It's time to make ag science center a top priority

last updated: November 17, 2007 01:13:09 AM

The Stanislaus Ag Science Center is a very good idea that has been overshadowed by other community projects, most notably the Gallo Center for the Arts. With the Gallo Center open and with a couple of promising developments on its behalf, the ag center should move to the forefront.

The Ag Science Center is not a museum. It's intended as an educational and informational space to explain to valley residents and visitors how food is grown. It will be built on the Modesto Junior College West Campus, adjoining an ag pavilion that the Yosemite Community College District plans to build. The site is excellent, visible from Highway 99.

Federal representatives are trying to get the ag center designated as a project of national interest. Reps. Dennis Cardoza and George Radanovich initiated the legislation; Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer recently joined the push.

More important, the foundation board now has representatives from some large agribusiness companies. Monsanto, for instance, contributed $150,000 toward a biotechnology exhibit.

The center has a long way to go in reaching its goal of $23 million it expects to need for construction and some 30 interactive exhibits. So far, $4 million has been raised, boosted by $60,000 at the annual fund-raising dinner Thursday that drew about 450 people.

It's likely that Phil McGovern knew Modesto's YMCA was in trouble before the rest of us. And he decided to move across the nation to take the job as CEO anyway. McGovern's appointment was announced this week, just two weeks after it was learned the YMCA is nearly $2 million in debt and could lose its McHenry Avenue building. But McGovern told The Bee that he's not moving from Maryland "to oversee the closing of anything." Such spirit is exactly what the Y needs if it is to be saved.

Enthusiasm aside, all of our area's nonprofit organizations might be facing hard times this year. The economy is slowing, we're at the epicenter of the nation's foreclosure crisis, and people are nervous about their money. While generous donors raised $189,567 for The Salvation Army in its Kettle Kickoff this week, their total fell for the second year from the record $198,715 raised in 2005. We hope everyone can find room in their hearts and their wallets to help the less fortunate.

A north Stanislaus expressway got just a little bit closer to becoming reality this week. Modesto, Riverbank and the Stanislaus Council of Governments joined Oakdale and the county in approving $30,000 each to help pay for a study of the project. No doubt, this is a long-term plan. But without the study, nothing gets done. With it, at least we have a chance to make real improvements in reducing east-west gridlock. The most impressive aspect was that five different entities acted together to get this done. Such unanimity of purpose has been rare. Whether we get the roadway or not, at least we have evidence that many of our elected leaders can be smart and decisive when motivated.

Not sure what the weather will be this week, but we guarantee snow in Modesto on Dec. 1. As part of the four-day Downtown Extravaganza and Celebration of Lights, Dodge Ridge Ski Resort will provide a stunt demonstration on a 30-foot hill of snow in the Centre Plaza parking lot from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The extravaganza begins Nov. 29 with the city's official Christmas tree lighting and continues with movies, a Dickens Faire, a farmers market and more at various downtown locations.

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