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Feelin’ Hot, Hot, Hot!
ADDRESS 94 W. Castle St., Suite #B Stockton, CA 95204 PHONE 209.932.9252 TOLL FREE 1.888.289.0521 FAX 1.866.298.0408 WEB www.SpanosParkMonthly.com
PUBLISHER Shawn Crary EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Mitzi Stites Managing Editor Alan Naditz Feature Writer & Copy Editor Gene Beley Contributing Writer Bernadine Chapman-Cruz Contributing Writer Kim Horg Contributing Writer Francis Novero Contributing Writer Gayle Romasanta Contributing Writer CREATIVE DEPARTMENT Shawn Crary Art Director Louie Ambriz Junior Graphic Designer, Photographer & Web Development Maria Boyle Graphic Design Intern Sheng Moua Graphic Design Intern SUPPORTING STAFF Cameron Crary and Alec Fielding Circulation REGIONAL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Noel Fielding MARKETING CONSULTANTS Rachel Castillo Memri Johnson Beth Lawrence Duane Simpfenderfer ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE/PAYABLE Ernie Gallardo Office Manager
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ummer has officially rolled in with a vengeance. As I write this month’s Publisher’s Notes, the thermometer is expected to hit 106 today, so I’ve enacted “extra-casual” work attire for this week. BMG staffers are sporting shorts, t-shirts and flip flops, looking more like we’re ready for the beach rather than meeting with clients.
Not only has the weather been heating up, so has our national political scene, with the recent court actions involving two hot topics: the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8. The day following the rulings by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), we immediately set out on a journey to uncover any connections with San Joaquin County. Ironically, six degrees of separation is all it took…and no, Kevin Bacon is not involved. We not only found one link with San Joaquin County, we found several…and they are biggies! So rather than ruffling anyone’s feathers by using this month’s magazine as a soap box to preach my personal political views, we are going to stick to the facts. Regardless of which side of the aisle you’re on, you can appreciate the connections to our community. I invite you to sit back, fasten your seatbelt and allow our feature writer, Alan Naditz, to take you on a ride across the country all the way to the Supreme Court with this month’s cover story on page 5. Recently, we made the trek up to Northern California to visit a place that was scorching hot in volcanic activity nearly 100 years ago. Lassen Peak, situated in Lassen Volcanic National Park, let out an explosive eruption on May 22, 1915 and then continued with activity for the next two years. The area now sleeps, with vents steaming, boiling Publisher Shawn Crary springs, and bubbling mudpots. The park is truly a hidden gem, less ILLUSTRATION BY SHENG MOUA crowded than other more well-known state parks, but boasting tons of year-round activities for the whole family. From camping and lodging, wildlife observing, hiking and even educational field trips, the park offers all the amenities needed for a memorable visit or stay. A trip would not be complete without visiting Sulphur Works and Bumpass Hell, two active hydrothermal areas. Check out our Beyond 209 story for a sneak peek of what awaits you and your family at Lassen Volcanic National Park. So keep cool my friends and enjoy the heat. Soon enough, the winds will change and we’ll be begging again for next year’s summer to arrive.
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Shawn Crary | Publisher
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The Spanos Park Monthly magazine is published once a month and direct-mailed to homes in and around the Stockton communities of Spanos Park East and West. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of copy or comments submitted to Big Monkey Group LLC., and/or Spanos Park Monthly magazine. Comments may be edited for clarity and length. ©2013 BIG MONKEY GROUP LLC spanos park monthly magazine | AUGUST 2013 | 3