years ago, UC Cooperative Extension 4-H advisor Carla Sousa, working with retired kindergarten teacher Denise Nelson, launched the first teen survival conference in Visalia.
Even as its first participants are pushing middle age, the program continues to gather local teenagers to face the challenges of youth in the rural San Joaquin Valley community, according to a story in today's Visalia Times-Delta. The 2008 event takes place Oct. 14.
"When we started off, we had no idea," Sousa was quoted. "Was this going to last one year? Two years? Five years? Because of the reception, it makes you want to...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
A 4-H member who traveled to Australia this summer wrote a summary of her trip that was published today in the Lake County News. The writer, Kelsy Sills of Kelseyville, along with Kelsi Alexander and 4-H volunteer Sherry Falge were participating in the 4-H International Exchange Program.
Since Kelsey (and alternative spellings Kelsy and Kelsi) make repeated appearances in this story, I thought it would be interesting to check the meaning of the name. According to thinkbabynames.com, it is of Old English origin and means "victorious ship." It is also possibly a place name referring to "island."...