Direct Magazine - June 2017 by Direct Magazine

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; THE HEART OF THE SOUTH VALLEY | JUNE 2017

M A G A Z I N E

July 15

HANDS IN THE COMMUNITY PRESENTS

VIRTUAL VALLEY Lessons for a Teacher: Digital Realities in Education

MEET A LOCAL Allison M. Mackey, Communications Manager for the City of Visalia

SUMMER CAMPS Visalia Summer Day Camps 2017

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INSIDE JUNE 2017 PU B LIS H E D BY

DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 ADMINISTRATION & EDITORIAL

Executive Editor KAREN TELLALIAN Assistant Editor KELLY LAPADULA Operations Manager MARIA GASTON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

ANDY & ERYN SALAZAR C. S. WYATT IMAGINEU JIM BARLOGIO KELLEY PETTY LYDIA HOUSE MARY HUNT MISSY YAVASILE RYAN STILLWATER SHARON PLEIN SUE BURNS TODD OTO TONY KENSINGER WARREN GUBLER WHITNEY MARTINEZ GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CHRIS BLY ADVERTISING SALES

Account Executive MELISSA OLSON melissa@dmiagency.com 559.739.1747 SALES OFFICE

801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • fax 559.738.0909 email: direct@dmiagency.com B U S I N E S S M A N AG E M E N T

Malkasian Accountancy, LLP Gary Malkasian, CPA Jeffrey Malkasian, EA Direct Magazine is published twelve times a year and is distributed via direct mail to nearly 33,000 homes in Visalia. An additional 2,000 magazines are circulated at distribution points around Visalia and Tulare. Views expressed in columns are those expressed by the columnist and not necessarily those of Direct Magazine. We are dedicated to serving the community. Please call us for questions, comments, article suggestions or for information about local events at 739-1747. Fax us at 738-0909 or email us: direct@dmiagency.com. Online Issue at: www.issuu.com/dmiagency © 2017 DMI Agency

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COVER STORY

4 Hands in the Community

Blood Sweat & Tears

DEPARTMENTS 11 PRO-PT 12 Visalia Chamber 13 Tulare Chamber 14 The Recipe Box 16 Valley Oak SPCA

F E AT U R E S

18 Seen Around Town

8 Virtual Valley

18 People on the Move

Lessons for a Teacher: Digital Realities in Education

10 Meet A Local

19 Focus on Fitness 20 Visalia First 21 Craft Corner

Allison M. Mackey, Communications Manager for the City of Visalia

22 Visalia Rescue Mission

24 Character Counts!

17 Summer Camps

Visalia Summer Day Camp Guide 2017

25 Gardening Coffee Filter Sachets from the Garden

26 VUSD The Year in Review

23 Auto Shop

27 Money Matters 28 College Prep 29 Crossword 30 Goings-On 31 Ask M.J. 32 Warren Reports

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HANDS IN THE COMMUNITY

Hands in the Community Presents Blood Sweat & Tears—July 15

his summer, Hands in the Community is proud to present the appearance of legendary performers Blood Sweat & Tears (BST) on Saturday, July 15 at the Visalia Fox Theatre. BST is the first group to successfully fuse rock, blues, pop music, horn arrangements, and jazz improvisation into a hybrid that came to be known as “jazz-rock.” In 2014, the band added lead singer, Bo Bice, who catapulted to fame during season four of “American Idol.” Some of BST’s most popular hits include “You Made me so Very Happy,” “Spinning Wheel,” “Hi-De-Ho,” and “God Bless the Child.” As a fundraiser for Hands in the Community, proceeds from this concert will help support HNC’s mission to connect volunteers with community members in need of a helping hand. For more information about the concert, visit foxvisalia.org. UNITING THE HAND OF THE HELPER TO THE HAND OF THOSE IN NEED Where do you go if you are a widow or disabled, live alone and your family lives far away, don’t belong to any

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service clubs or church, need help at home and finances are tight? This is what Lester Moon, director of Hands in the Community, was considering when he started this non-profit. After attending a gathering of more than 100 Visalia leaders, Moon was inspired to establish a community benefit organization that would connect volunteers with the needs of local residents. For many years before relocating to Visalia, he had worked in San Mateo County for World Vision/ Love Inc., so his experiences in the field prepared him for this challenge. The result was the formation of Hands in the Community (HNC), a local outreach organization established in 2008 to provide crisis and short-term services for the underserved in our area. HNC’s objective is to assist people in becoming self-sufficient and to strengthen the ability of individuals and families to care for themselves. With an extensive volunteer database, HNC provides services such as in-home repairs, yard maintenance, used furniture and appliances, vehicle repairs, and rides to and from

appointments. Their growing list of volunteers throughout Tulare and Kings Counties includes electricians, plumbers, carpenters, dentists, doctors, general contractors, beauticians, youth groups, and retirees. In addition, local high school and college students serve internships, along with providing community service hours for classes. With such a variety of volunteers, along with churches, businesses, service clubs, and private groups, HNC is continually meeting the needs of individuals/families in our community. Currently, HNC has more than 30 major home repairs on their project list. These include: fence and roof repairs, AC repairs, handicap ramps, flooring, painting, plumbing, electrical upgrades, and modifying entryways and bathrooms for handicapped access. Many of these projects will allow individuals to remain in their homes by providing accessibility and safety along with increased independence and self-sufficiency, which improves quality of life. All services are provided at no charge to the recipient.

17009-HNC, BS&T Full Pg Vis Direct.pdf

5/18/17

10:43 AM

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HANDS IN THE COMMUNITY PRESENTS

BLOOD BLO LOOD LO SWEAT AT T & TEARS with Bo Bice

IN CONCERT

SATURDAY • JULY 15 • 8:00 VISALIA FOX THEATRE

TICKETS • $40 – $80 www.foxvisalia.org

•

559-625-1369

SPONSORED IN PART BY KOKO 94.3 FM • DMI Agency • Bueno Beverages Scott Belknap Well Drilling & Pump

hnconline.org • 559.625.3822

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HANDS IN THE COMMUNITY KARI AND JANE Kari, a retired nurse, volunteers as a driver. Kari met Jane, a 90-year-old widow and retired Navy nurse, through HNC several years ago, and they connected in the most wonderful way. Jane called HNC needing a person to take her to all of those age-related medical appointments that a 90-yearold experiences and was matched up with Kari. Through those trips and additional lunches that brought the two together, she calls Kari her “angel and

best friend.” This truly added years to Jane’s well-being. Now Jane writes, “I wonder if you can let me know if a similar organization exists here where I’m now located. I moved recently and miss my dear friend who was so helpful through HNC. I would like a similar friend here, but am having difficulties finding one.” Of course, Kari also misses Jane and still calls her weekly to check up on her, and HNC is now searching her new community to find Jane such a friend.

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” – Helen Keller MAYA AND KIDS All a mother wants to do is take care of her kids and provide a safe home for them. For Maya, that was all she wanted, but when her husband

Fortunately for Maya, that was not the end of the story: God was watching out for her. Through the assistance of HNC volunteers, Maya was able to get her kids back and become the mother she wanted to be. With knowledge of local services, HNC was also able to refer Maya to resources to help keep her children well fed. In addition, HNC was able to help Maya fill the house with furniture to create a comfortable home, providing her family with a bed, as well as a dining table and chairs. Today, when Maya looks around her dinner table, she knows that she and her kids are loved and cared for. AWARD NOMINATION

kidnapped her children and took them with him to Mexico, those dreams were dashed. 6

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The Visalia Chamber of Commerce will soon be hosting their annual awards ceremony, and Hands in the Community has again been nominated in the Visalia Non-Profit of the Year category. HNC is honored to be chosen once more for this nomination and thanks BEN-ELECT, especially Stacy, for submitting their name. For the past four years, HNC has been included in this category along with other incredible organizations who go above and beyond for our community.

2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS July 15 - Blood Sweat & Tears Concert, Visalia Fox Theater, 8 p.m. Tickets are $40, $60 and $80 and can be reserved at foxvisalia.org or 308 W. Main St. For Sponsorship opportunities, call (559) 625-3822, Ext. #3. October 21 - Annual Dinner/Silent Auction: "Planting Seeds... Growing Together" Visalia Convention Center, 6-9 p.m. Info or reservations: call 625-3822, Ext. #3. How You Can Lend a Hand: Volunteer: hnconline.org/PDF/ VolunteerSurvey2011.pdf Donate: secure-q.net/Donations/ HandsITS/4685 Adopt a project: hnconline.org/ what-we-do/projects.html Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ HandsInTheCommunity/ Visit our website: hnconline.org Call us: (559) 625-3822

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SPIRIT FAITH NIGHT with Jonny Diaz

FRIDAY JUNE 23RD Enjoy a night of baseball & pre-game concert with Christian artist Jonny Diaz!

Sponsored by:

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VIRTUAL VALLEY

Lessons for a Teacher:

degree at Fresno State. My thesis addressed the promises and failures of online education within the language arts.

Digital Realities in Education

The University of Minnesota offered me a Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) fellowship for doctoral studies. My research continued to address online education design versus educational goals. For my dissertation, I narrowed my research to special needs students and writing courses. Again, I found a disconnect between the goals of educators and what technology provided.

eaving Visalia and the familiarity of California for Minnesota in 2006 was a continuation of my journey through higher education. That spring, I had completed my masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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In theory, online spaces should be more accessible than physical classes. The theory and the idealism that led to

federal regulations on accessibility for online courses simply does not match the reality of experience. Schools are bound by the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II (access to public services); Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Higher Education Opportunity Act, among other laws and their associated regulations. Early on, I learned that many schools and colleges use online education as an alternative to the physical classrooms. If a student cannot easily enter a space, why not suggest the student study online? An online course, no matter how well designed, seldom features the same interactions that occur face-toface. Telling students they belong online is also suggesting they do not belong on the physical school campus. My doctoral research was limited to analyzing the experiences of students in existing online courses. What I learned was that students with special needs face different challenges online than in physical spaces, but the challenges still result in high attrition rates and dissatisfaction with courses. I completed my dissertation in 2010. At that time, half of the students I interviewed with special needs were quitting their college courses and a significant number, more than a third, did not finish their degrees. Students quitting online college courses are left with debt and despair. The fading promise of a degree and a better life becomes a heavy burden. Analyzing data was useful, but analyzing a problem with statistical methods does not solve the problem. Knowing that online education is failing students from challenging situations does not lead to better courses. Someone has to design those better courses and teach them. Online courses fail because the designs privilege a subset of students. My colleagues and I found that students need access to a good computer, not only a tablet or phone. Students need to be familiar with the way a learning

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TEXT BY C. S. WYATT

management system (LMS) works. The online systems require skills many “digital natives” lack; an LMS is not Facebook or Twitter. Users need to understand technologies that, curiously, were more popular 10 years ago within online communities. The greatest disappoint for me was that colleges and universities produced inaccessible videos, without transcripts or captions. Most of the videos lacked the supplemental audio for visionimpaired students. The schools created audio podcasts without texts, too. Non-native speakers, those with vision or auditory impairments, and those students without adaptive technologies all struggled. Course designs ignored colorblindness in their designs, assigning red, green, and blue text special meanings or using color schemes that were difficult to read. Text sizes could not be changed. The issues with most online courses required complete redesigns if colleges wanted to comply not only with the letter of the law, but with the spirit of equal access. I could analyze the problems, but I could not solve some of them. I needed to learn more about media content, beyond the skills I possessed with HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and other website technologies. I didn’t know how to add readable captions to videos. I didn’t know how to remix podcast audio to work better for the hearing impaired. The online courses I had taught as a graduate student failed some usability tests. This realization led me to pursue a master of fine arts degree in film and digital technology, emphasizing digital media accessibility. I hope to teach others how to design better media and online spaces for educational purposes. Ideally, we should empower our students to create content, too.

My MFA thesis paper and final film should be submitted this August. In 11 years, I have gone from idealistic computer geek with faith in technology to realizing that we need to start over with online course designs and philosophies if we want to serve students from marginalized communities. Online courses favor middle-class and upper-class students with access to technology. These students also have internalized the important skills necessary for self-directed study. They

quickly adapt to the interfaces of LMS platforms. They locate the content folders, discussion forums, and other components of online courses. I spend a lot of my time teaching students how to navigate online spaces. How did those of us familiar with Word learn what the align left, center, and align right icons meant? How did we learn which “A” is text color and which is a special effect? There is a symbolic language to computer interfaces we master over time. When students don’t have this symbolic language, it is yet one more barrier to success. I assumed icon-based interfaces were a challenge for the vision impaired. I had imagined they might be

a problem for students from various cultures and generations. How do you explain a floppy disk icon to a young person today? A movie projector? The icons were designed long ago, in computer time, and now have fading meanings. Even colors mean different things to some students. Red and green are not “bad” and “good” in all cultures, so systems that assume colors convey obvious data are badly designed. We need to design systems that have as few barriers as possible. This means asking many questions about who the students are, and who they could be, in online courses. Systems need to be as customizable by the student as possible, too, so students can set font sizes, screen colors, and change icons to text buttons if necessary. Any online educational technology should make accommodations for mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive challenges. Ensuring access is an ongoing process, from the concept of a course through the final evaluation of students. Schools need to hire and retain online course experts with knowledge of technology and pedagogy. The promise of online education was more access and opportunity. The reality has been disappointing.

About the Author: Visalia native Scott Wyatt is currently completing his Master of Fine Arts in Film and Digital Technology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Scott has several additional graduate degrees and was a visiting professor of business communication at Carnegie Mellon University.

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MEET A LOCAL television shows. From there, I went to Paramount’s entertainment news show Entertainment Tonight, working everything from shoots to production and even archiving. The 24/7 environment was exciting and exactly what I had hoped for. It was during my time at Paramount that media started really evolving, and I decided that I wanted to combine my experience and skillset to help bring that evolution and progression into the public sector.

Allison M. Mackey Communications Manager for the City of Visalia How did you end up here in Visalia? I grew up in the countryside a few miles outside of Terra Bella, so I’ve always been familiar with Visalia. I went to college in southern California and planned on staying there long-term. But, the older I got, the more I wanted to be closer to my family, so I accepted the position of Media Specialist with the County of Tulare Health & Human Services Agency in 2007. I’ve called Visalia home ever since. How did you get your start in this line of work? When I entered college, I knew I wanted to study radio, television, and film. Before I graduated, I was working for Reveille, LLC, the production company behind “The Office,” “The Biggest Loser,” and other 10

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Why are you passionate about your work? I’m passionate about my work because I’m passionate about people, relationships, and my community. I knew fairly early in my career that I wanted to work in public service and give back to the community that has given so much to me. I grew up seeing it in my family, particularly my parents. My dad was in the Navy and spent 30 years in law enforcement, while my mom was always involved in community organizations and service clubs. One day a light bulb went off and I realized I could marry my love and appreciation of the Central Valley with my passion for media and communications. What is the most challenging thing about your job? Information moves so fast today that it keeps us connected in a way we’ve never been before. I have to make sure that I’m keeping my finger on the pulse of those connections, constantly staying abreast of what’s happening in our community and across the nation. Whether it’s Visalia being mentioned in a politically motivated celebrity tweet or disseminating vital information during an activation of the Emergency Operations Center, it’s a 24/7 job that requires full dedication. The reward of being able to serve the community pales in comparison to the challenges.

If you had to choose another career, what would it be? I would be a museum curator, preferably one that specialized in ancient antiquities. I absolutely love history and am fascinated with the work done in research, conservation, and preservation. I love visiting museums and traveling exhibits, I was so ecstatic when the treasures of King Tut came to the US again. Tell us a little about life outside of work: My husband, Matt, and I tied the knot in December of last year. It’s been a lot of fun having the opportunity to travel and enjoy married life together. I love antiquing, old fashioned arcades, and concerts. He’s a golf professional, so I’m also refining my caddy skills. What is something most people don’t know about you? I really like wax museums. Which, admittedly, sounds bizarre. Since elementary school, I’ve been fascinated by Marie Tussaud and her work. Although Madame Tussauds in London is the ultimate, I’ll visit any wax museum. The good, the bad, and the downright scary; I think it’s such a wonderful and weird art form. What about Visalia makes this a great community to live and work in? It’s the people, hands down. I knew I wanted to put down roots in Visalia when I had been here a few years and had started to meet so many of the people who make Visalia special. My mom passed away unexpectedly a few years ago, and we lost my dad to cancer last July. To say it’s been a rough couple of years would be an understatement, but, in both my personal and professional life, there was an immense outpouring of support from not only my hometown community, but of my adopted hometown community, Visalia. For that, I will be forever grateful. If you were stranded on an island, what three objects would you take with you? An extra pair of glasses for when I inevitably lose or smash mine, sunscreen, and a machete, just in case. Nothing too terribly practical, as I would plan on channeling my inner Jack Sparrow and finding a ridiculous, yet entertaining, way to escape.

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PRO-PT

TEXT BY WHITNEY MARTINEZ, DPT, PRO-PT PHYSICAL THERAPY

Vertigo and Dizziness:

Do I Have to Live Like This?

n my line of work as a physical therapist, I have come across so many patients that report to me a history of dizziness, then say, “but I just live with it.” My first response is “why?” One recent epidemiological study estimates that as many as 35 percent of adults aged 40 years or older in the United States have experienced some form of inner ear (vestibular system) dysfunction. Eighty percent of people aged 65 years and older have experienced dizziness, and benign

paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the most common vestibular disorder, is the cause of approximately 50 percent of dizziness in older people. When the vestibular organs are damaged with disease or injury, the brain can no longer rely on them for accurate information about equilibrium and motion, often resulting in dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, and other symptoms. It's important for those affected to know that treatment for vestibular disorders is available. A qualified physical therapist can perform a thorough evaluation that begins with a medical history and includes observing and measuring posture, balance and gait, and compensatory strategies. The assessment may also include the use of video infrared goggles to track eye movement in relation to head movement. Using the evaluation results, the therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan that includes specific exercises to be performed both in the therapy setting

and at home. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy is an exercise-based program designed to promote central nervous system compensation for inner ear deficits. The goal of VRT is to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system in coordination with vision and proprioception. VRT can help with a variety of vestibular problems, including BPPV and the unilateral or bilateral vestibular hypofunction (reduced inner ear function on one or both sides). Even individuals with long-term unresolved inner ear disorders who have undergone a period of medical management with little or no success may benefit. If you or anyone you know is suffering from symptoms of dizziness or vertigo, I urge you to seek a consultation. For more information on this topic or to find out if vestibular rehabilitation is appropriate for you, please call our office or contact your physician.

I am so

GRATEFUL Last march, after cervical fusion and two years of nerve pain requiring constant, heavy medication, I came to PRO-PT. I had medication-induced vertigo, which was about to cost me my license and possibly my career. After two visits, my pain was reduced to mere soreness and within six weeks I was off all pain and nerve medication. PRO-PT determined what I specifically needed and tailor-made a treatment plan for me. I have continued to enjoy the relief now 10 months later. I'm now 95 percent pain free. Amazing.

- Randy Dysart

LEMOORE HANFORD 755 N. Lemoore Ave., Ste. C 323 N. 11th Ave. Lemoore, CA 93245 Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 817-5808 (559) 772-8304 www.pro~pt.net

EXETER 134 South E. St. Exeter, CA 93221 (559) 592-9000

TULARE 1132 E. Leland Ave. Tulare, CA 93274 (559) 684-0611

VISALIA 1870 S. Central St. Visalia, CA 93277 (559) 636-1200 ext.1

PORTERVILLE 1150 W. Morton Ave. Porterville, CA 92357 (559) 782-1501

LINDSAY 860 Sequoia St., Ste. A Lindsay, CA 93247 (559) 562-9040

DINUBA 1401 W. El Monte Way, Ste. 107 Dinuba, CA 93618 (559) 315-5203

www.facebook.com/proptphysicaltherapy

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VISALIA CHAMBER

he Visalia Chamber of Commerce serves as the local “voice of business” as they advocate for businesses throughout Visalia. Each month, the Chamber facilitates a variety of events to support and further the success of the community.

1. Chamber staff and Ambassadors at the Chamber’s Annual Member Meeting celebrating the Ambassador of the Year, Sharon Allison-Crook with AMVETS. 2. AMF Visalia Lanes opened their doors and gave the 2016-2017 YEA! class a look into how their business is run. Thank you to General Manager Cynthia PadillaNowakowski for the tour. 3. Leadership Visalia participant, Daryl Sanchez, at the 2016-2017 Leadership Visalia graduation with his coworkers from Family HealthCare Network. Daryl was selected by his class to give the graduation speech. 4. Leadership Visalia participants, Scott Smith, ServiceMaster by Benevento, and Trevor Lewis, Amplify Inc., at the 2016-2017 Leadership Visalia graduation, along with Sharon Allison-Crook, AMVETS. Scott and Trevor created the concept for the class project: a demonstration garden located at the Visalia Senior Center. The class did a fantastic job bringing it to life.

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PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY THE VISALIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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TULARE CHAMBER

he Tulare Chamber of Commerce exists to serve its members and citizens by advocating for, and engaging in, efforts to encourage economic opportunity and business prosperity. The Tulare Chamber supports businesses by building partnerships, providing educational opportunities, and advocating for its members and community.

1. Rosa's Trattoria & Bar Ribbon Cutting. A grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting took place in downtown Tulare to welcome Rosa's Trattoria & Bar to the community. They are a full service restaurant and caterer. 2. Chiaramonte Construction and Plumbing Ribbon Cutting. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate Chiaramonte Construction and Plumbing, Inc., a company with 30 years of experience. 3. Business After Hours. Chamber members gathered at Sterling & Smith Funeral Home for an evening of networking to grow and sustain business relationships. The event was co-sponsored by Renee Soto State Farm Insurance. 4. True Legacy & Financial Insurance. A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate True Legacy & Financial Insurance Services, a partnership of Craig Vejvoda and Igor Ferreira.

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THE RECIPE BOX RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY SUE BURNS, IT’S OKAY TO EAT THE CUPCAKE

A Delicious Dessert for Dad

ather’s Day means grillin’ and chillin’ in the summertime heat, and Peanut Butter Blondie Ice Cream Sandwiches fit the bill for a cool finish to any BBQ celebration. The blondies are rich and chewy, perfect for pairing with ice cream. Served plain, rolled in crunchy toppings, or dipped in chocolate, they’re fun to make—and a surefire way to let Dad know what a special guy he is! BLONDIES: 2 C all-purpose flour 2 ½ C firmly packed dark brown sugar 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp Kosher salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon 10 T unsalted butter, melted ½ C creamy peanut butter 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 large eggs 1 qt vanilla ice cream, softened slightly

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TOPPING: 1 C dry roasted peanuts, finely chopped 6 sugar cones, finely chopped 1/3 C chocolate jimmies 1 ½ C chocolate candy melts DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 11”x15” jellyroll pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, allowing it to extend slightly over the sides. Coat the foil with baking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk the butter and peanut butter until smooth, then whisk in the eggs one at a time. Add vanilla extract and mix well. Pour the butter mixture over the flour mixture and combine with a spatula or wooden spoon. (The batter will be thick.) Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and press evenly to the corners with a spatula. Bake approximately 20-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the blondie comes out clean. Remove to a rack and cool completely in the pan.

Combine the jimmies, chopped peanuts, and sugar cones in a bowl. When blondies have cooled, lift them out of the pan using the foil overhang. Cut in half and stack the two pieces, then trim the edges and cut into 16 squares (32 blondies total). With each pair of blondies, scoop ice cream onto one square and top with another, pressing down gently to distribute. Wrap in plastic and place in the freezer; chill for 2-3 hours. In a glass bowl, melt the chocolates in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each. Working quickly, remove each sandwich from the plastic wrap and dip halfway into the chocolate. Dip into the peanut mixture and set on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer for a few minutes, just until the chocolate has set. Rewrap in plastic and store in the freezer; remove a few minutes before serving. For the printable recipe with Sue’s tips, tricks and variations, visit itsokaytoeatthecupcake.com

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FASHION TEXT BY SHARON MOSLEY

Tourist Fashion Traps

he fact that you're on vacation doesn't mean you have to look like you left your sense of style at the bottom of your wine glass. You can still relax without looking like a hot mess. Here are a few tips to keep your cool and have a great time this summer, no matter where your travels take you. Plan ahead. When we start packing, we usually have a tendency to take everything but the kitchen sink. And you'll really look like a crazed tourist when you're struggling to heave that suitcase into the overhead bin on the plane. So before you even leave home, do some serious planning. Do your research. If your destination is unfamiliar to you, you definitely need to do your homework. There is plenty of information at your fingertips. It will pay off. Walking in heels on cobblestone streets is not a good look...and you do not want to be looking down at your feet instead of up at soaring cathedral ceilings. Check the weather, too. A lightweight rain jacket may be what you wear the most. Write it down. Making a list is critical. If you know your itinerary, then you can create a day-by-day wardrobe. This is especially helpful if you'll be traveling a lot during your trip. Lounging at a remote beach will require a very different packing list than touring the south of France. Think beach bag versus backpack. Keep it simple. If you stick to one neutral base color as the foundation of your vacation wardrobe, then you can play with mixing and matching possibilities and make your clothes do double duty. For summer, black and white work well, accented by pops of bright-colored tops and tees. Denim is another classic neutral that goes the

distance. Layer it on. You may be wearing your sweater when you leave home, but you'll want to get rid of it the moment you step off the plane on that tropical island and the temperature is 90 degrees. Even better, take an oversized scarf to wear. It can double as a sarong over a swimsuit later. Tank tops and tees are other layering essentials that don't take up too much room in your suitcase. Wear the bulkiest items like jackets or boots on the plane so you don't have to pack them. Edit, edit, edit. You may plan on taking in the sights of a whole new country, but you don't have to be a fashion faux pas that ends up on Facebook as a "Glamour" don't. Leave the kitschy logo T-shirts, the short shorts, the jangling bangles and the see-through tops for those off-days at home. I know the neon colored athletic shoes are trendy now, but you may not always want to stand out in a crowd of

tourists. There are plenty of sneakers and flats that are sleek and chic. And let's face it, comfortable shoes are a must on any trip. Blisters can ruin a vacation faster than you can ask for a Band-Aid. Make the most of accessories. A pair of special earrings can transform an everyday outfit for dinner at a fancy restaurant. A crushable straw hat may be a lifesaver from searing sun. A colorful clutch can hold cosmetics or jewelry in your suitcase and double as an evening bag. Scarves, shawls, and wraps are perfect wardrobe extenders. Roll them up and stuff them into the outside pockets of your luggage for easy access. Pare down the extras, especially shoes. Unless you are going to a wedding or have a special event to attend, pack shoes that go with most of your clothes. And if you're beaching it, leave the high heels at home. Sinking ankle deep into sand is the ultimate tourist trap. DIRECT MAGAZINE

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VALLEY OAK SPCA TEXT BY DR. LYDIA HOUSE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VALLEY OAK SPCA

Get Healthy With Your Pet “Ever wonder where you'd end up if you took your dog for a walk and never once pulled back on the leash?”

- Robert Brault

aving trouble finding motivation to exercise? There’s a good chance your dog can give you the inspiration you need. Dogs need exercise just like people do; in fact, they crave it. Regular exercise is necessary to keep your pet healthy both physically and mentally. Proper exercise can prevent a major health problem seen in dogs—obesity. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention performs an annual study and found that an estimated 54 percent of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese. Don’t let your pet get so overweight they can’t walk, so start now. Pay attention to the amount of food you’re feeding your pet and make sure they’re active. If your pet is already overweight, please schedule a check-up with your veterinarian before introducing a rigorous exercise plan. A reference to view healthy dog weights is the Purina Body Condition Score, which you can find it at: purinaveterinarydiets.com Need another good reason to exercise your dog? A tired dog is a good dog. Exercise can prevent numerous behavior issues such as destructive chewing, excessive barking, digging, and hyperactivity. Dogs are inherently active; they are not built to be lazy. Some breeds were created for qualities like speed and endurance. Examples are hunting dogs like Retrievers and Pointers and herding breeds like Australian Shepherds and Border Collies. All dogs, no matter the breed, benefit from a regular exercise routine. Try to mix it up a little. Taking your dog for daily walks is obviously an easy

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way to provide exercise, but there are many other opportunities for you and your dog to stay active. Swimming is a great option. If you have a water-loving dog, then swimming is a perfect way to keep him/her fit. Some breeds, like Labradors, can easily spend hours in a pool, lake, or river having fun. (Please never let your dog enter a fast moving or dangerous river.) Playing fetch is another option. Go out in the backyard with your dog and spend some time throwing a ball or Frisbee around. If your backyard isn’t big enough, check out the dog parks in Visalia; they have plenty of room and can be a great way to socialize your pet at the same time. Please make sure your dog has had their complete set of vaccinations before you take your dog into a dog park or even for a walk around the neighborhood. This is especially vital for puppies that can easily pick up potentially fatal diseases like Parvo from parks and yards. An important thing to remember while walking your dog is to pay attention to their paws. If your dog has not spent much time on concrete, their paws may need some gentle breaking in before diving into long, daily walks. Watch for cracking or sores on their pads. Also, remember the concrete and asphalt can be extremely hot. Dogs have no protection from the heat and their pads can be burned. If you are physically unable to walk, or you need an alternative to walking, think about a treadmill for your pet. This is a great way for them to get exercise in the safety of your own home. Valley Oak SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill rescue that operates

solely on donations and contributions from our local community. To make an online donation or submit a volunteer application, please visit our website: www.vospca.org. VALLEY OAK SPCA LOW-COST SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC 9405 West Goshen Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291 For clinic information and appointments, please call (559) 741-1121 or (559) 741-0492

PET OF THE MONTH

My name is Porky. Looking for an excellent exercising buddy? We’ve got the perfect one for you! Our friend Porky is a three-year-old terrier mix looking for his forever home. Porky was scheduled to be euthanized at a shelter with limited space until Valley Oak SPCA rescued him. Today, Porky is alive and well, but still waiting for his forever family to rescue him. This kind-hearted pup loves people and will make an excellent walking/jogging buddy! He is very smart and eager to please. Are you Porky’s perfect match?

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SUMMER CAMPS

Visalia Summer Day Camp Guide 2017

CLAY CAFÉ KIDZ KAMP June 19, 20, 22; July 10, 11, 13; July 24, 25, 26; Aug. 7, 8, 10, 12-4 p.m. At Clay Café’s Kidz Kamp, children will enjoy old-fashioned summer days with lunch, ceramic painting, crafts, games, and water fun. Each week is three-days of fun, so call ahead to reserve your child’s spot: (559)733-2022.

his summer, Visalia offers plenty of opportunities for your child to learn, explore, play, and create. Whether your child is interested in art, sports, or science, there are plenty of options to choose from to keep your kids' hands and minds busy all summer long. ARTS VISALIA ART CLASSES June 5–July 28, times vary This summer, Arts Visalia will be offering children’s art classes for ages 5-6, 7-10, and 11 and up. Children will have the opportunity to learn about the basic elements of art that emphasize imagination, creative problem solving, instruction in drawing, painting, sculptures, ceramics, photography, print making, and mixed-media. For more information and to register, head to artsvisalia.org.

IMAGINEU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM SUMMER CAMP June 5–July 28, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. As with all other camps and programming at the museum, this camp will be very hands-on and will feature unique approaches to learning. In addition, each week will feature activities centered around different themes, like life sciences, gardening, gadgets, and more! Registration is open for children between the ages of 4 and 12. For more information and to sign up, visit imagineumuseum.org.

THE LIFESTYLE CENTER SUMMER KIDS CAMP June 26-30, July 24-28, 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 years old will enjoy a full week of games, outdoor water play, rockwall climbing, swimming, and much more! This is a great opportunity for your child to spend the day hanging out with friends, getting out of the house, and doing something fun and physical during summer break. The Lifestyle Center members receive a discount. For more information, call (559) 624-3416. The Lifestyle Center also offers a separate Volleyball Clinic for beginners (June 13, 14, & 15) and advanced (June 20, 21, & 22). VISALIA PARKS & RECREATION CAMPS June 5–August 4, times vary The Visalia Parks & Recreation offers a myriad of summer programs, day camps, and classes for all ages. From Camp Kaboom to sports and theatre camps, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this summer. For more information on specific day camps and how to sign up, visit liveandplayvisalia.com.

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SEEN AROUND TOWN ANNUAL DOWNTOWN VISALIA CAR SHOW On Saturday, May 20, Main Street was bustling with activity during the annual downtown Visalia Car Show, hosted by the Visalia Breakfast Lions Club. This shot was taken by Troy Korsgaden from his apartment above Crawdaddy’s.

DOWNTOWN VISALIA FARMERS’ MARKET, NOW OPEN! The Downtown Visalia Farmers’ Market opened for the spring/summer season on Thursday, May 18. Downtown was bustling with activity as patrons came out for the fresh produce, handmade artisan goods, food trucks, and a charity corn hole tournament. The Downtown Farmers’ Market will take place every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. from now until Sept. 21. Photo by Roger Gonzales. OPENING OF THE BUTCHER & BAKER CAFÉ Glick’s & Co., near downtown Visalia, is now home to a new breakfast spot, The Butcher & Baker Café. Here, visitors can enjoy a hearty butcher-inspired breakfast or a sweet item from the griddle. The spot will be open for breakfast Tues.- Fri., 6 a.m. and Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE TWO NATIVE VISALIANS RETURN TO OPEN SEQUOIA KUNG FU AND YOGA Maya Rodriguez—A Visalia native, Maya earned her 200-hour yoga international teacher training certificate through INSPYA, her kids yoga certification through It's Yoga Kids, as well as ran her own successful yoga studio in Beijing, China. By returning home to Visalia, Maya hopes to share her passion for yoga and to create a safe and nurturing environment in which all can make a positive change in their health and well-being. Sonny Mannon—Born and raised in Visalia, Sonny began studying Chinese Martial Arts more than 16 years ago, including eight years of full-time training in Beijing, China. Sonny is a committed teacher and has taught seminars and workshops on Chinese Martial Arts worldwide. Now back in Visalia, he is excited about sharing his experience and knowledge of the movement arts with the community. 18

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SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT If you witnessed something great that took place in Visalia or Tulare County, submit a short blurb and a photo for Seen Around Town or People on the Move to direct@dmiagency.com.

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FOCUS FITNESS ON

ANDY & ERYN SALAZAR, EMPOWER FITNESS TEXT BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN, SMILE CENTRAL VALLEYTRAINING

What’s Holding You Back?

e are now halfway through the year. Have you reached your health and fitness goals? Some of you may be on track to hit your weight loss and fitness goals before the end of the year, while others have maybe fallen off the wagon. If you are on track, congratulations! Keep up the good work. For those of you that have fallen off track, it’s time to get back on the horse. I’m going to lay out three things that may be holding you back and how to overcome them. 1. Fear of Failure. Some of us get paralyzed with the idea of starting or finishing something because we are afraid of failing, or we have tried in the past and have not been successful. This is a normal fear and one that we don’t often think about when it comes to health and fitness. Fear of failure holds a lot of us back from accomplishing the things we know we are capable of, because we don’t want to look bad in front of others or let ourselves down again. You can decide that today is the day to take this fear head-on and stop letting it hold you back. The key to overcoming this fear is to take daily,

positive steps toward your goals. Overtime, your success will be inevitable. If you focus on the activities that are going to give you the results you want and move toward them everyday, failure is not an option. 2. Fear of Change. This is a sneaky one. We might think we want to lose weight and get into shape, but we may not want it bad enough to change our lifestyle. Why? Because we are comfortable and change is hard. For some of you, this fear might sting a little because it forces us to be honest with ourselves. If we truly want to lose weight and get into shape, we have to be willing to make changes to our lifestyle to accomplish them, otherwise it’s not going to happen. Fear of the unknown, and of having to change your routine, hold a lot of us back from accomplishing our health fitness goals. You can overcome this fear by making positive changes in your life slowly so that not everything changes overnight. Start by adding one thing every week, and before you know it, you will have changed your whole lifestyle. Change is hard, but you can do it. 3. Paralysis by analysis. For some of us, we will research everything we can about weight loss, exercise, or dieting and the amount of information we find can be overwhelming. With so many conflicting reports and results, it’s hard to know where to start, so we never start at all or we try one thing

and then move on to the next without seeing it through to completion. This is what I call paralysis by analysis; we research ourselves right out of the results we could be getting. The key to overcoming this fear is to just get started with an exercise routine you enjoy and an eating plan that works for your lifestyle. Don’t be discouraged by what you read or by comparing yourself to others; just get started and keep moving forward. There you have it, three things that might be holding you back from reaching your health and fitness goals. I hope you have received some value from this article. Remember, Time + Consistency = Results. You can do this! Get started today and make positive choices toward reaching your goals.

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VISALIA FIRST TEXT BY PASTOR TONY KENSINGER, EXECUTIVE FAMILY PASTOR AT VISALIA FIRST

Being a Dad:

One Step at a Time

ather’s Day is quickly approaching, and as I look back, I don’t know how my kids ever made it. How did I ever make it? Being a dad seems impossible, but there are some baby steps you can take that will forever change the way you parent. Let’s take a look at my oldest—he is 19 and at college. It’s sounding good so far. But along the way, we sure had lots of speed bumps. I remember battling over whether or not he would pick up the UNO cards for forty-five minutes when he was two. Is that normal? How about putting him down for a nap with a juice cup—bad idea. For you young dads out there, that results in rotting teeth. And I remember him taking his first steps…as he reached for a bag of Doritos. Yet somehow, he made it. Often I feel like a failure as a dad, even though I am so proud of everything my kids continue to accomplish. It is natural for men to feel like they don’t measure up. The assumed role of “dad” is scary, undefined, and leaves me feeling completely incompetent. There isn’t a study guide, nor do I feel qualified for the position, yet I am the CEO. I just want to do a good enough job that my kids don’t end up all jacked up. Let me share some hope with you: being a dad is simple. What? Yes, being a dad is simple. It just requires making a simple impact in your child’s life once a week, and keep doing it as long as you live. Take some baby steps. From the time a child is born until they graduate high school, is approximately 936 weeks. Then they graduate and you still have to be dad until you graduate to heaven. That’s a lot of weeks. But I don’t have to be the

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best dad in the world. I just need to have one win every week. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS I CAN WIN? TIME: I set my phone down and listen to my child. I play with them and engage them in their world. I let them know I will stop what I am doing because they are important. I can’t do that all the time, but at least once a week I can give them time with dad. FUN: The memories you have are filled with emotions. I want my kids to have fun memories with me. That means watching a funny show together, going to an event together, or just having a tickle fest in the living room. Creating those experiences surrounded in laughter and enjoyment is doable once a week.

LIFE: Remember that coach who told you that you could do it? Be that coach for your kids. Speak into their lives. Encourage them. Tell them they have a future and a hope. Tell them you are proud of them. Tell them you love them. No regrets; once a week speak life into their lives. I watched my son take those first steps as a toddler. He had no idea what he was doing. It was scary, but the reward of getting some Doritos was worth it. I need to remember that parenting is simply me taking baby steps every week as my child and I grow together. Whether my child is a baby, teen, or full-grown adult, I can still touch his life on a weekly basis. What step will you take this week?

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CRAFT CORNER TEXT BY IMAGINEU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Finger Painting for Father’s Day

e just celebrated Mother’s Day with a special project for mom, so now it’s time to celebrate dad too! Let’s make him a special card that he can frame or hang on the wall for years to come.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • White card stock, cardboard, or paper • Finger paint or non-toxic tempera paint • Painters tape • Scissors • Small picture of your child • Non-toxic glue • Tape & paper clip (optional)

DIRECTIONS: • Using the painters tape, cut out the letters for your words, like “I Love Dad” or “Happy Father’s Day.” Place several strips of the painters tape together so you can draw a heart and trace their hand. Cut out the heart and hand and place it on the card stock, cardboard, or paper. Place the letters on the same card for your message. • Have your child paint the card with their fingers over the entire card. Make sure they paint over the painters tape. • After the paint has dried, carefully peel off the painters tape. • Glue your child’s small picture in the heart. • Add a little paint in the hands if you wish. • Attach a paper clip to the back with the tape for hanging or frame the picture.

Randy Tellalian broker/owner

Office 559.636.1500 Efax

559.553.8849

Mobile 559.936.0475

This one-of-a-kind home on a cul-de-sac, in the established Gold Creek neighborhood, is an entertainer's dream. Impeccable design, layout and custom finishes, and a spacious, beautifully landscaped backyard with a renovated pool with mosaic tile. This house is a MUST see, too many details to mention.

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VISALIA RESCUE MISSION

Go Home

y friend Dan often talks about his father’s 1955 Ford Thunderbird—a beautiful, turquoise convertible. He showed me a black and white photo of him as a kid smiling in front of it. He looks happy. For years, Dan didn’t know his grandfather was an alcoholic. The story goes, his grandfather would pass out in the snow in front of their Michigan home and Dan’s father would be the one to get him into the house. If only all of our memories were like the Thunderbird and less like the burden of an inebriated parent. In the age of Instagram (or Instabrag, as a friend calls it), it’s so easy to believe the friends and family we follow live only happy lives and are only making happy memories—meals are home cooked, dirty dishes don’t exist, and we’re all perfect angels who don’t lose our temper or sleep on the couch some nights. Let’s admit it—if Instagram was recording 24/7, we’d look a little more, well, human. There’s a famous Bible story about a homeless man, which is usually something we know a little about at Visalia Rescue Mission, but in this case, he was homeless, naked, living in a cemetery, and was possessed by demons called “Legion.” We don’t know how long he had been living this way,

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understood, but then showed me the only that it was a “long time.” We do other side of the coin: “Sometimes know, however, that this man at one time had a family. things are better left in the past.” He may be right in this case. You never When Jesus healed him, the man did know what memories would surface something very interesting—he begged when that junker roars back to life. to go with Jesus. Jesus replied, “No, go back to your family, and tell them For many of our residents and everything God has done for you.” homeless guests at VRM, they’re still living in the past, unable to forget, What did the man do? He went “all unwilling to forgive. That’s why we’re through the town” and shared the news here—to walk with people through the with strangers. restoration process and tell them what This story struck me so differently as Jesus told the healed man: I know your I read it this last time. I immediately past. I know you’re scared to go back. thought of the men and women in our But don’t relive the past! Invite your Life Change Academy. Their memories family into your present and what God are filled with abuse or stealing from has done for you! their loved ones. They are filled with regret for leaving children or dropping out of school. They’re filled with Ryan Stillwater is the Director of violence and incarceration. It must have Development for Visalia Rescue been similar for the naked, homeless Mission. Contact him by e-mail: man. Why else would he beg to go with ryan@vrmhope.org. Jesus? And why else would Jesus tell him to go back to his family? As I write this, 9th ANNUAL four residents will be graduating from our Academy an hour from now. If you watch their interviews on our YouTube channel, COOKIN’ UP A BETTER FUTURE you’ll only hear from three, as one of them doesn’t want their family to know where they are. I imagine they can relate to the homeless man in BENEFITTING Jesus’ story. Dan found a ’55 Thunderbird on eBay this week in 2017 S U N D A Y need of restoration. I know little about cars, so I asked a WYNDHAM HOTEL friend who does 9000 W. AIRPORT DRIVE • VISALIA and told him about Dan’s desire to restore it, paint it turquoise, and gift it to his father. He

for Families

JULY16

3PM - 6PM

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AUTO SHOP

Auto Service at its

BEST

OIL CHANGE $ 3499 SPECIAL With Free Battery Check

Up to 5 quarts regular oil, most vehicles. Expires 30 days from recommended services date. Synthetic oil add $10 for stocking brand

Classic Cars

ately we've had some classic cars in our shop. It has been fun and a nice change, back to when things were simple and straightforward. Let’s see, we’ve had a ‘39 Ford Coupe, a few ‘65 Mustangs, a 1962 Rolls Silver Cloud, a ‘68 VW Bug, a ‘54 Chevy Sedan, and a few others. My friend Dave Enns just had his 1966 GTO in after taking a few years to restore. This was normal for us growing up in the ‘50s and ‘60s, so when someone looks at me and asks if I can work on classic cars, I just look at them and smile. So, if you have a “classic,” give us a call and we would be glad to work on it for you. On another note: We are getting people that want to supply their own parts for repairs. We understand you might be trying to save money. We explain that for us to stay in business, we must make a profit, and that includes parts we supply. When we install parts, it also comes with a two-year, 24,000 nationwide warranty. I will bet that online parts companies will not help you when the part fails and you end up in Timbuktu! It’s the same reason why you would not bring you’re own steak into a restaurant and expect them to cook it for you. We hope you understand. The heat is coming, so be prepared.

Understanding your car’s systems is what we do. Give us a call when any need or problems arise. We are here to help. 2044 E. Main St., Visalia 559.734.2886 www.misfiregone.com

IN GRILLING, TASTE RULES

P.S. Our grandson, Joel, is in remission and our daughter, Katie, is doing well after her AVM. But please keep my niece, Gina, in your prayers. She had surgery for a brain tumor and is now in treatment.

Jim and Staff Follow this link to learn about the basics of your car. theautoshop.mynapasa.com

Control Your Grill Via 651-3388 Smart Phone 6837 W Pershing Custom Programmable Cooking Instructions (Shirk & Pershing) Monitor Food Temp M-F, 7-5 Sat 9-1 | www.TheGardenWorld.com

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CHARACTER COUNTS! TEXT BY KELLEY PETTY, CHARACTER COUNTS! COORDINATOR, TULARE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

LEAH SEE, 5TH GRADE Annie R. Mitchell Elementary School, Visalia Within minutes of meeting Leah See, she points to a poster on her classroom wall with inspiring words, including “Mindset, Positive, Goals, Team, Believe, Results, Mistakes, Attitude, and Character.” These are descriptors of a growth mindset from the current research of Stanford University Professor of Psychology Carol S. Dweck. Leah attributes her positive character to the growth mindset strategies she is learning from her teacher, Mrs. Madsen. Mrs. Madsen says, “Leah is a student that always portrays trustworthiness. I can count on her to be honest and keep her promise when she says she will do something. She is loyal to her friends and family. Leah is her true, authentic self and doesn't change her character to make others happy. Leah has a consistent and positive behavior that other Golden Eagles can count on!” Classmates were quick to provide examples of Leah’s attributes as a friend, classmate, and role model. “She is always happy to help and never complains about giving of her own time to edit a classmate’s essay, even when no other student will. She is kind and doesn’t let negative influences change her behavior or attitude toward others.” Leah appreciates everyone’s support, saying, “It makes me feel happy that my friends think of me as a respectful and responsible friend, but I have to thank my parents for what I do. My mom is nice and respectful and I want to be like her. My Dad supports my goals to be a better soccer player and teammate. He shows me what to correct and wants me to do my best.” 24

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Since Leah was six years old, soccer has been her passion. Her good character and development of a growth mindset for her future are giving her tools to stay focused on her goal of becoming a member of the UCLA Women’s Soccer team. For the next seven years, Leah will continue to remember those words on her fifth-grade classroom wall and will use them as cues to set small goals to gain incremental progress, listen to adults who know how to praise her efforts to keep her motivated, learn from her mistakes, and understand the importance of teamwork to achieve success. We look forward to reading Leah’s name on the 2025 UCLA Women’s Soccer roster! JEANNINE OCAMPO, 8TH GRADE Live Oak Middle School, Tulare The adolescent years are often characterized by separating from family-centered relationships and embracing peer relationships, which may include selfcentered attitudes and the challenge of rules and boundaries. Jeannine Ocampo is defying these stereotypes. Jeannine’s little sister follows her every move, sometimes literally. “She follows me all of the time and does everything I do. So, I try to show her how important it is to be respectful and have manners—like opening the door for others, greeting people with a handshake, and helping them. I feel very proud that Jen admires what I do.” The oldest of three children, Jeannine takes pride in helping her mom with English language translation and chores around the house. She credits her Mom for taking the time to teach her about helping others and always being respectful.

As an eighth-grade student at Live Oak Middle School, Jeannine continues her kind and helpful manner in the WEB program (Where Everybody Belongs). Jeannine may be humble and shy, but when it comes to leading in the WEB program, she has the reputation as a caring student leader who will look for bullying behaviors and help stop them. WEB gives older students the permission to be aware of and report any negative behavior to help create a safer school for everybody. Jeannine’s teacher, Bev Yoshida, says, “Jeannine is willing to step up to the plate to help and speak up for her peers. She goes above and beyond the call of duty whenever her help is needed. She handles any negativity with grace and calm. It is my secret hope that she goes into the field of education as an adult.” Jeannine’s friends, Yesenia and Mariana, agree with Mrs. Yoshida. “If Jeannine sees us struggling, she will be the first to cheer us up with a joke or be the friend who is always there for us. She is someone we can trust.” Both teachers and friends concur, “We never see Jeannine mad or upset. She doesn’t seem to have bad days— ever!” The calm, cool, and collected young lady—who chooses to focus on others rather than herself, values her family time, and has a reputation of respect beyond measure—will graduate from Live Oak Middle School this month. And we are certain her character will continue to shine throughout high school.

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GARDENING TEXT BY SHARON PLEIN, UCCE MASTER GARDENER

Coffee Filter Sachets from the Garden

pring is the most beautiful time of the year in the Central Valley, and it’s a perfect time to gather blossoms and herbs from the garden to make sachets with your children. Using a few simple ingredients, the petals that you gathered, coffee filters, and pieces of ribbon, you can create fragrant sachets to tuck into drawers and linen closets. These will become fragrant memories that you will treasure for months. HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • Flower petals and herbs collected from the garden • Paper towels and a cookie sheet for drying flower petals • Round coffee filters. Standard coffee filters are seven and three quarters inches in diameter. You can purchase white or unbleached brown filters. The unbleached filters are light-brown and make pretty wrappers.

• 1 T baking soda for each sachet • A measuring spoon • A few crushed cinnamon stick pieces, whole allspice, and cloves are optional additions, but they add a pleasant, spicy fragrance. • A bowl for mixing the petals and optional ingredients • Lengths of ribbon to secure the coffee filter edge LET’S GET STARTED! First, take a walk through the yard and garden to collect flowers and herbs. Roses are a great addition to a sachet mixture. Also look for lavender, rosemary, mint, or sage. White and pink clover will also add fragrance. Practically anything that blooms and smells good can be added to the collection. Next, dry the materials that you picked. Pull the petals from the flowers and place them flat on paper towels on a cookie sheet for drying. After 4 to 7 days, they should be dry enough to combine with the other ingredients. Place the dried petals, herbs, and the optional spices in the mixing bowl and stir to distribute the ingredients.

Now it is time to flatten out the coffee filter. Most round coffee filters are pleated, but you can press them flat with your fingers. Place 1 tablespoon of baking soda in the center of the filter. Next, add the rest of the sachet mixture. These sachets packets will be small, so you do not want to overfill the pouch that you are creating. Finally, you are ready to gather the edge of the coffee filter to make the pouch. Twist the top of the filter. Little fingers will need help and practice with this step! Take the length of ribbon and tie off the sachet pouch at the top. Finish the little pouch with a bow. Adding a sprig of lavender or a dried rosebud is a nice final touch. This step may also require an extra set of hands. Repeat these steps until you have used all of your ingredients or created enough packets for teachers, grandmas, and friends. You have created mini sachets with maxi scents to enjoy throughout the spring and summer.

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VUSD TEXT BY TODD OTO, ED. D, VUSD SUPERINTENDENT

and our community to the degree that our Board of Trustees has committed to them through the 2022 school year. We have much work ahead of us, but there is much evidence to show that we are moving forward. Last month, the State released the California School Dashboard. This report provides the public with an accessible means to review the progress of students. Our results are positive, with growth on all indicators and for nearly all student groups. With a new middle school opening this year, a new elementary school and K-6 charter school opening next year, a new campus for Sequoia High School in the works, and two additional elementary schools under consideration, we have committed to the construction of new schools and the development of programs that will serve our students and our community as it grows. We want our community to be proud of our schools, and our schools are a part of what makes us proud of our community.

The Year in Review

school year has a natural cycle that influences a community markedly. When school starts in the fall, we reflect the optimism of a new academic year with new classes and teachers, sometimes new schools, and the chance for a fresh start to learning after a break, presenting the opportunity for renewed enthusiasm for learning and achievement. The middle of the school year reflects the development of routine and the familiarity of hard work toward goals. The end of the school year represents the final push to bring a season of learning to an end and also the ceremonial transitions that accompany the season. With more than 28,000 26

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students in our district, these school year seasons truly do impact our community. The approach of the end of the traditional school year provides a natural time to reflect on the accomplishments of Visalia Unified over the past 12 months. It has been a good year in our district. Throughout the year, we have worked to communicate our revised mission and goals. Our mission is to provide our students an education that affords them limitless opportunity for the future. Serving this mission are five goals that seek to ensure a challenging curriculum and support for all students, a collaborative culture for kids and adults, a caring and encouraging environment for all, a highly qualified staff, and the efficient use of our resources to achieve our mission. Our mission and goals reflect the needs of our students and staff and have resonated with our organization

June marks the end of my first year as Superintendent of Visalia Unified. It is an honor to lead the organization that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked in for more than 30 years and that has such a profound impact on the community that I have made my home for the same length of time. The 2016-2017 school year has been a good one, with many achievements to be proud of. Visalia kids and schools have demonstrated high levels of achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts. Our student culture is strong and positive. We have a staff that is committed to providing the best opportunities possible for our students. Our belief is that the best school experiences combine academic preparation with strong and positive personal connections with adults. We are working hard to bring those experiences to every child in our care so that they can have the futures they want and that we want them to have. Thank you for your support and for trusting us to work with your children.

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MONEY MATTERS TEXT BY MARY HUNT

Stop Throwing the Citrus Away

have a confession. For years, I've been tossing beautiful, bright flavor into the garbage. This sad situation is the result of cutting a lemon in half, quickly juicing it for some immediate need, and then tossing what's left. Or, when facing a need for lemon zest, grating that thing till it's bald, and then giving it a toss. Ouch! There is a way to use up a lemon (or some other citrus fruit) in its entirety and preserve what you don't need now for when you do need it later. ZEST IT My new routine is to always zest a lemon first, even if all I need at the time is juice. The easiest way is to place the lemon over a piece of parchment paper and then run all over it with a fine zester,

which scrapes off the yellow part of the peel but not the white pith beneath. The paper—better than a plate or bowl— catches all the fine grates and loose strands and essential oils. Once done, I scoop all of it into an airtight container or bag using a bench scraper to make sure I get every precious flavorful bit. I keep it in the freezer. The pieces are so fine that defrosting for use is never necessary. I just reach into my container of lemon zest and take what I need. It's amazing and just as fresh as if I'd started with a new lemon. Add a pinch of lemon zest to just about anything to brighten it up—salad dressing, cookie dough, meringue, ice cream, butter, meat marinade, and even pancake batter! PEEL IT There are times when you need a larger piece of citrus peel and zest won't do, like for a garnish or to infuse in marinades, syrups, or cocktails. Once your supply has reached a respectable level, you'll have enough to make jam and marmalade. Simply wash the lemon (or orange) well and peel it before squeezing the juice. Store the peels—with all of the

pulp removed—in a plastic bag in the freezer. Now it's easy to reach in to take what you need. You won't believe how fresh and bright the flavors will have been preserved. DRY IT Strips of citrus peel can be dried out in a low oven (200°F or so) and then ground to create citrus powder, the perfect addition to any spice rub. CANDY IT Homemade candied lemon peel is a treat, one that is so decadent and classy it makes for lovely gift, not only at Christmas, but any time of year. You can sprinkle candied peels on top of baked goods or even dip the delicate strips in chocolate. Without a doubt, the easiest and most efficient way to make candied citrus peels is in a pressure cooker— specifically, your Instant Pot. You can find the complete recipe with photos and detailed instructions on the Hip Pressure Cooking website. You can use these methods with any citrus: lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits, Meyer lemons, and even smaller citrus, like key limes and kumquat. DIRECT MAGAZINE

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COLLEGE PREP TEXT BY MISSY YAVASILE, INDEPENDENT COLLEGE CONSULTANT, SOAR COLLEGE PLANNING AND CONSULTING

You Can be a Superstar for College

t is generally well understood that students who are aiming for a top-notch college right out of high school need to get good grades and be very involved in extracurricular activities. But what if I told you that there is a new emerging idea that this may not always be the case? According to Cal Newport in his book How to be a High School Superstar, there may be another way to make yourself stand out amongst the thousands of college applicants. Have I caught your attention? Then read on. According to Newport, students who develop the quality of “interestingness” can get into great colleges without killing themselves with AP classes and never-ending extracurricular activities. He has some simple rules to follow in order for this to be successful. He suggests that students unpack their busy schedule, fill it with free time, and use that free time to explore. Explore things that peak your interest. Go deep into the exploration of that interest instead of spreading yourself thin with a million “common” activities. As you learn more

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about this interest, accomplish something within this area that is hard to explain and not hard to do. Newport also explains “how” to do this. He gives some excellent study tips to save time for students. One of my favorite points he makes is that avid readers typically score higher on standardized tests. He explains how he read his first novel, Jurassic Park, while he was in the third grade. While not every student has developed the skills required to read such a book, I wholeheartedly support the premise

that reading improves most everything that has to do with education. So encourage (intrinsic or extrinsic motivation) your elementary kids to read. Let them read whatever they are interested in. Encourage them to read anything they can find that grabs their attention! It doesn’t matter if they can’t read every word or if they can’t understand all of the content; they will

develop better reading and writing skills as they are exposed to different authors and content. They need to develop a reading habit and become a lifelong reader. He suggests that they can read anything that makes them want to stay up late to read it! I concur. The premise of his book is that high school students should “free up” some time so that they can explore their interests or find something new they are interested in. He is the caveat: If high school students free up their time so that they can be more “interesting,” then they must fill up that time with exploring and delving deep into whatever they discover. This cannot be free time simply to play more video games or just to hang out with friends. In his book, Newport cites many examples using “interestingness” to help students get into the college of his or her choice. Although I agree that this is a great idea, I am also cautious when encouraging all students to drop their AP courses and extracurricular activities if they do not have a clear commitment to explore. For most students, the rigorous academic schedule and extracurricular activities are here to stay. But go deep into your favorite activities and give back to your community rather than just having a plethora of meaningless activities on your list! Want to know more? Read Cal Newport’s book, How to Be a High School Superstar.

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CROSSWORD 7 ___ and tackle 8 ___ Springs, AR 9 Inhabitant of: suffix 10 Awn 11 Linear units 12 Out of the wind 13 Spanish region 19 Parts of speech 21 Scandinavian 24 Historic river 25 Municipal maps 26 Of aircraft 27 Put on a new point 28 Nimble 30 Canadian province 31 Very fat 32 Baseball teams 34 Grand ___ 35 Lands ___ 38 Bell sound 39 The late Miss Maxwell 41 Strong thread 42 Indonesian island 4 4 Gave a bellow 45 Organs 47 Pretend 48 Mindanao tribesmen 49 Girl’s nickname 50 Where Sligo is

Hot and High

51 Stringed instrument 53 Ruin

ACROSS

33 Equal: Fr.

55 Hoosier city

5 4 New Mexico ski resort

1 Alaska city

34 Fruit favorites

58 Sicilian landmark

56 Medicine ___ , Alberta

5 New ___

36 Japanese sash

59 Man’s nickname

57 Fearless flier

10 Soviet sea

37 Spare

60 Thespian

58 Building extension

14 Nautical greeting

38 Cowboy’s pony

61 Italian beach resort

15 Waste Land poet

39 Uniform

62 ___ Springs, OK

16 Part

40 Indisposed

63 Time of life

17 ___ Tree State

41 Conducts

18 S. American capital

42 Surfeited

64 Far East country

20 Alcoholic

43 Illinois resident

DOWN

21 Drugs

45 Young women

1 Snoozes

22 German metropolis

46 European capital

2 Midwestern state

23 Growing forth

47 Spring bloom

3 Renowned resort

25 Section

48 Of a region

4 Look at

27 Wisconsin city

51 Jacob’s son

5 Kick downstairs

29 Middle East country

52 Baseball happening

6 Late-night caper

LOOK FOR YOUR ANSWERS IN THE NEXT ISSUE

DOWN TO EARTH - MAY ISSUE

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GOINGS-ON FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK Every month, the Arts Consortium presents First Fridays to explore the Visalia Art District. During the walk, you’ll experience a diverse range of local art in the downtown Visalia area. Check out the website for more information. When: June 2, 5–8 p.m. Where: Arts Consortium, 400 N. Church St., Visalia Contact: artsconsortium.org

BLUES, BREWS & BBQ Come out to downtown Visalia for a night of live music, refreshing brews, and lots of fun. The entertainment on June 2 will be Brad Wilson and the Thundering Blues Band. Proceeds from this event benefit Visalia Emergency Aid Council. When: June 2, 6-10 p.m. Where: Garden Street Plaza, downtown Visalia Contact: 859-3682 DOWNTOWN VISALIA FARMERS’ MARKET Every Thursday evening this spring and summer, stop by downtown Visalia to shop local at the Farmers' Market. Buy fresh produce, plants and flowers, and a variety of goods and hand-crafted items. Also, check out the year-round Farmers' Market on Saturdays at the corner of Caldwell and Mooney Blvd. When: Thursdays, now-Sept. 21, 5-8 p.m. Where: Downtown Visalia at Church and Main Streets Contact: visaliafarmersmarket.com

VISALIA CHAMBER ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET Each year the Visalia Chamber of Commerce honors the businesses and individuals who consistently go above and beyond to support our community. This year, dozens of local people and organizations have been nominated for these prestigious awards and the winners will be announced during a night of food, fun, and community at the Visalia Convention Center. When: June 8, 6 p.m. Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: visaliachamber.org/awards JOHN PAUL MAGAO MEMORIAL MOTORCYCLE RIDE Come out for the 9th Annual Motorcycle Ride Fundraiser. This is a motorcycle run and we are adding vendor booths this year. The public is welcome to join us for lunch ($10 Donation) and shop from our many vendors. All proceeds to benefit Redwood High School and College of Sequoias Scholarships. Motorcycle registration is at 8 a.m. and the ride starts at 10 a.m. Free entrance to check out the vendors! When: June 10, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Plaza Park Ballpark, 700 S. Plaza Dr., Visalia Contact: johnmagaoscholarship.org SECOND SATURDAY ARTISAN MARKET AT THE LOOKING GLASS From now through October, The Looking Glass in Visalia will be hosting a “Second Saturday” artisan and crafters fair. Come out and enjoy a day of shopping from local crafters. When: June 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Where: The Looking Glass, Court and Caldwell in Visalia Contact: thelookingglassvisalia.com

GUEST CHEF SERIES FOR FAMILY SERVICES OF TULARE COUNTY Experience delicious gourmet food and wine while supporting the mission of Family Services of Tulare County at the 9th Annual Guest Chef Series. Each year, we invite a guest chef to demonstrate a unique, three-course tasting menu. Each tasting is paired with a fine wine, and the tastings are followed by dinner, catered by David Vartanian of the Vintage Press. Guest Chef is an all-inclusive event— all food, wine, and entertainment is included with your $150 ticket. When: June 17 Where: TBA Contact: 732-1970

BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS AT THE FOX Hands in the Community announces the appearance of legendary performers Blood Sweat & Tears (BST) at the Visalia Fox Theater. BST is the first group to successfully fuse rock, blues, pop music, horn arrangements, and jazz improvisation into a hybrid that came to be known as “jazz-rock.” Some of the band’s memorable hits include: “You Made Me So Very Happy,” “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die,” and “God Bless the Child.” Seats for the Blood Sweat & Tears concert can be reserved at the website below. Sponsorships are available. When: July 15, 8 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: foxvisalia.org or call Hands in the Community, 625-3822

If you would like to have your event considered for a free listing in our “Goings-On” section, please email your submission to direct@dmiagency.com or fax to 738-0909, attention Goings-On. Please note, we do not guarantee listing of any submission. Submissions must be received six (6) weeks before publication. 30

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DARK SKY FESTIVAL Come out to the parks for the third annual Dark Sky Festival! Share your passion for the night sky and astronomy during this fun weekend. Special programs will be taking place all weekend, including star programs, telescope demonstrations, and campfire talks. All programs are free and open to the public. Events will take place in the parks, as well as at Lake Kaweah and in the town of Three Rivers. When: July 21-23 Where: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Contact: exploresequoiakingscanyon. com

ASK M.J.

TIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES ADVICE COLUMN

M.J. is a single mom living in Visalia. She has a Master of Science degree in Psychology, Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling Psychology, and has a certiﬁcation in Life Strategies Coaching. s I prepare for my only child to graduate from high school this year, I am full of excitement and some sadness that she is all grown up. I am both confident in the incredible person she has become and also worried that I may have forgotten to share some key pieces of life wisdom with her. Here are some things I hope will be helpful to all the new graduates out there: 1. You do not need to have your whole life figured out right now. Give yourself time to experience new things and explore the world around you. 2. Do what you love. People often go into a field of study because it is the ‘responsible’ thing to do, but living your passion is actually the responsible thing to do. If you want a life full of music (or fill-in-theblank), then study music. Build your career and life around what you love. 3. Do not be afraid to fail or make

BOOTS, BREWS AND BACON FEST The Visalia Convention Center’s inaugural Boots, Brews and Bacon Fest will take place indoors this summer. Festivities will include craft brew tasting, live music from Brandon Pasion and Leaving Austin, local restaurants featuring their best bacon bite, $1,000 cash prize for the best bacon bite as voted by the attendees, and pub games. Partial proceeds will be donated to Visalia’s roller derby team, the V-Town Derby Dames. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. When: July 29, 6-10 p.m. Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: visaliatix.com or 713-4040

mistakes. It is often in our failures and mistakes that we gain the wisdom we need to succeed. You can always make a different choice and begin again. People often struggle when making a decision because of the fear of making the wrong choice. Listen to your intuition and trust yourself. Everyone feels like an impostor or like they’re not good enough at times. It is okay to feel this way because insecurity hits everyone at one point or another. Just do not let it stop you from taking action and accomplishing your goal. You are enough just the way you are. Reach out to others. Ask for help or advice. Ask to have a conversation with someone who is working in your dream job. Put yourself out there because you never know how one connection could change your life in wonderful ways. Be responsible with your money and save. You will avoid a lot of stress if you find yourself needing an unexpected car repair and you have the money in your savings to take care of the problem. A helpful resource is Dave Ramsey’s Financial

Peace University: daveramsey.com/ fpu. 8. Experiences are better than things. Fill up your mind with memories with loved ones and friends instead of a garage or storage unit with longforgotten material items. 9. Be respectful to yourself and others. Be honest, kind, and forgiving. Having one or two really good friends who want what's best for you is much better than a dozen friends who won’t show up for you when you need them. And be a good friend in return. 10. Take care of yourself. Life is so much easier to handle when you are feeling your best. Get enough sleep, eat healthy food, exercise, meditate, do things that feed your soul. Listen to your body and be good to it. And most importantly, love yourself and others. “Where there is love, there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi. If you have a question for M.J., send it to direct@dmiagency.com with the subject line “Ask M.J.” All questions will be published anonymously.

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C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E â&#x20AC;&#x201D; T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y

WARREN REPORTS TEXT BY WARREN GUBLER, MAYOR

Miki Park Dedication

isalia has a brand new park known as "Miki Park." This half-acre park, at the corner of Mineral King and Stevenson, near City Hall, has been in the works for many years. The park is designed to reflect Japanese landscaping, including stone lanterns. These lanterns light up and make the park particularly attractive for viewing in the evening. The entrance to the park is an Americanized version of a Japanese torii, which is a traditional Shinto gate. We dedicated our new park on Saturday, April 22, with the assistance of a 14-person delegation from our sister city of Miki, Japan. The event included speeches, a ribbon cutting, the unveiling of the monument at the center of the park, and the planting of a "sakura," or cherry tree, to symbolize the friendship between our sister cities. Included in the Japanese delegation was the vice-mayor of Miki, Japan, Shigetoshi Inoue and the chairperson of the Miki city council, Minoru Hatsuda. Our sister city relationship began in 1966, and in November 2016, Visalia sent an 11-person delegation to Japan to celebrate our 50th anniversary. The dedication of this park celebrates the beginning of our next 50 years as sister cities. We thank the various local host families who housed our Japanese visitors for several days. We took our guests to a Rawhide baseball game, Sequoia National Park, to see the Riata Ranch cowgirls, and to tour various businesses and COS to get a taste of American lifestyle. Their trip concluded 32

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with an all-American barbeque in the Gubler backyard. A highlight of the program that evening was vice-mayor Bob Link and I singing and dancing to the hit Japanese music video "The Apple Pen Song." If you're curious, look it up at youtu.be/0E00Zuayv9Q. We thank all of those who helped make this a memorable trip for our Japanese guests and we look forward to our next visit to our sister city, maybe in 2018? Be sure to drop by and check out our new Miki Park. P.S. I might add that the word Miki translates to "three

trees." Our new park even has three stately old growth sycamore trees, which someone pointed out is symbolic of the "three trees." THE PATIO PLACE I recently received an email from a local businessman, Ron Bock. He wrote to mention that while in a prior article I had made mention of his business neighbors on either side, DSW and Home Goods on South Mooney Blvd., I had failed to mention his new store. So my wife and I dropped by to check it out. Ron's store is known as "The Patio Place." Ron was raised in Visalia, moved away, and opened stores elsewhere, then came back to Visalia to open this store. He knew from experience how nice people from Visalia are and

had been wanting to go into business here. If you're looking for high-quality, outdoor furniture of all types, drop by The Patio Place. Ron, I hope I made up for failing to mention you and your store previously, and good luck. We appreciate all of our local businesses, and I enjoy attending as many ribbon cuttings as I can as a representative of the city of Visalia. VISALIA'S F-15 FIGHTER JET On March 9, 2017, Vice-Mayor Bob Link, City Manager Mike Olmos, myself as Mayor, and others from Visalia were honored to attend the dedication of a F-15 Fighter jet at the Air National Guard base in Fresno. After some speeches by myself and Colonel Reed Drake, Commander of the 144th Fighter Wing, we unveiled the city's crest/ logo, which will now be on the jet flown by Lt. Colonel Chris Corliss. Visalia is working with the Air National Guard to arrange to have Ranger Corliss and our jet fly over Groppetti Stadium on July 4 as part of our city fireworks display this year. I should mention that we also had the opportunity to meet a number of Visalians who are members of the Fresno Air National Guard and we appreciate their service to our community, state, and country. And by the way, CASA of Tulare County was awarded the opportunity to put on this year's community fireworks celebration. They have big plans for a day-long celebration. Mark your calendars and plan on attending. Together, we can make this the best 4th of July celebration ever! If you have questions or topics regarding the city that you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren. gubler@visalia.city. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.

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