Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 6-23-22 E-Edition

Thursday, June 23, 2022
Dutch Bros coffee comes to Dinuba By Juanita Adame
The View From Here
It was back in 2006 when I worked part time at Valley Toyota in
Sanger. The
dealership
is no longer at their Acad- emy location having since moved to Hanford.
But back then it was a major dealership in Sanger and also a place where I worked for nearly 3 years.
I had been working a number of jobs while try- ing to “find myself.” I had worked there before re- turning to school in 2007 to finish my degree in journalism.
While at the dealer- ship I worked as a recep- tionist. My shift started at 8:30 a.m. I would arrive at work and by 9 a.m. it was time for our daily break- fast burrito.
Each morning, my co- worker Kat and I would order breakfast from a little place down the street called Velasco’s Mexican Restaurant.
It was always the same order, and we would split it. A breakfast burrito. Eggs, potatoes, bacon, sour cream and salsa.
And when I say this was one of the best tast- ing breakfast burrito's I've had, I mean it was one of the best.
So when I heard that Velasco's had caught fire on the morning of June 21, I wasted no time in rush- ing to the scene to take photos and interview the owner.
Matt Velasco was vis- ibly and understandably upset by the fire that de- stroyed nearly 30 percent of the restaurant.
He told me that they've been in Sanger for about 20 years. Matt also men- tioned to me that the fire crews who worked tire- lessly to put the fire un- der control are some of his regular customers.
The Velasco family is a great asset to the com- munity of Sanger.
Matt told me he was so surprised by the response to the news of the fire.
The support he was given by residents, the fire crews and even peo- ple outside the community was something he was not expecting.
Velasco's will be closed while they rebuild part of their restaurant. Matt said it will be a long journey but here's to a bigger and better comeback for the Velasco's Mexican Res- taurant.
Mid Valley Times
The line of cars at the new Dutch Bros coffee shop on Alta Avenue and El Monte Avenue extended all the way through the parking lot and halfway in- to the residential neighborhood located behind the coffee shop.
“Dutch Bros has been open a few months now,” said Taylor Jones, a barista at the Dinuba location. “Non stop lines ever since.”
The new location opened in April 2022.
The new coffee shop was briefly mentioned in the 2021- 2022 Adoption Budget presen- tation. The budget presentation read in part;
“Despite the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the city has continued to see new housing and commercial devel- opment, with two new health clinics opening for business in 2020 and a new Oaxacan-style ice shop and a Dutch Bros Cof- fee Shop which is slated to be- gin construction this summer.”
“I think what Dutch Bros brings to the community of Dinuba is smiles and care be- cause each one of the baristas here care for their custom- ers and we treat them like if we’ve known them forever,” said Jones.
'We make sure that their drinks are made to the T and we make sure that their days are going good if they’re hav- ing a bad day we try to cheer them up,”
Juanita Adame
Juanita Adame/ Mid Valley Times
Taylor Jones helped a customer on the morning of June. 16 at the Dutch Bros in Dinuba.
One of those customers was Dinuba native, Carlos Rodri- guez.
Rodriguez said he visits Dutch Bros every day.
“Yes, I am glad they are here, it gives us a different op- tion,” he said while he waited in the drive-thru.
“I probably come here once a day, almost every day, my fa- vorite drink is the sugar free Rebels.”
The Dinuba location is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fri- day and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
The new Dutch Bros location is at the corner of Alta Avenue and El Monte Avenue in Dinuba.
Photo of the Week
This photo of Kaji Plata with his signed Lauren Alaina shirt was sentinbyHeatherMiyakawa. KajiisthegrandsonofJim&Cheryl Miyakawa and Lionel & Sylvia Plata. Have a photo you'd like fea- tured? Email juanita@midvalleypublishing.com.
Dinuba's Summer Fun program now accepting applications
Sanger High alumni completes CHP academy
Contributed
A Sanger High School graduate was one of 128 new officers to completed the California Highway Patrol Academy and participate in the graduation ceremony on June 10.
Isaiah Townsend will be assigned to work at the CHP’s West Los Angeles Area office.
He graduated from Sanger High School in 2015 and continued his education at California State University, Fresno where he earned a AS Degree in Criminology.
According to information released from the California Highway Patrol, Townsend worked at the Wells Fargo Bank in Reedley prior to at- tending the academy.
“At the CHP Academy, cadet training starts with no- bility in policing, leadership, professionalism and ethics, and cultural diversity,” the CHP stated. “Cadets receive instruction on mental illness response and crisis interven- tion techniques. The training covers vehicle patrol, crash investigation, first aid, and the apprehension of suspect- ed violators, including driv- ers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
The California Highway
Officer Isaiah Townsend
Patrol’s (CHP) 128 newest officers graduated from the CHP Academy in West Sacra- mento today after completing 27 weeks of training.
Cadets crossed the stage to receive their badge and as- signment at one of the CHP’s 103 Area offices through- out the state, as family and friends packed the gymna- sium in support of the new officers.
“Completing Academy training is a tremendous achievement,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “These women and men are not just starting a new job, they are embarking on a lifelong career that requires extreme dedication and a pas- sion for service.
Contributed
Contributed
Dinuba’s Summer Fun Program is currently taking place through July 29.
The program will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, cost will be $30 per month and is
open to students in grades 1st through 8th.
Registration require- ment, parents or guardians will need to provide a cur- rent photo of the child.
For details contact (559) 591-5940.