Kidney donor saves friend’s life. Council president Soria teaches r-e-s-p-e-c-t.
Thumbs up to Paul Loeffler, the voice of Fresno State sports, for donating a kidney to R. Michael Alexander. Both are still recovering.
Loeffler considered the gesture “giving back” after his father received a deceased person’s kidney years ago. That organ helped keep his father alive for eight years. Alexander is a friend of Loeffler’s and well regarded in Fresno. The recipient is a former president and chief executive officer at the United Way of Fresno County.
Loeffler returned from UCSF Medical Center last weekend, and he is recovering. The procedure went as planned.
Thumbs up to Assemblymembers Jim Patterson, Joaquin Arambula of Fresno and Jim Beall of San Jose for their impressive bipartisan plea for an audit of California’s high-speed rail project. The audit was unanimously approved by lawmakers. It is expected to take from six to nine months.
“High-speed rail is having the largest impact in the Central Valley with $1.2 billion of economic activity and 6,800 job-years of employment valley-wide,” Arambula says. “I look forward to the rest of the state realizing the benefits that are happening in my community.” said Arambula, a Democrat who represents part of Fresno.
Thumbs up to new Fresno City Council President Esmeralda Soria for setting a standard for decency in council chambers last week when Councilmember Steve Brandau rudely insulted an advocate representing the neighborhood residents’ health concerns by calling her a “poverty pimp.”
On behalf of the council, Soria apologized for the treatment, and then had to stand firm when the colleague added injury to the insult by proclaiming he was not apologizing. Teaching people how to speak to folks respectfully, even when they dare to think differently from us in the workplace, clearly will be a slo-o-o-w process. Still, she persists. Standing O.
Thumbs up to Saint Agnes Medical Center for achieving international recognition as a baby-friendly designated birth facility. The medical center is the first hospital in Fresno County and one of only 95 in California to earn the prestigious designation.
Thumbs down to the flu! Emergency rooms are packed. Even the dogs aren’t safe. Elaine’s Pet Resorts, with locations in Fresno and Madera, is requiring its customers help prevent the spread of the dog flu. All dogs must receive the first part of the vaccine by Feb. 15 and the second part by March 1. Good for them!
“Our first priority is the health and safety of the pets that visit Elaine’s,” said Howard Nestell, chief executive officer of Elaine’s Pet Resorts. “We understand the burden this may place on some guests, but after conversations with several leading veterinarians we determined this would be best for all our guests.”
Thumbs up to The Big Fresno Fair for taking home 18 awards at the Western Fairs Association’s 95th Convention & Trade Show, including the following first place honors: television advertising, commemorative poster contest, animal photo contest, new competitive exhibits, new sponsor and guest services award.
Big Fresno Fair also won five second-place awards and seven third-place awards. Competitors are already experimenting with recipes for next year’s competitions.
Thumbs up to Celebration Church for donating a brand new four-person golf cart to Ronald McDonald House in collaboration with Church on Wheels. They hosted a “Wish List Drive” for the families in December and had big plans to donate the golf cart from the “Dream Wish List” shared on Ronald McDonald House’s website.
The golf cart enables front desk volunteers to transport families staying at Ronald McDonald House to and from the hospital. It’s quicker and more comfortable for new mothers still healing from childbirth.
Thumbs up to UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program for offering free women’s health information at a Women’s Heart Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 155 N. Fresno Street. Parking will be available in the UCSF Fresno parking lot with access off of Illinois and Fresno streets.
Women physicians will speak on heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia and sleep and your heart. Free, 30‐minute health screenings, including blood pressure, height, weight, body mass index, cholesterol and glucose readings will be offered as well as instruction on aging strong through exercise. Please register by Jan. 31 by email at sloya@fresno.ucsf.edu or (559) 499-6446.
This story was originally published February 2, 2018 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Kidney donor saves friend’s life. Council president Soria teaches r-e-s-p-e-c-t.."