Sep 2022Inspiring Life In Our Community
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC I M-F 7:00am - 5:00pm I SAT 10:00am - 2:00pm I Closed Sundays 917 N. American St. • Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 651-5834 sales@americanceramictile.net N Martinho Family Serving Our Communities Since 1965 www.facebook.com/americanceramictileandsupplywww.americanceramictile.net OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE In House Designers • Displaying Over 30 Tile Suppliers in our Showroom Proud Supplier of Cambria Quartz • Solid Surface Counters – Granite/Quartz/Marble INDOOR & OUTDOOR PROJECTS YEP! We do it all!
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4 17 45 26 Changing SeasonsIssueThe Features In Every Issue Interest 10 Health: Benefits of Apples 14 Apple Harvesting with Edwards Orchards 17 Downtown: Arts Night Out 22 Q&A with Janeen's 32 Hispanic Heritage Month 45 Food: Tortilla Making 7 Editor’s Note 8 Contributors 26 Food: Apple Gouda Scones 39 Travel: For the Love of Spain 48 History: Horsepower in Tulare County 50 Calendar of Events 17.and10pgsonStoriesTopograph.byThreadsLangleyofphotoCover What’s Inside
Transforming lives by providing quality health care Call/Text 877-960-3426 or visit www.fhcn.org to schedule an appointment today. Care Centered on You Care Centered on Family Care Centered on Community 43 locations in Kings, Tulare, and Fresno Counties.
Fueling A Farm Near You
I had just spent the previous 20 minutes pacing around my kitchen, shoveling in a quick bite, and grumbling in front of my wife and kids about all the messes around me: 103 degree temperatures, pool algae, a broken air conditioner with backordered parts, and not enough time—complaints poured from me like contaminated run-off, poisoning a peaceful lunch. Ashamed and frustrated, I hopped in my car to carry on with my busy day. It was then that my wife leaned in for a quick kiss goodbye and the gracious parting words “win where it counts.” I was stopped in my tracks. But everything counts—how am I supposed to win everything?!, I thought defensively on my drive back to work. Plenty of frustrations, very little perspective. It was a pitiful conversation; the only thing I was winning at was acting like a victim. I knew what she meant. Some things matter more than others. My wife’s kind, wise words that day were an invitation to reconsider and reorder my days to reflect what matters most.
Cheers,EricRileyExecutiveEditor
Lifestyle Magazine President / Owner Topograph The Changing Seasons Issue
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Winning where it counts demands that I make some hard decisions to say no. It demands that I choose to do the right things first. Trying to “win” at everything is a sure way to lose what I hold most dear. Defining a priority is always a process of cutting things out. A priority demands giving greater importance to one thing over others.
“The word priority came into the English language in the 1400s. It was singular. It meant the very first or prior thing. It stayed singular for the next five hundred years. Only in the 1900s did we pluralize the term and start talking about priorities. Illogically, we reasoned that by changing the word we could bend reality.”
- Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less We live in a culture and time that champions having it all, doing it all, hustling 24/7 in order to have “the good life.” We reason, “If I get more, I’ll have value and be someone.” So, we race off in search of more: More money, more time, more possessions, more followers, more likes. More of anything and everything is our roadmap to a good life. More equals winning, or so we’ve been taught.
The truth is, we all have competing demands for our time, resources, and attention. For me, winning where it counts is slowly getting a little clearer. It means that I show up for the people I love with more than just the scraps at the end of a busy day. It means my family gets my best. They are where it counts, and they deserve to be my priority.
“Win where it counts.” These words jammed up the gears of my day. After Lori said them, I drove away in silence from my short lunch at home feeling irritated, saddened, and challenged all at once.
Thoughts from the Editor
Krista Feagans
WRITER Terry has a passion for Tulare County history. Much of his time in retirement is spent researching and writing about the interesting historical morsels he discovers with Laraine, his talented wife of over 50 years. Between history projects and visits with their two grandchildren, the two are on the road or in the air exploring whatever piques their interest.
Mark Garcia DESIGNER | PHOTOGRAPHER Mark is a multidisciplinary graphic designer from Visalia, CA. He graduated from PLNU in 2020 and started his role as a junior designer at the start of 2021. When he’s not working on design-related projects, he loves playing tennis, taking photos, and riding bikes around Visalia. Mark believes beautiful design makes people happy. His hope is that people have positive encounters with his work.
WRITER Krista is from Northern California and completed her nutrition internship at Fresno State. She has over 12 years of experience working with people to make sustainable lifestyle changes. She spends her free time with her husband and their two amazing girls. They love traveling and exploring new cultures and foods. Her favorites? Good bread, old French cheeses, Thai, and tacos!
Jonna Dodge DESIGNER | PHOTOGRAPHER Jonna is a Central Valley native who recently graduated from Cal Poly, SLO. She has a creative eye for making things look just right. In her free time, you can find her with a camera in hand, working out, or trying a new recipe. Her true hobby, however, is baking, and she’s known for surprising those around her with homemade treats.
MANAGING EDITOR
WRITER Transplanted to Visalia from “the OC” in 2015, Sue is a lifelong cook and budding horticulturist who loves creating garden-totable dishes to share with family and friends. A writer since she could hold a crayon, Sue was the home chef behind Direct Magazine’s The Recipe Box from 2016-2020. She has been blogging since 2010, and writing articles for Lifestyle and publications that share her passion for cooking, baking, and community involvement.
8 Contributors September 2022
Monica Fatica
Sue Burns
After years of working in operations, merchandising, marketing and running her own retail shops, Monica has found her home in the world of publishing. With over seven years of local editorial experience, she is grateful to work her dream job keeping Valley happenings top of mind for all its residents. Her brief moments of spare time are spent with family, food (still searching for the best chocolate croissant), her fur babies, and finding the next best bingeworthy podcast.
Terry Ommen
Contributors
Executive Editor Eric Riley Managing Editor Monica Fatica Operations Manager Maria Gaston Content Editor Marissa Carpenter Designer JJ Fry Advertising and general inquiries lifestyle@tpgrph.com Sales Office 324 S. Santa Fe Street Visalia, CA 93291 559.471.0700 View this Issue Online visalialifestyle.comTheChanging Seasons Issue
A Look Inside School is back in full swing as we enter this month with Labor Day. Before we know it, fall will be here along with cooler weather and shorter days. In this issue, we are reminded of the changing seasons with apples ready for harvest. You’ll meet the family from Edwards Orchards who are busy harvesting and preparing seasonal products to sell at the Springville Apple Festival. Learn all about the health benefits of apples from nutritionist Krista Feagans and try out some apple recipes. This month is also the start of Hispanic Heritage Month and we celebrate by sharing how some of our local Hispanic community members honor their culture. View the beautiful architecture from our Spain travel story and learn all about the history of automobiles in our county. Finally, mark your calendar so you don’t miss out on meeting the makers at the upcoming downtown Visalia Arts Night Out. We hope you are ready to embrace change and enjoy everything the season has to offer—especially in our community!
Visalia’s Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and is distributed via direct mail to homes in Visalia. Additional copies are distributed at various rack and countertop locations around Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, and Kingsburg. Distribution is subject to Viewschange.expressed in articles and on advertisements are those of the writer and advertiser and not necessarily those of Lifestyle Magazine or Topograph. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions. If an error is found, please accept our sincere apologies and notify us of the mistake. S. CA 93292
Major Rogers WRITER
SeasonsChanging
CONTENT EDITOR Marissa Carpenter has been a word nerd for as long as she can remember—or at least since clinching her first Kings County spelling bee championship in first grade. She’s happy to employ her University of Chicago editing certificate, her B.A. in English, and her eagle eye for extra spaces. When not slashing through text, she enjoys knitting, playing piano, and driving her husband and two children absolutely bonkers. Need another copy?
Marissa Carpenter
Major Rogers has written for Lifestyle Magazine for 17 years. He has also covered regional assignments for the Associated Press, and has written a travel adventure book: Amsterdam Acid . His passion is for globe-trotting, having visited 25 countries and 37 states. He loves Visalia, and all the food, spirits, and fun its downtown provides. Major lives locally, with a pack of French Bulldogs.
© 2022 Topograph LLC Published by Topograph LLC, 324
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Santa Fe Street Visalia,
The Lifestyle Team
It sounds cliché, but honestly, it’s not a bad idea. Apples have a considerable amount of health benefits, and they score big points for convenience (which is huge in my book). They can be stored at room temperature, they don't have a wrapper, making them great for desk or car-munching, and they can be paired with all kinds of things for a great balanced snack, or as an addition to any meal.
I cannot overstate the health benefits of eating apples. When you start taking pieces out of the whole though, things change. Sure, apple juice has Vitamin C. It also has a high concentration of sugar (even if there is no added sugar). Think of how many apples you need to juice to get one glass of apple juice. That may be 3 apples' worth of sugar in one glass. Not worth it. You're also missing out on all of the fiber.
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant which aids in wound healing, immune function, and iron absorption, among other benefits. One medium apple provides 10% of the daily value (DV) of Vitamin C. Eat The Fruit, Skip The Juice
Health
Antioxidants
An Apple a Day…
One medium (3-inch diameter) apple has about 4.4g of fiber—they’re a great way to reach the daily recommended amount of 21-25g for women and 30-38g for men. Apples have both soluble (30%) and insoluble (70%) fiber.
kristafeagansnutrition.comkristafeagansnutrition
The apple skin is also a great source of polyphenols, a group of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals, which are linked to chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer.
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by
Insoluble fiber can promote bowel health and regularity by drawing water into your stool and making it easier to pass. Most of the insoluble fiber in an apple is in the skin, so eat that too! I recommend choosing organic apples and washing the skin before eating.
Fiber
Soluble fiber dissolves in water, whereas insoluble fiber does not, so they have different benefits. Soluble fiber, which is most of the fiber found in apple flesh, aids in digestion and can lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Pectin, one type of soluble fiber found in apples, promotes gut health by acting as a prebiotic, feeding good bacteria.
Story Krista Feagans
| Photo by Topograph
Other antioxidants in apples include quercetin (anti-inflammatory) and phloridzin (reduces sugar uptake in the intestines, which may reduce the risk of diabetes).
Apple sauce is better, if there's no added sugar. One pouch of apple sauce has 3g of fiber. You're missing out on the insoluble fiber though, unless you make your own and keep the skin on (that's an idea).
Straight Up!
Pair your apple with protein or healthy fat for a more balanced snack that keeps you satisfied. My go-to pairings for apples are: 1/4 cup nuts, 1 Tbsp peanut or almond butter, string cheese, or 3-5 cubes of cheddar cheese. Or try making a cinnamon yogurt dip. Sliced Sliced in round cross-sections—make "donuts" and add spread and topping of choice. We use peanut or almond butter, goat cheese (for a savory twist), or sometimes Nutella (yum!).
One Apple, SixWays The Changing Seasons Issue
Throw a few sprinkles on there, and it's a real crowd pleaser.
And of course: pies. And crumbles, obviously. Not the healthiest or most convenient way to eat apples, but undeniably the tastiest. Is it fall yet?.
Who doesn't love a nice, crisp apple to munch on? Pies
Chopped Chopped and sautéed with some cinnamon. You can add the chunks to greek yogurt, or on top of a little vanilla ice cream for a treat. Diced Diced and added to oatmeal, smoothies, and even muffins. The options are endless, so be creative, and have fun!
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14 Apple Harvest Story by Lifestyle Staff at Edwards Orchards, Springville, CA Harvest
Black The Changing Seasons Issue
559-544-4069edwardsorchards
"We surroundingcommunityservingloveoursmallandcitieseachyear.”
ArkansasPinkSenshuFujiEmpireMutsuGalaLady
“We are a family farm who enjoys producing some of the best fruits in the area.” The farm relies on natural pollination from bees and avoids using any pesticides on their crops. “We sell what we grow and we love serving our small community and surrounding cities each year.”
Ralph Edwards,Owner
The warm climate in the hills above Springville offers ideal conditions for growing apples. As the hills transition into beautiful fall colors, Edwards Orchards is harvesting their apples to be made into some of the season's most indulgent treats: cider, pies, bread, and apple butter. The farm was founded in the 1980s by Mack Edwards and today is owned and operated by his son, Ralph Edwards and family. Their four-acre farm produces three acres of apples— seven varieties that are harvested at different times throughout the season. They also produce a white Ambrosia peach (created by Mack), apricots, and nectarines.
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Where to Find Varieties Grown
Springville Farmers Market on Saturdays Springville Apple Festival
Your Home. Your Look. 559.625.8884 220 W. Main St., www.janeensfurniture.comVisalia Now o ering NO INTEREST FINANCING See store for details.
NightArtsOut
Art is created to inspire others through music, writing, painting, sculpting, and other mediums created by hand. The artist, artisan, and musician communicate their ideas and emotions through their work in order to inspire us. We are excited to support and showcase artists from our community this month at Downtown Visalians' Arts Night Out! Read on for a sampling of what to expect.
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The Changing Seasons Issue
18 Move on Down Musician-Brass Band Langley Threads Hand Sewn Linen Clothing langleythreads.comlangleythreads Daisies and the Roses Calligraphy Artisan moveondown daisiesandtheroses "Art does not produce Local Artists
19 saeganmoran.comsaeganmoran Saegan Moran Studio Natural Dyed Textiles Patrick Brien Abstract Painter patrickbrien.com_patrick_brien_ Vanessa Rae Musician* vanessaraemusic.comvanessaraemusic what we see, vanessaraemusic.com.atavailable*Tickets The Changing Seasons Issue
20 velvetclaycreations.comvelvetclaycreations Heidi Steinman Oil Painting Artist heidisteinman Jolene's Palette Textured Paint and Plaster Art Velvet Clay Creations Modern Polymer Clay Earrings jolenespalette rather, it makes Local Artists
jordonlong.comjordonlongart The Details ARTS NIGHT OUT Jordon Long Abstract Artist Gerimaya Whyte Acoustic and Vocals Saturday, September 17 Main5pm-9pmSt.-Downtown Visalia DowntownFree VisaliansDESCRIPTIONHOSTEDLOCATIONDATETIMEENTRYBY Local artists, a pop up market, beer garden and food trucks. Scan the QR code to see the list of vendors. Supporting art in a community is important to its culture. Consider seeking out what your local art community has to offer the next time you’re looking for wall art to decorate your home or for a special gift. Most local artists would love to create something custom just for you. Don't forget to add this to your calendar! us see." PAUL KLEE The Changing Seasons Issue 21
Q&A with Janeen's Furniture Gallery, Inc. Photos by Topograph
Two
Decades in Downtown
Q&A
Janeen’s Furniture Gallery is celebrating 21 years in this month. Congratulations on two decades in business! This milestone is no small accomplishment considering only 25% of new businesses make it to 15 years or more, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We took some time to get to know Janeen and her team and to look back on their journey.
A. We offer design services like decorating and furniture placement, all except picking out things like flooring and countertops. We sell our home decor items and furnishings right off the floor. Customers come in frequently because our store is constantly changing from one day to the next and they enjoy that things are always fresh.
Q. Can you tell us a little about how Janeen’s started and how it has evolved into what it is today?
Q. What types of products and services do you offer?
A. Customer service and building relationships has always been key to our success. We have great customers, generational customers— we’ve helped grandparents, parents, kids and even grandkids. We aim to give great service by focusing only on what they want and need. We care about them and their families; they are friends. Sometimes they come in to visit and talk and it’s okay that they leave without buying anything. We are very grateful for that. I’d rather they get what they need somewhere else instead of pushing something on them they don’t need. We are about trust: sometimes they are shocked that we tell them they don’t need anything else when they want to buy more. We do a lot of secondary homes for clients and have helped refurbish new homes. We have done homes at the coast and Shaver Lake. We are thankful for it all. We get a lot of referral business, which is the best form of advertisement. Tanner and I both do a lot of consulting with our customers.
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Q. Celebrating 21 years in business is quite the achievement. Can you share any key things that have contributed to your success?
A. I started in the furniture business 36 years ago, and then opened the first Janeen’s Furniture on Floral and West in 2001, right after 9/11. It was a difficult time in our nation, but we gave it all to the Lord and we are so thankful to have been busy as soon as we opened. We were at that location for seven years and then in 2008, our current location became available. Even though we were going through a recession, we were again blessed to be able to buy it. We began construction right after we closed escrow that Spring of 2008 and were able to open a few days after our lease was up on September 1st. We literally left our previous location on a Friday and opened at the new location that Monday. We moved from a 2400sf space to 6500sf. We filled it up right away with our product. The Lord brought us through it all, including making it through Covid. We again gave it all to the Lord, and by the Monday after the shutdown, we were getting calls to make home visits and we offered curbside service. Our customer relationships are what helped sustain us.
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A. The best thing about being a part of downtown is learning about the mechanics of how things operate that are important, like the landscaping, security, street cleaning, and building relationships with other store owners and property owners. We work on creating ways to make our downtown better, like the beautification efforts and helping to bring both more business as well as more businesses in. It takes volunteers, financial support, passion for downtown, and wisdom from owners who have been around for a while to make it successful. We encourage downtown owners to join the boards because it’s educational and helpful to understand why things happen a certain way. Visitors from other cities and states have great things to say about our downtown and we will be even better once the businesses that are under construction open up (like The Mix and the old Picnic Shop building). Available and functional storefronts don’t sit empty for very long here.
A. Online shopping is more easily accessible now, but we do sometimes help with correcting mistakes like replacing poor quality items or items that weren’t a right fit for a customer. Or they didn’t realize that something they purchased online required assembly. Here, the customer can touch and feel what they buy and we can guide them to what they need. Finding out if they have pets or children are key to helping them get what is best for them.
A. Janeen’s consists of me, my son Tanner, a part-time staff member, Lydia, and a few delivery people. The advantages of working with a small business is the opportunity to build personal relationships, and to work with a retailer who knows everything about their wares: the manufacturer, the materials, the fabric and construction. That's not something you're able to access online or in a big box store. Another bonus is getting unique, custom pieces for your home. Customers have the ability to talk directly to the owner, especially if they want more design services and advice. Shopping locally allows your money to go directly back into the community. We donate towards school auctions, local charities like CASA, and other non-profit organizations.
Q: How many staff members do you have and what are the advantages of working with a local shop?
220janeensfurniture.com559-625-8884W.MainSt.,Visalia
Q. We understand that you serve on the Downtown Visalia and the Property Owners boards. What do you enjoy most about having your storefront on Main Street and being involved with those organizations?
Q. Is there anything on the horizon for Janeen’s or anything else you’d like to share with us?
A. We want our customers to know that we will be here for another 21 years and beyond. We love serving our community and plan to continue to help more generations to come.
Q&A
Q. How has the interior design industry and retail changed in recent years?
Adventist Health is honored to bring you and your family the highest quality of compassionate care in Tulare. Same availableappointmentsday Services and Procedures: • Cardiology • Chiropractic services • Colonoscopy • Endoscopy • Family medicine and obstetrics • General surgery • Heart and vascular • Obstetrics (OB) • Orthopedic services • Pediatrics • Podiatry • Psychology Adventist Health Medical Office 2059 N. Hillman St., Tulare 559-605-0090 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Adventist Health Physicians Network 975 E. Merritt Ave., Tulare 559-605-2160 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. To book an appointment online scan this QR code or call us. Primary care online scheduling We know you are busy and finding time to call the doctor’s office during regular business hours can be difficult. Online scheduling for primary care visits makes getting the care you need that much easier. New and current patients can schedule appointments online at their Weconvenience.acceptmost health plans, including Medi-Cal. Discount programs are offered for the uninsured.
Food
4. Make a well in the center of the mixture.
8. Bake immediately, following instructions on the next page, or wrap in plastic wrap and chill for several hours or overnight.
5. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and half-and-half together and pour into the dry mixture.
Ingredients
7. Flour your hands and, in the bowl or on a lightly floured board, gently fold the dough over on itself a couple of times, just until it holds together smoothly. Try not to overwork it. Shape the dough into a disc.
3. Add the cheese, apple and nuts and blend using the pastry cutter to incorporate them throughout.
Recipe by Sue Burns | Photos by Topograph 3 cups flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 3/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 4 ounces (8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks 3/4 cup shredded Gouda or smoked Gouda cheese 3/4 cup diced apple (about 1 medium apple, peeled and cored) – Granny Smith recommended 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) 1 egg, beaten 3/4 cup half-and-half, plus more for brushing the tops of the unbaked scones 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Freshly grated nutmeg Prep the Dough
SCONESGOUDAAPPLE
6. Mix the ingredients until they mostly hold together. Use your hands to gather the dough, incorporating any loose flour mixture.
The Changing Seasons Issue
1. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Add the chunks of butter and use your fingers or a pastry blender to cut the ingredients together until they are in dime-sized chunks.
For Medium Scones
3. Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet; brush the tops with half-and-half and grate a bit of nutmeg over each.
2. Cut 16 wedges instead of 8. 3. Bake 12-14 minutes, until golden on the top and brown on the bottom.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden on the top and browned on the bottom.
1. Preheat the oven to 400F. 2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
For Large Scones
For Mini Scones
2. Use a 2” round biscuit cutter dipped in flour to cut out as many as you can before gathering the dough and rolling out again. (Do not twist the cutter; use a straight up and down motion.)
2. Use a knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 8 wedges.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature with apple butter, fig jam or orange marmalade. Include mini-scones on a charcuterie platter or halved and layered with mayo/mustard and sliced meat. Scan for additional baker's tips and variations.
Food
1. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and pat the dough out into a large round approximately 1/2” thick.
4. Bake for 15-17 minutes, until golden on the top and browned on the bottom.
3. Place scones on the prepared baking pan, brush the tops with half-and-half, and grate a bit of nutmeg over each.
1. Follow the directions for shaping large scones.
1. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and pat out into a 9-inch round.
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Directions
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In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed National Hispanic Heritage Week to begin on September 15, the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and 18 and Belize celebrates its independence on September 21. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the renaming of the celebration and extended it to a full month running from September 15-October 15 each year. It aims to honor the contributions, history, and achievements of Hispanic Americans in American culture. Hispanic Heritage Month
About
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we're excited to celebrate the rich history and culture of many in our community. We're proud to honor the influence and impact of Hispanic heritage in Tulare County.
Story by Lifestyle Staff Culture
Heritage Month Hispanic
Interesting Facts
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 60 million people of Hispanic descent living in the U.S., representing 19% of the total population. More than 15 million reside in California.
Guillermo González Camarena earned a degree in mechanical engineering and invented several color television systems. Notably, in 1942 he received the U.S. patent for his “chromoscopic adapter for television equipment.” On August 31, 1946, from his laboratory in Mexico City, González Camarena broadcasted a color television transmission.
A person who identifies as Hispanic is from or has ancestors from a Spanish-speaking territory or country.
Jaime Escalante, Math Educator
Every 2 out of 3 people in Tulare County are Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Guillermo González Camarena, Inventor
Hispanic countries include Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela
A math professor from Bolivia, Jaime Escalante relocated to Los Angeles in the 1960s and taught advanced math to Latino students at an East LA high school in the 1970s and ’80s. His impact was evident in 1982 when his class took and passed an advanced placement test in calculus. Escalante received many awards, including the Presidential Medal for Excellence, and he was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 1999. His time as a teacher was portrayed in the 1988 movie “Stand and Deliver.”
Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski, Physicist
Influential HispanicsFridaKahlo, Artist
At the young age of 6, Frida Kahlo fought a difficult battle with polio, and after a bus accident at 18, she was left with a lifetime of painful medical struggles. During her bedridden recovery, Frida began to paint, documenting her reality and the world around her. Her strong perseverance and legacy has changed the way that we view and interpret art.
The Changing Seasons Issue
Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski is a 29-year-old first-generation Cuban American who was the youngest person (at just 14 years old) to build an airplane and conduct the first flight in the same aircraft. She studied physics at MIT and was the first female to win the MIT Physics Orloff Scholarship award. At 24, she started her doctorate degree at Harvard. It’s no wonder she’s been called “the next Einstein.”
Leandra Garcia Asst. Principal/Head Counselor | Tulare Western High School Being Hispanic resonates deep within me when I’m speaking the language or watching a TV show in Spanish; it’s music to my ears because it reminds me of my parents. We make tamales during Christmas, eat posole on New Years, enjoy mariachi music during celebrations, and practice praying. It’s important that these traditions are passed down to our children and grandchildren. Much like my mother’s perseverance, Frida Kahlo is someone in history that I admire because of the strength she had throughout her struggles. Frida accepted her life’s journey and used her art therapeutically, which was a gift to the world.
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Gil Jaramillo Executive Director | Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Heritage Month is a period when Hispanic heritage and culture is celebrated. Many cities, schools, communities, and civic organizations organize special events, classes, and exhibitions. Someone in history that I’m inspired by is Ellen Ochoa. She was the first Latina in space who became the director of the Johnson Space Center. She logged nearly 1,000 hours in space including a nine-day mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery. She is an inspiration and role model to Hispanics and all women. Where some broke the “glass ceiling,” she rocketed through it.
The Hispanic heritage is rich in family values, cuisine, beautiful architecture, and art. We asked locals from our community what it means to them to be Hispanic, how they celebrate their culture, and who they admire most. Here is what they shared:
Culture
Local Expressions
Christian Romeo Head Chef | Braised Kitchen For me, the Hispanic culture has many enjoyable values. What I remember most from my childhood in Argentina are the gatherings with family and friends—an important part of our culture. Another great memory is the time spent with family every Sunday at grandma’s house with food at the center and plenty of anecdotes, stories, and jokes shared at the dinner table. The best times without a doubt were on Christmas and New Years when everyone, even the oldest, stayed up celebrating until dawn. One of the people I most admire is my grandfather, who is a generous, hard-working man with many friends. He’s passionate about music, too, especially tango.
To me, being Hispanic means proudly sharing about my Guatemalan roots with others who may not know much about my parents’ country. It also means embracing my ethnic and American roots. Our family would always gather during the week of Christmas and New Years and eat chuchitos, ponche de navidad, turkey, and rompope. Afterwards, we would burn "canchinflines" (a sort of flying whistler firework) and then engage in an almost-mandatory spirited political and religious discussion around the table. I admire my father for always being there for his children and for his sacrifice to come to the United States. He saw the opportunities this country had for us. I also look up to Congresswoman Mayra Flores from Texas. Her beliefs about God, family, and country is something I relate to.
The Changing Seasons Issue
Rosalinda Verde Alexander Founder | Green Rose Productions
One way that I celebrate being Hispanic is through my script writing, including a mariachi opera “El Bracero” with stories from my family's history. Being Hispanic also means eating and dancing with family and many cousins (who could be in a mariachi or a folklórico group) at celebrations. We practice speaking our beautiful language and Catholic faith. We eat tamales every Christmas, and have panzas (stomachs) full of tortillas, hominy, and pan dulce. We work hard not to waste the opportunities created for us by our parents, grandparents, and other valley Hispanics who sacrificed and helped open doors for us. I’m inspired by the artists Selena and Linda Ronstadt. Selena brought American and Mexican cultures together by blending cumbia and rock. Ronstadt sang everything from pop, opera, country to mariachi. They are stellar examples of diversity for Chicanas like myself and both impacted my worldview.
Jerome Melgar Insurance Specialist | Premium Auto Insurance
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for the love of Spain & Photos by Major Rogers
This past June, my favorite band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, played in Barcelona at the historic Estadi Olímpic—good timing, as I wanted to take my girlfriend to Spain as I’d once promised. So, the summertime stars aligned for a travel destination. Barcelona by the sea. The town is known for its local beaches and barrios, each with distinctive personalities of culture and energy. Here are my “must dos,” aside from wandering and creating your own adventures.
Story
The other top draw for Barcelona is the Basílica Sagrada Família, the world's largest unfinished Roman Catholic church. Famed architect Antoni Gaudí spent much of his life committed to the church's colossal construction, starting in 1882. His vision was planned out and passed along for future architects to follow. At the age of 73, Gaudí was hit and killed by a street trolley when he backed out into the street to better observe construction. The church is slated for completion in 2026, 100 years after Gaudí’s passing. The building is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, and over time, it began to take on a living persona of artistic influences. The structure stirs emotions as you take in something so amazingly constructed by man, and inspired by God. Regarding the long construction period, Gaudí was quoted as saying, “My client is not in a hurry.”
Basílica Sagrada Família
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La Rambla is a busy tree-lined pedestrian street. The three-quarter-mile stretch begins in a bustling part of the city at Catalonia Square, and ends seaside, marked by a monumental Christopher Columbus statue pointing west. La Rambla is touristy with restaurants, bars, and retail, but it’s one of the best opportunities to sit at a sidewalk café, drink some bad sangria, and people watch. You can walk through the historic La Boqueria public market on La Rambla. Within the roof-covered, (yet) open air market you can satisfy nearly any culinary craving: fruits, meats, tapas (small plates/appetizers), desserts, and alcohol.
As Dalí describes it: “I want my museum to be a single block, a labyrinth, a great surrealist object. It will be a totally theatrical museum. The people who come to see it will leave with the sensation of having had a theatrical dream.” The museum is built in an old theater, and includes Salvador Dalí’s tomb within it.
Montserrat Abbey Travel
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The central section of Madrid is also very walkable, with every block offering what travelers look for: art, cuisine,
An hour’s train ride north of Barcelona lies Figueres, including the hometown museum of favorite son, Salvador Dalí. The museum was designed and created by the man himself, bringing you right into his surrealistic mind, defying description (apart from experiencing it yourself.)
On our last day in Barcelona, we took a bus tour to Montserrat Abbey. Many faithful pilgrimage to see the Black Madonna, a holy icon tied to multiple miracles.
The next day we boarded our high-speed train for a two-hour ride to Madrid, which carried us through 300 miles of Spanish grapevines, olive orchards, sunflower fields, villages and hillside ruins. The laid-back locals of beachside Barcelona describe the historic city of Madrid as the “old money” of the country. On our car ride to the hotel, we quickly realized why. Central Madrid has every bit of the architecture that Paris or Vienna has—block after block of buildings built over the centuries, highlighting the most artistic styles of construction.
The area also has an active basilica with monks, built high on the rocky mountainside, which hosts enjoyable day hiking trails with incredible views of the Spanish countryside below. The tour included a wine and tapas tasting lunch in an actual castle down below the mountain, with unforgettable vistas.
Another train ride south took us into what became my favorite place to experience: Seville. The town proper has several districts, each offering a variety of restaurants, nightlife, history, or architecture. We stayed in Santa Cruz. As if by luck, when I mapped the town, I saw the hotel butted up against a park. When we arrived, we found ourselves in the heart of a medieval part of town—the adjacent park belonged to our next-door neighbor, the Royal Palace. It is an enchanting place, with narrow walks, street cafes, and pubs that come to life at night. The town still respects the art of a siesta—most shops and restaurants close around 3pm, reopening a few hours later when the day has cooled. Eating dinner around 10pm is typical of the area. The town's proximity to northern Africa, and its influence over the centuries is apparent throughout: grand mosques converted to Catholic cathedrals, each theology adding the pinnacle of architectural art. The city is over 2,000 years old and was once ruled by Romans. Within the grand Cathedral de Sevilla lies the burial tomb of Christopher Columbus. If I had to choose the most romantic city in the world, I’d say Seville—it is a great place to fall in love with life. I've traveled to roughly 30 countries in the world. Two weeks in Spain takes the cake. The people are kind, and the scenery is artful. It is tough to find a bad meal, especially in the places you give a second visit (and are then treated like a regular). Spain is a diverse and welcoming country, which has also found a way to preserve a national culture. A place where you order tapas for lunch, and then take an afternoon nap. You go out late into the evening and sleep in the next morning. In Spain, the land is rich, the water is warm, and the air is sweet. Those are key ingredients to feeding the body and soul. Vacationing in Spain…qué lastima a se acave, it’s a shame it can’t last.
The Changing Seasons Issue
Sobrino de Botín is recorded as the world’s oldest restaurant still in service. Though the building had earlier uses, it has served meals nonstop since 1725. The upper levels are decorated with wood beamed ceilings, a black and white checkered floor, and white walls with artistic blue ceramic tiles. Hemingway would do his morning writing there, and then in the afternoons he would join his friends downstairs in an arched brick cellar built around 1590. A one-time munitions storage now stows wine and serves customers meals by waiters in tuxedos.
41 fashion, interesting people, and fun souvenirs. For me there were two must-sees. Both were the favorite haunts of Ernest Hemingway when he covered the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
Forbes once named Sobrino de Botín #3 of the 10 best classical restaurants in the world. In the evening we made our way to the historic brewery Cervecería Alemana. Its doors opened in 1904 and the classic pub setting hasn’t changed much over the decades, with a broad selection of beer, cured meats, and tapas. Hemingway’s portrait hangs above his favorite table where he drank beers with people such as famed bullfighter Luis Miguel Dominguín, along with, according to the writer, “the most beautiful women in the world.” Hemingway summed up Madrid’s bustling evenings best when he wrote, “Nobody goes to bed in Madrid until they have killed the night.”
The public market on recorded as the world’s oldest restaurant still in Sagrada Família, located in Barcelona, is the world's largest unfinished Roman Catholic church. Paella in Seville.
La Rambla in SobrinoBarcelona.deBotín is
service. Basílica
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historic La Boqueria
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In celebration of their family’s heritage, our team member Mark documented his grandma, Sandra Garcia, making making her traditional tortilla recipe. Writing out her steps was a special opportunity since her recipe has never been recorded. Mark shares that his grandmother was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León. As the oldest daughter, it was part of her family’s culture to help with meals and she began doing so including making tortillas at the young age of 10. Sandra moved to the U.S. at 12, and she learned to speak English from her late husband and the community. As an adult, she made tortillas almost everyday because her children would only eat them fresh. Sandra proudly became a U.S. citizen in 2018.
SandraPhotos by Mark Garcia | Recipes by Sandra Garcia
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homemadewithtortillasgrandma
3. Pour a few ounces of the water into a bowl with other ingredients. Knead with hands until fully mixed. Repeat and continue until all water is used forming dough.
8. Cook tortillas on a preheated pan. Wait for tortilla to bubble up and then flip over. Pat tortilla occasionally to help it rise.
Food
1. Mix dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder) in a medium bowl.
5. Place medium-large pan on large burner on stovetop and preheat using high heat.
6. Grab a piece of dough and create a flattened ball about 3 inches in diameter.
7. Use a roller to flatten dough balls and create a tortilla that’s about 10 inches in diameter (avoid stacking uncooked tortillas—they will stick together).
46 flour tortillas Ingredients 4 cups all purpose flour 1/2 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup Manteca (can substitute with Crisco) 1 1/4 cups hot water Directions
9. Set aside and cover to keep warm. Serve fresh with your favorite dish.
2. Add Manteca to dry ingredients. Mix with hands. Mix should be powdery.
4. Leave dough in dome shape in the bowl. Cover with tea towel for 10 minutes to let dough rise.
47 corn tortillas Ingredients 3 1/2 cups maseca 3 1/4 cups warm water Specialty Tools Tortilla press Plastic (she used a ziploc bag) Directions 1. Pour maseca into a medium bowl. 2. Pour in 1/2 to 1 cup of water at a time into the bowl and knead until mixed. Repeat until all water is gone. 3. Roll flattened balls about 3 inches in diameter. 4. Place flattened ball into tortilla press to make a tortilla shape. 5. Place medium-large pan on large burner on stovetop and preheat pan using high heat. 6. Place uncooked tortilla directly onto a preheated pan. Flip when it bubbles and is slightly browned. 7. Set aside and cover to keep warm. Serve fresh with your favorite dish. The Changing Seasons Issue
The story of transportation in Tulare County is filled with excitement and fraught with danger. Traveling on foot was of course a big part of the history, but beyond that, vehicles of all shapes and sizes came on the scene. Before Tulare became a county, native people used tule boats to get to favorite fishing and hunting areas, especially at Tulare Lake. Lacking bridges, settlers built ferries that hauled people, animals and goods across swollen streams and rivers, like the Kings River.
Farmers used them for everyday transportation and for pulling heavy farm equipment. On horseback, stockmen and vaqueros used the tame horses to wrangle the thousands of cattle that fed on the open range land. It has been said that “the history of mankind is carried on the back of a horse,” and it certainly held true in Tulare County.
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The horse had a long history in the county, and for many years, it was the dominant form of transportation. Whether hitched to a wagon, buggy or piece of farm equipment, this animal was relied on to move many people from one place to another.
History
As the county developed, new vehicles were introduced, including stagecoaches, buggies, bicycles, and trains. Each had its advantages and disadvantages, and required an adjustment period for those interacting with them. Bicyclists, for example, learned the importance of safely maneuvering around pedestrians, and vice versa, and buggy drivers quickly learned not to get in the way of moving trains. The challenge was coexistence and tolerance for each other. While county residents did pretty well, there were two forms of transportation that had a difficult adjustment: the horse and the automobile.
HORSEPOWER Cars and Horses in Tulare County
Even before the county was created, hundreds, probably thousands of horses roamed this remote and mostly uncharted land. Annie R. Mitchell, Tulare County’s premier historian, wrote that the Tulare Valley (now called San Joaquin) had more wild horses and mules than any other place of equal size in the world. Herds of hundreds of spirited steeds lived well with plenty of feed and water. By the 1870s, these wild animals disappeared and domesticated horses took over.
Compared to the horse, the automobile has a much shorter history. Grover L. Weathers, an early Visalia mechanic, claimed that the first horseless carriage was a steam Locomobile that came to the county in 1898 driven by Harry Brown, a New York real estate investor. The first gasoline-powered vehicle is said to have been a 3.5 horsepower beauty that stopped in Visalia in 1900. These horseless carriages or “machines” as they were often called, caught on quickly, and soon county residents—mostly the Story & Photos provided by Terry Ommen This 1911 Studebaker meets up with horse and rider. Could these unidentified people be having peace talks?
Circa 1913
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Another accident occurred the following year. On the evening of August 27th, on a country road near Orosi, J. W. Byfield was driving a motorized delivery vehicle full of clothing bound for the Visalia Laundry. According to witnesses he was “traveling at a lively rate, and dodging past several rigs.” In one of the buggies was Mrs. J. T. Cottingham and Mrs. George Dean of Orosi. As Byfield passed the ladies’ rig, their horse became frightened and bolted at a high rate of speed with the ladies holding on for dear life. They were thrown from the buggy sustaining serious injuries, but they survived. It wasn’t until the next day that Byfield discovered that he had caused the accident.
Another local, Reuben C. Merryman, a Lemon Cove area rancher, bought a “Rambler” in 1903. Both men liked their purchases, and with their endorsement word spread. Dealerships popped up everywhere and so did automobiles.
wealthy—began purchasing them. In 1902, former Tulare County Sheriff and rancher, Dan E. Overall, bought a Model “AA” from the Stearns Steam Carriage Company in Syracuse, New York for $1,100.
By 1913, Goldstein & Iseman, a well established mercantile business in Visalia, opened what is believed to be the town’s first gas station. They announced on March 13th, “The gasoline drum and pump on the sidewalk in front of G. & I. store on Main Street is now being set up and will be ready for use shortly. Automobiles will be able to fill in three minutes by driving alongside the curb…”
With the increase in autos, more and more horses and vehicles were crossing paths on the roads, competing for space. The meetings were mostly cordial, but sometimes they turned ugly. Both drivers felt they had the right of way. To make matters worse, many of the roads were narrow and riddled with potholes or washouts. Weathers remembered one occasion: while driving his auto near Farmersville, an irate farmer with a shotgun forced him to pull off the road so he could escort his team safely past the auto.
Eventually, the number of automobiles greatly outnumbered horse-drawn vehicles, and the number of accidents between the two decreased. But the casualty list during these years of both horse and automobile proves just how difficult the transition was. Rural roads in Tulare County could be a challenge especially after a rain. This road is believed to be Linwood Ave with Visalia’s Linwood School on the left. Man is unidentified. Circa 1918 This photo shows the multitude of vehicles in Visalia in about 1908. This is the intersection of Church and Main streets.
Frequently, these confrontations turned into accidents. A particularly bad one happened on a road near Farmersville. On the evening of October 14, 1911, at about 6:30pm, Porter Davis, a Farmersville rancher, was driving his auto with three passengers inside. He saw a horsedrawn vehicle ahead of him moving slowly, traveling in the same direction. As Davis started to pass the buggy, operated by Fred Van Loan and his wife, “the ‘machine’ struck with the hind wheel of the buggy with such force as to render the entire buggy a shapeless mass of kindling wood, knocking Mr. and Mrs. Van Loan out with such force as to cut a deep gash in her head…” Davis and his passengers were thrown from their automobile and Hyman Mitchell was pinned underneath. Despite the terrible crash, no one was killed.
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We’ve gathered a sampling of local events that are right around the corner. Find something fun to celebrate the season! UPCOMING EVENTS
Events subject to change. Please check with host before attending.
When: September 30, 8am Where: Valley Oaks Golf Course Hosted by: Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber mytkhcc.org Taste the Arts When: October 15, 10am-5pm Where: Downtown Visalia Hosted by: Arts artsconsortium.orgConsortium
Día De MuertosLos2022
When: October 22 Where: Visalia Cemetery Hosted by: Green Rose greenroseproductions.orgProductions 40th AppleAnnualFestival
Off
25th Annual Chile Verde Golf Classic
Tulare County Fair When: September 14-18 Where: Tulare County Fairgrounds Hosted by: Tulare County Fair tcfair.org
Legends of Motown When: September 30, 8pm Where: Visalia Fox Theatre Hosted by: Visalia Fox foxvisalia.orgTheatre
When: October 15, 9am-4pm Where: Downtown Springville Hosted by: Springville Community springvilleapplefestival.comClub
Local
Kick the Season
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