January 1, 2025

A Message from the President

Happy 2025 to all Members, Supporters, and Friends,

What a past few months we have experienced on so many fronts! From unpredictable election results at all levels of government, including a number of nail-biters locally, to the announcement of prison sentences for a couple of folks whose actions did some significant damage to our community, your Fresno City & County Historical Society has been documenting “our history” in ways that will allow current and future generations to have multiple viewpoints to learn from, study, and be able to form their own opinions on the impact of occurrences that took place in the first quarter of the 21st century. 

I truly hope you were able to visit the Kearney Mansion during the holiday season – there are still a few days of tours coming up this weekend. You are encouraged to take the family to visit our Holiday Sweets and Winter Treats-themed displays while you still can. There is no doubt that new memories and traditions were created in the Kearney Mansion Museum, this past month

In writing the first newsletter each year, I have established a bit of a pattern of my own. So, let’s stay with it and take a look back at what was happening across the globe, from an American point of view, on January 1st, one-hundred years ago…

“ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN WORLD BETTER THAN AT ANY TIME SINCE WORLD WAR”

“Secretary Hoover In 1924 Summary Declares Real Advance Made Toward Social Stability Throughout Nation”

“The year 1925 finds the ‘economic structure of the world upon more solid foundations than at any time since the war,’ Secretary Hoover declared in a statement tonight analyzing the business, industrial and financial situation in the United States and abroad. ‘By the showing of recovery in agricultural price levels, recuperation in Germany based on hopes of reparations settlements, the increase of consuming power at home and abroad and statistics showing improvement in international trade and employment of workers,’ the Secretary said, ‘the population of this country and the world in general faces a new year of existence with satisfaction and hope of better material things. With the exception of a few spots of secondary importance,’ the statement said, there has been during the last year a real advance toward social, economic and political stability throughout the world. The only exceptions are Russia and China, which even before the war, contributed less than 3½ per cent of international commerce and, of course, a part of this continues.’”

“STANDARDS HIGHER” 

"Generally, the world is producing more goods, there is fuller employment, there are higher standards of living, more assurance of economic stability for the future and more promise of peace than we have seen for many years. The world is by no means free from liability to economic shock, yet the forces today in motion all tend to great promise for the forthcoming year.      

“In our own country, the outstanding economic development of the year has been the very large recovery of industry. There are secondary difficulties still remaining, but the price of all farm products is gradually moving toward the general average of commodity prices. The average wage in industry has been stable during the last year and remains around 100 per cent above prewar. Our labor, therefore, continued to enjoy the highest real wage in U.S. history.

"While there has been a good deal of adjustment in prices of single commodities during the year, the average wholesale price of all commodities has varied 3 per cent as between the ends of the years 1922, 1923 and 1924. would thus appear that we are tending to the common level in prices of about 50 per cent over prewar, which seems to represent at least our present economic plane in prices.                                              

"The average wage in industry has been stable during the year and remains around 100 per cent above prewar. Our labor, therefore, continues to enjoy the highest real wage in its history.     

“LITTLE SLACKENING”   

“While there was some slackening of manufacturing production as a whole in the spring, due in part to the uncertainties of election and in part to reduction of accumulated stocks, there was but little slackening at any time in consumption of major articles. The end of the year finds us with a recognized industrial production at practically the same level as a year ago.     

"Our foreign trade has shown considerable expansion during the year in exports and some decrease in imports. The total of our exports for the year will show about four billion, six hundred million and our imports about three billion, six hundred million. The merchandise balance will be about one billion dollars in our favor. The net gold imports for the year in partial liquidation of this balance amount to about two hundred and eighty million.        

"Our invisible exchange will show larger balances against us than in 1923 because of the greater volume of tourist travel, increased freight charges paid foreign shipping, and above all, the largely increased volume of loans and investments to foreign lands which will probably amount to as much as one billion against one third of that amount for 1923.    

"International trade in the world as a whole shows a larger movement of commodities during the past year than at any time since before the war.”   

“BETTER UNDERSTANDING”   

"In fact, the most far-reaching movement in our economic life today is the larger understanding of its broad problems, the better appreciation of the factors of stability and the definite progress in the elimination of waste, through more stable employment, through better administrative methods, and through the rapid march of scientific discovery. That we are able to maintain wages at one hundred per cent above pre-war while the cost of living is 72 per cent and the average wholesale price of commodities about 50 per cent above pre-war is the very definite proof of increasing efficiency in production and distribution and of the free flow of competitive action.         

"In the foreign situation, the settlement of the conflict over German reparations through the Dawes plan with its stabilization of German currency and the German budget and the recuperation of employment and production in Germany is having and will have a far-reaching effect upon the whole of Europe and it has favorable influences reaching to our shores.    

"The commercial and industrial situation In France, Italy and Belgium shows steady improvement during the year. Some progress is being attained in these countries towards reduction of expenditure and increased taxation, directed towards the better balancing of budgets and more stable currency.

"Poland has stabilized her currency. Yugoslavia, Finland, Serbia, Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden and Norway show manifest stability in economic and trade conditions and steady progress over preceding years. The Netherlands, Denmark and Spain show some temporary depression during the year due to local conditions which are improving."

If you have the time, read this article and then compare the content to today’s U.S. outlook on the world. First of all, would you actually pick up a newspaper or just click a couple of stories online? The source you select will literally determine the point of view with which you are presented. If you do not already do this regularly, for a New Year’s experiment, make time to source two or three reports from places that are well-known for portraying the opposite views that you generally hold as truth. The lesson is how a variety of individuals can cover or attend the exact same incident or occurrence and, yet, write completely different reports that have you wondering if they are even talking about the same thing!

The news today may or may not be as upbeat as our headline story from 1925 depending upon your ideas – our nation is certainly divided on where the next four years will take us – however, regardless of preferences, if you take part in our mini-experiment for a reality-check on how current (and past) events are now, more than ever, truly in the eye of the beholder. The “truth” of history has taken a major turn, and your Historical Society will continue to gather insights and information from as many sources as possible, so our future generations have a plethora of knowledge to sort through to produce their own, educated opinions of what the world was like on January 1, 2025.

May this year bring you peace, health, and a lot of meaningful adventures, whether they be in our own backyard or, like some of you I know, from the four corners of the Earth.

With warmest regards, 

Elizabeth Laval                                               

President                                                 

Fresno City and County Historical Society 

CHRISTMAS AT KEARNEY CLOSES

JANUARY 5th

Greetings, all! We hope you all had a marvelous and merry holiday season. And get ready, because the new year is here - and we're so excited, you won't believe it!

The Holiday Sweets & Winter Treats themed trees are still up, but only for a few more days. Don't miss your chance to see this enchanting holiday display in all its glory. Hurry and get your tickets now for tours on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th - time is running out!

Take a short, delightful drive to the Kearney Mansion and prepare to be dazzled. These trees will soon be going back into hiding until next year's thrilling, top-secret theme. You'll have to stay tuned to The Grapevine to get the inside scoop on what's in store for Christmas at Kearney 2025! Trust us, you won't want to miss it.

So what are you waiting for? The holiday magic awaits at the Kearney Mansion. We look forward to seeing you here!

SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 28th

FCCHS's 1960's Gala Fundraising Event: MANIA!

On March 28th, let the Fresno City & County Historical Society take you to the 1960s for this year's annual gala fundraising event. Guests will be treated to an experience like no other beginning with dinner and live entertainment at Frank's Place on Fulton Street in Downtown Fresno. You will be greeted with a 60's inspired welcome cocktail before sitting down to a fab meal and some groovy tunes then moving into GREAT SEATS in the Warnors Theatre for a concert with MANIA! The Beatles Experience.  MANIA! takes you on a trip through the 1960s, performing the a note for note portrayal of the Beatles greatest hits as the boys from Liverpool at the height of the British Invasion.

Don't miss your chance to be part of this once in a lifetime event. Secure Your Tickets Today! 

All proceeds from this evening will directly fund the important work of the Fresno City & County Historical Society.

SAVE THE DATE : APRIL 5th

MOONLIGHT MAHJONG

@The Archive on Kern

Join us for an unforgettable evening of food, drinks, and friendly competition at Moonlight Mahjong! This unique fundraising event invites you to learn and play the traditional Hong Kong/Cantonese style of mahjong—just as it was enjoyed by the Chinese immigrants who shaped the Valley’s history, as featured in our From China to Fresno exhibit.

The night begins with a cocktail hour featuring light hors d’oeuvres, followed by an engaging mahjong lesson. You’ll practice your skills in a guided round before diving into a lively tournament with exciting prizes.

Vintage Glam Attire Encouraged!

Dress to impress and add a touch of old-school elegance to this evening affair!

All proceeds and donations will support the relocation of the From China to Fresno exhibit, ensuring its rich history can continue to educate and inspire our community.



Stay tuned for updates on our website at valleyhistory.org and follow us on socials @fresnohistory.

Save the date now and keep an eye out for tickets soon. We hope to see you there!

ARCHIVAL SPOTLIGHT

By Cami Cipolla, Director of Educational Services and Community Engagement

Hello Friends of the Archives!

As we leap into 2025, the Archives are buzzing with excitement and activity! Through the generous support of the Expanded Access to the Arts and Culture Fund, administered by the Fresno Arts Council, the Fresno City & County Historical Society (FCCHS) is embarking on a monumental community oral history project: Sharing Our Heritage.

This ambitious initiative seeks to document the Valley's true history by gathering stories from 40 individuals of all ages, genders, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds. By sharing your family’s history, memories, and experiences, you’ll help shape a fuller understanding of our past and create a resource to better educate future generations.

The project launched in September with planning, budgeting, and workplan creation. We quickly moved into the development phase, where we’re making great strides. As many of you know, the interior of The Archive on Kern is currently under construction. This includes creating exhibit space for the From China to Fresno exhibit, a collaboration with the Chinese American Museum Project of Fresno. We’re also building a state-of-the-art oral history recording studio, an archival research room, and additional spaces to enhance how we preserve and share our community’s stories.

The oral history studio will allow us to film interviews, scan family photos and ephemera, and provide space for listening stations and documentary viewings. Construction is ongoing, but we’re already scheduling community members to record their stories starting in February. There are still spots available! I encourage you to sign up for the pre-screening process and be part of this historic project.

This isn’t FCCHS’s first venture into oral history collection; we have a strong legacy to continue. For decades, our historians have worked to gather a broad range of perspectives to illuminate life in the Valley, documenting how events have shaped people’s realities. The Society’s Archives currently house nearly 300 oral histories, comprising topics such as agriculture, ethnicity, aviation, World War II, and local history. Many include transcripts, and several collections have been digitized through the efforts of the organization’s leaders and collaborations with organizations like California Revealed.

Early efforts began in the 1960s, recording stories of first and second-generation Valley pioneers. In the late 1970s, the Ethnic Oral History Project, funded by CETA, focused on capturing the experiences of Fresno’s African American and Mexican American communities. More recently, we’ve documented stories from pioneering farmers, laborers, and those connected to the Kearney Estate, as well as World War II veterans in Tulare County.

Over the past five years, FCCHS has continued this tradition, incorporating oral histories into projects rooted in cultural heritage. Highlights include:

• The Italian Heritage Project: Led by FCCHS President Elizabeth Laval, this project shares stories of Italian immigration, with exhibits featured at the Fresno County Historical Museum on the Fresno Fairgrounds.
• The Sikh Youth Oral History Project: This unique effort documented not only the stories of community members, but also the students conducting the interviews.
• From China to Fresno Exhibit: This ongoing project highlights Chinese immigration and migration to the Valley.
• Fresno Fire Department Legacy Project: This celebration of the long tradition of the Fresno Fire Department is a collaborative documentary project that will progress over the next several years.
• African American Legacy Drive: We are actively working on grants to help support our educational programming for sharing the vast heritage and history of African Americans in Southwest Fresno. This project began in June of 2024 and will continue through 2026 with many more educational opportunities including lecture series, oral history collection, and much more.

We are actively seeking partnerships with Fresno’s cultural heritage organizations to expand these efforts and explore the diverse stories that make our city unique. Collecting and preserving these voices is central to every project we undertake.

Your Story Matters

One common sentiment we hear is, “My story isn’t interesting.” This couldn’t be further from the truth! Everything we know about history comes from people’s stories. Your memories provide invaluable insights into daily life, societal changes, and the impact of historical events.

A thousand years from now, what people know about Fresno will come from the stories we collect today—your stories. Please consider participating in this incredible project and sharing your family’s journey with us.

For more information or to sign up, contact me at ccipolla@valleyhistory.org or 559.777.4092. You can also register directly HERE.

Cheers to a fantastic 2025, friends!

ROOTS OF THE VALLEY: JANUARY 1, 1925

For our introduction to 2025, we thought it would be entertaining to see what was happening in and around Fresno in 1925. Thanks to Claude C. “Pop” Laval, we are able to enjoy a pictorial history of life one hundred years ago. The following is just a sampling of images he took throughout 1925.

Let’s start with a few unique photos from our very own Kearney Mansion and activities on its grounds. 

First, we have an image of the Kearney Mansion Superintendent’s Quarters, better known today as the Kearney Mansion and Museum. Even after M. Theo Kearney passed away in 1906, work and play were on view daily.

Although the Kearney property was willed to the University of California when Kearney died, a highly active legacy was continued by the Frisselle family. In 1925, the “First Mistress of Kearney Park” was certainly living up to her hard-earned reputation! Dagmar Bradford came to Fresno in 1912 as the seventeen-year-old bride of S. Parker Frisselle. The San Francisco Chronicle described her as an accomplished musician and vocalist and enthusiastic sportswoman who could ride, drive, swim, play polo and was an expert shot. Over the years, the Fresno Republican featured stories and photo layouts of Dagmar’s many and varied parties in Kearney Park, her elegant fashions in poses around Kearney Mansion, her stylish riding attire on the Boulevard, and European sojourns. An accomplished artist, she worked in the attic of Kearney Mansion and a pink stucco studio on F Street, causing a revolutionary change of dress at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco when she decided to don “a stout pair of blue overalls” to facilitate her work as a sculptor. Her only son, S. Parker Jr., was born in the Mansion in 1914. Dagmar also flirted with a film career. On April 16, 1925, the world premiere of “Man and Maid” was held at Fresno’s Kinema Theater with Dagmar Desmond in the role of Countess Odette. She made only one other movie before deciding to “come home because I did not like the eighteen-hour days and was accustomed to a life of luxury.” After the Frisselles divorced in the 1930s, Dagmar moved to northern California. 

Society folk, Mrs. Eugene O. Thompson and J.A. Reiners enthusiastically prepared to participate in a gala event sponsored by the Boot and Spur Riding Club in front of the old English carriage house on the Kearney Estate. Featured activities would include balloon races down Kearney Boulevard and cross-country riding with hounds - December 16, 1925.

Renowned architect and expert horseman, E. J. Kump, compares notes with registered Kentucky stock, Lady Styles, prior to a cross-country jaunt organized by the Boot and Spur Riding Club on the grounds of the M. Theo Kearney Estate - December 16, 1925.

What did Downtown Fresno look like a century ago? Much growth was continuing as many of our most historical buildings were already dotting the skyline.

Bird’s Eye View of Van Ness during the Raisin Day Parade – April 30, 1925.

Construction of the Wilson Theatre continued with the San Joaquin Power building to the left.

A crowd gathered in front of Fresno favorite, Gottschalk’s Department Store for a “Blue Pencil” sale.

Speaking about department stores, look at the nearly completed Radin & Kamp building, prior to its landmark sign being installed. J.C. Penney's later occupied the structure from 1941 to 1986. Like so many other Downtown Fresno classics, Felchlin, Shaw, and Franklin were the architects - July 10, 1925.

A glorious, illuminated shot of the Pacific Southwest building shortly after completion in January 1925.

During the early 1920s, the City’s changing skyline was a symbol of economic prosperity. The Victorian streetscapes were transformed into a vista of modern skyscrapers featuring handsome, simplified architectural design. Among these structures that remain part of Fresno’s architectural heritage today are the San Joaquin Light and Power Building (The Grand), the Pacific Southwest Building (Security Bank), the Hotel California, and the Fresno Bee Building (later, the Fresno Metropolitan Museum and now home to CMAC). This is Broadway, taken from the vantage point of the Hughes Hotel.

Van Ness and Fresno streets - imagine this intersection today!

Members of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce were united in spurring construction and commerce in the 40-year-old community.

Even future president, Herbert Hoover, visited Sun-Maid in 1925 while he served as Secretary of Commerce. 

Our local government transitioned peacefully as newly installed Mayor of Fresno, Alpheus E. Sunderland, accepted the Key to the City from Truman G. Hart, Sunderland’s immediate predecessor. Mayor Al, as he was promptly dubbed, urged citizens to turn away from partisanship in the post-election era and instead each make a personal contribution toward the good of the community. 

A celebration was held marking the first bale of cotton in the San Joaquin Valley to go under the compress. While a crowd of interested people looked on, Mayor Al Sunderland pulled the lever which released the steam setting the machinery of the giant Calwa plant in motion. The machine was slowed down so that spectators could see in detail how it worked. The first bale, trucked to the mouth of the machine was pressed to a third of its original size between the massive jaws of the compress. The bale then took center stage in a parade ending in downtown Fresno.

Naturally, a burgeoning town meant first-responders had to be ready for anything. The fire station at Kern and U streets proudly showed off its latest, modern acquisitions, Stutz Engines 4 and 8.

Here, the Fresno Fire Department’s First Aid Squad practiced rescues.

You could always get service from the Fresno Ice Company by dialing “402” on your telephone – except today, as January 1, 1925, was a holiday for their employees. 

Oh yes, men and their cars - a shiny new Cleveland Sedan.

A fleet of Nash Automobiles on display at Pacific Nash Company.

Options for use in agriculture were becoming more available as horses turned into horsepower – White Truck loading raisin slabs.

The speed limit was increasing, which, unsurprisingly, often led to mishaps like what happened to this poor Overland automobile.

We will close this chapter of Roots of the Valley with this random 1925 photo. If you ever wondered what was inside the dome of our stately, and now demolished, Courthouse, here is the secret answer! The County of Fresno stored records inside there. 



In future The Grapevine newsletters this year, we will take a look at 1925 agriculture, entertainment and activities in the mountains of our region. Happy 2025 to all! 

The Fresno City & County Historical Society is proud to be your partner in bringing History and Social Studies to life for Central Valley students. Our expanded Time Travelers program continues into 2025 to allow even more children the opportunity to learn from this engaging and fun field trip. The remaining event dates are: January 22, February 12, April 9, and May 7, 2025.  

Debbie Unger, our Events and Children’s Services Manager, is looking forward to working with all of our Central Valley educators who are interested in bringing the past to life. It is our desire to support Valley teachers who not only have a hand in planting the love of history in their students, but an appreciation for how the past touches the lives of our kids!  

During these incredibly special, educational events, youngsters will be able to see and experience history in an exciting, hands-on way. Thanks to the vast archive of primary source material collected and preserved by the Fresno City & County Historical Society for the last 105 years, we can support local learning with curriculum and activities that can be taught in the classroom or are available online here. 

Thank you to Kaye Bonner Cummings and Educational Employees Credit Union for helping to make this exceptional program possible.



For more information or to register your class today, please contact Debbie Unger at dunger@valleyhistory.org or reach out by phone at (559) 441-4087. 

MAKING HISTORY EVERY DAY:

‘I am a liar.’ Bitwise founders admit to fraud in Fresno courtroom packed for sentencing

By Robert Rodriguez and Tim Sheehan, December 17, 2024, reprinted from The Fresno Bee

In a packed Fresno courtroom, the disgraced co-founders of Bitwise Industries on Tuesday openly admitted to lying to their employees, investors, families and the community in order to keep a multi-million dollar fraud scheme alive. Jake Soberal and Irma Olguin Jr. — the once-celebrated entrepreneurs behind the Fresno-based technology company — received their sentences before U.S. District Senior Judge John C. Coughenour. Both previously pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud. The judge gave Soberal an 11-year sentence while Olguin received nine years. Coughenour gave Soberal more than Olguin, largely because Soberal is a former attorney who knowingly violated the law.

The judge also ordered restitution of $114.6 million. During Soberal’s comments in front of the judge, a few audience members grumbled when Soberal said he was motivated to lie, in part, because he was driven by the demand to make sure employees got paid. Bitwise collapsed in May 2023, forcing 900 people out of work and triggering a wave of revelations that Soberal and Olguin had created a web of lies to defraud people of more than $115 million. Prosecutors said Soberal and Olguin not only lied, they forged financial documents to show the company was flush with cash when in reality he had just several thousand dollars in the bank. Soberal didn’t deny any of it, vowing to accept his punishment. “I have learned that in times of great stress, I am a liar,” Soberal told the judge. Olguin also admitted she did wrong. “I’m so sorry for taking your money; I’m sorry I betrayed your trust.” She also recognized that her actions had the potential to reflect poorly on Mexican-Americans, the LGBTQ+ community and women in business after being held as a high-profile model for those demographics.

“I pulled you down with me,” she said. “I stand ready to accept just punishment.”

Prosecution challenges comments about Bitwise employees While federal prosecutors praised Soberal and Olguin for their cooperation since the start of the criminal investigation in mid-2023, Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Carbajal III discounted their statements of contrition. The prosecution had asked the judge for 12-year sentences. “It’s easy to have remorse now,” said Carbajal, an apparent reference to the tones used in text messages between Soberal and Olguin in the weeks before the company’s sudden shutdown. In those texts, which were included in court documents, Soberal and Olguin joked about their ongoing solicitations of money from lenders and investors. “The no’s sucked this week, but the yeses were crazy good,” Soberal said of his desperate efforts to round up more cash. “People just raves (sic) about watching us do good work and being for us. Old, white, conservative rich dudes. Raving about our crazy, money-losing, progressive ideas.” Carbajal added that while Soberal and Olguin had compelling stories, he challenged their theory that they were worried about making sure their employees got paid. “If you want to make payroll, why go after the employees’ 401(k) and target them for loans?” Carbajal said.

Bitwise employees, investors became victims of company One of those employees, Kennan Scott, told the judge that he was a former vice president for Bitwise in Oakland, and later became a victim. Soberal convinced Scott to give the company a bridge loan to shore up a real estate deal. “I gave my life savings to Bitwise,” he said in court. “I was left with no income and no savings.” Scott said he’s battled depression worrying about his family’s future and what Bitwise took from him. Investor Jim Maxwell, a prominent San Joaquin Valley farmer, said he and his family are still reeling from being deceived by Soberal. Maxwell was an early supporter of Bitwise and its mission to create more tech opportunities for people in the Valley. Maxwell was among the investors who believed Bitwise was financially stable when the company was far from it. “Everything was a lie,” Maxwell said. Maxwell added that Bitwise didn’t run out of money, it ran out of people to “steal money” from. The fallout from Bitwise’s tragic story will be long-lasting, Maxwell said. He said local investors, such as himself, have become skittish about loaning money to Valley start-up companies. “There is a cloud of mistrust that may take years to get out from under,” Maxwell said.

Jake Soberal, Irma Olguin to begin serving sentences March 18 Roger Bonakdar, a Fresno attorney who represented former Bitwise employees in a class-action lawsuit that resulted in a $20 million settlement over unpaid wages and labor law violations, was also in court to hear the sentencing. He said he believes most of his employees are saddened rather than happy about Soberal and Olguin being ordered to serve prison time. “There is no joy from any of this process,” Bonakdar told The Fresno Bee outside the courtroom. “For most of them, they felt a deep emotional connection to Bitwise. And that enterprise they really believed in wholeheartedly.” “It’s really just a lot of sadness,” he added. “And I think this is going to help them turn the page, or close the book so they don’t have to continue to hear about it. They don’t have to continue to think about it. It doesn’t make them feel any better.” The judge allowed Soberal and Olguin to remain out of custody until March 18, when they will begin serving their sentences. Their lawyers requested that Soberal serve his time in Lompoc and Olguin in Victorville. Soberal is 38 years old and will be 49 if he serves the entirety of the prison sentence. Olguin, 43, will be 51 at the end of her prison term.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY TOWN HALL CORNER

Daytime Speaker Series

JANUARY 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM WILLIAM SAROYAN THEATRE

Jeff Atmajian

Film Orchestrator, Composer and Arranger

“The Magic of Music in Films”



Experience the enchantment of the world of film music. Jeff Atmajian, a native Fresnan, will reveal the secrets of how music transforms the silver screen, captivating audiences and evoking emotions. With acclaimed films like Joker, Hunger Games, and Mary Poppins Returns to his name, and next up, Wicked, Jeff’s expertise shines as he shares his insights on cinematic composition. Witness Jeff’s musical mastery and discover the profound role music plays in shaping our favorite films.

NEW “Twilight Talks” Event

JANUARY 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM MERCEDES EDWARDS THEATRE

Keller Rinaudo Cliffton

Founder and CEO of Zipline

“From Sky to Supply"

Join us for an electrifying exploration of Keller Rinaudo Cliffton’s groundbreaking work in robotics and healthcare. Revolutionizing drone technology, Cliffton’s drones deliver life-saving medical supplies and essential consumer products, reshaping our world. As the mastermind behind Zipline, he now operates the world’s largest commercial autonomous delivery system globally. See Cliffton demonstrate his drones’ incredible capabilities and share secrets of their life-saving missions.