November 2011

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

MAGAZINE

IMAGINE CHRISTMAS

LIGHT

December 9th - 11th

TRI TULARE TRIATHLON Raising Funds for Boy Scouts

FESTIVAL OF HOPE Art, Music & Suicide Prevention NOVEMBER

ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER LOCAL

PRESRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONTARIO, CA PERMIT #1

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

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Suffering with Missing Teeth or Poor Fitting Dentures? : Dental implants can restore your self-confidence and appearance. We place and restore our own implants.

No need to visit an outside Specialist: Our extensive post-graduate education and experience allows us to complete virtually all phases of your dental treatment under one roof ie. Implants, Invisalign, Veneers, Oral Surgery and Root Canals. All with IV sedation when necessary for your comfort.

Insurance Accepted: We work with and accept almost all dental insurance plans.

Financing Available: We understand that money is always a concern. We provide several methods so your dental care can fit your budget. ( OAC)

734-6492 Call 734-6492 for Information.

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

65 Year-Old Grandmother Ends Frustrations with Dentures.

Experiences Sheer Joy of Gorgeous, Strong Teeth, and Re-Ignites Her Marriage.

Phyllis Hicks had been hiding something.

This busy grandmother ran the family business while taking care of her grandkids. On the outside, it looked like she “had it all.” But, she was struggling with an ever increasingly, frustrating problem that plagued her for 20 years.

Phyllis had lost her teeth at the early age of 45. This caused her to be confined to the limitations of dentures—not being able to eat the foods that she treasured and loved.

Through time and nature, Phyllis had lost most of the bone that she was relying on to support those dentures. She was suffering from sores from her dentures due to the fact that they didn’t fit any more and this created excessive rubbing. Her constant fear that her teeth might pop out at any moment was paralyzing her in social settings.

“Dentures made me seem older than I was…”

Her face was sagging from the lack of muscle support and she had deep wrinkles making her look years older than she really was.

Phyllis would never complain; it wasn’t in her nature. But she was unhappy.

Desperate to believe she was still beautiful but not really buying into it, she’d say to herself, “dentures make me seem older than I am…both physically and emotionally!”

“Her Youthful Spirit Started To Age Rapidly”

Her husband commented that the hardest part for him was not the physical changes that immediately started to take place. It was the fact that “Her youthful spirit started to age rapidly! There is nothing worse than to see your sweetheart lose the twinkle in her eyes or feel, for one second, that she isn’t as beautiful or attractive as I know she is.

The hard part is that my words didn’t 2

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matter. She “felt” older, less attractive, and went from being extremely outgoing to now covering her mouth with a napkin when eating and hiding her smile in public settings.”

The “Miraculous” Solution That Most Seniors Have Zero Clue About

Fortunately for Phyllis, startling advancements in dentistry provided her with options that weren’t available for her in the past 20 years. Now, Phyllis is laughing, smiling and enjoying those grandchildren with the confidence and pleasure she desires. Her friends now admire her new beauty…and some have actually admitted gossiping about what

plastic surgery she might have had. After all, “she is looking 10 years younger!”

Phyllis Got Her Life Back

Her husband says she looks like the beautiful young woman he fell in love with many years ago. Most importantly she has that twinkle in her eye and bounce in her step again.

At this point, you may be wondering what the ‘solution’ is… and I’ll tell you that in a moment, but first, I’d like to share with you 7 reasons why people look for long-term dental solutions.

7 Reasons Why People Become Irritated and Frustrated with Their Ill-Fitting, Rubbing, Unattractive Dentures!

1. Dentures coming loose as you laugh, cough or sneeze. Have the confidence and security

of teeth that stay in place.

2. A thick layer of nasty tasting denture adhesive interfering with your enjoyment of food. No need for that. Your teeth are firmly attached without the need for those sticky pastes.

3. Wrinkles from loss of bone and tissue to support the delicate muscles of the face. Your youthful appearance will return because you will replace what Mother Nature has taken away… and be prepared for the questions asking if you had plastic surgery.

4. Eat the foods you love again.

There is nothing worse than having to watch what you order at restaurants for fear that you won’t be able to chew in front of your friends and loved ones. Your menu options will open up as you explore foods again that you had to abandon because you weren’t able to chew.

5. Sores from loose fitting dentures rubbing your gums. No more pain.

6. Covering your face with your hands for fear of embarrassing situations. You will find yourself looking in the mirror more because you are no longer hiding. Friends and loved ones are going to comment on how happy you seem now. You might even fall in love all over again.

7. Looking Older. It will give you back the 10 years of life that was taken from you when you lost your teeth.

“Why are Senior’s not being told of these Facts About How their Dentures or Missing Teeth are Affecting their Health ?”

Respected research from the world renowned Mayo Clinic found that people

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

who are missing teeth are likely to die 10 years earlier than their peers with all their teeth. Your health and your chance at happiness have been reduced by 14%.

That’s the loss of time with loved ones, travel plans never taken, and enjoying your well deserved retirement.

That 14% is quality time to do what YOU WANT TO DO ... stolen from you.

A widespread health epidemic • At least 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one tooth.

• A staggering 26% of people between the ages of 65 to 74 have lost all of their teeth.

A condition often referred to as "dental cripples."

• Life expectancy has increased from 45 to 70 years of age creating the need for the body to be properly fueled to achieve its long term goal to live.

While many people believe aging represents the years of life, really, it is measured as the continuous loss of functional capabilities.

In plain English, it’s how the body wears out and how fast - having nothing to do with time.

Medical and Dental Effects Associated with Missing Teeth Medical Consequences • The link between the loss of teeth from gum disease and the increased risk of stroke and heart attack has been well researched. When the teeth are lost, the damage the gum disease created doesn’t go away. The body has been permanently weakened.

• People without teeth… spend approximately 17% more on drugs due to increased health issues.

• With missing teeth, there is evidence of an increased rate of stomach and intestinal disorders due to the patient’s inability to chew properly and swallowing large pieces of food.

• Shorter life expectancy -Due to a loss of function and diminished sense of taste, full denture patients suffer from a higher rate of systemic disease that affects the whole body.

• Due to the loss of taste, people with missing teeth and dentures tend to add excessive amounts of salt, sugar and seasonings in order to flavor the food they eat. This increased sugar consumption can lead to diabetes and obesity in a group that is already at higher risk for these conditions. Increased salt intake has been linked to high blood pressure and an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks.

There is an increased risk of death due to vomiting if you have no teeth. This hardly ever gets mentioned except in CPR courses.

Remember, the statistics have shown that full denture wearers have an alarmingly shorter life expectancy - by ten years - than the general public.

“Solution” to Your Denture Problems are Easier than You Think I just wanted to go through the benefits of implants with you and share how many of our wonderful patients have changed with their new, healthy, gorgeous smile.

How Can I Be 1 of The People to Benefit From This Procedure?

Dr. Williams, from right here in Visalia, is a leader in providing Dental Implants to his patients to alleviate their frustrations and suffering while returning them to a state of overall health.

“The benefits of implants far outweigh the benefits of wearing dentures or living with missing teeth”

Dr. Williams reports. “Many people who are interested in restoring their smiles often ask questions like ‘how much does it cost’ or ‘how long will it take’; I let them know about all the options that are available for their situation. Our goal is to use the newest dental techniques to provide you with state-of-the-art, comfortable and personalized dental care.”

Dr. Williams has a busy successful practice and interviews each of his potential new patients before accepting them for care to determine their needs and desire for better oral health.

1. You Could Look 10 Years Younger.

2. Overall quality of life could be enhanced with replacement teeth that look, feel and function more like natural teeth.

3. You might now live longer, because you’ll get to eat better and prevent malnutrition or stomach problems!

4. Wouldn’t it be great to be more confident in social situations ?

5. You might be able to relax and not have to worry about your dentures moving around, popping out, or gagging you.

Eliminate Denture Adhesives FOREVER! 6. Your mouth will be restored as closely as possible to its natural state.

7. You could increase the amount of enjoyment you get out of eating.

8. Your other teeth will no longer be affected because of missing teeth.

9. And you could improve your overall oral health and decrease the risk of oral cancer and heart disease.

Free Consumer Report Reveals All! First, if you are interested in Dr. Williams services but want to get more information to learn more, he has created a FREE Report titled, “9 Critical Secrets: How You Can Turn Back the Hands of Time!”

To receive your FREE Report, please call his 24 hour, toll free recorded message hotline below and request his Free Report at: 800-486-7137.

It is a recorded call.

No Live Person will answer.

Or you can go to the website at: www.visaliasmiles.com Free Smile Consultation Or you can contact Dr. William's office directly at 559-667-4308 for a Free Smile Consultation to discover how your life can improve with the miracle of implants. The best news is, you can have this Free Consultation without feeling any pressure to make a commitment to becoming a patient or a treatment plan while developing a personalized plan just for you.

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

INSIDE NOVEMBER 2011 PU BLI S H E D BY

DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 ADMINI ST RAT I ON & E DI TO RI AL

Executive Editor Karen Tellalian Assistant Editor TAYLOR VAUGHN Operation Manager MARIA GASTON Marketing Specialist Kyndal Kennedy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Andy Salazar COREY RALSTON CRAIG WHEATON CRYSTAL R. R. EDWARDS C. S. WYATT JORDAN VENENNA LINDA RUMINER Kyndal Kennedy NICOLE AGNEW WARREN GUBLER DES IG NE R

CHRIS BLY

6 Visalia First

Assembly

LIGHT! – Imagine Christmas

20 Focus on Fitness

10 Virtual Valley

Crafting a Résumé for the Digital Age:

30 Goings-On

Tips for the Job Hunt

13 From Out of the Tules

Isaac Newton Wright: Father of Tulare

14 TriTulare Triathlon

Finish Line to Summer Camp: TriTulare raises funds for Boy Scouts

ADVERT I S I NG SALE S

Advertising Director Bridget Elmore 559.739.1747

16 Well, THAT Was Fun

SALES O FF I C E

Dinner Theater: A Feast for the Children

801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • fax 559.738.0909 email: direct@dmiagency.com

18 Art Xposed

BUS INE S S M ANAG E M E N T

Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA JeffREy Malkasian EA

Style Benefits The Creative Center: Fashion Keeps Charity Looking Chic

22 Aviation Month

Longevity of Aviation: Paying Tribute to A Local Engineer

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 ©2011 DMI Agency

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12 Pet of the Month

24 Bounty of the County Farm Bureau Celebrates Local Farmers

26 Festival of Hope

Sunflower Memories: The Value of a Life

25 VUSD 28 Education

32 Warren Reports

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

VISALIA FIRST ASSEMBLY

LIGHT! – Imagine Christmas Visalia First Assembly (VFA) brings the fourth edition of its highly anticipated Christmas production of LIGHT! – Imagine Christmas to the Valley, December 9-11. Make plans now to see this once-a-year, large-scale presentation of the Christmas story, in the style of Cirque Du Soleil. Let yourself be awed by the high-level arrangement from beginning to end, showing how Jesus, as the LIGHT, is the Gift for everyone.

You know you’re in for a special experience from the 6

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moment the show begins as musicians, vocalists and dancers from VFA and aerialists of Aerial Experience take to the stage.

Before your eyes appears a story that combines breathtaking scenes and contemporary music into a uniquely visual retelling of the birth of Jesus Christ.

You will literally feel and see the LIGHT of the Christmas story as it’s shown to you in a visually stunning creation scene where earth, sky and water give way to creatures of all types –

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

fish and turtles and birds and giraffes – come to life. It is as if you are there, witnessing the beginning of the world!

But that’s only the start. As the show continues, flying aerialists will captivate you as they not only fly on stage, but above you. Your heart will pound in the presentation of LIGHT using a professional drum-line, all leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ in a nativity scene that draws upon your imagination and memories of your childhood.

LIGHT! – Imagine Christmas is truly a stunning, high level production of the Christmas story created, produced and directed by VFA’s own Karen Robertson (Mike and Karen Robertson/Lead Pastors of VFA). “LIGHT! – Imagine Christmas is one of the most exciting productions I’ve ever had the opportunity to produce in all my years of ministry,” Karen Robertson said. “It is out-of-the box storytelling that brings a new, imaginative look to this most-told story of the centuries.”

Karen Robertson is producing this show with an incredible cast of over 200 musical and dramatic talents from Visalia First Assembly and the Visalia community in partnership with Aerial Experience Productions (AEP) based in Los Angeles.

AEP is a leader in multi-dimensional presentation that integrates physical, visual and musical arts. AEP founders, Lee and Debbie Park, have been featured in film and television roles as well as many of the largest ice skate and cirque shows in the world. AEP’s clients include worldwide corporations such as Disney, Sea World, NBC Sports, Lexus, Westinghouse and many more. On their website, AEP comments that the Imagine Christmas production is, “one of the boldest creative arts additions to ever hit church productions.”

Whether you’ve seen any of the past shows or this is your first, LIGHT! – Imagine Christmas is a presentation you not only see, but experience.

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

VISALIA FIRST ASSEMBLY

Testimonials from 2010: “We attended the Christmas play and were blown away at how good it was. If we would have seen this elsewhere it would have been $100 to attend. Wonderful!”

“I didn’t know how Imagine Christmas could get any better than last year, but was completely taken back by this year’s performance. I LOVE how VFA thinks outside the box and presents the Christmas story in such a wonderful and unique way.”

“Many people told me they thought it was the best production to date at the church. The message is one that touched the hearts of people and you will probably never know the true results of everyone touched.”

LIGHT! – Imagine Christmas December 9 at 7 p.m.

December 10 at 4, 7 p.m.

December 11 at 4, 7 p.m.

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Tickets, for LIGHT! – Imagine Christmas go on sale Saturday, November 12.

Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased via the Web at V1AG.com through PayPal, at the church office and at weekend services at VFA. For more information on tickets please call the church at 733-9070.

Visalia First Assembly is a church for YOU and Christmas is a special time for VFA to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus, with the community. We have four weekend experiences to choose from: Saturday at 5 p.m., Sunday at 8, 9:45, 11:30 a.m. (Akers Campus 3737 S. Akers), and a Spanish Service at 12:30 p.m. (Walnut Campus, 3737 S. Walnut). All service times will be the same for Christmas weekend, December 24, 25.

The church is located at the southwest corner of Akers and Caldwell. For more information on Imagine or Services at Visalia First Assembly, please call 733-9070 or visit the church website: v1ag.com.

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

VIRTUAL VALLEY

Crafting a Résumé for the Digital Age:

Tips for the Job Hunt Job hunting is tough enough without companies forcing applicants to use poorly designed online résumé submission databases. A reader emailed me asking why some companies rejected her résumé, despite great qualifications. Based on my experiences assisting students on the job market, I suggested the reader’s résumé might have the wrong margins for some online systems.

Yes, the wrong margins can lead to rejection in today’s digital job hunt.

Hiring committees tell me they receive 200, 300 and, in one case, 500 applications for job openings. My students want every edge they can get when applying for positions. I’ve had to learn a lot about the hiring process to help students craft résumés for this strange new reality.

The university where I work uses an online career database.

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Many employers have turned to these systems. You might have used one already, via the Web. The job application is completed online. Once you finish the basic application, the system asks you to submit a résumé. You end up providing the same information twice, but that’s the system. I’ve wondered if finishing an online job application isn’t part of the test you have to pass.

When you submit a résumé, the online systems sometimes ask for both an uploaded Word document and a “plain text” version. The database searches for keywords and job skills, eliminating some applications before a human has read them. While the human resources department could read these documents, the reality is that so many people apply for openings that having the software sort through applications makes the process slightly less daunting.

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

Tex t by C. S. Wyat t

If you want your résumé to survive the computer-based screening process, you have to craft a résumé for the digital age. In a disappointing twist of fate, this means the great software technology that allows you to design a beautiful document can actually hurt your chances of obtaining an interview. Online, the less complex the career documents, the better.

Allow me to offer some tips that might improve your digital career hunt.

Tip 1: Use one-inch margins around all pages.

Employers have demonstrated to me various reasons for this rule. Some print the documents and place them in binders, for example. If your résumé has no “white space” the holes go right through the text. Then you have high-end copierprinters, such as the one where I work, which print and holepunch pages automatically. It is an impressive machine, but if you send me a document without margins, the printer cuts off the text.

Tip 2: Use the most common fonts available: Times and Arial. While that fancy desktop publishing program you own might have included 500 fonts, many corporate offices limit which fonts are installed on systems. My work computer has only the fonts that shipped with Windows, not one more or less. Yes, Hoefler is a nice font, but I can’t print it. Use Times New Roman for the text of a résumé because studies have shown it is easier to read at smaller sizes than sans-serif faces like Arial. I suggest using Arial for headings, which is a clean look.

Apple and Microsoft include Arial and Times New Roman with their operating systems. Other fonts, like the elegant faces Gil Sans and Palatino, are not on every computer system, even if I wish they were. You might be okay with the newer Microsoft Office fonts, but some companies still use older versions of Office.

Tip 3: Avoid table-based résumé templates. I realize some résumé books, and even Microsoft’s Word templates, use tables to align elements of résumés. This is fine if the document will only be distributed on paper. Unfortunately, it can cause problems if you email the document or if you are asked to convert the file to another format such as plain text.

To format a portable and reusable résumé, use tabs, line indents, and margin settings to align various elements of the document. Tables have a nasty habit of converting elements to a vertical “stack” when exporting documents.

Tip 4: Send a copy to a friend to test. Send a copy of your Word-based résumé to a friend to test how well it displays and prints. If you use an Apple computer, send a copy to a friend

with Windows. If you use Windows, try sending your résumé to a Mac user. The more you test your documents, the more likely they are to be ready for the job hunt.

Tip 5: Preview your résumé as plain text. If you are asked to provide a résumé in plain text format, use the “Save As…” feature to create a plain text résumé. Always open the new file to see what has changed. You probably will need to correct some problems no matter how careful you were.

I’ve learned an even better way to test a text résumé: copy the document and paste the résumé into an email message.

In your email program, select “Format, Plain Text” and send the document to yourself. The document should be free of all special formatting and appear as it will to most employers. It won’t be pretty.

Tip 6: Name your résumé file something meaningful.

I tell my students to use a name like “Wyatt_Resume.doc” when sending a job application. Imagine receiving a hundred files named “Resume.doc” and having to locate a particular résumé. If you use your name, the file will stand out and be easier to locate.

Personally, I still prefer printed documents. There’s something more professional about a nice résumé on fine cotton-fiber paper compared to an email attachment. But, I also realize that companies aren’t going to go back to handsorting job applications.

Résumé Formatting Tips • Limit fonts to Times New Roman and Arial if sending a Word or other non-PDF document.

• Avoid fonts smaller than 12-point for most content and never use fonts smaller than 10-points.

• Set the margins on left, right, and bottom to a full inch.

• Consider your name the “title” of the résumé, make it stand out but avoid all-caps.

• Avoid table-based layouts, which are hard to export for text-only résumé submissions.

• Use tabs to align text; never use spaces to control text alignment.

• Follow each bullet point with a space or tab so text won’t “bump” the symbol and be difficult to scan or read.

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

PET MONTH of the

Meet Wendell: This adorable little guy was found as a stray and brought into our shelter on September 15. He was very shaky and had difficulty walking. Dr. Gill and the staff at Companion Animal Medical Center took x-rays and after evaluation, found no sign of any broken bones, however, Wendell does have possible nerve damage from trauma. He was probably hit by a vehicle.

Wendell is currently in foster care and getting stronger each day. He is still learning to walk up and down stairs, so we recommend he go to a family in a single-story home. Wendell plays well with other dogs and cats; he is a sweet cuddle bug and has a cute heart-shaped white mark on top of his head.

He is approximately 11 months old and fun-sized, approximately 10 lbs.

If you would like to meet Wendell, please contact our Foster Coordinator, Tammy Burrows, at (702) 743-6605. If you would like more information on becoming a Valley Oak SPCA volunteer, please contact Kandi Stevens at (559) 713-4688 Special thanks to Dr. Gill and foster volunteer Sam Delgado!

October is National Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month Valley Oak SPCA is proud to celebrate 20 years of service to our community helping lost, abused, unwanted and homeless animals. Shelter animals make wonderful additions to a family. We need more people to open their hearts and homes to a new pet.

People who are looking for “man’s best friend” should visit their local shelter. However, responsible pet ownership requires more than simply agreeing to take an animal into your life; the potential adopter should be ready to make a commitment that will enhance the lives of both the human and the animal. Adoptable pets can be viewed on our website: www.vospca.org.

VALLEY OAK SPCA , 29016 HIGHWAY 99, VISALIA, CA 93277 Phone: (559) 651-1111 • Web: www.vospca.org 12

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

FROM OUT TULES of the

Text by Linda Ruminer, Archivist-Historian of Tulare Historical Museum

Isaac Newton Wright:

Father of Tulare The Wrights were Tulare’s very first family. Others like the Cartmills and Moreheads had settled in the Tulare area earlier, but the Wrights were the first to plant their roots in what is now the city of Tulare. Isaac and Charlotte Wright, their eldest daughter, Victoria, and their son, George, came to California from Ohio, and in 1870 started farming160 acres that now forms the nucleus of Tulare. Isaac promptly built a rough cabin for his family at what is now 457 South H Street. It was the first structure of any kind in Tulare.

Isaac Newton Wright was the real father of Tulare. Unlike most of the town’s other early settlers, the railroad did not bring Isaac to Tulare. Rather, he played the key role in bringing the railroad to Tulare. It was Isaac Wright who offered to trade the land he had pre-empted for land that the railroad owned to persuade it to pass through this area. The cabin was moved to his new farm south of the infant town and enlarged.

From the very beginning, the Wright family contributed a great deal to the growth and prosperity of Tulare. George W. Wright was about nine when the family arrived in Tulare in 1870. He became a railroad engineer on the short-lived TulareVisalia Railroad, and later worked for the Sierra Railroad. He drove the first train into Sonora, his birthplace. Alice Lottie Wright was the first white child born in Tulare – in 1870.

She became a partner with her brother-in-law, W. J. Higdon, and helped run the Wright Ranch after her parents were no longer able to do so. They raised purebred Holstein cattle.

Higdon became president of the National Holstein Friesian Association. The youngest daughter, Harriet, born in 1872, attended Central School and went on to San Jose Normal School, graduating as valedictorian in 1904. She was one of the charter members of the social and literary Lorelei Club, which expanded to become the Tulare Women’s Club in 1912.

Isaac was one of the first to organize a group of men to build an irrigation system to bring water to farms in the area.

The ditch along Mooney Boulevard was a part of that system, and is still in use. He personally supervised the building of Tulare’s first real school, later known as Central School, which

served the community from 1884 to 1959. Two of the Wright daughters taught there.

Isaac chaired the first meeting to plan and organize the Dairyman’s Cooperative Creamery Association in October 1909. His son-in-law, William J. Higdon, acted as the first secretary at the meeting. Higdon served as secretary and director for many years and went on to become president of the marketing association for cooperative creameries – the Challenge Cream and Butter Association based in Los Angeles.

He was president of the Tulare Board of Trade and executive secretary of Tulare’s Chamber of Commerce, manager of the Dairyman’s Creamery, president of Rotary, and a director of the First National Bank. He also served as the bank’s land and livestock appraiser.

Charlotte operated the first library in Tulare. She ran a lending library from her home using the precious books of the early settlers. She continued as the town’s unofficial librarian until 1882 when Library Hall, later the Tulare Women’s Clubhouse, was dedicated. The building was constructed by the Southern Pacific Railroad as a library, recreation hall and auditorium for its employees, but made available for the entire community. Like many farm wives of that era, she kept food in the family larder by selling eggs, handmade candles and dressed chickens during dry years and hard times. She was thrifty and a good seamstress.

The Wrights were among the 15 residents who attended the first church service in Tulare, held in the Southern Pacific Depot. The eldest daughter, Victoria, was the first organist at the first Tulare Church, the Church of the Redeemer, which later became known as the Congregational Church. She also was one of the city’s first school teachers. Victoria’s husband, Andrew Neff, was the engineer who brought the first train into Tulare on July 25, 1872. They were married on New Year’s Eve 1876 at the Wright home. In 1888 he and Victoria built a striking two-story mansion, at the then astronomical cost of $5,000, at the northwest corner of Sonora Avenue and H Street. The Neff’s occupied the home until 1895 when he was transferred to Oakland. It was then sold to the Turner Nelson family – he was a pioneer merchant; they were the grandparents of Warden and Normand Nelson.

Two grandchildren of Isaac and Charlotte Wright made Tulare their lifelong home. Elliott Higdon, son of W.J. Higdon, operated a jewelry store on K Street and was active in civic affairs. He died in the early 1990s. His sister, Alice Higdon Topham, was honored for her dedicated community service when the historical Railroad Park was renamed “Alice Higdon Topham Park.” She died in the late 1990s.

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

TRI tulare TRIATHLON Text by Kyndal Kennedy | Photos by Dana Holt

Finish Line to Summer Camp:

TriTulare raises funds for Boy Scouts Ken Spencer saw a need, and he worked diligently to meet it the best way he knew how – by swimming, biking, and running.

He wasn’t alone; 130 adult triathletes, 35 junior triathletes, 45 runners and 40 volunteers were right alongside of him, making the first annual TriTulare Triathlon a great success!

Spencer spearheaded the event and brought a Tri sporting event back to Tulare after a three year hiatus. Not only was the triathlon a success its first run through, but it brought success to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 234.

“The whole purpose of the event was to raise money for the Boy Scouts Summer Camp,” explained Spencer. The local council goes to summer camp at Camp Chawanakee in Shaver Lake – the premiere resident camping experience for scouts.

However, camping costs money – food, gear, safety materials, transportation, etc. – and the Troop was in desperate need of funding.

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Spencer is the committee chairman of the local BSA and his son is a Cub Scout. Having a passion for both triathlons and the BSA, he saw an opportunity to unite these two passions, all the while uniting his community as well.

The event was twofold. It highlighted the importance and fun of health and fitness to participants and increased recognition and enthusiasm for BSA. Many are unfamiliar with what a Boy Scout or Cub Scout is, and how the organization benefits Tulare County.

According to its website, “BSA is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. It provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.”

“Boy Scouts teaches organization and leadership values.

They learn positive things and we try to teach them good community values,” said Spencer, “and Summer Camp is a

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

big part of being a scout. Summer Camp provides a lot of opportunities for the boys. There are opportunities to earn merit badges, participate in water activities and hikes. It’s a great learning environment.”

The Boy Scout program is predominantly an outdoor adventure program and camping is the predominant activity of the outdoor adventures. The various camping trips that provide the opportunities for adventure and furthering of success are fundamental for the development of these young boys into leaders of our community.

Fortunately, members of the community eagerly stepped up and took on their own personal challenges to make these opportunities possible. Many seasoned athletes and new runners were happy to make their donations to help our local troop, all the while having fun and staying healthy in the process!

With donations from nine different sponsors, as well as the entry fee for each athlete participant, the preliminary total

came to nearly $4,000. “This exceeded our expectations,” said a happy and thankful Spencer.

As for next year, it can only get better. “We plan on making minor improvements. I was the only one of the volunteers who had ever done a triathlon. Now having done this, the volunteers will be more experienced for the next one,” explained Spencer.

Thanks to the generous donations, helpful volunteers, and eager participants of the first annual TriTulare Triathlon, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 234, will be earning merit badges in no time. And thanks to Ken Spencer, local triathletes and runners have something to continue to look forward to each fall.

For more information about Boy Scouts of America, visit the Sequoia Council website: www.seqbsa.org.

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Well, THAT WAS FUN

Dinner Theater:

Feast for the A Children To anyone acquainted with my extended family, it should not come as a surprise that I prefer to keep my holidays simple. I grew up within a culture wherein each holiday had to out-do the last. The mere mention of something such as Groundhog Day sends a shiver down my spine. I know I’m going to be subjected to guest lists, rodent-shaped place cards, and a cake shaped like downtown Puxatawney, Pennsylvania.

(Sliced black olives as manhole covers, for crying out loud.)

My participation in the insanity surrounding the holidays ended when I was 21 and newly out on my own.

It was difficult, that first year. My phone rang constantly as different relatives invited me to travel across the United States to partake in whatever big meal was in the works. I often declined, choosing instead to accept the invitation of friends and their families. The lack of theater involved in these other celebrations was perfect for me. I promised myself I’d only hostess low-key holiday events myself, when the time came.

And then I had children.

Did you know that the idea of a gigantic Thanksgiving feast is something every American child is born with? There’s a little candy corn-shaped gland somewhere in the infant brain that demands turkey, sweet potato soufflé, six kinds of 16

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beans plus succotash, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish and a bathtub full of gravy. If this is not provided to the baby, she will grow up to steal hubcaps and knock off liquor stores. I have this on good authority.

For the first nine years of parenthood, I tried to live up to the expectations of my children. Even though it would only be the few of us and no guests, I cooked for days in advance. I cleaned the house until it sparkled. I bought special plates and table decorations. We dressed up at lunch time and wandered around the house making party talk, eating from small plates heaped with crudités like flower-shaped zucchini slices and stuffed cherry tomatoes. The kids loved it all, but my nerves were shot. I realized that the reason those huge productions my family put on only worked because there were ten women in the kitchen at a time and a host of kids who could be handed a rag and spray bottle and told to go scrub something.

Our little crew wasn’t big enough to pull it off. I don’t want anyone else in my kitchen, and my kids don’t scrub.

It was time to simplify.

Last year, we invited my widower father-in-law over, and I made arrangements for Donald to smoke a duck for the meal.

I was determined to have a small menu, and I wasn’t going to spend several days preparing it.

My mistake was telling others of my plan to scale back.

Friends and family alike took this to mean I’d have free time to help them stage their own large feasts.

On Monday of Thanksgiving week, the emails started arriving. “Do you have Gran’s meat pie recipe?” was the first one. I answered it because it’s a good recipe and I had

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

Tex t by Crystal R. R. Edwards

all the time in the world to help. By the end of that day, I’d answered no fewer than 14 emails, each reply requiring at least 15 minutes research time and, often, up to 30 minutes transcription and/or interpretation for the modern kitchen.

On Tuesday, I received panicked emails and also noticed that my Facebook wall and Twitter account were swamped.

“How do you get kid snot off textured paint?” and “Pie crusts almost burnt, inside of pie raw. Suggestions?” This led to me spending several hours looking up solutions to uncommon problems and writing out step-by-step instructions for the common ones.

On Wednesday, I had to turn my phone off before lunch time. It had been ringing since 7 a.m., and I was fed up with it. I woke up with the first call, and while I listened to my cousin asking advice on the fastest way to thaw a 23-lb turkey I looked at my email inbox, which was stuffed with emails, Facebook notifications, and private tweet notifications. “It takes about four days,” I told her. She was still shrieking as I clicked “delete all” on my inbox. I had a glass of wine with supper that night.

And then the big day arrived. My phone was off, my email inbox was set to give fake bounce messages to incoming mail, my Facebook wall was locked down like Fort Knox and I had a series of automatic tweets going out with helpful advice like “Interior breast meat should be cooked to a minimum of 170 degrees” and “Don’t try to put the fire out yourself. Call 9-11.” I had a glass of wine as breakfast and settled down at the kitchen table to start snipping green beans.

During all of that week, the children had been quietly watching me. With their limited understanding, they thought I wasn’t cooking the Thanksgiving meal at all. They stood in a silent row outside the kitchen, initially too frightened to argue or break things. I made healthy, traditional homemade sides like beans and cranberry-orange relish under their questioning

gazes. As each item was finished and put into the refrigerator to await suppertime, they relaxed. Someone stepped on someone else’s toes after the first fridge shelf was filled. By the end of the third shelf, there was a full-on battle raging up and down the stairs, two of the three children were bleeding, Donald had finished smoking the duck and put out the fire in the backyard, and I’d had three more glasses of wine.

My father-in-law arrived and we had to clear coloring books off the table before sitting down to eat. We were covered in food, pet hair, smoker ash and Band Aids. Thanks to the wine and various taste tests throughout the day, I wasn’t very hungry so I sat back to watch the rest of my little tribe. Birdie Sue kicked Tapper under the table, who cried and knocked over Hedgehog’s milk. My father-in-law and Donald talked about the six thousand and twelve ways to smoke a bird, and how it differs from smoking beef. The cats wove their way under chairs and between feet, asking for scraps.

And I realized something. Cooking for days, cleaning the house and decorating the table didn’t add a thing. After cutting back, simplifying, standing down ... I was sitting at a holiday table the same way I always did: slightly tipsy, exhausted, and hostess to good memories. It didn’t matter that there were still a couple of crayons near the bread basket.

It didn’t matter that food wasn’t cut into fancy shapes. We were using our everyday plates and flatware, and we were still having a good time.

Have a good holiday, dear readers. Whether you put on the turkey-centered equivalent of the Royal Wedding or simply warm up some mac ’n cheese, do it with a smile and know that somewhere at that moment, I’m sitting cross-legged on my kitchen counter amidst a gravy-smeared backdrop, wine glass in hand, and raising a toast to you, whom I am very thankful for.

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ART XPOSED Text by Jordan Venema | Photos by Becca Chavez

Style Benefits The Creative Center:

Fashion Keeps Charity Looking Chic The Old Lumber Yard on 300 E. Oak Avenue got a serious makeover last month, and twice over, when it was structurally remodeled to accommodate the kind of modeling that’s usually found in cities like Milan, Paris and New York. The warehouse, whose corrugated tin walls had been stripped down to reveal its rusted support beams, would have otherwise seemed a more comfortable home for stray cats than a catwalk, but for one evening it became the romping grounds for models and fashionistas.

The juxtaposition of steel frames with soft fabrics, sawdust with glitter, the pragmatism of the warehouse with hairstyles as extravagant as wedding cakes created a je ne sais quoi atmosphere that made the venue a perfect fit for the second annual Art Xposed—a fashion show highlighting the cuttingedge hairstyles and designs of local stylists while raising funds for the Creative Center, whose mission it is to teach selfexpression to developmentally disabled adults through art and community integration.

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You could say the idea for Art Xposed grew out of a haircut. Kathleen Remillard, who for seven years was the Creative Center’s executive director, asked Christi Jordan, the owner of Visalia’s CA Looks and Kathleen’s personal stylist, if she’d be interested in doing a hair show. Two years later and Art Xposed has become much larger than big hair: it has become a community event. Besides showcasing the talents of local stylists, the event included a children’s fashion show, dance performances by In-Shape’s Zumba class and Dancer’s Edge Studio, and a solo performance by Visalia’s Ashley Galvan who appeared on the seventh season of the show So You Think You Can Dance.

At the center of the event was a fashion show and competition broken into three divisions: Novice, Trendsetter and Avant-garde. During the show, the warehouse had the atmosphere of a sports stadium and the electricity of a red carpet event. The crowd cheered as stylists described their designs, and decorated women maneuvered the catwalk

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

in their high heels and dressed in gowns ranging from the elegant (a simple and short beige dress) to the fantastic (a sort of toga befitting Cleopatra). Leslie Cooke, a stylist from Renaissance Salon in downtown Visalia, and the winner of the Trendsetter competition, described the models as “fierce.” An apt description since many of the hairstyles and outfits looked as though they had been inspired by Lady Gaga.

The winners of each division were awarded a miscellany of gift cards to local businesses – restaurants, spas, florists, oil changes – worth well into the hundreds of dollars. But for many of the local stylists who participated in the fashion show, the competition was secondary to the purpose of the event: supporting Visalia’s Creative Center. Sabrina Tanaka, a student at Estes Institute of Cosmetology and first place winner in the Novice division, felt that “being able to participate in an event like this meant a lot more than a win.” Sabrina also knew that the audience “didn’t just buy a ticket to see a hair show,” but, like her, to participate in an event that had much more significance than just fashion.

When asked how Art Xposed benefits The Creative Center, Remillard answered, “Every little bit of money raised is helpful.” She estimates that this year’s Art Xposed event raised about $10,000 for The Creative Center. “But,” she added,

emphasizing the priority, “it’s also about raising awareness about the Center.” Kathleen should know. How did she become involved with the Center? “Actually, a friend invited me to one of the plays.”

Remillard was a volunteer at the Center before she became its executive director. “Their hearts are huge,” she said, describing the developmentally disabled adults who, through The Creative Center, express themselves through visual and performance arts.

Performance arts includes The Creative Center’s Blues Brothers, a lip-syncing group replete with instruments and microphones. Six men dressed in suits and fedoras inaugurated Art Xposed with a performance that ultimately stole the show.

One vocalist cartwheeled down the catwalk while the other crooned into the microphone. And the musicians never broke character. Cool as cucumbers, those Blues Brothers, until they walked off stage with wide, infectious grins. As they received high fives and fist-bumps from audience members, it was clear that these adults were the real stars of Art Xposed. Everything that followed was just a really cool accessory.

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focus fitness ON

Text by Andy & Eryn Salazar of Empower Fitness Training

Five Tips to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain The holiday season is upon us. Bring on the office parties, large family dinners, and the myriad junk food and snacks while watching the all-American game of football. With all of our holiday celebrations we add tons of calories to our daily nutrition, and usually slack off on our exercise routine. These factors undoubtedly lead to extra pounds before we ring in the New Year.

I’m going to give five holiday tips to help you avoid gaining any weight this holiday season. We are going to break the holiday weight-gain cycle once and for all. On average we will gain anywhere from three to 10 pounds over the holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The bad thing about this weight gain is we usually do not lose it. Even if it is just an extra pound that you don’t lose year after year, your weight climbs up.

The holidays can be a very stressful time; it is extremely challenging to balance all of our responsibilities and still find time to exercise regularly. Keeping your weight in check during the holidays is all about moderation and consistency.

Be conscious of the amount of calories you are consuming and the amount of exercise you are getting. Indulge yourself, but use restraint and don’t go overboard. Here are those five tips to keep the pounds off during the holidays.

Exercise regularly: Even if you don’t have time to get to the gym, it is imperative that you get some form of exercise in every day. It can be as simple as going for a brisk 30-

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45 minute walk or taking advantage of your 15-minute work breaks to climb the stairs or walk. Whatever it is, do something every day.

Calorie Control: Cut out all unnecessary calories, especially in the form of beverages. Drink plenty of water, and limit yourself to only one higher calorie meal per day, it does not matter if that is breakfast, lunch or dinner, but use moderation. Keep your serving sizes reasonable, and only eat until you are satisfied.

Avoid Sugar: Limit yourself to one sweet or dessert per day. During the holiday season sweets are all around, and they add a lot of extra calories to our diet. Remember that one bite tastes the same as a whole piece of pie or cake, so if you just can’t resist then resort to just taking a bit.

Plan: Plan out your nutrition and exercise on paper in advance the night before you start your next day. If you map it out you will be more likely to stick to it.

Stay Motivated: Don’t lose your focus, and give into the all-or-nothing effect. Remind yourself daily that your goal over the holiday season is to maintain or lose weight, and set your mind to achieving that. Don’t beat yourself up over one bad eating or exercise day, make the next day better.

This holiday season, choose to be abnormal and not gain any holiday weight. Then you can start the New Year off not with setting a weight loss or fitness goal, but a goal of continuing to be consistent with your eating and fitness routine so you can be as fit and healthy as possible. Instead of setting short-term fixed goals like fitting into your skinny jeans or getting six-pack abs, set limitless goals for long-term success like feeling good and confident with your body, or staying fit so you can be active and hike, walk or play with your kids and not be out of breath or in pain.

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Broker/Owner NMLS #252789

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AVIATION MONTH Text by Nicole Agnew

Longevity of Aviation:

Paying Tribute to A Local Engineer It's the time of year when America thanks those who have contributed to the development and longevity of aviation by nationally designating November as “Aviation Month.” As it is Aviation Month, how could we not pay tribute to notable and accomplished local-bred aeronautical engineer Elbert Leander “Burt” Rutan who has given well-deserved notoriety to his hometown of Dinuba through his reputation as a maverick in the aviation industry. Winner of the Presidential Citizen’s Medal, the Charles A. Lindbergh Award, two Collier Trophies, and included in Time’s “100 most influential people in the world,” Newsweek reports that Rutan is “the man responsible for more innovations in modern aviation than any living engineer.”

Retired in early April of this year from the design and manufacturing firm he founded in 1982, Scaled Composites, 67-year-old Rutan has left behind an inspiring and successful legacy; five of his planes hang in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. “There aren’t many names that are bigger within the aviation industry than Burt Rutan,” Richard Branson, the British billionaire behind Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Galactic, was quoted as saying in the Los Angeles Times last April. “He’s a larger-than-life character that brings a room to silence when he walks in.”

While looking as though he could have stepped off of a That ’70s Show set with his trademark eye-catching sideburns, Rutan’s vision has always been fixed on the future with his 22

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modern futuristic aviation designs. Creator of 367 different design concepts (45 of them actualized and flown), Rutan’s sleek, modern and artistic design aesthetic is as well known as his planes’ aerodynamic feats.

Born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in Dinuba, glue and model airplane parts never seemed to escape the hands of Rutan, who from an early age was amazed how airplanes caught air and glided with grace through the skyline. While growing up, Rutan and his brother Richard entered local model plane contests, and Burt became known for his impeccable depictions of famous aircrafts. “[Burt] always won,” Richard told Smithonian.

Rutan developed his interest in airplanes while studying aeronautical engineering at Cal Poly, where he graduated third in his 1965 class. His academic honors have only increased as the years have progressed with six honorary degrees ranging from an Honorary Degree of Science from Cal Poly to an Honorary Degree of Humanities from Lewis University.

While always having a soft spot in his heart for his hometown of Dinuba, after graduating from college Rutan lived and breathed amongst the blistering desert sand of Mojave as a civilian flight test project engineer at Edwards Air Force Base. Rutan became a promising star at the base by designing a recovery system for when the U.S. military’s prized F-4 fighter jet went into an uncontrolled spin. After leaving Mojave and spending time in Kentucky working for

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

Bede Aircraft Company, Rutan felt the need to develop his own plane designs and thus founded his first company, Rutan Aircraft Factory (RAF), in Mojave. RAF was known for its light aircraft designs that could be constructed by aircraft devotees at their very own homes.

Rutan loved providing aircraft enthusiasts with planes they could make on their own, but he also wanted to set records and be a valuable individual in aviation history. Some of his most notable aviation design accomplishments include: his first aircraft design, VariViggen (1968); the first aircraft to fly around the world without refueling or stopping, Model 76 Voyager (1986); an asymmetrical twin engine plane that was able to fly at 300 miles per hour, Boomerang (1996); an adjustable aircraft able to reach high altitudes, Proteus (1999); and the first aircraft to make an around-the-world flight without stopping or refueling with a sole pilot and the first to do so in a faster time than the Model 76 Voyager, 19 Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer (2005). Even though Rutan has had a life-long love affair with aviation, he has also contributed to other types of developments in society; he designed an 85-foot sail for the winning yacht in the 1988 America’s Cup race, and later constructed an “Ultralite” show car composed of lightweight plastic composites for General Motors Corporation in 1992.

One of Rutan’s recent achievements, and what some have called the most notable feat of his career, is SpaceShipOne, the first privately built manned spacecraft, which had its first flight in 2004. Winners of the $10 million dollar Ansari X PRIZE for private spaceflight, Rutan and his team received notable mentions throughout the media: a phone call from the President of the United States, Inc.’s Entrepreneur of 2004 award for Rutan, and appearances on Jay Leno. With SpaceShipOne, Rutan’s dreams of privatized space tourism

had been actualized and the doors opened for discussions of orbiting space hotels.

As his favorite design, SpaceShipOne solved a problem of re-entering the earth’s atmosphere by having a feathered re-entry. For Rutan, the design process for SpaceShipOne was bittersweet; this was the last airplane he did all of the computer-aided design for. From then on, Rutan has looked over his engineer’s shoulder giving advice and input for each design. “I shy away from [drawing designs] in my plan to establish a whole new generation of people who do that – other than me,” Rutan remarked to Air & Space magazine in August of 2009.

Scaled Composites hopes to expand and improve on the aerodynamic goals that SpaceShipOne achieved, with its construction of SpaceShipTwo, which Rutan likes to note is not his design. It seems that at this moment, and all moments of Rutan’s life, he is focused on what’s to come, the future of the aviation industry. His main professional goal prior to retiring has been to train engineers that have come after him to keep thinking ahead and work in unrestricted environments where they are not afraid of failure. Rutan believes brilliant cutting-edge designs are created and perfected in such relaxed environments. “I don’t care about taking the risk that something won’t succeed,” Rutan has said.

Rutan is now spending his days in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he enjoys his time with his wife, Tonya. For all he’s done he has served as inspiration for small-town kids with colossal dreams. Rutan proves that growing up in a small town can create that “fire” – a need to explore and venture out of the world. While Rutan has “flown” from the Valley and made a name for himself internationally, one thing still remains of his past: he will always be the model-airplane obsessed little boy from Dinuba, California.

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BOUNTY COUNTY of the

Text and Photos by Corey Ralston

Farm Bureau Celebrates Local Farmers The sun setting behind the Ritchie Barn in Visalia was an all-too picture-perfect environment for local farmers and restaurants to celebrate the harvest. From wine to bread pudding, locals tasted the best of Tulare County. Twenty-five different vendors were on hand to let guests taste-test the fruits of their labor.

The Second Annual Bounty of the County, formed with the goal of creating a connection and an appreciation between farmers, restaurants and consumers throughout Tulare County, brought in over 300 locals who were hungry to learn more about what is growing in their own backyard.

Throughout the evening, people mingled and enjoyed each other’s company, while going back for second and third tastes of their favorite dishes, perfecting the art of conversation with a good glass of wine, all the while dancing to the sound of Carl Lawson’s Fun Country band.

“Farm Bureau members were pleased to see the fantastic turn-out of people and enjoyed the opportunity to meet and mingle with Tulare County friends and neighbors from all walks of life,” said Program Coordinator Carrie Crane.

The growing popularity of eating fresh, local and sustainable products has made this tasting even more successful than the inaugural event.

Porterville resident Teresa Langdon tries to be conscious about eating local resources. She is a frequent Farmers Market patron and feels privileged to live in an area that has such fresh offerings.

“This was my first time to this event, and I can see this event really taking off. The fact that it is laid back and comfortable is a huge selling point. I have been to other tastings but this was by far the neatest one,” Langdon said, who had no idea that there were so many wine and even vodka producers here in the Valley. Hangar One offered samples of three different infused vodkas to try. And Brewbakers, 24

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Visalia’s ever-popular microbrewery, had seasonal beers on hand.

This year there was a great turnout of winemakers from throughout the state, some of which are using Tulare County grapes in their wines. The Tulare County Farm Bureau wanted to provide Tulare County consumers an opportunity to connect with farmers, chefs, brewers, winemakers and everyone who contributes to the bountiful plate of products produced in our county. “We hope Bounty of the County guests learned something new about agriculture and gained a new perspective on our industry,” Crane said.

Each year the Farm Bureau puts on several events that each focus on a different purpose. On November 5 the Young Farmers and Ranchers will host its 18th Annual Casino Night, a fundraiser to help raise money to support annual charity projects and sponsor young agricultural professionals to attend leadership conferences and special events. There is also the “Farm to Fork” livestock event where three locally grown hogs raised by junior exhibitors are entries at the Tulare County Fair. The meal is provided to beneficiaries of the Visalia Rescue Mission.

In March the Farm Bureau is back with its spring gala, a fundraiser that raises funds for the Tulare County Farm Bureau’s literacy programs and scholarships for local youth.

The Bureau’s hope is that Bounty of the County will turn into a must-see countywide event for years to come, as it continues to connect Tulare County consumers with the Valley’s hardworking farmers and the food they provide.

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VUSD Text by Craig Wheaton, Ed.D. Superintendent

Key to Improvement Every year there are schools where student learning takes a big jump up. This year was no exception; eleven VUSD schools increased their Academic Performance Index (API) by 20 points or more. That is a huge accomplishment. It translates to more students learning! Overall, VUSD had positive gains in every major subject area. Teaching is what makes a difference; and we have provided support for teachers’ collaborative planning – in delivering clear, direct, effective instruction and in how to actively engage students in learning.

You always hear from me, so I asked principals to identify the most important factor that led to the big jump in learning at their school. Here are some of their comments: Valley Oak Middle School: “Pretty simple. Focus on the right things and how you deliver these right things to kids every day.”

Willow Glen Elementary School: “The teachers collaboratively and consistently implemented agreed-upon, research-based strategies, cultivating a new environment that values learning at its core.”

Annie R. Mitchell Elementary: “… the biggest reason for our growth was our focus. Everyone honed in last year on what we needed to do … increase students’ achievement. Each decision we made had to address this simple directive.”

Oak Grove Elementary: “High expectations and hard work!”

Ivanhoe Elementary: “…that’s hard to narrow down … intense focus on language development … work on engagement structures, sentence frames, vocabulary development, and on positive discipline in order to develop risk-free classrooms.”

Cottonwood Creek Elementary: “Teachers began to build relationships as professionals and to work together more consistently.”

Linwood Elementary: “Focused instruction on standardsbased objectives … teaching the RIGHT things.”

CARPET CLEANING BASICS

Everyone knows that it is regular vacuuming and quick attention to the expected spots and stains that keep a carpet looking its best. But even with the most diligent attention to regular carpet care, all carpets will need a deep extraction cleaning every once in awhile to remove stubborn and embedded soil. These deep cleaning methods will keep carpets looking, feeling and smelling fresh and new.

• A clean carpet will last much longer than a dirty one. Soil is abrasive and the longer it is on your carpet the more it will abrade your fibers. Get rid of it as soon as possible and save your carpet.

• Carpet is a giant air filter and traps contaminants from the air. You must clean this filter on a regular basis to keep it working well. So clean your carpets often and enjoy relief from allergies.

Clean carpets keeps your home smelling and looking fresh.

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

FESTIVAL OF HOPE Text and Photos by Corey Ralston

Sunflower Memories:

The Value of a Life A sunflower evokes the feeling of happiness to many who gaze upon it. On the weekend of October 8, it was used as a symbol of hope to those who may not be able to see the beauty of this world and the gift of life. This message of hope was projected to the masses at the second annual Festival of Hope presented by the Tulare and Kings County Suicide Prevention Task Force.

A portion of the pavement at the Preferred Outlets in Tulare was covered with beautiful chalk murals, each space giving off an uplifting message of the power of love and emphasizing the importance of life. Many Valley artists lent their artistic prowess to the cause as they took chalk to pavement to create pieces of art that would touch the human spirit. Sprinkled among the art were booths from local organizations that offered assistance to anyone in the outlying communities who needed care. The message was clear to say that suicide is never an option.

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For two years now Noah Whitaker, from the Task Force, has seen this event blossom into what he had envisioned from the get-go.

“The Festival of Hope was envisioned to be a different and unique fusion of art and music; an outreach centered on the cause of suicide prevention awareness. We wanted it to be an event where anyone could come to enjoy beauty and [could] discuss an extremely difficult and uncomfortable topic.

Our community has lost too many people to a public health problem that is highly preventable, and rather than focus on the tragedy of loss, we seek to celebrate hope and life,” Whitaker said.

Groups like “The Trevor Project” opened themselves up to speak to people in the community about their own efforts to fight for life. The Trevor Project’s primary goal is to reach out to Lesbian, Gay and Transgendered youth who feel like outcasts and have reached a point where they feel that ending their life is the only way to save them from a torturous life of bullying and persecution.

“We like to send a message that no one is ever alone,” said Sarah Train, education manager for The Trevor Project.

Beyond handing out resources to those inquiring, the

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

group also tried to have interaction with the community.

Those willing were asked to write down an inspirational message to others who may need a comforting word. After writing the message, a picture was taken with the author displaying their message to make known there are people in the world who care for them.

“The most important thing is that everyone sees someone that they can relate to,” Train said. “We are showing how resilient youth can be by just being here.”

According to Whitaker, suicide statistics vary between demographics, but men make up a large number of those who complete the act of suicide, while women have a higher number of suicide attempts. The task force tries to maintain a presence at dozens of local resource fairs and events throughout the year.

The murals were a major draw for attendants.

One particular mural chalked by artist Lorelle Miller was a reproduction of a painting that spoke to Miller. It showed a woman looking to the sky as she is surrounded by majestic natural beauty.

“She looked like she was discovering something. It is

uplifting to me,” Miller said.

She added a field of sunflowers to stay with the motif and theme of the event.

The use of sunflowers as a symbol for the task force has very personal connections. It was the favorite flower of a local youth who ended his life and reminded Whitaker of his father and grandfather who were in the floral industry and both lost their lives to suicide.

“Flowers have an amazing capacity to impact people. The sunflower has been embraced locally to symbolize our suicide prevention efforts, and is included in our logo. This emblem is unique to our community and is not used nationally.

Sunflowers help to connect with our community’s agricultural heritage. They are incredible plants that can find root and grow in adverse conditions. One seed, when tended, can produce thousands of others. Our efforts seek to find people who are losing or have lost hope and are at-risk for suicide and connect them with appropriate services to help save their lives. It is amazing what just one seed, one life can produce,” Whitaker said.

Beyond art, there were a fair amount of local musicians who donated time to perform at the festival. Many local bands showed up and drew impressive crowds. The main event was a duo called “Matt & Kim” that drew a crowd of over 600.

In total over 2,000 resource bags were given out to people at the event and they estimate another 2,000 were also in attendance. As the event grows and attendance goes up, there is one significant number that they hope will be decreased.

“The greatest number we want to see is a decline in the number of suicides in our community. If even one life was touched, one life saved as a result of the Festival of Hope, it was completely worth it,” Whitaker said.

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY COLLEGE Monday, Oct. 17, was the first day of class for 15 students enrolled in San Joaquin Valley College’s (SJVC) new Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) program on its Visalia campus. “The first-day excitement level was very high for the founding students of this new technical program,” said Eric Lindberg, Technical Programs Division Manager. “This inaugural class will enjoy being the first students to benefit from a program well designed for a successful career in the Central Valley.”

The HVAC-R program at SJVC teaches students about the operation, maintenance and repair of residential and commercial equipment. A hands-on approach to instruction prepares graduates to enter the field with the skill, knowledge and confidence to succeed in this highdemand field. This program has been a success for students, employers and communities at several other SJVC campuses.

SJVC’s Visalia campus currently offers 16 other business, medical and technical programs, including Computer Systems Administration and Industrial Technology. “We are excited about offering a new program on the Visalia Campus,” said Don Wright, Visalia Campus Director. “It is a tremendous opportunity to reach out to yet another segment of the community and provide individuals with the training necessary to join the HVAC-R industry.”

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program at SJVC is accelerated so students can complete requirements and become job-ready in a shorter time. “Local contractors have told us that there is a need in our area for this professional level and speed of training in this particular industry,” said Wright.

HVAC-R students are enjoying state-of-the-art equipment in a large warehouse-style building divided into four sections. One section is a fairly typical 28

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classroom with seats and smart-board, another is a teaching lab, a third is comprised of long lines of various heating and cooling units and equipment, including ice machines, freezers, refrigerators and air conditioners, while the outdoors lab is set up for glazing with a torch to bind copper tubing. “Each of our students is given his or her own tool chest ($1,800 value) to use throughout their education and training and take with them when they graduate,” said Mr. Lindberg.

The HVAC-R class instructor is David Gill, who has 36 years experience in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration field. “We are fortunate to have someone working with our students who is so knowledgeable and experienced,” said Lindberg.

SJVC’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration class is offered Monday-Thursday mornings, 7:15 a.m.

– 12 p.m., with a 24-seat capacity. Many other potential students have applications in and are waiting for an evening class to open up in the next year.

“I personally interviewed every student we accepted into the HVAC-R program,” said Mr. Lindberg, “and so many are starting over in new careers and wanted something they felt was a secure field to

New Technical Career Training Program off to a Good Start

get into so that they would have greater assurance of supporting their families.”

Graduates of this program earn an Associate of Science degree along with EPA Certification, HVAC Excellence, and Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) certification. For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit consumerinfo. sjvc.edu.

SJVC is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

San Joaquin Valley College is a private junior college with 11 campuses and an online campus. (Please see SJVC.edu) For more information about the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program, or for questions about other business, medical or technical programs offered at the Visalia campus, please call toll-free (866) 391-3804.

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

GOINGS-ON For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf Directed by Thomas-Whit Ellis, Fresno State Theatre Arts Department puts on this experimental play by Ntozake Shange. Initially staged in California, it has been performed OffBroadway and on Broadway, and adapted as a book, a television film, and a theatrical film. The 1977 Broadway production was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play.

When: Oct. 28 - Nov. 5, 8p evening; 2p matinee Where: Woods Theatre, Fresno State Contact: 278-2216 Creative Alchemy: Releasing Your Artist’s Soul This one-day workshop, taught by Bay Area architect and author Anthony Lawlor, will help you rediscover your artist’s soul and your personal voice as an artist. It is open to nonartists as well, anyone interested in deepening their perception of art and/or their ability to create it. Call for registration information.

When: Oct. 29, 10a-4p Where: Three Rivers Art Center, Three Rivers Contact: 561-4671 Spooky Sprint The Spooky Sprint offers fun and excitement to participants of all ages. Showcase your Halloween spirit and wear your costume. Award for best costumes will be given. After the 5k Run / Walk, a Kids Fun Run will be held. Call for registration information.

When: Oct. 29, 7-10a Where: Plaza Park, Visalia Contact: 713-4365

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Halloween Monster Mayhem!!

An evening of hard rock and heavy metal with performances by Damage Inc. (Tribute to Early Metallica) and Roses N Guns (A Tribute to the Guns N’ Roses).

When: Oct. 29, 8p Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 623-1369 Riverdance Comes to Fresno The critically acclaimed theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary, visits Fresno and brings with it the story of the Irish culture and of the Irish immigration to America. Price: $35.00 - $55.00 When: Nov. 2-3, 7:30p Where: William Saroyan Theatre, 700 M St., Fresno Contact: 445-8200 The Enchanted Reef: Planetarium Public Show This programs transports the viewer to a tropical reef, a one-of-a-kind world: colorful and foreign, full of adventure and danger, riddles and mysteries, old legends and myths ... a world inhabited by creatures that are humorous and courageous, lovable and bizarre, charming and dangerous. An exciting adventure for the whole family.

When: Nov. 4, 7p Where: Peña Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel, Visalia Contact: 737-6334

Kaweah Land & Arts Festival Enjoy performances, art and excursions during this four-day long festival celebrating our rich culture and land. Each day is filled with entertainment, fun, games and cultural ambiance. For more information please visit www.sequoiariverlands.org.

Nov. 4, “Blues & Dust” at Cellar Door, 9-11:30p Nov. 5, “Visual Harvest: Paintings by Paul Buxman” at Arts Visalia, 6-8p Nov. 6, “Getting Grounded: The Land & Arts Field Day” at Kaweah Oaks Preserve, 11a-4p Nov. 7, “Becoming Native: The Land & Arts Symposium” at COS, 2:15p 1st Saturday in Three Rivers Celebrate art, music, dance, storytelling, food and drink as you browse the art galleries, studios and gift shops of Downtown Three Rivers. For discounts and participants visit website.

When: Nov. 5, 10a-5p Where: Maps at Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or visit www.1stSaturdayTR.com

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

Tulare County Symphony Presents Creme de Paris Violinist Danielle Belen is on the faculty of prestigious Colburn Conservatory in L.A. and is also founder and artistic director of the Center Stage Strings, a summer camp and performance festival for gifted young musicians in Three Rivers. The concert includes Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto in E minor,” Saint-Saens’ “Suite Algerienne,” and the Paris evening ends with the beautiful “Daphnis and Chloe” ballet.

When: Nov. 12, 7:30p Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 623-1369 Silent Movies at the Fox Featuring the Great Professor Rinaudo and Organist, Dean Mora, come out Downtown this afternoon and enjoy a bit of the past. Tickets: $10 General Admission; $5 Seniors.

When: Nov. 12, 2p Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 623-1369 Student Art Exhibit The Tulare County Office of Education hosts the November/December art exhibit. The exhibit is open to the public. The art exhibit is judged by people in the art community, and each school may win up to 10 BEST OF SHOW ratings.

When: Nov. 14 (opens) Where: 2637 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia.

Contact: Brian Roberts, brianr@tcoe.org or call 651-1482 ext.3645

Independent Film Series The Tulare County Library presents The Colors of the Mountain, a Spanish film directed by Carlos Cesar Arbelaez.

When: Nov. 17, 6p Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-2700 or www.tularecountylibrary.org T.C.O.E Theatre Company Presents Disney’s Mulan, Jr. For their fall production, the talented cast of Tulare County’s youth performs a spin on the classic Disney feature “Mulan.”

When: Nov. 17-19, 7p; matinee Nov. 19, 2p Where: L.J. Williams Theater, 1001 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: Brian Roberts, brianr@tcoe.org or call 651-1482 ext.3645 Dawn of the Space Age: Planetarium Public Show From the launch of the first artificial satellite Sputnik to the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights, you’ll be captivated by this most accurate historic reconstruction of Man’s first steps into space.

When: Nov. 18, 7p Where: Peña Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel, Visalia Contact: 737-6334

Kaweah Delta Hospital’s Previously Adorned Christmas Sale Selling anything to do with Christmas, this is the sale for all you need to get your house looking very merry this holiday. All profits from this sale will go to buy patient care equipment for the hospital.

When: Dec. 1, 8a Where: Kaweah Delta Hospital Main Lobby, 400 W. Mineral King Ave., Visalia Contact: Donna, 734-3109 Tulare County Library First Tuesday Book Club (Oct. 4, 6:30p) Mystery Readers (Oct. 19, 6:30p) Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-2700 or www.tularecountylibrary.org Visalia Farmers’ Market – Harvest of the Valley Weekly event open to the public featuring free live music, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations and local, fresh produce available for purchase.

When: Thursdays, Downtown Visalia 5-8p; Saturdays, Sequoia Mall, Sears parking lot 8-11:30a Where: Main Street; Visalia & Sears parking lot at Mooney and Caldwell, Visalia Contact: 967-6722 or www.visaliafarmersmarket.com

If you would like to have your event considered for a free listing in our “Goings-On” section, please email your submission to direct@dmiagency.com or fax to 738-0909, Attention Goings-On. Please note, we do not guarantee listing of any submission. Submissions must be received six (6) weeks before publication.

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CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE — T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

warren reports Text by Warren Gubler, Visalia City Councilmember

Miki, Japan In August, a delegation of 10 visitors from our sister city, Miki, Japan, came to visit. The delegation consisted of mainly adults ages 30 through 60, along with two college students and a high school student. Why does Visalia have sister cities in Japan and in Putignano, Italy?

President Dwight D. Eisenhower encouraged cities in America to form sister-city relationships in order to promote understanding and brotherhood between the peoples of the world. Our relationship with Miki was formed in 1993, to further international understanding through the exchange of ideas, culture, education, municipal, professional and technical projects.

As of 2005, Miki had a population of 85,124 people.

It is located south of Tokyo, to the northwest of Kobe. It is famous throughout Japan as one of the oldest blacksmith towns producing high-quality hardware, and holds an annual Miki Hardware Festival. They are also renowned for growing a special kind of rice known as Yamadanishiki, which is used to brew high-quality saki. The city was founded along the Minogawa River around 700 A.D. I might add that it has 25 golf courses.

Over the years, Visalia has sent a number of delegations to visit Miki. Some of these have consisted of local political and business leaders, while some have been high school students.

Our recent visitors kept a busy schedule while they were here. They were welcomed on Monday at City Hall and were then taken to their host homes where they recovered the first night from jet lag. Tuesday was Ag Day as they visited various farms and ag businesses in the area. Wednesday they visited local schools, businesses, and the River Way Sports Park. Thursday they took the shuttle up to Sequoia National Park where they spent the day admiring the giant trees and the beauties of nature. On Friday they got to see more of the Valley as they visited Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno State and Kingsburg.

My family was fortunate to be one of the host families. We hosted Ami Maruki, a 16-year-old high school student. She proved to be a perfect match for our two teenage daughters.

In the evenings, each of the host families was responsible for entertaining their guest. One evening, Ami, my wife and daughter swam in our pool, and did lap races. Another night we went to watch the Visalia Rawhide baseball team play.

We took Ami to see Costco, a supermarket, and other local businesses. She was impressed by how large all the businesses 32

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here are. By Thursday night we were running out of ideas, so I took her outside to help me pick some Concord grapes off one of our grapevines. We juiced some of the grape bunches so that she could try fresh Concord grape juice. My wife then came up with the idea of making Concord grape jelly, so she spent the evening teaching Ami how to make that, enough for all the Japanese visitors.

The week wrapped up Friday night with an all-American barbeque and swim party in the Gubler backyard. All ten of the Japanese visitors, along with all the host families, the mayor, the vice-mayor, and other city representatives were in attendance, a total of approximately 60 people. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, watermelon, and homemade ice cream for dessert. One of the guests, Mr. Tanaka, performed a karate demonstration for us. Then each of the Miki guests took a turn expressing in good English their appreciation to the city of Visalia and the host families for a wonderful week.

I spoke with most of the host families at the barbeque, and without exception, everyone had a great experience. Many gifts were exchanged as is the custom in Japan. Saturday at 4:30 a.m. our guests were off to San Francisco to sightsee there before returning home to Japan the next day.

Having lived for two years in Japan and Okinawa as a young man, I am interested in all things Japanese. At one time I was fluent in Japanese, although I do not get much practice using it in California. I was amazed at how much of the language came back to me so that I was able to communicate with Ami and help her with her English in return. She left my wife and me a note thanking us for an unforgettable experience. She indicated that my Japanese helped her in understanding what was going on but that she would buckle down and study hard in Japan so that the next time she visits, she will be able to fluently communicate in our language.

We look forward to more visits from our many friends in Miki and to sending future delegations there as well to learn more of their city and customs. These types of visits and exchanges cannot help but increase understanding between our two cities and our two countries as we continue to form lasting friendships.

If you have questions or topics regarding the city that you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us, or call (559) 713-4400 x3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.