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Shop these businesses on Small Business Saturday

November 23, 2018 by Jason Farris Leave a Comment

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Jason Farris

I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES

Latest posts by Jason Farris (see all)

What’s Hot and Happening this Weekend! - December 14, 2018
Community Spotlight: MacKenzie Hartung - December 13, 2018
What’s Hot and Happening this Weekend! - December 7, 2018

Recently, I got the chance to talk to the BBB about the importance of supporting small businesses, and what being a small business means to me.

Check out this great video put together by the BBB and then take a look at the list of small businesses below. They are each doing something special for today, Small Business Saturday, which is held the Saturday after Black Friday every year.

If you can, be sure to check out these local shops today, but remember: they would appreciate your business all year long!

Shop Local

• Crazy Squirrel Game Store
464 E. Bullard Ave. Ste. 105, Fresno

Just in time for the holidays, check out newly released board games! Take a look at Crazy Squirrel’s website here for hours and information.

• Raphio Chocolate
783 E. Barstow Ave. #G, Fresno

Today, this small batch chocolate maker is offering a private guided tour where you will touch the cacao beans, smell the nibs, taste the chocolate from stone grinders, see the aged chocolate blocks, and sample various single origin chocolate bars. Follow them on Facebook to find out about future tours.

• Petunia’s Place
6027 N. Palm Ave., Fresno

This independent bookstore will celebrate Small Business Saturday with a Festival of Authors and Artists. Local authors and illustrators will greet customers and sign copies of their books. Find out more here.

• Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co.
745 Fulton St., Fresno

Know a beer fan? (Maybe it’s you!) This local brewing company will be bringing out new winter merchandise, offering discounts on apparel, and doing beer/merch combo deals today! Check out the event here.

• Vineyard Farmers Market 17th Holiday Gift & Craft Show
100 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno

The Vineyard Farmers Market on the corner of Shaw and Blackstone is a year-round opportunity to shop local. But on Saturdays today through Dec. 22, they will also give you the chance to check out artists and pick up unique photography, pottery, jewelry, tie-dye, and more. Get more info here.

• Clovis Antique Mall
532 5th St., Clovis

The Clovis Antique Mall will be offering shoppers discounts on this Small Business Saturday. The antiques and vintage fan in your family will appreciate a unique gift! And on Dec. 16, attend their Sunday Funday Sale for prizes, refreshments, and discounts.

• Neighborhood Thrift $10 Bag Sale
353 E. Olive Ave., Fresno

Neighborhood Thrift’s World-Famous Bag Sale is taking place today. Stuff, cram, and jam as much clothing as you can into a bag for just $10! Find out more here.

• Cocktails & Crafts
Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St., Fresno

This special event is your chance to shop a variety of local artists and crafters who don’t have a brick-and-mortar store. Support local creators! Details here.

• Small Business Saturday in Downtown Fresno

Take some time during your shopping adventures to take a stroll through downtown Fresno. The area has a bunch of new restaurants that could also use your support today. Walk around and try something new!

Locally owned Brix + Barrel makes buying small-batch Central CA wines easy

November 23, 2018 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her nine-year-old son, husband of 14 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works full time with ValleyPBS as their Director of Educational Services and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.

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Spotted: Santa! Here’s where to find him… - December 11, 2018
Fresno Foodies Get Ready: Three delicious picks for December - December 6, 2018
Lydia and Pearl Market lets you shop local for a great cause - November 29, 2018

Here at FresYes, we love celebrating the birth of new, locally owned businesses that have something new and unique to offer. This week, just in time for the holiday season, we bring you the story behind Brix + Barrel, a brand-new online wine company designed to connect high quality, small-batch wineries with consumers looking to purchase exceptional wines.

Read on to learn more about why you may want to set aside some of your holiday gift budget for shopping Brix + Barrel.

Meet Trevor Clinard, owner of Brix + Barrel. You’ll like him, as he’s going to help you get your hands on some amazing wines!

FresYes: Trevor, tell us a little about yourself and your experience in the wine industry.

Trevor Clinard: I grew up in Orange County and went to school at Cal Poly SLO where I studied business and finance—but deep down, I’ve always had an entrepreneur’s spirit. After a career in finance and working in the business world in Southern California, our family made an effort to slow down our pace of life, and moved to the Central Valley.

I accepted a position as supply chain manager of the seventh largest winery in California, O’Neill Vintners and Distillers. For years, I was able to learn about the wine industry on the job, as well as in the classroom, graduating from UC Davis’s Wine Executive Program in 2017.

Most don’t know what a supply chain manager is (and that is a healthy thing). However, for those who are curious, I worked with every department in the company, and alongside vendors, to create computer models and systems to predict how much wine you (the consumer) will buy—and how we can deliver it to you right when you want it. I dreamt in Excel formulas and the position gave me an amazing vantage point.

I was able to see how diverse the wine industry was: on one side you have a boutique winery making 1,800 cases of wine and selling it through a small tasting room, and on the other side you have bulk wineries that produce 20 million cases of wine and sell it through an army of sales professionals and distributors.

Years later, my vantage point married my curiosity and I launched Brix + Barrel—an online wine shop designed to help you uncover emerging wineries you just can’t find at the grocery store

Tell me about Brix + Barrel. What sets your business apart from others?

There is a natural bottleneck in the wine industry. Over the past few years the population of wine distributors has shrunk, and the population of wineries has exploded. This means today’s distributor is forced to focus on larger wineries with plenty of inventory, pushing the small-batch, craft wineries out of the standard distribution game and away from the consumer.

I started Brix + Barrel to help connect the high-quality emerging wineries of California to consumers. I source from wineries regardless of regions, focusing on the quality of wine and team that produces it, helping consumers discover wines they would not find just anywhere—with an easy online shopping experience we have all grown to expect in other products… except wine.

Though I started Brix + Barrel because I saw an opportunity, I made it for those who believe this world can be hectic. There are bills, hard deadlines, crazy carpools, tough tragedies, and long nights.

But I believe that, if you can find time to pop a cork, turn it all off, and look across the table, you might realize how great all the little things are.

Any night can be made special with a wonderful wine and some good company!

If someone is relatively new to drinking and learning about wine, what wines would you recommend they try first from your offerings?

Oh, great question. If you are a red wine fan, start with the Robert Hall Syrah and The Fableist Zinfandel. They are two different types of red wines, but great examples made by great teams.

If you enjoy white wines, kick it off with The Fableist Chardonnay and the Slacker “Pink” Rosé.

My two personal favorite wines are Desparada Suitor Italian Red Blend and the Robert Hall Cavern Select Grenache. These are bold reds that are perfect for turning a random Tuesday into a special occasion.

Really, I would recommend trying anything from the site. Everyone has their own favorites, and each Brix + Barrel purchase is guaranteed. If you don’t like a bottle, we simply refund you and help find something else you might enjoy more.

Brix + Barrel guarantees you’ll like their wines – if you don’t like something you order, you can choose something else at no cost!

With the holidays coming up, do you have any gift sets or specials perfect for giving or receiving this season?

Any of our wine can be customized with a personal message and premium packaging, making it a great gift for someone next door or across the state. For Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, we are offering FREE SHIPPING on all purchases—no discount code necessary.

If you own a business and would like to send wine as a gift to vendors, clients, or potential clients, we would love to work directly with you to add personal messages and branding to our premium packaging. I would love it if, as a culture, we sent fewer fruit baskets and more wine this year.

Our latest rollout is Brix Fix. I’m going to leave you hanging with that surprise, but if you sign up to our email list and follow us on social, I promise you will be in the loop!

Brix + Barrel will offer free shipping on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday

Anything else you’d like readers to know?

We might be online, but we are a local, Central Valley business. Our office is at the Bitwise Hive in Downtown Fresno, most of our work days are fueled by Hi-Top Coffee or Kuppa Joy, and we love to connect with the local community. If you have any questions, don’t know what to buy, or have any special occasions you might need wine for, reach out to us directly at heyguys@brixandbarrel.com. We might be able to chat about it over a glass of wine!

Trevor and his family live right here in the Valley, and look forward to providing you with fantastic wine.

Here’s what you should do this weekend

November 23, 2018 by Jason Farris Leave a Comment

About
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Jason Farris

Head YES man at FresYes.com

Latest posts by Jason Farris (see all)

What’s Hot and Happening this Weekend! - December 14, 2018
Community Spotlight: MacKenzie Hartung - December 13, 2018
What’s Hot and Happening this Weekend! - December 7, 2018

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are some fun suggestions for events happening in and around Fresno.

Friday

• Head to River Park at 10 a.m. for the kickoff of the inaugural Festival of Trees. Donated by community individuals and businesses, trees will be lavished with gifts and décor and raffled off for $5 per ticket. Proceeds from this event will help provide paid work experience for local survivors of human trafficking.

• Grab a beer and enjoy drink specials at Full Circle Brewing Co.’s Black Friday Hoppy Hour starting at 10 a.m. Yep, 10 a.m.

• It’s the first Zoo Lights of the year at Fresno Chaffee Zoo! For this annual event, which starts at 5 p.m., the entire zoo is transformed into a magical, winter wonderland, fully decorated and strung with miles of holiday lights. Enjoy music, live entertainment, festive treats and beverages for adults and children, and free photos with Santa Claus. Tickets are $5-$9.

• It’s also the first night for Santa Claus Lane in Clovis! Walk or drive the lane. There’s a brand new musical light show, free pics with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and food trucks will be on hand.

• The Last Days of Judas Iscariot will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at the California Arts Academy-Severance Theater. This play is a courtroom drama depicting the fictional trial of Judas Iscariot. Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $15 for general admission.

• Relax from all that Black Friday shopping with The Double Doors at Fulton 55. Show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$12. This is a 21+ only show.

• Or take in some surf rock from the Neptunes and grab a beer at Goldstein’s Mortuary & Delicatessen at 9 p.m. No cover.

Saturday

• Get up early and head to the Vineyard Farmers Market at 7 a.m. for the 17th Annual Holiday Gift & Craft Show featuring local artists and growers.

• Shop in downtown Fresno this Small Business Saturday! Stores and businesses will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Make sure to grab a bite to eat after.

• Handmade Fresno presents Crafts & Cocktails at 11 a.m. at Fulton 55. Shop local vendors and artists and take advantage of Fulton 55’s full bar.

• Chocolate & Posies in Clovis will hold its 8th Annual Holiday Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy free pictures with Santa, samples of homemade holiday treats, and a free craft for the kids.

• Touch of Gravy, the local Grateful Dead tribute band, hits the stage at Fulton 55 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10-$12. This is a 21+ only show.

• Head to Goldstein’s at 10:30 for Patrick Contreras and his Violin on Fire.

Sunday

• Full Circle Brewing will hold a Variety Hour starting at 11 a.m. This event will showcase local talent.

• Dark Horse: The Music of George Harrison, featuring many of Fresno’s best local performers, will take place at Fulton 55 starting at 7 p.m. This 21+ show is $15.

• John Hacker will headline the Just the Tips comedy show at Grogg’s Irish Pub at 7:30 p.m. The show is free but be sure to bring tip money for the comedian.

…

What else is going on this weekend? Add your event to the comments.

ArtHop has a new logo for 2019! Meet the designer who created it

November 23, 2018 by JoAnn Hallum Leave a Comment

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JoAnn Hallum

Houseplant killing optimist- freelance writer -kid herder

Latest posts by JoAnn Hallum (see all)

Four ways to celebrate the holidays with music - November 29, 2018
ArtHop has a new logo for 2019! Meet the designer who created it - November 23, 2018
Discover the music of the Youth Orchestras of Fresno - November 2, 2018

The art scene in Fresno is thriving, and ArtHop is the hub f0r creative fun. If you haven’t been to an ArtHop yet, it’s a must! You can find out how to get started by checking out my Beginner’s Guide here.

An epic event like ArtHop needs a great logo, and part of the fun is that the logo changes every year. The winning design is chosen by a local design competition.

The logo competition showcases the design talent in Fresno, which is pretty intense. This year’s winner, Peter-David Carrion from Carrion Design, has been a fixture on the local design and art scene for a while. It’s always fun to learn about the person behind the logo, so check out my interview with Carrion below!

Peter-David Carrion with his winning logo. (Photo courtesy of Peter-David Carrion)

FresYes: First of all, tell us a little about yourself!

Peter-David Carrion: My name is Peter-David Carrion. For almost 20 years, I’ve been a creative professional in the Central Valley. During that time, I’ve had a variety of positions in the world of design from illustrator, junior to senior designer, art director, creative director and, for the past 10 years, I’ve expanded my skill set to include commercial photographer and cinematographer.

I’ve had the pleasure to work for several amazing companies and local design firms where I was able to work with small family businesses to Fortune 500 and international companies. I just celebrated a year at my current position as Senior Designer at the historical Duncan Enterprises, where I’m a part of an amazing creative department developing new craft, creative, and inspiring products.

In 2015, I was awarded “Creative of the Year” by the Fresno Advertising Federation for all my industry work and over the course of my entire career, I’ve also been awarded over 100 American Advertising Awards.

In addition to my commercial work, I’m also an abstract painter and portrait photographer. I am currently assembling my new portraiture art show for exhibition in early 2019.

What is your background in design/art?

Ever since I could remember, I’ve loved art and being creative. I was lucky enough to have a family that supported that drive in me. I graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Fine Arts and Graphic Design. I actually took the first design programs offered at CSUF, so I was ecstatic to know that I could get a job at being creative.

For the longest time, I became so focused on my professional design work, I lost sight of my passion for my own self-expression. It wasn’t until I met my wife, Anna, where she really challenged me to do more art for myself, because she was right, that type of expression is so personal and something that can’t always be expressed in your professional work. So it’s all about finding that creative balance. In 2017, I did my first art show for ArtHop at CMAC and I got a lot of great feedback, so it’s really inspiring me to continue that work.

What made you decide to enter the logo contest?

A byproduct of this recent self-awareness of my artistic side, I realize the Fresno area’s own art community continues to flourish and that really intrigued me, as not only as a Fresno resident but also as an inspiring artist. I really wanted to be a part of that growth. I’ve known of all the great work the Fresno Arts Council does for that community, so I started to follow them online and I saw the contest. I’ve never done anything like this before, so I figured even if I didn’t expect to win, it was a fun creative exercise for me.

What inspired your design?

Honestly, the Fresno Arts Council ArtHop Logo Contest was pretty open-ended with requirements on the logo, just some copy requirements, so for a designer, that much freedom can be awesome or intimidating. Graphic Design is problem-solving, so when you don’t have a clear problem, that abundance of answers can be overwhelming.

For me, I immediately jumped into the project with total excitement for the opportunity to develop a logo that was fresh and modern for FAC’s ArtHop, and was versatile, so something that would look amazing as a window sticker and be just as impactful online or on social media. In regard to visual inspiration, I just made sure to design a logo that would complement the new evolving downtown area.

How does it feel to win?

I’m very honored to have won. Like I said, I wasn’t expecting to win, so I do sincerely thank the Fresno Arts Council and its board members for selecting my logo. I know this is a small contribution to the larger artistic community Fresno has, and I will continue to contribute however I can. Fresno is my home, I grew up here all my life, so something like this, a way to give back to your community, a way to give back to the art community as well, is a good day in my book.

…

For more information about Peter-David Carrion’s design and art work, you can check out his website here or watch this CMAC interview on his art. To keep track of Fresno Arts Council events and news, follow them on Facebook here.

FresYes guide to shopping local on Black Friday & Small Business Saturday

November 20, 2018 by Sarah Soghomonian Leave a Comment

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Sarah Soghomonian

TV Producer and fan of all things fabulous.Bulldog Born, Bulldog Bred!

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Grab your Santa gear! Here’s your FresYes guide to December races - November 26, 2018
FresYes guide to shopping local on Black Friday & Small Business Saturday - November 20, 2018
“One Enchanted Evening” kicks off the holiday season in Old Town Clovis - November 12, 2018

The holiday shopping season gets into full swing this weekend with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. In the era of online shopping, Fresno-area malls and local businesses are offering deals and festive fun in hopes of getting people into stores.

Here’s a look at just some of what’s being offered to shoppers.

Fig Garden Village

Stores will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23. Discount offers vary by store, but if you are looking for jewelry, Orloff Jewelers is hosting a holiday event featuring David Yurman designs. Shoppers will receive $250 towards a $1,000 purchase.

The shopping center located at Shaw and Palm is hoping to attract shoppers by offering holiday cheer. There will be complimentary horse and carriage rides from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and free photos with Santa!

You are never to old for Santa! Here I am with the big guy at Fig Garden Village.

Fashion Fair Mall

Fresno’s largest mall will be open from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. on Black Friday. Stores throughout the mall will be offering separate promotional savings. For example, Build-A-Bear is offering a door buster deal on Snow Hugs Penguins. They’re selling for $6 and are expected to sell out fast.

Manchester Center

Located in Central Fresno, Manchester Center is undergoing a large renovation project. The owners of the mall hope to attract new business by offering “Cookies with Santa.” The event runs from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday.

There will also be a Farmers Market taking place outside the mall from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sierra Vista Mall

The Clovis-based mall is opening its doors at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. The first 200 people in line will receive a voucher valued between $10-$100.

Shoppers who spend $100 or more, anywhere at the mall, between 6 and 8 a.m. will receive a $10 Sierra Vista Gift Card.

There will also be a free pancake breakfast from the Clovis Lions Club at 8 a.m. At noon, shoppers who have spent a minimum of $150 will get to spin a prize wheel.

Holiday Boutique

When you shop at this non-profit boutique, you are shopping in support of Valley Children’s Healthcare. Located at Bullard and West, Holiday Boutique will be fully decked out for Christmas.

Doors open at 10 a.m. and shoppers will be greeted with treats and refreshments. The store sells a variety of houseware items, including some high-end brands. One of the best parts? They offer free wrapping!

Petunia’s Place

On Saturday, Nov. 24, this independent bookstore is celebrating Small Business Saturday with local authors and illustrators. They’ll be greeting customers and signing autographed copies of their books from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Petunia’s Place is located in the Opus One Shopping Center at Bullard and Palm. They are known for their wide variety of children’s book. They also sell teen and adult novels.

Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co.

After all that shopping, you may need a beer, right?! Located in downtown Fresno on Fulton and Inyo, this local brewery will be debuting new appeal merchandise in honor of Small Business Saturday.

There’s even a beer and merchandise combo!

Fresno Historical Society photos make a unique holiday gift

November 15, 2018 by Jason Farris Leave a Comment

About
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Jason Farris

Head YES man at FresYes.com

Latest posts by Jason Farris (see all)

What’s Hot and Happening this Weekend! - December 14, 2018
Community Spotlight: MacKenzie Hartung - December 13, 2018
What’s Hot and Happening this Weekend! - December 7, 2018

The Fresno Historical Society is offering you the chance to give a truly unique gift this holiday season.

The nonprofit organization houses a large collection of historical photos from Fresno’s early years—most dated between 1870 and 1970. You can buy digital copies of these images, print them out and frame them, and give a little piece of Fresno history to your slightly nerdier friends and relatives (I kid!).

Images reflect Fresno’s development

On the Fresno Historical Society’s website, the photo collection is broken down into categories, including People, Agriculture, City Scenes, Special Events, Sports, Mountain Scenes, etc. You can check out the entire collection photo by photo or, if you know someone with a specific interest, go right to that category.

The super cool thing is that many of the photos feature a description that gives context to the image, like the photo below, which is labeled “Fresno Kindergarten“:

Miss Gertrude Wilson established Fresno’s first kindergarten program in 1885. Her own donkey and cart served as the “school Bus” for the students she taught in her own home.