Enjoy Magazine: San Joaquin Valley Living — December 2019 by Enjoy Magazine: Northern California Living

San Joaquin Valley Living

December 2019

ALL IS BRIGHT

www.enjoysouthvalley.com

Enjoy the magazine It’s on the house

“THE SINGLE GREATEST CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS IS A PROFOUND, CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF FAMILY. BECAUSE OF THIS, A HOUSE WILL NEVER SOLVE HOMELESSNESS…

but community will.” -Alan Graham We believe when the family is removed, the community steps in. Salt + light’s mission is Community. The salt + light village will consist of both sustainable, longterm housing and opportunities for our formerly homeless neighbors to earn a dignified income.

To be part of the solution, join us. Donate at saltandlightworks.org

SALT + LIGHT WORKS | TULARE, CA Tucoemas proudly supports the efforts of Salt + Light Works with this message

contents D E C E M B E R 2 01 9 // I S S U E #62

San Joaquin Valley Living

TER ESA PR IES’ R EV IVAL 23 BOUTIQUES

Photo by Dakota Lynn Photography

CR A F TING 32 DIY: Pinecone Garland

COM M U NIT Y 26 Central California Ballet’s The Nutcracker

GOOD TI M ES 11 Experience Field of Light in Paso Robles 14 Annual Toy and Model Train Show in Porterville

HOLIDAY

ON THE M A P

38 A Few Ideas to Get You in the Spirit of the Season

7 The Bracebridge Dinner at The Ahwahnee Hotel

INSPIR ATION

IN EV ERY ISSU E 28 Enjoy the View— DJ Dowdy 30 What’s Cookin’— Oreo Peppermint Bark 35 Calendar of Events 39 Giving Back— Collaborating with the Dreamer Co-op in Fresno

17 Clubhouse Visalia Brings Awareness to Mental Illness

LOCA L S 21 Revival 23 in Clovis and Kingsburg 24 Rosetti’s Biscotti House Quality Products in Clovis

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

editor’s note december 2019

CHILDREN DASH OFF their letters to Santa, friends chatter about how to bless others with kindness, and families snuggle together with cups of cocoa to warm up on long, cold, winter nights. All is bright this holiday season. This month, we’re shining some light on the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, which plays host to a longtime Christmas tradition called the Bracebridge Dinner, a seven-course Old English feast and theatrical production that has warmed guests’ hearts for generations. Artistic talent flows freely in the South Valley, and the Dreamer Coop encourages guests to enjoy food trucks, sip locally roasted coffee and find delightful items crafted by local artists. The heart behind the event is to elevate Fresno’s creative community, and part of the proceeds benefit a local nonprofit. If you’re entertaining guests who are looking for a unique way to spend some time, check out the Annual Toy and Model Train Show in Porterville, which has been showcasing holiday displays for 35 years. Its 34 trains capture the curiosity of railroad lovers. Nothing says Christmas like “The Nutcracker,” and the Central California Ballet is delighted to perform in this iconic production in Fresno alongside two principal dancers from the Ukraine Ballet. It’s a perfect way to start a new holiday tradition. All is certainly bright at the Field of Light at Sensorio, a half-mile circular walk through a Paso Robles canyon lit by 58,800 optic solar lights that morph color. More than 3,000 visitors have enjoyed this experiential art thus far, and it’s a sight to behold. We wish you a merry and bright holiday season – enjoy!

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY LIVING

YVONNE MAZZOTTA publisher MICHELLE ADAMS publisher RONDA BALL-ALVEY editor-in-chief KERRI REGAN copy editor MONICA FATICA creative & managing editor EMILY MIRANDA marketing & sales assistant, social media manager MICHELLE ADAMS contributing graphic designer CATHERINE HUNT event calendar/website AMANDA MORENO advertising sales representative DANIELLE COLESBERRY AUSTIN REYNOLDS TREVOR LUDLOW KOBY REYNOLDS deliveries

www.enjoysouthvalley.com Enjoy Magazine (559) 804-7411 • (530) 246-4687 Email General: infosouthvalley@enjoymagazine.net Sales and Advertising information: infosouthvalley@enjoymagazine.net

on the cover Cover model: Willemina and Cody Brazeal

© 2019 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.

Photos by Dakota Lynn Photography

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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‘Tis The Season!

ON THE MAP

BY KIMBERLY HORG

T H E B R AC E B R I D G E D I N N E R AT T H E A H WA H N E E H OT E L IF WALLS could speak, the Ahwahnee Hotel would tell a magnificent story. The Ahwahnee was built in 1927 in the main valley of Yosemite National Park near the base of Half Dome and Glacier Point. The hotel is a National Historic Landmark with a rich history. For almost 100 years, royalty and celebrities alike have been escorted down the long red carpeted hallway, arched high with log beams and cobblestone walls leading to the lobby. The Ahwahnee is the crown jewel of Yosemite hotels, given the “Premier Lodge” classification from National Park Reservations. Set in a beautiful national landmark, it is uniquely historic in its natural environment.

The Ahwahnee holds three well-known events throughout the year. The annual Vintner’s Holidays in November/December features sessions with vintners that include wine-tasting seminars, receptions and a five-course dinner with wine pairings. A Chef ’s Holiday in January brings in top chefs from around the country; the longestrunning event, the Bracebridge Dinner, has become a holiday tradition, originating on the first Christmas when the hotel opened. The seven-course Old England Christmas feast was served to guests, including the president of Yosemite Park and photographer Ansel Adams. Yosemite Park and Curry Company President Donald Tresidder hired California pageant director Garnet Holme to create a holiday event. Tresidder and his wife, Mary Curry Tresidder, played the parts of Squire and Lady Bracebridge. The dinner was part of a performance with unique dishes presented with visual marvels to woo guests. Ansel Adams played the jester and 4-year-old Andrea Fulton acted alongside him. 4 continued on page 8

Photos courtesy of Ahwahnee Hotel DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

“Ansel put me in the show as a kid,” she says. “He fit the part perfectly with his larger-than-life personality.” Adams also played the lord of mistral, and at the request of Mary, he took over as director in 1927 after Holme’s death. In 1973 he retired and Andrea Fulton’s dad, Eugene Fulton, carried on his title. He acted and directed the show until 1978, when he died after a dress rehearsal in the hotel. That was when Andrea began to direct the show she knew so well. Andrea grew up in music and theatre; her father was a well-known San Francisco choral conductor and his wife, Anna-Marie, was also a musician and became the accompanist for The Dinners and the Christmas choral concerts. Andrea majored in theatre in college and when she became director, she kept Adams’ lines and added to the script – his was 60 lines, and hers is more than three hours long. This year will be her 69th year acting in the dinner. She plays the housekeeper. Although the original script was written by Holme, Adams added to it. It is a loose spinoff from “The Keeping of Christmas at Bracebridge Hall” by 19th century American author Washington Irving. The dinner is served theatrically. Guests travel back in time for the yuletide celebration. The dining room is transformed to a manor hall with 50-foot beamed ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to nature. “It is more than just a holiday dinner and a show – it is an experience and a Christmas tradition,” says Lisa Cesaro, Aramark regional marketing director for Yosemite. Prior to the dinner, people sing carols, an artist paints portraits and guests enjoy a champagne bar. Guests from all generations enjoy live entertainment during the sevencourse dinners, and every year there is a beef course, a fish course, pork and a peacock pie. “The fish and peacock pie is a magnificent thing because the feather span is 11 feet across and 8 feet high,” Andrea says. The show features 30 singers, 10 lead actors and children who play the forest folk. “It is marvelous expression of what people find in Yosemite and the warmth and spirit of that time of year,” Andrea says. “It’s a play with warmth and spirit of a wonderful time of year, in which there’s a lot of music with a spiritual aspect of nature and comedy wrapped around it.” The music is the most magical part for her because when her father took her, he changed the musical aspect, adding a men’s chorus. Now there is a mixed choir with performers from the San Francisco opera.

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

Andrea says it’s stunning in there, especially when it is snowing outside. Her favorite part of the show is the speech about peace. “I experience peace in that moment of sanctuary and never get tired of hearing it,” she says. “Bracebridge is a lifetime experience and I think everyone should come and see it.” Andrea says she has a wonderful team who she will rely on more as she begins to scale back; she’ll continue to play the housekeeper and oversee production, but the days of acting as the producer, musical/stage/artistic director and overall director will change as of this year. “I think it is exciting; I brought new things and think they will make it much more satisfying and enjoyable for the audience,” she says.

Dinners run from Dec. 11-21. The hotel starts taking reservations in December, and the show is recommended for children 10 and over. Dietary substitutions are available for those with restrictions. • Ahwahnee dinners www.travelyosemite.com • (855) 304-8993 Ticket only and lodging packages available at The Ahwahnee; shuttle is free from other nearby hotels Find them on Facebook

Kimberly Horg earned her Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Humboldt State University. She is pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at Fresno State University. Kimberly has had hundreds of articles published throughout the country. To read more of her work, visit www.kimberlyhorg.com.

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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D A K O T A LY N N PHOTOGRAPHY

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GOOD TIMES

BY MELISSA MENDONCA

Let there be Light E X P E R I E N C E F I E L D O F L I G H T I N PA S O R O B L E S

ANY TRIP TO Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Australian Outback is sure to elicit contemplation, wonder and awe. For Ken and Bobbi Hunter of Santa Ynez, it also spurred inspiration for their property in Paso Robles. It so happened that their adventure trip to Uluru coincided with a mesmerizing and enormous outdoor light exhibit by British artist Bruce Munro. The experience was so profound, they contacted Munro to create something similar for their property, now known as Sensorio. More than a decade ago, the Hunters purchased the 380 acres of land across the street from their business, Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles. “Ken knew he wanted to create something that would give back to the community, that would be a legacy project,” says Tracy Strann. A consulting company was hired to dream big for the property, to “rival and exceed anyone’s expectations,” she adds. “They came up with this huge project, and it took years.”

Photography by Serena Munro

The Bruce Munro Field of Light at Sensorio quickly eclipsed all previous plans to become the first of several phases at Sensorio. It opened on May 19 of this year and is Munro’s largest international and only solar-powered U.S. project to date. “People are hungry for personal experience, and that’s what this is,” says Strann, executive director of Sensorio. The experience of the Field of Light is a half-mile circular walk through a canyon lit by 58,800 optic solar lights that morph color. “Just naturally, there is a hush that happens. People really get in contact with their own emotions, their own inspiration. Everybody has a personal experience with it. It’s a little like going to Oz.” Since its opening, roughly 3,000 visitors have wound their way through the Field of Light each week, with opening hours varying monthly based upon the time of sundown. “They all go in separately and they come out with each other, talking, laughing. People come out with tears in their eyes. It’s very fulfilling,” says Strann.4 continued on page 12

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

“Experiential art is kind of the future. People are looking for connection.” Strann herself was recruited out of New York for her position, after wide and varied experiences in the arts, including helping to open and run the Grammy Museum and Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “It’s a once-in-alifetime opportunity to be a part of something completely new,” she says. When she arrived in Paso Robles the land was just starting to be graded and installation of utilities had only just begun. “There was literally nothing,” she says with a laugh. “In seven months we opened.” The Field of Light itself took six weeks to complete with 15-23 staff and volunteers working eight hours a day, five days a week. Munro himself oversaw all of the work and brought four staff members with him. Sensorio hired another four, and 300 volunteers chipped in. The Field of Light experience can be as simple as a stroll or as elegant as a VIP experience that includes a fourcourse gourmet picnic dinner catered by Trumpet Vine Catering with two drinks at a raised terrace offering a tremendous view of the lights. Guests wanting a more casual experience can visit a Mexican food truck on the grounds and buy local beer. Live music plays every night. While it can be a romantic experience for couples – “all of a sudden there was a pop-up wedding in the middle of the lights,” says Strann – it’s a place for everyone. “We do family

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

nights when all kids are half price,” she adds. The Field of Light has also attracted Bruce Munro fans from as far as Australia and New Zealand. “It’s a combination of every kind of human being you can imagine,” says Strann. “It appeals to everyone.” The Bruce Munro Field of Lights is the first of many grand phases at Sensorio, and Strann looks forward to each new one that the Hunters come up with. “They’re world travelers. They love music and art and theater,” she says. “They love everything. They’re very much visionaries.” • Bruce Munro: Field of Light at Sensorio 4380 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles www.SensorioPaso.com Find them on Facebook and Instagram On display through January 5, 2020

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.

Photography by Serena Munro

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GOOD TIMES

BY NATALIE CAUDLE

all aboard

A N N U A L T OY A N D M O D E L T R A I N S H O W I N P O R T E R V I L L E SITTING AT THE BASE of the Sierra Nevadas, Porterville was settled in the mid-19th century as a farming community. Named after Royal Porter Putnam, the city became incorporated in 1902 after gaining popularity by miners of magnetite ore. Porterville soon became the home to a Southern Pacific Railroad passenger station, which later closed in the 1950s. In 1965, thanks to the diligence of local supporters, the station was repurposed and opened as a historical museum. Today, the museum displays various exhibits of the local past, bringing in the eager history buff and busloads of school children. One of the most popular exhibitions is the Annual Toy and Model Train Show. Opening the day after Thanksgiving and running through the first week of the new year, the show guarantees to pique the interest of children of all ages. The show is still chugging down the tracks after 35 years of annual holiday displays. Occupying two of the museum display rooms and running 34 trains simultaneously, the energy and excitement captures the curiosity of hobby lovers. Throughout the rooms are different themes and

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

layouts, including winter and holiday scenes. Behind the trains is a 20-foot span of glass cases that stand six feet high. Stored safely behind the glass is an incredible display of retro toys, some as far back as the early 1900s. The entire collection is from Bill Warner and includes a Red Ryder BB Gun and the original cardboard case, a gem that Ralphie from â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Storyâ&#x20AC;? would surely find stupendous. Vintage toy automobiles, airplanes, dolls and tea sets are also on display. The majority of the trains and accessories in the exhibit are from private collections. The holiday display takes more than two months to put together, as great detail is given to each of the scenes. There are six different train layouts and various themes including military, industrial and mountain. The 34 trains are of varying gauges including Z, N, HO, S and O. Frank Spina, who prefers the American Flyer S Gauge trains, is a museum volunteer and regularly donates his train collection as part of the annual display. Spina grew up on the East Coast not far from a toy factory and still finds his childhood joy when tinkering with his hobby of

Photos courtesy of Porterville Museum

model trains. Spina is a member of the Central California Model Railroad and Historical Society, a division of the Toy Train Operating Society. The vintage trains are from the 1940s and 1950s. Originally purchased in pieces, the scenes require creativity and foresight as there is not a pattern or specific plan to follow. Each setting is unique and the accessories seem to bring them to life. Operated by a push button, different trains have coal loaders, log loaders, a wandering cow on the track and a mail pick-up. Children can be found squealing for joy as Spina pushes a button and a tiny conductor comes out to welcome them. Not only do the accessories add a little flair to the trains, they teach about the nation’s history. One of the more popular accessories is the mail pick-up. A plastic bag of mail is hung on a post and as the train rolls on by, a mechanical arm picks up the bag. This teeny toy serves as a reminder of a little piece of American history. Prior to mail being transported by plane, the railroads served as a vital piece of the United States Postal Service, a little tidbit of history that isn’t forgotten, thanks to the model trains. The Toy and Model Train Show is a success due to the efforts and time of multiple volunteers. Local optometrist Don Stover serves on the museum board of directors and

helps spearhead the show. Spina gives Stover the glory, saying, “Without his energy and devotion, we wouldn’t have the show we have.” The purpose of the show is not only to display the fun of yesteryear but to bring children into the museum. Admission to the train show gives attendees access to the entire museum and the opportunity to glean knowledge about the important contributions of Porterville history. The Porterville Museum hopes that a spark of interest will be ignited as children come for the trains but stay for the history. Spina encourages children of all ages to climb aboard. “If you’re looking for a fun hour and you don’t mind a drive, you should do it.” • www.portervillemuseum.com/train-show Find them on Facebook and Instagram Annual Toy & Train Show Nov 29-Jan 4 Open during Regular Museum Hours Admission: Adults $8, Kids 6-17 $2, Under 6 Free

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.

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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INSPIRATION

BY KAYLA ANDERSON

PHOTOS: SAL MARRO PHOTOGRAPHY

changing people’s lives

C L U B H O U S E V I S A L I A B R I N G S AWA R E N E S S T O M E N TA L I L L N E S S MORE OFTEN THAN one might think, people who seemingly have perfect lives are in fact battling their own inner demons. Statistics show that one in four people suffer from some form of mental illness and 60 percent of it tends to go untreated. Tulare County resident Gwen Schrank’s energy and passion make it hard to imagine the hurdles that she had to overcome to get to where she is today – on creating the Clubhouse Visalia, an inclusive haven that drives awareness around mental health and gives members the tools they need to lead healthy, productive lives. Schrank’s personal struggle started decades ago when a series of overwhelming life events caused her to develop ongoing depression and anxiety. It was to the point where she couldn’t get out of bed for days on end and doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. She eventually overcame what she was going through, but the negative voices in her head didn’t go away. In 2003, Schrank and her family moved to Visalia in hopes of a fresh start. In 2018, all the loneliness, anxiety and depression broke through the surface again after she got into a car accident and other events resulted in her having a breakdown. Schrank took two months off work to rest and heal, but when she went back to work, they told her that she didn’t have a position there anymore. With no job and no

family, Schrank’s negative emotions sent her into a hole that she didn’t know how to get out of. “I felt so alone, like I had nothing left,” she says. In a time of great despair, Schrank locked herself in her bedroom and took a whole bunch of pills, wanting to sleep forever. Fortunately, her daughter Brittany came home just in time and realized her mother was inside slurring her speech. Brittany quickly called an ambulance and Schrank was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. “There’s no help in there. They just watch you and let you go when they feel like you’re ready,” she says. Throughout her stay, Schrank realized how broken the mental health system was. After Schrank was released, she decided to stay with her son for a little while in San Diego. She was offered a job at the Community Research Foundation in San Diego County that runs clubhouses built to help people combat depression and deal with mental illness. Schrank found that she fit right in. “I remember walking through the door and I just felt so loved and accepted. It was such a great feeling,” she says. However, instead of accepting the job at the Community Research Foundation, Schrank had a vision to start her own clubhouse back in Visalia. 4 continued on page 18 DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

“We listen.

We want to hear what you want to do with your life and help you, and then we’ll walk with you step by step on getting there…”

After going back home, Schrank started partnering with organizations, gathering resources and buying advertising to bring mental health issues to light in Tulare County. And she became committed to helping stop the stigma surrounding mental illness. “People are afraid to talk about their mental illness for fear of losing their jobs, their family,” Schrank says. “But employers lose so much money through mental health issues and employees calling in sick. There needs to be more awareness, people who know who the resources are and how to get the help they need.” Clubhouse Visalia opened in October at 206 E. Oak Ave. in Visalia. It is a place for people to calm their minds, talk through their problems without being judged and have someone by their side to help them set goals and figure out the best way to move forward. Anyone can walk right in and start getting the help they need immediately without waiting for insurance to kick in. “The Clubhouse is about changing people’s lives. We’re helping people find jobs, classes and talking to landlords. Everything we do, we’re going through this together,” Schrank says. People can feel so alone in their mental illness, so Schrank assures that each member is addressed in a personal way from the minute they walk through the door. The atmosphere in a clubhouse is meant to invoke a casual, inclusive feel matched with support from fellow members dealing with similar issues. “We listen. We want to hear what you want to do with your life and help you, and then we’ll walk with you step by step on getting there,” Schrank says. On the back end, clubhouse staff researches housing, job opportunities, training and the like to make it easier for members to get there. “Our biggest priority is to stop the stigma. There are two sides to this – the more personal aspect of helping individuals set and reach their goals, and another for the community and advocacy. It’s a lot of work but we’re going to do it together,” Schrank says. • Clubhouse Visalia • 206 E. Oak Ave., Visalia • www.gsclubhouse.org Find them on Facebook and Instagram Kayla Anderson is a freelance writer, marketer and action sports enthusiast who grew up wakeboarding on Lake Shasta and learning to ski at Mt. Lassen. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Chico State University .

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

Specialists GASTROENTEROLOGIST Will Hsueh, MD, completed his fellowship in gastroenterology at West Virginia University, and served his internal medicine residency at MedStar Georgetown University/Washington Hospital Center. He is certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Will Hsueh, MD

INTERNAL MEDICINE Sharmineh Shams, MD, completed her internship and residency at the USC Department of Internal Medicine. Prior to joining Visalia Medical Clinic, she was a hospitalist with Barstow Community Hospital and later provided hospitalist care at Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

Sharmineh Shams, MD

CARDIOLOGIST Reza Rafie, MD, has returned to VMC after completing a fellowship in interventional cardiology at the Kaiser Permanente Department of Cardiology. Interventional cardiology is a non-surgical process that focuses on catheter-based procedures such as balloon angioplasty and stenting.

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

From Our Family To Yours

Reza Rafie, MD

FAMILY MEDICINE Board-certified family practice physician Todd Quackenbush, MD, is accepting patients at Sequoia Prompt Care on Ben Maddox Way. Patients who don’t have a personal physician will be able to see him as their primary care provider. Dr. Quackenbush can be reached at 624-4800.

Todd Quackenbush, MD

PODIATRIST Foot and ankle surgeon Ajay Ghai, DPM, is Fellowship-trained and Board-qualified and has extensive surgical experience including foot and ankle reconstruction, complex trauma, sports reconstruction, bunions, flat feet and diabetic foot pathology.

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ʻTis the season

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for the coffee that will have you singing,

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Holiday Cheer Open House December 5, 12, 19 | 5:00-8:15 pm Over 15 businesses will be open late on Thursday evenings for your holiday shopping and dining convenience. Enjoy holiday festivities including trolley rides!

“Hallelujah!”

LOCALS

BY JOHN DILLON

PHOTOS: DAKOTA LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

well prepared R E V I VA L 2 3 I N C LOV I S AND KINGSBURG

TERESA PRIES BEGAN decorating for the holidays before Halloween. Her boutique, Revival 23 with locations in Kingsburg and Old Town Clovis, experiences its heaviest traffic during the holiday season, but she is not going to let that nor the new location they’re preparing daunt her. “Between now and the end of the year, we’ve got plenty to do,” Pries says. “If I add one more thing, it’d be too much.” 4 continued on page 22 DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

The shop’s name comes from Psalm 23 in the Bible. Pries found comfort in the verse’s theme of calming and guidance from God after closing her first business. “I was in a really dark place in my life. I had almost no hope,” she says. She explains that she was unable to keep the business afloat after the Great Recession hit in 2008, but in the years that followed she was able to revive and revitalize her interest in business and in her spirit. In August 2014, she opened Revival 23. “I realized God was just preparing me for what was ahead,” Pries says. Her business specializes in creating a comforting space and emphasizing a small-town atmosphere. “Customers are seeking refuge from their stressful lives. For them to leave feeling appreciated, it means we’ve done our job,” she says. Pries sees her customers as forming a bond and explains that she quickly becomes friends with them. “What keeps me going is the relationships we’re building with the customers,” she says. “I want to create a real experience for our customers.” She explains that, while it’s a shop, some of her customers treat it like going on an outing with friends or like a club. “People come in all the time with their friends or girlfriends and they look around and they enjoy being in my shop,” she says. Pries has tried to cultivate a warm, earthy feel to her shop. “We work it from the ground up, aesthetically,” she says. She personally curates all products coming into the store to create an atmosphere that’s beautiful, classic and affordable. She likes to explore denim themes and tie them in with other practical clothing choices. “Denim is the foundation. I always want to help women find a good fit of denim. Then you can add in your trendy tops and we’ll pair that with a La Vie bracelet,” she says. Pries says she enjoys offering her customers several outfit choices at different price points to avoid breaking the bank. Revival 23 also offers personal styling. “We’ll dress them. We’ll get them in a nice pair of denim or if they’re looking for a dress, we’ll get them in a nice outfit,” she says. In fact, Pries is going to extend the personal styling part of her boutique to northern Fresno, specifically around the Copper River area. A 1,200-square-foot shop is under construction at the intersection of Maple and Copper avenues. “We want to expand on our customer service and focus on gift wrapping and personal styling,” she says. Pries hopes to continue moving forward with her business, as she sees a big response to it. “I can see us going into some other small towns in the Valley,” she says. • Revival 23 Clovis: 416 Pollasky Ave., (559) 593-5127 Kingsburg: 1369 Draper St., (559) 593-1006 www.revival23.com Find them on Facebook and Instagram

John Dillon is a writer attending college in Visalia. He enjoys art, movies, television and politics. In his spare time, he reads and plays Dungeons & Dragons. You can also see his work in The Valley Voice.

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

LOCALS

BY RACHEL TRIGUEIRO

Photos courtesy of Rosetti’s Biscotti House

R O S E T T I ’S B I S C OT T I H O U S E Q UA L I T Y P R O D U C T S I N C LOV I S FOR MORE THAN 25 years, Diane Rosetti of Rosetti’s Biscotti House has been serving baked goods and sharing them with the community and country. Her loaded San Joaquin Harvest cake was the beginning of it all. “We took the cake all the way to fancy food shows in Manhattan. Bon Appetit, Country Living and other magazines were there and they always gave us California natives credit for being the creative innovators.” Vendors were astonished at the fresh assortment she offered. “You grew all of this in California?” they’d say. Rosetti says, “We’re basically like farmers. Pistachios, almonds, apricots and figs are all within miles from me. Everything is here. On the East Coast, that is shocking to them.” As the nation’s top region for agricultural production, the Central Valley provides an abundant variety of nuts and dried fruits. Rosetti attributes her achievements in baking to the cornucopia around her. 24

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

During one of her visits to a food show, she realized good biscotti didn’t exist on the market. “So we came home and created the very best,” she says. “It was my mother’s original recipe, and we did a spinoff with eight flavors.” After seven or so years of traveling back east, Rosetti asked herself, “Do you want to be the biggest or the best?” She opted for the latter. “We are doing high-end stuff with high-end quality. Big companies just can’t do what we do and I wasn’t willing to sacrifice quality just to be in every single store in America. We make the best biscotti because we use only the best ingredients.” This handmade authentic Italian dunking cookie is firm, not hard. Every flavor is made the old-fashioned way, by hand, using no machines or shortcuts. “We use all local ingredients, including whole cracked fresh eggs and fruit from neighboring farms.” All nuts are roasted and chopped

in-house and they complete each step in production. “We bake it, wrap it and ship it at The Biscotti House.” Although Rosetti’s is not a large corporation, they wholesale with high-end stores all over, including Wine Country, the East Coast and the San Joaquin Valley, all while maintaining the integrity of their products. Rosetti has acquired multiple first place awards for blind taste tests at large shows in places like Orlando. As Rosetti drives back to her Clovis shop with a basketful of figs, she explains that while accolades and awards are nice, they really don’t matter. “In the end, it doesn’t make you any money. What makes you successful is having a good product and getting people to come back over and over. We have faithful customers that have been coming back for 15 to 20 years.” Janna Green of Visalia affirms that the shop has honed the art of biscotti. “They are super yummy,” she says. “Not so hard that you feel like you’re breaking your teeth; they have a softer but not soft crunch.” Matthew Rosetti, the owner’s son who is taking over the family business, says they make fresh biscotti daily. It’s a two-day process for the twice-baked cookies to go from production-to-packaged in the shop. In one day, they make up to 3,800 pieces. As one might expect, the holidays are the shop’s busiest season. “When we get really busy this time of year, we can’t make enough,” he says. While biscotti is their specialty, the store is filled with other gourmet goodies including cinnamon almonds, rocky road bark, biscotti candy bars, cakes and specialty gift baskets. With some notice, field trips and tours can be scheduled to get a behind-the-scenes view of these delectable treats. “We are a quaint little shop. We carry unique products with the freshest ingredients and do it the very best we can. We always bake the best quality that we’re proud to serve our friends and family.” It’s the Rosetti guarantee. • Rosetti’s Biscotti House • 3 Railroad Ave., Clovis • www.rosettis.com (559) 323-6450 • Open seven days a week during the holidays Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Rachel Trigueiro, twin mom of four, loves adventuring with her family, especially near the beach. She holds a degree in business, but believes living in other countries and cultures offered her the greatest education. She dreamed of being a talk-show host; now, she enjoys story telling and drinking blonde coffee.

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

COMMUNITY

BY NATALIE CAUDLE

A HolidayFavorite C E N T R A L CA L I F O R N I A B A L L E T ’S T H E N U TC R AC K E R

THEATERGOERS DRINK in the dreamlike perfection of brightly clad ballerina flowers dancing effortlessly in synchrony while snowflakes twirl en pointe to the century-old iconic waltzes of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The fairytale ballet, “The Nutcracker,” embodies the essence of the holiday season, capturing the sights and sounds of Christmas. The classic ballet focuses around the dreamland adventures of a little girl named Clara and her Nutcracker doll. The ballet originally debuted in December 1892 in Russia. Ivan Vsevolozhsky, director of Moscow’s Imperial Theaters, commissioned the ballet, asking Tchaikovsky to compose the musical component while Marius Petipa was commissioned as choreographer. Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s fantasy story, Alexander Dumas Pere adapted the storyline, giving the theme a less sinister feel and providing a more child-friendly plot. The ballet’s premier performance was given mixed reviews and did not receive the

appreciation nor the following seen today. More than half a century had passed before “The Nutcracker” became a holiday favorite. The Christmas ballet premiered in America in 1944 by the San Francisco Ballet, but didn’t gain popularity until 1954 when performed in New York City under the choreography of George Balanchine. Balanchine’s unique method, a style still taught at the School of American Ballet, focuses on very quick movements with a greater use of the upper body. The American version of “The Nutcracker” has slight variations from the Russian original, with changes to the storylines and to characters’ names. The prima ballerina in the Russian version of the ballet is named Masha, where the American rendition features Clara. Tchaikovsky labored over the composition of the Nutcracker Suite for the majority of 1892, incorporating unique instruments and note progressions. The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, one of the most

Photos courtesy of Central California Ballet

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

recognizable scores of the suite, features the celesta, an orchestral percussion instrument resembling an upright piano. Some rumors claim that Tchaikovsky’s sister died during his composition of the two-act suite, influencing the melancholy feel of a few of the pieces. The ballet runs shorter than Tchaikovsky’s other operas with a total time of 85 minutes, but stands to be one of his most well-known compositions. Modern movies and advertisements often incorporate excerpts from the Nutcracker suite, music that has become synonymous with the holiday season. Ballerinas young and old eagerly anticipate the annual holiday tradition. Prior to being a high school dance teacher for Visalia Unified School District, Kassi Hampell grew up in the world of dance and performed in “The Nutcracker” multiple times. Hampell remembers the beauty and wonder of the enchanting ballet. “The music is comforting and sounds like Christmas. Going to watch the show is always a treat, because although it is a classic and the same story, every company that performs it brings its own unique choreography and magic touch that makes every time you watch it – majestic.” The Lively Arts Foundation produces a yearly holiday ballet, bringing in professional talent and joining studios across the Valley under the umbrella of the Central California Ballet. Shirley Winters is the artistic director of the Central California Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” In 1983, Winters began her career as a dance teacher, instructing her students in European styles with influences from the Royal Ballet. Winters prides herself on her unique method of ballet instruction, a style that allows for many body types to be successful in dance. In 2005, Winters opened her own studio on Cedar Avenue in Fresno. “Performing is an exciting and important part of a dancer’s education,” Winters says. “As a holiday classic in the dance world, it is a joy for both dancer and audience.”

On December 14 and 15, the Central California Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at Saroyan Theatre in Fresno with two matinee performances and one evening show. Students from various local Valley dance studios, ages 5 to adult, audition every August for an opportunity to perform in the iconic ballet alongside international professionals. Principal dancers Nicolas Gorodiskii and Anna Sophia Scheller are from the Ukraine Ballet. • “The Nutcracker” • Dec. 14 and 15 • Saroyan Theatre, Fresno Tickets available online via Ticketmaster • (559) 270-6601 www.livelyarts.org/shows/the-nutcracker-2020/ Sugar Plum Party follows Sunday matinee; party tickets available by calling (559) 270-3212

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

ENJOY THE VIEW

PHOTO: DJ DOWDY

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

SNOW ON THE HORIZON IN BADGER

D.J. Dowdy grew up in Ivanhoe and now lives in Visalia with his wife and three sons, where he works in construction management for Tulare County. He feels a sense of calm and wonder while heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s out in nature, which he tries to capture in his images. Find him on Facebook at Life in 5D Photography and on Instagram @dj_dowdy.

DECEMBER DECEMBER2019 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

WHAT’S COOKIN’

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MACI MANTY

recipe DECEMBER 2019

OREO PEPPERMINT BARK MAKES: 24 SQUARES

One of the best things about the Christmas season is giving (and receiving) homemade baked goodies. There’s something so fulfilling about being able to share what you’ve made and watch others enjoy it. This Oreo Peppermint Bark is full of satisfying texture, from smooth chocolate to crunchy cookie and candy cane pieces. It’s the perfect holiday treat to give as a gift (or enjoy yourself) and it’s easy to make.

INGREDIENTS: 12 oz. (2 cups) high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, in pieces 11 oz. (2 cups) high-quality white chocolate, in pieces 2 tsp. coconut oil, divided 1⁄2 tsp. peppermint extract 10 oz. package of Oreo Thins cookies, divided 2-3 candy canes, crushed

DO YOU HAVE A RECIPE YOU’D LIKE US TO MAKE? Please submit it to info@enjoymagazine.net

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

DIRECTIONS: STEP 1: Line a 10x15-inch baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Crush candy canes in a small food processor or put them in a zip-top bag and roll over with a rolling pin until crushed. Set aside. STEP 2: Add semi-sweet chocolate pieces in a microwavesafe bowl with 1 tsp. of coconut oil. Microwave chocolate in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval until completely melted. Once melted, pour chocolate onto prepared baking sheet and gently smooth with rubber spatula into a rectangular shape. Once smooth, set aside six of the Oreo Thins cookies and gently press the rest into the smooth semi-sweet chocolate layer. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to partially set the chocolate (about 10-12 minutes). Make sure the chocolate is only partially set, or the bark layers could end up separating.

STEP 3: Melt white chocolate pieces in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 tsp. of coconut oil, repeating the method used in Step 1. Once the white chocolate is completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract. Add the melted white chocolate over the top of the partially set chocolate layer and gently smooth with a rubber spatula. STEP 4: Crush the remaining six cookies and sprinkle them over the top of the white chocolate layer before it sets, along with the crushed candy cane pieces. Gently press the Oreo and candy cane pieces into the white chocolate. Return the baking sheet to the refrigerator until the bark is fully hardened. Once hardened, cut into 24 square pieces with a sharp knife. Oreo Peppermint Bark will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. Maci Manty is a self-taught baker, wife, mother and animal lover. Some of her favorite things include baking, taking pictures, hiking, paddle boarding at Whiskeytown Lake, bike rides and spending time with her family and pets. Follow her on Instagram @lovely_baking_co to see what sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s baking.

PREP TIME: 25 minutes TOTAL TIME: 2 hours

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

CRAFTING

BY KAYLA VAN GROUW | PHOTOS: KELLI AVILA

Well Mantled D I Y: P I N E C O N E G A R L A N D

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

SUPPLIES • Pinecones • Wood beads • Leather cord • Screw eye hooks • Pliers

TIPS: YOU CAN ALSO STYLE THE GARLAND IN A BOWL ON A TABLETOP LIKE YOU WOULD ANY WOOD BEAD GARLAND.

1. Cut cord to length of where you are hanging the garland. Calculate how many pinecones you want on your garland, then screw eye hooks into pinecones.

2. Next, string beads and pinecones onto your garland in your pattern of choice. We added a pinecone after every sixth bead.

3. Tie off ends. To hang, place a hook on top of your mantel and tie the ends of the garland to them.) Hang and enjoy!

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

THE EVOLUTION BEGINS

MARCH 26, 2020

KELLI

BREAKFAST CLASSICS + NEW FAVORITES!

AVILA PHOTOGRAPHY

Weddings | Boudoir | Senior Portraits

GRA OPENIND NG

NOW SERVING BREAKFAST 8338 W. CYPRESS AVE. | VISALIA 7AM-11AM | 8AM-1PM

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MON-FRI | SAT & SUN

www.kelliavilaphotography.com

calendar D E C E M B E R 2 01 9

FROM FOOD TO FUN, SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY

auberry

bakersfield

December 7-8 • Motorcycle Two-Day Fun Camp, Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, 33940 Sterling Lane, 9am-5pm, www.richoliver.net December 5 • Bakersfield Christmas Parade, Downtown Bakersfield on 22nd and L Streets, 6-8pm, www.bcparade.com • “Don’t Look Back” Boston Tribute, Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame, 2230 Q St., 7-9pm, www.bakersfieldmusichalloffame.com December 7 • Craft and Vendor Show and Toy Drive, The Villas at Scenic River, 4015 Scenic River Lane, 10am-3pm, www.facebook.com/events/1977648132348736 December 11 • Full Moon Community Bike Ride, Beach Park, 3400 21st St., 7-9pm, www.facebook.com/ events/965339887147920 December 14 • Mento Buru Live, Wiki’s Wine Dive and Grill, 11350 Ming Ave. Suite 260, 9pm-midnight, www.facebook.com/events/2360106020978801 December 19 • Holiday Lights Ride, Kaiser Permanente Ming Medical Offices, 8800 Ming Ave., 7-9pm, www.visitbakersfield.com December 21 • Market Day, Tractor Supply Co., 6710 Colony St., 8am-2pm, www.visitbakersfield.com

clovis

December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 • Just the Tips Comedy Show and Open Mic, 1225 North Willow Ave. #180, 7:30pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org December 7, 14, 21, 28 • Year-Round Farmers Market, Pollasky Avenue between 5th Street and Bullard Avenue, 9-11:30am, www.visitclovis.com December 7 • Clovis Children’s Electric Christmas Parade, Old Town Clovis, 6:30-8pm, www.visitclovis.com

December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 • Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, catch rides in front of the Educational Employees Credit Union at 430 Pollasky Avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets, 1-4pm, www.oldtownclovis.org

corcoran

dinuba

delano

exeter

fresno

December 6-8 • 100th Christmas Tree Celebration, Corcoran Chamber of Commerce, 1040 Whitley Ave., 5-7pm, (559) 992-4514 December 3 • Christmas Light Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, Downtown Dinuba, 5pm, www.dinubachamber.com December 1 • Comedian Kabir Singh, Hyatt Place, 1200 Garzoli Ave., 7pm, www.cen-cal-comedy.eventbrite.com December 6 • Exeter Christmas Parade, downtown Exeter, 6:30-7:30pm, www.exeterchamber.com December 1 • California Bridal & Wedding Expo, Fresno Fairgrounds, 1121 South Chance Ave., noon-5pm, www.fresnofair.com • Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop, River Center, 11605 Old Friant Road, 10:30am, www.riverparkway.org • 1969: The Concert, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., 7-10pm, www.downtownfresno.org December 1-13 • Fresno Pacific University Art Exhibits, Fresno Pacific University, 1717 South Chestnut Ave., 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, www.fresno.edu/event/art December 1, 30 • Central California Big Band Dance Society, Radisson Hotel Fresno, 1055 Van Ness Ave., noon-5pm, www.bigbanddancing.com December 1, 6-8 • Forestiere Underground Gardens Tours, 5021 West Shaw Ave., 10am-3pm, www.undergroundgardens.com

December 3-25 • Christmas Tree Lane Open 2019, North Van Ness Boulevard in Fig Garden, 6-10pm, Walk Only Nights Dec. 3 and 11, www.christmastreelane.com December 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31 • Cherry Avenue Auction Swap Meet, 4640 S. Cherry Ave., 6:30am-3:30pm, www.cherryavenueauction.com • River Park Farmers Market, 220 Paseo del Centro, 5-9pm Tuesdays, 10am-2pm Saturdays, www.riverparkfm.com December 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 • Vineyard Farmers Market, 100 West Shaw Ave., 3pm-6pm Wednesday, 7am-noon Saturdays, www.vineyardfarmersmarket.com December 5, 19 • ArtHop, Downtown Fresno, 5-8pm, www.fresnoartscouncil.org/arthop December 5, 12, 19, 26 • CArtHop, Mariposa Plaza, 1060 Fulton St., 11am-2pm, www.downtownfresno.org December 6-8, 13-15 • Disney “Frozen Junior,” Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 2425 Fresno St., 7:30pm Friday, 2pm and 7:30pm Saturday, 2pm Sunday, www.cmtworks.org December 6, 13, 20, 27 • Farmers Market, Manchester Center, 1901 East Shields Ave., 7am-3pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org December 7 • Bluebird Market, Fig Garden Village, 5082 North Palm Ave., 11am-5pm, www.bluebirdmarket.shop • Cultural History Walk at Lost Lake, River Center, 11605 Old Friant Road, 8:45-11:30am, www.riverparkway.org • It’s a Wonderful Craftapalooza 4, Tioga Sequoia Brewing Company Beer Garden, 745 Fulton St., 11am-4pm, www.downtownfresno.org • 90th Annual Downtown Fresno Christmas Parade “9 Generations,” downtown Fresno, 2-4pm, www.downtownfresno.org • Charlie Overbey and the Broken Arrows, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., 7:30pm, www.downtownfresno.org December 8 • Holiday High Tea, River Center, 11605 Old Friant Road, 1pm, www.riverparkway.org DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

December 13 • Snowshoeing Basics, Tioga Sequoia Brewing Company Beer Garden, 745 Fulton St., 6:30-8pm, www.downtownfresno.org • “The Island of Misfit Toys,” Nate Butler’s 27th Annual Mmmm Mmm Christmas, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., 9pm-midnight, www.downtownfresno.org December 14 • Powerman5000, Full Circle Brewing Co., 620 F St., 5-11pm, www.downtownfresno.org • Metalachi, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., 9pm-2am, www.downtownfresno.org December 17 • Community Art Night, Common Space, 1252 Fulton St., 6:30-9:30pm, www.downtownfresno.org December 18 • Static Xmas Tour 2019, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., 7pm, www.downtownfresno.org December 26-31 • Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration, Fresno Fairgrounds, 1121 South Chance Ave., 8am-5pm, www.visitclovis.com December 27 • ‘80s to the Max, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., 8pm-1am, www.downtownfresno.org December 28 • The Purple Ones, Prince Tribute, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., 9pm-1am, www.downtownfresno.org

hanford

December 8 • Rockin’ Rudolph 5K Run/Walk, Hanford Civic Center Park, 400 North Douty St., 7am, www.runhanford.com December 12 • Candy Cane Christmas Charity Dinner, Hanford Civic Auditorium, 400 North Douty St., 6-9pm, www.hanfordchamber.com • Light up a Life, Adventist Medical Center, Courtyard Cafe, 115 Mall Drive, 6pm

kingsburg

December 7 • Santa Lucia Celebration, Draper Street Kingsburg and local restaurants, 7:30am-8pm, Festival of Lights Parade at 5:30pm, www.kingsburgchamber.com December 14 • Bluebird Market, Bluebird Home and Lifestyle Market, 1549 Draper St., 10am-4pm, www.bluebirdmarket.shop

kings canyon national park

December 8 • 93rd Annual Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree, charter buses leave from Sanger, 2:30-5pm, www.sanger.org 36

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

lemoore

December 7 • “Lemoore’s Greatest Show” Christmas Parade, downtown Lemoore, 6pm, www.lemoorechamberofcommerce.com/ christmas-parade December 12 • Rock Club Meeting, Lemoore Veterans Hall, 411 West C St., 7pm, www.lemooregemandmineralclub.wordpress.com

porterville

sanger

selma

springville

three rivers

tulare

December 5 • Children’s Christmas Parade, Main Street Porterville from Morton South to Olive, 7-10pm, www.portervillechamber.org December 7 • 27th Annual Christmas Home Tour, Zonta Bazaar and Hospitality, Barn Theatre, 42 South Plano St., 10am-3pm, www.portervillechamber.org December 8 • Sierra Vocal Arts Ensemble Christmas Concert, First United Methodist Church, 344 East Morton Ave., 3-5pm December 4 • Sanger’s 36th Annual Tree Lighting, Brehler Square, 6:30pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org December 7 • 72nd Annual Toyland Parade, downtown Sanger, 11am, www.sanger.org December 7 • Christmas Parade, Lincoln Park, 2301 Selma St., 5-8pm, www.selma-chamber.com December 8 • Old Fashioned Christmas, Springville Historical Museum, 34902 Hwy. 190, 1-4pm December 7, 14, 21, 28 • Farmers Market, downtown Springville, 9am-1pm, www.springville.ca.us December 7 • First Saturday in Three Rivers, pick up map at Three Rivers Art Center, 41673 North Fork Drive, 11am-5pm, www.1stsaturdaytr.com December 7 • Central California Antique Flea Market, International Agri-Center, 4500 South Laspina St., 7am-2pm, www.californiaantiquemarket.com

visalia

December 1

• Holy Land 2020 Informational Meeting, Christ Lutheran Church, 3830 West Tulare Ave., 1pm, www.gatewayvisalia.com/holy-land • Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Lincoln Oval Park, 5:45pm, www.visitvisalia.com December 1, 6-8, 13-15 • Annie the Musical, Cafe 210, 210 West Center Ave., 7pm Friday, 2pm and 7pm Saturday, 2pm Sunday, www.visitvisalia.com December 1-17 • A Holiday in the City, Tulare County Office of Education, 6200 South Mooney Blvd., 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, www.visitvisalia.com December 2 • Candy Cane Lane Parade, Downtown Visalia, 7pm, www.visitvisalia.com December 4, 11, 18 • Shiloh, Crawdaddy’s, 333 East Main St., 7-10pm, www.visitvisalia.com December 5, 12, 19, 26 • ‘80s Night, Crawdaddy’s, 333 East Main St., 10pm, www.visitvisalia.com December 5, 12, 19 • Holiday Open House, downtown Visalia, 5-8pm, www.visitvisalia.com December 6 • First Friday Art Walk, Arts Consortium, 300 East Oak Ave., 5-8pm, www.artsconsortium.org December 7 • Ice Skate Visalia, Garden Street Plaza downtown Visalia, 2-9pm, www.visitvisalia.com December 7, 14, 21, 28 • Farmers Market, Sears parking lot on Caldwell Ave., 8-11:30am, www.visaliafarmersmarket.com December 14-21 • Breakfast with Santa, Garden Street Plaza downtown Visalia, 9-10:30am, www.visitvisalia.com December 14 • Winter Trout Derby, Plaza Park, 4130 South Mooney Blvd., 9-11am, www.visitvisalia.com • Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl, Main Street downtown Visalia, 4:30-9pm, www.dothecrawl.com/visalia December 20, 27 • Family Friday Themed Skate Night, Garden Street Plaza, downtown Visalia, 6-9pm, www.visitvisalia.com December 23-31 • Ice Skate Visalia, Garden Street Plaza downtown Visalia, 6-9pm, www.visitvisalia.com December 27 • Night at the Museum, ImagineU Children’s Museum, 210 North Tipton Ave., 5:30-8:30pm, www.imagineumuseum.org

bakersfield fox theatre

www.thebakersfieldfox.com

December 2 • “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” 7pm December 4 • Mariachi Sol De Mexico Presents “A Merry-achi Christmas,” 8pm December 6 • Pink Martini, 8pm December 8 • The Hodgetwins, 7:30pm December 12 • Jamey Johnson, 8pm December 13 • “Buen Dia, Ramon,” 7:30pm December 16 • “White Christmas,” 7pm December 19 • “A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage,” 7:30pm

fresno city college

www.fresnocitycollege.edu

December 2 • Intermediate Advanced Piano Recital, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm December 3 • Ear Candy Commercial Music Concert and Showcase, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm • Chamber Winds and Percussion Concert, FCC Theatre, 7:30pm December 4 • Jazz Ensemble, FCC Theatre, 7:30pm December 5 • FCC String Ensemble, Recital Hall, 5pm • FCC and Washington Union High School Wind Ensemble Concert, FCC Theatre, 7:30pm December 6 • Choral Holiday Concert, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm December 8 • Fresno Community Concert Band, FCC Theatre, 3pm and 7pm December 9, 10 • Student Holiday Art Sale, Art Space Gallery, 11am-6pm December 10 • FCC Community Symphony Orchestra, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm

fresno convention and entertainment center

www.fresnoconventioncenter.com

December 5 • Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Saroyan Theatre, 7:30pm December 7 • Fresno Philharmonic Presents Pops Series “Home for the Holidays,” Saroyan Theatre, 7:30pm December 14-15 • Central California Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” Saroyan Theatre, 2pm and 7:30pm Saturday, 2pm Sunday

December 22 • “An Irish Christmas,” Saroyan Theatre, 2pm

fresno state university theatre www.fresnostate.edu/ artshum/theatrearts

December 6-14 • “As You Like It,” 7:30pm Tuesday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday

lindsay community theater www.lindsaycommunity theater.com

December 6, 7 • Special Christmas Music Celebration, 7:30pm December 12-15 • “The Nutcracker,” 7:30pm Thursday and Saturday, 2pm Sunday

hanford fox theatre www.foxhanford.com

December 14 • “Gremlins,” 7pm December 21 • Bethel Temple Ballet Nutcracker, 5pm December 22 • Kings Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert, 4pm

icehouse theatre

www.v isaliaplayers.org

December 13-15 • “3rd Annual Hope for the Holidays,” 7:30pm Friday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday

rabobank arena

www.rabobankarena.com

December 16 • Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Theater, 7:30pm December 29 • Cirque Musica Holiday Wishes, Arena, 6pm

roger rocka’s dinner theater

www.rogerrockas.com

stars theatre restaurant

www.bmtstars.com

December 6-8, 11-13, 15, 18-22 • “A Christmas Story,” Stars Theatre Restaurant, 1931 Chester Ave., 6:30pm dinner, 7:30pm show Thursday-Saturday, 1pm lunch, 2pm show Sunday

tower theatre - fresno

www.towertheatrefresno.com

December 5 • Jeff Lewis and Special Guests, 7:30pm December 7 • James Torme: “A Very Torme Christmas,” 8pm December 8 • Tommy Emmanuel with Special Guests Jim and Morning Nichols, 8pm December 10 • Jonny Lang, 8pm December 18 • Ozomatli with Special Guest La Misa Negra, 8pm

visalia fox theatre www.foxvisalia.org

December 5 • The Beach Boys Holiday Harmonies and Hits, 7:30pm December 8 • Sequoia Symphony Orchestra “Messiah,” 3pm December 12 “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” 6:30pm December 14 • Fiesta Navidad With Mariachi Los Camperos, 7:30pm December 17 • Disney Junior Holiday Party on Tour!, 6pm December 18 • “Miracle on 34th Street,” 6:30pm December 19 • “An Irish Christmas,” 7pm

warnors theatre www.warnors.org

December 8 • “A Drag Queen Christmas,” 8pm December 14 • KIDZ Bop World Tour 2019, 6pm

December 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29, 31 • “Elf the Musical,” 5:30pm Thursday-Saturday, 11am Sunday December 9 • Jazz Composers Orchestra, 7:30pm

save mart center - fresno www.savemartcenter.com

December 5 • Mana, 8pm December 21 • PJ Masks Live, 2pm

HOW TO GET YOUR EVENT ON THIS CALENDAR If you’d like your event to be listed in this section of Enjoy magazine, please post it on our website www.enjoysouthvalley.com by the 1st of the month—one month prior to the next magazine issue. For example, a January event will need to be posted by December 1.

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

Holiday Bucket List A F E W I D E A S T O G E T YO U I N T H E SPIRIT OF THE SEASON • Drink hot chocolate with marshmallows and peppermint • Make latkes • Write a letter to Santa • Bake sugar cookies • Trim the tree • Hang the stockings • Build a gingerbread house • Look at Christmas lights • Watch a Christmas movie • Teach someone how to play the dreidel game • Make popcorn garlands • Watch a Christmas play • Make a homemade ornament • Donate to a toy drive • Buy a gift for a family in need • Shake a snow globe • Mail holiday cards • Make homemade candles

www.EnjoySouthValley.com DECEMBER 2019

• Play Christmas music • Make paper snowflakes • Build a fire • Visit Santa • Drink egg nog • Go ice skating • Make a gift for a teacher • Make a storybook with your children • Become a mentor • Countdown to Christmas with an advent calendar • Learn how others celebrate the holidays • Get some kids together to sing Christmas carols at a retirement home (let the retirement home know in advance)

GIVING BACK | BY RACHEL TRIGUEIRO

ELEVATE & CREATE C O L L A B O R AT I N G W I T H T H E D R E A M E R C O - O P I N F R E S N O

THE CENTRAL VALLEY is bursting with creativity, Giving back is a big part of the Dreamer Co-op vision. specifically Fresno. Part of the proceeds from the show go toward a featured Four friends who connected through the local group nonprofit. Fresno Rescue Mission is this year’s selected Tuesdays Together Fresno created a modern holiday charity. Rescue the Children, a ministry within the artisan show that pushes the Rescue Mission, is a protected, envelope. “There are a lot of secure environment in a holiday shows around and we refurbished hotel off the 99, wanted something different,” says providing long-term services to atjewelry designer Alana Little of risk, abused and homeless women Make Pie Not War. “Something and children. holistic – not in the medicinal way, “We love the Rescue Mission,” but a really special and organic says Little. “They do the hard work event, where people can enjoy food that everyone’s afraid to do. They trucks, sip locally roasted coffee, are helping women get their lives have their hair done and find super back or start new lives completely. unique items.” It’s a really special ministry. Most Photo courtesy of Ellie Koleen Passionate about bringing of us are female and have children, creativity and innovation to their so it means a lot to support them.” hometown, Little, along with At the event, the mission will Hilary Dildine (Bleu De Toi), have a booth educating the Erika Grubb (Erika Amalia Events) community about what they and Alex Register (KLSD) started do, along with merchandise and the Dreamer Co-op in December a fun make-your-own-craft, all 2017. “There’s a huge group in the benefiting the organization. city making big changes,” Little “Fresno is awesome and such a says. “Everyone is working together fertile place for creativity,” Little to make it a better place. We’re like the cheerleaders of says. “Our hope is that this show inspires others to think Fresno. We love it so much.” outside the box, work together and share information. I The heart behind the event is to elevate Fresno’s creative believe we are stronger when we work together.” • community and “raise the bar for shows through rad events,” Little says. This is not a typical craft show. Dreamer Co-op event Every year they continue to stretch the boundaries. Dec. 7, 11am-4pm • 1742 H St., Fresno This year’s theme is Kinship, focusing on collaboration (559) 905-2545 and innovation. “We are challenging artists to work Find them on Instagram as The Fresno Collective together with other artists, to see the beauty of collaborating and the synergy that comes with that,” Rachel Trigueiro, twin mom of four, loves adventuring with Little says. her family, especially near the beach. She holds a degree in business, but believes living in other countries and cultures offered her the greatest education. She dreamed of being a talk-show host; now, she enjoys story telling and drinking blonde coffee.

DECEMBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com