Valley Voice Issue 35 (18 December, 2014)

Volume XXXIV No. 24 • 18 December, 2014

www.ourvalleyvoice.com

SeaPort Airlines Approved as Visalia Air Service Provider EAS is the federal program that guarantees a certain level of scheduled The United States Department of air service to communities that would Transportation seotherwise have lost lected SeaPort Airaccess to the nalines to provide air tion’s air transporservice to Visalia tation system in a Airport. The order, deregulated airline issued on Decemindustry. ber 11, approves the It should take recommendation 45 to 60 days for submitted by the SeaPort to provide Visalia City Counits first flights to cil following its 3-2 SeaPort Airlines is expected to begin and from Visalia, vote on September service at Visalia Airport in 45-60 days. according to Visalia 12.

Airport Manager Mario Cifuentez, who The December 11 order states: “By explained that the airline is now able to this Order, the Department is selecting acquire aircraft, hire pilots and schedule SeaPort Airlines, Inc. (SeaPort) to pro- flights. “Everything was contingent on vide Essential Air Service (EAS) at Visa- the awarding from the Department of lia, California, for the two-year period Transportation.” beginning January 1, 2015, through In the next two weeks, Cifuentez December 31, 2016. SeaPort will pro- expects to have a clearer vision of when vide 12 nonstop round trips per week to SeaPort will provide local service.

Oakland and 12 nonstop round trips per Although the order includes a startweek to Burbank (24 total round trips ing date of January 1, the contract will per week), using 9-seat Cessna Caravan run for two years from the date that Seaaircraft, at an annual subsidy rate of Port actually begins service to Visalia, $1,990,563.” according to Cifuentez.

Steve Pastis

The Marymount California University campus in Palos Verdes.

Marymount California University Eyes Visalia Steve Pastis Visalia may soon get a four-year university.

Marymount California University, a Catholic institution offering bachelor’s degrees in business, liberal arts, media studies and psychology, as well as a master’s of science degree in business administration, is considering Visalia as the site of its next campus. The university has locations in Palos Verdes and San Pedro in Los Angeles County, and Lucerne in Lake County in northern California.

“We will be the fourth campus,” said Robert Aguilar, Ed.D., a former Delano school district superintendent and the main proponent of a Visalia campus.

“We’re in the beginning stages of forming this university in Visalia.”

Dr. Michael S. Brophy, president of Marymount California University met Aguilar at a Latino Leadership and Policy Summit hosted by the university in the spring. “He invited me to Visalia,” said Brophy, who accepted the invitation

and discussed the university with community leaders at a luncheon in Visalia on October 23.

“We’re always excited and supportive to get a university here so people can get a higher education locally,” said Visalia City Manager Mike Olmos, who attended the luncheon. “The city was very supportive of Fresno Pacific, and of Fresno State as they got their satellite university at COS.” “I was certainly impressed by the passion of civic leaders,” said Brophy, who added that College of the Sequoias does “a super job.”

Brophy said that the process of bringing a university here has “a long way to go, but we are happy to consider Visalia.”

Aguilar is working hard to land Marymount. “We have plans to begin a study to get feedback about what kind of campus is needed here,” he said.

“This research study will take six to nine months to complete. We want to make

MARYMOUNT continued on 13 »

Property owner David Stillwell speaks to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.

Stillwell Mine Public Hearing Attracts Big Crowd The Tulare County Planning Commission held a public hearing December 10 to determine the future of CEMEX’ mining permit. The possible recommendations ranged from revocation to taking no action. Mike Spata, director of Resource Management Agency (RMA) started the proceedings by informing the commissioners that the amount of information concerning Stillwell Mine is voluminous. He recommended, before the hearing even started, that after all stakeholders have their say, the hearing be continued to the next planning commission meeting for further discussion.

Greg Young, an engineer from the consulting firm Tully and Young--which wrote the county’s peer review--presented their findings first. Even though their final review was 533 pages long, Young stayed focused on three conditions specified in the Stillwell mining permit.

Condition #48 states that CEMEX is to make monthly reports to the RMA about the amount of water delivered to the recharge trench. Condition #49 states that the mine cannot affect the water level, yield, or quality of any well.

Condition #55 states that the recharge trench shall contain a sufficient amount

Catherine Doe of water to maintain water levels in neighboring wells.

Young presented evidence that CEMEX violated all three conditions, but that the main condition under dispute was number 49. Young added that CEMEX’ consultant, EMKO Environmental, used an incomplete set of facts and that concluding that the wells went dry due to the drought was without merit.

The peer review came to the conclusion that CEMEX’ mining activities caused their neighbors’ wells to go dry.

Paul Mitchell, a lawyer for CEMEX, gave the rebuttal. Sprinkled throughout his presentation were potshots at the Valley Voice, an attempt to again discredit Tom Cairns of Lemon Cove, and accusations that the four residents whose wells had gone dry were unresponsive, difficult, uncooperative and ungrateful.

While accomplishing that goal, Mitchell stressed three major points: that the domestic wells went dry because of the drought; that CEMEX has no obligation to keep the V-trench full while not actively mining; and lastly, even though

STILLWELL continued on 9 »

VUSD Board Censures Board Member Ulmschneider for Violating Brown Act By a 6-1 vote, the Visalia Unified Steve Pastis School District Board of Directors approved a resolution at its December 9 directly or through intermediaries, to discuss, deliberate or take meeting to publicly censure action on any item of busiBoard Member Charles ness that is within the subUlmschneider for violating ject matter jurisdiction of the Brown Act. Ulmschneithe legislative body.” With der was the lone “no” vote. seven board members servAccording to the text ing on the VUSD Board, of the censure, Ulmschneiany behind-the-scenes disder “met with three or more cussion of an issue by four board members to discuss or more members violates district business outside of a the Brown Act. properly called meeting by Ulmshneider also discalling, emailing or meet- Charles tributed packets of inforing with other board mem- Ulmschneider mation he collected about bers to lobby for the board’s adoption of German as the district’s pre- foreign languages to the other board ferred new high school foreign language members in advance of a board vote on the possible addition of a third foreign offering.”

The Brown Act states: “A majority of language to the high school curriculum. the members of a legislative body shall Most of the packets were not opened, not, outside an authorized meeting, use however. a series of communications of any kind,

CENSURE continued on 13 »

2 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014 FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

The Past Is Not Renewable

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The two-week United Nations climate talks--this year held in Lima, Peru--entered an unscheduled 13th day of deadlock on December 13 (12/13/14). The goal of the talks was for nations to agree on the language of the pledges that each would give, as a pact, at a global climate summit in Paris next year. Developed countries wanted the pledges to center on carbon emissions cuts, while developing nations also called for commitments of monetary support. Champion carbon polluter China and other major developing countries opposed plans for a review that would allow the pledges to be compared against one another before the 2015 pact. And while the West has long been the most flagrant of emitters, truly egregious CO2 emissions now are coming from developing countries as they grow their economies.

These countries fear any language that will bind them to overly ambitious carbon emissions cuts, because--they argue--they should first be allowed to develop. The countries which have thus far produced most of the world’s climate-changing greenhouse gasses--wealthy, developed countries-- insist the time has arrived for all nations to cooperate.

On December 14, the 196 countries involved in the talks reached an agreement after exceeding their two-week schedule by more than 30 hours. The new, neutered accord eliminated any review of a country’s pledge--which would have tended make it more stringent. It also eliminated any review of financial support for developing countries.

Still unresolved for Paris is the practical shouldering of the burden of actually cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The neutered accord retains language of “common but differentiated responsibilities” that has traditionally given developing countries a wide degree of latitude in regard to reducing CO2 emissions. Now, the proviso “in light of different national circumstances” has been attached. The UN terms this “self-differentiation.” Developing nations had stood pat on the differences between them and the developed world, thwarting any notion that they should shoulder a heavier responsibility for limiting emissions. In this light, the developed nations of the world pledged increased financial assistance.

Sounds like par for the course, right? The news out of Lima is more cajolery and jockeying, less accomplishing. Because they’ll always have Paris. But here’s the real story for you: Ten days ago, on December 8--smack dab in the middle of the talks--Greenpeace activists placed an encouraging message in the Peruvian desert. In yellow cloth, in lettering laid out flat upon the ground in the dead of night, the message, in English, read: “TIME FOR CHANGE! The Future Is Renewable.” Unimaginably, they placed this sign a whisker away from the famous Nazca hummingbird--and while the site was irreversibly damaged by activist footprints, the iconic depiction itself, mercifully, escaped harm.

Oops! Can you spell desecration?

Now, I’m normally all for Greenpeace. Someone has to go to war for our environmental heritage, short of actual warfare--and I am always happy on humanity’s behalf when Greenpeace impedes, for instance, whalers. But this is beyond the pale. It makes me question just who they enlisted to perpetrate such an empty-headed stunt. I certainly cannot imagine any Peruvian violating this sacred national treasure--since 1994 a UNESCO World Heritage Site--because it is well known, especially in Peru, that absolutely no one is ever allowed near the glyphs without both preapproval and special footwear.

A Greenpeace spokesperson reported that the activists were careful not to tread on the images themselves. But this is unapologetic nonsense, as the properties of the soil-a high lime content which, in hardening, has for a millennium preserved the famous Nazca lines--also allows for the preservation of any trespassing footprints. Every Peruvian over the age of two would have known better.

Think pro-democracy activists in Ukraine, in the furtherance of their cause, traveling to Athens and, under the stealth of night--careful to not actually deface the monument--scrawling deft chisel work across some lesser rock on the acropolis “TIME FOR CHANGE! The Future Is Democracy.” Think declaring your of love for art by saying so, in indelible ink--in the background, mind you--of a world-famous painting. It’s beyond idiocy.

I would dearly love to know who Greenpeace got to do this. Five bucks says they wouldn’t have done something similar in their own countries. I suppose this is akin to how incumbents are currently difficult to unseat, even though the Congressional approval rating is at an all-time low: Throw the bums out--just not MY bum. This also is beyond idiocy.

But let’s face facts: Special native-country knowledge should not be required to prevent someone from desecrating a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Greenpeace should accept its responsibility, apologize to the world at large, then cashier such morons from its ranks. And I have a slogan for them: TIME FOR CHANGE! The Past Is Not Renewable.

What victory can possibly be won if, in striving to secure our environmental heritage, our cultural heritage--if not actually torched--is disregarded? It is not our environment that makes us human; it is our culture which accomplishes that, and we in turn for better and worse make our environment. We can refashion, even, I hope, improve our environment--but the same cannot be said of the more than 1000 World Heritage Sites previous generations have bequeathed us. These can only be restored, if need be, and preserved as best we can. Must they now also have to be defended?

— Joseph Oldenbourg

The Valley Voice is your newspaper Published by The Valley Voice, LLC.

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18 December, 2014

Valley Voice • 3

Political Fix Driving That Train

Has anyone noticed that the San Joaquin Valley is the center of the universe, at least when it comes to California? What is the biggest boondoggle in the state? Where are domestic wells going dry? Why did Congressman David Valadao wake up one day and embrace immigration reform? Where are the new prisons being built? The hottest issues in the state right now are all happening in the Central Valley.

Let’s start with the train to nowhere, boondoggle, or as Neel Kashkari loved to say, “crazy train.” The controversy over High-Speed Rail (HSR) is the cost, which is exactly why everyone in the Central Valley should be rooting for it. Of course HSR is going to cost more than when it was approved in 2008. That was almost seven years ago, and it will be the first HSR in the United States. Subsequent high-speed rails will probably be cheaper after we get the technology down and can build the train cars here in the state.

But the biggest reason to cheer over the $68 billion price tag is that a chunk of that change is going to be spent right here. How many times have Valley folk complained how we pay our taxes but the big cities get all the money? Well, here is our chance to get all our money back. Millions, maybe even billions, of tax dollars are going to be spent right here--and people are complaining? Instead of one more Walmart, or one more fast-food chain, where employees can’t earn enough to support a car let alone a child, an industry is coming to the Central Valley that will provide high-paying professional jobs that actually provide a chance to retire with dignity. And we are bitching?

Fresno County is the real head-scratcher. Why does Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin so doggedly support HSR? Because the HSR authority is going to build their maintenance yard in the middle of her county, providing 1,000 medium-to-high-paying jobs. This, on top of all the jobs created through the new state-of-the-art train station being built in the middle of her town. Can you think of any better way to revitalize downtown?

The Central Valley has also been ground zero for the drought. With no allocation of water deliveries from the Central Valley Project, Rep. Jim Costa and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy were at the center of the debate to get legislation passed before the 113th Congress retired. They were unsuccessful, and now water legislation will have to wait until January--when the 114th convenes. But the two will still be the key players.

Building new prisons in the Valley is all the rage, but immigration reform has incited the same emotions as HSR. With Tulare County being number one in the United States in agricultural production, immigration reform should be a huge priority. But that’s not what made the issue a priority. The fact that Rep. Valadao was running in one of the few vulnerable Republican Congressional seats in the state changed him from voting against bills that help immigrants to co-sponsoring immigration

Catherine Doe

reform legislation. State Senator Andy Vidak’s seat was also seen as vulnerable: three guesses where he stands on immigration reform? After all the votes were counted, it ends up that neither of these two legislator’s seats was ever vulnerable--but without their crystal ball, neither one could afford to be perceived as anti-immigrant.

Like Father Like Son

Talking about State Senator Vidak, not only were both his and his father’s name on the June primary ballot, but he has the honor of swearing into office his father this January.

He and his dad, Tulare County Superintendant Jim Vidak, may have thought this day would never come.

Whereas Superintendant Vidak never faced any serious challengers, Senator Vidak has run the gamut of electoral experiences. First, Sen. Vidak challenged Rep. Jim Costa for his Congressional seat; he was ahead on election night only to lose, three weeks later, in the closest race that Rep. Costa had ever experienced until this November. Then, Sen. Vidak decided to throw his hat in the ring when State Senator Michael Rubio unexpectedly resigned. On election night, Sen. Vidak was declared the outright winner. But, after all the Kern County votes were tallied a week later, Leticia Perez denied him the 50% needed to avoid a runoff. Sen. Vidak and Ms. Perez ended up spending a record $4 million in their special election, with Sen. Vidak finally able to win his first elected office--and his finally being able to be referred to as Senator. He currently represents the 14th District, which covers Kern, Kings, Fresno and a small part of Tulare County.

His dad is his namesake but the family calls him Andy, and so do we.

On January 5 at the courthouse east wing, Sen. Vidak will be swearing in his dad, Jim Vidak, as Tulare County Superintendant, along with Roland Hill as Assessor/Recorder and Rita Woodard as Auditor-Controller, Treasure-Tax Collector. All three ran in the June primary unopposed.

Two Votes for the Price of One

Talking about the November election, Calwatchdog.com reprinted an interesting quote from Paul Mitchell of Political Data, Inc. “When it’s 50% turnout, your voting power is doubled, #math.” Voter turnout was worse than 50%, so voters got even more than double the power this year.

The worst voter turnout in the Central Valley was Visalia’s favorite punching bag, Fresno County--whose participation was an embarrassing 39.2%. On the other hand, Tulare and Kings Counties did better than the rest of California. Kings County’s voter turnout was 47%, while Tulare County’s was 45.7%.

California, as a whole, fielded an anemic 42% of voter participation.

That’s worse than the 2002 election, when milquetoast Governor Grey Davis beat out challenger Bill Simon. In 2003, Gov. Davis became the first sitting governor in California to be recalled, and only the second in the United States.

Another sobering statistic is that this November’s gubernatorial election saw fewer votes cast than in the 1978 race between Gov. Brown and Republican Evelle Younger, even though the state’s population was 40% less than today. Most people reading this will not remember the name Evelle Younger because he is even more forgettable than former Gov. Davis. Mr. Younger was an uninspiring candidate who suffered an ineffective statewide campaign organization. Tulare County was only one of eight counties to vote for Mr. Younger.

He left many local Republicans scratching their heads wondering why they worked so hard on his campaign or donated money.

Before being crushed by Gov. Brown in the general election, Mr. Younger had to survive a contentious primary. He ironically beat out a future California Governor, Pete Wilson, who came in last that year out of four contenders. Mr. Wilson ended up serving as one of California’s United States Senators before becoming a two-term governor.

Another consequence of the low voter turnout is that the bar for qualifying ballot measures in 2016 will be at the lowest level in at least 25 years.

In California, the number of signatures required to qualify a measure for the ballot is a percentage of the total votes cast for governor. If our ballots are like encyclopedias in 2016, you can blame it on the legion of nonvoters.

According to SFgate, an online newspaper, “‘This lowers the signature threshold by a significant factor, which means a lot of silly initiatives could find their way to the ballot,’ said Steve Maviglio, a veteran Democratic strategist. ‘That’s fantastic news for political consultants, but maybe not for anyone else.’”

No Coattails Candidacy

Everyone knows that Rep. Valadao and State Senator Vidak, did better than some politicos predicted in the general election. But a Democrat did just as well in their districts--the aforementioned Gov. Brown. He actually got more votes in the 14th District than did Sen. Vidak, 55% to 54%. Gov. Brown didn’t do better than Rep. Valadao, but he still scored 52% of the vote in that congressman’s district. Anyone who has ever sat through a Tulare County Supervisors’ meeting would catch on pretty quickly that Gov. Brown is not a popular man in these parts. Gov. Brown only received 38.4% of the vote in Tulare County.

So how did Gov. Brown stack up against his fellow Democrats? Luis Chavez, who challenged Sen. Vidak, only took 46% of the vote while Amanda Renteria, who ran against Rep. Valadao, did worse at 41%. Usually a popular candidate like Gov. Brown can carry some weaker candidates, but that didn’t happen this year.

If Gov. Brown had no coattails, Republican challenger Neel Kashkari had no coat. Mr. Kashkari’s candidacy probably worked against his fellow Republicans, but not as badly as Tim Donnelly’s candidacy would have. Republicans lost all statewide offices by a large

margin. The two shinning stars, Ashley Swearengin and Pete Peterson, lost by 8% and 7.2% respectively. In any other race that would be considered losing by a landslide.

Manager-in-Chief?

Remember Carly Fiorina? She made such a splash running against Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2010 that she has decided to join the other assorted fruits and nuts running for President on the Republican ticket in 2016.

According to the Washington Post, “On a Republican presidential debate stage expected to be filled with more than a dozen current and former politicians, Carly Fiorina envisions herself standing out — as the only woman and the only CEO.” In 2008, Ms. Fiorina was an advisor to John McCain’s presidential campaign; in 2010, she decided to run for Senate. But she had an embarrassing showing against Sen. Boxer, who was actually seen as vulnerable. It was an era when Sen. Boxer’s approval rating was low and her base still had not really extended further than the Bay Area or coastal regions. In Tulare County, Ms. Fiorina garnered 63% of the vote to Sen. Boxer’s 30%, but lost the statewide election by ten points, 52.2% to 42.2%.

Ms. Fiorina will face some obstacles along her way to the Republican nomination. She has never held public office and her “effective manager” campaign slogan may not ring true once her base finds out that she owes almost $500,000 to consultants and staffers from her failed 2010 campaign. “Privately,” according to the Washington Post, “several prominent Republicans spoke about Fiorina with disdain, saying she has an elevated assessment of her political talents and questioning her qualifications to be Commander-in-Chief.”

On the other hand, if don’t you don’t count Mitt Romney, there is no Republican frontrunner. Also, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the frontrunner for the Democrats, it would be bad optics if the Republicans didn’t have at least one woman at the podium debating. She is also one of the first female CEO’s, having run Hewlett-Packard from July 1999 to February of 2005. Top GOP strategist David Carney said, “She’s got just as much of a record of accomplishment and a story and ideas as anybody else who’s running.”

And Finally…

According to Lewis Griswold of the Fresno Bee, the city councils of Lindsay and Exeter have women in the majority.

“Two years ago, Lindsay broke the barrier with the election of Rosaena Sanchez, who joined Council Member Pam Kimball and Mayor Ramona Villareal-Padilla at the dais. This month, the Exeter City Council became a majority of women with the swearing-in of Mary Waterman. She joins Council Member Teresa Boyce and Mayor Robyn Stearns.” Go small town, USA!

4 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

Tulare County Holds Second Outreach Meeting for Mooney Grove Master Plan with an eye toward qualifying for public funding.

Dan Veyna, a landscape architect, gave the attendees a bit of history of the park. A hundred years ago, the original landscape architect for Mooney Grove was the same person who designed Roeding Park in Fresno. The park was donated to the county to be an oak preserve and for the enjoyment of the residents. The land was never to be sold or used commercially.

Catherine Doe

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors invited members of the community to participate in a workshop on December 10 at Café 210. The focus of the workshop was to present and gather public input on the county’s 20-year Master Plan for Mooney Grove Park.

This was the second of two meetings seeking input. The first outreach meeting was held on November 6. The board of supervisors’ final consideration of the plan is anticipated to occur in January.

During the first outreach meeting, copies of the plan were available at various workstations for review by the public. Comment cards were distributed so attendees could provide feedback on the plan and its recommendations. All Jason Paul, principal geologist of Kleinfelder of the comments that were received by Veyna pointed out that peoples’ idea the county at the first meeting were sum- of recreation has changed drastically marized and presented for discussion. during the last century. Picnicking will After the public had a chance to look always be popular, but pony rides and over the documents and maps, Jason concession stands have given way to Paul, principal geologist of Kleinfelder, disc golf, splash parks and taco trucks. explained that, for now, the plan is con- Also, people now whiz by the park at ceptual, meaning that there has been no 60 miles per hour, whereas 10 mph was California Environmental Quality Act the maximum speed in the old days. Be(CEQA) review nor have any estimates cause Mooney Boulevard is projected to for work been sought. The plan was ini- expand to six lanes, the entrance will be tiated by the county to aid in landing changed to Ave. 272, which is projected a $1.45 million grant to build the new to become Visalia’s next east-west corriHistory of Farm Labor and Agricultur- dor, replacing Caldwell. al Museum. The purpose, now that the Veyna described the current circulamuseum is built, is to move forward in tion through the park as organic as peopreserving the park. Through a collabo- ple wandered along well trodden paths rative effort between Kleinfelder and the in the beginning of the 20th century. The county, a plan was put together that will current design will push cars out to the enhance the public’s experience of the perimeter and have people walk into the park. Because Mooney Grove has a lim- interior where there will be a park within ited budget for minimal maintenance, a park. In the new plan, people will not the layout and design was also made have to compete with cars and can picnic

without worrying that their children will run into traffic.

The end result is more parking, restrooms, pavilions and green space.

Also planned is a new Veterans Memorial, which will be placed in a more central location and honor vet- Community members gather at Cafe 210 to register their input on the erans of all wars. county’s plan for Mooney Grove Park.

Brad Wilson spoke about his hopes The historical buildings such as the schoolhouse, to bring the Tulare County Orchestra homes and train would be relocated to back to the park. He said they have exa re-creation of a turn-of-the-century pressed a desire to restart their Fourth Main Street. This feature could also be of July concert event. Bob Ludekins used for parties, special events and wed- lamented the loss of oak trees in the park and inquired if the county had a dings.

Paul added that the backbone of the tree plan. Paul said they have not put plan is to update the sewer, utilities and together such a plan, but will try to mitirrigation system. The county can’t do igate the effects of more people using the anything to renovate the park without park. Two difficult obstacles facing the an appropriate infrastructure. He added Valley Oaks are the compaction of the that these items are very pricey and that’s ground on the root system as more peowhy the project is just at the starting ple use the park, and the dropping of the water table. point.

Richard Garcia, from the local After the presentation, the public was invited to comment. Mary Bry- branch of the Sierra Club, expressed his ant, of the Real Mooney Grove Project, hope that the trails being built inside the pointed out that the 20-year plan was park can connect with the Santa Fe Trail getting away from Mr. Mooney’s origi- or the St. John’s Trail to the north. He nal wishes that the park primarily be for also was pleased that the 20-year plan picnicking and as an oak sanctuary--and included taking advantage of one of the not for museums. She also objected to park’s most important water features, the number of historical structures the Cameron Creek. Tulare Irrigation Discounty planned on demolishing, such as trict, which owns the water in the creek, the 1950s concession stand and the koi will be aiding the county in returning pond. Her group has also expressed a de- the creek to a more natural state with sire for the county to bring the rowboats earthen sloping banks.

Veyna ended the evening by saying back. “What good is a boathouse with no boats?” she asked. Her group has of- that we in Tulare County were lucky that fered to raise the money to erect a fence there was the desire to put public funds around the park and to do some reno- into our parks. In time of economic crivations themselves so “we don’t have to sis “they are always the first to get cut,” he said. wait 20 years to enjoy the park.”

Tulare County in Top 10 for Lease Option Housing in State JustRentToOwn.com, a leading provider of lease option, also known as rentto-own (RTO), home listings nationwide, announced the release of a report highlighting the most promising markets in California for lease option housing in the upcoming year. Using data compiled by the California Association of Realtors and U.S. Census data, the study compiled a list of counties with high percentage of short sales, strong appreciation in

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home values, and optimal vacancy rates to justify a rent-to-own friendly environment.

Tulare County placed ninth on the list, mainly as a result of its “budget-friendly” home price average of $184,440.

The study employed a custom RTO Opportunity Index (RTOOI) developed around key indicators in real estate markets that will make RTO appealing to

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sellers. The survey resulted in a diverse selection of top ten counties from across the state with Lake County topping the list with an RTOOI of 235, Monterey 163, Riverside and Merced sharing the 3rd spot with 115, Madera with 110, Kern 105, Solano and San Bernardino with 104, Tulare 92, and Sacramento with 87.

The results touched on a variety of different markets, from budget areas to the mid-to-high priced, and also included coastal, inland, urban and rural communities. This suggests, in conjunction with cooling housing prices and looser mortgage regulations, that the market for rent-to-own in 2015 will be strong in various places throughout the state.

Happy Holidays from The Haulers Association Tulare County

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TULARE COUNTY

18 December, 2014

Valley Voice • 5

High-Speed Rail Authority Announces Bid Results for Local Construction Catherine Doe The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has identified Dragados/Flatiron/Shimmick as the apparent best value team for the design-build contract for Construction Package 2-3 (CP 2-3), the 65-mile segment from Fresno to north of Bakersfield.

The Authority estimated the cost of CP 2-3 to be between $1.5 billion to $2 billion, and determined that Dragados/ Flatiron/Shimmick, which bid $1.2 billion, was the “apparent best value.”

CP 2-3 represents the continuation of construction of the high-speed rail program to the south. CP 2-3 will extend in excess of 65 miles from East American Avenue in Fresno to one mile north of the Tulare-Kern County line.

CP 2-3 includes approximately 36 grade separations in the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kings, including viaducts, underpasses and overpasses.

“Today is a significant milestone as we continue building the nation’s first high-speed rail system,” said Authority CEO Jeff Morales. “The proposals underscore the value of world class competition and the design-build approach to deliver high-speed rail in California.”

In the competitive bidding process, three teams submitted proposals to the Authority for the design-build contract.

Design-build combines project design and construction into a single contract.

The proposals were evaluated and ranked based on 30% for technical merit and 70% for cost. Factors such as an under-

standing of the project, schedule capacity, project approach and safety were part of the technical scoring.

In October 2013, the Authority issued a request for qualifications for potential design-build teams interested in the contract. Five teams were qualified and began competing for the contract.

On October 30, 2014, three teams submitted their proposals, which were reviewed by an evaluation panel comprised of California state personnel.

The design-build contract includes the Authority’s Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), which is designed to help find construction jobs and training opportunities for residents who live in economically disadvantaged areas along the high-speed rail corridor. The CBA supports employment of individuals who reside in disadvantaged areas and those designated as disadvantaged workers, including veterans. It also helps remove potential barriers to small businesses, disadvantaged business enterprises, disabled veteran business enterprises, women-owned businesses and microbusinesses, as part of the Authority’s 30% small business participation goal.

The Authority will continue to work through the ongoing procurement process, and a contract will be presented to its board of directors in the coming weeks.

For more information on the procurement process for the design-build contract, visit www.hsr.ca.gov/Programs/ Construction/Design_Build_Construction_Pkg_2_3/index.html.

High-Speed Rail Authority to Host Official Groundbreaking on January 6 The California High-Speed Rail Authority will join government, community, transportation, business and labor leaders on Tuesday, January 6, to commemorate the start of sustained construction on the nation’s first high-speed rail system at a ceremonial groundbreaking in Fresno. The event is only open to invited guests and credentialed media, who will be provided with more detailed information about the location of the ceremony.

The groundbreaking comes 18 months after the awarding of the first

high-speed rail contract, which will pay $1 billion to build the 29-mile section between Madera and Fresno.

By 2029, the California high-speed rail system is expected to run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in under three hours at speeds of over 200 miles per hour. The system will eventually extend to Sacramento and San Diego, totaling 800 miles and up to 24 stations.

For more information, visit www. hsr.ca.gov.

CSET Seeks Volunteers for Free Tax Assistance Program Community Services Employment Training (CSET) is seeking volunteers to assist with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax preparation and electronic filing services to Tulare County households with less than $50,000 annual income. Approximately 150 volunteers are needed for the VITA program, which runs from February 7 through April 11.

Tax preparation services will be provided in Cutler, Porterville, Pixley, Tulare and Visalia. Bilingual volunteers are greatly needed.

In tax year 2014, VITA filed 2,000 tax returns, which brought more than $2.6 million back to Tulare County. Volunteers will complete a training course

to become an IRS certified volunteer tax preparer. The four-week volunteer training will be held from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays starting January 10, at the Visalia CSET office and Porterville Employment Connection.

This is a high-impact volunteer opportunity for civic-minded individuals to assist lower-income families in our communities. It is a great work experience opportunity for high school youth and adults exploring careers in financial services. Retired financial professionals are excellent candidates to volunteer.

To volunteer, visit www.cset.org/ vita. For more information, contact Gabbie Alvidrez at 741-4662 or gabrielle.alvidrez@cset.org.

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6 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

Tulare County Receives Many Honors at Statewide FB Annual Meeting Staff Reports The Tulare County Farm Bureau took top honors at the statewide California Farm Bureau Federation’s (CFBF) 96th Annual Meeting of Members, held this month in Garden Grove, winning the Golden State Hall of Honor award for the second time in three years.

The award is presented to the county farm bureau judged to have had the most outstanding body of work during the year.

The Tulare County Farm Bureau was also named “Outstanding Large County of the Year” among Farm Bureaus with 700 or more agricultural members. Tulare won the award in 2011 as well. In addition, Tulare County was recognized in all five areas of activities of excellence for achievement in membership, policy implementation, leadership development, ag education and public relations as a county farm bureau.

Exeter native Shirley Kirkpatrick

John and Shirley Kirkpatrick

was recognized for her lifetime achievements and service to farm bureau as a freelance writer, and for serving as news editor for the TCFB newspaper for 16 years. Kirkpatrick has been involved as a volunteer leader in farm bureau for over 60 years, starting with her involvement in the Young Farmer’s department.

Kirkpatrick and her husband, John, were instrumental in the formation of California Citrus Mutual, and she was involved for many years in writing for notable publications including Sunkist, Ag Alert and others. She served as a secretary to the Tulare County Cattlemen’s Association, and was a home advisor for the 4-H Program through University of California Cooperative Extension. Her passion for farmland conservation and responsible growth were brought together through 20 years of service she provided as a Tulare County Planning Commissioner.

“Shirley and John remain active members of Tulare County Farm Bureau, and we are very pleased that she was recognized with the Helen Roberti Lifetime Service Award, given by the California Farm Bureau, for her years of service and philanthropic efforts,” said TCFB president Joey Airoso.

Matt Watkins of Visalia was selected as the statewide winner

Outstanding Large County of the Year, Tulare County

of the CFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers’ “Excellence in Agriculture” award.

This award is given to an individual who does not earn a majority of income from an owned production agriculture operation but who contributes through involvement in agriculture, leadership activities and farm bureau. Watkins will attended the American Farm Bureau national meeting in San Diego in January to represent California in the national competition.

A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Watkins works as a farm manager for Bee Sweet Citrus, where he oversees farming of citrus fruit, mangos and dates on 9,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast and Imperial Valley. Among his volunteer activities, he serves as a team leader in an area-wide treatment program to combat a serious citrus pest, the Asian citrus psyllid. A

member of the Tulare County Farm Bureau board, Watkins said he has seen the value of political advocacy and media outreach.

Riana Mello of Tulare was also recognized for her achievement in graduating from the Leadership Farm Bureau program, an eight-month leadership program with more than 250 hours of leadership training. This year, members of the statewide Leadership Farm Bureau class participated in training focused on political advocacy, public speaking, media relations, personal development and the farm bureau organization. The group traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of farm bureau policies, and to Arkansas to compare their experiences with those of farmers and ranchers in that part of the nation.

Finally, Tulare County Farm Bureau was also one of four finalists for the CFBF Innovator award, a prestigious award given for an innovative program implemented by a county farm bureau, for its Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) “Farm to Fork” program, a philanthropic partnership between the farm bureau’s YF&R Committee and Tulare County food charities. The program was recognized as a finalist for the purchase of fair animals, which were donated to the local food banks to distribute to those in need.

“We are very proud of all the accomplishments of our local county farm bureau,” said Airoso. “It is a testament to leadership from our board, our volunteer members and our staff to be recognized for so many achievements, and to win the Outstanding Large County of the Year and Golden State Hall of Honor award twice in three years is wonderful.

We are very humbled by these honors and will continue our good work going forward, especially in the arena of water advocacy.”

Tulare County is the largest dairy producing county in the nation and ranks first in California for gross farm receipts. The Tulare County Farm Bureau represents more than 2,200 family farmers in the county and is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the viability of Tulare County agriculture. It provides a wide range of services, including sponsorship of training sessions on topics that include farm safety, heat-illness prevention, hazardous materials and firearm safety; conducting a variety of educational activities for local students; organizing food donations to local charities; sponsoring numerous outreach efforts with local elected officials and maintaining an active presence in the news media and social media.

18 December, 2014

Valley Voice • 7

Tulare County Studies Rehabilitation Alternatives for Mineral King Bridge Staff Reports The Tulare County Resource Management Agency (RMA) has started a Mineral King Bridge project to identify

rehabilitation alternatives for one of the county’s historic structures.

“Mineral King Bridge is one of the most visually interesting and picturesque bridges in this county,” said Eric

Workers get into the snooper truck basket…

Coyne, Tulare County economic development coordinator.

“It was built in 1923, and due to its age, it is a priority bridge for county staff to reevaluate and determine the structural integrity. The evaluation is being done to suggest any recommended safety enhancements and retrofits to extend …and go over the side. the useful life of this that will be used to perform an evalustructure.”

“The field investigation will include ation and analysis of the existing strucperforming a visual assessment of the ture, so that an appropriate rehabilitacondition of the structure, obtaining tion strategy can be developed.”

Unfortunately, the weather has not core samples of the existing concrete and been cooperating. Engineers from Correinforcing steel for laboratory testing, nerstone Structural Engineering Group and, in general, performing a qualitative assessment of the soundness of the and Kleinfelder, engineering consulexisting concrete elements,” explained tants to the county, as well as Caltrans Benjamin Ruiz Jr., RMA engineer VI. and county engineers, were scheduled “Caltrans will have their Under Bridge to perform an on-site field investigation Inspection Truck, also referred to as the of the Mineral King Bridge on DecemSnooper Truck, on-site to provide for ac- ber 12, according to Ruiz. Due to the cess on the underside of the bridge. This heavy rains that day, however, Caltrans is a first step in gathering information rescheduled its Mineral King Bridge inspection until the week of January 5.

Kings and Tulare Counties Seek Community Support to Help the Homeless Staff Reports The 7th annual Project Homeless Connect is right around the corner, and event organizers need the community’s support to serve the more than 1,000 people expected to seek help.

Project Homeless Connect is a oneday, one-stop event designed to provide housing, services and hospitality in a convenient forum directly to people experiencing homelessness. The event

allows homeless people to access several service providers in one day, as opposed to making calls and visits on their own – something that could normally take weeks or months.

A wide array of free services are provided for homeless individuals and families, as well as those who are at-risk of homelessness, including items such as: medical, dental and eye care; housing services; DMV ID cards; birth certificates; haircuts; a hot meal; family sup-

port services and veteran support services.

Four events will be held simultaneously on Thursday, January 29, at the following locations: Pentecostal Church of God, 323 E. 11th St., Hanford; Comision Honorifica Building, 466 E. Putnam Ave., Porterville; TDES Hall, 515 North I Street, Tulare; and Veteran’s Memorial Building, 609 W. Center Ave., Visalia.

In addition to volunteers, event organizers are seeking optometrists, vet-

erinarians and other services providers who are willing to help at the event.

Donations of sleeping bags, blankets, tents, tarps, reading eyeglasses, dog food and plus-size warm clothing (men’s and women’s) are also needed and will be distributed to participants at the event.

For more information about Project Homeless Connect, visit http://kingstularecoc.org/projects/2015-phc-event.

Humana, Key Medical Group, Kaweah Delta Announce Arrangement Staff Reports Improved health and more coordinated care for Humana’s Medicare Advantage members in Tulare County is the goal behind a new fully accountable, value-based partnership among Key Medical Group, Kaweah Delta Health Care District and Humana Inc. Humana, Key Medical Group and Kaweah Delta have joined efforts in the creation of an integrated delivery system that will result in more coordinated care with an increased emphasis on preventive services for Humana Medicare Ad-

vantage members.

As part of the multi-year partnership, Humana will be Key Medical Group’s exclusive Medicare Advantage HMO partner in Tulare County. Humana offers Medicare HMO plans, a prescription drug plan, and Medicare supplemental policies in the county.

Through Key Medical Group physicians, Humana’s Medicare Advantage members will have in-network access to Kaweah Delta facilities, including Kaweah Delta Medical Center and its supportive specialty facilities. Kaweah Delta Health Care District provides

Recycle this paper turn it back into a tree then cut it down and decorate it.

high-quality, customer-oriented and financially strong healthcare services that meet the diverse needs of those they serve.

“The new Key Medical Group, Kaweah Delta and Humana agreement will bring better patient care coordination, more cost-effective quality care and a world-class patient experience to Humana members in Central California,” said Lindsay Mann, Kaweah Delta CEO. “The arrangement will offer more personalized care and a broad range of population management tools like predictive analytics and chronic care, disease

management and wellness programs.”

“As we look to close the gap for our members by making access to care easier and providing coordination of care, these types of accountable partnerships are a critical step for Humana in California,” said Jim Brown, Humana’s California Market President for Senior Products. “Key Medical Group and Kaweah Delta are ideal partners in central California. Our mutual commitment to quality helps us improve the health and well-being of Humana’s Medicare Advantage members.

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8 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

Visalia City Council Previews Proposed District Election Maps Staff Reports J19

Ave 312 Sunnyview Ave 63

W Goshen Ave

216

W Hurley Ave

J19

198

198

198

W Tulare Ave S Mcauliff St

Rd 140

S Pinkham St

S Linwood St

Rd 108

W Caldwell Ave

S County Center Dr

W Whitendale Ave

S Court St

W Walnut Ave

S Stonebro0k St

99

Rd 100

The Visalia City Council previewed initial proposed district election maps at a special meeting on December 2, and received an update on the continuing public process for establishing the districts.

The public, as well as the city council, will have opportunities to comment on and discuss the maps as the district election process evolves. Public information meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8pm on January 20 in Annie Mitchell Elementary School’s Multi-Purpose Room, 2121 E. Laura Ave., and on January 28 at Oak Grove Elementary School’s Multi-Purpose Room, 4445 W. Ferguson Ave. Doug Johnson with the National Demographics Corporation (NDC) will facilitate the meetings and provide information on maps submitted by citizens with proposed district boundaries. Citizens who have submitted maps will be allowed to provide comments on their submissions during the community meetings.

Free public participation kits are available to provide the tools to submit your own boundary proposal for discussion and consideration by the public and the city council. Kits in English and Spanish also are available at City Hall, 707 W. Acequia Ave. Maps will continue to be accepted through January

Map layers

Census Block Streets Visalia

Latino % of CVAP 0% to 25% 25% to 35% 35% to 50% 50% to 65% 65% to 75% 75% to 100% No Population

63

A map provided by National Demographics Corporation shows the percentage of Latinos of voting age in Visalia.

15 for discussion at the community forums. Draft maps can range from simply drawing your respective neighborhood’s borders, the district you want to see for your neighborhood, or a full citywide plan. Maps can be submitted to Doug

Johnson at NDC at djohnson@NDCresearch.com.

To view all maps submitted by the public as well as the three initial options that have been developed by NDC, visit www.ci.visalia.ca.us/government/dis-

trict_elections_2016.asp.

The City of Visalia must develop five city council districts prior to the November 2016 city council election, and must comply with legal criteria when developing these districts.

State Water Board Reports Decline in Urban Water Conservation Rates Staff Reports After leveling off in September, statewide residential water conservation receded in October to just a 6.7% reduction in year-over-year water use.

In the most recent survey of nearly 400 urban water retailers, the State Water Resources Control Board learned that while residential water use per person continues to decline this year, the rate at which water conservation has been occurring in each community compared to water use last year declined for the second straight month.

Year over year monthly residential water savings statewide dropped from 10.3% in September, to 6.7% in October, although residents used less water in October 2014 compared to September 2014. The decline in year-over-year monthly savings raises questions about whether efforts are slacking off or whether it is just that residents tend to use less water as the weather cools. Nonetheless, the numbers prompted concern that state residents won’t be prepared if California faces a fourth year of drought conditions in 2015.

“Recent rains are no reason to let up on our conservation efforts,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Board.

“It will take many sustained storms to get us out of this horrible drought. This latest report raises questions whether some residents have slowed on water conservation efforts, whether conditions like temperature made a big difference in different areas, or whether it is just time to direct agencies to find additional conservation opportunities in day-to-day water use.”

As an example, the South Coast exhibited a decline in monthly water savings dropping to 1.4% savings in October as compared to 7.5% savings

during September. With 56% of all the residential water customers statewide, this decline in conservation significantly impacted the state average for October residential water savings. Other areas held steady or even increased their conservation efforts in October compared to September.

The State Water Board held a halfday Southern California water conservation workshop on December 17, with the State Water Board travelling to the Los Angeles region for its second December board meeting. The workshop solicited suggestions on what, if any, additional conservation measures should be adopted in 2015 to increase water conservation statewide.

“Heading into 2015, our reservoirs remain at historic lows and our snowpack is a fraction of what we need, so the stakes are even higher than this time last year,” Marcus said. “We’ll hope for sustained rain and snow, especially snow, but have to plan as if it will be another dry year – until it’s not. Every drop saved today will be a treasure later if it doesn’t rain enough.”

Water conservation efforts reached a peak of 11.6% of water savings in August, compared with August 2013 water use. Statistically, California urban water use is generally the highest June through October.

Decline in Per Capita Daily Water Use Is Promising

A new reporting requirement, called residential gallons per-capita per day (R-GPCD), which estimates daily water use by residential customers for nearly 400 urban water agencies statewide alongside the monthly conservation data, indicates communities continue to use less water.

Data for September showed statewide average use of 123 gallon per person, per day. October data indicates the statewide average dropped to 109 gallons per person, per day, which is most likely due to lower outdoor water use as the state moves into cooler fall months.

The water use reports are a requirement of the Emergency Water Conservation Regulation adopted by the State Water Board in July and are provided to the board monthly by urban water suppliers, along with total water conservation for each month.

According to the R-GPCD data, water use varies widely by hydrologic region and showed consistent declines in water use, during this second month of reporting. At the low end, the North Coast region averaged 72 gallons per person per day. On the high end, the Colorado River region averaged 211 gallons per person per day.

Statewide Water Conservation Rate Declines in October

Water conservation statewide monthly year-over-year percentage has declined in September and October after a steady rise since June. The water conservation rate climbed to 11.6% in August, a substantial increase from 7.5% conservation in July and 4% in June. But for September, the conservation rate dipped to 10.6% and dropped again to just 6.7% in October. The water conservation rate is a comparison of the amount of water produced in the reporting month with the same month one year ago.

Compliance with the mandatory reporting requirement is steady, with 399 (97%) of urban water suppliers, representing about 34 million Californians, now reporting.

The report also found that, in October, 91% of the water agencies reporting had instituted outdoor water use restrictions, a three percentage point increase from the September reporting period.

Outdoor water use restrictions are a key requirement for urban water suppliers under the Emergency Water Conservation Regulation because outdoor watering accounts for as much as 80% of urban water use in some areas.

Between June and October, about 90 billion gallons, or 276,000 acre-feet of water, were saved compared to last year. Collectively that is about enough water to supply 1.2 million Californians for an entire year. An acre-foot of water can supply the annual average water needs for two families a year.

Background

In his January 17 Emergency Drought Proclamation, Governor Jerry Brown called for Californians to voluntarily reduce their water use by 20%. The trend of increasing reductions and specific local data shows that many California communities have met and exceeded the call to conserve, but more can and must be done to protect water supplies should the drought persist. Current forecasts indicate that Californians cannot count upon a wet winter to end the drought.

The State Water Board will closely monitor the implementation of the regulations and the weather over the coming months to determine if further restrictions are needed.

The Emergency Water Conservation Regulation will be in effect until April 25, and may be extended if drought conditions persist.

For more information, visit SaveOurWater.com and Drought.CA.Gov.

18 December, 2014

Stillwell Continued from p. 1

CEMEX was not at fault, that the company offered to cost-share digging a new communal well. But he stated that the residents were impossible to work with and never responded to the company’s “generous” offer. Mitchell ended with, “you can lead a horse to water but, well, we all know the saying.”

An important fact not brought up during the hearing was that CEMEX withheld information from RMA and the residents that it stopped gravel production on May 13, 2013. If the company had, in fact, believed it had no legal obligation to fill the trench while not engaged in mining activities, it would have stopped filling the trench in May of 2013. Or, it would have stopped filling the trench the first time the wires were stolen from the pumps on June 17, 2013. But the company fixed the pumps and resumed filling the trench until the wires were stolen again in September. Many theories revolve around why CEMEX withheld this information, but it was clearly demonstrated that the company knew it had a legal obligation to continue filling the trench.

Dr. Andrew Kopania, principal hydrogeologist for EMKO Environmental, came to the podium and added to Mitchell’s presentation by saying that, “just because you see an effect doesn’t mean there is one.” He reiterated that CEMEX’ mining activities had had no effect on the residents’ wells.

Sometime during Mitchell’s presentation, planning commission chair, Ed Dias, asked if CEMEX would be willing to dig deeper wells for each of the four residents. Mitchell responded with a very hesitant “yes.”

Rob Morton’s presentation summed up all the salient points of the hearing. He and his wife bought their property next to the future Stillwell mine in 2001. They

Valley Voice • 9 were sold by the beautiful view, which is now blocked by a 15-foot weed-infested berm, and the reliable aquifer, which is now compromised. They have two grandchildren in their home, and Mrs. Morton has to undergo daily dialysis at home that requires complete sanitation. Morton choked-up when describing the hardship his wife goes through several times a week doing home dialysis without water.

Their well went dry soon after CEMEX stopped filling the V-trench in September 2013. All of their landscaping and fruit trees died, and they had to send the kids to a friend’s house to bathe. Morton spent $7,000 of his own money to provide enough water to the house to shower once a week and occasionally wash the dishes.

“Ever since CEMEX stopped filling the recharge trench, it has been a battle to get the problem resolved,” he said. The residents wrote letters, spoke before the board of supervisors, and met with CEMEX representatives. He acknowledged that CEMEX offered to cost-share drilling a communal well that-- after digging, laying the pipes, hooking up to each home, and metering--would easily cost over $100,000. CEMEX offered to contribute $12,000.

Mitchell repeated several times that the neighbors were ungrateful and unresponsive to the company’s offer. He neglected to point out that none of the residents were financially able to pay their share of the remaining $88,000--some $22,000 each--even if they wanted a communal well. Besides the many pitfalls associated with the offer, there was also the possibility that a deeper well would not produce water. Lemon Cove has not been affected by the drought, and the community is served by a very dependable aquifer, but it is shallow. Digging deeper wouldn’t necessarily solve the problem.

Morton ended on a very emotional note, saying it has been very upsetting and stressful to sit and watch his family suffer just because CEMEX had not com-

plied with their permit. “And that has been proven here today.”

Ken Schmidt, a professional hydrologist who has worked previously for the county, stated that CEMEX’ own data proves that the recharge trench works. He also agreed with the conclusions of Tully and Young’s peer review that the gravel mine is fully to blame for the neighboring domestic wells going dry. Dias asked Schmidt if digging deeper wells would solve the problem. Said Schmidt, “we could hit water or not at all. No one alive is going to know that until we drill.”

Frank Callahan, a neighbor of CEMEX’ Lemon Cove Facility--a stone’s throw from Stillwell--is experiencing the same problem. He was one of the last residents to give testimony. Spata mentioned at the beginning of the hearing that the Lemon Cove Facility might be considered for discussion during this public hearing. It was no surprise when Mitchell adamantly disagreed. The concept of a recharge trench had been tested at the Lemon Cove facility and proven that it kept neighboring wells at normal levels.

CEMEX knew from its experience at the Lemon Cove Facility that when it stopped filling the recharge trench at Stillwell, the neighboring domestic wells would go dry. Some residents who live next to the Lemon Cove Facility contend it was intentional what CEMEX did, and not only feel that the company should lose its permit, but should face criminal charges.

Callahan has irrigated his citrus grove since the biggest drought in the state in 1977 with no problems, until mining started in the aquifer right next to his property. George Claussen, another neighbor of the Lemon Cove Facility, had a similar experience. His parents planted a citrus grove in 1905 that had never been affected by the several severe droughts during the last 100-plus years, until mining started in the Kaweah River aquifer.

When the recharge trench was kept full, their wells went back to pre-mining levels.

Now that CEMEX has also stopped filling their trench, just as it did at Stillwell, the local farmers have struggled to irrigate their groves. The local farmers are hoping that the planning commission does something about their water problems after it concludes the public hearings about Stillwell.

The most telling element of the public hearing was the fact that the affected residents spoke on their own behalf--even enlisting an hydrologist with no skin in the game--while no one from CEMEX spoke for CEMEX. Instead, the company hired an expert, Kopania, who has been labeled by a peer as a “hired hydro-geologic prostitute,” and a lawyer, Mitchell, with a major ax to grind, to present their case.

After three-and-a-half hours of presentations and testimonies, it was decided that the hearing would be continued to the February 25 planning commission meeting. Chairman Dias stated that it seemed to him that CEMEX and the residents weren’t that far apart in terms of a settlement; Spata echoed that sentiment, and was hopeful that by February the planning commission would be voting on the details of an agreement. A possible settlement could include digging new wells for each resident, reimbursing them for their expenses, and compensating them for the loss in value to their properties. If no settlement is reached before that time, the planning commission will make their final decision next year and it will be passed on to the board of supervisors.

When stacked, the amount of documentation sits about three feet high--yet the issue at hand was boiled down into one simple sentence uttered by Rob Morton: “Why are our wells dry and that pit is full of water?” CEMEX has not deigned to answer that question, but the residents living next to the Stillwell Mine pray that the Tulare County Planning Commission does.

10 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

Edeniq and Global Bio-chem Enter into Joint Development Agreement Staff Reports Edeniq, Inc., a biorefining and cellulosic technology company headquartered in Visalia, announced a Joint Development Agreement with Global Bio-chem Technology Group Limited, a leading manufacturer of chemicals from industrial sugars. Following a letter of intent forged in July, the companies further cement their cooperation on developing the lowest cost process for converting corn stover to cellulosic sugars for use in the production of bio-based chemical products.

Edeniq and Global Bio-chem plan to integrate their technologies in a commercial demonstration plant at Global Bio-chem’s facility in the Jilin Province of China. Construction has been initiated on the plant, with a target to produce 50,000 metric tons per year of sugars from corn stover. The two companies not only intend to supply the cellulosic sugars to Global Bio-chem for utilization in its existing sugar-based chemical

production facilities, but also plan to forge partnerships with other companies to enable the production of a broad array of biochemicals and biofuels from its sugars.

“Edeniq is known for our capital efficient solutions, and this relationship with Global Bio-chem will allow us to quickly expand into the growing markets in China,” said Xu Ziyi, executive director of Global Bio-chem. “China has a large and growing demand for bio-based products. This partnership will allow us to further develop and commercialize our technology platform utilizing the millions of metric tons per year of corn stover available in the Jilin Province, while significantly reducing the production costs of corn stover-based sugar.”

“Edeniq is known for our capital-efficient solutions, and this relationship with Global Bio-chem will allow us to quickly expand into the growing markets in China,” said Brian Thome, president and CEO of Edeniq. “Through

New Child Support Services Director Named Staff Reports The Tulare County Board of Supervisors announced that Roger Dixon of Las Vegas has been hired as the county’s new director of Child Support Services (CSS).

Dixon, who will relocate from Nevada to Tulare County for the position, has over 20 years of child support services experience. He has served as an administrator for the Clark County District Attorney Family Support Division for the past eight years. Before that, Dixon worked for 14 years as a program manager for Child Support Enforcement in the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

“Mr. Dixon will bring a lot of knowledge to the county’s child support system with his many years of experience in the field,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Phil Cox. “Mr. Dixon will be a great asset to the county and we look forward to having him lead Child

Support Services for years to come.”

As director of CSS, Dixon will be responsible for all aspects of the department’s programs and services, including managing its 211 employees and administering a budget of over $17 million.

Other duties Dixon will be responsible for include: providing leadership and direction to the department to ensure that client needs are met in a timely and efficient manner, and creating and implementing administrative, operational, service delivery and enforcement standards that promote overall department effectiveness.

“I look forward to residing in Tulare County and serving the families in our community,” said Dixon.

Dixon earned two degrees from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor of business administration, business management and a master of business administration, technology management.

Dixon’s start date is set for January 5. He will earn $120,000 annually.

this partnership, we are further demonstrating our commitment to developing next generation cellulosic technologies and the lowest cost route to efficient biofuel and biochemical production.”

Global Bio-chem is principally engaged in the manufacture and sale, research and development of corn-based biochemical products in the People’s Republic of China. Edeniq’s Visalia facility. bine mechanical and biological processIts products are sold in China and worldwide. Headquartered in Hong es. Edeniq’s capital-light and operationKong and with its production facilities ally efficient solutions can be integrated based in various provinces in China, into existing biorefineries that produce Global Bio-chem is the largest vertically ethanol, other biofuels, biochemical integrated corn-based biochemical prod- and/or bio-based products. Edeniq curuct manufacturer in Asia and is one of rently sells or licenses its technologies to the leading lysine players in the fermen- biorefineries in the United States and Brazil. tation industry worldwide.

Edeniq was founded in 2008 and Edeniq delivers integrated process innovations that unlock sugars. These has locations in Omaha, Nebraska, and technological innovations uniquely com- São Paulo State, Brazil. For more information, visit www.edeniq.com.

Girl Scout Cookies’ Valley Tradition Gets Online Makeover This Girl Scout Cookie season, hungry shoppers will be able to purchase cookies in a way they never could before – digitally. Girl Scouts of Central California South are participating in Digital Cookie, a revolutionary, new national digital platform that lets girls take cookie orders from customers through a unique transaction application, designed specifically for Girl Scouts.

Digital Cookie represents the next evolution of the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program, adding a digital layer that broadens and strengthens the five skills girls learn – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics – while introducing modern elements like using online applications and conducting e-commerce.

A majority of the 112 local Girl Scout councils nationwide are participating in Digital Cookie in the current cookie season, with additional councils expected to

Staff Reports be on board by the end of 2015, using an updated version 2.0.

Digital Cookie strengthens, expands, and enhances the Girl Scout Cookie Program by combining the values and lessons of door-to-door and booth sales with crucial 21st century business and entrepreneurial skills, continuing the Girl Scouts’ long tradition of preparing today’s girls to be the female leaders of tomorrow.

Girl Scouts will have their own individual page to manage and sell cookies beginning February 1, when the official cookie season kicks off. Cookies will be sold through March 22.

For more information, visit www. girlscouts.org/digitalcookie or contact Jordan King, communications manager, at jking@girlscoutsccs.org.

Report Documents Depleted Groundwater Resources Staff Reports Following one of the driest years on record, when groundwater resources have provided an increasing percentage of California’s water supply, the state Department of Water Resources (DWR) released an updated report on groundwater basins that details groundwater level changes, potential water shortages, land subsidence, farmland fallowing and gaps in groundwater monitoring.

Drought conditions typically result in an increase in groundwater well activity and pumping to compensate for surface water supply shortages. Collectively, groundwater basins are the state’s largest reservoir, 10 times the size of all its surface reservoirs combined. More than 80% of Californians rely, in part, on groundwater for their drinking water.

Directed by Governor Jerry Brown’s Proclamation of a State of Emergency in April and following a previous DWR report on groundwater in April, the report shows groundwater basins in most areas of the state at historically low levels.

In September, Brown signed a package of three bills that together create a framework for sustainable, local groundwater management for the first time in

state history. The legislation, known as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, allows local agencies to tailor groundwater sustainability plans to their regional economic and environmental needs. (For more information about the legislation, visit www.groundwater. ca.gov.)

“If we fail to manage our groundwater basins sustainably, we risk losing the water supply savings account that can help cities, farms, and businesses survive drought with minimal disruption,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act will help us head off problems such as subsidence and overdraft, which may damage aquifers permanently, and allow local agencies to establish groundwater pumping levels that yield reliable supplies for generations to come.”

State and local agencies will be working together over the next several years to craft local sustainability plans in regions where groundwater basins are vulnerable to overdraft. Groundwater accounts for approximately 40% of the state’s total annual water supply, and in some regions of the state, as much as 60% of the supply during dry or drought years.

In the meantime, as documented in the report, California’s three-year-long drought is taking a heavy toll on many groundwater basins. Basins with notable decreases in groundwater levels are in the Sacramento River, San Joaquin River, Tulare Lake, San Francisco Bay, Central Coast and South Coast hydrologic regions.

Key findings of the report include: • Based on data received this year through September, more than 350 new water supply wells are reported in Fresno and Tulare counties, the most in the state.

More than 200 new water supply wells were reported in Merced County and more than 100 were reported in Butte, Kern, Kings, Shasta and Stanislaus counties.

• As of October 7, 34 of California’s 127 high and medium-priority basins and sub basins are either partially or fully unmonitored under the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Program (CASGEM).

• While the collection and evalu-

ation of both seasonal and longterm groundwater level data are critical to assess conditions of alluvial groundwater basins, significant data monitoring gaps exist in the San Joaquin River, Tulare Lake and Central Coast hydrologic regions.

• Subsidence is occurring in many groundwater basins of the state, especially in the southern San Joaquin River and Tulare Lake hydrologic regions.

• Due to ongoing decline of groundwater levels, areas with a higher potential for future subsidence are in the southern San Joaquin, Antelope, Coachella and western Sacramento valleys.

• A multi-agency research project led by National Atmospheric and Space Administration estimated that peak summer acreage of farmland idled in California in 2014 was 1.7 million acres, almost 700,000 acres more than in 2011, a recent wet year.

To review the report, visit www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/index.cfm.

18 December, 2014

Valley Voice • 11

Corner Bakery Café Now Open in Visalia With murals depicting local Visalia landmarks on the wall, guests can enCorner Bakery Cafe opened its joy their meals with friends and family, doors at 4021 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visa- or stay connected with free WiFi and lia on December 8. The Packwood Creek bottomless cups of hand-roasted coffee. location is the first in the area for restau- For social occasions and business events, rant group C&L Cafe, which plans to Corner Bakery Cafe offers catering, delivdevelop up to nine cafes ering signature, madein the Central Valley to-order breakfasts, over the next five years. lunches and dinners.

Corner Bakery Cafe “We’re thrilled to is a fast-casual restaurant have the opportunity to serving breakfast, lunch serve guests in the Cenand dinner to guests in tral Valley area with our 19 states and Washingfirst cafe in Visalia,” said ton, D.C. Established Mug shot. franchise partner Doug in 1991, Corner BakCross. “We are confiery Cafe restaurants are owned and op- dent residents will soon make the Packerated by CBC Restaurant Corp. with wood Creek cafe their go-to restaurant more than 180 company-owned and whenever they crave fresh, flavorful food.” franchised locations around the country.

“Our casual neighborhood atmoThe restaurant serves made-to-order sphere and prepared-to-order food helps food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. build long-lasting relationships with our The seasonal guests,” said menu rangCorner Bakes from hot ery Cafe CEO breakfast and Mike Hislop. grilled Pani“We are hapni, to handpy to now call crafted salVisalia home ads, signature and believe sandwiches, neighbors will sweets and enjoy the Cormore.

Its ner Bakery specialties Cafe experiinclude light ence for many and fluffy years to come.” b u t t e r m i l k Corner Bakery Cafe is in Visalia’s Packwood Creek For more p a n c a k e s shopping center. information, for breakvisit www.corfast, chicken pomodori panini for nerbakerycafe.com/locations/ca/visalunch, pesto cavatappi for dinner, lia/packwood-creek or call 740-0203. and cinnamon creme cake for dessert.

Staff Reports

Local shoppers greet Visalia’s new WSS shoe store.

Footwear Retailer WSS Opens First Store in Visalia WSS, the largest California-based neighborhood footwear retailer in the U.S., hosted a grand opening celebration to commemorate its arrival in Visalia. WSS offers a large selection of top name athletic, dress, fashion and casual footwear brands for the whole family.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opened the store with participation by community and civic leaders including Visalia’s Mayor and Vice Mayor, Steve Nelsen and Warren Gubler, respectively, and Visalia Chamber of Commerce members. The new WSS store, which opened in November, is located at 3226 N. Dinuba Blvd.

“We’re looking forward to being a part of the Visalia community,” said Mark J. Archer, WSS president.

“You can count on us to be more than a retailer, but a trusted partner like we are in all of the neighborhoods where our stores are located.”

Staff Reports As part of WSS’ commitment to giving back to the communities they serve, WSS executives presented a $5,000 school supply donation to Crowley Elementary School.

“On behalf of Visalia, we welcome WSS to our neighborhood,” said Mayor Nelsen. “We have seen the success of WSS across California, and there is no doubt that they will bring that success to the area. Their arrival is good for business and great for our city.”

Founded in Southern California in 1984 by entrepreneur Eric Alon, all WSS stores feature a unique retail format that displays every style and size allowing customers to browse on their terms in a hassle-free environment, engaging the sales staff when they choose. The success of this business model has allowed WSS to continue its rapid expansion into new markets.

FHCN Announces New Door-to-Door Transportation Service in Visalia Staff Reports Family HealthCare Network (FHCN) has announced the expansion of its transportation services, with door-to-door service now available free of charge to its patients in the City of Visalia. Since December 8, patients in Visalia have been able to schedule this service from their home to one of FHCN’s three health centers in the city.

“By providing free transportation services, we are helping to eliminate an unnecessary barrier to healthcare for our community,” said Kerry Hydash, FHCN president and CEO. FHCN offers transportation services free-of-charge for patients of the

organization’s 14 health centers located throughout Tulare and Kings Counties. Door-to-door services are currently available for patients of the greater Porterville, Hanford, Cutler/Orosi, Goshen, Woodlake, Farmersville and Terra Bella centers. Each transportation van is equipped with both an infant’s and toddler’s car seats.

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Health Centers are open Monday through Friday, 7am to 9pm, and on

Saturdays from 8am to 5pm. Located at 501 N. Bridge St., FHCN’s newly renovated walk-in health center now offers extended hours and is open seven days a week, Monday through Friday, 9am to 10pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 8pm. Dental services are offered at the Bridge site Monday through Friday, 7am to 9pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to 5pm.

Patients interested in FHCN’s transportation services may call 877-9603426 or visit www.fhcn.org for transportation scheduling. For additional information about Family HealthCare Network, call Nikki Gilman, marketing and communications coordinator, at 737-4746.

12 • Valley Voice

Briefly…

Central Valley Counties Begin AVOID DUI Task Force

Central Valley AVOID DUI Task Force agencies in Tulare, Kings, Fresno and Madera Counties held a press conference on December 12 to announce the beginning of a nationwide intensive crackdown on impaired driving scheduled to take place from December 12 to January 1.

All drivers are being reminded to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” during this maximum enforcement period on local streets and highways. DUI/ Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force deployments and local Roving DUI Patrols are now taking place throughout the Central Valley, in partnership with law enforcement nationwide during the Winter Enforcement period.

The press conference was hosted by the Kingsburg Police Department.

TCAG Board of Governors Alternate Sought

Tulare County Supervisor Allen Ishida is seeking a District One alternate to fill a vacancy on the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) Board of Governors. The District One TCAG Board of Governors Alternate is responsible for attending TCAG Board meetings and voting in the absence of Supervisor Ishida.

The board directs TCAG and is composed of one representative from each of the eight cities, the five members of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors and three members-at-large. These 16 members act as the Council of Governments, the Regional Transportation Planning Agency, the Tulare County Transportation Authority and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. These members, plus the district director of Caltrans, sit as the Policy Advisory Committee.

This body offers advice on issues that will be presented to the Board of Governors. The Transportation Authority is also directed by the TCAG Board, less the at-large TCAG Board members and Caltrans representative. The TCAG Board meets the third Monday of each month at 1pm at various locations throughout the county.

For more information about becoming the TCAG Board of Governors District One Alternate, contact Board of Supervisors Representative Melissa Withnell at 636-5000 or mwithnell@ co.tulare.ca.us.

TCAG Announces Local Motion Awards Luncheon

The Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) has announced that the 4th Annual Local Motion Awards Luncheon, an opportunity to honor those contributing to transportation planning in Tulare County, will be held at the Visalia Convention Center on January 29.

TCAG is seeking nominations for the projects, citizens, public officials and plans to honor at the event. All projects that are completed or near completion, and in construction between the calendar dates of October 1, 2013 through December 19, 2014 are eligible. All nominations must be received by De-

18 December, 2014 cember 19. Nomination forms and other information are at www.tularecog.org.

For tickets ($35 before January 4, $45 after) or to become a sponsor, visit www.tularecog.org.

Quail Park Nominated for 2014 Architecture & Design Award

Senior Housing News, an Aging Media Network publication, announced the nominees for the second annual Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, and Quail Park Memory Care in Visalia was nominated in the Independent Living category.

“The SHN Architecture & Design Awards attracts submissions from a variety of innovative projects each year from North America and showcases a diverse range of senior housing initiatives from a variety of communities and organizations,” said George Yedinak, founder of Senior Housing News.

More than 50 senior living communities are being considered for cutting-edge design in new construction and renovation. For more information and a further in-depth look at this year’s nominees, visit www.shnawards.com.

Tulare County Sets Orientation for Prospective Foster Parents

Tulare County Foster Care Licensing will hold an orientation for prospective foster parents at 6:30pm on Thursday, December 18, at its office at 26500 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visalia.

In addition to scheduled orientations, Tulare County Foster Care Licensing staff members now offer personal orientations in order to be more accessible to prospective foster parents.

Foster care is a program that provides shelter to children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse, neglect or abandonment, or because their parents are ill or incarcerated. The shelter may be emergency, short-term care or longer term. There are nearly 1,000 children in Tulare County’s foster care program, and there are not enough foster care homes. Of particular need are foster parents prepared to take in siblings or teenagers, and parents willing to respond to emergency placement needs. Foster parents are needed in every community of Tulare County, so that children can remain in their own school.

People who are interested in becoming foster parents will need to attend an orientation meeting, and meet requirements such as being at least 18 years old, being financially able to support their own family, having no criminal record, and a clear health screening and being certified in CPR and first aid.

To schedule a personal orientation, or for other information, call 623-0581.

Porterville College Spring Semester Dates Announced

Porterville College Spring 2015 semester classes are still open, but time is running out. Saturday classes begin January 17 and regular spring instruction begins January 20. February 2 is the last day to enroll in and add semester-length classes for the spring semester.

Students can register online by visiting www.portervillecollege.edu. Students simply fill out an admission (first time students) or update form, attend assessment and orientation, visit a counselor and complete a student educational plan, then register for classes on the web.

A searchable and downloadable spring class schedule is available online for students to view what classes are still available, waitlist only or closed (full).

PC also offers community education, online, late-start and weekend classes, as well as summer school. PC offers childcare, financial aid, scholarships, student work programs and evening classes.

Porterville College is located at 100 E. College Ave. in Porterville. For more information, visit www.portervillecollege.edu or call 791-2200. You can also find Porterville College on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube.

Lemoore Chamber to Honor Bob Clement, FAST Credit Union, Kings Lions

The Lemoore Chamber of Commerce announced that retired West Hills College Lemoore athletic director Robert (Bob) Clement, FAST Credit Union and the Kings Lions Club, will be honored at its 57th Annual Installation & Awards Banquet.

The Lemoore Chamber will host the banquet on Friday, January 23, at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino Bingo/Banquet Hall. Clement will be honored as the 2015 “Citizen of the Year,” FAST Credit Union will be named the 2015 “Business of the Year,” and the Kings Lions Club will be named the 2015 “Organization of the Year.”

Table sponsorships are available at no charge for those wishing to promote their business or organization and show their support.

Reservations may be made by calling the Lemoore Chamber at 924-6401.

Paid reservations received by January 16 are $50 per person, or a table for eight for $350. Reservations made after January 16 will be $65 per person. No tickets will be available at the door. In addition to honoring this year’s citizen, business and organization, the evening will also include hors d’oeuvres, and dinner. Socializing begins at 6pm, dinner will be served at 7pm, and the awards program will be at 8pm.

For more information, contact Jenny MacMurdo at the Lemoore Chamber at 924-6401 or ceo@lemoorechamberofcommerce.com.

New Drought Status Numbers Available

The Tulare County Office of Emergency Services has released new drought status numbers with information about private well failures, well permit numbers, rental assistance numbers, the Bottled Water Drinking Program, food relief and drought-impacted workers.

Information has been submitted

by Tulare County Health & Human Services, Proteus Inc., the Workforce Investment Board, FoodLink and the Tulare County Resource Management Agency.

A bottled water drinking program application is at: http://goo.gl/KQSGMU Residents who need assistance can call 2-1-1 to find local resources and information about housing, food, health,

mental health, transit, household goods, employment and family assistance.

The new drought status numbers are at http://tularecounty.ca.gov/emergencies/index.cfm/drought/drought-effects-status-updates/week-of-december-1-201411.

National ‘Drive to Feed Kids’ Tour Visits Tulare County

Food insecurity, malnourishment, and hunger are daily struggles for families across Tulare County. J.D. Heiskell & Co., in coordination with FoodLink for Tulare County, enlisted the nationally touring Drive to Feed Kids “Chew On This” tour on December 15 to help raise awareness of this issue. “‘The Chew On This’ tour has visited college campuses, state fairs and communities,” said Scot Hillman, J.D. Heiskell & Co. chairman of the board.

“Everyone here at J.D. Heiskell & Co. is proud to host this event and shed light on the important role of local agriculture and engage community to take action against hunger locally.”

On the road since 2013, the “Chew On This” tour, and its parent organization Drive to Feed Kids, is a joint venture from Elanco Animal Health and Nutra Blend LLC. Its mission is to spread the word about food safety and quality, while advocating for the use of technology in food production on the drive to eliminate hunger.

The “Chew On This” tour, which features a custom-built, bright red tractor trailer with a 53’ state-of-the-art movie theater inside, provides a free lunch while screening a short film hosted

by Bill Goldberg, former NFL lineman and champion wrestler, and Mark Miller, lead singer and frontman of award winning country music band Sawyer Brown.

FoodLink for Tulare County’s Executive Director Dr. Sarah Ramirez spoke about local food insecurity, malnourishment and hunger, and how to contribute to the solutions.

Eagle Mountain Casino Donates $10,000 to P.A.D.S.

On December 8, Eagle Mountain Casino donated $10,000 to Porterville Adult Day Services. On hand to receive the check donation was P.A.D.S. Executive Director Cheri Taylor. Presenting the check were General Manager Matthew Mingrone and Marketing Director Renee Garcia.

“You do not know how much this means to me and the organization,” said Taylor. “We sometimes struggle with funds to keep us going and this donation will help. I hope that we are the charity of choice this year as caregivers continue to struggle especially during the Holidays.”

Porterville Adult Day Services provides continued supportive services for caregivers, and serves those who are 18 years and older who cannot stay home alone safely, including those with Alzheimer’s disease and other related forms of dementia.

Eagle Mountain Casino is a full service casino owned and operated by the Tule River Tribe.

Next deadline: 24 December 2014

Multi-District/Countywide/Statewide/Nationwide/International

18 December, 2014

Model Truancy Prevention Program Monterey County Office of Education Monterey County

Education

John McPherson, Board President; Dr. Nancy Kotowski, Superintendent; Dean Flippo, Monterey County District Attorney; Stephanie Hulsey, Assistant DA; Diana Rosenthal, Deputy DA

In 2010, the Seal of Biliteracy Consortium in Santa Clara County was established by seven Local Education Agencies, including the Santa Clara County Office of Education. The Seal of Biliteracy supports school districts in providing multiple opportunities for the study of world languages, while recognizing students who attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation with the Seal of Biliteracy.

TCOE Receives Golden Bell Award from CSBA The Monterey County Office of Education Truancy

Abatement program engages student, family and CELEBRATING 35 YEARS December 16 at CSBA’s Annual Edu-

Reports chool in a Staff team effort to determine the problems the student is encountering, develops a cation Conference and Trade Show in plan of action and works together to resolve issues. The result is student success in school San Francisco. and positive school attendance. The key components of the program are early detection of The Golden Bell Award was presentruant behavior, and collaboration and shared vision and goal between partnering agencies.

4

Leon Beauchman, Board President; Jon Gundry, Superintendent; Yee Wan, Director, Multilingual Education Services; Angelica Ramsey, Chief Valley Voice • 13 Academic Officer; Melissa Christie, Director, Curriculum and Instruction; Rachel Zlotziver, Communications/PR Specialist

Marymount Continued from p. 1

sure we have a case to bring a university to Visalia.

“Our target is the 16-17 schoolyear,” he continued. “We’re serious about it. It definitely will be a full-time, fully accredited college.”

As for the size of the campus, Aguilar believes that “it will be larger than just one building.” He also envisions it having a field for sports teams.

Censure

Continued from p. 1

“When you have nepotism and cronyism, you’re going to have this perverse interpretation of the Brown Act,” said Ulmschneider the next day. “The Brown Act generally is about open meetings and so forth, and not about a board turning on itself, unless it’s political. This is about political bullying. It was obviously political. They made phone calls.”

The board elected Juan Guerrero as its president and Lucia Vazquez as its clerk earlier in the meeting. Both were elected by 6-1 votes, again with Ulmschneider as the lone dissenter in each vote.

“It would be hypocritical of me to vote for somebody that I opposed and defeated substantially,” said Ulmschneider about his opposition to Guerrero.

Tulare County Office of Education Tulare County

ed to the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) for its work in developing a program to promote, integrate and support 21st Century learning into all areas of education both locally and outside the county. Developed by TCOE’s Education Resource Services (ERS), the Common Core Implementation & Support program provides multi-faceted services to educators, including extensive professional development offerings, onsite mentoring partnerships in 57 districts, interdepartmental Common Core State Standards (CCSS) collaborative efforts, a wide array of relevant, engaging, CCSS-aligned student events, and a popular CCSS resource website.

Through the development of the Common Core Implementation & Support program, ERS now offers a Professional Development Catalog with over 150 courses, which last year were attended by over 8,000 educators, locally and throughout the region. The expansion of ERS’s site-based professional development, coaching, and consulting services was another important component of the ERS Common Core Implementation & Support effort. To date, ERS team members are contracted to provide customized support, including instruc-

tional planning, model lesson demonstration, and data analysis, in 57 districts and seven programs throughout the region for a total of over 2,500 days, or 14 years, of staff time.

Internally, ERS has worked to guide the alignment of other TCOE Instructional Services and Special Services programs to incorporate 21st Century learning. The program also created the popular Common Core Connect website, which serves as a repository of resources and tools that have been developed or vetted, indexed and catalogued into a searchable database. The site also contains TCOE-developed resources that are freely shared with educators who wish to adopt them to align with their local initiatives. Website analytics reveal

that during a recent 30-day time period, 15 12,480 site pages were viewed by 4,353 visitors, many of whom are from other regions and states.

“The Common Core Implementation & Support program was an intentional investment in wthe future of our students,” said Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak. “The result is the creation of an innovative instructional culture that is getting a lot of attention statewide.”

Educational experts from school districts and county offices of education comprise the 26-member CSBA judging panel that reviewed all written award entries. On-site visitations are scheduled to validate and assess the nominated programs to determine the winners.

Aguilar made a presentation to the Catholic Professional and Business Club of Tulare-Kings. “It was almost unanimous when we asked if you support a four-year university.”

Three or four classes may be offered this summer, according to Aguilar, “just so the word gets out that we’re a campus.

We’re working to get a site.”

“I think it’s too early to say what will happen in Visalia,” said Brophy, who also said that Marymount California University is not currently considering any other locations for new campuses.

He noted that the Lake County campus opened “just last summer. We really had no plans for further expansion until Dr. Aguilar contacted me.”

Lake County officials and city leaders, along with the school districts, chambers of commerce and community-minded not-for-profits worked together to bring the Marymount campus to their area.

“Their folks came together and made a compelling case to our board of trustees,” said Brophy. “They were able to present us with a 75,000-square-foot

facility.” He added that the university was also offered “a friendly lease of $1 a year.”

That information was presented to community leaders in Tulare County.

“I definitely shared with them the case study of what happened in northern California,” said Brophy. “There was some interest. There was a lot of passion for providing space.”

“They have not asked for any city help,” said Olmos. “They have gotten considerable support from the private sector.”

His vote against Vazquez was because she was unopposed when she was elected to the board. “When you run unopposed, are you being elected or are you being rubber-stamped by the public?”

Ulmschneider, who is often the lone dissenter in board votes, was asked if he was treated differently with the censure issue than other board members would have been. “Yes, of course,” he responded.

Jim Qualls, outgoing board president, was asked before the vote if Ulmschneider was being treated differently as a result of previous disagreements with other board members. “I would have done it to any other board member,” he responded. “We work hard to maintain trust and we don’t want to lose it over this issue.”

VUSD Superintendent Craig Wheaton spoke before the board vote and tried to make it clear that the censure was not

a punishment, but “just a drafted resolution of the board disapproving of the conduct of a board member.” The board has the right of freedom of speech “and censure is an expression of that right.”

Ulmschneider maintained the next day that his actions that resulted in his censure were only intended to provide information about high school foreign language education. “The analysis I did was pretty involved and I wanted to make sure it was public,” he said, adding that he also wanted to do a presentation about the subject at a board meeting. “I think it’s an insult to the people here to not be allowed to do a PowerPoint presentation for the public good.”

Based on his post-meeting comments, Ulmshneider has not abandoned his belief that he did nothing wrong, and that he did not violate the Brown Act. He was asked if the board’s censure changed anything.

“I think it chills my communications with them,” said Ulmschneider.

“That censure puts your collegiality on ice. I tried my best during my first term and my second term, but you can see the cronyism. There’s no way I can give them anything else now. Everything has to go through the superintendent and I have to hope the superintendent – who I didn’t vote for – will give (information I want to present) to the board.”

Before the censure vote, the board considered the possible addition of a third foreign language to the high school curriculum. After hearing from educators and members of the public about the merits of German and other languages, as well as concerns about the impact of a third language on the current Spanish and French programs, the board voted to delay its vote so it could further study the issue.

This time, the vote was 7-0.

2013

The Tulare County Office of Education has been honored with a Golden Bell Award, a leading educational honor in California sponsored by the California School Boards Association (CSBA).

Celebrating its 35th year, the Golden Bell Award promotes excellence in education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and governance practices of governing boards in school districts and county offices of education throughout California.

The Golden Bell Awards program honors exemplary programs in 19 major categories that highlight best practices to support effective governance, teaching and student learning. The Tulare County Office of Education received its award at a recognition ceremony on Tuesday,

Educational Resource Services Common Core Implementation and Support

Joe Enea, Board President; Jim Vidak, Superintendent; Guadalupe Solis, Deputy Superintendent, Instructional Services; Charlene Stringham, Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services The Tulare County Office of Education Educational Resource Services Common Core Implementation & Support provides multi-faceted Common Core State Standards implementation and support services to educators throughout and beyond Tulare County. The program includes an extensive offering of professional development sessions, on-site mentoring partnerships in over 50 districts, interdepartmental CCSS collaborative efforts, a wide array of relevant, engaging, CCSSaligned student events and a popular CCSS resource website.

To all South Valley students: Santa knows if you’ve been bad or good

14 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

Viewpoint

The $7 Million University President Lawrence S. Wittner In a recent article about Shirley Jackson, the president since 1999 of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)--a private university located in Troy, New York--the Chronicle of Higher Education revealed that, in 2012 (the latest year for which statistics are available), she received over $7 million from that institution. Like many modern campus administrators, President Jackson was also given a large mansion, first class air travel and a chauffeured luxury car to transport her around the campus.

Thanks to the fact that Jackson also serves on at least five corporate boards, including those of IBM and Marathon Oil, she supplements this income with more than a million dollars a year from these sources.

Despite repeated complaints about Jackson from faculty and students, RPI’s board of trustees has invariably expressed its total confidence in her. Indeed, the board chair recently declared that she is worth every penny of her substantial income. This unwavering support appears to be based not only upon Jackson’s fundraising prowess, but upon the corporate approach that she and the board share.

A key component of this corporate approach is embodied in Jackson’s development and implementation of the Rensselaer Plan, a venture that includes an enormous construction program at a staggering cost. Worried about their institution falling behind rivals in the race to build a high-powered, modern campus, trustees found this university expansion deeply satisfying. But it also meant that RPI ran up its debt to $828 million--over six times its level when Jackson took office. As a result, Moody’s downgraded RPI’s credit rating twice, and describes the financial outlook for RPI as “negative.”

Of course, when operating as a business, there are many ways to pay a top executive’s hefty salary and recoup huge financial losses. As is the practice on other campuses, RPI employs a considerable number of adjunct faculty members--part-timers paid by the course, with pitiful salaries, no benefits and no guarantee of employment beyond the semester in which they are teaching. One of these adjuncts, Elizabeth Gordon, was paid $4,000 a course--about $10 an hour by her estimates. “Because the pay was so low,” she recalled, “it was like being a volunteer serving the community.”

But, as the size of her RPI writing classes grew, she became concerned that the pace of grading, student meetings and course preparation was undermining her health, which she lacked the insurance to cover. So she quit. Many other adjuncts, however, are still at RPI, scraping by on poverty-level wages and enriching President Jackson.

RPI’s adjuncts once had a voice on campus, as some of them served on RPI’s Faculty Senate. But that came to an end in 2007, when Jackson abolished that entity. From the administration’s standpoint, the abolition of the Senate had the welcome effect of not only depriving adjuncts of their minimal influence, but of crippling the power of regular faculty, as well. The previous year, a faculty vote

of no confidence in Jackson’s leadership had been only narrowly defeated. Thus, the administration’s abolition of the Faculty Senate served as a pre-emptive strike.

Asked by irate faculty to investigate the situation, the American Association of University Professors condemned the administration’s action as violating the basic principles of shared governance.

The administration responded that RPI “has never recognized the role of the AAUP in what we regard as an internal issue.” Ultimately, faculty resistance collapsed, leaving faculty powerlessness and demoralization in its wake.

The Jackson administration, using what union organizers charged were tactics of intimidation, also succeeded in defeating efforts to unionize RPI’s downtrodden campus janitors and cafeteria workers. During one union campaign among janitors, the lead organizer recalled, security guards threw him off campus and the administration fired a janitor on the organizing committee.

In a further effort to cover the administration’s costly priorities, student tuition was raised substantially during the Jackson years. In 2013-14, it reached $45,100--$25,608 above the average tuition at New York’s four-year colleges.

Of course, beyond tuition, there are expenses for college fees, room, board and books, placing RPI’s own estimate of student costs for attendance in 20142015 at $64,194. Perhaps to soften the blow to students of this enormous price tag or to signal them about what type of school this is, the RPI web page remarks helpfully that, “many of our professors have close ties with top global corporations.”

Having created the very model of an undemocratic, corporate university, President Jackson is appropriately imperious. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, she has a series of rules that are clear to everyone. These include: 1) Only she is authorized to set the temperature in conference rooms; 2) Cabinet members all rise when she enters the room; 3) If food is served at a meeting, vice presidents clear her plate; and 4) She is always to be publicly introduced as “The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson.” Falling into rages on occasion, she publicly abuses her staff and frequently remarks: “You know, I could fire you all.” In 2011, RPI’s Student Senate passed a resolution criticizing her “abrasive style,” “top-down leadership” and the climate of “fear” she had instilled among administrators and staff. It even called upon RPI’s board of trustees to consider Jackson’s removal from office.

But, once again, the board merely rallied in her defense.

Perhaps, though, the response of the board of trustees is not surprising. After all, developments at RPI are very much in line with trends at institutions of higher education: inflating administration salaries; exploiting adjunct faculty, regular faculty and other workers; strengthening administration power; raising tuition to astronomical heights; and, above all, running colleges and universities like modern business enterprises. RPI actually presents us with a glimpse of the future of higher education — a future that we might not like very much.

A New Hope for California The Scottish people recently rejected a referendum that would have made Scotland an independent country, which begs the question. Why would a nation vote against its own freedom? Undoubtedly, the referendum failed because voting for an independent Scotland was too much of a risk to people’s day-today lives and many people believed that keeping the status quo was the safest bet.

In truth, the status quo prior to the referendum was not so bad – Scotland already enjoyed great autonomy within the British national system and there was no urgent issue demanding independence.

On top of that, many who might have voted for independence were swayed at the last moment when, in a last ditch effort to save the union, the British Parliament pledged to grant Scotland even more autonomy.

The referendum was a shining example of the right of self-determination.

And in this case, the people determined their future was more secure as a nation within a nation and that is exactly how we see ourselves. California, too, is a nation within a nation. California is not only geographically isolated from the United States by a thousand miles of mountains and deserts, but we are ideologically and culturally different, as well.

These differences explain why we have different public policy preferences. Every day, Americans shake their heads and roll their eyes at what we’re doing here in California. That which is natural and common sense to us, is crazy and ridiculous to them. The issue is not about who is right or wrong but that Californians ought to be free to do what is right for California.

Yet the federal government time after time, year after year stands in our way. Californians are not free to do what is right for California because our interests are pitted against the interests of the 49 other states. As a result – and this has been true for at least thirty years now – the federal government has taken about a quarter of the tax dollars from the income taxes we pay in order to bankroll the other states. Today that represents about 100 billion dollars. What could California do with an “extra” – for lack of a better term – 100 billion dollars in its budget every year? Let me throw out a couple of ideas.

One, we could pay off California’s approximate 800 billion dollars in accumulated state debt in less than a decade.

Imagine a California with no debt and thus, no interest being paid on that debt.

This year, Governor Brown set aside 11 billion dollars to pay down the debt. Yet that’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the total amount California owes. We could do better than that.

Two, let’s say we don’t dedicate all of the additional 100 billion dollars to paying off the debt. Our current 155 billion dollar budget for this coming year

Louis J. Marinelli includes an 8.5% spending increase. If California’s taxes were kept in California, we would have a 250 billion dollar budget to work with – a 77% spending increase – with room for tax cuts, paying down the debt, and rainy day funds.

While the former seems rather appealing, the latter is more realistic. What would a 250 billion dollar budget mean for California? Without getting bogged down in the numbers, it would represent an opportunity to return California to the Golden State of yesteryear. We could rebuild our infrastructure – ranked 3rd worst in the nation. We could reinvigorate our schools – ranked 5th worst in the nation. We could even provide a free college education for all high school graduates. Our streets would be safer thanks to increased funding for education but also by increased funding to local police departments.

These are just some ideas of what we could do with our tax dollars kept here at home in California. These ideas could go as far as Californians’ imagination would allow but one thing is for sure: California could finally do what was right for Californians. Unfortunately, our current relationship with Washington, D.C. is the primary obstacle for making this dreamy vision of California a reality.

Not only have they exploited California for its tax dollars, but the federal government is responsible for transforming our lush Central Valley into a dust bowl.

They are responsible for rejecting trade agreements California has attempted to make with other countries – trade agreements that could have done so much for our economy. They are responsible for the border security problems California must deal with, and they are responsible for deporting the men and women who labor day in and day out so that we can have affordable produce in supermarkets across the nation. Doesn’t it feel like they’re biting the hand that feeds them?

These are just some of the reasons why we need to review our relationship with Washington, D.C. We can do this by establishing a state panel to investigate devolution to recommend any changes to our present constitutional relationship that would enable us to serve the people of California better, to improve the financial accountability of the California government, and continue to secure California’s future – within the national system of the United States. Much in the way that Scotland has grown more autonomous over the years within the British national system, so can California within the American national system. This is our new hope for California, and we intend to make this the basis of our campaign over the period of the next two years.

Louis J. Marinelli is president of Sovereign California.

The Valley Voice is always seeking well-written, well-reasoned pieces.

Join the conversation!

Contact editor@ourvalleyvoice.com.

18 December, 2014

Valley Voice • 15

Columns & Letters U.S. Senate to Central Valley: ‘No Water for You’ Dear Friends, The House of Representatives last week passed its third bill in three years to alleviate the California water crisis. Based on extensive, bipartisan House-Senate negotiations, the California Emergency Drought Relief Act(H.R. 5781)included numerous Senate demands.

The bill did not even strive to permanently solve the crisis, instead proposing measures simply to bring some short-term relief to families and to help farmers get through the upcoming growing season.

Nevertheless, the Senate refused to approve even these minimal, temporary actions, just as it declined to act on the

previous House water bills. The House was also prepared to pass the measures as part of the Omnibus spending bill, but the effort was killed by Senate opposition.

Having rejected all our initiatives, the senators should explain their plan for relieving the water crisis. As I argued on the House floor, by the way they’re acting, it’s almost as if they have no plan at all . . .

Black Tie Alex Oldenbourg

Sincerely, Devin Nunes MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Online Comments Comment at ourvalleyvoice.com or fb.me/ourvalleyvoice

“

I agree with the greater majority of Mr. Oldenbourgs’ comments relating to the shooting of Mike Brown. While the residents of Fergerson and New York have to deal with the death of Brown and Graner as a result of police actions our own communities are facing the same abuse from our own police departments. The residents of Porterville cannot forget or dismiss the wrongful killing of Vincent Steen in January of 2010, which occurred under the (forced to take an early retirement) Porterville Police Chief Chuck McMillian. Many comments have been made in the media referring to Mike Brown as a “thug” for what seems to be the bullying of the store owner where he had taken to packages of cigars. In weighing the scales of accountability, we have to ask ourselves as to who did more damage to the community. Was it Mike Brown an 18 inmature Black man, who should have been dealth with in a more professional manner, rather than to shoot him like an animal, or, a Chief of Police who was allegedly (1) having alcohol parties at the local Police Training Facility, (2) the abuse of several 911 emergency calls to his resident, and no reports were ever filed or arrests conducted, (3) forcing on duty staff to leave their post and assist in maintaining the Police Training Facility against their wishes, (4) the unauthorized purchasing of a $30,000.00 tractor from the Lindsay Police Department, (5) creating a hostile enviornment within his department, (6) accepting and not taking appropriate action against a city elected official for attempting to optain favoritism to get a friend of a DUI charge, and, (7) failure to fully investigate the, passing out of one of his detectives in the Town and County parking lot in December of 2012 after leaving an early New Years Party. So I ask again WHO DID MORE DAMAGE TO THE COMMUNITY????This is the second Police Chief who has left the Porterville Department following misconduct. ARE THEY ABOVE THE LAW???These two individuals were hire by the Porterville City Manager who also hired the current City Attorney Julia Lew, who was not given any further consideration to represent the City of Lindsay. From what I was told, is the Lew was let go because she tried to influence the city not to contract the Public Employees Retirement System for its’ employees. Lew was the same person who cost the city over $50,000.00 to draft the 21 Measures for the June elections that were so confusing that I don’t even think she understood them. I am thinking it was Measure T that purposed to allow the Porterville City Manager to opt out of PERS and scaming city employees. Folks I don’t make this stuff up, concern people, both city staff and city residents are fed up with this corrupt leadership. In my lawsuit against the City regarding a rights violation issue the United States Federal Judge ‘DENIED” the Citys’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGEMENT, indicating that even though my injuries were minimal, that the Officer had violated my rights. I recently filed a MOTION TO DISMISS COUNSEL, due to the fact that he and the Law Office of NELSON and ROZIER, a firm representing the City of Porterville and the Police Department, with your tax dollars, were attempting to deceive the court with a RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT that had a “Confidentiality Clause” that I did not agree to. They actually want me not to talk of the corruption surrounding the City of Porterville. My MOTION is with the interest of deposing the Chief of Police. Imagine that. NELSON and ROZIER, simply, said they were sorry that they had overlooked the entry. These attorneys are supposedly “seasoned attorneys” but are only abusing you tax dollars So now,, my second question is who is doing or did more damage to their community, Mike Brown, Eric Garner, OR the Police Chief, City Manager, City Attorney, or NELSON and ROZIER? Wake up people, before you get shot because in Tulare County you don’t have to be BLACK. You just have to be a taxpayer to get violated. NEED I SAY MORE?

Veteran’s Corner

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation When a service member dies on active duty or a veteran dies of a service-connected medical condition, or a service-connected medical condition was a major factor in the death, the surviving spouse is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

The two major exceptions to this rule are if the veteran is rated 100% disabled for at least 10 years or an ex-POW was rated 100% for one year, then the surviving spouse is also eligible for DIC regardless of the cause of the veteran’s death.

Service-connected means the disability happened while in the service or something that was made worse because of that military service. Surviving spouse means married to the service member or veteran at the time of death. If the surviving spouse remarries prior to age 57, DIC is stopped.

The current DIC payment rate is $1,233.23 per month. Medical care will continue for surviving spouses of retired veterans. Other benefits, including education and a property tax break, may be available depending on each situation.

For each dependent child, an additional

“

“

Joe Wright $305.52 per month is available. There is no time limit to apply for this benefit.

Our office can assist you in applying for this benefit.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran ID cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Joe Wright if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email.

There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com.

Joe Wright, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA 93230; call 8522669; or e-mail joe.wright@co.kings.ca.us.

Great story We are working with the Lemon Cove Village and trying to spread the word.

We are the first tiny house builders in the valley ( we think) and are excited about the tiny house movement. We are bringing our first model out to Lemon Cove in the near future.

Pat and Nick Mosley 559 696-1105

”

— Pat and Nick Mosley, on Lemon Cove Village, Where Smaller is Better

Like us on Facebook

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Send us your Letters to the Editor

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— John Duran, on Where’s Brian Wilson When You Need Him?

Plans for a wendys would be great

Touchdown Ducks!

— Juan, on McDonald’s to Build New-Design Restaurant

By mail: 208 W. Main, Ste. E, Visalia, CA 93291 By email: editor@ourvalleyvoice.com

16 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

NPS Seeks Cahoon Meadow Restoration Proposal Comments Staff Reports The National Park Service (NPS) is initiating public scoping on a proposal to evaluate a full range of ecological restoration options to address a large erosion gully in Cahoon Meadow, located within the John Krebs Wilderness of Sequoia National Park. The purpose of this project is to protect and restore wetlands in Cahoon Meadow.

Cahoon Meadow lies within a parcel of land that was acquired by the NPS in 1980. While in private ownership, the meadow was heavily damaged by cattle grazing. Erosion of the bare soil created by overgrazing formed a deep gully that has drained over five acres of wetland and threatens 14 additional acres.

The gully, at its largest extent, is 17 feet deep and 92 feet wide, and runs for approximately 1,200 feet, about 75% of the length of the meadow. The gully has caused a loss of wetland function and rare fen (peat-accumulating) habitat in Cahoon Meadow, the second largest wetland in the East Fork of the Kaweah River. Wetlands are important for flood reduction, water filtration, water storage and wildlife habitat. If no action is taken, the existing meadow would continue to degrade, possibly leading to total loss of wetlands at Cahoon Meadow.

In order to restore ecosystem function to this meadow, the NPS has identified preliminary draft alternatives. These alternatives range from stabilization to full ecosystem restoration involving hand crews and earthmoving equipment transported by helicopter.

One alternative could stabilize the abrupt vertical drop at the leading edge of the gully and protect 14 acres of intact wetland from further damage by constructing log or rock structures. A second alternative could additionally restore an intermediate level of ecosystem function to five acres of drained meadow by constructing a series of check dams within the full length of the gully, with the long-term goal of slowing water flow, trapping sediment and raising the water table. Under both of these alternatives, construction could be done by hand crews and stock, or could include limited use of small earthmoving equipment, such as a mini-excavator, to provide deeper anchoring of logs. This would minimize long-term This erosion gully has caused dewatering of wetlands in Cahoon Meadow. dam repairs and increase conproject proposal, call Athena Demetry, phone number, e-mail address or other struction feasibility and the likelihood of restoration ecologist, at 565-4479. personal identifying information in your success. A third alternative would evaluAll written comments about this comment, you should be aware that your ate restoring the meadow to a fully funcproject must be transmitted, postmarked entire comment - including your persontioning, sustainable wetland with no or hand-delivered by January 23. To re- al identifying information - may be made long-term maintenance. This could be spond electronically, submit your com- publicly available at any time. While you achieved by using several pieces of large ments via the PEPC website at http:// can request that your comment not reearthmoving equipment, such as a bullparkplanning.nps.gov/seki. To submit veal any personal identifying informadozer, over a period of several months. written comments, send them via mail tion, it cannot be guaranteed that such a The NPS is interested in any public or hand-deliver to: Superintendent, Se- request will be complied with. concerns, potential issues or opportuniquoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, To obtain supplemental informaties related to the proposed restoration.

Attn: Cahoon Meadow Restoration tion about the proposed project, visit the After analyzing comments received Plan, 47050 Generals Highway, Three NPS Planning, Environment and Public during scoping, the NPS will determine Rivers, CA 93271. Faxed comments will Comment website at: http://parkplanthe level of analysis needed. If you have be accepted at 565-4202. ning.nps.gov/seki. any specific questions regarding this Before including your address,

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Valley Scene Exeter’s Doo-Dah Parade to Give 2014 a Unique Send-off purpose is to be entertaining or fun, and Hearts, playing a combination of counaimed at getting a laugh, Sparry said. try and rock, begins at Mixter Park, with A parade will Anyone can the parade awards to be presented at travel down Exeter’s enter and prizes are 7:45pm.

Pine Street just beoffered, including At 9pm, guests are invited to move fore the end of the a grand prize of down to F and Palm streets, to view the year. And, while $500, makfireworks it may not as gloing it a good presentation. rious as the Rose fundraiser for A disc jockey Parade in Pasadena youth clubs, and dancing the following day, Sparry said. will finish off the Exeter Lions Five people the evening.

Club’s 3rd Annual from within The ExDoo-Dah Parade A redneck float at the Doo-Dah Parade… the commueter Lions on New Year’s Eve nity will be Club has offers a unique way to say goodbye to serve as judges. long been as2014.

The evening kicks off at 5pm sociated with “It’s just a crazy parade,” said Bob with food vendors, a beer garden, some of the Sparry, chairman. “Entrants can do any- petting zoo, bounce houses and best pyrothing they want, as long as it is not too miniature train rides, said Tom technics disrisqué.”

Gray, logistics chairman for the …and a rodeo queen. Photos cour- plays in the The parade generally consists of a evening. The parade begins at tesy Foothills Sun-Gazette.

South Valley, dozen or so entrants, which can be indi- 6pm and runs down Pine Street, having providuals or groups wearing some type of with judging at the corner of Pine and duced 4th of July shows for more than costume. They walk, ride bikes, motor- E streets.

50 years. As in the past couple of years, cycles or horses, or appear on a float. The At 7pm, live music by Branded DOO-DAH PARADE continued on 18 » Nancy Vigran

Other New Year’s Eve Offerings Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve with the Portuguese Kids – 7pm The Portuguese Kids of Tulare will have a New Year’s Eve show with comedy, dinner and dancing. Tickets, $50, include appetizers, dinner, party favors, champagne toast, and sweet bread at midnight. T.D.E.S. Portuguese Hall of Tulare is at 515 North I St. For tickets or information, call 901-3472 or 331-1835.

Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration – 8pm-Midnight Visalia’s 210 Cafe will host a New Year’s Eve dinner featuring lobster or prime rib and entertainment. Tickets, $85, available at eventbrite.com.

Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Party & Buffet The Gateway Restaurant & Lodge in Three Rivers will host a “Countdown to 2015” featuring buffet, champagne, party favors, dancing and New Year countdown. For tickets and information, visit www.gateway-sequoia.com.

Dec. 31 – Roaring Into the New Year 2015 – 8pm-1am Kings Lions will present the Marie Wilson Band at Hanford Civic Auditorium, 400 N. Douty St. Must be 21+ to attend. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the tour. VIP tickets, $250, are available through pre-sale only and include a complementary bottle of champagne and reserved table for 8 people. For info, visit flavorus. com/kingsNewYear2015.

Richard Arenas to Show Two Art Series at Brandon-Mitchell Gallery 60s. The farmer was still there. Richard found pictures that showed himself Richard Arenas, one of the Valley’s along with his son, who was only 3 or 4 most well-known and prolific sculptors, at the time. will show his series of “Maneras de CoHe will also show “Day and Month sechar Uva” (Steps to Picking Grapes) Symbols,” a group of low relief sculpalong with his “Day tures depicting anand Month Symbols” cient hieroglyphics of and other works in the Olmec and Tarthe Brandon-Mitchasco cultures, which ell Gallery during pre-dated the Mayan January and Februand Aztec cultures in ary.

Mexico at 1500 B.C. There will be an The sculptures are of artist’s reception Fribronze, scuffed with a day, January 2, from wire brush on polished 5:30-8pm.

Arenas granite. will give a two-minHaving worked ute talk on his work the fields through Calat 6pm. ifornia, Arenas feels Arenas grew up strongly about social in a farm-working and economic rights family in Tulare. for all. He believes His “Maneras” series in preserving the infeatures a stunning digenous history and group of a dozen low culture of all people relief (2-D) sculpthrough the arts. He tures reflecting the “Maneras” by Richard Arenas says his personal goal backbreaking work is to immortalize the of the farm laborer.

Campesino, the people Each sculpture is made up of dozens of of pre-Columbian Mexico, and the insmall handcut pieces of leather, metal digenous people of the world. and wood.

The Brandon-Mitchell Gallery is lo“I wanted to use different materials,” cated in the Spiritual Awareness Center, explained Arenas. “I use mostly bronze 117 S. Locust, Visalia (one block south and steel, but I didn’t want this work to of Main Street). The show is open during look ‘obviously like Richard Arenas.’”

First Friday Art Walks and by appointArenas went back to the farm in ment. For more information, call 625Kingsburg where his family picked 2441 or visit www.spiritualawarenessgrapes each year from the 40s to early center.com.

Donna Orozco

Cutting the ribbon to open Visalia’s new pickleball courts are (l-r): Jill Dembroff, “Voice of Pickleball in Visalia” Glenn Dembroff, Visalia Vice Mayor Warren Gubler and the city’s pickleball coach Dan Fox.

City of Visalia Opens New Pickleball Courts Pickleball has officially come to Visalia.

On December 13, a grand opening ceremony was held at Recreation Park, 345 N. Jacob St. in Visalia, to cut the ribbon on Visalia Parks and Recreation Department’s new pickleball courts.

“I think it’s a good sport for the community,” said Visalia Vice Mayor Warren Gubler, one of the main pickleball proponents. “I’ve been pushing for senior Olympics and I think this is one of the sports that would be part of it.”

He added that he first saw pickleball courts when he visited his parents in St. George, Utah, and “the eight courts there are always packed.”

“It’s a great sport of primary interest to seniors but can be played by anyone,” said Visalia City Manager Mike Olmos.

“We see this as a great sports trend and we wanted to respond to it.”

He added that this is “the first facility dedicated to pickleball in the city.”

Up until this grand opening, local

Steve Pastis pickleball players had to use chalk to mark tennis courts, according to Ken Robison, who introduced himself as the ambassador for pickleball in the Valley.

Pickleball, which has been described as “a combination of table tennis, tennis and badminton,” uses a kind of Wiffle Ball and a paddle that looks like a large table tennis paddle. The rules of pickleball are similar to those of tennis or ping pong. There are a few differences, however, such as not being allowed close to the net except to return a ball hit there by your opponents.

Three U.S. congressmen, Joel Pritchard, William Bell and Barney McCallum, are credited with inventing the sport in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, as a way to keep their kids occupied that summer. They originally used table tennis paddles and a Wiffle

PICKLEBALL continued on 25 »

18 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

Lindsay Community Theatre to Present ‘Scrooge, A Christmas Carol’

The Lindsay Community Christmas Parade of Lights

Parade of Lights to Highlight Lindsay’s Christmas Celebration Staff Reports The Lindsay Community Christmas Celebration begins 6pm on Friday, December 19, 2014 at Lindsay City Hall, with free refreshments and cookies.

Santa will arrive at the Lindsay Police Department, and there will be free toys provided by the Lindsay Police Of-

ficers Association for every boy and girl who comes to meet Santa.

The Lindsay Parade of Lights will begin at 6pm at the Save Mart Shopping Center. A prize of $200 will be awarded to the best Christmas lights display on a vehicle, float and/or person.

For more information, call Virginia Loya at 333-1994.

The Zalud House in Porterville

‘Old Fashioned Christmas’ at the Zalud House Features Candlelight Tours Staff Reports The Zalud House Museum will host its annual “Old Fashioned Christmas” Candlelight Tours from 6-8pm on December 19 and 20.

Every holiday season, the Zalud House comes alive with the Holiday spirit by featuring special seasonal displays, vintage decorations and yuletide piano music. The guided tours and refreshments provide an enjoyable evening for the whole family. Admission is $2 for

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adults and 50¢ for children.

Built in 1891, the Zalud House, 393 N. Hockett St., is one of few museums in the nation that is furnished entirely with the original owners’ possessions. It is listed in the National Historical Registry of Old Houses and in the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information on the Candlelight Tours or the Zalud House Museum, call 791-7695 or visit the City of Porterville website at www.ci.porterville. ca.us.

Just in time for Christmas, the Lindsay Community Theater is presenting the traditional Christmas show “Scrooge, A Christmas Carol” on December 19 and 20 at 7:30pm and December 21 at 2pm.

“Scrooge, A Christmas Carol” is a timeless tale of a man who is changes from a “scrooge” to a true believer in Christmas. As the narrator (Jim Kliegl) explains, Ebenezer Scrooge (George Pearce) is a miserly, wicked man who grudgingly grants his one employee, Bob Crachit (Francisco Orozco), Christmas day off. But Scrooge accuses Crachit of “picking his pocket” by doing so. He also refuses to help the poor when two charity workers (Grace Loeffler and Yasmin Hinojosa) seek a donation from him.

When Scrooge reaches his dreary home on Christmas Eve, he is visited by an eerie apparition claiming to be the spirit of Scrooge’s old partner, Jacob Marley (Isaac Mehciz). Marley warns Scrooge to either change his life or suffer like he himself suffers by carrying a heavy chain as he wanders endlessly finding no rest or peace. Marley tells the doubting Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts. Marley tells Scrooge that he may yet escape a terrible fate if he heeds the message of these ghosts.

The first ghost is the Ghost of Christmas Past (Rosie Regalado). She shows Scrooge events in his past life. He sees how lonely and poor he had been as a boy, and he witnesses how he rejected his true love, Belle (Audrey Loeffler) in order to pursue wealth. By the time the ghost returns him home, he is shaken by these memories.

The second ghost is the Ghost of Christmas Present (Laura Grabowski).

The ghost shows him how Crachit and his wife (Kallysta Tyler), even though he abuses Bob, still drink a toast to him on Christmas. He also sees his nephew, Fred (Tory Loeffler), and his wife (Emily Moran) do the same, even though he annually refuses Fred’s invitation to come to Christmas dinner. When the ghost re-

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Staff Reports turns him to his room, he begins to see how business success is worth nothing if he is a failure in life.

The third ghost is the Ghost of Christmas Future (Isaac Mehciz), who, silent as death, shows Scrooge the events of the future. These events are dark indeed, starting with the death of Tiny Tim (Dominic Gonzalez). The other Crachit children, Peter (Thierry Cervantes), Emily (Emily Moran) and Belinda (Americus Gonzalez) mourn for their little brother. Scrooge then sees his

own grave in a lonely cemetery.

These three apparitions shake Scrooge to the core, and when he awakens on Christmas morn, he is a changed man. He jaunts about the town greeting everyone with a “Merry Christmas” and even visits his nephew for Christmas dinner. In the end, he rewards Crachit with a raise in salary, gets Tiny Tim the medical attention he needs, and lives with the Christmas spirit in his heart every day of his life.

Santa Claus will make an appearance at the shows to take pictures with kids of all ages. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students (preschoolers are free), and are available at lindsaycommunitytheater.com or at the door.

Doo-Dah Parade Continued from p. 17

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the New Year’s Eve show is expected to draw a crowd.

New Year’s Eve events, sponsored by different organizations, have taken place in downtown Exeter since the year 2000.

In 2012, Exeter Lions Club became the event’s annual organizers.

“It is now a more permanent and prominent annual event,” Gray said.

“Every year it grows a little bit. It’s a lot of fun and we do it for the local people to have fun.”

The festivities will take place rain or shine.

Parade entries are open to all age groups, free and accepted until Tuesday, December 30, through the Exeter Chamber, 101 W. Pine St., 592-2919, or Ben Weldon’s State Farm office, 151 South E Street, 592-2202.

18 December, 2014

Valley Voice • 19

Michael’s Custom Jewelry to Host Inspiration Art Exhibit and Sale Michael’s Custom Jewelry will celebrate the New Year by showcasing the artwork of two Main Gallery artists.

On January 2, there will be an opening reception of work by Toni Best and Linda Hengst from 5-7pm. Their creations show the “inspiration” that has formulated each piece.

Being a retired teacher and a farmer’s wife, Hengst finds inspiration and new ideas while hiking near Mineral King and viewing the mountains, as well as the produce from her garden and farm.

Her landscape and still life images, while realistic, are not photo realistic.

She also paints spontaneous abstracts and creates collages. Her works grow from the challenges of doing most of her paintings with a limited palette, mixing her own colors in all mediums.

Her painting over 30 years has progressed from oil to oil palette knife, watercolor and acrylic, and has been viewed

extensively in Tulare County.

Having weaved baskets for over 50 years, Best has utilized gourds as a medium on which to weave and coil pine needles. The shape of a gourd, the movement of a piece of wood or an antler all help to provide a stimulus for her creations. From Native American wisdom, she has learned to “listen” to her pieces.

An original idea she may have for a piece will frequently change when the basket “tells” her to go in a different direction.

With the new creation of wall hangings this year, Best’s imagination has awakened, making her art stretch to a new horizon. The challenge of conceptualizing a three-dimensional piece to hang on a flat wall has inspired a new aspect to her art.

This show will be at Michael’s Custom Jewelry, 316 W. Main St., Visalia, from January through the month of March.

On the night after Christmas, Mezcal (pictured above) will throw a no-holiday-stress wind-down party at The Cellar Door in Downtown Visalia. The group will cover a variety of dance pop hits, as well as Latin, R&B and world music. The December 26 show is set for 9:30pm. Tickets for the 21+ show are $10.

Tulare County Library Sponsors Family Holiday Music Event Children up to 10 years old, along with their families, are invited to join musician Oklin Bloodworth at the Tulare County Library in Visalia at 11am on Saturday, December 20, for singing, dancing and holiday cheer.

Bloodworth will sing original and traditional holiday classics in both English and Spanish during Oklin Bloodworth his 45-minute per-

Linda Hengst’s works will be featured at Michael’s Custom Jewelry in Visalia.

formance. Children and their families are encouraged to sing along and dance to his music.

Known as the “Music with a Kiddie Beat!” singer, Bloodworth performed here last summer. He has been a favored attraction at libraries, schools, preschools and special events and venues throughout California for more than 20 years.

The Hanford Fox Theatre Presents

The Avett Brothers! at the Visalia Fox Theatre 300 West Main Street, Visalia

“The Poppy,” by Toni Best

NOW SERVING

Roast Prime Rib with Horseradish FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS

207 EAST OAK AVENUE, VISALIA Reservations: (559) 732-8611 • depotvisalia.com

Saturday, February 14, 2015 (Valentine’s Day)

Doors: 7 pm / Show: 8 pm • Tickets: All Seats Reserved $65 To Order Tickets Online: www.foxvisalia.org To Order Tickets by Phone: 559-625-1369 Beware of Unofficial Websites Selling Tickets at Inflated Prices

20 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

Tulare City Historical Society Hosts ‘Miniatures’ Exhibition and Fundraiser Staff Reports The Tulare City Historical Society will host its 7th Annual “Miniatures” exhibition and fundraiser in the Audio-Visual Room of the Tulare Historical Museum beginning on Sunday, December 21, and running through March 14, 2015. The exhibition will feature works of art that are 7” by 9”.

Tickets to win art from the exhibition will be on sale in the museum gift shop. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Participants fill out tickets, choose their favorite artwork, and drop their tickets in the box. The drawing will be

held on March 18. Winners, who need not be present to win, will be listed at www.tularehistoricalmuseum.org, notified by telephone or sent an email.

The museum is located at 444 W. Tulare Ave., Tulare.

Hours of operation are 10am – 4 pm, Thursday – Saturday.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 55+ and Southern California Automobile Club members, $2 for students, and free for Tulare City Historical Society members and children under 5 years old.

For more information, call 6862074 or visit www.tularehistoricalmuseum.org.

A Posada will be held at 1pm on Sunday, December 21, at Lindsay City Hall, followed by free coffee, hot chocolate and cookies at McDermont Field House. There will be pozole and tamales for sale, and three piñatas for the kids to enjoy. The event, sponsored by the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce and The Spirit and the Bride Kingdom Coalition, ends at 8pm. For more information, call Virginia Loya at 333-1994.

  TCOE to Offer Teen Fiction Writers’ Workshop  to friends and family members who say by the members of the workshop. The Staff Reports it’s great, but they may not get comments deadline is Friday, January 16.  Local author Janet Nichols Lynch to grow on,” said Lynch. “All writers Applicants will be notified by mail will conduct a Teen Fiction Writers’ need an objective view of their work to on Wednesday, January 21.

Workshop for the Tulare County Office understand how to improve it, and that’s  Lynch is the author of ten books, of Education. just what this workshop offers teens.” including Peace is a Four Letter Word,  The workshop, which is open to all To apply, students must submit their Messed Up, Addicted to Her, Racing CaliTulare County students in grades 7-12, own fictional work, consisting of a short fornia and My Beautiful Hippie. Her sto will be held at Tulare County Office of story or novel excerpt, 500 to 3,000 ries have appeared in The New Yorker and Education Library, 7000 Doe Ave., Suite words, within the body of an email to Seventeen. She holds a master of fine arts A, Visalia, on eight Tuesdays (February janetl@ersconnect.org. At the beginning in creative writing and has taught at Col3 through March 24) from 4-5:30pm.

Space is limited to 16 writers, and applicants must be able to attend all eight meetings.

“Teen writers often show their work

of the submission, students should supply the following information: full name, grade, school, email address and phone number. Writers’ submitted works will be photocopied, then read and discussed

lege of the Sequoias, El Diamante High School and Divisadero Middle School.

For more information, email janetl@ ersconnect.org.

Author Janet Nichols Lynch

Sequoia National Park Offers Free Winter Shuttle During the Holidays Staff Reports The Sequoia Shuttle is offering free rides in the Giant Forest area of Sequoia National Park during the holidays, from December 26 through January 4. Shuttles will run every ten minutes or so from 10am to 4:30pm. Shuttles will travel between the following stops: • Wuksachi Lodge - Lodging, dining, gift shop, pay telephone, and snacks. Snowshoe and ski equipment rentals start at the Alta Market & Ski Shop downstairs (once enough snow is on the ground).

• Wolverton Snowplay Area & Parking - You can park here to ride a shuttle to the Sherman Tree, or stay for cross-country skiing and snowplay. (Skis and snowplay equipment are rented/sold at Wuksachi.) Pay telephone available. Wolverton Road is plowed only Friday-Sunday and Wednesdays.

• Sherman Tree Shuttle Stop This is the shortest trail to the Sherman Tree. Between 10am to 4:30pm, when the shuttle is running, ride it here from any stop, or park here anytime with a disabled placard. When the shuttle is not running and when snow closes the road to Sherman Tree Main Trail & Parking, this parking area is open to all.

• Giant Forest Museum - Open

daily 10am to 4:30pm. Stop in for exhibits about sequoias, a bookstore, park information and wilderness permits.

Routes may change in snowy conditions. All shuttles accommodate wheelchairs and bicycles. Cross-country skiers and hikers with snowshoes can use the shuttle to access trails in the area. Stop by a park visitor center or museum for maps of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Holiday shuttle service is limited

to parking areas adjacent to the Giant Forest Museum, the General Sherman Tree, Wolverton and Wuksachi Lodge.

Restrooms are available at all stops.

These shuttles are made possible by a partnership between Sequoia National Park and the City of Visalia. Visit http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/ parktransit.htm for a map of the shuttle route and additional information.

Visitors are strongly advised to check road/weather conditions in advance and

prepare for the possibility of snowfall/ storms at any time. Drivers must bring and be prepared to use tire chains or cables, if required. For weather and road condition information, call 565-3341 and press 1. Visit www.nps.gov/seki/ planyourvisit/currentcond.htm for additional information.

For more information about Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, visit www.nps.gov/seki or call 565-3341

Merry Holidays to All - the Valley Voice Staff

Valley Voice • 21

18 December, 2014

Ellen Milinich’s “A Rainy Night in Visalia”

Nancy Randell’s “Color on Court Street”

Visalia Visual Chronicle Deadline Announced The Visalia Arts Consortium, Tulare County’s official arts council, has announced that January 30 is the deadline for this year’s submissions to the Visual Chronicle, the publicly owned art collection it curates.

Artworks selected for the two-year exhibition cycle will be featured in public venues through December 2016.

Candidate pieces have the opportunity to become sponsored and, therefore, permanent pieces in the Chronicle.

“The candidate artworks from each cycle feature Visalia scenes and themes and are exhibited throughout our community,” explained McKenna Friend-Hoffman, program coordinator.

“This collection really serves to help us record our history through the arts. We

hope that the Visalia Visual Chronicle will continue to grow and thrive so that our children can experience it and view images and interpretations of their city’s past.”

This cycle’s theme is “Visalia: Spheres of Influence.”

“Many outside events have helped shape Visalia’s identity and conversely, the city of Visalia – its people, its success – has had an effect on its surroundings,” said Friend-Hoffman.

Exhibition locations and sponsors are also being sought. If you are interested in participating in the Visalia Visual Chronicle in any way, call the Arts Consortium at 802-3266. The application is available at tinyurl.com/NKMX4R6.

James Stark’s “Last True Orange”

Porterville College Taking Nominations for Alumni Hall of Fame Staff Reports The Fifth Annual Porterville College Foundation Hall of Fame Banquet will take place Saturday, March 7, at the River Island Country Club. The PC Foundation is now taking nominations for athletics and distinguished alumni. The deadline for nominations is January 5.

The Alumni Hall of Fame award recognizes former Porterville College Through Dec. 28 – Elements at Exeter Art Gallery – 1-4pm The works of acrylic artist Anees Akhund from Visalia, sculptor Christy Cole from Porterville, and photographers Hye Jung Kim and John C. Radar from Hawaii will be on display at the Exeter Art Gallery, 125 B Street. The gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays.

Through Dec. 28 – 21st Annual Young Masters’ Show – 12:30-2:30pm A countywide K-12 art exhibit will be on display at the Kings Art Center. For information, visit kingsartcenter.org.

Through Dec. 31 – Double Take Exhibit Jeri Burzin’s exhibit of photography and mixed media will be at Michael’s Jewelry, 316 W. Main St., Visalia. For information, visit jeriburzin.com.

Through Dec. 31 – Visalia Visual Chronicle - 8am-5pm Art from various artists that captures the culture of Visalia is on display at Provost and Pritchard, 130 N. Garden, Visalia. The gallery is open Monday-Friday. For information, call 636-1166.

Through Dec. 31 – Arts Consortium Membership Exhibition

students who have made outstanding contributions to both their professions and their communities. Induction into the Alumni Hall of Fame is the highest honor given to alumni by the Porterville College Foundation.

Selection Criteria should include the following: A) The nominee has achieved a high level of success in his or her professional career. B) The nominee has demonstrated outstanding involvement

and leadership at both PC and within their community. C) In order to be eligible for this award, five years must have passed since the nominee attended Porterville College. D) The nominee must have successfully completed 24 units at PC. The majority of the units completed should be in general education, major or certificate courses. F) The nominee may not nominate themselves. G) All nominations must be submitted using the

ART CALENDAR

The Arts Consortium is holding its first membership exhibition at the Visalia Convention Center. Nearly 40 works of art are included. For information, visit artsconsortium.org.

Through Jan. 3 – Paintings by Nadi Spencer Acrylics and watercolors by Nadi Spencer of Three Rivers are on display at the Tulare Historical Museum, 444 W. Tulare. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday. For information, visit tularehistoricalmuseum. org.

Through Jan. 3 – Annual Winter Show An exhibit featuring new works never before shown at the Kings County Art League will be held at the Marcellus Gallery of the Kings Art Center, 605 N. Douty St., Hanford. For information, call 584-1065.

Through Jan. 18 – Celebration Exhibit Main Gallery Artists Betty Berk, Toni Best, Jeri Burzin, Joy Collier, Elsah Cort, Laurie Gorman, Beckie Nava, Deborah Nolan, Lynn Ramires, Deanna Saldana and Ginny Wilson are featured at Café 225. The public is invited to the reception Sunday, Nov. 23,

2-5pm. For more information, visit www. maingalleryvisalia.com or call 967-8635.

Dec. 18 – Christmas Centerpiece Class – 6:30-8pm Ramblin Rose of Lemoore will offer a crafting class at 246 Heinlen St. Tickets, $50 must be paid in advance. For information, visit facebook.com/ramblinroselemoore.

Dec. 21-March 14 – 7th Annual Miniatures Works of Art The Tulare City Historical Society will hold an artist reception Dec. 21 at 2pm to launch its miniatures exhibit. The reception is free.

The museum is located at 444 W. Tulare Ave., Tulare. The museum is open 10-4pm Thursday through Saturday.

Jan. 2 – Toni Best and Linda Hengst Reception – 5-7pm There will be an opening reception at Michael’s Jewelry on 316 W. Main Street of work by Toni Best and Linda Hengst from 5-7 pm. Their creations show the “inspiration” that has formulated each piece.

Jan. 3 – 1st Saturday – 11am-5pm Artists of Three Rivers have joined togeth-

proper athletic or alumni form.

Nomination forms are available for download on the Porterville College website at www.portervillecollege. edu; click the Foundation link. Mail all nominations to: PC Foundation, Attn: Alumni Hall of Fame, 100 E. College Ave, Porterville, CA 93257. For more information, call Carol Bodine, foundation secretary at 791-2319 or email cbodine@portervillecollege.edu. er to create a day of food, fun and art on the first Saturday of every month featuring artists, restaurants, gift shops, galleries and more. Watch the artist paint or listen to musicians or storytellers. For information, visit 1stsaturdaytr.com.

Jan. 8-Feb. 28 – Tulare County: Varied Impressions Tulare City Historical Society will hold its annual Tulare County: Varied Impressions art exhibit in the Heritage Art Gallery, 444 W. Tulare Ave. A reception for the artists will be held from 5 to 7 pm Jan. 8. It is free. For information, call 686-2074.

Jan. 9 – Guest Artist Reception – 6-8pm A reception will be held to honor Brenda Allison of Fresno whose works will be on exhibit at the Jon Ginsburg Gallery, 410 E. Race Ave., Visalia in January and February.

The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 10am-3pm. For information, visit thecreativecenter-visalia.org.

Jan. 14 & 28 – Crafty Corner: Knit and Crochet Group – 10:30am-12pm Learn and practice fiber arts on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Visalia Branch Library. For information, call 713-2703.

MUSIC

Dec. 18 – Tribute to Motown – 7-10pm On Thursdays, Herb Mallory and the Crawdads are featured in a Tribute to Motown at Crawdaddys Visalia, 333 E. Main St. For information, visit CrawdaddysVisalia.com.

Dec. 18 – South 65 Country Rock Band – 8pm-12:30am South 65 will perform every Thursday night at the Republik Lounge & Nightclub, 115 N. Locust St., Visalia. For information, visit facebook.com/RepublikLoungeNightclub.

Dec. 18 – Tulare Community Band Winter Concert – 7:30pm Holiday music, marches, concert music and a “Tribute to the Military” finale will be featured at a free concert at the Tulare Community Auditorium, 755 E. Tulare Ave. For information, call 901-3773.

Dec. 19 – The Chop Tops – 9:30pm The Chop Tops, Motel Drive, DeeJay Savage Salvador perform the Cellar Door, 101 W. Main St., Visalia. Tickets are $10 for this 21+ concert. For information, visit snvfoundation.org.

Dec. 20 – TCSO Holiday Pops – 3 & 7:30pm The Tulare County Symphony Orchestra will present its holiday show featuring Winter, Christmas and Hanukkah music with more than 200 performers showcasing the talent throughout the county. For information, visit tularecountysymphony.com.

Dec. 20 – Lou Umbra – 8-10pm SNV Foundation presents Lou Umbra and Talk in Tongues at the Cellar Door, 101 W. Main St., Visalia Tickets are $5 for this 21+ concert. For information, visit snvfoundation.org.

Dec. 24 – Open Mic Night – 7:30-9:30pm Ronnie Nix will lead open mic night at Farmer’s Fury Tasting Room, 358 W. D Street, Lemoore, every Wednesday evening.

For information, visit farmersfurywines.com.

Dec. 26 – Karaoke – 6:30-8:30pm Every Third Friday each month, Karaoke is featured at 210 Cafe. For information, call 739-9009.

Dec. 26 – After Christmas Party with Mezcal – 9:30pm Sound n’ Vision Foundation presents a 21+ concert at The Cellar Door, 101 W. Main St., Visalia. Tickets are $10.

Dec. 30 – Good Medicine – 7pm Good Medicine performs at St. Mary’s Church, 608 N. Church St., Visalia.

Jan. 3 – White Glove Service – 8-10pm White Glove Service will perform at The Cellar Door, 101 W. Main St., Visalia. Tickets are $7 for 21 and over.

Jan. 10 – TCSO The Russia House – 7:30pm Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring pianist Steven Lin will be featured at Tulare County Symphony Orchestra performance “the Russia House.” The evening closes with “Pictures at an Exhibition.” TCSO performs at the Visalia Fox Theatre. For information, visit foxvisalia.org.

Jan. 10 – Haunted Summer – 8-10pm Haunted Summer and Burning Bridges will be featured at the early show at The Cellar Door, 101 W. Main St., Visalia. Tickets for the 21+ concert are $5 and are available at ticketweb.com.

Jan. 17 – Mike Beck – 7pm Mike Beck will perform at Mavericks Coffee House, 238 E. Caldwell, Visalia. For information, visit maverickscoffeehouse.com.

Feb. 14 – Avett Brothers in Concert – 8pm The Avett Brothers will be returning to the Visalia Fox Theater on Valentine’s Day. Tickets available by calling 625-1369.

Feb. 15 – Jason Eady – 8pm Singer-Songwriter Jason Eady performs at the Front Porch House, 17612 Lacey Blvd., Lemoore. Tickets are $15.

Feb. 21 – Great Movies/Great Music – 7:30pm Tulare County Symphony Orchestra’s film series continues with music from spy films from James Bond to Mission Impossible.

The concert will be held at the Visalia Fox Theatre. For information, visit tularecountysymphony.com.

March 7 – Eroica – 7:30pm Old and new meet in this Tulare County Symphony Orchestra concert with Beethoven’s “Eroica” combined with today’s hottest living composers like Tan Dan’s “You Tube Symphony.” The concert will be held at the Visalia Fox Theatre. For information, visit tularecountysymphony.com.

March 14 – Dave Stamey – 7pm Mavericks Coffee House will celebrate its 12th anniversary with a concert featuring Dave Stamey. Tickets are $30. For information, visit maverickscoffeehouse.com.

April 18 – Colossal Collage – 7:30pm Tulare County Symphony Orchestra closes out its season with the “other” great Symphony No. 5, the one by Mahler. The concert will be held at the Visalia Fox Theatre. For information, visit tularecountysymphony. com.

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EVENTS

Through-Dec. 31 – Meet Me On Mars Fit Fest 4 Hunger A worldwide event challenging runners to participate in a 33-million mile journey to Mars. The fundraiser, asks runners to commit to run an average of 1,000 miles each in 2015. Money raised to benefit the Feed My Starving Children fund. For information, visit facebook.com/moonjoggers.

Dec. 18 – Christmas Open House – 5-8pm Experience Exeter’s 23rd Annual Downtown Christmas Open House on Thursday nights.

Experience this “Old Fashioned” Christmas as you walk along the downtown streets featuring fire truck rides, pictures with Santa and refreshments located in downtown businesses. For information, call 592-2919.

Dec. 18 – Hanford Mixer and Toys for Tots Drive – 5-8pm The Hanford Chamber of Commerce and Maciel Mortgage will hold a holiday mixer at 772 N. Douty St. Hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, raffle, music and networking are featured. Bring an unwrapped toy to the mixer to support local families in need.

Dec. 18 – Prestige Assisted Living Gala – 5-7:30pm Raffle prizes, silent auction, light refreshments and beverages and entertainment are featured at the event. Tickets are $20 with proceeds to benefit the Visalia Senior Center.

For tickets, call 735-0828.

Dec. 18 – Santa Photo Contest Deadline – 11:59pm Kaweah Delta Health Care District is asking people to enter its Santa photo contest for a chance to win a family portrait. To enter, post photos with Santa onto any one, or all three, of the following Kaweah Delta social media channels: Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. One winner will be randomly selected and awarded a family portrait donated by Roy Dressel Photography. For information, visit www.kaweahdelta.org/santa.

Dec. 19 – Presents on Patrol - The Reason for the Season Lemoore Police Department will; distribute presents to children of Lemoore Elementary Schools. The gifts were made available through donations from individuals, organizations and businesses. For information, call 925-6876.

Dec. 19 – Hanford Chamber Directory Deadline – 5pm The advertising deadline for the 2015 Official Hanford Chamber Directory is Jan. 19.

For information, call 583-2415 or 896-1976.

Dec. 19 – Local Motion Awards Nomination Deadline The Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) will honor the projects, citizens, public officials, and plans that have contributed to transportation planning in Tulare County at 4th Annual Local Motion Awards Luncheon Jan. 16. To submit nominations, visit www.tularecog.org.

Dec. 19 – Christmas at Indoor Market – 5-10pm Last minute Christmas Shopping opportunities will be at the Lindsay Indoor Market, at McDermont Field House, 365 N. Sweet Brier. For information, visit thelindsaychamber. com.

Dec. 19 & 20 – Old Fashioned Christmas at the Zalud House – 6-8pm The Zalud House Museum will host its annual Old Fashioned Christmas Candlelight Tours. Seasonal displays, vintage decorations, yuletide music, guided tours are featured. Admission is $2 for adults and 50¢ for children. The museum is located at 393 N. Hockett St. For information, call 791-7695.

Dec. 19 – 2014 Lindsay Community Christmas Parade of Lights – 6pm The Lindsay Community Christmas celebration begins at City Hall with free refreshments and cookies. Santa will arrive at the Lindsay Police Department with free toys for every boy and girl who comes to meet Santa.

The parade begins at 6pm at the Save Mart Shopping Center. For information, call 3331994.

Dec. 20 & 29 – Visalia Farmer’s Market – 8-11:30am Visalia Farmer’s Market will be open at Mooney Boulevard and Caldwell Avenue in the Sear’s Parking Lot. For information, call 804-8372.

Dec. 20 – Bride Expo Fresno – 11am-4pm Shop and compare wedding professionals, including event designers, cake bakers, entertainers, invitations and romantic honeymoons. Runway fashion shows are presented at 11am and 2pm. The event will be at the Visalia Fox. For information, visit thegirlnetwork.com.

Dec. 20 & 31 – Snow Shoe Photo Scavenger Hunt A 2-mile photo scavenger hunt will be held at Kings Canyon National Park on Dec. 20 at 1 pm and Dec. 31 at 10 am. For information, visit sequoiahistory.org.

Dec. 20 – 6th Annual Community Christmas Dinner for Families in Need Local businesses, churches and schools will host a community Christmas dinner for families in need at Lemoore Senior Center. The evening includes a catered dinner, gifts from Santa for the children, a family photograph, and entertainment. To donate, volunteer or for information, call 423-0776.

Dec. 21 – Posada – 1-8pm The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce and The Spirit and the Bride Kingdom Coalition will present a Posada starting at Lindsay City Hall and followed by free coffee, hot chocolate and cookies at McDermont Field House.

For information, call 333-1994.

Dec. 26 - Jan. 5 – Free Sequoia Shuttles Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are offering rides on the Sequoia Shuttle for free in the Giant Forest area of the Sequoia National Parks during the holidays. Shuttles will run every 10 minutes from 10am to 4:30pm. For information, visit nps.gov/seki/

parknews/freewintershuttle.htm.

Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration and Doo-Dah Parade – 6pm A Doo-Dah Parade will begin on Pine Street in Exeter followed by a fireworks show, bounce house, petting zoo, face painting train rides, dancing, food vendors, fire pits and live entertainment. For information, visit exeterchamber.com.

Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve with the Portuguese Kids – 7pm The Portuguese Kids of Tulare will have a New Year’s Eve show with comedy, dinner and dancing. Tickets, $50, include appetizers, dinner, party favors, champagne toast, and sweet bread at midnight. T.D.E.S. Portuguese Hall of Tulare is located at 515 North I St. Tables of 8 and 12 are also available. To purchase tickets or for information, call 9013472 or 331-1835.

Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration – 8pm-Midnight Visalia’s 210 Cafe will be transformed to host a New Year’s Eve dinner featuring lobster or prime rib and entertainment. Tickets, $85, available at eventbrite.com.

Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Party & Buffet The Gateway Restaurant & Lodge in Three Rivers will host a “Countdown to 2015” featuring buffet, champagne, party favors, dancing and New Year countdown. For tickets and information, visit www.gateway-sequoia.com.

Dec. 31 – Roaring Into the New Year 2015 – 8pm-1am Kings Lions will present The Marie Wilson Band at Hanford Civic Auditorium, 400 N. Douty St. Must be 21+ to attend. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the tour. VIP tickets, $250, are available through pre-sale only and include a complementary bottle of champagne and reserved table for 8 people. All tickets include free beer tasting from 8-9pm. For information, visit flavorus.com/ kingsNewYear2015.

Jan. 1 – Health Coverage Required Beginning Jan. 1, all businesses with at least 100 full-time employees must provide health coverage to their employees. For information, visit HealthCare.gov.

Jan. 1 – Rockin’ Resolution Run – 7:30am Bank of the Sierra’s Rockin’ Resolution Run will benefit the Visalia Rescue Mission. The 5K Run/Walk and Kids 1-Mile will begin at the Downtown Visalia Branch, 128 E. Main St. To register, visit www.active.com/visalia-ca/running/distance-running/bank-ofthe-sierra-s-rockin-resolution-run-2015.

Jan. 1 – Polar Bear Dip – 12pm The Gateway Restaurant & Lodge in Three Rivers will host its annual jump in the river on New Year’s Day. Attendance is free. For information, visit www.gateway-sequoia. com.

Jan. 3 – 1st Saturday in Three Rivers – 11am-5pm On the first Saturday of each month, artists, restaurants and merchants of Three Rivers open their doors for a town wide celebration.

For information, visit www.1stsaturdaytr. com.

Jan. 6 – Women in Business – Noon Exeter Chamber of Commerce will hold a brown bag luncheon. Tickets are $5. For information, call 592-2919.

Jan. 8 – Exeter Chamber Mixer – 5pm A social networking event will be held at Hometown Emporium, 145 E. Pine St., Exeter. For information, visit exeterchamber. com.

Jan 10-11 – Rocky Mountain Gun Show – 9am The Rocky Mountain Gun Show will be held from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, and 9am to 4pm on Sunday at Visalia Convention Center. For information, visit rockymountaingunshow.com.

Jan. 10 – Girl’s Day Off Seminar – 11:30am-2pm This is the first of four seminars to be held in 2015 by Women of the City at The Southern Pacific Depot in Visalia. Living without baggage will be discussed. Tickets, $75, are available on eventbrite.com.

Jan. 13 – 2015 Employment Law and Workplace Safety Compliance Update – 11:30am-2pm Attorney Brett Sutton of Sutton Hague Law Corporation and James Boretti of Boretti Integrated Safety Solutions will present a conference at Holiday Inn, Visalia. Cost is $35 and includes lunch. For reservations, call 734-5876.

Jan. 14 – Open House for Owens Valley Career Development Center – 10am-3pm The OVCDC will host an open house at 2370 W. Whittendale Ave., Visalia.

Jan. 14 – Non-Profits Tax Laws – 10amNoon How to Comply with Complicated Sales and Use Tax Laws Regarding Non-Profits will be discussed at the Tulare Chamber of Commerce Office, 220 E. Tulare St. Jan. 15 – Grow Your Business with E-Marketing – 9-11am Constant Contact will present a workshop at the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, 220 N. Sante Fe. Cost is $20 for members. The workshop is one of four planned by the Visalia Chamber to help businesses prepare for the new year. For information, visit visaliachamber.org.

Jan. 16 - COS Giants Baseball Banquet Fundraiser – 5:30pm Meet the Giants Dinner/Dance and Silent Auction, a fundraiser for the College of Sequoia’s Baseball Team, will be held at the Visalia Convention Center. Tickets are $50.

For information, visit baseball.cos.edu.

Jan. 19 & 20 Scrub and Shoe Sale Kaweah Delta Hospital Guild will present a Scrub and Shoe Sale by Life Uniforms in the Blue Room of the basement of Kaweah Delta Hospital, 400 W. Mineral King. Proceeds will benefit patient care equipment purchases. The event will be held from 7am to 4pm Jan. 19 and from 6:30am to 4pm Jan 20. For

information, call 734-3109.

4. For information, visit tularecog.org.

Jan. 19 MLK Day Celebration – 10am The Hanford Branch of the NAACP will hold the 9th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at Hanford Civic Auditorium. A processional march around Civic Plaza and music, readings and guest speakers are featured. Congressman David G. Valadao will be the keynote speaker.

Jan. 30 - Rotary Foundation Dinner – 5pm Rotary District 5230 will hold its “Million Dollar Dinner” at the Visalia Convention Center. Proceeds will benefit The Rotary Foundation. For tickets and information, visit rotary5230.org.

Jan. 20 - KDHCD Service Awards Banquet Kaweah Delta Health Care District will present its Service Awards Banquet at Visalia Convention Center.

Jan. 21 – 2015 Stop Harassment Seminar 7:30-10am Pacific Employers will present a seminar at Lamp Liter Inn, 3300 W. Mineral King Ave. Cost is $35 for Visalia Chamber members and $45 for non members. Registration includes breakfast. The workshop is one of four planned by the Visalia Chamber to help businesses prepare for the new year. For information, visit visaliachamber.org.

Jan. 21 – 2015 Pistachio Day – 8am4:30pm The statewide Pistachio Day conference will be held at the Visalia Convention Center.

The event is designed to deliver the latest research-based production practices. Registration is $40 before Jan. 5, $60 after and $80 at the door. For information, visit ucanr.edu/ sites/pistachioday.

Jan. 22 – The Great Wine vs. Beer Showdown – 5:30pm An evening of wine and beer tasting, appetizers and music will raise funds to support the Farm Bureau. The event will be held at the Hanford Civic Auditorium. Tickets, $50, available at brownpapertickets.com/ event/925493.

Jan. 23 – Lemoore Chamber of Commerce Banquet Lemoore’s 2015 outstanding citizen, business and organization of the year will be named at their annual banquet. For information, visit lemoorechamberofcommerce.com.

Jan. 23-25 – The GSSA Championships The Golden Sate Spirit Association will hold a two-day competition featuring all divisions for all star cheer, school, rec and dance teams at the Visalia Convention Center. Register online by Dec. 24 at gssaonline.com/champs.

Jan. 24 – 5th Annual Tule Fog 5K/10K Run – 7am Visalia Parks and Recreation kicks off the New Year with the famous Tule Fog along St. John’s River. More than 500 runners compete every year in male and female divisions.

Participants who sign up by Jan. 15 are guaranteed a long-sleeved race shirt. Cost to enter is $25/$35 after Jan. 14. For information, visit liveandplayvisalia.com.

Jan. 29 – Local Motion Awards Luncheon – 11:30am The Tulare County Association of Governments will hold its 4th Annual Local Motion Awards Luncheon at the Visalia Convention Center. Registration is $35, or $45 after Jan.

Jan. 31 & Feb. 7 – 2015 Kings County Academic Decathlon – 7:30am A contest of academic strength among students from Kings County high schools will be held. To volunteer as a judge, call 5897074.

Jan. 31 - VUSD Winter Formal The Visalia Unified School District will hold the Winter Formal at the Visalia Convention Center. Tickets can be purchased at each high school’s finance office.

Feb. 10 – California Department of Education Conference – 8:45am The California Department of Education, in partnership with the Tulare County Office of Education, will host a Central California conference entitled Launching the 2014 English Language Arts/English Language Development (ELA/ELD) Framework. For more information, call 651-3831.

Feb. 14 – Prom Throw Back 2015 Kings United Way is offering a “do-over” for your prom. Attendees are encouraged to represent their decade in attire. Tickets are $50 or $100 and include dinner and wine.

Proceeds go to benefit the United Way. For information, call 584-1536.

March 7-8 – Tulare Sci-Fi Con A pop-culture convention that welcomes all genres will be held at the International Agri-Center to benefit the Tulare Library Children’s Section. Vendors, artists fan groups and others can download exhibitor applications at tularescificon.org. For information, visit facebook.com/tularescificon.

March 7 – Porterville College Athletic Hall of Fame – 5:30pm Dr. Horace Mitchell, president of CSU Bakersfield, will be the featured speaker at the Porterville College Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner. Tickets are $50, $275 for a table of six or $350 for a table of eight. For information, call 791-2319.

April 22 - May 1 – Treasures of Ireland The Visalia Chamber of Commerce offers this group trip, which includes airfare, 11 meals and a professional travel guide. For information, call 734-5876.

June 19-28 – Heritage of America The Visalia Chamber of Commerce will host a “Travel with the Chamber” trip, which includes airfare, 14 meals and a professional travel guide. Destinations include New York, Philadelphia, Amish Country, Gettysburg, Shenandoah Valley, Monticello, Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Washington, D.C. and the Smithsonian. For information, call 7345876.

24 • Valley Voice

COMMUNITY Through Dec. 20 – Food For Fines Tulare Public Library will forgive fines for donated non-perishable food and jackets.

All items will be given to Tulare Emergency Aid Council. For information, call 6854502.

Through December – Tulare Library Special Hours The Tulare Public Library will have special hours for the holidays. Passport acceptance hours will end at 4pm and the library will close at 5pm on Dec. 23 and 30. The library will also be closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. The library will be open during its regular hours, 10am-7pm, on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

Dec. 18 – Annual Chamber Ambassador Holiday Social – 12-2pm A Holiday lunch and party will be given for all active Chamber Ambassadors at 210 W. Center, Visalia. For information, visit visaliachamber.com.

Dec. 18 – eBook Instruction – 5:306:30pm Take advantage of thousands of e-Books by downloading and using the library’s Overdrive App. This class teaches you how to access the free books and is offered every other Thursday evening.

Dec. 18 – Foster Parent Orientation – 6:30pm Tulare County Foster Care Licensing will hold an orientation for prospective foster parents at its 26500 S. Mooney Blvd. office. For information, call 623-0581.

Dec. 19 – Intro to Word, part 2 – 8:30am The Tulare Public Library will offer Intro to Word.

Dec. 18 – Last Thursday Book Club – 6pm The Tulare Public Library Last Thursday Book Club will meet to discuss “The Thirteenth Tale.”

Dec. 18 – St. Brigid’s Winter Wonderland – 7pm St. Brigid’s Catholic Church will have a Christmas presentation in its parish hall.

Tickets are available for $8 at P.A.T.Y.’s Studio, 206 N. White St. For information, call 415-6820.

Dec. 20 – A&W Cruise Night – 8-9pm Every third Saturday each month, it’s A&W Cruise Night featuring vintage cars.

For information, call 625-1513.

Dec. 21 – PFLAG Meeting – 3-5pm Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Tulare & Kings County meets on the third Sunday each month at the Educational and Cultural Center, Congregation B’nai David, 1039 S. Chinowth, Visalia. For information, visit www.pflagtulare-kings.org.

Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve at Neighborhood Church – 2pm, 3:30pm and 5pm Christmas Eve services featuring music, candle lighting and the retelling of the story of Christmas will be featured at Neighborhood Church, 5505 W. Riggin Ave., Visalia. Tickets are free and available at eventbrite.com.

Dec. 24 – Community Christmas Eve Dinner – 6pm First United Methodist Church of Hanford will hold a dinner featuring turkey, ham and all the trimmings at 505 N. Redington St. Make reservations by Dec. 21.

Tickets are $5. For information, visit fumchanford.org.

Dec. 24 – Longest Night Christmas Eve Service – 7:30pm First United Methodist Church of Han-

18 December, 2014 ford will hold a church services featuring special music, scripture, stories, silent reflection and healing prayer at 505 N. Redington St. For information, visit fumchanford.org.

Dec. 27 – Sci/Fi Book Club – 1pm Tulare Public Library Sci/Fi Book Club meets on the last Saturday each month.

For information, visit tularepubliclibrary. org.

Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Parade – 5-9pm Downtown Exeter will host its New Year’s Parade and Celebration. For information, visit exeterchamber.com.

Jan. 2 – First Friday with a Physician – 12–1:30pm On the first Friday of each month, Adventist Medical Center in Hanford hosts a physician seminar series. For information, call 589-2032.

Jan. 3 – 1st Saturday Books Sale – 10am-2pm Friends of the Tulare Public Library hold a book sale on the first Saturday of each month. For information, visit tularepubliclibrary.org.

Jan. 5 – Hall of Fame Nomination Deadline Nominations for the Fifth Annual Porterville College Foundation Hall of Fame Banquet will be accepted through Jan. 5.

The banquet will be held March 7 at the River Island Country Club. Nomination forms are available at portervillecollege. edu.

Jan. 6 – Cancer Caregiver Support Group – 1:30-3pm This Kaweah Delta Cancer Caregiver Support group meets at Sequoia Regional Cancer Center, 4945 W. Cypress Ave, on the first Tuesday of every month. For information, call 624-3225.

Jan. 6 – First Tuesday Book Club – 6:30-7:45pm The first Tuesday Book Club meets at the Visalia Branch Library Blue Room For information, visit 713-2707.

Jan. 7, 14, 21 & 28 – Medicare Extra Help – 1-4pm Every Wednesday, Tulare Senior Center offers free counseling for Medicare beneficiaries. Help with prescription plans, claims, appeals and general information. This program is sponsored by Kings/Tulare AAA HICAP. Appointments available by calling 623-0199.

Jan. 8 – Valley Oak Quilt Guild – 11am Valley Oak Quilt Guild will meet at Tulare Community Church, 1820 N. Gem in Tulare. For information, visit valleyoakqg. org.

Jan. 8 & 22 – Oakland Raiders Boosters Meeting – 7pm Tulare Kings Counties Oakland Raiders Boosters meet on the second and fourth Thursdays each month at Elks Lodge, 3100 W. Main St., Visalia.

Jan. 9 – Graphic Novel Club – 4-5pm The Graphic Novel Club will meet at the Tulare Public Library in the Olympic Room. The group meets on the second Friday of each month. For information, call 685-4500.

Jan. 10 – Second Saturday Book Club – 11am-noon The club meets in the Charter Room of the Tulare Public Library, 475 North M St. To register for book clubs, call 685-4503 or stop by the research and information desk.

Jan. 11 – Second Sunday Seminars – 2-3pm The Sarah Mooney Museum features seminars on the second Sunday every month.

The programs focus on specific elements of

turn-of-the-century life in the Lemoore/ Kings County area. The museum, located at 542 W. D Street in Lemoore, is open every Sunday afternoon from 12-3pm for docent-led tours and special activities. For information, visit sarahamooneymuseum. com.

Jan. 13 – Yappy Hour – 5-9pm Happy Hour is on the second Tuesday at The Planning Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 514 E. Main Street. A donation from proceeds will benefit the Valley Oak SPCA. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the patio.

Jan. 13 – Exeter Friends of the Library – 7pm The Exeter Friends of the Library meets on the second Tuesday each month at the Exeter Branch Library, 230 E. Chestnut.

For information, visit exeterfriends.weebly.com.

Jan. 16-March 13 – Budget Meal Planning – 3-5pm The Visalia Branch Library will offer classes on Stretching the Food Dollar every other Friday in the Blue Room. Registration is not required.

Jan. 21 – Spinal Cord Injury Support Group – 6:30-7:30pm The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Hospital, 840 S. Akers St. For information, visit KaweahDelta.org.

Jan. 21 – Mystery Readers Book Club – 6:30-8pm The book club will meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Visalia Branch Library, 200 W. Oak St. For information, call 713-2709.

Jan. 21 – Central Valley Horror Club – 7pm The Central Valley Horror Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month at The Planning Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 513 E. Center Ave., Visalia, to enjoy a free movie and $10 all-you-can-eat pizza. For information, visit facebook.com/centralvalleyhorrorclub.

Feb. 7 – EUHS 10 Year Class Reunion – 6pm The Exeter Union High School class of 2004 will be celebrating its 10-year reunion at the Stag Saloon. Festivities include dinner, drinks and music. Tickets, $20, available at brownpapertickets.com/ event/885633.

Feb. 12 - The Heart of Seniors Luncheon – 11am-2pm Hands in the Community will hold The Heart of Seniors Luncheon at the Holiday Inn, Visalia. Open to caregivers, decision-makers and businesses supporting seniors. For information, visit hnconline. org.

March 6-7 – 10th Annual Father Daughter Dance – 6-9pm Visalia Parks and Recreation have named the theme for this year’s Father Daughter Dance as “The Rockin’ 50s” and it is a sock hop for girls ages 4-16. Live music, finger foods and complimentary photograph.

Cost is $50 per couple, $25 per additional guest. Tickets go on sale Dec. 1. The event will be held at the Visalia Convention Center. For information, visit liveandplayvisalia.com.

March 27-May 22 – Personal Finance – 3-5pm The Visalia Branch Library will offer classes on Stretching the Food Dollar every other Friday in the Blue Room. Registration is not required.

THEATER Dec. 23 – Disney’s A Christmas Carol – 2-4pm The Tulare Public Library will show the 2009 film “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” in the Council Chambers.

Jan. 17 – Cirque Ziva - 7:30pm Golden Dragon Acrobats will perform at the Visalia Fox Theater. Tickets, $21-$29, are available at foxvisalia.org. Children’s tickets are available for $15 by calling 6251369.

Jan. 9-25 – The 39 Steps – 7:30pm Visalia Players Theater Company presents “The 39 Steps,” a fast-paced whodunit at the Ice House Theater, 410 E Race Ave., Visalia. Matinees will be held at 2pm Jan. 11, 18 & 25. Evening performances will be Jan. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24 at 7:30pm.

For tickets and information, visit visaliaplayers.org.

January 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 & 31 – Lilies in the Field – 7:30pm The Barn Theater in Porterville presents “Lilies of the Field,” the story of a group of Catholic nuns who escape from the Communist held portion of Berlin and come to the United States. Three Sunday matinees are scheduled for Jan. 18, 25 and Feb. 1.

For information, visit barntheater.porterville.com.

Jan. 21-Jan. 24 – Guys & Dolls El Diamante High School will perform the classic “Guys and Dolls” musical. For information, visit www.vusd.org/MtWhitney.cfm.

Feb. 4 – The Second City 55th Anniversary Tour – 7:30pm Art Beat, Inc. presents “A Lively Arts Series” at the Visalia Fox Theater. The Second City sketch and comedy club produced such leading comedians as John Belushi, Bill Murray, John Candy, Mike Myers and more. A night of comedy, songs and improv are featured. Tickets, $22-$32, are available at FoxVisalia.org.

Feb. 5-7 – Mary Poppins, the Musical Based on the beloved books by P.L. Travers and music from the Disney Movie starring Julie Andrews, “Mary Poppins” will be performed by Redwood High School. For information, visit www.vusd.org.

Feb. 6-21 – Winnie the Pooh The Enchanted Playhouse presents “Winnie and Assorted Friends.” The play will be held on Friday and Saturday at 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm at Main Street Theatre, 307 E. Main, Visalia. For information, visit enchantedplayhouse.org.

Feb. 13 – Broadway on Main Street – 8-10pm Hands in the Community will host Betsy Wolfe starring in “Broadway on Main Street” at the Visalia Fox. Tickets, $25-$40 available at foxvisalia.org.

Feb. 18-21 – Grease Mount Whitney High School will perform the classic musical. For information, visit www.vusd.org April 17-26 – The Fantastic Mr. Fox The Enchanted Playhouse presents “The Fantastic Mr. Fox.” The play will be held on Friday and Saturday at 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm at Main Street Theatre, 307 E. Main, Visalia. For information, visit enchantedplayhouse.org.

April 15-April 18 – Anything Goes Golden West High School will present the classical musical about the age-old tale of boy meets girl. More than 115 Golden West students will participate. For information, visit www.vusd.org

Valley Voice • 25

18 December, 2014

Sports Volleyball Standout Taylor Slover a Quick Learner Stefan Barros Tulare Union High School volleyball standout Taylor Slover recently signed a letter of intent to play at Fresno State University. Slover will soon play at the college level, even though she didn’t start playing volleyball until her freshman year of high school.

“I wanted to be a three-sport athlete; I was already playing basketball and softball,” she explained. “I heard that they had a really good (volleyball) coach, so I thought I’d give it a try. I never thought it would be something I’d be doing after high school though.”

Angela Webb, who was the coach when Slover first arrived on campus at Tulare Union, was the one responsible for showing her how to play volleyball.

Slover described Webb as being her biggest influence in deciding to play the sport.

“She pushed me, she helped through it, showed me where to play on the court,” said Slover. “She told me I would know the right decisions on the court. Webb set everything up for me.

Taught me all of my fundamentals.”

It was after Slover’s sophomore year that she realized volleyball was something she excelled at and could play competitively after high school. She knew she was good when it came to school play, but wanted to see how she would fare against some of the best players in the area.

“I began to play in club leagues at that point and realized I was better around my junior year,” she said.

When it comes to some of her best memories at Tulare Union, Slover singled out a moment during her freshman season. “We were playing against a team that we were blowing out, and my friend who was also a freshman set me up for a kill. At that moment we had a cool feeling that two freshmen helped each other against a bunch of older players.”

Along with the best memories, there are usually a few recollections of adversity to accompany them, but Slover says that she never had to go through any real tough times during her four years. She credits the support she received in helping her avoid any possible bad times. “I had support from Mrs. Hatton (athletic director) and Mrs. Webb. It was pretty easy with all of the support.”

After a stellar four-year career at Tulare Union, Slover will move on to Fresno State University. She says that the decision to pick a college wasn’t really that tough, especially after she visited the Fresno State campus. She added that the closeness of the university to her home wasn’t one of the main reasons why she chose the Bulldogs.

“The decision was easy for me at the time. Early on, I never thought I’d go there, but I loved the coaches, I loved the girls. I did want to see what else was out there, but I loved the campus and loved the school. If it was in Alabama, I’d still want to go there.”

Signing day wasn’t especially emotional, Slover said. That happened earlier, when she was talking to the coach at Fresno State. “The realization of what

Warren Gubler, Visalia Vice Mayor

Pickleball Continued from p. 17

Ball, and lowered the net on their badminton court. Neighbors, friends and others started playing, and as the sport grew in popularity, players were designing paddles more appropriate for the new sport.

Robison said that a lot of pickleball players are former tennis players.

“A lot of us are baby boomers,” he said. “Tennis requires a lot of running, but you don’t have to run in pickleball.

There are no volleys in front of the net.”

“It’s a great sport,” said Dan Fox, Visalia’s pickleball coach, who gained that official title because he has been the city parks and recreation department’s tennis coach and ping pong coach. “It’s easy to

learn, and somewhat senior-based. Seniors can play it and it’s competitive. In one or two evenings, someone can learn it and be competitive. It was the hit of the (city’s) corporate games two years in a row.”

Gubler, who wore tennis shoes for the ceremony so he would be prepared to play pickleball after, said that he bought his wife pickleball paddles and balls for Christmas, and plans to spend holiday time on the court.

Dan Veyna, principal at Sierra Designs Inc. Landscape Architecture, designed the courts. He was asked what it takes to create a pickleball court.

“You have to first decide what quality of court you want,” he said. “You can’t just paint lines on asphalt. What’s unique about this court is its post-tension slab, with cables every 24 inches. There are no

Taylor Slover

was happening came before when I was told, ‘Welcome to the bulldog family.’

There really is a lot of pride in that program and I especially like the way they embrace the Valley.”

While Slover has goals for herself and for the Bulldog team itself, she started off with academic goals. “First, I want to get good grades. Also, I want to be able to get better, and have four years of growing. I want to push myself to get better because I haven’t hit my potential.”

Slover then described her goals as a member of the team, “I want to help the team win. They didn’t do well this past season, but I feel like we will be better next year.”

As far as academics are concerned, Slover has yet to select a major, but she would like to be teacher at some point, a math teacher to be specific.

“Math is my favorite subject, and I don’t want to be a science teacher or a history teacher or anything like that,” she said.

seams. That allows the ball to not hit any joints.

“It won’t crack either,” he continued. “It’s compressed in every direction. It will expand and contract slightly.

Under the concrete is a double layer of thick plastic. That causes the court to ‘float’ as it expands and contracts.”

The city is considering us- Lindsay Mann, Kaweah Delta CEO ing the pickleball That is, of course, if they can pry the courts to teach tennis to 5 to 7-year-olds, pickleball players off the court that long. according to Fox.

Porterville Parks and Leisure Arena Soccer Registration Now Open Registration for the Porterville Parks and Leisure Arena Soccer League is now open. The league is designed to teach youth ages 5-13 the fundamentals of soccer, sportsmanship and team play in a fun and supportive environment. Games are played under the lights at the Porterville Sports Complex. Practices begin in February and games start in March.

Registration is being conducted at the Heritage Center, 256 E. Orange

Ave., and the cost is $57 per child. Ongoing registration will continue Monday thru Friday from 8am to 5pm, until all age divisions are full. Volunteer coaches are needed and will receive $5 off their child’s registration.

For questions on arena soccer or any of the programs and services offered by Porterville Parks and Leisure, visit their website at www.ci.porterville.ca.us or call 791-7695.

NEXT DEADLINE: DECEMBER 24, 2014

26 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

Health Early Data Suggests Potentially Severe Flu Season Staff Reports Early data suggests that the current 2014-2015 flu season could be severe.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges immediate vaccination for anyone still unvaccinated this season and recommends prompt treatment with antiviral drugs for people at high risk of complications who develop flu.

So far this year, seasonal influenza A H3N2 viruses have been most common.

There often are more severe flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths during seasons when these viruses predominate.

For example, H3N2 viruses were predominant during the 2012-2013, 20072008 and 2003-2004 seasons, the three seasons with the highest mortality levels in the past decade. All were characterized as “moderately severe.”

Increasing the risk of a severe flu season is the finding that roughly half of the H3N2 viruses analyzed are drift variants: viruses with antigenic or genetic changes that make them different from that season’s vaccine virus. This means the vaccine’s ability to protect against those viruses may be reduced, although vaccinated people may have a milder illness if they do become infected. During the 2007-2008 flu season, the predominant H3N2 virus was a drift variant yet the vaccine had an overall efficacy of 37%, and 42% against H3N2 viruses.

“It’s too early to say for sure that this will be a severe flu season, but Americans should be prepared,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “We can save lives with a three-pronged effort to fight the flu: vaccination, prompt treat-

ment for people at high risk of complications, and preventive health measures, such as staying home when you’re sick, to reduce flu spread.”

Depending on the formulation, flu vaccines protect against three or four different flu viruses. Even during a season when the vaccine is only partially protective against one flu virus, it can protect against the others.

“While the v a c c i n e ’s ability to protect

against drifted H3N2 viruses this season may be reduced, we are still strongly recommending vaccination,” said Joseph Bresee, M.D., chief of the Influenza Epidemiology and Prevention Branch at CDC. “Vaccination has been found to provide some protection against drifted viruses in past seasons.

Also, vaccination will offer protection against other flu viruses that may become more common later in the season.”

Influenza viruses are constantly changing. The drifted H3N2 viruses were first detected in late March, after World Health Organization recommendations for the 2014-2015 Northern Hemisphere vaccine had been made in mid-February. At that

The influenza virus.

time, a very small number of these viruses had been found among the thousands of specimens that had been collected and tested.

A committee of experts must pick which viruses to include in the vaccine many months in advance in order for vaccine to be produced and delivered in time for the upcoming flu season. There is always the possibility that viruses will drift during that time.

Influenza activity is currently low in the United States as a whole, but is increasing in parts of the country. “We are just at the beginning of the season.

It’s not too late to get your vaccine,” Dr. Frieden says.

Influenza antiviral drugs – Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) can reduce severe complications such as hospitalization and potentially death for people who are at high risk of serious flu complications or are very sick.

Treatment of high-risk patients should begin as soon after symptoms develop as possible, without waiting for lab tests to confirm flu infection.

Those at high risk from influenza include children younger than 5 years (especially those younger than 2 years); adults 65 years and older; pregnant women; and people with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease, and kidney disease.

CDC recommends that people at high-risk check with their doctor or other health care professional promptly if they get flu symptoms. Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started in the first 48 hours after symptoms appear.

Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Hospital Earns Specialty Accreditation Staff Reports Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Hospital has received full three-year accreditation for its rehabilitation program, including specialty program accreditation in stroke and amputee care.

Kaweah Delta was awarded the highest level of accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International following an October survey visit. CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body that establishes consumer-focused

standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of programs and services. This is the 21st consecutive year of accreditation for Kaweah Delta’s program.

Specialty accreditation requires that the program has demonstrated a higher level of expertise, advocacy and collaboration for patients than that required for standard accreditation. The patient is the center of a team of professionals whose skills reflect the most current clinical knowledge. Patients and their families receive education and services that will

help them manage their own health and access resources that enhance their lives.

Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Hospital consistently achieves outcomes that surpass national averages with 81% of patients returning to the community, compared to a national average of 77%.

Over the past year, 79% of stroke patients have returned home, compared to just 72% nationally.

Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Hospital is a division of Kaweah Delta Health Care District, and is located at 840 S. Akers Road in Visalia. The pro-

gram has provided rehabilitation services to Tulare, Kings, Kern and Fresno counties since 1989. Kaweah Delta Rehabilitation Hospital serves adults who have experienced strokes, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, cardiac surgery, amputation, multiple trauma and orthopedic conditions.

For more information, on Kaweah Delta Health Care District visit www. kaweahdelta.org or follow Kaweah Delta on Twitter and Facebook.

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Valley Voice • 27

18 December, 2014

Agriculture USDA Explores Ways to Improve Summer Food Access for Kids Staff Reports Complementary programs that extend the reach of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) summer meal programs could help reduce childhood food insecurity during the summer, according to three new studies released

by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The studies found that making enhancements to the traditional program, or using alternate methods of reaching eligible children, could reach additional children and reduce childhood food insecurity during the summer to levels normally seen in the fall.

As part of USDA’s mission to address increased child hunger during the summer, USDA has conducted a series of projects examining ways to better serve children from low-income families, particularly those living in remote areas or areas otherwise underserved by USDA’s summer meal programs. The interventions tested included delivery of meals in rural areas, providing backpacks with food for weekends and holidays when summer meal sites were not available, and providing summertime nutrition assistance benefits through electronic benefit transfer (EBT). The studies found that some of these innovative strategies were effective in reaching additional children, and some substantially reduced childhood hunger in low-income families.

“These results are an important step forward,” said Agriculture Under Secre-

tary Kevin Concannon. “Children from low-income households depend on USDA’s nutrition assistance programs when schools are closed, which makes finding ways to improve these programs vitally important.”

U S D A has tested a number of alternatives to its standard Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), to address challenges in the program and expand access to underserved families. The Summer EBT for Children demonstration project, a strategy evaluated as an alternative to the traditional summer meal programs, tested the impact of providing a monthly benefit per school age child on food insecurity among low-income children during the summer. These benefits were delivered through existing EBT systems used in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

House Bill ‘Keeps Washington Focused on California Drought’ “Too often during the past three years, that runoff has been allowed to Introduction of new flow unabated to drought-related legislation in the ocean. Had the U.S. House of Represenwe been able to tatives keeps the issue “front store more of that and center” in Washington, acrunoff, we could cording to the president of the have eased at least California Farm Bureau Fedsome of the severe eration (CFBF), who thanked water shortages California representatives for our farms and proposing the bill. communities face HR 5781, introduced by today,” Wenger Rep. David Valadao, R-Hansaid. “We hope ford, and co-sponsored by six this legislation California members of Conprompts contingress, would enact temporary Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) ued discussions measures to maximize water in Congress and resources during the continuing Califor- elsewhere, about what the federal govnia drought. ernment can “California remains in and should do desperate need of fixes to our to make our wawater system, and this legister system work lation would provide shortmore efficiently term relief while Congress for the benefit of continues work on long-term people, the enreform,” CFBF President Paul vironment and Wenger said. “When we have the economy,” he storms such as those that have said. reached California this week, The CFBF we simply must be able to capworks to protect ture as much of that runoff as family farms and possible.” ranches on beWenger noted that even half of more than CFBF President Paul Wenger during drought years such as 57,000 members those California has experistatewide and as part of a nationwide enced, there are strong storms that gen- network of more than 6.2 million memerate significant runoff. bers.

Staff Reports

A previous evaluation showed that a $60 per child, per month benefit during the summer reduced the incidence of the most severe form of food insecurity among children by about one third, with positive effects on less severe forms as well. Another report found that a $30 benefit was as effective in reducing the most severe category of food insecurity among children during the summer. At b o t h benefit levels, the Summer EBT for Children program was more effective at reaching eligible children. Between 23-42% of eligible children joined the program, compared to about 16% who participate in traditional summer meal programs.

Two additional demonstrations discussed in the reports tested enhancements to the traditional SFSP to expand the reach of the program and further reduce food insecurity. In one project, breakfast and lunch was delivered to children in rural areas of Delaware, Massachusetts and New York who did not have access to regular SFSP sites. The

studies found that this method was indeed able to reach children in rural areas who did not have access to traditional summer meal programs, but the overall number of additional children was relatively small.

A second project provided children in Arizona, Kansas and Ohio with backpacks of food for consumption during weekend periods when SFSP sites were closed. The backpack project was effective in reaching families with the highest levels of poverty, but had mixed results on participation, with one state showing increases in participation, one showing only modest gains, and the other showing declines. Although the enhancement projects had mixed results, the evaluation found that in both participating families and site operators felt the demonstrations were an important resource to address summertime hunger.

USDA has requested $30 million in the 2015 budget to expand the Summer EBT for Children pilots. If additional funding is made available, FNS will work with states to explore the best options for further implementation of this successful project.

FNS oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the Summer Food Service Program, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year.

These programs work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Visit www.fns.usda.gov for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.

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28 • Valley Voice

18 December, 2014

USDA Announces Support for Producers of Advanced Biofuel Staff Reports Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on December 2 that USDA is making $5.6 million in grants to 220 producers across the nation to support the production of advanced biofuels, and is awarding more than $4 million in additional grants that will advance the bioeconomy and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

“Producing advanced biofuel is a major component of the drive to take control of America’s energy future by developing domestic, renewable energy sources,” Vilsack said. “These resources represent the Obama Administration’s commitment to support an ‘all-of-theabove’ energy strategy that seeks to build a robust bio-based economy. Investments in biofuels will also help create jobs and further diversify the economy in our rural communities.”

The funding for producers announced today is being provided through USDA’s Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under this program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of advanced biofuel produced from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. Examples of eligible feedstocks include but are not limited to: crop residue; animal, food and yard waste; vegetable oil; and animal fat.

Through the Advanced Biofuel

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Payment Program, USDA supports the research, investment and infrastructure necessary to build a strong biofuel industry that creates jobs and broadens the range of feedstocks used to produce renewable fuel. USDA has made more than $280 million in payments to more than 350 producers (more than 3,100 total payments) in 47 states and territories since the program’s inception. These payments have supported the production of more than 5.8 billion gallons of advanced biofuel and the equivalent of more than 58 billion kilowatt hours of electric energy.

On the same day, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the award of fiscal year 2014 grants through three other programs supporting bioenergy initiatives.

The National Biodiesel Board and Regents of the University of Idaho received $768,000 and $192,000 respectively, through the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program. The program was established to stimulate biodiesel consumption and the development of a biodiesel infrastructure. The funded education and outreach activities will raise awareness of biodiesel fuel use among governmental and private entities that operate vehicle fleets and the public.

Funded projects also focus on educational programs supporting advances in

infrastructure, technology transfer, fuel quality, fuel safety and increasing feedstock production.

South Dakota State University (SDSU) received $2.3 million through the Sun Grant Program. This program encourages bioenergy and biomass research collaboration between government agencies, land-grant colleges and universities, and the private sector.

SDSU will lead a consortium of five regional grant centers and one subcenter that makes competitive grants to projects that contribute to research, education and outreach for the regional production and sustainability of possible biobased feedstocks. The project period will not exceed five years.

Through the Critical Agricultural Materials program, Iowa State University of Science and Technology received $1 million for the development of new paint, coating, and adhesive products that are derived from acrylated glycerol, which is a co-product of the biodiesel industry. The Critical Agricultural Materials program supports the development of products that are manufactured from domestically produced agricultural ma-

See you in 2015!

terials and are of strategic and industrial importance to benefit the economy, defense, and general well-being of the nation. Many such products replace petroleum-based products and offer opportunities to create new businesses and new markets for agricultural materials.

Examples of producers receiving USDA Advanced Biofuel payments today are Appling County Pellets, in Baxley, Georgia. It received $22,475 for its production of more than 358,000 metric tons of wood pellets. Appling sells premium-grade wood pellets for sustainable wood fuel use to markets in the northeastern United States and Europe.

AgPower Jerome of Shoshone, Idaho, is receiving $3,027 for the conversion of nearly 137 million gallons of dairy cattle manure into 25.5 million kWh of electricity that is sold to a local utility.

White Mountain Biodiesel, LLC of North Haverhill, New Hampshire, a producer of biodiesel from waste vegetable oil, received $8,655. The company produced almost 1.8 million gallons of biodiesel from almost 2 million gallons of waste vegetable oil. The biodiesel is distributed throughout Vermont and New Hampshire.

Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, LLC of Phillipsburg, Kansas, produced 6.9 million gallons of ethanol from almost 2.6 million bushels of sorghum and received $18,128.

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