Direct Magazine - March 2017 by Direct Magazine

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

M A G A Z I N E

VIRTUAL VALLEY

MEET A LOCAL

Comparing Smartphones and Cameras for Digital Photography

Meet Suzanne Bianco, Director of Visalia Convention & Visitors Bureau

WARREN REPORT Vision for Visalia

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INSIDE MARCH 2017

PU B LIS H E D BY

4 GATEWAY CHURCH

11 PRO-PT

12 Visalia Chamber

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

The Promise Project

DEPARTMENTS

13 Tulare Chamber

Executive Editor KAREN TELLALIAN Editorial Coordinator KELLY LAPADULA Operations Manager MARIA GASTON

F E AT U R E S

8 Virtual Valley

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

10 Meet A Local

ANDY SALAZAR C. S. WYATT IMAGINEU KELLEY PETTY LYDIA HOUSE RYAN STILLWATER SHARON MOSLEY SHARON PLEIN SUE BURNS TODD OTO VALLEY OAK SPCA WARREN GUBLER

Comparing Smartphones and Cameras for Digital Photography

15 Fashion 16 The Recipe Box 17 Valley Oak SPCA 18 Seen Around Town 19 Fitness

Suzanne Bianco, Director of the Visalia Convention and Visitors Bureau

22 Visalia Rescue Mission

14 VUSD

23 People on the Move

There’s Value Added in the Performing Arts

24 Character Counts!

20 Visalia First

26 College Prep

Southwestern Assemblies of God University SoCal

27 Garden World

CHRIS BLY

Clothes Pin Race Cars

28 Money Matters

ADVERTISING SALES

25 Gardening

29 Crossword

Discover the Secret Life of Worms

30 Goings-On

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

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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 © 2017 DMI Agency

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21 Craft Corner

27 Ask M.J.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Account Executive MELISSA OLSON melissa@dmiagency.com 559.739.1747

COVER STORY

32 Warren Reports

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GATEWAY CHURCH The Promise Project

ateWay loves kids and makes families one of our highest priorities. We’ve built a new facility to provide a safe place for children to discover the promises of God’s Word. It is a place for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to be taught about Jesus and learn how much He loves them. We’ve called this new construction The Promise Project.

“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.” – Acts 2:39 Have you ever wondered or thought about the word “promise?” What is a promise? One quick search on Google and you find promise is a noun meaning “a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.” As an action, a promise is “to undertake or declare that something will happen or to give good grounds for expecting.” GateWay Church has launched into a promise of its own and we are excited to share it

with you. It is a promise not only for the people attending GateWay today, but for the people who have yet to enter its doors. It is a promise of the good news of Jesus for kids, families, and future generations. Imagine a place where you can pull up to the front of the building and a parent can get out of the car with the littlest ones and head right into a secure children’s check-in center. This is just one of the awesome features of this new building. The safety and comfort of your children are important to GateWay. Once inside, you will find furnished and decorated classes geared toward each age level. Children will be met by loving and caring adults ready to share stories of Jesus and the Bible with them. The new building also includes an indoor play area to accommodate for the Central Valley weather. Another priority at GateWay is to connect people with others in the church and in our community. Our new “Gathering Place” features sitting areas, fireplaces, and multipurpose space designed to facilitate conversations and connection. You can grab a hot or cold drink from the Café, sit by the fire, and share with a friend how God is working in your life or how you are sharing God in our community. You are invited to celebrate with us at our Grand Opening and ribbon cutting celebration in late April. We will announce the date soon! The Grand Opening will include food, prizes, bounce houses, and games for the kids. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @ gatewayvisalia for the latest info or find us at gatewayvisalia.com and get connected. These are exciting times in the life of GateWay Church and you are invited to join in the excitement of what God is doing in our church and individual lives in Visalia. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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GATEWAY CHURCH Venture:

A New Mission “The thing I love about GateWay Church is its friendliness!” That is the comment I hear over and over and over again. GateWay’s unique multi-ministry commitment creates an environment of: multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multivenue, and multi-stylistic in worship.

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Because of GateWay’s diversity, we are starting “Venture.” Venture is our newest ministry and it is for those 55 years and older who are either retired or have flexibility in their schedule to join us starting March 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays.

and how to study the Bible courses.

C.S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream!” GateWay is a place people can come and be challenged to dream and grow through:

Come get on the ground floor of “Venture” and see how you are never too old (or young) to set more goals or to dream a brand new dream!

Spiritual Development - Bible Studies

Physical Activities - exercise and nutrition classes. Intellectual Stimulation - book clubs and technical training. Emotional Support - from grief recovery to relating to grandchildren. Social Engagement - interactive groupings in our Café.

God Bless, Pastor Ed

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VIRTUAL VALLEY

Comparing Smartphones and Cameras for Digital Photography

martphones have largely replaced cameras, and for many occasions they are as good as or better than our old pocket film cameras. Smartphone cameras began to rival good pocket cameras with the arrival of the iPhone 4s in 2011, which rivaled the Canon PowerShot S95 in reviews of picture quality. CNET called the camera “brilliant” in their October 2011 review. The 8-megapixel camera captured images that exceeded the requirements for good 4-by-6-inch prints. It wasn’t long before people stopped carrying Nikon, Canon, and other digital pocket cameras, replacing these with smartphones. Apple bought LinX Imaging in 2015 for $20 million. The LinX camera system uses multiple extremely small lenses, in pairs or sets of four, to capture highresolution images that can be modified by software later. LinX also designed small cameras capable of capturing 3D images for virtual reality. In a few years, the iPhone line will

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feature cameras as good as large-body “fixed-lens” cameras with optical zoom and manual settings. The 2016 iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have the ability to capture 12-megapixel images equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 2006 Canon 30D DSLR camera, which featured an 8.2-megapixel sensor and sold for $1,500. The 7 Plus adds a second lens equivalent to a 55mm lens on the 30D. This second lens offers a “telephoto” mode on the iPhone 7 Plus with a true optical zoom instead of digitally cropping the image. Most highend smartphones offer similar, or even better cameras. If smartphones can capture good images, why would you want a dedicated camera? For hobbyists and professionals, the ability to change lenses, add physical filters, and control settings remain important. Would you trust a wedding photographer using a smartphone? Probably not, and for good reason.

Several factors affect the image quality of a digital camera including sensor size, megapixels captured, image signal processor, and physical optics. A smartphone is not a professional-grade camera. Vendors of digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) and mirrorless cameras know that today’s camera shopper has a smartphone. The DSLR and mirrorless cameras have to be better, a lot better, to compete. A DSLR is something of a holdover from the past. A hinged mirror inside the camera reflects the image from the lens through the viewfinder. Some digital cameras maintain this system to accommodate film camera lenses. I know photographers who collect “classic glass” because some lenses from the 1960s and 70s are considered the best ever made. Without question, the king of DSLR is Canon. Yes, there are Nikon enthusiasts with massive collections of Nikkor lenses, and the cameras are

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TEXT BY C. S. WYATT

great. But Canon’s top-tier models dominate professional photography, according to statistics on Shutterstock and Getty Images. The Canon 5D and 1D lines are the best-selling DSLR camera bodies. The Canon 5Ds features a 50.3-megapixel sensor measuring 36-by-24mm. The 5Ds retails for $2,500, without a lens. Enthusiasts often like the affordable and flexible 7D, which uses SD cards to store images. The 7D has a smaller sensor, based on the Advanced Photo System (APS) film size from pocket film cameras. The 7D retails for $1,300, and online retailers often include two lenses. The DSLR was a good idea in the days of film: you saw exactly what the film would capture. But, with electronic viewfinders and large screens on cameras, the mirror and its complex mechanisms add weight and bulk to the camera. The best mirrorless cameras, according to PC Magazine and Digital Photography (dpreview. com), are from Leica, Panasonic, Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus. Canon’s EOS M3 is also a mirrorless camera. The Olympus OM-D line receives the highest ratings for still photography, including the best user reviews. The Olympus and Panasonic cameras feature a smaller sensor, known as Micro Four Thirds (MFT), that happens to be the same size as many 35mm cinema film. I own a Panasonic GH4 and use it for video production. The new Panasonic GH5 promises even better images and video, incorporating technology developed with Leica. Smartphone cameras must feature, out of necessity, small sensors with minimal optics. The camera in your phone is the result of many compromises to make it fit in a small corner of the device.

Comparisons between a 12-megapixel phone camera and 8.2-megapixel Canon 30D are made because the larger APS-C sensor and full-frame lens combine for better light sensitivity and overall optical quality. A new smartphone captures images as good as a mid-range digital camera body from ten years ago with a single lens.

and more space between pixels. This results in cameras with sensors capable of extreme speed in bright light and impressive low-light capabilities.

Smartphones use sensors that are less than a third of an inch, measured diagonally. The smaller a sensor, the

Regardless of the quality of a sensor and the power of the image signal processor inside a phone or camera, the physical optics capturing the light and focusing it on the sensor determine how sharp a photographic image can be. A good lens matters at least as much as a good sensor.

All those pixels captured by an image sensor are interpreted and stored as data. The image signal processor, a specialized computer chip, works to improve the final photograph based on the data from the camera sensor.

You cannot compare a high-end digital camera lens to the lens on the back of a smartphone. A great lens can cost thousands of dollars for good reason: it is a precision instrument. But, Apple intends to challenge digital cameras. The competition is exciting.

less light it captures. If you take photos in low-light conditions, the larger the sensor the better its light sensitivity. The Canon 30D sensor is 20 times the size of an iPhone’s sensor. A full-frame digital camera, with a sensor the size of 35mm film, features a sensor that is 50 times the size of a most phone camera sensors. Each “pixel” in a camera sensor is actually a square of four photosites, sensitive cells that respond to color and brightness. To cram 12 megapixels (4000-by-3000 pixels) into a third of an inch, the photosites must be microscopic. The light hitting one pixel hits many nearby pixels. The larger sensor of a dedicated camera allows for both larger pixels

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

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MEET A LOCAL and tourists from around the world. The partners I work with, both within the city and throughout California, are wonderful, which makes coming to work fun. I love talking with visitors who come to Visalia from around the globe. Visalia has a friendly and vibrant feeling that is not found in many other places, which makes it easy to promote. What is the most challenging thing about your job? We are a non-profit and face the challenges of limited budget and staffing. As the County Seat and the largest gateway city to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Visalia should be the premier resource for information on hotels, restaurants, attractions, and the local National Parks. We want to get visitors to stop here on their way to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks or even Yosemite, as well as attract visitors traveling along Highway 99.

Suzanne Bianco, Director of the Visalia Convention and Visitors Bureau How did you end up in Visalia? My husband was born and raised in Visalia, but moved out of the area to attend college. We moved here so that he could work with his father.

Tell us about a single moment when you realized this was the right occupation for you: I tell the story of when my husband and I moved here. As we were driving up the 99 with all our worldly possessions stuffed in a U-Haul moving van, I told him that I would give Visalia one year, that’s it. Well, it’s been more than 20 years. So how appropriate is it that I now promote Visalia? If you had to choose another career, what would it be? I would like to sell real estate in Hawaii. I love looking at people’s houses and think it would be fun helping people find the right home. The Hawaii part doesn’t need explanation.

How did you get your start in this line of work? I worked in marketing for a nationwide company that required a lot of travel, which I enjoyed. After moving to Visalia, I worked for the Convention Center, which I also enjoyed. This job sort of blends the two together.

Tell us a little about life outside of work: I really love to travel, though I haven’t been anywhere exciting lately, and one day would love to road trip all across the U.S. We have one daughter who is a sophomore in college and one who is a senior in high school waiting to hear from colleges. I guess that is why we haven’t traveled anywhere lately!

Why are you passionate about your work? I really love Visalia, the National Parks, and the surrounding area and enjoy promoting it to convention groups

What is something most people don’t know about you? I love to watch “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race.” In fact, when I met Phil Keoghan, the

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host of “The Amazing Race” at a Travel Show, I asked him to consider Visalia and Sequoia National Park for one of the legs of the race. He considered it, but our location didn’t fit into their itinerary.

Suzanne (L) on her very first flight around 1975 What about Visalia makes this a good community to live and work in? Another story about when I first moved here; I was walking down Main Street and people would look me in the eye and say hello. It freaked me out. I thought they were going to rob me or something. As it turns out, Visalia is a very friendly place! Just for fun, if you were stranded on an island, what three objects would you take with you? Ok. Good question. My family loves to watch “Survivor,” so we often discuss this. 1. I would definitely bring my reading glasses because I couldn’t ‘MacGyver’ a seashell into radio transmitter or whatever without them (Plus, I could use the lens to start a fire.) 2. I would hope I had a Swiss army knife with all the gadgets, including flint (in case I can’t start a fire with my reading glasses.) 3. And lastly, I would hope to have a hotel on the island, because I really don’t like sleeping out in the wild. (And they likely will have a fire pit out by the pool!)

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PRO-PT

TEXT BY STEFFANI RICH, MPT, OCS, CPI, PRO-PT PHYSICAL THERAPY

Rotator Cuff Tears

Management Without Surgery

ne of the most common causes of shoulder pain and stiffness is a rotator cuff tear. Studies show that 20-30 percent of people between the ages of 60-80 years have a tear and over 60 percent of people over the age of 60 years will have a tear that has no pain or symptoms. Those numbers are astounding! Most people will seek surgery as treatment; about 250,000 rotator cuff repairs are performed each year in the US. Recovery from surgery is not easy and can be very painful. Patients can expect a four to six month recovery period that involves

physical therapy to restore normal range of motion and return to activities. Often, patients in the work force will need to plan time off from work duties immediately following surgery. What other treatments are available for a rotator cuff tear? Physical therapy has been shown to reduce pain and restore function in patients with rotator cuff tears. Recent studies indicate 72-75 percent of people that chose conservative management, including physical therapy, instead of surgery were able to resolve pain and continue activities of daily living without difficulty. That’s great news! So, what can a person expect from physical therapy to treat a rotator cuff tear? First, let’s look at the function of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is made up of four small muscles that surround the shoulder and help move the arm. Without the help of these muscles, the shoulder joint does not move correctly and can damage the tissues in the joint. This damage creates pain, inflammation,

loss of motion, and muscle weakness. Physical therapy creates a program aimed at alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and restoring the motion and strength needed for daily activities. All programs include a prescribed exercise program specific to each patient’s weaknesses and mobility loss and patient education on managing symptoms at home. Other treatments, such as, manual techniques or ice/heat may also be needed to help achieve the goal of resuming all activities without difficulty! Contact your local PRO-PT physical therapy clinic for an appointment or for any further questions or information.

I am now

PAIN FREE Being an aquatics enthusiast, my biggest fear with having shoulder surgery for a torn rotator cuff was not getting back to normal. My therapist implemented an incredible treatment and strengthening regime which got me back into the water faster than I could have hoped for. Thank you PRO-PT!

- Darron Serna

LEMOORE 755 N. Lemoore Ave Ste. C Lemoore, CA 93245 559-817-5808 www.pro~pt.net

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

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VISALIA CHAMBER

he Visalia Chamber of Commerce serves as the local “voice of business” as they advocate for businesses throughout Visalia. Each month, the Chamber facilitates a variety of events to support and further the success of the community. 1.

Chamber Ambassador Melissa Neeley of California Business Machines was selected as the January Ambassador of the month. The Certificate was presented by Matt Case, Co-Chair of the Ambassador Committee. 2. Young Entrepreneurs Academy Alumni Carmen Gallegos made a presentation at the Visalia Breakfast Rotary, promoting her businesses and talking about opportunities for businesses to get involved with the YEA! program. 3. AMF Visalia Lanes hosted the January Business After Hours Mixer and welcomed Chamber Members to participate in their new member ribbon cutting as part of the festivities. 4. Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler spoke to the Young Entrepreneurs Academy students about business entities and gave general legal advice to the students who are starting their own businesses.

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PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY THE VISALIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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TULARE CHAMBER

he Tulare Chamber of Commerce exists to serve its members and citizens by advocating for, and engaging in, efforts to encourage economic opportunity and business prosperity. The Tulare Chamber supports businesses by building partnerships, providing educational opportunities, and advocating for its members and community. TULARE BUSINESS AND EDUCATION COUNCIL The Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Tulare Joint Union High School District, and Tulare City Schools have established the Tulare Business and Education Council. With the formation of the Council, the group recently launched its first event. The Be Future Ready activity hosted 110 high school sophomores at the COS Tulare campus. Students heard a motivating opening session speaker, Scot Hillman, and then moved on to workshops focused on the importance of making a great first impression and how to prepare for an interview. More than 30 employers then participated with the students in mock interviews. The event concluded with a luncheon where students, employers, and Tulare Rotarians shared tables and engaged in meaningful conversations regarding careers and the community.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY THE TULARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

There’s Value Added in the Performing Arts

arly spring is the season for our large school musicals in Visalia Unified. Every year, El Diamante, Golden West, Mt. Whitney, and Redwood High Schools, as well as Green Acres Middle School, put on major shows with quality that I would challenge any Valley community to beat. They’re just that good. As I was watching these performances, it struck me that our musicals reflect deeply our academic and cultural mission as a school district. On the academic side, a small personal story will illustrate: I was a drama nerd in high school. More specifically, I was a stagecraft nerd. I worked sound effects, built sets, moved stuff, and did whatever else our stage manager said needed to be done backstage. The crew that I worked with was a mixture of kids with different interests and talents. We designed and built stuff, talked about what we needed to do, thought out all the complex tasks, and coordinated when and how to do them. We helped each other out, got mad at each other when one of us let the others down, laughed at each other when we did something dumb, and cheered with each other at the end of each performance. That crew was a team. We had a mission. We got stuff done. But what we didn’t know was that the skills we learned as a stagecraft kids are what we call now 21st century skills: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and civic mindedness. In Visalia Unified, we 14

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call these skills the Five C's. A school musical production provides an environment rich with opportunities for kids to use these skills at the highest levels. But I’d bet that the kids who put on our shows didn’t know or care that they were developing 21st century skills. They probably just cared about working together and having fun. Just like the crew I was on did back in 1977. From the cultural perspective, our musicals reflect very clearly the importance of collaboration and the values of our community. The arts bring people of all backgrounds together. School musicals are shared experiences that bring us closer together through storytelling that engages our emotions as an audience. The community comes to school performances for entertainment. The students who perform see that their efforts are valued and supported by the audience. That

perception lingers into adulthood, and instills a sense of value for continuing the cycle of engaging in and supporting the arts. And a stronger community is the result. Visalia Unified is committed strongly to the performing arts. In this we reflect the great value our community places on the arts. We start music education for all students in the fourth grade, and have strong and engaging programs all the way through high school. At any performance you can see the product of years of student commitment to music, drama, and dance. You see the product of staff and parent commitment to those students and to the musical program. You see also the commitment of our School Board to supporting programs that engage students. This collective commitment is a wondrous thing, and something that helps make Visalia the special place that it is.

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

FASHION TEXT BY SHARON MOSLEY

Spring Fashion Forecast

ew spring fashions are popping up in stores and online, tempting us to think about sunnier days ahead (and getting to the gym!). Here is a sneak peek at what you will want to put in your shopping carts now. Short shorts. Yes, I know you may get goose bumps when you read this one, but get ready. If you've got the legs for them, this is your moment. These are not your typical "Daisy Dukes," but more like hot pants reminiscent of old Hollywood, when stars lounged around the pool in highwaisted boy shorts. When worn with the new bra tops, visions of vintage bathing beauties are not far away. When topped off with tailored jackets, short shorts give new meaning to the phrase "bare necessities." Statement sleeves. Sleeves are the new erogenous zone of the season, adding even more style to the cold shoulder trend of last year that continues right into the new year. Sleeves are longer, they are belled, cuffed, ruffled, and embroidered. Now this is one spring trend we can all wrap our arms around. The slouchy pants. The widelegs strut their stuff this spring in both long and cropped flowing silhouettes. To keep it all under control, designers focus on the waist, cinching it in with either a drawstring or belted jacket to balance the proportion on top. These wider pants look best with chunkier shoes. So get ready for platforms to make a return!

Lots of leather. Don't put your leather jackets up just yet. Leather has become a yearround staple in our wardrobes. And it's not just wearing your cropped top under your leather bomber when the weather warms up. This spring and summer, designers have softened up leather in strapless dresses and feminine blouses that are the height of the chic on the cocktail circuit. The leather moto jacket hit the runway paired with slinky slip dresses and evening gowns, too. Leather ankle boots are also stepping out all year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in spring, team them with short skirts and shorts...and bare legs. Romantic Florals. Florals are a perennial favorite in the spring. But the blooms may change from season to season. The dark florals have been this winter's major crop of the fashion crowd, but watch for a brighter, fun side of flora and fauna prints with a '60s vibe to thrive in the upcoming months. Roses, in particular, will have a great run. Work wear gets glamorous. We've seen it happen with athletic sportswear when designers dress up tracksuits and hoodies; now, utilitarian looks are getting the glam treatment. Look for mechanic jumpsuits, cargo vests, and military jackets to go to another level with silky fabrics in candy pastels and neon bright. Logo love. If you've got something to say, there's a way to get your message across with lots of T-shirts and jackets splashed with logos and graphic slogans. In a year of political divisiveness, Michael Kors' spring 2017 designs may have said it best: "LOVE." A simple, but powerful message on and off the runway.

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

Slow, Simple and Savory Crock Pot Recipes

low-cooking makes hearty and economical winter meals a snap to make! Here are two of my favorite recipes. Doing some advance prep allows you to quickly combine everything to cook in the morning. Delicious dinners will be waiting for you at the end of the day, with plenty left for quick meals through out the week.

Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken INGREDIENTS 1 5-6 lb. whole roasting chicken 2 yellow onions, sliced in rings* 2 lemons, washed and cut into wedges* 6 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed* 1 C low salt/unsalted chicken stock Kosher salt and pepper 1 T Herbs de Provence *Prepare in advance and store in airtight container in refrigerator. 16

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DIRECTIONS

1 14 oz can of corn, with liquid

Set a 6-7 quart crock-pot/slow cooker on low heat. Remove neck and giblets from the inside of the chicken, rinse the chicken inside and out, and pat dry. Place onions on the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the chicken on top of the onions. Sprinkle Kosher salt and pepper all over chicken, inside and out. Place half the lemon wedges inside the chicken, and place the remaining wedges in slow-cooker. Place three cloves of garlic inside the chicken and place the rest on top of the onions. Pour the chicken stock over. Crush the dried Herbs de Provence between your hands as you sprinkle it over the chicken. Cover and cook on low approximately 7 hours, or high 5-6 hours. Remove and slice the meat. Serve with the onions (optional) and roasted potatoes. Strain the cooking juices and chill, then remove the fat from the top. Store in the refrigerator and use as you would chicken stock or broth.

1 14 oz can black beans or kidney beans

Slow-Cooker Taco Soup INGREDIENTS

1 28 oz can tomato puree, with juices 1 package taco seasoning mix 1 package ranch dressing mix 1 ½ C water (add more if you desire a thinner soup) Shredded cheddar cheese, sliced avocado, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro Tortilla or corn chips, for topping

DIRECTIONS In a 6-7 quart crock pot/slow-cooker, combine chili beans, corn, black/ kidney beans, tomato puree, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing. *In a large pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the onions until they are translucent, approximately 5 minutes; add to slowcooker. *Add ground beef to the pan and sauté until the meat is cooked through, drain fat and add to the slowcooker. Stir well, cover and cook on low 5 hours, or on high 3-4 hours. Serve in bowls topped with grated cheese, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and tortilla/corn chips alongside. *Can be done in advance; cool and store in airtight container in refrigerator.

1 lb ground beef (or turkey) 1 onion, finely chopped 1 T olive oil 3 cans chili beans (no meat), with sauce

For the printable recipe and Sue’s step-by-step tips, visit: www.itsokaytoeatthecupcake.com

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VALLEY OAK SPCA TEXT BY LYDIA HOUSE, VALLEY OAK SPCA, OPERATIONS MANAGER

Volunteering with Animals is a Win-Win! respiratory disorders at lower rates and were more content than cats who didn’t interact with people. Volunteering also looks great on a resume. Participating in our rescue’s activities and events is the perfect confidence builder and lays the stepping-stones for our children to become compassionate adults. There are endless networking possibilities and you gain a sense of social responsibility by contributing to your community. It’s no secret that volunteerism is good for you and your community; you might be surprised by how much you can offer. Here's how to help:

olunteering your time and energy with animals isn’t just good for them; it’s actually good for your health too! Valley Oak SPCA is looking for volunteers. What better way to warm your heart and soul than to sit and read with a homeless cat or dog on your lap, play fetch, walk with a pooch that is waiting to be adopted, or cuddle with an orphaned puppy or kitten? Right now is the perfect time to start your family on a life-changing path. There is a long list of human health benefits associated with spending time with animals – stress reduction, anxiety relief, immunity improvement, and help with pain management are just a few. The list of benefits for the animals you are spending time with is even longer. A study by animal research consultant Dr. Nadine Gourkow and Clive J.C. Phillips, a professor of animal welfare at the University of Queensland, found that cats who had four 10-minute sessions of playing, petting, and grooming time developed upper

1. Adopt: Valley Oak SPCA is a no-kill rescue. We want to get as many pets as possible immediately adopted into their perfect forever homes. Please visit our adoption center (enter by the grey modular trailers) at 29010 Highway 99 Sat/Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon/Fri 12 p.m.-5 p.m.: petango.com/ valleyoakspca. 2. Foster: We provide the food and medical care, you provide the loving home. Information/ application: vospca.org/programs/ foster-care. 3. Volunteer: We will need help with the move and always need help with dog walking, kennel cleaning, adoption events, etc. Upcoming volunteer/ foster orientation dates: • March 5 at 10 a.m. • Wednesday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m. All volunteer/foster orientations will be held at our at our adoption center. Information/application: vospca.org/programs/volunteerprogram. 4. Donate: We are a donor-based non-profit, so we depend on the generosity of donors for day-to-day operations and our new building fund. Thankfully, the Charles E. Hoey Adoption Center and Whitendale Education Center portions of the new building have

been named, but there are still naming rights available for the full complex and the boarding facility for corporate donors/major private donors: vospca.org/participate/ donate/general-donation-form. 5. Participate: in our fundraising activities. We always have something fun to join. Follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date at: facebook.com/ valleyoakspca. 1. Amazon gives us a portion of the proceeds of your purchase if you click this link to start your shopping: smile. amazon.com/ch/94-2770238. 2. Save Mart gives us a portion of the proceeds of your purchase via their eScrip program. Sign-up is easy: escrip.com/shares. 3. Donate an item from our Amazon wish list: amazon.com/registry/ wishlist/1SYLOZQ82RMEA. Valley Oak SPCA Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic: 9405 West Goshen Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291.

PET OF THE MONTH

Hi! My name is Cupid! I’m a young male love bug/lap dog mix looking for my forever home. I love walks and I’m a dreamboat on the leash! I’m great with kids and want a family to call my own. Am I your perfect match?

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SEEN AROUND TOWN

e live in a great community where exciting things are happening around every corner. Direct Magazine is here to help spread the word. From new business ribbon cuttings to non-profit events, there are plenty of positive things taking place in Visalia and the surrounding area.

TAZZ.COFFEE OPENS INSIDE SUNCREST BANK In February, Tazz.Coffee opened up its doors inside the brand new Suncrest Bank building in downtown Visalia. The coffee shop, owned by the Jessen Restaurant Group, specializes in serving locally roasted coffee, loose-leaf tea, and they will soon be expanding their breakfast and lunch options. The shop also offers an inviting and spacious indoor and outdoor seating area for customers to enjoy their beverages. Keep an eye out for fun coffee and tea paraphernalia.

Mitchell Art Gallery held a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce during the First Friday art walk on Feb. 3. The Brandon-Mitchell Gallery & Event Center has long hosted regular art shows, meditation, Tai Chi, African drumming, yoga, classes, and meetings. Located downtown a block from Main St., it is the perfect venue for weddings, receptions, small events, and conferences. Pictured is local artist, 104-year-old Marjorie Brandon (center), for whom the Center is partially named, and Timothy Rich, spiritual director intern, cutting the ribbon.

Photo by Tulare County DA office

AMCC MOVES TO A NEW LOCATION Advanced Medical Care Center recently moved their office from Akers to a new and larger facility at 3130 W. Caldwell DIRECT MAGAZINE

ONE BILLION RISING – VISALIA On Valentine’s Day, community members gathered in downtown Visalia for One Billion Rising, an event to raise awareness about violence against women and girls in our community and around the globe. Participants handed out flowers to passers-by with local statistics and contact information for victim services organizations. Event organizers included ACT for Women and Girls, Family Services, and Soroptimist International of Visalia.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE NOW OPEN Visalia has welcomed an Outback Steakhouse restaurant on Mooney Blvd. in the Packwood Creek Shopping Center. The Visalia Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting event to celebrate its opening. Outback Steakhouse serves a variety of innovative creations, bold flavors, and traditional classics made fresh to order.

BRANDON-MITCHELL GALLERY RIBBON CUTTING To kick off its new mission as a boutique event center, the Brandon-

Ave. AMCC is a family practice and walk-in clinic providing both primary care and urgent care services.

SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT If you have witnessed or are involved in something good happening around town, let us know! Send us a photo of the event and a short paragraph to direct@dmiageny.com. When you send an email, please use the subject title “Seen Around Town.”

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FOCUS FITNESS ON

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

new or things you’ve never heard of. There is no secret to success; it’s about faithfully following each and every one of these five steps. Your progress will become automatic and your results will be guaranteed. You can do this, so now let’s get started!

Five Keys to Reaching Your Weight Loss Goals

f losing weight and getting into your best shape possible is your goal, then I’ve got good news for you. I’m going to lay out my top five keys to obtaining your goals and quickly making them a reality. These five keys are not anything

1. It’s all about consistency. Time + Consistency + Action = Results! Seems like a simple formula, doesn’t it? If you want to lose weight, then exercise and proper nutrition are a must. You have to make it a consistent priority and part of your life. If you want to get real results and make health and fitness a lifestyle, you have to keep taking daily and weekly actions toward your goals. Setbacks are going to happen, but how you respond to them is important. So stay focused and on track toward your goals; if you fall, get back up and keep moving forward. 2. Setting goals. Keep your goals simple. Don’t look at the big picture, but break your goals down into smaller chunks. If you have more than 25 pounds to lose, then break it down into five-pound increments. Five pounds at a time is much more obtainable, and when you accomplish it, you create small wins which give you confidence and keep you motivated. So write out your goals and post them where you can see them daily.

3. Schedule your workouts. Set a workout schedule and don’t deviate from it. Pencil it into your schedule and make it a no-excuses, can’t-miss appointment. If you don’t schedule your workouts, it’s easy to blow them off. Keep the same schedule weekafter-week until it becomes a routine; before you know it, if you skip a workout, your body will miss it. 4. Keep it fun and exciting. Find an exercise program that you love doing; if it’s not fun or exciting, then making it a permanent part of your life will never happen. You may need to try several different exercise programs to find the one that’s best for you. Don’t settle for any program that doesn’t inspire and motivate you. 5. Keep yourself accountable to someone. Success with your weight loss and fitness goals is a lot easier when you include the help of an accountability partner who is going to keep you on track and motivated. This accountability partner should be someone who won’t let you fall off track, and really cares about your results. You don’t have to go at this alone. There you have it, my top five keys to getting results and reaching your fitness and weight loss goals. You can do this, I believe in you. Don’t overthink things; just get started and keep moving forward day-after-day towards for goals.

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EmpowerFitnessTraining.com

The accountability you need to get the results your want, guaranteed! PICK UP THE PHONE TODAY AN CALL 559.636.FITT (3488) DIRECT MAGAZINE

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VISALIA FIRST students have another hour between them and the Lord. Building this into the schedule stresses the importance of having quality time each and every day with Jesus. After that, students do what is called Life Groups, where men and women split up and share what has been happening in the lives of their fellow students. STUDENT LIFE

Southwestern Assemblies of God University SoCal

or quite some time, it had been the vision of Pastor Mike Robertson to have a place for the next generation of ministry leaders to learn, grow, and become equipped for the ministry that God would call them to in the future. About three years ago this dream became a reality. SAGU SoCal is an extension site of Southwestern Assemblies of God University based out of Waxahachie, Texas. In order to fully understand the impact SAGU has had in our community and how it could impact you, here is what the program has to offer. EDUCATION The educational component of SAGU SoCal is done entirely online through an educational interface known as Blackboard. Blackboard provides students with all of the traditional college materials needed in a digital format. From pre-recorded lectures, to a calendar with all of the assignments for each class, Blackboard makes it easy for students to be successful when navigating the online world of education. SAGU offers two degrees through our program; one being a Bachelor of Art’s Degree in Church Leadership and the other an Associate of Art’s Degree in Bible. The Bachelor’s Degree takes

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a total of four years to complete while the Associate’s takes two. Both degrees are fully accredited under nationally recognized accreditation boards. With either degree, SAGU SoCal students are prepared for what they might encounter when it comes to ministry. LEADERSHIP One of the greatest things about SAGU SoCal is the hands-on internships our students are a part of. There are six different internship tracts to choose from, so there is always one that fits just right. Walking side-by-side with pastors and ministry staff daily gives students a feel for what it will be like when one day they are in full-time ministry. On the campus of Visalia First, SAGU SoCal meets three times a week to give students opportunities to further their leadership skills while building a community that helps all the students grow. Tuesdays consist of chapels and study halls to give our students time to work on their studies. In chapels we hear from various pastors and ministry leaders in the community on guiding principles of the Christian faith. Wednesdays, students take an hour of quiet time with the Lord, followed by LEADtalks where leaders come and speak on fundamental ideas of the topic. Thursdays at SAGU SoCal

When it comes to the social life of SAGU SoCal, ample time is provided for getting to know one another. Through games, events, and social gatherings, relationships are formed with fellow students. SAGU SoCal just launched housing this last year for any student who is looking for a place to stay locally. There is a lot to do around SAGU SoCal and students will never have to do any of it alone. SAGU SoCal really is a place for the next generation of Christian leaders. From its affordability to its dynamic hands-on experience, day in and day out, SAGU SoCal equips students with the tools and skills to help further God’s Kingdom in whatever they might be called to do. SAGU SoCal loves to partner with students in whatever way possible to ensure that the next generation will be a light to the people of this world. For more information about SAGU SoCal, contact us at 559-733-9070 or sagu@visaliafirst.com.

Join Us For Our SAGU Preview Day March 17 | 6pm March 18 | 10am • Food truck • How do I afford college/financial • Worship aid? • Service • Online Education • Fun! • Student Q&A • Free lunch!

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CRAFT CORNER TEXT BY IMAGINEU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Clothes Pin Race Cars

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • Spring action clothes pins • Drinking straws • Four buttons (per car) • Pipe cleaner • Tempura paint or color markers (any color) • Sharpie or marking pen • Nontoxic glue • Scissors

arch is National Craft Month, which means it’s time to break out your craft box and see what you can make! This interactive racecar craft is easy to make and will keep your kids entertained long after they’re done making it.

DIRECTIONS Paint or color the clothes pin (let dry). Use a sharpie or marking pen to decorate the clothes pin with racing stripes, numbers, etc. Cut the straw into 1 ½ inch pieces. Then cut the pipe cleaner into two 5-inch pieces. Thread one end of the pipe cleaner stem through a hole in one of the buttons. Fold the stem in half and thread the other end of the same pipe in another hole in the same button. Take one of the cut straws and thread the stem into the straw with the button on one end. Take another button and thread the pipe cleaner stem through the button holes (one end of each stem into 2 different holes). Twist the ends together to secure the button. Do the same thing to the other straw and buttons. Glue the straws to the inside of the clothes pin in the front and back of the pin. Now your car is ready to race. You can make as many of these as you want and have your friends join you in racing the cars.

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VISALIA RESCUE MISSION

Don’t rock? Don’t run? No problem!

t finally happened — the marriage we have been waiting for. On April 1, Bank of the Sierra’s Rockin’ Resolution Run and Visalia Rescue Mission’s Run for Hope become one, as they proudly present the inaugural Rockin’ Run for Hope. Both events happened to begin with a similar motivation. Run for Hope began in 2012 by Rob Brunell and Matt Dewry, two friends and avid runners who started Central Valley Roadrunners running group. They connected with John Tyler, a coworker and fellow runner. They felt they could use their running hobby as a springboard, creating a family-friendly fitness event with a fundraising element. Bank of the Sierra began the Rockin’ Resolution Run from a desire to improve every community it is a part of, which has included Visalia since 1992 with their Main Street branch. With both their business and the event growing through their 4th Annual run on January 1, 2016, bank staff contacted VRM with a proposal to donate the successful event to them. “Bank of the Sierra has fully supported the mission of the Visalia Rescue Mission, and was proud to

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contribute the proceeds from the Rockin’ Resolution Run to VRM each of the last three years,” stated Matt Hessler, SVP, Director of Marketing at Bank of the Sierra. “As the Resolution Run became more successful, we saw an opportunity to donate the entire run to VRM, in an effort to provide a proven and ongoing source of capital with the potential for exponential growth.” “Visalia Rescue Mission exists because of a generous community, and businesses like Bank of the Sierra are such an asset to us, both in financial support and in creative collaborations,” said Ryan Stillwater, Director of Development. For this first time, runners will be able to start teams of their own with friends, family, and coworkers, and set their own fundraising goals to support the Mission. “Whether a team raises $5 or $500, everyone can come together to walk or run in support of changed lives and restored families,” said Stillwater. Another change over prior years is the time of the event. Participants will find themselves at Cutler Park next to St. John’s River

around sunset, with the run beginning at 4:30 p.m and ending around 6 p.m. After working up an appetite, participants will be able to enjoy food and dessert from Quesadilla Gorilla’s food truck, Bite Me Donuts, and Cool Cow Scoops ice cream. Musical guest, Run River North, a sextet from Los Angeles, will take the stage to wrap up one rockin’ evening. To register for the run and to create a team of your own, go to vrmhope.org/ run or call the Mission at 740-4178. Just want to see the band and leave your running shoes at home? You can do that, too. For more information, contact VRM Development Coordinator, Jessica Rondon: jessica@vrmhope.org 740-4178 ext. 210.

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Community In-Action

his community is always on the move, so this page is dedicated to sharing the accomplishments, innovations, promotions, awards, career-changes, and charitable deeds of our readers.

AMANDA ARREOLA – Joins Visalia Convention Center The Visalia Convention Center is excited to introduce their new Sales Manager, Amanda Arreola. Amanda comes with invaluable knowledge of event sales and customer service. Amanda’s past work experience includes AAA Five Diamond Fairmont Grand Del Mar and most recently the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Annapolis, Maryland as Sales Associate. In her new position, Amanda will be working with clients that would like to host social events, wedding receptions, fundraisers, small meetings, and luncheons. MICHELE FIGUEROA – Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Award Congratulations to Michele Figueroa for receiving a Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Recognition Award. Michele started volunteering with Habitat for

Humanity of Tulare/Kings Counties during Women Build 2016 and quickly became one of their top volunteers. This past summer, she spent a week in Memphis as a volunteer with Habitat’s annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project where they worked on 19 homes. In early December, she set off to Nicaragua to join a team of Habitat volunteers on a nine-day “Global Village Trip.” Thank you Michele for all your hard work, and welcome to the Habitat for Humanity of Tulare/Kings Counties Board of Directors.

SUBMIT YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT Direct welcomes information about your promotion, awards, business innovation, and career changes. Send submissions for “People on the Move” to Direct@dmiagency.com with a high-resolution (300 dpi) photo of yourself.

JON BUENO – Joins Visalia Chamber of Commerce The Visalia Chamber of Commerce welcomes Jon Bueno to their team as the Director of Partnership Development. Jon comes to the Chamber from the Visalia Rawhide as their Director of Community Partnership. Jon has been with the Visalia Rawhide since June 2013. His position involved implementing the minor league baseball team’s involvement in the Visalia community including Tipper’s Reading Program, overseeing the Ranch Hands program, and managing in game entertainment during game days. Jon graduated from Azusa Pacific with a degree in Business Management.

VISALIA FIRE DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS The Visalia Fire Department would like to congratulate their recent promotions: Ignacio Ruiz was promoted from Firefighter Paramedic to Fire Engineer Paramedic. Michael Herlihy was promoted from Firefighter Paramedic to Fire Engineer Paramedic. Brandon De La Cruz was promoted from Firefighter Paramedic to Fire Engineer Paramedic.

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CHARACTER COUNTS!

YADIRA BARAJAS

ETHAN ROCCHI

COS Community Based Instruction Class

La Sierra Military Academy

From the moment Yadira Barajas boards the school bus with a smile on her face, she shares her infectious warmth to brighten her classmates’ morning. Teacher Mrs. Wendt describes Yadira as a beautiful young lady with a caring heart for all those around her. While attending the COS Community Based Instruction Class for the last three years, Yadira has not only learned what each Pillar of Character means, but has become a living example of each. Mrs. Wendt adds, “If you observe Yadira on any given day, you see her treating her classmates with respect, just as she would like to be treated.” One day a classmate was struggling to operate the school’s vacuum. Without prompting, Yadira offered her assistance in a gentle and supportive way. Yadira said, “He needed help, so I asked if I could help him. He said ‘yes,’ so I did.” On another occasion when the class was eating at a restaurant while on a field trip, she overheard students at the next table arguing over whose trash was on the ground and who should pick it up. Without comment, Yadira quietly picked up the trash, threw it away, and sat back down. Yadira credits her parents for her caring and respectful behavior. She says, “They have shown me how to help others and be willing to do so because it is the right thing to do.” Beyond Yadira’s family influence, she has watched others in her life model good character and understands that quality character is not a one-time effort; she has learned to develop habits of good character over time. From learning in the classroom to working in the school cafeteria, Yadira is known for her honesty, reliability, and kindness to all that she meets. Classmates like Sierra, Sebaschian, M.E., and Jonathan have certainly benefited from their friendship with Yadira and her habits of good character. 24

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Sophomore Ethan Rocchi at La Sierra Military Academy has plans to continue on a familiar family career path. His goal is to join the United States Navy while upholding their core values of honor, courage, and commitment. At 11 years old, Ethan learned about these values from his biological father’s old boot camp book, uniform, and the American flag presented to the family upon his passing. “Although I do not remember much about our lives together, I am proud of my Dad for serving our country and I hold that same passion to keep the tradition of honor and duty in my family.” In addition to Ethan’s father, his older brother Trysten currently serves in the Navy and exemplifies the qualities of character Ethan works for each day as he wears his La Sierra cadet uniform. During the school day, Ethan’s teachers have noticed the qualities of character that he holds so closely to his heart. Mr. Saenz shares, “Ethan is one of my servers for breakfast and lunch. He proves his commitment by showing up and being ready to get the job done. He conducts himself in an honorable and ethical manner by always being kind and respectful to me, the staff, and the cadets. Ethan has the courage to do what is right, even if it goes against how other servers are behaving. He is a great example of how a young man should act and carry himself!” Ethan says, “I can remember my Mom always telling us, ‘you know what’s right from wrong. If you do something wrong, accept the consequences.’ I really try to live up to her advice and appreciate her support in everything I do.” La Sierra is fortunate to have Ethan and his passion for the values of our military on campus for a few more years. He plans to complete his high school career on time and proceed to boot camp for the United States Navy.

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GARDENING TEXT BY BY SHARON PLEIN, UCCE MASTER GARDENER

Discover the Secret Life of Worms

arthworms are amazing animals that are essential to a healthy soil system. Did you know that earthworms can live for two to eight years and that they eat up to one-third their weight every day? Worms are major decomposers of decaying matter. They mix and aerate the soil. In addition, their body waste contains nutrients that plants can use. Because they live under the surface of the soil, we are often unaware of the important work they do for our yards and gardens. Here is a simple earthworm habitat that you can create with your child to observe how earthworms move and improve the soil. ITEMS YOU WILL NEED: • 1 clean 2 liter plastic bottle, with the label removed • 1 smaller bottle, like a 500 ml. water bottle with a cap • Sharp knife • Scissors • Plastic cup or spoon • Sand, small pebbles, and soil • Water and a measuring spoon • Crumbled dead leaves for worm food • A few earthworms • Scotch tape • Food wrap to place over the top of the bottle • Dark paper to wrap around the outside of the 2 liter bottle INSTRUCTIONS Once you have gathered your materials, you are ready begin the first step. A responsible adult should slice the 2-liter bottle with a knife at the point where the neck of the bottle begins to narrow. Then use the scissors

to cut around the bottle and remove the top. Next, place small pebbles or sand in the bottom of the bottle to stabilize it and to create a base for the water bottle. Fill the smaller bottle with water and screw on the cap. Place the smaller bottle inside the larger bottle. The reason you are using two bottles is so you can observe the worms’ tunneling activity. In a larger container the worms would most likely gather and hide in the center of the bottle. Now you can begin to fill the 2-liter bottle with layers of soil and sand. Sprinkle 4 or 5 teaspoons of water on top of the layers, and add a layer of dead leaves. You are ready to add two or three worms. Worms breathe air through their skin and prefer to work in darkness, so in order to finish your worm habitat, you must cover the top and sides of the bottle. Cap the worm habitat with a piece of food wrap in which you have cut vent holes. Tape it to the bottle with

scotch tape. Wrap a piece of dark paper around the sides of the bottle and tape it together. Place the worm habitat in a shady place away from direct sunlight. You will need to add 2 teaspoons of water everyday to the bottle. Be careful not to add too much water! The worms will set to work. In about two weeks you can remove the dark paper to observe that the worms have made tunnels through the layers of sand and soil and mixed the layers. These tunnels are similar to the tunnels that worms create in your yard and garden. The worms’ tunnels enrich, loosen, and aerate the soil. They also increase the soil’s water holding capacity and provide channels for root growth. Be sure to carefully release the worms into a safe place so they can continue their valuable work underground.

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

Is 8th Grade Too Early to Start Planning for College?

elieve it or not, eighth grade is not too early to start college planning. Did you know that eleventh grade may be too late for some students? There are a lot of reasons to hit the ground running in the 8th grade. Before you know it, college will be here and understanding what lies ahead is important to understand before you start high school. So what do you need to know to be prepared in advance? Grades and Test Scores: First of all, you need to understand that grades and standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) rule when it comes to choosing your college. 26

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The better your grades and the higher your test scores, the more choices you will have. Higher grades and test scores also equate to more financial aid as well. So start early to get into good study habits for high school. Be consistent with your study habits. Stick to the schedule and follow a calendar of things you need to be doing. Rigor: Always take the most challenging courses that you can handle. Although the challenging courses are more work, the payoff is worth it! These courses will help you develop college level writing skills, problem solving abilities, time management skills, good study habits, and self-discipline. But you must develop these skills beginning in middle school. If you take AP courses in high school, not only will you get a GPA "bump up," but you also have the opportunity to take the AP Exam and earn college credit. That can be a time and a money saver. Colleges want to see that you challenge yourself academically and they will look at your high school's profile to see if you have taken the most challenging courses available. Involvement: Colleges like students

who have been deeply involved in activities for their entire high school years. It is best to pick your favorite activities and get deeply involved. So if you can begin to develop your interests and activities in middle school and sustain them throughout high school, you will improve your portfolio for your college applications. So join clubs, volunteer, participate in sports, get involved in music or art, or donate your time to others. Have fun in high school and discover your interests and passions in middle school! By the time you hit 11th grade, your path is set. If you have bad grades, you cannot go back and fix them. If you have not been involved in extracurricular activities and volunteer work, it is almost too late to get them started since the colleges want "sustainability;" that is, the same activities all four years of high school. If you have not developed good study habits and an intellectual vitality in high school, it will be hard to do so in college. So get started early so you can set your course. Embark on your journey to an incredible four years of high school, college, career, and life. Go for it!

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GREEN VALLEY GARDENING Lawn Care Tips:

Annual Pruning and Preemergent

ate winter through early spring is a great time to perform annual pruning on trees and shrubs that have gone dormant during the winter. This is done to keep the plants the size that best suits your landscape, and may also be necessary to get the best blooms next season, as is the case for crape myrtles (or crepe myrtle, as

they call them in the south). Crape myrtles need to have the dead blooms cut off in order to bloom in the summer. Remove any crossover branches and dead branches. A popular method is to leave an odd number of main branches, for example, three or seven. Open up the center to allow sunshine in to help avoid powdery mildew, which is a fungus the plant is susceptible to. Avoid cutting the main branches all the way down to the knuckles, called pollarding. This produces too many blooms on small branches, which can break. A short list of plants on the annual pruning list are the rose, Rose of Sharon, dogwood, honeysuckle, banana tree, lily, and ornamental grasses. Pre-emergent (seedling stage) weed control in lawns is most effective when applied in February or earlier for the first application. Since we have a

ASK M.J. M.J. is a single mom living in Visalia, adjusting to her only child getting ready to graduate from high school and go off to college. She has a Master of Science degree in Psychology, Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling Psychology, and has a certification in Life Strategies Coaching. Dear M.J., I just moved to Visalia for work, and even though I love this town and everyone is pretty friendly, it has been very difficult to meet people and build relationships. Any suggestions? Sincerely, New In Town Dear New In Town, Having moved to a new town in a new state once or twice myself, I can completely relate to your question. It feels like making new friends was so much easier back in elementary school or even in college. Do you have any coworkers you wouldn’t mind having lunch with? I ask because I once had a co-worker invite me to a lunch and bowl event at the local bowling alley. I was brand new in town and I welcomed the invitation. The

long crabgrass season, two to three applications are more effective. Weeds are not only unsightly, but they consume more water, grow quicker than the grass, and choke out and take over your valuable lawn. For more information and to get the professional grade tools and supplies you need for your yard, contact Garden World, (559) 651-3388. Professional Landscape Maintenance tips provided by Green Valley Gardening. (559) 713-6848, 6837 W Pershing Ave., Visalia.

ADVICE COLUMN two of us got to know each other over lunch and bowled two games – it was a blast! I ended up joining her bowling league, met someone I had a long-term relationship with, and made some really great lifelong friends – all because I accepted an invitation to go to lunch with a new coworker. Here are some other suggestions: Volunteer: Find a cause or event you have some interest in and volunteer. A great way to meet people with similar interests is by being ‘forced’ to interact with like-minded people. Some volunteering ideas: Downtown Visalians always has awesome events and are usually looking for volunteers for such fun things as the Wine Walk. Many local nonprofits or even the local Chamber of Commerce might also be great places to look into for opportunities. Get active: Joining a gym, a specialty fitness studio (such as a Pilates or yoga studio), or even participating in the local Sole2Soul Couch to 5K event (www.sole2soulsports.com/couch-5k. php) is another way to not only meet

new people, but to get some exercise in as well. Take a class: From salsa dancing lessons on Tuesday nights at the Cellar Door (no partner needed) to the lunch or dinner cooking classes as the Vintage Press, Visalia offers a variety of fun classes to participate in. Network! Participate in networking events or join a group through a club or church. The reward for being brave and putting yourself out there is the joy of meeting a wonderful person to share your time with. Meeting new people you really click with can take time, so don’t get discouraged. And remember, you are not going to meet anyone by binge watching shows on Netflix every weekend. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Send your questions to direct@dmiagency.com with the subject line “Ask M.J.” All questions will be published anonymously.

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MONEY MATTERS TEXT BY MARY HUNT

Food Cost-Cutting for Every Lifestyle family's tastes, health goals, and time constraints and then creates custom meal plans that will greatly simplify your life and make mealtime your happy time. You get custom recipes and grocery shopping lists once a week. The service costs $8 to $12 a month.

ver wonder why you never have enough money to save money? I'm talking about taking money from every paycheck and depositing it straight into a savings account. Maybe it's time to consider that you're handing over your savings to local restaurants, drive-thrus, diners, and coffee shops. Think about it. No matter your lifestyle, I am confident that with the right strategies, you can really reduce the amount of money you're spending on food. More time than money. If yours is a single-income household struggling to keep food on the table and pay the bills, time is on your side. The person not working outside the home has the time to work the strategies. Determine to visit multiple stores each week to grab the loss leaders, the items priced below cost. Only buy items that are on sale. You won't starve because there will be plenty of things on sale every week. Coupon like crazy. Matching coupons with sales is your best weapon against rising food costs. Little Time, Tight Budget. For 28

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dual-income families with kids, time is an especially valuable commodity. If you both work full-time jobs, you don't have time to visit lots of stores. And if money is really tight, the challenge is even greater. Pick a store. Your best bet is to identify the grocery store or supermarket in your area that is known for having the lowest everyday prices and then stick with it. Download the store app (if there is one). Get on the mailing and email lists. Use coupons as they are available. Buy from sales. See above. Add full-priced items cautiously and only as absolutely necessary. Learn the store's sales cycle. Typically, each area of the store will be on sale at least once every 12 weeks. Picky eaters and dietary restrictions. You have the time and the skills to cook at home. The problem is making meals that actually taste good to your picky eaters or cooking dishes that fit someone's dietary restrictions, otherwise known as the doctor's orders. PlateJoy. This membership site considers your lifestyle, learns your

More Money Than Time. Young professional DINKS, or those with dual income and no kids, often do not have the time, much less the desire, to shop for groceries beyond running to pick up a six-pack of Red Bull and chips. This could be because of an insane work schedule, being enrolled in grad school and working full-time, a crazy commute, you name it. Because they see themselves as having more money than time, DINKS routinely default to the most expensive eating style of all: eating out at restaurants, fast-food joints, diners, and drive-thrus. They don't do it because going out for the 12th time this week is particularly enjoyable. It's a necessary burden to avoid starvation. Home Chef. This meal delivery service is not for every lifestyle. If you feed more than two people, you could probably do better by following one of the other strategies above. But for a family of two (or perhaps three), this is the only meal delivery service I would consider. The cost for Home Chef is an astounding $9.95 per serving with a free shipping option. Here's what you get delivered to your doorstep even if you are not there to accept it: everything. Seriously, everything you need to assemble, heat and eat. The packaging is beyond belief; it is so precise. Just follow the wellwritten instructions (they're so simple even a fifth-grader could follow them). Meals turn out exactly as pictured. The ingredients are remarkably fresh and beautiful. I am impressed with Home Chef.

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CROSSWORD 7 Additional 8 Fighter 9 Dined in a café 10 Great mass 11 Tourist spot in India 12 Venetian blind part 13 Far: comb. form 21 Toques 23 Schism 25 Supposes 26 Treat, as in skimming milk 27 Heath 28 Fracture 29 Boxer Carnera 30 Form of address 31 Expunge 32 Japanese wines 35 Two of ___ 38 Winter sports spot 40 Room decorators 43 Hindu land grant 45 Little Dorothy 48 Clutches 50 Alter 52 Church plate 53 Southern US tree 54 Difficult

Tourist Spots

55 Equal, in Nice 56 H. H. Munro

ACROSS

33 Go astray

61 Freshet

1 Poet Khayyám

34 Fixed look

63 Tel ___ , Israel

5 Cigar city

36 Frontlet

64 Pitfall

10 Vertical pole

37 Exclamations of dislike

65 Fire stirrer

14 Gertrude Stein’s flower

39 Save

66 Narrative

15 Circa

41 Near S. Dak.

67 Inactive

16 Presumptuous glance

42 Let’s bake ___

17 Extorted money from

44 ___ and lonely

68 Whirls

18 Denmark’s Victor ___

46 Peer Gynt’s mother

19 Russian river 20 Vacation retreat

47 ___ chances: playing it safe DOWN 1 Spherical bodies 49 Apples, in Paris

22 Adorned

51 Variety of chalcedony

2 Breakwater

24 Acquire by labor

52 Inca country

3 Voyaging

25 Composition for two

53 Actress Ritter

4 Its waters parted

26 Controversy

56 City of trunk fame

5 Small stools

29 Sweets, Darling, etc.

60 Othello’s antagonist

6 ___ liar: chronic fibber

LOOK FOR YOUR ANSWERS IN THE NEXT ISSUE

57 Egg-shaped 58 Small liquid measure 59 Class of vertebrates 62 Cork sound TIME TO CONCENTRATE FEB. ISSUE

69 Building additions

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GOINGS-ON FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK Every month, the Arts Consortium presents First Fridays to explore the Visalia Art District. During the walk, you’ll experience a diverse range of local art in the downtown Visalia area. The guest artist for March will be Michael Frank, whose show “Vespertine” is a visual feast for the eyes. When: March 3, 5–8 p.m. Where: Arts Consortium, 400 N. Church St., Visalia Contact: artsconsortium.org FRANCISCO ALONZO AT ARTS VISALIA In March, Francisco Alonzo will be showing new works in a show entitled "Iconografíca": an investigation of the role of capitalism on contemporary culture. He explores how important iconographic images are reduced to everyday knick-knacks and the interweaving of other images into contemporary culture. When: The month of March Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: artsvisalia.org TULARE COUNTY CROP HUNGER WALK CROP Hunger Walks are communitywide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. Twenty-five percent of the money raised will be used to help those in need in Tulare County through Food Link of Tulare County. The remaining donations will be used to help those who are in hunger or in need of disaster relief through Church World Service. When: March 11, 9 a.m. Where: St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 120 N. Hall St., Visalia Contact: Cindy Sanders, 625-4931 or Calif827@prodigy.net

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SECOND SATURDAY CRAFT FAIR AT THE LOOKING GLASS From now through October, The Looking Glass in Visalia will be hosting a “Second Saturday” artisan and crafters fair. Come out and enjoy a day of shopping from local crafters. When: March 11, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Where: The Looking Glass, Court and Caldwell in Visalia Contact: thelookingglassvisalia.com ST. PATRICK’S PARADE & IRISH FEST The Visalia Breakfast Lions invites you to join them for the annual Irish Fest and St. Patrick’s Day Parade. First, head downtown at 10 a.m. for the parade, and then stop at the Rawhide ballpark from 1 to 5 p.m. for the Irish Fest. Guests will be able to sample beer, listen to music, and enjoy food. When: March 11, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. Where: Parade, downtown Visalia; Irish Fest, Rawhide Ballpark Contact: visaliabreakfastlions.org SPRING BLOSSOM VENDOR FAIR Get your friends together and join us for a Spring Blossom Vendor Sale. There will be more than 30 vendors selling home décor, crafts, health and beauty products, candles, wearables, food, and more. There will also be door prizes. When: March 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Visalia Venteran’s Memorial Building, 609 W. Center St., Visalia Contact: 308-8232

TULARE COUNTY SYMPHONY’S “NIGHT ON THE RED CARPET” Join the Visalia Young Professionals Network at TCSO for a VIP reception in the Fox Theatre Lobby, complete with hors d’ oeuvres and wine, prior to Tulare County Symphony’s most popular show of the season: “Great Movies, Great Music: Oscar Winners.” This show features music from your favorite Oscar-winning films. The concert and reception package is just $45 per person. Cocktail attire and black tie optional. When: March 11, 5:30 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: tularecountysymphony.com/ events VISALIA SOUP: COMMUNITY -BASED CROWDFUNDING DINNER Four pre-selected projects have four minutes to share their ideas and answer four questions about their projects, which can be about anything! We just ask that the idea is about Visalia. Submit a proposal or come and enjoy soup and vote for your favorite idea. The winner goes home with the money raised. We will hear from the winner and their progress at the next SOUP. When: March 14, 5 p.m. Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: visaliachamber.org/soup THE VISALIA FOX THEATRE PRESENTS: ONE NIGHT IN MEMPHIS "One Night in Memphis" is a rocking concert tribute to the legendary Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley. Over 90 minutes of authentic, high-energy rockabilly, country, gospel, and pure 1950's rock & roll. When: March 14, 7:30 pm Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St. VIsalia Contact: foxvisalia.org

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VISALIA SENIOR GAMES The City of Visalia Parks & Recreation Department proudly announces Visalia Senior Games 2017. This Olympic-style competition is for adults ages 50 and better and promotes healthy living and the benefits of staying active. Not ready to compete just yet? There are lots of ways for you to be involved. The senior games is $15 per athlete, and individual event fees apply. When: March 17-19, 24-26 Where: Locations vary throughout Visalia Contact: visaliaseniorgames.com or 713-365

THIRD ANNUAL LAWN-FREE GARDEN TOUR The Sequoia Garden Club is again sponsoring a garden tour focusing on drought tolerant plantings to help homeowners see that it is possible to conserve water, save money, and have a beautiful yard. Tour five different Visalia garden venues with unique ideas, plus a sixth venue, which includes City of Visalia Natural Resources Dept., Sequoia Riverlands Trust/ Dry Creek Plant Sale. This is a self-guided tour. When: March 25, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Where: Homes throughout Visalia Contact: dmekeel@att.net

KELLIE PICKLER IN CONCERT The talented country singer and American Idol contestant will be coming to the Visalia Fox Theatre to perform her latest country hits. This event will also benefit Hands in the Community, a local nonprofit that provides referral services to those in crisis in Tulare County. Tickets are $40, $62, and $83 dollars. When: March 18, 8 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: hncvisalia@gmail.com or visaliafox.org

MENOPAUSE: THE MUSICAL Turnaround Artists presents Menopause: The Musical – Four women at a lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace bra and memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex, and more! This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. When: March 25, 4 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: foxvisalia.org

VISALIA CHAMBER’S 9TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Join the Visalia Chamber of Commerce for their 9th Annual Leadership Visalia Golf Tournament. Secure your spot early and enjoy a great morning of golf and networking while supporting leadership education in Visalia. When: March 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Valley Oaks Golf Course, 1800 S. Plaza St., Visalia Contact: visaliachamber.org

BIRDHOUSE AUCTION FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Join Habitat for Humanity this spring for their 12th Annual Birdhouse Auction as they raise funds to help build, renovate, or repair homes with low-income families in TulareKings Counties. There will be wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, custom made birdhouses, and this year’s theme will be “Tropical Fiesta.” Tickets are $75 per person or $600 for a table of eight. When: March 31, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Where: Wyndham, 9000 W. Airport Dr., Visalia Contact: info@hfhtkc.org

BARKS & BOURBON Join us for our 3rd annual dinner evening to raise funds for Friends of Tulare Animal Services. There will be live and silent auctions, bourbon tasting, cigar bar, wine grab, and much more. Come help us raise money for Friends of Tulare Animal Services that is used to directly save the lives of animals at the shelter. Tickets are $50. When: April 8, 5:30 p.m. Where: International Agri-Center Social Hall, 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare Contact: 303-6930 VISALIA NAZ 25TH ANNUAL EGGSTRAVAGANZA You are invited to Visalia Naz’s 25th annual Eggstravaganza. There will be a petting zoo, train rides, pony rides, egg hunts, and a food court. This event is free and open to the public (food court is not free). When: April 15, 9 a.m. – noon Where: Visalia Nazarene Church, 3333 W. Caldwell Ave. Contact: visalianaz.org BARK ‘N’ BID BENEFIT Join the Central Valley Rescue Railroad for their 5th Annual fundraiser, where it’s all about the dogs! There will be a no-host beer and wine bar, dinner, music, dancing, a raffle, and a silent and live auction. All proceeds benefit Central Valley Rescue Railroad, a volunteer-run non-profit, no-kill dog rescue. Tickets are $50 per person. When: April 22, 5-10 p.m. Where: Whitney Barn, 30162 Road 192, Exeter Contact: Hayley, 731-0757

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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WARREN REPORTS TEXT BY WARREN GUBLER, MAYOR

Vision For Visalia

n Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, the Visalia City Council, along with our City Manager, city staff, and members of the public held our annual planning retreat. We reviewed the city's mission statement and values, identified issues needing to be addressed, and developed an action plan on priority issues for 2017. We were ably assisted by Vicki Stasch, a professional facilitator. Attendance from the public was the highest I've seen, this being the eighth such annual retreat I've attended since being on the city council. Another way of describing this gathering was a "brainstorming" session. We started at 8:30 a.m. and went through 5 p.m. We took public comment and the council informally shared ideas and priorities.

building and managing housing for the homeless. Circulation and Transit. We will investigate possibly opening up more streets that cross the railroad tracks on west Goshen to improve circulation patterns. We will hold a future work session on all roads in the city to see where we can improve traffic circulation.

One of the more interesting aspects of the meeting was a panel discussion we had regarding the homeless issue. We had representatives from Family Health Care Network, CSET, Health and Human Services, the Rescue Mission, Self Help Enterprises, Tulare County Housing Authority, and the Visalia Police Department giving their insights into the causes of homelessness and suggestions on how we can address it locally. The following is a summary of our action plan for 2017. This will serve as a roadmap and direction for the year. Feel free to follow the city council and staff in 2017 to see how we do on accomplishing these goals. Reduce homelessness. Visalia will participate on the new Tulare County Task Force on Homelessness to see what can be done countywide to address this issue. We will have presentations at future council workshops from other successful cities to hear their ideas. Another goal will be to locate at least five people who are currently homeless and to develop a work program with funding from Workforce Investment to help them become employable. We will also look to partner with entities that can assist in 32

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Business friendly. The council will look into continuing to make Visalia a business friendly city. We'll survey the development community about their experiences with our staff and continue to use best efforts to streamline permitting and fees. We want to continue to support Kaweah Delta Health Care District and Family Health Care Network downtown. We will explore a possible branch campus in Visalia from a four-year university such as Fresno State and we will get a status update from the developer of Sequoia Mall. Visalia as a Destination. We approved going forward with reestablishing the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Groppetti

Stadium in 2017, seeking to develop a public/private partnership for this project. We'll continue to emphasize sporting events such as the Senior Games, the Cal League Summer All Star Game, and holding other all-star games and championships here in centrally located Visalia. We will investigate further the possibility of an aquatics complex. Water. We will continue to encourage conservation of this precious resource. We will look to our landscape and lighting districts for reduced consumption, seek additional funding for recharge basins on the east side in particular, and bring the new water conservation plant online this year to assist in recycling water. Sustainable Community. We'll use Measure N funds as a tool for improving our parks, streets, and public safety. We'll continue to emphasize connectivity between subdivisions and parks. We'll work to complete more trails such as the St. Johns Parkway and Modoch Ditch Trail. And in a future city council work session, we will receive a report on the status of downtown lighting and how to improve and update that system. Strong Downtown. We will explore ways to fund the new east downtown civic center, including a new city hall. We will also review city-owned properties and identify those to sell to help raise funds. Last Call for the Visalia Senior Games. Just a reminder that Visalia's second annual Senior Games will be held March 17-19 and March 24-26, 2017. If you haven't signed up yet, visit www. visaliaseniorgames.com and come join the fun! 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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