November Visit to Fowler

Raquel Gutierrez (CTC’s MCP) and I drove to Fowler on Tuesday.  It’s about 210 miles from Los Angeles.  We made the trip in 3 and a half hours. 

We had a fun stop along the way at a Traver travel stop—they’ve gone all out to get folks to stop and spend money.  There is a BBQ restaurant, tons of interesting patio and garden space, a petting zoo of sorts, clean restrooms, a fruit stand, a gift store that sells local cheese and treats as well as a big selection of food, collectible, travel and kitsch items.  If you want to visit you can’t miss the signs.

We did a short driving tour around part of Fowler then headed to Fresno to meet Debra P.  Debra is M. deRosa’s sister and a long time Fresno resident.  M. is a longtime Cornerstone friend and community collaborator.  Currently she is also on our Community Advisory Committee.  It was a treat to meet M.’s sister.  Debra was a terrific host as we talked about our intended Fowler project and how she might help us.  She knows a lot of people including a few with Fowler connections.  She is an interior designer (and a dancer, too) and does design work for some well-to-do homes.  She commented that farmer wives are sometimes sort of glamorous, society-types.  Debra gave us some information about local press contacts including local public radio.  She is going to reach out to those she knows and see who might be able to talk with us and/or connect us with others.  She’s really excited to see a Fresno County community celebrated. 

Fresno is about 11 miles north of Fowler.

We headed south and did some more exploring in the car—toured around the tiny town of Del Rey.  We passed the POM (Wonderful!) plant at what seemed like quitting time for many workers.  There were not many cars driving the streets of Del Rey but there were droves of kids, probably just dropped off by the school bus, walking down the streets.  Del Rey is about 10 blocks nestled among crops, mostly grape vineyards.  It includes a store, a post office, a beauty salon, a school, a senior center, 2 or 3 churches, and the POM plant (I think is a packing facility).  

We drove into and around Fowler (pop 5500) which is approx. 26 streets, mostly east of Hwy 99.  The part of Fowler west of the highway seems like the other side of the tracks literally and figuratively.  As we parked the car in front of the Presbyterian church a woman who was on her way into the church stopped and inquired if we needed some help.  She listened to why we in town then told us a lot about her church and her community.  She showed us inside the church. The church has beautiful stained glass and an exceptional pipe organ.  She told us about many of the programs there:  ATM Diner (ATM=“at the manse” which is the priests’ house), Monday evening youth group (middle school kids), Kids Club (2 five week after school sessions), Gear Up Sports in summer (100 kids sports and arts projects, like a day camp).  Sunday worship service is at 10:30- it’s a mixed/blended service which means that there’s a mix of traditional and new music.   She recommended we talk with Sandi M. (Baptist church) who has done some drama projects.  We should also talk with the superintendent of schools.

We attended the Fowler city council meeting from 7 – 9:30pm.  There are 5 councilmen including the mayor and mayor pro tem.  Additionally the city manager, city attorney, city clerk (the only female official), and chief of police all sit at the head of the room as participants in the meeting.  Another table was present up front for 4 or 5 other officials: assessors, financial officer, fire chief, etc.  The meeting room was full with observers and stakeholders.  Public comments were at the top of the agenda.  I introduced our project and made clear our three requests (community support, assistance with affordable housing for our residency, and an affordable performance venue).  The questions from the council were Have you done this sort of work in the central valley before? (yes!) Do you charge for tickets?  (no!)  They all received information packets about Cornerstone and the Fowler project.  Councilman Rico Aguayo gave me his card then he spent his break talking with Raquel and I about how to move forward with our project.  Rico, it turns out also works with Recreation Commission, Friends of the Library, Historical Society, and probably some other organizations.  He’s the youngest council member and energetic about creating positive change in Fowler. 

[ The city council meeting was long and mostly interesting.  Highlights:

A gentleman who accused an unnamed council member (“he knows who he is”) of libel and slander and asked that the man be kicked off the council.   A Sikh gentleman thanked the council for permitting street closures and public declaration of official Sikh Appreciation? Awareness? day to be celebrated with a parade on Nov 21.  The owner of Madam Sophia’s Palm Reader reminded the council that inexplicably his business license costs $1200 when all other business licenses are $40 and could they please change that sooner than later.  Hearings for rezoning 2 properties from single-family home to multi-family properties both ended with denial based on neighbor concerns of “bad element” renters and parking impact.  It was noted that plenty of people were very unhappy to see that the cemetery neglected to put up flags for Veterans Day.  A letter of appreciation to the City from Superintendent of Schools was read acknowledging support that made the middle school band event successful.  Bids for building a Pickleball court at a local park were too high.  Adjustments were made to what the city can do on their own to reduce cost and the request for bids will go out again in January.  Two new small business owners (a salon and an antiques store called “A Little of This And A Little of That”) were granted loans from the city for business equipment. ]

Aeric, the front desk receptionist at the very new La Quinta in Fowler, is a local resident and was excited to hear about our community play project.  Folks who need a place to stay in Fowler when they come to see the show or visit the Institute will be very happy with La Quinta Inn and the manager is eager to arrange a group rate for us for the summer.

Raquel and I stopped by the School District office and spoke with Robin (the website says she is Accounts Clerk).  We left info packets for the district school board members who happened to be meeting that night.

We walked the businesses of Main Street and made purchases at 2 of the 3 markets, one of which includes a mix of Indian and Mexican items. 

We visited Sara Brown the Librarian at the local library.  I’d spoken with her on the phone previously and she’s very enthusiastic about our project.  Many organizations meet at the library so she knows all the coordinators for these groups.  Mostly they are youth programs, like ballet for preschoolers and others age 7-12, the Girl Scout Juniors, etc.   Sara made some calls to people right then to see if anyone was around to talk with us and she continues to make introductions around town on our behalf.

We spent about an hour with Yvonne, the Senior Center Coordinator.  She was generous with her time and shared a lot about her hometown.  She also asked good questions.  Yvonne is also with Recreation Commission.  She is a photographer and does design work for posters and such.  We saw the team photograph poster she made for an neighboring town’s football team.  It’d be great if we can hire her for our show photos and maybe poster, etc. 

Some other things we learned (or re-learned) about Fowler:

They are into their school sports (Go Redcats!)

They have swim team events in summer time.  There’s a pool at the high school.

Until very recently the library was a storefront on Main Street.

There’s going to be a Father/Daughter Dance event in Feb & a Mother/Son event in May.  These are new community events promoted by Recreation.

There’s a Tree Lighting event on December 4.  This is a popular traditional event.

There’s a Car Show in May.  The farmer’s market begins in May, too. 

There’s July 4 Fireworks at the high school. Folks attend from neighboring towns.

There are quite a few churches including St Gregory’s Armenian Apostolic Church, the Buddhist Church and 3 Black churches.  According to Diane L., this proportion doesn’t match the demographic of Fowler but people come from other towns to attend.  Many of the churches work together on events.

Latinos, Anglos, Armenians, South Asians, a few African Americans and a few Japanese Americans live in Fowler.   They seem mostly middle class.

There are not many apartments in Fowler, esp east of the highway.  West of the highway there is a mobile home park and a residence motel (Fowler Motel), both look nicely maintained.

People tend to be involved in multiple roles for the community, such as Connie who works with the Boy/Cub Scouts, the Chamber of Commerce, Kids Break program and the Mothers’ Club.

Generally there are a lot of folks who like things as they are and as they have been for a long time—maybe resistant, or at least slow, to change. 

Others are interested in change and engagement and active civic pride.

Residents generally really love their town and are friendly.