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June 2014

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JUNE

2014 VOL 9 • NUMBER 10

Business Journal Central Valley

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StOCKtOn • traCy • lODI • ManteCa • latHrOP • lInDen • rIPOn

MODeStO • CereS • tUrlOCK • OaKDale • rIVerBanK

Stockton leads nation in home price increases Medical Miracles Doctors Medical Center in Modesto handles extreme pre-mature cases.

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Floral Fantasy Twigs & Stems specializes in industrial chic’ design.

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ELIZABETH STEVENS/CVBJ

San Joaquin Partnership CEO Mike Ammann (far right) sells insurance business owner Zain Jeewanjee (far left) on opening an office in Stockton as airport director Harry Mavrogenes and Stockton City Councilman Moses Zapien look on.

BUILDING THE BRAND Greater Silicon Valley chalks up first big win with Tesla deal

By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor

Fun & Games Local cities depend on sports to bring in tourists.

Page 38

WHAT’S INSIDE Publisher’s Notes............Page 2 Insight and Analysis......Page 38 Briefs.....................Pages 44, 45 Legals....................Pages 46, 47

STOCKTON — It’s the first day of the TiECon conference on tech entrepreneurship and innovation in Silicon Valley. The San Joaquin Partnership has a booth at the trade show. Its CEO Michael Ammann has someone on his hook, and he’s not above name dropping to reel him in.

“Amazon? Tesla? You’ve heard of the Google barge?

They’re all in San Joaquin County,” Ammann said.

The businessman, Zain Jeewanjee, who has insurance offices in San Jose, seems impressed. He’s interested in expanding and would like to move to Stockton. Ammann

even has a site in mind -- the new incubator space Cafe Coop in downtown Stockton.

“I just think we have a story to tell. We can use Amazon. We can use the Google barge. We can use Tesla,” Ammann said, back in his office in Stockton.

He added it’s not a hard sell in Silicon Valley. “We don’t get a lot of pushback from people.

I don’t think you saw anyone walk up to the booth and say, ‘Greater Silicon Valley? What is that? You’re all wrong. What are you doing? You can’t do that.’”

In addition to Ammann, Chief Deputy County Administrator and new Airport Director Harry Mavrogenes, Stockton City Councilman Moses Zapien and Development Services Director at City

of Tracy, Andrew Malik attended TiEcon to support the Greater Silicon Valley message: that San Joaquin County offers space to expand for logistics and manufacturing, a deep-water port, affordable housing, attractive financing opportunities and a skilled labor force -- many of whom already work in the Bay Area.

The Greater Silicon Valley brand took its first big step last summer when it opened an office in Santa Clara. It launched publicly last June when the Partnership published a 16page supplement to the Silicon Valley Business Journal complete with advertisements from developers, touting the available space, family atmosphere, great recreational opportunities and beautiful vineyards in San Joaquin County.

Ammann makes weekly trips to Santa Clara, often accompanied by Mavrogenes, to make the face-to-face pitch that San

Please see SILICON Page 10

SAN JOSE — Stockton topped the nation in year over year home price increases, according to the April 2014 National Housing Trend Report released by realtor.com, operated by Move, Inc. Home prices in the StocktonLodi market rose 41.8 percent in April, compared to April 2013, the report said. Reno saw the next highest increases with 25.1 percent.

The median listing price in the Stockton market was $269,250 in April. Total listings were down 3.8 percent compared to April 2013.

Sacramento was the only other Northern California city in the list’s top 10 with a year over year price increase of 19.7 percent.

Nationwide, the report revealed a healthier real estate marketplace than a year ago and strong seller confidence.

While last April’s list price gains were driven largely by dramatic shortages in forsale inventory, April 2014 data shows sustained moderate home price gains in tandem with increasing inventories.

The increase in inventory and asking price suggests sellers are much more optimistic than a year ago, likely the result of a strengthening national economy, Realtor.com said.

Across the nation, however, rising home prices and doubledigit inventory mean housing markets are becoming more balanced.

“Home prices and inventories are more in balance in most markets – a sign of improving housing health and optimism across much of the country,” said Steve Berkowitz, Move’s chief executive officer.

“As sellers gain confidence, we also are watching spring sales data closely to gauge whether buying activity will be in line with these early indicators.”

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June 2014

Memorial Day, a time to remember As time passes though the hour glass of life, I’m reminded of many happy memories shared with my dad, Raymond Benson.

He is my hero.

This Memorial Day, I had the pleasure of making more memories with him and my submarine sailor son, Blake.

Soon my dad will turn 88 years old.

Blake has five more years of duty and leave Sharon Alley time will be Calone & Dad scarce, so for my dad, missing a chance to see Blake this month was not an option. Grandpa mustered up the strength to travel more than 2,000 miles from Michigan to join Blake here in Stockton -- quite an undertaking considering his health.

A special thanks to my stepmother Shirley for accompanying my father to California. Your patience with us is very much appreciated.

As we exited the airport in San Francisco on arrival day, my husband Rich decided we should visit the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, one of two remain-

Publisher’s Notes

ing fully functional Liberty ships of the 2,710 built and launched during World War II. It’s moored at Pier 45 near Fisherman’s Wharf, right next to the USS Pampanito SS-383, a World War II Balao-class fleet submarine. This historic sub went out on six patrols in the Pacific during the war. During those tours, it sank six Japanese ships and damaged four others. Hmm, Grandpa, a topside sailor and Blake a sub sailor?

Should be interesting.

Needless to say, we were all overcome with emotion. It was déjà vu for my dad. In the blink of an eye he was back on the bow of his Liberty ship, the Cushing Eells in 1943, where he served as a gunners mate until 1946.

We listened to my dad’s stories of days spent in the Navy and the many ports he landed in during his service to our great country. Australia was by far his favorite port. I wasn’t aware of that!

My son Blake was beaming as Grandpa shared stories from his days at sea. What a heartfelt weekend.

As generations pass, the one common denominator in our family is love -- love of family, love of country, love for each other. I’m blessed!

A greater gift could not be given. I was honored to be allowed to witness the bonding of my father and son, woven together by the United States Navy. If I live to be 100, everything from here shall pale in comparison to

this most precious time I’ve spent with my entire family over the past eight days. The time spent at our cabin with my sons, brother, sister, niece and extended family was priceless.

This is Grandpa’s last visit to our home in California, but the memories will continue on in our hearts and photo albums, forever. I’m blessed to have all of you in my life. You are the wind beneath my wings!

God bless America!

Happy Father’s Day, Sharon Blake Alley with grandpa (Raymond Benson) May 21 remeniscing in front of the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, at Fisherman’s Wharf, SF. Celebrating Memorial Day with family at our cabin in the mountains.

PHOTOS COURTESY SHARON CALONE

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Hotel room sales return to pre-recession levels

By SONYA HERRERA Business Journal writer The summer season has arrived, and local hotels and motels are clamoring to accommodate travelers and their families. Many have renovated their lobbies and rooms to appear more “vibrant”; others have updated their policies and packages to attract guests with special needs and desires.

These businesses, especially those in Stockton and Modesto, will do whatever it takes to reach their prerecession sales levels. So whether staying in San Joaquin County or Stanislaus County this summer, one is sure to find a hotel whose amenities suit both the wishlist and the wallet.

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY The hospitality industry in San Joaquin County is celebrating an economic rebound. As of 2013, the county’s taxable room sales have finally surpassed those of its 2008 high, according to data from Dean Runyan and Associates, a market research company that specializes in travel and tourism data.

Long serving as a rest stop for tourists driving from northern to southern California, San Joaquin County is accustomed to serving visitors.

Tracy’s Hampton Inn, with its 24hour fitness center, is one of the top choices for health-conscious travelers

crossing between the Bay and the Valley. In case the hotel’s facilities don’t meet one’s expectations, the hotel also offers free admission passes to nearby In-Shape health centers.

Live entertainment and sports events are expected to attract thousands of tourists to the county this summer, many of which are scheduled to occur in Stockton at venues like the Bob Hope Theatre and the Stockton Arena.

Stockton’s room sales have yet to recover fully from the recession, still a few million dollars under their $28.6 million high in 2008. However, Wes Rhea of Visit Stockton expects the city’s tourism industry to continue to climb. With its many fishing and sports facilities, Stockton will continue to attract big sporting events, such as the U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships that will be held at the Stockton Arena in July.

Located next door to the Arena is the University Plaza Hotel, which among numerous other amenities, offers BeeKind eco-friendly bath products to its guests. The hotel also offers appetizers and drink specials prior to every Stockton Thunder ice hockey game.

Stockton’s Residence Inn Marriott is also preparing for summer visitors. While undergoing renovations, the hotel has also made changes to

San Joaquin & Stanislaus Counties - Taxable Room Sales 2007 - 2013

CHART COURTESY DEAN RUNYAN AND ASSOCIATES

some of its services, including its pet fee, which has been reduced to $25.

In addition, guests’ pets are greeted with complimentary goodie bags upon arrival. The Inn also hosts “evening socials” for two hours Monday through Thursday, with complimentary beverages (including beer and wine) and light appetizers.

STANISLAUS COUNTY Stanislaus County, like its northern neighbor, has seen its 2013 taxable hotel and motel room sales exceed those

of its pre-recession high, which peaked at $44.7 in 2007. And like San Joaquin County, this landmark sales achievement is not mirrored in its largest city. Modesto’s hotels and motels are short of their 2007 high of $24.9 million.

But the city is sure to be popping this summer. With endless events lined up for the season, such as comedian Carlos Mencia’s show at the Please see HOTELS Page 11

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June 2014

Forecast provides good news about Valley jobs TURLOCK — Employment is improving in the San Joaquin Valley and is expected to exceed pre-recession levels by 2016, according to a report by Gökçe Soydemir, the Foster Farms Endowed Professor of Business Economics at California State University, Stanislaus.

In fact, Soydemir said employment reached an all-time high in the third quarter of 2013 with 1,613,166 people holding jobs.

That piece of bright news was highlighted in Soydemir’s midyear update to his annual Business Forecast Report, which looks at economic trends in the eight major Metropolitan Statistical Areas of the San Joaquin Valley: Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Madera-Chowchilla, Fresno, VisaliaPorterville, Hanford-Corcoran and

Bakersfield-Delano.

According to Soydemir, job numbers for all the counties in the Valley grew above 1.2 percent per year, but the fastest-growing counties were Merced and Madera.

Construction employment posted the highest growth numSoydemir bers in 2013, followed by wholesale trade employment.

While employment in the Valley has grown, the same cannot be said for wages, Soydemir’s team found. After posting increases of 2.02 and 1.55 per-

cent in 2011 and 2012, respectively, average weekly wages in the Valley dropped by 0.04 percent in 2013. Projections for the next two years point to small increases of about 0.15 percent per year.

Here are highlights from the report: Home values up Home values continue to climb sharply, increasing by more than 18 percent in 2013, the forecast said.

While significant increases are expected to continue — with a projection of 20 percent annually through the first half of 2016 — they are likely to settle into a steadier rate of growth in the years to follow. Housing permits also grew significantly in 2013, and foreclosures dropped to pre-recession levels and are projected to remain low.

Bank deposits grow steadily Bank deposits continued to grow at rate of 4.64 percent in 2013, similar to the growth rates of 2011 and 2012. While still below the 10-year benchmark rate of 7 percent, the 2013 growth was significant enough to extend loans and leases to finance continuing economic recovery in the Valley, according to the forecast.

Drought’s impact Incoming numbers as of the first quarter of 2014 have not reflected the impact of drought to a significant degree. However, the impact is already being felt in higher meat and dairy prices at the grocery store. With conditions already bad, another year of drought may derail farm-related business indicators, Soydemir said.

By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor

plant that will start construction soon and the U.S. Cold Storage expansion, Pitt said it shows the Mayor’s Economic Development Task Force’s goal of becoming the “Silicon Valley of Food Processing” is building momentum.

“It’s kind of like playing air traffic controller,” Pitt said of handling all the inquiries and permit applications.

“We have something to build on. It’s not pie in the sky.”

Pitt said that while Patterson has set its sights on logistics companies, Turlock is more interested in food processing and its supporting tech fields.

“We’re not interested in ware-

house jobs that take thousands of square feet and have 100 jobs,” Pitt said. “We want want the chemists and the software engineers.”

The city has set the table by providing water and sewer services using redevelopment money in the past, Pitt said. Now it is replicating the process by applying for a $3 million federal economic development grant to extend those services from West Main Street to Washington Road, and Linwood Avenue to Tegner Road.

Turlock is already home to Foster Farms plants, Blue Diamond Almonds and Kozy Shack. The new companies add to what Pitt calls an “industry

cluster.” Next, the city wants to attract software developers who could support inventory management, for example.

In the meantime, the new industrial businesses as well as new retail outlets such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and JoAnn Fabrics at Monte Vista Crossroads, have spurred new housing. Two new housing developments are under construction.

“They’re brand new, not just unfinished developments from the last boom and bust,” Pitt said. She added it was the first new construction the city’s seen since 2007.

“Our economy has recovered,” Pitt said.

Turlock builds momentum as food processing center TURLOCK — Turlock is well on its way to becoming a food processing center as two new businesses have started the process of building facilities in the city’s Regional Industrial Park.

According to Assistant to the City Manager for Housing and Economic Development Maryn Pitt, two milk powder processing companies have applied for permits to build at the park. She said it was too early in the process to name the companies.

When you add the Hilmar Cheese

Oak Valley Community Bank announces branch in Tracy OAKDALE — Oak Valley Community Bank is opening a new branch in Tracy, the company announced.

The new branch office will be located at 1034 North Central Ave., on the corner of Central and 11th Street. The branch is expected to open by August and will be the 15th location for Bank.

Oak Valley officials said the branch will be led by two wellknown local bankers. Vice President Mike Petrucelli is a com-

mercial loan officer and a longtime Tracy resident.

John Capri will join the bank as vice president and branch manager for the Tracy locaCapri tion. He will also manage business development.

Capri has 30 years of banking experience, including the past 12 as a branch manager in Tracy.

“True to our roots, we have hired two experienced professionals with strong ties to the community to guide this expansion,” President and CEO Chris Courtney said in a press release. “Mr. Petrucelli and Mr. Capri have built solid reputations for themselves with their respective customers and the business community, which fits perfectly

with our strategy of finding the right people and building a branch around them.”

Oak Valley’s Tracy branch will offer a full line of personal and commercial banking services, a traditional walk-up ATM, night deposit service, and safe deposit box availability.

The branch will initially be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday with the possibility of adding Saturday hours at a later date.

June 2014

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June 2014

Fair is coming in July, but not San Joaquin County Fair STOCKTON — In July, an event that looks like the fair and feels like fair, but won’t be the actual San Joaquin County fair will take place at the fairgrounds.

“This isn’t an event the Fair is putting on,” said San Joaquin County Fair CEO Kelly Olds.

The San Joaquin County Fair is still on hiatus until 2015.

The event at the fairgrounds from July 2-6 is called the San Joaquin County Family Fair. Michael Allen, of Next Level Concert Group is organizing the event.

The Family Fair will feature five days of music ranging from country to hip hop. There will also be rides, concessions and a fireworks show on the 4th of July.

Olds has helped Allen by providing contact information for vendors, but the Fair is not organizing the event.

The fairgrounds will receive a daily rental, revenue from parking, half the registration fee for commercial exhibits and half the commision on food and beverages.

Early publicity about the event that implied the fair board had changed its mind about canceling this year’s fair has confused a lot of people, including board members, Olds said.

“It’s kind of unfortunate, in a way, that he named it the way he did,” said

Olds. “Some of my board members were confused, too.”

Olds said he’s amazed at how fast Allen was able to pull together the event. After receiving a call from former Stockton Council member Ralph White, earlier this month, Allen got to work organizing a fireworks show and booking the bands and food concessions. Allen has invested about $300,000 in the effort so far, Olds said.

Allen said organizing a fair is like putting on any other event.

“It’s putting the pieces together …

It’s all about planning,” Allen said, adding that nowadays information is easy to find. “The Internet’s your friend.”

Once the event actually starts, a production manager makes sure everything runs smoothly. About half a dozen employees will be onsite, Allen said.

Allen has a lot of experience putting on entertainment events. He wasn’t concerned about the economy or Stockton’s reputation for crime. He said his top priorities were entertainment and security.

“I know the (police sergeant) said Stockton has a gang problem, but they have that everywhere. Our number one plan is to have good security,” Allen said. “I’ve been in some badder cities than Stockton, that’s for sure.”

“It’s quite a feat,” Olds said. “If he pulls this off, I will take my hat off to him.”

California wine shipments up 3 percent last year California wineries shipped 215 million cases throughout the United States in 2013. That’s an increase of 3 percent from 2012, according to the Wine Institute.

The value of those shipments had an estimated value of $23.1 billion, up by 5 percent over 2012.

“With two record winegrape harvests in 2012 and 2013, California wineries were able to meet consumer demand, and these recent vintages are receiving high praise worldwide,” said Wine Institute President and CEO Robert P. (Bobby) Koch.

California wine sales to all markets, both domestic and international, increased 3 percent by volume to 258 million cases in 2013.

“In 2013, wineries gradually released the highly acclaimed wines from the large 2012 California harvest, offsetting the slowdown in American wine market growth due to short vintages in 2010 and 2011 and continuing soft economic conditions,” said wine industry consultant Jon Fredrikson of Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates in Woodside. “In response to these market factors, California wineries focused on sales of premium table wines priced at $10 and above, which

increased by 9 percent in volume and made up nearly half of winery revenues.”

Fredrikson said competition in the entire alcohol market has increased. Over the past five years the number of alcohol production permits increased by 4,100, up 47 percent, not only for new wineries, but for craft breweries, distilleries and cider producers, expanding the product mix offerings.

The U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau approved nearly 99,000 wine label registrations, the majority of these from foreign producers, which made for crowded trade channels and increased competition for consumer attention and shelf space.

As for most popular wine types, Nielson Company says Chardonnay (20 percent share), Cabernet Sauvignon (13 percent), Merlot (9 percent), Red Blends/Sweet Reds (9 percent) and Pinot Grigio (9 percent), followed by Moscato (6 percent), White Zinfandel (5 percent), Pinot Noir (4 percent), and Sauvignon Blanc (4 percent). Moscato, Malbec and Red blends experienced double digit growth, while after that, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir exhibited the next strongest upward trends.

June 2014

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ELIZABETH STEVENS/CVBJ

Mayor Anthony Silva delivered an upbeat message to Stockton’s business and community leaders at the Port of Stockton.

Mayor tells business crowd Stockton’s ‘stock is rising’

By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor STOCKTON — After years of watching the city of Stockton fight financial problems and bankruptcy, the business community got to see a pumped-up Stockton mayor take the stage at the 16th annual State of the City luncheon May 22 and tell them in language they would recognize that “our stock is rising.”

The address, delivered to a group of several hundred business and community leaders at a warehouse at the Port of Stockton, was presented by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Anthony Silva, who has sometimes been criticized for not being a team player, shared the job of announcing Stockton’s recovery with the city’s police chief, city manager and Council members. First he told the audience that Stockton is a good investment and urged them to get in on the ground floor.

“In the coming weeks we will adopt a budget, end the bankruptcy trial, and take the next steps toward implementing the Marshall Plan on Crime and make public announcements about economic development, deals currently in the works,” Silva said.

“It was good to hear the mayor in the State of the City message, that it’s starting to sound like the comeback message,” said San Joaquin Partnership President and CEO Mike Ammann. “In my view, the city itself, the public entity should have separated itself from the rest of us by saying ‘we’re bankrupt, but our city isn’t.’

Because they didn’t separate themselves, it’s sort of frozen everything.”

City Manager Kurt Wilson then explained to business leaders where the

city is in the bankruptcy process. Using a PowerPoint presentation, he explained Stockton’s financial problems occurred largely because of previous leaders’ failure to say ‘no’ and having goals that were overly aggressive.

Wilson detailed the drastic cuts the city has undergone, particularly in personnel that reduced the general fund’s debt by 90 percent and resulted in a $1 billion reduction in long term liabilities.

Wilson cautioned Stocktonians need to be patient and prudent during the recovery and after.

“Our recovery’s going to be slow and require a lot of discipline,” Wilson said.

Police Chief Eric Jones then discussed his department’s efforts to reduce the city’s high crime rate. He said, in 2013, shootings were down by 40 percent and homicides had gone down by half.

“We must continue to focus on violence while we also rebuild the police department with Measure A funding,” Jones said and explained that the public safety portion of Measure A funds would pay for rebuilding police staff, creating a neighborhood blitz team that would focus on blight, and creating office of violence prevention.

Silva also presented a video that featured each of Stockton’s City Council members speaking about a specific city effort or initiative. The topics ranged included streamlining the permitting process, water, and economic development.

Silva wrapped up the address the same way he started, by asking the business community to buy into Stockton’s recovery.

“There’s no better time to invest in Stockton because our stock is rising,” Silva said.

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Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

Highway 120 Adventure Towns cooperate on promotions during Yosemite 150th anniversary

By CRAIG W. ANDERSON Business Journal writer MANTECA — In the late 19th century there was the Chisholm Trail over which herds of beef cattle were driven from Texas to Kansas. Then there was Route 66, Bobby Troup’s famous song describing the route going “from Chicago to LA, more than 2,000 miles all the way…”. Now the Highway 120 Adventure has arrived, a trip beginning in Manteca with stops in Escalon, Oakdale, Chinese Camp, Groveland, Yosemite, and Lee Vining with Benton Station the final stop.

The towns and whistle-stops along 120 are working together to promote themselves as the route to Yosemite National park in this, its 150th anniversary, and as a nice four-day, 230mile road trip for those interested in a leisurely trip to the Gold Country, Yosemite and beyond.

“The towns are coming together, promoting themselves, and a website about the Highway 120 Adventure is being readied,” said Manteca Visitors Bureau CEO Virginia Camacho. “Manteca is in a very good position because people are coming through and traveling along 120 already, so we can take advantage of available traffic.”

The goal of Highway 120 Adventure’s chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus is to provide information about local events and attractions along the corridor to some of the 800,000 travelers heading to Yosemite.

“The Highway 120 Adventure website will feature each community promoting its own activities, suggesting interesting places to eat, historical sites, and events,” said President and administrator of the Escalon Chamber of Commerce Pat Brown. “This will help local businesses that were affected by the economic downturn.

It was a difficult time but business is picking up now.”

Manteca anchors the 120 corridor.

Bass Pro Shop, the baseball and soccer fields of Big League Dreams along with the Historical Museum, the DFV Vineyard tasting room and more than 48 dining options draw more than 3.75 million visitors annually. The idea is to tap into this ready-made audience and introduce it to the historic Highway 120 Adventure.

“All of the entities along Highway 120 have teamed up to get the word out that there is a lot to do along 120,” said Ramona Howard of the Oakdale Tourism & Visitors Bureau.

“In Oakdale and the surrounding area alone we have the Cowboy Museum, Knights Ferry, the Chocolate Festival, Climbers Festival and the Salmon Festival.”

She added, “Ours is the only promotion in California that covers an entire highway.”

Since Oakdale is billed as the “Cowboy Capital of the World” it has to have a rodeo, and the annual PRCA Rodeo takes place each April.

“Highway 120 generates tourism all year long, and we want the 120 Adventure program to focus attention on all that the towns have to offer that might not otherwise be known to tourists driving through,” Howard said. “We all realize that about 9.3 million cars travel parts of 120 annually, and we want to have some of those cars visit our communities.”

Knight’s Ferry, for example was the county seat at one time, endured the Stanislaus Indian Wars, has the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi River. It also features the oldest operating general store in California. In addition, portions of the film “Howard the Duck” and the long running TV shows “Bonanza” and “Little House on the Prairie” were filmed there.

Please see HIGHWAY Page 17

June 2014

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Youth will show livestock at AgFest STOCKTON — The official San Joaquin County Fair may have taken a year off, but there will still be a livestock show this summer thanks to a partnership between parents, volunteers and the fairgrounds.

The AgFest Junior Show & Auction will be held at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds June 17–21.

The event will allow 4-H, FFA, grange and independent youth members to present their vocational

projects, show and sell their livestock projects. AgFest goers will be treated to all the traditional beef, swine, sheep, goat, dairy, rabbit, poultry, turkey and dog competitions they have come to expect at a livestock show, organizers said.

For a lot of children, vocational and livestock projects represent a significant investment of time and money with the hope it would pay off a fair time.

“A lot of kids have projects that

go from year to year and they need to show completion,” said volunteer organizer Molly Watkins. “That allows them to apply for scholarships. A lot of kids use the money they make from auctions to fund college.”

Volunteers organized the event and San Joaquin County Fairgrounds management is allowing AgFest to use the facility for free.

Highlights for AgFest include the Friday night master showmanship competition and the livestock auction on Saturday, June 21.

SILICON

propriate building.

Ammann thinks being visible in San Jose gives him a leg up on others from out of state who try to lure businesses out of Silicon Valley.

“I think the difference with Greater Silicon Valley is we have an office. So we’re part of the area whereas the others are coming in and trying to attract people out,” Ammann said. “So, it’s subtle but it is a difference.”

The Partnership’s message is being heard in Silicon Valley. Here is what the Silicon Valley Business Journal wrote about the Tesla deal: “Tesla’s Lathrop deal could give heart to landlords and developers who are finally going vertical on new industrial projects in Silicon Valley. Brokers have been saying for a while that modern manufacturing and warehouse space is getting tougher to find while

requirements are growing.”

Mavrogenes agreed the Tesla deal was a win for Greater Silicon Valley.

“I think the Tesla arrangement is a very key part of this,” he said. “It’s really the first tech component that’s located a manufacturing operation here.”

While wins such as Tesla are good for helping build the Greater Silicon Valley brand, Ammann said attracting small businesses such as Jeewanjee’s are important too.

“Maybe it’s small and most people don’t think that’s a big win like a Tesla or whatever, but those are how you inch along and build your brand and build your message out to people. It’s every day that you’re doing it,” Ammann said. “People ask how you build brands. You build it every day.”

Another goal of Greater Silicon Valley is to encourage entrepreneurship, especially in the tech field, whether it’s

CVBJ

Continued from Page 1

Joaquin County is part of the Silicon Valley region.

Evidence that their efforts are paying off came in April with the announcement that electric carmaker Tesla Motors would open a facility in Lathrop.

Ammann said he was approached by an industrial broker named Greg Matter whom he’d met at events he’d attended in San Jose.

“He said, ‘Mike, you know you’ve got a lot of changes going on with state incentives right now. Could we get together and talk about those because I have a major client, a manufacturer,’” Ammann said.

The Partnership worked with Matter and Lathrop to find an ap-

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June 2014

COURTESY OF AGFEST

Taylor Dudley will show her sheep during AgFest.

encouraging Bay Area entrepreneurs to come to San Joaquin County or nurturing startups that are already here.

“That’s what we’re kind of hoping for in Tracy and elsewhere. That it’s not just the big companies we’re going after, that there’s that whole support network of entrepreneurship,” said Malik.

Ammann said the Greater Silicon Valley brand is building momentum.

“I think we’ve done quite well in a year because we’ve gotten Tesla, because we have a website, because we have a brand, because we have a Cafe Coop who’s gone with us, who have been successful,” he said. “Our strategy at the moment is to get some brand acceptance. Last year at TiE, we didn’t even have Greater Silicon Valley, so in a year we’ve come all the way of establishing a brand and starting to market that brand consistently.”

June 2014

11

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Riverbank honored for redevelopment work

ELIZABETH STEVENS/CVBJ

The industrial complex is transitioning from the Army.

CVBJ

RIVERBANK — The Riverbank Local Redevelopment Authority (RLRA) has been recognized for its work in redeveloping the Riverbank Industrial Complex as it undergoes transfer from federal to local control the city announced.

The RLRA received the 2014 Base Redevelopment Excellence Award from the Association of Defense Communities (ADC).

“I can think of no better way to recognize the work we’ve been doing here in Riverbank than through the Base Redevelopment Excellence

Award,” said RLRA Executive Director Debbie Olson. “We are tremendously proud to be receiving this honor, but we are even more proud of the significant progress we have made toward stimulating economic development in our community.”

The Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant at 5300 Claus Rd. originally operated in the 1940s as an aluminum reduction plant for military supplies.

The U.S. Army took over control of the plant in the 1950s and used the site for ammunition production. The site was officially deactivated in 2009

after it was targeted for base closure.

While the property undergoes a transition from U.S. Army ownership to the City of Riverbank, the RLRA, with the Riverbank City Council as its board, is operating the site as a business park.

“The Riverbank Industrial Complex has become an innovative business engine,” said Riverbank Mayor Richard O’Brien. “I am very pleased that the Association of Defense Communities is recognizing Riverbank with this prestigious award. It is an honor to be recognized for the work being done at the site.”

HOTELS Continued from Page 3

Gallo Center for the Arts in June, hotels will be fiercely competing for travelers’ business. Jennifer Mullen of the Modesto Convention and Visitors Bureau says that the city features several pet-friendly hotels, and that many offer free shuttles to events happening downtown.

Modesto’s Doubletree by Hilton offers a bed-and-breakfast “romance” package that includes a bottle of champagne or other wine upon checkin, with a breakfast voucher for the hotel restaurant. Guests may even order special items (such as chocolatecovered strawberries) to be placed in their rooms before arrival.

Also in Modesto, the Clarion Ho-

tel offers a special Swim and Stay package, which includes a two-hour gazebo rental, large pizza, two-liter soda and a dozen cupcakes beside the hotel’s indoor pool. The Clarion is also undergoing renovations, with at least 80 percent of its rooms already having received new dressers, beds and carpeting.

Unlike Modesto, Turlock has enjoyed double-digit growth rates in taxable room sales in the last two years.

One hotel in Turlock with familyfriendly amenities is Candlewood Suites. The hotel offers free laundry service, as well as a media library for those who wish to borrow books and DVDs during their stay.

Visitor Dany Millan talks with director of sales Abbey Pipitone at Resident Inn Marriott.

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Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

HOTELS

In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.

Ranked by Number of Guest Rooms. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order.

Company name Rank Address

Maximum meeting Number of General manager guest capacity rooms Phone banquet-style Number of theater-style Web address meeting rooms stand-up/reception

Amenities

Total number of employees

Kole Siefken (209) 526-6000 modesto.doubletree.com

258 25

1,000 1,800 1,600

Pool and fitness room, wireless lobby, business center, room service, ATM and audio/visual equipment

182

Hilton Stockton 2323 Grand Canal Boulevard Stockton, CA 95207

George Kaplanis (209) 957-9090 stocktonhilton.com

198 15

360 400 500

Full service resteraunt & bar, pool and fitness room, dry cleaning, coin laundry, business center, ATM and a Am onsite Starbucks

110

3

Clarion Inn Conference Center 1612 Sisk Road Modesto, CA 95350

Mikr Karimi (209) 521-1612 clarionhotel.com

186 14

350 500 400

Bar & Grill, outdoor and indoor pools, business center, wireless room and pet friendly w/fee

40

4

Quality Inn 2717 W. March Lane Stockton, CA 95219

Rosa Rojas (209) 477-5576 qualityinn.com

165 0

N/A

Outdoor pool, free breakfast, free weekday paper, and free coffee

16

5

La Quinta Inn 2710 W. March Lane Stockton, CA 95219

Greg Hughes (209) 952-7800 lq.com

151 2

20 30 30

Heated pool, coin laundry, breakfast, pets free, 32” TVs, free WiFi and vending machines

16

6

Clarion Inn & Suites 4219 E. Waterloo Road Stockton, CA 95215

Champ Patel (209) 931-3131 clarioninnstockton.com

141 5

250 300 300-500

Guest laundry, fitness room, outdoor pool and whirlpool, wireless Internet and pets w/fee

26

7

Best Western Plus Heritage Inn 111 E. March Lane Stockton, CA 95207

Pao Vang (209) 474-3301 ramadastocktonhotel.com

136 5

200 250 250

Outdoor pool, hot tub, coin laundry, fitness room, free breakfast, pets and dry cleaning

36

8

Park Radison Inn 1720 Sisk Road Modesto, CA 95350

Darlene Davis (209) 577-3825 courtyardmodesto.com

126 3

60 80 100

Ouddoor spa & pool, coin laundry, fitness room, in-room refrigerator and pets allowed

22

9

Comfort Inn 2654 W. March Lane Stockton, CA 95207

Amit Patel (209) 478-4300 comfortinn.com

121 2

N/A 25 30

Pool, vending machines, free breakfast, dry cleaning, refrigerators in suites and pets allowed

18

10

Best Western Palm Court Inn 2001 W. Orangeburg Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

Trushill Khatri (209) 521-9000 ramada.com

114 3

50 70 70

Pool, spa, fitness room, pets, WiFi, microwave and refrigerator and a free breakfast

40

11

University Plaza Waterfront Hotel 110 W. Fremont Street Stockton, CA 95202

Angie Guzman (209) 944-1140 universityplazawaterfronthotel.com

110 6

360 400 450

Oudoor heated pool, fitness room, pets w/deposit, shuttle service, room service and free WiFi

65

12

Residence Inn 3240 W. March Lane Stockton, CA 95219

Katie Green (209) 472-9800 marriott.com/sckri

104 2

80 80 80

Outdoor pool & whirlpool, fitness room, laundry room, dry cleaning, pets allowed and a free breakfast

30

13

Best Western Executive Inn & Suites 1415 E. Yosemite Avenue Manteca, CA 95336

Trushil Khatri (209) 825-1415 bestwesterncalifornia.com

101 3

160 250 170

Hot breakfast, microwave and refrigerator, 80 channels

20

14

Days Inn - Modesto 1312 McHenry Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

Bert Tabrizi (209) 527-1010 modestodaysinn.com

101 2

50 75 60

Outdoor pool, coin laundry, free full breakfast, pets allowed and in-room refrigerator

20

15

Hampton Inn & Suites - Lodi 1337 S. Beckman Road Lodi, CA 95240

Martin Murallon (209) 369-2700 lodisuites.hamptoninn.com

101 2

56 72 72

Pool and fitness room, free coffee and breakfast, safety deposit box and business center

20

16

Candlewood Suites 1000 Powers Court Turlock, CA 95380

Wannetta Carter (209) 250-1501 candlewoodsuites.com

89 1

8 8 8

Free laundry, fitness room, in-rm refrigerator, dry cleaning p/u, pets and back patio

17

17

Courtyard by Marriott - Stockton 3252 W. March Lane Stockton, CA 95219

Katie Green (209) 472-9700 marriott.com/sckst

89 2

40 40 50

Pool and fitness center, coin laundry, dry cleaning, refrigerators and mini market

30

18

Wine & Roses Hotel•Restaurant•Spa 2505 W. Turner Road Lodi, CA 95242

Russ Munson (209) 334 - 6988 winerose.com

86 5

350 450 700

Pool and fitness center, gardens and Aveda products in rooms

35

19

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 15688 S. Harlan Road Lathrop, CA 95330

Dorine Julius (209) 373-2700 bestwesternlathrop.com

81 1

110 110 110

Pool, fitness center, free breakfast buffet, free high speed Internet, business center and laundry facility

20

20

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 179 Commerce Avenue Manteca, CA 95336

Anan Dhillon (209) 239-5600 mantecahie.com

72 1

64 72 58

Pool and fitness center, free breakfast buffet, high speed Internet, business center and a BBQ pit

20

1

Doubletree Hotel - Modesto 1150 9th Street Modesto, CA 95354

2

These lists are provided as a free service by the Central Valley Business Journal for its readers. As such, inclusion is based on editorial consideration and is not guaranteed. If you would like your business to be included in a list, please write to: Research Department, Central Valley Business Journal, 4512 Feather River Drive, Ste. E, Stockton, CA 95219, fax your information to Research Dept. (209) 477-0211 or email research@cvbizjournal.com. Copyright Central Valley Business Journal.

Researched by Danette Conley 05/2014

June 2014

13

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ALFRED MATTHEWS ALFRED MATTHEWS BACKPACK !

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With foreclosures, layoffs, furloughs and unemployment community, the homeless student population has grown. Your Your contribution willwill benefi t our thomeless students. unity, the homeless student population has grown. contribution benefi our homeless students.

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14

Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

Rooted in tradition Manteca’s DFV wines is rolling with the times, celebrating 90 years

By MARIE SARDALLA-DAVIS Business Journal writer MANTECA — Ninety years after Sicilian immigrant Gaspare “Nono” Indelicato first planted grapes on a 68acre former dairy ranch in Manteca, the company he founded, DFV Wines, is one of the largest and fastest growing family-owned and operated winemakers in the state. They cultivated more than 10,000 acres in the Central Valley and along the coast.

Until 2007, it was known as Delicato Family Vineyards. Even with the name change — a move aimed to stay relevant to millennials while keeping the loyalty of baby boomers — “family” remains one of the company’s core values.

The company’s definition of “family,” however, extends beyond bloodlines to include its employees, a number of whom have recommended their employer to their family members.

“It’s a testament to the culture we have here that the people know we care about them and want them to succeed.

We have not just one person but their family members integrated in different departments,” said advisory board

member Marie Indelicato Mathews, 58, who is among the family’s third generation of leaders. She is the daughter of Gaspare’s son, Vince Indelicato, the former CEO and president, who now chairs the family board of directors.

At least half of the 500-plus employees work at the DFV Wines Tasting Room in Manteca, according to Mathews. The rest are in Lodi and Napa, where the company’s headquarters is located.

As director of hospitality and sales, Mathews oversees the Napa and Manteca tasting rooms and related functions, including merchandise ordering, public relations and donations, website orders, the wine club, test marketing, and five events a week for private, non-profit, trade or in-house groups. She has five direct reports and about 30 indirect reports.

“I’m not a micromanager,” she said.

“I like to give staff authority. I’d rather have them make a wrong decision than none. It takes the pressure off me to be all and do all. If you hire the right people for the right job, let them do it. We have so many very educated and intelligent people. I get really good results.”

Delicato’s tasting room on Highway 99 in Manteca is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily

Mathews calls the tasting rooms “the face of Delicato.”

“We interact with people. A crosssection of America comes in because everybody drives down the highway.”

The Manteca tasting room is on State Route 99 near French Camp Road.

She points out that the tasting rooms can provide pleasurable introductions to wine even for those who think they can’t drink.

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

“A lot of women are sensitive to the tannins in red wine but may be able to handle pink wines or red blends. Men are usually sensitive to the sulfates in white wine so they choose red. Those under 21 or on medication can enjoy sparkling non-alcoholic juice,” Mathews said.

DFV Wines produces and distributes Gnarly Head, Bota Box, Noble Please see DELICATO Page 17

Mike’s Grillhouse is a fusion between fine dining and casual fun. When you walk through our doors, you are welcomed into an industrial chic restaurant, one like no other in the Valley. Through our travels (owners Mike and Shelly Nelson), we have experienced many types of dining experiences and our new restaurant is a collaboration of all the things we have found to be our favorites.

3801 Pelendale Ave, Modesto, CA | 209.545.4500 www.mikesgrillhouse.com

June 2014

15

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We work as hard as our trucks!

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16

Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

Saving investments from AMT trap I discuss investing strategies in this column, but this month I’m addressing a change in the tax code you should be aware of so you can hang on to your hard-earned savings.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 permanently adjusted the alternative minimum tax (AMT) with new exemption levels that will be indexed annually for inflation. Prior to the fix, lawmakers used annual “patches” to help prevent the tax from hitting many more unsuspecting households.

The new legislation will save nearly 27 million people from the AMT for the 2013 tax year, but that doesn’t mean middle-income taxpayers can rest easy.

About 3.4 million taxpayers could still be affected. Because indexing the AMT doesn’t protect taxpayers as their real income grows, the Tax Policy Center projects the number of AMT taxpayers will increase 35 percent by 2018.

If you are wondering whether the AMT could increase your tax burden in the coming years, you might be interested in the following details and some strategies that could help minimize its potential effects.

AMT parameters The AMT is a parallel tax system that eliminates many of the deductions, exemptions, and credits often used by taxpayers to reduce their tax bills under the normal rules. Con-

sequently, more income may be taxable under the AMT. Taxpayers with incomes above the indexed exemption amounts ($51,900 for single filers and $80,800 for married joint filers in 2013) must calculate their income taxes under both sets of rules and pay the higher of the two.

AMT rates Michael Zeiter range from MassMutual Financial 26 percent to Modesto, CA 28 percent, compared with federal income tax rates that step up from 10 percent to 39.6 percent.

However, the AMT doesn’t allow filers to claim personal exemptions, the standard deduction, or many other popular itemized deductions (including state, local, or property taxes).

Ironically, wealthy taxpayers in the top tax bracket — the original targets of the AMT — may be able to take advantage of more tax breaks than middle-income taxpayers who fall into the grasp of the AMT. Who is at risk The more exemptions and deduc-

Smart Planning

tions that taxpayers normally claim, the more vulnerable they may be to the AMT. Any of the following circumstances could trigger AMT liability: • Gross income above $100,000 • A large number of personal exemptions, such as dependent children • Incentive stock options exercised during the year • A large capital gain • Passive income or losses • Income from private-activity bonds • Significant itemized deductions, including state and local taxes (especially for residents of high-tax states), home-equity loan interest, and deductible medical expenses Managing exposure Some one-time gains and large deductions can be controlled, so looking ahead could help you reduce the impact of the AMT. For example, you might be able to delay an asset sale or spread out the gain by structuring payments in installments. You could also exercise incentive stock options strategically and/or choose to take certain itemized deductions in years when you won’t face the AMT. Despite talk of broader tax reform, the U.S. tax code seems to become more complicated every year. Before you take any specific action, be sure to consult with your tax professional.

Valley foreclosures continue to drop STOCKTON — Foreclosure rates in the Stockton-Lodi and Modesto areas decreased again in March, compared to March 2013, according to data released May 27 from analytics firm CoreLogic.

In Stockton, foreclosures went down .86 percent to .90 percent for the month of March. That was lower than the national foreclosure rate of 1.86 percent.

The rate of Modesto area foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans was 0.83 percent for March 2014, a decrease of 0.71 percentage points compared to March 2013 when the rate was 1.54 percent, also lower than the national foreclosure rate.

Mortgage delinquency rates are also down in the Central Valley cities. In Modesto, 3.09 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent compared to 5.26 percent for March 2013, a decrease of 2.17 percentage points, according to CoreLogic. In Stockton-Lodi, 3.24 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent in March compared to 5.72 percent for the same period last year.

That represents a decrease of 2.48 percentage points, CoreLogic said.

Those delinquency rates were higher than California’s of 2.49 percent but lower than the national 90-day delinquency rate of 4.66 percent.

Ruling changes bankruptcy option for tax Generally, when dealing with an IRS tax debt problem, a taxpayer has four options: you can pay the full amount you owe; you can pay the amount over time under an installment agreement; you can file an offer in compromise; or you can file bankruptcy (presuming the tax liability is for income taxes and it is old enough to qualify for discharge).

However, a new ruling out of the U.S. District Court for Northern California throws a new wrinkle into the bankruptcy option.

Until now, in order for a taxpayer to discharge an IRS debt in bankruptcy, he has to have filed the return before he filed bankruptcy. He had to have had the debt for three years, assuming the return was filed on time. If the return was filed late, two years had to elapse before filing a bankruptcy petition. In addition, the tax had to have been assessed at least 240 days on an audit assessment.

In the new U.S. District Court ruling, the judge determined that a taxpayer’s late filed return did not qualify as a return for purposes of discharge.

In the case, Martin Smith failed to file his 2001 return on time. In 2006, the IRS assessed prepared a substitute return for him, assessed a tax liability and started collection proceedings.

In 2009, Smith filed his own 2001 income tax return and reported he owed more tax than the IRS assessed. He then filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court issued an order of discharge as the late filed return had been filed more than two years prior to the petition in bankruptcy being filed.

In rendering its decision, the court stated: “Where, as here, the taxpayer and bankruptcy debtor fails to comply with selfassessment and payment of tax obligations until years after the IRS has initiated action, created a substitute return, assessed and begun collection proceedings, the Court simply cannot find his conduct to be “an honest and reasonable attempt to comply Jason Harrel with the tax law.”

Calone & Harrel This approach Law Group does not mean, as Debtor argues, that the “honest and reasonable attempt” factor creates a per se rule barring taxpayers from filing returns once the IRS has created a substitute for return. To the contrary, this prong of the test is meant to consider each case on its particular facts, an approach which necessarily precludes a per se determination. In sum, Debtor’s belated Form 1040 for Tax Year 2001 does not meet the definition of “return” under established tax law. It follows that the tax liability assessed by the IRS for Tax Year 2001 is a “tax…with respect to which a return…was not filed or given,” and is not dischargeable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 523(a)(1)(B)i).”

This case shows it’s more important

Taxing Matters

than ever to file a tax return on time, even if you do not have the money to pay the tax that is owed. In addition to extending the statute of limitations for collection when you do not timely file, you may also be setting yourself up in case you need to file for bankruptcy.

Although it is presumed that this ruling will be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and that decision will be one or two years off, this now represents the law in our area and can present a problem for a taxpayer with returns that have not been filed timely and an IRS-generated substitute for return (SFR) is present.

If you are a taxpayer who has not filed a tax return on time and the IRS has issued an SFR, this ruling does not create a per se rule against a future bankruptcy filing by you. In this situation, you should still file your return, and then make arrangements to start paying on that tax liability and pay as much as you can afford. Depending on what happens with this ruling, paying on the tax liability could position the subject taxes to being eligible for discharge if you’ve made an honest attempt to pay the tax and comply with the tax laws.

If you find yourself with an outstanding tax liability, you should consult with a local tax attorney who is knowledgeable in the tax laws and can properly advise you. Be careful with high pressure sales pitches by people on the phone who make promises that they can resolve your tax debts for pennies on the dollar without fully understanding your financial status.

June 2014

CVBJ

DELICATO Continued from Page 14

Vines, Twisted, the HandCraft Artisan collection, Irony, Juxtapoz, La Merika, Black Stallion Estate Winery, Brazin, Domino, Massimo, Sequin, Sonoma Hills, Fog Head, Frusion Wine, First Press, and Belle Ambiance.

Its largest brand, Bota Box, sold 2.6 million cases in 2013, a 14 percent increase, according to Impact Databank. The three-liter boxed wine label is geared to the eco-conscious mil-

CVBJ

17

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lennial consumer. Its newest label is Belle Ambiance, aimed at the female and millennial market, according to Shanken News Daily.

“The Indelicato family has a proud legacy of leadership and a pioneering spirit that has helped build and unite the California wine industry. Also, their early adoption of sustainable practices reflects their long view of winegrowing and winemaking,” said Bobby Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute, an advocacy group made up of 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses.

Mathews and her husband, Kim, have for the past 30 years lived in the brick house her grandfather built in Manteca.

In grade school she did her homework at the winery. When she was older she answered phones and did filing.

“In those days we did a lot of things ourselves. Everybody had to pitch in.

My brother loved working in the cellar and the bottling line. My favorite part was always retail. I made gift packages for the tasting room. I’ve never been a good filer,” she said.

“The Indelicato family is a great part of the Manteca community,” said

Manteca Mayor Willie Weatherford.

“I’ve known them since we moved to Manteca in the ‘60s. We visited with them personally. Rarely do you get to rub elbows with those who have such an elevated position in the community.”

“I’m happy to be here and happy to contribute. I enjoy what I do; I enjoy my family and my customers. It’s all about the people,” Mathews said.

Their son, Stephen, 26, is building his niche in the family business. He is interested in the production aspect and is furthering his education via online courses in winemaking at U.C. Davis.

HIGHWAY Continued from Page 8

“This is a unique highway, similar to Route 66 but on a smaller scale,” said Brown. “Everyone involved in this is really passionate about getting people to stop, to take their time, to have a leisurely good time.”

Other interesting locations on or near Highway 120 include Chinese Camp a noted historic gold rush town; Groveland, the largest of the authentic gold rush towns (once known as Garrote for its swift justice and hangings); Lee Vining near Mono Lake and the ghost town of Bodie; and Benton Hot Springs and Benton Station which mark the end of the Highway 120 Adventure.

Each town along the 230-mile route independently creates its promotion and all are posted to the 120 Adventure Facebook page. “We watch out for each other. We want to promote the entire highway. We want people to get off the highway, drive the back roads -- there are a lot of things to see, hidden stuff -- and then get back onto 120 to continue their trip,” Howard said. “It’s a family drive.”

“Businesses are incredibly excited about the Highway 120 Adventure and thrilled to get attention,” Brown said. “The route offers a unique travel experience that’s good for business and travelers.”

Travelers can learn more at www. thehighway120adventure.com.

WATERWAYS. HIGHWAYS. RAILWAYS. And the many other ways the Port of Stockton helps you deliver.

SHIP INLAND. SHIP STOCKTON.

Cruise into Stockton’s 35-foot deep-water port, and what will you find? Direct transfer to rail. Quick access to freeways.

Nearby storage and distribution facilities. With no congestion, no waiting, and no hassles. All the things you need to get your cargo to its destination, quickly and affordably. Find out why the Port makes sense for your business.

portofstockton.com 800-344-3213 ELIZABETH STEVENS/CVBJ

On May 20, the Power Of One Committee awarded its ninth Community Star to Thelma Stewart. Stewart is well known in Stockton for her volunteer activities, which include her annual Lady Bug luncheon and Easter basket sales. They raise money to provide programs for people with special needs.

Chair Victor Mow, Vice Chair Gary Christopherson, Commissioners Sylvester Aguilar, R. Jay Allen, Elizabeth Blanchard, Michael Patrick Duffy, Stephen Griffen and Port Director Richard Aschieris.

18

Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

FINE DINING ESTABLISHMENTS In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.

Ranked by Total Capacity. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order.

Rank

Restaurant name Address

Owner Cuisine Phone Hours Web address Total/banquet capacity

1

La Strada 88 18938 Hwy 88 Clements, CA 95227

2

Skewers Kabob House 906 J Street Modesto, CA 95354

3

Galletto Ristorante 1101 J Street Modesto, CA 95354

4

Papapavlo’s Bistro & Bar 501 N. Lincoln Center Stockton, CA 95207

5

Toscana’s Ristorante 1801 Colorado Avenue, Ste. 190 Turlock, CA 95380

6

Isadore’s Restaurant 680 N. Main Street Manteca, CA 95356

7

Pietro’s Italian Restaurant 317 E. Kettleman Lodi, CA 95240

8

Papapolloni Med Bistro & Bar 1214 West F Street Oakdale, CA 95361

9

Woodbridge Crossing 19939 N. Lower Sacramento Road Woodbridge, CA 95258

10

School Street Bistro 116 N. School Street Lodi, CA 95240

11

Angelina’s Spaghetti House 1563 E. Fremont Street Stockton, CA 95205

12

Bistro 234 234 E. Main Street Turlock, CA 95380

Jennifer Bethel (209) 668-4234 bistro234.com

13

Dewz Restaurant 1505 J. Street Modesto, CA 95354

Judy and Scott Aspesi (209) 549-1101 dothedewz.com

14

Papapavlos Mediterranean Bistro/Bar 1320 Standiford Avenue Suite #2 Modesto, CA 95350

15

Wine and Roses Restaurant 2505 W. Turner Road Lodi, CA 95242

16

Surla’s Restaurant 431 12th Street Modesto, CA 95354

17

Mike’s Grillhouse 3801 Pelandale Avenue Ste. B-11 Modesto, CA 95356

18

Woodbridge Inn Steakhouse 18878 N. Lower Sacramento Road Woodbridge, CA 95258

19

Mezzo Restaurant 3499 Brookside Road #A Stockton, CA 95219

20

Bud’s Seafood & Grille 314 Lincoln Center Stockton, CA 95207

Jan Johnson (209) 603-9451 facebooklastrada88

Year Established

Authentic Italian, Steak and seafood Mon-Thurs 9 am to 9 pm; Fri-Sun 11 am to 10 pm 400 total capacity; 180 banquet

2014

Mediterranean cuisine Mon-Fri 11 am to 9:30 pm; Sat-Sun 12 pm to 9:30 pm 350 total capacity; 150 banquet

2003

Rustic cuisine Mon-Fri 11:30 am to 10 pm; Sat 5 pm to 11 pm; Sun 11 am to 9 pm 300 total capacity; 120 banquet

2001

Andy & Jennifer Pappas (209) 477-6133 papapavlos.com

American and continental Mon-Fri 11am to 9 pm; Sat-Sun 11am to 10 pm 300 total capacity; meeting rooms available

1989

Stanley Diamond (209) 216-3555 toscanas.net Isadore and Laurel Fang (209) 825-4300 isadores.com

California-Italian cuisine, casual indoor and outdoor Mon-Thur 11 am to 2 pm; 5 pm to 8 pm; Fri 5 pm to 9 pm; Sat 5 pm to 9 pm 240 total capacity; 160 banquet

2006

Continental Sunday Brunch 10 am; Tues-Fri 11:30 am to close; Sat 5 pm to close 200 total capacity; 70 banquet

1989

Italian Tues-Sat 11am to 9 pm 184 total capacity; 60 banquet

1985

Greek-Italian-American Sun-Thurs 11am to 9 pm; Fri-Sat 11am to 10:30 pm 180 total capacity; 30 banquet

2012

Fine Dining including: prime rib, steak, seafood, ribs and Sunday brunch Mon-Thurs 11 am to 9 pm; F- Sat 11 am to 10 pm Sunday brunch 10 am to 2 pm, dinner 5 am to 9 pm 200 seating outdoor garden area, 55 meeting room capacity, 24 causual room capacity 200 total indoor capacity; Live music Fri-Sat nights and Special Outdoor music events

1970

Southern influence menu: Blackened cat fish, Shrimp and goat cheese grits Tues-Sar 11:30 am to 2 pm; Tues-Sat 5:30 pm to 9 pm; Closed Sunday and Monday 151 total capacity

2002

Italian Mon 11am to 3 pm bar & deli only; Tues-Thurs 11am to 8:30 pm; Fri 11am to 9:30 pm Sat 4 pm to 9:30 pm; Sun 12 pm to 8 pm 150 total capacity; 60 banquet

1976

American Tues-Sat 11am to midnight 120 total capacity

2001

New American cuisine with influences from France and Asia Mon-Sat 11am to 3 pm Mon-Thur 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm; Fri-Sat 4:30 pm to 10:30 pm 120 total capacity; 40 banquet

2001

David & Valentin Alonso (209) 525-3995 papapavlos-modesto.com

Greek-Italian-American Mon-Thrus 11am to 9 pm; Fri-Sat 11am to 10 pm; Sun 11am to 8:30 pm 120 total capacity; 70 banquet

2001

Russ & Kathryn Munson (209) 371-6160 loditownehouse.com

California fine dining Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 pm Sun-Thurs 5 pm to 9 pm; Fri-Sat 5 pm to 10 pm (Breakfast also available) 100 total capacity; 20 banquet

1988

Fusion/California cuisine Tues-Fri 11:30 am to 2 pm; Tues-Wed 5 pm to 9 pm; Thurs-Sat 5 pm to 10 pm Sunday Brunch Buffet 10 am to 2 pm 84 total capacity

2009

Family Friendly All American Bistro Sun-Thurs 11am to 9 pm Fri-Sat 11 am to 10 pm 80 total capacity

2013

Steakhouse Tues-Thurs 5 pm to 9 pm; Fri-Sat 5 pm to 9:30 pm; Closed Sun an Mon 80 total capacity; 50 banquet

1920

Regional Italian Tues-Fri 11:30 am to 2:30 pm; Tues-Sat Bar open at 4 pm, Dinner 5 pm to 9 pm 70 capacity indoor, 30 outdoor

2010

Fresh seafood variety of chicken, beef entrees, salads and homemade desserts Mon-Sat 11am to 9 pm; Sun 10 am to 9 pm 60 total capacity; 45 banquet

1993

Brad Morad (209) 525-3611 skewerskabobhouse.com Tom & Karyn Gallo (209) 523-4500 galletto.biz

Jim Murdaca (209) 368-0613 jpmurdaca.com David & Valentin Alonso (209) 848-1545 papapolloni.com Steven J. Ding (209) 366-1800 woodbridgecrossing.net David Akiyoshi (209) 333-3950 schoolstbistro.com Steve Coppello & Sam Taylor (209) 948-6609 angelinas.com

John Surla (209) 550-5555 surlasrestaurant.com Mike Nelson (209) 545-4500 nujesgrillhouse.com Andy & Tammy Delemos and Chuck & Debbie Stevens (209) 368-2346 woodbridgeinnsteakhouse.com Buddy O’Dell, Chef (209) 473-7300 mezzostockton.com Bud Millsaps (209) 956-0270 budsseafood.com

These lists are provided as a free service by the Central Valley Business Journal for its readers. As such, inclusion is based on editorial consideration and is not guaranteed. If you would like your business to be included in a list, please write to: Research Department, Central Valley Business Journal, 4512 Feather River Drive, Ste. E, Stockton, CA 95219, fax your information to (209) 477-0211 or email Research Dept. at research@cvbizjournal.com. Copy right Central Valley Business Journal.

Researched By Danette Conley 05/2014

June 2014

19

www.cvbizjournal.com

Bistro and Bar We are proud to announce our designation as San Joaquin County’s stand alone Restaurant serving “Certified Angus Beef” (CAB) Filet Mignon & Lobster

Porterhouse

Excellence In World Class Dining 209.477.6133 • 501 N. Lincoln Center • www.papapavlos.com

“Open Table voted Pietro’s as one of the Top 100 places in US for outdoor dining!”

of Lodi

317 E. K ETTLEMAN L ANE L ODI , C ALIFORNIA

(209) 368-0613 P I E TROSL ODI .COM

20

Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

Medical miracles Doctors Medical Center handles all but most extreme premature births

By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer MODESTO — A group of more than 200 children gathered at the May 23 Modesto Nuts game for a celebration that many of their parents feared might never come. The children are a testament that top level medical care can be found in the Central Valley.

The group participated in a reunion of children born and cared for at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.

“This is where all the hard work pays off,” said Casandra Adams, a nurse at the unit, as children ran around the concourse atop John Thurman Field. “To see this and be part of the reason a child is alive is a great feeling.”

Adams has seen both sides of the NICU. While she works caring for the children at the unit until her son Adam, born six weeks early, is also a graduate of the unit.

“It was tougher (being a nurse) because I knew what could go wrong,” she said.

Fortunately her son survived and

thrived thanks to the care provide at the level three unit. The medical staff there can care for all but the most extreme premature cases.

The unit has cared for children as small as one pound and delivered four months early. Kaiser Permanente-Modesto Medical Center is the only other level three facility in Stanislaus County.

“We care for about 75 to 100 babies per year in this unit,” said Dr. Timothy Yao, director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “We have taken care of babies born as early 23 weeks.”

Children at that stage of development face a myriad of potential problems. Everything from breathing to feeding poses challenges for a child that would normally be in the womb until 40 weeks.

“These are very sick babies,” said Yao. “We have a team here that focuses on everything from treating the child to helping the parents deal with the challenges.”

The children come from all over Stanislaus County and beyond. Veronica Cornejo lived in Rancho Cucamonga when her water partially broke at

MARK RICHEY/CVBJ

Veronica Cornejo holds her daughter Rebecca who was born April 23, 14 weeks early as Doctors Medical Center in Modesto’s NICU Director Dr. Timothy Yao monitors the baby.

19 weeks leaving her with very little amniotic fluid. Doctors in Rancho Cucamonga gave little hope for her child’s survival.

“They asked if I wanted to terminate, which I didn’t,” said Cornejo.

She traveled to Modesto to be near her family which was scattered around Northern California. When she was

seen at Doctors Medical Center, physicians recommended she be on bed rest and admitted to the hospital.

“Down in Southern California, they wouldn’t admit me until I was at 24 weeks,” she said. “The perinatologist here really helped me hold Please see NICU Page 30

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Main # 209.622.0214 Fax # 209.622.0663

www.GuerrerosFarming.com | GuerreroFarm@yahoo.com

June 2014

21

www.cvbizjournal.com

Stockton Country Club celebrates 100 years

By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer STOCKTON — The Stockton Golf and Country Club joins a rare group as it celebrates its 100th year in operation.

Only 13 other clubs in Northern California have reached that milestone.

“We’re keeping it kind of low key,” said the club’s General Manager Robert Young. “We’re the 13th club that has reached 100 years. To the members that have been here, it’s pretty cool.”

The city the club serves today hardly resembles the one that it sprang from. When the club first organized in 1914, it sat five miles from the city center and required a trip down a dirt road through farmland to reach the clubhouse.

The first clubhouse was a threestory white building that overlooked a nine-hole golf course that sat among tidal marshes. The original swimming pool was embedded into the levy and the city’s population was only 41,000.

“Not a lot clubs with our history are around,” said Young. “In 1914 there weren’t a lot of clubs around. Most of the area clubs were built in the ’60s.”

By that time Stockton’s club had already been around for more than 40 years and was on its second clubhouse (built in 1954). It had expanded the golf course to 18 holes in 1928. That required

PHOTO COURTESY STOCKTON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

The Stockton Golf & Country Club’s first clubhouse. A replacement was built in 1954 and the current one was built in 2006.

the help of the War Department (a precursor to the Department of the Defense) as they filled in the Calaveras River channel, de-watered the slough around Brown Island, and the Corps of Engineers built a levee to contain river flows.

The club began to take on its current

look in the 1950s. As the city’s population ballooned, housing replaced the farmland surrounding the facility.

Membership also grew, giving the club resources to host events as well as serve as the city’s premier golf course.

Generations of membership in the

club have included some of Stockton’s most influential civic leaders from all walks of life. Stockton Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Wilhoit’s family ties to the club stretch to its inception.

“My great grandfather owned the land that the club is on,” said Wilhoit.

“My grandfather donated a clock that still sits in the clubhouse. That shows what the club has meant to our family.”

The club’s members have also been instrumental in helping Stockton grow and prosper.

“A lot of people bankers, doctors, business people have belonged to the club for generations,” Wilhoit said. “The club really adds to the charm of the city.”

During the ‘60s and ‘70s the club’s membership surpassed 700. In 2006, a third generation clubhouse replaced the one built in 1954.

With that growth came new challenges for the club. New courses, both public and private, sprang up.

Brookside Country Club and Elkhorn Country Club (which became a public course in 2012) also became options for golf fans.

“We have about 530 members now” said Young. “That’s down 11 to 12 percent over the last five or six years.”

The club has also faced a decline in the popularity of golf as well as one Please see GOLF Page 30

22

Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

FLORISTS In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.

Ranked by Year Established. Ties are listed in Alphabetical Order.

Rank

Company name Address

Phone Web Address

Owner

Specialties and Services

Year Established

209-369-4709 bellesflowershop.com

Belle Reynolds

Weddings, funerals, events and other occasions Large gift selection

1917

1

Belle’s Lodi Flowershop 1420 W. Kettleman Lane Lodi, CA 95242

2

The Little Flower Shop 84 W. 11th Street Tracy, CA 95376

209-835-1534 flowersintracy.com

Karen and Rich Ferrente

Fresh flowers and gift delivery with an emphasis on customer service Weddings, events and funerals

1941

3

Hart Floral 1201 McHenry Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

209-524-1401 hartfloral.com

Chris Downing Wilma Downing

Floral arrangements, for weddings and gifts, fresh flowers and plants on site serving the county for 70 years

1943

4

Kaneko’s Charter Way Florist 5620-A N. Pershing Avenue Stockton, CA 95207

209-956-9087 charterwayflorist.org

George Kaneko

Traditional to contemporary floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, and other special occasions Voted best in San Joaquin many times

1958

5

Silveria’s Flowers and Gifts 995 Lincoln Center Stockton, CA 95207

209-477-4407 silveriasflowersandgifts.com

Jim Silveria

Anniversaries, birthdays, weddings and funerals

1969

6

Manteca Floral Company 339 S. Main Street Manteca, CA 95337

209-823-6213 mantecafloral.com

JoAnn Morin

Custom Specilty everyday arrangements Funerals,Weddings and Special events Fresh cut flowers, balloons, house plants and gift baskets available

1979

7

Janets Flowers & Wedding Chapel 1407 G Street Modesto, CA 95354

209-523-0144 janetsflowersmodesto.com

Johnny & Tammy Matthews

All occasions, holidays, roses, sympathy, seasonal, weddings Plants, gift items, gift baskets, delivery, 24 hour online ordering Wedding Chapel Site: janetsflowersandweddingchapel.com

1982

8

O.K. Flowers 565 E. Harding Way, Stockton, CA 95204 3909 N. West Lane, Stockton CA 95204 1114 N. Main Street, Manteca, CA 95336

209-466-9506 okflowersstockton.com

Tracy DeBubey

Weddings, funerals and other events 2 Stockton locations and 1 Manteca location

1985

9

Village Flowers and Gifts 1317 W. Lockeford Street Lodi, CA 95242

209-333-3378 villageflowerslodi.com

Jennifer Shields Donald Gareis

Flowers for all occasions

1985

10

Flowers by Alis 1009 McHenry Avenue, #A Modesto, CA 95350

209-579-8770 flowersbyalis.com

Alis B. Youkana

Floral arrangements for weddings, funerals and special events.

Houseplants, gifts and fresh flowers available in store

1986

11

Blue Floral Company 30 S Del Puerto Avenue Patterson, CA 95363

209-892-2583 None

Lety Lopez

Delivery on the west side since 1992 Flowers for all occations, balloons, plants and specilty gifts

1992

12

Flower Gallery 950 Oakdale Road Modesto, CA 95355

209-527-7673 modestoflowergallery.com

Hermic Gorges Sammy Hermes

Floral arrangements for all occasions

1995

13

Designs by Karen Flowers & Gifts 3306 Santa Fe Street Riverbank, CA 95367

209-869-8676 designsbykarenflowers.com

Karen Bickford

Houseplants, fresh flowers, floral arrangements, balloons and distinctive gifts

1999

14

J&S Flowers 440 W. Harding Way Stockton, CA 95202

209-944-9600 jandsflowers.net

Luiz Sanches Joel Sanches

Floral arrangements for every occasion, including weddings, funerals, birthdays and holidays House plants available

1999

15

Woodbridge Florist 18964 Lower Sacramento Road Woodbridge, CA 95258

209-333-0223 floristlodica.com

Sharon Tucker Charles Meyer

Fresh arrangements, gifts ware, weddings, funerals, baby showers and special occasions

1999

16

Hand Creations Floral Shop 2307 Lawrence Street Ceres, CA 95307

209-531-2307 handcreationsflora.net

Leticia Casillas

Weddings, quinceaneras, sweet sixteen, birthday parties, corporate events, baby showers, graduation parties and funerals

2001

17

Sweet Peas Floral Design 6231 Pacific Avenue, Ste. A-2 Stockton, CA 95207

209-472-9284 spfloraldesigns.com

Katie Wendland

Specialize in weddings and special events; also anniversaries, showers, and sympathy arrangements; rental items for special events

2004

18

The Flowery at the Tower 1801 Colorado Avenue, Ste. 110 Turlock, CA 95382

209-216-3383 thefloweryatthetower.com

Linda Shaffer

Simply beutiful flowers Specializing in custom arrangements for weddings, corporate events and other special events

2005

209-521-8944 twigsandstems.com

Reg and Rebecca Merritt

Weddings, special events, by-the-stem flowers, plants from succulents to orchids Full service florist

2010

209-727-7006 promisesanddreamsboquets.weebly.com

Pam Forbes

Custom silk bridal party flowers Flowers to last a life time, simple to elaborate, one of a kinds

2013

19

20

Twigs and Stems 429 McHenry Avenue Modesto, CA 95354

Promises & Dreams Bouquets Lockford, CA 95237

These lists are provided as a free service by the Central Valley Business Journal for its readers. As such, inclusion is based on editorial consideration and is not guaranteed. If you would like your business to be included in a list, please write to: Research Department, Central Valley Business Journal, 4512 Feather River Dr., Ste. E, Stockton, CA 95219, fax your information to Research Dept. at (209) 477-0211 or email research@cvbizjournal.com. Copy right Central Valley Business Journal.

Researched By Danette Conley 05/2014

June 2014

23

www.cvbizjournal.com

CSU Stanislaus Stockton Center honors graduates STOCKTON — California State University (CSU), Stanislaus administrators and faculty honored its graduates who completed programs at the university’s Stockton Center during a graduation reception May 21.

Thirty of the graduates at the ceremony earned bachelor’s degrees in social sciences, criminal justice, sociology, kinesiology or accounting. An additional five graduates who attended earned master’s degrees in public administration (MPA), the university said.

The majority of those who were honored graduated from the accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences Degree Completion Program, administered by CSU Stanislaus’ University Extended Education (UEE).

Students took classes two nights a week for 15 months, which made it possible for them to balance their education with jobs and families.

Melissa Cohoon of Modesto is graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences. She has a career in real estate but was inspired to work toward a law degree after her daughter was diagnosed with autism and she began working with advocacy groups.

Cohoon looked at online courses, but decided she needed to attend a brick and mortar institution so she could get the necessary recommendations from professors she’d actually met face to face.

She said the instructors proved to be flexible.

“The professors were always fantastic. If my child was sick or I had a family emergency, instead of coming down on me like an 18-year-old in high school, they said,’We’ll work with you. That’s what this program is about,” Cohoon said. “They also always allowed us to have a weekend to work on projects because they knew we needed that flexibility.”

According to CSU Stanislaus, University Extended Education serves the Central Valley through non-traditional university degree programs, certificate programs, specialized training and services designed to meet the community’s educational, workforce and professional development needs in flexible formats and locations. Additional UEE programs hosted at the Stockton Center include the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Degree Completion Program, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Degree Completion Program, the Accelerated Second Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Executive Master of Business Administration.

The Stockton Center is located in Stockton’s Magnolia district in University Park and is San Joaquin County’s only public higher education institution beyond community college.

Courses are offered in subjects that include sociology, accounting, finance, public administration, com-

munication studies, liberal studies, psychology, computer science, history, math and anthropology.

Many students attending classes in Stockton can complete their degrees without the need to commute to the CSU Stanislaus main campus in Turlock, and most classes are offered in the late afternoon or evening.

PHOTO COURTESY CSU STANISLAUS

Graduates gather for a class photo during the Stockton Center’s graduation reception.

Please see GRADUATES Page 23

24

Central Valley Business Journal

Farm Facts

June 2014

Central Valley counties tops in agricultural production, fiveyear national census shows

By CRAIG W. ANDERSON Business Journal writer STOCKTON — California is the world’s No. 1 agricultural producer and nine of the nation’s top 10 agricultural producing counties are in California, according to the latest USDA Census of Agriculture, which was released in late April.

Every five years the census presents an overview of the nation’s agriculture. It is the result of research by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) from 2007-2012.

“It will help farmers, ranchers, local officials, agribusinesses and others make decisions for the future,” said Vic Tolomeo, director of the service’s Sacramento-based Pacific Region.

While Fresno County was again the nation’s leader with nearly $5 billion in ag sales in 2012 the Central Valley counties of Stanislaus and San Joaquin combined for ag sales of more than $6 billion.

“The Ag Census gives us a good look at national trends and where we fit in with them,” said Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner Milton O’Haire. “The USDA does its own surveys and information gathering and then extrapolates the trends.”

“The census gives us a second look at our ag reporting through the agricultural commissioner system,” said San Joaquin County Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Gary Stockel.

“The Ag Census is nationwide and covers states and counties. It’s very good for seeing trends because our annual Ag Commissioner Report doesn’t have trends.”

In the nationwide ag census, the counties stack up like this: Fresno, Tulare, Kern, Monterey, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Imperial, Weld (Colorado), and Kings. San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties account for $6.1 billion in ag sales, most likely giving the Central Valley the best potential for being the most productive ag area in the nation.

The 2012 study revealed an assortment of nationwide trends, many of which apply to the Central Valley.

Here are the most telling trends: Farm income According to the census much of the increased farm income was concentrated geographically or by farm categories.

“It’s logical California and the Central Valley would be included in this trend because we are the primary geo-

graphical producer of more than 300 crops and are the No. 1 ag production state in the nation,” O’Haire said.

California’s ag production was valued at $42.7 billion in 2012 (up from $8.7 billion in 2007), far outstripping Iowa’s $30.8 billion and the $25.4 billion of Texas.

“We’ll continue this production into the future as long as we have water,” said Stockel.

About the water situation, Dave Kranz, California Farm Bureau Federation spokesman, said in a statement, “The fact that most of these counties are located in areas suffering from serious or severe water shortages…underlines the importance of making sure California farms and ranches have access to the resources necessary to sustain food production.”

Majority of farms are family owned Another trend is that 87 percent of all U.S. farms are family or individually owned which contradicts the general assumption that too many farms are corporate operations that represent unfair competition for smaller farms.

“This holds true in San Joaquin County, and it goes against the common perception that corporate farms have taken over,” Stockel said.

Farmers are older The ag census noted that the average age of farmers is now 58.3 years.

However, the number of young beginning farmers had increased 11.3 percent by 2012.

“It’s good to get youth in farming,” O’Haire said. “I think this growth attests to the success of programs like FFA and 4-H that generate interest in agriculture, educate youth in many communities and bring agriculture to kids in both rural and urban areas.”

“It’s a good trend,” Stockel said.

“We want to see the next generation entering farming or embarking on careers associated with agriculture.”

Internet access Within the farming community the census found that Internet access among farmers had increased to 69 percent, and Stockel said the Agricultural Commissioner’s office is very interested in the use of the Internet to file pesticide use reports, for example.

“The Internet also benefits farmers who can gather information about their crops and the ag industry,” Stockel said. “I think that as more people gain access to computers and the demand for ag informa-

Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties combined for ag sales of more than $6 billion in 2012, according to the Ag Ce

tion grows, the number of farms with Internet access will increase significantly.”

Beef cattle surprise Somewhat surprisingly, the ag census said beef cattle was the largest category of operations “with 29 percent of all farms and ranches specializing in cattle.”

“Texas is the big state for cattle and this could have affected the results,” O’Haire said. “The Central Valley beef cattle industry is concerned about more pastureland being taken over by permanent crops as there are many acres of almonds, walnuts and grapes being planted.

The cattle industry has also been hard-hit by the drought.”

Opinions about the cattle/pasture situation is mixed, Stockel said.

“The Central Valley beef cattle industry has a high percentage of

family operations, which is good, but there is a definite transition to permanent crops which is using up pastureland.”

Farm expenses soaring A disturbing trend in California that affects every farmer is this: total farm expenses increased more than 31 percent between 2007 and 2012. It was a high rate of growth that exceeded the market value of agricultural products, which increased only 25 percent.

Nationwide trends are evident in the Central Valley’s farming and ranching sectors and they affect local agriculture. Additional trends detected by the Ag Census include: minority operated farms with Hispanic farmers rising by 21 percent; organic sales continuing to grow; the doubling of on-farm renewable energy use; and an increase in conservation tillage and no-till practices.

June 2014

www.cvbizjournal.com

PHOTO COURTESY USDA

ensus.

QUICK FACTS: Bees ► San

Joaquin County …. 10,597 Colonies | 365,662 Pounds of Honey

► Stanislaus

County …. 25,673 Colonies | 367,542 Pounds of Honey

Organic Farming (USDA Nat’l Organic Program Certified Production Farms) ► California

.... 2,831 ► San Joaquin County .... 34 ► Stanislaus County …. 40

Agritourism Income - Revenue in 2012 ► San

Joaquin County ….. $427,000 ► Stanislaus County ……. $134,000

Women-Owned Farms ► California

.… 37,960 ► San Joaquin County .… 1,387 ► Stanislaus County .… 1,770

SOURCE: USDA Ag Census

25

26

Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

Floral fantasies

Modesto’s Twigs & Stems specializes in unique floral design

By MARIE SARDALLA-DAVIS Business Journal writer MODESTO — Things are in full bloom for Reg and Rebecca Merritt.

Twigs and Stems, their floral design studio on McHenry Avenue in Modesto, has grown by 25 percent despite opening in a down economy four years ago. Their team-up as life and business partners gelled into a balance of yin and yang.

With Reg’s distinctive artistry and Rebecca’s business savvy, Twigs and Stems has carved a niche for itself.

The studio’s custom arrangements heighten the elegance of high-end homes, physicians’ offices, upscale restaurants and the Gallo Center for the Arts.

“We’re specialized, so we don’t compete with Costco, grocery stores or ordering the number 4 online,” Reg noted. An arrangement from Twigs and Stems is as branded as a Tiffany box, Rebecca added.

“This is our floral theater,” Rebecca said.

On opening day May 1, 2010, the bare-bones studio prompted a cus-

tomer to ask, “Are you opening or closing?” The onslaught Mother’s Day orders a few days later was their baptism of fire. When they recovered from that, the studio space began to take shape.

“We built it up into a reflection of us,” Reg said.

Striving to create an experience, not just a product, Reg pays intense petalto-pedestal attention to detail.

“Flowers are a luxury, so we want them to feel good from start to finish.”

He buys directly from growers, picking out every single flower. Having secured the freshest material, he focuses on bringing the client’s vision to life.

“You only have a few minutes to get in their head,” he said. “A picture is a starting point, but I ask, ‘How can we make it better?’ I want them to be in awe.”

Clients emphasize the uniqueness of design and impeccable customer service from Twigs and Stems.

“They are extremely talented floral designers with a great disposition and capacity to please all my clients’ needs,” remarked interior designer

MARK RICHEY/CVBJ

Twigs & Stems owner and floral design Reg Merritt works arrangements one customer describes as “industrial chic.”

Chris Reed. “I enjoy their originality and ability to work in different designs befitting my designs for homeowners and the corporate world. I recommend them always.”

“The reason why the relationship

between Mike’s Grillhouse and Twigs and Stems is in place is because Reg has nailed the industrial chic ambiance we’re trying to achieve,” said owner Please see FLORAL Page 35

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Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

Big Valley Ford launches mini Mustang into space STOCKTON — Last month Ford celebrated the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Mustang by revisiting an old stunt. A crew took a new Mustang apart, transported it up to the top of the Empire State Building, reassembled it and drove it around.

The staff at Stockton’s Big Valley Ford were inspired to try a stunt of their own, but they set their sights on space.

“It’s the 50th anniversary of the Mustang and we thought, let’s come up with a way to celebrate it that’s unique that people can see and share,” said General Manager Steve Kubitz.

Kubitz and his staff launched a mini version of the new Mustang 21 miles into space and took video.

“What we did was we took a weather balloon and put two GoPro cameras on it, got clearance from FAA, went online and found the wind patterns to find where to launch it from and where it should come down, put a GPS tracker on it, and three or four hours after it landed we found it,” Kubitz explained.

The balloon was launched from Gustine and the landed in the Merced Hunting Sanctuary.

“The footage on this thing is incredible. It’s amazing,” Kubitz said.

“You really see at one point, about one third of the earth. That’s not doctored. That’s from a GoPro mounted on that balloon.”

Working from research gathered by Ford employee Michael Sego, Kubitz and

The model of the Ford Mustang reached 21 miles during its flight.

his crew bought a weather balloon online and got FAA approval for the launch.

Kubitz said the biggest challenge was finding a launch day when the weather was right and determining the wind pattern so they could find the car and cameras after they landed.

“Seriously we could have had 100 things go wrong,” Kubitz said. He said he was grateful the cameras and GPS worked. “And the parachute slowed it down enough that it didn’t destroy everything. But wind was the biggest thing.”

There was one point during the flight when Kubitz was afraid they’d lost the balloon.

PHOTO COURTESY BIG VALLEY FORD

“Once it reaches 20,000 feet the GPS stops working. So it was out of contact for an hour and a half. Then it started pinging again,” Kubitz said.

Kubitz said he was looking for something that would generate a positive story for the Stockton area and give people something fun to talk about.

He said the full-scale version of the 2015 Mustang will be in showrooms sometime in October.

* WEB EXTRA:

See Big Valley Ford’s video of the flight at cvbizjournal.com.

MANAGED IT SERVICES

State’s employment to hit pre-recession levels earlier than expected STOCKTON — California’s economy could reach a major recovery milestone this summer as employment is expected to reach pre-recession levels, according to a projection released May 28 by the Business Forecasting Center at the University of the Pacific.

The report said California will reach its 2007 peak of 15.4 million jobs nearly a year earlier than previously forecast. Revised employment data shows California jobs grew at a strong 3 percent rate in 2013.

The state’s unemployment rate has fallen below 8 percent for the first time since 2008. The forecast projects unemployment will remain above 7 percent for the rest of 2014, drop below 7 percent near the end of 2015, and finally reach 6 percent at the end of 2016.

The report also looked at the drought and found that while it is having some impact on agricultural production and could reduce employment by about 1 percent in the San Joaquin Valley this year, it is not large enough to stop economic recovery in the Valley.

The regional outlook found that all 10 metro areas in the forecast have posted solid job growth of greater than 2 percent, and the Bay Area continues to lead the state’s recovery.

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GOLF Continued from Page 21

of the worst recessions in history that started in 2008.

“The game of golf has been on the decline for years,” said Young. “That and people have a lot more options today.”

This has forced the club to diversify its offerings. With the newer clubhouse, Stockton Golf and Country Club now offers more options for both members and nonmembers to host events ranging from weddings to business meetings. The club also features top notch dining and large banquet halls.

Its history also gives it a unique place in the city.

CVBJ

“We have had couples get married at the club or have their receptions at the club, and now their grandkids are having their receptions with us,” said Young.

Activities during the year celebrating that 100th anniversary give the club another chance to highlight its value to the city. The New Year’s Eve dance kicked off festivities that will include a men’s invitational golf tournament, a family day, a country fair and a community open house. A winter gala will be held in December to wrap up the celebration.

“Some clubs compress their celebrations into two or three weeks,” said Young. “We decided to have events all year long.”

June 2014

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

The country club currently has more than 500 members. In addition to a golf course, the club is one of the city’s leading banquet and wedding venues.

NICU Continued from Page 21

onto my baby.”

It required 42 days of bed rest and constant monitoring to help Cornejo’s child stay in the womb as long as possible. The longer a baby is allowed to develop, the fewer health problems there will be later. That 42 days ended with the birth of her daughter, Rebecca Milgros Cornejo, April 23 at 26 weeks.

Her daughter was 2 pounds, 7 ounces and 14 inches long. She has grown to 3 pounds, 3 ounces in a little more than a month.

“She’s a fighter,” said Cornejo.

“They gave her a fighting chance, espe-

cially when I wasn’t given much hope at other hospitals.”

Not long ago, such a child wouldn’t have had much of a chance. According to government statistics, in 1960 the survival rate for infants under 3.3 pounds, was 28 percent. In 2010 it was up to 78 percent.

The survival for any one baby is dictated largely by the calendar. Come into the world at 22 weeks and you have only a five percent chance of making it. The odds improve to 26 percent at 23 weeks, 56 percent at 24 weeks, 76 percent at 25 weeks and up into the high 90s at 32 weeks and beyond.

“We have a variety of specialists to call on,” said Yao. “We have heart and brain specialists. We also have a contract with and can call on specialists from Stanford to consult on cases.”

Some of the most extreme cases are sent to Stanford Medical Center, which has the highest, level four, NICU. For the most part, however, the Doctors’ NICU team can handle whatever is thrown at them and help care for the children once they leave the hospital.

“We help teach the parents how to care for the needs of the children after they leave the hospital,” said Yao.

“They come back in at six months, one year and two years of age. They can get needed physical and speech therapy. We optimize their future by intervention before they hit the school age.”

As for Cornejo, she is just happy that her daughter will have a chance face whatever challenges life throws at her.

“Love hope and faith and the awesome staff here are what has kept my baby alive,” she said.

* WEB EXTRA:

See our gallery of NICU photos at cvbizjournal.com.

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June 2014

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Artists’s rendering of Pelandale as seen from the north interchange.

PHOTO COURTESY CALTRANS

Pelandale interchange to be gateway for Modesto MODESTO — In a few months, drivers entering Modesto from the north will be welcomed with a new gateway at the Pelandale interchange. Caltrans released new photos in May that show what the interchange will look like.

Caltrans and the city broke ground on the $61 million Pelandale/State Route 99 interchange in mid-May. “The benefits this project will bring to Modesto are significant. Commuters will benefit from less traffic congestion, and the project will help boost the local economy by making it easier to travel to and from the city’s regional shopping center and industrial parks,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

According to Caltrans, here’s what motorists can expect: • The number of lanes on the overcrossing will double from three to six; • New ramps will connect SR-99 with Sisk Road and Salida Boulevard instead of busy Pelandale Avenue. The goal is to have motorists spend less time stuck in traffic, saving time and money and improving air quality.

• Additional auxiliary and merge lanes will be part of the interchange, which will give drivers more time to safely merge and exit.

• Beautification: motorists entering the city be greeted by a sculptured

overcrossing with the city’s motto, “Welcome to Modesto, Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health,” carved into the rock wall.

“This project is monumental for Modesto,” said Mayor Garrad Marsh.

“This is the north gateway into our community and it will soon become a beacon to travelers along Highway 99.

Not only will safety be improved and traffic congestion eased, but the welcoming signage will be the crown-jewel of this project, giving Modesto the name recognition it deserves along the highway – an invitation to visitors and a welcome home for residents.”

Nearly $44 million from Proposition 1B, which voters approved in 2006 and $17 million from local and regional funds will pay for the project. More than $17 billion in Proposition 1B funds have been spent statewide for transportation purposes – and savings from those projects are being used to build the Pelandale interchange, Caltrans said.

The new interchange replaces the old one, which was built in 1970. Since then Modesto’s population has more than tripled from 62,000 to 200,000.

An average of 110,000 vehicles travel along SR-99 at Pelandale Avenue daily.

Traffic is projected to grow to 180,000 vehicles by 2035, Caltrans said.

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Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

GOLF COURSES In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.

Ranked by Longest Slope. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order.

10

11

12

13

14

14

Oakmoore Golf Course 3737 N. Wilson Way Stockton, CA 95205 oakmooregolfcourse.com Spring Creek Golf & Country Club 1580 Spring Creek Drive Ripon, CA 95366 springcreekcc.com

Restaurant

9

Club house

8

Elkhorn Golf Club 1050 Elkhorn Drive Stockton, CA 95209 www.elkhorngc.com Woodbridge Golf & Country Club 800 E. Woodbridge Road Woodbridge, CA 95258 woodbridgegcc.com Diablo Grande Golf and Country Club 9521 Morton Davis Drive Patterson, CA 95363 diablogrande.com Lockeford Springs Golf Course 16360 N. Hwy. 88 Lodi, CA 95240 lockefordsprings.com Turlock Golf & Country Club 10532 N. Golf Link Road Turlock, CA 95380 turlockcountryclub.com Stockton Golf & Country Club 3800 W. Country Club Boulevard Stockton, CA 95204 stocktongolfcc.com Manteca Park Golf Course 305 N. Union Road Manteca, CA 95337 golfadvisor.com

Instruction

7

Brookside Country Club 3603 St. Andrews Drive Stockton, CA 95219 brooksidegolf.net

Chipping green

6

Putting green

5

The Reserve at Spanos Park 6301 W. Eight Mile Road Stockton, CA 95219 reserveatspanospark.com Oakdale Golf & Country Club 243 N. Stearns Road Oakdale, CA 95361 oakdalegcc.org

Driving range

4

Del Rio Country Club 801 Stewart Road Modesto, CA 95356 delriocountryclub.com

Access

3

Par

2

Stevinson Ranch Golf Club 2700 Van Clief Road Stevinson, CA 95374 stevinsonranchgolf.com Tracy Golf & Country Club 35200 S. Chrisman Road Tracy, CA 95377 tracycountryclub.com

Manager Head golf pro Phone number

Holes

1

Green fees

Longest slope

Features

Golf course name Rank Address Web address

143

18

72

Semiprivate

x

x

x

x

x

x

$47 W/O cart

$57 W/O cart

Doeg Colliflower, PGA Dave Harmon (209) 668-8200

135

18

72

Private

x

x

x

x

x

x

$30 with member

$40 with member

Shaun McCarty Shaun McCarty, PGA (209) 835-9320

133

27

72

Private

x

x

x

x

x

x

$40 Members only

$40 Members only

Duncan Reno Fred Rodriguez (209) 545-0723

131

18

72

Semiprivate

x

x

x

x

x

x

$47

$59

Tim Walsh Todd Cockrum (209) 477-4653

132

18

72

Private

x

x

x

x

x

$50 with member

$55 with member

Rick Schultz Mike Dowd (209) 847-2984

131

18

72

Private

x

x

x

x

x

x

Members only

Members only

131

18

71

Public

x

x

x

x

x

x

$31 (seniors & juniors discount-$12) $36-46 cart

$38 ($15 discountJrs.) $33-$53 cart

131

27

71

Private

x

x

x

x

x

x

$60 $12 cart fee per player

$90 $12 cart fee per player

Bob Vocker (209) 369-2371

130

36

72

Public

x

x

x

x

x

x

$49.00

$69.00

Joshua Clay Joshua Clay (209)892-4653

128

18

72

Public

x

x

x

x

x

x

Varies

Varies

Gary Reiff Trent Marsh (209) 333-6275

128

18

72

Private

x

x

x

x

x

x

$40 plus cart

$45 plus cart

Michael Blevins Doug Hanson (209) 634-5471

127

18

71

Private

x

x

x

x

x

x

$45 plus cart

$55 plus cart

Bob Young, PGA Kelley Spooner (209) 466-4313

126

18

72

Public

x

x

x

x

x

x

$8 - $21

$10 - $28

Alan Thomas (209) 825-2500

125

9/18

36/72

Private Grp-events kitchen/out door BBQ

x

x

$42 Min. 40 players

$48 Min. 50 players

Carol Lee Moore n/a (209) 943-1983

125

18

72

Private

x

x

x

x

Weekday

Weekend

Alecia Escajeda, Asst. GM Tim Sands (209) 956-6200 Sierra Golf Management Greg Feddersen (209) 474-3900

x

x

x

$40 with member

$50 with member

Jim Toal Shea Rollins (209) 599-3258

x

x

x

$38

$50

Matt Rascoe Karan Suprai (209) 369-4410

16

Micke Grove Golf Links 11401 N. Micke Grove Road Lodi, CA 95240 mickegrove.com

124

18

72

Public

x

x

17

Van Buskirk Golf Course 1740 Houston Avenue Stockton, CA 95206 stocktongolfcourses.com

123

18

72

Public

x

x

x

x

x

x

$20 - $34 Varies

$40 - $48 Varies

Tom Nelson, PGA Joe Reilly (209) 937-7357

18

Swenson Park Golf Course 6803 Alexandria Place Stockton, CA 95207 stocktongolfcourses.com

120

27

72

Public

x

x

x

x

x

x

$20 - $35

$25 - $35

Tom Nelson, PGA Patty Largent (209) 937-7360

19

Old River Golf Course & Practice Center 18007 MacArthur Drive Tracy, CA 95304 oldrivergolf.com

118

18

72

Public

x

x

x

x

x

x

$28 Specials

$35 Specials

Hiram Sibley Brad Wubben (209) 830-8585

Jack Tone Golf George Buzzini, owner 1500 Ruess Road 88 18 62 Public x x x x x $18 $22 Aaron Heether Ripon, CA 95366 (209) 599-2973 golflink.com These lists are provided as a free service by the Central Valley Business Journal for its readers. As such, inclusion is based on editorial consideration and is not guaranteed. If you would like your business to be included in a list, please write to: Research Department, Central Valley Business Journal, 4512 Feather River Drive, Ste. E, Stockton, CA 95219, fax your information to Research Dept. (209) 477-0211 or email research@cvbizjournal.com. Copyright Central Valley Business Journal.

Researched by Danette Conley 05/2014

20

June 2014

33

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Join us as we Celebrate 100 years

Clubhouse Amenities: • Grand Ballroom for Events • Casual & Formal Dining Rooms • Grill Room Overlooks 18th Green • Locker Rooms with Spas/Steam Room

Stockton Golf & Country Club 3800 w. country club blvd. stockton, ca 95204

State of the Art Fitness Center

Swimming Pool and Clubhouse

Call for Regular and Social Membership Pricing (209) 466-4313

34

Central Valley Business Journal

CVBJ

June 2014

FOCUS: REAL ESTATE

Negotiating tips for first time tenants Leasing a space may be just as time consuming, tedious, and stressful as buying commercial property but once the deal is done, the difference is that you will have a landlord to answer to.

The following advice is based on my experiences as a commercial agent, some filled with triumph and success and others with pain and failure.

Your goal You want a good landlord, and good landlords want good tenants, thus they will want to know about your business. A business, whether a startup or established, will need a legitimate business plan, show sufficient startup capital/financial information, and may need to sign a personal guarantee that will make you or a co-signer personally responsible should the business and lease go into default.

For a longer term lease requiring tenant improvements, the landlord will have you fill out a financial application and also provide two to three years of profit and loss (PNL) statements. Don’t worry, bad credit or blemishes on the PNL aren’t necessarily the kiss of death. The landlord may ask that you pay a larger security deposit or pay for several months in ad-

vance to help offset any up-front costs.

Location Whether you need freeway frontage or will settle for an odd building in an industrial park, location will affect how successful you are as a business. Consider the following: parking, traffic counts, zoning, etc. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure by getting a space that ultimately hurts your business.

Josh Bower Lease rate NAI Benchmark Your lease rate First Commercial will always depend on business type and location. The lowest end on the pricing spectrum lies in industrial and flex spaces. Next is Class B&C office, local retail, then Class A office, medical, followed by anchored retail and restaurant space.

Full service: This is the very best case scenario for tenants. The land-

Business Space

lord will pay for all utilities, operating costs, taxes, insurance and common area maintenance (CAMs). You will be responsible for smaller services such as your phone, liability insurance, and Internet.

Gross and modified gross: These along with Industrial Gross are the most common lease rates in our market. The landlord will pay property taxes, insurance, and CAMs. Trash and water/sewer will either be paid by landlord or tenant, and the tenant pays for electrical and gas. You’ll find this classification in Class B&C office, industrial/flex space, and Class C retail.

NNN: In a triple net lease the tenant pays for property taxes, insurance, utilities, CAMs, and just about everything else. Most NNN listings will come with an estimated NNN added to the lease rate. You’ll find this rate in most retail, Class A office, industrial and medical buildings.

Percentage: This classification is rare in our market and only used in retail, particularly with restaurants.

With a percentage lease, the landlord will receive a percentage of the tenant’s profit should the tenant’s sales exceed a certain number.

Lease negotiations and tenant improvements One-year term: You pay full rent, no free move in time, and few changes can be made to the space. The landlord will make sure all HVAC, lighting, and plumbing is working, vacuum, and patch up walls.

Three-year term: You will usually get two weeks to a month to move in.

Normally with every multiple year lease you will get an annual increase in rent. The industry standard is 3 percent. The landlord may be open to letting you make tenant improvements.

Five-year and over term: With this the term tenant will ask for greater concessions in rent and landlord may contribute a certain amount to tenant improvements without amortizing into the lease.

Usually there are more improvements necessary with a longer term, so the landlord will be more generous with free rent. To ensure you’re ready to go it is worded in the contract as “rent will commence no sooner than 60 days from lease execution and no later than 90 days, depending on date business opens doors.”

Other tips Use a commercial agent: A competent agent will help you in finding the right site, negotiate the best terms, look out for pitfalls, and talk you out of a lease if it looks like a bad idea. You as the tenant have to live with your decision, make sure you have someone who knows what they’re doing.

Use a legitimate lease document: I’ve seen some weird docs used, CAR has a lease document and we use AIR forms, both will protect you and the landlord.

Zoning: Always check to make sure your use is permitted even if it is zoned commercial. The last thing you want is to sign a lease, pay deposit, and find out when applying for a business that your use is not “allowable.”

Vets should take advantage of VA and CalVet home loans Veterans get one of the best home loan values in California. However, if you are unaware of these facts the dream of home ownership could pass you by. It’s amazing to me how many veterans are not aware of the wonderful opportunities available to them through the VA and CalVet home loan programs.

Many Realtors experienced in working with these two incredible programs are having a hard time trying to get the word out to less experienced agents, lenders, and the general public. Some of the old fashioned misunderstandings and long-gone guidelines die hard.

To help combat these issues the Lodi Association of Realtors has begun to offer training for Realtors and has published numerous articles regarding the great benefits available to veterans to

www.firstchoiceservices.com 209.467.4426

help spread the good news.

A VA or CalVet loan is perhaps the most powerful and flexible lending option on the market today. If you are a veteran and want a great home loan, then you need a CalVet or VA Home Loan. You’ll find these loans will save you money and provide you protection for your home and investment.

CalVet has expanded eligibility so that most veterans (including those now on active duty) wanting to buy a home in California are eligible, subject to financial qualification and available bond funds.

Far and away, the most significant benefit of a VA or CalVet loan is the borrower’s ability to purchase with no money down. Apart from the government’s UDSA Rural Development home

loan and Fannie Mae’s Home Path, it’s all but impossible to find a lending option today that provides borrowers with 100 percent financing.

VA and CalVet loans also come with less stringent underwriting standards and requirements than conventional loans.

In fact, about 80 percent of VA borrowers could not otherwise have qualified for a conventional loan. These loans Sheri Aguilar also come with President, Lodi no private mortRealtors Association gage insurance (PMI), a monthly expense that conventional borrowers are required to pay unless they put down at least 20 percent of the loan amount.

These programs also offer specialty loans for home improvement, construction, and rehabilitation. Are you looking to remodel, repair, add an addition or add disabled accessibility to your home? Then look no further.

Home improvement loans are available for existing mortgage holders.

Want to build a home, place a manu-

Bringing it home

factured home on your property, or buy a property in need of repair?

CalVet has construction and rehabilitation loans to provide funds to build, repair, and renovate to make the home just right for you.

The CalVet and VA Home Loans are not a one-time benefit. If you had a CalVet or VA loan in the past that was paid in full as agreed, you may apply again.

VA and CalVet Offers: 100 percent financing No prepayment penalties Sellers can pay up to 6 percent of closing costs and concessions Higher allowable debt-to-income ratios than for many other loans • Fixed rate, 30-year term • No monthly mortgage insurance premium Types of property financed by CalVet: • Single family homes • Planned Unit Developments • Condominiums • Manufactured Homes installed on permanent foundations • Mobile Homes in Mobile Home Parks • Farms The CalVet and VA Home Loans are the best loans on the market for veterans purchasing a home in California.

Competitive interest rates and low down to no down payment will help you qualify for a higher loan amount while keeping your monthly payment affordable.

June 2014

35

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McNerney, Denham join call for VA secretary’s resignation WASHINGTON — Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton and Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, have each called for the resignation of Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki.

A report by the VA Inspector General was released May 28 and said at least 1,700 veterans waiting to see a doctor were never scheduled for appointments nor were they placed on a wait list at the VA medical center

CVBJ

in Phoenix. The report described the problem as “systemic,” “I reviewed today’s preliminary report from the VA Inspector General, and I was deeply troubled by what I read,” McNerney said. “The unacceptable delays in Phoenix were not an isolated incident, but rather appear to be part of a larger pattern of neglectful actions in certain VA medical facilities. It appears there was even knowledge inside

some parts of the VA that standard scheduling practices were not being followed and that veterans were waiting far too long for care. These delays may have even resulted in preventable deaths.”

“We have now learned that this gross mistreatment of our nation’s finest men and women is happening across the country,” Denham said.

“The way our veterans have been treated in Phoenix and multiple oth-

er VA hospitals nationwide is nothing short of criminal.”

In addition to calling for Shinseki’s resignation, Denham said he has requested a full review of the Palo Alto VA Medical Center’s scheduling practices to protect Central Valley veterans.

Both congressmen said Shinseki had served his country honorably but said his resignation was necessary to restore confidence in the VA.

FLORAL

Mike Nelson. “He used our wine crates to create very unusual fruit and vegetable arrangements with local produce.

Our claim to fame is to support local agriculture and breweries, and Reg is so in tune with what we need.”

Like many artists, Reg is at his best when clients provide initial direction then let him run with it.

“We wrapped our newborn in a papoose,” Reg said, arms held tight to his sides. “I don’t want to be swaddled. We have a great client list, solid and loyal. They know I’m going to make it happen.”

“People trust Reg now,” Rebecca observed. “Word of mouth is how we’ve been growing.”

Reg studied metal casting at San Francisco State University and earned an associate’s degree in Visual Merchandising from Modesto Junior College. While at MJC, he met Alx Lazano, who now also creates floral design at Twigs and Stems.

Twigs and Stems occupies the same fig-covered building where Reg’s father, renowned designer Michael Merritt, owned and ran The Thoughtful Flower for many years before selling it.

Of course, the most notable thing Reg received from his father was incomparable on-the-job training.

“That’s how we played catch; how we went fishing,” Reg recalled.

Eventually Reg struck out on his own. Michael Merritt continues to distinguish himself in floral design from his studio in Carmel.

“I grew up in the flower business and felt like I needed to get out and feel different mediums. I’m more contemporary in style,” Reg said.

“They’re cut from the same cloth,” Rebecca remarked. “They’ll see something and go, ‘Oh, man!’ They can visualize it. They bounce ideas off each other. It’s neat to watch Mike and Reg.” Reg’s work has been featured in floral publications such as “Flowers &” as well as in the prestigious Bouquets to Art at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. He gives presentations and offers classes in the studio, such as creating a garland for the holiday table, and private classes such as how to create your own birthday bouquet.

“Reg has fun making everything,” Rebecca said. “He nurtured this studio and it’s growing. It’s his other baby.”

Choose DMC

Continued from Page 26

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Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

Using meetings properly can lead to better decision-making My involvement with Boy Scouts led me and two other leaders on a recent shopping excursion to Lowe’s. We need to construct six large wood boxes to contain all the cooking supplies for a group of about 25 boys. The hardware on our shopping list included about a dozen different items such as screws, latches, nuts, bolts and hinges, yet we ended up spending more than an hour and a half in the store. When I returned home my wife asked why it took me so long to pick up such small amount of items. My response, “I don’t know, it just does.” Wives love that answer. I then began dissecting the process of the Lowe’s trip to find out what exactly had taken so long.

I walked into Lowe’s knowing exactly what I needed because I believed I understood the problem at hand. I knew how the box doors would open and how they would be secured. I also believed I understood the available solutions. The challenge was that while I had a solution on paper that sounded good, in real life I discovered there were better options (better latches, stronger hinges).

Furthermore, each change in hardware required adapting the overall plan.

In my experience facilitating business strategy sessions, I have found that it is common for people to define a problem and then come up with a solution to solve that problem. Notice I said “solution,” not “solutions.” As humans we tend to

come up with an acceptable solution and then accept is as the right decision.

A better course of action that would deliver better results would be to make a list of multiple solutions and then decide which is the best one based on our current information.

Recently I helped a group of managers come up with a solution to a problem that had plagued its orgaPeter Johnson nization for more Pacific - Eberhardt than a year. They School of Business all knew about the problem, but no one had spent any time or energy fixing it. Each month the topic would come up and the group would say, “Yeah, we really need to find a solution to this one of these days.” Have you ever looked on the calendar for “one of these days”? I hear it is right between Tuesday and Wednesday. As I worked with these managers, I asked everyone how we should fix the problem. You could see most of their eyes look away from me. After about 30 seconds someone hesitantly mumbled a solution.

Several others chimed in positively

Clear Vision

about the benefits of using that solution, and it looked like we were well on our way to a decision and solution.

At this point, I stopped the group and asked each of the nine managers to write a solution to the same problem on a 3x5 card. I told them to be original and think outside the box. Five minutes later I collected the cards and read them. After combining similar ideas and eliminating one that was financially impossible, we had four good solutions. All were better than the original. We spent another 15 minutes evaluating the four solutions and came up with what the group considered to be the best solution. Then we spent another five minutes tweaking it with everyone’s input.

So let’s recap, by spending a total of 25 minutes, we were able to come up with multiple good solutions, build on the best one and get buy-in from everyone. This doesn’t happen every time, but it does go to show that we don’t have to settle for the first solution. The odds are pretty low the first acceptable idea out of the gate is going to be a homerun. Another idea is to have everyone come up with solutions for a set period of time, say 20 minutes. At first this might look like the previous example. However, pushing each person to come up with multiple solutions requires them to get more creative with each one. This ensures that possible solutions go beyond the obvious.

Of course the other side of the coin from taking the first good solution is wanting to make the perfect decision -wanting to get all the information before pulling the trigger. That’s commonly referred to as “paralysis through analysis.” Colin Powell once said he would get 80 percent of the information and then would make a decision. The challenge with every organization is to find the balance between spending enough time but not too much time contemplating the issue in search of possible solutions before selecting the best option.

At Lowe’s I was faced with multiple solutions to my problem -- many better than my current solution. In working with more complex business issues, those decisions are not always staring at us from an end cap in the hardware section. This is where people and meetings create their value. People are your greatest asset in helping you see an issue from multiple perspectives and discussing multiple options for resolution.

If used properly this resource (your team) can help you identify better solutions and get buy-in at the same time.

Meetings can be a great leadership tool to achieving goals and creating impact in your organization, but they can also be the most expensive, frustrating, and morale crushing activity you do.

How you use meetings is up to you.

Until next time, make it a great day towards your best year ever!

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Benefits and pitfalls of social media marketing

Business Watch

business and professional connector than a family and friends venue, LinkedIn has more than 200 million professional profiles that organizations can connect with by consumer interest and industry.

Other social media sites to consider are: Twitter, with more than 500 million users; Google+, which is interwoven with the Google search engine; and Pinterest, the fourth most frequently used search engine behind

Google, direct URLs and Facebook.

When used wisely, social media can enhance our marketing efforts.

We first need to segment our target markets, know what appeals to each segment, and communicate to them in their “language.” Following are some social media tips from Rawee M. in her book, “10 Social Media Marketing Tips”: 1. Appear to be human and not a robot when posting or responding.

2. Attend to legitimate questions, concerns and comments right away.

3. Check facts before stating them as such.

4. Communicate informatively.

5. Engage your followers.

6. Exude confidence.

7. Fill in your profiles completely.

8. Pick your screen names and profile pictures wisely.

9. Think before you post.

10. Use your business profiles only for business.

© Modesto Irrigation District

What did we do before the Internet?

We can now easily comparison-shop for hotels, airfares and cars. With the right app on our smart phones, we will never be lost again, and we can find out where all of the nearest Starbucks are located. We can read consumer reviews, see what movies are showing at Linda Nowak our local theDean, College of Business ater and make CSU Stanislaus restaurant reservations online.

Another great feature of the Internet is social media, wherein our customers can share or pass on our company’s information through their connections via outlets such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+.

Today, consumer information no longer flows one way, from the businesses selling a product or service to the consumer. We are experiencing a horizontal revolution in which consumer information flows through virtual communities. One of the largest changes in access to information about products is “usergenerated content.” Consumers can now post a book review on Amazon, complain about lousy service on Yelp or demonstrate how to use a new product on YouTube.

Monitoring what is being said about our products or services can become a full-time job, but one that cannot be ignored. Negative reports can be passed along to “friends” just as quickly as the good. If we happen to own a restaurant, we have no control over someone posting a negative comment such as “The service was lousy,” but we certainly can respond quickly by apologizing and inviting them back for a free dessert.

Consistency is important. We need to keep our message out there.

Businesses should be proactive, with frequent news updates for their clients about their products and services, special events, sales, and human interest stories about how the company positively impacted the lives of their employers or their consumers.

Facebook is an effective vehicle for connecting with all age groups, but especially the younger members of our society. It now has more than 1 billion active users. And any business has the ability to build a company page, which can then be “liked” and “shared” with friends. In fact, more than 1.5 billion pieces of content are shared on Facebook daily. Mobile ads now account for about half of Facebook’s advertising revenue.

LinkedIn is another excellent social media website. More of a

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38

Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

Business Journal Insight & Analysis CENTRAL VALLEY

Fun and games

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer

Valley cities rely on sports to attract tourists

Area tourism bureaus are finding that one way to bring in visitors and fill hotel rooms is by promoting the area as a hotbed of sports activities.

“We are always looking at large scale events,” said Wes Rhea, CEO of the Stockton Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Sports tournaments are a way to do that.”

The area has hosted some big events in the past.

The Amgen Tour of California bike race has held stages in both Modesto (2010) and Stockton (2007).

The Bass Masters Elite Series sport fishing tournament visited the Delta waterways in 2007 and brought 108 fishermen to Stockton. “(The Amgen tour) was a huge plus,” said Jennifer Mullen, executive director of the Modesto Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It lets people get a feel for the lifestyle in Modesto.”

She said that large events can give the area a multicultural flavor not normally seen in the Central Valley.

“It’s good to get the international exposure,” she said “You walk through the press room and have

all these different languages spoken and the word ‘Modesto’ was only one you could make out. That’s something you don’t see here too often.”

The downside of large events such as Amgen or Bass Masters is that they are tough to get and expensive to pull off. Cities that host the Amgen tour have to put together sponsorship packages that can total $75,000 or more.

“Amgen and Bass Master might cost $75,000 for the sponsorships” said Rhea. ‘We have to go where we can get the best bang for our buck.”

Still area cities are looking for that splashy event to grab headlines. Stockton bid on the Amgen event in 2009 and 2010, and Modesto put in multiple bids.

“We have bid on it in the past. We will bid on it in the future,”said Mullen. “We work very closely with their team.”

In the meantime, both San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties’ biggest cities are hosting many lower profile but equally lucrative events that will help area business that depend on big events.

Modesto will hold the Modesto Grand Prix Superkarts! USA race in the streets of downtown Modesto Please see SPORTS Page 39

June 2014

SPORTS Continued from Page 38

in August. It’s sponsored by Save Mart Supermarkets and the DoubleTree Hotel.

“There are 300 drivers and teams from around the world,” said Mullen.

“It’s going to bring about $7 million into the local economy.”

Similar events in other cities have drawn more than 10,000 fans. Local organizers are a little more subdued in their expectations for for fan attendance in their first year hosting the race.

“Right now we are planning from 7,500 to 10,000 per day,” said Modesto administrative analyst Scott Humphries.

“We have a one-year contract with an extension of three more years. We’ll just have to see how it goes.”

Last year Stockton saw more than $3.3 million of economic impact from sporting events. The Running Rebels and Grapettes softball organizations brought in more than $1 million each for events they hosted over the course of 2013.

The West Coast Baseball tournament brought more than $160,000 to area businesses last year. The conference tournament played the second of its three-year contract at the Ports’ home, Banner Island Ballpark from May 21-24.

“They were looking for a place to have that tournament,” said Rhea.

“We brought them to the (Banner

Island Ballpark) and they liked it. It gives these guys a chance to have the amenities of a pro ballpark.”

Four out of the 10 teams in the West Coast Conference qualify for the tournament.

“The teams had such a great experience here. The city really rolled out the red carpet,” said Ted Leland, University of the Pacific vice president for external relations and athletics.

“It inspires our team. We have so many local baseball players that want to play in that ballpark that it really helps motivate them.”

While big events grab the headlines, area tourism officials are finding that thinking outside the usual sporting box can help fill hotel rooms as well. Stockton will host roller derby, baton twirling and beach volleyball competitions between now and the end of the year.

“We’re just looking to add some unique sports to our area,” said Rhea.

Modesto will have a foot golf competition as well and will put its new softball complex to use.

“We aren’t just limiting it to softball and baseball games,” said Mullen.

“The parking lot can hold 500 cars, so we might be able to have car shows. We are just thrilled to have some uniques kinds of games coming to Modesto.”

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CALL CALONE & HARREL NOW!!!

Calone & Harrel Law Group, LLP E s t a t e Pl a n n i n g , Ta x a n d Bu s i n e s s At t o r n e y s The Ebbetts Pass Veterans Memorial District dedicated the expansion of its creekside memorial in Murphys May 26, Memorial Day. The major addition to the memorial is a 7-foot tall bronze statue of a World War II soldier, donated by John and Gail Kautz of Ironstone Vineyard.

ELIZABETH STEVENS/CVBJ

* WEB EXTRA:

Watch an interview with John Kautz and view more photos in our media gallery at www.cvbizjournal.com

209.952.4545

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Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

OLDEST BUSINESSES In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.

Ranked by Year Established. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order.

Rank

Company name Address

Local phone Web address

Year est.

Original name Location

Current line of business

Original owner(s)

Current top local executive

1

Jack Tone Ranch 9649 N. Jack Tone Road Stockton, CA 95215

(209) 931-4972 jacktoneranch.com

1849

Jack Tone Ranch Stockton

Horse ranch Weddings and Events

Jack Tone Marjory Tone

Kathleen Tone Hammer Jerry Hammer

2

Pacific Storage Company 523 N. Hunter Street Stockton, CA 95201

(209) 320-6600 pacificstorage.com

1856

Pacific Leather Tannery Stockton

Moving and storage, business record storage, shredding

Charles & Jacob Wagner

Greg Tudor CEO

3

Bank of Stockton 301 E. Miner Avenue Stockton, CA 95202

(209) 929-1600 bankofstockton.com

1867

Stockton Savings & Loan Society Stockton

Banking

Doug Eberhardt President

Douglass Eberhardt Jr. President

4

Dohrmann Insurance Agency 3255 W. March Lane, Ste. 200 Stockton, CA 95219

(209) 478-1400 dohrins.com

1868

Dohrmann Insurance Agency Stockton

Insurance

Charles W. Dohrmann

Greg and George Dohrman

5

V.A. Rodden, Inc. 4000 Ellenwood Road Oakdale, CA 95361

(209) 847-0928 N/A

1878

Jackson Bros.

Oakdale

Agriculture - Farming

Vernon Rodden

William R. Jackson

6

Lodi News Sentinel 125 N. Church Street Lodi, CA 95240

(209) 369-2761 lodinews.com

1881

Lodi Sentinel Lodi

Daily newspaper

Ralph Ellis and Family

Fred Weybret Chairman

7

Stockton Wheel Service 648 W. Fremont Street Stockton, CA 95203

(209) 464-7771 stocktonwheel.com

1883

Stockton Wheel Service Stockton

Wheels and component parts

Holt Brothers

Andre Chau

8

F. J. Dietrich & Co. 2155 W. March Lane, Ste. 2-E Stockton, CA 95207

(209) 952-6000 N/A

1887

Diedrich & Leistner Stockton

Personal & commercial insurance, real estate

E. Grunsky, F. J. Diedrich G. Leistner

F. J. Diedrich IV

9

Modesto Irrigation District 1231 11th Street Modesto, CA 95354

(209) 526-7337 mid.org

1887

Modesto Irrigation District Modesto

Public-owned utility, irrigation, and electricity

Public owned

Roger VanHoy General Manager

10

A.L. Gilbert Company 304 N. Yosemite Avenue Oakdale, CA 95361

(209) 847-1721 None

1892

Farmers Warehouse Oakdale

Grain and feed

Amos Lawrance Gilbert

Dave Gilbert President/CEO

11

The Record 530 E. Market Street Stockton, CA 95202

(209) 943-6397 recordnet.com

1895

The Stockton Evening News Stockton

Daily newspaper

Irving Martin Sr.

Roger Coover President/Publisher

12

Humphrey’s College 6650 Inglewood Avenue Stockton, CA 95378

(209) 478-0800 humphreys.edu

1896

Stockton Business College Stockton

Business, Liberal Arts and College of Law

F.R. Clark

Robert G. Humphrey President

13

Tracy Press 131 W. 10th Street Tracy, CA 95376

(209) 835-3030 tracypress.com

1898

Tracy Press Tracy

Daily newspaper

Thomas Duffy

Will Fleet

14

Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center 1800 N. California Street Stockton, CA 95204

(209) 943-2000 stjosephscares.org

1899

St. Joseph’s Home and Hospital Stockton

Healthcare/hospital

Dominican Sisters of San Rafael

Donald J. Wiley President

15

Ward Office Furniture Co. 220 Tully Road Modesto, CA 95350

(209) 523-2815 wardofficefurniture.com

1905

J.L. Ward Furniture Company Modesto

Office furniture store

John L. Ward

John Ward

16

J.S. West & Co. 501 9th Street Modesto, CA 95354

(209) 577-3221 jswest.com

1909

J.S. West & Co., Feed & Seed Modesto

Propane and egg processing

James S. West

Gary West President

17

Barton Ranch, Inc. 22398 S. McBride Road Escalon, CA 95320

(209) 838-8930 goldriverorchards.com

1912

Barton Ranch Escalon

Walnut and olive farming

P. F. Barton E. J. Barton

Brent Barton President

18

Fiscalini Farms 7231 Covert Road Modesto, CA 95358

(209) 545-5495 fiscalinicheese.com

1912

John B. Fiscalini Dairy Modesto

Dairy, farm and cheese company

John Baptiste Fiscalini

John Brian Fiscalini

19

Mark-Ease Products 132 S. Aurora Street Stockton, CA 95202

(209) 462-8632 markease.com

1912

Mark-Ease Products Stockton

Signs

John Markey

Karl Gassner

20

Mepco Label Systems 1313 S. Stockton Street Lodi, CA 95240

(209) 946-0201 mepcolabel.com

1912

Mepco Label Systems Stockton

Printing

John O’Brien

Jennifer Tracy President

21

Winton, Ireland, Strom & Green 627 E. Canal Drive Turlock, CA 95381

(209) 667-0995 wintonireland.com

1913

G.H. Winton Insurance Agency Turlock

Insurance

G. H. Winton

Mike Ireland Sr.

22

Stockton Golf & Country Club 3800 W. Country Club Boulevard Stockton, CA 95204

(209) 466-4313 stocktongolfcc.com

1914

Stockton Golf & Country Club Stockton

Golf Course

Local citizens

Bob Young, PGA

23

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California 121 W. Pine Street Lodi, CA 95240

(209) 367-2300 fmbonline.com

1916

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Lodi Lodi

Banking

Shareholders

Kent Steinwert President/CEO

24

Harder’s Print Shop 132 S. Broadway Turlock, CA 95380

(209) 634-5456 hardersprintshop.com

1919

Harder’s Print Shop Turlock

Printing

Frank Harder

Donna Pierce

These lists are provided as a free service by the Central Valley Business Journal for its readers. As such, inclusion is based on editorial consideration and is not guaranteed. If you would like your business to be included in a list, please write to: Research Department, Central Valley Business Journal, 4512 Feather River Drive, Ste. E, Stockton, CA 95219, fax your information to Research Dept. (209) 477-0211 or email research@cvbizjournal.com. Copyright Central Valley Business Journal.

Researched by Danette Conley 05/2014

June 2014

41

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"Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today" Mark Twain

By the time Mark Twain was writing of jumping frogs, the "can do" spirit of the San Joaquin Valley's pioneers ensured that our agricultural economy was already well established.

In the following decades the region's visionaries furthered the valley's position as an agricultural powerhouse. New methods of farming, irrigation systems to tame the wild water, and transportation systems over road, rail and river all contribute to the valley’s continued success.

The A. L. Gilbert family is thankful to have had the opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with the dreamers and the doers who have nurtured this abundant valley over the last century.

In the 21st century our valley remains one of the world’s premier food producing regions. We firmly believe that by continuing to work with our partners and friends, in the San Joaquin Valley there is nothing that cannot happen today.

A. L. Gilbert Company since 1892 Oakdale Commercial • Farmers Warehouse • Lockwood Seed & Grain • Colorado Sweet Gold • Volkman Seed Factory

42

Central Valley Business Journal

June 2014

No rebel attitude required Motorcycle culture thrives in Modesto

By COURTNEY JESPERSEN Business Journal writer

MARK RICHEY/CVBJ

Mitchell’s Modesto Harley-Davidson owner Art Mitchell says his customers range from grandmas to neurosurgeons.

MODESTO — He doesn’t dress all in leather, and he certainly isn’t a rebel without a cause, but Art Mitchell could still be considered the unofficial leader of the Central Valley’s motorcycle culture.

Born and raised in Sunnyvale, Mitchell moved to Modesto in 1975.

The married father of five and grandfather of eight first learned to ride a motorcycle before he was barely old enough to attend school.

“I’ve always been involved with motorcycles,” Mitchell said. “My dad brought me home one when I was 5 years old. It kind of became a static babysitter for my parents, I think.”

And you could say he has not stopped riding since.

Young Mitchell became a proficient rider and eventually raced bikes during his high school years. He went on to work at a local Sunnyvale HarleyDavidson store before venturing into business ownership himself.

Mitchell is the namesake of Mitchell’s Modesto Harley-Davidson, an authorized dealer of the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer.

The Stanislaus County dealership was originally established in 1938 on 9th Street. Mitchell assumed ownership in 1987 and eventually relocated the shop to its current home on north Carpenter Road.

“The industry has changed a lot,” Mitchell said. “There are so many more riders than there ever were.

When I bought the store, our total allocation was right at 50 for the year. Now we’re around 300, and we probably do close to that many in used (motorcycles).”

Besides the showroom and service department, Mitchell’s Modesto Harley-Davidson also boasts a retro-themed restaurant that patrons can frequent.

“I’m an owner of this business as an enthusiast before a businessman,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell’s motorcycle reach extends beyond Modesto as well. He acquired his second Harley-Davidson store – this one in Jamestown – in 1995. Additionally, he has been the owner of Stockton Honda Yamaha for the past 15 years.

Besides reliability, Mitchell bePlease see MOTORCYCLE Page 43

June 2014

CVBJ

43

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MOTORCYCLE Continued from Page 42

lieves what sets Harley-Davidson apart from other motorcycles is the brand’s mix of an old-school feel with new-school technology.

“People like the nostalgia,” Mitchell said. “Everybody likes nostalgia.

That’s why they bring the Camaro back. That’s why they bring the Challenger back. That’s why they bring all these things back, for the guys who couldn’t afford one when they were a kid.”

“Harley-Davidson is trying to put the new in and keep the old feel,” he added. “It would be real easy to build something very modern, but that’s not what people want.”

Mitchell considers the culture of the Central Valley motorcycle riders he interacts with to be as much a lifestyle as it is a hobby. And it’s a lifestyle that people from all walks of life engage in.

If his 28 years in Harley-Davidson business ownership have shown Mitchell anything, it is that the typical biker stereotype is nothing more than a myth.

In fact, Mitchell’s client base includes everyone from grandmas to CEOs. “I have neurosurgeons that ride, doctors of different varieties that ride, and nurses that ride,” he said. “Name a profession, I probably have them. I don’t have a stereotype anymore because I see every single person come through the door. It’s moms, it’s grandmas, it’s dads, it’s grandfathers. About any person you want to imagine is riding right now.”

One of those riders is self-employed electrical contractor Anthony Ball of Modesto. Ball has been a repeat customer at Mitchell’s Modesto HarleyDavidson for the past 10 years.

“The difference between a Harley and any other motorcycle is there’s a family unit that seems to go with it,” he said.

Ball has also been involved with the Modesto Harley Owners Group (HOG), a riders club sponsored by Mitchell’s. The club plans more than 70 rides per year and is composed of 150 members from town.

Mitchell, his Modesto shop, and HOG members are regularly involved in community-oriented outreach, from providing security for local events to helping collect donations for charity. Examples of popular events include the annual Corporal Michael D. Anderson Jr. Memorial Ride, the Sierra Hope Ride, and the American Graffiti Festival.

“When somebody wants to put an event on to raise money for something, they go to motorcycle people because they’re very generous,” Ball said of the HOG chapter’s fundraising efforts.

Looking to the road ahead, Mitchell is transitioning ownership of the shop to his son, John Bilyeu.

Even when Mitchell is no longer owner, he will make time for his lifelong passion.

“There’s nothing like it,” he said of riding. “There’s nothing like being up in Yosemite on a motorcycle. I’ve

got convertibles and everything else.

There’s nothing like being on a motorcycle. It’s incredible.”

“If I had to describe it, you wouldn’t understand it,” Ball echoed.

“I don’t know that there is a way to describe it.”

One unlikely selling point? Stress relief.

“It’s better than going to a therapist, that’s for sure,” Mitchell joked. “It’s therapy on two wheels.”

If you want to know what he is talking about, you might just have to try it for yourself. No leather clothing or rebel attitude required.

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MARK RICHEY/CVBJ

Mitchell’s Modesto Harley-Davidson at 500 N. Carpenter Rd. includes a retro-themed restaurant.

44

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June 2014

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Teams compete to be tops in mathematics

SJ COUNTY

BRIEFS Leadership Stockton taking applications for next session STOCKTON – Leadership Stockton is accepting applications for its next session.

The program, which was started in 1981, helps members of the business community develop personal leadership skills. Participants are also involved in addressing the needs of our community through hands-on service projects that focus on solutions to real community problems.

More than 700 people have graduated from the program and many now serve on local boards, commissions and in other leadership roles.

Selection involves a written application and personal interview. The selection process will identify approximately 26 applicants to be chosen to attend the program; representing a cross-section of the greater Stockton community. Tuition is $900.

The application deadline is June 13.

Applications and class schedule can be found at www.leadershipstockton. com or by calling (209) 547-2770.

San Joaquin County businesses to get bidding preference STOCKTON – Businesses based in Stockton and San Joaquin County will get preferred status when bidding services and products to the the city of Stockton under a new ordinance passed by the City Council in April.

The Local Business Preference Ordinance will provide a tiered approach to Stockton and San Joaquin County to support both local and county-wide businesses, the city said.

Businesses located within the city of Stockton will receive a 5 percent

The fourth annual San Joaquin County Math Tournament for seventh and eighth graders was held on May 17 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

Twenty-nine teams of “mathletes” from 15 schools in San Joaquin County took part in the competition. Students competed both individually and as a team.

The top scoring teams were: 1st: Monte Vista Middle School - Team #6, Tracy Unified School District 2nd: Williams Middle School - Team #1, Tracy Unified School District 3rd: Questa Elementary School - Team #3, Lammersville School District 4th: Jefferson School - Team #9, Jefferson School District 5th: Williams Middle School - Team #11, Tracy Unified School District bid preference and businesses located within San Joaquin County will receive a 2 percent bid preference.

In addition, sales tax limitations will be eliminated to allow the preference to be applied toward both goods and services. That would provide a greater incentive to Stockton businesses, as well as support the county economy as a whole, the city said.

The city of Stockton adopted this business preference in an effort to encourage new business, enhance the local economy, and support the business community, city officials said.

Smith promoted to principal at St. Mary’s High School Dean of Students Kathy Smith has been named principal of St. Mary’s High School, according to a statement from the school’s president, Peter Morelli.

Smith has been dean of students at St. Mary’s since 1997.

She will succeed Morelli who was promoted to president.

Smith “Smith is highly respected by the students, faculty and parent community of the school,” Morelli said.

Smith’s academic background includes both BA and MA Degrees and Teaching Credential from California State University, Fresno. She earned a MA in Educational Leadership along with an Administrative Services Credential through St. Mary’s College of California.

Dignity Health recognized for improving patient care STOCKTON – Over the past two years Dignity Health has reduced hospital-acquired infections and readmissions, the company announced.

In 2013, Dignity Health’s St. Joseph’s

PHOTO COURTESY SAN JOAQUIN OFFICE OF EDUCATION

Monte Vista Middle School Team #6 finished first in the math tournament. Team mermbers are Nathaniel Tran, Cifriana DelaCruz, Michael Cui, Wentinn Liao and Jada Hallman.

Medical Center reduced early elective deliveries by 100 percent through patient, staff and physician education about the importance of full-term delivery for newborn brain growth and a healthy baby. In addition, the medical center reduced catheter-associated urinary tract infections by 100 percent and had zero incidences of ventilator-associated pneumonias thanks to the consistent use of evidence-based practices that were put into place several years ago.

“We are extremely proud of our staff for making the safety and wellbeing of our patients a top priority,” says Rae E. G. Charos, RN, MSN, Chief Nurse Executive at St. Joseph’s Medical Center. “We have been able to work collaboratively to achieve patient safety goals that benefit our patients and exemplify the extraordinary care and service we provide to our community.”

Dignity’s efforts positively affected more than 10,000 patients and potentially saved an estimated $30 million, the company said.

In recognition of the health system’s ongoing successes, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services named Dignity Health as one of its Partnership for Patients Hospital Engagement Networks. It was the third consecutive year Dignity had received the recognition for continuing to implement changes that improve patient care.

Manteca chamber to install new officers MANTECA – Daryll Quaresma of the Manteca Development Group will be installed as the next president of

the Manteca Chamber of Commerce during its annual awards dinner June 17.

The chamber will also recognized leading businesses and individuals during the dinner. This year’s theme is “Let’s do business in Manteca.”

The dinner will be at 7 p.m., Friday, June 17 at Chez Shari at the Manteca Golf Course. A no-host bar opens at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $40 each and are available at the chamber office on West Yosemite Avenue near Walnut Avenue or by calling 823-6121. The deadline for reservations is 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 14.

Mini libraries now open in Wilson Way area STOCKTON – The Wilson Way neighborhood has a number of new free mini libraries as part of an effort to make books more readily available to the community.

Called Little Free Library Project, the aim is to increase literacy, especially among children in low-income neighborhoods.

BirdHouse style or uniquelydesigned book exchanges have been placed throughout the neighborhood in front of yards of select homeowners and businesses, also known as neighborhood stewards, the project said. The free mini libraries will allow area residents to “take a book, leave a book” at their leisure.

On May 24, volunteers painted and installed the mini libraries.

For more information contact Stockton Councilman Moses Zapien at Moses.Zapien@stocktongov.com, Kandi Howe at khowe@deltahealthcare.org or Jerron Jordan at jerron@ calarg.com.

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June 2014

STANISLAUS COUNTY

BRIEFS Uber gets competition from Flywheel app for cabs MODESTO – Taxi companies are striking back at Uber, the ridesharing service, with a new app of their own, and it is available in Modesto.

The app is called Flywheel, and it allows customers to request a cab, track its location in real-time, and pay automatically with your smartphone -- all services that are similar to Uber.

“People in cities across the U.S. want safe, reliable and affordable for-hire transportation options they can access through their smartphones – without the typical surge pricing of our competitors,” said Flywheel’s CEO Steve Humphreys. “Our aggressive expansion across California and into markets in the Midwest and Southeast reflects this rising demand among consumers, and we will continue to respond to these needs as part of our ongoing national-growth plan.”

Flywheel started in San Francisco, but has announced it is expanding to other cities in Northern and Southern California, including Modesto.

Flywheel is partnering with United Cab of Modesto, which offers coverage in the city and surrounding communities.

CSU Stanislaus ranks high on Time Magazine list TURLOCK – CSU Stanislaus ranked 28th in a recent report in Time Magazine based on a system the Obama administration will soon use to rate colleges.

By next year the Obama administration will use the new system to focus on qualities such as access, affordability and educational outcomes.

Using that system, Time Magazine recently ranked 2,500 colleges and universities throughout the United States, and CSU Stanislaus landed

high on the list.

“These rankings reinforce what we’ve long known about the CSU system and at CSU Stanislaus in particular,” President Joseph F. Sheley said. “In addition to the quality academic programs we offer and our emphasis on student success, we are committed to providing an affordable education that is accessible to all qualified students regardless of their financial situations.”

Time’s rankings were based on sixyear graduation rate, average tuition, and the percentage of students receiving federal Pell Grants. With each area equally weighted, CSU Stanislaus places No. 28 in the nation and fourth among CSU campuses behind only Long Beach, Los Angeles and Fresno.

ketplaces as well as improve the economic condition of the rural communities within specified project areas, the Chamber of Commerce said.

The workshop is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 9 at the Ceres Community Center, 2701 4th Street, in downtown Ceres.

To register, visit www.FresnoCITD. org/events.

E&J Gallo recognizes top suppliers

MODESTO – Rep. Jeff Denham has donated two American flags to replace the ones he donated two years ago for the city’s iconic arch.

The original flags were donated for Modesto’s 100th anniversary in 2012, but weather has left them worn. The Modesto Chamber of Commerce approached Denham for the replacements.

The flags were flown over the U.S. Capitol before they were donated.

MODESTO – E. & J. Gallo Winery honored some of its top supply partners at an awards dinner last week, the company said.

The May 13 dinner, held at the Gallo Center for the Arts, was part of its Supplier Summit, which brought together the Gallo Winery leadership and more than 30 of Gallo’s top strategic supply partners for two days of seminars and recognition.

Three companies received a Supplier Excellence Award: Pacific Southwest Container, Baer Enterprises, and Cargill, Inc. According to a press statement from Gallo, Pacific Southwest Container was recognized for a packaging innovation that led to successful positioning of a new product launch this year and for expanding their supply chain to provide better service. Baer Enterprises was commended for having the highest overall score on the 2013 Gallo Supplier Scorecard and for successfully managing several urgent promotional projects.

Cargill, Inc. was recognized for embodying the Gallo Corporate Values of teamwork and partnership as well as their continued support of Gallo.

The theme of the summit was “See the Future,” and Company CEO Joe Gallo was the keynote speaker and addressed the audience on the need for innovation.

In all, Modesto-based Gallo has more than 5,000 suppliers worldwide.

Ceres Chamber to present exporting workshop CERES – The Ceres Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the California Center for International Trade Development to present a oneday workshop to help local businesses learn how to export their products to the global marketplace.

The purpose of this workshop is to enhance the competitive strength of rural California businesses in the metropolitan and international mar-

Modesto Arch gets new American flags

to provide our patients with the level of care they deserve. I am proud to be part of our wonderful Sutter Health team.” said Daryn Kumar, chief executive officer at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.

Modesto Grand Prix ticket on sale

Modesto, Tracy hospitals get top marks for patient safety MODESTO – Memorial Medical Center and Sutter Tracy Community Hospital, both part of the Sutter Health network. have earned an “A” grade in patient safety from the Leapfrog Group.

“In our Sutter Health hospitals, medical centers, and physician offices, safety comes first, every time. We work hard to foster this culture of safety, using tools and techniques that help every one of us provide health care in the most professional, advanced and safe manner possible.” said Dr. Ash Gokli, Sutter Health’s Central Valley Region chief medical officer.

The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization using the collective leverage of large purchasers of health care to initiate breakthrough improvements in the safety, quality and affordability of health care in the United States. Its hospital safety rating is peer-reviewed in the Journal of Patient Safety. The Score is free to the public and designed to give consumers information they can use to protect themselves and their families when facing a hospital stay.

“The Hospital Safety Score, and our A grade, is a reflection of the work we have collectively done to provide safe, quality and affordable health care for our patients. It takes the commitment of our entire team, working together,

MODESTO -- Pre-sale tickets for Modesto’s Grand Prix will be available June 9, according to the city.

The city of Modesto will host the 2014 Pro Tour Summer Nationals presented

by Superkarts!USA (SKUSA) and has already attracted several big sponsorships and factory karting teams from all around the world, according to the city.

Modesto is expecting 300 drivers along with their teams and families starting August 1. The gates will open at noon both Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, with the races expected to last well into the evening.

Fans can expect to see carts reach 100 mph. The race course is approximately one-mile long and will require three and half miles of temporary fencing. Race fans will be able to see the action up close and enjoy the surrounding festival.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale June 1 for $10 per person and will be available online at www.galloarts.org or at any of the following locations: • Modesto City Hall – 1010 Tenth Street, Modesto (2nd Floor - Customer Service Counter, Windows 4 and 5 or 4th Floor - Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department Guest Services) • Modesto Convention and Visitors Bureau – 1150 9th Street, Suite C, Modesto • Gallo Center for the Arts - 1000 I Street, Modesto

Graffiti Cruise Walk of Fame to be unveiled MODESTO – Modesto will unveil its Historic Graffiti Cruise Route Walk of Fame Wednesday, June 4, on 10th Street between J and K Streets.

There are 25 information kiosks along the Cruise Route that spotlight the key people and places that shaped Modesto and its history.

“American Graffiti” actors Candy Clark and Bo Hopkins will be there as well as members of the Faros car club.

The Mid Valley Chevy Club’s Park & Shine which will host approximately 300 classic cars and hot rods nearby.

The unveiling starts at 7 p.m.

GOT NEWS? OPENINGS? HIRINGS? We here at the Central Valley Business Journal like to keep up-to-date with everyone in the business community. With your help we can!

Email press releases and other news to: editor@cvbizjournal.com

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Boondat 3006 Young Ct Tracy , CA 95377 Boondat Llc A D Auto Body Rapier 24110 S Cabe Road Tracy, CA 95304 Diaz Arnulfo Erardi Dennis F 6737 Herndon Place Stockton, CA 95207 Erardi Vincent J

SJ COUNTY

LEGALS Fictitious Business Names Mosqueda’s Tile 1946 Sheridan Way Stockton, CA 95207 Mosqueda Armando Xavier College Stkn Inc 1130 N El Dorado Stockton, CA 95202 Xavier College Stockton, Inc. Bz Cellars, Bz Vineyards, Bz Wines, Bz Winery Bz Wine Cellars, Unruly Cellars, Unruly Vineyards Unruly Wine Cellars, Unruly Winery Unruly Winesirony Cellars, Irony Vineyards Irony Wines, Irony Winery, Irony Wine Cellars 12001 S Highway 99 Manteca, CA 95336 Delicato Vineyards Hello Buddy Auto 500 E 10th St Suite #C Tracy, CA 95376 Nasir Jian Youngs Lockeford Payless Mkt Inc, Youngs Lockeford Payless Market Inc, Young Klk Meat Mkt Inc, Young Klk Meat Market, Inc, Klk Young Meat Mkt Inc 18980 N Highway 88 Lockeford, CA 95237 Klk Young Meat Market, Inc

First Choice Realty & Investments First Choice Prop Management First Choice Property Management 1181 King Loop Tracy, CA 95377 Klassen Kwon Yee Chemmie Jle Flooring 42 N Sutter St Suite 311 Stockton, CA 95202 Baidoo James Kwame Earth Vines 1649 E Victor Rd Lodi, CA 95240 Woodbridge Winery Inc J.A. Wentner Insurance Agency 1214 Briarwood Way Stockton, Ca 95209 Wentner Judy Ann Pershing Liquors 5660 N Pershing Ave Stockton, CA 95207 Mattfam Inc Derivi Castellanos Architects 924 N Yosemite St Stockton, CA 95203 Derivi Const & Architecture Inc Extreme Asset Protection 8429 Mariners Dr #86 Stockton, CA 95219 White Eric James Marjac Walnuts 14655 East Hwy 26 Linden, Ca 95236 Podesta Mario Podesta Jacqueline

119 B N Maple Manteca, Ca 95336 Franklin Teresa

20454 Tinnin Rd Manteca, CA 95337 Courage Joel Richard

Prince Jewelers 1595 Santos Ave Ripon, CA 95366 Hayer Joban Inc Joban Hayer Inc

Vicramont Vineyards & Winery 16475 N Locust Tree Rd Lodi, CA 95240 Zapline Inc

Active Physical Therapy & Assoc Active Physical Therapy & Associates Active Chiropractic & Physical Therapy Active Chiropractic & Physical Therapy 1423 N Tracy Blvd Tracy, CA 95376 Miller James Robert Miller Kealoha Alyce

Nwar Solar Farm 5741 Verigin Rd Manteca, CA 95336 Khan Mohammad Khan Adnan Mohammad

Angelita Vineyard & Winery 24849 E Milton Rd Linden, CA 95236 Miramont Est Vineyards & Winery Inc

Big Valley Bookkeeping & Tax Service 4212 North Pershing Ave Ste A6 Stockton, CA 95207 Linde Mary P

Country Flowers 1744 California St Escalon, CA 95320 Wilkinson Lori Jean Wilkinson Wade Read Melmar’s Guest Homes #1 2 & 3 5465 Governor Circle Stockton, CA 95210 Juson Maricor Kabob & Gyro Grill 920 South Cherokee Lane #D Lodi, CA 95240 Rafiq Amin Mohammod Hot Mama’s Cheesecakes 1123 E Edison St Manteca, CA 95336 Jelsma Anna Rene San Joaquin Veterinary Clinic 523 West Harney Lane, Suite 1 Lodi, Ca 95240 Fremont Veterinary Clinic Inc Fat City Lounge 344 N California St Stockton, CA 95202 Montoya Phoenix Llc

Bayer Cropscience Vegetable Seeds 7087 E Peltier Rd Acampo, CA 95220 Nunhems Usa Inc

California Star Magazine 1004 Porter Ave Stockton, CA 95207 Amaya Silvestre Mendoza Amado

Fancy My Feathers

By Teresa 3920 Fletcher Wy Stockton, CA 95206 Morales Teresa Chaffino

Wine Concepts Intl.

13230 E Hwy 88 Lockeford, CA 95237 Vonhelms Heather Karavidas Nick

Shugs Beauty & Retail

Thirty Three Motorsports

The Purple Elm 2540 Michaelangelo Drive Stockton, CA 95207 Melton Erika L

Weeda Family Farming 28846 Grooms Rd Oakdale, CA 95361 Weeda Mary Weeda Jacob Lodi Cycles Highway Cycles 651 N Cherokee Ln Lodi, CA 95240 Dovak Kenneth John Jr Dovak Ashley Louise Lunas Group 37 W Yokots Ave Ste B3 Stockton, CA 95207 Salazar Perez Beatriz M Salazar Beatriz M Perez Beatriz M Farmland Working Group 3507 Hawkeye Street Turlock, CA 95380 Farmland Working Group Inc Revo Casual Apparel 425 Lincoln Center Stockton, CA 95207 Fernandes Catherine Smokin’ Yankee’s Bbq Catering 2001 Chaparral Way Stockton, CA 95209 Juencke Rebekah Diane Kinder’s Meats Deli BBQ 3242 W Grant Line Road Tracy, CA 95340 Obrien J & S Bbq Llc J & S Obriens Bbq Llc

June 2014

Abstracts of Judgment Vanth Keo 2437 Gareth Circle Stockton, CA 95210 Law Office Robert J. Colelough III CACH, LLC $4,395.67 Rebecca Lee Gilewski-Domnick 1935 Dalisai Court Stockton, CA 95206 Chris Norman Domnick $1,185.41 Jesus Durado Stacie Roby 1779 La Jolla Dr. Stockton, CA 952041722 The Best Service Co. Inc. $9,804.79 Rang J. Yuon 7914 Grenoble Way Stockton, CA 95210 CASH, LLC $5,407.85 Gatejen Consolidated Industries Inc. Michael A Mitchell 4180 Brite Hope Mine Road Kelsey, CA 95667 12265 Rising Road Wilton, CA 95693 Wells Fargo Bank $367,476.54 Karla Gonzalez 2756 Telegraph Avenue Stockton, CA 95204 Capital One Bank $3613.42 Nigel O. Edwards Nigel Oliver Edwards J A Plumbing 15830 Fairview Way Lathrop, CA 95330 Creditors Bureau USA $6,222.29 Chyraiyne L. Coilton Tressie R. Piggee 2222 Nightingale Avenue Stockton, CA 95205 Financial Corp. $8,406.71 Chhantha Prak 8785 Deer Creek Circle Stockton, CA 95209 Lobel Financial Corp. $2,564.35 Steven R. Forbes 960 Solari Avenue Stockton, CA 95205 Springleaf Financial Services Inc. $3,158.41

Bebbley G. Ward Bebbley Gene Ward 3211 Phelps Street.

Apt. 29 Stockton, CA 95206 Ford motor Credit Comp. $25,810.36 Jose Montelongo 8383 Cruden Street Stockton, CA 95209 EDUCAP Inc. $27,004.30 Alain Orozco 1001 Kennedy Place Tracy, CA 95377 LHR Inc. $ 3,508.43 Azam H. Khan Hamzah I. Khan 1412 South Church Street Lodi, CA 95240 Lobel Financial Corp. $7,408.85 Donal Smith 505 Pioneer Dr. Apt 1 Lodi, CA 95240 Lobel Financial Corp. $4,306.02 Gabriel J. Perez Jose Gabriel Perez 3374 Coy Dr. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 National Credit Acceptance Inc. $17,229.88 Alfredo Baron Alfredo J. Baron 704 N. Church St. Apt 17 Lodi, CA 95240 PMGI, LLC $3,978.14 Elizabeth A Lopus 6728 Cumberland PL. Stockton, CA 95219 Newport Capital Recovery Group $10,461.30 Henry Tosta Henry J. Tosta Jr. Henry Tosta Dairy 20662 San Jose Road Tracy, CA 95304 Valley Pacific Petroleum Services Inc. $5,730.50 Mark Sanchez 23443 Griffith Gate Ln. Acampo, CA 95220 Midland Funding LLC $3,085.78 Teresa Dal Porto 4505 N. Flood Road Linden, CA 95236 Neumiller and Beardslee $79,678.25

June 2014

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Newman, CA 95360 Rubio, Angelica M Back In Action Chiropractic Center 1041-B Oakdale Rd Modesto, CA 95355 Luttrell, Eric Calip, Roy Pascua Bargain Outlet, The 2301 Fairview Dr #A- B Ceres, CA 95307 Kodial, Santokh Singh Kodial, Davinder Kaur

STANISLAUS COUNTY

LEGALS Fictitious Business Names Chevrolet Specialist 1320 9th St Modesto, CA 95354 Lucas, Gordon Lucas, Marge Clean Environmnetal Solutions 1489 Joett Dr Turlock, CA 95380 Mikhael, Omta Complete HVAC And Sheet Metal 5108 Newbold Ln Salida, CA 95368 Sheehan, Michael Brian 5 Star Income Tax 719 5th St Modesto, CA 95351 Vargas, Elvia

12085 Yosemite Blvd Waterford, CA 95386 Russell, Catherine Louise CCI Real Estate 654 North Yosemite Ave Suite C Oakdale, CA 95361 California Commercial Investors Inc. Celeste’s Flowers 1647 Crowslanding Rd Modesto, Ca 95358 Manzo, Ofelia

Bills Sport & Bait Shop 2001 Crowslanding Rd Modesto, CA 95358 Alsumeri, Fahmi

Central Valley Depot 728 E Hatch Rd Modesto, CA 95358 Causor, Luz

Blue Truck Farms 2300 Berkeley Rd Hughson, CA 95326 Hudelson, James M Hudelson, Paul F

Coach’s Corner 950 Oakdale Rd Ste E Modesto, CA 95355 Harakh, Shiulal Harakh, Krystal A

Body Trends 3401 Dale Road Modesto, CA 95356 Serajul, Hoque

The Country Market 2618 Ladd Road Modesto, CA 95356 Patel, Rajendra F

Bortolero & Sons Paint & Renovation 402 N Santa Cruz Ave Modesto, CA 95354 Bertolero, Noah Bertolero, Michele

Danny Ray’s Preceision Cycles 5225 Pentecost Dr Ste 1 Modesto, CA 95356 La Jocies, Daniel Ray

Brush Hardwoods 11306 Canal Drive Waterford, CA 95386 Brush, Erick Wayne Bulls Express 178 Brook Hollow Dr Patterson, Ca 95363 Rodriguez, Gregorio C V M Appliance 2132 Wylie Dr Modesto, CA 95355 C V M Enterprises Inc.

Days Inn Westley 7144 Mccracken Rd Westley, CA 95387 A Westley Llc Kayndel Rio Antique 4628 North Star Way Modesto, CA 95356 Ly, Khoa D Del Rio Cleaners 2202 Patterson Rd Riverbank, CA 95367 Del Rio Corporation

A & S Environmental Services 1820 E Whitmore Ave Ceres, CA 95307 Arnold, William

Cal Wholesale Auto 2629 Portsmouth Ln Modesto, CA 95355 Dobbs, Stanley Ross

Acacia Park Nursing & Rehabilitation 1611 Scenic Dr Modesto, CA 95355 Sky Park Health Care Inc.

California Artistry Vineyards 502 E Whitmore Avenue Modesto, CA 95358 G3 Enterprises Inc.

Agi Farms Inc 501 S 2nd St Patterson, CA 95363 Agi Farms Inc.

California First Responder 1932 Lifetime Dr Modesto, CA 95355 Arceo, Gerardo

Expressions And More 713 N Franklin St Modesto, CA 95351 Berndt, John

Carrara Marble and Granite 1508 Swarthmore Dr Modesto, CA 95358 Price, Spencer

Gentry’s Cowboy Shop 343 Orsi Rd Oakdale, CA 95361 Gentry, John

Cathy & Carol’s Coffee Shop

Heritage Nut Farms Inc.

All American Eyeglass Repair 2304 Mchenry Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Meneses, Debra A Meneses, Jesus T Angel’s Cafe 1403 Main St

Elite Physical Therapy and Fitness Inc. Turlock, CA 95380 2441 East Canal Drive Elite Physical Therapy And Fitness Inc. Envy Fine Clothing 227 E Main St Turlock, CA 95380 Dover, Darlene

678 S Blossom Rd Waterford, CA 95386 Heritage Nut Farms Inc.

Boulevard Modesto, CA 95354 E & J Gallo Winery

Hilltop Holsteins 4900 E Dodds Rd Oakdale, CA 95361 Vander Schaaf Earl John Dotinga Michael

Rippin Lips Fly Company 4355 Central Avenue Ceres, CA 95307 Miller, William Ray Miller, Karan Sue

Johannes Farms 4900 E Dodds Rd Oakdale, CA 95361 Vander Schaaf Earl John Joseph Fred

Rock Auto Sales Rock Investments 2429 Callaham Way Modesto, CA 95355 Roshan, Rakesh Roshan, Sanphya Lata

La Casa Adobe Restaurant 110 E Granger Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Zendejas, Maria L Cervantes V., Susana

Root Family Farms 2618 Ladd Road Modesto, CA 95356 Root Farms Inc

Liquid E Fusion 1100 Carver Rd Suite T Modesto, CA 95350 West, Robert Modesto Boxing Gym 1027 N Emerald Ave Unit B-3 Modesto, CA 95351 Hermosillo, Eugenio Noble Kennels 259 N Sierra Oakdale, CA 95361 The Noble Corporation Oakdale Kitchen And Bath 1616 Tully Road Modesto, CA 95350 Benson, Steven Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen 1400 E Hatch Rd Ceres, CA 95307 Khoury Foods Inc Project Fashion 3338 Oakdale Rd Modesto, CA 95355 Tim, Malina Lun R & R Fruit Market 1627 Chicago Avenue Modesto, CA 95358 Arteaga, Raul Ranger Protection Service 1832 Grimes Ave Modesto, CA 95358 Hansen, Seth Mantel, Todd Jacob Red Top Carrier 5724 Eisenhower Dr Riverbank, CA 95367 Singh, Pardeep Redwood Creek Redwood Creek Vineyards Redwood Creek Winery 600 Yosemite

Rps Partnership 1832 Grimes Ave Modesto, CA 95358 Hansen, Seth Mantel, Todd Jacob

Spring Crest Drapery Center 1513 K St Modesto, CA 95354 Johnson, Bruse A Steel Express 3900 Weston Way Modesto, CA 95356 Sandhu, Amrinder Singh The Stock Shop 442 Kansas Ave Suite O Modesto, CA 95350 White, Jonathan T & T Construction & Electrical 1608 Snyder Ave Modesto, CA 95356 Tynda, Nikolay Taj Express 753 Stone Springs Dr Ceres, CA 95307 Toor, Santokh S

Ruff House Pet Salon 371 W F Street Oakdale, CA 95361 Valencia, Jose Angel

Tallcott Academy 616 Charles Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Tallcott, Jeffrey Curtis Tallcott, Holly Anne

Sam’s Market 1100 Carver Rd #A-1 Modesto, CA 95350 D&L Leong Corporatio

Timeless Portraits 2724 Merle Ave Modesto, CA 95355 Heidt, Patricia Ann

Santa Fe Coffee Company 2400 Santa Fe Ave Hughson, CA 95326 Venema, Matthew William

Tio’s Auto Sales 1755 Crowslanding Rd Modesto, CA 95358 Elizalde, Jorge G

Satellite Healthcare Central Modesto 1315 10th Street Suite 300 Modesto, CA 95354 Satellite Dialysis-C Secure Medical Systems 13716 Orange Blossom Rd Oakdale, CA 95361 Brack, Melody Lee Sid’s Oasis Market 1570 East Ave Turlock, CA 95380 Algharazi, Sadik M Sign Depot 3420 Oakdale Rd Suite B Modesto, CA 95355 Heck, Clinton Skin Essentials 1335 Main Street, Suite 209 Newman, CA 95360 Mcgill, Maxine Sky Smoke Shop 730 #A East F St Oakdale, CA 95361 Shokoor, Abdul Wali

Totally Green 4225 Santa Fe St Riverbank, CA 95367 Martins, Joe Henry Tree Frog Industries 1858 Ackley Circle #4b Oakdale, CA 95361 Firstbrook, Michael Triple S Farms 2825 N Hickman Rd Denair, CA 95316 Shepherd, Hugh Patrick Venom Bail Bonds 1813 Heartnut Way Hughson, CA 95326 Venema, Matthew William Vista Pacific Real Estate 416 N Santa Ana Ave Modesto, CA 95354 Padilla, Javier Walnut Woods Blinds 122 N Sierra Ave Oakdale, CA 95361 Oakdale Interiors Inc Web’s Lucy 625 7th Street Modesto, CA 95351 Carmona, Irma Luceyda

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See Our Progress

our customers are our neighbors. the communities we serve as Pg&e employees are where we live and work too. that’s why we’re investing $4.5 billion every year to enhance pipeline safety and strengthen our gas and electric infrastructure across northern and central California. We want to tell you more about our activities right here in your community.

“I’m a third generation PG&E employee. My father and grandfather also worked for PG&E here in the Central Valley. Being part of this community makes me feel a sense of pride in the work I do. At PG&E, we’re committed to getting the job done right — for your family and ours.”

–scott salyers

throughout the Central Valley, PG&e is making progress every day. We have pressure-tested more than 50 miles of gas transmission pipeline; replaced nearly 20 miles of gas transmission pipeline; invested more than $490 million into electrical improvements; and installed smart grid technology on more than 110 electrical circuits benefiting more than 270,000 customers in the Central Valley. in the event of an outage, this “self-healing” technology minimizes the amount of customers who are without power for an extended period of time. together, we are working to enhance pipeline safety and strengthen our gas and electric infrastructure — for your family and ours. ®

pge.com/seeourProgress

Troubleman

“PG&E” refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. ©2014 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved.

in the Central Valley