Enjoy Magazine: South Valley Living—September 2015 by Enjoy Magazine: Northern California Living

South Valley Living Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2015

Hit the Books

www.enjoysouthvalley.com

Enjoy the magazine It’s on the house

Contents ®

South Valley Living SEPTEMBER 2015

cr a ft i ng

36 Summer Adventures Notebook & Wrapped Pencils

dest i nat ion

21 Growing More Than Fruit at Jackson Family’s Apple Tree Farms

i nspir at ion

29 Kings River Quilt Festival in Reedley

i nt er est

11 A Beautiful Oasis at Bravo Lake Botanical Gardens in Woodlake 15 A Flourishing Art Scene with the Visalia Arts Consortium

loca l s

26 Visalia native Rudy Parris Makes His Own Music

on the m a p

8 Helping People Grow at Tulare Public Library

SHOW TIME

18 Embracing the Local Makers Movement at the Old Town Flea Market

Bravo Lake Botanical Gardens photo by Jen May Pastores See page 11 for more on this story

Enjoy magazine is not affiliated with JOY magazine or Bauer German Premium GmbH.

I n Ev ery issue

30 Enjoy the View—Christina and Jason Hopper 32 What’s Cookin’—German Chocolate Birthday Cake 34 Spotlight—Calendar of Events 38 Giving Back—Wish Upon a Star’s Brave Fest

SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 3

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Tulare Public Library photo by Christina Hopper See page 8 for more on this story

south valley Living

Yvonne Mazzotta publisher Michelle Adams publisher Ronda Ball editor-in-chief Kerri Regan copy editor Michelle Adams graphic design JERED MILLER Stephanie Gimlin Juan Verduzco contributing graphic designer monica fatica consultant/ advertising sales representative Lynn Learned advertising sales representative VALERI BARNES advertising sales representative

SEPTEMBER 2015 It’s the perfect time of year to relax under a shade tree with our favorite magazine, because we’ve got plenty of engaging tales to share with you. Visit the Bravo Lake Botanical Garden, a public oasis in Woodlake run by visionaries who are dedicated to planting seeds for tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Old Town Flea Market in Old Town Clovis makes treasure hunting fun. You’re sure to find something you can’t live without in this charming marketplace, and shopping local just feels good. Wishes do come true, and many of them are granted by Wish Upon a Star. Discover how this nonprofit has been able to grant the wishes of some 2,000 children suffering from life-threatening illnesses — and how you can get involved in a unique way. The Visalia Arts Consortium works to create a climate where the local art scene can flourish, expand and catalyze positive change in the community. Check out some of their imaginative events - perhaps it will inspire your own creative muse. Looking for something new to read — or watch, or hear? The modern library is about much more than print and paper, and the Tulare County Library is abuzz with activity. The new building welcomes people of all ages and interest levels — so check it out. Enjoy the first breath of fall!

brandi O’BRIEN sales assistant/event calendar/website Tamara Orth event calendar/photography Alex PUjol Josh Garza Zachary Fatica deliveries www.enjoysouthvalley.com 505 W. Center Street Visalia, CA 93291 559.804.7411 Email General: info@enjoymagazine.net Sales and Advertising information: monica@enjoymagazine.net

© 2015 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.

COVER PHOTO

Corrine Hopper Photo by: Christina Hopper St. Johns River Trail, Visalia

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SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 5

SIDE NOTE Who we are. What we do.

reader’s note: Picked up the two most recent editions of Enjoy and loved them! The photos and layout are fresh and fun, and your care for people and their lives and businesses shines through. It causes me to appreciate all the good, healthy and fun stuff going on here, and makes me proud of our community. Thank you for a happy read! — Kathy, Lemoore

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Enjoy the store Sit back and enjoy your morning cup with Slow Train Coffee Company coffee or quick start your day with chocolate espresso beans by Stafford’s Chocolates. Prepare your cup of coffee in a handmade pourover set for a bold and flavorful treat. Enjoy the Store has new product arriving all the time so stop by to see all the local made goodness! We also have “Made to Enjoy” gift crates available for all your special gift needs. 505 West Center Street, Downtown Visalia Visit our other stores: 1475 Placer St., Suite C & D, Downtown Redding 615 Main St., Downtown Red Bluff

Jen May Pastores is a contributing writer and photographer for Enjoy. This September she will relocate to Hawaii where she plans to continue her photography business. Those who know her will miss the time she spent serving our community, whether it be through organizing photography workshops, sharing her love of valley food @visaliaeats, mentoring local youth or through the non-profit organizations she donated her time to. We have thoroughly enjoyed reading and sharing her stories with the South Valley. Jen May we wish you the best of luck on your new journey and thank you for all of your hard work!

One thing I have noticed with “Enjoy” magazine (probably because it is a free distribution print) are the numerous Josiah Alter is the youngest comments of regular and new customers telling me they of our editorial staff but that saw my ad in “that” magazine. The distribution is monthly does not mean he is without so there’s always a reason to pick it up and read when your ambition or experience. in the restaurant, salon, store, office or whichever business Josiah began his photography it may be distributed to. business at the age of 15 and Nothing is free, so when you are self employed you analyze every dollar that comes in and goes out, and you quickly began making a name for make sure that the dollar going out is going to bring even himself in the photography world. This Fall he will begin more coming in. a new journey at St. Mary’s College in the Bay Area as a In my experience Enjoy magazine has done just that. Biology major with plans to attend medical school to be a Thank you, neurosurgeon. Josiah, don’t ever let your love Kristy Alves and enthusiasm for adventure fade away. It’s Owner Check out our been a pleasure having you contribute to Enjoy Hometown Emporium and sister publication, and we have no doubt that you will continue to Cassandra’s on Pine Enjoy Magazine: succeed in all that you do!

Northern California Living at www.enjoymagazine.net

6 |ENJOY 6 ENJOYSEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER2015 2015

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| By jordan venema | PHOTOS: christina hopper

equal access H E L P IN G P E O P L E G R O W AT t u l a r e P U B L I C l i b r a ry A wallet or purse holds a number of useful, even essential cards. There’s your credit card, insurance card, driver’s license, and let’s not forget your Starbucks card. But the smartest card of them all, says Sara Brown, is your library card. Brown, the Tulare Public Library manager since early 2014, isn’t just talking about book smart, either. Yes, those still line its shelves, but the modern library is about much more than print and paper. On a normal weekday in July at the Tulare Public Library, a line of people waits to check out books. The place is abuzz with energy, fingers tapping on keyboards, questions both asked and answered (quietly). In a community room adjacent to the lobby, about a dozen children construct Legos. Is it usually this busy? Yes - every day, the guard says. Maybe it’s the new building, or perhaps it’s the mountain of resources and programs, or it could be Brown’s visceral enthusiasm, but whatever is drawing the crowd, Tulare Public Library is putting the “public” back in public library. To prove the point, Brown reveals that last year, “35,000 people in a town of 65,000 used our computers. The community, boy, they love their library, which is the hallmark of a great city.” It could be called a chicken and egg scenario – does a great library produce a great city, or does a great city produce a great library? Brown credits her staff, volunteers and the Tulare Library Foundation, the nonprofit that committed $1 million to building the new structure in 2010. According to Brown, former library director Michael Stowell

8 | ENJOY SEPTEMBER 2015

was especially influential. She called him “the building’s builder” and “the one who really envisioned this for the community.” While statistics and numbers suggest tangible growth – a 6 percent increase of visitors between 2014 and 2015, and a 15 percent increase in revenue – the real evidence lies in resources that serve this community. Last year, the library added an adult summer reading program to complement the already successful youth program, which increased from 1,300 to 1,800 participants from last year. Residents now can apply for passports at the library, take computer courses, learn typing or Excel and get one-on-one bilingual instruction. There are clubs like “Weight to Success,” a weight support group that meets every other Tuesday night, and arts and cultural programs. They’re also breaking stereotypes. Brown, formerly the youth coordinator for Fresno County Library, admits, “I still have that children’s librarian vibe about me” — a far cry from the purse-lipped, hair-pulled-tightly-back librarian that will shush you and any sound. The library also loans DVDs, music, even video games. “Studies have shown that families who play video games together actually helps increase literacy skills,” Brown says. Being a librarian is addicting because her job is to help people, she says. “We’re the location if you’re going to pick up your tax forms; you can print it out. We’re the location if you need referrals for senior services, social services; we’ll direct you where to go. And getting kids excited to read, oh my gosh!”

They also help with employment. With a library card, visitors gain access to Job Now, a free online database that offers resources like oneon-one interview practice. “One of the coolest features is the resume lab,” says Brown. Just upload your resume and “they’ll get back with edits and suggestions within 24 to 48 hours. It’s free and all you need is a library card.” “Education is economic development,” explains Brown, “so we are doing anything we can do.” This means adjusting to meet the growing and changing needs of the community. Brown shares a quote she heard from a teacher: “The public library is the last great place for democracy because it’s equal access to all resources.” That doesn’t mean just books, but also technology. “We’re still that old version of the library; we’re just in the modern age where you have technology,” says Brown. “And if you don’t know or understand technology, that’s why we have computer classes, so you can get ahead. We’re trying to bridge the gap. And that’s what a public library has always been about.” Of course, you’ll still find the books and a quiet corner where you can read to yourself. Or, if you prefer, come on a Tuesday afternoon and read to Piper, “who is the best listening dog in the library,” says Brown. This fall, the library will develop a strategic plan, and Brown hopes the community will participate in forums, workshops and focus groups to shape it. Because the library wants to know, “What is the priority for the City of Tulare, and what does the Central Valley really need?” The modern library, says Brown, is here to help people grow. •

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Jordan Venema is a freelance writer and California native. He’s a fan of wild stories, impetuous traveling, live music, and all the food. But mostly, he’s a fan of his six-year old son, Cassian. He can be contacted by email at jordan.venema@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 9

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interest

| STORY AND PHOTOS By jEN MAY PASTORES

a be a u t i f u l o a s i s at B r avo L a k e B o ta n i c a l G a r d e n s i n W oo d l a k e Think of a tiny seed and the common splendor that happens at first sprout. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s radicle, as in the start of a root emerging down into the ground. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also radical, in that when you meet the needs of a seed, great things can grow and wonderful things can happen. Who knows this best? Woodlake native Manuel Jimenez and his wife, Olga Jimenez, two visionaries dedicated to planting seeds for tomorrow.4 continued on page 12

SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 11

“Taste these,” says Manuel, as he hands a visitor freshly picked sun gold tomatoes off the vine. Like a proud host, Manuel continues to find things for the guest to savor – figs, plums, bananas – his way of bringing others in to fully experience what the garden can offer. Surrounding him are trees, plants, vegetables and flowers that make up the Bravo Lake Botanical Garden in Woodlake, a public oasis cared for by the Jimenezes. The 13-acre garden welcomes visitors to appreciate the history of local agricultural roots. explore and yes, even taste, the generous varieties found “These days, people find themselves really busy. They’re always at every turn. “Everything that we have in the garden doing something, and it’s hard giving up your valuable time. When has a really good flavor. We have orchards...over 100 we get kids to come out, their time is really precious. When they varieties of citrus, 70 varieties of grapes and close to come, they work hard. It’s a lot of work. Huh, boys?” Manuel asks the 200 varieties of stone fruit like peaches, plums and group of volunteer teenagers who are tending to the garden. Stretched nectarines. We try to grow a little bit of everything.” across the back of their shirts are the words, “Planting seeds for tomorrow.” With so much ground to keep up, the two are not “The main mission is to get kids to learn, to work, to socialize and alone. With the help of volunteers from Woodlake learn about community service. This is for all of our good. We want to Pride, a nonprofit that the Jimenezes began in 1972, teach people that if they want nice things for themselves, all they have to they teach youth the joy of community service. Before do is come out as a group. As a group, it’s not that hard to do a project,” the botanical garden took its roots, it was a lonesome says Manuel. Groups like Roots & Shoots, an ecology club at Woodlake fragment of land once used by the Visalia Electric High School, visit throughout the school year to contribute labor and love Railroad. With their track record of beautifying the into the gardens. town with Woodlake Pride, the Jimenezes approached “When we first started the garden project, people like Everett Crackoff the city of Woodlake for permission to create would donate resources or money to make sure that our projects went forward. something new, seeing the bareness as an opportunity. He was a farmer and also helped start some of the anti-poverty agencies in the late “The city bought the property and told us we could go ‘60s. He was a good guy. In fact, we have a garden dedicated to him on the far end. And for it. It all came into fruition. We’ve been there for 11 nurseries have been really kind to us. When you look at all the trees that we have here years since building the first agriculture botanical – we paid for almost none of them – they’ve been donated by a nursery,” says Manuel. garden in California,” says Manuel. About a mile into the gardens is a grassy area with tall trees providing shade above Standing in small parts of the garden are a couple of benches that guests may rest on. The Jimenezes take a break and tilt their faces into the replicas of homes, such as the Farmer’s House display, welcoming breezes that come their way. As an old Chinese proverb goes, “If you want built to showcase what it was like for farmers long ago. one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you “Back in the day, when the orange season was not as want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.” For Manuel and Olga Jimenez and the long as it is nowadays, people would pack up and leave Woodlake Pride youth and volunteers, the gardens represents a place where people can this little town. Woodlake would become like a ghost partake in the reward of nature sowed out of attentive love and care. • town. Everybody took off to go pick cherries in Hollister, apricots in the Napa area, and just follow the Bravo Lake Botanical Gardens • 400 E. Naranjo Blvd., Woodlake crops. Wherever it was that they arrived they would (559) 280-2483 • Open daily, 8am to noon, free admission make a little home,” says Olga. “This happens to be grape boxes,” as she points to the framing of a small shelter she’s standing in. “This gives you an idea of how Jen May Pastores is a photographer, teaching artist and little walls were made up of. No electrics. No running water. Just the essentials.” writer. Her work can be viewed at jenmayphotography. Other artifacts such as old bed frames and boxes from the old Woodlake ranch are com. She also enjoys sharing local food on @VisaliaEats saved for special fundraising events to help create a visual of the past so guests can and her travels @jenmay on Instagram.

12 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

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| By fache desrochers

Pho to Cou rte sy Of Vis alia Art s Con sor tium Pho to: Jac ki Pot ork e

s far as cultural yardsticks go, few things are better at measuring the depth and potential of a city than its art scene. And for good reason: the arts function as both a great elevator and equalizer, consolidating the personal outlooks, unique aspects and diverse elements of an area and its citizens into works that not only represent the local soil from which they sprung, but also return new richness back into it. 4

Phot o: Jack i Poto rke

continued on page 16

Pho to Cou rte sy Of Vis alia Art s Con sor tium

a f lo u r i s h i n g a rt s c e n e with T h e V i s a l i a Ar t s C o n s o rtium

Pho to Cou rte sy Of Vis alia Art s Con sor tium

SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 15

Photo Courtesy Of

Visalia Arts Consortium But all too often, art scenes face quite a struggle to hold their own in a city long enough to take root. Unlike traditional enterprises, the bottom line of a true artistic endeavor is not measured by how it fills the coffers, but by how it feeds the soul. For this reason, any municipality’s burgeoning art scene requires a kind of white knight who will work to secure the city’s creative legacy, support local artists and provide the community with ways to access and enjoy local culture. So if you are an artist, an art lover or simply a citizen of Visalia, rejoice. The Visalia Arts Consortium has your back, and then some. The Consortium may be relatively young (it will enter its sixth year of operation in October), but it is particularly mighty, thanks to Visalia’s longextant creative natives. “The art community here is really amazing, because with just a little bit of funding and support, our community really pulls together and that’s all we needed to take off,” says Executive Director Caroline Koontz. The overarching goal of the Consortium is to create a climate where Visalia’s art scene can flourish, expand and ultimately be mobilized as a catalyst to bring the community together and incite positive change. “Our mission is to make the arts accessible and a part of everyday life,” explains Director of Development Erin Olm-Shipman. “We are finding creative solutions to problems, using creative outlets to address larger issues in the community and working to embed the arts into local education.” The Consortium approaches the realization of its goals through a number of events that span the year. Its most well-known effort is perhaps Visalia’s classic First Friday. Featuring an ever-rotating series of stops, this event is serviced by the town trolley, which provides a guided tour of the Photo Courtesy Of evening’s different exhibitions as well as a charming (and free!) ride. Visalia Arts Consortium But this popular mainstay is only one way the Consortium has devised to drum up public enthusiasm for the arts. Springtime heralds the South Valley Artists’ studio tour, a three-day event where the public is invited to tour dozens of artists’ working spaces. And then there are the Consortium’s ongoing special projects, including the Urbanists Collective, the Visalia Opera Company and the Visalia Visual Chronicle: a publicly owned, privately funded art collection that rotates through different corporate spaces in Visalia. The current collection will be on display at downtown consulting firm Provost & Pritchard through the end of September. “It’s a great way for local businesses to promote and value creativity in the workplace,” explains Olm-Shipman. “That’s the goal of all our programs. We want to build a community that appreciates art and will support and take pride in their local artists.” If First Friday is the Consortium’s bread and butter, the annual Taste the Arts event would be its birthday cake. October 17 marks the Consortium’s sixth annual event celebrating art cultivated in the Central Valley. “We call it ‘taste’ because it’s a chance for the public to sample a variety of art,” says Koontz. “We have literary artists, glass artists, woodworkers, painters, photographers, jewelry makers… you name it.” Taste the Arts features approximately 70 artists set up on the street between Main and School, where they will demonstrate their mediums, sell their work and answer questions about their process. Taste the Arts also features some compelling group efforts, including interactive live painting by the Urbanists Collective, creative family activities by ProYouth HEART (rumor has it that this year’s activities will include robots), and many other hands-on activities that use a bit of structure and a lot of freedom to encourage patrons to be as creative as they want to be. Thanks to the innovation, optimism and relentless support of the members of the Visalia Arts Consortium, there’s never been a better time to be an artist, art lover or citizen of Visalia. And if you’re interested in getting involved, the Consortium maintains an open invitation to drop by any membership meeting where you can meet your local art enthusiasts, support community efforts and help brainstorm ways to elevate the community’s creative culture for years to come. •

Visalia Arts Consortium • (559) 802-3266 400 N. Church St., Visalia • Open Tues-Fri 10am-3pm www.artsconsortium.org • Find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter • Taste of the Arts Street Fair, Oct. 17th, 2015, 11am-5pm

16 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

Fache Desrochers is a writer, photographer and artist. Her work can be viewed at fachedesrochers.com.

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Photos courtesy of Old Town Flea Market 18 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

emb r a c i n g t he loc a l m a k e r s moveme n t at The O l d Tow n F le a M a r k e t “There’s a whole new generation of buyers,” says Karen Chisum, founder of The Old Town Flea Market in Old Town Clovis. Collaborating alongside her is co-founder Cherish Stockdale, who adds to the topic of vintage culture: “I think the younger generation appreciates having a part in finding something that’s one of a kind.” This hunt for the perfect blend of new and old comes in classic hues found in the vintage spectrum: repurposed furniture, crafted original goods, retro clothing, handmade jewelry and antiques. It’s finding yourself in a charming marketplace where you may come across neighbors who are artisans. “We’re all about being local. There is so much talent in the valley that we wanted to showcase it,” says Chisum. “You might happen to see something and think how happy it makes you feel. It doesn’t even have to serve any other purpose that that.” Cost consciousness has inspired creativity when it comes to home decor, she says. “They’ve found that some old pieces could be used for new things,” Chisum says. “They’re looking at something and liking they way it looks, not necessarily for the collector’s value. In my mind, traditional antiquers are buying ornately carved furniture that’s 100 years old in pristine condition worth $5,000. It’s not about the collection like it used to be.” A popular phrase, “Makers Gonna Make,” is evidence there are admirers embracing the maker movement. Not only are folks encouraged to shop local, but they may be inspired to make their own originals and are willing to try making things themselves. “Our culture now is a little bit more entrepreneurial, where people start out working out of their house. They do Etsy sales and their own website sales. They create a business for themselves doing what they love. I think this is the generation that’s more willing to do that,” says Stockdale. “A lot of local artists have really been able to grow their business through the flea market, so that’s been fun, too.”

Vendor Sarah Young started out selling string art on a small table at the first Old Town Flea Market. Her Originals products took off, and during the last event, she sold out of everything before the end of the day. “Part of our commitment of doing the flea market is to make sure that our vendors are successful,” says Chisum. “A lot of the vendors have Instagram or Facebook accounts. They’ll post up items they’ll have at the market to get the buzz going, so buyers have specific ideas of what they want to get before they even get into the door,” adds Stockdale. The last flea market event had more than 5,000 attendees. For the next one, happening the first weekend of November, they’ll have around 70 vendors, as well as gourmet food trucks. A shopping guide listing the participating vendors is online, where tickets can also be purchased or picked up at the Foundry Collective store. Before the flea market first started three years ago at the Rodeo Grounds in Clovis, the two met with customers out of their quaint store known then as Vintage on Fourth. It quickly outgrew the space and is today The Foundry Collective on Fifth Street. The store houses product lines from creatives on the Foundry team, as well as artists who participate at the flea market. Sometimes local artists teach craft classes, where anyone can learn the basics of string art, floral arrangements or calligraphy. “Who knows what the future holds? We’re having fun for now,” says Stockdale. And they’re grateful for the support of people who shop local. “I think that’s sustained the Foundry and has helped the Old Town Flea Market. Our local community in the Central Valley has embraced our idea and we’re really thankful they’ve jumped on board with us and come along for the ride. It makes a huge difference to shop local when you can. If we didn’t have that, we wouldn’t be here,” says Chisum. •

Jen May Pastores is a photographer, teaching artist and writer. Her work can be viewed at jenmayphotography.com. She also enjoys sharing local food on @VisaliaEats and her travels @jenmay on Instagram.

The Old Town Flea Market Clovis Rodeo Grounds • 748 Rodeo Drive www.oldtownflea.com • (559) 960-2538 Saturday, Nov. 7, 10am - 4 pm Sunday, Nov. 8, 9am - 3pm General admission $5; early bird $10 Find them on Facebook and Instagram Photo: Jen May Pastores SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 19

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Delightful Salads & Wraps Hot & Cold Sandwiches Breakfast Burritos Specialty Coffees and Smoothies American and Mexican Cuisine by Chef Rico

FRED IMBERT Chef/Owner Banquet Rooms & Catering 733-9001 • Private • Business Lunches • Bridal & Baby Showers • Wedding Receptions • 25-2000 Guest Events • Co-Owners Sue Sa and Miguel Rico

CALL NOW FOR RESERVATIONS 559-592-WINE (9463)

151 South “E” Street, Suite A, Exeter

eatcafelafayette.com | SUNDAY BRUNCH 10AM-2PM

TUE-SAT LUNCH 11AM-2:30PM | HAPPY HOUR 4PM-6PM | DINNER 5:30PM-9:30PM

destination

| By jordan venema | Photos: tamara orth

g r ow i n g mo r e t h a n f r u i t at J a c k so n fa m i ly ' s A P P L E TR E E FAR M S Eric Brendle opens the gate to the orchard, and we individually slide between the post and fence. He kindly asks my 6-year-old son, “Now Cassian, do you know the rule about gates on farms? If the gate’s closed, you want to keep it closed, but if it’s open, you want to leave it open.” Once through, Brendle continues, “Now this is the fun part – like a treasure hunt.” “What color are they supposed to be?” Cassian asks. We walk down an aisle between trees, shaded from the afternoon sun. Cassian kneels by a trunk, parting the long grass, and shouts, “I found three whites and five browns!”

Behind us, about 100 annoyed or curious hens follow us, clucking as we steal their eggs. Well, it’s their own fault for not roosting in their rotational coops, which is why we’re pulling at the grass in 100-degree weather. “We are averaging 800 to 900 eggs a day,” explains Brendle, “but it should be more. So I’m thinking there are quite a few in the trees.” He’s right. We gather about 150 eggs in a single aisle of the orchard, but with nearly 3,000 chickens ranging free, mislaid eggs come with the territory. Still, Brendle wouldn’t have it any other way. 4 continued on page 22 SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 21

“This method of rotational grazing heals the land,” he explains. The chickens trim the grass, fertilize the soil, eat pests, and “it’s the best environment for the chickens to stay healthy,” Brendle adds. Brendle, a former chaplain, is relatively new to farming. In early 2015, he moved from Alaska to Kingsburg to raise hens and sell eggs as Apple Tree Farms. In a kind of parallel to the symbiotic relationship between chickens and orchards, Brendle partnered with Kingsburg native Rob Jackson, whose 160-acre farm, DayBreak Organics, provides the pasture for Brendle’s chickens. Their partnership, however, isn’t just about business. Like Brendle says: rotational grazing heals the land, and these two farmers are hoping to do the same. Before him, Jackson’s father farmed this land, which runs along the banks of the Kings River. Now Jackson farms with his youngest son beside him, harvesting such fruit as apples, plums, pears and nectarines. For Jackson, farming provides a unique opportunity for mentorship. When he first bought the farm, Jackson explains, “In my mind’s eye, I saw a transition from just growing fruit to growing people. So bringing people to the ranch is why I really wanted to run the farm. It was about more than being a farmer.” Removed from cities and sometimes hidden by cornfields, farms can be isolated, but Jackson wants his ranch to be accessible. “I’ve had four Uzbek Muslims live with me for four years; I’ve had a young French student the last two summers,” he says. Now Jackson is opening his farm to woofers – a name given to volunteers who farm through the organization World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). “I’m setting up for a constant supply of 14 woofers,” explains Jackson, who is constructing a boardwalk along the river, under a lush canopy of trees, where he will erect tents. “It’s like you could be in Costa Rica.” Woofers will work 6am to noon, harvesting fruit and packing eggs, and given free room and board as well as classes in the evening. Through WWOOF, anybody can apply to participate in what Jackson calls the Dothan Farm Experience.

22 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

The name Dothan, explains Jackson, comes from a small town on the bank of the Jordan River, whose “roots go back to where Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and which really began the economic salvation of the Middle East.”

“I enjoy being with young people, and I want to influence their lives in a positive way,” says Jackson. Through WWOOF, Jackson hopes to “raise up entrepreneurs, or maybe just hard workers, and people that have a mission to bless the world.” The classes will “focus on life goals, and coming out with a life mission statement.” “I enjoy being with young people, and I want to influence their lives in a positive way,” says Jackson. As such, Dothan has become a vision for Jackson, a means to raising up people alongside produce, through the creation of an LLC to help empower other entrepreneurs. Eric Brendle, for example was able to begin Apple Tree Farms under Dothan Enterprises, LLC. Again, this isn’t just a business for Jackson, but about personal investment. How else do you explain Jackson flying to Alaska to personally help Brendle and his family move to Kingsburg? Whether it’s woofers or the Brendles, Jackson is creating opportunities through relationships by inviting guests onto his farm in different ways. If woofing isn’t your thing, you can visit the ranch through the Jackson Family Farm Stay by renting a single or double bedroom. Somewhat like a bed and breakfast , this farm stay offers guests access to amenities like a hot tub, tennis court, kayaks for the river and the Jacksons’ personal pool. The kitchenette is stocked with organic granolas, jams, coffee and tea, and (of course) fresh fruit from the farm. “People don’t know what an organic farm is,” suggests Jackson. “So every farm stay guest has the opportunity for a tour… a half hour, though

a lot of times I’ll spend an hour with them.” During our tour, Jackson guides us through his orchards, explaining how to recognize a perfectly ripe apple. “Color is key for a Gala. You want a Gala that is 75% red,” he says. “Brake light red.” As we pick apples, Jackson receives a phone call. He looks at the phone then apologizes, “I better catch this.” After he hangs up, Jackson explains the call was from a former employee. “This young man, he was just off of Teen Challenge for six months,” a drug rehab program. “He was awesome, great attitude, cheerful, worked as hard as my best guys, and I just loved him.” After the young man relapsed, he moved out-of-state where he began another rehab program, which he recently completed. He calls asking for a job reference, which Jackson gladly gives. This isn’t a staged moment, and it seems to get at the heart of Dothan Enterprise – or call it an experiment. Whatever it is, it places people before business, but why? Why take the time to train volunteers, why invite strangers to swim in your pool, why invest in others without guarantee of financial return? “I want people to understand that they’re worth investing in,” explains Jackson, “and to become the best you. And what happens when you

23 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

become the best you? Then you have the best potential to bring blessing to this earth, you have the potential to be a giver.” Jackson does admit: “I want to use what I have to show people the love of God,” but he’s not worried about proselytizing. “If I can communicate that God loves them, if I can get across the value people have, then I have succeeded” – even if they only leave with a handful of apples. Join the harvest or vacation by the river; pick an apple or search for hidden eggs. Whatever brings you to this contemporary Dothan by the river, there you’ll find a farm organically healing the land, by placing people before product, and by growing people just as much as its growing fruit. • Apple Tree Farms • 40200 Rd. 28, Kingsburg • (559) 387-4122 www.appletreefarms.net • www.organic-farmstay.com www.wwoofusa.org • Find Jackson Family Farm Stay on Facebook

SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 23

sometimes success demands a certain refined insanity

hair salon STYLISTS

Educational Toys From

exeterflower.com • (559) 592-2551 199 E. Pine Street • Exeter, CA 93221

TAWNYA BROWN-GUERENA SHANNON HERNANDEZ KYLIE REED FABIOLA MORA

111 North E St Exeter salon 559.731.8746

Jorie DiMeco, Tangles Salon Hair Stylist & Make up Artist

102nd Annual Exeter Fall Festival

Celebrate Exeter, Hometown America

• car show • parade • entertainment • arts/crafts • food

on Saturday, Oct 10, from 7am-4pm

117 E. Pine St., Exeter, CA 93221 (559)592-2634, cell (559)799-9815

(559) 592-2919

www.exeterchamber.com • chamber@exeterchamber.com

Hometown Emporium

For the taste you’ll remember, and the gift you won’t forget

Kristy Alves Owner

Cassi Alves Manager

Established 1996

Hours Monday - Friday 7a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

145 E. Pine Street Exeter 559-592-1250

*Full Service Bakery *Breakfast/Lunch *Gift Baskets *Catering *Wedding Cakes

www.hometownemporiumexeter.com

Cassandra’s on Pine owned and operated by Hometown Emporium

*Private Parties *Lunch Meetings *Wedding Showers *Baby Showers *Birthday Parties

592-1250 • 165 East Pine Street, Exeter www.hometownemporiumexeter.com

locals

| By jordan venema

His own rules V i s a l i a n at i ve r u dy pa r r i s M a k es h i s ow n m u s i c Rudy Parris has a long relationship with music, which he explains by way of a story. “My mom said that when I was 3 years old, we went to a wedding. I’d stand by the band and she said she didn’t have to worry about me because I wouldn’t move,” Parris reflects. “Ever since I can remember, I’ve been mesmerized by the power of music.” That musical relationship, which precedes Parris’ memory, has taken him to places about which most people can only dream: the musical stage in front of a live audience on national television. But whether it’s the national stage or some hole in a wall, it’s probably all the same to Parris. “I am who I am,” he says. “People are looking for something real, from the heart.” What they want is something “they can chew on,” something that can’t be produced as made-for-television. Parris has the experience to say it. In 2012, he performed on the third season of the popular television show “The Voice” as a member of Team Blake (Shelton). Ask Parris and he’ll admit: “The Voice” is reality TV, whose success has a lot to do with the appeal of the underdog, “when the older guy makes it through, when the not-so-good-looking guy makes it through. People are starving for something from the heart.” That’s why Parris believes people are watching YouTube, “people singing out of their homes.” “The Voice” didn’t change Parris, though; it just gave him a mouthpiece to perform. “I made a lot of fans, and I got exposed to a lot of people,” he says. “It would take a lifetime or two or three to get exposed to that many people.” That exposure, says Parris, has been a blessing. Parris also gained experience through “The Voice,” training to handle interviews and the pressure of television. But Parris had appeal before he ever sang before a camera: an appeal that couldn’t be produced. His sound was something authentic, paradoxically both local and timeless, something hard to put your finger on but familiar. “I grew up in the country my whole life. I grew up on a ranch. My dad is from Oklahoma, and he listened to Merle Haggard,” says Parris. “I’m not just some transplant. I’ve lived through a lot of this stuff.” While rock band Kiss was the first to inspire him to pick up a guitar, it was country that had him holding on. “It’s in my blood. My family isn’t from Mexico; they’re from New Mexico. They came during the

26 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

grapes of wrath, just like all those other Okies,” explains Parris. “My grandparents came at the same time, but the only difference was our skin color.” It just so happens that Parris’ roots are also planted near country’s musical mecca – not Nashville, but Bakersfield. Back in the middle of the 20th century, Bakersfield was developing its own sound, and out of its honkytonk bars came rock and roll and country legends Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. “Those are Rudy’s deepest roots,” says Parris’ manager, Jacob Barber. “But a lot of people don’t know that.” Parris got his kicks playing at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield. “I did a 10-year stint there,” he says, “and it exposed me to a lot of major iconic country singers like Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Dwight Yoakam.” In fact, Barber calls the Crystal Palace Parris’ nursery. Parris, he says, has that Bakersfield Sound. According to Parris, “no one has done anything big out of Bakersfield since Buck Owens’ time,” a time when Nashville shared the charts with California. “Bakersfield put out something that was so different,” says Parris. While Nashville was focusing on a more produced, orchestrated sound, Bakersfield’s honkytonk bars produce “something you could chew on, something raw and soulful,” says Parris. Since Parris’ time on “The Voice”, he’s signed to a record label, focused on writing music, and later this fall, will release his own album. “My record doesn’t exactly have to sound like Buck Owens or Merle Haggard; it’s the attitude that brings out the Bakersfield Sound.” Says Barber, Parris’ album “has the genuine soul and story-telling culture of [the Bakersfield Sound] but mixed with heavy riffs. There’s a rock side to it.” In the same way that Bakersfield offered an alternative to Nashville, Parris offers an alternative to the over-produced, icon-driven industry sometimes perpetuated by reality TV shows, which is why Parris can say, “I am who I am.” “I stand by this record as something very solid, very unique,” he adds. “I guarantee you there’s nothing out there like this.” One of the new album’s tracks, “Making My Way,” shows Parris’ diversity through its contributors. “It’s a song about Rudy making his own course through life,” says Barber. On the track, joining Parris along his way, is drummer Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hank Williams III, Little Joe, and even recorded spoken word by actor Michael Madsen. While Parris is out to make his own way, he is glad not to have to do it far from home. “I’ve been very blessed that I didn’t have to live anywhere else. I’ve lived in Visalia my whole life, and I got on ‘The Voice.’ I lived in Visalia and I got a record deal. I didn’t have to move to Nashville,” says Parris. “See, the thing about Nashville is when you move there, you have to play by their rules.” From the way Parris is making his way, it’s clear he plans only to play by his own. • www.rudyparris.com • Find Rudy Parris on Facebook and Instagram

A Maker â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market 1 0.1 6 .1 5

Mark your calendars for our holiday shopping event of the year! Embellish & Restore and Enjoy the Store, 115 N. West Street in downtown Visalia. Contact embellish.restore@yahoo.com to sell your handmade goods.

font: century gothic

the

gardens at cal turf, tulare

the gardens

nursery + design 950 North J Street | Tulare thegardensatcalturf.com 688.2084 nursery | gift store | classes garden design | events

+demonstration gardens +drought tolerant plants +succulents +bark + compost +kitchen pantry +local goods

inspiration

| By jordan venema

in stitches k i n gs r i ve r q u i lt fes t i va l i n r ee d l E y

According to Pat Robertson, there are two avenues into quilting: down the artist’s path, or following the stitch of a seamstress or seamster. But however people get into quilting, there’s no denying: “You’d be very surprised by the artistic ability that people put into their quilts.” Robertson began quilting in 1989, and once she moved up the ranks to become president of the Kings River Quilt Guild, she and her fellow quilters decided the valley needed a local festival to showcase their talents. They held the first Kings River Quilt Festival in 1999 in the Reedley Community Center, but says Robertson, each year it’s improved and gotten larger and larger. Now, two large gyms at Emmanuel High School are filled with between 300 and 350 quilts. With that much fabric, the Kings River Quilt Festival is not an inch short of the larger quilt shows in the area. “Well,” Robertson assures, “this is the largest guild festival in the valley.” The festival isn’t a competition. “We are not judged and we’re not juried. This is just a show,” she says. But that doesn’t take away from the artistic talents of its guild members. Zigzagging throughout the gyms and hanging on racks, quilts can range in sizes from “mini” to quite large. Basically, says Robertson, a guild member can submit “anything that has three layers and a stitch together.” The only condition is that they can’t have submitted the same quilt in a previous Kings River Quilt Festival. While only guild members can submit quilts (people can become members for the remainder of 2015 for a $10 fee), anybody is welcome. The guild's 110 members hail from all over the valley. And for those who aren’t quilters themselves, it’s a great opportunity to learn about quilts and see vendors' booths. There will be raffles for themed

baskets “full of all sorts of quilting goodies,” as well as a sewing machine. The festival will also feature quilters Sandy Clark of Fresno and Linda Blasingame of Kingsburg. “They’re kind of like quilting allstars,” says Robertson. All money raised at the festival goes directly back into the guild treasury, funds workshops and speakers for guild members and pays for fabrics to make quilts, which they’ve donated to Relay for Life, the Marjaree Mason Center and the Sierra Nursing Home. Fortunately, their guild meetings are the one place where it’s acceptable to knit or stitch during a presentation. “Yeah, sometimes we’ll get together and sew at our meetings,” Robertson says with a laugh. She invites people to join the fun at the festival. “We’re very friendly, very nice people and we try to get people to like us.” In fact, to prove her point, if you paid admission the first day but also want to come on the second, she might just sneak you in. Though price of admission is per day, Robertson admits on the sly, “Well, they can say I paid yesterday and we’d let them in.” • Kings River Quilt Festival • Immanuel High School 1128 S. Reed Ave., Reedley • $6 admission Saturday, Sept. 19, 10am – 6pm Sunday, Sept. 20, 10am – 3pm

enjoy the view

| photo: christina and jason hopper

30 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

Kaweak Oaks Preserve, Visalia Christina and Jason Hopper are the owners of CJ Hopper Photography and PhotoMenage, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;photo salonâ&#x20AC;? providing professional meeting space and a top quality studio for local photographers in downtown Visalia. Christina is a recognized wedding and portrait photographer who serves the Central San Joaquin Valley. Visit www.cjhopper.com or call the studio at (559) 595-9691. SEPTEMBER JULY 2015 Enjoy | 31

WHAT’S COOKIN’

BY LANA GRANFORS

PHOTO: KARA STEWART

September Recipe As promised in an earlier issue, here is the recipe for my husband’s favorite birthday cake: an indulgent German Chocolate Cake with a Coconut Pecan Frosting. Forget the boxed variety –this layered cake is rich, moist and chocolaty. And if you love pecans and coconut, then the frosting is the perfect topping – sweet and nutty! So bake this up, pour a glass of milk and

Enjoy!

32 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

G e r m a n C h o c o l at e B i r t h d ay C a k e Yield: Makes 10 – 12 servings

cake ingredients

Parchment paper 2 – 4 oz. packages sweet chocolate baking bars 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda ¼ tsp. salt 1 cup butter, softened 2 cup sugar 4 large eggs, separated 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup buttermilk Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 25 – 30 minutes Cool: 1 hour

Coconut-Pecan Frosting ingredients

2 cup chopped pecans 1 – 12 oz. can evaporated milk 1 ½ cup sugar ¾ cup butter 6 egg yolks, lightly beaten 2 cup sweetened flaked coconut 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract Total Time: About 1 hour 5 minutes Prep: 45 minutes Cook: 23 – 28 minutes

LOVE OUR RECIPES? Come into Enjoy the Store (Visalia, Redding or Red Bluff ) each month and ask for your FREE recipe card. For a limited time, spend $50 in any Enjoy store and receive a “Made to Enjoy” recipe box crafted by Phillips Brothers Mill. (while supplies last) CA KE ING

CHOCOLA

RED IEN TS Parchment paper 2 – 4 oz. packages sweet choc 2 cups all-p urpose flour olate baking bars 1 tsp. baki ng soda ¼ tsp. salt 1 cup butt er, 2 cup suga softened r 4 large H AY C A K E T eggsD, sepa B I1 Rtsp. rated vanilla 1 cup butt extract ermilk

September Recipe GERMAN

2015

TOTAL TIM E: 1 hou r PRE P: 15 40 min utes min COO K: 25 utes – 30 min utes COO L: 1 hou r

CO CO NU

T-P ECA

N FRO STI 2 cup chop NG ING ped peca 1 – 12 oz. RED IEN can evaporat ns TS ed milk 1 ½ cup suga ¾ cup butt r er 6 egg yolk s, 2 cup swe lightly beaten eten ed flaked 1 ½ tsp. coconut vanilla extr act TOTAL TIM E: Abo ut PRE P: 45 1 hou r 5 min utes min utes COO K: 23 – 28 min utes TOTAL YIE LD: 10-1 2 Serv ings

CA KE ING

CAKE DIRE CTIONS STEP 1: Preh eat oven with parc to 350°. Lightly grea hment pape se 3 – 9-inc r, and light Tap pans and ly grease h round paper or STEP 2: Micr discard extra flour lightly grea cake pans. Line botto . se pans and ms bowl on high owave chocolate dust with baking bars flour. halfway throu for 1 to 1 ½ minu tes or until and ½ cup water in a large chocolate STEP 3: Com gh. micr is melted and smooth, owave-safe STEP 4: Usin bine flour, baking soda and stirring once g an elect salt egg yolks , 1 at a time ric mixer, beat butte in a medium bow l. r and suga mixture and , beating r at medium just until vanilla. blended STEP 5: Add speed until after each fluffy. Add flour mixt addition. mixture. ure alternate Stir in choc Beat ly with butte olate STEP 6: Beat at low speed just rmilk, begi until blen egg whites Pour batte at high spee ded after each addi nning and ending r into with flour d until stiff tion. STEP 7: Bake prepared pans peaks form . at 350 and degr comes out gently fold clean. Rem ees for 25-30 minu into batte layers to r. loosen from ove from oven, and tes or until a woo den pick gently run remove from sides inserted a knife arou pans to wire of pans. Cool, in in cent er for about nd outer pans on wire racks. If using 1 hour edge racks for the parchme STEP 8: Onc . 15 minutes of cake nt paper, e frosting discard. Cool and then is cooled, spread betw complete ly FROSTIN een layers and G DIRECTIO on top and STEP 1: Preh NS sides of cake eat oven . sheet for to 8 to 10 minu 350 degrees. Bake complete pecans in tes or until ly, about a single layer toasted. 20 minutes. STEP 2: Stir halfw on shallow Meanwh ay throu cookie ile, cook gh. Once saucepan evaporate toasted, over med d milk, suga cool ium heat sugar disso , stirring cons r, butter, lves. Cook and egg tantly, 3 to light cara , stirring yolks in mel color, constantl 4 minutes a heav y, is bubb or until butte 12 to 14 minu STEP 3: Rem y r melt ove pan from ling, and reaches tes or until to a bow a pudding-l mixture beco s and heat l. To cool ike thickness mes a , let the icing and stir in coconut, cooled. . vanilla stand, stirri ng occasiona and pecans. Tran sfer mixt lly, around ure 45 minutes or until

RED IEN TS STEWA RT Parchment | PHOTO : KARA paper 2 – 4 oz. GRANF ORS packages RECIPE BY LANA sweet choc 2 cups all-p urpose flour olate baking bars CAKE DIRE 1 tsp. baki CTIONS STEP 1: Preh ng soda ¼ tsp. salt eat oven with parc to 350°. Lightly grea hment pape 1 cup butt se 3 – 9-inc r, and light Tap pans er, and ly grease h round 2 cup suga softened paper or STEP 2: Micr discard extra flour lightly grea cake pans. Line botto r . se pans and 4 large eggs ms bowl on high owave chocolate dust with baking bars , flour. 1 tsp. vani separated halfw throu for 1 to 1 ½ minu tes or until and ½ cup water lla gh. Y C A K E STEP 3:ayCom in a large chocolate A D 1 cup butt extract H T microwav R is melted I bine flour e-safe ilk E B and smo AT STEP , bakin C O Lerm

CHO

4: Using

g soda a

oth, stirri

cake directions STEP 1: Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease 3 – 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper, and lightly grease paper or lightly grease pans and dust with flour. Tap pans and discard extra flour. STEP 2: Microwave chocolate baking bars and ½ cup water in a large microwave-safe bowl on high for 1 to 1 ½ minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring once halfway through. STEP 3: Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. STEP 4: Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar at medium speed until fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Stir in chocolate mixture and vanilla. STEP 5: Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. STEP 6: Beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form and gently fold into batter. Pour batter into prepared pans. STEP 7: Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven, and gently run a knife around outer edge of cake layers to loosen from sides of pans. Cool, in pans on wire racks for 15 minutes and then remove from pans to wire racks. If using the parchment paper, discard. Cool completely for about 1 hour. STEP 8: Once frosting is cooled, spread between layers and on top and sides of cake.

FROSTING directions STEP 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake pecans in a single layer on shallow cookie sheet for 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted. Stir halfway through. Once toasted, cool completely, about 20 minutes. STEP 2: Meanwhile, cook evaporated milk, sugar, butter and egg yolks in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 4 minutes or until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Cook, stirring constantly, 12 to 14 minutes or until mixture becomes a light caramel color, is bubbling, and reaches a pudding-like thickness. STEP 3: Remove pan from heat and stir in coconut, vanilla and pecans. Transfer mixture to a bowl. To cool, let the icing stand, stirring occasionally, around 45 minutes or until cooled.

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

SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 33

SPOTLIGHT

| SEPTEMBER 2015

in the September spotlight From Food to fun, something for everyone to enjoy Dark Skies Festival

(Three Rivers) September 11 - 13

Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly

(Clovis)

Rodeo September 19 - 20

September means falling autumn leaves, football, changing weather and the Table Mountain Casino ClovisFest and Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly, a Clovis Chamber event. Join thousands of visitors in Old Town for free, family fun. The balloons will inflate and take off from the Clovis Rodeo Grounds starting about 6:15 am. Enjoy a hot, fresh cinnamon roll as you get a close-up view as the giant orbs fill with hot air and pop upright, ready for liftoff. By 7 am, they’ll rise to float across the Valley sky. For more information, visit www.clovischamber.com.

19 Shop Local Wine & Wags Gala

(Visalia) September 26

Valley Oak SPCA is excited to host the 6th Annual Wine & Wags Gala and Auction. Spend a beautiful evening under the stars enjoying fine wines, craft beers, delectable hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, live and silent auctions. Proceeds from this event support the efforts for a new Adoption and Education Center. Valley Oak is seeking event sponsors, vendors and donations of auction items. For more information, call (559) 651-1111 ext. 6. 34 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

Family Night Honoring Sweet Nectar Society

(Visalia)

the Rawhide September 13 | 6pm

(Tulare)

Gardens at Cal Turf September 12 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Enjoy shopping local artisan vendor booths during the playoff game. Use a passport to visit each booth and enter to win raffle prizes. Support your local businesses all the while cheering on your local baseball team!

13 Bounty of the County

(Ivanhoe)

Historic Seven Sycamores September 11

Enjoy the dark sky throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Enjoy star viewing parties, hike a 2,000-foot scale model of the solar system, listen to guest speakers, witness night sky photography, participate in hands-on activities and more. For more information, visit www.threerivers.com.

Join Farm Bureau for a fun-filled evening of culinary bites, delicious drinks and samples of specialty products all centered around Tulare County’s #1 industry: agriculture. Live music by Kevin Willard and the Cadillac Cowboys. For more information, visit www.tulcofb.org.

Enjoy an evening with your family at The Gardens while supporting Sweet Nectar Society, a non-profit whose goal is to raise awareness and provide lasting memories to families of children who’ve been diagnosed with illnesses or disabilities. They use their gifts of photography for a private photo session for a child who has been living with an illness or disability. Local food vendors, yard games, live music, and an outdoor movie. For more information, visit www.thegardensatcalturf.com.

CALENDAR

Clovis September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • Open Mic Night, On the Edge Coffee House, 412 Pollasky Avenue September 4, 11, 18, 25 • Farmers’ Market, Old Town Clovis, 521 Pollasky Avenue, 5:30 - 9 pm September 5, 12, 26 • Old Town Clovis Farmers’ Market, 521 Pollasky Avenue, 7 - 11 am, (559) 298-5774, www.oldtownclovis.org September 19 - 20 • ClovisFest Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly, Clovis Rodeo, 748 Rodeo Drive, 6 - 8 am, www.clovischamber.com • ClovisFest “Celebrating the Real California,” Old Town Clovis, Pollasky Avenue, www.clovischamber.com September 25 • Lunch Connect, Chamber, 11:30 am - 1 pm, www.clovischamber.com September 27 • Antiques and Collectibles Fair and British Car Roundup, Pollasky Avenuue, 8 am - 4 pm, (559) 298-5774 Dinuba September 22 • Central California Women’s Conference, www.dinubachamber.com Exeter September 1 • Women in Business luncheon, East Meets West Restaurant, 224 N. Kaweah Road, noon, (559) 592-2919, exeterchamber.com September 5 - 6, 12 - 13, 19 - 20, 26 - 27 • Exeter Courthouse Gallery of the Arts Historical Museum Opening, Exeter Courthouse, 125 B Street, 10 am - 4pm, (559) 679-2474 September 5 • The Clovis House Peddler’s Mart, 224 North E Street, 10 am - 4 pm Fresno September 5 • Valley PBS Kid’s Nite, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 West Belmont Avenue, www.fresnochaffeezoo.org Hanford September 3, 10, 17, 24 • Thursday Night Marketplace, Hanford Fox Theater, 326 North Irwin Street, 5:30 - 9 pm September 19 • Blues & Roots Festival, Hanford Civic Auditorium, 400 North Douty Street, 5:30 - 10 pm Ivanhoe September 11 • Bounty of the County: Celebrating Tulare County Agriculture, Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch, 6 - 9 pm, (559) 732-8301, www.tulcofb.org Kingsburg September 12, 26 • Music Jam, 1450 Ellis Street, 5 - 9 pm, www.kingsburgchamber.com September 26 • Harvest Moon Jazz Festival, 3 - 10 pm, www.kingsburgchamber.com Lemoore September 4 • Community Breakfast, Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, 17225 Jersey Avenue, 7 - 8:15 am, www.lemoorechamberofcommerce.com September 19 • Evening Under the Stars, downtown Lemoore, (559) 924-6767, www.lemoorechamberofcommerce.com Lindsay September 4 • Friday Night Market and Street Faire, Sweet Briar Plaza, www.thelindsaychamber.com September 26 • Lindsay Community Theater Brewfest, 2 - 6 pm, (559) 284 2223, www.lindsaycommunitytheater.com

Porterville September 4 • First Friday Coffee, Galazy 9 Theatre, 7 - 8:15 am, www.portervillechamber.org September 4, 11, 18, 25 • Music on Main Street, Centennial Park, Main Street, 6 - 8 pm, www.portervillechamber.org September 26 • Bluegrass Buzzard Festival, The Barn Theater, 42 South Plano Street, 5:30 - 10 pm Springville September 4 • Concert in the Park, Jerry Hall, 7 - 9 pm, www.springville.ca.us September 5, 12, 29, 26 • Springville Farmers Market, Springville Ranch, 36400 Hwy 190, 9 am - noon, (559) 359-0713 Three Rivers September 5 • 1st Saturdays Dark Skies Art and Food Festival, downtown Three Rivers, 11 am - 5 pm, www.threerivers.com, 1stsaturdaytr.com September 11 - 13 • Dark Skies Festival, www.threerivers.com September 12 • High Sierra Jazz Band in Concert, Veterans Memorial Building, 43490 Sierra Drive, 12:30 - 3:30 pm September 26 • Full Moon on Morro Rock, www.threerivers.com, www.exploresequoiakingscanyon.com • Concert on the Grass, 1:30 - 5 pm, (559) 561-0610, www.threerivers.com Tulare September 3, 10 • Street Fair & Peddlers Market 6pm-830pm, 240 L St. at the Airplane September 5 • Morning demo on how to plant a succulent letter, The Gardens @ Cal Turf, 950 N. J Street, Tulare (559) 688-2084, www.thegardensatcalturf.com September 10 • Business after hours mixer, Coulter’s Flooring America, 2309 E. Tulare Avenue, 5:30 - 7 pm, rsouza@tularechamber.org September 12 • Family Night Honoring Sweet Nectar Society, The Gardens at Cal Turf, 950 North J Street, 6:30 - 9:30 pm September 16 - 20 • Tulare County Fair, Tulare County Fairgrounds, 11 am - 11 pm, www.tcfair.org September 19 • Tulare Emergency Aid’s 2nd annual Take a Bite Out of Hunger Poker Run, 8:30 am - 3 pm, (559) 585-3693, www.tularechamber.org • Bringing the landscape back to healthy. Tips to get your plants past the summer blues, The Gardens @ Cal Turf, 950 N. J Street, Tulare, (559) 688-2084, www.thegardensatcalturf.com September 25 • Crush Party, College of the Siskiyous Tulare College Center, Building B, 4999 East Bardsley Avenue, www.tularechamber.org September 26 • Spectacular potted arrangements. Potting class on how to bring the WOW factor, The Gardens @ Cal Turf, 950 N. J Street, Tulare, (559) 688-2084, www.thegardensatcalturf.com Visalia September 3 • 20th anniversary Making a Difference for Life, Visalia Convention Center, 7 pm, (559) 732-5000, www.tkrl.org September 4, 25 • Blues, Brews & Barbecue, 6 - 10 pm, www.visaliachamber.org

| SEPTEMBER 2015

September 10 • Free Run: The True Story of Caballo Blanco, Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 Main Street, www.foxvisalia.org September 11 • POPS in the Park with Tulare County Symphony, Oval Park, www.vrmhope.org/events/pops September 12 • Walk with a Doc, Blain Park, 3101 South Court Street, 8 - 9 am, www.walkwithadoc.org, www.healthyvisalia.com September 13 • Shop Local at the Rawhide, (559) 732-4433, www.rawhidebaseball.com September 17 - 22 • Fall book sale to benefit local scholarship funds, Sequoia Mall, South Mooney Boulevard September 19 • Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 Main Street, 7:30 pm, www.foxvisalia.org • Handmade and Homegrown Craft Fair, The Looking Glass, 10 am - 4 pm, (559) 732-2787, www.thelookingglassvisalia.com • 5K for Care, Cutler Park, 7:30 am - 1 pm, (559) 625-5550, www.carepregnancycenter.com September 22 • Business After Hours hosted by College of the Sequoias, 5 - 7:30 pm, (559) 679-6469 September 26 • Valley Oak SPCA presents Wine & Wags Gala and Auction, 2936 Border Links Road, (559) 651-1111 ext. 6 • Mavericks Pony Express 5K Run, Happy Trails Riding Academy, 7 am, (559) 688-8685, www.happytrailsridingacademy.org September 28 • Pizza with a Purpose, The Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 5 - 9 pm, www.vrmhope.org Woodlake September 13 • 2nd Annual Mariachifest, 4pm-8pm, Free admission, (559) 804-5203, (559) 909-2923 Ice House Theatre www.visaliaplayers.org September 11 - 13 • September Song - A Cabaret Tachi Palace Casino www.tachipalace.com September 16 • Last Comic Standing, 7:30 pm Visalia Fox Theatre www.foxvisalia.com September 10 • Free Run: The True Story of Caballo Blanco, 7 pm Event times and dates are subject to change without notice. Please check event phone number or website to verify dates and times. Enjoy Magazine is not responsible for any inconvenience due to event changes.

Get your Event on the Calendar! Please visit www.enjoysouthvalley.com or email info@enjoymagazine.net to post your calendar events. If you’d like your event to be listed in this section of Enjoy magazine, it must be posted on our website or emailed by the 5th of the month— one month prior to the next magazine issue. For example, an October event will need to post by September 5. Thank you. SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 35

CRAFTING | story and photos By tamara orth

Supplies List: For Notebook • Ruler • Mod Podge (matte) • 5 - 10 photos of your favorite summer adventures • Notebook with blank cover • Sponge brush • Scissors (not pictured) • Cardstock or any type of thick paper for triangle template • Pen

Summer Adventures Notebook & wrapped pencils

For Washi Tape Pencils • Pencils • Washi tape (available at craft stores) • Ribbon • Embellishments

Instructions for Notebook 1. Using your ruler, create a triangle template out of cardstock or thick paper. 2. Begin tracing your triangle template onto the back of the photos with a pen. 3. Cut photos. 4. Once cut, place the photos onto the cover of the notebook to figure out the layout you desire. 5. Once you have chosen your layout, set photos aside and apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the notebook cover with the sponge brush. 6. Now assemble your photos back on the cover. Mod Podge dries fairly fast so make sure your layout is how you would like it once you lay your photos down. 7. Let dry. 8. Once the Mod Podge has dried clear, apply a second layer of Mod Podge, this time applying it over the photos as well. 9. Let dry. 10. Trim photo edges if necessary.

36 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

Your favorite summer adventures don’t have to be a thing of the past with this fun and easy notebook DIY that will keep the memories of summer alive well throughout the school year. Add in a few embellished washi tape wrapped pencils and you are all set to start planning your next adventure.

Instructions for Washi Tape Wrapped Pencils 1. Starting at the eraser end of the pencil, begin wrapping the washi tape around the pencil at an angle. 2. Continue wrapping until you reach the writing end of the pencil. Tear the tape. 3. Cover both ends with a small amount of washi tape so the pencil is completely covered. 4. Cut piece of ribbon and create a simple Lark’s Head knot at the eraser end of the pencil. 5. Decorate knot with embellishments.

GIVING BACK

| By jordan venema

rav b e You m ak e me

w i sh u po n a s ta r ’ s b r ave fes t

It’s easy to make a wish. We make them when we blow out the candles on a birthday cake, or as stars shoot across the night sky. But over the years, as the cake crowds with candles, we learn that our wishes, just like those little flames, tend to go up in smoke. After a while, we may stop making wishes because we stop believing they’ll come true. Then there’s the nonprofit Wish Upon a Star, reminding us that sometimes wishes really do come true. Over the last 30 years, right from its Tulare County home office, Wish Upon a Star has granted the wishes of about 2,000 California children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. For children going through treatment that keeps them in the hospital or at home, Wish Upon a Star makes a significant impact in a child’s life. Each wish, says Executive Director Carmen Perez, is as unique as a child. Bedroom makeovers can make a child more comfortable at home, and a video game can help them pass the time during recovery; laptops allow them to communicate with friends and family, “but our most popular wish is Disneyland,” says Perez. “What better place for them to visit than the happiest place on earth?”

38 | Enjoy SEPTEMBER 2015

Perez estimates that the average wish costs about $3,000, which provides children and their families with memories to cherish, and a much-needed respite from the harsh reality of illness. A small price to pay, and one the small nonprofit affords through donations and fundraisers. One of Wish Upon a Star’s largest fundraisers is Brave Fest, which will be held Sept. 19 from noon to 3pm at the Garden Plaza on Main Street in Visalia. This will be the first year the free event will be held at Garden Plaza, which Perez hopes will attract more people. “Even though we’re right here in our own backyard,” she explains, “many people don’t know about Wish Upon a Star. So we’re trying to let people know that our services are available to these kids.” Brave Fest will include activities for the whole family, information booths, a bounce house, beer garden and live music by the band Take Cover. There will also be a raffle and the third annual chili cook-off, which can be judged by the public by dropping money in jars in front of their favorite chili. But the real draw at Brave Fest is Shave the Brave, where Perez says “law enforcement, emergency personnel, EMTs, and anyone interested” volunteers to shave their heads to raise

money for children going through radiation treatments. Perez explains that participants generate donations “in honor of kids who lost their hair to chemotherapy, as basically a way of showing support.” There is an opening ceremony at the beginning of Brave Fest, but shavings will continue throughout the event. “Our goal is to have at least 80 to 100 participants,” says Perez. Historically, Brave Fest has raised enough to grant dozens of wishes. “In the past we’ve made up to $100,000,” says Perez. Last year, the “top cop,” Michelle Jurado, raised $5,500 from sponsorships when she shaved her hair – enough to grant about two wishes. And while it’s fun to see law enforcement and public protectors shave their heads for a good cause, the event is also open to the public. “Oh, we take donations right there on the spot,” explains Perez. “We’ve had a lot of people go through the crowd and say, ‘Hey I want to shave my head, will you help me?’ And people from the audience (will help) raise $500.” All in all, it’s good fun, and the friendly ribbing between officers only helps the cause. Perez says officers egg each other on. “Some go as far as shaving their eyebrows,” she says.

“They’ll start collecting donations through the crowd… and they don’t want to be outbid by anybody else.” For Perez, those are the moments when Brave Fest really comes together. “I’ve gotten a little bit stronger through the years, but when we did the first few shaves it was just so meaningful to see officers come together and do this in honor of these kids,” she says. “They’re willing to give up their time and hair to help these kids out.” • Wish Upon a Star Brave Fest Garden Plaza, Main Street, Visalia Free Admission Sept. 19, noon to 3 pm • www.wishuponastar.org Featuring Shave the Brave & 3rd Annual Chili Bean Cook Off • Live Music • Family Activities Beet Garden • Food & Drink for Purcahsen • Raffle

SEPTEMBER 2015 Enjoy | 39

You abou ng Life is t rea chin g Every Kid!

Kids de to be serve Hear Seen, d, an Know d n. Service Times: 3737 S. Akers St. Visalia, CA 93277

Goin g for K All Out ids.

For more information to get involved

2134 E Mineral King, Suite B, Visalia CA 93292 Ă&#x2014; (559) 627-2078

Saturday at 5:00

Sunday at 9:00 // 10:45 // 12:30

www.v1ag.com

facebook.com/visaliafirstassembly