Sarah Soghomonian

Fresno State Student Crowned Miss Fresno County; Will Compete at Miss California

March 24, 2020 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

Fresno State Senior Lauren Herring was recently crowned the 2020 Miss Fresno County. She received $5,000 in scholarship money and community sponsorships and will compete at Miss California, held in Fresno, this summer.

The Chowchilla native has been involved with the Miss America Program for four years and was crowned Miss Clovis in 2018 and Miss City of Fresno in 2019.

“This will be my third Miss California Competition and every year I look forward to spending time with my sister titleholders and welcoming them to Fresno,” Herring said. “One thing that will always out-live titles are the friendships you make along the way.”

Lauren Herring was crowned Miss Fresno County and will compete at Miss California.

Herring has been dancing most of her life and is a member of the Fresno State Spirit Program. She studied Civil Engineering at Fresno State and is now pursuing a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.

“My goal is to become an Eco-Business Consultant and work with a variety of companies to develop and implement their most environmentally economic way of conducting business,” Herring said.

In addition to the crown, Herring took home top honors in the interview and evening gown competitions at Miss Fresno County, which was held March 7^th at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium in downtown Fresno.

“As a dancer, I was used to the stage, but the interview and public speaking aspects of the competition really took me out of my box and challenged my professional skills,” she said. “My family and friends are my number one fans. They are my cheerleaders on the sidelines encouraging me every step of the way.”

Lauren Herring thanks the crowd following her dance performance during the Talent Competition at Miss Fresno County.

Herring will spend the year as a goodwill ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, specifically Valley Children’s Hospital. She’ll also champion her social impact initiative “Women in Business: We Mean Business,” by encouraging the advancement of women in the workplace and promoting the region’s women-owned businesses.

“I take this title very seriously and being Miss Fresno County means that you are representing all the amazing aspects that our piece of the Valley has to offer,” Herring said. “It also means being a professional example to those in our community as well.”

Miss Fresno County was held March 8, 2020 at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium.

The Coronavirus has changed the way Herring and the Miss Fresno County team work and prepare for Miss California. Currently the entire team is working from home.

“This program, to myself and so many others, is very special and it’s special because it’s 100% volunteer ran,” she said. “Every penny of scholarship I’ve been given is because of the hard-working committee members that work day in and day out to raise it for us. I urge the community to take part in this organization in any way they can because ultimately every dollar raised goes directly back into the community. It funds the higher education of women all over our county and it can truly change the world.”

The 2020 Miss California Competition is currently scheduled for June 24-27. The winner will represent California at Miss America.

Kid Science and Plant Event Planned at Clovis Botanical Garden

February 24, 2020 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

Tucked away on Clovis Avenue, between Alluvial and Nees in Clovis, is a beautiful three-acre garden that many would call a hidden gem.

The Clovis Botanical Garden is a water-wise garden, made up of plants and landscapes that are native to California and grow well in a Mediterranean climate.

The Clovis Botanical Garden features drought resistant flowers and plants that are native to California.

The all-volunteer ran garden opened in 2002. Gates are open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there’s no fee to enter and explore the grounds.

Visitors use the space to meditate, snap photos and amerce themselves in nature.

There are many places to snap photos inside the Clovis Botanical Gardens.

Several times a year the garden hosts “Science Saturday” events for children grades K-4^th. The next one is taking place on Saturday, March 7^th from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. It’s $5 per child.

The theme for the workshop is “Pollinators.” Kids will learn about bees and hummingbirds.

“There’s always an art activity that is connected to the topic,” said Pat Wynne, a board member with the Clovis Botanical Garden. “It’s very hands on.”

It’s not unusual for visitors to spot lizards and birds while inside the garden. Both are things children usually get pretty excited to see.

“We really need to educate and expose our children to nature,” said Carole Bence, a longtime volunteer with the garden. “I’m all for children coming out to explore.”

A Science Saturday event for children will take place March 7th and will focus on Pollinators.

Also coming up in March is the Clovis Botanical Garden’s “Spring Into Your Garden” event. It’s taking place Friday, March 20^th and Saturday, March 21^st. Over 500 plants will be for sale. They are water-wise and native to California.

In addition to the plant sale, during the Saturday portion of the event, a garden tour, exhibitors and guest speakers will be on hand to answer questions and educate the public.

Local horticulturist, John Pape will speak at 10 a.m. about “Caring for Climate Appropriate Trees.” At Noon, Elinor Teague will speak about “Fertilization in Our Hot Dry Climate.”

“It’s fun,” said Bence. “It’s very well organized. People who come will get great advice for their garden.”

There’s a $5 fee to attend. Children and Clovis Botanical Garden members are free.

Spring Into Your Garden takes place March 20th and 21st.

Anyone interested in learning more about “Science Saturday,” “Spring Into Your Garden” or anything else related to the Clovis Botanical Garden can visit their website at ClovisBotanicalGarden.org

FresYes Realty Expands to South Valley; Join us for Celebration

February 20, 2020 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

FresYes Realty is expanding to the South Valley with an office in Kingsburg and you’re invited to join us for the Grand Opening celebration.

“With inventory in Fresno and Clovis continuing to tighten, more families are moving to nearby towns just south of us,” says Jason Farris, owner of FresYes Realty. “These families want and deserve the same 6-star service we give them here in Fresno and Clovis. We saw the need and wanted to serve it.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4 p.m., Friday, February 28^th at the new Kingsburg location at 1332 Draper Street, Suite C. The party continues until 7 p.m. There will be tasty food, non-alcoholic drinks, giveaways and raffle prizes.

Nancy and Todd Thompson will lead the South Valley office. The long-time Valley residents live in Kingsburg and know the area well.

“I wanted agents who not only would do a great job for people buying and selling in the South Valley, but ones that lived there as well,” Farris says. “There is no better person to explain the benefits of living someplace then one of its own.”

FresYes Realty works to go above and beyond what is required to do. Growing a strong, healthy community is key. That’s why FresYes Realty is committed to helping all Valley residents find the home that’s right for them.

“People in rural areas deserve the same love and attention as anyone, for us to help them means everything,” Farris says. “There truly is something special about handing over the keys to a home that a family will grow in. Knowing we played a part in that is more rewarding than almost any other career choice a person could choose.”

The FresYes Guide to Year-Round Farmers Markets

February 5, 2020 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

If one of your goals for 2020 is to eat healthier, a great place to turn is a local farmers market. The Fresno area is full of them. In recent years many have begun to operate year-round. FresYes wants to make it easy for you to shop the local markets. Here’s your guide to what you’ll find when you go.

Kaiser Permanente Fresno Farmers Market

When: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Fresno Medical Center, 7300 N. Fresno St.

Kaiser Permanente is encouraging patients and the community to eat healthy, by hosting a weekly farmers market in their parking lot.

“At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that eating more fruits and vegetables is part of good health,” said Meredith Murillo, Communications Manager for Kaiser Permanente Fresno. “That’s why we’ve opened a farmers market outside our medical center.”

The first Kaiser based farmers market started in 2003 in Oakland. The Fresno market opened two years later. More than 50 Kaiser Permanente locations now offer a farm market.

“There are many health benefits associated with eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains,” Murillo said. “A diet built around fresh, seasonal produce is the cornerstone of preventive medicine. And if you shop at a farmers market, you are more likely to cook, which is another key to good health.”

fresh produce for sale at a Farmers Market

In addition to fruits and vegetable vendors, shoppers will find eggs, honey, jams, nuts, whole-grain baked goods, ready-to-eat snacks, flowers, succulents and other items at the Kaiser Fresno market.

“There’s lots to see,” Murillo said. “We are grateful for the community support we receive for the market. We have many regular, weekly shoppers who support our local farmers and vendors. The community support has really fostered a communal, positive atmosphere.”

River Park Farmers Market

When: Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Between Macys and Yard House

The River Park Farmers Market started in 1999, shortly after the shopping center opened. It’s exploded in size in recent years and includes food trucks and live entertainment.

Shoppers will find vendors selling one-of-a-kind items and products produced right here in the Central Valley. Organizers say more than 300 different varieties of fruits and vegetables are sold each year at their market.

John Hinkle, of Hinkle’s Honey, is a vendor at the River Park Farmers Market. Nine years ago he got interested in working with bees after a long career as a diesel mechanic. The beekeeper loves educating the people who stop by his booth.

“Some of the health benefits of honey is that there are nutrients from plants,” Hinkle says. “There are antibodies produced by the bee as the nectar is turned into honey, also there are pollens that are beneficial to the immune system and many other health benefits.”

Extracting the honey from the hive and bottling it, is hard work. “The response from the public is great,” Hinkle says. “They seem to enjoy learning about the facts about honey and we have a lot of returning customers that really love the taste and benefits.”

In addition to the River Park Farmers Market, Hinkle’s Honey can be found at the Valley Fresh Farmers Market at Valley Children’s Hospital on Fridays and at the Market on Kern, which takes place in downtown Fresno on Wednesdays from May through October.

Old Town Farmers Market

When: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Pollasky between Fifth Street and Bullard Avenue in Clovis

When you think of Old Town Clovis, many people think of the Friday night farmers market that takes place in the summer. A couple years back Clovis started hosting a year-round market, that’s much smaller in size.

Ferrer Farm from Madera is one of the popular vendors you’ll find at the Saturday market. They have a wide variety to choose from. They sell lots of greens, such as kale, swiss chard, lettuce, cilantro and spinach. As well as broccoli, cauliflower, citrus, tomatoes, peppers, stone fruit and more.

“We have been selling our product at the local farmers markets for about the last ten years,” said Tania Mitchum, of Ferrer Farm. “I love serving my Old Town people. They always make us feel loved and appreciated. Our customers are like family to us. We want to always provide them with the best quality and customer service possible because they sure deserve it.”

Mitchum’s parents Ignacio and Maria Ferrer own their family farm. She and her husband help run the markets and are proud of the work they do in the community. In addition to the Old Town Farmers Market, you can find them Tuesdays at River Park and Wednesdays at Kaiser.

The Vineyard Farmers Market

When: Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to Noon
Where: 100 W. Shaw (Northwest corner of Blackstone and Shaw, behind Eyeglass World)

broccoli and onions for sale at a Farmers Market in Clovis

In order to be a vendor at The Vineyard Farmers Market, you have to be local and you must agree to a farm tour inspection. That’s because quality and safety is of the utmost importance.

Tristan Pursell and his family are regular shoppers. “Love me some Vineyard,” he says. “I go a few times per month. Kids love it. The fresh fruits are always great to buy. I love that they have a local coffee vendor and pastry vendor.”

Flo Cheung Jones has been visiting The Vineyard Farmers Market for the past 14 years. “I love the Asian stands,” she said. “There is a stand where the mother and her daughter have run for years, selling snow pea shoots. I love the varieties of carrots, beets, radishes.”

Manchester Center Farmers Market

When: Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Blackstone and Shields Avenues

This market is a favorite for folks that work at the offices in and around Manchester Center.

Fresh Berries for sale at a Farmers Market

In addition to selling fruits and veggies, there are lots of lunchtime options. Many of the food vendors specialize in Mexican dishes, including seafood, fruit cups and refreshing aguas frescas.

Nature Events for Kids and Bald Eagle Hike Happening Saturday at River Parkway

January 15, 2020 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

Saturday is an exciting day for the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust. The organization is hosting several events, two of which are geared towards teaching children about nature.

The River Parkway Trust was established to protect the San Joaquin River and surrounding lands. They offer educational and recreational activities for families throughout the year.

Saturday children ages 3 ½ to 6-year-old can take part in the River Buddies Weekend Explore Program happening at the River Center, located at 11605 Old Friant Road in Fresno. There’s a fee of $10 per child and online registration and payment is required in advance. You have until Thursday at Noon to sign-up.

The program runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. During the two-hour session the kids will go on a nature walk, complete a craft, sing fun songs, listen to a story and do a hands-on activity.

The theme for Saturday’s River Buddies Weekend Explore Program is “Nature Neighbors”. The children will learn about the plants and animals they come across on their walk. They’ll use life-sized animals track stamps to create tracks in the dirt and make their own snakeskin bandana.

For children ages 6 to 9-year-old, there is an adventure program taking place on Saturday as well. It’s called the Weekend Youth Naturalist Program and it is aimed to equip the next generation with skills to be natural explorers and stewards of the Earth.

Saturday’s program runs from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and also takes place at the River Center. It’s $15 per child and sign-ups also end Thursday at Noon.

The theme is “Animal Evidence.” The children will go on a nature walk and dissect owl pellets, among other activities.

“We believe that children should have the opportunity to spend time outdoors, getting dirty, playing games, and learning with their peers,” said Molly Schnur-Salimbene, the Community Programs Director for the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust. “Many children in the Fresno/Madera area are unaware that there is a river nearby, and even fewer have visited it or the natural areas that surround it.”

Parents are required to stay on-site for the duration of the children’s programs and are encouraged to participate in the activities as well.

The San Joaquin Parkway and Conversation Trust believes that everyone will leave the River Center more curious and more informed about our local environment and its native species.

“Parents who attend the programs with their children often comment on how much they learned, or how surprised they were by how well their young children were able to understand the scientific concepts,”Schnur-Salimbene said. “Many parents become excited by what they’ve learned and continue to explore the topics covered on weekend trips with their children through research at home, looking for signs of wildlife in their neighborhoods, and revisiting the sites where the programs took place.”

If you can’t make it to Saturday’s children’s events, mark your calendar for February 15^th and March 14^th. The River Parkway will be hosting additional River Buddies Weekend Explore Program and Weekend Youth Naturalist Program events those days.

In addition to the children’s events, the Parkway invites you to take part in a Bald Eagle Hike also on Saturday. It’s free and the 2-to-3 mile hike is low intensity.

Eagles enjoy spending winter along the shores of Millerton Reservoir. A guide will help you spot our National Bird.

“Guides provide background information on the migratory patterns and characteristics of Bald Eagles using enlarged photos and maps, and then give participants hints on where along the shoreline to look,” Schnur-Salimbene said. “Hikes move slowly, stopping often when something of interest is spotted and using a portable spotting scope to give each person the chance to take a look as the guide provides information on natural history and the local ecosystem.”

To join the Bald Eagle Hike, register online and then meet at the River Center at 8:30 a.m. Dress for the outdoors and bring binoculars, water and sunscreen. The hike will take place rain or shine. Children 12 and over are welcome, but dogs are not invited.

The Bald Eagle Hike is also happening on January 25^th.

For more on all things San Joaquin River Parkway and Conversation Trust, visit their website.

Fresno High Neighborhood Association to Host Home Tour This Saturday

January 8, 2020 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

This Saturday you have the chance to tour the inside of three historic homes in one of Fresno’s oldest neighborhoods.

The Fresno High Neighborhood Association is hosting a Home Tour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The homes featured are part of Wilson Island, which is a six-block neighborhood located south of Fresno High. The homes date back to 1910 and feature Period Revival and Prairie architecture.

In the early 20^th Century, Fresno residents in high social standing lived in Wilson Island. Bankers, attorneys, produce brokers and business owners built homes in what was one of the first affluent suburbs in the region.

Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased online at FresnoHighHomeTour.com or in person at Gazebo Gardens and Quality Carpets Design Center in Clovis.

“Proceeds from the tour allow us to provide and hang the holiday decorations on the street lamps in the neighborhood, among other local beautification projects,” said Ashley Parker, chairperson for the Fresno High Home Tour.

The mission of the Fresno High Neighborhood Association is to preserve and promote the historical, architectural and cultural resources of the neighborhood that surrounds Fresno High, which is located on Echo between McKinley and Weldon.

In addition to touring the Knapp, Levy, and Dermer homes, tourgoers will be able to see the newly remodeled interior of Royce Hall on the campus of Fresno High. The tour guide for that will be Fresno Unified School Board Representative Carol Mills.

In an effort to make the event family-friendly, children are invited to take part in an Architectural Detail Scavenger Hunt. There’s also a Walking Tour of the exteriors of 16 additional Wilson Island homes.

“Come on down and see what we’ve got going,” Parker said. “Roundup with a trip to our sponsor, Gazebo Gardens. The beer garden will be open, and the gift shop.”

The Fresno High Home Tour started 24 years ago. It typically takes place on a Monday evening between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year organizers decided to change it up a bit and host the event during the day in January.

Members of the Fresno High School Senate, which is a campus club, will also be taking part.

“The tour utilizes student senators and community volunteers to staff a tour of Historic Homes, with an emphasis on the architectural detailing that is prevalent in the area,” Parker said. Some of the funds raised go towards student scholarships and the Fresno High School Band and Choral programs.
To learn more, visit FresnoHighHomeTour.com

A Holiday Tradition, The Nutcracker, Returns with Local Dancers

December 12, 2019 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

A holiday classic, Central California Ballet’s The Nutcracker, returns to Fresno’s Saroyan Theatre this weekend. The performances feature dancers from the Central Valley.

“All of the roles are performed by local dancers, from the smallest Bon-Bon to the most mature, Snow Queen,” said Sandra Gostanian, with the Lively Arts Foundation. “I have been performing in The Nutcracker since 1995 as a Party Parent, most years as Mrs. Stahlbaum.”

In 1989, Frank and Diane Mosier founded the Lively Arts Foundation, a non-profit, designed to bring world-class dance, music and dramatic entertainment to the residents of the San Joaquin Valley. The show the organization is most known for is the yearly performance of The Nutcracker.

“The story of The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition around the world,” Gostanian said. “It is a warm story of love with bits of whimsical humor laced in. The Nutcracker Ballet is often the first ballet children experience.”

Diane Mosier is the owner of Northwest Studio for Ballet at Bullard and West in Fresno. Many of the dancers who perform in The Nutcracker train at her studio. A handful of professional dancers are also hired to perform the lead roles of Cavalier and Sugar Plum Fairy.

Auditions take place in August and rehearsals began soon after.

“The Bon-Bons are the youngest members of the cast and are usually budding gymnasts,” Gostanian said. “Children in the Party Scene have taken ballet classes for a few years, as have some of the adults in the Party Scene. The mature teens and young adult dancers have been taking a ballet class several times each week for years and are quite accomplished. Everyone enjoys having the professionals dance with us. They are always very inspirational to watch as they warm-up, focus on the performance, and enjoy the festivities of the Nutcracker season.”

Tickets are available at the Saroyan Theatre Box Office for Saturday’s 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances, as well as Sunday’s 2 p.m. show. They range from $35 to $68 and can also be purchased through Ticketmaster.

“People of all ages enjoy the quality of dancing and acting from cast members of all ages,” Gostanian said. “Children, especially, are caught up with the beauty and artistic talents of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier.”

In addition to the weekend performances, there is a special performance for students from local schools that takes place on Friday.

“The favorite show for the entire cast is the Friday school show performance,” Gostanian said.“Children from throughout the Central Valley come to see the ballet at a very reduced price. For most of the children and for many of their teachers, this will be their introduction to a ballet performance.”

The Lively Arts Foundation begins planning next year’s Nutcracker as soon as this year’s finishes. They have to seek out financial grants and new donors to keep this Valley tradition alive.

“While Fresno is located in close proximity to cultural hubs like San Francisco and Los Angeles, many people are not able to travel to see professional performances,” Gostanian said. “Performing arts allow people opportunities to develop creativity and communication skills. The Nutcracker is a fun and entertaining way to experience the “stage of life”. Quite simply, we all have a great time and have made lifetime memories and friends.”

To learn more about The Nutcracker visit LivelyArts.org

Clovis Botanical Garden to Host Children’s Christmas Event

December 10, 2019 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

The Clovis Botanical Garden is hosting a holiday event for children this Saturday. “Christmas Fun in the Garden” runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s the third year for this event.

“There will be four craft stations at which the kids can make their own Christmas ornaments or decorate a pinecone Christmas Tree,” said Pat Wynne, a board member with the Clovis Botanical Garden. “Each child can choose two of the craft stations and there will be cookies and hot chocolate available.”

There is a fee of $5 per child, which goes towards the cost of craft materials.

The garden is located on the northwest corner of Alluvial and Clovis Avenues in Clovis.

“It is the mission of the garden to demonstrate what we call San Joaquin Valley friendly plants,” Wynne said. “That is plants that do well in the temperate zone which is the central San Joaquin Valley.”

The Clovis Botanical Garden was the vision of the late Gorden Russell. In the 1990s he approached Wynne, who was the Mayor of Clovis at the time, about turning what was a city-owned lot into a garden.

“After four years of planning the first tree was planted in the Garden in 2002,” Wynne said. “It was a Valley Oak and was named the Freedom Tree in honor of the people who died on 9/11.”

The Clovis Botanical Garden is now developed into three acres with a Mediterranean Garden, a Chilean/South African Garden, a South Western Garden, A Native Plant Garden, and four Home Demonstration Gardens.

“We also promote water conservation through low water landscaping,” Wynne said. “Every plant in the Garden is drought tolerant and has some resistance to drought. Landscaping is the number one use of water, and if you can get people to use mostly low water plants it will go a long way to save water in
this area.”The Clovis Botanical Garden is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more visit their website at ClovisBotanicalGarden.org