Opinion: Stories through song
Originally published July 20, 2013. • • • Last Tuesday my calendar reminded me that on that day in 1981 folk singer Harry Chapin died. If you’re not familiar with him, his most famous songs were “Cats in the Cradle,” and “Taxi.” The summer between my freshman and sophomore year in high school, I bartered […]
Opinion: Cruising main street
First published Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013. • • • This week, my column celebrates its seventh year as a weekly feature of The Madera Tribune. When I played journalist Lois Lane as a child, I dreamed of the day when I would have my very own soapbox on which to rant. I am honored to […]
12 years of Gravy
Originally published Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. • • • A celebration of the life of Tami Jo Nix will be held on Wednesday, June 11, in the Will Gill Pavilion building at the Madera County Farm Bureau, 1102 S. Pine Street, Madera, CA, from Noon-2 p.m. Please let us know if you plan to attend. […]
Mourning the death of Leon Emo
A celebration of the life of Tami Jo Nix will be held on Wednesday, June 11, in the Will Gill Pavilion building at the Madera County Farm Bureau, 1102 S. Pine Street, Madera, CA, from Noon-2 p.m. Please let us know if you plan to attend. Originally published May 21, 2016. • • • Yesterday […]
Honoring 15 years
Originally published Oct. 6, 2021. • • • As I write this, I am celebrating 15 years of bringing to you, our supportive readership, my little column Gravy by the Slice. While I know my musings will never be the most important article in The Madera Tribune, I can only hope in any given edition […]
Tami Jo’s first ‘Gravy by the Slice’
Originally published Sept. 30, 2006. • • • As you read this, Brother Cal Tatum, who used to columnize in this space, is well on his way to Wyoming, where he will become managing editor of the twice-weekly paper in Evanston. God speed, good buddy! I have asked the Great and Powerful Doud to let […]
A life blessed with many adventures: Tami Jo Nix, Oct. 16, 1955-May 5, 2025
Tami Jo Nix, 69, died May 5, 2025 in Madera. She was a native and lifelong resident of Madera. She was a journalist and photographer for The Madera Tribune, and a Notary Public. She was former National Secretary and National Director-At-Large of the Toy Train Operating Society. In 1997, she was awarded an honorary life […]
Opinion: Thanx, QuoVada
May is an auspicious month. It begins with May Day, then the running of the Kentucky Derby, followed by Star Wars day, “May the 4th be with you,” then Cinco de Mayo, according to calendar.com. Every day has a commemorative component attached to it. One of the most important ones is this weekend’s Mother’s Day. […]
Opinion: Happy Easter
I am still looking for a nice place to live. I have until April 27 to move. I prefer a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in a gated community. I haven’t ever rented a house or moved on my own. When my husband died, the thought of life with no adult supervision sounded both terrifying and intriguing. […]
Opinion: Kids at church camp
The recent storms have been glorious. The smell of rain-washed air and the lack of dust makes for such a pleasant environment. According to the Weather Channel app on my phone, it will be Monday before the next storm rolls in, with a 65 percent chance of rain. Cars parked outside need just a thin, […]