Valley Voice Issue 147 (15 August, 2019)

FIVE DAYS OF FUN PAGE 6

talktohopper.com

ROMEO & JULIET PAGE 6

Valley Voice

Volume XXXIX No. 16 15 August, 2019 ourvalleyvoice.com

Latinas break glass ceiling in cancer research

Visalia’s newest elementary school opens

CATHERINE DOE

JOHN DILLON

catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com

When Alma Torres-Nguyen, Community Outreach Coordinator for Kaweah Delta Health Care District (KDHCD), heard there was a potential research project involving rural Latinas she didn’t just get excited, she participated in securing the funding.

What piqued her interest was the fact that the study involved Central Valley Latinas with limited English, an underserved group in terms of access to medical and mental health resources.

The research project, called New Dawn, conducted in coordination with the University of California San Francisco (USF), was a three-year study that sought to improve the quality of life among Spanish-speaking women with breast cancer in rural communities.

The project also set out to answer the question: If Latinas receive counseling about their breast cancer diagnosis, does it improve health outcomes?

The grant for New Dawn was approved and KDHD was chosen as one of three sites in California. Funding came mostly from the California Breast Cancer Research Program and Torres-Nguyen was appointed the project director for the KDHCD site.

The two other sites were Salinas/ Monterey and Imperial Valley, both having a large population of monolingual Latinas.

New Dawn was a two-pronged project. One part was to provide information and mental health services to Latinas with breast cancer living in rural communities.

The other prong was to do

CANCER continued on 13 »

john@ourvalleyvoice.com

Bergtholdt, who has joined various public protests and vigils since the Vietnam War, said such demonstrations can help shape public perception and policy.

“I’m hopeful if we make enough noise, maybe we’ll do something,” he said.

Cosponsored by Visalia’s St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the aim of Sunday’s

A sea of green, the school’s official color, washed over the new Denton Elementary School on August 5 during its campus ribbon cutting.

“Building a school is a very complex and intricate project,” said interim Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) Superintendent Tamara Ravalin as she addressed the crowd. “The completion of Denton Elementary demonstrates a long-term commitment to our community.”

Every classroom is fitted with three 70-inch instructional monitors for these “next generation” rooms. Elementary schools since Shannon Ranch, including Riverway and now Denton, have flexible furniture, and a sleeker polished concrete design.

“I think this school has been a long time coming,” said Kari Vagt, a Transitional Kindergarten teacher at Denton starting her 24th year. She was impressed with the efficiency of Denton Principal Stephanie Gendron. “Stephanie has been on top of everything. From the moment I found out I was hired on, she’s been inclusive.”

To Vagt and seemingly all the staff at Denton, neurodiversity and inclusion are common themes of importance.

“We will focus on individual growth. We will teach students that mistakes are opportunities to grow.

Family involvement is vital,” said Gendron in her opening speech.

Principal Gendron is not new to the position, having spent her previous 12 years at Hurley Elementary.

“I’m still pinching myself as I walk

VIGIL continued on 12 »

DENTON continued on 13 »

Attendees at the Interfaith Vigil to End Gun Violence burn candles to honor the memory of those killed during a trio of mass shootings in California, Texas and Ohio during the last two weeks. The vigil was held August 11 at Visalia’s Memorial Park. Dave Adalian/Valley Voice

Local vigil calls for an end to gun violence DAVE ADALIAN

dave@ourvalleyvoice.com

United by their shock and sadness at the recent spate of mass shootings, members of various religious communities gathered in Visalia over the weekend for the Interfaith Peace Vigil to End Gun Violence.

The event was held Sunday evening, August 11, at Memorial Park in Visalia.

High on the list of attendees’ priorities was limiting access to so-called assault rifles, weapons intended for use on battlefields that have become common in the United States. Assault rifles were the weapon of choice used by shooters to kill more than 30 people and wound dozens of others during a series of attacks in Gilroy, El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio that began in

late July.

“They’re (assault rifles) killing everyone,” said Ed Bergtholdt, who carried a sign during the vigil calling for a ban of the weapon. “We don’t need them. Even sportsmen don’t need them.”

Beyond Thoughts and Prayers

Hanford City Council proposes ending Chamber Contract MARK PRATTER Special to the Voice

After the director of the Hanford Chamber of Commerce admitted a series of management errors and one city council member threatened to terminate the chamber’s contract, the chamber won a 60-day reprieve from the “chopping block” while the city works to rewrite the chamber’s services agreement.

The Valley Voice has received complaints about the way the chamber has been operating concerning the director and board. Hanford City Manager Mike Olmos said there were several vacancies on the chamber’s board which the chamber is trying to fill. The reasons for the vacancies

are unclear.

Chamber Director Joey Joslin told the council the chamber was going to end certain activities that don’t contribute to the chamber’s primary mission of attracting and promoting businesses in the community.

Among the activities Joslin said they were proposing cutting were sponsoring certain community events, operating Freddie the Fire Truck, which takes visitors around the downtown, and running the downtown carousel in Courthouse Square. Joslin said operating the old firetruck uses $8,000-$10,000 per year of the Chamber’s budget and Is the chamber’s biggest budget liability.

The chamber was “on the chopping block” said Council Member

John Draxler, indicating that the organization would get a 60-day reprieve.

Joslin acknowledged the characterization of the situation, but he ultimately got a 4-1 majority to continue negotiating with the city to rewrite the Chamber’s services agreement with the city rather than terminate it.

Council Member Martin DeVine said the chamber needs to get away from providing entertainment venues and back to serving members.

Olmos said the chamber is valuable to the city because it relieves the city of the responsibility of undertaking certain activities such as attracting new businesses to town.

It “…sounds like we are on the same wavelength. We need to get back to core goals,” said Draxler. It was dis-

cussed by the council who should work with the chamber to rewrite the services agreement and Draxler and Devine were chosen. The new agreement will then be presented to the council within 60 days.

The current services agreement spells out a downward sliding scale of payments from the city to the chamber with $87,500 being paid in the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Each fiscal year thereafter the annual compensation paid to the chamber will be reduced by $10,000, according to the agreement.

One question is whether the city’s oversight of the chamber is adequate.

The July 1, 2016 agreement between the city and the chamber stated there

CHAMBER continued on 16 »

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15 August, 2019 Valley Voice

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESK

We Can Get Through It. Eventually.

At present I’m repairing a number of news racks. These are large metal objects that I’m not remotely qualified to wrestle with.

I’m out of my comfort zone. Again.

But then, that’s where I seem to collect the mail. My only true comfort zone comes at day’s end, a glass of wine in hand, watching a mystery on television. The solution is immaterial; I am consumed and, in any case--literally-am never the guilty party. That’s always a relief.

Being out of your comfort zone can be humorous or unnerving. Sometimes both, simultaneously.

With these racks it’s decidedly the former. I’m tremendously clumsy and unorganized, know next to nothing about plexiglass--except that it’s vexingly difficult to cut--and these racks seem to have come from the Dr. Seuss school of mass production. Which is to say it would be less of a bodge if they were all the same. If I could make a template, say, of a uniform size of plastic and eventually get the art of cutting it.

But that’s life for you, right? Sometimes you’re forced to learn something simply by doing it. Six years ago I knew next to nothing about running a newspaper. Nowadays--as I know it must seem I do to some readers--I can just about do so in my sleep.

Twenty-five years ago I loaded an old Dodge van with various household items and, towing a similarly laden 1964 International Scout, drove the 1,500 miles from our East Bay home to Cabo San Lucas. I’d never towed anything in my life before--not even a U-Haul trailer. It was an adventure three days in completion. The first 500 miles, to the border, I was only concerned with two things: learning the dynamics of towing, and making it over the Grapevine. The first was easy enough, and the second was accomplished in low gear with no boil-over.

This was in July or August.

The border, shall we say, was no bueno. Because it must have appeared that I was dealing in purloined goods, I was to be examined, extensively, by the Federales. The border agent directed me to a shed where they waited for just this type of shady character. I figured this could take hours--and I wanted to make Ensenada by nightfall. Driving

the Baja after dark would be a mistake.

It probably still would be. But my luck held. One look at the amount of work involved with this inspection--and my terrible Spanish--convinced the authorities that I was, indeed, a family man moving his family’s things.

I dodged a bullet that I was unable to a few years later. I’ll come to that.

The ensuing two days and 1000 miles were interesting. I’d never driven in the Baja before. The road was decent--except once, when it was a river--and I soon learned to get gas much more frequently than I was inclined to at home. That’s because, in those days, you never knew where the next Pemex station might be or if that station would actually have gas. I pulled into one and the attendant shrugged, saying, “No hay.”

Fording a river was definitely out of my comfort zone. It had, apparently, rained somewhere high in the mountains--tendril of a tropical storm, perhaps, because it was sunny where I was--and I came around a bend to confront water rushing across the road.

Because of the race against darkness I decided to risk it. The water was about a foot and a half deep and moving at a decent clip. Would I do it again? Yes-but only because I’ve done it before and now know it can be done. At least in fully loaded vehicles. To be clear, though, I was terrified at the time.

What finally defeated me was my destination, a hilltop home in Cabo.

After all that going and under all that weight the van literally could not make the grade. At a steep left-hand turn halfway up the hill there was no more pull and, sliding backward, I jackknifed to the curb. The next morning I had to retrieve the van and the Scout separately--but I’d made the trip.

The bullet I was unable to dodge came in the form of some overzealous customs agents. I’d flown in from the Bay Area bearing nine suitcases worth of Christmas presents from my parents to our kids. We had four then. In those days, after you’d collected your luggage, you were instructed to push a button before exiting the terminal.

If the light turned green, you went unmolested into the country. You could be carrying anything--heroin, human heads, plutonium, time bombs.

EVENTUALLY continued on 15 »

Valley Voice

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Valley Voice 15 August, 2019

POLITICAL FIX It’s Called Litigation Terrorism

Keith Raniere founded the selfhelp group, Nxivm, in the 1990’s. The group ended up to be a cult that engaged in illegal activities and he is now sitting in a New York jail. That was the only thing that stopped his army of lawyers from suing former members of his group.

Among other things, Mr. Raniere accused former members of causing irreparable harm and defamation to his reputation.

The former members recounted during a TV documentary the endless string of lawsuits that cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars and almost bankrupted them. And that seemed to be the purpose. The suits were only partially to keep disgruntled members from talking. The other part was vindictive and to heal Raniere’s wounded ego.

“You can see what his strategy was—to break you through litigation,” said one of the defendants.

They called it Litigation Terrorism.

The phrase reminded me of news documentaries I watched 20 or so year ago about United States Special Counsel Ken Starr pursuing the Whitewater case and the Lewinski affair and how many lives he ruined, even those who had nothing to do with the Clintons.

Now it reminds me of someone else.

Congress Member Devin Nunes has had a busy year. In March he filed a $250 million defamation suit against Twitter, “Devin Nunes’s Mom,” “Devin Nunes’s Cow,” and Republican strategist Liz Mair.

In April he filed a $150 million lawsuit against McClatchy and the Fresno Bee over a story that reported his investment interest in a Napa winery.

In August he filed a lawsuit in California for an undisclosed amount of damages against Paul Buxman, a Tulare County farmer; Daniel O’Connell, executive director of the Central Valley Partnership; Hope Nisly, a Reedley author and librarian; and Michael Seeley, a Los Angeles member of the political group Southern California Americans for Democratic Action. One of the defendants, Mr. Buxman, is actually a constituent who has voted for Mr. Nunes in the past.

So that is four organizations, five individuals and $350,000,000.

And he is not done. On a recent broadcast of the KSEE24 show Sunday Morning Matters, Mr. Nunes warned he would file three to five more lawsuits against “dark money” groups.

The defendants named in lawsuits filed in California are protected by strict anti-SLAPP laws about which I have written often in Political Fix. Anti-SLAPP laws prevent people in a position of power from violating individuals’ first amendment rights.

Mr. Buxman, Mr. O’Connell, Ms. Nisly, and Mr. Seeley’s actions described in Mr. Nunes’ lawsuit are constitutionally protected forms of speech. They can turn the tables on Mr. Nunes and file an anti-SLAPP suit against him and Mr. Nunes would have to pay all of their legal costs.

The same is not true, though, for Ms. Mair, who has set up a legal defense fund. It is no coincidence that the lawsuit against McClatchy, Twitter and Ms. Mair was filed in Virginia, even though McClatchy and Mr. Nunes are both based out of California.

Virginia has no anti-SLAPP laws and the rich are free to use litigation

as a cudgel against their enemies.

So, just because the lawsuit against Devin Nunes’ Cow might get laughed out of court, it doesn’t make it a laughing matter for Ms. Mair.

Fighting a defamation suit against a deep-pocketed plaintiff like Mr. Nunes could bankrupt her.

I haven’t read all of the lawsuits but Mr. Nunes’ biggest complaint seems to be that the defendants conspired with candidate Andrew Janz to defame him, injure his reputation, and damage his chances for re-election last year.

Mr. Nunes, won his race against Mr. Janz, but not by the wide margin to which he was accustomed. I’m detecting a wounded ego.

Mr. Nunes’ supporters agree with his pursuing litigation. They insist that when you are attacked you have to fight back or it will never stop.

But this is not World War II and Mr. Nunes is not Pearl Harbor. What happened during the 2018 election was not an attack. It’s called a campaign.

If you are a publicly elected official representing 350,000 people--don’t you think a few of them are going to be critical, including the person running against you?

There will also be critics nationally like McClatchy, Ms. Mair, and the twitter-sphere because being the top Republican in the House Intelligence Committee, Mr. Nunes’ decisions and comments on Fox News affect all Americans.

We the people have a right to criticize our representatives. In fact it is our civic duty. And it’s Mr. Nunes’ job to “fight back” by educating his constituents through debates and forums on how he works in his district’s best interests.

It’s called Democracy.

According to the Fresno Bee, Heather Greven, who managed Mr. Janz’s congressional campaign, called the lawsuit “hilarious.” Ms. Greven pointed out that the Janz campaign rejected corporate money and raised more money from within the 22nd district than did Mr. Nunes.

“I hope his constituents are watching,” she said. “You’re more likely to get sued by your member of Congress if you live in Fresno or Tulare County than to see him at a town hall and talk to him about constituent issues,” she told the Bee.

It’s Called a Double Standard

The lawsuit against retired farmer and artist Paul Buxman and others came about because they signed a petition asking the California Secretary of State’s to reconsider Mr. Nunes’ ballot designation as farmer.

So Mr. Nunes is suing all involved.

Huge swathes of Mr. Nunes’ lawsuit against Mr. Buxman laments the use of dark money. He sums up his thoughts in the first line.

“The unfettered and unbridled use of illicit ‘dark money’ in political campaigns is detrimental to our democracy and threatens free and fair elections.

All citizens regardless of their political affiliations should be concerned about the improper use of money that corrupts our political process.”

In his suit Mr. Nunes claims he will unmask the “dark money” fueling politics and will bring about campaign reform.

The fact that a Republican is promoting campaign reform and is criti-

3 a column by CATHERINE DOE — catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com cal of Democrats using dark money is a little hard to swallow.

Dark money is when donors don’t have to publicly give their names when donating to a political corporation or politically active non-profit. Non disclosure of these donors has been legal since the Supreme Court decision Citizens United in 2010.

Democrats have wanted the Citizens United decision overturned since it was handed down. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell is a fervent supporter of Citizens United and called it a “terrific decision” when it was first decided.

American Action Network, a conservative political nonprofit, gave $26.5 million to the Republican Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) during the 2018 elections, all of it dark money as the group is exempt from disclosing its donors.

The CLF was first lead by former House Speaker John Boehner, then House Speaker Paul Ryan, to keep the House in Republican hands. After a disastrous 2018 election, the CLF is trying to win its House seats back and has al-

ready started campaigning for former Representative David Valadao in his fight against Congress Member TJ Cox. For 2019, the CFL has raised $7.6 million, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. More than $3.5 million of that total was again dark money that came from the American Action Network.

In case the relationship between the Congressional Leadership Fund and American Action Network wasn’t close enough, they share the same Executive Director, Corry Bliss.

Both Democrats and Republicans use dark money against their challengers but the Republicans use much more and have blocked, in the past, and are currently blocking, campaign reform.

In an investigation by Mother Jones, “Conservative groups have spent approximately $763.2 million in dark money over the past decade, while liberal groups spent approximately $235.8 million during the same time frame.”

2018 was the first year since

POLITICAL FIX continued on 15 »

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15 August, 2019 Valley Voice

4

Mathis meets with supporters STAFF REPORTS On Tuesday, August 7, three term incumbent Assemblyman Mathis gathered with supporters at Stop Alarm in Porterville to enjoy Rosa Brothers ice cream.

Tulare County Supervisor Chairman Kuyler Crocker, Supervisor Dennis Townsend as well as Ca. Republican Woman of the Year Vicki Riddle

were on hand to show support toward Assemblyman Mathis’ rebid for the 26th District.

Mathis is the longest and most experienced serving assembly member since term limits were instituted.

When asked how things are going Mathis said the ‘Porterville water project is right on schedule. The Porterville water annexation project is the

largest water project in state history said Mathis.

Other Porterville attendee’s were business owner Maria Rodriguez Mena and Mr. and Mrs. Nuckols of Nuckols Ranch.

Assemblyman Mathis was overheard congratulating Mena on having just received the “Best Business Award” of Porterville.

“He took the time to talk and listen to us” said another one of the attendees.

Of most notable cuteness to this event were Mr. Mathis’ biggest fans, his 6-year old twins Jefferson and Maggie who look forward to accompanying their dad to more events with ice cream!

Drew Phelps smashes fundraising goals STAFF REPORTS Just days after the most recent filing deadline, State Assembly candidate Drew Phelps has smashed the previous fundraising totals record for a Democrat in the 26th Assembly District.

Jose Sigala, last year’s Democratic challenger to Republican Assemblymember Devin Mathis, raised a total of $77,592 by the final filing deadline of the 2018 election. As of today, 456 days from the November election, Drew Phelps has already exceeded $79,000 in total contributions, and become the most well-financed and competitive Democratic challenger in the history of the district.

The record-setting fundraising haul is powered by a surge in early grassroots support, with Phelps drawing in nearly three times as many individual donors as his Republican rival, although lagging significantly behind in contributions from corporations.

When asked for his thoughts on why

Valley residents were supporting his campaign in such historic numbers, Drew had this to say: “I think the campaign filings really speak for themselves. We’ve been out here running a campaign that actually speaks to the issues people are facing in their own lives or seeing in their own community, and they’re stepping up and getting involved, sometimes for the first time. Meanwhile, corporations like Monsanto, Chevron, and Phillip Morris keep writing big checks to Devin Mathis, because they know what a good job he’s done at protecting their interests in Sacramento.”

Mathis recently drew criticism for referring to himself as a “Proud White Guy” on the Assembly floor.

Drew is a healthcare advocate, land use professional and 4th generation Tularean running to represent the 26th Assembly District. Beginning in 2015, Phelps led and organized residents of the district with Citizens for Hospital Accountability, whose members worked tirelessly to save the Tu-

lare Regional Medical Center, which was dealing with significant financial, legal, and leadership issues. As a result of the 2-year long campaign, Citizens for Hospital Accountability succeeded in defeating a bond measure that would have cost the county millions, recalling a board member who had been seated for over 20 years, and ultimately, replacing all 5 board members to ensure a fresh start for the Tulare Regional Medical Center.

Previously, Phelps served as the Director of Grant Oversight with the Manuel Torrez Family Resource Center, bringing in funding for the Center’s “Healthy Families, Happy Kids” initiative, as well as helping organize the program’s annual mobile health clinic and fair. Professionally, Phelps works in land use and project management for Granville Homes, a Valley-based residential development company that builds homes for local working and middle-class families, including multi-family infill projects.

Drew is a lifelong Democrat, and has

worked across the aisle in the offices of former Assembly Minority Leader Connie Conway, former Senator Andy Vidak, and Congressman Jim Costa.

Drew earned his B.A. in Political Studies from Pitzer College and his M.A. in American Politics from Claremont Graduate University.

In announcing his campaign for State Assembly District 26, Phelps released the following statement: “I’m running because, simply put, we deserve better. We deserve solutions that are tailored to Valley interests and we need them soon.” Phelps stated.

“Without immediate leadership on local issues such as water quality and quantity, healthcare access and economic opportunity right here in our community — our family and neighbors in the 26th Assembly District will struggle to achieve their full potential.

The campaign we are building offers an alternative — new ideas focused on our district and proven experience to get things done.”

Valley Voice 15 August, 2019

5

Tulare’s St. Aloysius appoints new principal STAFF REPORTS St. Aloysius School, a Catholic school offering a faith-based education to students in grades transitional kindergarten through eighth, is proud to appoint Holly Zamora to the position of principal.

“St. Aloysius is so much more than a school,” said Reverend Monsignor Rick Urizalqui, who serves as the pastor for St. Aloysius School. “It is a community of students, families, teachers and St. Aloysius parishioners who all come together for the education and spiritual growth of these children.”

No stranger to the Tulare campus, Zamora previously served as the school’s third grade teacher for eight years. She was the school’s Standardized Assessment Coordinator responsible for the administration of the St. Aloysius STAR Testing Program, collaborating with other instructors to analyze student data, enhance curricular practices and develop any necessary intervention initiatives. Zamora has also served as a member of the Leadership Team responsible for creating accreditation reports and organizational strategic planning.

“My goal is not only to uphold the St. Aloysius commitment to providing the best possible education to our students,” said Zamora. “But also to nurture the welcoming culture that sets apart our school community; and I plan to do so in a way that ensures the resiliency and financial security of our school for the future.”

Zamora believes this challenge can be met with a combination of strategic vision and fiscal responsibility.

As one of her first orders of business, Zamora has combined grades four and five, and grades six and seven for the 2019-2020 school year. They will be taught as blended classrooms, each led by one teacher with the support of a teacher’s aide.

“The blended classroom format is a commonly employed strategy, especially among smaller Catholic schools,” said Mona Faulkner, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Fresno. “Blended classrooms allow our

schools to provide students in smaller classes the same level of quality education, while being responsible stewards of the school’s finances.”

In the blended classroom format, teachers in each of the two blended classes will leverage differentiated instruction to accommodate both grade levels equally, and the students will continue to be challenged throughout the curriculum.

St. Aloysius plans to teach its core subjects – language arts, math, science, social studies, and religion – through “centers” of students in small groups as well as larger grade level groups. While St. Aloysius’s new principal, Holly Zamora, welcomed students on their first one group works day. Courtesy St. Aloysius School through a guided CalState TEACH (California State Unilesson with a teacher, another works versity Fresno). together through practice, and anothShe was an English as a Second er works independently to assess what Language Instructor for two years at they have learned; all along the way, SoongSil University in Seoul, South students are building important interKorea; and while overseas, published personal skills. three English language learning “It’s important to remember that textbooks. She’s served as an English every classroom is actually a blended teacher at Caruthers High School in classroom,” offered Zamora. “A classthe Caruthers Unified School District, room may only have one grade level and was an Early Literacy Teacher at of curriculum, however, there are Pittsburg Adult School in the Pittsalways students with varying levels burg Unified School District. Zamora of skill within a grade. Every student is a Dodgers Baseball fan, she enjoys works at their own pace, it’s our job as dining out, and is married with four educators to accommodate their evchildren, all of whom have graduated er-changing needs.” from St. Aloysius School.

Zamora graduated from California State University Fresno with a St. Aloysius philosophy Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Linguistics. She received her Multiple and unique programs Subject Teaching Credential through The philosophy of St. Aloysius

School is founded on the principle that the whole person is to be educated in an atmosphere of Gospel spirit and truth. As such, faith is integrated throughout the curriculum.

Grades TK though 8, attend weekly mass every Friday morning. Classes from grades K-8 take turns preparing the liturgy and through this hands-on experience, learn to better appreciate the parts of the Catholic Mass and what it means when Catholics come together as a faith community to celebrate the Eucharist.

St Aloysius emphasizes the importance of becoming more Christlike and the practice of virtues helps the students and staff to do this. Each month the school highlights a specific virtue such as prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, faith, hope, or charity. Students who embody those virtues are recognized at a schoolwide assembly The school participates in normal public school activities such as its “buddy program” between eighth grade and kindergarten students, “Poetry and Prose” competitions, and sixth graders’ participation in SCICON. But the school offers some unique learning experiences. “God’s Green Garden” is where each grade has a plot they tend to growing fava beans, a traditional Portuguese food, tomatoes, figs and herbs. The students also grow natural loofas and combine them in gift sets with the herbs and sell them at the farmer’s market.

Zamora said it was an important out-of-the-classroom experience.

Ultimately Zamora is “just looking forward to getting children excited about coming to school and wants parents to have a say in their child’s education.”

The 2019-2020 school year started August 7. The school offers enrollment opportunities throughout the year.

Those interested in learning more about St. Aloysius School or enrolling students in classes should visit www. sastulare.com, or stop by the school’s front office located at 627 Beatrice Drive in Tulare.

For big banks, fines are the cost of doing business MANNY OLDENBOURG For a few years, major financial institutions have been blaming Bitcoin for laundering money through online drug dealing. However, those same institutions couldn’t be more hypocritical with the trillions of money laundering they have committed.

Banks accuse Bitcoin for being used in a part of the internet known as the dark web. The most notably known website taken down from the FBI was ‘the silk road’. The silk road was a dark web market place for drugs, counterfeit money, and weapons.

Though Bitcoin has been used for illicit activities, big banks have made it part of their business model.

According to a study done by the International Money Fund (IMF,) banks launder $2.1 trillion each year.

That is more than two thousand times the amount of money that Bitcoin has been accused of laundering.

Which banks are responsible for $2.1 trillion of laundering?

On June 17, law enforcement discovered 20 tons of cocaine aboard a vessel owned by JP Morgan Chase in a Philadelphia port. It is estimated that the amount of cocaine had a street value of over $1 billion. That one seizure alone is more than what Bitcoin has been accused of laundering.

Between 2004-2007, Wells Fargo processed $373 billion through wire transfers from Mexican Cartels. In 2012, the notorious Los Zetas held accounts with Bank of America which laundered proceeds from cocaine trafficking. Around the same year, HSBC had a unmonitored amount of $670 billion in transfers from Mexico and $9.4 billion in purchases. Deutsche Bank, which is the largest German bank, has wired $200 billion of shady transactions to its Estonian branch.

This enabled Russian citizens to conduct mirror trading through Deutsche Bank’s Moscow office.

Rabobank allowed hundreds of millions in cash from Mexico to be

deposited in its branches in California--which was then transferred elsewhere for extra cleaning.

Commerzbank processed over $250 billion in transactions from Iranian and Sudanese organizations between 2002-2008. Citigroup processed about $8.8 billion in transactions through Banamex from 20072012. There are more banks to list and chances are you have heard of these big names and have bank accounts with them.

So what are the consequences that banks endure for laundering all this money? Not much.

They repeat the same process over and over of paying fines that take care of court settlements to avoid further prosecution. Therefore, there are no prison sentences carried through and the circus continues.

JP Morgan Chase was only fined $50 million for the 20-ton cocaine debacle. Wells Fargo was fined $160 million for processing $373 billion. HSBC

was fined $1.9 billion for the $670 billion dollar transfers. Deutsche Bank was fined $670 million for wiring $200 billion through the Estonia branch.

Rabobank was fined $369 million for allowing hundreds of millions in deposits from Mexico. Commerzbank was fined $1.45 billion for processing over $250 billion. Citigroup was fined $237 million dollars for $8.8 billion in transactions to Banamex.

These “fines” end up being a line item in “the cost of doing business” on the bank’s budget. Not much different than the cartels’ estimated losses drawn up in their profit projections of anticipated drug seizures at the border.

They add up to pennies on the dollar considering how much these banks profit from illicit money transactions.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(Unodc), between 2 and 5 percent of total GDP is made up of money laundering.

15 August, 2019 Valley Voice

6

AGRICULTURE Technology offers options to farmers KEVIN HECTEMAN

Ag Alert/California Farm Bureau Federation

(Editor’s note: This is the first of a twopart Ag Alert® series on deployment of agricultural technology.)

Amid employee shortages, groundwater issues and other challenges, farmers in Monterey County and elsewhere are looking to the tech sector to help them bring their crops to market.

Parker Jones is one of those seeking to help farmers do more with less.

Two months ago, he launched a custom-farming operation, Hermanos Automated Services, renting out a weeding machine that largely replaces hand labor in lettuce fields. It’s made by British-based Garford Farm Machinery.

“It’s all about the software,” Jones said. “The plant spacing is different from plant to plant or line to line. We just enter the measurements in the computer, click ‘Go’ and run the machine. Really, it’s not much to it besides that.”

The weeder uses a camera mounted 65 to 68 inches above the ground to read the field and guide the weeder’s wheels accordingly, Jones said as he prepared the machine to weed a field of romaine in Soledad. The weeder is towed behind a tractor.

“As it sees the plotline move, the tractor obviously can’t move,” Jones explained. “It has to stay straight. So if the plant lines tend to move, whether it’s a direct-seeded field or if it’s a transplanted field, the lines usually move at the same rate going left to right. The

camera actually detects that and guides itself, so these wheels will turn when needed or stay straight.”

As the weeder moves, its knives work between the plant lines and the disks work around the plants to get the weeds, Jones added.

The toughest crop to work with so far, he said, has been red lettuce.

“The difficult part about the red lettuce is that it’s just a couple shades off of the soil,” Jones said.

“When the red let- A weeder pulled behind a tractor works over a field of organic romaine in Soledad. The machine uses a camera to guide the wheels tuce starts to grow, around the crop, while disks and knives remove weeds from around and between the lettuce. Such technology is catching on it actually gets like among farmers who, faced with employee shortages, are looking for ways to do more work with fewer hands. Kevin Hecteman/ a pale, light brown CFBF color, so it kind of control it from the truck or prepro- said. “We’re getting calls from Washlooks like the soil. That’s a difficult part gram into it, and your driver won’t ington, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, all for the camera—is it soil or is it a plant?” have to even touch this. You can do it throughout California.”

The tracking technology has rap- from your house. That’s where I see the Tractor automation is the focus for idly advanced, he said, noting that a tech going.”

Bear Flag Robotics of Sunnyvale, where year ago the controls in the tractor Jones said he tried selling the weed- Igino Cafiero, the company’s founder cab would have used a USB port and ers at first but was unsuccessful, as buy- and chief executive, works on self-driva keyboard. The latest version uses a ers were put off by the six-figure price ing technology. He exhibited his protouchscreen. tag. A couple of friends suggested he totype, a standard tractor fitted with “Eventually, this will just be an start a service company instead. perception sensors and actuators, at a iPad,” he said. “You’ll be able to just “And it caught on like wildfire,” he TECHNOLOGY continued on 12 »

Exporters assess potential impact of Chinese action CHING LEE

Ag Alert/California Farm Bureau Federation

After China announced it has suspended purchases of U.S. farm products, California agricultural exporters say they are just beginning to evaluate how the latest escalation of the U.S.-China trade war will affect movement of agricultural exports.

China directed its state-owned enterprises last week to stop buying American agricultural goods in response to President Trump’s decision to impose new 10% tariffs on another $300 billion worth of Chinese imports, starting Sept. 1. China said it may also impose additional tariffs on

U.S. farm products.

Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California, was in China last week for the China International Tree Nuts Conference. He said virtually 100% of the nut businesses in China are either publicly listed companies or private companies. He said China’s directive appears to pertain only to state-owned firms and therefore would not have a significant impact on almonds and other specialty crops. China’s stateowned enterprises, Waycott added, tend to buy primarily bulk commodities such as soybeans, corn and pork.

He described the atmosphere at the conference as “extremely

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tor of American Pistachio Growers, said he’s heard “conflicting stories” as to how broadly the Chinese stop-buying program is being applied. The impact to pistachios, the top California agricultural export to China, will depend on whether the current directive expands to privately owned firms, which Matoian said account for 100% of those that buy tree nuts.

Wine Institute spokeswoman Gladys Horiuchi said its staff in Washington, D.C., has been seeking clarification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about whether Chinese suspension of U.S. farm-product purchases affects California wine.

Likewise, U.S. Dairy Export Council spokesman John Dutcher said the organization “is still reviewing the situation to see how far the directive of ‘no purchases of U.S. ag goods by China state-owned enterprises’ goes with respect to businesses partially owned by regional provinces.”

For commodities such as cotton, news that China has halted

CHINA continued on 11 »

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positive,” noting that he heard no discussion among either Chinese government officials or business delegates that California specialty crops would be affected by the latest trade retaliatory action by the Chinese government.

“Our long-term relationships are extremely solid, and we’re all very interested in expanding the markets here,” Waycott said.

Even though China’s directive specifically refers to state-run firms, Sara Neagu-Reed, associate director of federal policy for the California Farm Bureau Federation, said Chinese private companies may be “lumped in” with them when buying any U.S. agricultural commodities.

“Historically speaking—and knowing the way China operates— they may pressure private companies to follow suit, even if it’s not mandated,” she said, noting that some national farm groups and commodity exporters also are “thinking the same way.”

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VALLEYSCENE

ourvalleyvoice.com

Lindsay Community Theater presents Romeo and Juliet JAMES KLIEGL “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” graces the Sweet Brier Plaza stage as the Lindsay Community Theater presents the thirteenth annual Shakespeare in the Plaza. Show dates are Aug 22, 24, 29, and 31 at 8 pm. Admission is free, and donations are gladly accepted. The Sweet Brier Plaza stage is located where Samoa St. intersects Sweet Brier St. in Downtown Lindsay.

In Shakespeare’s days, all the characters were played by males, even the female parts. This is not true of the Lindsay production. As a matter of fact, many of the male characters are being played by females. Our cast is eager to enact this wonderful story for you.

Romeo and Juliet is a tale of love between a boy from the Montegue family and a girl from the family of

their bitter enemies, the Capulets.

This family feud has been going on for many years, and occasionally breaks out in a general brawl that disturbs the streets of Verona.

When Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love, they embark upon a secret and dangerous marriage. Their love is stronger than the hate of their families, but fate steps in and puts out their “brief candles.” With the loss of their children, the parents agree to end the feud and erect statues of the two lovers.

In the end the Prince remarks, “A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head. Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things. Some shall be pardoned, and some punished. For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

Street fight between Capulets and Montegues (Abraham-Destiny Halstrom, Gregory-LilyAnn Keeton, Benvolio-Caiman Bernard, Tybalt-Daniel Mendoza-Albor) Courtesy photo

Tulare County Fair to feature Ashanti, Uncle Kracker STAFF REPORTS

Members of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office prepare to run a drill involving a mock intruder on campus. Courtesy/Tulare County Office of Education

Emergency response system developed with CHOICES program TULARE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION Sitting in the multipurpose room at Kings River Union School last week, dozens of Tulare County school district administrators, law enforcement officers and representatives from state and federal legislators watched live images of officers engaged in an emergency response drill right outside their building. From time to time, one of the school’s cameras would pick up images of officers running through campus in pursuit of a man who was playing the role of an armed intruder. In addition to the images on screen, the audience in the multipurpose room heard live radio reports from officers on campus, directions from the dispatcher who was working behind the screen, and the screams of the volunteers who played the roles of the victims.

School district personnel and law enforcement officers convened at Kings River Union School to test a new emergency response system developed through TCOE’s CHOICES Programs in partnership with Danny Cordeniz of My World Studios of Tulare. Attendees in the audience watched a pair of monitors – one with a map of the school campus and the

other with thumbnail images from the school’s nearly 40 cameras. Once operational, the web-based system, which was developed over the past year, will enable law enforcement dispatchers to access the school’s camera system, along with maps of its campus and 360-degree images of classrooms.

Kings River Union Superintendent Sherry Martin shared that her district upgraded its camera system last year.

With the support of her board, she volunteered to be the first district to test the emergency response system.

“Piloting the system has been a great experience for our school because it’s made us think further about how we can improve the safety of our students in all situations,” said Ms. Martin.

Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Tim Hire and CHOICES Administrator Frank Silveira welcomed the guests to the demonstration and thanked the many law enforcement agencies that participated in the event. Mr. Hire shared that he hopes the system will soon be used by every district in Tulare County, if not California. “We brought you here today to see what the system is capable of doing and to solicit your comments on ways we can improve it,” he said. Mr.

EMERGENCY continued on 10 »

Uncle Kracker and Ashanti will play at the Tulare County Fair on September 12 and 13, respectively, on the fair’s newly enhanced Bud Light stage.

Ashanti’s debut album landed the number one spot on the Billboard Top 200 and rhythm and blues charts and took the number one spot on six Billboard charts simultaneously with her hit song “Foolish.” She has received eight Billboard awards and was named the Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year.

Uncle Kracker is known for country, rock and rap, with hit singles such as “When the Sun Goes Down” his double-platinum hit “Smile” and his cover

of “Drift Away” which set a Billboard record for most weeks at number one on any chart. His most recent release is “Floatin’,” which offers a country groove.

The Tulare County Fair’s Bud Light concert venue this year will feature allnew giant video screens and will seat up to 1,500 concert-goers, thanks to the support of presenting sponsor Eagle Mountain Casino. Concerts are free with gate admission to the Fair.

The Tulare County Fair, Sept. 1115, will offer fun fair food, the annual Junior Livestock Auction, great rides and entertainment including the Veloci-Raptor dinosaur, comedians and jugglers, the Puppets & Players Little

CONCERTS continued on 10 »

TCSO Basketball League ends with a slam dunk STAFF REPORTS Deputies lined the sidelines as the TCSO inaugural summer basketball league came to a close this week in Pixley and Tulare.

The department partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sequoias to offer students entering the 4th through 12th grades a fun and com-

petitive experience in a safe environment at no cost to their families, said Lt. Harold Liles. *We reached out to kids who wouldn*t have had the opportunity to play in a league,* he said.

On Wednesday, two TCSO teams made it into the semi-finals for the Senior League, including the Tar Heels

BASKETBALL continued on 8 »

8

ProYouth to celebrate 25th anniversary with gala STAFF REPORTS ProYouth will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a gala event at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Marriott Hotel.

The event will feature a look back at the organization’s growth, testimonials from students who have been supported by ProYouth and reflections by community members.

ProYouth began in 1991 as a grassroots effort to curb gang violence and the group incorporated in 1994.

ProYouth now has 15,000 students participating in after-school programs that provide a safe place to enjoy enrichment opportunities ranging from computer and ag science to visual arts and homework support.

“Building futures for 25 years is our theme for the gala event and recognizing the people who have made it possible is a key aspect of the celebration,” noted ProYouth Executive Director Dr. Marie Pinto. “ProYouth is

BASKETBALL continued from 7

coached by Correctional Deputy Chad Clark and the Spartans coached by Deputy Kevin Renard, a community based officer for Alpaugh and Allensworth, and Kyle Dias, a Pixley Middle School teacher.

The Spartans beat the Visalia Boys & Girls Club to advance to the championship match against the Tulare Boys & Girls Club. In the final game, the Spartans trailed the Tulare Boys & Girls Club by a few points through-

a shining example of what a community can accomplish when we work together. This event is our opportunity to say thank you, to celebrate lives and communities changed, and to acknowledge some of the people who helped make it possible.”

For many Visalians, the compelling need to address the gang problem began with the murder of Kelly Scott in 1995.

ProYouth grew out of that concern and afterschool programs are now offered at 50 campuses throughout the region.

“ProYouth gives our children the tools they need to compete for the rest of their lives,” noted donor Fred Ruiz, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Ruiz Foods, Inc. “What I see in ProYouth is a bridge to the future and it is probably the best thing we have going for our young children,” he added.

out all four quarters. And in the end, they came in second place with a score of 58-65.

Lt. Liles said the summer basketball league was very rewarding. *With deputies on the sidelines as coaches and spectators, we are building bridges in the community that will last a lifetime,* he said.

On Tuesday, Lt. Harold Liles gave the Junior TCSO Basketball League perpetual trophy to the Tulare Boys & Girls Club. Their coach, Dakota Smith said his players *worked a lot of defense* to get ahead and come out on top as champions.

15 August, 2019 Valley Voice

ProYouth offers after school programs for children throughout the region.

To RSVP or for further information, call 374-2030 or email Teresa Ra-

mos, tramos@pyheart.org.

Sponsorships are available.

Local artist Beckie Ballew Nava featured at Visit Visalia STAFF REPORTS Visit Visalia today announced a photographic exhibition showcasing work by artist Beckie Ballew Nava is open to the public in the downtown Visalia office.

“Nava’s extensive photographic collection captures the range of color and the play of light on her subjects,” said Demea Metcalf, executive director of Visit Visalia. “From the foothills to the clouds in the sky, there is an intensity in her images. We enjoy showcasing original, local artwork and supporting the things that help to attract visitors to Visalia. Arts are a big draw for tourists to our city.”

The exhibition is free to the public and will run through Aug. 29. Visitors and photography lovers are encouraged to come by to view Nava’s work during regular business hours.

Visit Visalia is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday until 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The office is located at 112 E. Main Street.

The opening night of the exhibition coincides with the Aug. 2 First

Friday Art Walk, which Visit Visalia is pleased to again be a host location.

Along with Nava’s exhibition at the Visit Visalia office, she has work on permanent display at Valley Children’s Hospital, Crisis Residential Treatment Center (Fresno) and Lindsay Hospital Guild District Office.

As an active member of the community, Nava is pleased that Visit Visalia displays the work of local artists and is honored to be selected for the exhibition.

Nava, a lifelong resident of the local area, has been actively pursuing her passion of photography for the past 10 years finding sunrises, sunsets, mountains, vineyards, blossoms, and green pastures to be meditative, inspiring, relaxing or fun-loving. She uses a variety of displays from matted and framed prints, canvas or acrylic prints to her current favorite, metal, which she feels really enhances the colors.

Nava’s love of the region is evident in her work. Nava says the images she captured of Visalia “shows God’s handiwork and inspiration.”

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Valley Voice 15 August, 2019

Calendar

August 16: Paint Nite in Exeter FoodLink for Tulare County at 611 N 2nd Street, Exeter. Tickets are $45 which includes food, at 5:30 pm -9:30 pm. Proceeds will go towards the goal of reworking food systems to produce greater food equity and providing more food to disadvantaged persons.

Wine will also be available at $5 for a 9 oz pour. Hyperlink for details. https:// www.yaymaker.com/buy/10163148 August 17: Kings County All White Party Scholarship Fundraiser Hosted by Kings County Black History Committee, Saturday at 7 PM at the Kings Art Center 605 N Douty St, Hanford, Silent Auction, heavy hor d’oeuvres, beer, wine and margaritas, Tickets $50 at ticketbud.com or call 559 761-4690.

August 18: Installation of First Congregational Church Pastor, Rev. Janice E. Hill will be installed at 3 pm. It will be held at The First Congregational Church UCC, 220 W Tulare Avenue, Tulare,Please join us in a celebration of her ministries immediately following her installation.

RSVP 559.686.5528 Aug 22: The State of the County Luncheon Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center 300 S Court St, Visalia, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. The State of the County Luncheon, Tulare County Board of Supervisors highlights the county’s accomplishments, outline a foundation for the future and recognize an area. Board of Supervisor Chairperson Kuyler Crocker will award California Citrus Mutual the Tulare County Outstanding Partner Award. Info Visalia Chamber of Commerce

9 perience and for long-time fans of the films to enjoy as well! Thursday, September 5th – Tombstone, Wednesday, September 25th – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Thursday, October 5th – Ghostbusters, Wednesday, October 30th – Psycho, Wednesday, November 6th – A Face in the Crowd, Thursday, November 21st – The Big Lebowski, Thursday, December 12th – The Nightmare Before Christmas, Wednesday, December 18th – Miracle on 34th Street September 7: 1st Saturday in Three Rivers Arts Consortium presents event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art studios, restaurants and merchants open their doors and invite all for a town-wide celebration. Go to the Three Rivers Historical Museum, 42268 Sierra Hwy. for a map of participating venues. Info, visit 1stsaturdaytr.com or call 559-561-3463.

September 7: Gadabouts Meeting Senior Center, 10:00 AM, 310 North Locust St., Visalia, Contact Info: Barbara Davis (559) 732-5066 September 11-15: Tulare County Fair Features local agriculture, livestock, floriculture, fine arts, photography, clothing, woodwork, handmade jewelry, food and needlecraft; plus live entertainment, food vendors and rides.620 S. K St. in Tulare. Info tcfair. org .

September 12: Stories of Redemption Banquet You do not want to miss this powerful event at the Visalia Rescue Mission 741 N Santa Fe St. An inspirational testimony from a Mother & Daughter will move each person in attendance. Catering will be provided by Local Valhalla’s Restaurant. Silent Auction will be available. Tickets $60.00 each & Sponsorship Opportunities are available.

Info (559) 740-4178

August 23: Center for Integrated Medicine 25th Anniversary Open House.

Dr. Kwong, co-founder and owner will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of her medical practice. 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Interactive Chinese Medicine Booth, How to locate acupuncture points, Herb I.D. and its functions.

Complimentary Massages, Door Prizes, Photo Booth, Tai Chi/ Qi Gong 816 W. Oak Ave. Visalia,www.allholisticmed. org,559-625-4246

Sept. 14: 25th Anniversary Pro Youth Gala ProYouth to celebrate 25 years of learning and growth at 6 p.m. on Saturday, , at the Marriott Hotel. Event will feature a look back at the organization’s growth, testimonials from students who have been supported by ProYouth and reflections by community members. To RSVP or for further information, call 374-2030 or email Teresa Ramos, tramos@pyheart.org. Sponsorships are available.

August 24: Shootout to support Larry Micari for Board of Supervisors Kingsburg Gun Club, 2246 Gilbert Drive, Check in and registration: 7:30 am-8:15 am, Shooting: 8:30 am Prizes, 1st Place Shooter Kimber Custom II, 1st Place team (each shooter receives a gun) Smith and Wesson M&P Shield, High Score Female Shooter, Tristar Sporting Arms Setter S/T 12 Breakfast Burritos, BBQ and More!Tickets includes: Prize drawing ticket, lunch and a fun morning of shooting. Register online at micari4supervisor.com/ shootout or contact: Beth Micari at bmicari@msn.com / (559) 280-7546 Bobby Rader (559) 799-5891

September 14: Pot Luck to contrast and compare the 1967 USS LIBERTY ATTACK to 9-11 5 pm at 1213 S. Fairway St. Visalia. Meet two survivors of the USS Liberty, one author, and maybe one ae911truth.org engineer to participate. RSVP 559-9011974 royjkendall@hotmail.com.

September 4 - September 27: Musae Exhibition and Opening Reception Hosted by Arts Visalia. Opening Reception is First Friday, September 6th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Arts Visalia Visual Art Center 214 E. Oak Ave. Gallery Hours: Noon-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays. Attn: Janelle Howard, Gallery Director. 559-739-0905, artsvisalia@sbcglobal.net September 5 – December 12: Visalia Fox Film Series The Visalia Fox Theatre has prided itself on bringing classic films back to the big screen for new audiences to ex-

September 15: Boots and Brews Celebrate Flag Day the American way with the Exeter Republican Women Federated, 6:00 – 7:00,VIP reception, 7:00pm Program and Dinner at The Pine Residence, 1600 Palm Rd. Exeter.

Event sponsored by Tulare County Supervisor Kuyler Crocker and candidate for TCBOS District 1 Larry Micari, Distinguished speakers, Dinner and Raffle, Tickets $75, VIP $125. Info 280-3726 or 972-3707.

Sept. 19: Society for Human Resource Management Conference SHRM of Tulare/Kings Counties, an affiliate chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, will hold its annual conference from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Visalia Convention Center. Driving change’ is the focus of the conference. Keynote speakers: Trisha Zulic from California State Council of SHRM; Cynthia Johnson, a professor of communication and psychology at

College of the Sequoias and division chair for the Language and Communications Studies division; and Tracy Butz, a workplace culture expert and author. Online registration is available at www.shrmtularekings.org.

September 20-22:18th annual Visalia Home Expo Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia in Visalia between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m on Friday.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets $6-$8,. Go to visaliahomeshows. com.

September 20:. Crush Party at the College of the Sequoias The event in the Tulare Center at COS will feature wine tasting and food samples from local restaurants and caterers. Tickets are available, pre-sale only, for $50 and can be purchased at tularechamber.org or by calling (559)686-1547.

September 27: Oktoberfest AT Vossler Farms. With your ticket you’ll get food samplings, wine tastings, and of course, beer tastings from local breweries. We’ll also have some incredible live music. Our goal is to share the Central Valley’s best food, wine, beer, and entertainment with the community.Tickets now $50. The week of the event, tickets $60 and we’ll likely sell out again this year.

September 28: Sierra Vocal Arts Ensemble Annual Fundraiser Gala Concert “The Best of the Best” Door openat at 5:30 p.m., Springville Memorial Building, 35944 HWY 190 Springville, Tickets - $50 (Dinner Included) Tickets are available from any ensemble member, at Hanson Travel Ideas in Porterville or by calling (559) 804-7995.

October 4: Rockin’ the Arbor Rockin’ the Arbor is the Lemoore Chamber’s Annual concert series. 6:30 – 10:30pm downtown Lemoore. There is live entertainment provided by various valley bands. Local food vendors as well as various organizations/businesses are welcomed to participate.

Family friendly fun on a Friday night in downtown Lemoore for all to have!

October 5: Fourth Annual BBQ and Cornhole Event Hosted by Senior Care. Food, drinks, including the A&W Float Truck, raffle prizes - and, of course, cornhole for all!

2:00pm – 6:00pm. Proceeds benefit Senior Care. Admission is $100 for a Team of 2 or $50.00 per individual. To participate, CALL 559-667-9601, or email us at seniorcaretkc@gmail.com. www. seniorcaretkc.org/donate.

October 6: Tulare County Historical Society BBQ Musical entertainment by Local Band “RUN4COVER” 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.At the Tulare County Museum, Mooney Grove Park, Visalia. Delicious Tri-Tip and Chicken dinner…bbq’d to perfection by the Happy Cookers and dessert provided by Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream.

Order your tickets now… $50.00 per person…Phone Peggy Bragg 559.786.4972 or Stan Simpson 559.

280.3142, or visit our website: www.

TulareCountyHistoricalSociety.org For more Information Contact: Carl Switzer. 559. 287.6291 October 10: Los Lobos at the Fox Theater Presented by Perico Productions & Visalia Fox Theater, Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 8:00 PM Box office hours are Noon to 6PM, Tuesdays - Fridays. Tickets may also be purchased at FoxVisalia.org!, Visalia Fox Theatre 300 W. Main St. 559-625-1369 $35-45 plus service fees.

October 25: Monster Murder Mystery Dinner Kings Players Theater Troup will once again join Habitat for Humanity at Irwin Street Inn, mystery begins at 5:30pm, tickets $85. Meal provided by the Irwin Street Inn. Some of the most notorious monsters and villains are gathering at the Irwin Street Inn for an evening of mystery and murder.

Be among the chosen few who will witness history and join Habitat for Humanity at a fundraising dinner for a great cause. Join the fun and come dressed to impress. Sponsorships and tickets can be purchased at https:// www.hfhtkc.org/murder-mystery/ November 2: Hands in the Community 10th Annual Dinner and Silent Auction “Pouring Out Blessings” at Hands in the Community annual Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday at the Visalia Convention Center. Silent and live auction items, including getaway packages, jewelry, restaurant meals and many other items of great value. The event starts at 6 p.m. and includes a preview of auction items with wine and hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, dinner and live auction.Tables of 8 starting at a $600 sponsorship. Call our office at 559.625.3822 or email hncvisalia@ gmail.com November 8 and 9: Over the Edge The Source LGBT+ Center will host the second annual Visalia Over The Edge fundraiser event at Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center. Participants will rappel from the 8th floor of the hotel, after raising a minimum of $1,000 for the center. Last year, two individuals in their 70’s joined about 80 others and went “Over the Edge” in support. Details on how to register and raise funds at https://visaliaovertheedge.com Tues-Wed: 3PM-7PM; Thu-Sat: 11AM2PM Tulare Public Library, Veterans Resource Center, Referral services to all veterans and their families.

Saturday 10:00 – Tuesday through Thursday: Homework Help Tulare Public Library Homework Help 4:00 - 7:00pm, grades K-12th in our Learning Center, Every other Wednesday: Knitting Club Tulare Public Library 5:30pm; September 26th in the Olympic Room. All ages welcome! To register for book clubs or computer classes call 559-685-4503 or stop by the research and information desk.

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: Visalia Duplicate Bridge Club 12 noon Tuesdays, 7pm Thursday, and 12 noon Fridays - $6 on Tuesdays and Friday and $7 on Fridays. Includes lunch. At First Christian Church, 1023 N. Chinowth St. Info Elaine Smith 559 734-4780 First Tuesdays of month: National Alliance on Mental Illness, 5:45pm Education Meeting: 7pm Support Group St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Visalia, 120 N. Hall, Corner of Center and Hall. For more information call: (559) 627-1306 Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30am-2pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Admission is free. For additional information call: Joan Dinwiddie, (559) 732-0855 Mondays: Knitters, 10am-12:30pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Everyone is welcome.

Mondays: Monday Karaoke at Barmageddon, 9pm-1am Karaoke Jockey Miss Sammi will be hosting from 9pm - 1am. No Cover.

15 August, 2019 Valley Voice

10

“The Great Conversation” starts again at COS JOSEPH TELLER

Tulare County Fair offers 5 days of fun STAFF REPORTS The 100th anniversary of the Tulare County Fair, Sept. 11 through 15, will offer traditional fair fun and food, over 100 free things to see and do, five nights of headliner entertainers and a look back at the Fair’s history.

All concerts on the Bud Light Stage are free with admission. The line-up features Ashanti, John Michael Montgomery, Uncle Kracker, 38 Special and the Marshall Tucker Band. The concert venue has been expanded and enhanced thanks to presenting sponsor Eagle Mountain Casino.

Opening day, Wednesday, Sept. 11, is Kids Day, with all children 12 and under admitted free of charge. On Thursday, Sept. 12, veterans and active duty military with valid ID may enter the fairgrounds at no cost, and the Quilts of Honor will be presented at noon.

High School Madness, butter sculpting, corn dog-eating and pie-eating contests will be held throughout the fair with prizes such as cash and free fair food.

The Rodeo and Demolition Derby are back by popular demand, offering top rodeo professionals and the noisy fun of monster trucks. This year a free monster truck pit pass is available for all event ticket holders, allowing attendees to see the trucks up close.

Each day of the fair, attendees can enjoy over 100 free-with-admission options for entertainment including the comedy of Alfred & Seymour and the mystery of hypnotist Steve Bayner.

CONCERTS continued from 7

Theatre, the Ramos Brothers Circus, and the new Extreme Dogs, showing off how high they can jump, catch Frisbees and more.

The Ramos Brothers Circus is back with horses, clowns and an exhilarating motor cycle daredevil display, and Captain Jack the pirate returns, along with his talking monkey.

Fair-goers will enjoy displays and activities focused on the Fair’s 100th birthday, and new free-with-admission entertainment such as the worldclass illusionist team Murray Hatfield & Teresa. The 100th anniversary Fair will feature over 100 free attractions.

Additionally, in light of the tragedy at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, the Fair administration has set in motion enhanced security features to ensure the safety of fairgoers in September.

The enhanced features include metal detectors that will be used on every attendee entering the fairgrounds

Street musicians, The Procrastinators, create music using pots and pans and five-gallon water bottles and the Gold Rush Mining Company lets attendees pan for their own real gold. Other attractions include a balloon maker, Charlie the Veloci-Raptor, the extreme dogs stunt show and a petting farm.

The Ramos Brothers Circus is back with horses, clowns and an exhilarating motor cycle daredevil display, and Captain Jack the pirate returns, along with his talking monkey.

Visit www.tcfair.org to purchase unlimited ride wristbands, parking passes and more, or call the fairgrounds office at 686-4707.

to monitor for weapons of any kind, explained Pamela Fyock, chief executive officer of the fair.

Anyone found with any type of weapon will be turned away.

A new gate will be opened on Bardsley Avenue and an expanded number of turnstiles will be available at the Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue gate and the K Street gate. These changes will help to reduce time spent waiting in line.

“We have always taken security very seriously and the Fair will continue to be a safe, family-friendly venue,” Fyock noted. “The fair is all about family fun and feeling safe is critical to that experience. We are grateful to the Tulare Police Department for their guidance and support.”

Visit www.tcfair.org for information on online value days, including discounted unlimited rides wristbands, and ongoing updates to the schedule of events, or call the fairgrounds office at 686-4707.

College of the Sequoias’ Great Books discussion group will resume its semimonthly meetings in August.

The group reads and discusses works of literature and philosophy ranging from the great classics to modern works that exert a shaping force on society and culture.

We meet every second and fourth Monday of the month during the academic year from 4:00-5:30 pm on the COS Visalia campus. This fall, we are reading Homer’s The Odyssey, and our first meeting is Monday, August 26, 2019.

For more information about the group, our meeting location, or the text we will be using for our dis-

cussions, please contact Dr. Joseph Teller at josepht@cos.edu or at (559) 730-3924.

Open to all readers interested in great literature and ideas, Great Books discussion groups are not lecture-based, but instead use a process of “shared inquiry.”

While each discussion is led by an experienced seminar leader, discussions begin with open-ended, interpretive questions, and participants put forward their own interpretations, developing their views through the sharing of their ideas with others.

Come join us for stimulating conversation and enriching engagement of some of the world’s greatest literary and philosophical works!

Emergency system developer Danny Cordeniz (r) assists Phil Cox, dispatcher for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, in locating a mock intruder during a crisis response drill at Kings River Union School.

The web-based system integrates the school’s existing cameras with a site plan to aid dispatchers in directing first responders in the event of an actual emergency. California Assemblyman Devon Mathis looks on. Courtesy photo

EMERGENCY continued from 7

Silveira explained that the emergency response system was developed out of discussions held at CHOICES’ Crisis Prevention, Preparation, Response (CPPR) Forums which began last year.

Lt. Buddy Hirayama of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) coordinated four scenarios for attendees to watch. With system developer Danny Cordeniz at his side, TCSO dispatcher Phil Cox relayed the information he was given on the intruder and his movements through campus based on the images he saw on the system. Mr. Cox could select and enlarge individual cameras, making the job of relaying

information to the officers on campus much easier.

Following the scenarios, law enforcement officers were invited to comment on the effectiveness of the system. “The response has been very positive,” said Mr. Hire. “Many of the officers commented that they were able to apprehend the intruder faster than they imagined because the dispatcher was able to give them precise details on his whereabouts. We look forward to taking the valuable input we received from our law enforcement partners to further develop the system for use in our schools.”

For more information on the new school emergency response system, please call Frank Silveira at (559) 651-0155.

Valley Voice 15 August, 2019

11

AGRICULTURE Commentary: Regional discussions reinforce national priorities ZIPPY DUVALL

Ag Alert/California Farm Bureau Federation Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of meeting with nearly all state Farm Bureau presidents and their top staff.

I have come away from these meetings even more impressed by how Farm Bureau’s elected and staff leaders are devoted to keeping agriculture strong.

I’ve attended four regional meetings, as well as the annual American Farm Bureau Council of Presidents meeting, attended by presidents from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Discussions about what excites us about agriculture’s future and what keeps us up at night showed how our Farm Bureau leaders are abreast of trends, threats and opportunities.

Infrastructure issues were top-ofmind in all four regions, from improving roads and bridges needed to get farm products to market and get customers to our farms, to increasing rural America’s access to broadband internet.

Access to broadband is an issue that fires up Farm Bureau members everywhere I go. It’s an issue that crosses over from direct farming impact to quality of life for farm families.

On the direct-farming-impact side,

broadband is necessary for farmers to use modern technologies and techniques that let them use just the right amount of fertilizer, pesticides and fuel. On the quality-of-life side, we must ensure access to educational, health care and economic resources to attract young people back to our rural, farming communities.

Broadband is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity! That’s why Farm Bureau is asking everyone to contact their members of Congress and urge them to support the Broadband Data Improvement Act. The bill would change how we map areas that don’t have broadband, so we get a better picture of where we need to do more work and commit more resources.

In the Midwest, much of the discussion was focused on this year’s flooding, trade challenges and farm economy. What I heard is most farmers and ranchers support efforts to make China play by the rules of fair trade, but the administration must negotiate an end to this trade war sooner rather than later. Even with the financial assistance the president has provided, and we are grateful for it, farmers and ranchers cannot hold on forever without a market for what we grow. We need to reopen access to China, as well as pass the U.S.-Mex-

ico-Canada Agreement to modernize trade with our nearest neighbors.

In the West, federal lands and endangered species issues were a main topic. In the Southern region, I saw a great presentation on the importance of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, at the end of the Mississippi River, to our ability to ship farm goods to foreign markets.

In the Northeast, there was a lot of discussion about the cost and availability of agricultural labor. A national solution to our agricultural labor shortage, one that sets a fair, market-based wage, is needed now more than ever to ensure that agriculture can survive in every state.

Farmers and ranchers in every region deal with wildlife, such as the overpopulation of wild horses and burros in the West.

They need to be able to reach commonsense compromises with activists and governments to properly manage populations and protect their crops and animals.

In fact, there was a lot of overlap across the regions. For example, everyone is concerned about the toll the farm economy is taking on farmers’ mental health. We discussed ways Farm Bureau is working to raise awareness of rural stress and share information about resources available to

Westlands statement on petition for writ of mandate STAFF REPORTS Westlands Water District filed a petition for writ of mandate on August 12 in the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, seeking an order that the Shasta County Superior Court vacate the preliminary injunction issued against the District on July 29, 2019.

The preliminary injunction, which was sought by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, enjoins Westlands from preparing an environmental impact report evaluating the potential impacts that might occur if the Bureau of Reclamation were to raise Shasta Dam by up to 18.5 feet. Westlands was preparing the environmental impact report to inform a future decision on whether it would contribute funds for the potential dam raise under provisions of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, a bill co-authored by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Representative Kevin McCarthy and signed into law by President Barack Obama in December 2016.

Westlands General Manager Thomas

CHINA

continued from 6 purchases of American farm products “is devastating,” said Roger Isom, president and CEO of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association. When trade tensions between the two nations began heating up more than a year ago, he said he had “held out hope” that Washington and Beijing would resolve their differences quickly, “but that hope is gone.”

He said farmers appreciate the trade-aid payments meant to help them through the trade dispute, but that money is not enough and “not what we would make by selling our crop.” China’s increased tariffs on cotton, he noted, have had “a devastating impact” on market prices for cotton.

“I don’t see any end in sight right now,” Isom said. “I have growers who said that unless things change, they won’t be growing pima (cotton) next year; they won’t be growing any cotton.”

He said cotton handlers have been trying to develop other markets, but the process has been slow. Many mills and other infrastructure are in

farmers and the Farm Bureau staff members who serve them.

The discussions at all these meetings confirm that our national policy priorities truly are national in scope—they affect farmers and ranchers in every part of the nation, even if they bubble up in different ways and at different times across states and regions. Our farmer members are looking to us and their elected officials in Washington to work for national solutions on these issues and more.

We also had good dialogue about the mission and goals of our organization.

I’m grateful our elected leaders of Farm Bureau are engaged in this discussion and committed to maintaining a strong national Voice of Agriculture.

American agriculture truly is in good hands with these Farm Bureau leaders working for our farmers and ranchers. I want to thank all the state leaders who welcomed me to your meetings. I’m grateful for our national farm organization, and I’m Farm Bureau Proud to work alongside you for all our farmers and ranchers.

(Vincent “Zippy” Duvall, a poultry, cattle and hay producer from Georgia, is president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.)

Birmingham stated: “The District was disappointed the Court issued a preliminary injunction to stop Westlands from preparing and releasing for public comment a draft environmental impact report. State law does not prohibit Reclamation from raising Shasta Dam. Rather, state law prohibits an agency of the state from assisting or cooperating with the Bureau of Reclamation in planning or constructing any dam that ‘could have an adverse effect on the free-flowing condition of the McCloud River, or on its wild trout fishery.’ To date, no agency of the state has conducted any study to evaluate whether enlarging Shasta Dam by up to 18.5 feet, which Reclamation is proposing, would have adverse effects on the McCloud River or its wild trout fishery.

To address this and other questions, Westlands initiated preparation of an environmental impact report pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The injunction issued by the Court enjoins Westlands from continuing with that environmental review pending the trial of

the matter.”

In his moving papers and at oral argument on motion for a preliminary injunction, the Attorney General argued it would not be a violation of the law if Westlands were to study whether enlarging Shasta Dam 18.5 feet could adversely affect the free-flowing condition of the McCloud River or its wild trout fishery “in the abstract,” but the CEQA process, because it involves the public and other agencies, is not the proper mechanism for conducting the analysis to determine whether Westlands can lawfully participate in the project.

With respect to this argument Birmingham added, “It is inconceivable this Attorney General would argue that Westlands can lawfully study the issue ‘in the abstract,’ but it is unlawful to involve the public and other agencies in its evaluation.

CEQA is California’s broadest environmental law. CEQA was enacted to guide California public agencies during their consideration of discretionary projects. CEQA is intended to inform agencies and the pub-

lic about the significant environmental effects of a proposed discretionary project and to enhance public participation in the environmental review process through scoping meetings, public notice, and public review and comment. The Attorney General obtained this injunction against Westlands for the express purpose of excluding the public and other agencies from the District’s analytical process.”

Birmingham concluded, “In more than 35 years of experience working on issues related to CEQA, I am unaware of any court ever enjoining the preparation of an environmental impact report. This is not a typical CEQA case, seeking an injunction to enjoin a project or to require an agency correct deficient environmental review.

Instead, this injunction halts the CEQA process before it can even be completed, or any decision has been made by the agency. The injunction is not supported by the law and is inconsistent with public policy concerning public involvement in the environmental review process.”

China, he noted.

“Sure, there are mills in other places, but their cost may be higher,” he said. “There are other markets— just not enough and not taking up the slack that has been lost by China.”

Even though the 2018-19 marketing year for almonds ended with some of the lowest inventories ever due to strength in other markets, Waycott of the Almond Board said there is concern about the long-term impacts of the ongoing trade dispute and whether “this could escalate into something more pervasive.” He noted uncertainty created by failed trade talks between the U.S. and China, and “perceptions of what might happen threw a wrench” in the market, slowing sales to China and creating “tremendous loss of value.”

Kurt Friedenbach, a sales representative for Sierra Valley Almonds in Madera and Firebaugh, said he communicates with Chinese buyers almost every day. Friedenbach said he and his Chinese customers try to conduct business as usual, pretending “everything is normal, everything’s fine,” even though they aren’t buying much product. But he said that’s typical this time of year, noting that

Chinese nut manufacturers usually don’t do much business during the summer. For this reason, he said he has not felt much impact from the recent escalation of the trade dispute.

The true test, he said, will come in mid-September, when Chinese buyers traditionally start making big purchases in preparation for Lunar New Year festivities.

“This year, we’re actually starting the season with a 50% tariff in place at the beginning of the (marketing) year,” he said. Add to that the recent devaluation of the yuan and “everything just got that much more expensive,” Friedenbach said.

He said he expects China will “swoop up” most of the almond crop

from Australia, which has a “tremendous tariff advantage” because its products enter China duty-free, even though Chinese buyers prefer the quality of California almonds. Australia’s production remains small, however, which means China must buy the rest of what it needs from California, he noted.

“The one thing that does worry me is Chinese roasters and packagers can switch products pretty easily,” Friedenbach said. “They’ll switch to cashews if that’s a better value. Supposedly, the cashew crop this year is going to be massive.”

(Ching Lee is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at clee@ cfbf.com.)

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15 August, 2019 Valley Voice

12

VIGIL

continued from 1 vigil was also to move beyond mere thoughts and prayers.

“We’re here to support the community in their concern and grief in the loss of life in the last two weeks,” said Rev. Suzy Ward of St. Paul’s. “We’re also here to show there’s more to do than prayer.”

Political Solution

Also sponsored by the Watch, a weekly political protest focusing on Congressman Devin Nunes’ lack of public appearances, the Interfaith Vigil was an opportunity to call for legislative action to prevent further largescale gun violence.

“We can do something the rest of the civilized world has done: severely limit gun access,” said Earl Cruser, a member of the Universal Unitarians Fellowship of Visalia.

Jim Reeves, who attended the vigil to represent area atheists, used the event as an opportunity to respond to Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux’ recent social media call for greater use of concealed weapons to counter the

TECHNOLOGY continued from 6

recent ag-tech event hosted by Merrill Farms in Salinas.

“We’re really excited about ultimately answering, how can we grow more food on fewer acres at a lower cost?” Cafiero said. “That’s what we’re focused on, and that’s really the pull from the growers. Having reliable autonomous machines to aid in that effort really, really does move the needle for the growers that we work with.”

threat of mass shootings.

“More people with more guns is not the answer,” Reeves said.

Boudreaux’ statement came in the form of a tweet sent out on August 7, three days after the Dayton, Ohio attack on August 4. The shooting resulted in the death of 10 people, including the shooter. Twenty-seven people were injured.

“I encourage all CCW (a license to carry a concealed weapon) holders in Tulare County to exercise your rights,” Boudreaux wrote. “Do so legally and only with a valid permit. Secure our communities and protect life by being able to defend ourselves against active shooters, threats to life and those who use guns for criminal behavior.”

Welcoming Strangers

drove his car into a group of counter protesters, killing one and injuring eight others.

Visalia’s Interfaith Vigil also fell on Tisha B’Av--a Jewish day of fasting marking several historical tragedies, including the destruction of Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Appelbaum encouraged those attending the vigil to follow the Torah’s directive to welcome strangers, an action he says the Jewish holy book repeats “more than thou shalt not kill.”

The recent killings prompted Appelbaum to fast on Tisha B’Av for the first time in 50 years.

“It’s something you can do,” he said.

Not the New Normal

“We have got to make this change,” said Phil Appelbaum, a lay leader at the Visalia synagogue Congregation B’nai David. “This has got to stop.”

Appelbaum pointed out the Visalia Interfaith Vigil happened to coincide with the anniversary of the first night of the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The following day, one of the rally’s attendees

During the vigil, Maritza Altamirano presented her poem the Fallout, a work she says is about “questioning the current reality.” As a reaction to the recent shootings, Altamirano’s poem puts at least part of the blame for the uptick in shootings on President Donald Trump’s use of language she says incites violence.

“Ever since he’s been in admin-

Bear Flag said it envisions being able to program tractor fleets remotely with routes and jobs in row-crop fields, orchards and vineyards, with the tractors capable of pulling plows or spray rigs. Cafiero said he’s working on secondary-tillage operations in Salinas and has also run postharvest disking trials.

“We keep them dirty, man,” Cafiero said of his prototypes. “Doesn’t really do much good to have them sitting in the shops. Every time we can get out and be useful and be helpful, we do.”

Farm technology also takes to the

sky, with drones already used to conduct survey flights and deliver beneficial insects. One builder in Massachusetts, Kiwi Technology, is looking at aerial applications and brought its own oversized quadcopter drone designed for that purpose to the Merrill Farms event.

Jeff Feldman, Kiwi’s chief operating officer, said farms in Japan and China have made use of aerial application by drone but that their fields, and therefore aircraft, were much smaller.

“We had to build something that’s American size for an American-sized farm, which is on average about 400 acres,” Feldman said. “So we built this in the U.S.” The machine weighs 1,200 pounds fully loaded, can carry as much as 50 gallons, he said, and can cover 30 to 80 acres per hour, depending on the size of the payload. The drone is supported by a ground crew; during a mission, the aircraft can land for a reload or for fresh batteries, then pick up where it left off.

“It’s all computer-controlled,” Feldman said. “We’ll go over, we’ll survey a field, we’ll come up with a path. We’ll talk to the farmer, make sure that’s what they want—where they want coverage, where they don’t want coverage, what areas they want to avoid, what areas they want extra attention to. It’s very similar to traditional aerial appli-

istration, it’s been happening too much,” she said.

Altamirano also fears the frequency of mass shootings has made people numb to the violence.

“It shouldn’t be normalized,” she said.

For event organizer Julia Jump, the Interfaith Vigil represented a rejection of violent events.

Wearing Orange

“At least for us, we can come together and reflect. We can be at peace,” she said.

It was also an opportunity to set an example for those who wonder how to respond to the outrageous acts of random violence.

“Sometimes we feel like this is a dark world,” she said. “We are the lights that exist in the world.”

Rev. Ward said members of her church have begun wearing bright orange clothing as a symbolic response to the shootings. The color is worn by hunters so they can avoid being shot while in the wild and is intended to attract attention.

“We want to be noticed, too,” Ward said, “to stand up and be seen.”

cation, but it’s done in a very high-precision way.”

Afterward, a report will be sent to the farmer detailing what was applied and where.

“It is a largely autonomous system, so that path is done each time, exactly whatever it is that you want,” Feldman said. “It takes away a lot of human error.”

Feldman said the project represents two years and $2 million of research and development, and a lot has been learned along the way.

“One of the questions we’ve heard from farmers continuously is, ‘I don’t know if what I paid for is what I got,’” he said. “We can very precisely tell you exactly what we did, when we did it and where we did it, because every component of this—from where it flies to the height it flies to the speed of the pump—is all controlled by computer, and all that data is downloaded.”

Feldman said he plans his first commercial demonstrations next month, likely in the Salinas area, and hopes to launch commercial service in October.

(In the second part of the series, we’ll look at data management on the farm, and a university’s effort to educate a new generation of agricultural professionals.)

(Kevin Hecteman is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. He may be contacted at khecteman@cfbf.com.)

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Valley Voice 15 August, 2019

DENTON

continued from 1 through the hallways,” she said. Gendron had a hands-on approach to designing the administrative structure.

“For us, inclusion means we are bringing students with varying strengths together.”

She noted she felt very honored that a wide array of teachers with various skills and abilities would place their faith in her as a principal.

Parent Ralph Gutierrez has a child going into first grade at Denton.

“We were at Hurley and we had the same principal and we were excited that she would be here and have a hand with this school,” said Gutierrez.

Denton has 17 General Education teachers and 15 Special Education staff who will help with mainstreaming kids with special needs.

The campus is also carrying over a design first implemented at Shannon Ranch and later at Riverway. Denton is

CANCER

continued from 1 research and analyze the health benefits of counseling to an underserved community. The research also included collecting biomedical specimens of hair and saliva to measure their cortisol levels, a stress hormone, in the patients.

Skeptics reviewing the grant proposal initially said the project coordinators could never get such a vulnerable community to stick with a long-term project. They were also skeptical about lay people being able to effectively provide counseling typically administered by professionals in specialized cancer clinics.

The skeptics were proved wrong.

The participants did stick with the study for the duration of the program and the lay counselors did effectively learn to administer the needed therapy to the patients.

Preliminary results of New Dawn were presented at a press conference August 8 at Kaweah Delta. The final results will be ready in about five months and a priority of the primary investigators is to share the finding with the actual participants who made the research possible.

13 expanding upon the collaborative space. Each building has a space for students from all classes in the grade to work together on projects and assignments.

This new school will be able to host 750 students in 28 classrooms on 13 acres, said VUSD Director of Facilities Gerry Lemus. He was responsible for completing the campus on time with all “next-generation” improvements.

The first day of school for Visalia Unified was Thursday, August 15

As a result, the patients did not understand what their treatment would be, how to manage their symptoms, or understand possible side effects of their treatment.

Napoles said Latinas experience a disproportionate amount of depression, stress, pain, and anxiety related to breast cancer compared to their White counterparts and those factors could affect their health outcomes.

New Dawn sought to improve the patients’ quality of life by offering them a companera, or companion, to provide counseling and education.

The companeras were breast cancer survivors themselves who could relate to what the patients were going through. They were trained, given the materials and an agenda to follow, and had an advisor while counseling the patients.

The companera went to the patient’s home once a week for 10 weeks.

They educated them about cancer, their treatment, and taught them how to ask for help from their family. They taught the patient cognitive techniques to turn negative thoughts to positive and breathing exercises to relieve stress.

Overall the companeras taught the patients to take more control over

managing their own health.

The therapy provided by New Dawn companeras is normally only available at cancer clinics by clinical psychologists and not accessible to someone on Medicare or Spanish speakers.

Just as important, the companeras were someone to talk to anytime either by phone or in person.

Josie Mejia, one of the two companeras, said the counseling sessions were beneficial to her also. “It was very educational for me, too. I met some very strong women, warriors.”

Results

The research component evaluated the effectiveness of counseling on the patient’s health outcomes and the biological aspect measured the level of cortisol in the patient’s system.

Cathy Samayoa, project leader of the biological samples leg of the study, said that biomedical research improves patient care but that “the lack of Latino representation in research studies contributes to health disparities.”

Samayoa said the baseline data from the samples taken indicated that the cortisol activity was abnormally high in over 1/3 of the Latinas with a

breast cancer diagnosis in the study.

The final results on whether the peer counseling lowered the levels of cotisol in the patients will be available in about five months.

Napoles gave preliminary results from the effects on health outcomes from the therapy provided by the companeras.

Data was collected on the patients before the project started, at three months, and then at six months.

Though the final results are not in, Napoles said that initial results show that counseling reduced anxiety and symptoms of their illness and treatment. The therapy also increased the patients’ ability to relax, cope with their diagnosis and ask for support from their family.

The final results will evaluate the patients’ health outcomes.

Edelmira Ramos, one of the patients who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and had a mastectomy, said that when she was told she had cancer “it’s like your life is ending.” She said her companera taught her how to talk to her family about it and accept her diagnosis.

“I hope the program goes forward because we do need the help,” Ramos said.

The Premise

New Dawn recruited 150 Latinas in the three research sites with 75 in the research group and 75 in the control group. After six months, at the end of the study, the control group was offered the same counseling as the research group and many accepted.

54 Latinas were recruited in Tulare, Kings and Fresno Counties with non-metastatic breast cancer and more than half of all the participants in the study had Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid, or no insurance.

The project focused on Latinas not only because they are an underserved demographic, but also for cultural reasons. Ana Maria Napoles, the Primary Investigator of the study, explained that many Latinas do not understand their diagnosis and consider it a death sentence. In addition, they don’t know how to talk about their illness with their spouses or children.

Because of the language barrier and cultural reasons they have no one to talk to about breast cancer and don’t have the vocabulary or assertiveness to ask their doctors specific questions about their prognosis or treatment.

Josie Mejia speaks about her experience as a Companera as Edelmira Ramos and Cathy Samayoa look on. Catherine Doe/Valley Voice

15 August, 2019 Valley Voice

14

BRIEFLY Media Release for Free and Reduced-Price Meals Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)

Waukena Joint Union Elementary School District announced today it will continue its policy to operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2019-2020 school year.

Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This new approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals.

The district will still be requesting the Household Income Data Form from households for each student participating in the CEP. Completing this Household Income Data Collection Form is still necessary to determine if your household is eligible for other benefits.

For additional information please contact the following person: Loretta M. Myers Attention Business Manager 19113 Road 28 Tulare, CA 93274 Phone: (559) 686-3328 Email: lorettam@waukena.k12.ca.us In accordance with federal civil rights

law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD3027), found online at http://www.ascr. usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 (2) Fax:

202-690-7442 (3) E-mail: program. intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

BUENA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFERING FREE MEALS

Buena Vista School District announced today it will continue its policy to operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) under the National School Lunch /School Breakfast Programs for the 2019-2020 school year.

Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications.

All students will be served lunch and breakfast at no charge at the following site: Buena Vista School 21660 Road 60 Tulare, CA 93274 For additional information please contact: Carole Mederos 21660 Road 60 Tulare, CA 93274 Phone: (559)686-2015 Email: cmederos@buenavistaeagles.org In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, office and employees, and institutions participating in or administrating USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or

reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g.

Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800)877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), found online at http://www. ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust. html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866)6329992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 (2) Fax (202)690-7442 (3) Email p r o g r a m . i n take@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Office/Retail for Rent available for the first time in 25 years 400 W Caldwell $2925, 3250 sqft

559-972-7778

Contact Zeeb Commercial Real Estate Shari Aguirre — 559-799-6082 — DRE #01115021

Valley Voice 15 August, 2019

15

VOICES & OPINIONS

Breastfeeding benefits Mom and Baby DR. JULIANNE RANDOLPH When you become a parent, suddenly the world changes and you find yourself vowing to protect that precious baby looking back at you. The responsibility is great and most new parents do not know where to start. As a doctor and a mother of two small children, I say start with breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is one of the best investments in saving lives and improving the health of moms and babies. This month, in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, I want to encourage all mothers-to-be in Tulare County to breastfeed their baby. Even if you are an uncle-to-be or a grandparent-to-be, you too can encourage your loved one to breastfeed or learn more about its benefits before welcoming their little one into the world.

As Medical Director of the Pediatric Department at Kaweah Delta, where we help deliver 5,000 babies a year, I am part of a team that daily encourages women to breastfeed. Our lactation team and registered nurses offer free breastfeeding classes to soon-to-be

POLITICAL FIX continued from 3

Citizen United that liberal groups used more dark money than conservative groups, but Democrats in the House passed campaign finance reform legislation to do away with dark money.

The bill, “For the People Act” considered a sweeping anti-corruption bill, passed the House and is headed to the Senate. Not one Republican in the

EVENTUALLY continued from 2

Anything at all. But if the light turned red, your luggage was to be scrutinized. Naturally enough, juggling more suitcases than I’ve ever travelled with previously, I got the red light.

This would not have troubled me in normal circumstances. The red light was entirely within my comfort zone.

I’d been awarded it many times be-

“

fathers and mothers before they ever step foot in the hospital. We are also able to offer breastfeeding support to our patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, visiting with them while they are in labor, throughout their stay, and even after they leave.

The reason we encourage breastfeeding is because health is our passion. We want our patients to be in the best health and studies show that breast milk is what is best for babies.

In fact, breast milk is called liquid gold because it is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. It has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that a baby needs to grow and develop as they should. It truly is the ideal nutrition for a new baby.

Breastfeeding helps baby and mom bond early, which has long-lasting physical and emotional benefits.

It can help reduce the baby’s risk for certain allergic diseases, asthma, obesity and type 2 diabetes, improve their cognitive development and decrease chances of sudden infant death syndrome. Breastmilk contains antibodies which can help babies fight some viruses and bacterial infections. Babies who breastfeed have a reduced risk of ear infections, respiratory infections, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and certain types of blood cancers such as leukemia.

Moms also benefit from breastfeeding. It can reduce bleeding after delivery, help with weight loss, reduce stress, reduce the risk of breast and cervical cancer, and may help improve postpartum depression. It can also help mom’s uterus return to normal after delivery.

Breastfeeding may help new parents save money. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, formula can average between $1,200 to $1,500 during a baby’s first year.

All that said, breastfeeding is not easy (and can even be frustrating at times) and that’s where a strong support system is key. That support system can include the baby’s father, family, friends, coworkers and even our lactation team at Kaweah Delta. The team continues to serve as a resource to answer questions that women may have after they leave the hospital.

A strong support system can be instrumental in helping women overcome barriers that may keep them from even attempting breastfeeding.

For some women, the choice not to breastfeed is based on inaccurate information passed down to them. For example, some women hesitate to breastfeed because they want to use formula to ensure the baby is always satisfied or they believe that formula has vitamins or nutritional benefits

that breastmilk does not. These beliefs are unfounded.

I hope by reading this piece today, you have learned about how positively breastfeeding can impact mothers and babies in Tulare County. Please encourage anyone you know who is about to become a new parent about this opportunity. For more information on Kaweah Delta’s free breastfeeding classes, visit www.kaweahdelta. org/classes.

Dr. Julianne Randolph is Medical Director of the Pediatric Department at Kaweah Delta, where approximately 5,000 babies are delivered each year.

Kaweah Delta’s Family Birthing Center provides maternity and infant health care with a 21-bed labor and delivery unit, a 42-bed postpartum unit, the largest labor/delivery triage area in Tulare County, anesthesiologists, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists for high-risk deliveries, along with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staffed by physicians from Valley Children’s Medical Group.

Construction is currently taking place to expand the NICU to 23-beds with private rooms and eight Neonatal Intermediate Care Beds. Kaweah Delta’s NICU is community designated by California Children’s Services as providing care for infants as early as 26-weeks gestation and has a neonatologist/pediatric hospitalist on site 24/7.

House voted for the bill and now Mr. McConnell has refused to put the bill up for a vote in the Senate.

You would think as an opinionated middle-aged woman I would be used to living with a double standard but it still gets under my skin.

The bottom line for Republicans is that when President Obama issued Executive Orders he was acting like a monarch, deficits only matter when a Democrat occupies the White House, and using dark money is only unethi-

cal when used by liberal groups.

they’re someone who is out early, working with the workers. Their main occupation is taking care of trees, maybe cows, or whatever it is. We trust those kinds of people because they’re salt of the earth. I have to say I support farmers.

“Across the American landscape, if you ask: What is a teacher? What is a pilot? What is a farmer? They have an idea what that is. Farmers take care of the land and people, and they’re out there every day driving a tractor.”

fore. But on this occasion my parents had wrapped all these gifts--so I truly had no idea what I was bringing into the country. I did know it wasn’t contraband. I also knew they intended to levy an import tax on the value of all the items--a tax I reckoned that would amount to about $1000. Which we didn’t really have to spare, and I didn’t have on me, anyhow.

And then, of course, I’d have to fix all the previously pretty gifts. Another no bueno.

What followed was a colossal sort of three-card Monte where I was shuffling things from the inspectors as they took them out of my bags and shuffling other things from their attention into other bags. In the end, I think I was only successful in avoiding import tax on a set of hubcaps I’d bought for the Scout. I had to return the next day and pay for the release of all this in cash. At least, that’s how I remember it. I was right about the amount. Just checked with the Chief.

I haven’t written this to illustrate the disparity between Americans feeling entitled to live wherever they please while immigrants coming to our shores--especially from some parts of the world, the so-called sh*tholes-might be put in cages. There were rules to abide by and we followed them.

I wrote this because for something like 40 years now the country--on both sides of the aisle--has seemed out if its comfort zone. And we can get through it. Eventually.

Your comments from ourvalleyvoice.com Mr, Mueller has been nothing but a puppet for the government and FBI , has been used to cover up things and or fix things. After the hearing it was obvious that Mueller didn’t even write the report that was fed to us ..lol he didn’t have a clue what the report was all about. How can any educated person with critical thinking skills not see this? There are plenty of reports and material that paints a different picture of Mueller and McCain..are they true? Who knows, what I do know is not all war heros are respectable men with integrity, and to claim they are is ridiculous.

— Kelly on Political Fix (1 August, 2019)

“

And finally……

So why would Mr. Buxman, a retired farmer and artist waste his time challenging Mr. Nunes’ designation as farmer on the 2018 ballot?

Maybe it had something to do with integrity.

Mr. Buxman told the Fresno Bee, “People want to see the word farmer for this reason: The word farmer says

”

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

SEIU has been and remains one of the biggest ripoffs in the county!

If you are relatively new to county employment, my advice as a former TC employee is to seek other employment while you still can! Only you will look out for you.

The County of Tulare is and always has been a toxic work environment.

— Dave M on SEIU members protest Tulare County salary

“

“ ”

As a member of the public who has watched this dog and puppet show much too long, this is a disgruntled person, who was in a volunteer position, one of five, a position that is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the council. He was off the reservation, all you had to do was sit through a meeting, if you could, or review the meeting audio, to know this. Someone who was listening to person who draws on napkins, disregarding engineering experts and approved state mandates on the process, accepting those doodles as gospel, in addition to listening to the opinion of a fired city manager, who is the one who has cost the city money for the nefarious contracts he obligated the city into, leaving current board members, legal and staff to clean up his mess.

— Juana C. Change on Tulare BPU president resigns

” ”

Devin Do Nothing has had Tulare residents under some sort of spell. The only time his name makes the news is when he’s protecting president.

Can’t remember the last time he made headlines for the valley.

— Party Politics is a Distraction on TJ Cox’s ethical lapses...

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15 August, 2019

Valley Voice

Kaweah Delta works to expand free classes to encourage breastfeeding

STAFF REPORTS Michelle Cervantes, of Lindsay, knew breastfeeding would be hard. She had heard that from friends and during a free breastfeeding class at Kaweah Delta that she and her husband Nick attended prior to the birth of their daughter Scarlet.

But Cervantes was determined.

She told her husband to encourage her when times got tough and he did. “It was nice to have him there to support me. I don’t think I could have done it without him,” said Cervantes, whose baby Scarlet is now almost five months old. “It takes a team. All the nurses were amazing, my lactation consultant was sweet and reassuring, but Debbie Seeger is really the hero. She gave me so

CHAMBER continued from 1

is a one year term with an automatic renewal on a year-to-year basis. The agreement also stated that it can be terminated by either party with 60 days written notice. There is very little language in the 15-page agreement about periodic and frequent oversight by the city of the chamber’s activities.

Olmos said the chamber is due to receive a quarterly payment of $14,000, plus the chamber will get an additional $10,000 for the city’s share of the cost of the annual July 4 fireworks at the fairgrounds. The total cost of the fireworks display was $60,580 including the cost of the fireworks, a rental payment to the fairgrounds, and security, said Council Member Francisco Ramirez.

Ramirez was the one vote in favor of terminating the services agree-

much encouragement and confidence.”

Seeger, a Certified Lactation Counselor, is just one of four people who make up Kaweah Delta’s lactation team. Together, with registered nurses on Kaweah Delta’s Labor and Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Mother-Baby departments, new moms at Kaweah Delta get breastfeeding support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

While Kaweah Delta offers free breastfeeding classes in Visalia, it will soon offer a class in Spanish and English at its Exeter Health Clinic. Also new this year, Kaweah Delta’s lactation team is visiting women while they are in labor to provide them with information about breastfeeding. During that time, they also explain to patients how they can support them as they feed their

baby for the first time.

Crystal Ctibor, a health educator at Kaweah Delta and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, said the first hour is important to the success of mom and baby’s breastfeeding journey.

After leaving the hospital, Kaweah Delta continues to serve as a resource for new moms who have questions/concerns or need help with breastfeeding, Seeger said. They can call 624-6012 for help. Additionally, new moms can dropin for free baby weight checks or attend a monthly new mom support group.

Breastfeeding can contribute to the well-being of new moms and babies, Seeger said. “We strongly encourage breastfeeding for every mom. It is beneficial for mom, baby, the family and ac-

tually the whole community,” she said.

ment with the chamber.

Ramirez said he saw a lot of inconsistencies in the chamber’s 2018 budget. He questioned an $82,000 expenditure for administration. Joslin said that amount included an assistant and two part-time salaries.

When longtime Chamber Director Mike Bertaina was running the organization he was paid as little as $500 per month and in 2016 he received a salary of $1,000 per month, according to published reports.

During Bertaina’s administration there was an influx of people at a lot of events, said Ramirez. “I don’t see that now.”

Ramirez said he called 30 to 40 chambers and determined that 90 percent of them are not subsidized.

“For instance, Selma gets $15,000 from the city and earns $180,000,” Ramirez said. Tulare, he said, gets $17,500 and earns $480,000.

“Why are we not up to those num-

bers?” Ramirez asked.

“We’re not an event organization,” replied Joslin. “We’re a business services organization.”

Joslin appeared to deflect some of the blame on Main Street Hanford, although he said his statements were not an attack on Main Street Hanford, which represents only downtown businesses.

While Joslin told the council he wasn’t attacking Main Street, he said in other cities, the chambers operate all the profitable events. This was in response to Ramirez’ citing figures of chambers in Selma and Tulare being more profitable than the Hanford Chamber.

Michelle Brown, head of Main Street Hanford, said Joslin’s remarks were an attack on Main Street’s efforts which include the popular summer Thursday night market and a wine and chocolate event during winter.

Main Street Hanford is funded by col-

lecting a double business tax from downtown businesses.

The problems experienced of late by the chamber raise the question of whether Hanford has enough businesses and economic vitality to have two chambers, one just supporting downtown businesses---Main Street Hanford---and the other, the Hanford Chamber of Commerce, promoting businesses throughout Hanford.

Hanford has struggled with a “having it both ways” mentality of wanting to support Hanford Mall on West Lacy Boulevard while also preserving the downtown through zoning regulations.

The mall has lost major tenants and wants to add new uses and stores while the downtown merchants oppose any changes to the zoning that would allow these new stores and businesses.

The result has been an economic stalemate.

Kaweah Delta Breastfeeding Basics (Free Class) This free class is scheduled twice a month and takes place on a Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kaweah Delta Medical Center. It gives expectant mothers the information and support to achieve a fulfilling breastfeeding experience. Fathers are also encouraged to attend. To register, visit www.kaweahdelta.org/classes or call 624-6012.

Kaweah Delta New Moms Support Group This support group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. on the third floor of Kaweah Delta’s Acequia Wing, 305 W. Acequia Ave.