STYLE, ART, CULTURE, + EVENTS OF THE SOUTH VALLEY DECEMBER 2018
Home Tour
THE TAYLOR ESTATE
Page 32 EPICURE
^ FETE FANTASTIQUE Page 22 TRAVELER’S TREK
FINDING CHRISTMAS MAGIC IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN Page 46
ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER LOCAL
ECRWSS PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND OR PERMIT NO. 875
Merry Christmas from the bottom of our hearts! • In House Designers • Residential & Commercial Installation
• Free Installation Estimates • Displaying Over 30 Tile Suppliers in our Showroom
Visit our New VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY DESIGN CENTER 917 N. American St. Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 651-2925 www.vctile.com map not to scale
• Proud Supplier of Cambria Quartz • Solid Surface Counters – Granite/Quartz/Marble
CREEKSIDE LASER CENTER
Our Gift To You All December Long
15% off any NEW hair removal package.
HOLIDAY SEASON GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE ORDER ONLINE AT creeksidedayspa.com/spa-skin-center/spa-packages/ E S TA B L I S H E D 1 9 9 8
CREEKSIDE DAY SPA & SKIN CENTER 559.625.3480 2824 W. Main Street
Connect with us on social media. /CreekSideDaySpaSkinLaserCenter /CreekSideDaySpa /CreekSideDaySpa
CREEKSIDE LASER CENTER 559.625.2737 2826 W. Main Street
C A L L T O S C H E D U L E Y O U R C O M P L I M E N TA R Y C O N S U LTAT I O N T O D AY
32 16
REFLECTIONS OF VISALIA
HOME TOUR
WELCOMING 'THE WIRE'
THE TAYLOR ESTATE
When Visalia was established in 1852, news from the outside world was hard to come by. That ended in 1860, when “the wire” arrived.
Joy and Cody Taylor built their home in town 32 years ago with the goal of maintaining privacy and shielding the noise by neighbors. The result is a home with antiques, whimsical decor and stately surroundings.
EPICURE
8
^ FETE FANTASTIQUE
10 Downtown Scene
The holidays are a time to go all out with show-stopping meals. Chef David Vartanian offers French Onion Soup, at left, as well as other delights.
22
Letter from the Executive Editor
14 Word Play 20 Community 40 Literary Arts 42 Fitness Challenge 56 Charity 58 Kudos
TRAVELER'S TREK
59 Happenings
FINDING CHRISTMAS MAGIC IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN
46 4 LIFEST YLE | DECEMBER 201 8
The addition of lights and holiday decorations turns already fascinating New York City into a bright, shiny Big Apple.
COVER IMAGE: The Taylors’ two-story home, built 32 years ago, is on a bend in the street, where it sits on an angle. TOP: The fireplace and mantel in the Taylors' home are the perfect spots to place a variety of Christmas decorations.
Published By
DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291
Karen Tellalian
Executive Editor
Creative Director Art Director Senior Designer Web Designer/Designer Assistant Editor Text Editor
Greg Bitney Marcie Vagnino Frank Miramontes Kaci Hansen Sue Burns Melinda Brown
Contributing Writers
Cheryl Levitan David Vartanian Diane Slocum Erin Tyler Justin Levine Lisa McEwen Major Rogers Sue Burns Terry L. Ommen
Business Management Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA Jeffrey Malkasian EA Operations Manager Maria Gaston
Advertising Sales
Sales Office
Sales@DMIAgency.com 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • Fax 559.738.0909
E-Mail Lifestyle@DMIAgency.com WEBSITE www.VisaliaLifestyle.com View The Mag Online Issuu.com/LifestyleMagazine Facebook.com/LifestyleMag Instagram: visalialifestyle
RACK LOCATIONS DMI Agency Evolutions Fitness Center, Tulare
Exeter Chamber of Commerce Tazzaria Coffee & Tea The Lifestyle Center
Visalia Chamber of Commerce Visalia Convention Center
COUNTERTOP LOCATIONS 210 Cafe AMCC Ashoori & Co. Jewelers Blend WIne Room California Fitness Academy Chad Clark Hair Salon Charcuterie Chelsea Street Boutique Citizen's Bank Comfort Suites Downtown CreekSide Day Spa Skin & Laser Center Downtown Visalia Alliance Ed Dena Auto Center, Visalia Exeter Chamber of Commerce Exeter Library
Franey's Design Center Glick's and Co. Holvik Family Health Center ImagineU Children’s Museum Janeen’s Furniture Gallery Kaweah Delta Hospital Keller Williams Reality Max's Cookies Michael's Custom Jewelry Monét’s, Exeter Pacific Treasures Premier Medical Clinic PRO-PT Renaissance Salon Salon 525 Sherman & Associates
Sunmed Health & Weight Management The Aesthetic Center The Smoke House, Visalia Tulare County Library Visalia Ceramic Tile Visalia First Assembly Visalia Marriott Visalia Medical Clinic Watson's Wildflower Café, Exeter Williams, Brodersen & Pritchett, Attorneys at Law Windows Plus, Inc. Wyndham Hotel
Visalia Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and is distributed via direct mail to nearly 13,600 homes in the upper-middle and high-income neighborhoods in Visalia. An additional 2,000 copies are distributed at various distribution points around Visalia, Tulare, and Exeter. Views expressed in columns are those of the columnist and not necessarily those of DMI Agency or its advertisers. Circulation of this issue: 15,600 © 2018 DMI Agency
6 LIFEST YLE | DECEMBER 201 8
ARMSTRONG
ARMSTRONG
Property Management
FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!
Property Management
Professional Property Management Services: Residential • Commercial • Shopping Centers • Industrial (Maintenance Division with Shop)
Jim Armstrong
President/CEO CPM, Institute of Real Estate Management
Chris Zulik
President, Rental Division CCRM, California Apartment Association
7046 W. Pershing Court, Visalia, CA 93291 | (559) 733-1321 | www.armstrong-property.com HOA/Common Interest Development Management at 116 N. Bridge Street, Visalia, CA 93291
FR O M TH E
EDITOR
T
ry as I may, about this time every year, I begin to feel the stress of the holidays. There is always so much to do and so many things to buy for people who already have everything. Even normally gentle souls become cranky waiting in lines in malls or stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and online shopping sites seem to be as slow as molasses. But there is a glorious answer to all of this.
ends meet. Visalia Emergency Aid, the Visalia Rescue Mission, FoodLink, United Way, the Salvation Army and many area churches depend on your generosity during the holidays and throughout the rest of the year. For myself and others of Christian faith, Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of our savior. For others, it might simply be a time spent with family and others who are held near and dear to our hearts.
Overwhelmingly, my experience has been that our hometown merchants will go the extra mile in helping you find just the right gift for anyone on your list. E X E C U T I V E
E D I T O R
K A R E N
T E L L A L I A N
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT A STORY IDEA, CONTACT ME AT KAREN@DMIAGENCY.COM
Our small-town communities have wonderful local merchants, bolstered by our friends and our neighbors. These small business owners … whether a retail shop, meat market or dining establishment … support their families and our economy by keeping your dollars local. Overwhelmingly, my experience has been that our hometown merchants will go the extra mile in helping you find just the right gift for anyone on your list. Please remember to shop with them first before spending your hard-earned dollars anywhere else. This is also a great time of year if you are looking for ways to help others in need. We have a number of charitable organizations that provide food, clothing and shelter to those who need it most. There are many hard-working families who simply do not have enough to make
8 LIFEST YLE | DECEMBER 201 8
I feel very blessed to have my children all within driving distance and, of course, watching 3-year-old Elijah and his 1-year-old sister, Piper, is something I so look forward to. For the last several years, our home has been open to an eclectic group of friends and blended families, and my life has become richer for it. As we close our December issue, the final one of 2018, my hope is that we can all experience something wonderful, something glorious this year – from helping our neighbors by shopping small, to making a contribution to help provide a hot meal, or inviting an unlikely guest to spend a few hours with you to lessen the burden of being alone, and may we not forget these actions as we welcome the new year.
DOWNTOWN SCENE
THE ART OF BARBERING T E X T
B Y
M A J O R
R O G E R S
R
emember the barbershop in Mayberry? Remember Ice-Cube’s rendition of a barbershop in the movie of the same name? You never really saw a bad time going on. As I have rediscovered, that’s because you won’t. In many barbershops across the nation, face-to-face information sharing is going on, and it’s refreshing. People bringing up random topics such as milk trucks in Tulare, cannabis growth in Three Rivers, homeless here or at home, whatever. These conversations turn into public discussions, debates, forums. The conversations turn into important, informative, enjoyable talks among the barbers and oftentimes perfect strangers. If you’re in luck, there is a wait. In this day and age, the wait has been demonized and hunted almost to extinction. At the barbershop, the wait finds refuge, the time spent might mean something else far from wasted; it can be therapeutic. The word “barber” is from Latin and 10 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
|
P H O T O S
P R O V I D E D
B Y
tied to Rome identifying the bearded tribes of the barbarians. Today, a barber is described as a person who cuts and styles a person’s head of hair, doing the same with facial hair. To call it the world’s oldest profession is off the mark, but only slightly. There have been discoveries of grooming tools as early as 5000 BC in Egypt. The position was usually held by prominent men, such as priests or medicine men, with trade tools being fashioned from oyster shells or sharpened flints or even fire at times. From Mayans to Mongolians to the Iroquois and the Vikings, all used barber grooming techniques to establish rank and order. In Rome, it was a big deal for a young man to receive his tonsura, his first shave. In the Middle Ages (starting around 500 AD) and on for centuries beyond, barbers were called upon for medical treatment as well as grooming. In the 1500s to 1700s, they were referred to as “barber-surgeons”; hair-cutting was
B O L I N G ' S
B A R B E R S H O P
the tamest of duties. The men in those positions might have been called upon to do dentistry, surgery, leeching, bloodletting and enemas. It was within this that the barber pole was created. The red and white represented the blood and bandages of the job; blue was added to American poles in honor of the flag. It wasn’t until the 1800s when the two crafts cleanly separated, as medicine became rapidly more researched, focused and
OF YOU Say Goodbye to Stubborn Fat
EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY SPECIALS BODY AND FACE CONTOURING
Nonsurgical Fat Reduction • Cellulite Reduction • Skin Tightening Painless • No Downtime • Safe and Reliable 20 Minute Body Changer • For Men and Women • Free Consultation
559.205.2585 • Body and Facial Contouring Say
to staying healthy
www.SunMedHealth.com
5510 Avenida de los Robles Suite A, Visalia, CA 93291
• Primary Care Services • Physician-Supervised Weight Loss • Men’s Health
Gilbert Sunio, MD Medical Director
performed to a more advanced level. The modern-day barber movement came with advancements stemming from union organization of the craft, and the first barber school opened in 1893 in Chicago, complete with textbooks and all. Soon after the addition of academic advancements, licensing was required of the profession. The trade could now focus on the grooming aspect of the craft. Science still played a role now that research on products best for the skin and scalp were researched and developed. The skill continued to evolve with the loss of the beard trend; the craft moved to more of a hair-cutting and styling trend. With the return of the beard trend, the service of a skilled barber is sought more than ever. Boling’s Barber Shop, just off Main Street on Church Street, almost always has a wait in its 225-square-foot space. It’s filled with nostalgic items of music history, retro brands, Hollywood and artistic portraits, and taxidermy. The shop was opened by Evan Boling on April 1, 2011, when he was straight out of barber school, a program that takes 1,500 hours and several months to complete. “I had to pay the lease for seven months while in school,” Evan says of the current location and his pursuit of licensing. When asked why he choose barbering, he says, “I wanted to hang out with my friends while listening to my music.” He had come from a position of production management for a company. “I hated firing people,” he says as another driving force to pursue self-employment with honor. Evan is also tied to community support, something known about him that he typically doesn’t want to talk about. Situated next to Evan, at the only other chair in the shop, is Aaron Ashford, a onetime football standout at Redwood, COS and Sonoma State, and a graduate of Fresno State. Aaron is a towering brute, with a good ear and a warm smile. When asked why he became a barber, he says, “I got fired from Save Mart,” to a laughing clientele. “I wouldn’t have become a barber if he didn’t tell me,” he says, motioning to Evan. Aaron was once his customer, and Evan told him of the benefits and beauty of the job. He went on to use his 401(k) to finance going to 12 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
DOWNTOWN SCENE
barber school, and entered the profession that he says he will do the rest of his life. “I wouldn’t want to do anything else,” he says with pride of discovering a passion as a career. When asked about his top highlight since opening the shop, Evan says, “Working close to one of my best friends,” as he nods in Aaron’s direction. Aaron looks back and responds, “You came up with the name Quesadilla Gorilla; that’s pretty cool,” giving Evan notoriety shopwide that it was, in fact, Evan who suggested the name of the now-successful quesadilla stop. “Yeah, that was pretty cool,” Evan responds, acknowledging that he had suggested it to the owner who sat in his chair one day contemplating what to call the eatery. To this day, the Number One on the menu is called the Evan Boling. You learn these tidbits about your community in a barbershop setting. It doesn’t have to be at Boling’s shop. These gatherings take place across town at shops with different flavors of décor and vibe. Young, old, hip, and square environments can be found, along with the parlance of our times. Treat yourself to a hot towel shave and see how it’s more than a shave as healing skin balm is massaged into your face, and then the pleasing burn following from the aftershave application, making you feel like a million bucks. Make a routine out of visiting the barber’s chair. Evoke the same sensations of grooming tools being applied in the proper fashion by an expert in the field. It’s an experience humans have had for centuries, linking us in a tradition that spans the globe and the ages. L
Aaron Ashford and Evan Boling
“A 2nd Opinion is Usually a Great Strategy” “Scott Bosler is a man of integrity and represents what you want in an insurance agent. I have known him for over 25 years and have worked with him closely over the last decade as one of the founders of Central Valley Insurance Agency. He provides insurance coverage for me and my family for my homes, an office building, autos as well as an umbrella policy. Recently I was getting concerned about being under-protected with my coverage’s. During a recent review of my coverage’s he found additional protection critically important in the world we live in. I advise my clients to protect themselves with a low-cost umbrella policy in addition to regular coverage’s. He was able to give me 2.5 times my previous umbrella coverage without a significant increase in premium. He also pointed out how our new Homeowner’s policy provides for replacement cost and pays to upgrade your house to current standards in case of a fire.” Kevin J. & Kim Palmer Kevin J Palmer & Company, Certified Public Accountant
Scott Bosler (559) 429-8294
Lic #’s 0G30675 & 0H38050
“We Take Your Insurance Protection Personally” 4142 S Demaree St, Visalia, CA • www.centralvalleyins.com
T E X T
B Y
D I A N E
S L O C U M
WO R D PLAY News on writing, books + the world of publishing
O
ne of the themes of this season is peace – inner peace, peace between individuals, between political entities – in the world. A book on this topic is “The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Inner Peace: The Essential Life and Teachings” (Hampton Roads Publishing, Oct. 1) by Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama reminds us that if he were to harbor bitterness and hatred toward the Chinese who took over his country and exiled him, he would be the loser, and it would have no effect on those who would be his enemies. He reminds us of the power within our hearts and minds to change our ways of relating to the world and achieve peace for ourselves and others. He was awarded the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize. Another example is “The Anatomy of Peace” (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2nd edition, 2015) by The Arbinger Institute. The book uses stories of parents and children in conflict to show how to accept each human being as a person. The subtitle is “Resolving the Heart of Conflict,” asserting that conflicts of all types originate with the
14 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
same root cause and that most of the time, we blame the wrong cause, which results in perpetuating the conflicts. “War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence” (W.W. Norton, April 24) by Ronan Farrow explores American diplomacy and global leadership as diplomats are being replaced and the military becomes our chief contact with other countries. Farrow won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. VALLEY WRITERS Former valley resident and Fresno State professor Steve Yarbrough released “The Unmade World” this year. The latest of his 11 books is a multifaceted novel that includes love, remorse, betrayal, thrills, revenge, travelogue and comedy. It all comes together when a Polish businessman crashes his car into one driven by an American journalist whose wife and daughter are killed. The grief and guilt alter both of their lives over the 10-year course of their story. In Yarbrough’s 2017 book, “Larry McMurtry’s The Last Picture Show,” he writes about growing up in a small Mississippi town similar to the Texas town in McMurtry’s novel. Yarbrough’s book is part of the Bookmarked series in which writers tell about books that have particularly influenced them. Yarbrough said that while he had hated (but somehow loved) the town where he was raised, McMurtry’s book made him realize that it could be a rich resource for stories. His other books
include “The Realm of the Last Chances” (2013), “Safe from the Neighbors” (2010), “The End of California” (2006) and “Prisoners of War” (2004). 100 YEARS Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was born 100 years ago this month. He was an historian and wrote novels and short stories. Some of his best known are “The Gulag Archipelago,” “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” and “Cancer Ward.” He was expelled from the Soviet Union for his criticism of the forced labor camps, but returned after the collapse of the U.S.S.R.. He received the 1970 Nobel Prize in Literature. He died in Russia in 2008 at 89 years of age. WRITERS’ CONFERENCE Early registration for the Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference ends Dec. 31. The Feb. 22-23 conference at Arizona State University features more than 25 faculty members and more than 50 sessions. It also offers advanced pre-conference workshops, an exhibitor fair, scholarships and fellowships. The early fee is $250; standard is $300. Details at: piper.asu.edu/conference. WRITING CONTESTS The Crazyhorse Prizes in Fiction, Nonfiction, & Poetry will accept entries from Jan. 1-31. Short stories and essays may be up to 25 pages, and up to three poems may be submitted per entry. Multiple entries are accepted. Winners in each genre receive $2,000. All entries receive a one-year subscription. Fee is $20. Details at: crazyhorse.cofc.edu/ prizes. The Iowa Review Awards will accept prose or poetry during January. Firstprize winners receive $1,500 and second $750, plus publication. Fee: $20. Details at: iowareview.org/rules. THE LAST WORD “The only true guardian of peace lies within a sense of concern and responsibility for your own future and an altruistic concern for the well-being of others.” (His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 1935- ) L
Your Home. Your Look.
559.625.8884 220 W. Main St., Visalia www.janeensfurniture.com
Telegraph Overland: There are no known photographs of the telegraph crew coming into Visalia, but this is a typical scene of workers from a wood engraving of the historic painting by George M. Ottinger as it appeared in Harper’s Weekly Magazine in 1867.
VISALIA WELCOMES ‘THE WIRE’ T E X T
A N D
P H O T O S
W
S U B M I T T E D
hen Visalia first took root in the fertile soil of Four Creeks Country in 1852, residents found news from the outside world hard to come by. The town was isolated, mail scarce, and newspapers were in short supply. So in 1858, when John Butterfield’s Overland Mail Company included Visalia on its route, the newshungry townsfolk were beyond happy. They anxiously awaited the regular stagecoaches loaded with precious cargoes of mail, packages, newspapers and passengers. Then in the middle of the following year, Visalia got more good news when its first newspaper was established – a weekly called the Tulare County Record & Fresno Examiner. Not only did it provide valuable information, the small newspaper gave the town a sense of pride. And another source of communication was on the way in the form of the telegraph. Over special wires, this new electrical marvel carried coded signals that could be decoded and converted to messages.
16 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
B Y
T E R R Y
O M M E N
Sometimes called “the wire,” the system made its first serious appearance in California in the mid-19th century and, in 1860, it arrived in Visalia. The plan called for the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company to link Los Angeles and San Francisco and points |in between. The project began in the Bay Area city and work crews moved south. It didn’t take long for word to spread that Visalia was scheduled to be on the route. In October 1859, the Visalia Weekly Delta, the town newspaper at the time, reported on the telegraph’s progress, “… we are informed that Mr. [James] Street, the energetic agent for the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company, is progressing rapidly with the undertaking and has already extended the wires from Gilroy to some distance in this valley, this side of the Pacheco Pass.” Telegraph crew members worked quickly as they planted poles and stretched wire. On June 16, 1860, the Delta gave another update: “In a very few days the instrument will be in
operation in Visalia. The poles are distributed between here and the Kings River.” The newspaper couldn’t keep up with the work crew’s rapid progress and, in the same issue, added, “Since the above was in type, the wires have been extended to Cross Creek and in a day or two they will have reached Visalia.” The speed of the work surprised everyone, including Visalia’s leaders. They hastily organized a celebration to welcome the telegraph’s arrival. Abe Rapeley, the local agent for the Overland Mail Company, took charge of the festivities. He arranged for speakers and generously made all of his company’s spare coaches, and even his personal buggy, available during the celebration. He decorated the coaches and horses with flags and made plans to fill the vehicles with women and children. Other coaches and buggies were recruited to become part of the grand procession, and Rapeley lined up riders on horseback to bring up the rear. Shortly before 11 a.m. on June 18, the
A legal team with a century of experience. Something your case deserves. EXPERIENCED, ACCESSIBLE AND TRUSTED Litigation • Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate • Business Formation/Operation Accidental and Personal Injury • Real Estate • Employment Law
A T T O R N E Y S A T L AW
559 635-9000 • VisaliaLawyers.com
congratulatory comments about the big day. Allen J. Atwell, another local attorney, spoke next and joined Morris in his praise. At that point, the procession disbanded, giving all a chance to prepare for the ball scheduled that evening. After the day of celebration, Street and his crew pushed on to Southern California. Soon after they left, the Delta printed a challenge to Los Angeles: “We trust that our Los Angeles friends will not be backward, but will emulate Visalia in suitably welcoming the greatest enterprise of the age.” The telegraph arrived in Los Angeles in October 1860, to a rousing welcome. On Oct. 8, the Los Angeles Star newspaper printed a congratulatory note that it had received from people in Visalia. It read, “The citizens of Los Angeles will accept the congratulations of the citizens of Visalia on the completion of the telegraph line and hope you are having as good a time as we had.” Visalia’s first telegraph office was set up in the Exchange Hotel, and its first telegrapher was a man named Coit. Was he a member of the same Coit family that built Coit Tower in San Francisco? I don’t know, but the name is spelled the same and, coincidently, the tower was built on Telegraph Hill. L
line, led by Rapeley, formed in front of the Exchange Hotel at Main and Court streets. On Rapeley’s lead buggy was a banner showing a world globe with telegraph wires around it and the words “I’ll put a girdle ’round the earth in forty minutes – Pacific & Atlantic Telegraph, Visalia, June 18, 1860.” Following him in the lineup was the Visalia Brass Band on board a beautiful Overland Mail Company Concord coach that was hitched to four horses. Other vehicles
formed behind, and bringing up the rear were the single riders on horseback led by J.D. Keener acting as marshal of the day. At 11 a.m., the drummer in the band tapped his drum, signaling the beginning of the procession. The long line slowly moved north on Court, then turned west on what is now Murray Avenue. About two miles out of town, the group met up with the crew, which continued to work feverously. They were unaware of the reception, so when Rapeley approached Street and invited him into his buggy, the leader of the crew was surprised. The buggy turned back toward Visalia, and the band played as the honored guest slowly passed by everyone in the procession. He was given hearty applause, and the party continued back into Visalia. As they neared the courthouse on Court and Oak streets, a booming cannon salute was given. The procession paraded through town and stopped at the newspaper office at Court and Main, where three cheers were given to the Visalia Weekly Delta. The next stop was in front of the nearby Exchange Hotel, where Visalia attorney William Gouverneur Morris stood on the balcony and made
18 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
Top: William G. Morris gave a speech honoring the arrival of the telegraph to Visalia. Circa 1873. Above: Telegraph Delta Office: The celebration procession stopped at Court and Main streets. Circa 1864.
COMMUNITY
VISALIA: GROWTH ONLY STRENGTHENS OUR SMALL-TOWN CHARM T E X T
A N D
P H O T O S
B Y
S U E
B U R N S
“… in a small town, where it feels like home; I’ve got everything I need and nothing that I don’t….” Homegrown, Zac Brown Band
“H
ow has Visalia changed in the last five years, and how has the city retained its small-town feel despite the change?” I posed this question to Gail Zurek, president and CEO of the city’s Chamber of Commerce, and resident historical expert Terry Ommen, with enlightening results. Ommen – unquestionably the authority on Visalia history – is not a native, but having moved to the city 46 years ago, he certainly feels like one. “I truly believe Visalia is the Poster Child for Small Town Charm,” he said. “Visalia benefits from its clear, unique identity. Without any other towns adjoining our borders, we have defined city limits, unlike small towns that share borders with other towns, forming a megalopolis. It is one city next to another city. “We lived in a smaller town in the Los Angles area prior to coming to Visalia, and you needed to look at street signs to know what town you were in as you drove around.” (Now where is the charm in that?) Like Ommen, Zurek is a transplant and relative newcomer to Visalia, having 20 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
moved here five years ago. After spending her first year working for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, she joined the chamber staff and has been there for the past four years. Her primary responsibilities as president and CEO are supporting local businesses; advocating for sensible city policies, regulations and ordinances, and supporting local organizations that help tourists discover Visalia, which she says is one of California’s best-kept secrets. In the past five years, Visalia has grown by about 5,000 to 10,000 people. Even when the economy was down, Visalia’s population continued to grow; this was due not in small part to the incredibly affordable cost of homes and living. How exactly has the city grown and how has that affected residents? New schools are making a big impact. Shannon Elementary School and Ridgeview Middle School are serving the increased number of students from families that moved into the northwest area of Visalia. There is also the possibility of a new high school close to Ridgeview in the next few years. Although it may seem to northwest residents that development has been
concentrated there in the last few years, the southeast side of the city is now seeing new projects. Zurek shared with me that Visalia’s general expansion is planned out in “growth rings.” Each ring must be filled before new areas can be developed. This ensures that development won’t take place in only one area, which would result in a lopsidedness that would affect all aspects of city life. Developed from the center out around the Main Street core of the city without built-up lots immediately visible from the 99 freeway, Visalia has remained tucked away from view. The new Valley Children’s Hospital at Caldwell Avenue and the 99, now in the planning stage, will make the city more visible, and bring additional job opportunities, children’s medical care options and residents to the area. Beloved Main Street has been undergoing a renaissance over the years. Refurbished buildings, new shops, restaurants and even living spaces update and add to the atmosphere while maintaining the integrity of the historical architecture and “Main Street U.S.A.” vibe. The Microbrew/Microwinery District on East Main, rezoned to allow
locally brewed beers and wines to be sold at restaurants, has lengthened the Main Street walk and brought more foot traffic. Most of the business owners in the new district are locals, young entrepreneurs (many from longtime farming families) who are dedicated to bringing the city forward with such businesses as BarrelHouse Brewery and Stacked (high-end hamburgers) while respecting its history. They are part of a rapidly evolving entrepreneur class that will continue to grow and remain here, becoming part of new leadership that will carry the community forward. Visalia’s Young Professionals Network for 25- to 35-year-olds, which helps grow friendships and social networks as well as professional support and contacts, is a draw for this demographic. Along the same theme of restoration while honoring history, Zurek talked about the Darling Hotel project at the old Tulare County Courthouse on Court Street and Oak Avenue, stating that it “… will eventually bring retail into that area as well, while respecting the historical value, keeping and highlighting what is uniquely Visalia.” Within the greater city, additional development is fostering positive growth. Fresno State and College of the Sequoias created a partnership three years ago that allows students to take CSU classes on the Visalia campus. This has helped many students pursue their education without a long commute. As for shopping, there are no worries on that subject as Visalia continues to add new businesses to serve its growing population. Always a trendsetter, Visalia Mall was the first indoor mall to open
in California in 1964. Interesting to note is that the mall occupancy rate is high versus national retail, as are spending habits as compared to cities of similar size like Simi Valley. One may initially be surprised that the percentage of discretionary income is higher in Visalia; the lower cost of living accounts for part of that. Local sales tax income benefits Visalia to a greater extent as well; as Zurek pointed out, if you’re living here, chances are you’re working, shopping and dining here, too (rather than going to a neighboring city), so a greater percentage of those dollars are staying in the city. Looking forward five years from now, Zurek mentions several possibilities “… more retail on Mooney Boulevard, as national brands are kicking the tires … the industrial park has grown and will continue to grow. When it comes to logistics for (the) ag industry – freeway, rail access, land to develop, we’re a perfect location.” Because of that, Visalia can be choosy; for the benefit of the community, finding the right industrial park user is more important than finding any user. Such growth, while it brings many benefits to the community, is not without its challenges. Conversations about infrastructure that will be able to handle the continued development will be constant, encompassing more projects such as the current street work at Demaree Road and Goshen Avenue. Will Visalia be able to keep its charm and small-town feel with all the benefits and challenges that accompany growth? Zurek and Ommen have no doubt that it will. Lifetime and longtime residents, thought leaders and young professionals, and even newcomers who have quickly
become connected to the community’s character, all want to keep everything that makes the city great and to make this a livable, workable community that everyone can take ownership and be a part of. The holiday season is one of the best times of the year to experience the charm that is uniquely Visalia’s. Stroll down Main Street on a chilly December evening and take in the lighted garlands stretching across the street and the painted store windows with cheery gift displays. On an Open House Thursday night, holiday music and the clip-clop and jingling bells of a horse-drawn trolley add even more enchantment to the air. Perhaps Ommen’s own experience describes it best: “Despite Visalia's growth in population to major city size, it has maintained a small-town flavor. I don't think that automatically happens with towns. I am not sure how to define ‘small-town flavor,’ but to me, it means a special place that many kids grow up in and stay. Adults that come here later in life somehow get attached to the town, stay and grow with it. “My wife and I are in that category. We came here as a young married couple, with no relatives or history with the town, and fell in love with the town and people, and we have now lived here for 46 years. I experienced the town at a population of about 32,000 when I arrived and now after an increase of 100,000, we still feel the small-town charm that is Visalia. “Small-town attitude is enhanced when you know people who have grown up with you. Knowing each other makes helping each other something you want to do, which is a big part of a small-town attitude.” L
COMMUNITY
L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 21
Fête Fantastique R E C I P E S
M
B Y
D A V I D
V A R T A N I A N ,
V I N T A G E
P R E S S
ore than any other time, holiday festivities encourage us to go all out to provide our family and friends with show-stopping meals they’ll talk about throughout the coming year. Chef David Vartanian’s menu of Bacon-Wrapped Prawns, French Onion Soup, Fall Pear Salad with Butterflied Filet Mignon and Steamed Fresh Maine Lobster will delight everyone at your table. Serve sparkling Crème Brûlée for dessert and your celebrity chef status is guaranteed. Happy holidays!
EPICURE
22 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
Did you make these tasty treats? Share your photos with us on Facebook and Instagram. We look forward to seeing you online!
/LifestyleMag @visalialifestyle
#LifestyleVisaliaEpicure
L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 23
EPICURE
FALL PEAR SALAD WITH TOASTED PECANS, BLUE CHEESE AND BABY GREENS INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
6 cups assorted baby greens 1 red onion, sliced 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes 3 ripe pears, sliced 3/4 cup toasted candied pecans * 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled 1/2 cup dried cranberries Your favorite mustard or balsamic vinaigrette
Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss. Add just enough dressing to lightly coat the greens.
24 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
* FOR THE CANDIED PECANS: Preheat the oven to 350F. In a bowl, beat one egg white until frothy. Add 3/4 cup pecans and 1/4 cup brown
sugar; toss until coated and spread onto a lightly sprayed baking sheet. Toast until browned, fragrant and caramelized, about 20 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. Remove to a rack and cool, stirring occasionally.
As this year comes to a close Marcela's Home Store would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all, with hopes and wishes for a year marked by acts of kindness, a sense of unity, and good will toward all humankind.
214
W. M A I N
STREET, VISALIA, CALIFORNIA
93291
•
559.622.0987
1 3 9 W. B R A N C H S T R E E T, A R R O Y O G R A N D E , C A L I F O R N I A 9 3 4 2 0 • 8 0 5 . 6 6 8 . 2 4 2 4
FRENCH ONION SOUP INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
2 tablespoons olive oil 3 pounds yellow onions, peeled, halved and sliced 3 sprigs fresh thyme 1 tablespoon cognac Salt and pepper 12 cups chicken stock 6 toasted baguette slices, 1/4-inch thick 12 slices Gruyère cheese 6 slices mozzarella
In a large saucepan, heat olive oil, add onions. Cook over low heat until soft and caramelized. Add cognac and thyme sprigs, and stir well. Add chicken stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until reduced by one-fourth. Add salt and pepper to taste; remove thyme sprigs. TO SERVE: Preheat broiler or oven to 500 degrees. Pour the soup into six deep cups or bowls. Top each bowl with sliced baguette toast and cover with cheese. Place bowls on a baking pan and broil for 1 minute or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
EPICURE
26 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
BACON-WRAPPED PRAWNS STUFFED WITH DUNGENESS CRAB
EPICURE
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
8 jumbo shrimp (peeled, de-veined and butterflied) 8 thin slices of applewood smoked bacon 8 ounces Dungeness crabmeat 1 ounce unsalted butter 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup chopped celery 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper 1 ounce unsalted butter 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon chopped chives 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon tabasco
Heat the butter in a heavy sautĂŠ pan. Add the onion, celery and bell pepper, and sautĂŠ for 1 minute; cool. Combine crabmeat with cooked vegetables. Add the egg, Dijon mustard, chopped chives and tabasco, and season with salt and pepper; chill. Preheat the oven to 350F. Place 1 slice of bacon on a clean work surface and place 1 butterflied shrimp on the bacon about 2 inches from the end. Place 1/8 of the crab mixture on shrimp and wrap the bacon tightly around; place on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining shrimp and crab mixture. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until bacon is cooked. Place the shrimp on a serving platter and top with white wine-shallot sauce.
THE SAUCE INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1 shallot, chopped Juice of 1 lemon 3/4 cup white wine Salt and pepper 1/4 cup champagne vinegar 1 ounce unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups heavy cream Freshly cut chives
Combine the wine, shallot and vinegar in a heavy saucepan and reduce by half. Add the cream and reduce until slightly thickened. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Whisk in the butter, add the chives and spoon over the shrimp. Serve as an appetizer.
L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 27
BUTTERFLIED FILET MIGNON WITH MUSHROOM DUXELLES AND HERBS INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1 3-pound center cut filet mignon, trimmed 4 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 4 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 6 cloves roasted garlic 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup mushroom duxelles Salt and pepper
Cut the filet so that you can unroll it like a jellyroll, or have the butcher do it for you. Flatten out the meat and pound slightly so that it is of even thickness; season the meat with salt and pepper, and then rub with the roasted garlic. Spread the mushroom duxelles evenly over the meat, then sprinkle the herbs onto the mushroom duxelles. Roll the meat up as it was originally and tie with butcher twine.
Lightly season the outside of the meat with salt and pepper, and rub with the olive oil. Place the meat on a rack in a roasting pan; roast it in a preheated 350F oven for about 30 minutes for medium rare. Let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve the meat with cabernet sauce.
MUSHROOM DUXELLES INGREDIENTS
EPICURE
3 pounds mushrooms, minced 3 tablespoons whipping cream 1 onion, minced Pinch of salt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter Freshly ground black pepper DIRECTIONS SautĂŠ the mushrooms and onion in the butter until all the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms are very well-cooked. Add the cream and season with salt and pepper; let cool. CABERNET SAUCE INGREDIENTS 2 cups cabernet 1 ounce unsalted butter 3 shallots, minced Salt 1 tablespoon fresh-cut chives Fresh ground pepper 2 cups veal stock DIRECTIONS In a saucepan, combine the cabernet and shallots. Reduce by half over medium heat. Add the veal stock and bring to a boil; reduce again until the sauce thickens slightly. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Whisk in the butter and chives just before serving.
28 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
ESTABLISHED 1946
EPICURE
STEAMED FRESH MAINE LOBSTER INGREDIENTS 2 2-pound live lobsters 1 tablespoon kosher salt Melted butter, for serving DIRECTIONS Choose a pot large enough to hold lobsters without crowding them. Fill pot with 1-2 inches of water and add the salt. Set a steaming rack inside the pot and bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the live lobsters, cover pot and start timing – halfway through, carefully lift the lid and shift the lobsters so they will cook evenly. Steam until shells are bright red and meat cooked through, approximately 12 minutes. Remove from pot with tongs and let cool 5 minutes before cracking. Serve with melted butter.
` ^ ` (Serves 8) CREME BRULEE INGREDIENTS 6 egg yolks 2 whole eggs 3/4 cup granulated sugar Pinch of salt 4 1/2 cups whipping cream 1 vanilla bean, split 6 tablespoons superfine sugar 8 6-ounce ovenproof ramekins DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Put the egg yolks, eggs, granulated sugar and salt in a stainlesssteel bowl, and whisk the mixture together. Pour the cream into a heavy sauce pot, add the vanilla bean and scald the mixture. Slowly whisk a little of the egg mixture into the cream mixture to temper it, whisking constantly, then slowly add the cream mixture back into the egg mixture, continuing to whisk. Strain the custard, cool it and pour it into the eight ramekins. Place them in a water bath and bake, covered with foil, for about 50 minutes or until barely set. Refrigerate for several hours. To brûlée, sprinkle the custards with superfine sugar. Caramelize the sugar with a small propane torch, or place the ramekins under the broiler until they brown (watch carefully so that they don’t burn). Allow the sugar to harden before serving. L 30
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
THE TAYLOR ESTATE A Mix of Old England and Whimsy at the Holidays T E X T
32
B Y
L I S A
M C E W E N
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
|
P H O T O S
B Y
D A N N Y
K L O R M A N
HOME TOUR
LIFEST YLE | DECEMBER 201 8
33
F
or Visalians Joy and Cody Taylor, gathering with friends and family members for a special meal embodies the Christmas spirit. Even more, they love to host their loved ones in their home where antiques, whimsical decor and stately surroundings prevail. Stay for long in the Taylor home and visitors will notice that along with paying homage to family history with four generations of gorgeous heirlooms, the couple also employs a touch of humor in their decorating, too. It all began 32 years ago when the Taylors built their Visalia home near the former Racquetball Club (currently In-Shape Health Club) on Demaree Road. The Southern California transplants settled in Visalia, drawn to its many oak trees and picturesque downtown. With 34 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
two young sons to raise, it was important for Joy and Cody to bring them up in a town that would nurture their minds and morals. Initially, they settled on a 2-acre plot north of Visalia. But with Cody’s demanding work schedule and Joy launching her career as a Realtor, upkeep was a challenge. With sons Cody Jr. and Chris approaching high school, they decided to build a home in town. For perspective, at that time, Demaree and Goshen Avenues were on the edge of Visalia, and now they are mired in a massive road improvement project, reflecting how much of the city’s residential growth has occurred there. Having grown accustomed to their quiet rural surroundings, however, maintaining privacy and shielding the
noise of neighbors was key to their new home. Design important and, 32 years later, the Taylors are still grateful for the foresight of that time. The home is situated on a bend in the street, where it sits at an angle rather than square. This affords additional privacy, as they have only two neighbors on either side of the home, none in front or behind (unless you count the tennis players they can see from the kitchen window and backyard). There are also no windows on the north or south sides of the home, ushering in the privacy that they desire. Joy’s father, an engineer, came up with the floor plan, and a draftsman completed the architectural drawings. Construction took just nine months by homebuilders Cocagne Brothers.
HOLIDAYS ARE HUMMING
HOME TOUR
Stepping over the threshold, guests enter what is the most utilized room of the home, the living room. The woodpaneled room is impressive, quiet and decorated to the brim for Christmas. For inspiration, Joy researched English country houses and beams that were popular in Hampton Court Palace where King Henry VIII lived while ruling. With photos for reference, a master woodworker duplicated the exact proportions, and the 10-foot walls are covered in traditional library paneling. Plush deep-blue carpet cushions the feet. Books abound, along with antiques, a walk-up bar ready to serve holiday spirits and a pedestaled Christmas tree. Guests are under the watchful eye of a ram mounted over the fireplace mantel, which was killed with a bow and arrow on Santa Cruz Island, a gift from Joy’s parents. At this time of year, he sports a Santa cap between his curled horns. On Christmas Eve, with friends and family in attendance, Joy and Cody place long tables in the center of the room, where up to 20 people can sit. “It’s always really festive,” Cody said of the evening. “This place is humming.” A popular seat is near the fireplace, which features a Heatilator and generates plenty of warmth when a fire is burning. The unit is encircled with white Italian marble, which matches the tile used in the front entry. Some of their favorite memories of holidays past are watching their grandchildren at the hearth, admiring the Christmas tree, gifts underneath, and playing with a lovingly restored doll-house decorated with miniature wreaths and Christmas lights. Joy said she still notices her teenage granddaughter spending time in front of the dollhouse, perhaps recalling memories of Santa and Mrs. Claus’ surprise visits at the home. There are also plenty of stuffed animals spread throughout the room, beckoning the grandchildren (and even adults) to cuddle up for the night. In fact, this writer sat in a wingback chair while a stuffed penguin toting its own Santa hat peered over at her notebook. Parked next to the mantel is their son’s upright bass, which he played in high school and carted to and from campus in his VW Bug, its neck hanging out the side window. L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 35
HOME TOUR
Entering the kitchen, Joy laughingly explained that they tell their sons that not all meals can be barbecued. So on Christmas, a large ham from Glick’s is on the menu, as it has been for decades. A gorgeous buffet is easily imagined thanks to Joy’s use of china, silver, crystal and German carving knives, an heirloom from Cody’s parents who lived in Germany during his father’s military service. The monochromatic kitchen is almond white, and German cabinetry had just entered the market when the house was built. Joy expertly adds a touch of red in just the right amount to bring holiday colors into the room. A large silk floral arrangement anchors the countertop, where Joy’s sense of humor returns. (Hint: Look for the alligator and snake.) She shared that her father started the fun. He built many things as an engineer, from model ships to furniture, and, 36 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
as a challenge to Joy and her siblings, he would hide one out-of-place item in everything he built, and it was up to them to find it. Winding around a staircase into the formal dining room, which features more sturdy, elegant furniture, guests are surprised to see a life-size Grinch seated at the table. “I made this for my 12-yearold grandson,” Joy explained. Now that he’s outgrown it, the costume has become part of the dining scene, bringing a smile to guests’ faces and possibly surprising those who peer into the window while walking up to the front door. The Grinch sits at an antique, solid wood English library table that seats up to 14 people. Grandfather and Grandmother clocks, built by Joy’s father, balance each other at the ends of the room. A 17th-century Shaker sideboard is filled with generations of family photos.
Contract Lic #990257
216 N WILLIS STREET • VISALIA RESERVATIONS: 559.733.3033 thevintagepress.com
windows • doors • mirrors shower • hardware • cabinets WINDOWS PLUS 559.738.9900 CUSTOM CABINETS 559.741.1091 481 W. Noble • Farmersville | Lic.# 990257 | windowpluss.com facebook.com/windowspluss
@windowsplusconstruction
L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 37
FAIRIES HELP IN THE YARD Outside, the Taylors enjoy spending time in their backyard, which features a small circular pool that is just the right size for cooling off in the summertime. They fondly recall their sons taking a running start and launching giant cannonballs into the water with their friends during summer breaks. Today, Joy’s handmade paths lead the way around the shady yard, where a fairy house sits on top of the hill overlooking the pool. She tells her grandchildren that the fairies live in the fairy house and work in the yard at night. Although there are more trees in the yard today than when they moved in, none have been removed. “These are all gifts from the birds,” she said, and only add to the yard’s personality. “We have lots of privacy for being in town.” On Christmas morning, breakfast is enjoyed indoors, overlooking the backyard and the tennis players who brave the cold to venture onto the courts. As the seasons of life bring change to their guest list, one constant remains: gathering with loved ones to celebrate Christmas, where the emphasis is not on gifts, but on spending time together. L
38
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
HOME TOUR
LIFEST YLE | DECEMBER 201 8
39
LITERARY ARTS
MAI DER VANG:
POETRY OF THE HMONG EXODUS AND RESILIENCE IN EXILE T E X T B Y D I A N E S L O C U M | P H O T O B Y A N D R E YA N G
W
hen Mai Der Vang was studying Walt Whitman and other poets in high school, it never occurred to her that some day she might actually win the Walt Whitman Award for emerging poets. “I didn’t expect that at all, let alone that I would become a poet,” she said. “Decades later, who would have thought that this is where I’d be?” Her debut book of poems, “Afterland” (published by Graywolf Press), was described by former U.S. poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera as “the mastery of image … a major, almost impossible, groundbreaking collection.” Dozens of her poems have appeared in publications from The American Poetry Review to Poetry Magazine. The New Yorker and The Paris Review published reviews of her poetry, The New York Times an essay. Yet, English was not Vang’s first language. Her parents were Hmong immigrants from Laos and did not speak English. During the late 1970s, her parents fled their homeland separately, each with their own extended family. They married, and their first child was born during the
40 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
several years that they lived in a refugee camp in Thailand. In America, they were first sent to Minneapolis, which made for a difficult transition. “There had been talk about the place in California that was sort of a paradise for Hmong people because of the mountains and access to agriculture,” she said. “Not only that, there were a lot of other family members who were also resettling here.” So within a few months, the family moved to Fresno and their second child, Mai Der, was born. The growing family lived in an apartment complex with other refugees, many of them involved in farming, which helped connect them to their roots. “That was something we just knew we did,” she said. So even after having to leave their homeland and move to a place that was completely foreign, in this valley with its mountains and farms, her parents and other Hmong began developing a sense that this was home. Yet Vang still struggled growing up, trying to learn two cultures. “It meant that I really did have to be two people,” she said.
Her parents had never attended school, so she couldn’t explain her experiences. They didn’t understand back-to-school night or American holidays. She had to translate what her teacher said at parent-teacher conferences. “There was a lot of that cultural navigation,” she said, “the feeling of always having to grow up faster, to be mature and responsible, that sort of weighed on me.” She also faced racism and feeling that she was an outsider. All of this, while still trying to be a child, did have a profound effect on her. Her lack of early exposure to English, however, was not the major problem that it could have been. “I don’t know how I was able to pick up English,” she said. “During grade school, I always did so well in English. I think I just had really amazing teachers who really nurtured me and understood that I was coming from a different place.” In her fourth- and fifth-grade classes, she wrote a lot of stories and did well on them. She also read a lot as a child. Libraries were an important part of her childhood.
“Checking out anything I wanted to was just so liberating,” she said. Poetry was one of the many subjects that she enjoyed. When she wrote in the memory books that were popular with her pre-Facebook friends, she often wrote poems. “They were just cheesy friendship poems, but, funny enough, that’s how I really got started with being able to conceptualize what a poem is,” she said. In high school, she deepened her interest and understanding of poetry and the craft behind it. Gwendolyn Brooks and Emily Dickinson were two of her favorites. “I loved what (Dickinson) was doing with the language,” she said, “her ability to experiment with grammar and the syntax of her poems.” Once she was in college at UC Berkeley as an English major, Vang explored poetry to an even more analytical and critical degree. After graduating in 2003, she returned to Fresno and worked both as a volunteer and an employee for nonprofits promoting the arts in the community. Her work led her to a job with New American Media, where she led a youth group studying journalism. “We were telling their stories in the publication that they were creating,” she said. “It included art and poetry as well.” Her first poem was published in 2004 in the Hmong Literary Arts Journal. She felt fortunate to be published, but not as if she had now made it as a poet. “In fact, it was more like how am I going to survive now?” she said. “I had some pressing concerns in my life, but I never left the love of writing. I always saw myself at some point getting an MFA and taking the writing more seriously.” Through Burlee Vang and the Hmong Americans Writers’ Circle, she learned that she wasn’t alone as a Hmong American poet. The support of the group boosted her confidence and she helped edit the group’s “How Do I Begin, A Hmong American Literary Anthology” published by Heyday in 2011. She published more poems, including about five in the anthology, and then about eight years after Berkeley, went off to Columbia University, where she earned her master of fine arts. While she was a student, she began working on the collection that would become “Afterland.”
LITERARY ARTS
“I had no idea when I started out what I was doing or what would evolve in the process,” she said. Feedback in her classes helped, as did letting the manuscript “marinate” after she came back to Fresno with her degree. As she wrote the poems, she started to connect with language that felt ancestral and spiritual. She started to find her voice in imagery. The poems came out every week in ways that surprised her. She found it difficult to arrange the poems in the book, partly because they had to do with migration, a yearning for home, with refugees, a sense of movement, of fluidity. As it turned out, the first set of poems look at the war and the resulting trauma because the war is so inherent in who she is as a Hmong person. The poems become more spiritual and then contemplative of Hmong identity.
The title “Afterland” includes the concept of the Hmong spiritual emphasis on where people go to rejoin their ancestors after they die. It is also the place to go after crises or any place after some other place. The United States is an afterland to refugees. Vang felt grateful for the gift bestowed upon her when she won the Whitman award for “Afterland,” but not just for herself. “To win this award for me was also a huge boost to my own community, the Hmong literary community,” she said, “to have that confirmation that we can become poets and should be telling our own stories. It’s a huge boost of confidence. I’ve been encouraged by young Hmong people who say they want to experiment with writing. It means that we can begin to build a literary future for our community.” L L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 41
DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF TAKING CARE OF YOU T E X T
B Y
J U S T I N
L E V I N E
“C
hallenges are what makes life interesting, and overcoming them are what makes life meaningful.” I am not going to sugarcoat it; getting results in fitness (or any goal) will have its challenges. There will be times when life gets in the way and certain situations will have you feeling stuck. These situations could sidetrack you from the original plan. Just know that this is a normal occurrence along the path of achieving your goals. The key: Be resilient. Get back up, dust yourself off and keep going. The past month, a few tough circumstances have developed in Amy's world. She has been resilient and continues to get back up and stick with
her positive attitude. Yes, we have had to adjust her workouts because of some lower back discomfort. Yes, she has missed a few training sessions because of a personal life situation. But the thing about Amy that I admire is her courageous attitude and her ability to laugh, see the good and continue taking the necessary steps to bounce back. “It is so key to see the fitness regimen as a long-term project,” I told Amy. “This is just a part of the process. Be resilient and stay committed.” Fitness is just a piece of the “life pie.” It's not the only thing in life, but it can play a major role in one's day-to-day life. I recommend you finding the dosage you need to stay healthy and energized.
FITNESS CHALLENGE
”I'm definitely more aware of the balance of nutrition and movement. I say those words because I don't feel like it's been diet and exercise the last few months." — Amy Shuklian 42
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
Find activities and routines that you enjoy. Respect your body. Be strong and resilient when things are hitting the fan. This is the time to use exercise as your outlet; it becomes your daily medicine that is needed to release negative feelings or stress. Since we started in August, I have seen a positive change in Amy's fitness level. Her workouts are higher tempo, she is stronger, and she has seen a change in her daily stamina. I want to see Amy stick with her routine, keep up on her workouts and stay dedicated to her goals. Do not lose sight in taking care of YOU. YOU matter! And your goals matter! Amy, we are inspired by your journey. Keep at it! L
5840 W SWEET DR
Happy Holidays and Warm Wishes
LUXURY LIVING IN THE LAKES
5840WSweet.com
for 2019
From everyone at Franey’s
Like us on facebook at Franey’s Design Center
FLOOR COVERINGS
559-733-9990 • 121 N. ENCINA ST.
WINDOW TREATMENTS
VISALIA, CA 93291 (Between Main & Center)
DESIGN SERVICES
Erik & Karol Anderson 559.697.5277
FraneysCarpetOneVisalia.com TheAndersonREGroup.com
LIC#288491
cal dre 01853488, 01987353
Tulare County Supervisor Amy Shuklian
6910 Pershing Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 • Phone: (559) 334-8990 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 43
FITNESS CHALLENGE
CHEF ERIN’S HOT COCOA CHEESECAKE MINIS R E C I P E
B Y
C H E F
E R I N
T Y L E R
INGREDIENTS 10 Oreo cookies, finely crushed 1 tablespoon butter, melted 2 packages (8 ounces each) fat-free cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup Splenda (when substituting Splenda for sugar, use half the amount; original recipes called for 1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided) 1/4 cup plus 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder, divided 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (when substituting egg with applesauce, use 1/4 cup per egg) 2 ounces semisweet chocolate 3/4 cup whipping cream 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 325°F. 2. Combine cookie crumbs and butter; press onto bottoms of 12 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake 8 minutes. 3. Beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup Splenda and 1/4 cup cocoa powder in medium bowl with mixer until blended. Add applesauce, mixing on low speed just until blended; spoon over crusts. 4. Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until centers are almost set. Cool completely, then refrigerate at least 2 hours. 5. Remove liners from cheesecakes. Beat cream and 1/2 tablespoon Splenda in separate medium bowl with mixer on high speed until soft peaks form; spoon onto cheesecakes. Sprinkle with remaining cocoa powder; top with marshmallows. Bon santé! WHIMSICAL TIP: Make the cheesecakes resemble mugs of cocoa by creating chocolate “handles.” Cover a baking sheet with parchment. Melt semisweet chocolate as directed on package; spoon into resealable plastic bag. Cut small piece off one bottom corner of bag; use to squeeze chocolate into 12 shapes on prepared baking sheet to resemble cup handles. Freeze until ready to use. Gently press chocolate handle into side of each cheesecake. L
NUTRITIONAL INFO PER CHEESECAKE: Healthy version: 155 calories, 6.7g fat, 19.5g carbohydrates, 5.7g protein Original recipe: 320 calories, 24g fat, 22g carbohydrates, 5g protein
44
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
Celebrating 5 Years!
p. s. i love you too. exceptional selection of gifts and savory and sweet treats
This Christmas let us take care of all your gift wrapping needs!
p.s. it’s free too.* *with all in-store purcha
ses.
“IN TEN SESSIONS YOU WILL FEEL THE DIFFERENCE, IN T WENT Y SESSIONS YOU WILL SEE THE DIFFERENCE, AND IN THIRT Y YOU WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW BODY.” -JOSEPH PIL ATES
111 S. Court Street, Ste. 208 Downtown Visalia 559.904.3912 layne@flowstudios.net www.flowstudios.net
PI L ATE S BAR R E BO U TI Q U E
119 W. Main Street, Visalia | (559) 734-9647 10-6 Mon through Friday | Thursday Open House 10-8 | Saturday 10-5 | Sunday 11-3
Interior plantscaping and some simple design elements can make your place of business or home more warm and inviting. Call 559.734.4920 to see what we can do for your interior.
STAGING
DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
LIVE PLANT RENTAL AND LEASING L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 45
FINDING CHRISTMAS MAGIC IN
MIDTOWN MANHATTAN T E X T
BY
C H E R Y L
L E V I TA N
TRAVELER’ S
treK 46
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
T
here’s no more quintessentially “Christmasy” place to be during the holidays than New York City. The addition of lights and decorations turns this already fascinating city into a bright, shiny Big Apple. Anticipating some “chilly” apprehension, there’s an easy solution – LAYERS! Throw in comfortable waterproof boots, gloves,
scarves, hats and silk long johns and the colder weather actually becomes part of the holiday magic. Once “climatized” (and aware that some peeling off may be necessary when inside), you can experience Manhattan’s holiday transformation and delve into Midtown’s compelling history.
The fountain just outside Radio City Music Hall always has oversized red Christmas tree balls. Photo by Cheryl Levitan LIFEST YLE | DECEMBER 201 8
47
ICONIC CITY EXPERIENCES ON EVERYONE'S “TO DO” LIST: • Radio City Music Hall’s Rockettes Christmas Spectacular: This precision, synchronized dance company has been high-kicking since 1925. The brainchild of chief choreographer Russell Markert, the original traveling troupe of 16 morphed into three separate groups of 36 women by 1930. When Radio City Music Hall opened in 1932, it quickly became the favorite venue for first-run premieres and a permanent home for the Rockettes (who accompanied each week-long premiere with lavish stage production shows). If a new movie was a flop, the troupe would find itself developing new routines and costumes overnight to be ready for a new film debut the following day. Some of the first entertainers to entertain troops at home and abroad in World War II, the Rockettes also became part of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition in 1957.
Unwilling to see the theater permanently shuttered in 1978 over financial issues, the Rockettes successfully led the crusade to save Radio City from the wrecking ball. Always innovating their style and costuming, the Rockettes have appeared in movies, commercials, TV, Las Vegas and presidential inaugurations. Their signature kicks are as much a part of Americana as Walt Disney or turkey at Thanksgiving. They wow audiences with their Christmas Spectacular from November to January at Radio City, now restored to its original art deco beauty but with cutting-edge technology. The show is new each year but favorites (like the live nativity scene) return annually. It’s a surreal photo opportunity as those camels walk down the street in early November! Located at 1260 Avenue of the Americas, the theater sits diagonally across from a large fountain and pool filled with giant red ornamental balls.
The ice skating rink on an oddly warm day at the Winter Village at Bryant Park with its Christmas pop-up shops to each side.
• Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree and Skating Rink: Just a block from Radio City, Rockefeller Center opened in 1933. Its annual signature Christmas tree debuted that same year, and the seasonal skating rink followed three years later. Tracing figure eights under the watchful gaze of the golden Prometheus statue is the ultimate skating experience (and a delight for those who wouldn’t dare try). The towering tree is chosen each year from homeowner submissions and scouting trips by Rockefeller Center officials. It is hoisted into place by a huge crane, and decorating begins immediately, secreted behind scaffolding and netting. The unveiling and lighting shortly after Thanksgiving have been a New York tradition since the center opened. Remaining in place through the first week of January, the tree is then donated to Habitat for Humanity for milling into lumber for new homes. Unlike the countless trees thrown away each year, this one lives on as a symbol of hope and has inspired the children’s book “The Carpenter’s Gift.”
TRAVELER’ S
treK 48
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
Photo by Cheryl Levitan
COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICES
ROBYN GRAHAM & ASSOCIATES L EA DIN G T HE L U X U RY MA RK ET IN M OST HOME S SO LD!
Janitorial Service For dependable commercial cleaning service ServiceMaster Clean can help. daily, weekly, or monthly janitorial service Medical & professional office cleaning Aggregate floor cleaning Tile & grout cleaning
Merry Christmas
Office system cleaning Window washing Nearly any other cleaning you want
Carpet cleaning using various processes
from our family to yours!
ServiceMaster by Hellstern
Ron Hellstern owner 559.738.8927 Serving the Visalia area | Locally owned and operated for over 30 years
BRE Lic. #01810074
MERRY CHRISTMAS
20 Years of Membership
YOUR OWN PERSONAL PARADISE 559.635.9637 | www.paradisepool.com | Since 1978
L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 49
Photo by Cheryl Levitan
The plantings around Rockefeller Center are always spectacular at Christmas as is the Rockefeller tree.
TRAVELER’ S
treK • 5th Avenue store windows: Across the street from Rockefeller Center, the phenomenal holiday displays in high-end store windows begin at 49th Street with Saks Fifth Avenue. Followed by a virtual “Who’s Who” of fashion and jewelry brands, they end at 59th Street with Barney’s. In between these upscale designers are infinitely more affordable stores where you can appreciate the lovely decorations, but also shop without breaking the piggy bank. 50
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
• The Empire State Building: With its new entrance’s immersive experience, this 103-story art deco masterpiece may no longer be the tallest building in the city, but it towers above others as a magnificently restored 1931 landmark. Each Christmas, the tower is lit in green and red to coincide with the opening day of Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular. The observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors offer 360 degree views of the city (and up to 80 miles beyond on a clear day for views of five states). Macy’s (site
of the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade), along with many iconic landmarks, are within walking distance. If the weather is inclement, cabs are usually readily available. (Practice that wave and whistle!) • Winter Village at Bryant Park: The holidays see outdoor shopping “villages” pop up all over the city and are often the best places to find unique gifts. Bryant Park is home to some of the best with kiosks on both sides of the skating rink.
SHAVER LAKE & MORRO BAY VACATION RENTALS
EXETER CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE Exeter Downtown Shops Open Late Thursday Evenings November 29 & December 6, 13 and 20 5:00 - 9:00 pm Come see Santa & Enjoy FREE Horse Drawn Carriage Rides and Old Fashioned Fire Truck Rides Refreshments & Family Holiday Spirit!
Plan your next escape... Visit our website for more information:
101 W. Pine St. Exeter 559•592•2919 www.exeterchamber.com
GregoryPropertiesRE.com
10 MINUTE LUBE OIL-N-FILTER
VMC welcomes new pediatrician to Visalia Visalia Medical Clinic is pleased to announce that Saba Khalid, MD, FAAP, has joined the VMC pediatrics team.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR VEHICLE SINCE 1985 OPEN Mon.-Sat. 8-5 Now open Sundays 9-3
(at our Demaree Location only)
We know 10 minutes means a lot !
No Appointment Needed All Work Guaranteed
223 E. Tulare Ave., Visalia 1630 E. Main St., Visalia 3550 S. Demaree, Visalia 1542 Tulare Ave., Tulare www.AutoOilChangers.com
Dr. Khalid had been with Aldara Hospital and Medical Center, in partnership with the Henry Ford Health System, where she was responsible for helping Saba Khalid, MD, FAAP to establish a pediatric department in a new hospital. Dr. Khalid has been certified by the American Board of Pediatrics since 1995. To learn more, visit vmchealth.com or call 739-2000.
Jason Mihalcin, DO
Be Well
www.vmchealth.com
Visalia 5400 W. Hillsdale Ave., Visalia • 559-739-2000
Medical Clinic
L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 51
LESS COMMON MIDTOWN EXPERIENCES NOT TO BE MISSED:
34-foot-long miniature New York City.
the original luster of the barrel-vaulted
Vintage trains from the museum's
ceiling’s elaborately painted constellations
• Holiday trains: New York’s Botanical Gardens' model trains pass by landscapes featuring 150 replicas of New York landmarks crafted completely from plant parts. Located in the Bronx, the show can be accessed by subway from Midtown. If you love trains but don’t relish traveling to the Bronx, check out the New York Transit Museum’s Gallery at Grand Central Terminal in Midtown. Its annual holiday display features Lionel trains traveling through a two-level,
collection travel from the “city” to the
and astronomical signs. Once covered
diorama's North Pole.
with two inches of exhaust and soot,
The terminal itself is one of New
to the astronomical sign for Cancer (the
largest train station in the world.
crab). Food choices abound. The Dining
Originally built by Cornelius Vanderbilt
Concourse (including the world-famous
in 1913, its beaux-art exterior is modeled
Oyster Bar) is below the Main Concourse,
after a Roman triumphal arch to symbolize
and the ramp to the Lower Concourse
the triumph of the railroads. Atop the
food court has an arched area with an
entrance is the world’s largest Tiffany
acoustical anomaly that allows sound to
clock standing 48 feet tall and weighing
be thrown across the 2,000-square-foot
1,500 tons. Extensive restoration revealed
chamber to land in the far corners.
TRAVELER’ S
treK
Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York 52
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
a single darkened brick remains next
York’s most beloved landmarks and the
• Hotel lobbies: Although it sounds odd to recommend hotel lobby and bar hopping as a holiday outing, the most iconic Manhattan hotels outdo themselves decorating for the season. And with the chill in the air, lobby bars are the perfect spots to warm up in splendor while taste-testing signature holiday concoctions. Since three of the most historic and prestigious hotels are handily located on 5th Avenue among the high-end designer window displays, combining the two activities makes sense. The St. Regis (at 55th), the Peninsula (across from the St. Regis) and The Plaza (at 59th Street facing Central Park South) are my favorites.
Photo by gigi_nyc
The St. Regis was founded in 1904 by John Astor, who drowned in 1912 after ensuring that his pregnant wife was on one of the last Titanic lifeboats. After coowning the Waldorf Astoria, Astor had a vision to create an even more luxurious and modern hotel to rival Europe’s finest. He bought up mansions along 5th Avenue and promptly demolished them to build an 18-story beaux-arts “skyscraper.” Fought fiercely by the neighbors (who included the Vanderbilts), Astor persevered. From the moment you enter this Italian marble lobby with vaulted ceilings, ornate gold-leaf chandeliers, antique tapestries and Louis XV furniture, you walk into what was once the epicenter of Manhattan social life. Built with telephones, central vacuums and air temperature regulation systems in each room, its design was well ahead of its time (and its guests often ahead of their better judgment). The registry has included artists, writers and entertainers who all left their mark with outrageous stories. Salvador Dali and his pet ocelot Babou entertained Andy Warhol; Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio fought over the iconic wardrobe malfunction photo while standing over an air vent – even John Lennon recorded a demo in his room, and Mick Jagger embarrassingly celebrated his 29th birthday in the top story ballroom. The St. Regis’ King Cole Bar was also the birthplace of the first Bloody Mary, designed for a Russian prince in 1934.
A NYC rowhouse-lined street turns into a winter wonderland after a snowfall.
TRAVELER’ S
treK
Photo by Cheryl Levitan
L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 53
The Peninsula Hotel opened in 1905 as The Gotham in a fine neoclassical building, but its story afterward reads like a bad-luck novel. Quickly entering bankruptcy because it sat too close to a church to acquire a liquor license, it went through a tangled tale of costly renovations, bankruptcies, foreclosures, lawsuits and an infamous jumper whose “successful” suicide became a 2005 film noire. The hotel’s luck turned in 1988 when it was bought by luxury Hong Kong-based Peninsula Hotels. Its rooftop bar offers dramatic views, but it’s the Gotham Bar where one warms up from outside. The 1907 Plaza Hotel (of beloved Eloise children’s book fame) has been the place to see and be seen for well over a century. Designed in the style of a French chateau, it was originally a residence for wealthy New Yorkers. After an unprecedented $450-million renovation in 2007, The Plaza’s three bars, famed Palm Court (for afternoon tea) and lower-level Food Hall offer a great deal to see and plenty of time to warm up and go back out to visit Central Park’s pop-up Christmas shops. • Isaac Mizrahi’s ‘Peter and the Wolf’ at the Guggenheim: Famed as a fashion designer, Mizrahi is also a costumer and avowed music lover. For the last 12 years, he has staged the narration of the classic “Peter and the Wolf” at the Guggenheim during the first two weekends in December. Tickets at: www.guggenheim.org. • The Christmas light displays in Dyker Heights: Few places can match the houses decorated for Christmas in this Brooklyn neighborhood. While Brooklyn isn’t in Midtown, TripAdvisor offers tours by shuttle or limo from Midtown with a view of the New York holiday skyline on the return. With each home in seeming competition for the most elaborate display, a visit to this Italian-American neighborhood is an experience like no other. Albeit a bit late for a trip to New York this Christmas, stock up on all the necessary clothing and plan for next mid-November to early January. Time ensures that you score tickets for popular shows and possible deals on flights and hotels (both costly during the holidays). With roads and subways busy this time of year, plan to stay in one of the many Midtown hotels near the sights you want to see. L 54 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
Photo by Joe Shlabotnik
TRAVELER’ S
treK
L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 55
CHARITY
CALIFORNIA COASTAL STYLE CREATES WAVES OF SUPPORT FOR THE BETHLEHEM CENTER T E X T
B Y
S U E
B U R N S
|
P H O T O S
B Y
A N D R E A
C A M A R E N A / G O A L
T
L I N E
M E D I A
here is something special about being in a room filled with people gathered to support others; it has a way of renewing one’s spirit. And so it was at the Bethlehem Center’s “California Coastal Style” Gala on Nov. 15 at the Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center. After a warm greeting at check-in from volunteers and the Junior Catholic Daughters of America, guests entered the Charter Oak Ballroom through billowing white curtains backlighted with blue that created an oceanic glow. Inside, the room gave a casually elegant “beach” feel, with twinkling lights in trees and linen-covered tables set with mini-cacti, rustic lanterns and lilies in vases. The Trent Barry Trio’s mellow yet cheery repertoire of classics livened the atmosphere as guests mingled and savored appetizers of crab- and shrimpstuffed mushrooms, teriyaki chicken satay, bacon-wrapped steak bites and cucumber shrimp cups. Bethlehem Center Board Chairman Dennis Williams warmly welcomed the 250 guests as he took to the stage on behalf of the board and the Rev. Eric
56 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
Swearingen. He expressed appreciation of the board and staff for the attendance, stating that the “simple fact is we need this gala to keep the doors open.” He shared that the center is changing its name soon to the Bethlehem Community Center, saying this is particularly fitting because, although the center is a mission of the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish, it serves the community in a nondenominational capacity. Many churches and volunteers from all backgrounds in the community support the organization, and the new name reflects that. After a video that highlighted the works of the center and the community’s willingness to support the organization’s mission and those in need, Father Swearingen led a prayer before dinner was served, thanking guests for being “… good people doing good works in our community.” As impressionist and singer Jamie Hitchcock crooned Frank Sinatra standards, guests enjoyed a delicious dinner that included perfectly prepared grilled filet of beef and garlic prawns preceded by a roasted pear salad on a bed of field greens with gorgonzola, candied pecans and cranberries. Dessert was a generous slice of lemon berry mascarpone cake topped with whipped cream. Fortified by the delicious meal, music
CHARITY
and camaraderie, everyone was ready to bid on 11 live auction packages donated by local shops, restaurants and individuals. From a California Christmas Tea Party, a San Luis Beach stay, home décor, jewelry, grill, foods, a Dodger Fever basket and a BMW electric ride-on car for kids, there was something for everyone to compete for. The bids flew fast and furious, raising much-needed funds for the center – and probably the blood pressure of some of the bidders. Satiated and happy to have supported a vital community operation, guests made their way home, bringing with them an assortment of goodies – a cactus, iced cookie, bread and pistachios – donated by event sponsors. There’s no doubt that this special evening was a most meaningful way to begin the holiday season by giving to those in need Under the direction of the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish pastor and the parish administrator, the Bethlehem Center and its services are part of the Catholic Church’s services in Visalia. A team of paid staff, volunteers and groups serve more than 7,000 meals each month, as well as distribute about 18,000 food pantry boxes, hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and food products, and clothing items to the homeless with children and family. L L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 57
SOCIAL SWIRL GOLF CLASSIC & AFTER PAR-TEE T E X T
B Y
E L I A N A
L L A M A S - R Í O S
O
n Nov. 9, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias staff arrived at the Visalia Country Club as early as 6 in the morning to prepare for the annual Social Swirl Golf Classic & After Par-Tee. Staff members prepared a golfer registration table as volunteers unloaded a multitude of donated gifts – from wines and cheeses to home decor and a 4K television. By 10 a.m., the sun had come out and a whopping 100 golfers jumped in their carts and dispersed throughout the course to participate in the Golf Classic. In the past, the Social Swirl fundraiser has been a two-day event, consisting of a Golf Classic one day and a gala the next. This year marks a new approach — the complete event took place in one day. Golfers began the day by distributing themselves throughout the golf course to play on the beautiful green. Around 3, the peaceful, quiet environment shifted into a celebratory one. As all the attendees gathered under the spacious tent adorned with sunflower centerpieces and a dance floor. Various donations lined up and down the tent for the silent auction. A decorative tree stood filled with “Fund a Need” ornaments, on
|
P H O T O S
B Y
which guests wrote their bidder number to donate toward a specific club need. Hors d'oeuvres were offered as attendees line up at the full bar. Country music sets the tone as guests reunited with friends and bid for silent auction items. The live auction brought an astounding amount of participation, selling items such as Elton John concert tickets and in-home dinners. Overall, the event turned out to be a great success, raising a total of $78,000. The money will mainly go toward operational costs of traditional clubs, those in Tulare, Visalia, Exeter, Strathmore, Ivanhoe and Farmersville. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias’ mission is to “help all young people, especially those who need us most, to become responsible, caring and productive members of society.” Boys & Girls Clubs were established in Tulare County in the 1990s when Exeter and Visalia community leaders responded to the need for a positive place for local youth to spend free time after school. Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias serves 1,000 kids per day at 14 clubs throughout Tulare County. Clubs provide a wide span of activities for youth, varying from STEM to sports.
R O D A R T E
M E D I A
Club Kids recognize the importance of giving and are thankful for those who donate to the clubs – not only financially, but also those who donate time, services, materials and effort. Emily, a teen attending the Exeter club, explains the impact that donations have. “The way I look at it is when you’re responsible and kind to others, the kids look at that,” she said. “Maybe they would want to make a difference because they see that, wow, these people came together as a group and did this for them. And maybe when they are older they are going to donate to a Boys & Girls Club.” Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias would like to thank the Social Swirl Event Committee – Bill and Chris Adams, Oriana Groppetti, Brian Johnson, Scott Pratt, Scott Ellis and Bill Hoover, as well as all those who volunteered – and the major sponsors for the Social Swirl — Groppetti Automotive Family, Advanced Body & Laser Center, Chrisman & Adams Family, B & R te Velde Ranch, BJ Perch Construction Inc., The Equity Group Inc., Kaweah Delta Health Care District, Lagomarsino Group, Pratt Farm Management Inc., Ulta Gro Plant Food Co., West Coast Ag Services, and Wileman Brothers & Elliott Inc. L
KUDOS
58
LIFEST YLE DECEMBER 201 8
HAPPENINGS
‘A Soulful Christmas’ The Sequoia Symphony presents “A Soulful Christmas.” This season’s all-new program focuses on music from Motown and more, featuring the song stylings of Hope Garcia on favorite Christmas classics old and new. $22-$45. When: Dec. 8, 3-5 p.m., 7:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org ‘A Christmas Carol’ The Enchanted Playhouse is pleased to present a one-man show fundraiser at the Main Street Theater by Kelly Ventura. $12. When: Dec. 8, 7-9 p.m. Where: Enchanted Playhouse Theatre, 307 E. Main St., Visalia Contact: Enchanted Playhouse Theatre, (559) 739-4600 ‘Home Alone’ “Home Alone” is a 1990 American comedy film about a boy who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation and soon has to contend with two burglars. $5 advance, $6 day of. When: Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m. Where: Fox Hanford, 326 N. Irwin St., Hanford Contact: Fox Hanford, (559) 584-7423
Rockin’ Rudolph Run The Rockin' Rudolph Run is a great way to start the holiday season with a stroll through downtown Hanford. The event features a 5k run/walk, Kid's Reindeer Run and a costume contest. 5k run/walk: $30, Kids Fun Run: $15 When: Dec. 9, 8 a.m.-noon Where: 325 N. Douty St., Hanford Contact: (559) 537-0760, www.runhanford.com
Holiday at the Gallery The Exeter Art Gallery and Museum Association will hold its Holiday at the Gallery, including food and wine, and art auctions featuring Chuck Prudhomme, Marty Weekly, Manual Abad and George Tanimoto. Tickets: $60 per couple, $35 individual. When: Dec. 9, 3-7 p.m. Where: Exeter Courthouse Gallery and Museum, 125 South B St., Exeter Contact: (559) 280-8547 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 59
Winter Dance Party Winter Dance Party is the official live and authentic re-creation of the final tour of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. Each live concert performance includes more than two hours of high-voltage entertainment featuring all of their hit songs of the ’50s era. Tickets $23-$34. When: Dec. 9, 7-9 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org ‘A Christmas Story’ “A Christmas Story” is a 1983 American Christmas comedy film directed by Bob Clark that follows the wintry exploits of Ralphie Parker, who spends most of his time dodging a bully and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a Red Ryder air rifle. $5. When: Dec. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org
Traditional Christmas Celebration Celebrate the holiday season this year with Lon Hannah & San Joaquin Junction. $15-$30 When: Dec. 15, 3-6 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org ‘Elf’ “Elf” is a 2003 American Christmas fantasy comedy film about one of Santa’s elves who learns he is a human and travels to New York City to meet his biological father. $5 advance, $6 day of. When: Dec. 15, 2-4 p.m. Where: Fox Hanford, 326 N. Irwin St., Hanford Contact: Fox Hanford, (559) 584-7423
HAPPENI NGS
60 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
Citrus Fruit Display, Tasting See and taste more than 100 varieties of citrus grown at Lindcove Research and Extension Center. Taste fruit at your leisure, discuss new low-seeded mandarin varieties and ask all the citrus questions you have. When: Dec. 15, 9 a.m.-noon Where: Education Building, 22963 Carson Ave., Exeter Contact: Jasmin Del Toro, (559) 592-2408, jzdeltoro@ucanr.edu
Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl This holiday season, join us as we cheer up Main Street with Ugly Holiday Sweaters, games, raffles, prizes and Christmas caroling for our second annual Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl. There is no cover charge at all locations, plus great drink and food specials with your wristband. When: Dec. 15, 4:30-9 p.m. Where: Lum Lum’s, 417 E. Center Ave., Visalia (check-in location) Contact: dothecrawl.com
HAPPENI NGS
Talent Show The Enchanted Playhouse Theater Company is hosting a fundraising talent show in hopes of keeping the theatre alive at the Main Street Theatre. When: Dec. 15, 7-8 p.m. Where: Enchanted Playhouse Theatre, 307 E. Main St., Visalia Contact: Enchanted Playhouse Theatre, (559) 739-4600 ‘White Christmas’ “White Christmas” is a 1954 American musical romantic comedy film, notable for being the first to be released in VistaVision. $5. When: Dec. 19, 6:30-9 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org Chad Prather Chad Prather is one of the country’s fastest-rising and talked about comedians and entertainers. Known for his way with words, he is a fast-talking combination of Lewis Grizzard and Jeff Foxworthy. $29-$55. When: Jan. 10, 8:30-11 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369 ‘Winter Wonders’ The Sequoia Symphony Orchestra presents “Winter Wonders,” featuring two classic symphonies from the Great North: Tchaikovsky’s short, sweet “Winter Daydreams” and Sibelius’ masterful Symphony No. 2. $22-$45 When: Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org
L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 61
Comedy Blast Hands in the Community announces its upcoming night of comedy, featuring comedian Ken Davis and ventriloquist David Pendleton. Join us for a night of side-splitting hilarity for the whole family. General seating: $25, premium: $30 When: Jan. 25, 8 p.m. Where: Visalia First, 3737 S. Akers St., Visalia Contact: Hands in the Community, (559) 625-3822, www.hnconline.org ‘She Remembers Everything’ Legendary singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and acoustic guitar virtuoso John Levanthal will perform the follow-up to her 2014 triple Grammy-winning album The River and the Thread. $35, $45, $55. When: Jan. 29, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Where: Fox Hanford, 326 N. Irwin St., Hanford Contact: Fox Hanford, (559) 584-7423 World Ag Expo Come see the latest and greatest that the agriculture industry has to offer. Network with exhibitors, listen in on a seminar, plan your next business purchase and visit winners of the Top 10 New Products Competition. $15. When: Feb. 12-14, 9 a.m. Where: International Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare Contact: International Agri-Center, (800) 999-9186
HAPPENI NGS
62 L I F E S T Y L E | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
AFFORDABLE BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH NO BREAST SCARS, and LESS DOWNTIME. Call us today to schedule your own complimentary consultation. All surgeries are performed by a BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON, in an ACCREDITED SURGICAL CENTER and with the support of CERTIFIED ANESTHESIA PROVIDERS.
model
Face + Neck Lifts
| Liposuction | Tummy Tucks | Breast Lift | Nose | Eyelids MICHAEL B. STEVENS MD, PhD, FACS BOARD CERTIFIED PL ASTIC SURGEON P R I VAT E A C C R E D I T E D S U R G E R Y C E N T E R LOC ATIONS IN VISALIA + BE VERLY HILL S
5 5 9. 6 2 5 . 8 6 3 6 F ac ebook.c om / Mic h aelB S teven s MD
Know your surgeon, know your procedure. Dr. Stevens personally performs your entire surgical procedure.
Breast Augmentation
Breast Reduction
Trust your body-sculpting goals to Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Alex Lechtman, MD, FACS.
DrLechtman.com 5530 AVENIDA DE LOS ROBLES VISALIA
559.738.7572
His standards for excellence are as high as yours.
ALEX LECHTMAN,
MD, FACS Board-Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon