209 Business Journal - April 2020

k e e p i n g

BUSINESS JOURNAL

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APRIL 2020

VOLUME 5 ■ ISSUE 4

IN PROFILE

Jeff’s Cuisine in Atwater opened their doors in February and even through the challenging times, are working to bring their Filipino dishes to the community.

PAGE 4

Bay Valley Tech also supports the local tech community by sponsoring hackathons, software meetups, Women Techmakers, high school tech events and the Valley Agtech Summit.

NEWS

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

TECH IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY COVID-19 is having a huge impact on local businesses, but there are resources available to help weather the storm.

PAGE 8

Bay Valley Tech is looking to start a tech boom in the 209 region

BY SABRA STAFFORD

I

209 Business Journal

n the agricultural rich Central Valley, Phillip Lan is ready to grow a new crop. It’s not almonds, peaches or the emerging field of cannabis. Lan is looking to produce a crop of coders and in doing so, grow the potential of the Central Valley to bring in new businesses and lucrative salaries.

Even with the Silicon Valley so close in proximity to the Central Valley, many of the area’s workers have been left out of the tech boom but Lan is hoping to change that through Bay Valley Tech.

Lan grew up in the Central Valley on a farm and after college moved to the Bay Area to start his career in tech. Lan led the digital marketing team at E&J Gallo Winery and held marketing, business development and leadership roles in tech companies such as IBM and Ask Jeeves.

When he moved back to the area, he saw many of his old friends struggling to make ends meet and he started thinking of how he could help them and the community at large.

“As a Bay Area tech hiring manager, I knew what it would take to get companies out here and that was a decent pool of talent,” Lan said. “All of these tech companies are already expanding out of state, but we’re the county next door, so if we can create a critical mass of talent, we can say to these tech comapnies, ‘take a look at us too.’”

Out of that idea, Bay Valley

Tech was born and established in 2017. It’s an innovative code academy striving to produce software talent with expertise in the modern programming languages and frameworks that employers desire. With classes in Modesto and Stockton, as well as more planned in Turlock, Tracy and Livermore, Bay Valley Tech’s low-barrier program aims to significantly increase the Central Valley’s software talent base and position it as an attractive destination for tech companies looking to expand.

Bay Valley Tech is opening doors for area residents through its innovative free software train-

ing program. Code academy students learn new programming skills through flexible online courses, peer-based tutoring and weekly in-person classes, where they have opportunities to network with local software professionals and hiring managers. Bay Valley Tech has also partnered with local companies to provide software professionals as code academy mentors and paid internships for top program graduates.

“We teach a man how to fish, but then we have that man go out and teach other people how to fish,” Lan said of Bay Valley Tech’s philosophy.

Bay Valley Tech also provides a supportive, collaborative and fun environment for new students just getting into tech. The business also supports the local tech community by sponsoring hackathons, software meetups, Women Techmakers, high school tech events and the Valley Agtech Summit.

“The local tech community plays an invaluable role inspiring, supporting, mentoring and lifting each other up toward better-paying careers,” Lan said.

Bay Valley Tech’s has developed partnerships with the Stanislaus SEE BAY, PAGE 10

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Bay Valley Tech has partnered with local companies to provide software professionals as code academy mentors and paid internships for top program graduates.

209 209BUSINESS BUSINESS JOURNAL JOURNAL

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APRIL 2020

OPINION

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.

Vol. 5 No. 4 ■ April 2020

PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen

GENERAL MANAGER Drew Savage

MANAGING EDITOR Sabra Stafford

NEWSROOM Kristina Hacker Teresa Hammond Angelina Martin Vince Rembulat Virginia Still Dennis Wyatt

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Harold L. George

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman

SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Beth Flanagan Corey Rogers Melody Wann Charles Webber Jennifer Webber

DIGITAL Frankie Tovar Rich Matheson

­—Steve Jobs

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 2020. 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.

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209MAG A Z I N E.CO M

To be represented, the San Joaquin Valley must be counted in the census

BY UC MERCED INTERIM CHANCELLOR NATHAN BROSTROM LATINO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CEO JACQUELINE MARTINEZ GARCEL

Once every 10 years, the U.S. government conducts a census to determine a precise count of residents in every locality throughout the nation.

This is an endeavor with major implications for our future.

Data gathered during the census count is used to determine how seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are divided among states and to draw district lines for state legislatures, counties, city councils, school boards and more.

A major concern we have here in the San Joaquin Valley — and it’s something UC Merced students are acutely aware of — is underrepresentation.

At UC Merced and the Latino Community Foundation, we take pride in working to improve the lives of historically underrepresented populations such as Latino Californians.

The impact of our work is diminished, though, when our region is undercounted in

the census. The San Joaquin Valley is one of the regions in California most likely to be undercounted, and California as a state is likely to be undercounted, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. That’s because we have a large number of “hard-tocount” (HTC) residents, which include Latinos, immigrants, young children, lower-income families, individuals with low English-language proficiency, renters, rural residents, and highly mobile residents such as farmworkers and the homeless.

Because California is home to so many HTC residents and communities, undercounting statewide and in regions like the Valley is a near certainty — particularly considering the federal government is providing less funding and less staffing for this year’s census, and we will have more people to count than ever. This undercounting could have dire consequences for our future — according to the Latino Community Foundation’s report, “A Roadmap for 2020,” California is now facing the possibility of losing a seat in

Congress for the first time in its history.

And if you think the reduced funding and staffing for the 2020 Census will affect all communities equally, think again. In addition to the reasons why the Latino community is already hard to count — such as the fear many feel that the information they provide could be used against them, and a general lack of trust in the government — the three main cost-saving strategies being applied for this census will each contribute to further undercounting of the Latino population: · Reducing paper mailings by promoting the Internet as the primary response mode.

Many Latinos access the Internet solely on mobile devices, on which it can be difficult to complete the census questionnaire, and many lack broadband Internet access at home. · Cutting local census offices and field staff. Follow-up is often critical in getting an accurate count of HTC residents, and these reductions will make it more difficult to reach those populations. · Using government records

to build a master address file to follow up with families who did not respond or submitted incomplete forms. Many undocumented residents do not have a Social Security number, so they might not be contacted; also, government records can lack accurate data on the race and ethnicity of residents.

A majority of UC Merced students come from what would be considered HTC communities. We urge them, their families, friends, and all Californians to report fully and accurately in the 2020 Census.

This count determines our representation in Congress, where decisions about immigration, social services and indeed the future of our nation will be made. It determines our representation in the state legislature, where funding allocations are made — this is precisely why folks in the Valley have never gotten our fair share.

We need representation that will fight for our communities, rather than undercutting them.

That’s why we need to fight for that representation. To make our voices count, we need to stand up and be counted.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

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IN PROFILE

Dave’s Meat Service meets the meat needs of the area

BY FRANKIE TOVAR 209 Business Journal

Dave’s Meat Service has been a staple of the Modesto community since 1998. Starting as a custom processing operation, the business moved into the retail space a decade after opening and by 2013 its various meat products could be found at a number of farmer’s markets from the Central Valley to the Bay Area.

For many Americans

meat is an essential part of their diet, so it’s no surprise that in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic Dave’s Meat Service’s brick and mortar location on Blue Gum Avenue has remained fully operational. Maintaining normal business hours, the family-run business has been kept busy serving the needs of their customers, many of whom have opted to take advantage of its long-standing curbside

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

For those looking for locally-sourced meats, orders can be made online at DavesMeatService.com or by phone at 209-527-2861 with a 24 to 72-hour pickup window depending on the order.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Dave’s Meat Service has been a popular staple at area farmer’s markets and now is helping shoppers with curbside pickup of their grass-fed and pasture-raised meat options.

pickup option.

“We’ve been pretty essential. The grocery markets haven’t been able to keep up with the meats, so we’ve been able to help with that,” Jenny Martin said.

“We’ve definitely been busier the last couple of weeks but people are not bulk buying or hoarding,” she added.

With whole-animal processing capabilities, grassfed and pasture-raised options and seven menu categories to choose from, customers have been appreciative of the options afforded to them in a time when many other options have been limited due to shelter-in-place orders.

“We’re a small family business and everything is customizable. We try to cater to everyone’s needs individually,” Martin said.

Some of those options present themselves in traditional cuts of beef, pork and poultry while others are more unique, like jerky,sausages, snack sticks and Wagyu beef bulk packs.

“Our sausages, beef jerky and snack sticks are really popular in terms of things you can’t get anywhere,” Martin said. “As far as recent orders, we have had a lot of people requesting half beef, which SEE DAVE’S, PAGE 7

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Bear and Allison Walters model the recently released “In this Together” shirts, which are being sold to benefit local small businesses.

Get Fit rallies for local businesses

BY TERESA HAMMOND 209 Business Journal

There’s a small grassroots movement happening at the center of Oakdale and it comes at the hands of small business owners Bear and Allison Walters. The move-

ment, however, has little to nothing to do with their downtown fitness studio, Get Fit Oakdale.

While to some the movement might seem simple, a T-shirt bearing the words SEE FIT, PAGE 7

A healthier workforce creates a stronger business.

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Choose Better.

Choose Kaiser Permanente.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

4

APRIL 2020

IN PROFILE

Atwater couple keeps cooking up Filipino favorites

BY FRANKIE TOVAR 209 Business Journal

Jeff and Nanette Rono were raised on Filipino cuisine, each learning recipes and cooking techniques from their respective families long before they met each other and got married. It was a no-brainer then that when dreams of opening their own restaurant started to flutter in their minds 17 years ago, cultural staples like lumpia and pancit guisado were included in the would-be menu.

“It’s been passed down by our families. My wife was taught her parents and I was taught by my parents,” Jeff Rono said. “We’re very passionate about our cooking. We’ve tried to perfect every dish.”

After nearly two decades of preparation, which included Jeff studying accounting and business at Stanislaus State University before joining the U.S. Army and being deployed to Iraq, the dream was finally realized with the opening of Jeff’s Cuisine in Atwater on Feb. 1.

“Being deployed, it gave

me the strength to finally open a business. Not only did I have the education, but I had the courage to do it,” Rono said.

According to Rono, business boomed in the restaurant’s first couple of weeks. Unfortunately, less than a month after opening the doors to their dream restaurant a shelter-in-place order was given to all Californians in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic. What had begun as a promising start was quickly tamped down as residents in Atwater followed suit with the rest of the state to socially distance and limit public interactions.

Jeff’s Cuisine Location: 1135 Bellevue Rd, Atwater, CA Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday Contact information: (209) 386-3525

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

“We’re doing what we can and we’re staying open for the public, even though there’s not much activity,” Rono said. “It’s hard. Right now, my wife and I are the only ones working.”

“We were extremely busy and then all of a sudden the coronavirus hit,” he added.

Despite an estimated 90 percent drop in business, Jeff’s Cuisine is still being frequented by loyal customers with pork and chicken BBQ meals ringing on the favorite’s list.

With an emphasis on preventing as much personal contact as possible, the restaurant is currently taking orders via phone

and giving customers specific pick-up times to prevent overlap.

While the timing seemingly couldn’t be worse, with a global pandemic coinciding with the first month of their business being open, the Ronos are hopeful that they’ll be able to weather the storm and keep cooking up Filipino favorites for their customers.

“We are hoping that the government will be able to give some sort of assistance for small businesses while also fixing the problem with COVID-19,” Rono said. “To all my customers I want to thank you for all the love and support. God bless you and your family.”

Paul’s Glass Co. owner Patrick Jensen demonstrates how healthcare workers will utilize the protective plexiglas boxes the company recently crafted for Emanuel Medical Center.

Paul’s Glass Co. completes lifesaving request

Plexiglas boxes will protect EMC healthcare workers

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

Paul’s Glass Co. in Turlock is well-versed in handling all of the community’s window needs, but recently the company was called upon to help fight COVID-19.

Emanuel Medical Center reached out to Patrick Jensen of Paul’s Glass Co. to order plexiglas. When he asked what the product would be used for, hospital personnel described the box-shaped SEE GLASS, PAGE 7

Ripon Print Studio makes adjustments to serve businesses

BY VINCE REMBULAT 209 Business Journal

In these days were it’s uncertain which businesses are open and which are not and what services they are offered, John Pack and his Ripon Print Studio has a solution for customers and employees.

Pack is helping the business community keep the public informed with signs and banners, but is doing it in a manner that keeps his customers and employees safe.

“We’ve made a couple of changes to make things safer out here,” he said via social media in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic along with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order to help prevent the virus from further spreading.

Pack, who opened the business at 201 S. Stockton

Ave. about two years ago, handles most any type of jobs that’s out there, from print and copy and grand format printing and finishing, to signage, screen or embroidered apparel and promotions.

One of his recent jobs was making 25,000 rebranding egg carton labels - the client, Pleasant Valley Farms, actually requested 90,000 such labels, he said - to retailers during the current high demand for the dairy product.

Another client, Sunbelt Rentals in Stockton and Ceres, ordered banners on the change of business hours since the coronavirus outbreak. Pack said Sunbelt Rentals corporate offices have since taken an interest on the Ripon Print Studio-designed banners.

Helping out those in Ri-

pon are his priority. Keeping everyone safe is even higher on that list.

The front door of Ripon Print Studio is closed in an effort to keep both public and employees safe from exposure of the virus. Rather, those needing Pack’s printing services can call the business and handle the transaction online or by phone.

Once the job is completed, customers will be provided an access code to a metal box outside the front door of the printing studio to pick up their item.

“They’ve already paid for it,” said Pack, who employs about a half dozen at his local business.

More information on Ripon Print Studio is available at (209) 924-9700 or online at www.riponprintstudio.com.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

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IN PROFILE

Papa Nino’s keeps the oven hot during changing times

BY VINCE REMBULAT 209 Business Journal

Business for Elias Nino was fine and dandy prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had just hit our oneyear milestone then this happened,” he recently said at his Papa Nino’s Pizza located at 1231 E. Louise Ave. in Manteca.

Part of the reason for that was outside of online delivery services such as Grubhub and Doordash, Papa Nino’s didn’t offer inhouse food services.

“Most of our business (pre-coronavirus pandemic) was from the Del Webb community,” Nino said of the local active adult community for those age 55 and older.

For that, he had to adapt to the situation by bringing on board two people, for now, to make deliveries, specifically, to adults age 65 and older in Manteca.

Nino, who along with his wife Krystale opened the business at the corner of East Louise and Cottage Avenue in February 2019, is also looking to help Manteca area students who are currently home due to the recent school closures with a pay-with-grace program.

Papa Nino’s is reward-

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Lathrop will be getting a Sonic Drive-In and a Dutch Bros. Coffee.

Lathrop lands Sonic Drive-In and Dutch Bros. Coffee location STAFF REPORTS 209 Business Journal

VINCE REMBULAT/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

Elias and Krystale Nino safeguard against the spread of the coronavirus at Papa Nino’s Pizza in Manteca by sporting their sanitary gloves.

ing local students based on their current report card grades in core curriculum – three As or better can fetch a free personal pizza while the offering for three Bs in English, Math and Science is a free pizza slice and, for three Cs, cheesy bread.

Students are required to bring their report cards as proof.

Nino and other local

small businesses are concerned with worse-case scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not too long ago, he had trouble just buying flour and other items for his business at a Stockton retailer given the recent shortage of food supplies.

“We’re all in this together,” said Nino, who is hoping for better times ahead.

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Fans of Dutch Bros. Coffee – the largest privatelyheld drive-thru coffee chain in the United States – will be able to get their fill soon in Lathrop.

Last month the Lathrop Planning Commission approved a request for a development that will add both a Dutch Bros. Coffee location and a Sonic Drive-In to an existing development that already houses a Panda Express location.

The second phase of a development at W. Lathrop Road and Old Harlan Road, the project will feature a shared drive-in for all three of the businesses and will add 24 parking spaces to serve walk-in customers that will have easy access from Lathrop Road at the I-5 offramp.

The area has become one of the central commercial cores of the community in recent years with the addition of the Save Mart shopping center nearby that included the city’s first Starbucks location and a host of chain and independent businesses that serve residents

of Woodfield Estates, Historic Lathrop, and new development west of I-5 as well as freeway travelers.

With the widening of Lathrop Road completed, access to the new development that will house the three businesses – which is located across from an island of land created by the construction of the new Harlan Road – will require improvements such as a signalized crosswalk at Lathrop Road, a sidewalk along the frontage of the existing Chevron location, and re-alignment of Old Harlan Road at Harlan Road to allow for left turns for traffic headed north back to Lathrop Road.

The Sonic Drive-In – the third in the South County after Tracy and Ripon both added locations – is planning on being open daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. and will serve both drivethrough and walk-up customers that order at stations and eat at picnic tables outside of the restaurant. The business also allows customers to drivein and order from the windows of their vehicle and consume the food that is ordered in their car which

is brought out by car hops reminiscent of a 1950s drive-in.

Neighboring business owners were able to raise their concerns with the project during the traffic impact phase of study, and those issues were mitigated to the satisfaction of all parties before the matter was brought before the Lathrop Planning Commission.

The meeting was the first in the city held via teleconference after Governor Gavin Newsom announced that public gatherings were not in the best interest of public health – allowing residents to view the meeting online and call in or submit public comments for the record.

That process is expected to continue until the COVID-19 pandemic passes.

There was no timetable for construction or the possible delay of development because of the pandemic discussed during the meeting.

For additional information, or to obtain a copy of the staff report, visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

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APRIL 2020

NEWS

‘Turlock To Go’ brings city together

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

The Turlock community has come together through multiple means in order to support one another during the coronavirus pandemic, the latest of which is a new Facebook page connecting people by the thousands to local restaurants who need support now more than ever.

California and states throughout the country are under strict shelterin-place orders in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 — measures that have also prohibited restaurants from serving customers inside of their establishments, instead requiring the businesses to offer curbside pickup or delivery of meals. While some eateries have closed altogether, many have opted to completely modify their businesses into a “to go” operation, switching to smaller menus, offering family-sized meals, featuring daily specials and providing other creative meal ideas, like take-and-make pizzas or cookie decorating packages.

When she thought of the idea for a Facebook page, Turlock resident Kadi Ingram-Porter was having trouble keeping up with customer needs as a sales representative in the wine and spirits industry.

Restaurants were no longer just trying to survive a week or two — they now had to find a way to make ends meet for as long as the shelter in place order lasts, which could be through the end of May. As for consumers, Ingram-Porter noticed people were tired of cooking and began posting their “to go” meals on social me-

Bass Pro re-opens in Manteca Store limiting customers to 50 at a time STAFF REPORTS 209 Business Journal

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Turlock To Go member Cirenia Valencia shared a photo of her family having fun at home with a pizza kit from Rico’s Pizza.

dia. Soon enough, the Turlock To Go Facebook group was born.

“With Facebook algorithms, it was difficult to see what posts were current and I kept thinking how nice it would be to have one place with all of the information. I decided to create Turlock To Go to be the place. I wanted it to be a place where restaurants could post their hours, menus and specials and a place where the community could go for all of this information,” IngramPorter said. “It is important to me that this page is for all to go services in Turlock (and nearby surrounding areas) and supports the community as a whole. It is my first priority that it is a positive page.”

Since the Facebook group was created on March 24, it has amassed over 5,000 members — a SEE TO

GO,

PAGE 10

Bass Pro Shops of Manteca had been closed for the past few weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The local store opened again recently, but with extreme health safety precautions in place.

They are restricting the number of customers in the store at any given time to 50. People will not be allowed to simply browse.

They must be looking for specific needs such as camping equipment, portable generators, guns, and such.

“We’ve limited the number of people inside,” said Assistant General Manager John Loduca, who was working the front door Friday morning.

Some 20 people were there, with most learning of the re-opening of sort via social media.

“Your Manteca Bass Pro Shops is now open to serve our community.

We are committed to the safety of our customers and team members guided by recommendations from public health officials,” according to the post on Facebook.

Loduca said Bass Pro will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those interested in purchasing ammo or firearms were allowed to do so by appointment only – one such person named Anthony, who wasn’t aware of this procedure,

was looking to purchase ammo but fortunately his on-the-spot scheduled wait wasn’t too long.

From there, he was directed to the hand sanitization dispenser before entering his local Bass Pro. “I had just cleaned my hands in the car,” the customer said.

Loduca noted those in the store located in the Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley – or 1356 Bass Pro Dr. – on this day were looking at picking up camping gear, dry foods, and portable generators.

Limited services were available and open only to essential shoppers. Those looking to just browse, for the most part, were kindly turned away.

Only two people at a time per group are allowed at one time.

Shoppers were to maintain social distancing of a minimum of six feet.

Bass Pro of Manteca was thoroughly cleaned prior to the reopening.

“We’re still doing that throughout the day,” said Loduca, adding hand sanitizing stations were placed throughout the store for customers and employees.

Bass Pro meets the criteria outlined by the governor for what businesses can remain open during the pandemic.

For more information, call 209.825.8400 or log on to www.basspro.com.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Shawna Silveira made sure to snap a picture of her to go order from Dust Bowl before she dug in, and promptly uploaded it to the Turlock To Go Facebook page.

Companies land ‘Best Places to Work’ awards STAFF REPORTS 209 Business Journal

Opportunity Stanislaus announced recently that 13 local businesses received the designation of being named a Best Places to Work: Central Valley 2020 winner. Best Places to Work: Central Valley is a survey and recognition program dedicated to celebrating those employers locally who excel at creating quality jobs and environments where employees are happy to work.

The process is simple: companies interested in qualifying for the designation apply through The Best Companies Group, a third-party research firm, which then collects data

and employee feedback via proprietary tools. The information is used to determine if the company will earn the Best Places to Work designation but also yields a report that provides a high level of detail regarding the experience of current employees so that employers can make adjustments based on feedback.

The 2020 Best Places to Work: Central Valley honorees included ITSolutions Currie; Datapath; Grimbleby Coleman CPAs; Automation Group; Industrial Electrical Company; Haggerty; Boyett Petroleum; O’Dell Engineering; PMZ Real Estate; Community Hospice; George Reed,

Inc.; Belkorp Ag LLC; and Stanislaus County Office of Education.

David White, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity Stanislaus, explained that the resource has become a strong tool for companies to use in their recruiting and retention efforts.

“One of our employers cited that 30 percent of their applicants said they applied because they saw the company was a Best Place to Work,” said White.

“In strong economies employees have lots of options. It is to the advantage of employers to understand what they are doing well and conversely where they need to improve in

order to find and keep the best talent. This program is an affordable, easy way for employers to take the pulse of their employees and gain recognition for going above and beyond.”

Those companies who rate high enough are awarded with the distinction of being a “Best Place to Work” for a given year, an honor recognized by signage at each location, in program promotion materials, and by an award from Opportunity Stanislaus.

Not all companies who apply will receive the distinction but they will receive the same in-depth report that approved companies SEE OPP, PAGE 7

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

John Loduca, who is the assistant general manager of Bass Pro Shops of Manteca, served as the concierge at Friday’s reopening of the store.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

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NEWS

Local businesses encouraged to donate personal protective equipment amid COVID-19 pandemic STAFF REPORT 209 Business Journal

For skilled nursing facilities, just one donated box of masks or gloves can help a medical staff be safer in working with their patients. Across the country, medical staff are facing a critical shortage of personal protective equipment, particularly face masks, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As the number of

OPP

FROM PAGE 6 receive with detailed employee feedback.

In order to be eligible, companies must be located in Merced, Stanislaus, or San Joaquin counties and have a minimum of 15 full or part-time em-

FIT

FROM PAGE 3 “In This Together” down the front with #weareoakdale at the bottom, has generated much buzz. So much so, that the T-shirt sales idea will now roll out to other neighboring cities.

“We’re about to launch it in Turlock, Ripon, Hughson and Escalon as well,” Bear Walters said of the fundraiser they began to benefit local small businesses. “But that’s tied to a business who has a story to those communities like Butler’s Pantry will be the one spearheading for Escalon.”

The studio owners shared that the past few weeks have been no different for them than most small business owners, so as they transitioned their platform from face to face to virtual they took it one step further.

Ever community minded, as well as involved, the husband and wife team felt the need to find a way to help other small businesses. The idea was simple: sell T-shirts and with each shirt purchased online the purchaser is able to nominate a small local business. Once the sales window has closed, gift cards will then be pur-

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local COVID-19 patients rise, medical supplies are quickly dwindling, putting front line responders and patients at risk. First 5 San Joaquin, in partnership with the Family Resource and Referral Centerand Leadership Stockton 2018, have partnered together to quickly call upon local businesses and residents alike to donate life-saving supplies.

With a stay at home order mandated by Gov. Gavin Newsom for an undetermined amount of time, several non-essential businesses have closed their doors, opting for telecommuting whenever possible. This means that PPE that many businesses may normally require are going unused, creating a perfect opportunity for donations.

ployees working in those counties.

Additionally, the company must have at least one year of operating experience. Both for and nonprofit companies are eligible.

Those employers interested in participating pay a fee based on company size, inform employees of

the need to take part in the anonymous survey, and are notified of their results privately. Cost varies according to company size as larger companies require more data collection and analyzation. All rankings are for one year. Program registration for 2021 will begin in fall of 2020.

chased from nominated businesses and raffled off to purchasers of the shirts.

“You purchase a shirt, you are entered into that drawing to win a gift card,” Allison Walters said. “It’s a win, win for everyone.”

The idea first came to the couple during a meeting specifically targeting how to support local businesses. Within 24 hours it was launched and the response from small businesses sharing via social media was tremendous.

“That’s been on the forefront of our minds this whole time,” Bear Walters said of supporting local business.

“The support we’ve gotten is crazy,” he continued. “We always say it, but the support of people showing up and supporting us through this has been pretty humbling.”

The social media response, which quickly translated into sales, overwhelmed the couple. As shirt sales came through, so too has interest in using the idea in other cities and communities such as Escalon. It also includes a gym in Arizona, as personnel there reached out and shared they were “stealing” the idea.

“Why would we keep this? It’s very easy to duplicate and roll out. And how cool,” Allison Walters said, “everybody wants

to get behind something right now; in a time of such isolation to feel like you’re a part of something so unified and benefits everyone is very cool.”

As for what the small business owners wish to see most from their simple idea which has taken full flight, their answer is equally simple.

“Hope,” Bear Walters said, noting they recognize that the money generated through the gift card sales from the local businesses won’t cover many major expenses, but it will create unity and help a little.

“I think this does more emotionally for people to recognize that their support and we’re all in this together and it rallies us all together,” he said. “There’s hope. There’s light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully when we come out of this, hopefully everybody shops small and shops local.”

Looking ahead is something Bear Walters said is important.

“It’s going to end at some point,” he continued of the current shelter in place, “and we need to come out stronger than we were before.”

To purchase a T-shirt visit the Get Fit Oakdale Instagram page at getfitoakdale.

Just $

18

per year

“We are in need of gowns, gloves, and eye protective wear, and most of all, masks.It is critical that we keep our SNF medical personnel healthy and protected from the COVID-19 virus, because they are on the frontlines of this crisis,” said Lani SchiffRoss, executive director of First 5 San Joaquin. “We’re hoping to receive donations from people who may

have these items —dentists, schools,construction workers, and manicurists.”

While normal business hour phone lines are down, residents can help make a difference by posting about the donation drive on social media or calling their personal and professional contacts to urge them to donate any PPE possible.

“I’m so grateful for First

5, Family Resource and Referral Center,and Leadership Stockton 2018, who are taking the lead on this effort,” said Dr. Maggie Park, San Joaquin County Interim Public Health Officer.

Please contact Amanda Bauer at 209-461-2936 at Family Resource and Referral Center with any questions regarding donation drop-offs.

GLASS

the pandemic.

Jensen helped EMC identify the correct plexiglas to use for the project — a polycarbonate material similar to windshields on airplanes, race cars and golf carts. It’s extra durable and doesn’t scratch easily, he said, making it the perfect option for what could soon become a crowded hospital.

“Paul’s Glass Co. helped our team bring this to life and responded very quickly to our request,” EMC CEO Lani Dickinson said. “We are so grateful for community support during times like these.”

Paul’s Glass Co. has crafted several boxes for EMC and is now making them in different sizes for patients of all ages and shapes. With a team of four working on the project, it took about an hour to make each box.

Since plexiglas is so difficult to work with, Jensen said his business typically turns down those who ask for boxes made from the product. But, he was more than happy to help during a crisis like this.

“It’s just really interesting, you never know what someone is going to ask you to make. I went from at 3 o’clock that day never making an acrylic box for anyone, then three and a half hours later I had three of them delivered,” Jensen said. “My guys who stayed

and helped me make them said it just feels good...we wouldn’t have done it any other way. It was an automatic, ‘Of course we’ll stay two hours late and help you with this.’”

Paul’s Glass Co. is considered construction and, therefore, an essential business. Jensen sent most of his staff home when the “stay at home” directive began and also closed his showroom, but his glass team has remained busy with emergency break-in repairs for storefront windows, and now, intubation boxes.

Other businesses have reached out to Paul’s Glass Co. as well, like dentists and grocery stores looking for protective barriers for their employees and even other hospitals interested in boxes of their own.

“It’s kind of a crazy turn of events,” Jensen said.

The turn of events is nationwide, with even some of the country’s largest corporations like Tesla and General Motors stepping up to help provide ventilators, protective equipment for healthcare workers and even hand sanitizer. Jensen couldn’t be happier to help, he said.

“This is something in the room that’s saving lives, and I think if you look around anybody and everyone who can chip in is chipping in.”

pounds of bacon, three pounds of pork chops, two packs of house-made sausage links and a rack of baby back ribs –all for $99.

Although it may seem Dave’s Meat Service has made it through the pandemic unscathed, its catering and farmer’s market business has taken a hit, making their role in the

Modesto community as a reliable butcher shop invaluable.

For those looking for locally-sourced meats, orders can be made online at DavesMeatService.com or by phone at 209-527-2861 with a 24 to 72-hour pickup window depending on the order.

FROM PAGE 4 protective covers they were trying to make. Similar devices are currently being used by healthcare workers throughout the world in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, they explained, and could be vital to protecting physicians at the hospital from the incredibly infectious disease.

Jensen knew what a complicated project it would be and offered his help.

“I know what goes into building boxes with plexiglas, and it’s a big ol’ pain in the butt,” Jensen said.

“They shot us some pictures with the dimensions and we just built them cold turkey.”

Prior to approaching Paul’s Glass Co., Cesar Aliaga, Chad Burdick, Carlos Urena and Moana Afamasaga of the plant operations team at EMC worked closely with two of the hospital’s physicians on the project: Dr. Phillip Cusano, an anesthesiologist, and Dr. Edward Cho, an emergency medicine specialist. The boxes are used to cover a COVID-19 patient during the intubation process, should they need to be hooked up to a ventilator, and protect physicians against droplet and airborne exposure during

DAVE’S

FROM PAGE 3 is half a cow.” There are also monthly specials with April’s special consisting of three pounds of ground beef, two pounds of breakfast sausage, four pounds of pork butt, three pounds of chicken breast, three

visit 209magazine.com and click the

SUBSCRIBE to have 209 Magazine delivered to your door!

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

8

APRIL 2020

NEWS

As businesses await federal help, County steps in

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

With the coronavirus pandemic forcing layoffs and shutdowns for small businesses throughout the country, local business owners are scrambling to apply for aid from the federal, state and now local level in an attempt to survive the crisis.

From neighborhood restaurants to optometry offices, small businesses are feeling the impact of social distancing efforts meant to curb the spread of COVID-19. Whether they’ve completely closed their doors or changed the way they operate to adhere to guidelines, one thing’s for certain: the pandemic is severely affecting them financially.

In order to help those struggling, the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering several avenues for assistance. The U.S. SBA’s COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is a direct loan by the SBA for up to $2 million at a rate of 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for nonprofits. Applicants can get an advance on that Economic Injury Disaster Loan of up to $10,000 within three days of a successful application and any advance money received does not have to be repaid. California businesses have access to this program at SBA.gov.

Businesses can also apply for and obtain loans under the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program, established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Se-

curity (CARES) Act. At the state level, California is allocating $50 million to the Small Business Finance Center at California’s IBank to mitigate barriers to capital for those small businesses (1-750 employees) that may not qualify for federal funds (including businesses in low-wealth and immigrant communities). The $50 million allocation will be used to recapitalize the IBank Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, which provides guarantees for loans of up to $50,000 for small business borrowers in declared disaster areas.

Since applying for the SBA’s EIDL loan over 10 days ago, Turlock residents Matt and Kayla Lawson have yet to hear back, they said, and didn’t receive the promised advance of $10,000 within three days of completing their application. The duo is self-employed through their business, MKL Photography.

They also looked into applying for PPP assistance, but were encouraged by their bank to explore other lenders. “...They stated it may be a good idea to apply to other lenders, as there’s a lending cap and only so much money that the federal government is granting through PPP,” the Lawsons said. “It’s been a very uncertain time in our business as we have had to shut all our operations down. The main source of our revenue has been cut off and the loans are nowhere in sight. We keep our faith in the forefront of our

thoughts and are grateful for an amazing community to reach out to in these uncertain times.”

As unemployment offices and the SBA are flooded with applications, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors took action this week to help buy time for anxious business owners awaiting state and federal help.

During their meeting , the Board approved $1 million toward a Small Business Relief Program meant to help local businesses retain employees and sustain operations during the pandemic. The program, which utilizes $750,000 of Community Development Funds and $250,000 redirected from the Emergency Domestic Water Well Financial Assistance funding — a 2014 county program that similarly helped those in need unable to access state and federal assistance.

Valley First Credit Union partnered with the County on the program, which will assist small businesses of 50 employees or fewer — with an emphasis on those with 25 or fewer employees.

Board Chairwoman Kristin Olsen asked County staff to put together the program after seeing San Diego implement a plan of its own.

“There is so much pain in our community right now as a result of COVID-19.

We have seen thousands of people lose their jobs within a day. We have seen so many businesses have to shut their doors — hopeful-

Stay up to date with COVID-19 and the impact on local businesses at

209BUSINESSJOURNAL.COM

KRISTINA HACKER/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

There is federal, state and now county aid available to help small businesses struggling financially due to forced closures from coronavirus pandemic orders

ly temporarily — but many of them are fearing whether they will ever be able to reopen, whether they will have the resources to do that,” Olsen said. “This is a really difficult time in our community, and I so appreciate both the feds and the state coming alongside individuals who have lost their jobs and the small businesses who are really struggling right now, and want to make sure that we at the local level are also doing our part.

“This is a small way, but a real and impactful way that we can help small businesses in our community, and hopefully they will be able to reopen their doors because these are people who would all much rather be working and running

their businesses.”

The County micro-grant program will provide assistance of up to $10,000 in the form of a forgivable grant to eligible, qualified businesses. Those applying for the grants must have no more than 50 employees, have a current County business permit, provide proof that they’ve operated for at least a year, provide proof of economic hardship due to COVID-19 and not have engaged in any illegal activity.

Those ineligible for the grants include lending and investment institutions, insurance companies, golf courses, racetracks or gambling facilities, nonprofits, home-based businesses and chain stores.

The primary intention

of the effort, Supervisor Vito Chiesa explained, is to bridge the small business community to the forthcoming federal stimulus funding.

“This is a statement...and it’s always been intended to be bridging,” Chiesa said. “This is a bridge to get to the $2.2 trillion, the $50 million, but there’s no doubting the need.”

Businesses with fewer than 25 employees will receive 75 percent of the micro-grant funding, while those with 25-50 employees will receive 25 percent.

The program will open for applications April 13 through 21. For more information, visit stanworkforce.com.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

9

BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS

DON’T BUY INTO FEAR — GET STRATEGIC

BY ELIZABETH DEVINE

Here’s where you’re going to start. You’re going to change your mindset to think global and act local.

You’re going to create a new marketing strategy and you’re going to find a faster path to revenue when all this is said and done.

209 Business Journal

T

he COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak is taking a toll on all of us, especially local business owners. This is the type of crisis that can literally bring devastation on so many levels and quite frankly it already has.

Schools and businesses are closed. Conferences and networking events postponed. Travel has been restricted and so on. However, if you think about it, this could very well be the opportunity you need to fall back and regroup with your own business development plans.

As business owners and entrepreneurs, we’re constantly in a state of flux. But now, we have an opportunity; an opportunity to leverage time. With closures abound and fear in the air, don’t buy in to panic and give it more power — get strategic. You might be thinking “Yeah, I got this!” but on the other hand, you might be thinking, “yeah but, how do I do that and where do I start”?

3

You’ll definitely want to add a little more gas to your SEO fire

1

HIGHLIGHT YOUR BUSINESS IN OTHER ONLINE PLACES WITH BACKLINKS Connect with other online places such as directories and authoritative websites.

This will assist you by strengthening your local marketing strategy. These “connections” are called backlinks and they’re a critical component of a successful SEO plan. Qualified backlinks enable a website to leverage the domain authority and trust of another site, which will have a positive impact on your search rankings. You’ll definitely want to enlist the support of an experienced SEO professional to set these up though. Don’t just start adding backlinks on your own. It takes a high

INCREASE YOUR ONLINE REVIEWS The fastest way to gain traction and dominate your local market, is to increase the number of your four and five-star business reviews.

Online reviews are a third-party validation that influences how consumers purchase.

Consumers will check out your reviews first before they’ll go to your website.

Current statistics indicate that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation and 73% of consumers view reviews two months or older as irrelevant.

Companies that have positive reviews get more business, in fact, 95% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase and 73% of

consumers trust a local business more after reading their positive reviews.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon says, “If you make customers unhappy in the physical world, they are most likely to tell 10 friends.

If you make customers unhappy in the digital world, they can influence 5,000 plus friends and connections.”

5

appear on the first page of search engines, such as Google.

You’ll definitely want to add a little more gas to your SEO fire and in order to do so, we recommend setting up a Google My Business (GMB) profile. It’s free and will definitely support your SEO strategy, especially

when you publish keyword rich content in your business description, products, services and other offers.

Note to file: It doesn’t matter how pretty or functional your website is, if no one can find it, it doesn’t exist.

Backlinks

Your Campaign has been Sent!

YAY

degree of technical savvy and longterm relationships to implement successfully. Don’t risk having your website relegated to the dreaded Google sandbox. This could devastate and erase your business online. Hire a professional!

Connect with other online places such as directories and authoritative websites.

6 START BLOGGING In real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.

When it comes to marketing and especially content writing such as blogging, it’s all about consistency, consistency, consistency.

A great way to increase engagement and move your search rankings up,

2

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO) Think of your website as a rocket and Search Engine Optimization is the fuel.

Without it, you won’t have lift off. You have to in place an effective SEO strategy in order to be seen online.

This is important for local businesses that want to

is through consistent blogging. Creating fresh content will tremendously support your SEO strategy.

Publishing new blog posts consistently means that your website will be updated more frequently — which increases your chances of getting better rankings, more views, more website

visitors, and increased lead conversions that ultimately deliver more business for you.

As a best practice, we recommend creating at least one blog per month and ideally two.

Study your SEO ranking reports to identify which keywords need to improve then create a compelling story around them. You’ll want to have no less than 500 words in your blog and ideally, you’ll want to land closer to the 1000-word mark.

Google likes this and will reward you with higher rankings.

INCREASE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE Last but not the least are social media channels. Establish an active presence on as many platforms as it makes sense for your business.

This is one of the most important things you can do to increase your local presence.

Sure, you might be on Facebook — but are you doing all it takes for your business to expand its local reach on this platform? Also, are you increasing the reach through other platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and YouTube? Tip: increase your social presence wherever your ideal client hangs out. If you have B2B business model, LinkedIn is a solid option for you to consider.

4

LEVEL UP YOUR EMAIL MARKETING Many people think that email marketing is dead — we know otherwise. Without a doubt, the most efficient and cost-effective way to maximize your marketing dollars, is the use of email marketing.

You’d think with the influence and reach of social media; the effectiveness of email marketing would be minimized — it’s not. The fact is, email is the most widely used form of communication today.

A solid email marketing strategy for your local audience would involve the following:

Final Words

We said it earlier — don’t buy in to fear, get strategic and leverage this opportunity of time.

Create a new marketing infrastructure

• Know your audience • Build a targeted email list • Use technology intelligently • Create great opt-ins • Create compelling subject lines • Focus on design because it does matter Each of these features can help you reach more potential customers, provide excellent service and build trust within your local community.

Make sure you are educated on the difference between explicit and implied opt-ins. You can’t just add people to your email list without their consent.

plan now, so you can reset your business growth curve to gain momentum.

The U.S. Small Business Administration recommends spending 7 to 8 percent of your

gross revenue for marketing and advertising if you’re doing less than $5 million a year in sales and your net profit margin – after all expenses – is in the 10 percent to 12 percent range.

— Beth Devine is the founder and principal of Devine Solutions Group, an award-winning digital marketing and business agency headquartered in Tracy, CA. You can connect with Beth by either calling 833-933-8463 or email beth@devinesolutionsgroup.com.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

10

APRIL 2020

NEWS

Current economic turmoil creates huge opportunities for remote tech workers

BY TAYLOR LAMAR LaMar Software

California’s current COVID-19 shelter-in-place mandate brought the movement of tech workers to a grinding halt in Silicon Valley, disrupting its famous collaborative culture in a way never seen before.

As innovators always do, however, tech companies responded quickly, rolling out a plethora of online collaboration tools and flexible remote work policies and procedures. This massive shift to distributed teams is now creating unprecedented opportunities for Central Valley-based workers who provide Silicon Valley employers a huge advantage over re-

TAYLOR LaMAR LAMAR SOFTWARE

mote employees further from the Bay Area.

As the CEO of LaMar Software, a custom software consultancy, my teams understand how occasional face-to-face interaction helps remote colleagues build trust and work through complex product challenges faster.

Many leading Bay Area tech companies are already looking to hire software developers outside of Silicon Valley due to the region’s massive deficit of coding

talent, exorbitant housing costs and congestion.

Recently, Facebook’s CEO stated that, “At this point, we’re growing primarily outside of the Bay Area,” he told Facebook employees. “Obviously, we’re still going to be growing a bit here, but the infrastructure here is really, really tapped.

You guys all see this driving in. The housing prices are way up. The traffic is bad.”

The growing number of companies now leveraging remote employees will further accelerate this trend.

In addition to Bay Area tech firms looking in the region for talent, Central Valley companies are also experiencing an increased need for capable coders.

Software is a key efficiency and profit driver for local companies in a wide variety of industries including food production and processing, construction and healthcare.

How can you benefit from this increased demand for tech talent? Take a look at Modesto-based Bay Valley Tech’s free seven-month code academy. The flexible part-time program enables working adults, current college students and graduating high school seniors over 18 years old to pivot into lucrative six-figure software development careers. According to Phillip Lan, president of Bay Valley Tech, “The hybrid online/onsite program only

requires students to attend class physically once a week. This web development training program is created with input from tech employers who are advisors and mentors, and who offer paid internships to top-performing students.”

With the burgeoning demand for software talent, along with an increasing number of people now seeking software jobs in the Central Valley, interested students should apply for Bay Valley Tech’s code academy before this year’s available spots are filled. If there is a ‘silver lining’ outcome from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is this huge opportunity for

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Code academy students learn new programming skills through flexible online courses, peer-based tutoring and weekly in-person classes.

BAY

FROM PAGE 1 County Office of Education and other corporate sponsors to increase funding to significantly accelerate local software development training.

“Our collaboration with

TO GO

FROM PAGE 6 majority of whom utilize the virtual space to post photos from restaurants that are open, share special deals with each other and discover new places to dine that they didn’t know of before.

Many members of the group have even made an effort to eat out even more than they did prior to the pandemic, trying help in whatever way they can.

Others are ordering takeout to avoid going to the grocery store, where inventory can be low and social distancing is difficult. The page serves as a way for them to quickly and accurately find what restaurants are still open thanks to often-updated lists and a feed full of meals pictured in real time.

“My routine was the same until I was added to

Central Valley residents to reassess their work and financial situation and explore much more lucrative tech careers.

About Taylor LaMar Taylor is the CEO of LaMar Software (www.lamarsoftware.io), a Northern California custom software consultancy with deep expertise in developing solutions for enterprise, IT and agtech companies. LaMar Software supports the local tech community through sponsorships and has mentored over 100 software developers in the Bay Area and Central Valley.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Phillip Lan

Bay Valley Tech is looking to code at least 1,000 new progamers in the next five five years.

Bay Valley Tech will provide Stanislaus County residents with an accelerated, cost-effective training program, giving graduates of the program access to high-tech careers that are in demand,” said Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools Scott Kuykendall.

There is a high demand for

workers with the skills Bay Valley Tech is teaching. Lan said tech companies have around a million unfilled jobs right now, but that the country will only be graduating 63,000 computer science majors this year.

“I tell people that these companies don’t pay people $200,000 or $300,000

because they want to,” Lan said. “They only do that because they have to because they can’t find enough to fill the need.”

Bay Valley Tech is looking to code at least 1,000 new progamers in the next five five years. It’s a lofty goal, which is why the academy uses corporate sponsor-

ships to pay for the costs, making it free for students.

In addition to the academy, Bay Valley Tech helps students with resumes, interview practices and introductions to potential employers.

“We’re taking them all the way though to a job,” Lan said.

As president of Bay Valley Tech, Lan oversees both the fast-growing code academy as well as the ValleyWorx coworking space, a Modestobased tech hub that supports local entrepreneurs.

For more information on Bay Valley Tech and to signup for the code academy, visit bayvalleytech.com.

this group. I intended on cooking at home more, but have eaten out a little more often to support these small businesses,” Brianna Perez said. “I’ve learned of so many small businesses that I wouldn’t have otherwise heard of, so I try a few times to order to go from new places to support these businesses! I also love it because people post photos, which entices me to go try a new place.”

Some members haven’t changed how often they order from a restaurant, but instead are now more mindful of choosing locally-owned businesses thanks to the group.

“We would eat out (before), but now it’s not just eating out. It’s helping support local businesses that we have grown to love, so that they will still be there when all of this is over,” Frances Vinlove said.

For others, Turlock To Go has offered a sense of

escape.

“We feel it puts money back into the local businesses, but really it gives us a sense of normalcy.

We look forward to getting in the car and making that drive around our town we love so much,” Sandra Avila said. “This group is a great source of info of restaurants we would have never known about. It really is the highlight of our week.”

Even those who may not be as tech-savvy have found ways to promote their favorite local businesses without social media, like Carlos Molina, who stood outside of the Manna Korean Cuisine restaurant with a sign after discovering he had been their only customer all week.

Then there are those who prefer to cook at home, who still follow the page to learn about new places but are weary of consuming food prepared by someone other than themselves.

“I personally am not eating out. I love that everyone is supporting our local businesses, but it just doesn’t make sense for me to risk cross contamination. These are essential workers, which mean they have contact daily with others, money, etc.

I’m trying to limit contact with other people outside my family every possible chance,” Jennifer McVeigh said. “However, this page has made my cravings for something other than home-cooked meals terrible...can’t wait for this shelter in place to be over to go indulge while supporting our local restaurants.”

While there is currently no evidence of food being associated with COVID-19 transmission according to the Center for Disease Control, there is always the possibility that the virus could be ingested through inadequate hand washing on the restaurant’s end. Restaurants have

long been required to follow food safety rules, though, in addition to extra measures now put in place due to COVID-19. Those who choose to order from restaurants during the pandemic should follow CDC guidelines of maintaining spatial distance when picking up their food, whether curbside or at their front door.

No matter how Turlockers choose to support their favorite eateries or grocery stores, for those who eat at home, there’s one thing they have in common, Ingram-Porter said: their love of food.

“Food is one of the few things we have left during a time when we can no longer engage in so many of our usual activities. Food has always brought people together, even now, when we can’t really be together,” Ingram-Porter said.

Thanks to the Turlock To Go group’s success, she’s also started pages for

Modesto and Oakdale. She hopes that the pages can help business owners increase their takeout orders and stay afloat during the crisis, as well as learn from each other and cheer each other on.

Michelle Peterson of Dust Bowl Brewing Company offered a heartfelt “thank you” to IngramPorter for creating the Facebook group.

“What a wonderful reflection on our caring community!” Peterson said.

“It’s a platform that’s not only informative, it’s bringing families and businesses together in a very personal, authentic way.”

Ingram-Porter encouraged those looking to give back in a simple, yet meaningful way to join Turlock To Go. “It is a bright spot and a distraction from the stress of all that is going on around us,” she said.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

11

ACCOLADES

PROMOTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, HONORS, ETC. Oak Valley Community Bank announces new commercial loan officer

Oak Valley Community Bank announced that Rafael Martinez has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer. Martinez will be based out of the Turlock Office.

Martinez has 10 years of banking experience.

He will focus on commercial and agricultural lending in Turlock and other adjacent cities.

Rafael Martinez “We are pleased to have Rafael join the commercial lending team,” said Gary Stephens, EVP Commercial Banking Group. “His Central Valley roots and experience working with the local business and farming community will serve him well and help expand our lending efforts in the greater Turlock area.”

Martinez received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a dual concentration in Finance and International Business from CSU Stanislaus in Turlock. He is also a Hipereon Commercial Lending School graduate.

Later this year, he will complete his final semester of the Agricultural Lending Institute program offered through the Craig School of Business at CSU Fresno. He is currently a board member for the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County, Turlock Young Professionals, and Knights of Columbus. Martinez is an avid waterfowl and upland game hunter, he enjoys the outdoors, community involvement in Stanislaus County, and watching is daughter learn and grow. Martinez resides in Patterson with his wife and daughter.

Stan State’s online RN-BSN program ranked No. 1 for value

Stan State’s Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was named the No 1.

by Guide to Online Schools on their list of the “2020 Best Online Colleges Offering BSN Programs.” Stan State topped such colleges and universities as Indiana University-Northwest (No. 2), CSU Bakersfield (No. 7), Rutgers University (No. 12), University of Massachusetts-Boston (No. 15) and Loma Linda University (No. 22) in the top-25 rankings.

The rankings were based on best value options for online nursing degree programs, and Stan State, with annual tuition of $17, 622, showed the greatest return with an average wage of $128, 300.

“We quietly do our own thing at Stan State, and we didn’t know they were watching,” said Debbie Tavernier, director of the School of Nursing. “It’s nice to be recognized nationally for providing nurses the opportunity to advance their degree.”

The 12-month program provides students who are already registered nurses (RNs) the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree, was spawned by a desire to serve local nurses.

“We knew that nurses with their twoyear degrees were looking for an opportunity to get a bachelor’s degree, and we heard they were going to very expensive, out-of-state, online, for-profit programs.

We wanted to serve them locally,” Tavernier said.

The program offers such courses as

nursing research, professional nursing and advanced health assessment, and unlike other online programs, includes public health training and certification, which expands a graduate’s career opportunities.

Designed to meet the needs of working registered nurses, the online program allows them to explore new perspectives by learning with other nurses. Students are able to apply real-world solutions in their current positions immediately.

The program also helps meet the increasing demand for bachelor’s prepared nurses in our region.

“What is now becoming the trend in the Central Valley — that has been the trend in Southern California, the Bay Area and pretty much the rest of the nation — is they want you to have a bachelor’s degree,” Tavernier said.

UC professor honored by alma mater

Social psychology Professor Jenny Howell has been named a distinguished young alumna by her alma mater, Southwestern University in Texas. The awards are only given to one or two alumni annually.

After graduating from Southwestern in 2009, Jennifer Howell went on to obtain her M.S. and Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Florida.

As the principal investigator at the Merced Experimental Social and Health (MESH) Psychology Laboratory, Howell is conducting groundbreaking research on the intersection of social psychology and health, studying everything from how people manage bad information about their health to the narcissistic tendencies of women who go on a date with a man to receive a free meal.

“Dr. Howell is a star on her way to being a superstar in psychology,” says James A. Shepperd, R. David Thomas Endowed Professor of Psychology at the University of Florida. “She is among the best students to come through the social-psychology training program in my 27 years here, and she is doing amazing things as a research psychologist.”

Howell has published 39 peer-reviewed journal articles and five book chapters. She also serves as section editor of a journal.

University of the Pacific faculty researcher awarded $1.15 million NIH grant

Dr. Melanie A. Felmlee, an assistant professor of pharmaceutics and medicinal chemistry at University of the Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, has received a four-year $1.15 million grant for research that focuses on the differences in the way males and females process GHB. The grant is from the National Institutes of Health Support of Competitive Research Program for her project “GHB Toxicokinetics: Role of sex hormone dependent monocarboxylate transporter regulation and potential for altered overdose risk in transgender men and women.” The SCORE Research Advancement Award is co-funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

“This grant provides the support to significantly enhance and accelerate the research conducted in my lab at University of the Pacific,” Felmlee said. “With this research we hope to understand why GHB toxicity is different in males and females, inclusive of all at-risk populations.”

Community Hospice announces new board member

Community Hospice, the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider serving the Central Valley since 1979, is pleased to announce a new board member.

Joining the Community Hospice Board of Directors is Eugene A. “Gino” Patrizio, JD, MHA. “It is a great pleasure to welcome Mr. Gino Patrizio to our Community Hospice Board and family,” said C. DeSha McLeod, Community Hospice President/ CEO. “Mr. Patrizio brings to Community Hospice years of healthcare organizational leadership experience. We look forward to working together to proactively provide quality care and compassionate support to our community.”

Patrizio is the Chief Executive Officer for Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center in

Modesto. He has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry with extensive background in civil law, strategic planning, operations and financial oversight.

“Community Hospice means so much to the Central Valley. They provide comfort and care to loved ones at some of their most vulnerable moments,” said Patrizio.

“It’s a very special opportunity to help support their work, which helps strengthen our overall community fabric.”

The Community Hospice Board of Directors is comprised of community volunteers who provide strategic oversight and governance to the organization’s mission to provide compassionate care, education and support to terminally ill patients and their families, regardless of ability to pay.

CWCLIFE

would like to say

thank you to all those who are working through this time to keep the rest of us safe and supplied doctors nurses hospital staff truck Drivers delivery drivers store clerks and staff small businesses manteca Bulletin

first responders warehouse workers farmers farm laborers city workers mail carriers Res Restaurant staff Bankers

There are so many people working behind the scenes that we are not aware of and again we say “Thank you, we appreciate you and we’re praying for you”.

www.cwcmanteca.com facebook.com/cwclifemanteca serving Manteca for 35 years and will continue to serve you

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