February 20 Newsletter
CVB Manager named "Emerging Leader" by California Travel Association: Danika Heatherly, tourism manager for the Visalia Convention & Visitors Bureau, was recently named a Tourism Industry Emerging Leader by the California Travel Association. The award, established in 2012, recognizes individuals, 30 years of age or younger, who have contributed through their individual efforts or organization to the support and/or promotion of Travel, Tourism and/or Hospitality. Danika will join 29 other honorees receiving the award at the Cal Travel’s 2013 Travel Summit on March 18-20 in San Diego. Danika is responsible for the Bureau’s tourism, marketing, media relations, and group sales. In nominating her for this honor, Visalia Chamber of Commerce Director and CVB Board Member Glenn Morris said, “Danika has developed into a strong, effective advocate for tourism in our community. She has advanced the profile of tourism as an economic driver and has spearheaded a number of initiatives which have significantly improved awareness of Visalia and the surrounding Sequoia region.” In 2012, Danika helped launch a country-wide marketing cooperative and led the publication of a regional visitors guide. She also serves on the Central Valley Tourism Association's executive committee. She also led a campaign to promote Visalia through the USA Today's “Best of the Road” competition, resulting in a 2nd-place finish for Visalia in the “Best City for Food” category. Most recently, Danika has spearheaded the Majestic Mountain Loop with partners from the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau, Delaware North Companies and the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The campaign, designed to promote visiting 3 of California's National Parks in 3 days: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite, has generated nearly $100,000 in PR value since January and catapulted the recognition of the Central Valley and High Sierra regions in both domestic and international markets. A journalism and marketing graduate, Danike is now working to complete a master degree in business administration through Fresno Pacific University. A native of Visalia, Danika graduated from Central Valley Christian High School in 2006 and in 2010 from Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. She is the daughter of Galen and Wendy Heatherly and has a sister, Kara, who currently resides in Washington, working for the City of Spokane. 
Arts Consortium presents Annual Report to Council; $30,000 contract approved: Council approved a $30,000 contract with the Arts Consortium to implement the City's Cultural Plan, produce a special event and assist with the publicity, processing and distribution of Community Arts Grants. The amount is equal to what the City has contributed in each of the last several years. The stable funding from the City has enabled the Arts Consortium to multiply that revenue stream into a $150,000 budget in 2012 through grants from the State's art program, the County of Tulare, memberships, sponsorships, art sales, and other contracts for services. Since it began, the Consortium has grown from a fledgling group with a handful of members and a budget of $750 to a dynamic organization with more than 70 members, comprised of both arts organizations and practicing artists, and a budget of over $150,000. For a copy of the annual report, click here. And, Save the Date for the annual Taste the Arts Celebration Oct. 17-19 in downtown Visalia. A wonderful three day celebration of culture and arts in our City - something for everyone of any ages (even vegetables shine like our Farmers Market artist at left). For more information, go to www.artsconsortium.org.
HOME Program Earns Top Marks: In an annual community assessment, the City's HOME program was the best performing program out of 93 jurisdictions in the State, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Community Planning and Development. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program works to increase affordable housing and provide services and benefits to the City's neediest populations. In 2011, the City received a HOME grant of $495,227 in its second year of the City's 5-year consolidated plan. In HUD's snapshot of HOME Program Performance in the percentage of completed rental disbursements to all rental commitments, the City's program showed the best performance.
March Roars Like a Lion at Parks & Recreation: Don't miss all there is to do in March. The Visalia Senior Center hosts its open house and barbecue from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at 310 N. Locust St. Take a tour, get healthy information you can use on personal safety and recreational activities. Call 713-4381 for information. The eighth annual Eggstravaganza, sponsored by Rick's Vending, is a great family event to celebrate Spring. Activities at Riverway Sports Park Baseball Complex include an egg hunt, entertainment, raffle prizes, and a visit from the Bunny himself. The fun goes from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 30. To learn more, go to liveandplayvisalia.com.
Council meetings go Live!: Tune into the City's website at /government/council_live_video_stream.asp and watch the regular City Council meetings. Learn about what's going on in the City from the comfort of your own home. The next regular meeting will be held Monday, March 4. Tune in!
Fire Department looks back at 2012: Take a look at the accomplishments of the Visalia Fire Department in 2012 in its annual report. Highlights include the promotion of 14 p;ersonnel - one battalion chief, five fire captains, and seven fire engineers. Click here to read their annual report.