Hanford Insider Podcast

09/28/2025

Fall festivities take center stage in Hanford as our community gears up for a season packed with beloved traditions and exciting changes.

The 46th annual Renaissance of Kings Fair returns to Civic Park on October 4-5, bringing with it a rich tapestry of period entertainment, food, and activities. Parks Director Brad Albert reveals this may be the longest-running Renaissance Fair in California, featuring expanded entertainment this year including the crowd-favorite "George the Giant," traditional royal court processions, and combat demonstrations—all accessible with a modest $5 admission fee.

Meanwhile, the China Alley Preservation Society continues its remarkable recovery journey following the 2021 arson fire that devastated the Taoist Temple Museum. Arianne Wing shares the painstaking conservation efforts underway, with artifacts being meticulously restored by specialists and some featured in a special exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of History through 2026. The 41-year tradition of the Moon Festival carries on at the Carnegie Museum on October 4th, featuring performances by Gumyo Taiko drummers and the Cal Poly Lion Dance team.

Community improvements are also in the spotlight as the city contemplates transforming parts of Civic Park from grass to hardscaping, creating a more versatile and accessible space for events year-round. The beloved Hanford Christmas Parade returns with significant enhancements, including an extended route down 7th Street that adds 2,000 feet of viewing area, improved lighting, and enhanced security measures—all designed to create a more enjoyable experience for the thousands who attend this holiday tradition.

From local government appointments to high school sports updates, this episode captures the pulse of our community as we honor our rich past while thoughtfully planning for the future. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter at HanfordInsider.com for the most comprehensive community calendar available, and join us as we celebrate everything that makes Hanford special.

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at
Thank you for supporting the show!

Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Fall festivities take center stage in Hanford as our community gears up for a season packed with beloved tradit…

09/26/2025

Coming up on Monday's Hanford Insider Podcast........

09/25/2025

On this week’s Hanford Insider Podcast!

09/21/2025

Kings Partnership serves as a vital lifeline for Kings County residents, offering an impressive array of free services designed to strengthen families and build community resilience. Program coordinator Jennifer Quinones brings enthusiasm and expertise to her role, detailing how this preventative nonprofit organizes its work into focused "buckets" addressing mental health, trauma-informed care, and substance abuse prevention.

The organization's child abuse prevention efforts stand out as particularly impactful. Working alongside Kings County Human Services, Kings Partnership delivers workshops promoting parent-child bonding while raising awareness about this critical issue. The Lisa Project, a powerful multi-sensory exhibit in Hanford, allows visitors to experience firsthand what child abuse looks like and sounds like through real stories and recordings. This immersive educational tool helps teachers, law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, and concerned citizens recognize warning signs and respond appropriately. Their specialized mandated reporter training incorporates Kings County-specific data, providing a more relevant and interactive experience than standard online courses.

Quinones also highlighted their newest initiative addressing extreme heat vulnerability in the community. This collaborative effort with Kings County Office of Emergency Services aims to identify gaps in service for vulnerable populations during increasingly severe heat events. By gathering community input about cooling resources, accessible relief locations, and utility bill management, they're developing a comprehensive plan to enhance community resilience. The project exemplifies Kings Partnership's commitment to addressing emerging challenges through strategic planning and community engagement. To learn more about these valuable resources or to schedule a tour of the Lisa Project, listeners can visit kpfp.org or email Jennifer directly.

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at
Thank you for supporting the show!

Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Kings Partnership serves as a vital lifeline for Kings County residents, offering an impressive array of free s…

09/19/2025

09/19/2025

Mayor Travis Paden takes us behind the scenes of Hanford's latest City Council meeting, revealing crucial decisions that will shape our community's future. The Council has approved $325,000 for much-needed repairs to the Hanford Plunge, including a new slide and slide pool, with an additional $100,000 set aside for future maintenance—extending this beloved facility's life by approximately ten years.

A moment of civic pride illuminated the meeting as eight local gymnasts from Lee's United Gymnastics were honored for bringing home national championship titles. The Council recognized owner Lee Pinkstaff with a special proclamation celebrating his 48 years of dedication to the sport and the 1,000+ athletes who train at his facility weekly. Community infrastructure received significant attention with a $1.1 million contract awarded for a new traffic signal at 12th Avenue and Hume Avenue, while plans were discussed for transforming the long-vacant lot on 11th Avenue off Highway 198 into a comprehensive development featuring housing, hotel, conference center, retail, assisted living facilities, and medical offices.

The most substantial financial consideration focused on a $63 million energy service contract for upgrading the wastewater treatment plant—a time-sensitive project as the facility approaches maximum capacity within the next 4-5 years. Public safety initiatives gained unanimous support through Chief Perkins' "Illegal Fireworks: It's Not Worth It" campaign, which introduces stringent penalties of $1,000 per illegal firework up to $10,000 per person per day. Residents should mark their calendars for upcoming community events including the Renaissance Fair (October 4-5), Hanford Night Out with police and fire departments (October 2), and the Fire Department's Open House (October 13). Have questions or concerns? Reach out directly to Mayor Payton at [email protected] or follow the city's social media channels for the latest updates.

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at
Thank you for supporting the show!

Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Mayor Travis Paden takes us behind the scenes of Hanford's latest City Council meeting, revealing crucial decis…

09/19/2025

Mayor Travis Paden - City of Hanford
Wednesday Wrap Up - September 17, 2025

Mayor Travis Paden takes us behind the scenes of Hanford's latest City Council meeting, revealing crucial decisions that will shape our community's future. T...

09/18/2025

Opportunities abound in the Visual & Performing Arts in Kings County if you know where to look. In this week's episode, we explore many of the ways that you can be enriched by the arts.
Listen to the full episode https://www.hanfordinsider.com/hanford-insider-beyond-the-surface-exploring-hanfords-creative-pulse/

09/15/2025

I woke up to this nice surprise! Thank you for your tremendous support! Let’s keep those story ideas coming.

09/14/2025

Step into the unexpected cultural richness of Hanford with our exploration of the community's vibrant arts scene. While Kings County might not immediately come to mind as an arts destination, this episode reveals the surprising breadth of creative opportunities awaiting residents of all ages and interests.

From the Kings Art Center's exhibits and classes to the multiple dance studios, theater companies, and museums scattered throughout the county, we uncover the wealth of visual and performing arts resources right in our backyard. Music lovers will discover venues like the Fox Theater and Hop Forged Brewing that regularly feature talented local musicians, while aspiring performers can find their creative home with organizations like the Kings Players or the Hanford Multicultural Theater Company.

The heart of our episode features an insightful conversation with Joseph Rocha, founder of Eager Music Studio, which recently opened its doors in Hanford. Rocha shares his personal journey from seven-year-old saxophonist in a Portuguese community band to music educator and entrepreneur. His story exemplifies how early arts exposure can transform into lifelong passion and purpose. The studio offers lessons in piano, guitar, voice, drums and various band instruments, with a unique approach that includes free meet-and-greet sessions for prospective students to explore the space and meet instructors before committing.

Whether you're a parent seeking creative outlets for your children, an adult looking to rediscover an artistic passion, or simply a community member interested in supporting local culture, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to Hanford's artistic landscape. We've compiled all resources mentioned into a special guide available to our subscribers – your roadmap to exploring the creative side of Kings County. Ready to tap into your artistic potential? The opportunities are more plentiful than you might have imagined.

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at
Thank you for supporting the show!

Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Step into the unexpected cultural richness of Hanford with our exploration of the community's vibrant arts scen…

09/14/2025

and here is an update to my July 27th episode!

09/13/2025

What an exciting update to the August 24th episode with Christy Camara!!!!!!