209 Business Journal June 2018

k e e p i n g

BUSINESS JOURNAL

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JUNE 2018

VOLUME 3 ■ ISSUE 6

AGRICULTURE

STOCKTON KINGS

Most Californians might think that the nut is the most useful thing to come from an almond tree, but the Almond Board of California is funding research that sheds new light on co-products of the crop.

PAGE 6

NEWS

Three enterprising Global Arts Studies Program students saw the empty UC Merced Art Gallery on campus and, worried the space would be reallocated, wondered why they couldn’t volunteer to run it.

PAGE 8

City welcomes G-League franchise to the 209

BY SABRA STAFFORD 209 Business Journal

Rise up and reign.

That’s the message spreading through the city of Stockton as the city welcomes it’s first NBA GLeague franchise — the Stockton Kings.

In April the Stockton City Council unanimously approved a lease agreement allowing the Sacramento Kings G League team to play games at Stockton Arena beginning this fall.

“It’s going to be fantastic both for our organization, as well as the Sacramento community and the Stockton community by increasing the connectivity between the two teams to keep building on the momentum that we’ve started the last couple of years with the G-League team,” said Stockton Kings General Manager Anthony McClish.

The NBA G League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Stockton is now one of 27 cities with an NBA G-League franchise.

The Kings G League team has a three-year agreement that will see them play 25 home games at Stockton Arena per year. The lease for the facility is $9,000 a game or $225,000 for the first season, and then will rise to $236,250 for the

2019-20 season and $247,500 for 2020-21. The team had previously been based in Reno and were known as the Bighorns. The team will practice and reside in Sacramento and will travel by bus to the games in Stockton.

Sacramento Kings President John Rinehart praised the move to the 209 region and said it was a chance for the fervent fan base to grow beyond the boundaries of Sacramento.

“To have a strong foot print and foothold in the Central Valley and bring what our passionate fan base does in Sacramento down here to the Central Valley, it just gives us another opportunity to use our sport as the agent of change,” Rinehart said.

“Our NBA G League team has been an incredible asset to help prepare players for NBA action and bringing the team closer to Sacramento will allow us to continue to build on that success and increase efficiency to this valuable development tool,” said Sacramento Kings General Manager Vlade Divac. “Kings fans in Stockton will now have an opportunity to see the next-generation of NBA players each week.”

In May, the franchise unveiled the team’s new logos and identity at a school rally at Hong Kingston Elementary School in Stockton. To celebrate its new identity, the Stockton Kings – along with the help of the Sacramento

It is my honor to welcome the Kings organization to Stockton and I look forward to watching NBA G League action at the Stockton Arena,” said Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs. “The Kings have been known for their tremendous impact in the community and we’re excited to have their support as we continue to reinvent Stockton.

Kings – held a community action day following the school rally where the team hosted a Jr. Kings Clinic for select Stockton Unified School District students, surprise residents and businesses with Tshirts, shopping bags and more Stockton Kings gifts.

“This new brand not only starts a new chapter for the Kings franchise, but also for the city of Stockton,” said Sacramento Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “Through sport, we aspire to positively impact the community and we look forward to partnering with civic leaders, businesses, school, and non-

profits to continue to reinvent Stockton.”

The move to the 209 will bring an economic boost to the city of Stockton, as the city will receive a portion of ticket sales. In return, the city will upgrade the locker rooms and find free on-site parking for players and staff.

“It is my honor to welcome the Kings organization to Stockton and I look forward to watching NBA G League action at the Stockton Arena,” said Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs. “The Kings have been known for their tremendous impact in the community and SEE KINGS, PAGE 10

209 209BUSINESS BUSINESS JOURNAL JOURNAL

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JUNE 2018

OPINION

Vol. 3 No. 6 ■ June 2018 PUBLISHER

I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.

Hank Vander Veen

GENERAL MANAGER Drew Savage

MANAGING EDITOR Sabra Stafford

NEWSROOM Jeff Benziger Jason Campbell Dennis D. Cruz Kristina Hacker Teresa Hammond Marg Jackson Glenn Khal Angelina Martin Candy Padilla Vince Rembulat Paul Rooupe Virginia Still Dennis Wyatt

­— Thomas Jefferson

ART DIRECTOR Harold L. George

DESIGN Sharon Hoffman

ADVERTISING DIRECTORS Chuck Higgs

SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Beth Flanagan Dawn Hamilton Corey Rogers Cathy Tuxson Melody Wann Charles Webber Jennifer Webber

To advertise in 209 Business Journal, call Manteca • 209.249.3500 Oakdale • 209.847.3021 Turlock • 209.634.9141 209 Business Journal is published monthly 122 S. Third Ave • Oakdale, CA 95361 Information: dsavage@209businessjournal.com 209businessjournal.com The Oakdale Leader USPS No 178-680 Is published weekly by Morris Newspaper Corporation, 122 S. Third Ave. Oakdale, CA 95361 ©Copyright 2018. 209 Business Journal All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of 209 Business Journal is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in 209 Business Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of 209 Business Journal management or owner.

209 Business Journal assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.

209MAG A Z I N E.CO M

The graduation speech your kids really, really need to hear This column, which originally appeared in May 2009, is one of the most requested and reprinted “Succeeding in Your Business” columns, especially during graduation season.

Members of the class of 2018: I was sorry to hear that the reality TV star who was to be your commencement speaker today had to bow out at the last minute (and, by the way, congratulations on your election, senator). I was delighted, however, when the trustees called me an hour ago and asked me to fill in.

Now, I’ve never done this before, and I wasn’t given a whole lot of guidance, except to tell you to “follow your dreams” and “reach for the stars.” Apparently there’s a federal law requiring those statements to be included in all graduation speeches.

While I know some of you already have jobs and some (OK, most of you) do not, I know that all of you are wondering today what your lives are going to be like.

I have two pieces of information for you. They are not fun to talk about, but I feel you need to hear them, and there’s no better time than today. First, whatever dreams you hope to accomplish in your lives, you won’t be able to achieve them until you have first achieved financial security for yourself and your loved ones. For most of you, unless you were born wealthy (and sometimes even

CLIFF ENNICO CREATORS SYNDICATE

then), finding and holding on to that financial security will be the primary, if not the only, thing you will spend time on for the next 50 years.

The second thing is that it has never been a more difficult time to make a decent living in America. I’m not just talking about the Great Recession or the fact that most of today’s jobs will be performed by robots in 10 years. I’m talking about some more long-lasting structural changes in our economy.

For your grandparents, it was easy. You signed up with a large corporation, worked your way up the corporate ladder and retired at age 65 with a pension, Social Security and a gold watch. You can forget about doing that today.

Years ago, when America dominated the world economy, corporations viewed employees as scarce assets to be cultivated. In today’s brutally competitive global economy, they view employees as costs to be reduced or eliminated.

If you can buy technology to do the work employees are doing, you buy the computers and fire the employees. If you must hire people to do a job,

you hire the cheapest people you can in developing nations.

And if you really must hire Americans, you outsource them as independent contractors rather than employees.

That way you don’t have to pay them benefits. If you work for a large corporation today, odds are you will be unemployed in a few years.

Social Security, Medicare and other government programs that helped your parents and grandparents probably won’t be there when you are ready for them, at least not in their current forms.

And if you think you can scale back your expectations and join the blue-collar workforce, there’s a massive wave of immigrants from Asia, Africa and Latin America who are all too willing to take these jobs for salaries you won’t want to accept, to say nothing of robots and deep-learning software.

Ladies and gentlemen, there is only one person you can rely on to help you build your future and success, and that is you. One day, you will find that you are no longer employable and you will have to build your own career or business. That moment of realization may happen next year; it may not happen until you turn 50. But it will happen someday, so start planning now to take control of your income and your life. You will need to become an entrepreneur,

whether you like it or not.

I know all of you want to do good for the world, and that’s admirable. But charity requires money, too — ask the president of this college why he spends so much of his time raising money from alumni.

If you want to do good for the world, start a business.

Provide solutions to people’s problems they are willing to pay for, and hire people to help you. Succeed and your business will make the world a better place. Guaranteed.

What is more, you will achieve the financial security you need, and whatever money you don’t need you can use to make the world an even better place.

I have had the pleasure of working with over 20,000 business owners in my career. They come from all walks of life and backgrounds. The beauty of this wonderful country of ours is that anyone — I mean anyone — can succeed in business with the right training, the right outlook on life and the courage and determination to do what others are too squeamish or hesitant to accomplish.

So, by all means, reach for the stars and follow your dreams, for without faith, hope and passion you will never succeed, even if you’re as smart as Einstein.

Whatever you do, just don’t run out of money.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

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IN PROFILE

Glam Salon moves to new location

BY VIRGINIA STILL 209 Business Journal

The Glam squad was out in full force to celebrate their new location at 3318 Santa Fe Street in downtown Riverbank in May. Salon owner, Kristal Austin opened down the street about a year ago and due to issues with the building and unresponsive landlord she packed up her salon and moved down the street to a bigger location keeping her business in Riverbank.

There were several guests, stylists, clients, family and friends that attended the celebration including the Riverbank Mayor Richard O’Brien. DJ Tony Pizano was spinning the beats and there were tacos, nachos, fruit, and many other things to savor.

“This is definitely overwhelming,” said Austin. “I feel blessed. I feel grateful. I just feel amazed from everyone’s support start-

ing with my family, my husband, my stylists and everybody that is coming along with me on this crazy ride. This move was a lot.

I feel blessed and grateful with the community and everybody supporting me.”

The move was quick and happened within 30 days.

There was a substantial amount of work to be done including painting the walls, putting in new flooring, and fixing the electrical in the new building as well as the décor, fixtures, and stations. The tile was uneven and there was lime green all over the walls.

She took her vision from the previous location and brought the glamour to the new location by redoing the floors, painting the walls, adding sparkle and shining chandeliers.

“I got opinions from my friends and family,” added Austin. “My dad did most of the work in the buildSEE GLAM, PAGE 10

VIRGINIA STILL/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

The crew at Glam Salon along with Mayor Richard O’Brien was in glorious spirits at the celebration of the grand reopening in downtown Riverbank.

Farmers Insurance GET TOP DOLLAR expansion creates labor need FOR YOUR PROPERTY

BY PAUL ROUPE 209 Business Journal

On March 1 of this year, two Farmers Insurance locations in Turlock merged, combining two client bases but also creating a vacuum in the employee base. The merger doubled the size of their agency, but now George Mauricio, owner of the location on Hawkeye Avenue, is looking to hire some help to handle the expansion.

As it stands, his office is desperately lacking in the number of agents they need to effectively handle the load.

That’s not to say he and his other agent Maribel can’t deal with the duties presented to them, but it would be nice to spread the responsibility around to quality individuals who are seeking a career with Farmers.

Mauricio wants to bring people in from the Turlock area to fill the positions, which means if he had his way there would be a total of eight employees in his office. Five of those would be full-time regulars in the branch as well as three outside sales representatives.

“Ideally, we’d like people who experience in the insurance industry, but those individuals are very

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George Mauricio has expanded his Farmers Insurance operations in Turlock and is looking to add some experienced employees.

hard to find, so they come at a premium. But if someone’s been in a career that they’re no longer happy with and they don’t mind helping customers on a day in, day out basis, and want to look into insurance, it’s not as boring as it seems,” he says, but adds that “it’s not for everybody.”

Mauricio himself joined Farmers after becoming disillusioned with 18 years in the retail industry. He was doing well, but his earning potential was always capped and dependent on the superiors

above him. Corporations determine their employees’ worth, but what he likes about this business is that his worth is directly proportionate to the amount of energy he puts into it.

“I enjoy what I do,” says Mauricio. “I love to have the ability to help people with both their insurance needs and their financial service needs.”

And those are exactly the qualities he is looking for in his future employees.

He wants them to be personable, organized, and SEE FARMERS, PAGE 5

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

5

IN PROFILE

Turlock resident helps homeowners flash patriotism

A psychic connection

BY PAUL ROUPE 209 Business Journal

CANDY PADILLA/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

Morgan Jimenez paints one of his curbside patriotic designs for a member of the community.

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

Armed with just a roll of tape, some newspapers, spray paint and stencils, Morgan Jimenez is making his mark on the streets of Turlock, much to the delight of the city’s most patriotic residents.

The 37-year-old Turlock native has put his own personal spin on curb address painting, helping homeowners ensure their house number is visible from the street with the help of an American flag. Walking door-to-door, the artistic entrepreneur has painted close to 100 flags with address numbers on curbs throughout town — and he’s just getting started.

“It’s how I pay my bills,” Jimenez said with a laugh.

“I’m very grateful for everyone in Turlock who’s

FARMERS

FROM PAGE 3

genuinely concerned with the person rather than the paycheck.

But, that paycheck can be more rewarding than a traditional 9 to 5 job.

“When you’re in the insurance industry, you get your base hourly rate, plus you have the oppor-

culture

curb. There’s some patrio-

tism inside of everyone; why not have an excuse to put up another flag?”

Jimenez and his brother used to paint simple, black and white addresses on curbs years ago, he said, but this time around, he wanted to do something out-of theordinary and eye-catching for Turlock residents.

“I needed to make some extra cash, but I knew I had to come up with something new,” Jimenez said. “I didn’t want to use a stencil to make the flags, so it took me about a week and a half to come up with the method, but once I figured it out it’s been going ever since.”

Jimenez uses tape to create the flag’s stripes, but as for how he creates the stars?

“It’s my secret method…I don’t want to give it out too easily,” he said.

Business has picked up

for Jimenez since his talents were posted to Facebook by a customer, he said — a post which has since accumulated over 100 shares.

He’s even been called to paint the curbs of homes in Modesto.

“Ever since they put me on Facebook, I’ve been getting call after call,” he said.

“I haven’t been having to go out door-to-door as much.”

Jimenez charges $25 for his U.S.-themed address paintings, and also provides black and white curbside addresses for $10.

“I haven’t had one customer say they don’t like it.

I do it nicely uniform and tidy, like how I would want it done on my own home,” he said. “I’m just out here trying to make an honest buck putting addresses on curbs.”

tunity to make additional income based off of what you generate on a monthly basis,” says Mauricio. “If you have great month, you can double your income just by keeping yourself busy and making transactions.”

Mauricio himself is quite personable and friendly, which is exactly what you want when you’re hiring somebody to handle im-

portant things like life or health insurance.

Also, giving a stranger access to your personal information is a lot less stressful if you feel like you can trust them.

“The most valuable assets they have, their home, their cars, their family,” says Mauricio, forces agents like him to “know what we’re doing and that we’re properly protecting

these folks.”

For now, though the Farmers location on North Olive merged with Mauricio’s, they’re not looking to move. They just need to fill out the Hawkeye office so they can grow internally while at the same time pumping some of that growth back into the local economy.

Curbmasters Name of business: Curbmasters Type of business:

Curb address painting Hours: By appointment Specialty: Patriotic address artwork Contact information: 209-450-4230 accepted me and allowed me to paint the flag on their

For many people, the word psychic conjures up images of crystal balls and women with dangling hoop earrings issuing foreboding warnings from under a carnival tent.

But MaryAnne Adams, who has been running her own business for about half of her 34 years, quickly dispels with ageold stereotypes of fortune tellers.

She doesn’t tell futures, she doesn’t cast spells like other readers do. She doesn’t like labels and isn’t fond of the title “psychic,” though she uses it as more a descriptive term than anything else.

Rather, she considers herself a spiritual counselor and advisor.

Many people who come to see her are seeking some guidance about a specific aspect of their lives: love, relationships, career.

What she does is offer advice to those who come seeking answers.

When it comes to matters of the soul, she says, “a doctor cannot help you, a psychiatrist cannot help you. It’s something deep within your spirit that calls. It’s when you get to that point when you just need to know, what do I do?”

More than anything, she adds, “it’s future advice.”

Adams has been giving this advice for most of her life. Her mother is also a psychic, and growing up she knew nothing else. Some of her earliest memories are of clients visiting her mother and seeking her counsel.

She was homeschooled for the majority of her youth, and despite not having a formal education beyond 6th grade, she has a very keen business sense and is preternaturally gifted with having the ability to read and understand people and parlay that into a successful career.

As a young girl, she remembers picking up on and feeling energy around her, which she used early on to do what she calls “hands-on healing.”

Once, while her mother was giving a reading to an ailing elderly woman,

a three-year-old Adams recalls one of her first encounters with the psychic life.

“I remember this old lady grabbing my hands, holding on to them, and crying.” She watched as her mother had a conversation with the woman, and then she picked her up and put her in the old woman’s lap.

“I healed that woman with my spirit or energy, and that’s why she placed me in her hands. I remember it was a physical pain she had, and whatever it was I took it away.”

Because of her upbringing, Adams knew that this is what she wanted to do with her life. By the time she was around sixteen she already had established clientele and was providing the same services she does now.

She is certified as a spiritual counselor and a minister of healing, and she feels proud that what she does helps people and can change their lives for the better.

But there are still skeptics and those who believe that what she does is witchcraft or is inherently evil. Adams grew up a Roman Catholic and proclaims that she does in fact live her life according to God. She sees no trouble reconciling her career with a belief in a creator.

“What’s the difference between what I do, and a preacher who stands up in church and says, ‘I just had a vision.’ The difference is that I will never tell anybody that god told me. I only go by my instinct, my feeling, and my energy.”

If there is an essence to what she provides, it has to do with spiritual healing, which always starts and ends with the person seeking it.

An important aspect of Adams’ services is that she won’t mislead people who come in looking for answers. She won’t tell them what they want to hear or inflate her ego by pretending to have knowledge she doesn’t.

The answers, she says, will come from “their own decision, their own understanding, and their own opinions.”

“I am not here to change anybody’s future SEE PSYCHIC, PAGE 10

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

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JUNE 2108

AGRICULTURE

New uses explored for almond co-products

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

Most Californians might think that the nut is the most useful thing to come from an almond tree, but the Almond Board of California is funding research that sheds new light on coproducts of the crop.

California almond orchards are expected to produce 2.3 billion pounds of almonds this year – an increase of 1.3 percent from last year’s crop – despite concerns about freezing weather during the almond bloom. With more almonds come more coproducts, meaning the almond industry is looking for possible ways to make the best use of everything grown in an orchard.

On every almond tree, there are four products: the kernel that we eat, and three other co-products. The tree itself and its woody biomass is one such co-product, which has a 25-year lifespan, the hard shell that protects the kernel is another and the soft, flexible hull found outside of the shell is the last.

For every pound of almonds produced in California, farmers are left with two pounds of hulls. Last year, almond farmers grew 2.1 billion pounds of kernels and another 4.3 billion pounds of hulls.

“It’s a lot of material,” Almond Board communications manager Danielle Veenstra said. “We’re able to use co-products in a variety of ways right now, but we see the world around us changing and we want to be prepared to have new uses for these things.”

The Almond Board has been funding almond coproduct research since the 1970s, spurred by a desire to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and better its production practices. It was then that the current uses we have for almond co-products were discovered, such as using hulls for dairy cattle rations and shells for livestock bedding. That was nearly fifty years ago, Veenstra said, and now research is accounting for the state’s declining dairy industry by finding different uses for retired

2017 California walnut acreage report STAFF REPORT 209 Business Journal

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

A USDA researcher extracts sugar from almond hulls.

trees, hulls and shells.

“We’re seeing all these shifts that are happening. The industry is growing, we have more co-products and the places we had traditionally sent them are changing as well,” Veenstra said. “That’s really led to where we are today as far as doubling down in this research area to find even better – and hopefully value-added – uses for these co-products.”

As the market value of hulls and shells shrinks along with the dairy industry, farmers have started looking for other uses – some of which may be in their own fields, research is beginning to show. While spent trees under are usually sent to “cogeneration” plants under current practice where they are used to create energy, research at University of California, Davis, is experimenting with whole-orchard recycling.

This practice sees trees at the end of their lifespan chipped up and spread out evenly on the orchard floor. It’s then tilled into the land and serves as nutrients for the soil where a new crop of almond trees will be planted. While it’s still a relatively new idea and there’s much research that has yet to be done on the topic, there are

countless possibilities for benefits, Veenstra said.

“We need to make sure we observe the orchards for a while and make sure the practice isn’t spreading any diseases unintentionally, or that it’s not harming the future orchard in any way, but we also know that there’s a lot of potential for things like a greater water holding cap in the soil and improved soil health thanks to organic matter,” she said. “We’re looking at what the benefits are, but also how it affects the trees and the viability of a healthy orchard.”

Another co-product use that farmers may take advantage of one day is the use of orchard materials to fight pests, also known as biosolarization. This method takes the hulls, shells and woody biomass and puts it back into the orchard’s soil. The soil is then soaked with water and a tarp is placed over the area, creating an anaerobic environment that kills soil pests, like nematodes, which chew on almond trees’ roots.

Biosolarization is seen by researchers as an alternative to fumigating, Veenstra said.

“Pests can impact the orchard’s overall lifespan, and it’s important to us that growers set up their orchards for success,” she said. “This ap-

proach could be an alternative to traditional fumigation that happens in orchards and that’s really exciting.”

Growers and hullers looking for other ways to cash in on their spent hulls and shells will appreciate the research coming out of the USDA’s lab in Albany, where shells are being used to strengthen recycled plastic. To do this, shells are put through torrefaction, a thermal process which converts the shells into a powdery, coal-like material, which is then mixed with post-consumer recycled plastics to create a new, stronger plastic.

“We’ve used this to create flower pots that don’t melt or warp in the sun, or to create compostable dinnerware that doesn’t have problems with boiling points,” Veenstra said.

There is also interest surrounding sugar in almond’s hulls, she added, which is also being researched in Albany. The almond is more closely related to the peach, the plum and the nectarine than it is to the walnut or pistachio, meaning that the almond’s hull is the almond’s “fleshy” part and contains sugar.

Researchers have learned how to extract sugar from almond hulls and are now looking at using the product to cre-

ate teas, hard ciders, beers and more. The almond hull sugar is even being used in preliminary studies on bees, where researchers are gauging the insects’ response to hull sugar as opposed to high fructose corn syrup – the supplemental food bees typically receive in the winter. Early reports say the bees prefer almond hull sugar, said Veenstra.

“We’re looking really widely at potential uses for these co-products so that we can come up with and determine if it’s good for the end user,” she said. “If we created a value scorecard on which methods are a value to the industry and to us, we would see which ones are going to net out best and pursue those ones.”

From 1977 to today, the Almond Board community has invested $1.6 million in 58 research projects to ensure that all almond co-products are put to beneficial use. This research will ensure that the farmers of today are prepared for tomorrow, Veenstra said.

“We want to find the best use for these coproducts, take a zerowaste approach and make sure that everything we’re growing is being put to really good use,” she said.

“And if they have added value, that’s an added bonus for us.”

California’s 2017 walnut acreage is estimated at 400,000 acres, up 10 percent from 2015. Of the total acreage, 335,000 were bearing and 65,000 were non-bearing.

Of the walnut acreage reported, Chandler continues as the leading variety with 121,524 bearing acres, followed by Hartley with 30,172 bearing acres.

Chandler also accounted for 59 percent of the nonbearing acreage.

Butte County shows the largest acreage with 16 percent of the total, followed by San Joaquin with 14 percent and Tulare with 10 percent each.

The Pacific Regional Office of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts an acreage survey of California walnut growers. The purpose of this survey is to provide walnut acreage information on new plantings and removals. It is a continuation of a long series of industry-funded walnut acreage surveys.

The major source of the walnut detailed data was a questionnaire mailed to all walnut growers included in the NASS database.

The mailing was made to approximately 4,900 walnut growers in early November. The questionnaire contained previously reported crop, variety, and acreage information preprinted.

Producers were asked to update the information with new plantings, removals, and any other corrections; new growers were mailed a blank questionnaire.

Producers were given six weeks to respond by mail. A telephone followup was then undertaken.

Field personnel personally visited large growers who did not respond by mail or telephone.

To arrive at the estimated walnut acreage, the NASS walnut acreage database was compared with pesticide application data maintained by County Agricultural Commissioners and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. In addition, NASS looked at data collected on the Walnut Nursery Sales Reports.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

7

NEWS

ClickCart comes to Modesto Save Mart

CPUC approves new PG&E projects to help accelerate electric vehicle adoption in California STAFF REPORT 209 Business Journal

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

A new program called ClickCart is available to Save Mart shoppers in the Pelandale location in Modesto.

STAFF REPORT 209 Business Journal

The Save Mart Companies is launching their all new online shopping platform, ClickCart, in select stores this year. The service is now available in their Modesto Save Mart store on Pelandale Avenue and the new Lucky California on Fallon Road in Dublin.

“ClickCart allows families with limited free time to order online in the convenience of their own home or on the go and pick-up curbside,” said Kim Musgrave, director of digital and loyalty marketing and working mom. “We may not be the first grocer to offer online shopping, but we took the time to make sure our service reflected our shopper’s needs.”

ClickCart is one more component of the Save Smart and Lucky You rewards programs. All of the in-store and online savings — coupons, points,

rewards, eScrip — are available through the app or online. Each store will have a personal shopper that hand selects each order and presents to the shopper. For a limited time, the service fee will be waived and thereafter will be at $5 per order.

In celebration of this event, the company has donated $2,500 of online credit to Camp Taylor.

Located just down the street from the Save Mart on Pelandale, Camp Taylor offers a well-known medically supervised free youth and teen residential summer camp sessions.

Camp Taylor’s caters to the needs of the underserved population of pediatric cardiology by creating positive experiences in their lives through educational and self-esteem building medically supervised camp programs.

“Camp Taylor is excited to use the new Save Mart ClickCart shopping in preparation for providing

heart healthy and nutritious meals for cardiac kids attending day camps this summer,” said Camp Taylor Founder and Executive Director Kimberlie Gamino. “This will help simplify and organize the entire process of ordering many foods while also saving us time and resources.”

ClickCart was developed and implemented with the evolution of the customers’ shopping patterns, wants and needs in mind. The Save Mart Companies expects to expand ClickCart services to several more Save Mart Supermarkets and Lucky Supermarkets stores by 2018.

For more information or to sign up for Save Smart/ Lucky You rewards programs, visit the websitesSave Smart Rewards: https ://www.savemart. com and Lucky You Rewards: https://www.luckysupermarkets.com.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced at the start of June that it received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to develop two new, five-year programs aimed at accelerating widespread electric vehicle adoption and combating climate change.

The new programs will increase fast charging options for consumers as well as electric charging infrastructure for non-light-duty fleet vehicles. PG&E will pay for and aid installation of the infrastructure from the electric grid to the charger. Through these new programs, PG&E expands its initiatives to help customers reduce emissions related to transportation, which is the single largest contributor to greenhousegas emissions in the state.

“California continues to lead the nation in the fight against climate change and transforming our transportation sector is critical to these efforts. Through these new programs, PG&E demonstrates our continued commitment to help California meet its climate and clean air goals while making it more convenient for consumers, public agencies and businesses to choose clean, affordable electricity to fuel their vehicles,” said Geisha Williams, CEO and President of PG&E Corporation.

Responding to consumer demand, PG&E’s Fast Charge Program will pay for and build the infrastructure from the electric grid to the charging equipment for public fast chargers, complementing state and privately-funded initiatives.

Twenty-five percent of the fast chargers will be located in disadvantaged communities. Additionally, PG&E will offer a

significant rebate towards the purchase of fast chargers for customers based in those areas.

Public fast charging is critical to increasing EV adoption as it builds driver confidence in their ability to charge away from home and provides access to drivers who do not have residential charging. Fast chargers can refuel an EV in 20-30 minutes, compared to level 2 chargers that fuel a car in several hours. However, fast charging infrastructure has been slower to develop due to the high costs and complexity of installations. This year, California Governor Jerry Brown set a target of installing 10,000 fast charging stations statewide by 2030, a tenfold increase over current levels.

To address air pollution issues impacted by diesel use in the state, PG&E will launch a new program for customers with medium-duty, heavy-duty and off-road fleets. Through the FleetReady program, PG&E will pay for and help customers install the electric infrastructure from the grid to the charging equipment at fleet customer sites. PG&E will partner with school districts, transit agencies, delivery fleets and other business customers, which often rely on diesel for their fleets, which is a highly polluting fuel.

As electric infrastructure is often the biggest expense related to installing an EV charger, this program aims to encourage business customers in PG&E’s service area to invest in EV fleets. PG&E will dedicate 25 percent of the program budget to investments in disadvantaged communities and offer additional incentives for those sites, and for school and transit bus fleets that serve the general public.

With the Clean Energy & Pollution Reduction Act (Senate Bill 350) signed into law on October 7, 2015, the California legislature recognized the role of energy companies in developing necessary EV infrastructure to help the state meet climate and clean-air goals.

Through its EV Charge Network program, PG&E aims to help accelerate the adoption of EVs in California by increasing access to charging. Partnering with business customers and EV charging companies, PG&E will install 7,500 EV chargers at condominiums, apartment buildings and workplaces across Northern and Central California, including at sites in disadvantaged communities. By the end of 2018, PG&E expects to have 1,400 chargers installed at customer sites.

Committed to increasing adoption of clean vehicles in the state, PG&E continues its efforts to make it easier for customers to make the switch to EVs. On PG&E’s residential EV rate plans, customers pay the equivalent of $1.20 per gallon to charge their vehicle overnight. Customers can learn more about EVs by viewing PG&E’s online resources and get help determining which rate plan makes sense for them.

EV drivers who are PG&E residential electric customers can apply for the Clean Fuel Rebate, a one-time rebate of $500 rewarding them for using electricity as a clean transportation fuel.

Additionally, PG&E customers can save $10,000 on the purchase of a new 2018 BMW i3 or i3s EV through July 31, 2018. PG&E customers can also save $3,000 on the purchase of a new 2018 Nissan LEAF EV through July 2, 2018.

Small business finance forum in Stockton STAFF REPORT 209 Business Journal

The City of Stockton’s Economic Development Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will host a Small Business Financing Forum on June 26.

The forum will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Robert Cabral Agricultural Center,

2101 E. Earhart Avenue.

Most businesses in Stockton are categorized as small businesses or entrepreneurs and may need more information on small business resources. This forum will highlight access to financing, provide business-to-business networking opportunities and uncover other resources vital

to the success and growth of a small business – all at one convenient, time-saving event.

Additionally, participants can expect an event jam-packed with helpful information covering traditional and alternative financing, inventory financing and equipment purchasing.

The forum supports and encourages business networking with local experts from government agencies, banks, non-bank lenders, technical assistance providers and other business resources specific to small business owners.

The Small Business Financing Forum is free but registration is required.

Register online by 1 p.m. on June 21, by visiting the City of Stockton website.

Continental breakfast and boxed lunch are provided; registration, breakfast and opening networking are from 8:30-9:00 a.m.

This event is made possible with additional collaboration from the Small Business Administration,

San Joaquin Small Business Development Center and San Joaquin County WorkNet. For more information about the City of Stockton’s Economic Development Department and small business programs and resources, please visit www. stocktonca.gov/econdev or call 209-937-8539.

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Young Artist Movement making room for more art on UC Merced campus CONTRIBUTED BY UC MERCED 209 Business Journal

Three enterprising Global Arts Studies Program students saw the empty UC Merced Art Gallery on campus and, worried the space would be reallocated, wondered why they couldn’t volunteer to run it.

So they started the Young Artist Movement (YAM) — a “guerilla” group that expanded through word of mouth to 17, then bloomed to more than 50 members.

YAM was a finalist for the Division of Student Affairs’ Best New Club or Organization award.

“You don’t have to be in the Global Arts Studies Program to be part of our group, you just have to love art of any kind — painting, writing, sculpture, digital, audio, video, whatever interests you,” YAM co-founder and President Kaelee Martinez said.

YAM met throughout the school year and held its first exhibition in the art gallery in March, complete with an opening reception, entitled “We Are YAM,” to introduce its members to the campus.

YAM partners with academic units and other groups on campus to host events such as the recent

Fairy Shrimp Festival The group will have to look for new space to gather when meetings start up again in the fall.

“It has quickly became obvious that we need a space where artists can gather, collaborate, work, talk about art and not have to be the best, but learn from each other,” she said.

Members will also need to start fundraising, and the group’s leadership team — all seniors next fall — will also be working to build membership, train the next group of leaders and cement the bonds team members already have forged with each other so that the group will endure.

YAM gets guidance and advice from faculty mentor Professor Tonya LopezCalvo, who has run the gallery before, and a lot of support from the GASP faculty members, which they appreciate. However, they are glad they are trusted to run things themselves.

“I am absolutely proud of all the work our members have done throughout the semester,” said cofounder and incoming Vice President Melissa Becerra of West Covina. “We all worked diligently to make sure that we had access to the art gallery space and provided many opportu-

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

YAM executive board (left to right): Justin Gonzalez, Bodi Macarena, Kaelee Martinez, Melissa Becerra, Maritza Romero and Katrina Argamosa

nities for students to have an outlet for their creative expression. We managed to create a bridge for artists between the campus and the community. All of our initiatives have been student-led, and while we have been officially active for only a semester, we accomplished a lot.” and holds its own openmic nights for musicians

and poets, a photography exhibit and publishes zines, all on the shoestring budget assembled from the $5 annual fee paid by voting members. YAM also arranged a field trip to the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, which the Associated Students at UC Merced helped fund.

Martinez, who hails from Denair, said the trip was

important to the group because while there are opportunities for people to see a lot of local art in the Central Valley, some students have never had the chance to go to bigger exhibitions where professional and master artists’ works are displayed, and that kind of experience is important.

During the school year,

YAM met on Wednesdays and held monthly potlucks at which members would show their work. Over the summer, Martinez and other group leaders will make plans for the coming year.

“We want to do what we did this year, only better,” Martinez said.

Stanislaus Family EDD awards $5 million to help veterans find employment Justice Center chosen as Non-Profit of the Year STAFF REPORT 209 Business Journal

The California Employment Development Department announced recently that it has awarded $5 million in Veterans’ Employment-Related Assistance Program grants to 10 organizations to help veterans find civilian employment.

These grants will help fund job training, education and support services that lead to job opportunities for unemployed and underemployed veterans and include an emphasis on assisting the career advancement of women veterans.

“This funding will help nearly 1,100 unemployed and underemployed vet-

erans find jobs and serve women veterans who face significant post-service employment challenges,” said EDD Director Patrick W. Henning. “EDD is proud to help our veterans in their transition to civilian careers.”

EDD awarded $500,000 to each organization in support of their employment assistance programs and required awardees to demonstrate the capability of offering employment assistance for women veterans that leads to career opportunities.

EDD also gave additional consideration to organizations in which at least 25 percent of participants are women veterans ages 35 to 44. According to data from

the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women veterans over age 35 have an unemployment rate five percent higher than male veterans of the same age. Women veterans are also statistically more likely to work in low-wage jobs, earn minimum wage and experience poverty.

The Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program grants are provided through discretionary funds made available to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in accordance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and are under the administration of EDD and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

STAFF REPORT 209 Business Journal

Stanislaus Family Justice Center is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2018 California Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Cathleen Galgiani.

Carol Shipley, Executive Director, and Lisa Mantarro-Moore, the Board President, traveled to Sacramento to join with 100 other nonprofit leaders to be honored by their state Senators and Assemblymembers during a celebration luncheon as part of California Nonprofits Day on June 6th.

“The Stanislaus Family Justice Center provides a

variety of services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and human trafficking at no cost all under one roof” stated Shipley. “We are proud to be recognized by Senator Galgiani for the work that we do. This is a tremendous honor that I share with my staff, partners, Board, volunteers and donors.”

California Nonprofits Day, now in its third year, was formally recognized

by Assembly Concurrent Resolution 191, authored by the chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector, Assemblywoman Monique

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Limon (Santa Barbara), who will speak at the celebration luncheon. The day is organized by Assemblymember Limon and CalNonprofits.

According to “Causes Count,” a 2016 report commissioned by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is the 4th largest industry in the state, employing nearly one million people. Each year, California nonprofits generate over $200 billion in revenue and bring in $40 billion in revenue from outside of California. The unpaid labor contributed by volunteers at nonprofits is equivalent to 450,000 full-time jobs every year.

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GLAM

FROM PAGE 3 ing. He did all the electrical work, my brothers did the painting, and I had a guy come out and do the flooring. So it was my family that helped me put this building together and my father more than anything and my mother.”

With the location being larger than the other one Austin was able to add more services to the Glam family. There are more stylists like Christie Nelson and two new services, Lashes by Katlin Marquez, and custom spray tanning

by Regina Garcia that have their own private rooms.

During the celebration

PSYCHIC

FROM PAGE 5

when it’s God’s plan. I’m not here to make somebody go in a different direction,” she adds.

As it stands now, she is content with her life.

“There is nothing in my life right now that I want, nor that I need.”

Her family, including her 14-year-old son and 9-year

the mayor presented Austin with a certificate of recognition and said some kind words that she expressed meant a lot to her.

“Thank you for staying here in Riverbank,” said Mayor O’Brien. “Her situation emphasizes that we have to do more for the businesses downtown and throughout the city especially when you are dealing with an absentee landlord. We will make the city a little bit more proactive. On behalf of the city of Riverbank I would like to congratulate you on your re-grand opening of Glam which should be called Classy Glam because you are really a class act.”

Each stylist put together a basket of goods to raffle off during the celebration

that had a variety of products like body wash, lotions, hair products, and some cosmetics.

“I did not expect for the mayor to be here,” stated Austin. “I thank him for coming out and presenting me with that. It truly meant a lot and it brought me to tears because I am from Riverbank and this town means a lot to me and I know it does to him as well.”

The full service salon will continue to offer clients the latest hair styles and color trends as well as cuts, extensions, and waxing. They do accept walk-ins and always welcome new clients.

For more information call 209-652-1385 or visit them on Facebook.

old daughter, is healthy.

Her kids have food on the table and clothes on their backs.

Her business, which she runs from home in Modesto, is doing well enough that she is booked far in advance. But being a psychic isn’t a job for her.

It’s her life.

People who come to see her are looking for emotional support in some way, and because she does

readings from the same place where she raises her family, it takes on an air of closeness and devotion that she says all psychics must have.

“When I die, no matter what my tombstone says, I know that I have helped so many people. I can sit here and say that I’ve changed people’s lives just by a hug, by being a friend. Which, to me, is worth it.”

KINGS

FROM PAGE 1 we’re excited to have their support as we continue to reinvent Stockton.”

“It’s bigger than basketball, it really is,” said Kings fan John McNabb. “It’s a chance that we can make our downtown a lot better and a lot of opportunities for the whole city.”

This July, Kings NBA G League players will join parent club rookies and sophomores for the annual NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Stockton Kings fans will have an opportunity to preview the team’s player prospect pool at the Sacramento Kings California Classic summer league – July 2-3 and 5 at Golden 1 Center. The Sacramento Kings, Golden State War-

riors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat – will play six games featuring rookies selected in the 2018 NBA Draft, sophomores and athletes competing to make NBA and G League regular season rosters. In late summer following NBA training camp, the Stockton team will host open tryouts for aspiring players. The team will form its roster following the October NBA G League draft and training camp, with season play beginning in early November.

“With the addition of NBA G League Basketball in the Central Valley, each of California’s NBA franchises have a powerful asset within an hour of their headquarters to help develop their players and expand their fan bases with elite professional basketball at an affordable price

in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere,” said NBA G League President Malcolm Turner.

The basketball operations staff will operate in Sacramento at the former Sacramento Kings Training Facility in Natomas, with access to the full resources of the Sacramento Kings including Golden 1 Center. Team business operations will be led by current Kings G League Vice President of Business Operations Dustin Toms in offices located in Stockton, with the full support of Kings business operations teams.

The team’s new website, StocktonKings.com, and social channels – Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook – were launched following the Stockton City Council vote.

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ACCOLADES

PROMOTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, HONORS, ETC. AAUW announces local named gift honorees

Being designated as a Named Gift Honoree is a very special American Association Of University Women honor. A Named Gift is a special way to pay tribute to an individual, a group, or an organization giving extraordinary service to AAUW. This year the local Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon Branch opted to give Named Gift Awards to two local organizations and one Oakdale business rather than to Branch members as in the past. At the last meeting of the Branch’s current year, awards were presented to Soroptimist International of Oakdale, The Riverbank Federated Women’s Club, and Jerry and Barbara Marquis of Corporate Development, Incorporated.

Since 2006, both Soroptimist International of Oakdale and The Riverbank Federated Women’s Club have contributed substantial amounts to AAUW’s Tech Trek program.

Tech Trek is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) camp designed to develop interest, excitement, and self-confidence in young women who will enter eighth grade in the fall. It features hands-on activities in STEM-related fields. As a result of funds raised by AAUW, ORE and the munificence of these two organizations, 10 young women in the Oakdale, Riverbank, and Escalon area receive camperships to attend Tech Trek on the California State University Fresno campus each year.

Corporate Development, Incorporated with Jerry and Barbara Marquis, have supported AAUW’s mission driven programs such as Tech Trek, Speech Trek, the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, and more in many ways for many years through their extraordinary gifts of time, hard work and financial generosity.

Representatives from Soroptimist International of Oakdale were unable to attend the awards ceremony but the other two honorees – Riverbank Federated Women’s Club and Corporate Development, did have recipients on hand to be presented with the honor.

Seniors honored by Stanislaus County The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors recognized a handful of senior citizens in the community in May who have done and continue to do great work in many areas of important service.

Ernest Ray Richardson who served in the

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United States Air Force for 16 years, providing support during the Korean and Vietnam War eras and volunteered for the past 19 years, as a Board Member for the Central Valley Opportunity Center where he currently still volunteers as well as serving as a Board Member for the local Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Other involvements include the Kiwanis Club, Salvation Army, the Modesto Airport Neighborhood and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program to help senior taxpayers or those with special needs file tax returns. Richardson is currently volunteering as a Board Member for the GRID Alternatives Central Valley. GRID offers energy technology and training to underserved communities and provides hands-on experience in the solar industry and related fields.

The program also coordinates with local high schools and many students volunteer to learn how to install solar panels.

Joe Madden is a Korean War Veteran who served in the United States Air Force. He voluntarily drove homebound Veterans to their medical appointments in Modesto and throughout the state using his personal ve-

hicle and gasoline for over 5 years starting in 2008 helping Veterans in Stanislaus County who had no way of getting to their appointments. Most of these Veterans were frail and required assistance. Madden was appointed by the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors as an At-Large Member of the Stanislaus County Veterans Advisory Commission in 2012 and became the Chair of the Transportation Committee as soon as the Committee was created. He was dedicated and persistent in getting an established program in place and worked to get handicapped-accessible vans donated in 2014.

Sterling Fountain has been a member of the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church for 43 years. She also has been an active volunteer with the King Kennedy Center Board of Directors and has served for 20 years with the Women’s Auxiliary, where she is a founding member. She served as a PTA member for Modesto City Schools for many years and served on the Modesto City School Board of Education’s Advisory Committee and as a Mentor for the Special Programs Department for Modesto Junior College. She volunteered as a Board Member with the Girl Scouts for 9 years and voluntarily provides transportation for disabled persons in her handicapped- equipped van. She served as United Way Campaign Coordinator for the Modesto Irrigation District for 6 years. In addition, she served as City of Modesto Af-

firmative Action Commissioner and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as Membership Chairman and Founder Advisor of Young Achievers.

Bill and Marsha Silveira have been active volunteers for over 28 years with the Society for disABILITIES and have been instrumental in the Adaptive Winter Ski Program, helping with the Adaptive Bowling Program, with the Loan Closet Program making sure the durable medical equipment is clean, working, and ready to be loaned out. They assist with various fund-raising activities and donate many hours hosting big events and helping with recreational, social, and educational programs. Marsha Silveira was the Volunteer Coordinator of the Sign Language Club at Rose Avenue School in Modesto for 15 years. Marsha has been involved with the Ceres Rotary Club’s Read-a-Thon program and she is currently volunteering at Fair Oaks Elementary School in Oakdale with “Art Core,” a special program for youth to enjoy art.

Delores Raymundo has been actively involved at Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Eucharist Ministry in Patterson and has served as a cook for the Church Homeless Minitsty for several years. Raymundo has been volunteering for over 10 years for the Congregate Senior Meals Program at the Hammon Senior Center, where she serves on the Board.

She also helps with craft projects at the Center, supplying materials and teaching others how to make various items, along with making craft items and donating them to the Senior Center. Raymundo has voluntarily been providing transportation for over 10 years to those who need help getting to a medical appointment, getting groceries, etc. She donates baby hats/caps to the Turlock Pregnancy Center and makes tiny baby caps for the Preemie Ward in a San Francisco hospital. In addition, she makes and donates adult caps for the homeless people in Patterson.

Oak Valley Community Bank announces community reinvestment act officer

Oak Valley Bancorp, the bank holding company for Oak Valley Community Bank and their Eastern Sierra Community Bank division recently announced that Jose Sabala joined the bank as Vice President, Community Reinvestment Act Officer. He is based out of the bank’s Oakdale Headquarters.

Sabala has over 15 years of banking experience. In this role, he will be reJose Sabala sponsible for evaluating new community development opportunities in the cities served by the bank.

This will include identification of businesses and non-profits with borrowing needs in underserved areas within the bank’s footprint. Through CRA, financial institutions are encouraged to meet the credit needs of local communities, which include low and

moderate-income individuals, families, businesses, and neighborhoods.

“We are excited to have Jose on board,” stated Janis Powers, EVP Risk Management.

“His knowledge, active involvement in the community, and local partnerships will be great assets to the bank. Jose is highly recognized in the community. His leadership and banking experience will be an integral part of enhancing future community-based opportunities as the bank continues to grow.”

Sabala is a current member of South Modesto Partnerships, Stanislaus County New Leadership Network, Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, City Ministry Network, and Love Our Cities. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from The University of Phoenix. In his free time, he enjoys watching football and vacationing with his family. He resides in Keyes with his wife and children.

Oak Valley Bancorp operates Oak Valley Community Bank & Eastern Sierra Community Bank, through which it offers a variety of loan and deposit products to individuals and small businesses. They currently operate through 16 conveniently located branches: Oakdale, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, Manteca, Tracy, two branches in Sonora, three branches in Modesto, a loan production office in Downtown Sacramento, and three branches in their Eastern Sierra division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes and Bishop.

Sani Professional honors Manteca woman Sani Professional, the food safety division of Professional Disposables International and the Sani Professional Food Safety Advisory Council are proud to announce the winners of the fourth annual Sani Awards program, which includes a Manteca woman.

The Sani Awards award program celebrates innovation and excellence in food safety and promotes best practices within the foodservice industry for education/training, employee/customer programs and guest experience.

ATC’s April Rivas of Manteca won in the category of Exceptional Food Safety Education and/or Training Program Implementation. Rivas was singled out for her organizations training and mentoring of small business and start up foodservice operations in the food safety operational and regulatory segments. April and her team have certified over 2,000 food operators in the last year alone! Additionally, ATC has helped over 20 small businesses with compliance and SOP regulatory issues as well as conducted private audits in over 500 business in more than 30 states.

The Sani Awards program celebrates innovation and excellence in food safety and promotes best practices within the foodservice industry for education/training, employee/ customer programs and guest experience.

To be eligible for awards, winners had to demonstrate measurable improvements in chains with at least 5 units. Results were required six months post implementation.

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Making Main 4 lanes Budget sets aside $1.3M to relieve congestion in downtown Manteca

BY DENNIS WYATT 209 Business Journal

Driving Main Street through downtown Manteca could take less time as early as 2019.

That’s because the city is moving forward on two key projects: Converting Main Street from Yosemite Avenue to Alameda Street to accommodate two through lanes in each direction; and using federal funds to allow nimble adjustments to traffic signals to maximize vehicle flow using state-ofthe-art technology to control signals throughout the city.

The 100 block of Main Street — Yosemite Avenue to Center Street — was split from the Main Street upgrade effort from Atherton Drive to Main Street that will start this fall at the direction of the City Council.

Instead of spending significant money to take out all of the bulb outs, replace, and reconfigure lanes and then having to come back in

five or so years and change it again as the city grows, the council directed staff instead to combine the 100 block with Center Street to Alameda Street and convert the segment to four lanes.

The proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 has $300,000 set aside for the project. The 100 block of Main Street already had $1 million set aside in a previous budget.

Public Works Deputy Director Koussin Kim noted during a community workshop on upcoming projects along the Yosemite Avenue and Main Street corridors that environmental work on the Yosemite Avenue to Alameda Street segment should be underway by December. If all goes well, the work could get started in 2019.

Staff last year said it may require taking small segments of sidewalks in spots to make the corridor four lanes while accommodating bike lanes.

In May Kim indicated the city may instead detour the bike lane down neighboring streets to avoid the need to place bike lanes along Main Street through downtown. The most logical north-south street to do that on is on Grant Avenue between Yosemite and Alameda.

When completed the Main Street corridor would be four lanes from Lathrop Road to the 120 Bypass.

Parking would also be eliminated between Yosemite and Alameda along Main. The corridor can’t accommodate four lanes with parking left in place.

Concerns about the loss of parking came up during the workshop. Kim pointed out that it does not involve that many spaces.

In surveys done at various times of the day when the question first came up in 2002 to make the stretch of Main Street four lanes or keep it at two lanes, staff found that few spaces were

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Plans are moving forward to make Main Street in Manteca four lanes.

used during the day due to the difficulty of getting in and out of traffic. Customers, as well as employees, of concerns along the three blocks made heavy use of off-street parking that was far from being filled.

The only time parking was filled on any segment between Yosemite and Alameda were during Friday or Saturday evening events at one or both of the FESM Halls in the 200 block of Main Street. It was noted previously that there was still ample on-street parking within a block of so at those times.

The city has $3.2 million

in federal funds set aside to modernize traffic signal controllers throughout the city to allow for timing adjustments to maximize traffic flow. It is similar to systems now in place in many cities larger than 200,000.

When both the Main Street work from Yosemite to Alameda as well as the citywide traffic signal work is completed staff indicated that it will not only speed up traffic movements but it also should reduce motorists taking side streets through residential neighborhoods to try and bypass congestion.

The work on Main Street

south from Yosemite to Atherton Drive is moving forward with similar work on Yosemite from Main Street to Cottage Avenue to reduce the costs that incur if the work was split into two projects. The work is targeted to start in September and take three months until everything is completed.

To avoid creating issues for merchants, the plan is to make finishing the areas adjacent to the Yosemite and Main first to avoid the peak shopping season that gets underway by mid-October.

HELPING VALLEY BUSINESS GROW

Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches Oak Valley’s Mike Garcia, Commercial Banking Market Manager (left) 209.343.7607 and Dianna Bettencourt, Turlock Branch Manager (right) 209.633.2867, pictured with Dust Bowl Brewing Company owners Brett & Camy Honoré and Brett & Karen Tate.

866.844.7500 • www.ovcb.com Oakdale • Sonora • Modesto • Turlock • Patterson Escalon • Ripon • Stockton • Manteca • Tracy

“For this expansion, we knew we wanted to work with Central Valley partners who share our desire to build up our local region. Oak Valley was the perfect fit. They were responsive to our needs and ensured the financing was in place at every stage of our project.”

- Dust Bowl Brewing Co., Turlock, CA