October 2010 by Lifestyle Magazine

LIFEST YLE | OCTOBER 2010

October 2010

LIFEST YLE | OCTOBER 2010

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32 The Norton Home

Craftsman Bungalow Style Updated for the 21st Century

THEATER Greater Tuna:

A Taste of Americana

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CULINARY

8. 10. 18. 20. 26. 52. 54. 56. 58.

Letter from the Executive Editor Business Cents Word Play Music Scene: Los Lobos Literary Arts: Secrest Fashion Symphony Faces & Places: CASA Las Vegas Happenings

Oktoberfest

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40 TRAVEL The Stanley Hotel:

The Muse behind the Madman

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46 4

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ON THE COVER AND ABOVE: The California Craftsman Bungalow-inspired Visalia home of Tom and Monica Norton shows the warm, casual appeal behind the historic styleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong resurgence in recent years.

OCTOBER 2010 PUBLISHED BY DMI Agency 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MALkASIAN ACCOUNTANCY LLP GARY MALkASIAN CPA JEFFREY MALkASIAN EA Bookkeeper MARILYN HARRIS Office Administrator MARIA GASTON EDITORIAL Executive Editor kAREN TELLALIAN Asistant Editor TAYLOR VAUGHN Copy Editor DARA FISk-EkANGER Calendar MARIA GASTON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AARON COLLINS DIANE SLOCUM SHARON MOSLEY CHERYL DIETER ELAINE DEkASSIAN MAJOR ROGERS ANDRE GODDARD MARSHA PELTZER ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director DAVID JONES Senior Graphic Designer kURT BAkER ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Director BRIDGET ELMORE DARLENE MAYFIELD 559.738.0907 SALES OFFICE 801 W. Main St. Visalia, CA 93291 559.738.0907 • Fax 559.738.0909 E-mail: lifestyle@dmiagency.com

RACK LOCATIONS

Borders Books Music & Cafè DMI Agency Evolutions Fitness Center, Tulare Party City Tazzaria Coffee & Tea The Lifestyle Center Visalia Chamber of Commerce Visalia Coffee Company Visalia Convention Center COUNTERTOP LOCATIONS

210 Cafe Advanced Laser Clinics Bravo Farms Cheese Factory Creekside Day Spa & Wellness Center Downtown Visalians Exeter Chamber of Commerce Exeter Golf Course Holiday Inn kaplan Financial Services kaweah Delta Hospital Red Carpet Car Wash Richard Rumery, Attorney at Law Sequoia Laser Aesthetics Smiles by Sullivan Tazzaria Coffee & Tea Tiffany’s Luxury Medispa Tulare Chamber of Commerce Tulare County Library V Medical Spa Visalia Community Bank-Downtown Visalia Convention Center 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.

See us online at VisaliaLifestyle.com

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 Direct Media, Inc. or its advertisers.

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LEFT: Tom and Monica Nortons’ Marcin Estates 2005 neo-California Craftsman Bungalow was practically turnkey when the couple bought it. This stone path in the garden was one of few modifications the couple made.

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EDITOR NOTE

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

hen you’re doing what you love, time just seems to fly. That might explain why the DMI staff – publishers of Lifestyle Magazine – are sitting here in complete awe at how fast the time has passed as we celebrate our seventh anniversary issue. October 2003 launched what was determined to become the area’s premier publication, and we are grateful for the “love” which we’ve encountered along the way. You might have expected that I would describe what we’ve accomplished as “destined” rather than “determined.” But, in all honesty it has been more of a sheer, determined effort of will than a thoughtless destiny. To describe our accomplishments as anything else would shortchange the original vision, and the hard work that has followed. We at DMI are very proud of our commitment to standing strong in the face of some rather formidable obstacles. A floundering economy, combined with an opportunistic flurry of new publications, might be enough to send some running for the hills. But determination is what enables us to redouble our efforts, and continue to bring the very best of stories and photography first to your doorstep, and now to your desktop. But determination does not come without some cost. As we dutifully decline content that does not meet our objective to keep Lifestyle looking its best as the most sought-after publication in the South Valley, there have been advertising dollars left on the table. Those were tough decisions, and at times we heard an earful from those whose single focus would have not been the right thing for our readers, or our other advertisers. The determination has, on occasion, hurt some feelings as we screened and declined stories that were not in the best interest of the community. And, the determination has resulted in a few changes in staff when the personal career goals were not on the same path with those of the company. But as with any cost, there is always great reward, and most often our reward comes in the form of what we hear from you every month: that you enjoyed something we’ve featured, or simply that we’ve stayed true to our vision, unwavering in our attempts to publish the extraordinary lifestyles of some of your neighbors. Some of the other rewards are more tangible, such as the plaques on our walls for creative excellence. But one of the sweetest rewards of all is the development of so much talent previously without an outlet for expression. Many of our writers and photographers had hopes and dreams of doing their work professionally, and over the years Lifestyle has nourished those ideals until they’ve come to fruition. No tale of creative success has made me just want to burst more than the story of local writer, Irene Morse. I think it was about five years ago when Irene approached me with ideas for improving Lifestyle’s written content, and the desire to be added to our talent pool. My first thought was, “Oh geesh, retired accountant thinks she’s a writer now.” But my second thought was, “She’s a pretty smart cookie, so maybe she has a point. And with a little luck, hey, maybe she can actually write!” That proved to be one of the best decisions for Lifestyle and now, five years later, Irene has just been published in the A Chicken Soup For the Soul Christmas, 2010 Edition! We are very proud of Irene, and she is just one example of how determination gets you where you want to be, regardless of your destiny. So until next time, please consider how you might change one person’s “destiny” by a simple, determined act. Whether it’s donating to a local charity, volunteering to help a neglected or abused child, or flashing your friendliest smile at the rude person behind the counter, remember: just one act of generosity, one simple gift of kindness can change the course of someone’s future, for the better.

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. LIFEST YLE | OCTOBER 2010

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B BUSINESS CENTS

Five Tips to Help Reduce Your 2010 Tax Bill Text By Andre Goddard, Vice President of Investments, Wells Fargo

taying on top of your finances in the final months of the year can mean the difference between owing thousands of dollars in federal taxes and receiving a sizable check from the government in the spring. Here are some suggestions you might want to act on now that could help reduce this year’s tax liability. Take advantage of the zero percent capital gains rate. If your 2010 net taxable income (including your long-term capital gains) is less than $68,000 (joint filers) or $34,000 (single filers), you fall in the 10 percent or 15 percent ordinary income tax bracket -- which means you will be able to realize some tax-free, long-term capital gains. If long-term capital gains push you over your threshold, some of the gains will be taxed at the 15 percent long-term capital gains rate. For example, take a married couple filing jointly with an expected 2010 net taxable income of $75,000 ($55,000 ordinary income and $20,000 net long-term capital gains from the sale of securities). Because their taxable income exceeds the 15 percent bracket threshold by $7,000 ($75,000 minus $68,000), their tax picture breaks down as follows: $55,000 in ordinary income; $13,000 in long-term capital gains taxed at zero percent; and $7,000 long-term capital gains taxed at 15 percent. (This information is hypothetical and is provided for informational purposes only.) Abide by the “wash sale rule” when harvesting losses. The wash sale rule is tricky; in a nutshell, it disallows a tax loss if you buy the same or a substantially identical security within 30 calendar days before or after the trade date (a period of 61 calendar days). Many investors take advantage of a strategy called “doubling up” -- before selling a loss position, you purchase additional shares of the security you want to own. You then wait until 31 calendar days after the purchase trade date to sell the original position, thus creating the loss while maintaining a position. November 30, 2010, is the last day to purchase additional shares in a security if you want to double up and subsequently sell the shares you currently own. If you buy additional shares on November 30, the only date you can sell your original shares for a 2010 tax loss without creating a wash sale is December 31, 2010. Before you sell an investment to establish a loss, keep in mind that capital gains tax rates are currently scheduled to increase next year and that you may be better off postponing the sale of securities at a loss. 10

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Watch the calendar when selling securities. When selling securities you own, remember it’s the generally the trade date – not the settlement date – that determines the year of the sale and recognition of any gain or loss. The last date to sell a stock or listed option and create a 2010 reportable transaction is December 31, 2010. Your first opportunity to recognize a gain or loss in a stock or listed option for 2011 is with a sale on January 3, 2011. When considering the tax year in which you wish to have your long-term capital gain taxed, determining if you expect to be in a higher capital gains tax rate in the future is an important factor. Start repaying the 2008 first-time homebuyer credit. When the first-time homebuyer credit was made available, the credit was limited to $7,500 and there was a 15-year repayment period starting in 2010. If you received the credit and are subject to repayment, plan for including the first installment on your 2010 tax return as an additional amount due. Paying this additional amount may require beginning or increasing estimated tax payments. Think before exercising company-granted stock options. If you exercise and hold shares from an incentive stock option (ISO) exercise, the taxable spread (the difference between the stock price on the exercise date and your option cost) is a preference item for alternative minimum tax (AMT) purposes in the year in which the exercise occurs. Work with your tax professional to determine if you must sell some or all of these shares by year end to limit your AMT exposure. Due to potential increases in capital gains tax rates in 2011 and beyond, it may be in your best interest to sell ISO shares that have aged past the required holding period. To help you determine which of these strategies are most beneficial for your personal financial and overall tax situation, talk with your Financial Advisor and tax professional.

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Greater Tuna:

T THEATER

A Taste of

Americana Text by K atie Desrochers Photos by Ashley Machado

reater Tuna started as a party skit 30 years ago in a Texas living room. Since then, it has become

one of the most oft-produced plays in the world; drawing heaps of critical acclaim and gales of laughter for its unflinching, yet warm portrayal of a town that progress forgot, and those who live there. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite a colorful crew who call the fictional town of Tuna home. In fact, the cast of 20+ characters is so sharp and varied that a few scenes elapsed before it was apparent that the cast of Greater Tuna is portrayed by only two people; so fluidly do actors Mike Hamilton and JJ Pestano of the Visalia Community Players move from role to role.

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T THEATER

One of this play’s defining elements has always been its use of a single pair of actors playing a whole host of individuals; and a certain vaudevillian ease characterizes the way this remarkable duo marshals their army of personas, and dons wholly new characters with just the change of a costume. Hamilton and Pestano function like a pair of quickchange tour guides as they usher the audience through a day in the life of Tuna, the third-smallest town in Texas and a stronghold of backwoods bigotry and contented ignorance. The play begins with a morning broadcast from two drawling DJs at radio station OKKK, which wastes no time in setting the stage for the kind of place that Tuna is. The mores of this town are conservative at best, and blissfully narrow-minded at their hilarious worst; as every character shows in their own conspicuous way. But although the satire is admittedly scathing – originally designed to poke fun at the prominent “Moral Majority” movement of the early 1980s – Hamilton and Pestano quickly ferret out what makes these characters compelling and relatable, playing each of their parts with a warmth and sincerity that makes you want to watch a dusty Texas sunset with these yokels; even if their annual high school essay contest does produce entries with titles like “Human Rights – Why Bother?” 14

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T THEATER

Admittedly, human rights might not be the primary concern of characters like Bertha Bumiller, who whiles away her neglected existence by burning books, chiding her three impossible children, and shouting herself hoarse at the household’s ever-increasing pack of dogs. Or Pearl Burras – aunt to Bertha – who is aﬄicted with a serious case of canicidal thumbitu: an irresistible urge to poison wayward canines with strychnine. In fact, as a member of the Greater Tuna Humane Society, the affable Petey Fisk might be the only character who breaks the mold of stolid backwater selfabsorption, as he tirelessly advocates for the rights of animals over radio OKKK. As the play unfolds, an increasing number of characters wend their way through the scenes. We become acquainted with the three Bumiller children and the various adolescent concerns with which they plague their mother. And then there’s the Reverend Spikes, who spews clichés as he pounds his pulpit. Or the appropriately bad-tempered Didi Snavely, who divides her time between shrilling at her UFO-obsessed, town-drunk of a husband, and shilling for her emporium of used weapons, “If we can’t kill it, it’s immortal!” Events are thin on the ground in Tuna, and it’s the unexpected, fatal stroke of the town judge that brings the characters out of the woodwork. Aunt Pearl – jilted by the judge as a young girl – gloats over the body with ill-disguised satisfaction, while Vera Carp – the town’s richest woman and president of the smut-snatcher society – attends only to drawl disinterestedly over the waxy corpse. But it is the visit by Bertha Bumiller’s oldest son, Stanley, that is the most interesting: sentenced to reform school by Judge Recently Deceased, and characterized by the most painfully unrefined accent of the entire cast, he lounges insolently over the body and shares a dark secret that lends an abrupt new dimension to his character. Our one-day journey through this slice of small-town Americana ends where it began; at radio OKKK where the two DJs end their broadcast day by blithely misplacing their evening news report, and declaring to the airwaves that, “If you can find a better town than Tuna ... MOVE!” 16

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WORD PLAY

NEWS oN WrITING, BooKS AND THE WorlD oF PUBlISHING Text by Diane Slocum

ctober brings All Hallows Eve, followed in November by The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Death in California: The Bizarre, Freakish, and Just Curious Ways People Die in the State of California (Craven Street Books, 2009) fits into that theme. Author David Kulczyk chronicles 31 gruesome California deaths from pioneer days to modern times. Cases range from a young girl whose stepmother left her tied by the neck in a garret to the unnamed farm workers killed in a plane crash in Fresno County. On a more personal level, Death for Beginners: Your No-Nonsense, Money-Saving Guide to Planning for the Inevitable (Quill DriverBooks, 2010) by Karen Jones reminds us that “all of us are going to go riding into that cowboy sunset and if the trail is well marked, those we’ve left behind will have an easier time of it.” For young adult readers, Lizabeth Zindel’s latest, A Girl, a Ghost, and the Hollywood Hills (Viking Juvenile, October 2010) presents the story of a girl whose mother dies. Her widowed father dates her aunt who is a horror movie queen. Adding to the mix is her mother’s ghost who blames the aunt for her death. Local Authors Gemini Night (Running Press Kids), the latest installment in Bonnie Hearn Hill’s young adult Star Crossed series, is due for release this month. Astrological sleuth Logan McRae, now a high school junior, pines for her boyfriend who is in Ireland, wins an internship at a teen magazine, and tries to solve the mystery of which celebrity guest is headed for danger at the magazine’s Halloween party. Hearn Hill will be speaking and signing her book at the Fresno Barnes and Noble in Villagio Retail Center, 7849 North Blackstone Avenue, on Saturday, October 23 at 2 p.m. In Janet Nichols Lynch’s latest young adult novel, Addicted to Her (Holiday House, March 2010), promising high school wrestler Rafa gives up his chances for a scholarship, his devotion to the family business, and his heart to a gorgeous bad girl who leads him astray. The Kindle edition of Marie Dunford and Andy Doyle’s Nutrition for Sport and Exercise came out in July. The book uses scientific data to maximize the benefits of nutrition and exercise. While intended primarily for athletes, chapters include information for health and weight loss. First Novel After the Fire, a Still, Small Voice (Jonathan Cape, 2009) by Evie Wyld is one of the six finalists in the 2010 Authors’ Club first novel competition. Set in Australia, it portrays Leon and his post-Vietnam War struggles and Frank living a solitary existence on the coast after losing the woman he loves. Contests The Writer’s Digest 10th Annual Short Short Story Writing Competition accepts stories up to 1,500 words in length. Prizes for first through 25th place range from $3,000 to $50. First place also includes a trip to the Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City. Entry fee is $20. Deadline: December 1. Details at: www. writersdigest.com/competitions.

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The American Short Fiction contest will accept stories with a maximum of 6,000 words. First prize is $1,000 and publication. Second receives $500. Judge is Wells Tower. Submit electronically. Entry fee is $20. Details at: www.americanshortfiction.org Classes Writer’s Digest Webinars give writers the opportunity to get some of the benefits of a conference without having to leave home. These include scheduled and on-demand programs. Two of the on-demand offerings are “How Do Editors and Agents Decide?” led by Rachelle Gardner, an agent with WordServe Literary Group, and “Essentials for Freelancers” presented by Jane Friedman, Robert Brewer, I. J. Shecter and Writer’s Digest editors. Details at: www.writersdigestshop. com/category/seminars. Conferences A Big Sur Writing Workshop for Children’s Books from Picture Books to Young Adult Fiction is scheduled for December 3–5. This workshop is designed for authors whose manuscripts are almost ready for publication but may need critiquing and editorial assistance. Writers work closely with at least three faculty members among whom are Lisa Sandell, Andrea Brown, Marla Frazee and many others. Registration including accommodation and meals is $720. Details at: www.henrymiller.org/CWW.html. Publishing Mad magazine has been composed largely of freelance material for all of its 58 years. It is still a good outlet for zany writers with a good sense of sarcasm and satire. Some of the topics Mad is looking for are comic strips, hard-hitting satire, media parody and utter silliness. Pay is $500 per Mad page, prorated for smaller items. Details: www. dccomics.com/mad/?action=submissions. ProPublica launched a Nerd Blog to spread the word about what programmer-journalists are doing to make information more available. They use interactive applications to make public data more meaningful and relevant. The Last Word “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” — Mark Twain (1835 – 1910)

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M MUSIC SCENE

THeY aReN’T Text by Cheryl L. Dieter Photos by Taylor Vaughn

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MUSIC SCENE M

WHO YOU THINK.

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M MUSIC SCENE

riday, August 30, was a hot one. But it wasn’t just the weather that was sizzling. Grammy-winning band Los Lobos lit up the Fox Theatre with their indefinable blues-infused rock. Los Angeles based band, The 44’s, and local group Mariachi Nueva Generation headlined -- and with temperatures rising steadily all day, it was no surprise that by the time Los Lobos took the stage the audience was crackling with excitement. With slick yet silky smoothness, Los Lobos set the crowd on fire with their legendary killer duel guitar jams and complex riffs. Mixing up oldies but goodies with material from their new album, Tin Can Trust, the band delivered a little something for everyone. Promoter Gabriel Cisneros brought Los Lobos to Visalia with an agenda in mind. “Los Lobos is a band that brings a positive message, but also one whose songs tell its audience that it understands the financial and/or family burdens that they are under,” explained Cisneros.

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Los Lobos’ ability to chronicle the stories of the marginalized and working class by weaving compelling stories throughout their songs is legendary. New offerings such as the title song “Tin Can Trust,” with its garage band beat, and “Burn It Down,” noted for its brilliant bass back beat, again worked the story line while firing up the crowd. But it was their smokin’ Grammy-winning “La Bamba” and “Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes” that got the audience up and dancing in the aisles. The band’s dedication to their craft was no more apparent than when they pumped up the blistering blues that rolled out of “West LA Fadeaway.” Yet, it was the folksy jazz love song “Lady and the Rose” paired with the actions of band members bringing out Mariachi Nueva Generation to jam with them that truly spoke to who they are. For Miranda Huerta of Mariachi Nueva Generation, playing with the headliners was a, “Dream come true ... a once in a lifetime very exciting rush.”

M MUSIC SCENE

But it was the conversation with Myles Jacob that was truly telling. Jacob sells the band’s T-shirts and various other Los Lobos merchandise. It was stunning to learn that in these days of multi-page-multi-lawyer contracts, Jacob’s relationship with the band began on a handshake 10 years ago and it continues that way today. According to Jacob, “[The band] operates on and concentrates on their relationships with others. Those unspoken, undefined relationships are what matter most to them.” Lifestyle Magazine sat down with members of the band to talk about a variety of subjects and their new album, Tin Can Trust.

LM: Many people try to define your music, giving it labels such as Afro-Cuban-Chicano type of rock. How do you see yourselves? Steve Berlin: Frankly, we hate labels. We aren’t any one type of music … It would be a waste of time for anyone to try to figure out whether we are one genre or another. We just are who we are and have what we have. No labels. No stereotypes. No “one way” of looking at us. That’s how we like it. LM: So the album Tin Can Trust has an interesting name. What is the meaning behind it? Steve Berlin: Well, it’s a metaphor for the current economy in that it’s basically broke. You can’t always get at your money, if you even have any. It’s meant to speak to these economic times which, incidentally, hit the poor even harder than most. LM: When you listen to the early music of Los Lobos what do you hear? David Hidalgo: I hear the spirit behind the music. It reminds me of when you see a picture of yourself when you are a kid. Your ears are too big, your hair looks kind of funny, and you are little awkward. Yet, the music and the picture it imprints in your mind takes you back to those special times when everything was new and revives those memories that are attached to the song. Hopefully, our music is integrated as a part of the audience’s lives and when they hear a particular song, it can bring them back to those magical times of their youth. 24

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MUSIC SCENE M

LM: You have played with U2 and Bob Dylan. Those are some amazing musicians and poets. Who would you like to play with but never have? David Hidalgo: I have a lot of musical heroes. I would love to play with Merle Haggard. He is so talented in many areas. Basically he is an old Okie from Oildale and an originator of the Bakersfield Sound. LM: Who was the most interesting individual or group that you have played with? Steve Berlin: Maybe ZZ top. There is an interesting dynamic at play in that band. I would have to say they are the most interesting because it is a strange planet that they live on. Needless to say, it was a trip in the extreme. LM: For your new album you returned to your roots in East LA and recorded in Manny’s Estudio. Steve Berlin: It was the first time we had ever recorded at Manny’s. We migrated back to East LA to a neighborhood just like where we had grown up. It’s just a little place that didn’t even have a couch. We came with no plan and no songs. We really decided to just surrender to the process and see what would result. It was both exciting and terrifying. No one knew what to expect, but we lucked out. We came with nothing, and out of nothing we found ourselves and felt that original magic again. It was an amazing experience and one that we will savor forever. The capacity for creating amazing experiences is something that Los Lobos brings with them wherever they go. For Helen Huerta, founder of the Sound N Vision Foundation, it was a proud moment to see the kids she has watched grow as musicians share the stage with Los Lobos. “Their generosity was overwhelming, and you don’t find that everywhere in the entertainment industry,” Huerta reported. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Sound N Vision Foundation, a local organization that supports music/art and cultural experiences in the Valley; and ImagineU, Visalia’s local children’s museum. To learn more about Los Lobos or their music, visit www. loslobos.org.

TOP RIGHT: Aaron Gomes and Frank Serpa auctioned off a guitar; proceeds benefitted ImagineU Children’s Museum in Visalia.

LL II FF EE SS TT YY LL EE || O O CC TTO O BB EE RR 22 00 11 00

25 25

L LITERARY ARTS

Text by Diane Slocum

illiam Secrest Sr. and William Secrest Jr. share more than a name. The father and son duo co-authored California Disasters and worked together on other books, but beyond that, what they really have in common is a fascination, a passion, for digging into the past and sorting the gold from the dross. Whether combing through 50 years worth of San Francisco newspapers or searching the Internet, they are relentless history detectives seeking out the facts. 26

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Both are Fresno natives and came to their interest in the past at an early age. Secrest Sr.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family moved to Fresno not long before his birth. He graduated from Fresno High School and Fresno State College, majoring in education. After a stint in the Marines during the Korean War, he worked for a Fresno advertising agency.

(Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to be seven.)

Happy 7th Birthday

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During these years, Hollywood’s version of the Wild West dominated much of the entertainment world and perpetuated a myth with little resemblance to reality. Secrest Sr. enjoyed westerns but they bugged him, especially details that could easily have been fixed. “They would get the clothes wrong” he said. “The actors wore normal shirts that button all the way down the front. They all had pull-overs that buttoned part-way down in those days”. Inappropriate casting annoyed him, such as when burly Victor Mature played Doc Holiday instead of skeletal John Carradine whose physique fit the consumptive dentist. Secrest Sr.’s interest led him to correspond with historical western writers of the day. Mostly, he asked for information and many were happy to help. Sometimes he wrote to complain about their errors. “Some were good at taking my comments,” he said. “Others weren’t.” Two writers he remembers contacting were Mari Sandoz (Old Jules, Slogum House) and Raymond W. Thorp (Crow Killer: the Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson). He became friends with Thorp and they wrote together. Their friendship continued through Thorps’ life, but not their collaboration. “As Thorp got older, he kept writing for western magazines, but he made up a lot and posed it as history,” he said. “But he was a good guy, a good friend. He was colorful.” Secrest Sr. was first published in True West magazine in the 1960s, after interviewing an old-time Fresno character who happened to be at a foothill cabin when the notorious train robbers Sontag and Evans rode in, soon followed by the posse. Secrest titled his article “He Watched the Posse Die.” For some time, Secrest Sr. wrote about a variety of Wild West locales, but he noticed that California was mostly ignored by the chroniclers of the western era and decided to set it right. “My mission is to establish California as the wildest of the Wild West,” he said, noting that not only did the state have more than its share of desperadoes and lawmen, but California’s frontier period lasted longer than most. William Secrest Jr. was born into this pursuit of the past. He and his mother would help his dad copy old documents his research uncovered. While children sometimes want to get away from what their parents did, other times “it’s the cocoon you always needed,” he said. For Secrest Jr., it was the latter. He has always been an eclectic reader, but he shares his dad’s fascination with non-fiction. “With age, we both have turned more toward the real world,” he said. “Both of us are less and less interested in fiction.” The younger Secrest grew up in Fresno and studied at what he calls “the two FSUs” – Fresno State and Florida State universities. He is the Local History Librarian for the Fresno County Public Library, which puts him in charge of the California History and Genealogy Room. In his job he gets to dig up a lot of facts. People come to him for a wide range of reasons. They may be tracing their family tree or settling a bar bet. “Sometimes people want histories for the silliest reason,” he said. “We keep a straight face and see if we can help them. That’s our business and we do it the best we can.”

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Despite some of these frivolous requests, Secrest Jr. emphasizes the importance of learning history. Everything is cyclical. What happened in the past will happen again. There may be a different dimension to it, but it will be the same phenomenon. “The more you know about history, the more you know about what’s going to happen,” he said. That being the case, Secrest Jr. should be able to get a good glimpse of Fresno’s future. He wrote Fresno County – the Pioneer Years and co-authored the county’s sesquicentennial Celebrating the Journey – 150 Years and Beyond. He is currently working on the centennial publication for California State University, Fresno, A Century of Excellence. The book he co-authored with his dad, California Disasters, takes a look into the state’s explosive, shaky, fiery past. It begins with the earthquakes of 1812 that damaged many of the original missions and goes on to chronicle the smallpox epidemic of 1833 that decimated the native population. It continues through fires that seemed to engulf most major cities, steamboats exploding on the rivers, floods washing away cities and mine disasters. As for working together, the elder Secrest gives his son credit as the better writer. Secrest Jr. acknowledges that they don’t always agree on what makes a good story. One of his dad’s books that he helped edit has four stories that he thinks are great but the fifth doesn’t interest him. His dad loves that story. “Maybe 10 to 15 percent of what he is interested in, I say, ‘How could you be interested in that?’” he said. He believes that dissent, rather than being a problem, is a good thing. They have always had room for disagreement when they work together, and most of the time they do agree. “There is always room for debate in this subject of history,” he said. Secrest Sr. said that other than giving the wild and wooly side of California its due, his books on desperadoes and their ilk are pure entertainment. Some of his other books, though, have a serious side that needs to be told. The best example of this is When the Great Spirit Died which chronicles the devastating effect of European encroachment into California Indian territory. He began this book after searching through state archives researching a magazine article on a specific incident. He uncovered so much horrendous material he felt he had to do a book. “It broke your heart to know these things went on,” he said. Looking through Indian agent and Army reports took a great deal of time. It was 30 years before he completed the book. Another of his favorites is Dark and Tangled Threads. It began when he wanted to learn the facts behind a 1950s book purporting to accurately portray a blackmailing detective. Secrest Sr.’s research showed the earlier book was pure fiction and that Isaiah W. Lees was a brilliant detective who helped solve most major crimes in San Francisco over his 50-year career. Secrest Sr. himself has had a 50-year career ferreting out the facts and with his son, the team of Secrest and Secrest is leaving a legacy to help future generations remember California’s manyfaceted roots.

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H HOME TOUR

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The

Norton Home Craftsman Bungalow style updated for the 21st Century

Tex t By A aron Collins | Photos by Brian Brumley of Generations Photography Studio

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ON THE SPREAD: “Think Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and you’re there,” Monica says of the 2005 neo-California Craftsman Bungalowstyle home she and husband Tom purchased last year. knocked aside by the Roaring ‘20s craze for Spanish Colonial Revival and other more glamorous styles, the Bungalow’s warmth and modesty have found a solid following in recent times. TOP: A fireplace surround and wood mantle harken back to the original days of the Craftsman Bungalow, a style which aimed to lure city dwellers away from urban stresses and out to the fledgling suburbs that promised a return to nature.

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or every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, the axiom goes. And perhaps a similar rule holds true for architectural genres and market tastes: Creative impulses of any era often devolve into stylistic excesses, resulting in reactionary taste shifts. This spurs a cyclical exile also stemming from events and economic forces like wars or pop culture trends, fueling demand for a new and different aesthetic for homes and the ways we live. Consider how the Art Deco surface flourishes of the late-1920s met Depression-era austerity in late-’30s Moderne – both banished by sleek International Style Modernist regimentation within just a generation. Minimalist modern forms of 1970s Brutalism gave way to the neo-classical ornate edifice complex of ’80s Postmodernism. But long before the current era, the wayward eye of the Victorian Era’s profligate exoticism was brought to heel (to mix a metaphor) by Arts & Crafts style’s hand-hewn modesties and kindred soul with folk art. It took WWI and a nasty flu epidemic to quash that building bug. But before they did, Craftsman’s homespun authenticity found a kindred soul in its close cousin, the California Bungalow. Ironically, Spanish Revival and Craftsman are once again in style. However, neither were terribly popular choices when Tom and Monica Norton of Visalia were married 33 years ago. But now the original Bungalows are highly sought in some locations, despite a soft overall real estate market. And over the past decade or more, developers have begun to mimic the style when building anew. What happened? Hollywood’s glamorous early days were steeped in Spanish Revival, owing in part to influences such as the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition in San Diego that celebrated the Panama Canal opening, as well as to every Hollywood bon vivant’s duty to head to the closest exotic locale to vacation – usually Mexico. Factors like these helped cast the Bungalow style in its perceived role as the frumpy stepsister. In addition to the Great War, the movie industry and the fledgling celebrity press helped shift the zeitgeist from Bungalow’s authenticity and humility to the acceptable artifice of the Roaring ’20s: Spanish Revival was equated with high style fit for a mogul or a movie set. Built in 2005 in Northwest Visalia’s Marcin Estates, the Nortons purchased their contemporary California Bungalow-influenced home in 2009. Designed by architect David Williams with M. E. Tenney, the home was commissioned by Visalians Ron and Vickie Atkinson. “We constantly praise the previous owners for their careful planning, design and insightfulness to build such a unique home for this area,” said Monica, a native of Whittier. “To us, this style fit our desire for a home that was comfortable, warm, inviting and natural, as well as being functional for family life and guests.”

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What is the allure? Bungalow style affirms the connection between shelter and earth as seen in its natural materials and externalization of structure, revealed beneath deep eaves supported by various brackets and beams capped by broad, low-pitched roof lines. Walls of shingle or lap siding sometimes rest on foundations adorned by river rock surrounded by cobbled paths. Generous picture windows are common, further connecting occupants to the surrounding grounds and nature views.

RIGHT (INSET): The master bath offers excellent views of the Norton home’s garden and swimming pool. BELOW: Like the home itself, the master suite furnishings of Tom and Monica Norton’s Marcin Estates home in Visalia are contemporary nods to the past.

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Dwellers appreciate the natural materials and the inviting intermediate social spaces offered by porches. Wide overhangs offer generous shade for an architectural moment characterized by terms such as green building and carbon neutrality. Heightened awareness of names like Stickley and authoritative museum collections of Arts & Crafts architectural objects – such as the prominent Greene & Greene holdings at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art – only further strengthens interest in the style. Ultimately, the style’s appeal is perhaps expressed more in visceral than aesthetic terms. “Tom, upon arriving home, feels a sense of relaxation come over him. Every time I drive up I feel happy to be coming home,” Monica said. “We feel so blessed to have come to a point in our lives where we are able to live in a home like this. In fact, for the first few weeks after moving in, we had a feeling of disbelief, almost as if we were vacationing somewhere and were going to have to leave soon.”

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The Nortons hope that everyone who enters their home experiences that same feeling of welcome and warmth. “That is the feeling we have tried to show in its furnishings and interior design.” The grounds and landscape have been designed in a naturalistic style incorporating a variety of trees, shrubs and plants that flower at various times throughout the year along with rock and lighting to accent at night. “Think Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and you’re there,” Monica said. The contemporary take on Bungalow style improves on functionality to meet current market expectations. The Nortons’ large, spacious kitchen features granite counters with tile backsplash. Custom cherry wood cabinets would have made any Arts & Crafts aficionado proud with glass insets that follow the style of the home. “We joke that the kitchen is large enough for our son, who in a wheelchair still has room to hang out with everyone in the kitchen and not be in the way!” Monica said. The main living area flooring is 20” tile, a material the original bungalow builders would have appreciated, with more contemporary creature comforts elsewhere, such as the bedrooms and upstairs bonus rooms’ plush carpet and thick padding. The bonus room can double as a “theater” as well as a guest room, complete with its own bathroom, wet bar with granite countertops, and a small built-in refrigerator. The generous grounds feature a large lap-style pool with builtin spa, waterfall and eight fountain jets, and a large covered patio with its own little “forest” at the south end of the yard lining the vine-covered brick wall. “It makes for a great place for coffee in the morning and a glass of wine in the evenings as well as barbequing and entertaining,” Monica stated. Monica’s career in public accounting spans over 30 years, a profession she still enjoys along with the people and a variety of challenges. She also serves as treasurer for the church that they attend. Tom worked for many years in the retail food industry and parlayed that experience into the self-storage business. It doesn’t require his full time attention, but he still enjoys “the marketing aspect of making sure the business runs along smoothly,” he said. “The home overall has so many aesthetic features, but we especially like to sit at the far side of the pool in the evening, enjoying a night full of stars,” Monica said, “and able to look back at our house with the lights on giving it a feeling of warmth and welcome.” Those are original California Craftsman Bungalow characteristics upon which it is difficult to improve. But since change is the only constant, and nostalgic trends, too, are subject to fashion, what will become the next stylistic action and reaction? It’s easy to discern in retrospect, but rarely so in the fleeting present. The best answer is: stay tuned to Pop Culture and the news of the world. But for now, like the Nortons, we can just enjoy the cultural moment, and a night full of stars.

RIGHT: By day or night, the irresistible poolside surrounding evokes a quintessential Californian vibe; drawing you in toward wide windows filled with welcoming light.

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Okto 40

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oberfest Recipes by Elaine Dekassian of Elaine’s Table

othing says that Autumn has arrived quite like a taste of Oktoberfest. Modeled after the world-famous and time-honored Munich original, Oktoberfests throughout the world materialize every fall to celebrate German culture, heritage, traditions, and of course – food. From cabbage and dumplings to schnitzel and bratwursts, there’s enough incredible indulgences to tempt anyone with taste buds. The original Oktoberfest takes place annually in Munich, and comprises about 17 days of hearty fare, frothy German brews, and traditional entertainment. The largest festival in the world, Oktoberfest annually draws over five million enthusiasts to enjoy the most delicious aspects of German culture. Established in the October of 1810, this year marks the festival’s illustrious 200th anniversary. Whether you trek to Germany for the real deal, attend a local Oktoberfest celebration, or enjoy a special German Pilsner on a crisp afternoon, Fall just isn’t complete without Oktober! So grab a stein of your favorite brew, turn up the Bavarian oompah band, and tuck in to these sumptuous Oktoberfest offerings.

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Beef Rouladen with Gravy Serves 4 Ingredients: 4 cube steaks, pounded 4 dill pickle spears 4 T Dijon mustard 4 T mayonnaise 4 slices bacon, cooked but not crisp, and cut in half Vegetable oil for sautéing Kitchen twine or poultry skewers 14-ounce Swanson’s beef stock 2 T butter 2 T flour 1/4 C sour cream Preparation: Mix the Dijon and mayonnaise together in a small bowl with a whisk. Lay out the cube steak and smear 2 tablespoons of the dijonnaise all over the meat. Lay a pickle spear at one end. Top with two pieces of the bacon. Start at the end with the bacon and pickles and begin to tuck until tucked into a nice, tight roll. Secure with a poultry skewer or use kitchen twine and tie around the roll to hold it together. Drizzle a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large sauté pan and brown roll on all sides. Reserving pan juices, transfer to a baking dish and finish in a 350 degree oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. To pan-melt the butter, add the flour and whisk into pan drippings. Add the beef stock and simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream. Pour oven rouladen and serve with dumplings and red cabbage.

Braised Red Cabbage Serves 8 Ingredients: 1 head red cabbage, about two pounds 3 T butter 2 Granny Smith Apples, cored and grated on a box grater 1/3 C cider vinegar 2 brown sugar 2 tsp. caraway seeds Salt and pepper, to taste Preparation: Thinly slice the cabbage. Melt butter over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the cabbage and apples to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes until it begins to wilt. Stir in the vinegar to preserve the red color. Add sugar, salt and pepper, and cook for 20 minutes until the cabbage is soft, stirring occasionally.

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Dumplings Ingredients: 1-1/4 pounds potatoes 150 grams flour (about 1 1/5 C) 1 egg 20 grams butter (about 1 1/2 T) Pinch salt This is my German motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recipe so I use her scale and measurements. It converts, but oddly. Preparation: Boil potatoes in enough water to cover. Drain and let dry a bit. Put through a ricer for best texture to remove lumps. Add remaining ingredients. Form into the size balls you would like. Serve on a plate with roulade and drizzle the dumpling with the pan gravy.

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The STanley hotel Text by Major Rogers

ABOVE: The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.

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the Stanley hotel: the Muse behind the Madman

emember the movie The Shining, based on the book by Stephen King? If you do, you will certainly recall the fictional Overlook Hotel: a thriving alpine destination for the country’s elite by summer, a boarded-up ice castle by winter, and one of the most iconic settings in modern cinema. As The Shining tells it, the wintry off-season regularly rendered the Overlook a virtual ghost ship in a sea of white – connected to the outside world by a single road buried under 20 feet of snow. The only souls that stirred at the winter Overlook were the caretaker, his wife, and five-year-old son. Soon after the first snow, the caretaker begins to lose his mind and takes up with a

band of ghosts who drive his madness to the point of murder. Although the story of the hotel and its inhabitants was born from the mind of King, its inspiration is taken from a very real place: the purportedly-haunted Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. In the early 70s, King was beginning to gain national notoriety with his first bestsellers, and could usually be found at Colorado University teaching writing classes. One day, on a contemplative Rocky Mountain drive into Estes Park, King passed a “Road Closed Due to Snow” sign. He had been looking to develop his idea for a new storyline called Dark Shinee, about a family marooned at an amusement park, but the snowy LIFEST YLE | OCTOBER 2010

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setting was what clicked with his idea. Moments later he arrived at The Stanley Hotel, a place known for its haunts. King checked into room 217, and that’s where his possession of mind began. The Stanley has appeared in another popular film: the Jim Carrey comedy Dumb and Dumber. The hotel is clearly visible as the lead characters pull up in their Lamborghini, wearing over-the-top Aspen fashions, and handing out bills to the hotel help. However, something less funny and not so widely known happened to the actor Carrey himself, when he booked room 217 on Halloween night. As reported by the hotel, Carrey stayed in the room for less than three hours before returning to the lobby in a disheveled manner, where he checked out of the hotel and into the nearby town’s Holiday Inn. Carrey has thus far declined to give details of what he saw or experienced that prompted his hurried departure. Appropriately, The Stanley offers ghost tours, which pass by room 217. As our tour approached it, the famous chamber stood as quiet as a tomb, with a small hallway leading to its door. The tour guide spoke about the room’s resident spirit; an overprotective chambermaid who tended to the room until she lit a leaking gas lamp that blew a chunk of the hotel all over the hillside. She is now said to appear as a blue spot in photographs. Intrigued, several in the group took pictures of the door; however nothing materialized or gained group attention. The tour then ascended up the dimly lit Victorian staircase. I stayed behind, set up my own camera, and took several pictures of the door from the same angle. Nothing appeared in the first three shots, but in the fourth, a blue phantom appears in the doorway – something I did not see with my naked eye. One more glance at the door, and I too was up the staircase post haste. 48

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TOP: The Stanley Hotel and grounds at night. Surrounded by a curtain of lights. ABOVE: The infamous room 217, where Author, Stephen king received his ghoulish inspiration for “The Shining”.

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On the fourth floor I caught up with the group. This was originally the floor where visiting guests would house their children. The rooms were fitted with bunk beds, and toys were left in the hallway sitting area to entice the children to come out and play with one another. To this day, toys or candy are left behind by guests attempting to draw out the child spirits. Our tour did not experience any supernatural phenomena, even after we sang a chorus of “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands” to try and attract some playful specter. However, the next stop – in the basement – featured a labyrinth of tunnels that crawled underneath the hotel. This area is said to have the most child spirit activity and sightings. At this point in the tour, a boy of about nine asked to have his picture taken. The guide suggested he stick his hand out gently and ask the spirits to come out. “Please – please come out,” implored the boy in an innocent and sweet tone, as if he needed the friendship of the spirits to confirm his belief in them. His mother snapped a picture and the resulting digital image took the breath from our guide. “That’s one, right there,” she said, indicating a glowing orb approaching the hand of the boy. The guide explained that a “true paranormal orb” will appear in a photograph as this one did: as a sphere of light that has a “substance” to it, something like an inner glow, whereas dust particle orbs appear as a flat white circle in photographs. However, the event that defied explanation the most did not occur on the tour. Late at night I wanted to roam The Stanley while it stood quiet. My wife Natalie chose to turn in 50

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for the evening, as it was close to midnight. Alone, I visited the grounds outside the hotel and went down by the old ice pond, which had a pet cemetery next to it. Despite my surroundings, I neither saw nor experienced anything out of the ordinary, other than a self-generated feeling of creepiness. I went back to the room. Once inside I took the provided hotel water bottle off the dresser and opened it. At that time Natalie woke up and asked me how my hunt went. After my drink, I put the cap back on, set it down, and explained that it was uneventful as I climbed into bed for the night. The next morning Natalie picked the bottle up and asked, “Didn’t you drink this last night?” She held up the bottle, which had the safety seal broken, but the level of water was back to capacity. There could be a rational explanation for this unsettling occurrence, however, it was beyond us. The hotel desk explained that such occurrences are not unique, as it is believed the hotel help from the past continues to materialize through the walls of The Stanley to tend to the guests’ needs. For those who seek adventure of a paranormal nature, hotels such as The Stanley are a great way to get your fix. Some of those who have visited this hotel over the past century may have returned to the place after crossing over, possibly not even knowing they are no longer with us. Our guide reminded us that for the most part, the spooks of The Stanley are harmless haunts. And hey, how bad can they be? In the movie, the twin girls made Danny the friendly offer to “Come play with us – forever, and ever, and ever.”

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Red HoT F FASHION

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Text By SHARON MOSLEY

Fall’s Color PALette

on’t let life get you down ... just open your closet and throw some color on. How about Lipstick Red? Purple Orchid? Living Coral? Blue Lagoon? These are the new hues touted by the color authorities at Pantone, a color forecasting company, and by fashion designers hoping that we’ll all get in a much brighter mood when fall rolls around. Consumers may still be watching their budgets, but we all get the urge to splurge every once in a while, according to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Building on the color palette from spring,” she said, “this season’s offerings include innovative takes on fundamental basics, as well as transporting lively colors that conjure images of travel and adventure, whether real or aspirational.” So even if you’re an armchair fashion traveler, you can still indulge in the allure of vibrant colors that look like they’ve sprung up from an exotic travel poster. This fall, red is one of the most dramatic colors that designers are falling for. The hot color always adds a spark to black and is the perfect foil for the popular leopard prints and camel tones this fall. When worn head-to-toe, it can be stunning. “Red plays an important role in our fall and holiday collections,” said special occasion designer Sherri Hill, whose namesake collection this fall features her famous “shift shaper” sheath dresses. “When dressing up and wanting to make a fashion statement, nothing evokes more attention than a red dress or gown,” Hill added. “When women wear red, they feel attractive and sexually desirable. All eyes go to the woman in the red dress when she enters the room. Red is a strong color that inspires confidence and inner strength and makes the wearer feel positive and good about herself.” Hill has incorporated a red palette into her collections because she feels the color not only works well with many different skin tones and hair colors, but it also evokes power – and “nothing is more attractive than a dominant, powerful women in a beautifully cut and designed dress.” Other designers are getting into the rush on red this fall, too. Tommy Hilfiger, famous for his signature “Americana” classic collegiate style, said that “pops of color, especially tomato red, really play off gray to create a dynamic look.” Yigal Azrouel, whose favorite fall color is vermillion red, said that “it screams against stark cool neutrals.” His must-have item for your closet is a vermillion cocoon coat that “dramatically envelopes the body.”

Christophe Lemaire at Lacoste uses what he calls a “vibrant and crisp colorful cocktail of red-orange, nugget gold, virtual pink and raspberry radiance” in his go-to item of the season – a cotton and wool bolero jacket that combines all these vibrant hues. In Thuy Diep’s fall collection, a dahlia-red, paisley wrap dress is sparked with Swarovski crystals. “Rich vibrant colors raise our optimism and mood,” said Diep. “The new fashion color rule for 2010 is that there are no rules.” Designer Nanette Lepore agrees that happy colors are more important now than ever. “Incorporating a few fresh colors into your wardrobe can revitalize and provide an array of potential new color combinations to make getting dressed exciting,” she said. “Of course, we are conscious of the economic conditions, but that does not deter us from continuing to put out luxurious, beautiful clothing,” said designer Rachel Roy. “My new fashion color rule for 2010? Have fun with color always!” And even if you’re on a bare-bones budget this fall, splurge a little and put some color on. You can always buy a new tube of red lipstick!

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california’s 2010 stylist of the year

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PERFORMANCES

Ruth Wood

dancing with the VIPs Text By Marsha Peltzer

he Tulare County Symphony League’s signature event is now in its production stage, and promises to be bigger and more exciting than ever. Las Vegas Showtime – this year’s luncheon and competitive dancing contest – will be held at the Visalia Convention Center on November 6, and will also honor prominent Visalian, Ruth Wood, as “Woman of the Year.” Ruth and her husband, Reverend Harry Wood, are longtime Visalia residents and community activists who have touched many lives and supported numerous organizations in the area. Members of the Visalia Smooth Dancers who will partner with the “VIPs” include: David Bixler, Lottie Car, Bill and Lona Dolan, and Cheryl and Dean Levitan. Professional dancers Franco Peraza and Mary Short will provide special entertainment. It is always amazing to see what weeks and weeks of practice will produce on the day of the competition! This year’s entries are Larry Benevento, Warren Gubler, Allen Ishida, Florence Kabot, Kathleen Remillard and Laurie Tiesiera. Judges Mary T. Hill, Tracie Hunt-Mayer, and Tony Salierno will be challenged to select a winner from this year’s auspicious entries. For reservations contact Shirley Salas, 559-627-9002.

Tulare County Symphony’s Tulare Concert The theme of the “Master Works” concert on November 20 is “Movies and Magic.” This October, Music Director Bruce Kiesling returns after his Los Angeles stint with the musical, “They Are Playing Our Song.” A man of many talents, Kiesling conducts our Tulare County Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Youth Symphony, and the newly formed Tulare County Youth Symphony. He also composes musical scores for movies, and was the winning “VIP” dancer in 2009. If you have the opportunity to hear Bruce play the piano you, are in for a treat. The music for November’s concert will appeal to a vast audience of music lovers – from children to adults. It will include John Williams’ “Flight to Neverland,” “Raiders March,” music from E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and the Star Wars Suite. John Towner Williams, born on February 8, 1932, in Flushing, New York, is a prolific American composer, conductor and pianist. In 1948, Williams moved to Los Angeles with his family. He attended North Hollywood High School and U.C.L.A. He makes annual appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, and took part as conductor and composer in the orchestra’s opening gala concerts for the Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2003. In a career spanning six decades, Williams has composed many of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including those featured in the November concert, as well as those for Jaws, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Home Alone, 54

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and three Harry Potter films. He has composed the music for all but two of director Steven Spielberg’s feature films. Other notable works by Williams include the theme music for four Olympic Games, the NBC Nightly News, and the music for the rededication of the Stature of Liberty. In 1977, Steven Spielberg recommended Williams to his friend and fellow director George Lucas, who needed a composer to score his ambitious space epic Star Wars. Williams delivered a grand symphonic score in the fashion of Richard Strauss and Max Steiner. “Luke’s Theme” is among the most widely recognized in motion picture history. The film and its soundtrack remain the highest grossing non-popular music recording of all time and won Williams an Academy Award. For the 1981 film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, created and directed by Lucas and Spielberg, Williams wrote a rousing main theme known as, “The Raiders March,” to accompany the film’s hero, Indiana Jones. Additional themes were featured in his scores to the sequel film. Williams composed an emotional and sensitive score to Spielberg’s 1982 fantasy film E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial. The music conveys the film’s benign, childlike sense of innocence, particularly with a spirited theme for the freedom of flight, and a soft, stringbased, harp theme for the friendship between characters E.T. and Elliott. The film’s final chase and farewell sequence marks a rare instance in film history in which the on-screen action was re-edited to conform to the composer’s musical interpretation. This score won Williams a fourth Academy Award. Williams has also composed numerous classical concerti, and he served as the principal conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra from 1980 to 1993. He is an accomplished pianist, as can be heard in various scores in which he provides solos, as well as in a handful of European classical music recordings. His awards are too numerous to mention here, but suffice to say that Williams has had an amazing career and his music resonates Americana. Understandably, Music Director Bruce Kiesling and the orchestra are very enthusiastic about featuring Williams’ music! For tickets to the concert please call the Symphony Office, 559-732-8600.

PERFORMANCES P

Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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F FACES & PLACES

CASA Las Vegas

n September 18, 2010, over 200 friends and supporters of CASA of Tulare County (Court Appointed Special Advocates) gathered together for an evening of revelry at the Visalia Country Club. The room overflowed with gamblers, bidders, and minglers out for a dose of Sin City-themed fun; the games of chance played for a good cause and contributed to the $21,000 raised that evening.

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FACES & PLACES F

1. Lisa & Carlos Martinez 2. Virginia Newberry, Mike Carpenter, Luanne Byrd, Ed Newberry 3. Bill Clark, Willie Case 4. Phil & Connie Cox 5. Max Cardey, Jason Welch, Vaughn Castle, Scott Heitzig -- band members of Borrowed Time. 6. Eric & Kellie Black 7. Jerri & Doug Cardoza 8. Bill & Marina Meek 9. Mike Garcia, Jim Vandegrift, Gilbert Torres 10. Cheryl Duerksen, Julia Boccone, Renee Smylie, Bob Pennington, Geraldine Williams 11. R.B. Jeffrey, Nancy Cheney 12. Sally & Tom Curti 13. Todd Carpenter, Angela Oliver 14. Lorraine Bostard 15. Ed Newberry, Bill Graves 16. Kay, Alex, Jacque, Andre, and Pierre Gaston 17. Sheri Jefferis, Tanya Miller, JoAnn Bol 18. Liz & Nic Heinrichs 19. Greg & Lynn Storseth, Ross Bailey To see more photos from this event, visit www.Facebook.com/ LifestyleMag LIFEST YLE | OCTOBER 2010

Nickelback

october 27

One of the most commercially successful Canadian rock groups, named “Band of the Decade” by Billboard Magazine. Their style spans hard rock, pop and post-grunge. Tickets: $49.50-$75 When: Wednesday, October 27, 6p Where: Save Mart Center, 2650 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno Contact: Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000 or Save Mart Box Office 347-3400

T h e aTeR Pe RFoRMANCeS MUSIC o C t Comedian - Gabriel Iglesias Know as the “fluffy” comic in a hawaiian shirt who often riffs about his large size, Gabe’s clean animated comedy style has earned national crossover appeal. tickets: $32-$37 When: Sunday, october 24, 7p Where: Selland Arena | Fresno Convention Center, 700 M Street, Fresno Contact: Reservations 485-8497

o C t Our town @ the Ice House Play by thornton Wilder and directed by leeni Mitchell. the essence of this classic play is that life is both mundane and magical. Tickets: $12 adults, $6 students. When: october 29-31, November 5-7, 13 & 14 Where: Ice house theatre, Race and Sante Fe, Visalia Contact: 734-3900 or email visaliaplayers@wirelesstcp. net

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N o V Gordon Lightfoot Canadian born and internationally renowned singer-songwriter who’s achieved success in folk, country and pop rock spanning five decades. lightfoot helped define the folk-pop sound of the ’60s and ’70s, earning 16 Juno (Canadian Music) Awards and five Grammy nominations. When: Wednesday, November 10, 7p Where: Fox theater, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 625-1369 or www.foxvisalia.com NoV tulare County Symphony: Movies & Magic Featuring the best known music by film composing legend John Williams – “Flight to Neverland,” “Raiders March,” music from “et,” and the “Star Wars Suite.” tickets: adults $20-$35, students $8. When: Saturday, November 20, 7:30p Where: Visalia Fox theater, 300 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: 732-8600 or tcsymph@ sbcglobal.net

HAPPENINGS

aR TS & AR t eXh IBItS o C t 20th Annual taste treats in tulare the tulare City historical Society and the tulare historical Museum present this highly anticipated food-tasting extravaganza featuring the area’s finest restaurants and caterers. tickets: $45 per person When: Monday, october 25, 6p-8:30p Where: heritage Complex International Ag-Center, 4500 S. laspina St., tulare Contact: terry Brazil, 686-2074 or www. tularehistoricalmuseum.org

o C t Bryan Pickens & Antonio “evaristo” Cuellar Arts Visalia is pleased to present this twoperson exhibit featuring new works by Pickens, who is known for his large-scale paintings on panel, and Cuellar, a skilled ceramist and sculptor. When: September 29-october 29, Wednesday-Saturday, Noon-5:30p or by appointment Where: Arts Visalia, 214 e. oak Ave., Visalia Contact: 739-0905 or info@artsvisalia.org or www.artsvisalia.org

N o V 1st Saturday in three Rivers enjoy the AUtUMN leAVeS as you follow the purple flags to art galleries, studios and gift shops. Visit the Website to see who is participating and find discounts. When: Saturday, November 6, 11a-5p Where: Maps at Anne lang’s emporium, 41651 Sierra Dr. (CA 198), three Rivers Contact: Nadi Spencer, 561-4373 or www.1stSaturdaytR.com

N o V Las Vegas Showtime – Dancing with the VIPs the tulare County Symphony league sponsors this annual benefit, with entertainment by Franco Peraza and Mary Short. this year’s honoree is longtime league member Ruth Wood. tickets: $60 per person When: Saturday, November 6, 11a-2p Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 e. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: Shirley Salas, 627-9002

N o V three Cups of tea: An evening with Greg Mortenson this heart encore event, will feature Mortenson narrating his 16-year quest to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. tickets at Visalia Convention Center box office: General Admission $25-$100; students $10 with student body card When: tuesday, November 16, 7p Where: Visalia Convention Center, 303 e. Acequia Ave., Visalia Contact: ProYouth/heARt, 624-5810 or www.proyouthheart.org

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D IV eRS IOnSeXCURSIo NS

ClaSSeS & WoRK ShoPS

o C t 30th Annual Springville Apple Festival Family oriented event with over 200 craft booths selling hand made arts, crafts, and food. Free entertainment consists of clowns, music, kid’s rides, a Pie eating Contest, and Apple Baking Contest, and more. Plus Apple Run 5K, 10K, and Kid’s runs, plus the 2-mile walk on Saturday morning, and the Annual Fat tire Classic mountain bike race on Sunday morning. When: Saturday & Sunday, october 16-17, 9a-5p Where: Downtown Springville, CA (take highway 65 South to highway 190 east) Contact: 539-0619 or www.springville. ca.us/applefest

Visalia Swim Club – Year-Round Program A member of USA Swimming and a 501(c)3 organization, dedicated to guiding youth (6-18) to learn, love and succeed at life through swimming. Costs: $55/month plus $62 annual USA Swimming membership. When: Monday-Friday, 5:30-7p Where: College of the Sequoias Pool, Woodland St. & College Ct., Visalia (north of tennis courts) Contact: head Coach Kyler, 737-2080 or www.visaliaswimclub.com

N o V 25th Anniversary Open House & Night at the Museum the tulare City historical Society will be commemorating the tulare historical Museum’s 25th Anniversary. Festivities include an open house, an evening benefit and an afternoon reception. the evening benefit will include appetizers, music and docents dressed in period costumes. Sunday’s reception includes a program, cake, honored museum founders, and winners of the essay contest. When: Free open house: Saturday, November 13, 10a-4p & Sunday, November 14, 12:30-4p Benefit $25/each: Saturday 6-9p; Free Reception: Sunday, November 14, 2p (heritage Room) Where: tulare historical Museum, 444 W. tulare Ave., tulare Contact: terry Brazil, 686-2074 or www. tularehistoricalmuseum.org

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 6 weeks prior to publication.

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Art Classes – Fall 2010 Arts Visalia is offering fall art classes to children (5 & up) and year-round classes to adults. Visit Web site for class information and enrollment forms. Children: $45-$50/course; Adults: Please call. When: September - November Where: Arts Visalia, 214 e. oak Ave., Visalia Contact: (559) 739-0905, email info@ artsvisalia.org or www. artsvisalia.org CASA Volunteer Orientations When: Mondays, 5:30p & thursdays, 12-1p Where: CASA office, 1146 N. Chinowth, Visalia Contact: Sid loveless at 625-4007

ChIlDhOODD IStRACtIoNS o C t the Phantom tollbooth, Directed by Robert Langarcia the story of Milo’s journey to rescue Princess Sweet thyme in the land of Ignorance, where King Araz and his brother the Mathemagician argue over words and numbers. When: Friday/Saturday 7p – october 15-16, 22-23, 29-30; Sunday Matinees 2p – october 17 & 24 Where: the Main Street theater, 307 W. Main St., Visalia Contact: Box office 739-4600 or www. enchantedplayhouse.org

o C t “earth, Moon & Sun” A FUll DoMe experience! Discover how the earth, Moon and Sun work together and what the myth and science is behind it. explore space travel to our moon and beyond. tickets: $4/ adults, $3/children under 12, sold 2-4p weekdays, and 30 minutes before the show. When: Friday, october 29, 7p Where: Pena Planetarium, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia Contact: Impact Center 737-6334 or www.tcoe.org/impactcenter

o C t Halloween/Fall Harvest Carnival Imagine U Museum is hosting a special event filled with fun, carnival games and prizes. Come in costume or put on one of their Castle theatre costumes. Cost: $4 ages 2 & up When: Saturday, october 30, noon-4p Where: 700 e. Main St., Visalia Contact: Virginia, 733-5975 or www. imagineumuseum.org

Imagine U Interactive Children’s Museum Imagine U offers a variety of weekly interactive exhibits, events and activities designed to entertain and engage your preschool child. Cost: $4 ages 2 & up When: Wednesday-Friday, 10a-4p & Saturday, 12-4p Where: 700 e. Main St., Visalia Contact: 733-5975 or www. imagineumuseum.org the Boys & Girls Club of tulare County the Boys & Girls Club of tulare County offers a variety of youth development activities and classes for children of all ages. Annual fee: $10 When: Monday-Friday, 12-8p Where: 215 W. tulare Ave., Visalia Contact: 625-4422 or www.bgclubtc.org

HAPPENINGS

WRITe RS & ReADe RS o C t Writing Contest: Celebrate My tulare Family History the tulare historical Museum is sponsoring this contest to celebrate the museum’s 25th Anniversary. Contestants from 4th grade to adults may enter. See Web site for entry details and prizes. enter By: Friday, october 22; winners announced Sunday, November 14, 2p reception. Mail/Bring to: tulare historical Museum, 444 W. tulare Ave., tulare Contact: Pam Beck, 686-3868 or 686-2074, or www. tularehistoricalmuseum.org

o C t Community-Picks Book Club Bring a book you would like to share. When: thursday, october 28, 4-5:30p Where: tulare County library – Blue Room, 200 W. oak Ave., Visalia Contact: Judith Wood, 713-2706 or www.tularecountylibrary.org

N o V First tuesday Book Club october selection – Madame Bovary. When: tuesday, November 2, 6:30-7:45p Where: tulare County library – Blue Room, 200 W. oak Ave., Visalia Contact: Judith Wood, 713-2706 or www.tularecountylibrary.org

N o V Socrates Café A philosophical discussion open to all. First question of the night, “What is Democracy?” When: tuesday, November 9, 6:30p Where: tulare County library – Blue Room, 200 W. oak Ave., Visalia Contact: Judith Wood, 713-2706 or www.tularecountylibrary.org

Children’s Programs Baby/toddler time (tues., 10a) Preschool Storytime (Wed., 10a) Where: tulare County library, 200 W. oak Ave., Visalia Contact: Children’s desk at 733-6954 ext. 209 or www. tularecountylibrary.org

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