CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — THE HEART OF THE SOUTH VALLEY
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21ST ANNUAL
LifeWALK 5K RUN • APRIL 9 VIRTUAL VALLEY
Virtually Home: Staying Connected to the Valley
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
INSIDE MARCH 2016 P U B L I S H E D BY
DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 A D M I N I S T R AT I O N & E D I T O R I A L
Executive Editor KAREN TELLALIAN Editorial Coordinator KELLY LAPADULA Editorial Staff KATIE PRESSER Operations Manager MARIA GASTON CO NTR I BUTI N G WR ITE R S
cover story
4 Tulare-Kings RIght to Life 21st Annual LifeWalk and 5k Run features
8 Virtual Valley
departments 10 SPCA 11 Green Valley Gardening 15 Fitness 21 Kids’ Bookshelf 22 VRM 23 Fashion 24 Easy Eating 24 Family Focus
ANDY SALAZAR C. S. WYATT IMAGINEU KELLEY PETTY LEE LITTLEWOOD MISSY YAVASILE MARY HUNT RICHARD ROSE RYAN STILLWATER SARA JANSMA SHARON MOSLEY THEA FISKIN TODD OTO VALLEY OAK SPCA WARREN GUBLER
Virtually Home: Staying Connected to the Valley
25 Character Counts!
26 College Prep
GR APHIC DESIGNER
17 Create
CHRIS BLY A DV E R T I S I N G S A L E S
12 Visalia First
A Holy Saturday
14 Gardening 16 VUSD
30 Goings-On
Career Technical Education Continues to Evolve
32 Warren Reports
End of the Rainbow Twirler
SALES OFFICE
What’s Happening at the Chamber?
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 © 2016 DMI Agency
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28 Money Matters 29 Crossword
18 Gateway Church
B U S I N E S S M A N AG E M E N T
27 PRO-PT
Family Day: Get the Garden Ready for Spring
Account Executive MELISSA OLSON melissa@dmiagency.com 559.739.1747 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • fax 559.738.0909 email: direct@dmiagency.com
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Gateway to Easter
20 Visalia Chamber
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
21ST ANNUAL LIFEWALK
2016
A N D
5 K
R U N
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 9 A.M. PLAZA PARK, VISALIA Walkers and runners of all ages and abilities, from strollers to wheelchairs, are invited to join us in this easy and invigorating spring outing. Free T-shirt when you raise $100 or more. Prizes and race medals will be awarded for several different categories of participants. Grand Prize: 7-Day Mexican Riviera Cruise for Two FOR PLEDGE FORMS OR TO REGISTER: CALL 559-732-5000 AMANDA@TKRL.ORG | WWW.TKRL.ORG 5K run registration is $30 now until April 4 ($10 increase after April 4) There will be live music, bounce houses, face painting, and more!
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
V
isalia’s Plaza Park is the place to be on Saturday, April 9, where hundreds will gather to revive a culture of life! Starting at 9 a.m., this 5K run and 2-mile fun walk is an event for all ages and abilities, which raises funds to support free educational services to youth, adults, and families in Tulare and Kings Counties. Of course, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without live music, bounce houses, and face painting. Prizes, including a 7-day Mexican Riviera Cruise, will
be awarded to participants who raise the most funds. There will also be race medals awarded to the top three runners in each of six age categories. Come to walk, run, mingle, and support the work of Tulare-Kings Right to Life. 5K and Walk Registration and pledge forms can found on facebook.com/TulareKingsRightToLife or at tkrl.org. For more information, call 559.732.5000.
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
21ST ANNUAL LIFEWALK
Voices for Life, a TKRL program committed to educating students about the value of life, provides education and support to encourage youth to avoid sexual risk, preserve life, and to serve as an example for their peers.
REVIVING A CULTURE OF LIFE Tulare-Kings Right to Life (TKRL) is a community benefit organization dedicated to protecting and fostering the most basic value of our society – LIFE itself. In today’s world where anti-life forces are attacking this value with increasing intensity, TKRL promotes, upholds, and supports reverence and respect for human life without regard to condition, quality, age, race, religion, creed, or color, whether born or unborn. With this in mind, they seek to educate the community in regards to abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, infanticide, embryonic stem cell research, fetal experimentation, and other actions that deny human dignity, while also informing citizens how to effectively make their voices heard in a democracy. Through an army of volunteers, TKRL sponsors informational booths at the Kings and Tulare County fairs, festivals, conferences, health fairs, and other public events. They also give presentations to civic and church groups. TKRL compassionately serves the community through programs like Latinos4Life, a Hispanic outreach that increases education and communication among young people and families on topics such as dating and relationships, sex, pregnancy, and abortion. 6
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The IRMA (I Regret My Abortion) Network increases awareness of after-abortion issues and offers healing opportunities for post-abortive women and men by providing a network of agencies, organizations, and individuals that can help them work through the trauma related to Post-Abortion Syndrome. Resources include After-Abortion Healing and Recovery Retreats, along with their annual AfterCHOICE symposium. TKRL’s pro-life billboards have been particularly effective in assisting women to reconsider plans to abort their babies and bringing the message of healing and restoration to those wounded by abortion. In addition to offering a wealth of pro-life resources and in-depth educational material through their extensive network, the organization also keeps its supporters up-to-date on pro-life happenings through its weekly eNews Update. To subscribe, visit the Tulare-Kings Right to Life Facebook page and click on “Sign Up.”
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
VIRTUAL VALLEY
Virtually Home:
Staying Connected to the Valley
V
irtual Valley residents can be found around the globe. We left the Central Valley for a variety of reasons, but we still consider that 400-mile strip between Bakersfield and Sacramento home. Leaving home is seldom easy. Online isn’t the same as 8
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being home, but it helps us maintain a connection to the Valley, wherever we find ourselves. Most of the Virtual Valley residents struggled with the decision to leave, but found the responsibilities and career goals required relocating. On Google News, I have set alerts for Fresno, Visalia, and California in general. In the three weather apps on my iPhone and iPad, I have entered Visalia as the initial page. During the winters, I can at least remember what it was like to not have to shovel snow. Regardless of the reasons we left the Valley behind, virtual residents follow the news, weather, and sports online. My Facebook and Twitter feeds feature the Valley’s newspapers and television stations.
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
TEXT BY C. S. WYATT
Unfortunately, I have a complaint about the local papers where we are living in Western Pennsylvania. The three local newspapers charge for access to stories. The local papers have published stories about three of my stage plays. I wanted to share these stories from my iPad with my parents and friends, but only people with online subscriptions could access the stories. Newspapers might need new ways to earn money, but offering a few free stories a month, which even the New York Times and Washington Post do, would not hurt a local paper. If anything, allowing a few free stories to friends and family outside the area might lead to a few additional digital subscribers. Now that I know the local papers do not permit sharing links to stories, I access the stories and print them to share. Though Apple supports “Print to PDF” if you want to send a copy of a story, newspapers have claimed this violates their copyrights. This remains an unsettled legal issue, assuming you don’t post a copy online for anyone to read freely. Still, local newspapers should reconsider this subscription-only approach, since it annoys virtual residents and the distant friends and family members of local residents. Local papers won’t lose revenue if a few people in California read about my plays and films being presented in Pittsburgh. I’ve noticed that television and radio stations do a much better job promoting and allowing access to local news. That’s a shame, but the broadcast media can include advertisements at the start of clips and replace revenues in other ways. Personally, I check out Valley broadcasters more often than the local papers. I listen to local news and Fresno State sports over streaming radio services. My writing career began in Visalia, so I feel a deep connection to local performing arts, too. Friends share news and events for the nonprofit organizations I support. Last year, I donated to three projects in Visalia and watched the money at work thanks to photos shared by volunteers. It’s exciting to see the work being done at the Fox Theater (foxvisalia.org), Arts Visalia (artsvisalia.org), The Enchanted Playhouse (enchantedplayhouse.org), The Visalia Players (visaliaplayers.org), and the ImagineU Children’s Museum (imagineumuseum.org), just to name some of the groups I follow and support. Visalia and other Valley communities need local volunteers, and I do regret that the most I can do is donate money and promote events from several thousand miles away. I don’t get to attend the performances or wander exhibits, but I do what I can. Thankfully, I can see our Valley. High-speed Internet service
has changed the Virtual Valley. It is no longer costly text messages and resized, low-resolution photos sent through email. Today’s Virtual Valley is in real-time, live, and in color. Seeing friends and family virtually is also easier than we once imagined. The ability to see friends and family on a screen was science fiction only a few years ago. Video conferencing was expensive and looked horrible. Today, high-definition chatting on phones and tablets is possible. Using a computer with Skype is now considered old-fashioned. We can wave hello to family members who live in the Valley, from anywhere with a good WiFi connection. Students at the universities in Pittsburgh use FaceTime to talk to friends and family all around the world, even in places you might not expect. China, Vietnam, and Russia all allow video chatting applications. The dining halls sound like Babel, with a dozen or more languages being spoken while students wave to friends and discuss their experiences in the United States. It’s interesting to watch, and exciting. The world is little smaller every day. I am now completing a master of fine arts degree in film and digital technology, to complement my doctorate degree in rhetoric and technical communication. Today’s independent filmmakers don’t need to have red carpet premiers in Hollywood to attract audiences. Instead, films premier on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, or YouTube. The students I meet hope to be virtual residents of the entire world. That’s an amazing possibility. You can create art anywhere and have it viewed by a global audience. And yet, these students feel the same attachment to their homes that I feel for the Central Valley. Visalia is home to me. Some friends have asked if my wife and I plan to return, transitioning from Virtual Valley residents to “real life” Valley dwellers again. We moved from Visalia to Minneapolis in 2006 when I was offered a doctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota. To pursue a career in higher education, I accepted a teaching post in Pittsburgh in 2011. Though many of our friends and family are in the Valley, there isn’t a high demand for university professors back home. We miss the Valley, especially the food, which you cannot enjoy virtually. We return when we can to visit, and we probably would consider returning if the right opportunity came along. For now, though, we’re glad it is possible to be residents of the Virtual Valley. DIRECT MAGAZINE
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
VALLEY OAK SPCA TEXT BY LYDIA HOUSE, VALLEY OAK SPCA OPERATIONS MANAGER
Surrendering Your Pet, How We Can Help Caring for our pets can be the most rewarding, yet challenging endeavor. The love and trust we receive from our furry friends is unparalleled. One of the hardest decisions a pet owner can be faced with is what to do if circumstances prove difficult for them to continue to care for or keep their pet. Valley Oak SPCA accepts animals that are being surrendered by families living in Visalia and Dinuba. We have experienced an increase of owner surrendered pets: 951 pets were surrendered in 2015, an increase of 235 over the number of surrendered pets in 2014. Before surrendering your animal, please call us; we may be able to help keep your pet at home. We have resources to offer like our low cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinic, a list of reputable dog behaviorists, rescues, information on house training, crate training, and correction of destructive behaviors. If you find yourself in this predicament, here are some important facts to know. • Honesty is your pet’s best policy. By being honest about their behavioral issues, health issues, and vaccination history, you enable us to place them in a home that matches their needs. • Surrendered animals do not have to wait the state mandated “stray time” before they are available for adoption. If their health and behavior allow, they can be adopted immediately. • An animal that is spayed/neutered and is current on vaccinations is more likely to be quickly adopted or considered for rescue. Having current vaccinations can prevent dogs and cats from contracting illnesses in a kennel environment. 10
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If you must surrender your pet, please know we understand how difficult this decision can be. We’re here to help you make the best choices for you, your family, and your pets. For questions about surrendering, please contact Colleen Ferreira or Lydia House at 651-1111 ext 7. ABOUT VALLEY OAK SPCA Valley Oak SPCA provides food, shelter, and medical treatment to thousands of unwanted, neglected, sick, and injured animals every year. Your donations help us provide these animals a second chance to live healthy lives in loving homes. If you have some time and love to share, consider becoming a foster volunteer. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our website: vospca.org.
PETS OF THE MONTH Tali and Mr. Handsome Kitty were surrendered by their owners. Tali came to us in October and Mr. Handsome Kitty arrived in February. Their owners were no longer able to care for them. Tali is a 9-year-old female Chow mix. She loves people and children; it would be best for her to be the only pet in the home. She is spayed and current on vaccinations. Mr. Handsome Kitty is a 12-year-old neutered male with the most gorgeous blue eyes. He needs to be an indoor only cat, his previous owner had him declawed.
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
GREEN VALLEY GARDENING Lawn Care Tips:
on just the weekend day. Fewer watering days per week equal greater savings, fewer weeds, and lower chance for disease.
Save Water When Irrigating your Lawn
Step 3. Set the amount of run time for each station. For March, we only need about half an inch of irrigation per week, which is around 24 minutes of run time for standard pop-up and spray sprinklers. If the sprinklers rotate or have low flow nozzles, you may need to double that or water for about 48 minutes. The critical step here is to break that 24 minutes down to multiple start times. For example, three start times at eight minutes each, one day per week, equals 24 minutes of total water timer.
I
t’s that time of the year again – time to get your lawn and plants ready for irrigation. While we had a great rain season, it’s still very important to conserve water when irrigating. A properly set sprinkler timer can save thousands of gallons of water from washing down the gutter. Every day that you water, we lose water to evaporation from the wind and the sun. Fewer, deeper watering cycles save water. Here’s how to do it:
Step 4. Preset the start time(s) in the early morning. The watering has to be completed by 6 a.m., so you can set your timer to go off at 3 a.m., 4 a.m., and 5 a.m., for eight minutes each. Avoid watering in the evening, as it wastes water and is unhealthy for the lawn.
Before you begin, replace the battery backup in the timer so you don’t lose the program when the power goes out. Think of the timer as a glorified alarm clock.
That’s how simple it is. Taking just a few extra steps goes a long way toward saving water and keeping a healthier lawn..
Step 1. Set the date and time on your system, because it needs to know what time it is and what day of the week it is. Make sure you have the a.m./p.m. correct. This is important for plant health and for following government water restrictions.
For more information, contact Green Valley Gardening at (559) 713-6848 or go to GVGardening.com, and for all of the professional grade tools and supplies you need, contact Garden World at (559) 651-3388 or visit TheGardenWorld.com.
Step 2. Set the water to go on during your allotted days. Odd addresses water on Tuesday and Saturday, even addresses are Wednesday and Sunday. Until June, you can get by with watering
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
VISALIA FIRST TEXT BY SARA JANSMA
Easter at Visalia First
A Holy Saturday
I
n a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.” John 16:16
Jesus delivered these sobering words to His closest friends. For three years His disciples watched Him comfort the brokenhearted, heal sick bodies, and bring hope to the people around Him. How confusing and disheartening Jesus’ statement must have seemed! His friends heard His words, but didn’t know the full weight of sorrow they carried. Not yet. Less than a day later, Jesus was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death on a cross. Those closest to Him – those whom He had
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told He was leaving – saw Him die through eyes filled with horror, shock, and despair. It was a Friday. A HEARTBROKEN & HOLY SATURDAY “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” John 16:20 The day after Jesus died was the Jewish Sabbath, a day marked for peace and rest. But for Jesus’ friends, it was a heartbroken and Holy Saturday. The Bible leaves most of Holy Saturday a mystery to us. We don’t know what the disciples were thinking, we don’t know how they mourned, and we aren’t given ear to their tearful discourse. But this we know: they walked through Holy Saturday – the darkest and most hopeless of days – watching, waiting, and resting.
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
WATCH “And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.” Luke 23:48-49 As the disciples watched the death of Jesus, their biggest question must have been: “Where is God?” We’ve all been there. We’ve watched as our home was taken away because we couldn’t pay the mortgage. We’ve helplessly looked on as our child suffered from a disease we couldn’t control. We’ve muddled through the waters of a depression we couldn’t medicate or pray away. In desperation we have asked, “Where are you, God?” Staying right where they were, the disciples asked this question in the looming darkness of Holy Saturday. In the midst of their deepest pain, they didn’t run. They didn’t hide. They watched. In our greatest moments of weakness, when there is absolutely nothing we can do, watching takes courage. It is a choice to hold onto the promise, “...you will see Me again.” WAIT “Then they went home and prepared spices and ointment to anoint his body. But by the time they had finished, the Sabbath had begun...” Luke 23:56a Holy Saturday arrived before Jesus’ friends could properly honor His lifeless body with the spices they’d prepared, so they put them aside for when Sabbath ended. What is there to do when facing a new day after so great a tragedy – when we’ve experienced gut-wrenching disappointment and nothing is certain? As a community, we know what it means to confront uncertainty. For years those of us living in the Central Valley have waited for rain that didn’t come. We saw fields once green with growth and produce turn to brown with drought and decay. We knew rain must come again – but how? When? We waited. As the disciples waited they must have remembered Jesus’ promise to return – and they must have clung to the hope that He would bring new life with Him.
REST “...so they rested as required by the law.” Luke 23:56b Resting is often the most unnatural thing to do when we’re surrounded by chaos. Whether they meant to or not, Jesus’ friends demonstrated ultimate faith by resting the day after His death. Their obedient response in light of such heartache shows us that rest is a form of Holy submission. When we choose rest during the perceived absence of God, we begin to understand the reality of Who Jesus is, and the need for Him in our lives. “...‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!’ ” Luke 24:5-6 The darkness of Holy Saturday passed, and a bright new Sunday began. Jesus’ friends went to the place where He was buried with every intention of honoring His remains with the spices they had prepared. How shocked and astonished they must have been when, instead of finding Jesus’ lifeless body, they were greeted by angels who told them, “Your Jesus is alive!” Luke 24:4-6 The disciples had watched, waited, rested. They made it to the other side of Holy Saturday realizing the full, glorious weight of Jesus’ greatest miracle: His Resurrection! This Easter, may we watch in the midst of pain, wait as we trust Jesus with our uncertain future, and rest knowing that God does some of His best work in hopeless situations. The clouds roll in, the rain falls down, and the thirsty land comes back to life.
CELEBRATE EASTER WITH VISALIA FIRST Saturday, March 26, 5 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m. Visalia First 3737 S. Akers St., Visalia, CA 93277 559.733.9070 | visaliafirst.com
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
GARDENING TEXT BY BY SUSAN KATIEDID LANGROCK TEXT SCHIEFERLE AND THEA FISKIN, MASTER GARDENERS FOR UCCE TULARE-KINGS COUNTIES
CRITTER CONTROL • Send children on a pest patrol. Have them look for snails and other bugs on plants. Hand picking them off is a favorite past time for children. • Sluggo is a non-toxic bait that is safe for humans and pets. Have children sprinkle this granular bait over the planting area where snails have been spotted. • Insecticidal Soap is a non-toxic spray for bugs on plants. Children can practice “target spraying” on the leaves of bug infested plants. Aphids hate water, so give children water spray bottles and continue their “target practice” on aphids. Spray with Insecticidal Soap afterwards to help keep aphids away. • Yellow sticky traps can be purchased at local nurseries. Hung from a large plant, they attract aphids and white flies, which stick to them and die.
Family Day:
Get Your Garden Ready for Spring
M
arch is here, which means spring is right around the corner. Weeds are plentiful with so much rain coming our way. While we need the rain, we don’t need the weeds, so it’s time to get rid of them. Since there are many chores to be done in the garden during the spring, why not make a family day out of it and get them all done together. WEEDING • The whole family, even the smallest of children, can pull weeds. • Make sure each child has a small hand shovel or trowel. Show them how to find the center of the weed base and gently dig under it so they can feel the root loosen. They should be able to pull it up with their hand. • Be sure to put each weed in a trash bag or container as you weed. If weeds are thrown on the ground, they are more likely to spread (by seed) to other parts of the garden. • A hula hoe is a nifty garden tool that digs the root up and pulls out the weed in one step. CLEAN YOUR GARDEN TOOLS • Make sure all soil is off of tools and dried before you put them away. • Children can help clean by using an oily or dry rag to wipe off tools. Then use steel wool to get the remaining stubborn dirt and rust off of tools. 14
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MARCH IS “BRIDGE” MONTH • It is called this because we are bridging between winter and spring. • While adults are pruning back dead growth, trimming shrubs, and checking irrigation, children can be preparing the garden for planting. • Have children add compost to the beds, shovel, and work the compost (or soil amendment) into the soil, and rake smooth for planting. Give them a small area at a time to conquer. SOIL Have the children check your soil temperature with a soil thermometer for a few days in a row. If the soil temperature has reached 60 to 65°F during the day, and the nighttime air temperatures are consistently above 50°F, it is time to plant warm season veggies such as tomato and pepper transplants. VEGETABLE PLANTING • Plant seeds of beets, lettuce, peas, potatoes, and radishes directly into the garden early in the month. • Later in the month, after all danger of frost (after March 15), plant bell and chili peppers, cucumber, eggplant, okra, squash, tomatoes, and beans. • For more vegetable planting advice, go to ucanr.edu/sites/ UC_Master_Gardeners. • Click on Local Gardening Information. • Click on Vegetables, Herbs, and Gourds. • Click on Vegetable Planting Guide – this colorful guide tells you what months to plant either seeds or transplants and when to harvest.
Happy Spring!
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
FOCUS FITNESS ON
ANDY & ERYN SALAZAR, EMPOWER TEXT BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN, SMILE CENTRALFITNESS VALLEY TRAINING
Five Ways to Get Faster Results from Exercise
S
o your New Year’s resolution started off with a bang, and now two months into the year, your results are starting to slow down. I’m going to give you five ways to get faster results and get you back on track. Don’t get discouraged, it’s completely normal to hit plateaus and for your results to slow. Our bodies are very adaptive machines and they quickly adjust to the stress (i.e. exercise) we are putting it through. Don’t lose hope, because these five tips will get you back on track and have you losing inches and weight again. 1. Exercise Frequency. If you have been adhering to a specific schedule, say three days a week of hitting the gym, it’s time to kick it up a notch and add a day or two to your fitness routine. Frequency and the intensity of which you train are going to have an immediate impact on your results, and have you burning a lot more calories more frequently. 2. Cross Training. If you have been sticking to just one form of exercise, like walking or jogging, it’s time to start mixing it up. Walking and jogging are great, but you are leaving out several other major fitness elements such as strength training, flexibility, and balance. Start mixing in some weight training, yoga, and body weight training to amplify your results and challenge your body. 3. Workout Intensity. Another way to get your body back on track with burning fat and adding lean muscle is to increase the intensity of your workouts. Intervals are a great way to push yourself and burn a ton of calories in a short period of time. Interval training involves working out really hard for a short period of time, and is then followed by a short period of rest, and then the cycle is repeated.
4. Set Higher Goals. Set new goals that you can push yourself to strive for, like signing up for a 5k race or doing short fitness challenges with your friends or coworkers, like a 30day squat challenge or a Fitbit steps challenge. This is an easy way to keep you motivated and push you to reach new levels of fitness. 5. Ask for help. If you are at the point where you are getting frustrated with your results and not seeing the fruits of your labor, don’t be afraid to ask for help from one of your local health and fitness experts. They can get you back on track and give you the help and guidance you need to take your results to the next level. There you have it, my five tips for getting faster results from your exercise routine. I hope that you have received valuable information from this article, and that you apply these principles to your fitness and weight loss routine. Don’t get discouraged if you are not where you want to be with your results; remember, results take as long as they will take. Just focus on taking the actions you need to get you closer to your goals on a daily basis, and the result will take care of themselves.
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EmpowerFitnessTraining.com
The accountability you need to get the results your want, guaranteed! PICK UP THE PHONE TODAY AN CALL 559.636.FITT (3488) DIRECT MAGAZINE
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
VUSD TEXT BY TODD OTO, ED. D, VUSD SUPERINTENDENT
Career Technical Education Continues to Evolve
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our years ago, Superintendent Craig Wheaton authored an article titled, “Not your Dad’s Shop Class!” At that time, he outlined how career technical education programs (what we used to call “vocational” or “shop” programs) had grown to be more relevant for students and our local community. Since that article, career technical education has been the focus of some extraordinary activity, and that focus has had great impact on the options available to students in Visalia. Since 2012, a revolution of sorts has occurred within career technical education (CTE) at the state and federal level. The changes that have occurred have taken two forms; first, there is greater emphasis than ever on providing students a wellrounded education that contains a CTE component. You may have heard the phrase, “college and career ready” to describe the expectations for graduates in the 21st century. This means that every high school graduate must possess skills that provide them with the ability to enter the workforce in a field that offers the potential for promotion, or to enter an educational program (meaning an advanced training program or college) without need for remediation. Second, support for CTE programs has grown dramatically through increases in school funding and also targeted grants. This allows for the support, expansion, and
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development of courses that prepare students to be college and career ready. In Visalia Unified, we have been able to take advantage of both of these developments in powerful ways. We have been very competitive in the CTE grant arena. As a member of the Tulare-Kings County Linked Learning Consortium, we were able to receive two grants through the California Career Pathways Trust. The first grant allows us to create our ten Linked Learning Academies. These academies provide career-themed high school programs that combine core academic and CTE programs for cohorts of 60 to 120 students each. As I write this, eighth-grade students across our district are being offered the opportunity to take part in a Linked Learning Academy during their high school years. The second grant allows us to redesign and support our existing traditional CTE pathways to ensure that students who engage in these programs receive experiences that are relevant to their needs and interests, and that are also validated by local industry. Further, we have been successful in obtaining a Career Technical Education Incentive Grant that will be used to modernize our CTE facilities and programs, further supporting our overall CTE program. Visalia Unified has a long history of supporting career technical education. As a CTE instructor, I came to Visalia in the 1980s because of the strong programs offered in this district. It is exciting to know that we are able to provide strong, improved, and modern programs well into the 21st century that follow the traditional CTE pathways as well as innovative approaches to CTE through our Linked Learning Academies. The future in Visalia is bright indeed for providing our students with an education that supports college and career readiness.
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
CREATE TEXT BY IMAGINEU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
End of the Rainbow Twirler
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henever you see a rainbow, keep your eyes out for a pot of gold at the end. This month, we’re showing you how to make your own rainbow with a pot of gold and a leprechaun to watch over it. WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • Two white paper plates • Paint, crayons, or markers • Construction paper: black, gold, green, and pink (you can always use white construction paper and color it) • Scissors • Non-toxic glue • Cotton balls • String • Glitter (optional) • Googly eyes (optional) INSTRUCTIONS: • Paint or color both sides of one paper plate in a rainbow pattern. • With the scissors, start at the outside of the plate to cut spirals (children may need assistance). • Cut out a black pot and glue it to the end of the plate. • Glue on some gold circles to make gold pieces (you can add some sparkles too). • With the second plate, cut out the middle of the plate, and cover it with cotton balls to make a cloud. Glue it to the top of the plate. Poke a hole in the top of the cloud and put a string through the hole so you can hang it up. • To make the leprechaun, cut out a circle of pink paper for the face. Make a hat from the green paper and put it on the top of the head. Draw some eyes or put googly eyes on the face. Draw a mouth and a red nose. Glue the leprechaun to the top of the pot. • Once the glue has dried, you are ready to hang your rainbow twirler.
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
GATEWAY CHURCH
Dr. Ed Kemp Senior Pastor at GateWay Church Here at GateWay, we have children’s programs at all services, fresh coffee and pastries in the Café, and application-oriented messages. Taking the ancient texts of scripture and teaching them in fresh ways that are relevant, beneficial, and answering the question “So What?!” is Ed’s greatest goal. Regular service times are Thursday nights @ 6:45p with our Worship Band, Sunday mornings @ 8:45a with Choir and Orchestra, and 10:30a with our Worship Band.
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
GateWay to Easter Thursday, March 24 @ 6:45p Friday, March 25 @ 6:45p A family-friendly interactive walk with Jesus leading to the cross.
Free Children’s Egg Hunt Saturday, March 26 @ 10a Registration begins @ 9:30a
Easter Sunday Sunday, March 27 8a & 9:30a + 9a & 11a
Choir & Orchestra
Worship Band
gatewayvisalia.com 1100 S. Sowell St. Visalia, CA 93277 559.732.4787
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
VISALIA CHAMBER TEXT BY KATIEDID LANGROCK
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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.
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Photo 1. Leadership Visalia Students accept donations from Cal Water, EECU, and Kaweah Delta for their Water Conservation Education project. Photo 2. Lindsay Mann, CEO of KDHCD, and staff members welcome the community to tour the new Impella Learning Lab. Photo 3. Vernon Spence (Zeeb Commercial Real Estate), Scott Smith (Visalia Chamber), Rob Cozzi (Principal Financial), and Shelly Ellis (GM of Visalia
Convention Center) enjoying the Business After Hours Mixer hosted by Mandy Basra at Edward Jones Financial. Photo 4. Visalia Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Breakfast meeting at Visalia First Church. Photo 5. Gail Zurek, CEO of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, was presented with the award for Woman of the Year by Devon Mathis for the 26th Assembly District.
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
KIDS’ BOOKSHELF TEXTBY BYLEE KATIEDID LANGROCK TEXT LITTLEWOOD
Cook, Color, Sing and Learn With a Child Today
This book explores 80 questions about brains, memories, development, what they’re made of and how they work. The answers are astounding, with fascinating information not only about human brains, but also the brains of some animals.
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Imaginary Cities, Amazing Animals, Once Upon a Fairy Tale and Extraordinary Machines by The Coloring Studio
hese innovative, creative new books will inspire kids to use their imaginations, have fun, and learn new things. The Forest Feast for Kids by Erin Gleeson
More and more children these days are opting to be vegetarians. Parents worry, though, about whether all their nutritional needs can be met without meat. This beautiful cookbook shows off the rustic simplicity of kid-friendly vegetarian recipes that are quick, easy, and fun to make. Author/ photographer Erin Gleeson uses her own home in the woods as the setting for the photos in this gorgeous book, with real children cooking the dishes themselves. The book conveys the importance of using local produce and safe kitchen practices. The natural feel and homegrown approach Gleeson uses reigns strong here. Her recipes are presented with large, clear text and big, bold photographs of strawberry salsa and peanut-butter-andavocado shakes, kale and black bean tacos, and carrot and zucchini ribbon pasta. Gleeson adds sections on parties, healthful desserts, and utensils and techniques. Best of all is the beautiful scenery of her idyllic cabin near San Francisco. This refreshing cookbook is also available in her blog and book for adults, entitled, The Forest Feast. That’s What You Think! by Jan Von Holleben, Michael Madeja and Katja Naie Subtitled “A Mind-Boggling Guide to the Brain,” this cool photo-filled, thoughtful book asks questions such as “Can plants think?” “Did Albert Einstein have a bigger brain than everyone else?” and “Why can little kids usually remember more than grown-ups?” Answers of a few paragraphs for each question are perfect for young brains to comprehend, and colorful photographs of real kids against clear backgrounds shows off the subject matter in a playful way.
Penned thoughtfully by a photographer/educator, a neuroscientist/doctor and a writer with degrees in biology and neuroscience, That’s What You Think! is a truly fascinating graymatter guide for ages 11 and up.
Recent research suggests coloring is a helpful practice to combat stress and anxiety, and many non-childish coloring books have emerged on the market. The Coloring Studio’s releases are cool, beautiful, imaginative, affordable books for all ages. Imaginary Cities describes wondrous places, from majestic skyscrapers to ornate palaces. Once Upon a Fairytale brings to life the fun details of the world of make-believe, with stories of Arabian nights, Little Red Riding Hood, and the frog prince. Wacky flying ships, whirring gears, and imaginative rockets star in Extraordinary Machines. My favorite of the set, Amazing Animals, features some partially colored pages that bring life to whimsical drawings of chameleons, parrots, and peacocks. Easy-to-remove pages make displaying artwork simple. Coloring books make great gifts for stressed out college students, hospital or retirement home patients, and busy kids and adults. Keep calm and color on! Rise Again Songbook from Peter Blood and Annie Patterson With a preface by Pete Seeger and foreword by Billy Bragg, this huge, spiral-bound songbook is perfect for musicians, camps, and teachers. It’s packed with the words and chords to hundreds of songs. Best of all, the beloved songs are grouped by genre, from “Ballads and Old Songs” to “British Invasion and Rock,” “Home and Roots,” “Motown and R&B,” “Seas and Sailors” and “Surfin’ USA.” No stone is left unturned: there are gospels and spirituals, songs for healing and letting go, songs for traveling, seasonal classics, pub songs, bluegrass jams, lullabies, and blues and farm songs. It’s all here, in one easy-to-use guide. As the prolific Seeger says, “If there’s a human race still here in a hundred years, one of the main reasons will be that we found ways we can sing together.” Music doesn’t get any more powerful than that. This book is a celebration of that power. DIRECT MAGAZINE
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
VISALIA RESCUE MISSION
Love Your Neighbor:
Our Invitation to Visalia’s Sikh Temple
O
ne day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: (Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?) Jesus replied, (What does the law say? How do you read it?)” Answering a question with a question is a classic teaching method intended to get students to think critically. Jesus used this method often. When asked the question above in Luke 10, Jesus’ response caused the expert to answer his own question rightly: love God with everything in you and love your neighbor as yourself. This prompted another question: “Who is my neighbor?” A couple of weeks ago, our Executive Director, Al Oliver, and I accepted an invitation to the Sikh Temple here in Visalia. They had completed a clothing drive from a desire to specifically support
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Visalia Rescue Mission and serve our guests. As I walked through the front doors that Sunday afternoon, I was just in time to see Al being donned with his own bright-orange dastar (turban) and receive my own. We removed our shoes and entered into the main room during their service. Our host was diligent in translating so we understood the context and what was being said in Punjabi. Al was introduced with this context: “Giving within community is the foundation of our faith,” and the mound of donated clothing was evidence of this. Al approached the microphone and thanked them as he referenced Luke 10 — acknowledging them as neighbors. It’s been 2,000 years since Jesus first told the parable, and it’s clear the cultural differences in our world can be hindrances if we let them. But they can also be a blessing if we follow the Samaritan’s example and get off our horse.
TEXT BY RYAN STILLWATER
Ryan Stillwater is the Director of Community Engagement for Visalia Rescue Mission. Contact him on Twitter: @RStillwater or by e-mail: ryan@vrmhope.org.
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
FASHION TEXT BY SHARON MOSLEY
Arm Candy
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t may still be too chilly to wear a new pair of sandals, but you can always get a taste of spring by sampling some yummy arm candy. The newest handbag trends this year are a delicious treat for your wardrobe. Here are some of the newest looks on the menu to order up for spring: The colorful handbag. There’s something for everyone this spring when it comes to color. Trade in your boring black bags with a vivid bright hue or a mouthwatering candy-colored pastel. You may want to try both. The graphic print handbag. If you really want to dive into a fresh trend, then this one is for you. In bold florals or colorful stripes, this handbag will make your spring outfits really pop. In fact, this may be the only new accessory you will need to buy. The small cross-body bag. This popular style is probably one of the most versatile purses you can have in your handbag wardrobe. However, this spring, you can really lighten your load with an even smaller version. New shapes like the round canteen or multi-pocket camera bag with chain straps are having a big impact. Give your back a break and stash your phone, keys, and lipstick in one small bag. The long straps free up your hands, too. The silver metallic handbag. Silver is one of spring’s favorite ways to shine. It’s a neutral that goes with just about anything you might want to wear. So instead of buying a white bag, go for the glitter of a silver tote with a futuristic vibe for a new update. The arts and crafts handbag. Take your pick with one of these handbags embellished with decoupage, appliques, patchwork, tie-dye, beading, or embroidery. Fringe is still one of the most popular details of these bohemian bags. The top-handle satchel. This is your go-to-work bag. These bigger handbags do double duty as carry-alls for electronics and other essentials. With shoulder straps, they’re even more valuable purses that go to the office as well as make great travel companions. The drawstring bucket bags. This is another major entree on the office menu for spring. A more casual handbag than the top-handle satchel, this vintage-inspired bag is worth an investment. It will be your go-to accessory for years to come. The wristlet clutch. Sometimes all you need is just a little something to carry a few essentials in or to tuck into a larger handbag. Enter the wristlet clutch/pouch. These small wallet-size purses that hang from your wrist still leave your hands free, but they can also add a dose of flair. DIRECT MAGAZINE
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
EASY EATING
FAMILY F.O.C.U.S. Choosing Childcare and After-school Programs
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ooking for quality childcare? The first five years are a pivotal time in a child’s development. Experts believe that 90-95 percent of brain growth happens during this stage. So, how do you pick a quality early education program that understands the importance of their crucial role in these formative years? How can you be sure that a childcare or afterschool program offers quality care and education? Choosing a facility to take on your child’s care and educational needs can seem like a daunting task, but it can really be broken down into five easy steps: 1. Start early. We all make better decisions when they are not rushed.
St. Patty’s Skinny Mint Chocolate Chip Shake Serves 2 INGREDIENTS 3 ½ large frozen bananas, peeled ¾ C fat free milk or almond milk 1 tsp peppermint extract ¼ C mini dark chocolate morsels (save some for topping) Several spinach leaves Fat free whipped cream
2. Do some research. A great starting place is your local Child Care Resource and Referral. For Tulare County, the number is 559.651.3022. Additionally, you can employ various web-based searches such as Daycare.com, ChildcareCenter.us or Noodle Preschool Search. These provide parents with reviews. 3. Visit centers. Once you have come up with a list of preschools that have openings in your area, visit each site with a checklist. There are several available on-line, my favorite is available at familyfocusca.weebly.com. Narrow your search to two to three centers, then schedule visits with your child. 4. Select the best fit. Consider costs, teacher-child ratio, curriculum, and the feel you get from the center and staff. Remember that children new to daycare may be overwhelmed during the first visit, so consider the staff that made the effort to set your child at ease. Chances are you will be more satisfied with a program that makes this extra effort.
Several mint leaves to garnish
5. Stay involved. Once you select your childcare program, the work is not done. Continue to be involved. Join the parent club or donate time or materials.
DIRECTIONS
NOW ENROLLING (6 WKS. — 5 YRS.)
Green food coloring, optional
Combine frozen bananas, with milk and peppermint extract in a large blender, and blend until smooth. Add in spinach leaves and most of the chocolate morsels. Blend until smooth. For the green color, add in a few drops of food coloring and blend again. Garnish with a few mint leaves, chocolate morsels, and whipped cream. Enjoy!
Submit a Recipe! If you have a simple and healthy recipe you’d love to share with Visalia, submit your recipe along with a photo, and we just might feature it in the magazine. Send all submissions to direct@dmiagency.com.
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SITE INFORMATION Porterville Infant Toddler Center 1504 S. Kessing St. Porterville, CA 93257 (559)784-2214 Whitendale Park Infant Toddler Center 600 Beech Ave., Visalia, CA 93277 (559)802-5585
After-School/Special Programs (Currently offering programs at Mt. View & Crestwood– More Coming Soon!) Family F.O.C.U.S. Central Visalia Office 718 W. Center Ave. Suite A Visalia, CA 93291 Phone: (559) 802-5585
Preschool (3-5) Family F.O.C.U.S. Parkview Preschool 5911 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277 Phone: (559) 627-0700
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
CHARACTER COUNTS! TEXT BY KELLEY PETTY, CHARACTER COUNTS! COORDINATOR, TULARE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
TYLER CAMACHO, 5TH GRADE Annie R. Mitchell Elementary School, Visalia Annie R. Mitchell School’s behavior expectations acronym is SOAR: S – Self-Control O – On Time & On Task A – Act Responsible R – Respect Everyone According Tyler Camacho’s teacher, Mrs. Madsen, Tyler is always SOARing in the hallways, cafeteria, and classroom. “I can always count on Tyler to be doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing. He often reminds his classmates to be on task and helps them to be prepared if they need assistance. He puts forth his best effort on all of his work,” said Mrs. Madsen. Tyler’s classmates are proud to acknowledge his efforts because they can count on him to adhere to the behavioral expectations daily. Tyler’s classmates describe him as a great friend who keeps his promises. He is a great group partner and allows others to share their work. During recess, friends rely on Tyler to hold playground equipment knowing he will return it to them and not try to keep it the rest of the recess. Good friend Cody said, “Even outside of school, Tyler SOARs. He is kind to everyone. If we are playing at his house and do something he thinks his Dad wouldn’t like, he tells us to stop, even though his Dad isn’t even home.” As Tyler has his dreams set on becoming a Zookeeper one day, he is thankful for his big sister, Shania, for showing him how important it is to build good character. Tyler said, “At home I help my Mom with groceries, do my chores, make soup, and buy things for my little sister, Maddox, with my own money. When I see my little sister, I think about how I can show her how to act just like Shania has shown me. And that makes me smile.”
ANGEL TORRES, 2ND GRADE Highland Elementary School, Visalia The second-grade students in Mrs. Loya’s class may not know how to spell or define the word “integrity,” but they know it when they see it. And by their testimonies, Angel Torres is their choice for being an honest classmate who is doing what is right. While interviewing Angel about being a trustworthy person, his classmates shared examples of Angel’s character. They proudly said that Angel never lies to them. He is kind and willingly shares with others, offers to help others, and he never bullies anyone. In other words, they can count on Angel to be a true friend. Angel’s teacher, Mrs. Loya, agrees with all of these attributes and adds, “Angel is one of the most honest students I’ve had the pleasure of teaching. I can count on Angel to always tell the truth when difficult moments happen in class or out on the playground. He is a true angel in our class because he knows how to keep a promise. If he didn’t do his reading homework, he will tell me he doesn’t deserve the star that day for reading. I have overheard him tell a student that was in trouble, ‘It’s better to tell the truth because if you don’t, you’re only lying to yourself!’” Although Angel appreciated the kind words from his teacher and classmates, he was quick to let everyone know that he learned how to be a trustworthy person from his Mom and Dad. Angel said, “I enjoy helping others and keeping promises to my teacher about homework. It feels good to tell the truth and it is fun to make good choices!”
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
COLLEGE PREP TEXT BY MISSY YAVISILE, INDEPENDENT COLLEGE CONSULTANT, SOAR COLLEGE PLANNING AND CONSULTING
Can’t Afford a Private College? Think Again
P
aying for college is a frightening thought for many families. “How are we ever going to afford this?” is a question that looms over the heads of parents of college-bound high school students. Most families think they can’t afford private colleges and universities because of the outrageous sticker price. But I have news for you; a private college may end up costing you less than a public university that touts its affordability. Many of the private colleges have large endowments, which are funds of donated money that the institution invests, so they are able to offer many scholarships to students. Stanford University has more than $21 billion in its endowment fund. The public colleges in California get their money from the government. Need I say more? The trick is to find a college or university that really “wants” students. In this case, the college will try to “buy” students with scholarships. Colleges are always trying to create a diverse freshman class, so they seek students that will bring this diversity to their campus. The diversity that I am referring to is not necessarily ethnic diversity. Maybe they are looking for a girl who rides dirt bikes, or is interested in fly-fishing. Maybe they are looking for a boy who is great at sports, but also sings and dances in high school musicals. Maybe they are looking for a student who has traveled the world or has worked in a packinghouse. Each year is a new year, and the colleges will pour
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over each applicant to find the students who will give them the diversity they seek. They are also looking for high achievers. Grades and test scores (SAT/ACT) are king, so never underestimate the importance of standardized test scores for most universities. Higher scores may yield a bucket load of money. Students should find private schools where they fall into the top 25 percentile academically because these are the students who garner the most money. Some schools are more generous than others, so do your homework to find the schools that may be able to give you more aid. To demonstrate this, we’ll give a recent example; we worked with a student who had high grades and test scores and did a variety of extracurricular activities including sports, band, and he was an Eagle Scout. He applied to College A, a public university in California, and College B, a small private college. He was quite certain his family could not afford the latter (with a sticker price of $60,000+ per year), but agreed to apply anyway. Much to their surprise, when the award letters came, the private college was going to cost about $2,000 more per year than the public university. Plus, the private college also offered a 4-year graduation guarantee. Many of the California State Universities have less than a 50 percent 4-year graduation rate. If you do the math, you will see that the private college will cost less than the public university in the long run, not to mention, lost job opportunity when it takes five or six years to graduate. So as you begin your college search, don’t be afraid to look at the private colleges and universities. Find a school where you are in the top 25 percent academically, show your diversity through your essays and applications, and find schools that are generous.
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
PRO-PT
RICHARD ROSE, III, DPT, OCS, PRO-PT PHYSICAL THERAPY, PORTERVILLE
What Does it Mean to be a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) for Physical Therapy?
A
s I observe a handful of my colleagues studying for their Board Certification as an Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) coming up in March, I reflect on my own journey to become a practitioner with the designation of OCS and what it means. To be able to sit for the exam, you must have a minimum of 2,000+ hours of direct patient care in orthopedics, or have completed a one
year-long Certified American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education Program, which PRO-PT now offers. Once you have met the minimum requirements, hundreds of hours of studying are required prior
to the examination. The examination has a successful passing rate of only 75 percent; meaning one out of every four physical therapists taking the exam does not pass. As of June 2014, there are only 9,500 physical therapists across the United States that have the distinction of OCS. In fact, in Tulare County, PRO-PT employs
the only four physical therapists with this distinction (according to the ABPTS website as of 2/17/16). Having passed my exam nearly two years ago now, I recognize it has had a large impact on my patient management. The knowledge I have gained has allowed me to streamline my treatments and provide a focused plan of care. The resources gained have allowed me to stay current with the ever-changing face of physical therapy, and it has allowed me to be a leader in my field of orthopedic physical therapy, but ultimately, it has allowed me to better serve my patients through cutting edge and current treatments. The letters themselves hold no real “value” in the terms we are accustomed to, however, writing them at the end of my signature is a constant reminder of the quality that I have promised to my patients, it continues to motivate me to be a better practitioner, and it ignites a fire in my clinic to avoid being mediocre.
I’m back to
WORK! PRO-PT helped me regain my strength and flexibility after surgery so I could get back to work. - Terry O’Dell
EXETER 134 South E Street 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
www.pro~pt.net
www.facebook.com/proptphysicaltherapy
PORTERVILLE LINDSAY DINUBA 368 W. Olive Ave. 860 Sequoia St., Suite A 1401 W. El Monte Way, Ste. 107 Porterville, CA 92357 Lindsay, CA 93247 Dinuba, CA 93618 (559) 782-1501 (559) 562-9040 (559) 315-5203
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
MONEY MATTERS TEXT BY MARY HUNT
You Spent HOW Much on Groceries? Is your monthly grocery spending eating up a large portion of your income? You’re not alone. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that a family of four, using a moderate-cost plan, spent an average of $1,062 on groceries per month in 2015 – that’s $12,744 annually! Want to cut that cost by, say, half? You can if you are determined to become a smart shopper. By using every trick and tip in the book, you could save about $7,500 during this coming year – without sacrificing your family’s health or the joy of eating great food. Here’s how: Chop. Sure, those precut bags of vegetables and individual packets of oatmeal are convenient. But Consumer Reports says that you’ll pay twice as much for prepped food. The worst offenders are cut, prewashed, and bagged veggies ($11 per pound prepped versus $3 per pound for bulk broccoli), single-serving commodities ($9.90 for a box of oatmeal packets versus $1.59 for a canister of oats), and sliced cheese ($2 more per pound). Do your own chopping, shredding, grating, and measuring to save money. Buy Right. Most of us purchase more produce and other perishables than we can use before they spoil. A rotten apple here, a limp carrot there – spoiled produce means money in the trash. According to the National Resources Defense Council, the average American household throws out approximately 25 percent of the food and beverages they buy, with a cost estimate of $1,365 to $2,275 per year for the average American family of four. Refuse Full Price. I’ve said it a dozen times and I’ll say it again: only buy what’s on sale. If it’s not on sale this week, it will 28
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be soon. So just wait. Assuming you have room in your freezer or pantry, stock up on items you know you will always use when the price is marked down. And get creative by planning your weekly purchases of perishables around sale items. Know Your Units. It’s easy to compare cost of items. Just look closely at the price labels on the shelves. Recipe Choices. Instead of choosing menus and recipes from Pinterest or your favorite recipe site, choose recipes according to what you already have in your pantry and what you can buy on sale. Wear Blinders. Take the time to make a grocery list before you go to the store. When you’re at the store, stick to it like glue. Don’t let your eyes wander, as an estimated 60 to 70 percent of supermarket purchases are unplanned. Organic Prudence. Save your dollars to buy organic when it really matters, like for soft-skinned fruits, meat, milk, and chicken, which are more susceptible to pesticides. Visit the Environmental Working Group’s website to learn more about organic foods and healthy choices. Un-brand. There may be a couple of brand name items that you can’t live without. But beyond that, give up your brand loyalties. Opt for the generic brand, the store brand, or private label, all of which are almost certainly cheaper. If the item turns out to be inferior – with all the flavor of cardboard – return it for a refund. You may be surprised. Shop Smart. Read your coupons carefully, and look for restrictions and expirations. Make sure that sale items are marked and located appropriately in the store – you could easily pick up something similar to what the sale flyer shows, but that is actually different and full price. Pay attention. If you have the slightest doubt, ask an employee to scan a package or coupon to verify the discount. Don’t assume. Food retailers can get tricky, but you’re smarter than their ploys.
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
CROSSWORD No Dough
9 Eskimo’s home: var. 10 Before long 11 Worst place in a race 12 Summer, in Paris 15 ___ Sam 21 Web-footed honkers 22 In a strange way 25 After everything else 26 American flag-maker Ross 28 Sounds of satisfaction 29 Fixed prices 30 Stain or smudge 31 Leases 32 Supersonic planes 33 Diamond and Abner 36 Has a great effect on 38 Mechanical man 39 Letter between oh and cue 40 Marriage-vows location 46 Tiny particles 47 Undresses 51 Princess’s crown 52 Roy Rogers and ___ Evans 53 Baseball great Slaughter 54 Wagers
ACROSS
33 Mortgage
61 I feel ___ as a snake!
55 Beat it!
1 Injures
34 ___ Na Na
63 Thanks ___!
56 Dogs, cats, etc.
6 ___ up to: amount to
35 Citrus fruits
64 Minor argument
57 Bullfight shouts 58 Win by a ___
13 Take ___: borrow money
37 Extra cost for buying on time
65 Dodger shortstop in Hall of Fame
14 In ___ of
41 Cowboy’s rope
16 Person everyone blames
42 Snake-shaped fish
17 Fire from a job
43 Sajak and Summerall
18 Boesky or Lendl
44 Sylvester Stallone’s nickname
DOWN
45 Kind of hound
2 Actor Guinness
23 Letter after wye
48 Erie, Lehigh Valley, etc.
3 Lillian, Philip, or David Lee
24 Word before Glory or Testament
49 Baseball great Mel
4 People, Time, and Money
50 Had dinner
9 Land surrounded by water
19 Gamble badly 20 Cash substitute at stores
59 Buddy 66 More or ___: approximately 62 Unseld, of basketball 67 City thoroughfares: abbr. fame 68 Donkeys 1 Prince or Holbrook
25 J. Edgar Hoover’s crew
5 Sleeper’s sound 52 Old-time jail for deadbeats 6 “ëëI cannot tell ___”
27 ___ a living: made money
59 Piece of window glass
30 Upcoming graduates: abbr. 60 Three Blind ___
LOOK FOR YOUR ANSWERS IN THE NEXT ISSUE
HOME ON THE RANGE - FEB. ISSUE
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
GOINGS-ON Q COMMONS
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Join Pipeline Church from for a live, twohour, fast-paced national, and local talk educating community members on how to thoughtfully engage our city and our cultural movement. Q Commons is a live learning experience that challenges all of us to stay curious, think well, and advance the good in our communities. Hear from local speakers from our community and national speakers.
Visalia Breakfast Lions Club invites you to join them for the fun and festivities of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Downtown will be filled with folks taking in the Irish cheer, so arrive early to stake out your spot along the parade route. The parade will begin at Garden Street Plaza, head West on Main Street, and then North on Willis, ending just north of Center Street. With so many events going on throughout the day, the Visalia Towne Trolley and will be offering FREE trolley rides from 1 – 5:30 p.m.
When: March 3, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Where: Pipeline Church, Linda Loma Ranch Campus, 4912 S. Santa Fe Ave., Visalia Contact: qcommons.com/Visalia 8TH ANNUAL JOHN PAUL MOTORCYCLE RIDE 2016 Join your fellow Visalia bikers and ride for a good cause. The John Paul Magao Memorial Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit public charity providing scholarships to local schools. There will be food, prizes, and more. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and “kick stands up” at 10 a.m. A $10 lunch will be served at 12 p.m., and there is an open donation. When: March 5, 8:30 a.m. Where: Plaza Park, from 198 Freeway Exit to S. Plaza Dr., Visalia Contact: johnmagaoscholarship.org or 972-2388
When: March 12, 10 a.m. Where: Downtown Visalia Contact: visaliabreakfastlions.org END OF THE TRAIL ½ MARATHON & 10K Register today for Visalia’s one and only historic End of the Trail Half-Marathon or 10K race. Whether you walk or run, join the Visalia Runners for a memorable experience with a new route that starts and ends in Downtown Visalia. Proceeds benefit Visalia high schools’ cross-country teams. When: March 12, 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., and 8 a.m. Where: Downtown Visalia, 315 E. Main St., Visalia
DOWNTOWN VISALIA FARMERS’ MARKET Thursday nights in Downtown Visalia are about to get a lot more colorful! The Visalia Farmers’ Market is back with all the fresh produce, delicious food, and handmade items you love. This year, there will be cooking demos, workshops, art exhibits, and more. When: March 17, 5 – 7 p.m. Where: Downtown Visalia Contact: VisaliaFarmersMarket.com TULARE COUNTY SYMPHONY PRESENTS LOCALS NIGHT TCSO members step forward to solo with the orchestra in their popular “Locals Night” series. They complete their exploration of the final three symphonies of Tchaikovsky with his triumphant and victorious Fifth Symphony. Standing proud alongside the other great 5th symphonies of Beethoven and Mahler, this is a surefire winner. Tickets are between $30 and $40. When: March 19, 7:30 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: FoxVisalia.org SOUTH VALLEY ARTISTS’ TOUR
Head to the Visalia Elks lodge to enjoy beer, wine, and food tasting at their annual fundraiser. There will also be a silent auction and great music. All proceeds are split between CASA of Tulare County and the Elks’ Children’s Charity, which provides speech, physical therapy, and vision screening to kids.
The Arts Consortium is offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the world of local artists with the South Valley Artists’ Studio Tour: Opening Doors/Opening Minds. Over the course of three days, numerous Tulare County artists will open their personal studio doors to the public, demonstrating their individual creative processes and sharing different phases and facets of their work. Ticket holders can ask questions, watch the artists in action, and build a more personalized relationship with the creative forces in our community. Tickets are $15.
When: March 5, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
When: March 18, 19, and 20
Where: Visalia Elks Lodge, 3100 W. Main St., Visalia
Where: Various artists’ studios throughout Tulare County
Contact: 734-6762
Contact: 802-3266, or visit artsconsortium.org/svast
VISALIA ELKS LODGE 12TH ANNUAL WINE FUNDRAISER
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Contact: Joshua.hickey@gmail.com
CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
THE LOOKING GLASS CRAFTER’S FAIR Come down to the corner of Garden and Caldwell for The Looking Glass Crafter’s Fair. The Craft Fair features more than 30 valley residents and their handcrafted goods. To become a vendor, pick up an application at The Looking Glass, 242 E. Caldwell, Visalia. When: March 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Where: Corner of Garden and Caldwell Contact: 559.732.2787 or the_lookingglass@att.net
VALLEY OAK SPCA WALK-A-DOG-A-THON Join Valley Oak SPCA at their 25th annual Walk-a-dog-a-thon to raise money to help save lives. There is fun for all, featuring a 3-mile walk, canine contests, prizes, vendors, raffles, and a blessing of the animals. The minimum donation for Walk participants is $25 per person. There will also be awards for top fundraisers. When: April 16, 8 a.m. Where: Plaza Park, 700 S. Plaza St., Visalia, Contact: 651-1111 ext. 6
EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT VISALIA NAZ Please join the Visalia Nazarene Church for their 24th annual Eggstravganza. There will be an egg hunt, pony rides, petting zoo, train rides, and tons of food for the whole family. This event is free, except for the food court. When: March 26, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Where: Visalia Nazarene Church, 3333 W. Caldwell Ave., Visalia Contact: 734-1117 SECOND ANNUAL LAWN-FREE GARDEN TOUR Sequoia Garden Club will have five beautiful lawn-free landscapes to tour, so come see eye-catching gardening ideas and be inspired. COS Ornamental Horticulture Club will have a droughttolerant plant sale. Also on hand will be the Master Gardeners, the City of Visalia’s Natural Resources Conservation Dept., and Cal Water. This is a self-guided tour. Tickets are $15 per person, available at Leo’s Nursery, Sequoia Plaza Flowers, Luis’s Nursery, and Curry Copy. When: April 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Where: Homes throughout Visalia Contact: 733-4832
VISALIA 2016 EARTH DAY CELEBRATION The Visalia Environmental Committee, Natural Resource Conservation, and Parks and Urban Forestry Division are hosting the 2016 Earth Day Celebration at the St. John’s Riverwalk Park at Ben Maddox and the St. Johns River. This year’s event will focus on sustainability, conservation, and energy efficiency, and will include live music, exhibitors, vendors, food booths, and multiple demonstration workshops.
TULARE COUNTY SYMPHONY LEAGUE’S “BELLA ITALIA” FUNDRAISER For more than 55 years, the Tulare County Symphony League has been providing encouragement and financial support to the Tulare County Symphony Orchestra. This year their annual fundraising event will be an Italian theme with fine Italian cuisine and superb entertainment. Ron Johnson, a Southern California vocalist, will sing Frank Sinatra, and Emmy awardwinner Stan Taffel will return as the emcee. When: April 30, 6 - 10 p.m. Where: Visalia Country Club, 625 N. Ranch St., Visalia Contact: Beth McAuliff, 732-1343 BARK ‘N’ BID BENEFIT
When: April 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join the Central Valley Rescue Railroad for their 5th Annual fundraiser, where it’s all about the dogs. There will be a no-host beer and wine bar, dinner, music, dancing, a raffle, and a silent and live auction. All proceeds benefit Central Valley Rescue Railroad, a volunteer-run nonprofit, no-kill dog rescue. Tickets are $50 per person.
Where: St. John’s River Parkway Trailhead, North Ben Maddox at the St. Johns River in Visalia
When: April 30, 5 p.m. Where: Whitney Barn, 30162 Road 192, Exeter
Contact: Visalia.city
Contact: Hayley, 731-0757
TULARE COUNTY MUSEUM GRAND RE-OPENING The Tulare County Museum in Mooney Grove Park will be celebrating the grand re-opening of the Main Street Exhibit. Exhibits have been refurbished, food will be available for purchase, and there will be a number of interactive displays and groups that will be great fun for all. When: April 24, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Where: Tulare County Museum, Mooney Grove Park, 27000 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia Contact: Amy King, Tulare County Museum Curator, 733-6616
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. DIRECT MAGAZINE
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CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H V A L L E Y
WARREN REPORTS TEXT BY WARREN GUBLER, VICE MAYOR
Making Our Founders Proud ICE SKATING IN VISALIA Have you ever wondered what the early settlers in Visalia, such as Nathaniel Vise, Ben Maddox, Benjamin Willis, and Steven Mather, would have thought if they had seen our day? Visalia was founded in 1852 and numbered around 3,000 by the turn of the century. I suspect they would be amazed to see a city of 130,000 people today, with its historic downtown, Mooney Boulevard, a large hospital, beautiful homes, and wide, straight paved streets, all surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland. They probably would have laughed if someone had suggested that someday there would be an ice skating rink in downtown Visalia. However, in late December 2015, for 15 days, Visalia had its own Enchanted Ice Rink. This new adventure was brought to us by the city Parks & Recreation department. They installed 1,500 sq. ft. of synthetic ice at the Garden Street Plaza in downtown Visalia, and more than 1,300 skaters of all ages participated, along with several thousand spectators. The evening of December 21 was our last city council meeting for 2015. The closed session ended much sooner than expected, and with some time to kill before the next meeting, I decided to get some exercise and take a walk from city hall, east down Main Street. I soon arrived at the Garden Street Plaza to check out this new event. I saw many skaters, both new and experienced, enjoying the ice rink, with the Disney movie “Frozen” playing on a big screen in the background. I could almost imagine being by a frozen lake, or in New York City, watching the ice skaters. However, this was right here in our own downtown. The Garden Street Plaza was decorated in an ice garden theme, and concessions were being sold. This was such a unique event that no money needed to be spent on advertising. Local radio stations, newspapers, and television channels voluntarily publicized the event. Many of the local merchants reported an increase in foot traffic and sales during the ice rink run. Of course, we always have to consider how to pay for an event like this. The program generated $14,772 in revenue, compared with $16,637 in expenses. These expenses included the rink rental, staffing, decorations, licensing, restrooms, and fencing. The city hopes to sponsor this activity in future years with a larger ice rink, and to generate a positive cash flow with additional sponsorships. For those who participated, memories of a lifetime were made. And to our city founders, you missed out on a great event! PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT The 8th annual Project Homeless Connect event was held on January 28 at the Visalia Rescue Mission. This one-day, one32
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stop event, is designed to provide those in our community who are experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of becoming homeless, with the critical services and housing they need to become self-sufficient. The many volunteers provided medical and dental care, California I.D. replacement, vision screening, eyeglasses, employment counseling, veterinary care, haircuts, bicycle repair, and much more. I try to attend this event each year and am always impressed by the many local volunteers who give selflessly of their time and resources to help the less fortunate. This is Visalians helping Visalians, and Visalia at its best! HOW I SPEND MY TIME I’m often asked “what does a city council member do and how much time does it take?” My answer usually is that it varies from week to week. Let me give you some insight as to how I spent the week prior to writing this article. Remember, in addition to serving on the council, I have a full-time law practice and have other family, social, and religious duties and obligations to meet. Monday, 7 a.m., meeting with the city manager to discuss city issues; 12 p.m., meeting with the Visalia Civic Joint Powers board; 4:30 p.m., meeting at city offices with mayor and facilitator to finalize plans for city retreat; Wednesday, 7:30 a.m., meeting with the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation in Exeter; 2 p.m., meeting with Frank Miramontes to make a video for upcoming TCEDC workshop; Thursday, 8 a.m., Project Homeless Connect at the Visalia Rescue Mission to present a city resolution; Friday, City Council Retreat at the Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, download City Council agenda and staff reports to study over the weekend for the following Monday’s city council meeting; start all over again. I also check my city emails several times a day (daily city emails average approximately 20), and return phone calls. DONUTS AND DISCUSSION My next Donuts and Discussion will be held on Saturday, March 26 from 7-8:30 a.m., at Mavericks Coffee House on Caldwell. Please join me and other city officials to discuss any questions or concerns you have about what’s going on down at city hall, and have a donut on us. If you have questions or topics regarding the city, which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
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