CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE - THE HEART OF THE SOUTH VALLEY
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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
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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
INSIDE july 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 Ron Vaughan CRAIG WHEATON C. S. WYATT SHARON MOSLEY 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 Bookkeeper Marilyn Harris
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 Shop for a Cure
Surviving Cancer in
Stylish Fashion
12 Pet of the Month 20 Culinary 21 VUSD 22 Focus on Fitness 25 Fashion
10 Virtual Valley Real Estate Websites: House Hunting Goes Virtual
14 From Out of the Tules The Yokuts: Tulare County's First Settlers
16 Thriving Under Thirty Eric Blain 18 Well, THAT Was Fun The Trials of the Trails: Surviving the Great Outdoors
24 Excursions Make A Splash: Kaweah Whitewater Adventures
26 Tulare County Health 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
SHOP FOR A CURE Surviving Cancer in Stylish Fashion Participate in the Second Annual Shop for a Cure Boutique, Blood Drive, and Survivor Fashion Show benefiting the American Cancer Society! The event will be held Saturday, August 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Heritage Complex inside the International Agri-Center. This event’s purpose is not only to raise money for the American Cancer Society, but also to increase cancer awareness while educating the community on the Relay for Life event. Jennifer Garrison’s interest in cancer research began two years ago when she learned that her aunt had breast cancer. “When I got off the phone, I sat on my front porch crying,” she said. “My aunt is my hero. She’s an awesome mother of four, a great teacher, an honest person, someone you can trust and count on. When I heard the words ‘I have cancer’ from her, I was scared.” Garrison wanted to do something to help. She found a way when she opened her mailbox and saw the insert for the upcoming Tulare Relay for Life event in her water bill. Garrison and her family ended up forming a team of eight people to participate in the 2009 Relay event. “It was decided then that next year we would have a bigger team and come up with a fundraiser that in a fun way would help bring awareness to the community and raise money!” Garrison, along with her husband, brother and friends, took their little idea of having a shopping boutique and fashion show to raise money for the American Cancer Society, and in three weeks planned their first Shop for a Cure Boutique in 2010, which ended up raising over $2,000. Garrison proclaimed, “We couldn’t have been happier with the way everything turned out! Along with her team, Garrison has been working on the upcoming Shop for a Cure Boutique since October 2010. With vendors coming from as far as Bakersfield and Fresno, there are sure to be a variety of styles to browse through and buy. 8
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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
Garrison also mentioned, “We love to honor our Cancer Survivor Heroes and have fun things in store for them.” While they want everyone to enjoy the event, the main purpose is to give everyone a feel of the Relay for Life event, and inform guests of early detection methods and things they can do to prevent cancer. Event Details Central CA Blood Drive will be there with the event’s first-ever blood drive. Guests who donate blood will get a free admission ticket, raffle tickets, a pint of ice cream, and more! The blood drive will be going on throughout the event. Donors are encouraged to RSVP (number listed below) to help with a head count for supplies, staffing, etc. Luminaries will be available to purchase and decorate. They will be taken out to the Relay for Life event for the “Remember Luminary Ceremony” on the evening of October 8. This is sure to be a breath-taking ceremony that you will want to attend! The POSH Cancer Survivor Fashion Show will be held at 2:30 p.m. Come support cancer survivors from ages 22-72 as they strut their stuff down the runway! To help educate guests about cancer prevention and early detection, there will be informational booths and guest speakers. Among the guest speakers will be cancer survivor and author Jane Kay Cisneros, sharing her book about her journey to the pink ribbon. Event Sponsor Tucoemas Federal Credit Union will be there with their “Hats for Hope” program. This is a great program where the community can come together to make one-of-a-kind hats that are comfortable, unique and celebrate
life. These hats are then donated to cancer centers for patients going through chemotherapy to help keep them warm. There is going to be a great variety of vendor booths to shop from: jewelry, clothing, candles, health and wellness, digital scrapbooking, baby items, support items, home décor, Relay gear, and more! There will be great raffles that will be going on throughout the event as well. Door raffles will be happening every hour and at the end of the event will be our “tricky tray” basket raffle (need not be present to win). Pre-purchased tickets are a $5 donation to the American Cancer Society and come with one raffle ticket. Tickets can be pre-purchased at POSH inside Evolutions Gym in Tulare, at Paul Doherty Insurance in Visalia, or by contacting Garrison at (559) 358-0490. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $5. Bring your copy of Direct Magazine with you and get a FREE raffle ticket! Want to get involved? Garrison and her team are looking for item donations to add to their gift baskets and door bags, Relay for Life sponsors, vendors, blood donors, team members, and informational items. Please contact Garrison at the number above. PREVIOUS PAGE: Ryan Garrison celebrates the memory of his grandfather, Paul Garrison, while lighting his luminary during the luminary ceremony. ABOVE LEFT: Captain Jennifer Garrison and Co-Captain Brent Denney finishing up their final lap! ABOVE RIGHT: Relay is for everyone! Trey Garrison and Matthew Boghosian of Tulare show their support by walking the super hero lap. Garrison sold his birthday stickers and raised $76 for ACS. FOLLOWING PAGE: Cancer survivors get ready to take the very first survivor lap, with the Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back flags. 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
SHOP FOR A CURE
Garrison would like to thank the following people for all their help, hard work, and time spent making this event the success that it is: Ryan Garrison, Brent Denney, Kim Bogoshian, Christine Mullen, Desiree Espinoza, Carrie Rivera, Nina Quinonez, Holly Derington, Judy Beckman, Darla Silvera, Michele Matheny, Touch of Class and everyone that will help out along the way! To their sponsors, the Garrison team would like to thank them for their contributions and support! “None of this would have been possible without them!” Garrison said. A Special Thank You to:
Baby Boom Central Valley W.O.M.E.N.’S. Network Digital Publishing (www.treasurablekeepsakes.com) Garrison Roofing Co. Inc. International-Agri-Center IV-7 (www.youlivingsafely.com) Paul Doherty Insurance POSH Tucoemas Federal Credit Union 10
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UPCOMING
RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISERS
“Make a Wish for a Cure” Dinner July 9, 6 p.m.-midnight, Pitching Wedge Golf Course Contact Christine 288-9057 First Annual Parking Lot Sale July 16, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Tulare County Federal Credit Union Contact Anna 967-3299 Relay for Life Insulated Cups Contact Michele Matheny MDfan94@aol.com Relay for Life Bob Mathias Stadium, October 8-9, 8:30 a.m.-9 a.m.
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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
Real Estate Websites:
House Hunting Goes Virtual Buying a house is one of the most stressful experiences I can imagine. Add in the stress of selling an existing home and trying to coordinate the move and the stress level increases exponentially. My wife and I spent May and June house hunting and are now in the process of selling our current home. I believe nothing is better than working with a respected local real estate agent. Most local agents are Realtors, members of the National Association of Realtors. I encourage homebuyers and sellers to work with a professional. Professionally, I’ve met and worked with many great Realtors in Tulare County. Unfortunately, we’re heading to the opposite coast. We considered renting, but there aren’t many apartments or homes for rent in our destination area. I’ll write about where we are heading and why in an upcoming column; I believe the move could help Valley residents and many others. My new colleagues suggested a great Realtor. To my surprise, the first question the Realtor asked was if we had compared homes using the different online real estate websites. Not that long ago, the real estate industry worried about losing influence to online companies. The multiple listing 12
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service (MLS) industry protected housing data zealously, too. Now, it seems Realtors and MLS companies work with numerous websites to help connect buyers and sellers. In addition to the website of our Realtor’s brokerage company, which relies on a commercial MLS database service, we also used the following real estate websites: • Homes.com (www.homes.com) • Realtor.com (www.realtor.com) • Trulia (www.trulia.com) • Zillow (www.zillow.com) Of the four real estate websites, the two standouts are definitely Trulia and Zillow. While each site allowed basic searches on criteria such as square feet and price, Trulia and Zillow provided the most advanced searching options. These two sites also provided more information about properties and neighborhoods than other websites. The first thing I did on both Trulia and Zillow was use their “Recently Sold” search feature. On Trulia, this is a nice “tab” across the top of the website. This was easier to use, at least for me, than Zillow’s search. The recently sold list on Trulia appears in reverse order, with the most recent transactions first. You see a photo, description and the date
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
sold for each listing. On the right-hand side is a map of the homes, too. Searching for recently sold homes with the features my wife and I wanted in a house, we were able to determine what we might pay for a similar house in the area. Realtors call these “comps,” as in comparable homes. An appraiser would be more precise than an online search, but Trulia’s data were surprisingly close to what our Realtor told us to expect. On Zillow, you have to select the checkbox next to a little yellow house icon to include recent sales in search results. While this helps spot trends on a map of the area, the approach of mixing recent sales with homes currently on the market made it challenging to read the map and sort through the data. It took more effort, but we found the information helpful. Where Zillow shines is its “Zestimate” feature. When you search for homes on Zillow, some listings include price estimates, calculated using a proprietary formula. As we found homes we wanted to tour, we would review them on Zillow. Using the Zestimate, we had some idea if the seller was asking for a price above or below market trends. The Zillow data page for a home includes its sales history, tax appraisal history and a handy chart showing price changes over the last one, five or ten years. Zillow relies on public records for these data, so the tax appraisal and deed amounts are precise. The chart includes two additional lines, one for the general area and one for the specific neighborhood. It is interesting to see how two neighborhoods in the same ZIP code can have two different price trends. Amazingly, the house we are buying was within a thousand dollars of the Zestimate, after some negotiating. I strongly recommend this feature. Our Realtor was wonderful, too, sending us pricing data for areas that was more precise
after we had narrowed our search to a few communities. The Realtor also explained housing price trends and why some areas were increasing and others were not. Trulia shines with its “Local Info” profiles. I was using City Data (city-data.com) and Wikipedia to learn about communities. That really isn’t the best approach to choosing a place to live. Trulia uses the same public data as City Data, but also includes local reviews to create community profiles. The Trulia “Heat Map” feature highlights areas increasing in demand within a given distance. Our final destination was “warm” but not “hot.” Homes in the “hot” area are also three times as expensive. Trulia, Zillow and the other websites allow you to create automatic searches. When a house is listed or the price changes, you receive an alert via email. The house we are buying was listed mere days before my wife’s scheduled flight to tour houses. If you like the houses found in a search, you can share those listings via Facebook with both Trulia and Zillow. I used this feature to share photos and information with family members. One of my uncles is a contractor and his insights helped us reject several homes, thanks to Facebook integration with these websites. With the guidance of a Realtor, Trulia and Zillow are powerful tools for homebuyers and sellers. We are now using the two websites to help set our selling price, for example. It is a tough market and many people have priced homes unrealistically. Zillow helped us generate a “Zestimate” that can be discussed with the Realtor, so we can sell our home quickly but at a fair price. I’m looking forward to our impending move. The house hunt would have been more stressful without real estate websites.
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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
Good News: Uni, a black and white female Border Collie/Aussie was lost December 6, 2010, near Walnut & Farmersville Blvd. after she and her family, The Morris', were in auto accident. The Morris family searched desperately for her, never giving up hope. Uni was brought into our Shelter by an Animal Control Officer on April 12, 2011. Staff recognized Uni from her owners’ “lost dog” flier, called the owners, and they were happily reunited! Attention pet owners: make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to your local animal shelter where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners. If you find an animal: Take the animal to Valley Oak SPCA shelter, 29016 Highway 99, Visalia, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This shelter is the central location for lost/ found animals in the city of Visalia. If you are interested in adopting an animal that is not reclaimed, you can ask to be notified once the hold on the animal is expired. If you are unable to transport the animal or if the animal is sick or injured, call Animal Control at (559) 713-4957 and an officer can provide assistance. If your animal companion is missing: • File a Lost Pet Report with Valley Oak SPCA, 29016 Highway 99, Visalia, Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • We strongly recommend that you visit Valley Oak SPCA to personally view the animals in the kennels. Under state law, stray animals are held for four days, not counting the day of arrival or holidays. Plan on visiting the shelter every three to five days to see all new arrivals. • On days you cannot visit Valley Oak SPCA, call our LOST PET line at (559) 713-4700.
• • • •
•
•
Search in your neighborhood regularly. Call or whistle, especially in the evenings when it is quiet. Consider leaving a personal item, such as a jacket or your pet’s bed, outside to help your pet find the scent home. Alert your neighbors. If your animal is injured or frightened, it may be hiding. Ask your neighbors to check garages and storage sheds. Post fliers throughout your neighborhood, at local veterinary hospitals, at businesses and on social media sites. It should include enough information for an honest person to contact you, but not enough detail that a scammer can claim to have your pet. Post a lost pet ad on Craigslist and consider placing an ad in your local newspaper. Be careful! Never pay reward money in advance, and be sure to meet anyone in a public place. If your pet is microchipped, call the company to confirm that your contact information is up-to-date, and alert them that your pet is missing.
Don’t give up hope, and don’t assume your pet has been stolen. Keep searching the animal shelters and checking ads.
Tips for keeping your returned pet healthy and at home: 1) 2) 3) 4) 14
Spay/neuter your animal as soon as possible, which will make them less likely to roam. Microchip your animal, which provides permanent identification. Commit to keeping your cat indoors only. Indoor/outdoor cats rarely live their natural lifespan due to the dangers of cars, disease, poison and injury. Consider dog training classes, especially if your dog is a “door dasher” or escape artist.
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VALLEY OAK SPCA 29016 HIGHWAY 99 VISALIA, CA 93277 Phone: (559) 651-1111 Web: www.vospca.org
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
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)
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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 By Ron Vaughan, Docent Coordinator at Tulare City Historical Museum
The Yokuts:
Tulare County’s First Settlers For thousands of years the San Joaquin Valley was home to the Yokuts. The word “Yokuts” in their language means “the people.” There is no singular form of the word in their language, and this fact symbolizes their sense of unity. The Yokuts numbered about 25,000, divided into 50 independent sub-tribes, each with its own tribal name, and usually friendly to one another. The tribal villages were scattered from the vicinity of Stockton, all the way south to Tejon Canyon in the Tehachapi Mountains. Eight villages were concentrated in this area, along the shores of Tulare Lake and the Kaweah River. The names of many Yokut tribes have been preserved in the names of rivers, creeks and other landmarks in the valley. For example, there are the Cosumnes, Mokelume, Tuolumne, Chowchilla, and Kaweah Rivers. Tehachapi Valley seems to have taken its name from the Yokut word “Tahhi’tch,” meaning “oak covered valley.” Wukehumne Hill east of Visalia, was named for the tribe of the same name. The Pahdwishi tribe is perpetuated in Camp Potwisha in Sequoia National Park. Yokohl Valley was named for the Yokodo 16
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tribe. The Tachi Palace Casino belongs to the Yokut tribe of that name. The Yokuts are classified as “Hunters and Gathers.” The streams and vegetation of the Tulare area provided nutrition. The acorn, from the myriad oak trees, was their staple food. The women and children gathered them in large baskets, then hulled them and pounded them into meal using grinding stones. (Today we call these stones a mortar and pestle.) In order to leech the bitterness from the meal, they placed it in leaf-lined holes in the sand, then poured hot water into the hole. (The hot water was obtained by taking heated rocks from the fire, and dropping them into tightly woven baskets filled with water.) The acorn meal could then be eaten as mush, or after it dried, eaten like bread or cake. They also made a type of flour from tule roots. They supplemented the acorns with berries, nuts and seeds. Salt was obtained from salt grass growing in the marshes. Mussels and clams came from Tule Lake. The men hunted birds, elk, deer, antelope and rabbits. It comes as a surprise to us today to learn that there were
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
once vast herds of thousands of antelope roaming the valley. The Yokut hunting implements were bows and arrows, spears, traps and nets. Obsidian rocks provided arrow and spear points, while net string came from dried and twisted milkweed fibers. The men were not just hunters, but also fishermen. Fish could be caught from the streams or lake with nets, reed traps or even spears. They would tie together bundles of Tule reeds to make large rafts, then float out onto the lake. Sometimes they spent several days at a time out on the water. We know little of their religion or government, only that they were ruled by tribal chiefs and respected their medicine men. The Yokuts were friendly, casual, unceremonious, and fond of laughter. They did not care much about property or worry about what tomorrow might bring. There was much trade and visiting back and forth among the tribes, although each tribe had a slightly different dialect. They were inclined to be peaceful, but sometimes jealousies arose among different sub-tribes, and occasionally disputes resulted in encounters in which several were killed or wounded. Yokut men wore breech clouts and feather decorations in their hair. Women wore short skirts made of reed or other plant fibers. They often utilized ornaments made from shells obtained from the lake or trade with coastal natives. Of course, in the winter time, they made use of animal skins for warmth. They generally went barefoot. The Yokut villages were built along streams or the lakeshore. The family-sized reed huts were dome shaped and more or less permanent. However, the villages near the lake were communal wedge-shaped structures as long as 300 feet, accommodating a dozen families. Due to the constantly shifting shoreline, the lake Yokuts had to move their villages frequently, especially during flood season.
The tule reed was very important to the Yokuts as a resource for making rafts, huts, clothing, mats, baskets and cradle boards. The latter were important to a Yokut mother, as she had many chores to do, so she couldn’t hold a baby all day. If she put it on a blanket on the ground, it could be attacked by a wild animal, such as a cougar. Bundling the baby onto a cradle-board and strapping it on her back kept her arms free, and as she worked, her movements rocked the baby. Roots were also used extensively in making their baskets, with different colors of roots used to make the intricate designs on the baskets. For example, “redbud” root was used for reddish designs. Today one can see various patterns on the surviving baskets. Zigzags probably represented the power of lightning bolts. There were also diamond back rattlesnake designs, a mat with squares arranged in a sort of spiral pattern used as a game board, and a very prevalent pattern featured “V” designs with little duck heads along them. The latter probably symbolized new hope when the ducks fly back in the spring. The most popular basket in Tulare’s museum is the “Friendship Basket,” which features people standing in a circle holding hands. A modern Yokut said that this symbolizes the tribal philosophy that the highest respect and honor belongs not to the best warrior or athlete, but to those who do the most to help others in the tribe. Think what our world would be like if we all held such a belief! Sources: Notes of author Derryl Dummermuth, Tulare City Historical Museum; Land of the Tules, by Annie Mitchell; History of Tulare County, by Katherine Small; and Handbook of the Yokuts, by Frank Latta.
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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
THRIVING UNDER THIRTY Text by Crystal R R. Edwards | Photo by Adrian Prieto
Eric Blain Swim, bike, run: the Triathlon. This combination endurance sport was being conducted in France as early as the 1920s, but the sport’s first appearance in the US wasn’t until 1974 in Mission Bay, San Diego, California. The sport is grouped into four different categories according to distance: “Sprint” (.5mi swim, 12.4mi ride, 3.1mi run); “Olympic” (.93mi swim, 24.8mi ride, 6.2mi run); “Half-Ironman” (1.2mi swim, 56mi ride, 13.1mi run); and the longest, the “Ironman” (2.4mi swim, 112mi. ride, 26.2mi run). In layman’s terms, the Ironman is said to be “the world’s most challenging endurance event.” Fifteen men braved the first Ironman triathlon in 1978, in Oahu, Hawaii. In 2010 over 20,000 people participated in IRONMAN® (the official Ironman event) triathlons all over the United States, and later this year, Eric Blain will be one of them.
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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
How long does it take someone to decide to start running triathlons? It took Eric Blain all but a split second. “I just woke up one morning and decided I was going to do it,” said Eric. Sports were always a part of his life, but after college he became less active. A little over a year ago, his desire to attain a specific goal, instead of just running to get into shape for the summer, made all the difference. “I had always been intrigued by the long-distance stuff. I thought people were crazy for running a marathon, so I decided to run a half-marathon. I trained for it, logged it, ran it, loved it. That’s where the madness started. My cousin did a sprint triathlon right after my half-marathon, and he said it was a blast. I signed up for one and fell in love with it.” When he is not in the midst of intense training, the 27-year-old runs the family business, Blain Homes, alongside his brother and cousin. Based in Tulare, the business was founded by his grandfather and later taken over by his father and uncle. Though he has now found himself at the heart of the homebuilding industry, he graduated from Fresno State with a degree in criminology, and the step-by-step, systematic methods he learned in school have served him well in a new pursuit: training to complete the 2011 Arizona IRONMAN® in November. Ask any triathlete and they’ll tell you triathlons are all about structure and training plans. The entire year is mapped out and a game plan is set from the beginning, based on what races will be run. “I’ve always been a pretty determined person, and this has reaffirmed that for me,” Eric said. “I like the structure of knowing on Sunday what my workout will be on Friday. I have four priority races this year, with November’s race being my A-priority, and I’ll do other smaller ones in between. I tailor my workouts according to these four races, tapering off a bit just before each race.” Lessening the intensity of workouts before each performance reduces the risk of injury just prior to each race.
Eric spends upwards of 20 hours a week lifting weights, cycling, running and swimming. With a strong aversion to the treadmill, most of his running and riding is done around Visalia and Tulare, and hill training in the foothills of Exeter. Currently, about 95 percent of his swim training is in the pool at Evolutions, but more open-water swims at local lakes will begin as the weather warms up. It’s clear that Eric, taking on such a committed and grueling task, is a very self-motivated individual, but motivation alone can still lack a necessity: proper guidance. Eric attributes much of his success to the owner of California Fitness Academy and President of Visalia Triathlon Club (VTC), Justin Levine. “Justin Levine does it all, and he is one of the most knowledgeable around here for triathlons. It’s been the best thing ever for me [to join VTC]. The Club has the knowledge I need. I’ve been training with them for a year and I see many improvements. Before I joined, I over-trained and underrecovered. But the biggest help has been in my training plan. Before, I would just kind of run or bike or swim aimlessly, and now I feel like I actually have a plan of action.” Eric and a few others from Visalia will be doing the Arizona IRONMAN® in November. “I’m excited. Well, 85 percent excited, 15 percent nervous. This is a hard workout … it’s a long year just to get toward that, but it’s going to be here before I know it.” The rigorous work will be worth it when he crosses the finish line in November and relishes in the completion of yet another one of his goals. It is unknown where his determination will take him in the future, but for Eric Blain, the “madness” has only just begun.
LEFT: In May, Eric completed the Wildflower Triathlon at Lake San Antonio, California, one of the most well-known and competitive triathlons on the West Coast. He ran the Olympic distance course, coming in 107th out of nearly 2,000 people overall, and 24th place in his age group out of 187. His time was 2 hours, 32 minutes.
Photo by Warren Blain
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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
The Trials of the Trails:
Surviving the Great Outdoors I love summer activities. Nothing trips my trigger like a good sweaty hike with a swim in a lake afterward. Setting up a tent and a logical camp site stretches part of my cramped and crabbed soul that nothing else can touch. Give me a fishing pole and I’ll consider us nearly engaged; throw some handcrafted fly lures into the deal and I’ll be your slave for life, unless the bass and trout are biting. At that point you’re on your own for a while. I’ll be busy. I’ve been an outdoorsy tomboy my whole life. I learned early how to gear up and stay safe, but when Birdie Sue was born I suddenly stopped. I thought my days of adventuring were over. I was afraid for her safety because, let’s face it, there’s a lot of dangerous stuff out there and kids aren’t really the brightest creatures on the planet when it comes to things like “don’t eat poisonous plants” and “if it’s moving and shaking a tail rattle at you, it’s not a stick you can pick up.” I have since discovered that throwing kids into the mix just made it more entertaining for me. Over the years I’ve developed a list of safety tips and must-haves for outdoor activities with children. I offer my knowledge to you freely in hopes you and yours will have a glorious summer full of adventure. Print this list out and keep it handy: Assemble a First Aid kit. There’s no such thing as overpacking when it comes to First Aid. There is a cosmic law that the more you shove in that little red kit, the less you’ll need it. If you only pack five Band Aids, I can guarantee you’re going to need fifteen on the first day out. Load up on burn cream, antiseptic spray, and gauze. Forgot the tweezers? You’re just asking for a karmic smackdown. Nothing on Earth is so constant and penetrating as the whining of a three-year-old 20
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child with a splinter. To get away from it, you’ll beg to be eaten by the first bear you meet on the trail. Pay attention to weather patterns. “Eyes on the skies so nobody dies” is the motto. (You may have to rephrase it a bit so as not to freak the kids out. Then again, fear is a great motivator.) Don’t set out on a long hike when dark clouds are gathering, and make sure your gear is stowed and battened down against high winds. If the kids are really small, you may need to tie them down, too, so they don’t go tumbling down the exit trail during a gust. Make sure to assign storm duties for tasks like stowage, powered flashlights, and whose turn it is to bungee the baby to a boulder. Use the buddy system. Whether you need an off-trail potty stop or you’re simply in search of a good marshmallow stick, bring along a walking partner. Through years of evolution we’ve lost our ability to sense danger in the natural world, so we often bumble right into the thick of a rattlesnake rodeo or off the edge of a cliff before we even realize we need to be worried. Your partner can then go back to the rest of the group and call dibbies on your extra pair of hiking socks. Oh, and also maybe send for help, unless of course your socks are the last dry pair in the camp. If they are, you’re a goner. Avoid dehydration. Always bring in more water than you think you’re going to need. Four quarts per adult per day is the rule, and to be safe, three quarts per kid per day is recommended. Don’t fret about too much water making the kids have to squat in the weeds more often. You can deny them fluids for three weeks before your trip and they’ll end up with full bladders anyway. No child can resist this charming aspect of camping and hiking. No child can aim well either, so you may need to bring extra shoes and socks. Just sayin’.
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
Insects are not trivial. Ticks, mosquitoes, bees, fire ants and spiders are just some of the many-legged dangers your stalwart little trailpuppies will encounter. Treat each bug bite as a serious threat. Make sure to have Benedryl Gel or other antihistamine/analgesic in your First Aid kit to reduce swelling, deaden the pain of the sting, and make it obvious to your screaming, panicking child that Something Is Being Done To Fix The Problem. The smellier the medicine the better, since it’s a proven fact that children cannot holler while inhaling the alcohol fumes from a topical bite treatment. They become so busy sniffing their wound that they lapse into complete silence. You’ll wonder if they’ve fallen off the trail. You may or may not choose to turn around and check that out, depending on if the kid has been a particular problem during the outing. File a trail plan with the park ranger or give a copy to a friend. Getting lost on a hike is always a possibility, so make sure authorities are aware your little tribe is wandering around out there somewhere. Schedule a check-in with friends back home as well. Make sure each backpack is supplied with a map with contact information included in case the group becomes separated. We did this the last time we went hiking and it was a life saver. When my three children met up back at the trail head and discovered I was gone they were able to alert a ranger. I was fine when the helicopter found me, but I had nearly emptied my flask of gin and tonic (malaria is a danger, but only to adults of legal drinking age). Left out there much longer, I’d have been in dire straits. It turns out there are no liquor stores in the middle of Daniel Boone National Park. Dire, dire straits indeed. Do not approach wild animals. Animals are cute but unpredictable. Disney has really done parents a disservice when it comes to this very important safety tip. Just try convincing a four-year-old girl that the raccoon chirping and wobbling toward her is rabid instead of dancing and trying to sing to her and see how far you get. Don’t even get me started on the whole snake thing. The only instructive example I’ve found so far is The Jungle Book, and even that snake was funny and had a catchy song. If you find a bear, all bets are off. So there you have it, the tried-and-true safety system we implement on all our outings. Don’t let it frighten you. Children need to spend time roughing it. There is a lot they may learn from spending time out in the trees and on the trails. Some of it has to do with the whole circle of life blahblah-blah, but mostly it’s about how to make a plan for the group’s safety and then fail to execute it on a grand scale.
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
CULINARY Recipes by Elaine Dekassian of Tre Bien | Photo by Taylor Vaughn
Grilled Corn on the Cob Ingredients:
4 ears of corn, husks on 1 C grated cotija cheese Salt and pepper
Directions:
Heat your grill to medium. Pull back the husks, doing your best to keep it intact but removing the innermost layer of silk. Fold the husks back into place and tie the ends together with kitchen string. Place the ears of corn in a large bowl of cold water with one tablespoon of salt for 10 minutes. Remove the corn from the water and shake off excess. Place the corn on the grill, close the cover and grill for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every five minutes or until the kernels are tender when pierced with a paring knife. Remove the husks from the cob or pull back and tie for a different presentation when ready to serve. Melt butter over corn; salt and pepper and sprinkle with the cotija cheese. Serve with additional butter rounds.
Cilantro and Tequila-Lime Butter Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened at room temperature. 1 T freshly squeezed lime juice 1 T white tequila 1 large shallot or 2 small, finely chopped 2 T chopped fresh cilantro
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Directions:
Place the first five ingredients in a food processor and blend well. Transfer to piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a spatula, form the butter into a log. Roll the plastic or parchment over to wrap while continuing to form the log into a nice tight roll. Place on baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to use.
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
A Visalia Tradition:
Graduation Season It’s that time of the year … summer is here. Commencement ceremonies are over; final exams are a past memory. Flowers and gifts were given during this time of celebration, the culmination of 13 years of school. Graduation marks an important passage from childhood to adulthood. It’s a time for family and friends to honor our students’ accomplishments. One of the many things that makes Visalia special is how our community marks this life-passage with traditional and dignified commencement ceremonies that honor each and every graduate. Caps and gowns contrast with the manicured stadium fields, and every student has a moment of recognition as they walk across, name announced, and are congratulated by members of the Visalia Unified Board of Trustees. Chairs fill the end zone, and the stadium comes alive with celebration and bands playing. Speeches inspire all who attend. Cameras
flash, family and friends cheer, and tears of joy roll down the cheeks of many. Over 1,500 seniors walked the graduation line this year. For some, this is the end of their educational experience; but for most, this is just the beginning. New experiences await them as they enter college or advanced training in the months to come. Others will enter the workforce or serve our country in the military. No matter what they do, the 2011 graduates are better prepared than those who preceded them in prior classes, in prior years. Every year our students continue to demonstrate higher levels of student achievement. Visalia Unified has increased 136 points in state testing over the past eight years with a current API score of 760. All the talk about numbers simply means students are better prepared for whatever futures they choose.
ATTENTION TRUCKERS: Corporate & Federal Drug Testing
Immediate Appointments for: • D.O.T. Trucker Physicals ($45) • Drug & Breath Alcohol Testing • Random Pool - C/TPA
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 on fitness Text by Andy & Eryn Salazar of Empower Fitness Training
It's Good For You:
Give This Exercise Thing a Try Yes, exercise is good for you! I know, it’s hard to believe, but a regular exercise program is actually really good for you. We all know this, so why don’t we do it? The connection between exercising and feeling good physically and mentally does not stay. For some reason, instead of enjoying exercise
and looking forward to it, most of us associate exercise with punishment or pain. Our perspective needs to change; our bodies are made to work physically. When we don’t work, our bodies are bound to develop more physical ailments than if we were exercising regularly.
Here are five reasons you need to start a regular exercise program: 1.) It keeps your muscles strong. As you start to age, you lose muscle mass year after year. The saying “Use it or lose it” applies here, unless you train with resistance. Lifting weights will keep you strong and looking young. 2.) Keep your bones strong. Weight-bearing exercise helps keep your bones strong and helps to prevent osteoporosis. 3.) Elevates your metabolism. The lean muscle mass you gain from working out sparks your metabolism to burn more calories in a resting state. This makes losing weight a whole lot easier. 4.) Strengthens your heart. Resistance training elevates and drops your heart rate. So your heart rate spikes and recovers. This helps you in dealing with everyday stresses that elevate your heart rate. 5.) Good for your brain. Working out releases feel-good endorphins that affect your mood and stress levels. This will help give you more energy, clarity, focus and alertness.
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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
VISALIA FIRST ASSEMBLY Lives are being transformed at Visalia First Assembly’s Celebrate Recovery program as people come together every Tuesday night to celebrate their freedom from life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups. The group meets at 7 p.m. in Grace Hall at the Walnut Campus of VFA, 3737 W. Walnut Ave. This Christ-centered recovery program provides a safe place for people to begin their journey of leaving behind their denial and going forward into God’s grace. This road of healing and transformation is paved with the 12 steps and eight principles of the Celebrate Recovery program and those who travel it are shown that they are not alone. The meeting begins with a time of praise and worship, then a teaching or a testimony followed by small group
"A Church for the Community"
meetings. Attendees are not required to speak during the small group sessions and anonymity and confidentiality is a key factor in small group meetings. Groups are divided by gender and based on different topics. Current groups include: Chemical Dependency, Anger Management, Codependency, Sexual Addiction, and The Landing (a group specifically for youth). A group leader articulated the importance of the small group experience: “There is power in the story,” he related. “It is the part of the program where healing and change begin.” As people continue on their journeys, they gain not only a new freedom from habits and hurts, but also a family of supportive friends. “I went from being isolated and alone to having a group of close friends that
have become my recovery family,” one woman shared. “I didn’t want to come at first,” declared one teenager. “Now I love this group and look forward to it every week.” Whatever your hurt, habit or hangup, you are invited to join the journey and experience a life transformation through VFA’s Celebrate Recovery ministry.
Weekend Experiences: Saturday at 5 p.m. Sunday at 8, 9:45, 11:30 a.m. Akers Campus: 3737 S. Akers Spanish Service at 12:30 p.m. Walnut Campus: 3737 W. Walnut
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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
EXCURSIONS Make A Splash:
Kaweah Whitewater Adventures
It’s about that time of year when the mere thought of stepping outside into the sweltering heat can make one faint. Fortunately, a few miles up the road is an icy cold river just waiting to be explored. Located in Three Rivers, Kaweah Whitewater Adventures (KWA) welcomes all who think they can brave the swift, sudden drops and towering wall of white, frothy Kaweah River water. KWA has been owned and operated as a commercial business by Frank Root since 1995. He and his gang of expert 26
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guides take the very best care of their customers, and prepare them for the ride of their lives. Guests start by suiting up in rather attractive wetsuits with proper shoes and secure helmets. Then it’s time to scramble into the bright orange van that looks straight out of the ’70s. At this stage, the trip officially begins as excited adventurers head to the launching point. After the safety and guidelines chat, everyone jumps into the big blue rafts and sets off. Depending on experience and courage, adventurers can choose level four and five class rapids or stay on the safer side with levels three and four. Either way, they’re in for an experience they’ll not soon forget. Classes reference the degree of difficulty or danger a section of rapids poses – generally from class one (least amount of danger and maneuvering) to class six (extremely dangerous and high skill necessary). Class three and four trips take adventurers out on an afternoon trip where they battle some “slickies” (class four rapids) and other mildly jaunting rapids. These trips typically last a couple of hours depending on how fast the water is moving. These rides are perfect for families with children age eight and older. Class four and five trips are longer and much more thrilling – and well, dangerous. These are available as either 3/4 day or full day (with lunch) and start from further up the river just underneath the Gateway Restaurant. Anyone unwilling to get a little wet should probably reconsider this one. Although, with the experience and care from the trusty guides, adventurers are never alone even if they do get tossed into the water – and, oh yes, it happens. Regardless of whether they get up close and personal with the icy water (which in this heat would probably be welcomed), everyone who completes the experience says it is breathtaking. Apart from the mad paddling and insane shrieking, there are plenty of opportunities to just float and enjoy the scenery from an entirely new viewpoint. Just beware the “circle of trust.” For those seeking adventure close to home, Kaweah Whitewater Adventures will not disappoint. Book a trip early and soon, as nature rules the season of rafting and no one knows when it will end. For more information, visit www.kaweah-whitewater.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
FASHION Text by Sharon Mosley
The Essentials:
All-American Favorites Oh, say, can you see past that closet full of clothes that you never wear? Yes, you can have too many clothes! Instead of complaining about your wardrobe, pare down your choices to a few all-American favorites. After all, fashion trends come and go, so it's better to invest in classics that you'll count on for years to come. Here is a list of essentials that have stood the test of time, no matter the season of the year: A sharp white shirt. The key to this all-time fashion favorite is fit. The white shirt is one of the most versatile items that you can have in your wardrobe. Team it with jeans and platform sandals to dress up a casual look; wear it with a long, black skirt with statement jewelry to a cocktail party. A fitted jacket. Just like the white shirt, a jacket can be pivotal when worn with other pieces: skirts, pants or jeans. When choosing a jacket, keep it simple in style. You don't want it to become outdated and stick to fabrics that will span the seasons like rayon. A perfect pair of pants. Again, a simple cut in a classic fabric is the best way to go when it comes to choosing pants, which you will reach for day in and night out. You can thank Katharine Hepburn for making tailored trousers an all-American favorite. A great dress. No, it doesn't have to be black! Instead, choose your favorite color and make a statement in a feminine style and flowing fabric -- skip the tight dresses and go for figure-skimming styles. A classic knit sweater. Whether you like twin-set cardigans, turtlenecks or V-necks, knits are always on the all-American favorites list. Mix and match with other basics for plenty of classic combinations that never go out of style. A flattering pair of jeans. Denim is another American favorite that hasn't really changed, since the first pair of Levis "blue jeans" was introduced in 1873. Find a brand that fits you and stick with it. Be careful of trendy shapes (yes, jeggings are already a passing fad!) and overly decorated styles. Dark denim is always a flattering choice.
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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 & Human Services
Young mother Alicia and her 16 month old son Alekaye
Making All The Difference:
Resources for Teenage Pregnancy “Being pregnant changes everything.” Almost any mother would agree with that statement, but it was especially true for 17-year-old Alicia. Her unexpected pregnancy turned her world upside down, yet, fortunately, ushered in a period of significant personal growth (no pun intended) and emerging maturity. Before the pregnancy, Alicia and her boyfriend were more interested in partying with friends than anything else. She has only scattered memories about those years of her life, but what she does recall is that “There was a negative energy around us – we just didn’t care about anything.” But when she discovered she was pregnant, Alicia knew she had to change her life, and she began to look for help. Alicia had minimal knowledge of the resources available where she lived, but she approached an acquaintance who worked with Parenting Network and was assigned a case manager, Christina. Christina took a holistic approach to Alicia’s care plan, enrolling her in a spectrum of supports 28
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and services that helped Alicia progress through this exciting, though scary and often difficult, stage of her life. First, Alicia was linked with the Tulare County Perinatal Wellness Program, which helps pregnant women and new mothers overcome symptoms of depression and anxiety. She was also connected to therapeutic services through this program, where she learned strong communication skills and coping strategies. After learning that children born to teen mothers are more likely to have academic or behavior problems* in school, Alicia decided she needed to set an example for her unborn son by completing her education. Her teachers saw in her a newfound strength and desire to turn things around. She was able to take advantage of the CalSAFE program through the Visalia Unified School District, where she received support services that help expectant or currently parenting students to improve their academic achievement and parenting skills, in addition to providing a quality child care program for their
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. Despite adversities, shortly after her son Alekaye’s birth, Alicia graduated. Alicia was referred to Community Services and Employment Training (CSET), and earned an opportunity to work. Christina assisted Alicia with the application process, references, and transportation. During her job interview, Alicia conveyed a strong sense of personal initiative and responsibility, which helped her secure a position. She enjoys working, as it provides financial security and camaraderie with other young moms. Recently, Alicia completed her application to College of the Sequoias, where she will work hard to further her education. Once enrolled in college, she plans to pursue a career in social work or special education. She wants to give back to her community by helping teens in similar situations. Her interest in special education stems from volunteering at the Special Olympics. “I loved supporting and encouraging the athletes – the smiles on their faces made a big impression on me,” she stated. However, her short-term goal is to become more independent. Currently, Alicia and her son, now 16 months old, are living with her sister; she is looking for a familyfriendly apartment so that mother and son can have their own space. Alicia is also focused on being a good role model, so Alekaye will know he can dream and achieve any goal he sets for himself. Now, on warm, sunny days, Alicia can be found riding her bike around the neighborhood, with Alekaye in his bike seat. Reflecting on the direction of her earlier teenage years and the path her life could have taken, she is confident that being connected to a wide variety of resources was pivotal in changing the course of her life. Alicia is outspoken about how Christina’s support and encouragement played a critical role in her family’s current success, and has supplied a new foundation on which she can build a stable future. As a teenage mom in a county where the teenage birth rate* is nearly twice that of the rest of the state, Alicia is one among many. With gratitude, however, she considers herself “one of the very, very lucky ones.” *For more information regarding Tulare County data, visit the Children’s Services Network of Tulare County website at www. tccsn.org to view the complete version of the Children’s Report Card. 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
Medical Assisting career training gets on fast track
Front and Back Office Medical Career Training Smart Move
For those in a hurry to get into the medical assisting field, San Joaquin Valley College in Visalia has a fast-track program that condenses coursework without shortchanging education. Their Clinical Medical Assisting program offers extensive back-office training for graduates to provide support to physicians and administer direct patient care in a variety of medical settings. Clinical Medical Assistants are trained to provide back-office support and assistance to physicians and other health care professionals in direct patient care in a variety of medical settings. SJVC’s seven-month Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA) program combines hands-on training, classroom lectures, and an on-site externship with participating hospitals and medical facilities to give students the highest quality education and training. Graduates earn a certificate and can immediately enter the workforce as a Clinical Medical Assistant, Medical Secretary, Phlebotomist, EKG Technician, Occupational Health or Lab Assistant, or other similar health care position.
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Students learn: Injection administration Electrocardiograms Venipuncture and skin puncture CPR and First Aid Assisting in minor surgeries Basic lab tests Patient education Taking and recording vital signs With an aging population, hospital and emergency room overcrowding, new medical technology advancements, and a high patient load for physicians, welltrained medical staff are in high demand. With additional education and training, a Medical Assistant’s career path can expand to such positions as Vocational Nurse, Emergency Medical Technician, Recreational Therapist, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or other areas of advanced medical specialties. Graduates of SJVC’s Clinical Medical Assisting program earn a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
exam offered by American Medical Technologists/Allied Health (AMT) and the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam offered by the National Center for Competency testing (NCCT). Certificate graduates may continue their education at SJVC and earn their Associate of Science degree. San Joaquin Valley College is an 11-campus (plus an online campus) private junior college serving California communities for almost 35 years. The college enjoys a stellar reputation and is considered an industry leader in education and career training. SJVC is currently enrolling students for programs starting soon. Those interested in the Clinical Medical Assisting or other medical, business or technical programs should call toll-free 866-3913804 for more information or for a tour of the Visalia campus.
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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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 Blues, Brews & BBQ Join in on live music, refreshing beverages and delicious barbeque at this fun Downtown event. When: July 1, 6-10p Where: Garden Street Plaza, Visalia Contact: (559) 732-7737 or visit www.bluesbrewsandbbq.net Movies in the Park Join in the fun on Friday nights 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. Movies begin at 8:30p. When: July 1, The Last Airbender (PG) July 8, How to Train Your Dragon (PG) July 15, The Karate Kid (PG) July 22, Megamind (PG) July 29, Twilight Saga Eclipse (PG 13) Where: Riverway Sports Park, 3611 N. Dinuba Boulevard, Visalia Contact: Visalia Parks and Recreation, (559) 713-4365 Summer Night Lights All youth and teens are invited Saturday nights this summer for FREE food, activities and entertainment! Bring a few friends and enjoy movies, music, games, sports and more! When: July 2, 8-11:30p at Mt. Whitney Pool, 900 S. Conyer Street, Visalia July 9, 8-11:30p at Rawhide Stadium, 440 N. Giddings Street, Visalia July 16, 8-11:30p at Anthony Community Center, 345 N. Jacob Street, Visalia July 23, 8-11:30p at Visalia NAZ, 3333 W. Caldwell Avenue, Visalia July 30, 8- 11:30p at Riverway Sports Park, 3611 N. Dinuba Boulevard, Visalia Contact: Visalia Parks and Recreation, (559) 713-4365 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: July 2, 10a-5p Where: Maps at Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, (559) 561-4373 or visit www.1stSaturdayTR.com
Family Community Carnival Come out this fourth of July and enjoy a hot dog picnic lunch, snow cones, games and prizes, live music, Visalia Fire Dept. display, M.A.D.D., Smokey the Bear, and so much more at no charge! When: July 4, 11a-2p Where: Grace Lutheran Church and School Grounds, 1111 S. Conyer Street, Visalia Contact: Sandy Eitel, (559) 734-7694 Freedom 5K Walk Celebrate Independence Day by enjoying your freedom and access to the natural surroundings of Visalia as we walk for freedom. $10 fee. When: July 4, 6a registration; 7a start time Where: Plaza Park, 700 S. Plaza Street, Visalia Contact: Visalia Parks and Recreation, (559) 713-4365 Exeter Centennial 4th of July Celebration Come and celebrate Independence Day with a pancake breakfast, parade, 2 mile walk/10k run, arts and crafts booths, food booths, dancing and music and of course the traditional free fireworks show at dusk at Lions Stadium! When: July 4, 7a-3p When: Exeter City Park, Chesnut & E Street, Exeter Contact: Exeter Chamber of Commerce, (559) 592-2919 Wyndfall Chamber Music Series Visalia Season 2011 ‘‘Suite Jazz!’’ Come enjoy the sounds of guest artist Dr. Bruce Kiesling on piano with Tracy Harris as they perform an all-jazz concert. When: July 16, 7-9p Where: Spiritual Awareness Center, 117 S. Locust Street, Visalia Contact: (559) 592-9592 Summer Doo-Wop Spectacular The Tulare Historical Museum is hosting a “Summer Doo-Wop Spectacular.” The concert will feature performances by the Platters and the Charades. General Admission tickets for $28.50, and a limited supply of VIP tickets for $50. When: July 16, 7:30p Where: Tulare Community Auditorium, 755 E. Tulare Avenue, Tulare Contact: Linda Ruminer, (559) 686-2074
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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
A Bridal Odyssey Come and connect with the wedding professionals you need to help you create your perfect day. Our bridal shows give you an opportunity to meet dozens of great wedding vendors, see (and taste!) their work, sign up for great prizes and discounts, and enjoy our beautiful multi-media fashion show. When: July 17, 11-4p Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Avenue, Visalia Contact: (559) 733-0741 or debbie@abridalodyssey.com
The Boys & Girls Club of Tulare County – Summer Camp 2011 The Boys & Girls Club offers all-day summer fun at the Visalia club. Youth ages 6-12 are invited to join for just $50 a week, including a nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack. A great place for kids to meet friends, learn new skills, and take away great memories. When: June 8-Aug 17 Where: Boys & Girls Club, 215 W. Tulare Avenue, Visalia Contact: (559) 625-4422 or www.bgclubtc.org
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 done in the 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, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 Where: Main Street Theatre, 307 E. Main Street, Visalia Contact: Visit www.rentvisalia.com for more details
Imagine U Interactive Children’s Museum Imagine U offers a variety of weekly interactive exhibits, events and activities designed to entertain and engage your preschool child. When: Wed.-Fri., 10a-4p; Saturday, 12p-4p Where: 700 E. Main Street, Visalia Contact: (559) 733-5975 or www.imagineumuseum.org
Tulare County Library First Tuesday Book Club (July 5, 6:30p) Mystery Readers (July 20, 6:30) Baby/Toddler Time (Tues. 10a) Preschool Story Time (Wed. 10a) Family Fun Friday (Fri. 1:30-5:30p) When: Call or visit website for more information. Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Avenue, Visalia Contact: (559) 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 & Sears parking lot at Mooney and Caldwell, Visalia Contact: (559) 967-6722 or www.visaliafarmersmarket.com
AgVentures at Heritage Complex Agricultural Learning Center and Farm Equipment Museum with nearly 15 professionally designed interactive displays. Children learn about science and technology, food and nutrition, environmental issues, social studies and more! When: Mon.-Fri., 9a-4p Where: International Agri Center, 4450 S. Laspina Street, Tulare Contact: (559) 688-1751 Chaffee Zoo At Fresno Chaffee Zoo visitors can see more than 700 mammals, birds and reptiles as they tour the zoo. This is a fun learning experience for children of all ages. Zoo admission: $7 for adults, $3.50 for seniors and children ages 2-11, under 2 years free. When: Open daily from 9a to 6p Where: 894 W. Belmont Avenue, Fresno. Contact: (559) 498-5910 or www.fresnochaffeezoo.org If you would like to have your event considered for a free listing in our “GoingsOn” 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.
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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
Visalia Airport:
Now Boarding Over the years, I’ve flown a number of times out of the Visalia Airport on business trips. It’s hard to beat our local airport for convenience. During the almost 30 years that my family has resided here, Visalia has had a number of airline carriers and destinations. I recall previously flying into L.A. for connecting flights. For a period of time, we had service to the North Las Vegas airport. That was impractical because once there, you had to take a shuttle bus to the McCarran Airport (approximately a 45-minute ride with stops at the casinos), in order to rent a car or make a connecting flight. More recently, I have flown from Visalia to Ontario Airport, but that seemed to be off the beaten path. Usually these flights had few passengers. Our current carrier, Great Lakes Airlines, depends on federal subsidies to make ends meet. While we appreciate these subsidies, I don’t foresee them lasting much longer, perhaps ending as soon as 2013 due to federal budget constraints. Recently, it was announced that Great Lakes has procured gates at LAX and McCarran airport. With the economic downturn and consolidation of airlines, these gates became available. Beginning May 15, 2011, Great Lakes flies out of Visalia twice daily to Los Angeles, and once daily to Las Vegas. Since I had a business trip scheduled in Las Vegas, I decided to take advantage of this new travel option, and to act as an investigative reporter, in order to share my experiences with my readers. Saturday morning, May 21, my daughter Rachel dropped me off at the Visalia Airport (parking is free by the way). I arrived approximately one hour before my scheduled flight time and was quickly checked in. I was the only passenger departing from Visalia on that flight. The four security guards ran me through the security devices, and fortunately no alarms went off. I boarded the Beech 1900D with its turned-up wingtips, which has a single row of eight seats on each side of the aisle, and three seats in the back. We taxied down the runway at 9:41 a.m. I spread out on the back three seats and enjoyed viewing the San Joaquin Valley farmland below as we took the 25-minute jaunt over to Merced, where five more passengers came on board. We then took off from Merced airport for the one hour and twenty-minute flight to Vegas. Being in the back row of 34
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seats, I was able to look out the windows on both sides of the plane. Shaver and Huntington lakes soon came into view as we flew over the snow-blanketed Sierras. I could see the boat docks below on Shaver Lake, along with the point on the lake where Boy Scout Camp Chawanakee is located. On the eastern side of the Sierras, Owens Valley came into view. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to look down at the town of Lone Pine and see the road and entrance known as “the Portal” that leads up to Mount Whitney, where I had hiked with my son and scout troop a few summers back. Beyond Owens Valley, we quickly traversed the Mojave Desert. The captain’s voice soon came over the intercom announcing 81 degrees and sunny in Las Vegas. We made a big loop as we circled above Las Vegas; on my right I could see Lake Mead. As we made our descent, we came in parallel to The Strip. The Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the great Sphinx and an obelisk were at eye level as we descended for the landing at McCarran International Airport. We arrived right on time at 11:44 a.m. at gate E25. I was able to quickly pick up my luggage at Carousel 12 and enjoy the rest of my business trip. The Visalia Airport opens a window to the rest of the world, whether you have business in Los Angeles or Las Vegas, or use those airports for connecting flights to other areas. By booking online in advance, a flight to L.A. costs around $50, and to Las Vegas costs around $90. I hope this article has encouraged you to give our local airport your business and to try out this new travel resource. Increased ridership will make government subsidies unnecessary, and will make our airport self-sufficient. As they say in Vegas, “What happens in Visalia, doesn’t have to stay in Visalia!” 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.
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