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INSIDE AUGUST 2011 PU BLI S H E D BY
DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 ADMINI ST RAT I ON & E DI TO RI AL
Executive Editor Karen Tellalian Assistant Editor TAYLOR VAUGHN Office Administrator MARIA GASTON Marketing Specialist Kyndal Kennedy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
ELAINE DEKASSIAN CRYSTAL R. R. EDWARDS WARREN GUBLER andy Salazar CRAIG WHEATON C. S. WYATT SHARON MOSLEY LINDA RUMINER PHIL CLINE CHRIS ROSS ART & PRO DUCT I ON
CHRIS BLY ADVERT I S I NG SALE S
Advertising Director Bridget Elmore 559.739.1747 SALES O FF I C E
801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • fax 559.738.0909 email: direct@dmiagency.com BUS INE S S M ANAG E M E N T
Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA JeffREy Malkasian EA
Direct Magazine is published twelve times a year and is distributed via direct mail to nearly 33,000 homes in Visalia. An additional 2,000 magazines are circulated at distribution points around Visalia and Tulare. Views expressed in columns are those expressed by the columnist and not necessarily those of Direct Magazine. We are dedicated to serving the community. Please call us for questions, comments, article suggestions or for information about local events at 739-1747. Fax us at 738-0909 or email us: direct@dmiagency.com. Online Issue at: www.issuu.com/dmiagency ©2011 DMI Agency
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6 Back To School
What Parents Should
Teach Children Outside the Classroom
10 Virtual Valley Online Universities: An Opportunity for Valley Residents
14 From Out of the Tules Memorable Floods: A History
18 Well, THAT Was Fun New Dog, New Games: The Unwritten Rules for Play
24 Music Scene The Gospel Whiskey Runners: Building Light from Darkness
12 Pet of the Month 15 VUSD 16 Fashion 20 Culinary 22 Focus on Fitness 26 Children's Services Network 28 Education 30 Goings-On 32 Warren Reports
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
BACK TO SCHOOL Text by Phil Cline, District Attorney
Outside the Classroom:
What Parents Should Teach Children Children today have many opportunities to learn and grow, including summer programs such as those offered by the Boys & Girls Club of Tulare County. Unfortunately, there are also many opportunities to make the wrong choices and face the consequences. As our children return to the classroom, the District Attorney’s Office encourages parents to remember that some of the most lasting lessons are learned from you...whether those lessons are supportive and good, or bad – and deadly. Learning about the law, the right way A group of elementary students from the Tulare City School District’s Gifted and Talented Education Summer Enrichment program (GATE) spent their break trying to solve a crime while studying forensics and crime scene investigation. Their program included a tour of the Tulare County Superior Court and presentations from court staff. 8
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In Porterville, sixty high school freshmen are about to embark on a four-year journey into the study of law, as the first class in the Granite Hills High School’s Law, Justice and Education Academy. The academy, one of nine Porterville Unified School District Pathway programs, is designed to offer students a small, community-oriented learning environment focused on law, justice, public safety and social serviceoriented careers. These are good examples of our children learning about the legal system in an educational setting. Unfortunately, some children are exposed to the legal system early due to poor choices, often at an age when there is no awareness of the legal consequences of their actions. Back to school is the perfect time for responsible adults to talk with students about choices and actions that can affect their lives far into the future.
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
Children aren’t mini-adults Car accidents are the number one killer of teens. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that 19 percent of U.S. fatalities were related to teen driving crashes. The potential for grave danger is not limited to teen drivers. In June, an 11-year-old boy was stopped in the Mojave Desert on Interstate 15. Deputies discovered that the mother’s boyfriend had encouraged the boy to follow him in a separate automobile. The boyfriend was charged with willful cruelty to a child resulting in possible injury or death. In Tulare County, in April 2011, an adult passenger allowed an 11-year-old girl to drive just a short distance in a driveway, which resulted in her running over and killing a toddler. In January 2010, an 11-year-old driver ran through a stop sign striking a vehicle, killing the driver, his six year-old sister, and mother. The mother’s boyfriend survived the crash and was later convicted of multiple counts, including felony child abuse and involuntary manslaughter. Although these risks are avoidable, parents often fail to consider the dangers associated with children riding other types of vehicles, such as ATVs and quads. A recent study on ATV driving found that children comprise 15 to 20 percent of all ATV drivers and children suffer 30 to 40 percent of injuries or fatalities due to ATV accidents. In 2007, in Tulare County, a 4-year-old child was riding a modified ATV when he drove across a roadway and was killed by a big rig. In September 2010, a 10-year-old boy in Kings County rode his quad out on the roadway and was killed by an oncoming truck.
According to NHTSA, the causes of the fatalities teen drivers are responsible for vary from driving under the influence to distracted driving and speeding. In 2008, it was estimated that 12.4 percent of drivers 12 and older had driven under the influence at least once. In Tulare County last year, criminal charges were filed in 67 juvenile cases where a teen was driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, distracted driving ranks with drunk driving as one of the leading causes of fatal and serious injury crashes. Distracted driving can vary from cell phone usage to eating while driving. According to NHTSA, drivers under the age of 20 are the most likely to drive distracted. This is changing, however, as a result of the tragedies that have been occurring due to the use of cell phones and texting while driving. In Rohnert Park, California, an 18-year-old young woman was texting while driving when her vehicle slammed into a two-year-old girl and her mother. The two-year-old was killed and the mother was seriously injured. Now this teen, with no prior record, is facing vehicular manslaughter charges.
Set an example As adults, it is important to lead by example. If parents obey the rules of the road, their children are more likely to follow the rules as well. SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) partnered with Liberty Mutual to research what parents can do to help their children avoid becoming part of a tragic statistic. Parents who discuss safe driving with their teen and enforce consequences are more likely to have a safe teen driver.
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
BACK TO SCHOOL
Teach children to use technology safely and appropriately Cell phone texting has become, for some teenagers, a preferred method of communication. As potentially dangerous as texting while driving, some teenagers are venturing from sending a flirtatious text message to “sexting.” Sexting is the exchange of sexually explicit conversation and nude or partially nude pictures via text messaging. Most teens probably haven’t considered the social or criminal consequences of sexting. Beyond the humiliating prospect of a photo being distributed around school, or the Internet, the minors involved could be charged criminally with possession and distribution of child pornography. Possession of a nude or semi-nude picture of a minor (on a cell phone) or forwarding
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the image may result in a felony charge and could result in the minor having to register as a sex offender, which could affect future job prospects. According to a 2009 survey, 22 percent of teen girls and 20 percent of teen boys have sent nude or semi-nude photos of themselves over the Internet or with their phones and 39 percent of all teens have sent sexually suggestive messages. Parents, contact your cell phone providers to learn about features to keep your children safe. Check out information about sexting, e-mail, and cyber bullying at www.netsmartz. org. Then talk with your kids about good choices and being safe long after the school bell stops ringing.
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TEAM GARRISON’S 2ND ANNUAL
this is an event you won’t want to miss! Shop for a Cure Boutique and Blood Drive benefiting the American Cancer Society!
Come help find a cure for cancer! Shop for a Cure is a great event that not raises money for the American Cancer Society, but also educates people about early detection methods and the Relay for Life.
Saturday, August 20th, 2011 11:00a - 5:00p at the Heritage Complex located at the International Agri-Center.
Tickets are $5 and come with a raffle ticket. Purchase yours at POSH inside Evolutions or at Paul D. Doherty Insurance in Visalia on Mooney Boulevard.
this is an event you won’t want to miss! • POSH Cancer Survivor Fashion Show. • Help save a life by donating blood at our Central CA Blood Center Blood Drive from 10am-3pm. • Purchase and decorate luminaries. • Informational Booths and Guest Speakers. • Wide variety of vendor shopping. • Door and basket raffles. • Start or join a Relay team and much MORE!
To make a donation, become a vendor, a sponsor, or get more information, contact Jennifer Garrison at (559)358-0490 or treasurablekeepsakes@live.com. Visit our Facebook page to keep up on all the latest details
www.facebook.com/ShopForACureTulareCA DIRECT MAGAZINE
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
VIRTUAL VALLEY
Online Universities:
An Opportunity for Valley Residents Individuals with college and university degrees have a substantially lower unemployment rate than others in our community. Every political, business and educational leader I’ve met in the Central Valley has told me that education is essential to improving the quality of life in our region. Unfortunately, for many Valley residents, the dream of a college degree remains merely a dream. While I have a doctorate specializing in technology and literacy education, I remain skeptical when anyone starts talking about the potential promises of online education. My research identified many barriers to success online, from poor visual design of classes to teachers not interacting with students. Too many students do not finish college degrees they start, either online or in traditional classrooms. This leaves many people burdened with debts they cannot repay. Online courses are not the same as traditional courses. Successful completion of an online course requires selfdiscipline and dedication. Some of the reasons a student might want to try online courses are the same reasons students don’t finish: unpredictable work hours and family responsibilities. One way to determine if an online course is right for you is to try several of the free online educational options. These virtual classes do not lead to degrees, but they lead to self-improvement and discovery. Some of the best free educational programs are available on Apple’s iTunes, under the iTunes U menu.
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Online lectures are available from universities such as: • Cambridge • Harvard • University of California Berkeley • Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Oxford • Stanford • Texas A&M • Yale The iTunes U lectures are the same materials presented at these prestigious institutions. I’ve listened to classes on computer programming, Greek history, and English grammar. More than a hundred universities post free content to iTunes. This is great for students at these universities since they can review a lecture anytime, anywhere. But it is fantastic for the rest of us, too, since we can learn without paying the tuitions and fees. Self-improvement might help you do a job, but I know from experience that what many employers want are college degrees and technical certifications. If you are ready to pursue a degree online, the struggles are worth the time and money. I do caution my students that they have to select degrees carefully and wisely in this economy. Georgetown University researchers have created a guide to what various college degrees are worth, based on the salaries of recent graduates. The best careers are in science, engineering and health care. You can
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
Tex t by C. S. Wyat t
read the career guide from the Center on Education and the Workforce online at: http://cew.georgetown.edu/whatsitworth. Many of the popular online degrees are in fields with low salaries and poor employment prospects. If you want to pursue an online degree in creative writing or world history, you should recognize that those degrees offer personal growth but not great job opportunities. I know several recent college graduates who did not find permanent positions. However, all the graduates I know with degrees in technology, science and math did find positions. Online programs in what are known as the “STEM” fields of science, technology, engineering and math, are being launched and expanded by some of the best universities in this nation. Many of my colleagues are resisting this shift to online courses, but the reality is that students were pursuing degrees at other institutions so they could begin careers in highdemand fields. Though some have criticized the rise of satellite campuses, for-profit colleges and online universities, the rise of these institutions has forced the cobweb-encrusted ivory towers of major universities to recognize the world is changing. It is true that some of the early for-profit online universities were nothing more than degree mills. Today, however, numerous for-profit and established major universities are providing access to excellent online degree programs. College of the Sequoias, Fresno State and Fresno Pacific University offer some courses online. Fresno Pacific, in particular, offers complete online programs for educators seeking to complete master’s degrees in specialized areas. The value of a master’s degree depends on individual career plans and what one hopes to gain from the coursework personally. Of course, online degree programs mean you are no longer limited to local colleges and universities. Some of the elite universities still require online students to meet
on campus for a few days each year, but you don’t have to attend classes on campus. Certainly, a week on campus for orientation is far more convenient than quitting your job and moving to another city. A degree from Stanford is a degree from Stanford, whether you sat in the lecture hall for a computer science course or watched the video online. With technology, I am hopeful that more Valley residents will pursue college degrees. The online programs offered by universities are going to open doors that had been closed to working adults, parents and others needing flexibility. In January, a colleague in Pennsylvania contacted me. A respected regional university specializing in technology and health care was considering launching online degree programs that would be available nationally. I originally declined the opportunity to interview for a position coordinating some of these online programs. As the days passed, I reflected on the fact that I had pursued my own education with the goal of using technology to change how our colleges and universities functioned. After discussions with friends and family, I agreed to travel to Pittsburgh in March. While there, I met with university officials and several faculty members. I wanted to ensure the online degrees were equal to the traditional degrees students had earned at this institution for nearly a century. I have accepted a position in the School of Communications and Information Systems at Robert Morris University (www.rmu.edu). My duties will include coordinating online programs in professional writing and technical communications. Online programs will be evolving, and I plan to reach out to areas like the Valley to better understand employer and prospective student needs.
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
PET MONTH of the
Hot Weather Tips for Your Pets We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger. Take these simple precautions to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately. Made in the Shade. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot. Know the Warning Signs. Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea
and vomiting along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. No Parking! Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in minutes even with the windows open. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal. If you see an animal in a car exhibiting any signs of heat stress, call your local animal care and control agency (Valley Oak SPCA: 559-6511111) or Visalia Police Department (Animal Control Dispatch: 559-713-4957) immediately!
It’s that time of year again, when thousands of unwanted kittens are born and wind up in shelters. In 2010 Valley Oak SPCA took in 15,032 dogs, puppies, cats and kittens from the community; over half never made it out of the shelter due to the lack of homes. We need the entire community’s support to help the SPCA reduce pet overpopulation and educate Tulare County on spaying and neutering their pets in addition to humane education.
Adoptable Pet of the Month
By adopting a cat from your local shelter, you will be enriching your world in many ways: • Cats are very clean, they bathe themselves! • Cats don’t need to be housebroken. Using the litter box normally comes naturally to them. • Cats are independent and can be left alone while you are at work. • Cats will entertain you with their playful antics. • Cats are therapeutic. Having a cat can help reduce your blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
VALLEY OAK SPCA 29016 HIGHWAY 99, VISALIA, CA 93277 Phone: (559) 651-1111 Web: www.vospca.org
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Meet Mia
Adult female chocolate and cream Snowshoe mix. She’s a polydactyl with six toes.
Meet Curly
Two-month-old male Gray Tabby, Domestic Short Hair kitten.
Meet Ozzy
Two-month-old male Orange Tabby, Domestic Short Hair kitten.
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
Broker/Owner NMLS #252789
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
From out
of the
Tules
Text By Linda Ruminer, Historian/Archivist at Tulare County Historical Museum
Memorable Floods:
A History Before the dams were completed in 1960 on the Kaweah and Tule Rivers, floods periodically ravaged the San Joaquin Valley. The reservoirs impounded behind the dams have provided a double bonus, storing a reliable source of life-giving irrigation water during the rainless summers, and creating two very welcome recreation areas. The Valley natives, the Yokuts, had no doubt learned to cope with rising waters long before the arrival of American farmers. But the first recorded instance of flood waters threatening farmers in the Tulare area occurred late in 1861, just 11 years before the birth of the city. Dr. William and Sofia Cartmill and four-year-old-son Wooster had just settled on a ranch about five miles northwest of the future site of Tulare. They arrived December 1 amid threatening clouds. The next day it started to rain heavily. The deluge continued for several days; the rivers floating huge logs down out of the mountains. Fearing for their lives, Mrs. Cartmill left their ranch and headed for the house of a neighbor who lived on higher ground. Young Wooster waded in water up to his armpits and clung to his mother’s skirts to keep from being washed away. That season, the wettest on record, Tulare Lake rose to unprecedented heights, and much of the Valley floor, including the ground now occupied by Tulare, was part of the huge lake. Beginning Christmas Eve 1867 and continuing for several weeks, heavy rains and melting snows in the Sierras fed such torrents that the waterlogged side of a mountain slid down into the South Fork of the Kaweah River, effectively damming the river to a great height. When the river finally broke through, the flood rushed into the Valley, bringing sand, rocks and uprooted trees as far west as Visalia. Great sections of redwood were left on the Valley floor. For years, farmers cut them up into firewood or split them for fence material. During the flood of 1888, a 16-foot boat loaded with Valley produce floated nearly 200 miles from Tulare Lake to San Francisco Bay, a feat that was not repeated for 50 years. A major news story in the Tulare Advance-Register in April 1938 reported that Tulare Lake was flooded, submerging more than 10,000 acres and causing widespread evacuation of the
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surrounding area. During that flood Frank Latta traveled from near Bakersfield through several interconnected lakes and the San Joaquin River to San Francisco in a small motor boat. The last big flood before the dams were completed occurred on December 23, 1955. Twelve inches of rain fell in as many hours up to an elevation of 9,000 feet in the Sierras. This, combined with an above-average snowpack, sent water surging down the Kaweah River at a record rate of 80,000 cubic feet per second. The result was the most disastrous flood the residents of Tulare County had ever experienced. Visalia bore the brunt of the storm, with downtown basements full of water and boats paddling down Main Street. Water stood nearly five feet deep throughout much of the flooded parts of town. The city of Tulare was high and dry, but Mooney Grove was under water, Highway 99 was closed until the waters receded, and portions of the SP tracks were washed out. The water reached three feet deep on the ground floor of the Tagus Ranch Restaurant. Pianist O. K. Webb, member of a dance combo, was among dozens of patrons and employees stranded by the flood. While others waited all night on the second floor for the water level to drop, he swam to the highway, with his blue suede shoes firmly stuffed in his blazer pockets, and caught a ride into town. All would have been well, but when he stood up in shallow water, his bare feet made painful contact with a huge patch of puncture vines.
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
VUSD Text by Craig Wheaton, Ed.D. Superintendent
Visalia Unified School District:
New Principals In a district the size of Visalia Unified, it is not unusual to have school administrators, teachers, and staff decide to retire, relocate or change positions. This year is no different. Visalia Unified welcomes four brand new principals to its ranks for 2011-12. In addition, two current principals will take on the challenge of a new site. The six schools that will sport new principals include five elementary schools and one special needs K-12 school. John Davis spent the last year as a district program specialist for the Special Education Department. Mr. Davis served as principal of Pinkham Elementary for four years before spending a year in Alaska as a special education director and site administrator. He returned to Visalia Unified this year as a program specialist. Previously, Mr. Davis served as an assistant principal for elementary and taught both regular and special education classes. John Alvarez, most recently principal for Highland Elementary, will take on a new assignment as principal of Mountain View Elementary. Mr. Alvarez has been the principal at Highland for the past three years; and prior to that, he served as assistant principal at Goshen Elementary. New to the principalship, Dedi Somavia will be the next principal for Crestwood Elementary. Ms. Somavia served as an assistant principal for both Fairview School and Crowley School. Also new, Natali Matta will take the helm at Highland Elementary after serving as the assistant principal there last year. Ms. Matta also served as the assistant principal at Mineral King Elementary for two years. Another new
principal, Adrian Leal, will take the lead at Elbow Creek Elementary. Mr. Leal has served as assistant principal at Ivanhoe and at Houston School. River Bend School is a K-12 school that serves the needs of special education students and Michel Lambert has taken the lead as principal. Mr. Lambert most recently served as assistant principal for Student Services at Valley Oak Middle School, a position he held for five years. Prior to his assignment in school administration, Mr. Lambert taught physical education at La Joya Middle School for eight years as well as served as the department chair and coached student athletes. A change in the principal offers an exciting opportunity for students, staff and members of each school community. We welcome these new faces to our schools!
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
FASHION Text by Sharon Mosley
Don't Sweat It:
Top 10 Summer Beauty Tips When it comes to putting on our makeup in the summer, many of us think, why bother? It just seems to sweat right off when you walk out the door! Still, you want to look your best. And yes, you can look cool and collected even in the summer months with the latest beauty trends. Francois Nars, founder and creative director of Francois Nars Cosmetics, has just put together a new book, Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself, and offers these tips for looking great all summer long: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. 7.
8.
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Have a professional help you choose the right shade of foundation and concealer. Always prep before applying color cosmetics: skin and eyes with primer, eyes with liner or an appropriate base of powder or cream shadow, and lips with a softening treatment balm. Blend any excess foundation on neck to create a uniform canvas. Lightly apply blush around the hairline, on the temples, along the jaw line and on the tip of the nose, as well as the cheeks, to create a natural look. Less is more. Start with a minimal amount of makeup and build up color or coverage slowly. Use loose powder to soften an effect. Erase small mistakes with a little extra foundation applied with a brush. Lighten lip color by topping it with a light shade of lip gloss.
9.
Tweeze eyebrows subtly, if at all.
10.
Have some fun! It's only makeup!
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Freelancers
WANTED Direct Magazine is looking for experienced writers. E-mail resume and writing samples to Kyndal@dmiagency.com
CARPET CLEANING BASICS
Everyone knows that it is regular vacuuming and quick attention to the expected spots and stains that keep a carpet looking its best. But even with the most diligent attention to regular carpet care, all carpets will need a deep extraction cleaning every once in awhile to remove stubborn and embedded soil. These deep cleaning methods will keep carpets looking, feeling and smelling fresh and new. • A clean carpet will last much longer than a dirty one. Soil is abrasive and the longer it is on your carpet the more it will abrade your fibers. Get rid of it as soon as possible and save your carpet. • Carpet is a giant air filter and traps contaminants from the air. You must clean this filter on a regular basis to keep it working well. So clean your carpets often and enjoy relief from allergies. Clean carpets keeps your home smelling and looking fresh.
Call Manzanita Carpet Cleaners today!
Call One of our Professionals today! “If the Stain comes back… so do we” ** **(may not apply to all stains)
(vintage typewriter not required.)
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
Well, THAT WAS FUN
New Dog, New Games:
The Unwritten Rules for Play We adopted a puppy 12 days ago. She’s a three-month old Australian Shepherd mixed with basic brown dog, and she’s quite good in the house so far. The children, however, have all lost their minds, and so has Zoe, the street kitty we took in after our own two beloved cats passed away this winter. The children are understandably excited. The cat has morphed from an unpleasant creature to a blue-eyed demon who threatens the life and welfare of all other living creatures in the household. I never liked this cat much to begin with. Our relationship has disintegrated entirely over the last week. I have plans for her, a crockpot, and an assortment of stew vegetables this coming Sunday. The group (kids and cat altogether) seems to have developed a new game around Pookie the Pup. I found the play guide earlier this morning while enticing Zoe out from under one of the kids’ beds where she had holed up to have a screaming panther hissy fit. The play guide was written on my best paper in crayon and bound with twist-ties filched from the kitchen junk drawer. It weighs approximately three pounds, and the children appear to have modeled it after the MLB Official Rule Book. RULES FOR PLAY 1. Any number or combination of children (family or neighbor) and felines may play. A minimum of one Parent Player must be present for the game. Pookie must be present for the game. 2. The objective of the game: to earn 100 points within any two-hour game, divided into two one-hour segments with 20
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potty and snack break in between. Multiple and unlimited games per day may be played. 3. Parent Players may be awake or sleeping. Children and feline players may be awake or sleeping. Pookie may be awake or sleeping. 4. Field of play: restricted to the common living areas of the household. Any plays completed on the stairwell earn double points. SCORING 1.
Falls a. Causing a Parent Player to trip and fall - 5 pts b. Causing a child or feline to trip and fall - 2 pts c. Causing Pookie to trip, fall or lose footing on the wood floor - 7 pts
2. Screams a. Causing a Parent Player to scream in terror - 10 pts * If Parent Player messes up child’s name (“Bir– Hedg– TAPPER!”) earn total 13 pts b. Causing a feline to scream in fury - 3 pts c. Causing a child to scream in glee - 3 pts 3. Food a. If food spilled from dog bowl - 3 pts * Double points if over 50% of food is spilled into the dog water bowl b. If food spilled from table - 5 pts c. If food spilled from kitchen (stove, counter, fridge) by startled Parent Player - 15 pts d. All points doubled if food is spilled directly on Pookie
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
Tex t by Crystal R. R. Edwards
The MVP ratings at this time show Zoe the Street Kitty in first place, followed closely by Tapper and Hedgehog in a tie. Birdie Sue is in last place, most likely because she is ten and entering the “boss of the world” stage with regards to the others. Put simply, she’s so busy using her many, many years of experience to instruct the others in how to get the best screams and falls out of me that she fails to complete any plays herself. The dog herself is a goofball. Her favorite past-times, aside from chewing everything she can reach, is hunting June bugs at night and harassing Pete, the toad who lives in our garden. (Yes, we’ve even named the toad. If you haven’t seen O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the name will make no sense at all. If you have seen the movie, the name will still make no sense, since Pete is a girl.) My only complaint is that she can’t simply drink from her water bowl. She stalks it, then pounces into it with both front feet as if bringing down an elk. Once her feet are completely submerged and the bowl has skidded five feet across the wood floor, she begins to dig in it. I’m not sure what, precisely, she thinks this does, but she kicks up a rooster tail of water that splashes across the kitchen and dining area. I’ve slipped and fallen twice so far. Tapper got the points for this both times because I was hustling my bustle across the house to rescue him from his sisters and Zoe. As for her name, Pookie, I can only say that the kids love the Garfield cartoon books. Having been given the right to name the puppy, Hedgehog started us off with Seraphinia Bella Dulcimer Unicornaria Dog for the three days between signing the adoption papers and picking her up. Once we actually had Pookie in the car, she was called Cupcake. Cuppy the Puppy? Uhm.
Cupcake lasted for most of the hour-long drive home, at which point I said, “She looks like a little bear.” All three kids squawked “Pookie!” at the same time, and a name was settled upon. I call her Poopie the Puck. You have no idea how appropriate this is. It’s nice to have an officemate again. My betta fish is quiet and respectful, but he doesn’t laugh at my jokes and I’m finding it hard to carry conversations with him because he’s just so angry all the time. Pookie sits in here with a chew toy (approved and otherwise) and watches me as I tap-tap-tap away on my laptop. Every now and then she dances over to lick my toes. And every now and then she disappears to some other area of the house and I end up tracking her down while carrying my Bissell SpotBot. Every rare now and rarer then we manage to get things right and I get her out the back door just in time. I’m reminded constantly of the kids’ toddler years, and I’m adapting once again to having an adorable, messy, and insane short boss. I’m remembering how to sleep-walk my way through potty times. I’ve redeveloped a fondness for cold coffee. I’m remembering to put everything up at least four feet off the ground. I’m constantly on the lookout for toys on the floor in the dark, toys which unfailingly bruise the arch of my bare foot and drop me in a whimpering pile in the middle of the living room. And soon enough her name will be mangled just as completely as I can manage, while in a parental display of incompetence I yell, “Bir– Hedg– Tapp– POOPIE!” down the hallway outside my office to call her to me for hugs.
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
CULINARY by Chris Ross | Photo by Jo Ann Chaus
Frozen-Berry Pops Ingredients: 1/3 C berry juice blend 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin 1 1/2 C low-fat vanilla yogurt 1 1/4 C frozen unsweetened berries Paper cups Aluminum foil Popsicle sticks Makes Serves 6 Servings
Directions: Place the juice in a pan, and sprinkle the gelatin over it. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until gelatin crystals dissolve. Remove the pan from the heat. Combine yogurt, berries and warm gelatin mixture in a blender. Secure lid, and blend until smooth. Fill 6-ounce paper cups with the blended mixture, and cover each with a sheet of aluminum foil. Place the cups on a cookie sheet. Insert the Popsicle stick in each cup by making a slit in the foil. Place the tray in the freezer, and freeze until hard. Peel away the paper, and enjoy!
Per serving: 71 calories; 1g fat; 3g protein
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
AUTO SHOP
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Who Are You Gonna Call?
Not Ghostbusters! Who would you turn to if your vehicle shut down on I-5? Here is a good example of knowing who to call when the unexpected happens. Last Thursday, my wife, Margie, was driving home from the Bay Area after the birth of our grandchild. On her way, I received a text saying she’d broken down on I-5 near Patterson. “Smoke came out of the dash and the oil light came on.” Not good! I was thinking, “What? Things like this do not happen to me or my family.” But it can, and it did. My wife knows that when those lights come on, it means to stop – and stop ASAP! So she quickly drove to the shoulder and shut the car down. It was 104 degrees with big rigs shooting past, which Marg hoped wouldn’t squish her. From what she told me, it looked like the heater core blew, and she needed help fast. I got on the Web and found the closest AAA repair shop: Patterson Automotive. I called the shop and they said the tow truck was on its way to pick her up. They were great. Margie said, “What a beautiful site to see in your rear view mirror – a tow truck!” The driver immediately got her in the air conditioned cab while he loaded up the Volvo. Once at the shop they confirmed that the heater had blown. To my surprise, my wife was very calm during this whole episode. Had this happened on the way up while our daughter was in labor, however, she assured me it would not have been pleasant. I’m thankful for a network of AAA and ASCCA auto repair shops up and down the state. If you break down, do you know who to call? Give us a call if you’re not sure and we’ll give you the connections you’ll need.
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Take care, “Grandpa” Jim
617 N. Akers, Visalia | 559.734.3332
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
focus fitness ON
Text by Andy & Eryn Salazar of Empower Fitness Training
Three Easy Nutritional Tips:
Start Losing Weight Today You have probably been conditioned to believe that weight loss has to be hard and that you have to focus all of your attention on the latest diet fad, weight loss supplement, or fitness routine to get results. Losing weight is not as difficult as we make it out to be. Most of us know how to lose and gain weight very well, but we don’t know how to maintain a healthy weight for a lifetime. Here are three keys to weight loss that you can implement, starting today, to drop those extra pounds—and keep them off! No sugary drinks. Cut out all calories in the form of beverages. Stick to water, and unsweetened tea, and other no-calorie beverages. One 12-ounce regular soda has 140-165 calories in it. If you have two or three sodas a day you are consuming a lot of empty calories that do nothing for you. Watch portion size. It’s all about moderation. If you deprive yourself, you are more likely to binge on poor food choices. Instead, have smaller portion sizes or give yourself one cheat day per week to have what you want, in moderation.
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Bunch up more good eating days than bad and you’re ahead of the game. Eat more fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Make healthier food choices; avoid processed foods, simple carbohydrates (e.g., white bread, pasta, juices, sweets and fast food). Choose lean meats such as skinless chicken, fish, turkey and lean cuts of beef. Preplan your meals and pack your lunch. These simple steps to losing extra weight are more than just a fad – they’re lifestyle choices. Along with an active lifestyle, these are the keys to losing weight, keeping it off, and maintaining your healthy weight. There is no magic bullet to obtaining the results you desire. You have to decide that you want it for yourself; no one can lose weight for you or push you to make that commitment to yourself. Only you are responsible for taking action and reaping the benefits of your efforts. Don’t hesitate to start implementing these strategies today, and begin your weight loss journey.
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
VISALIA FIRST ASSEMBLY Back by Popular Demand! Top 30 Leadership Guru, Samuel Chand to speak at VFA Leadership Forum Dr. Samuel R. Chand, who is sought after by churches and businesses alike for his practical and authentic approach to producing leaders, will be the keynote speaker at a Leadership Forum – Monday, August 29 at Visalia First Assembly. Church and business leaders: this is a forum you don’t want to miss. A “dream releaser” and consultant to many of today’s emerging leaders, Dr. Chand is the author of seven books, including his latest release, Ladder Focus. Dr. Chand has been a featured speaker at Visalia First Assembly and conducted a Leadership Forum in April for business leaders. In that forum, Dr. Chand did something he’d never done before by giving attendees a first-hand COUPON
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and in-depth look at three of his books. Dr. Chand serves pastors, ministries and businesses as a “leadership architect” and “change strategist.” Dr. Chand has served as a Senior Pastor, College President, Chancellor and President Emeritus. He personally consults, mentors and coaches some of the country's largest church pastors, speaks regularly at leadership conferences, churches, corporations, Leadership Roundtables, Minister's Conferences, seminars and other leadership development opportunities. He was named in the Top 30 global leadership Gurus list. As one attendee from the April forum wrote, “If you ever get invited to see Dr. Samuel Chand speak at your church or a conference, don't walk, run to see him! This mighty man of God will knock your socks off with his down-to-
earth personality, and his remarkable, almost stand-up comedy, humor…you will not be disappointed.” Tickets for this Leadership conference can be purchased at Visalia First Assembly. For more information call, 733.9070 or visit V1AG.com. Tickets are $25.00 per person and include a deluxe continental breakfast. 3737 S. Akers, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Visalia First Assembly Weekend Experiences: Saturday at 5p Sunday at 8a, 9:45a, 11:30a 3737 S. Akers Ave. Spanish Service, Sunday at 12:30p 3737 W. Walnut Ave. 559.733.9070 V1AG.com
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
MUSIC SCENE Text by kyndal kennedy | Photos by Breanne Schaap
The Gospel Whiskey Runners:
Building Light from Darkness What do you get when you mix a Prohibition-era family in the moonshine business and a father who is a preacher of hope? An Americana Mountain Soul Folk Rock band known as The Gospel Whiskey Runners. Brothers Jerrod and Ryan Turner’s family roots are the reason for the band’s provocative name and matching sound. From Kentucky, legend has it their family was in the moonshine business during the time of Prohibition, labeling them “whiskey runners.” Decades later, and on the opposite extreme, the boys’ father is a pastor at a local church and the two were raised with the message of hope and love all their lives. This intertwining of their roots and gospel upbringing resounds in the deep, heavy chords of GWR’s music and uplifting lyrics. Along with Jerrod Turner (lead vocals and guitar) and his brother Ryan Turner (mandolin, guitar and banjo), the band consists of Collette Boley (tambourine, chain box and background vocals); Michael “Burnie” Burnias (drums and percussion); Jordan Qualls (standup bassist); and Peter Amend 26
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(vocals, guitar, and bells and whistles). Since they formed in 2009, GWR has made it their purpose to show homage to their past and inspire people with their music. Living in the same small town, the members of the band had been friends for years, but it wasn’t until Christmas of 2009 that they decided to form a band. Why Christmas? “There were already songs written,” laughed Collette. “[Yeah] and we just put our style on top of the music,” added Jerrod. “For awhile we thought we were just going to do holiday songs until Jerrod was like, ‘By the way, I write music.’ So we were like, ‘Well, okay!’” Collette said with a laugh. As far as creating their unique and resounding sound, they take it a lot further than just reworking Christmas tunes. “It is an art. You’ve got an idea or a thought or a feeling or emotion or an observation that you want to paint an audible picture of, and some of those places are real painful and some of those places are real hopeless and dark. So you have to build a story through that, and with our music we are always ending
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
on the hope side of things. Bringing a song through that journey is a big crock-pot of trial and error,” Jerrod said. With overall themes of love and hope, their songs typically come from a broken place, but focus more on the light that comes through the darkness. This struggle from darkness to light is powerfully perceived through the crescendo effect of much of their music in not only message but powerful vocals and chords. Driven by the gospel, the band aims to share the hope they have found in Jesus Christ with the rest of the world. As soon as they compiled a few songs and started performing at local gigs, including the Fox Theatre and throughout California, they quickly won the hearts of their audiences and a fan base began to grow. Not long after, they got a chance to record an album. They had the talent and this great opportunity and suddenly the only obstacle was money. They sought out kickstarter.com, a website designed to help artists and creative types fund their projects by asking fans to pledge money toward an ultimate monetary goal. “We set the goal for $1,500 but we actually needed $3,000,” explained Jerrod. The band more than exceeded their goal with a grand total of $3,961 donated by fans and supporters who wanted to see them succeed.
At this point, things really began to take off. “We did it in kind of a blitz. We raised the money in eight days, and we recorded the album in eight days,” said Jerrod, still amazed it happened so quickly. As far as what’s ahead, GWR is in it for the long haul. “What’s brewed inside of me is to really give a good swing at it. I think the most terrible thing that could happen is we drop it now and 10 years down the road we look back, sitting around in a room like this and we ask, ‘What would have happened if we had done this?’ I don’t want to do that, so the resolve that’s inside of me is to give a good swing at it. I don’t know exactly what that means, but I’m willing to put all the chips on the table and go for it,” said Jerrod. “Honestly, it’s about everyone around us that makes it either hit or miss, and luckily we’ve had an awesome support group of friends and family that want to see this succeed,” added Collette. The band also is thankful for support from Ryan Stillwater at Romanced Records and Aaron Gomes at Sound N Vision, and, of course, say they owe it all to the reason behind their music, Jesus Christ. GWR produced a following from outstanding live shows, and now with their debut album due out in early Fall, the band is eager to let their fans in on even more of their heart and soul.
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
CHILDREN'S SERVICES NETWORK of Tulare County
Text by Tulare County Health and Human Services
A Destiny of Their Own: Local Resources Help Family Overcome Myriad of Obstacles Girl or boy? Pink or blue? Most parents-to-be don’t really care – they just hope their child will be born healthy and strong. Such were the feelings of Francisco and Maria when they welcomed their second daughter, Destiny, into the world. Francisco and Maria’s relationship had been a whirlwind of romance since first laying eyes on each other at a family friend’s celebration. They had fallen in love and were expecting their first child within months. They were a happy couple who believed in living life to its fullest. After Destiny, they welcomed a third child – this time a son – into their family. Their lives overflowed with the joys of marriage and family, and then, they came face-to-face with another kind of destiny. Suddenly, Destiny was unable to play with her siblings or the family dog because she would become quickly exhausted and develop a fever. By her third birthday, Destiny was extremely sick. Clear explanations of her illness were not readily available, and finding the right medical care proved to be a great challenge. As her condition steadily worsened, getting proper treatment for Destiny was further complicated by the ever-increasing costs. Additionally, Francisco and Maria 28
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encountered difficulties in understanding and arranging for services due to their limited English-speaking skills. As doctors struggled to diagnose Destiny’s illness, the family was referred to Children’s Hospital of Central California in Madera. Finally, after months of worry and frustration, Francisco and Maria learned that Destiny – and her family – would have to adapt their lifestyle to Destiny’s rare, and potentially lifelong, kidney disease. Francisco had always intended to be the sole provider for his family while Maria cared for the home and children. However, with Destiny in the hospital for long periods of time, Maria spent much of her time at Destiny’s bedside, and Francisco, without funds to pay for a babysitter, soon found that he frequently had to take time off from work to care for the other children. The family’s already taxed resources were now rapidly depleting. Some nights while Destiny slept in her hospital bed, Maria became overwhelmed with anxiety, thinking about what was happening to them and how they would get through it all. Then one day, a close friend introduced her to the Parenting
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
Network in Visalia. There she met Christina, a case manager, who shared several resources that had a significant impact on the family’s well-being. Christina brought food to Maria at the hospital and provided gas cards so that Francisco and Maria could afford to travel back and forth. In addition to such resources, Christina provided another much-needed element: compassion. Perhaps most importantly, she kept the family company through hours of waiting. While Francisco and Maria were still struggling to get their feet under them, they were informed that the sole provider of their extended family had lost his job. Francisco and Maria welcomed the seven dependent relatives into their two-bedroom apartment, but were now at a total crisis point. Destiny was stable, but had an intensive medical regimen. Their family’s two-bedroom apartment – and already meager resources – had been stretched to accommodate 12 people. Understanding their struggles, Christina referred them to Community Services and Employment Training (CSET) for housing and energy assistance, which helped them obtain a larger, more suitable living arrangement. Through their connection with Christina at the Parenting Network, Maria and Francisco gradually began to feel assured that they would have the strength to overcome their numerous obstacles. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Maria visited the Parenting Network to receive food donated by Food4Less. United Way provided gifts from an anonymous donor for the children to open at their Christmas celebration. The children’s reactions to their unexpected gifts brought overwhelming joy to the entire family. Through the resources provided by Christina and the Parenting Network, Maria and Francisco’s family was not only stabilized, but also began a journey toward growth. In the spring, Maria enrolled in the SafeCARE program, where she learned how to create a healthy family environment and strengthen the new family unit. The Parenting Network also connected the family with its Bridging the Gap (BTG) program, a school-readiness program that serves families of children ages three to five with special needs, such as Destiny’s. Taking bold steps to improve her communication skills, Maria recently graduated from English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. This accomplishment spurred her to continue her education, and she will soon complete her GED. The great poet William Shakespeare once wrote, “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.” Maria and Francisco had to face daunting challenges, but with help they have learned to adapt to a destiny they did not anticipate ... one for which they now have the tools to make their own. DIRECT MAGAZINE
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY COLLEGE The “Criminal Justice – Corrections” program at San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) in Fresno, Visalia and Hanford provides top-notch education and training – as well as enjoyable ways to learn, according to the Visalia CJC Program Director, Mitchell Villegas. “We have fun in the classroom,” said Villegas. “Whether it is a spirited debate, a mock cell extraction (removal of inmate who refuses to comply with an order), or vigorous physical training exercises, it is uncommon to complete a class without some laughter,” he said. But SJVC’s Correction program has its serious sides, as well. “Our program places a lot of emphasis on ethics,” said Villegas. “It is the cornerstone of the law enforcement industry, and we want our students to know that they have a vital responsibility to demonstrate appropriate ethical behavior at all times.” “Our Criminal Justice program graduates are head and shoulders above other candidates applying for positions with the Department of Corrections, Police or Sheriff’s Department,” said Villegas. “Our emphasis on scholastic achievement and physical conditioning makes them jobready for positions at detention facilities.” Robert Knox has been a student in the Criminal Justice program for seven months and is excelling in his studies and training. Robert especially enjoys the program’s field trips, which include visits to both county and state lock-up facilities. “We get to see firsthand what we’re getting into and get a better feel for how our training will be used,” he said. And, the hands-on training is extensive. “We train with SWAT teams and put in time at the gun range,” said Knox. “Not everyone in the CJ program has even shot a gun, so we get a feel for how to hold and fire a weapon.” “Prison hiring freezes have relaxed somewhat, and as prison guards retire, relocate or move into other areas of responsibility, positions are opening up,” said Villegas. “But they are only taking the 30
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cream of the crop – which means applicants with either a military background or an Associate’s degree will have the advantage. Our graduates will have a definite edge.” With corrections and detention facilities springing up at an astounding pace and crime on the rise, well-trained detention and corrections officers and other security personnel are in serious demand. San Joaquin Valley College in Fresno, Visalia and Hanford is meeting that demand with an accelerated Criminal Justice program designed to make graduates job-ready in just 14 months. During training, students are certified with PC 832 (Penal Code), which is required for peace officer status and CDC-R (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) correctional officer Core academy. Program graduates are finding that they are well-positioned to compete in this hot job market. Job security isn’t the only reason so many are making Criminal Justice – Corrections their career move. A national increase in crime rates translates into mobility for those well-trained in the criminal justice field. Most cities, nationwide, have corrections, detention and security positions to fill, which makes job transfers or relocations much easier. Those well-trained in this field can find work in cities across the nation. Career ladder advancements and promotions are more attainable when a field, such as corrections, experiences so much growth. This expansion also results in stronger compensation and benefits packages. Corrections students are frequently making contacts with program guest speakers and other prominent people within their industry, from both private and state facilities, who might one day employ them. SJVC’s Career Services Departments on each of the campuses also work with students to prepare them for their eventual job search by assisting with resume preparation, job interview techniques, and job referrals and placement.
Corrections Officer Training is a Smart Career Move—and Fun
“I see changes occurring in our students’ confidence – some from the first day,” said Villegas. “Our program builds on that confidence and provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed,” he said. “During our field trips to detention facilities, students begin to picture themselves working in that environment and realize they made a solid career choice.” San Joaquin Valley College’s Criminal Justice program goes beyond the minimum training required by law with coursework that includes criminal law, evidence collection and preservation, report-writing and criminal procedures. A balance of classroom instruction and handson experience gives students the greatest opportunity for successful learning. Learn: • Arrest/Control Techniques • Firearms Use • CPR/First Aid • Weaponless Defense Tactics Graduates of SJVC’s Criminal Justice program can enter the law enforcement and correctional fields in such capacities as Corrections Officer, Detention Officer, Jail Transport Officer, Detention Specialist or Deputy Corrections Officer. With additional education or training those positions could continue on to roles such as Corrections Sergeant, Administrative Supervisor, Parole Officer, Warden or Deputy Sheriff. The Criminal Justice program is offered evenings, Monday through Thursday. Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are prepared to step into a position within the criminal justice or detention arena with the confidence gained through their quality training and education. For more information about San Joaquin Valley College’s Criminal Justice program or other business, medical or technical career training program, please call toll free (866) 391-3804.
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
GOINGS-ON Fourth Wall Theatre Co. Presents RENT Directed by Corey Ralston, this production of the hit Broadway musical will be the first time the musical has been performed in the Central Valley. All profit after production costs will be donated to the LGBTQ Wellness Foundation which provides education about HIV/AIDS and provides assistance to those locally infected. When: July 22-24, 29-31, 8p Where: Main Street Theatre, 307 E. Main St., Visalia Contact: Visit www.rentvisalia.com for more details Movies in the Park Join in the fun Friday night at Riverway Sports Park for a FREE family movie night! Gather the family, grab a blanket or lawn chairs, and head out to the park for a night under the stars. The movie featured will be The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (PG 13). When: July 29, 8:30p Where: Riverway Sports Park, 3611 N. Dinuba Blvd., Visalia Contact: Visalia Parks and Recreation, 713-4365 Summer Night Lights All youth and teens are invited Saturday night for FREE food, activities and entertainment! Bring a few friends and enjoy a movie, music, games, sports and more! When: July 30, 8-11:30p Where: Riverway Sports Park, 3611 N. Dinuba Blvd., Visalia Contact: Visalia Parks and Recreation, 713-4365 Young at Art Arts Visalia features artwork created by each and every student who participates in its summer program. The Young at Art exhibit is one of the year’s most enjoyable exhibitions. Students, along with their families and friends, have the opportunity to see their artistic creations presented in a professional gallery setting. When: Aug. 3-26; Reception: Friday, Aug. 5, 6-8p Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 739-0905 Peña Planetarium – Kaluoka'Hina: The Enchanted Reef Be transported to a tropical reef, a one-of-a-kind world: colorful and foreign, full of adventure and danger, riddles and mysteries, old legends and myths; a world inhabited by creatures that are humorous and courageous, lovable and bizarre, charming and dangerous. An exciting adventure for the whole family. When: Aug. 3, 2p and 3p showings Where: Educational Enrichment Center, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: 737-6334 for ticket information. Aaron Lewis of Staind Singer/songwriter and lead singer of the rock band Staind, Aaron Lewis has recently released his solo country EP album titled Town Line. Sure to please rock and country fans alike at our very own Fox Theatre. Tickets $30/$40. When: Aug. 5, 7p doors; 8p show Where: Fox Theater, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369 32
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Blues, Brews & BBQ Join in on live music, refreshing beverages and delicious barbeque at this fun Downtown event. When: Aug. 5, 6-10p Where: Garden Street Plaza, Visalia Contact: 732-7737 or visit www.bluesbrewsandbbq.net Valley Oak SPCA Poker for Pets Valley Oak SPCA is partnering with All Valley Poker Parties for a poker FUNdraiser. Receive 2000 chips with initial $40 buy in. Payouts to be determined by number of players. Must be 21 to attend. Seating is limited, so register early! When: Aug. 6, check-in at 4:30p, cards in the air 5p Where: Visalia Rawhide Hall of Fame Clubhouse, 300 N. Giddings St., Visalia Contact: 713-4694 Visalia Community Players presents Steel Magnolias Directed by Peg Collins, this energetic play is set in Truvy’s beauty salon on the wedding day of one of its favorite patrons. Filled with hilarious repartee and a few acerbic, but humorously revealing verbal collisions, it is destined to make you laugh, cry and marvel at the resiliency of southern womanhood. When: Aug. 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, Friday-Saturday, 7:30; Sunday Matinee, 2p Where: Ice House Theatre, 410 E. Race Ave., Visalia Contact: 734-3900 23rd Tommy Elliott Memorial Golf Classic A fun-filled day of golf at the beautiful Visalia County Club. All proceeds from this fundraising event benefit on-going programs and projects of Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation. Each golf registration includes cart and green fees, tee prizes, lunch, awards reception and the team draw reception at the Vintage Press. Price: $175. When: Aug. 12, 12p shotgun start Where: Visalia Country Club, 625 N. Ranch Street, Visalia Contact: Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation, 624-2359 1st Saturday in Three Rivers Celebrate art, music, dance, storytelling, food and drink as you browse the art galleries, studios and gift shops of downtown Three Rivers. For discounts and participants visit website. When: Aug. 6, 10a-5p Where: Maps at Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or visit www.1stSaturdayTR.com Michael Bublé Crazy Love Tour Two-time Grammy Award winner Michael Bublé, whose hit songs include “Home” and “Just Haven’t Met You Yet,” visits Fresno on his international tour. When: Aug. 14, 8p Where: Save Mart Center, 2650 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno Contact: for more information visit savemartcenter.com or michaelbuble.com
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
Independent Film Night Come out to the Tulare County Library’s Independent Film Night! Showing If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle, an award-winning Romanian film. When: Aug. 18, 6p Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-2700 or www.tularecountylibrary.org Art in the Alley Themed “Creating Smiles!” the public is welcome to come out and view art on display by local artists. This event coincides with the Downtown Farmers Market. When: Aug. 18, 5-8p Where: Garden Street Plaza, Visalia Contact: 625-1520 Daniel Tosh: Tosh on Ice With razor-sharp wit and biting commentary, comedian Daniel Tosh delves into all aspects of the Internet, from the absolutely absurd to the incredibly ingenious. Tosh is taking his talents from his TV show to the road on this International tour. When: Aug. 19, 7p Where: Fresno Convention Center-William Saroyan Theatre, 700 M St., Fresno Contact: visit ticketmaster.com for tickets Visalia Rescue Mission Golf Skills Challenge This event not only supports a worthwhile cause, but is a whole lot of fun as well! Teams will be made up of four so get your team together and give the Mission a call to register. Sponsorships are also available. When: Aug. 19; check-in is 7:45a, 9a shotgun start Where: Valley Oaks Golf Course, 1800 S. Plaza St.,Visalia Contact: VRM, 740-4178 or email hope@visaliarescue.org Peña Planetarium - Dawn of the Space Age From the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, to the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights, you’ll be captivated by this most accurate historic reconstruction of Man’s first steps into space. When: Aug. 26, 7p Where: Educational Enrichment Center, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: 737-6334 for ticket information. Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show Known as one of the best and most entertaining Rolling Stones tribute bands, Satisfaction will be performing in Visalia for one night. Get ready to rock and roll! When: Aug. 26, 9p Where: The Cellar Door, 101 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: Venue, 636-9463
51st Annual Fresno Greek Fest An event beloved by the community, this year’s Greek Fest is bigger and better than ever! Bring out the whole family and enjoy food, fun and entertainment. This year features an expanded kids’ play area with water slides and youth Olympics, art tours, cooking demonstrations and more. When: Aug. 26-28; Fri, 5p-midnight; Sat. 11a-midnight; Sun. 11a-6p Where: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2219 N. Orchard, Fresno Contact: 354-1409 or info@fresnogreekfest.com Kathleen Madigan The hilarious comedian who has appeared on various TV shows including Last Comic Standing, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and many more will be at the Fox Theatre. If you are looking for a good laugh, this is the place to be! Tickets: $20/$25 When: Aug. 27, 7p doors open; 8p show Where: Fox Theater, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369 Shop for a Cure Boutique Benefiting the American Cancer Society, this second annual event features a POSH Survivor Fashion Show and blood drive. Come out and support a worthwhile cause and help find a cure for cancer. When: Aug. 29, 11a-5p Where: International Agri-Center, 4450 S. Laspina St., Tulare Contact: Jennifer Garrison, 358-0490 Visalia Rescue Mission 30th Anniversary Banquet Featuring Will Graham (grandson of Billy Graham) and local artist Travis Aicklen, the night is sure to be a great evening for all those supporting the hard work of the Visalia Rescue Mission. When: Aug. 30, 6p Where: Visalia First Assembly, 3737 S. Akers St.,Visalia Contact: VRM, 740-4178 or email hope@visaliarescue.org Tulare County Library First Tuesday Book Club (August 2, 6:30p) Mystery Readers (August 17, 6:30p) Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-2700 or www.tularecountylibrary.org Visalia Farmers’ Market – Harvest of the Valley Weekly event open to the public featuring free live music, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations and local, fresh produce available for purchase. When: Thursdays, Downtown Visalia 5-8p; Saturdays, Sequoia Mall, Sears parking lot 8-11:30a Where: Main Street, Visalia, and Sears parking lot at Mooney and Caldwell, Visalia Contact: 967-6722 or www.visaliafarmersmarket.com
If you would like to have your event considered for a free listing in our “Goings-On” section, please email your submission to direct@dmiagency.com or fax to 738-0909, Attention Goings-On. Please note, we do not guarantee listing of any submission. Submissions must be received six (6) weeks before publication. DIRECT MAGAZINE
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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
warren reports Text by Warren Gubler, Visalia City Councilmember
"Business-Friendly States":
How does California Compare? In the last 10 years, Texas has added 732,800 private sector jobs, while California lost 623,700. An average of 4.7 businesses are moving out each week. Why? Business owners and analysts boil it down to one word: government. Many claim that California’s red tape and regulations are killing business. California has the fourth largest government of all U.S. states, with spending equal to 18.3 percent of Gross Domestic Product. California’s highest state corporate income tax rate is 8.84 percent and its highest personal income tax rate is 10.5 percent, compared with other states like Texas, which don’t have such taxes. The San Francisco Examiner also reports that California’s capital gains tax and energy taxes are the highest in the country. Job growth in the Silicon Valley has flat-lined. Firms keep their headquarters there, but pursue growth in friendlier states like Arizona, Utah, Texas, Virginia or North Dakota. California has the second highest unemployment rate in the United States. With that in mind, let’s look at the specific example of a new business locating to Visalia’s industrial park, VWR International (a medical supply company). That company has purchased a 33-acre site and will build a 500,000-square-foot facility. VWR outgrew its Brisbane and San Dimas, California, facilities years ago (where it rents), and will be closing those operations to relocate to its own property in Visalia. Over 100 jobs will be created here and posted on vwrjobs.com. The new Visalia location will allow the company to reach more customers with next-day deliveries. They looked at other options outside of California, but chose Visalia simply because it was the best geographic location and had the available infrastructure. The construction project is due to be finished by mid-2012. In the free-market system, some businesses come to Tulare County, and some businesses leave; that is their prerogative. It is the city’s job to make our community attractive to business. The realities are that the San Joaquin Valley has an available work force, and the cost of doing business here is less than in other areas of the state. Now, let’s look at how “business friendly” California has responded to VWR’s move to Visalia. San Francisco Congresswoman Jackie Speier told a crowded room full of anxious Teamsters that she would do everything in her power 34
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to keep VWR from leaving her district. “I’m going to make it a living hell for them moving forward,” Speier said of VWR. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer said that he was reviewing whether the state’s employee retirement system, CalPERS, should continue to invest in the parent company of VWR. Speier chimed in, “This is a moral issue,” comparing it to divestment campaigns against apartheid South Africa in the 1980s. While VWR’s current facility in the Bay area is a union shop, in Visalia the company will operate, at least initially, with nonunion workers. Accordingly, the Teamsters union filed a lawsuit against VWR and the Visalia City Council, claiming that the city did not follow appropriate CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) procedures. That lawsuit was successfully defended. Now, the Teamsters and others are claiming that the VWR distribution facility and the improvement of adjoining Riggin and Kelsey roads are covered by the prevailing wage law, which could increase the cost to the city of widening those roads by $250,000. The city’s response is that this is a municipal road project not involving any state, county or regional funds such that the provisions of the city charter, not the prevailing wage law, apply. VWR recently wrote that it feels like it has been attacked and discredited by state officials and the unions. VWR stated that it has been committed to California for over 50 years by providing employment, tax dollars and community support. They made it clear that if they had not found Visalia, they would have relocated out of state under these circumstances. While it appears that California is adopting policies that drive businesses away, I, for one, welcome VWR and other businesses to our community, and pledge that Visalia will do what we can to make them feel welcome here. If you have questions or topics regarding the city that you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us, or call (559) 713-4400x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y
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