Town Hall Meeting Set on Race Track Project

Tulare - With the time drawing near for the City Council to make a decision about the proposed 700-plus acre Tulare Motor Sports Complex, a newly formed citizens committee has called a town hall meeting to gather public comment about the project.

The Tulare Motor Sports Complex Community Advisory Committee has scheduled the meeting for 6 p.m., Sept. 11, in the Council Chambers at the Civic Affairs Building, 125 South M St.

The committee was formed at the urging of the Tulare Industrial Site Foundation, which wants a neutral body to take a look at the proposal and provide a community impact report to city leaders.

The 34 members include both proponents and opponents of the project, said Bret Hillman, counsel for the Industrial Site Foundation, which is handling the property sales in connection with the project.

“All who applied were allowed to serve on the committee,” said Hillman. “We didn't want to be perceived as picking and choosing.”

The co-chairs of the committee are Tricia Stever, executive director of the Tulare County Farm Bureau, which is on record in opposition to the project, and Rob Fletcher, an area farmer who said he is for the project “with a question mark.”

Fletcher explains the question mark by saying, “The project has to be done correctly or it won't work. The city doesn't need a white elephant.”

'Lots of Questions'

The committee will have “lots of questions” for the developer as well as the community, he said. “Our mission is really going to be fact-finding.”

Stever was on vacation Friday and unavailable for comment.

Hillman said the Industrial Site Foundation does not have a member on the committee but is providing logistical support.

“We, again, wanted the committee to be as neutral as possible,” he said.

Mayor Craig Vejvoda said he is happy to see the group formed.

“I think the more information that gets out on anything — any kind of project — the better it is,” Vejvoda said.

The situation now is like the proverbial blind mice, who each has a little part of the elephant but no one knows for sure what it really looks like, he said.

Vejvoda said he asks groups all the time about their position on the motor sports complex and gets a variety of responses, although he estimates more than two-thirds of the people are in favor.

One group that has struggled with the question is the Tulare Improvement Program board, which has discussed the matter twice but has not taken a formal vote.
While some members have made up their minds, others say they are still on the fence and could argue both sides of the issue well.

Bob Nance, the city's economic and redevelopment director, invited directors to attend a presentation the developer was scheduled to make Aug. 27 before the Redevelopment Board, but that meeting was canceled.

The board will meet again this week and if it does not take a formal vote, Vejvoda, who represents the council on the board, said he will ask for a straw vote to get an idea how members view the project.

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Two Grade Separations Funded
Leaders Now Target Paige Avenue

Tulare - Charged up city leaders are not only celebrating the California Transportation Commission's decision to give Tulare $18 million to build grade separations at Cartmill and Bardsley avenues, they are exploring financial options for constructing a third one at Paige Avenue.

“We're going to get all three of them,” Vice Mayor Phil Vandegrift said only minutes after the commission announced its decision last Thursday. “Our glass in Tulare is always half-full. When we get a little more information, we'll tell you about it. We think we have Paige figured out too.”

City Manager Darrel Pyle, who at the council's direction devised the successful strategy of getting all three grade separation projects ready to the point they would qualify for funding opportunities that might surface, said the plan he has for Paige “works well” in his mind, but he needs more time to make sure the approach will work.

Vandegrift said each of the three projects contributes significantly to the community.

“Cartmill opens up commercial development; Bardsley services the greatest population of residents; and Paige opens up industrial development,” he said.

City residents have called for a grade separation for years as they've struggled with trains that have blocked quick access to Tulare District Hospital or thrown them off tight time schedules as they were forced to wait at the tracks.

“In 1978, we were trying to figure out how to do this,” said Vandegrift, who served on the council then too. “At that time, when we looked at them, that was just too much money—$900,000 for a grade separation.”

Like everything else, the cost of such projects has escalated dramatically in the intervening years. The Cartmill overpass is expected to cost $22.7 million and the Bardsley underpass $14.4 million.

“We have until June 2010 to be out to bid on these two grade separations,” Pyle said.

Measure R

Tulare County voters played no small role in the ability of the city and county—which landed $27.6 million for the Betty Drive grade separation in Goshen—to land money.

The state awards require a 50 percent local match, which will be funded in part by Measure R, the countywide sales tax.

“Thanks to Measure R funds, we are able to take on projects that have been stalled and get them moving toward completion,” said Tulare County Supervisor Steve Worthley. “We wouldn't have been able to grab so much funding without being able to pledge the local match.”

Vandegrift said the timing of the grade separation awards—a few days before Labor Day—was “wonderful,” since the projects will create jobs and generate
Mayor Craig Vejvoda said he was “very, very excited” about the commission's action and is hoping the Legislature, in its effort to adopt a balanced budget, does not do anything to jeopardize those funds.

Like Pyle and Vandegrift, he said he is optimistic the city will find a way to fund the Paige overcrossing as well.

Pyle and Vandegrift attended the state commission's meeting in Sacramento last week, along with staff from the Tulare County Association of Governments, which coordinated the application effort.

According to his calculations, what happened in Sacramento Thursday was Tulare residents each received a $357 rebate from the state, an excited Vandegrift said.

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Conductor Returns to 'Greatest Achievement’

Tulare - While Tulare County Symphony officials continue their search for a full-time conductor, it was only fitting they asked the symphony's founder, Robert Cole, to become the first guest conductor of the season.

Cole admits a “great fondness” for the symphony, which he founded in 1960 while teaching at Tulare Union High School and continued to direct even after he moved to Southern California.

He did not turn over the baton to a new conductor until the end of the 1973 season, when he left California to become associate conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas, a former student of his at North Hollywood High School. Thomas is now conductor for the San Francisco Symphony.

“I founded the Tulare County Symphony; I created it,” Cole said. “These other jobs I've had… already existed. So in my mind, that's my number one achievement.”
That comment is from a man who has spent the past 22 years as director of Cal Performances at the University of California, Berkeley, and is widely credited with building a world-class performing arts center on the campus.

Cole announced in May 2007 that he would step down at the end of the 2008-09 season. Noting the loss to the Cal Performances, U.C. Berkeley Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau said Cole had demonstrated “brilliant direction” and “impeccable artistic judgment” during his tenure.

Cal Performances was a respected regional performing arts presenter, with a $4 million budget that supported 45 events annually before Cole took over, university officials said in announcing last year Cole's pending retirement.

Under his direction, the budget has grown to $14 million and the number of events to 80, which includes 130 performances, they said.

Cole's East Coast years included not only his stint as associate conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Prior to taking the Berkeley job, he was the executive director of the Brooklyn Center for Performing Arts at Brooklyn College. He also had served previously as executive director of the Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

During this time, he began to build relationships in the musical world that served him well in California, where he relentlessly worked toward his goal of making Berkeley a center that attracted the greatest artists in the world.

For example, he worked with the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company to present world, U.S. and West Coast premieres and commissions.

Cole also commissioned or co-commissioned new works from many others, including theater/opera director Peter Sellars; choreographers Twyla Tharp, Bill T. Jones and Pascal Rioult; the Kronos Quartet; actor/director Robert Lepage; and performance artist Laurie Anderson.

Ask Cole what has made him so successful and he will tell you his ability to forge relationships with artists was the key.

“I've worked hard at it,” he said. “You have to build relationships with people—personal relationships, working relationships.” The fact that he is a working musician also helps, he said.

One of the steps he took that helped immensely was the formation of a board of trustees to insure the stability and continuity of Cal Performances, Cole said.
“You need community support to do something like this—support and involvement,” he said.

What is true in Berkeley was also true when he started the Tulare County Symphony, he said. “There has to be people. I knew you had to raise some money. You have to build relationships to make a business successful. To make it an institution, you have to have community support.”

Cole said the most enjoyable aspect of his job was making it possible for others to enjoy the performing arts.

“I think it's very important for our culture and for people to have that experience,” he said. “When you look around the world, you realize our biggest problems cannot be solved by scientific research. Our biggest problems in the world are social, cultural and political.”

The arts can address those problems, he said. “They can bridge relationships the way nothing else can.”

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Mission Oak Band to Kick Off Fair Parade

Tulare - Tulare's newest high school – Mission Oak – is expected to lead off the Tulare County Fair Parade on Wednesday, opening day of the annual five-day fair.
Bill Ingram, Mission Oak band director, said he hopes to have uniforms for his small band, but the shipment was not expected to arrive until this week.

“If I get some uniforms, we'll be in the lead,” he said.

Timing will be tight and Ingram is not sure he wants to debut the band—comprised of freshmen and sophomores—without the uniforms.

“I want to premiere it in the best way I can,” he said, referring to the 35 musicians and 11 auxiliary members.

In the past, Tulare Union and Tulare Western have alternated as the parade's lead band, but with the opening of Mission Oak that pattern has changed.

The parade officially kicks-off the opening of the fair, which will run from Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight on Wednesday, 4 p.m. to midnight on Thursday and noon to midnight on all other days.

Opening day is Kids Day, which means children up to 12 years of age will be admitted free. Mom or dad will have to spring for food and rides.

Food Matters

Speaking of food, hungry parade and fair-goers have an opportunity from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. opening day to participate in a Tulare tradition and have a hearty pancake breakfast at the Tulare Woman's Clubhouse, 88 West Tulare Ave.

Tickets are $5 in advance by calling 688-6666 or at the door. Proceeds benefit the Noon Kiwanis Club of Tulare's community service project.

In another food-related matter, fair officials are requiring for the first time that food vendors accept credit and debit cards for the convenience of fair patrons. The Tulare County Fair and the Los Angeles County Fair are the first two fairs in California to do so.

Ticket Purchases

Fair patrons do not have to wait for the fair to open to get their tickets. The following are available in advance at tularefair.org:

· General admission, $7 for adults, $4 for children age 6 to 12 and seniors ages 62 and older. Children ages 5 and younger, free.

· Unlimited ride wristband, $15 through Sept. 9; $20 from Sept. 10-11; and $25 Sept. 12-14.

· Destruction Derby, $25 for box seats and $15 for general admission.

· Tulare Open Championship Bull Riding, $10 general admission and $15 for reserved box seats.

Entertainment with general admission will include free concerts, exhibits and on Friday, Sept. 12, performances by freestyle Motocross riders of the 2008 Boost Mobile FreestyleMx.com Tour.

Livestock Action

Tulare County fairgoers will have more opportunities to watch livestock competitions this year with the addition of an extra show ring to the grounds.

Livestock shows will begin 9 a.m. Wednesday, when the 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Independent Junior exhibitors show dairy cattle, and continue throughout the fair, said Allison Dias, the exhibits coordinator.

“With the addition of an extra market show ring to the grounds, the fair really gives the community a chance to learn about the work that our students put into showing an animal,” Dias said. “It also makes shows run more smoothly.”

As in years past, rabbits, breeding sheep, pygmy goats, poultry and pigeons will be shown Saturday and Sunday, prior to the fair's official opening. A student dog show and horse show also are scheduled for this weekend.

The Dairy Replacement Heifer Sale will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and the Junior Livestock Auction will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and wind down the livestock competition.

Highlights of the fair:

· Spanish-language music will fill the air Sunday, Sept. 14 as the Tulare County Fair celebrates Mexican Independence Day with free concerts by the hottest regional bands.

· The 12th Annual Leland Fried Memorial Car Destruction Derby will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14.

· The first Tulare Open Championship Bull Riding, presented by Tachi Palace, will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13.

· On Friday, Sept. 12, freestyle Motocross riders will flash the best tricks and whips of the sport during three 25-minute shows, which are free with gate admission. Shows are at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. inside the fair grandstand.

· More than 100 middle school students are expected to attend Tulare County Physics Day on Thursday, Sept. 11. Students will learn the concepts of physics and gather data on velocity, acceleration and force while riding midway attractions wearing vests with sensors to record such data.

· Featured free entertainment at 8 every night on the Budweiser Stage: Carolina Rain on Wednesday; Collin Raye on Thursday, The Guess Who on Friday and Kimberley Locke on Saturday.

· Seniors and Special Guest Day on Friday, Sept. 12. On Seniors and Special Guest Day, people ages 62 and older will be admitted into the fair free until 5 p.m., as well as people with special needs and an escort.
For more fair information, call 686-4707, visit tularefair.org or stop by the fair Administration Office at 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

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Sept. 11 Blood Drive Seeks 822 Pints

Tulare - Just as the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S. changed lives, so did Tulare's initial memorial blood drive marking the anniversary of that tragic day.
Although the change here last September was neither tragic nor dramatic, it was important because it introduced more than 100 Tulare residents—25 percent of the 400-plus people who donated —to the practice of giving blood.

Jennifer McCoun was one of those who previously shied away from making blood donations, but she has given several times since the 2007 event and intends to donate toward this year's Sept. 11 Memorial Blood Drive at the Tulare Veterans Memorial Building.

“I hate needles; I seriously hate needles,” said McCoun, chief executive officer of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce. “Even at the dentist we go through this whole routine, so I don't know when he's putting the needle in.”

Because she is a member of the Tulare Noon Rotary Club, a sponsor of the event, and because it was held in honor of firefighters who lost their lives in the attacks, McCoun mustered up the courage to donate.

“If that many people gave up their lives trying to save others, I could suck it up and donate,” she said.

Fellow Rotarian Ken Dodson, a Tulare Fire Department battalion chief, wouldn't let her off the hook with one donation, though, and called her eight weeks later to donate to the Battle of the Badge blood drive, a friendly competition involving public safety agencies. When she lost a bet to him later, she was on the hook again, this time for every eight weeks for a year.

“I have to give Ken credit; he's a very good champion for the cause,” McCoun said. “I've gotten to the point where it's not such a big thing anymore. It does make you feel good and for an hour of your time, you could be saving someone's life.”

Blood drive organizers hope the memorial event will encourage even more people who have never donated blood to step-forward and participate. To this end, the first 50 first-timers will receive a free ticket to the Galaxy Theatres.

The movie ticket is in addition to a T-shirt and free ticket to the Tulare County Fair, which all donors in Tulare will receive.

“This has a bit of relevance for us, since the [2001] attack happened during the fair,” said the fair's Chief Executive Officer Geoff Hinds. “We want to recognize those who are willing to support the community.”

Expanded Drive

Organizers last year sought to collect a minimum of 343 pints of blood—one for every firefighter killed during the rescue effort. This year, the drive has expanded with Rotary Clubs in Fresno, Visalia and Porterville organizing drives in an attempt to generate a combined total of 822 pints.

“That's two pints for each of the 411 rescue worker who died in 9-11,” said Rotarian Amy Benton-Hermann. The total includes firefighters, police and Port Authority Officers and other emergency personnel.

“We're trying to do 411 pints here in Tulare and surrounding areas,” Benton-Hermann said.

Like last year, everyone who makes a donation will receive a badge with the name of a rescue worker who died in the tragedy.

“I think that was one of the most touching things they did last year,” said Chris Sorenson, director of community relations and development for the Central California Blood Center. “I thought that was so special.”

Organizers heard many other favorable comments about the badges. “It made it more personal,” Benton-Hermann said.

'Just Perfect'

Sorensen said everything about the planned blood drive is “just perfect,” including the sentiment and the timing.

“What a wonderful, wonderful way to honor those who lost their lives in 9-11 and do so in a way that will help so many people,” she said.

The drive will come on the heels of a three-day Labor Day weekend, when normally the demand for blood skyrockets. “It takes several weeks to catch up,” Sorensen said. “This will help us to restore our supply.”

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