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Free, low-cost school meals available

By Sentinel Staff

Summer's sunny days are expected to continue, but for most local children, summer's laziness ends on Sunday. Before heading back to school, families that may qualify for free or reduced priced school meals -- including breakfast, lunch and milk -- must fill out an application. Eligibility for the discounted rates is based on family size and household incomes, but adjusts slightly each year.

Applications are available at Kings County schools, and may be submitted at any time during the year. The Kings County Office of Education has already distributed applications to area households.

If a household increases in number, or loses an income, it may make a family eligible during the school year. The contrary is also true, in which families who have had a decrease in size or an increase in income must report it to their children's school, as they might no longer be eligible. Applications do have to be submitted and processed before free or reduced rates will kick in.

Families that receive food stamps, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids, CalWORKS, Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments, or KinGAP, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations known as FDPIR automatically qualify for the program. These families may not need to complete an application for free or reduced-price meals. School officials will notify households of their eligibility, but those who do not want their child(ren) to receive free meals must contact the school. Households not notified of their eligibility should complete an application.

Families that don't receive any of these aids must complete an application and list the name and income of each person in their household. The application requires Social Security numbers as well, except for those family members without them.

Please contact your child's school for more information on the free or reduced-priced lunch program.

(Aug. 16, 2008)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 16, 2008 9:32 AM:

" The application requires Social Security numbers as well, except for those family members without them.

Let me get this right, if you are illegal and don't have a social security number you aren't required to supply one? "

The Oracle Says... wrote on Aug 16, 2008 12:11 PM:

" lets just say it straight...If your here illegally, you get it all. End of story, stop, period. Even if they gave a social security number, its not going to be a real one, and nobody is going to check it because that wuld be "discriminatory" or "mean spirited" or "it's about the children." All this while we pay and pay and pay, and according to the messiah Obama, we are going to pay more if hes elected, with higher taxes, as well as Kalifornia nailing us with higher taxes after the election. Its disgusting that we take it and do not stand up and say enough...When will we all take a stand against this? "

Sick of freebees wrote on Aug 16, 2008 3:18 PM:

" Is this ever going to end? When the kids become
teenagers, they should be rounded up and given
a free expense paid trip to nice places like
Georgia, Iraq and Afghanistan. No doubt they
are ready for such adventure because of their
gangbanging. Paybacks aren't nice... "

Not so mad in Nevada wrote on Aug 16, 2008 11:16 PM:

" Have you guys ever actually looked at the income cut offs for this program? We make about $200 a month too much.My husband has a very good job. But there was a time when my oldest first started going to school that we did qualify for reduced lunches. School lunches cost a lot of money for hardly anything. The kids at the elementry school here get lunches that look like a Banquet tv dinner. So not worth the money. But my point is that it's not only "illegals" like everyone claims that can take advantage of this program. If it can save your family a little why not use it. "

to WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 17, 2008 2:13 AM:

" I suppose they will not allow my comment back to you.

Makes me wonder why, as nothing not the truth or horrible was said in there. Oh yeah, I know why, because I didn't tow the line in the bleeding heart department "

Valley Girl wrote on Aug 17, 2008 3:32 AM:

" I think I shall relocate to Germany, become a citizen of Germany, then smuggle myself into the States - 9 months pregnant, so that my child and I can get free health care coverage, a free education, unearned money and free lunches. I will then be able to save enough to ship out the rest of my family to do the same. I will continue to speak German, and wave my German flag and if you attempt to send me back.... I just discovered the easy button, (play on Staples). We Americans need to get ahead of the game. "

WATCHDOG BITES BACK wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:28 AM:

" To not so mad in Nevada - normally I agree with you. but it is statements like these that has put California in the problems it is in right now:

But my point is that it's not only "illegals" like everyone claims that can take advantage of this program. If it can save your family a little why not use it. "

We need to start saying oh o.k. it's available but I can afford lunch so I will let it be there for someone who maybe can't afford lunch. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 17, 2008 1:49 PM:

" To NotSoMadInNevada, I too could have put in for the free lunch for my children when I first moved here, but guess what, we made a lunch for them to take to school, and on special occassions let them pay full fare for a special lunch when they wanted it. Nobody is saying that it is only "illegals" that receive this benefit, but that is what it is a benefit that should be given to only those that are allowed it. If you are here illegally then you get no benefits. Trust me when I say I am more worldly then 99% of the people here, and I can say I have never worked/lived in a Utopia that is better than what "illegals" get here. Give them fish heads and rice, same as what we would get if arrested in other parts of the world, or how about 200 lashes in the public square?
I know that sometimes people need a helping hand, but that is all that it should be, a temporary helping hand, not a continous banquet. "

Not so mad in Nevada wrote on Aug 17, 2008 7:15 PM:

" The point I was trying to make was that there are lots of people that can use this program. Because yes, people are saying that it the "illegals" that are the only ones.
We don't at this time use it either. My kids take a lunch to school and they maybe get to eat hot lunch about 15 times a year. I have four kids in school right now.
When I was in high school when our family was in a bad situation me and my siblings were able to use it but as soon as I had a job my junior and senior year I stopped using it and paid for my own lunches.
If you feel you can make it on your own, great. But those who do really need it should't be made to feel bad about that. We could also take advantage of some other programs because one of my sons has severe speech problems and hearing loss. He could get free glasses if we needed them but we have awesome insurance and so we always tell them to use the voucher for someone who really needs it "

Question wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:05 PM:

" As a society we need to question why we allow freebies to illegal citizens. No other country does that except ours. No other country has the problems we do because they don't give non-citizens handouts. If you move to another country, citizenship is mandated prior to services. As a country, we should treat others the way they would treat us when it comes to migration. "

Earl Watson wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:41 PM:

" Not mad in Nevada, There is no use trying to convince people here in Hanford it's not just illegals, That is a big reason my family and I moved out of Hanford because of the one sided minds there, I don't want my kid's growing up in a town like that! And I am surprised the newspaper lets some of the comment's go on here, Well hopefully they let mine. Hanford has alot of bad spokesmen on this forum, They are not doing the town justice at all. "

Paul wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:48 PM:

" To Oracle... You wrote "Its disgusting that we take it and do not stand up and say enough...When will we all take a stand against this? " I guess you when you get off your keyboard and MAYBE run for office. Are you really WDF? Oh and a bit of advise to you, maybe some of us would believe you a bit more when you learn either to spell the word "would" (check it because that wuld be) correct or learn to use spell check. Another one of WDF's flaws. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:38 AM:

" To Paul, what difference does a few mispelled words mean, I know that I have overlooked my mispellings in my posts, but most people are able to understand what I am trying to post and my point of view. Perhaps you should look inwards first, as you too make spelling/grammar errors, as in "advise" vice what you meant was advice. Perhaps you are not who you claim to be, but perhaps you are Mrs.D? I know not nice of me to do that, but again you weren't either, I see no reason for the Oracle to be WFD. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:42 AM:

" To NotSoMadInNevada and Earl Watson. I read many of these posts and I guess I am not reading the same ones as you. I have yet to read any of the people like myself or WFD state "only illegals". Yes we do complain about "illegals" getting these benefits because they are not entitled. I am glad to have moved here and be raising my children with open minds. I feel badly for them whenever people try to force one way only and don't look at all of the facts, people like Mrs.D "

bOB wrote on Aug 18, 2008 12:24 PM:

" OK, in this land of fairness for all, Why oh why I ask,if they are going to give away FREE lunches then why not give them to all that want them?? Who said NO FREE LUNCH?? "

tired wrote on Aug 18, 2008 2:41 PM:

" when they quit or hopefully graduate are taxpayers going to supply an endless amount of food cards to fast food places so they can continue to eat off the tax system. "

Military dad wrote on Aug 19, 2008 2:03 PM:

" The funny thing about all these posts coming back to people being illegal, and not to the care or concern of our children in the public school system. I don’t agree with people coming over illegally, period. However, as an active duty military member and tax payer I am saddened to see that nobody is concerned about how underpaid our teachers are and how a minimal amount of our taxes go back into the school system. I wish that people would speak out more about how well our children are taught instead of sitting at home claiming to keep an eye out for the community. Also, with a 4.5 billion dollar proposed budget cut i'm sure our already low education rank of 47 will also drop. How can the wealthiest state in the nation and we as citizens continue to put up with that. I would like to see more people complain about our standards . Think about it "

Bobb wrote on Aug 19, 2008 3:11 PM:

" Military Dad; check out the California State Budget online- 43.7% of the State Budget goes to K-12 and highrer education. This does not count Federal pass through funds or Local Bond monies. How much is enough, 75% of the State budget? That will leave only 25% for everything else, won't work. Maybe we need a complete audit of the Education dollarts now being appropraiated and where they are spent. We should be getting a lot more for this amount of the State Budget being spent on Education. "

Hanford Res wrote on Aug 19, 2008 6:20 PM:

" To NotHomeGrown, Some how I doubt you are raising your kids with an open mind, And WHAT!!! you don't see the illegal's only trend! Lens Crafters buddy..Are you telling me that anytime a low income or Welfare forum is started WDF does not bring up illegals? Wow I hope you don't work for the radar dept. at LNAS because your eye's are a lil off bud. There are alot of illegals working out in the field's to pick tomatoes for your burgers, And if they get sent back to where they are from i'm sure there is alot of people just dying to pick peaches or tomatoes in 100 degree weather right? Say yes and give me a huge laugh!! "

WATCHDOG FRED BITES BACK wrote on Aug 20, 2008 7:30 AM:

" Hanford Res wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:20 PM:
What you have to realize is the money grubbing illegals have become an epidemic in this country. We would actively and agressively attack any other epidemic with every asset we have. Why should this one be any different. My comments are that the illegals are circumventing our legal system further and receiving benefits they should not be entitled to through the use anchor babies. It use to be a joke here when someone actually got deported to Mexico they would beat the immigration bus back to Hanford. Although a joke it was seriously true. Deportation didn't mean anything. Now we have people who are putting bite into the law and biting the employers for their participation and it is working. Furthermore, you quite evidently didn't grow up here, the fields use to be a good summertime job for a School age teenager every summer. Those teenagers used that money to buy school clothes and give theirselves pocket money, don't kid yourself those tomatoes will still get to McDonald's and Burger King without illegals. The kids were perfect, it was seasonal labor. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:14 AM:

" To Hanford Res: Yes my children are very open minded, seems you have the issues with open mindness. First I will agree that both WDF and myself do make comments about illegals in many of the posts. We are not stating that it is only illegals like you and many others try to infer. We both state facts, it would be nice if people responded back to that, not just that we state illegals. It is factual that illegals do get benefits that they are not entitled to, thus depryving deserving individuals and also increasing the burden on those who do pay taxes. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:19 AM:

" To Hanford Res: continued. As for your statements about not having tomatos or lettuce for my burgers, it is obvious that you aren't reading others posting which state that they can't get jobs here in AMERICA because they only speak ENGLISH. Just like WDF pounced all over you, what is wrong with kids doing this labor during the Summer? That is the purpose for summer break, not to stop the kids education, but rather so they could help on the farm to do the harvesting. But people like you probably think this kind of work is too degrading for your precious little ones. I worked manual farm labor as a child, thought it was great, gave me some spending money. I understand that you can't do that around here, the farmers would rather hire "ILLEGALS". "

Hanford Res wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:02 AM:

" ToWATCHDOG/"Computertoughguy", What are you talking about I lived my whole life here and my brother married into a family who has fields, ranches, dairy's etc. LOL are you serious teenagers making summer money, I would like to sit down with you at a spot and I will bring the ranch owners and the elderly who I know who worked in Hanford fields and the whole west side area!! And you tell them that in the past it was kids/Teenagers working for summertime cash!! You can have an opinion but CHRIST!! to make a comment like that ..Yeah and those tomatoes will get to the store's right? Because you know so many people who would go work out there right? Oh wait maybe we will get the guy's holding cardboard signs in front of Wal-Mart to do it right?. Set up the meeting and I will get my Data ready. I don't really post on here much but that is out of this world. Teenagers making summertime cash..HaHa I have to say Mr Watchpuppy you might have a future in stand up comedy. "

KC wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:13 AM:

" Watchdog you probably don't know half those kid's who worked out in the fields. Don't kid yourself. And I am pretty sure they did not use the money for pocket change or school clothes, The kid's who did work out in the field's where almost all Hispanic and Hispanic way of life and how they spend there money is something you no nothing about. "

Mr. Truth wrote on Aug 20, 2008 4:29 PM:

" We are talikng about hungry people. If hungry people are NOT fed, who knows what they will do to feed their families?
Feed them. "

vrn wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:08 PM:

" some of these kids this is the only meal they eat and for them to get a free lunch is a million dollars to them..if a child is hungry then feed them..i dont care about the adults get out and get a job..it should be cut off at 9th grade..they can get out and find a job and fend for themselves..but the little ones cant..I know we cant take care of the world..but some kids need it ..But the question is who..some neglect it that makes me made to waste my tax dollars..just like the welfare system..some neglect that, who are able to go out and work..i do everyday and i do not have a college education..you dont have to..if it takes working two jobs ..some people are lazy and want a hand out..and they think they deserve it..you dont deserve anything unless you work for it.. "

Carl Spackler wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:03 PM:

" The free lunch program is nothing new. In the 70's when my dad had and extended strike at Armstrong our family received free lunches. It was pretty helpful as money was very tight.

I don't begrudge the district giving a free meal if needed and if it mostly hispanics so be it. The first generation farmworkers are some of the poorest in our county and it makes sense they would be heavy users of the program. So why does this have to be a racial thing?

Let's look at the bigger picture here, if kids are hungry, they should be fed. It's a pretty embarrasing thing for a kid to have to do this so I don't think they would milk the system unless there was a real need. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:08 PM:

" KC wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:13 PM:
Wrong again sparky! Most of those who I worked in the fields with were sons and daughters of the oakies and arkies who worked in those same fields. I don't know where you get your information, but I got mine by being there. Many of the one's I worked with are still living in this area today and could themselves tell you what I've said.
Everyone is so quick to try and discredit things they know nothing about. KC meaning what you grew up in Kettleman City? "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:39 PM:

" For those of you who may have been curious for several years now. Big Bubba's is the former Powell's Market located at 10th and Florinda, Jiffy Market was located in the dog grooming building across the street from King Cone. Tuck's Market was located near where Alicia's is and the fenced in building a house or two down from the fence company on Ivy and 10th Avenue was the home of Hardin's Grocery, which included their home attached to the store. It's been vacant for years since Mr & Mrs. Hardin passed away. Just a little lesson in Mom and Pop grocery stores on 10th Avenue between 7th street and Grangeville Blvd.
The original Keller's Liquor is an insurance building across from A&W Rootbeer, it later moved to the mini mart up the street on the same side. Just in case you all wondered, I've been asked many times what was behind that fenced area so just thought I'd share it with you. "

Surnames count wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:53 PM:

" As a white parent with a surname that is not Mexican, I applied for this program and qualified; 1/2 way through the school year I received an "income verification" request form. My income had not changed since the original application. I completed the form and sent it in with 3 months worth of check stubs, minus my social security number (the form says you will not be denied for not providing a social security number). I received a letter stating that I was no longer qualified due to my income and the number of members of my household ... neither of which had changed since the original application. I was denied, I'm told, because I was removed and not counted toward the household, but my income was not, because I did not provide a social security number. I wonder how many families with Spanish surnames are denied because they didn't provide a Social Security Number?

No, I didn't reapply with my social security number, there are principles involved here; we just made do by sending lunches, or skipping. "

WATCHDOG FRED computer tough guy wrote on Aug 21, 2008 12:06 AM:

" Hanford Res wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:02 PM:
Thanks for the moniker but my computer puts spaces between words it doesn't group them all together like yours does. Did you have to pay extra for that feature, or you just don't know how to hit that long bar at the bottom of the keyboard?
You are simply short of amazing with your cognitive obervations and long list of friends in the farming and dairy community. I also having spent part of my life on a dairy off Hanford Armona Road near Baker's Commodities know quite a few in the farming, land leasing, dairy business. Did you know that for instance a large family owned farm is all leased land, the family owns no property? But yet they have been farmers in the community since the 1950's. Did you know that at one time alot of this land was obtained by simply working it? Also that Mexcio sold Calfiornia to the United States three weeks before gold was discovered and the Gold Rush began to California? O.K. now that we have talked about everything else, can we get back on the topic, please? "

WATCHDOG FRED computer tough guy wrote on Aug 21, 2008 12:10 AM:

" Hanford Res wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:02 PM:
When I was in school their was a program by where you could earn your lunch. This was made possible by volunteering to work in the lunch room/cafeteria. I worked one entire school year rinsing off trays and placing them in dishwashers. I worked 50 minutes of my 60 minute lunch break each day to pay for my lunch. That was one less outside employee the school had to hire to feed the children lunch for the day. Now why can't the current school systems come up with work programs and let the students work for what they receive, rather than just giving it to them. It goes along way toward training them on work ethics. You were encouraged to show up everyday and to participate in your free lunch, not just handed to you on a silver platter. Earlier in school I recall myself and another classmate in Kindergarten traveling to the cafeteria pushing a wheel barrel to obtain the snack milks for our class. So there are things you can do at various levels to participate and earn your way. "

WATCHDOG FRED computer tough guy wrote on Aug 21, 2008 12:11 AM:

" Hanford Res wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:02 PM:
When I was in school there was a program by where you could earn your lunch. This was made possible by volunteering to work in the lunch room/cafeteria. I worked one entire school year rinsing off trays and placing them in dishwashers. I worked 50 minutes of my 60 minute lunch break each day to pay for my lunch. That was one less outside employee the school had to hire to feed the children lunch for the day. Now why can't the current school systems come up with work programs and let the students work for what they receive, rather than just giving it to them. It goes along way toward training them on work ethics. You were encouraged to show up everyday and to participate in your free lunch, not just handed to you on a silver platter. Earlier in school I recall myself and another classmate in Kindergarten traveling to the cafeteria pushing a wheel barrel to obtain the snack milks for our class. So there are things you can do at various levels to participate and earn your way. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 21, 2008 6:59 AM:

" You would be astounded to know how many kids bought their first car with money earned in the fields and those packing sheds in Armona. Year after year it was a place that people could count on finding work, at least for the seasons. Many housewives earned their cookie jar money in those packing sheds and they got jobs for their kids there as they grew old enough to work there. Your ignorance of this is amazing if you lived in the Hanford area in the early 1960's even. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 21, 2008 7:34 AM:

" To HanfordRes and KC, WHAT? Could either of you make a coherent statement. Both of you deny that what we say is factual (WDF and myself). But I know for a fact that I DID do manual farm labor as a child, and yes I did use the money to buy clothes and other things. But I guess that was a different generation of upbringing where being an American mattered. Both of you imply that it is only Hispanics working the fields, and I won't deny that the majority are, but who is to blame, the kids who could make some extra money, or the greedy farmers? Start fining the farmers $100,000 for using illegal labor and see how fast they would be willing to hire students on summer break. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 21, 2008 7:43 AM:

" To HanfordRes and KC, continued. I will also agree that there are many spoiled children in Hanford that wouldn't work on the farms, Mommy and Daddy already give them everything. But if you had raised your children to respect honest labor, then perhaps more children would seek employment during the summer to work the fields. There is nothing wrong to have LEGAL migrant farm labor to cover for shortages of local workers, and yes I also think that the people sitting around the parking lots with cardboard signs should be out in the fields, I mean come on they are already out in the 100 temps. I for one do not give them anything, they are opportunities for them to work. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 21, 2008 7:49 AM:

" To HanfordRes and KC, continued. I will also agree that there are many spoiled children in Hanford that wouldn't work on the farms, Mommy and Daddy already give them everything. But if you had raised your children to respect honest labor, then perhaps more children would seek employment during the summer to work the fields. There is nothing wrong to have LEGAL migrant farm labor to cover for shortages of local workers, and yes I also think that the people sitting around the parking lots with cardboard signs should be out in the fields, I mean come on they are already out in the 100 temps. I for one do not give them anything, they are opportunities for them to work. "

From The Midwest wrote on Aug 21, 2008 8:22 AM:

" To Hanford Res: You must have lived a sheltered life. Growing up in the Midwest as a teenager I worked the fields picking corn that the machines did not get. I did this in the summer to earn a little extra money. I am not of hispanic desent I am caucasion. I would also let my children work the fields for extra cash, this way the learn some values and earn a little extra cash. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 21, 2008 8:36 AM:

" To: Hanford Reisdent/ignorant about field workers
The following blerb was picked up in Wikepedia to give you an idea of the demand for labor at the packing sheds in full swing.

"the Kings County Packing Company plant at Armona, employing about 1100 workers"

Eleven Hundred seasonal workers, yes that meant students and kids worked there and in the fields as well, Ms. Know It Not! Check your facts before you take on the Dog! "

Hanford Res wrote on Aug 21, 2008 12:53 PM:

" to From The Midwest, First of all I am talking about California not the midwest so that's it for your comment. Now for Watchdog I have given you the chance to meet with me on this subject where we can go over proof of the matter not just quoting stuff you get from wiki. I'm done with this computer stuff, If anyone of you would like to talk about this with me in person so I can bring along people FROM THE 60'S, WATCHDOG!!! And they are from Hanford!! Who worked in field's all through the valley, You are welcome to set up a time, I am not gonna sit hear and listen to people quote WIKI!! My family and I used to live on Deiner's Ranch I have many people who would love to jump in on this subject in person. . I respect anyone's opinion and if I have offended anyone I am sorry, that is what is good with this country is that we can do this have not have to fear any backlash. A study has said Hispanic's will be the Majority by 2045 so I think we all should just learn get along "

cynic wrote on Aug 21, 2008 3:30 PM:

" Sorry Fred - Mexico did not sell California to the US. The Bear Flaggers overthrew weakly managed Mexican California on June 14, 1846 and the brief Republic lasted less than a month. On July 7, 1846 Commodore John Sloat landed in Monterey and declared that California was now part of the United States. There was some resistance - especially in Southern California - but it was short lived. Most Californios, as they called themselves, welcomed the change. Some land south of the Gila River in Arizona and New Mexico was purched from Mexico in 1853 - but that's all - not California. Gold was discovered in January of 1848 - a year and a half later but the Rush did not start until the news had made it to the East Coast nearly a year later. I teach California history and just wanted to set things right. "

cynic wrote on Aug 21, 2008 3:42 PM:

" Sorry again - can't help continuing the lesson - reminding everyone that while you may not appreciate illegal immigrants - there was a time when Americans were jailed for entering California. Marianno Vallejo - who was overthrown during the Bear Flag revolt was actually sympathetic to American immigrants and protected allowed them rights usually granted only to Mexican citizens. He also took part in the writing of Califrornia's constitution in September 1849 after being arrested by mostly American rebels during the Bear Flag Revolt. He saw himself, as did the rebels, as Californios. That Constitutional Convention was helf in both English and Spanish and the Constitution was submitted to the U.S. government in both languages as well. Are you still bothered by seeing so much Spanish spoken and printed in California? So think about that next time you make some disgruntled remark about Mexican illegals overtaking our state - we were first illegal immigrants. Thank goodness we weren't all so quickly deported. You're right - nothing to do with free or reduced lunches - except that people were turning it into a racial issue. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 21, 2008 4:27 PM:

" Hanford Res wrote on Aug 21, 2008 2:53 PM:
Are those willing to jump in not computer literate? Is that the problem? You've been proven absolutely out of your gord and not just by me little girl run along home now with your ball.


You question my study and source but don't even bother printing a source for your study. Must be fun to live in the confines of a safe environment. The only thing more substantial than your immature approach to rebuttal, is your eroneous and outrageous lack of truth in your statements.

If the midwest doesn't count, then all up and down the valley doesn't either. Furthermore, I don't look to be here in 2045 so I could give a good rats butt what happens then. I doubt that I will live to be 102 years old.

A study has said Hispanic's will be the Majority by 2045 so I think we all should just learn get along " "

The fact is the table are now turned wrote on Aug 21, 2008 4:48 PM:

" and Mexican heritage organizations have lobbied hard to play the race card to remind politicians they have their illegal nannies, cooks and lawn men working on their properties.

Today any one with brown skin will make things as difficult as possible for those not representative of their race. I don't care what you want to call it America...it is discrimination to those of legal standing citizen born of unquestionable inalienable rights.

The political climate in California is extremely heavy and thick...do not think that in the next 5 to 10 years we will not have riots and chaotic discord in regards to what has been overlooked in the last 10 to 15 years as acceptable immigration policies.

Major reviews need to be implemented to reverse the tide of illegal immigrant friendly programs that have created bursting at the seams fiscal atrocities.

America is not well and the riots of the past will occur again and they won't be in big cities but in small towns where tensions are high and economies are pro-illegal. "

To Not Home Grown wrote on Aug 21, 2008 4:53 PM:

" But if you had raised your children to respect honest labor, then perhaps more children would seek employment during the summer to work the fields.
I'd like to comment that I taught my kids the value of honest work but since they don't speak Spanish they are limited in what employment is available. I'm pretty sure that the ability to speak Spanish is a requirement to work in the fields now and besides, why would kids want to "work" for minimum wage when a cleverly submitted application can bring you housing allowances, food allowances, the best medical services and spending money on top of that? My daughter watches her friend stay home every day and collect the myriad of "freebies" offered her. I guess if you can't beat em', join em! "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 21, 2008 5:08 PM:

" Hanford Res wrote on Aug 21, 2008 2:53 PM:
I performed a little research for you and as close as I can tell it was in 1935 when there developed a problem in agriculture with using cheap chinese labor, that the farmer's first came to the schools for help. Start and ending times on school were adjusted to accomodate these farmers and children 16 and over were allowed to work for them. This went on for a period of approximately three years. For several seasons after they supplemented children in place of adult farmworkers. A program began in August of 1942 and that was the first introduction of "BRACERO'S" migrant farmworkers from south of the border. They would work the season and then return home to their own country. Once enemployment was established they began to fall back and stay within the borders of the United States. Then as anchor babies were born they stayed longer and longer illegally. Once the anchor baby qualified for Welfare they stayed permanently illegally. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 21, 2008 5:13 PM:

" Hanford Res. you want me to come to a meeting where you have lined up all these people whom I already know are going to try and disagree with what I say. For what? Where is the benefit in this for me, why not argue it out right here on line. Because you already witnessed some of the responses you've received when you are talking about something you quite obviously don't know about yourself. So you are telling me all these people who lived here in the 1960's moved away and now you want me to listen to them. When you get to be our age your lucky to remember to flush the toilet. Who are you trying to kid. I just happen to be one of those people who can't remember yesterday but can remember when I was five or six years old and everything in between. "

WATCHDOG FRED POINT BEING MADE wrote on Aug 21, 2008 5:30 PM:

" Hanford Res wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:20 PM: The biggest mistake an individual can ever make is to think they are inexpendable and irreplaceable at work. I have news for you in csse you haven't already got the message. There were crops grown here for years before the Bracero Program was initiated and there will be crops grown here years after all the illegal workers are sent home. Don't worry the farm products will be harvested and yes you might have to pay $10 for a tomatoe but you will still have them just the same. Our farming products are probably the last reasonably priced items left. It is about time the farmers and pickers started getting more, but when that happens, don't be surprised if there isn't more competition for those jobs in the fields. Everyone has a price when it isn't too hot to go work in the fields. It's proven itself down through history. Farm Labor work isn't easy, it is very dirty, very hard and makes you exceptionally tired, but if the money is right it's a good living. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 22, 2008 10:11 AM:

" To the person who responded to To NotHomeGrown. Why do you have to speak Spanish to work in the fields? I would think that farm labor is a universal language. When are we gong to make English the national language of the USofA? Also, please don't become part of the problem by letting your kids sponge off of the honest working people. It needs to easier to report and prosecute fradulent welfare - food stamp - ect programs. The Supreme Court also needs to look at and define exactly what constitutes being a US citizen is. I am not a lawyer, but the way I read the part about being born here makes you a citizen, I read it to say only those persons under the control of the state. If you are here as anything other than a US Citizen or a legal Alien Resident, then it should be simple to define that you are not under the control of the state. "

Hanford Res wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:23 PM:

" HAHA JUST WHAT I THOUGHT A PUPPY..AND YOU TELL ME I HIDE BEHIND A COMPUTER..WHAT WOULD THE WORLD DO WITHOUT WATCHDOG IN 2045!! OH MY GOD HOW WILL WE SERVIVE..HAHA..GRUMPY OLDMAN BOTTOM LINE "

Mrs.D wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:39 PM:

" When kids eat a proper breakfast before school, they will be able to concentrate better in class. This program goes for everyone: from illegal children to children of poor working whites. Everyone will benefit. And with permission, some teachers have been known to cook pancakes and serve juice to their students once a month.

In a nutshell: children with full bellies do better in school, turn out to be good productive citizens in the end.

Quit complaining, folks! "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Aug 22, 2008 2:56 PM:

" If I emigrated to a country where English was not the language, I would not demand that the government produce signs and pamphlets in English; I'd learn the language. My children would learn it as well if I expected them to succeed in their new land."

Blogger Ed Morrissey could not have said it better or more simply.

By the way, NASA and other cooperating space agencies has/have determined that ENGLISH would be the common language for communication in all outer space international efforts.

So I guess that IS rocket science at it's best after all, folks.

Until illegal immigration becomes a galactic problem, that is. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 22, 2008 6:02 PM:

" TO: CYNIC: "The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) began


on January 24, 1848, when gold was discovered by James Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California.[1] News of the discovery soon spread, resulting in some 300,000 men, women, and children coming to California from the rest of the United States and abroad."

Sounds like news traveled rather quickly considering they didn't have text messaging back then. "

Bobb wrote on Aug 22, 2008 7:27 PM:

" All of this complaining about the cost of taking care of mostly Mexican illegal immigrants really has a simple solution. The United States currently give Mexico about $50 billion per year in various aid packages. This does not include the new $1.4 billion that the Bush administration is allocating for the Mirida Agreement for securing their southern border. Why not just deduct the cost of incarcerating illegals and all of the costs for medical, schooling etc. from the aid we give them. But don't stop with just Mexico, deduct it from every other country that we give foreign aid to and provide for their citizens that are here illegally. Somewhat of a simple solution, but it won't happen. Not enough Politics involved. "

Shocking Conclusion... wrote on Aug 23, 2008 8:49 AM:

" Yes, I'm proud to say I've worked in the fields. I walked up and down rows of cotton chopping weeds, did I say up and down... I did this when I was in high school for several years, earned a few bucks and blew it all on girls and more girls. What I learned was that it was a dead end job. So I graduated high shcool attended college and found better things in life in order to support my adventures. Just so you know I'm white... "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Aug 23, 2008 3:52 PM:

" Bobb, that is exactly what I was going to post several times here.

If we can't directly bill those countries for taking care of their folk, then just deduct our services from the free 'donations' we give them in annual foreign aid.

Also, following the same logic, for those illegals that we catch and process, why can't we just deduct the number of LEGAL immigration slots for that country of origin from our annual Federal allocation? That makes it fair and balanced, so to speak. And, it gives the country of origin an incentive to play by our rules for a change and take some responsibility for the exodus.

Make it a highly publicized rule on both sides of our border and abroad that ANY ILLEGAL caught even once in our country and deported will be FOREVER disqualified from any future amnesty, work program, or legal application for U.S. citizenship.

That should give them some incentive to remain in their own country and follow our laws and rules!

"Out of chaos, order."

Sounds like a good campaign slogan to me! "

cynic wrote on Aug 24, 2008 12:02 AM:

" Sorry again Fred. Gold was DISCOVERED on January 24th 1848 but the rush didn't really start in earnest until 1849 - that's why the gold seekers were called 49ers - and you just thought they played football. Really . . . you need to stop quoting from Wikipedia - it's often inaccurate and should never be cited in any academic conversation. The news really became public knowledge when then President Polk - yeah, the Manifest Destiny guy, announced the news during a Congressional meeting on December 5, 1848 - kind of late in the year to start a cross country journey. News really did take a long time to cross country back then. Some did leave by sea - but of course the journey around Cape Horn took six months. While there was somewhat of a rush involving people already in California - the large numbers of people did not start arriving until 1849. Before the rush that began in 1849, California had a population of less than 12,000 people. If you would like a little more accurate version you can read California: A History by Kevin Starr or check out a real encyclopedia http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761589799/Gold_Rush_of_1849.html "

cynic wrote on Aug 24, 2008 12:15 AM:

" Hey Fred - on a lighter note - I remember the store at 10th and Florinda being Gong's Market back in the late 60s and 70s. Was it Powell's before that? We always teased my Grandpa that Mrs. Gong was sweet on him because of the way she held his hand when she counted back his change. And while were remembering - we used to love the burgers at Chris' on 10th near the tracks - although we had heard rumors about horse meat - they were great burgers. I'd love to see a column or article about stores and restaurants that have disappeared. There is a Disney site called Yesterland that remembers all the closed attractions and restaurants in Disneyland. Would love to see some old photos and old stories about Hanford's "Yester" places "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:02 AM:

" To: ALEJANDRO wrote on Aug 23, 2008 5:52 PM:
Alejandro, I follow yours and Bobbs basic idea but I think the one for one should be one for two on the allocated entry policy. In otherwords for every one illegal found in the country subtract two legal positions from the allocation.
Secondly, I also agree with taking the cost of supporting illegals out of the aid to their countries but we would have to run a year behind. We allocate aid in January so we would have to wait a full year to deduct from the following January those costs. Unless we made an estimate and adjusted accordingly at the end of the year, I like that Idea.
Once Mexico began receiving reduced aid amounts they would secure their borders for sure. So would anyone else receiving aid from us.
I see this as a plausible plan.
Just like any country like Iraq that we help in time of war, perhaps we should start deducting the cost of the war from aid packages as well. Once the war costs exceed the aid costs the war ends. That would limit war time. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:13 AM:

" To: Cynic Yes it was called Powell's Market. The market further out tenth across from the Fair Grounds was called Airport Market for years. The one at 10th and Houston was called Steve's Market and was owned by the Hardcastle's. Later Leon Hardcastle ran the store. Best Buy Market at 10th and Grangeville was called Superway Market. The little store on your left out on Hwy. 198 going towards Visalia use to be called County Line Market. There for a time was a little market located at Miller's Motel out on Highway 198. Where Save Mart is use to be a Liquor Store and State Market. Across the street where McDonalds and Walgreens is was Big John's Food King. Cost Less was Prairie Market and several other names. Where the Save a lot is use to be Safeway Market and where the Hanford Sentinel is use to be Purity Market. Where the Olympic WorkOut Center was located on 6th Street was Hanford Ice Company. El Mexicano's original building was Safeway Creamery. Social Services on 3rd was Beacon Oil. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:25 AM:

" To: Cynic I also remember those hamburgers at Chris's by the tracks 4 for $1 and they were delicious. I remember a buffet called Johnson's on 7th Street in Hanford. (KNGS Radio use to broadcast from Johnson's on weekends) I also remember Winchell's Donuts on 7th Street. Kim's Drive Inn and Foster Freeze on 7th Street. Harry's Cafe on 7th Street. Eddies Cafe on 10th Avenue where the pool place is now. Hanford Cafe on 10th Avenue. Snow White Drive Inn on Irwin St. Dairy Delight on 10th Avenue. Golden Corral in Best Buy Parking lot. Happy Steak on Lacey Blvd. Golden Corral on Lacey Blvd. JC Penney had an automotive center with gas pumps, where Sizzler and Round Table Pizza are now. Santos Grocery on Ivy St. There was a Union 76 Station where Rite Aide on Lacey Blvd now resides. Denham's Ice Cream in the Denham building next to Long John's Silver's. They Dynasty of course. United Market on 7th Street across the street was I think it was called National Market.
Was it Wings/Yings on 10th Ave. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:36 AM:

" To: Cynic I can remember walking from Lee Richmond Elementary to A&W and buying a hot dog & root beer for 35 Cents. They use to have those cardboard paper quart size rootbeer containers you could buy for 75 Cents. I remember when Gong's took over Powell's Market bologna and hamburger went up 10 cents a pound, my mom thought that was outrageous and almost stopped shopping there.
Oh on 6th Street where Hanford Glass is now part of that was a locksmith and lawn repair at one time. It was owned by Lee Garrett who had his shop out on Lacey and then built the building and moved it to 6th Street.
That is why when people on the blog says something about me not open to change. That is funny because I've watched a lot of it over the past 57 years in this town. For you car enthusiasts out there, Can you believe Bob Greene's had two 1966 (black and gold hertz addition) Shelby GT-350's he sold off his lot in 1967 for $2800 a piece? They now sell upwards of 150k a piece. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Aug 24, 2008 2:25 PM:

" Hey Watchdog,

Agreed.

Your 'two for one' plan would be a better proportion in accounting for all of those illegals we do NOT catch and return.

And I wish there was a way for the U. S. to get OIL as a payback mechanism from both Mexico and Iraq at a reasonable price.

We wouldn't want to be accused of stealing now, would we?

The protests from Switzerland would be deafening. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Aug 24, 2008 2:52 PM:

" Hey "cynic,"

When correcting others it is often best to look at your own performance and style - especially in academic research, as you point out.

Really, you should do research from a primary source - the person's own words attributed to a deed or event or place. Using a proprietary ‘real encyclopedia,' as you put it, on the level of Microsoft's ENCARTA is hardly much better than Wikipedia. I guess that you didn't know that Wikipedia has all of the dates and books by Starr you mentioned, so Wikipedia has all of they research qualities you espouse.

Try this primary source:

"THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CALIFORNIA"
by Gen. John A. Sutter (in his own words)

"It was in the first part of January, 1848, when the gold was discovered at Coloma, where I was then building a saw-mill."

(Source: http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist2/gold.html)

Other primary documentation puts the ‘real date' at January 19th from other ‘witnesses' but Sutter's own words - "the first part of January, 1848," makes your reference date misleading or at least very suspect.

After all, proper research is much better than junk research, right "cynic?" "

Bobb wrote on Aug 24, 2008 4:31 PM:

" Fred; I remember years ago, during my Mothers monthly trip into Hanford, a car that looked as it had crashed through the window of Big Johns Market. They had put a car against the window and piled boxes around it,then painted the glass to simulate it being broken. Please correct me if I am wrong. It sure drew a lot of customers in to look. There was also a small restaurant there as my Aunt worked there. She had also worked at Woolworth's which had a cafe. Sorry to get off of the subject, but you brought back some fond memories. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 24, 2008 6:27 PM:

" To: Bobb, I don't remember the car but it is possible. But you are right I left out a very important Restaurant called Peden's that was located next to Big John's Food King. Bob wasn't it Wing's Market on 10th Avenue, I can't remember it was at 4th street and 10th Avenue. Oh and I almost forgot 3rd street market which is still their and also Brieno's Market that is now called something else there on South Phillips Street. You are also right about Woolworths having a cafeteria and a store called J. J. Newberry's remember that one. Sears was downtown then. Montgomery Ward had a catalogue store behind Sears and next to the old Hanford Roller Rink, remember that one Bobb?
Sears Auto Center is where the new Medical plaza is now. My Dad told me the old business store that went out was the original home of the Loftis Motel. I believe it was Irwin Street there use to be an old chain hardware store there, what was it called? You remember Moe's Toy Store on Douty Street? Remember Yellow Cab on 6th Street? "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 24, 2008 6:33 PM:

" To: Alejandro - that to me is the most ironic thing of all. Mexico has enough oil resources to pay for their national debt in cash. Yet they need aid from the United States to survive. I also agree we should be getting crude in exchange for the aid we give them.
I hate to say this but just because of the way it might look, we will never get any oil without paying dearly for it out of Iraq. We don't even want to indicate that might be a reason for our participation there. So for that reason alone that will never come to be.

I also think we should immediately have the UN make Georgia and any other former Russian land mass that wants to join members in good standing afforded all the privileges that entails including protection from the Soviets. I further think we should put missiles on all their territories and Poland and anywhere else in theatre we can put them. We need to let Russia know they were a defeated super power during the cold war for a reason. McCain will do that. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 24, 2008 6:41 PM:

" To: Bobb love me or hate me at least I am educational. What I know you won't find in any book about Hanford. Maybe that is what I should do in my spare time. Write a book on Hanford - I could call it the DAWG's Point of View Growing up with a town.
Remembered another popular business in town, remember the old POPP SHOP'S,
I also remember the old Jean's beer bar on 10th Avenue. The Fight Club use to be a Mobil Station. Here's one for you remember Bobb the big to do over the pool and game house they opened in the 1960's out off highway 198, they would bus kids out there? It almost shut down the plunge at one time it grew in popularity. But then it ended up being mismanaged and went belly up.
Remember when Me N Ed's Pizza was on Racy Lacey Blovd. as Al Radka use to claim. Remember all those neat summer movies Al Radka use to host in the summertime?
Remember Friday Night Fright Night? Nancy Allen Movie Matinee, The Frito Bandito, Wampum Corn Chips? "

cynic wrote on Aug 24, 2008 9:34 PM:

" Hey Fred - I remember it as Yings - my folks bought meat from the butcher there or United Market. Loved Fosters - why don't we have one? I have to drive to Lemoore for my fix. And Alejandro - I'm not sure where you got your January 19th date for the discovery - The James Marshall State Park website also lists the discovery date as January 24th. http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=484
And as far as primary sources - forget Sutter - Marshall discovered the gold and he wrote in his journal on January 24, 1848 "It was a clear cold morning I shall never forget, My eye was caught with the glimpse of something shining in the bottom of the ditch. I reached my hand down and picked it up; it made my heart thump, for I was certain it was gold. Then I saw another piece. Putting one of the pieces on a hard river stone, I took another and commenced hammering. It was soft and didn't break; it therefore must be gold." That's about as primary as you can get, and he says the 24th. "

cynic wrote on Aug 24, 2008 9:48 PM:

" To Alejandro pt. 2. And as far as encyclopedias go - you are right. All secondary sources can lean one way or another and differ in their info. But at least with Encarta or others - everyday yahoos like us can't add our own slanted and often false information the way you can with Wikipedia. Wikipedia is interesting and a good starting point - but not scolarly enough to quote as final authority - which neither of us did. When I quote a secondary source or refer to one, I check out the bibliography of that author for primary sources - another reason I highly reccomend Starr's book. Every Californian should check out this very interesting book - it would make a great weekend read. "

cynic wrote on Aug 25, 2008 9:10 AM:

" Bobb - I remember that "crash" and the restuarant. Loved the Woolworth lunch counter. I remember going to Sandy's to buy school shoes and walking across to Woolworths or Peter Pan's for lunch after. How about State Market and the toys upstairs? Or the burger joint out front where Me n Ed's is now. I remember it as Rod's but think it changed names a few times. "

Scott Tucker wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Alejandro, Quoting from Swiss authors, I see. It's nice to see that you don't disapprove of all people somehow related to Switzerland. "

Bobb wrote on Aug 25, 2008 1:50 PM:

" Off subject again, I think a book on Historic Hanford is a great idea. Maybe the Sentinel can do a Blog site for old history that people could have input too. I sold my business and retired about five years ago and moved from Fresno Co. to Hanford to be closer to Mon who is 84 and at Valley Christian Home. She graduated from the OLD Hanford High and worked at Newberrys as a young woman. I was very young but I remember a store with a mezzanine area and vacuum tubes that took the receipts to the upstairs office, maybe Newberrys.Moms NUMBER 1 RULE when we came to town was "don't touch anything on the shelves if you don't have the money to buy it." She threatened us that she would blister our a__'s and we would sit in the car if we disobeyed and not come back again. Those days of discipline are gone forever now, but it sure did make us learn respect for others property. "

Carl Spackler wrote on Aug 25, 2008 3:35 PM:

" Cynic: That burger joint out in front of State Market was known as The Hut.

For bonus points name the liquor store that was next to State Market. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 25, 2008 6:19 PM:

" To Cynic, yes I believe you are right it was Yings and that hardware store I couldn't remember was called Western Auto, it was where every boy went to get his schwyn bicycle, or radio flyer wagon at the time.

Here is one for you, do you remember the Boy Scout Leader in Hanford his name was Terry Hansen?

I remember when the Veatch's owned A&W and he would close it every winter for a while, cause of the fog.

Remember how everyone use to park behind Foster Freeze and shoot the breeze and watch others draggin' main street.

Gas was 29.9 cents a gallon and cigarettes were 25 cents a pack. 9 1/4 and Fargo were the marked off 1/4 miles where you'd run for beer or whatever.

Remember the Foxx theatre sitting on the balcony and throwing jujubees on all the kids below. That was the beginning of many a boxing match and wrestling matches afterwards.

When two guys would stand look each other in the face and say hit me, no you hit me first? Those were the days. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 25, 2008 6:22 PM:

" To Bobb; hey did you have the squids hollering at you over the fence in boot. We use to march by as they were running and say; "You'll be sorry". I never saw guys run so much in all my life as they did in the Corps. We marched, we drilled but the running was minimal and normally as punishment.
We had a D.I. come over one time they called him Choker Carter, he won that name honestly. One of the roughest week I spent all day with him around. He loved to walk up pick you up by the throat and watch you choke to death. The guy stood about 6'3' tall and weighed probably 280#'s of pure muscle. "

Bobb wrote on Aug 25, 2008 8:59 PM:

" Fred; I was never in the Navy so I don't quite get what you mean about the "squids" yelling over the fence. The discipline came from Mom as Dad was either working or exhausted from working. She didn't have to yell much as her look said it all. Maybe you are confusing me with another bob. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 26, 2008 1:22 AM:

" Bobb and Cynic was that Aloha Liquor in front ofr State Market or was that the one on 7th street, that closed up, as a furniture store?
Does anyone remember the Guarantee Savings Model A Truck? No one has mentioned the Sportsman's Club either. How about the Flying Spinacer (sp) out on old Hwy. 41? Remember it had the big anchor in front standing on the ground? The bowling alley use to have four pool tables and a game room. The old Brunswick Pool Hall and the other one down by Sunset Garage. I noticed Brown's News Stand finally folded.
I remember eating the burgers from Coral Burger they were awesome and the fry's were the best ever. Oh, how many changes you note when you start listing them all. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 26, 2008 8:42 AM:

" To WDF, sorry about jumping in on your post to Bobb, but I too was a Hollywood Marine, in 71. One of my classmates joined the Navy, and he wrote about how bad his quarters where and that they only had a soda machine in the barracks. I wrote back an told him of our wonderful living conditions *Quonset Huts* and that only thing we had was a DI. The hardest part of boot camp for me was walking fire watch late at night by yourself and looking over the fence at the airport. When I voluntered, I had to report the Armed Services building in Los Angeles (though I actually signed up in Seattle). So we had to report there at 0600 in the morning, told to stand by as a bus would be around to pick us up. About 10 hours later the bus shows up. They put Navy recruits and Marine recruits on the same bus. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 26, 2008 8:46 AM:

" To WDF, continued. Any way it was a fun ride from LA to San Diego. The bus went to the Navy recruit station first, and we all chided them as they were getting off, but then as soon as they were all gone and we pulled off towards MCRD San Diego, you could have heard a pin drop. I guess we all realized what was next. And as soon as we pull into the MCRD we found out, a DI comes bursting into the bus, yelling we have 10 seconds to clear the bus, five seconds are already gone and you don't want to be the last one off. Never saw 40 or so people move so fast. Of course we all acted like a heard of sheep, ended up facing the wrong way on the yellow footprints on the ashphalt and continued downward from there. Too bad they didn't come onto the bus at the Navy recruit depot and tell us we could change our mind. But in all actuality, I was proud of my decision and my service. "

cynic wrote on Aug 26, 2008 9:50 AM:

" To Carl - That's right - Now I remember. My High School aged uncle had an MG Sprite and we used to go eat there. I was much younger and cuter and he would use me as bait to flirt with the waitresses. If we ended up driving one home, I had to sit in the space behind the two tiny seats - way before seat belt laws. He was a weekend magician and would use slight of hand to impress the young female staff. My Grandparents lived on Cameron so we would walk to A&W to get Root Beer in a cone shaped jug that we could then take to football games and use as a megaphone. We always looked forward to the day they opened up in the Spring - Frito Boats served in the Frito bag MMMM! But what was the name of the market on 10th where the dog groomers/church is located now? I do remember the liquer store next to State Market - but can't remember the name - didn't buy a whole lot of liquer back then. I also remember a barber shop there. "

cynic wrote on Aug 26, 2008 9:55 AM:

" I'm not sure what all this has to do with free lunches - but it has been fun. \
I really miss Ismans. They used to have a promotion that allowed you to bring in receipts and trade them for cash - 1 cent for every dollar on the receipt. My uncle - before the cool sportscar - would dig through the trash to find old receipts. We made up a song to taunt him
Douglas is a friend of mine
He goes to Ismans all the time
He snoops through the garbage cans
And when he's through he smells his hands.
We still sing this song to tease kids in the family - but have changed the store to Savemart.
I really miss Ismans - you could buy anything there. "

lawman wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:24 AM:

" What! I was scanning through here and I saw a person named watchdog say most of the people he worked with in the field's here in king's county were oakies and arkies? You have got to be kidding me! What ranch or field was that? I would like to know, I am doing my report on agricultural studies in the valley and I have not come across any oakies or arkies dominating the work on any ranch or dairy. Please give me your contacts I would like to further investigate for myself. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:29 PM:

" To lawman: Not really sure that it applies to Kings County, but how about reading the Grapes of Wrath? Talks all about the dust bowl and Okies coming to the central valley for work. "

lawman wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:57 PM:

" My studies are bases out of Kings County, Thats why when I seen Watchdog say he worked with mostly oakies in Hanford or Kings County it caught my eye. And I have read Grapes of Wrath it was mandatory in school. I would just like Watchdog to give me a few lead's of his past work for studies, I'm not on here to debate like most people are. "

cynic wrote on Aug 26, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Hey lawman - glad to help - my family were some of those Okies - and Arkies that worked in the fields. Check out the book - Children of the Dust Bowl by Jerry Stanley. It tells about the the Oakie migrant camp called Weedpatch in Kern County. Huell Howser went out to see what's left of the camp in one of his episodes. They actually didn't have it too bad. The first public pool in Kern County was built in this Oakie migrant camp and they had their own school and vocational training program. They had it much better than the Mexican farm workers. In the Novel Esperanza Rising, Pam Munoz Ryan writes about how the Mexican farm workers were allowed to swim in the pool on Fridays, before the pool was cleaned on Saturday. This actually happened in other communities as well. In the city of Orange it was called "Mexican Monday" - I guess they cleaned their pool on Tuesdays. Check 'em out - both great books about the migrant experience in our valley. "

cynic wrote on Aug 26, 2008 2:08 PM:

" More about Okies and Arkies - I grew up playing Little League in P.O.A. Field in Armona. I always assumed it stood for Something, Something of America. When I asked, I was told it stood for Portagees, Oakies and Arkies - no joke. They were the early families and farm workers who built the field I was told. "

Carl Spackler wrote on Aug 26, 2008 9:57 PM:

" Cynic:

Kens Cork & Bottle "

To Lawman wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:00 PM:

" As you can tell WDF purposely likes to blend the truth with tiny bits of facts and mostly his ideas and beliefs on how either things were or how they should be. He gets going down memory lane about places and times that don't exist anymore and forgets the topic. He won't be able to point you to specifics, he'll just tell you to stay in school and continue to read or to live life for a few years so you can (hopefully) gain some experience and then if you are still interested, go talk to him.
For years, and I'm talking about the early 60's to the early 70's, I worked picking grapes in Fresno and on Everett Ave. all the way to Selma, picked peaches and nectarines in the orchards going to Laton (can't recall the name of that place, Warmmerdam ?) chopped cotton, hauled hay and in the winter, we pruned the trees and vines. And I can tell you the only okies I ever saw were the owners. Maybe that's what he means, that as the owners they had to work at making sure everyone else worked. Now that's work. "

cynic wrote on Aug 27, 2008 2:58 PM:

" Ken's Cork and Bottle - what a great name. Sorry Fred - we lived WAY out on 12th - it was my Grandparents who lived on Cameron. We went to Armona Elem. and had interdistrict transfers to attend - back in the day when Armona was the place to attend and people bought houses in Parkside to get their kids at Armona - boy times change. We actually lived in Parkside for a few years when there was a community maintained pool, two parks and it was safe to walk at night. Our neighbor was a Doctor - it was kind of the Stonecrest of the day. If you grew up near Lee Richmond you probably remember my Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles - the Herringtons. I get the feeling we are not from the same era although we remember Hanford in gentler times. Yeah, I know we've been wandering - but I still think a Nostalic Hanford column or even a blog would be great. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Aug 27, 2008 3:18 PM:

" WOW!

"To LAWMAN" says this:

"Maybe that's what he means, that as the owners they had to work at making sure everyone else worked. Now that's work."

Sounds a bit racist and stereotypical to me . . . that obviously the migrant farm workers in the fields were not working hard enough or were malingering or some such nonsense.

Here's a coincidental shocker: I worked in agriculture too, on the East Coast, for the Portuguese owner of indoor greenhouses and outdoor flower bed fields. I bent over, reached up, cultivated, planted tulip bulbs, ‘budded' mums, pruned roses, fertilized, irrigated, and so on. That was my first high school real job that I paid taxes on in the early 1960's. Not any illegal aliens were there as I recall. And there were plenty of Anglos working in the industry alongside me. No Oakies or Arkies though.

So if that is hard to fathom, then you won't believe Watchdog either.

Which is your problem and not ours. "

WATCHDOG FRED wrote on Aug 27, 2008 4:29 PM:

" cynic wrote on Aug 27, 2008 4:58 PM: I know going down memory lane is fun, I don't care if some like lawman can't handle it.
The funny thing, most of the people I grew up with are now holding top city offices, which was kind of a shocker when I came back to town a little over nine years ago. I lost my best friend ever in this town in 1985 to luekemia, we walked to and from school together all the way from Lee Richmond, Woodrow Wilson and Hanford High School. With the exception of a few years that were spent with him living in Armona. I remember Parkside well, went to one party out there in particular it was a birthday party. It included a scavanger hunt through all the nieghborhoods. Kids were deffinately a different breed back then. I remember a time when we took my friends 1956 Chevy out to Fargo almost even with Hickey Park to test it through a 1/4 mile we had marked off out there. He jumped on it dropped the third member out of the rear end. We walked. "

To WDF wrote on Aug 27, 2008 6:00 PM:

" You were serving our country?? So.! Do you want a cookie?? Life goes on with you or without you. You make comments and then expect us to bow to you like if you were some kinda' prince. You did your time and so what. You supposedly went of your own free will, right?? And others were drafted, so what.
I don't owe you anything, go talk to the Gov't. Oh yeah that what you are doing right?? A lot of people pulled there time and aren't crying here for another medal. Get over it.
You went from working side by side in the central valley with okies and arkies to working on my Uncle Tom's far with your cousins. Don't assume that everyone can read what you mean to say. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:46 PM:

" To: To Lawman - I take it you are probably Hispanic due to your comments about the Okies being farm owners having to overlord their minions (pretty big words huh?). I have stated that I am not from around here, hence NotHomeGrown. The times that I did manual farm labor, there was no owner out there looking over my shoulder to make sure that I worked. It was a much simpler system, I was paid for the weight of the crop that I picked. If I decided to be out there for 12 hours and only pick 10 pounds of green beans, then I might make 10 cents. But more than likely I would pick 500 - 600 pounds during the day, and trust me that $5 or $6 was a windfall, I remember that in 1963 in Wyoming my allowance was $0,25 a week, and I started working sacking potatoes in a local market for a penny a pound. "

To Alejandro wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:48 PM:

" "Here's a coincidental shocker: I worked in agriculture too, on the East Coast, for the Portuguese owner of indoor greenhouses and outdoor flower bed fields. I bent over, reached up, cultivated, planted tulip bulbs, ‘budded' mums, pruned roses, fertilized, irrigated, and so on." GEE. That sounds like real man's work. But in my book it's a pathetic analogy to people who TODAY can work 8 -10 hour days in 100+ degree weather chopping cotton under a full sun and not inside a GREENHOUSE?? Poor you. I hope you put on your sunscreen. That INDOOR GREENHOUSE wasn't in Massachusetts was it?? When I was a kid I picked cotton for most of the day and didn't get a RIDE on the cotton sack like WDF. Pathetic analogy Al. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Aug 28, 2008 2:55 PM:

" Hey, thank you very much for agreeing with me, "To Alejandro," except you don't know very much about greenhouses.

I'm glad we didn't discuss your military service or something as important to you as that. You get props for that my friend.

I feel it's really important for a young man or woman to get in touch with the Earth at some time in their life. Really get their hands dirty.

And, no, I was not referring to the admitted activities of "dose" et al. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 28, 2008 3:21 PM:

" To: To Alejandro, I can't understand your point! What part of greenhouse also called hothouse don't you understand? It appeared that Alejandro was just trying to show that coincidently he worked for some Portugese back East. Why does everyone doubt that caucasians can't work the fields? What special ability do illegal immigrants have that they can do it and I can't? Yes, currently I have a much better job than working in the fields, but that is due to experience and education. I am like so many other people who thinks that those drawing welfare should be out there in the fields, do like that, then don't take welfare, learn a trade or skill and move up. Make the prisoners work out there to help repay society for their crimes and to help pay for a life that is better than some honest Americans get, 3 squares a day and a roof over their head at night. Yes being in prison does have some detractions, but to me not enough if people are so willing to go back. "

Joe Friday wrote on Aug 28, 2008 3:33 PM:

" My take may be a little different than most in this blog but here are a few things I know.

1: Kids learn better when they eat breakfast. This means that teachers can advance through lesson plans quicker and my child will learn more while at school.

2: In an area where are poverty rates are among the highest in the nation, some kids will only get a balanced meal at school. Kids who are hungry are more likely to have behavior problems in class. The effect of this is taking away learning time from my child in her classroom.

3: Kids who are undernourished or do not eat properly are more likely to get sick and spread there illness. This effects my child who is their classmate and my productivity at work since I must stay home to take care of my kid who contracted their illness.

I failed to read anywhere in this article that this program is only for illegal immigrants. The positive effects of this program will provide a better learning environment for my child who like myself is a proud citizen of the USA. "

To Joe Friday wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:53 PM:

" The part about "that this program is only for illegal immigrants " came from those that normally go on and on about and make broad generalizations that if your a person on color, you are probably HISPANIC and if you are Hispanic then you are probably illegal and belong to the Mexican Mafia. Simple fact for them and then they blog and blog to convince others that they are. To this fabulous trio, it doesn't matter that your family may have roots to California going back to before " Manifest Destiny", before there was even a Hanford if you are of color, shopping at Walmart then they know that you and your entire family just got through SNEAKING across the unprotected border and YOU AND ALL YOUR KIND are here to have anchor babies and get everything FREE! The article NEVER mentions "illegals" but look at how quickly everyone jumped on the band wagon and is ASSuming that this article is all about that. "

Bart T. wrote on Aug 28, 2008 11:20 PM:

" To NHG ... I never saw to many "Caucasians" working the fields outside their parents farm. And I never knew too many "caucasians" named Alejandro. And worse yet, I don't go by appearances only by what is written and it seems to me that what alex was saying was that working in a greenhouse is the same as working the fields in the summer. How you can say that they are the same is beyond me. Are you here to defend Alex?
Oh, that's right, he worked just as hard as you " I started working sacking potatoes in a local MARKET for a penny a pound. " You were also working in the hot sun. Gee poor you.
My point is that you make it sound as if THAT is REAL HARD WORK when any trained monkey can do that. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 29, 2008 7:52 AM:

" To Joe Friday. You have many good points that I think almost everyone will agree upon, and there are studies to support most of your statements. The only reason that the illegal immigrants issue has crept into this as well as many other similar "aid" discussions is due to them getting these benefits, while other honest working legal American residents just above the threshold do not get these benefits. I personally have never said the programs are bad, just that they are beset with fraud. Why not make it a simpler task where every LEGAL child that attends public school gets free meals. That way you are ensuring that all LEGAL children are getting the proper nourishment, and number two effect you are not ostrecizing the "poor" kids, because right now everyone knows who they are because they are the only ones (in the majority of views) that are eating the nasty free meals. You may have notice that I kept putting LEGAL, because too many of us perceive that too many illegals are receiving all types of aid. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 29, 2008 12:19 PM:

" To Bart T, I would ask you to remove that silver spoon from your mouth, but I think you have it stuck in the wrong end. Yes I was defending Alejandro, and just because his name appear to YOU the bigot of being Hispanic, he could actually be Spanish, maybe even blonde haired and blue eyed. I don't know him from Adam. It is just that whenever we challenge the bigots that say only the illegals will work the fields, then when we reply we are the ones accuessed of addressing the illegals into the blog. I made a mistake, it was 10 pounds of potatoes got me one cent, and no it wasn't in the field, and it was what I when I was 11 or 12 years old. What were you doing after school at that age, stressing out about which game you would cry to MOMMY to get you for your Nintendo? What makes you think that I who can put caucasian on all surveys worked on farms that belonged to a family member? Wished we had that kind of money. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Aug 29, 2008 12:25 PM:

" To Bart T, continued. I guess nobody has addressed all of those construction workers out there in the HOT sun, but I guess that doesn't equal sitting on a trailer being pulled around to pick tomatos. I have never said that any type of farm labor is a picnic in the park. But don't tell me that CAUCASIANS have never worked the fields. I know better. No quoting the paper itself "Families that don't receive any of these aids must complete an application and list the name and income of each person in their household. The application requires Social Security numbers as well, except for those family members without them." Now who wouldn't have a SSN? It has been a requirement to apply for a SSN for your children for how many years now? One of mine is already out of High School and I had to get one for him when he was born. So that in itself implies ILLEGALS. "

OMG what are you saying wrote on Aug 29, 2008 1:52 PM:

" Hispanic identifies a multitude of grouped people within the world. This population evolved through the cultural impact of their forced absorbtion by conquest from Spain so historically long ago.

Generally in the western world of Pacific kissed countries from Mexico on down to the tip of South America there are high concentrations of Spanish speakers regardless of race, although they may have some other syntax differences. The concentration of Spanish is also spoken in many o the Carribean Sea islands.

Although there are many in the U.S. Hispanics who have assimilated, many partially know there own cultural language well enough, many cannot even write their own language with any skill. Then we have a large population who have not assimliated to speak English, they are completely lost, speak the Spanish only verbally and they can barely read or write their native tongue.Shame!

How can America expect them to learn English, with that kind of track record. Funny though everyone in the world understands "free." "

To NHG wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:30 PM:

" Gee, next you will be telling me that you walked to school barefoot and in a foot of snow for two hours. You comments sound a lot like WDG, who sounds a lot like Al's. Old angry people.
You see that is what is wrong with people like you. You think that because you are "caucasians" the Govt. owes you everything you ask for. Just ask WDF. He wants a handout from the govt. and I don't buy his story. He probably wants a cut of the action but is having a hard time "proving" it. Everything HAS to be free for you but when someone else is getting a cut, that gets you mad. WHOA!!! Bet you live in NY in some high priced apartment and you make up those working stories to impress your friends.
If YOU and your buddies (you know what that mean in Army jargon) are so intent on stopping people from coming in illegally, or having anchor babies, then by all means join forces and go patrol the border, run for office and cut the funding for these programs, DO SOMETHING BESIDES "BLOG." Oh sorry, you have a show to go to. "




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