It's cherry time in the central San Joaquin Valley, but don't wait too long to buy them. This year's season will be shorter than normal and you may pay more for those sweet- tasting beauties. Less than ideal growing conditions contributed to a lighter set in many orchards. Adding insult to injury, a fierce hailstorm in April shredded some Valley fields. But don't despair: Growers with cherries say that despite a smaller crop, the quality is excellent.

For one of Fresno's visionaries, opportunity knocked during a chance encounter in a barbershop in 1904.

Iron Men's Ministry is holding several outreaches in the central San Joaquin Valley next weekend.

I'd like to offer a few cautionary words about several common chemicals and products that are commonly used in our gardens, including a least-toxic pesticide, that can make our pets very ill.