June 2015

STYLE, ART, CULTURE, + EVENTS OF THE SOUTH VALLEY JUNE 2015

HOME TOUR

CULINARY

TRAVEL

THE LAPP RIVERHOUSE

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

BANGKOK: DEJA VU NEW

ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER LOCAL

ECRWSS PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND OR PERMIT NO. 2160

24 SOIREE

ONCE UPON A DREAM GALA CASA of Tulare County

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Southern Fried Chicken with Jalapeño Grits and Fried Green Tomatoes Liven up your kitchen with these Southern inspired dishes that are cooked to soothe the soul.

COUNTY SCENE

TULARE COUNTY FILM COMMISSION Hollywood in Our Hills

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An Art Dyson Masterpiece Along The Kings River

8 Letter from the Executive Editor

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

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THE LAPP RIVERHOUSE

Celebrating 21 years with wining, dining, and auctioning.

CULINARY

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HOME TOUR

Take a look inside the history of film in our county, and the success it has brought to our county's economy.

10 Wordplay 14 History: The Short and Colorful Life of the Visalia & Tulare Railroad 20 Next Gen: Erin Olm-Shipman 38 Local Adventure: South Valley Summer Bucket List 40 Travel: Bangkok, Thailand: Déjà vu New 46 Charity: Happy Trails ‘Night at the Races’ – Rounding Up Support 56 Happenings

PUBLISHED BY

EXECUTIVE EDITOR EDITORIAL COORDINATOR EDITORIAL STAFF ART DIRECTOR DESIGNER DESIGNER

DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 Karen Tellalian Katie Presser Kelly Lapadula Ross Yukawa Chris Bly Kaci Hansen

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christopher Wilder Chris Haberman Diane Slocum Elaine Dakessian Lisa McEwen Terry L. Ommen

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA Jeffrey Malkasian Ea

OPERATIONS MANAGER MARKETING MANAGER ADVERTISING SALES

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Maria Gaston Kim Batty Leah Perez Leah@DMIAgency.com 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • Fax 559.738.0909 Lifestyle@DMIAgency.com www.VisaliaLifestyle.com Issuu.com/LifestyleMagazine Facebook.com/LifestyleMag Instagram:_lifestylemag_

RACK LOCATIONS DMI Agency

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COUNTERTOP LOCATIONS 210 Cafe Art Consortium Ashoori & Co. Jewelers Avedian Properties Bravo Farms Smokehouse Café 225 California Fitness Academy Chicago Title CreekSide Day Spa Skin & Laser Center Courtyard Aesthetics Dale Bruder Law Offices Envie Boutique Exeter Chamber of Commerce Flow Studios Franey's Design Center

Fugazzis Hobbs-Potts Associates Holiday Inn Kaweah Delta Hospital Keller Williams Reality Lewis & Associates Michaels Jewelry Monet's, Exeter Pacific Treasures Pro-PT Renaissance Salon Sequoia Prompt Care Sherman & Associates Smiles by Sullivan, Tulare Smile Visalia Suncrest Bank

V Medical Spa Velvet Sky Visalia Airport Visalia Business Bank (Downtown) Visalia Ceramic Tile Visalia First Assembly Visalia Marriott Visalia Medical Clinic Watsons Wildflower Café, Exeter Williams, Brodersen & Pritchett, Attorneys at Law Windows Plus, Inc.

Visalia Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and is distributed via direct mail to nearly 13,000 homes in the upper-middle and high-income neighborhoods in Visalia and Exeter. An additional 2,000 copies are distributed at various distribution points around both communities.

Views expressed in columns are those of the columnist and not necessarily those of DMI Agency or its advertisers.

Circulation of this issue: 15,500 © 2015 DMI Agency

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Youthful Solutions

By Alex Lechtman, M.D., F.A.C.S. Board-Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

ASPSCareCredit CareCreditFinancing Financingaccepted accepted ASPS

ACCEPTED

• Facelift/Browlift • Eyelid Lift • Laser Resurfacing • Breast Lift • Tummy Tuck

Aging is optional Visalia Medical Clinic The Aesthetic Center alechtman@vmchealth.com 5530 Avenida De Los Robles (West of Applebee’s), Visalia

738-7572 All procedures and follow-ups are performed personally by Dr. Lechtman.

FR O M TH E

EDITOR

A

bout a year ago, the Lifestyle staff began discussing some changes to the magazine’s design.

The current trend in magazine publishing is to redesign every few years, and Lifestyle’ s last significant change was made back in 2005.

It might seem like a long time to wait, but when you have such a strong brand, as does Lifestyle, it is difficult to veer from what is already a well-established and successful publication.

From the first change

change, we wanted to make sure you noticed. So, our art director and creative design staff went to work, and several weeks later emerged with five options for us to consider.

Some bold, some bolder, but all thoughtfully created in a way that Lifestyle could not be mistaken. We tested the proposed mastheads with combinations of fonts, both serifs and sans serifs, combining each with the covers of our last 12 issues. The winning combination was chosen.

Still, it had to be just the right issue, just the right cover, before we

We decided a minor refresh would not be enough; if we were going to change, we wanted to make sure you noticed.

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

conversation, my input has been that there had to be a good reason to change, not simply because we were bored. Unanimously, we agreed it was time.

First and foremost, a magazine is a brand, and just like all brands, it must have a logo. A magazine’s masthead is its logo with its primary role to be recognizable. It is, arguably, the most important aspect of the magazine’s cover.

We fretted over how much redesign would be necessary; just the masthead or the entire publication? Would a little refresh be enough, or should we make the changes highly visible? We talked about layout changes, new typography, and finally, about what a new masthead might look like.

We decided a minor refresh would not be enough; if we were going to

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would be ready to unveil the new look. When we came upon the Lapp RiverHouse (story on page 24), we knew this was it. Chic and set against a gorgeous night sky, it was the perfect background to showcase Lifestyle’s new look.

Inside, you will find the new typography applied to the same great features you have come to expect from Lifestyle. We have been so blessed over the years to work with only the area’s best stylists, writers, and photographers. The talent these folks bring is undeniable, and our job is to display it in the most beautiful format possible.

We hope you like the changes as much as we do, because if history repeats itself, it might be another 10 years before we do this again. Have a fabulous month and we’ll see you again in July.

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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

C

elebrating fathers could start with Dave Engledow’s Confessions of the World’s Best Father (Gotham, May 2014). Engledow’s photos of himself as the distracted, clueless dad and his babyto-toddler daughter, Alice Bee, have been called Rockwell-esque and darkly comic.

From the early photo of dad holding baby like a football while squirting the baby’s milk into his coffee, to the cover photo of the two of them arm wrestling, Engledow set up scenarios that cleverly demonstrate how inept even the “best” father can be.

In Fatherland: A Family History, (Liveright, January 2015) Nina Bunjevac writes about her father, Peter, and his fatherland, Yugoslavia.

Peter was exiled to Canada in the 1950s for his opposition to communism and devotion to forming a Serbian nation.

As he became increasingly fanatical, his family fled back to Yugoslavia. Bunjevac explores the personal and national scars of difficult history.

rivals complicate her life and tragedy ensues. Several editions of the novel are available. The Penguin Classics version published in 2003 includes portions of Hardy’s original manuscript not published during his lifetime. The introduction also includes historical information and literary allusions. Also available is the movie tie-in edition published this April

WRITING CONTESTS

by Vintage Mti. The movie was released in May and stars Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, and Tom Sturridge.

Another classic book in movie form out this month is Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary, starring Mia Wasikowska as the flirtatious Emma.

Entries for the Literal Lattè Poetry Awards must be postmarked by July 15. Poems must be unpublished with a maximum of 2,000 words.

Reading fee is $10 for up to six poems and $15 for 10 poems.

All entries are considered for publication. Prizes range from $200 to $1,000. Details at: www. literal-latte.com/contests.

The entry fee for the Rattle Poetry contest is a $20 one-year subscription. One winner will receive $10,000 and 10 finalists $200 each, plus publication. One finalist will be chosen by the subscribers to receive $2,000.

Entries must be unpublished. Up to four poems per entry. Details at: www.rattle. com/poetry/prize.

WRITERS’ CONFERENCE AND ACADEMY

THE LAST WORD

The Writer’s Digest Annual Conference will be held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City from July 31 – August 2.

Among the writers, agents, and editors present will be Jonathan Maberry, Hallie Ephron, and Paula Murier.

“My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, ‘You’re tearing up the grass’; ‘We’re not raising grass,’ Dad would reply.

‘We’re raising boys.’” —Harmon Killebrew, Baseball Hall of Famer.

VALLEY WRITERS Kay Ryan, valley native and former poet laureate of the United States, shows up with numerous references in the Poetry Foundation website at www. poetryfoundation.org. Her poems “Thin” and “Salvage” are listed in the Browse Poems section in Poems by Western U.S. Poets.

READ THE BOOK Far From the Madding Crowd is Thomas Hardy’s 1874 romantic novel about Bathsheba Everdene and her three suitors—a shepherd, a gentleman farmer, and a soldier. Bathsheba intends to be an independent farmer on the gentleman’s large estate, but the three

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Basic registration through July 30 is $449. Early registration for Pitch Slam and Conference is $549 (later $599). Conference-rate rooms must be booked by July 10. Details at: www. writersdigestconference.com.

Writers’ Police Academy will be held August 20 - 23 at the Public Safety Training Center in Appleton, WI. The interactive and educational experience is geared to enhance writers’ understanding of law enforcement and forensics.

Training is by police, fire, and EMS personnel and includes ride-alongs, jail tours, interview and interrogation, firing range, and arson investigation. Space is limited. Details at: www. writerspoliceacademy.com.

AT

CASA’S ONCE U PON A DREAM GALA COMES OF AGE

SOIREE

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ABOVE: Jimmy Wayne, a Nashville songwriter and recording artist, served as the live entertainment for the night.

LEFT: Chris Tantau, Venida Packing Co., and Carrie Margosian, CASA’s outreach/ training coordinator.

MIDDLE: Auctioneer Eric Phillips

TEXT BY CHRIS HABERMAN | PHOTOS BY KARON MARGOSIAN-PENNY

T

he Visalia Convention Center played host to CASA of Tulare County’s 21st Annual Dinner Auction on May 15. Close to 600 people turned out in their finest evening wear to support CASA and its mission to recruit and train volunteers to advocate in court for the abused and neglected children in the Tulare County juvenile dependency system.

The cavernous convention hall was

people he met along the way. While his speech brought tears, his singing brought smiles to all, and his compelling tale helped set the stage for the exciting main event: the live auction.

In what was perhaps the wildest and most entertaining charity auction this county has ever seen, professional auctioneer Eric Phillips sold item after item to the willing and eager crowd.

Assisted by his zany and voluble cowboy

donated at record levels, ensuring that the organization will be able to continue its work with the children in our community. The yearly event brings in approximately one-third of the organization’s yearly budget.

CASA of Tulare County is a nonprofit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1984, which relies heavily on this type of community support – both for volunteers and for funding.

the scene of the dazzling gala. As guests entered, they were met by a classic red corvette convertible, a fantastic raffle prize. Colorful balloons floated above numerous silent auction tables bearing an incredible collection of generously donated items and services, everything from restaurant dinner packages to water-wise garden designs.

The highlight of the evening was the keynote speaker, Jimmy Wayne, a Nashville songwriter and recording artist. Jimmy shared the story of his life as an abused and abandoned child in and out of the foster care system, and how he managed to succeed through the kindness and generosity of the

“spotters,” who whooped and hollered and carried on with every bid, the crowd was whipped into a competitive bidding frenzy. The amazing catalogue of 20 items ranged from wonderful trips to incredible experiences – like an African Safari, Nashville concerts, a Cabo San Lucas trip, custom dinners by the area’s best chefs, and the Pro Bull Riders World Finals in Las Vegas. The most amazing item had to be an adorable 8-week-old Shih Tzu puppy, who made the rounds of the room before the auction and sold for a whopping $3,400.

While the final tally is not in, the generous crowd and giving sponsors

Volunteers undergo a 40-hour training course, clear background checks, and are sworn-in as Court Appointed Special Advocates as officers of the Superior Court, before they are assigned cases. In 2014, a total of 650 children were served by CASA through 165 advocates and staff members.

There’s always more need for advocates, as there are currently about 350 children in dependency court awaiting an advocate. To become an advocate, call (559) 625-4007 or join an orientation every Monday at 5:30 p.m. or Thursday at noon at the CASA office at 1146 N. Chinowth Street, Visalia. The next training class starts September 29.

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REFLECTIONS OF

VISALI A

PICTURED: The work crew on the V&TRR. LEFT: The scene of the railroad accident near what is now Mooney Blvd. and Caldwell Ave.

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TH E SHO RT AN D CO LO R FUL LI FE O F TH E

Visalia & Tulare R ailroad R

ailroads have been an important part of Visalia history for nearly 150 years. The Central Pacific, Southern Pacific, and the Santa Fe have captured most of the attention, but there was one lesser known line that shouldn’t be left out. True, it was a small line that didn’t travel far and didn’t last long, but for a dozen years, the Visalia & Tulare Railroad (V&TRR) was an important transportation link.

The V&TRR was the brainchild of a group of local businessmen who saw a need and a profit in connecting the towns of Visalia and Tulare by rail.

The link could financially benefit the business community in both towns, and entertainment venues could realize larger crowds. So in 1887, a group of investors including Jasper Harrell, V. D. Knupp, G. A. Botsford, and Thomas Creighton of Visalia, and Joseph Goldman, E. A. Braly, and J. N. Thompson of Tulare, applied for permission from Tulare County to create and operate the line. Approval was given, but permission

from the cities of Visalia and Tulare offered more of a challenge. In Visalia, the track route would follow Court Street and the residents living nearby argued the train would be dangerous, but both cities eventually approved. On October 1, 1887, the railroad was incorporated, and construction began.

The terrain between the two towns was relatively flat, so not much grading of the land was required

and only a few waterways needed to be bridged. When all the land preparation was finished, 30-pound rails were laid. Soon the rolling stock consisting of two small locomotives, three passenger, and one flat car arrived.

The dedication of the 11-mile line took place on Monday, October 22, 1888, and a year later, the company had 11 employees

and an annual payroll of about $7,000. The railroad was up and running.

The train was very accommodating to passengers and had three regularly scheduled daily round trips, and they would modify for special events.

People living along the tracks also took advantage of special favors. Groceries and supplies could be picked up in town by the crew and delivered to them on the return trip. Now that was service!

But not everyone was happy with the new train.

John H. Woody owned a farm adjacent to the tracks and his 2,300-pound bull would occasionally get out of his pen. The big animal saw the little locomotive as a rival, so he would stand on the track and stare down his would-be adversary.

The railroad experienced its share of human tragedy.

In 1891, Edgar Woods, a deaf woodchopper, was walking on wet tracks between Visalia and Tulare.

As the train approached him from behind, the engineer sounded the whistle to alert him, but Woods had no reaction and continued

TEXT BY TERRY L. OMMEN

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walking unaffected. The engineer applied the brakes and reversed the engine to try and avoid hitting him, but the slippery tracks made it impossible and the train struck Woods. The injured man was taken to Visalia for medical treatment where his foot had to be amputated.

And there were other injuries connected to the railroad. On one trip, the Healy family was on board the train en route to Tulare. When the train was about a mile from its destination, it was forced to stop due to a washout of the track. Several passengers, including the Healy family, hopped

dramatic way.

On May 5, 1900, the train left Visalia at about 7:30 p.m. bound for Tulare with around 35 passengers onboard.

Engineer Gilbert D. Inness was cruising near the Caldwell Ranch (near what is now Mooney Blvd. and Caldwell Ave.), and while adding wood to the engine firebox, he took his eyes from the track. At that moment, a cow or calf unexpectedly wandered onto the track.

Inness never saw the animal until he was alerted by his friend, Ed Thomas, who was riding on the engine with him. The engineer immediately turned off the steam and applied the brakes,

Twaddle. Her back was wrenched in the derailment causing temporary paralysis, but her injury was not life threatening.

The Caldwell family graciously opened their home as a makeshift hospital and doctors Farrow, Pettit, and Cross responded to care for the injured. Despite the seriousness of the mishap, everyone survived except, of course, the careless bovine.

Word of the wreck spread quickly and the following day hundreds of the curious with cameras in hand traveled to the scene in buggies and on bicycles to look at the wreckage.

on a handcar and continued on. As the loaded handcar approached the business section of Tulare, it derailed.

The accommodating passengers lifted it back onto the track, and again continued on. Just before they arrived at the Tulare depot, Mrs. Healy lost her footing and fell from the car. It passed over her body, but she survived her injuries. The family sued the railroad and received a judgment.

The railroad struggled financially and management knew its survival was going to be a challenge, but no one knew the end would come in such a

but it was too late. The train traveling at about 20 mph hit the animal with such force that it cut it in half. Sensing the impending collision, Inness and Thomas jumped from the engine at the time of the impact and ended up under the overturned locomotive.

Miraculously, neither man was seriously hurt. The enclosed passenger coach also derailed and overturned onto its side. The passengers inside were badly shaken and suffered cuts and abrasions. One, however, was badly hurt. Mrs. Twaddle was the wife of Tulare County Supervisor Thomas

After the tracks were cleared and the debris cleaned up, the struggling little railroad never recovered. The line shut down and on August 2, 1900, the last rolling stock was sold to a lumber company in Seattle. Even though the remnants of the railroad are long gone, the short life of the Visalia & Tulare Railroad Co. has its place in history

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ABOVE: The depot for the V&TRR was at the Harrell Building on the southeast corner of Court and Main Streets.

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NEXT GEN

E R I N O L M - S H I P M A N I N F U S I N G V I S A L I A’ S C U LT U R A L S C E N E W I T H E N T H U S I A S M A N D E X P E R T I S E

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hough a newcomer to Visalia, Erin Olm-Shipman is no stranger to promoting the arts.

In less than a year’s time, Erin, 32, has found work with two of the city’s leading arts groups, serving as the director of development for the Arts Consortium and as co-executive director of the Visalia Fox Theatre.

She brings more than a decade of experience with her, offering an impressive resume that details her passion for supporting art and artists, as well as showcasing her knack for explaining to communities that the arts, in her words, are “not just a nicety, but a necessity.”

It is only fitting then that a relationship with art as its foundation brought Erin to California from Missouri.

Leaving a city of more than 1 million

people with an exploding art scene — Kansas City is ranked 7th in the nation for working artists — to come to a town of about 140,000 and a state that is ranked near the bottom for arts funding can only be attributed to one thing - the power of love.

Let’s start with a tale of two love stories, and how Visalia stands to only benefit.

CREATIVE OUTLET “In high school, I worked hard as I wanted to go to an East Coast school,” Erin explained during an interview at one of her favorite downtown eateries, Charcuterie. “I give an art and literary magazine credit for starting all of this.

I began to be moved by art and the creative experience. I saw what it meant to people when they had this outlet.”

Entering Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, she declared a major

in philosophy and art history, much to her father’s chagrin, she recalled.

“Everyone else in my family studied medicine or law, but I joke that I keep them cultured.”

Upon graduation in 2005, jobs in the arts were few and far between, so she made ends meet by diving into commercial real estate. Moving back to her home state, she then worked as a marketing and public relations specialist. But as many musicians and artists can attest, a creative pull is hard to ignore.

She enrolled at University of Missouri, Kansas City, to complete a masters in art history.

“I told myself, ‘I need to do this.’ I felt so strongly about the arts that I couldn’t not do it, even if I struggled financially my entire life.”

And then, like dominoes falling in

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line, opportunities in the city’s art scene began to present themselves.

She was hired part-time as director of development.

CURATING A CAREER From a job as a curatorial project assistant in American Art at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, to working as executive director of BREAD! KC, a unique organization that planned micro-granting events for local artists as a democratic means to supporting the city’s creative community, Erin had her finger on the pulse of the city’s art scene. Through various other management positions, she brought art collections into the city’s businesses and homes, linking the two sectors of the community and demonstrating how art only strengthens ties between a city’s residents.

“I used the arts as a catalyst to connect the community as well as better the community,” she said of her six-year tenure in Kansas City.

Fast forward to 2013 to a jazz concert in New Orleans, where Erin had traveled to NEXT visit with friends. Porterville GEN native Matthew Spindler was in town attending a conference and unbeknownst to either of them, they arrived at the same jazz club to feed a shared passion for music.

“We hit it off immediately,” she said with a smile of a newlywed. After several months of long-distance dating, where dates often took place at art galleries and museums, “it soon became very clear that I was going to come to the Central Valley.

The stars aligned and we knew we were destined for one another.”

Seeing a move on the horizon, Erin quickly investigated the Tulare County arts scene. She came across the Arts Consortium, the county’s art council, and spoke with Executive Director Caroline Koontz.

“From the beginning, I just had this feeling that there was lots of opportunity for growth,” Erin said.

“The arts were bubbling, percolating.

I walked around downtown and I could tell by the types of businesses here that I was going to just love it.”

WORKING TOGETHER With a job in place and the heat of summer dissipating, Erin and Spindler decided to elope and were wed on September 9, 2014. They married on a Tuesday (why not?) at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark. They toasted with champagne, and of course, viewed more art at the renowned facility.

They returned to Visalia to settle into daily life, working and sharing custody

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of Matthew's three children, ages 6, 8, and 11.

With a new job, new town, new husband and an instant family, Erin said some members of her family were concerned with so many changes in her life at once.

“For me, the busier I am, the better I am with time management,” she said.

“I have learned to find that balance between work and play. We love to take the kids to the Sequoias, to the coast, to their soccer games.”

And when they get a chance, the newlyweds enjoy each other’s company

by sitting in their living room, listening to jazz music and drinking champagne.

Not to mention discussing their latest roles - as co-executive directors of the Visalia Fox Theatre.

“Working together is a very natural collaboration,” Erin said. With Matthew's background in sales and management, the couple’s strengths can only raise the Fox’s stature in the community.

The new vision for the Fox is to reimagine it as a community space for all groups, a place for artists and the community to feel comfortable and fall in love with again, Erin explained.

The couple will be making presentations to local civic and business groups to spread their vision for the historic downtown anchor.

“It should not be a place of luxury,” she said. “When it opened in 1931 in the Depression, everyone was struggling. But it was a community gathering place and that’s what it should be again.”

To that end, this spring Erin applied for - and earned - one of only six spots statewide to participate in the Next Gen All California Leadership Diversity Program, offered by California Presenters. California Presenters was founded in 1985 as a statewide coalition committed to connecting, engaging, and developing performing arts professionals from organizations of different sizes and structures; and advocating for important issues in the presenting field.

In the program, Erin was paired with a mentor to increase her professional development through networking and leadership opportunities.

“Being involved with two major cultural organizations in the county has been amazing,” she said. “I’ve been able to meet all these different people to talk about what a creative experience means for them. We can talk about the issues in the community and I believe these two organizations can address those issues. I believe they can be a catalyst for change for the arts.”

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PICTURED: The home's “orgatecture” (organic architecture) uses shapes that reflect nature, as well as the way the homeowners live.

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HOME TOUR

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PICTURED: The front entrance brings visitors indoors as the lines and windows blend together the inside with the outside.

RIGHT: Debbie’s fatherin-law constructed the kitchen’s six-foot island, along with the lazy Susan.

T

he initial sketches of their house looked like a giant trilobite, admits Debbie Lapp.

Really, the Lapp house looks like any number of fantastic things, least of all a traditional home. Imagine the hull of a capsized boat, or the spaceship from the 80s Disney film "Flight of the Navigator." Especially when its wall of windows catches the afternoon sun, it’s easy to compare the building to otherworldly things. And though the home may at first appear out of its element, after following the lines of the surrounding hills and the bend of the nearby river, it becomes quickly apparent where the house finds its real inspiration.

Despite its ethereal design and floor plan loosely shaped like a leaf, the house is rooted solidly, grounded in its natural environment. It may seem a paradox, a design both heavy and light, but then paradox seems essential to orgatecture, a neologism of organic and architecture, a synthesis of both the natural and fabricated.

That’s the very history of architecture, building functional and aesthetic homes, imposed upon the natural world. Orgatecture is no different, though it draws much more inspiration from nature. As such, orgatecture strives to design homes that blend with its surroundings, while also standing out. Ironically, then, the best-built orgatectural homes would also be the ones most spectacularly forgettable.

But to say the Lapp home is forgettable is really just playing with words. Nobody could really forget the Lapp RiverHouse, not as a unique piece of art. But to live in a house where the lines and windows seem to invite the outside in, that must sometimes mean forgetting the boundaries between my space and that space, the inside and the out. Where homes are concerned, we traditionally call these boundaries walls, the bedrooms and partitions

that create our personal spaces. But in a house inspired by the shape of the hills, with a single great room and walls made of glass, how often the Lapps must look out and onto the river and forget they live in a home and not in the open surroundings.

Yes, says Debbie, “the house mirrors the shape of the foothills, and it’s open like we are, [but] we’re not very private people to each other or to our guests.”

Greg Lapp says living here sometimes feels like camping, and

it’s true, he admits, “some people might feel exposed.” But not Greg, not Debbie; they knew exactly what they wanted the moment they first saw the land in 2006.

“We were looking for property on the Kings River,” says Debbie, “and we were kayaking down one day and saw the back side of a ‘for sale’ sign. We stopped our kayaks, trespassed over here, memorized the phone number

and went down in our river shoes, met the realtor and made an offer.”

“It wasn’t an hour being back home that Debbie didn’t start drawing a floor plan,” says Greg.

“We had an idea,” he continues.

“We [wanted] it this big, this many bedrooms – simple things like that.

We [needed] a place for the dining table, the piano we own, and as many windows facing the river as possible.

Other than that, we said here’s our ideas and then gave them to Art.” Whatever questions Greg and Debbie may have about the overall design, they never questioned using architect Arthur Dyson.

“He’s special,” says Debbie. “[Dyson] understands the clients and the site and customizes the building to their personalities.”

A friend and Fresno resident, an architect, and student of Frank Lloyd Wright, Debbie says Dyson also “defies any sort of label.” Debbie learned that 30 years ago, when Dyson built her first home.

Three decades later, Debbie and Greg wanted to build something together, something to reflect both their personalities. “[Dyson] doesn’t like to call it anything,” offers Debbie, but the Lapps coined the term orgatecture to help describe his stylistic approach. “Organic architecture means using shapes that reflect nature but also shapes that reflect people and the way they live,” she says. Greg adds, “it’s bringing the outside to the inside.”

That aspect, bringing the outside in, almost makes it difficult to communicate the story of the Lapp house, since their home defies not just definition but also traditional boundaries like a wall, a window, a line, a frame. Because limits and boundaries allow us to talk about things, by saying what a thing is and what it is not, by saying here and not there. But when talking about the Lapp house, those

LIFEST YLE | JUNE 2015

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boundaries seem to fade into thin air.

That’s one word to define the home, airiness, and not just because the floor plan loosely takes the shape of a leaf.

Other elements contribute to its lofty qualities. “Those were the elements we wanted,” says Debbie, “the high ceiling, the wall of glass, the curve of the wall, the open floor plan.” All of it, light.

The result is an exactly 2,000 square-foot home that seems surprisingly larger than its space. Simply put, Debbie describes a “one-story house, with one bedroom and a den that converts into a guestroom, and the highest ceiling at about 18 feet.”

But the single “great room,” which occupies the majority of

glass partitions create a unique space above the home, where the interior lights are reflected, constellating patterns that hover like shining stars.

That upper transparency also creates a space where unifying lines can work throughout the entire structure. Along the ceiling’s arc, like a keel at the bottom of a ship, a single wooden beam bends with the contour of the roof. The beam is aesthetic, but its purpose essential. Two industrial steel beams perpendicularly dissect the house—like the bones of skyscrapers, cold and hard, juxtaposing the flexible, soft curve of the wooded beam above. The juxtaposition is both jarring and unifying.

“From an Asian standpoint,” explains Debbie, “you need a

the home, singularly refuses a single purpose. A grand piano stands in the room’s far end, next to a “conversational group of chairs that look out onto the river with floor-to-ceiling glass,” describes Debbie. Along the south wall, a nook and floorto-ceiling bookshelf makes up Debbie’s office. A stolid dining table creates a natural segue to the open kitchen, with its six-foot round island built by Debbie’s father-in-law. “One day he left with a bunch of wood from an oak that fell, and another day he came back with a lazy Susan,” says Debbie.

The upper windows and

counterbalance.”

Greg also suggests the beams create a natural line, which the eyes follow from inside the home to the outside: lines deconstructing rather than defining boundaries.

Those parallel, twin beams run through the home above another set of parallel lines, which trace the home, both inside and out, at exactly eight feet, three inches above the ground.

The Lapps attribute the exactitude of those lines to Fresno contractor, Sidney Mukai.

“We had a lovely contractor, a Buddhist, very Zen,” says Debbie. “He made sure it was

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HOME TOUR

PICTURED: The exposed open floor plan with its 18-foot ceilings is a reflection of the openness of the Lapps and their inviting nature.

LEFT: The Lapp’s love of literature is portrayed throughout the home, as walls are lined with bookshelves.

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HOME TOUR

TOP LEFT: The natural lines of the home extend from the inside out, almost pointing toward the Kings River.

TOP RIGHT: In the master bedroom, a soffit hangs above the bed, creating a more intimate space in an otherwise open room.

PICTURED: The lines of the Lapp RiverHouse mirror the shape of the foothills, confirming the home’s organic architectural style.

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LIFEST YLE | JUNE 2015

The modern kitchen features granite counter tops with stainless steel appliances. The master bedroom features it’s own door to the backyard, along with custom portraits by local artist, Ellen Milinich.

perfect, around the inside and outside. It has a very calming affect.”

Those two subtle lines run through the crossbeam of a window, as a groove along the wall. “It’s a really unifying factor,” says Greg, “because I’m sitting here in the kitchen, and it goes through the windows to the walls, all the way. It really does unify the whole thing.”

There is, however, one spot where the length doesn’t match, “and our contractor just about beat himself up,” says Greg.

“But I can’t even remember where it is now.”

In fact, the Lapps felt the “mistake” was somehow appropriate. “We told him it’s perfect, because in Zen Buddhism, you can’t mess with perfection,” suggests Debbie. “You have to have at least one mistake.”

Those eight-foot-three inch lines extend into empty spaces as well, virtually creating a plane where a second-story could be imagined. In the master bedroom, a soffit extends between those lines, reaching so many feet above the head of the bed in a concave shape.

Debbie says the overhang creates a more intimate space, without which you’d have too much open space above the bed. “You’d feel loose,” she adds.

That soffit wasn’t in the original plan, and its inclusion represents the organic nature, or process between the Lapps, contractor, and architect.

When the Lapps decided to include the overhang, they first thought, “well, what if we do the same curve of the house?” They and Mukai agreed upon a convex curve, but when they took the idea to Dyson, he suggested a counter curve, concave. “And it’s so much better than our idea,”

agrees Greg.

Obviously Dyson’s signature can be found throughout the home, and clearly design intends for the home to reflect its environment.

But fundamentally, the space also reflects the personalities of its owners. The two items that most stand out in the home, are the symbolic representations of these two teachers: music and literature, Greg’s 1908 Steinway piano, and the colored spines of Debbie’s library. In that ethereal home, where the lines always seems to move the eyes upward and out, those two objects act as anchors, ultimately drawing attention back in.

But like everything else in the home, Debbie’s bookshelf incorporates natural elements. “All of those rocks are from the river,” she says, referring to the bookends of her library.

“We try to bring all of our decorations in from the property.”

Just so, hanging above their bed like a deconstructed dream catcher are feathers and sticks, bark, and snakeskins.

“It’s stuff we’ve picked up walking around the property,” explains Debbie.

Call it an organic piece of art, something to which they’re constantly adding.

It seems a fitting symbol, both for the Lapps and their home. Because that bit of organic art, like the home in which they live, reimagines traditional lines, uses natural elements, redefines boundaries, and unifies—true to the orgatectural process.

To see more about the Lapp home, check out Debbie’s website www.orgatecture.org LIFEST YLE | JUNE 2015

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R E C I P E S B Y E L A I N E D A K E S S I A N , T R É S B I E N TA I L O R E D C U I S I N E P H O T O S B Y TAY L O R J O H N S O N P H O T O G R A P H Y

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CULINARY

L

ight and fit meals might be all the rage for these summer months, but sometimes you've just got to stick with the classics that warm your soul and “bless your heart.” Bring a little Southern hospitality in your kitchen with this hearty meal of fried green tomatoes, southern fried chicken, and jalapeño grits. Y’all are gonna keep coming back to these recipes.

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FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

REMOULADE

Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 2-4 sliced, heirloom tomatoes (Try our local farmer’s markets) 1 C flour 2-3 eggs, beaten 1 C yellow cornmeal Salt and pepper Paprika DIRECTIONS Cut tomatoes into 1/2-inch slices.

Season the flour with a pinch of salt, pepper, and paprika. Place the cornmeal in a shallow pie pan, the beaten eggs in another, and the seasoned flour in the third pan.

In a deep sauté pan, add frying oil and preheat to 350°F. Dredge the tomatoes in flour, then egg mixture, then cornmeal. Add a few tomatoes at a time for even cooking. Fry until golden brown and drain on paper towels. Serve with remoulade (see right).

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN

JALAPEÑO GRITS

Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 4 chicken breasts (we used an airline cut with the wing attached) 1 C flour seasoned with salt and pepper 1 C buttermilk 4 eggs, beaten with a dash of Tabasco 1 1/2 C panko bread crumbs Salt and pepper to taste Peanut oil for frying DIRECTIONS Soak the chicken in buttermilk, overnight if you can. Drain well.

Place the seasoned flour in a shallow pan, the egg mixture in another, and the panko in a third.

Dip each piece of chicken into the flour, then egg, then panko. Set aside. Preheat heavy bottomed, deeper pan for deepfrying. Place the oil in about half way up. Heat to 350°F and fry the chicken slowly until golden brown. Cooked through, the chicken should be at 160°F. Place the chicken on paper towels and keep in warm oven until all the chicken is done. Serve atop the grits.

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INGREDIENTS 1 C quick cooking grits 3 C chicken broth 2 T butter 1-2 jalapeños, charred, peeled, seeded, and minced 1 C pepper jack cheese, shredded DIRECTIONS Cook the grits according to package directions. Add the butter, cheese, and jalapeños.

Stir and keep warm. This reheats well in the microwave too.

To char the peppers, put over grill or open flame on gas stove.

Blacken on all sides and place in a bowl. Cover immediately with plastic wrap and let steam. Peel the skins, they will come off easily, discard the seeds, and mince.

INGREDIENTS 1/2 C quality mayonnaise 1 T Dijon mustard 1 T capers, drained and chopped 1 tsp. garlic 1 T parsley, chopped 1 tsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. white wine vinegar DIRECTIONS Mix all the ingredients together, stir well to incorporate, and serve.

ROASTED CORN AND BLACK EYE PEAS SALAD INGREDIENTS 4 ears corn 2 C black eyed peas, fully cooked 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1/2 C cilantro leaves 1-2 jalapenos, diced 1/4 C cider vinegar 1 T Dijon 1/4 C extra virgin olive oil 1-2 T honey (or to taste) DIRECTIONS Cut the corn off of the cob and roast on a sheet pan in a 400°F oven for 15 minutes. Once the corn is done, put it in a bowl and mix in the next four ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the next 4 ingredients together. Pour over the corn/pea mixture and serve on the side.

S O U T H LOCAL ADVENTURE

I

V A L L E Y

S U M M E R

BUCKET LIST

f you’ve lived in the Central Valley for a while, you know there are summer traditions everyone looks forward to, and they usually revolve around trying to stay cool. Here we have your Summer Bucket List with traditional South Valley favorites, along with a few new ideas to keep you entertained and out of the heat as much as possible.

ICE CREAM IN THREE RIVERS– It’s an oldie, but a goodie…literally. Whether you’ve been going up to Reimers for years or are in need of a new family

downtown. While taking your weekend stroll, be sure to check out this new local restaurant and brewery located on the northeast corner of Main & Locust Streets. Great beer, food, and live music can be expected at this refreshing new Visalia hot spot.

MOVIES IN THE PARK – If you have a few little ones in your life, don’t let the summer go by without spending a Friday evening watching a movie under the stars. The Visalia Parks and Recreation department will be showing

tradition, it’s always a good idea to take a short drive to Three Rivers for some ice cream and candy. With 24 original flavors to choose from, that’s 24 ways to stay cool.

U-PICK BERRIES – A little bit of dirt never hurt anyone. Take family and friends over to Rancho Notso Grande Farm in Hanford and spend the day picking a variety of fresh berries and eat them as you go. The friendly staff will give you a tour of the farm, educating you on which berries are best to pick.

And if you’re not quite the berry-picking type, you can purchase fresh, pre-picked berries from the farm stand.

SEQUOIA BREWING COMPANY– Visalia is quickly becoming its own craft beer oasis here in the Valley as we continually see new brewpubs coming to town. This summer, Visalians can look forward to the opening of the new Sequoia Brewing Company restaurant right in the heart of

family-friendly movies at Riverway Sports Park every Friday night through the end of July from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Bring a picnic blanket, some snacks, and experience a free evening of fun with your family.

TRAVER BRAVO FARMS - While we all enjoy dining at our local Bravo Farms restaurants in Tulare County, there’s nothing like visiting the Bravo Farms in Traver. It’s practically an amusement park with a shooting gallery, miniature golf, a giant tree house, a petting zoo, shopping, dining, ice cream, and more. It has all of the nostalgia of an old western town without the 10-hour road trip.

GAZEBO GARDENS – Food, live music, and craft beer. Isn’t that what summer is all about? Nearly every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, Gazebo Gardens in Fresno transforms into a food truck paradise. Gather a group of friends together, and head to where;

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the atmosphere is relaxing, the people are friendly, and the food options are endless.

PASO ROBLES WEEKEND AWAY – When living in the Central Valley, every one knows that doing a summer day trip to “Paso” is a give-in. But this year, take the whole weekend and stay in one of the many romantic B&Bs overlooking the vineyards, or in a quaint boutique hotel in downtown Paso. Wherever you decide to stay, you’re sure to experience the unique charm of Paso Robles.

‘THE GARDENS’ – Gardening doesn’t always come easy to everyone, but there is a local spot that can assist you with your summer gardening projects.

The Gardens at Cal Turf in Tulare hosts interactive and instructional courses, landscape design, pop-up dinners, and more. Grab your girlfriends and spend a summer morning creating your own arrangements and learning about best gardening practices.

RICHARD’S LUNCHBOX – You won’t get peanuts or pretzels for lunch on this airplane. Located in Tulare, Richard’s Lunchbox is a must-stop for some of the South Valley’s best slow-smoked BBQ. The restaurant is located inside an airplane cabin and also has a deck for outdoor eating, adding to your dining experience. So stay out of the heat this summer by taking your BBQ indoors, and let someone else do the cooking.

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LIFEST YLE | JUNE 2015

PICTURED: Wat Pho is known as the center for traditional massage and medicine, surrounded by ornate temple buildings and grounds.

RIGHT: The dazzling Grand Palace complex is the spiritual heart of the city, with buildings that have vibrant ceramics, polished tile roofs, and guardian statues.

THAI L AN D AN D ITS C APITO L

BANGKOK Déjà Vu New

O

ften I have thought, “If I see one more ____ I will (alternately) scream, die, or cause bodily injury to myself or others. That blank space is filled with the most iconic sites in my current destination.

Whether it’s castles, cathedrals, churches, temples, or ruins, they all can get mighty old near the end of a journey. But despite Bangkok having more than its fair share of recurring cultural symbols, each is one-ofa-kind, always interesting and completely worth seeing.

Take Buddhas for example. They are so prevalent that becoming “Buddha-ed out” would seem a distinct possibility. But with each one so amazingly different, I found myself never tiring of them. And the temples that housed them? They were just as varied and alluring, so much so that I willingly, no wait … that’s not quite right, I actually looked forward to visiting each and every one. While in a religious vein, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the monks. At any given time 200,000-300,000 monks and another 100,000 novices exist in Thailand. And rather than unapproachable figures closed away in monastic religious study (as in many Asian countries), monks here walk amongst the people, radiating an aura of serene friendliness and kindness of spirit that is quite remarkable. I found myself looking forward to seeing them, subconsciously developing monk “radar” to scan my surroundings and

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spot their distinctive orange robes. I later learned that their great numbers are due to most having temporary ordinations, sometimes as short as one rainy season. Afterwards they return to lay life, get married, and have a family.

It is believed that young men who have undergone ordination are better prospects as a husband. (No doubt they are also much more adept at folding the sheets on laundry day after so much time spent wrapped in one).

Religious sites and symbols aren’t the only frequently recurring sights in Bangkok. They’re far outnumbered by places to eat. Thai’s love to eat; the sheer number of food stalls and restaurants is staggering. No day is long enough to sample all the delicious (and sometimes bizarre) food in Bangkok. Remarkably, the Thai people don’t have a weight issue. There are lessons to be learned here. Thai food is freshly cooked, includes lots of vegetables, sweetening most often comes from added fruit, and those goodies that we commonly have for

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dessert are usually only found at tourist eateries.

One of the few things that Thai’s love more than food is their King. When it comes to good manners, only one faux pas eclipses the gravity of pointing your feet towards, a Buddha’s image or touching a monk—failing to show respect or speaking poorly of the King. Doing so could actually get you in a lot of trouble. At 87 years old, Bhumibol Adulyada has reigned for 68 years, beating out England’s Queen Elizabeth as the world’s longest reigning monarch.

His picture is yet another recurring sight in Bangkok. Despite the repetition, we didn’t tire of seeing portraits along roads and on buildings since, once again, variety reigned. So much so, we were convinced we were seeing generations of royal lineage rather than one man. Clearly, 68 years provided local artists a lot of material to choose from.

I already mentioned a couple of the do’s and don’ts of behavior when in Thailand. Understanding their cultural sensitivities allows visitors to avoid standing out as a “Farang”—a Thai expression for Westerners. Although not a completely derogatory term (since it’s also the word for guava fruit), being labeled as a melon probably isn’t complimentary either. Thai’s believe a person’s head is the most sacred part of the body and the feet the least.

So refraining from touching others, especially on the head, and tucking your feet under you when seated on the floor is wise. If you cross your legs when seated in a chair try not to have

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Cheryl with The Reclining Buddha.

The Temple of Dawn

Chao Phraya River

Wat Pho

Now that you may be enticed to visit this amazing city, what sites are not to be missed? The Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) and the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) sit across from each other on the Chao Phraya River.

C H E R Y L

your foot pointing towards someone else. In fact, Thai’s find pointing in any manner fairly offensive. Laughing and speaking loudly or in anger, especially in smaller closed spaces, is considered impolite. The same is true for wearing overly revealing clothing. Since bare shoulders and legs are also not allowed in the temples, improper clothing limits your touring options as well. The heat and humidity that would seem to dictate minimal clothing oddly doesn’t seem to affect the locals. They always looked fresh and clean. I on the other hand, felt perpetually wilted. Finally, when eating out, be aware that many restaurants serve family style with shared main dishes in the center with small individual bowls of rice at each seat. Correct etiquette is to place small amounts of food and rice onto your plate multiple times rather than one large serving.

So when to visit? Thailand has three somewhat definable seasons. All are 42 L I F E S T Y L E | J U N E 2 0 1 5

L E V I T A N

hot and humid. May through midNovember has afternoon showers and/ or downpours. March through late May is so hot that it drains your will to move.

That leaves the best travel time from late November to mid January. This is known as the “cool” season (hah!).

Still hot and humid, you just sweat a bit less. We were there mid-February and the heat and humidity were pretty formidable. I remember when our guide told us that we had to add another layer of clothing by “renting” cotton pants or sarongs for $1 in order to enter the Grand Palace grounds. We already had our legs covered but the guide was insistent (and we had no desire to cause conflict). At least it was early in the day.

Probably a money making scam, that $1 ended up being well spent. Easily the ugliest garments ever made, the men’s pants were the worst with their black background punctuated by red and gold flames. Prompting “liar, liar, pants

on fire” and “hottie” comments, those outfits may have marked us as naive farangs, but they kept us laughing.

Now that you may be enticed to visit this amazing city (and forewarned regarding behavior and weather) what sites are not to be missed? The Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho, pronounced what foe) and the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun, pronounced what aroun) sit across from each other on the Chao Phraya River. (and yes, those temple names precipitated more comedic relief). Long tail boats taxi temple visitors back and forth. Often called “boats on a stick,” their propellers are on one end of the rudder pole with an exposed secondhand car engine next to the driver.

Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok. A large compound filled with beautifully decorated ceramic stupas (Buddhist domed shrines), it is home to more

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than 1,000 images of Buddha. The most impressive of those is a golden reclining Buddha over 50 feet high and 140 feet long. Wat Arun is quite different looking with a very tall central stupa. Narrow steep stairs allow visitors to climb high to view Bangkok’s mix of modern and traditional architecture and the Grand Palace across the river. Despite the name, sunset offers particularly beautiful views. It’s a long and narrow climb to the top and just as tricky getting down.

The steepness of the steps also places climbers almost underneath the derrière of the person ahead. The wise keep this in mind when choosing whom to follow.

The Grand Palace is a huge complex of impressive structures, gardens, and courtyards. Although the Kings of Siam (later Thailand) ended their residence in 1925, the palace and grounds are still used for ceremonial occasions.

Considered the spiritual heart of Thailand, this complex is home to the most sacred

temple, The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Only 26 inches tall, this Buddha is carved from one piece of jade and it’s golden robes are changed seasonally by the King. Thais believe this Buddha brings prosperity to their country. As with all temples, it’s wise to bring a designated pair of “temple” socks since shoes must be removed on entry. Here, however, it’s mandatory since toes (as well arms and legs) must be covered.

If your visit is over a weekend, there are two very different markets to visit. First is the Taling Chan Floating Market. Situated close to the city, it’s less touristy than the huge Damnoen Saduak or crowded Amphawa floating markets. With the charm and authenticity of a local market, it offers a glimpse into traditional Thai life living and trading along the canals. Eating is the highlight with small boats’ owners grilling seafood and preparing green papaya salad for customers sitting along the shore’s edge. It is well worth visiting

by long tail boat. The other market is the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Once only open to wholesalers and traders, now the public can shop at it’s 8,000 market stalls. Its sheer size and diverse merchandise brings even seasoned shoppers to their knees.

Bangkok offers great entertainment as well. My favorite is the classical and stylized Khon dance dramas with entertainers in golden headdresses, elaborate masks, and magnificent costumes. The Askra Theater puppeteers depict these same dramas but with large intricately designed puppets. The theater alone is worth visiting. With lavish decorations, its foyer displays these remarkable puppets.

Consistently voted one of the top three cities in Asia by Travel and Leisure Magazine, Bangkok manages to retain a friendly and gracious Thai village charm with modern urban luxuries. And the massages? Amazing!

Consistently voted one of the top three cities in Asia by Travel and Leisure Magazine, Bangkok manages to retain a friendly and gracious Thai village charm with modern urban luxuries. And the massages? Amazing!

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PICTURED: Covered in tiny pieces of colored glass in the ancient Khmer style, The Temple of Dawn is stunning before sunset and later when it is lit up with lights.

RIGHT: Vendors on the river often have boats that resemble floating kitchens, mobile service, or repair shops.

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L E V I T A N

The property is nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac off Border Links Rd. This Custom home boast 3740 square feet with 4 bedrooms 3 full baths. New luxurious master suit with spacious shower and Jetted tub. The large well planned closet is amazing. New Sun Power solar that is totally paid for. Current electric bill for the year is only $350! It has a new 40 year presidential roof and spacious 3 car garage. Home has 3 separate gathering rooms office, game and music. Please click on the virtual tour.

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H A P P Y

T R A I L S

‘NIGHT AT THE RACES’ ROUNDING UP SUPPORT P H O T O S

O

n Friday, May 28, Kayla Takeuchi got up in front of more than 500 people at the Happy Trails Night at the Races fundraiser, and was able to communicate a profound message to every person in the room.

Kayla expressed how grateful she is for everyone’s support of Happy Trails, which has allowed her to benefit from its therapy services for 16 years.

While Kayla might be considered “nonverbal” by society’s standards, in reality she is completely verbal, just in a different way. Everywhere Kayla goes, she brings her iPad (facilitated communication) with her so she can speak with others. Because of her new voice, Kayla is able to communicate with her instructors at Happy Trails Riding Academy and tell them how fulfilled equine therapy has made her and how much it has improved her self-esteem.

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T ' S O U V A S

Because of events like Night at the Races and the outpouring of support, Kayla and around 70 other adults and children with disabilities are able to receive equine facilitated therapy at Happy Trails each week.

“We use the horse as a nontraditional therapy tool,” said Leslie Gardner, executive director of Happy Trails Riding Academy. “The horse is the only piece of equipment that walks like people do through space. All of our riders are set up for success, no matter how little or how big that success might be.”

There’s a good reason why we are constantly seeing viral videos and hearing news stories of animals providing comfort to people and impacting lives in ways never thought possible, whether or not they have a disability; animals like horses form a unique relationship with individuals,

which can lead to increased confidence, patience, and self-esteem, according to the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International. As a PATH accredited organization, the instructors at Happy Trails are able to train the horses to work with their clientele.

“During the day we like our horses to just be horses,” said Leslie. “They’re out in the pasture, they’re out eating, doing their thing, but they know when they come into class that they have precious cargo on their back, and it’s amazing.

It’s almost like they flipped a switch and they know what they are out there to do.”

While equine therapy has many physical benefits for the rider, the emotional, social, and psychological impact can sometimes be the most rewarding to witness.

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RIGHT: Kayla Takeuchi, with mother Nadine, and Andre Gaston, treasurer and past board president.

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“Most of our riders are coming out here just to ride a horse, they don’t necessarily know about all of the great things that are going on when they’re here,” said Leslie. “We have a lot of autistic riders who don’t speak to anyone, but they’ll actually talk to their horse. So everyone has a horse story out here, and it’s pretty cool.”

These moments are why so many people come out to support Happy Trails and its cause, and have continued to support them for 31 years.

This was the fifth year Happy Trails put on their Night at the Races event as their spring fundraiser, and each year they see more people coming back to bet on the races, cheer on the horses, and drool over the elaborate prizes. “We all go to so many great

cheered on their horse. Those with the winning horse could put their name into a raffle, and one person would be selected to take home that races’ prize package.

Because event sponsors have the opportunity to name a horse, there seems to be a silent competition buzzing around the room about who came up with the most creative name.

A few favorite horse names included Six Feet Under by Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, Mustang Sally by Will Tiesiera Ford, Shop Till Ya Drop by Tulare Outlet Center, and Poo For You

by E & M Ag. Services.

From the horse betting alone, more than $25,000 was raised. “That’s pretty huge,” said Leslie. “That was the most we’ve ever taken in for betting, so I think our prizes must have been

We want everyone to have a great time, but we also want them to know what a great cause we are.

L E S L I E

fundraisers that have live and silent auctions and raffles, so we really wanted to do something a little different that also played into what our organization does,” said Leslie.

This year, attendees could bet on seven different races in hopes of winning the coinciding prize package.

The most popular packages included a Pismo Beach trip, a table filled with Coach purses and designer label products, and a gun package. For just $10, each person could place a bet on a horse from one of the seven races that coincided with their desired prize.

Past horse races from Suffolk Downs, a racetrack in New York, were screened and the crowd went wild as they

TOP: Kip Thompson & Amy Bianchi-Bane MIDDLE: Rachel and Ryan Purkiss MIDDLE: Ed Dena and family BOTTOM: Karen Tellalian, Gene Quesnoy, Klara Bergtholdt, and Dru Quesnoy 48 L I F E S T Y L E | J U N E 2 0 1 5

G A R D N E R

pretty great.”

When all is said and done, Happy Trails anticipates bringing in around $100,000 from sponsorships, donations, and betting, which will go directly back into the Happy Trails program.

Part of what makes the Night at the Races event so successful is not only the excitement of the races and betting, but also the meaning behind it all. Happy Trails doesn’t let their guests leave without knowing why they are there in the first place. “We want to tie it back,” said Leslie. “We want everyone to have a great time, but we also want them to know what a great cause we are.”

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COUNTY SCENE

PICTURED: A film crew rigs a circular array of high-speed cameras in Balch Park, in preparation for the filming of a Land Rover commercial that will be shown nationally in a web-based advertising campaign.

BELOW: A handful of Chapman University Dodge School of Media students transformed the rolling hills above Porterville into a small English village for the filming of “The Devout.�

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LIFEST YLE | JUNE 2015

P H O T O S

S U B M I T T E D

B Y

T U L A R E

R

ecognized as a rich agriculture and farming community, Tulare County might not be the first location that comes to mind when filming a Hollywood production.

Chances are you are not aware that over the last three years, Tulare County has grown in popularity as a filming destination for commercials, music videos, television shows, photo shoots, and movies. While that alone is exciting, it’s what happens behind the scenes that is really sensational; Tulare County film production is boosting the local economy.

Since the 1920s, hundreds of productions have been filmed in Tulare County, including scenes from “Forest Gump,” “Star Trek VI,” “Green Acres,” “Wag the Dog,” “The Hulk,” and more recently, Zedd’s “Find You” music

an estimated $229,100 into the local economy, more than double the amount of the previous year. When most film crews arrive on scene, they need food, lodging, and equipment that they cannot bring with them. So, they pay for catering from our local restaurants, they rent generators and portable restrooms, and they stay in our hotels and campgrounds.

Back in 2003, scenes from “The Hulk” with Eric Bana were filmed in county-owned Balch Park and Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, and according to Eric, “In less than 10 days, that one film put a quarter of a million dollars into the Springville and Porterville economies.”

In early May of this year, Colin Farrell was also in Tulare County filming an episode for an undisclosed television series. Within that episode’s two

Tulare County Film Commission brings business and economic growth to Tulare County through film

C O U N T Y

F I L M

C O M M I S S I O N

video for the movie “Divergent.”

While it’s impressive to recognize scenes filmed throughout this area, the real benefits of bringing film here run deep. The Tulare County Film Commission is most interested in economic development and spreading the word about the charms Tulare County has to offer.

Eric Coyne, Tulare County film commissioner and economic development coordinator, says the reasons why Tulare County is involved in film production are three-fold: to enhance local spending and business support, to showcase that Tulare County is a great place to live, work and play, and to create jobs and educational opportunities for its residents.

“That’s what it’s about; local spending, keeping the jobs here, keeping the businesses open,” said Eric. “That’s why we’re in film production.”

From July 2014 through May 2015 alone, filming in Tulare County put

million overall production budget, an estimated $45,000 in local spending was deposited into Tulare County’s economy.

“The crew came up here four times to scout the logistics to plan for their two days of filming,” said Eric.

“You’ve got all of these professionals coming three and a half hours away from Hollywood, and then it’s another hour to the big trees. So every time they come, they do what they have to do and you know they’re not going to go home, so there’s another hotel night per person. All in all, that was probably more than 200 hotel nights for one project.”

One of the many draws to filming in Tulare County is the diverse terrain that can serve as nearly any location producers could imagine: A forest in the Appalachians, the Sahara Desert, a farm in Montana, and even Yosemite National Park. Crews don’t have to travel across the world anymore to film one scene. A three-hour drive from Los Angeles can bring the crew LIFEST YLE | JUNE 2015

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Eric Coyne (R), Tulare County film commissioner, stands with Colin Farrell on the set of an undisclosed television series with an episode filmed in Tulare County.

COUNTY SCENE

That's what it's about; local spending, keeping the jobs here, keeping the businesses open. That's why we're in film production.

ERIC COYNE TULARE COUNTY FILM COMMISIONER & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

a world away without spending millions of dollars on travel and extravagant locations.

“We’re no longer in the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood,’ where you have a zillion dollar budget to do the Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor movies or go to Egypt to film ‘Cleopatra,’” said Eric. “So one of the things we’re trying to do is market that you can film in California, and as a state, we can be anywhere.”

Recently, an important bill was passed that may increase the number of films being made in California, and hopefully in Tulare County. According to Eric, in the past five years, film production in California has dropped by two thirds because of the lack of monetary incentives. That business has been exported to places like New York, Georgia, and North Carolina, or across the border in Toronto, where the tax incentives are most enticing for Hollywood production budgets. But on July 1, a new multi-year tax incentive to film in California will begin as a rebate.

To get money back, films must be able to prove they created jobs and spent money locally.

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The Tulare County Film Commission was very involved with educating the state Legislature about the businessgenerating value of these incentives, and continues to be involved in recruiting filmmakers. Eric attends several film production events and conferences throughout the year in Los Angeles, which seek to show the world that California, and especially Tulare County, can be anything or anywhere.

“We could be deserts, we’ve done ‘Star Trek,’ we’ve done aliens, we’ve done Giant Sequoias, and we’ve even been Yosemite National Park,” said Eric.

“Unless you’re the President or Oprah, the National Park Service is just not going to shut down Yosemite and chase out the tourists for you.”

While national parks are extremely popular film locations, they are much more restrictive when it comes to activities allowed within each park.

And what is permissible in a national forest may not be allowed within a national park.

“Parks are for looking, forests are for experiencing,” said Eric. “You can’t take your dog to a national park, but you can

in a national forest. You look at nature in a national park, but you can hunt, fish and do more experiential things in a national forest.”

A lot of commercial film activity does take place in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and also within Sequoia National Forest, in jurisdictions that work well together with the county film commission to process projects, but are federal guidelines that must be followed on federal lands. Filming in a county park is a much easier permitting process, and within Tulare County’s jurisdiction, film permits are free and can be turned around in just a few days.

“People come here because we have a reputation of approving a permit in 24 hours, if possible,” said Eric. “We don’t have to drag on for weeks, we try to do it in a day or two.”

Along with the permit process, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes that the Tulare County Film Commission must assist with to fill in gaps that film crews may be unaware of, especially when it comes to safety matters. For the Bollywood film “My Country,” directed

by Kavi Raz, a flash-mob dancing

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scene organized in Traver created a visual distraction that slowed traffic along nearby Highway 99. The film also included a staged robbery scene in a store, so Eric had to warn the sheriff and emergency dispatchers this was not a real crime scene.

“When somebody’s going to put a gun in a store owner’s face, first you have to make sure it’s not a real gun, and you have to remember that people walk around with guns in this county,” said Eric. “We don’t want a vigilante stepping in to ‘help out.’ You have to go out there and say to bystanders ‘this is not a real robbery.’”

The Tulare County Film Commission works long hours to accommodate the needs of the film crews, but every so often, they get the opportunity to experience the perks of the Hollywood lifestyle along with the production staff.

Those who have visited Balch Park are well aware that it isn’t exactly known for its lattés or extravagant feasts, but occasionally production teams come prepared. For an Aveda photo shoot, Eric, Tulare County park rangers, and Cal-Fire forest managers had the pleasure of joining the crew for an elegant catered meal in the middle of Sequoia National Forest, replete with French canapés and linen tablecloths, which they likened to a wedding banquet. Another crew shooting a Land Rover commercial brought along a “latté girl” to make specialty drinks around the clock, which according to Kyria Fierros, a deputy film commissioner, came in very handy when working 12 to 13 hour days.

Sometimes, productions even make a call for local actors and extras. For the filming of “Soundwave,” a music video for internationally renowned DJ R3HAB, a casting call went out on the radio for local children from Porterville. With just one radio announcement on KTIP, 18 locals were cast overnight for a scene in Balch Park involving colored powder being spewed all over the forest, dyeing trees and plants a rainbow of colors.

Then the Tulare County Film Commission had to prepare the same forest area for 54 L I F E S T Y L E | J U N E 2 0 1 5

a Japanese market nature documentary being shot in ultra high-definition 5K resolution (the type of film where the camera zooms in to expose microscopic details of a drop of dew on a leaf).

“We obviously couldn’t have trees looking pink; there was powder everywhere,” said Eric. Needless to say, the park looked pristine and the documentary went on without a spec of pink powder in sight, thanks to a lot of legwork spraying water on plants with backpack garden sprayers to flush away the non-toxic coloring.

There are also moments when local businesses benefit from film crews coming to Tulare County in ways they never imagined.

Up in Springville, there is a small restaurant called the Hamburger Stand that has become a popular destination

The Tulare County Museum of Farm Labor & Agriculture was one of many locations in Tulare County used for the filming of the Bollywood production, “My Country.”

for some of the crews filming near Balch Park. One day the restaurant was about to close down, when Eric convinced them to stay open several extra hours for “a few” people from the Zedd music video crew.

“They stayed open late on Super Bowl Sunday just for the film crew,” said Eric.

“So here comes a few bus loads of crew members, and they did a weeks worth of business in a few hours.”

Other businesses and organizations have had the benefit of working with these crews as they gained experience for their portfolios. Trés Bien Tailored Cuisine prepared an elaborate multi-

course French meal for a photo shoot; the Discovery Channel hired a makeup artist from the Milan Institute to do makeup for a documentary set in Porterville; local medics and fire safety officers have been hired to be on set in case of emergencies; and the list goes on.

No matter what the circumstances are, the Tulare County Film Commission tries to be ready for anything—like arranging to legally import Kodiak bears and wolves for a high-fashion Vogue photo shoot set for the high country in the Sierras. While the shoot was ultimately cancelled due to the New York photographer’s aversion to snow that fell the day before the filming date, the Film Commission staff remains on stand-by should anyone else need two extremely large Kodiak bears.

“We’ll try to do anything,” said Eric.

“The opportunities are endless.”

Because of funding from the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), the Tulare County Film Commission is able to do more with film marketing now than ever before, and is continually seeking new opportunities. The staff are also members of several statewide and international professional film production organizations, which help connect them to the right groups to bring producers to this area.

For Tulare County, being in the film industry is about more than the Hollywood recognition and glamour.

It’s about promoting the local economy, bringing business to a variety of industries, creating new opportunities for jobs and education, and showing the world what a great place Tulare County is to live, work, and play in. And if the big trees or Valley agriculture make it on to the big screen in the process, so be it.

“It’s a pleasure to do this,” said Eric.

“We are in public service and some jobs are much more fun than others … it’s time consuming, but it’s very rewarding.

We give up many of our weekends, but we get to bring that into the local economy, so it’s worth it.”

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HAPPENINGS

T H E AT R E & MUSIC REO SPEEDWAGON Formed loosely in the late 60s at a college in Champaign, IL, REO became a non-stop touring, recording, and burgeoning rock movement band from the Midwest. REO rode the top of the charts with 22 million albums sold in the U.S., and 40 million around the globe, with a string of gold and platinum records and international hit singles. Tickets are $39-$89.

When: Jun. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369

BIG FISH Based on the celebrated novel and acclaimed film, Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to the fullest. Edward’s larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him, but most of all, his wife Sandra. Overflowing with heart, humor, and spectacular stagecraft, Big Fish is an extraordinary new Broadway musical.

When: Jul. 2-18, Fri. & Sat. at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m.

Where: Encore Theatre, 324 S. N St., Tulare Contact: 686-1300

MARTINA MCBRIDE: THE EVERLASTING TOUR Contemporary country singer, Martina McBride, returns to Visalia to sing some of her greatest hits. A Rainmaker Productions event, proceeds will benefit the Visalia Rescue Mission.

Tickets are $45-$124.

When: Jul. 12, 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: vrmhope.org/events

BLUES, BREWS, AND BBQ UNDER THE STREETLAMP With their unique style and modern “rat pack” persona, Under the Streetlamp brings the American Radio Songbook to a whole new level. They deliver an electrifying evening of classic hits with a unique blend of tight harmonies and slick dance moves to your favorite Doo-Wop, Motown, and old time Rock ‘n’ Roll hits. Tickets are $29-$49.

When: Jun 27, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369

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Beat the summer heat by attending this event where you can purchase soft drinks, brews, delicious BBQ, and other summertime favorites. This familyoriented free music event will benefit the Visalia Emergency Aid Council.

Music by Randy McAllister.

When: Jul. 3, 6-10 p.m.

Where: Garden Street Plaza, Visalia Contact: 732-7737

THE BOOK OF MORMON Labeled by the New York Times as “the best musical of this century,” The Book of Mormon is a religious, comical satire musical that follows two young missionaries who are sent to Uganda to try and convert citizens to the Mormon religion. This blockbuster show features several big song-and-dance numbers accompanied by some oldfashioned Broadway belting. Tickets are $48-$128.

When: Jul 14-19, times vary Where: Saroyan Theatre, 730 M St., Fresno Contact: 445-8100

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GEORGE LOPEZ

FIRST SATURDAY

The ultimate American comedian, actor, and talk show host will be bringing his “Listen to my Face” tour to the Central Valley. Listen to the hilarious comedian as he stands-up in front of a crowd and do what he does best. Tickets are $40-$100.

Food, fun, and fabulous art. Every first Saturday of the month, the artists, restaurants, and merchants of Three Rivers open their doors and invite you to join in a town-wide celebration. You can pick up a map and schedule at Anne Lang’s Emporium or the Historical Museum – art to see, locations and times for special events.

When: Jul. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Tachi Palace, 17225 Jersey Ave., Lemoore Contact: 866-IPalace

ART EXHIBITS

When: Jul. 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Dr. (CA 198), Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or www.1stSaturdayTR. com

BLACK & WHITE REVISITED (SHADES OF GREY)

FIRST FRIDAY Explore the muli-sensory art events featured throughout the Downtown Visalia area. Stroll Main Street and see, hear, taste, and smell the art while spending the evening outdoors, engrossed in the cultivating arts scene here in Visalia.

The annual Visalia Art League Members Exhibition, “Black & White Revisited (Shades of Grey)” is currently on display, featuring art in a variety of media by local artists.

When: Through Jun. 27, Wed.-Sat., 12-5:30 p.m.

Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 739-0905

When: Jul. 3, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Downtown Visalia Contact: firstfridayvisalia.com

HAPPENINGS

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LIFEST YLE | JUNE 2015

DIVERSIONS & EXCU R S I O N S FATHER/SON DAY Spend Father’s Day supporting the Visalia Rawhide. For just $35, guests will receive two grandstand tickets, two Rawhide Family t-shirts, one bag of peanuts, and one game-used baseball.

When: Jun. 21, 1 p.m.

Where: Rawhide Stadium, 300 N. Giddings, Visalia Contact: 732-4433

PORTERVILLE FREEDOM FEST This annual Independence Day celebration welcomes residents and visitors for an old fashioned family event at the Sports Complex. Beer garden and vendor booths, live entertainment by the Blue Jackets, an aerial performance, bicycle stunt team, and the finale fireworks show make for an authentic American experience.

Entry fee is $10 per car in advance, $15 day of.

When: Jun. 27, 5-9:30 p.m.

Where: Porterville Sports Complex, 2701 W. Scranton Ave., Porterville Contact: 791-7695

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HAPPENINGS

30TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY Join Westgate Gardens Care Center in celebrating their 30th anniversary and ribbon cutting. The afternoon will feature live entertainment with "Elvis in the building," raffle prizes, refreshments, and tours of the facility.

When: Jun. 25, 5-7 p.m.

Where: Westgate Gardens Care Center, 4525 W. Tulare Ave., Visalia Contact: 733-0901

EXETER 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION Head on over to Exeter and celebrate the 4th all day long. The day begins with a pancake breakfast, 10K, 5K, or 2-mile walk, as well as a horseshoe tournament. End the day with a fireworks show presented by the Exeter Lions Club at Lions Stadium.

When: Jul. 4, 7 a.m.

Where: Exeter City Park, Chestnut & E St., Exeter Contact: 592-2919

FULL MOON ON MORRO ROCK Meet atop the granite dome for this enchanting program focusing on the features of the Moon, including craters and lunar seas. Hear stories from our civilization’s past as you enjoy watching the moon rise over the Great Western Divide.

When: Jul. 1, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Giant Forest Museum, Generals Highway, Three Rivers Contact: 565-4480

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WONDERS OF THE NIGHT SKY Get the backyard basic to stargazing on this tour of the night sky. Listen to ancient and cultural stories about the consetllations as you enjoy an evening under one of California’s most brilliant skies. No physical fitness required, just dress appropriately for the evening’s weather. And did we mention it’s free?

When: Jun. 27, 9 p.m.

Where: John Muir Lodge Lobby, 86728 CA-180, Kings Canyon National Park Contact: 565-3759

CONCERTS IN THE PARK Spend an evening outdoors with family at this free concert event. Each Wednesday of the month will feature a new band. June 24: Tulare Community Band (patriotic/military), July 1: J.E.R.K. (variety), and July 8: Bruthas of Anutha Mutha (rock, blues).

When: Jun. 24; Jul. 1 & 8, 7:30 p.m.

Where: ZumwaH Park, Tulare Ave. & M St., Tulare Contact: 684-4313

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VISALIA FARMER’S MARKET Weekly event open to the public featuring free live music, cooking demonstrations, and local, fresh produce available for purchase. Learn new recipes and nutrition information about fresh market produce.

When: Thursdays – Downtown Visalia, 5-8 p.m. / Saturdays – Sequoia Mall, Sears parking lot 8-11:30 a.m.

Where: Church & Main / Sears parking lot at Mooney and Caldwell, Visalia Contact: 967-6722 or www.visaliafarmersmarket.com

C H A R I TA B L E EVENTS PIZZA WITH A PURPOSE Enjoy a great meal and support a great cause. Every last Monday of the month in 2015, The Planing Mill will donate a portion of the evening’s revenue to the Visalia Rescue Mission. Grab a slice of pizza with the family while benefitting a local nonprofit.

When: Jun. 29, 5-9 p.m.

Where: The Planing Mill, 513 E. Center St., Visalia Contact: vrmhope.org/events

HAPPENINGS

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LIFEST YLE | JUNE 2015

7TH ANNUAL FOOD FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER Join the Visalia Rescue Mission as they host the 7th annual Food Fight Against Hunger. There will be a live cooking demo presented by The Vintage Press’ David Vartanian, and amateur chefs competing for top honors in the cooking competitions! Enjoy the prizes, delicious food and drinks, and live music. Tickets are $25.

When: Jul. 19, 3-6 p.m.

Where: Holiday Inn Visalia Ballroom, 9000 W. Airport Dr., Visalia Contact: vrmhope.org/events

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