"Just do it Missy"

"Just do it, Missy!"

I've been trying to get back into my short story and novel writing lately but there is always something to keep me from really getting into it. I do write a little here and there, but not like before....not like the midnight writing nights when I couldn't wait till 11 p.m. so that I could tap away at my computer till 2 or 3 a.m.

I was telling my best friend about it recently and he said, "Just do it, Missy" and to inspire me -- and because I love writing the old-fashion way -- he gifted me with my second beautiful Mont Blanc writing instrument. I love it! So I'm back to writing! Yes! And I feel so excited. I really get into my characters and into my story line - to the point where I think I am really there - in that scene, in that town, in that era.

I will be covering California Music Educators Association -CMEA - music festival all next week. And - after filing my daily story, I will be working on my novel. Once next week is over, I will be writing even more.

"Just do it, Missy!" - Yes, I'm just going to do it.

World Ag Expo and a Russian journalist

Rudy Giuliani at World Ag Expo 2007

Click here: For World Ag Expo Live Cam

I always enjoy covering the World Ag Expo. The event attracts thousands of people from all over the world and it is always a very exciting event to cover. Last year I got to meet and write about Rudy Giuliani, the year before it was Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The three-day event starts tomorrow but today was Media Day - a day set aside for the media (we join the World Ag Expo volunteers and exhibitors the day prior to the official opening) - for breakfast. We enjoyed a private, leisure, chauffeured tour of the show grounds.

Media Day is also the perfect opportunity to view the 2008 World Ag Expo before the crowds arrive on Tuesday.

Highlighting the morning was the unveiling of the New Product Center and the Top Ten New Products, the opening of the new Dairy Technology Center and the recognition of the Top Five New Dairy Products. Following a breakfast, the media had an opportunity to talk to exhibitors.

But something else happened. Beside interviewing and story writing, I had the opportunity to meet a journalist from Russia who was looking for a freelance writer to write some ag stories for their magazine. How exciting!

Living in the Central San Joaquin Valley - I have covered the World Ag Expo for several years. And I have been writing about Tulare County's top 10 commodities for several years. I feel confident that I can write the stories we talked about.

It has been a very exciting day and I look forward to covering the World Ag Expo this week - I am writing two stories daily on it.

And, I especially look forward to hearing from the Russian journalist.

Academic Decathlon

I am always amazed at how much I enjoy this particular event. Teams compete in 10 subjects, present impromptu speeches and are interviewed by a panel of judges. What is a lot of fun to watch is what they call the "Super Quiz" - the students have seven seconds to answer a series of questions - this year on the topic of The Civil War.

The Awards Ceremony is fun to watch.
Congratulations Granite Hills High School, Team A - for winning the event and earning the honor of representing Tulare County at State.

photo by Esther Avila from the 2007
Academic decathlon at Porterville College

By ESTHER AVILA
For the Porterville Recorder

VISALIA — It was more about having fun than scoring big Saturday for Granite Hills High School as they captured the overall scoring trophy at the 2008 Tulare County Academic Decathlon at College of the Sequoias in Visalia. Before a packed theater, Granite Hill students laughed, cheered, and formed a line across the stage, kicking up their legs in a New York Radio City Music Hall “Rockettes” kick before taking a simultaneous bow – evidence to the fun the team was enjoying with their win.

“It never gets old,” said GHHS team coach Mark Harriger. “It is always fun and that is what drives all of us. The kids remember the fun of winning and they come after school – faithfully – to study. They like each other, plus they work hard.”

Harriger’s daughter, Karen, walked away with the top-scoring individual plaques in Language-Literature, Music, Science, and Art. Tracey Harriger captured the individual high-scoring plaque in economics and speech, while teammate Jennifer Spangler took home the Math plaque.

Watching from the audience and not a part of the team for the first time in years was Lorraine Harriger who graduated last year from GHHS.

“It was still excited for them, for all of them,” said Lorraine Harriger. “I was here to support them all. They worked so hard and I wanted to see it culminate.”

High School teams from throughout Tulare County competed for two days in ten subjects: economics, mathematics, music, art, language and literature, science, prepared and impromptu speeches, and a written essay. In addition they were interviewed by a panel of judges.

The “Super Quiz” – with this year’s theme being the Civil War – was held at the COS gymnasium and opened to the public.

And for the first time in years, the California Academic Decathlon Foundation awarded scholarships. Two local students were nominated and both received the scholarships – Daniel Hensley and Ivan Portillo, both from GHHS.

By the end of the day, GHHS, Team A, had racked up 38,419 points – earning the privilege to represent Tulare County in March at the state competition in Sacramento.

“If they can raise that score to about 40,000 points, they have a really good chance at State,” said Carmen Friesen, county coordinator of the event.

Awards at the State level will be awarded by members of the State Legislature. Maria Shriver, First Lady of California, will present the overall trophy.

Granite Hills High School, represented by two teams, also walked away with more than 45 bronze, silver, and gold medals, seven plaques, and four individual trophies, a team trophy, and the large –school trophy.

Walking away with more than 20 medals and the overall-small-school trophy was Lindsay High School who scored 28,682 points.

“I’m always proud of my students. We have won [overall] Small-School [honors] for four out of the past five years,” said LHS academic coach Brett Pierrote.

Monache High, Porterville High, and Strathmore High all shined – winning more than 65 medals. In addition, Monache captured one individual trophy, Strathmore, two plaques, and Porterville High, two plaques.

I Love you baby and if it's quite alright......

I love you baby...and if it's quite alright, I need you baby.....Click here to see the scene on YouTube.
There is one scene from "Ten Things I Hate About You" that I don't mind seeing again and again... when the girls' soccer team is practicing on the field, and Patrick (Heath Ledger) is up in the stands, microphone in hand, and suddenly over the loudspeaker, you can hear him singing to Kat (Julia Stiles) - while the high school band accompanies him. I will drop everything I am doing and, being the hopeless romantic that I am, will watch blissfully. -I absolutely LOVE that scene!

Heath died today. Ironically, this song is associated with another really good friend I lost recently, making it a very, very sad day for me. It's been quite the day and more than I could take in one day. (sigh) Heath, why did you have to die? The pain must have been unbearable.

"You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like Heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.

I love you, baby,
And if it's quite alright,
I need you, baby,
To warm a lonely night.
I love you, baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh, pretty baby,
Don't bring me down, I pray.
Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay
And let me love you, baby.
Let me love you.

You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like Heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.

I love you, baby,
And if it's quite alright,
I need you, baby,
To warm a lonely night.
I love you, baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh, pretty baby,
Don't bring me down, I pray.
Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay.."

Reflecting on the past year

Happy New year everyone!

What a blessed year it has been.

I would have to say I put in more frequent flying miles this year than the past five years combined - I have spent much of the year traveling - from coast to coast, literally. I spent early months working with, or visiting children, all of July was spent away from home - from Hawaii to Texas for a couple of weeks to several other parts of the country - Chicago, Denver, Phoenix and Las Vegas. I spent Thanksgiving with family in Oregon, and Christmas to New Year's with family in Southern California.

This was a year of learning. My daughter has a weighted 4.6 GPA (she is a straight-A student and she carries six AP classes, therefore her gpa is higher than the usual 4.0) Anyway, she was accepted to UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Merced, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz - and a variety of other universities. We spent most of November and part of December checking out schools, filling out scholarship applications, and writing/editing essays.

I did plenty of news-reporting & writing but very little novel-writing this past year. But I did start writing for a new publication - Tulare County Magazine. And I got an interview with a world-renowned chef from Philadelphia for an upcoming story in a national magazine.

In addition, I continued writing weekly articles for the Fresno Bee and frequent stories for the Porterville Recorder, in addition to a couple for the Visalia Times Delta and Tulare Advance Register newspapers.

Reflections and Highlights of 2007:

January: For the fifth consecutive year, I offered a class "Journalism 101" to middle school students - that is always fun - talking to groups of students about writing. I love that. I also worked on a tab of farming stories - covering the top 10 commodities in Tulare County.

February: I continued working on the farming tab stories and also covered the 2007 World Ag Expo - where I got to meet and write about Rudy Giuliani . I also attended a very special concert that I shall never forget - Gustav Holsts' The Planets with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philadelphia. Awesome.

March: Continued covering local events and started working on stories for Tulare County Style Magazine - now called Tulare County magazine. I also covered the CMEA - California Music Educators Association - music festival. It was four days of band music - heaven!

April: Who can forget Opening Day of Oaks Baseball? Loved every minute of it. I also covered a tab of stories and photos for the Iris Festival.

May: I covered the Porterville Fair. That is always fun.

June: Took a break and enjoyed Hawaii with my children for 10 days before taking a 12-hr flight to Pennsylvania and W. Virginia to cover the tour of the Fabulous Studio Band.

July: Returned in time to travel to Texas by mid month for a couple of weeks. Enjoyed writing while I was there and toured George W. Bush' childhood home. I also entered the July contest for a national writing group and won "Best Short Story" for my story "Christmas 1942 - A Means to Mighty Ends." I had such fun writing it.

August: I turned down an all-expense paid trip to a luxury resort hotel to the Philippine Islands (two weeks room/board, airfare, etc) - poor timing. I had been gone almost all summer and needed time at home - girls returning to school. Instead, I spent a week on the shore of the East Coast, visiting several lighthouses, made tacos and drank and sipped on delicious imported teas and coffees. Also this month - I wrote a series of stories about the Porterville Historical Museum.

September: Covered the Tulare County Fair - 2 stories a day during the course of the fair - and worked on stories for the "Living Here" magazine tab. My story on Valley Fever came out in Tulare County Magazine. One very special highlight was to receive 49 long-stem white roses for my birthday from a secret admirer.

October: I wrote the "Women in Business" tab and covered the 2007 California Business Expo - where I got to meet and write about former President Fox of Mexico. I also did a little bit of traveling this month - east coast again, of course.

November: Worked on most of the stories for the Veterans Day tab in addition to covering the usual Veterans' Day events - The annual Veterans Day Old Timers' Tea and the Buck Shaffer Band-A-Rama. Again, a little travel, short but magical. And I spent an extended Thanksgiving holiday in Portland, Oregon with my girls.

December: I continued visiting schools with my daughter and basically took December off to work on scholarship applications and enjoy the holidays with family and loved ones in the Valley and Southern California.

Goals for 2008:

To continue writing and traveling and breaking into magazines. I would like to finally start writing for national magazines. My goal is to submit queries to national magazines and continue writing short stories for an upcoming anthology.

A very Merry and Blessed Christmas

Merry Christmas from my family to you!

Christmas 2007

Esther and girls: Catherine, Marisa, Jennifer (and Meeko)

"Momma, we're in a lockdown. I'm scared," said my daughter's text.

Today was the first day of finals at Redwood High School - so imagine the frustration of the teachers when they suddenly heard the "lockdown" bells.

"You've got to be kidding," my daughter's teacher said. "Not today."

Per protocol, the instructor logged on to his computer for further information and instructions from the front office and immediately read an email to the class:

"This is not a drill. This is a true lockdown. Three murder-suspect prisoners have escaped from the courthouse."

The courthouse is only a couple of hundred feet from the Vista campus of Redwood High. So he promptly locked the door, moved the students into the center of the room - away from the windows - and turned off the lights.

My younger daughter immediately text me.

Thank God for cell phones. (After Columbine, even though my children were young, I went and got them all cell phones. Now, almost every kid in school has one.)

"Mama, we're in a lockdown. I'm scared. Three prisoners escaped from the county jail. They are telling us that they murdered someone and they are considered dangerous. I'm scared but we're fine. We're safe for now."

I immediately text her back and assured her that I would be standing by and ready to go get her if need be but to keep communicating with me. I am only a few blocks from the school and I know better than to head to the school and get in the way of police officers. Still, I drove that direction and stayed a couple of blocks away.

The area was swamped with officers. I stayed away but did text my daughter until I heard the "all clear" announcement from her.

According to Visalia Police Sgt. Allyn Wightman (at a press conference) the escape occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. when [names removed] escaped after arriving to Tulare County Superior Courthouse in a van from Juvenile Hall. Guarded by unarmed probation officers, the three juveniles ran as they reached an entryway to the courthouse.

“They were handcuffed and shackled, but were able to slip out of the leg shackles as they ran,” Wightman said. “They went in a northerly direction and into a residential area in Green Acres — a housing area of that name.”

The three now face charges of escape, resisting and delaying officers in the performance of their duties, and possession of an article to aid a prisoner or inmate in making escape, said Wightman.

"We were so scared, mom," Jennifer said. "We were at the Vista campus and after we all moved to the other side of the room, we heard a shot go off. We all screamed. We heard the guys were hiding in the slough next to the school. That is so scary."

The Vista Campus is down the street from the courthouse - only a couple hundred feet - but according to the press release, the three juvenile murder suspects were captured less than two hours later in the Green Acres area - a woodsy home area northwest of the campus. The shot might have been a backfire from a vehicle because no shots were fired.

Press release info:

The Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff’s Department and MAGNET — a multiple-agency drug task consisting of the VPD, TCSO, state parole, California Highway Patrol and investigators from the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and probation officers — all assisted in the search of the three teens.

Witnesses located the escapees in the 1700 block of West Main Street. Vista is in the 1400 block of West Main.

A perimeter was established and a yard-to-yard search began and shortly before 10 a.m. the three were located in the area of Fairway Street and Manor Drive.

“They scaled a fence when they were first located,” Wightman said, “and the yard they entered was full of police officers. So, they basically jumped a fence to waiting officers.”

Without further incident, the juveniles were taken into custody — still in their jail attire that consisted of grey sweatshirts, tan pants and green T-shirts.

“After they were located and arrested, they were sent back to Juvenile Hall and searched,” Wightman said, “and one of them, [name removed] was in possession of a handcuff key.”

The three were to appear in court this morning for a murder preliminary hearing. They are being charged as adults in connection to the Oct. 1, 2006 murder of Robert Trevino, 16, of Visalia.

Wightman said Trevino was killed on Northeast Fourth Street in Visalia.

The court hearing was postponed to Dec. 19.

"Restless Dawn" Short Fiction Contest

"Restless Dawn" Short Fiction Contest

Jason Evans announces his 7th
Clarity of Night contest. Using the photograph for inspiration, compose a short fiction piece of no more than 250 words in any genre or style. Complete rules at:
Clarity of Night

September Phoenix Skies (excerpt)

Isabelle tried to focus on anything but her mother's screams. She stared out the window. The deafening thunder, piercing lightening and the rain of the mid September monsoon pulsating against the window panes, could not scare her tonight.

She  tried to focus on the rapid raging water that seemed to appear out of nowhere. If she was scared, it wasn't because of the monsoon. As lightning hit, it gave her a glimpse of the barn in the distance. Her thoughts wandered to Pepita. She wished she was with her horse, comforting her.

Isabelle shivered as she watched several lightening bolts light the sky at once. At times the bolts created a splash of light so bright she could see prickly pears getting knocked off the cacti by the strength of the rain.

It was a typical monsoon storm, one with winds strong enough to occasionally down the few power lines in town. A colossal cloud of dust had formed and lingered, shutting out the light of the sun for more than two hours – only to be replaced by raging rain, and flashfloods that raced across the desert floor.

It was a miracle Maria had been called earlier in the day – before the monsoon arrived. Isabella had gone into town to inform the midwife that her mom was not feeling well. Though she was not due to give birth for two weeks, Maria came to check on her and ended up staying.

Inside, the room was dimly lit by candles, reflecting fear in Isabelle's eyes. But the fear was not the result of the storm – nor was it created by the loud moans and occasional screams coming from the bedroom. Something else provoked it.

“I’m scared,” Isabelle whispered to Sonia.

Her sister instinctively placed an arm around her shoulders, leading her away from the window.

“Mama will be fine.”

“But what if she has another girl?” the fear now evident. “Papa said he’ll leave.”

“Let him leave,” Sonia snapped.

At 17, she was tired of the man they called their father. She looked angry as she grabbed her younger sister by the shoulders.

“Listen to me! Where is he now? Tell me! He’s never around anyway and when he is, he’s always drunk,” she said seething before calming down. “Mama doesn’t need him and neither do we. Mama has us. I want him gone. I pray she has a girl.”

Isabelle saw rage in her sister's eyes. She admired her and wished she could be more like her. Sonia was four years older and she had seen a lot of injustices in her short life. A baby brother Isabelle never knew died in infancy, sending their father into frequent drinking binges with destructive consequences to the family.

She was still holding Isabelle by the shoulders when a sudden shrilling scream sent them running to the bedroom.

“Almost. Almost. Come on. Push a little more,” the self-proclaimed midwife looked worried as she encouraged their mother.

“No puedo; no puedo,” she started crying in Spanish. She had been in labor for what seemed like hours and it was obvious that the baby was in trouble. “I can’t do this.”

“You have to do it. Just a little bit more,” Maria raised her voice, scolding the woman before reassuring her. “I see the head now. Come on. You can do this.”

Isabelle gasped as she saw the bloody child pass from her mother. Living on a ranch in Phoenix, she had seen kittens and puppies born. And once, Pepita, her horse, gave birth in the barn and Isabelle was amazed at how quickly it stood and nursed. She loved the colt but discovered it gone one day after school. Her father had sold it -- to buy alcohol.

“It’s a boy!” the midwife exclaimed as Sonia’s expression fell. It was not that she didn’t want a brother, she just didn’t want to give her father an excuse to stay.

“Sonia! Quick.! Help me,” the midwife said as they rushed away with the baby.

“Dios mio,” Isabelle heard her mother scream. “Where’s my baby? Where are you taking him?”

At that moment, Isabelle realized she never heard the baby cry. Tears rolled down her cheeks and grief filled her heart as she remembered the tiny baby who was rushed past her – a whitish-blue umbilical cord dangling from the pale limp body.

Powerful spasms hit her mother again causing additional shrieks. Shrieks that penetrated to the core of Isabelle’s heart.

“It’s ok, mama’” Isabelle said in a meek effort to comfort her mother. “You have to pass the placenta now.”

But a look at her mother’s face said otherwise.

“Maria!” Isabelle yelled for the older woman as her mother squeezed her hand. “Maria!”

The midwife rushed in, the first baby still in her arms. She had just wrapped the newborn in a blanket and she quickly handed him to Sonia.

A look of panic filled Maria as she saw a second head crowning between the mother’s legs.

"My God,” the midwife exclaimed. “Twins!"

The Tule Fog

It happens every year -- the California Tule Fog sneaks in - sometimes causing zero visibility. It is something that has scared me since I was a child. And every single year, there is at least one disastrous pileup on our Freeway 99. Usually I try to avoid traveling too early or too late - waiting for the fog to lift. There is nothing worse than driving along and suddenly hitting a white wall of nothing. I remember as a young nursing student - in 1978 - coming upon such an accident - and upon arriving at Tulare County Hospital, being assigned to care for a patient who had broken his back in the accident - and he turned out to be a 1976 classmate from my school.

Earlier today I was talking to my newspaper photographer John Tipton when he came upon this horrible pileup. So sad.

***** also*****

Micky Padilla of Porterville was driving with his family to a baptism in Fresno when he slammed into a Nissan Maxima.

"It was just bang, bang all around us," Padilla said. "I can't believe I still have my wife and my kids. Someone was looking out for us."

Massive Pileup Closes California Highway

By GARANCE BURKE,

Posted: 2007-11-03 19:08:31

Filed Under: Nation News

FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 3) - More than 100 cars and trucks crashed on a fog-shrouded freeway Saturday, killing at least two people and injuring dozens more, the California Highway Patrol said.

Eighteen big rigs were involved in the massive pileup on Highway 99 just south of Fresno as patches of dense fog obscured visibility on the heavily traveled roadway, CHP officials said.

Photo Gallery: Highway 99 Pileup

Gary Kazanjian, AP

The wreckage of more than 100 cars is seen here on a Fresno, Calif., highway after dense fog led to a pileup that killed at least two people.

A 6-year-old boy and a 28-year-old man traveling in separate vehicles were killed in the chain-reaction collisions around 7:45 a.m. , said CHP Officer Paul Solorzano, Jr., who described it as one of the Central Valley's worst freeway crashes in years.

"It looked like something out of a movie, walking up and seeing all the cars mangled and crushed," Solorzano said.

Rescuers had to extract several people trapped in the wreckage, and paramedics transported more than three dozen patients to the hospital with injuries, Fresno City Fire Department spokesman Ken Shockley said.

The freeway's northbound lanes around Clovis Avenue were shut down indefinitely as investigators worked to determine the cause of the crash. Traffic backed up for miles south of the wreckage. Southbound lanes remained opened.

Two of the big rigs leaked 90 gallons of diesel fuel onto the freeway when their fuel tanks ruptured, but the diesel was contained. No hazardous materials were spilled, CHP officials said.

Hours after the accident, the freeway was littered with smashed cars and trucks, broken glass, auto parts and blood. A big rig carrying stacked crates of live turkeys was stranded in the middle of the normally busy highway.

Crash victims gathered on the freeway shoulder near the wreckage, waiting to be interviewed by investigators.

Cindy Ramirez, 21, of Selma, said her purple Mazda pickup truck was rear-ended as she was driving to her job washing windows in Shaver Lake.

"Everybody was trying to miss everybody, but it was impossible not to get hit," Ramirez said. "I'm fine physically, but I keep thinking about all of the things that could have happened."

Omar Macias, 33, was hauling asphalt from Bakersfield to Elk Grove when his truck was caught in the pileup.

"I got out to check on people at first, and then I heard more crashes around me, so I got right back in," said Macias of Bakersfield. "I feel OK, but I don't what OK means right now. People got hurt."

Even as investigators interviewed dazed drivers on the roadside, crews began sprinkling sand on the freeway and sweeping up shattered glass.

Thick seasonal fog known as "Tule fog" typically occurs in Central California in the late fall and winter. Two people died along a nearby stretch of fog-blanketed Highway 99 in an 87-vehicle pileup in 2002, and another section of the roadway several miles south was the scene of a 74-vehicle crash that left two dead nearly a decade ago.

"There was probably two-foot visibility in the fog when I got here. It was really bad," said Mike Bowman, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "It looked like chaos. Cars were backed up on top of each other."

Micky Padilla of Porterville was driving with his family to a baptism when they heard the sound of metal screeching, struggled to brake and slammed into a Nissan Maxima.

Padilla ran out and found a man bleeding in a white pickup. The man was still breathing minutes later when firefighters arrived, but later died on the highway, Padilla said.

"It was just bang, bang all around us," Padilla said, shaking his head as he stood next to a puddle of blood on the blacktop. "I can't believe I still have my wife and my kids. Someone was looking out for us."

Associated Press writer Marcus Wohlsen contributed to this report from San Francisco.

Selma Band Review: Monache Sweeps Up Awards

Photos by Esther Avila

They did it again!

For the 23rd time, the Monache Marauder Marching Band from Porterville, CA took home the grand sweepstakes at the 43rd annual Selma Marching Band Festival and Field Show Competition at Staley Stadium in Selma Saturday. Click here for full story.


Congratulations, Justin Adams, band director, Monache High School; Troy Rexell, band director, Granite Hills High School; and Donna Steigleder, band director, Burton Middle School, Porterville, CA. You've made our town proud!


AWARDS EARNED

Burton Middle School:
Second- Percussion, middle schools
Third - Parade Band, division A, middle schools
Third - ID unit, middle schools
Third - Flag Team, middle schools



Granite Hills High School:
Second - Majorettes
Third - Field Show Drum Major
Third - Parade Band, division D
Second - Field Show Performance, division B



Monache High School:
Grand Sweepstakes
Half-Time Sweepstakes
Field Show - General Effect
Field Show- High Music
First - Majorettes
First - ID unit / shields
First - Band Parade, division A
First - Field Show Drum Major
Second - Field Show Attachments
Third - Parade Percussion
Third - Flag Team

The "Greatest Generation"

Story by Esther Avila

Contributed photo / Ivanhoe watchtower
The Fresno Bee / October 26, 2007

Watchtowers sprang up all over Tulare County after the attack on Pearl Harbor. They served as lookouts for incoming Japanese aircraft.

Stories of the 'Greatest Generation'

Tulare County members of the 'Greatest Generation' share memories of World War II era.

TULARE -- They remember rationing their food, school air raid drills and blackouts.

More than 100 Tulare County residents who are members of the "Greatest Generation" have shared memories of their experiences during the World War II era as part of an ambitious project aimed at preserving history. These "oral histories" are now available to the public.

The stories, part of a Tulare County history project, span from 1941 to 1946.

"This whole program was conceived in 2003 when I needed to write a grant," said Judith Wood, county reference librarian and project director at an Oct. 14 celebration party for the people involved at the Tulare Historical Museum. "I thought it would be good to get California stories of what the people were doing here in Tulare County during World War II."

The project, titled "Years of Valor, Years of Hope: Tulare County and the Years 1941-1946," was born.

"The main question we wanted answered was how that time frame affected them and how it affected the way they are today," Wood said.

They recruited 20 people who were then trained to do the oral histories, she said. In addition, they found 100 people who lived in Tulare County during that time frame.

"We started interviewing in 2003 and started editing the stories in 2005," Wood said. "We ended with five boxes of tapes and transcripts of 104 different interviews."

Among the stories is that of Strathmore resident Ted H. Iles who was 70 in October 2003 when he was interviewed by Kris Gray for the project.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese in December of 1941, Iles said he was 8. Because his family was poor, the rationing that followed of meat, sugar and other essentials did not create a great impact on his family. But something else did. He could not understand why his Japanese-American friends suddenly disappeared.

"They were gone. They were essentially rounded up with their families and sent all over the country to relocation centers," said Iles during that interview. "Suddenly our friends were gone, and we couldn't understand it."

Iles also said he remembers the original flag salute, which included extending the arm towards the flag.

"This continued until the early days of the war -- until they decided that Hitler's salute and that of Mussolini in Italy were too similar," Iles told Gray. "So they terminated the extending of the arm [to] just a laying of the hand over the heart the way we do today."

Iles' stories are but a few of many that have been transcribed into hard copies. The original tapes, as well as transcriptions, can be reviewed at the Annie Mitchell History Room at the Visalia Library.

Five other libraries and museums are also recipients of the four-year project: the Tulare County Historical Museum, the Tulare Historical Museum, the Porterville City Library and the Fresno County Historical Society.

"It is such a great contribution to our local history room," said Sandi Farnsworth with the Porterville Library. "We are losing the history so rapidly. This is great for future generations and a great way to honor our veterans."

Ellen Gorelick, executive director and chief curator of the Tulare Historical Museum, agreed.

"We're losing people of that era. It is a wonderful project that Judith has gotten involved in," Gorelick said. "The project is a combination of a lot of people's hard work. It has been very successful, and we will all benefit from it."

WORLD SERIES: Rockies pitchers Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez and my daughters

It is so exciting to watch baseball when your boys are playing - and I mean that literally. The great thing about minor league baseball is that you get to know the players before they disappear into the big leagues .

Jeff Francis with my daughter Jennifer / May 2003
Jeff Francis with my daughter Catherine / August 2003


Sometimes, as in Jeff Francis' case, they are here only for a little while. Other times they stay for a couple of seasons before we have to say goodbye.

But because I was an active member in the Visalia Oaks Booster Club since 1998 (six years as secretary and board member, wrote mission statement) we knew our boys very well.

In fact, several of them have eaten in our home. And Jeff Francis' family (Uncle) used to invite my children and I to their home in British Columbia. Now it is so exciting to see Jeff Francis pitching the first game of the World Series - needless to say I am cheering for the Colorado Rockies!

Jeff Francis is not the only one - we have several - FIVE - former players -- representing our Visalia Oaks in the World Series.

In the National League - left-hander Jeff Francis (2003) is starting - impressive - he only stayed in Single A one season and quickly moved up - making it to the majors for a cup of coffee his second season - eventually staying there for good. Now he's their No. 1 pitcher. He has been outstanding in his two post-season starts, boasting a 2-0 record and a 2.13 ERA. Jeff has had unbelievable control, striking out 12 and walking just 3 in 12.2 innings.

The Rockies second starter is also someone we know - Ubaldo Jimenez (2003-2004) - and he is just as impressive as Jeff Francis. He has a quick fastball and a 1.59 ERA. Ubaldo has plenty of "swings and misses" - striking out 11 in 11 1/2 innings.

Ryan Speier (2003) has yet to give up an earned run in the 2007 postseason. He has collected one save in two outings and has given up one hit and no walks in 2.1 innings pitched.

Rockies outfielders Ryan Spilborghs (2004) -- batting .300 through five of seven games, scoring three times, and has an on-base percentage upwards of .450
and Jeff Baker (2004) batting .667 (2 for 3) and has one RBI

sidenote: When the Rockies played the Diamondbacks in the playoffs - I got to see three more Oaks players there -- Justin Upton(2007 Oaks player - imagine going from Single A to the majors in the same year) Jeff Salazar (2003-2004 Oaks player) and Eric Byrnes (1998 Oaks
player)


Jeff offers advice on how to hold and throw a baseball correctly











Jeff Francis watches Jennifer pitch







Jeff Francis pitching to Jennifer








Jennifer at bat - Jeff Francis pitches to her






(all photos by Esther Avila)

Ubaldo Jimenez with Catherine and Jennifer, 2003

Miss Porterville - Emmylou Dowling

story by Esther Avila/photo by Chieko Hara
The Porterville Recorder - Monday, Oct. 22, 2007

Dowling crowned queen
Homecoming: Queen carries double honor.

Emmylou Dowling earned double honors Saturday night when she was named Miss Congeniality by her peers and minutes later crowned Miss Porterville and the 2007-08 Veterans Homecoming Queen in front of a packed crowd at the Frank “Buck” Shaffer Theater inside the Porterville Memorial Auditorium.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” Dowling said as she wiped away tears of joy. “It has been a wonderful evening. All of the contestants deserve this crown. I am honored to become the homecoming queen.”

Also wiping away tears were Dowling’s parents, Robert and Patricia Dowling. Approximately 50 family members attended, including her three siblings, Bobby, Mario and Tiffany, Patricia Dowling said.

“She’s so excited. She deserves and earned this,” Robert Dowling said. “She’s always been involved in many clubs and many [extracurricular] high school activities — and has kept her No. 1 ranking for four hears of high school a GPA of 4.2. Ever since she was little, she’s been really outgoing and a little aggressive. If she wants something, she goes out and gets it.”

The Granite Hills High School straight A honor student, one of 13 young women vying for the title, sang a patriotic medley of “God Bless America,” “This is my Country” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” for her talent portion of the competition.

The girls were judged by a panel of five out-of-town judges on four areas, each worth 25 points: a 200-word essay, interviews with the judges, poise and the way they presented themselves, and talent.

In addition, the contestants were asked three questions on stage by returning master of ceremonies Jamie McGlasson.

When asked if she could spend an afternoon with one person from any time in history, who it would be, Dowling’s answer brought a hearty applause from the audience.

“My savior, Jesus Christ,” Dowling said. “I believe he was a real man who walked the earth — definitely who I would like to spend the afternoon with.”

Joining Dowling in her royal court are Sammie Jo Stone, senior princess; Crystal Ervin, first attendant; Sabrina Ziegler, second attendant; and Sarah Chandler, third attendant.

“The girls were all wonderful. They are the cream of the crop,” Monique Page, coordinator of the event, said. “They have been very supportive of each other. Any of them could have won the title.”

Former queen Katie Lopez spoke on her experience as Miss Porterville and offered words of advice to any young girl who may have her sight on the crown -- encouraging them to believe and to enter the pageant if they have the slightest spark of interest.

“This has been the most wonderful year,” Lopez said before the program started. “For me it was life-changing and something I wanted so much. It has given me such a positive outlook on life. It was unexpected and it happened. That is how it is: When you least expect it, it shines on you. It’s a little sad that it is ending but I also know that it is something that will never go away, this feeling that I accomplished something I wanted so much, and that I was Miss Porterville and the Veterans Homecoming Queen. That will always stay with me.”

The evening began with a welcome by Don Dowling, general chairman of the Veterans Homecoming Committee, posting of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance by Ruben Bonilla, commander of American Legion Post 20 and Tom Jacobs, commander of VFW Post 2001. The National Anthem was performed by five brass members from the Monache High School band.

In addition, a spirit dance performed by all of the contestants was choreographed by Pam Sheldon of Deenie’s Dance Studio, as well as two presentations by Deenie’s dance performers.

A touching patriotic slide show — including photographs of Washington, D.C., Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and various other war memorial sculptures, and recent photos of the U.S. military in the Middle East — had several people in the audience wiping tears as solemn patriotic music filled the auditorium.

The 62nd annual Veterans Homecoming Queen, Miss Porterville Pageant was sponsored by American Legion Post 20; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2001. Emmylou Dowling and her court will preside over the Veterans Day activities on Nov. 11 — the Veterans Memorial Service, Veterans Day Parade and the Veterans Day Band-A-Rama.

Moon River

Moon River -- I can't play the song without crying - I don't know why. I love this song. It is so beautiful. And as of recently, I have been playing it daily - along with hundreds of other favorites.

I got a new phonograph player for my birthday! I love this thing. I have a couple of record players, part of complete stereo systems, but they were so bulky and took up so much space, I finally stored them. But this little baby, is all inclusive - and looks great.

I am having the time of my life playing all my music. The very first LP I played was Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D Major.

I am currently playing Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons as I write. Life is good.

Yes, I kept most of my LPs and have hundreds of them - everything from classical and opera to jazz, Broadway and big band, and from oldies to rock. My kids laugh every time I play Donny Osmond LPs - my favorite in the early 70s.

Here are just a few of the classical and big band albums in my collection. I also have hundreds of 45-rpm records.

"Moon River"

music by Henry Mancini, lyrics by Johnny Mercer

"Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.
Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me."

September Skies

September -- my favorite time of the year - weather starts changing, school starts, and its my birthday! And though I'm not big on birthdays, I do love the day.


So far my birthday weekend has been full of surprises - from a group of first-graders serenading me with songs, to white roses - my favorite - and 40-plus of them! Aren't they absolutely gorgeous? I love them! They look beautiful and they smell great.

Yes, I'll be 50 in a few years. But I love it. I don't feel my age - I'm always writing, working, attending sports, bands, concerts or club events - or doing something fun with my family, that I don't have time to feel older. But, if I could have the perfect birthday weekend, it would include writing! There is nothing I would like more than to have an entire weekend to write. Not newspaper or magazine articles, I write plenty of those all the time - in fact, I am still working on an entire series for the Women in Business local newspaper-magazine tab. Today my "Living Here" tab published - a series of stories about Porterville and the surrounding communities.
I love my work, but I want to get back to my short stories and novel. Two years ago I participated in Nanowrimo for the first time, and I loved it. It really kicked off my 1930's era novel.

November is National Novel Writing Month. Even though it is it still a month away, I can't help but get excited over it. I'm not sure if I will participate - a lot of it depends on what family activities are happening that month.

"Time Marches On" - Buck Shaffer Town Clock

This photo of Centennial Park has been altered to depict what a town clock might look like at the location. Porterville High School of Class of 1975 is spearheading a move to place a clock there in honor of band director Frank ‘Buck’ Shaffer. (Contributed Photo)

PHS students push Shaffer’s vision for town clock

Committee: Time Marches On’s goal is to raise $22,000.

By ESTHER AVILA

FOR THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER

September 4, 2007 12:46 AM

When Centennial Park was being planned, the late Frank “Buck” Shaffer, Porterville’s musical icon and Porterville High School’s former band director, went to City Hall to offer music ideas and other suggestions for the new park.

“Buck had a vision for a clock — a town clock,” said Felipe Martinez, mayor pro tem. “He had already done some research of different styles and different clocks and brought in pictures of what he had in mind. This was a month or so before his stroke. His vision did not come to fruition.”

Now the Porterville High School Class of 1975 would like to see Buck’s dream come true. They are spearheading the “Time Marches On” committee to raise an approximate $22,000 to purchase and install a four-dial Howard- or Seth Thomas-type street clock to place in Centennial Park at the corner of Main Street and Cleveland Avenue.

The clocks and their bases can have heights up to 20 feet, and can weigh up to 400 pounds. Though an actual clock has not been selected for Centennial Park, the committee does know that it must have four faces — one in each direction. The words “Time Marches On” will also be inscribed on the clock. The clock will stand inside a planter and be surrounded by bench seats.

All work provided for the clock, and surrounding setting — from the electrical to the masonry — will be donated. And the committee is hoping that local high schools’ horticulture departments will donate and plant flowers and plants.

“We want this to be a true community effort,” said Robert Roman, head of the committee and a drummer in the Panther Band under Shaffer from 1972 to 1975. “I don’t want it to be just labor. I want the community to come out and have fun doing it. But we want to start raising the money and get it going.”

Before they can order the clock, an approximately 40-percent down payment is needed. Once ordered, it will take 15 to 20 weeks for delivery.

“We want to place either a bronzed sculpture — a band director with his wand — or music notes on top of the clock,” Roman said. “There is not enough that Porterville can do to repay this gentleman.”

When he first heard about Shaffer and the town clock suggestion, Roman discussed the matter with friends — other former band members who graduated in 1975 — and they all decided to do something about it. They changed the name of the committee from “Class of 75” to “Time Marches On” to be more inclusive of all years and of the community in general.

“We are asking all former band members to help. Imagine if every band member who ever marched under or knew of Buck Shaffer, pitched in five bucks — that would cover it,” Roman said. “What better way to honor him than by carrying on with the dream that he started?”

Martinez, also a PHS Class of 1975 graduate, echoed the sentiment.

“There are usually about 400 kids each and every year in the band — and Buck came to Porterville in 1953 — that is a lot of kids,” Martinez said. “There are two things that Porterville is known for. One is patriotism and the other is music — and Buck represented both. He was a very patriotic individual and music was his passion.”

Martinez also pointed out that some local families have two or three generations of children who played under, or were influenced by, Shaffer, a 53-year music instructor who was still teaching music until his stroke in October 2006. He died Dec. 1.

Shaffer’s son, Skip Shaffer of New Jersey, said he was unaware of Buck Shaffer’s clock dream but is pleased with the prospect.
“My father was very civic minded. People were always suggesting he run for mayor. The clock gives him a connection to Main Street — the center of the city and the heart of town,” Skip Shaffer said. “It is nice to have him recognized by the city of Porterville.”

To kick off the fundraising, the committee is planning a “Fabulous Music Jam” for Oct. 27 at Centennial Park.

“Lots of music by lots of groups — many of them band alumni. Nostalgia, Latin Friends, and the Crash Street Kids from the ’70s will reunite and play. We’re also trying to get [band] San Andreas Fault to play,” Roman said. “But it’s not limited to band alumni. We have a wide variety of music planned. We will have Mariachi music there. All of the musicians are donating their time.”

A request to close Main Street and Cleveland Avenue has been submitted to the city and Roman said they plan on having lots of vendors, food, arts and crafts at the musical celebration.

Jugfest - Visalia , CA

Another fringe benefit of writing articles is - getting the whole scoop on upcoming events.
Here is one event that I am looking forward to attending.

Country music fest to rock Visalia

Jugfest to feature some of country's biggest entertainers Sept. 22.

By Esther Avila / Special to The Bee

09/14/07 05:34:27

More information

If you go

What: Jugfest 2007 -- 10 artists in back-to-back country music performances, with opportunities to meet and greet the artists; kids' activities.
When: Sept. 22, starting at 11 a.m.
Where: Plaza Park, Plaza Drive and Highway 198, Visalia.
Tickets: Advance -- all day and evening $15, general admission and $25 for preferred seating. At the gate, tickets $5 for daytime only or $25 and $35 all day/evening. Advance tickets available online at www.kjug.com or www.gorillatix.com and at Best Buy Market, 1300 W. Walnut Ave., Visalia; 1798 N. 10th Ave., Hanford and 1135 W. Bush St., Lemoore.
Details: (559) 553-1500.

A country music festival Sept. 22 will feature performances by 10 country artists at Jugfest, a day filled with back-to-back performances and opportunities for fans to meet several of the artists.

"We are excited to offer an event of this magnitude to the Central Valley. Currently there are no other country music festivals in our area," said Melinda Caz, marketing director at KJUG FM 106.7, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

"There'll be something for everyone -- for all ages," she said. "The best deal is to come early and stay all day, especially through the evening when we have our grand finale, a tribute to our troops."

The day kicks off at 11 a.m with performances on two stages by country artists Dusty Drake, John Berry, Ty Herndon, Whiskey Falls, Lance Miller and Sarah Buxton.

But Jugfest will offer more than just country music. A Kids' Zone area will offer a children's bounce houses, bungee run, jousting activities and a trampoline euro-power jump. In addition, there will be free face painting, magic shows and strolling clowns making balloon animals for the children. Plenty of local food vendors and craft booths will also be on site.

"Country music isn't what it was when I was a kid," Caz said. "With artists like Bon Jovi and Sheryl Crow releasing country songs, country music is expanding its fan base -- and, on the day of Jugfest, I think we are going to see that. We are expecting big groups of country music fans and families."

The station has received confirmations from people who will attend from San Diego, San Francisco, Arizona and Miami, she said.

As evening arrives, the main stage will heat up with more acts. At 7 p.m., country group Cole Deggs and The Lonesome will light up the main stage. They will be followed by recording artist Paul Overstreet. Overstreet has written hit songs for George Jones, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker and Marie Osmond. Country group Little Texas will follow and is expected to rev up the audience with some of its greatest hits, including "God Blessed Texas" and "Amy's Back in Austin."

But it will be Darryl Worley who will take the stage and rock the arena with the grand finale -- a tribute to United States military men and women. Program listeners were encouraged to send a photo of someone in the military or a veteran to honor in a presentation at the evening concert.

Lawn chairs or blankets are recommended for the daytime concerts.

"Don't underestimate the power of country music; it's electrifying and the listeners are loyal," said Dave Daniels, program director for Westcoast Broadcasting, owner of KJUG. "Not everyone has the opportunity to go to Nashville and experience country music one on one."

Nothing like checking out the backyard

I've been very busy the past two months - writing. I don't even know how many stories I've written.I wrote a batch of stories for our local museum (at least 10) I had a lot of fun writing them and learned alot. Here is one story about the Yokut Indians and reed boats.

Then our Tulare County Fair came into town and I covered the fair daily - two days stand out for me - Physics Day (students rode the carnival rides with intention of collecting data to use in graphs) - and Auction day for 4-H and FFA students - always one of my favorite events - It is what the fair was all about. It was not about rides and hundreds of commercial exhibitors.

But that wasn't all - I have also been writing stories about our surrounding communities for our "Living Here" tab magazine.

My home town - Porterville - is the gateway and headquarters to Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument - it's absolutely breath taking.

I loved working on the "Living Here" stories - I was reminded how great my area of the world is.


Click here for cam


These trees are huge! Can you spot the people next to the trees?

Sequoia National Forest
1839 South Newcomb Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-784-1500


Living Here: Porterville - Visalia - Springville - Tulare - Exeter - Lindsay - Tulare County
(I will place links to my stories after the "Living Here" tab is published on 9/30)

Nothing like checking out the backyard

I've been very busy the past two months - writing. I don't even know how many stories I've written.I wrote a batch of stories for our local museum (at least 10) I had a lot of fun writing them and learned alot. Here is one story about the Yokut Indians and reed boats.

Then our Tulare County Fair came into town and I covered the fair daily - two days stand out for me - Physics Day (students rode the carnival rides with intention of collecting data to use in graphs) - and Auction day for 4-H and FFA students - always one of my favorite events - It is what the fair was all about. It was not about rides and hundreds of commercial exhibitors.

But that wasn't all - I have also been writing stories about our surrounding communities for our "Living Here" tab magazine.

My home town - Porterville - is the gateway and headquarters to Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument - it's absolutely breath taking.

I loved working on the "Living Here" stories - I was reminded how great my area of the world is.


Click here for cam


These trees are huge! Can you spot the people next to the trees?

Sequoia National Forest
1839 South Newcomb Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-784-1500


Living Here: Porterville - Visalia - Springville - Tulare - Exeter - Lindsay - Tulare County
(I will place links to my stories after the "Living Here" tab is published on 9/30)

Another fringe benefit of writing articles : getting the whole scoop - Here is one event that I am looking forward to attending.

Country music fest to rock Visalia

Jugfest to feature some of country's biggest entertainers Sept. 22.

By Esther Avila / Special to The Bee

09/14/07 05:34:27

More information

If you go

What: Jugfest 2007 -- 10 artists in back-to-back country music performances, with opportunities to meet and greet the artists; kids' activities.
When: Sept. 22, starting at 11 a.m.
Where: Plaza Park, Plaza Drive and Highway 198, Visalia.
Tickets: Advance -- all day and evening $15, general admission and $25 for preferred seating. At the gate, tickets $5 for daytime only or $25 and $35 all day/evening. Advance tickets available online at www.kjug.com or www.gorillatix.com and at Best Buy Market, 1300 W. Walnut Ave., Visalia; 1798 N. 10th Ave., Hanford and 1135 W. Bush St., Lemoore.
Details: (559) 553-1500.

A country music festival Sept. 22 will feature performances by 10 country artists at Jugfest, a day filled with back-to-back performances and opportunities for fans to meet several of the artists.

"We are excited to offer an event of this magnitude to the Central Valley. Currently there are no other country music festivals in our area," said Melinda Caz, marketing director at KJUG FM 106.7, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

"There'll be something for everyone -- for all ages," she said. "The best deal is to come early and stay all day, especially through the evening when we have our grand finale, a tribute to our troops."

The day kicks off at 11 a.m with performances on two stages by country artists Dusty Drake, John Berry, Ty Herndon, Whiskey Falls, Lance Miller and Sarah Buxton.

But Jugfest will offer more than just country music. A Kids' Zone area will offer a children's bounce houses, bungee run, jousting activities and a trampoline euro-power jump. In addition, there will be free face painting, magic shows and strolling clowns making balloon animals for the children. Plenty of local food vendors and craft booths will also be on site.

"Country music isn't what it was when I was a kid," Caz said. "With artists like Bon Jovi and Sheryl Crow releasing country songs, country music is expanding its fan base -- and, on the day of Jugfest, I think we are going to see that. We are expecting big groups of country music fans and families."

The station has received confirmations from people who will attend from San Diego, San Francisco, Arizona and Miami, she said.

As evening arrives, the main stage will heat up with more acts. At 7 p.m., country group Cole Deggs and The Lonesome will light up the main stage. They will be followed by recording artist Paul Overstreet. Overstreet has written hit songs for George Jones, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker and Marie Osmond. Country group Little Texas will follow and is expected to rev up the audience with some of its greatest hits, including "God Blessed Texas" and "Amy's Back in Austin."

But it will be Darryl Worley who will take the stage and rock the arena with the grand finale -- a tribute to United States military men and women. Program listeners were encouraged to send a photo of someone in the military or a veteran to honor in a presentation at the evening concert.

Lawn chairs or blankets are recommended for the daytime concerts.

"Don't underestimate the power of country music; it's electrifying and the listeners are loyal," said Dave Daniels, program director for Westcoast Broadcasting, owner of KJUG. "Not everyone has the opportunity to go to Nashville and experience country music one on one."