1996_03 Insight March 1966

              MARCH 20,1996
Lifestyle
Wiliker's,
from page 4
day nights as well. Kelly also indicated that he and Fanslcr are
considering adding a wccknight
to the nightclub schedule.
"Saturdays are doing^very well
for us right now. and we~expeet
Fridays to pick up quickly." said
Kelly. "'Dave IFanslcr) anfa 1 are
looking at Thursday as the next
night to add."
The Fresno Police department
returned Wiliker's dance permit
after the Northeast Problem Policing Unit classified Wiliker's as
a "riotous environment" and cancelled the permit.
The unit cited over 500 police-
assistance calls originating from
Wiliker's over the last five years
as reason for their action.
The permit was restored after
the restaurant agreed to adhere to
several conditions put forth by the
police unit, including hiring a
state-registered security company
and improving thc lighting in the
parking area.
Kelly feared lhat another liquor
license suspension would have a
devastating effect on business far
after the suspension is over.
"We saw after the last suspension a loss of business for
months," Kelly said. "We lost our
customers to competitors, our
reputation in the area and tens-
of-thousands of dollars."
Jennifer Cohn, a liberal studies major who recendy turned 21.
has stayed away from Wiliker's
because of what she's read in the
papers.
"I've read so many bad things
about it. I'm afraid to go there."
Cohn said.
Wiliker's employees said thc
effect of the last liquor license
suspension was fell in the restaurant as well.
"The place was like a ghost
town," said Judy Koontz. a waitress at Wiliker's.
"You could have danced naked
on a table and no one would have
seen."
Residents flying the neighborly skies
by Kristen Gentry
Staff writer
When Phil and Su/an Gilchrisi fly
to Monterey, they don't worry about
hassles at ihe Fresno Air Terminal.
They back their 1967 Piper Cherokee out of Ihe driveway, taxi a half a
block to Ihe Sierra Skypark runway,
rev up and lake off.
This is an advantage enjoyed by
people who live in America's first fly-
Sierra Skypark is located on
Herndon Avenue between Brawley
and Hl>Ihe avenues.
Within the last year, some positive
changes have taken place.
A few buildings were torn down,
ihe runway was repaved and a parking lot was buili for non-residents.
Skypark. America's first, s
was placed facing Hernd<
At nighl. the twinkle
lights lhat run along the «
Prior to ihe changes, the mini airport looked deserted.
The runway was cracked and overgrown with weeds. Remnants of KHn-
down buildings remained. Many of
the runway lights were burned out.
Onlookers thought the skypark was
closed.
The skypark is not a private opera-
lion; it is open to ihe public.
Residents have an opiion lo pay a
voluntary fee of $300 a year for use
of the skypark. Non-residents aren't
charged a fee lo use the runways, bul
Ihey have an opiion to pav $35 per
month lo store their planes. The
money is used for upkeep and main-
ce 19-
ides
i the
At Ii
t 5() resident
i the
.•skk
of them retired. Almost
it is a pilot and plane
The Gilchrisis moved to Sierra
Skypark in December 1995.
In iheir 30s. ihey are the youngest
couple living there. They were planning on mov ing from their Woodward
park home when thev saw ihe house
in the skypark for sale.
Gilchrist owned a plane, so the
Making travel convenient, Phil Gilchrist keeps his airplane at his house for use at a nearby airstrip.
thought of walking out his frontdoor "After flying, Phil is much happier six-sealers  price  runs close  to
lo the runway was enticing. The house and more relaxed." said Su/an $45.00(1. used,
was in iheir price range, and they were Gilchrist. "'Many policemen get an The cost for Phil Gilchrist to fly his
ready to buy. adrenaline rush after working all day: four-seater, fixed-gear airplane is
"I remember w hen we first moved flying is a way lhat he can rid the ex- roughly S400 a month. This includes
here. We were siuing in our from traadrenaline." insurance, gas. maintenance and fi-
room looking out the window to our In his spare time, Phil Gilchrisi is nancing.
driveway   We could see our plane involved in the Sheriffs Air Squadron He and his wife IK  whenever
parked in the driveway. We started to and Air Lifeline. He uses his own air- money and weather permit.
laugh."' Phil Gilchrisi said. plane to do the voluntary work. The Because they each have full-time
Although his wife doesn't fly. she Sheriffs Air Squadron performs jobs, finding the time to 11) together
loves io go along. She says thai sit- search-and rescue-tasks. Air Lifeline is sometimes difficult
ting in the passenger "s seal is noi the transports cancer patients, and others. They have flown toCatalinaIsland,
same as doing the flying because to treatment centers. Pismo Beach. Las Vegas. Reno. ICfam-
you're not in control of the plane. Scon McFchhern. a Federal Avia- moth—and their favorite. Monterey.
Phil Gilchrist works as a police of- lion Administration (FAA) licensed. Their plane has taken them as tar as
ficer and said thai living relieves flying instructor, said the cost of an Idaho and Colorado,
stress and gives him something lo airplane varies. Getting a pilot's license is expen-
look forward lo. Il allows him lo Used two-seater airplanes are ap> sive and requires hours of training.
•leave this world and look down at proximately $17,000. used four-seat- The cost of training is $3,500. The
the problems." ers cost an estimated S25.OO0 and the price for the packet of materials   is
Insight photo by Apolinar Fonseca
$125.
The FAA requirements to obtain a
license demand 20 hours of class time
and 40 hours of flying time. Other
requirements include a medical examination for pilots every two years
ind an annual inspection for safety.
The inspect
of
$K0O. depending on ihe type of airplane.
The Gilchrists said that living at
ihe sky park has changed iheir lives.
Thev can go almost an> where they
choose and everything seems closer
now Sometimes they take day trips
and sometimes week-long vaca-
The advantage, along w ith the convenience, allows them to spontaneously hop in their plane and fly to almost anv destination.
^t <KtCC0 s
Italian Restaurant - Pizzeria
\JJLm with purchase
itcher . **
of beer for LAKu t
or
Giant
pizza.
Your Host:
Carlo Di Oicco
526 7 A/. Blackstone Ave
(209) 447-9058
Northgate Shopping Center