Lifestyle Magazine September 2023

Thoughts from the Editor

“Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different?” These words, often attributed to C.S. Lewis, capture the reality of raising children. As a young father, I often heard the advice to cherish the moments with your kids, as my little ones would be crawling around, eating things off the floor. In my arrogance or exhaustion, I would politely shrug off the sage advice and go back to dutifully changing the diapers or loading up the pack-n-play for the hundredth time. Nowadays I often find myself, between the moments of scheduled chaos, in quiet reflection on how time has flown by. I wish that someone would have told me that parenting is a mixture of joy, frustration, and an ache for time to stand still.

This quote from the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius poignantly summarizes the importance of seizing the moment. “No one ever loses a life other than the one they are living, and no one ever lives a life other than the one they are losing. The longest and the shortest life, then, amount to the same, for the present moment lasts the same for all and is all anyone possesses.”

The other day, my iPhone played a slideshow full of photos from beach trips with my middle daughter, from her first month of life to this summer, accompanied by the kind of music that guarantees at least a teary eye. In an instant, I was transported through some of the most valuable moments of my life, and I could understand what truly mattered.

There was a time I believed I had a decent grasp on life—that is, until I held my eldest daughter for the first time. The fragility and immense responsibility I felt in that moment was exhilarating and overwhelming. Fast forward through countless bedtime prayers, broken arms, braces, lectures, and plenty of hugs, and you'd think I'd have this parenting thing down to science. But just when I think I've got the hang of it, my teenagers pull the rug out from under my well-placed feet.

Our family gatherings aren’t picture-perfect, and I’m occasionally the cause of my children's eye-rolls. But I can assure you of the profound joy and fulfillment that comes from nurturing these relationships.

So, here's a piece of unsolicited advice from one father to anyone out there navigating the tumultuous waters of family life: Cherish the moments, both big and small. The messy breakfast tables, the school drop-offs, the bedtime stories— because they pass by in the blink of an eye.

Eric Riley Executive Editor Lifestyle Magazine President / Owner Topograph

Contributors

September 2023

Scan here to read more about our monthly contributors, see a list of rack locations, or to sign up for a monthly subscription.

Dakota Jacobi PHOTO / SALES / CONTENT

Terry Ommen HISTORIAN

Jen Smith WRITER / CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH

Lili Mendez GRAPHIC DESIGNER / CONTENT

Sue Burns WRITER

Monica Fatica | MANAGING EDITOR Marissa Carpenter | CONTENT EDITOR

Mark Garcia GRAPHIC DESIGNER / PHOTOGRAPHER

Rylie Fox GRAPHC DESIGNER / PHOTOGRAPHER

Ella Howell PHOTOGRAPHER

Pacific Treasures

BALANCING family life

Words by Lifestyle Staff

Families are not one-size-fits-all. They come in all shapes and sizes. Despite that, one constant for every family is the need for balance. Balancing work, family, friends, and other responsibilities can seem impossible when there’s pressure to pick and choose. However, carving out time for family strengthens those important relationships with your loved ones. Whether it’s a few minutes or a few days, there are many ways to create family time. Read on for a few different ideas from our Lifestyle staff on ways to bring balance back to your family time.

WIND DOWN AND BE IN THE MOMENT

Set boundaries—set a time to put devices down for the night. This opens you all up to be present and decompress before bed.

SCHEDULED FAMILY TIME Carve out a designated day and time for a date night, game night, movie, whatever it may be. By creating consistency, it gives everyone something to look forward to.

HAVE A SHARED FAMILY CALENDAR

Knowledge and communication are gold for family time. Get clarity by sharing any upcoming appointments, field trips, recitals, or sports games. You’ll be able to visualize what you want to attend, and inspire the best plan to accomplish it.

MAKE TIME WHERE YOU CAN

Sometimes our life is a blur of schedules and appointments, and true connection feels lacking. Think of good questions to ask while you’re in the car driving to the next thing, or bond over the latest pop hit on the radio. (Quality over quantity!)

SHARE A MEAL

Every meal spent together? Unlikely. Try instead to share at least one each day. Busy after school? Do breakfast together. Stressful mornings? Sit down together for dinner. Unpack any feelings. Try talking about the rose (something positive) bud (something to look forward to), and thorns (something challenging) of everyone’s day.

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Market Gifts BBQ Deli Wine Beer

Totem Market is your one-stop shop before heading your way into the Sequoia National Park! This mountain market is not only a place to purchase goods, it is a community gathering place. Stop for a glass of wine or ice cold beer at their bar, and make sure to try their award winning BBQ.

Riata Ranch

Now featuring local brewery Salty Walrus Brewing Co.

Hours: 8 am-8 pm

Experience Beer or Wine tastings by booking a Private Group Tasting (available by reservation)

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Three Rivers, CA 559-561-4463

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Adventure to THREE RIVERS

History

Before non-indigenous explorers arrived, the region was home to local Native American tribes. In 1856, Hale Tharp, believed to be the first settler, made his home near the river and began raising cattle and hogs. By the 1870s, other farmers and ranchers began settling in the area. Today, Three Rivers is home to a diverse population of families, retirees, National Park staff, artists, musicians, just to name a few. To read more about Tharp, see pg. 45

Knownas the Gateway to the Sequoias, Three Rivers is a community established along the Kaweah River and is an adventurer’s dream. It’s known for activities like white-water rafting, hiking, fishing, sightseeing, and much more. When you visit Three Rivers, you’ll find locals who treat each other more like family and warmly welcome visitors as well. Let us guide you through a trip up the hill, so you can see for yourself just how magical it is!

HISTORIC Post Office

The charming, picturesque post office on North Fork Drive was constructed by local ranchers and residents in the early 1900s to provide a permanent facility for local mail services. It continued to provide those services to the hamlet of Kaweah up until 2022, but is still a favorite stop for photographers and history buffs alike.

Words by Lifestyle Staff | Photos by Topograph

Outdoor Excursions

One outdoor activity many enjoy is white-water rafting. The Kaweah River is fed by snowmelt and runoff from Sequoia National Park, making it one of the finest white water rafting areas in Central California. Whether you are looking for adrenaline-boosting rapids or a quieter, family-friendly float down the river, you will find them here. If you’re not a fan of white-water rafting, try kayaking. You can bring your own kayak or rent one at the marina and spend the day exploring Lake Kaweah.

Lake Kaweah Three Rivers Museum

Lake Kaweah was originally created by the construction of the Terminus Dam in the early 1960s to provide flood control and irrigation reserves for farmlands in the Central Valley. Today, it is also a wonderful place for visitors and locals alike to enjoy fishing, swimming, waterskiing, and boating. Now, it is a place where people gather to fish, water ski, or spend the day boating among other things.

The Three Rivers Historical Museum is hard to miss, with its larger-thanlife Paul Bunyan wood carving out front. The museum showcases the history and heritage of the area and provides visitor information for guests from all over the world. Learn about early settlers, cowboy culture, and so much more. The museum’s Native Voices exhibit will open in late October, and plans are underway to build a working blacksmith shop. The Mineral King room and outdoor smelter exhibit offers a fascinating look into the natural and cultural history of Mineral King Valley. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. 3rmuseum.org

Photo: mountaindescents.com

LOCAL hiking

In addition to the variety of opportunities in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, a hike starting from Skyline Trailhead, located off Highway 198 (Sierra Drive) at the end of Skyline Drive, is a great adventure. This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) area is at its most beautiful in spring, but is popular all year for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. Sections are challenging with some steep inclines, so start your trek early on warm days and bring plenty of water.

PUMPKIN HOLLOW BRIDGE

Pumpkin Hollow Bridge was built in the early 1920s and spans the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River near the entrance to Sequoia National Park. It offers picturesque views of the area and is an historic example of the beautiful bridge architecture of its time.

Equine Education

The country feel of Three Rivers still remains with riding lessons offered by Christy Wood, owner of Wood ‘N’ Horse Training Stables. Christy teaches riders of all levels and welcomes groups for lessons as well. She is a professional horse show judge and has authored several books in the equestrian genre. wdnhorse.com

1st

Saturdays iN THREE RIVERS

1st Saturdays in Three Rivers is every first Saturday from 11am to 5pm. Many artists throughout Three Rivers open their home studios or gather at various locations around town to offer their creations for sale. Each month, a featured artist is highlighted and participating restaurants and merchants help sponsor the event. This is a great opportunity to experience the art and artistry of Three Rivers while supporting local businesses. If you're interested in attending, make sure to stop by Kaweah Arts or the Three Rivers Historical Museum to pick up a map. 1stsaturdaytr.com

THREE RIVERS CHAMBER OF COMMMERCE

Three Rivers’ close-knit community has a collaborative and engaging chamber of commerce. The organization supports local businesses and provides information to visitors through their website. They promote local events and provide networking opportunities for their members. threeriverschamber.org

Moro Rock

Moro Rock is a must do when visiting Sequoia National Park. You can enjoy the view from ground level or hike up the 400-step stairway. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this incredible stairway is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From the top you’ll find a breathtaking, panoramic view that includes the Great Western Divide.

RIATA RANCH

PRESENTS

DINNER AN D SHOW

TRI-TIP

Saturday September 30th, 2023

4:30PM - Gates open 5:00PM - Demonstration

6:30PM - Dinner and live music

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Includes: 1 raffle entry, performance, live music, tri tip dinner and hosted bar.

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Here at Riata Ranch, we believe today's youth are tomorrow's future. We strive to see young people become confident leaders, develop strong work ethic, and realize their passions. Our programs develop and shape the unique characters of individuals: encouraging their passions, creating better citizens, and producing people of great character through traditional ranch work together with our four-legged partners — our ranch horses.

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Adventure to Three Rivers

Whether looking to enjoy a meal on the river, an outdoor excursion or browse artisan shops, our local mountain village has all of that and more.

SEQUOIA COFFEE CO.

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Tony's Taverna on Wheels

A newly opened food truck offering homemade, authentic Greek cuisine. Come on by! We look forward to sharing a gyro with you. Brick and mortar coming soon!

Offering farm-to-table americana food with locally sourced options and a modern vibe. Located on the riverfront, we serve brunch with gorgeous views every Sunday!

3R DRY GOODS

41763 Sierra Dr, Suite D Mon 1-3pm, Thurs 12-5pm Fri-Sat 12-6pm, Sun 12-5pm 3rdrygoods.com

We are grounded in our community and love outfitting them too! Stop in to shop a curated collection of apparel, gifts, locally made goods, or to just say hi.

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Kaweah Coffee Roasters

40840 Sierra Dr

Open daily 6:30am-3pm kaweahcoffeeroasters.com

Extracting levity from your daily grind. Enjoy freshly roasted coffee, hand-pulled shots of espresso, and farm fresh inspired food. Get your picture

on the wall with @KaweahCoffeeBean, the shop resident pug.

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Kaweah ARTS

41841 Sierra Dr

Thurs-Tues 11am-5pm, Wednesdays and evenings, by appointment kaweaharts.com (559) 561-2222

Shop at the gallery showcasing the creations of nearly 50 local artists. You'll find handmade pottery, jewelry, weaving, original art, and much more.

River Water Pottery

By appt. and first Saturday of each month (during 1st Saturdays Three Rivers) riverwaterpottery.com

Handmade pottery since 1996! Visit our working studio along the river during art walks or find our work at Gathered and Kaweah Arts, including food-safe pottery, sea glass artwork, and handmade treasure boxes.

3R YOGA

(559)-736-4634 linktr.ee/3ryoga

We offer group and private classes online and in person, overlooking the Kaweah River. Re-energize your physical, mental and emotional state. Beginners welcome!

3ryoga

CASA MENDOZA

40869 Sierra Dr, Unit C Open daily from 10am-8:30pm (559) 561-7283

A hidden gem serving delicious Mexican cuisine with vegetarian-friendly options. Outdoor seating available and just minutes away from Sequoia National Park!

casamendoza

gathered.

Featuring: Wendy McKellar Art

41661 Sierra Dr Wed-Sun 10am-3pm

Owner Dayna has an eye for design and a heart for makers. You'll find stylish and local art, unique gifts and creative finds curated by Dayna Higgins and friends.

gatheredin3r

kaweaharts3r

A hillside hideaway

Nestled in the Woodlake hills sits a seemingly understated home. However, every inch is carefully curated or created with exceptional artistry and workmanship. When Chad W Howell from Howell & Co. Dream Builders first embarked on this project in 2014, he didn’t know that it would take him and his team nearly four years to complete this one-of-a-kind home. Every aspect, from the structure to the furniture, was customized or created by hand.

Building the home’s foundation took approximately 10 months, including blasting a hole into the solid granite hillside and cutting rock to fit the structure. ICFs (insulated concrete forms) were used for the exterior walls, creating a LEGO-like structure to provide both strong stability and insulation for the home. An unusually wet winter in 2016 led to the development of an extensive drainage system, which functioned well with 2023’s record rainfall.

Story by Lifestyle Staff | Photos by Ella Kate Co.

nature meets shelter

The owners’ inspiration and vision for their home was an outdoor-indoor convergence. The theme is prominent throughout, with 14 total folding glass doors spread throughout the home, allowing nature to merge with indoor living. The search for quality glass doors ended when they found boutique metal door and window company Jada Windows. The exterior walls boast 200 linear feet of glass—with most functioning as operable doors.

details make the design

Along with many upgrades, no detail was too small to source until each room was just right. Fitting doors and beams was often challenging, “but it’s also what made the project unique and rewarding,” says Chad. He traveled to Austin, Texas to source hand-cut, chiseled limestone for the fireplace and gathered reclaimed beams in Virginia that were originally part of an old building in upstate New York. Mark Leonard of Leonard Iron Works built the dining room chandelier, the kitchen light fixtures, and many other metal pieces around the home.

practice makes perfect

A project like this requires a lot of time spent with the clients. “I enjoyed the process of learning to see through their eyes,” shared Chad. “It helped me…make better decisions to create the dream home they were envisioning.” Cardboard mock-ups for the countertops, kitchen cabinetry, and the master tub helped determine spacing before final layout selections were made.

The great room boasts a 50-foot ridge beam sourced from a 150-year old building in upstate New York that was disassembled 30 years ago.

handcrafted to suit

The owners knew they wanted custom handcrafted tile in their bathrooms. Designer Nola Stucky of NS Ceramic designed the shower layouts and the handmade tiles. Each tile design’s unique color palette echoes the other home details. For their hand-poured and polished countertops and master bathtub, the owners wanted industrial elements too, and worked with Sonoma Cast Stone. Its sister company, Sonoma Forge, made the bathroom and kitchen faucets and fixtures.

repurposed stories

Many of the home’s wood pieces tell a story of new life and purpose. Chad used salvaged wood for several furniture pieces throughout the home:

Doors: Beam remnants make up the sliding barn door, while the basement doors, also made of remnant pieces, have added texture and character from Chad and his team spending countless hours tooling and distressing them.

Coffee Tables: Chunks from leftover beams form the main coffee tables in the great room. A rusted 600-pound trench plate salvaged from the docks of San Diego tops one table while the other table, centered around the fireplace, was built from a massive black walnut tree trunk removed from a north Clovis home. The tree, hollow and rotted out, is the perfect conversation piece.

Dining Table: The oval dining room table is made from a Bastogne slab sourced from Bend, Oregon—this attractive hardwood comes from a rare hybrid tree that consists of Claro and English walnut species. The Bastogne slab was combined with black walnut trees that Chad salvaged from the Highway 198 widening project and sits atop a uniquely designed metal base.

Mantle: The fireplace mantle’s black walnut was sourced from Davis, CA, where Chad hand-selected the tree and decided where the exact cuts would be made.

great outdoors

Outside, the homeowners chose grasses and other drought-tolerant, climate-friendly varieties. Melanie McKenzie’s initial angled layout included (and complemented) the deep, multi-tiered pool. To match the scenery, Chad sourced most of the landscaping rocks from the 1500-acre ranch property’s hills using a forklift, trailer, and truck to transport them back to the home. In the process, they uncovered dark-veined dense granite, lichen-carpeted boulders, and rattlesnakes (among other creatures). The outdoor shower with an interlocking metal shield was brought to life by Mark from Leonard Iron Works, prioritizing quality and originality in the design.

finishing touches

Chad and his clients worked together, making selections from plumbing fixtures to wall colors and lighting for the home. Interior designer Elizabeth Vallino from Santa Barbara worked closely with the owners to ensure the final furnishings, accessories, and finishes would give a voice to the home and represent the aesthetic of the property.

Looking back on the project, Chad is most grateful for his clients’ openness to his creativity and appreciates their desire for authenticity. Walking through the front door, one is drawn to the warm, inviting kitchen, striking fireplace, comfortable couches, and travertine floors. Every detail guides you through the home, carefully built as a retreat, and meant to be shared with others, where the stories of every piece mingle with new memories made.

FOCUSED CARE

Q&A WITH HOUSE OF PAWS VETERINARY CLINIC

Owners

Tracy and Kim’s love for animals began with personal rescue and rehabilitation efforts and grew into a full-time mission to help as many animals as possible. Together with Veterinarian Dr. Adams, their passion led them to opening a mobile clinic during Covid, and most recently, a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Visalia. The clinic layout is intentionally designed around the needs of clients and their pet(s) in order to offer the best care possible. Their welcoming exam rooms include amenities like cat scratching posts or a comfort room with a cozy couch and blankets where you can spend as much time as you need when it’s time to say goodbye to your furry loved one. Also onsite: a spacious room where stray kittens and cats are cared for—in partnership with local rescue organizations—while they await their new homes. The team at House of Paws has created a veterinary experience with design-forward amenities, techenabled tools, and most importantly, an experience where a pet’s well being comes first.

Lifestyle: Hi Dr. Adams. How long have you been a veterinarian? Have you always known that’s what you wanted to do?

Dr. Adams: I’ve been a veterinarian for 31 years. I knew since I was a young child that it was what I wanted to do. I grew up with all sorts of pets and did 4H. When I finished vet school, I worked with large animals for the first 15 years of my career, mostly cows. It was a lot of hard work being up in the middle of the night and getting kicked at times. The type of work I’m doing now is also hard, but on an emotional level. It’s a lot harder when our patients are sick and pass away, and it’s harder on our clients, as well.

houseofpawsvet.com

(559) 608-1584

435 N. Burke, Visalia Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

houseofpawsvet.com

houseofpawsvet

Words by Lifestyle Staff | Photos by Topograph

Lifestyle: Can you share about House of Paws and the team that is behind the clinic?

Dr. Adams: We all truly love animals and helping as many as we can. We are focused on the quality of care we are giving over the quantity coming in, and we empathize with other pet owners, having had sick pets or pets that have passed away ourselves. We also try to keep it calm and low-key here. Some pets are like kids, and get scared when they are somewhere unfamiliar. For those ones, we take time to help the animal understand we're not gonna hurt it instead of just muzzling him or her—which we rarely have to do. Treats can help them feel calm, too. We foster a fear-free environment for the animals to help them as best we can.

Lifestyle: What types of health problems do you see the most in our area?

Dr. Adams: We see a lot of dogs with allergies. Allergies need to be controlled before it causes other issues, like spreading into their ears. Symptoms include excessively scratching their ears or licking their feet. They may also develop a respiratory problem or lose all of their hair. When typical treatment doesn’t help, we recommend an allergy test so we can treat them more effectively with injections. There's a whole spectrum of common allergies here in the Valley and we can help keep them from suffering. In the summer, many pets come in with foxtails seeds embedded. These can cause abscesses; a lot of cats get them in their eyes and up the nose.

Lifestyle: What should someone do if they come across a stray or dumped animal? How can they help?

Dr. Adams: If they can keep it safe until they can get it scanned for a chip, that would be the best first step. There are rescue organizations that will help however they can, including providing food and care while the animal is being fostered. Gabby’s Animal Rescue and Central Valley Rescue Railroad are really good. Valley Oak SPCA has a clinic too. If you find a purebred dog, I recommend contacting a breed rescue. If you can’t physically help, but still want to support the rescues, financial support is always helpful. There aren’t enough rescues to care for the amount of strays we have in our area, so that helps to keep the organization going. We try to support them as much as we can through spay and neutering and even fostering animals until they are adopted out. Transporting animals to out-of-town shelters is also another way to get involved.

If you’d like to be a part of the House of Paws family, the quickest way to get registered is by texting (559) 608-1584. Alternatively, you can fill out the new patient form on their website or call the office—especially for pet emergencies.

PET C RE TIPS

VACCINATE

Schedule exam appointments annually for your pet, and get the necessary vaccinations to prevent serious illness and potentially fatal diseases from spreading, including Parvo for dogs and Feline Panleukopenia virus for cats.

NUTRITION

Feeding your pet good quality food helps prevent health problems now and in the future, and makes a big difference in their quality of life. Today, many more pet foods options have unrefined, minimally processed ingredients without by-products or fillers. Purchase food that contains vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and proteins.

MICROCHIP

Statistics show that one in three pets become lost at some point in their lives—that’s more than enough reason to microchip your pet. Once microchipped, be sure to register your information with the chip company. This important step can be a devastating miss if your pet is recovered by a helpful community member, but they can’t find a way to reunite him or her with you.

PET BREED

Do your research on specific breeds when looking to adopt a new pet. Ensuring their temperament, size, and energy level are a good match for you and your family is key. Having to rehome a pet because they aren’t a good fit can be traumatic for them. Simple research can avoid the disappointment for you both.

SPAY AND NEUTER

Spaying and neutering is important to curbing the pet homelessness crisis. Also, pets won’t go into heat and males are less likely to spray areas of your home. Spayed female pets have a decreased risk of developing breast tumors and uterine infections, and neutered male pets have a lower chance of testicular cancer and prostate problems.

LOST PETS

If you come across a lost pet, take it to be scanned for a chip. Veterinarian clinics and pet stores like Petco have scanners. Lost and Found Pet pages on Facebook allow you to post about the lost animal. Be aware of suspicious people with possible ill intentions. Partner with a rescue organization or shelter for the best guidance.

Sunflower Soliloquy

Words by Sue Burns

From the Greek helios, meaning “sun” and anthos for “flower,” the beautiful faces of Helianthus annus never fail to bring smiles and cheer to anyone who sees them, whether radiating light from a vase on the kitchen counter or stretching up between pumpkins in the patch. “They’re a friendly flower,” says Sarah Reynolds of Sweet Thistle Farms. “The majority are grown for oil from the pressed seeds, which can also be roasted or planted.” Sarah appreciates the variety of stems available including branching and single stems. There are, in fact, around 70 types of sunflowers— and they bring their own special kind of nourishment to our world in at least as many ways.

They nourish our minds with unexpected details .

Their structure is not a single large flower but rather an inflorescence, meaning their flower heads are formed by up to 2,000 tiny florets. Middle florets appear together as the center of a flower, and outer florets as yellow petals. Sunflowers can be annual or perennial, typically growing during the summer and through the fall. They can grow tall, with the tallest on record growing to 30 feet!

Sunflowers have been around for over 4,500 years, and in North America were a food source before other crops, like corn, became common. In Greek mythology, the story of the nymph Clytie and her unrequited love for the sun god Apollo results in her transformation into a golden flower that follows the sun’s light. The Incas brought sunflowers to their temples as symbols of the Sun God, and they are sacred in Native American culture as well.

They nourish our creativity.

Vincent Van Gogh loved the sunflowers that abounded in Arles, France. He would rise at dawn to gather and paint bouquets of them, with a goal of filling his home with art depicting their cheery, bright faces. To him, sunflowers symbolized nature’s bounty and gratitude for family, friends, and the sun’s life-giving light. His enthusiasm was contagious; while staying in France, artist Paul Gauguin painted a portrait of his friend Van Gogh— as Van Gogh painted a canvas of sunflowers.

We can let our own creative juices flow by creating bouquets, garlands and table arrangements, and planting sunflowers in the garden. They are easy to grow, and we can even make hideaways and houses by planting tall-growing varieties in rows, over arches, or in geometric outlines to create shelters where we can retreat into the comfort of nature’s embrace.

They nourish our bodies.

Sunflowers are known for their seeds, producing between 10002000 each. They can be eaten raw or roasted—remember cleaning and roasting the seeds from Halloween pumpkins after carving them? Seeds can be ground into sunflower butter, or commercially pressed for oil that contains Vitamins E and K. The versatile oil is great for cooking, has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for hair and skin, and is used for cosmetics, soaps and even candles. Vitamin-rich microgreen sprouts, which are delicious in salads, sandwiches and smoothies, can be grown from seed or found at farmers markets. The whole sunflower is, in fact, edible; the petals even make a soothing tea.

They nourish the environment.

In French, “sunflower” translates to tournesol, which means “turn to the sun.” Young flowers follow the sun using their circadian rhythm to benefit from as much photosynthesis as possible. It’s an inspiring experience to drive past sunflower-filled fields in the south of France, seeing them facing east in the morning, then west in the afternoon.

Sunflowers bring more than beauty to the landscape. Their brilliant color and design helps insects, birds and animals find them easily. A favorite of bees and butterflies and an attractor of beneficial insects, every nectar-filled sunflower floret that is pollinated will produce a seed. Birds and squirrels love to eat the seeds as much as we humans do, which can also be dried and saved to plant next season. Sunflower leaves are used as feed for cattle, and their stems are strong enough to make paper.

In more recent years, it’s been found that sunflowers have the ability to remove toxins from soil, naturally pulling some pollutants such as zinc, cadmium, and copper through their roots by a process known as phytoextraction. (They’ve even been floated in pond water at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster to absorb radioactive materials!)

They nourish our spirits.

In general, sunflowers’ highest symbolism is faith and loyalty, referencing the flower’s steadfast facing and following the sun. Sunflowers are available in a spectrum of colors from the well-loved gold to vibrant orange, to deep burgundy and even white. Each color represents something different, from adoration and positive energy to good fortune and peace, and new hope. For some, these qualities nurture their religious beliefs; for others their spirituality, as they look to the sun-and sunflowers’ light for inspiration and grace in their daily lives.

Sweet Thistle FARMS

2023 Pumpkin Patch

10am-4pm Saturdays and Sundays through October

Delivery and pallet sizes available. Offering 15 varieties including winter squash.

Fall Farm Dinner

October 27 | 5:30pm Tapas | 6:30pm Dinner

Featuring Gerard’s Paella from Santa Rosa.

Scan the QR code to purchase tickets:

Sweetthistlefarms.com

@Sweet Thistle Farms

5365 Mendocino Ave, Clovis, CA 93619

be well

Words by Jen Smith

When thinking about your overall wellness, there’s no such thing as a quick fix or magic formula. Rather, we should focus on the whole picture. Wellness is an overall state of harmony in the body as a whole: mental, physical, and spiritual.

Healthy Skin Build Strength

Concentrating on the underutilized muscles in your core, Pilates not only builds strength, but can improve posture and mobility.

Nutrition Goals

Fun fact: Your skin is your body’s largest organ. With that in mind, it should be no surprise that the quality of your skin is a great indicator of your overall health.

Nutrition plays a crucial role in overall wellness as it provides the building blocks for energy and metabolism, supports immune function and affects cognitive, digestive, and hormonal health.

Body Care

Getting a massage can feel like a luxury, but it truly is a health practice. This mode of self-care is proven to help you recover between workouts, improve sleep and circulation, and even strengthen your immune system.

Get Moving

Just two-and-a-half hours per week of moderate exercise can have a significant impact on chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

Antioxidants, like the acai fruit, guard the health of your cells against the toxins that invade your body on a daily basis. Keep your plate full of deep purples, greens, and reds.

Flow Studios Maven Skin & Beauty

118 N Willis St

Tue-Fri 9am-5:30pm, Sat 10am-2pm (559) 747-2270

mavenskinandbeauty.com

Maven is a boutique skin and beauty studio specializing in customized facial treatments, waxing, and skincare. They're known for their full shelves of curated skin care and makeup with an emphasis on clean beauty.

mavenskinandbeauty

Krista Feagans Nutrition

kristafeagansnutrition.com

@kristafeagansnutrition

As a registered dietitian nutritionist, Krista takes a whole body approach to wellness. She uses your medical and nutrition history to create a custom plan to improve digestion, increase metabolism, and support hormones.

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Quadrant Fitness

915 E Main St

Mon-Thur 4:30am-7pm Fri 4:30am-5:30pm Sat 6:30am-11:30am (559) 610-4607

quadrantfitness.net

Quadrant Fitness is a one-stop gym. Join a HIIT, strength, cycle, or Pilates class to get a total body workout. All class styles focus on building muscular endurance and strength.

quadrant_visalia

111 S Court St #208

By appt or book through MindBody (559) 904-3912

flowstudios.net

As Central Valley's premier boutique pilates studio, the team at Flow Studios aims to help you achieve wellness through alternative fitness with a balance of stretching and strengthening your body.

flowstudios

Ranch Hands Massage & Spa

113 N Church St

Hours by Appointment Only (559) 393-3886

Sierra is a certified massage therapist and a licensed esthetician offering a variety of techniques, from traditional Swedish massage to deep tissue, along with hot stone, cupping, and more.

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Rush Bowls

3225 S Mooney Blvd

Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 9am-5pm (559) 372-7441

rushbowls.com/visalia

Rush Bowls is a nutritious spot for Acai fruit blended bowls, smoothies, protein bites, and fresh ground peanut butter. Offering dietary options for all and no artificial additives. Try their convenient online ordering, delivery, and catering services!

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B E N E F I T I N G

Visalia Rescue Mission

Visalia Rescue Mission

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V i n t a g e P r e s s a n d J a c k ' s C a t e r i n g , h i l a r i o u s e n t e r t a i n m e n t , p l u s

s i l e n t a n d l i v e a u c t i o n s a l l t o s u p p o r t y o u r l o c a l c o m m u n i t y .

F o r t i c k e t s o r s p o n s o r s h i p s , s c a n h e r e .

Cajun Braised Chicken Thighs

Recipe by Tate Darwin of Cellar Door | Photos by Topograph

Ingredients

Olive oil, to coat pot

4 bone-in chicken thighs

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

12 button mushrooms, quartered

1/2 onion, medium diced

3 celery stalks, peeled and medium diced

1/2 lb of baby carrots

1 tablespoon paprika

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 ½ cups chicken stock

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Using a Dutch oven, add enough olive oil to coat bottom of pot and turn heat to high. Heat oil until it just starts to smoke.

3. Place chicken thighs in the pan and sear on high heat for 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a separate plate.

4. Add all of the vegetables and cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Add the chicken thighs back to the Dutch oven. Add the paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil.

6. Transfer the pot to the preheated oven. Cook for 35 minutes. Take the dish out of the oven and serve.

Tate Darwin

EXECUTIVE CHEF, CELLAR DOOR

@cellardoor.restaurant cellardoor101.com

Hale Tharp – Pioneer of Three Rivers Country

Tulare

County’s rich history is filled with responsible civic leaders, interesting people, ruthless outlaws, plus a good number of ordinary folks. Many have names we recognize, like George Stewart, Ben Maddox, Porter Putnam, and Christopher Evans; but many others whose names are less recognizable still contributed much. Take Hale Dixon Tharp—a man who experienced firsthand the emotional highs and lows of life in our young county. His keen observations and documentations give insight into the area’s history.

Tharp was born in Michigan Territory around 1830. In 1851, a widow named Chloe Ann Swanson hired him to take her and her four young sons to California by wagon. He safely delivered them to Placerville and ended up marrying her on Christmas Day in 1853. Tharp mined for a time in El Dorado County with some success, but discovered that the miner’s life was not for him.

In 1856, he left his family behind and ventured south to Tulare County, where he explored the open spaces in the Sierra foothills near the Kaweah River. He liked what he saw: plenty of fish and game, water and grass, and friendly native people. He concluded it was an ideal place to start a cattle business. So he settled near the confluence of Horse Creek and the Kaweah River, where his family later joined him.

Even though he had found his new home, Tharp was consumed by wanderlust. In the summer of 1858, Chief Chappo, called Ho-nush by the local native people he led, invited the newcomer to his tribal headquarters further up the Kaweah Canyon. Tharp accepted the invitation. When Tharp arrived, he saw the camp was centered around a massive rock with a large cave-like chamber under it. He learned that the space served as a warehouse, meeting hall, and even as an infirmary for the sick and injured. This huge granite boulder would eventually take the name Hospital Rock.

Tharp’s arrival to the camp caused considerable interest among the native people, as he was the first white man they had ever seen. The chief introduced him to the members of the tribe, all dressed in deer skins. They could not take their eyes off of the white man, finding his clothing, weapons, horse, and saddle to be especially curious. Tharp became friends with the native people, especially the chief, and provided them with plenty of deer meat.

That same summer, he accepted an invitation to go with them deeper into the mountains to see the big trees. They took him to a stand of giant redwoods—he was amazed by their size. This excursion earned him bragging rights as the first white man to see these remarkable giant sequoias—a grove that John Muir would later call the “Giant Forest.”

Words and Photos provided by Terry Ommen

While there, Tharp saw a fallen hollowed-out sequoia tree. To document his visit, he carved his name and the year 1858 into it. According to him, from 1861 to 1890, he and his family used the grove and nearby meadows as summer pasture for his livestock. He used the hollow log as shelter. Today it’s called Tharp’s Log and can be seen in Crescent Meadow within Sequoia National Park.

In the spring of 1861, Tharp made another trip into the mountains, this time to climb the large rock outcropping he had seen on an earlier trip. Tharp and his relatives George and John Swanson successfully made the perilous climb. It is believed that they were the first non-natives to climb to the top of what became Moro Rock.

By the spring of 1862, Tharp noticed that “quite a number of whites had settled in the Three Rivers section.” He also saw that the natives were contracting contagious diseases like measles, scarlet fever, and smallpox, and were dying by the hundreds. Sadly he recalled, “I helped to bury 27 in one day…”

During this same period, Tharp also recalled a visit he received from the chief and some of his men. “They came to see me and asked me to try and stop the whites from coming…” The chief explained that they “loved this country, and did not want to leave it.” When Tharp

told them that halting white settlement was impossible, the chief and his men “all sat down and cried.” A few days later, the chief returned and “with tears in his eyes told me that they decided not to fight the whites, but would leave the country.” By about the summer of 1865, they all had left. The headquarters camp at Hospital Rock was last to be vacated.

We are fortunate that Hale Tharp had a front row seat to so much of our early county's settlement history. We are equally grateful that he was willing to document what he had experienced. Walter Fry, long-time park naturalist who eventually became U.S. Commissioner of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, personally talked with Tharp and documented many of his conversations.

Hale Tharp passed away on November 5, 1912, and is interred next to his wife in the Hamilton Cemetery near Exeter. The octogenarian had witnessed so much history—some astonishing and breathtaking, and some tragic and heart-wrenching.

Acknowledgements: Sophie Britten and her Three Rivers history book “Pioneers in Paradise” helped with this article—grab a copy to learn more about Tharp and Three Rivers history. It’s an excellent read.

Walter Fry as a young Sequoia National Park naturalist.

Moro Rock today looking east up the Kaweah River Canyon.

Tharp's Log in Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park.

Upcoming Events

September Agenda

Enjoy

SEP 9 SEP 1

Valley Overview

When: 5:30-7:30pm

Where: Arts Visalia Visual Art Center

Hosted by: Arts Visalia http://www.artsvisalia.org/first-friday/

SEP 15

Nursery Volunteer Day

When: 8:00am-11:00am

Where: Dry Creek Preserve - Sequoia Riverlands Trust

Hosted by: Sequoia Riverlands Trust eventbrite.com/e/nursery-volunteer-day-tickets-687466981247

SEP 13-17

Tulare County Fair

When: 2:00pm-10:00pm

Where: Tulare Fairgrounds

Hosted by: Tulare County tcfair.org/events/2023/2023-tularecounty-fair

2023 Dark Sky Festival

When: 10:00am-11:00pm

Where: Various locations across Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Hosted by: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

www.sequoiaparksconservancy.org/ darkskyfestival

SEP 16

Kingsburg Crayfish & Jazz Festival

When: 5:00pm-10:00pm

Where: Draper Street, Downtown Kingsburg

Hosted by: Kingsburg Chamber Of Commerce

kingsburgchamber.com/kingsburg-crayfish-festival/

SEP 30

Harvest 5k Run & 3k Walk

When: 7:15am/7:30am

Where: Vossler Farms

The Visalia Runners & Vossler Farms

runsignup.com

From the Team

This month, we’ve waved goodbye to summer and look forward to all the fall season brings: cooler mornings and evenings, comfort food enjoyed around our family table, and exciting community events. Lifestyle will celebrate 20 years next month—we can’t help but feel humbled to be on this journey with all of you!

“Family isn't an important thing, it's everything.”

-Michael J. Fox

Photo by: JJ Fry

That’s why Adventist Health brings you all the advantages of world-class plastic surgery. A wide variety of services including breast augmentation, breast reduction, tummy tuck, and facelift help patients feel more confident. Dr. Alex Lechtman offers the latest techniques and technologies to give you the confidence needed to get the most out of life. You’ve got decades of reaching your personal best just ahead.