Enjoy Magazine: San Joaquin Valley Living — April/May 2021

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 1

I S S U E 70

DREAM BIG be inspired

www.enjoysouthvalley.com

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contents San Joaquin Valley Living

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 1 // I S S U E 7 0

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dream big

inspiration 12 | An Honest Look at Failure

interest 14 | Raquel Bastian’s Cottonwood Creek K9

D R E AM A LIT TLE D R E AM Taking Steps to Realize Your Dream

locals 8 | Building a Beautiful Business with Letter & Grain in Visalia

on the map 22 | Get Involved with Your Local Farm at Farmer Bob’s World

spotlight on local 28 | Eat and Drink Locally

in every issue 24 | Enjoy the View— Christopher London Cardenas 26 | What’s Cookin’— Family Night Pizza in a Bowl 31 | Giving Back— A Combat Veteran’s Hope

APRIL/MAY 2021 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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editor’s note

on the cover

APRIL/MAY 2021 DREAM BIG. Spring is a time of rebirth – a time to explore the endless possibilities for what may lie ahead. Dream big with us!

For the mother-daughter crew of Ericka Trevino and Joan Smith, a dream has turned into a delightful entrepreneurial endeavor. Letter & Grain offers carefully curated products that are perfect for the home or for a gift. Their leap of faith will inspire you – and they’re just one of the businesses highlighted in this issue that was started by a visionary person’s big dream.

And who would have dreamed that back in 1927, a nonprofit organization would have planted roots that would still be educating minds nearly a century later? That’s Farmer Bob’s world, and a day at McKellar Farms will teach you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the citrus industry and more.

Living on a farm is exciting, joyful, sometimes sad – but always worthwhile, he says.

When we dream, failure isn’t an option, right? Not so fast. We’re great at celebrating successes, but we challenge you to also embrace your failures as an opportunity to get back up again and learn, learn, learn. If you need some inspiration, we have compiled two dozen tips to help you turn your vision into reality.

If you can dream it, you can do it. Dream big, and enjoy!

Cover models: Sarah and Juniper Amend

by Peter Amend

Enjoy Magazine YVONNE MAZZOTTA publisher MICHELLE ADAMS publisher RONDA ALVEY editor in chief KERRI REGAN copy editor MONICA FATICA creative & managing editor BRENNA DAVID advertising sales representative DANIELLE COLESBERRY CAMERON FATICA ANGEL CAMPOS deliveries

www.enjoysouthvalley.com Enjoy Magazine (559) 804-7411 • (530) 246-4687 Email General, Sales & Advertising: infosouthvalley@enjoymagazine.net ©2021 by Enjoy Magazine. All rights reserved.

Reproductions without permission are strictly prohibited. Articles and advertisements in Enjoy Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management, employees, or freelance writers.

Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If an error is found, please accept our sincere apologies and notify us of the mistake.

The businesses, locations and people mentioned in our articles are solely determined by the editorial staff and are not influenced by advertising.

Enjoy and Enjoy the Store are trademarks of Enjoy, Inc.

APRIL/MAY 2021 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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“THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR DREAMS.”

- Eleanor Roosevelt

APRIL/MAY 2021 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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LOCALS

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BY RACHEL TRIGUEIRO

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PHOTOS: SALINA MARROQUIN

www.EnjoySouthValley.com APRIL/MAY 2021

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Grit and Grain BUILDING A BEAUTIFUL BUSINESS WITH LETTER & GRAIN IN VISALIA

FEMALE OWNED AND and established, Letter & Grain’s Ericka Trevino and Joan Smith are the daughter-mom crew keeping the doors open and the shelves bursting.

The locally owned shop sits in Visalia, curated with products for home, baby and gifts with a fun modern vibe. “While we do still host a handful of local vendors, there really is something for everyone in our shop,” Trevino says. “I take a lot of time and care in bringing products in. There’s a lot that goes into finding new lines, products and makers before they actually hit our shelves.”

Valley native Trevino says, “Small business was what I had witnessed and what I was used to growing up and I knew it was for me.” While taking a lot of grit and determination, having the freedom to create her days has captured her love for the industry.

What started as a real estate career evolved when Trevino was going through a particularly difficult season and looking for a more creative outlet to cope. In 2012, she started painting wood signs out of her garage after taking an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint workshop at Embellish & Restore with owner Monica Fatica. “It just really grew into something,” Trevino says, with her toddler babbling beside her.

As things progressed, she expanded from signs into other products and the more she dove into retail, the more it all grew. She opened Letter and Grain in San Luis Obispo in the summer of 2016. “Business is not for the faint of heart and there is something to be said about community over competition,” Trevino says. “I will say that Visalia is just a special place. It is full of businesses that really support each other and are on board to collaborate.”

In 2018, when the opportunity arose to open shop in Visalia, Trevino closed the SLO location and jumped back into the valley with both feet. She knew the timing was ideal for her. The stars aligned and she was back by summer.

“We kind of had big shoes to fill. Monica had closed Embellish & Restore that summer and we came into the same building and tweaked it a little bit to make it more ‘us.’ Within the first few months of business, we undertook the overwhelmingly community favorite, Maker’s Market, and it was a huge success.”4

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Trevino planned, hosted and managed the Maker’s Market on October 18 and her son was born October 27.

Strong women run this show. You’ll often find Trevino down at her shop with baby in tow, chatting with friends about a network opportunity, or hustling to the ballfield to catch her oldest son’s baseball games. She is often running from one place to the next, but says investing in friendship keeps her going. A cup of coffee with a good friend, a glass of wine after a long day with a colleague or an out-of-town trip with her husband and kids keeps her life balanced and purposeful. “I’m pretty good about living in the moment, so getting away is good for me.”

As with every business, COVID changed everything.

Trevino laughs when asked how Letter & Grain had to pivot in light of the pandemic. “We didn’t pivot so much as we danced. It felt like major change, not just a few tweaks. It still seems so unreal that there was a pandemic.

But my mom and I put our heads down and got to work.

I remember telling her that if we could just survive it, that would be good enough.”

Not considered essential meant the store closed for a bit. But with rent increases that were wrapped into the lease and taking place during COVID meant that the duo had some goals to meet.

With closed doors and no online storefront, Trevino put on her best hustling shoes. She was at the shop daily, snapping photos of product and selling it on Instagram.

They offered free delivery to Tulare and Visalia and as sales began to increase, she started weekly deliveries to Porterville and Fresno. “The community support was huge. Instead of Amazon, they chose us and they didn’t have to.” She laughs almost in disbelief, “I can’t even tell

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you how many Volcano candles I delivered during that time!” If you know, you know.

As a successful woman in business, Trevino champions women who are also dreaming about it. “I know this sounds crazy because we live in a time where the word failure is just a bad word and it terrifies people. But with failure comes learning and not every failure has to mean the end of something. Make changes. Revamp. Get up again.”

Proud of the business the two have built together, particularly after this last year, Trevino says, “Being in business requires taking a leap of faith to start, constant learning to stay in it, a level head, good heart, a bit of thick skin to survive it and a love to continue in it. I’m so thankful to have been on this journey with my mom. She is an amazing businesswoman and together our strengths make it happen.”

Letter & Grain is thrilled to announce they will be hosting workshops once again along with the Spring Maker’s Market in May 2021 at The Woodlands. As for the future, she says they have a few new ideas up their sleeve and look forward to a season of good health and continued success to get them off the ground. • www.letterangrain.com • 115 N. West Street, Visalia Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Rachel Trigueiro, wife, mom of four and writer, spends her days homeschooling, cooking and reheating her coffee. As a child she dreamed of being a talk-show host and today sees others’ stories as a gift to be shared. When she’s not writing or dabbling in a creative venture, she loves spending time with her family.

m "I know this sounds crazy because we live in a time where the word failure is just a bad word and it terrifies people. But with failure comes learning and not every failure has to mean the end of something.

Make changes. Revamp. Get up again."

m APRIL/MAY 2021 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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INSPIRATION

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BY RACHEL TRIGUEIRO

www.EnjoySouthValley.com APRIL/MAY 2021

Try, Try Again A N H O N E S T L O O K AT FA I L U R E AS HUMAN BEINGS, we do not naturally carry a fondness for failure and very rarely celebrate it. Many of us tend to ignore risks that might cause us to fail. Resisting an opportunity to fail can save face but it never produces growth. Stagnancy – or a lack of movement – creates boredom, a loss in desire for learning and no opportunity for growth.

I’m reminded of a time when one of our younger kids was learning to walk. The entire family would gather around as she toddled and tipped. We’d chant her name, cheering her on with phrases like, “You can do it! You’ve got this!”

But it’s critical to note that it wasn’t until she fell on her padded little bottom that the room erupted in joyous praise and celebration, “Great job, you did it! I’m so proud of you! Try again!”

As parents, we can easily mark the connection between failure and growth. We understand it takes time to learn to walk, ride a bike and tie a shoe. We challenge our kids to get back up again. While it might come naturally to celebrate the failures small children face when reaching milestones, somewhere along the way, we forget the importance of failure amongst ourselves.

Maybe we believe we should have it all figured out by now. Maybe, because we aren’t precious toddlers, we feel more vulnerable by the act of falling down. Shouldn’t we know the best solution? Shouldn’t we have all the answers? Failure as an adult, mom, dad, grandma or grandpa isn’t an option, right?

But imagine if our toddlers were too embarrassed from falling over that they decided they never wanted to walk again.

Celebrating failure along with success is crucial. And if it’s true that as humans we never stop learning, then the same can be said for failure.

We never stop failing.

As a culture, we celebrate success well. But imagine if we were to do the same for those around us who risked and failed. What kind of movement would be born in this overly saturated and curated society?

In order to do it, we must be honest about our failures to allow others to celebrate us and also remind us to get back up again.

After a year of many failures and a future full of new beginnings, let us be known as people who champion the bravery in trying. •

Rachel Trigueiro, wife, mom of four and writer, spends her days homeschooling, cooking and re-heating her coffee. As a child she dreamed of being a talk-show host and today sees others’ stories as a gift to be shared. When she’s not writing or dabbling in a creative venture, she loves spending time with her family.

APRIL/MAY 2021 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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INTEREST

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BY NATALIE CAUDLE

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PHOTOS: MONICA FATICA

dog days R AQ U E L B A ST I A N ’ S COT TO N WO O D C R E E K K 9

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WITH A WAGGING TAIL and a desire to please their owners, most canines are eager to obey commands. But for those four-legged friends who are a bit more stubborn, dog training can prove to be a tad tedious and necessitate a little expertise.

Raquel Bastian, owner of Cottonwood Creek K9, a unique board and train program, passionately teaches dogs to sit, stay, heel and obey. All dogs, puppies especially, can be destructive to homes and personal items through chewing, potty accidents and general rowdiness. Bastian jovially refers to a young dog as “a two-year-old child in a fur body.” Younger dogs’ energy levels can leave a puppy parent stunned and desperate for a solution.

Raised on a ranch in Springville with a variety of animals, as a child Bastian was responsible for helping care for their brood of pets, from cows and chickens to a donkey and cats. Her six Queensland heelers helped her work the ranch and sparked her passion for dogs. The country life gave Bastian a feeling of ease with both farm and domestic animals.

Bastian’s mom was always drawn to stray and injured animals, often bringing home hurting dogs and cats, only to nurse them back to health and adopt them into the family. As Bastian watched and learned from her mom, a compassion for broken animals took root.

Today, Bastian volunteers with Valley Oak SPCA rehabilitating dogs who have significant trauma and anxiety. Bastian recognizes that a unique approach is required for canines from difficult places, and she uses her talent to restore their trust.

In the world of dog training, there are various schools of thought on what works best to instill obedience. Bastian has been in the field for more than five years and has honed her craft.

Focusing on training with leashes and treats, Bastian encourages constant praise for the dogs.

But there are some canines who push the limits and need a different approach. Trained and certified in using an E-Collar, Bastian has been successful in giving her more stubborn doggy students the boundaries they are craving. The E-Collar uses muscle stimulation, different from a shock collar, that gives dogs a tapping sensation, helping the dog learn to listen to the commands. Using an E-Collar in conjunction with treats and a leash creates content, obedient dogs. Bastian will never use a technique that will harm a dog. Aggressive animals are not a candidate for the boarding school, as animal and trainer safety are of utmost importance.

Through years of hands-on training and expertise development, Bastian specializes in a variety of techniques to find the perfect path to dog obedience. “I have to find what works for that dog. There is not one correct way to train a dog. Some breeds catch on and easily go with the flow. Dogs make mistakes and have to learn from them,” Bastian says. Treat training works well with motivated dogs; poodle breeds and golden retrievers are often more compliant and eager to obey. But not every breed will listen, especially when distracted by an enticing cat or car chase. Certain breeds can be naturally more stubborn: cattle breeds, huskies and boxers have a more defiant streak; but any dog can be recalcitrant, no matter the breed, requiring a different process for training.

Located in Visalia, Bastian offers one- and two-week programs resembling an intense oneon-one doggy camp where canines are boarded and immersed in training. Not only does consistency ensure better results, but Bastian is able to connect with the dog in a way that allows her to see if the animal has issues of anxiety,4

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trauma or dietary concerns. Bastian adjusts her approach based on what the owners want and the dog needs, conditioning the dog to understand commands. Once the canine is trained, the owner is then taught the proper commands and handling techniques. “The dog wants to please you,” Bastian says. “I teach people how to praise good behavior all the time, then it starts becoming a more peaceful home.”

Cottonwood Creek K9 is family owned and operated. Bastian, along with her husband and two daughters, take full responsibility for the training and care of the dogs. Although only one canine student is trained per week, the facility also boards multiple dogs for vacationing pet owners. The family team keeps dogs happy and thriving while away from their person.

The ideal age for formal training begins when the dog is around seven months old and is able to focus on more advanced commands. Dogs six months and younger are too easily distracted. Bastian recommends crate training for puppies to help develop consistency, expectations and successful potty training. “A lot of people need to puppy-proof their house and understand that puppies need attention,” Bastian says. Once trained, dogs are happy to please their humans, but life-changing events such as moving or divorce can disrupt a dog’s behavior. If a former student of Cottonwood Creek K9 needs a little help due to behavioral changes, Bastian is happy to help the dog and owner with a refresher course.

The training and attention dogs receive at Cottonwood Creek K9 is focused and holistic. Pet owners walk away with a happy dog and greater insight. Bastian teaches the owners how to better understand their dog’s purpose and capabilities. Not all dogs are retrievers, some dogs will naturally desire to work and others are content with a leisurely life in small spaces. No matter the breed or circumstance, students of Cottonwood Creek K9 graduate with the skills to sit, stay, heel and happily obey. • Cottonwood Creek K9 cottonwoodk9@yahoo.com • (559) 429-2444

Homegrown in the Valley, Natalie Caudle finds beauty in the mundane and is ever on the hunt for the perfect salsa recipe.

A mother of four, this minivan chauffeur is passionate about adoption and strives to perfect the art of balancing grace and grit.

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FRESH INGREDIENTS | UNIQUE COMBINATIONS | HOMEMADE SALSAS

COMMERCIAL LOANS

LOCAL LENDERS

COMMUNITY-MINDED

© 2021 Suncrest Bank.

All Rights Reserved.

Everything’s

Peachy

W W W.Q U E S A D I L L AG O R I L L A .C O M

608 EAST WELDON AVE, FRESNO 102 W SEVENTH ST., HANFORD // 41119 SIERRA DR., THREE RIVERS

THE PEACH BLOSSOM CANDLE CO. STORY

In 2008, our story began. We were a mother-daughter team who owned and operated a coffee shop in the Central Valley. My mother dreamed of owning one, and it became a reality that we enjoyed for a few years. Due to unforeseen events, sadly, we had to sell. My mother said she felt in her heart the Lord asking, “Do you trust me?”

Life moved on, I married my farmer in 2015 and moved to Tulare.

It seemed like having another business with my mother would not happen again since we lived an hour and a half apart. Fast forward to 2018, when I was mother of a 2-year-old, thinking of nothing but staying home with our daughter. Meanwhile, my mother had an idea to make candles for fun. I occasionally watched her do it, and I loved helping pick the scents. What began as a hobby has now turned into a business for the both of us. We have come so far in this little hobby, but most of all, we are again working together.

We carry candles, wax melts and bath salts, and will soon carry coldpress soap. Each of our candles and wax melts are made with soy wax from the USA. Our heart is to make quality products and bring smiles to our communities. A fond memory can be brought to mind in smell.

One sweet lady cried as she smelled some samples. As she wiped her eyes, she told me how it evoked memories of when she and her husband were just married. They rented a cabin, and this was the smell of the cabin.

She recalled a time when things were simple, as now he was enduring cancer treatments. It gave her a moment of sweet memories. This is why we do what we do. We know life is difficult. Everyone needs a word of encouragement, a little bit of hope, light for the dark days we all face. If we can bring that to someone, we are fulfilling our purpose in life. www.peachblossomcandleco.com

DREAM BIG

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BY KIMBERLY BONEY

Dream a little Dream TA K I N G S T E P S T O R E A L I Z E YO U R D R E A M

FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE live with the belief that dreams are what happen when you are sleeping. They might be under the presumption that dreams are for other people, as they move through life wondering what it would feel like to live theirs. They go about their daily lives without realizing that making a dream a reality is within the realm of possibility for all of us. Dreams are for the waking hours. They are made for living. We have compiled two dozen tips to help you turn that beautiful, smile-inducing, comfort-bringing vision of yours to life. We hope it inspires you along the way.

1. Do some soul searching. Figure out what would genuinely make you happy. Once you figure out the “what” of it all, decide when, where it will happen, and, most importantly, why it means so much to you. Pay particular attention to the “why,” as it will be what you refer to again and again throughout the process.

2. Set a goal. If you want to publish a book, open a restaurant or launch a nonprofit organization, take a long, hard look at how it will happen. What steps do you need to take to get there? Do your research. Knowing is half the battle.

3. Write it down. Putting your dream on paper makes it tangible. It helps you work out the logistics and see what challenges you will have to work through along the journey.

In much the same way that you can’t build a house without a proper foundation, you can’t build a new reality from a dream without a proper plan in place.

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4. Recognize that there will be challenges along the way. Do not let those defeat you.

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

5. Surround yourself with positive people. Keep company with those who believe in your dream and will be there to support it. Negative people are a drain on your energy. You will need every drop of yours to bring that dream to fruition.

6. Be accountable for your actions. Get organized and set small, workable deadlines for yourself. Bite-sized pieces are best.

7. It helps to have an accountability buddy. Have a friend or family member that will gently, kindly check on you throughout the process – one who can give you a loving nudge or a word of encouragement when you need it.

Provide that same level of support to your accountability buddy.

8. Understand that you will never work harder in your life than you will for yourself and your dream. Being your own boss means you will also be your most loyal employee.

9. Be willing to adjust your sails. Dreams can change every now and then. Having to make an adjustment does not mean the dream is over. Some unexpected shifts can lead to major breakthroughs.4 continued on page 20

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10. Remember: slow but steady wins the race. Making your dream come true isn’t always a quick process. Time and experience are good teachers.

11. The phrase “easy come, easy go” is accurate. If it seems too easy or too good to be true, it typically is. Be willing to put the hard work in.

12. Keep an open mind and an open heart. Take the ups with gratitude and the downs with acceptance, a willingness to learn from the experience, and renewed determination.

13. Learn from the experts. Listen to good advice from those willing to share their insight.

14. Go with your gut. Your instincts are not likely to steer you wrong.

19. If you focus on being the Jack of All Trades, you are likely to be the master of none. Start small. Stay focused on your goal. Don’t overextend yourself trying to do too many things at once. Add in new elements once you have mastered the basics.

20. Do your own thing. Being the first to do something can be terrifying, stressful, and altogether exhilarating. Carve out your own path and watch others follow that blazed trail.

21. Do not ask permission from others. You are living your dream and not anyone else’s.

15. Be bold. Sometimes, you will have to step out on a limb to live that dream. Do what you can to make educated decisions and create a safety net – but be willing to take a risk on yourself.

16. Give yourself some grace when you make mistakes. There will be mistakes.

17. Recognize that not everybody will understand your plan – and be OK with it. You can’t take everybody with you along the pathway to living your dream.

18. Be willing to try new technology to make your dream a reality.

This may involve seemingly endless periods of trial and error, taking a class or enlisting the help of other professionals along the way.

22. There will be moments that will test everything in you and make you feel like giving up on your dream. When you encounter those moments, give yourself a minute to regroup – then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going.

23. Not all opportunities will prove successful for you. What looks like a failure is just success in a different outfit.

24. Believe in yourself against all odds. You have a dream to live. Stop at nothing to get it. •

Kimberly N. Bonéy, proud wife and mom, is a freelance writer, designer, up-cycler and owner of Herstory Vintage.

When she’s not working, she is joyfully wielding jewelrymaking tools and paintbrushes in her studio. Antique shops, vintage boutiques, craft stores and bead shops are her happy place.

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edible

San Joaquin Valley

tells the stories of the extraordinary farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers, bakers, brewers, winemakers, chefs and other food and drink artisans in Fresno and surrounding counties of the valley.

Email info@ediblesanjoaquin.com for more information.

www.ediblesjv.com

FAMILY MEDICINE W

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Christina Patty, MD Visalia Medical Clinic is proud to introduce Dr. Christina Patty, a family medicine physician now accepting new patients of all ages.

Dr. Patty may be new to our team but her Valley roots run deep and we are proud to welcome her home. Call Dr. Patty’s office today to schedule appointments for your family.

OFFICE:

5400 W. Hillsdale Ave • Visalia, CA 93291

VisaliaMedicalClinic.com

(559) 738-7520 HOURS:

Monday to Friday: 8 AM to 5 PM

Hablo Español NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

An affiliate of Kaweah Delta

BE WELL. Medical Foundation

ON THE MAP

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BY MELISSA MENDONCA

Orange Crush G E T I N V O LV E D W I T H YO U R L O C A L FA R M AT FA R M E R B O B ’ S W O R L D IN FARMER BOB’S WORLD, a day at McKellar Family Farms means more than fun. It’s also an opportunity to learn about the process an orange goes through to get from tree to table.

“He loves the whole lifestyle of being in the country and agriculture,” says Elaine Brown of her boss, Robert “Bob” McKellar, 89. McKellar’s family purchased the land he farms and opened to the public as a nonprofit organization in 1927. “He’s committed to getting people involved in knowing what’s involved in a small farm or a farm in general,” she adds. “You can see him light up when he sees people getting it. And you only get it when you experience it.”

McKellar Family Farms is a working citrus farm, and Farmer Bob’s World is an educational experience dedicated to sharing the ins and out of the industry with the public. It includes informative displays, a John Deere tractor-pulled wagon ride through the orchards and a chance to pick a few oranges to take home. “All the five

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senses are involved,” says Brown, community outreach and tour coordinator.

The organization is fundraising to add even more interactive exhibits that will open in 2022, including a wind tunnel and water elements. Visitors have come from around the world, including “Living and working on delegations from Germany a farm is an exciting, and Korea, and as close as sometimes joyful, local Future Farmers of sometimes sad America chapters and the experience and I World Ag Expo. Regardless believe it has made of origin, McKellar and his me a better person.” team want to make sure everyone is aware that the California citrus industry is a billion-dollar business with many avenues for meaningful careers.

“The orange industry is called the second Gold Rush in California,” adds Brown. To learn about it at Farmer Bob’s World, “you have it in the context of a family experience.”

Photos courtesy of McKellar Family Farms

There are lessons to be learned about science, water, history, pest management and more, and they are all developed in an engaging and fun way. There are nine stops on the wagon tour, which takes 40 minutes. “There’s an eight-minute kid-tested video of the citrus industry that has the last two minutes using a webcam to follow an orange through its process. It’s very engaging and fun,” Brown says.

McKellar Family Farms is also home to Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch across the street, a lovely wedding venue with AirBnB. The grounds were developed by McKellar’s parents; he was the first to get married there.

Brown was introduced to McKellar and the Farmer Bob’s World tour experience when she was a second-grade teacher and brought her class on a field trip. Everyone had a wonderful experience and Brown’s students spent time creating beautiful thank you letters for their host.

McKellar then came to Brown’s class to accept the letters and ended up talking and listening to the students sing

“I call him the Grand Man of agriculture, and he is.”

“America, the Dream Goes On.” “It was just too special,” says Brown. “He came in and got to see what I did. The kids did a good job.”

Once she found out McKellar and her father had gone to school together as children in Ivanhoe, Brown was even more in awe. She volunteered at a farm-to-table fundraiser the organization held and eventually transitioned out of classroom education to her work for McKellar. “I get paid to be mentored by a brilliant mind,” she says. “I call him the Grand Man of agriculture, and he is.”

For his part, the Grand Man writes in his autobiographical statement, “Living and working on a farm is an exciting, sometimes joyful, sometimes sad experience and I believe it has made me a better person.” He invites you to come see for yourself what it’s all about. • Farmer Bob’s World at McKellar Family Farms www.farmerbobsworld.com Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Melissa Mendonca is a graduate of San Francisco State and Tulane universities. She’s a lover of airports and road trips and believes in mentoring and service to create communities everyone can enjoy. Her favorite words are rebar, wanderlust and change.

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ENJOY THE VIEW | BY CHRISTOPHER LONDON CARDENAS

SPRING FLOWERS BLOOMING

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com APRIL/MAY 2021

Christopher London Cardenas is considered one of the most decorated artists in the Valley.

He calls California his home but the soul in his lens has found a home at nearly every ocean and continent. His deepest passion comes from music, inspiring nonfiction poetry and photography. You can connect with Cardenas through IG @christopherlondoncardenas

APRIL/MAY 2021 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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WHAT’S COOKIN’

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BY LANA GRANFORS

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PHOTOS: MELINDA HUNTER

FAMILY NIGHT PIZZA IN A BOWL

DO YOU HAVE A RECIPE YOU’D LIKE LANA OR MACI TO MAKE? Please submit it to lana@enjoymagazine.net

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com APRIL/MAY 2021

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 1 R E C I P E

This hearty pizza salad is a filled with lots of meats, cheeses, and an assortment of yummy toppings! Add whatever pizza cravings you might like. Enjoy

SALAD DRESSING INGREDIENTS: ½ cup olive oil

3 T red wine vinegar

1 T dijon mustard

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

Salt and black pepper SALAD INGREDIENTS:

8 slices bacon

3 romaine lettuce heart, chopped,

washed and dried

4 oz. pepperoni slices

4 oz. dry salami, sliced

½ of a red bell pepper, chopped ½ cup mushrooms, chopped ½ cup red onions, sliced and

DIRECTIONS: STEP 1: Using a large skillet, cook the bacon until browned and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

STEP 2: Mix all the salad dressing ingredients into a small jar and shake well, and set aside.

STEP 3: Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine. Toss well with salad dressing.

STEP 4: Spread salad onto a very large platter and serve with focaccia bread or pizza sticks.

separated in to rings ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2.25 oz. can sliced black olives, drained

3 T sliced pepperoncini, optional

⅓ cup feta cheese crumbles 12 grape tomatoes, halved

Lana Granfors enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking and spending time with her friends and family– especially her grandchildren, Jillian and Garet.

8 small fresh mozzarella balls,

halved

PREP TIME: 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 25 MINUTES SERVES: 4

LOVE OUR RECIPES? Come into Enjoy the Store in Redding each month and ask for your FREE recipe card.

APRIL/MAY 2021 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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small business.

SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL

big dreams.

Bella Bakery & Bella Creamery

1501 Draper St. and 1512 Smith Street, Kingsburg Bella Bakery in Kingsburg offers from-scratch freshly baked goods and espresso drinks. Bella Creamery is located just around the corner, serving small-batch hand-crafted ice cream made from both cow’s and sheep’s milk.

Le Boulevard 520 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia

This locally owned drive-through and walk-up coffee market is a local favorite.

Sip your cup of Joe on their patio or enjoy a game of chess on their oversized board. They’ve also been known to host turtle races!

The Curry Pizza Co

The Woodlands Visalia Food Fest

2091 E. Bardsley Ave., Tulare

4211 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia

This spot was Yelp’s best 100 places to eat in America and award-winning 10 best wings in California. They’ve created the perfect combination of Italian dish and Indian tadka pizza.

Stafford’s Chocolates 114 N. Main Street, Porterville

Stafford’s Chocolates handcrafts the finest confections made from scratch using local ingredients. They also have a full coffee bar featuring Intelligentsia Coffee and many other handcrafted drinks.

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com APRIL/MAY 2021

The Woodlands Food Fest Thursdays hosts a variety of food trucks in their spacious event space next to Bello Vita Venue. Enjoy music with plenty of space for social distancing.

Cellar Door 101 W. Main Street, Visalia

Known for their live music events and now for their delectable entrees, Cellar Door is an ideal place to treat yourself in their alley patio amongst the string lights.

•

T hink B ig S upp ort S m all S hare the L ove

E AT A N D D R I N K L O C A L LY

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Pad Thai

Kaweah Brewing Taproom

405 W. D Street, Lemoore

3222 N. Demaree Street, Visalia Their taproom and restaurant is an extension of their brewery where they make locally crafted beer. Enjoy the chef ’s featured menu items and beers, including Chocolate Milk Stout and Nitro Coffee Porter.

Located in a converted old gas station, their authentic Thai dishes are a diamond in the rough. Don’t forget to add that Thai iced tea with your meal.

Mainstreet Cafe

Moe’s To Go

1052 G Street, Reedley

1440 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia

Comfort and homestyle food specializing in German sausage, Verenika and handmade Zweiback rolls is what you find when you visit this small-town eatery.

Order your seasonal whole strawberry pie to go.

Irwin Street Inn 522 N. Irwin Street, Hanford

Located inside a historic Inn, this restaurant is known to have plentiful portions.

“Come for dessert, stay for dinner” is a local reference to their legendary bread pudding.

This mom-and-pop shop serves up some of the best sandwiches in town and rumor has it you have to try the hot pastrami. The sandwiches are made using freshly baked bread inside a nostalgic feeling deli.

Bee Hive Bake Shop 110 W. Main Street, Visalia

Bee Hive serves up cupcakes, danishes, cookies, hand pies, brownie, mini Bundt cakes and too many other scrumptious treats to name. Stop by for yourself to see what all the buzz is about.

Photos sourced from Instagram and Facebook

APRIL/MAY 2021 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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BRADSHAW HONEY FARMS Local Love For Local Honey

D A K O T A LY N N PHOTOGRAPHY

RAW • UNFILTERED • FRESH

Shop Local.

Support Small Business.

Family owned and operated since 1958 @bradshawhoney www.beebotanical.com DAKOTALYNNPHOTOGRAPHY@ GMAIL.COm W W W.DAKOTALYNNPHOTO.COM

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Since the fall of 2014, Enjoy has featured local destinations, creative and caring people, community living, family, recreation and most of all, a love of life. Whether you’ve lived here for a short time or all your life, there is plenty to learn, love and enjoy about this one of a kind area. Our view will open your eyes to the many reasons you live in this beautiful region.

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GIVING BACK

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BY RACHEL TRIGUEIRO

Supporting Service A C O M B AT V E T E R A N ’ S H O P E

WHAT STARTED OUT as softball games for veterans connected with the Wounded

On average, 20 veterans complete suicide every day. The Veterans Crisis Line is trained to react.

Please call this number if you feel a veteran is contemplating suicide: 1 (800) 273-8255, press 1

Photos courtesy of A Combat Veteran’s Hope

Warrior Project grew into something much more when a few local guys got together and created a group specifically for combat veterans.

Larger, more well-known organizations exist for veterans, but it was clear there was a need in the Valley for greater support on a consistent basis. A Combat Veteran’s Hope began in 2015 with the vision of empowering every generation of combat veterans to successfully integrate back into their local communities.

CJ Cantu, born and raised in Texas, was stationed with the Marine Corps in Camp Pendleton for several years and served two tours in Iraq. After enlistment, Cantu moved to Visalia and joined A Combat Veteran’s Hope a couple years after the group began, and is now chief of staff.

“Combat changes a person, and you just really relate to people who have experienced the same thing,” Cantu says. “That’s what sets this group apart. It’s for combat veterans by combat veterans. I can’t relate to the guys who weren’t in battle like I was. We all want to be with like-minded individuals, to share our stories with people who know where we’re coming from.”

Unlike other organizations, A Combat Veteran’s Hope doesn’t host monthly member meetings. Everything is geared around social networking and events to help get members engaged in the community. The group strives to meet that need by providing more than a dozen events each month through sporting activities, peer support groups and family events like family dinners, softball, volleyball, skiing trips, horseback riding, camping and skydiving.

A Combat Veteran’s Hope is also unique because members don’t pay dues. Donations and grants ensure members can participate in activities for free. “We’re able to help war fighters do something they wouldn’t normally be able to do. It gives them a sense of empowerment, providing a support structure and network for these guys. Everything we do is from the heart,” Cantu says.

The pandemic forced volunteers to get creative to keep members connected and ensure these heroes did not feel isolated. The group pivoted all family events to contactless delivery or drive-through options. “We also hosted virtual events to keep our members engaged with one another,” Cantu says. With approximately 155 members, the team is eager to resume in-person events soon.

A Combat Veteran’s Hope is based out of Visalia, but caters to the entire area. The vast majority of members are from Visalia, with some from Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba, Hanford and Fresno. “It’s multigenerational,” Cantu says, “and is made up of Vietnam, Korean, many Iraq, Afghan and Desert Storm veterans.”

The hope is for other war fighters to see what A Combat Veteran’s Hope is doing in the community. “Our mission is to empower combat vets through engagement with each other and their local community. That has been our bedrock. We want to get them out of the house and reintegrating into society and their communities.”

Another way A Combat Veteran’s Hope continually strengthens the community is through HOPE calls, a term they’ve coined that stands for Help Our Patriots Endure. It consists of simple buddy checks and phone calls asking how someone is doing. The smallest acts of kindness go a long way, particularly in seasons of isolation. •

www.acvhope.org • Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Rachel Trigueiro, wife, mom of four and writer, spends her days homeschooling, cooking and re-heating her coffee. As a child she dreamed of being a talk-show host and today sees others’ stories as a gift to be shared.

When she’s not writing or dabbling in a creative venture, she loves spending time with her family.

APRIL/MAY 2021 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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Curators —of— California

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