Enjoy Magazine: San Joaquin Valley Living — March 2019

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San Joaquin Valley Living

March 2019

A ST I TC H IN TIME

www.enjoysouthvalley.com

Enjoy the magazine It’s on the house

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contents march 2 01 9 // I ss u e # 5 2

San Joaquin Valley Living

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Photo courtesy of WSL Surf Ranch

surf’s up in lemoore at kelly slater’s surf cr a f ting ranch 34 DIY: Leather Catch-All Tray editor s’ pick s 9 Welcome to Tulare, California

fiber , fa br ic & flor a l s 15 The Benefits of Knitting 18 Michelle Lerga’s Vintage Flower Trailer Love, Sweet Lulu

Enjoy magazine is not affiliated with JOY magazine or Bauer German Premium GmbH.

in t er est 25 Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore

loca l s 6 Beautiful Art Creations at Ballis Glass 28 Cory Media Group Has You Covered

in ev ery issu e 30 Enjoy the View— Ralph Chojnacki 32 What’s Cookin’— Coconut Curry Chicken 36 Calendar of Events 39 Giving Back— West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale & Auction

on the m a p 22 Fresno Wildlife Rehabilitation

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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Specializing in family, couples, maternity and graduate sessions.

FINE FURNITURE UNIQUE ACCESSORIES DESIGN CONSULTING

salmarrophotography@gmail.com 559-667-8772

559-625-8884 / 220 W. Main Street., Visalia / www.janeensfurniture.com

editor’s note march 2019 Signs of spring surround us, with hillsides turning green and beautiful blooms brightening our landscape. In honor of this, we’ve gathered articles about fabric, fiber and florals - those items that bring texture and color to our world.

Cory Ballis stumbled upon glass blowing when he needed an art elective in college, and now he’s making his living by using the medium. He also teaches others how to create stunning glass pieces.

If yarn is more your style, knitting might be for you. We’ll share some of the art’s history and tips on getting started with this hobby that’s been shown to reduce stress while harnessing your creativity.

Business blossoms at Love, Sweet Lulu, a flower shop that’s based out of a vintage trailer. The shop-on-wheels is turning heads and starting conversations everywhere it goes.

Who needs an ocean to catch a wave? Surf ’s up at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore, and we’ll show you just how they make that magic happen.

If you’re looking for a Sunday springtime drive, we found some fun spots to check out in Tulare. From historical murals to a black box theatre to some serious delicious dining spots, it was a neat place to spend a day.

Happy spring, and enjoy!

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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 consultant VALERI BARNES advertising sales representative ed boling advertising sales representative Amanda Moreno accounts receivable representative Danielle Colesberry Austin Reynolds Trevor Ludlow Koby Reynolds deliveries www.enjoysouthvalley.com Enjoy Magazine (559) 804-7411 Email General: infosouthvalley@enjoymagazine.net

on the cover Cover model: Sienna Ortiz Photos by Salina Marroquin

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.

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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LOCALS

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BY NATALIE CAUDLE

Glass Act

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com MARCH 2019

B eau ti f u l A rt C reati o ns at B allis Glass A Fresno native, Cory Ballis was raised within an artistic family that encouraged his creative spirit. Determined to enter the world of business, he majored in marketing at Fresno State University, but couldn’t escape the call of art. As a college freshman, Ballis stumbled upon glass blowing when he found himself in need of an art elective.

The medium captured Ballis’ fascination. “I was hooked the first time I tried it,” he says.

Ballis earned a business marketing degree from Fresno State, but chose to continue in the art field after college as an assistant glass blower to Bob Kliss at Kliszewski Glass. Four years later, he attended Pilchuk Glass School where he received training from field experts.

A year later, Ballis combined his passions and expertise and opened Ballis Glass Studio. Originally, the studio was located on Ballis’ grandmother’s back patio, where he enjoyed creating unique pieces.

After much growth and a few moves, Ballis joined with his brother Ryan, owner of Ballis Welding, and brought two mediums under one roof with the creation of Ballis Boys Studio – a partnership of glass and metal art.

The ancient art of glass blowing dates back to the 1st Century and Ballis refers to it as a dance. The molten glass is heated to 2,150 degrees in a furnace and is then gathered on a hollow blowpipe made from stainless steel.

Ballis takes multiple gathers of glass from the furnace and then adds color by rolling the molten glass through colored crushed glass called frit.

The glass is then reheated to 2,000 degrees; while reheating, Ballis slowly but deliberately spins the blowpipe in the furnace. Once the desired color has been achieved, the glass is rolled and shaped on a steel table called a marver, allowing the glass to cool. Then the fun begins. Ballis shapes the glass by using his breath, slowly turning the blowpipe while blowing into the end, creating a bubble. After the glass has been blown, it can be manipulated with tweezers and other hand tools to achieve various shapes and designs. At this stage, Ballis compares the glass texture to that of honey and he loves the fluidity and movement it offers.

Ballis repeats this process multiple times, and once he is satisfied with the shape and color of the piece, it is placed in an annealer for 16 hours to cool slowly. Items can take anywhere from eight minutes to multiple days to create, depending on the intricacy of design. Ballis recalls the years of training required to achieve the level of art he is now creating. “It took lots of broken glass to get where I am,” Ballis says. “This is a high-demand art that demands my respect.” Ballis creates barware and various pieces ranging greatly in size, color and design.

Ballis travels to fine art shows around the country and has pieces featured in multiple galleries, from the Wind Drift Gallery in Nye Beach, Ore. to the Amphora Gallery

Photos courtesy of Ballis Glass

in Cambria. He enjoys creating custom commissions and aspires to produce larger scale home decor pieces – and he still feels he is living a dream. “I never thought I could make a living being an artist. Once I found glass blowing, I knew I needed to make a career out of it.”

Ballis Glass Studio offers hands-on glass blowing classes at multiple times throughout the week and they’re centered around upcoming holidays, allowing budding artists to create Easter eggs in the spring, stemless wine glasses for Mother’s Day and pumpkins in early autumn.

Ballis enjoys teaching others how to create beauty through glass and hopes people see Ballis Glass as “a place where we take dreams and visions and turn them into a reality – a place you can try something new with old friends and create a memory that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.” Ballis recently received the Horizon Award from the Fresno Arts Council and plans to become more involved in the local community as his business continues to grow.

Using broken pieces of glass and a fiery furnace, Ballis uses his talent and training to create beauty through an ancient art form. An artist to his core, Ballis will continue to shape and mold, offering a beautiful, unique art medium to valley residents. • Ballis Glass • 2888 N. Sunnyside Ave. #104, Fresno (559) 412-4144 • www.ballisglass.com Find them on Facebook 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.

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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EDITORS’ PICKS

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BY KERRI REGAN AND RONDA ALVEY

tular e, CALIFORNIA FAST FACTS

• Tulare was founded in 1872 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and got its name from Lake Tulare.

• The town of Tulare burned down and was rebuilt three times in its first 14 years of existence.

• Tulare hosted the national championships for the decathlon in track and field in the mid-1900s.

• Two-time Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Congressman Bob Mathias, former U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., and silent movie actress Lois Neilson have all called Tulare home.

World famous

Grubbin’

Tulare is home to the internationally known World Ag Expo at the International Agri-Center – the largest annual agricultural exposition in the world, which is visited by more than 100,000 people from all over the world.

Downtown is a hotspot for places to eat.

Pitty’s BBQ, inside a vintage airplane, offers family favorite recipes made daily from scratch – their tri-tip sandwich is a can’t-miss. Rosa’s Trattoria & Bar serves up traditional Italian dishes, and Hazel’s Kitchen prepares a mean Chinese Chicken Salad.

Tower power The 65-foot Tower Square Clock and Bell Tower downtown honors Tulare’s Azorean and Portuguese heritage, while the Tulare Water Tower looks like a glass of milk with a straw and features the phrase, “We’ve Got It.” The water tower honors the town’s position as a top dairy producer in California.

Celebrate history A dozen historical murals throughout the city depict scenes from Tulare’s and California’s history. The Tulare Historical Museum spotlights local heroes and showcases the city’s rich heritage. Or stop by Bob Mathias Stadium, where you can find a reproduction of the cauldron that was reproduced to honor Tulare’s participation in the 1960 Winter Olympics torch run. Aviation buffs are sure to enjoy the historical display of two vintage military airplanes at Mefford Field – a B-17 bomber serves as a World War II dedication, while an F-4 Phantom memorializes Tulare County residents killed in the Vietnam War.

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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Things to do in

TULARE

Milk it Rosa Brothers Milk Company is famous for its fresh-as-canbe ice cream, milk and coffee creamer. Brothers Rolland and Noel live on the farm and work the same land that their family began working three generations ago. Farm and creamery tours are available.

Join the fun Some of Tulare’s many annual events include the Beer Bus Crawl in March, the Spring Carnival and Eggstravaganza in the spring, and Cinco de Mayo in May; the Jack O’ Lantern Jubilee and Haunted Hayride, the Zumwalt Park Autumn Festival, and the Rusty Roots Show in the fall; the Wine Walk in November and the Tulare Children’s Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in December.

bravo

Stop and smell the flowers The Gardens includes an expansive garden and gift center, do-it-yourself workshops and a lovely venue for weddings and other special events.

Bravo Farms offers a unique dining and shopping experience. Leave time to browse the gift shop after your meal – and if you go on Wednesdays, treat yourself to half-priced wine.

A day at the park Del Lago Park includes picnic shelters, a water play area and 1.35 miles of lighted walking paths; its Movies at Dusk series features free family movies on an outdoor screen every Friday in July. Zumwalt Park plays host to Concerts in the Park all summer long.

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Curtains up

Built to last

The Encore Theatre is an intimate black box theater with seating for 100. Productions include musicals, comedies and family-friendly summer productions featuring local youth. Refreshments are delivered to audience members, and seating is cabaret style.

The Tulare Union High School Auditorium and Administration Building (circa 1890) is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and the Tulare Women’s Clubhouse is the town’s oldest building (it was originally The Library Hall).

www.EnjoySouthValley.com MARCH 2019

When in Tulare, Visit These Local Businesses!

the

gardens outdoor venue

thegardensshop.com

PC: N. Godinez Photography

On the map: TULARE 1. The Land O’Lakes Dairy Co-op has been farmer-owned since 1921, and is one of Tulare’s largest employers.

2. The Tulare Outlets feature more than 50 designer and brand name stores, along with a movie theater and numerous restaurants.

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4. DT1 MX motorcycle track and cycle park is open to the public and offers a variety of off-road and motocross tracks.

99 3. Tulare Golf Course is an 18hole public course with a pro shop and dining room.

5. Kaweah Brewing is a fun, relaxing place to enjoy a pint of craft beer.

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Map is for visual and artistic representation only. Not to scale.

a stitch in time fabric, fibers & florals

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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Visit these fine Fabric,Fiber and Floral shops in the South Valley

Save the Date: April 12 & 13

Quilts Auctions Food

Quilt Auction Kid Friendly Free Admission

Ethnic Foods/ Kids’ World/Tri Trip/Silent Auction

West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale Downtown Porterville’s Quilt Fabric Shop

122 N. Main • 559 793-2510 Tuesday-Saturday 10-6 • Sunday 1-5 fabric - classes www.CalicoMermaid.com Follow us on Facebook

Bead Central Gemstones, crystals, seed beads, full service bead store, jewelry repair and consignment

1967 High St., Selma (559) 896-7845 Find them on Facebook

www.westcoastmccsale.org

Free Parking @Fresno Pacific University 1717 S Chesnut, Fresno

Exeter Flower Company

We are YOUR flower shop for all occasions, serving Exeter, Visalia, and surrounding areas

exeterflower.com 559-592-2551 199 E. Pine Street Exeter, CA 93221

FIBER

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BY JASMYNE ROBLES

get your fiber T H E B E N E F I T S OF k nittin g

In a world full of fascinating hobbies intended for personal enjoyment and growth lies the art of needlework. The exercise of knitting allows the participant to move at their own pace through each project while discovering a new type of relaxation. Knitting is an excellent opportunity for every individual to channel their inner creativity through the endless possibilities of the art.

Many techniques have evolved in the art itself, allowing the craft to never grow old for the community of knitters.

The practice calls for patience, but also provides the privilege to create and a chance to unwind from life’s pressures. Research suggests that knitting originated in Egypt between 500 and 1200 AD when an independent researcher discovered knitted fragments that are believed to be a pair of children’s socks. As time passed, techniques began to spread throughout Europe, and the world of knitting soon evolved as a form of trade and labor. Fast forward to present day where knitting has gained a worldwide appreciation, and it presents opportunities to give back into the world by gifting through art. 4

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Photo courtesy of AR Workshop

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The craft is even said to benefit our health. Because it requires focus, it allows participants to channel patience, which is known to result in relaxation. It’s a great stress reliever and can calm anxiety. Knitting is a social activity for many, but can also be enjoyed in the peace and quiet of the user’s own world.

Interested in trying something fun and crafty this year? It is never too late to try new things and get involved in knitting with the help of craft lovers all throughout the valley. Business owner Ron Warren takes pride in his shop, The Twisted Skein in Bakersfield. He encourages anyone picking up a ball of yarn and a needle for the first time or even participants who have plenty of experience to find a knitting class. “Don’t be afraid to start by making garbage – being able to create an ugly scarf is better than not being able to make a scarf at all,” Warren says. While beginning a new craft such as knitting can be a messy process, many benefits begin to sprout as a result of joining knitting classes. “In the digital world we live in, having something to hold that’s soft to the touch is really fulfilling for the individual,” he says.

Photo courtesy of Twisted Skein

“In a three-hour class, they are able to learn the techniques we teach, and leave with a completed chunky knit blanket in that time frame,” Champlin says.

No prior knitting experience is required.

Photo courtesy of AR Workshop

Fresno DIY boutique, AR Workshop, offers a unique type of knitting using raw materials that can be enjoyed through instructor-led workshops. Hand knitting is the practice of using your hands rather than needles to interlock the material. AR Workshop owners Leigh Champlin and Michelle Bentzen say participants in their classes are not required to bring any materials and they are provided with the yarn skein. “In a three-hour class, they are able to learn the techniques we teach, and leave with a completed chunky knit blanket in that time frame,” Champlin says.

No prior knitting experience is required.

For those interested in joining a knitting class that requires no financial obligations, Tulare Public Library Manager Heidi Clark oversees free knitting classes. The courses are open to beginners through advanced knitters, because in the world of knitting, everyone has something to offer. Beginners should expect “a welcoming environment, the opportunity to learn a new skill and make new friends, the chance to explore your creative side, fellowship and fun,” Clark says.

Classes have been offered at the library for nine years now. “Be prepared to end up hooked,” she says. • Jasmyne Robles is a free spirited individual always looking for new adventures. She enjoys nature and getting lost in the world of photography. She loves spending time with her family and friends as well as countless hours of antique shopping. Jasmyne is passionate about traveling and learning about different cultures all around the world.

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INTRODUCING OUR NEW LINE OF KINCAID FURNITURE!

FLOWERS WEDDINGS| BY MELISSA MENDONCA

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PHOTOS: KELLI AVILA

Photo courtesy of Love, Sweet Lulu

Traveling Beauty M I C H E L L E L E R G A’ S V I N TA G E F L O W E R T R A I L E R L o ve , S weet L u l u Ask Michelle Lerga how she started her flower business, Love, Sweet Lulu, and she’ll move seamlessly from the illness that sidelined a career as a registered nurse to the search for Lulu, a 1955 Aljoa, to her love of all things vintage.

Ask her to name a favorite flower and she’s derailed. “It’s like asking what my favorite potato chip is,” she laughs, starting a long pause. “But I really love dahlias. They’re so delicate in appearance that people want to touch them.”

After another pause, she realizes she shouldn’t slight the flower that set the stage for her 1996 wedding to husband Frank. “That was the era of Martha Stewart and I absolutely loved her,” she says. “She had lisianthus in her wedding book.” So Lerga had lisianthus at her wedding.

“I like so many kinds,” she says wistfully. “I like hollyhocks, too.”

It’s this genuine love of flowers and people and the stories of vintage items that makes Love, Sweet Lulu such a perfect new endeavor for Lerga. She began parking Lulu outside of places such as Joshua Tree store in Visalia and Cafe Smitten in Bakersfield in October of last year, selling flowers from the little trailer to people drawn not only to the plants, but to the trailer itself.

“I’m actually going to refer to her as ‘her’,” Lerga says of the Aljoa that took on the moniker given to Lerga’s 7-year-old daughter, Lacy.

“We always call her Lulu.” The trailer sat in the Lergas’ yard for about a year and a half before being called to the flower business. “Our daughter used it for a playhouse,” she says with a laugh.4

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com FEBRUARY MARCH 2019 2019

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Photo courtesy of Love, Sweet Lulu

Photo courtesy of Love, Sweet Lulu

While Lulu the trailer is now turning heads and starting conversations with all who see her, she wasn’t always that way. “Honestly, when I first looked at her she looked like something that came from the Sanford and Son’s junkyard,” says Lerga. “But I just loved it. It was structurally sound and it didn’t have any leaks.”

Michelle and Frank set out to fix up the trailer to showcase Michelle’s vintage items and flowers, transforming her into a place of wonder and joy. “I take the things to the flower trailer that I love. And the textures that I love. I have a lot of vintage treasures so I was able to pull from all of those,” she says. “I always joke that I could actually stay in there.”

The result is something beyond her imagination. “I knew that people would love to give flowers and to get flowers, but it’s so much more,” she says with awe. “You almost see this childlike experience when people step into the trailer.” They linger. They visit. They ask questions.

“We get so busy with technology and our lives that are so crazy,” says Lerga. “but it feels like people can just stop here. That’s my favorite thing about the trailer.” She recalls the joy of a man passing by in his pick-up truck while Lulu was parked outside of Joshua Tree. He and his three dogs all stared Lulu down, then promptly backed up the wrong way down a one-way street to relay the fun of seeing an Aljoa like the one he and his brothers had spent so much time in as children.

Love, Sweet Lulu has been the perfect transition from Lerga’s life as a nurse. “This has become what I do,” she says. “It’s very therapeutic. I wanted to have contact with people and do something that brought people joy or helped people.”

It’s also a family endeavor that has extended the Lergas’ photo booth business, an endeavor that came before Lulu.

Frank puts things together. Son, Alex, 14, is studying to help with the photo booth. Little Lacy, 7, chips in wherever she can. “The flower trailer is my favorite thing, though,” says Lerga.

Love, Sweet Lulu has profiles on Instagram and Facebook that tell people her whereabouts. While it is focused on pop-up events at the moment, business will extend to bridal and baby showers, where flower crowns can be made for guests.

While big life and job transitions aren’t always easy to navigate, Lerga has found her new happy spot with Love, Sweet Lulu. “There’s been so much support and love,” she says. “It’s been awesome.”• Love, Sweet Lulu • (559) 719-0614 Find them on Instagram and Facebook

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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Little patients, Big experience Visalia Medical Clinic’s caring and skilled team of 7 pediatricians will help you grow strong, healthy children.

Beef Jerky Made Fresh Daily Local Treats Gift Baskets

Expertise and convenience with easy referrals to VMC’s specialists.

Jason Mihalcin, DO

Be Well www.vmchealth.com Visalia 5400 W. Hillsdale Ave., Visalia • 559-739-2000 Medical Clinic

Est. 1979, 2nd Generation

Two Porterville locations: Retail, Local Finds & Gifting: 764 N. Prospect St. (559) 781-6328 Manufacturing & retail location: 697 S. Plano St. (559) 781-3487

ON THE MAP

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BY KAYLA ANDERSON

INT O T HE

WILD Fresn o W il d li f e R ehabilitati o n Cathy Garner has been involved with local wildlife for several decades now, educating the community on how important native animals are to the environment.

In the early 1970s, Garner was a docent at the local zoo and junior museum, but at one point the zoo deemed that it was too dangerous to bring wildlife onto the campuses due to the threat of diseases. The junior museum also decided to focus on a different area of science rather than native wildlife. Therefore, many young, displaced animals were euthanized because there was nowhere else for them to go.

Some of the docents applied for state and federal permits to open a rehabilitation center for wounded animals, and Garner was granted permission to proceed.

She opened the Fresno Wildlife Rehabilitation Service in 1974 and since then has saved thousands of animals, including hummingbirds, predatory mammals, deer and birds of prey. The rehab center cares for 400 to 1,200 animals per year and releases them back into the wild. However, for the severely injured animals that wouldn’t survive if released, the federal government requires that they are put to work – if they “We have a bald eagle, a vulture, several owls, hawks and falcons,” continue to be in someone else’s care, they Garner says, adding that the animal ambassadors work just as hard as have to serve a purpose. Therefore, the their human counterparts educating the community on what their roles ambassador program was born. are in society.

“All of our programs are free, and we are doing our best to keep it that way so all classes have access,” Garner says. Since the rehab center does its best to align its demonstrations with the California science education standards, teachers love the program too, and the center caters demonstrations to appropriate age levels.

“When do they pray?” a second-grader asks Garner about a “bird of prey” present during a school presentation. The question prompted Garner to not only teach kids about what birds of prey do, but she also explains the difference between the words “pray” and “prey.”

“The initial goal (of the rehab service) was to be an outreach to schools that are underserved. I enjoy going to rural schools and meeting kids who have never had the opportunity to learn about the animals in their area and talk about what makes them unusual and why they deserve our respect,” she says.

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“We’re in a big agriculture community, so we talk a lot about the barn owl, the farmer’s best friend. Most kids get that because their families work in the field, and we talk about how these animals help their parents do their job. The kids are fascinated with that. I’ll make sounds of an American kestrel, and see their little faces light up and say, ‘I hear that in my backyard!’” Garner says.

The center has a 90 percent success rate of releasing baby animals back into the wild, but unfortunately during the “injury season,” mainly the fall and winter, some come in with severe injuries and can’t be released back out into the wild. Along with being ambassadors, the rehab center’s owls even helped scientists develop the cochlear implant – a device that helps people with their sense of sound. “We felt good about that. Even though the owls were being sacrificed, they would’ve been anyway if we couldn’t find another place for them to go. So many people have benefited from that apparatus,” Garner says.

Springtime is the center’s busiest time of the year as the service gets around 40 calls a day from people who’ve found helpless baby animals.

“Many times, we just have to coax people to put the babies back in the nest,” Garner says. “If there’s one thing I’d like to undo, it’s the old wives’ tale that everyone believes that if you touch a baby animal, the mom won’t take it back. That couldn’t be farther from the truth; mommies always want their babies back. We coach people on that reunification process. Say a baby fell out of a nest in a windstorm. You can take a laundry basket and line it with cloth, then tie it to the tree as high as you can and as close to the nest as possible with the baby in it. Before you know it, the mom is right there using that artificial nest.” • Fresno Wildlife Rehabilitation • www.fresnowildlife.org 80 W. Bullard Street, Suite #103, Clovis • (559) 298-3276 Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 am – 2 pm; open most Saturdays 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 and loves to visit her parents in Redding.

Photos courtesy of Fresno Wildlife Rehabilitation

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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BRADSHAW HONEY FARMS Local Love For Local Honey RAW • UNFILTERED • FRESH Family owned and operated since 1958 @bradshawhoney www.beebotanical.com

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line loaf pan with parchment paper 2. Add 2 ¹∕³ cups whole wheat flour, ½ cup all purpose flour, ½ cup rolled oats, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. baking powder, and ½ tsp salt to a large mixing bowl. Mix and then make a well in the center for the wet ingredients.

3. Heat 1 cup of beer (preferably Guinness) in a sauce pan over med-low heat until is begins to bubble. Add 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 T molasses, 2 T & 1 tsp. honey, and 6 T butter and combine. Lower heat and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Remove from heat and allow to cool.

4. In a separate bowl, beat 1 large egg, add 1 cup buttermilk and 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir thoroughly.

5. Poor beer mixture into the well of the dry ingredients. Add egg mixture. Mix until combined by hand or in a stand mixer.

6. Pour it all into the loaf pan and sprinkle top with some oats.

7. Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick placed in the center comes out clean.

Irish Beer & Honey Brown Soda Bread

In Visalia at: Naturally Nuts Naked Nut • Letter & Grain p.s. I love you too In Exeter at Mustard Seed Acres E Street Market

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

Suicide Awareness

Suicide Statistics in 2017

• Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the US. • 47,173 Americans died by suicide.

• An estimated 1.3 million suicide attempts.

Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS AND ACT

Barbecue Season...

So glad it’s here!

• ASK if someone is thinking of suicide.

• CARE- Let them know you care.

Stay with them.

• TREATMENT-Get them assistance as soon as possible.

“It wasn’t that I wanted to die, I just didn’t want to continue living in the pain that I was in. Through the process of healing I learned a lot about my strength. I am a Warrior and so are you!

Join Me in Raising Our Voices.

Visit www.warrior-youmatter2us.weebly.com

INTEREST

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BY melissa mendonca

h c t a c wave a K e l ly S l at e r ’ s S u r f R a n c h i n l e m o o r e Eastern Cape, South Africa. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Landes, France. Lemoore, California. The average person might struggle to understand what they all have in common. It would stand to reason, because the fact that they are all stops on both the men’s and women’s World Surf League Championship Tours is mind boggling.

Lemoore is around 100 miles inland, a far cry from any of the state’s famous surfing beaches.

And yet, the waves produced at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore, a human-made phenomenon of the Central Valley, are challenging enough to warrant a stop on the tours. The Australian Olympic surf team has even traveled out to the facility for training. “Several days here compared to a year in the ocean,” says Sam Ramirez, general manager of Surf Ranch.

“It’s the only technology that exists in the world,” he adds, noting that a wave can be created every four minutes

on the property’s surf lake. “It was always designed as a research and development facility. It was a desire of Kelly Slater to see if it was possible.”

After testing the technology on a small scale in Southern California, 11-time World Champion surfer Slater and his team of scientists and engineers realized, according to Ramirez, that “The only way we could see if it could work was to build it.”

There are a few stories out there about how Lemoore was chosen for the Surf Ranch. The most official is that the 160-acre property was the home of a former water ski training facility that came with a water source and supportive infrastructure conducive to the project. Then there’s the fact, also in Ramirez’s telling, that “they didn’t know if it was going to be successful or not. If it was going to fail, it was going to fail in the privacy of a sleepy Central California town.”4 continued on page 26 MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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“Now, when our team travels the world and they mention they’re from Lemoore, people say, ‘That’s where Kelly’s Surf Ranch is,’” he adds.

The project has not failed, however. In fact, it quickly became clear that the facility should be developed beyond research and development and has become a resort environment with full amenities, as well as a home to championship and exhibition tours, bringing in guests and competitors from the world over.

Now Lemoore is much less sleepy and is finding itself invigorated by the economic opportunities surrounding the ranch, not only within the facility but outside. “There’s a whole micro-economy around Surf Ranch,” says Ramirez. “Lyft and Uber are more popular. Hotels are selling out. Barbecue gets sold on the side of the road during events.

Being able to drive some of that has been exciting, too.” Downtown Lemoore now sports a thriving surf and board shop.

“Now, when our team travels the world and they mention they’re from Lemoore, people say, ‘That’s where Kelly’s Surf Ranch is,’” he adds.

“It’s an under-told story of what this place means to the community.”

Surf Ranch opened in May 2018 with a three-day Founders Cup of Surfing exhibition that pitted teams of four men and two women competing country by country. The event had a capacity of 5,000 and sold out each day a week before it began. Also dubbed a lifestyle festival, the event featured food, music and conservation efforts important to the surfing community. “We didn’t know what it would be like,” says Ramirez. “Most surf events take place in the ocean and you don’t sell tickets. But we had a lot of local folks.”

That local connection is a source of great pride. “There are some kids out here who have never seen the ocean before,” he adds. “It’s really something to have them see a wave for the first time outside their own back door.” Through select field trip opportunities developed in cooperation with local nonprofits and school programs, the team gets to “share the stoke of Surf Ranch and surfing.”

This extends to adaptive and veterans’ programs that bring the joy of surfing to those who need additional assistance to brave the waves. “Even now I get goosebumps,” says Ramirez, noting that these opportunities have been even more gratifying than seeing Chris Hemsworth catch a wave or Drew Brees throw a football, both of which have happened at Surf Ranch.

Ramirez credits Slater’s team for its commitment to developing locally, including hiring him from within the community to manage the operation, as well as the Lemoore community for fully embracing the project. “Everyone from the Chamber to the electeds have just been incredibly supportive,” he says. “The attitude is, ‘How can we get to yes?’” People realize, he says, “how unique this is and how it can be exported to other places.” In fact, the Surf Ranch concept is now being replicated in Florida by Slater’s team.

“It’s about people who are passionate about something and want to share it with the world,” adds Ramirez. It also shows, “You can do amazing, big things out here.” • WSL Surf Ranch • www.kswaveco.com Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Photos courtesy of WSL Surf Ranch

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com MARCH 2019

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.

“It’s about people who are passionate about something and want to share it with the world,” adds Ramirez. It also shows “You can do amazing, big things out here.”

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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LOCALS | BY NATALIE CAUDLE | PHOTOS: KELLI AVILA

Lights. Camera. Action.

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com MARCH 2019

C o ry M e d ia Gr o u p has yo u c overe d The wedding industry has transformed over the last decade. As millennials are waiting to tie the knot and digital media has jumped into the ring, the $60 billion industry has had to make a few tweaks to keep up with the changing landscape. Gone are the days where a camera sat on a tripod at the back of the ceremony with the hopes of every moment being recorded. Today, couples expect to walk away with lifelong memories and are seeking professional videographers to give them just that.

Photography tops the list of musthaves for every wedding ceremony.

But photographs can only grab moments, while film can stop time; the heartwarming toast given by the best man or the sweetness of the father-daughter dance, the voice and laughter of a loved one now gone, these moments can be lived again through video. In many ways film allows for time travel, for a couple to revisit the happiest day of their life.

Cory Media Group recognizes the importance of preserving these memories. Husband and wife Steve and Angelica Cory make a powerhouse entrepreneurial team, combining 30-plus years of business experience with vision, passion and technical skills.

Cory Media Group began in early 2018 when Steve’s hobby of flying drones quickly morphed into a vision for business. Within a few short months, Steve was a licensed FAA 107 drone pilot, creating beautiful cinematic real estate videos and property walkthrough tours for the top real estate agents in the valley. His style and unique vision allows potential buyers to not only see the beauty of a house, but to see themselves as living in the home.

With Angelica’s administrative support, skills in web design and years of experience as a wedding coordinator, Cory Media Group quickly added wedding cinematography to their list of services offered. Still newlyweds themselves, the Corys have a passion for storytelling. Steve shoots scenes from all perspectives and angles, allowing the viewer to feel as though they are part of the story. Their goal, whether it be weddings, real estate or commercial projects, is to capture, share and preserve their clients’ stories through the powerful medium of video.

Steve and Angelica feel that “nothing has the heartgrabbing emotional impact that video can have.” Using professional cameras from various angles, everything is filmed in 4K, often at 60 frames per second, creating film that is adaptable to future technological needs and giving what Angelica calls a “dreamy feel to real life.” Cory Media Group combines the best gear with drone footage, expert editing and video production knowledge to create one-of-a-kind cinematic wedding videos that are unique to each couple and tell their own personal lovestory.

A memorable wedding video is so much more than just getting the moments on film with great camera gear. Many don’t realize how massively important capturing great audio is to filmmaking. That’s why Cory Media Group also uses professional audio gear that is expertly hidden, even on the bride, so as not to be intrusive but also to capture all the wonderful moments of tears and laughter throughout the ceremony and reception.

Prior to the wedding, Steve and Angelica meet with the couple to learn not only who they are, but every detail of the day to come. “We want to be there the entire day. We know their wedding intimately so the bride doesn’t need to worry about timelines,” Angelica says.

“We know what’s coming up so we can be in position to capture that moment.

We want to tell their back story and tell their love story. It’s critical to have a great level of planning. You only get one shot.”

The Corys are passionate about preserving each moment and are present to film the entire day, from makeup to send-off.

Each video is a true and beautiful representation of the bride and groom – a whimsical memory that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. • Cory Media Group • www.corymedia.com (559) 825-2280 • (559) 972-2630 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.

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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enjoy the view

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photo: Ralph Chojnacki

www.EnjoySouthValley.com MARCH MARCH2019 2019

Rolling Hills ‘at Yokohl Valley’

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wis., Ralph Chojnacki has lived in Visalia for 35 years. “Just as owning a keyboard does not make you a writer, having expensive equipment does not make you a photographer. I feel photography is 90 percent observation and 10 percent using the tools you have to capture it.”

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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WHAT’S COOKIN’

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BY LANA GRANFORS | PHOTOS: KARA STEWART

recipe march 2019

Coconut Curry Chicken Serves 4 - 5

This month’s recipe is quite flavorful and comes together fairly simply. With a blend of spices for an amazing taste, it could end up being one of your favorite weeknight goto dishes. As a side note, the garam masala can either be purchased or easily made. Enjoy!

ingredients:

2 T butter

1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 1⁄2 tsp. fresh ginger, grated 1 1⁄2 tsp. minced garlic

1 14.5 oz. can tomato sauce

1 tsp. chili powder 1 1⁄2 T ground coriander

2 tsp. ground cumin

1⁄2 tsp. garam masala

1 T olive oil

1 cup coconut milk

1 lb. grilled boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 1⁄2 inch cubes 2- 3 T maple syrup or sweetener of choice (to taste)

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com MARCH 2019

Directions butter sauce: STEP 1: Melt the butter in a heavy pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and sautĂŠ until they start to sweat, about 5-7 minutes. Onions should be translucent, not browned.

STEP 2: Add ginger and garlic and stir, letting cook for about 30 seconds. Add the can of tomato sauce along with chili powder, coriander, cumin and garam masala. Continue to cook for 5 more minutes.

STEP 3: Remove from heat. Carefully add the mixture to a blender (sauce will be hot) and blend until smooth. You may need to add a few drops up to 1/4 cup of water to help it blend. Depending on how powerful your blender is, you may need to blend the mixture in two batches. Hold lid of the blender down with a kitchen towel when blending to avoid accidents.

assembly: STEP 1: Heat the oil in heavy pot over medium heat.

Add the chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes, stirring allowing the chicken to brown on all sides. Add the butter sauce to the pot and heat everything through, about 2-3 minutes. Once it starts to bubble, add the coconut milk and maple syrup or sweetener of choice, to taste. When the sauce regains a simmer, continue to cook for a half hour. Serve over basmati rice or with naan bread. (Pictured served over Basmati Rice Medley, a drizzle of coconut milk and garnished with fresh parsley.)

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

prep time: 15 minutes plus blender processing time cook time: 50 minutes - 1 hour cook time: 1 hour 10 minutes -1 hour 20 minutes MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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CRAFTING

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story and photos: monica fatica

Catch Me if You Can D I Y: L eather C atch - A ll T ray

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com MARCH 2019

supplies • Natural tooling leather (we used an 8½x11-inch piece) • Leather dye (we used dark brown) • Craft glue for leather • 4 clothespins • Spray water bottle • Rag • Disposable craft paper • Gloves (optional) • Leather finish sealer (optional) Tips: Choose a dye in the color of your choice or leave leather the natural color. If you prefer a square shape, you can cut down your leather or find one in the size you want.

Personalize the inside of the tray by embossing initials, a word or date.

1. Lay your tooling leather piece on top of the craft paper, then dampen it by spritzing both sides using your water bottle.

This will make the leather more pliable.

2. Dip your rag into the dye and begin applying it in even strokes onto one side of the leather until it’s completely coated.

Repeat this for the other side.

(This step is where some choose to use gloves to prevent stain from getting on their hands.)

3. Fill in any uneven spots by lightly applying more dye in the opposite direction and blotting as needed in lighter areas. One side will be darker than the other because of the different surface textures. You can choose whichever side you want to be visible from the inside.

4. Let the leather dry for a few minutes, then pinch one corner together. Pinch the rest of the corners and shape your tray the way you want it while the leather is pliable.

5. Use a clothespin at each corner to help keep them together and to help the leather dry in the shape you created.

6. Dip your rag in more dye if needed and blot your lighter colored edges to match the rest of the dyed leather. Set aside and let it dry for about 30 minutes.

7. Apply glue to the top of the inside of each pinched corner, then reattach the clothespins.

Dab any glue that drips into the base of the tray.

8. Once your leather and glue are completely dry, remove the clothespins. You can apply a leather finish sealer at this point if you’d like.

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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calendar MARCH 2019

From Food to fun, something for everyone to enjoy

bakersfield

March 1 • First Friday Art Walk, downtown Bakersfield between 19th and Eye Streets, 5-9pm, www.visitbakersfield.com March 2 • 15th Annual Texas Hold ’Em Charity Poker Tournament, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 460 Hall, 6718 Meany Ave., 11am-11pm, www.visitbakersfield.com March 13 • Kern County Economic Summit, Bakersfield Marriott Convention Center, 801 Truxtun Ave., 7am-11:30am, www.visitbakersfield.com March 14 • Hollywood Stones: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones, Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame, 2230 Q St., 6-9pm, www.visitbakersfield.com March 15-16 • The Ultimate Outdoor Experience, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 South P St., noon-7pm, www.visitbakersfield.com March 22 • The Quebe Sisters, Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame, 2230 Q St., 6:30-9:30pm, www.visitbakersfield.com

clovis

March 7 • Parties for the Parkway Kickoff 2019, Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th St., 5:30pm, www.riverparkwar.org March 12 • Central California Society for Human Resource Management Workplace Conference, Clovis Veterans Memorial District Liberty Ballroom, 808 4th St., 8am-4:30pm, www.centralcalshrm.org

fresno

March 1-8 • ArtHop Exhibit: High School Students Explore Social Issues Through Art, Fresno Pacific University, 1717 South Chestnut Ave., Art Gallery, 5-8pm Monday-Friday, www.fresno.edu

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March 1-9 • Rogue Festival, Tower District, 5:30-6:30pm, www.fresnoroguefestival.com March 2 • Brandon Freeman, Zack’s Brewing Company, 712 Fulton St., 7pm, www.downtownfresno.org March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • Vineyard Farmers Market, 100 West Shaw Ave., 7am-noon, www.vineyardfarmersmarket.com March 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 • Cherry Avenue Auction Swap Meet, 4640 S. Cherry Ave., 6:30am-3:30pm, (559) 266-9856, www.cherryavenueauction.com • River Park Farmers Market, 220 East Paseo Del Centro, 5-9pm Tuesday, 9am-1pm Saturday, www.playfresno.org March 5, 12, 19, 26 • Toe Tappin’ Tuesdays, California Arts Academy, 4750 North Blackstone Ave., 7:15-9:30pm, www.facebook.com/fresnoswingdance March 6, 13, 20, 27 • Vineyard Farmers Market, 100 West Shaw Ave., 3pm-6pm, www.vineyardfarmersmarket.com • Farmers Market, Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center, 7300 North Fresno St., 9am-1:30pm, www.playfresno.org March 7, 14, 21, 28 • CArtHop, Mariposa Plaza, southeast corner of Fulton Street and Mariposa Way, 11am-2pm, www.downtownfresno.org March 9 • Dining in the Dark, T.W. Patterson Building, 2014 Tulare St., 7-10pm, www.downtownfresno.org • “Prey 4 Reign” St. Patrick Metal, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., 7:30pm, www.downtownfresno.org • The Grand Royale: Fresno Adult Prom Night, The Grand 1401, 1401 Fulton St., 6pm, www.fresnoadultprom.com March 9, 23 • River Buddies Weekend Explorers, River Center, 11605 Old Friant Road, 9am, www.riverparkway.org March 18 • The Swing Shift, River Park Shopping Center, 71 East Via la Plata, 7:30-9:30, www.facebook.com/fresnoswingdance

March 20 • Community Art Night, Common Space, 1242 Fulton St., 6:30pm, www.downtownfresno.org March 21-23, 28-31 • Jane Austen’s “Emma,” Fresno Pacific Theater, 1717 South Chestnut Ave., North Hall Room 123, 8pm Thursday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday, www.fresno.edu/events/theater March 22 • Fig Garden Woman’s Club Vintage and Antique Sale, Fig Garden Woman’s Club, 4550 North Van Ness Blvd., 10am-6pm March 31 • River Center Hoedown, River Center Barn, 11605 Old Friant Road, 4pm, www.riverparkway.org

hanford

March 2 • “Let’s Celebrate!,” Downtown Hanford, Civic Park, noon-2pm

porterville

March 2 • Zonta’s 15th Annual Evening of Art and Wine, Nuckols Ranch, 13144 Road 216, 6-9pm, www.portervillechamber.org

prather

March 2-3 • Kids Ride and Wrench Camp, Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, 28971 Auberry Road, 9am-4:30pm, www.richoliver.net March 16-17 • Learn to Ride Off-Road Course, Rich Oliver’s Mystery School, 28971 Auberry Road, 9am-5pm, www.richoliver.net

sanger

March 2 • 13th Annual Blossom Trail Festival, Car Show, and Lego Car Show, Academy and 8th Street, 10am-3pm, www.sanger.org

selma

March 16 • 13th Annual Selma Swap, Selma Flea Market, 10951 East Mountain View Ave., 6am-3pm, www.selmaswap.com

three rivers

March 2 • First Saturday in Three Rivers, pick up map at Three Rivers Art Center, 41673 North Fork Drive, 11am-5pm, www.1stsaturdaytr.com

tulare

March 23 • Celebrating Girls Presents “Under the Big Top,” Tulare Community Church, 1820 North Gem St., 5pm

visalia

March 1 • First Friday, Visalia Arts Consortium, 300 East Oak St., 5-8pm, www.artsconsortium.org March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 • Storytime with Pierre, ImagineU Interactive Children’s Museum, 210 North Tipton St., 10:30am, www.visitvisalia.com March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • Cuppa Jazz, Café 210, 210 West Center Ave., 10am-noon, www.visitvisalia.com March 5, 12, 19, 26 • Salsa Tuesday, The Cellar Door, 101 West Main St., 7pm-midnight, www.visitvisalia.com March 6, 13, 20, 27 • Shiloh at Crawdaddy’s, 333 East Main St., 7-10pm, www.visitvisalia.org March 7, 14, 21, 28 • ‘80s Night at Crawdaddy’s, 333 East Main St., 10pm, www.visitvisalia.org March 9 • More Than 4 Fundraiser Market, The Looking Glass, 242 East Caldwell Ave., 9am-2pm March 16 • Irishfest, Rawhide Ballpark, 300 North Giddings St., 1-5pm, www.visitvisalia.org • St. Patrick’s Day Parade presented by the Visalia Breakfast Lions, Visalia Main Street, 10am, www.visitvisalia.org March 21 • Impact Leadership Conference, Visalia Convention Center, 303 East Acequia Ave., 8am-4:30pm, www.visaliachamber.com March 23-24, 30-31 • Visalia Senior Games, place and time vary per event, www.visaliaseniorgames.com March 29 • Night at the Museum, ImagineU Interactive Children’s Museum, 210 North Tipton St., 5:30pm, www.visitvisalia.com

March 30 • Visalia Host Lions 2nd Annual Murder Mystery Dinner, Visalia Convention Center, 303 East Acequia Ave., 6pm, www.visaliahostlions.com March 30-31 • South Valley Art Tour, various locations throughout Tulare, buy tickets at Visalia Arts Consortium, 300 East Oak St., 10am-5pm, www.artsconsortium.org

bakersfield fox theatre

www.thebakersfieldfox.com March 1 • “Pick of the Litter,” 7:30pm March 3 • Christian Youth Film, 3:30pm March 4 • “Tombstone,” 7:30pm March 8 • Frankie Quinones, 8pm March 11 • “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” 7:00pm March 12 • Historic Evening with Eva Schloss: Stepsister of Anne Frank, 7pm March 14 • Chonda Pierce, 7pm March 15 • “Foxtrot,” 7:30pm March 29 • Borg vs. McEnroe, 7:30pm

fresno city college

www.fresnocitycollege.edu March 1-3, 8, 9 • “The Little Prince,” 7pm Friday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday, March 1 • Cycles and Sets: Voice Recital, Recital Hall, 7:30pm March 4-31 • Jibade-Khalil Huffman, Art Space Gallery, 10am-4pm Monday-Tuesday, 10am-7pm Wednesday-Thursday March 5 • Fresno City College Community Symphony Orchestra, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm March 6 • Storytelling Festival, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm March 8 • Choral World Music Concert, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm March 12 • Latin Jazz Ensembles, FCC Theatre, 7:30pm March 13 • Wind Ensemble Concert: Music Across the Continents, FCC Theatre, 7:30pm

March 17 • St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Recital Hall, 2pm • Fresno Community Concert Band: Irish Stew, FCC Theatre, 3pm and 7pm March 21 • City Jazz Festival: Headliner Concert, FCC Theatre, 7:30pm March 21-22 • City Jazz Festival: Student Performances, FCC Theatre, 8am-5pm March 23 • FCC Spring Wind Festival, FCC Theatre and MS Classrooms, 7:30am-5pm March 29 • 36th Annual Brass Bash, OAB Auditorium, 7:30pm

enchanted playhouse

www.enchantedplayhouse.org March 1-3, 8-10 • “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” 7pm Friday, 6pm Saturday, 2pm Sunday

fresno convention and entertainment center

www.fresnoconventioncenter.com March 1-3 • CA USA Wrestling Frosh-Soph Freestyle State Championships, Selland Area, 6-9:30pm Friday, 8am-7pm Saturday, 8:30am-completion Sunday March 2 • “The Jungle Book,” Saroyan Theatre, 2pm March 4 • 2018 Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards, Fresno Convention Center, 5:30pm March 6-9 • FIRST Robotics, Fresno Convention Center, 6-8pm Wednesday, 7:45-8pm Thursday, 8am-6:30pm Friday-Saturday March 8-10 • CA USA Wrestling Kids Folkstyle State Championships, Selland Area, 6-9:30pm Friday, 8am-7pm Saturday, 8:30-completion Sunday March 10 • Fresno International Wedding Festival, Valdez Hall, 11am-4pm March 12 • Naturalization, Valdez Hall, 9:30am March 13 • San Joaquin Town Hall Lecture with Jeremi Suri, Saroyan Theatre, 10:30am March 16 • Fresno Philharmonic “Nature Speaks,” Saroyan Theatre, 7:30pm March 20-31 • “Wicked,” Saroyan Theatre, various times

MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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hanford fox theatre

www.foxhanford.com March 2 • “Mary Poppins,” 2pm March 9 • “The Karate Kid,” 7pm March 30 • Kip Moore, 8pm

icehouse theatre

www.v isaliaplayers.org March 22-24, 29-31 • “Honky Tonk Angels,” 7:30pm FridaySaturday, 2pm Sunday

lindsay community theater www.lindsaycommunitytheater. com

March 1-3, 8-10 • “All in the Timing,” 7:30 Friday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday March 23 • County Line Trio, 7:30pm

rabobank arena

www.rabobankarena.com March 1 • Condors vs. Iowa, Arena, 7pm March 2 • Condors vs. San Jose, Arena, 7pm March 3 • “Stomp,” Theater, 3pm March 9 • Bakersfield Falcons #15: USA Boxing Show, Arena, 6pm • Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra: Musical Natures, Theater, 7:30pm March 10 • Yuri Y Pandora, Theater, 7pm March 13 • Condors vs. San Diego, Arena, 6:30pm March 16 • Condors vs. Ontario, Arena, 7pm March 20-24 • Cirque Du Soleil “Crystal,” Arena, 7:30pm Wednesday-Friday, 4pm and 7:30pm Saturday, 1:30pm and 4pm Sunday March 23 • Me and You 50th Anniversary Tour, Theater, 8pm March 27 • Condors vs. Ontario, Arena, 6:30pm March 29 • Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Theater, 7:30pm March 30 • Condors vs. San Jose, Arena, 7pm

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www.EnjoySouthValley.com MARCH 2019

roger rocka’s dinner theater

www.rogerrockas.com March 1-3, 7-10, 14-17 • “Mamma Mia!,” 5:30pm Thursday-Saturday, 11am Sunday March 21-24, 28-31 • “Hairspray,” 5:30pm Thursday-Saturday, 11am Sunday

save mart center - fresno

www.savemartcenter.com March 3 • The Roadshow, 6pm March 4 • Fresno State women’s basketball vs. San Diego State, 7pm March 9 • Fresno State men’s basketball vs. San Jose State, 7pm March 13 • Justin Timberlake, 7:30pm March 14 • Chris Tomlin, 7pm March 15-17 • Monster Jam, 7pm Friday-Saturday, 1pm Saturday-Sunday March 22-23 • Professional Bull Riders Velocity Tour, 8pm Friday 7pm Saturday March 25 • Steve Forbes Lecture, 6pm March 30 • Banda MS, 8pm

stars playhouse and stars theatre restaurant

www.bmtstars.com March 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 • Lone Star, Stars Playhouse, 2756 Mosasco St., 7:30pm March 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 21-23, 28-30 • “Mamma Mia!,” 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 March 1 • The Brothers Four, 8pm March 2 • The Police Experience: A Tribute to The Police, 8pm March 9, 10 • La Traviata: An Opera in Three Acts, 7pm Saturday, 2pm Sunday March 21 • Watermelon Slim, 8pm

March 22 • Mark Christopher Lawrence, Clean Comedy Show 2019, 8pm March 28 • Adrian Legg, 8pm

visalia fox theatre

www.foxvisalia.org March 2 • Sequoia Symphony Orchestra “Great Movies, Great Music,” 7:30pm March 6 • “Grease,” 6:30pm March 22 • Irish Comedy and Music Revue, 7:30pm March 28 • “Batteries Not Included,” 6:30pm March 30 • Edwin San Juan and Friends, 8pm

warnors theatre

www.warnors.org March 2 • Tiffany Haddish #SheReady Tour, 8pm

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. enjoymagazine.net, by the 1st of the month—one month prior to the next magazine issue. For example, an April event will need to be posted by March 1. Thank you.

GIVING BACK | BY EMILY MIRANDA

Such a

Relief

W E ST C OA ST M E N N O N I T E R E L I E F S A L E & AU C T I O N

This year marks the 52nd West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale, held each April at Fresno Pacific University.

The sale is open to adults and children alike, with several mini-events catered to children (the most popular being Kid’s World) along with activities for adults, including live and silent auctions.

Preceded by a morning 5K run, the relief sale will put on a children’s scavenger hunt, an art show, a classic car display and a country store featuring Amish cheese, butter, jam and jellies, local honey, seasonal fruits, sausages and cookbooks. There will be a variety of ethnic food including zwieback, verenika and tacos. The event features live music, homemade ice cream, fresh pies, fritters, cookies and more.

This year’s community event is planned for Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13, with free admission and parking.

This 100 percent volunteer-run event has drawn in crowds of people numbering up to 4,000 – quilts being the main attraction. The art of quilting may have declined in recent years, but it is no lost art to the Mennonite community. That is why so many look forward to the relief sale each year, waiting for their chance to bid on a high quality, handcrafted quilt. This event alone expects to auction off up to 500 quilts, comforters and afghans.

“Our event is a fundraiser for a very good cause,” says Steve Goossen, chairman of the West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale Board.

“We are a group of Mennonite and Anabaptist churches on the West Coast working together to raise money and support for the work of the Mennonite Central Committee,” Goossen continues. That committee is a faith-based nonprofit that serves in 57 countries, aiming to bring hope and peace by providing relief kits, assistance, love and compassion to those in need. The sale raised $171,000 for the Mennonite Central Committee in 2018, and they hope this year’s sale will exceed last year’s funds raised.

The sale is looking for volunteers willing to cook zwieback, help at Kid’s World, sew a quilt, bake and sell cookies, or help set up on the day of the event. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact the West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale at (559) 232-1751 or email info@ westcoastmccsale.org. • West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale: April 12-13 Fresno Pacific University, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno www.westcoastmccsale.org • (559) 360-6271 Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Emily J. Miranda is a freelance writer, designer, and self taught artist. She is a graduate of Simpson University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis on business and marketing. In her free time she enjoys writing, painting, sewing, and any projects involving creative insight.

Photos courtesy ofWest Coast Mennonite Relief Sale MARCH 2019 www.EnjoySouthValley.com

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A U T H E N T I C R E L AT I O N S H I P S LIFE CHANGE GOD’S PRESENCE

www.VisaliaFirst.com/mag WEEKEND: SAT 5 | SUN 9 & 11:30 3737 S. Akers St. Visalia, CA (559) 733-9070