February 2011 by Lifestyle Magazine

February 2011

LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

PAGE

24 The Carl Home:

Report from the Home Office

SPECIAL EVENT Tommy Lasorda Baseball Ambassador to the World

8. Letter from the Executive Editor 10. Business Cents: Take Steps to Curb Your Retirement Plan Fees

12. Word Play 14. Local Adventure: California Hot Springs PAGE

20. Literary Arts: Fightin’ Words for

Oildale Contrarian

CULINARY Pistachios Cracking open great recipes with one of America’s favorite nuts

44. Arts: Art and Home 46. Business Profile: Williams Family Dentistry

50. Travel: Exploring Southern China 58. Performances: Love Stories and Legends

60. Happenings PAGE

34 HUMANITARIAN Open Arms & Hearts Open Arms Child Care Ministries is helping keep kids off the street and out of orphanages in Mexico

PAGE

40 4

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ON THE COVER: Lifestyle profiles the work-at-home trend in this month’s Home Tour featuring Visalians Jeff and Sandy Carl. ABOVE: Eclectic motifs from Italian to French, Greek and Roman to Moroccan styles pervade the Carl home in northwest Visalia.

FEBRUARY 2011 PUBLISHED BY DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MALkASIAN ACCOUNTANCY LLP GARY MALkASIAN CPA JEFFREY MALkASIAN EA Bookkeeper MARILYN HARRIS Office Administrator MARIA GASTON EDITORIAL Executive Editor kAREN TELLALIAN Assistant Editor TAYLOR VAUGHN Copy Editor DARA FISk-EkANGER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AARON COLLINS DIANE SLOCUM ELAINE DEkASSIAN kATIE DESROCHERS DAVID MENENDIAN MARk ROWE MARSHA PELTZER RANDY TELLALIAN ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director DAVID JONES Senior Graphic Designer kURT BAkER 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

RACK LOCATIONS

Borders Books Music & Cafè DMI Agency Evolutions Fitness Center, Tulare Party City Tazzaria Coffee & Tea The Lifestyle Center Visalia Chamber of Commerce Visalia Coffee Company Visalia Convention Center COUNTERTOP LOCATIONS

210 Cafe Advanced Laser Clinics Bravo Farms Cheese Factory Creekside Day Spa & Wellness Center Exeter Chamber of Commerce Exeter Golf Course Holiday Inn kaweah Delta Hospital Red Carpet Car Wash Sequoia Laser Aesthetics Smiles by Sullivan Tiffany’s Luxury Medispa Tulare Chamber of Commerce Tulare County Library 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.

See us online at VisaliaLifestyle.com

Facebook.com/LifestyleMag

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 Direct Media, Inc. or its advertisers.

LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

Whoops! We made an error in last month’s Artist Profile headline. The correct name is Michael Vagnino. For more information about Michael and his knives, visit www. MVknives.com, or call (559) 827-7802.

LEFT: The fireplace provides the focal point of the living area of the Carl home in Northwest Visalia.

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LIFEST YLE | OC TOBER 2010

EDITOR NOTE

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

t seems 2011 is off to a great start, and as we go to press I am reminded of how often Tulare County is abuzz with activity … just this week tens of thousands of people are flooding in for events like the World Ag Expo, or the18th Annual Visalia Home and Patio Springfest. We just spent an evening with “Mr. Baseball,” Tommy Lasorda (story on page 16), and for me personally, I’m spending a lot of time and energy looking for something to wear to The Creative Center’s Safari Mardi Gras Ball on March 5. Not only do these events, and many others throughout the year, create interesting and informative entertainment, but they also serve to stimulate our local economy. Now there’s something to smile about. Always more concerned about the positive attributes of our city, in the past we have also made mention of the areas where we think we could do better. For years we (DMI Agency, publishers of Lifestyle, Direct and Wedding Style magazines) have supported and encouraged the local arts community as a way to bring both beauty and economic value to our area. It’s been a struggle, to say the least. You might not know that we have many local artists who have or are having serious success in places far from home; a disparate range of artists come to mind: • Dinuba area plein air landscape painter Paul Buxman is currently showing in Portland. • Contemporary abstractionist Shane Guffogg from Strathmore/LA is currently showing in Los Angeles. • Esteban Schimpf graduated from School of the Art Institute in Chicago and is currently owner of Actual Size, a Los Angeles gallery. • The husband/wife (Matthew and Amie) Rangel duo at COS show their work far afield, and Amie’s work is in a museum collection. • Former Visalian David Hicks (local attorney Glenn Stanton’s son-in-law) recently had his work acquired by one of the U.S. Embassies and is now teaching in North Carolina, represented by a gallery on the East Coast. We’re happy and encouraged that many such individual careers are flourishing, even though they are doing so in separate ways. It’s no secret we could do more to support these and other budding artists, and recently the newly formed Arts Consortium has gained a major corporate sponsor, McMillin Homes. We are glad to see someone finally step up to the plate. To learn more about McMillin’s innovative approach to fostering the arts in our community, be sure to turn to page 44. So as the sun begins to shine and you’re so inclined to venture out of the house, be sure to check out all of the local art and entertainment opportunities in our Happenings calendar on page 60. There you’ll find a more complete listing of art, charity and entertainment events of every genre. Buy a ticket, have a great time, and be a bright spot in someone’s life.

LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

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

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L I F E S T accepted. YLE | OC TOBER 2010

B BUSINESS CENTS

Take Steps to Curb Your

Retirement Plan Fees

ore and more Americans are investing in their futures through 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and IRA accounts. People participating in these plans assume responsibility for their retirement by contributing part of their income and, in many instances, by directing their own investments. If you are among those who direct your investments, you will need to consider the investment objectives, risk and return characteristics and the performance over time of each investment option available to you in order to make sound investment decisions. Fees and expenses are also one of the factors that will affect your investment returns and will impact your retirement income. After all, the stock market isn’t the only thing that can shrink your retirement funds. From advisory fees to trading costs, the fees siphoned from your retirement account could add up to three percent or more annually. For investors, these seemingly modest fees add up to big bucks. Just a one percentage point difference in fees can dramatically reduce the size of your nest egg over time. For example, a worker who saves $5,000 a year for 35 years and earns an annualized eight percent return net of fees would end up with $861,584 – versus $691,184 for someone who earns seven percent after fees. That amounts to a 25 percent reduction in wealth for the worker with higher fees. Right now most retirement plan holders have to dig deeply to find out how much they’re forking over – and they still may not know despite their due diligence.

What Fees are Typically Associated with My Investment Choices? There are three basic types of fees that may be charged in connection with your investment alternatives. These fees, which can be referred to by different terms, include: Sales charges (also known as loads or commissions). These are basically transaction costs for the buying and selling of investments. They may be computed in different ways, depending upon the particular investment product. Management fees (also known as investment advisory fees or account maintenance fees). These are ongoing charges for managing the assets of the investment fund. They are generally stated as a percentage of the amount of assets invested in the fund. You should know that the level of management fees can vary widely, depending on the investment manager and the nature of the investment product. Investment products that require significant management, research and monitoring services generally will have higher fees. 10

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Text by Mark Rowe

Administrative fees. This category covers services, such as recordkeeping, furnishing statements, toll-free telephone numbers, investment advice and other expenses involved in the day-to-day management of investment products. They may be stated either as a flat fee or as a percentage of the amount of assets invested.

Is There a Checklist I Can Use to Review My Retirement Plan’s Fees? There is an array of investment options and services offered under today’s retirement plans. While there is no easy way to calculate the fees and expenses paid by your plan due to the number of variables involved, you can begin by asking yourself questions and, if you cannot find the answers, by asking your plan administrator. Answers to the following questions will help in gathering information about the fees and expenses paid by your plan. Retirement Plan Fees Checklist 1. What investment options are offered under your plan? 2. Do you have all available documentation about the investment choices under your plan and the fees charged? 3. What types of investment education are available under your plan? 4. Are the investment options tracking an established market index or is there a higher level of investment management services being provided? 5. Do any of the investment options under your plan include sales charges (such as loads or commissions)? 6. Do any of the investment options under your plan include any fees related to specific investments, such as 12b-1 fees, insurance charges, or surrender fees, and what do they cover? When you consider the fees in your retirement plan and their impact on your retirement income, remember that all services have costs. Remember, too, that higher investment management fees do not necessarily mean better performance – nor is cheaper necessarily better. Compare the net returns relative to the risks among available investment options. And, finally, don’t consider fees in a vacuum. They are only one part of the bigger picture, including investment risk and returns and the extent and quality of services provided.

Show the World Your Smile. At the dental office of Mariya Grigoryan, your smile is our priority. We provide expert dentistry without lavish prices, and timely, attentive care, so you leave happy every time. We offer comprehensive care for the whole family: • periodontal care • restorative work • latest in advanced teeth whitening • laser treatment methods • orthodontics - braces and invisalign

• implants Our office features state-of-the-art technology and a highly trained staff to provide the very best in service for your smile.

Mariya Grigoryan, D.M.D. 2634 W. Walnut Ave. Visalia CA 93277 p 559.732.7224

LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

WORD PLAY

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

s in real life, fictional families come in all sizes and types. Some are loving, even under the worst of circumstances, others exaggerate their dysfunction as lives implode. Room (Little, Brown, 2010) by Emma Donoghue tells the story of five-year-old Jack who lives with his mother in “room,” the only world he has ever known. “Ma” determinedly protects her young son from the desperate truth of their captivity by a man who kidnapped her as a teenager and gives Jack a loving upbringing with as much normalcy as she can muster. In Bill Warrington’s Last Chance (Viking, 2010), James King sets crusty Bill on a risky road trip with his granddaughter April in a last-ditch effort to bring his estranged children back together before dementia claims his mind. With each day, his mounting confusion makes the pair more dependent on April’s emerging maturity. In Spencer Quinn’s To Fetch a Thief (Simon & Schuster, 2010), Chet is not only part of Bernie’s family, he is also a partner in crimefighting. And he happens to be a dog. Mixing doggy-ness with hardboiled detective, Chet takes us on a wild ride to finger the perps who stole the circus elephant. First Novel Daniel Palmer’s first novel, Delirious, was released last month by Kensington. Palmer makes use of his knowledge of technology to create his inventor-entrepreneur central character who finds his well-designed life crumbling around him. The new author is the son of fellow thrillernovelist Michael Palmer whose latest, A Heartbeat Away, was released this month. Valley Writer In Springville author Marilyn Meredith’s latest Tempe Crabtree mystery, Invisible Path (Mundania Press, 2010), detective Crabtree investigates the murder of a popular resident of the Bear Creek Reservation and has to find his killer before friends of the victim exact revenge on their own suspect. A mysterious militia group with a secret agenda complicates matters even more. Meredith will be featured at the Jane Austen Festival in Fresno April 9–10. Valley Writers Read The KVPR showcase for Valley writers will feature Charlotte Abrams reading “The Watcher” on February 23. Her story centers on Maddie and her 90-year-old neighbor, Bernard, who volunteers to do the yard work but who has plans that don’t include having Maddie going on a date with someone else. Listen to Howard Hendrix, Howell Hurst and Marilyn Larson read their recent selections on the show’s archive at www.kvpr.org/vwr-schedule.php. Visalia teacher Janet Nicholls Lynch read “The Favorite” earlier this month. In it, a favorite child abandons his family after receiving his inheritance. Contests Entries for the Nelligan Prize from the Colorado Review must be postmarked by March 11. Stories may be any genre or theme but may not exceed 50 pages. Prize is $1,500 and publication in the magazine. Final judge is Ron Carlson. Entry fee is $15. Details at: http:// coloradoreview.colostate.edu/nelligan-prize/submission-guidelines/ 12

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The Booth Journal Chapter One contest of Butler University offers a $500 prize for the first 25 pages (limited to 6,500 words) of an unpublished novel. Booth will publish the winning entry. The judge is Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo. Entry fee is $10. Details at: http://booth.butler.edu/contests. Conferences The 31st Napa Valley Writers’ Conference will be held July 24–29. Participating faculty include Jane Hirshfield and Daniel Alarcon. Enrollment in each poetry and fiction workshop is limited and based on a qualifying manuscript. Details at: http://napawritersconf.org. The 27th Orange County Christian Writers Conference will be held April 29–30 in Irvine. Keynote addresses by Vinita Wright and Simon Tolkien. Workshops include titles such as “From Story Arcs to National Parks,” “Elves, Demons & Space Marines,” and the “Entrepreneurial Author.” Details at: www.occwf.org. Events The Tulare County Library Mystery Readers book club meets in the Visalia Branch Blue Room at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. The next meeting will be March 16. Contact Sheryll Strachan at 713-2709 for more information. The Woodward Park Regional Library in Fresno will offer two evenings devoted to Jane Austen. The first program, on March 2, will be a discussion of the author’s life in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Sense and Sensibility. The second evening, March 16, will be an opportunity to learn about the clothing, etiquette and life style of Jane Austen’s times. Both programs will be presented at 7 p.m. by Carrie Flores. Read the Book Charles Portis’ True Grit has been eclipsed in popular media by the two movies based on it. However, those who have read the book give it top marks, not only for creating strong, memorable characters and capturing the flavor of a bygone era, but for the humor spread liberally through the pages. First published in 1968, it was re-released by Overlook Press in 2002. The Last Word “So live that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.” —Will Rogers, 1879-1935

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LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

L LOCAL ADVENTURE

California

Hot Springs As the name implies, there is something definitive and special about the tiny foothill town of California Hot Springs. Located in the central-southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, just an hour and a half’s drive from Visalia, travelers happen upon this jewel of a site just after entering The Sequoia National Monument on Mountain Road 56. The town of California Hot Springs was first founded in 1882 and developed as a health resort that centered around the town’s naturally pure hot spring water. The Golden State is not without its fair share of geothermic activity, but the remarkable softness, low sodium and refreshing odorlessness of the water here has made it a favorite secret spot of generations of Californians. Once upon a time, members of the local native Yokut tribe would channel the scalding hot spring water into hollowed-out wooden logs. The resultant soaking tubs were used to relieve the pain of rheumatism and were perhaps the first in California’s rich tradition of spa treatments. Following in the footsteps of the area’s native inhabitants, the wonderful water of California Hot Springs was enjoyed by the gold miners of the 1850s and by the sheep and cattle ranchers that peppered the area through the 1880s. But despite the steady popularity of these waters, California Hot Springs remained a natural secret until 1882 when development of the area began. The year 1902 saw construction of its first hotel, and by 1920, a commercial center, swimming pool and therapeutic center were fixtures of the little town. Today, visitors can enjoy this area’s sparkling, naturally warm waters at the pool and spas. Located at elevations between 3,100 and 3,700 feet, California Hot Springs is nestled in a Goldilocks zone just above the fog line and below the snow line, so soaking temperatures are optimal all year around. The Sequoia National Monument also boasts many nature trails, and hiking enthusiasts will find that there is no better way to finish off a good trail day than with a luxurious dip in the spring-fed spas. For a local adventure that will leave you blissfully relaxed, a trip to the waters of California Hot Springs is a great way to go. With its natural purity, rich history, and natural tranquility, California Hot Springs is the perfect no-fuss way to enjoy a spa day – courtesy of Mother Earth. For more information on this local destination, visit www.CAHotSprings.com. 14

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L LI FI FE ES STTYYL LE E | | F O EB C RT U OA B RE Y R 2010 1

S SPECIAL EVENT

LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

The man most loved, hated and respected in baseball today, Tommy Lasorda, Baseball Hall of Fameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

SPECIAL EVENT S

Above: Lasorda, at the pre-event press conference, warms up reporters by challenging them on their job in publicizing the event for Visalia Rawhide’s president, Tom Seidler.

Text by David Menendian | Photos by Becca Chavez & Taylor Vaughn

he geometric symmetry of baseball, embraced by its followers over the generations, played itself out to perfection off the field Wednesday, January 19, at Visalia’s Marriott Hotel. More than 260 guests supported the celebration of 65 years of minor league baseball in Visalia and honored six charter members of the Visalia Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. Former L.A. Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda and former Major League umpire Doug Harvey enjoyed top billing, and anyone attending could see that the game is still thriving at all levels. Lasorda headlined Visalia’s first hot stove baseball event in 15 years, and the charismatic Hall of Famer spun a letter-perfect address using no notes and enthralled the sellout crowd. He congratulated the local hall of fame inductees, spun humorous anecdotes about his former players and coaches, provided support for the Visalia Rawhide’s renovated stadium, and concluded with a passionate appeal for support for United States troops overseas. The Dodgers website lists Lasorda as “Special Advisor to the Chairman,” but his title might as well say, “Baseball Ambassador to the World.” The common cause generated the type of support Visalia Rawhide President Tom Seidler, hoped for. He could not have been more pleased with a starting lineup that included former team owner Stan Simpson who emceed the event. Seidler’s uncle and former Los Angeles Dodger owner Peter O’Malley and O’Malley’s sister Terry Seidler were on hand, along with California League President Charlie Blaney. Known for his legendary capacity to motivate players at every level, Lasorda shared many sentiments. On being elected to the Hall of Fame: “I never thought about being in the Hall of Fame. I always admired people who were in the Hall of Fame. I always looked up

to them with so much respect and admiration and appreciation, never dreaming that I would [be elected]. But when I got in there, it changed my whole life. What makes it all that much greater is that baseball has been played for 100 years, and there are only 16 managers in the Hall of Fame.” As for managing the Dodgers for 20 years: “I loved every minute of it. When I had to go to the hospital, people thought, ‘Oh, this guy’s gonna have a heart attack from the stress of managing the Dodgers for 20 years.’ And I said, ‘Stress? I didn’t have any stress. I loved it. It was those freeways that put me in the hospital.’” As for managing the 2000 Olympic baseball team to a gold medal in Sydney, Australia: “They told me that nobody could beat the Cubans. And that’s why I really wanted to be manager of the Olympic team. So when I did get the position, I asked if the Cubans had ever lost a game, and they said, ‘Yes,’ so I said, ‘Well, they’re gonna lose again. I had 24 players I had never seen. I met with them in San Diego, and I said, ‘I don’t know who you are, if you’re married or single. I don’t know whether you’re good, mediocre or bad. But I’ll tell you one thing, when it’s all

RIGHT: Though they used to exchange heated words on a regular basis, Lasorda and Hall of Fame Umpire Doug Harvey demonstrate that on-field quarrels of the past have morphed into fond memories, laughs and warm feelings. LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

S SPECIAL EVENT

TOP: Unannounced guest, former Los Angeles Dodger owner Peter O’Malley, with son kevin O’Malley and nephew Seidler. MIDDLE: Tom Seilder, with his two special guests, Tommy Lasorda and Doug Harvey. ABOVE: Former major leaguer and Visalia native Jim Wohlford, and Visalia Miracle League founder Gary Gieger.

LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

over, the whole world’s gonna know who you are, because you’re going to bring the gold medal in baseball where it belongs, in the United States. You represent the United States of America. You’re not gonna do one thing over there to embarrass yourself or your country. All you’re gonna do is win. You know why you’re gonna win? Because baseball is America’s game. It belongs to us; it’s our game. And we’re gonna beat those Cubans.” As for his lifetime connection and loyalty to the Los Angeles Dodgers: “Any time I can do anything for the O’Malley family I’m there for them. They made it possible for me to manage the Dodgers for 20 years. And when you think about it, in the 20 years I managed the Dodgers there were 210 managers that were fired. And I wasn’t fired. I retired, and Peter had a position waiting for me.” Harvey, a veteran of 30 years of umpiring in the Majors, is one of nine umpires elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. A native of Porterville and a current resident of Woodlake, he basked in the warmth of an appreciative crowd. “It’s great coming back to Visalia,” he said. In referring to his election to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 2010, Harvey called the experience “unbelievable. Every place you go now it’s like stepping into a dream.” The six inductees also included Bob Talbot, who is the only Tulare County native to play for the local Visalia club and make it to baseball’s highest level. Talbot played a couple of seasons for the Chicago Cubs in 1953-54, but clearly recalled his early days in Visalia just after WWII, when the team drew 100,000 fans in the 1947 season. Talbot’s first contract paid him $150 a month. “I’m very honored to be inducted,” he said. “It makes an old man happy.” Peter O’Malley paid tribute to nephew Tom Seidler and Visalia’s capacity to celebrate the game that has meant so much to the O’Malley family. “Tommy’s done an extraordinary job in Visalia,” O’Malley said. “He loves living here and he’s well-received by the community. And this banquet tonight has more enthusiasm, more passion for baseball than I’ve seen in a long time. I think they could have sold a thousand tickets. This is the grass roots of our national pastime, so cities like Visalia and the California League deserve a lot of credit.” BELOW: Harvey and Lasorda flanking Don Alfano (former minor league player in Visalia who still resides in Visalia,) along with his former teammate and close friend Bob Talbot (the only Visalia native to play both for the Visalia minor league team and the major leagues,) and Quinten McCracken ( former Arizona Diamondbacks -- now Assistant Director of Player Development for the Diamondbacks,) who played for the Visalia franchise in 1993.

Matt

Seals Vice President, Seals/Biehle General Contractors

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lifestyle Magazine provides an elegant look at the finest things our community has to offer.â&#x20AC;?

559.739.1747 | visalialifestyle.com

LIFESTYLE | DECEMBER 2010

L LITERARY ARTS

Fightin’ Words for Oildale Contrarian Text by Diane Slocum

If you’re runnin’ down my country, man, You’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me.

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hese words sung by Gerald Haslam’s boyhood friend, Merle Haggard, could have been penned for Haslam. And, Haslam bristles the most when the effete snobs are runnin’ down his particular part of the country, the great Central Valley of California. Early in his career, he received a nicely hand-written rejection slip from a New York publisher. The letter was supportive of his writing and wished him well, asking him to feel free to submit more material but (as he paraphrases it from memory): “no one is interested in the doings in a remote California Valley.” “Remote?” he repeats. “A remote valley that is as large as England.” Over the past 40 years, Haslam has proven the publisher wrong. Awards and honors have marked his career as he has published 28 books and several hundred short stories, essays and other pieces, almost all of them dealing in some way with the Central Valley. Readers of the San Francisco Chronicle even chose his book, Coming of Age in California, as one of the top books published in the west in the 20th century. Haslam grew up in Oildale in the 1940s and ’50s when it was a blue collar community separated from Bakersfield by farmland. Almost everyone’s family worked in the oil fields or on farms. His dad did both. There were no rich people he was aware of. Everyone was pretty much in the same boat. Many families were small, often with only one child, as in Haslam’s case, so the neighborhood kids all banded together. No one worried about them as they enjoyed a free-ranging childhood. Despite the lack of wealth, the community was blessed by excellent schools, endowed by the oil companies. There was always music, art, P.E. and other classes that often are cut today. In addition, his mother read to him regularly, introducing him to the magical world of books, usually borrowed from the Oildale branch library. He once wrote, “My earliest memory is of sitting on my mother’s lap listening to ‘Horton Hatches the Egg’… Language and imagination were my companions.”

L LITERARY ARTS

By the time he was in high school, he was already covering sports for newspapers, writing about games he played in. “I had the unusual position of being a journalist, being in forensics, and being a jock,” he said. After graduating from high school in 1955, he briefly went on to college on a football scholarship, followed by a stint in the military. He returned to college, got married, and bid adieu to his earlier occupations as a roustabout, roughneck, field hand and store clerk. “I wanted to be a teacher to support my writing habit,” he said. His teaching career did give him time to write almost every day. He didn’t consider himself greatly talented, but he knew he could work hard at his writing, the same approach he had taken as an athlete. As a generalist in the English Department at Sonoma State University, he taught many different subjects, often knowing little about them before he prepared for the class. For example, he learned about Ethnic Studies as he became one of the first teachers in that field. Once he learned about the topic, he published many works related to it. One course of subjects he never did teach was anything related to creative writing or novels. “It was the perfect job for someone like me,” he said. “Writing is a whole different part of my mind than teaching. I couldn’t have looked at other writers’ novels and still written my own.” Since his retirement in 1997, he continues to teach. “I’m still making up goofy courses so I can learn about stuff I don’t know,” he said. “That’s the fun of it.” The other fun he has with his classes is surprising people with titles such as “The Great Central Valley in Life and Letters,” a course he taught in San Francisco. “It drew people because they didn’t believe there was such a thing,” he said. This bent fits in with his tendency toward being contrary. The Oildale home town he thought of as a good place and a good time to grow up, didn’t seem to appear that way to others. “Many years later, I realized that people looked down their noses at the Central Valley,” he said. “It’s one reason I began writing about it. I could thumb my nose at the rest of California, make them eat crow. There was a feistiness about our area. We were called Oildale Okies even if we came from Texas as my family did. It was said derisively, so it was a good way to get into a fight. And we did.” 22

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One of the things he said he loves about the Valley is the variety of cultures and what we get from them. His writings display a respect for this diversity. Sometimes people have an opposite reaction. Haslam ran afoul of some white supremacists in Bakersfield when they objected to what they called “racial mixing” in his book That Constant Coyote: California Stories and his comment about their intelligence. They threatened to beat him up the next time he was in town. “It’s fun to stir things up a bit,” he said. “We need to upset the status quo. That is one of the functions of the arts.” For the first 20 years of his writing career, he received a lot of rejections. Editors are always looking for reasons to reject material, he said, and his contrary view of his subject gave them an excuse. Haslam said he is entirely self-taught and learned through trial and error. He had to work long and hard to become good enough at what he wrote so publishers couldn’t ignore him. The small presses that published him, with names like Thwack! Pow!, Devil Mountain, Seven Buffaloes and Heyday, suited his alternative style and gave him advice about his writing. But the person he credits with the biggest contribution to his success is his wife, Jan, also from Oildale. “I married the right person,” he said. “She’s my only editor. I trust her judgment more than anyone else.” Jan Haslam is currently helping him by indexing the notes for his latest book, tentatively titled In Thought and Action: the Life of S I Hayakawa, which is scheduled for publication in the fall. This book about the California educator, semanticist and U.S. senator is Haslam’s first that is unrelated to the Central Valley. The Haslams have five children who have pursued creative careers as well, sometimes collaborating with their dad. Daughter Alexandra co-authored Workin’ Man Blues: Country Music in California and son Garth illustrated The Horned Toad. The children appreciate their parents’ heritage. “Sometimes other people from the Valley are embarrassed,” he said. “They don’t mention their roots. Not us. We’re proud of it.” Haslam is working on a collection of short stories and has a novel he may return to when the Hayakawa book is finished. He has never had a day when he couldn’t find something to write, and with the fertile San Joaquin to supply him with stories, he likely never will.

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THE CARL HOME:

Home Office Report from the

Text By Aaron Collins Photos by Forrest Cavale of Third Element Studios LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

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ot long ago, the term “home office” typically conjured some neglected or underutilized space at home where little more than a small desk served as a half-forgotten residential command post. But no longer. Once only an afterthought where the family bill payer merely did penance once a month, the typical home office is becoming one of the most frequented rooms in the contemporary home. Jeff and Sandy Carl of Visalia are in synch with the entrepreneurial aspect of the home-office trend. The smallbusiness owners work in separate fields, but their field is just a few feet from each other. Husband and wife have agreeably shared their workspace for nearly two years. Jeff, a real estate man, and Sandy, an education consultant, find the arrangement perfectly to their liking. Multiple trends – including telecommuting and now layoffs in a staggering economy – have steered nearly 12 million Americans into working from home. Some are in pursuit of their life’s mission; others are just fulfilling employer’s job-related requirements. Those who discover themselves “between jobs” also find that landing a scarce job is a full-time pursuit made easier by a well-organized home office.

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ON THE SPREAD: No longer just a desk in an under-utilized area of the home, the home office has become a much more central feature of contemporary homes, reflecting the growing work-at-home trend. Visalians Jeff and Sandy Carl work together daily from the same room – although each in entirely different fields. ABOVE: The home office may be emergent, but the age-old hearth still anchors the Carl home, around which most of the rooms were designed to support familial interaction.

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TOP: Jeff and Sandy Carl. ABOVE: The kitchen and breakfast nook of the Carl home.

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Those factors combine with increased Internet usage to shape the home office into a much more prominent and vital feature of the contemporary home. The Web is the latest family member that has moved in and is redesigning the ways we work and live, as is the sheer amount of electronic equipment that is now part of any office. With Internet streaming like Netflix, the home office doubles as an auxiliary home entertainment room for the family member whose tastes run counter to those of the family pack. But as one trend begets another, get ready for the boomerang: home office workers have increasingly begun to seek shared office facilities outside the home. The reason? To alleviate the occasional isolation and often longer but less-structured hours that home workers hadn’t anticipated when pursuing their dream work arrangement. But two years after taking the work-from-home plunge, the allure remains for the Carls, any drawbacks aside. “We love that we can set our own hours. [Jeff] can work in the early morning before Tristan [their son] is out of bed.” Sandy, a later riser, gets up, heads to the gym and returns home to complete her office work. “I’m also a late-night worker. I can work and still be able to help Tristan through homework. We can wear pajamas, workout clothes or other comfortable clothing and no one sees us.” And home workers can lock up and leave when the need arises. “We don’t have to hire others to man an office while we are gone; it’s just us,” Sandy said. What makes their close work-at-home arrangement so successful? One might expect that after 25 years of marriage they might make a point to arrange separate daily activities like going to the gym on their own. But Sandy says they like working out together and grabbing coffee just to chat before their workday begins. “Working at home allows us to keep communication open as we’re all together in the house most of the day. We keep an eye on each other’s calendars to keep it all rolling smoothly. There are no secrets because we hear each other’s business and both of us keep up on Tristan’s education. What we love most is that we are our own bosses; that gives us such freedom to do what we find important,” Sandy said, adding that “we are great partners. We work well in our single-room office.” But as much as work life has become a fixture of their home, the Carls say they designed their Visalia home, completed in 2004, around most any residence’s place of enduring popularity: the kitchen. “We love each room of our home, but our home is built around our kitchen. You can see the living room, the office, the dining room and the front door – all from the kitchen. Jeff loves to cook and is a great host with family and friends,” Sandy said. “We can work in the kitchen while Tristan is doing homework at the bar and still all be together.” An informal nook is venue for daily family meals; a formal dining area doubles as a conference room when Sandy works with teachers as part of her consulting career, which she says she created out of her love for education. The distinctive features of the home include cathedral doors, dark teakwood floors, Paradiso granite, and recurring combinations of oak, which establish a “neo-eclectic” mix of Italian, French, Greek, Roman and Moroccan styles.

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Another repeating motif throughout the home is an icon of Visalia history: The End of the Trail statue. The classic bit of Americana emblazons pictures, wall hangings, statues, coasters, bookends, and even the side gate of the house. Why the interest? When the Carls built their home, they decided it would be their last. “This house is the end of our trail. We love this statue and its background and that it currently sits in our very own town of Visalia,” Sandy said. The End of the Trail was sculpted by James Earl Fraser for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, held in 1915. Due to a bronze shortage in WWI, it was originally cast in plaster. Following the Exposition, this original work was sited in Visalia until 1968 when it was removed and restored by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum where it now graces the entry hall of the Oklahoma City-based museum. The museum got the original, but Visalia made out even better as the statue in Visalia is a much more durable bronze replica that can now adorn its generous site for centuries. The Carl home site is ample, as well. The house sits on a half-acre-plus lot whose grounds the Carls designed themselves, front and back. They also designed the pool, hardscaping and distinctive pergola that towers nearby where they host parties and dinners in the backyard. “As the years go by, the plants and trees become more beautiful and [the area] feels very park-like,” Sandy said, pleased that they are able to watch their handiwork unfold. 30

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ABOVE: The master bedroom of the Carl residence in Visalia features an imposing headboard and views of the garden. FOLLOWING SPREAD: A poolside pergola provides the perfect spot for outdoor entertaining at the home of Jeff and Sandy Carl of northwest Visalia.

Central C e Valley

McMillin Homes Central C e Valley

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Jeff and Sandy also created a courtyard at the front of the house that fosters public interaction; they are often found socializing there with friends, family and neighbors who happen by. “There is a gorgeous fountain here with plants in the four corners and a view for miles of sky, clouds and sunsets,” she said, thanks to the broad setbacks mandated for houses in their Northwest Visalia gated community code.

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Jeff was born and raised in California. Sandy was born and raised in Illinois, where the couple still visits annually. The two met in Visalia where they have lived since. They say they may invest in a vacation home someday but love Visalia and consider it their permanent home, “fog and all,” Sandy said. The Carls say that their son hopes this house will someday become his own. Perhaps it will even serve as his own station in the world of work, barring a career in elephant training or oceanography. But by then, maybe technology will render feasible even those unlikely work-from-home options.

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C CULINARY ARTS

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Pistachios

istachios are commonly agreed to be among the tastiest snacks around. With their distinctive green color and unique open-hull construction, pistachios can be enjoyed on their own or added

to a variety of dishes for a delicious dose of healthful nuttiness. Originating in the Mediterranean, pistachios are now grown worldwide, with California leading the US in production of this favorite snack. February 26 is National Pistachio Day – a fun, unofficial

day to appreciate the unique taste and health benefits of the pistachio. An excellent source of lutein, pistachios are low in saturated fat and cholesterol and can be sprinkled over salads and desserts for a quick burst of flavor and crunch. But for those who want to experience the full culinary potential of this delicious nut, we’ve compiled a few delicious recipes that work pistachios into every element of an incredible meal.

Pistachio Encrusted Sea Scallops Serves four

Recipes by Elaine Dekassian | Photos by Taylor Vaughn

Ingredients: 12 jumbo sea scallops 1 C whole milk 1/3 C shelled pistachios, unsalted (preferably Nichols farms), finely chopped 3 T cornmeal 3/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper 1/4 C extra-virgin olive oil Directions: Put scallops in a shallow baking dish, pour milk over, and chill, covered, turning over once, for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, stir together pistachios and cornmeal in a shallow bowl. Remove scallops from milk, letting excess drip off. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle all over with salt and pepper, then dredge lightly in cornmeal-pistachio mixture. Transfer to a clean plate as coated. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Sauté scallops, turning over once, until golden and just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes total.

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Burrata Bruschetta Ingredients: One loaf artisan bread (can be anything you like) cut into 1-inch slices on an angle 4 T olive oil 8 oz. burrata cheese 1 (8-oz.) container baby heirloom tomatoes or grape tomatoes if heirlooms are out of season salt and pepper to taste extra virgin olive oil to drizzle Directions: Cut tomatoes in half and place on baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place in a 325 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Remove. While tomatoes are in the oven, prepare the bread slices. I use a stovetop grill pan. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in grill pan. Place bread slices in pan and grill to golden. Turn over and drizzle with a bit more olive oil. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t saturate the bread or it will be rubbery. Remove bread. Spread 1-2 tablespoons pesto on each bread slice. Top with 1-2 tablespoons burrata. Top with tomatoes.

Pistachio Pesto Ingredients: 2 C (lightly packed) flat-leaf parsley 3/4 C shelled and toasted pistachios, unsalted 1 T fresh thyme leaves 3 garlic cloves 3/4 C extra-virgin olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions: Combine the parsley, pistachios, thyme and garlic cloves in the bowl of a food processor; blend until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil, processing until well blended. Season the pesto with salt and pepper to taste.

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Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Pistachio Butter Serves four Steak Ingredients: 2 sticks butter, room temperature 1 C packed basil leaves 4 to 5 cloves garlic 1 tsp. kosher salt Directions: Preheat grill to medium. Drizzle the steaks with olive oil. Put on the grill, and while cooking, season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, then flip and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill for another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the grill to a platter and allow to rest for a few minutes. Slice disks of butter, put on steaks while still hot, and serve. Sides will include potatoes and vegetable.

Pistachio Butter Ingredients: 2 sticks butter, room temperature 1 C packed basil leaves 4 to 5 cloves garlic 1 tsp. kosher salt pinch coarse ground black pepper dash fresh lemon juice 3 T extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 C Asiago cheese 2 T pistachios, salted pinch red pepper flakes Directions: Into a food processor add butter basil, garlic, salt and pepper. Pulse a few times until well combined. Add lemon juice and drizzle oil. Pulse again. Add cheese, pistachios and red pepper flakes. Remove from processor with a rubber spatula onto a sheet of parchment paper and shape into a log. Place in the refrigerator and allow to set for at least 30 minutes.

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Black Bottom Pistachio Tart with Whiskey Sauce Serves four Unbaked Piecrust Ingredients: 1 1/2 C flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 C vegetable shortening 3-4 T cold water Directions: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the shortening and incorporate with your fingertips until the mixture resembles very coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle the water over the flour mixture in tablespoon increments while stirring with a fork. Form the dough into a ball and let rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough in a circle to 1/8inch thickness. Place the dough in a pie pan; trim and crimp the edges. Fill the crust with the filling and bake according to directions. Whiskey Sauce Ingredients: 4 T (1/4 C) unsalted butter 1/3 C sugar 1 egg 1/2 T very hot water 1/4 C heavy cream 1/4 C rye whiskey Directions: In a small bowl, beat the sugar and egg until blended. Stir the mixture into the butter. Add the tablespoon of hot water and stir until the mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes. Remove from the double boiler and let cool to room temperature. Stir the cream and whiskey into the sauce. 38

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Tart Filling Ingredients: 1 oz. bittersweet chocolate 5 tsp. heavy cream 1 tsp. sugar 1 (9-inch) pie crust, chilled 9 T unsalted butter 1 C plus 2 T light brown sugar 1 C light corn syrup 2 tsp. vanilla extract 5 tsp. bourbon 5 eggs 1-1/2 C pistachios, unsalted whiskey sauce Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler set over simmering water. Heat the cream and granulated sugar in a saucepan and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Whisk in the melted chocolate and continue whisking until thoroughly blended. Pour the chocolate mixture over the bottom of the chilled piecrust and spread evenly. Place the piecrust in the freezer for 5 minutes to set the chocolate. Melt the butter and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, place the brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla and bourbon. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition. Add the melted butter and beat until smooth. Remove the pie shell from the freezer. Spread the pistachios evenly over the bottom of the pie shell. Pour the filling over the pistachios. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes, until the center of the pie is set. Serve with the whiskey sauce.

L A S I K WITH BETTER VISION.

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H HUMANITARIAN

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HUMANITARIAN H

any parents in the United States can relate to the difficulty of finding reputable child care, but in Mexico, working parents have even fewer

options. Most households in Mexico can only be supported if both parents work, and the Mexican infrastructure does not yet provide a viable resource for public child care. Without a source of affordable care, working parents often have no choice but to leave their children to roam the streets (where children run a high risk of getting involved in gangs, drugs, violence and prostitution), or voluntarily drop them off at an orphanage. Many children end up in orphanages, which function in today’s Mexico as a makeshift form of foster care.

Tex t by K atie Desrochers

Open Arms Childcare Ministries – a non-profit organization based in Baja, California – helps combat this problem by providing no-cost child care and a safe refuge during the day for Mexican children whose families need it most. Open Arms was founded by Heidi and Daniel Elizarraraz – two people with tender hearts for this issue. Daniel was raised in an orphanage in Tecate, Mexico, and knows first-hand how difficult life can be for children whose parents don’t have the means to care for them. But what about Heidi, a traditional California girl? Heidi’s family moved to Visalia when she was seven years old, and she graduated from Redwood High School. She studied at UCSB in Communications and Spanish, with a minor in Latin American studies. Though her intention was to live and work in California as a bilingual, she would soon learn that a missions trip to a Mexican orphanage would change her life forever. LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

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PAGE 40: The faces of many of the kids being cared for through Open Arms Child Care Ministries. TOP: Heidi, with daughter Samaria in her lap, and the ladies from the Open Arms “MOMs” class BOTTOM: Heidi and Daniel Elizarraraz, founders of Open Arms Childcare Ministries, and their daughter, Samaria.

“I realized God had a different plan for my life,” she recalls. “I couldn’t say no to the opportunity to stay and serve in Mexico. I packed up and sold everything that I had and moved to Mexico.” Heidi moved to this orphanage and donated her time and efforts for two years. There she met Daniel, who had stayed in Mexico as an adult to work construction at the orphanage he once called home. As the pair worked side by side, their relationship blossomed – as did their vision for Open Arms Mexico. Heidi and Daniel were married in 2005, and in April of 2006 construction began on the Open Arms Childcare Ministries’ daycare center, which opened in March 2007. Open Arms provides families with care and assistance that extends beyond basic daytime child care. The goal of the ministry is to use the teachings and example of Jesus Christ to foster well-being and a productive lifestyle. Children who are enrolled at Open Arms receive not only responsible care, but guidance in academics, spirituality and life education. “Every day, we help the kids with their homework,” explains Heidi, “and in the summertime when the kids are out of school, we rotate through classes that teach basic skills: English, cooking, dancing, Bible study, art, things like that.” Meetings and classes that provide useful resources for parents are also offered. “We have a moms’ class once a month,” says Heidi, “where we teach good life skills and ways to promote healthy communication with their children.” Today, Open Arms daycare center is filled to capacity and maintains a waiting list of hopefuls. Those who have “graduated” from the daycare program continue to use their skills to give back. “We do have a lot of teenagers who want to come back and be volunteers,” says Heidi, proving that the life skills and lessons that children learn at Open Arms stick with them as they grow into adults. Open Arms has big plans for the future, too. “As the years go by and we get more support, we will be taking on more and more kids,” said Heidi. And it’s not just the daycare roster that is growing. This year will see the organization begin construction on a clinic that will bring medical and dental services to the community free of charge. Open Arms is able to operate and expand thanks to a handful of churches that donate on a monthly basis, and because of generous individuals who sponsor the children. Heidi and Daniel are living examples of how inspiration for a cause can do a world of good. “There’s an orphanage in our town,” said Heidi. “But ever since we’ve opened, no children have been dropped off there voluntarily. These mothers now have an option to keep their families together by enrolling their kids at Open Arms.” Thanks to their commitment, hard work, and vision for the community, the Elizarraraz’s show what an amazing difference can be made simply by opening one’s arms. For more information on Open Arms Child Care Ministries, visit: www.OpenArmsMexico.org

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A ARTS

ART & HOME W

hen Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved Windsor Castle caught fire in the early ’90s and other royal family matters were going just as badly, she famously and obliquely opined about the royals’ year of misfortune: “1992 is not a year upon which I shall look back with unmitigated glee.” San Joaquin Valley homebuilders might share the queen’s sentiments about 2010, which was a castle conflagration of a different type: the home-selling market burned to the ground so to speak, the worst in decades. The year offered little glee to report – mitigated or unmitigated. But the severe downturn has prompted at least one major developer to get philosophical and hone its efforts, adopting a newfound expansive and creative approach in the process: building strong communities by supporting the arts and the arts organizations who share McMillin Homes’ goal. In broad terms, those are noble aims. But how is the San Diego-based McMillin accomplishing its objectives for the Valley in more concrete terms? There are several ways. First up, as part of McMillin’s celebration to launch its new 292 North and 292 South communities in northwest Visalia, the company is organizing a regionally focused art exhibition on its premises that will feature some of the area’s most accomplished and notable contemporary fine artists. A February 24 ticketed VIP reception will precede the public opening on Saturday, and Sunday, February 26 and 27. Live music by local musicians, dance,

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Text by A aron Collins

kid art, face painting, and a classic car show will also be part of the weekend festivities. Perhaps just as notably, the art show will take place in what is surely one of the few in-home art gallery spaces in town. To show prospective homebuyers how they can make fine art more central in their lives and support local artists in a more dedicated way, McMillin has adapted the “flex space” loft that is often a feature in its new homes, purposing it as a dedicated art gallery space – nothing but art, but a great place to throw a party, as well. The local art will be installed throughout the entire model home, which will feature exclusively South Valley artists. Mark Ahlstrand, Richard Arenas, Kevin Bowman, Antonio Cuellar, Andrea Guay, Matthew Hopson-Walker, Bryan Pickens, Amie Rangel, Matthew Rangel, Esteban Schimpf, Nadi Spencer, James Stark, and Virginia Wilson are just some of the region’s more prominent career artists selected by McMillin for the exhibition. McMillin Vice President Carrie Williams says the difficult market’s upside is that it has been helpful to clarify their philosophies and strategies. “McMillin Homes believes that our job is to build not just houses but strong communities. And one way we can do that is by increasing support for local arts organizations,” she said. In doing so, she believes that the company brand is strengthened and that other companies will also be inspired to support the arts via underwriting such as theirs for the Arts Consortium.

ARTS A LEFT PAGE: Feeders (charcoal and pastel on linen), by COS art professor Amie Rangel RIGHT: From the Fields series by printmaker kevin Bowman, COS instructor and Arts Visalia executive Director. FAR RIGHT: Veteran Three Rivers artist Nadi Spencer’s Sierra Nevada-themed painting Rocks! (acrylic on canvas). BELOW: Transept (charcoal and pastel on panel; 2008) by Amie Rangel. FAR RIGHT BELOW: Due East Over Shadequarter Mountain, a fine art lithograph by COS art instructor Matthew Rangel, who traversed the Valley floor from his home straight east over the Sierra Nevada, creating a series of prints that documented the monumental trek.

“But most importantly, we directly accomplish our mission to create vibrant communities where people strongly desire to live. The arts comprise a major part of a city’s attractive quality of life, so we want to foster a thriving arts community. That corporate support is more important than ever in difficult times,” Williams said. “McMillin believes we have an important role in enhancing Visalia, which is known as one of the Valley’s best places to live.” As part of its initiative, McMillin has announced support for the Arts Consortium (formerly Visalia Arts Consortium), the Visalia-based nonprofit arts advocacy organization recently designated by the California Arts Council to foster the arts throughout Tulare County. So McMillin’s innovative approach to arts support goes much further than just writing a check – although they have also done that, becoming one of the Arts Consortium’s largest corporate donors. “The Arts Consortium appreciates McMillin Homes’ support, and we’re especially hopeful that their generosity will serve as model that other area businesses can use to increase their corporate philanthropy toward the arts,” said Mary Jo Eastes, a member of the Arts Consortium’s executive committee. With arts organizations no more immune than developers to economic downturns, the common mission born of mutual struggle may just be one of the brightest spots in the economic royal mess, the smoke from which is recently showing signs of clearing.

These pieces and more will be featured in the February exhibition Art & Home, part of an arts advocacy initiative by McMillin Homes, in celebration of its new Visalia 292 community and South Valley regional artists and themes.

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B BUSINESS PROFILE

Williams

FAmILY DENTISTRY

or many people, the thought of going to the dentist is anything but a laugh. But at the offices of Williams Family Dentistry, patients – and their smiles – have quite a bit to be happy about. A professional, welcoming atmosphere, top-notch menu of services, and over 30 years in the industry are all contributing factors to the excellent quality of care, but it is really the people who make Williams Family Dentistry the welcoming place it is. In particular, the affable personality and unfailing sense of humor of Dr. Williams sets this office apart. “I love working on people,” said Dr. Williams. “I love telling jokes and talking to my patients. If you don’t like people, dentistry is not the right profession for you!” Clearly, Dr. Williams is in just the right profession, and years’ worth of satisfied patients would tend to agree. Williams Family Dental has been a Visalia institution for over two decades. It has gone from a three-room operation to today’s facility of 3,300 square feet and 11 operatories, where a full array of dental services is performed. As well as excellent care for healthy teeth, Williams Family Dental also offers several options for corrective and cosmetic dentistry, including bonding, sealants, implants, specialty dentures, extractions, root canal therapy and Invisalign, to name a few. He is also one of less than one percent of dentists licensed in California to provide IV sedation to patients and the only such general dentist practicing in Tulare and Kings counties, which is good news for anyone whose nerves start jangling at the thought of a dental experience. “IV sedation is for people who are truly dental-phobics,” explained Dr. Williams. “A common story from patients is that they’ve had a bad experience with dental work, so it’s important for me to be able to put them at ease.”

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BUSINESS PROFILE B

COMPLETE MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CARE OF THE FOOT AND ANKLE

Flaherty Footcare with Dr. Loreen Flaherty and Dr. Paul Mayo.

Diabetic Wound Care | Complete Surgical Reconstruction | Heel Pain | Sports Medicine | General Podiatric Care for Seniors

handling all your podiatric needs V I SA L I A O F F I C E

2914 W. Main Street | 559.627.2849 | 559.627.9772 fax | www.flahertyfootcare.com LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

B BUSINESS PROFILE

Dr. Williams has a long history of tending to healthy smiles. A native of Tulare County, Dr. Williams was born in Dinuba, grew up in Orosi, and served the US Navy as a dental officer after graduating from UCLA dental school. “I learned to do surgery in the Navy, because there were no oral surgeons there and somebody had to take out wisdom teeth,” recalled Dr. Williams. After serving his country, Dr. Williams returned to Dinuba to practice there for 10 years before eventually settling down with his career at Williams Family Dental. Today, Dr. Williams and his staff are committed to creating a strong partnership with the local community by earning the trust and respect of the patients that they are privileged to serve. And with their warm attitude and top qualifications, this is a practice that exceeds expectations all around. “The best part about our practice is that most of the specialties get handled well and in-house,” said Dr. Williams of the well-oiled machine that is his dental practice. “It would be arrogant of me not to acknowledge the role my great staff has played in the long-term growth and success of our practice. My office manager, Janet Belknap, working with me over 20 years, has assembled the best team any doctor could wish for. Their collective concern for the well-being of the patients and the practice is unmatched and makes going to work every day a 48

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pleasure. I am also privileged to have two great associate doctors to help meet our patients’ needs. Dr. Chris Johnson, my best friend for 41 years and a dental school classmate (who does most of our endodontic therapy), and Dr. Steven Chandler who came to us from the University of Virginia after marrying a local Visalia girl while in an undergraduate program at BYU.” If there is one thing that effectively defines the practice of Williams Family Dental, it is the unique experience of making a personal connection with a team of committed professionals. From doorway to doctor, it is clear that the experts at Williams Family Dental love what they do and truly strive to provide each patient with healthy teeth, as well as a dental experience to smile about. That kind of dedication is something that just can’t be faked. “I love being a dentist!” said Dr. Williams enthusiastically. “If I won the lotto, I’d still do dentistry. I’m turning 63 on Valentine’s Day and don’t have any plans to retire. Dentistry’s been very good to me. It’s a great profession, and I’ve been very blessed.”

Front Row: Dr. Steven Chandler, Dr. keith Williams, Dr. Chris Johnson, and the Williams Family Dentistry staff.

BUSINESS PROFILE B

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TRAVEL

EXPLORING SOUTHERN CHINA Text by K atie Desrochers

ABOVE: Traditional Chinese Junkboat sailing across Victoria Harbour, Hong kong

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lthough our holiday celebrations have already come and gone here in the West, the month of February marks the time when China gears up to welcome in the new year. Each year of the Chinese calendar is marked by one of 12 animals, and 2011 falls on the year of the rabbit. Calm, patient, intuitive and kind, those born in the year of the rabbit excel in professions of care and often make excellent therapists, doctors and health experts. So perhaps it is no coincidence that Dr. Kwong of Visaliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center for Integrated Medicine (CIM) was inspired to travel to her home country in the weeks leading up to Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest celebration of the year.

This trip found Dr. Kwong leading a small group of students from various California universities to tour some of the most intriguing destinations in modern China, including the cities of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau. Dr. Kwong is in the habit of traveling to various areas of China every few years, but she had not been back to southern China in over two decades.

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T TRAVEL

“The last time I was in Guangzhou was when I traveled with my parents so that my mother could reunite with her sisters,” recalled Dr. Kwong. “I still remember certain details about that trip to China with my parents. In particular, a memory of the traffic stays with me: many lanes of bicycles and one lane just for cars. Nowadays, it is just the opposite, especially in southern China where the wealth is more noticeable, many lanes of automobiles now squeeze people on bicycles together with walking pedestrians in one lane.” The city of Shenzhen is the southernmost gateway to mainland China, located in the backyard of Hong Kong. Meaning “Deep Narrow River” in Mandarin, Shenzhen is a new city that only sprung up about 30 years ago. Once a rural township consisting mainly of farmers and rice paddies tended by water buffaloes, Shenzhen is now a thriving metropolis with a population of around 13 million people. Often referred to as the Silicon Valley of China, this area manufactures 90 percent of the world’s iPods and cell phones. Shenzhen is an excellent example of China’s booming economy, and the young city already boasts its own airport, city hall and high-speed subway/metro system.

Dr. Kwong and her students stayed in one of Shenzhen’s many elegant hotels and spent time absorbing the local culture. “We visited the Xian Hu Botanical Gardens, which is a nature reserve and national park,” said Dr. Kwong. “Beautiful pagodas and temples are situated among gardens of orchids, sub-tropical plants, medicinal plants and lakes.” Visiting typical Dim Sim tea houses was a favorite pastime of the group as well, and Dr. Kwong and her students spent many meals selecting their choices of tea and delicious dishes served on small bamboo trays. Dr. Kwong and her students also traveled to Hong Kong to experience everything that this famous Chinese metropolis has to offer, and to visit the place where Dr. Kwong cut her medical teeth. “The reason I went to Hong Kong Central (Chong Wan) is because my father had a practice there, and I wanted to go back and see what it looks like,” said Dr. Kwong. “The place has changed! It is now called ‘Soho,’ as in Manhattan, and it’s all fancy little shops and cafes now.”

The city of Shenzhen, downtown, near the hotel where Dr. kwong and her students stayed.

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Hong Kong is an ex-British colony that consists of several hundred islands. It is one of China’s major financial centers and supports many world-class industries including banking, fashion and film. “It’s very cosmopolitan; there are a lot of different types of people,” noted Dr. Kwong. “And they all speak British English, although American culture is very popular there: blue jeans, cowboys, hip hop, baseball, American movies ... things like that.” The influence of the southern Chinese practice of feng shui is apparent throughout the city, with icons for security, protection and prosperity dotted liberally throughout the carefully arranged buildings.

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Part of the Xian Hu Botannical Gardens in Shenzhen.

Broker/Owner NMLS #252789

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BELOW: 1. In Macau, the streets are flooded with people, and the Grand Lisboa Casino, designed in the shape a of lotus flower (which represents purity and beauty because the lotus arises from dirty mud but remains unsoiled by it), peers over the skyline in the background. 2. Portuguese/Chinese performers gather to display Portuguese dances in the tourist-filled streets of Macau. 3. The A-Ma Temple in Macau holds a shrine of A-Ma, the Goddess of Fisherman and the Sea. 4. A little Chinese boy performing martial arts in Shenzhen brings out smiles and cameras of people passing by.

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One of the most interesting things about southern China is the way it has functioned as a funnel that brings Chinese culture to the rest of the world. “What a lot of people don’t understand is that the southern part of China is what exports a lot of the cultural elements that the West is familiar with,” explained Dr. Kwong. “This is because, in general, people from the south of China are the ones that migrated to the West. They came for the gold rush, to build the railroads, to help start California’s agriculture industry. If you go to Beijing and start talking about feng shui or dim sum, people might not understand what that is.” One of the major reasons for the cultural differences between southern and mainland China is the way things are governed. Cities like Macau and Hong Kong run their own governments, despite being part of China. They have their own parliament, laws, currencies and immigration rules. For instance, because of the area’s colonial histories, people born in Hong Kong are given British citizenship, and people born in Macau are automatically granted Portuguese citizenship as well as having Chinese citizenship. “Most people think that China is all a communist country. But that’s not really correct; it’s a much more subtle system. It’s commonly referred to as ‘one government, several systems,’” said Dr. Kwong. Thanks to today’s increasingly globalized world, more people than ever are able to explore the exciting cultural offerings of countries like China. A land of diversity, rich history and exotic traditions, China welcomes both the seasoned traveler, like Dr. Kwong, and those who have never stepped foot outside their own borders. So, this new year maybe you should take a leap into adventure and follow the rabbit to China.

LOCAL PROFESSIONAL L

Cindy Myers

Vice President/Financial Advisor Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

ine years ago, at the age of 52, I decided to make a change. After 23 years as CFO of my family’s farming corporation, I was ready for a challenge – ready to learn, make a difference and help other people. However, my career choice may surprise you because I didn’t become a doctor or a teacher, nor did I join the Peace Corps. I became a financial advisor. Working with clients enriches my life in ways that I couldn’t possibly have imagined. Each individual who walks through my door is unique with their own dreams and goals. Losing both my parents taught me the importance of having a plan, and I enjoy working as part of a team with other trusted advisors including CPAs and attorneys. I’m committed to guiding both pre-retirees and retirees through a comprehensive retirement planning process. We begin by discussing and clarifying in tangible terms what they

520 W main St., Visalia, California 93291 Western Division Insurance License #0D87240 really want from retirement – the places they want to see, the experiences they want to have and the legacy they want to leave behind. For many, it’s the first time that they’ve ever proactively discussed it. I help them identify where their “retirement paycheck” will come from and then we work together to protect it. The most gratifying part of my job is being trusted to help clients through all phases of their financial lives. My wonderful husband, Dale, my six children and nine grandchildren challenge me daily to balance family, career and community. I am a Visalia Breakfast Rotary member, board of directors for Networking for Women, director for Sequoia Riverlands Trust, and I sponsor several events designed to help those in need. I believe in practicing what I preach and am quietly creating educational plans for all nine of my grandchildren. I want to support our shared love of learning both now and in the future. P A I D

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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PERFORMANCES

Love Stories and Legends Text By Marsha Peltzer

n Saturday, March 19, the Tulare County Symphony will continue its “Festival of Favorites” with the ever-popular music from “Carmen,” Rachmaninoff’s romantic “Paganini Variations,” and Stravinsky’s most cinematic ballet suite, “The Firebird.” It is always interesting to explore the motivation for the music director’s programming for each concert. Surely, Bruce Kiesling had romance and magical intrigue in mind when he selected the pieces for the upcoming March concert. In a recent conversation Bruce explained, “It reflects my interest in musical drama. For the same reason, I enjoy great theater, film and film music. I have always been attracted to music that tells a great story.” Although his programming of the last year and a half reflects that theme with various individual pieces, now he has endeavored to put together an entire program of such works. “Carmen is one of the greatest operas ever written and its story is certainly timeless. The music has tunes that are almost universally known and loved.” The movie “Carmen” is to be released in early spring, and judging from the previews, it will be as entertaining as the live opera (though certainly not as exciting!). The annals of music are filled with legions of “one work” composers who are today remembered for a single item of their output. The leading example of such historical misfortune must surely be Georges Bizet, who is remembered primarily for “Carmen,” despite having dedicated himself solely to music throughout his entire life. Bizet, who had always been frail, was cut off at the peak of his creativity, dying only 30 days after the premiere of Carmen. The “Suite” contains orchestral settings of some of the opera’s most famous passages. “The ‘Paganini Variations’ composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff, are not only spectacular musically,” Bruce explained, “but were also featured prominently in the film ‘Somewhere in Time.’” A young Christopher Reeve whistles the tune throughout the film and even refers to it by name.

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Rachmaninoff, born in l873 near Novgorod, Russia, was one of the greatest pianists and composers of all time. His early career established a pattern he was to follow throughout his life: an uneasy struggle between performing and composing – with economic pressures demanding an exhausting whirl of playing and conducting. After the Russian Revolution in 1917 he determined that he and his family would have to leave the country. He sought to recreate the peace he had found at the family’s country estate in Ivanovka near Moscow by building a villa on the shores of Lake Lucerne and there he wrote “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” in 1934. In 1935 he moved to America. He died on March 28, 1943, in Beverly Hills. His music has been held with affection by audiences all over the world. Finally, we have Stravinsky’s monumental suite from “The Firebird.” As Kiesling explained, this is a “total showpiece for the orchestra. The original ballet is the eternal story of death and rebirth, best illustrated in the seasonal rebirth of spring as the musical finale bursts triumphantly forth – a challenge for our orchestra players, but a thrill for them as well.” Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) was a Russian, naturalized French, and later naturalized American composer, pianist and conductor. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most important and influential composers of 20th-century music. He achieved fame as a pianist and conductor often at the premieres of his own compositions. Kiesling is very excited to be featuring guest artist and award-winning American concert pianist Robert Marshall Auler. Robert made his Carnegie Hall debut in June 2004 and has since maintained a national and international performing career. He has won numerous competitions, including the Society of American Musicians First Prize. His recent compact disc release, “American Century,” features music of the last 100 years influenced by the American vernacular. He is an active jazz pianist, competitive tennis player, former baseball player and is now “attempting to learn golf – so far to no avail.” For more information or tickets, call (559) 732-8600.

LOCAL PROFESSIONAL L

Karen Robertson, Pastor at Visalia First Assembly 3737 S. Akers St Visalia, CA 93277

aren Robertson and her husband, Mike, are the lead pastors of Visalia First Assembly. Karen has a heart to see people grow in the wonder and awe of who God is, and she expresses that inspiration through her work in the church. Karen experienced a call to ministry when she was 16 years old and has served in Women’s Ministry and Worship Arts throughout her whole career. Visalia First Assembly has become known in the community for its wonderful Christmas production, Imagine Christmas, and Karen is the Producer/Director of this breathtaking experience. This past year, she wrote Imagine Christmas – LIGHT as an enhanced version of the previous year’s production. Using a mix of music, theater, dance, costumes and aerial acrobatics, LIGHT took audiences on an inspirational journey through God’s wondrous creation of the earth and the birth of His son, the Light of this world. “When we hear a story over and over as we do in the Christmas Story, sadly enough it can become stale in our ears and not hold the wonder and super extraordinary power of that moment in time,” said Pastor Karen. “Jesus is the Light in my world, and I wanted to convey that theme like I feel it in my heart.” P A I D

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Karen has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Texas in Arlington (UTA) as well as in Sacred Music from Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU). An accomplished musician and vocalist, Karen has worked extensively in the areas of musical production. She has trained vocalists and instrumentalists in churches as well as future worship leaders at the university level. Not only is Karen part of the lead pastorate here, she is the Worship Arts Pastor and Women’s Ministry Pastor of Visalia First Assembly. She loves walks on the beach, fried okra, girl hang time and Dancing with the Stars.

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Phantom of the Opera march 18-27

The College of Sequoias Theater Arts Department is proud to bring this haunting classic to Visalia. Come and get swept away by its epic story and iconic songs. When: March 18, 19 24, 25 & 26 at 7:30p; March 20 & 27 at 2:00p Where: COS Theater, 915 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia Contact: COS Theatre Box Office at 730-3907

TheaTer & PERFORmANCES F E B . Tulare County Symphony presents Vienna: Part II The Tulare County Symphony brings the classic sound of Vienna’s best luminaries to the Fox Theater with mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and Horn Concerto #4, along with Beethoven’s Symphony #7. When: Saturday, February 19, 7:30p Where: Fox Theater, 300 W. main St., Visalia, CA Contact: 739-4600 or visit www. foxvisalia.com

arT EXHIBITS F E B . Music at the Main – Jung Trio This trio of musical sisters brings the sound that won them the grand prize at the Yellow Springs Chamber music Competition to Visalia’s main Street Theater. Pianist Jennie Jung, Violinist Ellen Jung, and cellist Julie Jung will perform their beautiful rendition of Dvorak’s Piano Trio in F minor. When: Friday, February 26, 7p Where: main Street Theater, 307 W. main St., Visalia Contact: call: 635-1761

m A R Beyond Therapy This farcical comedy follows two manhattanites who are seeking stable romantic relationships with the help of their psychiatrists. Follow the crazy antics of this unlikely duo, and find out whether there can be life and love beyond therapy. Contains adult language or content. Admission: Regular $12, Student $6. When: march 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 7:30p; march 11 & 18 at 2p Where: Ice House Theatre, Race and Sante Fe, Visalia Contact: Reservations 734-3900

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m A R Leslie Batty at COS Art Gallery Artist Leslie Batty brings a solo show of her paintings to the COS Gallery, along with a Group Juried Show at Arts Visalia celebrating Women’s History month. Leslie Batty’s work explores cultural ideals of femininity and identity within society, and her paintings evoke beauty, philosophy, and attention to form. When: march 7-April 1,11a-3p Where: COS Art Gallery, 915 S. mooney Blvd, Visalia Contact: 737-4861

ChilDhOOD DISTRACTIONS m A R 36th Annual Max Choboian Road Race Sponsored by the Tulare Youth Services Bureau, this annual race encompasses six different running events including a half-mile race for pre-kindergarten runners, one-mile races for grade school participants, and a two-mile run/walk for high school and adult participants. The day includes a carnival, games and prizes, SPCA adoption center, and Tri-Tip BBQ. When: Sunday, march 6. Race registration begins at 11:30a with the first race starting at 12:00p. The carnival will run from 11:00a-3:30p. Where: Del Lago Park, 1700 N. Laspina, Tulare Contact: Anna Ferreira, 686-9772 x 201, or aferreira@tysb.org

HAPPENINGS H

DiVersiONs & EXCURSIONS m A R Mardi Gras Jungle Safari The Creative Center Foundation is celebrating mardi Gras with a safari of fun that spans Visalia’s downtown, and offers something for the whole family. 11a-2p is the free Kids Karnivale at Visalia Fire Station #5 (6921 W. Ferguson Ave. at Shirk) with bounce houses, crafts, games and more. 7:30p-10p is the free street dance, where you can groove to the live tunes of the St. John’s Riverboat Jazz Band at the Garden Street Plaza. Or get swanky from 6:30p-midnight at the Grand Ball, where you can enjoy catering by Fugazzi’s, the crowning of the King and Queen, and dancing until midnight at the Visalia Convention Center. Tickets for the Grand Ball are $125 per person, or $1000 a table. Proceeds benefit the Creative Center and its mission to use the arts to serve developmentally disabled adults. When: Saturday march 5 Where: Downtown Visalia Contact: For event information, or to reserve your table, call the Creative Center Foundation Office at 733-4400

m A R 1st Saturday in Three Rivers Celebrate art, music, dance, storytelling, food and drink as you browse the art galleries, studios, and gift shops of Downtown Three Rivers. For discounts and participants visit website.. When: Saturday march 5, 10a-5p Where: maps at Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Dr. (CA 198), Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or visit: www.1stSaturdayTR.com

More Than A Trusted Advisor

Front L-to-R: Monica Peterson, Amy Gunn, Penney Sick, Jim Wohlford Back L-to-R: Sherri Rigney, David Sharp, Lupe Sanchez

Jim Wohlford – Branch Manager & Senior Vice President/Investments Lupe Sanchez – Vice President/Investments David Sharp – Vice President/Investments Penney Sick – Vice President/Investments Amy Gunn – Client Service Associate Monica Peterson – Office Coordinator Sherri Rigney – Wire Operator

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m A R 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade The Events Visalia Foundation will celebrate all central valley cultures with this year’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. The event will also feature live music, and food and vendor booths. Pre and postparade festivities will be held at the Vintage Press. When: Saturday, march 12, 10a Where: main Street, Visalia Contact: 730-1808 or visit: www.eventsvisalia.org

Visalia Farmers’ 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. When: Saturdays, 8a-11:30a, Sequoia mall, Sears parking lot Where: Sears parking lot at mooney and Caldwell, Visalia Contact: 967-6722 or www.visaliafarmersmarket.com

An evening of cocktails, live & silent auction, dinner and comedy.

April 2, 2011 at 5:30pm

Ventriloquist: Michael Harrison

Heritage Complex, Tulare

www.bgclubtc.org/comix2011 or Call 625.4422 LIFEST YLE | FEBRUARY 2011

Visalia Elks Lodge Annual Wine & Gourmet Food march 12

The Visalia Elks Lodge is gearing up for its 7th annual event to benefit the Elk’s Children’s Charities, and C.A.S.A. Of Tulare County. Come and enjoy a delicious wine and culinary tasting, as well as musical entertainment, and a live and silent auction. Tickets: $25 per person. When: Saturday, March 12, 6p-8:30p Where: Visalia Elks Lodge, 3100 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: The Visalia Elks Lodge at 734-6762 or 936-0489

FUNDraisiNG EVENTS F E B . SPCA Spay-ghetti Fundraiser Help benefit the Valley Oak SPCA by taking home a delicious spaghetti dinner from Rosa’s. Tickets are only $10, and are redeemable for a quart of spaghetti and garlic cheese bread. Proceeds benefit the Valley Oak SPCA’s spay and neuter fund. When: Thursday, February 24, 4p-8p Where: Rosa’a Italian Ristorante, 314 S. Johnson Street, Visalia. Contact: 713-4694 for more information, or to charge your tickets by phone

m A R . Tulare County Farm Bureau’s Education and Scholarship Gala The Tulare County Farm Bureau’s annual event returns to the Visalia Convention Center for its 24th year of fundraising for our community. The gala’s proceeds directly benefit programs including the highly successful youth leadership program, school garden grants, and $20,000 is annual scholarships. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, wine raffle and entertainment by awardwinning comedy juggling team The Passing Zone. Tickets and sponsorship packages can be purchased in advance. When: Saturday, march 5. Cocktail hour @ 6:15p, dinner @ 7:30p Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E Acequia Ave, Visalia Contact: 732-8301, or tcfb@tulcofb.org

WriTers & READERS m A R . 3rd Annual John Paul Magao Memorial Motorcycle Ride Join other motorcycle enthusiasts for a day of riding and fun that gives back. Proceeds benefit the John Paul magao memorial Scholarship Foundation; a non-profit organization and public charity that provides scholarships to local schools. Riders must pre-register by march 4, 2011. The $25 registration fee includes lunch, a t-shirt, and tickets for the day’s raffle. When: Sunday, march 6. Registration @ 8:30a, race @ 10a Where: Ride starts: mesquite motorsports, 7029 W. Pershing Ave., Visalia. Race finishes: Plaza Park, Plaza Drive and Airport Road. Contact: 734-1953 or 972-2388

Community Picks Book Club Every last Thursday of the month, book club members convene to recommend and discuss their favorites. Bring a book you’ve recently read to share with other readers. When: Thursday, February 24, 4p Where: Purple Room, Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: Judith Wood, 559-713-2706 Mystery Readers Book Exchange The mystery Readers group will have a book exchange. Buy a paperback mystery, and bring it to exchange with other whodunit enthusiasts. When: Wednesday, march 16, 6:30p Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: Judith Wood, 559-713-2706

Classes & WORKSHOPS Watercolor Painting Arts Visalia offers a variety of art classes for adults, where you can enjoy a creative outlet and familiarize yourself with new techniques. Artist Kacey Fansett instructs participants of all skill levels in some common techniques for this medium. When: First three mondays of every month, 6:30 - 8:30p Where: Arts Visalia, 214 East Oak Avenue, Visalia Contact: Arts Visalia, 739-0905

If you would like to have your event considered for a free listing in our “Happenings” section, please email your submission to lifestyle@dmiagency.com or fax to 738-0909, Attention Happenings. Please note, we do not guarantee listing of any submission. Submissions are due 6 weeks prior to publication.

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