Now this heat is more than just yucky -- it's turned deadly. An article in today's Bee says that authorities in Fresno County are investigating as many as 14 deaths that may be heat related. Statewide the number of casualties may be over 50.

Mayor Alan Autry described it the other day as "killer heat." And he has reacted quickly to help give citizens relief.

Fresnans who need relief from the heat can call (559) 621-HEAT (4328) to get a ride to an air-conditioned community center. A Handy Ride vehicle or a taxi will take them to and from the closest center. Autry also has 14 city buses ready to help county residents in unincorporated areas.

County and education officials are also responding to the need for relief, especially for members of our community who are most vulnerable.

My friend Linda's air conditioner went out over the weekend. She put out a call for help on an online network of mostly local friends we have through a Yahoo group, and immediately another friend, Denise, helped her by donating a portable air conditioner that she can use until she gets the problem resolved.

This is how we will get through this -- by all pulling together and helping each other out.

Posted by Lisa Maria Boyles at 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

* Your warranty has expired.
* You've just received a tax refund that you planned to use for something fun.
* You've just gotten your other family car running good.
* Summer heat in Fresno has arrived.

It never fails. Cars have an uncanny sense of timing - last Friday, just ahead of what was expected to be the hottest weekend of the year so far, my AC went out.

I noticed it on my way in to work. And right after that, I noticed that my odometer and my speedometer had also ceased to function.

My husband tried replacing the fuse that controls all three of those things, and they came back to life briefly. Then the new fuse blew too, and they died again.

I think I can live without the odometer - it just stresses me out to know how much mileage is on my 7-year-old Ford minivan. The speedometer is occasionally necessary, like when I'm flying down the freeway on my way to work.

But I cannot live without my air conditioning. Not in Fresno. So after a weekend of greatly curtailed errands so I wouldn't have to drive in the heat, my van is in the shop. Let's hope the news isn't too bad.

Posted by Lisa Maria Boyles at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Just in time for the return of 100-degree temperatures on Saturday: Old Spice, the deodorant maker, has determined that Fresno ranks 25th on the list of the nation's sweatiest cities. Phoenix proudly holds down the top spot. Its citizens produced 26 ounces of sweat per hour during a typical summer day in 2005.

From the company's press release: "[Phoenix's] average high temperature last year was 93.3 degrees -- compared to a cool 63.2 degrees for San Francisco, the nation's least sweaty city." Texas, with six of its cities in the Top 10, is the sweatiest state.

The list changes when humidity is factored in, though. High humidity means the sweat doesn't evaporate. By that measure, the 10 most uncomfortable cities in the country are Miami; Corpus Christi, Texas; Orlando, Fla.; Phoenix; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Houston; San Antonio; New Orleans; Tampa, Fla. and Fort Myers, Fla.

I think I'll head for the coast this weekend.

Posted by Russ Minick at 11:13 AM | Permalink

I saw a mention in today's paper about the opening of the Clovis farmers market. I live in Clovis and love the farmers market, but I just have one question: Why can't they start it a few weeks earlier and run it a little later into the fall? As it is, it runs through the hottest part of the year here.

Many Friday nights, it seems like a fun thing to do, but I just don't want to be outside in that miserable heat (to me, anything over 85 is miserable and I just don't do 100-plus degrees).

The farmers market in San Luis Obispo, which I visited last week while I was over there, runs every Thursday night of the year except for Thanksgiving and very rainy nights. I would love to stroll the streets of Old Town Clovis, listening to live music, watching my daugther dance and smelling all the vendors' delicious foods on a breezy April or cool(er) October evening.

Posted by Lisa Maria Boyles at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)