The phrase “Ignorance of the law is no excuse” may not apply

In a community that is comprised of mostly migrant farm workers “the phrase ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’ may not apply…” Kayode and Denise Karada told the Visalia Times-Delta. “A large percentage of our residents are migrant farm workers who do not possess knowledge of county code requirements.” They went on to say, “in lieu of enforcement with a ‘big stick’ applicable enforcement agencies need to seize every available opportunity to reach out and educate.”

Because most of the Allensworth residents are low income families there is no tax base, which causes the community to depend on the services of county agencies and nonprofits like the ones that attend the United Way of Tulare County’s recent Community Building Initiative. The roundtable gave representatives from the disadvantaged communities of Allensworth, Alpaugh, Richgrove and Woodville an opportunity to let the agencies and nonprofits know what kind of issues their communities face.

Karada told the Visalia Times-Delta that Allensworth’s greatest needs are “adequate potable water supply, safety, substandard housing, sewage and wastewater management, affordable health care, code education and compliance.” Karada went on to say “utilizing these assets and resources in a collaborative way paves the way to our common goal – a better, healthier and prosperous Allensworth.”



Stephen Hill, Sr.

AmeriCorps: Getting Things Done

Picture from the Colonel Allensworth SHP AmeriCorps Facebook page.

The blue trap catches the storm of weathered gray paint clips as they fall to the ground. Workers on ladders scrap away the old paint in preparation for a long overdue new coat of paint. They are “getting things done” at the Allensworth Hotel.

The motto of AmeriCorps is “getting things done,” and that is just what the AmeriCorps team is doing at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. During the team’s six week stay at the park they are taking on much of the maintenance and repairs that have been delayed because of budget cuts.

AmeriCorps was established on September 21, 1993 when President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act. Since then thousands of Americans have given a year of their lives tutoring kids, building homes, or on projects like Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. In other words they have been “getting things done.” In return for a year of service they are given an education award that helps pay their college tuition or student loans.

During the team’s first week at the park they started painting the hotel and placing sign markers for the park’s new cell phone tour, which will launch on April 2nd. After they finish painting the hotel the team plans to paint the school house.

You can follow the team’s progress on their Facebook page. While you are there thank the team for “getting things done” at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Without their help there is no telling when the work they are doing would get done.



Stephen Hill, Sr.

Allensworth Old Time Easter Egg Roll

All dressed up for the 1898 White House Easter Egg Roll.

Join the Friends of Allensworth and the California Department of Parks at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for an old time Easter Egg Roll on Sunday, April 1, 2012. Will you be the one to fine the special egg?

There will be children games from the early 1900’s, the always popular face painting, and a prize egg hunt.

For more information contact Friends of Allensworth President Thomas Stratton at (530) 949-2168 or tomten@pacbell.net

When: Sunday, April 1, 2012

Time: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Where: Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Cost: $8.00 per car

Thank You for a Successful Fair

On behalf of the residents of Allensworth, the Allensworth Community Council and Allensworth Progressive Association we thank all of the agencies and organizations that made the Allensworth Fair a success on Saturday, March 10, 2012. Participants included personnel from the Tulare County Health Dept., DeAundre Robinson of Tulare County Kings View, Major David Scott from Salvation Army, Ernie Hernandez and Escarleth Barbarena from United Way of Tulare County, Carrie Crane and other personnel and students from the Tulare County Farm Bureau, John Gutierrez from CSET, Valerie Gorospe from CRPE, representatives from the Delano, Bakersfield & San Diego Chapters of Friends of Allensworth, Linda Andrade & Gina Martinez of the State Employment Development Dept., Mary Krieg-Vasquez of RSVP/Hands On Central Cal., and Manuel Jimenez of UC Davis’ Tulare County Cooperative Extension.

Thanks to CRPE and United Way for providing food and refreshments at the event. Special thanks to Valerie Gorospe and Camille Pannu of CRPE for preparing flyers and to Mr. Robert Cardenas of the Allensworth Elementary School District for his support with the Community Garden.

Importantly, we want to acknowledge the support from Supv. Pete Vander Poel and Dr. Cheryl Duerksen – important immunization services were provided to residents at the fair. Special thanks also to Dr. Mylene Rucker of Dr. Rucker’s Wellness Center in Visalia, for her on-going drive and commitment to provide medical services in Allensworth.

We see last Saturday’s event as part of the collective effort needed to continue improving the quality of life in Allensworth and the region in general. We look forward to on-going collaboration and coordination.


Thanks again.


Kayode F. Kadara
Allensworth Community Council

Denise Kadara
Allensworth Progressive Association

Friends of Allensworth Work Day

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is inviting all FOA members and other interested persons to come out and support the park with a FOA work day on March 24, 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm. Please let all your chapter members’ know of this opportunity to meet other members and help out the park at the same time.

Planned work day activities are painting the campground ramadas, pruning, oiling decks, and ground maintenance weather conditions permitting. Please bring your own lunch, gloves, and an enthusiastic attitude; beverages and supplies will be provided. Please let me know how many members will be joining us on the 24th by March 18, 2012.

If there are any questions, please contact me at (661) 849-4012 or by email at joliveira@parks.ca.gov.

Thank you,


Jerelyn Oliveira
State Park Interpreter I
Colonel Allensworth SHP

10th Annual Park Advocacy Day

Not able to attend Park Advocacy Day

You can still make a difference in the future of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Over 150 park advocates have registered for the March 20th Park Advocacy Day. In addition to having meetings with our state policymakers the advocates will deliver letters and pictures from park supporters like you.

Please take a few moments now to visit the California State Parks Foundation website and tell the policymakers why it is important to keep Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park open. Then ask your family and friends to upload letters and pictures to the CSPF website.

For more information about Park Advocacy Day contact the CSPF Sacramento office at 916-442-2119 or email Linsey@calparks.org



Stephen Hill, Sr.

Community Resource Fair

The Allensworth Progressive Association is sponsoring a community resource fair at the Allensworth Community Center on Saturday, March 10th. The focus of the fair is healthy nutrition and community agriculture.

Participating organizations include:

• Tulare County Farm Bureau

• Salvation Army

• University of California Cooperative Extension

• Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment

• CSET

• United Way

• Community gardeners from Wasco and Shafter

In addition to information about local resources and programs there will be refreshments and music by the Lange Youth Brass Band.



Stephen Hill, Sr.