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March 2018
24 Armenian icon
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The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church is a spiritual and cultural hub. And a downtown jewel.
Rogue starter Marcel Nunis is a name you should know in March. The Rogue Festival is said to have started in his backyard.
It’s showtime! Get your home and garden in tip-top shape by making these two shows your first stop.
Have a bite of garden More than ever before, we’re embracing backyard gardening as a source of food — good, clean food.
Adventure on your plate Fresno’s Underground Suppers are the Valley’s hottest ticket in food. If you’re looking for adventure, have a taste.
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6 Sneak Peeks 7 Believe Its 8 Pastimes
10 25 Things You Didn’t Know About ... 12 In the Spotlight 14 Don’t Miss Calendar 16 Innovators 18 Home & Garden 20 Home & Garden 24 Eat, Drink, Be Merry 27 Snapshots
Rose Pipkin is part of a growing movement of sustainable backyard gardeners and is shown at the Garden of the Sun, a 1-acre ornamental and food production demonstration garden operated by the Master Gardener Program of the UC Cooperative Extension in Fresno.
20 4 MARCH 2018 | Central Valley Magazine
PHOTOGRAPHY: Gary Kazanjian
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At Home
Do you have a green thumb?
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one of my fingers are green. Not even one. Unless I’ve been painting something, but that’s another edition. This particular edition of Central Valley is all about home and garden. And let me tell you, these gardeners have more than just one finger green. From what I’ve seen, each and every finger on both hands has to be green, because their gardens are spectacular. Every year, the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners host a spring garden tour. We have the details about this year’s tour on page 18. I’ve gone to the tour on several occasions and what I love is that within every showcased garden are docents who can answer questions about the plants themselves and what it might take for a gardening novice like me to attempt to grow them. And if I’m confused about just what it is that I’m looking at, each and every plant is meticulously labeled, so I know what I’m seeing. And speaking of seeing, the gardens are a feast for the eyes. The gardens for the tour are selected in advance in order to make sure they’re at peak beauty during the show.
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If you’re looking for a real feast, the Master Gardeners also have their hands in gardening for a purpose other than just eye candy. More than ever before, we’re becoming interested in growing backyard gardens that will put food on our tables. The concept is remarkably simple — especially when we live in the fertile San Joaquin Valley, the breadbasket of the world. If we grow our own food, we know exactly what’s in it. We don’t need to worry about our food being overly processed or chemically altered. The clean-eating trend can start right there in your own yard, in your own soil. Read how local gardeners are embracing this tasty trend on page 21. And, if you’re up for an adventure, check out our food story on page 24. The chefs behind The Painted Table have created Fresno’s Underground Suppers, a unique, immersive culinary experience for adventurous foodies in the Central Valley.
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An ode to ABBA
March 2018/ Vol. 7, Issue 3 ......................... Central Valley magazine is produced by the Custom Publications staff of The Fresno Bee and published by The Fresno Bee. It is inserted into The Fresno Bee on the fourth Saturday of the month in the Fresno/Clovis area. It can also be found in waiting rooms throughout Fresno/Clovis. Cover price $3.95 President & Publisher Ken Riddick Vice President, Sales & Strategic Marketing John Coakley Editor Carey Norton | 559-441-6755
The lyrics from classic songs like “Dancing Queen,” “Lay All Your Love on Me” and “Money, Money, Money” will fill your mind for days after seeing a production of “Mamma Mia!” — running Thursday, March 22 through Sunday, May 20 — at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater. The world-renowned musical follows the story of Sophie Sheridan and her quest to discover the identity of her father. “Mamma Mia!” takes place on the Greek island of Kalokairi — the night before Sophie weds her fiancé. It was written by Catherine Johnson based on the songs of ABBA, the Swedish pop/dance group from the 1970s. The 2008 comedy film adaption stars Amanda Seyfried as Sophie Sheridan, Meryl Streep as her mother, Colin Firth as Harry Bright, Pierce Brosnan as Sam Carmichael and Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson. Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater is at 1226 N. Wishon Ave., Fresno. Details: www.rogerrockas.com
Advertising Sales Director Bill Gutierrez | 559-441-6405 Production Coordinator Anna Ramseier | 559-441-6751 Central Valley Sales Leader Sonia White | 559-441-6156 Assistant Editor Monica Stevens | 559-441-6149 Custom Publications Staff Janessa Tyler | 559-441-6764 Dani Villalobos | 559-441-6759 Gary Kazanjian Contributing Writers Cyndee Fontana-Ott, Douglas Hoagland, Janice Stevens Contributing Photographers Matt Drake, Wayne Hutchison Contributing Artists Pat Hunter Design Carey Norton, Janessa Tyler, Monica Stevens, Juan Vega, Lisa Vogt Reader inquiries Central Valley magazine 1626 E St., Fresno, CA 93786 www.centralvalley.com 559-441-6755 All content © The Fresno Bee To contribute, please contact Carey Norton at 559-441-6755 or cnorton@fresnobee.com
The Fresno Bee
Celebrate the Year of the Dog To celebrate the Year of the Dog, the Chinatown Revitalization Inc. presents the Chinese New Year Parade & Festival at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 3. Sponsors include PG&E, Fresno City College Asian Fest, Lisle’s Funeral Home, HoHo’s Cafe, E Clampus Vitus Mariposa Battalion, Coca-Cola, Rosie’s Flower Shop and Kogetsu-DO Confectionary. The parade commences at noon from Mariposa and F streets, along F Street to Kern Street, turning right onto Kern Street, then right onto E Street. And back by popular demand, Fresno Gumyo Taiko will perform. For more than 20 years, the Chinatown Revitalization Inc. has been serving the interests of the community. Fresno Chinatown was the original home to 11 different communities: Basque, African American, Armenian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, Mexican-Americans, Germans from Volga Russia, Greek and Filipino communities. Details: www.fresnochinatown.com
Super suds Sip sip hooray! The Old Town Clovis Craft Beer Crawl is returning to Old Town Clovis. Founded in 2015, the bi-annual event allows you to taste a multitude of craft beer from local and regional breweries. You’ll recieve a map to navigate your way through Old Town Clovis — guiding you to a heaven of bubbly. The impressive list of breweries include Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company, The Mad Duck Craft Brewing Company, House of Pendragon, Tactical Ops Brewing, Full Circle Brewing Company, ZONE 9 Brewing Company, 411 Broadway Ale & Spirits, Fortiter Brewing Company, Zack’s Brewing Company, Riley’s Brewing, Three Monkeys Brewing, Kaweah Brewing Company, Bird Street Brewing, Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Ballast Point Brewing Company. Proceeds will benefit the Fresno County-based chapter of Pink Heals Inc./Guardian of the Ribbon. Also: Meet and greet the brewmasters of the San Joaquin Worthogs HomeBrew Club as they will be serving a batch of brew. Details: www.oldtownclovis.org/craft-beer-crawl
fresnobee.com 6 MARCH 2018 | Central Valley Magazine
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We love FCZ
Furry fundraiser
March is mad with a slew of events at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. For starters, Frogs & Fairytales calls for knights and princesses to learn about amphibians — frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians. The magical event runs from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 10. Hear ye, hear ye! Next, Roar and Pour takes your taste buds on an adventure through the zoo. The spring beer festival, set for Friday, March 16, will feature a variety of local craft breweries for you to sample. Starting at 5:30 p.m, live entertainment will be provided by Eva Scow, Patrick Contreras and the First Gear Band. Grab a bite to eat at Kopje Lodge while admiring the breathtaking views of
For nearly a century, Gazebo Gardens Nursery has been providing products and advice for people who want their yards and gardens to look like a tropical oasis. But lately, the nursery is hosting events that combine education and entertainment. On the agenda: Pups & Suds: A Night in the Garden on Sunday, March 25. There will be food trucks — Ganesh Masala and El Premio Mayor — and a variety of beer and wine for purchase. Hosted by the Fresno Humane Animal Services, the dog-friendly event (your pooch needs to be on a leash!) will feature a showcase of dogs ready to be adopted by you. Proceeds will benefit the Fresno Humane Animal Services. If you miss the chance to mingle with man’s best friend, don’t worry — the nursery hosts food trucks and live entertainment for three nights starting on Thursday, every week. And yes, your furry friend is invited. Details: www.gazebogardens1922.com
the African Savannah. Celebrate National Ag Day on Saturday, March 24 with more than 190 species like tigers, ringtailed lemurs, wolves and giant anteaters. Local businesses and organizations will be doing demonstrations and presentations to help you learn about agriculture in the Central Valley. Details: www.fresnochaffeezoo.org
Local artist wins art contest June Livingston is a wife, mother, grandmother and artist. And, as of six months ago, the 78-year-old resident of Fresno is the first-place winner of the 2018 Fresno County Blossom Trail Art Contest. The contest is held to draw awareness and appreciation for the beauty of the Fresno County Blossom Trail, as well as the significance of agriculture in the Central Valley. Traditionally, the season runs midFebruary to March. Her piece of artwork depicting the Fresno County Blossom Trail is the face of the 2018 Fresno County Blossom Trail Poster, which is for sale at the Sanger Chamber of Commerce and the Fresno County Office of Tourism. Born and raised in Idaho, Livingston says she has been interested in art for a majority of her life. She works in several mediums: oil, graphite, color pencils, watercolor, charcoal, acrylic paint and mixed media. Livingston entered the Fresno County Blossom Trail Art Contest for the first time in 2010 — earning her an honorable mention. She was awarded the second-place prize for “Springtime Synergy” in 2014. When The Big Fresno Fair approached last year, she entered the contest in hopes of becoming the first-place winner. Livingston painted the various crops that are prevalent to the Central Valley, as well as the
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Sugar rush
value and importance of water, using acrylic paint. The Fresno County Blossom Trail, organized by the Fresno County Blossom Trail Committee, is a self-guided tour that weaves through panoramas of orchards. It starts and ends in Fresno — winding through Sanger, Centerville, Minkler, Orange Cove (for the option to travel along the Orange Blossom Trail), Reedley, Parlier and Selma. When Livingston heard that she was selected as the first-place winner, she says, “I was thrilled and honored, of course!” Today, Livingston is enjoying retirement with her husband, three children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Details: www.goblossomtrail.com
Do you love to eat doughnuts? Do you love helping children who are facing a serious medical crisis? Yes? Perfect! The 5K Fresno Donut Run is calling your name. Save the date for 8 a.m., Sunday, March 25 in the Group Activity Area at Woodward Park. The deep-fried confectionery and a cup of coffee will be waiting for you at the finish line. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Central Valley — the 22,000-square-foot “home away from home” for the families of children who are receiving medical care at Valley Children’s Hospital. Details: www.rmhccv.org
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Pastimes
The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church is icon of hope BY: Janice Stevens | ILLUSTRATIONS: Pat Hunter
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Janice Stevens is the author of multiple books on California history: Fresno’s Architectural Past, Vol. I and II, William Saroyan: Places in Time; Remembering the California Missions; and An Artist and a Writer Travel Highway 1 (North, Central and South), plus Breaking Bread with William Saroyan, collaborations with her business partner, watercolorist Pat Hunter, and two volumes of Stories of Service, compilations of Valley veterans’ military memoirs. Ask Janice a Fresno history question by emailing custom@ fresnobee.com or posting your question on the Central Valley magazine Facebook page, www.facebook. com/CentralValleyMag.
or more than 100 years, The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, at Ventura Avenue and M Street in downtown Fresno, has been an icon of hope and a symbol of preservation. Fresno’s Armenian son, William Saroyan, expresses the Armenians’ indomitable spirit in his 1936 work, “Inhale and Exhale,” “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy that race. Destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” In A.D. 301, Armenia became the first nation to embrace Christianity as a state religion. Hundreds of years later, as waves of Turkish persecution swept through Armenia, before and during the genocide of 1915, Armenians fled their homeland finding solace in their faith. Their church has since continued to comfort as well as to preserve the language and customs of the Armenian people. “Enthusiastic about the climate and the atmosphere of freedom and what seemed limitless opportunities in the San Joaquin Valley, they wrote to friends and families to join them. By 1890 there were 165 Armenians in Fresno, and by 1894, 360. By 1920 another 8,000 Armenians had arrived in the county, survivors of the Turkish genocide of 1915,
ASeveral “Armenia” signs identify Old Armenian Town.
which left 1.5 million Armenians dead,” writes Bobbye Sisk Temple in “Fresno County in the 20th Century.” Clustering in a southeast area of Fresno, the families built their homes on Inyo Street, Mono, Ventura, Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey avenues and Los Angeles Street flanked by the Southern Pacific railroad tracks. In the heart of the neighborhood, in order to conduct their religious services and social activities, the immigrants rented a hall in 1895. “On March 2, 1900, at their [‘General Membership’] meeting they decided unanimously to build their own church at the corner of ‘F’ and Monterey streets. At the same meeting, they also decided to name the church, ‘Holy Trinity.’ Blessing of the Foundation was done on April 1, 1900. The church was completed in October,” writes an author in the “History of Holy Trinity Church.” By May 28, 1912, the membership determined they needed a larger church to accommodate their growing congregation. It was decided to purchase the present location at Ventura Avenue and ‘M’ street for the sum of $3,000.
FNow empty, the five houses on M Street and Santa Clara Avenue reflect the potential resurgence of Old Armenian Town.
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“On July 9, 1913, the ‘F’ Street Church was destroyed by a fire that started down the street and consumed the entire block of buildings. Due to this unexpected tragedy the congregation was forced to hasten its efforts to build the new and larger church,” notes the church history. Built in 1914 for a cost of $22,594.84, The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church was the first Armenian church to be constructed in the United States. The church is distinctive for its architecture, and as the first Armenian church designed by an Armenian architect, Boghos Condrojiian (known in America as Lawrence Cone), as depicted in “Fresno, a Self-Guided Ethnic Sacred Places Tour” by Maybelle Selland. “At the ‘Blessing of the Cornerstones,’ a handful of soil brought from the Monastery of St. Krikor in Asia Minor was placed in the foundation,” wrote Selland. The stately structure reflects the architecture of the 7th to 12th centuries in Asia Minor. The octagonal domed towers topped with crosses rise above the red brick façade and contrast sharply with vivid white trim over the door and windows. Stained-glass windows depict the gospel in hues of bold blue, red, green and gold. On the domed ceiling, pendentives feature the four saints of the church by artist Kero Antoyan: St. Gregory the Illuminator, St. Mesrob Mashdotz, St. Nerses Shnorhali and St. Gregory of Nareg. The altar with candelabras provides the focal point to an elegant and ornate sanctuary. The “Red Brick Church,” as it’s affectionately called, remains an icon drawing her congregation from far-flung places. In keeping with the community, the public eagerly welcomes the church fundraisers of shish kebab dinners and a chance to browse the church bazaars featuring baked goods and showcasing the handiwork of Armenian women who continue their tradition of fine stitchery. The church also hosts the annual Blessings of the Grapes and Picnic, an event that attracts Armenians from all parts of California. In honoring the century-old church in 2014, a grand celebration took place in the New Exhibit Hall. “When anyone or anything turns 100 years old, it seems only right that there should be a party or celebration. So when the ‘red brick church,’ Holy ‘T’ as so many of us call it, sent out invitations marking the hundredth anniversary of its sanctuary, Armenians everywhere took note. ...” writes Armen Bacon in a Fresno Bee column. “The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church has been a spiritual and cultural hub for generations. Established in the heart of Old Armenian Town in
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downtown Fresno, it remains today a symbol of hardworking and passionate people who have made great artistic, intellectual and philanthropic contributions to the San Joaquin Valley and world. Robed priests, congressmen and other dignitaries gave speeches recounting with pride the Armenian community whose love buoyed and withstood everything from genocide to earthquakes. The magnificence of the evening would forever underscore its place in our community and hearts,” writes Bacon. The stately old church in the heart of Old Armenian Town in downtown Fresno continues to offer a glimpse into a culture and beauty unchanged over hundreds of years. “On a recent Sunday, [Rev. Vahan Gosdanian] conducts service in both English and Armenian and in an Apostolic style that spans the centuries. From a seventh-row pew, Vahe Mihranian kisses his infant son, Ruben, as the Rev. Vahan Gosdanian chants in ancient Armenian near the end of Holy Badarak service at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. ... Things are still done the old way at Holy Trinity — and they’re also done the new way,” writes Ron Orozco in an article for The Fresno Bee. Commerce and industry have replaced the once well-populated neighborhood of small, modest houses associated with “Armenian Town” in Fresno. However, Holy Trinity stands tall, an icon of the culture and enduring symbol of the determination of the Armenian people. The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and on the Local Official Register of Historic Resources.CV
AThe Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church is on Ventura Avenue and M Street in downtown Fresno.
AThe vaulted double door entrance on Ventura Avenue welcomes parishioners.
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Founder of Fresno’s Rogue Festival
Marcel Nunis BY: Doug Hoagland | PHOTOGRAPHY: Wayne Hutchison, The Rudy Calvo Collection/Cache Agency, Getty Images
5 10 MARCH 2018 | Central Valley Magazine
arcel Nunis sips coffee on a crisp morning at his home near Fresno High School. Rumor has it Fresno’s Rogue Festival started over his shoulder in his backyard. Nunis laughs and says the truth is more complicated. No question, though, he played a major role in launching the Rogue Festival, the annual performing arts festival in the Tower District. Nunis embraces the Fresno arts scene in many roles. Playwright. Performer. Producer. Videographer. Blogger. Teacher.
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1 Birthplace: Malaysia, where his parents worked as civil servants. He came to the United States in 1980 to attend Fresno State, majoring in theater. 2 Scooped cow dung from the street as a boy for garden fertilizer. Key was waiting until it dried. 3 Multicultural neighbors in Malaysia shared religious holidays. Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim friends came to his family’s Christmas parties. 4 Before Rogue, he hosted performing friends for backyard shows at his “Weed Whacker Theater.” His invitation: bring your talent and your booze. 5 Rogue started after he and friends took in a fringe festival in San Francisco. Why not such an event in Fresno? they said.
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Rogue Festival March 1-10, 2018 $5-$10, prices vary at venues Show times vary Tower District (Olive and Wishon avenues), Fresno Details: www.roguefestival.com
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6 Author of 60 plays. Theatre J’Nerique (he started the company) will perform his latest play in his backyard during the Rogue Festival in March. 7 Can’t use his left arm because polio struck in infancy. Family encouraged self-reliance so he wouldn’t grow up feeling dependent on anyone. 8 Parents named his left arm “Jimmy” and his right arm “Audrey.” Reason? “I have no idea. I guess it was ‘let’s name our limbs.’ ” (Laughter) 9 Worked as a teenage DJ in a Malaysian dance club. The year was 1977. Party funk popular; Euro pop (Nunis: ugh!) on the rise. 10 Hollywood director John Huston his hero growing up. “He seemed to be a maverick in a town [Hollywood] that did not seem to appreciate mavericks.” 11 Teenage identity: Boy Scout. “It was a great experience.” He traveled to the World Scout Jamboree in Norway in 1975. 12 Owns Apithany Pictures, a video production company. Shoots TV and web commercials, short films — anything but weddings. Too much drama. 13 Makes his own sangria, with spices as the key ingredients: cloves, cinnamon and ginger. 14 Crazy about Ella Fitzgerald. “Her scat in ‘How High The Moon’ stuck in my head. I was 7 at the time.” 15 Walks every morning and buys coffee for a man who appears to need a friend. 16 Scattered his mother’s ashes last fall in the
Kings River and blogged about it at “da blogs da thang.” She loved flowing water. 17 Went coast to coast on Amtrak last spring. “You can actually see the country, and you get to hear people’s stories. Stories are my life.” 18 San Francisco is his favorite city. “The vibe is cosmopolitan with a myriad of cultures. And there’s an indifferent courtesy among people.” 19 “Catch 22” a good read. “It captures the absurdity of the system being rigged and no one acknowledging it, but just going on.” 20 He “met” legendary director/choreographer Bob Fosse (“Cabaret,” “Damn Yankees”) by phone while at Fresno State. A professor was the go-between. 21 Considers acting “the most unnatural thing you can do, but I admire people who can do it really well.” His best role: Ebenezer Scrooge. 22 His guilty pleasures are 1970s disaster movies (“The Poseidon Adventure” is “gloriously bad”) and Dracula films (“Dracula A.D. 1972” is a favorite). 23 TV series fan. Recent favorites: “The Crown” (Queen Elizabeth II). “Babylon Berlin” (1929 Germany). “Broken” (maverick English priest). 24 Cooking is therapy. “It’s alchemy, and there’s a certain amount of magic to it.” 25 Taught theater, art and computers at a charter school. “Some of my students liked me; some probably hated me. I’m a realist.”CV
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InTheSpotlight
A work of heART
N BY: Janessa Tyler | PHOTOGRAPHY: Matt Drake, Fresno Bee archives
ADoug Hansen was recognized during the exhibit, “Bookends,” which ran from Jan. 25 to Feb. 22 in the Phebe Conley Art Gallery at Fresno State. It showcased his career as an illustrator that started as a student in the Department of Art and Design in the early 1970s. AInset: A self-illustrated portrait of Doug Hansen.
12 MARCH 2018 | Central Valley Magazine
ursery rhymes and fairy tales are woven throughout the colorful life of Doug Hansen. The 65-year-old author and illustrator was recognized during the exhibit, “Bookends,” which ran from Jan. 25 to Feb. 22 in the Phebe Conley Art Gallery at Fresno State. It showcased his career as an illustrator that started as a student in the Department of Art and Design in the early 1970s. According to a press release, “Hansen titled the exhibition ‘Bookends’ for the way Fresno State and the Department of Art and Design have provided the bookends for his career.” In the beginning, his work was featured in The Collegian, the student-run newspaper — earning him the attention and recognition that he needed to launch his career. “That was my big break,” Hansen says of being published in The Collegian. Four years later, he graduated with his B.A. in art from Fresno State. In 2001, he earned his M.A. in art and became a full-time professor in the Department of Art and Design. In the same year, he was awarded the Deans’ Graduate Medal.
After roaming the campus of Fresno State, Hansen worked for more than two decades at The Fresno Bee. He had a series called Fresno Sketchbook — pen-andink drawings that published on a weekly basis for about five years. According to Hansen, the word “illustration” has two definitions: 1. “Based on my years at The Fresno Bee, illustrations are pictures that grow from words” and 2. “Illustrations are art put to work.” He explains: “The point of an illustration is to provoke a reaction. It has a job to do.” Born and raised in Fresno, Hansen pays homage to his hometown by collaborating with local authors like David “Mas” Masumoto and Karen J. Moore. His illustrations are featured in “Letters to the Valley: A Harvest of Memories” (2004) and “Heirlooms: Letters from a Peach Farmer” (2007) by Masumoto and most recently, “Pen the Tale, Oogie” (2016) by Moore. He has written and illustrated three children’s books, published by Heyday Books of Berkeley, which are based on California: “Mother Goose in California” (2009), “Aesop in California” (2013) and “California, the Magic Island” (2016). centralvalley.com
His illustrations are drawn and painted by hand in watercolor with liquid acrylic ink outlines. “Mother Goose in California” puts a spin on the Mother Goose rhymes like “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary,” “Humpty Dumpty” and “There was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe.” The pages are filled with illustrations of plants and wildlife native to California, as well as historical landmarks like Half Dome and the Golden Gate Bridge. “Aesop in California” is his rendition of Aesop’s fables like “The Grasshopper and the Ants,” “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” and “The Fox and the Grapes.” “California, the Magic Island,” centers around a mythical female figure, Queen Calafia — a character introduced by Spanish writer Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo in a romantic novel from the 16th century. Calafia was an Amazon queen who ruled over the mythical island of California. The island was inhabited by women and half-eagle, half-lion creatures called griffons. Hansen has also illustrated three comic books, including “Frezno Funnies,” and has contributed to dozens of “underground comix.” He says his mother, Janice, served as a source of inspiration for him as he thought about his career. As a stay-at-home mother and artist, Hansen says “she helped provide the atmosphere for support.” Woodward Park Regional Library features a 120-foot-long mural, titled “The Joaquin River: Gravity and Light,” by Hansen, his mother and two of his brothers, Craig and Keith. Today, Hansen is a professor emeritus — teaching several classes on illustrations during
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AFDoug Hansen has written and illustrated three children’s books, published by Heyday Books of Berkeley, including “Mother Goose in California” (2009) and “California, the Magic Island” (2016).
the spring semester — at his alma mater. His three children’s books can be purchased at Petunia’s Place Bookstore in northwest Fresno and A Book Barn in Old Town Clovis. Details: www.doughansen-art.comCV
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March 2018
Spring has sprung! March is mad with musicals, shamrocks and hunting for treasure On The Roadshow
03.03
The Roadshow Tour is returning to rock the walls of Save Mart Center. The all-star Christian music artists include KING & COUNTRY, Matthew West, Natalie Grant and Zach Williams. And don’t miss: Social Club Misfits and Bethel Music will also be featured as part of the diverse mix of tunes. Details: www.theroadshowtour.com
‘The hills are alive’
03.14 For more complete calendar listings, go to calendar.fresnobee.com
14 MARCH 2018 | Central Valley Magazine
The Fresno Convention Center welcomes you to enjoy “The Sound of Music.” Running for two days at the Saroyan Theatre, the musical is based on the memoir of Maria Augusta von Trapp, “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.” Directed by Jack O’Brien, the award-winning score includes
songs like “My Favorite Things,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Edelweiss.” Details: www.fresnoconventioncenter.com
by Ralph Vaughan Williams and “Variaciones concertantes, Op. 23,” by Alberto Ginastera. Details: www.fresnophil.org
You shamROCK!
Junk jackpot
03.17
03.25
Top of the mornin’ to you! Celebrate the Feast of Saint Patrick by testing your luck during the St. Patrick’s Day Run at the Shinzen Activity Area in Woodward Park. Part of the Valley Runner of the Year Series, proceeds benefit the American Heart Association. Details: www.runsignup.com/race/ca/fresno/ stpaddysdayrun
The Virtuoso Orchestra
03.18
The Fresno Philharmonic presents Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio at the Saroyan Theatre. The American violinist was the concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony from 1994 until 2007. Conducted by Rei Hotoda, music includes “Symphony No. 83 in G minor” by Franz Joseph Haydn, “Three American Pieces” by Lukas Foss, “The Lark Ascending”
Presented by the Business Organization of Old Town, the Old Town Clovis Antiques Fair will feature more than 90 dealers on the streets of Old Town Clovis. From an array of repurposed furniture, knickknacks and industrial décor to costume jewelry and architectural salvage, you’ll find a piece of treasure to add to your collection. Details: www.oldtownclovis.org/ antiques-collectibles-fair
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Innovators
Shift3 Technology’s expertise in custom software development creates solutions that bring about positive change
ACEO Irma Olguin Jr. and Landon Brokaw, executive director of sales and marketing, promote Shift3 Technologies as a software and technology company with heart.
16 MARCH 2018 | Central Valley Magazine
Empowering the professionals BY: Doug Hoagland | PHOTOGRAPHY: Gary Kazanjian
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hift3 Technologies — a pioneering software company in Fresno — has hardwired itself with a social conscience. “We all have a personal sense of responsibility for improving mankind, and we’re starting out on our little corner of downtown,” says Irma Olguin Jr., chief executive officer. Shift3 embraces the future with three overarching goals: t Contribute to Fresno’s revitalization. t Educate and employ a software workforce so people can pursue their passion locally. t Empower clients nationwide to change lives. Clients range from famous brands, such as Nike, to local agencies such as the Fresno County Superior Court. With a workforce of more than 50, Shift3 produces custom software, websites and apps but with a difference from other companies, says Landon Brokaw, executive director of sales and marketing.
“You can hire someone, and they just crank out the work. But who knows if the mobile app or custom business software is as efficient as it should be because the developer didn’t ask the hard questions,” Brokaw says. “We take the time to do that with our clients.” Shift3 opened in 2013 as a part of Bitwise Industries, which operates two other interconnected businesses: Geekwise Academy, a technology education and training division, and Bitwise Holdings, a real estate division. Shift3 occupies an airy workspace on the second floor of Bitwise’s South Stadium building at 700 Van Ness Ave. The structure stands out with a colorful exterior wall that has a bold declaration written in big letters. It reads: The Mothership of Technological Education, Collaboration, and Innovation in Fresno. The building reflects a defining point about Shift3 and the related businesses. “It’s a bit of a beacon on the hill that says we’re making a statement in Fresno,” Brokaw says. centralvalley.com
“We said we’re going to put a really cool building together and start making it an environment that tech people want to be around.” But a bigger point looms over the building. “We’re ... giving technology new life in a city that from a technology perspective has been weak,” Brokaw says. Some of the developers (programmers) at Shift3 came through education programs at Geekwise. In the past, both people starting their careers and those seeking midlevel advancement felt compelled to leave Fresno to achieve their goals. But no more. “We want to give people the opportunity to be successful right here,” Brokaw says. “And it’s not all about Shift3. It’s about growing a community and creating a lot of talent.” Olguin praises both the technical ability and the heart of company employees. “The folks we employ — and who choose to work for us — could work anyplace, and many have,” she says. “What makes us different is why we do these things.” Shift3 calls itself “a social impact software company,” and one example of that impact is a program created for Fresno County’s court system. Called CourtConnect, it empowers judges, probation officers and attorneys to quickly match eligible defendants to community diversion programs as alternatives to jail. Defendants facing some drug charges qualify, but the
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court’s challenge: finding available space in programs tailored to individual needs. Before CourtConnect, the matching process involved sorting through stacks of paper and plowing through multiple phone calls, Brokaw says. Instead, CourtConnect enables providers to upload in real time when they have available space, where it is and what type of person they take. As a result, court officials can make quick referrals, reducing recidivism, he says. On Shift3’s website, Judge Hilary A. Chittick of the Fresno County Superior Court says of CourtConnect: “It not only shows available beds in residential treatment, but also information on existing outpatient treatment programs within a given geographic area,” she says. “We also can print out a map with driving, walking or transit directions.” Shift3 works with other local agencies and businesses but also gets big-name clients — Nike, AT&T, Disney and others. “Our skill level is on a par with companies in tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Portland and Austin. But we also bring greater value to customers because we don’t have to charge as much to be profitable,” Brokaw says. That’s because Fresno has a lower cost of living. Dollars from outside clients contribute to Fresno’s economic progress, Brokaw says: “Five years ago, you didn’t often hear about revenue coming to the Valley because of technology. Now you do.” CV
The thing that brings me joy is providing something unique for our clients that helps them make the world a better place. – Landon Brokaw
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Home&Garden
It’s showtime Spring means a duo of shows arrive to educate and inspire your home and garden dreams
BY: Dani Villalobos | PHOTOGRAPHY: Fresno Home & Garden Show, the UCCE Master Gardeners of Fresno County
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pring is officially here. The annual Fresno Home & Garden Show and Master Gardener Spring Garden Tour are don’t-miss favorites and keep us coming back for more. Here’s a roundup of what you can expect this year.
The Fresno Home & Garden Show
AJohn and Katie Kraetsch preserved the mature redwood trees, birches and other existing elements of their Woodward Park residence, while also embracing a drought-tolerant landscape.
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On Friday, March 2 through Sunday, March 4, the 32nd annual Fresno Home & Garden Show is set to takeover the Fresno Fairgrounds — showcasing a variety of products and services within the home industry. Owners Otis Webb and Julie Geistlinger are a husband-and-wife duo, working together to produce the home show for nearly three decades. They’ve seen its evolution firsthand — from a two-building event to one of the largest home shows in California with 10 buildings and 100-plus outdoor vendor spaces. All merchants participating have a C or better rating from the Better Business Bureau, so guests can feel comfortable with their purchases throughout the show’s duration. “Our March event has more than 500 companies participating and more than 30,000 homeowners that consistently attend each year,” Geistlinger says. “We love bringing new merchants and features to each year’s show.” One of 2018’s largest trends: big doors. The idea is to bridge the indoors with the outdoors, and Andersen Big Doors’ special structures are created to help do just that. John Moore and Reedley Lumber Window Center will feature two of the company’s wall systems at the event, including its MultiGlide Door and Folding Door. With the opening of the doors’ glass, homeowners can quickly embrace the outdoors in one, simple motion. It seems the home show has gone to the dogs this year, too. The event’s well-received Pet Expo has doubled in size, but it’s the Fresno Home & Garden Show’s new Dogs Dig Em’ Doggie Fashion Show that will be the bark of the weekend. Pint-sized models and their humans will strut down the runway — all in the spirit of fun and charity. A $12 donation to the St. Francis Homeless Project gives visitors access to the home show and a guaranteed seat at the Dogs Dig Em’ Doggie Fashion Show. Catch the live performances at 1 p.m., Friday, March 2, 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 3 and noon, Sunday, March 4. The event also aims to support the community’s youth.
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For the first time, its annual mini landscape competition will feature scholarship opportunities for local high school students in the amount of three $1,500 cash prizes. Webb and Geistlinger promise eventgoers a range of areas to explore — from landscaping and remodeling to flooring, furnishings and do-it-yourself seminars. Gourmet food is available throughout the Fresno Fairgrounds (we’re looking at you, Gourmet Food Court). The event will also host a food truck competition. Details: www.fresnoshows.com
The Master Gardener Spring Garden Tour For 27 years, the UCCE Master Gardeners of Fresno County has hosted a garden tour to provide inspiring examples of the diverse landscapes that can thrive in our region. “For many of our loyal visitors, it has become a spring tradition,” says Chris Hays, publicity chair for the Master Gardener Spring Garden Tour. On Saturday, April 21, five homeowners will open their backyards for the tour. Committee members begin the search process a year in advance — ensuring the featured gardens are in bloom during the event and are in tip-top shape by April’s showcase. “We look for a diversity of gardens, size, style, themes: plant material, are they drought-tolerant plantings, do they offer ideas for common problems in the Fresno area,” Hays explains. It’s important for the UCCE Master Gardeners of Fresno County that the experience be educational and enjoyable. Hays notes that a team is sent to each garden to meticulously ID and label the plant material beforehand, and docents and homeowners are on-site on the day of the tour to offer attendees further assistance and advice. Here are the 2018 gardens at a glance:
The Boranian-Allen Garden The Boranian-Allen garden resides on a 2-acre property, and the estate includes a sprawling front yard, dog run, covered backyard for entertaining and a separate, European-style garden just beyond it. New owners, Meggin and Chuck, worked with landscape designer Bob Boro to transform what was once a horse pasture into an Italian-inspired paradise — equipped with winding gravel pathways, raised vegetable beds, climbing roses, fruit trees and a sunflower patch watered by drip irrigation.
The Kraetsch Garden It was important for homeowners John and
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Katie Kraetsch to preserve the mature redwood trees, birches and other existing elements of their Woodward Park residence, while also embracing a drought-tolerant landscape. In 2015, the property’s front and backyard were completely renovated by Paul Stanislawski of Custom Landscape Developing. In the place of grass, he incorporated rock riverbeds, a potting bench, flagstone patios and walkways and a basalt water feature to create a mountain-like environment.
The Woodward Garden Garry and Dianne Woodward’s outdoor space creates the perfect ambiance for leisure and entertaining. One garden room’s design is set below street level behind boxwood rather than a traditional fence, and is surrounded with trees and lively plantings. Another area that once housed a koi pond was converted into a rear garden that features protected spaces with a pergola, meditation bench and covered porch.
AChip and Carol Putnam were inspired to add a G Scale model railroad to their backyard after attending the National Garden Railway Convention in 2006.
The Putnam Garden Railroad This year, tour attendees will have VIP access to something quite unique: a G Scale model railroad. Chip and Carol Putnam began attending the National Garden Railway Convention in 2006, and started on the design of their own garden’s renovation to include a G Scale model railroad just four years later. Now, the railroad dominates the couple’s backyard, with miniature plants and mature shrubs dotted throughout the space to help add color and shade to the Putnams’ whimsical landscape.
The Speer Home Garden Homeowners Dennis and Ramona Speer — a Fresno County Master Gardener — have created outdoor spaces designed to cater to nature and specific themes. The mid-century modern home includes a children’s garden, which offers educational literature and activities, and a Japanese garden that features elevated bonsai, drought-tolerant plants and a brook. Other eco-friendly elements are the creative use of succulents and cacti, as well as drip-irrigated pots of fruit trees and berries.
AThe Boranian-Allen garden resides on a 2-acre property, equipped with gravel pathways, fruit trees and a sunflower patch watered by drip irrigation.
If you go: Tickets are available for purchase online, as well as at local venues: Aporjon Leather, Belmont Nursery, Clovis True Value Hardware, Finch’s Topiary Zoo, Fresno Ag Hardware, Gazebo Gardens, Sierra Nut House, James Ashjian Lighting, Green Hills Nursery, Evergreen Nursery and Sierra View Nursery. Details: www.ucanr.edu/sites/mgfresno
Garden of the Sun Considered as the “anchor garden” of the Spring Garden Tour, the Garden of the Sun is the UCCE Master Gardeners of Fresno County’s public garden. The group’s members have been steadily preparing for the annual event, with about 3,500 plants estimated to be available for sale. CV
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Home&Garden
Green thumb not required The Central Valley’s gardening exper ts can help you grow the home garden of your dreams
BY: Cyndee Fontana-Ott | PHOTOGRAPHY: Gary Kazanjian
ABees are an important part of any backyard garden.
AFMore than ever, we’re growing our own food in backyard gardens. In addition to knowing what’s on your plate, the results can be beautiful, like this cabbage highlighted with morning dew.
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t’s time to put your backyard to work. Yep, this is the year to launch a garden of vegetables, herbs or edible whatever. Experts say you don’t need a green thumb or oodles of acres to set up your own personal farm — you just need a bit of confidence, knowledge and dedication. Apartment-dwellers can fill a patio container with herbs or a tomato plant, for example. Even if you’ve got more space, you can still start small or go big with a raised bed and room for several rows of plants. We spoke to several experts about the ins and outs of edible gardens. They say it’s pretty simple to set up a garden if you make a few smart choices and invest a little time and
effort. “The lack of a green thumb is just a lack of experience,” says Nolan Schmidt of Tower Urban Family Farm. Locally, there are plenty of resources for the budding home gardener. One of the most valuable is the UCCE Master Gardeners of Fresno County. Master gardeners are specially trained and certified and also must meet requirements for volunteer hours and continuing education. The master gardener website (www.ucanr.edu/sites/ mgfresno) offers links to primers on irrigation, pests, plants and classes and workshops tackling subjects ranging from composting to planting summer vegetables. Master gardeners are available by phone — (559) 241-7534 — on weekday mornings to answer questions from the public. You also can leave a message.
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AMichael Harman is a master gardener who grows many fall and winter vegetables in his raised-bed garden at his home in Sanger.
DRose Pipkin is part of a growing movement of sustainable backyard gardeners and is shown at the Garden of the Sun, a demonstration garden on North Winery Avenue in Fresno.
Another related resource is the Garden of the Sun, a 1-acre ornamental and food production plot near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The demonstration garden offers plots of flowers, trees, vegetables and more along with staffing by knowledgeable master gardeners. Admission is free. In addition, places like Belmont Nursery in southeast Fresno (www.belmontnursery.com) provide a mix of classes and seminars — as well as advice — for people interested in starting an edible garden. Schmidt has taught free seminars at Belmont Nursery. Jon Reelhorn, owner of the decades-old nursery, acknowledges that people can be intimidated by the prospect of beginning an edible garden.
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But if you’re armed with good information and a dash of determination, it’s not that difficult to create. “You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to do it,” he says. “The key to being successful is getting the irrigation set up and getting the soil right.” That may mean investing in some garden soil and compost. Schmidt, who started his urban farm about seven years ago, says it helps to learn about your soil — and perhaps arrange a soil test — before starting out. He adds: “Gardening isn’t rocket science, it’s soil science.” People who say they don’t have a green thumb on either hand are simply disconnected from the soil, Schmidt says.
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continued ... He believes anyone can learn the ability to grow something; tomatoes are among the easiest plants to effectively cultivate. Before digging in, however, you may want to consider installing a drip system for your garden. It makes for more efficient irrigation and ensures that valuable water is hitting just the right spot. “After that, it’s just a matter of what you like” to plant, Reelhorn says. Many fruit, nuts and vegetables grow well in the Central Valley. You can certainly plant citrus trees or berry vines, for example, but it generally takes a year or more for those to bear fruit. For more immediate gratification, a vegetable or herb garden can be the way to go. Michael Harman, a master gardener since 2007, grows vegetables in his backyard at most times of the year. He likes the idea of drip irrigation and says raised beds can be a good choice. (You can see examples of raised beds — just a foot or so off the ground — at the Garden of the Sun.) One benefit of a raised bed is that it limits stooping. Just make sure that the bed isn’t more than about 4 feet wide; you’ll want to be able to reach in easily from either side. Before you head off to the hardware store or nursery,
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consider the location for your vegetable garden. Harman says you should look to see where the sun hits your yard for about eight hours. “Where you put in your bed is going to be dictated by the sun pattern,” he says. The next step is filling the bed or area with good dirt — probably a combination of garden soil and compost. If you install drip irrigation, it’s best to run it off a separate valve to ensure you meet the watering needs of your plants (and don’t overwater other areas). In addition, emitters that dispense water shouldn’t be spaced too far apart — otherwise, your crops may not get enough water. If you’re a novice, it might be a good idea to start with a vegetable that’s relatively easy to grow. Depending on whether you’re planting now or a bit later for the summer, you might consider a six-pack of lettuce or other options such as chard, peas, squash, Fresno chilis, eggplant or tomatoes. Longtime master gardener Rose Pipkin is a local tomato expert and an encyclopedia of knowledge about everything ranging from calcium needs to appropriate planting temperatures to pest management. She’s one of the volunteers at the Garden of the Sun and frequently teaches classes and workshops there. Tomatoes can be successfully grown in pots or in bed, she says, and many varieties can prosper in this area. For example, “cherry tomatoes grow quickly” and can be quite prolific, Pipkin says.
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In general, Harman says new gardeners should consider planting crops they like to eat and might be a step above the selection at the market. “You have to decide ‘what can I grow that tastes better than what I can get in the grocery store,’ ” he says. Conversely, it may not make sense to plant something that’s cheap, tasty and readily available at the store. Harman also recommends that home gardeners
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limit plants like squash, for example, which typically produce an abundant crop. You probably only need a plant or two even if you’re crazy for the stuff. “Any more than that and you’ll be leaving those on the neighbors’ doorstep,” he says. Reelhorn of Belmont Nursery says an edible garden can be quite satisfying. “It’s fun to pick your dinner,” he says. “And it’s very rewarding to go out and see what you’ve grown.” CV
DCharlie Hindes is at the Garden of the Sun, a UCCE Master Gardener Program demonstration garden. The 1-acre ornamental and food production garden is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and most Saturdays. Master gardeners are on site and available to answer garden questions. .
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EatDrinkBeMerry
Fresno’s Underground Suppers tantalizes taste buds
AJeromie Hansen, co-owner of The Painted Table, serves trout to Chris Willett during Fresno's Underground Supper club dinner, where diners were treated to a unique culinary experience along the shores of Shaver Lake, nestled into a woodsy retreat area at Camp Edison. The special dinner is one of the club's mystery dining excursions that take place randomly throughout the year.
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BY: Doug Hoagland | PHOTOGRAPHY: Gary Kazanjian
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resno’s Underground Suppers offer adventurous diners exciting and tantalizing tastes. Seared thresher shark. Pickled tongue. Braised pork cheek. The list of culinary delights goes on. In 2016, Fresno’s Underground Suppers — a partnership between two caterers and an event planner — began staging multi-course meals with limited seating in intriguing locales. Twenty to 70 guests attend — the number is determined by space at supper locations, which have included a downtown alley, a downtown street and Forestiere Underground Gardens. “We want our menus to be something that people couldn’t order at any other restaurant in town,” Jeromie Hansen says. “We want it to be creative and something that takes chances — and I think we’ve been able to capture that. People know when they come to us that it’s going to be an experience.” Jeromie and Rod Hansen are co-owners of The Painted Table. Amy Jaye, the event planner in the partnership, explains the “underground” concept:
“Some of what we do is not conventional by any stretch of the imagination. It’s so different from what you usually see in Fresno.” Similar suppers occur in big cities across the United States and Europe, and other organizers have offered them in Fresno, though the Hansens and Jaye believe they have the longest track record. Since 2016, they have put on 21 dinners and have 12 planned for 2018. For the first supper of the new year, 32 guests boarded a bus in mid-January for a trip to a site overlooking Shaver Lake. En route, the bus made a planned stop and picked up a “hitchhiker” — a local musician hired to provide entertainment. Organizers cooked on grills at an outdoor kitchen. The meal began with forest mushroom terrine (similar to pâté) served with smoked egg yolk. Guests then enjoyed rabbit stew flavored with shaved white truffle and mimolette cheese, as well as gold river trout roasted with spruce and chestnuts. Pine needle tea came next, followed by sous vide elk loin rolled in burnt shallot and paired with pine nut purée, shaved candy
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cane beets, nasturtium and roasted huckleberry gastrique (caramelized sugar, deglazed with vinegar). The success of the suppers reflects a changing Fresno where millennials — many returning home from bigger cities — join others eager to indulge in captivating cuisines. “There are a ton of experiences that we want to embrace and bring to the table that these people are expecting,” Hansen says. Jaye adds that the suppers are a true escape. “People
can set aside what they’re doing with work, with school, with their families and be transported to a place where those stresses can be placed on the back burner. The event may last for just three hours, but the experience stays with them always.” The Painted Table won an award from The International Catering Association in Baltimore, Maryland, for a 2016 supper at the underground garden. Guests started with cured and braised pork belly and escargot served with parsley butter and garlic confit. Port winebraised lamb shank on a bed of gorgonzola polenta and oven-burst heirloom tomatoes made up the main course. Dessert consisted of peach-and-plum saffron almond cake. The Hansens and Jaye staged one of their more elaborate suppers on Halloween night 2017 at The Manor Estate in Madera County. Surrounded by orchards and vineyards, guests supped in front of a professionally lighted antebellum mansion in an atmosphere re-creating a scene from the ghost story, “Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
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Local performers — dressed in costume — portrayed characters from the story and interacted with guests, many also dressed in costumes. The theatrical pièce de résistance came when an actor playing the ghost of Sleepy Hollow’s Headless Horseman wandered through on a chestnut-colored steed. The menu included a root vegetable chowder featuring smoked duck, cream sherry, roasted beets and fontina cheese, and served in roasted pumpkins. In addition, deep-fried quail leg quarters arrived on parsnip purée and blood orange sauce, while devil lamb kidneys — slow braised in dried chili and butter — highlighted a green apple salad. Guests also enjoyed slowroasted whole pig and roasted goat meat. The pig — braised with cinnamon and garlic — filled handmade crêpes, with three
available sauces: colonial ketchup, carrot ginger and pickled garlic spread. The goat meat came with seared fondant potatoes and four-herb chimichurri. Dessert consisted of a colonial dessert bar: mini lemon bundt cakes and five cheesecakes: almond, chocolate, espresso, lemon and raspberry. At another supper in 2017, guests ate blindfolded because, as Jeromie explains, “We wanted them to stretch their palates. It was an experience for all the senses.” Guests unknowingly feasted on shark and tongue, and dessert began with Miracle Berry, a tablet that tricks the taste buds and makes sour taste sweet. For example: goat cheese became cheesecake, while lemons transformed into strawberries. Organizers showed guests photographs of what they ate when the blindfolds were removed. Meanwhile, at a Moroccan-themed supper, guests ate New York steak with sumac and pomegranate
DOne of the main courses served was a sous vide elk loin rolled in a burnt shallot paired with pine nut puree, shaved candy cane beet, nastercium and roasted huckleberry gastrique.
AMelissa Lopez serves trout to Jeanette Rivera during Fresno's Underground Supper club dinner.
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continued ... molasses served with Moroccan carrot and orange salad. In traditional Arab fashion, they sat on the floor and used fingers rather than utensils. Prior to the dinner, servers poured rosewater on guests’ hands. They also enjoyed lamb rolls served with a spicy harissa sauce and cinnamon crème fraîche as well as chicken tagine with olives on a bed of cous-
SThe table is set for the Fresno Underground Supper club dinner.
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cous. Candied kumquats with cinnamon, lemon honey and pine nuts filled a dessert tray that also offered coconut lemon cake and sesame tarts. The Hansens and Jaye travel the world, and they gather culinary ideas on their trips. “We come home inspired,” Jeromie says. The Central Valley’s food scene definitely benefits from their journeys. Fresno’s Underground Suppers is on Facebook and Instagram. CV
SIan Suhovy of The Jacktones serenades diners.
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OutAndAbout
5 The Healing Arts Art Show
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The week before Christmas was celebrated with a dash of culture to benefit Valley Children’s Hospital at TOCA Madera Winery. The Healing Arts Art Show featured a number of artists like Michael Frank, Diane Abbott, Laura Silberman, Steven Mayu, Lea McAndrews, Judith Goulart and Chris Sorensen. Music was provided by Celine and Isabel Whelan.
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1 Isabel Whelan 2 Laura Silberman 3 Dennisse Centeno 4 Michael Frank 5 Lea McAndrews 6 Miguel Joaquin Flores 7 Diane Abbott PHOTOGRAPHY: Matt Drake
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