374E. Walnut• Visalia• 733- 0233StateLic.# 540405657CASAGRANDESeniorCare& AssistedLiving• SpecialFacilitiesforAlzheimer's& DementiaCare• Bathing& HygieneAssistance• Supervised& ManagedMedication• FamilyStyledMeals& Snacks• PlannedActivities• PleasantAtmosphereIn& Out• SpaciousPrivateandSemiprivateRooms& Baths• LargeDining& SittingRoom• Laundry• BeautySalonFAMILYOWNED& ADMINISTEREDSINCE1973www. casagrandeseniourcarehomes. com0000127893Areyoulookingfordaytodayassistancewiththeactivitiesofdailyliving? CasaGrandeprovidesthatintermediatelevelofcarebetweenretirementhomeandtheNursingHome. WithTHREELEVELSofassistance, wecantakecareofyourlovedonesneedsformanyyearstocomeinadowntoearth, comfortable, affordable, home- likeenvironment. JackiePemelton26YearsExperienceinRealEstate( 559) 280- 0990- Direct( 559) 594- 5093- HomeSoldover20millionin2008WorkwiththeBestinTulareCounty0000128207Icanhelpyoufindthekeytohappiness! living here SPORTSBY ANDREW BETTENCOURTabettenc@ visalia. gannett. cominor League Baseballunderwent a major over- haul in Tulare Countyafter the 2008 season — and it's one that shouldsolidify this area's connec- tion to Major League Baseball for at leasta generation. The local California League franchisechanged its name from the Visalia Oaksto the Visalia Rawhide, a tribute to thearea's agriculture and dairy industries. " We feel very strongly that the newname helps us provide more of a funatmosphere at the ballpark, especially tokids and families, which are our targetmarket," Rawhide president Tom Sei- dler said at the time of the namechange. The other major change with the fran- chise was an $ 11.9 million addition toRecreation Park down the right- fieldline that houses a VIP lounge for Hall ofFame Club members, and also includes400 new seats ( 360 for Hall of FameClub members), team offices, a new pri- mary concession stand, restrooms and amerchandise store. The Rawhide is affiliated with theArizona Diamondbacks, and opened the2009 season with seven of the team'stop 30 prospects ( as designated by Base- ball America), including No. 1 prospect, Jarrod Parker, a right- handed pitcherwith a 95- mph fastball. There were 23 players on MajorLeague Baseball active opening day ros- ters and four others were began the yearon the disabled list that played minorleague baseball for Visalia's Cal Leaguefranchise. The 27- player alumni total is one ofthe highest in the Cal League. California League has been a staple atRecreation Park since 1946. Stars start shiningThere have been several MajorLeague all- stars who called RecreationPark home at some point in their pro- fessional careers. Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett was the1983 Cal League Rookie of the Year as amember of the Visalia Oaks. Six- time Gold Glove winner EricChavez was named the Visalia Oaks'most valuable player in 1997, and 2002American League Cy Young Award win- ner Barry Zito made his professionaldebut with the Oaks in 1999. Other noted alumni include Vada Pin- son, Kent Hrbek, Chuck Knoblauch, LeeMazzilli and 2008 American LeagueRookie of the Year Evan Longoria. Johanna CoyneTipper greets Visalia Rawhide players at their home opener against the Modesto Nuts atRecreation Park. Rawhide continuesthe tradition of baseball in VisaliaM49| May 21, 2009| LIVING HERE

l iving here SPORTSJuan VillaMembers of the Central Valley Christian team celebrate after their victory over Mission Prep during the Central SectionDivision V boys championship game at Selland Arena in Fresno. Johanna CoyneRedwood's Gabrielle Gatewood makes areturn against San Joaquin Memorial in aDivision II semifinal girls tennis match. Johanna CoyneRedwood's Dillon Root moves the ball in aWest Yosemite League football game withGolden West at Groppetti Automotive VisaliaCommunity Stadium. Johanna CoyneMt. Whitney's Ben Bowen tries to evadeTulare Western in a nonleague football game. Ron HolmanEl Diamante High School quarterback Josh Lorentzen looks to pass againstHanford in NovemberJohanna CoyneTulare Union's Taylor Jordan, left, and Tulare Western'sEligio Morales were named the 2008- 09 Tulare Countyboys and girls soccer players of the year. 50| May 21, 2009| LIVING HERE