April 2012

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

MAGAZINE

EASTER IS ALL ABOUT CHANGE! Join Visalia First Assembly for Easter this year.

(Services on April 7 & 8)

Well, THAT WAS FUN

Winging It

VIRTUAL VALLEY Getting Fit with a Virtual Trainer

APRIL

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

37

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.

DIRECT MAGAZINE

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

LOSE UP TO 20 LBS IN 30 DAYS For Men & Women!

2 PROGRAMS TO CHOOSE FROM HCG WEIGHT MANAGEMENT RAPID LEANING PROGRAM

TAKE OFF

One Month Weight-loss before

after

WHAT DIETING WON’T (4 weeks post SmartLipo procedure. Actual Patient of Dr. André Edmonds) The FDA approved this laser-assisted liposis procedure for eliminating areas of unwanted fat while tightening and increasing elasticity.

4037 S. Mooney Blvd.

Visalia, California

Tiffany Smith-Edmonds, CEO, Spa Director Dr. André P. Edmonds, BSc, MD, CM, FRCS(C), FICS, FACS, FAAOS, Medical Director The spa and salon are open Monday, 9a.m. - 6p.m.

Tuesday–Friday, 9a.m. – 7p.m.

Saturday, 9a.m. – 5p.m.

2

DIRECT MAGAZINE

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

DIRECT MAGAZINE

3

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 APRIL 2012 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 Operations Manager MARIA GASTON

6 Visalia First

Assembly

Easter Is All

About Change

10 Virtual Valley

MyFitnessPal.com: Getting Fit with a Virtual Trainer

ROSS YUKAWA S EN IO R G RAPH I C DE S I G NE R

The Other Side of Infinity

CHRIS BLY Advertising Director Bridget Elmore 559.739.1747 SALES O FF I C E

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

16 Well, THAT Was Fun Winging It

18 From Out of the Tules Cartmill Family History: Wooster Cartmill, Father of Tulare’s Dairy Industry

BUS INE S S M ANAG E M E N T

Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA JeffREy Malkasian EA

20 Dental Health Caries and Baby Teeth

24 Air Patrol 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 © 2012 DMI Agency

4

DIRECT MAGAZINE

23 Focus on Fitness 26 Fashion

32 Warren Reports

14 Excursion

Peña Planetarium:

ADVERT I S I NG SALE S

22 VUSD

30 Goings-On

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

ART DI RECTO R

13 Rawhide Baseball

28 Education

Marketing Specialist Kyndal Kennedy Andy Salazar CRAIG WHEATON CRYSTAL R. R. EDWARDS C. S. WYATT LINDA RUMINER MAJOR ROGERS DR. MARIYA GRIGORYAN SHARON MOSLEY WARREN GUBLER

12 Pet of the Month

The Eye in the Sky

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

DIRECT MAGAZINE

5

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 Text and Photos provided by Visalia First Assembly

Easter Is All About Change Among the people from Eastern Europe, the Easter basket had nothing to do with candy and rabbits. Baskets were filled with symbolic things and taken to church to be blessed. There was bread to recall how Israel relied on God in the wilderness and to symbolize life. Horseradish was there to suggest the bitterness of Egyptian bondage as well as the bitterness of Jesus’ death. Salt acted as the symbol of our common humanity and ham was in the basket as a reminder that we are not under the Old Law, which prohibited so much, but that we are under the New Law. Eggs were in the basket, too. They stood for hope and resurrection of life!

What Easter is really all about, however, is change. God took the worst possible situation – the death of His Son – turned it around, used it for good, and changed the world!

Easter forever altered history and it is still changing individual lives today.

Pastors Mike and Karen Robertson, lead pastors at Visalia 6

DIRECT MAGAZINE

First Assembly, issue a challenge to people all the time: “Give us a year of your life and you can expect your life to change!”

Pastor Karen, lead pastor/worship arts pastor, added, “Music transforms people and is such a powerful way to express our love and thankfulness to Christ. This Easter, the music and special effects will help people connect with God in a greater way than they have ever experienced before, and we’re all about changed lives.”

“This year, Easter weekend is April 7-8,” Pastor Mike stated. “We’re going to have a wonderful time celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the grave so that we can experience eternal life, and we hope that people will join us at one of our five special Easter services: Saturday at 5 p.m., or Sunday at 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.”

“We will also be having Easter services for children ages kindergarten through fourth grade on Saturday at 5:00 p.m., and Sunday at 9:30, 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.,” adds Mark

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

DIRECT MAGAZINE

7

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

DiGirolamo, children’s pastor. “Kids learn together that the excitement and fun of Easter has a meaning beyond the candy, bunnies and other children’s items that are often associated with this time of the year. While those can be fun, the real meaning is about the greater gift of Jesus and His life.”

“We are excited about everything that God is doing here at Visalia First. I guarantee that when you come, you’ll be greeted with a warm smile and a friendly handshake. VFA is a place where everyone is welcome,” Pastor Mike concluded.

Join us this Easter, and you, too, can expect your life to change!

Visalia First Assembly SW Corner/Akers @ Caldwell Saturdays • 5 p.m.

Sundays • 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

Spanish Service • 12:30 p.m.

(Walnut Campus | Walnut & Demaree) (559) 733-9070 | v1ag.com 8

DIRECT MAGAZINE

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

Broker/Owner NMLS #252789

DIRECT MAGAZINE

9

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

MyFitnessPal.com:

Getting Fit with a Virtual Trainer “Lose weight,” the doctor advised me, “or you could be headed for diabetes.”

I’m the first to admit I had added a few extra pounds while completing my doctorate. There’s a lot of sitting and reading when you’re in graduate school. When I defended my dissertation in 2010, I weighed more than 230 pounds.

Looking back 25 years, I was skinny. Not thin, either, but seriously scrawny. When I graduated from Golden West High School, I was 120 pounds with a 27-inch waist. By 2010, I was approaching twice that size.

Back pain was getting unbearable. I was using a cane frequently and hobbling about with sore knees. Yet, I couldn’t seem to lose the weight. I knew I had to, but I was stuck in a cycle of losing a few pounds and gaining them right back within weeks.

During the Christmas break, I was reading health and fitness articles online. One of the articles I read was about the “CNN Hero” Linda Fondren, a Mississippi resident troubled by her state’s recognition as the “fattest in the nation” for six consecutive years. In a sidebar to the article, CNN Health listed several free online tools, including the website MyFitnessPal.com.

On my own, I wasn’t making much progress. Health 10

DIRECT MAGAZINE

advocates will tell you that working out with friends is the best way to maintain a routine. If you belong to a gym or fitness center, take advantage of any personal training and nutrition consulting because having an appointment encourages you to use the membership.

The various articles I read suggested that MyFitnessPal and other online tools could help maintain a “buddy system” for diet and exercise. While I was skeptical that a free website could help me lose weight, my wife and I joined the website and downloaded the free smartphone application.

MyFitnessPal encourages you to monitor your diet and exercise with a convenient diary. You can update this diary on the website or on your smartphone. There are several similar websites, and the process I’m going to describe is similar for those sites.

When you create a MyFitnessPal account you are guided through a basic personal profile. Based on your gender, age, weight, height and target goals, the system calculates your daily calorie limit, a nutrition guide and an exercise suggestion. You can enter a target weight or a weekly weight loss goal.

I decided to take it slowly and chose to lose two pounds a month. At the time, I didn’t expect to lose anything.

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

After the profile is prepared, you can select to share your diary with friends on MyFitnessPal or, if you’re really brave, share the daily updates with friends on Facebook and Twitter.

There was no way I was going to broadcast my progress on social networks, but I did share the reports with my wife via MyFitnessPal. The first night, I was amazed by the ease of the smartphone app. When you select a canned or packaged food, you can scan the barcode using the smartphone camera. Any user of MyFitnessPal can submit an item and its nutritional information, so the entire community on MyFitnessPal keeps the system up-to-date.

When you cook a meal, you can enter individual ingredients or a completed recipe. If someone else has already entered a recipe, you can use that information in your diary.

My wife uses MacGourmet, a recipe database that also calculates nutritional information. This allows her to verify and update information on the MyFitnessPal website, helping us and other members.

I take a multivitamin and an iron supplement, which are also in the database and included in my dairy. Handy tables and charts report your daily, weekly and monthly nutritional goals. The tables show my calcium intake is short, displaying the data in bold red type.

By the third week, I had already lost the two pounds I hadn’t expected to lose. At the end of the first month, I was down five pounds.

Since MyFitnessPal proved a success, I decided to find other fitness tools.

If you search for “pedometer” online, you can find everything from a simple step counter to a complex GPSbased pedometer with an altimeter and calorie counter. Yes, the smartphone knows when you’re climbing stairs or jogging uphill.

I downloaded a free pedometer and an app for runners.

It turns out, the runners’ app assumes you actually run.

However, the pedometer app works well.

With the start of this school year, I vowed to walk across campus instead of parking near my classroom or office. The vow to walk more was aided by a campus schedule that placed my office and the classroom far apart. However, until recently I had no idea how much walking I was doing.

The pedometer tells me that from the faculty parking lot to my office is approximately three quarters of a mile, depending on the route I take. If I take the shorter route, it burns more calories thanks to two hills and four staircases. The longer route in distance turns out to be less intense, and my preferred route before teaching.

My wife’s iPod nano includes the Nike+ pedometer. We’re now comparing her iPod to my iPhone when we take nightly walks around a local park.

Maybe it is because the numbers are like a video game score, but with the calorie and weight loss numbers on a screen, you start to feel like each day is a step in the right direction. Our mile walks became mile and half walks, and now we’re aiming for two miles several nights a week.

I’m now back in the 180s and hopefully never returning to what a classmate called a “grad student gut.” My ideal weight is still a goal, but I should reach that target sometime this summer.

Fifty pounds from my worst weight, I feel much better.

Once I am at my target weight, I’ll adjust MyFitnessPal to help maintain the weight while eating healthier.

Having a “virtual trainer” has helped achieve what I had started to believe was impossible.

DIRECT MAGAZINE

11

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 Scooter: Scooter is a neutered male Terrier mix, approximately five years old. He’s gentle, sweet, playful, gets along well with other dogs, and loves going for walks. Mixed breed dogs obviously come in all colors, shapes and sizes. They actually tend to be healthier than purebred dogs because the genetic lines are wider spread. Of course, like any dog, they all need love!

Meet Willie: Willie is a neutered male Labrador Retriever, approximately seven years old. His family recently returned him to Valley Oak SPCA because they were unable to give him the time and space he needed to be happy. Willie loves other dogs, kids, riding in the car, long walks, and playing fetch. Labs make wonderful family pets due to their loving nature. They are highly intelligent and very eager to please.

Just like people, dogs have unique personalities; some breeds are laid back while others are high energy. Regardless of their energy level, all dogs need to be exercised daily. The most common method is a walk around the neighborhood, but is a short walk around the block enough exercise for your particular dog?

When a dog isn’t exercised enough, that energy becomes pent up and it has to go somewhere! Behaviors that could be entertaining to for the dog may in fact be problem behaviors for us; digging, excessive barking, escaping from the yard, chewing and destruction of property are all behaviors that could be caused by lack of exercise.

How much exercise? It comes down to what a dog was originally bred for. Those bred to have jobs that require

stamina simply need more exercise. Hunting/herding dogs (labs, terriers, shepherds, collies) were bred to go all day long either working alongside a hunter or overseeing a herd. Dogs like these need a job to do or something that mentally and physically drains them each day.

Ways to exercise and burn off excess energy: • Training activities such as agility • Fetch & tug are interactive games you can enjoy too • Swimming • Biking • Walking trails These are all great ways to get your dog moving.

Reminder: Annual Walk-a-Dog-a-Thon will be taking place on April 21 at Plaza Park.

Valley Oak SPCA, 29016 Highway 99, Visalia, CA 93277 Monday-Saturday, 9a - 5p General Info: (559) 651-1111 Lost Pet Hotline: (559) 713-4700 Valley Oak SPCA is a nonprofit organization, Tax ID #94-2770238. We do not receive donations through ASPCA or HSUS. 12

DIRECT MAGAZINE

To view profiles of our adoptable animals and help us save more lives, visit us online at: www.vospca.org www.petfinder.com www.facebook.com/ValleyOakSPCA

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

RAWHIDE BASEBALL Tex t and Photos provided by Rawhide Baseball

IrishFest Over 600 people were in attendance at the inaugural IrishFest on March 17 at Recreation Ballpark, during a convenient St. Patrick’s Day storm.

The St. Patrick's Day atmosphere held true despite the threat of rain, as guests arrived wearing green outfits accessorized with shamrock sunglasses, beads, neon socks, and many other varieties of decorations, maintaining the spirit of the Irish holiday! A large majority stayed up until last call before taking the Visalia Town Trolley back to the downtown area to continue the holiday celebration!

Guests enjoyed local beer and wine, food, and music.

Irish fare was provided by Cafe 225; on the menu was a corn beef and mashed potatoes dish that had mouths watering all day! Also on the menu was a sausage sandwich covered in gravy that had been marinated with Guinness beer, keeping a traditional Irish flavor present. Guests also enjoyed chili, cooked up by the Visalia Fire Department and root beer

floats from A&W. The Hall of Fame Club at the ballpark was opened to guests who enjoyed the music of local bands Mehrten Drive, High Grade Pats, and Poor Man's Poison.

IrishFest will be an annual event held at Recreation Ballpark, rain or shine. With the success of this year's event, IrishFest is sure to have a large turnout next year, with even a wider variety of beer, more food and more good times!

DIRECT MAGAZINE

13

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

EXCURSION Peña Planetarium:

The Other Side of Infinity Sun, moon, earth, stars, planets, enchanted reefs, black holes; all are destinations for anyone looking for an adventure that truly is out of this world! Visalia’s very own Peña Planetarium at the Impact Center takes audience members to places you’d have to see to believe. And for only a few dollars a show, you can “visit” them all.

Although primarily a learning facility for students in Tulare County, the Planetarium is also opened up to the community a couple of nights each month for public shows.

These shows include themes ranging from the “Dawn of the Space Age” to “The Enchanted Reef” and, of course, the “Earth, Moon and Sun,” in addition to many more exciting adventures. The Planetarium seats 70, so there is plenty of room to get groups together, both big and small. Every show is appropriate and fun for all ages. Instead of a movie date with your kids or special someone, why not think outside of the box ... or galaxy ... and take in an even bigger screen.

The Peña Planetarium features a 30-foot Spitz dome screen, a fully automated Spitz A3P star projector, and a large array of computer-controlled slide, video and special effects projectors.

With the recent installation of a new “Warped-Media” digital projection system, 360-degree full-dome video is now available for the community’s enjoyment. What’s even better, all of this high-tech equipment and entertainment costs only $4 for adults and $3 for children under 12 years old. Now, that’s definitely cheaper than a movie ticket! Plus, it’s educational and a good excuse to get out of the house this spring!

The next showing, “Dawn of the Space Age,” is March 23 at 7 PM Take a look in the Goings-On section for more information (page 30-31).

After the show, visit the Galaxy Gift Shop for souvenirs and an assortment of educational toys, books, science activity kits, and unique gift items including hats, T-shirts, astronomy posters, postcards, stickers, star charts and more.

The Peña Planetarium is located at 2500 West Burrel Avenue in Visalia. Tickets for the public show are on sale 2-4 PM on weekdays and 30 minutes before show time. For more information please visit www.tcoe.org/planetarium or call 737-6334.

14

DIRECT MAGAZINE

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

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOW INTEREST RATES NOW! In-House Processing, Underwriting & Funding WE OFFER: • FHA 203k • Purchase & Refinance • VA • FHA • First-Time Home Buyer Programs • Conventional • Investor Loans

A Local Lender You Can Trust!

Nancy Mota Childres

SENIOR LOAN OFFICER

(559) 713-1064 ext. 31 3700 W. Mineral King Ave. Visalia CA, 93291 nchildres@kingsmortgage.com NMLS #284902

Hablo Español

#264441 Equal Housing Lender. Licensed by CA Department of Coporations-Residential Mortgage Lending Act.

DIRECT MAGAZINE

15

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

Well, THAT WAS FUN

Winging It In early March, I had the opportunity to teach education professionals how to incorporate social media into their marketing and public relations campaigns at SXSWedu.

For the uncool people like me, I should explain: SXSWedu is an annual conference in Austin, Texas. It is attended by leading innovators, education policy-makers, and school administrators from all over the world, from pre-school level to post-graduate programs. In other words, this is where the smart people come to get smarter. Oh, and have authentic Texas barbecue, accompanied by an exquisite, locally brewed Shiner Bock beer.

A stellar gathering, and that’s not an exaggeration. I was intimidated – not just because I am not a smart people (I love fart jokes), and not just because there is no hope for me to get smarter (I love to write fart jokes), but because I am the poster child for clueless parenting.

From the moment I walked into the Austin Hilton Hotel, I was terrified someone was going to come yank my ID badge away from me and expose me for a fraud. “She doesn’t know what her kids wore to school today!” this big badgeyanking meanie would exclaim to the thousands of kid-savvy professionals gathered in the hallways. “And,” they would add shrilly, “she forgot to sign the daily homework folder for Hedgehog last night!”

And then a riot would start and I would be escorted from the building and put in a holding cell and mess up my one phone call by accidentally dialing a crazy cat lady whom I would be too nice to hang up on, so I’d sit on the phone with her for 45 minutes listening to a laundry list of issues her sweet furbabies had and finding myself teary-eyed and 16

DIRECT MAGAZINE

completely sympathizing while unsmiling police and probably the Secret Service stared stony-eyed at me as I gave advice for pilling Mr. Theodore Whiskergiggles.

I felt like Jason Bourne. I did a lot of deep-breathing exercises. I was pretty sure they were out in the convention center parking lot bugging my car. The. Jig. Was. Up. Sure, I know social media, and sure, I know marketing, and sure, I know how to teach even the self-proclaimed “unteachable ones” how to do both in such a way as to not start a PR nightmare, a fire, or a riot in the Austin Hilton Hotel grand ballroom hallway. But my professional confidence simply could not cover my bone-rattling insecurity when it came to ... well, kids. And kids were the whole reason they were there.

Gulp.

The awful truth is, I don’t know what I’m doing as a parent. Even worse, when I do figure something out (“You mean I shouldn’t let them try to parachute off the top of a playscape? Who knew?!”), I flake out after a little while and forget again. “Routine is important for children” is drilled pretty firmly into my brain pan, and we do have a routine.

In fact, I believe having a routine is the only thing the pros have clearly outlined that I manage to be consistent about.

Everything else I practice is the child-rearing equivalent of whatchagot stew.

So I decided that alongside coaching others on social media, I would watch and listen to their thoughts on short people who eat paste and play with boogers. Maybe I would grab a session or two and pick up some tips on how kids’ brains work. I would soak up everything I could, then use my new-found knowledge to craft a parenting plan for my little brood that would be brilliant and cutting-edge.

After the first day of listening, I realized that these adults, these experts, were as clueless as I am.

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

There was one speaker, a lovely woman by the name of Jane McGonigal, who heads up a project called SuperBetter. This project incorporates alternate reality gaming into curriculum.

The theory here is that a player’s physical health improves throughout the game, and its social-gaming aspect creates a built-in health and fitness support group for the gaming student. Isn’t this amazing? And it’s true – if my family’s Wii Fit Plus game is any proof. We play physically demanding games and try to best one another’s scores all the time, and cheer for the winner even if the winner isn’t us and we’re convinced the winner cheated because he is five and hasn’t borne three children yet.

But soon after I tickled my brain cells with this wisdom about fitness and creativity in a video gaming atmosphere, I overheard a child psychologist and development guru discussing how any gaming at all inhibits the blah blah and causes the blabbity-blah to blah and curl up and die and then the kid becomes wall art, or whatever the non-sentient equivalent of a human that hangs around and doesn’t do anything is. What? But ... but ... the game makes kids get up and move. And moving is good. And gaming (according to another speaker) sparks creativity through problem-solving methodology and WHAT ABOUT ALL THE MONEY I SPENT BUYING THAT STUPID WII?!

This was not the only striking contradiction I noticed during SXSWedu. Have you ever heard or read the phrase “facepalm”? It’s used in the online world often. As in, “I spent my last $300 on a new tire for my car, and my mom just arrived with the keys to a whole new car for me. I now can’t afford gas for it. *facepalm*” I facepalmed. Not just once, but dozens of times. I was surrounded by thousands of top-notch thought leaders in the realms of education and child development. They were,

each one, brilliant. They were the best of the best. And they were doing what I do: winging it. Some of them based their winging it on science. Some of them based their winging it on carefully studied developmental theories.

But they all, to a person, were flapping their wings the same way I do, because you know what? There’s no one-sizefits-all method. A game-your-way-to-health and supreme problem-solving skills program is perfect for one child, and another child who tries it turns into an indecisive Picasso. Kids are different. The methodology used to teach them should differ, too, according to the individual needs of the child.

My children are 11, seven, and five now. I have 23 years combined experience as a parent. Each child is very different from the others. I am a professional winger. (No, not wingnut.

Stop that. Winger. I think it’s a real word.) My only real parenting skill, aside from being the aforementioned Mistress of Routines, is that I accept their differences and sometimes have to wait for the kid to tell me how they need to learn. In time, each child will somehow inform me how they learn best.

And oh! I can wait. I am very patient about this, more so than many of the parents I know. Don’t mistake my waiting for laziness, either. It is an active waiting, because it is also listening – not just with my ears, but with my eyes, and my hugs, and my smile, and my sometimes-ability to stop being a Parent and just be a Mom. I am a little more secure about my parenting this morning.

I think Hedgehog is wearing a tutu atop her jeans, and Tapper managed to find a pair of matching socks. I can’t remember what Birdie Sue had on, but it probably features a peace symbol and a girls-kick-butt theme. I have a parachute packed, and we’re heading to the playscape after school today.

They can float down, while I flap my wings. We’re going to land safely, no matter what.

DIRECT MAGAZINE

17

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 at Tulare Historical Museum

Cartmill Family History:

Wooster Cartmill, Father of Tulare’s Dairy Industry Dr. William Ferguson Cartmill was born in Ohio in 1822. He gave up his medical practice in 1849, crossed the plains with a team of oxen, and joined the hordes of gold seekers, but like so many others found very little of the precious metal. He arrived in Sacramento on September 8, 1850, one day before California was admitted to the Union. For the next eleven years he and a partner operated a general store in Amador County. In 1855, Cartmill made the arduous trip to Columbia, Missouri, to claim his bride, Sophia Barnes.

Upon his return to California he discovered that his partner had sold the store and disappeared. For a time he practiced medicine among the Indians and miners, and owned and operated a cattle ranch along Sutter Creek accumulating cattle.

In 1861, he discovered good grazing land about five miles northwest of the future site of Tulare, and brought his 100 cows and heifers to his new ranch.

The ranch house that he built for his family still stands, much altered in size and appearance,and eventually grew to more than 1200 acres.

In 1873, just one year after the birth of Tulare, the doctor built a town home at 304 W. Tulare Avenue so that his children could attend school in town. The house is generally considered to be the oldest surviving building in Tulare.

William and Sophia Cartmill had five children, but the only one to survive infancy was the eldest son, Wooster Beach Cartmill, born April 3, 1857, near Volcano in Amador County. Wooster came with his parents to Tulare when he was only five years old.

During his early years, he worked on his father’s ranch, riding after cattle or herding sheep, sometimes grazing the animals over the site of Tulare-to-be. Milk from the Cartmill cows was sold to a creamery in Visalia, a plant that he eventually owned.

In 1900, Wooster established the first creamery in Tulare, an enterprise located on north J Street, where 18

DIRECT MAGAZINE

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

the cow and milkmaid sculpture appropriately proclaim, “This is Dairy Country!” This first creamery had an output of 500 pounds of butter daily. Wooster Cartmill can rightfully be considered “The Father of Tulare’s Dairy Industry.”

After selling the creamery in 1903, Wooster returned to the home ranch. For a period of time he worked in the office of the County Auditor as a deputy, and in 1922 he was appointed postmaster of Tulare by the Harding administration, a position he held until his retirement in 1926.

Dr. W. F. Cartmill died in 1906 at age of 84 on the day before he and Sophia would have celebrated their 51st

wedding anniversary. Wooster Cartmill died in 1938, but we remember their contribution to the history of Tulare whenever we cross the avenue named in their honor.

Today, Tulare County leads California and the nation with $1 billion in milk production, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The statewide value for milk is about $4 billion. California has been the leading dairy state since 1993, when it surpassed Wisconsin in fluid milk production, and it produces more than 20 percent of the nation’s milk supply.

DIRECT MAGAZINE

19

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

DENTAL HEALTH Text by Dr. Mariya Grigoryan, Cosmetic Touch Dentistry

Caries and Baby Teeth Baby teeth play a very important role in the development of the adult teeth and jaw relationship. Baby teeth maintain space for the adult teeth to come in. If lost too early, remaining teeth drift and the spaces for adult teeth are lost.

While some parents don’t think it matters if kids get cavities in their baby teeth, decay can lead to serious complications in children who haven’t gotten their permanent teeth, including tooth abscesses, chewing problems, pain and infections.

A cavity is a small infection in the tooth that destroys the tooth material. Cavity-causing bacteria usually are transferred to baby through mother or primary caregiver.

Babies naturally experience hunger and need comforting during the night. Generally, baby teeth start erupting into the oral cavity about six months after birth. Caries occur with frequent contact with sugars from liquid carbohydrates such as milk, fruit juice, formula and sweet drinks. Avoid comforting the baby by providing mentioned drinks. Some preventative measures could be taken to decrease possibilities of caries formation.

• At bedtime avoid bottles filled with sugary liquids – just provide plain water. These sugary substances, especially at nighttime, have prolonged contact with teeth, thus providing food for the caries-causing bacteria.

• Do not add sugars to child’s food.

• Do not dip pacifiers in sugar, honey or juice, or clean the pacifier by licking it yourself.

20

DIRECT MAGAZINE

Infants should finish their bedtime bottle before going to bed.

• Wipe the baby’s gums with a wet, clean washcloth to remove plaque formation.

• Caregivers should brush the child’s teeth until the child develops the proper skills to brush effectively – until age six.

• Encouraging healthy eating habits by feeding kids fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

• When child can spit and not swallow toothpaste (usually not before age two), begin brushing the teeth with a pea-size amount of toothpaste containing fluoride. Ask your dental provider about your child’s fluoride needs.

• Instead of bottled water, opt for fluoridated tap water that can help defend against cavities.

According to the New York Times, dentists are now seeing many preschoolers with cavities and severe tooth decay, so much so that there’s huge increase in young children who need general anesthesia for dental procedures.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also reported a rise in cavities in the baby teeth. The largest spike was found among 2-5 year old children. The report stated that 42 percent of kids ages 2-11 had cavities in their primary teeth.

Always remember caries can spread, thus you should take your child for frequent dental check-ups. Preferably these check-ups should begin within six months after the first tooth appears in the oral cavity. Develop an open and trusting relationship with your dentist to aid your child’s dental health.

Starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.

•

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

Show the World Your Smile.

NATURAL CROWN

FRONT TEETH SMILE Actual patient of Dr. Grigoryan

before

Actual patient of Dr. Grigoryan

before Actual patient of Dr. Grigoryan

At the office of Dr. Mariya Grigoryan your smile is our priority, and we can help you achieve the Smile you've always dreamed of.

Actual patient of Dr. Grigoryan

We offer comprehensive care for the whole family.

after before

after after

• Periodontal Care • Restorative Work • Teeth Whitening • Laser Treatments • Orthodontics • Implants THE OFFICE OF

DENTURE REPAIRS

Dr. Mariya Grigoryan, D.M.D. 2634 W. Walnut Ave. Visalia CA 93277 p 559.732.7224

New Look. Same Red Cross.

Did you know 97% of the American Red Cross is purely volunteer based? This April the Central Valley Region celebrates 95 years of volunteers providing hope and relief to our friends, families and neighbors.

Join us. You can make all the difference. It’s easy to get involved.

Ask. Volunteer. Prepare. Partner. Give.

505 W Main Street, Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-6436 American Red Cross Central Valley Region

DIRECT MAGAZINE

21

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

VUSD Text by Craig Wheaton, Ed.D. Superintendent

Not Your Dad’s Shop Class!

Back when I was a kid, high school elective classes included shop, home economics, business or something along that line.

These were the classic “vocational” classes that taught skills where students learned how to build a small piece of furniture, cook a meal, sew, type, or balance a checkbook. We took the classes because they were fun; but as I think about it, I still use a lot of what I learned in them.

Those programs had value then, and they still exist – but they’ve also evolved. We now refer to vocational education as Career Technical Education (CTE). The change in name emphasizes that evolution from home/hobby classes into a much more comprehensive approach to providing skills and experiences that better prepare students for work in the twenty-first century.

Visalia Unified CTE students use state-of-the-art equipment every day in their classrooms: computers for business and media production, plasma cutters and welding equipment, electronic testing equipment, professional kitchens, computer-aided drafting and design – and more.

Students in a Consumer and Family Studies program may take a culinary arts class sequence that starts with general foods and ends in a class that is a real café business setting.

Business students may focus on media presentations, starting with a video introduction course and ending in an advanced filmmaking course that generates professional-level videos.

22

DIRECT MAGAZINE

Agriculture students may choose focus on fabrication; and at the end of three years, find themselves constructing a prototype orchard trailer spreader in an ag mechanics class for a local company. Students in industrial technology may choose to focus on automotive; and at the end of three years, find themselves working alongside a real auto technician at a local auto dealer.

In Visalia Unified, students can experience a range of career exploration opportunities outside the classroom: Doc Band provides juniors interested in the medical field an opportunity to meet and share experiences with doctors and nurses.

Groppetti Automotive Partnership provides students the opportunity to intern at a local automotive dealership.

Business Industry Student Exploration provides students the opportunity to observe a variety of local businesses and gain insight from local business leaders.

Agriculture Careers Experience provides students the opportunity to be mentored by local agriculture industry leaders.

Public Safety Exploration provides students interested in careers in public safety a behind-the-scenes look at the Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Visalia Fire Department, CalFire, and the California Highway Patrol.

In Visalia, we provide students with some great opportunities to make connections, develop skills, and prepare for their lives as adults. That help provides our community with a stronger workforce. These are practical and valuable things that I know our kids will continue to use just as I do with the things I learned when I was in “shop” class – but at a whole different level!

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

focus fitness ON

Text by Andy & Eryn Salazar of Empower Fitness Training

Three Keys to Unlocking Your Weight Loss Navigating through the overwhelming amount of information surrounding weight loss and getting into shape can be a daunting task. For a lot of us it can be overwhelming and knock us off track before we even get started. Just turn on the TV for 10 minutes and you are sure to see at least one commercial for the latest weight loss pill, gadget or weight loss plan. Each of these commercials promises to be your ticket to weight loss and the body of your dreams.

So what is the right plan for you? In my opinion, a sound fitness plan that combines the three cornerstones of optimal health is all you need. The three cornerstones are weight training, proper nutrition, and cardiovascular training. I am going to show you the three keys you need to succeed with whatever weight loss plan you pick.

1. Get Started The hardest part of any fitness and weight loss plan is getting started. Find a fitness and weight loss plan that will work for you and get started. There is no perfect plan or one-size-fits-all when it comes to losing weight. Decide what you want and take the first step toward achieving your goals.

Then keep moving forward toward your goals every day. With time and consistency you will attain your goal weight or size.

Getting started and being consistent with your plan is the key.

2. Plan for Success Don’t let self-doubt or self-limiting factors detour you from

your goals. Most of us limit our own abilities out of fear of the unknown. Map out your road to success with your fitness plan and the steps you are going to take to achieve your goals.

There may be speed bumps and detours along your journey, but don’t let them stop you. You can achieve your weight loss goals if you set your mind to it and plan for your success.

3. Surround Yourself with Like-minded People In order for you to obtain your goals, you have to surround yourself with like-minded people. If you want to lose weight and get fit then hang out with people who work out regularly and eat healthy. Then you will create healthy lifestyle habits and friendships based around fitness and health.

Apply these three keys to your weight loss and fitness plan and discover a fool-proof way to obtain your goals. Find an activity and nutrition plan that works for you and always remember time + consistency = results. Cut through the clutter and overabundance of information and simply get moving. Start where you are. There is no perfect time to get started or perfect plan, simply be more physically active and make healthier food choices. Starting today!

DIRECT MAGAZINE

23

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

AIR PATROL Text by Major Rogers | Photos by Forrest Cavale, Third Element Studios

The Eye in the Sky That’s right, Tulare County is home to the first of its kind law enforcement tool, a Composite Technology Law Enforcement aircraft (CTLE) – an eye in the sky that will help law enforcement make better, more efficient use of resources to keep Valley residents safer. This Tulare County Sheriff’s Department-owned vehicle is an ultra-lightweight propdriven airplane, utilizing state-of-the-art technology, but with surprisingly low operational costs.

The craft carries two passengers and weighs 1,300 pounds, fully loaded. It is brought to life through a small staff, currently numbering four, half comprised of volunteers in training. Currently, the two pilots are Lieutenant Marsh Carter, who has 27 years experience in law enforcement, and Reserve Sergeant David Williams, a retired Captain with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. Williams has a 37-year law enforcement background, much of which he spent in the air in private and police aircrafts.

The concept of an air patrol is nothing new to the area.

Dating back to the 1960's the Sheriff’s Office had partnered with a civil air patrol. That program was a volunteer aero squadron, with participants using their own aircraft for 24

DIRECT MAGAZINE

patrols. However, with modern day crime, complexities have developed in the area that require a more sophisticated angle of tracking and observation – along with skill in the sky. For example, Reserve Sgt. Williams said, “The sheriff [Whittman] was looking for a quick response to ag crime,” such as theft of copper wire, fruit or equipment.

The CTLE is powered by a 100-horsepower Rotax Engine, which is capable of flying upwards of 138 mph, but can cruise at speeds as low as 69 mph. This is important because this speed rivals the circling speed of a helicopter, another proven tool of law enforcement in the past. However, in comparison, an average police helicopter operating price is about $300$400 per hour; the Light Sport Aircraft runs $35/per hour.

On average, the plane can patrol for about seven hours, at four gallons of fuel per hour. This fact makes it the most practical and economical way of sky-to-ground observation throughout the Valley.

Another cost savings is the search light that is mounted on the aircraft. One of the least expensive aviation search light options was priced at just above $20,000. The flight team instead mounted a just-as-effective 35-watt High Intensity ABOVE: Reserve Sergeant David Williams (left); Lieutenant Marsh Carter (right).

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

Discharge marine application light, which was originally designed for boats, at a cost of only $1,000. This provides as much light as needed for the craft that has a maximum flying altitude of 1,000 feet.

The search light was recently utilized when a suspicious person was reported out in Valley ag land, and the aero team was summonsed to respond. As it turned out, it was actually a farmer, out operating his own equipment at night. “I was thinking we were going to get a complaint for shining the

search light and circling the guy,” said Williams, “But he ended up calling the substation and thanking us for looking out for him.”

With all the considerations of low operational costs, there is no shortage of top technology within the plane. Two large dashboard display panels put the pilot and observer in control of almost super hero abilities. In front of the pilot is a screen that displays a computer-generated landscape, or synthetic vision. This comes in handy when low clouds, Valley fog or nighttime impair the pilot’s vision. Right in front of him is a screen allowing him to see all terrain and possible obstacles, in a near-perfect visual display. Along with this are a GPS system, an area aircraft locator, and a complete set of gauges, all electronically displayed on the dash monitor, which contributes to the light weight of the craft.

Also aboard is a long-zoom color video camera, operated by the aircraft Tactical Flight Officer, who serves as the observer. Here, the observer holds a flat screen in his hands, and controls knobs that can turn the camera in any angle, as well as zoom in on any targeted subject. “People who do well at video games tend to do well with that thing,” said Reserve Sgt. Williams. “I was never good at them,” he said of the setup, which is about the size of a small laptop monitor.

The camera is equipped with a Forward Looking Infrared system (FLIR), which comes in handy when searching for a fleeing perpetrator into the night or into the cover of trees.

Such was the case recently. While the team was out on a night training session they were called in to assist law enforcement with a suspect who had fled into an orange orchard in Porterville. With the help of the eye in the sky, the perpetrator was apprehended soon after.

The aircraft even comes complete with a Ballistic Recovery System (i.e., a parachute), which can discharge and set the craft down gently if there is ever a malfunction during flight.

In this day and age of rising crime, and lower revenues, it’s good to know local law enforcement is being proactive in its crime fighting measures. The CTLE’s total cost was $220,000, a majority coming from state Homeland Security grant funds, and in part from forfeited asset funds seized from drug dealers.

The official launch date for the CTLE will be this summer.

Having this small but mighty law enforcement tool in the air day and night allows Valley businesses, farmers and residents to rest a little easier knowing that there is someone circling above looking out for them.

DIRECT MAGAZINE

25

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

FASHION Text by Sharon Mosley

Fashion's Spring Break It's time to take a break and spring into action. The arrival of a new season is the perfect time to reinvent your wardrobe.

Before you head to the mall, shop in your closet first. Here are some tips to freshen up your basics: Get organized. First, start by reorganizing your closet.

Don't just shove your old clothes aside when you add some new spring and summer things. You need to be able to see what you have in plain sight. When clothes are crammed together or shoes piled high in a jumble, it's easy to miss what you already have. Don't be afraid to give your closet a makeover when you're sprucing up your wardrobe. It may require a trip to the hardware store or the paint store, as well as to the local Goodwill store.

Think separates. There are lots of ways to reinvent the old basics. If you have a lot of suits in your closet, you have a lot of options for your wear-to-work wardrobe. It doesn't have to be boring. Swap your normal white button-down shirt for a bright blouse with ruffles. Tops with sheer overlays are a hot trend this spring and the perfect way to cool off a basic pair of trousers in the warmer months.

Get graphic. If your closet is full of solid neutrals, then it's time to add some bold prints – another spring and summer fashion trend. The abstract florals and animal prints will instantly give your wardrobe a break from the boredom of basics. Try one eye-popping print at a time to punch up your other clothes. Remember to keep your prints in proportion!

If you're a tall person, you can get away with wearing a larger print; petite women should stick to smaller prints that won't overwhelm them.

Play stylist. We may not always have time in the morning to stand in our closets and put together a fantastic outfit. I mean, really. So think about having your own styling session on a lazy weekend. Just set aside 30 minutes or so and play in your closet, experimenting with different combinations. If I find an outfit I like in a fashion magazine, I often will try to recreate it in my own closet. Some professionals actually advise taking photos of outfits and making a "visual" board for future reference.

Get Funky. One of the best ways to reinvent your wardrobe is to think outside the fashion closet. Think unexpected combinations and special pieces. It can be layering a sheer poncho cover-up over a pair of jeans or 26

DIRECT MAGAZINE

one pair of incredibly glamorous shoes – or a huge, floppy hat. Statement jewelry— especially a striking one-of-a-kind vintage piece—can give you an unforgettable style.

Add color. Let your wardrobe blossom with color this spring. Tangerine coral may be the color of the season, but there are lots of other vibrant ways to inject some boldness into your dark-colored basics. Accent your favorite white or black classics with a bold color. From pastels to brights, there's a hue for you. And don't worry about "matching" your colors exactly. Odd color combos are the new way to cool off this season.

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

AUTO SHOP QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Keeping Your Car Running Longer!

What is the key to making my car last a long time?

Keep your fluids and filters clean! This includes your engine, transmission, radiator and often overlooked power steering system.

Question: I have a vibration at idle that goes away when I take off, what can be the problem?

Answer: Most likely cause is worn engine mounts. Try this put it in neutral and see if it goes away. If it does, that is most likely your problem.

Question: I do not know if I have a timing belt or timing chain, how would I know for sure?

Answer: Check your owners manual under scheduled maintenance. If you are not sure give us a call and we will help you.

If you have questions about your vehicle, just visit our website at misfiregone.com and send us a note. We would be glad to help you.

Till next issue. Have a question? email: barlogio@pacbell.net Jim and Staff

DIRECT MAGAZINE

27

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 For those in a hurry to get into the medical assisting field, San Joaquin Valley College in Visalia has a fast-track program that condenses coursework without shortchanging education. Their Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA) program offers extensive back office training for graduates to provide support to physicians and administer direct patient care in a variety of medical settings.

Clinical Medical Assistants are trained to provide back office support and assistance to physicians and other health care professionals in direct patient care in a variety of medical settings.

“CMA faculty incorporates life skills, along with clinical training within the classroom,” said Annette Austerman, SJVC Allied Health Division Manager.

“Students dress for success, participate in mock interviews, utilize resumewriting techniques and demonstrate professional conduct.”

SJVC’s seven-month Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA) program combines hands-on training, classroom lectures and an on-site externship with participating hospitals and medical facilities to give students the highest quality education and training. “CMA students have the opportunity to engage in activities outside the classroom, as well. Participation may include joining a campus club, celebrating National Medical Assistant Week, partaking in field trip excursions to local hospitals and clinics and the most exciting event – graduation,” said Austerman.

Graduates earn a certificate and can immediately enter the workforce as a Clinical Medical Assistant, Medical Secretary, EKG Technician, Occupational Health or Lab Assistant, or other similar health care position.

28

DIRECT MAGAZINE

Students learn: Injection administration • Electrocardiograms • Venipuncture and skin puncture • CPR and First Aid • Assisting in minor surgeries • Basic lab tests • Patient education • Taking and recording vital signs • HIPAA guidelines • OSHA •

With an aging population, hospital and emergency room overcrowding, new medical technology advancements and a high patient load for physicians, well-trained medical staff personnel are in high demand. With additional education and training, a Medical Assistant’s career path can expand to such positions as Vocational Nurse, Emergency Medical Technician, Recreational Therapist, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner or other areas of advanced medical specialties.

Graduates of SJVC’s Clinical Medical Assisting program earn a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

Medical Assisting Career Training Gets on Fast Track

exam offered by American Medical Technologists/Allied Health (AMT) and the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Certificate graduates may continue their education at SJVC and earn their Associate of Science degree.

San Joaquin Valley College is an 11-campus, plus an online campus, private junior college serving California communities for 35 years. The college enjoys a stellar reputation and is considered an industry leader in education and career training.

SJVC is currently enrolling students for programs starting soon. Those interested in the Clinical Medical Assisting or other medical, business or technical programs should call toll-free (866) 391-3804 for more information or for a tour of the Visalia campus.

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

DIRECT MAGAZINE

29

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 Blues, Brews & BBQ Join in on live music, delicious barbeque and refreshing beverages at this fun Downtown event.

When: April 6, 6-10p Where: Garden Street Plaza, Visalia Contact: 732-7737 or visit www.bluesbrewsandbbq.net First Fridays Art Tour An interactive, progressive art show organized by the Arts Council of Tulare County, this art-infused event is fueled by local artists and venues and takes place the first Friday of each month. Art lovers and enthusiasts fill Downtown Visalia to meet and greet with the artists and enjoy the reception and music. Restaurants, studios, galleries and other venues don their blue lanterns and open exhibitions to the public for this free event.

When: April 6, 5:30-8:30p Where: Downtown Visalia Contact: downtown@artsTC.org 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: April 7, 10a-5p Where: Maps at Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or visit www.1stSaturdayTR.com

30

DIRECT MAGAZINE

7th Annual Eggstravaganza Enjoy live entertainment, games, raffle prizes, egg hunt and a visit from “The Bunny.” Egg Hunt for children 3-10 years old. Free admission; activity fees may apply.

When: April 7, 10a-12p Where: Riverway Sports Park, 3611 N. Dinuba Blvd., Visalia Contact: 713-4365 Celtic Crossroads Celtic Crossroads is critically acclaimed as “the most exhilarating and authentic show to come from Ireland in decades – not to be missed.” It is an explosion of youthful energy and dazzling musicianship. Celtic Crossroads abounds with fusions of traditional Irish music, bluegrass, gypsy and jazz whilst pulsating with the rhythms of exciting Irish dance percussion.

Tickets: $20-$30.

When: April 7, 7:30p Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369 Rawhide Baseball 2012 Season Opener Come out and support Visalia’s very own minor league baseball team as they look to open the season with their first home game against Dodgers affiliate Rancho Cucomonga. As always there is much fun to be had at the ballpark for the whole family.

When: April 12, 7p Where: Recreation Ballpark, 300 N. Giddings St., Visalia Contact: 732-4433

Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity: Planetarium Public Show Experience the creation of the Milky Way Galaxy, and witness the violent death of a star and subsequent birth of a black hole. Mathematical equations, cutting-edge science, and Einstein’s theories fill in holes along the way.

When: April 13, 7p Where: Peña Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: 737-6334 Best of the Valley Quilt Show This is a juried and judged show. 240 quilts will be judged in categories, as well as considered for special awards.

There is much to see and do. There will be a large vendor mall, with vendors selling everything from fabric to machines to buttons to yarn to books.

The cost to attend is $10/day or $15 for a three-day pass. Call ahead for group rates.

When: April 13-15, 10a-5p (Friday & Saturday); 10a-4p (Sunday) Where: McDermont Field House, 365 N. Sweetbriar Ave., Lindsay Contact: 625-5430 or www.botvquilts.com Jazzaffair 2012 The 39th Annual Jazzaffair presents 11 top bands from across the US and Canada. The bands are carefully chosen to provide you with exciting performances of Dixieland Jazz, Blues, Cajun, Swing, Pop and Show Tunes.

You’ll have access to four performance venues, on-site motor home parking and free jazz shuttles.

When: April 13-15 Where: Lions Arena, 42600 Kaweah River Dr.,Three Rivers Contact: www.jazzaffair.info

Mother & Son Campout This campout is a great way for mothers to spend some quality time with their sons. Play games, work on craft projects, learn about the great outdoors, roast marshmallows, and share stories. Dinner and breakfast included. Tents and camping gear not provided. Check in and set up begins at 4p on Saturday and campout will conclude after breakfast on Sunday.

Boys 4-12 with mom. $25 per couple, $5 each additional child.

When: April 14-15, 4p-9a Where: Sunset Park, Monte Verde & Lisendra, Visalia Contact: 713-4365 SCICON BBQ & Wildflower Festival All students, families and the general public are invited to SCICON for this beautiful event.The SCICON staff will be on hand to lead wildflower hikes, bird watching hikes, and nature hikes.

The museum, planetarium, observatory and Tree Nursery will be open all day.

A delicious meal is provided by the Friends of SCICON with a traditional deep pit barbecue.

When: April 15, 11a-4p Where: SCICON Camp, Springville Contact: SCICON office, 539-2642 LifeWalk Tulare-Kings Right to Life (TKRL) will host its 17th Annual LifeWalk (formerly Walk for Life). There will be music, food, face painting, bounce house, tricky tray raffle, games and much more. Proceeds from the Walk will be used to support TKRL’s educational programs.

When: April 14, 9a Where: Plaza Park, Visalia Contact: 732-5000

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

21st Annual Walk-A-Dog-A-Thon Collect donations, sponsorships and walk with your pet and/or your team.

In addition to the walk there will be a raffle, vendor booths, canine agility course, doggie contests including best trick, happiest wag and owner and dog lookalike contest, VOSPCA pet adoptions, and more. For rules, entry forms and more visit website below.

When: April 21, 8:30a Where: Plaza Park, Visalia Contact: 651-1111 or www.vospca.org Watermedia Batik: A Mixed Media Approach The Arts Alliance of Three Rivers invites you to create mixed media paintings, exploring a special batik look technique with Japanese Masa rice paper mounted on canvas. This method involves hue fusion, allowing the water to move color on the paper surface to create interesting values changes, color mixtures and textures. Instructor: Helen Shafer Garcia.

When: April 21-22, 10-4p Where: St. Anthony Retreat Center, 43816 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers Contact: 561-4671

Music at the Main Presents: Domonique Launey Launey is no stranger to Tulare County, having mesmerized audiences as soloist with the Tulare County Symphony. Winner of the Gold Medal at L’Academie de Musique for piano performance, she has performed as a standalone soloist, as a chamber musician, and as featured soloist with orchestras all over the US and Europe.

Her moving interpretations of classical standards will leave you feeling you are hearing them for the first time.

When: April 22, 3p Where: Main Street Theatre, 307 E. Main St., Visalia Contact: 739-4600 An Evening with Dr. Alison Gopnik: Baby Talk: What Babies Teach Us About Learning, Language and Life Alison Gopnik is a professor of psychology and affiliate professor of philosophy at the University of California at Berkeley. She received her BA from McGill University and her PhD from Oxford University. She is an internationally recognized leader in the study of children’s learning and development and was the first to argue that children’s minds could help us understand deep philosophical questions. This event is sure to be fascinating and enlightening – a don’t miss!

When: April 26, 7p Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369

The Enchanted Reef: Planetarium Public Show This program 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. An exciting adventure for the whole family. Weather permitting, there will be a telescope observation site near the Planetarium after the show, provided by the Tulare Astronomical Association.

When: April 27, 7p Where: Peña Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: 737-6334 The Enchanted Playhouse Theatre Co Presents Pinocchio Recreated on the stage is the story of the willful little wooden marionette who runs away from the carpenter, Geppetto, to encounter a host of fantastic adventures. On his journey he joins a traveling marionette show, gets tricked by a song-and-dance fox and cat, meets the magical Blue Fairy, and finds himself turned into a donkey.

And after all of that, he has to rescue Geppetto from a sea monster! Will he ever get his wish of becoming a real boy? Come find out!

When: April 27-29, May 4-6, 11 & 13, Evenings, 7p; Matinee, 2p Where: Main Street Theatre, 307 E. Main St., Visalia Contact: 739-4600

Healthy Visalia Walking Series Every Saturday come join others and promote health and wellness in Visalia.

Wellness starts with you. There’s no better way to enjoy the spring than to get out and walk at one of the beautiful parks or trails.

When: March 31, 8a @ West Main Park Trail, Main & County Center April 7, 8a @ Sunset Park, Monte Verde & Lisendra April 14, 8a @ Riverway Sports Park, 3611 N. Dinuba Blvd.

Contact: www.healthyvisalia.com Tulare County Library First Tuesday Book Club (April 3, 6:30p) Mystery Readers (April 18, 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: Church & Main; 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.

DIRECT MAGAZINE

31

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

Community Resources: Part I Even though Tulare County is one of the top agricultural counties in the nation, there are still the needy and hungry in our area. When we observe the homeless or those otherwise in need, our first reaction may be to ask what local government is going to do about it. However, I would suggest that we already have valuable resources in place within our community that can address these issues. I recently decided to conduct my own survey, and was greatly impressed by the resources I found that are available out there. I will devote this month’s and next month’s articles to updating our citizens as to some of the terrific people and local non-profits that are making a difference.

Bethlehem Center The Bethlehem Center at 1638 N. Dinuba Blvd. is run by the Catholic Church of Visalia with Sherald Sluka as site director. The site covers about three and a half acres, and many retiree volunteers help to run the operation. This organization serves hot meals at breakfast and lunch to an average of 60 or more. The meals are healthy, appetizing, and when I visited, provided a tantalizing aroma. Members from various churches in the community volunteer on a regular basis to help prepare and serve the food. Many businesses, churches and individuals likewise donate food, money and other commodities. Towards the end of each month as personal paychecks run low, the Center’s customers seem to increase.

Next door to the kitchen is a thrift shop open to the public. Clothing, books and appliances are donated, sorted and prepared by volunteers, who display the items and price them. There were even inexpensive wedding dresses and prom gowns available at the thrift shop! You can’t find a better deal in town. Additionally, food and clothing orders are provided at no cost to the indigent. The Bethlehem Center is a well-run non-profit with the good of our community at heart. In order to donate or volunteer, call 734-1572 or visit www.facebook.com/ BethlehemVisalia.

FoodLink Sandy Beals, the executive director of FoodLink, gave me the complete tour of their facility. This non-profit occupies about 27,000 square feet in Visalia’s industrial park. They provide food to approximately 80 emergency food pantries in Visalia and throughout Tulare County, including the Bethlehem Center, Salvation Army and Visalia Emergency Aid. FoodLink, in existence since 1978, was a spinoff of the Visalia Interchurch Fellowship.

Touring their plant is like going to the supermarket, at least 32

DIRECT MAGAZINE

during December. They have packaged food stacked almost to the ceiling, which has been donated by various manufacturers, packing houses, grocers, the USDA, and others. For instance, on the day I visited, Saputo Foods out of Tulare had donated eight pallets of cheese and butter. Fresh citrus of all types, along with yogurt, sour cream and cottage cheese were on display.

Kraft Foods recently donated a $160,000 cold box, which along with their freezer, keeps food fresh. FoodLink has a separate sorting room where they intake food, sort and inspect the same.

A new refrigerated truck was recently donated by Walmart to FoodLink, to go along with the rest of their fleet.

FoodLink will take orders from various other non-profits and emergency food pantries and pack up the food in boxes ready for individual families, or may just deliver pallets loaded with food to various communities in Tulare County. Their funding comes from private donations, various corporations and foundations, as well as from the government. Sandy indicated that she writes two to three grant applications per week. Earlier in the year, the City of Visalia contributed $3,000, which is being used to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for the students at Highland Elementary School. Despite their warehouse appearing to be jammed full of food in December, Sandy indicated that their warehouse is usually empty by February. Donations throughout the rest of the year are needed and appreciated. They distribute food to over 100,000 people per year throughout the county.

This past summer, FoodLink provided 15,803 free lunches to low-income children in the area. FoodLink is a fabulous organization that provides free farmers’ markets, holiday boxes, summer lunch programs, and works with our schools to provide not only food but nutrition lessons and more. Remember this organization when you are in a position to donate. Their contact information is foodlinktc.org, (559) 651-3663.

Should local government attempt to replicate these services?

I would suggest that instead, the better course is for the city and its citizens to support these existing resources and encourage them, rather than duplicate them. More on this important topic in next month’s Direct Magazine, as I report on visits to Visalia Emergency Aid, Visalia Rescue Mission and The Salvation Army.

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.

Trust the

local experts for your

da Vinci surgery.

Local surgeons with you from diagnosis to recovery.

Get back to what you love with da Vinci surgery at Kaweah Delta:

Shorter hospital stays • Less pain • Less risk of infection • Less blood loss • Less scarring • Faster recovery •

Learn more about da Vıncı® Surgery by vısıtıng www.kaweahdelta.org.

Local surgeons and our nursing team have performed over 200 da Vinci surgeries at Kaweah Delta Medical Center.