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HOME TOUR

THE ENGLE HOME Buying a house, building a home CULINARY

COOKING WITH PEARS TRAVEL

THE MIGHTY AMAZON July 2012

ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER LOCAL

Presort Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Visalia, CA Permit No. 100 ECRWSS

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22 HOME TOUR The Engle Home

CULINARY

Cooking with Pears French Flair on Your Table

Letter from the Executive Editor

10 Business Cents 12 Word Play 14 Local Adventure: Grab a tent, let's go camping 16 Wine: Napa Valley Wine Road Trip

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46 Social: Arts Visalia PatriARTic Awards 52 Fashion

TRAVEL

54 Happenings

The Mighty Amazon

Four Visalia Women Explore the Exotic River

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40 NEXT GEN

Jarrod Post

Redwood High Graduate Becomes Petty Officer First Class in the US Navy

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50 4

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ABOVE: The Engle home, better known as "Engleland," sits on 2.53 acres of land in North Visalia, which boasts panoramic views of the countryside's cornfields and oak trees.

JULY 2012 PUBLISHED BY DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 EDITORIAL Executive Editor Karen Tellalian Assistant Editor TAYLOR VAUGHN Copy Editor DARA FISK-EKANGER Content Editor Kyndal Kennedy ART & PRODUCTION Art Director ROSS YUKAWA Graphic Designer CHRIS BLY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANDRE GODDARD CRYSTAL R. R. EDWARDS Diane Slocum ELAINE DAKESSIAN JORDAN VENEMA KYNDAL KENNEDY MARSHA ROBERTS ROBERT HIGHT Sharon Mosley BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA JEFFREY Malkasian EA Operations Manager Maria Gaston

RACK LOCATIONS

DMI Agency Evolutions Fitness Center, Tulare Tazzaria Coffee & Tea Tulare County Library The Lifestyle Center Visalia Chamber of Commerce Visalia Convention Center COUNTERTOP LOCATIONS

210 Cafe Advanced Body & Laser Center Creekside Day Spa & Wellness Center Exeter Chamber of Commerce Exeter Golf Course Holiday Inn Kaweah Delta Hospital Red Carpet Car Wash Sequoia Laser Aesthetics Smiles by Sullivan Tiffany’s Luxury Medispa Tulare Chamber of Commerce V Medical Spa Velvet Sky Visalia Community Bank (Downtown) Visalia Eye Center Visalia Imaging & Open MRI Visalia Marriott Visalia Medical Clinic Wildflower Cafe-Exeter Dr. Keith Williams Williams, Jordan, Brodersen & Pritchett, Attorneys at Law Windows Plus, Inc.

ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Director Bridget Elmore SALES OFFICE 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.739.1747 • Fax 559.738.0909 E-mail: lifestyle@dmiagency.com VIEW THE MAG ONLINE! issuu.com/lifestylemagazine

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Visalia Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and is distributed via direct mail to nearly 13,000 homes in the upper-middle and high-income neighborhoods in Visalia and Exeter. An additional 2,000 copies are distributed at various distribution points around both communities. Views expressed in columns are those of the columnist and not necessarily those of DMI Agency or its advertisers.

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COVER: Intricately engraved copper basin sinks sit atop granite countertops in the master bathroom of the Engle home in Visalia. LEFT: Pictures of family and friends decorate the walls of Jeremy and Michele Engle's North Visalia home.

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E EDITOR NOTE

Photo by Becca Chavez | Hair and Make-up provided by Velvet Sky

We’ve just celebrated the 4th of July and our home was alive with friends and family. With steaks on the grill and conversation flowing both inside and out, it was a great way to celebrate all of America’s freedoms. As darkness approached, it was the first time in years we set up “camp” outside on the front lawn to watch the neighborhood fireworks. Beach towels spread and safety precautions in place, we lit and then stood back as we set off one-by-one our small box of fireworks. What we didn’t expect was the semi-professional displays coming from houses in our own neighborhood. While beautiful, there were obvious violations or perhaps complete disregard for the laws surrounding fireworks in our city. I couldn’t help but wonder what the law enforcement officers who live either on or near our street were thinking as one rocket after another burst in the air. Law breaking aside, the risks to one’s safety cannot be worth the few seconds of excitement. Maybe I’m overly sensitive after my own daughter had her hair caught on fire (at age six) when the next-door neighbor accidentally touched the back of her head with a sparkler. Thankfully, the injury was limited to a small amount of burnt hair, but I still shudder to think how that might have turned out. One of the reasons we are free to celebrate this day is due to people like this month’s Next Gen highlight, Jarrod Post. A Petty Officer First Class in the United States Navy, Jarrod, is a Redwood High School graduate who proudly serves his country while protecting our freedoms. Jarrod distinctly remembers the day he decided to enlist, and shares that with us on page 50. If you love adventure, but the Navy isn’t in your future, maybe an exotic tour of the Amazon is more your style. It was for Visalia resident Marsha Roberts and a few of her female friends as they recently did just that. For more about their wild journey and even their quest for piranhas, please find the story on page 40. Maybe keeping a watchful eye on your investments is about all the excitement you can handle these days – you’re not alone. Get the latest tips on page 10 about whether managed accounts are right for you. Since it's about to get really hot outside and most of us are looking for ways to stay cool both inside and outside the office. Fashion Writer Sharon Mosley suggests loosening up with flowing layers on page 52 in her “Fashion Vacation and Chill Out” article. This month, like every month, we appreciate our right of freedom of the press and hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day. We trust all of our readers celebrated within the legal limits and by doing so had a very safe celebration!

Karen Tellalian, EXECUTIVE EDITOR For more information or to submit a story idea email Karen@dmiagency.com or call (559) 739-1747 or fax (559) 738-0909.

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B BUSINESS CENTS

Are Managed Accounts Right for Your Portfolio? Text by Andre Goddard, VP – Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

es, it’s that time of year again. Hopefully an annual portfolio review with your financial advisor is on your to-do list. Here’s one item you may want to add to the checklist for your discussion: new ways to manage your portfolio. One increasingly popular option among individual investors is managed accounts. A way to tap into resources normally reserved for the very largest investors, such as pension funds, endowments and high-net-worth investors, these accounts offer access to a variety of portfolios and asset classes not ordinarily available to individual investors. “In many ways, this is the democratization of world-class professional money management, the type that previously was available to only a limited few,” says Ian Maceachern, managing director of the Advisory Products Group for Wells Fargo Advisors. Inside Managed Accounts You may find managed accounts especially pertinent when you and your financial advisor discuss rebalancing. The process of bringing your holdings back into line is a deliberate, measured one, not to be confused with tactical responses to evolving market conditions. But managed accounts may offer a way to blend the two, depending on the mix of elements you and your financial advisor select. Generally speaking, managed accounts are one way individual investors can gain access to money managers who typically may require minimum investments of $1 million, and $100 million isn’t unheard of. Supervised by teams of seasoned portfolio managers, managed accounts offer investment options including mutual funds, ETFs, and other investment vehicles. The varied menu of investments makes it easier to tailor a solution to your

specific needs, goals, and time horizon. What’s more, managed accounts are readjusted automatically in real time. That means managed accounts can help you stay focused on your targets even when the market is enduring a volatile session (or month). Making a Choice Despite their impressive qualifications, managed accounts may not be right for everyone. For example, if you are an active investor who prefers to have a larger role in the dayto-day oversight of your investment portfolio, you may not feel comfortable relinquishing control (even to investment professionals). Managed accounts are also not designed for inactive accounts. However, that same quality may be what makes a managed account solution attractive to someone else who wants a portfolio designed to respond to day-to-day shifts in the investment market. The wide variety of choices managed accounts offer investors can also feel confusing, and some investors may prefer a simpler solution. Again, that same quality may be what attracts a different investor who’s seeking a degree of diversification that might otherwise be difficult to manage. “Not only do managed accounts make it possible to access world-class money managers, they give investors an opportunity to tap into a number of investment management styles to apply to their portfolios and goals,” Maceachern points out. The costs involved can also play a role in determining whether managed accounts are right for you. First, check out the minimum investment required by the manager and make sure it’s within the amount you and your financial advisor are willing to earmark for a managed account. Work with your financial advisor to determine if a managed account is appropriate for your overall investment strategy. If so, he or she can help you tailor an asset allocation strategy to fit your financial goals, and seek out the right mix of managers to help you achieve those objectives. “Your financial advisor knows your objectives and aspirations, so he or she is the linchpin in integrating a managed account, should you decide it is right for you,” Maceachern says. This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Andre Goddard, Vice President-Investments in Visalia at 559-636-8590. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANKGUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2012 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.

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W WORD PLAY

NEWS ON WRITING, BOOKS AND THE WORLD OF PUBLISHING Text by Diane Slocum

lanes, trains and automobiles can take you on your summer travels. So can books. Travel with Cheryl Strayed in Wild, her account of her 1,100-mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail and the broken life she was trying to mend. Her mother died when Cheryl was 22 years old. By the time she was 26, she had pretty much made a mess of her life. Somehow, the notion entered her mind that she could regain the person she used to be by hiking from the Mojave Desert through 100 days of California and Oregon mountain ranges. Or go on a 600-mile stroll with Harold Fry. In Rachel Joyce’s debut novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Harold was even less prepared for his journey than Cheryl was for hers. He walks to the mailbox to send a letter to an old friend dying in a hospice, but decides to deliver it in person instead – never mind that it’s a 600-mile trek from one end of England to the other. He gets the idea that as long as he is walking, his friend will stay alive. Along the way, he meets a gaggle of characters who share his adventure while he finds renewed meaning in his life. Valley Writers Bonnie Hearn Hill and Christopher Allan Poe have pooled their talents to come up with Digital Ink: Writing Killer Fiction in the E-book Age. With e-books and print-on-demand, just about anyone can publish now, but that doesn’t mean they can write – or sell their books. Hearn Hill and Poe emphasize the basics of writing fiction – character, plot, dialogue, point of view, and more – that are required to make a book successful. In No Bells (Dark Oak Mysteries, March 2012), F.M Meredith’s latest in her Rocky Bluff P.D. series, Officer Gordon Butler finds true love, but the object of his affection is a prime suspect in a murder case. Using her other name, Marilyn Meredith is also the author of the Tempe Crabtree series. She recently gave a workshop in Los Osos on “Writing the Summer Mystery.” Check her blog at http://marilynmeredith.blogspot. com or her website http://fictionforyou.com/index.shtml to keep up with her presentations and publications. Another Dark Oak Mysteries publication by a valley writer is Robert O’Hanneson’s Possum Belly Queen. Combining his Armenian heritage and knowledge of carnivals, O’Hanneson tells the story of Andy Zartanian, an amusement ride salesman who reluctantly gets involved in finding a rich man’s granddaughter who disappeared at a traveling carnival. Poetry The winner of the 2012 Frost Medal from the Poetry Society of America is Marilyn Nelson. This is the latest in a long list of her awards which include a Guggenheim Fellowship and two Pushcart Prizes. The former Connecticut Poet Laureate has

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published at least six volumes of poetry and five collections of children’s verses. Her latest book is due to be released this September. Snook Alone is a free verse story of a small rat terrier who lives with a monk on an island. The book which is intended for 4-year-olds and up is illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering. Publishing Before Adam Chadwick lost his job as a copy editor for the New York Times, he had already thought the story of the death of newspapers and loss of reporters around the country needed to be told. After he became one of the casualties, the documentary, “Fit to Print,” was the result. Besides interviewing reporters, editors and photographers who have been laid off by failing papers, it follows three investigative journalists who try to carry on despite the lay-offs. Two-time Pulitzer-Prize winning Andrew Schneider, Stephen Janis and Laura Frank were all engaged in serious investigations for their papers before the lay-offs occurred, and they were not willing to let the corruption and malfeasance they had uncovered go unreported just because they had lost their jobs. Read more at: http://fittoprintfilm.com. Writers Conferences For more information on e-books and digital publishing, James Scott Bell will be presenting a session on “Creating a Career out of E-Books” at the first West Coast Writer’s Digest Conference at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on Oct. 19-21. A popular event at other WD conferences has been the Pitch Slam – three hours of fast-paced pitching to agents who are actively looking for clients. WD expects about 20 agents to participate at this conference. Make the event even bigger by combining this conference with Story World and Screenwriters World conferences at the same location. Details at: http://www.writersdigestwest.com/ehome/index. php?eventid=33554&tabid=60430& Writing Contest The Writer’s Journal Science Fiction/Fantasy Contest deadline is Nov. 30. Entry Fee: $7. First through Third win cash prizes plus publication in journal. Details at: http://www. writersjournal.com/ScienceFictionFantasyContest.htm The Last Word “The true traveler is he who goes on foot, and even then, he sits down a lot of the time.” – Colette (1873 - 1954, Paris from My Window, 1944).

L LOCAL ADVENTURE

Grab a tent, let's go

Camping

he last month before school starts comes with pressure to get outside and soak in the last bit of summer sun. If you haven't taken the kids on a vacation yet, they are probably antsy, and you're in need of time away as well. Filling those last summer days with fun activities for the whole family can be exhausting. Take a step back and remember that simply doing something together as a family is what makes summer special. You don't have to go oversees, or even to Disneyland, to have a great time. An activity like camping is adventure enough for many kids – and all they need is an imagination and good company! Still, for some families, packing up provisions, buying supplies, and renting a camping space just doesn't fit in to the schedule or budget. Luckily, there are options to choose from, both equally packed with fun and adventure. Option 1: Backyard Campout Pull out the sleeping bags, make a fire pit, pitch a tent and grab the flashlights. Nothing is quite as memorable for kids and their friends as hosting a fun campout night at home. Who says you need to be at a higher elevation to enjoy a night around a campfire. Ghost stories, s'mores and laughs can still be found around a campfire in the backyard. When planning a camping night menu, be inspired by campout classics like hamburgers, hotdogs and popcorn (think Jiffy Pop) that can be made over the fire. Of course a campout isn’t complete without dessert – s'mores! For a fun activity before settling into sleeping bags, play a game of hide-and-seek or even plan to have a scavenger hunt ahead of time. Even if you plan a camping trip to the Sequoia's or beyond, a backyard campout should still be enjoyed at some point when the kids are young – and it can be a good training experience for a camping trip away from home. Option 2: Camping in the Great Outdoors Being the “Gateway to the Sequoias” has its perks, one of which is the proximity to numerous campgrounds. Depending on the desired elevation, a campground is readily available to get your summer-time, family-fix in. Choose a campground with a nearby lake or river you can walk to in the morning, and jump in! There is nothing more natural and refreshing than jumping into a lake to wake you up from a good night's rest under stars (who needs a shower when you're camping anyway?). Plan out family hikes, but be sure to stick in groups so no one is left wandering alone. Grab a few poles and spend time fishing along the shore. Smaller children may get impatient, but there is a lot to do to stay entertained – skipping rocks, exploring the shores, hiking, bird watching, and leaf collecting. Many campgrounds have additional information for activities away from the tents. Whatever you do, be sure to bring a first-aid kit along with you for those minor cuts and insect bites that are likely to happen. But hey, what's an adventure without them?

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W WINE

WINE ROAD TRIP N A P A VA L L E Y

Text by Robert Hight

he quintessential summer wine trip remains a visit to Napa. The narrow, picturesque valley is home to about 450 wineries; playing host to enthusiasts who visit from all over the world, the Valley has become a Mecca for outstanding wine, gourmet dining and luxury accommodations. Planning a visit today requires following a few simple rules, a likewise number of reservations, and the realization that someone is going to draw the short straw and have to drive. Once the driver thing is settled, get serious and start thinking about style: are you going to break the bank or merely tap it. Napa offers great lodging and fabulous restaurants from tap to break. Century-old bed and breakfasts to five-star resorts, restaurants with Michelin stars, well-stocked deli’s to local steakhouses – personal choices abound and cater to almost every need and pocketbook. How long to stay? Besides forever, three days and two nights is a good minimum. You may be unpleasantly surprised when trying to find accommodations. It may be necessary to go break rather than tap. Shop the net and consider location. Napa on the south and Calistoga at the north end usually have the least expensive rooms. Try to find a place where breakfast is served. Rule #1: Eat something substantial and you’ ll enjoy the day much more. In regards to tasting rooms, paraphrasing Dorothy, “This isn’t Tobin James, Toto.” Keep your debit card handy, as you’ll need it at virtually every stop. Splitting a taste with a significant other, and a little knowledge from the Internet, will help keep the dollars in your wallet. Or go for broke, it may be more fun and you’ll drink wine that you’d never consider buying.

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WINE W

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W WINE Napa wine tasting is much more enjoyable if you have a schedule. It allows a leisurely approach and it keeps you from stopping at every winery and having to take a nap at noon. Schedule an 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. appointment. It will allow plenty of time in between to fill-in with stops that require no reservations. Rule #2: Bring an ice chest with plenty of bottled water. Take out water as you buy wine. Drink the water if you wish – actually, you really should. The ice chest is no joke if you are planning on buying wine. Cars, and the wine inside, can get hot, even when the days are balmy. Day One: Start with a 10 a.m. appointment at Elyse Winery (elysewinery.com). Good cab, zin, and hope for the pinot. Next, an 11 a.m. appointment at Beaulieu Vineyards (bvwines.com). Old school cab, zin, and chardonnay. Make your reservation for the De LaTour Room to taste the recent vintages of the iconic Georges De Latour cabernet. The third stop, just before lunch, is Turnbull (turnbullwines.com). It’s a drop-in, where estate (winery grown) reds rule: cab, syrah, and blends. It's time for lunch at Sattui Winery and Deli (vsattui.com), situated in a park-like setting in St. Helena. For years, this place has been a must-stop for picnic essentials. Their baguettes, Assiago cheese, crab cakes, marinated jumbo prawns, salami, Kalamata olives and apricot bars might be the best in the valley. Rule #3: On a tap trip, don’t drink wine with lunch and only one glass with dinner. Water, soda, or iced tea will hit the spot and keep you from slamming your finger in the car door. With so much good wine around, it becomes too much of a good thing. On the other hand, if you’re going break and dining at The French Laundry or Tre Vigne, buy the best bottle you can afford. After lunch, head for Caymus (caymus.com), your 2 p.m. reservation. It’s a family-run winery that produces the famous Caymus Special Selection cabernet. Next, it’s the Monuments and your choice. Millionaires are fun people when it comes to cool excess, and that’s ever so true in Napa Valley. Visit ancient Persepolis at Darioush (darioush.com), a 12th century Tuscan castle at Castella di Amorosa (castelladiamorosa.com), or a building that looks like either a Mayan temple or an unfinished pyramid at Opus One (opusonewinery.com). Darioush and Castella di Amorosa are drop-ins; a reservation is needed at Opus. These folks spare no expense. The Tuscan castle is literally a dismantled Tuscan castle. Enjoy the architecture and go for a Monument trifecta: a trip through the ancient world while sipping modern wine. After a hard day at the office, the Rutherford Grill (rutherfordgrill.com) is the dinner choice for great food, good service and a friendly vibe. Try the ribs, salmon or the prime rib French dip. Day Two: Get rolling at Plumpjack (plumpjack.com). This is a drop-in where you should find an excellent cab or chardonnay. Next is the 11 a.m. appointment at Joseph Phelps Winery (jpvwines.com). Pay for the premium tasting so you can sample their flagship, Insignia. For lunch, head to St. Helena to grab a sandwich at Gott’s Roadside (gotts.com). It’s a great burger joint with fresh fish and a Napa wine list. Try the Western Bacon Blue Ring, the Ahi Poke Crispy Tacos, or the milkshakes. They use home-grown ingredients for much of the menu.

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W wine There is no afternoon appointment today. Limit the stops to three and start with Rombauer Vineyards (rombauer.com). Scenic views and a host of great wines provide a beautiful background for this stop. The chardonnay and zin are outstanding. Take some time for a walk through the gardens, then continue on to Chateau Montelena (montelena.com). The old winery and grounds are also worth a stroll. Don’t miss the Potter Valley reisling – it may be the best in California. The final stop is Frank Family (frankfamilyvineyards. com). Nice sparkling wine with good cab, zin and chardonnay. The staff always seems to have fun.

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Dinner tonight is a coin-toss. Enjoy great steaks and terrific prime rib at Trancas Steakhouse (trancassteakhouse.com), or make a reservation for Mustard’s Grill (mustardsgrill.com), and enjoy the essence of farm-to-table cuisine. Try the pork chop, crab cakes, or the lemon-garlic chicken. You can’t go wrong. As you wind down your trip, if you managed to visit all 12 wineries, you only have 438 more to go, and are ready for the final rule … Rule #4: Beware of the Napa hot tub syndrome called “Reckless Abandon.” It strikes without warning, and leaves a dazed look and smiles that last for hours.

ATTENTION

Tulare County Photographers

Raise Magazine is looking for cover photo submissions.

What kind of photos?

Please submit high-quality, electronic files only.

• Vertical format • Children (ages 5-15), or children with pet • Single children only; no group, sibling or family photos

Email photos to raise@dmiagency.com

(Photos are free to submit but submission does not guarantee placement.)

H HOME TOUR

home

THE ENGLE HOME

buying a house, building a Text by Jordan Venema | Photos by Taylor Vaughn

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HOME TOUR H

PICTURED: The kitchen and dining area has plenty of room to entertain, though most of the entertaining at the Engle home is done outside in the backyard â€“ a place where 200 can gather comfortably.

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H HOME TOUR

eremy and Michele Engle were new parents when they decided to buy their first home, and they had only a few conditions: to find a good neighborhood someplace near the country, but not so far that they had to drive 30 minutes to reach a grocery store. Jeremy put it simply, “If I’m not going to live by the beach, I’m going to have some land.” Both Jeremy and Michelle grew up knowing what it was like to have land at their fingertips, and under their toes. Jeremy grew up in Los Osos on his family’s property bordering Montana De Oro, an 8,000-acre playground to any boy with an imagination – or a motorbike. Michele grew up on acreage in Visalia, where she learned to drive a tractor. So when the Engles found a 2.53-acre property just north of Visalia's Saint John’s Parkway, surrounded by cornfields and panoramic views of the foothills, they found a home that not only met their conditions, but as likely also appealed to memories from their childhood. When the Engles bought the five bedroom, three and onehalf bathroom home in February of 2009, the house was only 70 percent completed and sat on a large mound of dirt behind a chain link fence. Beside the pre-existing structure and floor plan, the Engles were left to tackle every conceivable detail: roofing, exterior doors, molding, stucco, sinks, door knobs, tiling, lighting, trimming, carpeting, landscaping – all the custom work, inside and out. “I was at Home Depot or Lowes every day,” said Michele, who painted the walls herself while her five-month old son, Enzo, slept in a pack-n-play. Thus, the Engles found

themselves in the thick of building a home while also building a family, Engleland, they would call it, perhaps referring to their family unit as much as the house. And while it would take them only four months to complete their home, three years later the Engles are really only just beginning to build their family. The Engles knew they wanted their home to be a fusion, or marital compromise anyway, of rustic and modern elements. From its exterior, the house has Tuscan airs, with its rust-colored smooth stucco, ceramic tile roofing, and high-arched portico. But the landscaping juxtaposes the old and new: sprawling and manicured lawns, tall palms with bursting fronds, and spear-like cypresses lining the north fence. The lawns are neat enough to host an English cricket match, but that doesn’t keep the boys— all three of them: three-year-old Enzo, two-year-old Rocco, and the adult, Jeremy—from riding their motorized bikes across the grounds. But that’s okay with Michele, so long as her boys are enjoying the home. “I’ve been in many nice homes where you feel like you can’t touch anything and that is furthest from what we want. We want our kids, our family, and our friends to feel ABOVE: The master bathroom looks more like a day spa than a washroom. Travertine stone covers the floor and geomteric-shaped raised tub, which rests in between his and her sinks, complete with granite countertops and copper basin sinks.

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ABOVE: The bed in the master bedroom is dressed with handmade "Mr. & Mrs." pillows.

H HOME TOUR

The Engles designed their home with their two boys—Enzo, 3, and Rocco, 2—in mind. Upstairs each boy has their own bedroom, as well as an additional room labeled the “official” play room of the home, complete with bright toys, posters, and costumes.

comfortable here,” said Michele. Even if that means tracks in the lawn or fingerprints on appliances. “There have been times where I see a perfect little tiny hand print on our fridge and I can’t help but leave it there for a little while because it’s just such a great reminder of what life is about.” The Engles’ household philosophy may emphasize its utility, but that doesn’t mean they’ve neglected paying attention to finer details, such as unique vessel sinks in each bathroom (copper and glass basins) and a custom designed railing. Michele also picked the front double doors, dark wood and punctuated with nail heads, more medieval than rustic. The front doors open to an entrance way that is modern with its simplicity. Framing the stairway and overhead walkway is the hand railing, which Michele describes as the focal point of the home. The hand-welded railing was constructed in pieces and layered for depth, and its design flows like the whorls of a cresting wave and curves like a budding fern. Beyond and beneath the walkway is the main sitting room, or the “adult” room, as the Engles call it. While most rooms in the house have been converted into some kind of playroom for the boys, the sitting room, which is the geographical nucleus of the house, remains a sanctuary for the young parents. Because of its 20-foot ceiling and open space, this room was the home’s selling point for Jeremy; he envisioned large couches, a place to relax or comfortably host friends. Jeremy may have envisioned quiet evenings with his wife or friends, but neither he nor Michele guessed that their home would become the designated rest stop for 26

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family and friends on holidays and get-togethers. Just this past June they hosted a wedding that accommodated 180 guests. Other rooms downstairs are the master bedroom and bathroom, set with travertine stone, its tub raised on a dais between his and her sinks, and serving as a temporary storage place for the kids’ bath toys. The formal dining room, painted a pattern of brown and gold stripes, has become a kind of informal toy room for the boys, where a large toy box rests across a fine china cabinet. The kitchen, adjacent to the sitting room, incorporates more modern elements: granite tops and stainless steel appliances, such as a large farmhouse style sink and an island stovetop with a futuristic receding downdraft. Upstairs is the children’s domain: the Jack and Jill bedrooms and the “official” playroom. The two bedrooms are painted a silvery grey that emulates the flicker of a candle when struck with light. Model planes and Mickey Mouse decorate Rocco’s room, as well as photos of the Sicilian town where Michele’s grandmother was raised. Enzo’s bunk bed, dubbed the Black Pearl because of his love for pirates (the name of the ship from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean), is the centerpiece of the room. A bathroom fitted with a preschool-sized toilet unites the two bedrooms. The “official" playroom is the one room the boys are allowed to “destroy,” admitted Michele. One large and innovative precaution to unwanted destruction is the entire west wall, which has been finished with chalkboard paint to allow the boys the pursuit of their artistic urges. Beside the ever-changing works of art on the

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TOP: What makes the Engle house a home? Perhaps it's all the framed photos of family and friends that cover their walls and countertops. (Pictured here: The Engle family in Hawaii, 2011.) ABOVE: It's good to be a boy in the Engle home. Outside, the backyard has a 50x60 foot jungle gym playground, and the 2.53-acre property is enough space to keep the boys (all three of them) entertained with power wheels for hours a day.

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chalkboard wall, Ferrari posters decorate the room and costumes hang from a clothes rack. A wooden cradle, made by Jeremy’s grandfather and used by both Enzo and Rocco, now serves as a toy chest, a cross between a small armory and zoo for stuffed animals. Across from the kids playroom is a guest bedroom and office space for Michele, who mostly works from home as a realtor and manager of personal rental properties. The outdoor landscaping is still a work in progress. The Engles plan to lay lawn over a large area of dirt that has previously served as a motor track. They have also considered building a pool and adding more trees. But even if there is work yet to be done, the backyard is where the family spends the bulk of their time. A patio falls in the shade in the afternoon hours, and strings of bare bulbs stretch from their home to the guesthouse, which the Engles use as a game room. And the boys practically have their own castle in a 55x60 foot playground, replete with a slide and splinter-free bark. The real fun is stored in one of the home’s two garages, which looks rather like a showroom for power wheels and miniature motorbikes than a place to park a car. “That used to be my garage,” laughed Jeremy, but neither he nor his wife really mind conceding space to their kids. “We always wanted a house that our kids’ friends wanted to be at. We didn’t want our kids to always be somewhere else. We wanted them to be around,” said Michele. “Growing up I would have loved to have a place like this,” added Jeremy. All grown up, Jeremy might love it even more, appreciating afternoon rides on a motorbike while his two boys sit on his lap.

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PICTURED: A cutout window connects the kitchen to the living room in the Engle home. Comfortable and eclectic, Michele did the home's decorating herself.

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One feature of the home, which really isn’t intrinsic to the home itself, is the large amount of framed photographs that hang in every room and every hallway: photos of friends and family, baptisms and weddings, portraits of the boys, and a nearly lifesize photograph of Jeremy and Michele from their wedding – an anniversary gift from Jeremy. “I love pictures. I love to remember things,” Michele casually mentioned. She didn’t elaborate, but judging from the way they’ve designed their home and structured their lives to raise their children, Jeremy and Michele are capturing

their own living photograph, one where memories are more important than mortar, family more important than furniture. As Michele put it, “It’s comforting to know this is the only home our boys will remember, this is the home they make all their memories in.” And for this the Engles are grateful … grateful to have begun building what Michele called their forever house. “This is it,” she said, “This is our forever house. There isn’t really anything else we can ask for. You buy it as a house, but it turns into a home. We can’t imagine being anywhere else.” L I F E S T Y L E | J U LY 2 0 1 2

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Cooking PEARS

with

Recipes by Elaine Dakessian, TrĂ¨s Bien | Photos by Taylor Vaughn

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he elegance of French cuisine is only a few ingredients away with this month's culinary creation, featuring a selection of sweet, ripe pears. As tasty as they are eye-catching, these pear-inspired plates will impress dinner guests and satisfy their taste buds. Browse the next few pages as we share a sophisticated appetizer, a fresh and lively salad, and the ultimate mouthwatering pork entree. As for dessert, we'll leave that to you! L I F E S T Y L E | J U LY 2 0 1 2

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Crostini with Grilled Pears, Prosciutto, Blue Cheese and Balsamic Syrup Makes 4 servings

Ingredients: 1 red Anjou pear, cut in half, cored, quarters again and then sliced into 1/2-inch thick slices (they need to be thick enough to withstand the heat of the grill pan or they will fall apart) 2 T butter 4 slices prosciutto, cut in half lengthwise 1 baguette 2 T olive oil Blue cheese crumbles (or gorgonzola) Arugula to garnish Balsamic syrup (see directions below to make your own or you can purchase glaze at a specialty food store)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in grill pan, swirl around. Place sliced pears in hot pan and cook just long enough to get grill marks on each slice. Remove pears from pan and let cool. Wrap each slice with prosciutto. Rinse grill pan to use for grilled baguettes. Slice baguette to 1-2 inch thickness on the bias or diagonal. Pour olive oil into grill pan and grill bread on both sides until golden and grill marks appear. Move bread from grill pan to a baking sheet. Add crumbled blue cheese (to taste) and top with wrapped pear. Place in oven for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese melts and acts as glue, holding the pear on bread. Remove from oven, top with blue cheese and arugula, and drizzle with balsamic syrup.

Balsamic Syrup Serves 2

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Ingredients: 1 1/2 C balsamic vinegar 3 T sugar Directions: Boil the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup, stirring occasionally, about 18 minutes.

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Roasted Pear Ingredients: 1 Bartlett pear, cored and halved Olive oil to drizzle Salt and pepper Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pears onto baking sheet, cut side down. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Roast in 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and let cool.

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Endive Salad with Pear Vinaigrette Ingredients: 2 T pear vinegar (found in specialty food stores) 2 T honey 1 T Dijon mustard 1 T olive oil 2 stalks of endive, sliced 1/2 C toasted walnuts 1/2 C crumbled feta

Directions: Whisk pear vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard together first, then whisk in olive oil. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place walnuts on a dry baking sheet and toast at 350 degrees for about 6-8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Toss endive with pear vinaigrette. Top with toasted walnuts and crumbled feta. Place pear on side.

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Pork Tenderloin with Caramelized Pears and Brandy-Thyme Cream Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 1/2 pork tenderloin, cut crosswise into 1-inch slices (reserve the narrow ends for another use) 1/4 C flour for dredging Salt and pepper to season flour 4 T unsalted butter 2 small Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1/8-inch slices 1 shallot, minced 1/4 C brandy 1 C low sodium chicken broth 1 T green peppercorns in brine 1/2 C heavy cream 4 sprigs fresh thyme Directions: Flatten the pork slices to about 1/4 inch slices using a mallet and parchment paper or plastic wrap. Dredge the pieces in flour that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in sautĂŠ pan and brown pork on both sides, about 4 minutes total, working in batches. Add more butter if necessary. Transfer to a platter and tent with foil. Place the prepared pears in the same sautĂŠ pan, adding an additional 1 tablespoon of butter. Brown on both sides, a couple of minutes, then remove from pan and tent with foil. Add shallots to the same pan and cook over moderate heat for a couple of minutes. Add brandy to deglaze the pan. Boil until reduced to two tablespoons, scraping up any brown bits. Add chicken broth and continue boiling until the liquid is reduced by half. Add green peppercorns and cream. Stir in the last 1 tablespoon of butter and add pork slices. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes to thicken the sauce and finish cooking the pork throughout. Transfer to plates. Place the pork first, top with pears, and spoon the sauce over. Garnish with thyme sprigs.

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THE MIGHTy AMAZON Text by Marsha Roberts

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Text by Marsha Roberts

golden glow spreads across the sky, sending streams of light through the towering clouds. The air is cool and crisp. Great flocks of parakeets dart back and forth above, filling the air with their noisy chatter. Swirls of mist rise from the turbulent waters below where a lone pink river dolphin jumps and dives. It’s morning in the Amazon rainforest! The morning’s serenity is deceptive. This is nature’s arena – a place wild and untamed. The 4,000-mile-long Amazon runs through with fury, ripping away banks and pouring its waters across thousands of square miles of jungle. Yet, thriving within and alongside its muddy waters are one-fourth of earth’s known species of plants and animals. In mid-February four Visalia women set their sights on visiting this exotic, remote part of the world. Our objective: to see the

world’s largest rainforest, the mighty Amazon River, free-flying parrots, brilliant butterflies, giant water lilies, and, yes, even snakes (from afar). We began our journey by flying into Lima, Peru. Approaching the airport, we looked below for our first view of the Amazon – snaking its way through the flooded forests. It’s BIG! With hundreds of tributaries, the Amazon carries a greater volume of water than the Nile, the Mississippi, and the Yangtze River, combined. Its outer banks spread up to one mile in dry season and beyond 60 miles during flooding. In Lima, Peru’s colonial capitol, we toured the Aliaga House. Built in 1535, it is the oldest house in the Americas and has been the continual home of 18 generations of the Aliaga family. Another stop was the 17th century-era Church of San Francisco with its L I F E S T Y L E | J U LY 2 0 1 2

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gilded side altars, colorful tile work and underground catacombs. Walking through the catacomb’s dark passageways, recessed tombs were seen as well as thousands of exposed bones, stacked in circular stone pits. Next stop was the Pucllana Temple, an adobe ceremonial center built by the Inca around 500 AD, followed by a walk through Love Park with its giant statue of a kissing couple. Each year a kissing competition is held there. The record kiss lasted 49 minutes! We enjoyed the native cuisine and sampled the national drink, pisco sour, a frothy concoction made of grape brandy. The Peruvians are a proud people. Although much poverty is obvious, there were no visible beggars. Instead, there were street vendors and shops, selling handmade crafts: batik fabrics, intricate carvings of wood and alabaster, and necklaces made of seeds, giant beetles and other materials from the forest. After an overnight stay, it was time to head to the Amazon’s headwaters. In Nauta we boarded La Amatista, a showboat-style vessel built to carry 30 passengers, and met the ship’s friendly crew – all natives of the area – who spoke passionately of the importance of preserving the rainforest and its people. At day’s end, the exquisite setting sun was visible from an upper deck while musicians serenaded in the background. Early the next morning we climbed into canoes, heading toward an overnight stay in the jungle. It was a warm, rainy day, which led to our sloshing down muddy paths through a profusion of tall trees, many held upright in the shallow soil by above-ground buttress roots. The roots extend outward beyond the trunks by perhaps 15 feet. Philodendrons, growing high in the trees, send long rope-like tendrils to the ground, where they will absorb moisture and nutrients. TOP: A young iguana rests on the arm of staff member at the Wildlife Rescue Station. MIDDLE LEFT: A piranha, pulled from the waters of the flooded forest, shows its legendary sharp teeth.

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BOTTOM LEFT: The Amazon is home to many critters and crawly things, including this tiny clown treefrog.

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Long dark-colored tunnels run down tree trunks from the beehive-like nests of termites. Flowering bromeliads, orchids and branching fungi in white, orange and yellow added color to the forest floor. Thankfully, no snakes confronted us as we walked safely past big spiders and army ants. Our chance to see a snake came during an evening ride into the flooded forest. There, by flood light, we spotted the flowing eyes and then the 10-foot-long body of a boa constrictor, dangling head down from a tree. At Kapok Camp, located within a private preserve, we settled into our tent-top cabins and prepared for a walk along an elevated walkway. Here, howler monkeys and colorful macaws abound. High above, parrots (who mate for life) flew two by two. Later, we canoed into the flooded forest and fished for piranha. For this, we used a bamboo pole and a line baited with chunks of beef. To attract the fish, it’s necessary to beat the water with the end of the pole, mimicking the thrashing of an intended victim. Once caught, helpful staff protected us from the piranha’s razorsharp teeth by removing the hook for us. Back at camp, our catch was cooked and served for dinner, along with juanes, a regional dish made of chicken and rice wrapped in banana leaves. Bedtime was accompanied by the

TOP: The typical homes of Peru’s river people are built on stilts to protect against flooding and covered with woven palm fronds. MIDDLE LEFT: Visalians Carol Olincy, Marsha Roberts, Phyllis Ogden, and Linda Brown are ready for their trek through the Amazon rainforest.

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BOTTOM LEFT: Amazonian school kids get ready to sing a song.

TRAVEL T sounds of the forest – the hoot of owls, the buzzing crescendo of insects, the screech of monkeys, and the singing of birds. Another excursion took us to a village of river people, the riberenos. The shore was lined with wooden canoes, the inhabitants’ only access to the outside world. At river’s edge, the natives were washing their clothes (even brushing their teeth) in the muddy water. Life here appears simple and peaceful – lived without electricity, computers or telephones. Dwellings are constructed of wood and topped with a thatched roof, made of woven palm fronds. The land belongs to the community; home sites are assigned by the village chief. Food comes from the environment – fish, wildlife, and native fruits and vegetables. Chickens roam freely throughout the settlement. Cattle can be grown on cleared land, but the soil (washed of nutrients by the rain) is so poor that a clearing will only support two to three years of cultivation. As we walked along, our naturalists identified medicinal plants – ones that protect against high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Another, when made into a tea, is said to cure cancer. We tasted the root of the tapioca plant and a large (cooked) fresh water snail, which was three-by-five inches in size. The village had its own school, providing education through the sixth grade. For grades beyond that, youth must travel to a larger village. The children cheerfully sang to us and then joined their

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parents in selling handmade crafts. Back onboard our excursion vessel, we talked to a brawny young crew member who had grown up in the village. He had recently completed high school. Over a period of years, he had made daily trips to the nearest city – a three-hour round-trip by row boat. A visit to a wildlife rescue station gave us a closer look at Amazon wildlife, including the chance to stroke the slimy, smooth skin of a green anaconda snake. It had been pulled from the station’s fishing net, where it had planned to enjoy a feast. I “bravely” touched the snake as it was held securely at its neck and wrapped around the arms of a fellow traveler. Prior to arriving at the station, we had seen three-toed sloths hanging from the high branches of the Cecropia tree. These slowmoving mammals move only ninety feet per day as they make their once weekly journey to the forest floor. The young, rescued sloth was hanging, of course, from the station’s roof. Other rescued animals included an iguana and an agouti (a large, black tailless rat). Our final day on the Amazon fulfilled one last wish – to see the giant water lilies. Growing in a black water lagoon, its giant leaves spread to six feet and are strong enough to support a small child. When in bloom, its flowers are a foot wide. Too soon, our travels came to an end. We’ll never forget the beautiful skies, the diversity of life, the soaring birds, the flow of a mighty river, or the songs of a gentle people who love their land.

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Arts Visalia PatriARTic Awards:

for the

LOVE of ART Text by Kyndal Kennedy | Photos by Bill Dillberg

s a town centrally located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and surrounded by golden fields and towering Sequoias, Visalia is the perfect place to kindle that spark of artistic inspiration. Unlike the big cities, Visalia doesn’t have an apparent art scene pulsing through its Main Street, or neighborhoods built on artist and bohemian lifestyles. What it does have is a large group of people who give their time, energy, and hearts to art in the community; Arts Visalia and the Arts Consortium are two organizations dedicated to spreading the love and appreciation of art, artists, and art culture throughout our community. Arts Visalia began in 1994 as the vision of a group of artists and art lovers dedicated to creating a permanent exhibition space for the visual arts in Visalia. Since 1994, the schedule of exhibits has maintained a diverse flow of local, regional and national artists – something that art lovers of any age and various tastes can appreciate. It is because of the support and generosity of the community that Arts Visalia and those who walk through its doors can experience the work of others and find inspiration within to create and encourage art. At this year’s PatriARTic Awards three such people were honored by Arts Visalia “for their outstanding contribution to the arts,” said Mary Jo Eastes. The honorees were Agnes Heaney, Joy Harvey and Donna Coleman.

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Agnes Heaney was born and raised in Ireland and immigrated to the United States with her husband, David, in the 1970s. Almost since the day she arrived, Heaney has been involved in the community and, together with her husband, has worked over the years to improve public awareness of the arts and cultural events in Visalia, and also to improve senior citizens’ health and resources. Agnes has dedicated her life to getting things done, with the purpose of making the lives of others more fulfilling. She joined the board of directors of Arts Visalia to do just that, and continues to be an advocate of the work they do. Joy Harvey is a well-known artist and art instructor. Harvey reaches out to the community with her generous knowledge, skill and understanding of her practiced art form, Chinese brush painting, which she learned while living in San Diego. Harvey is known to offer honest critiques, constructive suggestions, but most of all, encouragement to her students. She shares this gift openly and happily with her students. Those who view her work can see the passion she has for art and Chinese brush painting. Donna Coleman began to study art in the 1990s. Since then she has won recognition and awards in many art shows and has contributed her works for charitable auctions throughout the Valley. Coleman is more than an artist; she is a volunteer at Kaweah Delta Hospice, a past docent at Arts Visalia, and developed the Wednesday afternoon open-door art experience

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at Arts Visalia as well. Among other activities and memberships, Coleman hopes to convey a simple, uplifting message through her art – one of joy and gratefulness for all God has given. It is clear to see from their varied work that Heaney, Harvey, and Coleman have put forth much effort to make art a part of their lives, and of the lives of individuals in the community. Arts Visalia made sure its appreciation was felt at this year’s PatriARTic event, which brought close to 160 attendees into the garden of Kerry Vanderpoel, a community member who's offered her own space to honor the work of Arts Visalia and the event's honorees. Though not a fundraiser in a traditional sense, through ticket sales and donations the event supplied Arts Visalia with $3,000. Monies raised go toward covering operating costs; and those costs add up, especially in the hot summer months with kids’ classes and an open gallery to cool. But if people are coming in out of the heat and happen to take a look around at the art displayed, and are moved by the images, they certainly don’t mind paying that electricity bill. The effort put forth by sponsors like Heaney, Harvey, and Coleman are what keep Arts Visalia going and growing. “Visalia has grown so much; over half the population doesn’t know Arts Visalia exists,” explained Eastes. That is something that should be changing soon as Arts Visalia and the Arts Consortium will make art unavoidable in Visalia's Downtown area this fall. On September 28, artists will be lined up and down Main Street painting its fire hydrants. It is through events like PatriARTic that Arts Visalia and Arts Consortium, along with people like Heaney, Harvey, and Coleman, where inspiration and appreciation for art grows. The majority of sponsors are typically older individuals in the community, but it's hoped that the younger generation coming back to Visalia will continue to support its undeniable artistic talent by embracing art, its creators, and advocates. To learn more about how to be an artist or sponsor for Arts Visalia's fire hydrant project, call Arts Visalia (559) 739-0905.

PAGE 46: Arts Visalia PatriARTic honorees, (left to right) Agnes Heaney, Joy Harvey, and Donna Coleman.

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JILLIAN BOS VISALIA’S TOP-PRODUCING LUXURY SPECIALIST 623.2195 JILLIAN@KW.COM

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Jarrod Post Text by Crystal R. R. Edwards

arrod Post was a junior at Redwood High School on September 11, 2001. A young man with a future to plan, he watched the military response to the tragedy and noted the confidence the United States of America placed upon its military. By graduation, his mind was made up: he would enlist in the United States Navy. He had never even flown in an airplane, but that was of little concern to him. For many reasons, this was the right choice. Six months after graduation, he was on an airplane for the very first time, headed to Naval Station Great Lakes outside of Chicago, Illinois, to begin boot camp. Post, now 26, was recently promoted to the rank of Petty Officer First Class, a rank comprised of leadership duties and technical expertise. For many, this is the highest rank they will reach in the Navy and retire at 20 years of service soon after Post reached it in just eight years. He is currently stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, the third largest Navy base in the United States, which specializes in anti-submarine warfare and airmen training. “But I’m not a pilot,” he chuckled. “I’m a naval air crewman. The guy in the back of the plane who operates the RADAR.” Since Post's promotion a lot of responsibility has shifted on to his shoulders. He now has a position of authority over several individuals and he takes this position gravely. “If I fail, I am letting down multiple people that work for me. Their careers are in my hands.” The advancement is more than a serious change in power; it is humbling, Post said. “When you are competing with everyone else in the entire Navy and everything they have done in their careers, it is truly humbling when you see your name on that small list of people.” Aside from his military duties, Post is enrolled at Columbia College for a degree in criminal justice. When asked about the military as a lifelong career, even after he obtains his degree, Post replied, “I’ve just re-enlisted, and I’ve been in for eight and a half years. One of the perks of the military is retirement after 20 years, so I’m almost halfway to retirement. I don’t plan on staying longer than that, and my dream has always been to work in law enforcement, so that’s why I’ve chosen this degree path.”

Post credits the influence of his grandfather’s and uncle’s former service in the Navy and Marines for giving him the final nudge to join the United States Navy. “I wanted to get out and see the world and do something. It didn’t really sink in what I had done until I left. I’ve always been the guy to go with the flow, and the Navy seemed like a smart idea. I didn’t realize I was going to miss my friends and family so much until I was actually gone.” Missing Visalia, he says, is a constant. After seeing so many places now; America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East; he feels he's seen everything and can better appreciate his roots. “Visalia has a lot to offer. Growing up, you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone. I always miss it, the city, the people, the schools I went to, my friends and family. The people of Visalia set me up as the person I am. I don’t feel I would have been successful in the Navy if I didn’t grow up in an atmosphere like that.” Initially, Post planned to return to Visalia after four years of service. He didn't expect to find the potential within him to do what he's done. “I’ve learned how much I can accomplish when I push myself. I’ve learned how strong a person I am.” Post’s sense of responsibility is the keystone of his life, both before enlistment and in service to Navy. “Being in the military and traveling around, you don’t realize how much people depend on the military. The USA depends on us for so many things, and it can be tough to fulfill that. When I came home from Iraq, there was a crowd of people waving American flags. People were saying ‘Thank you for your service.' I think it takes a certain type of person not to let them down, especially your fellow Americans and friends and family. It can be tough and overwhelming, but I'm doing my best.” His advice to young people: “I know the typical route is high school, then college, and sometimes I look back wondering if I should have done that. But weigh your options. This was the right situation for me – traveling, job security, and [paid] college. Make the best decision for you, and set yourself on the right path.”

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Take a

Fashion Vacation and Chill out with these Summer Style Tips Text by Sharon Mosley

ummertime and the living is easy ... and the styles are breezy. It's the time when most of us want to take some downtime from smothering suits and high heels and chill out a little. So how do you relax the dress codes but still enjoy summer, whether hanging out at the beach, or (sigh) hanging around the office? Here are some tips to keep cool this summer and still make you feel like you're on a fashion vacation, no matter where you may be hanging.

• Take some time out to experiment. Yes, the rules for

dressing are much less strict in the summer, so it's the perfect time to try some things that otherwise might raise the eyebrows of your friends and co-workers. Instead of closed-toe pumps, try a pair of lace-up sandals; exchange the bow blouse under your jacket for a lacy camisole. Try bold new color combinations. Be a free spirit and loosen up with flowing layers that may not be as tailored as your normal wardrobe.

• Summer is also a great time to play with new hairstyles, hair colors and hair accessories. Go for braids, up-dos, headbands and ponytails.

• Think more casual. Switch out your wardrobe staples

to more summery favorites, such as straw handbags, oversized floppy hats, canvas espadrilles, cotton T-shirts, capris instead of denim trousers, etc. There are plenty of beach totes out there that will do double duty on or offshore, and are great travel companions, too.

• You may be tempted to get even more casual and dare to

get down to the bare basics, especially when the weather gets really hot and humid. But remember, there are a few

things you should not wear to work, even on “Casual Fridays”: tube tops, cutoff shorts, message T-shirts, and the dreaded baggy sweat pants. Stash them at home, and leave them for the weekend.

• Yes, longer shorts may work for some offices, and capris

can carry you from work to the beach. There are plenty of shorter versions of pants to choose from that are still tailored enough to wear to work, teamed with fitted shirts and sleek vests. And even longer, white denim jeans paired with a blousy, floral top and tank will lighten up summer office attire, or complete a cool nightout outfit for warm weather.

• We all know we love flip-flops. Some of them may not

be so good for our arches, but then we do dream of wearing them to the office, now don't we? And there are so many dressed-up styles, available now in jeweled and metallic looks, that flip-flops are not just found poolside anymore. But if you do choose to wear flip-flops, or any other kind of sandal that exposes your toes, remember one rule of thumb … or is it toes? Yes, a pedicure – whether it's done at home or in a salon, it is a must!

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h happenings

Tulare Summer Concert Series at the Park The Tulare Summer Concert Series continues with music by Filarmonica Portuguesa de Tulare on July 25. The last concert of the series: August 1, Latin Friends. Free and open to the public. Guests welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating on the park grounds. When: Jul. 25 and Aug. 1 Where: Zumwalt Park, corner of Tulare Ave. and M St., Tulare Contact: Tulare Parks and Recreation Department, 684-4310

Theater & Performances TCOE Theatre Company Summer Musical Presents Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn A musical with a book by William Hauptman and music and lyrics by Roger Miller. Based on Mark Twain's classic 1884 novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, it features music in the bluegrass and country styles in keeping with the setting of the novel. When: Jul 20 & 21, 26 – 28; Evenings at 7:30p, Matinees at 2p Where: L.J. Williams Theatre, 1001 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: Brian Roberts, brianr@tcoe.org or 651-1482

AUG 11

Celebrant Singers Homecoming Concert After an exciting summer of ministry and travel around the United States and to countries overseas, Celebrant Singers is coming back to Visalia. This is the 35th annual homecoming concert. Hear testimonies from their time of ministry and listen to inspiring music. All seats are free and a love offering will be taken. When: Aug. 11, 7-9p Where: L.J. Williams Theatre, 1001 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: www.celebrants.org Lost 80's Live! Featuring A Flock of Seagulls, The Motels, When in Rome UK, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Escape Club, and Bourgeois Tagg. This amazing show is filled with all your favorite 80s songs performed by the artist’s you know and remember. When: Aug. 11, 7:30p Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369

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AUG 17

Britain's Finest: BEATLES Tribute Band The “Beatles” return to the Valley for an end of summer show. Be transported back in time and through the span of the Beatles career with their hit songs accompanied by costume and character impersonations! 21+ and $10 cover. When: Aug. 17, 9p Where: The Cellar Door, 101 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 636-9463

Art Exhibits Summer Children’s Art Classes at Arts Visalia Arts Visalia is pleased to announce the return of their summer children's art program, with six weeks of classes offered in June and July. Subjects will range from basic drawing and painting to ceramics, papier mache and more. The program will culminate in our annual Young at Art exhibition in August, which is an exhibition of the kids' artistic efforts. Full details on the program and enrollment forms are available on our website at www.artsvisalia.org. When: Jun. 11 – Jul. 27 Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave.,Visalia Contact: 739-0905

happenings H your central valley family resource

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h happenings

Critter Camp – Summer fun for youth ages 13-17 Come learn all about the Valley Oak SPCA and the services available to animals and our community. Study careers with animals, issues affecting domestic and wild animals, endangered animals and how we can make a difference! And Each day visit our shelter dogs and cats. $75 includes all craft materials, camp souvenir and afternoon snack. When: Jul. 23 – 27, 9a-3p Where: Valley Oak SPCA Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, 29016 Hwy 99, Visalia Contact: 713-4694

Focal Points: Invitational Photography Exhibition Focal Points is an exhibition featuring photographic works by several different artists from throughout Tulare County including Jeri Burzin, John Friedrich, Ron Holman, Sherley Keller, Wayne Powell, Gene Roberts and Virginia Wilson. Several images by each of the exhibiting artists will reflect the unique perspectives each takes in framing their observations through the camera lens. When: Jul. 4 – 27; Reception: Jul. 6, 6-8p Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 739-0905 Young At Art 2012 Arts Visalia features artworks created by each and every student who participates in its summer program. The Young At Art exhibit is one of the year’s most enjoyable exhibitions. Students, along with their families and friends, have the opportunity to see their artistic creations presented in a professional gallery setting. When: Aug. 1 – 31; Reception: Aug. 3, 6-8p Where: Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 739-0905

AUG 4

1st Saturday in Three Rivers Celebrate art, music, dance, storytelling, food and drink as you browse the art galleries, studios and gift shops of Downtown Three Rivers. For discounts and participants visit website. When: Aug. 4, 10a-5p Where: Maps at Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or visit www.1stSaturdayTR.com

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Diversions & Excursions

JUL 22

AUG 3 AUG 11

iCAN TRI The 1st Annual iCAN TRI Youth Triathlon Event for youth ages 6 to 17. The venue is outstanding with challenging courses for each age division. The swim complex has two 50-meter pools. The bike and run courses of varying distances will challenge each athlete of the four age divisions. Finisher medals will be given to each participant crossing the finish line. Individual awards will be presented to the top five finishers in each one-year age from 6 to 17 years as well as overall male and female finishers of each division. $40 by July 14; $50 after July 14 When: Jul. 22, 7:30a Where: Clovis North Educational Center, 2770 E. International Ave., Fresno Contact: www.iCANtri.org Blues, Brews & BBQ Join in on live music from Lake Bottom Nails, delicious barbeque and refreshing beverages at this fun downtown event. When: Aug. 3, 6-10p Where: Garden Street Plaza, Visalia Contact: 732-7737 or visit www.bluesbrewsandbbq.net Visalia Beer Fest Don't miss the Visalia Craft Beer Festival taking place this summer for the first time! Tickets include free tasters of beer, the logoed taster glass and access to all of the great music. This is a benefit for the Vintage Bicycle Association. $30 general; $10 designated driver. 21 and over. When: Aug. 11, 1p Where: Mooney Grove Park, 27000 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia Contact: www.brownpapertickets.com event/251149

happenings H

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h happenings

24th Annual tommy elliott memorial golf classic A fun-filled day of golf at the beautiful Visalia County Club. All proceeds from this fundraising event benefit on-going programs and projects of Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation. Namely, the 2012 Golf Classic will assist in bringing a Helipad to Kaweah Delta Medical Center and help ensure that critically injured trauma patients do not experience delays in receiving definitive medical intervention. When: Aug. 10, 10a Registration; 12p Shotgun start. Where: Visalia Country Club, 625 N. Ranch St., Visalia Contact: 624-2359

AUG 18

Hell of A Half Marathon Registration is open for the first ever Hell of a Half Marathon (presented by Sole2Soul Sports) for those who want to face the 13.1 challenge in the heat with two hill climbs. Every runner will receive a pair of Montrail sandals, Mountain Hardwear shirt, and breakfast at the finish line. Finishers will receive a unique Hell of a Half finishers medal, and awards will be presented to the top 3 male and female finishers. Age group awards will also be presented. When: Saturday, August 18; 7a Where: Exeter Veterans Memorial Park, 324 North Kaweah Avenue, Exeter Contact: www.hellofahalf.com Visalia Farmers’ Market – Harvest of the Valley Weekly event open to the public featuring free live music, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations and local, fresh produce available for purchase. When: Thursdays - Downtown Visalia, 5-8p; Saturdays - Sequoia Mall, Sears parking lot 8-11:30a Where: Church & Main/ Sears parking lot at Mooney and Caldwell, Visalia Contact: 967-6722 or www.visaliafarmersmarket.com

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Charitable Events

JUL 21

Christmas in July Central Valley W.O.M.E.N'S Network will host "Christmas in July" to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. You are invited to come and meet all the members and find out about our group. After cake cutting will be the presentation of their first Scholarship. There will also be a presentation to the American Cancer Society. $2 admission ticket is also a raffle ticket for the "Tricky Tray" gifts. When: July 21, 10a-4p Where: Lamp Liter Inn, 3300 W. Mineral King Ave., Visalia Contact: www.centralvalleywomensnetwork.org or cvwn@att.net for questions.

Writers & Readers Tulare County Library First Tuesday Book Club (Aug. 7, 6:30p) Socrates Cafe (Aug. 14, 6:30p) Mystery Readers (Aug. 15, 6:30p) Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-2700 or www.tularecountylibrary.org

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