Category Archives: General Information

Where’s the Rest of Me? The Ronald Reagan Story
Another curious find at the Porterville Friends of the Library “Dusty Book” sale: This mass paperback autobiography (”as told to Richard G. Hubler”) . Published in 1965, probably at the beginning of his campaign to become Governor of California, this looks to be nothing short of propaganda and marketing.
Probably not meant to be read too [...]
A bit of a situation
The Universe doesn’t care what you believe
Protected: River Locations
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Captain Lou Albano Dies at 76
Captain Lou, Captain Lou …

Captain Lou Albano, a former professional wrestler and actor (though never a sea captain), recently passed away at the age of 76 of natural causes. In the wake of his death, searches surged on the man and his unique body of work.
Still, despite his accomplishments in the wrestling world and his portrayal [...]
Gay rights advocates march on DC, divided on Obama
WASHINGTON – Thousands of gay rights supporters marched Sunday from the White House to the Capitol, demanding that President Barack Obama keep his promises to allow gays to serve openly in the military and work to end discrimination against gays.
via Gay rights advocates march on DC, divided on Obama – Yahoo! News.
Reading is FUN-damental!
OK, working on a new feature for this blog!
I thought y’all might like a look into the types of books that draw my interest. I will elaborate on specific ones from time to time, and use their content as a jumping off point for various blog essays.
To that extent I have added a new “library” [...]
Ghost of Tom Joad
Now Tom said “Mom, wherever there’s a cop beatin’ a guy
Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries
Where there’s a fight ‘gainst the blood and hatred in the air
Look for me Mom I’ll be there
Wherever there’s somebody fightin’ for a place to stand
Or decent job or a helpin’ hand
Wherever somebody’s strugglin’ to be free
Look in their eyes [...]
Bizarre Article on Porterville SB54 Vote
Michael Shelton, pastor at First Baptist Church and a resident of Porterville, wrote an op-ed piece published today in the local paper that congratulates the Council for an action it did not take:
I want to go on record and applaud the Porterville City Council for taking a definitive stand on the issue of marriage. It [...]
Statement from Barry Caplan, representing Same-Sex Marriage Advocates of Porterville
This Statement was read into the record immediately following the historic vote on August 4th when the Porterville City Council voted 3-2 rejecting a resolution to oppose mark Leno’s (D-SF) SB 54 bill.
The bill would, if passed, clarify issues for same sex couples who are legally married in other states and then arrive in California, [...]
Text of Cameron Hamilton’s Resolution opposing SB 54
After the jump is the full text of the Resolution that Porterville’s City Council considered and rightfully rejected on August 4, 2009.
Earlier, I reported the brief results and a statement from Shannon Minter, Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
RESOLUTION NO. _______-2009
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF [...]
Porterville City Council Rejects Mean Spirited Resolution
Lots of drama last night to report. Expect a flurry of posts over the next couple of days. This is good news, very good news.
Let’s start with a simple summary of the results and a quote:
The only City Council in the entire State of California to pass a resolution in favor of Prop [...]
Equality U, July 19, Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Porterville
Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Porterville
Sunday service is at 10:30 am; coffee and visiting at 10:15 am
135 E. Harrison (Corner of Harrison Ave. and Fourth St.)
Porterville, CA 93257
For additional information call 782-1724
Our website is: http://UUFellowship.homestead.com/UUFellowship.html
July programs coordinated by Terry Crewse
July 19 “Equality U” A feature length documentary following a group of 33 young activists on the Soulforce [...]
Beit Shalom Visalia July 2009 Newsletter
Contents:

Service Schedule
July 4th Picnic and Fireworks
Kosher Meat Available
Rabbi Neal Weinberg High Holiday Schedule
Garage Sale Donations Requested
Jewish Cookbook Available
Savemart Shares Card Reminder
June Birthday Wishes
How is Tisha B’Av Important to Jews Today?
Rabbi Bill Berk High Holidays Preparation Announcement
Please Get Well
Supporters
Vacation Suggestions
July Wedding Anniversary Announcement

Part 1
Part 2
Live Free or Die
Gay marriage bill signed into law in New Hampshire
This in today from what has historically been the staunchest Republican enclave in New England today:
CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire became the sixth state to legalize gay marriage Wednesday in a move that reflects the state’s changing demographics from reliably Republican and conservative to younger and more [...]
Extras Needed, Be In the Movies May 25
This JUST IN, on Very Short Notice for me:
I am Casting Extras in a film scene for a Hollywood Feature called “Pickin’ and Grinnin’” .
What a great way to spend the holiday afternoon with your family and loved ones and see how movies are made by being in one!
The Scene is a crowd scene for [...]
Tender as Hellfire: New Web Site Launched Ahead of Film Festival Visits
This week a new web site was launched for the short film Tender as Hellfire, filmed in Porterville, California. With the film’s full April schedule of Film Festival playings about to begin, the new site features never before production photos, along with cast, crew, and the film’s trailer.
Join me in wishing Jason wonderful success [...]
Reminder Tomorrow: Poetry Slam in Visalia, April 1
Poetry Slam – Outsider Art
1 Night
1 Chance
2 Make a Statement
Wednesday, April 1: No Fool’s Day
Teak & Batik and Easelheads is
The Plantation
Where: 320 West Main, Visalia
When:6-9 PM
Need More Info?: 559-734-4084
Admission: $5
Want to be on stage?
Call:
559 – 738-0130 Art
559-781-2315 Poetry
Sponsored by: Sequoia Riverlands Trust
Public Says No More Closures
The meeting room was filed to overflowing last night, more chairs set up and another section opened up as over 200 people poured into the Senior Center for the Forest Service meeting discussing the future of access around Lake Isabella and the surrounding mountains.
Forest Supervisor Tina Terrel opened the meeting and asked if the public [...]
Run over by one’s own car
I am sad for her family’s loss, but I am also at least a little disappointed to know with certainty that I am not the only person in Porterville to have been run over by their own car.
While I didn’t exactly walk away, I didn’t exactly win my Man vs. Jeep battle either.
UPDATE: Later news [...]
Wild Update: March 2009
Since last month’s Wild Update, I have volunteered to assist this fine organization. I encourage all readers to assist in helping Wildplaces empower the youth of the Porterville area to understand and value the land above the town, which is so different from their home environments.

WildPlaces’ Mission:
WildPlaces is a community based non-profit organization located in [...]
Weather for the World Ag Expo
Tomorrow thru Thursday are the rates for the World Ag Expo in nearby Tulare. Unlike last year’s unseasonably warm weather, this year it looks more typical for early February. We go some soaking rain over the weekend, through the wee hours of Monday morning. Expect temps in the low to mid 50s all week, with [...]
Dairy prices and the World Ag Expo
Porterville in one of the top dairy producing counties in the country. I think we provide ~36% of the milk for California, before even thinking about cheese.
Recently, there have been stories in the news about how the dairy farms have been hit hard to the point that the farmers are trying to sell large fractions [...]