Of all the battles one might choose to pick at this moment in history, fighting for the right to party may seem low on the list. But don’t tell that to the masses of people huddled in front of Richard Garoogian and his group of impromptu musicians, singers, and comedians that make their way to the 210 every Saturday morning for their Morning Cup of Jazz.
Grease marks the 40th year anniversary of the Creative Center in Visalia in more ways than one. The elbow grease it took in 1977, under the devoted and relentless leadership of Violet Gingsburg, to get this beloved landmark of Visalia up and running for one, and then there is this month’s theater performance of Grease.
Cristina Albertolli Todd moved a lot growing up due to her dad’s Navy career, but her mom is an Alabama native and Cristina’s sweet Alabama accent shows that’s where she spent most of her life.
I immigrated to this great country in 1974, from Guadeloupe, French Caribbean, as a seven-year old on the tailwind of my Syrian-born father's dream of a better life for his wife and eleven children. My father was French by a twist of fate because Syria was under French Mandate.
A Visalia native finally comes home and brings us American made outdoor living at its finest! Although The Patio Place has its origin in Palm Desert, the owner, Ron Bock, was born in Visalia and says he’s been trying to return to Visalia all his life.
"Wow, this shop is amazing, it's a hidden gem,” said a customer sampling early navel orange ice cream.
From behind the counter I chuckled and pointed to the two newspapers articles on the wall, both of which describe Orange Valley Cafe with the very words "hidden gem.” But what is so gem-like about Orange Valley Cafe? What's really between the bread? And what is in that mystifying orange ice cream?
