This week on Valley Edition, we look at the dangers of crime this holiday season, talk about how holiday shopping is boosting the sales of local Valley merchants, and profile the ImagineU Children's Museum in Visalia.
Valley Edition for December 20, 2011:
Segment I: Holiday Crime
Last week, a stabbing during one of Christmas Tree Lane's annual "walk nights" left Fresno residents stunned, and led some to question the future of the decades long Fresno tradition. Will this apparent gang related crime dampen holiday spirits? We talk about this incident, and holiday crime in general with Louise Yenovkian and Dean Alexander of the Fig Garden Homeowner's Association, and Al Maroney of the Fresno Police Department.
Segment II: Holiday Shoppers
Retailers nationwide posted record "Black Friday" sales this year. But what is the mood of Valley shoppers? FM89's Juanita Stevenson visited one Central Valley Christmas tree lot to talk to the lot owner and his customers. Joann Sorrenti of the Sierra Nut House and Carole Lester of the Business Organization of Old Town Clovis also join the discussion.
Segment III: ImagineU Children's Museum
Visalia's ImagineU Interactive Children's Museum brings science, the environment and the arts to hundreds of Tulare County students every year. Virginia Strawser, director of the museum joins us on Valley Edition to talk about ImagineU's programs, and plans for a new facility thanks to a $5.6 million grant from the State of California.
