Thumbs up, thumbs down: Rescue lab predicts teen’s seizures, wins $5,000 prize
Thumbs up to Parker Rogers, 14, for submitting a story to Petco about how his rescue dog, Toby, instinctively learned how to detect his seizures from epilepsy. The story won a $5,000 grant for Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno from the Petco Foundation. Rogers’ family adopted the Toby from Labrador Retriever Rescue.
Thumbs down to Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen, a GOP candidate for governor, for making “mostly false” or misleading claims about the California gas tax, saying there is no funding available for buildng new lanes or easing traffic congestion.
He is leading a repeal campaign on the tax. PolitiFact found those claims “Mostly False” on their Truth-O-Meter because the claims have a sliver of truth but ignore critical facts that would give a different impression. In other words, “a freeway full of problems.” It’s easy enough to criticize any tax, so why not just tell it straight? See the full story on Politifact.com.
Thumbs up to Dr. Parmala Banger, Terry Barthuli and Mary Castro for being named the 2018 Women Inspiring Girls honorees, sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Central California South. The scouts say these women best represent a true G.I.R.L (Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, and Leader). Bangar is a pediatrician for Valley Health Team, Barthuli is president of Barthuli & Associates Insurance Service and Mary Castro is the wife of Joseph Castro, president of California State University, Fresno.
On Feb. 23 the awards luncheon will be held at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre, at 1226 N. Wishon Ave. Doors open at 11 a.m. with the event beginning at 11:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.girlscoutsccs.org/en/events/women-inspiring-girls.html.
Thumbs up to Faith Florez, 17, a high school senior with farmworker roots for engineering a way to keep workers safe in hot weather. She has created an app that alerts workers when temperatures reach 95 degrees. It also gives tips for keeping cool and serves as a direct link to first responders in case of emergency.
The app, called Calor, has nearly reached its $60,000 goal in the crowd-funding stage . It also has begun to attract social media attention. Florez, who grew up in Shafter, is the daughter of former California state legislator Dean Florez. She will graduate next spring from La Cañada High School in Flintridge.
Florez was fortunate to have her concept accepted by a social justice-minded team of University of Southern California students from Viterbi School of Engineering. The group helped her develop the web-based app. We see potential with athletes, restaurant crews and other employees with a hot workplace.
Thumbs up to the Clovis North High School musicians for making the short list of California high schools invited to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago since 1946. Clovis North’s 50-member Wind Ensemble, under the direction of David Lesser, earned the invitation based on more than a decade of preparation.
Organizers say only five California-based bands in the past 71 years have received an invitation to perform at this event, which runs Dec. 20-23. The Wind Ensemble leaves Tuesday for Chicago.
Thumbs up to Harris Construction for gathering up donations from employees, suppliers and community members of more than 1,000 coats and blankets during a “Warmth Drive” for Catholic Charities. Oh, that will feel so good.
Thumbs up to Carmen Zamora of Fresno and the other parents who are learning to help their children succeed in school through the efforts of Go Public Schools. A nonprofit that has worked with struggling schools in Oakland has launched a Fresno branch of the organization.
The group focuses on working in underserved neighborhoods. The Fresno team has offered a 10-week course to Spanish-speaking parents, teaching them how to become more engaged in community issues and urging them to attend school board meetings. Zamora is among the pioneering parents.
This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Thumbs up, thumbs down: Rescue lab predicts teen’s seizures, wins $5,000 prize."