Visalia Direct Magazine - October 2019 by Direct Magazine

CULTURE, COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — THE HEART OF THE SOUTH VALLEY | OCTOBER 2019

M A G A Z I N E

VIRTUAL VALLEY

EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

VISALIA WORKS

Eliminating Network Dead Zones

VUSD Progress Report— It’s Time for Transparency

Helping the Homeless

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INSIDE OCTOBER 2019 PU B LIS H E D BY

DMI Agency 200 E. Center Ave., Suite A Visalia, CA 93291 ADMINISTRATION & EDITORIAL

Executive Editor KAREN TELLALIAN Operations Manager MARIA GASTON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

AL OLIVER DR. CRAIG WHEATON C.S. WYATT JASON SALAZAR JONATHAN WALTMIRE KELLEY PETTY MATTHEW DAVIS MISSY YAVASILE DR. RONNIE EYNAUD SHARON MOSLEY SHARON PLEIN STEPHANIE KINSER SUE BURNS TAMARA RAVALÍN GRAPHIC DESIGNER, DMI AGENCY

COVER STORY

4 TACHI PALACE 36 Years of Continued Growth

DEPARTMENTS 12 The Recipe Box 13 College Prep 14 Character Counts!

F E AT U R E S

7 Education Excellence

VUSD Progress Report — It’s Time for Transparency

8 Gardening

16 Meet A Local 17 Valley Oak SPCA 20 VUSD 22 Craft Corner

Plant an Autumn Garden

23 Tulare County Library

24 Fashion

11 Community Safety

Meet the Visalia Police Department Staff This Fall

26 Tulare Chamber

18 Virtual Valley

28 Crossword

Wi-Fi Extenders: Eliminating Network Dead Zones

27 Visalia Chamber

30 Goings-on

32 Visalia Works

A Call for Help: Helping the Homeless

FRANK MIRAMONTES ADVERTISING SALES

ads@dmiagency.com 559.739.1747 SALES OFFICE

200 E. Center Ave., Suite A Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 email: direct@dmiagency.com

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. Or email us: direct@dmiagency.com. Online Issue at: www.issuu.com/dmiagency ©2019 DMI Agency

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TACHI PALACE CASINO

here is always something exciting happening at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, and the ringing of winning slot machines and the varied sounds of musical entertainment are just the beginning. Throughout its history, the Tachi-Yokut Tribe, owners and operators of Tachi Palace, has invested significant dollars in the property as well as the community, making the hotel and casino a true asset to the area.

As the hotel and casino celebrate 36 years, the property has developed into a family-friendly destination offering even more entertainment options than ever before. In the past year, the tribe has enhanced the property, adding several new features to make the guest experience even more enjoyable. Much to the delight of families of all ages, the Tachi-Yokut Tribe recently opened a new 88,350-square-foot entertainment center. The complex features a state-ofthe-art movie theater, including eight 4

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screens; a 30-lane bowling alley; an arcade that is home to the latest games, and a 10-table billiards room. New food and drink concessions are also part of the Coyote Entertainment Center. The sounds of Brothers Osborne, Vince Neil and Australian Pink Floyd have filled the air at the largest-ever outdoor sprung tent, constructed northwest of the casino. This venue provides 45,000 square feet of shade and exhaust fans for cooling during concerts and events.

"W e are always aiming to offer our guests an amazing experience and anticipate their desired amenities."

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

Guests also have been taking advantage of the expanded outdoor entertainment area on the north lawn, near the resort pool, that earlier this year was cemented into a 4,000-square-foot space. This was recently the site of a free comedy show featuring Tonia Jo Hall in honor of California Native American Day. Last year, the Tachi-Yokut Tribe opened an 8,000-square-foot gas station and convenience store with 16 gas and diesel pumps, plus eight race high-octane pumps and two electric charging stations. The station offers easy accessibility for trucks and RVs. The convenience store features a gourmet coffee bar, beer cave, plus a variety of food, snacks and essentials. In addition, there are 24 slot machines inside. More than 900 additional parking spaces were added for the convenience of visitors.

For those interested in learning to play, they just have to ask Tachi Palace’s friendly dealers, who would be happy to teach them. The ever-popular Bingo Hall is always bustling. Tachi offers several sessions daily with seating for up to 1,200 players. Plus, visitors are encouraged to sign up for the Players Club, which offers the opportunity to earn rewards in every play, as well as discounts throughout the hotel and casino. Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino is about more than just gaming. It is recognized as the premier location for entertainment in the area. The entertainment lineup, offering a range of music, talent and sport, has something for everyone. Upcoming performances include the ever-popular “Red, Red, Wine” singers, UB40, on Thursday, Oct. 3.

the perfect place to take a break from the gaming action. Spa guests will enjoy being pampered with a full menu of services ranging from facials to full body massages. They also can also enjoy fresh fruit, herbal teas and time in the sauna. Dining options at Tachi Palace are sure to suit all tastes. Just last month, the casino opened PHO-Nominal eats, a new Asian-inspired restaurant serving a variety of pho dishes, teriyaki bowls, Vietnamese rolls and other delicious offerings. Plus, the hotel and casino recently announced that the Pork Chop Hill Buffet will undergo a mini-renovation, offering new concepts in dining. Taste buds are the winner at Tachi Palace’s Coyote Grille, the recipient

“At Tachi Palace, we never rest on our laurels,” said Rojelio Morales, marketing director. “We are always aiming to offer our guests an amazing experience and anticipate their desired amenities. With the opening of the family-friendly Coyote Entertainment Center, Tachi Yokut gas, and a new entertainment and restaurant venue, we are just getting started. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements in the near future.” NON-STOP GAMING ACTION AND ENTERTAINMENT Known for its high-energy gaming action, Tachi Palace is home to two casinos: Casino of the Moon and Casino of the Sun, with each atmosphere reflecting its celestial namesake. The combined 195,000 square feet include a third-floor gaming space with more than 2,000 gaming machines that have a wide range of denominations, themes and ways to win. In addition, the casino offers 24 table games, including blackjack and pai gow, plus a seven-table poker room. Opening soon is a remodeled High Limit Room for high-stakes slot players that will include dedicated attendants, snacks and beverages exclusive to this area.

HOTEL, DINING AND MORE Beyond gaming, Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino offers high-quality service at its seven-story, 255-room hotel, which features spaciously appointed guest rooms and suites. All rooms incorporate special touches such as high-threadcount sheets, high-definition television, wireless in-room internet access, in-room dining and complimentary valet parking. Guests can relax by the beautiful resortstyle pool or head to the luxurious spa,

of several prestigious awards, including the California Restaurant Association’s Visalia Best Casino/Restaurant Dining and Fresno Best Casino/Restaurant Dining awards. The menu includes delicious comfort food such as Tachi Palace’s famous chicken fried steak, tender steaks, scratch-made soups, specialty salads, seafood and a variety of pasta dishes. This restaurant also features a delicious Pan-Asian menu featuring fusion cuisine and traditional favorites. Daily specials and a full bar selection are available. DIRECT MAGAZINE

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"I t’s exciting to be a part of Tachi Palace’s growth and reflect on the impact it has had in the past 36 years,"

For a quick bite or a meal on the go, Tachi Palace also offers Rez Dogs On the Go, featuring items such as hot dogs, burritos and tacos. The Coffee Stop also offers breakfast favorites such as coffee and muffins, as well as paninis, sandwiches and other light meals. Last year, the Red Tail Hawk Stop restaurant opened, focusing on specialty burgers, hot dogs and french fries. This dining option is on the third level next to the new PHO-Nominal Eats and the buffet. At the Sunset Lounge, guests can enjoy a favorite cocktail while playing video poker or relax outside on the cozy patio. On the weekends, live entertainment is featured. The Koy’ Wae’ Lounge in Casino of the Moon is open daily and also has live music on weekend nights. HISTORY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT It has taken more than three decades and significant investment for the Tachi-Yokut Tribe to turn Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino into the amazing destination that it is today. When the doors first opened in 1983, it was a small, one-room, single-story 6

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bingo hall and, in 1993, the Southgate Bingo Hall opened. In August 2000, Casino of the Moon was completed and just seven years later, the property expanded to include the two-story Casino of the Sun. Following the second gaming area came the grand opening of the hotel and spa, creating additional revenue for both the tribe and local economy. “It’s exciting to be a part of Tachi Palace’s growth and reflect on the impact it has had in the past 36 years,” Morales said “What the tribe, our staff and patrons are most proud of is the contribution we make on our local economy and workforce. When added to the tribe’s generous spirit of giving back to the community, it’s truly an amazing place.” Currently, the property is one of the largest employers in Kings County with more than 1,350 employees. A high priority for associates of the hotel and casino is giving back to the local community. Each month, they host a community breakfast that raises funds for a variety of organizations in the valley, and this year’s donations included

more than $8,000 for United Cerebral Palsy and more than $4,400 for Central Section California CIF, to name a few. With funds raised through the community breakfast and a golf tournament, they donated $37,000 to CASA of Kings County. They also helped kick off the school year by collecting nearly 1,200 new backpacks for local children in need through a partnership with Big Brother and Big Sisters of Central California. These are just a few of the dozens of organizations that benefit from the generosity of the associates and Tachi-Yokut Tribe. Over the past 36 years, Tachi Palace has continued to perfect its recipe for success, offering top-notch gaming and a variety of entertainment and unique amenities, all while giving back to the community, which is of the utmost importance. Located in Lemoore, the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino is perfectly situated halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, accessible from both Interstate 5 and State Route 99, making it the ultimate destination for entertainment, gaming and relaxation for locals and travelers alike.

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EDUCATION EXCELLENCE TEXT BY CRAIG WHEATON, ED.D., EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT; FORMER SUPERINTENDENT, VISALIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

VUSD Progress Report — It’s Time for Transparency Direct Magazine welcomes back contributor Craig Wheaton, Ed.D., former deputy superintendent of the Tulare County Office of Education who had also served as superintendent of the Visalia Unified School District. Dr. Wheaton holds a bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State, master’s from San Francisco State and doctorate from Pepperdine University. This is the fourth in a series where he will be offering his perspective on education in Visalia and the county, both good and not so good.

e are well into the new school year, and it has been a rocky start for VUSD.

By the time you read this, I am hopeful that the troubles at VUSD’s newest school, Creekside, have settled down. It was touted as an answer to the much-discussed discipline concerns and one of several changes made by staff at the board’s direction, but in the first two weeks of school, the administrator was put on leave, the principal quit and a student was arrested. During this unsettled time, staff turnover continues to plague the district and is well documented in news articles regarding Creekside School. Even with the troubles at Creekside, there are many great things going on in classrooms and schools throughout Visalia. There is much to celebrate; much is working well. However, there are a few recent board decisions that need some discussion and, unless you are directly involved with the district, it is doubtful that you have heard anything about them. As a fiscal conservative, I have always believed in operating with a balanced budget. That included my time in education and with my own personal finances. Visalia Unified has historically operated in the spirit of transparency,

always sharing documents and decisions with the public and in the media, especially during troubled economic times. I vividly remember the years of the great recession and the struggles school administrators made together with the Board of Trustees to ensure that student learning was not compromised even though we were forced to greatly reduce our overall spending. Over a two-year period, we trimmed more than $20 million from the VUSD budget. It might come as a surprise to you to learn that the current VUSD board recently adopted a budget, against the fiscal staff’s recommendation, of $8.2 million in the red. The budget, including a salary increase, was approved in June. Upon hearing about the 4 percent increase in teacher salaries, which was widely publicized, I initially thought that the increase was well-deserved. What I did not know about until late August was the $8.2 million deficit budget. It wasn’t hidden, but it wasn’t reported either. SO, HOW DID I DISCOVER THIS? First, I was alarmed when a board member used the need to make budget cuts as a reason for not conducting an independent board evaluation. I began asking myself why the board would need to make cuts to the budget in order to pay a rather nominal amount for a board review? (Fortunately, at the Sept. 10 board meeting, the board did approve spending approximately $3,000 for the sorely needed selfevaluation to be contracted with the California School Boards Association.) Second, the budget deficit was mentioned as a reason for perhaps the board not doing a professional search for a permanent superintendent because it would cost a few thousand dollars. I was shocked that the board approved a large ongoing deficient budget without

making the necessary adjustments to balance the budget. I have found that it is easier for people to spend money than to cut spending. Board leadership isn’t about spending; that’s the easy part. Leadership is about transparency and confronting problems as they arise, making the hard decisions before they become impossible ones down the road. In my personal budgeting, I know that I can’t spend more than I take in each month. The same holds true for a school district. At some point soon, the board is going to have to cut something or run the risk of draining long-developed rainyday reserves, and at $8 million a year, it won’t take very long. I am concerned, as you should be, with the shortsightedness of this decision and the lack of transparency without any real public input. It is time to bring this problem out into the open and let the public hear what programs and services are at risk of elimination. Given the recent track record, board members should not be left to conduct such important business in coffee-shop conversations among themselves, the superintendent and union leaders. It is time to work together as a community and prevent a financial crisis before it gets out of hand. A school board, working together as one voice, can afford to do anything it wants to do; it just can’t do everything. It appears that the VUSD board hasn’t learned that lesson, but it isn’t too late. There is a reserve that can function as a safety net. Let’s assign a little homework, make it a group project — teachers, parents, administrators and community members giving their input on how to close an $8 million budget shortfall. It is more work to bring everyone together to solve this problem, but it could keep the district from sliding into a serious financial crisis, one that could hurt everyone, especially the 29,000 students the board is elected to serve. DIRECT MAGAZINE

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GARDENING TEXT BY SHARON PLEIN, UCCE MASTER GARDENER FOR KINGS AND TULARE COUNTIES

Plant an Autumn Garden

s your garden looking sad after the summer’s heat? Have your kids lost interest in gardening? There is still time to plant an autumn garden and rekindle gardening enthusiasm. Autumn is the best time for planting. The weather is cooler, so plants use less water and are less likely to be heatstressed. We may even have a rain shower or two. Here in the Central Valley, we have a long growing season. Our first frost usually arrives around Nov. 27 and our last frost typically happens

by Feb. 26. This means that we have a 273-day growing season! It may be the first week in October, but we still have about 58 frost-free days to plant and harvest varieties of veggies that mature quickly. The first step in planning an autumn garden is selecting the right vegetables to plant. For your garden, select varieties of baby carrots, radishes, spinach and lettuce that mature quickly. You and your kids should peruse the seed racks at your favorite nursery and select your

veggies based on the information on the back of the seed packet. The packets will tell you important information about days to germination, planting depth, spacing and the maturity date or the estimated time of harvest after planting. Some radishes, for example, mature in 25 days. Who can resist purchasing varieties named “White Icicle,” “Cherry Belle” or “French Breakfast”? Other vegetable varieties, such as spinach or certain types of lettuce, also mature quickly and have interesting qualities.

After you have purchased the seeds, the next step is to prepare your garden bed for planting. Here is what you will need: • The seeds you have selected and purchased. • Some compost or soil amendments. • A hoe and other garden implements for working the soil. • Ruler for measuring seed spacing.

Next, clear the area where you want to plant your seeds. Remove the plants that have completed their life cycles and loosen the soil. Mix the compost or amendment into the planting area using your garden tools. Plan ahead to determine the spacing of rows and individual plants that will sprout from the seeds you selected. Overcrowding produces poor results. If you are planting different varieties of vegetables, make sure that you give them space to grow by following the spacing instructions on the backs of the seed packets.

• An unsharpened pencil to mark the spot where you want to plant your seeds. • A watering can to gently moisten the seeds you plant. • Craft or Popsicle sticks and a permanent marker to record the date and type of veggie that you are planting.

Now you are ready to use your ruler and pencil to mark the planting spaces. The seeds you will be planting will be quite small. Remove the pencil space marker and place two or three seeds in each hole at the recommended planting depth. Gently cover the planting hole with soil and sprinkle with water to moisten. Don’t blast the seeds with a stream of water because you may wash them away. Use your craft sticks to mark the plant variety and date planted. That will help impatient gardeners to know the correct harvest time. Keep the soil

moist. When the seedlings emerge and are 1 to 2 inches high, thin the plants by removing the smaller or weaker sprouts. The remaining plants will grow stronger and bigger. You will enjoy watching the vegetables mature in the cooler weather. Before long, the leaves of spinach and lettuce will grow to bite size. The early carrots and radishes will begin to poke above the soil. You will soon be ready for a cool salad! Happy gardening!

Find more information on the Master Gardener website, mg.ucanr.edu/Resources/Gardening_Resources/ 8

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VISALIA RESCUE MISSION TEXT BY AL OLIVER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VISALIA RESCUE MISSION

Which Jesus?

very Wednesday at 7 a.m. and every Sunday at 6 p.m., I have the privilege of leading a study in the gospels of the life of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the study is to introduce our recovery residents to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our highest value for everyday conduct is “Christlikeness,” which means that if we are going to live in a “Christlike” manner, we should investigate from the Scriptures how Jesus actually lived his earthly life. In the early church (Acts 11:26), the disciples of the risen Jesus were first called “Christians.” The term was meant as an insult by the surrounding community of Antioch because the early believers were all preoccupied with imitating Jesus. They displayed an obvious loyalty and devotion to one another. But more than that, their testimony of the person and work of Jesus Christ became a subject of derision and scoffing in the city of Antioch. These “Christioi” or “little Christs” were unashamed and unapologetic about what and in whom they believed. It created a unified fellowship that was unique and counterintuitive precisely because the members of that new fellowship were so diverse and so radically changed from their former lives. The unbelieving onlookers thought that they were contemptible kooks. In many ways, this is the environment we seek to foster in our Life Change Academy, with the central organizing principle begin the true person, work and life of the real Jesus Christ. I say the “real” Jesus Christ because there are many false versions of Christ. Jesus predicted this. Many attempts to redefine the person of Jesus Christ have been made over the centuries, and it became necessary to refute these efforts publicly. But more subtle is the tendency for all of us to reinvent Jesus in our own imagination. 10

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In the iconic film Cool Hand Luke, the eponymous character (played by Paul Newman), who is incarcerated in a state prison, attempts to console himself by singing, with tear-filled eyes, the song “Plastic Jesus,” a cynical ditty about a plastic Jesus statue that can presumably protect the owner from the savage brutalities of life. An imaginary Jesus has no power to protect or change a life. When you take the time to study the New Testament and identify the character traits of the real Jesus Christ, we are often surprised and even shocked at some of the things that Jesus says and does. We prefer the compassionate and tolerant Jesus, who either approves or forgives me in my sins, blunders and outright disobedience. I don’t like being confronted with my presumptive arrogance disguised as “good works” so I can receive the praise of men. We all have a tendency in our

own mind to create a “plastic Jesus” who approves of me but disapproves of anyone who does not share my particular view of life. When Jesus says uncomfortable things like “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven,” it makes me uncomfortable. The Pharisees were fastidiously righteous in their behavior, and yet Jesus is telling me that I need to do better than them? The commitment to actual and not imaginary Christlikeness is a surprising and perilous journey, yet it produces the same joy and devotion that the early Christians experienced. A plastic Jesus can be formed to fit our own personal preferences, but a plastic Jesus can neither save nor change any of us, because plastic Jesus looks and acts just like us. No, the real Jesus never changes, but He bends and stretches us so we can be “conformed” (Romans 8:29) to His image.

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Community Safety

TEXT BY VISALIA POLICE CHIEF JASON SALAZAR

Meet the Visalia Police Department Staff This Fall

all is a busy time of year in our community, with many events and sports activities taking place. Additionally, October leads us into the busy holiday season. I’ve stressed here on several occasions that the safety of our community is a partnership between your local public safety agencies and the community as a whole. Together, our goal is to make Visalia a safe and vibrant community. I want to take the opportunity to make you aware of several opportunities in the month of October to get to know the men and women of the Visalia Police Department better and partner with us for a better Visalia. On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Visalia Police Department hosted our National Night Out event at Recreation Park from 5-8 p.m. This is a great opportunity to meet some of the Visalia Police Department staff, learn more about our department and interact with other community members. A variety of other service and public safety organizations were on hand to meet as well, in addition to vendors and other activities in the park.

throughout the county will be present with equipment on display and public safety personnel to meet and talk to about the services we provide to our communities. Finally, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Visalia Police Department will be participating in the Pink Patch Project along with other local law enforcement agencies in Tulare County. All proceeds from the project benefit the American Cancer Society. In addition to participating in this year’s Relay for Life Event on Sept. 28, Visalia officers will sport the pink patches during the month of October. For more information, you can go to pinkpatchproject.com or contact Agent Kevin Grant at kevin.grant@visalia.city. As always, public safety is a responsibility that we all share. Prevention and intervention are the best means of reducing and preventing crime. Remember: If you see something, say something! We hope to see you at one of our events. Be safe and have a great October!

On Friday, Oct. 4, the Visalia Police Department will be hosting another Coffee With a Cop event on National Coffee With a Cop Day at Starbucks at 1229 S. Mooney Blvd. Coffee With a Cop events are casual, informal opportunities for members of our community to meet with staff of the Police Department with no agenda, speeches, etc., just an opportunity for you to meet our officers and staff in a relaxed setting. On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Visalia Police Department will be partaking in the Hometown Heroes event in Downtown Visalia, hosted by the Downtown Visalians. This is the second annual Hometown Heroes event, where numerous public safety agencies from DIRECT MAGAZINE

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

Cozy Pear Pumpkin Cobbler

“I

’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,” said Anne Shirley in LM Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables.” I am, too! The weather is cool, the trees almost sparkle in their brilliant jewel tones, tailgating is in full swing … and that means making cozy, warm, delicious dishes — like this one — to share! MAKES 6-8 SERVINGS INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 3 cups firm pears, sliced* 3/4 cup chai-spiced sugar** (or granulated sugar) 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 cup flour 3/4 cup brown sugar or date sugar 4 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt 1 cup milk 1/2 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling) DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the butter into a 9-inch square pan and place the pan into the heated oven, just until the butter is melted, then remove from the oven and set aside. In a bowl, gently mix together the fruit, 3/4 cup chai sugar and lemon juice, and let set while you make the cobbler batter. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, 3/4 cup brown/date sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and sea salt. Pour in the milk and whisk to form a smooth batter, and whisk in the pumpkin purée. If the batter seems very thick, stir in a little more milk. Pour the batter into the pan over the

melted butter. Scatter the pears evenly over the top. Bake 35-40 minutes, until the top is brown and the pears are crisp-tender. SERVING Serve warm or at room temperature, plain or topped with quick whipped cream or quick Crème Anglaise. Quick whipped cream — No muss, no fuss (and a little bit of a workout!): Pour 1 cup heavy whipping cream into a pint-size Mason jar. Add 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Put the lid on and shake vigorously for about 4 minutes, until thick and spoonable (you will feel the consistency change as you shake

the jar). Store any leftovers in the jar in the refrigerator. Barefoot Contessa’s quick Crème Anglaise: Allow a pint of good quality vanilla bean ice cream to soften to room temperature. Spoon some onto the serving plates or bowls and top with the cobbler. (In “Cook Like a Pro,” Ina Garten writes, “Vanilla ice cream is essentially Crème Anglaise that’s been frozen…. I reverse the process and end up with Crème Anglaise!” * 3 cups peeled and sliced baking apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, etc.) may be substituted. ** Get the recipe for Sue’s Chai Spiced Sugar at itsokaytoeatthecupcake.com

For more of Sue’s tips and tricks, visit www.itsokaytoeatthecupcake.com 12

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

Student Loans: Danger! Danger!

urrently, there is $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. Unfortunately, for most college-bound students, loans are going to be a part of the equation. These loans, when part of a plan, can be paid back in a sensible manner. However, far too many students take out loans that make no sense for their major and their future. It is understandable that students do not understand the impact of these loans; after all, they are typically about 18 years old and have very little financial experience. Most of them believe that the college degree is all it takes to make enough money to pay the loans off without a hitch. College graduates DO earn more than non-college graduates, but if you factor in $100,000 in student loan debt, you can also figure in about $1,000 a month loan payment. Now that creates a problem! So how much is too much to borrow for college? Well, as is often the case when we discuss anything about college, the answer is, “It depends.” Before trying to estimate an acceptable loan amount for a student, you should first estimate his/her first year’s starting salary for that first job. We suggest that the total amount of student loan debt for four years should not exceed the student’s first annual starting salary.

So what is the answer? College prequalification. What is that? It is much like mortgage pre-qualification. Before blindly going off to college, families should know how much they can actually afford … like buying a house. The main difference is that when it comes to college, you can borrow most any amount, but not when buying a house. The government loves student loan debt. It is the single largest asset of the U.S. government. So how do you calculate your prequalification amount? First, you determine if you can lower the amount that a college will expect you to pay. If it is possible, this should be done two years in advance of the year that the student will start college (called prior-prior year). Next, you must target schools that will give the most financial aid to your student. This might be needbased aid or merit-based aid. Do NOT think that you make too much money

to get college financial aid. Merit aid is not based on income or assets. Next, you have to determine your prequalification amount. To do that, you start by figuring out your family budget. It is surprising how few families actually have a budget. Then determine your personal resources. Savings. Cash flow. Grandparents? Other? Then establish how much the maximum amount for student and parent loans is. Careful, parents! All parents want the best for their children, but you must protect your retirement if you want to be sure that you will not be moving in with your kids someday. Now estimate the amount of financial aid likely to be awarded at each school. Put all the information together, and you should have your pre-qualification amount. This may sound somewhat overwhelming. It really isn’t that hard. Find the right schools that are generous with financial aid. Figure out how much you can afford. Make a match!

For example, let’s say a student wants to be an accountant. At salary.com, we can find this information. So if the starting annual salary is about $53,000, then the debt should be no more than $53,000. That would be about $13,250 per year of debt/loans. At 5 percent interest over 10 years, the payback amount would be about $516 per month. That is a decent car payment but stretches over 10 years. Since federal loans are capped at about $27,000 total, some of the difference may be made up in private loans, so the monthly payment could be more. DIRECT MAGAZINE

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

A Culture of Kindness Promoting Pro Social Behaviors to Build a Positive School Climate

indness campaigns look different on every campus, yet a common thread exists to build strong, positive school cultures where all students are supported and included. A multi-step process to achieve this desired outcome is described as TEAM (Teach, Enforce, Advocate and Model). Teach: Take time to intentionally teach acts of kindness and how to respect each other. This effort promotes ethical values of trustworthiness, respect and caring. Enforce: Make sure to embed these values throughout the school day by applying those caring and respectful behaviors that were taught.

Advocate: Support students promoting the desired behaviors. Leave no doubt in anyone’s mind what you want for students at your school. The goal is for the desired behavior not to be the exception, but the standard for your school culture. Model: “Do as I say, not as I do” CANNOT apply here. Walk the walk. We do not have the choice of if we are going to be role models for our students, but how are we going to model behaviors — thoughtlessly and carelessly or intentionally and carefully? Here are a couple of schools that are doing a great job building their school climate with the TEAM process.

Members of the Sundale Union leadership

Members of the La Joya Middle School leadership

Sundale Union Elementary School, Tulare

La Joya Middle School, Visalia

The Sundale School leadership students have prepared teamwork and inclusion lessons to teach within classrooms on campus. In Daniel Gordon’s class, the leadership group led an activity called “I Like.” Throughout the lesson, his students recognized more commonalities among each other than differences. Students realized that you do not have to hang out together to learn more about each other. Another leadership group stopped by Monica Avila’s class to deliver the message of unity through their activity. Students discovered how important it is to be supportive of each other. “It’s important to cheer others on to do their best,” said Bryson Wolsey. “We are like a family, even if we don’t always hang out together.”

Throughout the year, La Joya Middle School has two leadership classes working on La Joya Explorer school climate. These leaders take the position that practicing good character, promoting kindness and creating the positive school culture isn’t a “have-to” approach, but a “want-to” approach. “It’s easy to say the Six Pillars of Character, but that isn’t the point of what we are trying to promote,” student leader Barclay Avila says. “We want students to connect to the meaning and why it ought to be important to them.” With this perspective, the 40-plus leaders at La Joya develop engaging activities to make the impact of character development fun and memorable. By taking this route, student leaders provide support to the standard teaching day in the classroom.

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MEET A LOCAL

HOW DID YOU END UP HERE IN VISALIA? I moved from Tipton, where I was born and raised, to work for Gottschalks. HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THIS LINE OF WORK? I served as a corporate trainer when I was with Gottschalks, so when I left retail, I began training and teaching at College of the Sequoias and the Tulare Adult School. WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR WORK? I am firm believer in access for all, and I strive to give all children the same opportunities I have had and that others have now. WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? NAME:

Dr. Marie Pinto OCCUPATION/TITLE:

CEO for ProYouth

Some of the dire situations our families face, such as severe poverty, homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, etc. We work hard at connecting our children with services. TELL US ABOUT A SINGLE MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZED THIS WAS THE RIGHT OCCUPATION FOR YOU: Every time I see a former student or staff member being successful in a career or venture that they are passionate about, that is when I know I made the right career choice.

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IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ANOTHER CAREER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I would go back to retail. I enjoy interaction with the customer, and new styles of clothing and home goods. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK (HOBBIES, FAMILY, TRAVEL): I enjoy traveling and outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, etc. WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU? Most people do not know that I grew up as a dairy daughter in Tipton and have a very large extended family. I have 34 first cousins. WHAT ABOUT VISALIA MAKES THIS A GREAT COMMUNITY TO LIVE AND WORK IN? It is a community that cares about each other. The people of Visalia are very generous and work to make life better for all its citizens. BONUS QUESTION: IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT THREE OBJECTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU? A Swiss Army Knife, some matches and a good book.

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VALLEY OAK SPCA TEXT BY MATTHEW DAVIS, EVENTS COORDINATOR

Use a Trainer to Correct Bad Behavior

s a no-kill animal rescue, Valley Oak SPCA has constant requests for owner surrenders. Some of the requests are for dogs that show some sort of behavioral issue. We urge anyone who has considered this to try a trainer first because oftentimes the behavior can be corrected. If your animal is showing any signs of aggression or not quite getting the hang of things, here are some tips from the ASPCA on trainers and the different types of training that you can receive. Many behaviors that are completely natural for dogs and cats — such as barking or meowing, scratching, biting, digging, chewing, escaping and running away — can prove to be challenging for some pet parents. Although advice abounds in the form of popular TV shows, books and well-meaning friends and family, often the best and most efficient way to resolve your pet’s behavior problems is to seek assistance from a qualified professional. Professionals in the pet-behavior field fall into four main categories: • Trainers • Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDTs) • Applied Animal Behaviorists, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs) and Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (ACAABs) • Diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (Dip ACVBs)

What are the differences between pet-behavior professionals?

Trainers: Pet trainers use a number of different titles, such as “behavior counselor,” “pet psychologist” or “pet therapist.” The level of education and experience among this group of professionals varies greatly, including apprenticeships with established trainers. Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDTs): The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), an independent organization created by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), offers an international certification program. To earn the designation of Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), an individual must accrue a requisite number of working hours as a dog trainer, provide letters of recommendation, and pass a standardized test that evaluates her or his knowledge of canine ethology, basic learning theory, canine husbandry and teaching skill. Applied Animal Behaviorists, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs) and Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (ACAABs): An applied animal behaviorist has earned an M.S., M.A. or Ph.D. in animal behavior. They are experts in dog and cat behavior and often in the behavior of other companion animal species as well, such as horses and birds. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists and Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists received supervised graduate or postgraduate training in animal behavior, biology, zoology and learning theory at accredited universities. Effective applied animal behaviorists will have expertise in behavior modification, so they know the techniques that produce changes in behavior; the normal behavior of the species they’re treating, so they can recognize how and why your pet’s behavior is abnormal, and teaching and counseling people, so they can effectively teach you how to understand and work with your pet. Most CAABs work through veterinary referrals and work closely with veterinarians to select the best behavioral medications for pets.

Veterinary Behaviorists: Knowledge of animal behavior isn’t required to earn a veterinary degree, and animal behavior isn’t comprehensively taught in most veterinary training programs. However, some veterinarians seek specialized education in animal behavior and earn certification through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. In addition to having knowledge of domestic animal behavior and experience treating pet behavior problems, veterinary behaviorists can prescribe medications that can help with your pet’s treatment. Issues that often require the use of medication include separation anxiety, phobias, compulsive behaviors, and fear of people, objects or other animals. Valley Oak SPCA has a great partnership with some local trainers. Please get in touch with us for a list. Also, adopt a pet from Valley Oak SPCA and receive a discount on your pet’s training.

PET OF THE MONTH

BUDDY

Hi! My name is Buddy. I am a 5-year-old male Queensland/pitbull mix. I was dumped in the rural foothills with two tiny puppies. I protected them from danger until a Good Samaritan found me. I was covered in punctures, scratches and skunk spray. I LOVE other dogs, but am not a fan of felines. I would be the perfect addition to the right home. Adopt me today! If interested, contact Valley Oak SPCA at (559) 651-1111. DIRECT MAGAZINE

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VIRTUAL VALLEY Wi-Fi Extenders: Eliminating Network Dead Zones

ead zones, those dreaded spaces in your home or office in which no computing device can connect to a wireless network. Only zombie signals frustrate users more, suggesting a network connection until you try to access anything online. First, some background on wireless networks and their limitations. The wireless networks in use today are based on the IEEE 802.11 set of standards. Letters appended to the standard indicate the revision of 802.11 to which a transmitter or receiver complies. The industry calls these 802.11 standards “Wi-Fi” to conjure up memories of “high-fidelity” sound. The Wi-Fi name is merely a marketing trademark, with no official meaning. Chances are your business or home wireless router complies with 802.11a, b, g, n or ac revisions. Many systems feature two or more of these standards, allowing them to work with multiple networks and under different transmission conditions. The 802.11ac standard works well for must networks because it includes all the features of b, g and n revisions to Wi-Fi. When packaged, vendors will use a slash to indicate multiple standards. Our home router features a stylized “802.11ac/b/g/n” on the side. Why does knowing this alphabet soup of 802.11 versions matter? Because the letters indicate the radio frequencies, data transmission speeds and ranges for the devices. According to IEEE documents, an 802.11a device operates at 54 megabits per second on a 5 gigahertz carrier frequency with a range of 100 feet indoors and 350 feet unobstructed. The fastest 802.11 revision, ad, offers gigabits of speed yet has a range of 18

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only 10 feet. This illustrates the challenge of Wi-Fi: The faster the data transmission, the shorter the network range. My wife and I recently moved into a new house. It has too many dead zones and zombie signals, despite being a single story. Our cable modem and wireless router sit in my wife’s office, which we assumed was the best possible location. Yet devices used in our bedroom fail to maintain connections to the network. Our previous house had a finished basement and two stories, with the wireless router in the basement. The wireless network signal reached every room. What might explain the dead zones and zombie signals in our new house or in any building?

The primary reason that our new house has wireless networking challenges is distance. Although wireless signals supposedly work well up to 150 feet, reality is that 60 feet is often the limit in a new house or a building with significant brick, tile or metal inside. For example, the original 802.11 and 802.11b/g standards operate on the 2.4 gigahertz frequency. The problem with 2.4 GHz is that a lot of other devices also rely on these frequencies, including any cordless phones and audio equipment. Although 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is theoretically capable of traveling 400 feet unimpeded, authentic testing reveals that even basic electrical wiring in a wall cuts the signal by half to 200 feet or less. Two walls? Expect a 100-foot radius of reliable signal strength.

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TEXT BY C. S. WYATT

does not increase the distance of a network or its speed. Boosters help a little with zombie signals. There are other forms of inexpensive wireless access points (WAPs). Many businesses use WAPs scattered about a building to form a “mesh” Wi-Fi network. Adding WAPs has a tendency to slow a network, often significantly, with unmanaged traffic. It’s tempting to buy a five-pack of WAPs and scatter them about a house. If you want to expand your Wi-Fi network, buy a range extender. Also, buy one of the better models that features at least one port to connect a high-speed Ethernet cable back to the primary router or cable modem.

The distance in our new home from router to the master bedroom is why the room is a dead zone. In the two-story house, our room was directly above the basement room in which the router sat. The distance was approximately 30 feet, through wooden floors with minimal wiring. The new house requires that the signals travel more than twice that distance to our bedroom, through six interior walls with wiring, tile and other potential barriers. Although our router is an 802.11ac/b/g/n device, operating on both the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, the layout and construction of our house causes deterioration in the signals. People often incorrectly assume that the higher carrier frequency of 5 GHz is faster and travels farther than the older, overcrowded 2.4 GHz band. Instead, the higher frequency has a much smaller wavelength and is much more susceptible to being absorbed by the solid materials used to build walls. If a wall cuts the signal strength of 2.4 GHz in half, it can reduce a 5 GHz signal by two-thirds.

In open spaces, 5 GHz works wonderfully. In a building with lots of solid walls? The 2.4 GHz bands might offer greater reliability. Zombie signals are a result of your phone, tablet or computer detecting a Wi-Fi signal, but quickly losing that same signal. The slightest position change breaks the network connection. Moving a device might be enough that the network reconnects, so you believe that everything is okay yet using the network proves impossible. If you want a fast wireless network that covers a lot of space, three imperfect solutions exist: signal boosters, access points and range extenders. Boosters work like powered television antennas. These devices amplify the signal near your computing device. In most cases, a booster improves reliability within the range of the router. A booster

The extender is technically another Wi-Fi router. Your device connects to the extender, instead of the original router. The range extender then communicates with the base station. Extenders using Wi-Fi often result in slightly slower networks. That is because the extender must communicate with devices using its signal and then relay data to and from the base station. However, newer models use different frequencies to communicate with devices and the base station. Wired extenders enable full-speed connections to the base station because they communicate to your primary router or cable modem via Ethernet. The Wi-Fi signals are dedicated to extending the range of the network. Expect to invest $150 to $300 for a good range extender with a wired connection. I have had positive experiences with Netgear’s EX8000. Remember, even this excellent extender doesn’t achieve the range or speed promised once installed in a real house with lots of walls. You can eliminate those dead zones and zombie signals, for a price.

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

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VUSD TEXT BY TAMARA RAVALÍN, ED.D., INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Seeking Input From Our Community

s part of our commitment to provide the best possible education for the children of our community, Visalia Unified is actively seeking to engage parents and community members through several venues. It is important that we learn from our families, staff, students and community members about what is important in Visalia Unified schools. Some of the ways that we will be seeking input this year are through our “Visit with VUSD” sessions, community forums, community advisory committees, our New High School design survey and our Local Control Accountability (LCAP) survey. Today, we will highlight a few of these.

Our “Visit with VUSD” sessions allow us to listen and learn from parents and community members. We held seven sessions this fall at restaurants and coffee shops around Visalia and engaged in discussion topics that included homework, facilities, transportation and special education. These sessions were possible because local businesses graciously allowed us to utilize their space. We plan to hold additional sessions in the springtime, and hope that you will find a time and location that works for you to join us.

The district and its architectural firm, Mangini Associates Inc., are working with several district committees to develop the educational specifications for the new school, and we have community members participating in this process. The committees have developed a community survey, which is available on our website at vusd.org. We hope that you will participate in this survey so we have the maximum amount of community input as we move forward with design planning.

Currently, we are seeking community input on the design of our next comprehensive high school, which will be funded through Measure A tax dollars, thanks to the generosity of Visalia voters.

One of the most important outreach activities we conduct is our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) stakeholder engagement process. This school year is our planning year for the 2020-2023 LCAP, our strategic plan for student success. We invite you to provide your insight and help shape our thinking. We will be reaching out to community service groups, district PTA and advisory committees. We will also be hosting community forums throughout the district and posting a survey online to collect widespread input. The community forums will be held on: • Monday, Oct. 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Divisadero Middle School cafeteria • Tuesday, Oct. 8, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Valley Oak Middle School cafeteria • Thursday, Oct. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Ridgeview Middle School cafeteria • Friday, Oct. 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Goshen Elementary School cafeteria • Thursday, Oct. 17, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Ivanhoe Elementary School cafeteria • Monday, Oct. 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m., La Joya Middle School cafeteria • Thursday, Nov. 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Green Acres Middle School cafeteria We invite you to participate in some of these important activities and help us shape the future of VUSD.

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PRO-PT

TEXT DR. RONNIE EYNAUD PT, DPT, OCS, ATC CERTIFIED MDT PRACTITIONER

The Concussion Discussion to High School Athletes

oncussions are an ever-growing problem among high school athletes. A newly released study by the CDC states that more than 15 percent of all high school athletes sustained a concussion in 2017. In an effort to improve the quality of care for those who have experienced a concussive event, PRO-PT has been providing ImPACT® Concussion testing, an FDA-approved concussion-specific medical device, to the athletes of Tulare and Kings counties since 2012. To date, PRO-PT has administered more than 10,000 baseline tests and nearly 2,000 post-injury concussion tests, free of charge, to all participating high school athletes. PRO-PT Physical Therapy also provides certified athletic trainers (ATCs) to local high schools in Dinuba, Exeter, Kingsburg, Lemoore and Tulare. As a result of this cooperation between

PRO-PT and the area schools, your student athlete may have completed either an ImPACT® baseline test or an ImPACT® post-concussion test at their high school or in one of our clinics. California state law and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) require that if a licensed health-care provider determines that an athlete has sustained a concussion or head injury, the athlete is required to complete a gradual return-to-play protocol of no less than seven full days from the time of diagnosis.

optional outcomes are achieved. Whenever a concussion is suspected, seek out qualified medical professional care and ask if ImPACT® concussion and rehabilitation services might be helpful for you.

ImPACT® is a highly valuable tool that assists health-care professionals in making informed decisions about return to play and function. Most athletes who suffer a concussion “typically” return to their prior level of activity within two weeks. However, as with all injuries, the proper diagnosis and rehabilitation of the concussion is vital to ensure that

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CRAFT CORNER TEXT BY STEPHANIE KINSER, IMAGINEU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

31 Days of October T

his month, we're giving you some ideas on how to welcome the fall season. Whether it's having a treat or going on an adventure, we hope that you'll enjoy our 31 days of October activities!

Pick pumpkins at a pumpkin patch

Watch the sunset

Create a leaf craft

Drink hot apple cider

Take a nature hike in Sequoia National Park

Eat corn on the cob

Create your Halloween costume

Go backyard camping

Go on a hayride

Come play at ImagineU Children’s Museum

Put together a large puzzle

Go through old toys and donate to local shelters

Read a book outside

Enjoy fall

Go on a bike ride

Bake Rice Krispies Treats and share with the neighbors

Attend a football game as a family and raid the snack bar

Read a Halloween book

Roast pumpkin seeds for a healthy treat

Have a picnic in the park with friends

Write a thank you note for our local hero

Make pumpkin bread

Paint or carve pumpkins

Dress up your pets in costumes

Eat candy corn

Do a random act of kindness

Have s’mores over a bonfire

Rake leaves for a neighbor

Play backyard football

Drink hot chocolate and add extra marshmallows

Go trick-or-treating at ImagineU’s Village Halloween from 3-6 p.m.

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TULARE COUNTY LIBRARY TEXT BY JONATHAN WALTMIRE, ANNIE MITCHEL HISTORY ROOM LIBRARIAN

Banned Books Week

“C

ensorship leaves us in the dark. Keep the light on!”

From Sept. 22-28, the Tulare County Library celebrated banned and challenged books with Banned Books Week. A banned book is one that has been removed, while a challenged book is one that has been attempted to be removed from a school or library. The American Library Association started Banned Books Week after a 1982 Supreme Court ruling that school districts couldn’t ban literature simply based on content. Every year, the American Library Association compiles a list of the 10 most challenged books in the United States. For 2018, 347 books were reported challenged or banned throughout libraries, schools and universities.

It may be a surprise that other banned or challenged books have included the Bible, "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl, "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell, "The Sign of the Beaver” by Elizabeth George Speare and "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred Taylor. The American Library Association provides lists of other frequently banned and challenged books at ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/ frequentlychallengedbooks.

The 10 most challenged books for 2018 were "A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo" by Jill Twiss, "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas, "George" by Alex Gino, “Captain Underpants Series" by Dav Pilkey, "Drama"

The Tulare County Library serves all of the residents of Tulare County with locations in 17 communities, four book machines and online at:

by Raina Telgemeier, "This One Summer" by Mariko Tamaki, "Skippyjon Jones Series" by Judy Schachner, "The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie, "This Day in June" by Gayle Pitman and "Two Boys Kissing" by David Levithan.

www.tularecountylibrary.org

Celebrate Banned Books Week all year long by checking out banned or challenged books from your local library and by educating others about Banned Books Week.

@TulareCountyLib

/tularecountylibrary

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FASHION TEXT BY SHARON MOSLEY

Country Chic

ature is calling. When the weather turns cooler, it's all about getting outdoors and soaking up those fall weekends. Time to pull on the cowboy boots, frayed jeans and denim vests and head for the hills. Think country cool with a contemporary twist. HERE'S A FEW WAYS TO GET THE LAID-BACK VIBE: Reboot. This fall, the boots are big, big, big fashion statements. So there are plenty of ways to step out for the weekend. Knee-high or ankle-high, just make sure that you can walk or hike in comfort, and that usually means a flat heel or chunkier lug sole heel. And don't try to “break in” a pair of new boots on your first fall leaf tour. Those blisters will haunt you until Halloween. Get your denim on. If there were ever a weekend uniform, denim is it. Pack up lots of denim vests, denim jackets, jeans and, yes, even skirts, if you plan to go out for a date night. Now that designers are touting the head-to-toe jeans-wear look, it's an easy way to piece together a getaway wardrobe that can be mixed and matched with your other favorites such as leggings. Try adding a pop of color to your bluesy basics to keep things interesting. Go mad for plaid. A quintessential fall favorite, plaid is another versatile classic that pairs well with denim. Look for

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lumberjack plaids this season in a variety of colorful styles from vests to shirts and dresses. Cinch it all in with a wide rustic belt and you're set to go. Plaid wool scarves are another great fall accessory and a great accent to denim. Add a great sweater. The knits are it this year. A chunky cable-knit fisherman sweater in creamy ivory is always a good “go-with-everything” piece. Ditto for ski lodge-inspired sweaters. Longer, knee-length patchwork jackets and wrap-blanket styles in Navajo patterns are another way to give your denim gear instant panache. A serape-style poncho or cape is another weekend winner. Dig the big bag. I know. I know. It's a lot to carry. And you can always stash a smaller tote inside a larger one for those short day trips to the farm stands. But a larger satchel/crossbody/backpack in a lightweight cotton or canvas fabric can be a lifesaver when it comes to schlepping all your electronics and doing a little shopping — a great weekend pastime. Finish with a fedora. If you can't quite pull off the hat look for work, then how about trying one for the weekend? If you only buy one new thing this fall, try a hat with personality, whether it's a cute knit beanie or a fun and funky fedora. Now you're set for a jaunt to the country! Enjoy!

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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

TULARE CHAMBER

he Tulare Chamber of Commerce exists to serve its members and residents 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. Congratulations to Dr. Steven Mitchell and Tulare Chiropractic Clinic on 25 years of doing business in Tulare. The impact that Dr. Mitchell’s practice has had on health services in Tulare, as well as the jobs it has created and the difference that it has made in our community, is immeasurable. To book a chiropractic or massage appointment, call (559) 685-9391. The office is located at 1098 E. Cross St. and can be found online at tularespine.com.

2. Congratulations to the Roox Agency on the recent opening of its beautiful, modernly renovated downtown Tulare location. The business specializes in events and marketing. To learn more about the services that the Roox Agency provides, call (559) 737-3223, stop in the office at 127 E. Tulare Ave., or visit rooxagency.com.

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4. Rep. Devin Nunes was recognized by the U.S. Chamber for voting with business in Washington, D.C. The Tulare Chamber of Commerce is grateful that Nunes is voting at a national level for a business-friendly environment. Presentation of the award gave the chamber an opportunity to discuss issues facing the valley with the congressman.

3. The Tulare County Fair hosted the August Business After Hours Mixer as a kickoff to the 100th anniversary of the fair. Additionally, a ribbon cutting was held to commemorate the momentous occasion during the fair. The five-day event included multiple attractions to celebrate the history of the Tulare County Fair.

5. The Tulare Chamber of Commerce Youth Ambassadors, Tulare County Fair Junior Fair Board and the International Agri-Center’s Youth Ambassadors attended a leadership retreat this summer. Attendees were educated on various aspects of the county and leadership. The chamber’s Youth Ambassador will serve at the chamber and throughout the community this year.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY THE TULARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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VISALIA CHAMBER

riving an opportunity economy, the Visalia Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst, convener and champion of local businesses. Each month, the chamber facilitates a variety of events to support and further the success of the community. 1. The State of Tulare County luncheon was held Aug. 22 and featured a Q&A discussion (a) between the Sun-Gazette and Supervisor Kuyler Crocker, chairman of the board; video updates from each supervisor, and recognition (b) of California Citrus Mutual as 2019 Outstanding Partner. 2. Members celebrated new beginnings in the month of August. Smith Promotions (a) celebrated the grand opening of its new facility with a ribbon cutting. The Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency (b) hosted a ribbon cutting in celebration of its new Visalia Wellness Center. Congratulations! 3. Zeltmacher Structural Design Engineering was featured as the Ambassador Spotlight during the August Ambassador Breakfast. Zeltmacher shared information on its company profile and its community involvement with Ambassadors. The Visalia Chamber hosts an Ambassador Breakfast on the fourth Thursday of each month at Visalia First Assembly. 4. The Young Professionals Network gathered at Component Coffee Lab on Aug. 15 for its quarterly mixer. August’s featured nonprofit was Sent From Heaven, which supports local families who have lost a child. Food and drinks were provided by Component Coffee Lab, Philly’s Cheesesteak, Scoops Since 2018 and Bueno Beverage Company. For information on future events, follow Visalia Young Professionals Network on Facebook and Instagram (@VisaliaYPN; visaliachamber.org/ypn). 5. The 2019-20 Leadership Visalia class recently started its 9-month program with an orientation in August and a group retreat in September. Participants will develop their knowledge, experience and skills for effective visionary leadership for themselves, their workplaces and the community of Visalia.

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CROSSWORD 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 22 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35 38 39 41 42 43 44 46 47 49 50 52 53 55 56 57

KID STUFF ACROSS 1 Barrel piece 6 Graduate 12 Dickens’ work, originally 14 Rabbit of renown 16 Yard entrance 17 ___ in the neck 18 Norma ___ 19 Glutton’s choice 20 Motionless 21 Lacks 23 Sunrise site 25 Input provider 28

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27 AC motor inventor

52 Cat-___-tails

29 Cola ingredient

53 Artifice

34 Pig

54 Kiddie-show host

35 Used a dial

58 WWI alliance

36 Pinto or kidney

59 Most rational

37 Squirrels love them

60 ___ Park, CO

39 Michelangelo work

DOWN

40 Silly

1 Decides

41 Years past

2 Forest feature

42 Broad tie

3 Cloud’s home

45 Branch of peace

4 Unoccupied

48 Actor Linden

5 Marry on the sly

51 Actress Arthur

6 Matters of mind

Minnesota mascot Flower holder Cambridge sch. Approaches Flu variety Envelope closer Sky light Club club: abbr. Permit ‘‘Life ___ bed of roses’’ Hack Lawrence’s land Moonshine ratio Tear-jerking Recipe meas. Inventor Whitney Pate protector Pairs in a duo Opinion spaces Dine Genetic stuff: abbr. Kitty’s father Slice Before: prefix Some are special A CBS foe Bus furniture Director Frank Analogous Foolish Medicinal herb Zodiac lion Artistic media Decrease Counterfeit Pal of Tarzan Obtain - SEPTEMBER ISSUE TIMELY

LOOK FOR YOUR ANSWERS IN THE NEXT ISSUE

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AUTO SHOP

Don't Do It

on't let your car overheat. Damage is done to some degree anytime this happens. It may not be seen, but internally it has happened. Most engine failures are caused by cooling system failures. Replace all cooling hoses and radiator every 10 years. Change your oil every 5,000 miles. I know some manufacturers say that you can go 10,000 miles, but in reality, we have seen dirty turbo failures and engine failures when this is neglected.

Auto Service at its

BEST

Is Your Car Ready for Fall?

Finally, timing belt replacement. Do not ignore the required time to replace or engine damage will occur. Your car is a tool that gets you to work and lets you earn a living so think of it that way instead of “Oh my god, I have to take my car to the mechanic!” Just a bit of info for you.… We can help. Till next issue,

Jim and Staff

Follow this link to learn about the basics of your car. theautoshop.mynapasa.com P.S. Our grandson Joel is now 8 years old and just received a clean scan for the brain tumor that was removed in 2014. He continues to beat the odds and for that we are grateful.

Wiper Blades • Tire Tread Check • Light Bulb Check

Call and Schedule an Appointment to Find out! 2044 E. Main St., Visalia 559.734.2886 www.tasvisalia.com

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GOINGS-ON October

Handweavers Exhibit

LOSS Team Conference

'Tales From the Tomb'

When: Through Oct. 25, noon-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

When: Oct. 8-9

When: Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

Where: Chapel at the Visalia Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave. at North Giddings Street, Visalia

Where: Arts Visalia Visual Art Gallery, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: artsvisalia.org or (559) 739-0905

Contact: bit.ly/nltc2019 Cost: one day $100, two days $200

Cost: Free Equine Dreams When: Oct. 5-Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays; opening reception Oct. 13, 2-4 p.m. Where: Exeter Courthouse Gallery, 125 South B St., Exeter Contact: (559) 592-5900 Cost: Free

Habitat Golf Tournament When: Oct. 11, 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. shotgun start Where: River Island Country Club, 31989 River Island Drive, Porterville Contact: hfhtkc.org or (559) 734-4040 ext. 106 Cost: $125 per person, $500 per foursome

5 1st Saturday When: Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Get map at Historical Museum, 42268 Sierra Drive, or Art Center, 41673 North Fork Drive, Three Rivers

Contact: (559) 936-2227

Fall Marketplace When: Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Visalia Nazarene Church, 3333 W. Caldwell Ave., Visalia Contact: Judie Casey at (559) 623-1407 Cost: Free

Cost: $20 donation for the Armenian Church of Yettem 'Plowing Through Time' When: Oct. 6, 3:30-6 p.m. Where: Tulare County Museum, Mooney Grove Park, 27000 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia Contact: (559) 280-3142. Tickets: tularecountyhistoricalsociety.org or (559) 786-4972 Cost: $50

Where: 300 E. Oak Ave. and Garden Street, Visalia Contact: (559) 802-3266, artsconsortium.org/events/tta/ or hello@artsconsortium.org Cost: Free Back to School Car Show Where: Golden West High School, 1717 N. McAuliff St., Visalia

Where: Exeter City Park, Chestnut and D streets, Exeter, and downtown Exeter

Cost: Free

Where: Visalia Elks Lodge, 3100 W. Main St., Visalia

When: Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

When: Oct. 19

Cost: Free

When: Oct. 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

10th Annual Taste the Arts

When: Oct. 12, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Contact: (559) 561-3463 or 1stsaturdaytr.com

Shish Kebab Luncheon

Cost: $15 adults, $7.50 children 11-15, free for children under 10

Exeter Fall Festival

Contact: exeterchamber.com or (559) 592-2919

Contact: (559) 731-8744, (559) 732-2581, tularecountyhistoricalsociety.org

Contact: bit.ly/GWCarShow, GDubCarClub@gmail.com, (559) 622-3138 Cost: Preregistration by Oct. 11 for student rides $10 and non-students $30, including a shirt and goody bag. Same-day registration $35.

23 Golden West Fall Sing When: Oct. 23, 6 p.m. Where: Golden West High School Music Building lawn, 1717 N. McAuliff St., Visalia

Exeter Holiday Boutique

Contact: praheb@vusd.org

When: Oct. 18, 4-8 p.m.; Oct. 19, 9 a.m-4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Where: Exeter Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club, 201 N. Kaweah Ave., Exeter

Contact: exeterwomansclub.com or (559) 909-4135

Fundraising Monster Murder Mystery Dinner

Cost: Free

When: Oct. 25, 5:30 p.m. Where: 522 Irwin St., Hanford Contact: hfhtkc.org or (559) 734-4040 ext. 106 Cost: $85 (RSVP by Oct. 23)

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'Night at the Museum' When: Oct. 25, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

November

Where: ImagineU Children’s Museum, 210 N. Tipton St., Visalia

Sinbad Performance When: Nov. 9, doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia

Contact: (559) 733-5975, imagineumsueum.org

Wine and Wags Fundraiser

Contact: (559) 625-1369, foxvisalia.org

When: Nov. 1, 6 p.m.

Cost: $35-$45

Cost: $20 members, $25 guests

Where: Visalia Wyndham, 9000 W. Airport Drive, Visalia

26 40th Annual Harvest of Handwovens Show, Sale

Contact: vospca.org or email mdavis@vospca.org

20 Holiday Show, Sale

Cost: $85

When: Nov. 20-Dec. 14, noon-5:30 p.m.; opening reception, Dec. 6, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Exeter Veterans Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah Ave., Exeter

'All About the Gospel'

Where: Arts Visalia Visual Art Gallery, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia

Contact: hwotv.org or (559) 561-4048

Where: Gateway Church, 1100 S. Sowell St., Visalia

When: Oct. 26, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free Mt. Whitney High Basketball Hall of Fame Induction

When: Nov. 1, 6-8 p.m.

Contact: artsvisalia.org or (559) 739-0905 Cost: Free

Contact: livingwaterworldmissions.org/ banquet, (559) 697-3004 Cost: $40, $280 table of eight

When: Oct. 26, 5:30 p.m. Where: Country M Ranch, 3157 E. Oakdale Ave., Tulare

First Friday

Contact: (559) 303-2309; tickets MWHOF.brownpapertickets.com

Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia

Cost: $40 per person (over 21), $420 VIP table for eight

Contact: (559) 739-0905; artsvisalia.org

When: Nov. 1, 6-8 p.m.

Cost: Free

Inaugural Pickleball Tournament When: Oct. 26-27, 8 a.m.

Moscow Ballet’s 'The Nutcracker'

Where: Plaza Park Pickleball Complex, South Plaza Street at West Airport Drive, Visalia

When: Nov. 7, doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m.

Contact: pickleballtournaments.com Cost: $30 entry fee, $10 per event. Registration closes Oct. 15.

Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, foxvisalia.org; group tickets 10 or more (800) 320-1733 ext. 16 Cost: $20-$185

High School Art Exhibition When: Oct. 30-Nov. 15, noon-5:30 p.m.; opening reception, Nov. 1, 6-8 p.m.

Shopping Event

Where: Arts Visalia Visual Art Gallery, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia

Where: Evangel Assembly of God, 1625 E. Walnut Ave., Visalia

Contact: artsvisalia.org or (559) 739-0905

Contact: (559) 625-1271, office@VisaliaEvangel.com

Cost: Free

When: Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

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. Please note, we do not guarantee listing of any submission. Submissions must be received six (6) weeks before publication.

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VISALIA WORKS

A Call for Help: Helping the Homeless

he city of Visalia, along with our partners, continues to work toward a comprehensive and balanced approach to help those experiencing homelessness and addressing the issues that have arisen.

As a member of the Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance (KTHA), we’re asking for the community’s help as KTHA works to get individuals who are experiencing homelessness into housing. KTHA has until Oct. 31 to place 30 individuals who are experiencing homelessness into housing. But it needs the community's help. “Together with local agencies, we were awarded housing vouchers for individuals with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness,” said Machael Smith, executive director, Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance. “We’ve been working for some time on placing these folks in housing, but we’re coming up against the deadline and really need the community’s support in identifying available units.” Landlords can fill their vacant units with these pre-screened tenants and, through this process, can receive guaranteed payments from the Housing Authority of Tulare County. Residences must have all the functionality of a dwelling unit, including but not limited to air conditioning, smoke alarms and window coverings. Units must be Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) accessible and can be a single room, manufactured home, an apartment or house. Units are for non-elderly people between the ages of 18 and 61 who have a disabling condition. “We have clients who are waiting on housing, have this voucher and who are ready to start the next chapter of their life,” Smith added. “These individuals are currently experiencing homelessness,

but are in mid-term intervention. They are ready and willing to be housed, and we believe they can thrive on their own.” The vouchers were awarded to the Housing Authority of Tulare County by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Mainstream Voucher Program, and KTHA has aligned them with the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency’s Housing and Disability Advocacy Program. For the program to receive continued funding, KTHA needs to reach the 80 percent threshold. This means another 30 individuals from throughout Tulare County need to be under lease in a residence of their own by Oct. 31. For those considering it, KTHA provides the Landlord Mitigation Fund guidelines for any interested landlords. The documents lay out the many benefits for landlords to work with the alliance and the alliance’s partner agencies. Interested landlords and those with housing connections throughout Tulare County are asked to contact Laura Fisher, KTHA community engagement coordinator, at (559) 738-8733 or lfisher@kthomelessalliance.org. This housing project is a robust partnership with the Housing Authority of Tulare County, Tulare County HHSA, CSET, Anthem, Family HealthCare Network and the Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance. OTHER WAYS TO HELP The city of Visalia continues to create tools to address enforcement of state and local laws that address the impacts that we are seeing across our city. From the Police Department’s Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement (HOPE) team to the city’s Housing Division using allocated state and federal funds to support the acquisition, rehabilitation and rental of properties, city staff is working daily to help those

experiencing homelessness. How can you help? KTHA has identified ways that people can give a hand up, not a hand out, to those experiencing homelessness: • Donate water for homeless survival kits. • Donate items that are on the KTHA Welcome Home Wish List. Households served through permanent housing have limited income and often few possessions. These community members need a variety of household items and supplies to get started in their new home as they work towards self-sufficiency. The Wish List includes items from dishes and bath towels to small appliances and furniture. • Many nonprofit agency members that serve Visalia and our community offer volunteer opportunities. KTHA has a list of participating organizations online. • Check out the list of 17-plus ways you can help to end homelessness in Tulare County. Find the full list on the city of Visalia’s website at visalia.city/homeless. For information on these items and more ways on how you can help, visit KTHA online at kthomelessalliance.org, email info@kthomelessalliance.org or call (559) 738-8733. GETTING HELP If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, there is help. 2-1-1 is free and confidential access to housing, food, crisis intervention and health care. By calling 2-1-1, you will be connected to call center specialists who answer calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Professional information and referral specialists work with callers to assess their needs, determine their options and provide appropriate programs/services, give support, intervene in crisis situations and advocate for callers as needed.

For online resources, visit 211tularecounty.org or download the 211 Intelliful app. To learn more about the city of Visalia, sign up for the weekly “Inside City Hall” enewsletter, and find the latest news and events, visit visalia.city or connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CityofVisalia. 32

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When Cucumbers and Concealer Aren’t Enough. A successful facelift combines surgical skill with an artist’s sensitivity to achieve a natural, more youthful look. Dr. Stevens is not only an artist, he’s a board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed hundreds of facelifts with consistent, aesthetically pleasing results.

Call us today to schedule your own complimentary consultation. All surgeries are performed by Dr. Stevens, a BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON, in an ACCREDITED SURGICAL CENTER and with the support of a LICENSED, CERTIFIED ANESTHETIST.

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Know your surgeon, know your procedure. Dr. Stevens personally performs your entire surgical procedure.

1 0 t h A n n u a l Tu l a re C o u n t y

RED RIBBON WEEK

CELEBRATION FREE Family Event Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Visalia Convention Center 4:00 p.m. Doors Open 4:30 p.m. Program Starts 6:00 p.m. Program Ends

“Send a Message, Stay Drug-Free” Live Entertainment, Information Booths, Games, Activities, and Much More! Registration information: (559) 651-0155