Visalia Lifestyle Magazine – October 2019

STYLE, ART, CULTURE, + EVENTS OF THE SOUTH VALLEY OCTOBER 2019

HOME TOUR

THE HOLVIK HOME Page 32 EPICURE

FLAVORS OF FALL Page 40 TRAVELER’S TREK

5,000 MILES AND A NEW PERSPECTIVE Page 48

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32 HOME TOUR

THE HOLVIK HOME After Dr. William Holvik and his wife Sahar wed in 2016, the avid golfers realized that they should move closer to fairways of the Visalia Country Club. They found a 50-year-old home and, after an extensive renovation, transformed it into a gathering spot for friends and a nest for themselves.

WHAT'S INSIDE 8 From The Editor

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26

VISALIA WAS HOME TO COUNTY HOSPITAL

SURF RANCH FRESHWATER PRO

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48

FLAVORS OF FALL

5,000 MILES AND A NEW PERSPECTIVE

REFLECTIONS OF VISALIA

COMMUNITY

10 Word Play 12 Sequoia Symphony 18 Business Profile 22 Charity 44 Literary Arts 58 Faces & Places 60 Happenings

EPICURE

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TRAVELER'S TREK

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Published By

DMI Agency 200 E. Center Ave., Suite A Visalia, CA 93291

Karen Tellalian

Executive Editor

Creative Director

Art Director

Senior Designer Web Designer/Designer

Text Editor

Greg Bitney Marcie Vagnino Frank Miramontes Kaci Hansen Melinda Brown

Contributing Writers

Operations Manager

Andrew Worhley April Kesterson Diane Slocum James Jessen Joshua Banda Lisa McEwen Major Rogers Maricela Lupercio Terry L. Ommen

Sales@DMIAgency.com

Advertising Sales

Maria Gaston

Sales Office 200 E. Center Ave., Suite A Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747

E-Mail Lifestyle@DMIAgency.com

WEBSITE www.VisaliaLifestyle.com

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RACK LOCATIONS DMI Agency Bistro di Bufala Evolutions Fitness Center, Tulare Exeter Chamber of Commerce

International Agri-Center The Lifestyle Center Tulare Chamber of Commerce Tulare County Library

Visalia Chamber of Commerce Visalia Convention Center

COUNTERTOP LOCATIONS 210 Cafe AMCC Armstrong Property Management Arts Visalia Ashoori & Co. Jewelers Anderson Real Estate Group Blend WIne Room Citizen's Bank Comfort Suites Downtown CreekSide Day Spa Skin & Laser Center Downtown Visalia Alliance Exeter Library Four Creeks Coffee Shop

Franey's Design Center Fugazzis (Downtown Visalia) Glick's and Co. Holvik Family Health Center ImagineU Children’s Museum Janeen’s Furniture Gallery Kaweah Delta Hospital Keller Williams Reality Marcela's Home Store Max's Cookies Michael's Custom Jewelry Monet’s, Exeter Pacific Treasures Premier Medical Clinic PRO-PT

Salon 525 Sequoia Dental Sunmed Health & Weight Management The Aesthetic Center The Planing Mill V Medical Spa Vintage Press Visalia Ceramic Tile Visalia Marriott Visalia Medical Clinic Watson's Veggie Garden Wildflower Café, Exeter Williams, Brodersen & Pritchett, Attorneys at Law

Visalia Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and is distributed via direct mail to nearly 13,600 homes in the upper-middle and high-income neighborhoods in Visalia. An additional 2,000 copies are distributed at various distribution points around Visalia, Tulare, and Exeter.

Views expressed in columns are those of the columnist and not necessarily those of DMI Agency or its advertisers.

Circulation of this issue: 15,600 © 2019 DMI Agency

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his issue marks 16 years of publishing Lifestyle Magazine, and we are simply elated to share it with you.

F rom The

EDITOR

Sans a handful of special issues, 16 years equates to nearly 200 home tours, each as individual as the owners themselves. We are grateful to every single homeowner who has allowed us to share their most private spaces. If you haven’t had the experience of having a tribe of writers, photographers and editors invade your space, you might be surprised to know that it’s not all glitz and glamour.

We could not do this without you.

It’s rare that I personally meet the homeowner, but this month’s feature is the home of friends Dr. William “Bill” Holvik and his wife, Sahar. It had been years prior to the Holvik purchase that I’d been inside this house. When I heard that Bill and Sahar were the new owners and that there was a major remodeling taking place, I just knew we had to include it in our lineup of marvelous homes. With some interior design help from another friend, Cheri Robertson, the transition is incredible. Be sure to read “Entertaining,” by regular contributor Lisa McEwen, and follow our social media pages for photos not included in the printed articles.

Just a few days ago, I saw a most heartwarming video clip of “Hollywood liberal” Ellen Degeneres and former U.S. President George W. Bush, “Republican conservative,” together at a Dallas Cowboys game. If you follow politics, you’ll probably agree that this is an unlikely duo. Criticism and backlash soon followed, and I absolutely love what Ms. Degeneres had to say on her Ellen Degeneres Show: “I’m friends with George Bush; in fact, I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have.”

She went on to say, “When I say be kind to one another, I don’t mean only the people that think the same way that you do. I mean be kind to everyone.” I’m not ashamed to admit that tears formed in my eyes.

Perhaps not by coincidence, it is the same message I heard at church just the night before — that we are called to love our neighbors because “they are like us,” both the good parts of ourselves as well as the bad. There was a time when it was thought to be good manners to refrain from talking about religion or politics in favor of saving friendships. While that period of time has passed, there is still a thread of truth in that sentiment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT A STORY IDEA, CONTACT ME AT KAREN@DMIAGENCY.COM

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I hope that the people who know me best see more than just our differences, that they can see the essence of me regardless of what I wear, where I live or my political party preference.

Until next month, let’s be kind, show compassion and take Ellen Degeneres’ words to heart, putting friendships and the love for our neighbors above our need to be heard.

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KAREN TELLALIAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

W O R D

P L A Y

NEWS ON WRITING, BOOKS + THE WORLD OF PUBLISHING T E X T

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ctober is the month designated for a lot of different causes — from ADHD to lupus to bullying prevention. It is also the heritage month for many different nationalities.

One book that combines bullying with Polish American heritage is “The Hundred Dresses” (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014) by Eleanor Estes with illustrator Louis Slobodkin. Wanda Patronski is mercilessly teased by her classmates because she wears the same faded blue dress to school every day. She claims to have 100 beautiful dresses in her closet, but that lie only makes the torment worse. One classmate, Maddie, dislikes the ridicule, but says nothing, until it is too late.

For German American Heritage Month, consider “The Prison Called Hohenasperg” (Universal Publishers, 1999) by Arthur D. Jacobs. The internment of German Americans during World War II was little known by the public, but it was a personal experience for the Jacobs family. Arthur, author of the book, was a 10-year-old boy in 1943 when the FBI began invading his home based on anonymous tips. By the time he was 12, he had been deported and locked in a German prison with Nazi officers.

VALLEY WRITERS Tanya Nichols and Bill McEwen launched their first co-authored book, “Stinger,” on Sept. 18 at the Good Company Players 2nd Space Theater in Fresno. Besides introducing the authors and their book, the event was a fundraiser for the Friends of the Fresno County Public Library.

“Stinger” gets its title from the sting operation the characters engage in and the fact that bees play a prominent role in the story, which is set in the Fresno area. The plot involves a member of a farm family who is seeking revenge against the corporate ag industry.

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This is Nichols’ third novel, and she calls it “a very fun story.” She teaches writing and literature at Fresno State. Awardwinning journalist McEwen wrote for the Fresno Bee for 37 years and is news director/columnist for GV Wire. His book, “It’s a Dry Heat,” is a collection of his columns in the Bee.

ADVICE FOR WRITERS

“Stinger” is published by West of the West Books.

Nish Amarnath describes why the

The Original Writer’s Edge Blog offers “frank and solid advice on matters of literary and commercial writing,” according to its masthead at writersedgeinfo.blogspot.com. One issue offers advice from Ken Atchity on how to turn a novel into film.

“5 Worst Tips on How to Find a Literary Agent” are wrong. She also discusses

BANNED BOOKS WEEK

“Finding Success as a Novelist — a

The theme for this year’s Banned Books Week was “Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark: Leave the Light On!” The five most frequently challenged books reported by the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom were “George”

by Alex Gino; “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller; the “Captain Underpants” series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey; “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, and “Drama,” written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier. The most common reasons that the top books were challenged, banned and/or burned were LGBTQIA+ content, profanity and sexual references.

Bestselling Author’s Realistic Five-Step Guide towards Nailing that Book Deal.”

WRITING CONTESTS The Madison Review’s Phyllis SmartYoung Prize in poetry and the Chris O’Malley prize in fiction are accepting submissions through May 1, 2020. Short story maximum is 30 pages. Poetry submissions require three poems with a maximum of 15 pages. Awards are $1,000 and publication. Fee: $2. Details at: madisonreview.submittable.com/submit WRITERS’ CONVENTION Three World Fantasy Conventions are scheduled. The first is in Salt Lake City Oct. 29–Nov. 1 at the Little American Hotel. The second is in Los Angeles from Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at the L.A. Airport Marriott.

The third will be in Montreal, Canada from Nov. 4–7 at the Hotel Montreal Bonaventure. The banquet is the highlight of the convention and features a lifetime achievement award and various art and liter-ature awards. Lifetime achievement awards will go to Hayao Miyazaki and Jack Zipes. Details at: worldfantasy.org.

THE LAST WORD “We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community — and this nation.” — Cesar Chavez (1927 — 1993)

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S E Q U O I A

S Y M P H O N Y

DREAMING BIG: WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR ULTIMATE ACCESS TEXT BY JOSHUA BANDA

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he Sequoia Symphony Orchestra is making a number of significant changes during its 60th season.

From engaging with the community through such efforts as Music Medicine and Jazz on the Corner to $1 Legacy Tickets, this season is all about providing the community with more access to the symphony. After all, equitable access is important to us.

Performing arts institutions such as the symphony struggle with a perception issue. Oftentimes, there’s a perception that the symphony is meant only for people of affluence. There’s a perception that if one doesn’t know the “rules,” one just won’t fit in. Or there’s a perception that tickets will cost $100-plus because it just sounds like something a little “too fancy,” so people make a decision to avoid the symphony altogether.

And that’s too bad.

We struggle to find out exactly why having a professional symphony is beneficial for our community. We forget how vital music is to our health and wellness and, oftentimes, allow such barriers as cost to keep us from experiencing something truly exceptional.

But what if there were no barrier? What if we removed the cost and provided unlimited access to our community?

What would happen then?

Our dream is to be able to raise enough money each season so we don’t have to

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rely on individual ticket sales. Those who are able to subscribe or donate would continue to do so but, rather than have their donation or purchase seen as a way to ensure that they have the same seats at every concert, they would be involved with providing the ultimate access for anyone else who might not be able to subscribe or attend because of cost.

For our current season, we need to raise $250,000 to finish off our fiscal year in April 2020, about $60,000 of that coming from ticket sales. If we complete the year like we always have, we’ll see that income through our year-end campaign, donations, sponsorships and ticket sales.

To achieve our dream of providing ultimate access, however, we would simply need to raise what we would have seen through individual ticket sales sooner, rather than later, to allow us to provide access for the entire season. At face value, that certainly seems like a big number, but not when you break it down as a collective effort.

After all, to provide that sort of access for the rest of the season, we just need 1,000 individuals to donate $60 each. It also breaks down to just 60 individuals donating $1,000 or, better yet, 12 very generous individuals from outside our current network to donate $5,000. If we can get enough generous individuals to collectively support this particular campaign, imagine the sort of good they Photo by Banda Bros. Photography

would provide our community, effectively reaching thousands of individuals.

If we can remove barriers like cost and provide a free service to our entire community, not only would we be champions of equitable access and inclusion, we could show everyone first-hand exactly how transformative live symphonic music can be by allowing them to experience it at no cost.

But, for now, this is only a dream.

If you’d like to help make this dream a reality, feel free to reach out to the executive director at joshua@ sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com to figure out how you can partner with the symphony and bring ultimate access to our community. In the meantime, consider attending a concert, invite your friends and family, follow us on social media or listen to our podcast, Backstage Pass with the Sequoia Symphony.

Support the symphony. Support the community. L UPCOMING CONCERT Bold Beginnings Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. at the Visalia Fox Theatre Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring Steven Lin, piano Brahms: Symphony No. 1 Tickets and information: (559) 732-8600 sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com Facebook @SequoiaSymphony Instagram @SequoiaSymphonyOrchestra

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This brick Tulare County Hospital served patients for more than 30 years.

After the hospital vacated the building, it became an “old folks home.” Circa 1910

WHEN VISALIA WAS HOME TO THE TULARE COUNTY HOSPITAL T E X T

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or the first few years of Tulare County’s existence, there were no hospitals. The sick were cared for at home by loved ones, who oftentimes used old family remedies passed down through generations. If a doctor was available, the lucky patient might get a visit or two. If the infirm had no family or anyone else willing to provide care, or had no money to pay for it, the unfortunate sufferer had to rely on the county for assistance — all paid for from the “Indigent Sick Fund.”

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doctors were not always attentive to their responsibilities. As a result, physician care, or lack of it, actually put the lives of patients in jeopardy. For example, in 1862, after a hospital inspection, one Tulare County grand jury member was overheard to say, “One day in the county hospital and two days in the county jail would kill any man in the county.”

In 1864, county physician James Alonzo Webb used the second floor above

By 1856, Tulare County had established a system that involved annually contracting with a doctor for care of needy patients.

The physician provided room, board, medicine, clothing, etc., as part of the contract. Sometimes he was able to pay someone willing to lodge the unfortunate.

Other times, he found a place that he could use to house several patients together, and that became the county hospital.

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the old brick church located in Visalia on Church Street for his hospital. One of his patients, Henry Smalltree, publicly complained about the care there. In an open letter to the Visalia Weekly Delta, Smalltree wrote, “The Dr. will go away and leave his patients two or three days at a time; men that are not able to help themselves, and men that need assistance. If they want anything to eat they must get it and cook it themselves the best they can. He comes home when he gets ready and the place called Hospital looks as if it had never been acquainted with water, and the rooms are full of sickening trash and the walls are lined with old spider webs....” So it wasn’t surprising that patients in county hospitals were frequently called “inmates.”

By 1873, Tulare County was ready for an upgrade. In February, the Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of a large lot in Visalia — nearly as large as a city block — on the northeast corner of Bridge and North streets (now called

These early facilities were not always suited for good patient care, and the 14 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

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This is a portion of a Visalia street map showing the Tulare County Hospital on the northeast corner of Murray Avenue and Bridge Street. Circa 1920

Murray Avenue) on which to build a county hospital. The following month, the $3,682 construction project was awarded to A. Beyer, and by July, Tulare County’s first county hospital was finished.

The two-story, 10-bedroom hospital had a “keeper,” who was responsible for maintaining the hospital building and caring for the basic needs of the patients, such as food and clothing, while the county physician was responsible for medical attention. For the next 16 years, the building served its purpose with occasional improvements and additions.

But in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day 1889, a chimney fire started in the wood-framed building. Neighbors sounded the fire alarm and took action to rescue the patients. Miraculously, no one was injured or killed, but the building was destroyed.

A few months later, the county purchased a large house and surrounding acreage to be used as the county hospital and “poor farm.” The new site was in the county between Visalia and Tulare along the Visalia-Tulare Road. For the next few years, the location served as the county hospital then, in 1894, it too burned to the ground. Again, no patients were

injured or killed. They were moved to temporary quarters in the Tulare County jail in Visalia.

have but one floor. The doors from these

In 1895, the Board of Supervisors authorized the building of another hospital.

McDougall & Sons, architects from Bakersfield, drew up the plans, and Frank Sharples, a builder from Hanford, did the construction. The new $5,575 brick structure was finished in October on the old county hospital grounds back in Visalia.

as a safeguard against fire. Steel laths

The newspaper described the finished hospital: “On the first floor are several commodious wards with plenty of light and easy of ventilation. One of these rooms will be used for an operating room.

The kitchen is on the north side, the hospital fronting the south. A large range will be put in the kitchen and connected with the hot water pipes that reach both floors. On the second floor are seven rooms besides the bathroom. These rooms are smaller than those below but large enough for every comfort. On this floor the family of the hospital will have their living rooms and also any female inmates who may be entered for care or treatment.

The main part of the hospital is two stories in height while the east and west wings

Railroad tracks added to the problem.

This is a line drawing of the Tulare County Hospital in Visalia as it appeared in the 1900 Visalia City Directory.

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wings to the main building are lined on both sides with heavy galvanized iron instead of wooden laths are also used on the walls.”

As the county’s population grew, so did the need for more hospital space. In 1916, the county undertook serious planning for a new, more modern hospital. The existing site was deemed too small and the noise from the adjacent Santa Fe Other Visalia sites were considered, but the site decision was made when the city of Tulare offered to donate an 18-acre parcel.

In November 1926, Tulare County entered into a construction contract for the new hospital. By 1928, the first phase of the project was finished. Tulare was the new home for the Tulare County Hospital.

The vacated Visalia hospital building at 408 E. Murray continued to be county property. It transitioned into the Tulare County Old People’s Home, providing care to about 100 elderly residents until about 1949, when it was closed.

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P R O F I L E

From humble beginnings in 1936 to the present day, generous donations from employees and community members have made it possible for Kaweah Delta Health Care District to continue as a provider of quality health care.

HERITAGE CLUB: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE 450 HERITAGE CLUB MEMBERS GIVE MORE THAN $8 MILLION TO SUPPORT HEALTH CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY

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he Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation (KDHF) is celebrating 40 years in Tulare County. During

Board to support the District’s mission to provide excellent health care for everyone. As a non-profit, volunteer-led

this time over $60 million dollars has been

corporation, the KDHF Board is passionate

raised for critical health care needs for

about raising funds for state-of-the-art

the only trauma center from Bakersfield

medical technology and equipment. Its

to Fresno. As your community hospital,

raised money for everything from a helipad

Kaweah Delta serves every member

to a new hospital wing with a new Cardiac

of the public regardless of insurance

Surgical Wing to a DaVinci Robot helping

coverage or ability to pay. It is the privilege

surgeons perform minimally-invasive

of the Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation

procedures, and state-of-the-art beds

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for our tiniest patients in what will soon be a new and expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

What many people may not be familiar with is the Foundation’s Heritage Club, in which people make an after-life gift to ensure Kaweah Delta has the ability to keep up with the fast paced, every changing world of medicine. Members of the Heritage Club are devoted to investing in the future of health care

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Tony and Jessica Benevento, Liz Wynn

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Scott, Pat, and Adrianne Hillman

“The Heritage Club is important to us because we believe that the quality of care at Kaweah Delta Medical Center should be ensured for decades to come. Generations of Tulare County residents will benefit from the sustained private support of the hospital that the Heritage Club helps to provide. All of our children were born at Kaweah Delta, so this place is a part of our stories and a part of our lives.”

— Adrianne and Scott Hillman

Cathy and Gary Herbst

Nancy Johnson, Dr. Sid and Paula Frank

The board has raised money for everything from helipads, a new hospital wing, DaVinci Robot, cardiac surgical wing and new NICU for our tiniest patients, just to name a few. The gifts are invested with the goal of developing an annual income stream to fund new medical technologies and state-of-the-art equipment for the hospital and clinics throughout Tulare County in perpetuity. The Heritage Club was established in 1986 by the Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation Board.… Years later, the Heritage Club has grown to more than 450 members and more than $8 million in gifts.

in Tulare County through after-life commitments in estates, wills or life insurance policies. To date, over 450 community members have joined the Heritage Club, and their combined gifts total more than $8 million. Each year, Heritage Club members are celebrated and recognized at an annual dinner.

of the Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation,

This year’s annual event was held on

the nonprofit 501(c) (3), which was created

a beautiful September evening as guests

in 1979 to help Kaweah Delta achieve

from near and far gathered in the serene

excellence in patient care through fund-

outdoor venue of the Chinese Cultural

raising from the hospital family and the

Center. As guests enjoyed a gourmet

community. “It is typical to recognize

dinner served by the Vintage Press, stories

donors after death in the form of a plaque,

were shared and featured speakers rallied

a letter to the family, or name on

around a common cause…health care in

“The Heritage Club is unique as we celebrate after-life donors in the here and now,” said Liz Wynn, Director

the wall. We do that as well, but isn’t

our community. The cool breeze promis-

it better to celebrate now, while we are

ing the return of fall was a welcome respite

here to celebrate together?”

from our hot valley summer.

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With over 80% of all hospital revenues coming from Medi-Cal or Medicare, Kaweah Delta relies on the generosity of employees and donors to stay abreast of current trends in medicine. Over 50% of all Kaweah Delta staff participate in the employee giving program through payroll deductions, adding this to the generosity of the community, partner physicians and businesses that support Kaweah Delta’s efforts.

The Heritage Club was established in 1986 by the Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation Board, an unpaid group of community volunteers, who aspired

to ensure a long lasting endowment to support quality health care at Kaweah Delta Hospital — Tulare County’s only community hospital.

hospital and clinics throughout Tulare

Each Heritage Club member has committed a minimum $5,000 gift to the Foundation’s endowment fund.

Through careful planning with your financial advisors, you may even achieve tax advantages that will cause your gift to have an even greater impact. The gifts are skillfully invested with the goal of developing an annual income stream to fund new medical technologies and state-of-the-art equipment for our

commitment to Kaweah Delta Hospital

County in perpetuity.

You can become a Heritage Club member by making a $5,000 or more after-life Foundation through your will, trust, or insurance policy. You can also become a member by making an immediate contribution of at least $5,000 to the Foundation’s endowment fund by check, credit card, or stock transfer.

For more information, contact Liz Wynn, Foundation Director at (559) 624-2359 or visit www.kaweahdelta.org/foundation.

"My family and my business are deeply rooted in Tulare County. KDH is vital to my family and our community. Both of my children were born at KDH. The KDH emergency room has taken great care of my family and myself on many occasions. The hospital is one of the most important organizations we have in our community. As rural and local hospitals around us continue to close, it becomes even more important to support KDH to make sure it is healthy for generations to come."

— Tony Benevento, President Servicemaster

by Benevento, President KDHF Board.

From left to right: Tony Sullivan, Gary Armon, Manjit and Jag Batth.

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Gene and Carol Nickel

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C H A R I T Y

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR LIFE BANQUET AND DINESH D’SOUZA A SUCCESS T E X T

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t was a full house at Tulare-Kings Right to Life’s 24th annual fundraising banquet Sept. 24 at the Visalia Convention Center. Bestselling author and documentary filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza drew nearly 1,000 people to hear his message and learn about the work of Tulare-Kings Right to Life. The TKRL Board of Directors selected D’Souza as this year’s guest speaker because of his overwhelming popularity and his staunch and articulate defense of the pro-life perspective.

D’Souza told the audience that abortion is not a single issue but is embedded in numerous other issues, including the changes that occurred with the civil rights revolution, the sexual revolution 22 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

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and a shift in social mores in this country.

The former president of Kings College gave an interesting history lesson, noting the similarity between the slavery and abortion issues. During the LincolnDouglas debates, he said, Douglas, a northern Democrat, made claims identical in substance and form to today’s prochoice argument and professed that every community should have the right to choose. He said Lincoln said that you simply could not have a right to choose without paying attention to what is being chosen and that the right of choice is meaningless without focusing on the content of that choice.

As in slavery, so also in abortion, “you cannot choose to terminate the choices of other people,” D’Souza said.

D’Souza said he had spoken at many venues, most of which had self-serving motives. For example, union rallies want higher wages and other groups want increased benefits, lower taxes, more power, more money, etc. Then he asked about pro-lifers, “What’s in it for them?”

He responded that there is no personal gain to be achieved in the pro-life arena, in contrast to the pro-choice opposition, for whom abortion is an assembly-line big money industry, with careers, jobs, reputations, livelihood and taxpayer money on the line for its supporters.

C H A R I T Y

D’Souza’s message resonated with his listeners, as quotes from attendees attest:

“Phenomenal speaker! Thank you, TKRL. You wowed us last night!”

— Becky Fernandez

“Definitely an awesome evening! Dinesh is such a dynamic speaker, challenging us to get moving and speak up.”

— Barbara Smith

“I have attended the banquet for over 20 years, and it is always both challenging and uplifting,” said Marisa Evans of Tulare.

“I support TKRL because I believe in their mission and want to see them reach as many people as possible in our area with the message that all human life is valuable and worthy of our protection.”

“Not only is D’Souza passionate about America as an immigrant, but he understands that America is in decline unless something happens,” said Rick Wehmueller, TKRL board president. “He also understands that the abortion of over 60 million babies since Roe v Wade has contributed to this decline. We knew that he would attract people who normally wouldn’t attend one of our events, and that those attending would learn about our organization and what we do, maybe for the first time.“ Although D’Souza was the primary attraction, others also contributed to the event’s success. Bishop Joseph V. Brennan of the Diocese of Fresno and Pastor Bill Nicolay of New Beginnings Christian Center in Dinuba opened and closed in prayer. Special guest performers Toni Givens and Mari Jordan sang a beautiful rendition of the StarSpangled Banner, blending voices in harmony as only siblings can do.

And Jim Patterson, master of ceremonies, kept the crowd engaged and shared his personal pro-life story as the father of three adopted children.

Rena Montemayor’s story of a woman who chose life for her daughter after being raped moved the audience as she revealed that the woman was her grandmother. She, her own mother and her sisters would not have experienced the beautiful life they share without that one woman’s courageous choice for life, she said. She ended with a quote from

C H A R I T Y

Father Frank Pavone: “Abortion is never the answer. Let's not add violence to violence. When it comes to the woman who carries a baby conceived by rape, let's choose to love them both!”

For nearly 30 years, Tulare-Kings Right to Life has been a beacon of light that reflects life and hope in our community.

In the past year, its three outreach programs — Voices for Life, the IRMA Network and Latinos4Life — have touched more than 54,000 people, face to face, at 96 events.

Voices for Life is committed to engaging and empowering high school and college students about dating, STDs, early human development, abortion and parenthood

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by working through schools, churches and other community organizations.

Tulare-Kings Right to Life exists to equip

The IRMA (I Regret My Abortion) Network increases awareness of after-abortion issues and offers healing opportunities for post-abortive women and men, providing a network of agencies and individuals who can help them work through PTSD related to the trauma of their abortion experiences.

of life and messengers of help and hope.

Latinos4Life seeks to increase education and communication in the Hispanic community about important life topics such as early human development, sexual risk avoidance, healthy relationships, and strengthening communication between parents and children.

generous supporters who partner with

people of all ages to become defenders Its mission is to uphold the dignity and right to life of every human being at every stage, as well as find those who may be silently suffering after an abortion and help lead them to healing and freedom.

TKRL is thankful for its faithful and us in touching hearts, changing minds and saving lives.

To schedule a free presentation or learn how to get involved, visit tkrl.org or call (559) 732-5000.

L

Brilliant Senior Living!

C O M M U N I T Y

SURF’S UP IN THE VALLEY BY

M A J O R

P H O T O S

BY

R O G E R S

TAY L O R

K A R R

“I

s that cotton?” the guy next to me on the shuttle bus asked as he pointed out the window at the Lemoore crop. Excitement came over me as I confirmed what until that point was regional common knowledge, but to my new friend Chase, who was visiting from Brooklyn, something rare to see.

The landscape was novel to him. The scenery had always been constant for me, but in that moment and the following ones when we continued to talk about agriculture, I felt a little valley pride.

The cool thing about that moment was already the pride I felt about the spot we were headed to from where we parked at Tachi Palace — the Surf Ranch. Simply put, the ranch is just that, a spot in the heart of ag land where the world’s greatest surfers come to wrangle and tame “the perfect wave.” Chances are that you’ve heard something about the place, but surprisingly, many area residents don’t know what lies out among the corn, cotton and cash crops of our west side.

The Surf Ranch was born of the vision of professional surfer Kelly Slater, who has been on a decade-long ride to see his dream come true. But what exactly is the ranch all about? It consists of a 2,000by 500-foot rectangular, concrete-lined manmade waterway; its original construction was that of a sandy-bottomed skiing lake. A hundred-ton hydrofoil system runs along a track, pushed by 150 truck tires at about 18 miles per hour. Waves are formed by the contoured bottom of the lake, constructed to give “the perfect wave” its shape, which is a constant tube married to an open-faced, late-breaking wave.

Early on, Slater partnered with a recreational surfer named Adam Fincham.

This was a perfect match, as Adam also had a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering Carolyn Marks rides a wave at the Surf Ranch in Lemoore.

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C O M M U N I T Y

C O M M U N I T Y

Women’s champion Lakey Peterson, above left, is interviewed before the awards ceremony. Gabriel Medina, above right, the men’s champion, takes a victory lap. Below left, from left, are Johanne Defay, women’s second place; winners Lakey Peterson and Gabriel Medina, and Filipe Toledo, men’s second place.

Below right, Griffin Colapinto of California, stopped to sign autographs and take photos with fans.

from the University of Southern California.

He specializes in geophysical fluid dynamics, which translates to an understanding of the flow of bodies of water to the point that he’s a water whisperer of sorts. Together, this duo created a team to fit the dream.

surfing competitions, to the hottest surf spots globally, places like Bali, Rio and South Africa. The tour has 11 stops for men and 10 for women.

Slater’s ranch is the prototype location where the surfer was looking to create his vision, just as the half-pipe allowed a concentration of the essence of skateboarding: constant momentum, the ability to launch, grind and pivot. The ranch allows a surfer a predicted seascape, allowing for concentration on skills, without a “bad surf day” of weather or lack of swells.

ball fields surrounded by cornfields.

Location of the ranch may have been a gamble, but it has paid off in a big way. It attracts the greatest surfers in the world, as well as gives California pro surfers an opportunity to elevate their rankings. The past two years, Surf Ranch has been a stop on the global surf-trekking World Surf League, where not only is the world champion crowned, but where Team America gets its athletes for the new Olympic sport of surfing, which makes its debut in Tokyo in 2020. The top two American men’s and women’s finishers on the tour go on to represent the U.S.

“If you build it, they will come.” The Field of Dreams cliché works for more than

The tour takes the world’s best, who gain their rankings from points earned during

Spectators can gather at the north end of the lake, where there is grass and

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The Surf Ranch Freshwater Pro is the only American location on the tour, giving the site that much more significance. Eighteen women and 36 men vie over three days to better their chances of being crowned a world champion or Olympic competitor.

On this weekend, 25-year-old Brazilian Gabriel Medina took first prize. In the women’s division, Lakey Peterson, a Santa Barbara resident, took home the Surf Ranch first-place trophy, a scaleddown red tractor on a wooden base.

FUELING FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

559-651-1760 | 8601 W. ROOSEVELT AVE., VISALIA CA 93291

C O M M U N I T Y

Surf Ranch creator Kelly Slater takes the stage to thank spectators at the Surf Ranch Freshwater Pro and welcome The Raconteurs, who performed in the evening.

activities for the family, such as a swimming area in the sister lake next to the surf pond. There is an open-air bar that sits on a large deck that overlooks the action. Here, spectators are provided with a close-up view of competitors finishing their rides and emerging from the water. Between the north and south ends, where the VIP gathering area is, are cabanas and viewing platforms lining the 600-plus-yard stretch. Food and beverage stations are throughout. What you won’t find are plastic water bottles.

The surfing community is taking a stand against the ocean scourge by providing access to hydro flasks and filling stations in convenient locations. Electricity to run the ranch comes through solar power.

comes heavy social interaction with guests.

Competing surfers and their teams, along with sponsor groups, mingle with the crowd.

The VIP area centered with what looks like a Maui surf lodge with wood buildings and accents, along with outdoor leather lounge chairs and bar stools, and plenty of decking and canopy shade. There is a wooden-barrel hot tub where guests can watch the wave action. Specialty foods are available with everything from catered poki bowls and Hawaiian BBQ chicken sliders to Korean BBQ, cheesesteak sandwiches and acai bowls.

Host Kelly Slater placed 11th out of the 36 competitors in a contest that only separated him from the leader by a couple of points (17.77/15.07). Slater has won 11 world championships, capturing his first and setting the age record at 20, and breaking another record by capturing one at the age of 39, making him the oldest to do so.

With the beach vibe on the south shore 30 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

Here was where Visalian Christina Molinar found herself on the perfect afternoon.

When asked what she thought was so special about the overall experience, she said, “It brings people from all over the world here, as well as introduces us here to the surfer world.”

At the Saturday evening conclusion of the event, after the awards were presented, the crowd was treated to an after-surf concert at an outdoor stage and grass venue. This year, rocker Jack White, formally of the White Stripes, performed with his Grammy-nominated group The Raconteurs.

I caught up to a busy Slater to ask him his thoughts of his ranch vision coming to fruition.

Jack White, formally of the White Stripes, performed with his Grammy-nominated group The Raconteurs.

“It’s a big part of my life’s work coming together. We are able to bring people from all over the surfing world here,” he says with pride.

And why shouldn’t he have pride in his ranch? It is, after all, one man’s dream coming to life, and that makes the place a magical spot available for all of us to share. L

You spend one third of your life in the bedroom.

Why not do it in style?

And...at never-seen-before prices!

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THE HOLVIK HOME ENTERTAINING, RELAXING ARE KEY IN COMPLETE HOME RENOVATION

TEXT BY LISA MCEWEN | PHOTOS BY FRANK MIRAMONTES, DMI AGENCY

Ridged wooden double doors mark the entrance to the Holviks’ renovated home. Included in the foyer is a baby grand piano. The kitchen and formal dining room lead from the entry.

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A

whirlwind romance, combined with a love for golf, has turned a 50-year-old home into a gorgeous gathering spot for friends and a quiet, contemporary nest for a couple.

Dr. William “Bill� Holvik and his wife, Sahar, excitedly opened their stunning home to Lifestyle magazine. After living through an extensive home renovation, the couple took a collective deep breath and explained how their new home near the Visalia Country Club came to be.

While the renovations took just five months to complete, their love story began at an iconic Visalia restaurant in December 2014, after the Christmas Tree Auction gala fundraiser. In a packed Rose Room at the Vintage Press, the couple was introduced by a mutual friend, and they enjoyed lively conversation and cocktails until the wee hours of the morning. As they said farewell, both knew that they had met the person they would spend the rest of their life with.

They were engaged within three months and married in April 2016 on Catalina Island.

It is important to remember these locations as we fast-forward to today, as both have intertwined themselves into the couple’s life. Catalina Island, in particular, is not only a component of their home decor but of their generous spirit.

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Avalon, a painting purchased

by Dr. Bill Holvik while on Catalina Island, depicts a woman as the island’s main town, a harbor full of boats enveloping her and the casino at her feet.

BLENDING LIVES Bill and Sahar bonded quickly over mutual loss — they both endured the death of a child and their mothers to lung cancer. Honoring their loved ones while forging ahead on a home that represented a fresh start was paramount.

After their wedding, the couple knew that they wanted to find a house to transform into their own home. Months of looking yielded no results. Avid golfers and patrons of the country club, they soon realized that they should simply move closer to the putting greens and fairways.

“It made sense to be part of the neighborhood,” Sahar said. “All of our friends are here. Plus, you just can’t find homes like this anymore.”

They actually toured their home twice in the span of a year — it had come on 34 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

and off the market — before recognizing its potential. They moved in December 2018 and, in time to celebrate their third wedding anniversary, held a grand open house in April with their neighbors, friends and family gushing at its grandeur.

Rich, ridged wooden double doors stand out to guests as they approach the front elevation and enter the home. A black baby grand piano lends elegance to the foyer as the kitchen opens up on the left and a formal dining room with seating for eight leads the eye to the right.

A combination of contemporary and traditional furniture and soft lighting give an immediate impression to guests that the home is vast and trendy, yet welcoming all at once. A 300-pound glass chandelier illuminates the space appropriately, while huge pillar candles placed perfectly around the foyer emit a soft glow.

A table in the formal dining room seats eight.

Your Home. Your Look.

559.625.8884 220 W. Main St., Visalia www.janeensfurniture.com

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Walking toward a step-down living room with a comfy sectional and the only remaining original flooring in the home, Bill and Sahar sit down to explain how their 4,722-square-foot home came together so quickly. They spoke under the watchful eye of Avalon, a painting that Bill purchased while on Catalina that depicts a woman as the island’s main town, a harbor full of boats enveloping her like a blanket and the casino at her feet.

Noting its U-shaped layout centered around a beautiful patio, pool and lush, tropical backyard, the couple decided to give each wing a purpose: sleeping and entertaining. In the middle are the gathering places: the kitchen, dining room and living room. Every room in the house, except the kitchen, received a top-to-bottom makeover. Sahar explained that friend Cheri Robertson helped immensely. “Cheri and I have a lot of the same tastes,” she said. “She is my good friend and my interior designer.

We had an immediate vision of blending contemporary and traditional. It is a nice combination and many of our friends have commented on how well these styles blend together.”

On the north side of the home, entrances to two comfortable, well-appointed guest rooms as well as the master bedroom line the hallway. In the master bedroom, muted gray tones offer rest and relaxation. All the furniture was sourced at Janeen’s Furniture Gallery in Visalia. A fireplace can be utilized on cold evenings, while sliding glass doors can be opened for fresh air during the day. Even the couple’s sweet dog, Angel, a dachshund-Papillon mix, has her own doggie-door entrance.

One of Bill and Sahar’s favorite pastimes is to watch the evening light play off the pool, plants and palm trees as dusk enters, Angel not far from their side.

Catching this light is Sahar’s wedding bouquet, which sits at center stage on their dresser. The ornate, bejeweled creation was handmade and contains many symbols of their lives, all elements that brought them together. Intermingled with silk flowers, it contains pieces of their mothers’ jewelry, two pairs of angel wings for their late children, golf clubs, a red charm containing the letters “VP,” as well as a small Tiffany key from a necklace that Bill presented to Sahar one Valentine’s Day, symbolizing that she holds the key to his heart.

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The Holviks’ master bedroom in gray tones offers rest and relaxation. Included in the decor is Sahar’s wedding bouquet on their dresser. The handmade creation contains many symbols of their lives, including pieces of their mothers’ jewelry and angel wings for their late children.

Moving into the large master bath, a dual vanity gives the couple plenty of space to get ready for work, while a large walk-in closet keeps their clothing and shoes organized. Bill jokes that, like most husbands, he has just one small side of the multiple-walled room.

“I am not a fancy-dancy kind of guy,” Bill said. “But this is the stuff she enjoys, so I’ll enjoy it with her.”

ENTERTAINING IS KEY The home originally contained five bedrooms, but the Holviks reduced that to three by converting one into a game room and another into a movie room.

The game room features a pool table and, of special significance to Sahar, are framed basketball jerseys worn by her late son, Erick. A large-screen television and electric guitars are mounted on another wall, both of which were purchased during local fundraising auctions.

Down the hall, the entrance to the six-seat theater is framed by red velvet curtains and an authentic velvet theater rope used to cordon off certain areas.

The movie room features plush red leather

Two former bedrooms have been converted into a game room and a theater. The game room with pool table includes framed basketball jerseys worn by her late son and wall-mounted guitars purchased at fundraising auctions. The theater is equipped with framed movie posters, six leather recliners, a 140-inch screen and sound system.

recliners, a 140-inch screen and a sound system that makes Bill especially proud.

Originally used as a soundproof music room, the brick-lined space was easily turned into a theater. Guests can help themselves to refreshments from a cabinet topped with the ultimate movie memorabilia — a replica leg lamp from “A Christmas Story,” and a wide selection of movies on DVD or via Netflix. The room is lined with framed posters of movies from a bygone era. Also hanging on the wall is a framed poster from Bill and Sahar’s Great Gatsby-themed wedding on Catalina, a perfect addition to the room, which gives a constant reminder of the friends and family who helped them celebrate that day.

Bill is a family physician who has been in Visalia since 1995, originally with Kaweah Sierra Medical Group. He has been in private practice for 20 years. After graduating from UC Davis, the University of Chicago Medical School and completing his residency at UC San Diego, he worked as the only physician on Catalina Island from 1993-95. UCLA Family Practice residents would come out to the island for a month at a time to work with him.

It was during this era that Bill developed an affinity for decorative pottery made when William Wrigley owned the island and the pottery company, known in collector’s circles as Catalina Island Pottery and Tile. It was manufactured on the island from 1927-37, as a division of

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Wrigley’s Santa Catalina Island Company.

The business venture had two purposes: to produce clay building products and to provide much-needed year-round employment for island residents.

One of the home’s best original features is an expansive built-in cabinet running half the length of the hallway. Glass doors allow visitors to peer in to see his extensive collection of colorful bowls, vases and plates.

“I do not collect these pieces based only on their value and appearance,” he said.

“I am a sentimentalist and I enjoy these rare pieces. They are valuable to me in that regard.” He is proud of a plate given to him by one of his patients, who presented it to him after cleaning out her parents’ home.

The Holviks return to the island annually, bringing office staff with them to help conduct complimentary sports physicals for Avalon School students. The island’s only school educates students in grades kindergarten through high school and is part of the Long Beach Unified School District.

Also housed in the cabinetry is Bill's impressive collection of nutcrackers.

The collection began when he gave a nutcracker to his mother and, since her passing, he has kept the tradition going.

Outside, the Holviks also invested in their landscaping in both the front and backyards. “We had to move quickly to get the yards to complement the house,” Sahar said.

The backyard already contained many mature palm trees, but they were so overgrown that they required intense 38 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

pruning. Pool decking was pressure washed and the pool was drained and replastered. The koi pond, surrounded by lush ferns and waterfalls, features at least 30 large koi, who happily feed when food is scattered on the surface.

The couple has their eye on a few more projects in the backyard, including installing a putting green and redesigning the outdoor kitchen. Spending time in the backyard is one of their favorite pastimes when they’re not at work or golfing.

Although the home is on a main thoroughfare to the country club, traffic noise is almost nonexistent in the lush and verdant backyard.

“We love how peaceful it is here,” Sahar said. “We put in a lot of effort to make this house into our home, and we love our neighborhood and our friends. We are really happy with this investment.” L

Sahar and Bill Holvik, top right, pose in their foyer with Angel, a dachshund-Papillon mix.

Their living room, where the painting Avalon reposes, leads to the backyard complete with pool and lush landscaping. At top left is one of the plates in Holvik’s extensive collection of items from Catalina Island. At right, the backyard contains mature palm trees and a pond that is home to a number of large koi and waterfalls.

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FLAVORS OF Fall Mama always said, “Eat your greens!”

But we say don’t overlook other colors when preparing what goes on your plate.

It turns out that squash is low in calories but high in many nutrients, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. The nutritional content of squash, along with being a good source of fiber, makes it beneficial for digestion, healthy skin and hair, and can even lower your blood pressure. So, this month, “Eat your squash!”

R E C I P E S B Y J A M E S P H O T O S B Y F R A N K

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J E S S E N , T H E M I R A M O N T E S ,

B U T C H E R & B A K E R D M I A G E N C Y

E P I C U R E

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AGNOLOTTI WITH SMOKED CHICKEN

SAGE AND PINK PEPPERCORN SAUCE INGREDIENTS

AGNOLOTTI (PASTA) INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup fine semolina flour 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 8 whole eggs 1/3 cup fresh carrot juice 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 2 teaspoons kosher salt DIRECTIONS Combine all pasta ingredients and mix together to make stiff dough. Knead by hand or in a stand mixer with the dough hook on medium low speed for 18-20 minutes or until dough is elastic and very firm.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let rest for at least 30 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to desired thickness and cut as needed for your pasta shape.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH FILLING INGREDIENTS 8 cups butternut squash, roasted, peeled and cut into large chunks 1/8 cup olive oil 1 4-inch fresh rosemary sprig 8 garlic cloves, smashed 2 cups parmesan cheese 4 whole eggs 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Kosher salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Toss the squash in a bowl with the olive oil, smashed garlic and rosemary to coat everything.

8 tablespoons butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 10 fresh sage leaves 2 tablespoons heavy cream 1 teaspoon pink pepper berries 1/2 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano DIRECTIONS In a small saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons butter and salt over medium-low heat.

Add fresh sage and cook, stirring often, until the butter begins to brown; this will take less than 10 minutes.

Stir in heavy cream and pink pepper berries, then remove from the heat.

Stir in grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese.

FORMING THE STUFFED PASTA Roll out the pasta into thin sheets, about 1/16th of an inch thick.

Pipe marble-sized dots of the butternut squash filling down the length of the pasta, with 3/4 of an inch space between.

Carefully fold over the pasta and push down to seal, making a tube. Use your fingers to pinch between the filling to seal, creating little pockets; fold the pasta forward to make a flap, then use the wavy cutter of a pasta roller to cut and separate each pocket.

Cook the agnolotti like you would any fresh ravioli.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes; drain and toss with sauce and chopped smoked chicken.

Garnish with grated parmigianoreggiano and fresh parsley.

Roast on a baking sheet at 375F for about 45 minutes or until browned and soft.

Remove from the oven and mash with a fork to combine.

Once cooled, add all the remaining ingredients, and salt and pepper, to taste.

Use this filling to make the agnolotti or ravioli.

Did you make these tasty dishes?

Share your photos with us on Facebook and Instagram. We look forward to seeing you online! /LifestyleMag

@visalialifestyle

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E P I C U R E

KABOCHA, BABY KALE AND SHAVED FENNEL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE VINAIGRETTE DRESSING INGREDIENTS 1 cup champagne cider vinegar Juice from 1 fresh orange 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 1/2 tablespoon local honey 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 cups extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup chevre (goat cheese) 3 fennel bulbs, trimmed; fronds reserved DIRECTIONS In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, orange juice, Dijon mustard, honey, cayenne and black pepper.

Next, add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified.

Mix in goat cheese with a fork.

Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if desired.

Thinly slice fennel bulbs, about 1/8 of an inch thick, using a mandolin.

Add fennel slices to vinaigrette and toss to combine, and let sit at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.

SALAD INGREDIENTS 1 kabocha squash (Japanese pumpkin), halved and seeded, and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Fresh black pepper to taste 8 cups baby kale DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375F. Toss the squash in olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Roast on a baking sheet for 30-35 minutes, or until golden, stopping halfway through to stir.

Let the squash cool for 15 minutes before building salad.

Toss kale and marinated fennel, and place on a serving platter.

Arrange roasted kabocha on the salad.

Drizzle with more vinaigrette if desired.

Seasonal options: Toasted hazelnuts or fresh pomegranate arils would make a great addition to this salad.

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E P I C U R E

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING W/BOURBON CARAMEL SAUCE BREAD INGREDIENTS 7 cups day-old bread, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes (be creative) 1/2 cups dried cranberries, raisins, currants or chopped pecans CUSTARD INGREDIENTS 3 large eggs 3/4 cup canned pumpkin purée 1 cup whole milk 3/4 cup heavy cream 6 teaspoons salted butter, melted 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/8 teaspoon ground clove 1/4 teaspoon salt

SAUCE INGREDIENTS

BOURBON SAUCE

1/2 cup packed brown sugar 4 teaspoons butter 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon bourbon

In a saucepan, combine butter, sugar and cream; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350F and prepare a 9x13-inch pan with non stick spray.

In a large bowl, mix pumpkin purée with all the spices and salt.

Whisk in eggs, milk, cream, sugar and vanilla.

Once everything is blended, slowly whisk in the melted butter.

Transfer bread pudding into the prepared 9x13 pan.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Boil for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and add the bourbon.

Note: We like to use a mixture of breads in our bread pudding: wheat, white, crusty, croissants, cinnamon rolls (with no frosting). All of these items can be made ahead and reheated.

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MARK ARAX DIGS DEEP INTO THE CALIFORNIA DREAM EXPOSING BIG STORIES FROM SMALL DETAILS T E X T

B Y

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hatever the allure of the American dream that draws people to seek out a better life for themselves and their generations to come, the California dream goes higher, broader and deeper.

From gold rushes to land rushes, to dust bowl migrations to aerospace and digital technology, California moves in superlatives. And, in the Central Valley, those superlatives lean toward agriculture.

Mark Arax knows the stories of the Central Valley like few others. His instinct for finding stories draws him to a small shack by the side of the road, to a bicycling coach and fleet-footed farm boys in McFarland, to the 25,000-square-foot mansion of the pomegranate king who doesn’t give interviews.

Traveling the length and breadth of the valley and beyond, he sees and hears, he wonders and investigates.

Tulare Lake, once the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi River, is virtually gone. Arax’s curiosity about the fate of the lake led him to the man who was the biggest farmer in America, the family who drained the lake to grow cotton and build a secret empire.

Arax and co-author Rick Wartzman wrote the Saroyan Prize and California Book Award-winning “The King of California: J.G. Boswell and the Making of a Secret American Empire” after years of research, including breaking through Boswell’s wall of silence that had kept his story hidden from the public.

This was Arax’s second book. His first was much more personal. “In My Father’s Name” tells the story of his own family and the corruption in his hometown of Fresno. It tells of his father’s murder

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when Arax was only 15, still unsolved 20 years later, when he returned to search for the truth and try to release his own obsession with this quest.

The story of Arax’s family and the San Joaquin began with his grandfather in the days of the Armenian genocide.

In leaving Constantinople, Aram Arax had a choice. He could travel to France to attend the Sorbonne or could be mesmerized by the California Dream that his uncle described with grapes like jade eggs and watermelons as big as boats. He chose California, arriving in 1920.

As a migrant worker, he followed the harvests. After about four years, he was able to buy a vineyard west of Fresno and later expand to more farms, raising his children in the rural life. In the late 1950s, the family sold the farms and opened the Peacock chain of grocery stores, eventually losing out to bigger chains.

“That’s when my dad bought a restaurant and turned it into the hottest rock and roll joint between San Francisco and L.A.,” Arax said.

“I was a kid, and Chuck Berry came to play. I wanted so badly to go, but he wouldn’t let me.”

It was there in his office in the bar with the odd name, Ara’s Apartments, that Arax’s father was gunned down by two men. Most everything

else about the shooting remained a mystery for a long time.

As part of filling the void left by his father’s death, Arax began taping the stories of his grandfathers and others.

“I was captivated by our story, the genocide, the California odyssey,” he said. “How we had reinvented ourselves here. And in reinventing ourselves, we had reinvented the land.”

Arax received some advice on writing and a sense of the writer’s life from a friend of his grandfather’s — William Saroyan.

“I was telling him some of the big words I was mastering,” Arax said. “And he’s sort of laughing and saying ‘count the words I use in my stories. I use no more than 300.’ In other words, you don’t need big words to write beautiful literature.”

Arax also said Saroyan told him that “writing is lonely, but it isn’t abject loneliness because there is always a connection to larger things.”

Arax went on to get his degrees in journalism at CSU Fresno and Columbia University and to work for the Baltimore Evening Sun, then the Los Angeles Times.

After three or four years at the Times, he took a leave of absence to return to Fresno to work on “In My Father’s Name.”

He sold the book idea to Simon & Schuster and took close to six years to write it. During that time, he also went back to work for the Times as the bureau chief for the Central Valley.

“My editor said we need someone in Central California.

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It’s a fascinating place,” Arax said. “I considered the job like a foreign correspondent. I was telling the story of Central California to the rest of California and, in those times, the world.”

He found one of those stories in McFarland.

The sons of farmworkers, who toiled in the fields by day and ran through them as the sun set, had brought home five state cross country championships in five years. Arax’s story of the championship runners and their coach, Jim White, was sold as a movie but never made it through the complexities of Hollywood. (The Kevin Costner version came years later.)

Driving on Highway 99 again, he stopped to learn the story of a shack that looked more like it belonged in the 1930s Mississippi delta. There he began his research on the “Black Okies” who followed the cotton trail west.

“No one had told their story,” he said.

After writing a series of articles for the Times, he incorporated their stories into his book about the Boswell empire.

Arax’s third book, “West of the West,” is composed of short stories from locations throughout California. It is his first book to cover an area broader than

the Central Valley.

— from the gold miners, wheat farmers,

“The last drama in that book is the solving of my father’s murder 30 years after,” he said.

the family farmers growing fruit trees

His latest book, “The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California,” is a San Francisco Chronicle and New York Times bestseller. Reviewers agree that it is a deeply important book delving into what California is, and that Arax, with his background and talents, is uniquely qualified to be its author.

Rolling Stone called him “a Steinbeck for the 21st century.”

Resnick with pomegranates, pistachios,

“It is a grand telling of the story of the invention of California, first as a myth, then as a real place,” he said. “That invention necessitated the grandest water-moving system the world had ever seen. It was — and is — magnificent. The system is now cracking. What I do with this book is I go inside those cracks.”

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almonds, citrus and more.

Resnick is said to use more water than any other farming company in the state, more even than the largest cities that survive on imported water.

“Something has to give,” Arax said.

“That is the tension of this book, the kind of drama that pulls you through.”

In addition to writing books, Arax has started a publishing company, West of West Books. He recently released Tanya Nichols and Bill McEwen’s “Stinger.”

The publishing house is part of his West of West Center, an online museum of the people who built the valley. Arax is digitizing the exhaustive collection

Arax follows the trail of those who have worked the land and the water of the Golden State — including his own family

“I can only do so much to tell the stories,”

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Boswell with his cotton and Stewart

More houses in the desert, more almond trees can’t continue unabated into the future, he said. As he wrote, when it comes to water, “the resource is finite.

The greed isn’t.”

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and vineyards, to mega farmers like

A vivid, searching journey into California’s capture of water and soil——an epic story of a people’s defiance of nature and the wonders, and ruin, it has wrought Mark Arax is from a family of Central Valley farmers, a writer with deep ties to the land who has watched the battles over water intensify even as California lurches from drought to flood and back again. In The Dreamt Land, he travels the state to explore the oneof-a-kind distribution system, built in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, that is straining to keep up with California’s relentless growth.

Arax’s heartfelt, beautifully written book is about the land and the people who have worked it——from gold miners to wheat ranchers to small fruit farmers and today’s Big Ag. Since the beginning, Californians have redirected rivers, drilled ever-deeper wells and built higher dams, pushing the water supply past its limit.

The Dreamt Land weaves reportage, history and memoir to confront the “Golden State” myth in riveting fashion. No other chronicler of the West has so deeply delved into the empires of agriculture that drink so much of the water. The nation’s biggest farmers——the nut king, grape king and citrus queen—tell their story here for the first time.

This is a tale of politics and hubris in the arid West, of imported workers left behind in the sun and the fatigued earth that is made to give more even while it keeps sinking. But when drought turns to flood once again, all is forgotten as the farmers plant more nuts and the developers build more houses.

Arax, the native son, is persistent and tough as he treks from desert to delta, mountain to valley. What he finds is hard earned, awe-inspiring, tragic and revelatory. In the end, his compassion for the land becomes an elegy to the dream that created California and now threatens to undo it.

of tapes he has accumulated in his investigations. He hopes to get more people involved.

he said. “With the publishing house and the center, we can tell that story.”

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5,000 MILES AND A NEW PERSPECTIVE T E X T

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“Few places in this world are more dangerous than home. Fear not, therefore, to try the mountain passes.

They will kill care, save you from deadly apathy, set you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action.

Even the sick should try these so-called dangerous passes, because for every unfortunate they kill, they cure a thousand.” — John Muir

“S

o did you, you know, find yourself?” That seemed to be the burning question from my closest friends after I completed a three-week, 5,000-mile motorcycle trip through nine states by myself. I generally said that wasn’t the goal, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t hoped to finally have that “aha!” moment where everything in life suddenly made sense. Spoiler: It didn’t. But my trip was far from a failure.

I had my breath taken away more times than I can count, and I was changed by what I experienced.

If there’s ever just one goal you should have when you travel, especially when you travel somewhere you’ve never been, it’s that it should change you.

If you experience something entirely new and return as the same person, you missed something.

I had three weeks of available time between two important events about a thousand miles apart: a friend's wedding in Colorado and a family vacation in California. I had just quit my job and moved out of my apartment in Hawaii, so with little in the way of responsibilities, I figured I’d set out to see as many new places as possible with just a motorcycle, hammock, few plans and an open heart.

Hopping off a one-way flight to Denver, I purchased my travel companion, a 2007 Honda CB900F. I’ve had a few different motorcycles in my short life; this one blows them all away. A week later, one of my best friends married the woman of his dreams in the beautiful town of Greeley, and the following day, I set out on the road.

Sunset in the pastures of southern Idaho.

I headed into the Rockies and south to Durango, where I spent a day enjoying Mesa Verde National Park, learning a lot about the early Puebloan people and their amazing culture. Growing up, we learn a lot about European history, but we owe

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A farmhouse in Bryce Canyon National Park.

it to ourselves to learn more about the accomplishments and lifestyles of the Native Americans. The Puebloan people used intricate tools, farmed hundreds of acres and built amazing pueblos into the sides of cliffs. At one point, Mesa Verde housed 8,000 people! Imagine the mecca it must have felt like 1,200 years ago.

Visiting gave me an appreciation of the culture and accomplishments of the early native people.

From there, it was a beautiful day of riding through southern Utah, making my way to Capitol Reef National Park.

At the time, it was the best ride of my life.

The diversity of southern Colorado and Utah is astounding. I rode in 100-degree heat through the Glen Canyon Recreational Area just a few hundred miles after pushing through pouring rain and howling winds in 35 degrees in the Rockies. This takes you through rolling green hills, rocky mountains, red deserts, green forests and everything in between. It’s truly some of the most beautiful landscape.

I pressed on to Hatch, Utah, which served as my landing point as I explored Bryce Canyon, Zion and Cedar Breaks national parks. The sites and hikes in these parks make them well worth the drive. Bryce Canyon is home to countless hoodoos, mind-bending pillars of rock that look like thousands of chess pieces standing up to 150 feet tall. An entire day would be well worth it to hike around the 50 L I F E S T Y L E | O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

hoodoos and the surrounding forest.

Zion is famous for its Angels Landing hike, touted as one of the most dangerous in America. It’s not, but it sure is amazing!

There’s also a small split that takes you to West Ridge Spring. (I recommend this hike if you are able. It adds an additional 3-4 hours, but will get you away from the hundreds of visitors onto a gorgeous trail that provides much more peace and solitude.) It was on this leg of the trip that I met up with my parents before heading to northern Utah and Idaho.

Then I headed east for Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. These were a few very lonely days, with a lot of time spent with no cell service, magnifying feelings of isolation.

Taking a trip alone can give a person a new appreciation for a couple of things: social interaction, and times of silence and solitude. I’ve always been an outgoing person, but when multiple days are spent having only the occasional gas station attendant to talk to, you begin to value every small connection with another person. I’ve held close to this principle since my trip has ended, valuing even the smallest interactions with people, such as the privilege of being able to hold a door open for someone. Often when we spend time outside of cell service, we come back with a new appreciation for disconnecting for a time. Living in a hyper-

Looking back at the Grand Tetons.

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www.ParkVisalia.com

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connected world, we need to remember to take time to unplug completely, to spend time truly connected to the people physically with you, as well as take time to be truly alone. “Hang up and hang out,” my friends and I call it. You’ll likely put more emotional effort into your interactions and appreciate someone else's presence.

In Grand Teton, I set out to do a hike not advertised in any pamphlets, one no park ranger will tell you about. The most breathtaking landscape I’ve experienced took place on this unmapped excursion.

I saw a dozen muskrats climbing in and out of the boulders I hopped across after the trail ended. I’ve never seen an animal so uninterested and unbothered by a human before. I walked right by one before I realized I was two feet from him, making me jump out of my shoes. He just looked at me, shrugged (I swear) and crawled into a little hole at a leisurely pace. I passed by elk grazing in the middle of the trails and even saw a pair of moose cross a river just a stone's throw from me.

Grand Tetons.

Once I reached Delta Lake, I was blessed with an amazing view looking straight up at THE Grand Teton. It’s the biggest and most impressive of the Tetons, and absolutely beautiful. To the back, I looked out over the expansive green plains of the park, staring down on lakes, grazing buffalo and elk, and mountain ranges to the west. Swimming in snow-covered water had always been on my bucket list, and it was here where I felt the deepest moment of true peace and stillness, embracing solitude without discomfort or loneliness.

There’s a connection to creation, and your place in it, that can only be experienced when you allow yourself to feel small and alone. It’s in these moments that we tend to feel one of two feelings: anxiety or liberation. Alone in the wilderness, no one cares about your hairstyle, how much money you make or how nice your house is. You can let all that go and just be. So in that sense, I found some of myself on that mountaintop. I found comfort knowing that even alone I am connected to so many other people; people who hold me in their hearts, people who I hold in mine, and that the love we give is more important than our job title or income.

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Scrambling up rocks on the way down from Angels Landing, Zion National Park.

After Grand Tetons, I made the very short trip into Yellowstone, where the wildlife took my breath away. Bison, elk and bears, oh my! My first day was spent riding the giant loop that covers most of the park.

I got sidetracked, as I tend to do, and wasn’t able to beat the sun back to my campsite. Just before sunset, buffalo, which spend most of the day grazing in small groups or alone, come together into massive herds to move through

the more wooded areas. As I rounded a large curve in the road, I saw a couple of bison crossing the road, so I pulled into a turnout to let them pass in peace.

That’s when I saw a couple more crossing behind them and then a few more. I ended up sitting at the turnout for more than 30 minutes as more than 100 bison proceeded to walk all around me. I was awestruck and a little bit terrified. Being on a bike, I had no protection, so I sat

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patiently and hoped all of them were feeling nice. Bison have got to be one of the most impressive animals to see up close, and seeing them would make the trip to Yellowstone worthwhile, as their front-heavy proportions, massive horns and sheer size are a sight to behold. They actually kill many more people than bears do every year, so keep your distance! (A little tip: Travel slowly around the park around sunrise and sunset, as these are the times grazing animals are most active and mobile.) While in Yellowstone, I met truly amazing people. The greatest blessing was the kindness of strangers.

My bags had no locks. Most of my

belongings were entirely exposed and would have been easy to steal. I never had one person try to take from me. But giving? I experienced a lot of that. For two consecutive nights, I was invited by different groups to enjoy their food and their fire. These people told me about their lives, gave me advice as I spoke of my plans, and showed me love for absolutely no reason other than to love.

of my trip to hike to the tallest tree in the world, Hyperion, measuring 383 feet — another bucket list item checked off before heading down the coast to my final destination, Cayucos, where I’d meet up with my crazy, huge family for a week of relaxation and fun, and, much to my delight, sleeping indoors.

I end with this: Get out, even if it’s only for a couple of days. Life is short and when you look back, you won’t wish that you’d worked that one extra day. So take time off work, take a long weekend and go somewhere you’ve never been. Appreciate every person you meet. Disconnect; be

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Don’t live in fear of people. Most people are just like you: They want to live a good life, they want to be kin, and they want to share themselves with you.

Every single day on my trip, someone told me to ride safe. I kept track. It is

an incredible feeling to have strangers concerned for your wellbeing. I had to travel thousands of miles to have this driven home to me, but I hope you strive to create true connections with people you may never see again.

After a quick trip to visit family in Idaho, I was on my way through southern Oregon to the national and state redwood parks of Northern California. I’ve been to the giant sequoia groves in the Sierra Nevada a few times, but experiencing the immense height of the coastal redwoods is aweinspiring. The soil is alive with pieces of fern and bark, leaving it with the most amazing smell. I used the last morning

uncomfortable. Search for gratitude in things you’ve taken for granted for so long. Go to the wilderness. Find stillness and silence, open your heart and listen. Do that, and maybe you’ll find yourself. Maybe you won’t, but you’ll come back changed.

I know I did. L

Top left: Beartooth Pass and a fellow rider from Spain. Top middle: Northern Wyoming. Top right: Buffalo in Yellowstone National Park. Above left: Cedar Breaks National Park. Above right: Zion National Park.

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ADVANCED BODY AND LASER CENTER CELEBRATES 15 YEARS

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dvanced Body and Laser Center hosted a party in September to celebrate 15 years of providing award-winning aesthetic services for individuals to look and feel their best.

More than 600 people sent in an RSVP, making this our most successful event to date.

“Wow, how we’ve grown,” says Lesa Shows, clinic director. “We started in 2004 with 4-5 employees, now have 45 spread between two locations.

Proudly, we still have three original staff associates.”

The center’s remarkable success is in large part to dedicated patients, valuable staff, top-notch providers and investing in revolutionary equipment, cosmeceutical and medical skincare products, and continued education.

ABLC has grown leaps and bounds in modalities. We started with one laser in 2004 and now our inventory consists of more than 15 lasers and is awaiting delivery on three more this month. Our center’s unparalleled investment in equipment and varied services, attention to detail, and the unique and advanced training of staff has resulted in satisfied and loyal patients.

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Every year, we become a larger Allergan, the maker of Botox, account. We dreamed of one day becoming one of Allergan’s top 250 accounts nationwide. In 2017, we missed the target but in 2018, we ended the year at number 166. An account in the small Central Valley was recognized as one of the largest accounts in the United States. We are recognized as a top Obagi Medical account in the market, along with other brands.

in our office," says Shows.

We invest heavily in training our aesthetic team. Our nurses have trained with highly credentialed injectors within the industry and Instagram moguls such as @BotoxBunny @Juvederm.Julie @TheMasterInjector @TheBeautyNurse and Dr. Simon Ourian (aka the Kardashians’ dermatologist).

in Innovative Dermatology Alliance,

We donate and support our local community heavily. We are large sponsors of the local Boys & Girls Clubs, local schools and many other nonprofit organizations.

so that our location on Akers Street will

The month of October is dedicated to giving back to the Fresno County Pink Heels Chapter for breast cancer.

"Helping with breast cancer awareness and survivors is very important to me for we have a fighter/survivor/hero here

We are thankful for the past years and support, and more excited about the future of ABLC. Over the years, we have had people come to us seeking care for skin disorders. We had to turn them away for we were strictly cosmetics.

We heard stories of how it was taking six months to see a dermatologist.

So we listened. We recently brought Dr. Christopher Rex. He’s a board-certified dermatologist with a personality larger than life. Because of space and his other practices, he only practices on weekends out of our Visalia location.

More growth.... We are in the works to build a true day spa in another location become all medical.

We currently have an office inside The Spa in Fig Garden in Fresno, and are in talks for a satellite office in Hanford and one in the San Luis Obispo area.

Advanced Body and Laser Center would like to extend a HUGE thank you to community members for their continued and loyal support. Cheers to 15 years!

VMC welcomes ‌

Internal medicine specialist Sharmineh Shams, MD, to Visalia and to Visalia Medical Clinic Dr. Shams completed her medical school training at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, followed by a research fellowship at the University of Southern California USC. She then completed her internship and residency at the USC Department of Internal Medicine.

Autumn Greetings!

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OKTOBERFEST 2019

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The Visalia Chamber of Commerce sponsored Oktoberfest on Sept. 27 at the Vossler Farms Pumpkin Patch.

Clockwise from top left: Savannah Van Beek and Kevin Cascia; a couple enjoy some brews; Joe and Vincent; the Big Elk Band perform; from left, Yanell Zaragoza, Maira Flores, Blanca Romo and Jennifer Yang, and Carmen and Jerry.

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Clockwise from top left: From left, Chase Cardoso, Tristan Martin, Tanner Sa, Brandon Martin, Kaitlin Nichols, Norm Lausten, Kasi Bergman, Kayla Lorenzo, Jared Martin and friend; from left, Amanda Sanchez, Jaclyn Garcia and Monique Hernandez; Paul and Patty Romans; from left include Manuel Andrade, Curtis Witte, April Andrade, Jonathan Toone, Christina Toone, Norma Cardoso and Vanessa Dias, and Ghian Ocampo and Vie.

H A P P E N I N G S

OCTOBER Handweavers Exhibit When: Through Oct. 25, noon-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

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Fundraising Monster Murder Mystery Dinner When: Oct. 25, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Arts Visalia Visual Art Gallery, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia

Where: 522 Irwin St., Hanford

Contact: artsvisalia.org or (559) 739-0905

Cost: $85 (RSVP by Oct. 23)

Contact: hfhtkc.org or (559) 734-4040 ext. 106

Cost: Free

Equine Dreams

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When: Through Nov. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays

When: Oct. 26, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Exeter Veterans Memorial Building, 324 N. Kaweah Ave., Exeter

Where: Exeter Courthouse Gallery, 125 South B St., Exeter Contact: (559) 592-5900

Contact: hwotv.org or (559) 561-4048

Cost: Free

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Cost: Free

Exeter Holiday Boutique

Mt. Whitney High Basketball Hall of Fame Induction

When: Oct. 18, 4-8 p.m.; Oct. 19, 9 a.m-4 p.m.

Where: Exeter Woman’s Club, 201 N. Kaweah Ave., Exeter

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40th Annual Harvest of Handwovens Show, Sale

When: Oct. 26, 5:30 p.m.

Contact: exeterwomansclub.com or (559) 909-4135

Where: Country M Ranch, 3157 E. Oakdale Ave., Tulare

Cost: Free

Contact: (559) 303-2309; tickets MWHOF. brownpapertickets.com

‘Tales From the Tomb’

Cost: $40 per person (over 21), $420 VIP table for eight

When: Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

NOVEMBER

Where: Chapel at the Visalia Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave. at North Giddings Street, Visalia Contact: (559) 731-8744, (559) 732-2581, tularecountyhistoricalsociety.org Cost: $15 adults, $7.50 children 11-15, free for children under 10

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Contact: vospca.org or email mdavis@vospca.org

When: Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: 300 E. Oak Ave. and Garden Street, Visalia

Cost: $85

Contact: (559) 802-3266, artsconsortium.org/events/tta/ or hello@artsconsortium.org

‘All About the Gospel’

Cost: Free

When: Nov. 1, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Gateway Church, 1100 S. Sowell St., Visalia

Back to School Car Show

Contact: livingwaterworldmissions.org/banquet, (559) 697-3004

When: Oct. 19 Where: Golden West High School, 1717 N. McAuliff St., Visalia

Cost: Same-day registration $35.

When: Nov. 1, 6 p.m.

Where: Visalia Wyndham, 9000 W. Airport Drive, Visalia

10th Annual Taste the Arts

Contact: bit.ly/GWCarShow, GDubCarClub@gmail.com, (559) 622-3138

Wine and Wags Fundraiser

Cost: $40, $280 table of eight

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Moscow Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ When: Nov. 7, doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m.

Where: Visalia Fox Theatre, 308 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1369, foxvisalia.org; group tickets 10 or more (800) 320-1733 ext. 16 Cost: $20-$185

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H A P P E N I N G S

NOVEMBER 8

Social Swirl Gala, Golf Classic When: Nov. 8; golf check-in 10 a.m., shotgun start 11 a.m.; Nov. 9, gala 6 p.m.

Where: Visalia Country Club, 625 N. Ranch St., Visalia Contact: Boys & Girls Club of the Sequoias, (559) 592-4074, or info@bgcsequoias.org Cost: $150 gala, $1,200 table for eight; $1,000 golf team, $250 individual (must have your own team to play on)

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Shopping Event When: Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Evangel Assembly of God, 1625 E. Walnut Ave., Visalia Contact: (559) 625-1271, office@VisaliaEvangel.com Cost: Free