San Joaquin Valley

Apr 2020 4

Nate Butler, Helping Local Musicians in This Difficult Time

2020 Articles, Lorie Lewis Ham, Music

by Lorie Lewis Ham

Despite all of the terrible things happening in the world right now, there are a lot of amazing things happening online. Performers of all sorts are going online to provide concerts, classes, readings, and many other wonderful things-both locally and worldwide. Local musician/actor Nate Butler is involved in something local that not only provides entertainment for the rest of us, but helps out local musicians who aren’t able to go out and play their normal gigs. I chatted with Nate recently about this.

Sep 2018 15

California Drinkin’ Part II

2018 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Linda L. Kane

Rudy Kurniawan was a wealthy 20- year-old from California with a fondness for wine when he first started rubbing elbows with the high rollers at wine auctions. As one collector remembers him, he was “just a geeky kid drinking Merlot.”

Jul 2018 21

California Drinking

2018 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Linda L. Kane

I became interested in the forging of wine after reading an article in the Wall Street Journal. I grew obsessed and researched every article I could find about the theft and counterfeiting of everything from low-end table wine to more expensive wine.

Nov 2017 11

Cooking With Jon by Chef Jon Koobatian

2017 Articles, Every Other Book, Food Fun, Lorie Lewis Ham, Reedley News

by Lorie Lewis Ham

Jon Koobatian is best known as the owner and head chef of Jon's Bear Club in Reedley, California. His history with the Bear Club (he added Jon's to the name when he became the owner) started many years before that. Jon was born in Dinuba, California and has had a love for food for most of his life.

Mar 2012 10

Gottados In San Joaquin Valley Part 1

2012 Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Terrance V. Mc Arthur

by Terrance V. Mc Arthur

You know what a “gottado” is, don’t you? It’s one of those things that are so much a part of living in an area that—if you admit to someone in conversation that you haven’t been there/done that—that person will look at you with shock and amazement and say, “You haven’t? Man, you gotta do it!”

Sep 2011 10

Modesto Crop Dusting Mysteries: Reviews/Interview/Giveaway

2011 Articles, Lorie Lewis Ham, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Lorie Lewis Ham &
Diana Hockley

Visalia, California born mystery author R.P. Dahlke joins KRL today for a short interview, and Diana Hockley reviews her books set in the Central Valley featuring a female crop duster. At the end of this post you will find instructions on how to enter to win a copy of both of these great books!

Jul 2011 16

Perinatal Wellness Program in Tulare County

2011 Articles, Contributors, Helping Hands

by Allison Lambert

Feeling a kick, hearing the heartbeat, seeing that first smile. The happy moments new moms experience can make it hard for many to feel comfortable admitting that they’re feeling down. Those “baby blues” become something they just can’t shake.

Jun 2011 25

When I Grow Old, I Shall Wear Purple: Original Mystery Short Story

2011 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze, Terrific Tales

by Eve Fisher

South Dakota winters are so brutal that even we get tired of them. My mother hated them. Of course, being of sound Norwegian descent she couldn’t admit it publicly, any more than she could admit that she hated cleaning, cooking, laundry and yard work. But she did. Her goal in life had always been to retire and head south, far away from cold and duty, where she could watch soap operas, play cards, read murder mysteries, and gossip, while someone else cooked and cleaned. That was her fantasy, and as soon as she retired, she made it a reality.

Apr 2011 16

Interview With Lee Goldberg/Review of Latest Monk Book/Giveaway

Books & Tales, Lorie Lewis Ham, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Lorie Lewis Ham

KRL had the wonderful pleasure of interviewing mystery and TV writer Lee Goldberg, who was a writer for the Monk TV show and now continues the stories in books. I don't know if he remembers this, but I first met Lee at a Left Coast Crime Convention in San Diego in the late 90's when I attended his panel on Star Trek and Mysteries. After the interview is a review of the latest Monk book, Mr. Monk on the Road, & a chance to win a copy of this book!

Apr 2011 2

Rent Hits the Valley this Summer — With an HIV/AIDS Fundraiser

2011 Articles, Arts & Entertainment, Helping Hands, Lorie Lewis Ham, Theatre

by Lorie Lewis Ham

The first local production of Rent to hit the Valley will be taking place this July in Visalia. A special twist on this production is that it will also be an HIV/AIDS fundraiser. The idea to do Rent grew out of a casual conversation director Corey Ralston had with his student co-director. “This has been one of my favorite musicals for a while and when I found out the rights were available the process just got rolling.”