Visalia Lifestyle Magazine, May 2020

STYLE, ART, CULTURE, + EVENTS OF THE SOUTH VALLEY MAY 2020

EPICURE

RUSTIC MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH Page 34

HOME TOUR

THE MARTINHO RESIDENCE Page 24 TRAVELER’S TREK

BUENOS AIRES Page 38 ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER LOCAL

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24 HOME TOUR

THE MARTINHO RESIDENCE Tulare couple Melanie and Robby Martinho have perfected the art of downsizing, entering that glorious phase of life when the adult children have successfully launched lives and careers, leaving the parents behind as empty-nesters. Enjoy a tour of their remodeled and updated home for design ideas and a look at what can be done with tile.

WHAT'S INSIDE 8

From The Editor

10

Word Play

20

Visalia Chamber of Commerce

22

Tulare Chamber of Commerce

44

Sequoia Symphony Orchestra:

12

16

MEMORIAL DAY 1916

THE GREAT ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIMENT

34

38

RUSTIC MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH

BUENOS AIRES

REFLECTIONS OF VISALIA

TECH

A Community Update

EPICURE

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TRAVELER'S TREK

Made for more connection

We were all made for more. More love. More hope.

More connection. And now more than ever, it’s important for us to stay connected. In times of uncertainty we pull together as a community, and together we can overcome anything.

To learn more about staying healthy, active and connected, visit AdventistHealth.org

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DMI Agency 200 E. Center Ave., Suite A Visalia, CA 93291 Karen Tellalian Greg Bitney Marcie Vagnino Kaci Hansen Melinda Brown

Contributing Writers

C. Scott Wyatt Diane Slocum Elaine Dakessian Joshua Banda Lisa McEwen Major Rogers Terry L. Ommen

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Maria Gaston

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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.

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Circulation of this issue: 15,600 © 2020 DMI Agency

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F rom The

EDITOR

Dear Lifestyle readers:

W

elcome to our first and hopefully only issue to be produced during a global pandemic. Like what many of you are experiencing, we were not sure that we would be able to pull it together. Although we struggled to connect remotely and had our hearts nearly broken as we talked with many of our “non-essential” comrades forced to shutter their doors as the economy shut down, we were encouraged by so many messages of support, letting us know that you were counting on us. We are scaled down, temporarily, but we are very happy to be in your homes in the midst of this health and economic crisis.

Ever so sensitive to the changes and restrictions we have been dealt over the last several weeks, we are also grateful to have photographed this month’s Home Tour feature pre-COVID-19.

The Martinho family home, remodeled in 2019, features a sunny backyard built for entertaining. You can read about it starting on page 24 in “Couple perfect the art of downsizing with Tulare home.” For owners Melanie and Robby, the home is frequently a gathering place for extended family and longtime friends. While social distancing guidelines might be limiting their ability to entertain right now, we know that the Martinhos’ positive outlook and hashtag #gladtobehere will continue to inspire love in their home and neighborhood.

In the past, we have referred to our Traveler’s Trek articles as “armchair” tours, and never has that been more true than now.

While we shelter at home reading this month’s Lifestyle, we can let our minds wander to Buenos Aires, Argentina, beginning on page 38. For frequent contributor Major Rogers, celebrating his 50th birthday, the country is a melting pot of cultures and must-see experiences.

Hair by Christina Jordan, CA LOOKS Salon | Makeup by Orlando Molina Gonzales

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT A STORY IDEA, CONTACT ME AT KAREN@DMIAGENCY.COM

As of press time, we have no clear dates of when we will see the return of our economy. No doubt it has been an incredibly tough season, but I continue to be overwhelmed by the strength of character of our community. I have witnessed an outpouring of compassion and support for our neighbors, and have more than once received a text message and photo of our building with a message that someone is thinking about us. What seems like such a small gesture is, in fact, not small at all. These messages and words of encouragement are powerful tools in keeping us moving forward toward excellence and, like the Martinho family hashtag, we are #gladtobehere.

Happy Mother’s Day We love our moms year round and it is not lost on us that many mothers will spend this Mother's Day separated from those they love. We hope that each of you finds a wonderful and safe way to celebrate until everyone can be together again.

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KAREN TELLALIAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

W O R D

P L A Y

NEWS ON WRITING, BOOKS + THE WORLD OF PUBLISHING T E X T

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his year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, celebrated on April 22. The theme for this year was climate action. One way to get involved is to read about it.

“The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming” (Tim Duggan Books, 2019) by David Wallace Wells, a columnist and deputy editor at New York magazine, pulls no punches. He starts out by saying, “It’s worse, much worse than you think.”

He goes on to describe Elements of Chaos, such as heat death, hunger, wildfire, unbreathable air and freshwater drain. But he doesn’t leave the reader without hope. He posits that if we are walking on a path toward suicide, we are choosing it, and we don’t have to.

More on the bright side is Barbara Kingsolver’s “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life.” The 10th anniversary edition was published by Harper in 2017, so the book has been around for a while, but the updated version includes stories by the whole family and shows how the project has carried on over the years. The story began when the Kingsolver family moved to a farm in Appalachia and aligned their lives around local food. If any place is designed to emulate this story, it is here in the San Joaquin Valley.

“Thank You, Earth” (Greenwillow Books, 2018) by April Pulley Sayre, an acclaimed photographer and author of more than 65 children’s books, is a love letter to the earth. It introduces young children to science, nature, geography, biology and poetry. It includes ideas for conservation projects for children.

“Prismatics: Larry Levis & Contemporary American Poetry: Interviews from the Documentary Film A Late Style of Fire” (Diode, 2020) features transcripts of interviews of Fresno poets Peter Everwine, Philip Levine, Charles Hanzlicek, David St. John and others discussing Levis and the era of Fresno poetry of which they were all a part. Gregory Donovan and Michele Poulos conducted the interviews and wrote and produced the film. The interviews act as a prism into the life of a poet, not only Levis, but those who are speaking. Levis grew up working in the vineyards of Selma and wrote about his Mexican migrant co-workers. He studied under Levine at Fresno State and the two became lifelong friends, critiquing each other’s work. Levis’ books include “Wrecking Crew,” “The Dollmaker's Ghost” and “The Widening Spell of the Leaves."

His awards include the National Poetry Series, James Laughlin and Guggenheim Fellowship. He died of a heart attack at age 49 in 1996.

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Fresno State history Professor Jill Fields is the author of “An Intimate Affair: Women, Lingerie & Sexuality” (Berkeley University of California Press). Fields' book not only details women’s intimate fashions from the late-19th into mid-20th century, but shows how the fashion industry influences concepts of femininity. Her book encompasses cultural studies, the consumer culture, production, consumption and other ways that clothing affects history WRITING CONTESTS The deadline for the Malahat Review Far Horizons Award for Poetry is May 1. Prize is $1,000 Canadian plus publication in the magazine. Poems that have not been published in a book are eligible. Entries must be made through Submittable. Fee for U.S. entries is $30 U.S. Details at malahatreview.ca/contests/far_horizons_ poetry/info.html.

The annual Haiku Society of America Garry Gay Rengay Award will accept submissions until May 31. A rengay is a six-verse thematic poem written by two or three poets using haiku. No part of the poem may be previously published in any format. Prizes are $200, $100 and $50.

Details at hsa-haiku.org/hsa-contests.htm FINDING AN AGENT Querytracker.net has made it easier to find an agent who may be interested in your work. The database currently includes 1,638 agents. A tutorial on the home screen explains how to filter this to a more manageable number of those who might fit your needs.

VALLEY WRITERS Gabrielle Trapse, an 11th-grader from Tulare Union High School, was the Tulare County Poetry Out Loud winner for 2018 and 2019. She was eligible to compete in the state competition, which changed to a virtual event March 15.

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THE LAST WORD “The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”

— Gaylord Nelson (1916-2005)

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The women of the WRC and the men of the GAR are shown posing in front of the statue at the Visalia Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 30, 1916. Courtesy of the Visalia Cemetery

A Fitting Tribute In Bronze

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uring the four-year-long American Civil War, some 2.1 million men served as soldiers with the Union forces. Much has been written about these fighters, but many do not realize that women also worked on the front line, volunteering for important roles such as spies and nurses. When the bloody conflict ended in 1865, the men and women returned home, proud to have served and grateful to have survived the United States’ deadliest war.

However, a year after the war, the returning Union soldiers became concerned about veterans benefits, so they formed an organization called the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). It became a powerful advocacy group, and eventually local posts were in every state, with some even outside the country. In 1883, an auxiliary organization was created called the Woman’s Relief Corps (WRC).

The group wanted the country to recognize the contributions of women 12 L I F E S T Y L E | M AY 2 0 2 0

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during the war, but mainly wanted to support the men of the GAR. Although separate organizations, the two worked closely together.

Even though a sizable number of former Civil War soldiers settled in Visalia, it took several years to get a local post.

In 1886, 20 Union vets petitioned the GAR leadership for authorization to establish a local unit. That year, Grand Army of the Republic Gen. George Wright Post No. 111 received its charter, named in honor of the Civil War commander of Union forces on the Pacific Coast. At the time of the charter, the membership roster had 32 names, almost all from Visalia. The group was led by Jacob L. Asay, who was named commander, and they met regularly at the Good Templars Hall.

Members wasted little time in making their presence known, proudly wearing their uniforms at community events,

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especially parades. It was common for the local members to ride on floats decorated with bunting and American flags. In August 1886, members Augustus Weishar and Frederick Speise were pleased to represent Visalia at the big GAR encampment held in San Francisco. However, their mood was dampened somewhat when a thief broke into their hotel room and stole personal items.

Visalia also had a local chapter of the Woman’s Relief Corps called the Ladies of Gen. George Wright Relief Corps No. 73. The relationship between the two organizations was strong. In 1898, Mrs. C.J. Berry, the new incoming president, summed up the connection between them saying, “We are attached by command to Gen. George Wright GAR post and more attached in feelings than by any general orders.” The two groups even had a joint installation of officers in January 1898.

Wishing Our Community Good Health and Happier Days Ahead.

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In the meantime, we urge everyone to observe safe health practices.

We are in this together.

We will get through it together.

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But perhaps the most obvious example of their cooperation and bond was shown in the early 1900s. Both groups noted that Civil War veterans were dying at an alarming rate and that the town did not have a monument to honor them. So they decided that one was needed and that the cemetery was the best place for it.

The symbol they chose was a statue of a Union soldier, a very popular figure made by the W.H. Mullins Company in Salem, Ohio. The selected statue was product #4728 called “Soldier at Parade Rest,” and cost about $2,500. It stood roughly 6 feet high and was hollow, made from formed sheets of bronze.

The two groups set Memorial Day 1916 as the date for completion. Fundraising began, and the ladies made quilts to sell, and sold tickets to shows and concerts.

They raised considerable money. In fact, the Tulare County Times reported, “The ladies who expended so much time in securing the funds necessary … are to be heartily commended .…”

This is a delegate pin worn by members in attendance at the May 1925 Sacramento encampment for both the GAR and WRC. Photo courtesy of Marian Shippey Cote.

Above: The local members of the GAR rode on decorated floats in many parades, including this one on July 4, 1909. George R. Anderson, the post’s last member, is shown seated directly behind the wheel of the float.

Below: The statue as it is today.

Then Marion Morton, representing the GAR, and Neva Abshire, acting on behalf of the WRC, removed the statue covering. The crowd then adjourned to the regular Memorial Day service.

As planning for the big day began, it was clear that the holiday was going to be busy. The town had always made a big deal about the patriotic holiday, but this time, it was going to be especially busy with the statue dedication.

Obviously impressed with the day’s activities, the Visalia Morning Delta called the services “the most carefully arranged and excellently carried out of any that have ever been given.”

On Memorial Day, May 30, 1916, after the Main Street parade finished at 9:30 a.m., the procession walked west on Main, then north on Giddings Street and onto the cemetery grounds. Members of the GAR and WRC were taken there by automobile.

The first part of the service began at the newly placed statue. An estimated crowd of 500 listened to beautiful music, then Patrick Michael Longan, controller for the Mt. Whitney Power & Electric Company, gave his keynote remarks directed especially to the old soldiers.

Members of the GAR frequently marched on the streets of Visalia. Circa 1915; photo courtesy of Pat Hanson

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“Veterans of the Grand Army, you are the orators of Decoration Day, no matter who may be the speakers. You and your flowers and your little bronze buttons and your graves thrill all hearts into patriotism by your silent eloquence,” he said, adding, “A generous public has made it possible to erect this beautiful monument, which we have dedicated today to the memory of our heroes. It shall stand here a mute, expressive witness of the gratitude of a people rejoicing in the benefits won by their sacrifices.”

At the time of the dedication, the Visalia GAR post had fewer than 20 members and, as the years passed, the numbers decreased. By 1938, only George R. Anderson remained and on July 18, he passed away at the age of 91. With his passing, the Gen. George Wright Post No. 111 ended its 62-year existence.

Even though the GAR and WRC are gone, the Union soldier statue remains at its original site in the Visalia Cemetery.

The 114-year-old bronze soldier is showing age, but he continues to stand representing and honoring all those Union soldiers who fought in America’s Civil War. But the statue also serves as an important reminder of what was accomplished by the men and women of both groups.

I encourage you to see the statue — it’s worth a visit! L

T E C H

THE GREAT ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIMENT

By C. Scott Wyatt

F

riday the 13th. This March, it became an unlucky date for educators across the United States when many of us were told that schools, colleges and universities were moving instruction online immediately to reduce the risks associated with COVID-19.

Yet, no matter what we teach, our institutions told us to get classes up and running online within a few days. Teachers plan all summer and revise plans during breaks. We have activities and grading rubrics carefully scaffolded so that student experiences build toward final outcomes.

Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, schools and businesses rushed to keep people apart. This social distancing included asking people to work and learn from home. The coronavirus spreads through human contact and short-distance aerosol transmission. With an average incubation time of five to six days, someone infected might walk around for a week or more without feeling ill. Once the CDC determined that the virus was viable up to four hours after leaving a body, the experts concluded that isolation was essential.

All our careful planning had to be reimagined. Online education has offered a lot of promise, especially for non-traditional students and those living far from major universities. Some disabled students find online courses more accessible. For working adults who have earned bachelor’s degrees, online graduate degrees offer necessary flexibility.

Suddenly, instructors had to revise their lessons to work online. Many felt compelled to start planning from scratch.

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Suddenly, instructors had to revise their lesson plans to work online. Some felt compelled to start planning from scratch.

Some classes faced incredible hurdles, and others simply could not migrate in a meaningful way. How do we teach culinary arts online? How does a welding practicum work over the internet? Public speaking courses without audiences might be easier for students with anxiety, but that’s precisely why we teach public speaking in classrooms.

Yet, for all the promise, online learning often falls short of student expectations.

The courses often resemble old-style correspondence courses. Students read books, complete assignments and take online tests with little or no interaction.

They might as well watch YouTube videos and read some study guides.

I love teaching online courses when the courses reflect best practices and

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T E C H

students voluntarily choose to take the

were participating in a massive online

courses. With the rush to move classes

classroom via Facebook, Twitter, Slack

online, too many teachers had to adopt

and Zoom. Colleagues we might never

the self-directed model. That worries me because many students will have negative experiences with online learning.

Since 2004, I have taught online, and digital pedagogy is one of my scholarly specialties. Despite presenting at conferences and publishing articles about online course design, nothing prepared me or my colleagues moving hundreds of thousands of students from classrooms

“We became participants in our own study of online teaching. It surely made us all better teachers...”

nating might tempt students, but the physical classroom creates a sense of community. Students help each other stay on task. Instructors get to know students and recognize those needing some extra encouragement. Online, creating and sustaining a sense of community requires significant effort.

The students in an online course might not know each other. Getting to know each other can be difficult. Instructors experienced with online teaching try to create fun and interesting ways to interact. We use discussion forums, chats, video conferencing and games. Yes, we use a lot of games and game-like features to engage students. Gamers will tell you that they form lasting friendships online, supporting the value of “gamification” in online education.

Winning virtual medals, earning experience points, unlocking achievements and creating avatars motivates some students. Solving puzzles or quests together forms a sense of comradery and a sense of belonging.

Educators turned to technology to help with this emergency. Facebook groups were created for “pandemic pedagogies” and “online in an instant” support.

Existing online communities provided links to free resources and guides to creating online classes.

There we were, learning online! Yes, we’re educators, but we were using Facebook and its fun features like stickers and backgrounds because those were helping us smile through the panic.

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The potential of online learning moved beyond theory and into practice.

In the past, I’ve argued that all teachers should be trained to lead online courses.

Most of us have taken at least some online or hybrid courses as graduate students. Maybe recent events will online course design and digital teaching

Online learning demands self-discipline campus. Skipping class and procrasti-

and helped us with teaching strategies.

encourage education programs to include

to digital learning platforms. beyond what students develop on

have met any other way entered our lives

We became participants in our own study of online teaching. It surely made us all better teachers and more connected as a community. Teachers who had resisted online classes came to realize that they

strategies as part of the curriculum.

Until this year, we could assume that most teaching would be in physical classrooms.

Now, more educators are ready for the digital future.

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WORKING HARD TO ADDRESS THE NEED As COVID-19 directly affected local businesses, community members and all of Visalia, the chamber’s Board of Directors and staff took several immediate steps to fight for Visalia.

HERE'S HOW:

The Visalia Chamber of Commerce fought for the SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Declaration to be amended to include Tulare County. Since the county was not originally included, we pulled together business leaders and local state officials for a calling campaign that succeeded within 48 hours. These loans help businesses and nonprofits cover expenses, including payroll. To apply, visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

We will not stop our effort to champion for local businesses and continue to connect our members with resources they need to get through these troubling times. With that in mind, we developed a Small Business Emergency Plan. This plan will instantly give your business access to the majority of our membership benefits, but will delay any membership payment until the first of May — or later, depending on current circumstances.

To further connect with members and the business community of Visalia, the chamber hosted a Facebook Live Coffee with the CEO event. These chats allow our chamber to connect and learn further the needs and concerns of members and businesses. The chamber plans to continue and expand these events.

As we wade uncertain waters, we encourage all to continue to support Visalia. Early on, the chamber championed for our business community through our “Loyal to Local” campaign.

As news spread of “social distancing,” the chamber advocated the continued support of local businesses. We gathered information from them on how they were being affected, the challenges they face and how Visalia can continue to support them. The chamber created a COVID-19 Updates webpage (visaliachamber.org/updates) that show-

cases local, state and federal updates, and information on local businesses that have adapted new services.

As we continue to advocate for members, local businesses and the community, we end this piece with a champion of hope. Before the storm of COVID-19, we celebrated two giant milestones with Visalia. We were excited to partake in the Fox Theatre’s 90th birthday celebration and the Wyndham Visalia’s 45th anniversary. These achievements and celebrations only reinforce that we, too, shall overcome today’s challenges and come out stronger than ever. The only way we will succeed is doing what Visalia does best — help, encourage and support each other. L

Before the storm of COVID-19, the Visalia Chamber of Commerce celebrated two giant milestones with Visalia. The chamber took part in the Fox Theatre’s 90th birthday celebration and the Wyndham Visalia’s 45th anniversary.

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Service Beyond Compare

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C O M M E R C E

THE TULARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE We exist to serve our members and residents by advocating for and engaging in efforts to encourage economic opportunity and business prosperity.

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce supports businesses by building partnerships, providing educational opportunities, and advocating for its members and community.

HEALTH CARE Members gathered at Altura Centers for Health for the March Business After Networking Mixer. The event was themed in the Roaring ’20s to celebrate more than 20 years of service to the community. Altura offers a range of services, from pediatrics to dentistry, with a mission to help maintain a high quality of life through best health practices, and its staff is dedicated to this goal. To learn more about the clinic, visit altura.org or call (559) 686-9097.

EDUCATION The Tulare Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Tulare Joint Union High School District for Be College Ready. Juniors from the pathways across the district attended. They were greeted by many professionals at the College of the Sequoias Tulare Center. They were encouraged by Kiley Arce of the Tulare Outlets to take advantage of the opportunities they are given today for a brighter future tomorrow. The day included workshops and concluded with lunch with area professionals. A handful of colleges and programs were on-site to meet with students. To be a part of events like this, call (559) 686-1547.

ENTERTAINMENT The Tulare Chamber of Commerce was honored to help celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Visalia Fox Theatre. The theatre is a performing arts venue and gathering place that provides a focal point of cultural activity and educational outreach for the benefit of the diverse community. Visit foxvisalia.org to learn more about the theatre and upcoming events.

BANKING Pacific Western Bank joined the chamber and was presented with the chamber plaque.

The bank offers personal and business banking as well as lending solutions. More information on services can be found at pacwest.org, by visiting the branch at 101 E. Main St. in Visalia, or by calling (559) 732-8868. L

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THE MARTINHO HOME TULARE COUPLE PERFECT THE ART OF DOWNSIZING WITH TULARE HOME T E X T

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or Melanie and Robby Martinho, there really is no place like home.

And home is in Tulare, surrounded by longtime friends and a large extended family.

What makes life in their hometown even more enjoyable, though, is the chance to spend time with those same friends and family members in their new-to-them house, thoughtfully remodeled and updated in 2019.

The Martinhos have been married for 34 years and are in the midst of that glorious phase of life when their adult children have successfully launched their lives and careers, leaving them happy empty-nesters. They are free to live life on their own schedule and have created the ideal home to enjoy it all.

Sitting down to an interview in the sunny backyard, Melanie and Robby explained how providence, coincidence and perhaps a little luck combined to help them find their forever home.

“This house was meant to be for us,” Melanie said, as pups Mikko and Belle hopped on the couch and joined the outdoor interview.

“We have known all the families who have lived in this home, and they are all good friends of ours.”

On a Friday evening early in 2019, the couple, who work at Visalia Ceramic Tile, a family business owned since 1977, gathered for a drink at Fugazzis in Tulare to cap the end of a hectic week. They had just accepted an offer on their home in Tulare in Paseo Del Lago and had 30 days to find a new place to live.

“What are we going to do?” they asked themselves. Then they saw a dear friend, Joann Watte, and told her of their situation. Watte said she was about to put her Tulare home on the market.

“She invited us to come by and take a look the next day,” Melanie said, “and we realized right away we were interested.

Homes in this neighborhood are hard to come by. This is home.”

As business owners trained to give new life to spaces, Melanie and Robby agreed to enter escrow and came up with a plan to add their own style to the 40-year-old home. Interestingly, this is their seventh home, but the first that they didn’t build themselves.

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H O M E

T O U R

A speedy purge and packing frenzy ensued, with the couple downsizing 1,000 square feet. Son Bryce, who works in the family business, told his parents to store their belongings and move into a spare bedroom while the home was remodeled.

They happily obliged, and less than three months later, Melanie and Robby moved in.

One of the perks of owning a tile business is the knowledge and experience that comes with a construction project.

The Martinhos’ expertise shines through in their home, a veritable showroom of what tile in its many dimensions, colors and textures can do in a space.

In addition, the Martinhos installed new lighting, doors, paint, fixtures and added many custom features, including crown molding in every room.

Robby had tiled the master bathroom for a previous owner, and the couple decided

The Martinhos’ expertise shines through in their home, a veritable showroom of what tile in its many dimensions, colors and textures can do in a space.

to add their own style to make this into one of their favorite rooms. They gutted the bathroom, and Melanie put her personal touches in with a two-seater Jacuzzi tub, walk-in shower with several shower heads, marble tile and chandeliers to “give this room some bling!” she said.

But Melanie is quick to deflect any credit.

She often tells customers who visit their showroom: “If you can dress yourself, you can dress your house. Anybody can do this. And if you’re not sure, keep it blank for awhile. Spend some time getting to know your home first.”

After six months, Melanie pointed out a few areas where she is still deciding how to decorate. She encourages homeowners to be patient and take their time.

At the Martinho home, the results of several months of thought and work are a comfortable and modern look, perfect for entertaining, which is one of their shared hobbies.

The bathroom was gutted and remodeled with personal touches that included a two-seater Jacuzzi tub, walk-in shower with several shower heads, marble tile and chandeliers.

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H O M E

T O U R

After 34 years together, the Martinhos offer a positive outlook on life that is inspiring.

Emails from their business include the hashtag: #gladtobehere. In short, they love what they do, where they live, and each other.

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In the sun-drenched backyard, tile comes to the forefront in the re-conditioned pool, which is lined by a raised seating wall that extends throughout the backyard.

A covered patio allows for easy gatherings around the barbecue, with wine barrel conversation tables and relaxed seating areas. French doors bridge the gap between inside and outside, allowing natural light to flood the informal dining area and kitchen, and offering a view to the backyard’s fountain, pool and birdlife.

Gazing at the activity in the backyard while enjoying a cup of morning coffee is Melanie’s favorite way to start the day.

Melanie and Robby agreed that one of the benefits of moving into an older home is the presence of mature landscaping.

“We never stayed in a house long enough to see the landscaping grow up,” Robby said.

Sago palms from their previous yard made the journey to the new home, dotting the fence line and adding a playful touch at various heights.

Generating delicious food for their many gatherings is made easy in the kitchen, which is one of two rooms that were barely changed (the other being the laundry room).

“These rooms already looked really good, and we only repainted the cabinets,” Melanie said.

Another minor addition was a diamond-patterned tile backsplash behind the stovetop that matches the hearth around the gas fireplace in the living room.

Across from the fireplace, a wall features Melanie’s collection of Sid Dickens tiles, which she loves for their encouraging words and artistic images. She enjoys perusing the stock at Hedgerow House in Tulare, and Rosemary and Thyme in Exeter. She recently gave her daughter, Brianne, 23, her first tile to begin her own collection.

Continuing through the home, a formal dining room with seating for eight encourages visitors to sit down for conversation, a meal and a glass of wine.

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H O M E

T O U R

A total of three bedrooms and three bathrooms complete the main floor, accessed through a beautiful front door with sidelights filled with scrolled, leaded glass.

The design is echoed in a wrought-iron staircase that leads to the basement, where Robby’s “man cave” is located. A former playroom, the space was re-imagined as a spot where friends can gather over a drink, play shuffleboard and shoot darts.

The dartboard was made by Robby using corks from wine shared with friends. Also, Robby built a wine room to showcase his wine collection. A bar constructed with wine crates is the perfect touch for a relaxing area of the home where guys can be guys. (But Melanie said her girlfriends like to hang out in there, too.)

Back upstairs, while climbing out of the basement, one gets a glimpse of the home’s literal crown jewel: a stainedglass window.

Melanie admits that when they first purchased the home, she wanted to take the window out. At certain times of the day, the glass is dark and the design unrecognizable. But Robby countered

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and, in the spirit of compromise, the window stayed.

Adding another example to their belief that this home was destined to be theirs, Robby’s sister, Karen, and her husband, Joe, came over one day to visit.

Joe took one look at the window and said, “That sure looks like my mom’s work!”

Sure enough, upon closer examination, the Martinhos found Jana Aquafresca’s signature.

“If this house is not meant to be ours, then what is?” Melanie asked.

Adding to the fun of their new home is the neighborhood.

“All of our friends are here,” Melanie said.

Spontaneous potlucks are called, and the couple can quickly join in the fun.

Across from the fireplace, a wall features Melanie’s collection of Sid Dickens tiles, which she loves for their encouraging words and artistic images.

“We have a golf cart and we can go everywhere and see our friends. We just put our food in the cart and bring everything with us!”

After 34 years together, the Martinhos offer a positive outlook on life that is inspiring. Emails from their business include the hashtag: #gladtobehere.

In short, they love what they do, where they live and each other.

A sign in the master bedroom reads “Grow Old With Me, The Best is Yet to Be.” Which is how they look to their future together in their new home.

“We put a lot of love into our home, that’s for sure,” Melanie said.

Robby added, “Whatever you do, do it with love and you can’t go wrong.”

L

Melanie Martinho's playful wall display of Sid Dickens tiles.

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E P I C U R E

Rustic

MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH

IT'S TIME FOR COMFORT FOOD R ECI PE S BY E L AI N E DAK E SSIAN , TR E S B I E N P H O T O S B Y TAY L O R J O H N S O N

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W

ant to give Mom a break? We can't think of a better time to keep her out of the kitchen and treat her to a rustic, comfort food brunch — a perfect meal for Mother's Day in the comfort of your own home. Check out these simple, rustic recipes that will leave Mom feeling relaxed and appreciated.

POTATO GRATIN SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 2 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, thinly sliced on the slicer attachment of your food processor or with a mandolin if you have one. You can make individual gratins in mini pots or a larger one in a casserole dish.

1 cup cream 1 cup milk 1 cup shredded Gruyére or favorite cheese Chives to garnish Salt and white pepper

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare casserole with nonstick spray.

Line sliced potatoes, covering the entire bottom surface of your dish, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then add another layer, continuing the process until the dish is filled to about 1 inch from the top.

Whisk cream and milk together.

Pour over the potatoes. The mixture should fill the casserole.

Put on stove top and slowly warm the liquid until it just starts to bubble.

Top with cheese and put in oven to bake for 40 minutes. The top will get nice and brown.

Don’t pull it out too soon; let it brown.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with chives.

TIP: I love these in individual mini pots, but if using a casserole, let it cool a bit and then you can use a biscuit cutter to serve up nice round servings for a neat presentation.

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E P I C U R E

MEDITERRANEAN FRITTATA Here's another one-pan dish that's sure to impress Mom with its Kalamata olives, Italian sausage and cheesy Mediterranean flair.

SERVES 6-8 (We used a 14-inch cast-iron frying pan which looks great and goes directly into the oven to the table. The whole process takes place right in the fry pan. If you don’t have one, use a 12- to 14-inch casserole dish.)

CUSTARD

FILLING

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed

8 eggs 1 cup milk 1 cup heavy cream

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups shredded mozzarella

1 cup sundried tomatoes, roughly chopped

1 cup crumbled feta

2 cups fresh spinach

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced in half lengthwise

1/4 teaspoon pepper DIRECTIONS Whisk eggs, milk, cream, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup feta, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. (Reserve 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup feta for topping.)

1 tablespoon fresh thyme 1 cup toasted pine nuts Nonstick spray DIRECTIONS Prepare pan with nonstick spray. Sauté sausage until browned and cooked through. At this point we drain it onto paper towels to remove the extra grease and we wipe the pan out with a paper towel, leaving a little fat to continue sautéing. It isn’t necessary, but if we can cut the fat, why not?

Add the sausage, garlic and tomatoes back into the pan and sauté for 2 minutes.

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Add spinach, olives and fresh thyme and wilt the spinach. If using a cast-iron skillet, continue the process in the skillet.

If using a baking dish, spray your casserole dish with nonstick spray and place the filling in the dish. Pour the custard over the filling.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or when a knife is inserted and comes out clean.

Remove from oven and garnish the top with extra 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup feta.

Place back into the oven for 5 minutes or so just to melt. Remove from oven and garnish with additional thyme.

Serve with potatoes, fresh fruit kebobs and mimosas for a special rustic brunch.

The beauty of this recipe is that it works with virtually any filling your imagination can conjure. Another favorite is summer squash, zucchini, leeks and Gruyere or asparagus, mushrooms, onions, prosciutto and fontina cheese … you get the idea! L

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37

T R A V E L E R ' S

T R E K

Buenos Aires

WORLD TRAVELER FINDS A NEW FAVORITE T E X T

A N D

P H O T O S

The Casa Rosada is the executive mansion and office of the president of Argentina. A century ago, the elites of Buenos Aires sent their children to Europe to be educated in architecture and design. The result was a city with a distinctly European feel.

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B Y

M A J O R

R O G E R S

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T R A V E L E R ' S

T R E K

A

fter traveling to 23 countries and visiting a majority of our states, I have to say that I have found my new favorite city: Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I turned 50 in January. My close friend Sheldon, who now lives in Houston and who I’ve known since second grade, would be turning 50 in February. He’s visited twice the number of countries I have. We tried to figure out a place neither of us had been. South America would be a new continent for both of us, and Buenos Aires a new city for us to celebrate our half-century mark.

People had told me that they thought I’d like Buenos Aires because of the city’s European feel, something for which I have developed an affinity. I could understand what they were telling me, referencing some fine architecture, cuisine and wine opportunities, along with cultural arts.

However, I thought to myself, it’s not Europe, it's South America. Regardless, we set our date and bought our passage.

One fun fact about the timing: They spend summertime in our winter, a bonus while planning the trip on a foggy Valley morning.

It was peak traveling season south of the equator, but I paid a surprisingly low $800 for my 12-hour flight. Along with the low airfare, the dollar is strong in Argentina. You get a lot for your buck, not the other way around, which is the case with many travel destinations.

(Google the Argentinean Blue Market for an interesting financial travel tidbit.)

There are roughly 10 districts or boroughs within the city proper. Five of them have some sort of “must-see experience.”

Mercado San Telmo is a market area of the district San Telmo. Here you will find a large warehouse with charm, filled with everything from small shops selling antiques and nostalgic items to beer and wine bars, or sit down and have some of the best cuisine around. Argentinean empanadas are the shiznit. A flaky pastry shell filled with fruit or meat is baked right behind the seated counter. Or have a hot pan of fried cheese, potatoes and prosciutto, garnished with pickled cocktail onions, delivered to a café table within the market. On Sundays, the market spills out into the streets, with more of a local artist feel, selling creative and colorful works. Pour a beer into a plastic cup inside 40 L I F E S T Y L E | M AY 2 0 2 0

Top: The Punte de la Mujer (Woman's Bridge) is reportedly styled after the entangled legs of tango dancers.

Lower left: Mercado San Telmo offers everything from antiques, beer and wine to amazing cuisine.

Lower right: The posh Recoleta district offers parks, exhibit halls, national library and a cemetery ranking alongside Paris’ Pè re Lachaise.

the market, then feel free to walk the city streets, taking it all in.

Recoleta, possibly the most Parisian and posh part of town, has manicured parks, exhibit halls and a national library built within a national treasure. I was moved by the Recoleta Cemetery, arguably one of the finest in the world, ranking up there, or above, the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Here are many of the memorable ones — generals, performers, politicians. The most visited of the mausoleums is that of the family tomb where actress-philanthropist First Lady Eva Peron lay. Most of you know her for Madonna’s portrayal and song rendition, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” However, I found another mausoleum that had a story that captured my heart, that of Liliana Crociati de Szaszal.

Liliana was a beautiful and vibrant soul, who at 26 years of age was on her honeymoon in Austria when her cabin was hit by an avalanche and she was killed. Her mother designed her tomb in a neo-Gothic style, which is a stark contrast to most of the neighboring

tombs. A life-size statue of Lili stands outside it; her hand gently rests on top of the head of her beloved dog Sabu, who reportedly died soon after from grief. A poem written by her father in Italian asks, “Why?” I returned to the spot one more time before I left to lay some flowers at her feet.

In the nearby district of Puerto Madero, you can take a river walk, stopping for a coffee along your stroll while taking in a view of the town’s newest bridge, Punte de la Mujer (Woman's Bridge).

It’s a beautiful walking bridge that is reportedly styled after the entangled legs of tango dancers. Here you also see newly erected gleaming glass skyscrapers, designed for both business and residential. You can also walk to the close-by Casa Rosada, which is the executive mansion of the president of Argentina, the equivalent of our White House. There are other inspiring archeological opportunities in this area. The historical obelisk towers over much of the area's buildings serve as a marker that celebrates through art, history and

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T R A V E L E R ' S

T R E K

politics the country itself. There is also the Catedral Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (it sounds better than Metropolitan Cathedral). This majestic Romancolumned church is something to see.

Twelve towering neoclassical columns representing the 12 apostles of Christ hold up a biblical frontispiece depicting Jacob and Joseph in Egypt.

Taking a hop-on, hop-off upper-decker touring bus is a good way to experience each borough. Locals stand on the sidewalk and warmly wave to the buses as they pass. On these adventures, you may discover the Don Carlos steakhouse, the last Argentinean steakhouse where Anthony Bourdain dined. It can be found in the colorful and artsy district of La Boca, which is kind of a “little Italy” area. On the other end of town, your bus will pass through Belgrano, where you see the nation’s premier soccer and event stadium, which holds 70,000.

The horse racing track and polo grounds are also found in this area.

Now we come to my favorite district in town, Palmero. This district is split with two titles, Palmero Hollywood, which gets its name from the fact that it’s an area oftentimes used for Argentinean as well as global movie shoots. Its streets are cobbled and lined by 60-foot groomed maple trees. By day, the trash-free district appears business casual, or business chic, with a feeling of peace and sleepiness. At night, you can safely walk around and experience different pubs, boutique restaurants and steakhouses. Beef is the national dish, and here you can sit down for a midnight dinner at a fine but relaxed restaurant and fork out $12 for a tomahawk steak. It’s tough to walk around this district without passing a couple of great places to take in the culture and cuisine every block you pass.

Which brings me to neighboring Palmero Soho, where you can’t walk a block without passing an opportunity to take in the scene in practically every storefront.

Cafes, bars, restaurants, modern retail shops. The district gets its name from the trendy New York district, but they didn’t just copy the name; they have the experience down pat. During the day, you can catch up on your reading in the sun, while grabbing a coffee or designer donut (a trend catching on there). In the evening, lights are strung from many

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of the bars and cafes. I struggle for words to describe a scene so vibrant, alive and colorful. One is surrounded by healthy and happy living, chatter and laughter, candlelight, music, mural art and moonlight. This to me was one of the most fun social settings I have seen anywhere.

Buenos Aires is safe, it's clean, it's beautiful. But something to keep in mind, when viewed on a globe or map, Buenos Aires looks like it is right on the Atlantic.

But, in fact, it’s at the mouth of a river that runs into the Atlantic. There is no “beach scene” here. What you do get is more parks than I’ve ever seen in a city. They are maintained with well-managed lawns, ponds and other flora. They all contain fine and impressive examples of structural art and statues. They are filled with happy people and schoolchildren, and are utilized the way parks should be. On weekends, these parks are often occupied with crafts and artwork of area artists.

And although as always whenever traveling to a large city, you should be wary of your belongings and surround-

ings, I covered a majority of the city on my tour of the “places to be” and never came across spots where I wouldn’t walk at night. Doing pre-travel research, or communicating with hotel or Airbnb staff, will assure that you won’t end up in a place you shouldn’t be, and keep you in the spots to be.

A century-plus ago, the elites of Buenos Aires sent their children to Europe to be educated in architecture and design.

They returned and delivered, leaving behind countless examples of neoclassical and neo-Renaissance architecture throughout the city to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Buenos Aires is beautifully diverse with its inhabitants as well. Since World War II, the country has taken in the second most immigrants in the Western Hemisphere, next to us. It’s created a beautiful melting pot of cultures and experiences or, as Hemingway would describe, “a movable feast.”

Buenos Aires is every bit that. So get there and take it all in. L

Left: The Palmero District is split into Palermo Soho, the other being Palermo Hollywood, featuring a vibrant night scene and picturesque boulevards used for movie shoots. Right: The pastry shop at the Mercado San Telmo is second to none.

May

H A P P E N I N G S

Travel restrictions, increased health warnings and the spread of COVID-19 have led to the cancellation or postponement of many events.

As we all adapt to the circumstances caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, we must remember the critical role we play in supporting our local community. While sporting events, college classes and community gatherings have been postponed and travel restrictions have been put in place, our economy is at risk.

We encourage everyone to follow the recommended health precautions and support the health of our community by taking this time to invest in our chambers, small businesses, and local establishments that remain open and operational at this time.

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We look forward to the return of our Happenings section very soon.

We want to offer a special thanks to those working the front lines during this difficult time. From health care workers to grocery store clerks, we owe a debt of gratitude to all who are working hard to deliver essential services.

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43

THE SEQUOIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Our Offices Are Temporarily Closed … But We’re Still Working for You!

TE X T BY J OS H UA BAN DA

T

he Sequoia Symphony Orchestra is currently closed to the public in response to state and national health directives during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will monitor our phones, and limited staff will be in to manage operations, but we will be unable to meet with you in person until this health crisis is resolved.

However, just as you all have supported your Sequoia Symphony for the past 60 years, we want to support you now with informational updates and assistance as needed.

OUR REMAINING 60TH SEASON At this time, we felt it was prudent to postpone the March concert and cancel the April concert as we do not know when this crisis will be over. While we don’t have a date or details for the rescheduled concert yet, we are working diligently to try and bring a final concert to our 60th season. To stay up to date on all of the latest information, please visit www.sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com.

The Sequoia Symphony Orchestra hopes that our audience and supporters understand that the health and safety of our patrons, musicians and staff remain our priority, and that while it’s very

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disappointing to not be performing for you, we are examining every possibility of bringing music to your lives both now and when we return to the stage.

TICKET INFORMATION Tickets for rescheduled concerts will be honored on the new dates. All ticket-holders will be contacted via email with their options for exchanges or ticket donations, and there is no need to take action immediately.

Ticket-holders with questions may contact the Sequoia Symphony Orchestra office by phone at (559) 732-8600 or email info@sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com.

Please be aware that we are responding to a high volume of requests, and your inquiry may take longer than normal to answer. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

EXCHANGES You can exchange your tickets by way of ticket voucher for a future performance during our 61st season. Ticket exchanges can be made through May 2020.

DONATE YOUR TICKETS As a community-supported orchestra, the Sequoia Symphony Orchestra relies on the people we serve — every dollar matters and YOU make a difference. That has never been more true than during this time of event closures as our community works together to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Please think about the role music plays in your life and consider donating your ticket back and support the symphony

OUR 61ST SEASON … REVEAL COMING SOON! While the current situation seems to change daily — if not hourly — it will most certainly resolve and we will be on to another beautiful season of symphonic music.

We are currently finalizing the upcoming season and are planning an online reveal in a few weeks, so please stay tuned for information on how to take part!

For up-to-date information, visit www.sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com or Sequoia Symphony Orchestra social media. L

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