Mountain View News Saturday, August 1, 2026 
99BEST FRIENDS & MORE Mountain View News Saturday, August 1, 2026 
99BEST FRIENDS & MORE 
PROBLEMS WITH PRODUCE? 

A San Diego infectious disease doctor recently made headlines 
when he said it might be best to stay away from fresh produce 
for a week or so because of a parasite called “Cyclospora”. He 
explained that even washing fruits and vegetables may not 
completely remove the parasite. 

With another produce-related outbreak making headlines, it's 
understandable that many people are wondering what's safe to 
eat. 

Over the past few years, we've heard about recalls involvinglettuce, spinach, onions, cucumbers, berries, eggs, peanut butter, 
and even ice cream. It seems like every time we turn on the 
news, another food has been pulled from store shelves because 
it might make people sick. It's enough to make anyone nervous. 

But before you stop eating fruits and vegetables, let's put thingsinto perspective. Fresh produce is still one of the healthiest 
foods you can eat. It provides vitamins, minerals, fiber, and 

Michele Silence, M.A. is a 37-year certified fitness 

antioxidants that help lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes,

professional who offers semi-private/virtual fitness 
classes. Contact Michele at michele@kid-fit. some cancers, and many other health problems. Giving up these 
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foods because of one outbreak could do more harm than good.

Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness. 

The real lesson isn't to stop eating produce. It's to become a 
smarter shopper and a safer food handler. 

Cyclospora is a tiny parasite that can contaminate fresh produce. People who become infected often 
experience severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, and extreme tiredness. The illness 
can last for days or even weeks if it isn't treated. Older adults, young children, pregnant women, and 
people with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of becoming seriously ill. 

One reason these outbreaks seem to be happening more often is because scientists can now detect 
contamination much faster than they could years ago. Food is also shipped all over the country, so if 
one farm has a problem, stores in many states may receive the same product. The good news is that 
health officials are finding these problems sooner and warning the public more quickly. 

So what can you do to protect yourself? Start by paying attention to food recalls. If health officials 
announce that a certain product has been recalled, don't assume it won't affect you. Take a few minutes 
to see if you have that product at home. If you do, throw it away or return it to the store. It isn't worth 
taking the chance. 

Next, buy produce that looks fresh and has not been damaged. Avoid packages that are leaking, torn, or 
have signs of spoilage. If you buy bagged salads or pre-cut fruit, keep them refrigerated and use them 
before the expiration date. 

Before eating fresh fruits and vegetables, wash your hands with soap and water. Then rinse produce 
under cool running water. You don't need soap, bleach, or special produce washes. Plain running water 
works well for most fruits and vegetables. 

If you're washing firm produce like apples, cucumbers, potatoes, or melons, gently scrub the surface 
with a clean vegetable brush. Even if you don't eat the peel, washing the outside first helps keep bacteria 
from getting onto the inside when you cut it.
Refrigeration is also important. Don't leave cut fruits or vegetables sitting on the counter for hours. 
Refrigerate them as soon as possible, especially during the hot summer months. Heat allows bacteria 
to multiply much faster. 

If you are especially concerned during an active outbreak, you may choose cooked vegetables instead 
of raw salads for a short time. Cooking destroys many harmful germs that can make people sick. You 
can also choose fruits that can be peeled, such as bananas, oranges, or avocados. These simple changes 
can lower your risk while still allowing you to enjoy a healthy diet. 

Just don’t let fear make your food choices for you. News stories are designed to get our attention. A 
food recall is important, but it doesn't mean our entire food supply is unsafe. In fact, recalls are often a 
sign that our food safety system is working. Problems are being found and the public is being warned 
before even more people become sick. 

Good health is never about one single food. It's about the choices we make day after day. Continue 
filling your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables. Eat a variety of foods. Stay informed about recalls. 
Practice good food safety at home. Most importantly, remember that healthy eating is one of the best 
investments you can make in your future. 

The next time you hear about a food recall, don't panic. Learn the facts, follow the recommendations 
from health officials, and make smart choices. A little extra caution makes sense. Giving up fresh 
produce altogether does not. 

Michele Silence, M.A. is a certified fitness professional who offers semi-private/virtual fitness classes. 
Contact Michele at michele@kid-fit.com. Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness 

HEART TELLS TALES 

Encore performance! After sold-out Los Angeles and New York runs, Omen Kaine's The 
Heart Tells Tales returns to Sierra Madre Playhouse. 

Following sold-out runs in Los Angeles and New York, Omen Kaine’s acclaimed 
psychological thriller The Heart Tells Tales returns for a special encore performance at the 
Sierra Madre Playhouse. Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart, this haunting 
production blends gripping drama with an electrifying live score to explore guilt, trauma, 
and the fragile boundaries of the human mind. Audiences who missed the original sold-
out engagement now have one more opportunity to experience the bold theatrical event 
that captivated theatergoers and established The Heart Tells Tales as one of 2025’s most 
talked-about new plays. 

POOPSY-DOO 

• Born 9/14/2025

• Great with people 
• Great with cats 
• Happy, fun girl 
Poopsy-Doo is an energetic, 
eternally happy, constantly 
curious, super snuggly 11-monthold 
female grey tabby. She and her 
siblings were born in a backyard 
and abandoned by their mom. 
She was bottle-fed and raised byher foster family since 3 days old. 

She is used to being around 
other foster cats but hasn't had 
a playmate her age since her 
siblings were adopted. She is 
great at keeping herself busy, 
constantly playing with her spiral 
toys. She would do well in a house 
with lots going on as she loves to 

get involved in everything! 

Poopsy-Doo is spayed, vaccinated, and ready for her new family. She 
is a delight in the house, with a smile constantly on her face! Apply to 
meet her at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/poopsy-doo.html or use the 
qr code. 

Pet of the Week

 Mason is the kind of dog who makes every outing morefun. This handsome 6-year-old Siberian Husky at PasadenaHumane loves exploring new places, sniffing every trail,
splashing through sprinklers, and, of course, never says no toa pup cup. He's playful, confident, and full of goofy charm, but 
he's also happy to settle into a nice, relaxed walk once he's had 
a chance to get his excitement out.

 Mason is also potty trained, knows several cues, takes treatsgently, and after a day of adventures, his favorite place to beis curled up next to his favorite person for a long, cozy nap.
And there’s no better time to adopt — starting July 31 throughAugust 9, adoption fees for dogs and cat 6 months and older,
like Mason, are waived at Pasadena Humane as part of the Hot Dog & Cool Cat Summeradoption promotion.

 The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, andage-appropriate vaccines.

 Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos of adoptablepets at pasadenahumane.org.

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA AnimalHospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phonecalls or email.