Direct Magazine - May 2016

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — THE HEART OF THE SOUTH VALLEY

MAGAZINE

LA SIERRA MILITARY ACADEMY FROM OUT OF THE SHADOWS TO A MODEL SCHOOL VIRTUAL VALLEY

Heirloom Gardens: Cutting Edge of the Past

FITNESS

3 Excuses for Not Exercising and How to Move Past Them

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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 MAY 2016 P U B L I S H E D BY

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ANDY SALAZAR C. S. WYATT IMAGINEU KELLEY PETTY LEE LITTLEWOOD MISSY YAVASILE MARY HUNT RYAN STILLWATER SHARON MOSLEY SHARON PLEIN TODD OTO VALLEY OAK SPCA WARREN GUBLER GR APHIC DESIGNER

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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

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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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cover story

4 La Sierra Military Academy

departments 10 SPCA 15 Fitness 18 Easy Eating

La Sierra Charter Military Academy Develops a Culture of College & Career for ALL Students

22 VRM

24 Excursions

features

25 Character Counts!

26 College Prep

8 Virtual Valley

21 Kids’ Bookshelf

23 Fashion

Heirloom Gardens: Cutting Edge of the Past

27 PRO-PT

28 Money Matters

12 Visalia Chamber

What’s Happening at the Chamber?

14 Gardening A Unique and Healthy Mother’s Day Gift

16 VUSD A Clearer Mission

17 Create Mother’s Day Card

19 Community Pasadena Showcase House of Design

20 Visalia First For the Love

29 Crossword 30 Goings-On 32 Warren Reports

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

“Amy is a true leader and passionate fighter for Tulare County” Stan Simpson

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• Advocates for Public Safety. Amy • Creates Jobs. Amy has a record of is committed to strong public safety encouraging educational growth services. She understands investing opportunities for citizens while TO VOTE FOR AMY in law enforcement and fire working to attract living wage jobs to our region.

• Fiscally Responsible. As a member protection is of utmost importance to keep our community safe. of the Visalia City Council, and as • Protects Water and Agriculture.

Mayor, Amy voted for a balanced • Shares Responsibility. When Amy will continue to work to budget all eight years she served. times were lean, Amy took the increase water recharge and Today, reserves are near same 4% pay cut the Visalia City improve water storage to keep pre-recession levels. employees received and has never Tulare County the number one Ag taken a raise since. producing county in the nation.

www.AmyForSupervisor.com 559.280.3054 • Amy@AmyForSupervisor.com facebook.com/AmyForSupervisor • twitter.com/Amy4Supervisor PAID FOR BY AMY SHUKLIAN FOR TULARE COUNTY SUPERVISOR 2016 FPPC #1379017

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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

LA SIERRA MILITARY ACADEMY

La Sierra students and their parents visiting Fresno State.

From Out of the Shadows to a Model School:

La Sierra Charter Military Academy Develops a Culture of College & Career for ALL Students.

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t wasn’t too long ago when students had to make an appointment at the career center to take a career interest survey. Back then, only those who were considering their future had the benefit of career counseling. Today’s focus for college and career-readiness, however, requires a new approach for being prepared for the future, and La Sierra Charter Military Academy has proven they can do just that. This year, La Sierra was awarded a demonstration grant from California State University’s California Academic Partnership Program (CSU CAPP). CAPP is a program administered by the California State University in cooperation with the University of California, California Community Colleges, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. La Sierra was awarded the grant for its success in college and career readiness and will now disseminate its best practices to schools throughout the state and country.

IN THE SHADOWS Opened in 2000, La Sierra had a mission that focused on drawing students countywide to meet graduation requirements in a structured, alternative environment via vocational education.

Today, the school has evolved and emerged at the forefront in education. For students, the bar has been raised from simply reaching a high school diploma to striving for college and beyond. The 2014-15 year saw, for the first time in La Sierra 4

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history, less than 50 percent of graduating students opting for military careers; more students are headed for college and careers. Setting a new student mindset to aim beyond a high school diploma has been the school’s goal, and it’s reflected in an increasing graduation trend that surpasses the California rate.

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

Research from The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition completed in 2000 indicates that poverty rate, education level, and family structure are clearly tied to truancy and dropout rates. These factors can present significant barriers to college and career success. Data indicates that 75 percent of students at La Sierra Charter Military Academy are faced with these same pre-existing stress factors, which, as the statistics indicate, make them highly probable to be unsuccessful beyond high school. Contrary to these statistics and after many datadriven discussions, the staff and student leadership team at La Sierra made a decision to defy this research and change mindsets with consistency and intention. Administrator and Principal Mrs. Zermeño states, “We are talking about college and career with everyone and creating a college and career atmosphere for kids, day in and day out. In all that we do, from the way we dress to the completed agenda in our backpacks, we are creating a new mindset for every child.”

RAYS OF LIGHT Today, beginning in seventh grade, La Sierra is being intentional and consistent while expecting all students to be exposed to college and career opportunities. The philosophy at La Sierra is that setting career goals must begin early on and be applied with consistency. “If you want your children to have a successful future in a career of their choosing, you must start setting those goals at home and early on,” said Zermeño. “We want kids to be ready regardless of which path they choose when they graduate. Our students will be prepared for plan A and B.”

curriculum is designed to strategically build on itself as the years pass to include transcript education, A-G College Board approved education and awareness, research of colleges and their financial requirements, and research of military careers and other post secondary options. Department leads Debi Braswell and Alex Marroquin have developed the curriculum together with their departments, customized for the students of La Sierra. Together with La Sierra’s leadership team, the evolution of this curriculum helps build the culture of the school.

The curriculum also includes Google-driven California Career Zone, California Career Center, staff-developed, data-driven curriculum, basic college ready skills, project based learning, and a great accountability component that requires students to reflect monthly on their grades, professionalism, and attendance with personal feedback from their mentor teachers. “When I was in high school, no one ever really helped me see what it meant to have a career or go-to college; I didn’t know what that meant. No one ever exposed me to the difference between working in the fields versus college life or a career. It is imperative that we provide awareness and exposure so that students can make the best decisions for their future,” expressed Mr. Stephen Reid, College and Career Counselor.

La Sierra has included a Safe and Healthy Schools Initiative into their graduate outcomes, recognizing the importance of addressing the social and emotional needs of every student. Presentations by local community members such as the Lions Clubs, Kiwanis Visalia, and Tulare County Office of Education CHOICES Program, are In La Sierra’s efforts to change student strategically wrapped into their college and mindsets, consistency has been the key. Every career readiness program. Topics addressed Monday, as part of the school’s “Monday include: the importance of healthy social skills, Matters” program, students are exposed to A La Sierra student raising the flag, life skills, the global economy and its impact, professionals in the community that share done daily as part of their formation. emotional wellness, leadership, networking, their stories and their experiences. La Sierra and community service. To date, the school has partnered with several agencies and has completed over 4,600 documented hours professionals from the community to play of community service, which enhances student portfolios and a role in their weekly plan for the 2015-16 school year. Most resumes. recently, members of several emergency response agencies, Community members also play a great role in La Sierra’s ranging from the Tulare Police Department to the California annual senior exit interviews. Students are required to complete Department of Forestry, shared their personal experiences with their six-year portfolio ending with an exit interview. Seniors the cadets. “This has been such an amazing experience because come prepared in a suit and tie or professional attire to meet it helps students see the big picture and enhances and defines with citizens from the community who generously take time to the development of La Sierra’s newest college pathway into interview the students and evaluate their portfolio. La Sierra emergency response teams,” said Mrs. Howard, Parent PTO invites community members to assist in these interviews every Advisory President.

May. Senior Advisor Ronni Aguilar said, “This is a real California Another intentional design for Mondays at La Sierra is the Standards project that showcases who the students are and the “Monday Success” program. Students are literally planning and skills that they have developed over their time at La Sierra. It’s reflecting on their own future by exploring careers, preparing a great way for students to prepare for their future and interact resumes, and developing a six-year portfolio. Each grade level with the community in a real way.”

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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

LA SIERRA MILITARY ACADEMY La La Sierra Sierra students students experiencing experiencing aa COS COS lecture lecture hall. hall

Local firefighters sharing personal stories with the students during Monday Matters.

La Sierra students and their parents visiting Fresno State.

SHINING BRIGHT Recently, La Sierra has seen amazing results: a 40 percent increase of parent participation in the partnership for increasing the college and career culture. The Parent Education Awareness of College and Career Excellence (P.E.A.C.C.E.), led by parent coordinators Gabrel Dorado and Linda Salmeron, provide parents with the same curriculum students receive, including support for undocumented students, training on how to complete FAFSAs, scholarship information, and even the basics of keeping kids prepared for college. Parents have embraced this effort and are encouraging and teaching each other how to break down those barriers. English learner parent member Mrs. Muro encourages parents with sincerity about the importance of their childrens’ futures and how to survive life’s daily stressors. P.E.A.C.C.E Coordinator Linda Salmeron said, “We are analyzing and breaking down barriers that have long kept students and families away from college; teaching our families that anything is possible, once they are informed and connected.”

One of the key components in this effort of preparing for life beyond high school is helping students to see the big picture: everything they do now affects their future. This message is loud and clear at parent conferences, back to school night, in meetings, and even in the attendance office. “If a child comes in late, we counsel them about tardiness and how that affects the workforce. If they had a job, they would be written up and/ or fired,” said Attendance Clerk Annette Bermudez. “By talking about the workforce, college, and career throughout each day, it increases the likelihood of college and career becoming a reality for our students.”

One of the greatest partnerships La Sierra has developed is that of the CSU CAPP. In 2013-14, the school was selected as one of only two charter schools in California to participate in the multi-year grant to improve student preparation for post6

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secondary education opportunities from the California State University Chancellor’s Office. The CAPP program has been the impetus behind the school’s post-secondary college and careergoing atmosphere. Since the CAPP grant was awarded, the school has increased its community capacity by 80 percent and increased its A-G certified courses from zero to 21 College Board approved courses now available for students who attend CSU and UC colleges. Other positive outcomes indicate an increase in the graduation rate, a 30 percent increase in graduates going on directly to college, a 100 percent completion rate for career certifications in various fields, an increase in students directly transferring to college courses without any remediation, and a 100 percent pass rate for students attending College of the Sequoias courses on the La Sierra campus.

Additional partnerships in this initiative include: Tulare County Office of Education CHOICES Prevention Programs, Educational Resource Services consultants for College and Career Readiness, La Sierra Parent Teacher Advisory, La Sierra CAPP Team, La Sierra Student Leadership, College of the Sequoias, and Fresno State University.

“We are extremely proud of the gains La Sierra continues to make,” said Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak.

“The transformation of La Sierra’s culture over the past few years has been phenomenal. All that was great about the school’s military traditions and emphasis on physical fitness, respectful behavior, and community service has been augmented by broad and comprehensive student preparation for college and career.”

La Sierra is a tuition-free public charter school operating under the auspices of Tulare County Office of Education since 2000. Tours are held monthly. If interested in attending La Sierra, contact the main office at 733-6963 or visit their website at tcoe.org/LaSierra.

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

Heirloom Gardens:

Cutting Edge of the Past

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eirloom gardens feature plants with lineages traced back a century or more. Often, they feature native, but long forgotten, varieties of fruits and vegetables. For those of us interested in preserving these rare cultivar heritages, online communities and seed providers offer resources not found in the garden shops of large retailers.

Most retail garden centers offer a handful of popular heirloom fruits and vegetables: tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce. Heirloom carrots in a rainbow of colors make salads spicier or sweeter.

Sweet red and purple carrots have a beet-like quality, while the 8

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lighter reds, yellows, and whites add a hint of onion to the familiar carrot. Other heirloom garden plants also add unexpected colors and much richer flavors than their modern siblings.

I like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds’ (rareseeds.com) online store, with its wonderful images and descriptions of garden plants. Founded in 1998 when then 17-year-old Jere Gettle printed a seed catalog for local gardeners, Baker Creek might have the largest online catalog of heirloom seeds: nearly 2000 varieties. Another great small, family-owned seed supplier is Annie’s Heirloom Seeds (anniesheirloomseeds.com). Founded by a husband and wife with a passion for berries, Annie’s has expanded to include some of the most sought-after heirloom seeds.

Gardening is a family business. Individuals such as Visalia’s Ralph Moore, who revolutionized miniature hybrid roses through careful maintenance of heirloom and near-heirloom breeding stocks, helped ensure plant varieties survived trends in popularity. My wife and I maintain several hardy miniature roses

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

alongside a mix of hybrid and classic roses. Heirloom roses, those with cultivars dating back a century or more, are difficult to find in retail stores, with hybrid garden roses more popular thanks to their unusual colors and strong scents. HeirloomRoses. com sells the hard-to-find rose varieties I love. Heirloom roses grow naturally, without being “cut” into a secondary root stock.

W. Atlee Burpee, a company founded in Pennsylvania during the 1880s, has long dominated consumer retail seed sales. The Burpee.com website features a wonderful selection of heirloom flowers and garden seeds. The parent company of Burpee, Ball Horticulture, was founded in 1902 and maintains an heirloom research lab with seeds traced to David Burpee, cousin Luther Burbank, and George Ball. These three men, and the enthusiasts they employed, revolutionized flower breeding during the mid-twentieth century. Burbank, in particular, identified and maintained California’s native plants alongside the hybrids he created for the state’s farmers.

Though the Burpee.com website includes great heirloom seeds, it is part of an agribusiness infrastructure that too often relies on monoculture: the planting of one hybrid seed variety over hundreds of acres. This practice, encouraged by governments, farming organizations, and seed suppliers, results in vulnerable crops. For example, if every tomato in a region is the same variety of tomato, a single disease or insect can lead to massive crop failures.

In March of 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture relented to public pressure and decided heirloom gardeners could cultivate and exchange seeds from non-commercial plant varieties. Public protests had followed the closing of a seed bank operated by a public library in 2014. Nobody really considered heirloom squash and potatoes a threat to the state.

labeling of genetically modified seeds while those same laws ban the sale of poorly documented heirloom varieties.

Heirloom gardeners and other online communities dedicated to sustainable agriculture argue that the Association of American Seed Control Officials (seedcontrol.org) represents the interests of corporations over history and the environment.

The non-profit SeedSavers.org allows heritage gardeners the opportunity to both sell and trade seeds. The Seed Saver Exchange goes beyond edible garden plants to include flowers from across the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture certifies many of the seeds as organic and nongenetically modified. The flowers recommended by SeedSavers. org for California are naturally draught resistant, making them ideal for the Central Valley.

Turtle Tree Seed (turtletreeseed.org) has a smaller catalog than other exchanges and breeding programs, but the 600-acre farm in upstate New York employs dozens of special needs adults and teens. The seed varieties tend to be better suited to the Northeast climates (harsh winters and wet summers), but they have started to add greenhouse seeds suitable to the West.

Another nonprofit exchange is The Good Seed Company (goodseedco.net). The Good Seed features naturally pollinated, hand dried seeds. They offer only a few dozen heirloom garden varieties, which are all certified organic. The heirloom fruits and vegetables include international seeds. Though purists object to international seeds, which could introduce diseases or lead to random hybrids, these plants offer new tastes. If I had a greenhouse, I’d consider some of the plants from around the world.

The United States Seed Act of 1939 was passed to ensure all seeds planted by farming operations were carefully identified and tracked. This well-intentioned law and similar laws in other nations (particularly in Europe) have been interpreted to make heirloom seed trading and selling illegal. Pennsylvania expanded protection of commercial seed suppliers with the commonwealth’s Seed Act of 2004, requiring specific labeling of seeds and a license to sell those seeds.

Despite California’s strict seed laws, the state is also home to one of the best heirloom and seed bank programs in the world.

The Foundation Seed Program at the University of California Davis works to preserve California seed varieties, including some no longer eligible for commercial sale. Unfortunately, seed banks have limited practical use compared to planting and maintaining the cultivars. You need new plants to ensure viable seeds are produced annually.

California’s Seed Laws of 2014 (AB2470) and 2011 define “selling” of seeds to include exchange, barter, and all forms of seed libraries. This has been called the “Monsanto Protection Act” by heirloom gardeners, who have turned to online sites to circumvent the law, though trading seeds through the mail might still be illegal. Worse, some states have seed laws that prohibit

It is a shame that shopping online is the only way to obtain some plants. It is even sadder to me that our state, along with several others, actively discourages heirloom gardening. We can expect California to try to monitor and even penalize heirloom seed suppliers shipping into the state. For now, though, consider planting some unusual carrots.

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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 VALLEY OAK SPCA

• Play bows • Reciprocation: each dog taking turns doing the chasing, pinning, etc.

SIGNS YOUR DOG IS UNCOMFORTABLE: • A tail that is low or tucked under • Lip licking • Yawning • Barking while backing away from another dog • Avoiding eye contact and turning their head away when another dog approaches

Social Networking For Your Pet

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ocializing puppies and kittens is one of the most important things a new owner can do, however, this step can be easily overlooked. Proper socialization for your pet at an early age can decrease the chances of unwanted behavior later on as an adult.

It is important to remember that socializing your pet with other animals is just as important as socializing with outside people. If your pet has positive experiences with men, women, children, and other animals, they are likely to accept them throughout their life. You may be a one pet household now, but in the future you might feel the need to add another dog or cat to the family.

If social experiences are absent or unpleasant, your pet may become apprehensive or fearful. A young pup or kitten is very impressionable and can pick up on bad behavior quickly. Try to expose your pet to other animals that are already well socialized and that project a positive energy. The same is true for people – calm and positive energy are important factors that should be demonstrated by others who are visiting your pet. A group of excited children may be very intimidating for a young puppy or kitten, so initially, try to limit the amount of attention your pet is getting at one time, at least until they are more comfortable with a larger number of people.

WHAT DOES GOOD PLAY LOOK LIKE? • Tail wagging in wide sweeps or fast circles • A playful bark that is slightly higher than his “alert” bark at home 10

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Activities provide the structure that helps owners learn to better communicate with their dogs. The dogs have a better opportunity to learn good manners, which makes them easier to live with and less likely to be given up or surrendered to shelters.

A wonderful benefit is that these activities can be a positive mental boost for humans and dogs alike. Get out and play – you and your dog will be glad you did!

Please make sure your dog or puppy is fully vaccinated before you take your pet 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 or distemper from parks and yards.

A great activity you and your dog can enjoy together is Valley Oak SPCA’s Yappy Hour at The Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria (513 E. Center Ave., 713-0818) the second Tuesday of each month from 5-9 p.m. Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome on patio.

The Planing Mill donates 25 percent of Yappy Hour proceeds to Valley Oak SPCA. Call 651-1111 for event information.

PET OF THE MONTH Squishy is a 4-year-old male American Bulldog mix that has been patiently waiting for his family since July of last year.

He is a mellow, easy-going guy that loves belly rubs, walks, and attention. He gets along okay with other dogs his size; however he is not a fan of cats.

He would do best as the only pet in the home. Please come meet Squishy and the other adorable pets available for adoption at Valley Oak SPCA Adoption Center.

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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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1. 13-year-old Carmen Gallegos will represent Visalia at the 2016 Saunders Scholars Competition in Rochester, NY. 2. Leadership Visalia Golf Tournament 1st place team George Vasquez, Debbie Barton, Javier Leon, and Derick Martin.

3. Leadership Visalia Golf Tournament Volunteers-Vicki Goodreau, Kathleen Remillard, Sue Summers, Iris east, Lori Uria, and Sharon Allison.

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4. Local Investors award funding to Young Entrepreneurs at the 2015 Investor Panel (Shark Tank).

5. Tulare County Board of Supervisors District 1 Candidate Forum held at 210 Café.

6. YEA! students visit 4 Creeks Creative to learn about advertising campaigns.

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GARDENING TEXT BY KATIEDID LANGROCK TEXT BYBY TODD OTO,PLEIN, ED. D,MASTER VUSD SUPERINTENDENT TEXT SHARON GARDENER, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

A Unique and Healthy Mother’s Day Gift

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hink what fun it will be to give mom a truly special, handmade, edible gift this year. You will need a picture of your child’s face, a plastic cup, soil, and sprout seeds.

The picture will be glued onto the side of the plastic cup. After adding soil and sprout seeds, the sprouts will emerge from the top of the cup, giving the appearance of hair on top of the child’s picture. How adorable!

The harvested sprout seeds can be added to sandwiches or salads to give a crunchy texture. Sprouts contain lots of vitamin B and C. They also are an excellent source of niacin, calcium, fiber, zinc, and magnesium.

In addition to growing a gift of love, your child will learn about what seeds need in order to grow into plants: • Plants need water, soil, air, and sunlight to grow.

• Your child will be able to see the roots growing in the clear cup. Roots absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil.

• If different kinds of seeds are used, comparisons can be made between germination rates, root growth, and sprout appearances.

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • Clear plastic cup, 3–4 inches high • Purchased soil • Photo of child • Seeds (alfalfa, wheat grass, radish, or broccoli) • Water • Spray bottle (works better for little hands to prevent overwatering) NOW THE FUN PART STARTS! First, have your child glue the picture of his or her face onto the side of the cup. If a picture is not available, make a face using cut-out construction-paper with shapes like lips, eyes, and eyelashes. Next, fill the cups with pre-moistened soil to about 1/4 inch from the top. Then sprinkle a pinch of seeds on top of damp soil, covering with a sprinkle about 1 tsp. of soil on that.

Use a spray bottle to water soil until moist. Place the cup on a windowsill so that they will get enough light. Keep moist using spray bottle. Now the waiting begins!

Depending on the seed, it may take from five to 14 days for the seeds to germinate. Read the seed packet for germination times. Once germination occurs, the sprouts will quickly grow upward. When the sprouts are several inches high, children can give themselves a “haircut” and the sprouts can be washed and eaten.

The best part about this gift is that sprout seeds can be planted again and again.

Happy, healthy eating and gardening!

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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

FOCUS FITNESS ON

ANDY & ERYN SALAZAR, EMPOWER TEXT BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN, SMILE CENTRALFITNESS VALLEY TRAINING

Three Excuses for Not Exercising and How to Move Past Them

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ou name it, I’ve heard it all when it comes to making excuses for not exercising. I’m going to review the top three that I hear and how you can move past them. We all have our excuses that we’ve used for years; even I have been guilty of it myself. The truth about an excuse is that they don’t get you any closer to your health and fitness goals, and they don’t help you feel better. The three excuses I hear most often are: 1. I don’t have time.

2. I don’t like to exercise.

3. I don’t know what to do.

I don’t have time. The truth about this excuse is that we all have the same amount of time in a day, why is it that some have time to exercise and others don’t? It’s because they have made exercise a priority in their lives. We tend to find the time and energy for the things we want to do. If you are using this excuse, it’s because exercise and getting back into shape are not a priority for you right now. I know it sounds harsh, but sometimes the truth can be painful.

I don’t like to exercise. This excuse just baffles me. It has been proven over and over again that a regular exercise routine helps to lower your stress levels, takes away joint and muscle pain, improves your overall health, and makes you feel good. Am I missing something; what is there not to like? Maybe you have had a bad experience with exercise and fitness that has tainted

your view, as if exercise is punishment or that exercise is only for people who are young and in-shape. It is a privilege to have the ability to exercise and move. Exercise is for everyone and can benefit us all young, old, in-shape, or not. I encourage you to give it another try. Your body will thank you for it and you will feel great. Our bodies were designed to be active, and when we go against that, it begins to rebel against us with aches, pains, and diseases.

I don’t know what to do. I get this excuse; it can be scary to start something new. However, it just doesn’t fly anymore. We have more information about exercise and fitness programs at our fingertips than ever before with the World Wide Web. Don’t over-complicate things here. Find a routine or exercise program that appeals to you and is something you can do long term. If you need further assistance or would like hands-on guidance, seek the help of a qualified fitness professional. They are just a phone call away and always eager to help.

There you have it, my list of top three excuses people give me for not exercising. I hope you will eliminate these excuses and begin to live an active lifestyle that will improve your health and wellbeing. And always remember: time + consistency = results.

You can do this.

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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

A Clearer Mission

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very year, the Board of Trustees engages in strategic planning for the district. This planning involves setting goals for the district and the establishment of activities that support the achievement of those goals. These goals and activities are expected to span one to three years. All school districts engage in goal setting, and stronger districts do a better job in this area than others. Our Board has always understood the value of goal setting and takes the process very seriously.

Goal setting involves much work. The Board has held two study sessions on district strategy, and strategic planning has been on the regular meeting agenda consistently for the past few months. The implementation of the state’s new structures for school funding, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), and the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), have influenced our processes greatly. As we enter our third year under LCFF and LCAP, the Board has undertaken goal setting with greater emphasis on creating a more clear and impactful set of goals that continue to strengthen the direction of Visalia Unified.

At the center of this work is a revised mission for the district.

In March, the Board finalized and approved the following as our mission: We exist to provide students with an education that affords them limitless opportunities for the future.

This language is really important for us. It reflects a number of current themes in education. First, it includes the concept of a VUSD graduate being college and career ready. College and 16

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career ready means that a graduate is ready to enter a college program without remediation, and also that the graduate is ready to take on a position that offers the potential for advancement.

The “and” is important in that phrase, as our students must be ready for both of these possibilities, not just one or the other.

Second, there are a set of skills that are expected of graduates that extend beyond the subject-based skills that we traditionally associate with public school education. It is important to know how to read, write, do math, understand scientific method, and know about the history of our country, but to be competitive in today’s world, students must also have additional skills that allow them to function at high levels in a complex world. The skills that provide for this include creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and civic-mindedness. These skills are an intended additional outcome of the new academic standards adopted by the state and are widely considered to be the 21st century skill set. By pairing 21st century skills with content, we create more powerful and meaningful learning.

We believe that the concept of “limitless opportunities for the future” encompasses college and career readiness and also the 21st century skills. “Limitless opportunities” doesn’t mean that every child has to go to college, although many will choose to do so. It does mean that every graduate should leave our schools ready to continue on to his or her adult path smoothly – regardless of what that path is. That is a tall order for us, but think of the impact on our community when it happens: Our kids will be prepared for the lives they want to lead, and that we want them to have. This is something ambitious for us to aspire to, and something we will work hard to achieve.

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

DIRECTIONS 1. Paint each foot and hand one at a time in a different color.

2. Place feet and hands on the white paper, forming a bouquet.

3. When dry, use the green marker and draw items and leaves.

4. Write a greeting using any color pen and sign your name.

5. Tie a ribbon at the bottom of your bouquet.

6. Glue the bouquet on top of the black paper to form a frame.

Enjoy the bouquet!

Mother’s Day Card

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other’s Day is this month, so you better start thinking about a gift for mom from this kids. Moms always love hand-made gifts made with love! You can make this bouquet of flowers craft with prints from your child’s hands and feet. This craft will require help from dad, grandma, or even an older sibling.

WHAT YOU NEED: 1. White and black construction paper (the white paper smaller than the black paper) 2. Black and green markers or pen 3. Tempura paint (any colors) 4. Paint brush 5. Ribbon 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

Healthy Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Mom

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veryone knows that mom loves sweets, but when she is trying to watch what she eats, it can be tough to make her something special that also tastes delicious. These healthy chocolate covered strawberries are the perfect solution, made with all natural ingredients.

INGREDIENTS 15 fresh strawberries, washed ¼ C cocoa butter 3 T raw cacao powder 1 ½ tsp raw honey DIRECTIONS Lightly boil some water in a pan and place a heatproof bowl over it so that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Melt the cocoa butter in the bowl.

Once the cocoa butter is melted, add the cacao powder and honey to butter and mix together. Let the mixture cool slightly, then dip each strawberry into the dark chocolate.

Set each strawberry onto parchment paper and let solidify.

Once the chocolate has hardened, drizzle the remaining chocolate over the dipped chocolate strawberries.

Refrigerate for an hour before serving.

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NOW ENROLLING INFANTS/TODDLERS (6 WEEKS-2 YEARS)

& PRE-SCHOOLERS (2-5 YEARS)

Preschool (3-5) Family F.O.C.U.S. Parkview Preschool 5911 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277 Phone: (559) 627-0700

Whitendale Park Infant Toddler Center 600 Beech Ave., Visalia, CA 93277 (559) 802-5585

Specializing in individualized curriculum

Using award winning curricuilum Starfall

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

COMMUNITY

Pasadena Showcase House of Design One of the perks about living in the Central Valley is that we’re just a few hours from it all; the art in San Francisco, the fashion and design in L.A., and the beauty of the coast. Every year, a number of visitors from Visalia and Tulare head down to Los Angeles to visit the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, one of the longest running and largest house and garden tours in the country.

Little do these visitors know that one of our very own Visalia natives, Samantha Williams, has been designing one of the rooms on the tour for three years now. This year, the firm she helped found, Ederra Design, had the privilege of creating a beautiful Master Suite inside a 16,000 sq. ft. Mission Revival estate.

“Each year designers compete to design different spaces in the house and if selected, take on a complete renovation,” said Samantha. “In our case with the Master Suite, we completely reconfigured the floor plan in the 1,500 sq. ft. space we were working with to have a formal sitting room, bedroom, a huge closet that is about 25 by 25 ft., and his and her bathrooms.”

Though different design firms renovate each room in the house, they are all given the same color palette to work with; this year it was rose, blues, and neutral.

“We decided to run with the blues and do something that felt soothing, very sophisticated and elegant, while still relaxing,” said Samantha. “The ironic thing is that the pantone colors of the year, blue and rose, happened to really fit the historic color palette of this house.”

Every year at the event, Samantha, a Redwood High School graduate, sees at least 20 people she knows from the Central Valley, as well as a few she doesn’t. Her mom, along with the Tulare County Symphony League, has been coming down to the showcase for close to 30 years to see the house and support its mission. The Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts is a non-profit organization bringing music enrichment programs to Southern California, and through this fundraiser, they have been able to raise more then $20 million for a variety of causes.

In addition to the showcase, there will be an on-site restaurant, a bistro, and 40 different vendors, making it a great spot for a day trip.

“It’s a lot more than just a home tour, you could spend the whole day shopping and dining and having a glass of wine in the garden,” said Samantha. “Every year I see about 20 to 30 people from the Central Valley that I know and then I meet people from the Central Valley. It’s always really fun.”

The showcase will take place now through May 15, and tickets can be purchased at the door or online at pasadenashowcase. org. Check online for scheduling and parking information.

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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

For the Love

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ne beautiful January afternoon, six women left Visalia and their numerous children, jobs, and husbands, to embark on a journey to Santa Barbara. Most of them were going as an excuse to get away, have a girl’s trip, and take a breather from life. They disguised these seemingly deserved but often unspoken needs with the excuse that they were going to see speaker and author, Jen Hatmaker, to “learn a little more about Jesus.” Little did they know, their world was about to be turned upside down.

“I didn’t really even know who Jen Hatmaker was when I bought a ticket to hear her speak. That weekend rocked my world in the best way. Jen brings the Truth in such a way that humbles, inspires, and challenges you to go out and love others the way Jesus does. She is the real deal!” – Marissa Castro, wife, mom of three, teacher, and Jesus follower.

Fast-forward 36 hours. The excitement was barely containable. Comments like these were swirling around the car ride home.

“Every single woman I know needs to hear what we just heard.”

“I have been in church all my life and have never understood Jesus this way.”

“This is so much simpler than I’ve made it out to be. I’ve been doing it all wrong.”

When they got home, that fire continued. So much so that research, discussion with their churches, and planning began.

The mission was simple – create an event that would unite the women of the Central Valley to bring about change. With our communities hurting, the increase of drugs, homelessness, violence, and despair, we must be the generation that makes the love of Jesus real to our world. Bringing in Jen Hatmaker seemed like an obvious choice since she had lit a fire in the hearts of these six women and well, women really relate to her.

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“Jen Hatmaker pens and speaks the thoughts in my head that I can’t always put words to. She has a great knowledge of the Bible all wrapped in a deep and sincere love of Jesus. Her passion, sass, and sarcasm are hysterical and refreshing. Learning from her in the midst of dear friends is a no-brainer, it’s a ‘hell yes’!” -Traci Sheldon, wife, mom of three, and co-coordinator at GCC MOPS. Bringing Jen to Visalia is not about “fan-girling” over Jen Hatmaker. She’s fabulous and all, but she is so not what this is about. (You can tell her we said that, she won’t mind one bit.) Rather, the “For the Love” event is meant to inspire an entire region of women, from all generations, to live out the transforming power of Jesus’ grace and love, in order to reach out to our communities and change the landscape.

And so dear one, you are invited to come. Come be a part of the generation of women that will stand for hope and love, grace and joy. Together we can turn the Central Valley into a place where proof of His love can be seen in every encounter.

The two-day event will be held Friday, Sept. 16 through Saturday, Sept. 17 at Visalia First on the corner of Akers and Caldwell.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.fortheloveevent.com.

About Jen Hatmaker: Jen speaks at retreats, conferences and seminars all around the country.

She is the best-selling author of 10 books and Bible studies, including Interrupted: When Jesus Wrecks Your Comfortable Christianity and 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.

Her most recent book, For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards, debuted on the New York Times’ bestseller list this past August. Jen is married to Brandon and together they have five children.

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 TEXT BY LEE LITTLEWOOD

Fun New Books to Help Tots Make Changes

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he perfect toddler tale is not only entertaining enough for parents and kids, but also offers some help within – encouragement for potty training, a lesson in giving up the binky, an introduction to mama’s growing belly. These small books broach those topics and more.

I Use the Potty by Maria van Lieshout With simple, three-color cartoon drawings and a no-holdsbarred vocabulary – “Burp!” and “I pooped and peed in SO MANY DIAPERS” – this smaller, square picture book works wonders with humor. Tots will love the little boy’s goofy faces and the short chants they can easily copy, such as “FLUSH!” and “PLOP I DID IT.”

Author Maria van Lieshout was inspired by her own experiences with her son, and she knows that kids get on board with just about anything if it’s made fun. Also in her new “Big Kid Power” series is Bye-Bye Binky. With a simple approach to giving up a pacifier, Lieshout acknowledges that babies love binkies, but “no, big kids don’t need a binky. NOPE!” The little girl gives up her binky and proudly explains how she can seek comfort in family and friends, giving preschoolers ideas on how to cope when they think they need their binkies.

Lieshout’s new series celebrates the milestones in toddlers’ lives, with lots of laughs and down-to-earth advice from reallooking kids.

Skip to the Loo, My Darling! by Sally Lloyd Jones From the illustrator of the iconic Guess How Much I Love You, this whimsical, rhyming romp features a bunny and a plethora of his pals as they skip to the loo. From a lonely dodo to Wibbly Woo to an elephant in a tutu, everybody at the animals’ picnic

party needs to skip on over to the loo. Not much advice inside, but the sheer fun of reading these words – “Look! Everyone’s on their potties! Poo! Poo! Poo!” and “Yes, everyone’s at the potty party! Potty! Party! Poo!” – makes this book a hoot.

Just when you think it can’t get any more fun, we discover somebody’s missing from the party, and a mirror appears with “Is it YOU?” Whew! No potty trainer should miss this ode to the loo.

We Are Having a Baby! created by Christine Burger Author Christine Burger, the creator of children’s skin-care line Noodle & Boo, wants to continue helping parents help kids. She created this thoughtful line of books, plus a soft, plush monkey named Boodles, within her new line “Your Buddy Boodles.” In We Are Having a Baby! monkey Boodles helps a little boy navigate the wait for a new sibling. Burger’s gentle text and emphasis on preparation and helping gives kids outward things to think of other than their own jealousies and fears.

She also penned What Does a Family Look Like? to introduce preschoolers to different kinds of families. Several different races of families are shown having fun together. And new types of families are explained in a simple, fun way – “Melissa has a Daddy,” “Peter has two mommies,” and “Jordan lives with his Grandma and Grandpa.” A must- read for all young children, Burger’s all-inclusive guide is loving and real.

Steam Train, Dream Train 1-2-3 and Steam Train, Dream Train Colors by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld Offshoots from the bestselling Steam Train, Dream Train, these fun board books star the beloved animals that ride shotgun across country on purple, yellow, and red engines. Rhyming text counts up to 10 in Dream Train 1-2-3 (“Two best friends ride in the flatbed car, off to places near and far. Two pillows and two books to read, these two giraffes have all they need”), while the nighttime colors rule in Dream Train Colors: “BLUE. The big blue tanker, rolling through, is filled with special paint – sky blue!” and “GREEN. A great green dino rolls along. That well car must be very strong!”

Labels on each car offer little train enthusiasts info to satisfy their curiosity. These muted-colored books are great bedtime reads.

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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 TEXT BY RYAN STILLWATER

Al Oliver Named VRM Executive Director

A Southern California native, Al attended Cerritos College and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

After a brief stint in the National Football League, Al graduated from Talbot Theological Seminary in 1980 with a Master of Divinity in Bible exposition. From there, he served as a teacher, counselor, and teaching pastor for a number of years until he and his wife were both diagnosed with cancer.

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he Board of Directors is honored to announce…the full-time appointment of Al Oliver as Executive Director for Visalia Rescue Mission.

This appointment was fulfilled by a prayerful board, God’s guiding an objective, and thorough analysis the organization’s current and future needs. Ultimately, we strongly believe God has called Al to serve here during a critical time and ask for your continued prayer, support, and encouragement as we seek God’s direction.

- John Anderson, Chairman of the Board

After a difficult encounter with their cancer surgeries, the Oliver family left professional ministry in 1989 for a season of healing and recovery. Al then worked in his family’s construction materials business and was eventually promoted to President and CEO. He later returned to pastoral ministry serving as a Transitional Pastor for churches belonging to the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA), and worked with four EFCA churches in nearly 13 years.

Prior to joining VRM in July 2014 as Interim Director, Al served as Transitional Pastor at Hillside Community Church in Porterville. Al has been married to his wife Verla for 40 years. They have two children (Matthew and Amber) and four grandchildren. In his free time Al enjoys salt-water fishing (especially in the Sea of Cortez).

“I am deeply honored to join Visalia Rescue Mission in its 35th year. My time as Interim Director gave me the opportunity to become familiar with the details and nuances of the operation, and now I am wholeheartedly committing to the future of this ministry.” - Al Oliver, Executive Director, Visalia Rescue Mission Ryan Stillwater is the Director of Development for Visalia Rescue Mission. Contact him by e-mail: ryan@vrmhope.org.

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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

FASHION TEXT BY SHARON MOSLEY

Address the Dress

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here’s never been a better time to say yes to a new dress.

Even if you’re a diehard fan of separates and rarely wear a dress, this spring’s crop of designs will have something for you to slip right into. It’s fast fashion at its best for every special occasion, from weddings and graduations to garden parties and class reunions. Here are some of the best dresses to hang in your closet this year: The shift or sheath dress. It has become a classic in our wardrobes, and a workhorse for professional offices that can easily transition to the cocktail hour. With or without sleeves, this dress also can transcend the seasons when layered with a jacket or sweater for cooler days. For an updated take on the shift this season, consider a dress in a dark floral print with bell sleeves.

The body-con dress. This is a cousin of the shift dress, but a little more form-fitting, usually in a body conscious knit that hugs curves and therefore may not be all that flattering to every figure.

The newest knits are the most fun this year in bold, graphic stripes.

The fit and flare dress. If a shift dress or body-con dress is just not your idea of comfort, then the fit and flare dress may be just the one you need. These dresses highlight your waist and gently flare over hips and thighs. In pretty pastels, the fit and flare dress is a perfect choice to wear to spring and summer weddings.

The lace dress. This is another trendy way to wear all of the above silhouettes. Designers add this fine texture to dresses in all-over lace looks or cutouts that give dresses just a touch of sheerness at the hem or neckline. If you have a more formal event to attend this spring, then a lace dress in a short or longer length is a more dressed-up option. It’s also a great way to update that all-time favorite little black dress.

The little white dress. And speaking of the LBD, how about taking the opposite approach this year and trading in your black for a crisp white dress. In lightweight cottons and flowing silks, white is a refreshing change from the dark colors of winter. Try it for work in a tailored shirtdress; for parties, go for soft silks.

Pop your whites with colorful handbags and shoes; metallic accessories are more elegant choices.

The ‘60s trapeze dress. One of the most chic dress silhouettes of the season, this swingy dress will give you a whole new way to make a creative statement – Twiggy style. You may not have to worry about your mid-section in this triangle shape, but just make sure your legs are up to carrying it off. Balance this fun dress with platform sandals.

The robe dress. This is a wrap dress at its best. At its most formal (it has been a hit at recent awards shows), it is long and lean and shows off a lot of legwork. But in shorter versions, the wrap dress is another working wonder that goes from day to night. Check out these dresses in abstract prints for day and in embellished sequins for evening.

The slip dress. Another trendy option for the young at heart who dare to wear this boudoir-inspired slip of a dress out in public. For an edgy cover-up, team these slinky slips with a leather moto jacket.

The off-the-shoulder dress. Halter dresses may have been a warm-weather staple in the past, but the newest way to show off that erogenous zone is the “cold” shoulder dress silhouette. Give this dress even more glamour with a statement necklace or drop earrings. How’s that for class at a class reunion?

The pant dress. Still not convinced that you need to wear a dress for success? Still stuck on separates? Then dress up your wardrobe with a trendsetting combo – layering a dress tunic over slim pants. Make sure the tunic “dress” top hits at the knee or mid-calf. Slits up the side can add a bohemian flair to your new favorite “dress.” Now that’s success.

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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

EXCURSIONS

Ten Local Outings in Ten Days BRAVO LAKE BOTANICAL GARDENS If you’re looking for a day outdoors, check out the Bravo Lake Botanical Gardens in Woodlake. Bird watch, dog walk (with your pooper scooper, of course), and enjoy the afternoon in spring. Be sure to save this for a beautiful day in May. SUPERIOR DAIRY Where the servings are big, sweet, and make for a very special treat. Spend an afternoon indulging in sky-high sundaes, or their famous banana split. From the atmosphere to the ice cream scoops, Superior Dairy in Hanford is the place to go.

DOWNTOWN VISALIA FARMERS MARKET Now through October, the Downtown Visalia farmers market bustles with activity every Thursday evening. Starting at 5 p.m., bring your family and friends to find the freshest and most delicious produce and goods around. Grab a bite to eat from one of the many local vendors.

JUST SPROUTED JUICE BAR & HEALTHY CAFÉ This cheerful café in downtown Exeter has healthy and delicious food and drink options for anyone to enjoy, whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or simply prefer a healthy snack. You can expect the freshest ingredients from local farmers.

GARDEN STREET STUDIO This stop is the perfect spot to let your inner artist shine.

Spend the day at the studio creating, painting, gluing, and crafting up your masterpiece, just how you like it. Projects available are mosaic, inspiration boards, calligraphy, and more. Give Garden Street a call; they can turn any beginner into an artist!

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ICE HOUSE THEATER Join the Visalia Players as they bring the community together for the arts. Throughout the year, you can enjoy live performances of popular and captivating theater acts and plays.

Check on the Visalia Players website to purchase season passes so you can attend all year long.

ORANGE WORKS CAFÉ With ice cream flavors changing daily, you can always expect a tasty treat. Orange Works Café in Strathmore serves up scoops of their signature orange ice cream and daily flavors such as birthday cake, nutter butter, and pistachio. You can also pick up a deli sandwich and finish it up with a sweet treat for dessert. Trust us, it’s worth the trip.

FIRST FRIDAY DOWNTOWN VISALIA Experience the ultimate art scene by walking right through it. That’s right, Downtown Visalia stores and landmarks will be opening up their doors and hosting all sorts of art outlets on their stoops; musicians, painters, dancers, you name it. This event takes place on the first Friday of every month.

BARI OLIVE OIL TASTING You’ve probably gone wine tasting before, but what about oil tasting? If not, now is your chance; and it’s local. This familyowned and operated farm and mill located near Dinuba Blvd. has been producing award-winning olive oils for more than 75 years.

Taste some of the finest oils at their on-site tasting room, all while learning about what it takes to produce the best olive oil in the Central Valley.

OL’ BUCKAROO With a slogan like “good food & nice drink,” this food truck’s fresh menu better not disappoint your palate…and it won’t. Take a scenic drive up to this Three Rivers hot spot to enjoy artisan burgers and craft beer straight from the truck. Take a seat under their covered patio right on the river, and be sure to check Ol’ Buckaroo’s hours and specials online before you go.

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

DIANA FIERRO

JACOB DE OCHOA

8TH GRADE

8TH GRADE

LOS TULES MIDDLE SCHOOL, TULARE

CHERRY AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL, TULARE

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very morning at 9:08 a.m., Diana Fierro reports to her duties as office aide at Los Tules Middle School.

Typical responsibilities include preparing the daily student absent list, logging the occasional tardy student, and checking office supplies. Her assignment is not unusual, but her personality and how she approaches her duties are what set her apart. The Los Tules office ladies find her invaluable stating, “She is always willing to assist in any way with a joyful heart. She is efficient and takes pride in her work. Her genuine character is a great example for all of her peers.”

As Diana wraps up her second year as an office aide, she enjoys talking with the office ladies about graduation, dresses, and high school. At times during their conversations, emotions get the best of everyone and the ladies can’t help but share, “We just want to change her grades to fail so that her warm smile and sweet personality stays with us next year.” For Diana, she finds happiness in making these ladies proud of her as if they were her family.

Diana’s proficiency as an office aide comes quite naturally for her. “I enjoy helping students and being nice to them when they come into the office for help. I just think if that was me, that’s the kind of help I would want. My parents have always taught me to be respectful and responsible, to take the right path; they taught me how to communicate with manners. That is important.”

With eighth-grade promotion less than two months away, Diana is already looking beyond her high school years and dreams of working in the medical field. Diana says, “I would love to be a pediatrician so I can help young kids, especially when they are sick and have no idea what is going on. I want to be able to comfort them.”

Pitcher, quarterback, and point guard are all leadership positions in sports. You often find vocal and outgoing athletes assigned to these positions, yet sometimes a quiet and humble leader like Jacob De Ochoa can perform in this role and provide just as powerful of an impact.

As an eighth-grade student at Cherry Avenue Middle School, Jacob has a reputation among peers and staff of using his talents and abilities to lead in the athletic arena, as well as going out of his way to make sure all students feel welcome, appreciated, and wanted.

Physical Education teacher Kristine Harper says, “Jacob goes above and beyond in any activity that he participates in and never complains about including other students. He is always making positive comments to students he is not friends with.”

Teacher Mark Levy knows Jacob in the classroom, on the sports field, and at the jobsite. Mr. Levy says, “As his teacher, I count on Jacob to do his very best at everything. As his coach, I see fellow players trust in Jacob to do the right thing and always take responsibility for his own mistakes, never blaming others.”

Jacob is one of the few middle school students allowed to work at the Tulare Youth Baseball Park. This position requires commitment, good communication, and the ability to follow all procedures. Mr. Levy never worries when Jacob is assigned the game. “He goes beyond expectations and helps solve problems. For example, the new scoreboard was not working properly and he contacted a board member to request new batteries for the remote to see if that might fix the issue. Other scorekeepers had just turned it off and said it wasn’t working. He cleans up and shuts down all equipment properly, and reports any issues immediately. He is a pleasure to work with.”

Whether Jacob is working in class, on the ball field, or in the announcer’s booth, he is a natural example of Jackie Robinson’s famous tenet, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

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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 YAVASILE, INDEPENDENT COLLEGE CONSULTANT, SOAR COLLEGE PLANNING AND CONSULTING

Find Your Passion

C

olleges like to develop an eclectic group of students with a variety of different skill sets for each new freshmen class; they like to see students who are passionate about what they do. While many students have skills and interests they are passionate about, they haven’t quite figured out how they can apply that to their academic career. It is important for students to identify their passion, and they can do this by learning more about and exploring the things that interest them most. Developing a passion takes time, effort, and an emotional investment.

Usually, a passion comes from something you are good at. If you naturally enjoy a subject or hobby, it’s much more enjoyable to focus on that than on something you have to try much too hard to successfully complete. But your passion does not have to be something common. As a matter of fact, when it comes to the college application, uncommon interests can make you stand out. Sometimes an aptitude test can help uncover things you are good at.

Once you figure out what it is that you enjoy, you must be willing to invest time. If you love taking pictures, study how to take even better pictures. There is always more to learn, so

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set specific goals that are daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.

Continuously reevaluate your progress and continue to grow your passion. Read, take classes, research on the Internet, learn from others who may have a similar passion. Finding your passion is like many things in life; you get out of it what you put into it.

Busy students may have trouble making a commitment to something like this with all of the other responsibilities they find as a student, but trust me when I say that the time spent in finding and developing your passion will pay off in the future. It can give you a lifelong activity that brings joy and satisfaction. At best, it could evolve into a career.

Don’t know your passion yet? Take a moment to think about what you love. Maybe you like to read political information on the Internet. Do you believe everything you read? How about becoming a political “fact checker?” Just be careful to not limit yourself; successful people typically combine more than one skill.

Colleges want students who are passionate about something and have stuck with this passion for a long time. It might be riding dirt bikes or fly-fishing; it does not have to relate directly to school activities. Students share their passion through their application and essays. Step out of your comfort zone. Your passion will motivate you to work hard at something because you love it. Passion will make you a leader. Find your passion early on, and if you haven’t found it yet, keep looking!

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

WHITNEY MARTINEZ, DPT, PRO-PT PHYSICAL THERAPY

Vertigo and Dizziness:

Do I Have to Live Like This?

I

n my line of work as a physical therapist, I have come across so many patients that report to me with a history of dizziness, then say “but I just live with it.” My first response is always “why?”

One recent large 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. 80 percent of people aged 65 years and older have experienced dizziness, and 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 (PT) can perform a thorough evaluation that begins with a medical history and includes observing and measuring posture, balance, 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 (VRT) is an exercisebased 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 benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (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.

I do realize that most people simply don’t know there is treatment available for them, which is why I find it important to spread the news. If you or anyone you know is suffering from symptoms of dizziness or vertigo, I urge you to seek a consultation.

I am so

GRATEFUL My therapy has made a profound difference in my daily lifestyle. I was referred for severe imbalance due to bilateral inner ear damage that limited my ability to walk on a daily basis. Due to the expertise and compassionate care of my physical therapist, I can now walk, hike and snow shoe near my home in the mountains. I am so grateful for the professionals at PRO-PT.

- Deborah Jackson

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

The Secret of Cheap and Healthy Meals

W

ant to keep your food costs low during these times of rising costs? Stick to these rules: Set a budget and never pay full price.

I know you hate the word “budget.” So do I. And we need to get over it. All it means is that we decide ahead of time how much we will spend on food for the week (or month), and we stick to it. And when that amount runs out, we stop buying.

The second rule means you must stop buying anything that is not on sale. Items have to really be on sale, not just on a “special” that may not be on sale at all. If you are careful to do this, you will easily bring your food costs down to what they were a decade ago. And you’ll eat well, too.

Following the first rule is easy. Do it now. Determine how much you will spend to feed you and your family per week. Now, take the amount you are allotting for groceries (as opposed to fast food, restaurants, school lunches, and so on) and place that amount in cash in an envelope marked “groceries.” When it is gone, it is gone until next month.

The second rule is going to take some work. Find out what is on sale in your supermarket(s) before you go so you can make a list beforehand. And don’t worry. If you shop at a typical U.S.

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supermarket, there will be great sales in every category you can think of, including healthy choices in the produce, dairy, and meat aisles.

You can collect the weekly print ads for your store(s) of choice and use them as your guide. Or visit any number of websites that will have this kind of information organized and categorized for you like SavingsAngel.com (membership fee required) and GrocerySmarts.com (free access). But don’t assume these sites are flawless. They often miss important unadvertised sales and don’t always post all of the grocery store chain sales either.

Consider this information a general guide to what is on sale.

That’s it: Just two rules to follow. Before you have time to object to the idea of cheap and healthy food in the same sentence, here is a sample of what is on sale in my supermarket right now: Foster Farms split chicken breasts, 88 cents per pound (50 percent off the regular price of $1.69), fresh blueberries at $1.50 for 6 ounces (70 percent off the regular price of $4.99) and Hass avocados selling for 77 cents each (62 percent off the regular price of $1.99 each). And that is just a tiny start. I’ll bet you can guess what is going in my freezer this week. At that price for chicken, I plan to stock up.

I am sad to tell you that after 16 years, my beloved resource, The Grocery Game website, has shut down. It was quite possibly the most reliable resource for matching coupons with grocery sales in all of the major supermarkets – including unadvertised sales. TGG has been my personal grocery-shopping companion for all of these years. I wish the founder and owner, Teri Gault, the very best. But it’s hard to keep good people down, so I’m anxious to see what her future holds.

I hope you take advantage of these resources and sites to supercharge your grocery savings.

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 Talky

8 Type of tea 9 Grow dim 10 Commotion 11 Respected and admired 12 Man’s nickname 13 Sows 18 Mate for 48 Across 22 Laws 25 Improbable story 27 Golfer Hogan 28 Bundle 29 Shakespeare’s river 30 Boy Scout motto 32 Novice reporter 34 Spiders’ homes 36 Drains, as of energy 38 Bellow 39 Outer portion 42 High, craggy hill 45 Lofty mountain 46 Walked very quietly 50 Pounces down 51 Ensnare 52 Love: It. 54 Slant

ACROSS

35 Prayer

60 Animal pens

1 Lovers’ ___

36 Cast aspersions upon

64 Human trunk

5 Cleanser

37 Term in office

66 Deteriorates

9 Area in Great Britain

40 Trim, as branches

68 Butterfat

14 Seaweed

41 White linen vestment

69 Songstress Horne

15 Mystery man Gardner

42 Laundry accessory

70 Having little color

16 Worship

43 Seed holder

71 Growing fence

17 Chitchat

44 Engrossed

72 Whirlpool

19 Not a soul

46 Small fry

73 Gradual

20 Rich cake

47 Child’s game

21 Free; unattached

48 ___ , the lioness

DOWN

23 Soft leather

49 Wrath

24 Decay

50 Painful

26 Animal doc

51 Li’l Abner’s creator

27 Quilting parties

53 Fold

28 Infant

55 Cut lumber

31 Expert

57 Doctors’ org.

33 Cowed

58 Fender mishaps

LOOK FOR YOUR ANSWERS IN THE NEXT ISSUE

56 Play division 58 Cupola 59 Transport 61 Iridescent gem 62 Game played on horseback 63 Simmer 65 Droop 67 Utter FEASTS - APRIL ISSUE

1 Endure 2 Sailors’ patron saint 3 Culture medium 4 Insignificant 5 Harden 6 Verbal 7 Covering the entire surface 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

GOINGS-ON CASA’S ONCE UPON A DREAM

THE VISALIA MIGHTY OAKS CHORUS

Thursday nights in Downtown Visalia are 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.

Join CASA of Tulare County for their annual Once Upon a Dream event, featuring cocktails and hors d’oeurves, dinner provided by the Vintage Press, and amazing silent and live auction items, including a 1993 red Cadillac Convertible provided by Bill Jordan.

Are you ready for some 50s and 60s Rock and Roll? Come out to hear the Visalia Mighty Oaks Chorus as they sing Doo Wop songs like “Blue Moon,” “Come Go With Me,” “At the Hop,” and more. Tickets are $16 for adults, $8 for children under 12.

When: Thursdays, 5–8 p.m.

When: May 6, 5:30 p.m.

When: May 7, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Where: Downtown Visalia

Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia

Where: Central Valley Christian Theater, 5600 W. Tulare Ave., Visalia

Contact: 625-4007

Contact: visaliamightyoakschorus.org

MOTHER’S DAY PRINCESS TEA PARTY

WOODLAKE LIONS RODEO

This holiday, celebrate Mother’s Day by enjoying a mother-daughter Princess Tea Party. Mothers, grandmothers, and daughters are invited to spend this special Mother’s Day enjoying a delicious array of refreshments, unique programs, and of course, tea! Enjoy the outdoor ambiance of the beautiful Mayor’s Park as Disney princesses sing everyone’s favorite songs.

Each mother and daughter will receive one complimentary photo. Event is for girls ages 4-12 and is $15 per person.

A Central Valley tradition for more than a half-century, the Woodlake Lions Rodeo is always held on Mother’s Day weekend.

Bring the whole family for a fun day out at america’s most beautiful rodeo grounds.

This event has enabled the Woodlake Lions to donate thousands of dollars to support activities, events, and programs in the community. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for kids (7-12 years), and free for children six and under.

When: May 7, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Where: Woodlake Lions Rodeo Grounds, 19400 Ave. 398, Woodlake

DOWNTOWN VISALIA FARMERS’ MARKET

Contact: VisaliaFarmersMarket.com FIRST FRIDAYS IN DOWNTOWN VISALIA The Arts Consortium is pleased to present Downtown Visalia’s monthly art hop.

Each first Friday of the month, explore the Visalia Art District to experience exhibitions, performances, activities, and more. Catch a guided tour on the Visalia Towne Trolley.

When: Every first Friday, 5–8 p.m.

Where: Downtown Visalia (check each month for details) Contact: artsconsortium.org POWER OF THE PURSE The United Way Women’s Leadership Council presents their Power of the Purse breakfast, featuring mimosas, gorgeous guys, designer handbags, and a motivational speech by Susan Mazza. This event raises funds for The Literacy Project of the United Way of Tulare County.

When: May 6, 7 a.m.

Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: unitedwaytc.org

Where: Mayor’s Park, corner of Main and Hall Streets Contact: liveandplayvisalia.com or 713-4365 FOODLINK’S KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY This party with a purpose features southern hospitality and fast horses. Put on your fanciest hat and most colorful bowtie, and head down to the Visalia Country Club for this can’t-miss event.

Bid on horse races, sip mint juleps, and win big, all to support FoodLink of Tulare County.

When: May 7, 1–4 p.m.

Where: Visalia Country Club, 625 N. Ranch St., Visalia Contact: foodlinktc.org

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When: May 7 & 8

Contact: woodlakelionsrodeo.org THE IMAGINARY INVALID The University Preparatory Theater in Visalia presents “The Imaginary Invalid,” Moliere’s timeless satire on the medical industry, with a new adaptation by UPT’s drama chair, David Rasner. Pop music, cheerleaders, and a nod to Bollywood find their way into Moliere’s classic comedy and makes this production a crazy and irresistibly funny event worth catching.

Tickets are $5 per person.

When: May 12 & 13, 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Enchanted Playhouse Theatre, 307 E. Main St., Visalia Contact: 739-4600

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 SUNSET ROTARY ADVENTURE PARK FUNDRAISER

THE VISALIA CHAMBER ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS

Please join Visalia Sunset Rotary for their 12th annual Adventure Park FUNdraiser.

Tickets are $25 and available from all members at the door. The ticket includes all-you-can-eat buffet, mini golf, bumper boats, family cars, laser tag, and game tokens. Large and small prize raffle tickets are also available that night. Proceeds benefit local youth nonprofits.

Every year, the Chamber dedicates one night to honoring businesses and individuals who make this town great.

From emerging leaders to large business of the year, a variety of people will be recognized for their hard work. It will be a fun and entertaining night, so reserve your company’s table today, and sign up to decorate a table.

When: May 16, 5–9 p.m.

When: June 21, 6 p.m.

When: May 13, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Visalia’s Adventure Park, 5600 W. Cypress Ave., Visalia

Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia

Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 Main St., Visalia

Contact: visaliasunsetrotary.org or 625-4005

Contact: visaliachamber.org

SLICK ROCK STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL The Slick Rock Student Film Festival is Central California’s premier film competition for middle and high school students in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare counties. It is a program of the Tulare County Office of Education with support from the Tulare & Kings Counties Suicide Prevention Task Force. Slick Rock challenges students to meet industry standards in the technical aspects of film production. It is free to attend this event.

Contact: slickrock@tcoe.org

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS ART FAIR AT THE LOOKING GLASS

AN EVENING AT THE DERBY The Assistance League of Visalia presents their Evening at the Derby fundraiser to support educating children in the community. There will be horse races, a dinner catered by Sa-Trés Bien Tailored Cuisine, and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 per person.

Come out to The Looking Glass in Visalia for a unique art fair experience. Local Artists will create art on the spot and have finished pieces available for purchase.

There will also be booths where visitors can make their own art.

When: May 21, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

When: May 14, 4:30 p.m.

Where: The Looking Glass, 242 Caldwell Ave., Visalia

Where: Garden of Dr. & Mrs. Donald Schengel, Visalia (call for details)

Contact: 732.2787

With scores of number one hits, millions of albums sold and sold out tours across the nation, country music superstars The Oak Ridge Boys are bringing their world famous sound to the Visalia Convention Center. Tickets go on sale on May 6 and can be purchased at the Visalia Convention Center Box Office.

When: June 27, 8 p.m.

Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-4040

Contact: 737-1907

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.

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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

Why We’re So Happy

B

y now, you have probably heard that the annual WellBeing Index by Gallup-Healthways ranked Visalia as the 25th happiest community in the nation. However, that begs the question, what leads to happiness? For me personally, my wife and I are celebrating our 35th anniversary this year, we have five terrific kids who are progressing nicely in schooling and careers, and our grandkids Cora (3) and Dodge (1½) keep us in stitches, just to name a few. But what makes a community happy?

The city recently received a Community Comparison Demographic Chart from Adam Peck of the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board. The following are some interesting statistics therefrom: • The Employment Development Department (EDD) reported a 1.1 percent decrease in Tulare County’s unemployment rate in December 2015, and the December 2015 unemployment rate is the lowest since 2007.

• Visalia’s population as of January 1, 2014 is 130,753, making it the seventh largest city in the San Joaquin Valley behind Fresno, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Stockton, Modesto, and Salinas. We experienced a one percent population growth that year.

• The median household income in Visalia between 2010 and 2014 was $52,262, the fourth highest in the Valley. 3.1 percent of Visalia’s population earned $200,000 or more annually during that time frame, 5 percent earned between $150,000 and $199,999, and 13.5 percent earned between $100,000 and $149,999. 33.8 percent of households earned under $35,000 annually.

• Visalia ranked third in the Valley with 7.8 percent of its population holding graduate or professional degrees, 14 percent with Bachelor’s degrees, 9.7 percent with Associate degrees, 27 percent with some college, and 23.9 percent high school graduates. 82.4 percent of Visalians had a high school degree or higher.

• Visalia Unified School District had a 92 percent graduation rate in 2013-14, second in the Valley behind Clovis with a 92.1 percent graduation rate.

• As of December 2015, Visalia had a labor force of 59,500, of which 53,700 were employed.

• From 2010-2014, 31.9 percent of Visalians worked in management and professional jobs, 20.4 percent service, 26.1 percent sales and office, 9.4 percent natural resources, construction, and maintenance, and 12.2 percent in 32

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production, transportation, and material moving.

• For 2010-2014, 60.1 percent of Visalians lived in owneroccupied housing, while 39.9 percent rented. This ranks Visalia number two in the valley for home ownership. The average household size of owner-occupied units was 2.93. Average household size of renter occupied units was 3.16 with a rental vacancy rate of 5.3 percent.

• The overall cost of living in Visalia based on a US baseline of 100, was 106.0, giving us a ranking of number six in the valley for highest cost of living.

• Visalia’s average commute time is 19.93 minutes, ranking Visalia number one in the valley as the city with the shortest commute time.

Per Devon Jones, Visalia’s Economic Development Manager, these statistics indicate that Visalia compares favorably with other large communities in the valley. For instance, Visalia has a lower cost of living than Clovis in terms of housing, yet has just as good a school district and a comparatively low crime index. Visalia shows a higher than average median household income, coupled with housing affordability and high home ownership. Visalia has a well-educated work force.

The 2015 sales ranking report shows that Visalia has a strong regional retail presence and a busy Mooney corridor. For instance, comparing Visalia to California in the 2015 sales ranking report, Habit Burger ranked number two out of 31 stores, Hometown Buffet 5/73; Panera Bread, 27/364; Vallarta Supermarket, 4/35; Harbor Freight, 10/61; Hobby Lobby, 5/29; Victoria’s Secret, 6/34; JC Penney, 14/70; Smart & Final, 23/119; Winco Foods, 6/30; Costco, 19/90; Ashley Furniture, 5/17; Kohls Department Stores, 34/96; and Pet Smart, 41/106.

However, more than statistics, there are many intangibles that add to our community sense of satisfaction and well being. For instance, on March 10, Julie Sisco Fairfield wrote the city to say: “I just wanted to give a big thanks to the police department and all those involved in the lock-downs this morning. It means so much to me to know that my kid at Valley Oak was protected and the best precautions were taken to keep them safe. It’s times like these that we truly appreciate all those that keep us safe in the city.” And recently, off-duty Visalia firefighter, Dameon Malek, helped save the life of another runner in cardiac arrest at The End of the Trail half marathon.

Yes, we have many reasons to be happy that we live in a great community like Visalia.

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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