Visalia Direct Magazine – April 2019 by Direct Magazine

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; THE HEART OF THE SOUTH VALLEY | APRIL 2019

M A G A Z I N E

VIRTUAL VALLEY

VISALIA WORKS

VUSD

Gamification: Making Learning a Game-Like Experience

3-Can Conversion Is Here

Milestones

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INSIDE APRIL 2019 PU B LIS H E D BY

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

COVER STORY

4 EASTER AT VISALIA FIRST

DEPARTMENTS 12 The Recipe Box 14 College Prep 15 Character Counts!

Executive Editor KAREN TELLALIAN Operations Manager MARIA GASTON

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Home-Colored Easter Eggs

24 Money Matters

25 Valley Oak SPCA

AL OLIVER C.S. WYATT IMAGINEU CHILDREN'S MUSEUM JASON SALAZAR JIM BARLOGIO JOHN LECKENBY JONATHAN WALTMIRE KELLEY PETTY MARY HUNT MISSY YAVASILE DR. RICHARD ROSE III SHARON PLEIN SUE BURNS TOD OTTO

F E AT U R E S

8 Gardening 9 Community Safety

Visalia Emergency Communications Center

18 VUSD Milestones

20 Virtual Valley Gamification: Making Learning a Game-Like Experience

16 Tulare County Library 22 Meet A Local

26 Tulare Chamber 27 Visalia Chamber 28 Crossword 29 Craft Corner 30 Goings-on

32 Visalia Works

3-Can Conversion is Here

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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 ©2019 DMI Agency

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AN INVESTMENT

IN YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE www.GraceChristianVisalia.org

SMALL CLASS SIZE

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE

(559) 734-7694 Call today to take a tour of our facilities and find out just how affordable a private Christian education can be for your child.

CLASS FIELD TRIPS

CHRISTIAN FAITH BASED LEARNING

Join Us!

Sunday, April 21, 2019 for one of our Easter Worship services: 6:30 a.m. outdoor service, 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1111 South Conyer Street

GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 1111 S. CONYER STREET VISALIA, CA 93277 DIRECT MAGAZINE

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EASTER AT VISALIA FIRST BY JOHN LECKENBY, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AT VISALIA FIRST

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Ain’t No Grave

pring is a wonderful time of year in the Central Valley. The birds are chirping, the earth is blooming, the sun is shining (but not brutally hot yet). It’s a wonderful time to be alive because things are coming alive all around us. This “coming to life” is an appropriate season for Easter to take place. It is during Easter weekend that we celebrate Jesus coming back to life. Easter weekend is an awesome time at my church, Visalia First. We throw ourselves into celebrating Jesus’ resurrection, not

only because we love a good party with good people, but because we know that without Jesus rising from the dead, our spiritual lives would be dead as well. There’s a lot to celebrate about new life. But what gives life its meaning, its value? I would like to highlight to you one of the biggest elements in life that provides some of its greatest meaning. It sounds a bit morbid, but here it is: death. Don’t stop reading here! I promise, it’s not as morbid as it sounds. On the

contrary, the end of the story is as full of hope and joy as its beginning. Yes, saying that death gives life meaning might sound like a bit of a downer. But that’s because sin skews the very definition of death. Because of what Jesus went through for us, it’s not a downer. The very definition of death has been redefined. Jesus completely changes the reality of death. In fact, it gives life a whole new meaning when we understand this: Through His death and resurrection to new life, Jesus DEFEATED death entirely.

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But how can we really say that Jesus conquered death? Death, as a moment in time, doesn’t seem defeated. In fact, it’s one of those events that happens to 100 percent of people at some point in their lives. But what we know, because of salvation that is found in Jesus alone, is that death is not the end. If you have committed your life to Christ, the Bible says that when we leave our bodies, we go to be with God (2nd Corinthians 5:8). So, death as we know it on earth isn’t the end

and isn’t defined by despair. Death has, as the Bible says, lost its power, lost its “sting.” 2nd Corinthians 15:55 says, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The defeat of death by Jesus on the cross and through His resurrection from the grave gives a meaning to life that nothing and no one else can. This idea is summarized so well in a song that we’ll be singing at Visalia First. Here are a few words from the song “Ain’t No Grave”:

“Oh, shame is a prison as cruel as a grave Shame is a robber and he's come to take my name Oh, love is my redeemer, lifting me up from the ground Love is the power when my freedom song is found There ain't no grave Gonna hold my body down There ain't no grave Gonna hold my body down When I hear that trumpet sound I'm gonna rise up outta the ground There ain't no grave Gonna hold my body down”

The song is full of powerful words that eventually reach the following anthem that you and I can sing with joy to our God: “If you walked out of the grave, I’m walking too.” What victory. What power! THIS is LIVING! So as you enjoy springtime and watch new life coming up all around you, don’t forget that Jesus went to the cross so that YOU could walk out of that grave. He offers you new life. I hope that you join us at Visalia First on Easter weekend. 6

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I hope that you come and sing those powerful words with us because there’s nothing like living when it’s living with God. “If You walked out of the grave, I’m walking too.” Join us for Good Friday on April 19 at noon. Easter services are Saturday, April 20, at 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 21, at 9 and 11:30 a.m. Child care is available for birth to fifth grade. Your kids will have a blast at our Easter egg hunt for 15,000 eggs during each Saturday and Sunday Easter service!

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GARDENING TEXT BY SHARON PLEIN, UCCE MASTER GARDENER

Home-Colored Easter Eggs

aster Sunday is April 21 this year. Since colored eggs are a traditional symbol of spring and the Easter season, why not dye and decorate hard-boiled eggs with natural dyes from the garden and kitchen pantry? Parents and kids alike will enjoy this two-step art activity project. If you desire, the natural dyes can be prepared and stored one day and be used later to decorate the hard-boiled eggs.

The first step in our art project is selecting and preparing the vegetable dyes for coloring the eggs. This process requires parent supervision. To begin, you will need the vegetable material for coloring (instructions to follow): one saucepan with a lid for each color you are preparing, a strainer, a tablespoon, white vinegar and bowls for transferring dye to a coloring container.

Many food items can be used for natural dyes. Beets, red cabbage, turmeric and yellow onion skins provide basic shades, but you can even use coffee, spinach and frozen blueberries. Since you will need a saucepan for each color, start with shades of primary colors. Use beets for pink shades, cabbage for blue and ground turmeric or yellow onion skins for yellow.

Here are some dye recipes that are based on ratios of vegetable materials to 1 cup of water. To make 2 cups, double the recipe.

The second step of the eggdecorating project is coloring and decorating the eggs with the prepared dyes. Here is what you will need: • Wide-mouth Mason jars or bowls filled with the natural dyes that you have prepared • A dozen hard-boiled eggs • An egg carton for drying the colored eggs • Tongs or a slotted spoon for placing and removing eggs from the container • White crayons for decorating • Olive or other vegetable oil for sheen • Paper toweling to apply the oil to the colored eggs • Cloths to wipe up drips and spills Using the tongs or slotted spoon, place an egg into the dye-filled jars or bowls. Turn the egg to ensure that it is

coated with the coloring. When you are satisfied with the intensity of the color, remove the egg with the spoon or tongs and place it to dry in the egg carton. The longer the egg soaks in its color bath, the deeper the color will be. The white crayon will come in handy for a wax resist effect for writing names and designs on the eggs. The color will not penetrate the areas that have been covered by the wax from the crayon. You can also create many different shades of color by double-dipping the eggs. There is no limit to the variety of color and designs that you can achieve.

• 1 cup yellow onion skins or 2 tablespoons of ground turmeric • 1 cup shredded beets • 1 cup chopped cabbage Preparing the dye begins by placing the water and vegetable material into separate saucepans and bringing the pots to a boil. Cover and simmer the pots for 15-30 minutes. The longer the pots simmer, the deeper the shade. When you are satisfied with the colors, remove the pots from heat and let the contents cool. Strain the liquid into bowl or jar and then add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to each cup of dye. The vinegar reacts with the eggshells and intensifies the colors.

When all the eggs have been decorated, place them in the egg carton to dry. The dried eggs can be coated with the oil to add a shiny finish. Place the eggs back into the egg carton and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to admire and eat them!

Find more information on the Master Gardener website, www.ucanr.edu/sites/UC_Master_Gardeners/ 8

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Suspected abuse of elders or dependent adults should be reported

You are invited to learn how to recognize the signs of abuse, strategies for prevention, and resources for assistance: June 4 •••••• 11:00 a.m.

June 6 •••••• 11:00 a.m.

June 11 •••••• 11:00 a.m.

June 13 •••••• 10:45 a.m.

June 18 •••••• 11:00 a.m.

Goshen Senior Center (559) 651-1030

Exeter Senior Center (559) 592-5960

Woodlake Senior Center (559) 564-3251

Cutler-Orosi Senior Center (559) 528-6108

Earlimart Senior Center (661) 849-2232

June 20 •••••• 11:00 a.m.

June 25 •••••• 11:00 a.m.

June 27 •••••• 11:00 a.m.

Lindsay Senior Center (559) 562-5859

Porterville Senior Center (559) 782-4725

Farmersville Senior Center (559) 594-4300

Adult Protective Services Hotline 1(877)657-3092

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COMMUNITY SAFETY TEXT BY VISALIA POLICE CHIEF JASON SALAZAR

Visalia Emergency Communications Center “9-1-1, WHAT’S YOUR EMERGENCY?"

his is a phrase that none of us hope to hear on the other end of the line, but it is also an essential part of public safety and emergency response, whether it be for police, fire or emergency medical services. 9-1-1 has been an integral part of public safety response since 1968, and those who answer those calls for help are our emergency communications operators.

The Visalia Emergency Communications Center (VECC), located at 420 N. Burke St., is the home to Visalia’s emergency communications operations for Visalia police and fire services. The VECC is a newer, state-of-the-art communications center that became fully operational in late 2017. There are 30 staff assigned to the VECC as communications operators who receive emergency and non-emergency calls that come into the center and are responsible for dispatching police, fire and animal control services throughout Visalia. In 2018, the VECC handled a total

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of 158,783 calls for service (136,374 police, 15,532 fire and 6,877 animal control). There were more than 313,000 phone calls that came into VECC lines, with 75,000 (24 percent) of those being 9-1-1 calls. By mid-2019, the VECC will also be equipped to begin receiving text to 9-1-1 messages, which will expand the public’s ability to request emergency assistance in different situations. During the week of April 14-20, we will celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in honor of those who serve their communities as public safety communications operators. These public safety professionals serve as first responders who receive those initial calls for help and then ensure that the appropriate public safety responders have the information they need to effectively respond to those in need. Those calls can range from routine, non-emergency calls, such as barking dog complaints or traffic issues, to serious crimes in progress, fires or medical emergencies.

Here are a few important basic tips for using 9-1-1: • Do your best to stay calm and answer all questions. Even if the operator’s questions don’t seem relevant, answer the questions; they are essential for the operator to ensure an effective response. * Even if you call 9-1-1 by mistake, don’t hang up; let the operator know that it was a mistake (if you hang up, we have to spend time calling back to confirm that everything is OK and that could take away from a real emergency). • Know your location, especially in our wireless world. This helps the operator confirm your location so that we can get help to the right place as quickly as possible. Make sure that your house numbers are readily visible and reflective or illuminated. This helps first responders find your address quickly and saves time. • Finally, teach your children how to appropriately use 9-1-1 and ensure that they know their address. The National Emergency Number Association website (www.nena.org) is a great resource for additional information. Thanks to our public safety communications operators for the great work they do. If you are interested in a career as a communications operator, contact the Visalia Police Department at (559) 713-4216.

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

The Treasures of the Heart

“F

or where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 ESV. Jesus said some very confrontational things about money and value. He is essentially saying that the most important value is not to be found in accumulating currency on earth but rather in heaven. He is saying the investment in people has a higher value than retained earnings. Jesus is not saying you cannot be successful or even rich, but He is saying that the most important values are eternal. In our culture, the heart is usually considered to be primarily the seat of emotion, however, in the New Testament, the “heart” is considered the place of treasured values. For most people, money represents earned value, sweat equity, the residue of years of toil, self-denial, risk and achievement. For some, it is the metric of the degree of success in life. For others, the value that money represents is the much sought-after security from want or calamity. I frequently tell our recovering residents that if they want to acquire and keep a good job, their highest ambition in their work life should be to serve God by adding value to their employer. If they do this, their employer will prosper and they (the employee) will be rewarded and blessed for their faithfulness and hard work. The relative wealth we all possess is not only hard-earned and guarded as a hedge against need, but also to be a blessing for others. Any executive director of any nonprofit will tell you that, without question, the most difficult aspect of leading a nonprofit organization, especially a faith-based nonprofit, is fundraising. We are asking for serious and intimate commitments from people who have demonstrated a lifetime of self-discipline and restraint. We are asking our partners in this ministry to share and invest something that is hard-earned and precious in order

to help other people learn those same skills and discipline. I was speaking to one of our women’s staff members this morning, mentioning to her how much I appreciated her being on the “front lines” of helping people who are taking the brave step into life transformation. I told her that my primary responsibility is to help provide the training, resources and support for her and the rest of our staff to help effect life change in our guests and residents. For us to be successful in this endeavor means that we need trained and competent staff who are spiritually discerning and mature, who understand the effects of life trauma, who are emotionally resilient and compassionate, who demonstrate mental elasticity and creativity and who, most of all, have a deep commitment to God and the

gospel, and who are able to love those who are, at the moment, unlovable. This is what you support with your hard-earned treasure. Because of the additional burden of the California state minimum wage law, Visalia Rescue Mission is projecting a potential $200,000-$300,000 increase in cost for 2019. Historically, about 60 percent of our revenue comes from our thrift operations, which directly support our shelter and recovery ministry. Since state law is creating a reduction in thrift store revenue, the difference must be made up in other areas. VRM has already reduced staff and some services in an environment where the need for trained staff and services is increasing. Visalia Rescue Mission spends 8 percent of its budget for administrative overhead, and the rest goes into the ministry of life change. Consider joining Visalia Rescue Mission as a partner in life change. It is an investment for treasures in heaven that will not fade away.

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

An Oldie but Goodie Gets a Makeover

pring is here, bringing warmer days and special events that call for special foods. I came across the recipe for ChickenStuffed Pasta Shells in my mother’s collection and remembered the fun we had making it together for my high school graduation party. We talked and laughed as we made the chicken mixture and stuffed the pasta shells, reminiscing about my high school days and looking ahead to college. It’s a great dish for entertaining because it can be made in advance and doubled or tripled easily. A light sauce of white wine and fat-free cream of chicken soup adds an easy elegance, too! 4 cups cooked shredded chicken 2 cups frozen peas, cooked 2/3 cup chopped green onion 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic 1 1/2 teaspoons each finely chopped fresh oregano and lemon thyme (or thyme); if using dried herbs, use half the amount called for. 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper Zest of 2 fresh lemons 1 cup mayonnaise – olive oil mayo is great 1 12-ounce package jumbo pasta shells 1 can fat-free or low-fat cream of chicken soup 1/2 cup white wine Chopped fresh parsley and chives Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta shells according to package directions. Mix together the chicken, peas, green onion, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, lemon pepper and mayonnaise. Stuff the shells with the chicken mixture (it’s easiest to do this by hand) and place in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Whisk together the wine and soup, and pour over the shells. Cover and bake approximately 15 minutes, then uncover and bake 5-10 minutes more, until heated through. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and chives, if desired. Serves 8. Perfect alongside a green salad. If you don’t want to use the pasta shells, scoop the chicken mixture into butter lettuce leaves and drizzle with a quick vinaigrette: Stir together 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and a bit of salt and freshly ground pepper. Whisk until emulsified. You can also omit the sauce and chill the stuffed shells; place them on a bed of fresh spring mix lettuce and top with the vinaigrette. You can also mix in some halved fresh grapes and/or sliced dried apricots for added flavor and texture. This can be made and assembled in advance; store in the refrigerator and pour the sauce over just before baking.

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

ACT/SAT Essay: What You Should Know

he SAT and ACT essay can be a confusing topic for many students; after all, it is optional for most colleges. Right? Should I do it? Are they the same for both tests? How much do they count? Well, there are a lot of things that are confusing about these essays, so I am going to try to simplify it for you. First of all, the two essays are quite different, but if you know what they are looking for, it is not too difficult to get a decent score.

The SAT asks the student to analyze, show how an author has assembled his argument and how he supports his perspective. Many times, students “miss the boat” because they are so accustomed to expressing their opinion or summarizing the author’s purpose that they fail to show how the author has supported his argument. When writing the SAT essay, look for evidence (facts) and pay attention when the author uses the word “because.” If you can critically analyze someone else's work, the SAT might be a good choice for you. Your 14

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opinion is not welcome here. Most students find the ACT essay to be a bit less challenging because it asks for the student's opinion. You will be given three different perspectives, usually on an issue of today. It is your job to choose a perspective and give strong supporting evidence as to why your perspective is the right one. This requires the student to have supporting evidence, which may come from a familiar book, a movie or other substantiation. If you are good at persuading others through logic and debate, and you can provide evidence from your knowledge base, the ACT might be a good choice for you. IvyWise provides a succinct summary: “... the SAT essay tests for whether a student understands how an argument works, whereas the ACT essay prompt asks for the student to make an argument.” There are a few other important questions for us to answer about the essays. Most colleges do not require the essay, with Stanford, Yale, Brown

and University of San Diego being some of the most recent to drop the requirement. There are now only about 25 colleges that require the essay. For students who plan to apply to the University of California, the essay still lingers. This means that each time a student takes the SAT or ACT, he/she should be including the essay. So how important is the essay? This is a more difficult question to address since its value may vary between schools and between students. For the most part, the essay will be looked at in combination with other writing submitted, and typically will not be nearly as important as the overall SAT or ACT score. It is a separate score and is not averaged into the total test score. If you are a strong writer, it could give you a little boost if the college will consider the essay. However, if you really bomb the essay, it may suggest that you are not ready for college work. Advice? If you get an average score or a little above, don't worry too much about the essay score.

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

Responsible Readers

oises Cabana and Cesar Castillo are great examples of students who are taking responsibility for their own learning. Both boys are great fans of Dr. Seuss books and truly believe the famous author’s advice from “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”

Moises Cabana, Third Grade Cutler Elementary School, Cutler

Cesar Castillo, Third Grade Lincoln Elementary School, Exeter

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. “The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Along with this great guidance from Dr. Seuss, research says reading is the most crucial academic skill because it is

the foundation for learning. Through third grade, children are learning to read; after third grade, students read to learn.

Moises is living proof of this research as he enjoys reading science topics. “Science is my favorite subject and learning how to be a better reader helps me learn about things in science.” In addition to reading and learning at school, Moises doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to his reading assignment for home. Every day, Moises enjoys selecting a collection of books to take home and read to his older siblings. Teacher Martha Calderon not only monitors his reading progress, but also knows that Moises as a great person of character. “Moises is a very kind, respectful and caring individual. He likes coming by the school’s reading center

on a daily basis. The students are given book bags to take home with familiar books. Students take the books home and read to family members and return them daily. Moises has always been a responsible person who takes his books home to read and returns them daily to use in group. His conduct is always that of a productive, hardworking and responsible student.”

Another Dr. Seuss enthusiast is Cesar Castillo, who memorized the entire book “The Cat in the Hat” in his preschool year. “When I was little, I used to listen when people would read to me and I liked it. My preschool teacher read 'The Cat in the Hat' and I liked it so much that I memorized it and retold my version to the class.” With a passion for reading, Cesar values his book collection at home and is especially proud of his Harry Potter series. He admits that reading isn’t always easy for him. Even though some reading assignments can be frustrating, “I do this because I want to learn and I know the better I read, the more I can learn.”

Developing early literacy skills prepares children for school success and promotes self-confidence for their learning experiences. Cesar’s teacher, Kim Shipley, has watched Cesar’s growth as a student and young gentleman. “Cesar is full of respect for not only adults, but his classmates as well. He is always on task, involved in lesson learning, eager to learn and expects the best out of himself. He puts effort and high quality into everything he does.”

General information on Third-Grade Reading Success, The Children’s Reading Foundation: readingfoundation.org/ third-grade-reading-matters.

If Moises isn’t reading one of his favorite books during recess, then you will probably find him playing football or soccer with other third-grade boys. Although only 8 years old, Moises looks forward to playing on many football teams throughout his school years in Cutler.

Cesar’s love for reading and commitment to his education will be groundwork for his dream job – a well-known author! DIRECT MAGAZINE

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

National Library Week: Libraries = Strong Communities

very April, libraries and communities celebrate an annual event that highlights something that brings joy to everyone. No, it’s not National Fun at Work Day (April 1), National Deep Dish Pizza Day (April 5), International “Louie Louie” Day (April 11) or even National High Five Day (April 21). It’s actually National Library Week, a time to celebrate all things library related, including libraries, books, library workers and even book trucks. National Library Week, Libraries=Strong Communities, takes place the week of April 7-13. National Library Week began in the 1950s when research showed that Americans were spending more time on radios, televisions and musical instruments instead of reading books for education and pleasure. Concerned about this trend that Americans were reading less, in 1954, the American Library Association and American Book

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

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Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee. Its goals were ambitious and ranged from “encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time,” “improving incomes and health” and “developing strong and happy family life.” In 1957, the National Book Committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would increasingly support and use their libraries and library resources. The first National Library Week was observed in 1958, with the American Library Association leading the charge and with an assist with the Advertising Council. The first National Library Week theme was “Wake Up and Read,” followed by more than 60 years of annual celebrations highlighting our libraries and the communities they serve. The 60th

www.tularecountylibrary.org

anniversary of National Library Week occurred in 2018 and the annual event, held in April, continues to celebrate the contributions and promote the use and support of all of our nation’s libraries: public, academic, school and special libraries. The Tulare County Library has been serving Tulare County since 1910, providing books, programs of all kinds, technology and much more. This year, celebrate National Library Week by visiting our Annual Book Festival in Visalia on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. where there will be authors, poetry, literature, storytelling, food and much more. If you are not too busy celebrating those other April events by having fun at work, eating a deep dish pizza, listening to “Louie Louie” and giving high fives to each other, you can check out a book or ebook from your local library and give a quick thanks to library staff.

@TulareCountyLib

/tularecountylibrary

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AUTO SHOP

Shop Owner's Life What is it like to own an automotive repair shop, you may ask. Here are just a few things that come to mind: • Being awakened at 3 a.m. by that nagging car in the shop that just refuses to be fixed. • Or trying to find a fuel gauge for a ’55 Ford Fairlane that is not a reproduction and may not work, for the car you promised yesterday. • Chasing a car that decides to back out of a stall all by itself before it hits another car. • Having a 10-minute lunch. • Talking with a salesman who shows up with no appointment. • Having three technicians ask you for parts at the same time, while the phone is ringing and a customer shows up at the desk. “Can you just take a quick look at something? I am sure it is a little thing.” • Getting a bill from the county for $685 every year for safely taking care of all our hazardous waste, while some of the DIYers are dumping coolant down the storm drains. • Working in more positions than Houdini ever thought was possible. • Or opening up the hood to find a problem, only to find a pair of eyes staring back at you. Yes, it was a Big Rat! • Or working under a car that has been sitting for years and has three generations of black widows running around. • Or that funny noise and weird smell coming on when I turn on my heater blower. Yes, we found a dead mouse in the squirrel cage. Time to run – till next issue. I feel something crawling on the back of my neck.

Auto Service at its

BEST

Lexus To Classic Cars Service and Repair 2044 E. Main St., Visalia 559.734.2886 www.autoshopvisalia.net

Till next issue,

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

Milestones

chools are responsible for many things, but the most important is academic achievement.

Over a 13-plus-year course of study in the public school system, our community should expect that its school district produces graduates who are ready for a productive adult life. With the many things that schools do, it is important to establish and maintain a focus on the most important things and, to that end, Visalia Unified has established three milestones that allow for reference over time on the progress of students in our school district.

What is a milestone? Traditionally, a milestone is a stone set up alongside a road that marks the distance to a particular destination. In the sense that we are using the term, a milestone is an annual check to determine the progress that we are making on something important. Our three milestones are: Milestone 1: All students reading at grade level at the end of the second grade This is clearly the most important of the three milestones, for the ability to read is the single most important skill that an adult can possess, and it is a prerequisite for nearly every other academic endeavor. Last year, 60 percent of our students were at grade level in reading by the end of the second grade. Milestone 2: All students ready for high school mathematics at the end of the eighth grade This milestone is important because high school mathematics is an important crossroads for students: Eligibility and readiness for high school course sequences allow students the most powerful access to pathways through high school, postsecondary educational options and into adult life. Math instruction and achievement starting in elementary school and continuing through middle school are critically important in preparing students to have choices at 18

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this crossroad in their academic careers. Last year, 33 percent of our students were fully ready for high school mathematics at the end of the eighth grade. Milestone 3: All students college and career ready at the end of the 12th grade Both of the previous milestones merge in the third, for the ability to read and think mathematically is the foundation for career choices in high school and into adult life. College and career readiness can encompass a range of things, including completion of a pathway program in a technical field, proficiency on state assessments, dual or concurrent enrollment in a community college, completion of college entrance requirements or passing an Advanced Placement exam. These increase the expectations of our graduates, for being college and career ready means meeting criteria that extends beyond earning a diploma. High school differs from earlier grades in that there are programmatic options available that allow students to explore particular fields in great depth. While high school students have long had great choice regarding what they will study and how that study links to options beyond high school, our emphasis is on broadening those opportunities

and better preparing students to take advantage of those options. Last year, 39 percent of our students were fully college and career ready. This may seem like weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ignoring all other subjects. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not. We still teach and have high expectations for achievement in science, history, art and music, physical education and our elective programs. These subjects have always been important and remain important to the future of our students. But because these milestones are based on foundational skills and abilities, they are the cornerstone for increased achievement in all subjects. As a final note, it must be noted that we are not satisfied with the level of achievement that we have attained on these milestones. In fact, these milestones were chosen because the skills they reflect are so significant and because we are not helping our students to achieve them at high levels. We are working hard to develop the skills reflected in these milestones in our students, and we will report our progress to the community on an annual basis, for they are critical to our effort to provide our students with an education that affords them limitless opportunity for the future.

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PRO-PT

TEXT BY DR. RICHARD ROSE III, PT, DPT, OCS | PRO-PT PHYSICAL THERAPY

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Let Tendinopathy Take You Out of the Game

endinopathy describes a nonrupture injury in a tendon that gets worse when you try to use it with too much weight or too many repetitions. Most people are more familiar with terms such as tennis elbow, Achilles tendinitis and rotator cuff tendinosis as examples of tendinopathy. These conditions, along with many others, involve the tendon of the affected muscle, which is responsible for attaching the muscle to the bone. Aggravating the tendon and muscle by overloading them or not using them for too long can lead to prolonged periods disfunction. Conservative management of these diagnoses is extremely successful at pain management that would include a variety of anti-inflammatory measures and return to function that would be focused around physical therapy. Tendinopathy occurs in three stages:

reactive tendinopathy, tendon disrepair and degenerative tendinopathy. Reactive tendinopathy is when the tendon makes temporary changes because of overuse or lifting things that are too heavy. This is a noninflammatory response that typically gets better with the right amount of rest. If it gets aggravated too many times in a row, the tendon progresses to the second stage. Tendon disrepair is the second stage of tendinopathy and can present itself in different ways. This is due to the tendon changing to lower-quality tissue that carries new nerves that result in more pain. Because of the lower-quality tendon, the muscle becomes weaker and is more likely to be injured. If the correct exercises are performed in this stage, the tissue can return to normal. If too much time is taken off from exercise or the appropriate exercises are not

performed, the tendon progresses to the third stage. Degenerative tendinopathy is the final stage where permanent changes can occur in the tendon, leading to a weaker muscle and more difficult time to return the tissue to its normal state. Rest assured that even with degenerative changes in the tendon, proper management by a physical therapist can result in a normally functioning tendon without pain. The early recognition and initiation of treatment for tendinopathies is essential in reducing disability and returning to normal activities. Whether those activities involve participation in sports, work or being able to complete vital tasks of a normal day, your physical therapists at PRO-PT are trained to assist with the recovery and restoration of a normal tendon.

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VIRTUAL VALLEY Gamification: Making Learning a Game-Like Experience

eaching should not be entertaining, you might have heard someone claim. I assume the same people making this claim argue that we shouldn’t enjoy our jobs.

My favorite teachers captivated and entertained. They read Shakespeare in Elizabethan English, proving that the couplets rhymed long ago. They performed magical lab experiments that had students leaning forward in anticipation. They used songs and poems to help us recall facts. Some of the best, most demanding and most dedicated teachers used games as part of their instructional repertoire. Ludology, the scholarly study of games, emerged in the 1980s as social sciences began to recognize that games are cultural artifacts that convey the values of a society. By the late 1990s, scholars began to explore how to maximize the effective use of games in classroom settings. My teachers knew the educational value of games in the 1970s and early ’80s. They didn’t need to call their methods “gamification” or ludology. Academics debate when game play as teaching strategy was christened gamification; the term emerged between 2002 and 2008, with several video game developers claiming credit. During the fall of 2018, I participated in a gamification and ludology workshop series for faculty at my current university. Forty years after I played games in a Visalia Unified classroom, I listened as a noted expert informed university 20

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professors that games might help students learn difficult materials. Since 2004, I have used games in the courses I teach. Although I continue to use physical games in my classes, most of the games and game-like activities have moved online. Web services and smartphone apps have streamlined game creation, game play and the gamification of routine class activities. The move to online gamification offers many advantages for me and my students. My students love playing Kahoot (kahoot.com) games to review concepts and information. Two types of Kahoots can be created: multiple-choice quizzes and sequence jumbles. The multiple-choice games offer two to four answers. The jumbles ask players to place items in the correct order within a time limit.

To play Kahoot, a room should have a projector connected to a web-enabled device. The teacher opens a game on the Kahoot website, which then displays a “PIN” for the game. Players use the Kahoot app on a phone or tablet to join the game session. The player app displays four color-coded buttons used to “buzz in” with the correct answer. Players receive points for buzzing in with the correct answer as quickly as possible, with a maximum of 1,000 points available per question. Jumbles are won by the person arranging items in the correct order first. When I first tried Kahoot in class, I thought that university students might resist. They loved it, and still do. The retro video-game music that plays during games has become a familiar source of humor when I ask questions during class and wait for answers. Now, small teams of students create the weekly

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TEXT BY C. S. WYATT

Kahoot games throughout the semester. Groups look forward to being responsible for game creation. Teachers can subscribe to the Kahoot service for free or upgrade to one of two paid account levels. Ideally, a school subscribes so that teachers can share the Kahoot games they create. Students never pay to play the games, but the free version does include advertisements. I paid $60 for a year of the ad-free “Plus” account level on Kahoot. The subscription allows me to download reports after students play a Kahoot game. The reports help identify which materials to review again in class. I can also determine which students need extra support. Recently, Kahoot added a “challenge” mode that allows students to play against each other outside class. Once again, students have surprised me with their

interest in reviewing materials via the Kahoot games. They will play the same game several times, watching the leaderboard that displays after each round. My courses are required, not electives. Many students begin the semester by telling me that they aren’t passionate about topics we must cover. Kahoot games improve the mood of the classroom. Alongside Kahoot, I use Quizizz (quizizz.com) for more complex quizzes and tests that retain a game-like quality. Quizizz reminds me of digital worksheets more than Kahoot, but my students enjoy Quizizz. The major difference is that Quizizz serves content to a player’s device instead of the main screen. I wasn’t prepared to hear music from 35 devices and have since learned to disable the music if we use Quizizz in class. I suggest Quizizz for homework and Kahoot for in-class games.

Gamification goes beyond playing games to making the learning environment game-like. With a learning management system (LMS), teachers can assign badges and points for completing tasks. Students enjoy collecting rewards throughout a semester, exploring the online content in a quest for the “experience points.” For example, a badge is awarded to students for logging in to the system at least twice a week. Another badge can be earned for receiving “up votes” in the discussion forums. My students enjoy competing to see who earns the most stars in a week and the most experience points during the course. A colleague awards extra points to students for answering questions on the LMS discussion board, leading students to support each other instead of waiting for the teacher. One of the criticisms of gamification is that it reduces learning to external rewards. Students seek out points, badges and stars instead of learning for the sake of learning. Is gamification a fancier version of the old “gold star chart” in a classroom? Another complaint is gamification might violate the spirit if not the letter of the law. The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) mandates that grades and feedback to students must be confidential. Gamification has to be adopted with a careful plan. It is possible to earn a top grade in my course without “winning” the games. Gamification helps me reach those students who are least passionate about the materials. Now I understand why my teachers brought games into their classrooms.

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.

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MEET A LOCAL

LIZ WYNN, DIRECTOR KAWEAH DELTA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

How did you end up here in Visalia? I moved to Visalia at age 9 and attended Mineral King, Mt. Whitney, COS and Fresno Pacific University. My father, a native of Ivanhoe, moved to Visalia in 1969 to teach agriculture and horticulture at Redwood and Golden West high schools. My mother worked for the Sheriff’s Department and city of Visalia until she retired. My husband and I had a brief stint in the Seattle area, which I affectionately refer to as our mid-life crisis, but always knew we would be back. How did you get your start in this line of work? I served at many social service organizations from about age 30. I assisted with fundraising, charitable events and leadership. I have been fortunate to work for businesses that encouraged community service so it was inevitable I would fall into nonprofit work. Later, I worked for Self-Help Enterprises. I was hooked the first time I saw the pride in family members who finished building their own home. I knew I had to get off the sidelines of volunteering and devote my professional time to make our community stronger. I joined the Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation in January after 4.5 years at the Visalia Emergency Aid Food Pantry. Seeing the impact that a small box of food could make to a struggling family reinforced my decision to keep working to change our community. 22

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Why are you passionate about your work? To have a strong, healthy community, I believe we should all be involved in helping those most vulnerable. Children especially tug at my heart. They have no choice in the family dynamic, whether poverty or wealth, drug addiction or abusive or loving parents. If we can get to children early and change the dynamics of the home by providing great medical care, food, affordable housing and access to higher education, we have the ability to change the next generation. I started my journey with Kaweah Delta a little over a year ago as a volunteer on the Community Relations Committee. It was such an eye-opening experience. I had no idea of the challenges that our health-care community faces and how determinedly Kaweah Delta has overcome the challenges. We live in an area with high poverty rates and where medical reimbursements for low-income patients do not cover the costs of basic services. It is difficult for the health-care community to invest in leading-edge medical technology, and that is where the Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation enters the picture. What is the Kaweah Delta Foundation and how does it impact the community? The foundation was formed in 1979 to help achieve excellence in patient care through fundraising. It has raised more than $58 million through personal solicitation, grants, special events, direct mail and social media appeals, and planned gifts such as bequests. The money has been instrumental in bringing state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology to the hospital. It is my belief that we should all, rich or poor, have access to the best health care. This only happens through the generosity and support of our community, including the nearly 5,000 employees at Kaweah Delta, and lots of grant writing. What is the most challenging thing about your job? Health care is a huge, complex arena. I am learning so much about funding sources and where health care as an industry is heading. My encounters with the doctors and

residents who are so passionate for the patients they see inspire me to do everything I can to make sure that the staff has the tools and funding it needs to be successful. Tell us about a single moment when you realized this was the right occupation for you: I was meeting with a physician, discussing a grant we recently acquired for opioid addiction treatment. She told me about a pregnant patient who wanted to get clean for her baby. She talked about the treatment process and outcome for this patient. I could see her compassion and excitement over how she was able make a difference. If you had to choose another career, what would it be? I always wanted to own a bed & breakfast. I love meeting new people and love to cook. Unfortunately, I don’t like to do dishes or laundry, so I don’t think that would work out well. Tell us a little about life outside of work (hobbies, family, travel): I love to cook and garden. I am involved in the lives of my family. We enjoy getting together, traveling, shopping and just hanging out. I have five adorable grandchildren who I try to spend time with at least once a week. I also volunteer at the preschool ministry for Neighborhood Visalia Church. What is something most people don’t know about you? My husband, Ray, and I were high school sweethearts. We will be married 40 years this summer and it is a miracle he has put up with me all these years. What about Visalia makes this a great community to live and work in? The sense of commitment. Everyone is so generous with their time and money. Look at all the service clubs, social service organizations, school committees, chambers and churches that rely on volunteers to raise funds, serve on boards or help in day-to-day operations. Bonus question If you were stranded on an island, what three objects would you take with you? : A knife, water purifier and my husband. He can build or fix anything.

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SHOP

DINE

STAY

PLAY

Exeter Chamber of Commerce Presents

16th Annual Exeter Garden Walk “Full Bloom 2019” Tour Beautiful Private Gardens, Visit the Master Gardeners Garden Festival & Enjoy a Lovely Tea Party at By the Water Tower Antiques

Saturday, May 11th 9 am to 2 pm

Advance Tickets $20 Exeter Chamber of Commerce & By the Water Tower Antiques Event Day Tickets $25 For more info. call 559-592-2919 www.ExeterChamber.com

Information Nights April 11 & 25

Held at COS Campus Room Yokut 9, 6 pm (near Porter Field House)

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MONEY MATTERS TEXT BY MARY HUNT

When It Comes to Food Products, What's in a Date?

o doubt you've noticed that some food products come with dates and codes printed on them. Does that mean that they have to be consumed by that date or just sold by that date? Or what about canned or packaged goods that show only a date like “2.01.19”? Does that mean you could end up in the emergency room if you consume it after that date? Other food products don't seem to have any date at all. Confusing, isn't it? That's why I thought today would be a good time to bone up on food dating. While most food processors date and code their products, the federal Food and Drug Administration mandates dating. Under federal law, only infant formula is required to have product dating. Everything else is voluntary. Meat, poultry and egg products fall under the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and dates may be voluntarily applied as long as they are truthful and not misleading. Beyond that, the food industry generally follows certain guidelines suggested by the FDA. Yes, suggested.

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Phrases like “best before,” “better if used before” or “best if used by” tell you how long the product will retain its best flavor and highest quality. You will find these phrases on such products as baked goods, cereals, snacks and some canned foods. The food is still safe to eat after this date, but may have changed somewhat in taste or texture. The “sell by” date is usually found on such highly perishable foods as meat, milk and bread. This date guides store clerks who handle the shelf stock rotation so that they know which item to sell first. It is determined to allow time for the product to be stored and used at home. If handled properly, the product is still safe and wholesome past this date until spoilage is evident – when it looks more like a science fair project than tonight's dinner. For example, milk will usually be good for at least a week beyond its “sell by” date if properly refrigerated. Meat that has arrived at its “sell by” date should be either consumed or frozen within 24 hours. “Expiration,” “use by” or “use before” are phrases that appear on yogurt, eggs

and other foods that require refrigeration. Other dating terms are guidelines, but these mean what they say. If you haven't used the product by this date, toss it out. “Guaranteed fresh.” This date is often used for perishable baked goods. Beyond this date, freshness is no longer guaranteed, although the product may still be edible. Some products bear a “pack date,” indicating when they were packaged, although this date is often encrypted so only manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers can read it. The pack date on some products, such as eggs, is shown as a Julian date (1 through 365). Jan. 1 is number 1, and Dec. 31 is number 365. The point in all of this is that the fresher your food, the better it is. And for the most part, processors want to assure customers that their products will remain at peak quality for certain periods of time because they want to keep their business, and having a good reputation for freshness goes a long way toward making that happen. Tip: In a properly stocked store, the freshest items will be at the back of the shelf or underneath older items.

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VALLEY OAK SPCA Valley Oak Receives Grant

alley Oak SPCA recently received a $69,865 grant from PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, to help fuel its spay and neuter efforts in Tulare County. With the help of this donation, the organization will offer free spay and neuter surgeries to under-resourced dog and cat pet parents through the MAPP (More Altered Pets Program) grant project. The grant also allows feral cat colony caretakers to receive free spay and neuter surgeries for trapped feral cats. Tulare County has massive amounts of unwanted and homeless pets, which means that animal control facilities and rescues in the area are always at maximum capacity. Unfortunately, a high number of these animals are euthanized at municipal shelters or abandoned in rural areas, leaving them to fend for themselves. Spaying and neutering can significantly decrease this number, but sometimes the surgeries are cost-prohibitive. The MAPP grant funds Valley Oak SPCA’s Veterinary Clinic to provide more than 1,000 alteration surgeries to pets of qualifying families. “The funding of the MAPP grant from PetSmart Charities will enable Valley Oak SPCA to offer free spay and neuter surgeries at an unprecedented level. The community badly needs to address the homeless animal crisis, and this is a big step in the right direction,” said Lydia House, executive director Valley Oak SPCA. “We are thrilled to support this initiative that will bring affordable and accessible pet care to Tulare County and proactively reduce the homeless pet population,” said Jenny Aho, regional relationship manager at PetSmart Charities. Pet owners can find out more about eligibility for Valley Oak SPCA’s free spay and neuter surgeries through MAPP by visiting vospca.org, emailing MAPP@vospca.org, contacting the Veterinary Clinic at (559) 741-1121 at 9405 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, or visiting the Valley Oak SPCA Facebook page. PetSmart Charities aims to proactively prevent pet homelessness. Since 1994, the organization has granted more than $100 million to support spay and neuter efforts across the United States.

PET OF THE MONTH Jackie

Jackie is a 7-year-old female Jack Russell terrier mix. She now is a temporary resident of Valley Oak SPCA searching for her forever home. Jackie loves companionship of humans and other dogs. She likes to cuddle, walks and is potty-trained when provided with a doggy door. She is a very calm and lovable to all creatures. Jackie is waiting for her perfect forever home and family! If interested, contact Valley Oak SPCA at (559) 651-1111.

ROBYN ICENHOWER & ASSOCIATES LEAD IN G THE LUXURY MARK ET IN MOST HOMES SOLD! WWW. 5710 WSE E GE R . I NF O

Kari Acosta REALTOR®

Cell: 559-359-5983 listwithkari@gmail.com

BRE Lic. #01479110

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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. Turner’s Outdoorsman was welcomed to Tulare with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the store’s grand opening. The store specializes in hunting, fishing and shooting supplies. Visit the store at 981 E. Prosperity Ave., Tulare, or online at turners.com. Turner’s Outdoorsman’s phone number is (559) 684-1865. 2. The Tulare Rotary Club and Encore Theatre Company collaborated to host the February Business After Hours Mixer at the theatre. Attendees were treated to delicious food, wine, tours of the theatre and a brief show from Encore Kids. For information on productions and kids’ programs, call (559) 686-1300 or visit encoretulare.org. To learn about the Tulare Rotary Club and its programs of local and international impact, contact President Craig Vejvoda at (559) 358-0577. 3. The International Agri-Center celebrated renaming of Building C to the Corteva Agriscience Center. The ceremony was held during the World Ag Expo. Visit internationalagricenter.com for information on the facility, sponsorship opportunities and events. 4. The chamber’s collaborative Tulare Business and Education Council (TBEC) participated in the Tulare Joint Union High School District’s Be College Ready event. Industry partners greeted students before they attended sessions on preparing for college. Students also enjoyed lunch and career conversations with the employment partners, then visited college information booths. TBEC is always looking for professionals who would like to invest in youth. Call the chamber at (559) 686-1547 for information on how to become an industry partner. 5. Tulare Regional Medical Center, managed by Adventist Health, hosted the March Business After Hours Mixer. Guests were able to hear about the latest news at the hospital while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres. Visit adventisthealth.org/tulare or call (559) 688-0821 for updated details on hospital services.

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VISALIA CHAMBER

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

1. On Feb. 28, the Leadership Visalia class traveled to Sacramento to learn about how state government works. Once in Sacramento, the class had the opportunity to tour the Capitol Building and meet with the legislative office to learn how bills are written and reviewed. The class met with Assemblyman Devin Mathis and former state Sen. Connie Conway. 2. The Visalia Chamber is excited to announce that Andre Gervais from Innovation Commercial Flooring was named Ambassador of the Month. He has been a tremendous support for the chamber, and Innovation Commercial Flooring just celebrated its 10-year anniversary. 3. In February and March, the Visalia Chamber helped host five different Industry Roundtable lunches. Each lunch focused on two different Linked Learning Academies, each with a different career focus. More than 400 sophomores and 80 industry partners participated in the events. Students had the opportunity to learn what the day in the life of the professional looked like, learn about entry-level jobs, education requirements and other qualifications that employers are looking for. 4. The Leadership Visalia class spent the day discussing the topic of “Quality of Life.” The class visited with local businesses and met with industry experts who helped them understand the importance of quality of life and what Visalia has to offer. From a quick workout at BluePrint Fitness Studio, a meal prep class at Precision Prep or a panel discussion with a doctor, fitness trainer and local cold-press juice business owner, the students learned how they can improve their own quality of life. 5. The Visalia Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Stacked Bar and Grill to town. The chamber participated in the ribbon-cutting event that featured a tour of the restaurant and delicious food samples. Thank you to all of the Ambassadors who attend our ribbon cuttings and grand openings.

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CROSSWORD

Happy Birthday ACROSS 1 A Miller born on July 4 6 Wedding milieu 10 Totter 14 Worship 15 A Simon born on July 4 16 Ms. Bombeck 17 Kentucky campus 18 Camp abode 19 Move out of place 20 Songwriter born on July 4 23 Weedy grass 24 Prefix with cycle 25 Quarry 28

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Carter, of Gimme a Break Oil city Punch liquor Rod C.P. and Hank Columnist born on July 4 Postpone Dana, of Easy Street Scotsman’s no ___ a customer Banjo’s resting place Mainz Mr. Luau garland Gambling cube

53 Controversial TV host born on July 4 60 Yearn 61 Swenson, of Benson 62 Miss Scarlett 64 In a bit 65 Actress Garr 66 Fit for a king 67 Sail support 68 Gave a once-over 69 Irish poet DOWN 1 Fairy queen 2 March 15, e.g.

3 Wrongful act 4 Like a horror show 5 ‘It takes a ___ livin’ . . .’’ 6 Feed the kitty 7 Hammer part 8 Wicked 9 Pianist/singer John 10 Tranquility 11 ___ Stanley Gardner 12 Kuwait bigwig 13 Race segment 21 Asian capital 22 Waits on the sidelines 25 El ___ Madrid museum 26 Actor Blades 27 Zola 29 Building adjunct 30 Rosemary’s Baby author 32 Burmese statesman 33 Greene, of Bonanza 34 Vow 35 Ed, of Lou Grant 37 Bribe of a kind 40 Gun for Capone 1 Street: abbr. 42 ___ say more? 47 Steak and ___ pie 48 Cartoon giggles 50 Upper crust 52 Shade of white 53 A Lollobrigida born on July 4 54 Slaughter, of baseball 55 Torn 56 Meanie 57 Foray 58 Style of Indian music 59 Smell ___ 60 A Shriver born on July 4 63 Jolson and Michaels MORE OF LESS - MARCH ISSUE

LOOK FOR YOUR ANSWERS IN THE NEXT ISSUE

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CRAFT CORNER TEXT BY IMAGINEU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Yarn Bunnies

unnies are taking over! This fun, homemade pompom craft will bring out your creative side. Your bunny can be small or large, pink or blue, big or little eyes.… You decide! WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • Yarn – color of your choice • Hot glue/tacky glue • Felt (for ears) • Googly eyes • Small buttons or pompoms (for nose) • Ribbon – optional • Scissors DIRECTIONS: 1. First thing you’re going to want to do is make two pompoms – one larger than the other. (Do a four- finger and three-finger pompom.) 2. Cut a 12-inch piece of yarn and lay it on the table. 3. Using three fingers, wrap the yarn around 75 times. 4. Slide it off your fingers and tie it with the 12-inch piece of yarn, tightly. Turn it over; wrap the yarn around and tie it again. 5. Cut the loops. 6. Repeat steps 2-5 with four fingers. 7. Cut out two outer-ear shapes and two inner-ear shapes for each bunny. 8. Glue those two pieces together. 9. It’s time to glue the two pompoms together. Pull the yarn away, exposing the center of the pompom. (Repeat with the other pompom.) Glue together with hot glue. 10. Glue on the ears, pull the yarn apart and stick the ears as close to the center as possible. This keeps the ears stable and it looks more natural. 11. Glue on the eyes and nose. 12. Add ribbon around the neck for decoration. ImagineU Museum’s upcoming events: Lego Robotics on Tuesday and Thursday, Night at the Museum last Friday of the month, Toddler Time on Wednesday, Storytime with Pierre on Friday, special guests, Spring Camp April 15-19 and lots more to come. Please call the museum for more information, (559) 733-5975; visit our website at www.imagineumuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. DIRECT MAGAZINE

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

GOINGS-ON Annual Birdathon The Tulare County Audubon Society will hold its 27th annual Birdathon, where participants search for different bird species. Sponsor a birder or choose a day to find as many species as possible in a 24-hour period. Pledges should be returned by April 19. When: Through May 4 Where: Tulare County Contact: tulareaudubon@yahoo.com or https://bit.ly/2Waxb5k Tattoo Exhibition Arts Visalia will present Tattoo, an exhibition featuring local talent. The artwork consists of tattoo sketches, photography of tattoos, threedimensional artwork and other artwork made by tattoo artists. The exhibition may contain some nudity to show the full range of tattoos on the body. When: Through April 26 Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: artsvisalia.org or (559) 739-0905 Quilt, Cloth Doll Show The 24th annual Best of the Valley, a regional show of quilts and cloth dolls, will feature Carmen Friesen of Strathmore. The event will include a judged and juried quilt show with more than $4,000 in cash awards, BOTV “Valley Agriculture” Challenge Quilts, vendor mall, quilt appraisals, big/little quilt sale, 2017 Sacred Threads Traveling Exhibit, Viewer’s Choice Awards, food, and special categories for quilters 80 and older and under 18. General admission $10 a day; group rates available. Children under 12 admitted free when accompanied by an adult. When: April 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; April 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: McDermont Field House, 365 N. Sweetbriar Ave., Lindsay Contact: botvquilts.com or call Suzanne Kistler at (559) 936-2204 30

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Spring Fling

Tulare Business Expo

The nonprofit Genesis House will present its Spring Fling With Boots & Bling, with proceeds benefiting efforts to help runaway and homeless youths in Tulare County. The event will include contests for blingiest boots, blingiest hat and blingiest outfit, tricky trays, country store, silent auction and special buy-in cake walk. Tickets: $50 each.

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce invites the public to Business Expo 2019, which brings area businesses together to highlight their products. Free admission.

When: April 6, 10 a.m.

Contact: tularechamber.org or (559) 686-1547

Where: Koetsier Ranch, 8230 Ave. 272, Visalia Contact: tickets at Genesis House, 841-A W. Walnut Ave., Visalia, or call (559) 280-4619 Bakersfield Sound Tribute “The Okie From Muskogee: A Tribute to the Bakersfield Sound,” a sub-genre of country music, will honor some of the artists who helped Bakersfield become “The Country Music Capital of the West Coast” and “Nashville West.” The concert will include Kris Korsgaden. Tickets: $15-$30. When: April 6, doors 6:30 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: foxvisalia.org, (559) 625-1369

When: April 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: International Agri-Center’s Heritage Complex, 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare

Threatened Species Tricolored blackbirds, an endemic Central California bird recently listed as a threatened species, will be the topic of a talk by Xeronimo Castaneda of the California Audubon team. When: April 12, 7 p.m. Where: TCOE Administration Building, Redwood Room G, 6200 Mooney Blvd., Visalia Contact: https://bit.ly/2Waxb5k Diabetes Walk 2019 Visalia Medical Clinic will present the fifth annual Diabetes Walk in honor of the late Dr. James Mohs, an endocrinologist who worked with diabetic patients in Visalia. There will be blood sugar checks, blood pressure screenings and blood donations. There will be a free-toregister 3k/5k and kids group walks. When: April 13, 8 a.m.-noon (registration 8 a.m., walking 9 a.m.) rain or shine Where: Visalia Medical Clinic, 5400 W. Hillsdale Ave., Visalia

‘Honky Tonk Angels’ Country classics combine with a hilarious story about three good ol’ gals who follow their dreams to Nashville, presented by the Visalia Players. Tickets: adults $20, students $16. When: April 6, 12, 13, 7:30 p.m.; April 7, 14, 2 p.m.

Contact: (559) 739-2087; register at http://conta.cc/2V8Hvdx Book Festival The Tulare County Library will hold its 2019 Book Festival. Featured authors will include Christina Lynch, Kasie West and Isabel Quintero. When: April 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Ice House Theatre, 410 E. Race Ave., Visalia

Where: Visalia Branch Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia

Contact: (559) 734-3900, visaliaplayers.org

Contact: (559) 713-2700, tularecountylibrary.org

C U LT U R E , C O M M E R C E A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N V I S A L I A A N D T U L A R E — T H E H E A R T O F T H E S O U T H VA L L E Y

Orange Blossom Festival The 87th annual Lindsay Orange Blossom Parade and Festival will include live music, food vendors, bounce houses, a 5k and 10k fun run, carnival, bake-off, fifth annual Bangers Horseshoe Tournament, Tour de Danish bike ride and more. Free. When: April 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; fun run, 7:30 a.m.; bike ride, 9:30 a.m. Where: Lindsay City Park, 850 N. Elmwood Ave., Lindsay Contact: lindsayorangeblossom.org ‘Wonders of Europe’ The Sequoia Symphony Orchestra will present a concert featuring “Wonders of Europe,” including a quick trip through Italy and Spain, featuring the debut of soloist Jiji. Tickets: $22-$45. When: April 13, doors 6:30 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: Tickets: (559) 632-8600, sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com

‘Absolutely Gourdgeous!’ The Exeter Courthouse Gallery will present “Absolutely Gourdgeous!” featuring gourd artists Toni Best, Diana Pearcy and Sam McKinney, with special guest artist Wendy McKellar. The opening reception, free to the public, will be April 14. The gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays. When: Through May 26; opening reception April 14, 2-4 p.m. Where: Exeter Courthouse Gallery, 125 South B St., Exeter Contact: (559) 592-5900 or email exeterarts@outlook.com ‘Science or Magic’ Camp ImagineU Children’s Museum offers a special camp exploring science and magic during spring break for children. Half day $90-$100; full day $135-$150. When: April 15-19; full day 7:30 a.m.5:30 p.m.; half day 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Where: ImagineU Children’s Museum, 210 N. Tipton St., Visalia Contact: imagineumuseum.org or (559) 733-5975

VEDC Annual Meeting The Visalia Economic Development Corporation’s annual meeting will focus on “Reconnecting and Re-Energizing Your Employees.” Speaker will be Cynthia “CJ” Johnson, professor of communication and psychology at College of the Sequoias. Cost is $35 in advance or $45 at the door. When: April 17, 7-8:30 a.m. Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia Ave., Visalia  Contact: Julie Ebert at (559) 733-3737 or jebert@thelockwoodagency.net Pancake Breakfast The Exeter Kiwanis Club will hold a pancake breakfast to raise funds. When: April 21, 7-10 a.m. Where: Veterans Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah Ave., Exeter Contact: Exeter Chamber of Commerce, (559) 592-2919 Springville Sierra Rodeo The three-day “Biggest Little Rodeo in the West” will feature a queen coronation dance, motorcycle barrel race, backcountry horsemen breakfast, downtown Springville parade, PRCA rodeo, rodeo dance with Terra Bella, cowboy church service and other events. Tickets $10-$15. When: April 26-28 Where: 34902 Highway 190, Springville Contact: springvillerodeo.org

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 3-Can Conversion Is Here

his year has brought changes citywide; first, utility billing was brought back in-house. Now as we continue to roll into spring, we’re rolling out new solid waste cans to Visalia residents across the city. The conversion began in March, and your Visalia Public Works Department has been converting old split cans street by street and adding tracking tags to the current green waste cans. If your street has been converted already, congratulations! If your street is still to come, don’t worry; we’re on our way. In fact, you can visit www.visalia.city/3can and find out exactly what week your street is scheduled to be converted. While many residents have been happy to see the conversion come, some have asked why the change? The split-can system was implemented to enhance the city’s recycling efforts and was very successful at helping Visalia to achieve that goal. However, today’s increased level of recycling means that many Visalia residents no longer have sufficient space in the split can, and some households have had to order two or more additional split cans. When space in the split cans became too small, it ended up reducing the city’s ability to recycle and resulted in greater contamination of recycled materials. For several years, residents have expressed their opinions on the subject, both for and against, and the comments have been primarily in favor of phasing out use of the split cans and adopting a three-can system like many other cities. The decision to switch to the three-can system was ultimately made by the Visalia City Council after careful consideration, and the roll out began on March 18. What has changed? While the “trash

split divider gone, households will now have the same 96-gallon capacity that they were paying extra for before, but now within the three cans and at a lower monthly cost. Wondering how the conversion process works? The week before your street is converted, your cans will be marked with a large, orange sticker letting you know that your conversion day is coming and reminding you to roll out your cans on your normal pickup day. On your usual pickup day, you'll roll out your cans as normal. We take it from there!

trucks” might look the same from the outside, they’ve undergone a conversion themselves. The city currently has 19 solid waste trucks that have been modified from their split-can configuration to trucks that enable them to collect recyclables, refuse or green waste. Now the split cans themselves are undergoing the conversion process. All split cans that can be converted will have the divider removed and will become a blue-lid recyclable can. A new gray-lid can for refuse will be dropped, and green waste cans will remain the same.

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What hasn’t changed? All pickup days remain the same, and the cans will remain the same size they currently are. Additionally, there will be no increase to your monthly utility bill. In fact, for residents who have two split cans, the solid waste crew will automatically remove your extra can, and you’ll have one can for green waste, one for refuse and one for recyclables. Why not leave extra cans for these residents? With the

As usual, a solid waste truck will drive by and empty the split can, and the driver will continue on the route. Later that day, a crew will come by and deliver the new containers. Each home will receive one new refuse container and one new/refurbished recycling 3/1/19 10:10 AM container. Both the refuse and recycling containers will be fitted with a tracking tag. A second crew will follow closely behind the delivery crew. This crew will remove obsolete split cans and/or refurbish split cans for use as a recycling container. When your green waste pick-day comes, you'll place your can(s) curbside, no matter if they need to be serviced or not. A solid waste truck will drive by and empty the green waste containers, and the driver will continue on the route. A crew will follow the solid waste truck and install tracking tags on all green waste containers. No new green waste cans will be delivered, and no green waste cans will be removed. Overall, the three-can conversion makes sorting easier, and residents will have more room for refuse and recyclables. It’s easier for you and better for the environment.

Looking for more information or your conversion date? Visit www.visalia.city/3can or call 1-833-COV-BILL or 1-833-268-2455 and press option 4. Looking for more? Stay up to date with the city of Visalia on social media @cityofvisalia. To contact the city, email communityfeedback@visalia.city or call Administration at (559) 713-4512.

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