Valley Voice Issue 103 (19 October, 2017)

Your what-to-do guide in Valley Scene A Weekend Away returns this issue!

Volume XXXVII No. 20 • 19 October, 2017

www.ourvalleyvoice.com

Tulare City Council Wants Meeting With TLHCD Dave Adalian The Tulare City Council remains open to requesting a state audit of the Tulare Local Health Care District (TLHCD) and plans to move forward with a reorganization of the city’s Planning Commission.

But it took them nearly two hours of heated discussion.

‘Why Are We Here?’

Confusion, accusations and infighting all have plagued the Council recently, and the bitterness continued at the body’s latest meeting on October 3. After appointing Wayne Ross as the final member of the Measure I Bond Oversight Committee, the Council turned its attention to the Planning Commission, three members of which will complete their terms at the end of this year.

Councilman David Macedo, who missed the Council’s last two meetings, was the first to question why a

reorganization is needed and why it is needed now.

“So, can I ask why we are here?”

Macedo asked. “What are the reasons for being here right now with this?”

Councilman Jose Sigala echoed the sentiment, expressing trepidation due to backlash following the Council’s reorganization of the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) earlier this year. The main goal of the changes appears to be reducing the number of commissioners from seven to five.

“However we get there, I would like to see only five members on the Planning Commission,” said Councilman Greg Nunley. “I don’t care who’s on there, or if we leave some of them on there.”

Equal Representation and Growth

Sigala supports the idea of a five-member Commission, but he again voiced concern that District 1, which

TULARE continued on 10 »

Controversial Apartment Complex Approved in Visalia Catherine Doe City of Visalia officials took a step closer in solving the city’s housing shortage.

On Monday, October 16, the Visalia City Council voted 4-1 to approve an up-scale, gated, apartment complex on the corner of Shirk Road and Doe Avenue.

Mayor Warren Gubler was the only dissenting vote, saying that the project was premature. Citing traffic problems on Shirk Road, Gubler felt that the area’s infrastructure wasn’t quite ready to handle a 200-unit complex.

The neighborhood is primarily residential and the home owners came out en masse to the public hearing to op-

pose the apartment complex. Because of the volume of people who attended the Planning Commission meetings the public hearing was held at the Convention Center.

The developer, Pacific Rim Companies, hopes to build 88 one bedroom and 122 two bedroom units on a 17.4 acre parcel that is now vacant. The apartment complex will have a pool, community building and a seven foot privacy wall.

One bedroom units are projected to rent for $1200 a month and the two bedroom units at $1400. There will also be 433 parking spaces.

On April 24 the Visalia City Planning Commission held a public hearing with a packed house to discuss

APARTMENTS continued on 9 »

One rendering of the proposed Visalia apartment complex. Courtesy/Oceanpoint Development

Domingo Trevino pushes his four-year-old granddaughter, Analia, on the swings during a pre-opening visit to the new Earlimart Park. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice

Earlimart’s Dream Park Slated to Open in November Soon, Earlimart kids will be able to run, explore and play in their new park. It has taken about a decade for this community’s dream to become a reality.

The community of 10,000, in the southern-most part of Tulare County, does not garner a lot of attention. The most notorious event in its history is that the Dalton Gang robbed a bank there in the 1890’s.

Residents want to change that.

Several years ago, a committee was formed to investigate and discover healthier lifestyles including eating and exercise, said Abigail Solis, president of the Earlimart School Board.

Nancy Vigran The committee was called PARRK (Physical Activity Really Rocks).

“During that time is when we learned about the grant opportunity to apply for a park,” she said, “which we thought was perfectly in line with what we were trying to do.

“Really there was no safe, green space for kids to play and community residents to go, to be healthy.”

The schools do have areas and playground equipment, but there wasn’t a park, she added.

EARLIMART continued on 5 »

Tax Measures on Nov. Ballot for Farmersville, Woodlake On Tuesday, November 7, voters in Farmersville and Woodlake will have to make two decisions that will affect each city’s economy. The ballot measures are quite similar.

Sales Tax Increase

Farmersville’s residents will have to decide whether they want to add ½ cent to their sales tax, which would affect residents and visitors who shop in the community alike.

According to the ballot measure, the sales tax would be applied to improve the quality of life and essential general city services including 911 emergency medical response, fire department services, police department services including gang prevention, recreational facilities

Nancy Vigran and park and street maintenance.

It is estimated that the sales tax increase would bring in an additional $280,000, annually.

Woodlake has a similar measure on its ballot, although the sales tax proposed would be one percent, generating an additional estimated $430,000.

The use is also similar for quality of life issues including parks and recreation programs, neighborhood police patrol, gang prevention programs, street maintenance; lighting, landscaping, and trails.

Cannabis Business Taxation

The second ballot measure for each

BALLOT continued on 4 »

2 • Valley Voice

19 October, 2017 FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

The Subtlety of Loss

One theme of 2017, especially the latter part of the year, must surely be disaster.

The hurricanes and fires recently wrought by Mother Nature have overshadowed any political catastrophe we live with daily.

During our five years in Cabo San Lucas we endured many hurricanes, and, because these storms are large in area, a direct hit by the eye was not a requirement for calamity.

Successive bands of heavy rain--and the high wind associated with them--played merry hell with, literally, everything. Streets, many of them bare dirt, became impassable either because of detritus or large items blown into the roadway; sometimes, the roads themselves became arroyos. Every structure leaked. The sea would grow angry, mountainous even, and more often than not there would be a tourist drowning or two.

After forming in the Pacific, hurricanes tend to follow a path bending to the north and west. So--knowing our geographical coordinates--we would assiduously monitor the Weather Channel to determine the severity and proximity of any advancing threat.

But by far the worst aspect--as anyone who has endured such storms knows--is the aftermath: The many days until water and electrical service are restored. The bathing in the pool--if you’re lucky. To have a pool, that is. The constant concern with everyone’s well -being, what with live power lines being snaked down and everything a mess.

Walking anywhere is as if through a minefield. Hunkering down as opposed to venturing out. The shortage of just about everything--most of which you haven’t even realized yet. The many calls for water trucks to recharge the pila--that’s “battery” in Spanish, but in this context a water tank.

We were fortunate to have never lost anything during these churning monsters.

In fact, we gained the Kid. Because you can track a hurricane’s progress, you can decide for yourself how to best be prepared. I first made sure we had the necessities. But I always made a point of it, if we were about to be walloped, to have delicacies stocked for cooking over a Coleman stove. And a war chest of fine beverages. “If we’re going to take it in the shorts,” I used to think, “we’re going to do it swashbuckling.”

It’s amazing what champagne can accomplish.

Now, I’m not making light of hurricanes. You might not be able to get out of one’s way, but you certainly know when one is coming.

Fire, in its suddenness and unpredictability, is a far more terrifying prospect--as we learned firsthand last year. While we didn’t lose quite everything, our son, Alex, did.

Still, we lost plenty. When you lose big or significant things you know it instantly and must somehow come to terms with the loss.

Yet the subtlety of loss is such that you don’t always know what you no longer have-mostly all those quotidian items you spent a lifetime acquiring.

Last month, for instance, I went to change some light bulbs on the kitchen ceiling and was prevented from doing so. Why? Because I don’t have a ladder anymore. And I didn’t know that until the need for it arose.

This comes in waves, as each new need presents itself. Suddenly require a bunch of Allen wrenches, perchance, or your set of drill bits?

It’s also how you relive the catastrophe even years afterwards. A far cry from swashbuckling, right?

I’m finding that grief works a similarly subtle magic. Substitute an image, say, or a memory for that ladder and--presto!--you have the same equation.

The worst thing that ever happened in my life didn’t even happen to me. It was Alex’ passing at the age of 28. He didn’t die in the fire--but it was akin to the miraculous that he escaped it in his quest for a popsicle.

And now I’m of two minds when it comes to seeing him on social media: grateful and grief-stricken. I’m happy to see him again, of course--especially in things fresh to me--and I’m grateful to all those who take the time to relate exactly how impactful Alex was in their lives. This, too, comes in waves, is what I imagine being knifed feels like, and always ends in tears.

To those who have suffered in the most recent--and every--devastating hurricane, and to those who have suffered in the most recent--and every--horrifying fire: I’m not going to extend “thoughts and prayers.” I don’t know what these mean or how to convey them, and at this remove both seem particularly spooky--if not hollow. So I’ll just say this: To everyone, everywhere, who has had loss settled upon them, especially the subtlety of it, I extend the most powerful and honest thing I can--my deepest and most humble empathy.

Joseph Oldenbourg

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

Publisher/Editor: Joseph Oldenbourg (joseph@ourvalleyvoice.com) (559) 972-7778

Reporters:

Catherine Doe (catherine@ourvalleyvoice.com) Dave Adalian (dave@ourvalleyvoice.com) Production/Website: Tony Maldonado (tony@ourvalleyvoice.com)

Sales & Special Sections Editor:

Nancy Vigran (nancy@ourvalleyvoice.com)

Contact us & share your opinion: www.ourvalleyvoice.com PO Box 44064 • Lemon Cove, CA 93244 The first five copies of this newspaper are free. Subsequent copies are 25 cents per copy. Please contact the Voice for more information.

19 October, 2017

Valley Voice • 3

Political Fix Carlton Jones is a Bully

The first time I met Tulare Mayor Carlton Jones it was February 23, 2014 at a meet and greet organized by Ruben Macareno, former chair of the Tulare County Democratic Central Committee. The event was to introduce the newly appointed Tulare County Superior Court Judge Michael Sheltzer and bring together the Democrats running for the 26th State Assembly District.

Mr. Jones was one of them.

I specifically went to the event to catch up with Mr. Jones because he was the only candidate who wouldn’t return Valley Voice’s phone calls, and we wanted an interview.

Mr. Jones was flanked by two elegant women, Abigail Solis, his campaign manager, and Cindi Lujano his girlfriend, but you couldn’t tell who was who. One of the women said that Mr. Jones hadn’t returned the Voice’s calls because we reported a negative story about him.

The story concerned Derek Thomas, also a candidate for the Assembly, who had filed charges against Mr. Jones because he physically assaulted him at College of the Sequoias.

Mr. Jones looked at me with a furrowed brow, and an expression of disbelief, because we printed something like that in the paper.

I was left pretty much speechless.

Why would Mr. Jones think that a Tulare City Council member and candidate for the assembly could physically assault someone and it wouldn’t get into the paper?

Catherine Doe

He didn’t get it and I remember thinking that night, where there is smoke there is fire.

The Valley Voice has always gotten intermittent complaints about Mr. Jones, but those complaints spiked when he became mayor, and especially after the Voice’s editor wrote about Mr. Jones’ threatening behavior towards Alex Gutierrez.

One recent caller, who did not want to leave his name, described a similar altercation Mr. Jones had with the manager of the Tulare Outlet Mall, Lee Brehm.

So I called Mr. Brehm.

Mr. Brehm said that Mr. Jones placed a trailer on a piece of commercial property next to the mall without permission. The trailer was for an event Mr. Jones was helping put on for one of his high school aged kids.

The Tulare Outlet Mall staff told Mr. Jones to remove the trailer but he said he had permission.

“Besides that, I am the mayor,” he said.

Mr. Brehm called Mr. Jones to ask why he lied to his staff. Mr. Jones then allegedly proceeded to yell at him with a string of obscenities to which Mr. Brehm was not accustomed.

“I have never been talked to with so much vulgar language by a business man in my life,” said Mr. Brehm.

Brehm says Mr. Jones finished their conversation by saying, “If you think you are so tough, then why don’t you come down here in person.”

Then Mr. Jones hung up.

Mr. Brehm didn’t appreciate the way

the conversation ended so he called Mr. Jones back. He told Mr. Jones that he does not like the vulgar language nor being hung up on.

I asked, “What did he say?”

“He ignored it,” said Mr. Brehm.

Mr. Jones’ comment “besides, I am the mayor” made me think of David Frost’s interview with President Richard Nixon when he said, “When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.”

I guess that applies to Mr. Jones also.

Mr. Jones’ anger issues, I thought, must have rolled over into the legal realm. So I toddled off to the Tulare County Court House to see if I could find any suits filed against him. Find suits I did – seven of them.

Four suites seemed to be to bill collectors, one was a traffic case, and two were intertwined; a divorce case and a criminal felony spousal abuse case.

Former Tulare County District Attorney Phil Cline pressed charges against Mr. Jones for felony spousal abuse in 2009. In Mr. Cline’s legal brief he refers to Mr. Jones’ wife as T.C. and his daughter as Ivory.

The brief stated, “the defendant (Mr. Jones) then kicked T.C. and pulled both T.C. and Ivory back into the bedroom.

The defendant locked the door and grabbed T. C. by the neck. T. C. ends up on the bed and the defendant tries to strangle her.”

According to Mr. Jones’ daughter’s interview with the police, “Ivory cried and begged her father to stop. Ivory stated that she saw her father choke

her mother, mount her and continue to strangle her, and kick her mother in the stomach.”

In the couple’s divorce papers the wife says, “then my daughter looked over at me and mouthed she was scared.

I mouthed back for her to pray.”

The DA continued, “T. C. was unable to breathe and the Defendant was telling her, ‘This is it for you. Say bye-bye.’”

According to the court records Mr. Jones’ wife escaped and “ran east on her street as she feared for her life.” Mr. Jones daughter was also able to escape to a friend’s house and call 911. Mr. Jones was arrested and an emergency protection order granted to his wife.

Later that year Mr. Jones was acquitted of all charges.

Another suit that is less traumatic, but still intriguing, was a small claims case brought against Mr. Jones in 2012.

According to court records, a respected business woman in Tulare loaned Mr. Jones almost $5000 in 2010 to buy six plane tickets for his family.

A copy submitted of a check showed that Mr. Jones attempted to make a $500 payment towards the loan, but his check bounced. Then he allegedy stole her credit card number and paid his cell phone bill. According to the court records she got those charges on her card reversed.

Two years after the loan, the business woman filed a small claims case against him to collect her money. The judge ordered Mr. Jones to pay the

POLITICAL FIX continued on 12 »

4 • Valley Voice

19 October, 2017

Kaweah Delta Named Among America’s Best in Cardiac Staff Reports Kaweah Delta today was recognized

by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals™ for Cardiac Surgery and America’s 100 Best Hospitals™ for Cardiac Care. Kaweah Delta is just one of four hospitals in California, and the only one in the Central Valley, to receive these distinctions.

The achievements are part of findings released today in the Healthgrades 2018 Report to the Nation, which also recognizes Kaweah Delta’s commitment to quality care with six additional recognitions in the Healthgrades 2018 Report to the Nation, released today, including: • Recipient of the Healthgrades 2018 Cardiac Care Excellence Award™ • Recipient of the Healthgrades Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award™ for 2 Years in a Row (2017-2018) • Named Among the Top 5 percent in the Nation for Cardiac Surgery in 2018 • Named Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Cardiac Services in 2018 • Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Bypass Surgery for 2 Years in a Row (2017-2018) • Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Heart Attack for 2 Years in a Row (2017-2018) “For more than 50 years, it has been our goal to provide the highest level of exceptional locally-based care to our community. These distinctions illustrate just that, and highlight how Kaweah Delta’s dedicated team of physicians, nurses and clinical staff at Kaweah Delta is committed to improving the lives of patients,” said Edward Hirsch, M.D., Vice President and Chief Medical and Quality Officer at Kaweah Delta.

In determining its cardiac quality awards, Healthgrades evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 34 of the

most common inpatient procedures and conditions.* Healthgrades identified the best-performing hospitals across all conditions or procedures evaluated within the cardiac services area including Bypass Surgery, Valve Surgery, Coronary Intervention Procedures, Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Defibrillator Procedures and Pacemaker Procedures.

The new Healthgrades’ report demonstrates how clinical performance continues to differ dramatically between hospitals nationally, regionally and at the local level, and the impact that this variation may have on health outcomes. For example, from 2014-2016, the report notes that patients treated at hospitals receiving the America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery Award have, on average 52.4% lower risk of dying than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award and patients treated at hospitals that did not receive the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care Award are, on average 1.39 times more likely to die than if they were treated at hospitals that did receive the award.* *Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2014 through 2016 and represent 3-year estimates for Medicare patients only.

Kaweah Delta offers a full range of cardiovascular services in partnership with the following physicians: Cardiothoracic Surgeons Sergio Caminha, M.D. and Leheb Araim, M.D.; and Cardiologists Basil Abu-El-Haija, M.D., Ashkan Attaran, M.D., Kusai Aziz, M.D., Sukhvinder Bhajal, M.D., David Cislowski, M.D., Frank Gavini, M.D., Reza Rafie, M.D., H. Rajender Reddy, M.D., Bindusagar Reddy, M.D., Shashi Sharma, M.D., Shailesh Shetty, M.D., Bikram Soni, M.D., and Nallathamby Thayapran, M.D. Dennis Johnson, M.D., Harry Lively, M.D., Vinod Gupta, M.D., Barry Meyer, M.D., Ashok Verma, M.D., Aditya Verma, M.D., and Ankur Gupta, M.D., John Lin, M.D.

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Brad Bowman, M.D., Healthgrades, Chief Medical Officer, said while many consumers believe that hospital quality is standardized, the reality is that clinical quality and outcomes at hospitals vary widely across the country. “The hospitals that have achieved the Healthgrades America’s Best Hospitals for cardiac distinction have demonstrated a commitment to exceptional quality of care and can distinguish themselves to consumers seeking care at high-quality facilities,” he said. **For its analysis, Healthgrades evaluated approximately 45 million Medicare inpatient records for nearly 4,500 shortterm acute care hospitals nationwide to assess hospital performance in 32 common

conditions and procedures, and evaluate outcomes in appendectomy and bariatric surgery using all-payer data provided by 17 states. Healthgrades recognizes a hospital’s quality achievements for cohort-specific performance, specialty area performance, and overall clinical quality.

Individual procedure or condition cohorts are designated as 5-star (statistically significantly better than expected), 3-star (not statistically different from expected) and 1-star (statistically significantly worse than expected) categories. The complete Healthgrades 2018 Report to the Nation and detailed study methodology can be found at www.healthgrades.com/quality.

Kaweah Delta is a publicly-owned community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia region and Tulare County. With over 5,000 dedicated medical professionals and employees, Kaweah Delta is committed to meeting the community’s health needs through state-ofthe-art medicine, high-quality preventive services and specialized health centers and clinics. For more information, visit www. kaweahdelta.org.

Ballot

The measure for each city reads similarly- authorizing a commercial cannabis business tax in the city on commercial cannabis businesses up to $25 per square foot (annually adjusted by CPI) or 10% of gross receipts, to maintain essential public safety and general city services including, but not limited to, police, drug addiction and gang prevention, park maintenance, street maintenance.

These are the maximums allotted by the state. Farmersville estimates a potential $500,000 to $3.5 million taxation earnings, annually.

The potential ballot measures were voted on by each city’s council this summer in order to make the November election. The sales tax measures were a unanimous vote by each council. The cannabis taxation measures each made it to the ballot with a 4-1 vote by each city’s council.

Election mail-in ballots are already being accepted and will be through October 31.

The polls in Farmersville, on election day, November 7, will be located at the Farmersville Community Center, 623 N. Avery.

In Woodlake, the polls will take place at the Woodlake Memorial Building, 355 N. Acacia.

Continued from 1 is a bit more confusing. Both cities are considering the possibility of allowing cannabis business, i.e. cultivation, within the city limits. The ballot measure is not whether to allow or disallow, but rather to develop taxation should that possibility come to fruition.

The urgency in the matter comes with the possibility of the state, in which voters passed Measure 64 to allow recreational cannabis use throughout the state, designating certain areas for growing. Various jurisdictions can first make that decision for themselves, but if not enough are developed within specific regions, the state can step in force the issue, and without prior taxation measures in place, the city’s would not benefit.

This possibility may come as early as the first of the year, when Measure 64 comes into effect.

Therefore, both city councils, which are each continuing to discuss allowing cannabis businesses, wanted to get the taxation allotted. Voting for these measures will only allow the taxation, if each city decides to allow a business, or if the state mandates it.

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19 October, 2017

Earlimart Continued from 1

“When we started mentioning it to the people,” committee member Domingo Trevino said, “we kept telling them we’re getting a park, we’re getting a park, and they would just say ‘yeah, yeah, yeah, sure.’

“As the years went by everybody kept asking, ‘where’s the park?’ and I would say, ‘well, it’s coming.’”

Trevino has lived in the community for 57 years. A veteran of the US Armed Forces and a former commander for the American Legion, Trevino and his family has always been involved in the local community, he said. “When we started talking about a park, we couldn’t find a place. Out of the blue someone said, what about that corner by the elementary school – that corner has just been sitting there for 20 years or more.”

It was a vacant lot, that had only been used once or twice a year when the carnival come to town, Solis said.

The approximate four acres of park lies on school district property. The land had been reserved for further school development, however, the need for a park took over.

“My own opinion is that if it hadn’t been for the school board, we wouldn’t have gotten it done,” Trevino said. “I think they really went out of their way to help us build this park.”

The school district, by itself, did not qualify for the grant. The county stepped in to help.

The combined effort of the school board and the County of Tulare, in a Joint Powers Agreement, achieved the state-funded grant, Solis said.

Through Proposition 84, the Statewide Park Program, Earlimart received $2,153,900.

“Supervisor [Pete] Vander Poel really helped us out,” Trevino said. “He was right on top of everything.”

Working together, the county and the school district, is when it really started to work out, he said.

“People didn’t have any faith – every politician would say, ‘we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do that’ and by the time their time was over, a new one would come in and say, ‘well I don’t know anything about that.’ We had to start all over again.”

April Martinez, who has lived in Earlimart for more than a decade, is also involved in the PARRK committee and is active in the community.

“We started learning a lot,” she said, “like where we can get healthy foods and educating us about how other small communities around us – like Richgrove – how they got their park.”

She, too, heard comments, “we’ll never get a park here – we’ve been trying that for years – we’re never going to get one.”

But they were encouraged by others, including Susan Elizabeth from the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP), who told them, “you’ve got to keep trying, stick with this, you guys will.”

Founded in 2005, CCROPP’s mission is, “combating obesity and improving health in California’s San Joaquin Valley or ‘Central Valley.’” Elizabeth, and others, continually met with the Earlimart PARRK committee to aide in its efforts.

“Her [Elizabeth’s] job was to pull us

Valley Voice • 5 together and let us know what we can do, as residents,” Martinez said.

This lead to an Earlimart signature drive to express the desire for a park. And the forward motion to its development.

Martinez’ daughter, Marissa Carrasco, 12, said the park is “amazing – you actually have some place to be [after school]. There are a lot of drugs and bad things out there, and so you have more things to do than just being on the streets,” she said.

The park is almost complete.

“In Earlimart there is a moratorium on sewer and water connections – we’re not able to build any new housing right now – but we had to work with the local PUD (public utility district) to get them to grant us water, so we can water this park,” Solis said.

The school district is dedicated to the park. It has hired a new grounds person specifically for care of the park and pays the insurance.

“That’s an additional expense we are taking on,” Solis said. “That’s how committed we are to this park and this community.”

The PARRK committee sought input from the community as to what was needed in a park – basketball courts, soccer fields, jungle gym and other playground equipment. There is also a walking track throughout the park for use by all ages. There is a plethora of benches, picnic tables and barbecues for family outings. The park has lighting for evening and nighttime use.

“We made a map – an ideal of the park,” Martinez said. “And that is what we got – we made something that looked pretty much like this. I was so amazed.”

“This is a whole new thing for Earlimart,” Solis said. “We’ve never been able to do that here. It is all about their vision and what they wanted in this park.”

Once the suggestions were in and plans drawn up – the bids came in a bit higher than the grant afforded. Not wanting to compromise, the school district chipped in an additional $115,000 and the county $500,000 to realize the inspired dream.

For example, rather than reducing the quality of the basketball court paving and fencing, they stuck to their guns for what they wanted with courts that can be converted to volleyball and tennis facilities.

As for the play equipment, “It’s a Cadillac-model of a jungle gym,” said Michelle Ramirez, a director in the Earlimart School District. “We used to have to go to Delano, or Pixley to play.

Genesis and Alex Roman try out the modern jungle gym, which is designed to encourage climbing activity with safety in mind. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice

“I’ve been a principal and a teacher in a lot of schools – this to me, is an elevated [top notch] jungle gym. Just the ropes like this – it’s much more safe – the climbing the kids can do – it really encourages a lot of physical activity,” she said.

Joel Roman stopped in, with his eyes upon the soccer fields. The former professional mid-fielder and forward, is now a youth soccer coach and league organizer.

He is sure the fields will be put to good use and he’s already planning on how he can organize them for the children of his league. Soccer is year-round in the area.

Roman’s wife, Blanca, and their children visited with him--eight-yearold Alex and 10-year-old Genesis, tried out the jungle gym. They both play soccer as well.

“When I was a kid, there was nothing like this,” Roman said. “It’s better for the community here – you can your keep kids safe and off the street.”

The park is ready to open; however, the community continues to wait for the

grand opening while awaiting a shade structure. It will cover all of the play equipment area, a total of 65x109 feet.

The hope is that the structure will be installed in mid-November and the grand opening will follow.

A school art teacher and some of her students have designed artwork that will be mounted on the underside of the shade – a personal touch, which will last for years to come.

A benefit to the delay in opening, is that “it allows the plants to grow and establish themselves,” said Supervisor Vander Poel.

Vander Poel further relayed the commitment of the county to the new park, having put $1/2 million of general funds into it beyond the grant, when the bid came in higher than the grant. The county is also committed to roadwork following the shade structure addition, to the roads around the park area including work on the gutters and addition of sidewalks.

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6 • Valley Voice

19 October, 2017

Agriculture Survey Shows Chronic Employee Shortage on CA Farms Staff Reports Across California, farmers and ranchers face chronic problems in finding and hiring qualified and willing people to work in agriculture, according to a survey conducted by the California Farm Bureau Federation. The informal survey of Farm Bureau members showed that more than half of responding farmers had experienced employee shortages during the past year.

The figure was higher among farmers who need to hire employees on a seasonal basis—69 percent of those farmers reported experiencing shortages. The results

are similar to a survey CFBF conducted in 2012.

“Despite all the efforts California farmers and ranchers have made to find and hire people to work on their operations, they still can’t find enough willing and qualified employees,” CFBF President Paul Wenger said. “Farmers have offered higher wages, benefits and more yearround jobs. They have tried to mechanize operations where possible, and have even changed crops or left ground idle. But employee shortages persist.”

When asked what actions they have taken in response to employee shortages, farmers participating in the survey most

frequently cited increased wages, benefits and additional incentives. Farmers also reported they had used, attempted or investigated mechanization; reduced cultivation activities such as pruning trees and vines; and either planted fewer acres or left some crops unharvested.

Wenger said he expects farmers to continue offering higher wages and moving toward mechanization, but that the survey results underline the need for action by Congress to improve the existing agricultural immigration program.

“Only 3 percent of the farmers in our survey said they had used the existing H-2A agricultural immigration program,”

Wenger said. “Even though more farmers have tried it, H-2A remains too cumbersome for most. Farmers in California and elsewhere in the country need an improved system to allow people to enter the U.S. legally to work on farms and ranches.”

Farmers have been forthright about their reliance on a largely immigrant workforce, he said, noting that efforts to hire U.S.born employees on farms have remained unsuccessful.

Wenger said Farm Bureau and other organizations would continue to work with Congress to create “a secure, flexible, market-based agricultural immigration program.”

Farmers In Wildfire Zones Assess Impact Kevin Hecteman, CFBF As firefighters worked to gain ground on wildfires ravaging several Northern California counties, farmers and ranchers began, as one put it, “to take inventory and figure out what we can do.”

In many cases, that meant assessing the impact on North Coast vineyards and trying to harvest the grapes left on the vines when the fires hit.

Mendocino County farmer Frost Pauli, who serves as a volunteer firefigher, said the powerful fires were “like nothing that anyone in this part of California has ever seen.”

Pauli serves as a captain of the all-volunteer Potter Valley Fire Department; his brothers serve as firefighters and their father, Bill, is fire chief.

“There was absolutely no stopping the fire” that erupted near Potter Valley, Frost Pauli said.

The first two days of the fire fight focused on saving homes, Pauli said; after that, attention turned to saving the town’s water supply.

“That project is the old wooden penstock and is 109 years old,” said Pauli, president of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau. “So after the homes were safe, this became the next highest priority: making sure the water supply for our valley didn’t get cut off.”

Farmers and ranchers in Mendocino County were hit hard, he said.

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“There were a lot of ranchers that lost livestock and lost a lot of fencing,” Pauli said. “Barns were damaged by winds or burned down. There were a lot of vineyards that were burning or affected by smoke. We don’t even know the full extent at this point. Everyone is now finally starting to take inventory and figure out what we can do and what the next steps are, to move into recovery stage.”

In Sonoma County, Steve Dutton, president of the county Farm Bureau, checked late last week on one of the vineyards he manages near Santa Rosa’s devastated Coffey Park neighborhood.

“We saw evidence where the fire had burned right up to the road,” he said, “and actually into the vineyard a little bit, and scorched some of the leaves and vines— almost looked to me like it would be an early frost on the vines.”

Though some leaves on the affected vines were dead and dying, Dutton cut into a cane and cordon arm and found the plants were alive and green, which gave him reason for hope.

“What I see that’s going to happen is that we just have to prune these vines and re-establish the cover crop,” Dutton said.

“The vines are going to be fine. I think that they’ll have a crop next year.”

The vineyard had been harvested about a week earlier, he said, and the healthy plants may have slowed the fire’s spread.

“The vineyard is actually alive, green

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and growing,” Dutton said. “It’s a live plant, not dried wood.”

He said it would take “intense, intense heat for the vines to actually combust and burn.” The cover crop of grass, mowed down to a couple of inches between the rows, also helped.

“We saw evidence where that had burned to a certain spot and then stopped,” Dutton said, adding that the heat from the burned cover crop was “enough to singe the leaves, but not enough to burn the vines.”

Dutton considers himself fortunate, and knows others are worse off. Many in his area haven’t been able to check on their properties because of evacuation orders, he said—and thousands in Santa Rosa and surrounding areas have lost homes, businesses and jobs.

Pete Opatz, a Napa-based vineyard manager, said about 30 of his properties were affected by wildfire.

“Our tracts of land tend to be larger,” Opatz said. “They’re kind of self-insulating. The vineyards will burn on the periphery; however, they’re a pretty good firebreak.”

In some areas of eastern Napa County, straw was laid down near new plantings for erosion control.

“We’ve had that straw catch on fire and carry the fires into the fields,” Opatz said, with about 20 acres affected. “It’s not horrific, but it’s still not good. We’ve most likely lost those plants.”

With some vines still to be harvested, Opatz was looking for all the help he could get.

“We’ve mobilized a lot of machinery from around the state to come in and get this done this week,” he said. “We’ve looked to other vineyard management companies around the state, just like fire services look to other folks, to get up here and give us a hand. We’re taking grapes up to a couple hundred miles away to get them processed.”

Smoke taint on grapes represents

a lingering concern for Opatz and other growers.

“The sooner the fruit leaves the field, the less impact is likely,” he said.

Near Atlas Peak, cattle rancher Bill Bishop was dealing with a devastating loss. One of his ranches was overrun by fire so quickly that some 40 head of cattle perished.

“We’re lucky to get out with our lives,” Bishop said. “We went up there, and we opened the gates up and cut the fences, tried to get the cattle as free as we could.

“It was the biggest flame-storm you ever saw in your life,” he said.

Relief efforts for farmers and livestock are ongoing.

The Sonoma County Farm Bureau is coordinating donations of feed and supplies for livestock and horses. The Farm Bureau office has secured a storage yard and is gathering feed and hay for distribution to affected farmers. Monetary donations are also being accepted. To donate or to request assistance, contact the county Farm Bureau at emily@sonomafb.org or 707-544-5575.

At Western United Dairymen, CEO Anja Raudabaugh said 15 dairies in Sonoma County and two in Mendocino County had been evacuated.

“We have evacuated almost 4,000 cows,” Raudabaugh said. “We’ve managed to kind of share spaces with neighbors.

The Sonoma County Fairgrounds is teeming with livestock right now.”

WUD also launched a supply drive for people and animals. Donations should be brought on Oct. 20 to the WUD office at 1315 K St. in Modesto. WUD will have trucks available that day to haul donated supplies to Sonoma County.

(Kevin Hecteman is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. He may be contacted at khecteman@cfbf.com. Associate Editor Steve Adler contributed to this report.)

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

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19 October, 2017

Valley Voice • 7

Nunes, Missing In Action, Muddies Russia-Trump Probe Dave Adalian Local Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) found himself the focus of unwanted national media attention again this week, while constituents back home continue to wonder when or if they’ll ever get a chance to talk to him face-to-face.

Trump-Russia Controversy

This spring, Nunes found himself the at the center of intense media scrutiny after he made a clandestine midnight visit to the White House to review information regarding the ongoing House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence investigation into interference by Russian agents in the 2016 US presidential election.

Nunes, who chairs the Committee and was also a member of Trump’s transition team, at first claimed the meeting was arranged so he could share information with administration officials. It was later learned Nunes had lied, and the information was actually passed to him

by White House officials, casting doubt on Nunes’s independence. By April, continuing pressure led Nunes to recuse himself from further participation in the investigation.

Now, it appears he has reneged on that pledge.

Ethics Investigation

Interest in Russian interference to bolster Trump’s chances of taking the presidency, rumors of which circulated for months prior to last November’s election, intensified to the point official investigations began when a document listing Trump’s alleged ties to government and business interests in Russia-the Steel Dossier--emerged just before Trump took office.

It was at about the same time former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was forced to resign over failure to disclose his paid work for the Turkish government during his time on Trump’s transition team. Nunes then canceled hearings that would have featured possibly damning information on

Trump’s relationship with Russia from former high-ranking intelligence and Justice Department officials.

The congressman now faces an ethics violation investigation over his actions, but it seems even that isn’t enough to keep Nunes out of the action.

Nunes Still Investigating

In June it became clear Nunes was still working on the investigation when he issued subpoenas in May targeted at the unmasking of names by former Obama administration officials. That action may have cast more doubt on Trump, as former national security adviser Susan Rice revealed her unmasking request came when she learned officials from Trump’s campaign were meeting with a crown prince of the United Arab Emirates, a possible violation of the Logan Act. The latest indication Nunes is be looking into matters on his own came in August, when it was revealed two congressional staffers were sent to London by longtime Nunes aide Damon Nelson.

The pair had traveled to Europe to find information on Christopher Steele, author of the 35-page paper listing Trump’s possible Russian ties, and they apparently made the trip without the knowledge of Democrats on the Intelligence Committee.

Later in August, Nunes issued subpoenas to the FBI and the Department of Justice, demanding those agencies turn over files regarding the Steele Dossier. When those agencies--each of which is conducting its own investigation--resisted, Nunes threatened to compel Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director Christopher Wray to testify before the Intel Committee. He said they would be held in contempt of Congress if they refused. The subpoenas now appear to be on hold.

Acting ‘In Bad Faith’

The unilateral move by Nunes prompted a Democratic outcry, with his actions labeled “a charade,” and his colleagues across the aisle saying Nunes

acted “in bad faith” and is attempting to “undermine” the investigation.

Andrew Janz, a Democratic challenger for Nunes’ seat and a prosecuting attorney for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, said that Nunes appears to be serving the interests of the president over those of his constituents.

“I think this is just another example of my opponent being more concerned with protecting Donald Trump than the people in his district,” Janz said. “We want to, at the end of the day, determine what the facts are and what the truth is.”

Janz said Nunes, who is not an attorney, is hampering that discovery, and the congressman may be obstructing other investigations with his behavior.

“When you have folks who are acting independently you really run into problems with witnesses and evidence tampering. From a prosecutor’s perspective, you want someone who is independent,” Janz said. “With Nunes sort of as a rogue agent, it really hampers (Department of Justice special counsel Robert) Mueller’s ability to find out what the facts are.”

Janz says he remains neutral regarding the investigation itself, hoping only to expose actualities in the president’s relationship with Russia no matter what they are.

“I’m not suggesting one way or the other what happened, because at the end of the day we need to see what the facts bear out,” he said. “We need to wait and see, give Mueller the chance to finish his investigation.”

Where’s Nunes?

Meanwhile, voters back home want to know when they’ll get a chance to speak with their congressman.

“All we want to know is where he is,” said Cynthia Thorburn, a member of the activist group South Valley Civics, which has been trying to get Nunes to agree to hold a town hall meeting. “We’ve gone to his office to request he have a town hall. This has been pretty nonstop since March or April.”

Nunes last held an open public meeting seven years ago. He also took

questions during a forum on water issues in Tulare in 2016.

“He’s not being responsive and he’s not being accessible,” Thorburn said.

Last month, Faith in the Valley, a union of 120 congregations from around the Valley, held a demonstration in a hallway outside Nunes’s Visalia office. The group was told Nunes was out of the country and would not be available to meet until next year. They only received that vague promise after police were summoned.

‘Left-Wing Activists’

Thorburn said the group of clergy who attempted to speak with Nunes were “obviously a very peaceful group,” and she was surprised when Nunes’s office rejected their request for a dialog and tried to paint them as threatening.

“The police were called on them,” she said. “They were called ‘left-wing activists.’ Is that a dirty word?”

Her group, South Valley Civics, is pledged to nonviolent action and wishes to avoid confrontation with Nunes, Thorburn said, and has only resorted to demonstrations because of the congressman’s refusal to hold substantive, open discussions. The group, which she describes as having a wide range of political views, will continue to hold monthly “vigils” outside the building that house’s Nunes’s Visalia office.

“All of us have never, ever, ever done anything like this before,” Thorburn said. “We are a collection of Democrats and Republicans and others.”

Members of South Valley Civics, Thorburn says, are also concerned that Nunes appears to be holding small, private gatherings with some of his local financial contributors, such as a whiskey and cigar tasting event held in September.

“It sounds like he’s being accessible to a select few. I don’t understand that,” Thorburn said. “It’s frustrating. He’s supposed to represent the people.”

For more information on South Valley Civics and its events, email south. valley.civics@gmail.com, or visit the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ southvalleycivics/.

Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Receives Donation for K-9 Unit Staff Reports The Tulare County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit received a generous donation in the amount of $8,300 from the Small Town Cruizers during their monthly cruise night Saturday at the Tulare Outlet Mall.

Bob Riggi, president of the car club, said members raised the money for the K-9 Unit during its annual car show in September.

“It’s for a good cause and it benefits all of us,” he said. “We’re going to buy a K-9 for the Sheriff’s Office.”

Cpt. Mike Watson thanked the Small Town Cruizers.

“On behalf of Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, I gladly accept this generous donation,” he said. “We will name the next dog ‘Cruizer’ after the Small Town Cruizers.”

Sheriff’s K-9s are purchased with donations from the community while the Sheriff’s Office pays for their training.

Total cost to purchase a K-9 and train it for patrol is approximately $13,000.

K-9s assigned to patrol are trained for protection. In dangerous situations, K-9s keep deputies out of harm’s way. Often, suspects will surrender just knowing there*s a K-9 ready to respond.

However, ordering a K-9 to pursue a suspect is a last resort, Cpt. Watson said.

Two of the Sheriff’s K-9s work in detentions. They are not trained for protection but instead are trained to sniff out

contraband such as cell phones, homemade alcohol, tobacco and narcotics.

Thanks to them and their K-9 handlers, our four detention facilities are safer and more secure.

8 • Valley Voice

19 October, 2017

Tulare Hospital Contract Could Be Invalidated October 19 Tony Maldonado Healthcare Conglomerate Associates’ (HCCA) contract to manage the Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) could be invalidated in a bankruptcy court hearing today.

The hearing comes after members of the Tulare Local Healthcare District voted October 9 to pursue a rejection of the contract in the district’s bankruptcy proceeding.

If the judge in the case approves the district’s request to reject the contract, the district would be free to seek a different company to partner with to run TRMC. The district, in legal filings, has indicated that a Fresno-based hospital would be willing to partner with the district once the contract with HCCA is rejected.

A rejection wouldn’t let the hospital district off the hook entirely: HCCA could still seek damages for the district’s exit from the contract as a claim in the bankruptcy case. They could receive only a fraction of the original “breakup fee,” estimated to be upwards of $8m.

Board Backed Into A Corner

The board voted to reject the contract in an emergency board meeting on October 9.

An emergency board meeting -- able to be noticed and held the same day -may only be called under specific circumstances, such as a “work stoppage, crippling activity, or other activity that severely impairs public health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the members of the legislative body.”

That requirement was likely satisfied by an email from Marc Levinson, an attorney representing HCCA, which stated that HCCA would dismiss its employees on October 8 if the district did not provide “clarity as to how it will fund the payroll.”

Under the terms of the company’s contract with the district, the hospital’s employees are in fact those of HCCA -but officials with the company state that it is the hospital district’s responsibility to ensure that they are paid, not HCCA’s.

The contract requires that the hospital district pay 130% of payroll for each person employed by HCCA working in Tulare.

“Without the District providing clarity as to how it will fund the payroll, HCCA will have no choice but to dismiss its employees at the end of the present payroll cycle at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, which will lead to cessation of services at the Hospital and its closure,” Levinson wrote. “HCCA will continue to honor its obligations under the MSA to continue to manage operations after the closure of the Hospital.”

“HCCA has no choice but to notify the California Department of Healthcare Services and other appropriate governmental entities of the Hospital’s impending closure in order in order to protect the patients there,” he wrote.

Kevin Northcraft, the hospital board’s president, stated that the hospital board unanimously chose to pursue a rejection of HCCA’s contracts in court.

“The Board unanimously has authorized bankruptcy counsel to proceed with the rejection of the District’s contracts with Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, LLC and to do whatever is necessary to effectuate the rejection of

the contracts and ensure the ongoing and continuous operation of the health care facilities,” he said.

On the same day the meeting was held, the hospital’s employees were told their October 12 pay day could come and pass without a check in hand.

One employee states they were told that “as the money trickles in, [HCCA] will try to pay the employees.”

“It seems as though the staff is starting to dwindle,” another said.

Lease Signed, Lien Filed Unclear Whether It’s Executed

Included in documents filed by HCCA against any potential rejection of the contract, attorneys for the company included an agreement with Leasing Innovations.

It is unclear whether the lease has actually been executed. The legal filings refer to the agreement as a proposed loan -- but the documents include signed documents, a first invoice, and a “municipal certificate” which claims that officials for the hospital management company have the authority to seek the “state and municipal lease purchase agreement” as of August.

Leasing Innovations was previously revealed to have filed a UCC lien against the hospital before it filed for bankruptcy, stating that the lien was pursuant to “State and Municipality Lease-Purchase Agreement No. HGF070117”; the documents relate to the same agreement.

The lease totals $7m, and includes $1,755,200 in interest, totalling $8,755,200 in payments to be paid by the district in 72 monthly payments of $121,600.

Signed on August 29, the lease relies

“

the company’s CEO. Levinson stated that HCCA had not paid itself with the district’s funds since May, and that any attempts for the company to pay itself to compensate for pre-bankruptcy debt would be “legal suicide.”

The two sides have been at a public impasse since the hospital board’s last

Without the District providing clarity as to how it will fund the payroll, HCCA will have no choice but to dismiss its employees at the end of the present payroll cycle at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, which will lead to cessation of services at the Hospital and its closure.

”

Marc Levinson, attorney for HCCA. on a June 20 vote by the hospital’s board that allowed HCCA to seek and sign a loan to float operations expenses.

It includes a list of equipment, including components of the hospital’s Cerner electronic healthcare record software, that would be purchased under the lease, and includes a list of vendors, including BakerHostetler, the district’s former legal firm.

October 12 Hearing

A hearing had previously been held on October 12 on an emergency basis.

Due to the last-minute nature of the hearing, the judge, Hon. Rene Lastreto II, continued the hearing to the Thursday, October 19.

Mark Levinson, an attorney representing HCCA, stated that the hospital would continue to stay open and that employees would continue to be paid “on a rolling basis” at least until the Thursday hearing.

The company would also continue to pay critical vendors out of payments that came in to the hospital, but Levinson stated that the company would ensure that it would not pay itself or any of its affiliates, including Dr. Benny Benzeevi,

regular board meeting on September 27, when Dr. Benny Benzeevi, CEO of HCCA, told the board that it had two options: take a loan out to pay HCCA, or close the hospital.

Riley Walter, a bankruptcy attorney representing the Tulare Local Healthcare District, the legal entity which owns the hospital, also requested that the company provide the district with multiple reports on the hospital’s financial position, which Lastreto ordered be provided “as soon as possible,” and at least before next week’s hearing.

Those reports included a ledger of any district cash sitting in HCCA’s bank accounts, a report listing receivables and their aging status, and report on “cash necessities,” such as upcoming payments to critical vendors.

Walter also requested that the company provide the district with a report of cash entering and exiting the district’s accounts on a daily basis, but Levinson stated such reports generally weren’t created by the company.

Walter had also requested that the company allowed representatives of the district access to financial records held at the hospital during the next week.

Levinson stated the access would be a distraction while HCCA continues to try to keep the hospital afloat; officials looking at documents would need someone to accompany them and supervise them, for example.

“We just don’t want them in there,” Levinson said. “Another week isn’t going to change anything.”

He conceded that access to the records was part of the company’s contract with the district, and that they would be willing to provide the district with access in at least a week, but he stated the hospital was too thinly staffed to allow access without causing a distraction.

No Alternative?

Lastreto said that while it was within the district’s power to reject the hospital’s contract with HCCA, he didn’t see a clear alternative to their management -- especially since the district had, itself, declared a fiscal emergency.

“How can the district take the position that they need to take over when they are in such dire financial straits?” Lastreto asked. “I’m left with no clear alternative.”

Walter countered with a claim that the district had an interim CEO, CFO, an alternative management company, and interim financing in waiting -- ready to come in as soon as the contract was terminated.

In his declaration, Northcraft stated the same -- and claimed that the specific management company would be a Fresno-based health care provider “of significant size.”

There are two major hospitals in Fresno: Community Regional Medical Center and St. Agnes Medical Center.

Northcraft’s filing did not state which, if either, could potentially partner with the hospital.

The hearing will be held at 2:00pm on October 19 in Courtroom 13 of the US District Court, 2500 Tulare St, Fresno.

19 October, 2017

Briefly…

IMMUNIZATION VACCINATIONS OFFERED ON OCTOBER 21 AT TULARE OUTLETS

In an effort to ensure community members have access to the influenza vaccination, the Tulare County Medical Reserve Corps are offering a vaccination event at the Tulare Outlet Center.

Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing influenza, and getting vaccinated helps prevent you from spreading the flu to your family members, friends, and co-workers. For those at high risk for complicated influenza, vaccination could be lifesaving.

Who: Tulare County Public Health Branch What: Influenza vaccination event When: Saturday, October 21, 10am – 2pm Where: Tulare Outlets, 1407 Retherford St. in Tulare, look for the pop-up tents Details: The cost is covered with a Medi-care or Medi-Cal identification card, or a $22.00 administration fee.

No one is denied for an inability to pay.

Influenza is a respiratory infection that produces fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, and cough lasting a week or more.

SHERIFF RECEIVES AWARD FROM BOY SCOUTS

Tuesday, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux was recognized as a Distinguished Citizen by the Sequoia Council, Boy Scouts of America at the Visalia Convention Center and you are welcome to cover the event.

Apartments Continued from 1

approving a conditional use permit (CUP). At that time the Planning Commission decided to do a noise study and put their final decision off until the developer made some concessions and the study was completed.

At the August 28 meeting the commission voted unanimously, with one recusal, to approve the project.

Residents in the neighborhood have organized against the development and presented a petition to the Visalia City Council with 1,141 signatures. The neighborhood is in the Hurley School District and bound by Ferguson Avenue and Roeben Street. A few businesses in the area to the west also oppose the complex.

The residents’ main grievances were impacted schools, traffic, crime, privacy, and the value of their homes going down.

They felt that neighborhood commercial such as restaurants or gas stations would better serve the community.

Residents who spoke during the public hearing said that overcrowding at schools has forced their children to change schools year after year. They also predicted that the apartments would increase the crime rate and the value of their homes would decrease.

Speakers also objected to having second story apartments looking down at their children playing in their yards.

Their biggest complaint was that the

Valley Voice • 9 Sheriff Boudreaux said he feels extremely humbled and appreciative of this honor.

As he grew up, he was a Cub Scout out of the Ducor den. And as Sheriff, he supports his Explorer program which is a branch of the Boy Scouts of America as a worksite-based program.

Two former Explorers who are now Deputies will speak during tonight*s program.

They are Dep. Jasmine Orozco and Dep. Hector Negrete. Both of them received the Sheriff’s Pathways Scholarship which encourages Explorers to go to college and promises to hire them as deputies in their hometowns after they graduate from the police academy.

Also, California State Senator Andy Vidak will offer remarks before Sheriff Boudreaux receives his award and speaks.

PORTERVILLE REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY X-FILE NIGHT

cause of what they have seen and know.

PARA wants to know, will the public ever know ? Will the American government ever come forth with the truth ?

Or, will the insiders of the NEW WORLD ORDER use these UFO activities and experiences as the final encounter in an evil “us against them” end-time scenario ?

PARA’s “X-Files Meeting” will start at 6PM and will be held in the Fellowship Hall, next to the Porterville Freewill Baptist Church, located on 91 North Prospect Street, north of Olive Ave. For more info please contact A.L. “LUCKY” Lucketta, PARA President at 784-PARA or send e-mail to president@pa-ra.org

VISALIA CHAMBER TO HOST CANDIDATES COLLEGE

On Thursday Oct 26th the Porterville Area Republican Assembly (PARA) will be opening up their assembly and their podium to any X-File investigations, information and or researcher.

For decades thousands have witnessed unexplained and unusual phenomenon flying in our skies.

Nations across the globe have received millions of reports from their own citizens, forcing some governments to issue data, but not the truth.

As well, multiple disclosure projects have approached our elected officials in Washington D.C. with questions, but to no avail.

Some organizations that possess a few high ranking NASA, Military and AREA 51 personnel have also come forward to ask the same questions ... be-

In an effort to encourage leaders to run for local office, The Visalia Chamber of Commerce will host a Candidates College on November 8th and 15th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Candidates College provides a nonpartisan fact based learning opportunity to those who may be interested in serving in an elected or appointed position.

Strong leadership is vital to the success of any community. Visalia has been lucky to have many strong leaders who have dedicated their time, talent and resources as elected leaders to pave a path for our city.

However, for many, the thought of running for elected office is daunting.

Many community members have expressed an interested in becoming more engaged in the political process, potentially running for elected office, but are overwhelmed or under educated about the process and the realities of elect-

zoning next to their houses was changed from service commercial to multi-family residential without going through the normal notification process. Rochelle Nelson, who filed the appeal, said that people bought homes in the neighborhood completely unaware that the zoning had been changed.

“Home owners tried to do their due diligence but they were given inaccurate information,” said her husband, Scott Nelson.

Jacob Kitson said he went to the city and looked up the zoning before he and his wife purchased their home and saw that it was zoned service commercial.

He said that he and his wife would have never bought their house if they had known an apartment complex was going to be built right behind it.

“How is a citizen supposed to make a decision if the planning department does not give out the correct information?” He asked that the city council change the zoning back to service commercial or low density residential.

All sides agreed about the traffic problem. Right now there is a bottleneck at Shirk and Doe that is only going to get worse. Shirk was described as a two lane country road with no curbs or gutters in some areas and prone to flooding.

Improvements to Shirk are not planned until 2021 – 2022.

During the public hearing 16 residents spoke against the project and one young professional spoke in favor. He cited the severe lack of transitional housing for emerging entrepreneurs like him-

self who have returned to live in Visalia.

After the public hearing was closed Councilmember Steve Nelsen wanted to clear up the miscommunication in terms of the zoning. He said that a city council usually takes three years to update the General Plan. The next step is to make the updated zones adhere to the new general plan. Nelsen said that the city council started the process in January of this year and adopted the new zoning plan in March.

“That’s how the system works,” he said.

Nelsen also said it was hard for him to believe that a home buyer would prefer a tire repair shop right behind their house than an apartment complex. He added that service commercial is not held to the same standards as apartments in terms of setbacks, sound barriers and privacy walls.

The developer voluntarily adopted a 35-foot setback from the privacy wall and a 175-foot setback from the carport.

Nelsen said if we say no to this project then future developers will not know what to expect from our council.

“Our decision tonight will set the standard.”

Councilmember Greg Collins agreed with Nelsen and said that he has been involved with about 90% of the apartment development in the city. He said that the same concerns were raised before but rarely come to fruition.

“I’ve never heard someone say that their home price went down because they were next to an apartment building.

ed office.

Two sessions will provide participants with real world skills and techniques when considering running for public office.

During the first session on November 8th the Candidates College will be hosted at the Visalia Unified School District Board Room located at 5000 W. Cypress Ave. This session will focus on understanding the current political landscape and will cover the following topics: • Current issues facing business • Appointed and elected ways to serve • City, County, Hospital, School, Sheriff, DA, State, Federal • Terms, requirements, and fees Additionally, there will be panel of individuals who have run past campaigns who will discuss financing, fundraising, and building a campaign team.

On November 15th the Candidates College will be hosted at the Visalia City Council Chambers located at City Hall West, 707 W. Acequia Ave. This session will feature a panel of past and current elected officials who will discuss topics including: • Coalition building • Crafting and delivering an effective message • Talking with the media • Realities of being an office holder Panelists will include: Connie Conway, Amy Shuklian, John Crabtree, Warren Gubler, and Basil Perch.

The Candidates College is open to anyone interested in learning more about the local political landscape and the process of becoming an appointed or elected official.

The two-part series will cost $40 for both sessions, and space is limited.

I don’t think the neighborhood will be adversely affected.”

He also voiced his skepticism that a home owner would want to live next to an auto body shop, which is what is compatible with service commercial zoning. Collins said that if the 17-acre parcel reverted to service commercial it would have three times the traffic than would apartments.

Councilmember Phil Cox said that they were making a legal decision tonight and that he supported the complex. He commented on the beautiful neighborhood and the 20 to 30 new homes being built and that, “this new project will not affect that at all. It will add to it,” he said.

Vice-Mayor Bob Link said that 65 to 70 people were involved in updating the General Plan and that leaving this parcel as service commercial in the middle of a residential neighborhood did not make sense. He also voiced his disbelief that anyone would want to live next door to service commercial.

Link added that the apartments will attract developers to the neighborhood to build restaurants and gas stations because the apartments will bring in more customers.

Mike Lane from the Building Industry Association said that Pacific Rim Companies worked for two years on this project, played by the rules and did everything that the city asked for.

‘There are at least 200 people you are not going to hear from tonight because they don’t know about it. But they need it.”

10 • Valley Voice

19 October, 2017

Hensley Attorney: City Officials’ Statements “Misleading” Nancy Vigran A press release, dated October 10, was sent to the Voice by the Law Offices of Michael J. Lampe addressing the issue of Tulare Police Chief Wes Hensley’s being placed on administrative leave.

Hensley was placed on leave from his job on September 27 by Tulare’s city manager, Joe Carlini.

In the press release, Lampe stated: “The City’s stated reason for placing Chief Hensley on Administrative Leave is unusually vague and clearly politically motivated. Public statements made by various City officials regarding this action have been misleading, and in some cases false. Rumors circulating in the community that Chief Hensley is the subject of a criminal investigation are completely false.”

While rumors seemingly run amok,

Tulare

Continued from 1 he represents, lacks membership on city boards and commissions.

“My goal is to find someone who’s going to have a good understanding of some of the issues. We want to be able to grow on the west side,” he said. “I want to be able to grow restaurants and development, some nice housing and other things that continue to grow.”

While even representation is a laudable goal, others on the Council say there just aren’t enough citizens willing to volunteer. Nunley cited the response to recent calls for applicants.

“We just went through the application process for one member of the BPU, a member of the Planning Commission and then Measure I. We had six applicants to fill those seats, or seven,” he said. “There’s not a lot of people raising their hands out there.”

Beating the Bushes

Councilwoman Maritsa Castellanoz says a lack of citizen response to calls for volunteers limits what the Council can do. It cannot make appointments without applicants, she said.

“We didn’t get a great pool of candidates,” Castellanoz said. “It is important to have representation from every district, but sometimes we just don’t have that flexibility.”

Macedo, however, says council members may need to be more active in the hunt for volunteers.

“When you talk about not having people from your district, you can talk about that, but you can’t say that without saying, ‘Where did the applications come from?’” he said. “That could be changing, and maybe that’s our job to go and fill that applicant pool.”

Quorum Concern

When the Council reorganized the BPU, it did so by removing two of its long-term members. That led to the resignation of the entire BPU, with two of its members eventually returning. That reorganization, which came while the city was considering a $20 million contract to sell gas from its waste treatment facility, led to accusations the move was politically motivated.

the Voice has reported the City of Tulare’s attorney, Heather Phillips, as saying the reason for the chief ’s being placed on leave is a personnel matter, and not criminal in nature. However, the explicit reasoning continues to remain confidential.

As for it being politically motivated, Lampe said in an interview, he did not wish to comment further at this time, but the council will know the meaning.

If things go “further, we will have a public forum.”

City Manager Joe Carlini stated that it was he who put the Chief on leave. But, beyond that, he could not comment on the matter. He directs those with concerns to the city attorney.

According to the release: “Under the Peace Officers Bill of Rights (Government Code §§33003312), Chief Hensley has the right to

an administrative appeal if the City attempts to remove him or take other punitive action against him. Chief Hensley will insist that any such administrative appeal take place in a public forum, so that the citizens of Tulare will be able to determine the improper motives of various City officials.”

The release further stated: “The City, of course, can avoid further embarrassment by promptly reinstating its Chief of Police.”

When asked what embarrassment the city had already suffered with regard to the matter, Lampe replied, “I do not want to make a public comment at this time.”

The police chief is receiving his full pay while on administrative leave. Captain Barry Jones, who is acting in the police chief ’s capacity, has received a temporary raise in pay.

Carlini stated that is how it should be.

“This is a process,” he said. “Everyone needs to just be patient.”

Philips previously stated she was searching for an outside investigator “who would be as neutral as possible.”

Whether that person has been found is yet to be confirmed.

Hensley has served Tulare PD since 1991 – for 26 years. He took over as Tulare interim chief in the spring/summer of 2015, and was sworn in as permanent chief following the resignation of former chief, Jerry Breckinridge, in November of that year.

The Tulare City Council remains silent on the issue.

Councilman Jose Sigala stated that he could not comment on the issue.

Councilman Greg Nunley voiced the same response.

Councilman Macedo expressed his concern the Council stay neutral in its dealings with the Planning Commission.

“I would caution council members against trying to direct members of the Planning Commission, because we are the appellate board,” he said. “We have to be very cautious of that.”

Should the Council decide to reduce the Planning Commission to just five members, Macedo would like to avoid removing the current commissioners. Three of the seven members currently serving on the Planning Commission have terms expiring on December 31, and he would like to allow them to complete their service.

Chuck Miguel, current vice-chair of the Planning Commission, did have one warning for the Council.

“My only concern with going from seven to five is creating quorums,” he said.

Occasionally, Miguel said, he has had to attend a Planning Commission meeting he would otherwise have missed in order to ensure a quorum. A five-member Commission would need three members present for a quorum.

The seven-member Commission now requires four.

“All I ask is the Council do what’s in the best interest of the city, do no harm,” he said. “Our city’s been through a lot lately.”

with our hospital. It’s going down the drain quickly. It might not even survive.’”

Sigala, who faced push-back from fellow council members who believe requesting an audit would interfere with TLHCD business, also wanted it known the city is not trying to take over District operations.

“This is not a motion or an item for the city of Tulare to run the hospital,” he said. “The intent of this item is for our city council to take a position and a stand as representatives of taxpayers and patients.”

body wants help. He also said he was glad his persistence has prompted the Council to at least have a discussion about TLHCD. “I do feel better that it’s taken four months since I first brought this item four months ago for some of these council members to realize there is a problem,” he said. “I think for me that’s at least some victory, because four months ago there wasn’t even any thought about (TLHCD) with some of my colleagues.”

This brought an angry response from Macedo.

“You don’t get to make that statement, because we all knew there was a problem at the hospital,” he said. “You may not have had support for a letter, but you don’t get to make the statement that we all thought the hospital was well and good.”

Castellanoz then accused Sigala of using issues at TLHCD as a springboard for achieving higher elected offices.

“Jose Sigala is running for a higher office,” she said. “For me, it seems like you’re using this as a platform for your campaign.”

No Hospital Audit Letter Yet

In the other long discussion of the night, the Council decided it needs to meet with the TLHCD Board of Directors before it will pen a letter to the state Joint Legislative Audit Committee requesting it investigate spending at TLHCD. The District is currently seeking protection under Chapter 9 of the US Bankruptcy Code after Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA), the company that runs the District, disclosed that TLHCD is insolvent and threatened to cease operations at Tulare Regional Medical Center.

“I think the people of Tulare want to know what’s going on,” said Councilman Sigala, who brought his original request for a letter to the Council four months ago. “We’re raising our hand and saying, ‘There’s something wrong

A Moot Point

With the District seeking bankruptcy protection, Councilman Macedo argued a state audit is no longer needed. He also said investors holding the TLHCD bonds are likely doing their own audit.

“If they are under bankruptcy, they will have a forensic accountant in there, and what you’re asking us to do is a moot point,” Macedo said. “Quite honestly, I can’t believe the bond holders haven’t jumped in and done their own audit, because they’re the ones in the end who are really holding the bag.”

With HCCA threatening to close the doors at Tulare Regional, the city has a vested interest in setting the record straight, said Councilman Nunley, and asking for an audit could not make the situation worse.

“Having a hospital is vital to this community for economic development, for growth, for people to want to live here,” he said. “(An audit request) doesn’t hurt anything. It needs to go all the way back to when that bond was funded by the bond holders.”

Crossing Lines

Mayor Carlton Jones, however, still wants a hands-off approach to HCCA and TLHCD. “I never like to, as a council, take a position that is giving a directive to a board that’s totally separate from the city,” he said.

That comment prompted Macedo to say he would support sending a letter to the Audit Committee if the TLHCD Board requests it. Sigala, who said he has been working closely with those on the TLHCD Board, says that

Joint Meeting Invitation

Macedo said he spent time recently with TLHCD Board member Mike Jamaica, but Jamaica didn’t discuss District business with him.

“He never once asked me for anything,” Macedo said. “I think maybe he didn’t feel comfortable.”

Macedo then proposed a joint meeting between the Council and the TLHCD Board to discuss what action the Council might take to help the District keep Tulare Regional open.

“We as a council should work with that board to ensure there’s a hospital,” he said.

The TLHCD Board has not discussed the invitation yet, and the City Council agenda for October 17 did not include a joint meeting. The TLHCD Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at various locations.

Agendas are posted on the Board’s website, https://sites.google.com/view/ tlhcd/home.

The next meeting of the Tulare City Council is 7pm Tuesday, November 7, at the Tulare Public Library, 491 North M Street.

19 October, 2017

Valley Voice • 11

Comments & Letters

26th District Deserves Leadership

USE YOUR VOICE

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

“ “

I think all the current hcca employees should be told who the Fresno potential interim firm is so they can get applications/résumés in. The sooner that starts, the smoother and easier the transition will be. On the down-low of course. Don’t rattle Benny’s chain.

”

— Lisa Ayers on HCCA Stays In Tulare Pending Further Hearing

Kevin Northcraft is a lair plain and simple. He is leading this community down a road where no one wins. Northcraft needs to grow up and learn to work with the management company (HCCA) that was hired by the board. A contract is a contract even if you don’t agree with it so suck it up and start playing nice.

Get a loan like HCCA wanted over 3 months ago, start selling assets, or close the Hospital.

Them’s your choices no matter who’s managing the Hospital.

Embrace it… you own it Northcraft

”

— Truth Be Told on HCCA Stays In Tulare Pending Further Hearing

“Ban Chlorpyrifos” Carol Hoffman We need our farmers and we need our farmworkers. At the same time, we need to protect them and our children in our agriculture communities against Chlorpyrifos, a dangerous neurotoxic pesticide. Chlorpyrifos is being applied year-round on crops in CA and US, with approximately 1.1 million pounds applied in CA in 2015. An estimated 8 million pounds is applied on more than 50 crops annually throughout the US. It is sold as Lorsban, Brodan, Dursban, Empire, Warhawk , and many other names.

Pesticide drift accounts for 66% of human exposure and illnesses. Drift travels to nearby homes, schools, and other populated areas. In 2016, air monitoring at Shafter High School in Kern County documented levels of Chlorpyrifos at 18 times higher than the EPA’s level of concern for pregnant women. The smell of Chlorpyrifos has been described as ‘slightly skunky’.

Short-term toxicity at low-levels can cause flu-like symptoms, blurred vision, inability to concentrate, distress, and muscle tremors. Higher doses can lead to respiratory paralysis, and even death.

Chlorpyrifos is damaging the developing brains of our children. It is associ-

ated with lower birth rates, full scale IQ, pervasive developmental disorder, loss of working memory, ADHD, and autism.

The 1996 Food Quality Protection Act, unanimously passed in Congress, requires the EPA to protect children from unsafe exposures to pesticides.

In 2016 the EPA confirmed that there were no safe uses of Chlorpyrifos. Bills SB1624, and HR 3380 have been currently introduced to prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos. Congress shouldn’t have to act, but Scott Pruitt, EPA’s new administrator, decided to reject the American Academy of Pediatrics “deeply alarming” concerns, peer reviewed scientific studies, farmworker organizations, and their own EPA scientists.

Teachers, pregnant women, farmworkers, and other agriculture community members have attended hearings at the Department of Pesticide Regulation in Sacramento to speak out against this neurotoxic pesticide. As of now, Pruitt wants to “keep studying” chlorpyrifos and not take any action until 2022.

We cannot afford to play the “delay” game. The science is clear. Human health is “at risk”. We cannot wait another 5 years. We must act now!! BAN CHLORPYRIFOS!!!

As a constituent of the 26th Congressional District and an elected Supervisor (5th District) of Inyo County, I am disappointed with our State Assembly Representative Devon Mathis.

My disappointment stems not from his political leanings, but from his lack of effort and understanding of his job as a public servant. Well into his second term, his lack of purpose and engagement are becoming apparent.

Consider that twice in last 60 days on the days of important and historic votes scheduled in the legislature , the representative of the 26th District was not only unsure of his vote, but was promising to vote one way in the morning and then changed his mind later in the day. These were not one of the 2000 plus bills that are considered every year by our legislators; no, in both cases the bills in question will have lasting effects on every California citizen.

I am trying to picture a serious and committed public servant waking up in the morning and thinking, “gee, I wonder how I ought to vote on Cap and Trade today?” at the very least his vote could have been leveraged for a benefit for the residents living in the 26th District, for instance a redefinition of Disadvantaged Communities that would allow our rural and struggling communities to better compete for the billions in grant funding the Cap and Trade legislation generates.

He will point to the elimination of the Fire Fee as a victory, but the governor had included that provision early on.

Mr. Mathis’s vote on AB649 follows the same pattern. This bill, sponsored by the telecom industry, guarantees lowcost (almost free) access to all municipal and county right-of -ways to the telecommunication industry, for the deployment of 5G technology. Sounds good on the surface, but this wonderful gift to the telecom industry allows them to pick and choose the most lucrative locations to deploy, and restricts local government from charging free market prices and from leveraging the use of their right-of-way to get even minimal cell service to unserved/underserved communities. Again, our representative’s vote, at least, could been used to

Inyo County Supervisor Matt Kingsley gain some benefit for his constituents , such as funding for better cell coverage, broadband, or telemedicine for our underserved populations.

I appreciate the pressures and difficulties in understanding legislation.

That is why Rep. Mathis is afforded the funding to hire staff for research and advice. I also recognize the need to engage in negotiations, sometimes on legislation one may not support , especially when you are in the minority position. But that negotiation should produce some benefit that is identifiable to the citizens he represents. Our representative may have engaged in some negotiations--but to what end? To date I have not heard a real, quantifiable or logical explanation for his vote in support of Cap and Trade.

In a tearful press conference after his vote, Rep. Mathis explained that his vote was for his friends. And neighbors. He must hang out with lobbyists and live near the governor.

It is unclear why our representative continues to both waver and misrepresent his intentions on such important issues. In legislation cited here, powerful and wealthy businesses and special interest organizations had a vested interest in influencing our representative’s vote.

How they influenced his vote is questionable, but that they influenced his vote is undeniable. What seems clear is that the beneficiaries are not the citizens of the 26th District.

It is not without hesitation and discomfort that I write this op-ed regarding a fellow elected official. I respect Rep. Mathis’s duty to engage, negotiate, advocate and vote on complex and significant issues.

But the 26th District deserves leadership that can recognize opportunities, build relationships, engage fellow legislators as well as industry leaders and cooperators, and communicate with our citizens. As a voter and public servant in the 26th District, I encourage Rep. Mathis to step up to the plate or step down. We need and deserve leaders who have the energy, interest and capacity to provide real leadership.

Veteran’s Corner: Veterans Day Events Scott Holwell Veterans Day, November 11th, is set aside to thank and honor all men and women who served honorably in the military.

In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those

who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty. As we salute America’s heroes on Veterans Day, there are many activities the community is encouraged to participate in.

On Veterans Day, November 11th, the Hanford Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5869 will host the Fourth Annual Veterans Festival at the Kings County Fairgrounds.

The Festival starts at 10:30 and runs until 4:30 pm.

There will be music, food, raffles throughout the day, motorcycle and car clubs, bounce houses, drill team competition, and numerous other family oriented activities.

There will be no Veteran “Stand Down” this year. Admission and parking is free.

Also on Veterans Day, November 11th, American Legion Post 3, Hanford is also conducting a Veterans Day Com-

memoration themed, “One Team, One Fight”, at the Hanford Cemetery “Tank” at 10:00 am, featuring U.S. Navy Command Master Chief David Coduff, as guest speaker.

For more information call 583-1169.

To finish up the day, the City of Lemoore and American Legion Post 100, Lemoore are hosting the 5th Annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Lemoore at 6:00 pm.

Pertricipation in the parade is free, as long as the entrant maintains a patriotic theme.

For more information contact Rick Plummer: 559-924-9227; Bill Overby: 559-639-3934 or Lemoore Parks and Recreation at (559) 924-6767.

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

Political Fix Continued from 3

plaintiff $4896.80.

But Mr. Jones still refused to pay.

The plaintiff had to go back to court and garnish his wages.

Mr. Jones ended up paying a total of $5896.71 through monthly payments forcibly taken out of his pay check. The case did not close until April of 2014.

But the interesting part of this suit was the correspondence between the plaintiff and Mr. Jones submitted as proof she attempted to collect on the loan before she filed the small claims case.

In a polite email she says, “Any chance you can make some kind of cash or money order payment to me for the July loan?”

Mr. Jones responded the next day: “The bad about it is that you told me I was one of the few clients you would do.

You have issues. LoveGod” People who have called the Valley Voice over the years do not want to leave their names, many of his victims won’t file charges, and I did not want to publish the names involved in these suits even though it is public record.

Why? Because they all fear for their physical safety.

These good people don’t fear for their safety from some mystery man working behind the scenes. This is their mayor who has been behaving like this

19 October, 2017 out in the open for over a decade.

Those who have been physically and verbally abused by Mr. Jones say it is a gross abuse of political power and his physical stature. In addition to that, my encounter with Mr. Jones revealed a complete disconnect with the truth. He chastises people who speak it, and won’t respond to publications who print it.

But I can’t say the same isn’t true for Tulare residents’ relationship with the truth.

These court cases and violent out bursts, save one, all happened years before he was re-elected to the Tulare City Council in 2014, and before the City Council appointed him mayor.

Imagine if you will, just for a minute, Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler choking his wife or telling a local business woman she “would do” him.”

It kind of takes your breath away, doesn’t it?

At the end of the DA’s spousal abuse case it states, “The defendant explained to T.C. ‘the madness is over. I’m not going to hurt you.’”

Is it over?

Wes Side Story

I only had one date in my four years of high school.

Colleen, my best friend, wanted to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance and make it a double date. She already had someone to go with and we had to brain-

storm over who I could ask. There was a boy in my Biology class who had kind of weird hair but he was tall. He also talked to me a few times which made him prospect #1.

I still remember the two of us standing in front of the door of our Biology class and my trying to get the words to leave my mouth. Even though I felt like I was going to faint, I finally mumbled something about Sadie Hawkins.

He said yes.

Who was my date?

Tulare Police Chief Wes Hensley.

Now while Mr. Hensley is obviously a complete loser because he never asked me on a second date, he did seem honest-like one of those bores who follow the rules and does everything by the book.

So when I heard that Tulare City Manager Joe Carlini put Mr. Hensley on administrative leave I smelled a rat.

In a cryptically written press release by his lawyer, Michael Lampe, it was confirmed that Mr. Hensley’s alleged offense was not criminal.

That means Mr. Hensley didn’t beat his wife or mistress, drive drunk, embezzle funds or sell drugs. (I told you – boring.)

That only leaves an administration offense which could include being mean to an employee, incompetence, harassment, or disrespectful language, i.e. typical male behavior.

So the brain trust running Tulare

decided to have Mr. Hensley sit at home at a cost of approximately $10,000 a month because he might have been mean to an employee?

Just exactly how many ways is it possible to screw the Tulare taxpayers? There is the hospital contract, the missing $85 million in bond money, the Tulare cemetery, and now this?

Didn’t Tulare just go through paying a huge sum of money for the former Tulare Police Chief, Jerry Breckinridge, to sit at home?

They paid him approximately $70,000 to sit on his kiester while the city also paid close to the same amount for his replacement.

Let’s take the worst case scenario and say Mr. Hensley is as guilty as a lying dog. So send him to bed without dessert, make him apologize, and put him back to work.

Mr. Lampe, who knows the details of why Mr. Hensley was put on leave, said in the same carefully worded press release that the reasons were “clearly politically motivated.”

That means that Mr. Carlini, was not the one calling the shots, but rather someone who had a political motive to put Mr. Hensley on paid administrative leave, such as a city council member.

We do not know yet who that city council member might be, but I don’t think the answer is going to surprise anyone.

A Weekend Away Nearby Hot Springs Are A Health Benefit For Many Nancy Vigran Hot springs and their therapeutic uses have been touted for centuries. A first mention of hot springs found in Taiwan was noted in a 1697 manuscript. Development of a small local spa, however, did not take place there until the 1890’s. Likewise, a hot spring spa opened in Osaka, Japan during the same decade.

Hot springs are found throughout the world. The definition varies, but most often is some version of a spring with water temperatures above the air temperature and/or average human body temperature.

While many are a temperature safe to relax in, others may be too hot. Hot springs are geothermally warmed, or warmed by rocks heated by the Earth’s mantle. Those heated in active volcanic zones generally are the ones too hot for use.

In addition to the warmth of the water relaxing the muscles, hot water dissolves more solids than cold, making hot springs higher in mineral content. Many believe in the medicinal values of these minerals in recovering from injuries, or reducing pain and inflammation of arthritis. Soaking in a hot spring can be wonderful therapy, for a number of reasons.

The heat and subsequent sweating have a deep-cleansing effect on the skin, as well as the entire body-to-mind realm.

Hot springs and their therapeutic properties have been written up in med-

ical papers for decades.

In a 2014 paper, Scientific Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body, the abstract reports in the North American Journal of Medical Sciences: The use of water for various treatments (hydrotherapy) is probably as old as mankind. Hydrotherapy is one of the basic methods of treatment widely used in the system of natural medicine, which is also called as water therapy, aquatic therapy, pool therapy, and balneotherapy. Use of water in various forms and in various temperatures can produce different effects on different system of the body. Many studies/reviews reported the effects of hydrotherapy only on very few systems and there is lack of studies/reviews in reporting the evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems. We performed PubMed and PubMed central search to review relevant articles in English literature based on “effects of hydrotherapy/balneotherapy” on various systems of the body. Based on the available literature this review suggests that the hydrotherapy has a scientific evidence-based effect on various systems of the body.

The report went on to reveal positive results of hydrotherapy on the cardiovascular system with an increase in blood

HOT SPRINGS continued on C4 »

The planetarium shows at Morrison Planetarium are some of the most popular explorations at the California Academy of Sciences. Courtesy/California Academy of Sciences

Lesser Known Sights and Attractions of San Francisco San Francisco is a destination city for visitors from around the world. There are many well-known common sites to see including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Warf, Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, Alcatraz and Union Square. But there is also an abundance of smaller museums, gardens and spots you might want to take in, next time you go.

Nancy Vigran

California Academy of Sciences

Here they boast “an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum— all under one living roof.” Indeed, located in Golden Gate Park at 55 Music Concourse Drive, it would take several days to see all it has to offer. It’s open daily,

SAN FRANCISCO continued on C3 »

The Central Coast Offers Year-Round Whale Watching Staff Reports

Some think of whale watching as a late winter-springtime event, but truth-be-told, there are whale watching adventures off the Central Coast year-round.

Now through the end of the year, tours offer trips out of Monterey Bay to view Humpbacks, Blue Whales and dolphins. Humpbacks and blues migrate each fall to the California waters to feed off of anchovies and krill.

Blues measure 75-100 feet long and weigh 100 to 150 tons, while humpbacks are a bit smaller, 40-50 feet long and weighing up to 40 tons. It is the humpback that is most famous for their communication through amazingly complex songs.

Killer Whales (orca), Minke Whales, and Fin Whales may also be seen during this time.

A variety of dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, seals and otter are present most of the year and are also seen on tours and off the coastline, along with numerous bird species.

Gray Whales start migrating through the area in mid-December through May. Grays have one of the longest animal migrations known, traveling some 10,000 – 14,000 miles

from their summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea off Alaska, to their winter breeding grounds in Baja California and back again. They feed on small crustaceans and tube worms along the bottom and hug the shores, making them often available for viewing directly from the shore. Gray whales reach 45-50 feet in length and weigh 30-40 tons.

On-shore locations best noted for viewing include Point Sal State Beach, Estero Bluffs State Beach, Harmony Headlands State Beach, the Big Sur Coast, Point Lobos, Pebble Beach and Asilomar State Beach. These are day parks, but there are an abundance of overnight options close by including camping, RV parks, and rustic and modern lodges and motels.

Off-shore boat tours are offered from Avila Beach, Morro Bay, Monterey Bay and Moss Landing on the Central Coast, but actually are available all up and down the California coast including off the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Mendocino.

Full day and half-day trips, or 2 1/23-hour tours, are available from most tour operators. Some trips may be on larger power-motor boats, while others may be small with as little as six passengers aboard a sailing vessel.

Blue whales may be seen off the Central California Coast during the fall to mid-winter months, such as this photographed in Morro Bay. Courtesy/Michael L. Baird

When preparing for a whale watching tour, here are some considerations: • Dress in layers - it may be warm before you set out to sea, but can get quite cold on the water.

• Rubber soled shoes - the deck will undoubtedly get wet, and you want to avoid slipping.

• Wear sunscreen - the water reflects the sun’s rays and can intensify it. Cloudy days can even be worse with UV rays passing through. Bring it along as well – to reapply more as the hours wear on.

• Make sure your camera and/

or binoculars have straps and you use them – you don’t want them too fall overboard.

• Don’t forget fresh batteries and memory card for your camera to capture all you want to.

• Take a motion sickness remedy, if you are susceptible or bring some along, if you don’t take ahead of the trip.

Most tours allow children, although the very young may be prohibited. Some trips may also prohibit pregnant women. Be sure to check these issues out before you book a trip.

19 October, 2017

C2 • Valley Voice

California Festivals Worth A Day or Weekend Trip hands-on carving time will enable you to complete a perching Mourning Dove.

There are a lot more activities with this festival including an art show. Visit www.cranefestival.com/index.php for more information and to register for specific tours or events.

Staff Reports In the South Valley, residents are blessed to have a variety of annual festivals taking place throughout the year – the recent Exeter Fall Festival and Springville Apple Festival, and Lindsay’s Orange Blossom Festival in the spring are a few examples. Neighboring areas have celebrations, too. Perhaps the best known in the state is the Gilroy Garlic Festival in July, or the Jumping Frog Celebration in Calaveras County in May. There are many others. While there are similarities: 5K or 10K runs, music, arts and crafts – there are also differences, especially in foods and sometimes in events. Below are a few upcoming festivals worth a day or weekend visit:

Saturday, Nov. 4: 10am – 5pm Madera Pomegranate Festival at the Madera District Fairgrounds Yes, it’s all about the pomegranate – well, and nuts, too! The pomegranate has been used in folk medicine for centuries in the Middle East, India and Iran. The health giving properties of the pomegranate are celebrated in a Jewish fairy tale, and it takes its place in Indian Ayurvedic medicine.

The pomegranate provides a substantial amount of potassium, is high in fiber, and contains Vitamin C and niacin.

Madera is in the heart of pomegranate country, and the annual Madera Pomegranate Festival celebrates the connection to the heart-healthy fruit.

There will be numerous vendors selling pomegranate-related items, food, live music and there is the always entertaining Pomegranate Grenade Launch.

The festival features a full day of delicious pomegranate food and nuts, cooking demonstrations from local chefs, educational briefings on pomegranates and fun for the whole family.

There will be pomegranate and nut-inspired foods and products to taste and purchase. Learn about the flavors of pomegranates and local nuts such as almonds, pistachios, and walnuts through the live cooking demonstrations. Learn new recipes. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.pomegranatefestival.com/.

November 2-4: Big Sur Food & Wine Festival

This year’s Big Sur Food & Wine Festival will be the event of the year for the area as they celebrate a new bridge and the resiliency of the Big Sur

Indio’s International Tamale Festival, held December 2 & 3 this year, is ranked in the Top 10 Food Network’s “All American Food Festivals.” Courtesy/Indio International Tamale Festival

community.

Crane Festival has celebrated the reThursday 10am – Magical Mystery turn of the cranes. In partnership with Tour - Shuttles will whisk you away to the City of Lodi, the Festival consome of Big Sur’s most spectacular and tinues this November, welcoming an unique properties. One-part Hiking ever-growing circle of friends to the with Stemware, one-part Garden Party, community to share the wonder of the one-part mystery. You will experience Sandhill Crane ... and so much more. wine and food tasting in amazing priThis is a bird watchers paravate North Coast Properties that are dise with a variety of special events open to only you and only on this day. including: Friday 6-10pm – A Return to the 2:30pm - A Friday or Saturday AfBig Sur Jazz Festival at the Henry Miller ternoon with the Sandhill Cranes and Library. While the rest of the PeninsuWorld reknowned la is celebrating the Crane Expert Paul anniversary of the Tebbel – a fourSummer of Love, hour plus, small here they will be group tour. Move celebrating fond about the Delta in memories of the a passenger van, great years of the to observe cranes Big Sur Jazz Festiresting, eating, val. For those who dancing, parenting, remember, lucky disputing territory, enough to have and the myriad of attended or just other fascinating wished you had, and intricate bethere may be no- Every year in November, Lodi celebrates the haviors that they where more special return of Sandhill Cranes with a weekend display during than under the Big festival of birdwatching, workshops, food and the “great winter Sur redwoods to fun. 2017 Sandhill Crane Logo by Dana Gardrendezvous.” enjoy jazz, food and ner. Courtesy/Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival 7:30am – Satwine with friends. urday or Sunday Saturday 10:30am – 3:30pm – Hikmorning Birdwalk Through the Wiling with Stemware - A truly unique event derness for all skill levels. Bring your on the amazing Rancho Rico property. binoculars and enjoy a leisurely walk on A condor has been seen perched on the flat ground through the old growth rifence near the barn and red-tailed hawks parian habitat at Lodi Lake Wilderness can be seen playing above the ridges of Area with a local birding expert. Learn this spectacular property, home of the the basics, or hone your skills in idennow famed Big Sur Fiddle Camp. The tifying the many birds that reside or Festival is always grateful to the Chapfrequent this outstanding area, which pellet family for hosting this event, and is also home to other species, including delicious lunch to follow. Limited to deer, beaver, fox, possums and turtles, to 36 guests. name only a few.

There’s more - visit www.bigsur1:40pm – Sunday Bird Carving foodandwine.org/events/ for more Workshop - Join master carvers from information. the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association to learn how to carve a bird from wood.

November 3-5: Lodi Sandhill All the necessary materials including a Crane Festival study guide and carving knives will be For 20 years, Lodi’s Sandhill provided. Short lectures with lots of

November 17-19: Auburn Mountain Mandarin Festival at the Gold Country Fairgrounds

Some of the sweetest mandarin fruit comes from the golden hills of Placer County, east of Sacramento. The annual Mandarin Festival in Auburn celebrates the crop with an outdoor / indoor event containing thousands of mandarin recipes in contests, foods you can buy and eat, and sweet 10 pound bags of mandarins to take home with you.

A little known fact is that 10 ounces of mandarin juice contains as much synephrine as a Sudafed decongestant tablet. Placer’s popular Owari Satsuma mandarins pack a jolt of synephrine, a natural antihistamine that relieves cold and allergy symptoms.

A Mandarin Recipe cooking contest, professional chef demonstrations, food, artisan crafts, and activities featuring the Mandarin orange, a Peel & Eat contest, live music and entertainment are focused on the region’s healthy crop.

Smell the citrus in the air and discover chocolate-covered fresh Mandarins, Mandarin pizza, pulled pork, and English Scones with Mandarin Curd. Visitors can take home Mandarin BBQ sauces, syrups, olive oils, dressings and dozens of other Mandarin inspired concoctions.

Admission - $8; parking - $6. For more information, visit www.mandarinfestival.com/.

December 2-3: Indio International Tamale Festival

Saturday - 10am – 6pm; Sunday – 10am – 5pm - It all started in 1992 with an idea by Dave Hernandez, a member of the Downtown Indio Merchants Association. The rich heritage of the tamale, consistent community support and hard-working tamale makers have created the festival’s tremendous success.

Recently, the Food Network-TV ranked the Indio International Tamale Festival in the Top 10 “All-American Food Festivals” in the nation!

Beside a vast array of tamales, there is also other food and drink, a farmers’ market, music and entertainment, Art in the Park, a car show, Kiddieland and a carnival.

Cooking with pomegranates is just one of the highlights of Madera’s Pomegranate Festival to be held Saturday, Nov. 4. Courtesy/Madera Chamber of Commerce

19 October, 2017

Valley Voice • C3

San Francisco Continued from C1

Monday – Saturday from 9:30am – 5pm, and Sundays, 11am – 5pm.

There’s a diversity of ongoing exhibits including Water Planet, Animal Attraction, Human Odyssey, The Swamp, Gems and Minerals Unearthed, and the Color of Life.

The Morrison Planetarium features a 75-foot dome which displays “one of the most accurate digital Universes ever created.” The planetarium shows are included in general admission.

The Osher Rainforest is a four-story vibrant rainforest with free-flying birds and butterflies. Here there are more than 1,600 species of critters and plant life.

Frogs, chameleons and tree boas climb among the plants, as well as beetles, silk orb-weaver spiders. Amazonian fish species swim past in waterways that run overhead. This 90-foot dome maintains a constant 82-85F degrees, and 75% humidity, and is the largest of its kind in the world.

Close to 40,000 species live in the Steinhart Aquarium where a variety of ecosystems are located from a Philippine Coral Reef, the California Coast and Rainforests of the World.

It is also home to an African Penguin exhibit and here is where kids can have all of the fun! Penguins and Pajamas Sleepovers are for kids only, unless you are lucky enough to be an adult supervisor. Included in this Academy of Sciences sleepover is an overnight stay in one of the exhibit areas and live-animal demonstrations. The Osher Rainforest remains open for the group until 8pm. There are planetarium showings, a late night snack and early morning breakfast. Overnight parking is included in Music Concourse Garage, and the group has next day admission to the Academy.

Other nighttime activities include NightLife, Behind-the-Scenes Tours and various lectures and workshops.

Admission runs from $35.95 for adults; $30.95 for seniors, students and youth. Members visit the Academy anytime for free. Special events may cost extra.

Visit the California Academy Sciences website, www.calacademy.org/, for more information.

San Francisco Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens is a living museum within Golden Gate Park. Located near the Japanese Tea Garden and

the California Academy of Sciences, near the corner of Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way, the Botanical Gardens open daily year-round at 7:30am. There are 55 acres of grounds containing more than 8,000 different plant species from around the world.

Because of San Francisco’s unique mild temperatures, plant species are able to thrive, when not being able to live at any other locations, including several endangered species. The plant life is kept in various collections throughout the facility including the Magnolia collection, and two Cloud Forest collections – one for Mesoamerican plant life, another for the Andean collection.

Mediterranean Climate habitats include Australia, and Chilean collections.

The High Elevation Palms includes some palms that grow up at an elevation of 11,000 feet in their native habitats.

One special collection is the Ancient Plant Garden. Here there are many non-extinct living plant groups some of which are known as “living fossils.” For example, you may find Chinese Rhubarb, Gunnera tinctoria, also known as Dinosaur Food. The plant has five-foot long leaves, with teeth on the underparts. A native to Central and South America, it is said to grow like a weed there. These plants are cut back in winter, and grow back with a vengeance in early spring.

The South African Garden shows off with shocking pink fall blooms in November with the Guernsey Lily, Nerine bowdenii. Not a true lily, it is more closely related to Amaryllis.

The Botanical Gardens offers docent-led tours, or you may enjoy the gardens at your own leisure. If you are a botany lover, you probably will not be able to see it all in one afternoon.

Visit the Botanical Gardens website at https://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/.

Cartoon Art Museum

Moving this fall to its new location one block from Ghirardelli Square and the Aquatic Park, at 781 Beach Street, the Cartoon Art Museum first opened in 1984. It has been closed since 2015. It claims to have something for everyone, “from comic strips, comic books and anime to political cartoons, graphic novels and underground commix.”

Organized by a group of cartoon art enthusiasts, the museum maintains some 7,000 original cartoon pieces in its permanent collection. The collection includes original Disney animation art from the collection of Mike Glad; historic comic strip art from Charles Schulz (Pea-

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nuts), Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes), Walt Kelly (Pogo), George Herriman (Krazy Kat) and Winsor McCay; political cartoons from Bill Mauldin and Lou Grant; comic book art from Bob Kane, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. It is managed by a board of trustees and has an advisory board of cartoonists, graphic artists, historians and authors.

Through its history, the museum has produced nearly 200 exhibitions on topics ranging from politics and sports to children’s literature and Latino culture. It maintains a research library and hosts a variety of public programs.

More about the Cartoon A detour into history on Mason Street at the San FrancisCable Car Museum. Courtesy/San Francisco Cable Car Art Museum can be found at co Museum www.cartoonart.org/. car systems are underway including gearbox rehabilitation scheduled to start this Cable Car Museum past September. Some lines may be down Alright, maybe this is a given with for up to eight-day periods throughout the continued modern-day use of cable the next two years. cars in the city, but there is a history of The museum attracts cable car and them at the Cable Car Museum located rail enthusiasts as it houses three antique at 1201 Mason St. Established in 1974, cable cars from the 1870’s - the only surthis museum is operated by the Friends of viving car from the first cable car compathe Cable Car Museum as a nonprofit ed- ny, the Clay Street Hill Railroad, No. 8 ucational facility. It is appropriately locat- grip car as well as the Sutter Street Railed in the old Washington/Mason cable way No. 46 grip car & No. 54 trailer. car barn and powerhouse on Nob Hill.

Also on display are various grips, track, History reveals the first cable car was cable, models, and a large collection of tested by Andrew Smith Hallidie on Clay historic photographs.

Street, in San Francisco, in August of For more information on the Cable 1873. Hallidie had entered into a part- Car Museum, visit www.cablecarmusenership to form the Clay Street Hill Rail- um.org/index.html. road, which started construction of a caThere is much more to see and do in ble line on Clay Street in May, 1873. Clay this “City by the Bay.” Each time you go, Street Hill Railroad began public service you may discover something new, while on September 1, 1873. Some 53 miles of visiting your favorite haunts. cable car track once traversed the city.

Repairs to maintain the current cable

California Hot Springs Resort & RV Park

Full RV hook-ups with water, sewer & electric.

Tent campers welcome with restrooms & natural hot spring-fed water for showers.

Full service deli for breakfast and lunch with indoor dining area.

Located on privately-owned property surrounded by the Sequoia National Forest at approximately 3.150’ elevation.

Fall hours - 9-4 weekdays; 9-5 weekends We will be closed Nov. 23; Dec. 18-26; Jan. 1

(661) 548-6582

www.cahotsprings.com

19 October, 2017

Hot Springs Continued from C1

flow, the muscular-skeletal system and the nervous system to name a few.

In conclusion, authors of the report, A Mooventhan and L Nivethitha, stated: Based on available literature, this review suggests that hydrotherapy was widely used to improve immunity and for the management of pain, CHF, MI, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, PD, AS, RA, OAK, FMS, anorectal disorders, fatigue, anxiety, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hyperthermia, labor, etc. It produces different effects on various systems of the body depending on the temperature of water and though these effects are scientifically evidence based, there is lack of evidences for the mechanism on how hydrotherapy improves these diseases, which is one of the limitations of hydrotherapy, and further studies are required to find the mechanism of hydrotherapy on various diseases.

California Hot Springs

In California, we are lucky to have several outlets of hot springs. Within the South Valley, California Hot Springs is a region named after its therapeutic springs – is a short distance and can be visited for a day, or longer. The area, first discovered by the Yokut Indians, was later founded by settlers in 1882, and developed as a health resort. The Yokuts would fill hollowed out logs to soak in, to relieve the pain of rheumatism caused by sleeping on the damp ground.

In 1902, a hotel was being built followed by a commercial center, swimming

Valley Voice • C4 pool, and therapeutic area around the springs in 1920. Fires destroyed the hotel in the ‘30s and commercial center in 1968. Abandoned for years, restoration began in the mid ‘80s and the facilities were reopened with a pool, RV Park and hot springs-fed showers, and a main building with a breakfast and lunch delicatessen, and dining area.

California Hot Springs Resort is open year-round. For more information, visit www.cahotsprings.com/index.html.

Paso Robles Hot Springs

When visiting the Paso Robles area, you may want to save an afternoon, or entire day, to spend at Franklin Hot Springs.

Opened since the 1960’s, this facility is open daily with a large swimming pool and a mortared hot tub pool. According to the facility website – “the water is a positive-charged, ionized mineral hot spring made up of potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and fluoride. It exits the ground at 100.1 F. and the swimming area stays at a constant 97.3 F. The hot tub stays at a constant 100.1 F.” Here there is also small boating and fishing on a pond with no license required.

Barbecuing is available and Franklin Hot Springs is open into the evening hours.

Overnight camping may be available, contact the facility for information. Visit franklinhotsprings.com/ for more.

Mono Hot Springs

Located between Kings Canyon and Yosemite, the Mono Hot Springs Resort is closed during the winter. It opens midMay each year and is available through October. Here you have the chance to stay in rustic cabins where pets are welcome; however, furry friends may not enter the

A view of the California Hot Springs pool from yesteryear. Courtesy/California Hot Springs Resort

spa or eating areas. There is also a campground located across from the resort along the San Joaquin River, managed by California Land Management The area was first discovered by the Mono Indians, who later shared the location with visitors, while only accessible by horseback in the 1920’s. Water from the hot springs are now piped into a bathhouse for soaking tubs, showers and an outdoor mineral spa surrounded by breath-taking views. Massage therapy is also available.

While closed now, you can book for the 2018 season. For more information, visit www.monohotsprings.com/.

Death Valley Hot Springs

Open year-round, but perhaps the best time to visit the Tecopa Hot Springs Resort, in Shoshone, is in the fall and winter, where the hot springs can ward off

the winter chill. Just east of the southern end of Death Valley, this resort offers hot springs, cabins, a motel, camping and RV park, and weekend dinning. There are private soaking tubs in the motel and a bathhouse. Water temperatures range between 101F and 104F per health department regulations. Twenty-four hour access to soaking is available to guests utilizing camping or lodging with no extra charge.

Day access to the facility is also available.

For more information, visit www.tecopahotsprings.org.

While the therapeutic properties of hot springs have long been established, for those with any medical condition, it would be best to consult your doctor before you partake in utilizing a hot springs spa. With a green light, a visit to one of many hot spring facilities would be well worth a try.

You may just become a regular.

Valley Scene

19 October, 2017

Kaweah Delta’s Pink Tea Party Oct. 22 at Visalia Convention Center Tickets are on sale for the Kaweah make every day count. I really try to talk Delta Health Care District’s 6th annual from the heart and try to leave audiencPink Tea Party. es with lessons that they can take home The Asian-themed tea party, with with them.” lion dancers and JapaTo add to the tea nese obon dancers, will party’s Asian theme, transform the Visalia guests are asked to bring Convention Center on handheld folding fans Sunday, Oct. 22. The and decorate them if event will educate the they wish. Guests with community about breast fans will have the opporcancer and celebrate tunity to participate in a those whose lives have parade of fans. The event been touched by it. will also include music, The keynote speakopportunity drawings, a er is Kim Becking, a Becking’s book has been featured photo booth and a walk nationally-recognized in publications such as People and of hope rose ceremony patient advocate and SELF. Courtesy/Kaweah Delta honoring those whose cancer survivor who has lives have been touched been honored by SELF and Lifetime by breast cancer. Roses will be sold for Television for her tireless commitment $5; proceeds from the sale will go to to breast cancer awareness. Her book, the Lost Girls Fund, created by the Lost “Nordies at Noon – the Personal Stories Girls Motorcycle Club. The fund helps of Four Women “Too Young” for Breast low-income women, in need and unable Cancer” has received national acclaim. to pay for a mammogram, receive one at “I really try to empower others to the Kaweah Delta Breast Center. make a difference and realize that after Doors open at 12:30 p.m. for the unanticipated changes in their own lives pink tea party, which begins at 1 p.m. they can not only thrive, but survive,” on Oct. 22 at 303 E. Acequia Ave. Insaid Becking, who is still taken aback dividual tickets are $25, while tables are by her life after breast cancer. “I’m con- $200. Purchase by calling 624-2098. tinuing to look forward and live life and Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Clarence Cryer as Hoke Colburn and Irene Morse as Daisy Werthan. Courtesy/Nancy Holley

Driving Miss Daisy to Run at Ice House Theater in Visalia Driving Miss Daisy became a household word after the movie with Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, and was again brought to the forefront in 2014 by Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones. The popularity of this play made it an easy choice for the Visalia Players’ 61st season.

The play opens in 1948 when Daisy has an accident described by her son, Boolie, as “Daisy Werthan, the only woman in the history of driving to demolish a three week old Packard, a two car garage, and a free standing tool shed in one fell swoop!”

Boolie decides to hire his mother a driver, Hoke Colburn. Daisy is not happy with the arrangement, “What I do not want – and absolutely will not have is some – some chauffeur sitting in my kitchen, gobbling my food, running up my phone bill.”

Nancy Holley

Nevertheless, as the play unfolds, the relationship between Daisy and Hoke grows in respect and love.

Two people from very different backgrounds – Daisy, Jewish and a product of her Southern culture; Hoke, African-American and struggling to find his place in society – are thrown together on a daily basis and eventually find common ground.

Irene Morse, who portrays Daisy, sees her as “set in her ways, but she allows herself to be changed by this experience. Sometimes she fights against it, but there is goodness in her that helps her see the goodness in Hoke and that helps dispel the bigotry and prejudice.”

When asked about the comedic moments of the play, Morse noted,

DAISY continued on B6»

TECH Connect students from Orosi High School show off the plants they potted to give away to local seniors at the Cutler-Orosi Senior Center. Courtesy/CSET

CSET Ready to Make A Difference in Tulare County Staff Reports

On Saturday, October 28, 2017, Community Services Employment Training (CSET) staff, partners, and volunteers will unite with millions of Americans in honor of Make A Difference Day, the nation’s largest day of volunteering. Local residents of all ages are invited to volunteer for community service projects scheduled across Tulare County.

Make A Difference Day, held annually on the fourth Saturday of October, connects people with opportunities to serve their neighbors, increases the strength of communities, and promotes civic engagement. CSET is ex-

cited to celebrate its 17th year as Tulare County’s project coordinator and will participate in fifteen projects including community clean-ups, electronic waste (e-waste) collections, resource fairs, planting trees, and more.

“We are proud to celebrate another year of supporting volunteer projects in our county, led by residents wanting to make a difference in their communities,” said CSET Executive Director Mary Alice Escarsega-Fechner. “Make A Difference Day brings people together through service projects that the whole family can participate in and enjoy.”

This year, CSET has joined

DIFFERENCE continued on B3»

Shrek Opens at Lindsay Community Theater Oct. 27 The Lindsay Community Theater proudly presents Shrek, the Musical on Oct 27, 28, Nov 3, and 4 at 7:30pm and Oct 29 and Nov 5 at 2:00pm.

Tickets are $13 Adults, $8 High School and College, and $5 Grade School and Jr. High. The Lindsay Community

Staff Reports

Theater is located at 190 N. Elmwood.

For information and tickets go to lindsaycommunitytheater.com or call 284 2223.

SHREK continued on B6»

19 October, 2017

B2 • Valley Voice

Virtual Reality Arrives at Tulare County Library in Visalia Staff Reports

Today’s Libraries now offer access to new technology that gives patrons innovative ways to explore the world to access and create information.

Virtual Reality (VR) is one of the latest technologies Libraries are now able to offer. Come find out more the Tulare County Library’s Visalia Branch.

Excited? You should be! Immersive virtual reality helps you experience zero G, reach out and touch alien life forms, and shrink to microscopic size and travel through the human bloodstream.

VR is not just about amazing experiences. There are programs to create 3D worlds and experiences.

Here are some things a user or creator can experience or create: • Farlands, an interactive research mission of a gorgeously rendered alien planet.

• Google Earth, virtually explore anywhere on Earth.

• Mission: ISS, take a trip into orbit and experience life on the International Space Station!

• Pantheon, create your own 3D landscapes.

• The Body VR, travel through different parts of the body.

• Quill, paint your masterpiece in virtual reality!

Tulare County Library’s Oculus Rift experience opens to the public

on Friday, October 13, at 4pm in the homework center (located in the Children’s Wing).

Please understand that the Oculus is not approved for use by children under 13. Patrons aged 13 and older may use the rift for up to 15 minutes at a time on a first come, first serve basis.

October & November schedule: • Friday, October 13th from 4-5:30 • Friday, October 20th from 4-5:30 • Tuesday, November 14th from 3:30-5:30 • Tuesday, November 21st from 3:30-5:30 So if you’ve ever wanted to experiment with Virtual Reality technology using an Oculus Rift and Oculus Touch, now you can, thanks to a California State Grant.

This grant emerged from a partnership between the State Library and Oculus VR, a division of Facebook, Inc. Managed by Califa, a nonprofit organization, and partially funded from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. The grant helped the Library provide this new technology.

The Tulare County Library serves all the citizens of Tulare County with locations in 17 communities, four book machines, and online at www. tularecountylibrary.org.

Visalia Chamber of Commerce To Host Second VISALIA SOUP The Visalia Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Visalia Convention Center, Fresno Pacific University - Visalia Campus and Cross City Church will host the second Visalia SOUP event on October 20, 2017.

Visalia SOUP supports Visalia’s best ideas to make our community stronger. Visalia SOUP raises money, builds community support and connects local resources to help entrepreneurs carry out their ventures.

Visalia SOUP supports the entrepreneurial spirit by creating a venue for the community to gather, listen to great ideas that support the community and to help fund projects that will make a lasting impact. The SOUP is a community-based crowdfunding dinner.

The idea, modeled after the program in Detroit, Michigan, is a way to promote community-based development through crowdfunding, creativity, collaboration, democracy, trust and fun.

To attend, a recommended donation of $5 gets you entry into the event, soup, bread and a vote.

Attendees will hear from four pre-

Staff Reports

senters, who have four minutes to describe their idea to the group (without the use of technology), and will answer four questions from the audience.

At the event, attendees eat, talk, share resources, and vote on the project they think is most deserving. At the end of the night, the ballots are counted and the winner goes home with all of the money raised to carry out their idea.

Winners come back to a future SOUP dinner to report on their project’s progress.

The second Visalia SOUP will be held on October 20, 2017 at the Tulare County Office of Education Redwood Conference Center located at 6200 S. Mooney Blvd.

Visalia SOUP is expected to be a large crowd, it is suggested that you reserve your seat in advance by going to www.visaliachamber.org/soup.

For more event details go to: http://www.visaliachamber.org/soup/ or call the Visalia Chamber of Commerce at 559-734-5876.

Coming to the Hanford Fox Theatre The Marshall Tucker Band

Friday Oct. 27 @ 8 pm $25 - $45

Phillip Phillips Sat. Nov. 4 @ 8 pm $63 - $153

Adventist Health event benefiting the Central Valley Health Foundation

Pink Martini

Fri., Dec. 1 @ 7 pm $42 - $65

Silent Movies

Hand-crank Projection!

Silent Comedies - Sat. Oct. 21 @ 7:30 pm $10/adults; $5/military, seniors, students Children 12 & under - free!

$5 Movies

The Junglebook (1967)- Saturday, October 21 @ 2 pm Ghostbusters - Saturday, October 28 @ 7pm

(559) 584-7823

www.foxhanford.com

19 October, 2017

Valley Voice • B3

Gabriella Karin, left, and Robert Geminder.

Holocaust Survivors to Speak at Cafe 210 in Visalia Two Holocaust Survivors return to Visalia on Friday, November 10 at 7pm to tell their stories in order to educate our young people about the dangers of fascism and intolerance.

The California Holocaust Education & Resource Center (501c3) provides our community with speakers, theater performance, film, and art exhibits — not just to entertain, but to develop awareness within the Central Valley population of adults and students about the consequences of persecution and hatred which escalated into genocide during World War II. Gabriella Karin and Robert Geminder both survived the Holocaust in Europe.

Gabriella was born in Bratislava, Slovak Republic, and now lives in Los Angeles. By the age of 14, she had experienced the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust. For three years, she

was hidden in a convent and then for nine months, Karol Blanar risked his life to provide her with a safe haven.

Robert was born in Poland in 1935. His normal life ended when he was four and the Germans forced his family from their home. Robert, his mother and brother survived the war in Poland. They escaped from the Stanislaw Ghetto and escaped from a train that was just 100 yards from Auschwitz. Robert had many experiences during that six year period that somehow enabled him to stay alive.

They will be speaking at the Cafe 210 (located at 210 West Center St., Visalia). The tickets are $10 for adults and FREE for students (10-18 yrs.)

Tickets/Info Cynthia 559-308-1333.

Please bring spare buttons to donate toward the Holocaust Memorial Button Project.

West Hills Coalinga Harvest Festival Brings Halloween Fun Staff Reports

West Hills College Coalinga’s Farm of the Future is offering a bit of pre-Halloween fun this October with its annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28.

The festival will be held from 3pm to 7pm on the 27th and from 10am to 2pm on the 28th at the Farm of the Future at 518 W. Gale Ave. and will feature a corn maze and pumpkins for sale.

“This is our way of giving back to the community and thanking them for

More than 40 years in Downtown Visalia

supporting our efforts throughout the year,” said Terry Brase, Interim Director of the Farm of the Future.

A walk through the corn maze, designed by WHCC students, costs 50 cents per person and is free for children under 5.

Small pumpkins will be for sale for $2, medium for $5, and $10 and up for large. The pumpkins are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Alissa Trevino at (559) 934-2703 or alissatrevino@whccd.edu for more information.

Volunteer Amy Pitiligano paints a door at the Porterville Senior Center during a Make A Difference Day clean-up project in 2016. Courtesy/CSET

Difference Continued from B1

forces with the Tulare County Parks and Recreation Department to complete projects in Visalia’s Mooney Grove Park and the Tulare County Museum, located on park grounds.

Seven park improvement projects are planned including restoring arbors, planting trees, and cleaning outdoor recreation areas. Volunteers working inside the museum will help clean exhibits and perform building repairs needed after damage was caused by vandals in mid-September.

Partnerships with local town councils, non-profits, and businesses are essential to the success of every service project. In addition to the County of Tulare, CSET has partnered with Waste Management, Tule Trash Com-

pany, Pixley Lions Club, Naval Air Station Lemoore, College of the Sequoias, and community councils in Allensworth, Earlimart, Ivanhoe, Pixley, and Tipton.

Most Make A Difference Day projects are scheduled for the morning of Saturday, October 28th and are a maximum of five hours long. Volunteers are welcome to stay for an entire project; however, no minimum time commitment is required to participate.

All projects are family-friendly and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Donations of important project supplies such as work gloves, rakes, brooms, and bottled water would be greatly appreciated.

Volunteer and donor sign up forms, a full project list with times and locations, and other Make A Difference Day event details are available online at www.cset.org/makeadifferenceday.

Free Animal Adoptions This Weekend Visalia Animal Services is celebrating October as Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month and wants the entire community to join in the fun. Take the cue from the season and let yourself “fall” in love with a new pet.

On Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22 the Visalia Animal Care Center will be providing free adoptions from 12pm to 5pm on both days.

“We have a lot of friendly, fuzzy faces that are ready for the forever homes,” shared Ivy Ruiz, Visalia Animal Services Supervisor. “Adoption fees will be waived for this special weekend event,

Staff Reports

those who reside within Visalia city limits will only pay the animal’s license fee.”

Adoptions will not be on a firstcome, first served basis, but rather shelter staff will determine the eligibility of adopters on what’s the best fit for the animal.

The Visalia Animal Care Center is located at 29016 Highway 99 in Visalia.

For more information, contact them at (559) 713-4700 or like them on Facebook at Visalia Animal Services.

559-734-7079

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Calendar OCTOBER Now - October 24: AAUW Semi-Annual Book Sale at Sequoia Mall The Visalia-Sequoia Branch of the American Association of University Women fundraiser sells gently used books contributed by community members for $3.00 hardback and $2.00 paperback. Children’s books and romances go for $1.00.

AAUW is a nationwide organization which promotes equity for women and girls, lifelong education and positive societal change.

Organized in 1926, Visalia-Sequoia Branch holds two book sales each year to fund its programs which include three types of scholarships. AAUW gives scholarships for COS graduates continuing to four-year institutions, sponsors 12 middle schools who attend Tech Trek (a science and technology camp at Fresno State) and sends 60 elementary school girls to the College of the Sequoias Expanding Your Horizons program.

Books may be donated by depositing them into the bin located just inside the front doors of the Lifestyle Center on Cypress Avenue.

October 20, 21, 27, 28: Paranormal Tours at the Zalud House Museum 8pm & 10:30pm - Experience the Zalud House in a whole new way with an evening paranormal tour. Small group paranormal tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays through the month of October. An electronic voice phenomena (EVP) session will be led by experts from Paranormal Movement Investigations and each session will be reviewed during the investigation.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older and the cost of the tour is $20 per person. Sign up in a group or as an individual. The group size is limited to 4-12 people per tour.

Built in 1891, the Zalud House is one of the few homes from that era that has not undergone any remodeling and only the Zalud family has ever lived there. The museum celebrates its 40th anniversary of opening to the community in 2017. It has also been 100 years since Julia Howe fatally shot William Brooks inside the Pioneer Hotel lobby. The first of four bullets went straight through Brooks’ heart and the chair in which he sat. The chair was later moved to

the Zalud House Museum and is on the COS Theatre. Tickets are availdisplay in the childhood room of his able for $7 at the door. wife Annie.

October 22: Kaweah Delta Pink Register for a tour online or at the Tea Party Heritage Center, 256 E. Orange Ave. 1pm - Celebrating those whose lives in Porterville. For more information, have been touched by breast cancer. call (559) 791-7695 or visit www. The Asian themed event will feature ci.porterville.ca.us. music, a catered lunch, opportunity drawings, a fan parade, and a walk October 21-22: 37th Annual of hope dedicated to those who have Springville Apple Festival 7am - Breakfast; Booths open at 9am fought or are fighting cancer. Guest - Arts, crafts, food, music. Apple Run, speaker - Kim Becking, a nationalFlat Tire Classic, Family Fun Zone - ly recognized author, motivational don’t forget to taste some apple pie! speaker, and a breast cancer survivor Free parking at the Springville Ro- sharing her message of hope through deo Grounds, free shuttle to festival. humor to empower others to be proFor more information visit, www. active with their health, their life and their future. Event held at the Visalia springvilleapplefestival.com.

Convention Center. For more inforOctober 21: Mads Tolling Violin mation, (559) 624-2098.

Concert 7:30pm - The first concert of the October 24: COS Fall Choral Lindsay 2017-18 concert season is Concert Mads Tolling, a two-time grammy 7:30pm - The Concert features the award winning musician. He plays COS Concert Choir, Chamber Singthe violin and makes it sing. We are ers and Sequoia Chamber Chorale so lucky to have an entertainer of and will be held in the COS Theatre. his caliber in the Central Valley. If Tickets are available for $7 at the you love popular tunes, played with door. a jazzy flair that will make you tap October 24 - 27: Scary Tic Tac your toe and clap along, this is for Toe at Tulare County Libraries you. Tickets for the show are only Craft sessions are available at the Al$20, and if you get a group of 10 to- paugh, Dinuba, Earlimart, Exeter, gether, there is a 25% discount. Call Farmersville, Ivanhoe, Lindsay, Lonfor details, (559) 284-2223. Check don, Orosi, Springville, Strathmore, him out on youtube to see videos of Three Rivers, Tipton and Woodlake his music. You may not have heard branch libraries. Times and days vary of him before, but you will always re- with each location. Call or visit your member his show. local library for more information.

October 21: Hands in the Community, 8th Annual Planting Seeds, Growing Together 6-9pm - You are cordially invited to join us for our 8th annual “Planting Seeds, Growing Together” auction and dinner to benefit Hands in the Community. HNC is a Visalia-based nonprofit that provides crisis and referral services to those in need. Our dinner will feature donated items in both a silent and live auction. Tables of 8 are available for $550 and sponsorships with advertising are available at $1500 and $2500 levels.Event takes place at Visalia Convention Center.

October 25: COS’ Music Department Faculty Recital Featuring the Trinitas Piano Trio 7:30pm - The event will be in the COS Visalia campus theater. The Trio is comprised of COS Faculty Rudolfina Sjostrand on violin, Valerie Walden on cello and Brian Johnson on piano. Guest artist Erik Andrews will join on trumpet. The program includes pieces by Leonard Cohen, Michel Colombier, as well as the Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 32,

by Anton Arensky and the Piano Trio in B Major, Op. 8, by Brahms. The performance will close with Ennio Morricone’s Cinema Paradiso. TickPlease RSVP by October 9 at Noon ets are $5 for general admission and to hncvisalia@gmail.com or call Les- free for students. ter Moon at (559) 625-3822 exten- October 26: South San Joaquin sion 3.”

Valley Industrial Collaborative October 22: COS Fall Band Con- Summit The South San Joaquin Valley Induscert 2pm - The Concert features the COS trial Collaborative is planning the Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band and first-ever Industrial Summit at the Sequoia Winds and will be held in Southern California Edison Energy

Education Center, 4175 S. Laspina Street in Tulare. The purpose of the collaborative is to provide a platform to build industry-led, community-supported partnerships to strengthen regional economies in the South San Joaquin Valley.

Sponsorships and exhibitor space is available. Registration is limited as this unique event is expected to sell out. For more information about this event, visit http://centralvalleymfg. com/home/south-san-joaquin-valley-industrial-summit/collaborative-members/ or contact Gurminder Sangha at (559) 688-3047.

October 27: Community Coffee Hosted by Assemblyman Devin Mathis 7:30-9am - at Apple Annie’s, 1165 N. Blackstone in Tulare.

October 27: Visalia Halloween Brewfest 6-9pm - Visalia’s very first Halloween Brewfest: “Diablo Toro Brewfest” located at Rawhide Ballpark, presented by Golden Road Brewing! Beer tastings, DJ, food vendors, & costume contest for a chance to win up to $500! 21 & over only, DD tickets available, tickets go on sale October 1 at www.RawhideBaseball.com & at the Rawhide Ballpark. Tickets are $40 each, or $10 for DD’s.

October 27, 28, 29 Nov. 3, 4 & 5: Shrek the Musical 7:30pm - Friday & Saturday evening performances; 2pm Sunday matinees - Tickets are $13/adults, $8/high school and college students, and $5/ grade school and jr. high students.

The Lindsay Community Theater is located at 190 N. Elmwood. For information and tickets go to lindsaycommunitytheater.com, or call (559) 284 2223.

October 28: Harvest of the Handwovens 10am - 3pm - At the Exeter Veteran’s Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah Ave, Exeter, featuring boutique and yarn shop as well as handwoven garments and household items for sale.

Raffle, demonstrations to be held.

Credit cards accepted. Free admission & parking. For more information contact Nikki Crain at (559)5614048 or visit www.hwotv.org October 28: Crocker Art Museum Bus Tour 6am - 10pm - The wheelchair accessible bus will depart from the Visalia Convention Center off of E. Acequia

Ave. The fee is $70 per person, which includes admission into the museum.

Feel free to bring your own food and drinks for the trip. For more information, call (559) 739-0905 or visit our website at www.artsvisalia.org

November 4: Santa Fe Trail-aThon Veteran’s Day 5K/10K Run/Walk presented by the Tulare Sunrise Rotary, preserving Tulare’s railroad history. For more information, visit, www.

This trip is made possible by the part- tularesunriserotary.org. nership between Arts Visalia and the November 5: For the Love of ColVisalia Art League. or Opening Reception 2-4pm - For the Love of Color is Betty October 28: Porterville Library Berk’s latest show of paintings openCostume Contest 4-5:45pm - Show off your creativity ing at the Exeter Courthouse Gallery, at the Porterville City Library’s Hal- `125 S. “B” Street in Exeter and on loween Costume Contest. All ages display for the months of November are welcome to participate. Have fun and December. These paintings guarwith games and other activities. First antee a smile and happy outlook on and second place prizes will be giv- life, celebrating joy through bright en in each age group. Winner must colors. Berk is an Expressionist, an be present - winners announced at art style that emphasizes a free use of color to express the artist’s emotions.

5:30pm. One entry per person.

A strong influence on her artworks is October 30: Taste Treats in Tulare her study of piano from John Kitter- 27th Annual Restaurant Showman, of Hamilton Piano Studio for case the last five years.

6-8:30pm - For the past 26 years, “Taste Treats” has been the premiere Berk’s subjects range from still life, restaurant showcase event, highlight- landscapes and some figurative ing the best of the best, and this year works. She loves teaching art at Diwill prove to be no different! Tick- nuba High School where she tries to et purchases include a hosted bar. A help students discover the great joy in live and silent auction will be held expressing themselves in creative and during the evening. New location productive ways. on the grounds of the International November 9: Battle of the Badges Agri-Center... Pavilion “C”. Hosted Blood Drive bar - live and silent auctions. Benefits 10am - 3pm - In honor of Milt Stowe the Tulare Historical Museum. at Tulare’s Zumwalt Park, Kern & M Streets. Bone marrow registration will be available. Donors will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Contacts: Tulare Police Department, Julia November 3: First Annual Día de Franco (559) 358-6277; Tulare Fire Department, Rodney Roberts (559) los Muertos 5:30-10am - Free Event - Food, beer, 859-0320.

NOVEMBER

face painting, Mariachi, Ballet Folkloric - dance to the music of Dia de los Muertos at Garden Street Plaza, downtown Visalia. For more information, contact the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber, (559) 734-6020.

November 10: Winterland Carnival: A Night Behind the Mask 6:30pm - presented by Franco productions and Habitat for Humanity. Pianist and recording artist Gina Lenee & US Latin Dance Champions. Dinner served by Sons of Italy.

Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at www. hfhtkc.org. For more information, contact Deanne, (559) 734-4040 ext. 106 or info@hfhtkc. org

November 4: Fall Into Winter Vendor Extravaganza 10am - 2pm - Many vendor booths to shop from, food booths from the classrooms, raffle drawing of vendor donations, DJ - Vkris at Liberty School, 1771 E. Pacific Ave., Tulare. November 10: The Rotary Showcase 2017 November 4: 36th Annual 5:30-10pm - An evening of worldLemoore Rotary Crab Feed 6-10pm - Silent & Live auctions, class entertainment presented by the no-host bar at Cinnamon Munici- Rotary Club of Visalia Foundatio at pal Complex. 711 W. Cinnamon Dr. the Wyndham Visalia. Featured piaTickets $60. For more information nist Tim Buie. Dinner, dancing, silent & tickets, call (559) 217-3112 or vis- auction and door prizes. For more information or ticket purchase, contact it, www.lemoorerotary.org.

Paul Hurley, (559) 740-3677, or visit

www.visaliarotaryclub.org November 11: Lemoore Recreation’s Veteran’s Day 5K Run - 3K Walk 4pm - race time; 2:45-3:45 registration. Start and finish at D Street Plaza. Awards to Fastest Male, Fastest Female, Team Competition, Most Patriotic, Oldest Participant, Youngest Participant.

November 11: 4th Annual Lemoore Veteran’s Day Parade 6pm - Honoring all who served. No entry fee - all entries must have a patriotic theme. Register at Lemoore Recreation, 721 Cinnamon, (559) 924-6767. For more information, call (559) 924-9227, or (559) 9046138.

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 informaNovember 11: Just One Drop 3pm - The film tells the little known tion, call (559) 651-1111. story of homeopathy, the most con- Wednesdays: Barmageddon Game troversial system of medicine ever Night invented. Homeopathy is a specific Come blow off some steam at our form of medicine that uses minute game night. Happy hour from doses of a highly diluted substance 6-8pm. that stimulates the body to cure itself. 1st Thursday Monthly through Just One Drop will be shown in Visa- October: Diabetes Support lia, one day only, at the Regal Visalia Group, 5:30-7pm Stadium 10 Theater. Seats are limited Kaweah Delta Health Care District and can only be reserved in advance offers a free diabetes support group online. View the movie trailer, get de- through October from on the first tails and reserve seats at: www.Home- Thursday of the month at the Kaweah opathyMovie.com.

Delta Chronic Disease Management November 28: Tulare Christmas Tree Auction 5:30pm - Social hour and tree viewing followed by welcome and dinner at 6:30pm. Catered by Fugazzis, MC - David Macaedo. Held at the International Agri-Center. For more infromation, call (559) 688-1030 or info@farmshow.org.

CONTINUOUS

Center, 325 Willis St., Visalia. Information: (559) 624-2416.

1st Thursday, Monthly: Veterans Support Group, 5:30-7pm Free support group for global war on terrorism & post 9-11 (Veterans Only) at the Tulare Public Library, 475 North M Street in Tulare. Facilitated by: Dr. Lance Zimmerman, PhD of Veterans Counseling Clinic.

1st and 3rd Thursdays, Monthly: Central Valley Tea Party MeetMondays: National Alliance on ings, 6pm Mental Illness, 5:45pm Education 819 West Visalia Road, Farmersville.

Meeting: 7pm Support Group St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Visalia, 3rd Thursday Monthly through 120 N. Hall, Corner of Center and October: Diabetes Support Hall. For more information call: Group, 5:30-7pm Kaweah Delta Health Care District (559) 627-1306 offers a free diabetes support group Mondays: Bridge Club, 9:30amthrough October on the third Thurs2pm day of the month at 200 E. Sierra 210 W Center Street Visalia. Ad- Ave., Woodlake. Information: (559) mission is free. For additional infor- 624-2416. mation call: Joan Dinwiddie, (559) 3rd Thursday, Monthly: Gather732-0855 ing At the Oval, 12:30-1pm Mondays: Knitters, 10amLifting up the needs and concerns of 12:30pm Visalia through individual prayer and 210 W Center Street Visalia. Every- meditation at Oval Park, 808 North one is welcome.

Court Street in Visalia.

19 October, 2017

B6 • Valley Voice

Shrek

Continued from B1

Grace Lutheran Holds First Holiday Craft Fair of the Season Staff Reports

Grace Lutheran Church presents its “Cozy Christmas” event to kick off the holiday shopping season.

This annual event is sponsored by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of Grace Lutheran Church at 1111 S. Conyer St, Visalia.

Their Christmas Boutique & Luncheon will be held Saturday, October 28. Lunch will be served from 11am – 1pm. Boutique shopping will be from10:00am to 3:00pm.

A wide assortment of handmade crafts and one-of-a kind decorations and gift items will be available plus Grace Lutheran’s popular bakery with homemade yummy treats including cakes, pies, cookies, breads, jam and candy.

On the menu is your choice of

Weight Watchers Famous Chili, Minestrone Soup, or Chicken Noodle Soup, homemade bread & beverage plus dessert; bread pudding with vanilla sauce.

Ticket prices for the lunch are Adults $8.00 children 10 & under $4.00. If you are only in the mood for a snack, dessert & beverage is $5.00.

Lunch ticket holders are entered in a drawing for a lovely gift basket.

For almost 20 years the ladies of Grace have helped numerous community organizations through their donations from proceeds of this event.

Those who have benefited are; Visalia Rescue Mission, Kaweah Delta Hospice Foundation, Care Pregnancy Center, Visalia Emergency Aid, The Samaritan Center, Sequoia Braille Transcribers, Youth for Christ and Hands in the Community.

Director Jim Kliegl reports that Shrek, the Musical is one of the most expensive plays ever produced in the Lindsay theater with a cost of nearly $10,000. Royalties for this popular show were high, but most of the show’s expense is due to renting over 100 costumes. The set was also expensive to construct.

With a cast of 40, this high-powered musical will delight the whole family as it tells the tale of Shrek, the loveable ogre. On his seventh birthday, two ogre parents (Jan Owens and Ashley Boone) send little Shrek (Arrian Shepard) out of their house and into the world. They warn him that because of his looks, everyone will hate him.

Little Fiona (Sophia Craven) was also sent away by her parents (Ron Fleming and Carlene Ruiz) to live in a lonely tower.

Some years later, an embittered, grown-up Shrek (Mike Hamilton), living in his swamp, is disrupted when a band of fairytale creatures from Duloc, including: Pinocchio (Conner Craven), The Three Little Pigs (Debra Newman, Grace Loeffler, and Ayla Mora), The Wicked Witch (Alyson Cook), The Big Bad Wolf (Chris Shepard), Peter Pan (Elizabeth Hampton), The Ugly Duckling (Ann Marie Patterson), Fairy Godmother (Carlene Ruiz), White Rabbit (Gage Phipps), Mad Hatter (Elisa Salinas), Sugar Plum Fairy (Alli Smith), Elf (Jack Craven), Hobbit (Natalia Pratti), Tweedle Dum (Stevie Gonzalez), Tweedle Dee (Charity Jackson), Baby Bear (Lily Ann Keeton), Mama Bear (Jennifer

Keeton), Papa Bear (Jim Keeton), and later Gingy (Victoria Loeffler).

They were banished for being freaks from the Kingdom of Duloc, by order of the evil Lord Farquaad (Mike Newman) To regain his swamp Shrek travels to see Farquaad. Along the way he meets Donkey (Sammy Walls), who becomes his travel companion. Farquaad sends Shrek on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona (Jennifer Hamilton) to be his bride. She is living in a tower guarded by a fierce dragon (Ashley Boone, Carlene Ruiz). He is helped by some captive knights (Molly Patterson, Gage Phipps, Jim Keeton, Jan Owens).

After the rescue on the journey back to Duloc, Fiona and Shrek fall in love, though neither is willing to admit it. After a misunderstanding, Farquaad arrives and takes Fiona to Duloc to be married. As the rest of the story unfolds, other members of the ensemble help bring the story to life: Elizabeth Hampton, Linda Jarrett, Jessie Dugan, Zariana Anaya, Kiannah Vasquez, Nariah MeRae, Hannah McCoy, Jade Franco, Andrew Phipps, Isabella Duran, Jaymee Canas, and Gabby Leon.

At the wedding, Shrek interrupts the ceremony, but Farquaad proclaims himself the new King anyway and orders Shrek arrested. Then the Dragon, led by Donkey, enters and incinerates Farquaad with her fiery breath.

With Farquaad gone, Shrek and Fiona admit their love for each other and share true love’s first kiss. Fiona’s curse is broken, and she takes her true form, an ogress. At first, she is ashamed of her looks, but Shrek declares that she is beautiful to him, and the two ogres begin a new life together. In the end, the entire cast sings “I’m a Believer” in celebration.

First Annual Free Museum Day Set for October 28 Staff Reports

Fun-filled day of exploration presented by the Greater Fresno Alliance of Museums & Educational Sites On Saturday, October 28, select museums and educational sites in Fresno, Madera, and Tulare counties will come together to celebrate the First Annual Free Museum Day. Participating sites will offer free admission to visitors during their regular business hours.

Free Museum Day gives everyone an opportunity to experience the wealth of art, culture, history, science, and natural beauty in the greater Fresno region and its surrounding areas.

The event encourages visitors of all ages to explore and engage in each

Daisy

Continued from B1 “Putting vastly different people in an intimate relationship has its comedic moments in real life. The playwright just took advantage of reality.”

Director Sharon DeCoux loves the play and set out to find the “perfect” Hoke. Her quest was successful with the discovery of Clarence Cryer, a health care professional from Corcoran.

site*s educational offerings.

Participating Museums & Educational Sites for First Annual Free Museum Day • African American Historical & Cultural Museum of the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno, 11am to 4pm • Central Sierra Historical Society & Museum, Shaver Lake, 11am to 3pm • Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County, Chowchilla, 9am to 4pm • Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, 11am to 5pm • Fresno County Historical Museum & Big Fresno Fair Museum, Fresno, 10am to 4pm • Henry Madden Library at Fres-

no State, Fresno, 9am to 5pm • San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust River Center, Fresno, 10am to 3pm • Shinzen Japanese Friendship Garden & Clark Bonsai Collection, Fresno, 10am to 5pm • The Fresno Discovery Center, Fresno, 9am to 5pm • Tulare County Museum at Mooney Grove Park, Visalia, 10am to 4pm Free admission does not include special ticketed events or parking fees.

More museums may be added to the First Annual Free Museum Day prior to October 28.

Visit fresnomuseums.com for an up to-date list of participants.

A map of the area’s museums and

educational sites is available at fresnomuseums.com.

Visitors can also find the map at each participating location.

Cryer, originally from Miami, describes theatre as, “Commitment – you have to really love it to be this committed. The audience doesn’t realize how much hard work and the different aspects that are required to make a good show. I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Although the play centers on the relationship between Daisy and Hoke, the playwright raises other issues of religion and culture through Daisy’s son.

Boolie (Aaron Johnson) finds himself trapped by his Jewishness.

His mother dislikes his wife Florine because she enjoys “socializing with Episcopalians.”

He’s afraid to attend the Martin Luther King, Jr. dinner because “a lot of the men I do business with wouldn’t like it.

They’d just snicker and call me Martin Luther Werthan.”

The Players are grateful to the following Season Sponsors: Family Healthcare Network, Graham & Associates, Lansdowne, Inc., and Martin

Enterprises.

Driving Miss Daisy runs for three weekends at the Ice House Theatre at Race and Santa Fe in Visalia.

Evening performances are at 7:30 pm on 10/27, 10/28, 11/3, 11/4, 11/10, and 11/11, and matinees are at 2:00pm on 10/29, 11/5, and 11/12.

To purchase tickets go to the Visalia Players’ website at www.visaliaplayers.org, their Facebook page “Visalia Community Players”, or call 734-3900.

About the Greater Fresno Alliance of Museums & Educational Sites

The Greater Fresno Alliance of Museums & Educational Sites exists to spread awareness of the numerous educational facilities in the greater Fresno region.

Those facilities include traditional museums, education focused galleries, outdoor exhibits, children’s museums, planetariums, and more. For more information about the Alliance, visit fresnomuseums.com.

19 October, 2017

Valley Voice • B7

Education Conference Offers Resources to English Learners Tulare County Office of Education

Educational Resource Services (ERS) is coordinating a large regional conference entitled Best Results for English Learners.

Scheduled for November 7 at the Fresno Convention Center, the conference will showcase programs and resources for educators addressing needs of English learners.

The conference is a collaboration between the California Department of Education (CDE) and the county offices of education in Region VII (Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare).

“Educators across the state are collaborating and building resources that meet the needs of our English learners to address the requirements of California’s new accountability system,” said Jen Francone, ERS administrator.

“This conference will be filled with many of these valuable resources shared from the CDE, local districts, and county offices to empower educators at all levels to provide high qual-

ity learning for our English learners.

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, principal, coordinator, or district leader, there will be something for you to take back to your district and use right away,” Francone said.

The conference will open with a keynote presentation by Dr. Aida Walqui, director of Teacher Professional Development at WestEd, the nonprofit educational research, development, and service agency.

At WestEd, Dr. Walqui is responsible for collaborating with the organization’s ongoing teacher professional development efforts.

Previously, Dr. Walqui taught in the Division of Education at the University of California, Santa Cruz and the School of Education at Stanford University, where she coordinated the Cross-Cultural, Linguistic, and Academic Development emphasis in the STEP program.

She has also taught in other universities in Peru, Mexico, England, and the United States.

Dr. Walqui is an author and mem-

ber of several national and international teacher professional development advisory boards. She is frequently invited to speak on teacher growth in schools characterized by cultural and linguistic diversity.

The conference will also include an English learner writing workshop, a presentation of a toolkit for English learners, and numerous other breakout sessions. Dr. Aida Walqui will be the keynote speaker at the Region VII Conference entitled Best Results for English Learners. The conference is The conference, scheduled for November 7 in Fresno. Courtesy/TCOE which is scheduled To register for the Region VII from 8am until 4pm on November 7, Conference, visit tulare.k12oms. will conclude with a presentation by org/147-134560. For more informaMartin Cisneros, an academic tech- tion about the conference, contact nology specialist with the Santa Clara Samantha Tate at (559) 651-3044, or County Office of Education. samantha.tate@tcoe.org.

COS Offers Workplace Skills Training at No Cost to Employers Employer surveys conducted by the Training & Education committee of the Visalia Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) validate nationwide reports indicating the availability of skilled labor as a critical factor in doing business.

The feedback reveals not only the need for “technical skills” such as those necessary for a maintenance mechanic position, but also “soft skills” such as communication and leadership skills needed to effectively work in our

culturally and generationally diverse workforce.

In response to this skill need, the College of the Sequoias Training Resource Center is offering Essential Workplace Skills training. This training focuses on building essential skills in your production workforce.

These skills include teambuilding, communication, internal customer service, employee attitude, conflict management, stress management and time management and values/ethics.

Three classes are currently scheduled to run concurrently, October 24 - November 16 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

One class will be held in Visalia from 9am – 12pm.

The second group will meet in Tulare from 1pm – 4pm. The third class will be held from 4pm – 7pm in Visalia at the Industrial Park.

The class is normally $350 per person for 24 hours of instruction, but these costs are currently being covered

by the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board.

Take advantage of this opportunity to receive training for your Tulare County employees at no cost to you, whether you are a manufacturer, service provider or in the public sector.

To find out more about the course or to register, please visit our website at www.cos.edu/trainingcenter. You can also call or email the COS Training Resource Center at 559-688-3130 or trainingcenter@cos.edu .

Prospective Educators Invited to Registration Open for Nov. 4 West Hills Teach Conference FFA Field Day at West Hills West Hills College Lemoore’s annual Teach Conference for college students, community members and high school students interested in becoming educators will be held on Nov. 3 at WHCL. The free conference will feature informative panels and information sessions featuring some of the Valley’s top educators and teacher training programs.

“The event is a way to provide information about teaching to our college students, high school students, and the community,” said James Preston, WHCL Vice President of Educational Services. “We have some innovative and amazing current educators who come to speak to our students on a variety of relevant topics to inform them and prepare them for the teaching profession.”

The conference will include panels, networking opportunities and a chance to speak with representatives from universities with teaching programs. Information will also be pre-

sented about WHCL’s teacher prep transfer programs and TEAM Teach teacher preparation program.

Representatives from Fresno State, Brandman University, and Fresno Pacific University will be at the conference.

“Those who attend this conference will walk away knowledgeable about the many career opportunities available in the field of education and with an understanding of the steps and resources available to prepare them to the enter education,” Preston said.

“Beyond that, we also hope to provide inspiration and our support for anyone who wants to become an educator through this event.”

Lunch is included and there will also be a prize drawing.

The event will be held in the WHCL conference room, room 253, from 9am to 2pm.

There is no cost to attend. Less than 150 seats are still available. View a full agenda and sign up now at https:// teach2017.eventbrite.com/

West Hills College Coalinga’s Farm of the Future will host a Future Farmers of America (FFA) field day on Nov. 4, featuring four different competitions, with registration ongoing until Oct. 27.

Dr. Timothy Ellsworth, Farm of the Future instructor and field day organizer, said the field day is an important way for high school students to learn about agriculture and the Farm of the Future’s educational offerings.

“The college motto is the relentless pursuit of student success and, as a career development event that provides opportunities for high school students to develop skills related to agriculture, these field days help these students achieve success,” he said. “The event also provides an opportunity to showcase the college farm and to introduce local high school Ag instructors and their students to our facilities and staff.”

The action will start at 6:30am and culminate with an awards ceremony for winning teams and individuals. Buckles will be awarded to first place individuals and ribbons to 1st through 5th place

teams and individuals. A sweep-stakes trophy will also be awarded.

In addition to the competitions, a new and unique session will be offered at this Field Day. West Hills will be offering an information session for FFA members interested in participating in AgriScience fairs, which are held both at the local and national levels of FFA. “This is the first time we’re offering something like this as part of a field day,” said Terry Brase, Interim Director of the Farm of the Future. “AgriScience Fairs are popular with many FFA members and they are a great way to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) into agriculture.”

Field day registration is available online at https://calaged.csuchico.edu/Registration/EventInformation.asp?ID=547.

Registration for the AgriScience session will be on first come, first serve basis the morning of Field Day. More information about the field day is available at http://www.westhillscollege.com/coalinga/academics/programs/farm/agriculture-field-day.asp.

19 October, 2017

Valley Voice • B8

Don’t Get Frightened by Halloween Scams Better Business Bureau

Shopping for Halloween decorations and costumes should be fun --- not terrifying. With so many costume and decoration ideas, it’s hard to choose what to buy, and where to buy it from.

According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending for 2017 is expected to reach an all-time high --- $9.1 billion.

According to the survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, consumers are expected to spend an average of $86.13, up from last year’s $82.93. When it comes to buying costumes and other Halloween supplies, 47.1% plan to shop at discount stores, 37.5% plan to shop at a Halloween store and 22.3% plan to do their Halloween shopping online.

Better Business Bureau Serving Central California & Inland Empire Counties recommend the following

tips to avoid getting spooked while shopping this Halloween.

Check the return policy

Look up the stores return policy before you buy.

Find out how long you must keep your receipt for, or what happens if you should lose your receipt.

This will help you avoid any mishaps like unwanted items being non-refundable.

Rent a costume

Some people don’t like the idea of spending a lot of money on a costume that will only be worn once, which is why they look to renting. While renting a costume leaves more room in your budget, know that the costume you may be getting may not be in great shape. If you opt for renting a costume this year, check out the condition of the costume first.

Look for sales

Compare prices on Halloween costumes and decorations from various retail or online stores. Along with comparing prices, look for coupons and sign up for email alerts. This will help you get the best deals, saving you a nice chunk of change.

Shop smart online

When shopping from an online website, the first step is to make sure the URL starts with “https” and includes a lock symbol. The S in “https” stands for secure.

Look up the website’s privacy policy and contact information. If it is not clearly listed, or they only have an email as the point of contact, take that as a big red flag and shop elsewhere.

Also, be sure to use your credit card instead of your debit card, as credit cards not only provide additional protection, but it’s also easier to dispute a fraudulent charge.

Seasonal stores

If you decide to shop from a seasonal store, ask whether or not they will be open after the holiday, how long they plan to stay open, and if they will accept returns after Halloween is over.

If they plan to close up shop November 1st, or refuse returns after, either consider shopping elsewhere, or take more time to be sure that item is exactly what you want before making the purchase.

Look around your home

Before you head out to your nearest Halloween store, check what items you have in your home.

You may find an old costume you can re-purpose, or Halloween decorations you can put out. Doing this will not only help you save money, but you won’t end up with more than you need.

For more tips, visit bbb.org/ccie.

Halloween Makeup Tutorials at Tulare County Libraries Staff Reports

Come learn how to ‘make up’ your scariest self or most fantastic face at Halloween Makeup Tutorials at these Tulare County Library Branches: • Farmersville Library: Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 3 to 4pm • Exeter Library: Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 6:30 to 7:30pm

• W oodlake Library: Thursday, October 26, 2017, 3 to 4pm • Three Rivers Library: Thursday, October 26, 2017, 6:30 to 7:30pm A stylist from FJA Angel’s Body/ Face Artistic Painting demonstrates how to be the ‘ghoul of your dreams,’ or ‘ninja of your nightmares’ during the hour-long events.

Anyone who wants ‘beauty’ makeup can watch how to make up a princess, prince or pixie.

Though attendees will not be face painted, kids, still bring your mom or dad to learn the tricks and tips of gruesome grimaces or angelic appearances!

When Halloween arrives, you and your parents can have fun creating the looks you learned.

This ‘treat’ of a program is sponsored by The Friends of the Library-Exeter.

The Tulare County Library serves all the citizens of Tulare County with locations in seventeen communities, four book machines, and online at www.tularecountylibrary.org.