Nykole Sullivan and her mom Terry Hibbs put together a bistro where artists can express their passion. Nykole's husband Bob says that their bistro is "a family restaurant first, but you come here for the music." All fourteen indoor tables are in line with the stage as a focal point. New speakers and a stage that fits over the outside fountain in the patio area brings the entertainment outdoors as well.
On my first visit to the Starving Artists Bistro on a fall night it was so crowded that we could only score a sidewalk patio table. There were heaters, but my niece Kat was still chilly. One of the proprietors, Bob Sullivan, noticed this and brought her a blanket which he said they keep clean and on hand for such occasions. She then asked for a hot chocolate...and though not on the menu, Bob had his bartender craft her one.
Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Chieko (sounds like Che-Ko) Delgado moved to Sanger in 1999. She brought with her to the small valley town a big love for all things artistic, and Sanger gives her endless inspiration: Sierras as its backdrop, peaceful pastures, farmland, and colorful blossoms make for her favorite subjects of landscapes and florals.
In part one of this two-part article on Monster City Studios, I detailed a little bit about the business, and the kind of work its 25 employees do at their headquarters in Fresno, California.
Visiting the huge warehouse complex that makes up Monster City Studios in Fresno was like being on a Universal Studio’s tour. Immediately upon entering the 20K square-foot building, I felt as if I was on a movie set. A jungle-like Indiana Jones theme greets visitors, with a large realistically created elephant's head emerging from grass and plants against one wall. A scene conjuring up an archaeologist's work bungalow is staged with two big-as-life cartoon character bad guys.
As I journey about all of the towns that make up this Valley of ours, writing articles about our townsfolk, I am continually surprised by the things I learn, such as that Sanger is touted as the “Nation’s Christmas Tree City.”
I decided to delve further to find out why. Just as Fresno is known as the gateway to Yosemite, so is Sanger the gateway city to Kings Canyon National Park. And it is in Grant Grove that the General Grant tree, the largest giant Sequoia in the Park, and the second largest in the world, lives.
Several years ago, I took up writing again - which led me, recently, to Kings River Life Magazine, and Lorie Lewis Ham, its Editor-in-Chief, and publisher. For the past several months she has given me assignments on articles to produce, several of which originate within Sanger, California.
I was educated early in life on proper nutrition, health and fitness by my Aunt Mary, who holds a degree in Physical Science/Nutrition. She gave me my first job at her health club, The Executive Health Spa, in McAllen, Texas. I've been a yoga and calisthenics teacher, weight-trainer, swim instructor, and giver of racquetball lessons - since the age of twelve.
Amber Avenue Coffee Roasters: On a mission to bring a better quality of life to under-served communities world-wide, while promoting camaraderie and great coffee in their local neighborhoods! Now served at Maya theaters and Old Town Clovis’ Old Hotel Bistro.
Today at the Fresno High Flea Market, local Fresno author and community staff writer for KRL, Laura Sidsworth, will be selling and signing her two recently published children’s picture books. For the first five children to visit her booth, she will present them with a free, hard-backed, signed edition of either Spoiled Pink or The Treehouse Treasury.
