January 2013

SPECIAL FEATURE

WEDDINGS

St. Mary’s Church, Gowns and More

TRAVEL

Rose parade

A Behind-the-Scenes Experience

CULINARY

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

Airline Chicken with Roasted Vegetable Couscous

ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER LOCAL

January 2013

Presort Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Las Vegas, NV Permit No. 2543

PAGE

24 SPECIAL FEATURE Weddings

CHARITY

8

Letter from the Executive Editor

What the Holidays Mean

10 Business Cents: Taxes

32nd Annual Christmas Tree Auction

12 Word Play 14 Local Adventure: Project Survival’s

Cat Haven 16 Creative Center: Holiday Production

PAGE

20

18 Holiday: Fine Wine, Funds for Youth on Tap 26 St. Mary’s Church

CULINARY

On the Lighter Side Airline Chicken with Roasted Vegetable Couscous

28 General Guideline to The Big Day 30 Budget 32 Questions to Ask Your Photographer 34 Dessert & Candy Bars 36 Honeymoon 38 Gowns 48 Kudos: Rudy Parris

PAGE

40

50 Performances 52 Chamber: Visalia

TRAVEL

54 Chamber: Exeter

Rose Parade

56 Chamber: Tulare

A Behind-the-Scenes Experience

58 Happenings

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44

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ABOVE: Stained glass windows throughout St. Mary’s glorify the interior of this Catholic Parish.

FP O

JANUARY 2013 PUBLISHED BY DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 ART & PRODUCTION Art Director ROSS YUKAWA Graphic Designer CHRIS BLY EDITORIAL Executive Editor Karen Tellalian Assistant Editor TAYLOR VAUGHN Content Editor KYNDAL KENNEDY Copy Editor DARA FISK-EKANGER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANDRE GODDARD CAROLE FIRSTMAN CHANDRA ORR cheryl LEVITAN corey ralston Diane Slocum ELAINE DAKESSIAN JORDAN VENEMA LISA Mcewen MARSHA PELTZER NICOLE AGNEW BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA JEFFREY Malkasian EA

RACK LOCATIONS

DMI Agency Evolutions Fitness Center, Tulare Tazzaria Coffee & Tea Tulare County Library The Lifestyle Center Visalia Chamber of Commerce Visalia Convention Center COUNTERTOP LOCATIONS

210 Cafe Creekside Day Spa & Wellness Center Exeter Chamber of Commerce Exeter Golf Course Holiday Inn Kaweah Delta Hospital Red Carpet Car Wash Smiles by Sullivan Tiffany’s Luxury Medispa Tulare Chamber of Commerce V Medical Spa Velvet Sky Visalia Community Bank (Downtown) Visalia Eye Center Visalia Imaging & Open MRI Visalia Marriott Visalia Medical Clinic Wildflower Cafe-Exeter Dr. Keith Williams Williams, Jordan, Brodersen & Pritchett, Attorneys at Law Windows Plus, Inc.

Operations Manager Maria Gaston ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Director Bridget Elmore SALES OFFICE 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • Fax 559.738.0909 E-mail: lifestyle@dmiagency.com VIEW THE MAG ONLINE! issuu.com/lifestylemagazine

Facebook.com/LifestyleMag

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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.

COVER PHOTO: The stained glass window above St. Mary’s altar covers nearly the entire apse of the church, adding a majestic backdrop for the marriage ceremonies often performed before it.

Circulation of this issue: 15,000 © 2013 DMI Agency

LEFT: The distinctive bell tower of St. Mary’s Church.

LOVE THAT

SMILE!

FP O

Dr. Sullivan is the Past President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the only AACD Accredited Member in the Central Valley. Call us today for a free smile consultation!

E EDITOR NOTE

Photo by Becca Chavez | Hair and Make-up provided by Velvet Sky

Is there a better way to start out a new year than with the excitement of a wedding? There are some things even a gloomy economy can’t dim, and getting married tops that list. As fate would have it, this issue of Lifestyle is filled with wedding happiness and it is purely coincidental that my own daughter (and Lifestyle Assistant Editor Taylor Vaughn) just became engaged on New Year’s Eve. I’ll do my best to keep the happy tears from staining the pages even before we go to print.

Currently, two of the most popular wedding trends are candy and dessert bars. There are few things I like better than wedding cake, but there’s something about pretty jars filled with brightly colored goodies that just calls my name. No reason to wait for a wedding, the delectable displays on page 34 will surely be an inspiration for your next party.

Even if a wedding isn’t in your plans right now, you can still take a second honeymoon or a luscious vacation. Now that you’re daydreaming about where to go, how does the French Riviera sound? Your trip into French elegance and culture is all but planned for you, starting on page 36.

Long-time readers know that Lifestyle is very fortunate to have the best and most well-traveled writers who share their experiences with those of us sequestered inside our offices. Several months ago, local resident Cheryl Levitan joined our writing staff and has provided behind-the-scenes and often humorous descriptions of her and husband Dr. Dean Levitan’s travel experiences. Their most recent adventure was to the Rose Parade and she provides some great advice on page 44 about securing your spot for New Year’s Day 2014.

Amid all the party glitz and travel glamour, we are always inspired by the people and organizations that party for a good cause. We do our best to feature as many of these as possible throughout the year. It’s our way of keeping what’s really important at the top of our minds. This month, we hope you’ll read “Fine Wine, Funds for Youth On Tap” on page 20 and also “What the Holidays Mean” on page 18. Writers Lisa McEwen and Carole Firstman, respectively, help our community unite in a common theme – generosity. Even though our printed pages are limited, you can always find more photos of these great events on our Facebook page, so be sure to check there often.

As January’s issue comes to a close, we’re still finding it hard to believe we’re well into 2013. And, it will be a great year. Our daughter is getting married to a wonderful young man and no matter what else the year brings, 2013 is destined to be one of my favorites.

Karen Tellalian, EXECUTIVE EDITOR For more information or to submit a story idea email Karen@dmiagency.com or www.facebook.com/LifestyleMag call (559) 739-1747 or fax (559) 738-0909.

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B BUSINESS CENTS

Taxes: Now or Later?

Text by Donald DeJonge, Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual

N

ow that we are heading into the New Year, are you saving your money in the most tax efficient way?

People like to talk about asset allocation (the mix of stocks and bonds in your investment portfolio) but few ever talk about asset location. Asset allocation is important to a client’s portfolio, but just as important is what type of account those assets are in. The reason for this is taxation. How are accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s, SIMPLEs, SEPs, Pensions and Profit Sharing taxed differently than life insurance, Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s? In general, the first group lowers your income today, but may increase it later upon withdrawal. The second group allows you to forgo a current tax benefit in exchange for the ablitiy to take tax-free withdrawals in the future, provided certain requirements are met. For example, with a Roth IRA you must have the account for at least five years, and be withdrawing the assets in or after the year you reach age 59 1/2, or because of a death, disability or first time home purchase (up to $10,000). Permanent, cash value life insurance is purchased to provide a death benefit. It builds a value over time. Generally you can withdraw tax-free the premiums paid, but cash value increases beyond the premiums paid are subject to taxation unless borrowed out of the policy. This type of contract can also provide some liquidity because cash values can be accessed through surrenders or borrowing. Collateral assignments can also be used by your bank if additional capital is needed to secure a loan. An analogy that I like to use to help people understand the difference between pre-tax and after-tax is to think of it in farming terms, would you rather pay tax on the seed or the crop the seed becomes? So, how can we best manage the impact of taxes? When people understand how money is taxed upon distribution it changes the dynamic of how they save.

Here’s an example of a dairy farmer in the Central Valley of California. When I first met with the them, they were having issues with their company sponsored 401(k) plan. The fact-finding process revealed that the owners were participating in the plan.

Many people may think that making contributions to a 401(k) is not that strange – but consider this. The contributions into a 401(k) plan are pre-tax, any earnings on the contributions grow tax

deferred. Lastly, all withdrawals are fully taxable at distribution.

This means that they would have to pay tax on the crop and not the seed.

In this situation, there are two very important questions to ask: “How much money did you make last year?” Followed by, “How much do you expect to make this year?” For this client, the dairy industry has proved challenging over the past few years. They showed a loss for 2011 and expected the same in 2012, which was confirmed with their accountant. We added the Roth option to their 401(k) to give the client another tax efficient “bucket” to save for retirement. This way, they pay tax now on the “seed” rather than the crop. A Roth grows tax deferred and (provided the requirements stated above are met) everything that comes out is not subject to taxation.

While this example showcases clients in a low tax bracket, your situation may be different. If you are in a higher tax bracket, consider the following: 1. Historically, we are in comparatively low tax rates. Today, the top income tax is 35 percent. If you go back to 1986, the top rate was 50 percent. If you can remember back to 1980 and into the 70s the top rate was at 70 percent. The highest tax bracket in our county’s history was in 1945 when the top rate was at 94 percent.

2. Clients that grew up in the 1970s tell me that they will retire on less than what they currently need, so their taxes will be lower than they are today. This may be true for some individuals but not for others because tax brackets have widened, making it harder to move out of one rate and into another.

3. The Bush tax cuts expired at the end of last year, pushing rates higher unless congress acts. The top rate could go from 35 percent up to 39.6 percent. Will they stop there? There are also other taxes which will come into play as Obama Care is fully implemented.

People who retire entirely on taxable income can be subject to the tax “swings” of our government. If your tax rate is raised 10 percent on a fixed income that means you have to live on 10 percent less.

Ed Slott, who is considered an authority on IRAs, said it best, “Everyone knows how much they owe on their mortgage but do you know how much your mortgage is on your retirement?” the amount of tax you owe to the Government is like the amount of debt you owe to the bank, and that interest rate is variable.

There are few vehicles that allow you to pay tax now and are tax free at distribution. Your plans should be customized to your specific tax situation. Ask yourself this, “Does my retirement plan include managing the impact of taxes?”

It is not what you earn, but what you get to keep in your account that is important.

Donald DeJonge is a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for the sales and distribution arm of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, its affiliates and subsidiaries.

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L I F E S T Y L E | JA N UA R Y 2 013

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W WORD PLAY

NEWS ON WRITING, BOOKS AND THE WORLD OF PUBLISHING Text by Diane Slocum

S

o it’s 2013 – will the whole year be unlucky? Maybe not, if we’re lucky enough to spend some time immersed in a good book. Here are a few that feature that infamous number.

Although it’s a little late for Christmas now, the message in Jason Wright’s The Thirteenth Day of Christmas (Shadow Mountain, 2012) is just as good for the rest of the year. Aging widow Marva Ferguson and young neighbor Charlee share a fun and tender story revealing the secrets behind the carol’s 12 days of gifts and the possibilities of the thirteenth day.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Razorbill, 2011) tells the story of Clay Jensen who finds a box of tapes on his porch from a girl he had a crush on – a girl who committed suicide two weeks earlier. When he listens to the tapes, he learns he is one of the 13 people who she credits with driving her to take her life.

For a written look at the Thirteenth Amendment, Harold Holzer offers Lincoln: How Abraham Lincoln Ended Slavery in America (Newmarket for It Books, 2012) as a companion book to the Steven Spielberg movie on the same topic. Holzer’s book is geared to young readers but can be informative and entertaining for older readers as well. Holzer is a Lincoln historian who was a consultant for the movie script.

Valley Writers Astrologer and Alpaugh native Hazel Dixon-Cooper recently sold her latest book about the planet Pluto to Beyond Words, a publisher that accepts only 15 books per year. Cosmo astrologer Dixon-Cooper is writing the book along with a former Elle Magazine astrologer, Bridgett Walther.

Margarita Engle’s latest book is The Wild Book (Harcourt Children’s Books, 2012). The mother of a young girl with dyslexia teaches her daughter, Fefa, to read using blank pages where the girl can plant words and let them sprout like seeds. Fefa uses her new knowledge to save her family.

Writing Contests The 2013 Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize will be offered by radio series Selected Shorts at Symphony Space.

The theme for the story must be “Complicated Families” with a maximum length of 750 words. Jim Shepard is the guest judge.

The winner will receive $1,000, a 10-week writing class and tickets to a recording session for the story. Entry fee is $25. Deadline for receipt is March 13. Details at: www.womenofmystery.net/ category/competitions.

Fanstory has a selection of contests each month. They are open to members. The Horror Story Writing Contest deadline is February 5. Maximum length is 7,000 words. Top prize is $100.

The Naani Poetry Contest requires poems of four lines consisting of 20-25 syllables total per stanza. First prize is $100. Details at: www.fanstory.com/page/writing_contest/writing_contest.jsp.

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Writers’ Workshops and Conferences The Clarion Writers’ Workshop at UC San Diego will be held June 23– August 3. Applications will be accepted until March 1. This program was established in 1968 in Pennsylvania and claims to be the oldest of its kind. The 2013 writers in residence include Andy Duncan, Cory Doctorow and Karen Joy Fowler. Details at: http://literature.ucsd.edu/affiliatedprograms/clarion/index.html.

The deadline for application to the Big Sur Screenwriting Workshops is March 1. The workshops are made possible by the Henry Miller Memorial Library and will be held April 12–14 at the Lodge in Pfeiffer Bug Sur State Park. Proposals for scripts must be submitted with a $25 application fee. Space is limited so early application is recommended. Standard fee for the workshops is $740. Details at: http://bigsurscreenwriting.wordpress.com/ register.

Short Story Flash fiction is a very short story, but it is not a vignette or a scene. It is complete with plot, characters, conflict and resolution all in less than 1,000 words. Some writers think even that is too long to be defined as flash fiction and opt for a 500 word max, or even less. For examples of these stories, go to Flash Fiction Online at www.flashfictiononline.com/index.html. More information on the subject is at http://flashfiction.net and www.writing-world. com/fiction/flash.shtml.

Book Club The Tulare County Library’s First Tuesday Book Club will meet February 5 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. The book shows how much quiet people have contributed to society, though they are usually under appreciated.

The Big Read The book currently being read for The Big Read at the Fresno County Library is Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. The story involves an old woman with healing powers who comes to live with the family of young Antonio in post-World War II New Mexico. Events celebrating the book include storytelling, music and more at Dia de los Niños on April 27 and The Latin Influence, a lecture and musical presentation on May 21.

The Last Word “Luck is not chance, it’s toil: fortune’s expensive smile is earned.” – Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).

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L LOCAL ADVENTURE

Project Survival’s Cat Haven

F

orty miles northeast of Visalia is the small town of Dunlap. With less than 200 people who know Dunlap as home, it seems that this microscopic community would be pretty easy to overlook. But, for over 25 rare and wild cats, Dunlap is their sanctuary, their home and their Cat Haven.

Founded in 1993, Project Survival’s Cat Haven consists of 100 acres to the west of King’s Canyon National Park and is open for tours year-round – even in these chilly winter months. Cheetahs, Tigers, Bobcats, Jaguars, Clouded Leopards and Amur Leopards are just a few of the cat species that reside in the Cat Haven.

All of the cats at the Cat Haven are unique in their own way. For example, the Snow Leopard, one of the world’s rarest cat species, has the highest jump of all cats, which can be up to 40-feet. The Cheetah is the fastest cat and can reach speeds of up to 70mph. How’s that for a heart racing adventure? But not to worry, the Cat Haven has taken precautions to keep the animals and guests safe.

The Cat Haven all started when its founder, Dale Anderson, decided to dedicate his life and career to preserving and understanding wild cats. His passion first began as a young boy when he made the decision to someday own a wild cat. It’s safe to say he surpassed his childhood dream. Since his decision 20 years ago, the Cat Haven has become not only a safe and fun place for the cats and the volunteers, but for the visitors as well.

Tour tickets start at $6 for children and $9 for adults, and provide around two hours of entertainment. Group tours, field trips, and educational classes are also available. Some of the classes taught at the Cat Haven include: introduction to Osteology, ecosystem adventure, track & trails, conservation ethics and careers working with animals.

Make sure you wear your comfy walking shoes as this tour consists of a quarter-mile walk on a sloped and decomposed granite trail. Tours can be hot and humid or cold and rainy so dress accordingly because the cats are always out, making this a perfect adventure to start off the New Year.

For more information on this local adventure visit www.cathaven.com or call 338-3216.

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C CREATIVE CENTER

THE CREATIVE CENTER’S

Holiday Production Text and Photos

by Corey Ralston

Season of Change

T

he joy of the holiday season started for many Tulare County residents after seeing The Creative Center’s Christmas Production titled Season of Change. The musical showcased the talents of over 30 students who attend the center.

The Creative Center is an arts-based adult center for the intellectually disabled. Students from the ages of 21 to 75 take classes in just about every art discipline including the dramatic arts. Putting on a Christmas production is just a sliver of what the students are accomplishing at The Creative Center.

New Performing Arts Department Head Debbie Metzler-Brisson explains that her job focuses on helping each student achieve certain goals set by their program manager. A goal could be as simple as learning to write five new words or actually writing an entire readers theater piece as one student did.

“Whatever the goal, it is important that each student be provided with the opportunity to achieve these goals in an effort to create a true sense of self-worth and achievement in a world that does not always foster these kinds of feelings for certain segments of society,” Metzler-Brisson said.

ABOVE: Front row (L to R) - Isela Solis, Susie Kieske, Beverly Domingcil, and Anastacio Raya.

ABOVE: Jonathan Hultquist, Melissa Taylor and Lynsee Flores.

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CREATIVE CENTER C

The Performing Arts Department is responsible for putting on at least two full-scale productions each year. These performances showcase to the community the hard work that each student puts in to the program, whether their talent is in music, dance, acting or costuming.

In addition to the shows for the community they also work on productions that are just seen by fellow students.

“We have ‘in-house’ performances where students who are just learning the proverbial ropes of acting or singing can get opportunities for stage time in front of their peers,” MetzlerBrisson said.

Besides performing arts there is also a Visual Arts Department, which focuses on painting, ceramics, digital art mosaics and drawing. All of the student’s work can be seen in The Jon Ginsburg Gallery where Season of Change was performed. After the show each piece was priced to sell in hopes of attracting patrons with handmade Christmas gifts.

Metzler-Brisson proudly took over the Performing Arts program in 2012 and has been continually impressed with her students.

“As one who had little experience with the developmentally disabled, I can say that I was completely astounded by the level at which the creative processes are completely engaged in our students. They are not only talented, but also extremely cooperative and uninhibited, which makes them the perfect group to coach in the arena of art. They are willing to try new things without the hindrance of ego or peer pressure,” she said.

The Christmas program lasted only 45 minutes but was full of holiday fun and surprises. There was a piano piece by Luis Navarrete and even a reading of a story written by student Crystal Wright. The audience was treated to dance and impressive singing of songs such as “Seasons of Love” and “Winter Wonderland.”

And surely nobody expected a stage full of dancers in splashy gold costumes dancing to Lady Gaga, a real treat for the younger crowd.

Sergio Garza, a local actor and board member at the neighboring Visalia Players, had nothing but praise for the efforts of The Creative Center students.

“I adore The Creative Center performances. They are so full of life and you can tell how hard each of the performers and instructors have worked to make it the best it can possibly be,” he said. “The show was absolutely delightful, touching and a sheer joy to watch.”

Performer Sarah Hovannisian was elated to be able to sing with her boyfriend Jonathan Holtquist in the show. Sarah not only sang but also played the part of Sidney in the uplifting scene called “Jada’s Change.”

“I am happy I got all my lines right,” Hovannisian said. But helping ring in the holiday season was her special gift to the audience.

“The holidays mean being with family,” she said.

The community can get involved by viewing and responding via The Creative Center website: www.thecreativecenter-visalia.org.

L I F E S T Y L E | JA N UA R Y 2 013

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H HOLIDAYS

Fine Wine, Funds for Youth On Tap Text and Photos by Lisa McEwen

A

n Exeter tradition made its mark early in the holiday social season by raising more than $20,000 for children in the community. On December 1 the Exeter Kiwanis Club’s 21st Annual Spirit of the Holidays attracted nearly 400 attendees for an early evening of wine tasting, delicious appetizers and a vast silent auction.

The event also featured a live auction of six elegantly decorated Christmas trees.

Event Chairman and past Kiwanis President Patty Spott said Exeter residents can often be counted on to lend a hand for its youngsters.

“We truly appreciate the support from the community for the Spirit of the Holidays,” she said in the midst of totaling receipts and donations. “This is the perfect beginning to a wonderful season and enables us to continue our contributions to the youth of the area.”

In particular, proceeds from this year’s event will go toward the club’s scholarship fund benefitting high school students, as well as supporting numerous local charities.

As the crowds mingled at the Veterans Memorial Building, catching up with old friends and acquaintances was the topic at hand. For many, this event is not only to help raise funds, but is also a favorite time to socialize. Plenty of fine wine was poured by members of the club, who donned bright yellow aprons and worked hour-and-a-half shifts pouring wine.

Wines served are as varied as the attendees. From fruity old vine zinfandels to chilled buttery chardonnays, guests had their choice from among 20 different wines and wineries.

Highlighted this year were two Central Coast wineries: Rabbit Ridge in Paso Robles and Clesi Winery in San Luis Obispo.

Rabbit Ridge was founded by Erich Russell in Healdsburg, California. The former teacher named his winery after his college track nickname, “The Rabbit.” Russell moved his winery to Paso Robles in 2007 and produces up to 100,000 cases per year.

Chris Ferrara, an Exeter Union High School graduate, came back to his hometown for the event along with his wife, Adrienne. The couple focuses on Italian varietals, including barbera, Dolcetto and Sangiovese, as well as cabernet sauvignon blends. “Clesi” is a family name originating from Sicily. The Ferraras source their grapes from Central Coast vineyards that promote sustainable farming methods.

TOP: Friends Chrissy Kunkel and Sara Agahi attended the 21st Annual Spirit of the Holidays in Exeter on December 1.

MIDDLE: Lucilina Brackett, Cyndi Ward and Annabelle Lamb enjoyed the festivities December 1 at the Spirit of the Holidays in Exeter.

BOTTOM: Santa, also known as Charlie Diffey, traveled from Fresno to Exeter to enjoy the festivities during the 21st Annual Spirit of the Holidays.

Diffey offered a Santa visit as a live auction item, and David Tittle and Debbie Facciani had the winning bid. In true holiday spirit, they donated the Santa visit to the patients at Children’s Hospital Central California.

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C charity

What the Holidays Mean:

32nd Annual Christmas Tree Auction Text by Carole Firstman | Photos by Erin Davis, Studio 317

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LIFEST YLE | JANUARY 2013

CHARITY C

T

he holiday season is a time of year when we take moments to share time and well-wishing with others.

It is a time of the year when people seem to reach deep inside themselves to see the best of things.

Perhaps it is something about the holiday season that gives people a sense of happiness and goodwill toward others, or the hope of new beginnings as the new year approaches. The season of well-wishing, giving and togetherness comes at a time when the darkness is with us for longer periods of the day and overcast skies treat us with falling raindrops. We manage to escape from the burdens of our seemingly hectic lives and immerse ourselves in the festivities of the season. Families congregate. Friends get together. The community unites.

Visalia’s legacy for generosity and community spirit was apparent at this year’s 32nd Annual Christmas Tree Auction on Nov. 30. Hosted by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, this gala has become a tradition. Local non-profits have long used this glitzy celebration to advance their missions through the donations they raise at the event.

Although anyone who has attended the auction knows the trees are amazing, the food scrumptious, the fine wine delectable, the decor stunning and the gowns glamorous, the evening is really about giving back to the community. For more than 30 years now, the generosity of sponsors, donors and attendees has enabled countless charities to impact lives at the ground level, to provide services to folks in need. For many organizations, big and small, this event is the primary source of fundraising they rely on to keep their wheels turning. More than $4 million has been raised over the last three decades – that’s quite a feat in and of itself, not to mention the fact that these dollars have been raised in spite of a challenging economic climate.

Over 800 attendees braved the cold winter night to show up at this year’s event. Nearly $250,000 was raised from the live auction of 16 large trees alone, in addition to a silent auction of 11 small trees and some two dozen gift baskets that added to the final tally. In addition to the general admission that included dancing, hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting, the VIP Experience also included a fully catered sit-down dinner.

While the “Bubbles & Baubles” theme surely added to an already glamorous setting, the real shining stars of the night were the volunteers of each non-profit represented in the lineup of trees. Long before the trees are lit for the auction event, volunteers have spent many hours over the preceding year gathering sponsors, lining up donations, planning and decorating the trees. In other words, much of the heavy fundraising is done far in advance, enabling many groups to count on this as their primary moneymaker for the year.

PICTURED: Guests at the 32nd Annual Christmas Tree Auction were dressed to the nines, happy to take part in an event that benefits so many in the South Valley community.

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C CHARITY

Folks not only had fun that night – the jovial sort of fun you’d expect to see at a black tie event – but people I talked to were introspective as well. Mingling and roaming through the room, making my way between food trays, wine tables and small clusters of attendees engaged in chit chat, I found myself asking several people that night (and on Facebook a few days later), “What does the holiday season mean to you?”

Here are a few of the responses: • “Christmas means thinking about traditions, old and new.

Especially old friends, neighbors, relatives who have helped to make our traditions lasting.”

• “The holidays are a time to think about others. Who have I not seen in a long time, but keep close to my heart? Send them a card or a note, or better yet, pick up the phone.”

• “Time off for family and friends, delicious food, fun games, good books, great movies.”

• “Helping those less fortunate.”

• “For me, the holiday season means a crazy patch-work family – loud, boisterous, quirky, interesting, fun.”

• “It’s about giving – a helping hand, a donation. Giving to a charity group that helps others to help themselves. There are so many good causes represented here tonight.”

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• “Homemade food, family, hot kitchen, baking, and tinsel in colorful Christmas trees.”

• “Tinsel. Lots of tinsel! Tinsel on the tree. The glow of tinsel in your heart.”

• “No matter how hard this year has been for you (or me) personally, this year has been a gift. You met the challenges, whatever they were, with grace. You’ll look back on those difficult times as opportunities to find the best in yourself.”

• “Trying to remember in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of this season that most of the traditions associated with Christmas came about as the result of the birth of one man who changed the world.”

• “Tonight you can feel the spirit of tremendous giving.

The money raised for these non-profits underscores the community pride we share. This is about giving now, tonight, in a way that will help others all year long.”

By now the tinsel has been taken down from the trees, and the lights off the house, but the charities that benefited from this year’s Christmas Tree Auction will continue to shine bright and spread the meaning of Christmas all year long.

CHARITY C

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Wedd Sp F

or this special issue of Lifestyle Magazine, we’ve devoted a few pages to all things wedding. After all, for many local couples engaged this last year, the New Year opens the door for months of planning in anticipation for the big day. In this special wedding feature, we cover aspects of wedding planning as detailed as a suggested timeline and budget to use as a guide and as inspirational as gown trends and reception ideas to ignite your imagination. Though many couples as of late have choosen to marry in the outdoors, our local Catholic church offers a popular alternative that centers more on people than on aesthetics. And as photography becomes increasingly more important to the big day, be sure to read through the list of helpful questions to ask any prospective photographer. Finally, after months of planning, the honeymoon serves as respite for happy newlyweds and whether you travel near or far, let our honeymoon guide in the South of France inspire plans for relaxation and peace after the walk down the aisle. We hope you enjoy this special feature and if you are planning a wedding in the upcoming year, we wish you all the best!

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ST. MARY’S CHURCH Text by Jordan Venema | Photos by Taylor Vaughn

M

aybe it’s a sign of the times – the Internet, information, transportation, this shrinking world of ours – that one of its most traditional institutions has undergone something of a makeover. Where weddings were once exclusively held under a steeple or before an altar, couples have taken to tying the knot barefoot in the sand or under a Redwood canopy.

And let’s not forget those few for whom marriage’s heavenly mandate has compelled them to share their vows while skydiving from a plane. But for every adventurer and non-traditionalist, there are at least as many couples who would prefer (to the beaches and the barns and the free falls) the long, slow walk down the aisle.

At least so suspects Father Ray Dreiling, Monsignor of Visalia’s Catholic parish. And with 30 or 40 weddings under his belt in the past year alone (and however many more in his 40 years of service as a Catholic priest), his guess as to what’s what with weddings is as good as they come. So just why would a couple want to get married in a church like Visalia’s St. Mary’s?

“Just look around,” answered Father Dreiling, making his case with a wave of his arm. Difficult as it might be to argue with a man of the cloth, one panoramic glance is all it takes to see what he means: the wooden pews, the long aisle, the white walls drawing attention to the altar where the light and colors of stained glass explode with the suddenness of its subject, The Creation. Father Dreiling has a sense that what most brides want is tradition, her father walking her down the aisle – and St. Mary’s provides that.

The stained glass window above St. Mary’s altar covers nearly the entire apse of the church, shading the front of the church with warm hues. The window is a less traditional composition, though many two-dimensional, wine-colored depictions of Mary adorn its upper walls. From a vantage near the altar, standing under the purple mountains and golden boughs of the stained glass, a bride and groom might sense that they were standing not only at the foot of the cross, but also at the foot of the mountains. And the light refracting through its panes seems to affirm the sanctity of creation – as though the church were advertising, despite its own architectural and aesthetic appeal, the greater beauty to behold outside its walls rather than within.

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But a view, however majestic, is hardly the most important element of a wedding. Consider the effort put into invitations, and the stress caused by them, and an idea of what really matters to a bride and groom will come to mind: family, friends, community.

With a community estimated at 40,000, the Visalia Catholic Church revels in its celebrations.

A marriage “isn’t just a private thing,” explained Father Dreiling; “It’s a celebration for the whole people. And we rejoice with the couple that is getting married.” This aspect of communal celebration is why St. Mary’s “is more than just a building, more than just a structure. It symbolizes the community,” said Father Dreiling.

This is why the church “is called a sacred space; it’s a place where we gather as a people to celebrate the classic moments of our lives.”

And sometimes the celebration spans the lives of generations.

St. Mary’s was founded in 1851, and as Father Dreiling explained, “The parish, being as old as it is, has generations and generations of families that have lived here the whole time.” Roots like that grow deep, which is why some people return to St. Mary’s long after they’ve moved, to marry in the building, among the community where they grew up, and where their parents, their grandparents also wed.

Jamie Vonada-Hickey and her husband, Josh, were married at St. Mary’s in 1999, and since then, Jamie has observed, “Nothing has changed. The acoustics, stained glass, old wooden pews. All of it, the same.” The allure of a church like St. Mary’s is its stability and continuity – both physically and symbolically – through time, which is why, despite the external accoutrements, the Hickeys chose St. Mary’s: “It was a magical place for me to get married solely because I was raised in that church. Deep rooted in the church. Stemming from my grandparents involvement.”

Dresses, florists and boutiques, planners, receptions, stationary – there is sometimes too much to distract from what matters most.

Strip down the externals and expectations, and what’s left is people.

And for those Catholics who belong to the Visalia parish and call St. Mary’s their home, they will probably agree with Jamie VonadaHickey when she says, “I knew getting married at St. Mary’s was the only place for us.”

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LIFEST YLE | JANUARY 2013

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General Guideline to The Big Day Photo by Forrest Cavale, Third Element Studios

12 MONTHS BEFORE OR ASAP Announce engagement Buy a 3-ring binder for organizing Determine budgetary guidelines Determine style of wedding Select wedding date Reserve reception location Meet with officiant Visit caterers/cake decorators Visit video/photographers Visit florists Begin search for The Dress Apply for passports if traveling abroad 9-12 MONTHS BEFORE Begin pre-marriage counseling Choose a wedding planner Select wedding attendants Reserve caterer/cake decorator Reserve video/photographer Reserve florist Begin writing guest list Have engagement photo taken Check announcement with newspaper If you haven’t applied for passports, do it now!

6-9 MONTHS BEFORE Select/order bridal gown & accessories Schedule dress fitting Order bridesmaids’ attire Begin looking for rings Reserve DJ or musicians Begin planning honeymoon Continue writing/cutting guest list

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4-6 MONTHS BEFORE Purchase wedding rings Have rings sized or engraved Plan rehearsal dinner Order invitations/thank yous/napkins Attend dress fitting appointment Reserve hair stylist/make-up artist Schedule transportation (to/from) Choose ceremony music Order the wedding cake 3-4 MONTHS BEFORE Finalize guest list Arrange for men to be measured Arrange fittings for all attendants Begin addressing invitations Register for gifts Help mothers choose their dresses 6-8 WEEKS BEFORE Reserve mens’ attire Reserve block of hotel rooms for guests Purchase gifts for attendants Decide reception seating arrangements Prepare for legal/financial changes Order/purchase wedding favors Decide on any additional decorations 4-6 WEEKS BEFORE Attend bridal showers/bachelor parties Consult newspapers for wedding announcement guidelines Begin writing thank you notes for gifts Final dress fitting Confirm all reservations Design wedding program Determine what documents are needed for marriage license

2-4 WEEKS BEFORE Get marriage license Address announcements Keep writing thank you notes Have practice run with hair/make-up Arrange for back-ups in case of illness Notes to go with wedding party gifts 1-2 WEEKS BEFORE Begin packing for honeymoon Mail announcements Confirm all reservations (again) Arrange care of your pets Put a hold on your mail Remind everyone of duties 2-3 DAYS BEFORE Arrange for mens’ attire to be tried on Arrange return of all rented attire Arrange for food to be sent to your dressing room 1 DAY BEFORE Attend rehearsal Enjoy your rehearsal dinner Give gifts to attendants WEDDING DAY Eat a healthy breakfast or lunch with good protein Drink plenty of water Get hair/make-up done

SPECIAL FEATURE

Simple Steps to Sketching Out Your Wedding Budget Text by Chandra Orr

Photos by Ellie Jo Photography

U

nless money is falling from the sky right into your pocket book, do not use your wedding as an excuse to accumulate a mountain of debt that could tragically help end the reason you are spending it in the first place – to be married to the one you love.

In the world of weddings, your budget is your most critical tool. It is your wedding blueprint and will determine the rest of your planning. Sit down with your fiancé and establish a realistic budget. Be sensible about what you actually need versus what you want.

Whether you have $5,000 or $50,000 to spend, listed are suggested percentages for allocating your budget to cover all costs of your wedding.

Of course, the percentages can be changed to fit what’s important to you, as long as they all add up to 100%.

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RECEPTION (48% - 50%) Food Location fee

MISCELLANEOUS (5%) Marriage license Officiant fee

ATTIRE (10%) Gown & Tux

RINGS (5%) Bride & Grooms ring

FLOWERS AND DECOR (9%) Ceremony flowers Lighting

GIFTS (2%) Favors Bridal party gifts

PHOTOGRAPHY (10% - 15%) Photography Videography

STATIONARY (2%) Invitation package Postage

ENTERTAINMENT (10%) DJ Dance floor rental

TRANSPORTATION (2% - 3%) Limo or Rental car

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer Photo by Forrest Cavale, Third Element Studios

P

erhaps one of the most important vendors at your wedding, your photographer is the one person involved from the very beginning to the very end of your big day. What they produce is designed to last a lifetime and be irreplaceable. Here is a list of important questions to ask your photographer to help you decide whom to put in charge of this responsibility.

1. Can I see your portfolio?

Most professional photographers, and definitely the one you would want shooting your big day, have an online portfolio for interested customers to browse. Take a look at portfolios of local photographers and choose the style that best fits you. Also ask to see an entire wedding, not just select photos from select weddings so you can get an idea of how they take into account all aspects of the day.

2. How long have you been in business?

In the case of a once-in-a-lifetime event, like a wedding, it may be best to go with someone with more experience than an up-and-comer. Even if the price tag is a bit more for someone who has been in the business for a while, it will be worth it to ensure you have someone who knows what they are doing – and has done it several times.

3. How soon will I see my photos?

Most photographers will post a digital, password-protected album online for you to view. Be sure to let the photographer know your expectations on when you would like to access your photos and work out a time frame with

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them ahead of time. Included in this discussion is when you can expect to have your photos and your album inhand.

4. What packages/products do you offer?

It’s a good idea to discuss ahead of time certain products you must have and whether or not your photographer can commit to creating them. Most photographers are happy to work with your individual requests, ranging from mounted portraits to traditional albums, but it never hurts to see their product list and pricing ahead of time in case you want to buy something not included in your wedding package.

And ask about hidden “touch-up” fees.

5. How would you handle ... ?

Here is where you can offer up hypothetical questions. “What would you do if your equipment failed?”

“How would you handle a crying flower girl?” “Are you prepared to shoot indoors if an outdoor wedding gets cancelled due to rain?” There are a number of “what ifs” you can come up with based on your needs and wedding plans that you’ll want to flush out with your prospective photographer.

6. Can I check your references?

Ask for a couple of past brides you can call to ask important questions like: “Would you recommend the photographer to your best friend?”

“Was the photographer on time?” “Did your guests have any comments?” Your photographer should not hesitate to provide this.

7. Can I see a sample contract?

Your prospective photographer should be open with their procedures before you agree to anything. The contract is a binding document that is agreed upon by both parties, designed to protect both. If you don’t agree to something on the contract, don’t sign. And be sure your photographer has a contract – if they don’t, choose someone else.

8. Do you have liability insurance?

All vendors should be covered by their own insurance in the event something goes wrong. In fact, many venues ask that all professionals used be insured, so find out before the wedding if this is required by the venue and check with your photographer about their coverage.

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Dessert & Candy Bars Photo by Forrest Cavale, Third Element Studios

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B

rides and grooms have gone far past “let them eat cake” in their weddings these days. The happy couple is more likely to offer not just cake, but an entire array of desserts for their guests. The cake buffet is an evolution of the traditional Viennese dessert table, a long buffet offering many different types of desserts. Now, the trend includes multiple cakes that may be offered in addition to the grand wedding cake. The buffet might also include several different flavors of small cakes, a variety of cupcakes, cake pops, macaroons, petits fours and other desserts.

Let’s not forget the candy bar, popular at many weddings. Unlike the dessert bar, which is most appropriately frequented after dinner, the candy bar is often made available to guests during the cocktail hour and throughout the evening.

This is where brides and grooms can get creative with their display, some opting for a uniformed color of candies, while others personalize it with each of their favorite candies and treats. After all, love is sweet.

Keep your eye out for future trends of cocktail/appetizer samplers, like mini donuts with a small glass of milk, or mini bottles of tequila with bite-size tacos.

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SPECIAL FEATURE Nice The second largest French city on the Mediterranean coast, Nice is the perfect honeymoon spot for cultured couples looking for relaxation intermixed within an enlightening oasis.

While strolling through the cobblestone streets, soak up the fine art by wandering into one of the many museums Nice has to offer. Known for its specialization in modern art, the Riviera’s rolling landscape has served as inspiration for such well-known artists as Picasso and Marc Chagall. One of the most notable museums in Nice, Musée Matisse, houses the works of Nice’s very own Henry Matisse. Situated in the countryside, near the GalloRoman ruins, the 17th-century Genoa-Italian style villa, Musée Matisse is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and unwind with your love.

French Riviera Honeymoon Text by Nicole Agnew

A

honeymoon is the cherry on top of a wedding, and the start of many romantic trips to come for a couple. If you are looking for culture, luxurious shopping, and sweeping Mediterranean views, then travel to the luscious French Riviera for a glamorous honeymoon fit for a jet-setting couple. With its many museums and fine hotels, the French Riviera, known to the French as Cote d’Azur, is home to French elegance and culture.

It is not hard to understand why stars such as Oprah and Johnny Depp flock to the French Riviera for some R&R; the Riviera is purely a paradise, perfect for a romantic, sophisticated honeymoon. Nice, Cannes, Monaco and St. Tropez are the tourists’ and natives’ most beloved areas where they like to stay and play. After arriving at Nice Cote D’Azur Airport, you and your newlywed can travel through Cannes, Monaco and St-Tropez in style and see the enchanting views of the Riviera, by renting a private luxury helicopter from Heli Securite, or by a taxi or car service.

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Cannes Home to the annual Cannes Film Festival, Cannes has a grandeur landscape perfectly fit for a glitzy silver-screened goddess and her leading man.

Ideal for a cinematic getaway, stroll hand-in-hand with your honey on the famed Promenade de la Croisette.

With its sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea on one side, and its luxury shops and exquisite flowers on the other, you can imagine you are newlyweds within an Old Hollywood film. In the center of La Croisette, savor the delicious food at La Palme Dor at the Hotel Martinez. Share a romantic dinner of modern Mediterranean cuisine within the contemporary art deco interior of the eatery, while overlooking the bay of Cannes.

Monaco In the second smallest country in the world, experience the aristocratic treatment at Les Thermes Marins De Monte-

Carlo Spa, by bonding with your love through a day of pampering. Awarded the highest of remarks in the sea spa rankings, the Qualicert certification, the spa mixes its divine expertise of ancient thermal baths with the modern techniques of soothing sea baths.

Les Thermes Marins is bound to leave you and your newlywed at ease.

St-Tropez With its riveting nightlife and trendy bars, this city is not for the faint of heart. St-Tropez is the perfect destination in the Riviera for a night owl couple looking to have fun and socialize with the trendy jet-set.

If you are looking to dress to impress, enjoy gourmet meals and dance the night away, then the intimate piano bar, L’Octave Café, with a live band that plays pop and the standards, is the place to be. After dining on the avant-garde modern Mediterranean and Italian menu, take your love out to the dance floor while mingling with the rich and famous at this celebrity hotspot.

For a more relaxed experience in St-Tropez, a day on the ocean may be more your speed.

Legendary for its extravagant yacht scene, rent a yacht for an afternoon and feel the crisp wind across your sunkissed cheeks, while taking in the luscious blue waters of the Mediterranean. With an immaculate view of the line of extravagant yachts docked in the Mediterranean Sea, sit back and relax at the Plage de Pampelonne beach. With its white sand and crystal clear waters, Plage de Pampelonne is considered one of the best beaches in the south of France, and hosts millions of sunbathing tourists and locals each year.

Cheers to a fun-filled honeymoon under the sun!

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Designer: Claire Pettibone.

Dress: Toile Français

J

G

ust as with everyday style, there are trends when it comes to wedding dresses. It depends on the bride’s taste for the current trend or her dream wedding dress imagined when she was young, but for the most part modern brides want to keep up with what’s new and what they find on Pinterest and many other bridal sites. Much of what we have seen and (according to designers like Claire Pettibone and Romona Keveza) will continue to see at the forefront is lace.

Perhaps the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, inspired the reintroduction of lace to modern brides at her wedding to Prince William.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

OWNS Her dress was of exquisite lace detail with full lace sleeves, a lace applique bodice, skirt and veil, and was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. It’s most likely of no coincidence that after the reveal of her dress to the public, lace dresses have appeared more on the runway than the other favorite, satin.

Lace also lends itself to another trend, the portrait or illusion back. The portrait back adds a bit of whimsy and elegance to the dress, mixing sheer with lace and skin to create a demure, yet sexy look simultaneously.

Keep an eye out for these looks this spring, as well as pops of color on the daring bride.

If lace just isn’t your style, here is a quick list of other popular wedding dress fabrics:

Charmeuse: A lightweight, semi-lustrous soft fabric, that is satin-like to the touch, but not as shiny.

Chiffon: Delicate, sheer, and transparent – made from silk or rayon, with a soft finish; often layered because of its transparency.

Organza: Crisp and sheer like chiffon, with a stiffer texture similar in effect to tulle, but more flowing.

Rayon: A synthetic fabric, similar to silk, but more elastic and affordable.

Satin: A heavy, smooth fabric with a high sheen on one side.

Silk: The most sought-after fiber for wedding dresses (and also the most expensive) with a smooth, soft, natural feel.

Taffeta: Crisp and smooth, with a slight rib.

Tulle: Netting made of silk, nylon, or rayon.

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C CULINARY

A

fter the hustle and bustle in the kitchen during the holidays and the heavy recipes that coincide with that time of year, many want to go a bit lighter in their culinary creations after the first of the year. For a lighter dish, full of gourmet flavor pull out the cast iron pan and dine on this month’s taste bud pleasing menu.

Airline Chicken

Serves 2

Ingredients 1 whole chicken – airline cut which leaves the skin on for crispness and part of the wing attached. (Have your butcher do this for you or you can watch the technique on line.)

Roasted garlic (see below) Rosemary, chopped Basil oil (see below) Olive oil or duck confit (Duck confit makes everything you sear taste better.)

Cast iron pan – works wonders for searing but any sauté pan will work Salt and pepper to taste

Roasted Garlic

Cut the top ¼-inch off head of garlic. Wrap the garlic in foil, drizzle with olive oil (a tablespoon or two) and place in a baking dish. Roast at 400 degrees until the garlic cloves are soft, about 35 to 45 minutes. When cooked, squeeze the garlic from the skins into a bowl and use accordingly.

Basil Oil

Drizzle oil or a tablespoon or two of duck confit in your pan and heat until you see a little smoke rising. Place the chicken breasts, skin side down in the pan. Sear to a nice golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Don’t mess with it too much; you want that nice sear. When golden, turn over and repeat on the bottom.

Remove pan from heat and place in a 350-degree oven to complete the cooking process, about another 10 minutes to cook to 160 degrees.

Lighter

In a food processor place a bunch of basil, a clove of garlic, the juice of half lemon, salt and pepper to taste and pulse. Add olive oil to desired consistency. I like this a little runny as it is used as a finishing oil in this dish.

On the

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Directions After the chicken has been cut into the airline look, lift the skin just a little, being careful not to detach too much and rub a clove of roasted garlic under the skin. Sprinkle a little rosemary on top of the garlic and then cover with the skin. Rub more oil over the skin and sprinkle a little more rosemary.

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Remove from oven and tent with foil until ready to serve.

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Side

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C CULINARY

Roasted Vegetable Couscous Ingredients 1 C couscous – large, pearl couscous or Israeli couscous (Follow package directions. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.) ½ C cubed carrots ½ C cubed eggplant ½ C cubed zucchini ½ C cubed yellow squash ½ C peas ½ C oven roasted red and yellow tomatoes (see below) Directions Prep vegetables, toss with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Roast for about 30 minutes.

Toss with couscous, salt and pepper.

Oven Roasted Tomatoes Ingredients ½ C Red and yellow baby tomatoes 4 cloves garlic, chopped Drizzle olive oil Salt and pepper Directions Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cut tomatoes in half and place in bowl. Toss with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet and roast in oven for about 30 minutes, or until soft and fragrant.

Spinach Ingredients 12 to 16 oz. bag spinach 2-3 T olive oil Juice of half a lemon Salt and pepper to taste Sauté pan Directions Heat olive oil in the pan, when hot, place spinach in the pan and sauté until just wilted.

Squeeze lemon over, salt and pepper and remove from pan immediately. You may also add lemon zest to spinach while cooking.

To plate, place couscous on the plate, top with spinach and place chicken over the top.

Drizzle with basil oil and place a clove or two of roasted garlic on top as garnish.

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CULINARY C

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T TRAVEL

Rose Parade, CA Text and Photos by Cheryl Levitan

PICTURED: This photo shows the individual live flowers being added to a float. Note the upper open area of mesh.

Around its edges the foam layer is evident with the live flowers in their water vials pushed into the foam.

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TRAVEL T

Text by Marsha Roberts

O

kay, we see it every year on TV: amazing floats covered in flowers, awesome bands and beautiful horses. Nice, right? But actually go there? No way!

Driving and parking in Southern California is challenging enough without a major holiday, parade and 700,000 onlookers thrown in. The research and planning required to pull together a trip like that in some manner that approaches “enjoyable” seems a daunting task. And the alternative of curling up in front of the TV in pajamas with a purring cat and cup of hot chocolate is just so easy.

That’s why 50 million viewers in the US and millions more in over 220 countries watch the Rose Parade from home every year.

But when our local travel guru, Wes Roland with CruiseExperts,

came to us with an opportunity to join our favorite tour company (Tauck) in a behind-the-scenes Rose Bowl “experience” with Beverly Hills as home base … well, that sounded like a vacation!

Little did we know those would be some of the coldest days Los Angeles has seen in a long time, or that my husband would forget to put our heavier coats in the car (mine with my gloves conveniently stuffed in the pocket). Caring and loving man that he is – or maybe he was just afraid of the consequences – he did not put his own gloves on (which I had packed) until I snuck out during a tour and bought a pair for myself. News of my purchase spread quickly and set off a flurry of people running to the store.

Clearly “gloves” aren’t a normal item on the list when packing to visit Southern California.

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T TRAVEL

The theme for this 124th Rose Parade was borrowed from the title of Dr. Seuss’s book Oh the Places You’ ll Go! The theme references the sense of excitement, optimism and potential for wonder and learning at the start of a journey. It fit so well with the choice for this year’s Grand Marshall, Dr. Jane Goodall. She began her career studying chimpanzees in Tanzania at the age of 26 with little more than a sense of adventure, notebook and binoculars. And as odd as it seems, despite having been to the Southern California area many times before, we found ourselves often experiencing those same feelings of wonder and excitement.

This was an adventure as exotic in some ways as more remote places we’ve visited.

Our tour directors presented Los Angeles in the same manner as any area or country they take travelers; splitting into very small groups and sharing history and inside stories that allow you to see even a familiar place in a new way. And driving in Los Angeles while not being behind the wheel was a real treat! But none of the information we were told – the 100+ years of parade history, the thousands of volunteers who work tirelessly, the immense planning and engineering that go into each float – none of that prepared us for the atmosphere we experienced when visiting the float barns the day before the parade to see these works of art coming to life.

It felt as if we had entered into some kind of alternate universe, some magical place where visitors wait in line patiently and all the volunteers are amazingly friendly, almost falling over themselves to answer your questions, share interesting bits of information, or show you the best spot to take a photo.

My feet were so cold that they felt like blocks of wood. But I honestly didn’t care! I had a smile on my face as did everyone else.

This “happy place” was infectious. Maybe it was the scent of all those flowers or the goodwill produced by many people working together for a shared goal, but it truly seemed as if there was a bit of magic in the air. I would encourage anyone to visit the float barns even if they plan to watch the parade itself on TV. The bands and

equestrian teams have display events before the actual parade as well and both add to your enjoyment of the parade, whether you watch from the grandstands, camped out on the street, or from the TV in your RV or hotel.

Just to give a little perspective, the making of the floats is a yearlong process and each one costs an average of $300,000 with large corporations often spending $1 million or more. Just weeks after the parade concludes, the theme for the next year is announced and float builders prepare a sketch for Tournament approval. This year, over 200 float themes were submitted by as many groups but only 42 were selected to appear in the parade. This approval process lessens the duplication of elements and also ensures that each float communicates the parade theme. Once a design is accepted, a color rendering is prepared and the designers then work with engineers to enhance the concept with sound and animation.

Whether a float is “self-built” (sponsored, designed and built entirely by volunteers from community-based organizations) or sponsored by a company or city but built by a professional decorating company, the building process is the same. The base is a custom built (and often reused) steel chassis with wheels that supports the design elements with enough maneuverability to make the few turns on the parade route. It has an engine powerful enough to carry the float at 2.5 mph down the five-mile route.

Many also contain a computer system to control the music and hydraulics for the moving elements. Over this chassis is built a wood, metal and wire mesh structure.

At that point in the building process, the skeleton structure is taken for test runs to ensure it can maneuver and that passengers and driver can exit in an emergency. The driver is usually enclosed in a tiny compartment and driving “blind” with little or no ability to see the road, so this is also the time to check that hidden “observers” on the float will be able to relay information to the driver. If all goes well, the structure is then sprayed with foam which, once hardened, is painted in the color of the organic TOP: Dole’s “Dreaming of Paradise” float won the top Sweepstakes Trophy for the most beautiful entry. It pays tribute to tropical paradise. It had numerous working waterfalls and a volcano that erupted with flames and smoke.

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TRAVEL T

BOTTOM LEFT: Walking puppet depicts the central character in Dr. Seuss’s book, Oh The Places You’ll Go, which was the theme of the 124th Rose Parade.

TRAVELING TIPS

material that will cover each area. With this color-coded “decorate by number” type guide to work by, every visible square inch (all but the fire extinguisher) must then be covered with natural organic material.

Whether spice, bark, leaf, grain or flower, this material can be cut, dried, split, smashed, even pureed or ironed, but nothing can be dyed. Those materials are then attached to the foam with glue … 5,000 gallons worth! Adding the live flowers begins the day after Christmas when thousands of volunteers descend on the float barns. Each of those live flowers has an individual water-filled vial at the end of its stem and is inserted directly into the plastic foam. The heartier flowers go on first with the more delicate ones, like roses and orchids, added the night before the parade. In all, 18 million flowers are used in the process … more than any florist would use in five years.

Our “experience” tour included a gala ball on New Year’s Eve at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom, home to the Golden Globes. We were originally looking forward to dancing long into the night but didn’t realize we’d be leaving the hotel before 6 a.m. to reach our reserved parking before the road closed. With that in mind, it was decided that we would yet again enter an alternate universe, but this one, unlike the float barn, was a travel in time. We switched to Eastern Standard and toasted the New Year at 9 p.m. This made the wakeup call the next morning only slightly less painful, but it was worth it!

• You don’t have to be on a tour to attend the parade and pre-parade displays of bands, horses and floats. Tickets for all these, reserved parking for cars and RV’s, and lots of directions are available from Sharp Seating Company. Tickets go on sale February 1, 2013, for New Year’s Day 2014 at www.sharpseating.com. The parade begins at 8 a.m. and lasts about two and a half hours. The best grandstand seating is near the parade start on the south side of 414, 430, and 450 West Colorado Blvd. at $90 each. The TV cameras film from this area and direction which ensures the bands will perform and the floats will display their special effects. At www. tournamentofroses.com you can see the entire route and get more information on everything needed to experience it all in a way that fits any budget. Local hotels are found at www.visitpasadena.com.

• The Bandfest (band show and competition) is held on December 29 and 30, the EquestFest (equestrian show) is held on December 29, and the float barns are open two days before the parade with finished floats available for viewing the afternoon of the parade as well as the next day.

• The grandstands are metal risers with reserved seating numbers.

Bring a seat pad, blanket, and gloves … even warm days are cold that early in the morning. The average high on parade day is 68 degrees, average low is 50, and it’s rained 10 times in the last 124 years. The parade takes place rain or shine but no umbrellas are allowed in the stands. There are portable bathrooms by all grandstands but the seating is so tight that getting down once seated is quite an ordeal. Remember that when deciding to drink that morning cup of coffee!

• When visiting the float barns, go as early as possible to avoid the crowds. The larger permanent Rosemont Pavilion has 10-11 floats and the largest crowds. The tented Brookside Pavilion has 2-3 floats and all the decorated dignitary vehicles. We arrived by 8 a.m. to short lines and were finished in two hours.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Grand Marshall Dr. Jane Goodall in Visalia carriage and horses donated for use by Frank and Adriana Leyendekker of Visalia.

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K kudos

RUDYV Parris Photo by Aimee Sa

isalia native, Rudy Parris had already made a name for himself locally in the last 30 years of his music career. But after appearing on the hit NBC show The Voice in the fall of 2012, he is getting recognized a lot more often – and putting that recognition to good use. Parris, 46, succeeded in making it on to the highly competitive reality music competition before being eliminated in November.

Along with continuing his music career performing at venues throughout California, he is also home using his voice and talent to help the community he was born and raised in. In his recent show at The Cellar Door, Rudy, and his band The Parris Brothers, held a toy drive for Visalia Emergency Aid. Proceeds from the event also went to Visalia Emergency Aid.

PICTURED: Rudy Parris during his show at The Cellar Door.

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faces & places F

S

equoia Cigar Company in Downtown Visalia opened its shop for their Rocky Patel Cigar tasting in midDecember. The classy and cool lounge flowed with traffic from regulars to new faces as the evening consisted of raffles, beverages, food, discounts and good company. Sequoia Cigar Company has offered Visalia cigar aficionados a place to call their second-home for over 17 years and evenings such as these tastings invite those who aren’t familiar with this downtown locale to explore our city’s local businesses.

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Mike Clancy, Mark Fisher, Mark Gordon, Harvey May, Doc Blizzard, Brad Bickers, Fred Lagomarsino and several other customers enjoying the tastings and libations at Sequoia Cigar Company.

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P PERFORMANCES Text By Marsha Peltzer

GREAT MOVIES - GREAT MUSIC - Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho February 9, 2013 | 7:30p | Visalia Fox Theatre

R

emember the Bates Motel? Remember that famous shower scene? The Symphony will not only be performing Bernard Hermann’s Psycho film score, the film will be shown simultaneously at the upcoming concert; a first for Visalia. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Hitchcock classic, the Seattle Symphony played the score during the showing of the film in 2010 and the San Francisco Symphony soon followed suit; now, it is the Tulare County Symphony’s turn.

In a recent conversation with Music Director Bruce Kiesling I asked for a few comments about the upcoming February concert. He was so enthusiastic about the event that he wrote a somewhat lengthy, but wonderful response: “It’s no secret that I’m something of an aficionado of film music.

And each of the past two seasons have included an evening of film music. Both have been enormous successes, having sold out, which has been very gratifying and a thrill for both the audience and all of us in the orchestra. One of the challenges in presenting music from films, however, is that so often the music is so closely tied to a film’s scenes and dramatic shape that presenting the music without the film becomes very difficult. To address this it has long been a dream of mine to conduct a performance of a film score simultaneously with a full presentation of the film. For our February program, we will be doing such a concert and it promises to be an exciting evening of music and film.

“There is an old adage that says ‘the greatest film music is the music that you don’t even notice.’ That’s probably true, as the music underscoring a scene, should be closely tied with the images we see on screen and the last thing the music should do is take us ‘out’ of that music and call attention to itself. Nonetheless, there are countless great moments of film music that many people can hum or whistle when they think of their favorite films. Two seasons ago, we had a very successful concert sharing the music of John Williams. Certainly Williams enjoys a unique collaboration with Steven Spielberg, and his work has become nearly synonymous with the director’s great films. Perhaps the only other director/ composer collaboration thought to be as close and consistent as the Spielberg/Williams connection would be that of genius director Alfred Hitchcock and his regular collaborator Bernard Hermann.

“Hermann’s music is well known throughout other directors’ Hollywood films, most famously Citizen Kane, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and his last film, Taxi Driver; but he is perhaps most famous for his music for Hitchcock’s films including North by Northwest, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and of course, Psycho.

Indeed, aside from Max Steiner’s famous ‘Tara theme’ from Gone With the Wind, Psycho may be one of the first instances in history of a composer becoming known in his or her own right for movie music.

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“Although thought of as a horror film, it really isn’t, at least not in the modern sense. It’s much more of a psychological thriller, having an almost shocking LACK of violence. Sure, there is that famous shower scene, but upon inspection, very little is actually seen in that sequence. Hitchcock was a master of what the audience doesn’t see as much as what they do, and Psycho is a brilliant and stunning example of that. Here we have a great film – a masterpiece of filmmaking – presented live with our own professional orchestra performing one of the greatest film scores ever written. Surely this is one of the biggest events in the symphony’s entire season and something you won’t want to miss.”

If Kiesling’s words about the concert entice you to purchase tickets, and you are not already a season ticket holder, please call the Symphony Office at 732-8600.

Fore information about the quartet and the upcoming concert, contact the Symphony Office: 732-8600

PERFORMANCES P

CFA is far more than a "gym". It's a place where lives are redeemed. The first time I walked through the door, my thought was, "I'll get in shape!" but what truly happened was so much more. The quality V I S A L I A’ S T O P P R O D U C I N G L U X U R Y S P E C I A L I S T of all areas of my life have improved as a result of being a client. Here, clients are family. The people at CFA make the results happen, not just the dumbbells or miles on the treadmill.

Simply put, they care about the person and will go above and beyond to get you where you want to be!" — Lee Miller, California Fitness Academy Member

Be smart and do it better in 2013. We are changing lives at CFA and I personally invite you to come see us in ACTION anytime!

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6910 W. Pershing, Visalia, Ca 559.334.8990 | www.livecfalife.com

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C CHAMBER

IN THE COMMUNITY 1

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5

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At the 32nd Annual Christmas Tree Auction: 1. Liz and Ed Eslick 2. Mr. and Mrs. Claus and Amanda Jefferis 3. Barbra Hood, Belinda Coulson, Sara DeJaeger 4. Vicki Torres, Nancy Phelps, Deb and Don Wood 5. Peggy Furnas and George Swaggart

The mission of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce is to preserve, model and advance business vitality and prosperity for our members and the community.

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CHAMBER C

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C CHAMBER

IN THE COMMUNITY

1

3 2

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At the December Mixer/Chamber Board Installation: 1. City Council Member, Dale Sally and City Administrator, Randy Groom.

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2. New Exeter Chamber of Commerce Board Directors being installed: Kristie Brasiel’s Dazzle – Kristie Brasiel; Hometown Emporium – Cassie Alves; Tricia Kirksey Real Estate – Sara Levrets; Oasis Security Systems – Scott Jones; Simple Plumbing – William Stimpel.

3. New Exeter Chamber of Commerce President-Elect: ABC Bookkeeping & Tax Services Inc. – Linda Sue Bauer; Secretary/Treasurer: Coldwell Banker/J. Heaton and Assoc. and Bodyworks Brickhouse Gym – Cindy Gerdes; and President: Evans Miller Guinn Exeter Chapel – John Guinn.

Our mission is to promote, support, and enable Exeter to prosper.

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4. The Secret Garden, Lindsay, Johnnie Maya and City of Exeter Mayor, Robyn Sternsa.

5. The Secret Garden, Lindsay, Patti Maya and Frankie Alves.

CHAMBER C

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Custom Services Kitchens Bathrooms Family Rooms Outdoor Living Trim & Molding Hardwood Floors Cement

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C CHAMBER

IN THE COMMUNITY

1

2

3

At the Tulare Chamber of Commerce Membership Drive: 1. Terry Brazil, Tulare Historical Museum

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2. Vicky Kuntz, Sherry Carson, Nina Akin, and Linda Howarth 3. Patty Rocha, Tulare Outlet Center; David Phillips, Phillips IT Consulting; and Lee Brehm, Tulare Outlet Center 4. Marie Pinto, Lonnie Tiesiera and John Thomas

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Inc. exists to serve its members and the citizens of the Tulare area and surrounding rural areas of Tulare County.

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CHAMBER C

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L I F E S T Y L E | JA N UA R Y 2 013 JU

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h happenings

Sofa Art XVIII For the eighteenth consecutive year, Sofa Art continues their tradition, with this years theme: The Sofa Art Time Machine: A Trip Through Art History. Come and see what part of history has inspired local artists. The free and open to the public opening reception will be held on Feb. 8 from 6-8p.

When: Feb. 6 – March 1 Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 739-0905

Theater & Performances Doubt Set in the fictional St. Nicholas Church School in the Bronx, during the fall of 1964. The play opens with a sermon by Father Flynn, a beloved and progressive parish priest. The school’s principal, Sister Aloysius, is a rigid conservative nun; she harbors deep mistrust toward her students, associates and society in general. Father Flynn and Aloysius are put into direct conflict when she suspects that sexual misconduct occurred between Father Flynn and Donald Muller, a student.

When: Jan. 18-20, 25-27, Feb. 1-3; Evenings 7:30p, Matinee 2p Where: Icehouse Theatre, 410 E. Race Ave., Visalia Contact: 734-3900 or www.visalialayers.org

JAN 19

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Bon Vivant!

Come and listen to this powerful concert that will be full of French symphony. The orchestra will be performing The Sorcerer’s Apprentice as well as Bolero. Tickets $20.

When: Jan. 19; 7:30p Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369 or www.foxvisalia.org

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JAN 25

Cirque Ziva The Golden Dragon Acrobats are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today. World-renowned impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang combine award-winning acrobats, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty.

Tickets $25 adults; $15 children.

When: Jan. 25; 7p Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369 or www.foxvisalia.org

JAN 28

Pentatonix Acapella sensations and winners of season three of NBC’s The Sing-Off, Pentatonix are taking instrument-free music far beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. This vocal quintet has transformed one of pop music’s purest and most soulful expressions into an exciting future, filled with limitless sonic possibility. Pairing their intricate arrangements with cleverly re-imagined pop songs, Pentatonix have quickly cultivated a sound and style that is entirely unique and undeniably infectious. Tickets $17, $22, and $32. A benefit for Hands in the Community.

When: Jan. 28; 7:30p Where: L.J. Williams Theater, 1001 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 735-8154 or www.foxvisalia.org

happenings H

Disney on Ice Bring the whole family as Disney presents Dare to Dream, starring Tangled star, Rapunzel.

Other guests include Cinderella, Prince Charming and Princess Tianna. Experience the sparkle and excitement of a Disney movie … on ice!

When: Feb. 1 – Feb. 4 Where: Selland Arena, 700 M Street, Fresno Contact: 445-8100 or www.fresnoconentioncenter.com

FEB 9

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho Relive the horror of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho as it is performed by the Tulare County Symphony. The original film will be shown simultaneously at this classic horrific concert.

Tickets $20-$39.50.

When: Feb. 9; 7:30p Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369 or www.foxvisalia.org

Art Exhibits City and Symbol: Visalia Icons Now & Then Visalia Visual Chronicle 2013 Juried Exhibition For the second consecutive year, Arts Visalia will host the Visalia Visual Chronicle exhibition, a juried competition intended to locate artworks for acquisition to a permanent, public collection held by the Arts Consortium, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that connects creativity, community and culture in Tulare County, California and acts as the strategic local partner of the California Arts Council. An opening reception will be held at Arts Visalia on Friday, January 4th from 6 to 8p.

Admission is free and open to the public.

When: Jan. 2 - Feb. 1 Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 739-0905

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h happenings

Gemboree This free event will consist of a gem and mineral show, a treasure hunt for the entire family, demonstrations, a snack bar and a drawing every half hour.

When: Jan. 19-Jan. 20, 10a Where: Exeter Veterans Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah Ave., Exeter Contact: www.tulegem.org

Diversions & Excursions

JAN 19

Tule Fog Run The Tule Fog Run offers a beautiful backdrop to a unique event. Join us in the fog as we run the St. John’s River for a 10k, 5k and Kids Run. The event provides participants with a t-shirt, goodie bag, and healthy snacks. Kick on your new year the right way!

When: Jan. 19; 7a Where: Cutler Park, 15520 Ivanhoe Dr., Visalia Contact: Visalia Parks & Recreation, 713-4365 Dana La Mon Experience an uplifting day as this motivational speaker, author, and world champion Toastmaster will give a motivation speech on “How to Reach Your Goals in 2013.”

When: Jan. 19; 3p Where: Visalia United Methodist Church, 5200 W. Caldwell Ave., Visalia Contact: 627-1660 or www.vumc.org Disney & Kids: A Celebration Reunited This annual fundraising event will include a fantastic 2 course dinner from Tom’s Fun Foods, a video showing of past Encore Kid performances in Disneyland, a fashion show and a silent auction including Disney items.

Tickets $35.

When: Jan. 19; 6p Where: Heritage Complex, 4500 S. Laspina St. #101, Tulare Contact: Susan Burley at 289-2994 or sburley@TCSD.k12.ca.us

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Full Moon Snowshoe Walk With a full moon, a black sky and white snow all around, this event is hard to miss. During this Yosemite night, survival of plants and animals will be discussed as well as lunar folklore. Tickets $18.50, $5 if you bring your own snowshoes.

When: Jan. 23-27, Feb.21-25, March 23-27 Where: Badger Pass Day Lodge Contact: www.sequoiahistory.org

JAN 25

FEB 5

Perfect Little Planet Discover our solar system through a new set of eyes. Fly over the surface of Pluto, dive over the ice cliffs of Miranda, sail through the rings of Saturn, feel the lightning storms at Jupiter, and walk on the surface of Mars. This is the solar system journey for space travelers of all ages. Tickets $4.

When: Jan. 25; 7p Where: Pena Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: 737-6334 First Saturday 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 – the flier shows all participating venues, art to see, locations and times for special events.

When: Feb. 5; 10a-5p Where: Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Dr. (CA 198), Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or www.1stSaturdayTR.com

happenings H

SpringFest Home and Patio Show For this 20th annual event, over 350 exhibits filled with information on kitchen and bath remodeling, gardening tips and all-around home improvement will be present. Other experts from stores such as The Home Depot, Orchard Supply Hardware and Best Buy will also be available for your home improvement needs.

When: Feb. 8 – Feb. 10; (12-7p/10a-7p/10a-5p) Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-4000 or www.visaliahomeshows.com

FEB 13

Ag Warriors Decorated combat marine, columnist, small business founder and best-selling author, Oliver North, will be the keynote speaker at the Ag Warriors benefit. Come and listen as North shares his stories.

When: Feb. 13; 6a Where: International Agriculture Center, 4450 S. Laspina Street, Tulare Contact: 688-1030 or www.internationalagricenter.org

Visalia Farmer’s Market – Harvest of the Valley Weekly event open to the public featuring free live music, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations and local, fresh produce available for purchase. The market also accepts EBT and WIC. When: Saturdays, 8-11:30a Where: Sears parking lot at Mooney and Caldwell, Visalia Contact: 967-6722 or www.visaliafarmersmarket.com Senior Watercolor Classes This open session event will allow seniors to get creative and show their artistic talents.

When: Wednesdays; 1-4p Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 739-0905 or www.artsvisalia.org

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h happenings

World Ag Expo Come and see what the Central Valley has to offer in the world of agriculture. Exhibitors include professionals from Bad Dog Tools, Kawasaki Motors Corp., USDA Farm Service Agency and the National Rifle Association.

Tickets $12.

When: Feb. 12-14; 9a Where: International Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare Contact: 688-1030 or www.internationalagricenter.com

JAN 26

CHARITABLE EVENTS

Writers & Readers

All-You-Can-Eat-Shrimp Dinner This annual event, hosted by the Redwood High School Future Business Leaders of America chapter, will consist of a three-course dinner, silent auction and bidding session.

Tickets are $25 and will aid in funding annual Redwood FBLA Community Service Projects.

When: Jan. 26; 6p Where: Chinese Cultural Center, 500 S. Akers St., Visalia Contact: 730-7736

Book Sale Come and find your favorite book or pick up a couple of new ones at this monthly event.

Proceeds from this book sale will benefit the Friends of the Tulare Public Library, a non-profit organization.

When: Feb. 2, March 2, 9a Where: Tulare City Public Library, 475 N. M St., Tulare Contact: 685-4500 or www.tularepubliclibrary.org Tulare County Library First Tuesday Book Club (Feb. 5, 6:30p) Socrates CafĂŠ (Feb. 12, 6:30p) Mystery Readers (Feb. 20, 6:30p) Independent Film Series (Feb. 21, 6p) Third Thursday Book Club (Feb. 21, 7p) Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-2700 or www.tularecountylibrary.org

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L I F E S T Y L E | JA N UA R Y 2 013

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