209 Magazine Issue 20

APRIL/MAY 2017  ISSUE 20  $4.95

BIKING

IN THE 209 CELEBRATING

REASSESSING

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FEATURES Blooming orchards, rolling hills, and picturesque countryside views are just a few reasons why bicyclists enjoy the 209. From world-class cyclists competing in the Amgen Tour to dedicated amateurs looking to go the distance while raising funds for worthy causes, and those just looking to take a nice Sunday bike ride, the 209 has a lot to offer those traveling by two wheels.

BIKING THE 209 While cities in the 209 are just now coming around to the need for bike lanes, the area has an abundance of beautiful country rides.

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RACE ACROSS THE WEST Turlock resident Karin Weller plans to bike 930 miles in the Race Across the West – an astonishing feat that will contribute to an even greater cause, Successful Women of the Central Valley.

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AMGEN TOUR For the first time in several years some of the world’s best cyclists will be pedaling through the scenery of the 209 area when the Amgen Tour of California rides into the region.

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7T O C

APRIL/MAY 2017  ISSUE 20

DEPARTMENTS

30

IN THE KNOW 10 14 19 20

Earth Day events San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Central California Art Showcase Merced Zoo

FLAVORS 24 26

10

Farmers’ Den Elegant Bull

34

PEOPLE IN THE 209 30

Susan Harris and Posh the Australian Shepherd

NAVIGATOR 34 36

Monterey Bay Aquarium Sutter Fort

40

LOOK BACK 40

Calaveras County’s infamous Black Bart

CHARITY CORNER 56

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

BOOK REVIEW 58

“On the Nose”

56

FULL OF LIFE 62 66 70

Fitness and Beyond Super Foods Getting your ZZZ’s

88

PLACE CALLED HOME 72 76 82

Merced County gardener Millennials love gardening Vintage kitchen style

MARKETPLACE 86 88

70

Bonanza Books Infinite Athletics 209MAGAZINE

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Vol. 3 No. 20 ■ April/ May 2017 ■ $4.95 PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen

GENERAL MANAGER Drew Savage

EDITOR Kristina Hacker

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAHERS Alysson Aredas Jeff Benziger Dennis Cruz Kristina Hacker Teresa Hammond Marg Jackson Angelina Martin Claudia Newcorn Candy Padilla Sabra Stafford Virginia Still Kim Van Meter Doane Yawyger

ART DIREC TOR Harold L. George

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman

ADVERTISING DIREC TOR Chuck Higgs

SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Beth Flanagan Evelyn Hernandez Tara Levy Colette Robison Corey Rogers Melody Wann Doreen Wynn

SPECIAL CONSULTANT Larry Dovichi

To advertise in 209 Magazine, call Manteca • 209.249.3500 • Oakdale • 209.847.3021 Turlock • 209.634.9141 209 Magazine is published 6 times a year

Welcome to the spring edition of 209 Magazine. This spring will be different than any we’ve had in a long time. With all the rain over the winter and continuing even now, the hills and valleys in the 209 will be lush with green foliage and colorful with flowers. I hope all of our readers take the time to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the 209 as they are something to take in. We are so fortunate to be in this area with all it has to offer.

Speaking of all it has to offer, in this issue one of our In the Know stories highlights the Earth Day Festival in Stockton. This year the theme is “Water is Life.” Great timing with the wet winter and the need to continue to value one of our most valuable resources.

Staying in Stockton we are also highlighting this year’s Asparagus Festival. I have personally attended several times as it is a unique and enlightening event.

Taking you to the southern tip of the 209, we are highlighting the Merced Zoo. What a great way to spend the day with your kids exploring all it has to offer.

As many of you do, I also am very fond of dogs. I have a Bichon named Sampson that is truly a part of our family. We have a special feature that I really found interesting about an Australian Shepherd named Posh that is not only part of a family but an award-winning competition dog. Pets take on a lot of meaning in many people’s lives so I hope you find it interesting as well.

There are many other stories and features in this issue highlighting places to venture out. From restaurants to vacation spots, this region and surrounding areas have so much to offer. We hope you continue to read us and use us as a guide to all the 209 has to offer.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and every issue of 209 Magazine. We welcome your comments, calendar events and stories. We hope you will support the businesses and charities that have chosen to partner with us. We appreciate them and look forward to being the most relevant magazine in your home, a place called 209.

138 S. Center St. •Turlock, CA 95380 Comments: khacker@209magazine.com www.209magazine.com ©Copyright 2017. 209 Magazine All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of 209 Magazine is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in 209 Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of 209 Magazine management or owner. 209 Magazine assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.

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H a nk Va nde r Ve e n Publisher hva nde r ve e n@ 209m

a ga z i ne .c om

3/30/2017 9:26:32 AM

What is the 209 known for?

By FRANKIE TOVAR

T

Studio 209

is a magazinestyle, video news show shot inside The Journal’s own studio featuring community events, daily features, sports and other segments about what makes the Valley a fantastic place to live.

he most popular response to the question “What is the 209 known for?” from those familiar with the area is likely to be agriculture. For those outside the area, the 209 may not hold much notoriety aside from being the home of former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and MMA legends Nick and Nate Diaz.

I kept this in mind when in early February of this year when I found a segment suggestion for Studio209 in my inbox. The message contained details about a Stockton native who not only practiced the niche discipline of Tahitian dancing but was in fact also a world champion. Who knew there was an established scene for Tahitian culture in the Valley? I sure didn’t.

I assumed others hadn’t either so I booked a visit and interview with Melanie Amen, the 2015 Ori Tahiti Nui World Champion for what ended up being episode 109 in the series.

I arrived in Stockton and parked in front of an unassuming warehouse building before walking in to find a simple, empty space bordered by bamboo fencing with a large mirror in the front of the room and several drums in the back corner. I spoke with Melanie and she told me about her background as a dancer, her path to the world championships, and her love for the Tahitian culture —all while brimming with enthusiasm. It wasn’t until I saw her lead a class of girls, however, that I truly caught a glimpse of what had her so excited.

The movements were controlled and crisp and

the dancers’ dedication was evident. The class spent a solid hour while I was there with their hips in preputial motion as they progressed through different phases of a routine I was unfamiliar with. I was excited because I knew I had a quality episode on my hands.

I was proven right when the episode was released to the public. There was an almost instantaneous response to Melanie and her craft as the episode quickly became one of our most viewed, shared and liked.

The response was affirmation that what viewers want are stories that are authentic.

Stories that shine a spotlight on exceptional individuals whether they be athletes, musicians, community leaders or even dancers.

This success has influenced our plans as we move forward with Studio209 in the coming months.

From visiting the Applegate Park Zoo and learning about the backgrounds of the animals who live there to highlighting the key players of this year’s Modesto Nuts team.

From exploring the 30th California Nitro National dirt bike event to showcasing local reggae talent Natural Revolution, we’re aiming to provide substance along with the entertainment Studio209 has come to be known for.

Want to be featured on Studio209 or have an idea for the show? Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Contact ftovar@turlockjournal. com for more information.

Check it out studio209.tv

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intheknow

Free events

Ea Day celebrateEarth

in the 209

By ALYSSON AREDAS

W

ith Earth Day just around the corner, cities throughout the 209 have you covered with local events that are both eco — and wallet — friendly.

Modesto

The City of Modesto will host its 28th annual Earth Day in the Park Festival, a free community event aimed at making an impact towards zero waste by sharing ideas on how residents can reduce, reuse, recycle and compost at home, school and work.

“The City of Modesto is an ongoing supporter of Earth Day and believes it is important to have an event that brings the community together in a positive effort towards change in respect to our environment,” said Recycling Program Coordinator Vicki Rice. “Together we are working towards water and energy conservation efforts to preserve our natural resources. We are conscious of the importance of recycling and composting so we can see real movement towards the reduction in our landfill use

statewide and ultimately great strides towards zero waste.”

With a family-friendly atmosphere centered around “green education,” the annual festival will feature over 100 exhibitors, food, kids’ arts and crafts, a Trash-Formation art contest, prizes and a petting zoo. There will also be unique entertainment performances, including interactive play by Bubblemania & Company, the Silly String Band and ongoing music and games by TNT Productions.

On Stoddard Avenue between Park and Sycamore Avenue, there will also be a FREE O B-Green event, a convenient drive-through that will give festival goers the opportunity to recycle e-waste, ink cartridges, batteries and more. All proceeds will go towards the City of Modesto’s “Adopt a Park” program, which is currently raising 209MAGAZINE

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money for The Awesome Spot playground at Beyer Community Park. Additionally, the Modesto Sunset Leo’s Club will be collecting eyeglasses and making pet blankets for pet adoptions programs, while the Hope Chest Thrift Store will be collecting donations to support the Hospice Heart organization.

The City of Modesto’s 28th annual Earth Day in the Park festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 22 at Graceada Park on the corner of Needham Street and Sycamore Avenue in Modesto. Community members can also catch a free ride to the event from Stanislaus Regional Transit (StaRT) by mentioning Earth Day. For more information, visit modestogov.com/415/ Earth-Day.

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For one day out of the year it is nice to set aside some of the other issues and problems we have as people or as a nation and focus on Earth.”

—Stockton Earth Day volunteer Martin Saltzman

Hughson

Those looking to celebrate Earth Day in the company of historical trees need look no further than the Hughson Arboretum and Garden in Hughson. While the nonprofit has hosted an open garden for the past 10 years, this is the first year that organizers decided to coincide the free event with Earth Day, according to Board President Thomas Clark.

“Earth Day is a really wonderful time of year for the Arboretum because that’s when the trees start blooming,” said Clark. “It’s really beautiful out there.”

The history of the arboretum in Hughson dates back approximately 20 years after Margaret Sturtevant envisioned a place filled with beautiful trees where community members could go to relax, meditate or learn more about the plants around them. Sturtevant, who passed away last year, left behind the Hughson Arboretum, which is a 12-acre tree garden on

the corner of Euclid Avenue and Whitmore Avenue.

During the Open Garden event, guests can take in a number of historical trees, including a George Washington Tulip Poplar, which was first planted at Mount Vernon in 1798, an American Elm Survivor Tree from the Oklahoma City bombing, and a Redwood Slab that was created by an Act of Congress.

The Earth Day celebration will also include live music, wine, hors d’oeuvres and children’s activities.

“Trees are incredibly beneficial to the environment that we live in,” said Clark. “So we’re trying to get the word out that we’re here.”

The Hughson Arboretum Open Garden Earth Day event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on April 22 at 2490 Euclid Avenue in Hughson. For more information, visit the Hughson Arboretum and Gardens Facebook page.

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intheknow Stockton

Stockton locals are invited to the 29th annual Earth Day Festival, which will revolve around the theme “Water is Life” this year. As the area’s premier environmental event, the festival will focus on educating local residents on how to take care of the environment.

“Over the course of the day, we probably get 10,000 people,” said volunteer Martin Saltzman. “For one day out of the year it is nice to set aside some of the other issues and problems we have as people or as a nation and focus on Earth.”

This year’s festival will kick off at 10 a.m. with an hour of yoga on the park green followed by an array of informative and interactive booths, demos, displays and exhibits from over 80 vendors throughout the day. Local schools will provide a variety of hands-on activities and environmental organizations will

educate guests on important green issues and how they can make a difference.

There will also be a variety of local bands and cultural groups providing entertainment during the event, including a number of jazz, blues, rock, new age electronica, bluegrass and swing music. Entertainment will start with the Stockton Bukkyo Taiko Drummers at 11 a.m. and ending with an organic drum circle at 4 p.m.

The 29th Earth Day Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 23 at Victory Park behind Haggin Museum in Stockton. Those who choose to bike to the event will also be invited to secure their bicycles in a safe bike corral staffed by the San Joaquin Bike Coalition.

Admission is free. For more information, visit livegreensanjoaquin. org or email stocktonearthday@ gmail.com. ■

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intheknow know

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By VIRGINIA STILL

I

n the health-conscious world we live in today, where everything organic is all the rage and farm to fork matters when we dine, celebrating one of spring’s best greens at the 2017 San Joaquin Asparagus Festival on April 21, 22 and 23 at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton couldn’t be any better.

The fresh green spears are an excellent source of Vitamin K, along with other nutrients like Vitamin C and Vitamin E and will be available at multiple locations throughout the festival. According to EatingWell.com the five powerful health benefits of asparagus are that it is filled with nutrients, it can help fight cancer, it is packed with antioxidants, it is a brain booster and a natural diuretic.

The fairgrounds will have a variety of attractions for the entire family to enjoy from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. each

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day of the fest like Asparagus Alley, Asparagus Plaza, a health and wellness area, farm animals, craft fair, carnival rides and a lineup of live entertainment.

Whether you attend the festival for the beloved deep fried asparagus, the asparagus margaritas, or a scoop of asparagus ice cream, the vendors and live entertainment along with dancers are sure to delight the entire family.

For the past 33 years, the festival has been held in Stockton, but has moved locations over the years. In 1986, the very first Stockton Asparagus Festival was held at Oak Grove Regional Park and stayed there until 2004. Then the festival made its way to the Waterfront downtown where guests enjoyed entertainment and tasty treats until 2014.

Tony and Carol Noceti, owners of the Noceti Group Inc., decided to get involved in 2014 to assist in keeping the festival going in Stockton. In 2015, the asparagus festival was moved to the San Joaquin County fairgrounds where it continues to thrive today.

With over 85,000 guests attending the festival last year and with 7,810 pounds of locally-grown asparagus consumed, the festival has been well received in its new location.

The main stage will have a mixture of live music to entertain the crowds along with two community stages that will have local dancers, singers, bands and a talent show.

There will also be craft beer and a wine pavilion to keep patrons refreshed and an asparagus recipe contest and an asparagus eating contest to participate in.

According to Festival Coordinator Heather Chamber, the Noceti Group has given back over $350,000 to non-profit groups that volunteer at the event as well as the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, Ronald McDonald House, Shriner’s Hospital, Sacramento Food Bank, CHIPS for Kids Toy Drive and more.

Presale tickets will be available at local and surrounding Save Mart Supermarkets and Lucky Grocery stores until April 20. For the participating locations, visit http://sanjoaquinasparagusfestival.net. There are group discounts being offered for April 21 to corporate and company groups of 30 or more people at $5 per person, as well as community youth group organizations ages 12 and under in groups of 12 or more for $3 per person. â–

Whether you attend the festival for the beloved deep fried asparagus, the asparagus margaritas, or a scoop of asparagus ice cream, the vendors and live entertainment along with dancers are sure to delight the entire family.

San Joaquin County Fairgrounds is at 1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton and for more information on the festival, visit http://sanjoaquinasparagusfestival.net or email info@sanjoaquinasparagusfestival.net.

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intheknow

SHOWCASE FEATURES CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ARTISTS

By SABRA STAFFORD

T

he Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock and the Mistlin Gallery in Modesto are readying the artistic creations that will be part of the Central California Art Showcase.

The juried exhibition, now in its fourth year, is a unique collaboration between the region’s two premier visual arts galleries celebrating regional artistic excellence. For this show both galleries will be exhibiting works selected by a single panel of judges.

“We think this creates an exciting opportunity for all Central California artists,” said Carnegie Director Lisa McDermott. “The

main goal of this collaboration is to highlight the importance of the arts across our entire region.”

“By sharing this exhibition between our two venues, we attract more artists to two galleries in Downtown Modesto and Downtown Turlock”, says Marianne Ward, chair of the Mistlin Gallery’s exhibition committee. “Each year we see new artists entering their work and being successful.”

The Showcase will be awarding $3,500 in prize money and is being judged by Cheryl Barnett, sculptor; Dean Dallin, painter and pastel artist; and G. Dan Mitchell photographer.

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Each gallery will be displaying works from the exhibit from April 4 to June 2.

The Carnegie Arts Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. The center is located at 250 N. Broadway in Turlock. For more information, visit carnegieartsturlock.org.

The Mistlin Gallery is open 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The gallery is located at 1015 J St., in Modesto.

For more information, visit ccaagallery.org. ■

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intheknow

Merced zoo

HOME TO NATIVE VALLEY WILDLIFE, EXOTIC SPECIES

By DENNIS D. CRUZ

PHOTOS BY DENNIS D. CRUZ/ 209 Magazine

S

ince the early 1960s, Merced’s Applegate Park Zoo has been a local favorite for the region’s animal enthusiasts. Over the years, the zoo has been home to several different species. Today the zoo keeps over 70 animals including monkeys, bears, bobcats, a mountain lion and even raccoons.

Zookeeper Donna McDowell has been with the zoo for nearly two decades and has taken care of all of the animals on site. Applegate Park Zoo acquires their animals in many different ways.

“We have had animals brought in here from the Fish and Game and Wildlife, as well as people bringing them in just because they can no longer tend to them,” McDowell said.

One of the animals that came to the zoo was Windfall, a black bear.

“Windfall was a cub when she came in. She 209MAGAZINE

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“We offer many things for the kids to do. This summer we are working on a camp where the kids can come in and get up close with some of the animals.”

—Zookeeper Josh Moreno

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Elroy is a 22-year-old Sulcata Tortoise who weighs over 110 pounds.

Located inside the Kids Zone, this photogenic alpaca is available for kids to pet and feed.

was being raised by a family who found her in the foothills as a very young cub. She was less than two years old when the family’s neighbor called Fish and Wildlife and told them they owned a bear and felt it was in danger. She has been here ever since,” McDowell shared.

Windfall shares a large habitat exhibit with a brown bear named Missy.

One of the most popular animals at the park is Boomer the Bobcat.

Boomer is the official mascot of UC Merced. The feisty bobcat has been with the zoo for a few years and attracts a large crowd on a daily basis.

Boomer and fellow bobcat Nala share captivity where they can climb, play and sleep comfortably in their beds.

Kokomo and Buddy are the zoo’s monkeys. The two are siblings and their family has been a part of the zoo since the opening of Applegate Park Zoo. Buddy, a female monkey, is approaching 40 years old but is still very active and alert to her surroundings. She and Kokomo entertain visitors as they have since arriving at the zoo.

Applegate Park Zoo has several different feathered friends throughout the park as well. From emus to colorful peacocks, to falcons and

hawks, the zoo has dozens of birds both large and small. Applegate Park Zoo is the home of a rare yellowbilled Magpie. This particular magpie is a Valley native and is on the endangered species list.

There is no shortage of fun for the younger set as Applegate Park Zoo offers activities for kids year-round.

Every day visitors can go to the petting zoo where there are llamas, goats and other kid-friendly animals available to pet.

Zookeeper Josh Moreno has been with the zoo for over five years and is the activities director for Applegate Park Zoo. “We offer many things for the kids to do. This summer we are working on a camp where the kids can come in and get up close with some of the animals,” Moreno said. “Other popular events that we do throughout the year are our Zoo Boo at Halloween time, we have a Christmas event, and we also offer behind the zoo scenes where kids can take a tour and feed the animals.”

Applegate Park Zoo is currently looking for volunteers 16 years and older to help at the zoo. For more information on the zoo and how you can become a volunteer, call (209) 725-3337. ■ 209MAGAZINE

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A true staple at the Applegate Park Zoo is 40-year-old Buddy. Although she is 40, she is still playful and active for her audiences.

Known as “Mac” this mountain lion is one of the most popular animals found at Merced’s Applegate Park Zoo. Mac was brought in at just five weeks old and just recently celebrated his 11th birthday.

IF YOU GO APPLEGATE PARK ZOO 1045 W. 25th St., Merced Open year-round, seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

ONLY DAYS CLOSED: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day ADMISSION: Ages 16 to 61, $3; Ages 5 to 15, $2; Ages 62 plus, $1.50; Under 5, free FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.mercedzoo.org

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“It’s very homey and chances are good you will see somebody you know.

This is about as non-chain restaurant as it gets.”

— Jeff Green

F

ive miles west of Turlock on the way to Patterson is an unassuming little restaurant that is a magnet for many in the Crows Landing community. The Farmers’ Den is a place where friendships are forged and a western theme is served up along with traditional breakfast and lunch dishes.

Co-owner Jeff Green and his dad Ted and brother Rod opened Farmers’ Den 11 and a half years ago at the busy corner of West Main Street and Crows Landing Road and operate it seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We have a country-western vibe, a hole in the wall,” Jeff Green says.

“It’s very homey and chances are good you will see somebody you know. This is about as non-chain restaurant as it gets.”

The restaurant, dominated by wood paneling and farm-themed pictures and memorabilia, serves omelets, steak and egg dishes, an assortment of sandwiches, hamburgers, fish and chips, chicken dishes, salads and their trademark barbecue prime rib on Thursday nights.

Joe Romano is the chief cook and general manager of the restaurant that can seat 72 people in the main dining area. The 63-year-old Romano started in the restaurant business in 1970 as a dishwasher and has managed or owned restaurants in Salinas, Gilroy, the San Francisco Bay Area and Turlock before joining the Greens in the summer of 2005.

He can’t think of any other career he would like.

“I love the challenge and working with people,” Romano says. “Every day is different; there are never days that are alike. I enjoy the reaction to good food and I love cooking. I

always wanted to be a chef.”

There is such a close-knit, friendly atmosphere at the Farmers’ Den that some area farmers have a key to the restaurant and come in about 4:30 a.m., start making coffee and turn the sign on when it’s time to open to the public.

“They’re all great people. You come here to get fed big portions.

We are known for breakfast and our best-sellers are a lot of omelets and biscuits and gravy. Nobody goes away hungry,” Green says.

The restaurant’s décor includes a replica “Mae West” gasoline pump from the 1930s, and plenty of shelves with pictures of local people, cowboy hats, horseshoes and models of wagons and stagecoaches, trucks and tractors and rodeo posters. The curved lunch counter has 12 seats where diners can visit with Romano as he cooks.

Green points out the restaurant makes 25 to 50 omelets each day on the weekends. They go through 100 pounds of bacon a week along with 40 to 50 pounds of linguica.

“Nothing we do is fancy but it’s all about doing a good job,” Green says.

“We keep it simple and do it right.”

Romano says restaurant staff are moving fast to get the food out. But he adds it’s still a relaxed atmosphere, mixing families, local farmers, dairymen and a large number of tourists bound for the Sierras or the Pacific Coast along well-traveled West Main Street. Gas stations, corner markets and other enterprises have been on that corner since the 1930s.

“My dad Ted Green had a dream about opening a restaurant and found this spot,” Green, 42, recalls.

“We spent six months gutting the 209MAGAZINE

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place out and it all came together.

We haven’t looked back since.”

Romano boasts Farmers’ Den has the best prime rib and there’s nothing else like it. Green says more than four hours are spent preparing the prime rib with a special rub, cooking it “low and slow” while putting a sizzle on it. Thursday’s dinner runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Romano stresses the staff of 12 have built a rapport with their patrons. Diners can see him working in the kitchen and he doesn’t mind being interrupted by conversations as he cooks.

Romano says wants all his customers to come back. He estimates easily half and maybe more of the diners are repeat customers.

Green points out the restaurant does catering in-house for special events like birthday parties and weddings and on-site. The restaurant also makes homemade ranch, thousand island and blue cheese dressing.

Romano says his specialty is scrambled eggs and he loves cooking eggs. He says his customers love their pancakes. ■ Doane Yawger of Merced is a semiretired newspaper reporter and editor.

IF YOU GO GETTING THERE: FARMERS DEN 9952 Crows Landing Road Crows Landing, CA 95313 CONTACT: 209 669-6541

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3/30/2017 10:05:49 AM

flavors

Elegant Cuisine found in Merced County hamlet

By DOANE YAWGER

PHOTOS BY GAIL WILSON/ 209 Magazine

“I like people to say ‘Wow! that was a good dinner.” — Frank Machado

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or those savoring fine continental or European cuisine found in cities like San Francisco, Frank Machado has a closer-tohome suggestion.

Try Delhi.

Frank and Karen Machado have operated the Elegant Bull Restaurant at 9666 Stephens St. in the northern Merced County town of Delhi for 29 years. Frank Machado has spent more than 50 years as a restaurateur. Nothing pleases him more than to have guests "wowed" by a meal featuring entrees you won't find anywhere close.

Elegant Bull features Portuguese fare, Italian dishes, steaks, lamb, frog legs, lobster, halibut and salmon, Petrale Sole and Chilean Sea Bass, shrimp and scallops, oysters and escargot every now and then.

"I like people to say 'Wow! that was a good dinner,' " Machado says. "I go to the source and hand-pick it myself. When halibut is in season, it comes from Alaska only. The salmon is fresh, troll-caught. It has got to be wild; I don't use those from a farm. The meat is always choice or better and we don't cut it until you order."

While Machado was born in Hilmar, his parents came from the Azores. So, Portuguese food is highlighted, such as Bife A Portuguesa, a boneless strip loin of beef and eggs sautĂŠed with olive oil, garlic, white wine, scallions and two eggs on top surrounded with French fries.

Then there's Torresmos, featuring tender cuts of young pork marinated in three wines, herbs and spices and then roasted. Machado also offers his own brand of linguica and his own presentation of Portuguese beans. These have linguica, bacon, pinto beans, cinnamon and cumin, coriander and lots of garlic.

Machado's marketing specialist and webmaster, Gail Wilson of Atwater, says Machado is hands-on and a perfectionist.

"I like it because of the service," Wilson says.

"Frank is service-oriented and I love that. It's very important. Here you can sit down and relax.

He (Machado) likes to please people. People can eat anywhere. Service is No. 1."

Machado operated restaurants and bars in Santa Clara before opening the Elegant Bull in the last week of 1989. He has always loved bulls and the name Elegant Bull seemed like a natural 209MAGAZINE

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choice for his restaurant.

Many of the restaurant's customers come from Fresno, Stockton, Oakdale, Turlock, Atwater, Escalon and Manteca. Machado says very few restaurants still offer linen tablecloths and very few places serve dinners with soup, salad, vegetables, Portuguese beans, rolls with butter and a choice of fries, rice, baked potato or mashed potatoes.

Machado says nothing bothers him more than to see poor service. He says his customers don't have to ask for seconds or refills.

"That irks the hell out of me. That's terrible.

My big deal is pleasing people, having people appreciate you," Machado says. You get what you pay for and more - his items are one price with everything thrown in.

Everything is made from scratch. The only thing that comes frozen in a box is the deep-fried shrimp.

Ironically, Machado's favorite food item is eggs. While eggs show up on some dishes, the restaurant does not serve breakfast. The 85-yearold Machado says he has had to scale back to five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, on his doctor's advice. The restaurant includes 10 servers, three bartenders, two dishwashers and three cooks, including Machado.

Another Machado pet peeve: Presentation of a fine meal is OK but don't pile food together. He stresses there are no surprises with an Elegant Bull meal. â– Doane Yawger of Merced is a semi-retired newspaper reporter and editor.

IF YOU GO GETTING THERE: ELEGANT BULL 9666 Stephens Street Delhi, CA 95315 CONTACT: 209 667-7742 WEBSITE: www.elegantbull.com HOURS:

Lunch Wednesday - Friday Dinner Wednesday - Sunday 4:00pm - 9:30 pm Closed Monday & Tuesday

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peopleinthe209

POSH THE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD

CHAMPION OF THE 209

By ANGELINA MARTIN

P

osh the Australian shepherd isn’t your average canine.

The three-year-old competition dog from Hickman is fresh off her first ever Best in Show award, and recently returned from prancing through the ring with the nation’s top competitors at the Westminster Dog Show in New York City.

Susan Harris, Posh’s owner, has raised Australian shepherds her entire life and has always had a special connection with the breed.

Her passion for dog shows began with the purchase of her first competition dog 15 years ago, and she has helped as many as 30 pups compete in the ring over the years.

“The minute he won his first little blue ribbon, I was so hooked,” said Harris. “I just love doing it and love being out there.”

Posh loves being out there, too, said Harris.

“She likes going to her dog shows and likes getting groomed,” she said. “I have never had a dog that wants to spend as much time being brushed and pampered as

she has.”

To prepare for each competition, Posh undergoes plenty of preparation. In the weeks leading up to a show, Posh gets frequent exercise through conditioning and is fed top-quality dog food to ensure her coat is shiny and sleek.

She also receives weekly baths, and gets her teeth cleaned often as well.

“There’s a lot of training that goes into it, too,” said Harris. “You would think that it’s just running around the ring and that’s all there is to it, but it’s so much harder than that.”

Posh is clearly cut out for the competition lifestyle. She recently won Best in Show from the classes at the Gavilan Kennel Club Show, and at only three years old is just getting started. Her Best in Show award allowed her to enter into the Westminster Dog Show in February, for which she trained two long months. Though Posh didn’t place at Westminster, it was the experience of a lifetime for Harris and her furry friend.

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“If you’re into showing dogs, you dream of going to Westminster and you dream of having the dog of that caliber to go to Westminster,” said Harris. “To see my dog out there, honestly, it made me cry.”

When Posh isn’t competing, she enjoys sleeping on the couch, playing with the puppies that Harris breeds on her property and eating popcorn, said Harris.

“She’s a princess,” she said. “She is beyond a diva.”

Posh recently finished her American Kennel Club and Australian Shepherd Club of America championships, and is currently working toward becoming an AKC Grand Champion. Harris hopes that one day, one of Posh’s puppies will go on to compete at Wesminster and continue the legacy of her hard-working Australian shepherds.

“They’re smart, they want to work and they have fun doing it,” said Harris. “Not all dogs are cut out to be show dogs. It takes a dog that wants to be out there.” ■

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If you’re into showing dogs, you dream of going to Westminster and you dream of having the dog of that caliber to go to Westminster.”

——Susan Harris

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navigator

By TERESA HAMMOND

S

ea turtles, sharks, otters and jelly fish can make for the perfect day trip or overnight getaway for 209 dwellers.

As clouds begin to clear and blossoms begin to bloom, allergy sufferers are bound to find great reprieve, as well as beauty, on the coast at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Located to the west of Highway 1 and at the south end of Monterey’s popular Cannery Row, the aquarium hosts over 175,000 square feet of exhibit and public areas.

Including ocean view decks, the total square footage climbs to over 200,000 square feet of ocean wonderment for all ages.

Its breathtaking views both inside and out has made it commonly known as one of the best of its kind in the U.S. and some would argue the world. The massive space is so impressive, it served as the aquarium inspirations for the hit Disney/Pixar movie “Finding Dory.”

First opened in October of 1984, the aquatic wonderland averages 1.9 million visitors per year, with a record high number of 2.4 million. The non-profit was initially opened thanks to financial backing by tech mogul David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard.

The 886 Cannery Row, Monterey location sits on the site of a former sardine cannery.

It currently employs over 500 full and parttime staff, as well as over 1,200 volunteers.

The non-human habitants, however, are what keep visitors returning year after year.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to 35,000 creatures from over 550 species, which fill 209MAGAZINE

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34 major galleries.

In addition to the varying galleries, the aquarium also hosts special exhibits as well as a yearly calendar of events.

Dia del Nino will be hosted on April 24 and a World Ocean Day Celebration hosted June 4 and 5. Dia del Nino will feature live Latin American cultural performances, bilingual feeding shows, as well as activities for the entire family. World Ocean Day is slated to be two days of celebrating the global ocean, focusing on the ecosystem that covers 70 percent of the earth’s surface.

Visitors will learn about the treasures as well as the threats faced by the ocean and how it can be kept healthy.

Viva Baja is the most recently opened special exhibition featuring unusual animals from land, as well as sea.

“Life in Baja California thrives on the edge,” Senior Exhibit Developer Raul Nava stated in a press release. “We’re excited to introduce visitors to the remarkable animals that live here, and highlight how people in Mexico and around the world are working to protect this extraordinary place.”

The space includes tropical fish, desert animals, coral reefs and lush mangrove forests.

With 200,000 square feet of visitor space it is hard for one to not be impressed by the varying spaces and beauty. The Open Sea is the largest exhibit at the aquarium.

Re-opening in 2011, the exhibit was part of a $19 million transformation. It is home to a one-million-gallon structure visitors may 34

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spy through a 90-foot window as sharks speed past, thousands of sardines swim in formation as well as sea turtles swimming at leisure.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium also prides itself on educating visitors on protecting the ocean, its inhabitants and waste reduction. In addition, in 1999 Seafood Watch was established to educate businesses and consumers on the purchase of seafood and ocean-friendly sources. â– The Monterey Bay Aquarium is open daily except Christmas Day. Hours of operation vary by season. For information on hours, admission rates or to plan a visit, go to www.montereybayaquarium.org.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to 35,000 creatures from over 550 species, which fill 34 major galleries.

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navigator

By CLAUDIA NEWCORN

209MAGAZINE

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eep inside downtown Sacramento on protected remnant of what was once acres of gently rolling hills sits a lesser known State Historic Park: Sutter Fort.

Founded 177 years ago by Swiss immigrant John Sutter, and beautifully restored, it grants a unique perspective on the beginnings of our capital city – and how it almost was named Sutterville instead.

A Land Grant Leads to Gold Sutter received a land grant from the Mexican government in 1939 and founded New Helvetia (new Switzerland) on a low hill overlooking a water slough.

His 150,000 acres of the region’s rich soil allowed him to create an extensive agricultural settlement which became a stopping point for pre-gold rush pioneers, many whom likewise settled in the area.

Sutter Fort is a true fort, with three-foot thick and 18-foot high walls, protective cannons poised in the corner towers, and a large courtyard. Ringing the fort on the interior walls is a series of “rooms” parsed out into such services as the blacksmith’s shop and weaving center, all essential to the daily life in the 1800s.

Sutter’s son joined his father, and started selling land parcels along the Sacramento River where riverboat trade was flourishing. As Sutter’s settlement grew, he sought ways to access more resources, including lumber from the foothills, and started construction of a sawmill in Coloma. As every California student knows, gold was discovered there in 1848.

For Sutter, the outcome was devastating. Workers and residents abandoned Sutterville, hot-footing it to the hills to join the gold rush. For the next 40 years, its walls and CONTINUED ON PAGE 38  209MAGAZINE

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navigator surrounding outlier buildings crumbled into decay, leaving only the central building’s shell. It became an interesting relic for visitors from the river town that would become today’s Old Town Sacramento.

In 1891, the Native Sons of the Golden West realized that a critical piece of local history was disappearing, and took the initiative to restore the fort, a process completed in 1893. It marked the beginning of a preservation movement that spread across the U.S. Their timing was pivotal in saving not just the fort, but furnishing it with the period pieces of daily life. From weaving looms, rifles and blacksmith tools; to butter churns, cook pots, string beds and blankets, what are now museum items were gathered to help recapture history.

Perhaps the most poignant is a doll carried by a member of the Donner Party, part of a large collection donated by the family of Martha J. Reed Lewis. Today, it would be likely impossible to assemble the extensive array of goods that fascinate visitors to the fort.

Donated to the State Park system in 1947, the fort has undergone subsequent restorations, some for preservation, others to improve the accuracy of portraying it as it was in 1846.

Surrounded by older homes and tall buildings, Sutter Fort is an island in Sacramento.

Towering eucalyptus, pine and oak trees have grown nearby along a remnant of the slough, and the fort’s whitewashed walls glow in the sunlight. As you amble through the main wooden gate, it’s as if today “shuts off ” and you step into the past.

The huge courtyard features a pioneer wagon and encampment under a spreading oak. The original central building sits off center; climb to the top floor to view two of the many rooms.

I was surprised at how much time I spent; there is so much to see. At virtually each of the “rooms” that ring the fort’s interior wall, there is an audio tour, explaining its history and contents. Background stories and quotes add depth and a new perspective to what people’s lives were like nearly 200 years ago. There is a bakery, basketry, grist mill… 15 different history “stations”.

I learned about “cooperage” and how wooden buckets were designed to swell when filled with water to make them watertight. I was boggled at the array of ammunition and rifles early settlers used, some so long they needed a tripod to support the muzzle! I gained new appreciation for the important role a blacksmith held; they made and repaired anything to do with metal, from horseshoes to plowshares. Climbing into the towers, I inspected the cannons and equipment used to raise them– an ingenious pulley and counterweight mechanism; the cannons were never used to defend the fort.

Open year ‘round, Sutter Fort periodically has special “living history” events where costumed docents recreate the era. School groups have the opportunity to participate in special programs that help bring history to life. ■

IF YOU GO TO LEARN MORE: To learn more, visit bit.ly/CalPARKS. Weekdays are less busy. Wear comfortable walking shoes, not just for the fort, but because you may have to park a couple of blocks away.

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lookback

BLACK BART ON THE LEGENDARY OUTLAW’S TRAIL CHARLES BOLES LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON CALAVERAS COUNTY

By JEFF BENZIGER

PHOTOS BY JEFF BENZIGER/ 209 Magazine

O

n a forgotten hillside of a foothill cattle ranch overlooking the New Melones Reservoir sits a large boulder approximately 25 feet from what was once a well-traveled stage road.

Speckled with lichen growing on its grey surface, the rock doesn’t look different from the other rocks scattered across the hillsides of Calaveras County.

But it is.

An engraved metal plaque spells out how this rock was twice used as cover by one of the most notorious outlaws in the annals of the Old West as he committed two stage coach robberies eight years apart.

On July 26, 1875, 5-foot-8 Charles Boles (AKA Charles Bolton and Black Bart) hunkered down behind the boulder as he lay in wait for the stage leaving Sonora for Milton. Getting to this spot was no easy task for the 46-year-old who preferred walking over horse riding. Boles likely leaned his posterior against the eastern slope of the boulder which now bears a plaque engraved: “HERE ON FUNK HILL, ABOVE REYNOLDS FERRY ON JULY 6, 1875 AND NOV. 3, 1883, NOTORIOUS STAGE COACH BANDIT BLACK BART (CHARLES E. BOLES) COMMITTED HIS FIRST AND LAST OF 28 STAGE ROBBERIES, IN WHICH HE LOOTED THE WELLS FARGO EXPRESS BOX.” The first date is wrong, but the error is of little consequence given how the rock is on private property and few ever see it.

Boles calculated that robbing the Sonora-Milton stage 209MAGAZINE

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on Funk Hill would be easy pickins given how the nearest law enforcement office was hours away. A oneman operation, Boles cleverly placed long poles, or sticks, in the craggy outcropping of rock above him to simulate armed accomplices.

Armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, Black Bart stepped out from behind this rock and entered history. Today his name is immortalized all over Calaveras County, especially in San Andreas where Boles was housed in the county jail in 1883 after a string of 28 stage coach robberies. The town boasts the Black Bart Inn, the Black Bart Restaurant, and Black Bart Professional Offices.

“It’s our claim to fame,” said Dana Nichols, a docent at the Calaveras County Museum in San Andreas.

“In Calaveras County, not much has happened here, which is sort of nice in many ways. He’s sort of a local folk hero because he was always polite. He never fired the shotgun. It maybe was never even loaded, maybe never even worked.”

The museum devotes ample space to Black Bart folklore. Visitors enter the Hall of Records, 30 Main Street, and are directed to the red-bricked courthouse in back which contains the jail cell that held Boles captive. On the second floor is the courtroom where on Nov. 17, 1883 Boles pled guilty to his final robbery.

The museum also displays the gun toted by the Sheriff Benjamin Thorn (1829-1905) who helped bring Boles to justice.

Stage robberies were not uncommon in California after 40

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A signature of Black Bart left at one of his robberies.

the Gold Rush. Wells Fargo transported gold and cash from the mines in strong boxes aboard coaches, which were vulnerable to surprise roadside robberies. Uncommon, however, was Black Bart’s gentle demeanor; he never once cursed and he twice left poetry that bemused law enforcement official more than offer clues.

Sonora-Milton stage driver John Shine would not be delivered poetry – only sheer fright as he neared the top of Funk Hill and was greeted by the spooky sight of a man wearing a duster coat, his head covered in a flour sack with two holes cut for eyes. In his hands was an intimidating double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun.

Shine immediately pulled on the reins to halt his horses.

“Please throw down the box!” the bandit yelled to Shine as the horses snorted as they caught their breath after the strain of the hill. No bandit had ever used the word “please” while transgressing the law in such a brazen manner.

“If he dares to shoot, give him a solid volley, boys,” Boles yelled behind him to his makebelieve accomplices. The clever illusion fooled Shine but Boles’ shotgun ushered forth thoughts of undertakers and women mourning in black for anyone who put up resistance.

The eight women and children and two men inside the coach were warned not to do anything stupid. One woman tossed her purse out the window. Incredulously, the bandit bowed before her and handed it back, allegedly apologetically saying, “Madam, I do not wish your money. In that respect, I honor only the good office of Wells Fargo.”

Not eager to meet his maker, Shine heaved the heavy box to the hard ground.

According to accounts, a young miner inside the coach jerked a pistol but passenger John Olive grabbed his wrist and forced the barrel to the floor, whispering, “Put that damned thing away.

Do you want to get us all killed?”

With the box out of the coach, the bandit signaled for the stage to go on its way. Shine drove on, only looking back to see Black Bart whacking the wooden box with a hatchet.

Coming up the hill, behind Shine’s coach, was one driven by Donald McLean of Sonora. He stopped the coach in his track when he saw Black 209MAGAZINE

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Black Bart hid behind the boulder left) on Funk Hill in Calaveras County.

It is located on private property overlooking New Melones Reservoir.

The rock has a metal plaque (above) attached to commemorate the site of two stage coach robberies committed

by Charles Boles, AKA Charles Bolton, on July 26, 1875 and on November 3, 1883. Black Bart was wounded at the second robbery when stage driver Reason B. McConnell and Jimmy Rolleri each took a shot at him.

Bart working on the box.

The bandit tried robbing McLean, only he wasn’t carrying a Wells Fargo box, so Boles sent him along. Boles emptied the box of its contents – said to have a value of $348 – and disappeared.

McLean caught up with Shine. Together the men bravely walked back down the road to investigate. That’s when they realized that the “rifles” protruding from the rocks were actually sticks.

The incident on Funk Hill was the beginning of a string of 28 robberies committed throughout 10 counties in northern California and once in Oregon.

The press and public were captivated by Black Bart who was born in Norfolk, England in 1829. His parents migrated to the U.S., settling in Plessis Village, New York when he was two.

When gold was discovered in California in 1848, “Charley” and brothers, David and James, descended on the American River near Sacramento in search of riches. They failed to strike it rich and returned home three years later. Boles decided to give it a second shot, bringing David and brother Robert with him. After both brothers died, Charles was on his own but returned home two years later where in 1853 to marry Mary Elizabeth Johnson. He fathered four children but wasn’t around much to raise them. The Boles family was living CONTINUED ON PAGE 42 

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lookback

PHOTOS BY JEFF BENZIGER/ 209 Magazine

The San Andreas County court room where Charles Boles was sentenced for robbing a stage coach in 1883 may be visited by tourists. His actual jail cell is one floor below.

in Decatur, Illinois, when the Civil War broke out. Ever one to chase the action, Charles abandoned his family and enlisted in the Army on Aug. 13, 1862. He was twice wounded in battle.

Boles returned to his wife and children in 1865 but the wanderlust for the gold fields called. This time he struck out for Idaho and Montana. When he staked a claim to operate a gold sluice, some agents of Wells Fargo pressured him to sell his land and, when he refused, they cut off his water. The incident left him bitter against the bank. In an August 1871 letter to his wife, Charles noted that he would exact revenge. And he did – by stealing tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gold over an eight-year period.

Second Funk Hill robbery Black Bart returned to Funk Hill to commit his last robbery on Nov. 3, 1883. This time Boles robbed an empty stage that started in Sonora and made its way to the Reynolds Ferry and Hotel on the Stanislaus River (the location is underwater not far from Tuttletown Recreation Area.) Prior to heading up Funk Hill, 19-year-old Jimmy Rolleri asked stage driver Reason McConnell if he could hitch a ride halfway up the hill to hunt for deer before linking up with the empty stage on the other side of the hill at the top. The stage rolled up the hill and dropped the armed Rolleri before

the ascent.

McConnell’s horses stopped in their tracks when a masked bandit appeared, much the same way in 1875.

Black Bart ordered that the box be thrown down but McConnell explained that it was bolted to the floor. Boles ordered McConnell off the stage to unhitch the horses. McConnell balked, saying the brakes were in poor shape and the coach would roll once disconnected. “It won’t roll down the hill if you put rocks behind the wheel,” Boles told McConnell. The driver asked the robber to do it, so Boles grabbed large rocks and positioned them.

After the rig was disconnected, Boles told McConnell to leave, threatening, “If you don’t want to get shot, don’t come back or even look back in this direction for at least one hour.”

McConnell hoofed it up the hill some 200 hundred yards with his horses as he heard the bandit furiously attacking the box. The work took about a half hour. Meanwhile, McConnell spotted Rolleri approaching and waved him over.

What happened next is in dispute but one of the two (or both) took shots at Boles and he was wounded in the hand as he ran into the brush.

Boles escaped out of sight and stuffed $4,000 worth of purloined melted gold and his shotgun into a hollow tree.

Boles immediately headed for 209MAGAZINE

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Sacramento and Reno before returning home to the Webb House at 37 Second Street in San Francisco on Nov. 10.

In his hasty departure, Boles left ample evidence that led authorities to him. He left a black derby, a travel-worn leather valise containing a pair of field glasses, a belt, a razor, three soiled linen shirt cuffs, two paper sacks containing crackers and sugar, and two empty flour sacks. The key evidence was a handkerchief bearing an ink launderer’s mark of “F.X.O.7.” They traced it back to the Ferguson & Biggs California Laundry on Bush Street in San Francisco. Wells Fargo detective James B. Hume arrested Boles and transported him via steamer up the Delta to Stockton, then overland to San Andreas to stand trial.

After six hours of interrogation

by Sheriff Thorn, Boles admitted to his last Funk Hill robbery. He believed taking Thorn to the hidden gold would earn him a lighter sentence. On Nov. 17, 1883, in the same San Andreas courtroom that visitors may visit, the legendary Black Bart was sentenced by Judge C.V. Gottschalk to six years in San Quentin. Boles’ gentlemanly ways continued behind bars and his good behavior resulted in his release two years shy.

On Jan. 21, 1888 Boles was released from San Quentin. He had aged considerably; his eyesight was

APRIL/MAY 2017

3/30/2017 11:24:06 AM

poor and he couldn’t hear out of one ear. Boles assured reporters that his life of crime was over and retreated to San Francisco where Wells Fargo detectives monitored his every move.

Boles grew irritated at the constant surveillance at the Nevada Hotel, at 132 Sixth Street. He wrote Mary –living in Hannibal, Mo. – saying he was “completely demoralized” and felt like “getting entirely out of the reach of everybody for a few months and see what effect that will have.”

Despite Mary’s longing for Charles to come home, he offered nothing but apologies for not being able to do so without an explanation.

Boles took off in February 1888. He was reportedly spotted in Modesto, in Merced and Madera. His last known unconfirmed whereabouts was the Palace Hotel in Visalia.

Nine months later, Mary Boles told a reporter: “I believe he is engaged in mining in some secluded spot in the mountains, though of course I do not know. He may be dead. God only knows.”

Besides the rock, there is little artifact remaining from the career of Black Bart. Rolleri’s rifle, which injured Bart, was destroyed in a 1938 fire that swept through his mother’s Calaveras Hotel in Angels Camp.

Where the bones of Black Bart lie, nobody knows.

Indeed, we probably never will. ■

These men were credited with the capture of Black Bart in 1883.

Seated left to right with the Funk Hill strong box and axe used by Boles are: San Joaquin County Sheriff Tom Cunningham, Sheriff Ben Thorn, former Alameda Sheriff Harry Morse, San Francisco Police Captain A.W. Stone (standing), and Wells Fargo agent J.W. Thacker.

Detective Chief James Hume is not pictured. The photo is on display at the Calaveras County Museum in San Andreas.

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feature

CENTRAL VALLEY SLOWLY EMBRACING BICYCLING CULTURE

By MARG JACKSON

I’ve been all over, riding my whole life and it’s pretty hard to beat this area.

— Jeff Qualle

209MAGAZINE

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APRIL/MAY 2017

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T

here are plenty of picturesque areas for a bicycle ride in the region – the rolling hills of Knights Ferry immediately spring to mind – but the 209 as a whole is not the friendliest bicycle riding area.

“It has been getting better, but it just takes time,” said Ed Battisfore, store manager at Oakdale Bicycle Shop, OBS, on East F Street in Oakdale. “Nowhere near as good as Davis or the Bay Area. In a place like Davis, for example, they base their development on how to make it better for pedestrians, bicyclists, kids; they have been doing that for years.”

In the Central Valley, cities are slowing coming around to the need for highlighting pedestrian and bicycle safety, but Battisfore said it has been a gradual shift.

“To them, it’s just an obstacle in the road,” he said of the mindset of many motorists in dealing with bicyclists.

But as more people get into the sport for both health and enjoyment, he’s hopeful motorists will be more aware and do their part to keep bicyclists safe on the road.

The OBS serves as the gathering point for regularly scheduled

rides, including an early Saturday morning group that often pedals off to Knights Ferry, Waterford, Farmington and more. They have recently started up their Wednesday evening rides as well, designed for all levels, with a 45-minute ride out and another 45 minutes back, easing in to the longer distances.

The weekend rides offer varying distances and routes.

Group rides also feature a specific leader and a specific rider to bring up the rear, which helps insure all those that start the ride finish it.

Meanwhile, the Stanislaus County Bicycle Club out of Modesto has also been working with the county to have ‘Share the Road’ signs installed on some of the more heavily traveled cycling routes, encouraging motorists to be extra vigilant when driving in those specially marked areas.

With sunny skies and temperatures reaching into the 70s, a trio of friends was on the road earlier this month, stopping for a breather in Knights Ferry – about 27 miles into their ride – before continuing their route.

“This ride is from Escalon to Knights Ferry, then we wind back

around the (Woodward) reservoir,” said rider Richard Schmidig of Escalon. “I also like riding out near Willms Road and throughout Snelling.”

The friends were not riding as part of any specific organized group, just out enjoying the day and the chance for some good exercise.

Modesto resident Tony Le Doux also prefers the country area, noting that “Modesto just has too much traffic” to make it conducive to any substantial rides.

“I like to ride at Corral Hollow, Patterson Pass areas,” added Jeff Qualle of Ripon.

What the 209 lacks in driver etiquette right now when it comes to sharing the road with bicyclists, it makes up for in the scenery.

“I’ve been all over, riding my whole life and it’s pretty hard to beat this area,” Qualle agreed of the many picturesque rides through the region.

This year, especially, with the abundant rainfall of the winter, the lush greenery of spring accompanied by the aroma of blooming flowers, provides the perfect backdrop for those two-wheeled workouts. ■

Taking a quick break for some water and snacks before pedaling on their return route to Escalon from Knights Ferry, friends and cycling enthusiasts Jeff Qualle of Ripon, Richard Schmidig of Escalon and Tony Le Doux of Modesto often ride through the picturesque Knights Ferry hills and out by Woodward Reservoir.

PHOTOS BY MARGE JACKSON/ 209 Magazine

Cyclists Rodney Eckerdt, left, of Modesto and Brian Elliott of Riverbank get their gear on prior to participating in a recent ride organized through the Oakdale Bicycle Shop.

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feature

TURLOCK RESIDENT TO

RACE ACROSS THE WEST

By ANGELINA MARTIN

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3/30/2017 10:33:09 AM

WHEN YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING THIS BIG, IT CAN’T BE ABOUT YOU. IT HAS TO BE ABOUT SOMETHING BIGGER. THROUGH MY RACE, I WANT TO EMPOWER WOMEN.

I

n what is known to cyclists as the Super Bowl of races, Turlock resident Karin Weller plans to bike 930 miles in the Race Across the West – an astonishing feat that will contribute to an even greater cause.

Come June, Weller will begin the trek from Oceanside, California to Durango, Colorado as she races in RAW, raising funds for Successful Women of the Central Valley.

Unlike other well-known road races like the Tour de France, RAW is not a stage race, but a single event race.

Once the clock starts in Oceanside, it does not stop until the racer crosses the finish line in Durango.

As the second longest endurance cycling race in the United States, RAW is often referred to as “the race of truth,” testing the willpower of its participants. RAW is a shorter version of the Race Across America, which spans the width of the continental U.S.A. Both races have served as high-profile vehicles for racers raising money for charitable causes.

“When you’re doing something this big, it can’t be about you. It has to be about something bigger,” said Weller. “Through my race, I want to empower women.”

A mother to three daughters, Weller selected SWCV as her charity of choice because of the ongoing issues surrounding women’s equality, and the message of empowerment that the organization stands for. SWCV supports women throughout the Central Valley, hosting mixers and events

to connect them with like-minded individuals who believe in the unity of women. Weller hopes to raise $20,000 for the organization, through sponsorships of her race and donations.

“When I came upon it, I knew what I wanted to race for,” said Weller. “Their whole concept is women empowering women…it’s nice to meet a bunch of women whose success isn’t just about the workplace, but success in different areas of their lives.”

Weller raced in RAW last year, but as part of a two-person team.

She and Modesto native Jim Pyatt came in first place in their age division, with a time of 57 hours and eight minutes, all while raising funds for the Freedom Woman’s Home serving Stanislaus County.

The home offers women who have completed alcohol or drug rehabilitation or are coming out of abuse the chance to regain their footing, helping women as they prepare to transition back into the “real world” by providing counseling, helping them to find work and even providing assistance with opening bank accounts.

The cause was something that resonated with Weller, who has endured and understands the hardships of domestic abuse. As the survivor of an abusive 16-year marriage, Weller has focused on helping other women have the courage and strength to escape the violence and take charge of their lives. Weller hopes that her success 209MAGAZINE

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in a sport that is typically dominated by men can be a beacon of hope for women who may be victims of domestic violence.

“Anyone who was made to feel like they’re not worthy of anything can see my success and know that they can feel good about themselves,” said Weller.

“They can escape that relationship. They can pull themselves out of a bad situation.”

Now, Weller must prepare for the rigors of completing the race alone. During last year’s race, Weller slept for just two hours, and she plans on taking no more than a few one-hour breaks this time around. Through strict nutrition, rides on her indoor cycling trainer and long, outdoor cycling sessions, she hopes to be ready for the race and inspire women with a win.

“I’ve had women contact me to find out how to get into the sport, or to tell me they’re inspired by me,” she said. “That makes you want to keep going out there and inspiring women. You have to have something to keep you going when you’re riding that many miles.”

Those interested in sponsoring Weller in her Race Across the West may email her at kweller@ wisg.com, and she also encourages donations to SWCV through www.swcv.org. RAW will take place on June 13, and Weller’s progress in the race can be tracked at www.raceacrossthewest.org. ■

APRIL/MAY 2017

3/30/2017 10:33:20 AM

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APRIL/MAY 2017

3/30/2017 9:50:16 AM

feature

‘America's Greatest Race’

cycles back through 209

By SABRA STAFFORD

F

or the first time in several years some of the world’s best cyclists will be pedaling through the scenery of the 209 area when the Amgen Tour of California rides into the region.

Modesto will be serving as the start of the second stage of AEG’s Amgen Tour of California on May 14.

The stage will see the cyclists take two neutral circuits through Modesto before heading south to Patterson.

As the riders depart Patterson they also will be leaving the flatlands behind and heading into six King of the Mountain climbs, with the first in Del Puerto Canyon.

The day’s stage will end with two sprints before an uphill

PHOTO BY SEBASTIAN KAHNERT

Kristin Armstrong of the USA celebrates on the podium with her gold medal after winning the women's Individual Time Trial of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Road Cycling events at Pontal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August 2016. Armstrong, the most decorated woman in U.S. cycling history, will serve as a first-time Amgen Tour of California Race Ambassador this year.

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battle to the finish line in San Jose.

“It is great to be returning to Modesto,” said AEG spokesman Cassandra Zebisch. “This will be a difficult mountain stage with six climbs and an uphill finish. Fans can expect all of the race favorites to be in the top 10 on the leader board after the conclusion of this stage.”

The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de Francestyle cycling road race that covers 600 miles through some of the most scenic and challenging routes through the state. The race features both men and women’s competitions and brings in some of the most elite cyclists to race in the team challenges.

“For more than a decade, the Amgen Tour of California has played a vital role to Golden State travel, both in driving visitation and in focusing the eyes of the international cycling community on diverse destinations beyond the gateways,” says Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “Since 2006, Visit California has been thrilled to partner with AEG on this one-of-a-kind event, which takes riders, spectators and viewers alike on a whirlwind tour that spans sun-soaked beaches, evergreen mountains, and everything in between, further showcasing the immense scope of all that California has to offer.”

The race is promoted by sports and live entertainment company AEG and is named after the main sponsor biotechnology firm Amgen.

“The Amgen Tour of California is America's Greatest Race, and this year more than ever, the world will be watching,” said Kristin Klein, race president and executive vice president of AEG APRIL/MAY 2017

3/30/2017 10:34:17 AM

PHOTO BY MARK J. TERRILL/ AP Photo

Alexander Kristoff, right, of Norway, takes third place, just ahead of Perter Sagan, left, of Slovakia, in Stage 2 of the 2016 Amgen Tour of California cycling race in Santa Clarita, Calif.

Sports. “As the sport of cycling continues to bloom in America, the Amgen Tour of California men’s and women’s events are both part of the UCI World Tour for the first time, a privilege and designation reserved for the world’s premier races.

This means the competition will reach an all-time high, with the best racers and best teams in the world lining up to take part.”

Millions of fans are expected to once again line the racecourse in May to cheer on the elite, international fields that will include Olympians, Tour de France contenders and World Champions. Fans will also have opportunities to meet and hear from cycling legends Jens Voigt and Freddie Rodriguez, who will reprise their roles as Race Ambassadors. Kristin Armstrong, the most decorated woman in U.S. cycling history, will join as a first-time Amgen Tour of California Race Ambassador, on the heels of her incredible performance to win her third Olympic gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games last summer.

“I’ve applauded and supported the Amgen Tour of California over the past decade, and seen firsthand how much this important race has done to raise the profile of American cycling,” said Armstrong, who in addition to claiming gold medals from three Olympic Games and multiple

national championships is also an Amgen Tour of California women’s time trial champion (2011). “The Amgen Tour of California showcases the best of cycling, and inspires the next generation of cyclists here. I’m so thrilled to come aboard as part of the race in a capacity where I can help continue to spread excitement about the sport, women’s cycling and this worldclass race.”

Amgen Tour of California veteran Mark Cavendish will return with Team Dimension Data, after earning his tenth Amgen Tour of California career stage win last year before going on to win a silver Olympic medal and the opening stage plus three others in the 2016 Tour de France. The Amgen Tour of California has become known for epic sprinter showdowns, and Cavendish will face off with star sprinter Alexander Kristoff and all-time Amgen Tour of California stage win record holder Peter Sagan.

“Racing in California is a challenge and a joy every time. I hope to continue building on the success I've had at the Amgen Tour of California, and know all the riders will do our best to give the incredible fans another good show this year,” said Sagan, who holds the record for the most Amgen Tour of California stage wins (15) 209MAGAZINE

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and capped off last season by wearing the yellow jersey for the first time at the Tour de France then winning his second World Championship title.

The Amgen Tour of California has also become a race where young riders can make their mark. Last year at age 23, France’s Julian Alaphilippe became the youngest rider in race history to claim overall victory. This year could hold more of the same. Following his breakthrough 2016 season, 23-year-old Columbian rider Miguel Ángel López will make his California debut with Astana Pro Team, and Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling Team will bring 25-year-old phenom Lawson Craddock, who has racked up strong California results in recent years and was one of only five U.S. riders to start in the Tour de France last season.

The 2017 Amgen Breakaway from Heart DiseaseTM Women’s Race empowered with SRAM is a four-day road race in Northern California from May 11 to 14.

A victor will be decided in Sacramento on the same day the men begin racing. Over the course of the last decade, the women’s race has grown from a one-day race to a world tour stage race, earning a designation as one of the top women’s races in the world. ■

APRIL/MAY 2017

3/30/2017 10:34:34 AM

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APRIL/MAY 2017

3/30/2017 9:28:43 AM

The Red Shield is excited for Kidz Day!!

Kidz Day is an annual Salvation Army event for the benefit of our local at-risk youth at The Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center in South Modesto.

Tuesday, May 9th

marks our 21st annual event. Through the years, we have been able to continue to serve at-risk children in Modesto.

Again this year Morris Newspaper Corp will print a special edition newspaper devoted to The Salvation Army Red Shield programs for youth. On May 9th, these papers will be sold for $1 each by community volunteers.

Kidz Day is an opportunity for local people to help local children. Hundreds of community volunteers are needed to sell papers on street corners throughout Modesto, Ceres, Turlock, Riverbank, Oakdale, and Patterson. You could be one of them.

Individual and corporate donations can also be made in advance 100% of all funds raised go directly to supporting programs for youth at The Red Shield Center.

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May 9th for KIDZ DAY

Call 209-248-8219 or cell 209-613-5506 (ask for Maria)

Also visit www.redshieldmodesto.org for more information

209 Magazine 20-NEW.indd 55

3/30/2017 9:28:44 AM

charitycorner

brave high heel mile

Men

to support women's center

By KRISTINA HACKER

The men seem to encourage their sons and their younger generation family members to come out and walk with them.

There’s a lot of enthusiasm.

— Denise Hecht

O

ne day each spring, men and boys from all over Stanislaus County strap on a pair of red, high-heeled shoes and literally walk a mile in “her” shoes, all for a good cause.

For the past three years, Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus has used the archetypal accessory of society’s ideal woman — the high-heeled shoe —to bring attention to domestic violence issues in the community through its Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.

This year’s event will be held April 29, starting at the Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., in downtown Modesto. Registration and check-in are at 8:30 a.m. and the walk is set to start at 9:30 a.m.

“Last year we had 250 registered walkers, with probably another 100 supporters just coming out to the event and we hope to match that this year,” said Haven Women’s Center Public Relations Man209MAGAZINE

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ager Denise Hecht.

Haven has hundreds of high-heeled shoes donated for the event, so that the male participants can walk in style.

There are also women on site to offer a few tips on the finer points of walking in heels.

“They love it,” said Hecht about the male walkers. “They find it to be very competitive.

They’re very eager to walk the mile; they struggle, but they never give up.

“The men seem to encourage their sons and their younger generation family members to come out and walk with them.

There’s a lot of enthusiasm,” she continued.

While the event remains focused on men, this year Haven is extending an invitation to the women of Stanislaus County to walk a mile also. Registration for women will include T-shirt and swag bag, but no heels, as these will be reserved for male participants.

Hecht said the proceeds

APRIL/MAY 2017

3/30/2017 10:35:41 AM

of the event go to Haven Women’s Center to continue providing free services to residents of Stanislaus County, including crisis intervention, shelter for those fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault or sex trafficking, peer counseling and programs designed for youth who have experienced sexual abuse or childhood domestic violence.

Last year, the event had 250 registered walkers with an additional hundred plus supporters and raised close to $50,000 for Haven Women’s Center, said Hecht. This year’s goal is to raise $75,000.

Those wishing to participate in the 2017 event can register a Team Walk (with five or more team walkers), or as an Individual Walker or Student Walker at: www.havenwalkamile.org.

Those who want to support the event, but do not want to walk can also donate money at the Haven Walk website. ■ 209MAGAZINE

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GET INVOLVED WHAT:

WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES EVENT — men and boys wear high heels while walking around downtown Modesto

WHEN:

8:30 a.m. April 29

WHERE:

GALLO CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1000 I St., Modesto

REGISTER: www.havenwalkamile.org0

APRIL/MAY 2017

3/30/2017 10:35:54 AM

bookreview

On the Nose

recounts airy adventures

By MATT JOHANSON

O

n his first attempt to climb The Nose of El Capitan, Hans Florine and his partner survived a near-death experience and retreated. But they succeeded on their second push, and Florine later skyrocketed to unprecedented longevity and speed on the iconic Yosemite climb.

Anyone who’s struggled with a challenge, climbing-related or otherwise, will find inspiration in “On The Nose,” the new book by Florine and co-author Jayme Moye, recounting his climbing career that includes more than 100 ascents of the 2,900-foot classic.

The fascinating read describes Florine’s climbing journey as he evolves from a big wall rookie to a globe-trotting world champion and eventually to a recordsetting Yosemite speed climber.

Early in the progression, Florine decides to give up a promising business career in favor of a “dirtbag” climbing lifestyle. That fateful decision set him on a path to not

Why on earth would anyone climb The Nose 100 times?

I’m not sure that’s the right question.

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APRIL/MAY 2017

3/30/2017 10:36:43 AM

For all of my adult life, I’ve been either directly or indirectly putting my energy into climbing that route, to the absolute best of my ability. It was a risky investment. But the return has been huge.

just climbing greatness but also mountainsized happiness and personal fulfillment, he writes.

“Why on earth would anyone climb The Nose 100 times?” Florine ponders. “I’m not sure that’s the right question. How about this one: why on earth would anyone work a job they don’t care about, day after day, for 261 days a year, every year?”

Climbers will take interest in the ways Florine improved his initial Nose time of 46 hours with his college track teammate Mike Lopez in 1989 down to a mind-boggling 2 hours and 23 minutes with partner Alex Honnold in 2012. The impressive initial mark is still faster than most parties achieve, but the latter is speedier than most climbers can imagine. Stories and insights about Lynn Hill, Peter Croft and Steve Schneider will also entertain readers who are familiar with the well-known climbers.

Perhaps more engaging to non-climbing readers are the enchanting ways climbing The Nose has connected Florine with others like his wife Jacki and his teenage daughter Mari.

“For all of my adult life, I’ve been either directly or indirectly putting my energy into climbing that route, to the absolute best of my ability. It was a risky investment,” Florine writes. “But the return has been huge. In a way, I can tie everything and everyone I love most in life back to The Nose. And the dividends are still coming.”

Readers who have climbed El Capitan and those who have never tied into a rope will enjoy the collaboration by Florine and Moye, and the book may even lead those who have dreamed of climbing The Nose but never committed the time and effort required to reconsider their priorities. ■

— Hans Florine

— Matt Johanson authored “Yosemite Adventures,” a guidebook to 50 favorite hikes, climbs and winter treks, available at www.mattjohanson.com.

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fulloflife

The biggest misconception about carbs and fitness is that they make you fat. The truth is that only lowquality carbs — namely refined grains and sweets — are fattening. Highquality carbs — whole grains, fruit, starchy vegetables, and dairy — are not.

— Matt Fitzgerald

By TERESA HAMMOND

T

he basis for this column space came shortly after or right around the time I first shared my personal journey in our December 2014/January 2015 209 Magazine.

Entitled “Change comes from within,” the piece shared some personal, as well as practical insights on how I was able to take hold of my life mentally and physically. Our general manager, Drew Savage, loved the idea of a recurring space where this could be examined on a regular basis for our readers.

Fortunately, I happen to love sharing what I know from firsthand experience, which the poor guy (and other office mates) are privy to on the regular. I live with a crazy kind of passion for just about anything I latch on to, so hearing me cackle about a fun run, an inspiring community

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member or recent life lesson is pretty much commonplace.

The idea for this space was to maintain variety on what I’ve learned and continue to learn as I maintain a 60-plus pound weight loss going on six years later. It’s not easy, but it is doable and life can be ‘normal.’

While it has much to do with routine and commitment, acceptance is also (in my opinion) critical and key. Acceptance in the way of setback, struggle as well as continued success. Belief in oneself and confidence in our ability can prove to be our biggest barrier. But … it can be overcome.

Since my weight loss journey began with a health coach and structured program, I’m still intrigued by food and what works versus what doesn’t. Prior to losing the weight in 2011, and

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running my first marathon in 2013, ‘fad dieter’ would have best described me.

What I’ve learned as of late, is that this can (and has) create bad habits, as well as propagate incorrect information. For example, several years ago I cut carbs completely from my diet. So much so that to eat a piece of sourdough bread (which I love) would bloat my stomach for days on end.

Most recently I picked up the latest book penned by endurance sports writer and athlete Matt Fitzgerald, entitled “The Endurance Diet.” A local guy, with a laundry list of book achievements, Matt and I first crossed paths last spring. As fellow writers and runners we spoke a bit of the same language.

While I don’t consider myself to be an “endurance athlete,” I was interested in learning what insight Matt might have to share.

I also like his writing style and thoroughly enjoyed his previous book “How Bad Do You Want It.” It should also be noted that the word ‘diet’ should not be perceived as deprivation, but rather choice of food for optimum result in both weight and performance.

The book was a great read. Matt chooses to imbed himself in the topics he takes on. So in this case, he traveled the world and sat with top notch athletes to assess what was on their plates. How did they eat? How often and why?

Among the many things outlined in this book, as a past ‘dieter’ the thing I found most interesting was the recurrence of carbcentered diets. Not to be confused with the term ‘carb loading’ often practiced by athletes prior to a big performance. Each of the athletes he sat with chose high-quality carbohydrate foods, such as whole grains and fruit as the basis of their daily diet intake.

“The biggest misconception about carbs and fitness is that they make you fat,” Matt shared via e-mail. “The truth is that only lowquality carbs — namely refined grains and sweets — are fattening.

High-quality carbs — whole grains, fruit, starchy vegetables, and dairy — are not. A diet that is high in high-quality carbs and low in low-quality carbs is best for people who exercise intensively because it promotes a lean body composition without robbing the muscles of their most potent fuel, as low-carb diets do.”

Again, as a ‘dieter’ this fascinated me. So I put it to the test.

I’m a rec runner, not an elite so could this hold true for me too?

Indeed it did.

I slowly began incorporating high quality carbs, whole wheat tortillas with egg whites and veggies at breakfast, quinoa or brown rice back on my plate at dinner. Miraculously, I not only felt better when active, my energy level altered and I didn’t feel deprived.

And yes, a few pounds were consequently dropped, even with beer still being in the rotation on chance occasion.

Lesson: don’t get bogged down by what you know to be true.

Stay open, interested and willing to explore. Most importantly, defy the labels we place on ourselves. Three years ago, I would have easily looked at that book and thought that’s not me; I’m just a mom who stays active. What I see now is I was a ‘dieter’ that needed to stretch outside of her box and recognize I’m an athlete, raising children and part of that job is to create a healthy relationship with food. Powerful stuff. ■ 209MAGAZINE

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fulloflife

By CARI ZOBRIST

Y

ou might have heard about superfoods, those nutritional powerhouses created by Mother Nature and packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. From exotic açaí berries to basic plum tomatoes, superfoods can help you lose or maintain weight, stay mentally sharp, fight disease, or help you live a longer, healthier life.

Incorporating a combination of superfoods into our daily diets is simple – superfoods are sold at your local grocery store – and a little can go a long way.

Choosing which superfoods to add to your diet can feel overwhelming, however, because it seems there’s a superfood for nearly every ailment: blueberries can reduce your risk of heart disease, fish helps with memory loss, and soy can assist in lowering cholesterol.

Which superfoods are best for you?

Don’t overthink it! Rather than eating specific foods for specific ailments, try eating a variety of superfoods for a balanced, power-packed diet.

Below are 10 superfoods, ones we use regularly in our heart/brain healthy recipes at Covenant Village of Turlock, a senior

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living community. Scientific research reinforces the benefits of these superfoods, and they’re referenced in cookbooks and by doctors as ingredients that can reduce the risk of disease, increase longevity, and improve overall health.

Keep the super in the food

Superfoods are super in their purest forms. Spinach cooked in butter, salt, cheese and crumbled bacon may taste delicious, but it’s not as healthy as spinach sautéed with a splash of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. (I say this as I scoop my tortilla chip in a bowl of creamy spinach dip – delicious, yes, but healthy? Eh, not so much.) Use your superfood ingredients wisely so you get most health benefits. ■ — Cari L. Zobrist is director of dining services at Covenant Village of Turlock, a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community. She is part of a culinary team that uses fresh ingredients and a variety of superfoods to prepare delicious, heart and brain healthy meals. Visit www. covenantvillageofturlock.org or call (877) 834-1238 to learn more.

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Top 10 Superfoods Beets: The deep red created by antioxidants fights off free radicals that attack the body’s cells and lead to aging and disease. The compounds in beets are also known to reduce cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure.

Tomatoes: According to Harvard School of Public Health and the International Journal of Cancer, eating tomatoes on a regular basis can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Berries: Full of antioxidants, berries of every color are considered the superfruits of the superfoods.

Cabbage: Vitamins A, C, and K found in cabbage can protect joints and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis. The compounds found in cabbage can also reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease.

Spinach: Packed with iron and vitamins A and K, spinach is a top superfood.

Fish: Arctic char, salmon, halibut and rainbow trout are ideal choices to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. Fish oil can also slow mental decline associated with aging.

Lentils: No cholesterol, virtually no fat, and high in fiber, lentils can help lower cholesterol and manage sugar. Lentils are also rich in iron and other minerals and vitamins.

Quinoa: Hard to pronounce, but worth the effort, a daily bowl of quinoa can lower rates of heart disease, obesity, and breast cancer.

Red onion: Full of fiber, the red onion’s compounds protect against free radicals.

Avocado: High in fiber and potassium and low in calories, avocados are also high in fat. But it’s the good kind of fat, so it helps raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol.

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fulloflife

GETTING YOUR

ZZZZZZZ’SZZZ

By DARLA LORENZEN

“Though sleep is called our best friend, it is a friend who often keeps us waiting!”

“T

hough sleep is called our best friend, it is a friend who often keeps us waiting!” Jules Verne Waking up after a restless night can leave people wondering who they are seeing in the mirror. Wrinkles, redness, puffiness, and bags under the eyes all result from lack of tissue repair that typically occurs when we get the recommended 7-9 hours of shut-eye. When we fall short, however, the results we see in the mirror can run more than skin deep.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) suggests sleeping less than seven hours each night can elevate the risk of weight gain and obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke and depression. For older adults, not getting a good night’s sleep can also increase the risk of accidents and falls. Losing as little as two hours of sleep can affect concentration and memory, and those who feel tired and groggy from insufficient sleep are generally more irritable and, therefore, less happy.

People who struggle with insomnia may try over-the-counter sleep aids or prescription medications, but it’s important to talk to your doctor if it’s a new or ongoing prob-

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—Jules Verne

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ZZZ

lem. In the meantime, try making some lifestyle adjustments. You may get a better night’s sleep if you: Embrace Life: Stay active and busy throughout the day so you’re tired at night. Socialize with friends and family, exercise, and work your brain.

Power Down: Internet, cell phones, television, and other electronic intrusions make it difficult to quiet our minds before bedtime, so limit electronic use before bed.

Keep It Dark: The electronic glow from tablets, cell phones, and televisions travels through the retina and into the area of the brain that controls and slows the release of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone we need to fall and stay asleep. Turn off the lights, including subtle illumination from cell phones, televisions, cable boxes, computers, and alarm

clocks. If a night light is needed, purchase a plug-in light activated by a motion sensor.

Keep It Cool and Calm: The ideal temperature for optimum sleep is 68 degrees. Lather lotion on hands and feet with the soothing scent of lavender.

Get Comfortable: Sometimes bodies themselves limit sleep, so try using extra pillows to assist with body alignment. As bodies age, they may begin to ache, so side-sleepers can use a pillow between their knees to help hips stay aligned during sleep and provide relief. Back sleepers can find that a pillow under their knees can relieve back pain and pressure.

Think before you drink: Reconsider having a cocktail before bed, because while alcohol can initially create sleepiness, its effect may con-

tribute to waking up in the middle of the night. Steer clear of caffeine, too, since it stays in your system for at least five hours. Those who find themselves troubled by bathroom trips during the night should consider cutting back on liquids consumed in the evening.

Above all else, relax, breathe, meditate, pray, and find a happy place. Doing so will go a long way in getting a good night’s sleep!

— Darla Lorenzen is healthcare administrator at Covenant Village of Turlock, a faith-based continuing care retirement community administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, the nation’s sixth largest not-for-profit senior services provider. Visit www. covenantvillageofturlock.org or Facebook to learn more, or call 877834-1238. ■

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placecalledhome

Planada woman touts benefits of

It's an experiment to see what lives and what doesn't make the cut.

Everybody wants a garden without maintenance, but there is no such thing. — Joyce Stillman

BY DOANE YAWGER

T

o Joyce Stillman, there are many advantages to being a gardener and the enjoyment spreads throughout the year.

Stillman, who lives on a two-acre plot in Planada in rural Merced County, relishes seeing things grow, mature and develop, with the final bonus seeing them bloom into breathtaking flowers representing all the colors of the rainbow and some in-between.

"This is really God's garden," Stillman says. "Maybe he's experimenting with me. It's like a symphony."

Stillman and other members of the Merced Garden Club will be conducting their annual garden tour April 12, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Five gardens in the Merced area will be open to visitors in the fund-raising effort that supports scholarships at Merced College and high schools. The tour has been going on for about 25 years.

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"It's fascinating to see things growing, how they evolve," Stillman says. "It just brightens your day to see the colors. When I was a kid growing up I always wanted flowers. I think I have a few now."

She is quick to point out she is not a pristine landscaper. In many cases, birds, the wind and stray seeds have introduced "volunteer" plants everywhere in the Stillman garden.

She likes the experimental factor, but says time and Nature's fickle temperament will determine if certain plants ultimately "make the cut" as permanent fixtures in her gardens. If a plant spreads too quickly or becomes invasive, it may not last. Rabbits and gophers also make her gardens a "survival of the fittest" drama.

Baby's breath is found throughout Stillman's gardens; she says it's a great deterrent for weeds. A six72

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pack of chrysanthemums planted 15 years ago have reseeded everywhere and are eager to fill in blank spaces.

"It's an experiment to see what lives and what doesn't make the cut. Everybody wants a garden without maintenance, but there is no such thing," she says. While she likes the colors from roses, too many rose bushes will require too much care and they are limited with the Stillmans.

Stillman says she could spend all day in her garden but doesn't. The heavy clay soil typical of the area where she lives provides challenges to growth. As proof of her zeal for gardening, on her birthday one year her son gave her 10 yards of mulch from the dump to help the plants grow.

Stillman has spent 41 years with the Merced Garden Club and another 15 years with the Le Grand Garden Club, which have state and national affiliations. She says she has enjoyed belonging to the club and has learned so much from senior members.

Tours to places like Filoli Gardens, the San Francisco Garden Show, Fresno's Woodward Park and growing mums in Jackson also are worthwhile.

She points out Merced Garden Club meetings feature a horticulture report which often includes demonstrations of new ways to use certain plants or how to cultivate them. Workshops cover things like growing dahlias, garden solutions, water-saving 209MAGAZINE

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techniques and improving the soil.

"Joining a garden club will result in new friendships, knowledge and learning how to give back to your community," Stillman says.

The garden club was established in 1930, federated in 1933 and incorporated 14 years ago. It has its monthly meetings at the Fish and Game Building at Lake Yosemite. The group meets the second Wednesday of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. from June to September.

Members bring in cuttings and starts of plants to share with others. Sometimes the club will tour members' gardens during the meetings.

Stillman's sprawling gardens include many ferns, snapdragons, pansies, calendulas, camellias, cherry trees, Hollywood junipers pruned like bonsai plants, Bradford pears, succulents, violas, reblooming iris plants, daffodils and her favorite — zinnias.

While summer will mean full color for Stillman's flowers and trees, she says the best season is the fall.

Stillman and her husband Tom like to live outside, watching the sun come up and go down. It's never a dull moment, she adds. Still it's a soothing feeling.

Just planting seeds and seeing them emerge is fascinating, along with wondering how they sprout. Part of the fun is the moment when she says, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that one" and is surprised to see that plant bloom.

For the club's garden tour April 12, there is a $20 charge per person. A no-host lunch will be provided at the Vista wine tasting and luncheon facility on East Highway 140 near Planada. For more information about the tour, call (209) 617-2199. ■ — Doane Yawger of Merced is a semi-retired newspaper reporter and editor.

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placecalledhome

REASONS WHY MILLENNIALS LOVE GARDENING

(AND YOU SHOULD, TOO)

T

he stereotype: Millennials spend more time interacting with the digital world than the natural world around them. The reality: Five million of the 6 million people who took up gardening in 2015 were millennials, according to the 2016 National Gardening Survey.

More millennials (people between the ages of 21 and 34) than any other age group are falling in love with gardening. As a hobby, gardening is a great fit for the millennial mindset and lifestyle that emphasize individuality, independence and value. However, the advantages of gardening that attract millennials are also relevant to every age group, and anyone who wants to begin growing a nutritious, healthful food garden.

Here are seven reasons why more millennials than ever are taking up food gardening, and why you should, too:

1. GARDENING FOSTERS BETTER NUTRITION.

Millennials care about good nutrition and knowing where their food comes from.

Multiple studies show members of the generation are health conscious, and understand the relationship between the food they eat, good nutrition and good health. Millennials know fresh vegetables deliver great nutrition, and millennial gardeners know that growing their own veggies and herbs also means they can put more nutritious food on the table.

2. YOU CAN SAVE MONEY IN THE GROCERY STORE.

Millennials are into saving money. Eighty percent have a budget, 72 percent are saving for retirement and 51 percent have an emergency fund, according to a TD Ameritrade survey.

Gardening can allow you to spend less in the grocery store produce aisle - and that kind of 209MAGAZINE

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saving savvy appeals to millennials as well as any other age group!

3. GARDENING IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

Awareness of environmental issues and a desire for healthful products that contribute to ecological balance are hallmarks of the millennial generation. A Nielsen study found millennials care about environmental issues and find ways to personally support a healthy environment. When you grow your own vegetables and herbs, “food miles,” the distance a food item is transported from producer to consumer, shrinks substantially and includes only the distance from your kitchen to your own backyard. Choose plants in biodegradable containers and gardening is even more environmentally friendly.

4. YOU CAN GROW A GARDEN ANYWHERE.

While many millennials are city dwellers, others live in suburbs.

The fact that they can garden anywhere - on a city balcony, urban patio or suburban backyard - makes gardening the perfect hobby for them. Using transplants, all gardeners can create a backyard garden plot, a vertical garden in an alleyway between city buildings, or a container garden on a balcony or deck.

5. THE GARDEN IS A GREAT PLACE TO COME TOGETHER AS A FAMILY.

It’s true that millennials make the most use of digital devices of any generation; they also value deep family relationships. Planting a garden with their children, significant others or friends allows everyone to spend enriching time together, working toward an enjoyable, shared goal.

6. GARDENING CAN BE A CHALLENGE ANYONE CAN ACHIEVE.

Working toward a goal, and having a vision, are very important qualities for millennials. Garden-

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ing takes time and effort but with the right resources and information, it’s something virtually anyone can succeed at. Millennials turn to online resources, like gardening how-to’s, videos and recipes to help them achieve and ensure success.

7. GARDENING CAN BE AN ADVENTURE.

Sixty-four percent of millennials say they love to cook, and 75 percent enjoy eating cuisine from other cultures, according to a survey by Barkley. For a generation of adventurous eaters and cooks, gardening can be an opportunity to grow and try new things, from edible flowers and exotic herbs, to new types of vegetables, all the while saving money by growing their own.

With millennials now dominating the workforce, and many starting families and reaching their peak earning years, it’s likely their interest in gardening will continue to grow. ■

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for a kitchen remodel In a retro kitchen, standout elements such as colorful appliances can enhance the space and act as a focal point in the room.

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and understated styles, or for some extra flair incorporate exaggerated angles and curves common to midcentury design. Material and color options abound, so you're free to go bold and glossy or more subdued.

Design with a focal point in mind. In a retro kitchen, standout elements such as colorful appliances can enhance the space and act as a focal point in the room. Stainless steel has become almost "default" in kitchens from coast to coast. Whether your home is on the beach, in the mountains or in a suburban neighborhood, for those who find beauty in the past, choosing a retro refrigerator or a vintage stove might be a better choice.

Let the details bring it all together. Vibrant color is the signature of any retro kitchen, so don't forget to carry that design element through the space with accessories like dishes, cookbooks and vintage relics that celebrate bygone days. Other details like hardware, small appliances and utensils that harken the past can bring a cohesive look to the kitchen for a seamless style that feels like stepping back in time.

Bringing old character to life can be a tricky proposition when it comes to remodeling, however, with the proper focus on appliances, major features like the cabinetry and small details that make a big difference, you can confidently create a new space that takes you to another time. â–

hen you renovate an older home, the goal is not always to replace old with new. In fact, some renovations are all about preserving the past with a design that reflects and pays respect to the yesteryear features that make your home unique.

Whether you're planning a renovation for a 60-yearold home, or working to infuse some retro charm into a newer place, the ultimate goal is capturing the nostalgic feel of older homes: the classic lines, hardwood, moldings and woodwork, and features like fireplaces or stonework, bannisters or windows and doors.

The kitchen can be a particularly challenging room to renovate because the blend of old charm with modern convenience and functionality can seem at complete odds. These ideas from the design experts at Elmira Stove Works can help you combine practical function with timeless features for a room filled with character and purpose.

Keep cabinet facades true to the era. Updating the cabinets is practically a necessity for any vintage kitchen remodel. Although many older kitchens lacked the cabinet space modern homeowners desire, you can still achieve a retro look with ample storage by focusing more on the shape and style than on the quantity. With this approach, you can add as much storage and as many functional amenities as your space allows while still capturing the right look for the era. Opt for sleek 209MAGAZINE

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marketplace

BOASTS

44 YEARS OF HISTORY

By DENNIS D. CRUZ

PHOTOS BY DENNIS D. CRUZ/ 209 Magazine

When Bonanza Books first started selling comics in the 1970s, they had one rack.

Today, there are over 3,000 comics in the store and hundreds of paperback books still on the shelves as well.

Bonanza Books and Comics has been family owned and operated by the Allen family since 1973. Today it is run by husband and wife Bill and Lillian Allen and their son Jeff Allen. Here, Bill shows a rare edition of Marvel Comics ‘The Power Of …Warlock’ from 1972 along with one of the many paperback books for sale.

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A part of Modesto since 1973, Bonanza Books and Comics has had four locations over the years, and is currently located at 2308 McHenry.

F

or nearly five decades the Allen family of Modesto has provided pop culture fans with their merchandise needs. In 1973, Bill and Lillian Allen opened Bonanza Books in Modesto where they specialized in paperback books.

“An original customer by the name of Delwayn Doyle requested comic books. So we began supplying them and it went over great. I started with the basics, Superman, Batman and things like that,” Bill Allen said. He also added that his son Terry enjoyed comics as a boy and was one of the other reasons they began selling comics in the store.

“When we first started selling comics, we had one rack. It was probably 20 to 30 comics. Our youngest son Terry knew what people liked so we started selling them and have not looked back,” Lillian Allen said of the first set of comics that came into the store.

Today, there are over 3,000 comics in the store and hundreds of paperback books still on the shelves as well.

For years, the store has been a top comic book destination in the 209 area. Today, the store is run by not only Bill and Lillian, but their oldest son Jeff as well.

Bonanza Books and Comics has moved three times in Modesto, but has thrived at their current location at 2308 McHenry Ave., where they have been since 1999.

Over the years the family-owned store has brought in many fans, and still is a destination for some of the original customers from back in the early 1970s.

“I brought my wife, my first wife that is, here on our first date. I have been a comic book fan my whole life and I enjoy coming in here over the years,” said Antone Perry, an original customer from when the store first opened in 1973.

Another local comic book enthusiast, Erik Green, was recently in the shop as well perusing comic books. Green has been a loyal customer at Bonanza Books and Comics.

“I come in every week.

The people here are amaz amazing. It’s family run and the Allens treat us like family.

They make us feel like a part of their family,” Green explained. “Ev “Everyone is welcomed here and it truly is a special atmo atmosphere. Bonanza 209MAGAZINE

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has a wide variety of comics too and people come in here and look for hours. ” Another big fan of the store is comic book legend Stan Lee himself. Lee has visited Bonanza multiple times and has an autographed picture framed on the wall.

“Stan came in here years ago and signed autographs for the customers. He is a great guy and very kind,” Bill Allen said of the Marvel legend.

Bonanza has something for all ages. The standard DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, Harvey, Disney and even local artists’ comics can be found on the racks and shelves. Superhero classics like Superman, Batman, Spiderman, X-Men, The Avengers, Green Lantern and other nostalgic classics are on display for everyone. Kids can find appropriate comic books as well featuring Donald Duck, Archie, Casper the Friendly Ghost and more. For mature comic book and graphic novel fans, there are selections such as The Walking Dead.

“Comics are such a big part of pop culture today.

Superheroes and villains can be seen everywhere.

Hollywood brought them back on the big screen; there are television shows on almost every night that are based on comics. Action figures are still a top seller as well,” Lillian said.

Bonanza’s annual Free Comic Book Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6. Fans can come in and get a free comic while meeting some of their favorite superheroes and other pop culture icons. Scheduled to appear this year are Sonic the Hedgehog, Batman, Captain America, Darth Vader, Harley Quinn and many more.

“It’s a great big event. We give out free comics to everyone, and it is a wide variety that we have out for them to choose from. We also have local artists come out and sign autographs and do illustrations for the fans — that draws a big crowd,” Lillian noted. “We also have special appearances by many fan favorites and the kids love it.”

Later in the year, the store will host its annual Halloween Comicfest and Batman Day. ■

IF YOU GO Bonanza Books & Comics is located at 2308 McHenry Ave., in Modesto HOURS: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; and closed Sunday and Monday For more information, visit www.bonanzabooks.net or call 209-529-0415

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marketplace

TAKES CHEER, DANCE SERIOUSLY

By KIM VAN METER

T

imes are changing.

And for competitive cheer gym owners, Ashley and Amy Dillon, it’s about time.

The Dillon sisters, with the help and support of their parents Mison and Jason Dillon, have turned their passion for the intense sport into a way to pay the bills with the opening of their Infinite Athletics Cheer and Dance business in Oakdale.

“People are realizing that cheer is an actual sport,” Ashley Dillon said. “Competition cheer is not just people dancing around. It’s two minutes and thirty seconds of blood, sweat and tears on that floor. And that two minutes and thirty seconds feels like a lifetime.”

With the official opening of their

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The original line up of Infinite Athletics Cheer and Dance, from left: Grace Buchan, Amy Dillon, Ashley Dillon, Katey Choate, Brandon Shaw, Ashley Maldonado.

Photo Courtesy Infinite Athletics Cheer And Dance

3,700 square-foot facility in August 2016, the business-minded sisters are already planning a 2,000 squarefoot expansion, which will include a deli/smoothie bar, an athlete lounge, and a tumble track.

“This was really a last-minute thing,” Ashley shared of their start.

“It was always a dream of mine but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.”

As a businessman, Jason Dillon knew to grab opportunity when it presented itself and that’s exactly what happened in the form of a Stockton gym closing down.

Suddenly, they had access to nearly brand new equipment at an affordable price – and the dream quickly became a reality as the Dillons began to create what would become Infinite Athletics in record time.

“The gym closed in Stockton and everything fell into place. Within one week we had everything put together,” Ashley Dillon said.

Currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business, Ashley saw the opportunity to open her own business as a way to follow in her father’s footsteps.

For younger sister Amy, who is still in high school and an active competitive cheerleader, the opportunity was a wonderful way to stay connected to family while learning how to run a business.

Father Jason Dillon had nothing but praise for his daughters in their

“I love to inspire kids – kids are our main focus.”

—Ashley Dillon venture, lending his full support and expertise.

“It’s been really good. I’m happy for them,” he said.

As well he should be.

Infinite Athletics found itself in an enviable position for a new business – needing to grow almost immediately.

“We grew a lot more quickly than we anticipated,” Ashley said.

“We have 600 athletes enrolled. We definitely thought we’d have half of that at this point.”

The key to their success seems to be their dedication to offering what is considered the best in the business for their athletes, which includes bringing in top instructors from as far as Australia and North Carolina.

“What’s most important is getting the right instructors for the right classes,” Ashley explained.

“We never want an athlete to think they’re not getting the best that they can get.”

To that end, they recently signed Twisted Brands Choreography for 209MAGAZINE

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all their competitive cheer routines as well as local choreographer Katey Giovannoni Choate for their hiphop team.

Infinite Athletics is all about the talent and the ability to teach effectively and safely.

“Basically, our only challenges to this point have been the space available. The last seven months have been really smooth,” Ashley said.

From tumbling to conditioning, to jump technique to flight school, anything associated with cheer can be found at Infinite Athletics.

And the timing couldn’t be sweeter.

With the recent JAMZ National Cheer Championship wins by Oakdale Stampede Cheer and the Oakdale High School Cheer program – both of which utilized the gym’s facilities for practice – the fever is high for more.

Infinite Athletics is ready to make dreams happen for young athletes.

In addition to classes, Infinite Athletics is moving full steam into the future with more competition teams.

For more information on competition cheer and hip-hop try-outs in May or class schedules, go to their website at http://www.infiniteath. com or find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Infinite Athletics is at 509 Armstrong Way, Ste. G in Oakdale. To reach them by phone, call (209) 855-2004. ■

APRIL/MAY 2017

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