Enjoy Magazine South Valley Living—May 2016

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South Valley Living

MAY 2016

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Contents ®

South Valley Living MAY 2016

CR A FT I NG

42 DIY: Patterned Wall Hanging

FASHION

34 2016 Trendy Summer Wear

GOOD FI NDS 14 The Name Fits at Root: A Community General Store 23 Wild Oak Coffee House in Springville

GOOD T I M ES

26 Old Town Clovis Craft Beer Crawl

I NSPIR AT ION

6 Lemoore Artist Natasha Holland Finds Her Inspiration

I NT ER EST

11 2016 Kingsburg Swedish Festival

LOCA L S 17 From Banking to Baking at Goodies Cookies 29 Personalized Jewelry with Alana Little

T R I BU T ES TO MOM

20 Happy Mother’s Day

I N EV ERY ISSUE 36 38 40 45

Enjoy the View—Rosa Mills What’s Cookin’—Grape Gobbles Spotlight—Calendar of Events Giving Back—Supporting Kids With CASA of Tulare County

Goodies Cookies Photo by Brittany Wilbur

Enjoy magazine is not affiliated with JOY magazine or Bauer German Premium GmbH. MAY 2016 ENJOY | 3

Inspired Gift Crates HANDCRAFTED GIFTS BY LOCAL ARTISANS

OUR PRODUCTS T ELL STOR IE S.

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MAY 2016

COV ER PHOTO

Cameron Fatica

by Tamara Orth Flowers from Fresh Cut Flowers

We begin this month by honoring the mothers in our life, and end it by paying solemn tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation – it’s the perfect time for reflection.

Artists color our world, and Natasha Holland’s creativity is inspired by every place she’s lived, including the island of Guam. We’ll introduce you to her and her imaginative work.

We all have heroes in our lives – the people who stand up for those who are in trouble, fight for those in need and help wherever it is needed.

Many of these heroes are making their mark with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Tulare County, where intensively trained volunteers give a voice to children who are the victims of abuse or neglect.

A fundraiser is coming up to help support this effort.

Ready for some international fun? It’s the 50th year of the Kingsburg Swedish Festival, which features a pea soup and pancake supper, entertainment, a farmers’ market and crowning of the Swedish Queen.

Whether you’re a beer aficionado or have simply been wondering what the craft beer craze is all about, check out the annual Craft Beer Crawl in Clovis. It’s the perfect time to get to know the folks behind the brews while meandering through Old Town.

We’ll also share more about some of the small businesses that make our community special, like Root: A Community General Store in Fresno, Goodies Cookies and Cakes in Visalia, Wild Oak Coffee House in Springville and Make Pie, Not War in Fresno.

Savor the last few weeks of spring, and enjoy!

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SOUTH VALLEY LIVING

YVONNE MAZZOTTA publisher MICHELLE ADAMS publisher RONDA BALL editor-in-chief KERRI REGAN copy editor MICHELLE ADAMS graphic design JERED MILLER STEPHANIE GIMLIN contributing graphic designers MONICA FATICA consultant LYNN LEARNED advertising sales representative VALERI BARNES advertising sales representative KELLY DADA advertising sales representative JENNIFER SAECHAO sales assistant/event calendar/website AMANDA NAMBA event calendar/website HAYDEN MCCAW JOSH LOPEZ AUSTIN REYNOLDS deliveries www.enjoysouthvalley.com 505 W. Center Ave. Visalia, CA 93291 559.804.7411 Email General: infosouthvalley@enjoymagazine.net

Artwork by Natasha Holland Photo by Amber Smith

Sales and Advertising information: infosouthvalley@enjoymagazine.net

© 2016 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.

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MAY 2016 ENJOY | 5

INSPIRATION

| BY JORDAN VENEMA | PHOTOS: AMBER SMITH

LEMOORE ARTIST N ATA S H A H O L L A N D F I N D S H E R I N S P I R AT I O N

SOMETIMES, IF YOU WANT to make things happen, want to pursue your dreams, want to start that small business, you have to step outside of your comfort zone.

And sometimes, taking those steps will lead to new experiences and education, maybe even to new places, exciting places, exotic places – places like Guam.

Natasha Holland grew up in Indiana, and though Guam couldn’t be any more different from the landlocked Hoosier State, she had traveled enough that she figured she could handle it. “It’s so far away, and it’s such a small island,” she says. “You literally do feel pretty isolated at times, but it’s gorgeous – absolutely gorgeous.”

6 | ENJOY MAY 2016

Holland’s husband was stationed in Guam, so the couple moved from the Windy City, Chicago, to spend the next three years on the small island. For Holland, a self-professed city girl, the move to Guam “was a bit of culture shock at times,” but, she adds, “it was also a blessing in disguise.”

During the five years she had lived in Chicago, Holland worked in design for different companies. In Indiana, she had attended All State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in architecture and design, but while in Guam she found little demand for design and architecture.

There was some irony in this revelation since Holland, a painter who grew up loving the finer arts, opted to study architecture because she believed it would ensure more stability.

Not in Guam.

“I tried to find a lot of jobs, but there was nothing within the facet of my career,” she says. “So I decided to start my own business.”

Even before she had moved to Guam, Holland had realized that though architecture was perhaps the smarter move, it wasn’t the right move for her. “By my junior year, I knew this wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do.”

So while on a remote island, where her degree was rendered pretty much useless, she turned her focus to the finer arts, a passion she’d had since she was a child.

“I’ve always – as a child – really enjoyed art,” says Holland. It was that love for light, space, buildings and landscape that probably lured her to architecture in the first place, but she also recognizes for herself, “I was more inspired by mood and feelings than an image…

Architecture is definitely still a part of my art, but it was more of a stepping stone.”

While in Guam, Holland’s work took what she calls an abstract turn, drawing on influences of painters like Monet and the Impressionism movement. Being surrounded by sweeping beaches and beautiful landscapes probably didn’t hurt, but she also found that she began painting places that

represented a story, or represented home.

Her “State Your Love” collection actually grew out of a kind of homesickness. “Yeah, that’s one of my latest collections,” says Holland, who started it “mainly because we were new everywhere… it makes you realize that each place you live shapes you and your family, and it becomes a part of who you are.” For $26, Holland paints an 8x10-inch watercolor painting of a state, in the color of your choice, with the option of marking a location with a small heart.

Since she and her husband moved to Lemoore last year, Holland has built upon her business, expanding her online presence and collection, and plans to begin offering painting classes to adults – something she did for both adults and children while living in Guam.

“I’ve also done a lot of derivative work,” says Holland, “focusing more on landscapes, buildings or houses.”

Drawing perhaps on her architectural experience, Holland offers 20x24-inch paintings rendered from photographs. “I still draw buildings, and do a lot of paintings of people’s houses as wedding gifts.”

Basically, since Holland has moved from Guam to Lemoore, she’s swapped inspirations – beaches for mountains. And those inspirations, she says, “the mountains, and the nature around here as well, they help me want to broaden my mediums, and the materials that I use.”4 continued on page 8

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 7

She may not be isolated any longer, but that isn’t stopping Holland from creating more art. She’s branching into acrylics, more abstract pieces. “Pretty much all my abstract pieces, on the larger scale (the gallery canvas), is mostly acrylic,” says Holland.

She particularly enjoys acrylic because “you can play around with so many different shades, mixtures and blends.” And she finds inspiration in colors, she says.

“But that’s the great thing about art. You can get inspired by anything.” Especially in a new city, new state, where she is constantly discovering new inspirations that she translates into works of art. • Natasha Holland Studio www.etsy.com/shop/NatashaHollandStudio Find her on Instagram and Facebook

Jordan Venema is a freelance writer and California native. He’s a fan of wild stories, impetuous traveling, live music, and all the food. But mostly, he’s a fan of his seven-year old son, Cassian.

He can be contacted by email at jordan.venema@gmail.com.

8 | ENJOY MAY 2016

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| BY BEN RALPH

SO, SO, SWEDE 2 0 1 6 K I N G S B U R G S W E D I S H F E S T I VA L WOULD PEOPLE TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY if you told them you were attending a celebration of Swedish culture in the heart of an area with “San Joaquin” in the name, which is famous for raisins and is defined by copious amounts of punishing heat and drought? Probably not, and yet, those people would be wrong to doubt you. Those doubters would also likely not be from Kingsburg, but are likely from L.A., or, yes, even Sweden (because, you know, raisins).

This year marks the 50th year of the annual Kingsburg Swedish Festival, a three-day smorgasbord of all things Swedish. Though celebrating 50 years, the festival has existed in one form or another since 1924. Beginning as an event hosted by a women’s group from the Concordia Lutheran Church for the elderly residents of the Concordia Home, it then became sponsored entirely by that church. Later, the festival was carried on by the Kiwanis Club of Kingsburg and is now organized by the Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce.

But why Kingsburg and why Swedish? The answer is a bit obvious once the history is reviewed: Kingsburg, formerly Kingsburgh, formerly Kingsbury, formerly Kings River Switch (wait, what?) was originally a small settlement of

Swedish immigrants drawn to the area by hopes of good farming and free government land. By 1921, the area was 94 percent Swedish-American. That percentage has likely dropped in the last 95 years, but the roots remain, and so do the pride and culture that come with it.

The 2016 Swedish Festival begins Thursday, May 19, on Draper Street in downtown Kingsburg. From 5 to 8 pm, attendees can enjoy a pea soup and pancake supper prepared by the Lions Club and the Kingsburg Cancer Volunteers, Swedish entertainment, a farmers’ market and the crowning of the Swedish Queen. The queen is a central cultural figure in other events hosted in Kingsburg and thus embodies the past becoming present. This is ever apparent in the fact that the queen has to present some of her public speeches in Swedish. Not an easy task, given that Swedish is not exactly widely spoken outside Sweden and, no, ordering at Valhalla’s in Visalia doesn’t count.

On Friday, the festivities continue at Downtown Park with the Dress Review and Award Ceremony judged by local police. Naturally, one could not attend a Swedish event without engaging in a traditional smorgasbord.4

continued on page 12

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 11

For those who enjoy the word but are unsure about the meaning, a “smorgasbord” is a traditionally Nordic, particularly Swedish, meal in which multiple dishes are served at once on an open table. Amongst the favorites are Swedish meatballs, potato sausage and rice pudding.

Americans tend to mistakenly infer smorgasbord to mean “buffet,” and thus add an exceeding amount of shame and regret to the originally beautiful, communal meal. While attendees feast, they can once again enjoy traditional Swedish entertainment as well as a plethora of shops and vendors.

Saturday, however, is when it gets real. Festivities begin at 7 am with a Swedish pancake breakfast. Another option for starting the day is the Dala Horse Trot. Not to be mistaken with a traditional Dala Horse, which doesn’t move but looks fabulous, the Dala Horse Trot can either be a two-mile run/walk or a 10K run/walk. If that sounds like too much work, there are still the pancakes, so that’s a win. The morning centers on the decorating of the Maypole and the Grand Parade that culminates in the raising of the Maypole at noon. All the while, traditional dance surrounds the affair; in fact, you can learn Gammaldans, one of the traditional Nordic dance styles.

The day continues well into the night with traditional music, arts and crafts and other vendors.

Both Saturday and Sunday, the action gets medieval as reenactments of Viking battles in traditional garb comes onto the scene. Is it ironic to have positive anticipation about a Viking battle? Many of our ancestors probably would be horrified to hear so, but that’s progress for you. In addition to this, vendors will move from downtown to Memorial Park where the Arts and Crafts Fair will take place.

Though starting out of humble origins as a means of giving back to seniors, the Kingsburg Swedish Festival has become a tradition that sustains a community and gives it direction into the future. After all, without healthy roots, nothing can stand the test of time. •

Ben Ralph is a longtime off-and-on Visalia local. Originally hailing from the outskirts of Ave. 328, he now spends his time balancing a career with walking the Earth, like Caine from the TV series Kung Fu. His writing is about the latter.

12 | ENJOY MAY 2016

Photos courtesy of Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce

Kingsburg Swedish Festival May 21-22 www.kingsburgchamber.com/ swedish-festival Find them on Facebook For more information regarding the 2016 Kingsburg Swedish Festival, contact the Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce at (559) 897-1111

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GOOD FINDS

| BY JORDAN VENEMA | PHOTOS: TAMARA ORTH

14 | ENJOY MAY 2016

T H E N A M E F I T S AT R O O T: A C O M M U N I T Y G E N E R A L S T O R E NOT VERY LONG AGO, downtown Fresno was – to put it euphemistically – going through a period of transition and growth. Though the arrival of Chukchansi Park in 2002 had given it a much-needed boost, its streets were still littered, and many of its buildings neglected.

In 2011, local businesses took matters into their own hands by forming the Downtown Fresno Partnership, a Property and Business Improvement District that allocated funds to maintain and improve the downtown area. Since then, downtown Fresno has seen something of a renaissance, with more businesses popping up, bringing more shoppers with them. Late last year, the Partnership further fostered development by holding a competition that awarded $10,000 to a new business that would open downtown.

Perhaps there was never any doubt that downtown Fresno would see this kind of renewal and growth – it was only a matter of individuals taking the initiative to plant root.

One business must have taken that idea to heart when it recently opened in downtown Fresno. Root, which describes itself as a community general store, is a collaboration between husband and wife Kirk and Cassey James.

The couple relocated to Fresno last June from the Los Angeles area, where they had been living for 15 years.

Cassey, who studied fashion design, had been working as a wardrobe stylist, while Kirk “ended up working in the fashion design world, designing men’s lines,” says Cassey.

“He even had a T-shirt company.”

Originally from Riverside, Cassey attended high school in the Clovis area, where Kirk also grew up. Despite building careers in the design and art community in Los Angeles, Cassey says they always knew they’d move back to Fresno – they just weren’t sure what they were going to do.

“In L.A., we got really accustomed to shopping local, supporting small unique boutiques and stores and businesses,” says Cassey. “So when we made the move up here, we felt that Fresno could use more stores like that.”

The only catch: “We’d never done retail before.”

The idea for a store was expedited to reality when the Jameses heard about the Downtown Fresno Partnership’s Create Here competition. “We got really excited, and put all the work in,” says Cassey. They came up with a business plan, put gears in motion, and submitted the idea for a utilitarian, artisanal general store.

Root ended up a semi-finalist in the competition, and didn’t win the $10,000, but “once we put in all the work, we just sort of felt like, you know, whether we win this thing or not, we might as well start moving forward.”

On October 4, Root opened, creating a space that “focuses on carrying local, USA-made artisan goods,” says Cassey. “Basically, I would say like utilitarian products, where everything has a purpose.”

From skin care to soaps, candles to books, perfumes to hats, even a little bit of vintage and home goods, Root has brought to Fresno a bit of the big city boutique.

Though neither had retail experience, Cassey especially drew up her expertise as a designer and stylist to create a unique space. “That is the best part about owning a retail space,” she says, “the joy to be able to do not just anything you want, but to display and design what you love, and to visually create a pleasing environment.”

The James family pulled from artisans locally and in California. Cassey is excited about Basil Wood, a familyrun local goat’s milk company. They also sell hats made by a Long Beach company, Yellow 108, and an herbal skincare line from L.A. called Root Stalk.

“We are also one of the only people around here that carry raw denim,” says Cassey. “My husband is a big denim and mustache guy, so we carry a company called Rogue Territory,” designed and made in downtown L.A. But the products are only one spoke of the creative hub at Root. “We wanted to be a creative hub and not just a retail store,” says Cassey. “That was really important to us.”

Besides the retail aspect in front, they have an area in the back where Kirk and Cassey do screen-printing.

But even in addition to maintaining a space that serves both customers and their own creative business, the Jameses are beginning to open their store to those who are interested in creating their own products, by offering a variety of workshops.

Early this year they offered their first workshop, a course in leather-crafting. The $30 fee included materials, snacks and a professional teacher who showed them how to cut and stamp leather, as well as create rivets.

“We want to educate people and make it a place to come and learn and inspire themselves to make and create things,” says Cassey. They hope that in the future, workshops will host artisans whose products they carry in store.

Should their workshops take off, the name Root will have a special significance, by contributing to the growth not only of downtown Fresno, but also the creative community they now serve. Cassey admits there was something to the name: “Yeah, you know, it’s coming back to our roots in Fresno, and also finding new ones.” • Root: A Community General Store 1239 Fulton Mall, Fresno • (559) 540-0460 Tuesday-Sunday 11am-7pm • www.rootgeneral.com Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Jordan Venema is a freelance writer and California native.

He’s a fan of wild stories, impetuous traveling, live music, and all the food. But mostly, he’s a fan of his seven-year old son, Cassian. He can be contacted by email at jordan. venema@gmail.com.

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 15

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LOCALS

| BY JORDAN VENEMA | PHOTOS: BRITTANY WILBUR

sweet THE LIFE

F R O M B A N K I N G TO B A K I N G AT G O O D I E S CO O K I E S

WHEN NATALIE FRONCZEK WAS still in the mortgage business, she was a loyal customer at Visalia’s Goodies Cookies – so much that their goods were practically essential to her business. “I would send people cookies when the loan was approved,” she says, “and I loooooved their cookies.”

In fact, Fronczek was so loyal a customer that when the previous owner decided to sell the bakery, Fronczek was given notice.

“She called me and told me that it was for sale,” says Fronczek, who recalls thinking, “I could make that business grow.” And just like that, Fronczek turned from the banking to the baking industry, and for the first time in her life began a career in retail.

“You should have seen my husband’s face,” she says with a laugh, recalling his response when she told him that she planned to buy Goodies Cookies. They had already been married 19 years, so perhaps he wasn’t surprised by her impetuosity, but that probably didn’t stop him from putting the question to her: Natalie, just how long have you been baking again? 4 continued on page 18 MAY 2016 ENJOY | 17

“I’ve never baked in my life,” she says. “How’s that for a story?”

In 2005, Fronczek took over Goodies Cookies, purchasing the store and recipes, and keeping on its original baker.

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” says Fronczek, who learned the ropes from her baker. “I was like her shadow.”

It wasn’t long before the store expanded its name to Goodies Cookies and Cakes, building upon its repertoire of recipes.

“When I first bought it, it was only cookies, and then we went into cakes, and then dessert bars, cupcakes,” says Fronczek. Now she would like to expand her store even more. “This year I’d like to break into morning pastries.”

Much of Goodies’ ability to grow can be credited with Fronczek’s baker and business partner, Sandy Gaalswkyk. “She keeps me organized,” says Fronczek. “I couldn’t do it without her.”

Though she began without retail or baking experience, it wasn’t long before Fronczek began making her fair share of dough, doubling her profits with her first two years of ownership. And though she had learned how to bake, she prefers sticking to the front of the store, as the face of Goodies, interacting with customers. That, she says, is where the real fun is anyway.

“You know what I love about this business? Everybody is happy,” says Fronczek. “I went through mortgages and those are very stressful, but here, it’s pretty much happy, because people walk in and the smell of the store, it almost gives them a high.”

Plus, she says, “we’ve got a great staff, and we rarely make a mistake.”

But even if they did, she says with a laugh, “it’s not like I’m killing anybody like at a pharmaceutical or something.” Also, whatever rare mistakes they do make, always prove an easy fix. They’ve remade cakes when necessary, and if anything, that just means more desserts entering the world.

Because if there is one thing that is sure, it is that people will never complain about more sweets. Just a couple years after she began turning a profit and the recession hit, “we climbed our way out of that too,” says Fronczek. “This is what they say – there are three things that go up during a recession: chocolate sales, crime and alcohol sales. So of course my girls were like, ‘Let’s sell beer with the cookies,’” she says, though she ultimately nixed the idea.

Because even when hard times hit, “people still get married, still have birthdays,” and they are still going to want cookies.

So whether its Goodies’ apricot amaretto cookie, “which is something that I have to force feed people just to taste,” Fronczek says, adding that once they try it they fall in love with it; or their five-layer brownie made with cream cheese, toasted marshmallows, brownie, chocolate chips and fudge, you can be sure that there will always be plenty of good things at Goodies Cookies and Cakes. • Goodies Cookies and Cakes 1631 E. Noble Ave., Visalia • (559) 625-4663 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am – 5:30pm; Saturday, 10am – 5pm Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Jordan Venema is a freelance writer and California native. He’s a fan of wild stories, impetuous traveling, live music, and all the food. But mostly, he’s a fan of his seven-year old son, Cassian. He can be contacted by email at jordan.venema@gmail.com.

18 | ENJOY MAY 2016

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Ben Ralph: Darlene (blonde) and June (brunette) The best thing about my mom was her laugh. The best thing about my mom is her laugh. All things end, some things don’t. Here’s my mother’s day special. If it’s confusing it’s because my biological mom died when I was 8 and my dad remarried when I was 11. We consider both to be ‘mom’.

20 | ENJOYMAY 2016

Brittany Wilbur: Pamela Pennebaker My mom is… Momma. Best Friend.

Grammy Pammy. Wifey. Beautiful inside and out. Compassionate.

Loving. Crafty. Resourceful. Genuine.

Caring. Strong. Motivated. Hilarious.

Shopping partner. Hospitable.

Encouraging. Fun. Inspiring.

Contagious laughs with an occasional snort. Understanding. Spirited.

Giving. Helpful. Kind. Organized.

Thoughtful. Independent. Irreplaceable.

You mean the world to me.

Christy Zillges: Peggy Canafax The best thing about my mom is her unfailing love.

For all the times I forgot to say thank you and for all the support you gave throughout the years, I need to say that I love you! Thank you for being the best mom I could ever ask for!

Hayden McCaw: Shelly McCaw From the second I would wake up in the morning until the second I go to bed, my mom will not stop doing things for me. She has always been there for me and helped develop me into the man I am today. She still spoils me rotten and in her eyes I’m still the baby of the family. Love you, Mom.

James Mazzotta: Susan Fatica Mom— you have given me a strong sense of independence and curiosity. Like you, I have never met a stranger.

I admire your strength, beauty and positive spirit!

I love you Mom!

Jordan Venema: Shelley Venema Mum, anybody who knows you knows you’re a giver.

You’ll give your spare time, your last dollar and all your love. About the only thing you won’t give is up.

I couldn’t have asked for a better model of unconditional commitment, loyalty, and – of course – love.

Josh Lopez: Vicky Lopez The best thing about my mom is that she has always been there for me whether it has been with school or any life lessons. Thank you, Mom. I love you!

Kelly Dada: Catherine Robinette Thank you for always being there for me. For always offering your advice and words of encouragement.

What would I do without you, my friend, my confidant, my word of wisdom. I truly appreciate and love you with all of my heart!

To my mother-in-law, Sahar, You are the matriarch of the family. You work so hard, and still find time to offer help.

When everyone is too tired to play doctor or baseball you are always the grandma who will wear the gloves and pretend. Cade just adores you. We love you, Teta!

Kimberly Horg: Sandra The best thing about my mom is her kindness and generosity to all. She has taught me to never give up on my dreams. Most importantly she has taught me to how to be a good mother. I am very lucky to have such a supportive, wonderful mom who has always been on the sidelines cheering for me.

I love you, Mom!

Linda Hurtado: Amada Cadriel My mom has always been a great example of leading a life filled with Jesus and I thank her for introducing Him to me. I love you with all my heart Mom!

Lynn Learned: JoAnn Goff The most valuable lesson my mom has taught me is to love, unconditionally. The love she’s shown me through my life made me who I am today. She’s loved me wholeheartedly despite my flaws, mistakes, and many shortcomings. Her unconditional love has taught me to love others just as they are. Imperfectly perfect. Happy Mother’s Day to the most beautiful person I’ll ever know.

Michelle Adams Connie Jarrett I am so thankful for a mom who always loved me, always supported me and most importantly, always prayed for me. I am so blessed to have someone who inspires me with her example as a faithful prayer warrior and caring friend. I love you Mom, more than you will ever know!

Monica Fatica: Lorraine Kesting Mama, I want to thank you for your strength, sacrifice and words of encouragement that still guide me today. You’ve been my greatest supporter throughout the years and even more when I became a mother myself. Thank you for everything! Happy Mother’s Day. Ronda Ball: Julie Olson Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful, thoughtful, funny, loving, amazing mom, Julie Olson, who has taught me the importance of family, honesty and integrity.

I love you, Mom!

Stephanie Gimlin: Renee Thomas The most valuable thing my mom taught me is how to be a mom. I was blessed with the most kind, caring, beautiful example of a mother who let faith guide her life and persevered through many hard times. She is the strongest, most amazing woman I know, and I am the mom I am because of my mother’s love.

Tamara Orth: Teresa Orth My mom, the most amazing woman I will ever know. She has hundreds of wonderful qualities but her patience stands out the most. She constantly puts others before herself and listens like no other, all while having a sense of humor. She will forever be my best friend and I love her so incredibly much!

Valeri Barnes: Ruth Genevieve Price Mills My mom, Ruth Mills, is gone, but her generosity, kindness, acceptance, and humor drew people who became forever family. She loved her family, fiercely and genuinely. My children could not have had a more loving grandmother. Remembering her this Mother’s Day will bring joyful tears—and a bit of longing.

Yvonne Mazzotta: Beverly Nocerini She is the reason I make things beautiful, because she is beautiful. Thank you Mom for believing in me. Don’t worry mom, I put on some lipstick for you : ) I love you!

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 21

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H

C

GOOD FINDS

| BY JORDAN VENEMA | PHOTOS: TAMARA ORTH

≈

MUST

HAVE

≈

COFFEE

W I L D O A K CO F F E E H O U S E IN SPRINGVILLE

FOR AS LONG AS ELIZABETH BOWSER can recall, she’s loved her some coffee.

“Oh goodness, I’ve been obsessed with coffee since – I’m going to say at least since I was in high school. I just always loved coffee and the coffee shop atmosphere.”

The Porterville native admits her affinity for coffee only intensified when, during high school, there were few places to study other than a Starbucks. “That’s all there was to do in Porterville,” she says with a laugh.

After high school, Bowser moved from Porterville to the Central Coast, living in the small town of Grover Beach. She worked a few side jobs “here and there,” she says, but still carried a dream, that one day, “Oh man, I would love to be a barista.”

In 2012, while working at a pharmacy, a customer told Bowser about a small café called Coffee Cove and recommended she visit. Of course, the coffee enthusiast needed no small nudge, and once she visited the small cafe, she “hit it off” with two baristas who also were from Porterville – one even went to high school with her brother. I became really good friends with them, and they were actually in my wedding,” says Bowser.

Not long thereafter, her friends asked if she would like a job at the café. “Well, I always wanted to work at a coffee shop, so why not,” Bowser recalls thinking.4 continued on page 24

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 23

“I worked there for about a year,” Bowser says, until she met her would-be husband and returned to the Porterville area. She was trying to figure out what she wanted to do – nursing, perhaps become a teacher? No career really called out to her, however, until she began the job at Coffee Cove.

“As soon as I started working there, I said, no, I love being around people, I love the atmosphere of the coffee shop and the creativity you have when making espresso drinks. Yeah,” she continues, “I knew from the moment I started that this was what I wanted to do with my life – besides being a wife and mom, which was my ultimate dream.”

By 2015, Bowser had met two-thirds of her ultimate dream – marriage and motherhood – and perfected the triumvirate last November when she opened her own café, Wild Oak Coffee House, in Springville.

Most small coffee shops would probably want to open their shop far from a Starbucks, and Bowser probably couldn’t have gotten much more out of the way. The small town of Springville, which only has about 1,000 residents, is nestled up in the foothills, surrounded by ranches and wildlife. Sure, her coffee house is remote, but in the first months they’ve been open (even in the winter months), they’ve seen a lot of traffic.

In fact, Wild Oak has been so busy that Bowser already has hired help – including her sister-in-law, who also worked at a coffee house in Northern Ireland.

Of course, some of the allure of Wild Oak is that it’s the only place to grab coffee within miles, but that doesn’t mean they’ve settled to sell plain ol’ joe.

More than specialty espresso drinks, Wild Oak serve smoothies and sandwiches, as well as Bowser’s father’s famous homemade, hand-cranked ice cream.

“He started out making ice cream when he was young with his grandpa, and he kept that tradition going,” says Bowser. A former vanilla traditionalist,

“I knew from the moment I started that this was what I wanted to do with my life – besides being a wife and mom, which was my ultimate dream.”

24 | ENJOY MAY 2016

Bowser’s father has branched out, creating his own recipes for rocky road, coffee almond crunch, a “burnt sugar” that Bowser says “tastes like crème brûlée.”

They also serve lunch specials for $6.95 which include any of their six lunch sandwiches, a bag of chips, a large iced tea, and of course, her father’s ice cream.

Whether it’s the ice cream or the coffee that attracts them, commuters between Camp Nelson and Porterville, the offseason stragglers en route to the park, and yes, especially the locals are happy to have a coffee house they can call their own.

Plus, the only thing that makes fresh coffee better is the fresh air you’ll only find up in the hills. Not to mention, says Bowser, “this area has an amazing view.” So it’s little wonder she already has regulars who weekly make the trek from Terra Bella and Porterville just to get a cup of Wild Oak coffee.

Bowser probably would also like to think it has something to do with the way she treats her customers. “We’re very ministry oriented,” she admits. “I promote a smile and Jesus, but besides making you a good cup of coffee, my ultimate reason for opening was that anybody could come in and feel welcome.” • Wild Oak Coffee House 25692 Bridge St., Springville • (559) 539-5501 Hours: Monday-Friday 6am-2pm, Saturday 7am-2pm Find them on Facebook and Instagram

Jordan Venema is a freelance writer and California native. He’s a fan of wild stories, impetuous traveling, live music, and all the food.

But mostly, he’s a fan of his seven-year old son, Cassian. He can be contacted by email at jordan.venema@gmail.com.

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GOOD TIMES

| BY BEN RALPH

O L D T O W N C L O V I S C R A F T B E E R C R AW L

26 | ENJOY MAY 2016

TODAY, YOU WALK INTO A RESTAURANT or a bar, peruse the menu and the list of craft beers appears endless. The panic sets in as the choices begin drowning your ability to choose: Pale. Stout.

Porter. Amber. Blonde. Then the acronyms start flying: IPA, DIPA, TIPA. ESB. Finally, the scene goes into full Babel: Belgian Wit, Gueuze. Gose. (Wait, same thing?) Biere de Garde. Kolsch, Pilsner.

Hefeweizen. Dunkelweizen. And you haven’t even made it through the legion of brewery names or infinite list of delightful hop puns.

With no end in sight, the choice appears to be to just walk away or avoid the crisis altogether and stick close to the warm, familiar, noncraft beer waters of Coors Light, Budweiser, Corona or, if you’re a time traveler from 1993, Zima. For the adventurous sort, a third option is to brave the dive-into-the-craft-beer scene and learn how to navigate its treacherous uncharted waters, which, for beer enthusiasts and newbies alike, will be the most excellent choice.

But what is “craft beer”? Everywhere you look it seems the term “craft beer” is being spouted by shop owners, restaurateurs, best friends, mothers and grandmothers. Craft beer, according to the Brewers Association, indicates that an American craft brewer is any brewer that is small (less than 6 million barrels or less per year), independent (less than 25% of the brewery is owned or controlled by an industry member that is not itself a craft brewer) and traditional (no flavored malt beverages).

Craft beer is one of the most rapidly expanding markets in the United States. California is one state particularly bullish in the beer scene with many well-known breweries to its name, probably the most familiar to the Valley being Firestone Walker, with other well-known producers including Ballast Point, Stone, Lagunitas, Russian River, Sierra Nevada, and the list goes on.

Though newer to the scene, minus long time enthusiasts and home brewers, the Central Valley has been ripe with its own craft beer composers. Tioga-Sequoia, Brewbakers, Dust Bowl, Kern River, Kaweah and House of Pendragon are among the more familiar names.

If these are not familiar names, yet you want to delve into the craft beer scene, you are in luck. Old Town Clovis is hosting the annual Craft Beer Crawl on June 4.

Beginning at 5 pm, attendees can make their way through the streets of Old Town Clovis and partake of the diverse beer concoctions from local and regional craft brewers. Unique to this event is the stationing of the brewers inside local stores, giving the scene a particularly intimate and communal tone as libations flow and brewers or

representatives provide education on their selections. What better way to expand your beer palate than to taste and see that the brew is good, and appears hazy with nutty, spicy tones?

Breweries from last year included some local favorites and regional power players. Some of the hometown heroes included TiogaSequoia, Brewbakers, Kaweah Brewing Co., Sequoia Brewing Co., The Mad Duck and House of Pendragon. Hailing from the Central Coast were the all too familiar Firestone-Walker and BarrelHouse Brewing Company. The list of last year’s attending breweries goes on (and yes, Kern River Brewing Co. was not mentioned, until now, so just chill) and though the lineup for this year is still being finalized, another Central Coast brewery has confirmed: Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. So yes, expect some Hoppy Poppy IPA, Davy Brown Ale, Lizard’s Mouth Imperial Double IPA (you may need to Google it, there’s no shame) and others to be available for tasting and discussing.

However, in a tribute to the roots of craft beer in the Valley, the Business Organization of Old Town Clovis is partnering with the San Joaquin Worthogs, a local home brewers’ club. “Homebrew” is beer that, of course, is made from home, and the club will have its own station to provide tastings of local homebrews. Lester also noted that the partnership plans to hold a Home Brew Contest in August 2016.

This contest was held a day prior to the 2015 Craft Beer Crawl and was so popular it attracted more beer submittals than the Fresno Fair, yet another sign that craft beer is on the rise in the Valley.

If you want to attend the Crawl, get your tickets quickly, because only 1,500 are available. Last year’s event sold out and it is expected this year will be no different. In addition to the flowing suds, there will be music and local food trucks. In order to navigate the scene, attendees get a commemorative tasting glass, a map with the breweries listed and which businesses they’re stationed. After the event, the party continues with tap takeovers at some of the nearby restaurants.

After that, however, your map won’t help you but an Uber might. • Craft Beer Crawl June 4 at 5 pm Find Old Town Clovis on Facebook and Instagram www.oldtownclovis.org/craft-beer-crawl

Ben Ralph is a longtime off-and-on Visalia local. Originally hailing from the outskirts of Ave. 328, he now spends his time balancing a career with walking the Earth, like Caine from the TV series Kung Fu. His writing is about the latter.

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 27

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WOMEN... DO YOU WANT TO GET SMART ABOUT MONEY? CHECK OUT THESE WORKSHOPS! Becoming your own Prince Charming: How women get smart about money

Tues, May 17th, 12-1pm–Hanford, Kings Art Center, 605 N. Douty St. * Free lunch included, reservations required

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Savvy Social Security Planning for Women Tues, May 24th, 12-1pm-Hanford, Kings Art Center, 605 N. Douty St. * Free lunch included, reservations required

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Second Saturday Divorce Workshops Sat, July 9, 8:30 am -12:30 pm–Kings Gun Center, 426 Park Ave., Hanford

Susan K. Tackett, LUTCF, RICP® Go to www.athena-financial.com to register for these workshops, or call: 559-583-1617 or 559-384-1212 Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through H. Beck, Inc., member FINRA, SIPC. Susan K. Tackett, LUTCF, RICP® is an Investment Advisor Representative and Registered Representative of H. Beck, Inc., which is not affiliated with Athena Financial Group. CA Insurance license # 0C29773.

800 N. Irwin St., Hanford, CA 93230 • 2208 W. Sunnyside, Ste. B, Visalia, CA (meeting location only) • 559-583-1617* 559-733-1777

LOCALS

| BY JORDAN VENEMA | PHOTOS: AMBER SMITH

P E R S O N A L I Z E D J E W E L RY W I T H A L A N A L I T T L E

MAKE PIE NOT WAR SOUNDS like it could be the slogan for the bakers’ union, but when Alana Little came up with the name for her business, she wasn’t trying to be political. “It was supposed to be funny,” she admits, something she and a friend came up with almost in passing.

It may have been a joke, but the name absolutely makes sense. Everybody loves pie, and most everybody dislikes war, so the name stuck. While it’s easy to get behind the mantra, the downside to Make Pie Not War is that most people think Little is actually in the baking business.

The designer has been doing her thing long enough that most people, especially locals, know by now that she actually makes jewelry. “But if I’m out of the area,” she says, “and 90 percent of the time its men, they’ll say, ‘Oh, you make pies? What’s your favorite pie?’”

“I’ve just stopped correcting them,” she says with a laugh. “My favorite pie is cherry. What’s yours?”

One thing her jewelry has in common with baked goods, though, is that like the best pies, Little makes her jewelry to order.

“I don’t sit on back stock,” she continues, explaining that every piece of jewelry is made specifically for each customer.

“I don’t make pre-made things and I don’t make something unless somebody orders it. So I make it just for you. I care enough about you to make this piece of jewelry, and I hope that my love and passion flows through and just encourages somebody whenever they see it.”

She’s pretty much kept to the by-hand, per-order model since she began selling her jewelry in 2007. Her husband, Cameron Little, owned and operated a clothing company, Ephraim, “so we used to travel around and do festivals and live like homeless people for a while. It was super fun while we did it, but we could never do that now.” Mostly because they have a 5-year-old 4 continued on page 30 MAY 2016 ENJOY | 29

daughter, but also probably because Make Pie’s success has kept Little so busy. “It’s a labor of love,” she says, “and I literally put my whole life into it.”

Make Pie has grown considerably since its days as a side project to her husband’s clothing company. “The very first show I did with Cameron was Spirit West Coast,” back in 2007, Little says. But by 2008, she realized Make Pie could be a serious venture “when I was actually paying household bills with the money I was making from selling jewelry.”

Then in 2009, Lucky Magazine featured Make Pie in an article about Etsy, which Little uses to sell her jewelry. “It just really blossomed from there,” says Little. “Our sales exploded through Etsy.”

This July will mark nine years since Little began Make Pie Not War, and she calls it “a wild ride, a really great ride. It’s let me stay home with my daughter and it’s allowed me to be an accountant and designer at the same time. I need to be both logical and creative in anything I do.”

Little crafts each piece by hand, even the most delicate designs, like the rose gold ampersand. “You have to form it, solder it, then it gets polished and hammered… We literally do everything besides make the chain.”

30 | ENJOY MAY 2016

In addition to Etsy, Little also sells in retail stores locally and nationally, some of which she cooperates with for specific designs.

“I will work with each store, and I can make a line just for that store,” and that, says Little, “is what makes us different.”

Though Make Pie is mostly Little’s designs, she also says, “Some ideas come from working with customers, working hand in hand to design something they want.

“You have to be willing as an artist to have an open ear and put your pride away,” she continues, explaining that art requires “putting your soul, and heart, and mind into things.

“So when somebody doesn’t like it, it kind of hurts a little, but you’ve got to put your big-girl panties on and go and do business.”

So even if it’s humble pie, Little plans to continue making pie and not war, designing jewelry for “the radical lady.” • Make Pie Not War • www.makepie.net Find her on Facebook and Instagram

Jordan Venema is a freelance writer and California native. He’s a fan of wild stories, impetuous traveling, live music, and all the food. But mostly, he’s a fan of his seven-year old son, Cassian. He can be contacted by email at jordan.venema@gmail.com.

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 31

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FASHION

| BY KIMBERLY N. BONÉY

summer lovin’ 2 0 1 6 T R E N DY S U M M E R W E A R

IN WHAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN a flash of light, summer is upon us. As always, we’re on the prowl for looks that are both stylish and functional for the hottest of days and the balmiest of nights. Follow along for our take on the season’s freshest looks – with a twist, of course.

THE SLIP DRESS - If you were to look deep into the recesses of your closet, you might find one of these. It’s been there since the 1990s – so pretty you couldn’t bear to part with it, but just a little too dated to whip out for your next soirée. Well, ladies, it’s time. Pull that baby out and see how fresh the old gal can look when paired with the accoutrements. Sure, she may be a bit slinky. But here’s the plus side: the modern take on the slip dress means you can pair it with virtually anything – from menswear blazers, motos and denim jackets, to dusters, long crochet blouses, vests or even other sheer dresses that pull just the right amount of color to the surface – all while covering up the areas you prefer to keep under wraps. Laid back enough to pair with sweet sandals or heeled wedges, yet elegant enough to pair with stilettos and a tuxedo jacket, we have a feeling Little Miss Slip Dress may just become your new bestie.

ALL THINGS ROSE QUARTZ - For the first time ever, Pantone, the color authority where design is concerned, selected not one, but two hues as their “color of the year.” One is Rose Quartz, a delicate balance of rose with just enough blush to make it irresistible to even the most staunch “I don’t wear pink” girls. Consider this a neutral shade. Rose Quartz manages to be effortless in its femininity and is refreshingly modern. You’ll find this color gracing everything from basics to cocktail dresses and evening gowns, in addition to shoes, bags and jewelry. Functional for nearly every occasion – including the everdaunting summer wedding - an investment in a few staple pieces in Rose Quartz is a worthy one.

34 | ENJOY MAY 2016

A FEW SOMETHINGS IN SERENITY - Pantone’s other co-color of the year, Serenity, has always been there, smiling at us from a beautiful spring blooming hydrangea bush, resting high above us in an early summer sky. This peace-making shade of periwinkle blue, appearing all over the runways, in hallways and on a sidewalk near you, is a reminder to relax, take a breath and treasure a moment of tranquility. Infuse this hue into your life in the form of some basics like T-shirts, soft baby blue denims and sundresses, but don’t be afraid to commit to bigger purchases like a killer bag or peacoat come fall.

Something about this shade of blue will stand up to your bolder neutrals like navy and charcoal, but it knows how to play nice with other pastels and monochromes. Wear Serenity with its friend Rose Quartz for a fashion match made in heaven.

BLOOMIN’ BOTTOMS – Long lauded as the mark of the spring wardrobe, florals get a fresh take this season as they are worn in the form of slim-fitting ankle pants. Pick a pair of bloom-covered bottoms, pair them with a tucked-in, loose-fitting camisole in a gauzy material or a t-shirt, and slip on a pair of heels (strappy or closed toe pumps – they’ll both work famously). If you aren’t comfortable with the idea of big, bold flowers, smaller blooms or a more subtle color palate will pull off the look more delicately. For fashion bonus points, seek out a bag with an embroidered floral embellishment or an all-over pattern, and bloom where you are planted.

A CUT-OUT ABOVE THE REST – You’ve likely been noticing this trend for a while now, perhaps in the form of subtle skin-baring voids on the sides of dresses or keyholes perfectly placed on blouses of all kinds.

The cut-out is here to stay this year, making its appearance on boldshouldered dresses (talk about a ‘90s throwback!) leaving one of the most underrated parts of the body completely exposed to draw the eyes in. Jumpsuits and rompers have also taken on the trend this season, leaving subtle yet sexy open spaces on the back or sides. This is, by no means, an encouragement to make yourself uncomfortable for fashion, but if you feel so inclined to try this bold look, both style and comfort will prevail. A built-in breezeway during the hot summer months? We’re all in.

A TRIPLE THREAT – Want to add elegance to the typical summer wardrobe staple combination of shorts and a shirt? Add a blazer, roll up the sleeves if necessary (because melting is generally frowned upon), and watch the magic happen. A word to the wise: be sure the length of your shorts and the length of your blazer are appropriate so that you can see both of them at all times. No point in turning heads by looking as if you aren’t wearing bottoms. Opt for a blouse that is loose fitting enough to stand alone with the shorts, should you need to remove the blazer for any reason. Pair this look with gladiator sandals for a more casual vibe or heels for an event that lends itself to more something a bit more snazzy. •

Kimberly N. Bonéy, proud wife and mom, is a freelance writer, designer, up-cycler and owner of Herstory Vintage. When she’s not working, she is joyfully wielding jewelry-making tools and paintbrushes in her studio.

Antique shops, vintage boutiques, craft stores and bead shops are her happy place.

summertime and the livin’ is easy Ira Gershwin

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 35

ENJOY THE VIEW

| PHOTO: ROSA MILLS

36 | ENJOY MAY 2016

IN BLOOM IN THREE RIVERS

Rosa Mills has been a wedding and portrait photographer for 16 years.

Living in Three Rivers brings her closer to two of her favorite things, nature and relaxing. She loves to travel abroad for adventure and inspiration. She travels anywhere for your perfect portrait. Visit her website at www.pics-perfect.com APRIL MAY 2016 ENJOY | 37

WHAT’S COOKIN’

| BY LANA GRANFORS | PHOTO: KARA STEWART

May Recipe

The first time I tried these, I was hooked! It was at a friend’s bridal shower, and I knew this would be a great addition to our group gatherings. She did not have a name for them, so I have come up with a name that I

38 | ENJOY MAY 2016

think appropriately describes the experience of eating them. They will be devoured, and kids love them, too.

Enjoy!

GRAPE GOBBLES S E RV E S : 8–12 GU E S T S

INGREDIENTS 1 ½ lb. seedless grapes, green or red, or a mixture of both 1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley ¼ cup chopped fresh mint 4 oz. crumbled blue cheese 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 3 – 5 T sour cream PREP TIME: 20 minutes TOTAL TIME: 1 hour

DIRECTIONS STEP 1: Wash grapes and remove from their stem clusters.

Thoroughly dry grapes or the cheese mixture will not stick to them. To do this, I use a salad spinner first and then place them on a sheet pan lined with a dish towel. Roll them around on the towel until dry. Set aside.

STEP 2: You want coarsely chopped nuts for this recipe. I use my mini-chopper, but nuts can be chopped with a sharp knife or in a food processor. If using the chopper or food processor, be careful not to over process. Place chopped nuts in a shallow bowl and mix in the parsley and mint.

STEP 3: Blend the blue cheese and cream cheese together, using a mixer for best consistency. Next add sour cream, a tablespoon at a time, for a consistency of softened butter.

This cheese mixture should not be too thin or too thick/dry or it will not stick to the grapes. Place cheese mixture in a shallow bowl.

LOVE OUR RECIPES? Come into Enjoy the Store (Redding, Red Bluff or Visalia) each month and ask for your FREE recipe card. For a limited time, spend $50 in any Enjoy store and receive a “Made to Enjoy” recipe box crafted by Phillips Brothers Mill. (while supplies last) ING RED

May Recipe 2016

PRE P TIM E: TOTAL TIM 20 Min ute s E: 1 Hou r SER VES : 8-12 Gue sts

GRANF ORS RECIPE BY LANA

ING RED

GRAPE G

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

IEN TS

1 ½ lb. see dless grap es, green mixture of or red, or both a 1 cup wal nuts ¼ cup cho or pecans, toasted pped fres h parsley ¼ cup cho pped fres h mint 4 oz. crum bled blue cheese 8 oz. crea m cheese , softened 3 – 5 T sou r cream

BBLES GRAPE GO

STEP 4: Start by rolling a handful of the grapes in the blue cheese mixture, then roll these grapes in the nut-herb mixture. I use two forks in both the cheese mixture and the nut mixture to roll the grapes. Place the covered grapes on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and continue until all the grapes are covered. Place the cookie sheet of grapes in the refrigerator for one hour. Cheese will become firm and grapes can be stacked for a great presentation. Serve with toothpicks if you want, or just go in with a couple of fingers!

STEWA RT | PHOTO : KARA

DIRECTION

S STEP 1: Wash grap

es and rem Thoroughly ove from dry grap wet grap es or the their stem es. To do cheese mix clusters. this them on a sheet pan , I use a salad spin ture will not stic k to ner first and lined with the towel until dry. a dish tow Set aside. el. Roll them then place around on STEP 2: You my mini-ch want coarsely cho pped nut opper, but s for this or in a food nuts can reci be pro pe. chopped cessor.

I use be careful not to ove If using the choppe with a sharp knif r e bowl and mix in the process. Place cho r or food proces sor, parsley and pped nut s in a sha mint. llow STEP 3: Blen d the blue using a cheese and mixer for the cream che best con tablespoon sistency. at Next add ese together, cheese mix a time, for a con sou sistency ture should of softene r cream, a not stick not be too d butter. to the grap thin or This es. Place cheese mix too thick/dry or it will ture in a STEP 4: shallow bow Star l. cheese mix t by rolling a han dful of the ture, then I use two roll these grap es in forks in bot grapes in to roll the the nut-herb the blue h the che ese grapes. Plac mixture. mixture and lined coo e the cov the nut mix kie sheet ered grapes on ture and continu Place the a parchme coo e until all ntthe grapes Cheese will kie sheet of grap es in the are covered become refr presenta firm and tion grapes can igerator for one hou . r. with a cou . Serve with toot be stacked hpicks if ple of fing for a grea you wan ers! t t, or just go in

IEN

1 ½ lb.

S s TS L Edles B B see Omix grapes, gree ture of both n or red, or a 1 cup wal nuts ¼ cup cho or pecans, toasted pped f

DIRECT

IONS STEP 1: Wa

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 39

SPOTLIGHT

|

MAY 2016

in the may spotlight FROM FOOD TO FUN SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY

Grizzly Fest

(FRESNO)

CHUKCHANSI PARK MAY 7 | 4 - 8 PM

7 Of Mice and Men

(REEDLEY)

RIVER CITY THEATRE MAY 6 | 5:30 - 9 PM

John Steinbeck’s compelling drama follows George and his large, simple companion, Lennie, through their harrowing trials and dreams of a better life. Set in the agricultural regions of California, this play packs an unforgettable wallop. For more information, visit www.visalia.city.

7

Get ready for a celebration of live music married with food and beer from the best the Valley has to offer. Featured bands include Slightly Stoopid, Cold War Kids, Atmosphere, Fashawn, and more.

For more information, visit www.grizzlyfestival.com.

(VISALIA)

DOWNTOWN VISALIA MAY 6 | 5 - 8 PM

Downtown galleries, arts organizations, studios, and other businesses open their doors and invite the community to enjoy the work of a variety of artists, ranging from musicians and sculptors to poets and painters. For more information, visit www.artconsortium.org.

Old Town Flea Market

(CLOVIS)

OLD TOWN CLOVIS RODEO GROUNDS MAY 7 - 8 | SAT 9A-4P, SUN 10A-3P

7

This local two-day event was founded in 2013.

All vendors are hand-selected based upon the goods they sell. They promise to fill their booths with antiques, repurposed items and handmade pieces. For more information, visit www.oldtownflea.com.

Pop-Up Dinner and Outdoor Movie

(TULARE)

THE GARDENS MAY 7 | 5 - 8:30 PM

Get ready for a fantastic evening under bistro lights while enjoying a gourmet four course meal featuring Chef Karl Merten of Cafe 225. Following dinner, enjoy a trip down memory lane with the hilarious Bob Hope and Bing Crosby classic ‘Road to‌’ movies. Chef Merten will prepare a Brazilian cuisine, themed after the evening’s film, ‘Road to Rio’. $65 per person, all inclusive (cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, salad, dinner, dessert, wine bar, and popcorn with movie). Seating is limited, RSVP. For more information, visit www.thegardensatcalturf.com.

40 | ENJOY MAY 2016

First Friday Art Hop

6 Thursday Night Market Place

(HANFORD)

MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN HANFORD MAY 5 | 5:30 - 9 PM

This is the place to be every Thursday for 22 weeks, from May 5 through Sept. 29. The Market is a weekly celebration featuring a certified farmers’ market, food vendors, pony rides, bounce houses, and live musical entertainment.

For more information, visit www.mainstreethanford.com.

5

CALENDAR

Clovis •

•

• • • •

May 7 Old Town Flea Market, Old Town Clovis Rodeo Grounds, www.oldtownflea.com May 5 -7 Disney’s Little Mermaid Presented by Bear Stage, The Mercedes Edwards Theatre, www.bearstage.weebly.com May 6, 13, 20, 27 Bluegrass in the Park, Clovis Veteran’s Memorial Park, 6:30 - 8:30 pm Farmer’s Market, Old Town Clovis, Pollasky Avenue, 5:30 - 9 pm May 7, 14, 21, 28 Old Town Clovis Farmer’s Market, 521 Pollasky Ave., 8:30 - 11 am, (559) 298-5774, www.oldtownclovis.org May 29 Glorius Junk Days, 8 am - 4 pm, Pollasky Avenue, (559) 298-5774

Exeter

May 1 • Exeter Garden Party Dinner with Live & Silent Auction, Mixter Park, 5 pm, (559) 592-2919 May 7 • The Exeter Chamber of Commerce 13th Annual “Full Bloom Garden Walk”, By the Water Tower Antiques, 9 am, (559) 592-2919 • Lions Club Brewfest, noon May 14 • Run for Autism - Poker Run, VCA Clubhouse, 4-K Bar Ranch, (559) 679-8434 May 21 - 22 • Super Awesome Exeter Relay for Life, Monarch Stadium, (559) 594-9919 ext. 6504

Fresno

May 1 - 15 • Good Company Players present Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre, www.gcplayers.com May 5 • May Art Hop at Frank’s Place, 1432 Fulton Street, 5 - 11:30 pm May 5, 12, 19, 26 • Carthop, Fulton Mall, 11 am - 2 pm, www.downtownfresno.org May 6 - 14 • Fresno State University Theater presents Blue Willow, www.fresnostate.edu May 7 • Grizzly Music Fest, Chukchansi Park May 14 • Wicked Wine Run Fresno, Engelmann Cellars, 5 - 10 pm, www.wickedwinerun.com • Super Adoption, Valley Animal Center, 9 am - 2 pm • Fiesta de los Ninos, Park at Park Place along the River Bluff, 6 - 11 pm, www.epuchildren.org May 14 - 15 • Pirate Festival, Kearney Park, www.twofayreladies.com May 19 • [Modern] Classic Film Series: Ghostbusters, Warnors Center, 6 pm May 20 • 3rd Annual VCRC Golf Tournament, Dragonfly Golf Club, 1 pm, (559) 224-9154

Hanford

May 5, 12, 19, 26 • Thursday Night Market Place, Downtown Hanford, 5:30 - 9 pm May 7 • Citizen/Business of the Year Banquet, Hanford Civic Auditorium, 6 - 9 pm

Kingsburg

May 19, 26 • Kingsburg Farmers’ Market, Memorial Park, 5 - 8 pm May 20 - 21 • Swedish Festival 2016, Downtown Swedish Village

Lindsay

May 6 • Cinco de Mayo Celebration at the Friday Night Market, 6 pm, (559) 333-1994

May 6, 13, 20, 27 • Friday Night Market, Downtown Lindsay, 6 pm

|

MAY 2016

May 1 • Reedley Street Faire - Reedley Downtown Association, G Street, 11 am - 4 pm May 6 - 22 • Reedley’s River City Theatre presents Of Mice & Men, www.reedleyrivercitytheatre.org May 7 • Pet & Storybook Parade, 10 - 11 am • Community Concert - Reedley College Bands, Reedley High School PAT, 3 - 4 pm

May 7 • Mother’s Day Princess Tea Party, Mayor’s Park Corner of Main & Hall St., 10 am • Visalia’s Kentucky Derby Party, Visalia Country Club, 1 - 4 pm May 7, 14, 21, 28 • Visalia Farmers’ Market, Sears Parking Lot, 8 - 11:30 am May 11 • 8th Annual Dance Away Hunger Zumba Drive, Visalia Rescue Mission, Mt. Whitney High School, 6 - 8 pm May 12 - 13 • The University Preparatory Theatre in Visalia presents The Imaginary Invalid, The Enchanted Playhouse Theatre, 7:30 pm, (559) 739-4600 May 14 • AL Assistance League Visalia presents An Evening at the Derby, 4:30 pm • Tiny Tot Olympics, Riverway Sports Park field #6 - 8, noon May 20 • Blues, Brews, & BBQ, Visalia Garden St., Plaza, 6 - 10 pm May 21 • Art Fair at the Looking Glass, 242 E Caldwell, 10 am - 2 pm April 24 • Tulare County Museum Grand Re-Opening, Mooney Grove Park, 10 am - 3 pm

May 1, 6, 7 • Shrek the Musical, The Selma Arts Center, www.selmaartscenter.com

May 13 - 15, 20 - 22, 27 - 29 • Visalia Players presents Next Fall

Paso Robles

May 14 • Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, Vina Robles Amphitheater, 6:30 pm, www.vinaroblesamphitheatre.com May 21 • Ramon Ayala, Vina Robles Amphitheater, 6:30 pm, www.vinaroblesamphitheatre.com

Porterville

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 • Farmers’ Market, Sierra View Medical Center Market, 9 am - Noon May 6, 13, 20, 27 • Music on Main Street, 6 - 8 pm May 11 - 15 • Porterville Fair, 2700 W. Teapot Dome, (559) 781-6582

Reedley

Selma

Springville

May 7, 14, 21, 28 • Springville Farmers ’Market, HWY 190 Downtown Springville, 8 am - noon May 22 • Cellars & Chefs 2016, The River Wedding Ridge Ranch, 3 - 6 pm

Three Rivers

May 7 • 1st Saturday in Three Rivers • Mother’s Day Brunch, St. Anthony’s Retreat, 9 am - noon

Tulare

May 1 • St. Rita Cinco de Mayo Festival, St. Rita Catholic Church, 8 - 9 am May 7 • Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, Zumwalt Park, 3 - 9:30 pm May 6 - 8, 13 - 15, 19 - 21 • Bingo! The Winning Musical, Tulare Encore Theatre, (559) 686-1300 May 27 • Pop-Up Dinner and Outdoor Movie, The Gardens, 6:30 pm

Visalia

May 1, 6, 7 • The Enchanted Playhouse Theatre Company presents The Truest Story of the 3 Little Pigs, 307 E Main Street, www.enchantedplayhouse.org May 4, 11, 18, 25 • Farmers’ Market at Quail Park, Quail Park Retirement Village, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm May 5, 12, 19, 26 • Thursday Farmers’ Market, Downtown Visalia, E Main St., & N Church St., 5 - 8 pm May 6 • The United Way of Tulare County “Power of the Purse” fundraiser breakfast, Visalia Convention Center, 6 - 11 pm, (559) 625-4007 • “Once Upon a Dream” CASA of Tulare County’s 22nd Annual Gala Dinner by the Vintage Press, Visalia Convention Center, 6 - 11 pm, (559) 625-4007 • Arts Consortium - First Friday, Downtown Visalia, 5 - 8 pm

Ice House Theatre visaliaplayers.org

Tachi Palace Casino

May 14 • Rezz Made Car Show

Visalia Fox Theatre

May 3 • What Our Fathers Did: A Nazi Legacy, 6 pm May 13 • Slick Rock Student Film Festival, 9 am May 14 • Felipe Esparza, 8 pm

RaboBank Arena - Bakersfield

May 14 • Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra May 17 • Celtic Woman May 24 - 25 • Sesame Street Live “Make a New Friend”

Save Mart Center - Fresno

May 8 • Selena Gomez, “Revival Tour” May 14 • The Comedy Get Down Tour

Event times and dates are subject to change without notice. Please check event phone number or website to verify dates and times. Enjoy Magazine is not responsible for any inconvenience due to event changes.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE CALENDAR! Please visit www.enjoysouthvalley.com or email infosouthvalley@enjoymagazine.net to post your calendar events. If you’d like your event to be listed in this section of Enjoy magazine, it must be posted on our website or emailed by the 5th of the month—one month prior to the next magazine issue. For example, a June event will need to post by May 5. Thank you.

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 41

CRAFTING

| STORY AND PHOTOS BY MONICA FATICA

get the hang of it 42 | ENJOY MAY 2016

D I Y: PAT T E R N E D WA L L H A N G I N G

Turn patterned wallpaper, wrapping paper or fabric into a wall hanging to make a big statement in a blank space.

SUPPLIES

• Roll of wallpaper, wrapping paper or fabric (we used wrapping paper, but new or vintage wallpaper or fabric would also work) • Half round wooden molding • Saw • Hot glue gun • Rope INSTRUCTIONS 1. Measure out how long and wide you want your wall hanging and cut your paper or fabric to size.

2. Cut the wooden molding to size, leaving an extra 10” wider than the wall hanging.

3. Hot glue the moldings to the top and bottom of the paper or fabric with the molding 5 inches wider at each end.

4. Tie a rope to the top ends of the moldings and then tie a knot at the top. • MAY 2016 ENJOY | 43

Discover Downtown Hanford Hanford Antique Emporium & Gardens

TEA WITH CAUSE BUYER’S CHOICE AWARD

402 E 7th ST

HANFORD, CA, 93230

108 E 8th St Hanford

(559) 852-1504 Open 7days a week.

Over 14,000 sq ft of unique boutiques & garden shops. Visit us soon! hanfordantiqueemporium.com & Facebook!

(559) 583-8379

LTSUE.COM

GIVING BACK

| FACHE DESROCHERS

S U P P O RT I N G K I DS W I T H CA SA O F T U L A R E CO U N T Y NOT ALL SUPERHEROES WEAR CAPES. This is actually common knowledge. Why, within the world of “masked heroes,” not even all of them wear masks. Costumes, methods of crime-fighting, personal motivation, even how “super” one’s powers may be – from a fireman to Spiderman, there are various types of super people. But there is one thing that all heroes have in common: a desire to stand up for those who are in trouble, a duty to fight for those who need a defender, and a mission to give help wherever it is needed, cape/mask optional.

At CASA of Tulare County, things run pretty much like any superhero fortress. But the fight here is not against anything (or anyone) so concrete as Lex Luthor or The Joker, but against child abuse and neglect. And the heroes are not mutants or martial artists (so far as we know), but rather volunteers whose main superpower is giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. These essential individuals are what is at the heart of CASA: Court

Appointed Special Advocates, who are comprehensively trained, sworn in by the court and assigned to a child’s case. Advocates develop a trusting relationship with their appointed child through weekly visits and thorough research of the child’s world. Advocates then present their information and recommendations to the court, helping to ensure that the decisions made by attorneys and social workers are well-informed and truly in the best interest of the child. “CASA advocates are so important in this process because social workers are inundated with cases, and the court is bound by the time constraints and specifics of their legal procedures,” explains CASA Executive Director Marilyn Barr. “But the beauty of our advocates is that their sole focus is what is in the best interest of the child. Our job is to ensure that the children know we’re there for them to speak up, stand up and show up on a consistent basis.”4 continued on page 46

MAY 2016 ENJOY | 45

St. Paul’s Kindergarten Class, Visalia

CASA of Tulare County 1146 N. Chinowth St. Visalia (559) 625-4007 www.casatulareco.org Once Upon a Dream Friday, May 6 Visalia Convention Center

“Our number-one need is for volunteers,” Barr says. “The courts will know how a child is being treated when CASA is on the case, because our advocates are the voice for the child, and the eyes and ears for the judge.”

It’s hard to imagine a more worthy pursuit than being the personal guardian of the galaxy of a child in need. But superhero street work is not for everyone, and advocacy is not the only way to support these children. One option is independent fundraising or donations. One local kindergarten class recently demonstrated the power that can be generated for kids, by kids. Anthony Maldonado visited his son’s class to discuss what CASA does to help children in need, and the only question the schoolchildren had at the end of his presentation was how they could help. “I gave each child a blue piggy bank and encouraged them to fill it up by earning money doing chores, and boy did they ever step up,” says Maldonado.

“We could all take note of the fact that if kindergarteners can help, so can adults.”

Another option is to attend one of CASA’s fundraising events, like the 22nd annual gala dinner, “Once Upon A Dream,”on May 6.

“It’s called ‘Once Upon A Dream’ because we always want our kids to be able to dream big, and we want to help them achieve those dreams,” says Barr. The event will be catered by the Vintage Press, and features a silent and live auction. Many auction items are supplied by local businesses and individuals (donations are welcome), and have historically included private chef-prepared dinners, jewelry, Super Bowl tickets and trips abroad, to name a few.

Whether you donate your time or an auction prize, spread the word about CASA or speak directly to a judge on behalf of a child, there are many ways to be the hero that the at-risk youngsters of Tulare County need and deserve. As Spiderman’s Aunt May (truly one of the original advocates) says, “I believe there´s a hero in all of us that keeps us honest and noble.”

CASA of Tulare County is a non-profit organization. • Fache Desrochers is a writer, photographer and artist.

Her work can be viewed at fachedesrochers.com.

46 | ENJOY MAY 2016

We’re the Bank Where Local Matters.

Being part of the local community really matters at Suncrest Bank. That's why you'll find the same friendly faces you know and trust to greet you at our doors. For all your personal banking, business banking and commercial lending needs stop by and see us in downtown Kingsburg.

Kingsburg Branch 1580 Draper St. (559) 802-1070 www.suncrestbank.com

MEET YOUR KINGSBURG TEAM (L-R) Ruben Alaniz Relationship Manager Olga Viveros Branch Manager Cathy Banks Senior Customer Service Representative Margaret Rodriguez Customer Service Representative