Reedley, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Reedley, California

---

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in Fresno County and the state of California


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = California
subdivision_name2 = Fresno
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Ray Soleno
leader_title1 = Mayor Pro Tem
leader_name1 = Steve Rapada
leader_title2 = City Council
leader_name2 = Mary Fast
Anita Betancourt
Scott Brockett
leader_title3 = State Leg.
leader_name3 = Sen. Dave Cogdill (R)
Asm. Juan Arambula (D)
leader_title4 = U. S. Congress
leader_name4 = Devin Nunes (R)
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 11.6
area_total_sq_mi = 4.5
area_land_km2 = 11.4
area_land_sq_mi = 4.4
area_water_km2 = 0.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1
elevation_ft = 348
elevation_m = 106
population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_total = 24,909
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 1789.3
population_density_sq_mi = 4612.4
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
latd = 36 |latm = 35 |lats = 49 |latNS = N
longd = 119 |longm = 26 |longs = 55 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 93654
area_code = 559
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-60242
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1659495
footnotes =
website = http://www.reedley.com

Reedley is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population has grown to be about 25,909. Its chief economic source is agriculture, particularly fruit and vegetable cultivation. The city is dubbed as "The World's Fruit Basket". Reedley holds many festivals year round. The city of Reedley hosts the annual Reedley Fiesta in October, the Reedley Electrical Christmas Parade in December, the Reedley Street Faire in May, the Reedley Certified Farmers Market (Wednesday evening, in the summer), the Reedley Taste of the Town in September, and many other festivities to keep the residents and visitors busy and entertained. Reedley is situated along the Kings River and in the summer, many local residents and visitors drive to Cricket Hollow Park and Reedley Beach.

Geography

According to the123 United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.5 square miles (11.6 km²), of which, 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (1.56%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 20,756 people, 5,761 households, and 4,643 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,700.1 people per square mile (1,813.1/km²). There were 5,972 housing units at an average density of 1,352.3/sq mi (521.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 51.76% White, 1.73% Black or African American, 1.21% Native American, 8.83% Asian, 37.72% from other races, and 4.44% from two or more races. 57.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,761 households out of which 46.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.53 and the average family size was 3.87.

In the city the population was spread out with 32.1% under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 15.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 105.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,682, and the median income for a family was $37,027. Males had a median income of $30,048 versus $25,495 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,096. About 18.5% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.6% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

History

American Civil War hero Thomas Law Reed settled here to provide wheat for Gold Rush miners in the mid 1800s. His donation of land for a railroad station site established the town as the center of the Valley's booming wheat business. Railroad officials commemorated his vision by naming the fledgling City in his honor. When mining fever began to fade, wheat demand slackened. Kings River water was diverted for crop irrigation, and the region began its over 100-year tradition of bountiful field, tree, and vine fruit harvests. With water and railroad services in place, farming families of European immigrants were recruited, and the settlement was incorporated in 1913, with Ordinance No. 1 adopting and prescribing the style of a Common Seal on February 25, 1913. An important element in the early town was a colony of German Mennonites, whose strong traditions and values still shape Reedley's culture. The population today is diverse and multi-cultural and Reedley boasts a current population equal to 20,500. Each of the town's major ethnic groups has shown strong civic leadership, a desire to retain cultural and religious traditions, and the ability to work successfully together for Reedley's betterment. Among the community's 25 churches are Anglican, Catholic, Christian, Armenian, Baptist, Buddhist, Mennonite, and many other congregations. The area's 41 organizations and 12 civic clubs include Filipino community organizations, a Finnish organization, and American Lebanese Women's Club, several Hispanic and Latin American organizations, and a Japanese organization among the many sports, cultural, conservation, charitable, and civic associations. In 1988 Reedley celebrated the first 100 years of its multi-cultural heritage, and the 75th anniversary of incorporation.

Downtown Reedley

Downtown Reedley offers various specialty shops that many visitors and locals enjoy. From dining to shopping, people can view art galleries around downtown and can taste exquisite cuisines from Armenian to Italian and Mexican to Asian. Downtown Reedley houses companies such as highly popularized photography studios like [http://www.shinnphoto.com/ Shinn Photography] , and the [http://www.blossomtrailstudio.com/ Blossom Trail Photo Studio] . Music schools such as the Reedley School of Music, the Reedley Ballet Studio, and the Premier Dance Studio. Cafes and popular hang out spots such as Kelly's Beach Resort, The Pub, Hotel Burgess Cafe, Mainstreet Cafe, Jadoon's, and Coffee & Candy Co. Reedley's downtown is also the home of [http://www.mytrafficmag.com/ Traffic Magazine] and Rollo Latino Magazine, and also Reedley's local newspaper [http://www.reedleyexponent.com/ The Reedley Exponent] Downtown Reedley offers many interesting things for locals and visitors alike. People can dine and be entertained at local bars or even watch a musical at The Reedley Opera House. The Reedley Museum also offers rich facts of history about Reedley and Central California. There are abundant things to do in downtown Reedley.

chools

The city of Reedley boasts many award-winning schools. The Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD) has 20 schools from kindergarten to grade 12 (new K-8 school open in Fall 2008), including alternative education and programs for adults.

KCUSD has two high schools that parents can choose to send their children to: Reedley High School and Orange Cove High School in Orange Cove and (in the fall of 2008) Dunlap High School in Dunlap.

Reedley High School is best-known for its 350 member marching band,"The Big Green Marching Machine". It is unofficially referred to as the largest marching band west of the Mississippi. The school has many co-curricular and extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports, hands-on career experiences, and music programs. The school's mascot is the Pirate. Reedley High School participates in sports as a Division II school in the CIF central section. The sports include:The clubs range from ethnic clubs to hobby clubs. Reedley High school colors are Kelly green and White.

Unlike many surrounding towns, the city of Reedley offers private school opportunities for K-12 students. St. La Salle School is a K-8 private catholic school run by the local diocese. Immanuel Schools (Immanuel Elementary School, Immanuel Jr. High School, Immanuel High School) have a K-6 campus in the historic Windsor School campus south of town, as well as a 7-12 campus in Reedley.

Reedley College is a public community college with 11,878 students (2007). Reedley College focuses mainly on agriculture, animal science, health, child development, automotive, aeronautics, criminology, social science, and liberal arts, but also offers many other areas of emphasis and also contains many diverse clubs and societies. Their mascot is the Tiger. Reedley College won the state football championship in 2002. The college's school colors are white, black and orange.

Opera House

The building that houses the Opera House Theater was built in 1903, after a fire destroyed two blocks of downtown Reedley. The small theater languished, until being restored in 1986. This historic building houses the [http://www.reedleyrivercitytheatre.org/ Reedley's River City Theatre Company] . The City of Reedley acquired the building in 2002 and immediately opened the River City Theatre Company which produces stage plays. They have performed such shows as "Big River, The People VS. Mona, Pump Boys & Dinettes, The Odd Couple, Sunshine Boys, The Nerd, The Music Man," and some local original works written and directed by founder of the company Mark Norwood. Original shows include: "Blossoms Up!, Blossoms Up!: Fiona's Revenge, Babes In Toyland: Barnabe's Story, Best Wishes, and Show Offs"! which is a compilation show which includes songs and skits performed in past and future shows. Outside talent is brought in occasionally. River City Theatre Company produces plays year-round.

Notable Residents

*Charles B. Garrigus (Poet Laureate & State Legislator; former professor at Reedley College and Reedley resident.)
*Kris Holmes (Type Designer and president of Bigelow & Holmes Inc.)
*Lacy Barnes Mileham (Atlanta 1996 Olympics olympian in discus; now teaches psychology majors at Reedley College.)
*Hideo Sasaki (Famous landscape architect born and raised in Reedley.)
*Ed Kezirian (UCLA football coach attended Reedley College.)
*Ernestine Gilbreth Carey (Author of "Cheaper By the Dozen" lived in Reedley.)
*Joel Hoffman (Actor, such films as "Pumpkinhead, Slumber Party Massacre II, Slaughterhouse, and Killer Workout". Appeared on TV's "Highway To Heaven".)
*Paul Hurst (Starred in "Gone With the Wind")
*Vic Lombardi (Major League Baseball player who was the pitcher for the Pirates and Dodgers.)
*Josh Souza (Runner-up of "Big Brother" and graduate of Reedley High School .)
*Rick Besoyan (Singer, actor, playwright, composer, and director of musicals such as Little Mary Sunshine.)
*Robert Lock (Former NBA player who played with the Los Angeles Clippers.)
*Vince Mancini (Writer, comedian, writer of [http://www.filmdrunk.com/ filmdrunk.com] graduated from Reedley High School.)
*Arthur Eugene Livingston (Longtime Professor of Physics at Notre Dame University was born in Reedley.)
*Silas Bartsch (Former administrator and interim president of Fresno Pacific University. Bartsch Hall is named after him and his wife Nadine, lifelong Reedley residents)
*Ricardo Cisneros (First graduate of University of California, Merced to earn a PhD hails from Reedley)
*Tina Sen (Reedley High grad & UCLA alumni, worked on films such as "The Italian Job, Transformers, Transformers 2")

Facts

*Reedley is the first high school boarding school (Academy of the Sierras) in the United States that focuses on helping overweight children while providing them with an education. The academy has earned international fame and has been focused on by CNN, The Today Show, Dateline, USA Today, Dr. Phil, People Magazine, Associated Press, PBS, Extreme Makeover, The Wall Street Journal, and numerous local television shows around the country.

*The city of Reedley is one of the only cities to reject California's first Wal-Mart SuperCenter. Some residents made a petition and when it came to voting day, the city denied a Super Wal-Mart being built in Reedley. More information: Wal-Mart pulled out before the vote was cast.

*Reedley is home to the BMX NBL Nationals Competition. The competition is held near the Reedley Airport.

*Thomas Law Reed, Civil War hero, founded the city of Reedley which is named after him. The city's newest K-8 School is named after the founding father.

*The opening scene for the 1989 film Road House, starring Patrick Swayze, was filmed in downtown Reedley. While filming the movie he stayed at Hotel Burgess.

*Reedley is home to the Reedley House which is a shelter for the Marjaree Mason Center named for Reedley College graduate, Marjaree Mason, who was a victim of domestic violence.

*The Reedley Regenades are a semi-pro football team which is a member of the CVFL and the MLFA.

*Reedley is one of the few cities in America to establish a Copwatch group.

*The University of California's largest research facility,Kearney Research and Extension Center, is situated on the outskirts of the city of Reedley.

References

External links

* [http://www.reedley.com Reedley.com] Official City of Reedley Homepage
* [http://www.amoymagic.com/Reedley/Reedley.htm Welcome to Reedley] California's "Biggest Little Town"
* [http://reedley411.com Reedley411.com] Local Business Resource Directory
* [http://www.myreedley.com MyReedley.com] Information Directory
* [http://helloreedley.com HelloReedley.com] City Directory
* [http://www.thegreatvalley.com/Town/Reedley/ TheGreatValley.com] Reedley: The Great Valley
* [http://www.reedleydowntown.com ReedleyDowntown.com] Reedley Downtown Association
* [http://www.reedley.com/publicworks/publicworks-airport.htm ReedleyAirport.com] Reedley Municipal Airport
* [http://www.kcusd.com KingsCanyonUnified.com] School District Homepage
* [http://www.skdh.org SierraKingsHospital.org] Local Hospital
* [http://www.reedleyexponent.com ReedleyExponent.com] Local Newspaper
* [http://www.mytrafficmag.com ReedleyTrafficMagazine.com] Reedley Magazine
* [http://www.rhs.kcusd.com ReedleyHigh.com] Reedley High School Pirates
* [http://www.reedleycollege.edu ReedleyCollege.edu] Reedley College Tigers
* [http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=RCOBRAS&sport=football&t=c&p=home&s=football ReedleyRenegades.com] Reedley Renegades Football
* [http://www.airtimebmx.com/ ReedleyAirtimeBMX.com] Reedley Airtime BMX
* [http://www.chukajudo.org/dojos/reedley.htm ReedleyJudo.org] Reedley Judo Club