A Message from the President

Dear Friends, Supporters and Members,

From all of us at the Fresno City and County Historical Society, warmest holiday wishes. We hope your December created lasting memories with loved ones, near and far. This year, I didn’t get to have my Army Captain son and his wife home, but he did manage to cook our traditional Italian dinner for his troops (with a little coaching from mom across the world). Sadly, his meatballs are way better than mine! Next year, he SHOULD be within the 48 contiguous states for the first time in a decade. I am looking forward to that! I was able to see my Bay-area daughter and her incredibly sweet – patient – and amicable partner who, based on her request, was thrust into the middle of our over-the-top Christmas traditions: way too many home-baked treats, huge meals complete with leftovers enough to fill their car, a house that looks like the North Pole and his own stocking hung by the chimney with care. He survived so I guess she better keep him now!

Though there were many losses in 2023, including my legacy sister, Sally Caglia, and we saw an extraordinary number of families in our area struggling with ridiculous food, gas and electricity prices, the spirit of the season lived on in the wonder we witnessed in the eyes of those, young and old, at the Christmas at Kearney: Holiday Tales activities. From pictures with our very own jolly old elf, to the splendor of our tea parties, to the tours of KMM which featured 14 uniquely decorated trees (everyone loved the Grinch room), a wonderful exhibit of Gottschalk’s which included memorabilia donated by the Blum brothers (thank you so very much!) and so much more, the staff at the FCHS worked their magic to transform the Mansion into an experience that transcended everyday life and provided a peaceful respite from the bustle of the season.

Get ready now for even more incredible happenings out at Kearney with the, drumroll please, opening of a permanent exhibit on the third floor - YES, it is going to be included on the tours. So, most people think that M. Theo’s legacy died with him in 1906 and that is not at all the case. Our new gallery will highlight the families that lived and worked on the Fruit Vale Estate, particularly from 1906 through 1949 when farming operations actually ceased. You didn’t know about that did you? One highlight features pages from the National Census revealing the immense diversity of the workers and employees on Kearney Ranch during that time period. You will see the roots of and connections to the variegated tapestry we call Fresno County and, in fact, the entire Central Valley, and their invaluable contributions. You might even learn which sitting Congressman was born on the grounds of the Estate – his mother had her baby shower on the veranda of the Mansion…so the story goes! Nope, I am not telling you more.

Make a reservation to take our tour and if you come out sometime between February and April, you will get the chance to view the ABSOLUTELY most fantastic and gorgeous local Chinese artifacts that have been tucked into our vaults for far too long. We are celebrating the Year of the Dragon in style with the first display of its kind in decades. This partnership with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Fresno is producing a historical exhibit unlike any attempted before. We are so honored to be the guardians of this truly irreplaceable ephemera and are bursting with pride to be immersed in this project.

A little teaser – following the Chinese American Museum Project, we will be displaying the works of local legend, Leo Politi. The exhibit will include a film we have produced in conjunction with the wonderful and passionate team from the Friends of the Leo Politi Library. Leo’s artistry is unlike any other and, again, your FCHS is grateful to have been working on this sensational project.

Looking ahead to 2024, aside from what you have just read, our LEILANI HIDEAWAY Gala will be on Friday, March 22^nd. Where will it be held you ask? At our future Archive, Gallery, Art Hop venue – the FCHS Downtown Club on Kern Street. Pretty poetic that we work at the KEARNey Mansion, and our Vault will be on KERN Street. More about those plans soon!

Additionally, on our near horizon, look for news of our first Summer Camp at Kearney Park, an expanded TIME TRAVELERS program that will reach far more students than ever before and a number of community outreach programs such as the Valley Voices Oral History project and our photographic digitization and preservation endeavor. There is so much more, I feel like we have lived an entire year just writing about it!

Tune in each first Monday of the month, except this January when it will be on the 8^th, to Central Valley Talk on KSEE to learn more and recap The Grapevine – that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read the entire newsletter now! Also, with A.J. Fox and KSEE24, we are continuing our sponsorship of On The Map, both on-air and online. This series of vignettes is doing a wonderful job chronicling our region and we are proud to help make that possible with utilization of our Archive as well as our backing.

You have never had a better reason to support the Fresno County Historical Society. Instead of waiting until the end of the year, join us now. Help us fulfill our dreams and those of all the generations yet to come as we MAKE HISTORY EVERY DAY!

In his final New Year’s column for the Fresno Guide newspaper, in 1964, my great-grandfather, Pop Laval, had some reminiscing to do. Sixty years from now, what do you think WE would say???

“TIME IS MARCHING ON”

“Top of the morning to you all out there, hope you’re feeling fine and fit as a fiddle, also, that you haven’t lost your ability to smile cheerfully when meeting up with any friend or acquaintance.

“When I hung up the new calendars for the year 1964, I realized that each year at this particular moment, I am reminded of the fact that TIME certainly MARCHES ON and also brings me to realize that DAY BY DAY IN EVERY WAY THIS CITY AND COUNTY OF OURS, and I mean FRESNO, IS GETTING BIGGER AND 

BETTER ALL THE TIME. And who should realize it more than I, for both MOM and I have lived here a long time. Seems like I’ve watched it grow, just like a kid grows, first knee breeches, then long pants, with the hustle and bustle that goes with any City right now, it seems afflicted with a bad case of growing pains.

“As I look back to the time when it just had its short pants, I feel myself repeating that old saying, ‘Backward, turn backward, Oh, time in your flight, make me a boy again, just for tonight.’

“As I sit here in this little old Den of mine, which is located on the rear of the lot at 656 N. Van Ness Ave. where I started my COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC BUSINESS, over half a Century ago, little realizing, at that time, that throughout the years that followed, I was accumulating, what today, is practically a pictorial History of the growth of this Community, and as I look over the walls, which are covered with photographs of scenes of those earlier days, right now I am looking at a picture of Dr. Rowell and some of his nieces sitting on a porch of his old home, which at that time occupied the corner where the Rowell Building now stands and the date underneath it is 1913. Little farther along the wall hangs another picture of showing Graff’s Grocery

Store, which was located at that time on the Southwest corner of Van Ness and Kern streets where now stands the Hotel Californian. This one carries the date line 1912, and shows all the horse-drawn delivery wagons lined up in front of the building. Next to it hangs a picture of the Morning Republican carriers lined up in front of the REPUBLICAN Building, where McMahan’s Furniture Store is now located at the Southwest corner of Tulare and Van Ness avenues. Established in 1873, the Morning Republican was, for many years, one of the State’s leading newspapers, date line under this picture is 1913. Over here is a picture of the horse-drawn fire engine, alongside of it stand a couple of firemen saying goodbye to the faithful old horses just replaced by the then mechanized engines.

“I could go on and on. Of course, there are some that I value more than others for their Historical Value to the Community. Structures that should never have been demolished, The Old Post Office at Tulare & Van Ness, The Carnegie Library Bldg. on Broadway, The Old City Hall, The Historical Episcopal Church on Fresno St. across from the Memorial Auditorium, The Parlor Lecture Club on Van Ness and to complete the picture, work has been started in preparation for the destruction of the HISTORICAL FRESNO COUNTY COURTHOUSE. When that is done, Fresno County will be one Community, probably the only one in the entire State, without a single Historical building left standing. To those of you who happen to have pictures of those Historical Structures that I mentioned above, hang on to them for they will grow in value as the years go by.

“In closing this CHIT CHAT with all you nice folks out there, I just want to say that I carry with me, as I wend my way down over the hill towards the Setting Sun of life, a world of satisfaction in the knowledge that I am leaving one of the best Pictorial Histories depicting the growth of both the CITY AND COUNTY OF FRESNO,

CALIFORNIA, as it marched forward, in the last half century to a point where it has gained the reputation of being “THE RICHEST AGRICULTURAL COUNTY in these UNITED STATES."

“BYE NOW, I’LL BE SEEING YOU – POP”

And I will be seeing YOU! Have a happy, healthy and truly blessed 2024.

Warmest wishes, 

Elizabeth Laval

President, Fresno County Historical Society

FCHS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES IN ACTION

Herrera Elementary - Fresno County History Project

Our mission at the Fresno County Historical Society is to engage, inform and educate the public through the collection, preservation and interpretation of the stories, images and resources of our unique region, in order to better understand our past and help shape our future. We strive to achieve this in everything we do. In mid-December, we had the opportunity to experience this first-hand. 

Juan Felipe Herrera Elementary School is a STEAM school that uses Project Based Learning to give students real-world opportunities. This quarter, the 5th graders were historians who dove into our local history, using information on the Fresno County Historical Society website and by attending our Time Travelers Fair in October. 

For their culminating project, the students researched an immigrant group, and proceeded to design, engineer and craft a monument to represent that group. They then did a presentation about what they learned. Finally, as a class, they participated in an interactive monument museum that encapsulated all of the information that they had gathered. 

We were honored to get a preview of these amazing presentations and to have the opportunity to talk to the students about our Valley’s cultural heritage, what they learned and what they found valuable. The excitement and passion these students shared for learning about different cultures and the experiences of the past was truly inspiring! Having open conversations with them about the racism, segregation, bias and the struggle immigrant communities faced in our Valley and how we, as a community, can learn from our past to create a better future, allowed us to fulfill our mission. 

Thank you, 5th Graders!

START OFF THE YEAR RIGHT

Fields of Fresno Ag Tour, February 24th Edition!

Featuring a Motorcoach to the Cherry Blossoms

By: Shelsea Avalos

Searching for a Zen and refreshing activity to immerse yourself in while learning about Fresno History?

Look no further; a seat awaits you on an Ag Tour! You will be included in an enriching excursion to award-winning locales like Hudson Farms, which we toured in July of 2023. Owner, Elizabeth Hudson, was named last year's Agriculturalist-Of-The-Year by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. 

The first experience of 2024 will feature our classic Blossom Trail theme. Cherry Blossoms are considered to be a sign of renewal, celebrating the conciseness and hope found in life, and are referred to by the name Sakura, which also marks the beginning of the work of the fields. A Japanese custom that takes place during the blossom season is known as Hanami which means “watching blossoms.” For this flower-viewing tradition friends and families will visit Hanami festivals, picnics, fields, and more. The original Hanami is estimated to have taken place in 812 AD by Emperor Saga inside of Kyoto’s Shinsen-en garden. During these times, Japanese peasants professed that the spring gods had rooted themselves within the cherry blossoms, which led to a day being set aside for the Japanese farmers to visit the cherry trees to pay their respects to the gods of the fields, in the hopes of yielding a successful harvest. In observance of Shinto rites, the farmers offered the gods a meal that they shared with the Kami - or deities - underneath the cherry blossoms.

You will have the opportunity to witness these one-of-a-kind blossoms during a visit to Chandler Farms, located in Selma, and founded in 1889. Current crops include stone fruit along with almonds (our top crop in the Central Valley!), citrus, raisin and wine grapes. 

Our team was lucky enough to attend a pre-tour of the second amazing destination. At the charming Naylor Farms, in Dinuba, the proprietor, Farmer Mike, informed us of his prized Goldline White Peaches! You do not want to miss this as it will be the last year that Naylor Farms offers stays on their hospitable property. Everywhere you turn there is a rich history to be gleaned from three generations of Naylor family members. Mike and Nori took over the Naylor Farm in 1979 and switched to organic practices in 1984.

In 2010, the Naylors converted their beloved home into a farm-stay, a warm, inviting place for families to get away from the city and experience life on a working farm. This hosted accommodation features overnight lodging and, on special occasions, may even include freshly-squeezed orange juice from citrus trees onsite, accompanied by breakfast made by Mike and Nori themselves! This site is also a U-Pick farm of three acres for guests to choose from over thirty varieties of stone fruit, most notably their peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots, with an addition of vegetables this year. You are welcome to bring your own bags and buckets to pick and indulge in the organic and flavorful fruits and vegetables to your heart’s content. 

To wind down our adventure, we will be heading to A. Nonini Winery, family-owned since 1936, that offers bold red wines such as their Alicante Bouschet, which is an original recipe finished in oak barrels.

Consider booking your seats today because they will sell out fast. Members do receive a discount on ticket purchases. If you have questions, please contact us at (559) 441-0862.

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ARCHIVAL SPOTLIGHT

BY: Cami Cipolla

Hello Friends of the Archives!

One aspect of the mission of FCHS is preservation. Preservation takes on many forms when it comes to archiving images, ephemera, oral histories, etc.

“In the Archives, preservation is not simply storing old stuff until it is useful or needed.

In the Archives, it is necessary to take a series of steps to identify, accession, catalog, store, and make accessible the items in our care.”

In general, (our process is a little bit more extensive!) the steps to archiving are:

? Acquire and accession the contents of the collection

? Gather information about the collection

? Analyze contents of the collection

? Organize contents of the collection

? Put materials in archival containers and give them a safe storage environment

? Conserve materials and protect them against deterioration

? Create a catalog record and a finding aid or register for the collection

? Protect, authenticate, appraise and insure the collection

? Establish a digital copy of the collection

 You can follow a similar process in preserving your family history, memories, images, papers and items!

As we begin the process of relocating our Archives to the Fresno City & County Historical Society building downtown, we are actively curating new permanent and temporary exhibits at that location and at the Kearney Mansion. We are gaining the opportunity to follow these steps once again to update our records and ensure proper care for everything housed within the Archives. This process is also allowing us to focus on preservation and restoration. Through state, federal, public and private grants, sponsorships and donors, we have the ability to purchase the necessary tools to meticulously restore, maintain, protect and house items within our collection. A prime example is the work we are doing for the upcoming permanent exhibit of the Kearney Ranch at Fruit Vale Estate on the third floor of the Mansion, and our temporary exhibit From China to Fresno: A 150-year Cultural Journey in the museum gallery.

The location of images for the exhibits are traced through our digital finding aid and if the image is not digitized at a high enough resolution or quality, we then re-scan the photo at the best possible resolution for printing. Images that have damage can be cleaned via digital programs to enhance visibility and clarity. The image is then placed back into its protective plastic envelope and archival container. 

Some items within the Archives that have been donated or are housed for safekeeping must be cleaned and restored to the best of our ability. Many of the items for the Chinese exhibit came straight to the Archives from Chinatown when the unsuccessful urban renewal project of the 1960s demolished many historic structures thus harming or destroying objects of cultural significance still within the buildings. These items have been kept safe within our vaults for decades, but now it is time to bring them out to share their stories. Though we are not fully restoring the objects yet, we are thoroughly cleaning them and prepping them for exhibit. The process is laborious and time-consuming but exciting and satisfying! You can chart our progress on our socials @ourvalleyhistory and see the end result when the exhibits open!

Cheers, Friends!

ROOTS OF THE VALLEY:

The Story of the Frank S. Caglia

As told by his daughter, Sally M. Caglia

The first paternal Caglia to immigrate to the United States was my Great Uncle Nickolas Caglia in 1916. My Grandfather, Giuseppe de Francesco Caglia, joined his brother Nickolas Caglia in Fresno in 1918, leaving his wife Rosamaria and three children, his mother, two sisters, and three brothers in Maschito, Italy.

In early 1920, Giuseppe made arrangements to bring his wife, Rosamaria Verasta-Caglia and sons Frank, Andrew and Antony to Fresno, arriving at Ellis Island September 20, 1920 aboard the ship Italia. Rosamaria, an only child and motherless, left her father, Andrew, behind in Italy. Both my Grandmother Rosamaria and my Dad Frank, having never seen Great-Grandpa Andrew again, pined for him until the day of their passing. Frank was very close to his Grandfather Andrew and served as his shepherd boy until the day Dad left Italy at the age of eight. 

Dad would us tell stories of their journey from Maschito, by donkey-cart over three days, to the port of Naples. There, they boarded the ship, Italia, for the three weeks sail, in steerage to America. From the time they arrived in Fresno, Grandpa and Grandma were active participants and supporters of St. Alphonsus Church, as well honoring their village patron, St. Elia as most of the Maschitan immigrants settled around the Church which is fondly called “Little Italy.” Grandma annually collected donations to send back to Maschito in support of her hometown St. Elia Celebration. Posters were made to announce the donors of each years’ celebration.

Frank joined the Sons of Italy Band at the age 16, playing the trumpet. A 1926 photo taken on the steps of St. Alphonsus Church shows him playing in the Band at the St. Elia Celebration that year. Frank also was hired that year by Edmond and Mary Elze as a stock-boy in their Center Sate Electric Shop on Kern Street in downtown Fresno.

As Frank matured, he was given more responsibilities and began correspondence lessons in bookkeeping and accounting. As the Elzes aged, Frank was given more responsibilities of running the business until the day came when he offered to buy the company in 1947. Electric Motor Shop was born, along with its Italian red, white and green logo. 

Frank married Florence Ivy Walter on January 15th, his birthday, in 1938. This beautiful union produced seven children: Franklin Joseph (Joe), Richard Michael (Dick), Sally Marie, Vincent James (Vince), Mary Ann, Bernadette Therese (Bernie) and Rose Marie (Rosie). 

Being a hardworking and industrious person, Frank saw fit to start his children off early on the meaning of “hard work and self-sufficiency.” That motto has resulted in the operation of five companies, all managed by his sons and grandchildren.

Frank lost his beautiful wife, our loving mother, Florence, in 1997 after 54 years of togetherness. Not a day went by without him commenting on how much he missed her. I can still recall hearing him padding down the hallway in his slippers every morning carrying a cup of coffee and the newspaper for her and greeting her with “Good morning Beautiful!” 

Dad passed June 7, 2007, missing her birthday again. I’m sure she greeted him in Heaven with a stern reminder, “You missed it again.” Mom’s birthday was June 6th.

Dad always felt very grateful of his opportunity to live in America and achieve the American Dream. He gave generously of his time and treasure to the community that allowed his success. In return, he was awarded with many accolades and recognitions, as well, in 1988, one of the highest honors bestowed on a Fresno businessperson, the Leon S. Peters Award.

All of us in the Caglia Family, are very proud of the beautiful legacy left to us by our Dad, Frank S. Caglia. An immigrant.

On December 10, 2023, we lost a vivacious and committed champion of local history when our dear friend Sally Caglia passed on and joined her beloved father, Frank, and mother, Florence. Though she is gone, her legacy remains with us. Thank you Sally for all you did for our community for so many years! Your are a true Valley Treasure.

The Fresno County Historical Society presents:

THE LEILANI HIDEAWAY 2024 Annual Gala

By: Lori Hunter

The Tiki genre has had vibrant, if intermittent, representation in our Fresno County History and we want to provide an opportunity to revel in the lush exotic fun and excitement of a tropical paradise living right here in Fresno, much like the Leilani Restaurant did at one time. The Leilani Restaurant opened in 1951. The Leilani was owned by the brothers Jimmy, Roy and Stanley Dunn, who also owned Luau across town; they ran the two restaurants for 35 years. The restaurant closed in 2005, and the building and the iconic neon palm tree sign were demolished around 2014.

Our upcoming Gala is a celebration of the 50’s much-loved post-war genre and paying homage to the ripples left by the beloved Leilani! Tiki culture is defined by the post-World War II era’s obsession with Polynesia, defined by elements including Tiki statue carvings, palm trees, fire torches, fruity tropical rum-based cocktails, gorgeous bright colors and rattan furnishings.

“The rise of Tiki in California came from a variety of factors, primarily the state’s close proximity to Polynesia — Hawaii’s eventual statehood in 1959 — and the many Hollywood depictions of a tropical paradise. ”  - excerpt from Yesterday’s America, Polynesian Pop: America’s Fascination with Tiki Culture

The first stone sculpture representing a Tiki dates back to the 13th century. Originating from the Marquesas Islands, Tikis are also present in most islands of the Polynesian triangle. The most famous are probably the “Moai,” the monumental statues of Easter Island.

For a magical Tiki feel, the goal is to create a romantic atmosphere of exotic ports-of-call on remote tropical islands - festooned with souvenirs and mementos that sailors would bring back from their extensive travels in the South Seas - from mythical lands of strange rituals to beautiful South Sea Island paradises.

It’s an escapism masterpiece, complete with maps and travel posters to vintage jungle weaponry to shrunken heads and images of island maidens round out the visuals. The Tiki figure is key and is deserving of all of the respect its rich heritage provides to the mid-century modern subculture.

So save the date of January 15th - tickets will be on sale to the public (finally!) so watch our Events Page! and you can come explore the depths of the exotica that the Fresno County Historical Society will be creating just for you on Friday, March 22, 2024.

MAKING HISTORY EVERY DAY:

FRESNO’S FOUR-DAY HMONG CULTURAL NEW YEAR CELEBRATION SET TO BEGIN

Everyone is welcome to enjoy four days of activities, entertainment and — of course — the delicious array of traditional Hmong food.

by Trong Yang

Originally published in Fresnoland on December 27, 2023

As we wrap up 2023 by gathering with friends and family, members of the Hmong community across Fresno are gearing up to welcome 2024 with the annual Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration.

Home to California’s largest population of Hmong people, Fresno hosts the largest Hmong New Year’s event in the United States. It will run Dec. 28 to 31 at the Fresno County Fairgrounds.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy four days of activities, entertainment and — of course — the delicious array of traditional Hmong food.

“I love the Hmong New Year. I always take my mom and my two sisters every year,” said Chue Vang, a former Hmong dancer and regular attendee at the Hmong New Year Celebration. “I go to the other ones, like in Merced, too, but Fresno is the best.”

The Hmong community in California dates back to the era of the Vietnam War, when the ethnic Hmong of Laos and Thailand, who joined the United States’s effort to fight communists, ended up fleeing repression in Southeast Asia. Drawn by the agriculture in California’s central San Joaquin Valley, many settled in and around Fresno.

After establishing themselves locally and finally finding peace, many set a goal to preserve Hmong culture and traditions. Thus, the Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration began in America.

Originally celebrated in Laos and Thailand, the annual event takes place once the harvest season ends, usually from November to December. The end of harvesting work allowed Hmong people to travel from their villages to gather in celebration for the end of the year and bless the new year to come.

Hmong New Year is also referred to as Noj Peb Caug, pronounced “noh pay chow,” which translates to “Eat 30” — a reference to the celebratory feast and the end of the year’s final month.

The celebration includes string tying, known as Khi Teb, pronounced “key thay,” when a parent or elder ties a red or white blessing string around a child’s wrist or ankle while reciting wishes of good fortune. Khi Teb is followed by a number of ceremonial steps, typically performed by families in their homes, including honoring one’s ancestors with offerings of traditional foods. In the United States, celebrations have evolved into public events that include displays of pageantry, singing and dancing, traditional activities such as ball-tossing and athletic games.

While Hmong communities are spread throughout the United States, members stay in close touch with one another and travel to attend local celebrations. In California, Hmong New Year gatherings begin in October in smaller cities like Oroville and Stockton, with each drawing hundreds of visitors each year. Celebrations run through the end of December with the final event in Fresno, which is expected to draw thousands from around the nation.

The traditional foods available at the celebration include the famous Hmong sausages, sticky rice, papaya salad and more. Vendors will offer traditional clothing and crafts representing the many different styles and patterns found in Hmong culture.

Entertainment will feature several popular Hmong bands such as Vu Classic Band, X-Pired Band and Haum Xeeb Band as well as singers Touyia Lor, Bao Lai Saelao, Ratree Saengaroun, among others.

The Hmong Inc. takes over New Year celebrations in Fresno

Planning such a major celebration usually takes a full year. This year, however, organizers had only a few months to pull everything together.

The event has, for years, been organized by a series of local groups. But this year, the contract to run the celebration was open for bidding. Leaders of the Fresno County Fairgrounds, where the celebration takes place, oversaw the bidding process and, in June, they awarded the contract to a new operator, the nonprofit group The Hmong Inc.

Under terms of the deal, The Hmong Inc. agreed to pay $109,755 per day to host this year’s four-day event, which generates revenue from attendance tickets and vendors. The group will have the opportunity to extend the contract through 2027.

“The award was made back in June. We barely have time to get things rolling,” said Toulu Thao, the CEO and president of The Hmong, Inc. “Six months is very difficult to run a big event, but I am pleased that I have my team.”

Thao said The Hmong Inc.’s team of community members, ranging in age from 20 to 65, has been working nonstop to make sure that this year’s celebration will be a success.

Thao, who recently retired from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said he was inspired to take on the responsibility as a way of giving back to the community.

“Approaching my retirement age,” Thao told Fresnoland, “I found that it was a good time to go back to doing what I love, which is helping people.”

A native of Laos, Thao was 16 in 1982 when he arrived in Fresno, where he saw all of the opportunities and doors opened for Hmong people. Unfortunately, he said, he also saw injustices and the exploitations of his people, which motivated him to dedicate his work to keeping the community safe and strong.

“I saw a lot of Hmong struggle here facing injustices so I decided to advocate for the Hmong people,” he said.

Thao earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, becoming among the first Hmong refugees — if not the first — to do so, he said. He went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration and leadership from Pacific University and a doctorate in education from UC Davis/Fresno State.

“I hesitated to work with HUD but I went so I could accumulate more knowledge and help more people,” he said. “I ended up staying there for almost 25 years.”

Thao says this year’s celebration will be one of the biggest for the Hmong community and the country. The event has drawn a lot of interest from vendors and performers, Thao said, with many continuing to reach out to him even as the date of the celebration draws near.

One of the top priorities on Thao’s list is ensuring the safety of everyone participating in or attending the celebration. Previous years have seen incidents of unruly groups disturbing vendors.

“I am working closely with the police department and will have cameras and security all over the camp,” Thao said. “I’m going to hold everyone who causes problems accountable.”

Organizers, he said, will ensure that this year’s celebration remains focused on family and culture.

“There is love in the Hmong culture; we need to show this more,” Thao said. “Peb Hmoob zoo zoo,” he said. “We are good people.”

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY TOWN HALL CORNER CRISTINA MITTERMEIER

“Putting a Human Face on Climate Change: A Photographic Journey”

January 17, 2024 -10:30am - William Saroyan Theatre

Cristina Goettsch Mittermeier, “Mitty,” was born in Mexico City in 1966 and grew up in nearby Cuernavaca, in the sunny state of Morelos. Hailed as one of the most influential conservation photographers of our time, she has dedicated her entire life to protecting the World’s oceans – inspiring millions of people to do the same. She graduated from the ITESM University in Mexico with a degree in Biochemical Engineering in Marine Sciences. She later attended the Fine Art Photography program at the Corcoran College for the Arts in Washington, D.C. She has three adult children, John, Michael and Juliana, all of whom are enthusiastic about nature. She lives on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada.

In 2005 Mittermeier founded the prestigious International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) to provide a platform for photographers working on environmental issues and coined the phrase “conservation photography”.

In 2014 she co-founded SeaLegacy, a non-profit organization using strategic communications at the intersection of art, science, and conservation to protect and rewild the ocean for the benefit of biodiversity, humanity, and climate within our lifetimes. 

Cristina’s work has published in hundreds of prestigious magazines, including National Geographic, TIME, McLean’s, The Men’s Journal and O. Along with her partner, Paul Nicklen, she was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2018, and in 2021, she was featured in Welcome to Earth on Disney+. 

This incredible woman has been honored with many prestigious awards, including the Smithsonian Conservation Photographer of the Year Award, the Humanity Content Creator Award from HIPA and the Imaging Award for Photographers who Give Back. In 2021, she received the Seattle Aquarium’s Sylvia Earle Medal and Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Award and was named one of the 100 Latinos Most Committed to Climate Action. Additionally, she is a World Photographic Academy member and the first female photographer to reach one million followers on Instagram.

Cristina is a committed impact investor and an influential voice in bridging financial returns while creating a positive social and environmental impact. 

Get your tickets now at valleytownhall.com