Enjoy Magazine: San Joaquin Valley Living — October 2019

®

San Joaquin Valley Living

OCTOBER 2019

S AV O R T H E F L AV O R

www.enjoysouthvalley.com

Enjoy the magazine It’s on the house

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contents october 2 01 9 // I ssue # 59

San Joaquin Valley Living

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pg

the taste of fresno’s underground suppers

Photo courtesy of Fresno Underground Suppers

cr a f ting

INTER EST

32 DIY: Etched Wooden Spoons

34 Coarsegold Tarantula Awareness Festival

food 6 The Unique Flavors of Fugazzis Restaurants 10 Food Workshops and More with Natalie Holland’s Jade Magnolia 13 Get a Taste of Fresno’s Underground Suppers

LOCA L S 21 Briana and Carmen Valdez’s Bluebird Markets

On the m a p 24 Interscholastic Equestrian Association

in ev ery issu e 28 Enjoy the View— Bradley Spuhler 30 What’s Cookin’— Easy Middle Eastern Shakshuka 34 Calendar of Events 39 Giving Back— Soroptimist International of Visalia

SHOW TIM E 16 The Count Basie Orchestra At The Fox Theatre

OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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editor’s note october 2019

It’s our fifth birthday! What a joy it has been to share the stories of so many fascinating people, breathtaking places and local treasures in the San Joaquin Valley. Let’s venture into another year of exploring together!

Savor the flavor of Fresno’s Underground Suppers – pop-up immersive dinners in sometimes wildly unusual locations. Adventure and mystery combine for a truly unforgettable experience.

Figs and sprigs, cheese and berries, meticulously arranged in a way that makes them almost too pretty to eat – it’s food-meets-art. Jade Magnolia specializes in cheeseboards and charcuterie, and she loves showing folks how it’s done.

Who loves spiders? What… not you? Well, we’ve just learned about an event that might change your mind. The Tarantula Awareness Festival is one of Coarsegold’s most popular events, and you might be surprised to learn how important these hairy-legged creatures are to the environment.

Watch the tarantula derby, enjoy the pumpkin bake-off and compete in the hairy legs contest - it’s a day full of fun.

Treasure hunters will find nirvana at the Bluebird Markets in Kingsburg and Fresno, where vendors offer unique, limited-quantity arts and crafts.

The mother-daughter venture is perhaps best described as “French Nordic Country meets California Glam.” Sounds intriguing.

We’re so grateful to the advertisers who make this endeavor possible (it’s a mutually beneficial relationship!); the writers, photographers and designers who make this magazine so fun to read; and our faithful readers – we strive every day to make this a publication that you look forward to picking up each month.

Happy birthday to us, and enjoy!

®

San joaquin VALLEY Living

Yvonne Mazzotta publisher Michelle Adams publisher Ronda Ball-Alvey editor-in-chief Kerri Regan copy editor Emily Miranda marketing & sales assistant, social media manager MICHELLE ADAMS contributing graphic designer Catherine HunT event calendar/website monica fatica editorial consultant VALERI BARNES advertising sales representative ed boling advertising sales representative Danielle Colesberry Austin Reynolds Trevor Ludlow Koby Reynolds deliveries

www.enjoysouthvalley.com Enjoy Magazine (559) 804-7411 • (530) 246-4687 Email General: infosouthvalley@enjoymagazine.net

on the cover Cover model: Natalie Holland Photos by Alexandria Smith

Sales and Advertising information: infosouthvalley@enjoymagazine.net © 2019 by Enjoy Magazine. All rights reserved.

Reproductions without permission are strictly prohibited. Articles and advertisements in Enjoy Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management, employees, or freelance writers.

Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If an error is found, please accept our sincere apologies and notify us of the mistake. The businesses, locations and people mentioned in our articles are solely determined by the editorial staff and are not influenced by advertising.

Enjoy and Enjoy the Store are trademarks of Enjoy, Inc.

OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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FOOD

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BY NATALIE CAUDLE

culinary delights

Photo by Salina Marroquin 6

www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

Photo by Salina Marroquin

the u n i q ue flavors of F U G A Z Z I S R E S TA U R A N T S

No one knew what the future held when Mike and Deborah Fligor began going steady in the sixth grade.

Married now for 48 years and successful restaurant entrepreneurs, the couple from Ohio has successfully built a Valley culinary favorite in the restaurant and catering business of Fugazzis.

Mike, a businessman at heart, has spent his career in the corporate world. Prior to opening the doors to Fugazzis in 1997, Mike and Deborah were part of the pizza world, owning a chain of take-n-bake pizza shops. Unable to compete with larger pizza delivery chains and unbeatable deals, the Fligors decided to close shop and begin a new venture.

The first Fugazzis restaurant opened in Hanford and brought a unique taste and style to the Valley restaurant scene. Ironically, in an effort to create a name and image that couldn’t be easily stolen or duplicated, Mike borrowed the name, Fugazzis, from a small coffee shop in Eastern Washington. The original goal of the restaurant was simple: get the company off the ground while paying the bills. But the restaurant’s success grew quickly and Mike’s dreams began to expand.

The Visalia Main Street location was opened not long after and became an instant favorite. Culinary delights of sweet potato fries and cream cheese-filled Xangos quickly stole the hearts of foodies. For years Mike and Deborah

welcomed diners on weekend nights as hungry patrons entered the dark restaurant donned in geometric swirls, stainless steel tables and an ambience that transformed a typical night into a decadent dining experience.

As Fugazzis’ popularity grew, the Fligors expanded the business to Tulare and added a second Visalia location with a fast-casual feel. Even as Mike was busy with multiple locations, he recognized an opportunity in the downtown Visalia locale. The restaurant began to morph.

A walk-up window was installed and a to-go component was added to the dining options, a perfect lunch choice for downtown businesses and hospital employees.

Additionally, the square footage grew as a new banquet hall was opened behind the kitchen.

Despite Mike’s success, he has a humble spirit and is quick to brag about his employees’ capabilities. “We have a great team. That’s how we’re able to do what we do. The team makes it all happen.” The Fugazzis franchise employs around 150 people, many of whom Mike refers to as his “kids.” A handful of employees have been a part of the Fugazzis family for nearly 20 years.

Gabriel Diaz began working as a server at Fugazzis when he was 20 and worked his way up to lead server within three years. Diaz remembers how Mike took him under his wing, “Bossman saw something in me. He gave 4

continued on page 8

OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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Photo by Salina Marroquin

me an opportunity to manage, open other locations and be part of a growing catering company. I now oversee all the restaurants and catering company with the help of a great team of leaders. When you work with someone like Bossman, you pick some great things up: leadership skills, honesty and great business ethics.”

It is important to Mike to be a part of the lives of his hardworking employees. He enjoys the opportunity to mentor and finds it thrilling to see his employees grow and thrive.

Fugazzis is built on a philosophy of growth while remaining anchored to the company’s core principles. “We can never rely on what worked yesterday. We are a dynamic and ever-changing environment. We adapt each day to life’s challenges. Fugazzis’ success depends on our ability to stay in front of the wave. We must adapt to our surroundings but never surrender our values and beliefs.” Mike’s philosophy has helped carry the company through seasons of national economic struggle while continuing to grow as a franchise.

Mike claims he is a “businessman, not a food guy,” but he too savors the delicious tastes of Fugazzis’ unique cuisine, favoring the Chicken Chipotle Pasta as his dish of choice. The chefs create exceptional combinations of flavor. In an effort to bring a little competitive fire to the kitchen, Mike created “Friday Night Food Wars” where the chefs battle to whip up original and popular specials.

Retiring doesn’t seem to be in Mike’s vocabulary. Since opening the first restaurant, he and Deborah continue to expand, always looking for a new venture and willing to sell food anytime, anywhere. The Fligors widened the breadth of their business from the brick-andmortar locations into the realm of catering. Fugazzis caters events throughout the Valley, from birthdays to weddings to baby showers.

Additionally, Mike and Deborah opened two wedding venues: Victorian Gardens and Westwood Barns. Between these two venues, Fugazzis partakes in 50-60 weddings annually.

It is important to Mike and Deborah to participate in the Valley’s communities and philanthropic efforts. “We don’t deserve anything.

We have worked very hard and God has blessed us,” Mike says. Many local organizations are thankful for the kindness of Fugazzis.

The Fligors may be attempting a slower pace in life, as they travel more and visit their five grandchildren, but their dreams continue to grow. A new location recently opened in Kingsburg with another soon to open in Porterville. Not long ago, the Cypress location in Visalia began serving breakfast. Additionally, a completely new restaurant with a different name, style and cuisine will be opening in downtown Visalia soon. •

It is important to Mike and Deborah to participate in the Valley’s communities and philanthropic efforts. “We don’t deserve anything. We have worked very hard and God has blessed us,” Mike says.

Photo by Salina Marroquin

Fugazzi’s Restaurants • www.fugazzisbistro.com Locations: Kingsburg, Hanford, Visalia, Tulare and coming soon to Porterville • Find them on Facebook and Instagram Homegrown in the Valley, Natalie Caudle finds beauty in the mundane and is ever on the hunt for the perfect salsa recipe. A mother of four, this minivan chauffeur is passionate about adoption and strives to perfect the art of balancing grace and grit.

Photo by Salina Marroquin 8

www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

Don’t Forget Us When It Comes to Custom Processing Your Farm Livestock!

FOOD

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BY KAYLA ANDERSON

sweet

savory &

foo d w or k shops a n d more w ith n atalie holla n d ’ s J a d e M ag n olia Whimsical, dainty and colorful figs, sprigs, blackberries, olives, jams, cheese and maybe even honeycomb are strategically placed on a smooth wooden board, making it look inviting yet too pretty to eat. The creator of the edible work of art is Natalie Holland, founder of the wedding and event planning business Jade Magnolia.

Based in Central California, Holland started hosting cheeseboard and charcuterie workshops in 2015 to teach people how to make their own sweet and savory dishes filled with vibrant colors, flavors and beauty.

Even though Jade Magnolia started as a wedding planning and event business, Holland had been yearning to add a food element to it and created a charcuterie board to show off on Instagram (she also created cheeseboards for her own wedding). In 2016, charcuterie workshops weren’t that common, but are growing much more popular. Currently, Holland hosts food workshops all over California at wineries, people’s residences and places like Revival 23 in Old Town Clovis.

Before launching Jade Magnolia in 2012, Holland worked in the corporate world. But when she became a single mother, Holland wanted to shift gears and do something more creative so she could be around to raise her son. She realized she was good at baking wedding cakes and her new creative business “snowballed into what it is now,” she says. Holland evolved from doing dessert buffets to helping coordinate more of the wedding planning under her former business, Sweet Events.

Holland grew up in Clovis and attended Buchanan High School, where she met her current husband and moved with him to Texas where she continued her wedding planning business. However, she was ready for a name change.

“I wanted something pretty and my sister-in-law’s name is Jade. I also loved the name Magnolia (a city in Texas), so I went with it,” Holland says. Many people assume that her name is Jade and she gets called that a lot, but it doesn’t bother her.

Holland continued doing her thing in Texas when in 2016 her husband was let go from his job and was immediately offered another one from one of his high

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

school friends in California. The couple put their house up for sale and moved back. Holland had been thinking about doing cheeseboard workshops for a while, but felt like everything was so spread out in Texas that it was harder to build up a community. Being back in California allowed her to easily get from one place to the other, and since coming home she’s taught around 700 people how to make their own cheeseboards.

“I love how they look, using seasonal things and bringing everyone together,” Holland says. Besides standing around a kitchen table, sipping on wine and playing with food with newfound friends, half of the fun for Holland is hunting around for new and interesting ingredients. She loves making cheeseboards using goat cheese with a fig spread, lemon curd and jams, and she sources a lot of her produce from Simonian Farms in Fresno. Stone fruit, figs, berries, nectarines and peaches grow especially well in the Valley, allowing Holland to experiment a bit with what she finds.

When school starts in the fall, Holland will shift into autumn flavors and colors and slowly ease into the festive time of year. This is when Jade Magnolia is the busiest as it’s the time when people tend to want to get together and learn something new.

She says that in the beginning of a workshop many people are convinced that they’re not able to do it, and then they’re pleased with what they come up with by the end. Her blog features her favorite cheeseboards, accessories, shopping lists and step-by-step instructions for making cheeseboards at home.

“Everyone has a really good time and right now people are obsessed with cheeseboards. When people post their pictures of cheeseboards to Instagram it makes me happy,” Holland adds. • Jade Magnolia • www.jademagnolia.com Find them on Facebook and Instagram Kayla Anderson is a freelance writer, marketer and action sports enthusiast who grew up wakeboarding on Lake Shasta and learning to ski at Mt. Lassen.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Chico State University.

Photo by Alexandria Smith

Photo by Ellie Koleen

Photo by Alexandria Smith OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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FOOD

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supper time

BY MELISSA MENDONCA

g et a taste of F res n o ’ s U n d er g rou n d S uppers The collaboration between Jaye, a former wedding planner, and the Hansens at The Painted Table is what has grown Fresno’s Underground Suppers into the popular events that they are. “Chefs are creative creatures. They need to be challenged. Their chef skills need to be sharpened,” says Jeromie. The unique culinary explorations of the supper club allow just that.

The team does a deep dive to learn about the food and culture of the region, then transports guests to the area via exquisite presentation and a five- to seven-course offering. “We always do something with a little twist,” says Jaye. “Depending on what we’re doing, a course may be served from the kitchen on a carefully plated piece of pottery.”

Sometimes guests dress up for the dinners to add to the ambiance.

“It’s amazing when they do,” she adds, “though we don’t require it by any stretch of the imagination.” She notes the joy of a speakeasythemed event where many guests arrived in ‘20s-era costumes, and a Legend of Sleepy Hollow dinner where guests went out of their way to dress up in period pieces. 4 continued on page 14

Photos courtesy of Fresno’s Underground Suppers

“We have good things here and we deserve to have good things,” Amy Jaye, co-founder of Fresno’s Underground Suppers, says about the Central Valley. “One of the things that inspired me to want to do something like this is that I’ve had similar experiences in big cities and I wondered why we didn’t have them here.”

The concept of Fresno’s Underground Suppers is simple, yet the execution is always elaborate and transformative: pop-up and immersive dinners in sometimes wildly unusual locations, always themed and focused on culinary adventure with a touch of mystery.

“We have an immersion dinner series where we immerse ourselves in the culture and food of an area,” says Jaye. So far, guests have been to Vietnam, Appalachia, the Kashmir region of India and the Yucatan Peninsula, all without needing to buy a plane ticket. These dinners are held in the VIP area of Fresno’s The Painted Table, where Jeromie Hansen and Rodney C. Hansen can use all of the features of their professional kitchen to execute foods of a region right on site.

OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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“It’s also a place where people can know that they can come to be comfortable,” she says. “These events are not like any experience you’re going to have at a restaurant. We encourage people to let down their guard a little bit. They’re very mysterious. We don’t announce menus.”

“It’s definitely a passion project for us, and it’s a passion project for our chefs,” adds Jeromie, noting that Rodney is the head chef and culinary designer. “We love, love, love our community and we want to give people something different to do on these nights. We sell out almost every single night.”

The challenge for both the Hansens and Jaye is coming up with new ideas and venues. When you’ve served dinner in bed, you’ve created a big act to follow. “We put beds in one venue,” says Jeromie. “Everyone booked a bed and we served dinner in bed. It was super classy, nothing raunchy. We’ve had so many interesting, unique dinner parties.”

While dinners are often intimate productions for 40-50 guests, they are no means exclusive. Those interested sign up on a free membership list via Facebook. When dinners are announced, an email invitation goes out to the list. Events occur every three to four weeks.

Supper club events are not only gaining rave reviews from locals, but have also caught the attention of national reviewers. The thirdever event was a Sicilian-themed dinner held in an underground cave at Forestiere Underground Gardens that earned the 2017 national

Catie award for best signature caterer event at the 25th annual Catersource Convention. “It’s like our version of the Oscars,” says Jeromie.

Fresno’s Underground Suppers is celebrating three years in business, the first of which was a trial year for the partners to see how they would work together. “I had been a wedding planner who didn’t want to do weddings anymore,” Jaye says. “I just wanted to do some things that were smaller, more intimate where people could go and escape the day. I decided if I wanted to go to that type of event, I was going to have to create that type of event.”

The fortuitous collaboration with the Hansens brought that idea to fruition.

“Jeromie and Rodney are absolutely instrumental in getting the underground suppers up and running the way they are,” she adds. “It was their inspiration of the food and how to tell that story of the food that brought us here three years later.

We all decided that this was going to be a passion project for us.” • Fresno’s Underground Suppers • www.fresnosundergroundsuppers.com Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Melissa Mendonca is a graduate of San Francisco State and Tulane universities. She’s a lover of airports and road trips and believes in mentoring and service to create communities everyone can enjoy. Her favorite words are rebar, wanderlust and change.

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

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SHOWTIME

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BY NATALIE CAUDLE

count me in T he C ou n t B asie O rchestra at the fo x theatre

When the call finally came…

Bradford hung up the phone mistaking Basie for her cousin, Otis. Basie called back once again, but said “I’m gonna call another little girl if you hang up the phone again.

This is Mr. Basie, don’t you hang up this phone.”

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

The Count Basie orchestra, one of the longest running orchestras in American history, will grace the stage of the Visalia Fox Theatre on Oct. 11. The 18-piece band will feature soloist Carmen Bradford with the sounds of blues and swing reminiscent of the jazz age.

Count Basie, known for his time and tempo, began his famous orchestra in 1934. Born as William James Basie in Red Bank, NJ, in 1904, Basie grew up within a musical household and learned piano from his mother. He first heard the big-band sound in 1928 when playing for Walter Page’s Blue Devils, an era of his career that changed the course of Basie’s life. Soon thereafter, Basie formed the band the “Barons of Rhythm” and was given his iconic name “Count” by a radio announcer in an attempt to bring a little more notoriety to the jazz leader. Basie’s fame continued to grow; in 1958, Basie was the first African-American male to receive a Grammy award. He earned eight more throughout his lifetime.

Basie’s sound was unique and his style of leadership remarkable. In 1937, Basie wrote “One O’Clock Jump,” based on jazz riffs of the band members. The piece was recorded later the same year and is now considered a jazz standard.

Basie incorporated impeccable talent within his orchestra, featuring greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Dizzie Gillespie. Carmen Bradford, an

R&B singer, was the opening talent for The Count Basie Orchestra in 1982. It was here that she met Basie and told him if he hired her she would make him millions of dollars.

After hearing Bradford’s incredible voice, Basie agreed but waited nine months before contacting her. When the call finally came, having given up on the dream of performing with the legendary orchestra, Bradford hung up the phone mistaking Basie for her cousin, Otis. Basie called back once again, but said “I’m gonna call another little girl if you hang up the phone again. This is Mr. Basie, don’t you hang up this phone.”

Two days later Bradford received a call from the road manager for the orchestra with instructions to meet them on tour that weekend. Thirty of Bradford’s friends accompanied her to the airport to give her a proper sendoff. When Bradford arrived and discovered there wasn’t a boarding pass waiting, her friends pooled their money and bought her a roundtrip ticket, just in case. A few hours later, Bradford realized her dreams were coming true when she met Basie in the lobby of the hotel. The next day Basie introduced Bradford to the cats as “our little girl,” and the rest is music history.

Basie passed away in 1984, not long after hiring Bradford. The orchestra continues to tour and is celebrating its 85th year of music magic. Today the band is directed by Scotty Barnhart and was recently named the number one jazz orchestra in the world.

Marina Rojas, marketing and developing manager for the Fox Theatre, is excited to

bring back the famous orchestra and encourages anyone with an appreciation for jazz or big band to attend the show. The concert is guaranteed to be “in the pocket.” • The Count Basie Orchestra • Oct. 11, 7:30 pm Visalia Fox Theatre • www.foxvisalia.org Tickets: $38 to $68

Photos courtesy of The Count Basie Orchestra

In These Busiest of Seasons, Turn to Downtown Visalia!

Homegrown in the Valley, Natalie Caudle finds beauty in the mundane and is ever on the hunt for the perfect salsa recipe. A mother of four, this minivan chauffeur is passionate about adoption and strives to perfect the art of balancing grace and grit.

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LOCALS

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BY KIMBERLY HORG

local makers

Photos courtesy of Bluebird Home and Lifestyle Market

B ria n a a n d C arme n Val d ez ’ s B luebir d M ar k ets One-of-a-kind relics aren’t so hard to find if a shopper knows where to search. Treasure hunters flock to places like the Bluebird Home and Lifestyle Market, where vendors bring their unique and limited quantity art and craft items to sell. Bluebird Home and Lifestyle Market is on historical Draper Street in Downtown Kingsburg, but it also sells its goods at other markets in Kingsburg and Fresno.

In November, Bluebird Home and Lifestyle Market celebrates its one-year anniversary. A mother-daughter team brings numerous combined years of retail, customer service, design and event planning experience to the table.

“I am the owner and maker behind Angel Gypsy, a luxurious plant-based bath and beauty line officially established in 2016 and designed to heal both body and soul through aromatherapy and energy healing techniques,” says Bluebird Home and Lifestyle Market co-owner Briana Valdez.

Her mom and business partner, Carmen Valdez, owned a home retail shop in the 1990s when they lived in Colorado. The two combined their skills to create Angel

Gypsy, their own line of apothecary. Carmen started traveling outside of the Valley on the weekends to vendor markets and events to promote and sell it. She also grows all the flowers and herbs for her daughter’s products, which are made in-house.

“Last year, my mom retired and after mulling over ideas that we had been considering for years, we made the decision to open a new brick and mortar store together,” she says. “I grew up in her store, and now I get to have my own shop with the best business partner ever by my side.”

The Valdez women wanted to create a storefront that not only showcased the brands and styles they love the most, but also encourage community involvement and promote local artisans.

“We saw an opportunity to curate a monthly shopping experience that promoted local makers and an appreciation for handcrafted goods,” Briana says.

Their style can be described as French Nordic Country meets California Glam. The shop is adorned with an assortment of home furnishings, lighting, garden decor, 4

continued on page 22

OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

21

“We are proud to be a part of the growing community of female business owners and very much enjoy being able to work side by side with family every day,” says Briana.

gifts, stationery and one-of-a-kind found and vintage items. In the “Apothecary” room, customers find its plant-based bath and beauty line, Angel Gypsy, as well as handmade jewelry, fashion accessories, inspirational gifts and much more. Above the front door reads, “We celebrate the beautiful bluebird as a symbol of love, hope and happiness.”

“Keeping things new, fun and exciting is always our main goal and we hope that is reflected in everything we do, from the décor we sell to the music we play, and that customers feel right at home and joyful when here with us at Bluebird,” says Briana.

She says her store and markets are more than just a shopping excursion; they’re also a gathering of friends and family within the community to celebrate creativity, togetherness and good times.

Originally the business kicked off its first monthly market in November 2018 right after it opened, so it is fitting that it will celebrate the one-year anniversary at the Harvest Nights themed market on Nov. 9 with other local artists.

In September, it expanded its markets to Fig Garden Village in Fresno, hosted the first Saturday of each month from 11 am to 5 pm.

Bluebird Market at the Warehouse and at Fig Garden Village are free to attend and are family- and pet-friendly. There will be specialty food vendors including cotton candy, ice cream and popcorn, as well as a DJ and live music.

“We want our guests to feel welcome to spend a day with us to enjoy food and drinks, music and to learn more about the creative community here in the Central Valley,” she said.

Briana says the markets are a great place for local brands to network with each other and for customers to find handcrafted goods and unique gifts. The variety of vendors helps ensure there is something for everybody and for every price point.

At each market, there is a food truck and free games for kids. Every market has a different theme, so customers can look forward to different food, drinks, decorations and music every month. Past themes include Paris in Bloom, Flower Power, Floral Fiesta and An Evening in Roma. October’s theme will be Rustic Roots, a Country Western Night at Bluebird.

In Kingsburg, markets are the second Saturday of each month, and times vary depending on season. From September through November, enjoy fall evenings at Bluebird from 3-8 pm. It will resume regular 10 am to 4 pm hours in December.

“My mother, Carmen, and I are very excited for this year’s holiday season inside the shop and to continue our monthly Bluebird Market at the Warehouse,” she says.

Inside the shop on market days, visitors will also find market specials and sales, or sometimes special events like book signings and DIY workshops.

“We are proud to be a part of the growing community of female business owners and very much enjoy being able to work side by side with family every day,” says Briana. • Bluebird Markets: Fig Garden Village in Fresno: Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7 Bluebird Home & Lifestyle Market in Kingsburg: Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14 www.bluebirdmarket.shop • Find them on Facebook and Instagram To be a vendor, email bri@bluebirdmarket.shop or call (559) 419-9660

Kimberly Horg earned her bachelor of arts in journalism from Humboldt State University. She is pursuing her master of fine arts in creative writing at Fresno State University. Kimberly has had hundreds of articles published throughout the country. To read more of her work, visit www.kimberlyhorg.com.

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

Just like home SCHRANK’S CLUBHOUSE GRAND

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OCTOBER

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ON THE MAP

|

BY MELISSA MENDONCA

a horse of course i n terscholastic e q uestria n associatio n In any sport, the opportunity to compete with others in a public sphere can build camaraderie, sharpen skills and create connection, all while opening space for friends and family of participants to gather in support as spectators.

In a community dominated by western and dressage styles of horse riding, the Central Valley’s Hunters and Jumpers were left with long and expensive commutes to horse shows in Paso Robles and the Bay Area for many years. That is until a group of volunteers, led by Exeter veterinarian Dr. Doug Anez, owner of Pacific Crest Equine, started the Central Valley Hunter/Jumpers Miniseries in 2018. The series of four shows allowed hunters and jumpers of all ages the opportunity to participate in day-long competitions to accumulate points toward awards at the end of the series.

“It was Dr. Doug Anez that came to me about starting a horse show around here,” says Jenny House, series manager. “He kept seeing all of these horses coming into

24

www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

his practice and they didn’t have a place to go and show.

He came up with the idea.”

The series encouraged interest in hunting and jumping by making it accessible to locals, particularly children.

House still rides every day and co-owns Sequoia Hills Stables in Elderwood with husband Chuck House and sister Marily Reese. She often fields calls from parents who say, “My daughter is horse crazy and she wants to learn to ride.” She’ll gauge interest in hunting and jumping, noting, “There’s nothing like going over a fence with a horse.”

While it’s not uncommon for girls to become “horse crazy,” costs associated with keeping and showing a horse can be substantial. “We’re trying to keep the costs down because horse shows have become really expensive,” House says of the series.

She now works with the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, which is fielding nine teams within the

Photos courtesy of Interscholastic Equestrian Association

Central Valley region to compete on horses brought in from local horse owners. “Rather than every child having to take their horse to a show, they draw the horse they’re going to ride from a hat,” she explains. “For people who can’t afford to take horses to horse shows, it’s a really nice way to get into shows. Several barns in the area are helping because everyone wants to see it be successful in the area.”

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association is open to student riders in fourth through 12th grades from public and private schools as well as barn teams. No rider needs to own a horse.

Hunting and jumping are similar but separate disciplines that compete in different arenas during shows. According to House, jumping appeals to those “with a need for speed.” It can also be done on many horses and ponies, without a need for high-dollar animals. Hunting is a more refined practice that requires more discipline and typically a more skilled horse. House asks potential hunters, “Do you get excited about the precision?”

Skills learned in both hunting and jumping translate to more than the arena,

says House. “The kids get confidence. If you can handle a 1,000-pound horse, you can handle a lot. It really gives them a sense of accomplishment. It carries over in the rest of their lives.”

When not organizing opportunities for young people to hunt and jump, you’ll be sure to find House out riding her own horse.

“At my age (73), I call it fossils over fences.

But by God, I’m still out there riding.” • Interscholastic Equestrian Association www.rideieaq.org (559) 564-2038 www.sequoiahillsstables.com, Find them on Facebook Local teams located in Clovis, Woodlake and Exeter

Melissa Mendonca is a graduate of San Francisco State and Tulane universities.

She’s a lover of airports and road trips and believes in mentoring and service to create communities everyone can enjoy. Her favorite words are rebar, wanderlust and change.

OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

25

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|

photo: BRADLEY SPUHLER

www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

an Autumn Creek near California Hot Springs

Bradley Spuhler grew up in Lindsay and lives in Tulare with his wife and two children. He works as a senior front end developer for Accenture Interactive. He took up photography as a hobby to capture memories as the kids grew up and as a way to get out and enjoy nature more in his free time. Visit www.bradleyspuhler.com or Instagram @bradleyspuhler

OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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WHAT’S COOKIN’

|

recipe

BY LANA GRANFORS | PHOTOS: KARA STEWART

OCTOBER 2019

Easy Middle Eastern Shakshuka Serves 4

Shakshuka, which originated in North Africa and is very popular throughout the Middle East, especially Israel, is delicious, quick and so easy. It has always intrigued me and once I tried it at a restaurant, I knew I had to create it at home. This dish works for breakfast or a main meal at brunch, lunch or dinner. The simmering tomato sauce, full of amazing flavor, is used to poach the eggs in the dish. Enjoy ingredients:

2 T olive oil 1⁄2 yellow onion, diced small

4 garlic cloves, finely minced

1 each red and yellow bell pepper, both seeded and diced

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes (I use with green chiles) 2 1⁄ tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. paprika

4 eggs

2 T combined of any of the following: minced parsley, chives, basil, cilantro Salt and cracked black pepper to taste

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

Directions: STEP 1: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet. (Cast iron skillet not recommended.) Once the oil is shimmering, add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until lightly browned, about 5-9 minutes. Add spices, stir in and cook an additional minute.

STEP 2: Add in the can of tomatoes with juice. Season with salt and pepper and allow the sauce to come to at a simmer, over a low heat for 15-20 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

STEP 3: Using a large spoon, make 4 small wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each of the wells. Cover the pan and cook for 4-10 minutes, or until the eggs are done to your liking.

STEP 4: Remove from heat and top with chopped cilantro and parsley. Additional topping options include crumbled goat cheese, avocado slices and artichoke hearts. Serve with pita bread or a nice crusty bread.

Lana Granfors enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking and spending time with her friends and family– especially her grandchildren, Jillian and Garet.

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25 - 40 minutes Total time: 35 - 50 minutes

OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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CRAFTING

|

by Kayla Van Grouw | photos: kelli avila

A Spoonful

D I Y: etche d w oo d e n spoo n s

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

supplies • Wooden utensils • Wood burner • Pencil • Food safe mineral oil and towel (not pictured)

Tips: Buy utensils in large pack and keep a few in stock to give as your go-to hostess gift. Tie them with twine and a rosemary stem.

1. Turn the wood burner on and set aside. Draw your design out in pencil. Shown here is a simple starburst pattern on the neck of the spoon with three curved accent lines at the bottom.

2. Apply the tip of the burner to the penciled design with slow steady strokes. Go over each line twice if needed.

3. Soak the corner of a towel in mineral oil and rub evenly over both utensils.

This step can be repeated after each use or after a run in the dishwasher.

4. Use utensils to serve your favorite dish and enjoy!

OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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INTEREST | BY KAYLA ANDERSON

itsy bitsy spider C oarse g ol d Tara n tula Aware n ess F estival Coarsegold resident Diane Boland has never really been a fan of spiders. But soon after she ran over one with her car, her neighbor who saw it gave her an earful about how important tarantulas are to the Central Valley’s ecosystem.

Now, more than 35 years later, Boland runs one of Coarsegold’s biggest events – the Tarantula Awareness Festival. Set for Oct. 26 from 10:30am-5pm, just in time for Halloween and tarantula mating season, the annual creepy-crawly inspired event invites locals and visitors to gather in California’s historic village for a day filled with kid-friendly fun, including a pumpkin bake-off, costume contest, hairy legs contest and the famed tarantula derby.

While the Coarsegold Peddlers Fair held twice a year also provides an economical boost to the old mining town, nothing beats the annual Tarantula Awareness Festival.

“It brings vitality into the town,” says Boland, who founded the event. She adds that between fires, droughts and harsh winters, events like the tarantula festival are important to keeping Coarsegold alive.

After running over that California brown tarantula and Boland’s neighbor giving her a stern education on how important tarantulas are (as they eat other poisonous bugs, snakes and insects), Boland decided to take her new understanding of the hairy creatures and launch an awareness event, “and I thought this was a small thing that I could do for the kids in this town,” she adds.

Residents were also in full support of celebrating the big, hairy spiders.

“I’m not a big spider fan, but tarantulas get a bad rap.

They are very docile except when backed into a corner and feel like they have no choice but to attack. Even then, they release less venom than a daddy longlegs,” she says.

34

www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

Boland started the Tarantula Awareness Festival in 1998 and now more than 1,000 people attend. Her goal has been to keep the festival free for kids, and she collects toys, candy and prizes all year long to give away at the event. Activities such as the costume contest are open to people of all ages and provide extra entertainment.

“Last year we had 120 kids enter – they have to come on stage, state their name and what they are. At first kids are pretty shy, but then it gets to where we have to take the mic back from them,” Boland says with a laugh.

Another favorite event is the adult hairy leg contest.

“It’s really fun. We drag all the dads out and some moms come up, which is pretty scary, too,” she says.

The festival celebrating the spiders is uniquely Coarsegold’s and offers a fun environment for people to reconnect, and it has slowly chipped away at Boland’s fear of tarantulas, she says.

“I seriously have an absolute fear of picking them up, but I find that men are more afraid of them than women, which cracks me up,” she says. However, in hosting a tarantula derby, Boland will teach kids the proper way to pick them up as to not hurt them and how important it is to release them back into the wild afterwards, and that seems to dispel her anxiety about them a bit. • Coarsegold Tarantula Festival Oct. 26, 10:30am-5pm • Free Historic Village, Coarsegold • (559) 683-3900 www.coarsegoldchamberofcommerce.com

Kayla Anderson is a freelance writer, marketer and action sports enthusiast who grew up wakeboarding on Lake Shasta and learning to ski at Mt. Lassen.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Chico State University and loves to visit her parents in Redding.

calendar O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

From Food to fun, something for everyone to enjoy

atwater

October 13 • Castle Air Museum Tour, 5050 Santa Fe Drive, noon, www.riverparkway.org

bakersfield

October 3-5 • Best in the West Jet Rally, Elks-Hill Buttonwillow Airport, 9am-6pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 4 • Dignity Health Presents Farm to Table(aux), Highgate at Seven Oaks by Castle and Cooke, 13800 Pemberley Passage, 6-9:30pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 4-6 • Greek Food Festival, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 401 Truxtun Ave., all day, www.visitbakersfield.com October 5 • Holiday Craft Bazaar, Four Seasons at Bakersfield Lodge, 10500 Toscana Drive, 9am-2pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 6 • Fall Craft Fair, Skateland, 415 Ming Ave., 9am-4pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 11 • Smooth Sounds of Santana, Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame, 2230 Q St., 7pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 12 • Rusty Roots Show, CSU Bakersfield outside on the Don Hart East Lawn, 9001 Stockdale Hwy., 9am-3pm, www.rustyrootsshow.com • Second Saturday, Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St., 10am-4pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 13 • Strides for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Lake Ming-East Beach, 9am-1:30pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 17 • Doors Tribute, Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame, 2230 Q St., 7pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 19 • Fall Variety Show, Bakersfield Masonic Hall, 1920 18th St., 3-5:30pm, www.visitbakersfield.com • Menton Buru Live, Wiki’s Wine Dive, 11350 Ming Ave. Ste. 260, 9pm, www.visitbakersfield.com

October 25 • Toast and Taste the Season, Buena Vista Edible Schoolyard, 6520 Buena Vista Road, 6-8:30pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 25-27 • 28th Annual California Hot Rod Reunion, Auto Club Famoso Raceway, 33559 Famoso Road, all day, www.visitbakersfield.com October 26 • 7th Annual Trinkets, Treasures, Arts and Crafts Yard Sale, Women’s Club of Bakersfield, 2030 18th St., 8am-2pm, www.visitbakersfield.com October 31 • Art After Dark, Bakersfield Museum of Art, 1930 R St., 7-9pm, www.visitbakersfield.com

clovis

October 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 • Just the Tips Comedy Show and Open Mic, 1225 North Willow Ave. #180, 7:30pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org October 5 • Wine Walk, Old Town Clovis, Pollasky Avenue and 5th St., 5-8:30pm www.visitclovis.com October 3 • Twilight Thursday Concert Series, Clovis Botanical Garden, 945 North Clovis Ave., 5:30pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org October 5, 12, 19, 26 • Year Round Farmers Market, Pollasky Avenue and 5th St., 9-11:30am, www.visitclovis.com October 13 • Farm to Table Harvest Dinner, Pollasky Ave., 5-8pm, www.visitclovis.com October 20 • Glorious Junk Days, the streets of Old Town Clovis, 8am-4pm, www.oldtownclovis.org October 26-27 • 45th Annual Clovis Fest and Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly, Fresno/Clovis Convention and Visitors Bureau, balloons lift off from Clovis Rodeo Grounds, 8am-5pm, www.clovischamber.com

dinuba

October 4 • Creative Center Foundation 2nd Annual Golf Tournament, Ridge Creek Golf Club, 3018 Ridge Creek Drive, 8am, www.visaliachamber.com

dunlap

October 4 • Cat Haven Tour and Lunch, Cat Haven, 38257 East Kings Canyon Road, 10am, www.riverparkway.org

exeter

October 12 • Exeter Fall Festival, Exeter City Park and Downtown Exeter, 7am-4pm, www.exeterchamber.com

fish camp

October 1, 2, 4-6, 8, 9, 11-13, 15, 16, 18-20, 22, 23, 25-27, 29 • The Logger Steam Train Ride, Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, 56001 Hwy. 41, 9:30am-1pm, www.ymsprr.com

fresno

October 1-31 • Zoorassic Park Exhibit, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 894 West Belmont Ave., 8am-4:30pm, www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/zoorassic-park October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 • Toe Tappin’ Tuesdays, California Arts Academy, 4750 North Blackstone Ave., 7:15-9:30pm, www.facebook.com/fresnoswingdance October 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 • Cherry Avenue Auction Swap Meet, 4640 S. Cherry Ave., 6:30am-3:30pm, www.cherryavenueauction.com • River Park Farmers Market, 220 Paseo del Centro, 5-9pm Tuesdays, 10am-2pm Saturdays, www.visitfresnocounty.org October 2 • Respite by the River featuring Christopher Buckley with music by Stephen Bernd, River Center, 11605 Old Friant Road, 6pm, www.riverparkway.org October 2-14 • The Big Fresno Fair, Fresno Fairgrounds, 1121 South Chance Ave., Fair Hours, www.fresnofair.com October 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, ,23-27, 30-31 • Forestiere Underground Gardens Tours, 5021 West Shaw Ave., 10am-4pm Wednesday-Sunday, www.visitfresnocounty.org October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • Vineyard Farmers Market, 100 West Shaw Ave., 3pm-6pm, www.vineyardfarmersmarket.com OCTOBER 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

35

• Market on Kern, Downtown Fresno on Kern St., 11:30am-1:30pm, www.downtownfresno.org October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • CArtHop, Mariposa Plaza, southeast corner of Fulton Street and Mariposa Way, 11am-2pm, www.downtownfresno.org October 4 • Look! Up In The Sky!, River Center, 11605 Old Friant Road, 5:30pm, www.riverparkway.org • Dine & Discover West Africa, Engelmann Cellars, 3275 North Rolinda, 6pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org October 5 • Bluebird Market, Fig Garden Village, 5082 North Palm Ave., 11am-5pm, www.bluebirdmarket.shop • Wine, Women and Song, Hope Lutheran Church, 325 East Barstow, 4pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org • 2019 Rods on the Bluff, Park Place Shopping Center, 5:30-8:30pm, www.hotrodcoalition. com/rods-on-the-bluff October 5, 12, 19, 26 • Vineyard Farmers Market, 100 West Shaw Ave., 7am-noon, www.vineyardfarmersmarket.com • Farmers Market, Manchester Center, 1901 East Shields Ave., 7am-3pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org October 5, 12 • Fresno Football Club, Chukchansi Park, 1800 Tulare St., 7:30pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org October 6 • International Wedding Festival, The Grand 1401, 1401 Fulton St., 11am-3pm, www.internationalweddingfestival.com October 6, 8 • Central California Big Band Dance Society, Radisson Hotel Fresno, 1055 Van Ness Ave., noon-5pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org October 11 • Hiking with Dogs, Tioga Sequoia Brewery, 745 Fulton St., 6:30pm, www.downtownfresno.org October 12 • Danish-American Historical Society Oktoberfest, 6169 North Dolores Ave., 5-9pm, (559) 240-8818 • Catrinas and Couture Fashion Show, Arte Americas, 1630 Van Ness Ave., 6-10pm, www.arteamericas.org • Emo Night Tour, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., 8pm, www.downtownfresno.org October 16 • Community Art Night, Common Space, 1242 Fulton St., 6:30pm, www.downtownfresno.org October 18-20 • October Horse Trails and Area VI Championships, Fresno County Horse Park, 7430 North Weber Ave., 3pm Friday, 8am Saturday, 8:30am Sunday, www.fresnocountyhorsepark.com 36

www.EnjoySouthValley.com OCTOBER 2019

October 19 • Pig Faced Ork Roleplaying Game Convention, Woodward Park Regional County Library, 944 East Perrin Ave., 9am-5pm • Fulton Street Food Truck Fest and Street Party, Tioga Sequoia Brewery, 745 Fulton St., noon-9pm, www.downtownfresno.org • Fresnoween 2019, Rainbow Ballroom, 1725 Broadway St., 8pm-1:30am, www.fresnoween.com October 21 • The Swing Shift, River Park Shopping Center, 71 East Via la Plata, 7:30-9:30, www.facebook.com/fresnoswingdance October 23 • Fresno Community College and Clovis North High School Wind Ensemble Concert, Clovis North Performing Arts Center, 2770 East International Ave., 7pm, www.fresnocitycollege.edu • Gwar, Sacred Reich, Toxic Holocaust and Against the Grain, Tioga Sequoia Brewery, 745 Fulton St., 6:30pm, www.downtownfresno.org October 24 • Pub Quiz at the Parkway, River Center Barn, 11605 Old Friant Road, 6:30pm, www.riverparkway.org • Cody Johnson, Tioga Sequoia Brewery, 745 Fulton St., 7pm, www.downtownfresno.org October 26 • Dia De Los Muertos, Meux Home Museum, 1007 R St., 6pm, www.facebook.com/ events/300406487491771

hanford

October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • Thursday Night Market Place, Downtown Hanford, 5:30-9pm, www.mainstreethanford.com October 25 • Habitat for Humanity’s Monster Murder Mystery, Irwin Street Inn, 522 North Irwin St., 5:30-7pm, www.hanfordchamber.com October 12 • Oktoberfest, Hanford Civic Park, 5-10pm, www.mainstreethanford.com October 20 • 45th Annual Calico Art Festival, Kings River-Hardwick Elementary, 10300 Excelsior Ave., 11am-4pm

kingsburg

October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • Farmers Market, Downtown Kingsburg, 1475 Draper St., 5-8pm, www.visitfresnocounty.org

lemoore

October 10 • Rock Club Meeting, Lemoore Veterans Hall, 411 West C St., 7pm, www.lemooregemandmineralclub. wordpress.com

lindsay

October 26 • Seafood Boil and Social, 1121 Maple Ave., 5-9pm, www.thelindsaychamber.com

madera

October 12 • Mid-Century Neighborhood Home Tour and Progressive Dinner, Madera, 5pm, www.riverparkway.org

porterville

October 4, 11, 18 • Music on Main, Centennial Park, North Main St., 6-9pm, www.portervillechamber.org October 5 • Porterville Rotary Club Dog Show, Porterville Fairgrounds, 2700 West Teapot Dome Ave., 9am-3pm, www.portervillechamber.org • A Nite at the Races, Porterville Fairgrounds, 2700 West Teapot Dome Ave., 6-10pm, www.portervillechamber.org • Silent Movie Night “The Phantom of the Opera,” First Congregational Church, 165 East Mill Ave., 7pm October 5-6 • Porterville Relay for Life, Summit Charter Collegiate Academy, 15550 North Redwood Road, all night, www.portervillechamber.org October 11 • Habitat for Humanity’s Annual Judy Sarber Memorial Golf Tournament, River Island Country Club, 31989 River Island Drive, 9am, www.hfhtkc.org October 17 • 21st Annual Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil, Centennial Park, North Main St., 6-8pm, www.portervillechamber.org October 25 • Movie on Main, Centennial Park, North Main St., 6-9pm, www.portervillechamber.org

reedley

October 11-12 • Reedley Fiesta, Pioneer Park, 4-9pm Friday, 9am-4pm Saturday, 10am parade Saturday, www.reedleychamber.com October 12 • Fiesta Walk/Run, Downtown Reedley, 6:30am, www.reedleychamber.com

selma

October 19 • 7th Annual Tejano and Country Music Bash, Pioneer Village, 1880 Art Gonzales Pkwy., 5pm, www.selma-chamber.com

springville

October 5, 12, 19, 26 • Farmers Market, Downtown Springville, 9am-1pm, www.springville.ca.us

three rivers

October 5 • Library Book Sale, Three Rivers Library, 42052 Eggers Drive, 9am-3pm • First Saturday in Three Rivers, pick up map at Three Rivers Art Center, 41673 North Fork Drive, 11am-5pm, www.1stsaturdaytr.com

tulare

October 5 • Central California Antique Flea Market, International Agri-Center, 4500 South Laspina St., 7am-2pm, www.californiaantiquemarket.com October 26 • Woofstock, Zumwalt Park, 2-8pm, www.facebook.com/pg/valleyoakspca October 12 • Rusty Roots Holiday Show, International Agri-Center, 4500 South Laspina St., 9am-3pm, www.rustyrootsshow.com • Salt and Light Launch Party, Hillman Residence, 1111 North Oaks St., 5pm, www.saltandlightworks.org

visalia

October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • Shiloh, Crawdaddy’s, 333 East Main St., 7-10pm, www.visitvisalia.com October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • ‘80s Night, Crawdaddy’s, 333 East Main St., 10pm, www.visitvisalia.com October 4 • The Purple Party, Visalia Rawhide Hall of Fame Club, 300 North Giddings St., 7pm, www.visaliachamber.com October 5 • First Friday Art Walk, Arts Consortium, 300 East Oak Ave., 5-8pm, www.artsconsortium.org • Hometown Heroes, Downtown Visalia, 120 South Church St., 9am-2pm, www.facebook.com/events/680612525747534 October 5, 12, 19, 26 • Farmers Market, Sears parking lot on Caldwell Ave., 8-11:30am, www.visaliafarmersmarket.com • Yoga in the Park, Plaza Park, 9000 West Airport Drive, 10am, www.visitvisalia.com October 6 • Armenian Shish-Kebob Luncheon, Visalia Elks Lodge, 3100 West Main St., 11am-3pm October 8 • Taste of Downtown Visalia, Downtown Visalia, 120 South Church St., 5-8pm, www.downtownvisalia.com

October 12 • Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Visalia, Mooney Grove Park, 27000 South Mooney Blvd., 8am, www.act.alz.org/visaliawalk October 18 • 3rd Annual Mother and Son Dance “Under the Big Top,” Visalia Convention Center Ballroom, 303 East Acequia Ave., 6-9pm, www.visalia.city • Intocable Perception Tour 2019, Visalia Marriott Convention Center, 300 South Court St., 8-11pm, www.grupointocable.com/tour-2019 October 19 • Back in School Car Show, Golden West High School, 1717 North McAuliff St., 9am-3pm, www.facebook.com/goldenwestcarshow • Tales From the Tomb, Visalia Cemetery Chapel, 1300 West Goshen Ave., 10am-1pm, www.tularecountyhistoricalsociety.com • Taste the Arts, Arts Consortium, 300 East Oak Ave., 10am-5pm, www.artsconsortium.org/tastethearts • A Villainous Halloween Party, 210 Cafe, 210 West Center Ave., 3-5pm, www.visitvisalia.com • A&W Cruise Nights, Downtown A&W, 301 North Willis St., 5pm, www.visitvisalia.com October 20 • Kaweah Delta’s 8th Annual Pink Tea, Visalia Convention Center, 303 East Acequia Ave., noon-4pm, www.kaweahdelta.org/pinktea • Fiesta en la Plaza, Garden Street Plaza, 300 East Main St., 12:30am-4:30pm, www.visalia.city October 26-27 • Inaugural Pickleball Visalia Tournament, Plaza Park, 700 South Plaza St., 8am-3pm, www.visitvisalia.com October 31 • Village Halloween, ImagineU Interactive Children’s Museum, 210 North Tipton St., 3-7pm, www.visitvisalia.com • Spooktacular Fun, Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center, 247 West Ferguson Ave., 6-8pm, www.visalia.city October 31, November 1, 2 • Annual ‘Rummage Sale’ 700 E. Mineral King Ave., 7am-5pm www.assistanceleague.org/visalia

bakersfield fox theatre

www.thebakersfieldfox.com October 4-5 • Smokin’ Armadillos, 8pm October 6 • “We Will Rock You” The Musical on Tour, 7pm October 7 • “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” 7pm October 11 • Dwight Yoakam, 8pm

October 12 • The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, 7:30pm October 18 • “Burning,” 7:30pm October 19 • El Tri De Alex Lora, Victimas, and La Castaneda, 7pm October 20 • Los Temerarios, 8pm October 21 • “Psycho,” 7pm October 22 • Joe Bonamassa, 8pm October 25 • “Mystery Film,” 7:30pm October 26 • “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” 11:59pm

cos theatre

www.costheatre.org October 12-14, 19-21 • The Tragedy of Macbeth, 7:30pm SaturdaySunday, 1pm Monday, 6:30pm October 18

encore theatre

www.encoretulare.org October 4-6, 11-13, 17-20 • The Servant of Two Masters, 7:30pm Thursday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday

fresno city college

www.fresnocitycollege.edu October 4-6, 10-12 • Let the Right One In, FCC Theatre, 7:30pm Friday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday October 7 • Jazz Composers Orchestra, Fresno Concert Hall, 8pm October 8 • FCC Community Symphony Orchestra, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm October 10-31 • Solo Exhibition: Liz Roberts, Art Space Gallery, all day October 16 • Jazz Ensemble, FCC Theatre, 7:30pm October 19 • Toasting the Arts, OAB West Courtyard, 5:30pm October 20 • Fresno Community Concert Band Oktoberfest, FCC Theatre, 3pm and 7pm October 22 • Latin Jazz Ensemble and Combos, FCC Theatre, 7:30pm October 26 • A Little Music Night, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm October 30-31 • Fall High School Choral Festival, OAB Auditorium, 9am-3pm October 31 • Fall Collegiate Choral Festival, OAB Auditorium, 6pm

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fresno convention and entertainment center

www.fresnoconventioncenter.com October 9-10 • Jo Koy, Saroyan Theatre, 8pm October 12 • Tyler The Creator, Selland Arena, 7pm October 12 • Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Saroyan Theatre, 7:30pm fresno state university theatre www.fresnostate.edu/artshum/theatrearts October 4-12 • Anon(ymous), 7:30 Tuesday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday

historic crest theatre

www.thecresttheatre.com October 4 • “The Crow”, 8pm October 5 • “Hocus Pocus”, 8pm October 11 • “Frankenstein”, 8pm October 12 • “The Addams Family”, 8pm October 18 • “Rosemary’s Baby”, 8pm October 19 • “Pet Sematary”, 8pm October 25 • “Nightmare on Elm Street”, 8pm October 26 • “The Exorcist”, 11:59pm

lindsay community theater

www.lindsaycommunitytheater.com October 12 • Simon and Garfunkel Tribute, 7:30pm October 24, 26-27 • “Evil Dead the Musical,” 7:30 Thursday and Saturday, 2pm Sunday

hanford fox theatre

www.foxhanford.com October 4 • “Psycho,” 7pm October 5 • “The Birds,” 7pm October 11 • “The Nightmare on Elm Street,” 7pm October 12 • “The Lost Boys,” 7pm October 18 • “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” 7pm October 19 • “An American Werewolf in London,” 7pm October 25 • “Child’s Play,” 7pm October 26 • “Pet Sematary,” 7pm

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icehouse theatre

www.v isaliaplayers.org October 4-6 • “Four Weddings and an Elvis,” 7:30pm Friday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday October 11-13, 18-20 • “2nd Annual Weekend in Ireland at O’Donoghue’s,” 7:30pm Friday-Saturday, 4pm Sunday

rabobank arena

www.rabobankarena.com October 1-2 • Nick Jr. Live!, Theater, 6pm October 7 • WWE Monday Night Raw, Arena, 4:30pm October 10 • Newsboys United, Theater, 7pm October 11 • Jo Koy, Arena, 8pm October 12 • Godsmack, Arena, 7pm October 20 • “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, Theater, 3pm • J Balvin, Arena, 8pm

rich oliver’s mystery school

www.richoliver.net October 5-6 • Kids Ride and Wrench Camp, 9am-4:30pm October 12-13, 26-27 • Motorcycle Two-Day Fun Camp, 9am-5pm October 19 • Learn to Ride Off-Road Course, 9am-5pm October 20 • Off-Road Challenge Course, 9am-5pm

roger rocka’s dinner theater

www.rogerrockas.com October 4-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, 31 • “Man of La Mancha,” 5:30pm ThursdaySaturday, 11am Sunday

save mart center - fresno

www.savemartcenter.com October 3 • Fresno State women’s volleyball vs. New Mexico, 6pm October 5 • Fresno State women’s volleyball vs. UNLV, 1pm October 14 • Fresno State women’s volleyball vs.

San Diego State, 6pm October 17 • Chris Brown, 6:30pm October 24 • Fresno State women’s volleyball vs.

Utah State, 6pm October 25 • Luke Combs, 7pm October 26 • Fresno State women’s volleyball vs.

Boise State, 1pm

stars theatre restaurant

www.bmtstars.com October 4-6, 10-12 • “Camelot,” Stars Theatre Restaurant, 1931 Chester Ave., 6:30pm dinner, 7:30pm show Thursday-Saturday, 1pm lunch, 2pm show Sunday

tower theatre - fresno

www.towertheatrefresno.com October 12 • Christopher Titus, 8pm October 20 • Jake Shimabukuro, 8pm October 26 • Cristela Alonzo, 8pm

vina robles amphitheatre

www.v inaroblesamphitheatre.com October 3 • Peter Frampton Finale, 7pm October 12 • Nick Offerman, 8pm, October 18 • Cole Swindell, 8pm October 26 • Jason Mraz & Raining Jane, 8pm October 27 • Sara Bareilles, 8pm

visalia fox theatre

October 3 • “Ghostbusters,” 6:30pm October 10 • Los Lobos, 8pm October 11 • The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, 7:30pm October 12 • La Chupitos, 8pm October 18-19 • Sequoia Symphony Orchestra Raiders of the Lost Ark, 7:30pm October 24-26 • Prince Caspian, 7pm Thursday-Friday, 4pm Saturday October 30 • “Psycho,” 6:30pm

www.foxvisalia.org

warnors theatre

www.warnors.org October 10 • “We Will Rock You,” The Musical, 8pm October 28 • Mandisa’s Girls Night Out, 7pm

How to get your event on this calendar If you’d like your event to be listed in this section of Enjoy magazine, please post it on our website www.enjoysouthvalley.com by the 1st of the month—one month prior to the next magazine issue. For example, a November event will need to be posted by October 1.

GIVING BACK | BY RACHEL TRIGUEIRO

MAKE A DIFFERENCE S oroptimist I n ter n atio n al of V isalia In a time when people are tending to move away from Karen’s House, and human trafficking rescue shelter, organized groups, Soroptimist International of Visalia is Freedom House. Members have participated in renovating vibrantly alive, keeping women’s issues at the forefront by Karen’s House and throwing Mother’s Day celebrations actively making a difference in the community. to nurture women who are escaping domestic violence.

Soroptimist’s mission is to Soroptimist is committed to improve the lives of women and bringing education and awareness girls to bring social and economic to society, and therefore offers free empowerment. Visalia’s chapter events to the public, like the sexual was established 80 years ago, when assault event they hosted last only professional women could spring at College of the Sequoias. join. They have since dropped this For the younger generation, the requirement and opened their club hosts the free Dream It, Be It doors to “any woman who is willing Conference in October at First to serve their community,” says Presbyterian Church in Visalia.

Jody Gilman, president of Junior high and high school girls Soroptimist Visalia. will participate in practical and Photos courtesy of Soroptimist International of Visalia Gilman’s grandmother was one inspirational workshops, with of the original founders in 1939 professional role models helping but couldn’t join because she was them make steps toward their not a businesswoman. Gilman’s career dreams. mom went on to be a member; The club meets twice a month at now, she and her daughter are the Left of Center restaurant. For active participants, making it four membership inquiries, event generations strong. Gilman is details or to make a donation, passionate about bridging her please visit their Facebook page. grandmother’s generation with the Soroptimist Visalia is committed younger generation. “It doesn’t to face-to-face conversations, have to look the same, but our uniting generations of women intention and mission remains. It through community service and can look different, while honoring empowering them to make a the past and still moving forward difference. According to Gilman, to bring change.”

“Women are the glue of the social Their heart for women in need fabric. By improving their lives, has allowed the organization to you improve the community,” generously give more than and that is what Soroptimist aims $800,000 in many different ways. to do. • One way is through scholarships at the annual Live Your Dream Awards. Last year, they gave Soroptimist International of Visalia $10,000 to a few women who are head of household and www.sivisalia.org have returned to school to better support their family. Find them on Facebook and Instagram Gilman discusses the gap between financial aid and the daily necessities in life. Financial aid doesn’t necessarily Rachel Trigueiro, twin mom of four, loves adventuring with cover gas, diapers and bills, but “there are no strings her family, especially near the beach. She holds a degree attached with these scholarships,” she says. in business, but believes living in other countries and Another way the group serves is with Family Services of cultures offered her the greatest education. She dreamed of being a talk-show host; now, she enjoys story telling and Tulare County – specifically, their women’s shelter, drinking blonde coffee.

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