Editorial: Thumbs up, thumbs down
Thumbs up to Bre Bonds, 13, and Jaydan Chau, 9, of Fresno for swimming from Alcatraz to San Francisco last weekend. Bre’s goal was to draw attention to childhood obesity (she lost 70 pounds) and show kids they can do anything they set their minds to. Her story has been picked up nationwide and even in the U.K. Jaydan was the youngest swimmer in this group of 250-plus participants in the Water World Swim. Bre said one of the toughest parts was getting the idea of a shark attack out of her head. Jaydan actually had a close encounter with a sea lion that he credits with making him swim faster because he thought it was a shark. The swim was 1.5 milies in open sea and it took them less than an hour. Jaydan is ready to do 3 miles next year. Cheers to their parents as well. Can you imagine taking a ferry to the middle of San Francisco Bay, letting your child off in that ice-cold water filled with who knows what creatures and telling them to have fun? Now that’s support!
Thumbs up to Fresno Fire Capt. Pete Dern for marking the significant milestone of going home from Community Regional Medical Center this week. Dern was full of thanks for those who had helped him survive falling through a roof of a burning home into an inferno. The entire community has helped in fundraising and visiting efforts to keep his spirits up. Dern will return to the hospital twice a week to the burn rehabilitation center. He will need more surgeries, especially on his hands. But for now, home will provide great medicine. Get well soon, Capt. Dern.
Thumbs up to the Parnagian family, owners of Fowler Packing Company, for a $1.5 million gift to Valley Children’s Hospital. The Parnagians are among the largest growers, packers and shippers of fresh produce in the nation. The gift includes $1 million to support the Child Life program. Specialists collaborate with doctors, nurses and staff to help patient and families understand medical diagnoses, procedures and treatments through education and play. The “Sam and Gladys Parnagian Child Life Endowment” will help add specialists to this vital program. The additional $500,000 will go to the Children’s Fund, which supports areas of greatest need at the hospital. To honor this, Valley Children’s will name the playground at the future Fowler specialty care center the “Parnagian Family Playground.” Excellent.
Thumbs up to the Create Here Business Plan Competition Semifinalists, sponsored by the Downtown Fresno Foundation. The winner will get free rent downtown, $10,000 in cash, marketing and branding services, and more. The semifinalists are working with mentors to create their final plans before the five finalists are announced Sept. 28. A winner will be selected by mid-October. The businesses include a craft brewery, restaurants and clothing shops, among others. Follow competitors at downtownfresno.org/foundation.
Thumbs up to the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom, Fresno’s oldest peace group, for celebrating its 50th anniversary. The “Dangerous Women” display commemorating its years of protests locally and on global issues is up in the Pete P. Peters Ellipse Balcony at the Henry Madden Library at Fresno State. A reception for another display at the downtown Fresno County Public Library is Saturday, Sept. 12, 1-3 p.m.
Thumbs up to Smart and Final for sponsoring a Lafayette Park cleanup Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m. Volunteers will gather at the store, 2425 N. Blackstone and go to the park to pick up trash, remove graffiti and paint. Way to keep up the neighborhood spirit.
Thumbs up to the more than 300 Fresno City College students who received $215,775 in scholarships from local benefactors at the annual scholarship awards ceremony Friday. The ceremony gives the students an opportunity to meet and thank their benefactors personally. Each of these scholarships is funded by private donors who provide the funds yearly or through endowment accounts.
This story was originally published September 11, 2015 at 10:29 AM with the headline "Editorial: Thumbs up, thumbs down."