CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — THE HEART OF THE SOUTH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2016
M A G A Z I N E
VIRTUAL VALLEY
COMMUNITY
RECIPE BOX
Charities Go Social: Online Advocacy Strategies
Is Our Community Safe?
Thanksgiving Morning Sweet Potato Pancakes
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When you or a loved one is facing a life-limi�ng illness, Kaweah Delta Hospice can help you live each moment of life with hope, surrounded by family and, in the comforts of home. Kaweah Delta Hospice is a not-for-profit hospice providing end-of-life services in Tulare and Kings coun�es for more than 35 years. KAWEAH DELTA HOSPICE IS A “WE HONOR VETERANS” PARTNER AND OFFERS: • Adult and pediatric care. • Expert management of pain and other symptoms. • Doctors and registered nurses available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • A team of physicians, RNs, hospice aides, social workers, spiritual counselors, and volunteers to support and honor pa�ent and family. • Bereavement services, including support groups, individual counseling, and a special program for children experiencing grief. • Top-rated care: In 2016, 97.5 percent of caregivers have rated Kaweah Delta Hospice a 9 or 10 out of 10.
CALL �559� 733�0642 TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.
623 W. Willow St., Visalia 93291 (across the street from the Police and Fire Station)
(559) 733-0642 www.kaweahdelta.org
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INSIDE NOVEMBER 2016
PU B LIS H E D BY
4 GATEWAY CHURCH
10 The Recipe Box
12 Visalia Chamber
DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 ADMINISTRATION & EDITORIAL
Executive Editor KAREN TELLALIAN Editorial Coordinator KELLY LAPADULA Operations Manager MARIA GASTON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
ANDY SALAZAR C. S. WYATT IMAGINEU JAROLD JENSEN KELLEY PETTY MEGAN FLETCHER MISSY YAVASILE MARY HUNT RYAN STILLWATER SHARON MOSLEY SHARON PLEIN SUE BURNS TODD OTO VALLEY OAK SPCA WARREN GUBLER GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CHRIS BLY ADVERTISING SALES
Account Executive MELISSA OLSON melissa@dmiagency.com 559.739.1747 SALES OFFICE
801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • fax 559.738.0909 email: direct@dmiagency.com B U S I N E S S M A N AG E M E N T
Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA Jeffrey Malkasian EA
Direct Magazine is published twelve times a year and is distributed via direct mail to nearly 33,000 homes in Visalia. An additional 2,000 magazines are circulated at distribution points around Visalia and Tulare. Views expressed in columns are those expressed by the columnist and not necessarily those of Direct Magazine. We are dedicated to serving the community. Please call us for questions, comments, article suggestions or for information about local events at 739-1747. Fax us at 738-0909 or email us: direct@dmiagency.com. Online Issue at: www.issuu.com/dmiagency © 2016 DMI Agency
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COVER STORY
A Family Christmas at Gateway
DEPARTMENTS
13 Tulare Chamber
F E AT U R E S
8 Virtual Valley
16 Valley Oak SPCA 17 Fashion 19 Fitness
Charities Go Social: Online Advocacy Strategies
22 Visalia Rescue Mission
14 VUSD
23 Interior Design
The Story in the Numbers
15 Create Thanksgiving Turkey
18 Gardening
Grow Your Own Pineapple
20 Visalia First
24 Community 25 Character Counts! 26 College Prep 27 Crossword 28 Money Matters
Light The Way
29 Poll Questions
30 Goings-On
21 People & Pets
Dressing up for Howl-O-Ween
32 Warren Reports
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L O C A L
B U S I N E S S
S U P P O R T S
Yes on Measure N “To attract new businesses and allow them to thrive we must support first responders. The Visalia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is urging Visalia citizens to vote Yes on N.” STACY MORRIS
Visalia Chamber of Commerce Board Chair
“We urge voters of Visalia to vote Yes on N. Funds generated by this measure will remain under local control and will be invested in Visalia’s first responders, our roads, and the maintenance of our neighborhood parks.” MARLENE SCIACCA
Visalians Inc. (Downtown Visalians) Board Chair
“Comprised of more than 200 property owners in Downtown Visalia, Property Based Improvement District (PBID) encourages the citizens of Visalia to vote Yes on N, in order to maintain the high standards for fire, safety, roads and parks Visalians have come to expect.” MIKE FISTOLERA PBID Board Chair
“Measure N is the right thing to do to protect the quality of life for the people of Visalia. Measure N will help us attract new employers by keeping Visalia a safe community and by preserving our strong fire service rating.”
For more information go to www.VisaliaYesOnN.com
RICHARD FEDER
Visalia Economic Development Corporation Board President
www.facebook.com/visaliayesonn For a more complete list of Measure N supporters go to,
visaliayesonn.com/supporters
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C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y
GATEWAY CHURCH
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C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y
TEXT BY MEGAN FLETCHER
A Family Christmas at GateWay
children, consider coming on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. Sunday’s event features kid-friendly finger food, crafts, and music. We’ll also make sure Santa stops by to take pictures with the kids. Tickets are just $12 for adults and $7 for kids ages 12 and under. Call 732.4787 to purchase tickets.
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FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Later in December, we have our Family Christmas Eve Services where you and your whole family can come listen and sing your favorite Christmas carols. At every service we will invite all the kids to come to the front and participate in a special story time. As a parent, this is always cute to watch, and my kids look forward to it every year. Our time together ends by illuminating the auditorium with candlelight, which will put you in the right spirit for Christmas Day. We have multiple days and times so that you can fit one into your busy holiday schedule. Join us on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6:45 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23 at 6:45 p.m., or on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we will have three service times with three musical styles. At 4 p.m. we feature our Worship Band, then at 6 p.m. we will feature our Choir and Orchestra, and finally at 11 p.m. we have a more intimate setting featuring acoustic music. You can also join us on Christmas Day at 10 a.m. for more music and celebrating. My family and I would love to have you and your family join us! For more information on all of these events, visit gatewayvisalia.com or call us at 732.4787. Also, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @gatewayvisalia for the latest info and to get connected to our great GateWay community. We hope you can join us, and Merry Christmas from my family to yours.
ey Visalia! My name is Megan, and I am a life-long Visalian. As a mama of two little ones, ages five and three, my husband and I love living and raising our kids here in my hometown. I currently work at GateWay Church as the graphic designer and social media manager. As a working mom, it’s so important to set aside time to be with my husband and kids doing something that we all enjoy. One of the things I have always appreciated about growing up in Visalia is how many familyfriendly activities this town has to offer, especially during the holidays. GATEWAY TO CHRISTMAS At GateWay, we are preparing for our citywide, family-friendly event, the 7th Annual GateWay to Christmas. GateWay to Christmas is our unique food and music Christmas celebration. You will travel through different musical venues featuring Singer/Songwriters The Boasting Weak, GateWay’s Choir & Orchestra, and the Worship Team. During the intermissions, enjoy delicious appetizers and sip on hot chocolate, coffee, or hot apple cider. You’ll want to make sure to have your kids take a free picture with jolly old St. Nick or a fun family picture. We’ll also have a cookie decorating venue set up. All of this takes place on three separate days: Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m., or if you have young
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GATEWAY CHURCH Come join us for the Christmas Holiday! AT GATEWAY CHURCH, YOU’LL FIND WE ARE: • Multi-generational. We have services available for all ages. Whether you are single, married, young, senior adult, have a family, or are an empty nester, all ages are welcomed and valued at GateWay. All of our services have age appropriate children’s classes from birth to 6th grade. • Multi-ethnic. We reflect our entire community. Visalia is a racially diverse community, and we at GateWay embrace the uniqueness and vitality that this instills in our church. AND WE HAVE: • Multiple venues. We currently have services on two different days in two different facilities on our campus.
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We meet for small group Bible study in more than 60 homes, seven days a week, all across Visalia. We even offer additional services in three assisted living centers in Visalia. • Multiple styles. At GateWay, you may enjoy our worship band that leads the latest worship songs, or you may enjoy our 100-voice choir and 40-piece orchestra. Inspiring worship is one of our highest goals. Whatever your age, ethnicity, schedule, or musical taste, there’s a place for you during the Christmas season. Come join us at GateWay. We’d love to help you discover God’s role in your life. We have great music, great messages, and great people. Come early and get a choice parking spot and a free cup of hot coffee and a scone in the GateWay Café!
God Bless and Merry Christmas! PASTOR ED
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VIRTUAL VALLEY
Charities Go Social:
Online Advocacy Strategies
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harities compete for volunteers, time, and money. That competition, like it or not, forces non-profits to adopt promotional and branding strategies similar to those of businesses.
For a decade, I have asked students in my writing and business courses to create online campaigns for real clients. Most students choose to work with non-profits because they believe in the causes. Volunteering also looks great on graduate school applications and sounds great during job interviews. My students work with either non-profits or industry‌ and they quickly discover that both require human capital for success. This realization that capital is limited, that scarcity applies to more than money, forever changes how these students think about non-profit work. Non-profit organizations need social media presences to compete for volunteers and donations. This begins with establishing at least a simple, easy-to-use, mobile-friendly 8
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website presence. The website needs to be a virtual brochure, explaining the mission of the charity and disclosing important information such as the leadership. Unlike ten years ago, websites no longer exist to be primary destinations. Instead, websites point visitors to social media feeds and custom apps. Knowing this, I encourage students to design sites that include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and other social media feeds. The website must make clear what the charity does and how it uses resources. I encourage charities to include general budget information, to prove that donations are used wisely. People want to give time and money to the mission of a charity, not to the charity’s employees or overhead expenses. Of course, there will always be capital costs to fundraising and to operating any non-profit. Capital refers to any limited resource required to make an enterprise successful. For non-profit organizations, the capital required includes time, knowledge, special skills, donated
C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y
TEXT BY C. S. WYATT
materials, physical space, and media attention. Research suggests there is even a limited amount of human empathy we can endure before we become too overwhelmed to care about others. Empathy, therefore, meets the definition of a scarce resource, too. The best way to reach out to potential donors and volunteers is to tell stories. These stories might appear in longform on the website, but today they should also be told via social media and streaming digital media. Once you have a website that conveys the mission and trustworthiness of the non-profit, be sure to link to a Facebook page. Yes, other social media are trendier now, but Facebook connects more people to causes than any other platform. You must have a Facebook presence as a charity. Link the Facebook page to an official Twitter account, too. Whatever appears in one social media feed (or stream), should appear in the others. For a charity, you want to reduce work and one way to do this is to consolidate social media feeds to Facebook. The Facebook page should not allow unmoderated posts from visitors. I encourage charities to approve posts, because you don’t want offensive or politically loaded postings to a non-profit social media account. Twitter is ideal for sharing retweets of relevant news headlines and information that might appeal to supporters of your charity. Retweeting and short links have replaced blogging as the best way to connect to larger audiences. Do not saturate Facebook or Twitter. Post with moderation so supporters do not block your charity or unfollow the feeds. Remember that what works today might not work tomorrow, though. Some charities report success with podcasts, while others have found podcasting already fading in value. For example, I now discourage non-profit and business blogs, since the traffic to blogs has declined dramatically in the last five years. Blogs start active and then fade away as the writers lose their enthusiasm for the medium. Blogging is for the most dedicated of advocates. There remains a place for blogs, because they do reach influential readers. For charities, however, maintaining a long-form textbased blog becomes an issue of personnel and time. For non-profit organizations, Instagram and YouTube offer great ways to harness digital storytelling. But, these social
platforms require regular posts to sustain followers. Instagram is perfect for large public events, for example. If your charity has regular events, then you should be sharing images from those to Instagram and other image sharing platforms. A note of caution. If your charity works with marginalized communities, be sure that the people appearing in images you share do not mind being associated with the cause. Some of the charities with which my students and I collaborate have adopted “no children” policies when posting images from events. Always seek permission before posting someone’s image or voice online. Stories need heroes. For nonprofits, you have to depict the heroes receiving supports and the heroism of volunteers. If your non-profit serves non-humans, there are still great stories to tell about nature, places, and artifacts. The key to narrative is that people want to appreciate a journey through challenges. Document before, during, and after photos of the work your organization does. Post those to social media and write short taglines or captions that tell the story. Use hashtags to connect stories so people can follow posts on Twitter, Facebook, and elsewhere. A charity I support is preparing for their annual gala. There will be photos of planning meetings, the hanging of decorations, the arrivals of guests, the awards ceremony, and so on. The last photos will be of the ballroom after the event. Following the event, photos will be posted of services being provided to families. That’s a complete storyline. We also plan to interview volunteers and families during and after the gala. The interviews will be edited and posted to YouTube. Those interviews will be shared via Twitter and Facebook. Again, notice how one interview reaches at least three social media platforms. And the interview should fit into the story of the charity. Donating time to one cause means that we have chosen that charity over others. Thinking about all the charities to which we cannot give time would be overwhelming. In the end, we seek out charities and causes with stories we understand and value. Ensure your non-profit uses social media to tell stories in which donors and volunteers want to appear. And then, share the stories of those individuals. This cycle of narrative offers an effective online advocacy strategy. DIRECT MAGAZINE
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THE RECIPE BOX RECIPE AND PHOTOS BY SUE BURNS, IT’S OKAY TO EAT THE CUPCAKE
Thanksgiving Morning Sweet Potato Pancakes
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ovember is filled with cherished moments as we gather together to celebrate family, friends, and all we’re thankful for. Busy days before Thanksgiving give way to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Inspired by a deliciously unique breakfast I had at Another Broken Egg Café in Tuscaloosa, Alabama last fall, this dish is the perfect start to a day of cooking or holiday fun. Fluffy sweet potato pancakes are flavored with fragrant fall spices, buttermilk, cream, and vanilla, drizzled with a mixture of maple syrup, orange marmalade, and chile powder, and topped with candied pecans and crystallized ginger. It’s a meal sure to warm you from the inside out! SWEET POTATO PANCAKES WITH SWEET-HEAT SYRUP 2 C all-purpose flour or 1 C each: all purpose flour and white whole wheat flour ¼ C malted milk powder or 3 T brown sugar 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 3 eggs, lightly beaten 2 T unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
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1 C buttermilk 1 C heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla extract/vanilla bean paste 1 C mashed cooked sweet potatoes (canned are fine) 1 C maple syrup 3 T orange marmalade ¼ tsp ancho chile powder ½ C candied pecans, chopped 2 T finely diced crystallized ginger DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and whisk together. In another large bowl, whisk together the butter, buttermilk, and cream. Add the eggs and vanilla extract/vanilla bean paste. Add the dry ingredients and mix together until smooth, then fold in the sweet potato and mix until the thick batter is well combined. Rest the batter for 30 minutes (this allows the baking powder and baking soda to activate and make your pancakes fluffy.) Heat a griddle. Ladle batter onto the griddle in generous ¼-cup scoops and spread out a little. Cook until bubbles begin to form on top, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes, until golden on the second side. Mix the marmalade and anho chile powder with the maple syrup and heat through. Combine the ginger and pecans. To serve, stack a few pancakes on a plate, pour the warm syrup over, and sprinkle the ginger and pecans on top. For the printable recipe and holiday variations, including easy candied pecans, visit: www.itsokaytoeatthecupcake.com
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JOIN TODAY
THE
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(559) 624-3400 TheLifestyleCenter.org
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VISALIA CHAMBER OKTOBERFEST 2016 AT VOSSLER FARMS t was time to jump into fall, at Oktoberfest 2016, hosted by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Budweiser. Building on the success of last year, Oktoberfest 2016 hosted live bands Leaving Austin, SaltWater, and Russian Money amongst the scenic pumpkin patch. More than 1,300 people enjoyed the 40+ local vendors providing beer, food, and a great atmosphere.
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TULARE CHAMBER
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he Tulare Chamber of Commerce exists to serve its members and citizens by advocating for, and engaging in, efforts to encourage economic opportunity and business prosperity. The Tulare Chamber supports businesses by building partnerships, providing educational opportunities, and advocating for its members and community. 1-3. The COS Foundation and the Tulare Chamber of Commerce held their annual Crush Party on Sep. 23. The COS foundation and Tulare Chamber of Commerce extend their heartfelt thanks to the supporters and sponsors of this event. 4. At its Governmental Affairs Committee meeting on Oct. 11, Tulare Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Kerissa Chapman announced the appointment of Donnette Silva Carter as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer.
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VUSD TEXT BY TODD OTO, ED. D, VUSD SUPERINTENDENT
The Story in the Numbers
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chool districts collect and review a wide range of data. Some of these data provide insight for teachers that allows them to modify instruction to best suit the needs of their students. Other data are used to monitor programs and to guide decision-making at school sites and across the district. But the data that most of the public is familiar with are those that reflect the overall performance of the hometown school district. With a change in testing to the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System in 2014, some of the data we are accustomed to reviewing reflect a new approach and pattern. Even so, looking to see where we are with regard to student performance is an important annual tradition in school districts and communities. The most basic data to review are those that reflect student academic performance in the classroom. Although our kids learn many things in a variety of disciplines that form the body of knowledge they receive during their thirteen or more years in our schools, and English and math are just two parts of our curriculum, student achievement in those two subjects are solid indicators of the quality of a school program. HERE’S WHAT THE LAST TWO YEARS OF CAASPP DATA LOOK LIKE: • 48 percent of VUSD students were at or above standard in English language arts for 2015-2016. This represents an increase of six percent over the previous year, and compares to 38 percent at or above standard for Tulare County and 49 percent for California. • 32 percent of VUSD students were at or above standard in mathematics for 2015-2016. This represents an increase of threee percent over the previous year, and compares to 25 percent at or above standard for Tulare County and 37 percent for California. Student discipline and attendance are also common measures for gauging district success. The VUSD suspension rate for 2015-2016 was 9.1 percent. This means that 9.1 percent of our students were suspended at least once during that school year. With more than 28,000 students in the district, clearly a large number of our students have been suspended. But to place this in some context, that percentage is half of
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what it was in 2010-2011 (18.7 percent). A similar story can be told for expulsion. The expulsion rate for VUSD in 2015-2016 was 0.37 percent – nearly one-third of the rate in 2010-2011 (0.90 percent). These are small percentages, but still larger than we want them to be. With regard to attendance, our rate has held steady through recent years at approximately 95 percent, with our rate at nearly 96 percent (95.9 percent) for 2015-2016. Graduation rate is also a measure that folks refer to when referencing school district performance. The state definition of graduation rate gauges the percentage of students who enter high school in the ninth grade and actually graduate at the end of the twelfth grade. The VUSD graduation rate for 2014-2015 is 94.7 percent, which compares favorably against Tulare County (85.4 percent) and also against California (82.3 percent). It is worth noting as well that the VUSD graduation rate was 80.3 percent in 2010 – so we have increased 14 percent over the past five years. Each of these pieces of data is the result of many different activities and influences. Achievement increases because students and teachers work hard to address the new standards. Higher expectations, training, and commitment to learning all factor into these numbers. Attendance and student discipline rates are the result of our work to develop student significance and belonging at school as well as a staff-wide commitment to improved understanding of how to discipline effectively. Our work to implement Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) across the district is one initiative that reflects these commitments. No single number or source of data should define our success. What I believe that our community should carry away from this brief review is that as a whole our kids outperform the county and trail the state academically. The vast majority of our kids graduate from high school. And our strong attendance rate and decreasing student discipline rates reflect that more kids are coming to school and staying there because our schools actively develop cultures that support significance and belonging. Academic achievement is the result of the work of many. Students and adults across the district work daily to learn and to be successful. This work is complex, and what I hope emerges from this review is the breadth of our collective commitment to helping kids have the futures that they deserve and that we want them to have for themselves and for our community.
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CREATE TEXT BY IMAGINEU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Thanksgiving Turkey
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all is in the air, leaves are falling, and Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. Get your family ready for this special holiday by making colorful turkeys to hang around the house or even use as place settings on the kids’ table.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • White paper plate • Brown tempura paint • Paintbrush • Scissors • Assorted feathers • Googly eyes • Tape
• Nontoxic glue • White or yellow, red, and orange construction paper • Red, orange, and yellow crayons (if using white paper)
SIGN UP FOR FALL CAMP AT IMAGINEU! November 21-23 (full and half-day options) Art, Dance, Music, and Memories! Ages 5-11 For more information and reservations, call 733-5975
DIRECTIONS: Paint the back of the paper plate brown. If using white construction paper, cut a triangle for the beak, a short irregular curve for the “wattle,” and two legs. Color the beak yellow, the wattle red, and the legs orange. If using colored construction paper, simply cut a yellow triangle for the beak, a red curve for the wattle, and orange legs. Tape the feathers and legs to the front side of the plate. On the backside of the plate, glue the googly eyes, beak, and wattle. Your turkey decoration is now ready for fall festivities.
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VALLEY OAK SPCA scanner. The identification number will show up on the scanner, which then will be either entered into a shelter’s database or phoned in to the microchip company. This will immediately show the owner’s contact information and alternate contact number. One very important step in ensuring the microchip will serve its purpose is to make sure all of your contact information is kept current with the microchip company. If you move or change your phone number, you must call the chip company to let them know. If your dog is brought to a shelter and the number on the microchip is old or disconnected, it can be impossible for staff to track you down. HOWL-O-WEEN EVENT Stop by our Howl-O-Ween event on October 30 from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. at Plaza Park to get your pet/s microchipped at a reduced cost. For more information on upcoming events, visit www.vospca.org.
Microchip:
A Safe and Permanent Identification for Your Pet
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hat would you do if your pet was lost? Would the person who found your cat or dog know who you are and how to contact you? That’s a very stressful situation for you and your pet. A collar with a license and identification attached is extremely helpful; but what if the collar slipped off or you just gave your pet a bath and hadn’t put the collar back on yet? The only permanent form of identification that your pet can carry with it is a microchip. A microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, which is encoded with a unique identification number. The device is implanted with a syringe just under the skin between the shoulder blades. The process is quick and done with little or no pain. If your pet is lost and brought to a veterinarian or animal shelter, the microchip can be quickly detected with a
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ABOUT VALLEY OAK SPCA Valley Oak SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill rescue that operates solely on donations and contributions from our local community. To make an online donation or submit a volunteer application, please visit our website: www.vospca.org. To visit us in person, come to our Adoption Center at 29010 Hwy 99, located in the three modular trailers on the frontage road of northbound Highway 99 in Visalia. We’re open Monday, Thursday, Friday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Valley Oak SPCA Adoption Center Hours Monday, Thursday, Friday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
PET OF THE MONTH Dawn – This beautiful female Shepherd and Husky mix is one year old. If you’re looking for a loyal friend to join you on your walks or runs, Dawn is an excellent choice. Dawn loves people and is good with other dogs her same size. As you can see by her photo, she is an excellent listener (hint: Dawn is very praise-motivated). Her ideal home will be one with an active family and a fenced-in yard.
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FASHION TEXT BY SHARON MOSLEY
Boot Camp
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all into boots and step out in the footwear fad that's kicking up its heels in high style this year. From sophisticated ankle boots to rugged motorcycle boots to leggy thigh highs, boots have marched right into our wardrobes and they are here to stay. There really is a pair of boots for every day, for every party...even for every rainstorm. Here's how to get off on the right foot this fall with the latest boot trends: A pair of ankle boots is a basic. Ankle boots have become a go-to in our shoe closets, easy to slip on and off (or zip up) and wear with skinny jeans or short skirts and tights. The ankle boots this fall sport lots of hardware, edgy straps, and embellished details like tassels, pompoms, fringe, and buckles. For rock star chic, try a pair of Chelsea-inspired "Beatle" boots with a pointy toe in patent leather. If you already own a black leather pair, opt for a softer suede version in the season's newest neutral – caramel. Update with midi boots. If you like the look of ankle boots, then you'll love the new "midi" boots that come up a little higher on the leg and hit around mid-calf. These boots are best with the new chunky block heels and retro details: Victorian lace-up ties, velvety or brocade textures, or graphic embroidery. Midi boots complement many of the season's newest silhouettes and can go from fun to funky. Try them on with cropped flare pants or culottes to anchor fall's fuller proportions. Get high on boots. If you thought you couldn't wear knee-high or even thigh-high boots, think again. The tightfitting equestrian styles of the past have morphed into lots of possibilities from boots with forgiving panels of leather and suede combined with elasticized panels that provide a comfortable fit for all shapes and sizes. The "mixed media" effect is perfect for these substantial boots. Think tweed with patent leather; suede with rubber, quilted nylon with reptile skins. These boots get even taller with higher heels, whether they are wedges, stiletto, or block styles. Take your pick, or stick to flat heels. Don't ever feel like you have to stuff your legs into any of these boots. (That is one advantage of ankle boots.) Instead, think about how you will wear taller boots the most – layered over leggings or jeans or teamed with skirts and dresses. Take
the time to shop for a well-fitting pair. There is a lot of drama to these boots. Choose a great pair and make the most of them. Get in on a new trend with shooties. The shoe and boot come together for an ultramodern look that combines the best of a shoe with the look of an ankle boot. Just in time for the holidays, these new shooties will amp up the style factor of any festive outfit. There are cut-out caged shoe boots, open toe peep toes, sling-back platforms, and more. This is fall's equivalent of the sandal, but pumped up with much more volume. Go with spikey stilettos for even more party pizzazz. Get a little practical style. If hiking around town every day or taking a tour of the fall leaves is more the way you spend your time, then there are plenty of ways to reboot your wardrobe, too. The high-top sneaker boot is a casual, yet sturdy way to tread through cold weather. Top it off with fur or shearling and you've got warmth as well. Rubber rain boots or duck boots are must-haves during slushy winter days, and you no longer have to sacrifice style with these either. And if you really want to add a punkish charm to your boot wardrobe, add a pair of motorcycle boots complete with lug soles. Remember, special boots will be all you need to give your whole outfit a whole new personality.
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GARDENING TEXT BY SHARON PLEIN, UCCE MASTER GARDENER
Grow Your Own Pineapple
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rowing your own pineapple plant will be an enjoyable activity for you and your child. The fun begins when you go shopping for a ripe pineapple at the grocery store. If you’re not quite sure how to pick the perfect pineapple, we’ll give you some picking pointers too. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PINEAPPLE: • Thick and heavy for its size • Sweet smell, not vinegary • A golden yellow to orange color • A green, fresh looking crown Another test for ripeness is to pull one of the leaves from the crown. If the pineapple is ripe, you’ll be able to pull out the leaf easily. Pineapples ripen from the bottom up, so if you choose a pineapple that has a very green color, or is not quite ripe, try turning it upside down for a few days before cutting and eating it. WHAT YOU NEED: • A sharp knife and a supervising adult • Potting soil • A large pot and saucer for your plant • A sunny spot for you pineapple plant to grow
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DIRECTIONS: 1. The first step is to cut off the top or crown of the pineapple about one-inch below the cluster of leaves. A supervising adult is essential to this step. Set the crown of the pineapple aside to allow it to dry out for several days. 2. Now you can prepare to enjoy the delicious fruit. An easy way to remove the rind, bottom, and fibrous core of your pineapple is to cut it into quarters. Then, chunk the delicious fruit and enjoy it. 3. Several days later, prepare your pot with potting soil and place the crown (that you had set aside to dry) in the pot with the soil level at the base of the leaves. 4. Water the plant and place it in a sunny spot to root and grow. You will have a unique plant, and if you are patient, you can actually get your plant to flower and produce fruit. It takes a long time for a rooted crown to grow big enough to produce a flower. Here is a trick to encourage your plant to bloom. When your plant is at least one year old, place an apple next to the plant and put a clear plastic bag over it for several days. The apple produces ethylene gas that can cause fruit to ripen, and in this case, a pineapple to bloom. When the plant blooms you will see that a fruit forms on the flower stem out of the middle of the plant. Prepare to be amazed by the development of your very own pineapple. If you plant your own pineapple, you will be able to enjoy it long after the sweet tasting fruit is consumed.
Happy gardening!
C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y
FOCUS FITNESS ON
ANDY & ERYN SALAZAR, EMPOWER FITNESS TEXT BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN, SMILE CENTRAL VALLEYTRAINING
5 Ways to Stay on Track for the Holidays
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he holidays are quickly approaching, and you know what that means – two straight months of over-indulging, sweets galore, and missed workouts. As fast as the holidays come, they are quickly gone, and before we know it we are starting a New Year off trying to lose the five to 10 pounds of we gained during the holidays. It’s a vicious cycle. I say enough is enough. What if you spent the next 60 days dropping excess pounds and getting into better shape? Then you could ride out the holiday months fitter than ever and you are more likely to eat healthier, indulge less, and stick with your workout schedule in the New Year. Doesn’t that sound like a better plan? If this sounds like something you would like to accomplish, then follow these five steps to drop excess body-fat and get fit. 1. Go Bread-Free: Going bread-free for 60 days is a simple way to accelerate fat loss. A lot of our excess calories and carbs comes from eating too much bread. You’ll save yourself a lot of calories and get quick results, and it's really not so bad once you get used to it. You can wrap sandwiches and burgers in lettuce or on top of a pile of greens.
2. Workout five Times a Week: Take the next 60 days to focus your efforts on getting into a routine and being consistent with your workouts. Train as if you were preparing yourself for an athletic event with the mindset that each and every workout is important in seeing you through to your goal. Don’t focus on perfection, but instead focus on taking consistent action toward your goals on a daily basis. 3. Go Sugar-Free: Sugar is the biggest thing holding you back when it comes to dropping fat and getting lean. I'm talking
about all sugars. Take these next 60 days to cut out all sweeteners and limit your intake of high sugar fruits. Instead opt for berries, apples, and citrus. This will be hard at first, especially if you have a sweet tooth, but the rapid change in your body is a fantastic incentive to keep going. Again, don’t get hung up on being perfect with this step; focus on eating right 80 percent of the time and giving yourself 20 percent wiggle room. 4. Focus on Protein and Veggies: Enough about all the things you can't eat, let's talk about what you can eat. Your meals should be a variety of protein and veggies. For protein stick with lean meats such as chicken, fish, pork, and lean cuts of beef that you can roast, bake, or grill. For veggies, avoid starchy veggies like potatoes, and instead stick with an assortment of colorful, fiber-filled veggies. Sounds yummy right? 5. Find an Accountability Partner: The quickest way to get your body into tip-top shape is to find an accountability partner that is going to hold you accountable and push you. This can be a friend, family member, or a fitness professional; someone with the same goals as you that you can rely on. So there you have it, my five simple steps to losing excess body-fat and getting fit during the holidays and into the New Year. The holidays are going to come and go regardless of what you choose to do, why not make the most of the time and do things differently this year? You can do this, I believe in you.
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VISALIA FIRST TEXT BY JASON LEFAIVE, EXECUTIVE PASTOR
Light The Way May God pour His grace and blessings into us and turn His face to shine His light on us. So all those on earth will learn to follow Your way and see Your saving power come to redeem all nations. – Psalm 67:1-2, The Voice (VOICE)
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ow does the Church become integrated into a community and not separated from it or just simply a part of it? Can the Church be so interwoven in the fabric of a community that it becomes part of the transformation of all common spaces – social, economic, education, government, business, the arts, and media? Biblically, "Light" is related to vision and is often perceived to represent good. Additionally, "Light" is used to represent or symbolize God, faith, or holiness. The author of Psalm 67 understanding and believing this, is asking God to reveal Himself. He knows that nothing can be hidden when light is shown upon it. We immediately see it, our eye is attracted to it. Light gives us direction. Light reveals the way. As a church we are called to a community of people first. It is our responsibility as a church to understand the cultural environment surrounding us. Everything we do must be in the language and context of the people we are trying to reach. It is about investing in the people that God has called Visalia First to serve, first locally then globally. In many ways God is calling His church back to the center of community: the common spaces in which our relationships exist. The church is called to live and walk in the light of the gospel; it teaches believers that God, through the Holy Spirit, radically changes us and our “community.” Walking in the light renews and refreshes us from within so we are empowered to
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be a light through our own personal transformation in Jesus. For Visalia First, it is about reaching a critical mass of believers who are so empowered by the gospel of Christ that they change everything they touch – family, co-workers, schools, and businesses. When this happens, the light of the living God brings significant changes in the problems that plague our community today – poverty, crime, addiction, gangs, divorce, homelessness, lack of education, etc. There’s also a dramatic increase in the things that characterize the kingdom of God – mercy, justice, prosperity, and compassion. We believe God is moving Visalia First to be a church that exists beyond itself. Our purpose is to change the community around us and turn their attention back to God. We recognize we are all created in His image and created for a unique purpose. (1 Peter 2:9-10) This kind of movement involves all of us, ordinary people shining the light of Jesus in extraordinary ways all over the world. It takes men, women, and children from diverse backgrounds with different gifts to step into their purpose, shining the light of Jesus in every space – socially, economically, in education, government, business, the arts, and media. This is God’s design for His Church and as followers of Jesus we must not settle for anything less. Growth of Visalia First and growth of the individual follower of Jesus will occur when we move into God's mission. Understanding that mission is living a life centered around the light of Jesus Christ. Living in biblical community is foundational to growing His Church. As a church we must commit to participating in the Great Commission, to be the light of Jesus wherever we go and to be a witness of God’s beauty and radiance. We must fully understand God's Great Commandment to love God and love people. This is a direct result of our ability to light the way and lead Visalia First into the next decade with clarity of vision and commitment to shine the light of Jesus throughout the valley and the world. Jesus is the Light of the world.
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PEOPLE & PETS Dressing Up for Howl-O-Ween
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hat fun is Halloween if we don’t include our pets in the festivities too? This Halloween, the staff at Direct Magazine and DMI Agency dressed up their pets just for you. Take some inspiration from these furry friends, and join the fun. Check below for details on how to submit a photo of your pet dressed up for the holidays. 1. Name: Molly Costume: Kentucky Derby Spectator Breed: Border Collie Fun fact: She loves to herd cats and she's the princess of all ranch trucks. Human: Malynda
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2. Name: Charlie (Charles Dickens when he’s in trouble) Costume: ‘Hairy’ Potter Breed: Golden Retriever Fun fact: In another life, Charlie must have been a fish. He’s happiest when he’s near water, and sometimes we even catch him swimming in his sleep. Human: Kelly 3. Name: Zooey Costume: Halloween Jester Breed: Rhodesian Ridgeback Fun fact: Zooey is a three-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback that was originally “repossessed by Court Order” by her breeder from her original owner. My husband found her on a rescue website and claimed her for our family. Human: Laurie 4. Name: Lil Boo (aka 'BB') Costume: Spooky Skeleton Breed: Chihuahua Fun fact: Lil Boo is around four months old and is so excited to be celebrating her first Halloween. She loves to wear her spooky skeleton shirt, but come Halloween night, she's planning on showing off some bat wings. Human: Kaci
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SUBMIT A PHOTO – CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PETS! Do you dress up your pet for Christmas? If you do, send us a photo by Nov. 14 and your adorable furry friend could be featured in the December issue of Direct Magazine. Simply submit a photo of your pet to direct@dmiagency.com, and we just might put it in next month’s issue. Be sure to include your pet’s name, breed, and a fun fact about him or her. Check back next month to see if your pet made it!
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VISALIA RESCUE MISSION TEXT BY RYAN STILLWATER
Productive Member of Society
The Holiday Hiring Drive is Back! “What do you do all day in prison?”
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ou never know what conversation you’ll hear among our staff. This question was recently asked by one of our directors, who has never spent time behind bars to one of our Academy graduates, who spent a year in prison for drug dealing. The life paths of these two women (who are the same age and born in the same month) may have never crossed if it wasn’t for Visalia Rescue Mission. Last month, we had an amazing 35th Anniversary Celebration banquet. If you attended the dinner setting, you heard a total of five testimonies. There is something so powerful in the vulnerability of a total stranger revealing the worst decisions they have ever made. Whether their history contains elements of drugs, gangs, or general criminality, these graduates stepped up to the microphone — not to humiliate themselves — but to honor Christ, whom they credit with the restoration of their lives.
to provide our graduates with an even greater opportunity to succeed “in society” — to live life on life’s terms. Express Employment Professionals, one of our many community partners, understands the importance of this as much as anyone. During the month of November, Express launches their “Pay it Forward: Holiday Hiring Drive” campaign to provide businesses with a streamlined solution to find employees and for individuals to find work during the holiday season. While they may not say it in these words, Express exists to help individuals become productive members of society. For many of our residents, employment is the first and biggest hurtle after graduation. It can even mean the difference in court custody decisions, as these moms and dads fight to regain custody of their children. So, in quick summary, a job is so much more than a job for so many. If you own a business, or know someone who does, tell them about Visalia Rescue Mission and ask them to pay it forward this holiday season. You just never know whose life you are changing or whose family you are restoring. Ryan Stillwater is the Director of Development for Visalia Rescue Mission. Contact him by e-mail: ryan@vrmhope.org.
In these stories, there’s one phrase many of our graduates say when they describe their new goals in life:
“I want to be a productive member of society.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t know what that means. It sounds like a bad line from a boring movie. It’s just too broad of a descriptor to generate any type of emotional or verbal response from me. How does one become a member? Does that involve public service? Volunteering for the Red Cross? Paying taxes? Coaching my child’s soccer team? How productive must I be? If we investigate further, it turns out all we really mean is, “I no longer want to break the law and I want a job.” That’s really it. Everything else is pure extra credit (or mandatory…like paying taxes). And I’m happy to share that we hire many of our graduates, which provides some of them the only experience they can include in a resumé. Many of you know that we extended our Life Change Academy on Jan. 1 from 8 months to 12 months. We did this 22
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NOVEMBER 1-30, 2016 BEING OUT OF WORK DURING THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE TOUGH, SO WE WANT TO GIVE THE GIFT OF EMPLOYMENT. TO LEARN MORE & FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EXPRESS OFFICE.
(559) 738-7822
BENEFITTING vrmhope.org
C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y
INTERIOR DESIGN TEXT BY JOSEPH PUBILLONES
• Map out a great wall art with painter's tape, then hang the art in a great pattern. • Create a nice stack of books on a table, chair, or even the floor. Books warm up a room. • Change your dated light fixture for a beautiful ceiling fan. • Bring in a new area rug with a bold graphic pattern. This will give the room a new vibe. • Paint all the walls, one wall, or paint the ceiling. • Accessorize with fewer but larger items. I use the size of a football as a reference.
Thirty Days to a New Room
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t's always exciting to come home and discover a new project that makes you fall in love with your home all over again. A simple home make over – or a make under – can be easy and cost-effective. There are many quick fixes that can be done to make a room look like new. In the end, these changes will make you appreciate and make you want to be in your home. Finding areas where your home can be improved is generally easy. You live there and know where the shortcomings or flaws are. Realizing what they are is the first part of resolving the issues. Change is hard to accept for some, but as you embark on some changes and start to see the benefits, you will ask yourself: Why didn't I do this sooner?
• Hang a mirror in the room. It will bounce light either from a window or lighting fixture, and give the room some sparkle. • Install a new pair of side panels next to your windows. They will help frame the view. There are no limits to change. Each home and room comes with its own set of concerns and problems. Don't get overwhelmed. Consider each idea on its own merit, as you tackle each issue, leave yourself open to adjusting even those things you have already addressed. Homes are to be lived in, and as such they will invariably change, and that keeps it current.
FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS
The best way to make these changes is to plan for them and make a list. There are some easier changes that you can do yourself, and there will be others that will require help and need scheduling. I suggest taking a calendar and highlighting one project per day for 30 days. In one month, your home will feel remarkably fresh. Let me start you with some ideas, and of course, you can add your own: • Decluttering does a lot for a room. It allows you to see through what you already own. • Add some live plants and flowers. This will make the quality of your air better. • Change your lamps. Buy new ones or "borrow" them from another room. • Play musical furniture and figure out a new layout that encourages conversation or reading. • Add wallpaper to one feature wall, especially if you don't have a lot of art. • Make a slipcover for that old couch from a brightly printed King-size sheet and some safety pins. • Change out your decorative pillows. Ready-made pillows are very affordable.
Shutters | Blinds | Verticals | Honeycombs | Woven Woods
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COMMUNITY TEXT BY JERROLD JENSEN
Is Our Community Safe?
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isalia is becoming a city of high walls and locked gates as new upscale neighborhoods are sealing themselves off from common crime and traffic. If only we could use the same solution to seal off the entire city. Our growing population, plus changes in state laws, are now bringing big city problems to our doorstep. After the 2014 passage of Proposition 47, which reduced property crimes of less than $950 to misdemeanors, felony arrests in California plummeted by 28 percent in 2015. Smash-and-grab auto break-ins have reached epidemic proportions in many cities and even if offenders are caught, they aren’t bothering to show up in court for misdemeanor complaints. Many petty criminals are being left free to attack our quality of life. Although Tulare County residents strongly rejected Prop. 47, Visalia is not immune to the votes cast in soft-on-crime areas of the state. Local public safety calls to 911 soared by 14,000 last year alone and have nearly tripled in the past decade. Calls to deal with homeless people have risen from 200 to over 3,400 annually in the past 10 years. Can we preserve Visalia’s special way of life? The answer is yes – but it is going to cost us, all of us – a little money. That is why I am encouraging a “yes” vote on Measure N – the halfcent sales tax. That is 50 cents on $100 in taxable goods or $2.50 extra on a $500 TV. Folks, that is painless. Everyone, no matter how rich or poor, and including shoppers from outside the city, will pay the tax. After spending six-months on one of the two independent committees that studied the public safety challenges within the city budget, I feel confident we were diligent in our research. The annual sales tax collections from our existing public safety tax are currently $1 million less than what was 24
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projected 10 years ago. That is simply a reflection of the shift to buying on the Internet, which reduces receipts from local sales taxes. The big music store at the mall has been replaced by iTunes. Blockbuster Video has been replaced by Netflix. Our three bookstores have been replaced by Amazon Kindle readers, and many big gas guzzlers have been replaced by fuel-efficient vehicles. Following the financial crash of 2008, City Council kept their focus on maintaining public safety while they cut other personnel and programs. Street maintenance doesn’t sound compelling, but if we don’t keep funding at appropriate levels, our 472-miles of streets will deteriorate to the point that our kids won’t be able to afford to restore them. Similarly, there were deep cuts in park maintenance and we now need to restore the staffing that cares for a critical part of our quality of life. The city also found other ways to reduce expenses. New employees hired since 2008 contribute more, retire later, and have a lower retirement payout rate. The city self-funds their health care plan and the premium rate is about a third less than cities and counties using the CalPers medical plan. And, even with the proposed sales tax increase, Visalia will still be a relative bargain since surrounding cities including Tulare, Dinuba, Porterville, and Lindsay all collect a six percent or seven percent tax on utility bills, plus another half to three quarter cent local sales tax. Our committees also reviewed how residents’ priorities have changed in opinion surveys in recent years. Obviously, our choices are affected by the trends in the economy and the crime rate. Though some committee members wanted to place tight restrictions on how City Council should allocate the new taxes, a large majority chose the option giving them future flexibility. I believe the council needs to be able to shift funds to meet unexpected challenges. I hope you will join me in voting “yes” on Measure N. As taxes go, it is a bargain, everyone pays it, and it is a lot cheaper than building a wall. Jerrold (Jerry) Jensen.
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CHARACTER COUNTS! TEXT BY KELLEY PETTY, CHARACTER COUNTS! COORDINATOR, TULARE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
LITZY TINOCO, 8TH GRADE STONE CORRAL SCHOOL, VISALIA Three years ago, Litzy moved from an urban city school in Chicago to the Stone Corral School District in north Visalia. Now as an eighth-grade student at Stone Corral and student council president, Litzy looks back at all of the projects that have kept her busy both in and out of school. On her own, Litzy prepared for this interview by listing school and community projects she has lead or contributed to, and shared her personal vision statement as a young citizen in her community. “I believe my job at Stone Corral is to make my school better through a variety of ways – both fun and work. As young people, we can be leaders that work together as a new generation of ‘change makers.’” As student council advisor, Cristina Farias listened to Litzy share her personal vision statement and confirmed, “By all means Litzy does exactly what she said. She really is helpful everywhere and with anything and everything. Everybody likes her and looks up to her, and that is quite an accomplishment for a 13-year-old.” Part of Litzy’s motivation to encourage and help others comes from her experiences before arriving at Stone Corral School. She remembers not having many friends, being teased because she was the smallest in class, and bullied on the soccer field. Litzy turned negative experiences into something positive with her move to California. She tries to make sure others are encouraging, kind, and helpful so that kids at her school don’t feel the way she once did. Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Stone Corral Superintendent Chris Kemper agrees that Litzy’s efforts of citizenship emulate these words. He adds, “Litzy participates in community service, helps take care of the environment, and treats other people with respect and dignity. She follows the rules of her family, her school, and her society.”
BRANDI SEE, 8TH GRADE LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, LINDSAY Next time a volunteer sign-up sheet comes around for a community event, take a look at how many people volunteer for the clean-up job compared to other duties. If you live in Lindsay, you might just notice Lincoln School eighth-grade student Brandi See’s name first on the clean-up committee section. School Counselor Laura Cortes says, “Brandi stays involved with many of our school clubs, such as Student Council, Team Empower, Lindsay Leads, and the school track team, and faithfully assists in running our Eagle Mart concessions every Friday. While excelling academically, she chooses to take on leadership roles to make the school a better place for all and strives for educational opportunities outside of the classroom. Brandi has volunteered in many community activities to learn more about her community traditions and helps ensure the activities are organized.” Brandi shares that her family, especially her older sister, have been her role models. “I always saw my sister as a hard worker that volunteered all of the time and wanted to help others. I wanted to follow in her footsteps.” Stepping up to correct a situation and never letting a peer struggle is how friends describe Brandi’s reputation. Classmate and friend Crystal states, “Brandi also motivates us to be better. We look up to her and appreciate her leadership skills. She is a good presenter, speaks very clearly, and is kind to everyone.” Although college is more than four years away for Brandi, she has already visited five college campuses. In addition to researching academics at the top schools in the fields of medicine and neurology, Brandi is looking for other criteria of college life as well. Thanks to these early college visits, Brandi realizes that, when it comes time to complete her college applications, a campus life with opportunities for learning more about society and appreciating diversity will be at the top of her list. DIRECT MAGAZINE
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COLLEGE PREP TEXT BY MISSY YAVASILE, INDEPENDENT COLLEGE CONSULTANT, SOAR COLLEGE PLANNING AND CONSULTING
College Admissions and Demonstrated Interest:
What is it, and does it matter? Demonstrated Interest is a term used by colleges to determine the level of interest a student actually has in a particular college. How a college uses this information varies from college to college. Some colleges, usually top tier, do not factor in demonstrated interest, and other colleges rank it right behind the essay (personal statement). As a matter of fact, there are colleges that actually use CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software to track student interest. So why does it matter? Colleges are interested in “yield.” Yield refers to the percent of students who enroll in the college after being admitted. For example, if a college sends out 1,000 acceptance letters and 900 students enroll, their yield is 90 percent. Low yields may result in low enrollment, budget woes, and cancelled classes. Colleges want and need high yield. Students who show a high level of interest (demonstrated interest) are much more likely to enroll. Now, how can a student show demonstrated Interest without becoming a stalker? First of all, it is important that you are authentic. Perhaps the best way you can show your
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interest is to make a campus visit. Now this does not mean going to visit a friend for the weekend. It means actually taking a campus tour. When you sign up for a tour, they have your name and will document the visit in your file. If it is not possible to visit the college, do some virtual tours and study the website. Find some questions that need answers, and then call or email the admissions office with your questions. Give them your name and where you are from, then let them know that you cannot make a formal visit but that you are very interested in their campus. Then ask your question. Be sure it is not something you could have easily found on their website. If you email, be sure to use correct grammar and punctuation. It will make a much better impression than a poorly written email. The best emails are well thought-out as the content may just provide an update on your achievements. Try to send it to the admissions officer who will handle your application. You can also meet your admissions rep at College Night, request information from the college, or schedule an informal interview with your rep. Another great way to demonstrate interest is to apply early on. Early action shows a higher level of interest, but be careful when applying Early Decision since it is binding. That means if you are accepted, you must attend. As you demonstrate your interest, be sure you do not become a pest. And for goodness sakes, do not have your mom make the call for you. Although demonstrated interest will not gain admission for a student who is otherwise not qualified, it can certainly make a difference for a student who is "on the bubble.” So get busy and demonstrate your interest.
C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y
CROSSWORD
For Naturalists ACROSS 1 Jokes 5 Some are quick 10 Inventor’s middle name 14 Woodwind 15 Style of architecture 16 Celtic name 17 ___ monster 18 Gaucho’s equipment: var. 19 Civilian space agcy. 20 Loom cord 22 Dissolving agents 24 Dyestuff 26 Duck 27 Sound plausible 30 Bad drives
34 35 37 38 39 41 42 44 45 46 48 50 52 53 57 60
Eons Bettor’s concern Ancient Thracians ___ sauce Los ___ Printer: abbr. Iron Organic compound Graf Maximilian von ___ Tax Pittsburgh team Clusters Accusation Officer Shun Nevada city
LOOK FOR YOUR ANSWERS IN THE NEXT ISSUE
61 63 64 65 66 67 68 69
___ Allen Bantu language Sense stimulus Respond Comfort Progeny ___ Kefauver State: abbr.
5 6 7 8
Wheel changer’s tool Fictitious name, at law ___ much as ___ tube: for measuring fluid velocity 9 Climbs 10 Earthworm 11 Spare 12 Enormous 13 ‘‘___ , poor Yorick!’’ 21 Abbreviated boat 23 Poetic for valleys 25 Push gently 27 Scraper: Sp. 28 Stravinsky’s 29 Paradises 31 Snake 32 Sign up 33 Fathers 36 Las Vegas machine openings 39 Fools 40 Factors 43 Photoelectric cells 45 Moderate 47 Ball 49 Noun suffix 51 Satisfies 53 Certain siblings: abbr. 54 Make over 55 Soon 56 ___ is to say 58 Miss Lanchester 59 Year division 62 Hole in one
HOUSE DIVIDED - OCT. ISSUE
DOWN 1 Vincent van ___ 2 Famous Broadway character 3 Diving ducks 4 Billy Bones and Captain Flint DIRECT MAGAZINE
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C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y
MONEY MATTERS TEXT BY MARY HUNT
It's Only Too Late to Save for Retirement If You Don't Start Now!
D
oes the dreaded question "How much money will I need for retirement?" tie your stomach in knots? Millions of your peers are in the same boat, having saved little, if anything at all, to supplement their Social Security benefits during retirement. Waiting until age 50 or 60 to start saving for retirement is not ideal. It's late – but not too late. Anything you do now can improve your future. Here are some tips. Dive in. You don't have the luxury to ease gently into the waters of retirement savings. Forget about the mistakes you've made in the past, and dive in. Focus your full attention on the years you have ahead to save. Keep Working. Every situation is unique, but generally you need to keep working as long as you are healthy. You may be tempted to hang it up on the first day you're able to draw Social Security benefits, but do you really want to join the 10 million American retirees who are currently struggling living on Social Security alone? Enough said. Save Like Mad. Let's say you are 50 years old and you begin immediately by placing $2,000 in a Roth IRA or a taxdeferred retirement account, which is invested in stocks, where it earns eight percent annually (historically that's been the long-term return for investing in stocks). You add $2,000 each following year (about $40 a week). In doing so, you'll have about $210,000 by the time you really need it at age 80. Or if you double that, adding $4,000 a year ($80 a week), you'll have $418,000 in your account on your 80th birthday. Make it Automatic. There's an unwritten rule of saving: You don't miss what you don't see. Set up an automatic deposit with your bank or employer, where a set amount is deducted from your paycheck and sent directly to your savings or investment account. Decrease Expenses. If things are already tight for you, finding that $40 or $80 a week might seem impossible. But it's not. In fact, that money may be leaking out of your bank account completely undetected. To recover it, do this: For the next 30 days, keep a daily spending journal. Record every expenditure, no matter how small and no matter whether you wrote a check or paid with plastic. You need to see where you money is going. At the end of the month, divide your spending into categories like groceries, gasoline, and utilities. Once you 28
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have everything in writing it will be easy to see where you can make significant cuts to free up the money you need for your savings. Get the match. If your employer offers a matching 401(k) plan, sign up to participate. For each dollar you contribute to the plan, your employer will match a set amount, like three percent, of your gross pay. That's free money! Convert Assets to cash. Take a look through your home for items you own that have ceased to bring joy to your life. Perhaps you have collectibles and antiques you could convert to cash to jumpstart your savings. Frugality is trending. There is nothing poor about living frugally. Frugality carries a sense of good stewardship, of carefully managing one's resources. Stop adding to debt. Stop living on credit. Being frugal is a good and responsible way to live. So how much will you need in savings for retirement? That all depends on the expenses you bring with you to that season of your life. Get rid of your debt, cut expenses, and start saving as if your life depends on it. It just might.
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C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y
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irect Magazine has been your Visalia community publication for 20 years, and we want to make sure we’re keeping you engaged with your community. Please help us improve our publication by letting us know what YOU would like to see in Direct. ENTER TO WIN A GIFT CARD! By answering the questions below, you will be entered to win a $25 gift card to a local restaurant. Please submit your answers, either by emailing us at direct@dmiagency. com or by mailing this page to 801 W. Main St., Visalia, CA 93291 by November 30.
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GOINGS-ON VOSSLER FARMS PUMPKIN PATCH AND CORN MAZE Come down to Vossler Farms for their annual pumpkin patch and corn maze. This family-fun fall destination combines everything you love about the autumn season, so don’t miss your chance to pick out your pumpkins and get lost in the corn maze. There will event be a “field of screams,” a fun, Halloween thrill that will get your heart racing. When: Now- Oct. 31 (check online for details) Where: Vossler Farms, 26773 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia Contact: vosslerfarms.com
IMAGINEU VILLAGE HALLOWEEN Bring the entire family for a night of trick or treating. On Halloween we will be closing the doors at 3 p.m. to transform the museum into a Spooktacular Village complete with 30 doors. Each door is sponsored by a local business. Admission is free for everyone who comes wearing a costume. Come enjoy the fun! When: Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. Where: ImagineU Children's Museum, 210 N. Tipton St., Visalia Contact: 733-5975 or imagineumuseum.org
VISALIA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK BIRTHDAY PARTY MIXER It’s time to celebrate the third birthday of Visalia Chamber’s YPN! Young professionals between the ages of 2140 are invited to an ‘80s themed night of networking, skating, and celebrating. Enjoy food, drinks, and skating while meeting other young professionals in the area. RSVP to the email below. When: Nov. 3, 5:30 p.m. Where: Roller Towne, 520 S. Linwood St., Visalia Contact: vypn@visaliachamber.org
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BARK FOR LIFE IN EXETER The American Cancer Society presents Exeter’s 4th annual Bark For Life. Join ACS for a day of family fun as they celebrate the care-giving qualities of our canine friends. Owners and their dogs will go for a short walk around town with a few stops for water and talks with local trainers and vets. There will be vendors, a k9 demonstration, raffles, pictures with Santa, and more. There is no registration fee. All dogs must be leashed during the event. When: Nov. 5, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Where: Exeter’s Bark Park Contact: Hayley Tashjian, 731-0757
V-TOWN ROLLER DERBY DOUBLE HEADER – WE SALUTE YOU Your V-Town Roller Derby Dames and Darlings hit the track one last time this season, during their Military Appreciation night. Wheels meet track at 5:30 p.m. with your Darlings taking on the Pacific Coast Recycled Rollers. Don't go anywhere, at 7:30 p.m. your Dames face up against the Angel City Derby Girls - Rocket Shots. Kids 10 and under are always free. When: Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Where: Roller Towne, 520 S. Linwood St., Visalia Contact: brownpapertickets.com
TULARE COUNTY SYMPHONY – STRAVINSKY THE FIREBIRD One of their all-time most popular soloists returns to highlight their November program. Haik Kazazyan joins the symphony with his violin to perform the brilliant Tchaikovsky concerto, and the program closes with perhaps the most famous ballet suite of the 20th Century. When: Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: Tulare County Symphony, 732-8600
ARTSCAPES GARDEN TOUR Arts Visalia and Sequoia Riverlands Trust are hosting a garden tour that emphasizes awareness of the changes homeowners are making as we all adapt to the need to reduce our usage of water. Through this tour, attendees will see a variety of creative visions as to how one may design their landscaping, with an emphasis on incorporating art as a defining element of our environment. This tour will offer participants the opportunity to tour five Visalia homes with low-water use gardens, meet with landscape designers, water resource professionals, and the artists whose works will be on display. When: Nov. 12 Where: Contact Arts Visalia for more information Contact: artsvisalia.org or 739-0905
A FESTIVAL OF TREES IN THREE RIVERS St. Anthony’s Retreat and Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center is Hosting a Festival of Trees fundraising event to benefit many local Three Rivers non-profits, schools, and churches in the Central Valley. Three to five foot beautifully adorned trees will go up for auction, there will be a silent auction, wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and a no-host cocktail bar. New this year, there will be a live nativity scene on the front lawn as guests arrive. Tickets are $25 per person. When: Nov. 17, 5 p.m. Where: St. Anthony’s Retreat, 43816 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers Contact: stanthonyretreat.org, 561-4595.
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TURKEY TROT FOR VISALIA EMERGENCY AID COUNCIL Go the Distance this Thanksgiving with Visalia Emergency Aid Council during their 12th Annual "Race Against Hunger” Turkey Trot. This race provides the capital needed to keep their food pantry open throughout the year. There will be an adult and child 5k, a two-mile walk, and a kid’s fun run. Price ranges between $15 and $25. Register by Nov. 20. When: Nov. 24, 8 a.m. Where: E. Main St. & N. Garden St., Visalia Contact: runsignup.com/Race/CA/ Visalia/TurkeyTrotVisalia
CANDY CANE LANE PARADE – A STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS Visalia’s Candy Cane Lane Parade will celebrate its 71st year bringing holiday spirit to the streets of Downtown Visalia. Come with the family to enjoy watching floats, listening to holiday music, and eating yummy treats. It’s a great time to get together with family and start the Christmas season off right. When: Nov. 28, 7 p.m. Where: Main Street, Visalia Contact: downtownvisalia.com
REDWOOD BAND AND COLOR GUARD HOLIDAY HOME TOUR Enjoy seasonal music and hospitality during this special holiday home tour, hosted by the Redwood Band and Color Guard. Listen to holiday music while touring beautifully decorated locations throughout Visalia. When: Dec. 3, 12-5 p.m. Where: Quail Park, 4520 W. Cypress Ave., Visalia Contact: redwoodrangerband.org or 920-5950
ANNUAL HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE AT VISALIA NAZ Get in your Christmas and home shopping at Visalia Naz's 13th Annual Holiday Marketplace. This one-of-akind event is expecting more than 60 unique vendors from around the valley. Admission is free. See you there! When: Dec. 3, 9 a.m. & 3 p.m. Where: Visalia Naz, 3333 W. Caldwell, Visalia Contact: 734-1117 or visalianaz.org
EXETER WOMAN’S CLUB HOLIDAY HOME TOUR There’s no time like the holidays, especially during the Exeter Woman’s Club Holiday Home Tour. Get in the Christmas spirit by walking through four beautifully decorated homes. Before the tour, start out at the “hospitality stop” for tickets, sweets, and savories. When: Dec. 9, 4-8 p.m. Where: Exeter Woman’s Clubhouse, 201 N. Kaweah Ave., Exeter Contact: Rosemary Hellwig, 799-3641
36TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE AUCTION The Christmas Tree Auction has become a legacy in Visalia as nonprofits use this black tie celebration to advance their mission through donations they receive and awareness they generate. Come dressed in your best to celebrate a “White Christmas” while you support local non-profits. Tickets are $70 for general admission, $130 for the VIP dinner. When: Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m. Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: visaliachamber.org
HOLIDAY MADNESS WITH THE TULARE COUNTY SYMPHONY One of the Central Valley’s most popular holiday traditions, this concert features more than 300 performers and launches the season of celebration with a spirit of song. Come and share the joy—join the community in experiencing all our holiday favorites old and new! When: Dec. 10, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Where: Visalia, Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 732-8600
“THE OLATE DOGS” SANTA PAWS HOLIDAY SHOW The Olate Dogs are the winning participants from season seven of “America's Got Talent,” scooping up the $1 million prize and headlining The Palazzo in Las Vegas. Now The Olate Dogs Santa Paws Holiday Show will appear in Visalia. This family-fun show features a high-energy, fast-paced canine theatrical act filled with amazing dog tricks, human acrobatics, and humor. When: Dec. 11, 2 p.m. Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: visaliatix.com
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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C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y
WARREN REPORTS TEXT BY WARREN GUBLER, VICE MAYOR
Miki, Japan Speech
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y the time you read this article, my wife and I, along with a delegation of nine others from Visalia, will be in Miki Japan celebrating the 50th anniversary of our sister city relationship. I have been asked to speak at their Hardware Festival, which attracts 160,000 people annually. I thought for my article this month that I would provide you with a copy of the speech I've written. I will actually be delivering my remarks in Japanese, as I lived for two years in Japan and have a little fluency in the language. I suspect that since Visalia’s founding in 1852, I am the first city council member who speaks Japanese, which is convenient since our sister city is in Japan. I’ve included a translation of the first paragraph of my speech in two different versions of Japanese – Kanji and Romaji, so that you can see what it looks like. Enjoy! I am happy to be here at your Hardware Festival with 10 others from Visalia, California, in America. As the vice-mayor of Visalia, I bring you the greetings of our mayor and city council. Kanji Japanese: アメリカ、カリフォルニア州バイセリア市の副市長 として、市長並びに市議会を代表しご挨拶させていただきます。三木市の金 物祭りに、他の１０名の訪問者と共に参加できますことを嬉しく思っており ます。 Romaji Japanese: America, Kariforuniashu, Vaiseriashino fukushichou toshite, shichou narabini sigikaio daihyousi, goaisatsu saseteitadakimasu. Mikishi no kanamono-matsurini, hokano jyuumei no houmonsyato tomoni sankadekimasukoto o ureshikuomotte orimasu. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between our two great cities. We have come to help celebrate that friendship. Although I lived in Japan 40 years ago as a young Mormon missionary, this is my first visit to the Garden City Miki. Even though I have only been here a short time, I can already see that you are a community with a great deal of pride and beauty. And you manufacture high quality tools and hardware, some of which my wife and I plan to buy and take home with us. Our sister city relationship began when a student from your city, Seiro Takehara, was a student at our College of the Sequoias. He dreamed of seeing Miki and Visalia form a sister city relationship. Since 1966, many delegations of students and citizens from each city have visited the other. The last time that Visalia sent a delegation here was in 2008. I have fond memories of a group from Miki that came to visit Visalia in 2011. My family hosted Ami Maruki for a week. She was a high school student at the time and later returned to America as a college student to visit our family. In some parts of the world today there are wars, danger, and destruction. But through exchanges of ideas and visits between our people, we are doing our small part to promote friendship, peace, and understanding. 32
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I want to thank you for the warm welcome we have received from your city. We look forward to your visit to Visalia next spring when we will dedicate the Miki Japan Park, which we are currently building. That will mark the beginning of our next 50 years of friendship. While our cultures may be different, we share the desire to build a world based on peace and understanding. We can learn much from each other. We look forward to your visit and reciprocating your hospitality. Again, on this 50th anniversary, we thank you for hosting us and helping us to learn more about your great city. If you have questions or topics regarding the city that you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at warren.gubler@visalia.city. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
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