Valley Voice Issue 97 (20 July, 2017)

Volume XXXVII No. 14 • 20 July, 2017

www.ourvalleyvoice.com

HCCA CEO Creates New Lending Company

Farmersville Mayor Paul Boyer and City Councilman Greg Gomez spoke at Monday’s meeting.

FarmersvilleHoldsPublicHearingson PotentialSalesTaxIncrease,Marijuana Nancy Vigran At the July 17 Farmersville Public Hearing there were fewer individuals speaking on the subject matter than there were council members present.

Farmersville is seeking public comment regarding the possibilities of putting an additional ½ cent sales tax measure and a marijuana cultivation initiative on the ballot in November.

A July 14 public hearing netted about the same result.

During the June budget discussions, a number of possibilities for additional revenue were discussed, said Mayor Paul Boyer. The two with the most potential were the sales tax measure and a regulatory taxation on the cultivation of marijuana.

“The council did not want to purse a dispensary,” he said.

Additional funds are needed to help with police and fire services, as well as street and infrastructure maintenance, and parks and recreation, he said.

Local resident and school board member Alice Lopez spoke first during the comment period.

She stated that she understood the need for the ½ cent sales taxation and was all for it, “to keep services as they are, or increase services.”

While she made no direct comment regarding the possibility of a cultivation business, she said she definitely opposed the opening of a dispensary within city limits.

That would be “bringing on more

Tulare’s hospital CEO has branched out into a new arena: finance.

Research by the Voice has revealed that a new healthcare finance company, Vi Healthcare Finance, Inc, was registered at the home address of Dr. Benny Benzeevi, CEO of Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA).

HCCA is the company which runs Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC).

That company was recently considered by the Southern Inyo Healthcare District Board of Directors for a line of credit, though the Voice has been unable to confirm whether the board voted to approve the loan.

The line of credit is both to repay existing debt to HCCA and fund the district’s ongoing operational expenses.

A presentation from a May board meeting showed that the Southern Inyo district owed HCCA upwards of $1m in management fees and $813,184 in a line of credit extended from the hospital management company; the Southern Inyo

Tony Maldonado district had only repaid $346,383 as of the meeting.

A resolution up for for consideration by the district’s board of directors on July 11 and again on July 15, stated that the company was “willing to extend a line of credit to the District and to loan funds to the District pursuant to such line of credit from time to time, which line of credit will be secured by the anticipated tax revenues of the District.”

The company was registered with the California Secretary of State’s office on June 30 of this year, with papers signed

by Bruce Greene, the same attorney that represents both Tulare Local Healthcare District and HCCA. Greene also signed off on HCCA’s incorporation papers after it was chosen as the hospital’s operating partner.

Separate Paths

Benzeevi spoke to the Voice and

LENDING continued on 8 »

FARMERSVILLE continued on 9 »

Hanford Votes to Allow Commercial Pot Cultivation Catherine Doe Hanford bucked the trend and became the first major town in the Central Valley to allow the commercial cultivation of pot. The next closest location is the small town of Coalinga in Fresno County.

The Hanford City Council voted 5-0 on July 6 for an ordinance change in their General Plan to allow the production of medical marijuana. Caliva, a San Jose-based marijuana growing business, has been encouraging the city council to get its ordinance changed in a timely manner so businesses can get the necessary permits from the state in 2018.

California is only allowing a certain number of pot cultivation business licenses and the first priority will go to companies with a local permit in hand.

Hanford’s new ordinance maintains the ban on pot dispensaries. Caliva’s, or other prospective companies, final product will be shipped out of town to be sold in other parts of the state.

The new Hanford ordinance overturns a prior ban that specifically prohibited the cultivation of pot. The Kings County Sheriff, Dave Robinson, maintained his objection during the meeting pointing out that the drug is still feder-

ally illegal and issuing permits to allow for commercial cultivation is against federal law.

Hanford aims to reap the benefits of being the only large town to allow the cultivation of pot. All major cities in the Central Valley have voted to ban it such as Fresno, Sanger, Clovis, Porterville, Reedley and Lemoore, leaving open an opportunity for small towns to make some needed extra revenue.

Visalia has delayed its decision for six months.

Proposition 64, passed last November, allows anyone over 21 to buy up to an ounce of marijuana from a licensed dispensary. The proposition allows the cultivation of up to six cannabis plants inside a private residence. Each city or county, though, can decide on whether to allow commercial cultivation or pot dispensaries.

According to the Hanford Sentinel, Caliva wants to locate a 400,000-squarefoot cultivation, processing, manufacturing and distribution operation in the industrial park, while another company, Genezen, is proposing to bring a facility to the industrial park that would eventually occupy 1.65 million square feet.

HANFORD continued on 8 »

Visitors set out from the boathouse at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia, CA, circa 1940.

Courtesy/Pat Ropes

MooneyGroveBoatsareBack Tulare County is pleased to announce that, by popular demand, Parks & Recreation has brought back boat rentals at Mooney Grove Park.

The boats first set sail at a soft opening held on Saturday July 15, 2017.

News of the boats spread throughout social media and on the Tulare County Museum’s Facebook page.

Enthusiastic park patrons were lined up at the gate as soon as the park opened Saturday morning and the limited number of tickets quickly sold out both Saturday and Sunday.

“Bringing the boat rentals back has been a priority of mine since I came onto the Board several months ago and I am very happy to see that this is being offered again,” said Tulare County District Three Supervisor Amy Shuklian.

“These boats have a long history at the Park and many people in the community have fond memories of using them years ago,” Shuklian said. “Our first weekend was a great success, so we

plan to keep it going through the rest of the summer.”

Rentals are available from 9am-3pm on all Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day, and cost $5 for a 30 minute rental.

The boats hold 3 people, with a 400lb maximum.

Tickets are available on a first-come first-serve basis at the main entrance of the park.

Participants must sign a liability waiver and children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Under California law, children 13 years of age and under must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket in serviceable condition.

A limited number of life jackets and sizes are available at the Park, however participants are encouraged to bring their own to ensure proper fit.

For further information, contact Tulare County Parks Reservations at 624-7227.

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The Three Fusketeers

And now it is revealed that, in a classic dangle, Donald Trump, Jr., his brother in-law, Jared Kushner, and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort accepted a meeting with Russian operatives last year for the expressed purpose of receiving stolen information damaging to Hillary Clinton’s presidential aspirations.

This has been defended as opposition research--which would approach making sense if the information were coming from a source internal to the United States.

Coming from a hostile foreign power, taking such information amounts to both gullibility and treason. Even Bullwinkle--famously an alum of Whatsamatta U-knew better than to trust the likes of Boris and Natasha.

But it’s not their stupidity that bothers me. It’s their betrayal.

We might not be in a shooting war with Russia, but if you betray your country in their favor I call it treason.

It’s treason any time you put anything before your country. That’s not a partisan perspective.

And if the three are not traitors, they are Russian operatives. If that is a bridge too far, they remain, more accurately, perhaps, deeply selfish operatives.

I don’t hear, “Un pour tous, tous pour un,” sometimes switched to “All for one, and one for all,” the three musketeers’ motto in Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel of the same name.

It sounds more like, “All for us, and us for us.”

It’s this kind of hubris that has landed them--and The Orange Horror’s very Presidency--under such a delegitimizing light.

What would they say about the notion that they’ve conspired with a hostile foreign power?

“Fusket.”

How about the idea of quid pro quo--such as the Horror Administration’s deep-sixing the Magnitsky Act, say, or conveniently forgetting all about Ukraine?

“Fusket.”

Let’s strip it all back and ask these three about their relationship with the Truth.

“Fusket.”

We’re talking about three people here who share the same level of patriotism for our country as might be harbored in the bosom of the average man on the street in Moscow.

The Three Fusketeers.

Last month I had to inflate a pool floatie--an enormous swan roughly the size of a Duesenberg V-16--for the Kid’s eighteenth birthday party. It was a sweltering day, positively blindingly bright and hot, and the little electric pump--plugged into the car cigarette lighter port--overheated and conked out. So I had to blow the accursed swan up under my own lung power.

It turns out that even I’m not so full of hot air as these three. As everyone else in the Horror Administration.

Our story --whatever it is--isn’t elastic as to the Truth’s catching up with us. We here at the Voice only ever write the facts as we uncover them. And then if a correction or clarification is required so be it.

I’ll admit that, with age, my patience is running thin. Or maybe it’s more true that I’m unwilling to tolerate things that in my youth I let slide. Maybe I’m just encrankifying.

Whatever the case, I am upset that two bicycles were stolen from our garage recently. It feels as if we’ve been hacked. Maybe the Russians hijacked them.

In my youth, though, if something was stolen from me, my attitude was always that the thief needed whatever it was more than I did.

My attitude now?

Fusk ‘em.

Joseph Oldenbourg

CORRECTION

In the July 6 article, Porterville Wellness Center Celebrates First Month Open, attendees of the center were inadvertently referred to as numbers, it should have stated they are members.

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

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20 July, 2017

Valley Voice • 3

Political Fix WHO WANTS TO RUN THE FIFTH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD? In June of 2016, California surpassed France to become the sixth largest economy in the world. This June, California took over England as the fifth largest economy in the world, a possible byproduct of their Brexit vote.

Besides California’s surpassing England’s Gross Domestic Product, California’s economy grew by 4.1 percent in 2015 while the UK economy only grew by 2.2 per cent.

For 2016 California’s economic growth of 2.9 percent was nearly double the U.S. average, and the seventh best among the states. Washington State had the fastest growing economy in the country last year, at 3.7 percent.

Jumping from sixth to fifth gives California major clout as Governor Jerry Brown leads our state to fill the void left by Trump’s White House. Governor Brown met with President Xi Jinping of China on climate change and has courted Canada and Mexico on trade and climate issues.

But California is not alone. Leadership at the state level has taken on global dimensions as Governors approach world leaders on climate change and trade agreements. When Mr. Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement a dozen governors reached out to international leaders to reassure them that their state plans on adhering to the agreement.

So now that California is a confirmed world leader, who is going to take the helm in 2018?

At first the Governor’s race looked like it was going to be an epic battle between former California Attorney General Kamala Harris and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom. But an alleged unspoken agreement between the two led Ms. Harris to run for the United States Senate, leaving the Governor’s seat race open for Mr. Newsom.

The last time a backroom deal deciding who would run for governor and who would run for the United States Senate didn’t turn out so well. California Senator Bill Knowland challenged the current Governor Goodwin Knight in 1958. After being pressured by then Vice President Richard Nixon, Mr. Knight stepped away from the governor’s race and agreed to swap offices with Mr. Knowland and run for Senate.

Both Mr. Knowland and Mr. Knight went down in flames in 1958, with both losing to Democrats. Mr. Knowland lost to the father of our current governor, Edmund G Brown, and Mr. Knight lost to a Bakersfield farmer, Clair Engle, for Senate.

Coincidently, or maybe not, their losses left Mr. Nixon as the undisputed head of the California Republican Party and in a prime position to run for president, an office for which Mr. Knight and Mr. Knowland aspired to run.

Neither Mr. Knight or Mr Knowland ran for public office again.

But this isn’t your grandmother’s California and the backroom deal might work in 2018. Ms. Harris easily won her US Senate seat and she and Mr. Newsom share the same consulting agency, SCN Strategies.

Catherine Doe

Since Ms. Harris’ victory, Mr. Newsom took an early lead in the polls for the governor’s race. Of course no one else had yet declared until this spring.

Mr. Newsom’s strategy was to raise millions of dollars early on and scare everyone else away with his good looks and political clout.

Ms. Harris employed this strategy and it worked.

Newsom’s strategy worked for a few months but one candidate, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, has been closing the gap in the polls. Since this spring 35 additional candidates have jumped in the race, not all of them viable of course. Those running for governor range from beer makers to motivational speakers, but seven candidates, three Republicans and four Democrats, have managed to float to the top, I say serious candidates in terms of the three Republicans with a wink, wink and a nod, because no Republican is going to win a statewide race in California.

The only viable Republican candidate would be San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and he has declined to ruin his political career just to be the Republican sacrificial lamb.

The three Republicans who have filed paperwork and are considered serious are former assemblyman from Torrence David Hadley; John Cox, a businessman; and Travis Allen, a member of the State Assembly.

Don’t worry, no one else in the Valley has heard of them, either.

The two other main Democrat candidates besides Mr. Newsom and Mr. Villaraigosa are former California State Treasurer John Chiang and former Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin.

Mr. Villaraigosa, who is not in full campaign mode, is only five points behind Mr. Newsom, and there is still almost a year and a half until the general election. Both men need to overcome their history of womanizing to win the Governorship. But their good old fashioned extra marital affairs look absolutely quaint compared to Our Dear Leader. In this day and age their affairs are irrelevant.

Mr. Chiang has also raised millions in donations and has not started campaigning in earnest. He has not been able to breach the five percent level and is not expected to make it past the primary. The question is whether his supporters will go towards Mr. Newsom or Mr. Villaraigosa.

Ms. Eastin is considered the weakest of the main candidates and her supporters are anticipated to vote for Mr. Villaraigosa once she leaves the race.

People living in the Central Valley may not have heard of many of these people but they have heard of former Tulare County Supervisor Allen Ishida.

Mr. Ishida decided not to defend his supervisor’s seat so that he could run for Governor of California.

According to the Foothills Sun-Gazette, Ishida announced his candidacy for governor in 2015, three years before the election, in order to build up the necessary campaign coffers to compete against the political establishments in the Bay Area and Southern California.

But after meeting with friends and

supporters in Sacramento he decided to leave politics and return to farming for the first time since being elected to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. “I would be 80 years old by the end of two terms,” he told the Sun-Gazette.

“I still believe I can win. If I was 10 years younger I would not be withdrawing from the race.”

ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN One anomaly, among many, during the Trump Presidency is that news outlets continually remind us how long the president has been in office. Since Franklin D. Roosevelt, presidents have been scrutinized after their first 100 days, but for President Trump the countdown continues.

First it was 100 days, then 120 days, then 160 days. Now the headline is six months and Mr. Trump has the lowest approval ratings in history of any president.

And while the Republican-controlled Congress and Senate have not

passed any legislation in six months, most of Mr. Trump’s cabinet and all of his family during this time period have lawyered up.

Besides the countdown, Mr. Trump’s presidency has been compared to two major historical events - Watergate and Iran Contra. Watergate is associated with leaks, tapes, special prosecutors and attacks on the media. Sound familiar?

Things could be going better.

The gears of impeachment started to turn during the Watergate and Iran Contra affairs. Mr. Nixon resigned before he could be impeached and Mr. Reagan convinced the world he was kept in the dark about the illegal doings of Iran Contra.

In both cases, loyal soldiers of the presidents took the fall and went to jail.

After years of court proceedings Oliver North and John Poindexter were sentenced to prison for their involvement in Iran Contra. All convictions were later vacated on appeal.

POLITICAL FIX continued on 5 »

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20 July, 2017

Dr. Parmod Kumar Out in Tulare Recall Election Tony Maldonado Voters in the Tulare Local Healthcare District’s Area 3 went to the polls July 11 -- and chose to recall Dr. Parmod Kumar.

With a total of 1,006 votes counted according to a July 14 count from the Tulare County Registrar of Voters’ office -- out of 4,941 eligible voters -voters overwhelmingly chose to recall Kumar and replace him with Senovia Gutierrez.

81.12% voted in favor of the recall, and 76.33% voted for Gutierrez as Kumar’s replacement, according to the results, which were the most recent available as of press time.

More Money, More Problems

The recall campaign had been a long-fought one, with both sides — pro-recall and anti-recall — expending significant time and resources.

Two committees raising money to attempt to defeat the recall, Residents for a Responsible Hospital and Parmod Kumar for TRMC Area 3 Director 2017, raised a combined total of $60,000 in cash -- coming out to $317 per vote against the recall.

Kumar donated $10,000 to Residents for a Responsible Hospital through his Gupta-Kumar Medical Practice, and Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, the company which runs TRMC, donated $10,000 to the committee as well.

Kumar later donated $10,000 personally to the Kumar for TRMC com-

mittee; that committee, which also accepted $20,000 from Kevin Kruse and $10,000 from Luther J Khachigian, donated $20,000 to the Residents committee.

Citizens for Hospital Accountability, the committee which supported Gutierrez’ run and the recall of Kumar, only raised $25,321 since January 1, through a large range of smaller donors.

Though pro-recall forces were in a significantly smaller cash position, spirits were high at Gutierrez’ election party before the election results came in.

Senovia Gutierrez, left, with her campaign manager and son, Alex Gutierrez. Tony Maldonado/Valley Voice

Celebration & A Path Forward

And when the results came in, the crowd was ecstatic.

Kevin Northcraft, a hospital board member and earlier candidate supported by Citizens for Hospital Accountability, said that the vote meant the hospital would return to the people.

“We’re going to be listening to the public,” Northcraft said.

“In electing Senovia Gutierrez as his [Kumar’s] replacement to join board members Kevin Northcraft and Mike Jamaica, our hospital can finally be liberated onto a path of restoration and rehabilitation,” a statement from the group read.

Gutierrez was grateful for the result.

“I want to thank God for the oppor-

tunity,” Gutierrez told the Voice. “Now this is an opportunity for change.”

Gutierrez said that among her first actions would be to change the meeting time — something board members Kevin Northcraft and Mike Jamaica attempted to do, but were unable — to allow more members of the public attend board meetings.

Gutierrez also said that she would seek separate legal counsel for the district. Currently, TLHCD shares legal representation with Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, the company which runs TRMC. But her first priority, she said, was to improve and ensure the hospital’s quality of care.

“I will work most diligently for

transparency and accountability to restore our public hospital and I will represent my district and my home of 23 years to the best of my abilities. We have common goals for our hospital throughout this city of ours: to revive quality healthcare with an adequate number of specialists,” a statement from Gutierrez read, “as well primary care physicians, to support hospital employees, to upgrade our facility and replace our hospital management administration, to take pride in our hospital’s services, and, most of all, to regain the public’s trust in utilizing those services.”

Officials with the elections office anticipate certifying the recall results

by July 21, according to a July 14 press release.

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20 July, 2017

Valley Voice • 5

Briefly…

NOMINATION PAPERS AVAILABLE

Nomination papers for offices to be voted on at the November 7 Consolidated District Elections will be available now through Friday, August 11 in the Tulare County Elections Division, Government Plaza, 5951 South Mooney Blvd., Visalia.

Office hours are 7:30am-5:30pm Monday through Thursday, 8am 12pm Friday, and 8am - 5pm on Friday, August 11.

For further information regarding filing for an elective office, call (559) 624-7300.

The offices for which papers will be available are as follows: East-Orosi Community Services District: 2 Directors Hills Valley Irrigation District: 1 Director

HOUSE PASSES VALADAO GROW ACT

The US House of Representatives has passed H.R. 23, legislation introduced by

Political Fix Continued from 3

As for Watergate, 22 government staff or officials went to jail, most notably H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, John Dean, John Mitchell, Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy.

This begs the question, who would take the fall for Mr. Trump, if anyone, should the occasion arise?

Growing up, Watergate and the Iran Contra Affair were part of my youth. My grandmother and I spent many hours watching the evening news together and it was hard for her to see someone she considered a friend fall from grace.

She was a California delegate at the Republican Convention in 1952 when Mr. Nixon was chosen as Dwight Eisenhower’s Vice Presidential running mate.

It is said she helped hold the media back as a surprised Mr. Nixon wrote out his acceptance speech. He would become the country’s second youngest vice-president ever.

My grandmother would say as we watched Watergate unfold every night, “What do you expect from a small town

More than 40 years in Downtown Visalia

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) to modernize water policies in California and throughout the entire Western United States.

Over last decade, California has endured its worst drought in history, and a growing number of communities across the Western United States have experienced a similar fate. While this natural drought has wreaked havoc across the region, its destruction has been exacerbated in California, by a complex, and often contradictory, system of laws, court decisions, and regulations at the state and federal level.

In an effort to restore water deliveries for struggling communities, Rep. Valadao introduced H.R. 23, the Gaining Responsibility on Water Act, also known as the GROW Act. The legislation provides relief to Californians by restoring water deliveries that have been drastically reduced over the last two decades as a result of various environmental lawsuits and illogical state and federal regulations.

Rep. Valadao’s legislation requires regulators to comply with the bipartisan Bay-Delta Accord, which is consistent with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. Furthermore, the bill will cut red tape holding back major water storage

projects that have been authorized for over a decade, which will aid the entire Western United States during dry years.

Congressman Valadao stated, “For years, California’s sophisticated network of storage and delivery facilities have been sorely mismanaged, causing devastating impacts across the state. This problem has become even more apparent during the last several months. Despite record precipitation levels, families, farmers, and communities still lack access to a reliable supply of water.”

boy from a humble family?”

Watergate, just like the war to end all wars, was the scandal to end all scandals. America was permanently changed after Watergate, some thought for the better, as our government passed laws and strengthened oversight committees to ensure something like Watergate would never happen again.

But we all know that WWI wasn’t the last war, and we know that Mr. Nixon wasn’t the last president to abuse his power.

As far as Iran Contra, I was so beleaguered with work, kids, and bills in 1987 that when the story broke it barely registered in my consciousness that I had been witness to the scandal.

Taking a semester off from Cal to do peace work in Central America, I was in northern Nicaragua not far from the Contra War in 1985.

The Boland Amendment prohibited the CIA or Defense Department to use American taxpayer money to fund the Contras.

Yet Nicaraguan soldiers would come down from the war zone in Honduras and Nicaragua to the little town of Jinotega telling tales and wearing American

uniforms taken off of dead Contras.

They said that when an American fighter would get killed the body was burned beyond recognition. The Contras were supposed to be Nicaraguan rebels fighting a communist regime that had taken over their country.

They were in fact a group of mercenaries made up of a majority of Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Americans and other international soldiers paid by the United States.

Everyone knew the United States was fighting the Contras, we just didn’t know how they were doing it - until the Iran Contra scandal broke.

Two years after I returned from Nicaragua, Justice Department lawyers found evidence that proceeds from arms sales to Iran had been diverted to illegal-

PORTERVILLE COLLEGE HOSTING TRANSFER DAY

The Porterville College Transfer Center will be hosting their first annual Transfer Day (college fair) Monday, October 16.

The event, which will be held from 11am-1pm to provide prospective students the opportunity to meet with university representatives from the University of California, the California State University, as well as several private colleges and universities.

The event will include university booths to obtain freshmen and transfer information, workshops providing admissions requirements, and raffle items.

This College Fair is a free event and is

open to the general public. For additional information please contact Porterville College at (559) 791-2329.

TEAM VIDAK WOULD LIKE YOUR OPINION

Governor Brown’s “Cap and Trade” program is set to expire in three years and Brown is pushing the Legislature to extend it another 10 years.

Cap and Trade has raised gasoline prices and electricity costs to fund highspeed rail.

The non-partisan Legislative Analyst has said extending Cap and Trade could increase the price of gasoline by 45 cents per gallon. Other estimates put the hike at 90 cents per gallon.

To share your opinion, visit: https:// lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ SDInfo/einvites/SD14/184_Cap_and_ Trade_Poll.html

PARK POSITION OPEN IN TULARE

The City of Tulare’s Community Services Department, Parks Division, is currently accepting applications for a Park Attendant position.

For information, dial 559-684-4310. ly fund the Contras in circumvention of the Boland Amendment banning U.S. aid to the rebels.

When I came home full of energy and pep that summer of 1985 saying, “By the way, the United States is funding the Contras,” it didn’t go over very with my Republican family – like they quit talking to me. Years later when I was finally vindicated, I was too tired to gloat.

It’s not exactly fair to compare Mr. Trump’s presidency to the two worst scandals in recent American history. There are major differences, one of which is that President Nixon and President Reagan were well into their second terms when Watergate and Iran Contra took over the evening news.

Mr. Trump is only 182 days, 6 hours and 22 minutes into his first.

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20 July, 2017

Agriculture

Dairy Farmers Work to Help Cows Stay Cool Ching Lee, CFBF

Sweltering temperatures have slowed the flow of milk from California dairy cows, but analysts say it remains uncertain whether lower production from the nation’s No. 1 dairy state will significantly buoy milk prices being weighed down by large inventories and other factors.

Milk production typically falls during summer months, as cows respond to the heat. Record-setting heat in June had fans and misters at dairies turning on early and working overtime to cool cows.

San Joaquin County dairy farmer Hank Van Exel said his cows probably produced about 15 percent less milk during the June heat wave, and triple-digit temperatures this month have not helped to stabilize production. He said some of the same cows that were affected by the June heat also showed effects of the more recent high temperatures.

“It’s not going to be easy for them to get back to where they were,” he said. “They probably will not get back, and then their production curve for the rest of the year is lower.”

During extreme heat, cows eat less and drink more water, he said, reducing not only the amount of milk they produce but also components such as milkfat and solids.

If milk components take a big hit, it could affect production of dairy products such as butter and cheese, said Katelyn McCullock, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, noting the Golden State produces 20 percent of the nation’s milk, more than 30 percent of the butter and 8 percent of U.S. cheese.

Lower yields of dairy products, she added, could boost demand for milk, as it will take more milk to produce the same amount of cheese and butter.

Higher summer production of ice cream also reduces the amount of milk that goes into making butter, raising demand for milk, Fresno County

dairy farmer Donny Rollin said.

“However, let’s not bet the farm that higher milk prices will follow,” McCullock said, adding that U.S. butter and cheese stocks are still “at fairly high levels on a historical basis” and butter exports have lagged this year.

Van Exel said while he hopes any reduced milk production in the state will have a positive effect on the overall market, it will likely be offset by other milk-producing regions that have continued to increase production.

Rollin said the heat spell in June “hit me pretty hard,” but noted his cows have since bounced back and are now “milking well and eating well.”

He said he had not seen any heat-related cow deaths on his dairy and neither had dairy farmers he’s talked to.

“I think guys have learned how to cool cows,” he said. “We know how to take care of them. This (heat) isn’t any different for me than previous Junes or Julys that have been hot.”

Peter Robinson, a University of California Cooperative Extension dairy nutrition and management specialist, said a heat wave for this time of year is characterized by at least three nights of temperatures hovering above 80 degrees.

“That’s when the real trouble starts, because then the cows can’t disperse heat during the nighttime,” he said.

Milk production on California dairies definitely took a hit during the weeklong hot spell in June, he said, with cow feed intake off by 5 to 10 percent on the low end and 25 to 30 percent on the high end for older drylot dairies that don’t have cooling systems, though those facilities are now rare in California.

Typically, when a cow’s feed intake drops by 10 percent, it is expected that her milk production will go down by 5 to 6 percent, he added.

Cows will also mobilize more fat from their bodies to produce milk, which will affect their breeding performance. Some cows that were insem-

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San Joaquin County dairy farmer Hank Van Exel checks on the mist that helps to cool his cows. Despite providing shade and using fans and misters to relieve their cows, California dairy farmers say they expect to lose some milk production due to triple-digit temperatures in recent weeks. Ching Lee/CFBF

During hot summer months, most California dairies employ fans, above, and misters, to keep their animals cool. The systems typically operate on timers and are set to kick on when temperatures reach a certain level. Ching Lee/CFBF

inated during the high-heat period in June did experience a lower breeding percentage, he noted.

But Robinson said he doesn’t think the June heat had much impact on the overall supply of milk in the market, as production impacts were “relatively small.”

“We are much less affected in California by extreme heat today than we were 20 years ago, and the reason for that is farmers have put in a lot more heat-abatement equipment” such as fans, misters and soakers, he said.

Farmers have also changed how they deal with heat, he added. Years ago, they were more inclined to manage their herds when they got hot, typically by adjusting their feeds. But now farmers try to prevent their cows from getting hot. They learned that changing the cow’s diet—often by reducing the fiber level and raising the nonstructural carbohydrates to achieve a higher-density feed—created a nutritional imbalance that made cows more susceptible to acidosis and other negative impacts.

Dairies in the South and Midwest, he noted, often have a tougher time with heat because they are also dealing with humidity, making evaporative-cooling methods such as misting less effective.

“Those dairies are smaller and don’t have the cooling capacity,” Rob-

inson said. “Their milk production goes down a lot more than ours.”

Hot, dry weather in other parts of the nation will also affect dairy markets.

Joel Karlin, market analyst for Western Milling in Goshen, said he’s much more concerned about the bullish impact conditions in the nation’s midsection will have on feed prices.

“I think our corn and soybean crops are in big trouble,” he said.

“We’re facing the most stressful conditions in five years.”

A large part of the Great Plains and the western Corn Belt have been afflicted by high temperatures and below-normal rainfall, he noted— and at a time when the corn crop is pollinating and has the highest water requirements.

“Having said that, we’re not going to get a full-blown price rally because we have plenty of stocks both here, abroad and in the bin,” he added.

With ample U.S. and world supplies of oilseeds and grain, Karlin said production could be cut “fairly substantially before you have an appreciably higher market.”

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

This article reprinted with the permission of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

20 July, 2017

Valley Voice • 7

Agriculture

Farm Bill Should Push Innovation, Farmers Testify Christine Souza, CFBF Investment in new technology, including robotics and mechanization, would ensure the future success of American agriculture, according to specialty-crop farmers who testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.

The committee convened a hearing in Washington, D.C., last week as part of its preliminary work on the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill, which includes provisions specific to specialty crops—defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery and horticultural products.

California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger, who grows walnuts and almonds, addressed the committee as part of a panel of specialty-crop farmers who said chronic shortages of available employees, worsened by an inadequate immigration system, intensify the need for research into technological solutions.

California specialty crop growers have long led the way in adopting and embracing new technologies and innovation in order to remain competitive and profitable, Wenger noted. However, faced with laws and regulations on employment, immigration, taxes, the environment, food safety and crop protection, he said, “the best bet for future success growing specialty crops can be summed up in one word: innovation.”

Wenger and other panelists reported that finding people willing to perform agricultural work remains a challenge, regardless of the rate of pay.

“The most significant innovation that can be achieved on the farm is increased mechanization,” he said. “This

need arises as the pool of available workers dramatically declines. Specialized equipment, robotics and other tools can help offset the growing labor shortage. If we don’t aggressively invest in the development of new technologies, the consequence will be to lose a large share of our nation’s specialty crop production.”

The land-grant university system has been integral to the development of labor-saving mechanical technologies, Wenger told the committee, including when the University of California, Davis, developed the field harvester for processing tomatoes.

“The process from the initial vision to complete commercial acceptance and utilization took over two decades, in order to design and build the harvester and the plant breeding involved to develop a tomato suited to mechanical harvesting,” he said. “We no longer have the luxury to wait decades for similar innovations. The University of California has estimated an investment of $10-$20 million will be needed to research and develop critical technologies for each of the specialty crops.”

Wenger spoke specifically about the prospect of robotics.

“For all of the peaches, apricots, avocados, strawberries—all of the soft fruits—we have to look at ways that a robot can size and pick that product at the peak of ripeness,” he said.

Berry farmer Gary Wishnatzki of Wish Farms in Plant City, Fla., is co-founder of Harvest CROO Robotics, a start-up to develop harvest technology.

Speaking before the committee, Wishnatzki identified the shortage of employees as the top challenge growers face.

“I believe an impending crisis is at hand. Innovation can play a key role in solving this problem,” Wishnatzki said.

He said his company has developed a system with soft claws on a picking wheel, which travels around a berry plant, inspects it quickly and picks the fruit.

“It’s a great time in history right now. There is this tremendous need for automation at the same time that the technology is coming of age,” Wishnatzki said.

Driscoll’s Inc. Chief Executive Officer Kevin Murphy discussed innovative methods the Watsonville-based berry company has adopted or considered: increasingly growing berries in containers rather than on the ground; exploring mechanized harvesting; addressing water shortages; creating a privately managed aquifer recharge basin; and researching disease- and pest-free organic strawberry starter plants.

Murphy told the committee the next farm bill should prioritize research that addresses challenges faced by agriculture, with a special emphasis on water and employment issues.

“There is a great need to accelerate innovation through research programs, public-private partnerships and aggregated efforts,” he said.

Paul Heller, vice president of Wonderful Citrus, Texas Division, said the farm bill has been instrumental in maintaining the health of the citrus sector. Among the most critical, Heller said, are the crop insurance and specialty-crop programs to respond to pests and diseases.

“Pest and disease issues remain a

key priority for Wonderful and the citrus industry at large,” Heller said. “This is especially true as we continue to fight the devastating disease known as citrus greening or huanglongbing. With no known cure for HLB, it is absolutely necessary that the citrus industry take every possible precaution to prevent the spread of the disease, while continuing to search for a treatment protocol.”

The president and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, Andrew LaVigne, said farm bill research funding has helped in development of new plant varieties, a process that can take five to 10 years.

“Federally funded U.S. agricultural research has played an important role in expanding our understanding of plant genetics leading to new crop varieties.

Federal research dollars can be extended and multiplied through public-private partnerships,” LaVigne said.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway, R-Texas, described programs for specialty crop producers as “an essential part of the farm bill. As we approach the next farm bill, our goal is to ensure that the policy we craft serves the needs of all of our producers.”

A “listening session” hosted by Chairman Conaway to discuss the next farm bill has been scheduled for Aug. 5 in Modesto.

(Christine Souza is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.)

This article reprinted with the permission of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

Commentary: Fairs Connect Californians to Ag, Community Karen Ross

All over California, it’s “fair season.”

County fairs are serving up the best that California has to offer and, in our capital city, the California State Fair is in the midst of its Golden Anniversary season at Sacramento’s Cal Expo— the 50th year the fair has been housed there! A half-century of corn dogs, fried foods of all shapes and sizes, and dazzling neon midways. But the State Fair’s value to its community and to the state of California goes much deeper than that, and its complete history is much, much longer.

The State Fair began in 1854 in San Francisco, and was a showcase for agriculture: fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and livestock. That tradition carries on today and is an anchor at the State Fair as well as many local fairs throughout California.

Livestock competitions are outstanding opportunities for young people; The Farm at the State Fair features a host of crops; the annual wine competition and tasting pavilion showcase California’s world-class vintages; and the State Fair honors its own heritage by celebrating farmers, ranchers and agricultural groups with 100 years of history behind them. Farming and ranching still drive California’s growth and

development, and our fairs take pride in highlighting that each and every year.

The fairs are great venues for Californians to demonstrate their skills in a variety of pursuits. A tour of the many exhibits shows impressive talent in art, photography and design, as well as more traditional agrarian pursuits such as canning and baking. It’s inspiring to see that many of those competitive entries come from our young people.

All of California’s fairs serve as community gathering points. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to them annually, and not just for fair runs. They attend concerts, trade shows and sales events. Cal Expo hosts the Global Winter Wonderland during the holiday season, Sacramento Republic FC during pro soccer season, and a year-round monument to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack at the World Trade Center in New York City. California’s fairs believe in service to their communities, and they are committed to the idea that the fair run is just the beginning.

Our fairs also serve as critical emergency shelters. They have housed the homeless during the cold winter months, stood by as cooling centers during periods of extreme heat, and stepped in time and time again to serve as shelters for people and animals in

times of natural disaster, as well as command posts for emergency responders working to overcome those disasters.

Just recently, as a devastating wildfire burned near Oroville, fairgrounds in Chico opened their gates and prepared to work with other emergency organizations to provide a range of services to evacuees. We also have a fire camp set up on the grounds at our Siskiyou Golden Fair in Yreka, and we’re housing animals at the Calaveras County Fair site in Angels Camp due to local fires, as well.

A heartwarming example of these disaster-response efforts came earlier this year, when a Northern California couple forced to evacuate due to the threat of collapse at the Oroville Dam went ahead with their planned wedding at their emergency shelter, the Placer County fairgrounds. A squadron of SALES, SERVICE, RENTAL AG EQUIPMENT & TRUCK REPAIR

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At the San Diego County Fair, there is an annual event, “My Big Fair Wedding Day,” featuring couples getting hitched at the fair’s annual garden show.

As fairs move into the future, they will continue to look for ways to fully integrate in their communities in a year-round fashion. It’s important to remember they are bona fide public assets and essential institutions that serve Californians in many significant ways.

(Karen Ross serves as secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.)

This article reprinted with the permission of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

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8 • Valley Voice

20 July, 2017

Frontier Back at Fresno Airport Frontier Airlines announced Tuesday a major air service expansion plans to 21 cities including Fresno, California.

The airline, committed to offering “low fares done right,” will begin non-stop air service between Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) and Denver International Airport (DEN) in spring 2018.

Frontier previously served Fresno and exited the market in early 2015.

Introductory fares, flight frequencies and schedules for non-stop service between Fresno and Denver will soon be announced for travel in spring 2018.

Today’s announcement by Frontier increases the airline’s destinations served by 30 percent, doubling the number of its total routes.

By next spring, Frontier will offer low fares to 90 percent of the U.S. population.

“We are excited to be included in Frontier’s major network expansion and look forward to welcoming the airline

Hanford

Lending

Open Authorizations

Continued from 1

confirmed his involvement with the new company, but wanted to make clear that it’s a separate enterprise, unrelated to his other ventures.

Benzeevi, in addition to being President/CEO of HCCA, is also the president of Medflow, a company that was originally contracted to assist TRMC with its emergency room services. Another business, Tulare Asset Management, is also registered at the same address as Vi Healthcare Finance. “[Vi] is a lending company that lends money,” Benzeevi said. “It has nothing to do with Tulare - Inyo has a need and it’s an offering for them.”

While the company did offer the Southern Inyo Healthcare District a loan, Benzeevi stated that the company isn’t specifically targeting the Lone Pine hospital or Tulare’s.

“We have a lot of businesses. This just happens to be something that came to -- it has nothing to do with anybody, anywhere.”

He added that there are not many lenders focusing on hospitals or healthcare providers.

“It wasn’t formed due to any of the hospitals. If a hospital happens to be a borrower,” Benzeevi said, “we’re willing to entertain the hospital as a borrower.”

Continued from 1

Although HCCA has two standing authorizations granted by the hospital’s board of directors to seek and execute loans, Benzeevi reiterated that Vi’s financing operation was unrelated.

“If Tulare has a need, [Vi] could be for them too. But it has nothing to do with any of these hospitals,” he said. “[Southern Inyo] has a need, and that company lends money. It has nothing to do with HCCA or any of the other companies. It’s its own different business.”

On March 22, HCCA was authorized to seek approximately $79m -- intended to both fund completion of the hospital’s beleaguered tower project and redeem existing bonds -- from both HUD-backed lenders and alternative financiers, to find the option that would work the best for the hospital’s needs.

More recently, on June 20, HCCA was authorized to seek a $22m loan to cover operating expenses and repayment of existing debt.

Benzeevi made clear that the hospital’s leadership hadn’t found a suitable lender for the loans yet -- including any options with Vi Healthcare.

“I have no plans at this point. At this point in time - what we want to do is find the best terms and lowest interest rate,” he said.

“I don’t know that Vi is the one to do that.”

New Revenue Stream Means City Can Put on Hold Selling Hidden Valley Park

A major stumbling block to developing the second half of Hidden Valley Park has been a lack of funds. All of the city council members cited the potential revenue stream as a reason for changing the city’s pot ordinance.

Caliva, along with members of the city council, have predicted that the company will bring in a minimum of $10 million a year when in full production. That amount does not include the tax dollars that Genezen will bring to the city’s coffers.

Mayor David Ayers and Councilman Martin Devine have been consistenttly against selling the park with or without the pot ordinance change. Vice Mayor Sue Sorensen has been on the fence and Justin Mendez said he wants to sell the undeveloped 20 acres.

Councilmember Francisco Ramirez has said in the past that he would not vote to sell Hidden Valley Park if there was a tangible new stream of revenue. But Ramirez said that the recall effort has colored his decision.

“I may not be here next year to pursue my goal of an indoor recreation facility for youth.”

Ramirez pointed out that if the same group of Hanfordites are as successful

Staff Reports to our healthy mix of air service options through Fresno,” said Director of Aviation Kevin Meikle. “The addition of a low-cost carrier in our market will help foster airfare competition and provide travelers with more airline choices to Frontier’s major network hub in Denver and to connections beyond.”

“With today’s announcement, Frontier now offers our Low Fares Done Right to travelers in Fresno,” said Frontier spokesman Rich Oliver. “Travelers in Fresno now have a significantly lower cost option to travel to great Frontier destinations.”

Fresno Yosemite International Airport currently offers Valley passengers daily non-stop flights to Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Guadalajara, Mexico on domestic and international carriers. as they were in ousting former Councilmember Gary Pannett, then they might be successful in their campaign against him.

“If we started seeing revenue from cannabis right away I would not be supportive of selling the park. But I think it is going to take a lot longer than people think, and I may not have the time.”

Ramirez also mentioned that Coalinga’s marijuana cultivation sites are not bringing in the revenue as fast as anticipated because of problems with their small town power grid.

Ramirez said that if a developer were ready right now to buy the 20 acres, and the money was earmarked for an indoor youth facility, he would be tempted to vote to sell it.

Robin Mattos, a member of Hanford Environmental Action Team, said that the undeveloped part of Hidden Valley Park used to have a piece of Mussel Slough. It was redirected and the land leveled.

“Hidden Valley Park is part of an integral and delicate part of the slough system and it shouldn’t be built on.”

Mattos added that there is usually a subterranean flow where a waterway used to be located and that the ground may get pretty soggy under any houses built on the site.

Mark Pratter from Friends of Hidden Valley Park said that the city’s main excuse for selling the park was because it didn’t have the funds to develop and maintain it. “Now, if we just wait a few years we will have the money for a lot of city projects.”

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20 July, 2017

Valley Voice • 9

Farmersville Continued from 1

than our services can handle,” she said. “I truly believe we will have more problems if we allow marijuana to be sold.”

Ricardo Lopez said he completely disagreed. He feels that a medical marijuana dispensary would be an asset, he said, and there are a lot of people who need it. It could create a lot of revenue, using Oregon as an example, he said.

James Mark agreed with Ricardo Lopez. Mark, who grew up in Farmersville but lives in Visalia, cited how much the state of Nevada made in its first day of legal sales.

“I believe it takes drug dealers off the streets,” he said.

Mark said he has had a card for 10 years, for his stomach issues.

“I believe it can help this city a lot,” he said, “it just depends on how big you want to make it.”

Caesar Esphonceda agrees with the other gentlemen, he said. He suffers from pain in his leg, where he has a rod, and uses medical marijuana.

Esphonceda thinks it is a good way to get people off the streets and working.

He’d also like to see a dispensary, where people can go and be relaxed without being judged. He promoted eatables as helping with pain versus the use of narcotics, which are also bought on the street.

The public hearing was not closed, but again continued to the next council meeting on July 24.

Council Members Speak to the Issues

Councilman Greg Gomez thanked those who spoke and were in attendance.

“I would be open to retail sales, if that’s what the citizens wanted,” he said.

“It has to be up to them.”

Boyer added, in order for the city to balance the budget into the future, there has to be more revenue. Council considered other taxes, but set its sights on looking at a sales tax. There is already a ½ cent sales tax in place and this would be another ½ cent bringing it up to one cent sales tax over the base. This is similar to what just passed in Lindsay and what Woodlake is also considering, he said.

Boyer also stressed the fact that sales tax would not just affect local residents, but people passing through who buy or utilize services.

“On the marijuana side of things,” he said, “we have not made a decision, and we are not in full agreement of this either.

But, I think we are looking at dispensaries as something we want to shy away from – there will probably be some other ones in the county.

“We will not benefit from those Prop. 64 funds. But that’s something we will have to live with.”

Proposition 64 is the California Marijuana Legalization Initiative, which passed in November, 2016. With it came legalization for individuals, age 21 or older, to use and grow a limited amount of marijuana for personal use, starting immediately after approval. The sale and taxation of recreational marijuana will go into effect on January 1, 2018. The measure created two new taxes – one to be levied on cultivation and the other on retail price.

Following the meeting, some council members made further comment.

In an interview, Mayor Pro Tem Matt Sisk said he favors the increase in sales tax.

“I think we [council members] are all in agreement on that,” he said. “We still need opinions on cannabis,” he said, “it’s up to the citizens.”

“We’re bleeding revenue,” Councilman Gomez said. “I work in Visalia and my money is spent there. Eighty percent of Farmersville’s working class works out of town and I’m sure they spend money out of town, as well.

“There’s not enough tax to get by,” he said. “We might as well capitalize on the emerging industry – if we don’t, they’re just going to go somewhere else.”

Police Chief Says

“As the mayor said, it really comes down to what the community desires,” said Farmersville Police Chief Mario Krstic. “It is legal. So, if the community says that they feel we should go ahead and allow commercial cultivation – as long as the proper rules and ordinances are put into place to have control and make sure it is done as safely as we possibly can – safely for the community and safely for the people cultivating, we will. If you look to Colorado, Oregon, Washington and now, Nevada – they have had issues.”

Potential problems include the fact that marijuana is a cash-only business, Krstic said, and large numbers of cash are stored and transported. Because marijuana is not legal in the US, but only in individual states, banks cannot deal with marijuana businesses, they are federally regulated.

And, the fact that businesses are also storing a commodity that people want, is another issue. There is the potential for theft, he said.

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But, perhaps the larger given issue for the PD, will be the permitting process and monitoring, keeping track of staff.

The Mayor’s Opinion

Mayor Boyer said that the sales tax is pretty much in agreement by all of council.

“But, If you look at the shortfall this year – it’s not up to the $330,000 [potential added income from sales tax] – if you look at our fire chief and the second highest paid firefighter we have, that’s on a two-year grant that is going to run out in 2018, and I’ve got to say we have seen a dramatic improvement in the fire department since they’ve been here. We’ve had a lot of young people getting a lot of training and the responses, especially for medical emergencies, is good. And, I really want to keep our fire department the way it is. And, that’s still depending on over 20 volunteers.

“So, you look at that and OK, a sales tax would help us catch up for a while [estimating another $330,000], but, if you look at heath insurance is going up, workman’s comp is going up, and a number of things we can’t control - we’re just going to be leveled off for a while. We’ll start dipping again.”

The finance director said we could probably go for another five years, he said, “but, we don’t want to wait until the last minute.”

The city is providing a “bare minimum” of services, he said. “It would be good for our city and I think the residents would like it, if we could do more.”

Farmersville has very little sales tax revenue when compared to other local cities, he said.

Boyer said that he is for the potential marijuana cultivation initiative.

He’s not for the dispensary side of it – but he has mixed feelings.

“I compare it to - we’re building a brewery here in town and generating a tax revenue, but we don’t want to have any liquor stores selling the beer here,” he said, with a chuckle.

A dispensary is just something that he’s not sure he wants in town. He’s not interested in seeing a smoke shop either.

“There would be strict rules with the cultivation, and I know they can do extractions [medicinal],” he said. “And, if someone does that and wants to set up shop in town, we’ll be ready for it.”

For commercial cultivation under Prop. 64, the city could charge up to $25 per square foot per year, or 10% of the gross profits.

“On one acre of land,” Boyer said, “you could end up with a 20,000 square foot greenhouse. So, if you multiply that it gets you up to a half million dollars – it’s quite a bit.

“I just feel that when we’re in the financial bind we’re in – to not at least put that out to the voters, and ask them, ‘do you want to do this,’ I think we would not be doing our jobs on council.

“By the way, as I understand it the ballot for Proposition 64 in Farmersville barely passed, by maybe a percentage point – so I think that shows we are not considering something that is totally out of whack with what the community is wanting.”

The public hearing continues Monday, July 24, at which time council will most likely vote to place either or both measures on the November ballot, or not.

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10 • Valley Voice

20 July, 2017

Voices of the Valley

James Stallworth: Back on Top Nancy Vigran

In 1991, James Stallworth was on top of the world. With long jump titles and World Championship track and field medals, he was destined to be the next Tulare Olympian. But one evening his life started to unravel. Fast forward 27 years and Stallworth is now living a new dream.

Stallworth was born and raised in Tulare, graduating from Tulare Union High School in 1989.

At the age of 12, he set a national midget group pentathlon record. The win, which included the shotput, hurdles, long jump, 50 and 400 meters, enticed the attention of Sports Illustrated. A reporter interviewed him for its “Faces in the Crowd” section. They also sent him a silver bowl in support of his achievement.

In high school, Stallworth was a three-sport standout. He lettered in football, basketball and track. In 1989, he set the National Federation of State High Schools Association record in the long jump with a 26’ 4.75” jump, while participating in a CIF State meet. That record is still in existence today.

In 1990, he attended the World Junior Championships in Bulgaria and again set a record – earning a gold medal with a 26’ 11” jump. He still is the world record holder from that jump. At the same games he earned a gold in the 4 x 1m relay, which he anchored, and a bronze medal in the 200m.

He started college with a scholarship in track and field at Cal State, Fresno. He had his eyes set on the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain in 1992.

And then – “I went to the Drake Motel in Tulare on South K – a rundown motel and they were selling a lot of drugs out of there,” Stallworth said. “I sold a $20 rock to four undercover officers – it was a buy bust. And that’s when my life changed. That was the spiral.”

He was not using drugs at that time, he said.

A Positive Life Starts to Spiral Out of Control

“I was arrested. I was given some time in the county jail [serving a total of 4-5 months], and from that point on I started engaging in criminal activity,” he said. “I got on drugs and started using heavily.

“Taking inventory of my life - I have to be honest with you - I started using rock cocaine heavily. I started pilfering. I started doing some robberies. In 2001, I was arrested for two counts of 211 – robbery. It went to jury trial and through God’s grace I had a hung jury, and the DA didn’t pursue any more charges.”

But it continued.

“From 1991 – September 2, 2014 – it was all drug use, criminal activity [non-violent], relapsing, prison,” he said.

“I lost my father to a tragic accident in 1995 – he was run over and killed,” he said. “It was tough, because I was just given a two-year sentence for possession and I’ll never forget when they came up and said, ‘Stallworth, you need to come down’ – like at one o’clock in the morning – and I thought, ‘OK, why are they calling me down.’ Back then I was a little mouthy and I thought, ‘What did I do wrong this

time?’ They just wanted to inform me that my father was run over by a car and killed, and they wanted to give me time to make phone calls.

“I remember it like it was yesterday.

“I am close with my brother and sisters. We all hail from the eastside of Tulare and it’s different today. But anyone who is familiar with the eastside of Tulare in the ‘80s and ‘90s – there was P Street – the pool hall and the gambling shack. That’s when it was a tough neighborhood to grow up in and come out of.

“Growing up, I saw it all at such a young age. They used to take the mattresses and dump them in the alley, of course we were just kids then, we would see a man and a woman engaging in sexual activity. We laugh about it, because the guy would say, ‘Kids, get outta here,’ and we’d take off running. We were scared.

“At Fresno State, I was a C-average student – I was studying criminology with a minor in physical education. I studied criminology with the thought of working with kids in probation – giving them counseling. Physical Ed was the minor to say, ‘you know what - let’s go do some PE work.’”

Reality Hits – Big Time

“After my [first] conviction – Fresno State would no longer honor my scholarship,” he continued. “That was a tough deal.

“Here I came from the eastside of Tulare – Bam - I set this national record at 12. At 18, I set the national high school record. I was heavily recruited in basketball and football – heavily recruited. In ’89, I set the national record. In 1990, I go overseas to Bulgaria, and I win two golds and a bronze. My whole life seemed to be pretty good.

“I had Reebok after me – I was a wear-tester for Reebok. At that time I couldn’t sign a professional contract, because I was still in college. At that time, with my personal coach – who I give a lot of credit to for my success - we decided not to [take a professional contract] – so they give me a wear-testing contract. This was 1992.

“There I am destined for stardom and then reality hits – Wow!” He paused in reflection.

“In 1992, the Olympic Games are going to be in Barcelona – here I am in the championships in 1990,” he said. “I have already submitted myself among the world’s best – Carl Lewis, Mike Powell – the best, and I’m on my way to this next step of my life.

“In ’91 I do that drug sale.

“To be honest with you – the truth, today, because I live in the truth – I did not need the money. I had Fresno State give me a full-ride scholarship. I had my apartment was paid for. They were giving me $450 a month to spend. I could go get my books. The only thing I had to do was study and go get my education.

“Wow.” Stallworth paused again, “I don’t know,” he said.

“Why would a kid from the ghetto, who has pretty much made it - if you do one more thing right, we make it,” he said. “We set this kid’s age group record

James Stallworth. Courtesy/Visalia Rescue Mission.

at 12. We set the National High School record in ’89. In ’90 we get two golds and a bronze. Boom, boom, boom – he’s made it.

“Why go sell drugs? It’s still a mystery today. And, that’s the truth. I didn’t need money.”

Comeback Falls a Bit Short

Through his ups and down with drugs, convictions and jail time, Stallworth made a comeback in 2000. He was getting out of prison in 1999, and he spoke with his personal coach on the phone.

“He said, ‘Olympic year in 2000 – you get out in September, what you want to do?’” Stallworth said. “Let’s shoot for it.

“Getting back in shape, having that nine-year layoff, I started to realize you do get old, or you do age.”

He was 29.

While training, he stayed clean. He went to the Olympic trials in Sacramento, but did not make the team.

“I had been absent for nine years,” he said.

“I was clean until 2001, and then I relapsed,” he said. “My mom passed January 27, 2001 – things had been going pretty good. I was working. I lost my mom and I relapsed. Not to say because of my mom’s death – but, it was a tough situation. A lot of that situation with my mom is very personal and I have done some work here at the [Visalia Rescue] Mission regarding that. But, when I lost her in 2001, I went back to my addiction.

“I was arrested – I was given a fouryear, four-month sentence for two robberies. I did 23 months straight – from June ‘01 to May ‘03. I came home in ‘03 and I went right back to my addiction, that same year.

“In ‘05 I did a violation, and I did a year. Again, I relapsed. In ‘06 I get another possession’s charge – a two-year sen-

tence - I came home in home in February ‘07. I returned to my addiction. In 2008, I did my last violation.

“My baby was born in February – I paroled off of my last violation on Easter Sunday of 2008.

“I said this is my last stint in prison – I’m done – I’ve got to break these chains.

And, that was it for prison.

“I stayed clean from Easter Sunday until the summer of 2010. I was working – I moved to LA, I came back – I re-engaged into my addiction. In 2013, I was back – it was always the same drugs.

I went back to the vomit [referring to addiction] until September 2, 2014. If you return back to the same thing, we expect different results and it just doesn’t happen.

“It did the same thing for me for 27 years – it’s either going to jail, institution or death. Through the grace of God, I never did death. Jail and institutions – I’ve been there. That’s some pretty sick vomit – huh?”

A Baby Changes Everything

“In 2014, I came over to the Visalia Rescue Mission (VRM) and when I came here, I came here for help to come clean and sober,” he said. “My daughter was six.

I had to get my life together, because I had to help support my daughter.

“When I came here, I’ll never forget – I did an interview with Henry Leon [who now works in the warehouse for the Mission] and he said, ‘James you’ve got one hour,’ this is really meaningful to me - I was doing my assessment and he saw that I wanted to change my life, and he said, ‘James you’ve got one hour to go get your clothes.’

“I was back in 45 minutes, and I had to go all the way back to Tulare!

“When I got here September 2, 2014, I’d go to the classes. I always knew God existed, but I never knew about building

STALLWORTH continued on 12 »

20 July, 2017

Valley Voice • 11

Comments & Letters “

Your voice at ourvalleyvoice.com wow…..this is THE worst management of a hospital in all the years since we first voted to build and get that $85 million bond.

There was an interesting remark made when reading the depo of Dr Kamboj and Dr Tu-hihong into the record. Why did Dr Kumar want to put up a foundation with the money in the MEC fund? And that MEC fund money was stolen. That’s pretty fricken’ interesting. So with Dr Kumar, you save some, you loose some. As a board member he has a stake in keeping HCCA onboard, as he is chief of nursing in the Inyo County hospital. The one they gave a secret loan to that no one knew about until someone looked at their board minutes, and financials.

Lets face it. HCCA is not honest. They have never been fourth coming since they’ve been running the place. Where’s all the certificates of management training classes by Dr Benzeevi?

If you keep telling the people a lie, sooner or later they will start believing it….well some in the town are and all the smart people can see right through the BS. HCCA has to go and if Kumar made sweet deals with them, oh well…..I wonder if the DA still thinks this is all just a ‘civil case’.

”

— Concerned on Tulare Politics Get Fishy as Hospital Recall Nears

“

The Giant Sequoia Monument was nothing but a pay back to the Sierra Club by then president Clinton. The Giant Sequoias were already protected by George HW Bush; but the Sierra Club wanted it all. They wanted to close down mills and logging. Downsize the Monument and bring back good logging management.

“

Imho, Ms. Shuklian proved her ineptness in that meeting. They can’t or don’t manage the public trust and complain about not having enough of our tax money? What a sad joke and an insult to the tax payer. The absolute and total ineptness of both city and county governments is staggering.

“

This is truly a win for all of the citizens of Tulare and the surrounding areas who need access to good care. I’m confident that the board majority will make the changes we need to be bigger and better than ever before!!! A WIN FOR THE PEOPLE.

“

”

— John Keyes on Editorial: Keep The Sequoia National Monument As-Is

”

— Dave on Visalia City Council Debates Taking Over Mooney Grove Park

”

— TulareRaised on Election Night Results: Kumar Recalled, Senovia In

For twenty years, Dr Kumar has been telling us about his dream of building a great medical center and attracting young talented specialists to it. In reality however, TRMC has now become a joke, one of the worst hospitals in the state. The tower sits unfinished, millions of tax payer money wasted by the administration, and the latest company hired to finish it, has not been able to take even one step towards completing that task. TRMC has only managed to lose some of its specialists. It is constantly in the news for the wrong reasons, trying to deal with an avalanche of law suits and negative reports.

Meanwhile the hospital 10 minutes to the north, is on a costant pace of expansion, adding new services and specialists, and affiliating itself with reputable medical schools.

How many more years are you going to give Kumar/HCCA?

”

— TRMC employee on Tulare’s Recall Election Cash

“

We may have saved our hospital from getting stolen BUT it is in shambles, deserted and loaded with debt.

It will be a looooooong fight to clean it up and get it running. It may be best to invite Fresno Community to take it over. Adventist is a corporate shark and will be no better.

We also need to appeal all women who were hurt by Dr Kumar (enabled by us, of course) to come forward, file a case and offer them some kind of justice.

”

— AZ on Election Night Results: Kumar Recalled, Senovia In

Sigala: “Take into account the will of the voters in the City of Tulare”

Dear Board Members and Dr. Benzeevi, I am writing this open letter to respectfully ask you to take into account the will of the voters in the City of Tulare, including those in my council district, who have decisively made it clear that they want a change to business as usual at Tulare Regional Medical Center.

On Tuesday, July 11th, the voters in Area 3 joined with voters from last year’s election to send a strong message that they are seeking change in the direction, leadership and vision the hospital has undertaken for years.

Change which includes bringing greater transparency, accountability, cooperation and leadership on the board of directors has been their unifying theme.

I would like to ask you on behalf of my constituents, who not only use the hospital but are hard-working tax payers, to refrain from any actions that would add any more financial burdens that will straddle them with financial obligations for years to come, amend, extend or change terms of any contracts and or take actions that would be contrary to the best interest of the community.

It has been reported that the seating of the newly elected board member will occur in the next 30 to 45 days.

Refraining from any major decisions

“

Jose Sigala will allow the new board member the opportunity to transition into her new role and fully participate in that process is the right thing to do.

What you do during this transition period will be critical as the community seeks to move forward in finding reasonable and responsible solutions to ensure OUR Hospital is first-class.

I and many business, community and political leaders are eager to work with the board to save our hospital.

In my opinion, the focus over the next few weeks of the board should be assuring the day to day operations of the hospital, including taking care of staff, making vendors solvent and equally important continue working to increase patient quality of care.

The community deserves that be the focus and not business as usual during this transition period. Your patients, our family, friends and loved ones, deserve it.

I hope you do the right thing and refrain from taking actions that are not in the best interests of patients, tax payers and the community and further complicate the efforts to save OUR Hospital.

Sincerely, JOSE SIGALA Council Member City of Tulare, First District

We loved growing up here in Visalia & eating at the downtown A&W Restaurant & now have eaten at all of their local A&W’s! You cant’t get a better Rootbeer float, bacon burger & fries than at A&W! Plus, their incredible community service & involvement has helped with the annual huge Downtown Car Show, the Waiters Races, monthly Rod Runs at the Restaurants, featuring local HS bands & school Jazz Bands, etc.

Their A&W Divco Truck (which was Craig Van Horn’s vision that he worked for several years & brought it beautifully to full use!) had been used by hundreds of schools & service clubs to serve floats, drinks & ice cream at events, parades & sports games to help those clubs raise needed funds for their service activities.

Their family has given back & supported our community in so many countless ways, plus employed & trained thousands of young people & some obviously young at heart people who are still working there because they treat their employees well, yes like family, as the wonderful family they are & have always been! A Huge Thank you & Congratulations to the Cary, Van Horn & A&W Families!!

”

— Ila Benedict on Local Family Celebrates 50 Years with A&W Restaurants

USE YOUR VOICE

Comment online at ourvalleyvoice.com Send letters to editor@ourvalleyvoice.com or to PO Box 44064 Lemon Cove, CA 93244

Veteran’s Corner: State Parks and Recreation Passes Scott Holwell Honorably discharged war veterans who are residents of California with an overall / combined rating at 50% or greater service-connected disability, or were held as prisoners of war by forces hostile to the United States, or recipients of the Medal of Honor are eligible to receive the Distinguished Veteran Pass (formerly Disabled War Veteran/Prisoner of War Pass).

This pass entitles the holder to the use of all basic facilities (including day use, camping and boating) in California State Parks at no charge.

The pass is not valid for group use or sites, special events, commercial use,

additional/extra vehicle fees, or for supplemental fees and cannot be used in conjunction with any other pass and/or discount. Admittance and use subject to available space.

To apply, download and complete a Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) application at http://www.parks. ca.gov/pages/737/files/dpr619.pdf.

Submit proof of service-connected disability rated at 50% or greater, or provide documentation showing status as a former Prisoner of War or Medal of Honor recipient status along with a copy of the veteran’s California Driver’s License and a completed DPR Form DPR 619.

You can also send completed application with required documentation in-

cluding copy of Photo ID to: California State Parks, Attn: Distinguished Veteran Pass Program, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, Ca 94296-0001.

For questions or more information, please contact the Park Pass Sales Office at (800) 777-0369 ext. 2 or (916) 653-8280 or via email at passinfo@ parks.ca.gov.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the new California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license and also issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans.

Contact Scott Holwell 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 determine if you are eligible for any of these benefits, call or visit 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/vets.

Scott Holwell, 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 (559)852-2669; or e-mail scott.holwell@co.kings.ca.us.

12 • Valley Voice

Stallworth Continued from 10

a relationship - opening your heart to him – crying out, if you will. You’ve got to believe in God, or you’ve got no way of existing.

“Where I come from, religion is not practiced on a continual basis. You see the elderly people walking with their wives, or their husbands, to church – that’s as far as it went.”

Stallworth’s grandparents attended church, he said.

“So, I get to the classroom and they’re pouring out God, and I said, ‘Oh, my God, here I am in this classroom – I didn’t come here for this – I came to get my life together, I came to get clean and sober,’” he said.

“When I got to the classroom I was afraid. I was embarrassed – not because of my lifestyle, but because I didn’t know the word of God,” Stallworth said. “I’ll never forget talking with the counselors - they’d say, ‘James, ya know, this is a faith-based program – we practice God here, we practice religion – we’re trying to change our lives.’

The Word of God

“And, I’ll never forget opening up to God for the first time in my whole life.

Having somebody that I could go to, that I knew loved me and would hear my cries – because for so many years of my life, didn’t nobody hear my cries.

“And, it was then I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior.

20 July, 2017 “What I wanted at that time was help – what I needed at that time was change.

In this classroom, I’m getting the combination of both. I’m getting the help and the change. So, I started praying, and I started believing and I started talking to God – not knowing if I was talking to him the right way or not.

“When you do something wrong, you say, ‘God forgive me,’ – that’s the norm. But I’m still trying to figure out how to say - how do I talk to him – is he going to hear me?

“Is he?

“Nobody’s heard me my whole life. I come from the eastside of Tulare. I come from where I hear myself – don’t nobody hear me. Don’t nobody care about my hurts, my pain - but me. I’ve got to put my trust in somebody I don’t even see.

“That’s the best part of my life today.

I didn’t know, but now I know today, that there is a living God and that he does exist. And, yes, I’ve had situations in the last 34 months of my life to show me that God is real.”

Stallworth hopes he can reach others with what he has learned.

“Only thing I ask for today – is to help somebody and be rich in spirit,” he said. “You can talk about my legacy. You can talk about my national record - which they still talk about 28 years later. That’s OK. You can talk about my gold medals.

But, when I came to the Visalia Rescue Mission, I found something greater than a gold medal will ever do for me. Records are made to be broken – eventually, one day, somebody else will be the reigning king in the long jump.

“I’m from the eastside of Tulare – for so long we developed that attitude of racism. I’m being honest here, and I want you to hear that – I’m being honest here.

Today, God has renewed my heart. He has renewed me as a person. I can go in a church, like I did last night, and be the only African American in there and feel like its 100 African Americans in there.

“I can finally trust again.”

Work at the Mission

Stallworth graduated the then eightmonth VRM class in 2015. He was employed in the Mission’s warehouse upon graduating. He had to take a break on medical leave last year, when he required surgery. He was given oxycodone for manage his pain. He took a total of six of them following his surgery. He threw the other 84 remaining in his prescription away.

“I thought I can’t take these pills,” he said. “I got rid of them. I had major surgery, but there was no way I could consume all of those pills. My system was clean. I took the conservative way – there’s no way I can take 90 of them.

I took ibuprofen. The doctor wanted to prescribe something else, but I said I don’t want to take anything with narcotics in it.

“I own the truth – I’m still an addict.

“It was tough. I had to lay a certain way and I encountered a lot of discomfort. But, I just asked God for strength and I just kept going.”

Stallworth went back to work at the mission, this time in the Men’s Shelter and he now works as an assistant in the Life Academy.

“The life I once had – I had it,” he

said. “I had it from the bottom all the way to the top. But, I have never felt the way I feel today. The feeling you get by having a relationship with Jesus Christ is phenomenal.

“The blessings that have come – here I am able to talk with you about my story.

If you had come to me three years ago, No. Twenty years ago, No. Ten years ago, No. Because I wasn’t content and I wasn’t happy with who I was at the time.

“I get so emotional – because I lived that lifestyle. Why does God intervene in people’s lives? That’s what I’ve got to find out. Because, I was at the top - one more thing and I would have made it. But, I wouldn’t trade my life today for all the tea in China. I am so blessed.”

Stallworth has three children, two who are now adults and his nine-year-old daughter. He also has three older sisters and an older brother. Today, he has a good relationship with his three children and his siblings.

He lives in transitional living at the Mission. He took a coaching assignment with the COS track and field team last year. But, he didn’t participate this year.

He may be open to coaching in the future and a lot of people would like to see him do that.

But today, it’s about giving back to the community in a different way.

“If I leave work today at 3:30 and there’s a guy sitting out there and he’s hurting,” he said, “I can sympathize with him. I can sit with him. I don’t have to judge him. I won’t laugh at him. I can relate to him and I can hug him, if that’s what he wants.”

Valley Scene

20 July, 2017

Cats to Take Over Wyndam Hotel on August 5 & 6

of their feline friends. Like all entries, Jr. Showmanship entries are pre-entered In the San Joaquin Valley, kids – their cats may be entered in a regular grow up showing livestock. Some adults class of the show, but do not have to be. continue on exhibiting cattle, dairy Jr. Showmanship in TICA involves cows and horses. But, showing cats? Is any child under the age of 18. Accordthat a thing? ing to the TICA website: Yes, and The International Cat As“The program consists of six levels sociation (TICA) Southwest Regional through which the youth may progAwards Show will ress, with each level take place August having different ac5-6 at the Wyntivities and testing dham Hotel in questions. At the Visalia. The show three junior levwill be open to the els, the emphasis is public from 10am on learning about – 4pm, Saturday TICA, the etiquette and Sunday. and procedures of Five judges showing, and basic each day will judge cat health and welall 100-200 cats enfare. At the three tered in the show senior levels, the – each in their own emphasis is on adring. Exhibitors are Long-time The International Cat Association vanced knowledge mostly from the Judge Vickie Fisher shows off a longhair of cat showing, cat Southwest Region, American Curl during a prior show. She is breeds, working at celebrating their a former president of the association, and a show, and TICA.” will be one of the all-breed judges on August exhibiting year of 5 and 6, at the Wyndham Hotel in Visalia.

This is a good 2016-17, but also Courtesy/Kat Knappers Cat Club class for local 4-H will come from the students and other Northwest and further. There will be an kids to watch and get a taste of the cat education booth featuring Feline FAQs, fancy and what exhibitors go through. each day, said Jean Wagner, Kat Knapper Cat Club member, and one of the Household Pets organizers of the show. And, on SaturWhile the TICA registry consists of day, sometime around noon there will 63 breeds of cats, household pets are an be a Jr. Showmanship competition. important part of its existence and proNancy Vigran

Jr. Showmanship

The Jr. Showmanship program is very important to the cat fancy and is the only class where the cats are not judged, but rather the exhibitor and his/ her care of the cat. Cats need to be in good health and good weight, and properly groomed. Exhibitors are asked questions regarding cats in general and care

grams. Household pets are non-purebreds, large or small, shorthaired or longhaired in all most any color. Household pets must be spayed or neutered to be shown, and are registered, just like purebreds, with the association. Household pets are what snag many individuals into the cat fancy and showing.

Bob Roseberry has been showing

CAT SHOW continued on B6 »

A girl gets some adult instruction on casting her line for a previous Visalia Trout Fishing Derby. Courtesy/Visalia Parks & Recreation

Catfish Derby on July 22 Staff Reports Join Visalia’s Parks & Recreation department at its annual Summer Catfish Derby for children ages 3-15 on Saturday, July 22nd from 8 am to 10 am at Plaza Park Pond.

This competitive fishing derby will

be divided among two categories with prizes going to the top three total stringer weights in each category.

All participants will be placed in a drawing for the chance to win cool fishing prizes!

Entry fees are $7 in advance, and $10 on the day of the event, as space allows.

BarrelHouse Brewing opened to great fanfare on July 15. Manny Oldenbourg/Valley Voice

BarrelHouse Brewing Opens in Visalia

As you walk into BarrelHouse Brewing on East Main in Visalia, you instantly feel like you’re not in town anymore.

Instead, you feel like you’re in a respectable microbrewery in Portland Oregon, which has a reputation for their microbreweries.

Inside is filled with family, friends, and supporters who made it possible for the tap house to become a reality. A tap house is a more accurate term than a tap room.. There’s 6000 square feet inside and a 6000 square foot beer garden outside in the back.

Outside in the beer garden, there are private food vendors 7 days a week.

Local food vendors like Chicken Shack, and Pita Kabob can be found back there.

Local bands will play outside during the spring, summer, and fall. During the winter bands will play on the stage inside.

What’s unique about the stage outside is that it’s a 1948 international truck with the truck bed as the stage. Owners say that it’s a BarrelHouse Brewing trademark to have a truck bed for a stage. The

wood from the truck bed, and the outside pergola is from the Pismo pier BarrelHouse Brewing aims to keep it a family friendly environment where you can bring your kids. There won’t be any rap, hip hop, or metal that will be playing here and has a closing time of 10pm.

Like craft beer? There are 21 different kinds of beer on tap. They also introduce new kinds of beer to the public on a regular basis. There’s a large selection of beers varying in alcohol content and flavors that will satisfy any beer connoisseur.

The beer is made in Paso Robles and distributed to the San Luis Obispo tap room, and the new BarrelHouse here in Visalia. BarrelHouse Brewing also distributes their beer among stores in California. BarrelHouse Brewing started in 2013, and plans to open a new tap room every year.

During the VIP session from 11am

Gather your friends and coworkers together to play. Registration for the Porterville Parks & Leisure Services Coed Adult Volleyball began on July 17.

The league features an eight week season from August 19- October 14, plus a single-elimination tournament on October 21.

Games are scheduled on Saturdays in the Santa Fe School Gym and played

six-on-six with three women and three men on the court.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Cost to register is $175 per team, with a special discounted rate of $150 for teams that register before July 28.

For more information, contact Parks and Leisure Services at (559) 791-7695 or visit www.ci.porterville.ca.us.

Manny Oldenbourg

BARRELHOUSE continued on B7 »

Porterville Adult Volleyball League Registration Open

B2 • Valley Voice

Land O’ Lakes Nets $65k for United Way Land O’ Lakes presented the United Way of Tulare County, (UWTC), with over $65,000 yesterday, as the result of proceeds from the company’s annual golf event.

The donation is just one segment of Land O’ Lakes ongoing annual support of the local United Way. “In 2016, Land O’ Lakes gave over $182K via their workplace giving campaign, matching gifts from the Land O’ Lakes Foundation, and the golf fundraiser,” explained UWTC Executive Director, Rosemary Caso. “Land O’ Lakes is our top donor, and they are on track to beat last year’s total.”

According to Ken Kaneversky, Land O’ Lakes Plant Manager, the partnership with United Way is a strong one. “Land O’ Lakes is a proud partner with United Way,” explained Kaneversky. “We are

happy to know that through our partnership we are able to positively effect real lives of real people in the very community in which we live and work.”

Caso said the Land O’ Lakes team strongly joins UWTC in the fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

20 July, 2017

“Their commitment to making Tulare County better is evident in every event they participate in,” she added.

Family HealthCare Network Awards Scholarships •

•

•

in pursuit of a career as a medical doctor; Daisy Ramos from Porterville High School will pursue a career in Psychology and is beginning her educational journey at Porterville College with a major in Child Development; Maricruz Lira-Lemus from Lindsay High School will pursue a degree in Kinesiology and will attend California State University, Monterey Bay; Napoleon J. Rodriguez from West Hills College in Lemoore

Photo by Aaron Provencio

Family HealthCare Network (FHCN) has awarded six Tulare and Kings County high school seniors and a junior college student with a scholarship through its Anita de la Vega Scholarship Fund.

Each year, FHCN awards the scholarships to up to six students pursuing a degree in health or community health.

This year, the Anita de la Vega Scholarship recipients include: • Anayeli H. Rojas from Woodlake High School will attend California State University, Fresno with a major in Biology

catch the fun JULY 27 - BEACH NIGHT + THIRSTY THURSDAY!

Wear your best beach attire and get a FREE pasture ticket $1 beer on select drafts from 6-8 PM Live pregame music from Taco Wagon from 6-7 PM in the Beer Garden

JULY 28 - POSTGAME FIREWORKS! JULY 29 - FAMILY FUN SUNDAY!

Local first responders receive recei $5 grandstand tickets thanks to A&W restaurants!

Kids Club Members run the bases after the game thanks to Carl’s Jr. Bring your dog to the game courtesy of Visalia Animal Services!

AUGUST 3-6 - TAQUIZA Y TOROS

Join the Rawhide as we become the Visalia Toros for a weekend to celebrate Vislaia’s rich hispanic heritage! Thirsty Thursday w/ live music, Fireworks, & more!

WWW.RAWHIDEBASEBALL.COM 559.732.4433

will pursue a career in Speech Pathology and is transferring to California State University, Fresno; • Victoria Cota from Corcoran High School will attend California State University, Fresno in pursuit of a career in Physical Therapy; and, • Yesenia Solis from Avenal High School plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley for a career in health.

Family HealthCare Network’s President & CEO Kerry Hydash expressed,

“We are always pleased to commemorate and support local students in their success and pursuit in becoming the next generation of health and community leaders.”

Family HealthCare Network established the Anita de la Vega Scholarship Fund in 2009 in honor of Anita de la Vega, a clinician who served at the Network for 30 years.

Since 2010, FHCN has awarded six scholarships per year through the Anita de la Vega Scholarship Fund.

20 July, 2017

Valley Voice • B3

You’re Not As Ready As You Think Brian Hampel, MS

We live in a world where many people are CPR certified and have a basic understanding of how and when to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). There is a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and AED marked on maps and easily accessible in most public offices.

But there’s one very reasonably priced piece of equipment that is often overlooked, ignored, or even avoided.

A tourniquet.

Now I know that historically this has been a scary word but let’s consider the following…

It is known that due to cardiac or respiratory distress permanent damage or death can occur after 5 minutes of oxygen deprivation to the brain. It is also known that a good femoral or brachial bleed can cause death in less than two minutes. I’ll say that again, two minutes. We have amazing first responders, but unless they’re pre-staged on the scene of an accident or emergency, they won’t make it in two minutes.

With practice, a tourniquet can be applied on yourself or a friend in about a minute. Now, that’s assuming two things: 1) You have a tourniquet available. A make-shift tourniquet might work, but it’s less likely to be effective compared to a commercial product. And 2) you know how to effectively apply it.

As I said, tourniquet has historically been a scary word. It was believed that the application of a tourniquet all but guaranteed the loss of that limb. Based on military studies of the Vietnam war, and lessons learned from Mogadishu, Iraq, and Afghanistan, we know that isn’t necessarily true. It is generally believed that permanent tissue damage won’t occur until 2-3 hours after the application of the tourniquet and the blood has stopped moving into that specific limb.

So, compare the pros and cons of the situation. You have approximately two minutes to possibly save the life of a friend, family member, if you can get a tourniquet on and stop severe bleeding.

Combat situations aside, most places in

America can receive emergency medical services within that two-hour timeframe before permanent damage might set in.

But if you don’t apply the tourniquet, death might occur within minutes. It’s your decision.

Think about your work place. Are you in construction? Are there powerful and sharp power tools everywhere? Are there significant fall hazards? Are you in transportation? Could you be in an accident at any moment? Most workplaces can come up with a scenario where it might be good to have a tourniquet or two available, and to have folks trained in how to use them.

Now let’s get scary and a little uncomfortable. Let’s talk about gun shots.

Gang shootings, accidental discharges, or active shooters. If you’re in a situation where you’re able to safely render aid, would you? Or maybe the more pertinent question is, Could you?

There’s a little more to it than just tighten the belt as hard as you can. Seek out traumatic first aid training. Find a company that can teach you and you

staff how to handle these situations. You train on how to react to the unlikely, but possible, scenario of encountering a cardiac or respiratory emergency, why wouldn’t you seek out training on the unlikely, but possible, situation you may need to save someone with a life-threatening hemorrhage?

Unfortunately, this is the world we now live in. An explosion wound, shrapnel wound, or gunshot wound is the same in London, San Bernardino, or Orlando as it is in Mosul. The paradigm of typical and standard for basic medical training for laypersons is shifting. Get ahead of it. Prevent the unnecessary loss of life. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Protect yourself, loved ones, and strangers.

Brian Hampel, M.S. is the co-founder and Vice President of Hampel Security Consulting, Inc. Brian is a three-tour combat veteran, a former federal police officer, and 14-year Military Police Soldier. Brian earned his Master’s Degree in Terrorism and Counter Terrorism from Henley-Putnam University.

Kaweah Delta, Key Medical Group to Hold Seminars Kaweah Delta Health Care District and Key Medical Group will host a free Medicare 101 informational seminar in July and August.

This seminar, which will take place in Visalia, is intended for new retirees aging into Medicare, along with baby boomers working beyond age 65 and family members who are helping make healthcare decisions. Attendees will learn:

•

What original Medicare covers in benefits and premiums.

• When to sign up for Medicare Parts A, B, and D. • How to avoid late enrollment penalties.

• How to choose the right Medicare plan.

Reservations are required to attend this free seminar which will be repeated

Coming to the Hanford Fox Theatre

four times on the following dates and times (attendees only need to attend one seminar): · 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 20 · 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 27 · 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10 · 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17 Please call 559-802-1990 and use code 2401 when calling to receive a free gift.

Established in 1963, Kaweah Delta Health Care District is the only trauma center between Fresno and Bakersfield. The district offers a comprehensive scope of services including everything from a well-respected pediatric hospitalist program to nationally recognized orthopedic and cancer programs. For more information, visit www.kaweahdelta.org or follow Kaweah Delta on Twitter and Facebook.

TICA International

cat show

Southwest Regional Awards Show

Dave Mason

Aug. 5-6, 2017

Fri., Sept. 22 - 8 pm $35 - $65

Wyndham Hotel Visalia 9000 W Airport Dr, Visalia 559-651-5000

The Marshall Tucker Band Thurs. Oct. 17 - 8 pm $25 - $45

SHOW HOURS: Sat & Sun: 10 am – 4pm MORE INFO: www.KatKnappers.com/coupon.html CONTACT INFO: 714-321-8621/ 951-213-6427/ 559-651-5000

Rare Breeds – Bengal, PixieBob, Peterbald, Kurilian Bobtail, Toyger + all Standard breeds

Pink Martini Fri., Dec. 1 - 7 pm $42 - $65

Silent Movies Sat. Sept. 16 - 7:30pm $10/adults; $5/military, seniors, students Children 12 & under - free!

Educational Ring all Weekend Best in Show - Sunday afternoon

$2 off

$5 Movies

Disney’s Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs Saturday Aug.19 - 2 pm Grease, the Movie - Saturday, Aug. 31 - 7 pm

(559) 584-7823

www.foxhanford.com

w/can of cat food

Adoptable cats & kittens available to FOREVER HOMES

$7 ADULT $5 SENIOR/STUDENT/ MILITARY W/ID (Under 12 free w/adult) $12 family of 3+ Bring this ad for discount

Calendar JULY Now - July 28: Form & Function Repurposed For the month of July, Arts Visalia is pleased to present “Form & Function Repurposed.” On display will be art pieces by four local 3-D artists that have utilized rescued materials to create new forms with dimension and storyteller emphasis. We are also pleased to welcome a number of artists with similar repurposed inspiration to our gift shop, specifically for this exhibition. Form & Function Repurposed features a variety of 3-D pieces by artists, Brent Mosley, Shirley Keller, Buddy Jones, and David Griswold.

The opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Friday July 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The gallery is open 12-5:30pm Wednesday through Saturday. Arts Visalia Visual Art

atre. For more information visit: http://www.sequoiaparksconservancy.org/dinner-with-an-astronaut.html.

Cypress Ave. in Visalia. For additional information please call the community relations office at (559) 624-3503.

July 21, 22, 23, 27, 28 & 29: Hello Dolly!

7:30pm on July 21, 22, 27 & 28; 2pm on July 23 & 29 - Presented by the Theatre Company through Tulare County Office of Education. Productions held at the LJ Williams Theater, 1001 W Main St. Visalia.

July 27: Kaweah Delta and Key Medical Group Host Medicare 101 seminar 6pm - This seminar, which will take place in Visalia, is intended for new retirees aging into Medicare, along with baby boomers working beyond age 65 and family members who are helping make healthcare decisions. Attendees will learn: what original Medicare covers in benefits and premiums; when to sign up for Medicare Parts A, B, and D; how to avoid late enrollment penalties; how to choose the right Medicare plan. Reservations are required to attend this free seminar - call 559-802-1990 and use code 2401 when calling to receive a free gift.

July 22: 3-Dimensions 9am - 3pm - An exploratory adventure unique to each artist and the challenges they face while assembling a one of a kind sculpture made from found objects in a way that takes form and comes to life. This workshop is for all levels. Materials for the class will be provided. Instructor: Andrew Turner. Offered through Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak. Tuition $85. For more information, call July 27: Casino Night Mini

Blood Bank will be accepting donations at Corcoran’s Christmas Tree Park. Donate while meeting the people who serve your community, enjoy free hot dogs, drinks and root-beer floats, free raffle and giveaways, games for all ages, chalk drawing contests and a Police K9 demonstration.

For more information, contact the Corcoran Police Department (559) 992-5151.

August 4, 5 & 6: Auditions for Noises Off! 6pm - Encore Theatre Company announces auditions for Noises Off! by Michael Frayn - Special Limited Run. Show dates: January 11-14, 2018 Roles: five men, four women; Age range: 25-65; Location: Encore Theatre Company, 324 South M St. Tulare.

For more information, call (559) 366-7011. All audition material will be provided.

August 5 & 6: 32nd Annual

program on a computer, following the trainer. There will be time to practice what participants are learning with the trainer present, so that questions may be asked.

For more information or to register, please visit www.cos.edu/ traininggcenter. For questions, please call, (559) 688-3130.

August 10: Kaweah Delta and Key Medical Group Host Medicare 101 seminar 6pm - This seminar, which will take place in Visalia, is intended for new retirees aging into Medicare, along with baby boomers working beyond age 65 and family members who are helping make healthcare decisions. Attendees will learn: what original Medicare covers in benefits and premiums; when to sign up for Medicare Parts A, B, and D; how to avoid late enrollment penalties; how to choose the right Medicare plan. Reservations are required to attend this free semi-

ty will be held at the Children’s Storybook Garden & Museum in downtown Historic Hanford. Guest Speaker will be John Alkire, former director of the Kings Fair, then director of the Paso Robles Fair and currently the director of the Award Winning Big Fresno Fair. The dinner will begin at 7:30pm with all locally sourced wine, beer and appetizers. Dinner, again with all ingredients being sourced locally from Kings County will begin at 8:00pm. This Farm to Table Dinner is meant to be a Celebration of all the great Farmers and Dairy folks and wonderful food grown in Kings County! Tickets will be on sale soon. For more information, visit www.childrensstorybookgarden.org/

Medicare 101 seminar 6pm - This seminar, which will take place in Visalia, is intended for new retirees aging into Medicare, along with baby boomers working beyond age 65 and family members who are helping make healthcare decisions. Attendees will learn: what original Medicare covers in benefits and premiums; when to sign up for Medicare Parts A, B, and D; how to avoid late enrollment penalties; how to choose the right Medicare plan. Reservations are required to attend this free seminar - call 559-802-1990 and use code 2401 when calling to receive a free gift.

eryone is welcome.

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

Tuesdays: Barmageddon Trivia Thunderdome, 9pm-1am Challenge your friends to the ultimate trivia throwdown. Earn some bragging rights in categories ranging from Saturday morning cartoons, classic video games, and pop culture films.

Free sign ups at 9:30pm.

2nd Tuesday, Monthly: Yappy Hour, 5-9pm Well-mannered, leashed pets are welcome on the patio at the Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria, 514 East Main Street, Suite A, in Visalia. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Valley Oak SPCA. For more information, call (559) 651-1111.

August 26: Mighty Oak Chorus’ 2nd Annual Western Roundup August 14 & 16: COS Offers 5-8pm - Includes a full BBQ Intermediate/Advanced Micro- tri-tip dinner, entertainment soft Excel Class at Visalia Cam- by the Chorus and Quartets, pus along with a silent auction at the 2:30-4:30pm each day - Interme- Ritchie Barn. Tickets: $20. For Wednesdays: Barmageddon

(559) 739-0905.

Center is located at 214 E. Oak July 22 & 23: Kirsten VangsAve. ness presents Mess at The Barn July 20-Aug. 26: Variety is a Theater Spice of Live! Art Exhibition Saturday 2:30 & 7:30pm; Sun5-7pm - Opening reception for day 2:30pm - Written and perWoodlake artist Linda Hengst formed by Criminal Minds’ star on July 20. The reception is open Kirsten Vangsness. Suitable for to the public and free, as are all 14 years and older. Tickets $20. exhibits at the Heritage Art Gal- Reservations available, but not lery. Located in the Tulare His- required, call or text (559) 310torical Museum, 444 W. Tulare 7046. The Barn Theater is locatAve. ed at 42 So. Plano in Porterville.

July 21-23: Dark Sky Festival July 25: Virtual Dementia Tour Share your passion for the night 10:30am - 12:30pm - The pubsky and astronomy during this lic is invited to participate in a fun weekend. Special programs Virtual Dementia Tour at Quail will be taking place all week- Park on Cypress. This free workend including star programs, shop is for caregivers, families, telescope demonstrations, and and professionals that deal with campfire talks. All programs people with dementia. Particiare free and open to the pub- pants in the 15 minute demenlic. Events will take place in the tia tour will open themselves to parks, as well as at Lake Kaweah experiencing the world around and in Three Rivers. them in a completely different July 21: Dinner with an Astronaut 5:30-8:30 - The Sequoia Parks Conservancy invites its members and donors to attend this exclusive fundraiser dinner and presentation with retired NASA astronaut Don A. Thomas, at College of the Sequoias The-

way and gain a clear perspective into the daily lives of those with dementia. The Virtual Dementia Tour sensitivity training program enables participants to gain a greater understanding of dementia and shift their thinking from unease to action. Quail Park on Cypress is located at 4520 W.

Expo 17 5:30-7pm - Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce presents a mini business expo at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino.

For booth information, call the chamber at (559) 734-6020.

Mountain Festival Upper Tule Association presents the annual Mountain Festival in Camp Nelson Meadow at the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Saturday from 1-5pm enjoy at Santa Maria style BBQ, kids and adult games and arts July 29: Cars and Coffee 8-11am – Car show offered by and crafts. Live music until 7pm Buckman-Mitchell Financial on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. and Insurance Services, 500 N. Free admission.

Santa Fe, Visalia. No entry fee. August 5 & 6: TICA Southwest Bring an unwrapped toy or Toys Regional Awards Show for Tots and be entered into a 10am - 4pm - Cat show - pureraffle. For more information, call bred and household pet catego(559) 635-3520. ries each day. Vendors, adoptable cats and kittens from Cat House on the Kings. More information and $2 discount coupon - www. katknappers.com/coupon.html. $7/adults; $5/seniors, students, August 1: National Night Out military; children 12 and under Hanford 5-8pm - sponsored by the Han- free with an adult. $12/family of ford Police Department and 3+. At Wyndham Hotel, 9000 Hanford Chamber of Com- W. Airport Dr., Visalia.

AUGUST

merce. Held in Hanford Civic Park - free food, unlimited bounce houses, free carousel and fire truck rides, resource booths, blood drive, DJ and give-away items.

August 1: National Night Out Blood Drive 6-8pm - The Central California

nar - call 559-802-1990 and use diate/Advanced Excel class at the code 2401 when calling to re- COS Visalia Campus. Fee $59. ceive a free gift.

This is a hands-on classes and participants will be learning the August 10: COS Offers Basic/ program on a computer, followIntermediate Microsoft Excel ing the trainer. There will be time Class at Hanford Campus 8am - 12pm - Basic/Intermedi- to practice what participants are ate Microsoft Excel class at COS learning with the trainer present, Hanford Center. Fee $59. This so that questions may be asked. is a hands-on classes and partic- For more information or to regipants will be learning the pro- ister, please visit www.cos.edu/ gram on a computer, following traininggcenter. For questions, the trainer. There will be time please call, (559) 688-3130. to practice what participants are learning with the trainer present, so that questions may be asked.

For more information or to register, please visit www.cos.edu/ traininggcenter. For questions, please call, (559) 688-3130.

August 14: Encore Theatre Youth Program 5:30pm - Informational meeting for students from 2nd grade through high school and a parent. Have you always thought it would be fun to learn to sing, dance and act? Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn what goes on behind the scenes of a theatrical production. The staff of volunteers will teach you these things and much more. Bring a parent, pencil and recording device. Held at the Encore Theatre, 324 South M St. in Tulare. For more information, call Susan Burley (559) 289-2994.

August 10, 12, 17, & 19: Shakespeare in the Plaza - The Tempest Dusk - approximately 8pm - presented by the Lindsay CommuAugust 8: COS Offers Micronity Theatre. Admission is free, soft Office Class at Hanford but donations are welcome. For Campus 8am - 3pm - Basic Microsoft more information, visit: www.

Office class focusing on Excel, lindsaycommunitytheater.com.

Word and PowerPoint at COS August 11: Farm to Table DinHanford Center. Class fee $99. ner This is a hands-on classes and 7:30pm - First Annual Farm to August 17: Kaweah Delta participants will be learning the Table Dinner in Kings Coun- and Key Medical Group Host

tickets and more information, visit: www.visaliamightyoakchorus.org or email bcase@visaliamightyoakchorus.org.

Game Night Come blow off some steam at our game night. Happy hour from 6-8pm.

August 26: Summer Jubilee at the Park 6-10pm - Celebrating 25 years - Tulare Hospital Foundation fundraiser at Zumwalt Park. $50/tickets - must be 21 years or older to attend. For more information and reservations, call (559) 685-3438.

1st Thursday Monthly through October: Diabetes Support Group, 5:30-7pm Kaweah Delta Health Care District offers a free diabetes support group through October from on the first Thursday of the month at the Kaweah Delta Chronic Disease Management Center, 325 Willis St., Visalia. Information: (559) 624-2416.

CONTINUOUS

1st Thursday, Monthly: VeterMondays: National Alliance on ans Support Group, 5:30-7pm Mental Illness, 5:45pm EduFree support group for global war cation Meeting: 7pm Support on terrorism & post 9-11 (VetGroup erans Only) at the Tulare Public St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Visa- Library, 475 North M Street in lia, 120 N. Hall, Corner of Cen- Tulare. Facilitated by: Dr. Lance ter and Hall. For more informa- Zimmerman, PhD of Veterans tion call: (559) 627-1306 Counseling Clinic.

Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30am-2pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Admission is free. For additional information call: Joan Dinwiddie, (559) 732-0855 Mondays: Knitters, 10am12:30pm 210 W Center Street Visalia. Ev-

Send us your events: editor@ ourvalleyvoice.com

20 July, 2017

B6 • Valley Voice

Arts Visalia Presenting Young at Art, Brianna Lee

August 2017 is a special month for Arts Visalia, which is pleased to present Young at Art, an exhibition featuring the works of our Young at Art children’s summer program. The exhibition will also showcase works from our kids in our art program in Goshen, in partnership with Family Services.

The Young at Art children’s summer program hosted seven weeks of classes featuring the seven elements of art: line, shape, form, texture, value, color, and space. Works featured are those of three age groups: 5-6, 7-10, and 11 and up and present a variety of projects in 2-D and 3-D forms.

This exhibition runs from August 2nd through August 25th. The opening reception is free to the public and will be held on Friday, August 4th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

With kind support, the exhibition is sponsored in part by United Way of Tulare County, Southern California Edison, Arts Consortium, City of Visalia, Visalia Breakfast Lions Club, Bueno

Cat Show Continued from B1

his household pet, Tarjae, for more than a year with continued success. Tarjae is a brown classic tabby neuter who was rescued at a feed store in Fresno, with his litter mates. Roseberry has long been involved in cat shows, but until Tarjae, never showed a cat of his own.

Roseberry first got involved in the mid-1980’s, when someone suggested that with his handyman skills, he should start to build custom cat trees. He did and took them to swap meets, where he was successful. Then another suggestion was made that he start attending cat shows with his wares, he said.

He knew nothing about cat shows – but picked up a magazine on cats and found some shows and also found out about how to vend at them. His cat trees were a hit, and he named his new venture Katrees. He became a regular vendor, and a general vendor carrying cat-related items while traveling around the state to various weekend shows. He had no time to show or think about it for himself. But his ex-wife became interested and obtained a Birman kitten to show. His daughter wanted to show her household pet. And, so it began.

Roseberry still is involved in cat shows, as he now manages a show cage service, setting up and taking down shows. He no longer vends at shows, and so became interested in showing himself, as he needed something to do with his time during the show, he said.

Tarjae is the 10th best household pet in the region this year, Roseberry said, and 13th internationally. He also shows at Cat Fanciers Association shows, where Tarjae is the third best household pet in the region.

The draw to showing, Roseberry said, “For me, I think it’s the comradery.

You make a lot of good acquaintances.

“But, it’s also fun to make a final, and even better to get best cat. I also like to cheer my friends on.”

Purebred Cats

Megan Antijunti started show-

ing in 1999.

“I started with a household pet - a kitten kept from fostering a mother and three kittens found in a cardboard box on the doorstep of the local shelter in Saint Helens, Oregon,” she said.

She had formerly shown horses.

“I have always been an animal lover.

I was on a horse by 3 months of age colicky baby - and my mom raised AKC black Standard Poodles, when I was very young, but she wasn’t the handler. I wanted to be a veterinarian all through my school-aged years, but it wasn’t meant to be,” Antijunti said.

As an adult, “ I gave lessons, trained horses, ran summer camps, worked with 4-H, Special Olympics, was a Portland Community College Horsemanship Instructor, and was an Oregon Horseman Association horse show judge for a year,” she said.

But, due to bad back and neck, she had to give it up.

“I wanted a ‘light’ hobby. Cats seemed easy,” she said.

She, too, started with a household pet, while exploring the world of purebreds, where she settled on Japanese Bobtails.

“They are the best breed ever,” she exclaimed. “Every time I walked in front of a benching cage of a Japanese Bobtail, they were right up to the front of the cage and making eye contact yelling ‘Pick me! Pick me!’

“I couldn’t get over the way they played and enjoyed attention and affection in the benching area with their owners, and they were total clowns in the judging rings They would ‘talk ‘ to the judge as the judge would walk by their cage while in the ring, and then play like little Tasmanian devils on the judges stand. If there was a scratching post available on the judges light post, they would climb it. No toy was safe. They always seemed so happy, so engaging.”

“They are the only breed for me,” she said, although she also show household pets.

Antijunti will be at the show with some of her Japanese Bobtails and invites the public to ask where she is locat-

Beverage Company, the Visalia Times Delta, and the Kruse Foundation.

In September, Arts Visalia is proud to feature solo artist, Brianna Lee, in Beauty and the Sublime. Brianna Lee was born and raised in rural Visalia. She is an artist with a love of beauty and the human form. Her work is a continuous search for the intrinsic beauty of all life around her. She gleans inspiration from the people she meets, the abundance of nature and the deep-rooted traditions of realist painting, reminiscent of Renaissance painting style.

Arts Visalia is presenting a one day adult workshop August 26th, from 9am to 3pm with Jana Botkin. This workshop teaches realistic detailed pencil drawing from photos for all levels.

There will be follow-up classes to build upon your skillset every third Tuesday of the month.

For more information and class descriptions, please go to artsvisalia.org, call 559-739-0905 or visit 214 East Oak Avenue, Visalia, California 93291.

The International Cat Association judges take their jobs very seriously, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the cats they judge. Sharon Kaloni, shown here at a previous show, is the SW Region Jr Exhibitor Coordinator and an all-breed judge, will be judging at the early August show. Courtesy/Kat Knappers Cat Club.

ed, if they have any questions.

There will be lots of other purebreds there as well including a lot of top cats from the Southwest Region. Look for shorthairs including Abyssinians, Bengals, Toygers, American Shorthairs, Oriental Shorthairs and more.

For those interested in longhairs, there will be Persians, Birmans, Maine Coons, and Oriental Longhairs, and others. Some breeds have both shorthair and longhair varieties including Japanese Bobtails, Kurilian Bobtails and Scottish Folds.

Purebred classes are broken down into three divisions for each breed – kittens, 4-8 months of age; championship, intact adult cats; and premiership, cats that have been spayed or neutered. All cats are housed in the benching section during the show and taken to a ring, when their exhibition number is called.

Cats do not remain in the show hall

overnight, but are kept with their exhibitors in their hotel rooms.

Also at the show, look for vendors with cat products. Cat House on the Kings will be exhibiting some cats in the household pet division, available for adoption.

Some proceeds from the show will help Cat House on the Kings. A $2 discount for admission will be given to visitors who bring a can of cat food, which will be donated to the non-profit shelter. Look for coupons in the Voice, or online at http://www.katknappers.com/ coupon.html.

Admission to the show is $7/adult and $5/students, seniors and veterans.

Children under 12 are free with an adult and admission for a family of three or more is $12. For more information, visit www.katknappers.com or call (714) 321-8621, or (951) 213-6427.

20 July, 2017

Valley Voice • B7

Sequoia National Park Celebrates Latino Conservation Week Staff Reports

In celebration of Latino Conservation Week, Sequoia National Park played host to 20 young Latino adults from Los Angeles as they collected scientific data on sequoias, hike the Giant Forest, and learn about stewardship. Sponsored by Save the Redwoods League, the event will be led by an intern from the Latino Heritage Internship Program, a joint partnership between the National Park Service and Hispanic Access Foundation.

The young adults, who are members of mission-minded ministry Impacto Juvenil, will help collect scientific data, work with park scientists to measure the diameter of the sequoias, and learn about their ecology. Additionally, the participants will explore interactive exhibits to learn about the contributions Latino National Park employees make to preserve the park’s resources.

On Saturday, July 15th visitors were invited to participate in Spanish Giant Sequoia talks throughout the day, as well as a hands-on Sequoia tree monitoring activity.

The Giant Forest Museum also hosted a drop-in event where visitors can

meet Latino NPS employees and learn about their experiences and inspirations for working at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

“Latino Conservation Week provides a great opportunity for Sequoia National Park to reach new audiences,” said Woody Smeck, superintendent of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. “This experience is one that changes perspectives on the grandeur of nature and encourages youth to take up stewardship to ensure places like this remain for future generations.”

Historically, Latinos have not been actively engaged to participate in our nation’s public lands. Even with widely documented support, only eight percent of Latinos engaged in outdoor recreation in 2015, according to the Outdoor Foundation. Latino Conservation Week helps to break down barriers to the Latino population’s enjoyment of public lands, encourages new opportunities to experience these sites, creates a unique platform for groups to reach out to this community, and inspires the next generation of environmental stewards.

“Latinos are passionate about enjoying the outdoors and hold a strong belief

Latino Conservation Week is held July 15-23. Courtesy/Hispanic Access Foundation

that we have a moral obligation to protect it for future generations,” said Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation, which launched Latino Conservation Week in 2014 in its effort to showcase the community’s commitment to the outdoors and provide opportunities for engagement. “The week’s events will introduce Latinos to new opportunities, new locations and new ways to translate their passion for

the outdoors into making a difference for our nation’s treasured natural resources.”

Latino Conservation Week is being held July 15 – 23 throughout the nation.

More than 100 events are being held by national and state parks, monuments, and wildlife refuges, as well as national and community groups. For information about events, please visit www.latinoconservationweek.com.

BarrelHouse Continued from B1

BarrelHouse Brewing has a very unique outdoor stage. Manny Oldenbourg/Valley Voice

Micro-Brewery/Micro-Winery Overlay District

MURRAY AVE.

COURT ST. MINERAL KING

BEN MADDOX WAY

E. MAIN ST.

SANTA FE ST.

to 1pm July 15, there were around 200 people already inside. Once it opened at 1pm, the numbers went up drastically.

By around 1:40 pm there was about 500 people in the tap house and more were still coming in. This might be a foreshadowing of what’s to come in the new micro brewery district overlay.

The idea of a microbrewery district overlay has been tossed around since 2015. CEO of Visalia chamber of commerce, Gail Zurek, discussed the idea with the Brewbakers owners, and Nick Seals who owns a family construction company. Council member Bob Link was the first to support the micro brewery zone overlay agenda.

On December 7, 2015, the city council approved a request for member Bob Link to place a future agenda for a zoning text amendment that allows microbreweries with tap rooms in the east downtown area.

The Chamber of Commerce expressed to the city council that local entrepreneurs were interested in opening tap rooms. On August 15, 2016, the city council was finalizing the approval for the district overlay. This came with a few new zoning regulations. An important new regulation was the elimination of a requirement to include food service.

This will allow tap rooms to not be forced into investing in food services that don’t fit well with their business model. The whole district overlay will encompass 220 acres from Murray Ave to the north, Mineral King to the south, Ben Maddox to the east, and Court St to the west.

BarrelHouse Brewing Company was the first to open a tap room (more properly a tap house) in the new microbrewery, micro winery, micro distillery district overlay. The district overlay might have a bright future ahead of itself with new tap rooms and restaurants coming in the next few years.

N

(not to scale)

20 July, 2017

Valley Voice • B8

Astronaut To Make Special Appearance at ImagineU

Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler celebrates Mary Green’s milestone of 100 years. Courtesy/Prestige Assisted Living

Visalia Native Celebrates 100th Birthday with Mayor

When all is said and done, it’s not bad turning 100 years old when you are as happy and healthy as Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia’s resident, Mary Green.

Just a little girl from Goshen, she moved to the big city of Visalia at age nine and married at age 16. She worked as a dietician and that may be why she is so happy and healthy today.

She laughingly describes her first marriage as “lousy” but then married her second husband, Albert, and describes her life for

38 years with him as wonderful.

In 1993, Albert passed and she says it was one of the hardest times in her happy life, but then met her current husband, John Green, and says they’ve been happily married now for 22 years.

Mary loves all kinds of activities, including socializing with her fellow residents, and loves country music and old TV shows.

She said she has had a happy life and been blessed with two sons, five grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

ImagineU, the nonprofit children’s museum near downtown Visalia, will bring astronaut Don Thomas as a special guest from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, July 21.

The presentation is open to all museum visitors.

Thomas, a veteran mission specialist astronaut, flew four space shuttle missions during his 20-year career with NASA. He will talk with children about the thrills of launch and how astronauts eat, sleep and live in space.

“Being able to talk with an astronaut about life in space gives children a window into whole new worlds of career exploration,” noted museum director

Peter Sodhy. “We are excited about local children being on this journey to space.”

ImagineU Museum, located at 210 N. Tipton St., is an interactive children’s museum that delivers educational, hands-on experiences in science, the arts, the Valley’s agricultural roots, environmental conservation and more. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sundays noon to 4 p.m. Annual memberships are available, which provide discounts on special programs such as summer camps and after-school enrichment programs.

For information, call 733-5975 or visit imagineumuseum.org.

Join the Visalia Fox Theatre on Saturday, August 5, 2017 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. D.A. Pennebaker’s documentary, Monterey Pop, will be featured.

The film will be accompanied by live music from sitar player Evan Hatfield and DJ Wax Ecstatic, who will spin choice cuts from the era. This costume-encouraged night will also feature psychedelic poster art from the sixties on display. Doors open at 6:00pm and tickets are only $8.

Monterey Pop was first released in 1968. The film features performances from historic artists, such as The Who, Otis Redding, Janis Joplin, Ravi Shan-

kar, Jimi Hendrix, and more. The documentary follows the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, which was held from June 16th-18th, 1967, at the height of the Summer of Love.

The Summer of Love was the year that the hippie phenomenon was highlighted by the media. Many people traveled from all over the world to San Francisco for the Monterey Pop Music Festival.

Part of the proceeds from this event will go to support the Sound N Vision Foundation, an area nonprofit that helps promote creative events throughout the Valley and targets youth development.

Visalia Fox Theatre Presents Monterey Pop Party Aug. 5