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FEATURESPAGE B1 MADERA TRIBUNE Saturday, January 12, 2013Disney On Ice holds hair-raising eventto benefit Children’s Hospital patientsTami Jo NixGRAVY BY THE SLICEHappybirthday, ElvisTuesday marked the 78thbirthday of Elvis Presley.News reports said fans fromas far away as Japan andBrazil descended on Graceland,Presley’s former homein Memphis, to celebrate thebirth of the “King of Rockand Roll.”Growing up, I liked Elviswell enough but I was more aBeatles and Monkees fan. Myhusband was another story.He and his mother Ann MildredNix were huge Elvisfans. During his career, Elvisperformed in Fresno twiceand my husband and motherin-lawwere in the audienceboth times.I remember exactly where Iwas when I heard the Kinghad died. I had just gotten offwork at Madera Radio Dispatchand stopped by theMadera Valley Inn for a drinkand to visit with the bartenderMalcolm Gatz. On the bar’sjukebox was Elvis’s last single“Moody Blues.”When it started playingsomebody in the bar said, “Ican’t believe Elvis died today!”Without finishing my beverageI left the bar, got on mymotorcycle and rode home asfast as I could. Ann met me inthe yard and said, “I keptwaiting for you to call me.” Itold her I had to come homeand tell her in person becausethat isn’t the kind of news youdeliver on the telephone.Shortly after Elvis died, formermembers of his MemphisMafia wrote a horrible tell-allbook titled “Elvis, What Happened?”Ann had cataractsand could no longer see wellenough to read, so I read thatbook to her. It was awful andwe spent many evenings discussingit. The book talkedextensively about his addictionto prescription drugs andjunk food.On my 50th birthday I visitedmy cousin Lori (Kirk)Woody in Nashville. She andI drove to Memphis in herBMW convertible. Shebought us the “platinum”package, which included thetour of his house, the grounds,his recording studio, and hisairplane, “The Lisa Marie,”named for his only daughter.One of the strictest rules atGraceland is no Elvis impersonators.Since the rumorsthat he faked his death so hecould live a normal life haverun rampant, the estate refusesadmission to anyonedressed as Elvis to avoid confusion.The mansion has been perfectlypreserved from the dayElvis died. It is an example ofmid-1970s excess and inplaces it is downright tacky.The animal print décor in thejungle room has gone in andout of fashion many times inthe last 40 years.Visitors get an opportunityto see gold and platinumrecords, outlandish jumpsuitsand many of the items he usedeveryday. One section of thetour is devoted to many of thecars, motorcycles and othertoys owned by the estate.When Elvis died he left hisentire estate to his daughter,with his father as executor.When Vernon Presley died,Elvis’s ex-wife, Priscilla, becameexecutrix of the estate.SEE ELVIS, PAGE B2By Farin MontanezTHE MADERA TRIBUNEDisney On Icepresents “DareTo Dream,” aproduction featuring thegolden-haired princessRapunzel from Disney’sfilm “Tangled,” is comingto the Central Valleyat the end of the month.In honor of the show, DisneyOn Ice is asking the communityto participate in a hairdonation campaign to benefitIf you go…WHAT: Disney On Icepresents “Dare to Dream”WHEN: Jan. 30 throughFeb. 4WHERE: Selland Arena inFresnoHOW MUCH: Ticketprices vary. Tickets can bepurchased online atwww.Ticketmaster.comor by phone at800-745-3000.Today, Jan. 12March for Jesus and prayer forthe city and county — 10:30a.m., Jan. 12, 700 E. YosemiteAve. to Courthouse Park, GatewayDrive and Yosemite. Forinformation, call 307-9281 or232-3331.Ewaste recycling — Noon to 4p.m. Jan. 12, at Valley Bowl,12829 Highway 145. For information,contact Lori Gardner,999-2883.SundaysSunday morning class — 9 a.m.Sundays at Yosemite ChristianCenter, 1201 E. Yosemite Ave.Class for all ages, entitled “WhoIs The Holy Spirit?” For information,call the center at 673-1731.Second SundayElks breakfast — 7:30-11:30a.m. the second Sunday of themonth at Madera Elks Lodge,112 W. 6th St. Cost is $7 foradults, $4 for children andincludes scrambled eggs oromelet, bacon, sausage, pancakes,hash browns, and biscuitsand gravy. For information,call Irving Del Mercado, 363-5746.Monday, Jan. 14Annual general meeting forMadera Youth Soccer League— 7 to 9 p.m., Jan. 14, atFrank Bergon Center, 7th and Dstreets. For information, visitwww.maderasoccer.com.children suffering from medicallyrelated hair loss.Those who can spare atleast 10 inches of their hair,either braided or in a ponytail,are asked to donate it to thePink Hearts Fund, which willprovide customized humanhair replacements and carekits at no cost to nearly 200children and more than 100adults this year. Many of thechildren receiving hair replacementsare patients ofChildren’s Hospital CentralCalifornia, organizers said.The first 25 hair donors toschedule an appointment atPlanet Hair salon in Fresnowill receive a princess crownwith jewels and an invitationto an exclusive meet and greetwith Rapunzel on openingnight of “Dare to Dream”They also will receive twofree tickets to the show,which will open Jan. 30 at theSelland Arena in Fresno.Stacy Muhly, of Clovis,heard about the hair-raisingevent on Facebook and askedher 6-year-old daughter, Ashlynn,if she would want to cutCOMMUNITY CALENDARMondays andWednesdaysWiffle ball league — 7 p.m. and8:15 p.m. Mondays andWednesdays. Sponsored byMadera South baseball andSouth County Colts travelteam. Twelve teams, five playersper team, with each teamplaying 12 games. Cost is$200 per team. To registeror for information, callJerry Lutz at 273-6229 or emaillutzifer07@hotmail.com.Mondays and FridaysLearn Folklorico dance — 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridaysat the John W. Wells YouthCenter, 701 E. 5th St. Boys andgirls ages 8 through high schoolcan learn Mexican Folkloricodance. For information, callCecilia Rios at 674-4452.Tuesday, Jan. 15Relay For Life committee meeting— 5:30 p.m., Jan. 15; 6:30p.m. team captain’s meeting;Social Services building, rearentrance, 720 E. Yosemite Ave.Anyone who would like to jointhis effort in the fight againstcancer is welcome. For information,contact Charlotte Brewer,283-0704.Discovery Science with DeliaGregorski — 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.,Jan. 15, at Madera CountyLibrary, 5th and G streets. Childrenaged 8-11 can join Gregorskifor a hands-on fun-filledstudy of water. For information,WENDY ALEXANDER/THE MADERA TRIBUNEAshlynn Muhly, 6, holds up the braid she is donating to help hospital patients.her hair to donate to childrenwho had lost theirs.Ashlynn, a first-grade studentat Sierra Vista ElementarySchool in Clovis, agreedcontact the library, 675-7871.Elks Bingo — 5:30 p.m., Jan.15, at the Madera Elks Lodge,112 W. 6th St. Doors open forbingo. Cost is $15 and $10each extra packet. Last game isBlackout. For information, contactHarold Johnson, 706-2739.TuesdaysCelebrate Recovery — 6:30p.m. Tuesdays at Fourth StreetChurch of God, 222 N. N St. ABible-based recovery programto heal from life’s hurts, habitsand hang-ups. For information,call 674-2229.First and thirdTuesdayElks Bingo — doors open at5:30 p.m. the first and thirdTuesday of the month at theMadera Elks Lodge, 112 W. 6thSt. Cost is $15 buy-in, $10each extra packet. Last game isBlackout. For information, callHarold Johnson, 706-2739.WednesdaysCentral Valley Writers’ Workshop— 6:30 p.m. Wednesdaysat the Chowchilla library. Forinformation, call Glenna Jarvisat 665-7381.Friday, Jan. 18Rescue Mission Auxiliary winterluncheon — 11:30 a.m. Friday,Jan. 18, First Christian Church,2300 Sunset Ave. For information,contact Betty Smith, 674-4969.SEE CALENDAR, PAGE B2to have her first-ever haircutfor charity — and the opportunityto meet her favoriteDisney princesses.“I always wanted to cut myhair and this is a good opportunityto help other children,”Ashlynn said at the campaignkick-off Wednesday after-SEE ‘DREAM,’ PAGE B2Taco Bell testing newvalue menu in FresnoBy Candice ChoiTHE ASSOCIATED PRESSNEW YORK (AP) —Taco Bell is testing a newvalue menu that could put itin more direct competitionwith the Dollar Menu at Mc-Donald’s.The Mexican-fast-foodchain is testing a “$1 CravingsMenu” in two marketsthat lists nine items, includingSEE MENU, PAGE B2