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Leadership changes take center stage in Hanford as City Manager Mario Cifuentez announces his upcoming departure after nearly five years at the helm. Taking a position in Cottonwood, Arizona, Cifuentez leaves thoughtful advice for his successor: understand the challenges of inevitable growth, listen to the entire community, and remember that Hanford's median age of 32 represents residents who may not regularly attend council meetings. The City Council wasted no time scheduling a special meeting for May 29th to discuss interim leadership and the permanent replacement process.

Meanwhile, community improvements continue with several noteworthy developments. Children's ice skating rates at Winter Wonderland will drop from $16 to $10 per session, increasing accessibility for local families.

The Council is exploring free senior access to the Longfield Center and affordable family membership options. After several delays, the new Live Oak subdivision will feature Hanford's first-ever park with built-in cornhole games, while the long-awaited signal light at 10th Avenue and East Lacey Boulevard should finally be installed next week.

Memorial Day weekend brings the impressive Avenue of Flags to Grangeville Cemetery, featuring 1,034 flags and a Monday ceremony.

Looking ahead to June 7th, two significant events coincide - the Carnegie Museum Car Show bringing 200+ vehicles downtown, and the "Century of Memory" celebration marking the Civic Auditorium's 100th anniversary with historical displays, music, and cake for all attendees. Sports fans can follow local playoff action, with Hanford West baseball advancing to the D4 semifinals and Hanford West softball concluding an impressive season with an undefeated league title despite a narrow playoff loss. Want to stay connected with everything happening in our community? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the most comprehensive event calendar available and follow us on social media @HanfordInsider.

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Stepping through the doors of Gonsalves-Fasso Nursery feels like entering a living time capsule of Hanford's history. Paul Rhodes, the third-generation owner of this 80-year-old floral institution, welcomes us into his world with stories that span decades and connect countless families across our community.

When Mary Fasso opened this shop with her brother Pete and sister-in-law Virginia Gonsalves in April 1945, she couldn't have imagined the legacy she was creating. Paul, who took over the business after an injury on the family farm, shares how his grandmother's words still guide him: "You're not going to get rich, but you'll make a good living." Those simple words have sustained a business that has weathered dramatic industry changes for eight decades.

The conversation takes surprising turns as Paul reveals how California's marijuana legalization transformed the flower industry, forcing suppliers to source internationally rather than from traditional coastal growers. "I could have roses cut in Colombia and delivered to my door within 72 hours," he explains, giving us a glimpse into the global supply chains supporting this local business. The challenges facing small florists are substantial—from competition with untaxed vendors during major holidays to the exhausting behind-the-scenes work that customers never see.

Most touching are the generational connections fostered through flowers. "My grandmother used to come here," customers often tell Paul, or "You did my grandmother's wedding flowers." These statements highlight how deeply woven Gonsalves Faso has become in Hanford's social fabric. The shop doesn't just sell arrangements; it creates living memories that mark life's most significant moments across multiple generations.

The episode also features comprehensive community news, including updates on the Hanford City Council meeting, upcoming events at the Carnegie Museum, the Fox Theater, and Kings Art Center, plus a roundup of local high school baseball and softball playoff action.

Subscribe to our podcast and newsletter at hanfordinsider.com to stay connected with everything happening in our vibrant community. Have a story idea? Email us at hanfordinsider@gmail.com—we'd love to hear from you!

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider
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Discover the heartbeat of Hanford in this packed episode featuring a candid conversation with local entrepreneur Kayla Houk, who shares the remarkable journey of Off the Vine Restaurant from pandemic-born charcuterie delivery service to downtown dining destination.

When COVID-19 shut down the culinary world, chef Kayla returned to Hanford and launched a charcuterie box delivery service that quickly grew from 3-10 boxes weekly to 30 boxes daily. This success propelled her to open Off the Vine's first location during the pandemic, despite all the challenges of social distancing requirements and takeout-only service. Now, the restaurant has relocated to a prime downtown spot (formerly Fatte Albert's Pizza), expanding from 20 to 80 seats while maintaining their commitment to scratch-made, locally-sourced food.

What makes Off the Vine special? "We literally live in the hottest spot of the valley where we get fresh peaches, strawberries—anything you can think of is grown here. Why wouldn't we use it?" Kayla explains. This farm-to-table philosophy extends to everything they serve, from their popular Smoked Bird sandwich (house-braised turkey, caramelized onions, smoked gouda, and garlic aioli on sourdough baguette) to their daily-made dressings sweetened with local honey instead of artificial sugars.

The episode also delivers crucial community updates: Hanford has been recognized as one of California's fastest-growing cities with a population now exceeding 61,000; three new murals have been approved for downtown; and the City Council has voted to let residents decide on a transient occupancy tax increase in November. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate comprehensive coverage of local championships, with Hanford West Softball claiming the Tri-County Kings League title with a perfect 8-0 record and Sierra Pacific Baseball securing their own league championship.

Subscribe to the Hanford Insider newsletter for the most comprehensive community calendar available, and join us on YouTube for live coverage of the upcoming baseball and softball playoff bracket releases!

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider
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