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Pistachio Party to Highlight this Friday’s Farmers Market

Jesus Cano

@Jesus_Cano88

Some people are quite familiar with the Pistachio Party, which will take place this upcoming Friday, for the uniqueness it brings to Old Town Clovis, but very few are aware of how critical this event is for the Central Valley.

“The heart of the valley is also the heart of pistachio country,” said Wesley Wilson, a communications member from American Pistachio Growers (APG). “It’s a great opportunity for us to highlight to the community that the healthy snacks you love are grown right here.”

“Most of the big chunk of the food we eat comes right from the valley. So the farmers market is such a great way for people to see that not just with pistachios, but with local produce with almonds with just about anything and everything you can think of,” Wilson said.

APG estimates that by the end of the event, close to 800 pounds of pistachios will have been distributed to vendors, patrons and the Institute of Technology culinary academy – which is known for coming up with some nutty creations.

In the past, it has handed out pistachio-inspired treats such as pistachio pesto pasta, pistachio brittle, pistachio meringue and of course the ever-popular sample bags of straight-up pistachios. Wilson said that vendors will receive 10 pounds of pistachios to create their dishes.

Some activities at the Pistachio Party will include 60 general vendors with farmers selling produce and jewelers sharing their craft. In addition, there will be bounce houses, pony rides and a food truck alley. The event will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. September 30 at the Friday Night Farmers Market.

Frank Dalena, the owner of the Bring the Juice Podcast will be doing a live recording of the podcast with Fresno State alumnus and professional boxer, Marc Castro.

“More people are attending this year than even last year,” Heather Frantzich, executive director of Business Organization of Old Town (B.O.O.T.) said.

“Our attendance has been really good this season. And you know, we just appreciate local support shopping local. And we’re ecstatic to be able to have the Pistachio Party back again this year.”

A couple of weeks ago, it was decided to cancel the farmer’s market because of extreme heat. According to Frantzich, not only was it to keep patrons safe but also vendors and their products. That should not be an issue this year, as it will be a high of 94 degrees on Friday night.

Clovis Roundup Photo

Photo taken in 2018. Miss California 2018 MacKenzie Freed poses with Mr. Pistachio in front of the American Pistachio Growers booth during the Pistachio Party in Old Town Clovis. APG was handing out pistachio pesto pasta and pistachio brittle and merengue samples to market goers.

CLOVISFEST

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The International Village was home to booths related to Hmong and Hawaiian cultures among others as well as a stage in which enriching performances from several cultural backgrounds could be viewed. Drawn by the cultural performances on stage, the idea was to immerse Clovis patrons in the differences of backgrounds from different cultures that makeup the Central Valley as much as they do Clovis itself.

Sponsored by the Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau, the International Village portion of ClovisFest was a great way to “Highlight the community and the cultures that make up our community,” according to Greg Newman, CEO of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce and Newman were delighted to see large crowds both days of ClovisFest, and stated that there was “perfect flying weather” for the Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly. “The pilots were thrilled, they love coming to Clovis for this event.”

Newman went on, talking about the overall atmosphere of the event. “Fantastic crowds from the start, you know, at 8 o’clock all the way to the end, all aspects of the event had great participation from the crowds….[Made in Clovis] was very creative, very enthusiastic.”

Made in Clovis went through its second year of utilization, as all new sorts of ideas flourished in the area set aside at ClovisFest used in order to reach a larger audience. Made in Clovis benefits those who feel they have an invention of some sort, or business that they are trying to get off the ground. Made in Clovis is hosted by both the Chamber of Commerce as well as the City of Clovis who, at the end of the pandemic, desired to try and help business owners have their dreams realized.

“Being able to showcase what they invented or what they made…they were very appreciative to be out there as well.”

Towards the end of the ClovisFest activities on Sunday, the crowds started to dwindle and the festivities started to age, yet there was still a sparkle in the sun and a gleam in the eye of those viewing the International Village or the few vendors still selling at the Made in Clovis section.

Even after ClovisFest’s audience began to dissipate however, the memory of a fun weekend, balloon watching, vendor hopping, and an observance of the multiple heritages of Clovis remained, and the people who came to celebrate were satisfied. The first weekend of fall brought what seems to be good fortune to come, and the passing over of summer into an era of change and accomplishment.

Photo by Ron Sundquist

ClovisFest is one of the biggest events in the Central Valley. The event is hosted by the Clovis Chamber of Commerce and Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino.

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CLOVIS HIGH THEATER ARTS PROGRAM PERFORMS IN FRONT OF SCHOOL BOARD

First, a special presentation was brought to the school board by new coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts Geoffrey “Jeff” Dean. The extraordinary exhibition, while short, was packed with theatrics and stunning visual demonstration springing from Clovis High School students.

The showcase of course was a performance by the cast members from the upcoming production “Tuck Everlasting”. Under the direction of Megan Hamilton, the cast executed amazing choreography and vocals in front of a large board room during the school board meeting.

“It is a privilege and an honor to serve the district, staff, students, and teachers in this new role that I have,” began Dean before a short pause, “…and tonight you are going to have a great time.”

He then brought out the Clovis High cast by announcing them as needing a “Partner in Crime”, one of the musical numbers the cast performed for the crowd along with “Join the Parade”.

Performances of the play by the “Drama Den” will run from September 30th-October 1st and October 6th-8th at 7:30 P.M. with a matinee October 1st at 2 P.M.

“Tuck Everlasting” will be the first Visual and Performing Arts presentation of the 20222023 school year for Clovis Unified.

CUSD PLANT OPERATIONS HONORED AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

The CUSD School Board then turned on a dime and honored another important factor to the Clovis Unified School District in their

JT Gomez/Clovis Roundup

New coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts, Geoffrey Dean showcasing their upcoming production, Tuck Everlasting, at the latest CUSD board meeting on Sept. 21, 2022.

Plant Operations Team. The Plant Operations Team consists of the maintenance crew in charge of grounds across Clovis Unified including all elementary, middle and high schools.

Denver Stairs brought out the Plant Operations Team to be honored and called them the district’s “championship team” when referring to the importance that the Plant Operations Team has on the school district.

Over 400 people collectively are a part of the Plant Operations Team, but only a few representatives were present at the school board meeting to be honored for their efforts. They then passed by the school board members and shook the hand of each in effort to honor their work.

Dr. Stephen Fogg remembered a time when he was in junior high and gave a real life example of how members of the Plant Operations Team can have a positive effect on students.

“I remember one time sitting and waiting for my mom [to pick me up from school], and one of the custodians came up and kind of sat by me and just kind of talked to me for a little bit and I would remember he always would remember my name after that and he would say ‘Hi’ to me. And that made a difference to me….To this day, I’m sixty years old, I remember that from junior high.”

From the eyes of a now school board member, a memory such as this shows that everyone can have an impact on a child, and the future that they hold in their minds and in their hearts.

Business Spotlight: Facelogic Skincare Spa

Adam Ricardo Solis

@Adamsoliss

The new owners of Facelogic skincare spa in Clovis are embracing the legacy of their business while providing customers with an affordable experience.

Facelogic specializes in natural and organic products, such as their highly popular Eminence strawberry rhubarb masque from Hungary. The business provides customers with membership programs that cater to their unique needs.

Susie and Sevag Tateosian bought Facelogic in July of 2022. They have since made strides to provide the type of personal service associated with the original owner Carolyn Pierce.

“Elegance mixed with luxury that anyone could afford,” is how Sevag described Facelogic’s unique service.

Incorporating a business model that emphasizes customer service and building relationships over prioritizing revenue, Facelogic is putting a focus on using organic skin products.

Susie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Fresno State and Sevag works for the Fresno County Health Department noticed during the pandemic the need for a business such as Facelogic that provided affordable skin care and products.

“I know that this kind of self care is important because there is so much going on in the world, whether it be politics, wars, sickness, …to who knows what’s next, the hour that you’re here you’re just being pampered and our estheticians do an awesome job just making you feel and look beautiful,” Sevag said.

The Tateosian’s have brought a unique identity to Facelogic aesthetically and through customer service.

Susie said she found her passion working with clients to accomplish their goals.

“Being able to just keep up with customers and being able to understand each customer’s unique situation. For example there are times when clients are going through hardships and we were able to stop payments and all that stuff until they were ready to come back and they do come back,” Susie said.

Susie and Sevag have made sure to put customers before profit, and doing so they have crafted valuable relationships.

When customers schedule a session for a date or to spend a day with a significant other, Susie and Sevag relish the opportunity to provide a unique experience.

“If we know [it’s for a special occasion], the team will make sure to put together something special, because it goes back to our [business] model, we’re not just in it to generate revenue, we’re in it to create a space where the average person can come in and get a facial and it’s luxury,” stated Sevag.

Receptionist, Linda Salas said she has seen the work the Tateosian’s have put into rebuilding Facelogic.

“I love the owners, they’re awesome. They seem to be really trying to bring this place up… I think it’s good that they’re getting their stuff out there more,” Salas said.

To continue being involved with the community, the Tateosian’s hold raffle events along with monthly donations to nonprofits and it’s all due in part to their business model that focuses on the community and customers instead of prioritizing profits, according to Sevag.

“It’s just the business model, for us this community has been good to us and our family. Both our families came here with nothing as immigrants and now we’re able to provide for our family and this is just another way of giving back,” Sevag said.

Sevag said Facelogic has seen a 20% increase in clients with even more from walk-ins.

In response to the expanding clientele, Facelogic has rearranged their spa area to accommodate the privacy of clients with sectioned off individual seating, a spa area with dimmed lighting, relaxing music and a highly requested hydrafacial machine, according to Sevag.

“[Adding services] is a wonderful thing, as customers come in and get the service they’re also asking for additional stuff and we’re incorporating it into our business model,” Sevag said.

The Tateosian’s have been faced with the question of how to expand services for a growing client base. Sevag describes the situation as one they are “happy” about.

“We’re happy with the growth because we know that the growth also means additional work for the estheticians and additional work for staff and going back to our business model, if we can provide a source of income we’re all in if we can create jobs from it,” Sevag said.

Sevag commented that he and his wife Susie are blessed with support given to them and because of it they will be able to continue to support the community.

“We’ve been blessed with everything and so for us, support us and what we’re doing and what we’re going to do is continue to support the community and we are not going to raise prices and stuff like that. Just keep supporting us as you have and you’re going to feel great about yourself afterwards,” Sevag said.

Adam Solis/Clovis Roundup

Facelogic’s new owners Susie and Sevag Tateosian with morning receptionist Linda Salas. Left-to-Right: Linda Salas, Susie & Sevag Tatosian.

Adam Solis/Clovis Roundup

Facelogic’s popular products include Eminence Organics, Image Skincare, and Nairian.