Page 6 - Mid Valley Times 1-16-20 E-edition

Thursday, January 16, 2020
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Mid Valley TiMes
SOLENO Continued from page A1
ever since he attended the American Barber College in downtown Los Angeles in 1964. At- ter living in the area for two years, the 1959 Oro- si High graduate moved his wife Ida and family back to the Central Val- ley.
Soleno's first shop was the old Raul's Bar- ber Shop by George's Market on 11th Street. After five years there, he spent another six years at a shop where Rabobank later locat- ed before establishing Golden Edge.
During his years at the shop, Soleno built a client of 165 to 170 cus- tomers, including some women who would re- ceive perm treatment.
"Most of my custom- ers right now have been with me for more than 42 years, starting over at the other shop," he said.
One of those is Reed-
ley resident Nick Pav- lovich, a former city manager. On Jan. 14, Pavlovich came in for one last trim from his favorite barber.
"He's great with per- sonal attention," he said as Soleno gave him a scissors cut. "Most im- portant, he gives you a good haircut."
Many of Soleno's years in barbering in- cludes multi-tasking with politics. He has served on the Reed- ley council represent- ing Area 4 (southwest Reedley) for 34 years, and stints have includ- ed mayor and mayor pro tem. In addition, he has spent 36 years vol- unteering with Little League and Babe Ruth baseball. Currently, he still serves on the Fres- no County Solid Waste Commission.
While he will remain active talking to con- stituents and the public with his council duties, Soleno said there will be
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
Ray Soleno stood stood next to his chair at the Golden Edge Barber Shop on Jan. 10. Soleno retires after 45 years on the job on Friday, Jan. 17.
ing," he said of potential buyers. "The property al- ready is paid for, so I'm not anxious."
Golden Edge also won't immediately close as Soleno's daughter, Windy, is remaining on the site and will do hair- styling until the proper- ty is sold.
Even though he had reduced his days cutting hair from six to as little as three days a week in recent years, Soleno will be heavily occupied with council duties until his term ends in 2022.
"I'm feeling pretty good," he said. "You get up to that ages, if it's not one thoing it's another. I'll have to find some hobbies, and I'll do a lot of babysitting (he has six grandchildren; two ages 7 and 2).
"And maybe some volunteering later on, I'll keep that in mind. It's an important thing, staying active."
TEEN
Continued from page A1
ry, Washington Middle School and is currently a senior at Dinuba High School
“I believe education is important along with standing firm in the roots that you come from,” she wrote. “This small town, known for its agriculture, and familiar faces has taught me many things and shaped me into the aspiring individual that I am today.”
In high school, Gon- zalez is involved with the ACCEPT Club, CSF, Link Crew, FCA, and student council.
“All these clubs and activities were in hopes of helping my student body, teachers and community,” she wrote.
In addition, Gonzalez has worked with other programs that included Big Brothers Big Sisters, preschool care for her church, Living Word Fel- lowship, and Adventist HealthCare Hospital.
“I learned that reach- ing out to others and asking for help plays a major role in your life and where you find yourself in the future. I also became aware that you have to be there for yourself in order to be able to help others.”
Gonzalez has also been involved in Upward Bound, CNA and the Ivy League Project.
“I can wholeheart- edly say that these pro- grams along with the mentors have made the biggest difference in my life. I have done and learned things I would have never imagined, and I even went as far as visiting the East Coast with the goal of remind- ing myself that the pos- sibilities are endless.”
In the portion of the application as to why Karla should be select- ed as Dinuba Teenage Citizen of the Year, Gon- zalez wrote, “I should be selected because It will help provide for my journey that will lead me back to Dinuba to be able to give back and help families who are low-income with first- generation students.”
Gonzalez would like to major in Computer Sci- ence and attend either UC Berkeley, Cal Poly or UC Merced.
a void when he stops cut- ting hair.
"What's going to be missed about giving up this profession is the communication with the public. Conversations and interaction," he said.
Soleno owns the prop- erty and land housing the shop, which once was a hamburger res- taurant and later be- came a Chicken Shack. The site had been closed for three years when he
bought it and established his shop.
There are plans to sell, as Soleno said he has nine parties inter- ested in purchasing the site.
"They like the park-
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