I start this column with a story that is just unbelievable! So it is a busy morning because several cats are leaving and going to rescue. There is the usual bump in the road–– one of the candidates has diarrhea and must be bumped and another cat chosen. Now I have to find that cat’s paperwork. So I’m also rushing around scooping boxes and filling water/food bowls because I’ll be gone all day.
Here at KRL we not only try to highlight the local arts community, but also shine the light on our hardworking educators. This week we got the chance to chat with someone who is a bit of both. James (Jimmy at he is known to most) Loomis is the Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator for Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD).
I grew up going to the Reedley Library and have many fond memories there. As a kid I read every horse book they had, and as an adult I even worked there for several years. As a parent, I took my kids there often. As a mystery writer, I’ve had several book talks there. The old building has served this community well for many, many years.
Brujoz, a grunge-inspired punk band, has been gaining a following in the tri-county area over the past several years. The band consists of Brandon, a singer and guitarist from Avenal; Darian, a drummer from Reedley; and Mikey, a Fresnan who plays bass. While Brandon does most of the songwriting, the band has begun collaborating on their material. Darian describes their sound as being heavily influenced by '80s and '90s punk and hardcore, as well as '90s grunge and early '00s garage rock.
My month of taking it easy has been anything but relaxing. Although I did not have any TNR projects, there was no shortage of cat-related jobs. A friend called and said that she and her husband had found a lone kitten in the street, sitting next to its dead mother’s body. The kitten was crying piteously and there was no way she could just leave it there.
As we are thrust into the chaos of kitten season, I continue to get calls and texts every single day from people needing help with kittens. However, I can’t help everyone. There is only one of me. Everyone has an excuse why they can’t step up to the plate, and everyone thinks that their reasons are the most valid.
Libraries are wonderful places filled with books, movies, music, computers and so much more—all to be used for free! Most also offer special programs and events—also for free. One program at the Reedley Library takes advantage of the many talented people here in our Valley—its called Talent Tuesday.
I left off my last column with an incoming cat from a winery a few miles from my home. The 10- pound male cat was incredibly beat-up and smelled REALLY bad. It was, of course, the unmistakable smell of hormone-charged urine. Obviously, the dude, now named, Cotton, needed to have outside accommodations. Even then the smell was permeating the entire area.
Reedley College Literary Arts hosts many interesting author events each year. One of the highlights this year will be bestselling author Gabriele Zevin who will be talking about her latest book Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. Recently we spoke with Reedley College English instructor Deborah Lyns to learn more. She is part of a team who work to bring authors to campus and help to coordinate Literary Arts events.
Recently, we interviewed outgoing Reedley Police Chief Joe Garza, so we thought it only fitting to get to know Reedley’s new Police Chief Marc Ediger, who has been with the Reedley Police Department for just over 26 years.
