July/August 2014 by DMI Agency

y o u r

c e n t r a l

v a l l e y

Z GA

f a m i l y

r e s o u r c e

I NE

REAL FAMILIES Introducing Your Neighbors GARDENING Grow Your Own Green Onions PARTY ABCDEFG…Throw a Dr. Seuss Par-ty

JULY/AUGUST 2014

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• Immediate Eligibility • and many more features... The Williams Family Dental Comprehensive Dental Plan is designed to proved affordability and greater access to quality dental care.

EDITOR’S LETTER

t’s that time of year again. That time when your children are officially out of school for the next (almost) three months and you’re desperately trying to find things to keep them entertained. Some days it’s too hot to even think about leaving the house, but you feel like you have a house full of trapped monkeys that are desperate for a place to run free and climb to their heart’s desire. Instead of playing on burning hot metal play structures and slides, your children are stuck inside your house, climbing your 200-year-old grandfather clock and attempting to slide down an unstable contraption they put together from your old sheets and that darn coffee maker box you still haven’t gotten around to throwing away. Welcome to summer vacation! All jokes aside, my favorite part of summer break has to be the time spent really getting to know my daughter and seeing how much she’s grown over the past year. We spend a lot of the summer just talking about school and her friends and what club she wants to start next year. Last year it was “Charity Club.” She tried to get her friends to bring in all their spare change so they could donate it to those in need around Christmas time. Even though Charity Club wasn’t a huge success, I still applaud her efforts and her giving heart! It sounds like this year’s club is going to be more craft-centered, which might be a little better received by a bunch of 8-year-olds. It’s crucial as parents that we remember how important this time is for our children. It’s the little things like reading a book or doing a craft with your child that can make their summer much more memorable. They’re not going to be little forever! The good news is that in this issue of Raise Magazine we have a lot of articles to inspire your inner creativity and help you and your child think outside of the box. This summer, I encourage you to take advantage of the time your kids want to spend with you and use it to create the kind of memories that live on forever.

DEVI MCDONALD, Executive Editor

OR ION , T A M A IDE FO R E IN STORY om R c . MO A ncy T R e I g O M F ia 7 dm SU B -174 TO ise@ 9) 739 9 a r 0 l 9 i 5 ema call (5 ) 738 - 0 r 9 o 55 ax ( or f

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g ma

IN THIS

ISSUE

SCIENCE

PUBLISHED BY DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief KAREN TELLALIAN

Edible Science: Homemade Ice Cream

Executive Editor DEVI MCDONALD

CREATE

Editoral Staff SHANNON SMITH

LIVE Preventing & Treating Swimmer’s Ear

PARTY Host a Dr. Seuss Par-ty

KUDOS Character Counts

EAT New Twist on Tacos

DO IT YOURSELF Coconut Oil Lip Gloss

DID YOU KNOW? Make Science A Blast!

LOVE Teaching Your Child About Diversity

GARDENING Grow Your Own Green Onions

REAL FAMILIES Introducing Your Neighbors

TRENDING Life Hacks

CREATE Five Ways To Foster Creativity

LEARN Choosing the “Best Fit” College

EVENTS Out-and-About in Tulare County

ine

Wax & Water Fish

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ADAPT Raising A Spirited Child: Part Two

RESOURCES

Content Coordinator KATIE PRESSER ART & PRODUCTION Art Director ROSS YUKAWA Graphic Designer CHRIS BLY Graphic Designer KACI HANSEN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS KELLEY PETTY LINDSEY HARRISON MISSY YAVASILE SUSAN SCHIEFERLE YEYMI DE LEON BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MALKASIAN ACCOUNTANCY LLP GARY MALKASIAN CPA JEFFREY MALKASIAN EA Operations Manager MARIA GASTON Marketing Manager KIM BATTY ADVERTISING SALES Account Executive BRYCE McDONALD SALES OFFICE 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • Fax 559.738.0909 VIEW THE MAG ONLINE! issuu.com/raisemagazine Facebook.com/RaiseMagazine Pinterest.com/RaiseMagazine

Raise Magazine is distributed in Visalia, Exeter, Woodlake and Tulare. If you would like copies available at your business, call 559.739.1747 Raise Magazine is published 12 times a year and distributed at high-traffic locations in the South Valley area. For a list of locations, call the DMI Agency office. Views expressed in columns are those of the columnist and not necessarily those of DMI Agency or its advertisers. © 2014 DMI Agency ON THE COVER: The Starbuck Family, Scott, Zann Sebastien, Spencer, Sawyer and Sterling

SCIENCE

EDIBLE

SCIENCE

cience: the systematic study of why things are the way they are. It really is quite fascinating stuﬀ, but to a child whose attention span might be somewhat limited, teaching this important subject can be challenging. Unless, of course, the learning process is hidden in a fun, interactive and yes, delicious experiment! This summer, take the opportunity to teach your kids about the various stages of matter by making this fun and tasty ice cream treat in a matter (pun intended!) of minutes!

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

Ice

Fill a gallon sized Ziploc® bag half way full with ice.

1/2 C heavy cream

Place 6 T of salt into the bag with the ice.

6 T kosher salt

*Explain to your children that the salt helps to melt the ice, which is why they sprinkle salt on frozen roads! As the ice melts, it breaks into two parts (Na) and (Cl) which then will alter and melt the ice crystals. The addition of the salt makes the ice much colder and helps to freeze the ice cream mixture much faster.

1 T sugar 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

SUPPLIES NEEDED: 1 G sized Ziploc® bag 1 qt sized Ziploc bag ®

Place 1/2 C heavy cream in a quart sized Ziploc® bag. Add 1 T of sugar. Add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Seal bag, shake well, then place into bag of ice and seal. Shake the bags! Keep shaking! This process changes the state of matter. It takes the liquid (cream mixture) and turns it into a solid (ice cream) by forcing the liquid particles to expand. The particles get cold and ultimately freeze. It also changes the phase of the ice from solid to liquid by allowing the ice to absorb the energy from the ice cream ingredients and from your hands. Once your ice cream mixture has reached solid form, it’s time to test it out! Science never tasted so good.

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SCIENCE

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R A I S E M A G A Z I N E | J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

CREATE

TIPS: To make the design more dramatic, you can use black as your last coat of paint. This will make the colors pop! Don’t worry about sticking to one design. This technique can be used to create almost anything! My other particular favorites are sea shells and butterﬂies.

FAM IL LEAR Y FU N & NING TOO !

Wed-Fri 10am-4pm / Sat 12pm-4pm

Admission $5 per person / Annual Family Memberships $100

Available for Private Parties!!! 700 E. Main St., Visalia • 559-733-5975

visit: imagineUmuseum.org for details imagineUmuseum@scbglobal.net

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 1.

Thick white paper (card stock works best)

2. Water color paint 3. White crayons 4. Pencil 5. Scissors 6. Optional: hair dryer 7. Optional: iron

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CREATE

WAX & WATER

FISH Text by Lindsey Harrison, ImagineU Interactive Children’s Museum

ilting in the summer sun yet? Here is a fun craft to help beat the heat and bring a little touch of cool ocean life to your home. Using water paints and a technique called wax resistance, children can make colorful ﬁsh to remind them of the beach. This craft is fun for all ages, from young ones working on their ﬁne motor skills to their older siblings home from school. Stay cool.

DIRECTIONS: 1.

Trace out a fish shape on the thick white paper.

2. Draw a design with a white crayon. 3. Using any color, paint over the invisible crayon design. 4. Let the paint dry. (Optional: To speed up drying, use a hair dryer.) Make sure the paper is completely dry before moving on to the next step. Moving on too soon will cause the paper to tear, destroying the design. 5. Draw a new design with the white crayon. 6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 with different colored paints until satisfied with design. 7. Optional: Spread a paper towel across the picture. Turn the iron on to a low setting and run it across the paper towel to melt the lumps of wax. 8. Cut out your fish design and use to decorate the house.

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YOW!

LIVE

A PAINFUL TYPE OF EAR INFECTION

SYMPTOMS The most common symptoms of swimmer’s ear are itching inside the ear and pain that gets worse when you tug on the outer ear. Other signs may include: •

Sensation that the ear is blocked or full

•

Drainage

•

Fever

•

Decreased hearing

•

Intense pain that may spread to the neck, face or side of the head

•

Swollen lymph nodes around the ear or in the upper neck

•

Redness and swelling of the skin around the ear

IF LEFT UNTREATED, COMPLICATIONS MAY INCLUDE: • Hearing loss •

Recurring ear infections

•

Bone and cartilage damage. When not treated, an ear infection can spread to the base of the skull, brain or cranial nerves. Diabetics and older adults are at higher risk for such dangerous complications.

Text by Yeymi De Leon, MD, Family HealthCare Network, Woodlake

s summer heats up, more and more kids are hitting pools to cool down. As the kids are swimming and splashing, they may come to ﬁnd that they have swimmer’s ear.

WHAT IS SWIMMER’S EAR? Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa, is a painful condition resulting from inﬂammation, irritation or infection and is different from a regular ear infection. Usually when people say a child has an ear infection, they mean otitis media, an infection of the middle ear. Swimmer’s ear often affects children and teenagers, but can also affect those with eczema (a condition that causes excessively dry skin that can lead to skin feeling itchy), or excess earwax. Swimmer’s ear happens when bacteria grows in the ear canal, which is a passageway to the eardrum. In that canal, you will find delicate skin that’s protected by a thin coating called earwax. Most of the time, water can run in and out of the ear canal without causing a problem, like when your child takes a bath or a shower. A bacterium begins to grow when the water stays in the ear canal. Excessive swimming can also lead to increased moisture trapped in the ear canal. Once the bacteria grows, the ear canal gets red and swollen. Children can also get an infection in the ear canal even if they haven’t been swimming. A scratch or other irritation to the ear canal can also lead to swimmer’s ear.

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TREATMENT Your child’s healthcare provider should be consulted if your child is having these symptoms. Your provider can prescribe a treatment to reduce your child’s pain and to treat the infection. In the early stages, the treatment of swimmer’s ear includes careful cleaning of the ear canal and use of eardrops that inhibit bacterial or fungal growth and reduce inﬂammation. Mildly acidic solutions containing boric or acetic acid are effective for early infections, too.Swimmer’s ear needs to be treated to reduce pain and eliminate any effect it may have on your child’s hearing, as well as to prevent the spread of infection. TIPS FOR PREVENTION THIS SUMMER: • Dry the ears. A dry ear is unlikely to become infected, so it is important to keep the ears free of moisture during swimming and bathing. •

Use ear plugs when swimming.

•

Use a dry towel or hair dryer to dry your ears.

•

Have your ears cleaned periodically by a provider if you have itchy, ﬂaky or scaly ears, or extensive earwax.

•

DON’T USE cotton swabs to remove ear wax. This could actually pack the ear wax and dirt deeper into the ear canal, remove the layer of earwax that protects your ear and irritate the thin skin of the ear canal. This creates an ideal environment for infection.

Utilizing some of these helpful tips can reduce your child’s risk of swimmer’s ear and they can continue to splish-splash comfortably all summer long.

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PARTY

ABCDEFG...THROW A

DR. SEUSS PAR-TY

hen it comes to parties for our kids, there are a multitude of themes to choose from and we are constantly trying to outdo ourselves (and, let’s be honest, each other.) One of the staples of just about everyone’s childhood is Dr. Seuss books. So in this issue, we’re showing you how to throw a fun Dr. Seuss-themed party for your little ones. The best thing about a Dr. Seuss party is that there are so many ways to incorporate little touches here and there to really make it fun. Pick your favorite Dr. Seuss books and run with those themes – it’s okay to do more than one of them!

DÉCOR

FOOD

The key to a great Dr. Seuss party is to use bright colors, especially red, blue, yellow and green. You can grab cheap serving bowls, plates, platters and utensils from your local dollar store to brighten up the food table without a big expense. You can also incorporate red and white stripes into lots of places and, of course, a plush cat-in-the-hat on some of the tables will speak volumes.

Because we recommend using the food as part of the decorations, below is a Dr. Seuss-themed recipe that will not only be yummy, but will look good, too!

GREEN EGGS AND HAM INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

12 eggs

Place eggs in pot and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and allow eggs to cook for 15 minutes. Tip: rinse eggs and peel them under cool water to remove the shells easier.

1/2 C mayonnaise 1 tsp yellow mustard 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper Green food dye (about 4-5 drops) 10 pieces of bacon, finely chopped

Slice eggs in half lengthwise, remove yolks and place in medium bowl and place whites on serving platter. Mash and combine yolks along with mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper and food dye. Place mixture into a plastic Ziploc® bag and snip off the corner. Squeeze mixture into egg whites. Sprinkle with pieces of chopped bacon on top (who doesn’t love their ham in the form of bacon?)

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PARTY

No party would be complete without some fun games to keep the kiddos busy. Another good thing about Dr. Seuss is that his light-hearted books lead to some great game ideas:

COMPLETE THE BOOK NAME This one is fairly simple and just like it sounds. Make a card with 10-15 different Dr. Seuss book titles that have one or two words missing (the age group should determine how many you include and how difficult they are.) Give the kids two minutes and ask them to fill in as many of the name as possible. The person who filled in the most book titles wins the game. (Here’s a tip: you will most likely have more than one winner with this game, so make sure you have multiple prizes or a tie-breaker book title ready.)

HORTON HATCHES THE EGG Fill plastic eggs (like the ones you have leftover from Easter) with fun things like candy or small prizes. In one of them, place a picture of the little elephant bird that hatches in the end of the Horton Hatches the Egg book. Hide these eggs (again, just like Easter) and turn the kids loose! Everyone gets to keep what’s inside their eggs, but the person who finds the elephant bird gets a special prize.

ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, BLUE FISH Cut out a bunch of paper fish in all different sizes, shapes and colors (make sure there are some red fish and blue fish.) Put all of the paper fish into a big bucket (one of those kiddie pools works great, too) and give each kid a “fishing pole” with a little piece of tape on the end of a string. Give the kids 2 minutes each to see who can get the most complete sets (one fish, two fish, a red fish and a blue fish.)

Oh the places you can go with this fun party theme. Hopefully this will give you some inspiration and the Raise Magazine Pinterest board is always filled with more ideas.

And don’t forget to visit our Facebook page to share some of your own party ideas. We love hearing from our readers and we just may use one of your ideas in future editions.

Let's discuss the Details.

BLACK TIE

WEDDINGS

CORPORATE

THEME PARTIES

BACKYARD OCCASION

GRADUATIONS

3809 N. Mooney Blvd., Tulare, CA 93274 (559) 685-8810 details2070@sbcglobal.net

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KUDOS

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

CHARACTER COUNTS Text by Kelley Petty, CHARACTER COUNTS! Coordinator, Tulare County Office of Education

Academic

AMBAR ESPINOSA

Leadership

HALEY ALLEN Mt. Whitney High School’s ASB Speaker of the House is senior Haley Allen. Some of her major duties include setting up all rally decorations, leading Pioneer spirit campaigns and serving as the student voice of the school in order to maintain effective communication among staff and students on campus. Haley finds this assignment somewhat familiar, as she has been involved in student government since elementary school. Activities Director Kai Bolden says, “Haley is dependable and is always willing to go the extra mile to make Mt. Whitney High School great.” Maintaining a 4.0 GPA this semester, Haley has earned her lifetime membership in CSF and Gold Seal Bearer status. In addition, Haley enjoys staying busy with her other club responsibilities and volunteering in many other projects. She is determined to reach out to others and show them how to make their Mt. Whitney High School years memorable and fun. At home, Haley views her parents as great role models, showing her the true meaning of responsibility and selfsacrifice. In turn, Haley finds herself as a role model to her 9-year-old sister, enjoying activities ranging from soccer coaching to picking out daily outfits.

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Meet Ambar Espinosa, the first Farmersville High School student selected to participate in the UCSF Summer Biomedical Research Program. Her eight-week commitment allowed her to research and present on hyperparathyroidism. Principal Flores acknowledges Ambar as a student clearly deserving of this honor—committed to excellence and an inspiration to many young adults in the community. “She walks the walk whether in the classroom, on the volleyball court or in the community,” says Mr. Flores. Ambar not only works hard for her future, but for others as well. She carries a clear message as a guest speaker for high school classes,“Don’t let intimidation keep you from your dreams, step out of your comfort zone and don’t compare yourself to others.” With a 4.18 GPA and impressive high school resume, Ambar has been accepted to UC Berkeley and hopes to attend as a recipient of the UC Berkeley Regents and Chancellor’s Scholarship. As a college student, Ambar will continue to set goals and dedicate her time to the field of medicine with plans to become a pediatrician.

Agriculture

JULIA PITTMAN The Tulare High School Ag Department graduates some of the finest young people in Tulare County. One of their most recent aspiring leaders is Julia Pittman. Julia is a sophomore at Tulare Western High School with a solid foundation in agriculture. She looks to expand her experiences in the areas of dairy cattle judging, showmanship and leadership throughout her high school career. Julia believes that being a part of Tulare’s FFA program allows students to learn about themselves, gain confidence and develop leadership skills that are an asset to the community. Ag teacher Mr. Koelewyn says, “Julia illustrates a level of maturity that promotes a consistent approach to competitions. She performs with a level head that allows her talents to shine and she doesn’t get ﬂustered.” Julia appreciates her ag teachers, saying, “They believe in me and always push me to go further.” In addition to an ag background, Julia has been a Tulare Sharks swimmer since she was 5 years old. She now holds a place on Tulare Western’s swim team and continues to coach for the Tulare Sharks. Her love for swimming and calm leadership skills makes her a great role model for the younger girls on the team.

D AT I O

T R MA

VILL RTER

FOUN LEGE

E COL

S C I E N C E , M AT H , A N D RESOURCE TECHNOLOGY

B A L

The Porterville College Foundation mobile S.M.A.R.T. (Science, Math, And Resource Technology) Lab teaches kids that science can be fun! The Lab is available for teachers and students throughout Tulare County thanks to the generosity of sustaining partners. To learn how to get involved call (559) 791-2319 or email cbodine@portervillecollege.edu

Life Science, Physical Science, & Earth Science

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (559) 361-2070 OR (559) 791-2319 OR EMAIL CBODINE@PORTERVILLECOLLEGE.EDU

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EAT

TACOS!

TACOS, TACOS,

an we interest you in a taco? How about three, out-of-the-box, ﬂavorful tacos? We should warn you, these are unlike anything you have ever tried before. And your kids will be happy to give all of these recipes a go! Ditch the salsa and spices and treat the family to your new-found creations.

Breakfast PANCAKE TACOS Makes 6 tacos

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

2 C prepared pancake batter

Add about 1 tsp of butter to a skillet placed over medium heat. Allow butter to melt, then pour in 1/3 C pancake batter, making sure it spreads to about a 6” round circle. Once the entire top of the pancake has bubbled, ﬂip it and cook it for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove and repeat with remaining batter.

6 sausage links, cooked 6 slices of bacon, cooked 8 eggs Salt & pepper Butter

Add about 2 T of butter to a large skillet and melt. Meanwhile, crack eggs in a medium bowl, season with salt & pepper and whisk to combine. Add eggs to skillet, scramble and cook until no longer runny. Divide eggs into 6 servings and place down the middle of the pancakes. Top each pancake with 1 chopped sausage link and 1 crumbled piece of bacon. Drizzle the top with maple syrup and fold into a “taco” shape.

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EAT

Lunch HAM & TURKEY TACOS Makes 4 tacos

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

4 soft taco sized ﬂour tortillas 4 slices deli ham 4 slices deli turkey 4 slices American cheese 4 T mayonnaise 1 C lettuce, shredded *Optional: sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers

Spread 1 T of mayonnaise on tortilla and place 1 slice of cheese in the center of the tortilla. Roll turkey and ham lunch meat together to form 1 roll. Place along the center of the tortilla and top with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Dessert STRAWBERRIES & CRÈME TACOS Makes 4 tacos

INGREDIENTS: 4 frozen wafﬂes, thawed 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, room temperature 1 C marshmallow crème 1 tsp vanilla 3/4 C strawberries, sliced 2 T chocolate syrup

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400°F. Fold thawed wafﬂes in half and secure with a toothpick. Bake in preheated oven on a greased baking sheet for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from baking sheet and set aside. In a standing mixer or in a large bowl, using a hand mixer, combine cream cheese, vanilla and marshmallow crème until smooth and ﬂuffy. Remove toothpick from “taco” shell and fill with 1/6 of the cream cheese mixture. Top with sliced strawberries and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

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DO IT YOURSELF

DIY ON A

DIME

aking your own lip gloss is not only easy, but is also fun and you can customize the color or flavor to your liking. Perfect as a craft for sleepovers, birthday parties or even just to make as gifts. Experiment by mixing different flavors for your own unique flavor and color combination!

COCONUT OIL LIP GLOSS INGREDIENTS:

OTHER SUPPLIES:

Sugar-Free Drink Mix (such as Crystal Light)

Disposable cup or bowl

Coconut Oil

Small container (such as a small container for holding beads, found in craft stores)

Petroleum Jelly Vitamin E Oil

Plastic spoon

Glitter (optional)

STEP ONE: For each lip gloss, scoop 1 tsp each of petroleum jelly and coconut oil into a disposable cup or bowl. Microwave for about 45 seconds, or until the jelly and oil are melted. Remove from microwave and add a couple drops of Vitamin E oil. STEP TWO: Sprinkle 1 tsp of powdered drink mix into the melted oil mixture (or until desired color is achieved), and stir until the drink mix is dissolved. If you are adding glitter to your lip gloss, add it once the mixture has cooled slightly. STEP THREE: Using a spoon or a dropper, transfer the mixture into your container, and place in refrigerator until set. *Alternatively, you can omit the drink mix and glitter to have just plain, colorless coconut oil lip gloss!

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MAKING SCIENCE

A BLAST!

ummer is here and Porterville College is giving readers ﬁve ways to have fun with science this summer!

BLAST OFF: The summer sky features fun for the whole family. Whether you’re watching for shooting stars or searching for constellations, get out there and learn about space together. WATER WORLD: Study water and why it’s so important to the land and us. Take a sample from a nearby pond and/or lake and see all that lives there. You can also experiment to find the best ways to conserve water at your home. CAMP OUT: It’s time to get outside, even if it is in your own backyard. Use your camping trip to not only make s’mores, but also to learn about local wildlife and outdoor living. For more information visit www.nwf.org/Great-American-BackyardCampout. MAKE MESSES: Ask any kid and they’ll tell you that their most memorable science activity was probably also the messiest. Get outside with your science experiments and don’t be afraid to make a mess and memories. Activities to try: creating your own

DID YOU KNOW?

mud kitchen using old kitchen utensils; mixing cornstarch, water and food coloring for easy chalk paint, or mixing equal parts cornstarch and water to create “Oobleck” (acts like both a solid and a liquid.) VACATIONS: Planning a trip to the aquarium or to a science museum as part of your vacation? Why not look online for supplemental educational material. There are so many free resources on websites like Pinterest or the location’s website. Download an aquarium unit with puzzles or informational coloring book pages, or look for corresponding games about everything from weather to geology. Courtesy of Porterville College S.M.A.R.T. Lab. The Science Math And Resource Technology mobile science laboratory is available for elementary teachers and students throughout Tulare County. Also, look for S.M.A.R.T. Lab camps at Porterville College during the months of June and July. For more information on S.M.A.R.T. Lab visit www.portervillecollege.edu/foundation, call (559) 791-2319 or email cbodine@portervillecollege.edu.

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LOVE

TEACHING YOUR CHILD ABOUT

DIVERSITY Text by Tulare County Children’s Services Network

e all come in different shapes and sizes. We have different backgrounds, beliefs and abilities, which is one of the most beautiful aspects of living in America. The diversity we experience on a daily basis provides us with an opportunity to constantly expand our understanding of the world and the people in it. Children notice when someone looks different from them, speaks differently or even acts differently. Some children are naturally able to look beyond the differences and treat everyone they meet as equals, but others may be a little more hesitant about interacting with those who aren’t like them. Our children are constantly facing a diverse array of people and will continue to do so throughout their lives. The earlier they learn to appreciate, understand and interact with others from different backgrounds, the earlier their minds will be open to the endless opportunities diversity provides. HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD APPROACH DIVERSITY: Ask your child to describe some of the differences that they notice at school, with teachers or family friends. Pay attention to the language that they use to describe these individuals. If they use hurtful words, discuss with them why they are hurtful. Remind your child that no matter how someone looks, what they believe or how they act, it is important to always be respectful of their feelings. When you observe an example of prejudice (whether it is by a stranger, by your child or even yourself) immediately talk to your child about what happened. Let them know that stereotyping and being prejudice towards a person is never acceptable. Encourage them to treat each person as an individual who has his or her own ideas and opinions. If you and your family do not regularly interact with people who are not similar to you and rarely venture “out of the box” (experiencing new foods, movies or activities, etc.) make an effort to change that. Go to different cultural events in your community, try new types of foods or expose yourselves to anything else that promotes learning about different cultures,

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races, religions or ethnicities. Have a positive attitude about trying something new and encourage your child to do the same. Do not encourage your child to be blind to the differences they observe in others and not acknowledge the differences. Instead, inspire them to take an interest in the diversity they’ve observed. By acknowledging diversity, it allows for the opportunity to learn about something new and expand their horizons. Embrace your child’s curiosity. Be careful not to ignore or discourage questions your child may have about differences they observe in people, even if the questions make you uncomfortable. Not being open to such questions sends the message that anything or anyone different is something negative. Remember that your child is constantly absorbing and observing your behaviors. Strive to set a positive example for them. The important thing is to teach your children about keeping an open mind when they interact with people who are different than them and to always treat them with respect. Embracing the practice of tolerance is a characteristic that will not only benefit the people whom they interact with, but it will enrich their own lives as well.

LOVE

623-0581 Children of all ages throughout Tulare County need a safe place as they go through a difficult time in their lives.

• Ongoing training • Support and mentors • Networking

ATTEND ONE OF OUR ORIENTATIONS 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month

*Call

623-0581 to RSVP

We will hold your big hands as you connect with little ones.

QuickCare • Convenient, extended hours • 7 days a week • Onsite imaging and lab

Visalia Medical Clinic 5400 W. Hillsdale

VMChealth.com 738-7555

QuickCare

Visalia Medical Clinic

Hillsdale

Hwy. 198

Akers

Tulare County Foster Care Licensing offers:

Plaza Dr.

Are you ready to be their shelter in a storm?

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Text by Susan Schieferle, Master Gardener, University of California Cooperative Extension

GARDENING

Wood Industries will provide a FREE gallon bag of garden soil to any child who stops in to start a garden project! 7715 Ave. 296, Visalia, (559) 625-9426

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GARDENING

GROW YOUR OWN

GREEN ONIONS

lender green onions (sometimes called scallions) are easy to grow in even the smallest of garden spaces or containers. The awesome fact about these pencilsized onions is the entire plant may be eaten! The leafy shoots and stems are tasty chopped up in salads, on pizza or potatoes and have many other uses! Children will delight in being able to contribute to the family meal! LET’S GET STARTED! 1. PREPARING THE SOIL: Scallions, like most onions, have a shallow root system, so keep the plants evenly watered and grow them in well-drained soil and full sun. Use a purchased garden soil or amend your current soil with compost or planting mix. Let your child help mix the organic matter in the ground. If you are using a container, make sure it is large enough to accommodate the number of scallions you plan on growing (allow 1-inch spacings) and remember the container needs drainage holes in the bottom. Since green onions take up little space, you could also plant seeds in spaces around your shrubs and ﬂowers. This is called edible landscaping. Just make sure the seeds and seedlings are kept moist. You can do this with a watering can. 2. PLANTING: Sow (plant) seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1-1/2 inches apart. Put 1-2 seeds in each hole, cover with soil and gently pat down with your finger. Adding a light cover of mulch on top of the soil will help keep the soil moist. 3. WATERING: Keep the soil damp but not soggy. Have your child use the finger test to determine if the soil is moist enough. Gently stick a finger in the soil down to the second knuckle near the seed planting. If the soil feels moist, do not water. If the soil feels dry, water well.

JULY & AUGUST GARDENING TIP: These summer months are the two hottest in our valley. Watering is key to maintaining healthy plants. Mulching around any plant will help keep the soil beneath from drying out too fast. Shredded bark works well and looks attractive around sturdy bushes and shrubs. Use finer mulches on ﬂower beds and vegetable gardens.

4. GERMINATION: Germination is when a seed begins to grow or sprout. Seeds should germinate and emerge in 10 to 20 days. Be patient! Have your child keep a daily journal. Some seeds may germinate quicker than others! If you have more than one seedling emerge from a hole, thin the weaker ones. Thinning means gently pulling out of the soil. 5. HARVESTING: After about 65 days, start harvesting as soon as the scallions reach 6–8 inches tall and are just a little bigger than a pencil. Loosen the soil around the base of the green onion and gently pull out at the soil line. Be sure to wash well before eating.

Now comes the waiting. Have your child chart the growth of the vines weekly and mark off the days on a calendar. Then you can have a harvest celebration of your own with neighbors and friends.

Have fun! R A I S E M A G A Z I N E | J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

FAMILIES

REAL FAMILIES OF TULARE COUNTY THE CANNING FAMILY

PARENTING PHILOSOPHY: There is no way around the role Jesus plays in our lives . As parents, we depend solely on our faith and hope our children will see that example and grow for the Health & Human to fall in love with Jesus, too. n Services Agency Administratio Recently our family has had Department since 2007. a to face many of life’s trials in ’s n bee THE BEGINNINGS: With God have I . short period of time of hand over us, Darrell and I met type rare a diagnosed with It at a Christmas gathering in bone tumor of the cartilage. for 2002, after being introduced time easy an n bee has not by a friend. Sparks ﬂew as our us, as we have had to travel first conversation went on and to San Francisco bi-weekly so we haven’t looked back since. that I can undergo surgery and lia, Having both grown up in Visa treatment. Even now, we are we appreciate the small town still not “in the clear;” however atmosphere and enjoy the rich our belief is that in times of architectural history it has to uncertainty and adversity, offer. This community is full of opportunity can be found. our wonderful people, including py family and friends; we are hap to raise our children here.

THE FAMILY UNIT: Darrell, . Tiffany, Ezra and Seth Canning n seve r Darrell’s worked for ove n years in the local constructio ked wor ny’s industry and Tiffa

THE FAMILY UNIT: Scotty, Zann, Sebastien, Spencer, Sawyer and Sterling Starbuck. Scotty is a draftsman at Mangini Associates here in Visalia. Zann is a logistics coordinator for Rock-It Cargo based in Los Angeles – but she gets to work at home. THE BEGINNINGS: We were both raised in Southern California and met through working at a church together down there. We started dating in 2000 and we got engaged two years later. We married in 2003 in Anaheim , CA. About six months after the wedding, we found out we were pregnant. This didn’t line up with our five year plan but we ran with it. After we had Sebastien and found out we were pregnant with Spencer, we knew we needed a change. Long story short, we thought about moving to a number of places before we settled on Visalia; we loved the small town feel. We moved up here right before Spencer was born in 2006.

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PARENTING PHILOSOPHY: We want to raise our kids in a Christ-centered home where they feel they are loved in who they are and all they do, no matter what. We want to raise them to be respectful of everyone and everything. We strive for them to grow from experiences, learn from mistakes and have fun in all they do. We want them to pursue their passions in life – whatever they may be. FAVORITE FAMILY MEMORY: Since Sterling is only two, we haven’t done a lot of traveling with him yet. But when I was pregnant with Sterling, we got to take the three kids to the United Kingdom. We have some good friends that live over there so we spent two weeks with them. We also spent some time on an English farm and then on the Northeastern coast of the UK. The kids got to see some pretty cool stuff.

FAVORITE FAMILY MEMORY: Any time spent laughing together! Our happiest moments are when we’re fishing, exploring trails and camping at the beautiful Sequoia National Park . Ask our sons and they ’ll tell you an afternoon swimming at Grammy’s, in the Valley’s blistering summer heat, is the ultimate family fun memory! WHERE WILL YOUR FAMILY BE IN 10 YEARS?: Our dream is to have a thriving, familys owned, manufacturing busines gun ’s and husb my on d base holster hobby. We’d love the opportunity to travel with our then teenage boys (eeeek!) Above all else, we hope to be d. helping hands to those in nee

WHERE WILL YOUR FAMILY BE IN 10 YEARS?: In 10 years (phew); that’s a tough one. It’s hard to imagine life with teenagers and one in college. But we will most likely still be here in Visalia with the boys – suppor ting them through their hobbies and passions. We will say, though , if the Lord ever opened up some doors for us to move to England, we would jump at the chance.

THE STARBUCK FAMILY

FAMILIES THE FAMILY UNIT: Corrie, Miranda , Kathryn and Isabella Bertley. Corrie is a nuclear medicine technologist and Miranda is a stayat-home mom and artist. THE BEGINNINGS: Corrie and I have been married for 17 years and have been together for 20 years total. Corrie was born in England and I was born in Hawaii. We both moved several times until meeting our senior year in El Paso, Texas. We graduated from Andress High School and even went to prom together. Corrie joined the Navy and we continued to move across the United States until settling down in Visalia. Our daughters play roller derby for the V-Town Derby Delinquents. Corrie is heavily involved in competing in Physique Bodybuilding. I have my hands full being a wife, mother and building my art portfolio. PARENTING PHILOSOPHY: We don’t hold our children back from being who they are and what

they want in life. We believe it’s important for our children to grow up with a strong sense of who they are. That can mean anything from learning about physics , to shaved hair do’s, to all three of us girls having matching piercings. Being atheists , we allow our children to make their own decisions on what to believe. With guidance, we are teaching them they can be good, honest and moral people without organized religion . We realize their experience of growing up is vastly different from our own and compensate accordingly. FAVORITE FAMILY MEMORY: We aren’t your typical family, by far. Making memories can be spending time in a tattoo shop, gathering around the TV for a horror movie, a political show or a physics documentary. We have 16 pets including a Great Dane named Ramsey, and two Sphynx cats named Gargamel and Azrael. Never a dull moment here. We’re

boisterous and very sarcastic to each other. We have countless inside jokes and play around. Underneath all the craziness, we all love each other and will do anything to make each other happy. WHERE WILL YOUR FAMILY BE IN 10 YEARS?: Both of our girls will be grown and out of the house. We plan to have a home for them to always return to if they need help or suppor t. Our hope for them is that they can look back on their childhood with happy memories and know their parents loved them and we always tried our best. With the path they are already on, we can tell they will be great women with bright futures , regardless of what they choose.

THE BERTLEY FAMILY

Gentle, Caring Touch Dentistry At the office of Dr. Mariya Grigoryan your family’s smile is our priority. We offer comprehensive care for the whole family.

• Periodontal Care • Restorative Work • Teeth Whitening • Laser Treatments • Orthodontics • Implants

THE OFFICE OF Dr. Mariya Grigoryan, D.M.D. 2634 W. Walnut Ave., Visalia CA 93277 p 559.732.7224 Boston Graduate School of Dentistry, Certificate for Orthodontic Treatment Certificate for Oral Conscience Sedation, Fellowship Recognition for Implant Placement Member American Dental Implant Association, Certificate for San Francisco Implant Placement

THE GRIGORYAN FAMILY Simon, Hyke, Gary and Mariya

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TRENDING

WHAT’S

LIFE HACKS: THINGS THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER, YET YOU CAN NEVER SEEM TO THINK OF ON YOUR OWN. HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE SUMMER TRICKS! NO MORE DRIP Popsicles are a summer staple, but they melt very quickly in the valley heat! If you’re tired of having your child’s hands and fingers all sticky after eating a Popsicle, try poking a hole in the middle of a cupcake liner and putting the stick of the Popsicle through the hole. The liner will catch all the drippings!

INSTANT SNACK BOWL Tired of having chip dust all over your hands and knuckles? Turn your chip bag into an instant snack bowl! This party trick will have all your guests “ooing and awing.” After opening the bag, fold the top in. Then, begin rolling up the bag from the bottom, pushing the chips up as you go. Repeat the process so that your “bowl” never runs low.

MUFFIN-TIN CONDIMENTS ICY DRINKS INSTANTLY In the heat of the summer, there isn’t much that’s more refreshing than an ice-cold drink. Every evening, fill up a water bottle halfway and put it in the freezer on its’ side. When you take it out, you will have half ice, half open space for water or any other drink you prefer! This makes an instant cold beverage that will last you throughout your day.

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At a backyard barbeque, you can’t forget the condiments for the hot dogs and hamburgers being grilled. For an easy-peasy setup and cleanup, put all the fixings in a muffin-tin. Add spoons to each condiment for easy serving! Your guests will love this handy, mess-free method.

SUNBURN SOOTHER Sunburns are always easily preventable by wearing a high SPF sunscreen. But for those of us who are forgetful, these will come in handy. To quickly-soothe sunburns, freeze Aloe Vera cubes in ice-trays. When you see signs of a sunburn coming on, these aloe cubes will be your best friends.

CREATE

FIVE WAYS TO FOSTER

CREATIVITY IN YOUR HOME

ith your kids being home all summer, it is imperative to keep their minds stimulated and growing. This month, Raise Magazine is giving you a few tips on how to spark the creativity bug in your kids. LIGHTEN THE PRESSURE TO PERFORM A child shouldn’t feel the need to impress those around them, but rather they should feel free to express what they think. Once their mind is at ease, it will allow them to imagine, create and dream!

OBSERVE AND ENCOURAGE Pay attention to the creative ways that your child expresses him or herself. Do you notice them constantly drawing shapes and scribbles on a piece of paper? What about dancing through the hallways? Whatever it may be, encourage it! Let your child discover their own interests and then promote ways to further their creativity.

APPLAUD INDIVIDUALITY Wherever their creativity leads them, remain openminded. Even if YOU think their creations are imperfect, one can only learn from practice. Allow them to have trial and error; the creative process is an uneven path to success. It’s about how they make their creations their own!

DON’T EXPECT ACHIEVEMENT Instead of always having an end product, focus on the process. What did they learn? Did they have fun? Don’t offer a reward at the end so that they understand creating something that is meaningful and unique is a reward in itself.

TAP IN TO YOUR OWN CREATIVITY Exposing your children to your own creations – culinary, art, poems, etc. – will show your child that it is acceptable to be out-of-the-box. Each day, try to be a bit more “outrageous” in your expressions, song, dance or exploring!

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LEARN

CHOOSING THE “BEST FIT”

COLLEGE

Text by Missy Yavasile, Independent College Consultant, SOAR College Planning and Consulting

s an independent college consultant, part of my job is to help students select a college that will provide them with the most success. One of the ﬁrst questions I ask is, “What colleges are you considering?” The answer is inevitably quite similar for most of my students: Cal Poly, UCLA, USC, Stanford. How did they decide on these schools? It is usually because they have heard of them, they like the weather or the football team. Here I want to discuss the importance of college selection and what criteria to consider in choosing.

Academics, social and financial topics should all be considered in the selection process. Are you an academic match? If you are carrying a 3.2 GPA, with average SAT scores (500s), it will likely be a waste of the $90 application fee to apply to Stanford, where 92 percent of the students there carry a 3.75 unweighted GPA and about 70 percent of the students scored over 700 in each area of the SAT. That grading curve could be painful! It is also important to find a good social match. When trying to find a good social fit, we look at the type of college to consider. Do you want a small or large college? Do you want a research college or a liberal arts college? Do you want a college or a university? Chances are, you do not even know why each of these factors matter. So let’s take a look. In a small college, class sizes are typically smaller and allow for more student-to-teacher interaction. However, the smaller colleges may not have as many majors to choose from, the facilities may not be as updated and they may not have the same “name recognition” as some of the larger universities. However, that does not mean it is not as good academically

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as many larger universities. Liberal Arts colleges typically fall more into the “small” college category and will provide a more well-rounded academic approach. The larger universities, on the other hand, will provide a plethora of majors and courses. They typically have more updated facilities and better-funded sports programs. Although there may be a more distinguished faculty, the classes may be taught by teaching assistants. The classes may contain hundreds of students with limited student-teacher interaction. Financial fit is also an important factor to consider. It is important to note here, that it is not the actual cost of the college, but rather the out-of-pocket cost to the family. This should be one of the first things considered when beginning to search for the right college. Do the research! Don’t waste your time and money applying to a college you cannot afford. Choosing the right college can make a big difference in the overall cost. Choose the right college and you may save a ton of money!.

EVENTS

OUT-AND-ABOUT IN TULARE COUNTY DIVE-IN MOVIES

TLC SUMMER KIDS CAMP

Lights, camera, fun! Set your calendar for a splashing good time! Beat the summer heat and cool off with a swim in the Mt. Whitney High School pool, then dry off and enjoy a familyfriendly ﬂick on the lawn near the pool. Bring your chairs, blankets and snacks! Movies are: Jul. 5- Annie, Jul. 12- Despicable Me 2, Jul. 19After Earth, and Jul. 26Monsters University.

Kids ages 5 - 12 years old will enjoy a week of games, outdoor water play, swimming, rock wall climbing and more. This is a great opportunity for your kids to get out of the house and have some fun. A snack will be provided.

When: Jul. 5, 12, 19, & 26; 6p for swim, dusk for movie

When: Jul. 14 - 18, 12:30-4:30p

When: Aug. 2, 7-10p

Contact: 624-3416

Contact: 713-4365

KIDS NIGHT OUT

Where: Mt. Whitney High School Pool, 900 S. Conyer St., Visalia Contact: 713-4365

When: Jul. 18, 5-8:30p Where: The Lifestyle Center, 5105 W. Cypress Ave., Visalia

SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS (SNL)

Contact: 624-3416

The Tulare County-wide program is back. With dates running from July through August, SNL is the perfect place for the community to come together for fun, activities, games and more.

MOVIES IN THE PARK – THE AVENGERS

Where: Locations vary depending on date

Grab your favorite lawn chair, blankets and a picnic and head to Riverway Sports Park in Visalia. The movie begins at dusk and is shown on a giant screen in the new special events promenade in the park. This PG-13 rated movie is action-packed and full of adventure.

Contact: 636-5000

When: Jul. 19, 7-10p

SUMMER CATFISH DERBY Join in on the fun this summer with a fun and lively competitive fishing derby. Reel ‘em in as prizes go for the top three total stringer weights in each division. Participants must bring their own poles, bait and tackle. Let’s catch them hook, line and sinker! Ages 3-15. When: Jul. 12, 8-10a Where: Plaza Park Pond, 700 S. Plaza St., Visalia Contact: 713-4365

N OR ATIO ORM F , N I E V ENT MOR AN E T om I FO R c . M UB ency TO S miag d 7 @ 4 e 9 -17 l ra i s 9) 73 emai 9 09 ll (55 a c 8 r 3 -0 o 59) 7 5 ( x o r fa

Where: The Lifestyle Center, 5105 W. Cypress Ave., Visalia

A night of fun, games, swimming, a movie and dinner! Open to children ages 5-12. Fee for guests: $15 in advance, $20 on event day. Pre-registration is required.

When: Jul. 11, 18 & 25; Aug. 1, 6:30p-9:30p

MOVIES IN THE PARK – THE LEGO MOVIE

Where: 3611 N. Dinuba Blvd., Visalia

ICE CREAM ZOOFARI Producers Dairy Ice Cream presents its annual summertime tradition. Beat the heat in this all-you-can-eat ice cream fundraiser. Enjoy unlimited ice cream, sherbert, frozen yogurt, sundaes and smoothies with zoo-centric names such as Rocky Toad, Mint Monkeys n’ Cream and Cockatoo Cookie Dough. Kid-friendly entertainment will include live music with their favorite local mascots. When: Aug. 9, 6-9p Where: Chaffee Zoo, 894 W. Belmont Ave., Fresno Contact: 498-5910

Where: 3611 N. Dinuba Blvd., Visalia Contact: 713-4365 YOUTH VOLLEYBALL CLINIC The Lifestyle Center will be holding a Youth Volleyball Clinic this summer taught by Coach Dorothy Collins. This advanced clinic is for players with school experience or league play and who have basic knowledge of the fundamentals and rules of the game. When: Jul. 22-24, 9a-12p Where: The Lifestyle Center Gymnasium, 5105 W. Cypress Ave., Visalia Contact: 624-3408

FAMILY ASTRONOMY NIGHT Above the lights of Tulare County, students and families are invited to view some spectacular celestial objects as parts of the astronomy field trip program at Circle J-Norris Ranch. Head up to the beautiful 620-acre field trip site with a team of local amateur astronomers as you learn about the planets, star clusters and distant galaxies. When: Aug. 29, 7p Where: Circle J-Norris Ranch, Springville Contact: Nancy Bruce at circlej@ocsnet.net or call 539-2263

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ADAPT

RAISING A

SPIRITED CHILD Text by Mindy Mauro, LCSW, The Helix Group

ary Sheedy Kurcinka coined the term “spirited” to describe children who are “lively, creative, keen, eager, full of energy and courage, and have a strong, assertive personality.” Spirited kids are children who are more intense in one or more of the nine temperamental traits (Intensity, Persistence, Sensitivity, Perceptiveness, Adaptability, Rhythmicity, Energy, First Reaction and Mood.) Children are born with their temperament just as they are born with black or blonde hair, however temperament doesn’t have to be rigid or unchanging. In the last issue, part one described the spirited manifestations of the ﬁrst three traits. Part two focuses on the last six temperamental traits.

They may be clingy and shy or tend to reject the unfamiliar (people, food and situations.) Create familiarity by describing upcoming events so they know what to expect. These kids need encouragement, time to think and an opportunity to observe so they feel in control versus pushing. MOOD – This spirited child may be serious, analytical and critical, focusing on the negative in situations. Teach the child to be positive when possible (break events into parts - “what part was the best?”) and tactful in their feedback. Teach the child good manners - how to be socially polite and aware of other’s feelings. Remember, the first step toward enhancing your child’s strengths comes from the words you use. We do not get to choose our child’s temperament, but we can make a big difference in his or her life when we adapt our parenting techniques to fit his or her temperamental style.

PERCEPTIVENESS – This spirited child is very aware of what is going on around them and notices everything. Often accused of not listening, they actually have difficulty discerning what is most important and responding to that. Help your child tune in by minimizing distractions and keeping tasks and instructions short and simple. Use their name, make eye contact and use a gentle touch to keep their attention. ADAPTABILITY – This spirited child has more difficulty with transitions, therefore routines are a lifeline and provide a sense of control. Have consistent meal, bath and bedtimes. Use forewarning, limit the number of transitions and allow time for closure. Some kids need transitional objects to go from one place to another. RHYTHMICITY – This spirited child might have a body rhythm that is unpredictable or irregular. They have a difficult time adhering to any kind of schedule (eating, sleeping, eliminating.) The goal here is to develop routines that include external cues that will help them adapt. For example, “We always use the bathroom before a movie.” Encourage independence, allowing them to do what they can for themselves. ENERGY – These high-energy kids are always taking things apart, exploring, creating projects, climbing and jumping. It is not an issue of self-control or parental control - these kids need to move. The goal is to expect high energy and plan for it. Create opportunities for them to be with people who are not bugged by their energy. FIRST REACTION - Fifteen percent of children are born with a tendency to become upset in new and unfamiliar situations.

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An Independent Practice Association providing

excellence in mental and behavioral health care delivery in Central California Kristin Sorensen Alldredge, LMFT

Melinda L. Mauro, LCSW

Ross M. Becker, PhD, LCSW

Mary K. McDonald, PhD

Frances E. Becker, LCSW Paul C. Bennett, LCSW

Mike Mayo, LCSW Lisa A. Miller, PhD

Sandra T. Bennett, LCSW

Lori Pasion-Gonzales, PhD

Linda Del Rio, LMFT

Diane B. Post, LCSW

Lynn W. Gonzales, LCSW

David G. Richards, LCSW

Sue Enterline, LCSW

Colleen Richards, LCSW

Jacquelyn Harris-Groeber, PhD Kent Henry, LMFT

John A. Mauro, LCSW

Frony Ritter, LMFT

Michael H. Shaffer, LCSW, LMFT Barry Sommer, LEP, LMFT

1212 W. Main Street Visalia, CA 93291 559-738-0644

www.thehelixgroup.org

RESOURCES

important numbers at a glance: FIRE & POLICE • Tulare County Fire Department, (559) 747-8233 • Visalia Fire Department, (559) 713-4266 • Tulare Fire Department, (559) 684-4300 • Exeter Fire Department, (559) 592-3714 • Woodlake Fire Department, (559) 564-2181 • Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, (559) 636-4625; (559) 733-6218 • Visalia Police Department, (Non-Emergency) (559) 734-8116 • Visalia Police Department, Gang Suppression and Narcotics Unit, (anonymous tip hotline) (559) 713-4737 • Tulare County - End Gang Hotline, (888) 363-4264 • Tulare Police Department, (559) 684-4238; (559) 686-3454 • Exeter Police Department, (559) 592-3103 • Woodlake Police Department, (559) 564-3325 • Kings & Tulare County California Highway Patrol, (559) 441-5400

MEDICAL • Family HealthCare Network, (877) 960-3426; www.fhcn.org • Kaweah Delta Medical Center, (559) 624-2000 • Emergency Room, (559) 624-2213 • Visalia Walk-In Medical Clinic, (559) 627-5555 • Tulare Regional Medical Center, (559) 688-0821 • Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency, (559) 624-8000 • Children’s Hospital Central California, (559) 353-3000 • Sierra View District Hospital, (559) 784-1110

EDUCATION • Tulare County Library, (559) 713-2700; www.tularecountylibrary.org • Tulare County Office of Education, (559) 733-6300; www.tcoe.org • Visalia Unified School District, (559) 730-7300; www.vusd.org • Tulare City School District, (559) 685-7200; www.tcsdk8.org • Exeter Union School District, (559) 592-9421; www.exeter.k12.ca.us • Woodlake Public Schools, (559) 564-8081; www.woodlakepublicschools.org Add your numbers below

CITY INFORMATION • Tulare County website, www.co.tulare.ca.us • City of Visalia website, www.ci.visalia.ca.us • City of Tulare website, www.ci.tulare.ca.us • City of Exeter website, www.cityofexeter.com • City of Woodlake website, www.cityofwoodlake.com • Visalia Parks & Recreation, (559) 713-4365

Other Important Numbers COUNTY & CITY • Tulare County Services - United Way, Dial 2-1-1; www.211ca.org • Delta Vector Control District, (559) 732-8606; www.deltavcd.com • Tulare & Kings Counties Suicide Prevention Task Force, (Non-crisis) (559) 624-7471; www.sptf.org • Child Abuse Prevention Council, (559) 735-0456; www.tularecountycapc.org • Child Abuse 24-hr Hotline, (800) 331-1585 • Domestic Violence/Shelters, (559) 732-5941; (559) 685-9515; www.fstc.net • Sexual Assault 24-hr Confidential Hotline, (559) 732-7273; www.fstc.net • Alcohol/Drug Programs, (559) 733-6123 • Parenting Network, (559) 625-0384; www.parentingnetwork.org • Tulare-Kings Right To Life, (559) 732-5000; www.tkrl.org • The IRMA Network, (559) 732-5000; www.theirmanetwork.org • Latinos4Life, (559) 732-5000; www.latinos4life.org • 5ive5ive9ine, (Teen Health) www.559teensmatter.org • Tulare County Animal Control, (559) 636-4050 • Visalia Animal Control, (559) 713-4957

NATIONWIDE • American Association of Poison Control Centers, (800) 222-1222; www.aapcc.org • Center for Disease Control and Prevention, (800) 232-4636; www.cdc.gov • California Poison Control, (800) 222-1222; www.calpoison.org • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, (800) 273-8255; www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org • The Trevor Project, (LGBTQ) (866) 488-7386; www.thetrevorproject.com • Missing Child Hotline, (800) 843-5678 • Road Conditions, (800) 427-7623

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R A I S E M A G A Z I N E | J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

3737 S. Akers St. Visalia, CA 93277 Service Times:

www.v1ag.com Saturday at 5:00 PM

facebook.com/visaliafirstassembly

Sunday at 9:00 AM // 10:45 AM // 12:30 PM