October 2011

October 2011

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2744 West Main, Visalia, CA 93291

559-667-4304

Visaliasmiles.com

LIFEST YLE | OC TOBER 2011

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PAGE

30 THE WESTBROOK HOME

ART XPOSED

Fashion keeps charity looking chic Style benefits The Creative Center

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Letter from the Executive Editor

10 Business Cents 12 Word Play 14 Local Adventure 16 Visalia Visual Chronicle 18 Literary Arts: David Dominguez

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26 Charity: TKRL – Abby Johnson 38 Agriculture: Bounty of the County

CULINARY ARTS

Fall Welcomes Comfort: Meatballs, the Old Italian way

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42 H U M A N I TA R I A N

A New Lesson Plan: Life and Learning in Kenya

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50 Noteworthy 52 Fashion 54 Performances: Tulare County Symphony 56 Happenings

COVER PHOTO: The front elevation features one of two important features the Westbrooks said were mandatory: A grand entry with tall ceiling heights so you have a view from the front entrance, all the way through the house to the backyard. The other mandatory feature was a downstairs master bedroom suite.

TOP: The Westbrooks' son's former bedroom is now a guest bedroom with a golf theme that reflects the couple’s love of the game. A large picture above the bed came from Ron Jr.'s days working at the local golf shop. (Ron Sr. has been playing golf for more than 40 years while Karen is just learning.) The Westbrooks try to play once or twice each week.

OCTOBER 2011 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 Creative Director FERNANDO X. GOMEZ Senior Graphic Designer CHRIS BLY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Aaron Collins COREY RALSTON Diane Slocum ELAINE DAKESSIAN JORDAN VENEMA Kyndal Kennedy MARK ROWE Marsha Peltzer Sharon Mosley BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Malkasian Accountancy LLP Gary Malkasian CPA JEFFREY Malkasian EA Office Administrator 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 Laser Clinics 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

Facebook.com/LifestyleMag

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.

Circulation of this issue: 15,000 © 2011 DMI Agency

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LEFT: A catwalk and curved staircase dominate the entry hall of the Westbrook home.

Let’s face it, there’s nothing like the sparkle and shine of a brand new home!

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EDITOR NOTE

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

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ave you ever celebrated a milestone without much fanfare, confetti or cake? We have. It happened just this month as Lifestyle Magazine surpassed its eighth year in publication. Sure, we noticed. But instead of throwing ourselves a party, we opted instead to keep our eye on the tasks at hand. Maybe, it was because of our promise to bring you the very best of style, art, culture and events. Or maybe, it was because we were so moved by this month’s Humanitarian feature, “New Lesson Plan: Life and Learning in Kenya.” Writer Jordan Venema’s experience in the city slum of Mathare couldn’t help but refocus our attention and provide much needed perspective on how lucky we really are to be living in the greatest country in the world; economic challenges and all. For this article, for this trip, it’s not about photographing amazing wildlife or the ultimate African safari. Sometimes, like this time, it’s about touching the scarred hand of a young child that reminds us what’s really important. Jordan’s first-person experience more than 10,000 miles from here is found starting on page 46.

Closer to home, the Second Annual “Bounty of the County” took place at the Ritchie Barn where more than 300 people connected and appreciated the efforts of our local farmers. We are so fortunate to be living in the center of the world’s food basket. Agriculture is vital to our local economy, and we’re proud of the new generation of young, up-and-coming agricultural professionals. Remember to support their fundraising events, and learn more about what’s ahead on page 38.

Are you hungry yet? Now that our beautiful fall weather is here, it’s time to come in from the patio barbeque and get into the kitchen for some comfort food, like spaghetti and meatballs. Lifestyle culinary contributor, Elaine Dakessian, shares her version of meatballs made the “old Italian way,” using bread soaked in milk. If you’ve never tasted a meatball made this way, you are missing out on one of the best, most tender versions you’ll ever have. For Elaine’s meatball recipe, turn to page 42.

For our home chefs, you’ll want to dive right into this month’s Home Tour starting on page 30. For homeowners Ron and Karen Westbrook, the heart of the home is their large, country kitchen – the perfect place to test your culinary skills and try out that new recipe.

So as our eighth year has come and gone, we wake up every day and are grateful to have reached such a mark in the publishing business. Just this week I was visiting with a new advertiser and as she offered accolades to Lifestyle, one thing in particular stood out – she had enjoyed reading for so many years, and now she felt it was time to give back. We appreciate her sentiment. She and so many others make it possible for us to continue doing what we love best. We can’t think of a better birthday gift. But of course, if someone wants to stop by with cake, we won’t turn you away. Until next time …

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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LIFESTYLE | JUNE 2011 9

B BUSINESS CENTS

Don’t Invest Your IRA in a Variable Annuity Text by Mark Rowe, Lewis & Associates Insurance

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f you’ve talked to a broker about your retirement account, there’s a chance they recommended that you invest in a Variable Annuity. Be careful!

Here’s what the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said in its website article entitled “Variable Annuities: What You Should Know.”

Caution!

Other investment vehicles, such as IRAs and employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, also may provide you with tax-deferred growth and other tax advantages. For most investors, it will be advantageous to make the maximum allowable contributions to IRAs and 401(k) plans before investing in a variable annuity.

In addition, if you are investing in a variable annuity through a tax-advantaged retirement plan (such as a 401(k) plan or IRA), you will get no additional tax advantage from the variable annuity.

Under these circumstances, consider buying a variable annuity only if it makes sense because of the annuity’s other features, such as lifetime income payments and death benefit protection. The tax rules that apply to variable annuities can be complicated – before investing, you may want to consult a tax adviser about the tax consequences to you of investing in a variable annuity.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms in the United States, overseeing more than 5,000 brokerage firms, about 172,000 branch offices, and more than 676,000 registered securities representatives. Here’s what FINRA said about the recommendation to mix together a variable annuity and an IRA:

Investing in a variable annuity within a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account (IRA) may not be a good idea.

Since IRAs are already tax-advantaged, a variable annuity will provide no additional tax savings. It will, however, increase the expense of the IRA, while generating fees and commissions for the broker or salesperson.

Three of the arguments used in selling variable annuities in retirement accounts are that you don’t pay a commission, that annuities have death benefit guarantees, and that annuities offer guaranteed income riders for retirement. All can cost you dearly.

No Commissions? That can be a very compelling argument – some brokers even say they get compensated by the insurance company and not by you. Do you really believe that? Insurance companies are not charitable organizations. If they are paying the broker, then they’ll recoup those costs from you – the costs are just hidden so you don’t think you’re paying a commission.

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Death Benefit Guarantees? This feature may seem nice, but you end up paying for it through a fee called a Mortality and Risk Expense (M&E) charge. This is an annual fee (averaging 1.25 percent) that is charged against the entire value of the account, not just your original investment. Therefore, on a $500,000 investment that amounts to $6,250 the first year alone.

The M&E charge is in addition to the money management fees charged on the investments inside your annuity. These additional fees can easily tack on another 1 percent. Plus, you might have been sold an upgraded guaranteed death benefit rider or an optional guaranteed income benefit rider whose fees average another .25 percent to 1 percent each. All told, the fees associated with variable annuities can range from 2-4 percent per year. That’s a 2-4 percent hole you start in each year – or $10,000-$20,000 on a $500,000 investment – and that expense increases as the value of the account increases.

Do you really think it costs that much to cover the cost of the insurance associated with the death benefit? Of course not. Your full account value isn’t what’s being insured, either. They’re only insuring the amount of your loss. Your principal is still there for your beneficiaries. To add insult to injury, even when your investment is worth more than you paid, you continue to be charged the M&E. Therefore, the death benefit associated with a variable annuity is either the most expensive insurance you’ll ever buy or it pays for more than insurance. The M&E is where the insurance company makes their money. More importantly, the M&E is where the insurance company gets paid back the money it paid your advisor in commission.

Oh, and watch out for the “optional” guaranteed income riders. Calculating the real rate of return on them can be somewhat disturbing – especially considering the charges. That story and calculation, however, is for another article.

So, is it possible that the real reason that you’ve been recommended a variable annuity for your IRA isn’t that it’s better for you? Perhaps it’s because it’s better for the advisor? If an advisor can earn three times more by getting you to invest in a variable annuity instead of a mutual fund, which do you think might be recommended?

Don’t fall for the “put your IRA in a VA” trap. You are smarter than that.

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W WORD PLAY

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

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ctober can put you in the mood for ghosts, evil spirits and mystery. One novel that scares up plenty of spirits of all kinds is F. J. Lennon’s Soul Trapper (Atria Books, January 2011). Kane Pryce inherited a mysterious device from his father that not only lets him trap ghosts, but lets his soul visit with them before they are sent on their way. It’s just a job, until he meets a little boy haunting a church and becomes obsessed with rescuing the boy ghost’s mother from the demon who has taken her to hell.

A Lonely Death (William Morrow, January 2011) by Charles Todd, is actually written by the mother-son team of Caroline and Charles Todd. The mystery continues the saga of Scotland Yard inspector Ian Rutledge, a survivor of World War I who encounters many other veterans who, like himself, are hurting physically and mentally from their experiences in the Great War. Some have survived the horrors of war, only to fall victim to a deranged killer a few years later, but is it the war that ties them together? Rutledge must find the answer before others, including himself, are killed.

In Noah Boyd’s Agent X (William Morrow, July 2011) it’s FBI and CIA agents who are thrown into a confusing mixture of victims and perpetrators conspiring with Russian agents or double agents.

It’s up to former agent Steve Vail and assistant director Kate Bannon to sort it all out and get to the bottom, or the top, of who is selling out and who is going to be the next victim. Along the way, suspicion even falls on Kate, giving Vail the added task of clearing her name.

Banned Books Banned Books Week is held during the last week of September each year to remind people of the importance of intellectual freedom and free access to information for the community. Though attempts were made to ban the books on the list, most remained in library collections through the efforts of librarians, teachers, writers and sellers.

The American Library Association uses the week to bring attention to the dangers of restricting access to the written word.

The most challenged books of the decade are Harry Potter series (JK Rowling), Alice series (Phyllis Reynolds Naylor), The Chocolate War (Robert Cormier), And Tango Makes Three (Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell) and Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck). Other classics on the list after Steinbeck’s include I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou), The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain), The Color Purple (Alice Walker), Catcher in the Rye (J D Salinger) and To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee). One of the biggest ironies on the list is Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, the classic novel about not only book banning, but book burning, and not just some, but all books.

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Valley Writers Continuing the theme of ghosts and spirits, Hanford native Bonnie Hearn Hill’s latest young adult novel released last month is Ghost Island (Black Opal Books). When Livia Hinson sets sail toward Catalina Island on the first leg of a Seminar at Sea, a storm and strange dreams turn the students’ adventure into something quite unexpected. The first sign comes when two others reveal that their dreams were remarkably like Livia’s, except that they both saw a deceased relative. Livia met an intriguing boy named Aaron, but is he flesh or spirit? Her grandmother said the ocean attracted spirits. That seemed to be the truth, but was it to be a blessing or a curse?

Thriller and Mystery Organizations One of International Thriller Writers (http://thrillerwriters. org) priorities is to provide an opportunity for bestselling writers of murder mysteries, horror, espionage, war and other types of thrillers to mentor debut and lesser-known writers in the genre. The annual conference, ThrillerFest, and workshop, CraftFest, bring writers together with publishers, editors, agents and more.

Mystery Writers of America (www.mysterywriters.org) is the premier organization for mystery writers. It was founded in 1945.

Each spring, it presents the Edgar Awards for the best mystery published the year before in categories such as Best Novel, Best First Novel, Best Fact Crime and Best Juvenile Mystery.

Sisters in Crime (www.sistersincrime.org/index.cfm) was founded in 1986 to promote equality for women writing crime fiction. It began with a speech by Sara Paretsky outlining the mistreatment of women characters in a male-dominated field and discrimination against women authors whose work was being ignored. Chapters worldwide are celebrating the 25th anniversary this fall.

The Last Word “It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream.”—Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849).

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L LOCAL ADVENTURE

Vossler Farms

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ctober typically means cooler weather and the beginning of the holiday season. More so, it means Halloween is coming and with it, all the festivities of the second largest commercial holiday in America. For twists and turns and a night full of spooky corners and creepy crawlers, there is no other local adventure like the one to be had at Vossler Farms’ Corn Maze, in Visalia.

For 12 years, the Vossler Family has transformed a 10-acre corn field into a maze of unique design and a fun outing for all Central Valley residents. This year’s maze pays homage to our country and is dubbed “Lady Liberty,” an intricate design of the Statue of Liberty. Open for day and night exploration, children, teens and adults can enjoy the fun to be had at this fall’s maze.

There is nothing like taking your first few steps into the corn maze, making your first turn, and suddenly realizing this is not as easy as it sounds. Throughout the maze are checkpoints that you can cross off on a checklist; finding all the checkpoints takes a lot of determination and most of all ... patience. Plan to spend a couple hours going through the maze, and plan on hearing lots of spooky noises if you go at night. It seems that everyone at the Corn Maze is in the Halloween spirit, and the whispering corn rows are full of haunting sounds – perhaps not all made by fellow adventurers.

Things to keep in mind on this trek: You will get lost, you will get out (eventually), and you will have fun! Just remember to bring a flashlight if visiting after dark.

Making your way out of the maze is always a victory, whether after uncovering all the checkpoints or not. Taking the journey through the labyrinth with your friends and family is sure to be a memory you will never forget and a tradition you will want to revisit year after year.

Not many people, even in California, have the opportunity to enjoy the experience of an old fashioned corn maze. That’s just another thing that makes the Central Valley and Visalia a place to find unique local adventures.

Open through the end of October, Wednesday through Sunday, Vossler Farms’ Corn Maze is your destination for a local adventure and a dose of Halloween fun, right here at home.

For more information visit www.vosslerfarms.com.

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V VISUAL CHRONICLE

Matthew Rangel:

Drawing on the Source Text by Aaron Collins

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stablishing a public art collection involves a monumental cultural collaboration. Doing so in the midst of a difficult economy – and amid a region with a limited art collecting culture – is a challenge that finds the Visalia Visual Chronicle taking shape nonetheless.

The Visalia Visual Chronicle is the city’s first public art collection, one whose mission is to reflect all things Visalia. It will eventually contain numerous artworks featuring those local landmarks, colorful characters, and views both grand and obscure. Given all that, the Chronicle’s inaugural inclusion may seem at first glance an oblique choice.

The first acquisition is a lithograph from Visalia artist Matthew Rangel’s magnum opus 12-print suite entitled a Transect – Due East, which records his straight-line trek from his former home in Dinuba (where he was born and raised) to the High Sierra. The entire print series was chosen in May to be among the candidates for 2011 Visalia Visual Chronicle acquisition, first among several artworks that are now permanent in the collection (a sponsored project of the nonprofit Arts Consortium and its parent organization, the California Arts Council).

Being 30 miles off in the distance as the crow flies from Visalia, it’s easy to consider the Sierra Nevada mountains mere visual backdrop even on clear days. But in many ways, Rangel’s lithography series is the most suitable linchpin from which to form the new art collection.

First, the herculean endeavor of building any public art collection is commensurate with Rangel’s daunting physical feat that involved traversing the Sierra on foot in pursuit of his artistic vision. He walked from his former home in Dinuba through farms, various socio-economically distressed areas and on into the foothills to the giant sequoias and upward to some of the highest crags of the Great Western Divide, ending at Black Kaweah, within eyeshot of Mt. Whitney, the highest elevation in the lower U.S. But even before it began, he first had to resolve logistics and gain advance permission from every property owner along the transect.

That resulting dialogue and correspondence became material for Due East’s hybrid art form that one might call narrative cartography, given the actual and figurative journal-maps that resulted. Rangel created a limited edition, rare four boxed sets of the numbered fine art prints.

Second, there is the fine conception and draftsmanship of Rangel’s work and ingenious juxtaposition of his original art and various found ephemera from documentary sources, many of which are beautifully combined in chine colle and other fine art printmaking techniques.

But more importantly, thinks Rangel, who is an adjunct drawing professor at COS, the imposing high country subject of his art also 16

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constitutes Visalia’s very source and governor of all existence below its 14,000-ft. peaks. The water and mineral-rich soil that form the basis of our agricultural livelihood and enable daily life, originate at the summit of the brutal and beautiful Sierra. Without that, we’re nothing.

Additionally, launching the Chronicle with a selection from Due East makes sense, particularly considering that the project was the subject of a scholarly exhibition and catalog entitled Journeys Beyond the Neat Line (University of Alberta; 2010), showing Rangel to be a serious artist more than worthy of collector consideration.

Other area collections with his work include the Stonehouse Residency Collection located in the Sierra foothills in the vicinity of northeastern Tulare County. Rangel is also the cofounder of the upcoming Kaweah Land & Art Festival.

The Visual Chronicle’s founding sponsor, San Diego-based McMillin Homes, purchased Due East Through Elliot Ranch from Rangel for donation to the Visual Chronicle. Over time, as additional sponsors step up, the remaining 11 images in the boxed suite will enter the collection, which will be displayed continuously in public venues around the city. Sponsors will enjoy ongoing recognition for their philanthropy wherever the art is displayed. (DMI Agency, Inc., publisher of Lifestyle, is founding cosponsor of the Visalia Visual Chronicle.)

Following the Rangel selection by McMillin – and with an ample stable of other notable local artists bearing witness to what makes the city unique – other sponsors have begun to step up to create this cultural resource that captures the diverse inhabitants and meaningful places of one of the oldest and most attractive cities in the San Joaquin Valley.

L LITERARY ARTS

IMAGES OF SAUSAGE AND CHAVEZ: David Dominguez Does Poetry Right Text By Diane Slocum

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hen David Dominguez was really young, he closed his eyes at naptime to images of altered hills and tempestmashed air, daisies following the sun and roses on cheeks. His mother’s voice eased him to sleep with the words of Emily Dickinson and the poet’s lines lived in his dreams.

When he was attending California State University at Fresno, a professor, Dr. McDermott, read William Carlos Williams’ “The Red Wheelbarrow” to the class and asked them what it meant.

“I distinctly remember sitting there in the classroom and staring at the poem and trying to figure it out,” Dominguez said. “And it was really a magical moment because all of a sudden it just seemed like the images were levitating off the page. All of a sudden, I saw the wheelbarrow and I saw the rainwater and the white chickens. I raised my hand and, said' this poem represents technology, nature and God.” Dr. McDermott asked how he knew that and Dominguez replied that he had no idea how he knew it, he just did.

These two examples – images – stand out in Dominguez’s memory as times when he was captivated by the imagery of poetry. At 19, working at Red Carpet Car Wash and attending CSUF, he didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life – until the wheelbarrow jumped off the page. Then he knew he wanted to be a writer.

Dominguez’s parents had always encouraged both of their sons to attend college and never work in the fields. His mother grew up in Calwa and started harvesting crops when she was four years old because the family needed as much help as they could get in order to eat. His dad’s family moved around and he, too, worked in the fields to help sustain his poor family. Somehow, both of the Dominguez parents broke the cycle of poverty and attended college,

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the first generation of their families to do that. His mother became a teacher and his father an elementary principal. With his parents’ encouragement, coupled with his own love of learning, Dominguez’s education took him through Ernie Pyle Elementary and Hoover High in Fresno, CSUF, the University of California at Irvine and, finally, his Master of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona.

Being college educated didn’t keep Dominguez from experiencing the underbelly – literally – of the employment world. Most of his youthful jobs were of a more middle class nature – selling snacks at CSUF games, working at Kennel Book Store – even being a security guard on campus at Irvine. But the summer after he graduated from Irvine – headed to Arizona in the fall – was a different story. His mother told him he was not going to sit around all summer doing nothing so she found him a job – at a sausage factory. His brother – about to begin medical school – had the same fate. The next summer, they went back to that job.

“Here we were, these college kids working among these real men at the sausage factory,” he said. “The first summer I worked there, I worked there because I had to, but the second summer, we just went back because we loved it. We had a blast.”

His book of poems, Work Done Right, relies heavily on his experiences at the factory. The poems describe the smell of rotting meat, the feel of oozing fat, the grinding and clanking of machinery, lunch by the nopal orchard. Such a work place doesn’t sound like something a future poet or doctor would relish.

“It’s the camaraderie,” he said. “When I didn’t work there any more, it literally took a while to get the smell of pork out of my knuckles. But you make really good friends working in a place like that, being where it’s just mindless, labor-intensive work.”

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L LITERARY ARTS

This comes across in the poems, too. Julio, who lost his finger in a stuffer; Guillermo, who set up horseshoe stakes by the nopales; Miguel with the pretty daughter; these populate the poetic stories.

While in grad school, Dominguez read to be inspired, but a poem

by Federico Garcia Lorca so impressed him that he stopped writing.

“Reading that poem and having the sense of never being able to write that well and thinking about it for a countless number of hours,” he said, “ended up being the gateway to a new era in my life as a young writer. It helped push me from a writer in the most nascent stages of his craft to the next level, which was beginning to put the words together more beautifully.”

Finally, when he got the nerve to write again, he came out with “Between Magnolia and Ash,” the poem that opens Work Done Right.

Dominguez was ecstatic when he published his first two poems, in journals at Irvine and CSUF, while still in college. With his MFA in hand, his next poems were published in the Crab Orchard Review, a thrillingly respected journal for a young poet. Since then, his work has appeared in numerous journals including Bloomsbury Review, Poet Lore and The Southern Review.

Another huge honor came for him when Gary Soto chose his work for a chapbook, “Marcoli Sausage,” as part of the Chicano Chapbook series for young, up-and-coming writers.

“That launched me as a writer,” he said. “It’s really hard to get your first publication. That opened up lots of doors for me. That’s why I was included in How Much Earth. That’s gone on to be such an important anthology of poets who have come out of the Valley. I was in my mid-twenties and I was being included with the Gary Sotos and Phillip Levines. That was a tremendous privilege.”

His poems have also appeared in anthologies such as Highway 99, Camino del Sol and The Wind Shifts. Work Done Right and The Ghost of Cesar Chavez are composed solely of his poems. The first tells the story of a young factory worker seeking his destiny. In four

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parts, Ghost tells of Chavez, ancestors, honoring simple things, building a home and more.

Dominguez’s poems are narrative, image-driven and accessible – the words he uses to define the type of poem he looks for as the poetry editor of the Packinghouse Review, the independent literary journal he co-founded with Rick Garza.

With everyone surrounded by technology and instant gratification, he believes that poetry can’t be so esoteric that people feel like they need a codebook to understand it.

“I think it’s very important if we as writers want poetry to still be interesting to everyday readers,” he said, “to first and foremost have the audience in mind. If we’re writing poems for poetry professors, poetry is going to die for sure.”

As an English professor himself – he teaches at Reedley College – his biggest challenge is to bring many of his students up to college level. It gives him peace of mind to know that in every class, some of them will go on.

“That’s what fires me up about teaching,” he said. “It’s being able to help students who want to do something with their life go from developmental writing to college level writing. It’s not a job; it’s more of a calling.”

With his family history, he empathizes with these students and his dedication shows in his teaching and his poetry.

A ART XPOSED

Fashion Keeps

Charity Looking

Text by Jordan Venema | Photos by Becca Chavez

The Old Lumber Yard on 300 E. Oak Avenue got a serious makeover last month, and twice over, when it was structurally remodeled to accommodate the kind of modeling that’s usually found in cities like Milan, Paris and New York. The warehouse, whose corrugated tin walls had been stripped down to reveal its rusted support beams, would have otherwise seemed a more comfortable home for stray cats than a catwalk, but for one evening it became the romping grounds for models and fashionistas.

The juxtaposition of steel frames with soft fabrics, sawdust with glitter, the pragmatism of the warehouse with hairstyles as extravagant as wedding cakes created a je ne sais quoi atmosphere that made the venue a perfect fit for the second annual Art Xposed—a fashion show highlighting the cutting-edge hairstyles and designs of local stylists while raising funds for The Creative Center, whose mission it is to teach self-expression to developmentally disabled adults through art and community integration.

You could say the idea for Art Xposed grew out of a haircut.

Kathleen Remillard, who for seven years was The Creative Center’s executive director, asked Christi Jordan, the owner of Visalia’s CA Looks and Kathleen’s personal stylist, if she’d be interested in doing a hair show. Two years later and Art Xposed has become much larger than big hair: it has become a community event. Besides showcasing the talents of local stylists, the event included a children’s fashion show, dance performances

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by In-Shape’s Zumba class and Dancer’s Edge Studio, and a solo performance by Visalia’s Ashley Galvan who appeared on the seventh season of the show So You Think You Can Dance.

At the center of the event was a fashion show and competition broken into three divisions: Novice, Trendsetter and Avant-garde.

During the show, the warehouse had the atmosphere of a sports stadium and the electricity of a red carpet event. The crowd cheered as stylists described their designs, and decorated women maneuvered the catwalk in their high heels and dressed in gowns ranging from the elegant (a simple and short beige dress) to the fantastic (a sort of toga befitting Cleopatra). Leslie Cooke, a stylist from Renaissance Salon in downtown Visalia, and the winner of the Trendsetter competition, described the models as “fierce.” An apt description since many of the hairstyles and outfits looked as though they had been inspired by Lady Gaga.

The winners of each division were awarded a miscellany of gift cards to local businesses – restaurants, spas, florists, oil changes – worth well into the hundreds of dollars. But for many of the local stylists who participated in the fashion show, the competition was secondary to the purpose of the event: supporting Visalia’s Creative Center. Sabrina Tanaka, a student at Estes Institute of Cosmetology and first place winner in the Novice division, felt that “being able to participate in an event like this meant a lot more than a win.” Sabrina also knew that the audience “didn’t just buy a ticket to see a hair show,” but, like her, to participate in an event that had much more significance than just fashion.

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When asked how Art Xposed benefits The Creative Center, Remillard answered, “Every little bit of money raised is helpful.” She estimates that this year’s Art Xposed event raised about $10,000 for the Center. “But,” she added, emphasizing the priority, “it’s also about raising awareness about the Center.” Kathleen should know. How did she become involved with The Creative Center? “Actually, a friend invited me to one of the plays.”

Remillard was a volunteer at the Center before she became its executive director. “Their hearts are huge,” she said, describing the developmentally disabled adults who, through the Creative Center, express themselves through visual and performance arts.

Performance arts includes The Creative Center’s Blues Brothers, a lip-syncing group replete with instruments and microphones. Six men dressed in suits and fedoras inaugurated Art Xposed with a performance that ultimately stole the show. One vocalist cartwheeled down the catwalk while the other crooned into the microphone. And the musicians never broke character. Cool as cucumbers, those Blues Brothers, until they walked off stage with wide, infectious grins. As they received high fives and fist-bumps from audience members, it was clear that these adults were the real stars of Art Xposed. Everything that followed was just a really cool accessory.

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ABOVE: Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director.

From Pro-Choice to Pro-Life A passionate advocate shares her experience Text by Kyndal Kennedy

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uring college, Abby Johnson joined Planned Parenthood with the hopes of helping women in need, and eight years into her career, she proudly carried the Clinic Director title with confidence and enthusiasm.

Abby loved her job, despite its controversial nature. “I would like to tell you I had all this turmoil in my soul the whole time I worked there, guys, but I didn’t, I loved my work. I loved every day of it,” she said.

Most of Abby’s work was done post-procedure, but one September afternoon in 2009, she was called in to assist with an ultra sound-guided abortion, a rare occurrence because she had no medical training. “I should not have been in that room, I should not

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have been there. I should not have been assisting with a procedure.

I am not a doctor. I’m not a nurse. I have no business touching an ultrasound probe ... but I was,” said Abby.

Abby held the ultrasound probe to the women’s abdomen, unsure of what she would see on the screen. She was a bit nervous, reassuring herself that whatever happened, this 13-week-old fetus was not going to feel anything—because that’s what she learned, believed, and reinforced to others in her eight years at Planned Parenthood.

“All of a sudden I see this child jump and I see this fetus recoil and begin to flail and try to move away from the instrument ... and I was shocked,” Abby said.

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Immediately, Abby’s view of Planned Parenthood and abortion changed drastically. She called into question why Planned Parenthood instilled in their employees that life at that stage of development had no sensory development, when she saw with her very own eyes that it did. She called into question her own judgment and naivety. Had she really bought into this lie for eight years? Had she relayed this information to thousands of would-have-been mothers?

She had.

Two weeks later, Abby quit her job at Planned Parenthood. “It was like God knocked me over the head with a two-by-four and said, ‘Get out of the abortion industry!’” she recalled.

Abby Johnson was the keynote speaker at Tulare-Kings Right to Life’s 16th Annual “Making a Difference for Life” banquet in Visalia.

She openly shared her story – which held the power to evoke emotion in any person, regardless of political or religious belief – and her paradigm shift from pro-choice to pro-life.

Since her resignation, Abby has become a well-known face of the pro-life movement and has shared her story throughout the U.S. with the mindset that, “This isn’t just gonna fix itself. It’s a big battle and God is in this. He’s not gonna do the work for us. We must do God’s work. We must be his hands and feet,” she said.

This is what TKRL is about; it is about doing the work by providing comfort, resources, services and education to women facing unexpected, or even planned, pregnancies. The services and support they provide includes their California Life – Youth Outreach involvement, helping high school and college youth understand, articulate, and defend the sanctity of life having to do with issues such as chastity and modesty. TKRL also offers retreats for women suffering after having an abortion with the IRMA (I Regret My Abortion) Network, career fairs, parenting classes, alcohol and drug recovery groups, and much more. They are passionate about education and providing youth and adults information to help them make informed decisions.

Executive Director of TKRL, April Kesterson described instances where the work of TKRL has shown itself to the volunteers and

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staff in special ways; many times they are able to see their work in action in the form of women and young girls who made a decision to forego abortion after being educated about their options. These women, with life still inside of them, give purpose and hope to the TKRL mission.

Abby spoke to the evening’s audience with truth and conviction when she said, “You cannot say you are pro-life and allow this [event] to be your [only] pro-life commitment of the year,” inspiring attendees to do more than just show up for one evening.

Money donated at this year’s fundraiser will be used in all aspects of keeping TKLR as a valuable resource for those in need. These donations are gratefully received by TKRL and help them to be the hands and feet of God in serving our community.

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H HOME TOUR

The Westbrook Home

Simple Sanctuary

Northwest Visalia family home helps keep focus on life’s priorities Text by Aaron Collins | Photos by Forrest Cavale, Third Element Studios

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n modern society, people decreasingly know their neighbors’ names, let alone borrow a cup of sugar or mingle anymore. So when it comes time to move to a new home, taking one’s neighbors along might seem rather unusual. But that’s more or less what Ron and Karen Westbrook did when they built their home in northwest Visalia.

They packed up and took the Margosians right along with them. (The Margosians consented, apparently.)

“We enjoyed our previous next-door neighbors so much … that we bought lots right next to each other, with our escrows closing on the same day. To celebrate, we had an escrow closing party on the bare lots, with tiki torches and decorations, awnings and a fire pit,” said Karen Westbrook. “But best of all, we had lots of friends and good cheer. I’m sure the existing homeowners were a bit worried about their new neighbors, although there were only three other homes built in the subdivision at the time,” she said.

PICTURED: Texture and European-style ornament characterize the décor of the Visalia home of Ron and Karen Westbrook. Interior design inspiration came from Debbie Santucci at Santucci Design. Architect Marvin Armstrong helped adapt and modify the prefab floor plan, and Ron, as a licensed contractor, built the home with the help of Visalia-based builder Steve Watters, who managed the project. The residence’s ample grounds were shaped by the landscape architectural firm Hutmacher Maynard Associates.

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Ron and Karen were attracted to the lot for several reasons: It was a large one-acre lot but still close to town; it had a mature Valley Oak tree; and it was located in a small, quiet gated neighborhood with a total of only 17 lots.

“We like the northwest area because of the close proximity to our business, Ron’s family, schools, church, etc.,” Karen said. The couple owns Visalia Granite and Marble Works nearby, a source of monuments and other stone products. The company is among the oldest businesses operating in Visalia, established in 1890. As one might expect, the Westbrook home features an ample variety of types of stone throughout. “Because we are in the monument business, four different kinds of granite were used throughout the home. We thought this was a great way to represent our industry,” Ron said.

While spacious, the home is unified by a philosophy of simplicity. “Our time is consumed with the important things in life: family, work and the other extra-curriculars we find ourselves committing to.

Consequently, our home is dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation,” Karen said. “Comfy fabrics and furniture have been used throughout, and you can literally put your feet up wherever you sit down,” she said. “You are able to watch television or listen to the stereo in any room of the house, including the master bathroom.

“The grand entry is somewhat deceiving, as the house lives simply and comfortably. The yard, with its grassy knolls and trees, begs for a picnic or an evening campfire or family barbeque,” Karen said.

TOP: The Westbrook's two canines: Puppy, an eight-year-old Rat Terrier is also known as Nervous Nellie because she constantly shakes; and Gucci, a 10-year-old Pomeranian mix, was rescued from the Visalia Cemetery.

ABOVE: Ron and Karen Westbrook enjoy the outdoor kitchen of their northwest Visalia home, completed in 2003.

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There are also lots of quiet areas for reading or study, which Karen and Ron are taking advantage of now that the children are getting older and moving on. But the Westbrooks, who love to travel in their RV with a goal of visiting all of the continental states, kept things simple for that reason. “Our home décor is minimal for ease of cleaning, and the landscape is low-maintenance, just grass and trees, with a beautiful 125-year-old Valley Oak tree in the front yard, for which the lot was purchased,” Ron and Karen agree.

The two-story Westbrook residence is “traditional in style with a European flair, and has a sort of casual elegance,” as the owners see it.

“We found the floor plan in a book and had it modified to suit our needs. Two important features were mandatory: a grand entry with tall ceiling heights so you have a view from the front entrance, all the way through the house to the backyard. The other mandatory feature was a downstairs master bedroom suite.”

Ron’s background was put to work during both the design and construction phases. “Besides owning Visalia Granite, Ron is a licensed general engineering and landscape contractor with a

background in architecture,” Karen said. “These skills are utilized in the business for design and implementation of large-scale memorial projects. So his knowledge was a valuable resource while designing and building our home.”

In the planning stages, a mostly seamless deal was struck between the couple: Ron made all the construction decisions and Karen made the design choices.

In addition to simplicity and ease of maintenance, the home is designed for energy efficiency as well as privacy. The upstairs is fully self-contained with separate heating and cooling systems and can be closed off for energy efficiency. “Every day during the summer months, the whole house fan, which we fondly call ‘The Sucker,’ is used to cool off the house,” Ron said. The exterior walls are designed to accommodate extra insulation value, which helps to keep the home cool or warm as needed.

The heart of the home is the open country kitchen with white painted cabinets; stainless steel Dacor appliances; dark, glossy emerald-pearl granite countertops with a porcelain tile backsplash

ABOVE: The master bedroom of the Westbrook’s Visalia home was recently remodeled in a Tuscan motif inspired by a trip to Italy. It is Karen’s personal favorite area in the house, a “sanctuary” featuring this dark mahogany four-poster bed.

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and ceramic floor tile in earthy hues, both set on the diagonal. The focal point in the kitchen is the metallic bronze oak leaf design, framed in tile above the stovetop. Curvy wrought-iron barstools and breakfast table and chairs are located near a large island perfect for serving family-style meals. The kitchen area is popular for gatherings of family and friends on Bunco and poker nights because of the openness and the abundance of seating.

But Karen’s personal favorite area in the house is the sanctuary of the master bedroom, containing a treasured dark mahogany four-poster bed. The game room is dedicated to the kids and houses

their awards in trophy cases. “This room is where Nintendo and Play Station are king, poker games are played, and many a movie is watched,” Karen said. The couple have three children. Their oldest daughter, Jill, lives in Washington DC and works as a CPA; son Ron lives in Visalia and owns a local construction firm; and their youngest daughter, Julie, just graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Two collections are displayed in the home: a collection of crosses – most of which were given to the family as gifts – and a Roseville

The dining room of Ron and Karen Westbrook’s Visalia home features traditional furnishings and a cross collection formed from gifts from a variety of friends and family.

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HOME TOUR H

For more information, Call Jodi or Margo 741-9484 www.sequoiacrossing.net Summit Homebuilders Inc. Lic. #961587

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H H HOME TOUR pottery collection that started with a tea set given to Karen by her mother. Some of the artwork around the house was painted by Karen’s mother. “I always tell people that the artistic gene skips a generation as my mother and both of my daughters are very creative,” she said.

The couple met at COS in the early ’80s when both were taking a computer-related night course.

Now Karen runs the accounting side of Visalia Granite but “considers herself semi-retired because of their wonderfully organized staff.” She spends much of her time at her home office preparing the accounting for four other entities, all volunteer work. But she feels that her most important job is taking care of Ron’s ailing mother.

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PICTURED: Ron and Karen Westbrook, owners of Visalia Granite and Marble Works (one of the city’s oldest businesses, established in 1890) put their expertise in stone to good use in the kitchen of their northwest Visalia home in Meadowcrest Estates. Four different types of granite are featured throughout the home.

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A AGRICULTURE

Bounty T of the

County Text and Photos by Corey Ralston

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he sun setting behind the Ritchie Barn in Visalia was an all-too picture-perfect environment for local farmers and restaurants to celebrate the harvest. From wine to bread pudding, locals tasted the best of Tulare County. Twentyfive different vendors were on hand to let guests taste-test the fruits of their labor.

The Second Annual Bounty of the County, formed with the goal of creating a connection and an appreciation between farmers, restaurants and consumers throughout Tulare County, brought in over 300 locals who were hungry to learn more about what is growing in their own backyard.

Throughout the evening, people mingled and enjoyed each other’s company, while going back for second and third tastes of their favorite dishes, perfecting the art of conversation with a good glass of wine, all the while dancing to the sound of Carl Lawson’s Fun Country band.

“Farm Bureau members were pleased to see the fantastic turnout of people and enjoyed the opportunity to meet and mingle with Tulare County friends and neighbors from all walks of life,” said Program Coordinator Carrie Crane.

The growing popularity of eating fresh, local and sustainable products has made this tasting even more successful than the inaugural event.

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Porterville resident Teresa Langdon tries to be conscious about eating local resources. She is a frequent Farmers Market patron and feels privileged to live in an area that has such fresh offerings.

“This was my first time to this event, and I can see this event really taking off. The fact that it is laid back and comfortable is a huge selling point. I have been to other tastings but this was by far the neatest one,” Langdon said, who had no idea that there were so many wine and even vodka producers here in the Valley. Hangar One offered samples of three different infused vodkas to try. And Brewbakers, Visalia’s ever-popular microbrewery, had seasonal beers on hand.

This year there was a great turnout of winemakers from throughout the state, some of which are using Tulare County grapes in their wines. The Tulare County Farm Bureau wanted to provide Tulare County consumers an opportunity to connect with farmers, chefs, brewers, winemakers and everyone who contributes to the bountiful plate of products produced in our county. “We hope Bounty of the County guests learned something new about agriculture and gained a new perspective on our industry,” Crane said.

Each year, the Farm Bureau puts on several events that each focus on a different purpose. On November 5 the Young Farmers and Ranchers will host its 18th Annual Casino Night, a fundraiser to help raise money to support annual charity projects and sponsor young agricultural professionals to attend leadership conferences and special

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events. There is also the “Farm to Fork” livestock event where three locally grown hogs raised by junior exhibitors are entries at the Tulare County Fair. The meal is provided to beneficiaries of the Visalia Rescue Mission.

In March, the Farm Bureau is back with its spring gala, a fundraiser that raises funds for the Tulare County Farm Bureau’s literacy programs and scholarships for local youth.

The Bureau’s hope is that Bounty of the County will turn into a must-see countywide event for years to come, as it continues to connect Tulare County consumers with the Valley’s hardworking farmers and the food they provide.

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FallComf

Welco

Text by Elaine Dakessian, Tre Bien | Photos by Taylor Vaughn

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he return of fall brings welcome relief from the heat of summer. The cooler weather turns our thoughts homeward, pulls us back from vacations near and far, and stirs that inner longing for the proverbial “home-cooked meal. This month’s recipe will help you warm up your kitchen and satisfy your craving for cozy comfort food. Belly-filling spaghetti and meatballs, and a crusty bruschetta appetizer, are just what you need to create a perfect fall evening.

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Spaghetti and Meatballs with Pomodoro Sauce These meatballs are made the Old Italian way, soaked in milk, and they are just the best. I grew up in an Italian neighborhood and I remember watching the little Italian ladies in their dresses, heads wrapped with a kerchief and dark hose and shoes, very Old World, and best food I ever ate.

Ingredients: Extra virgin olive oil 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 3 T flat-leaf parsley 1 C milk 4 slices white bread, crusts removed and cubed 1-1/2 C ground veal (pork can be used if veal is not available) 1-1/2 C ground beef 1 large egg 1/2 C grated Parmesan (I used good quality Parmigiano-reggiano) Shredded mozzarella is optional; see below.

Directions: Heat about 3 T olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and parsley and cook until the vegetables are soft and translucent. Take off the heat and let cool.

Soak the bread in the milk while the vegetables are cooling.

Combine the meats in a large bowl. Add the egg and Parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Use your hands to squeeze the excess milk out of the bread, then add the bread to the bowl along with the meat and vegetables.

Gently combine with your hands until just mixed together.

Shape into 10 meatballs.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat 3 T olive oil in skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer them to a baking dish and spoon about half of the Pomodoro Sauce (see recipe on next page) over. Bake until they are cooked through, about 30 minutes. The last 10 minutes I like to melt mozzarella over, but that is optional.

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Pomodoro Sauce Ingredients 1/2 C extra virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic 3 T chopped fresh thyme 1/2 medium carrot, shredded 2 (28-ounce) canned tomatoes (I use San Marzano if possible) Directions In a saucepan heat the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened. Add the thyme and carrot and cook until the carrot is soft, about five minutes.

Add the tomatoes with their juice and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer about 30 minutes. Season with salt.

When serving, add a bowl of grated Parmesan at the table to sprinkle with wild abandon.

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Antipasti Bruschetta Serves 6 Ingredients 4 oz. salami, sliced into thin strips 1 C Giardiniera vegetables 1/4 C pepperoncini, sliced into rings 1/4 C chopped kalamata olives 4 oz. Mortadella, sliced into thin strips Baby arugula Olive oil to drizzle 1/2 lemon Parmesan shavings to garnish One baguette, cut on the bias and toasted (I do mine with a little olive oil in a grill pan) Directions Toss the first five ingredients in medium bowl with a drizzle of olive oil. Toss arugula in separate bowl with olive oil and squeeze lemon. To assemble, place arugula on each baguette and top with antipasti. Garnish with Parmesan shavings.

CULINARY ARTS C

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H HUMANITARIAN

A New Lesson Plan:

PICTURED: Students study by natural light in one of MCEDO's classrooms.

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Life and Learning in

Kenya Text and Photos by Jordan Venema

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arrived with little more than a return ticket, my own good mood, and vague images from the The Lion King. Of course I knew there wouldn’t be elephants and giraffes roaming the city streets, but was still a bit disappointed to find mostly cabs and concrete. My plans were to travel to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, to volunteer, to do some good. Not knowing exactly what I would do. Working at an orphanage, teaching at a school, or just helping a lost child find his mother – I envisioned myself making a difference and changing lives. Not to be limited by the details: changing sheets, making lesson plans, keeping to a schedule. And so I traveled without concrete plans.

Within a mile of UNON, the United Nations Office at Nairobi, I found a room to rent. My housemates, who interned at UNON, told me about a school in Mathare, one of the city’s slums. They possessed the kind of statistics you’d expect a UN intern to know offhand, like the percentage of the world’s population that lives in slums (a sixth). Mathare is Nairobi’s second largest slum after Kibera, which is the second largest slum in Africa and the third largest in the world. I had seen the movie The Constant Gardener, which

was partially filmed in Kibera. Maybe I would uncover a conspiracy involving a large pharmaceutical company that tested dangerous drugs on the people living in slums. I mean, if Ralph Fiennes could do it – right?

My housemates continued: The school, MCEDO (Mathare Community Education Development Organization), had about 200 students, and the teachers, who also lived in the slum, were mostly uneducated. There were no books, no electricity and no running water. Mathare had even made international news. A week before I’d left for Kenya, the front-page article in the New York Times was about a police raid that had left 22 people dead there. But this was exactly the kind of setting for volunteer work that I had in mind. “When can you take me there?” I asked.

My first experienced with Mathare was through the window of a cab. The drive was only 10 minutes, and paved roads quickly gave way to dirt. The road followed the lip of a valley, and the view of the slum didn't appear until the cab descended into the valley itself. Mathare appeared to me in a single glance as an overwhelming series of images: white hills, rusted tin, rising smoke. The hills were actually mounds of LIFEST YLE | OC TOBER 2011

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trash, wrappers, banana peels, discarded rags, and human waste.

Goats and three-legged dogs competed for scraps, and men scavenged through the dump. Children ran alongside the cab barefoot, smiling largely and waving their arms. “How are you, how are you?” they shouted. A man had passed out in the dust alongside the road.

The cab parked in front of the school, which was one of the few concrete buildings in the slum. MCEDO looked like a castle among the hundreds of shacks made from mud, stick and corrugated tin. Between six and eight people live in a shack that is no larger than a small bedroom in an American home. And since the life expectancy in Kenya is about 54 years, many of these households are mixed families. A majority of MCEDO’s students were orphans whose parents had either died or left them. I thought about these numbers as I looked out the cab window, trying to comprehend how 800,000 people could live in a space two miles long and a mile wide.

Stepping out of the car, I immediately gagged on the stench of feces and rotting trash. Children ran up to me, touching my clean clothes, placing their palms on my skin. There was sanitizer in my pocket but I wouldn’t allow myself to use it. I later threw it out, telling myself that if they could live without it, then so 48

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could I. The repetition of “How are you, How are you?” rung in my ears. I felt lightheaded, and my body, which was accustomed to personal space and cleanliness, braced itself from an assault of foreign stimuli. But then soft, smooth fingers wrapped around mine. A girl, five-years-old, maybe six, held onto my hand and smiled at me. Her face was filthy with grime and snot, and yet something about her settled me. I knelt by her and put my hands around hers. She was missing a finger, and the rest of her hand was scarred smooth from oil burns – a common thing in a place that runs mostly on paraffin. I cried briefly before walking into the school.

Throughout the next 10 weeks, I became intimate with Mathare. I learned how to navigate through the maze of shacks, and knew the best places to jump across open sewage. I took the same path at the same time on the same days of the week, and the residents began laughing at me in a familiar way. At the time I had long hair and a beard, and more than once was asked in Swahili what Jesus wanted with Mathare? I taught a few classes at the school, but the school had so few resources that a science class entailed lessons in hygiene, teaching younger students how to wash their hands (with soap and water they didn’t have). One classroom had a handmade poster of a human eye, arrows pointing

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to and labeling its parts: the white part and the black part.

Students shared pencils, and wrote by natural light. Having studied enough Swahili, I recognized errors in the grammar lessons that a teacher gave his students. I quickly realized that there was nothing I could do to make any of these students’ lives better – because even if MCEDO had been transformed into something resembling the worst school in America, it would still be in Mathare. These kids would still live with the threat of rape and disease, the reality of a world without any kind of privacy, and the kind of poverty that made the poorest of Americans seem wealthy. But as the principal of MCEDO put it, the school existed more for the sake of the life of the student than for his education.

But I knew this after the first day of setting set foot in Mathare. I had an idea to build a compost pile for the school, but when explaining the concept to my friend Erik, a teacher at MCEDO, he interrupted me. “You know,” he said, “it makes me happy that you walk to the school and don’t take a cab, like other Mzungu. Some visitors put the bandana to their nose, but you are like us.” After that conversation I dropped the idea of composting, and stopped worrying about making lesson plans. I focused more on singing with the children, and eating whatever

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food was offered to me, even when it made me sick. I had naively believed that I could change the circumstances in which they lived, but came to realize that I could change only my own.

I couldn’t take them out of Mathare, but I could put myself further in it. For all the “good” I had set out to do, I could do no more than I did when a little girl with scarred hands reached out for me, and I didn’t push her away. In a sense, the best any of us can do is to be present when others reach out for us, and to lay aside our own plans for the sake of being where others are. #1: A young student leads a class in grammar exercises. #2: A view of a small portion of Mathare's roofline. The sticks rising from the roofs are attached to illegal and live wires that bring a small amount of electricity to some of the shacks. #3: Students with their newly purchased school books. A donation from members at Grace Community Church in Visalia allowed the school to buy desperately needed supplies, such as pencils, paper, books and cooking fuel. #4: A free lunch for students is prepared on the ground near an open gutter in Mathare. The Un World Food Program donates the meal which is, for some students, their only guaranteed meal in the day. #5: Children play in front of the school's entrance during a free period. #6: Jordan Venema and MCEDO teachers Eric Adiea and Juma Kennedy, with students in front of the school.

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N NOTEWORTHY

Noteworthy

news THE HABIT BURGER GRILL'S pre-opening events in September raised over $7,900 for local charities in Visalia. The benefitting nonprofits included the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sequoias, Visalia Heritage and the Visalia Police Activities League.

The first ever TRITULARE SPRINT TRIATHLON, 5k, and Kids Tri Race was a success!

A combined total of over 200 people participated in the September 24th events at Tulare Western High School. Proceeds benefitted Boy Scouts of America Troop # 234, enabling them to send seven boys to Camp Chawanakee at Shaver Lake next summer with the funds raised.

Photo by Dana Holt

BUFFALO WILD WINGS selected Happy Trails Riding Academy as the featured recipient of proceeds raised during the restaurants preopening event. The non-profit received over $2,400. Donations were made in memory of Mike McKay, a longtime volunteer and supporter of Happy Trails.

Do you know of someone or something that deserves kudos? Let us know about it!

Email us at lifestyle@dmiagency.com, or Fax: 559.738.0909 50

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NOTEWORTHY N

Broker/Owner NMLS #252789

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F FASHION

Styling Fall’s

Latest Fashion

Trends Text by Sharon Mosley

W

hether you can afford to splurge on a whole new fall wardrobe or your budget is almost non-existent, you can still pull off fall’s hottest fashion trends with just a few new items available at a variety of price points. Here are some tips on ways to update your look right now.

Make a colorful statement. Buy a new jacket or coat in a bold color. Red is one of the biggest hits this fall. Try it in a vibrant shade of crimson. It’s a fast way to give anything you wear underneath a punch of fall fashion. Pastels are also a new way to step out for fall in cool corals, pinks and yellows. Or stick to tailored menswear classics in black and white.

adds a dramatic romantic flair to everything you wear. Even the poncho gets reinvented this season for a flirty change of pace.

Missoni’s knit poncho at Target is one of the freshest new looks updated in the company’s iconic stripes. Just be sure to stick to slim pants, tights or a skirt when wearing this oversized shape on top. And carry a clutch or top-handle handbag. No shoulder bags for this look!

Get a little crafty. Take a tip from Grandma. This fall many fashion designers worked their creative looks into artistic pieces with patchwork details that often reflect geometric American Indian motifs. Look for Southwestern graphics like Navajoinspired coats to be new favorites.

Bloom in floral prints. Flower patterns are popping up in everything from dresses to handbags and shoes, especially in digitized graphic prints. Pick one and have some fun this fall.

The ’40s-inspired printed dress is a great place to start.

Update with animal prints. Leopard may be a popular animal spot on the fashion horizon this fall, but watch for an even newer print to snake its way into the scene – python – even in bright colors, it weaves its way into the latest boots and bags.

Dress up your jeans. Whether you like fitted or flared jeans, you’ll want to add some interesting layers on top. Leather bomber jackets and furry, cropped jackets are two of your best bets.

Fluff it up. You’ve seen the furry jackets, scarves and vests on the runways; now you can put some frill into your wardrobe with fur – newest when it’s bright and colorful. Feathers are another way to add some thrills to your clothes and are also a great way to make eveningwear more special.

Be a caped crusader. The cape is a great outerwear piece to own this fall. This flowing shape can easily be worn day or night and

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FASHION F

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P PERFORMANCES

52nd Season Text By Marsha Peltzer

CRÈME DE PARIS O

n Saturday, November 12, at 7:30 in the evening, Paris will be coming to the Visalia Fox Theatre in the form of two famous compositions written by two of the most famous French composers in the classical music genre: a Saint-Saens and Maurice Ravel. The second concert of the “Masterful Masterworks” 2011-2012 season will also feature the popular violin concerto written by German composer Felix Mendelssohn.

The Parisian evening begins with Saint-Saens’ “Suite Algerienne,” composed in 1880.

Saint-Saens was born in Paris in 1835, and lived until 1921.

He was a late Romantic composer, organist, pianist and conductor.

He was perhaps best known for the Carnival of the Animals, Danse Macabre, Piano Concerto #2 and Symphony #3 (Organ Symphony).

He was a multifaceted intellectual with exceptional expertise in a myriad of subjects including philosophy, science, mathematics and archaeology and was held in high esteem in all of these areas.

The “Suite Algerienne” will showcase the composer’s amazing joy in his “Picturesque Impressions of a Voyage to Algeria,” the title on the score. As the title suggests, it is a tone-picture, and its four movements need little description to convey the meaning of their contents. “View of Algiers” indicates the undulating movement of the sea as the vessel approaches the harbor; “Moorish Rhapsody” introduces brilliant contrapuntal style, an oriental melody and fantastic combinations of instruments and bizarre effects; “An Evening Dream at Blidah,” a fortress near Algiers, is a quiet, romantic nocturne. In the last movement, a French military march is worked up in elaborate style.

Algeria is the second largest state in Africa with over 600 miles of Mediterranean coastline. This musical picture brings the intrigue and beauty of the area to mind.

In a departure from the Paris theme, the centerpiece of the concert will be Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto in E minor.” Felix Mendelssohn (1809-47) was born in Hamburg, Germany. He was immensely gifted, multi-talented and unusually fortunate, enjoying the luxury of a very comfortable and relatively trouble-free life.

His conservative schooling had imbued in him the virtues of the classical tradition of Mozart and Haydn. By the time he had grown up, elements of form and design were ingrained. Weighing the large output against his tragically early death, at age 38, it is small wonder

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that Schumann dubbed him “the Mozart of the nineteenth century.”

Mendelssohn started work on the concerto in 1838, shortly after he wed. Although it was written in the course of one summer, it gestated for six years. Why? Partly because of intervening obligations, but mostly because his respect and admiration for violinist Ferdinand David caused him to be determined to make it as near perfect as he could. Arguably the first truly Romantic violin concerto, there was a new accent on discourse between orchestra and soloist.

Reinforcing the integrity of the composition, the three movements play continuously. The cleverly modulated end of the first enables the holding of the bassoon note to start the second. The link to the final movement is even more breathtaking.

Returning violinist Danielle Belen will be featured in the concerto. Belen is on the faculty of the prestigious Colburn Conservatory in L.A., and is also Founder and Artistic Director of the Center Stage Strings, a summer camp and performing festival for gifted young musicians in nearby Three Rivers. She has played with the Symphony, but this is her first guest soloist appearance.

The Paris evening ends with the beautiful “Daphnis and Chloe” ballet. Composer Maurice Ravel, born in the Pyrenees near Biarritz, is noted for his instrumental and orchestral melodies. Much of his music is included in the standard concert repertoire. Ravel (18751937) is probably most famous for his 1928 composition “Bolero,” which he considered trivial.

In 1909, Ravel collaborated with impresario Sergei Diaghilev for the ballet “Daphnis and Chloe,” one of the pieces featured in the November concert. The score took three years to complete, due to problems with Diaghilev, and it was initially unenthusiastically received. It survived, and Igor Stravinsky called “Daphnis and Chloe” one of the most beautiful compositions of all French music.

It has often been requested by local concert goers, and Music Director Bruce Keisling is excited about including it in this CRÈME DE PARIS. For information and tickets to the concert please contact the Symphony Office at 732-8600.

PERFORMANCES P

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Catering • Cooking Classes Private Dinners • Business Luncheons www.elainestresbien.com

559.734.2436 559.936.1260

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October 2011 Theater & Performances

NOV 12

NOV 17

Creme de Paris

Presented by the Tulare County Symphony.

Violinist Danielle Belen is on the faculty of the prestigious Colburn Conservatory in L.A. and is also founder and artistic director of the Center Stage Strings, a summer camp and performance festival for gifted young musicians in Three Rivers. The concert includes Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto in E minor,” Saint-Saens’ “Suite Algerienne,” and the Paris evening ends with the beautiful “Daphnis and Chloe” ballet.

When: Nov. 12, 7:30p Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 623-1369

Disney’s Mulan, Jr.

The T.C.O.E Theatre Company’s talented cast of Tulare County’s youth performs a spin on the classic Disney feature “Mulan” for their fall production.

When: Nov. 17-19: 7:00pm; Nov. 19: 2:00pm Where: L.J. Williams Theater, 1001 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: Brian Roberts, brianr@tcoe.org or call 651-1482 ext.3645

Art Exhibits

OCT 29

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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: Nov. 5, 10a-5p Where: Maps at Anne Lang’s Emporium, 41651 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or visit www.1stSaturdayTR.com

Diversions & Excursions

OCT 22

Healthy Visalia Festival

OCT 24

21st Annual Taste Treats in Tulare

OCT 29

Spooky Sprint

Creative Alchemy: Releasing Your Artist’s Soul This one-day workshop, taught by Bay Area architect and author Anthony Lawlor, will help you rediscover your artist’s soul and your personal voice as an artist. It is open to nonartists as well; anyone interested in deepening their perception of art and/or their ability to create it. The material in the workshop applies to arts in any medium: painting, sculpture, writing, music, performance and film. Call for registration information.

When: Oct. 29, 10a-4p Where: Three Rivers Art Center, Three Rivers Contact: 561-4671

1st Saturday in Three Rivers

Bring the family out for a fun-filled day of entertainment, family relay activities, informational booths, group walk, healthy screenings, massage booths and much more!

When: Oct. 22, 1-4p Where: Riverway Sports Park, 3611 N. Dinuba Blvd., Visalia Contact: 624-2416

Every year Tulare anticipates this fun and flavorful local event featuring the area’s finest restaurants offering samples of their best dishes, drinks and desserts. And don’t forget to bid on the silent auction items!

When: Oct. 24, 6p Where: International Agri-Center, 4450 S. Laspina St., Tulare Contact: Linda Ruminer, 686-2074

The Spooky Sprint offers fun and excitement to participants of all ages. Showcase your Halloween spirit and wear your costume. Award for best costumes will be given. After the 5k Run/Walk, a Kids Fun Run will be held. Call for registration info.

When: Oct. 29, 7-10a Where: Plaza Park, Visalia Contact: 713-4365

HAPPENINGS H

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf Directed by Thomas-Whit Ellis, Fresno State Theatre Arts Department puts on this experimental play by Ntozake Shange. Initially staged in California, it has been performed Off-Broadway and on Broadway, and adapted as a book, a television film, and a theatrical film. The 1977 Broadway production was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play.

When: Oct. 28-Nov. 5, 8p evening; 2p matinee Where: Woods Theatre, Fresno State Contact: 278-2216

NOV 4

The Enchanted Reef: Planetarium Public Show

This programs transports the viewer to a tropical reef, a one-of-a-kind world: colorful and foreign, full of adventure and danger, riddles and mysteries, old legends and myths ... a world inhabited by creatures that are humorous and courageous, lovable and bizarre, charming and dangerous. An exciting adventure for the whole family.

When: Nov. 4, 7p Where: Peña Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel, Visalia Contact: 737-6334

Kaweah Land & Arts Festival

Enjoy performances, art and excursions during this four-day festival celebrating our rich culture and land. Each day is filled with entertainment, fun, games and cultural ambiance. For more information please visit www.sequoiariverlands.org.

Nov. 4, “Blues & Dust” at Cellar Door, 9-11:30p Nov. 5, “Visual Harvest: Paintings by Paul Buxman” at Arts Visalia, 6-8p Nov. 6, “Getting Grounded: The Land & Arts Field Day” at Kaweah Oaks Preserve, 11a-4p Nov. 7, “Becoming Native: The Land & Arts Symposium” at COS, 2:15p

NOV 12

Silent Movies at the Fox

Featuring the Great Professor Rinaudo and Organist Dean Mora, come out Downtown this afternoon and enjoy a bit of the past. Tickets: $10; $5 Seniors.

When: Nov. 12, 2p Where: Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 623-1369

NOV 15

Independent Film Series

NOV 18

Dawn of the Space Age: Planetarium Public Show

The Tulare County Library presents "The Colors of the Mountain," a Spanish film directed by Carlos Cesar Arbelaez.

When: Nov. 15, 6p Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-2700 or tularecountylibrary.org

From the launch of the first artificial satellite Sputnik to the magnificent lunar landings and privately operated space flights, you’ll be captivated by this most accurate historic reconstruction of Man’s first steps into space.

When: Nov. 18, 7p Where: Peña Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel, Visalia Contact: 737-6334

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: Saturdays, Sequoia Mall, Sears parking lot, 8-11:30a Where: Church and Main St.; Sears parking lot at Mooney and Caldwell, Visalia Contact: 967-6722 or www. visaliafarmersmarket.com

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Student Art Exhibit The Tulare County Office of Education hosts the November/December art exhibit. The exhibit is open to the public. The art exhibit is judged by people in the art community, and each school may win up to 10 BEST OF SHOW ratings. There are no first, second or third place rankings.

When: Nov. 14, opens Where: 2637 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia.

Contact: Brian Roberts, brianr@tcoe.org or call 651-1482 ext.3645

OCT 22

OCT 24

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Charitable Events

Writers & Readers

Make a Difference Day

Tulare County Library

The City of Visalia and the Parks Division invite individuals, families and community groups to join the more than 200 volunteers who have committed to work at the annual Make a Difference Day. Volunteers are needed to mulch, plant trees, spread bark, weed, paint benches and a variety of other worthwhile activities. The projects will get underway at 8 a.m. and conclude at 12 p.m. with an appreciation lunch at Mooney’s Grove for the volunteers. Pre-registration is helpful to facilitate planning.

When: Oct. 22, 8a-12p Where: Determined by registration Contact: 713-4384 or mtracy@ci.visalia.ca.us

Kaweah Delta Hospital Guild Jewelry Sale

It’s time to start getting ready for Christmas!

Come and see this beautiful jewelry. It will amaze you and so will the cost! All profits from this sale will go to buy patient care equipment.

When: Oct. 24-25, 7a/6a-4p Where: Kaweah Delta Hospital Main Lobby, 400 W. Mineral King Ave., Visalia Contact: Donna, 734-3109

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First Tuesday Book Club (Nov. 1, 6:30p) Mystery Readers (Nov. 16, 6:30p) Where: Tulare County Library, 200 W. Oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 713-2700 or www.tularecountylibrary.org

Event Listings If you would like to have your event considered for a free listing in our “Happenings” section, please email your submission to lifestyle@ dmiagency.com or fax to 738-0909, Attention Happenings. Please note, we do not guarantee listing of any submission.

Submissions are due six weeks prior to publication.

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