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Celebrate National Ag Week News, Page 4
Local women share family stories on immigration Features, Page 1
Volume 140, Number 8 — Locally-owned since 1884
The hometown paper of Bob Murphy
Winters, Yolo County, California, Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Winters’ top citizens chosen
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Pat and Chris Calvert (left) and Jesse Loren (right) will formally be recognized as the 2022 Citizens of the Year honorees at the Toast of Winters event on March 31.
Calverts selflessly serve community, offer youth agricultural career experience By Aaron Geerts Express staff writer For years, Chris and Pat Calvert have supported Winters from behind the scenes, giving its youth hands-on learning opportunities, and — of course — want zero recognition for any of it. However, the Calverts have done far too much for Winters to not be recognized and they were nominated by community members and selected as 2022 Citizens of the Year. Although they’re owners and operators of their business Ciarlo Fruit and Nuts, the Calverts are also avid volunteers in Winters. From helping facilitate countless town events
like the Earthquake festival and Youth Day to employing high school students and teaching them valuable life skills, their resume of helpfulness is well deserving of the Citizens of the Year accolade. “I’m just honored and humbled,” said Pat when asked about how it felt to receive the award. Chris said he was happy when Joe Martinez, a friend and past citizen of the year, called to tell them they had been chosen for thes award. Beyond the volunteering efforts, they both spend a lot of time with the youngsters from Winters they bring on to work at Ciarlo
Local News Briefs Express staff
Top small-town food scene
EXPRESS
Over the weekend, TheTravel.com, a website dedicated to proving travel trends and travel guides to destinations across the United States and the world, recently named Winters as the top small-town that a foodie enthusiast should consider visiting, in the article
“Gastronomic Delights: 10 California Towns That Will Satisfy Your Taste Buds” by Jaimee Terese. Terese wrote: “Named as one of the most charming small towns in California, it prides itself on its farm-to-table food scene that stems from its rich agricultural heritage. As with many other towns mentioned on the list, the restaurants in Winters base their menu offerings off of fresh, seasonal ingredients that are locally sourced.” Winters beat out Carmel-by-the-Sea at No. Two and
See CALVERTS, Page 3
The City of Winters announced the March 28 Planning Commission meeting has been canceled. The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council chambers at City Hall or the public can view the meeting online. The meeting information, agenda and packet will be posted on the City
Just under a dozen community members joined the Winters City Council and Planning Commission for a joint meeting to hear a presentation from consultants for a Downtown Visioning Workshop on March 2. Present City Councilmembers included Mayor Bill Biasi, Mayor Pro Tempore Albert Vallecillo and Councilmember
See LOCAL, Page 8
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief
Rain
High
Low
61˚
39˚
Mar. 16
.00
65˚
38˚
Mar. 17
.00
67˚
39˚
Mar. 18
.00
69˚
40˚
Eventos hispanos ....... A-7
Mar. 19
.51”
62˚
44˚
Mar. 20
.15”
61˚
44˚
Opinion ......................... B-3
Mar. 21
.18”
64˚
45˚
Real Estate ................... B-2
Rain for week: 1.54 in. Season’s total: 32.66 in. Last sn. to date: 17.19 in. Winters rainfall season began 7/1/22. Weather readings are taken at 9 a.m. daily by local weatherman Joe Bristow.
buckhornsteakhouse.com
The Youth Day Committee is seeking community nominations for the 2023 Youth Day Grand Marshal. The chosen Grand Marshal honoree will lead the 85th annual Winters Youth Day Parade on Saturday, April 29 through historic downtown Winters. The nominee must be a person(s) who has dedicated time to the community and the youth of
Winters. Nominations can be mailed to Winters Youth Day, PO Box 652, Winters, CA 95694. They can also be submitted online at www.wintersyouthday.com or by email to mjsebast63@gmail. com. The deadline to send in nominations is April 1.
Volunteers and Ducks Volunteers are still needed to help with the 85th Winters Youth Day Parade. People are still need-
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Closure program, outdoor gathering and dining, the collection of waste and organics from local businesses, downtown alley usage, downtown business destination signage, parking and the Winters Community Center. For each topic, the consultants shared data from the community and business stakeholder surveys. Weber clarified for
See VISION, Page 3
Youth Day seeks Grand Marshal nominations By Crystal Apilado
We at he r
Jesse Loren and Richard Casavecchia. Planning Commissioners included Vice Chair Lisa Baker, Ramon Altamirano, Judith Arce and Chris Rose. Ben Weber and Chrissy Chrissy Mancini Nichols of Walker Consultants, the firm hired to conduct the research and community feedback sessions, presented an interactive session focusing on seven key points including the Weekend Main Street
WINTERS AGGREGATE 2 Main St., Winters, CA 530.795.4503
See LOREN, Page 3
By Crystal Apilado
.70”
Sports ........................... A-2
Describing the moment when she found out she was named one of the Toast of Winters 2022 Citizens of the Year — teacher, community member, and city councilmember — Jesse Loren said, “Paul and Linn Myer gave me the news at my front door in a surprise visit. I was flabbergasted, shocked and then really proud to even be considered!” But Loren’s nomination letters for the award leave little surprise as to the reason for her selection.
The nomination details her extensive work in and around Winters since she arrived here including that as a teacher, during “her 18year teaching career…she was involved in bringing a dual immersion program to Winters as a best practice model to promote bilingual education.” Loren was also lauded by the nomination letters for “work(ing) tirelessly to be a voice for our Hispanic community members” noting her tenure on the Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee (Winters HAC),
Planning Commission meeting
Mar. 15
Community .................. A-7
Express staff writer
Council, Planning Commission hear Downtown Vision update
Date
Classifieds ................... B-6
By Jacob Hoffman
Eureka in the No. Three spots. See the entire list at https://tinyurl.com/ yc77352y.
Index Features ........................ B-1
Fruit and Nuts. Whether they’re from WHS or Wolfskill, teens are immersed in an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of food processing, dealing with the public at farmer’s markets and developing some good old-fashioned work ethic to bring with them into the next phase of life. “I’ve had a great time with this and used to teach food preparation in high school. I miss teaching high school kids and want them to have an enjoyable experience here,” said Pat. “It’s very rewarding watching them learn and grow. And it’s not just making the product, they
Loren advocates for Hispanic community inclusion, brings a voice for Winters residents
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ed to check in Parade entries, staff the barricades along the route and help line up Parade divisions. To sign up as a volunteer, see the “Unfilled 2023 Roles” at Linktr.ee/ wintersyouthday. The 9th annual Duck Derby is scheduled for Friday, April 28. A Duck Sale booth will be at the Downtown Winters Spring Open on Saturday, March 25. Duck Sales booth dates will only be happening in person this year, dates to come.
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