June 2012 by Taylor Vaughn

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

MAGAZINE

Exeter 4th of July

CELEBRATION July 4 | Exeter City Park Well, THAT Was Fun

Let’s Forget To Tell Mom About This

WARREN REPORTS Volunteering:

Lessons from Dad JUNE

ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER LOCAL

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

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; T h e H e a r t O f T h e S o u t h V a l l e y

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)

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LOSE UP TO 20 LBS IN 30 DAYS For Men & Women! 2 PROGRAMS TO CHOOSE FROM HCG WEIGHT MANAGEMENT RAPID LEANING PROGRAM

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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.

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RAWHIDE BASEBALL Tex t and Photos provided by Rawhide Baseball

Visalia Rawhide:

June Events Ballpark Wedding! June 9: Nicole Lindner and Mike Morrison will be tying the knot at Rawhide Ballpark hours before gametime! Showtime Fridays June 1: Post-game fireworks on 6/1 June 8: Post-game screening of "Moneyball" on 6/8 June 22: Post-game screening of "A League of Their Own" on 6/22 Family Fun Sundays June 10: The Rawhide are pleased to welcome kids from Tipper's Reading Program out to the ballpark. Children who have met their reading goals receive 4 FREE tickets for their family. After the game, we will have "Dig for Dad" where fans can dig for prizes on the infield after the game in search for gifts that Dad will love!

June 24: After the game, we will have the "Diamond Dig" (similar to Dig for Dad). Ladies can hop on the infield after the game to dig for some jewelry from Roger's Jewelry! Make-A-Difference Mondays June 11 & 25: Bring one of the items listed below and exchange them for a free ticket! Items will be dontated to Houston Elementary School. • 1 50-sheet pack colored construction paper • 1 24-pack colored pencils • 2 100-sheet packs of lined writing paper • 1 24-pack crayons • 6-pack glue sticks Kids Eat Free Wednesdays June 13 & 27: (6/13) Daddy/Daughter date night. Special Daddy/Daughter ticket packages will be available at www. rawhidebaseball.com.

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INSIDE june 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 Marketing Specialist Kyndal Kennedy

6 Exeter's

4th of July Celebration

and Free Fireworks Show

ART DI RECTO R

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

10 Virtual Valley

Telecommuting: Embracing the Possibilities

18 Excursion Fresno Chaffee Zoo

16 LifeWALK

ADVERT I S I NG SALE S

Tulare-Kings Right to Life

Advertising Director Bridget Elmore 559.739.1747

20 Well That Was Fun

801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • fax 559.738.0909 email: direct@dmiagency.com BUS INE S S M ANAG E M E N T

Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA JeffREy Malkasian EA

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

CHRIS BLY

SALES O FF I C E

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14 Culinary 22 VUSD 23 Focus on Fitness 28 Education 30 Goings-On 32 Warren Reports

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Allison Milner Andy Salazar CRAIG WHEATON CRYSTAL R. R. EDWARDS C. S. WYATT Kyndal Kennedy WARREN GUBLER

12 Pet of the Month

Let’s Forget To Tell Mom About This

24 Thriving Under Thirty Andrew Somawang

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4th of July CELEBRATION Join Exeter for a 4th of July Celebration! Exeter will celebrate its traditional 4th of July on Wednesday, July 4, in the Exeter City Park (Chestnut & E Street). The celebration offers fun for the whole family, such as face painting and mini-train rides as well as a variety of arts and crafts and plenty of great food. Live local entertainment will begin at 10 am featuring the classic rock sounds of “Limited Slip” performing from 1 – 3 pm. The Exeter City Park is located on Chestnut & E Streets. There will be special features for kids this year, including face-painting and mini-train rides. Booths of local artists and crafters, as well as food booths, will open at 8a.m. Entertainment will be ushered in after the “colors” are presented. Live, local entertainment will be happening all day long. Again this year local members of the military talk to the crowd about their personal experiences, which is sure to be a highlight of the day. The free fireworks will be available at dusk at Lions Stadium; donations will be accepted after the show. No ice chests please. Exeter's 4th of July event is sponsored by Tricia Kirksey Real Estate, Nielsen & Associates Insurance, Hometown Emporium, the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and the City of Exeter.

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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

Exeter 4th of July

FREE Fireworks Show when: Wednesday, July 4 starts: Dusk where: Lion's Stadium NO coolers, alcohol, vendors, personal fireworks or smoking allowed. DONATIONS APPRECIATED

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4th of July CELEBRATION

Marinette Ave.

Lion's Stadium W. Visalia Rd.

Palm F St.

Traditional FREE fireworks show at dusk at Lions Stadium. Donations will be accepted after the show *Please no ice chests*

Hwy 65

Filbert Rd.

Pancake Breakfast • 2 Mile Walk/10k Run Arts & Crafts Booths • Food Booths Exeter City Dance • Live Music

St. Exeter City Park

Dobson Athletic Park Rocky Hill Dr.

Limited Slip Performing under the gazebo from 1-3p For More Info, Contact Exeter Chamber of Commerce 101 West Pine Street Exeter, CA 93221 | 559-592-2919 email: chamber@exeterchamber.com www.exeterchamber.com 8

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W Firebaugh Ave.

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VIRTUAL VALLEY

Telecommuting:

Embracing the Possibilities My wife, Susan, works for a company located in the suburbs of Minneapolis. I work for a university located about 20 miles from Pittsburgh. For us, the promise of telecommuting has become a reality. We are able to live in the foothills we love, surrounded by trees and wildlife, working from the comfort of our home offices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, only 3.3 percent of workers are able to telecommute. Some jobs do require a physical location for meeting with clients or working on physical products, but too many employers are overlooking the benefits of allowing workers to telecommute. 10

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When I was in college, my employer loaned me a DEC-VT102 terminal and paid for a high-speed network connection to my apartment. That was in 1988. I worked as a programmer, one of the few professions that could telecommute at the time. My employer was thrilled to have someone willing to work late at night on projects, even if that meant spending money for a special data line. The slow network I used in college seemed to limit any appeal telecommuting might have. It was accessed via a monochrome “dumb terminal,” which only sends commands to a remote computer. It could be painfully slow to work from

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

home. But, I loved working at odd hours and without any distractions. Back then, we wrote programs on paper before keying them into the system and hoping for the best. When I left that job, I never imagined being able to telecommute again. Today, my wife and I both work from the comfort of home. The broadband Internet connections many of us take for granted make working remotely convenient and relatively painless. I work for a university that offers many of its courses online. If we encourage students from around the globe to take our courses remotely, it seems logical that some instructors would also be located remotely. Online education means both the instructor and the students can be anywhere, occupying a virtual classroom residing on the Web. In the rare instances when a student calls my Pittsburgh office number, the voice message is emailed to my cell phone as an audio file. My colleagues know my cell phone has a 559 area code, but I doubt most of them give area codes any thought. For many meetings, the university uses Google+ Hangouts. The campus also has two Cisco TelePresence conference rooms. When you use a properly designed TelePresence room, it creates the illusion that you are meeting at the same table as people hundreds or even thousands of miles away. My first use of the TelePresence was disconcerting, but in time you start to forget the room around you is actually two or more physical locations. I’ve met with professors in other nations, without the hassles of airports and hotels. Compared to my home office, Susan’s setup demonstrates how far telecommuting has evolved since the 1980s and ’90s. Not only is her computer connected to the Internet, so are her phones, printers and other devices. Susan’s employer has an advanced Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system. Her office phone plugs into a virtual private network (VPN), allowing it to act like any phone in her employer’s main office. She can transfer calls, conference and use the phone’s network features. As far as anyone can tell, it appears Susan is working in Minnesota. The VPN my wife uses allows her to securely access the corporate file servers and printers remotely. She can print “at the office” from our house and she can print to a printer sitting on her desk. Coworkers can scan pages on a multifunction device, with the scanned pages emailed directly to Susan’s inbox. With the advances in technology, why are so few employers embracing telecommuting? If you work in an office, that

office can be anywhere. A few things might change, but I’m convinced the benefits of allowing people to work from home outweigh the potential challenges. My suggestion is that employers at least experiment with telecommuting. Allow employees one or two days each week at home. Expand telecommuting opportunities for those employees who seem equipped to work well alone, without constant supervision. Some employees will end up working from home, while others might need the formality of an office setting. You do have to be self-motivated and disciplined to work from home. I tell online students the same thing: it is hard to be your own supervisor. Susan and I work the hours necessary to complete tasks, instead of being locked into strict eight-hour schedules. If I need to work late on an online course website, I can. If she needs to be available early for a conference call, she doesn’t have to worry about traffic or severe weather. Our schedules are whatever they need to be. If office employees work from home, that means the employer can have less office space. I share office space on campus with six other instructors, all of whom work primarily from home. Imagine the cost savings to the university. Fewer offices, fewer parking spaces and overall lower monthly costs for heating and air conditioning. Because we work at home, my wife and I use desks and chairs we own. Susan’s company did reimburse us for half the cost of a desk, which was nice. We use our own printers and pay for the toner. The costs are minimal compared to the expense of commuting, especially with rising fuel costs. Many employees would trade the cost of a few office fixtures for the chance to work at home. It is still important to meet with coworkers and colleagues from time to time. Working with people, it does help to know them face-to-face. The university requires online graduate students to attend on-campus meetings for a few days each August. We’ve found that students work better as teams online after meeting in person. Four days together on campus seems to foster connections that last the entire academic year. Susan has had to fly to Minneapolis once this year for a few days of training. The company also flew her and a coworker to San Diego for a conference. Her employer recognizes that relationships still matter in a virtual workplace. But, they have embraced the future.

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PET MONTH of the

Help Save More Lives:

Spay and Neuter Your Pets Chiquis

Spice

Thousands of homeless animals enter our shelter each year, all with the hope of finding a new home. In 2011, Valley Oak SPCA provided care and shelter for 14,999 lost, stray, injured, abused, abandoned and unwanted animals. That year, 2,007 of those animals were Chihuahuas and sadly, only five percent were reclaimed by their owners. If you or someone you know is breeding Chihuahuas – please stop – Visalia, Tulare County and California have enough Chihuahuas! The saucy Chihuahua has earned its place as a favored toy dog because of its intense devotion to a single person. Chihuahuas can be reserved with strangers but good with other household dogs and pets. Some try to be protective, but they are not very effective. Some may be quite bold; others may be timid. Chihuahuas are often temperamental. They are good alarm dogs ... they will alert you to everything going on indoors and outdoors. Chihuahuas are not outdoor dogs; they cannot tolerate the cold or the Valley heat. Average life span is 14-18 years. Chiquis (Cheekie) #39054 – spayed female, 1.5 years old Spice #64775 – female puppy approximately 3 months old Loretta #61474 – spayed female, 6 years old Tokee Cho #28604 – neutered male, 3.5 years old

Loretta

Tokee Cho 12

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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. 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

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CULINARY Recipes by Allison Milner, Sierra Subs & Salads | Photos by Taylor Vaughn

The Aphrodite Serves 4

Sauce Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and store in the refrigerator until ready to use, will keep for up to one week.

Burger

Relish

Burger Ingredients: 1 lb. ground lamb 1 lb. ground beef, 80/20 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. dried oregano salt and pepper 1 C crumbled feta cheese

Relish Ingredients: 1 English or hothouse cucumber, diced 1/2 red onion, diced 2 T fresh dill, chopped 2 T fresh parsley, chopped 1 T lemon juice salt and pepper to taste

Burger Directions: Combine all the ingredients, except the feta, together and form into four patties. Grill the burgers on the barbeque until done to your liking or a meat thermometer inserted in the middle reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Take the burgers off the grill and immediately top with feta cheese, let sit three minutes.

Relish Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, set aside

Sauce

Sauce Ingredients: 1/2 C Greek yogurt 1/2 C sour cream 2 T each fresh mint, parsley and dill, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed salt and pepper to taste

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Building the Burger

1 tomato, sliced 4 leaves of green leaf lettuce Balsamic vinegar 4 hamburger buns or round buns of your choice Lightly toast the burger buns and spread both sides with a generous helping of the yogurt sauce. Mound the cucumber relish on the bottom bun, top with the burger and feta cheese and arrange slices of tomato and shredded lettuce. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and close with the top bun.

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The Pink Melon Serves 4 Pork

Mayo

Ingredients 2 lb. center cut pork loin 2 T each garlic powder, cumin, oregano, brown sugar, pepper and salt

Ingredients 1/2 C mayonnaise 1 T cumin 2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions Combine all of the spices and rub into the pork until it is covered on all sides; wrap and refrigerate overnight or at least one hour. Roast the pork in a 400 degrees Fahrenheit oven until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 140 degrees. Remove from the oven and let sit, the pork will continue to cook and will reach 145 degrees while resting. Refrigerate the pork until completely cooled and you are able to cut into thin slices.

Directions Combine all ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.

Watermelon Pico de Gallo

Directions Lightly toast the buns and spread both sides with the mayo. Divide the sliced pork among the four bottom buns and top with the pico de gallo. Mound with shredded lettuce and a sprinkle of salt and pepper and finish with the top bun.

Ingredients 2 C seedless watermelon, diced 1/2 C white onion, diced 1/4 C cilantro 1 jalapeno, finely diced 2 T lime juice salt and pepper

Building the Pink Melon Ingredients 4 buns of your choice, Kaiser rolls work well shredded lettuce salt and pepper

Directions Mix everything in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

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LIFEWALK Text by Kyndal Kennedy

Tulare-Kings Right to Life:

LifeWALK Tulare-Kings Right to Life estimates around 350 walkers joined in on the celebration of the sanctity of human life for its annual LifeWALK, formerly known as Walk For Life. That number of attendees is far from the humble beginnings 17 years ago, said Kelly Quinn-Mauro, executive administrative assistant at TKRL, when “the walk had 84 participants and raised just over $10,000.” She estimates this year’s turn out will lead to fundraising of closer to $50,000. This year’s walk included games, tricky-tray raffle, bounce house, food, music, dancers, a K-9 demonstration, Sparkle Mugs, and free chair massages for the walkers – providing fun for children and adults alike. Getting children involved in the walk early is a great way to educate them about hot topics like abortion and stem cell research, explained Sue Jackson. This was Sue and her family’s third or fourth time participating in the walk and this year she brought along three of her children, ranging from ages 10 to 17. She and her family have been supporters of TKRL for close to 15 years and are happy to be involved in increasing public awareness of the mission of the organization. “It’s so great to participate in something that lets the public know there is a Right to Life organization,” she said. Having a Right to Life organization in our community provides options for those expectant mothers who otherwise may not know where to turn for help. Kathy Andes, a 15-year veteran of the Walk also adds why TKRL is significant to not only her life and her beliefs but for the community as well. “Tulare-Kings does an amazing job putting pro-life messages out in the community. One of the things they do, which is pretty powerful, is the booths they have at fairs. They have models of babies in the womb at these booths and people who come by and pick them up and hold them in their hands are amazed,” she said. Tulare-Kings Right to Life promotes respect for the sanctity of human life, at all stages, from conception until natural death. Their outreach programs in our community aim to reach all ages, from Latinos4Life teaching youth and adults in our community about purity and fetal development, to healing souls wounded by abortion through The IRMA Network. The IRMA (I Regret My Abortion) Network is a post-abortion outreach program of TKRL, co-founded by April Kesterson, executive director, and Carrie Guy, former 16

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director for IRMA. Funds raised from the Walk will go straight into these outreach programs in numerous channels. One of the main components of TKRL is education and providing knowledge to those women experiencing an unexpected pregnancy. These materials are often reading materials and as mentioned before, models, which cost money to distribute and display. A large portion of funding goes directly into being able to provide so much of this to our community. More than just the money raised at this year’s event, the Walk is one way that community members can be involved in the work of TKRL. “Personally, I feel like doing a Walk is the least I can do to help babies before they are born,” explained Andes. In addition to the LifeWalk, there are many more opportunities for community members to get involved. “We have lots of opportunities to get involved, from volunteering at one of our fundraising events, to working an information booth at a local fair, to stuffing envelopes in our office. There’s something for everyone!” said Quinn-Mauro. In addition to the LifeWalk, TKRL will have its annual Golf for Life event, coming up on June 11 as well as the annual Making a Difference for Life banquet on September 6 this year. It is events like these and LifeWalk that allow TKRL to continue to be such a valuable resource to those in need. Donations and pledges are gratefully received by TKRL and help them be the hands and feet of the Lord in serving our community.

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

YMCA Day Camp Located at Liberty School 11535 Ave. 264, Visalia, CA.

YMCA Summer Day Camp is open to Boys and Girls 1st Grade — 8th Grade

Broker/Owner NMLS #252789

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EXCURSION

Fresno Chaffee Zoo Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Follow the yellow brick road, or CA 99 North, to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo this summer and see all three, plus so much more! When was the last time you went to the zoo? If it's been over a year, it's time to go back. You don't have to drive to San Diego to experience wildlife and beautiful natural settings; the Fresno Chaffee Zoo is home to approximately 125 species of animals with more always on the way. Eighteen of these species are part of the Species Survival Plan – a program created by Association of Zoos and Aquariums-member zoos to systematically develop breeding management strategies to help protect some of the planet's rarest animals. May and June – before the weather gets too hot to be outside – is the perfect time to head over and enjoy one of childhood's fondest memories and traditions. The Chaffee Zoo, however, is open 364 days a year, so don't let a little rain or a cloudy day keep you from your zoo plans this year – no matter the month! It's amazing how going to the zoo at age 8, 28, or 48 still has the ability to open your eyes wide and put a smile on your face. Be entertained standing below the big orange orangutans, or reach up to feed a sleepy giraffe. As if being only a few feet away from a tiger or a bear isn't adventure enough, the zoo has plenty of other activities to take in. Enjoy Ross Laird's Winged Wonders Bird Show. This incredible free-flight bird 18

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show is designed to promote awareness of the natural behavior of birds, and gets audience members up close and personal as the birds fly overhead, examining you as much as you're examining them. One of the best features of going to the zoo is making your own schedule. The zoo is yours to explore however you want, so long as you don't hop any barriers and find yourself staring straight into the face of "Simba." In addition to seeing the animals throughout, there are special habitats developed for specific species and settings like the Sea Lion Cove, Tropical Rain Forest, and the Sunda Forest. When you get hungry, if you didn’t pack a lunch to enjoy in the many grassy picnic areas, there are of course delicious cafes on site as well, including the Safari and Nosara cafes. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo was originally formed in the early 1900s, but was officially recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1929 as the Roeding Park Zoo. There have been many changes and additions to the grounds since then, but one thing continues to stay the same: the Chaffee Zoo strengthens the bond between people and wildlife. It's an experience not to be missed and to be enjoyed time and again. The zoo is open this summer from 9a-6p with ticket prices only $7/adults, $3.50/children ages 2-11 and seniors 62 and over, and FREE for children under two. For more information and to plan your zoo adventure visit www.fresnochaffeezoo.org

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Well, THAT WAS FUN

Let’s Forget To Tell Mom About This My husband, Donald, is a mensch. Aside from being a generous, kind and supportive spouse, and aside from being an excellent citizen, and aside from being an exceptional friend, he has the distinction of being the best father I’ve ever met. Because of his care of The Amazing Grandchildren, he gets my mom in the divorce I hope never happens. Our kids worship him, and their friends come over just to visit with him and see what he’s up to now. My friends ask in awed tones, “How did you train him to do that?” Aside from being a mensch, he’s also nearly as crazy as I am. Our kids (and their friends and my friends) dig this. I dig this. It makes life so much simpler for me, since I don’t have to wonder at his reaction to some numbskull thing I’m proposing to accomplish – like parenting. From the moment we started a family, my brain began to collect little movies of him, in the starring role of Daddy in the blockbuster hit Let’s Forget To Tell Mom About This. Blink. After nearly five years of dating, we found ourselves married. Six weeks later, we found out we were expecting our first child, Birdie Sue. The five minutes of waiting for the home pregnancy test to give us a result were possibly the longest in my life. We’d just moved across the country, literally packing up everything we owned into two rental vans and towing the car from Pennsylvania to an apartment in Texas with no job prospects and a wedding in two months. As soon as we arrived in Austin, he found a well-paying position and I had some solid leads on writing games for a few of the big-name studios. For 20

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the first time in our relationship, we had money. We made plans to travel, save up, buy a home. Now here we were; a growing bucket list and an uncertain future. We sat on the couch and stared at one another wordlessly while the test did its thing in the bathroom. Tick tock tick. Five minutes were up. We collided in the bathroom doorway in our rush to view it first. I won because I grew up pushing horses around. He lost because he let me win. The “You’re pregnant and everything you planned just went onto the Will Never Happen List!” icon had showed up in the little window of the pregnancy test. “Oh, _____,” I said. (My mom reads my column.) “Oh, okay,” said Donald. Blink. Birdie Sue was strapped into a high chair at a steakhouse. Despite the two-foot arc of cleared space in front of her, her stretchy rubber baby arms still managed to grab items from the table top and throw them. Donald reached down and patiently picked up every item and set it back on the table with a murmured, “No, no, Birdie Sue.” I’d read all the parenting books available at this point, and I knew all about the concepts behind negative reinforcement, but I didn’t feel I could intervene at that point because I was staring at my plate in a sort of pre-hysterical stupor that comes when I’m positive everybody in the restaurant is staring at me and dialing CPS on their phones. The waitress, obviously not a parent, stopped by our table to set a steak knife right next to Birdie Sue. Birdie Sue picked up the knife and launched it right at Donald’s head in a throw

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

that reminded me of the Wheel of Death circus trick. Donald’s eyes never left his salad. Without even looking, his hand shot up and caught it – I’m not making this up – by the handle. It was only three inches from his left ear. He’s righthanded. He calmly set the knife down. “Birdie Sue, that was naughty,” he said. He then asked me to pass the … I don’t even remember what, to him. The waitress, me, and half of the restaurant’s patronage were staring open-mouthed at the ninja daddy sitting across the table from me. I passed him whatever it was he asked for, then happily dug into my meal. Nobody in the restaurant was staring at me anymore! And they were calling their friends, not CPS. Blink. Birdie Sue was four, Hedgehog was 20 months old, and Tapper was four weeks old. I was very tired and in dire need of a nap, so Donald bundled up the girls for a grocery store trip, leaving Tapper and I behind to doze and cry at one another. Three hours later they returned. The front door slammed open and in tumbled the girls, dressed like pirates. One of them was carrying a thin metal rod with a Jolly Roger pennant. A moment later, Donald appeared. He had a bandanna on his head, a pirate hat over the top of that, and an eye patch – and two arms loaded with groceries. “What on ...?” My voice trailed off. I wasn’t sure if I was in a hallucinatory state brought on by exhaustion, or if my husband had lost his own mind. “We raided HEB!” said Birdie Sue. Hedgehog waved the flag at me. Donald was grinning from ear to ear. “Daddy pillage!” said Hedgehog. “He made guy take picture!” Donald set the groceries down and whipped out his cell phone to show off his insanity. There, in the sweetest picture I have ever seen, were my two girls standing up in the cart (“Never stand in the cart – it’s dangerous!”), holding the pirate flag up for all to see (“Don’t poke your eye out!”), with Donald crouched over the handle of the cart with a completely deranged expression on his face (“Please don’t make people look at us!”). They were breaking every rule I ever had about grocery stores and having the time of their lives. Blink. Tapper was four. As a toddler, he rarely spoke, but by the time he was in Pre-K we couldn’t get him to shut up. His monologues were cute at first, but we soon had to find chores for him to do that would take him away from the rest of the group before we burst into tears from the nonstop chatter.

Except for Donald, I should say. He met the endless babbling with equanimity, and I dare say he sometimes encouraged it. Donald’s vegetable garden was one of the aforementioned chores. “Get your boots on, buddy,” said Donald, as he headed out the back door. “We need to do some work.” Our daughters breathed an audible sigh of relief and went back to their books. Tapper eventually made his way to the garden, dressed in overall shorts, a tee-shirt featuring a robot, and frog-green Wellingtons. I moved myself and my laptop from the office to the back yard and settled myself and my iced tea onto a canvas bucket chair to watch. Donald handed Tapper a child-sized hoe and pointed to an area that needed to be cleared. “You chop that while I dig this part.” Tapper set to work with a determined vigor reserved for Border Collies with hysterical sheep and little boys with sharp items. “Hey, Dad,” said Tapper. Chop. The hoe was raised to his waist-level and brought down swiftly. “Did you know” chop “that the guts” chop “of people” chop “is called” chop “intestines?” Chop. “Yep. Chop a little harder, get that stuff cut up real good.” The hoe was raised to shoulder height. “Why are some” chop “clocks made out of ” chop “gears, but other clocks” chop “made out of ‘lectrics?” “The old clocks had gears because we didn’t have circuitry back then. A little harder, dude. We’re going to plow that under so it can feed the new plants.” “I love” chop “my sisters, but” chop “Hedgehog is bossy.” The hoe was raised over his head, brought down with such force that it bounced off the ground. “And Birdie Sue” chop “won’t let me” chop “play in her” chop “room ever.” Donald stood up from a crouch and looked over at Tapper. “Girls can be like that. We just have to deal with it. You know what we need? The machete.” Blink. Donald has taken fatherhood on in stride. Better than stride, really. He’s made it dance to his weird and beautiful tune, a tune that often terrifies me and makes me re-up my certifications in First Aid, but a beautiful tune nonetheless. Happy Father’s Day to all my daddy readers. May your knives be caught, your plunder bountiful, and your garden well-tilled. Well, THAT Was Fun is now on Facebook! Join us at facebook.com/WellTHATWasFunColumn to get updates, share your stories, and discover you’re not, actually, the worst parent in the world. 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

VUSD Text by Craig Wheaton, Ed.D. Superintendent

Graduation Season! Graduation season is here once again! This is a wonderful time of celebration; a time when family and friends honor our students’ accomplishments. One of the many things that makes Visalia special is how our community marks this life-passage with traditional and dignified commencement ceremonies that honor each and every graduate. Caps and gowns contrast with the manicured stadium fields, chairs fill the end zone, bands play, and the stadium comes alive with celebration. Speeches inspire all who attend, and every student has a moment of recognition as his or her name is announced. Cameras flash, family and friends cheer, and tears roll down the cheeks of many. For our graduates and their families, these nights last forever, documented by photos, and preserved by precious memories. For some, this is the end of the formal educational experience; but for most, this is just the beginning. New experiences await them as they enter college or advanced training in the months to come. Others will enter the 22

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workforce or serve our country in the military. No matter what they do, the 2012 graduates are better prepared than those in prior classes, in prior years. Every year our students continue to demonstrate higher levels of student achievement. Visalia Unified has increased 148 points in state testing over the past eight years with a current API score of 772. All the talk about numbers simply means students are better prepared for whatever they choose for their futures. Our goal is simple. Parents are happy their kids are now graduates and with good reason. Talented and caring VUSD teachers and support staff have given their all to make sure students are “smarter” when they leave VUSD – smarter and prepared for whatever they choose to do next. The 2011-12 school year has proven to be another outstanding year of achievement and excellence for VUSD. So, let’s head to the stadium and show our graduates how proud we all are of what they have accomplished!

CULTURE, COMMERCE, AND COMMUNITY IN VISALIA AND TULARE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 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

Calorie-burning state of mind Did you know that you are a calorieburning machine? Our bodies are designed to burn the calories we consume and use them as energy. In order to lose weight or reach your ideal weight, you need to get yourself in a calorieburning state of mind. Calories are not the enemy; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the over consumption of calories that gets us in trouble. Simply put, we tend to eat more calories than we burn off in the form of exercise or activity, and that causes us to gain weight. A calorie is a term we use to measure energy. Our bodies need energy to function. We get essential energy from food, but when the food we eat does not get used as energy, it has to go somewhere. It gets stored as fat. We burn calories all day long; any activity uses energy, and we even burn anywhere from 300-600 calories in our sleep. If you want to maintain your weight, you can utilize a calorie calculator to find out how many calories you need to take in to maintain your weight. I recommend CalorieKing.com to see how many calories you require. You can utilize the website Livestrong.com to find out how many calories you should consume in a day to lose weight. Food is like gasoline . . . we need gas to run our cars; likewise, we need food to run our bodies. But if we over-fill our caloric tank, it will be stored as body fat, and if we utilize

the wrong fuel, we will not function at peak performance (lack of energy, health problems, etc.). This leads us to the question, what is a calorie-burning state of mind? A calorie-burning state of mind consists of being aware of food as energy and how to burn it effectively. Basically, if you eat a hamburger, what are you going to do to burn it off? We do not have to burn off every calorie we take in, only the excess. These are some examples of activities that show a calorie-burning state of mind: 1. Choosing a high-protein, low-sugar food for the most important meal of the day, breakfast. Trade your pastry for a boiled egg, and a piece of whole wheat toast. 2. Replacing stationary activities with movement. For example, trade in video games with no movement for high energy, full-body games. Or do pushups or crunches during commercial breaks. 3. Choosing meals that will maximize energy-burning potential, and cutting back on unnecessary sugars and saturated fats. Cut out sodas and trade them for water or no-calorie beverages. 4. Adding a 30-minute walk three-to-five times a week to boost energy levels. Calories are not the enemy; they are essential to the human body. By paying attention to the calories you consume, and what you need to do to burn them off, you will make wiser, healthier food choices. You can achieve your goal weight if you apply these ideas and become a calorie-burning machine. Maximize your energy by making healthy food choices and adding exercise to your daily routine. Remember: small changes equal big results, and time plus consistency works every time.

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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

THRIVING UNDER THIRTY Text by by Crystal R. R. Edwards | Photo by Taylor Vaughn

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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

Tex t by Crystal R. R. Edwards

Andrew Somawang The phone connection crackled, then recovered. Andrew Somawang’s voice was temporarily clear. “I’m in the mountains,” he said when the connection stabilized. “I’m coming back down now.” The crackling began again as he answered the questions, but the connection held. It seems connection is a theme running throughout Andrew’s life. The 27-year-old Visalia native attended College of the Sequoias after his graduation from Golden West High School, and then he left for Venice Beach. During his year there, he befriended Jim Fishman, who introduced him to woodcraft. “He’s been doing it his whole life,” said Andrew. “I worked with him a little bit in his shop. I was inspired by his work.” Andrew then returned to Visalia and began California Fruitwoods LLC, a specialty woodworking shop. Andrew is no ordinary young craftsman. You see, instead of working with traditionally grown and harvested lumber, Andrew acquires his own from amongst the thousands of downed and wind-fallen trees throughout the region. This, apparently, leads him up to the tops of mountains where cell phone connections drop. It also leads him to the fallen redwood trees in the rain-shrouded hills of Oregon and koa wood on Hawaii’s volcanic mountains. “It’s kind of difficult,” he said. “Only about a quarter of the time will the landowner want me to come [onto his land] and do the work. But I have good relationships with a few tree trimmers in our area. I harvest the fallen trees, or trees that are hazards, but over 75 percent of my trees are bought from arborists.” Arborists would otherwise cut the trees up for firewood, said Andrew. “That’s a shame for me,” he laughed. His dedication to personally discovering and using reclaimed wood keeps him connected to his passion. “I’ve always been artistic. There’s something about creating something from nothing. I’ll start by finding the trees as I drive around. Then there’s cutting it into lumber, then crafting something beautiful out of the lumber. I just absolutely love doing this.” Andrew creates art pieces, guitar components for luthiers, and furniture. What does he view as his best work? “Naturaledge tables,” he said, his voice tinged with pride. “They are definitely top of the line.” His wood carving so far has mainly been animal forms, including a recent request for a rhino head.

Carving, he said, is his biggest challenge. “Mentally, it’s very hard, trying to visualize chunks of wood and turning them into pieces of art.” He has also started carving Easter Island figurines, called moas, which have become very popular in his shop. “I’ve learned how to visualize in three dimensions, and how to make things symmetrical. I really love carving right now. I can’t get enough of it.” His wife, Angela, a school psychologist, stops by his shop now and then. “She’s not really into the woodworking, but a lot of my customers are women and her view helps a lot when discussing the designs.” A walk through Andrews’ 4,000-square-foot shop reveals drying kilns and lumber saws outside, and a small display area inside that features cutting boards, checker boards, and his art carvings. Further in, one discovers stacks upon stacks of redwood slabs, maple burls, an assortment of turning woods, walnut slabs, buckeye burls, and exotic woods such as padouk. There’s also a separate work area for his father, who visits the shop to work on his own projects. Connection. From personally discovering and harvesting the wood, to cutting it into lumber, to creating beautiful furniture and art pieces, to sharing his creative space with his family. Andrew is deeply, passionately connected to his work. “It’s one thing to read about my work, but it’s a whole other thing to physically come and see it, to feel it.” He invites the public to visit his shop Monday through Friday, and he accommodates weekend visits for those who cannot make the time during the week. California Fruitwoods LLC 32482 Road 124 Visalia CA, 93291 (310) 433-2776

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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

“Helping others see God is more than they believe” His name may change from Dada to Daddy, Dad, Father or Pops, but the meaning never does. Dad is a powerful and influential man in most people’s lives. Fathers are not just “dads” – they are counselors, coaches, advisors and friends. At Visalia First Assembly, we are grateful for the men in our church and community. We not only look forward to recognizing them this Father’s Day, but each and every week. In honor of Father’s Day, VFA Men’s Life Ministry is hosting a Family Picnic on June 9 at VFA. “This is an opportunity for the entire family unit to come and spend some quality time together,” said Men’s Ministry Pastor John Walker. The

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"A Church for the Community"

Family Day picnic will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some of the day’s activities include a chili cook-off, archery, live music and games for the kids. Call the church office for more information, (559) 733-9070. All men, not only fathers, are invited to participate in VFA Men’s Life Ministry. “We are here to minister to all men at all levels,” Walker continued. “Through Men’s Life Ministry at VFA we want to teach men to be leaders in the community, effective fathers, husbands and sons.” These teachings are done in a casual, non-confronting setting throughout the community on a daily basis. “We meet all over town for the men of this area,” Walker stated. “We have small group Bible studies every day of the week in different area locations and at different times to meet all schedules.” For a complete list, check out V1AG.com or

call the church office, (559) 733-9070. Men’s Life also hosts Saturday morning breakfasts throughout the year, as well as annual retreats. Lead Pastor Mike Robertson commented, “In today’s society, it can be a difficult task to be a godly father. VFA weekly services and Life Men’s Ministry are here to help the men of this area stay charged for God’s glory and to unite as faithful servants. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all dads a ‘Happy Father’s Day!’” While this day is set aside to honor our earthy fathers, it is an awesome time to acknowledge our Heavenly Father. The One Father who ultimately comforts us in our times of need and who also rejoices with us in our times of happiness. VFA invites you to join us this weekend and every weekend, and we look forward to rejoicing with our Heavenly Father.

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

Whether you're building or remodeling, take the time, make the drive,

I can get it cheaper on the internet! (Phone rings) "Yes, how much does it cost for a fuel pump for my '04 Chevy pickup?" "Well with parts and labor around $850." "Really how much is the pump?" "The pump retails for $465." "How can that be? I can buy one for $250 on the internet." "I am sure you can, but who is going to install the part and guarantee it if it doesn't work?" "Well, I thought you would and I can bring my own parts to save some money." "Sorry, that doesn't work for us. We install parts we purchase and guarantee the repair for two years." This would be the same as trying to bring your own food into a restaurant to have them prepare the meal for you so you can save some money. Repair shops follow this same procedure across the nation. It's not as easy of a repair as it sounds because you first have to: 1. Remove the fuel and store it 2. Get the vehicle up on a lift and remove the tank, then reinstall the unit The proper equipment is needed in order to perform a safe repair. In this case, a gas caddy runs around $600 and a lift about $3500. So there is a reason repairs costs what they do.

and you'll see why our showroom is the finest in the valley! 510 East Cross Ave., Tulare, CA 93274, (559) 686-1693 www.langeplumbingsupply.com

Locally owned and operated for over 75 years.

Tip to you: Keep your fuel tank more full than more empty. Your fuel pump is cooled by the fuel and letting it get low heats up the pump. Till next issue, Jim and Staff Have a question? Email: barlogio@pacbell.net

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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 A medical office’s practice will thrive or dive depending on their ability to accurately bill and collect charges for services provided. That means that the front office staff – those whose responsibility it is to correctly code patient services and bill insurance carriers – must not only be well-trained, but certified to perform those critical functions. New laws mandate that those performing those job functions successfully pass a national certification exam for medical coding. Those wanting to work in an office setting within the health care industry must be properly trained and certified. San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) in Visalia offers Health Care Administration (HCA) career training, a 14-month accelerated program designed to meet the needs of the medical community and those interested in providing this valued service. Course curriculum includes specific training in insurance coding and medical billing to prepare graduates to sit for the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) exam offered at sites throughout California. Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree. “Health Care Administration is a fantastic class if you are looking to get into the business side of the health care system,” says Brett Woolman, who is nearing the completion of his program. “The best part about Health Care Administration would be gaining the knowledge to run a facility and keep everything running smoothly so the patients don’t have to deal with a slow work place and to give them the optimal care they deserve,” he says. A good balance of classroom and lab experience prepares students for the realities of working in a health care environment. “Students will be able to participate in various hands-on skills 28

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designed to prepare them for the front office environment in a medical facility,” says Annette Austerman, SJVC’s Health Studies Division Manager. “Along with communication techniques, students will learn to complete claim forms, explore precision coding, research anatomy and physiology and use these skills at the end of their program during externship,” she says. In addition to billing and coding instruction and experience, SJVC’s Health Care Administration program includes: • Medical Insurance Principles • Computer concepts (including Microsoft Office & Medical Office simulation software) • Medical terminology • Bookkeeping & accounting • Economics and finance • Medical law and ethics Front office personnel are not only a vital component to the successful operations of a medical office or hospital, but to the well-being of patients, as well. “Hospitals and medical offices have nearly eliminated paper charts,” explains Austerman. “Our students are well trained in electronic medical records systems throughout their program. We work diligently to incorporate the most current information provided by the AAPC (American Association of Professional Coders), as well as from medical offices,

Health Care Administration positions are the backbone of medical offices

clinics and hospital staff,” she says. The college works closely with community leaders in the medical field, many of whom participate through SJVC Advisory Board meetings. Their contributions influence program expansions, technological advances, curriculum and student externships. “The Health Care Administration program here at SJVC has exceeded my expectations,” says Suzanne Barsoum, who completes her training in a month. “The instructors are phenomenal and keep us up-to-date with what is changing in our field. I owe it to the dedication of my instructors to make sure that we understand and can implement what we have been taught,” she says. Well trained health care administrators are in demand in every kind of medical environment including hospitals, private medical practices, dental offices, clinics, laboratories, billing offices and medical supply distributors. Graduates from San Joaquin Valley College’s Health Care Administration program can expect to enter the job market in such positions as: • Billing or insurance clerk • Front office assistant • Data entry clerk • Collections clerk • Admitting clerk For more information about San Joaquin Valley College’s Health Care Administration program, please call the Visalia campus toll free at (866) 3913804. Or, see the college’s website at sjvc.edu. Classes are starting soon.

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

GOINGS-ON Interpretations of the Portrait: Visalia Art League 2012 Members Exhibition As with each of the past two years, the exhibiting artists have been asked to make work on a common theme with this year’s theme being “Interpretations of the Portrait.” The Visalia Art League is an educational and philanthropic organization open to amateur and professional artists, as well as nonartists who are lovers and patrons of the arts. The Art League hosts workshops and lectures by local and regional artists as well as regularly organizing chartered bus trips to major art museums. When: May 30–June 29; Reception: June 1, 6–8p Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 739-0905 Happy Trails Riding Academy: “Night at the Races” Come have a great night with dinner catered by Sue Sa, horse racing, and some great prizes! Happy Trails Riding Academy provides equine facilitated therapy to children and adults with disabilities. When: June 1, 6p Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia St., Visalia Contact: 688-8685 or email happytrailsridingacademy@yahoo.com Blues, Brews & BBQ Join in on live music from Brad Wilson Band, delicious barbeque and refreshing beverages at this fun downtown event. When: June 1, 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 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: June 1, 5:30–8:30p Where: Downtown Visalia Contact: downtown@artsTC.org Discover Decadent Tastes Kick off your Foodie Fest (see Sequoia Foodie Fest info in next column) Experience Friday night! Come to the “Tasting Party of the Year” and meet Devin Alexander our Celebrity Chef! Devin is a Media Personality, Healthy Comfort Food Chef, Weight Loss Expert, and New York Times Bestselling Author. She is also the Host of “Healthy Decadence” on Fit TV. The Marriott Executive Chef is preparing a decadent menu that will delight your taste buds! Mingle with friends, meet Devin and get an autograph! The night promises Foodie Fun and live entertainment! When: June 1, 6:30p Where: Marriott Hotel, 300 S. Court, Visalia Contact: 592-4074 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: June 2, 10a–5p Where: Maps at Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or visit www.1stSaturdayTR.com

KJUG JugFest 2012 KJUG’s JugFest includes daytime performances until 6p when the gates will open for the evening concert featuring Clay Walker. Please visit www. kjug.com for ticket information and entrance fees. When: June 2, 12p Where: Tulare County Fair Grounds, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Tulare Contact: 627-5584 Sequoia Foodie Fest Nibble and nosh on over 24 food, wine, craft beer and fine spirits samples, all offered exclusively to Gourmet Alley Passport holders! Gain access to the Gourmet Alley featuring local chef celebrities, samples of fare from area-award winning restaurant, wineries and craft beer. Meet the Star of Fit TV, Devin Alexander. For passports and more information visit www.sequoiafoodiefest.com When: June 2 & 3 Where: Exeter Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah Ave., Exeter Contact: 592-4074 Brian Regan at the Fox Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country. The perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations. When: June 7, 7:30p Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369

HAPPY

Father’s Day We now do Implants.

3445 S. Demaree St., Visalia 559.733.4478 30

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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

Wildest Weather in the Solar System Join a spectacular journey to witness the most beautiful, powerful, and mysterious weather phenomena in the solar system. From a storm the size of a 100-megaton hydrogen bomb, to a 400-year-old hurricane, to a dust tempest that could engulf entire planets, you’ll be glad you live on Earth! When: June 8, 7p Where: Peña Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: 737-6334 Kids Vi-Tri Jumpstart your summer by joining the Kids Triathlon! Participants will swim at Golden West High School pool, bike along the scenic St. John’s River Trail, and run on the track at the Groppetti Community Stadium. Family members can stay for the post event swimming pool party with music, food and fun! Everyone receives a participation medal! Ages: 6-12. Divisions: Beginner Level (50 yd. Swim, 1.2 mile bike, .5-mile run). Sprint Level (100 yd. Swim, 1.2 mile bike, 1 mile run). Fee: $35 per person until 5p June 1/ $45 after June 1. When: June 9, 6:30a Transition Area opens; 7a Day of Registration opens; 8a Sprint Level Start Time; 8:10a Beginner Level Start Time Where: Golden West High School, 1717 N McAuliff St., Visalia Contact: www.liveandplayvisalia.com

11th Annual Golf for Life Come enjoy a Monday afternoon of golf, fun and fellowship at the Visalia Country Club while supporting the work of Tulare-Kings Right to Life. Besides great golf, you will enjoy a light lunch and a chance to win some outstanding raffle prizes. In the evening, a delicious dinner will be served in the clubhouse. When: June 11, 10:30a (registration begins); 12p (tee-off, shotgun start) Where: Visalia Country Club, 625 N. Ranch St., Visalia Contact: 732-5000 Earth, Moon and Sun How do the Earth, Moon and Sun work together as a system and what is the myth and science behind it? Why does the Sun rise and set? Why do we see different constellations during different seasons? What is an eclipse? Learn about the Moon’s phases and orbit. Explore past and future space travel to our moon and beyond. When: June 13, 2p & 3p Where: Peña Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: 737-6334

To Kill A Mockingbird Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is a sensitive yet direct examination of racial and class distinctions in the South during The Great Depression. Nearly 80 years later the concerns are familiar, even though the innocence of the children is reminiscent of a bygone era. Jean Louise, an adult Scout, recalls events as riveting as they were harrowing. A timeless classic, TKAMl, includes warmth and humor while dealing with serious issues of morality and responsibility. Directed by Nancy Holley. When: June 22–24, 29–30; Jul. 1, 6–8 Where: The Ice House Theatre, 410 E. Race Ave., Visalia Contact: 734-3900 Tulare County Library First Tuesday Book Club (June 5, 6:30p) Mystery Readers (June 20, 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

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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

Volunteering:

Lessons from Dad My father was born November 11, 1917, exactly one year before Armistice Day, which signaled the end of WWI. He grew up on a homestead in the high desert of southern Utah, during the Roaring ’20s and the Great Depression years. After graduating from college in 1940, he volunteered to serve as a missionary for his church for two and a half years in the central states. While he was gone, Pearl Harbor was attacked. Upon returning home from his mission, he promptly volunteered (i.e., was drafted) into Uncle Sam’s army, left within the month and served for three years in Europe during WWII. He became part of what is now known as the “Greatest Generation.” After the war he returned home, married his war bride (Mom), earned his teaching credential, and settled down to a career teaching high school agriculture in Central California. As a young boy in the 1960s, I remember going with Dad in the evenings and on weekends to visit the homes and farms of his students to inspect their FFA projects. He didn’t receive additional compensation for doing this. Even now, I run into some of his former “ag boys” who have become successful farmers in Tulare County. They thank me for what he taught them. During my youth, Dad always kept a garden in our backyard. On occasion, he would have me help him with it. He explained to me that seeds left in the soil from the prior year’s crop will often sprout on their own into seedlings. He called these seedlings “volunteers.” Recently, as I was tending my own garden, I noticed the volunteer plants sprouting, including zucchini, basil, red chard, tomatoes, corn, and even some marigolds which I had planted the prior year for added color. Seeing these “volunteers” caused me to reflect back on what I had learned from my dad about volunteering. When I look around Visalia, I am struck by how many of the citizens of our community volunteer their time and means to make our community a better place. They almost seem to sprout on their own. During these tough economic times, city government doesn’t have the money to pay for all the work there is to do out there. We are dependent upon the volunteers in our community to fill in that gap. I am amazed at the sheer number of Visalia volunteers who help clean, shine up and improve our town. Let me cite just a 32

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few of the many examples. In April, city volunteers were out in full force, assisting in numerous projects to improve our great city: Earth Day 2012: Helping with clean-up projects throughout the city were Pacific Stihl, The Home Depot, Walmart, Starbucks, Visalia Rotary Club, and the Visalia Democratic Club. Serve Visalia: Participating in painting transit benches, clean-up of Mill Creek and the St. John’s Trail, cleaning two homes, graffiti clean-up and painting 137 fire hydrants were the First Presbyterian Church, Neighborhood Church, Radiant Church, Savior’s Community Church, and Visalia Community Covenant Church. The participants numbered over 1,300. Arbor Day: Planting 300 trees, spreading compost, donating blood, and extensive cleaning and polishing of the county museum at Mooney Grove Park included Mormon Helping Hands, Boy Scout Troop 336, Sunset Rotary Club, Golden West High School, and the 4-H Club. Several hundred volunteers participated. Fill-the-Boot: We don’t want to forget our local firefighters whom you might have seen at major intersections on Mooney and Main Street, participating in their “fill-the-boot” fundraiser for muscular dystrophy. This year they raised $13,506.37 for a worthy cause. Imagine the cost to the city to hire this kind of help! A big “thank you” to all who assisted on these projects, as well as the numerous volunteers who help throughout the year to beautify our city and make it a great place to live. As my dad approaches his 95th birthday, he still enjoys working in his garden on a daily basis. Thanks, Dad, for the lessons you taught me on volunteering. Oh, by the way, Happy Father’s Day! 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.