A California Online Magazine, With a Focus on the San Joaquin Valley
I walked into the classroom as a teacher for the first time with a knot in my stomach. How am I going to perform as a teacher? Can I really teach? What if I can’t? Will they find out I’m a fraud? This was my first job after college and I hoped I could do it.
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For millions of children, the night of December 24 is the longest night of the year. While tucked in their beds, they anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus, the gift-toting, jolly visitor from the North Pole. But who is Santa Claus anyway?
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Off of Jensen Avenue in Sanger, a sprightly structure of yellow and brown is tucked in between the Sanger Branch Library, the Sanger Police Department, and the Sanger Chamber of Commerce buildings. The Sanger Depot Museum is a treasure of historical preservation for the people of the San Joaquin Valley, with exhibits covering prehistoric animals, Native American basketry, Victorian life and commerce, and the families that were part of Sanger’s growth.
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In 1953 my Dad was in the money and itching to buy a newer car, or at least one more suitable for a successful educator than the 1947 Plymouth he was currently driving. Buick was his make of choice, and one Saturday he drove around the block where Jackson’s Buick lot was at least three times. On the used car lot sat a gun metal grey Super Four-Door with a cream top. It was just two years old and it looked brand new.
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In the middle of the Bronx, situated on a triangular shaped spit of land named Poe Park, bordered by three busy streets, sits the last residence of Edgar Allan Poe. This month will mark the 162nd year since his death and yet this clapboard cottage still stands and is now under the custodial care of the Bronx Historical Society. In 1980 the cottage was placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
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I became a Reedleyite in 1947 and I was in for a culture shock the first time I went out in Aunt Geneva’s backyard to play with the neighborhood kids. The countries represented included Mexico, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Italy, Portugal, Armenia, Lebanon, Japan, and Korea, to name a few! John Steinbeck introduced California to the new immigrants called “Okies” of which I was one, wearing high top shoes and overalls. But the games we played were all the same: kick the can, statue, or mother may I. My first friend was a Portuguese kid named Danny Enos, who lived down the street. We would usually meet at Ayubes Market for a coke or ice cream.
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The war was over and the men fighting in Europe were eager to go home. Manuel Ruiz had fought in Italy; in mud holes, in villages, in his own hell. Slowly the men got transportation to the ships that would carry them back home. Arriving in New York, they were given some money and train tickets. All the families had been notified and would be there to greet them. Manuel was tired and promised himself that he would never leave Santa Barbara again.
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I would like to think that Art Tabler would have thrown Reedley’s first Fiesta in my honor since I moved to Reedley and he came up with the Fiesta idea the same year: 1947. He did feel our tight-knit little community had reason to celebrate, but because our diverse ethnic population had given their lives and support to protecting our country during World War II and local young men who had fought in Europe, North Africa, and Asia were just beginning to return home, also the local farmers who grew crops for the war effort had completed harvest – what better time for a community celebration?
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Today’s generations believe that the term “icebox” is interchangeable with the name “refrigerator”, after all, most refrigerators have ice makers in them, where you can get ice for your drinks or to put on your kid’s bruises. My generation was on the edge of knowing the true difference between an icebox and a refrigerator.
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In 1849, news of the California gold rush reaches the Portuguese Azores, original homeland of Manuel and Mary Enos. It isn’t long before the couple is on board a clipper ship, rounding the “Horn” and heading to San Francisco. The Enos’ will settle in the gold fields of Trinity County, where they raise a family of nine.
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Arvin’s first community center did not have a roof. As a matter of a fact, it did not have any walls either. It had trees. I am referring to the DiGiorgio Community Park. In the 1950’s, the park was many things to everyone in the community. It was a place for reunions, weddings, receptions, church gatherings, revival meetings, movies, swimming, baseball, basketball, football practice, roller-skating, Recreation Center games and of course long afternoon naps in the shade.
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This is the third part of a three part series. The trip can actually be done all in one day, or you can break it up into two shorter trips. Trip One: Oakhurst; Trip Two: Oakhurst to Mariposa to Hornitos; Trip Three: Oakhurst to Hornitos to Coulterville.
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On the west Texas farm I moved from long ago, the crickets would chirp, the frogs croaked, and the roosters crowing woke us at the crack of dawn. Moving to Reedley brought a plethora of new sounds to listen for.
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KRL’s local Reedley Historian Jim Bulls shares the history behind one of Reedley’s most popular downtown restaurants, Main Street Cafe. Check out the coupon for Main Street Cafe at the end of this article.
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Hugs is a special, special needs guy. He is blind with cataracts in both eyes. He is young. The vet thinks 2 1/2 - 3 years old. He has a great temperament & gets around great using his other senses. His foster mom says that if she doesn't move anything, once around the house & he has it memorized. Hugs is very loving & affectionate. We think Hugs would make a great therapy dog. His hypoallergenic coat is also a big plus for therapy dogs.Hugs is available through Animal Compassion Team.
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