Destination Visalia 2013

www.downtownvisalia.com 1

EVENTSGet Out and Have

SOme Fun!

ARTeXPLORe and CeLeBRate

OuR CReatIvItY

DININGSavOR tHe

BOuntIFuL HaRveSt OF OuR vaLLeY

2 Destination Visalia, CA | 2013 / 2014



inside this issue

6WELCOMEA Message from our Mayor & Supervisor: Amy Shuklian & Phil Cox

7DOWntOWn VisaLiansCelebrating 50 Years!

8HistOry Of VisaLiaA Backdrop of Oak Trees

10HistOriCaL HigHLigHtsTimeline of Visalia’s History

13EVEnts CaLEnDarGet Out and Have Some Fun!

18an aMazing Day in VisaLiaIdea’s for a Fun Day Out!

20Dining guiDESavor the Bountiful Harvest of the Valley

25MastEr Of finE fOODVisalia Native Brings Worldly Vision To Her New Restaurant

26farMErs MarkEtQ & A with the Visalia Farmers Market

28DOWntOWn VisaLia MapLooking at Visalia from a NEW Perspective

30sHOpping guiDEIt Pays to Shop Local!

38aLL fOrMs Of artExperience it All!

40tHE EnCHantED pLayHOusE tHEatrEBringing Live Theater to All Ages

41tHE CrEatiVE CEntErA Day Training Activity Center

42iMaginEuLearning Through Creativity

44tHE nigHtLifEFlirty, Fun and Festive!

45“HEar VisaLia”Showcasing Live Music Performances

46CHanging LiVEsKaweah Delta Health Care District

47sECurity DOWntOWnA Unique Approach

48COME takE a riDE WitH us!We’ve Got Lot’s to See... Hop on the Trolley or Sequoia Shuttle to Explore!

49Vi-CyCLE prOgraMImproving Health and Quality of Life

50parks & rECrEatiOnSo Much to Do… So Little Time

51usE yOur sMart pHOnE tO gEt BaCk tO naturEKeep your Technology Fix While Having a Cool Outdoor Adventure

52saM B. pEña pLanEtariuM A View of the Stars and Beyond


Publisher / Creative DirectorGraphic Designer

Eric Cribbs - www.cribbsproject.com(559) 308-6277

Project Manager / Editorial

Carolina M. Evangelowww.evangelocommunications.com

(209) 777-8995

Advertising SalesMonica McVay

[email protected](559) 307-2054

Colleen [email protected]

(559) 732-7737

PhotographyPaul Breski

(559) [email protected]

Advertising, Business andEditorial Inquiries call, email

or write us at:Cribbsproject

121 E. Main Street, Suite #204Visalia, Calif. 93291

Phone: (559) 308-6277Fax: (866) 936-4303

[email protected]

Every effort has been made to ensure theinformation within this publication iscomplete and accurate at the time ofpublication. Downtown Visalians, and

all parties associated with producing thispublication do not warrant such

accuracy or the claims of its advertisers.

Reproduction or reuse of any photos and/or written material contained within this

magazine is prohibited without the expressed

written consent of the publisher.

Destination Visalia is published annually.25,000 copies are distributed by:

Downtown VisaliansDowntownVisalia.com

(559) 732-7737

SAN FRANCISCOSAN FRANCISCO

SACRAMENTOSACRAMENTO

VisaliaFRESNOFRESNO

LOS ANGELESLOS ANGELES

BAKERSFIELDBAKERSFIELD

SAN DIEGOSAN DIEGO

KINGS CANYONSEQUOIA N.P.KINGS CANYONSEQUOIA N.P.

VisaliaVisalia

Fly VisaliaVisaLia airpOrtDaily Non-Stop FlightsLos Angeles Great Lakes Airlines, flygreatlakes.com(800) 554-5111

DOWntOWn VisaLians119 S. Church St.Visalia, CA 93291559-732-7737www.downtownvisalia.com

VisaLia CHaMBEr Of COMMErCE220 N. Santa Fe StreetVisalia, CA 93291559-734-5876www.visaliachamber.org

VisaLia COnVEntiOn CEntEr 303 E. Acequia AvenueVisalia, CA 93291559-713-4800www.ci.visalia.ca.us

COnVEntiOn & VisitOrs BurEau559-334-0141www.visitvisalia.org

Driving DirectionsCOMing frOM tHE nOrtH• Take CA-99 South toward Bakersfield• Take exit 97 for CA-198 West• Merge onto CA-198 East• Take exit 107A to merge onto CA-63 N/W Noble Ave toward Cutler Orosi/Kings Canyon• Turn left at South Court Street

COMing frOM tHE sOutH• Take CA-99 North toward Fresno• Take exit 96 to merge onto CA-198 East toward Visalia/Sequoia National Park• Take exit 107A to merge onto CA-63 N/W Noble Ave toward Cutler Orosi/Kings Canyon• Turn left at South Court Street

Official Visitor Centers


A Message from our Mayor & SupervisoraMy sHukLian & pHiL COx

Downtown Visalia, the heart of the City, beats strong.Visalia’s downtown is it’s core, and at it’s core is dedicated business and proper-ty owners committed to maintaining it’s vibrancy, diversity, and vitality. It’s concentric emphasis in planning promotes a sense of community within a community among business owners and patrons alike. A small town atmosphere is balanced with

a mix of professional office space, unique boutiques, culturally diverse restaurants and entertainment venues for all ages.

Structurally, downtown Visalia represents a mix of historically preserved buildings and newly renovated spaces that combine to showcase the area’s rich history and promising future. Located just north of State Highway 198, Downtown Visalia has served as the city’s epicenter for social culture and local business prowess since the City’s founding in 1852.

Home to more than 125,000 residents, Visalia is a diverse communi-ty that has preserved its small-town friendliness while still being the medical, commercial, educational, cultural and government center of a two-county area. Once a creekside settlement, the City has grown into a thriving community with big-city amenities. Its location in the foothills below the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains puts it on the map as the Gateway to the Sequoias and Kings Canyon National Parks.

The pride of our citizens in their community is apparent throughout the city – it’s a place to live, play and work.

Mayor Amy Shuklian

welCome to tulare County!Visalia and Tulare County have much in common. Both provide all the accommoda-tions that your family could need for a vacation: hotels, restaurants, recreational activities, and entertainment venues.

From special events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Candy Cane Lane Christmas Parade to permanent fixtures like renowned

restaurants and boutique and gift shops, Downtown Visalia offers plenty of things to do. There’s a sense of history and culture to discover, too. Walk toward the middle of downtown and you can find the historic Fox Theater, the center of Visalia’s entertainment and an important part of both family and community life. You can also explore nearby art galleries and museums.

While there are numerous activities and shops to discover, Downtown Visalia can be your hub for many other attractions in Tulare County. Leave your car in Visalia and take the Sequoia Shuttle to access popular destinations throughout the Sequoia National Park. Tulare County is also home to Lake Kaweah, where you can rent a family houseboat for the day or just enjoy fishing from the shore. On your way back to your hotel in Visalia, experience the beautiful downtown of Exeter and its many murals depicting life in the San Joaquin Valley. When you are back in town, there are great opportunities to purchase locally grown produce at Visalia’s Farmers Market, Thursday evenings in downtown and Saturdays on Mooney Boulevard.

Regardless of how many days you plan on vacationing in the area, you will have a wonderful time experiencing the beautiful area we call home.

Supervisor Phil Cox


Downtown VisaliansCELEBrating 50 yEars!

fifty years ago, a group of ConCerneD business owners formeD a non-profit Downtown improVement DistriCt thereafter known as Downtown Visalians. They defined boundaries and voted to assess themselves a fee. The greater portion of their budget is directed toward marketing and promotions. In addi-tion to sponsoring entertainment events, a broad based marketing campaign is undertaken each year to attract customers outside Visalia and to encourage visitors to come and enjoy what Visalia has to offer. The group also places a great

deal of emphasis on retaining a clean safe environment while creating service and cultural opportunities for the community and visitors.

In addition to the merchants association, there is a coalition of property owners who have also elected to form a special benefit assessment district with bound-aries matching those of the merchant association boundaries. Their funds have been targeted to capital improvements such as the Entryway Sign at Court and Acequia and the large Information Kiosks placed throughout Downtown. They have purchased benches, and have done extensive landscaping with street trees, flowers and shrubs. They partner with the merchants to provide 24- hour bike patrol and full-time maintenance. Some of their dollars have been used to improve and increase parking by contributing funds to build parking structures. The one pictured here was completed in March 2007 with nearly 700 spaces.

A major coup was the successful attempt to change some of the eastbound 198 signs from Highway 99 to say “ Downtown Visalia” instead of “Central Visalia.”

The fifty years of Downtown Visalians’ existence has brought a variety of bounce and life to Visalia’s Downtown District. We know that as the year’s go by, and they will continue to make great improvements for visitors and all Visalians to enjoy!

50th

50th


when the first settlers arriVeD in our area in the fall of 1852, they founD lush Delta lanD CoVereD with high grasses, all in the miDst of a huge oak forest.

The soil was fertile, just right for crops, so they unloaded their wagons about two blocks north of here on the north bank of a stream that eventually became known as Mill Creek.

Fearful of attacks by local Native American Indians, the settlers built a log fort for protection. During the day they would work the land outside the walls of the fort and at night they would retreat back inside. One of these settlers was an adventurous man named Nathaniel Vise who hailed from Visalia Kentucky, a town named for his family. Vise had laid claim to much of the land now in Visalia’s downtown area. When a name was discussed for the settlement, Visalia was picked in honor of Nathaniel Vise and his home in Kentucky.

Experiencing little if any hostility from the local Indians, the settlers began to venture away from the fort. Nathan Baker’s store was the first business located in the new town and was built on the southeast corner of what is now Garden and Main streets. Other businesses and homes followed and the little town began to take shape on both sides of the creek. They needed an easy crossing over the waterway, so a bridge was built and the path leading to it became Bridge Street.

In 1853 Visalia was named the county seat of Tulare. By the mid 1850s, gold seekers from the northern mines were passing through Visalia frequently on their way to the Kern River gold fields. Once these miners realized the stories of gold greatly exceed the actual gold to be found, the rush fizzled and some of the disillusioned adventurers returned to Visalia and stayed. By 1860 the town’s population had reached 548 and there were drug stores, blacksmith shops, livery stables, saloons and a host of other businesses.

The early years of the 1860s were especially challenging for the little town. The same issues that separated the north and the south during the Civil War also divided the citizens of Visalia. A large number of early settlers supported the southern cause and confrontations with northern sympathizers oftentimes led to bloodshed. Despite the war and related problems, the

A Backdrop of Oak TreesBy: tErry L. OMMEnHistory PHotos Courtesy of terry omen www.visaliaHistory.blogsPot.Com


town survived and prospered thanks at least in part to the steady stream of miners passing through Visalia again, this time heading to the gold and silver mines in the Coso Range on the other side of the Sierra Nevada.

By 1870 Visalia’s population had reached 913. Two years later the railroad came through the valley, but the transportation giant disappointed Visalians when it bypassed the town and created the town of Goshen. But in 1874 a small spur line was built connecting Visalia and the main Southern Pacific line at Goshen. The decade of the 1870s again transformed Visalia into a mining supply town as the silver rush to Mineral King picked up steam.

As the 1880s arrived, the 1,400 people in Visalia were faced with a serious challenge. The unsanitary conditions in town were spreading disease, especially malaria, and a big cleanup campaign began—one of many in the life of the town.

In 1888 excitement filled the town at least for a few days when a well-known celebrity was spotted. Charles Boles, the infamous stagecoach robber, better known as Black Bart, had just been released from San Quentin Prison. He was traveling under an assumed name and spent a few days at the Visalia House. When he was discovered, he quickly left town leaving his belongings behind. Visalia was the last known location for this Mother Lode bandit and his visit created quite a stir.

As the 1890s arrived, the town had grown to almost 2,000 and had taken on a metropolitan look. It had a number of new buildings including a handsome county jail and a large brick school house. But with growth came problems and the residents soon realized that two of their own were on a killing spree while robbing trains. The violent exploits of Chris Evans and John Sontag were taking a toll on the town’s reputation.

As Visalia entered the 20th century, it boasted a population of a little over 3,000. Electricity was on its way for the general public and the automobile was preparing to take over from the horse and buggy. But the decade wasn’t all good news. In 1906, a series of devastating floods almost washed away parts of the city. Buildings and streets were deluged with water all of which pointed out the need for some type of flood control. The many floods in Visalia and the area eventually led to the construction of Terminus Reservoir.


HistoricalHighlightsBy: tErry L. OMMEn

DOWntOWn HistOriC WaLking tOurTake in a bit of Visalia’s history by strolling through our historic downtown. Along the way, you’ll discover churches, the little white schoolhouse, early hotels and the famous Fort Visalia.

For a detailed self-guided tour map, stop by the Downtown Visalia Office at 119 S. Church Street, Visalia, CA 93291 or visit downtownvisalia.com to download a copy of the map.

Pre 1852yokuts indians oCCuPied land tHat is visalia

Fall, 1852first settlers arrived and built a fort for ProteCtion

Sept., 1853visalia beCame tHe County seat of tulare

Oct. ,1858 tHe first stage of tHe butterfield overland mail line arrived in visalia

June, 1859visalia’s first newsPaPer, tulare County reCord and fresno examiner was PublisHed

June, 1860tHe telegraPH arrived in visalia

Oct. ,1862 union soldiers (California volunteers) marCHed into town to establisH order and set uP CamP babbitt

May, 1864 visalia voted to eleCt City offiCials inCluding a board of trustees

Dec., 1864 Jose Jesus stenner was found guilty of murder and was Hanged in CourtHouse square. He was tulare County’s first legal Hanging

June, 1869eureka #1, visalia’s first volunteer fire dePartment was Created

Feb., 1874 visalia inCorPorated as a City

Aug., 1874 tHe visalia railroad ComPany brougHt tHe first train into town—a sPur line from gosHen

Oct., 1876 tHe PalaCe Hotel Had its grand oPening witH California governor william irwin offiCiated tHe PalaCe Hotel building, PerHaPs tHe oldest still-in-use CommerCial building between stoCkton and los angeles, still stands on tHe nortHeast Corner of main and Court streets

May, 1880tHe famous fatal sHootout in tHe mussel slougH distriCt of tulare County took PlaCe, fueling more Hatred of tHe railroad by many

Feb. 1888 tHe famous stageCoaCH robber “blaCk bart” Came Here and visalia is tHe last known sigHting of Him before He disaPPeared

Sept., 1896 suffragists susan b. antHony and Carrie CHaPman Catt sPoke to a PaCked armory Hall audienCe Dec., 1899 tHe mt. wHitney Power Co., inCorPorated. tHe ComPany, later PurCHased by soutHern California edison, Provided muCH needed Hydro-eleCtriC Power to visalia and muCH of tulare County and beyond

Jan., 1906 tHis marked tHe beginning of a terrible flood year; water from nearby Creeks flooded visalia streets Causing Considerable damage




eventscalendar

Get out and HAVE SOME FUN!

2013JuLya bridal odyssey at tHe visalia Convention Center www.abridalodyssey.Com

JuLy 4tH Celebration (mineral king bowl)www.Ci.visalia.Ca.us

tHrOugH JuLy 27tulare HistoriCal museum Presents: “bridging east & west: Paintings by Joy Harvey. for more information visit www.tulareHistoriCalmuseum.org JuLy 3 – august 2reCePtion on July 5 from 6-8Pm.arts visalia Presents: tHe 2013 nortH ameriCan Print & drawing exHibition. for more information visit www.artsvisalia.org

JuLy 5-7, 10-14, 17-20tulare enCore tHeatre Presents: grease by Jim JaCobs & warren Casey. direCted by bob barnier. for more information visit www.tulareenCoretHeatre.org

JuLy 6, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers Presents: always red, wHite, and blue. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com


JuLy 6gourds and roses Presents: art worksHoP - rosemary Catron and donna luallen, loCal gourd artists will demonstrate woodburning designs on a lagenaria gourd. ContaCt tHem for information and early registration at [email protected] or [email protected]

JuLy 7, 2pMtHe exeter art gallery and museum assoCiation Hosts tHeir new sHow and reCePtion at 125 soutH b street in exeter. oPen witH tHe CourtHouse gallery on saturdays and sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 P.m. for more information visit www.exeterHistoriCalmuseum.Com.

JuLy 17 tHe Porterville art assoCiation Presents: featured artist: JoHn sundstrom/oPen member sHow. for more information and additional dates/Hours Call tHe gallery at 559-784-4323

JuLy 27tHe visalia fox tHeatre Presents: JoHnny winter, sonny landretH, gary Hoey. for tiCkets, visit: www.foxvisalia.org

august 3gourds and roses Presents: art worksHoP: dian olmstead, gourd artist/weaver from bakersfield will teaCH PartiCiPants to weave an amazing design on a lagenaria gourd utilizing Pine needles, sinew and found obJeCts. ContaCt and Pre-register at [email protected]

august 3, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers Presents: lazy days of summer. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com

august 7 – 30. reCePtion on august 9 from 6-8Pmarts visalia Presents: young at art 2013. for more information visit www.artsvisalia.org

august 16-18, 23-25; 30-31 anD sEptEMBEr 1tHe visalia Community Players Present: tHe glass menagerie. for more information Please visit www.visaliaPlayers.org or Call 559-734-3900

august 29-nOVEMBEr 2. tHe tulare HistoriCal museum Presents an exHibition of works from delores witt and James stark. for more information visit www.tulareHistoriCalmuseum.org

august 31/sEptEMBEr 1gourds and roses Presents: art worksHoP: gloria Crane, gourd artist from soutHern California will teaCH Carving, Painting and woodburning on a lagenaria gourdContaCt at [email protected] or gloriousgourdCreations.Com.

augustvisalia teen idol Contest at tHe HistoriC fox tHeatre www.Ci.visalia.Ca.us/dePts/Parks_n_reCration

sEptEMBEr 4 -27reCePtion on sePtember 6 from 6-8Pmarts visalia Presents: tHat extra dimension 2013: invitational sCulPture exHibition. for more information visit www.artsvisalia.org

sEptEMBEr 5-7downtown visalia sidewalk salewww.downtownvisalia.Com

sEptEMBEr 6, 5-8pMPorterville art walk. first friday of every montH from 5-8 Pm. free self-guided tour of loCal art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. for more information visit www.tHePortervilleartwalk.org

sEptEMBEr 7, 8:00pMtHe tulare County symPHony Presents: PoPs in tHe Park at zumwalt Park in tulare. for more information visit www.tCsymPHony.org

sEptEMBEr 7first saturday in tHree rivers Presents: art Harvest. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com

sEptEMBEr 8-28tHe lindsay art assoCiation Presents a unique exHibit of drawings by tHe owner of valley yoga, brenda Proudfoot. brenda’s PenCil drawings illustrate Her use of art in Healing, as sHe struggled to CoPe witH Her brotHer’s suiCide, followed sHortly by Her own diagnosis of breast CanCer. tHe exHibit will oPen witH a reCePtion and talk by brenda on sunday, sePt. 8 at 2:00 Pm. tHe lindsay museum/gallery is loCated at 165 n.gale Hill in lindsay. for more information Call 559-562-3578 or 559-562-2684

sEptEMBEr 14 Huge rummage sale by tHe Creative Center foundation on tHe Creative Center grounds at 410 e. raCe avenue from early morning. info PHone: 559-733-4400

sEptEMBEr 18 tHe Porterville art assoCiation Presents: featured artist: ron zanini/oPen member sHow. for more information and additional Hours/dates, Call tHe gallery at 559-784-4323

sEptEMBEr 26-29, OCtOBEr 4-6, 10-12enCore tHeatre Presents: How to suCCeed in business witHout really trying by abe burrows, JaCk weinstoCk, & willie gilbert. direCted by dave burley. for more information visit www.tulareenCoretHeatre.org

sEptEMBEr 30gourds and roses Presents: art worksHoP: maria dellos, artist/instruCtor from tusCon, arizona will teaCH Color and texture on lagenaria gourd sHards. eaCH PartiCiPant will ComPlete five unique art PieCes suitable for framing or Jewelry Creations. ContaCt at www.mariasartCreations.Com to register and view PiCtures and desCriP-tions of Her Classes

OCtOBEr 1taste of downtown - after 20 years tHe taste of downtown is tuesday, oCtober 1, 2013. samPle great foods at your favorite restaurant as you stroll downtown from 5 to 9 Pm. enJoy wine and beer tasting from 5 to 8Pm. vote for your favorite restaurant. enter to win downtown gift CHeCks. one tiCket allows you aCCess to all. tHe taste of downtown is a sellout event. early tiCket sales begin august 18tH. www.downtownvisalia.Com

OCtOBEr“musiC in motion” band reviewwww.visaliainvitional.Com

OCtOBEr oktoberfest at rawHide ball Parkwww.visaliaCHamber.org

OCtOBEr College of tHe sequoias tHeatre arts Presents: a midsummer nigHt’s dream by william sHakesPeare. adaPted and direCted by CHris mangels. for dates and tiCket information visit www.CostHeatre.org

OCtOBEr 2 – nOVEMBEr 1reCePtion on oCtober 4 from 6-8Pm. arts visalia Presents taking art to tHe streets. for more information visit www.artsvisalia.org

OCtOBEr 4, 5-8pMPorterville art walk. first friday of every montH from 5-8 Pm. free self-guided tour of loCal art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. for more information visit www.tHePortervilleartwalk.org

OCtOBEr 4-6, 11-13, 18-20tHe visalia Community Players Present: tHe gin game: a lobby sHow. for more information Please visit www.visaliaPlayers.org or Call 559-734-3900 OCtOBEr 4-6, 11-13, 18-19CamP CHarming. a quazi sPoof on tHe sword and tHe stone about two ameriCan boys wHo go to england to take a Course in PrinCely manners in order to save tHe rural folk from a Curse tHat involves extremely bad manners. for more information visit enCHantedPlayHouse.org

OCtOBEr 5, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers Presents: rave’n about tHree rivers. oPen art studios. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com.

OCtOBEr 17 tHe 20tH annual waiters raCe kiCks of tHe taste tHe arts festival: main street. tHe first raCe will begin at 5:45Pm.

OCtOBEr 19 at 7:30pMtHe tulare County symPHony Presents: triumPHant tCHaikovsky! featuring miCHael brown, Piano. visalia fox tHeatre. for more information visit www.tCsymPHony.org

OCtOBEr 18-20tHe 4tH annual taste tHe arts festival: downtown visalia events, aCtivities, PerformanCes, worksHoPs, street fair…all free and oPen to tHe PubliC. visit www.tastetHearts.net for more information

OCtOBEr 28tHe tulare HistoriCal museum Presents tHeir annual fundraiser taste treats. for more information and tiCket sales visit www.tulareHistoriCalmuseum.org

nOVEMBErCollege of tHe sequoias tHeatre arts Presents: tHe man wHo Came to dinner by moss Hart & george s. kaufman. direCted by James mCdonnell & niCk terry. for dates and tiCket information visit www.CostHeatre.org

nOVEMBEr 1, 5-8pMPorterville art walk. first friday of every montH from 5-8 Pm. free self-guided tour of loCal art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. for more information visit www.tHePortervilleartwalk.org

nOVEMBEr 2, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers Presents: autumn leaves. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com

nOVEMBEr 3tHe lindsay art assoCiation will be working witH teaCHers in area sCHools to develoP disPlays for “day of tHe dead” wHiCH will be exHibited at tHe museum/gallery, beginning sunday, november 3. tHe lindsay museum/gallery is loCated at 165 n. gale Hill in lindsay. for more information Call 559-562-3578 or 559-562-2684

nOVEMBEr 6 – 29reCePtion on november 8 from 6-8Pm. arts visalia Presents: riCHard arenas – solo exHibition. for more information visit www.artsvisalia.org

nOVEMBEr 7-January 4tHe tulare HistoriCal museum Presents an exHibition of works from tHe main gallery artists. for more information visit www.tulareHistoriCalmuseum.org

nOVEMBEr 8-10tHe visalia oPera ComPany Presents: mozart’s mar-riage of figaro. tHe ComPany’s seCond full-lengtH oPera will be set in tHe glamorous 1920’s at tHe main street tHeatre downtown visalia. for more information visit www.visaliaoPeraComPany.org


nOVEMBEr 21tHe Creative Center’s annual gift faire: souP, siP and sHoP, 5-7 P.m. in tHe Jon ginsburg gallery, 410 e. raCe avenue. info PHone: (559) 733-9329

nOVEMBEr 22-24, 29-30, anD DECEMBEr 1, 6-8tHe visalia Community Players Present: love, loss, and wHat i wore. for more information Please visit www.visaliaPlayers.org or Call 559-734-3900.

nOVEMBEr 23 at 7:30pMtHe tulare County symPHony Presents: Celebrate tHe Harvest. featuring four danCe ePisodes from CoPland’s rodeo witH Combined CHurCH CHoirs. visalia fox tHeatre. for more information visit www.tCsymPHony.org

nOVEMBEr 29-30, DECEMBEr 1-8tHe best CHristmas Pageant ever. in tHis Hilarious CHristmas tale, a CouPle struggling to Put on a CHurCH CHristmas Pageant is faCed witH Casting tHe Herdman kids--Probably tHe most inventively awful kids in History. you won’t believe tHe may-Hem--and tHe fun--wHen tHe Herdman’s Collide witH tHe CHristmas story Head on! for more information visit enCHantedPlayHouse.org

DECEMBEr 2groPPetti automotive familie’s 68tH annual Candy Cane lane Parade is monday, deCember 2nd, 2013 at 7Pm on main street. tHe CHristmas Parade is tHe longest running nigHt time Holiday Parade in tHe Central san Joaquin valley. broadCast by abC CHannel 30. www.downtownvisalia.Com

DECEMBErCHristmas tree auCtion www.visaliaCHamber.org

DECEMBErCowboy Poetry - www.foxvisalia.org

DECEMBEr 5, 12, 19downtown Holiday oPen House, inCludes PiCtures witH santa, and muCH more.www.downtownvisalia.Com

DECEMBEr 4 – 21reCePtion on deCember 6 from 6-8Pm. arts visalia Presents tHe annual Holiday sHow and sale. for more information visit www.artsvisalia.org

DECEMBEr 5-8, 13-15, 20-21enCore tHeatre ComPany Presents: a diCkens CHristmas Carol by mark landon smitH. direCted by susan burley. for more information visit www.tulareenCoretHeatre.org

DECEMBEr 6, 5-8pMPorterville art walk. first friday of every montH from 5-8 Pm. free self-guided tour of loCal art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. for more information visit www.tHePortervilleartwalk.org

DECEMBEr 7, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers Presents: over tHe river and tHrougH tHe woods. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com

DECEMBEr 14, 3pM anD 7:30pM.tHe tulare County symPHony Presents: annual Holiday ConCert at tHe visalia fox tHeatre. for more information visit www.tCsymPHony.org

DECEMBEr 9-12tHe Creative Center Presents its annual CHristmas ProduCtion at tHe Jon ginsburg gallery main stage at 410 e. raCe avenue. for more information Call: 559-733-9329

2014Januarya bridal odyssey at tHe visalia Convention Center www.abridalodyssey.Com

January 3, 5-8pMPorterville art walk. first friday of every montH from 5-8 Pm. free self-guided tour of loCal art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. for more information visit www.tHePortervilleartwalk.org

January 4, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com

January 9 – fEBruary 22tHe tulare HistoriCal museum Presents: tulare County varied imPressions featuring all loCal artists and loCal sCenes. for more information visit www.tulareHistoriCalmuseum.org

January 18, 7:30pMtHe tulare County symPHony Presents: loCals nigHt witH soloists from tHe tulare County symPHony. soloists: susan doering, violin; dieter wulfHorst, Cello; valerie walden, Cello; elisHa wil-son, Horn. featuring PieCes from saint-seans, faure, atterburg, and sHostakoviCH. visalia fox tHeatre. for more information visit www.tCsymPHony.org

January 24-26, 31 anD fEBruary 1, 3, 7-9tHe visalia Community Players Present: resPeCt, a musiCal. for more information Please visit www.visaliaPlayers.org or Call 559-734-3900

fEBruarysPring fling www.sivisalia.Com


fEBruary 1, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com

fEBruary 5-28. arts visalia Presents: sofa art sHow. oPening reCePtion on february 7 from 6-8Pm. for more information visit www.artsvisalia.org

fEBruary 6-9, 14-16, anD 20-22 enCore tHeatre ComPany Presents tHe drowsy CHaPerone by bob martin & don mCkellar. direCted by abigail Hofer and ryan anders; CHoreograPHed by mCkenna friend-Hoffman. for more information visit www.tulareenCoretHeatre.org

fEBruary 7, 5-8pMPorterville art walk. first friday of every montH from 5-8 Pm. free self-guided tour of loCal art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. for more information visit www.tHePort-ervilleartwalk.org

fEBruary 7-9, 14-16, 21-22sleePing beauty. for more information visit en-CHantedPlayHouse.org

fEBruary 8, 9aM-4pMtoni best Hosts basketry and gourd art-making Classes at Her studio. for more information Call toni at 559-627-5430

fEBruary 8, 7:30pMtHe tulare County symPHony Presents: ameriCan brillianCe. featuring bernstein’s west side story and brebeCk witH Clay Jenkinson as tHe narrator for teddy roosevelt: in Cowboy land. visalia fox tHeatre. for more information visit www.tCsymPHony.org

fEBruary 27-MarCH 29tHe tulare HistoriCal museum Presents tHeir annual student art sHow. for more information visit www.tulareHistoriCalmuseum.org

MarCH farmers market begins (tHrougH oCtober)www.visaliafarmersmarket.Com

MarCH 6-8sPring sidewalk salewww.downtownvisalia.Com

MarCHvisalia irisH festivalwww.visaliabreakfastlions.org

MarCHminds in motion walkkaweaH delta reHab

MarCH 1, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com

MarCH 7, 5-8pMPorterville art walk. first friday of every montH from 5-8 Pm. free self-guided tour of loCal art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. for more information visit www.tHePortervilleartwalk.org

MarCH 14-16, 21-23, anD 28-30tHe visalia Community Players Present: tHe full monty, a musiCal. for more information Please visit www.visaliaPlayers.org or Call 559-734-3900

MarCH 15, 10aMevents visalia Presents tHe st. PatriCk’s day Parade, main street downtown visalia

MarCH 15, 7:30pMtHe tulare County symPHony Presents: CasablanCa, live witH orCHestra. tHe symPHony Plays tHe soundtraCk to tHis beloved film, ProJeCted along tHe walls of tHe HistoriCal visalia fox tHeatre. for more information visit www.tCsymPHony.org

apriL 3 wine & CHeese walkwww.downtownvisalia.Com

apriL one day witHout sHoesenCina between Center & mainwww.onedaywitHoutsHoes.Com

apriL great western fan festivalwww.fanfestivals.Com/media-HigHligHts11.Htm

apriLarts visalia gallery sHow www.artsvisalia.org

apriLvisalia rawHide baseball season begins www.rawHidebaseball.Com

apriL College of tHe sequoias tHeatre arts Presents: metamorPHosis by mary zimmerman. direCted by CHris mangels & david rasner witH tHe exPerimental tHeatre ensemble. for dates and tiCket information visit www.CostHeatre.org

apriLtHe lindsay Cultural arts CounCil and lindsay art assoCiation will be Presenting tHe lindsay orange blossom festival art sHow in tHe gallery at 165 n. gale Hill in lindsay, along witH tHe annual reCePtion Honoring tHe obf queen, Her Court, and tHe Honored CouPle. dates will be announCed. for more information Call 559-562-3578 or 559-562-2684


apriL 4, 5-8pMPorterville art walk. first friday of every montH from 5-8 Pm. free self-guided tour of loCal art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. for more information visit www.tHePortervilleartwalk.org

apriL 5, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com

apriL 12, 9aM-4pMtoni best Hosts basketry and gourd art-making Classes at Her studio. for more information Call toni at 559-627-5430

apriL 12, 7:30pM.tHe tulare County symPHony Presents: fan-tastique! featuring ellisor’s blaCkberry winter witH stePHen seifert on dulCimer and berlioz’s symPHony fantastique. visalia fox tHeatre. for more information visit www.tCsymPHony.org

apriL 25, 6-8pMreCePtion at arts visalia for baskets and gourds - Containers of our Culture v ConferenCe

apriL 26-27baskets and gourds - Containers of our Culture ConferenCe- Classes taugHt by nationally and internationally renowned teaCHers at visalia elks lodge. Classes from 9am – 4Pm. ContaCt toni best for information 559-627-5430

May 2-4, 9-11, 16-17if you give a mouse a Cookie . for more information visit enCHantedPlayHouse.org

May 16downtown exPowww.downtownvisalia.Com

May 17breakfast lions Club Car sHow on main street www.visaliabreakfastlions.org

MayCinCo de mayo Parade www.tkHCC.org

May sliCk roCk film festival award Ceremonywww.sliCkroCkfestival.org

May 3art on tHe farm- learn tHe basiCs of growing tHe lagenaria gourd and Creating works of art witH your fruit. ContaCt CeCile garrison, 559-740-6060, [email protected], www.gourdsandroses.Com

May 2, 5-8pMPorterville art walk. first friday of every montH from 5-8 Pm. free self-guided tour of loCal art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. for more information visit www.tHePortervilleartwalk.org

May 3, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com

May 3 – May 31tHe tulare HistoriCal museum Presents tHe tulare Palette Club’s sPring sHow. for more information visit www.tulareHistoriCalmuseum.org

May 9-11, 16-18, 23-25tHe visalia Community Players Present: last of tHe boys. for more information Please visit www.visaliaPlayers.org or Call 559-734-3900

MEMOriaL WEEkEnD - LaBOrDay WEEkEnDsequoia national Park sHuttle serviCe (June tHrougH sePtember)www.sequoiasHuttle.Com

JunE downtown summer Jamwww.downtownvisalia.Com

JuLy 5art on tHe farm-learn tHe basiCs of growing tHe lagenaria gourd and Creating works of art witH your fruit. ContaCt CeCile garrison, 559-740-6060, [email protected], www.gourdsandroses.Com

JuLy 5, 11aM-5pMfirst saturday in tHree rivers. oPen art studios and art vendors. for more information visit www.1stsaturdaytr.Com


traVel baCk in time with a historiCal walking tourTake this 45-minute stroll through old downtown Visalia for a history lesson and some good exercise! Along the way you’ll discover old churches, the little white schoolhouse, early hotels and the famous Fort Visalia.

ConCrete CanVasesFor centuries, Valley communities and artists have come together to create truly magnificent masterpieces on our famous ‘concrete canvas.’ Nearly one hundred murals adorn the sides of buildings throughout Tulare County and tell stories about the history, wildlife, agriculture, events and much more that have shaped our towns into the flourish-ing communities they are today. The City of Visalia, in particular, features paintings of a 1940’s advertisement, war veteran memorials and pictur-esque Sequoia National Park. Come and see if you can spot them all!

Don’t forget your appetite!A foodie’s ultimate paradise, Visalia has always been a hotspot for fresh, farm-to-fork cuisine. And now, the secret’s out! Fine dining chefs, cooks and bartenders have been cookin’ up all of our favorite, fine dishes. From local favorites to sweet treats, creative recipes and concoctions that will literally make your head spin, you’ll never find a destination more ready to dish it up!

or your CheCk book!Browse and buy to your heart’s content! Visalia is a shopping community for all tastes. Mosey through antique stores on East Main Street, twirl in designer dresses at many of the city’s finest boutiques, find all your favor-ite brand names at the Visalia Mall, or head south to the outlet center for the best prices around!

mooney’s groVe museumWhat would Visalia be without oak trees? The city has made a conscious effort, backed by the force of law, to preserve these magnificent giants. You can bask in their beauty at Mooney Grove Park. Picnic areas, equipped with arbors, seating and barbecue facilities, beckon in the shade of the large oak canopies throughout the park. A main feature is the parks lagoon, home to friendly geese and ducks. The park is also home to a farm labor and agriculture museum that showcases the rich cultural her-itage of the people who farmed the Valley during the first half-Millenia!

farmers marketThere’s no better place to find gourmet cheeses, seasoned nuts, salad dressings, mustards, jam, jellies, olives, fresh baked cookies, artisan bread loafs and dozens of fruits and vegetables than right down the street at the local farmers market. Our local folks offer the finest foods, straight from the farm to your home! Join us downtown in the summer for market with live entertainment or on Saturday’s year-round at the Sequoia Mall Shopping Center.

batter up! Pack your peanuts, Cracker Jacks and foam finger for a day at the diamond! Rawhide fans are celebrating in a newly renovated Downtown stadium. This minor league affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks won’t disappoint.

symphony at the foxFor over 53 seasons the Tulare County Orchestra has brought delightful music to the ears of residents and visitors alike. The stunning Fox Theatre tells a lot about the community of Visalia. Opened in 1930 in the early days of “talking pictures,” the theatre was the grand showplace in town for over 40 years. Now, more than 80 years later, the Fox serves as one of the finest performing arts venues in the state!

An Amazing Day in VisaliaBy: VisaLia COnVEntiOn & VisitOrs BurEau


Office Of

Pacific EmployersLabor & Safety

Consulting

306 N. Willis StreetVisalia, CA 93291

Phone 559-733-4256Fax 559-733-8953

Toll Free 800-331-2592www.pacificemployers.com

[email protected]


dining guide

Savor the Bountiful Harvest of our Valley


ameriCanBrEWBakErs BrEWing CO.219 E. Main Street627-2739www.brewbakersbrewingco.com

CraWDaDDy’s333 E Main Street625-5300www.crawdaddysvisalia.com

DOC’s DriVE-in421 W Acequia Ave635-4934

DOuBLE LL stEak HOusE401 E Center Street627-1126Check us out on facebook!

DOWntOWn rOOkiEs spOrts Bar & griLL215 E Main Street732-1200Check us out on Facebook!

fugazzis CaLifOrnia BistrO127 W Main Street559-625-0496www.fugazzisbistro.com

LunCH BOx, tHE112 N Court Street635-8624www.lunchboxcateringcompany.com

Main strEEt Café233 W Main Street741-1171www.mainstreetcafevisalia.com

suE sa’s CLuB HOusE DELi699 W Center Street559-733-2582

VaLHaLLa 314 W Center Street627-2113

VisaLia BrEWing COMpany puB & griLL 112 W Main Street 734-2739Check us out on Facebook!

zHuO’s at tHE MarriOt300 S Court Street636-1111www.zhuomarriott.com

asianakaMaru JapanEsE rEstaurant120 W Main Street739-8227www.akamaru-sushi.com

CantOn CHinEsE rEstaurant419 E. Main Street732-5716 www.cantonchineseretaurant.net

guM-BO CHinEsE BuffEt ExprEss101 S. Court Street732-4263

HOng kOng rEstaurant417 E Center Street734-5393

LuMLuM’s 417 E Center Street734-3604

VisaLia tEa garDEn325 E Main Street734-3604

bakeryMax’s COOkiE COMpany at BOtHOf’s BakEry221 E Main Street734-9458www.bothofsbakery.com

frOstED Muffin, tHE108 S Church Street786-2886Check us out on Facebook!

gOurMEt DEssErts & WEDDing CakEs110 S Church Street318-7658www.gourmetdessert.net

panDEria - EL MEJOr129 N. Court 365-0600

piCniC sHOp BakEry114 W Main Street734-1847

raisin’ DOugH BakEry 116 E Main Street, Ste-100635-0285Check us out on Facebook!

Casuala&W DriVE in301 N. Willis 625-1513www.awrestaruants.com

CHECkErs DriVE-in401 W. Acequia 733-4227

fattE aLBErt’s pizza229 E. Main Street735-9405www.fattealbertpizzacompany.com

JiMMy JOHn’s gOurMEt suBs312 W Main Street625-4546www.jimmyjohns.com

MEarLE’s On Main315 E Main Street734-8113

MOntEs ExprEss 316 N Court Street733-4102

piCniC sanDWiCH sHOp114 W Main Street734-1847



sp’s BurgEr & MExiCan fOOD100 S. Church Street627-9777

suBWay sanDWiCH sHOp110 W Main Street625-5000www.subway.com

tayLOr BrOs. HOt DOgs206 N. Encina732-2781Check us out on Facebook!

tazzaria 208 W Main Street636-1618Check us out on Facebook!

tOgO’s/Baskin rOBBins423 W Main Street733-7448Check us out on Facebook!

QuiznOs200 E Acequia738-9505www.quiznos.com/restaurants/ca/visalia

Coffee210 – Café210 W Center 739-9010www.210life.com

CHar-Cu-tE-riE211 W Main Street733-7902Check us out on Facebook!

starBuCks110 W Main Street625-4750www.starbucks.com

tazzaria 208 W Main Street625-4750Check us out on Facebook!

italianLittLE itaLy rEstaurant & CaffE303 W. Main Street734-2906www.littleitalyrestaurantandcaffe.com

rOsa’s itaLian ristOrantE314 S, Johnson732-6707www.rosasitalianristorante.com

fine DiningCafé 225225 W Main Street733-2967www.cafe225.com

JaCk & CHarLiE’s204 E Oak Ave738-5752www.jackandcharlies.com

sOutHErn paCifiC DEpOt, tHE 207 W Oak Ave732-8611www.depotvisalia.com

tOMMy’s rEstaurant130 N. Encina627-6077www.tommysdowntown.com

VintagE prEss, tHE 216 N. Willis733-3033www.thevintagepress.com

mexiCanaLEJanDra’s rEstaurant314 W Main Street636-3215www.alejandrasonmain.com

COLiMa’s MExiCan rEstaurant111 E. Main Street733-7078

EL tarasCO #2208 W Main Street622-8525www.el-tarasco.net

HEnry saLazar’s frEsH MEx griLL123 W Main Street741-7060www.henrysalazars.com

Las paLMas MExiCan rEstaurant309 E Main Street734-5405

taQuEria EL MEJOr129 N Court Street635-0600www.elmejorfood.com

speCialty inDia Curry HOusE211 W Main Street739-1039

JEsaCCi’s MEDitErranEan CafE 208 W Main Street625-4750Check us out on Facebook!

pi HOLE siCiLian pizza By tHE sLiCE 302 W Main Street (inside the Fox Theatre)636-1618

pizanO’s nEOpOLitan styLE pizzEria129 E. Main Street732-6333Check us out on Facebook!

riO griLL BraziLian stEakHOusE104 E Main Street625-1155www.riogrillsteakhouse.com

WatsOn’s VEggiE garDEn615 W Main Street635-7355www.watsonshealthfoods.com

other DiningkrittErs fun HOusE pizza @ aDVEnturE park5600 W. Cypress Avenue635-7275www.adventurepark.com

irOn WOOD griLL @ VaLLEy Oaks gOLf COursE1800 S. Plaza StreetVisalia, CA 93291www.playvalleyaoks.com


130 N. Encina, Downtown Visalia | 559-627-6077 | www.tommysdowntown.com

!"#$% ingredients. flavors.&'l(Join us for

LUNCH, DINNER !"# LATE-NIGHT

LOUNGE

“ ”


It’s original, singular and inspired. In a small space on Main Street, a year-old restaurant, Char-cu-te-rie has immensely added to Down-town Visalia’s dining diversity. We spoke with owner Catherine Heaney.

HOW OftEn DOEs yOur MEnu CHangE?I aim to have about three specials a day, and if they are well-received, they most likely will turn up on our ‘Char Staples’ menu, a showcase of popular offers. I want our menu to be uniquely built by our patrons.

WHat typE Of ExpEriEnCE arE yOu trying tO CrEatE? A casual and inviting atmosphere where you can explore something new and enjoy favorites.

WHat arE sOME Of yOur MOst pOpuLar itEMs? We surprisingly get an even amount of ordering. There are variables –the day of the week, even the weather. But ‘Getting Piggy with It’ always seems popular. It is organic brown eggs cooked in bacon drippings, butter and cream with three-year-aged Vermont cheddar on a croissant. I’m slightly obsessed with the preparation of our eggs, and nothing pleases me more than repeat orders.

Of aLL itEMs On tHE MEnu, WHat is yOur pErsOnaL faVOritE? Our all-day ‘Brekkie’ menu. The Truffle Egg Toast is inspired by a café in Greenwich Village. I also enjoyed one special burger we called ‘YOLO’ – You Only Live Once. It was freshly ground pork belly blended, minced Merguez sausage – and yeah, potato chips – on a pressed brioche with aged cheddar.

WHat BEVEragEs DO yOu sErVE?We use Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea for espresso, drip, siphon, pour overs and our loose-leaf teas. Café du Monde is our cold brewed coffee. Beer and wine. And we make milkshakes with coffee, the best of both worlds!

as a HanDs-On, DO-it-aLL, sEV-En-Day EntrEprEnEur, WHEn DO yOu HaVE tiME fOr yOursELf? It’s important to know every aspect of one’s business to keep things up to standards. I

unquestionably love what I do and I do find pockets of time when I can reflect on the great joy this endeavor provides.

HOW HaVE yOur EDuCatiOn anD traVELs COntriButED? Anywhere I go is based on food. I took a perfect food road trip around the South with my sister and became fixated on the best places to go. (The trip is documented on bonafried.com). Yet a part of me remains in New York City, and I would travel there first to hit up my old haunts.

WHat DO yOu EnJOy MOst aBOut BEing DOWntOWn? I enjoy the sense of community. Everyone has been so open and helpful.

spEaking aBOut “gEtting piggy,” tELL us aBOut pEnELOpE, yOur rEsiDEnt pig?Penelope is not actually my pig (although I wish she were) but belongs with one of my coworker’s relatives. She’s actually very comfortable in Char … if she only knew.

Char-Cu-te-rie211 West Main Street, Suite B(559) 733-7902char-cu-te-rie.com

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Owner: Catherine Heaney

Education:Redwood High School Class of 2001Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, New York UniversityMaster’s Degree in Psychology, New School for Social Research Master of Social Work, New York University

Master of Fine Food

VisaLia natiVE Brings WOrLDLy VisiOn tO HEr nEW rEstaurant


meet our new market manager & enjoy a taste of the ValleyWE askED tHE nEW VisaLia farMErs MarkEt ManagEr tO tELL us aBOut HErsELf…My name is Naomi Alberstein. I am the new general manager for your Visalia Farmers Market Association. I was born in Visalia and have been shopping as a customer at our farmers markets since the 80s. I am a mother of three fantastic children who share my love for all edible plants! As a backyard gardener for most of my life, I have always had a passion for learning about how food is grown and for learning about providing the best possible nutrition for my family. I feel very blessed to be able to work so closely with our local farmers and to have the opportunity to encourage and motivate our community to take advantage of accessing the abundance of fresh high quality produce grown right here in our valley.

tELL us aBOut tHE VisaLia farMErs MarkEt…Year-round you can find us on Saturday mornings at the Sears parking lot on the corner of Mooney and Caldwell from 8 AM to 11:30 AM. Our seasonal markets run from May through October: Tuesdays at the Tulare Outlet, From 5 PM to 8 PM, and Thursdays Downtown Visalia on Church and Main 5pm-8pm.

At our markets we typically have anywhere from 40 to 60 vendors. The majority of our vendors are certified farmers bringing fresh in season fruits and vegetables, With many varieties and special unique items that you will not find in any grocery store. Other fresh agriculture products include nuts, milk, eggs, cheese, beef, honey and olive oil.

WHat arE sOME Of tHE uniQuE gOODs sOLD at tHE MarkEt?We have a small selection of unique vendors that offer wonderful homemade items such as aprons, baby gifts, greeting cards, jewelry and hand crafted wood items for the home and for children. We also have several prepared food vendors selling pickled items, jams and jellies, artisan breads, nut brittles, and fresh salsa.

DOEs tHE VisaLia farMErs MarkEt HaVE a CErtifiCatiOn? if sO, WHat DOEs tHat MEan aBut tHE MarkEt?The Visalia Farmers Markets are Certified through the Department of Agriculture, meaning that each farmer has been issued a certification after inspection of their land and each type of variety that they grow.

At our markets you’ll find each farmer has posted their certification at their booth. This is our customers guarantee that what they are buying was grown by that farmer.

WHat’s DiffErEnt aBOut sHOpping at a farMErs MarkEt Vs. Buying at tHE grOCEry stOrE?Nourishing your family with nutrient rich foods is important and that’s why shopping at a farmers market is such a wonderful luxury that many of us do not realize. Food in the grocery store often has been on the truck for hundreds if not thousands of miles before it actually gets to the grocery store produce shelf. Much of the food must be preserved and or harvested early so that it can last through the shipping and storing period. At the farmers market your food is allowed to ripen on the vine, or tree and brought to market to be sold in a short period of time, usually 24-48 hours. The conditions here in the central valley are ideal for growing nearly every fruit and vegetable in the world and we have access to it fresh, directly from our farmers by shopping at the Farmers Market.

The flavor, texture and overall experience with food can be so much more satisfying when it is allowed to fully develop and is stored properly. It is exciting when I hear a customer tell me that they did not like a certain fruit or vegetable until they tried it fresh from the market.

New to our markets are cal fresh and WIC programs which allow for many families in the community to shop for fresh and local produce with their benefits. Our markets offer an incentive program to match dollars spent from these program benefits to encourage the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. With our monthly Fresh Kitchen chef demonstrations at market, Families have the to opportunity to sample food that is in season, interact with the market Chef and receive a simple recipe that is easy to shop for, take home and re-create.

WHat’s yOur faVOritE part aBOut WHat yOu DO?One of the most rewarding parts of my job, that always puts a big smile on my face is to see a child walking through the market munching on a juicy piece of produce. It is so satisfying to see that they have been exposed to the good stuff that creates healthy eating habits for life. The Visalia farmers market is a jewel of the valley and I am thankful to be a part of bringing it to you and your family!

Q & A with the Visalia Farmers Market


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shopping guide

shopping loCal pays huge DiViDenDs to the safety of our Citizens. 75% of loCal sales anD property tax reVenues go to poliCe anD fire. in aDDition, the City was able to be the first to pass the 1/4 Cent sales tax (measure t) speCifiCally for publiC safety. First passed in 2004, the City Council reauthorized it in January 2013. In its first eight years, many milestones have been reached despite the economic challenges of the last four years. The ¼ cent sales tax generates almost $5 million a year for public safety and revenues collected over the last 8 years total $39.2 million. Proceeds are split 60% to Police and 40% to Fire.

HErE arE sOME Of tHE MiLEstOnEs rEaCHED sinCE tHE passagE Of MEasurE t.

A total of 22 new police officers have been added to the Visalia Police Department and two new precincts opened in both the north and south parts of the City.The City’s 911 emergency operations will be improved with the construction of a new emergency dispatch center. Architects are now being interviewed for the project.To date, 15 new firefighters have been hired, and are staffing Fire Station No. 55 in northwest Visalia. A second station is to be built in the southwest with an anticipated opening in 2012/13 or 2013/14. The leasing of a southeast station at Lovers Lane effectively adds a third new fire station to the Fire plan.Fire Station No. 55 includes a new training facility which has been utilized by firefighters across the region.Significant equipment purchases include two new fire trucks and 28 police vehicles.

So, shopping local contributes to the safety of the community, which creates a positive environment in which to live, work and shop, which boosts sales tax, which improves the safety of the community – it’s a domino effect!

It Pays to Shop Local!

arts/books/framing arts VisaLia214 E. Oak 739-0905www.artsvisalia.org

BranDOn-MitCHELL art gaLLEry & BOOkstOrE117 S Locust625-2441

sHarpLEs fraMEs arts & aWarDs118 S Court733-4304www.sharplesframeartandawards.com

Crafts/gifts/floristsCHaVEz BaLLOOns329 E Main Street738-0577

CLay Café225 E Main Street733-2022www.claycafevisalia.com

CrEatiVE fLOWErs124 N Willis 627-0370www.visaliacreativeflowers.com

CrEEksiDE yarns208 W Main, Ste -10733-9276www.creeksideyarns.com

Main strEEt COin CO., inC.204 W Main Street734-8840Check us out on Facebook!

paCifiC trEasurEs & gOurMEt219 W Main Street733-0213Check us out on Facebook!

p.s. i LOVE yOu tOO119 W Main Street734-9647Check us out on Facebook!

sEQuOia Cigar COMpany111 N Locust 738-8115

apparel/boutiQues/shoesBrOWn’s sHOE fit CO.201 W Main Street734-4152www.brownsshoeco.com



CHELsEa strEEt BOutiQuE114 E Main Street734-7467Check us out on Facebook!

CLauDia’s CLOsEt202 W Main Street627-8000Check us out on Facebook!

CurVy CLOsEt, tHE114 N. Willis713-1033Check us out on Facebook!

DisCOVEry sHOp, aMEriCan CanCEr sOCiEty110 W Main Street627-1955

DiVa CHiC BOutiQuE202 E Acequia636-3482Check us out on Facebook!

EssEntiaLs 110 W Main Street738-8444Check us out on Facebook!

fLip fLOp isLanD227 E. Main StreetVisalia, CA 93291Check us out on Facebook!

girLfriEnD’s BOutiQuE110 E Main Street635-9900

HOtMEss BOutiQuE207 W Main Street, Suite –B300-3174Check us out on Facebook!

Link’s MEns & WOMEns WEar115 E Main Street732-4858www.linksvisalia.com

rE-Mix COnsignMEnt BOutiQuE114 W Main Street636-1433

siMpLy CHiC BOutiQuE100 E Main Street735-3184Check us out on Facebook!

staCEy’s BOutiQuE112 E Main Street639-9673www.staceysboutique.com

sugar pLuM’s BOutiQuE218 W Main Street624-0103Check us out on Facebook!

trEnDz BOutiQuE207 W Main Street636-8739Check us out on Facebook!

briDal/tuxannaBELLE’s BriDaL BOutiQuE200 W Main Street625-2303Check us out on Facebook!

BriDEs n’ MaiDEns205 W Main Street733-3472Check us out on Facebook!

tux 4 yOu 112 S Locust635-9600

tux n’ taiLs111 S Locust627-3104Check us out on Facebook!

WHat’s up EurOpE125 E Main Street625-0335www.whatsupeurope.com

fitnesssaWtOOtH CrOssfit219 M Court Street372-9264Check us out on Facebook!

healthCEntEr fOr intEgratED MEDiCinE725 W Main Street625-4246www.allholisticmed.com

CHarLEnE Vartanian, rVHolistic Bodywork208 W Main, Ste-K786-3358

JOn’s OptiQuE114 W Main Street734-2020www.jonsoptique.com

kaWEaH DELta MEDiCaL CEntEr400 W Mineral King624-2000www.kaweahdelta.org

naturE’s pHarMaCy207 W Main Street, Suite –A734-2478Check us out on Facebook!

tOWn CEntEr pHarMaCy535 W Acequia Ave734-5893

WatsOn’s nutritiOn CEntEr617 W Main Street732-3866www.watsonhealthfoods.com

home/offiCe furnishingsEMBELLisH & rEstOrE102 E Main Street804-7411Check us out on Facebook!

fantastiC furniturE115 S Locust627-3858

franEy’s DEsign CEntEr - fLOOr COVEring121 N. Encina Street733-9990www.franeysdesigncenter.com

JanEEn’s furniturE gaLLEry220 W Main Street625-8884www.janeensfurniture.com

MarCELa’s HOME stOrE214 W Main Street622-0987www.marcelashomestore.com

ziayas uniQ iMpOrts215 W Main Street636-8647Check us out on facebook!

jewelersaCapuLCO JEWELErs221 W Main Street732-9336www.acapulcojewelersvisalia.com

BErnay’s JEWELErs123 S Church Street733-4027

J.a. BurgEss JEWELry125 S Church Street732-4854Check us out on Facebook!

Luis’ JEWELErs112 W Main Street625-1788Check us out on Facebook!

MiCHaEL’s CustOM JEWELry316 W Main Street734-7079www.michaelscustomjewelry.com

QuaLity JEWELErs213 W Main Street734-0606www.qualitydiamondjewelers.com

rapHaEL’s finE JEWELry & DEsign109 W Main Street625-2080Check us out on Facebook!

stEpHEn’s JEWELry105 W Main Street627-6565



Camera/photographya & g stuDiO113 N Church St, Suite 404549-7427www.aandgstudio.com

BEst friEnDs fOtOgrapHy107 W Main Street Suite 16723-0393Check us out on Facebook!

MikE’s QuaLity CaMEras105 E Main Street733-3882www.mikesqualitycamera.com

pHOtOgrapHy & ViDEO By tMC111 W Main Street732-5895www.photographybytmc.com

pHOtOMEnEagE/CJ HOppEr pHOtOgrapHy208 W Main Street595-9691www.cjhopper.com

rOy DrEssEL pHOtOgrapHy115 W Main Street734-2110www.roydresselphoto.com

stuDiO 317115 N. West Street713-1777www.studio317.com

tHirD ELEMEnt stuDiOs121 E Main Street Suite -303967-2453www.thirdelementstudios.com

salons/Day spas/tattooakari skin & BODy CarE113 N Church, Suite 219738-8505Check us out on Facebook!

art Of naiLz113 N Church Street, Suite 407300-8063Check us out on Facebook!

BLiss saLOn108 S Court Street280-6220Check us out on Facebook!

BOLing’s BarBEr sHOp112 S. Church 679-8816Check us out on Facebook!

CinDy rOuCH MassagE113 N Church Street, Suite 416909-2802

COLOr ME tHis113 N Church Street Suite 416972-3485Check us out on Facebook!

East tO WEst Hair artistry225 E Main Street635-1466Check us out on Facebook!

EstEs institutE Of COsMEtOLOgy324 E Main Street733-3617Check us out on Facebook!

EstiLO saLOn106 S Church Street731-7972Check us out on Facebook!

ExOtiCa Hair stuDiO301 W Main Street635-1360Check us out on Facebook!

gOLD start BarBEr sHOp110 W Main Street, Suite E734-8700www.goldstarbarbershop.com

graCEn HOpE MakEup & BrOW stuDiO208 W Main Street562-619-2163Check us out on Facebook!

Hair unLiMitED122 N Willis732-1832

ka-LazH Hair DEsigns121 S Church Street627-4742

kyMM’s Day spa210 S Johnson, Suite C739-1523

Liza’s Day spa210 S Johnson, Suite A739-1523www.lizasdayspa.com

LOft, tHE111 S Court Street, Suite 101734-5638

MEtrOpOLis saLOn117 W Main Street622-0808www.metropolissalonspa.com

MEtrOpOLis BODy spa115 W Main Street, Suite B622-0208www.metropolissalonspa.com

naiLs By farraH113 N Church Street, Suite #305972-2009

Our pLaCE saLOn210 N Floral Ave739-0479

rEnaissanCE saLOn & Day spa421 W Main Street627-1174www.renaissancevisalia.com

saCrED tiki tattOO stuDiO114 S Locust741-9070Check us out on Facebook!

sagE saLOn suitEs318 W Main Street739-9900www.sagesalonsuites.com

saLOn 525525 W Main Street738-9940www.salon525.com

saLOn DE EstEE111 N. Bridge Street735-0111

saLOn EnVy 809 W Main Street732-7900Check us out on Facebook!

sErEnity saLOn & spa319 W School Street732-7256Check us out on Facebook!


VELVEt sky saLOn208 W Main Street Suite - 8635-7590Check us out on Facebook!

Vip Cuts Of VisaLia 316 S Bridge Street723-8614Check us out on facebook!

traVel/entertainmentaMEriCa’s BEst VaLuE inn623 W Main Street636-3171

COMfOrt suitEs210 E Acequia738-1700www.visalialodging.com

CruisE ExpErts agEnCy, tHE111 S Court Street, Suite#102625-5139www.cruiseexperts.com

EnCHantED pLayHOusE, tHE307 E Main Street739-4600

MarriOtt HOtEL VisaLia 300 S Court Street636-1111www.marriott.com

rEgaL CinEMa, staDiuM 10 tHEatrE120 S Bridge Street741-7293

VisaLia fOx tHEatrE308 W Main Street625-1369www.foxvisalia.org

general merChanDise/serViCesCEntraL VaLLEy HEaLtHy snaCks209 W Main Street, Suite C624-1233www.healthysnacksvisalia.com

nOOk & Cranny tEE & COpy sHOp119 N Court Street651-3502Check us out on Facebook!

OnE HOur Martinizing Dry CLEaning717 W Main Street732-6254

paragOn CLEanErs119 S Willis734-3424

sMart & finaL (grOCEry)600 W Center625-9044www.smartandfinal.com

surpLus City315 E Main Street734-8113

QuaLity upHOLstEring611 W Main Street625-5311

ruBy sLippEr pErfOrMing arts aCaDEMy113 S Willis 732-7463Check us out on Facebook!

siErra pErfOrMing arts CEntEr114 E Oak Street627-8277www.sierraperformingartscenter.com

tODDLE fitnEss 309 W Oak Street816-7716www.toddlefitness.com

uLtiMatE aQuariuM 217 W Main Street741-1745www.ultimateaquarium4you.com

ups stOrE120 S Church Street625-5710www.theupssotrelocal.com/2056

VELOuria rECOrDs109 E Main Street625-8000Check us out on Facebook!

sporting eQuipment/apparelBEat WEar411 W Main Street627-5722Check us out on Facebook!

MiDtOWn spOrts, inC.117 E Main Street733-1817

paLOMinO’s MusiC & nfL sHOp218 N Floral 635-7560

siErra BiCyCLE WErks123 E Main Street741-0700www.sierrabicycles.com

other shopping & serViesasHOOri JEWELErs4212 S. Mooney Blvd.625-3119www.ashoorijewelers.com

aDVEnturE park5600 W. Cypress Avenue635-7275www.adventurepark.com

autO OiL CHangErs1630 E. Main Street627-10933550 S. Demaree Street635-8074www.autooilchangers.com

CrEEksiDE Day spa2824 W. Main Street625-3480www.creeksidedayspa.com

WEatHErBy’s furniturE2032 S Mooney Blvd.625-3232www.weatherbysfurniture.com




aBOut tHE arts COnsOrtiuMAs Tulare County’s official nonprofit arts council, The Arts Consortium brings together artists, or-ganizations and art enthusiasts to promote and provide opportunities to create and celebrate the arts. The Arts Consortium is the official local partner of the California Arts Council and also strives to set the standard for effective arts advo-cacy in the community. Through leadership and innovation, the Arts Consortium is committed to preserving our cultural and creative diversity by building a community where the arts are a vital part of everyday life.

The organization hosts events like the Taste the Arts Festival and the South Valley Artists’ Studio Tour. They help manage special projects like the Visalia Opera Company, Urbanists Collective, My Voice Media Center, and Visa-lia Visual Chronicle. They run calls to artists and arts-related event calendars through

online newsletters and blogs. They provide assistance in funding for local groups through the City of Visalia Arts and Culture grant and updated Grant Resource Manual. All in all, the member-based organization helps provide the stage for local artists and arts groups—building new audiences for the arts.

Notable downtown members of the Arts Consortium include: the Downtown Visalians, the Visalia Fox Theatre, the Enchanted Playhouse Theatre Company, the Visalia Community Players, the Creative Center, Arts Visalia, Provost and Pritchard, 210, ImagineU Children’s Museum, and the Tulare County Symphony.

If you are interested in learning more about the Arts Consortium, its events, its members, or ways to become involved please visit their website at www.artsconsortium.org. You may also call their office at 559-802-3266 or visit their location at 400 N. Church St. in Downtown Visalia.

ExpEriEnCE tHE arts210Those behind the counter at 210 are accustomed to the surprised comments of first-time visitors who were unaware of the café’s gallery-like atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a cup of coffee or brunch item while browsing the space and viewing the work of up-and-coming artists in the community. 210 also offers a performance space for musical concerts, plays, and events. This vibrant café and community center is located at 210 W. Center in downtown.

arts VisaliaA premier non-profit arts center, located at 214 E. Oak Avenue, Arts Visalia boasts three booked galleries, year-round classes for adults and youth, and a full calendar of special events. Gallery Hours are Wednesday through Saturday

Experienceit All!By: arts COnsOrtiuM


from Noon to 5:30 and admission is free. For more information on schedules, classes, and events visit: www.artsvisalia.org

imagine uThe ImagineU Interactive Children’s Museum has been serving the children of our community since 2002. The museum offers activities for children and their families including exhibits like a multilingual make-believe market, a real fire truck ready to be explored, the Bernoulli blower, and interactive miniature trains. Other museum specialties include weekly events, field trips, and birthday parties, so plan your trip at www.imagineumuseum.org

Cos art galleryEloquently run by students, the College of the Sequoia’s Art Gallery, produces five exhibitions of national and regional artists each year. The season culminates with a student showcase to close the Spring Semester. The campus gallery serves to heighten awareness and appreciation for artistic ventures in the community. Take the opportunity to support the efforts of our students and visit the gallery Tuesday through Friday during the school year in room 214 on the ground floor of the Kaweah Building.

the my VoiCe meDia CenterThe Arts Consortium, the county’s non-profit arts council and Tulare County Health and Human Services Department have a joint space dedicated to telling the story of those with lived experiences of public mental health services through traditional and digital art mediums. The mission of the project is to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and to promote cooperation and understanding through art in the community. Professional artists, educators, mental health consumers, and administrators all work together to run the facility. To schedule an appointment to visit the location or for more information on how you can participate in the project, please call 559-802-3266.

taste the arts festiValThe Arts Consortium presents the fourth annual Taste the Arts Festival in Downtown Visalia this October 17-20, 2013. During this entirely free event, the community is invited to dig into the many vibrant forms of art that have been grown and cultivated in the valley. Taste the Arts celebrates the richness and diversity of the art in Tulare County and gives regional artists, musicians, performers, and art organizations the opportunity to show of the best of their work. The Festival is kicked off with the ever-exciting Waiters Race on Main Street and continues with a free performance at the Enchanted Playhouse Theatre Company, and other art events. On Saturday October 19, Garden Street is taken over by an all-day art street fair featuring over 50 visual artists – get to know them and their work up close and personal.

Garden street will be flanked by two packed stages featuring performances from local bands, cultural performers, dance companies, youth troupes, op-era singers, and slam poets. The free street fair also includes the ever-popular

Urbanists Collective Urban Art Workshops—learn to create your own masterpiece with spray paint, and the COS Printworks group who create large-scale pieces with carved stamps and a steam roller. You will not want to miss many other fun activities such as the Farmer’s Market Fun with Food Sculptures , a floral design contest, and the Clay Studio Art Zone.

For more information on the Taste the Arts Festival visit www.tastethearts.net or ‘like’ them on Facebook. On other social media, use #tastethearts2013.

Art on FireDowntown Visalia fire hydrants have been transformed into a vivid public art dis-play. Over 20 of the city’s traditional yellow hydrants have been selected as the canvas for creative art designs with unique themes. Stop by the Downtown Visalians Office at 119 S. Church Street, Visalia, CA 93291 and pick up a copy of the self-guide Art on Fire Walking Tour to enjoy this beautiful project.


the enChanteD playhouse the-atre Company woulD like to inVite you to join our family of loCal Citizens anD businesses who are CommitteD to proViD-ing wholesome family theatre to tulare County anD its sur-rounDing Communities. Since its creation in 1992 our non-profit theatre company has been bringing four fully staged family plays to Valley residents each year. Children’s classics such as this season’s “Hansel and Gretel”, “New Clothes for the Emperor”, and “The Cat in the hat is Back” are brought to life on our stage to enchant young and old alike. As many as eight school performances are also held for each of our productions with a reduced rate for tickets. These performances are held on Thursday and Friday mornings during the run of each production and are open to any school or class interested in attending.

Our theater reaches out to a diverse audience of young people by making complimentary tickets available to groups such as the Heart Program and the Visalia Police Activities League and local schools serving underprivileged children, courtesy of Southern California Edison’s grant underwriting of this year’s “Bringing Books to Life” program.

The Enchanted Playhouse Theatre is truly a community theater. The actors and actresses for each of our productions are cast from among the many youth, teens and adults from the community who attend our audition calls. For many families it has become a wonderful and unique opportunity to experience theater together as moms, dads and their children are often cast side by side in the same production. And every face you see at the theater from the director and cast, to the technicians, box office attendants and greeters are community volunteers who have a heart for family theater. We invite you become an Enchanted Playhouse friend today. Visit our website at www.enchantedplayhouse.org and join us on Facebook.

The

EnchantedPlayhouse Theatre

Mural Tour:Take a leisurely stroll downtown to admire many murals within walking distance of one another. Several murals were completed within 30 days by teens participating in the Teen Mural Program. For more information visit the Downtown Visalians Office at 119 S. Church Street, Visalia, CA 93291 or call (559) 732-7737.

Bringing Live Theater to All AgesBy: DOnaLD WiLLiaMs


the CreatiVe Center, a non-profit Community art Center for aDults with DeVelopmental Disabilities, has been helping Clients of the Central Valley regional Center, inC. aChieVe their life goals in performing arts, Visual arts anD life skills training for oVer 35 years.

The Creative Center is a State-licensed Day Training Activity Center currently serving 94 clients.

The Jon Ginsburg Gallery, the focal point of this program located at 410 East Race Avenue, has served the community in various ways through the years. In addition to serving as a public gallery for the multiple mediums of visual art produced by the student artists enrolled in this program, the Jon Ginsburg Gallery has

exhibited the works of many community guest artists through the years. For the past 14 years, an annual highlight has been The Art Showcase, a juried exhibit of the best of the Visalia high schools’ art students. The 2013 exhibit featuring more than 200 pieces of art is scheduled to run April 29 through May 10 with a reception for the students, their families and teachers scheduled for May 10 from 5-7 p.m. The public is invited.

The Creative Center Foundation supports the program by fundraising for capital ventures such as a newly purchased replacement van for student outings. The Foundation is putting on a “Wine, Cheese and Jazz” affair on The Creative Center grounds on Friday, May 31 from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased through the Foundation office, phone (559) 733-4400. The Creative Center Players will also be performing and the Gallery will be open for your art shopping pleasure.

Visitors to the Jon Ginsburg Gallery are welcome Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. We ask that you enter through the office located at 606 N. Bridge St. Information phone: (559) 733-9329.

The CreativeCenterBy: BaiLEy Hagar, Jr.ExECutiVE DirECtOr


Learning ThroughCreativityfounDeD in 2002, imagineu interaCtiVe ChilDren’s museum is a fun anD eDuCational plaCe where families Come together to play anD learn. It is also a popular destination for schools, daycares, afterschool programs and mom’s groups to attend for field trips. We have a doctor’s office, dentist office, grocery store, dress-up costume castle, musical instruments, and trains, as well as many other interactive exhibits. And a visit to ImagineU is not complete without climbing on our old fire truck outside. Even more exciting times are in our future! We were awarded a grant from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation to build a new, state-of-the-art facility. The new museum is expected to be complete by Fall 2014 and will be almost five times the size of the current museum. It will include an outdoor water exhibit and many new and exciting indoor exhibits. The current museum is located at 700 E. Main Street in Visalia. For more information on naming and sponsorship opportunities for the new museum, please call Virginia Strawser, Executive Director at: (559) 733-5975.


DESTINATION

2013-03 Publication: DESTINATION VISAlIA MAGAZINE

Your Success Is Our Business

Merchants


Flirty, Funand Festive!

BrEWBakErs BrEWing COMpany 219 E. Main - 627-2739www.brewbakersbrewingco.comLive bands 3 nights a week,7-10pm. No Cover! See website for live band schedules.

CafE 225 CaLifOrnia Bar & griLL225 W. Main - 733-2967www.cafe225.com

tHE CELLar DOOr101 W. Main - 636-9463www.cellardoorvisalia.com Live bands. See website for live band schedules. CraWDaDDy’s 333 E. Main - 625-5300www.crawdaddysvisalia.com Live bands. See website for live band schedules.

tHE DEpOt 207 E. Oak - 732-8611www.depotvisalia.com

DOuBLE LL stEak HOusE 401 E. Center - 627-1126

DOWntOWn rOOkiEs spOrts Bar & griLL215 E. Main - 732-1200www.downtownrookies.comLive Bands Friday, Saturday & Wednesday. Food also served until 12:00 am.

EL tarasCO MExiCan rEstaurant, Bar 208 W. Main - 622-8525Check us out on facebook!

fattEE aLBErts pizza 229 E. Main - 732-2535www.fattealbertspizzacompany.comCheck us out on Facebook!

fugazzis127 W. Main - 625-0496www.fugazzisbistro.com

HEnry saLazar’s frEsH MEx123 W. Main - 741-7060www.henrysalazars.com

JaCk & CHarLiE’s 204 E. Oak - 738-5752 www.jackandcharlies.com

LuM LuMs CHinEsE rEstaurant, Bar 417 E. Center - 733-5292

tHE rEpuBLik 115 N. Locust - 627-2239Check us out on Facebook!

tOMMy’s 130 N. Encina - 627-6077www.tommysdowntown.com

tHE VintagE prEss 216 W. Willis - 733-3033www.thevintagepress.com

VisaLia BrEWing CO. 112 W. Main - 734-2739Kareoke Wednesday - Friday. $2 Tuesdays.Check us out on Facebook!

zHuO rEstaurant at tHE VisaLia MarriOtt 300 S. Court - 636-1111www.zhuomarriott.com

the nightlife

piCk your poison at any of our Downtown watering holes. finD a Variety of liVe musiC, loCal as well as international talent on weekenDs anD weekDays in a Variety of settings Downtown. Dj’s, piano bars, extensiVe wine list, anD speCialty bars with awarD winning bartenDers, are open for your eVening enjoyment!


the City of Visalia Continues to support anD showCase liVe musiC performanCes. Despite Visalia’s small-town feel, large national touring artists repeateDly Chose to make Visalia performanCes while routing between san franCisCo anD los angeles. The city has fostered the growth of live music by supporting non-profit music-preservation organizations such as The Friends of the Fox and Sound N Vision Foundation. The Friends of the Fox have maintained the town’s historic 1,200-seat Fox Theatre; a venue that hosts a variety of music, comedy, and live-action events regularly throughout the year.

Sound N Vision Foundation presents a majority of the music events throughout the city; even offering free music and art classes to local youth throughout the summer months. Year-round, the organization delivers weekly events at the town’s globally-celebrated venue, The Cellar Door. Top-tier national touring artists from around the world and local artists are showcased at the venue. The venue even attracts tourists from throughout the state. In addition to Fox Theatre and Cellar Door, other unique venues like Howie & Son’s Pizza, Rawhide Stadium, and the College of Sequoias Theatre are also home to Sound N Vision Foundation event partnerships.

During the spring and summer months, lively outdoor street performance events such as “Blues Brews & Barbecue” and “Taste the Arts” annually fill The Garden Street Plaza and various outdoor Visalia locations.

So remember, while you are in town, remember to not only see the sites, but also take the time to “Hear Visalia”.

“Hear Visalia”


50-yEars Of Bringing MOrE tHan MEDiCinE tO LifE

kaweah Delta health Care DistriCt’s 50-year history is one of saVing liVes, transforming health Care, anD improVing meDiCine. here’s a look at how kaweah Delta is builDing on its 50-year reCorD of proViDing exCellent patient Care in 2013 anD beyonD:

HELipaDThis summer, Kaweah Delta’s helipad will welcome the first of many landings to help save lives in Tulare County. The helipad will support Kaweah Delta’s trauma program, providing transportation to and from Kaweah Delta for critical care patients, newborns, and others who may need a higher level of medical care.

tEaCHing HOspitaLIn July 2013, Kaweah Delta will become a teaching hospital welcoming its first class of resident physicians in two of five planned graduate medical education programs – emergency and family medicine. In 2014, Kaweah Delta will add psychiatry and general surgery residencies. In the future, a transitional program will allow physicians, who will later subspecialize, to spend a year doing clinical rotations before moving to subspecialty

training. The programs are affiliated with UC Irvine and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

sEQuOia MEDiCaL pLazaIn 2013, Kaweah Delta will break ground on a new office building on its West Campus to support orthopedic and vascular surgeon practices. It will also house therapy services and a second Sequoia Prompt Care.

ruraL HEaLtH CLiniCsKaweah Delta is adding to its health clinics with two new clinics in Visalia and Dinuba. Through these clinics, which will be complete in 2014, Kaweah Delta will encourage preventative care at its five clinics to reduce unnecessary emergency room and hospital visits.

OnLinE HEaLtH risk assEssMEntsKaweah Delta’s new website is giving people the chance to identify factors that put them at risk for health conditions before they experience them or even see a provider. By clicking on “Screenings and Assessments,” visitors can take 15 free assessments to identify risk factors for conditions such as diabetes, stroke, cancer, and more. Those at highest-risk for conditions are offered a free one-on-one consultation with a Kaweah Delta staff member.

Kaweah Delta Health Care District559-624-2000www.kaweahdelta.org

KaweahDelta HealthCare District


Downtown Visalia has one of the most pro-gressiVe anD uniQue Downtown Crime preVen-tion programs in California. “our offiCers are DeDiCateD to Downtown, anD to the safety of business owners anD Visitors. Their professional demeanor and the ability of these officers to handle a number of problems set us apart from all other downtown programs” Says On Site owner Duane Rodriguez. Officer Dominic Mena of the Visalia Police Department and Downtown Commercial Policing Officer says of our downtown security patrol team, “There is not a better witness to a crime than these trained security officers.” The security officers are trained to cautiously diffuse 99% of the problems they are confronted with. As big a part of their job the downtown security team act as the unofficial downtown ambassadors. They know nearly all the business owners and employees by first name and are able to guide tourists and locals to their intended destination in a caring and friendly manor. You can tell a downtown is healthy when there is an abundance of activity both day and night and Downtown Visalia certainly fits that bill thanks in a very large part to our excellent security team. Downtown Bike Patrol is provided by the Downtown Visalia Property Owners Association. This group of property owners formed a 501(c)6 association in 1998 so that funds could be collected to provide capital improvements to downtown and to partner with Downtown Visa-lians in a number of their projects. Thorough their involvement several million dollars has been invested in capital improvements, graffiti removal, maintenance and security.

Security Downtown, A Unique Approach


Come Take a Ride with Us!By: gaMaLiEL anguianO

with its Charming Downtown, Visalia’s main st. is maDe Complete with the oCCasional Dinging of the Visalia towne trolley bell. You will hear it as the Trolley makes its way from the Court House to the Transit Center, a charming sound announcing its imminent approach. The Trolley service is homage to the electric street cars that once frequented the City back as early as 1904. With its classic look, including: copula, a cow catcher and bright cherry red color, the Trolley evokes a time of old and nestles in perfectly with the rest of downtown’s historic buildings. The ride is certainly a delight for anyone wanting to rest their weary legs after a full day of shopping or after having enjoyed a hefty meal. And the best part is that it would only cost you a 25¢ fare.

Along with the Towne Trolley, the City of Visalia offers a robust selection of environmentally friendly public transportation options. In 2010, the City of Visalia rebranded its public transit service from Visalia City Coach to simply Visalia Transit. The rebranding of the service was to serve as a comment about the progress and great strives bus services have achieved in the City as well as how clean and efficient they are. Visalia Transit runs a fleet that runs almost exclusively on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). This alternative fuel is not only cheaper but better for the environment than the standard diesel model buses. All-day passes sell for $2.50 a day.

This summer, locals and tourist alike will also be able to take advantage of another attractive transit service that goes from the City to Sequoia National Park, called Sequoia Shuttle. And talk about your not-so-ordinary bus service. Vehicles in these fleets come outfitted with on-board video systems, bike racks, overhead storage and even sun roofs! The fleet is a mix of efficient and nimble shuttles that make their way up to the Park and meet up with ultra-modern Diesel / Electric hybrid buses that help protect the Park from the impact of thousands of personal vehicles that enter the Park each year. The fare is only $15.

Making use of these affordable and environmentally friendly transportation options has never been easier. Transit services originate out of the City’s prominent downtown Transit Center. A gorgeous 3-story building designed in a Spanish/Mediterranean style that blends in seamless with neighboring buildings and yet is often chosen as a landmark for the City. Be sure to step inside and check out the newly added model rail road. Travelers can also make use of the toll-free (1-877-404-6473) Greenline Call Center that serves as a one-stop shop for public transit information.

With deeply seated roots, modern amenities, clean energy vehicles and charming design; Visalian’s have a robust set of options for navigating our great City. But the City of Visalia isn’t done yet. This summer the City will soon introduce open air Trolleys with even more bells and whistles then they have now, both metaphorically and literally.


Vi-CycleProgramthe City of Visalia is CommitteD to improVing the health anD Quality of life for all Visalia resiDents through effeCtiVe anD CooperatiVe air Quality programs.The Vi-Cycle program promotes bicycling as an effective alternative transporta-tion measure while promoting a healthier lifestyle and offering a reliable, clean, and affordable mode of transportation that helps to create a sustainable local community and encourages active and healthy citizens. Using a Vi-Cycle elim-inates short car trips, which are much more polluting on a per-mile basis than longer trips.

The Vi-Cycle program recycles recovered bicycles through donations and from the City of Visalia’s Police and Transit Departments. These bicycles are then refurbished at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran. After the bicycles have been refurbished and converted into Vi-Cycles they are then returned to Visalia and distributed to local participating businesses for $25.00 each. Vi-Cycles are awarded to businesses meeting minimum criteria, including the signing of a liability release and bill of sale. The Vi-Cycle program is limited to businesses within Visalia’s city limits. Bicycles cost far less than automobiles to purchase and maintain, and do not require a continual intake of increasingly expensive fuel. By providing your employees with Vi-Cycles to travel to and from work, run errands or to go to lunch, you will free up parking spaces for potential customers. Vi-Cycles also cause little, if any, wear and tear on Visalia’s roadways. By participating in the Vi-Cycle Program Visalia businesses can help to initiate lifestyle changes by increasing their employee’s and the community’s awareness about the benefits of bicycling. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please visit us at www.GoGreenVisalia.com to print a Vi-Cycle application today. For more information please call the City of Visalia Natural Resource Conservation Division at 559-713-4531.


Parks &RecreationSo Much to Do...So little time...

the City of Visalia boasts oVer 40 City parks. The City of Visalia’s parks provide an inviting array of recreation opportunities for residents and visitors alike. From tot lots and playgrounds, to picnic areas and sports fields, parks provide fun for all! Parks and recreation are high priorities in the City and contribute greatly to the quality of life of Visalians.

pOCkEt parksA pocket park is the smallest park classification within the City and is considered as a way to provide recreation or open space needs distinctive from other types of parks. The primary purpose of a pocket park is to offer a small open space/ recreational venue of a more passive or intimate nature, often found in our residential neighbor-hoods.

Visalia’s pocket parks are liberally sprinkled throughout Visalia and provide a mellow atmosphere for activities like picnicking, relaxing and enjoying nature. The parks are easily acces-sible by foot or bicycle and spaced much closer together throughout the City.

skatE parkThe skate park is 24,000 square feet, with dimensions of 300’ x 100’, identified as one of the largest municipal skate parks in California. It has three major elements: a large fun box, barbell / volcanoes, and a snake run ending in a bowl.

Incorporated is an amazing number of elements in one park. There are round and square rails and some rails are curved and other straight while others are level and some are on an incline. Several benches are included of varying heights and material. Provident Skate Park is designed to allow the skater to be in perpetual motion.

Once set in motion, the skater can use the hips and humps at various locations in the park to remain in motion. By providing 24,000 square feet of area the park can accommodate 50 to 75 skating at one time (with hundreds of others watching). The park is in three sections; the fun box for street skaters and beginners, the middle section that contains the volcano, and a bowl and snake run used by more experienced skaters.

DOg parksThe City of Visalia has two dog parks. The Cody Kelly Bark Park is located in Plaza Park, this is a large, well maintained off leash area with separately fenced areas for large and small dogs, grassy and shaded areas, and water on site. The second dog park, Seven Oaks Bark Park, is located in Seven Oaks Park. This fenced, off leash area, has grassy and shaded areas and water onsite.

Cody Kelly Bark ParkPlaza Drive and Airport RoadVisalia, CA 93277

Seven Oaks Bark Park900 S Edison StreetVisalia, CA 93292

gOLf COursEEnjoy golf at Valley Oaks Golf Course, the City of Visalia’s public golf course. With three classic 9 hole layouts that can be played in different 18 hole rotations, Valley Oaks Golf Course provides great golf at a great value. Set amongst age-old native oak, eucalyptus, and tall pine trees, the three nines meander through a gorgeous setting and provide a great test of golf for players of all abilities. The two original nines, the Valley and the Oaks, are traditional in their design, while the newest nine, the Lakes, is a more modern links style layout.

All in all, the three nine hole courses that make up Valley Oaks provide a stern test while at the same time are enjoyed by golfers of all levels. The conditions are always top notch, and during the winter months the course is over-seeded with annual rye grass on the tees and approaches. Valley Oaks also offers a first class practice facility with PGA instruction and custom club fitting.

Visalia Parks and Recreation Department(559) 713-4365 [email protected]


Now there’s a chance to keep your technology fix while having a cool outdoor adventure.

Kaweah Oaks Preserve (KOP) just outside of Visalia is a pretty magical place on its own and with the addition of “QR” codes its sycamore trail has gone high tech.

Head to the Sycamore Trail at KOP and you will notice black and white tiles sitting on recycled grape stakes dotting the landscape. Visitors simply hold their smart phones up to the squares and up pops fun facts and in-formation. (You’ll need to download an “app” reader first- it’s free)

QR codes (which stands for quick release) were initially used to track parts in vehicle manufacturing in Japan, but today the codes are used in a variety of ways.

SRT is one of only a few lands trusts in the nation which have implemented this technology on outdoor trails.

“We want to reach those people who are inside using technology and get them outside to experience nature,” says SRT Communication Director Kelly Ryan.“They can enjoy an incredible setting without bothering others, which keeps the smart phone annoyance factor down.”

Kids especially are drawn to the technology and are often the ones explaining to parents and grandparents how the tech tour works.

Sequoia Riverlands Trust has already received feedback from happy nature lovers who also happen to love their technology.

Nursery Manager Andrew Glazier had just completed the installation of the eleven codes when a group of Kenyans visiting the preserve excitedly observed, “Oh! QR Codes!” Glazier said the group immediately got out their phones and took the digital tour.

KOP is located east of Visalia, California. Travel seven miles east of downtown Visalia via Highway 198. Drive north on Road 182 one-half mile. The parking lot is on the west or left side of the road. Walk through the pavilion to enter.

About Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT) - SRT is a regional, non-profit land trust dedicated to conserving the natural and agricultural legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley. SRT owns and manag-es six nature preserves that protect 4,069 acres of remnant landscapes, woodland communities and wildlife habitat. SRT also holds conservation easements on 23 prop-erties in Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties, most of them on working farms and ranches. SRT has collaborated with agencies, other non-profit conservation organizations, and landowners to protect additional acre-age. To date, SRT has protected more than 11,899 acres. For more information, visit www.sequoiariverlands.org

Use Your Smart Phone to Get Back to Nature

a lot of teChnology keeps us inDoors staring at monitors. we know it’s not gooD for our health or well-being to be inDoors all the time, but it’s beCome a habit for a lot of us.


the planetarium is part of the impaCt Center, a multimeDia eDuCational faCility DesigneD to proViDe uniQue anD exCiting learning experienCes whiCh supplement anD reinforCe the Classroom CurriCulum. The center is located in the Educational Enrichment Center building on the northwest corner of Burrel and Woodland in Visalia. The plantearium provides students with the opportunity to explore the wonders of the universe in an exciting and stimulating manner. Visitors will take imaginary, but realistic, trips through our solar system, as well as explore a variety of other astronomy-related topics.

The Peña Planetarium features a 30-foot Spitz dome screen and a fully-automated Spitz A3P star projector. Programs are presented utilizing a full-dome digital projection system.

The Peña Planetarium has a seating capacity of 70.

The Impact Center is provided as a service to the school districts of Tulare County through funding made available by the Tulare County Superintendent of Schools.

Sam B. PeñaPlanetarium





Documents

Destination Visalia 2013