Clovis Roundup - March 28, 2024

about Clovis history on Saturday morning.

March 23, 2024 - Little boys and girls in their bandanas and hats ran around the museum on their pool noodle ponies and played with the interactive displays, while they learned a little more

Family Day at the Cultural Heritage Center is a special event just for kids 12 and under to take part in some hands-on activities and to be immersed in lots of Clovis culture.

Saturday’s event had a Rodeo theme, so the young participants got to try out a real saddle, listen to a story about a barrel racer, and make their own pool noodle ponies, before taking off into the interactive displays themselves.

March 28, 2024 - As your City Manager, I am writing to inform you about the budget challenges that the City of Clovis is facing and obtain feedback from residents about your priorities as we consider further cuts as well as potential longer term solutions to ensure that Clovis continues to be the safest city in the Valley.

With unfunded mandates from California’s state government, takeaways of local funds, and inflation being what it has for the past few years, expenses for City operations are growing faster than the City’s revenue

Jess Gonzalez @ClovisRoundup

March 16, 2024 - The word “futurity” is pretty much associated with the world of horses. It helps describe different types of competitions for horses in various age groups. The dictionary says it means a future time. . . the quality or state of being in the future.

However, while some horse competitions use the word futurity for horses two years of age,

others consider a futurity to be for horses up to five years of age. Thus, each different competition, through its governing association, determines horse eligibility and their rules.

Our futurity story. Welcome to the exciting, difficult, and highly entertaining world of reined cow-horse competition in which a Clovis area horse riding/training phenom is making a name for himself. Meet Mason Beal,

Photo courtesy of Christopher Watkins, Clovis Veterans Memorial District Two cowboys learn about Clovis Western Heritage. CRAFT

Samantha Golden sraegolden@gmail.com

See HERITAGE Pg. 4

Photo courtesy of Mason Beal Facebook

See FUTURITY Pg. 5

On March 20th, senior living community Truewood by Merrill, Clovis celebrated the 100th birthday of resident Jean Larson.

Jean had over 100 friends join her as well as two of her granddaughters, two great grandsons, and the City of Clovis Mayor, Lynne Ashbeck.

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Melissa with Lester, who donated his time and provided the rocking horse unicorn for

Country Rewind performed during the Craft Beer Crawl on March 21st.

American

President Melissa of the Ladies Auxiliary unit can be seen laughing atop the rocking horse unicorn with Tim Lobretto.

Photo courtesy of Tim "LOBO" Lobretto, Clovis Post 147 Road Captain

Photo courtesy of Truewood Merrill Clovis

Council Meeting: Annual Review of Housing and Finances

take pride in the effort [to establish affordable housing] and do its best to set an example for all others to follow.”

March 11, 2024 - The Clovis City Council meeting began with the announcement of Lt. Jim Koch’s retirement after 30 years of service to Clovis PD. March was declared American Red Cross month, in recognition of their unseen emergency workers and volunteers. Mayor Lynne Ashbeck commented, “We are a better place because people like the American Red Cross and their volunteers care. One of my favorite sayings is “plant a tree under which you will never sit” and your volunteers do that every day; they help people they will never know.”

Public comments include an invitation to a Vietnam Veteran luncheon, commentary on affordable housing, and an update on the Clovis Community College (CCC) debate team’s achievements.

Resident Brent Burdine invited the City Council to attend a National Vietnam Veterans’ Day luncheon on March 29th at 8AM at Clovis Veterans Memorial District. The event is free for all, and there will be food and entertainment provided.

Resident Malcolm Gibson began by thanking the City Council for the assisted hearing system, and commenting on its efficacy, and then spoke on the importance of affordable housing. “Any affordable housing effort… must be looked at wholistically,” Gibson said, “many factors go into making this a success. My hope is that Clovis will

Ivan Garcia, captain of the debate team and student at CCC, recapped the team’s achievements for the year. The debate team attended several tournaments, where members of the team won medals. Garcia also mentioned that the team did not have enough funding to allow them to go to state championship this year. When asked by Mayor Ashbeck how much it would cost, a member of the audience answered that $10,000 was needed– but it was already too late at the time of the City Council meeting to raise those funds. Garcia invited the City Council to their public fundraising event on March 13th at the CCC Campus.

City Planner Dave Merchen presented the annual review and update to the Regional Housing Needs (RHN) Overlay. Merchen began by stating that the RHN overlay district was established in 2018 to help the city meet their Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirements. RHNA helps ensure a variety of housing types and affordability within the city. Merchen reported that two sites were removed from the overlay because of a single family subdivision under construction in the area. The review and update was approved by unanimous vote.

Public Utilities Director Glenn Eastes brought an item for consideration–awarding a consulting services contract to the company APTIM in the amount of $100,000 to help the City of Clovis

come into compliance with SB 1383.

California Senate Bill 1383 requires California cities to implement organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery. The ultimate goal is to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, such as from high volume grocery stores and restaurants, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. Added benefits of saving food from landfills is that good food can be given to shelters, pantries, and other places that feed the needy.

By 2025, SB 1383 hopes to find 75% reduction in disposal or organics, and a 20% increase in edible food recovery. During the discussion, Mayor Ashbeck pointed out that the City currently hosts organizations like Fresno Metro Ministries that are already running surplus

food recovery programs.

Councilmember Bessinger commented that he would be voting no due to the absence of a representative from APTIM at the meeting. The motion to award the contract was carried 4-1.

Finance Director Jay Schengel presented the 5 year financial forecast, which is presented annually in March, and there was a discussion about the budget preparation for 2024 through 2025.

Resident David Rau commented on the potential impact of the Taxpayer Protection Act which will be on ballots in November of this year.

A full recording of the Clovis City Council Meeting on March 11th, 2024 can be found on Youtube, and links to the meeting minutes and the video can be found at cityofclovis.com.

Council Meeting: Quail Run residents oppose Wilson Homes Development

March 18, 2024- “We just want it to be done right, because we’ve only got one shot,” Quail Run residents echo.

The Clovis City Council meeting on March 18th ran long, and consisted primarily of a public hearing about a new Wilson Homes development along Shepherd, between North Fowler and North Sunnyside avenues next to the Quail Run rural neighborhood.

Supporters of the new development spoke highly of the new dense housing and its price for homebuyers. Dillon Robinson, second generation owner of Sierra Fire Protection said, “Affordable housing is not just a luxury. Think of the families that will benefit from these homes [and] the children that will grow up in them.”

Residents of the Quail Run neighborhood voiced their concerns over the drastic increase in housing density. With the new development, the area would be rezoned from Rural Density, at 1 house every 2 acres, to Medium-High Density, which allows for up to 15 houses per single acre. The proposed

HERITAGE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

The Heritage Center is much more than a static display of artifacts, it’s a purpose-built museum that feels like stepping into a live history book.

As a part of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, half of the exhibits at the Heritage Center are focused on aspects of Clovis’s physical history, like logging

density of the new development would be 7.77 houses per acre, totalling over new 600 homes in the 155 acre development.

The proposal also includes amenities such as walking trails, a public park, and extra funding of $162,000 from Wilson Homes directly to the County of Fresno to improve Sunnyside Avenue, with increased traffic from the new development in mind.

Residents of the 18 houses in the Quail Run neighborhood attended the public hearing to voice their disapproval of the project, and concerns were based primarily on the increased density of traffic.

Quail Run resident Patrick Menagh displayed a map showing the driving routes out of the proposed neighborhood, and to the Clovis North area schools.

The two options were to the north, using Behymer Avenue, or south to Sunnyside Avenue. “To think that 605 vehicles are going to travel south [to Sunnyside] is crazy,” Menagh said.

Other neighbors corroborated Menagh’s statements, mentioning the lack of sidewalks on their stretch of Sunnyside, the poor quality of Shepherd Avenue by the new development, and the single-lane

and agriculture, and the other half is concerned with 20th century war history.

The museum will change over time, says Director Amy Cross, “We’re continuing to tell the story rather than just…overhauling the whole thing, because there’s such a vast story to be told.”

“Eventually the whole facility will move forward in time,” says Cross, “[to] start focusing on after World War 1 until the 1940s on the home front, and once we tell that story, transitioning into World War 2.”

traffic circle serving the Lennar development on the west side of Sunnyside Avenue.

Quail Run resident Jill Poulsen said, “In the morning or after school it will only take 38 cars to cut off the entrance and exit to all of these neighborhoods at once.”

Additionally, Quail Run resident Jacqueline Ruiz voiced her concerns over the fairness of the neighborhood meetings between Wilson Homes and the Quail Run residents, “The number of meetings [is not] indicative of a collaborative process.” Ruiz said the neighborhood’s last meaningful engagement with Wilson Homes was in January of 2020, and since then she has felt that she and her neighbors' concerns have fallen on deaf ears. “We received tacit threats that Wilson homes could bypass City Council altogether and build apartments,” Ruiz said.

As the plan developed over 5 years, Ruiz said that Wilson Homes initially proposed 250 to 300 that would be cohesive with the surrounding rural neighborhood.

Quail Run resident Jared Callister says, “Everyone I… talk to who is not paid by

Cross says that a majority of their visitors are 3rd graders on field trips with their classes to learn about local history, and that she sees a lot of those students again with their parents and siblings. With its gorgeously curated informational displays on the walls, and also plenty to touch and explore, the Heritage Center is fun for kids and adults alike. Currently there is a comprehensive display of artifacts, letters and journals, and stories about Clovis’s involvement

or affiliated with Wilson is… shocked to realize the amount of homes that will go in that small area.”

Callister revealed that the Clovis Planning Commission considered this project in November and every member voted “no” with concern to density and traffic in the area. Callister quoted Commissioner Bedsted, who remarked on the jump from Rural Density to Medium-High Density, and said that the commission wants Clovis to be walkable and safe.

After the public hearing, Mayor Ashbeck stated that she would prefer that the County of Fresno, the City of Clovis, Wilson Homes, and the residents of Quail Run have 30 days of guided meditation to make changes to the project.

The rest of the council agreed, as did representatives of the parties present, and the council approved only three of the 9 resolutions making up the proposal, leaving the rest for a later date.

The next city council meeting will be held on April 8th, 2024, as the April 1st meeting was canceled.

Full agendas, minutes, and videos of Clovis City Council meetings can be found at CityOfClovis.com.

in World War 1. There’s even a replica trench for kids to explore, complete with a periscope, sandbags, and a supply room.

If you missed out on this Family Day, there will be another on Wednesday, March 27th.

Director Cross says that there will be about 4 Family Day events a year, with different themes and exhibits.

The Community Heritage Center is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM to 5PM.

Photo courtesy of Clovis Police Department Lt. Jim Koch announced his retirement after 30 years of service at the 3/11/24 city council meeting. Councilmembers in back row: Drew Basgall, Vong Mouanoutoua, Lynne Ashbeck, Drew Bessinger, and Diane Pearce. Lieutenant Jim Koch and Captain Curt Fleming in front.

Wake up Clovis: CCC partnering with the community to prepare area workforce

Jess Gonzalez @ClovisRoundup

March 28, 2024 - With our country’s job market uncertain in many respects, depending on how numbers and trends are interpreted, most sectors are doing their best to get past the employment related fluxes to try and achieve success.

Locally, one way of attempting to cope with the situation is the business community partnering with Clovis Community College to try and meet the needs of both students and area businesses. Both partners benefit; students get real-world tangible job experience while businesses have access to a better trained local workforce.

That was the main point of the talk presented by Dr. Kim Armstrong, president of Clovis Community College, during the monthly meeting of Wake Up Clovis on March 13 at the college campus.

According to Dr. Armstrong, the college is teaching and preparing its over 14,000 students to continue their educational journey at a 4-year institution, after completing their course of studies at CCC.

Or, if they so choose, they can attain instruction and training, along with a certificate of accomplishment, to go out in the world to become part of the workforce and attain gainful employment.

Though some partnerships are already in place, the college is open to more partnerships with the community. “We are still growing as an institution and we’re looking forward to such partnerships—with different businesses and industries,” Dr. Armstrong explained. A better trained workforce is more attractive

Being able to better prepare the local workforce is something that can benefit the community in many ways. Industries looking to possibly establish factories

HOLT

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

base. Between 2007 and 2023, we have seen a 39% increase in the population of the City.

Meanwhile, staffing levels for sworn personnel in both Police and Fire are at the same level or lower than they were in 2007. During the great recession the number of sworn personnel were reduced driven by budget limitations. After 15 years, we are just now getting back to the number of sworn officers we had prior to the recession.

Currently, the City allocates approximately 90% of our General Fund discretionary budget to support our Police and Fire Departments. Even with this

FUTURITY

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

a 20-year-old Fresno State student who, taught by his father, started riding horses at 3-4 years of age--16 to 17 years ago. Today, he is a master rider and horse trainer.

Since his mid-teens, Mason has won numerous reined cow horse competitions—including being the 2022 Clovis Ranch Rodeo Cow Horse Champion. In fact, his earnings in the California Reined Cow Horse Association, CRCHA, as well as in the National Reined Cow Horse Competition, NRCHA, competitions have reached

in our area are going to be much more inclined to come to the Clovis area if there is a well-trained workforce that can provide benefit to a company immediately. A lack of a well-trained local workforce makes many companies look elsewhere in their search to find the best place to root their business or industry. Of course, as business and industry grow, the city would benefit from an increased income from taxes. In turn, residents would benefit from the city being better able to provide improved municipal services and increased employment opportunities.

Settling for Plan B…or C

Studies across the country have shown students can get degrees in a certain studies, but if there are no employment opportunities available for them where the educational institution is located, they end up either moving or working outside of their area of studies. That usually means lower financial compensation for such graduates. There are many stories of degree-holding, highly educated waiters, and waitresses not being able to attain employment in their area of studies.

lopsided allocation, we’ve been forced to reduce important police services year after year in order to put more of our officers on patrol.

At the same time, while public safety is a top priority, this allocation poses challenges in balancing other essential services and addressing other important community needs like keeping our public areas safe and clean, maintaining local streets, and retaining our core small business community and local jobs.

To answer some recent questions we’ve received from community members, in governmental accounting, there is a concept known as the "Color of Money," which dictates how funds can be spent. Specifically, the City of Clovis can

$40,000 in prize money! All as an amateur!

Reined cow horse rules allow a rider to win money in competitions and still be an amateur. Training other people’s horses and giving lessons makes him a professional. With his parents’ Ernie and Shauna Beal supporting his career, Mason plans to turn pro when he finishes his Ag Major at Fresno State in in 1926. Older brother Trevor is a businessman.

Preserving the vaquero tradition. Reined cow horse association futurity events are “dedicated to preserving the vaquero tradition of training and exhibiting reined horses.” Such events are

Please be patient with us…we’re still growing

In talking about the growth of her institution, the popular educator smiled as she alluded to the new state of the art facility presently being built on the north campus. The $70 million dollar facility will add approximately 66,000 square feet of teaching space and will feature an array of rooms for science labs, a professional recording music studio, a computer lab, a science lecture hall, study space and labs and classrooms to support many other studies taught at the college. It’s grand opening will be this summer.

For the sports enthusiasts, Dr. Kim responded to a question by saying her administration and the State Center Community College District, of which Clovis Community College is a member, are looking into the costs of constructing facilities for the school to grow its sports program by adding major sports to its athletic program, such as football and baseball.

In similar manner as we, as individuals, work at being perceived when we step out the door from our homes,

only utilize General Fund discretionary dollars to support our Police and Fire departments. This means that funds from other sources, such as the Water or Sewer fund, cannot be allocated to support Police and Fire services. Sales Tax and Property Tax are the primary revenue sources for the General Fund, collectively constituting approximately two-thirds of its revenue. From the statewide sales tax of 7.25%, cities are allocated the equivalent of one penny per dollar spent.

For property taxes, we receive back approximately 14 cents of every dollar spent on property taxes. Unfortunately, not only are the majority of these funds taken by the state and other government agencies, these revenue streams are also

geared toward showing the skills and athletic abilities that are necessary for a rider and his trained ranch horse to exhibit in competitions. Basically, the rider trains his horse to demonstrate his control of cattle, speed, balance, demeanor, and responsiveness to him— the rider.

Horses involved in reined cow-horse competitions do not get the notoriety of racing horses, yet the degree to which a well-trained horse is able to work with the rider to manage cattle can give a horse a value of thousands and thousands of dollars in the horse selling market. It can be as much as $100,000 or even more!

businesses, organizations, and educational institutions also work at being viewed as being positive entities by the public they serve.

That was one of the main points communicated by Dr. Kim Armstrong, president of Clovis Community College, to all present at the monthly Wake Up Clovis breakfast meeting, sponsored by of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, at the college on Wednesday, March 13.

Dr. Armstrong’s talk, before members of the Clovis business community, was to inform on how her educational institution “is shaping the workforce of tomorrow to benefit our local business community.” And, yes, she did in fact address that important topic. Yet, as she has done in other recent public appearances, she was also selling a positive perception of the college to the people listening to her.

As an example, she mentioned that Clovis Community College, while being a 2-year community college, should not be called Clovis Junior College.

As part of the State Center Community College District—that also includes Fresno City College, Reedley College, and Madera Community College— Clovis Community College is the proper name of the educational institution. Is the name difference important?

Apparently so or Dr. Armstrong would not have mentioned it. Yet, it would appear not to make a difference to the public in general.

With either name, the business of educating students is going on at the college. But the perception that wants to be projected is that of Clovis Community College. Does it seem more sophisticated? Perhaps. So, Clovis Community College it is. Let’s be clear, an image or perception, is part of doing business everywhere in life.

Having a positive image is important and goes a long way to “selling” oneself.

incredibly volatile and subject to fluctuations based on economic conditions and external factors.

As we navigate these financial waters, we are exploring innovative approaches to ensure the continued provision of high-quality services. This may involve a comprehensive review of city operations, prioritizing projects, and continuing to seek input from our employees and residents on their preferences for the allocation of resources. To get more information on these efforts and share your feedback, please visit https://cityofclovis.com/maintainingclovis/.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding the City's finances.

Training a horse to do all such tasks is not easy. “Horse training is grueling. It takes hours and hours to train a horse daily. It must be done slowly; with lots of patience,” says Mason, whose vast horse training experience is very evident as he speaks. To start to train a horse, it is never ridden in the bronc riding tradition where the rider climbs on the horse and stays on him, as best he can, while the horse bucks repeatedly trying to throw the rider off its back.

“That’s the old way of breaking in a horse, but it can hurt the horse,” Mason says. Of course, the rider is also subject

Photo courtesy of Clovis Chamber of Commerce Executive Director & CEO of Clovis Chamber of Commerce; Greg Newman pictured with President of Clovis Community College; Dr Kim E. Armstrong.

Craft Beer Crawl kicks off this year’s Old Town events

Samantha Golden sraegolden@gmail.com

March 21, 2024 - Craft Beer Crawl goers dressed in some of their best green outfits for St. Patricks Day while they wandered around Old Town Clovis in the sunshine and sampled from some of the best local breweries around.

B.O.O.T. President and event organizer Heather Frantzich says that this is the third year for the Craft Beer Crawl in Clovis, and it’s only gotten better each year.

With 18 participating storefronts, restaurants, and other businesses in old town hosting, and tons of local representation, Frantzich says, “It’s gone so smoothly, with

better attendance than we’ve ever had.”

The event is sponsored every year by Papa’s Place, the popular bar and restaurant in the back corner of the Dewitt building.

Manager Michelle Brown says the event is great exposure, because of how tucked away the restaurant is from the street.

Papa’s Place hosts Ballast Point Brewing, out of San Diego, every year for the Craft Beer Crawl.

Fresno favorites Tioga-Sequioa and Full Circle were serving some of their popular beers, Clovis brewers Summer Fox, Incinerati, 559, Burning Sun, and Crow and Wolf showed off their stuff.

Even breweries from outside the two cities, and California-based canned cocktails brands, were in attendance.

The Central Valley Worthogs homebrew club set up their own yard party off the beaten path, at Illuminate Hair Studio on Woodworth Avenue, and they had a competitive crowd lining up to taste.

From a classic Irish red ale, to a fanciful key lime brew, the Worthogs brought 10 unique taps to delight the crowd. “We like to participate,” says Pearl Shaeffer, club president, “As you can see, we always have the longest lines, and people are willing to wait.”

With over 700 tickets sold this year, the Craft Beer Crawl had people lining up

all over Old Town, and after the taps ran dry, those who wanted more local beer made their way to Backyard Social Club to see what was on tap there for their official Craft Beer Crawl Afterparty. This event was the kick-off to Old Town Clovis’s 2024 event calendar, and the party continues with the more serene Vintage Market on March 24th, and then we’ll all get ready for the Clovis Rodeo on the last weekend in April, with the Big Hat Days street fair the first weekend in April.

If you’re looking forward to another just-for-adults event in Old Town Clovis, you won’t have to wait long for the Wine Walk on May 4th.

Photo by Samantha Golden, Clovis Roundup Several attendees of the Clovis Craft Beer Crawl wore green to celebrate St. Patricks Day.

Photo by Samantha Golden, Clovis Roundup Homebrewers of Central Valley Worthogs: (left front) Lisa Jones, (left back) Derek Nix, (middle) Kayla Smith, (right) Greg Hardin.

Guido’s Martial Arts Academy hosts grand opening

March 20, 2024 - Students of all ages showed off their skills at the ribbon cutting event for the new location of Guido’s Martial Arts Academy, at 955 Shaw Avenue.

Co-owners Justa and Mike Guido put on a big show for current and future students featuring a blend of martial arts and self-defense displays, set to exciting music.

The demonstration included kick-boxing, karate, weapons, and even brick-breaking. The academy teaches a mix of martial arts styles, while emphasizing balance, coordination, and life skills.

“Kata is basically just some choreographed fighting sequences against imaginary attackers,” Mike Guido said to the audience during the demonstration, “Sometimes you might look at kata and it’s more challenging to do an hour of kata than it is to do an hour of sparring… it’s like doing squats for an hour, almost.”

Guido’s Martial Arts Academy has been serving the community for over 7 years. “Our mission is to empower and educate the people of our community to live their best life through martial arts instruction,” says Mike Guido,” [martial arts is] the vehicle which we use to teach children quality of life skills like respect, integrity, discipline, setting goals… we help them unlock their true potential.”

During the martial arts demonstration “unlock your true potential” was echoed several times, as students and instructors of all ages performed choreographed segments of the skills they are learning from Guido.

Mike Guido says it’s all about elevating kids through their everyday lives, helping them achieve more in sports, in school, or “it could be elevating them to make sure they’re doing the right things in life.”

Some students at the event had special patches on their sleeves. “We call it TNT, ‘Teachers in Training,” Guido says, “we teach them how to be good

Pickers in the Pouring Rain at Old Town Vintage and Antiques Fair

March 24, 2024 - Sunday’s Vintage and Antiques Fair, advertised as a “rain or shine” event, got both rain and sunshine, all day long. Between bursts of downpours, the sun came out to warm things up and bring visitors out of shops to explore the many wares of the street vendors.

Old Town Clovis is home to several antique stores, so it’s no wonder that the first street fair of the year revolves around vintage items.

Owner of The Original 4th Street Antique Mall, Marty Watts says, “In fact, the rain brings out the pickers and they love that sort of atmosphere.”

Watts’ perspective comes from witnessing over 30 years of antiques fairs in Old Town Clovis.

“There’s something about it, since the old days of the Oakhurst Street Fair, it always rained,” Watts says, “and it didn’t matter, you took your umbrellas and your boots and you waded through the mud– because there were no paved streets, then– and it brings [buyers] out, they’ll eat the food, they’ll shop for the bargain.”

Some of the day’s street vendors disagree. Eric Rollins, who sells his collectibles in the Clovis Antique Mall, says that the rain made him completely change his selection for the day. “The toys I had packed to do the show couldn’t have taken the rain,” Rollins says, “So I went to a different portion of the garage, went mad for a little while, and changed it up.”

leaders in the community. We’ve got about 37 members of our TNT program, from ages 10 to 50.” These leaders assist and help teach classes at the academy, and Guido says that it helps better the quality of instruction in the martial arts overall.

The new facility features three training floors, a parent lounge, audience seating, and state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment to help Guido’s Martial Arts Academy continue to empower children and adults to be well physically and mentally.

Rollins didn’t bring his usual expensive stock, but he always brings something for the kids. Up at the front of his booth are colorful plastic figurines of familiar characters.

“My mom was taking me to antique stores as far back as I can remember… there was nothing I could touch, it wasn’t even fun most of the time, as a little kid,” Rollins says, “So, I found some fun things that are inexpensive that kids can go up and touch, and now they can go home with something.”

“There’s a buyer for everything,” Marty Watts says. “Some people want estate jewelry, some people want a trinket, some people want an Easter item right now.”

Watts says the hottest items are good solid wood furniture, and the most likely buyers are in their 20s and 30s.

Despite the rainy moments, the fair was well-attended by buyers and sellers alike.

Photo courtesy of Chamber of Commerce Justa and Mike Guido celebrate by cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of their newest location.

Photo by Samantha Golden, Clovis Roundup Buyers brave the rain to attend the Vintage and Antiques Fair.

Clovis

Clovis

Recipe

EASY EASTER EATS: One-pan dishes to make hosting simple

(Family Features)

Even if Easter hosting duties fell on your plate this year and added one more thing to your holiday to-do list, that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. After all, Easter is a time meant for fun and fellowship with the food just one part of the celebration.

Building the menu around simple, one-pan dishes can keep the focus where it needs to be: spending time and creating memories with family and friends. These dishes call for short lists of ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry, and simple preparation to create a full spread perfect for sharing with loved ones. Plus, using only one pan makes cleanup a breeze, so you can get back to the festivities quickly.

A dish like this Easter Roast lets you check both the main course

and side dishes off your list, relying on the oven to do most of the work for you after some quick prep work. Similarly easy to prepare, these Refrigerator Rolls can also be made up to six days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to bake - a perfect complement to the savory roast and veggies.

Finish off your feast with an adaptable dessert like this Blueberry Crumble. Made using just five ingredients and ready in about an hour, you can swap the blueberry pie filling and yellow cake mix for any combination that suits your guests’ tastes like apple pie filling with spice cake or cherry pie filling with chocolate cake; the sky’s the limit when it comes to satisfying that sweet tooth. For more Easter recipe inspiration, visit Culinary.net.

Easter Roast

• Salt

• pepper

• garlic powder

• 1 roast (3 pounds)

• 1 bag (1 pound) baby carrots

• 1 bag (1 1/2 pounds) trio potatoes or potato of choice

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

• 3 cups beef broth

• 1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup

• 1 tablespoon garlic pepper

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 onion, roughly chopped

• 1 bundle asparagus

Sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder over roast and rub into front, back and sides. Place seasoned roast in middle of large roasting pan.

Place carrots on one side of roasting pan and potatoes on other side.

In large bowl, mix beef broth and cream of mushroom soup with garlic pepper. Pour mixture over roast, potatoes and carrots. Sprinkle brown sugar over carrots and add chopped onion. Cover and cook 2 1/2 hours then remove from oven, add asparagus and cook uncovered 30 minutes.

Serve from pan or place on platter for more formal presentation.

Refrigerator Rolls

Yield: 18 rolls

• 2 packages yeast

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 2 cups lukewarm water

• 6-7 cups all-purpose flour, divided

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 2 eggs

• 1 stick softened butter

• oil, divided

DIRECTIONS:

In large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in lukewarm water. When yeast is foamy, add 3 cups flour. Mix in salt, eggs and butter.

Once mixed well, add remaining flour 1 cup at a time and knead dough into ball in bowl. Remove dough from bowl and place on clean surface.

Blueberry Crumble

• 1 can blueberry pie filling

• 1 box yellow cake mix

• 1 bag (4 ounces) chopped pecans

• 1 stick butter, melted

• 1/4 cup oil

• whipped cream, for serving (optional)

• vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spread pie filling on bottom of 9-by-11-inch pan. Sprinkle cake mix and pecans on top. Do not mix.

Wash and dry bowl then grease with drizzle of oil. Place dough in bowl and let rise 1 hour or store in refrigerator if making in advance.

When ready to use, grease muffin pan with oil. Roll dough into hand-size balls and place in each muffin hole; cover 1 hour. Heat oven to 350 F. Bake rolls 30 minutes.

Note: Dough can be made in advance and stored in refrigerator up to six days. If making ahead, punch down dough, cover and place in refrigerator. Punch down daily until ready to use.

Drizzle melted butter and oil on top of cake mix and pecans. Do not mix. Lift pan and tilt from side to side until cake mix is completely covered in butter. Bake 1 hour until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.

LET’S TALK CLOVIS:

Cliff and Mary Steward: A couple that loved Clovis

Peg Bos Historian/Clovis Museum Contributed

Cliff and Mary Rosano Steward shared the love they had for each other after 64 years of marriage with Clovis, the city they loved. The David Rosano family migrated from Italy in early 1900s. In 1906, they purchased a large home on 60 acres of land at the intersection of Peach and Shaw. They planted a grape vineyard and the entire family worked long hours to make their farm successful.

Mary was born on June 8, 1924 at the Clovis Sanitarium in Old Town Clovis. She graduated from Clovis High School in 1943. During that era, numerous Clovis packing sheds provided additional income for families during seasonal harvests.

In 1945, pretty Mary was working as a packer at the Lamanuzzi and Pantaleo packing shed. She was determined to meet the handsome truck driver, Cliff Steward, who arrived each day to pick up the fruit shipment. The couple began to date.

FUTURITY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

to getting hurt.

The Vaquero way of breaking in a horse uses a type of psychology. It first gets the horse to get used to its surroundings so the trainer can gain its confidence. It’s a one step at a time process that takes patience, lots of skill, and experience. In reined cow horse competitions horses are not just ridden, they also perform a variety the tasks and required nuances. The rider prompts the horse to do the task at hand, but the horse must be very well trained in order to do it.

The reined cow-horse competition. The competition is divided into three separate events with points awarded to the rider and horse team depending on their performance. The judges focus on how the horse conducts himself in carrying out the tasks hand and how well he and the rider work together.

Herd work. The rider and his horse enter the arena where a herd of 30 cattle awaits. The required task is the “cutting”—separate a single cow from

Cliff was born in Norman, Okla. in 1927. His family arrived here in 1937. He left Clovis High School in 1945 to join the Army. Cliff and Mary were married in January 1946 when he returned on leave.

While Cliff served in Japan, Mary continued to work and save money for their first home at 219 9th Street. The couple later moved to 836 Oxford where they raised their children Doylene, Shirley and Duane.

Cliff was a master carpenter. He worked for Western Homes prior to joining the Clovis Unified School District as carpenter. He became supervisor of service plant operations at CSU, Fresno in 1969. He would retire from there in 1989. He was a dedicated community servant. He served on the Clovis Police reserve (1954-1957) and received their honorary member award in 1954 and their life member award in 1974. When the police department created a mounted patrol, he rebuilt corrals at the Clovis rodeo grounds for their use.

Cliff was involved with the Clovis Boys League from 1958-1976. In addition to helping maintain the baseball diamond, he built a new concession stand and a booth for the announcer. Mary and their girls would operate the concession stand.

the rest of the herd. The horse and rider must go into the herd and get the cow out without disturbing the herd. In a period of 2 ½ minutes, the rider and his horse must successfully separate two or three cattle from the herd.

Rein work. The rider and his horse perform slow circles, loping fast, flying lead changes, spinning in each direction, and do a sliding stop, which looks spectacular, as well as backing up.

Cow work. The fast-paced event opens with the rider and his horse entering the area as a single cow is pushed out a gate on the opposite side. The cow is first boxed in at the end of the arena. It is then made to run down the long side of the arena. It must then be turned in each direction as it is run along the fence. Finally, it is maneuvered into the middle of the arena and made to turn and circle in one way and then another.

The cow must be controlled as the horse shows a smooth willingness to work the cow. He needs to respond to light rein pulls as he shows good manners and gestures. It’s man and animal working together toward a single goal—winning!

In 1964, Cliff received the Rex Phebus Award for his outstanding contribution to youth.

He joined the Clovis Rodeo Association in 1966 and served on their board of directors for 25 years, serving as president in 1981 and 1982. He helped build a new rodeo building, restrooms and rodeo stands. Their five grandchildren would ride with “Papa” while he disked the arena prior to the opening of the rodeo. Mary was a stay at home Mom until their children were raised. In 1965, she took a part time job with Theta Chi Fraternity at CSU, Fresno. She was their cook and house mom. The members quickly grew to love and respect her, even when she employed required disciplinary actions. She retired in 1985, but continued to receive thanks and praise from the many young men she served. She was always there for her family. Her projects included a garage full of Girl Scout cookies and providing homemade cookies as room mother.

Mary coordinated her 1943 class reunions and she became passionately engaged in “save the class stones” at Clovis High School when they were in jeopardy of being displaced. In 1985, she joined the Clovis Hospital Guild and was recognized as the “oldest active member

also make from $200,000 to $400,00 a year doing what he loves. Good things happen to people who work hard, have goals, know what they’re doing, and

of the guild” in 1997.

In 1997, Mary and Cliff were inducted into the Clovis Chamber Hall of Fame. Cliff served as grand marshal of the Clovis Rodeo in 1999.

They are an important part of our rich heritage.

are nice to others. Mason Beals and his horses have a great future ahead of them!

The time to come. Mason has accomplished much in a few years after learning to ride at the family ranch, Beals Quarter Horses Ranch in Clovis. He competes with his six horses—Willie, Bently, Rocky, etc.—in 18-20 competitions a year in California, Nevada, and Arizona. He is the youngest rider in the rein cow horse competitions. The next youngest rider is 20 years older. He takes all he does in stride. That’s why his competitors appreciate him. “They’re nice to me— giving tips and joking around with me,” he says smiling.

In a matter of time, Mason will turn pro and undoubtedly get even better at his chosen profession. He will

Courtesy of Clovis Museum Cliff and Mary Steward's wedding photo from January 25, 1946.

Photo courtesy of Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity

Clovis Police Detectives arrest 6 while serving search warrant

Contributed Clovis Police Department

March 21, 2024 - This morning just after 7:00 A.M., Clovis Police Detectives served a search warrant at a home near Gettysburg/Villa in relation to on-going investigations for burglary and organized retail theft.

Approximately 20 people were found on the property and were detained while detectives searched. During the warrant, it was discovered that 3 young children live at the home.

Due to the poor living conditions, 3 adults have been arrested for child endangerment. Detectives are also

working with Clovis Animal Services as 11 dogs were also found on the property. Those arrested include: 31-year-old Ryan Kitchener of Clovis for possession of stolen property and for being a convicted felon in possession of body armor, 45-year-old Betty Platts of Clovis for identity theft and possession of stolen property, 29-year-old Denise Prine of Clovis for organized retail crime, 37-year-old Jennifer Garrison of Clovis for child endangerment, 37-year-old Julie Taylor of Clovis for child endangerment, and 43-year-old Jason Goodwin of Clovis for possession of burglary tools and a controlled substance, and child endangerment.

The children were evaluated and turned over to Fresno County Child Protect Services (CPS), and most of the dogs are currently in the care of Clovis Animal Services.

Detectives are currently going through a large amount of suspected stolen and other property as they continue to investigate these cases.

If you have been the victim of a crime, we strongly encourage you to report it to your local law enforcement agency as soon as possible.

Coffee with the Chiefs

Contributed

Clovis Police Department

Join our Clovis Police & Fire Chiefs for a conversation & a free cup of coffee! Chief Fleming & Chief Ekk will be visiting different areas of Clovis during the next several weeks on Wednesday mornings, and we hope you’ll join them!

Time: 8am-9am

587 Park Creek Dr

Photo courtesy of Clovis Police Department

Top row, left to right: Ryan Kitchener, Julie Taylor, Jennifer Garrison.

Bottom row, left to right: Jason Goodwin, Denise Prine, Betty Platts

Clovis

Happenings

HAVE

EMAIL

Women's History Month

Saturday, March 30

FLAG RETIREMENT

CEREMONY

7246 N. De Wolf Ave. Clovis, CA

8 a.m. Flag Sorting

9 a.m. Retirement Ceremony

Sunday, March 31

EASTER SUNDAY

COMMUNITY EASTER LUNCHEON

Clovis Senior Activity Center 735 Third St., Clovis, CA 11 a.m.

Wednesday, April 3 COFFEE WITH THE CHIEFS

Starbucks –Ashlan/Fowler

Curt Fleming, Clovis Police Chief and Chris Ekk, Clovis Fire Chief 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Saturday, April 6 and

Sunday, April 7

BIG HAT DAYS

Old Town Clovis

Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, April 10

WAKE UP CLOVIS “IS YOUR BUSINESS PREPARED FOR A DISASTER”

Clovis Community College Herndon Campus, Room 308 390 W. Fir Ave., Clovis, CA

Saturday, April 13

54th ANNUAL IRIS SHOW “Iris on Parade”

Fresno Iris Society

Sierra Vista Mall 1050 Shaw Ave., Clovis, CA 12 p .m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday, April 13

WATER TOWER CAR SHOW 2024

Old Town Clovis on Pollasky

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 14

COMMUNITY CHOIR OF THE VALLEY

Songs of Broadway,

Television and Silver Screen Warnor Theatre

1400 Fulton St., Fresno, CA 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 17

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEFS

Starbucks – 168/ Temperance

Curt Fleming, Clovis Police Chief and Chris Ekk, Clovis Fire Chief 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Wednesday, April 24

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEFS

Starbucks – Nees/Willow

Curt Fleming, Clovis Police Chief and Chris Ekk, Clovis Fire Chief 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Wednesday, April 24

BULL RIDING – 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26

PRCA RODEO – 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 27

CLOVIS RODEO PARADE

Downtown Clovis – Clovis Ave. & Pollasky

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

2 p.m. - PRCA RODEO 7:30 p.m. – RODEO DANCE

The Upside of Frugality

eventually be worth an untold amount— would you give it up for $10, $20, or $50 in the future?

Frugal living discussions often talk about pinching pennies or “stretching a dollar.” A penny saved is a penny earned, or so the saying goes, but is that actually the case?

What if that penny saved could end up being much more over time? Turns out, living frugally can save you way more than you might think.

Money is Not Linear

Frugality is typically thought of in straightforward, or linear, terms— x plus y equals z. If you skip a daily $5 takeout coffee, you’ll save $35 a week, $150 a month or $1,800 a year.

Using that same thought process, if you cut your monthly spending in half, your income will last twice as long. Makes sense, right?

Well, yes and no. This assessment isn’t wrong, but it’s incomplete. Pinching pennies does add up in the short-term, but the long-term payoff is likely bigger than you think. This is because of the time value of money, aka: interest. When you invest the money you save, you’re stretching that dollar into something greater as it accumulates interest over time.

For instance, instead of simply saving $1,800 a year making coffee at home, you’re really saving $1,800 a year plus any interest you’d earn in investing those dollars in a money market or retirement account. That $5 cup of coffee could

Time Value of Money

Maybe cutting back seems hard to do right now, and maybe not. But it’s worth considering how valuable frugality now will be to you down the road. Lowering your expenses now so you can save more and take advantage of interest gains could be the leg up your future self needs to pay cash for a car, make a down payment on a home, go on that dream vacation, or send a kid to college.

Living frugally adds up even in retirement. Say you have $500,000 in an investment account when you retire, and you spend $75,000 a year. At a 5% return, the money will last 7 years. If you cut your savings to $50,000, you’ll get 13 years instead. But if you slash your spending in half—to $25,000 a year—the number skyrockets to 62 years. Reducing your expenses in half increases the length you can live off that initial amount by nearly 5 times. And, it’s worth noting, a 5% return on investment is fairly conservative – the average stock market return for the S&P 500 (an index fund composed of the 500 largest companies in the U.S.) across the past decade was around 14.8%. Even accounting for inflation, your money is still getting a sizable increase in value.

If you want to keep your expenses at $75,000 annually in retirement, you’ll need to save more—a lot more—than $500,000. You can live on less and save more now to build more for retirement

PLACES TO VISIT

CALIFORNIA 911 MEMORIAL

3485 Never Forget Ln., Clovis, CA

Open 365 days a year

COMMUNITY HERITAGE CENTER

3rd and Veterans Parkway

OPEN Tuesday thru Saturday

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

CLOVIS MUSEUM

4th & Pollasky, Clovis, CA

Open Tuesday thru Saturday

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CLOVIS FARMERS’ MARKETS

OLD TOWN CLOVIS FARMERS’ MARKET

Pollasky Ave., Clovis, CA

Every Saturday Year-Round

9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (weather permitting)

Sunday, April 28 110th CLOVIS RODEO FINALS Clovis Rodeo Grounds 748 Rodeo Dr., Clovis, CA 2p.m.

Wednesday, May 1

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEFS

Starbucks – Herndon/ Willow Curt Fleming, Clovis Police Chief and Chris Ekk, Clovis Fire Chief 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

(maybe even early retirement) or live on less when you get there to stretch your dollars.

Scrimp to Save?

This same concept applies to any money goal that could benefit from the runway of time. Money you save now, for the future, is worth more than the cost of what you’re sacrificing today. This doesn’t mean it’s best to get as close to zero spending as possible. You have the freedom to stretch your dollars (or not), as you choose. But it is worth considering the future costs tied to everyday spending habits, and think about how a few frugal living habits could tip the scales in your favor. In other words, a penny saved could be a nickel, a dime, a quarter, or maybe even

Friday, May 3

FRIDAY NIGHT FARMERS MARKET

Downtown Clovis / Pollasky

Every Friday thru October 25, 2024 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 4

VETERANS CAR SHOW Clovis Veterans Memorial District

808 4th St., Clovis, CA 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

a dollar or more down the road. Looking to invest your money locally while watching it grow? Check out Noble Credit Union’s high-rate money market, share certificate of deposit, and IRA options.

Noble Credit Union, voted the 2024 best credit union in Central California by the Business Journal, offers offer members full access to a wide range of financial education and services, including low rate auto loans, MyRewards Visa credit card, mortgage and equity loans, online and mobile banking, and more. For more information about membership at Noble Credit Union, call (559) 252-5000 or visit NobleCU.com.

Contributed

Gateway Track Meet: Warm weather brings impressive marks

March 28, 2024 - The arrival of warmer weather was very evident in the results of the Gateway to Track and Field meet at Clovis’ Veteran’s Memorial Stadium on March 15.

Athletes from 39 high schools from throughout the section and other parts of the state responded with some outstanding early season track and field marks.

Among the many outstanding marks achieved were a 16 plus foot pole vault, a 196’ 2” discus throw, a 48.53 clocking in the 400 meters, and a 41.69 4X100 meters relay.

While some performances were by athletes from out of the area, Clovis and other area athletes also proved they are ready for the season that will culminate with the California State Championships in the same venue on May 24 and 25.

Perhaps the outstanding mark of the

meet was the 16’2” vault by Maxwell McFarlane from Turlock who easily outleaped the field. McFarlane was only 2 inches off his performance in the 2023 state meet when he cleared 16’2” for 2nd place.

McKay Madsen of Clovis North was only 2 inches off the winning throw of last year’s state meet with a heave of 196’2’ in the discus.

Derek Smith of Buchanan threw for 180 feet in second place. Madesen, the discus silver medalist in last year’s state meet, also managed a shot-put mark of 58’7” that placed him second to teammate Brayden Bitter who threw 59’7”.

On the track, Walter Pierce, a senior at Fresno’s Central High, clocked a speedy 48.53 in the 400 meters. Teammate Emmanuel Morgan, a sophomore, was right behind him in 48.81.

Daniel Harper of El Cerrito was a 3-time gold medalist—winning the 100 meters in 10.66, the 200 in 21.54, and leading El Cerrito to a quick 41.69 in the

Spring sports in full season bloom

the top 10 is liberty of Madera with a perfect 12-0 record.

4X100 meters relay. Buchanan clocked a fast 41.93 for second in that relay. Promising marks were posted by Sophomore Tyree Sams of Clovis North and Jacob Saldate of Clovis High in the 100 meters. Sams clocked 10.81 for second place while Saldate was timed at 10.86 for third.

Devin Ibarra from Visalia’s El Diamante High School impressed with a distance double; winning the 1600 meters in 4:15.85 and the 3200 meters run in 9:28.09.

Clovis took first in the 4X400 relay with a 3:21.85, followed by Buchanan at 3:22.36. Harold Duvall of Clovis East was the long jump winner with a jump of 22’6”.

A tight finish in the 800 meters saw Aidan Ransom of Edison win in 1:57.90, but three Clovis area runners were all in the mix and clocked fast times. Teg Pandher of Clovis North finished second in 1:58.16. Third place went to Jordan Herrera of Clovis East in 1:58.76. Andres

Diaz of Buchanan also finished under 1:58 with a fourth-place time of 1:58.96.

Girls’ competition

An impressive early season double was posted by Mia Torrecillas of Highland High School in Bakersfield. She won the 1600 meters in 5:00.66 and the 3200 event in 10:49.21.

Bella Turner of Liberty High of Bakersfield won both hurdles’ events. Her winning time in the 100 meters event was 14.81 while clocking 45.07 in the 300 meters hurdles.

A good early season performance was achieved by Peyton Bedrosian of Paso Robles who took the vault at 12’4”.

Local winners included Zoe Goldsmith of Clovis North in the 100 meters in 12.18 with Victoria Chatter of Buchanan getting second in a time of 12.31.

Clovis North’s Emerson Parks took the gold in the 800 meters clocking 2:14.22. Indiana Davis of Clovis East cleared the bar at 5’4” to take the high jump.

9. Pioneer Valley (Santa Maria) 9-2

10. Liberty (Madera) 12-0

March 28, 2024 - Just like the fruit trees that are plentiful in the fields that thrive in our valley this time of the year, high school baseball is in full bloom.

Surprisingly, Clovis area teams seem to be taking their time claiming their relatively usual spots in the rankings of the top high school teams in the CIF Central Section. Only Clovis North, 6th and the Clovis Cougars, in 8th and are ranked in the top 10.

This time around Bakersfield teams occupy the top three spots in the rankings. The only still undefeated team in

Of course, it is early in the season and things can change rapidly with all the games being played every week. This being Easter week, there will be plenty of baseball being played throughout the valley!

Central Section Baseball Rankings (As of 3/21/24)

1. Liberty (Bakersfield) 9-1

2. Frontier (Bakersfield) 10-1

3. Bakersfield Christian 9-1

4. Kingsburg 9-2

5. Kerman 8-2

6. Clovis North 7-2

Girls Softball

Much like it did at times during the winter basketball sports season, St. Joseph’s of Santa Maria seats at the top of the CIF Central Section softball rankings at this early stage of the spring sports season.

So, why is a school of around 500 students (according to the school’s attendance office) so successful? As a prep school it attracts students from different areas; many of them outstanding athletes. That’s the secret to their success.

Two Clovis schools are ranked in the top 10. Clovis North is in 3rd and Buchanan is 5th. The only top 10 team without a defeat is Taft—but it has one tie.

Central Section Softball Rankings (As of 3/21/2024)

1. St. Joseph’s (Santa Maria) 9-1-1

2. Central (Fresno) 10 -2

3. Clovis North 9-1

4. Kingsburg 8-2-1

5. Buchanan 9-1-1

6. Centennial (Bakersfield) 9-2

7. Bakersfield Christian 9-1

8. Liberty (Bakersfield) 11-1

9. Sanger 10-1

10. Taft 10-0-1

Jess Gonzalez

@ClovisRoundup

Jess Gonzalez

@ClovisRoundup

Photo b Clovis North itter throws the shot in one of his attempts at the Gateway to Track and Field would win the event with a toss of 59 feet, 7 inches.

Photo by Armando Negrete, Instagram @etergen_sports

Clovis North junior Emilia Lev competes in the Varsity girls 3200-meter run at the Gateway to Track and Field Invitational. Lev ran a personal record, clocking 11 minutes, and 55.01 seconds for the two-mile race.

Photo by Armando Negrete, Instagram @etergen_sports

Clovis North juniors Emmerson Parks (Clovis North) and Sierra Cornett race in the Varsity girls 800-meter run at the Gateway to Track and Field Invitational. Parks clocked a respectable time of 2:14.22 to win the event and continues an impressive start to the track and field season.

Photo courtesy of Armando Negrete, Instagram @etergen_sports

March 15th, 2024- Buchanan high school hurdler Kareem Alsabar competes at the Gateway to Track and Field Invitational at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Above, photo courtesy of Armando Negrete, Instagram @etergen_sports

Clovis North senior Brayden Bitter throws the shot in one of his attempts at the Gateway to Track and Field Invitational. Bitter would win the event with a toss of 59 feet, 7 inches.

Left, photo courtesy of Armando Negrete, Instagram @etergen_sports

Clovis North junior Emilia Lev competes in the Varsity girls 3200-meter run at the Gateway to Track and Field Invitational. Lev ran a personal record, clocking 11 minutes, and 55.01 seconds for the two-mile race.

Photo courtesy of Armando Negrete, Instagram @etergen_sports Clovis North juniors Emmerson Parks (Clovis North) and Sierra Cornett race in the Varsity girls 800-meter run at the Gateway to Track and Field Invitational. Parks clocked a respectable time of 2:14.22 to win the event and continues an impressive start to the track and field season.

Valley British Auto Club’s car show raised over $1700 for Central Valley Veterans

Samantha Golden sraegolden@gmail.com

March 23, 2024 - The Valley British Auto Club held their annual Clovis British Auto Roundup on Sunday, at the same time as the Old Town Clovis Vintage Market, on a day of alternating sunshine and downpours.

“Typically speaking, we have pretty good weather, except for today,” said Valley British Auto Club President Jon Brothers, “but we really love coming to Old Town Clovis, just for the atmosphere– and it certainly helps that B.O.O.T. is here to support us.”

It was the 21st annual Clovis British Auto Roundup, and for the last four years the Clovis British Auto Roundup has taken place the last weekend in March, during the first Old Town Clovis street fair of each year.

The auto show is a friendly competition, where collectors from all over California and beyond bring their British “marques”– that’s the UK equivalent of a car’s “make” here in the U.S.– like

Aston-Martin, MG, Mini, Triumph. The cars are judged and awarded in categories.

For instance, Brothers reported that the owner of a 1970s Triumph TR-6 which was driven all the way from Reno, Nevada won the prize for longest distance driven to the show.

This year’s Clovis British Auto Roundup was themed around the 100th anniversary of the MG, or Morris Garage, marque. The lucky owner of the best in show MG went home with a large octagonal trophy, reminiscent of the classic MG logo.

“MG is probably one of the most widely sought after cars,” Brother said, “They’re very popular…that’s the way I look at the MG, the popularity aspect of it is kind of like the Volkswagen.”

Brothers himself is an enthusiast of the Cooper, and he owns a 1970 Austin Mini Cooper S MkII that he bought “On a handshake” about 14 years ago. Imported by Kjell Qvales, and with an engine built by Joe Huffaker, Brothers says he loves his car for the mystique, the history of the men, and the history of auto racing in it.

Brothers had the honor of giving the President’s Award to a really special car. Before the decision, Brothers said, “I already know what car it is and it’s just something … I mean if I wanted any car here, it would be that one. It’s an oddball thing.”

“It’s always been kinda quirky,” Brothers said about the past President’s Awards winners selected by former club president Warren Prouty, “I’m following

in some pretty huge footsteps, and he always picked some really weird cars.”

The President’s Award for this year’s show went to a 1980 Triumph TR-8. “[The owner] changed the engine and transmission, he completely rebuilt it from front to back and bottom to top,” Brothers said, “It was just kinda cool.” Brothers said that the owner seemed to turn the car into a kind of street hot rod, or “sleeper”. “They [the TR-8] came with V-8s, but what he had done was unorthodox, kind of a one-off build,” Brothers said.

The Valley British Auto Club is more than just a collector’s club, it’s also a

nonprofit organization that uses the spectacle of British-made automobiles to raise money for a good cause.

The Clovis Auto Roundup hosts a raffle with all proceeds going to the Central Valley Veterans organization.The raffle table included prizes from Crow and Wolf, Elaine’s Pet Resort, and other local donors, $1 or $20 tickets, and prizes worth between $100 and $2,000. Top prize this year was a motorized scooter. Last year, the club gave over $1,300 to the organization, and this year the raffle brought in over $1,700 in donations, according to Brothers.

Photo by Samantha Golden, Clovis Roundup

A 1954 Jaguar XK-120 Drophead Coupe on display at the car show.

Photo by Samantha Golden, Clovis Roundup Some of the cars featured in the auto roundup.

Lieutenant Jim Koch retires from Clovis PD after 32 year career

Samantha Golden sraegolden@gmail.com

March 22, 2024 - After 32 years of service to the Clovis Police Department, Lieutenant Jim Koch’s retirement was recognized at the March 11th City Council meeting, with kind words and stories from Chief Curt Fleming and the members of the council.

Lt. Koch was officially recognized for 27 years on the police force, but his career began several years before that as a Reserve Officer.

“I’ll be leaving a big part of my life here,” Koch said, “the people I work with, you end up spending more time with them than you do your family, so it’s going to be a little change for me.”

A particularly touching story was shared by Councilmember Drew Bessinger, who heard that Lt. Koch once finished mowing the lawn for a woman whose husband was taken to the hospital in the middle of the task.

“Lieutenant Koch noticed his lawn was particularly mowed, and decided to finish it for him before putting his mower away,” said Captain Fleming.

“There’s thousands and thousands of other stories similar to that,” Koch said, “where officers go above and beyond–and it’s because we want to leave people better than the way we found them.”

“Our officers do things for the right reason, not for recognition,” said Captain Fleming.

Both Koch and Fleming agree that

police work is about more than just fighting crime– it’s about doing better for the community, and helping people in any way you can.

“You are the example of public safety being about so much more than a couple of the cases that we heard about, “ Councilmember Diane Pearce said to Lieutenant Koch at the council meeting, “That community element of providing safety to the public is so integral to what Clovis is and why people choose to be here.”

Council members echoed sentimentally that Lt. Koch has passed along the knowledge and wisdom that he has acquired over his tenure to new generations of police officers through his training.

“We will miss you, we love you, and we wish you the very best in retirement,” Mayor Ashbeck concluded.

Koch plans to stay busy in his retirement. He says that he plans to take a short vacation, while taking on some home improvement projects.

Photo courtesy of the Clovis Police Department Lt Koch; Clovis City Councilmember (and retired Clovis Police Chief) Matt Basgall. The plaque is for his service.

Photo courtesy of the Clovis Police Department Lt Koch with his “shadow box” and Chief Fleming at the retirement ceremony.

Photo courtesy of the Clovis Police Department Lt Koch placing his 25 year plaque on the Clovis Police Officer Association Wall of Heroes.