CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE - THE HEART OF THE SOUTH VALLEY
Creating Community:
McMillin Homes Launches Visalia's Public Art Collection
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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 MAY 2011 PUB LI S HE D BY
DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291
6 CREATING
20 Culinary
BUS INE S S M ANAG E M E NT
24 TOMS One Day Without Shoes
Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA JeffREy Malkasian EA Bookkeeper Marilyn Harris AD MIN I ST RAT I ON & E DI TO RI AL
Executive Editor Karen Tellalian Assistant Editor TAYLOR VAUGHN Office Administrator MARIA GASTON Intern Kyndal Kennedy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
ELAINE DEKASSIAN CRYSTAL R. R. EDWARDS WARREN GUBLER andy Salazar RON VAUGHN CRAIG WHEATON C. S. WYATT ADVE RT I S I NG SA LE S
Advertising Director Bridget Elmore 559.739.1747 SA LES O FF I C E
801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • fax 559.738.0909 email: direct@dmiagency.com
COMMUNITY McMillin Homes Launches
Visalia's Public Art Collection
22 Fitness
26 Tulare County Health
30 Goings-On
10 Virtual Valley A Web of Problems: Finding Answers Online
32 Direct from Warren
12 Cool People Lauren Billys 14 From Out of the Tules Vanished Tulare Lake Keeps Coming Back 16 National EMS Week "Anytime. Anywhere. We'll Be There." 18 Well, THAT Was Fun The Other Kind of Pick Up Line.
Direct Magazine is published twelve times a year and is distributed via direct mail to nearly 49,000 homes between Visalia and Tulare. An additional 1,500 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
Circulation of this Issue: 51,500
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ON THE COVER: Featured in a recent McMillin Homes fine art exhibition for Visalia's 292 Grand Opening were (from left) ceramics by Mark Ahlstrand; fine art prints by Matthew Hopson-Walker; and paintings by Andrea Guay, all of Visalia. McMillin's model exhibition program was created to encourage new home buyers to include local art in their lives and homes. (Cover Photos by David Miller)
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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
art & community
CREATING COMMUNITY:
McMillin Homes Launches Visalia's Public Art Collection As the economy eroded in late summer 2008, many companies understandably cut costs. Corporate charitable contributions, too, were fixed in the crosshairs. Public arts funding was also susceptible: As of 2010 (the most recent year for which statistics were available), a 14 percent reduction had occurred since 2007, and more than 30 percent since its high in 2001. But one company doing business in Central California has responded 180 degrees from its competitors in the residential development sector, many of which recoiled from corporate giving following the worst financial hit to the residential development sector in 50 years. McMillin Homes was aware of the ways that the arts create interesting, more desirable places to live, play and work. But the company also knew that public funding for 6
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the arts was suffering at the local level – by a drop of over 10 percent since 2008. So the San Diego-based McMillin saw an opportunity to support the communities they help build, according to Carrie Williams, McMillin Homes Vice President of Marketing. “These downward trends are severe in California, where the state arts council has been decimated, and funding for local arts councils has declined precipitously. These cuts have had a disproportionate impact on small and mid-sized organizations, and even more so on artists who rely proportionately more on public funding than larger institutions,” Williams said. Artists and arts organizations are still reeling from public funding cuts at a time when private benefactors, too, have reduced arts support and art purchases, as they often do when their stock portfolio arrows begin pointing downward. But
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 A aron Collins | Photos by David Miller
Williams says ongoing support for local arts groups and artists is more necessary than ever in times like these. “The arts are an essential part of strong communities, and McMillin Homes’ goal is to be a creator of vibrant communities with a great quality of life – not just to build and sell houses,” she added. For example, when McMillin Homes recently launched its new northwest Visalia communities called 292 North and 292 South, McMillin made the arts a central feature of the grand opening celebration. Local performing artists were hired at market rate, local culinary artists were engaged, and a visual art exhibition featuring local artists was organized for one of the model homes’ “flex spaces” – a room adapted as an in-home art gallery space where McMillin showed how prospective buyers could make the enjoyment of the visual arts a bigger part of their daily lives. The well-received show featured some of the region’s most notable contemporary artists including Mark Ahlstrand, Mark Bosch, Kevin Bowman, Antonio “Evaristo” Cuellar, Andrea Guay, Matthew Hopson-Walker, Adam Longatti, Bryan Pickens, Amie Rangel, Matthew Rangel, Nadi Spencer and James Stark. Interestingly, some featured artists are well known for incorporating into their art nuanced views of such concerns as the effects of poverty, ag industry and land use practices, not the anemic content which sometimes
characterizes corporate-sponsored art shows. While artists and arts organizations are businesses, not charities – with the arts representing $5.4B in 2008 revenue resulting in $300M in tax revenues – the arts rely both directly and indirectly on the largest of corporate and public support, just like other industries do. So those artists and arts groups are no strangers to asking. What is far less common is for a corporation to ask, “Can we do more for artists?” In organizing its upcoming May event for the 292 communities, McMillin executives asked that very question. One response was to establish an annual scholarship for a COS Architecture Program student who plans to pursue a career as an architect, underscoring McMillin’s commitment to the uplifting benefits of living with good design. “Our grand opening’s inaugural art exhibition attracted well over a thousand attendees, which was a fantastic response. But it was up and gone quickly,” Williams said. “We want our support for local communities to count for the longest term possible.” So McMillin set about organizing an upcoming May show with enduring rewards for the community. The idea? McMillin Homes will open “Land/Marks: A Visual Chronicle of Visalia” with a Vintage Press-catered VIP preview reception featuring live musicians on May 26, its second art exhibition installment (the company anticipates
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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
ART & COMMUNITY cont.
organizing additional shows in the future). Along with a Memorial Weekend full of performances, community activities and arts activities for kids, the Land/Marks exhibition will feature views of Visalia that are both familiar and unfamiliar, documenting the myriad ways that artists respond to and capture their surroundings, the people, and diverse culture that make Visalia a vibrant place to live. But this is what gives the program its significant, enduring value: Rather than offering the exhibition for just a short run, selected works will become part of a permanent collection owned by the City of Visalia. Works in the show will be matched with corporate, organizational, and individual sponsors who will then donate the art to the City, thereby establishing a lasting program called the Visalia Visual Chronicle. Artists make a sale, donors get a tax write-off, and McMillin gets the pleasure of knowing it launched an ongoing program of important cultural value. “The Visual Chronicle will benefit the citizens of Visalia for decades ahead,” Williams said. “The program is modeled on similar programs in Amsterdam and other major US cities, and the collection’s value and merit should only increase over time as we change and grow.” She envisions that the collection will be valuable to local educators, marketers, historians, and anyone wanting a visual record of how artists conceived their city over passing decades. Additionally, the works will be exhibited in publicly accessible places such as City-owned venues and other spaces that keep regular hours open to the public. A minimum number of works will be specified for exhibition together at any given time, ensuring that they are seen as part of a 8
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comprehensive collection with a defined theme, rather than just as décor. While McMillin was first to commit to an art purchase for donation to the Visalia Visual Chronicle – which will be a partner project of the Arts Consortium, Tulare County’s California Arts Council partner – Williams hopes that many other local companies and individuals will join the effort by selecting works for purchase from the upcoming show to give to the City of Visalia. The City has agreed to receive the donations according to a public art policy that was already in development prior to McMillin’s establishment of the innovative art program. “We at McMillin think that our arts program is a great way to celebrate and support community and Visalia’s unique identity by honoring the artists who help shape it,” Williams said, “and we think that our already-vibrant Visalia arts scene is only going to get better via our arts support efforts.” While it’s hard to quantify exactly how effective McMillin’s arts support program has been since its inception, the resulting favorable press has increased traffic to its models and resulted in numerous sales in what had been a notably quiet market, Williams said. And even better: Contributions to the Visual Chronicle program will be tax deductible to the full extent allowed to individual donors. Those interested in contributing to the Visalia Visual Chronicle can contact Aaron Collins at (559) 359-1305, or email aeronchase@hotmail.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
YMCA Day Camp Located at Liberty School 11535 Avenue 264 YMCA Summer Day Camp Is Open to Boys and Girls 1st Grade—8th Grade
Activities Include:
Swimming! • Arts & Crafts! Adventure Hour! Group Challenges! •
• • •
Counselor In Training Program! • • •
Family Nights! Special Events SCAMP Hour!
Quality Child Care for $170.00 per week 3 Day Minimum $34 a day Ratio of 1 to 14! Monday ‐ Friday 7:00am ‐ 5:30pm Ask About Our Sibling Discounts!!
Theme
Dates
Field Trip
Summer Sizzles
June 13‐17
Waterslides
Mystery Mayhem
June 20‐24
Make It, Brake It, Fix It June 27‐July1
Bowling Adventure Park
Hero’s Week
July 5‐8
Special Guests
Party Palooza
July 11‐15
Trip to the Beach!
All Star Week
July 18‐22
Roller Towne
Wonder Emporium
July 25‐29
Johns Incredible Pizza & Ice Skating!
Community Helpers
August 1‐5
Exploratorium—San Francisco
SPECIAL CARE WEEK
August 8‐12
Location To Be Announced
*All Field Trips Costs are not included, Field Trips subject to change.
For More Information Please Contact The Visalia YMCA (559)627‐0700 Or Visit Our Website: www.GoldenStateYMCA.org
This is not VUSD sponsored
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VIRTUAL VALLEY A Web of Tech Problems:
Finding Answers
Online
Computer hardware and software once came with stacks of manuals. I remember the massive slipcases containing manuals for DOS, WordPerfect and my programming tools. The original CorelDRAW manuals were in the most impressive box on my desk. Today, finding answers is no longer so simple. Most software titles I now purchase are downloaded from the Internet and the only manuals are the online help systems. The quality of the online help systems ranges from somewhat helpful to completely useless. Knowing what to search for in an online manual can be almost impossible. I recently needed to reformat a document in an expensive editing application. I tried to search for “formatting” with no luck. I must have tried at least six different searches in the help. All I wanted to do was change the way computer programming code was formatted. This is something most programmers like to customize. The answer should have been easy to find and even easier to understand. 10
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I was finally able to understand the frustrations of my clients and students. For too many years I had told students, “Use the online help. Learn to find the answers so you can help yourself in the future.” It turns out, you really cannot help yourself anymore. When I found the answer, almost by accident, I couldn’t make any sense of the directions. There were no “screenshots” of where to locate the menu option I needed. There were no explanations of how changing the formatting settings would alter existing files or future projects. The development software sells for $1,500, with an annual subscription fee for updates to the application. For that price, I want a manual that makes sense. My experiences with a programming tool’s exceptionally horrible help system reminded me that most of my questions are answered by people kind enough to help fellow computer users. When I have a question about technology, I turn to online forums. Many software vendors offer free online forums where users help each other. If you have a problem with a software or hardware product, search Bing or Google for the vendor’s name with the phrase “support forum,” “user community,” or “online manual.” My experience is that I can post a question and receive several good answers within two days. For example, if I am having a problem with customizing Adobe’s Dreamweaver, I turn to the forums hosted by Adobe Systems, Inc., and search the messages. Some of the software vendor forums I recommend: • http://forums.adobe.com • http://discussions.apple.com • http://coreldraw.com/forums • http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/ If specific vendor forums don’t have the answer you seek, try forums hosted by online magazines and their publishers:
CNET: http://forums.cnet.com Computer Shopper: http://forums.computershopper.com Digital Photography: http://www.dpreview.com MacRumors: http://www.macrumors.com MacNN: http://www.macnn.com Macworld (and MacUser): http://www.macworld.com PC Magazine: http://discuss.pcmag.com PCWorld: http://www.pcworld.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
Tex t by C. S. Wyat t
Notice I include Digital Photography among the best computer-related sites. With the explosion in digital photography, many of my own software questions involve photo editing and managing the images that fill the hard drives in our office. There are similar forums for desktop publishing, audio recording and video editing. If you remember to search for “forums” you will find helpful people. When I have a complex question that forums don’t seem to answer, I search for blogs on specific topics. Google allows you to narrow search results to blogs, which helps a great deal. Bloggers tend to be passionate about hardware or software and offer detailed explanations of how to accomplish specific tasks. Most technology how-to blogs include screenshots and some include videos. Forums and blogs aren’t the only way to find assistance. The “Dummies” site features videos, which are convenient for visual learners. Often I read how to fix a problem and don’t quite understand the instructions. Video lessons are great for those moments. Two sites with some of the best videos are: • www.dummies.com • www.ehow.com I was a very loyal consumer of computer books. While there remain third-party books for most software and hardware, the quality has declined somewhat over the last decade. There are also fewer dedicated technology publishers and the best of these publish advanced texts for programmers and technicians. If you do consider a book to help you find answers, I recommend the following, in order from beginner to advanced: Microsoft Press Step-by-Step Guides: www.microsoft.com/mspress Apress Books: apress.com Que Publishing: www.quepublishing.com O’Reilly Media: oreilly.com Wiley & Sons: www.wiley.com Pearson Education’s Que Publishing remains a personal favorite. Pearson also publishes books under the Adobe Press (www.adobepress.com) and Peachpit (www.peachpit.com) imprints. Some of my friends consider the Wiley & Sons imprint Wrox (www.wrox.com) the best programming books. Wiley & Sons is also home to the Dummies and software Bible series. DIRECT MAGAZINE
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cool people Tex t by Crystal R. R. Edwards | Photos by Aspec t Photography
Dr. Vaughn
LAUREN BILLYS “Eventing” is the equestrian equivalent of the triathlon. Show jumping, dressage (sometimes referred to as “horse ballet”), and cross-country are judged during the competition over two or three days. There are three constants in life: death, taxes and horse-crazy little girls. What happens when the equine obsession turns into a possible career? Meet Lauren Billys of Visalia. Billys, a 22-year-old student at Fresno State, rides her Irish sport horse Ballingowan Ginger in the equestrian sport referred to as three-day eventing (3DE). “I started riding when I was eight years old,” she said. “I was obsessed with horses, which was strange because no one else in my family rode.” Her obsession led to lessons, then summer camp at Mountain View Corrals in Woodlake. At that point, she was hooked. “That was the first time I ever jumped,” she recalled. Mountain View Corrals did all three-day eventing, and before she knew it, Billys had a horse and was invited to a 3DE competition when she was 13. “There was no way I was ever going to do anything but eventing at that point,” she said. Billys currently rides out of Eden Ranch, in Sanger, and visits her coaches Bea and Derek DiGrazia at Stillwater Farm in Carmel Valley every other weekend. “We watch movies at night, and we ride during the daytime,” she said. “I get a lot of help from them and I’m constantly in contact with Bea or Derek during the rest of the time to discuss everything that’s going on with my training.” She also works with Loris Henry in Fresno on a weekly basis. “She’s one of the top dressage judges in the world for eventing,” Billys said. “She’s been a huge help in my riding career.” 12
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Billys is a double-major in chemistry and enology (wine making). She also teaches riding and trains rider-horse pairs in what little spare time she has left, and is hoping that eventing will become a career. “I’m hoping that I can get a lot of exposure and ride in big-time international competitions.” How big-time are we talking? “The Pan American Games,” she said with a chuckle. “All the countries in the Western Hemisphere compete. I’m of Puerto Rican nationality, and I’ll be competing on behalf of Puerto Rico.” She explained that this is the first year Puerto Rico will come out with an eventing squad. “We don’t have an official coach yet,” she said. “Those who are qualifying for the Pan American games are all based in the United States.” Billys trains at least three hours a day, six days a week on her 16.3-hand-tall horse. The seventh day of the week, she’s still at the barn, working with other horses. “It’s a big commitment, and it’s taught me a lot of responsibility.” She described how she was handed the keys to the truck and a horse trailer when she was 16 and given a cheerful farewell by her parents before one weekend event. “My advice to anyone interested in eventing, or the equestrian sport in general, is to enjoy the process, not just the final product. Things can change in a day. If your horse blows a tendon, you may not be going to that competition. The end product is not always a given, but I enjoy what I’m doing every day with the horse.” To keep updated with Billys and Ballingowan Ginger’s upcoming Pan American status, visit her blog: http://laurenbillys.blogspot.com.
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Spring is Here...
it's time to get your yard in shape!
Garden World is here to help! The only locally owned lawn and garden equipment shop in town, Garden World’s hometown service is incomparable. And now the shop is conveniently located at Shirk & Pershing, off Highway 198, to better serve the needs of its customers. Known for its quick turn-around time on service and repairs, lowest prices on Stihl brand handheld equipment, Ariens and Gravely mowers and zero-turn riders, largest selection of parts, and personalized service, Garden World provides Visalia residents with everything needed to service their yards. They encourage everyone to come check out their new location and their extensive line of lawn and garden equipment, as well as to learn about the quality repair and services they provide. Being a locally owned company allows Garden World to provide its customers with quality hometown service at the lowest prices you just can't get anywhere else!
For more information stop by the store located at 6837 W. Pershing (3/4 mile north of 198 at Shirk & Pershing) or call (559) 651-3388. Hours– M-F 8-6 • Sat 9-1 PAID ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ATTENTION TRUCKERS: Corporate & Federal Drug Testing
Immediate Appointments for: • D.O.T. Trucker Physicals • Drug & Breath Alcohol Testing • Random Pool - C/TPA
• 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)
617 N. Akers, Visalia | 559.734.3332
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From out of the Tules Tex t by Ron Vaughan, Tulare Historical Museum
Vanished Tulare Lake
keeps coming back Tulare Lake was once the largest fresh water lake in the western United States, but it’s now farmland – at least for the present. The first white man to view Tulare Lake arrived in 1773. Spanish Commandante Tagus saw the vast areas of tule reeds and named it “Los Tules.” However, it did not become common knowledge until 1825 when legendary explorer Jedediah Smith led the first band of trappers into the San Joaquin Valley. Over the centuries, the Kings and other rivers deposited debris that formed a 40-foot-high east-west ridge across the valley. This created a vast network of lakes and marshes in the southern valley, which were fed by the many rivers and creeks flowing from the Sierras and the Coast Range. The main bodies of this network were Buena Vista, Kern and Tulare Lakes. During times of high water, Tulare Lake flowed over the ridge into the San Joaquin River. The last time these lakes were connected was during the major flood of 1938, when Tulare Lake burst its levees. The lake varied from 600 square miles to as large as 1,000 square miles in a rainy year. It was about 40 miles long by 30 or more miles wide, but in flood season could be 75 miles long. The lengthy shoreline stretched from north of Lemoore to south of Alpaugh, while the western shore was near Kettleman City and the eastern shore at Waukena. 14
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Tulare Lake was shallow, not more than 46 feet deep. The southern part of the lake featured several islands: the largest was Root Island (Alpaugh is there now), and to the west were the Pelican Islands. It is amazing to think that those sea-going fowl apparently once flew over this valley! The lake was a habitat for all sorts of birds, game and countless water creatures, including a variety of fish, clams, mussels, oysters and terrapin. In the early days, Yokut fishermen ventured out onto the lake on large rafts made from bundles of tule reeds. Later on, white men brought large flat-bottomed sail boats and even sidewheel steam boats, to sail the lake, catching fish and terrapin. Local restaurants served fresh oysters and turtle soup. As many as 300 dozen turtles were caught and shipped to San Francisco in a single season. Mr. A. J. Atwell, an enterprising Visalia attorney, kept hogs on Root Island and used a 50-foot sail boat, the “Mose Andross,” to transport them to market. In 1876, Atwell converted his boat to a side-wheel steamer and continued runs until the lake water receded so much that the island no longer existed. Diversion of water to agriculture, drought years (especially during 1924-37), and eventually the Terminus and Success dams caused the lake to almost completely disappear. Only small remnants of the lake remain, hemmed in by levees. The dry lakebed is some of the richest farmland in the valley, mostly
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farmed by Boswell Corporation. But the lake came back in the floods of 1938, 1955, 1967 and 1983. In those years about 80,000 acres of prime farmland were under water. In the Yokut days, they had to move their villages away from the rising lake levels. In these modern floods, barns and houses were submerged, causing farm families to flee. Hundreds of farm workers were put out of work. During the 1967 flood, high winds were causing waves to erode the levees holding back the water. A call went out to pay $15 for old junk cars to be hauled in and placed to break up the wave action. I recall attempting to drive out to Alpaugh in the spring of 1983 and found the road east of Earlimart completely covered by several inches of water. Alpaugh had become an island again, surrounded by miles of water. We have had way above normal precipitation this season, and I recently noted some large areas of standing water in the Alpaugh vicinity. Perhaps there is more to come, so maybe Tulare Lake will reappear!
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National EMS Week: May 15-21, 2011 Tex t by American Medical Response
Anytime. Anywhere. We’l be There. National Emergency Medical Services Week or “EMS Week” 2011 is coming up this year on May 15 through May 21. This year SAFE-T is hosting a BBQ on May 21, 2011, at Riverway Sports Park in Visalia at 12 p.m. We encourage the community to come out to support and donate to the foundation. The EMTs and Paramedics who sacrifice their lives and time for our safety also support local charities in the community such as Relay for Life, Wish Upon A Star, Visalia Emergency Aid Council and the Porterville Women’s Shelter to name a few. Let’s come out to support those who support our community!
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Every day in our community, and in communities like ours throughout the nation, emergencies happen. These local emergencies may not get the press coverage that the big disasters happening thousands of miles away receive, but to our friends and neighbors these day-today emergencies can be just as dangerous and deadly. We rely upon Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics to respond and make a difference in our lives. No matter the need, no matter the call, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) stands ready to serve you. EMS is at once the most iconic and visible part of the emergency healthcare system. It is also probably the most misunderstood. Almost everyone can recognize an ambulance and most people have an idea of its purpose. However people rarely give thought to the capabilities and education of the people working inside of it. EMTs and Paramedics have long since evolved from their humble beginnings as simply a fast ride to the hospital. Today’s ambulances are highly specialized mobile intensive care units and today’s EMT attends hundreds of hours of classroom education for their initial certification. Paramedics, the highest level of field medical providers, attend thousands of hours of initial education and internship time and must be masters of acute care. Not only that, but EMTs and Paramedics alike must recertify their license every few years and must attend hundreds more hours of continuing education to achieve their recertification. This training covers all aspects of acute emergency care and is quite intense and rigorous. Today’s EMS system, with Paramedics and EMTs working in tandem, brings the first hour of Emergency Room care to the patient’s
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
side no matter where the patient may be. EMS focuses on providing immediate stabilizing care that stops or slows the progression of the acute disease process or damage from any injury, protects the patient from further aggravation of the condition, and impacts their long-term continuity of care. This care reduces mortality, or loss of life, as well as morbidity, or future quality of life. Calling 911 during a medical emergency produces better outcomes than does simply driving a seriously ill or injured person to a hospital. Early intervention in cases such as a heart attack or stroke can mean the difference between those conditions leading to long-term disability or a full recovery. Every community in our region has emergency ambulance services available at a moment’s notice that are simply a 911 call away. It is important for people within our community to ask questions and get to know the people responding to their calls for help. Learn about their capabilities and their needs. Pitch in and help where you can. EMS people have always been the absolute masters of doing anything with nothing, but are desperately in need of the support and attention of the communities we serve. It is common for community members to not think about their local ambulance services until the time that they need their services, however, EMS needs your support. Americans have always been massively charitable towards disasters happening thousands of miles away when images of them flood our television screens and newspapers, but rarely does that same charity flow to the local emergency responders who are taking care of our friends and neighbors. Your local EMS service needs your support to maintain high levels of lifesaving
service in your own communities. You can directly impact the service that your local EMS can give to your friends, your neighbors, your loved-ones, and even yourself. The Emergency Medical Services system is unique in Tulare County in that there are seven private ambulance providers who work together cohesively as one entity to provide the closest, most appropriately staffed emergency and/or nonemergency ambulance response to the citizens of Tulare County. In 2009, the Tulare County Ambulance providers created the Sequoia Ambulance Foundation for Education and Training, or SAFE-T. SAFE-T ensures that the highest level of care is provided by EMS and first responders throughout Tulare County by providing continuing education and training free of charge. Although much of the training and education offered by SAFE-T is targeted at working Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics, classes are open to the general public. Certified EMTs and Licensed Paramedics are mandated to receive Continuing Education credits to maintain their respective levels of accreditation. SAFE-T makes this possible by offering Continuing Education classes three times per month at no cost to the individual. SAFE-T will be offering CPR and First Aid to the general public in the near future. The Foundation is able to offer the training and education at no cost to the individual through grants and donations. The officers of SAFE-T meet monthly to select which classes are offered, qualified instructors, and to continue to expand the capabilities of the Foundation to meet the needs of all those in need of training. 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
Well, that was fun
The Other Kind of Pickup Line
Every afternoon at 2:25 p.m., the alarm on my phone goes off to remind me to pick up Hedgehog from school. I’m prone to get nose-down in a book or project and not realize what time it is. A few phone calls from the school that first year to ask if I was too busy to rescue them from my irrepressible fiveyear-old was enough to convince me I have no business going through life without a nanny of my own to keep me on-task. The routine is the same. My alarm goes off and I pop my head up from over a pile of work and I exclaim, “Oh! Wow!” as if I’ve never seen 2:25 in the afternoon before. I grab my purse and fling myself into the SUV I’ve lovingly nicknamed the Urban Assault Vehicle and accidentally hit the gas too hard, causing me to peel backwards out of the driveway. I usually manage to figure out which school I’m supposed to be at and pull in. I then sit in line behind 70 other cars for upwards of 20 minutes. You see, in our small town the school pickup line takes on the role of afternoon social hour as well. The cars turn off, windows roll down, and people get out to wander and chat. For a people-watcher like me, this is like being on a safari. I sit with my windows down to gawk and take notes. If anybody comes too close, I pop my headphones on and pretend to be on the phone. I don’t want to be engaged. I simply want to observe. I’ve noticed four distinct types of parents in the pickup lines. As they move from car to car, handing over forgotten toys from play dates or standing hands-on-hips to talk about the latest PTA action, I see past the Crocs, ponytails and ball hats and instead watch the whole of human drama played out. There are cat fights, philosophical discussions, hugs for the weary and applause for the accomplished. Juicy Moms. These are the ladies wearing tight sweatpants with “JUICY” written across the bum. At least 40% of their entire matching outfit is pink, including the nail polish. Oversized sunglasses are generally involved somewhere around the face or hair. 18
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Their voices are pitched midway between screaming infant and hungry bat. “How are you?” they squeal, as if they didn’t see these same people every school day for the last several years. “Your outfit is so kyoooooot!” After this initial greeting, the conversation abruptly changes. They never talk to one another. They talk past one another. Topics include the new diamond, the boat, the summer house, the luxury SUV, the cheerleading camp, the peewee football league. Elementary school is an interruption of social life, it seems, and isn’t it just awful how the administration doesn’t consider a mid-week trip to St. Barts an excused absence? They float up and down the line in their high-end flip flops, only socializing with other Juicy Moms. If you’re not one of their ilk, your windshield frosts as they pass by. The Juicy Moms make my hair hurt. Caregivers. These are the every-day parents, moms and dads alike, or grandparents. Their clothes are either rumpled or mismatched. Their mid-size cars and minivans are at least five years old and there are stickers and fingerprints covering the rear windows. They don’t wear makeup and they may have forgotten to brush their hair before leaving the house. There’s usually at least one younger child in a car seat in the back, whose hands you can see waving around in time to Raffi and Joe McDermott music. They don’t work the line quite as much, opting instead to stand outside their car and call cheerful greetings to people up or down the line. They seem happy to converse with anyone who is not demanding juice in a sippy, and their faces beam with delight as they wave and halloo. They seem amiable, full of goodwill. Kid pickup time is the windup of a busy day, and now they’re looking forward to laying out snacks and helping with homework and cuddling while watching childrens’ programming on PBS. The rest of today will be loving, and it smells like snickerdoodles fresh from the oven.
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 Caregivers warm the cockles of my snarky old hea— well, I was going to say “heart,” but let’s be honest. They restore my faith in humanity. Busy Dads. While most of the men I see in the pickup line are stay-athome-dads or dads who have the good fortune to arrange their work schedules to include childcare, there is a particular set of men I see that makes me nearly shriek with laughter. Busy Dads always have a phone clamped to their ear or a headset on. Busy Dads are in pressed clothing and wear shiny watches. Busy Dads drive late-model sedans that are so clean as to qualify as four-wheel laboratories. Busy Dads get out of the car and stand at the door, chatting away on the phone and giving a half-hand wave to the one or two others of their type within immediate visual range. Busy Dads are busy. Important. Busy. They aren’t sure how they got roped into kid pickup, but something must have threatened them enough that they found it the more palatable option. My guess is there’s a Juicy Mom at a nail appointment behind every Busy Dad and she’s threatened to scratch the new luxury SUV with the new diamond ring if he doesn’t engage with the children like the family therapist told them during that workshop. Squeak. Squeal. Squish. Poor Busy Dads. There are times I’m tempted to yell out my windows, “Hey! Your wife just texted me...” just to see the look of panic on their faces as they dive back into their vehicles.
Experiment Book are passed around through car windows and discussed with animated hand gestures. When the kids are released from school and the first few cars begin to move up the line, the Camp Counselors yell “Yeah!” and jump back into their cars. The boring grown-up stuff is shelved for the day and now the exciting part is about to begin. Homework involves real-life examples or corollary information pulled from their own bookshelves or a hands-on experiment that will be discussed fully in the pickup line the next day. Next time you see me in line, in my red SUV and my headphones on, wave. I’ll see it. I’ll wave back. I’ll also direct your attention to a particularly drippy Juicy Mom, or I’ll hand you an extra copy of Hello World! Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners. Yeah! My alarm just went off!
Camp Counselors. These curious souls, these leaders of the short set ... these are my people. Men and women, grandparents and nannies, these are the ones who will talk to anybody about anything. Conversations range from the upcoming field trip to how to care for the tarantula the kids found last week. Things like homemade volcanoes and The Everything Kids’ Science 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
CULINARY Recipe by Elaine Dekassian of Tre Bien | Photo by Taylor Vaughn
CITRUS and white wine salmon Ingredients: 4 parchment paper circles, cut from a roll, approximately 12 inches in diameter 4 baby red potatoes, thinly sliced 4 (6-8) ounce salmon filets 4 T butter (1 T for each packet) 8 ounces shitake mushrooms (or anything you like but choose smaller mushrooms), sliced or chopped depending on the size 1 leek, white part only, thinly sliced 2 lemons, zested first and then juiced 4 thyme sprigs 4 T fresh basil, cut into a chiffonade (stack 4 or 5 leaves, roll into a tight roll like a cigar and then thinly slice) 1 C dry white wine (1/4 C for each packet) Salt and pepper 12 thin asparagus spears, sliced into 2-inch pieces on the bias (diagonal cut) Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Fold the parchment in half. Lay the potatoes flat, placing them in the center just above the crease. Lay the fish on top of the potatoes. Lay tablespoon butter on top of fish. Divide the seasoned vegetables between the 4 papers, placing them in the center just above the crease. Top with lemon zest, thyme sprigs, basil and wine. Fold the paper over the fish. Working from one end of the parchment to the other, fold the bottom of the paper over the top to crease and seal the packets. The closure needs to be very secure so the steam will not escape during the cooking process. Bake in the preheated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes.
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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
focus on fitness Text by Andy & Eryn Salazar of Empower Fitness Training
N o T i m e t o W o r k o ut Life is hectic. Between working 8-10 hours a day and managing a household, most of us find it very hard to fit exercise into our busy routines. “I don’t have time to exercise,” is the number one excuse I hear that is holding people back from getting into shape. We are all busy. Why is it that some of us find time to make exercise a priority and others don’t? Here are four key points to helping you stay on track and get in quick, efficient workouts that eliminate the excuse of “I don’t have time.” 1. You have to schedule your workouts. If you do not schedule your workouts in advance you are very likely to skip them, fill your day up with other things, and just plain forget to exercise. Schedule your workout as if it is a doctor’s appointment that you can’t miss. It’s that important. 2. Keep your workouts short and efficient. Keep all of your workouts to a maximum of 45 minutes. No more long hours of cardiovascular training. Instead, opt for a 30-minute circuit-training workout, where you move from one exercise to the next every 30-45 seconds, or 45 minutes of interval training where you stagger 15 minutes of weight training with 15 minutes of intense cardiovascular training. The key is to get your heart rate up and burn as many calories as you can in the allotted amount of time you have.
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3. Accountability Partner. Find a workout partner or fitness professional who will hold you accountable and not allow you to skip out on a regular exercise routine. Most of us cannot be consistent with a regular fitness routine without some help. As hard as we may try, it’s easy to push off working out without anyone to answer to. There are some people who are exceptions to this rule, but most of us need a little prodding. 4. Never miss a workout. Even if you are on vacation, find a fun and exciting way to get in a workout. Make a regular fitness routine a part of your lifestyle. Don’t let vacations or schedule changes derail your fitness plans. Even if you only have 15-30 available minutes, take advantage of it. Getting in some exercise is better than none.
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 School Board Election Changes Text by Craig Wheaton, Ed.D. Superintendent
To understand how our board members are elected, you need to know a little about Visalia Unified School District’s history. VUSD was unified in 1965, pulling together Visalia City Schools and outlying small schools. The district reaches from Goshen to Ivanhoe. The seven school board members are currently in “five districts,” originally designed to provide representation for both “city” schools and “out-of-town” schools. Over the years, Visalia has grown and the original board election structure doesn’t really make sense for our district. With a population of over 130,000 and a student enrollment of 27,000, it makes much more sense to establish seven trustee areas. Federal and state law changes along with growth and population shifts in our community all point to the need to redesign the trustee election areas. The major change is moving from five to seven trustee areas and to shift to what is called “bytrustee” area elections. This simply means that the district will be divided into seven areas and trustees must live in and be elected by voters in that area. This is a big shift for our community, and the local school board established a dedicated group of community volunteers to assist and advise them in the process. The Trustee Area
Elections Boundary Study Plan Committee, first formed in 2009, reviewed the law, examined our current school district population data, and developed some basic guidelines that were adopted by our school board to assist in drawing new trustee areas. The law requires that each area be equal in population, and the committee recommended we use elementary school boundaries as the foundation in developing the new trustee areas. That would provide structure and help prevent any unintentional “gerrymandering.” The committee also recommended that we not divide the communities of Goshen, Ivanhoe, and North Visalia. Using these guidelines, our demographer developed three samples for the local school board to consider. There will be several meetings during the month of May to review these samples prior to the board taking action in June. Please come to one of the public hearings or public forum meetings to hear the details of this plan. Our board meetings/ public hearings will be held on April 26, May 10, May 24 and June 14 at 7 p.m. Our Visalia Community Forum will be held on May 19 at 4 p.m. All meetings are held at Visalia Unified School District, 5000 W. Cypress Avenue, Visalia.
Experience God, Experience Life at Visalia First Assembly The month of May brings a new sermon series by Pastor Mike D. Robertson, “Saved Soul, Wasted Life ... the only deathbed conversion in the Bible.” Too many people go through their Christian life with only salvation – Saved Soul, Wasted Life deals with how to make a greater impact while we are on this planet. Pastor Mike believes that prior to getting “peeled off the planet” we should give something back to make our world a better place. We invite you to join us for this new series. The month of May calls for special attention to all moms. Ask a group of people to define “mother” and you will undoubtedly get countless answers – nurturer, blessing, friend, disciplinarian, and heart-of-the-home are just a few that immediately come to mind. No matter our differences, we all have this in common – we were given life by our mothers. We choose to celebrate mothers at Visalia First Assembly this month and always. Mom Connection is one way mothers get together at VFA. Mom Connection is for moms with children birth to 12 years old. You can be a part of Mom Connection’s next gathering on Friday, May 20, at 9 a.m. in the VFA lobby. Hear powerful “restoration” testimonies from moms.
VFA has something for ALL women, whether you’re a mom or not. Small groups are a fun way for women to get connected and meet other women. Almost all of the VFA small groups meet off campus in homes, restaurants, and at outdoor locations. “We feel that our relationship to God is the most important we can ever have, but we need others for support and friendship, and we have found that our small groups fill that need,” said VFA Women’s Director Danice Squires. Current women’s small groups include: prayer, book clubs, cooking clubs, coffee groups, movie time groups, and a hiking club. These are all designed with WOMEN in mind. Weekend Experience at Visalia First Assembly Saturday at 5 p.m.; Sunday at 8, 9:45, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Akers Campus 3737 S. Akers Spanish Service at 12:30 p.m., Walnut Campus 3737 W. Walnut V1AG.com or 733-9070
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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
TOMS One Day Without Shoes Text and Photos by Corey Ralston
Inspiring the community and world with bare feet You’d never guess a shoe company would host an event that encouraged people to spend a day barefoot. But on April 5, 2011, that is exactly what TOMS Shoes asked of people all over the world: go One Day Without Shoes (ODWS). At 3:30 p.m. in front of Redwood High School in Visalia, students and friends gathered to bare their soles, raising awareness on behalf of TOMS – a shoe company that, for every pair purchased, donates a pair to children in need. As the group marched around Visalia, some carried TOMS banners, others wore TOMS tee shirts, and most of them looked like they couldn’t be happier to walk around barefoot. “It does feel gross to walk around with no shoes. I think I stepped in some gasoline back there and I want to go home and soak my feet,” Justin Aleman of Fresno said while he experienced firsthand the misfortune of not having shoes. Kayla Cruz of Hanford didn’t feel gross walking around barefoot, but was inspired by what the event was bringing up. “It is an awesome feeling to know what other people feel like in other countries by walking barefoot. I have been involved for three years now and I think this is such a great thing to do,” Cruz said. The crowd made its way to the Fox Theater on Main Street where they were shown a video about founder Blake Mycoskie’s vision for TOMS. Mycoskie made it his life’s mission to bring awareness to an ongoing global concern: all over the world, underprivileged people are walking around with nothing to protect their feet from the elements. Children contract diseases from cuts and sores on their feet. Many of the children are not even able to attend school because they have no shoes. In Ethiopia, approximately one million people suffer from Podoconiosis: a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil – a 24
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disease that can be prevented by wearing appropriate footwear and using good hygiene. 210 in Visalia was the hub once again for the event. Swarms of people came to listen to local bands and learn about different charities in our community. Vendors set up booths as well, selling things like music, jewelry and enough vintage clothing for a budding hippie to fill a closet. “I am amazed by the amount of support for ODWS in our community, both from individuals and businesses,” said Jason Lafaive, director of 210. “210 had an overwhelming response from those who wanted to be involved. GAP, Fresno Pacific and Mainland were huge in their efforts to support the day and what it revolved around.” Lafaive sees how local youth have taken on causes to support. “Today’s students are more socially aware than ever, and I believe a lot of it has to do with social media and instant communication. These days, it’s not just what is happening in their neighborhood, school or community, but other states and countries. What is amazing is how quickly students react or rally around a cause or effort,” Lafaive said. Kim Rico, coordinator for this year’s Visalia event, has not only seen event participation grow from 350 to over 800 in just one year, but she has noticed a shift in the social consciousness of our local community as well. “I believe Visalia is in the transition phase of learning about social entrepreneurship and is looking at the example TOMS has set. I hope local businesses see the power and creativity this ‘current generation’ has, and make more of an effort to incorporate a giving model into their businesses,” said Rico. “This way, we can motivate more people to take ownership in giving back to the community of Visalia.”
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Tulare County Health & Human Text by Tulare County Health & Human Services
“I wanna be a truck driver!” stated five-year-old Joseph with an engaging grin. Though normally shy, he becomes animated when the topic of trucks comes up. “Maybe a great big garbage truck!” he added. His parents, Diana and Josiph, share a contented smile. When Joseph was born, Diana and Josiph were homeless. But even through the haze of drug abuse and the confusion of mental illness, they recognized that Joseph needed better care than they could provide – prompting them to give temporary custody to his godmother. Meanwhile, they decided to enter rehabilitation services – taking the first step toward putting their family together again. 26
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Adjusting to life without drug dependence and acquiring and maintaining an apartment presented difficulties for Josiph and Diana, but rebuilding their relationship with their son soon became their top priority. The godmother filed paperwork seeking permanent custody of Joseph, necessitating that his parents attend custody hearings to get their son back. After being sober for a year, Diana and Josiph started traveling to Sacramento on a weekly basis to visit Joseph and rebuild their relationship. Mental health services received through Tulare County helped them stay on track, and they remained sober throughout the next year. “After two years, we finally got permission from the court for Joseph to spend the
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
services night with us sometimes,” said Diana. “It was wonderful!” But even more wonderful was the day they were able to start being full-time parents and welcome their son home. Their struggles didn’t end, however. Soon after three-yearold Joseph moved home, Diana became pregnant and suffered from prenatal depression. She visited the Parenting Network in Visalia, where a helpful and encouraging case manager named Christina connected her to services through the county’s Perinatal Wellness program. Christina was to play a significant part in helping Joseph’s parents achieve their goals. “Christina tells me things straight,” said Diana. “I trust her and know she wants what is best for my family. She reminds me to make decisions based on my new priority – my children.” Joseph soon became a big brother to Keionteh, but the family grew in other ways as well. Friends approached Diana and Josiph looking for a place to stay for a while. Remembering their own years of homelessness, they could not turn them away. Their two-bedroom apartment soon housed six other people and without a steady income, their finances and emotions were stretched severely. Boundaries had not been discussed when their friends moved in, and weeks turned into months, and then into years. Joseph remembers having to hide his candy if he hoped to have any for himself! Recalling Christina’s advice, Diana eventually realized that providing a healthy environment for her sons was her first priority. Although it wasn’t easy, she and Josiph asked their friends to find another place to stay. With help from the Parenting Network, the family is now thriving. They are participating in a Safe CARE program to learn about safety hazards in the home. They continue to benefit from Christina’s knowledge of community resources, taking advantage of the CSET Energy Assistance Program and obtaining food donations from Food4Less. Currently, Diana helps support her peers struggling to maintain sobriety, while Josiph is looking forward to culinary training through ABLE Industries. Keionteh is growing fast. And Joseph? No surprise there – he looks forward to someday being a truck 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
San Joaquin Valley College
Industrial Technology Training Piques Interest During Tight Economy Many whose jobs are at risk in today’s economic uncertainty are considering specialized education and training to bolster their future job security. A career that has a lot of appeal and which is getting mainstream attention is Industrial Technology. It is a specialized field with lots of advantages. In this high-demand position, well-trained Industrial Technologists enjoy playing a pivotal role in plant operations. As the economy tightens, Industrial Technicians perform an even larger role for employers. Industrial facilities and commercial plants must rely upon sure-handed Industrial Technicians to make certain that operations run smoothly, efficiently and with minimal slow-down or shut-down. Inefficient systems and sub-standard machinery mean financial losses that negatively impact production – and jobs. San Joaquin Valley College in Visalia provides an accelerated 30-week Industrial Technology training program that puts welltrained technicians in the field who are confident in the skills and knowledge they bring to the industry. Otis O’Neal, one of Visalia’s IT Instructors, says, “I was in the industry for 20 years and had a really hard time finding qualified people. People usually came up through the ranks, learning from the guy who was there before them, which is a poor system.” San Joaquin Valley College’s IT program will meet employer needs with well-trained graduates who have the technical skills and knowledge to work with essential industrial equipment and systems, such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), industrial electricity, power transmission and hydraulics. The Industrial Technology program provides classroom study and hands-on training in the functioning and maintenance of industrial equipment and operating systems. Particular emphasis is placed on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), industrial electricity, power transmission and hydraulics. Education and training include use of state-of-the-art equipment and emphasize: • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) • Motor control • Electrical theory • Fluid power systems • Bearing applications • Power transmission systems
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SJVC’s IT curriculum was designed with an eye to future employability of its graduates. Today’s employers are looking for well-trained technicians who can operate and maintain the specialized equipment that keeps their systems operational. SJVC uses the same equipment that is used in the industry. Students learn about industrial machinery and systems on the computer, then perform its live practical applications in the classroom to experience it firsthand. It is described as a tough course, but one that produces a well-rounded graduate who can expect to be more than competitive in the field. Graduates of San Joaquin Valley College’s Industrial Technology program in Visalia earn a Certificate of Completion and may opt to continue their education toward an Associate of Science degree offered on campus or through SJVC’s online campus. San Joaquin Valley College is a private junior college with 10 campuses that has served California communities for 32 years. For more information about the Visalia campus Industrial Technology program or other Business, Medical or Technical program, call toll free 866-391-3804 or visit www.SJVC.edu.
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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 The Enchanted Play House Presents: A Walk in the Woods
Annual COS Student Art Show
Visalia Runners 11th Annual End of the Trail Half Marathon
CASA of Tulare County’s 17th Annual Once Upon A Dream” Gala
Directed by Debbie Metler and Kay Whistler. A simple walk through a forest results in a multiplicity of wacky encounters with familiar and well-loved storybook characters, both good and evil. When: April 29 & 30, May 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14. Evening performances at 7p, Matinee at 2p. Where: The Enchanted Play House Theatre, 307 E. Main Street, Visalia Contact: 635-1761 Join other walkers and runners for a morning of fun and exercise that gives back to our community. Proceeds benefit Visalia youth high school scholarships. There will be no race day registration, so please see contact information below for registration deadlines and other event information. When: April 30, Walkers at 6:30a, Runners at 7:30a Where: Mooney Grove Park, Mooney Blvd., Visalia Contact: www.proracegroup.com or email rrodrig990@aol.com
Art Workshop: Handmade Paper-Making
Sponsored by the Arts Alliance of Three Rivers, this workshop will introduce you to making paper using various materials including recycled paper, dried plant materials, and scraps of this and that. Visit website for more information on enrollment and materials needed. When: April 30, 10-4p Where: Three Rivers Art Studio of Elsah Cort Contact: 561-4671 or http://artsthreerivers.org/workshops/cort.html
Exeter Garden Party
Come enjoy the garden-themed scenery in the quiet streets of Exeter and take part in the dinner and live and silent auctions. Items for both auctions are donated by the community. The Exeter “A Festival of Arts” invites you to this fundraiser benefiting the murals of Exeter. Please call for more information about tickets and table sponsorships. When: May 1, 5p Where: Corner of E Street and Pine, Exeter Contact: 592-2919
Showcasing student art work, the COS Art Gallery seeks to inspire community awareness and appreciation for the arts. This event is open and free to the public and is a great way to support our local artists. When: May 2, 11-3p Where: College of the Sequoias, 915 S. Mooney Boulevard, Visalia Contact: 737-4861
You are invited to this year’s “Once Upon A Dream” dinner and auction. Auction items include vacations, art work, home decor, and much more! Call today to reserve your spot. When: May 7, 6:40p Where: Holiday Inn, 9000 W. Airport Drive, Visalia Contact: 625-4007
First 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: May 7, 10a-5p Where: Maps at Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Dr. (CA 198), Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or visit www.1stSaturdayTR.com
58th Annual Woodlake Lions Rodeo
With hats a flyin’ and bulls a buck’n, the 58th Annual Woodlake Lions Rodeo is sure to be a good old-fashioned time. Amidst the beautiful backgrounds of the Sierra Nevada’s, cowboys and cowgirls compete for money in rodeo events while spectators get to enjoy the show, food and fun at this all-time favorite event. When: May, 7 & 8 Where: Woodlake Lions Rodeo grounds, Woodlake Contact: 280-6153 or visit www.woodlakelionsrodeo.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
Oscar Nominated Short Films at the Fox
Shorts International presents the Oscar nominated short films showing at the Visalia Fox Theatre as part of the Fox Film Series. These 2011 short films include animation, live action and documentary. Come out to the Fox to enjoy a little bit of Hollywood on Main When: May 10, 7p, Animation; 8:45p, Live Action Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main Street, Visalia Contact: 625-1369 or www.foxvisalia.com
Independent Film Night
Independent Film Night by Tulare County Library shows exclusive cultural films free to the public. Visit the website for more information on upcoming showings. When: May 19, 6:30-8p Where: Tulare County Library, Visalia Branch Blue Room, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-2700 or www.tularecountylibrary.org
Habitat for Humanity 6th Annual Birdhouse Auction
Benefiting Habitat for Humanity, the 6th Annual Birdhouse Auction will again be located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. Auction items include resort and spa getaways as well as wine-tasting tours, and much more. When: May 13, 6:30-10:30p Where: Tulare County Fairgrounds, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Tulare Contact: 734-4040
2011 Sequoia Foodie Fest
The Sequoia Foodie Festival is quickly becoming the premier festival destination for Central California foodies, music aficionados, and those just looking for a fun weekend! The centerpiece of the Foodie Fest, Kitchen Stadium, will be packed with star power! Fresh from her 2010 victory on the Food Network’s number one series, The Next Food Network Star, Aarti Sequeira will be making her first appearance in the Central Valley. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias. When: May 14, 10a-7p; May 15, 10a-5p Where: Dobson field, Exeter Contact: 838-6512 or visit www.sequoiafoodiefest.com for more information.
Exeter Garden Walk
Stroll the beautiful gardens of Exeter on this garden tour hosted by the Exeter Chamber of Commerce. Tea and refreshments will be held at By the Water Tower Antiques, which also serves as a starting location. When: May 14, 9a-2p. Where: By the Water Tower Antiques, 141 S. B Street, Exeter Contact: 592-291
If you would like to have your event considered for a free listing in our “Goings-On” section, please email your submission todirect@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 prior to publication.
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3445 S. Demaree St., Visalia 559.733.4478 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
DIREct FROm WARREN Text by Warren Gubler, Visalia City Councilmember
MI S ERY INDE X Forbes magazine recently released its annual rankings for the most miserable cities in America. California cities didn’t fare very well, as eight of them placed in the top 20. Forbes used 10 major factors to rank cities, including weather, unemployment over three years, tax rates (both sales and income), commute times, violent crime, and how their pro sports teams have done. In my opinion, these types of rankings are often somewhat arbitrary and subjective. When I came across this article on the Internet, I hurriedly scrolled through the list of top 20 miserable cities in America to see if Visalia had achieved this distinction. I’m happy to report that Visalia was not on the list. However, you might recognize a few of the ones from our Valley: Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield. I believe that Visalia was skipped over for this “honor” because it is a well-run city, has lower tax rates than many others in the area, has no commute times, violent crimes are down, and the Visalia Rawhide baseball team continues to be a winner. Stockton had the dubious honor of being number one on the most miserable list. In response to Stockton’s poor rating, City Manager Bob Deis stated that “Stockton has issues that it needs to address, but an article like this is the equivalent of bayoneting the wounded.” While Visalia certainly isn’t without its problems, I believe most of our citizens acknowledge Visalia’s livability and agree that it is the “Jewel of the Valley.” Changing topics, I note elsewhere in the state that the city of San Bernardino just imposed a 10 percent pay cut on their fire fighters union. Additionally, the city of San Jose indicated that it’s possible that 349 police officers and 145 firefighters could lose their jobs this coming year, which is on top of the 49 firefighters who lost their jobs last year. Overall, it is conceivable that one-fourth of their public safety employees will face layoffs. San Jose officials are projecting a looming $110 million deficit. That city is looking to get all unions to implement 10 percent concessions in total compensation. If those concessions are somehow accomplished for all unions, then it is possible that only 237 officers could lose their jobs. Other cost-saving measures suggested include turning off street lights, reducing library hours, and closing community centers.
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I mention the foregoing merely to emphasize that while Visalia has its own budgetary concerns, due to past conservative spending and laying in store for a rainy day by building up its reserves, Visalia has so far been able to keep its budget in balance. More tough decisions for the City Council are ahead regarding how to stretch our limited resources and about potential cuts in services and/or benefits. In 2010, two firefighters from Miki, Japan, one of our sister cities, visited Visalia. Mayor Link, Fire Chief Nelson, and I hosted them at Fire Station 55 and gave them a tour of this new facility. One of our visitors, Shigeyoshi Daito, stated that his specialty was rappelling out of a helicopter onto the top of skyscrapers in emergency fire situations. Not long ago I received an email from him indicating that Miki was not affected by Japan’s recent earthquake and tsunami, since Miki is located to the south of the affected area. However, Mr. Daito indicated that his fire team was heading to Fukushima for search and rescue. We are pleased that our sister city survived these natural disasters and wish Mr. Daito and his highly trained team the best in their relief efforts. I might add that his specialty is not one that our local fire department trains for, since Visalia is not yet in the skyscraper business. On a final note, I received a nice email from Visalia resident Annabell Jennings, in response to my recent Direct magazine article, “Recovering From December Rains.” She wrote this about our city staff: “I’m so grateful that those men and women were willing to go the extra mile to keep our city and residents safe. It is so refreshing to hear that people still do those things.” 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) 713-4400 ex. 3313. Warren Gubler Visalia City Council Member