Lifestyle Magazine | October 2018

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PICCO DI FRESCHEZZA

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Tazzaria has transformed! Chef Ryan Lucas gives us a taste of what to expect from the new Bistro di Bufala.

The refreshed Italian classic dishes embody the flavors of Italy as well as the late-summer-to-fall flavor changeover.

TAKING A LOOK BACK

LIFESTYLE STAFF PICKS A restored farmhouse, a home built to mirror the land, an incomparable view of the valley …

Icelandic vodka cocktails, mouthwatering mains and sides, delectable desserts … enchanting and rollicking tales from home and abroad … you look forward each month to the best in style, art, culture that Lifestyle is honored to bring you.

Here are our staff picks – “Superlatives,” if you will – from the last five years.

REFLECTIONS OF VISALIA

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SPEED COPS

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The advent of automobile travel on rural roads designed for horse-andbuggy transport gave a whole new meaning to the term “Wild West.”

Terry Ommen gives us the road map of the evolution of traffic cops and how they’ve helped keep Tulare County safe for 100 years.

10 12th Annual Waiters Race

Letter from the Executive Editor

14 Business Profile 56 Fitness Challenge 58 Word Play 60 Happenings

HAUNTED HAPPENINGS

TWILIGHT CEMETERY TOUR

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Did you know that Visalia’s Public Cemetery originally stood where the city’s downtown is? Just in time for All Hallows Eve, Major Rogers brings us aboard a flatbed for an excursion around the cemetery with grounds and facilities supervisor Ron Greenlee.

TOP: Photographer Danny Klorman’s keen eyes captured the Whites’ magnificent home to perfection.

Published By

DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291

Karen Tellalian

Executive Editor

Creative Director

Art Director

Senior Designer Web Designer/Designer

Assistant Editor

Text Editor

Greg Bitney Marcie Vagnino Frank Miramontes Kaci Hansen Sue Burns Melinda Brown

Contributing Writers

Diane Slocum Justin Levine Lisa McEwen Major Rogers Sue Burns Terry L. Ommen

Business Management Malkasian Accountancy LLP

Gary Malkasian CPA

Jeffrey Malkasian EA

Operations Manager Maria Gaston

Advertising Sales

Sales Office

Sales@DMIAgency.com 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • Fax 559.738.0909

E-Mail Lifestyle@DMIAgency.com

WEBSITE www.VisaliaLifestyle.com

View The Mag Online Issuu.com/LifestyleMagazine Facebook.com/LifestyleMag Instagram: visalialifestyle

RACK LOCATIONS DMI Agency Evolutions Fitness Center, Tulare

Exeter Chamber of Commerce Tazzaria Coffee & Tea The Lifestyle Center

Visalia Chamber of Commerce Visalia Convention Center

COUNTERTOP LOCATIONS 210 Cafe AMCC Ashoori & Co. Jewelers Blend WIne Room Chad Clark Hair Salon Charcuterie Chelsea Street Boutique Citizen's Bank Comfort Suites Downtown CreekSide Day Spa Skin & Laser Center Downtown Visalia Alliance Ed Dena Auto Center, Visalia Exeter Chamber of Commerce Exeter Library Franey's Design Center

Glick's and Co. Holvik Family Health Center ImagineU Children’s Museum Janeen’s Furniture Gallery Kaweah Delta Hospital Keller Williams Reality Max's Cookies Michael's Custom Jewelry Monét’s, Exeter Pacific Treasures Premier Medical Clinic PRO-PT Renaissance Salon Salon 525 Sherman & Associates

Sunmed Health & Weight Management The Aesthetic Center The Smoke House, Visalia Tulare County Library Visalia Ceramic Tile Visalia First Assembly Visalia Marriott Visalia Medical Clinic Watson's Wildflower Café, Exeter Williams, Brodersen & Pritchett, Attorneys at Law Windows Plus, Inc. Wyndham Hotel

Visalia Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and is distributed via direct mail to nearly 13,600 homes in the upper-middle and high-income neighborhoods in Visalia. An additional 2,000 copies are distributed at various distribution points around Visalia, Tulare, and Exeter.

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

Circulation of this issue: 15,600 © 2018 DMI Agency

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FUELING FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

559-651-1760 | 8601 W. ROOSEVELT AVE., VISALIA CA 93291

FR O M TH E

EDITOR

I

f someone would have told me 15 years ago that in October 2018 we would be publishing Lifestyle Magazine’s 15th anniversary issue, I’m not sure I would have believed them. That’s a long time in publishing years, and we never take our longevity for granted. If anything, it’s a tribute to the wonderful residents and small business owners who have, from Day One, appreciated our efforts to showcase the very best of what can be found in our community.

With a humble heart, we thank you.

The office of the executive editor is often messy and, at times, chaotic. Even in the age of digital media, we sit behind endless mounds of paper reviewing every potential

best we can make it. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of you have told us how much you love and appreciate what we do, and you should know how much we appreciate hearing that. Which brings me to the greatest part of publishing Lifestyle – the relationships it afforded us along the way.

We’ve met so many wonderful new people and we’ve strengthened relationships with others.

Lifestyle has also been the vehicle to embrace and pay tribute to the good works of so many of our local nonprofits that so diligently help others. It’s our pleasure to assist these organizations in telling their stories.

Nearly 180 Home Tours and Culinary Features, hundreds of community happenings and profiles of trailblazers... a lot has happened since that first issue in October, 2003.

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

article through a critical lens. Nearly 180 Home Tours and Culinary Features, hundreds of community happenings and profiles of trailblazers, it takes an army of behind-the-scenes support to make this happen. From our full-time staff to our contributing writers and photographers, to our chefs, printers, mail sorters and our delivery team, it’s like a Jenga puzzle with every piece playing a supporting, but critical, role.

A lot has happened since that first issue in October 2003. I joined the team in 2005 and became the new owner in January 2006. We sought and developed new talent and we made Lifestyle even better. We’ve lived through triumph and tragedy and, at times, relied almost entirely on faith – in God, in family, in community and in each other. We’ve also worked very hard, putting in long hours and juggling calendars to make sure every issue is the

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We hope you enjoy this issue, one that is not unlike the other 179. Our mission continues to be about the style, art, culture and events found in our community; in celebration of that, our staff has taken a look back over the features since our 10th anniversary and selected their favorites.

Even though we cannot list them all, we appreciate each and every one.

These past 15 years have given us many blessings, and we are grateful. As we look forward to the next 15 years, or more, we’re excited about every home we’ve yet to see, every new recipe yet to be created, and every new event we’ve yet to learn about.

We cannot wait to share those stories with you next month, next year, next decade.

Warmest regards,

DOWNTOWN SCENE

12TH ANNUAL VISALIA WAITERS RACE T E X T

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ot since the 2016 summer of Pokemon has downtown Main Street in Visalia been so alive with activity. What brings people out in droves to an event that starts on a 90-degree Indian Summer day and ends under a cool moonlit night?

It’s the 12th annual Visalia Waiters Race, produced by the communitycentered group of the Downtown Breakfast Lions. The event has two different race classes. One is the Men’s and Women’s Quick Service, which consists of fast-food or casual dining establishments. The other is the Women’s and Men’s Full Service (which includes formal dining).

Restaurants from all over Visalia and Exeter, 25 in all, submit a runner who, while carrying a tray and items similar to either format (fast-food items, such as a food container and cups, or a wine bottle and glasses) race a turn-around route of 440 yards, for time, being disqualified if items fall from the tray.

Along with racers from our service industry, the Manny Mendoza Bud Dash for Cash is sponsored by Budweiser and 10 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 8

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named in honor of Mendoza. He originally came up with concept, which allows a specific race for participants outside the restaurant industry, where the nonprofit of the winning runner’s choice benefits.

In the past, we have witnessed local bankers racing each other, firefighting personnel or real estate agents engaging in the spirit of competition, carrying a tray with bottles of Budweiser. This year, Kaweah Delta employees competed for Pink Tea Party, a group that lends support to those who have had their lives touched by cancer. The dash is another opportunity for participants to compete against each other for the amusement of spectators, as well as for Manny’s vision of giving back to the community. This year’s winner of the dash was Raina McNamara.

Waiters Race service competitors enjoy a cash prize of $1,000; however, within the competition, the sense of community isn’t lost.

Correy Crumdick , server at The Depot restaurant, says she enjoys “getting to see everyone and catching up and

having a good time. These are all our friends.” Correy points out the camaraderie of the Visalia servers, who ultimately work on the same team to enhance the experience of local consumers. Her friend and serving competitor, Victoria Alva, who works at Jack and Charlie’s, interjects with a laugh and says, “And the money would be nice, too,” highlighting the spoils of victory.

Restaurant family the Vartanians founded the race in 1985 and ran the event until 1994. The race was revived by Events Visalia and the Breakfast Lions, under the continued supervision of John Vartanian in 2007. Vartanian summed up the event’s value with words that echo true today when he said: “The real reason behind the event is it shines the spotlight on the men and women servers in the industry,” a profound statement of acknowledgment for some of the hardest-working people in town who get to share a spotlight and provide a good time for all.

There is another important factor in pulling an event like this off and that’s volunteerism. Dozens are relied upon to

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DOWNTOWN SCENE

put an event as entertaining as this on in a successful manner. One volunteer is Annabelle Soto, owner of downtown’s Annabelle’s Bridal Boutique, who is entering her fifth year of volunteerism.

“I volunteer for everything they ask me to do for downtown. I love my community,” Annabelle says when asked of her continued involvement.

Other support comes from business donations and volunteers from such places as Bueno Beverage, Le Boulevard coffee shop and restaurant, A&W restaurants and Citizens Business Bank, to name a few, as well as several tied to city and county government. Momentum Broadcasting supplied the voice and color of the day.

Another colorful character whose presence is known was April Skye, an on-air personality from 99.7 Classic Rock Radio, who helped with broadcasting the event. When asked her thoughts on the activities, she said, “The restaurant servers that came out and ran the race always seem to have a lot of fun, as do the spectators that line up along Main Street in downtown Visalia to watch the Waiters Race. It’s one of the many special events that we have here in the Central Valley.”

April’s sentiment seemed to resonate with most who attend the event year after year, including event co-chair Mary Jo Eastes, who says, “Bringing people to downtown Visalia and exposing them to all the things our city has to offer makes producing the Waiters Race a worthy project. Seeing the streets lined with folks just makes it all good.”

The year’s first-place finishers were Tiffany Craddock of Black Bear Dinner, Women’s Quick Service; Tim Parker of Visalia Brewing Company, Men’s Quick Service; Ashley Giannandra of Casa Grande (a repeat winner from 2017), Women’s Full Service, and Garrett Dun of Red Lobster, Men’s Full Service.

Chances are that if you live in the Visalia area, you have heard of this event and possibly attended. If you missed this year’s event, you missed a good time.

The good news? The Waiters Race will return next year and is sure to be bigger and better than ever, so mark your calendar for September 2019 and join the party of onlookers from our own Main Street Visalia. L 12 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 8

BUSINESS PROFILE

PLASTIC SURGEON HONORED TO BE A PART OF WOMEN’S LIVES DURING BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH T E X T

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arly in his surgical career, Dr. Alex Lechtman had a moment that forever changed his approach when meeting with breast cancer patients.

Sitting across from him was a woman in her mid-30s who had just received a breast cancer diagnosis and would be needing breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. A mother and wife, the woman broke down in tears during the office visit, unsure of how the diagnosis would alter her life physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally.

With comforting words and a gentle hug, he reassured the patient that he was prepared to help her.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of a woman’s care during this time of her life,” Dr. Lechtman said, reflecting on a career that has spanned more than 27 years. “The burden of care is on the oncologist and surgeons, but as a plastic surgeon, I am fortunate to be able to come along at a time to make things better for the patient.

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It’s a responsibility I take very seriously.”

Because he is a son, husband and father, Dr. Lechtman said he has gained a deeper understanding of what the loss of a breast can mean to a woman. “I am fortunate to be in their life at this time and am there to hopefully make a positive impact.”

All of this becomes especially clear in the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Helping women find a new normal after a cancer diagnosis is just one way that Dr. Lechtman brings a sense of hope and relief to his patients.

Sitting down to an interview in his California Mission-style, light-filled practice in northwest Visalia, Dr. Lechtman explained his path to becoming a surgeon.

His path to plastic surgery began as a young boy growing up in Southern California. His father worked as a microbiology professor at a local community college and, in the campus Museum for Biology, a plastic mannequin stood at

“A 2nd Opinion is Usually a Great Strategy” “Scott Bosler is a man of integrity and represents what you want in an insurance agent. I have known him for over 25 years and have worked with him closely over the last decade as one of the founders of Central Valley Insurance Agency. He provides insurance coverage for me and my family for my homes, an office building, autos as well as an umbrella policy.

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the ready. He enjoyed taking the body apart and putting it back together as often as he could.

“Plastic surgery is all about anatomy and how you can use it to fix problems,” he said.

The specialty has its roots in the care of World War II soldiers, when surgeons attempted to repair battlefield damage.

A decade later, cosmetic surgery came into play with the management of wound appearance.

He enrolled for his undergraduate work at University of California at Berkeley, graduated from medical school at the University of California at San Diego in 1991, then moved north again to complete an internship, residency and chief residency in general surgery at the University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. During these years, Dr. Lechtman learned that he preferred the ability to schedule his patients’ plastic and cosmetic surgeries over middle-of-the-night emergency surgeries.

He completed his board certification in plastic surgery in Sacramento after eight years of residency training.

He encountered a recruiter for Visalia Medical Clinic and, by then, he and wife Jenifer had three children: Sam, Adam and Rebecca. The move to Visalia occurred in 1999 and, 19 years later, Dr. Lechtman said he couldn’t have made a better choice to relocate his family and open a practice.

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The city’s continual growth had a direct impact on his success, as well as being tied to the Visalia Medical Clinic.

“I have really enjoyed living in Visalia,” he said. “It really is the jewel of the Valley. It’s so easy to live here.”

Through the years, he has provided expert care and completion of a variety of procedures, including breast reconstruction, breast augmentation, breast reduction/lift, tummy tuck and eye/face/brow lifts. While many procedures are cosmetic and elective, many patients come to Dr. Lechtman for reconstructive surgery that is necessary to fix abnormal structures on the body, whether from congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection or disease. The only procedure he does not perform is rhinoplasty, which is cosmetic improvement of the nose.

It is important to note that Dr. Lechtman is the only plastic surgeon in Tulare County with hospital privileges at Kaweah Delta Medical Center. This means that if patients of other plastic or cosmetic surgeons have a problem post-operatively, their plastic surge on cannot attend to them and Dr. Lechtman is called in. Dr. Lechtman encourages people to do extensive research and check credentials before committing to a cosmetic procedure.

While I toured his office one afternoon, Dr. Lechtman humbly explained a shiny new plaque hanging in a hallway. In December, he was honored as Physician

of the Year by the Tulare County Medical Society BUSINESS for his pro-bono work in PROFILE Mexico with InterFACE, a volunteer surgical group whose primary focus is cleft palate and cleft lip repair. He first learned of the opportunity while a student in medical school.

“When I first heard about InterFACE, my reaction was, ‘Send me down now!’” he said. “It is a chance to do amazing work with amazing people.”

He has brought his children with him to observe surgeries, which he said has made a big impact on them.

“What a difference a line in the dirt makes,” he said. He plans to return for another volunteer stint in February 2019.

Dr. Lechtman is also involved with Congregation B’Nai David and, as fundraising chairman, recently concluded a successful campaign for the congregation’s new temple on Chinowth Street in Visalia. He attributes the success of that fundraising drive to a “good core group of people.”

Also of note is the fact that he and his wife are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this year and marking the occasion with a trip to Europe.

After 19 years of practice, Dr. Lechtman is eyeing the next phase of his life and career. One thing that is for certain is his dedication to Visalia.

“Visalia has been very good to me,” he said. “And I would like to continue to serve the community.” L

Picco di Freschezza R E C I P E S P H O T O S

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azzaria is transforming into the new Bistro di Bufala, and exciting new creations await you. Chefs James Jessen and Ryan Lucas and their team are stepping up and out to use the freshest produce and meats that the valley offers, along with handmade pastas, to create new traditions in Italian cuisine. As we transition from late summer to fall harvests, this issue’s recipes are a sampling of the flavors that await you.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO BURATTA SALAD INGREDIENTS Heirloom tomatoes – use a variety of colors, if available Balsamic vinegar Fresh basil Buratta cheese Salt and pepper DIRECTIONS Slice tomatoes 1/4-inch thick.

Place on sheet tray. Lightly salt and set aside for a few minutes.

Rough chop or tear the basil into pieces.

To serve: Arrange the tomatoes on a platter or individual plates.

Sprinkle with torn basil leaves and drizzle a little bit of balsamic vinegar over all, then place the buratta over the tomatoes.

Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a little more balsamic, if desired – and enjoy!

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EPICURE

Did you make these tasty treats?

Share your photos with us on Facebook and Instagram.

We look forward to seeing you online!

/LifestyleMag @visalialifestyle

#LifestyleVisaliaEpicure

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PRAWN PASTA INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

(for one plate; multiply for the number of servings you desire) 7 tiger prawns 1/4 roasted red bell pepper 1/4 diced Roma tomato 1/4 white onion, thinly sliced Pinch of garlic Pinch of parsley 1 lemon slice Torn basil leaves Olive oil (enough to coat the pan) Parmesan cheese shavings Fresh Italian (flat leaf) parsley, chopped Fresh basil, chopped Fresh chives, snipped Salt and pepper, to taste Cooked pasta (your choice of variety), one serving

Heat a sautĂŠ pan over high heat.

Add all ingredients except the prawns and sautĂŠ on high 3 minutes, until the onions are translucent.

Add in the prawns and cook until they are done.

Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.

Toss with the cooked pasta and finish with some olive oil, Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped herbs.

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PAPARDELLE PASTA ROASTED WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE CREAM INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

(for one plate; multiply for the number of servings you desire) 1/2 cup roasted butternut squash, diced Fresh sage, a few leaves torn 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon garlic Pinch of parsley Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup arugula Pinch of red chile flakes 1/2 cup heavy cream Papardelle pasta, cooked, one serving Parmesan cheese shavings Fresh Italian (flat leaf) parsley, chopped Fresh basil, chopped Fresh chives, snipped

In a sautĂŠ pan, combine the sage, butter, garlic, salt, pepper and chile flakes; cook, stirring, over medium heat until the butter begins to brown (watch carefully so that it does not burn).

Add the squash and cream and cook until the cream has reduced to the consistency you’d like.

Add the pasta and arugula (the greens will cook and wilt down with the heat of the cream and pasta).

Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.

Plate and finish with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.

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COMMUNITY Dear Lifestyle Staff, I'm writing not only as the current Mayor of Visalia, but as a regular reader of Lifestyle Magazine. I’m a big fan of the magazine, and always enjoy the interesting articles and photographs which help keep me apprised of local happenings. Congratulations to Lifestyle Magazine on fifteen great years, and may your next fifteen years be just as successful!

Mayor Warren Gubler

Dear Lifestyle Staff, I truly appreciate the sense of class that Lifestyle Magazine has brought to this community. You have shone a bright light on the high quality of life that people can enjoy in Visalia! We appreciate the caliber of both your written stories and beautiful photos that tell the Visalia story so well.

Thank you for being an important part of our area for the last decade and a half and congratulations on this milestone anniversary.

All the best in the years to come.

Vice Mayor Bob Link

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Your Home. Your Look.

559.625.8884 220 W. Main St., Visalia www.janeensfurniture.com

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS I

n every issue of Lifestyle we strive to take you through our community’s most amazing homes, bring the most delicious menus to your kitchens, and allow you to “stow away” on our travel writers’ adventures near and far. It could be argued successfully that every issue brings “the best of” in these categories.

Nevertheless our staff chose some of the standouts from the past five years to share again; we hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane!

We couldn’t celebrate our 15th anniversary without celebrating our contributors. Their unique perspectives and insights, creativity, humor, word craft and photographs make Lifestyle the magazine you love to read. Our staff members, too, bring their energy and vision to every page.

And, of course, a toast to you, dear readers old and new. We are grateful for your loyalty, support, suggestions and praise. Let’s raise our glasses to the next 15 years!

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You gotta go to Ed's!

LIFESTYLE CO Melinda Brown — Text Editor A native Californian and secondgeneration Angeleno, Melinda Brown left the confines of Southern California in October 2009 to take a job as a copy editor and page designer at the Visalia Times-Delta.

She moved to Mehrten Valley in Exeter along with her animals, including six thoroughbred horses, in January 2010.

She grew up in Los Angeles, holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and, while a college student, started work as a reporter at the Santa Monica Outlook, where she stayed for 20 years. She also worked 18 1/2 years at the Los Angeles Times and three years at the Ventura County Star.

She enjoys Scottish country dancing, ballet, reading, Ford Mustangs, part ownership of a race horse and is a season ticketholder for the Los Angeles Dodgers and USC football.

After five and a half years of “retirement” (three layoffs in seven years will do that), she now works part-time as a copy editor for Lifestyle and Direct magazines, and edits any other special projects that DMI sends her way.

Cheryl Dieter — Writer A former newspaper reporter, Cheryl Dieter is STILL working on three novels and completing none, while her numerous children and three grandchildren give her ideas for still more stories to be shared.

She likes to travel, watch sunsets and plan for retirement with Dave, her husband of 30 years.

Cheryl Levitan — Writer/ Photographer Cheryl grew up in Maryland in a newspaper family with a father who had his own darkroom to develop pictures back in the days of film photography. She first traveled internationally at age 14 with notebook, Nikon and light meter to chronicle travel articles for the newspaper. Now, after 38 years of marriage, a move to Visalia, a 20-year-long passion for ballroom dancing with her husband and career as a family nurse practitioner, her love of travel has remained constant. Still with notebook in hand, the light meter and film have thankfully been replaced by digital camera and iPhone. She has contributed 35 articles and countless photos to Lifestyle over the past six years.

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Diane Slocum — Writer Diane Slocum sold her first freelance article to the “Fresno Bee” in 1978.

In the 1980s, she served as a reporter at the “Mariposa Gazette,” reporter and editor at the “Fowler Ensign” and “Sanger Herald,” and information specialist at the California Agricultural Technology Institute at Fresno State. She wrote for various sections of the “Fresno Bee” for about seven years. Her “Word Play” column and “Literary Arts” features have appeared in Lifestyle since 2008. She also has interviewed mostly debut novelists for a monthly column for “Authorlink” since 2009. She lives north of Clovis on five acres with her husband, younger son, two dogs and six chickens. Besides reading, writing and caring for animals, she enjoys camping, hiking, running and pretty much everything that her church does.

Kelly Lapadula — Writer A San Diego native, Kelly Lapadula lived in Visalia with her husband for four years, immersing herself in the food, culture and community that the town has to offer. During that time, she enjoyed contributing countless articles to Lifestyle magazine, from Home Tour features and human-interest profiles to covering nonprofit and community events.

Now back in her home town of San Diego, Kelly works in marketing for a nonprofit organization by day, while continuing to pursue freelance writing opportunities when she can.

On weekends, she enjoys reading, eating her way through San Diego, and frequenting Coronado dog beach with her husband and golden retriever Charlie.

Major Rogers — Writer Major Rogers has been involved with DMI Agency and Lifestyle Magazine since 2005. He enjoys covering events that get him in free and feed him.

Major recently published his first book: “Amsterdam Acid,” a fictional trans-Atlantic travel story.

He lives in Visalia and likes to give as little information about himself as possible.

ONTRIBUTORS Sue Burns — Writer/Photographer Transplanted to the Central Valley from "the OC" three years ago, Sue loves spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, cats and chickens and in her garden. An avid cook, baker, recipe developer and writer since childhood, she shares her culinary creations and adventures from her corner of the blogosphere at itsokaytoeatthecupcake.com, and in her monthly Direct magazine column, The Recipe Box. As a contributor, Sue enjoys getting out and about in her new community covering local events, charity soirees and people. To keep things extra interesting, she currently serves as the assistant editor of Lifestyle as well.

Amy Sa — Photographer Aimee Sa grew up in the mountains near Shaver Lake and went to Fresno State, earning her B.A. and teaching credential. After teaching for 15 years, she became a mom and fell in love with photography. She photographs children, high school seniors, families, weddings and events.

The opportunity Lifestyle has given her to cover local events has been considered such a gift because she has met many local business owners and community members and has been able to participate in many local charity events.

When she's not behind the camera, you may find her hiking in the mountains and camping, being "the most perfect mommy of Peyton" (a title given to her by her then 7-year-old daughter), or sitting by a fire pit with her best friend, sipping a glass of wine and solving all the world's problems.

Danny Klorman — Photographer From high-end celebrity shoots to small family reunion, Danny Klorman captures the moments that leave an awestruck impression on viewers. The Mehrten Valley resident travels all over California doing HDR photography, HD video, aerial, virtual staging, weddings, family portraits, event photos and more. Top companies, professional sports teams and magazines repeatedly use him, citing his professionalism and craftsmanship.

Forrest Cavale — Photographer Forrest C. Cavale is owner and creative director of Cavale Creative Company. Forrest has been a creative professional for more than a decade with a stellar reputation in commercial photography, front-end web design and cinematography (including numerous national TV spots).

He began his career in 2005 focused on weddings and portraits and moved into the commercial/nonprofit world in 2007. Forrest helped launch and operate the creative department at 4Creeks Inc. in 2013 and, in 2016, he started Cavale Creative along with his wife.

He is married to Jessica Cavale, and they have two young boys, Finn and Beck.

Taylor Johnson — Photographer A wife, mother, daughter, friend, lover of coffee, food, people, overcast days, road trips, missions trips, triathlons and try-anythings, Taylor Johnson resides with her family in Porterville. Taylor is a Visalia native and graduate of Redwood High School. After 11 years of photographing people, events, food and homes for Lifestyle Magazine, she enjoys working alongside her husband in his ministry, as well as photographing kids, high school seniors, families, engagements and weddings as Taylor Johnson Photography.

Trisha Dean — Photographer Trisha Dean with The Good Life Photography is the mother of a handsome little guy, Dominic, and a devoted wife to husband Shaun.

She enjoys traveling, exercising, cooking and riding motorcycles.

Her favorite night involves family, pizza and whiskey with Cherry Coke – not shy on the whiskey.

“I offer a down-to-earth experience to clients throughout the Central Valley and beyond. I consider myself just a cowboy boot-wearin’ girl with a decent camera and an eye for awesome moments.

“I offer a wide range of photography services focused on professionalism, creativity, high energy and originality. The essence of what I deliver is photography that creates an emotional impact and fully captures those beautiful moments that might otherwise be forgotten.”

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LIFESTYLE CONTRIBUTORS David Vartanian — Chef Born in Burbank, David was number nine in a family of 11 children.

In 1966, his father, John Vartanian, moved the family to Visalia, where they established their residence and started the Vintage Press Restaurant.

When he was a young boy, David first dreamed of being a carpenter.

He loved to create and build things using his hands. As he got older, the family business grew. He worked hard and learned every aspect of restaurant life through experience and culinary education. He found that he was able to create and build dishes to delight people.

While enjoying being a part of the culinary experience, David knows that a successful restaurant needs a strong community around it. Fresh produce, meat and fish are ordered daily. The menu is constantly revolving to incorporate seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Elaine Dakessian — Chef Chef Elaine Dakessian has been a member of the Valley community since 2000, when she moved from the Monterey Peninsula to help her family. She started as a personal chef for private clients in Fresno but soon decided to open a shop in Visalia to be able to home-school her daughter.

Tres Bien was conceived.

She was persuaded to give up the shop for consulting work, but soon found that she missed being on her own and creating her own recipes.

Currently, Elaine’s catering home is the senior center, where she and her staff prepare meals for Visalia and Tulare as well as a local school. She is still busy booking events, private dinners and all that comes with being a chef.

Recently, she made a partial move back to Monterey where she plans to retire – if there is such a thing – but a three-hour drive won’t stop her from coming back if asked!

Ryan Lucas — Chef Ryan Lucas started his culinary career at a young age, working at various local restaurants in the city of Visalia.

In his early 20s, he landed a job in the kitchen at a fast-paced Italian bistro down south, where his passion for cooking caught fire. As chef at Tazzaria, now Bistro di Bufala, he has contributed numerous recipes to Lifestyle. He is blessed to have creative license and a great kitchen team to bring their culinary ideas to life. He is excited to keep improving and creating food that is well-flavored, balanced and interesting.

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Erin Tyler — Chef Chef Erin Tyler has more than 35 years of culinary education and experience.

After graduating in 1995 from the first bachelor’s program at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, she went on to develop the culinary program for the nation's first private high school for overweight teens. In addition to the high school, Chef Erin created the culinary program for weight-loss camps located worldwide. During that time, she was also a culinary educator, teaching more than 1,000 young adults and children essential cooking skills, and how to create menus and recipes to use throughout their lifetime.

Chef Erin recently designed and developed the KidShape 2.0 cooking program, proving how beneficial culinary skills and education are to the success of any healthy lifestyle and weight-loss program.

She continues to be an educator in healthy cooking, but when she's not in the kitchen, you'll find her with her husband, Andrew, on the golf course.

James Jessen — Chef James Jessen and his wife Michelle have spent the last 15 years building and expanding their restaurants, Tazzaria (now Bistro di Bufala) Pizanos, and The Butcher and Baker in downtown Visalia. His achievements include developing recipes for Odwalla Juice Company as part of a nationwide culinary project and cooking at the governor’s mansion for various fundraising events, as well as judging and competing in culinary competitions. Tazzaria has been recognized and published in Bon Appétit magazine, and Jessen’s restaurants have won several awards for their culinary excellence.

Lori Rice — Chef Lori Rice is a food photographer and writer focusing on everything from the producer to the plate. A nutritional scientist by education, Lori began her career in Cooperative Extension. Today, she works with food organizations to develop recipes and style, and photograph foods and drinks while helping tell their stories through writing and social media outreach. More than a decade ago in a biergarten in Vienna, she found a passion for travel, food culture and wellcrafted beer, which led to the publication of her cookbook “Food on Tap: Cooking with Craft Beer” (Countryman Press, 2017). Her work can also be found in “CIDERCRAFT Magazine,” King Arthur Flour’s “Sift magazine” and “Hobby Farms Magazine.” She lives in Visalia with her husband and two pugs.

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STAFF PICK HOME TOUR

HOME TOUR

OUTDOOR SPACE P H O T O BY DA N N Y K L O R M A N

THE NICKEL HOME, APRIL 2017

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utdoor living at the home of Gene and Carol Nickel, custom-built on the South Fork of the Kaweah River, is a communal experience with nature. The deck and endless pool overlook the river, while a set of steps leads directly from the home to the water.

RENEW & RESTORE P H O T O BY DA N N Y K L O R M A N

THE VANDERVEEN HOME, OCTOBER 2016

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aryl and Kristin Vanderveen fell in love with their 1920s farmhouse the moment that they walked through the door. They had it restored and were moved in within six months of purchasing it, although completely furnishing it and the backyard took longer — labors of love indeed.

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HOME TOUR

USE OF COLOR

P H O T O BY DA N N Y K L O R M A N

THE CRAWFORD HOME, OCTOBER 2017

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bright orange porch swing, lime green walls and yellow kitchen cupboards; a mural painted by a tattoo artist on a boy’s bedroom wall; metallic ceiling paint and furniture handcrafted by the homeowners. Holly and Travis Cline’s 1933 Visalia home is vibrant and energetic, thanks to their deft use of color.

HOME TOUR

OVERALL HOME P H O T O BY DA N N Y K L O R M A N

THE WHITE ESTATE, MAY 2018

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rom the spectacular view to the wine cellar to the amazing kitchen to the master closet with sitting area and leopard-print carpet, Jessica and Mike White left no detail unplanned when they rebuilt their Lemon Cove home after a devastating fire.

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HOLIDAY HOME P H O T O BY DA N N Y K L O R M A N

THE CLINE HOME, DECEMBER 2017

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efore they met, Sheila and Randy Cline were at opposite ends of the holiday decorating spectrum.

When they married and became a family with Sheila’s son Paden and their younger son Stevie, there was no question that they’d go all out to deck the halls. With Christmas trees in nearly every room and antique decorations throughout, it’s impossible not to catch the holiday spirit here.

INTERIOR DESIGN P H O T O BY TAY L O R J O H N S O N

THE BLACKBURN HOME, NOVEMBER 2014

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ulie and Ross Blackburn’s Spanishstyle home is filled with unique features, most notably the doors.

Every door in the house is different; the 9-foot front door gives the feeling of entering a castle. Complementing the enormous entry is an equally grand residence, with large furniture, high ceilings and a magnificent wrought-iron chandelier.

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STAFF PICK HOME TOUR

EXTERIOR DESIGN THE LAPP RIVERHOUSE, JUNE 2015

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rgatecture” — organic architecture that uses shapes reflecting nature — is the hallmark of Debbie and Greg Lapp’s home along the Kings River. Mirroring the shape of the local foothills, its open and airy floor plan makes it easy to bring the feel of the outside right into the home.

HOME TOUR

URBAN SPACE P H O T O BY DA N N Y K L O R M A N

CASA DE SCIACCA, DOWNTOWN VISALIA, MAY 2017

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s Main Street enjoys an ongoing makeover, downtown living has made a comeback through the efforts of Visalia natives Marlene and Sam Sciacca, who created – on their own dime – living spaces above the Chelsea Street Boutique, and then Casa de Sciacca on the second floor of the old Sweet Building. The high-end finishes and easy access to downtown eateries, cultural events and activities are very attractive to empty-nesters and young professionals looking for a fun, very cool and low-maintenance residence.

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COMMUNITY Dear Lifestyle Staff, “Congratulations on 15 years of Lifestyle publications! The Lifestyle magazine is a great contribution to the South Valley that highlights a growing, vibrant, and culturally diverse community and all that it has to offer.

Thank you!”

Jason Salazar — Chief of Police

Dear Lifestyle Staff, Congratulations on 15 years of producing Lifestyle magazine. Being in business for 15 years is no easy feat; doing it as an industry mainstay is certainly something to celebrate.

Our community turns to Lifestyle for style, art, culture and everything South Valley. You tie us together as we read about the hopes, accomplishments and travels of our neighbors. We anxiously open the magazine each month "ohhing and ahhing" as we discover our communities' beautiful homes in the home tours. You truly highlight the best that is Visalia and the South Valley.

From a commerce perspective, providing trusted creditable advertising space for local businesses to reach residents has helped numerous businesses establish roots, grow and thrive.

As a chamber, we often share about the importance of "buying local". Lifestyle makes supporting local business a way of doing business.

Again, congratulations on 15 years of service to this community. We look forward to many, many more.

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Interior plantscaping and some simple design elements can make your place of business or home more warm and inviting.

Call 559.734.4920 to see what we can do for your interior.

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STAFF PICK EPICURE

OVERALL MENU

P H O T O

B Y

T A Y L O R

J O H N S O N

HOMEGROWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS, DECEMBER 2013

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hef Karl Merten utilized the best of local produce and products to create a four-course holiday menu of updated traditional foods. Chateaubriand of Beef with Chianti Reduction, Local Greens Tossed in Pomegranate Cider Vinaigrette, Bundled Haricots Vert, Parsley Potatoes, Eggnog Crème Brûlée and Falling Star Cocktail guarantee a most delicious meal.

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MAIN DISH P H O T O

B Y

F R A N K

M I R A M O N T E S

ST. LOUIS STYLE RIBS, AUGUST 2018

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ur talented Epicure chefs never fail to dazzle us with their main dishes, from exotic plates to satisfying comfort foods. Chef Elaine Dakessian’s Game Day Gourmet ribs are the epitome of good oldfashioned tailgate fare with a modern spin. Her generously spiced ribs, braised in beer and finished with a sweet-hot Hoisin and Chili Garlic glaze, literally had us drooling during the photo shoot … don’t you just wish you could reach into the picture to grab one?

SIDE DISH P H O T O

B Y

T A Y L O R

J O H N S O N

ROASTED RED POTATOES WITH BACON VINAIGRETTE, DECEMBER 2017

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ometimes it’s the simplest combinations that yield the best flavors. Thus it is with Chef Ryan Lucas’ potatoes. Potatoes roasted in olive oil, salt and pepper tossed with sweet and savory bacon dressing are topped with fresh parsley for a perfect accompaniment to almost any main course.

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STAFF PICK EPICURE

SALAD P H O T O

B Y

P A I G E

V A U G H N

WATERMELON SALAD, JULY 2018

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isalia native Chef Edgar Rico’s Watermelon Salad was an instant hit in the midst of our 30-plus days of more than 100-degree heat. Combining unexpected ingredients queso fresco cheese, pickled red onions, mint, basil, lemon juice and chili powder with yellow and red watermelon yields a refreshing salad with a bit of a kick.

DESSERT P H O T O

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J O H N S O N

CHERRY CRISP, JUNE 2017

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hef David Vartanian’s juicy, crunchy, sweet-tart dessert using the summer’s bounty is easy to make but impossible to resist. Now that’s a winning combination … we say “Cheers!” to cherries!

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STAFF PICK EPICURE

COCKTAILS P H O T O

B Y

F O R R E S T

C A V A L E

ICELANDIC COCKTAILS, FEBRUARY 2018

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ade by the Jack and Charlie’s team, Lightning on My Feet, Icelandic Lady, Iceberg Paralyzer and Viking Punch get their pizazz from Reyka Vodka. Distilled in Iceland using all the clean natural resources available, it’s the world’s first “green” vodka.

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STAFF PICK TRAVEL

DOMESTIC PHOTO BY TAY L O R J O H N S O N

CHICAGO, MAY 2015

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aylor and Tim Johnson’s whirlwind two-day visit to snowy Chicago brought readers on a tourist’s jaunt that included a trip on the L train, seeing “The Bean” and the Art Institute, and an evening performance at the Public House Theater. One of their goals was to eat like the locals and they succeeded, from savoring donuts at the Do-Rite Donut Shop to soul food at The Roost Carolina Kitchen.

FOREIGN PHOTO BY C H E R Y L L E V I TA N

CENTRAL JAPAN, JUNE 2018

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ur travel writers never fail to transport us to amazing places … but what we really love is how they share their personal experiences, even when it might be slightly awkward for them! Cheryl Levitan’s story of her time in the onsen in Central Japan, which didn’t leave out the hilarious details of inadvertently getting herself trapped in a massage chair, had us all — and we’ll bet you, too – in stitches!

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EXOTIC PHOTO SUBMITTED BY CHERYL DIETER

TIBET AND MOUNT EVEREST, APRIL 2016

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ong flights and freezing weather, crushing altitude sickness and meditation to quiet her breathing marked the start of Cheryl Dieter’s voyage to visit the North Base Camp on Mount Everest. But she was soon entranced by the sights, sounds and people of Lhasa, and awed by the sight of Mount Everest at sunset. Trekking into base camp (on oxygen) at 17,060 feet, her group found the mountain shrouded in clouds, but she still brought its spirit home with her.

LOCAL PHOTO BY ALL DRONE SOLUTIONS

VISALIA, JUNE 2017

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e admit that we’re a little biased when it comes to our fair city. With so many great things attracting more tourists each year — the farmers markets and roadside stands, sprawling fields of fresh produce, the Towne Trolley, charming Main Street, unique and creative restaurants, antiques, the Rawhide baseball team, and close proximity to Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite national parks, to name just a few, what’s not to love?

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LIFESTYL Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing, and her professional experience spans nearly three decades of private sector management and planning experience. Karen also has six years of experience in the public sector as well as expertise in developing successful, award-winning magazines and print publications.

Her skills include creative thinking, strategy development, sales and marketing, radio and television production, writing and media buying. As DMI’s principal, Karen is actively involved in all client work. She has successfully negotiated hundreds of contracts for her clients.

KAREN TELLALIAN OWNER/PRINCIPAL

Since 2006, Maria has served as the operations manager for DMI Agency.

She has exceptional organizational skills, pays attention to every minute detail, and keeps everyone in the office on track with time and budgets.

She brings more than 30 years of experience in operations administration, with a special emphasis on training and process improvement methods.

In addition to process improvement and managing workflow, Maria is responsible for all of the agency billing, coordinates production both internally and with vendors, and even joins in brainstorming meetings when she has the time.

MARIA GASTON OPERATIONS MANAGER

GREG BITNEY CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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High-flying ideas come naturally to DMI’s creative director, Greg. Over his 35 years as a graphic designer and illustrator, his sense of adventure has taken him onto the floor in fencing competitions, into the mountains backpacking, and up in the air piloting ultralight aircraft. These days, his wife of 24 years and two grown step kids keep Greg’s feet on the ground outside their eight-acre farm with hikes around Lake Tahoe and travels to Europe. A Visalia native, Greg majored in illustration at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, then earned his B.A. in fine arts at Fresno State. Greg taps into his experience as an illustrator, web designer and copywriter to bring a unique edge to our clients' marketing solutions.

LE STAFF Born and raised in Colorado, Marcie left her home state and moved to Kansas City, Mo. where she attended the Kansas City Art Institute, received a B.F.A. in graphic design, and also met her husband-to-be. Shortly after graduation, Marcie and her husband made their way to California, where she eventually started her own graphic design business. With more than 35 years experience creating memorable and effective design communications, Marcie has served nearly every business category, including agriculture, banking, real estate, health care and manufacturing. The opportunity to work with a variety of industries, learning something new with each client, and applying her skills to help businesses grow and succeed is what Marcie enjoys most about her work.

MARCIE VAGNINO ART DIRECTOR

Kaci has more than 17 years of graphic design experience in the marketing industry, with her main focus being online marketing. She is proficient in HTML/CSS and content management systems such as WordPress and has designed, coded and launched hundreds of websites throughout her career. She also manages all of the search engine optimization (SEO) and online reputation management for our clients, assists with social media management, and designs for many online and print projects, as well.

KACIE HANSON WEBMASTER Frank’s background includes more than 15 years of experience in marketing program management, strategic planning, event planning and campaign management. All this emphasis on marketing provides Frank with ideas and insights that benefit our clients in ways that the average designer just can’t touch. His photography, videography and graphic design skills are put to use on a weekly basis. When he’s not composing next month’s issue of Lifestyle magazine or putting a camera through its paces, Frank enjoys building his own furniture and perfecting his next home brew.

FRANK MIRAMONTES GRAPHIC DESIGNER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER, VIDEOGRAPHER Malinda was born and raised in Southern California. She has an associate degree in psychology and bachelor studies in business emphasis on advertising and marketing.

She has 30-plus years employed in the banking world as an auditor and branch manager. Her career has given her years of experience in customer service, problemsolving and sales to business and personal customers. This work experience of selling and customer service has made the transition to sales executive for DMI an easy one.

A year ago, she moved to the Central Valley to be closer to family and leave the twohour traffic commutes behind! In her spare time, she enjoys traveling in and out of the country, scuba diving and catching the latest movies.

MALINDA BUZARD SALES EXECUTIVE

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SPEED COPS: KEEPING TULARE COUNTY ROADS SAFE FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY T E X T

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graduating from Liberty Elementary School and Tulare Union High School.

The bright young man quickly displayed leadership skills on the squad, which earned him the title of captain in May 1926. During his time as officer in charge, he acquired the nickname “Squeak.” No one seems to know why, but it stuck with him throughout his life.

In its early years, the traffic squad was headquartered in Visalia in the historic county-owned brick building adjacent to the old Masonic Hall at Church and Center streets. The building had quite a past as in 1860, it was the home of Dr. Martin Baker, a pioneer Visalia physician and druggist.

The traffic officers were busy in the 1920s, and Capt. Riley was shaking things up. He adjusted the patrol officer hours to include late evenings. In one three-day period in 1927, 101 citations were issued by the officers, almost all for driving a vehicle with glaring headlights because of poor adjustment.

Eventually, the California Supreme Court put an end to the concept of dual control, and county-supervised traffic squads were phased out. In 1929, the state Legislature created the California Highway Patrol (CHP) — a rural traffic enforcement agency with county offices

oon after the turn of the 20th century, automobile travel began to take over as the most popular mode of transportation on the roads of California, including those in Tulare County. Although the introduction of motorized vehicles would eventually be welcomed by almost everyone, the early years had their share of problems.

Roadways, especially in rural areas, had been created and maintained for much-slower and less-demanding horseand-buggy travel, and many were not prepared for what was going to happen.

Inferior roads, inexperienced drivers and the absence of laws regulating vehicle operation all came together to form a perfect storm and a new meaning to the term “Wild West.”

To help with the adjustment, Tulare and other California counties began fixing the inadequate roadways. In addition, the state created the California Vehicle Act of 1914 — a set of laws that standardized the rules of the road and provided uniformity for traffic enforcement throughout the state.

Traffic officers were hired under a plan known as “dual control,” whereby the state paid the salary for the various county traffic officers, but they were

supervised by officials within the county in which they worked.

When the new enforcement program began in Tulare County, it was assigned to the Sheriff’s Department, but soon was transferred to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors for management and supervision. In July 1916, the supervisors hired Percy Menefee, Tulare County’s first traffic officer. He received no training and went right to work. After just a few weeks on the job, the new motorcycle cop was surprised by what he saw on the road and expressed his concerns. He commented that there was “entirely too much automobile driving in the county by boys and others all without operator’s licenses.” He added that many drivers didn’t even know what a license was. Speeders were widespread, and frequently he would issue about 15 speeding citations a day to those “maniacs” who exceeded the maximum 35 mph limit.

During the next few years, more officers were added to the traffic squad and, in 1920, William E. Riley, a World War I U.S. Army veteran and former Dinuba police officer, was hired. Although he was a native of Denver, Colo., he had spent most of his life in Tulare County,

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TOP: The Tulare County motor squad on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles in front of the old office in about 1924. William “Squeak” Riley is standing at the far left.

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throughout the state. However, this time, the operation was totally controlled by state officials. During the transition, some of the traffic officers who had worked under the old system were absorbed into the newly created CHP, and Riley was one of them. He continued to be in charge of Tulare County’s CHP squad.

The local office was also busy in 1929.

In December alone, the squad patrolled a cumulative 13,763 miles of Tulare County roads, made 204 arrests — four for driving under the influence — and collected more than $1,200 in fines.

In May of the following year, the local office moved to larger quarters at 905 E. Main St. Now the squad included nine officers — some of whom were assigned to Tulare and Porterville. At the same time, traffic officers began preparing for formalized training, a requirement under the new legislation.

The local CHP office continued to increase in staff and responsibility. In

1937, the city of Visalia deeded to the state a large lot on the northeast corner of Mineral King Avenue and Stevenson Street. In 1939, the new office was built on the site with space to park several patrol cars and motorcycles. Twelve traffic officers were assigned there, as well as Capt. Riley, a registration clerk, stenographer and a few other administrative personnel. The building also served as a Department of Motor Vehicles office, with space for motorists to take written tests and eye exams.

The squad continued to grow and, by 1947, there were 17 traffic officers and, 10 years later, the number had jumped to 37, so again more space was needed. They vacated the Mineral King building in July 1959 after spending 20 years there. They sold it back to the city and the building became the home of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce.

Now the state cops looked west for more space. They found it at 8040 Ave. 296, almost directly across the freeway

Clockwise from top: A Tulare County road as viewed in about 1918.

The Tulare County squad of the California Highway Patrol in about 1929. Capt. William “Squeak” Riley is in the bottom row, second from the right.

This is the bridge over Cottonwood Creek in northern Tulare County in about 1920.

This building, located on the northeast corner of Stevenson Street and Mineral King Avenue, was built in 1939 as the office of the California Highway Patrol. Later, it became the home of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce. Circa 1980.

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from the Visalia Airport. But the CHP was not finished. It had one more move left, which was to the current location at 5025 W. Noble Ave. For 102 years, state traffic officers have patrolled Tulare County roads, and Visalia has been their headquarters. For more than a century, officers have educated the motoring public and kept the residents safe. They continue to be on the job 24/7, and we owe them our thanks and support. Today, the Tulare County unit of the CHP has 51 traffic officers and 22 patrol units, none of which are motorcycles, by the way! D.D. Gilmore is the Visalia area commander.

One more note: Capt. William “Squeak” Riley served with the combined Tulare County traffic squad and local California Highway Patrol for 37 years.

He died in 1965 at the age of 68 at the Veterans Home in Yountville.

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he cemetery tour started as twilight touched the sky. The oranges and reds of the setting sun led to the softer purples in the evening sky as a group of about 60 gathered under a 100-year-old oak at the Visalia Public Cemetery for the Wild West Cemetery Tour. A guided tour on drawn flatbeds covers about half a dozen specific gravesites, graves of the famous and Infamous marking Visalia’s rough-and-tumble past, complete with historical accounts.

McKellar Family Farms produced the tour. The family-owned business specializes in giving spectators, tourists and students a firsthand look at local historical attractions and citrus farming operations. The value of the tour is “to rebuild and restore community through education.” Our tour guide was Visalia native Ron Greenlee, the public cemetery‘s grounds and facilities supervisor. Along with keeping our cemetery, one of the largest public cemeteries in the state, looking pristine, Ron also moonlights as a musician. You can hear him as part of the house band at local downtown hot spot Crawdaddy’s.

He’s worked for the cemetery since 1983 and has been picking up interesting history lessons about residents there ever since.

The Visalia Public Cemetery, on West Goshen Ave. near North Giddings Street, was actually once where the current down-town stands and was moved to its present location around 1870, about the time that our town incorporated, which draws attention to how old our town is.

Visalia is actually the oldest town between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and there are a lot of tales and history to go along with that fact. “Our town had its share of gunslingers and nefarious folks,” Ron points out. “We were every bit as rowdy as places like Tombstone,” likening Visalia to the legendary Old West town.

Our first grave stop on the tour was that of Josiah ”Si” Loverin, 1852-1937.

This resident once owned Visalia’s most happening spot, Loverin’s Saloon. He was colorful and liked by as many as he was disliked by. He originally purchased a plot for Cecilia Miller, one of his saloon girls, who while working in a mountain saloon of his at Sequoia Mills, above Fresno, shot herself with one of his guns in 1892 at the age of 21. Her body lay in the Fresno coroner’s office so long that 52 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 8

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Photo by Major Rogers

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Loverin went and retrieved it himself and had the Tulare County coroner fill out the needed records so that she could be laid to rest. Si became involved with conspiracies, shady deals and was linked to a train robbery, and ultimately landed in Folsom Prison. Paroled in 1912, from what originally was a life sentence, he moved back to the area to finish his days.

Another fascinating tale took place at the freshly constructed tombstone of John Shannon, 1817-1860, founder of the Visalia Delta newspaper. He ultimately was shot in a gunfight with William Morris, who subsequently was involved with a competing newspaper. The exchange became so heated that Morris showed up to Shannon’s office and before it was all done, Shannon was shot dead, his last words, “He’s killed

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me.” Shannon’s tombstone reads: “Owner Visalia Delta, Gunned Down

by William Morris.”

An interesting or sad fact, when John Shannon was moved to the new cemetery, his new grave was either never given a stone or it was lost during the move. His gravesite remained unmarked for close to a century. With the efforts of historian lover Annie Mitchell, his grave was rediscovered.

Ron worked with Ron Westbrook at Visalia Granite and Marble, who created a gravestone, complete with the newsman’s photo.

Another man, James McCrory, was a disgraced and dismissed city marshal turned killer who had a reputation for being a nasty and violent man. One victim was a soldier he shot while in

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Arizona. The next was a popular bartender at Visalia’s Eldorado Saloon, which stood close to Church and Main streets. McCrory shot him over a petty cash dispute. The bartender was unarmed. After that, he turned to shoot a witness, but his gun jammed. Although the sheriff tried to stop it, McCrory was lynched on Christmas Eve. His body hung off the Court Street bridge over Mill Creek; it stayed there the entire day of Christmas. A Bay Area newspaper gave Visalia credit for handling “The stain on our city, the old way.”

Along the tour, with plans to grow to scheduled event, there were other stories of interest. We stopped at final resting place of Mary Graves Clarke, 1826-1891 (the marker says 1827-1891). This woman

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was a surviving member of the 1846-47 Donner Party. She ultimately settled in Visalia, surviving two husbands and a son. When her granddaughter once asked why she didn’t cry, Mary said, “If crying would make memories go away, I’d cry, but I have no more tears.”

Along the route, a notable and inspirational gravestone was pointed out. It was the final resting place of Anna M. Johnston, the first woman to climb Mt. Whitney in 1876, a feat of significant accomplishment for the times. She was a true pioneer and one Visalians should never forget.

The conclusion of the event was something tough to describe, an opportunity not experienced by most and one that won’t be experienced by most. This came with the chance to witness an operatic duo sing their magic inside a candlelit Italian marble mausoleum. Rosalinda Verde and Lauren Farris are performing members of the Visalia Opera Company. Their voices danced together, acoustically covering every inch of stone. Calling the moment beautiful would cheapen it. It was more otherworldly. Rosalinda says of the tour, “Our community deserves the opportunity to become enlightened by our history.”

Upon entering, each attendee was presented with a red carnation to place at the internee of their choice. Some went to random people; some had a friend or loved one; some placed them at the feet of pioneers Ben Maddox or one-time Visalia mayor and state Sen. Tipton Lindsay. One attendee, who asked to remain anonymous, took her flower outside and placed it on one of the graves visited earlier in the tour, saying the person was “a tormented soul.”

It can be a touchy thing to visit a cemetery other than to visit a specific person for solemn or reflective purposes. However, as this tour proved, lost history is found as new treasure.

It’s a place to stand where somebody lies, who is part of the DNA of this town, someone who for better or worse shouldn’t be forgotten.

The tour was conducted with respect, and the attendees took it in with grace, and all left with a better understanding of our town’s history and pioneers. And those who attended left with a little more appreciation for life. And that, too, is a beautiful thing. L

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6910 Pershing Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 • Phone: (559) 334-8990 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 8 55

A JOURNEY FULL OF UPS AND DOWNS CONTINUES T E X T

“Repetition is the mother of skill.”

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seen an increase in her stamina and strength, and her workouts are much

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his quote from Jim Rohn says it all. Consistency is the catalyst to getting results in any endeavor.

Whether you are trying to get fit, lose weight, train to run a race, build wealth or grow a business, the key component is long-term, consistent efforts that will inch you closer to the ultimate goal.

That has been the mantra with Amy Shuklian as we embark on the second month of her fitness program at California Fitness Academy — consistency.

During the past four weeks, Amy has

more intense than when she first started.

This is a process, but we are off to a positive start.

Amy has traveled out of town and attended business lunch meetings. She stayed on track during these miniobstacles that can sidetrack someone looking to be more health-conscious.

Although she wasn’t perfect, because that is not what we are after, she has been consistent. She even did her own “hotel workout” while out of town.

That is a big win.

As we move into month two, we will stick to the basics in her strength and fitness program, aim for consistency with her nutrition and maintain a positive state of mind.

“I have an increased awareness of what I am eating, which has helped me control my intake. That, combined with more activity, and I am down 13 pounds so far. I am ready to push to the next level,” Amy said. “I feel better, have lost weight and my mindset is positive.

Let’s keep rolling!”

Here’s to the next step in the journey. L

“I’m feeling better energy wise; I have better flexibility. I have increased motivation and I am enjoying working out more... not always, but definitely more!”

Amy Shuklian

FITNESS CHALLENGE

See reduced calorie recipes by Chef Erin on page 20.

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TACO STUFFED ROASTED PEPPERS

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Yield: 4-8 servings lunch/dinner The stuffing for this recipe will yield up to 8 pepper halves or 4 whole peppers. For this recipe, I cut 2 peppers into halves and double-stuffed them for four generous servings. Stuff them based on the number of servings you’d like, taking into consideration whether it’s for lunch or dinner, and how many other dishes are being served. The stuffing mixture will hold for

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three or four days in the refrigerator. Leftover stuffing can also be used for taco salad, lettuce-wrap tacos or nachos.

Serving size: 1/2 double-stuffed pepper: 376 calories, 26.2g carbohydrates, 15.8g fat, 32.2g protein Same size serving using a regular recipe made with beef, rice and double the cheese: 664 calories, 57.5g carbohydrates, 29.3g fat, 37g protein

INGREDIENTS 1 cup onion, chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1 pound ground chicken 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 10-ounce can fire-roasted chopped tomatoes with green chilis (for this recipe, Rotel brand was used) 3/4 cup canned black beans, drained 1/2 cup cooked quinoa (for even more protein, add up to 1 cup to the mixture) 3/4 cup Mexican cheese blend (Kraft was used for this recipe) 1/4 cup cilantro; measure whole leaves, then mince 2 whole red, yellow or orange peppers (multiply the number of peppers according to the number of servings you’d like) DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spray a large skillet with cooking spray or use a nonstick skillet; heat over medium high heat.

Add onions and sweat for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add garlic and continue to sauté with onions for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Add ground chicken to onions and garlic; cook until chicken is no longer pink, 5 to 8 minutes.

Make sure to keep stirring and breaking up the chicken while it is cooking to keep it from clumping.

Add cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper to chicken mixture and stir thoroughly to incorporate. (Don't worry if this seems like a lot of spice; it will balance perfectly when all the ingredients are added.)

Add tomatoes with green chiles and juice to chicken mixture; continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes.

Add quinoa and black beans to the skillet mixture and continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes; remove mixture from heat.

Add 1/2 cup of the cheese, 1/4 cup at a time, to taco mixture (reserve remaining 1/4 cup for garnish), then add the minced cilantro, making sure to incorporate all the ingredients well.

Rinse and cut peppers in half (as shown here), and remove seeds; if stuffing and serving the peppers whole, cut off stems and tops of peppers and remove the seeds.

Spray dish with cooking spray or add salsa to bottom of dish to prevent sticking.

Add a little olive oil, salt and black pepper to peppers before

stuffing. Divide mixture evenly into four portions and add one portion per pepper half, stacking high (divide the mixture according to the number of servings you want), then place in baking dish.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until heated through; cook longer if you like a softer pepper. Remove from oven and top each half with remaining cheese. Serve immediately.

Garnished with pico de gallo, limes and a simple Greek yogurtcilantro dressing; purchase ready-made or make your own.

Tri-color slaw dressed with the same Greek yogurt-cilantro dressing makes a great side dish. Bonne santé! L L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 8 57

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WO R D PLAY News on writing, books + the world of publishing

(With Lifestyle celebrating 15 years of publication, I’m looking back at the 10 years that I’ve been writing this column and the Literary Arts feature.

Here are a few of the writers who have shared these pages during that time.)

VALLEY WRITERS Sue E. Okenyi worked for Pelco in Clovis shortly after 9/11/2001, when the company magazine dedicated an issue to the Twin Tower tragedy. As a contact person, Okenyi heard from rescue personnel regarding the story. She became a sympathetic ear, far enough removed from their pain, for them to feel safe in sharing their stories. Eventually, she felt compelled to give these stories an audience and published her book, “Healing the Hero’s Heart.” She was the first Valley writer featured in my column in 2008. The book is still available on Amazon.

Also in 2008, Hazel DixonCooper was my first writer interviewed for the Literary Arts feature. She is the author of the five-book Rotten Day series, a look at the humorous side of the zodiac. Her readers called her books side-splitting, laugh-outloud, spot-on descriptions of the other astrological signs (not their own, of course). She was Cosmopolitan’s bedside astrologer for eight years and has spoken about astrology throughout the country. She now has a website and blog urging her readers, in her inimitable, irreverent way, to maintain a healthy weight. She admits that she was a food addict, spending thousands of dollars on ineffective weight-loss plans, before she learned how to tame her out-of-control eating. Her website is hazeldixoncooper.com.

One of the most prolific writers who has graced these pages is Marilyn

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Meredith of Springville. Her Deputy Tempe Crabtree series is up to 17 books, and her Rocky Bluff P.D. series includes 13 mysteries. She also has at least 11 other books published. Her latest Rocky Bluff mystery is “Unresolved,” published

by Aakenbaaken & Kent in 2017.

“Unresolved” challenges the understaffed and underpaid Rocky Bluff P.D. with two murders to solve; one victim is the mayor, who seems to have been liked by no one.

VALLEY POETS During this 10-year span, the Central Valley supplied the country with three United States poet laureates. Kay Ryan, poet laureate from 2008 to 2010, lived her early years in Oildale and other Valley towns. Her poetry has been compared to Emily Dickinson’s with its sparse wording and twists of logic flowing through unexpected rhymes and bits of wisdom. The Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2011 is one of her many awards.

Her latest book of poetry is “Erratic Facts,” published by Grove in 2015.

Fresno State’s legendary poetry professor, Phillip Levine, who put Fresno

poetry on the map with his own works, that of the professors who joined him at the college, and dozens of talented students who suffered through and were inspired by their classes, served as poet laureate from 2011 to 2012. Many of his poems focus on blue-collar workers and Jewish immigrants. His final work, released posthumously in March, is a CD featuring his poems accompanied by jazz by popular musicians. The 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry was only one of more than a dozen major awards that Levine won.

Juan Felipe Herrera, who was born in Fowler, grew up following the crops throughout California and went on to an illustrious career as an educator and poet, served from 2015 to 2017. Besides poetry, he writes novels, children’s stories, musical plays and too much to mention here. The Ezra Jack Keats award for his children’s book “Calling the Doves” is a favorite of his many awards.

“Notes on the Assemblage” is the latest of his 25 books listed on Amazon. Published in 2015, it takes on many of the devastating events of the time.

THE LAST WORD “I’ll never forget pulling out of Stratford” (in Kings County, where he loved starting school and discovering theater, but his family was evicted). “I felt this hole open in my chest. It could have destroyed me, but I’ve always believed you can take the negatives and turn them into positives. That hole became the hungry mouth of my creativity. I took with me the desire to do theater.” — Luiz Valdez, born in Delano, writer and director of the 1987 movie “La Bamba,” about the late Ritchie Valens. L

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HAPPENINGS

25th Annual Christmas Boutique Come browse Grace Lutheran Church’s assortment of handmade decorations and gift items for the holidays. Our bakery is filled with yummy holiday treats, including pies, cookies, jams and candy. Proceeds support local charities.

When: Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Grace Lutheran Church, 1111 S. Conyer St., Visalia Contact: (559) 623-9588

Annual Pink Tea Party Please join Kaweah Delta as we raise awareness and celebrate those whose lives have been touched by all types of cancer at the seventh annual Pink Tea Party. Featuring guest speaker Karen Mills, an ovarian cancer survivor and comedian. Cost: $30.

When: Oct. 21, noon-3 p.m.

Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: (559) 624-2098, www.kaweahdelta.org/pinktea

Annual Bunko Party, Luncheon Kaweah Delta Hospital Guild presents its annual Bunko Party and Luncheon.

Tickets: $12 a person (will not be sold at the door).

When: Oct. 20, 11 a.m.

Where: Kaweah Delta Medical Center, Blue Room in the hospital basement, 400 W. Mineral King Ave., Visalia Contact: (559) 972-1880

Shish-Kebab Luncheon Don't miss St. Mary Armenian Church of Yettem's annual Shish-Kebab Luncheon, which includes delicious lamb-kebab, pilaf, green beans, salad, peda bread and bourma for dessert. Dine in, take-out or drive-thru. Donation: $22.

When: Oct. 21, meals served 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Where: Visalia Elks Lodge, 3100 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 936-2227

Springville Apple Festival Come to the Springville Apple Festival.

This annual event is appealing to all age groups. Since 1980, the small festival has grown to be an impressive and well-known festival drawing thousands of people every year. There will be food, refreshments, entertainment, music and vendors. Free admission.

When: Oct. 20-21 Where: 35680 Hwy. 190, Springville Contact: springvilleapplefestival.com

Masquerade Kaweah Delta Hospital Guild presents the Masquerade. There will be a jewelry sale. Tickets: $5. Profits go toward purchasing patient care equipment for Kaweah Delta Medical Center.

When: Oct. 23, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Oct. 24, 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Kaweah Delta Medical Center, Acequia Lobby, 400 W. Mineral King Ave., Visalia Contact: (559) 972-1880

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An Evening with Glennon Doyle Join us for an evening of laughter, tears and love as we chat with Glennon Doyle about life, womanhood and “the rules.”

Most importantly, we will learn how to bravely lead our lives, our communities and our world in love. Tickets: $40, including a general admission seat and copy of Glennon's No. 1 New York Times bestseller, “Love Warrior.”

When: Oct. 27, 7-10 p.m.; doors: 6:15 p.m.

Where: LJ Williams Theater, 1001 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: doitafraid@adriannehillman.com Annual Harvest of Handwovens The 39th annual Harvest of Handwovens Show and Sale features a fashion boutique and yarn shop as well as handwoven garments and household items for sale. There will also be used books and equipment available. Enjoy a raffle, demonstrations of spinning, weaving, felting, bead weaving, color-blending and dyeing of fibers. Specialty yarns for sale.

Free admission and parking.

When: Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Exeter Veterans Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah Ave., Exeter Contact: Nikki Crain, (559) 561-4048 or www.hwotv.org Halloween Brewfest Come out to the Halloween Brewfest to celebrate the Halloween season, featuring seasonal craft beers and ciders, music, food vendors and $500 up for grabs during our costume contest.

Tickets: $40 each.

When: Oct. 27, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Visalia Rawhide, 300 N. Giddings St., Visalia Contact: Visalia Rawhide, (559) 732-4433, info@rawhidebaseball.com, www.rawhidebaseball.com

HAPPENI NGS

Henry Rollins Travel Slideshow Tour For many years, Henry Rollins has taken photographs on his travels. Join him for an intimate evening as he presents a special performance drawing on experiences and his archive of photographs.

He will bring stories from journeys all over the world, including the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, South America and Antarctica. $30-$55.

When: Oct. 28, 8 p.m.

Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org Impact Annual Car Show, Craft Fair Join us for our second annual Car Show and Craft Fair. There will be cars from all different eras and vendors with all kinds of goods. There will be food on-site and inflatables for the kids’ entertainment. $15-$25. Proceeds support Impact Youth Ministry at Grace Free Will Baptist Church.

When: Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: 9533 McCall Ave., Selma Contact: impactgfwb@gmail.com, (559) 978-0543 Veterans Day Golf Tournament Proceeds from the third annual tournament benefiting A Combat Veteran's Hope will be used locally to support our Valley's heroes.

Registration includes golf, cart, lunch and several fun contests; award reception following the tournament.

When: Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Where: Tulare Golf Course, 5300 Laspina St., Tulare Contact: (559) 799-2548 or info@acvhope.org

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A Tribute to Veterans The Redwood High School Class of ’67 invites you to help replace the plaque to memorialize Redwood High School veterans killed in the Vietnam War. The plaque will be a gift of “Class of 1967.”

All financial obligations are being met through our classmate’s donations.

Free admission.

When: Nov. 9, doors: 5 p.m.; 5:30 p.m.

Where: LJ Williams Auditorium, 1001 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: John Moorman, (916) 987-8555, mooravn@aol.com, Kate Maddox, (559) 734-4976 Social Swirl Gala & Golf Classic Two of Tulare County's most revered and praised establishments have been paired: the Visalia Country Club and the Vintage Press Restaurant. Executive Chef David Vartanian and his Vintage Press team will cater. This weekend is a great opportunity for corporate sponsors to network as well as wineand-dine clients and guests while supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias.

When: Nov. 9-10, golf classic 11 a.m.; Social Swirl Gala, 6 p.m. Nov. 10 Where: Visalia Country Club, 625 N. Ranch St., Visalia Contact: (559) 592-4047 Holiday Marketplace Boutique Join the Central Valley Women’s Network for the annual Holiday Marketplace Boutique featuring more than 150 vendors and a food court. $5.

When: Nov. 10-11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: Central Valley Women’s Network, (559) 731-4863 Carlos Mencia Whether it is man-on-the-street interviews, studio comedy, commercial parodies, nationwide sold-out tours or films, Carlos Mencia demonstrates an extraordinary ability to connect with a wide and diverse audience. $35-$45.

When: Nov. 10, 8-10 p.m.

Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org

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