01 cvbj january2014 finalpaper lowres by Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

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JANUARY

2014 VOL 9 • NUMBER 5

Business Journal Central Valley

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

MODeStO • CereS • tUrlOCK • OaKDale • rIVerBanK

Business fees stifling growth? Stockton’s fees called costly, complex

Vision Mission Derron and Leeanne Lee see their optometry practice as life-changing.

Page 8

Health Clubs How local gyms are competing for business.

Page 12

By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer STOCKTON – Of all the challenges area entrepreneurs face, simply figuring out how much a business license costs can be a headscratching chore in some Central Valley cities. “The smaller businesses tend to get a little more overwhelmed,” said Noelia Munoz, account technician for the business license division at the city of Modesto’s finance department. “Obviously for bigger businesses, they have accountants that can help deal with these issues.”

One of the biggest challenges is that business licenses in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties are governed by a myriad of local municipal codes that vary greatly from city to city. For instance in Modesto, for businesses grossing more than $2,000 per year, the license fee is a flat $50-$75 depending on the business, plus a $100 deposit that is refunded after the business pays its mil tax for two straight quarters. Subsequent renewals are figured by a mil tax of $2 for every $1,000 in gross receipts. Munoz said she and her staff help about 25 businesses per week figure out the process. “After that first quarter, it

tends to be a little more overwhelming,” she said. “In general, once it’s explained, businesses are pretty good and they accept the fees and don’t have problems.” While cities like Modesto and Lodi, generally have flatter licensing fee schemes, other cities like Stockton use a mixture of fees based on gross receipts and flat fees. WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ “There are over 40 types of business licenses Steve Kubitz of Big Valley Ford Lincoln says high fees kept the dealership from expanding in Stockton,” said city of which the fee is a mil tax rangStockton Revenue Officer ing from 2 mils to a quarter of a Ryan Phan. mil of gross receipts. New busi All businesses start with a $24 nesses are asked to estimate their fee and are then put into various gross revenue from their business categories. The biggest groupings of business fall into categories in Please see BUSINESS FEES Page 10

Gentlemen, slip on your red high heels By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor

Big City Chic Salon Salon celebrates 30 years of making Modesto beautiful.

Page 16

WHAT’S INSIDE Publisher’s Notes............Page 2 Briefs.....................Pages 24, 25 Insight and Analysis......Page 30 Legals....................Pages 46-47

PHOTO COURTESY HAVEN WOMEN’S CENTER OF STANISLAUS

Jeff Cowan, Ronald Emerzian, R.J. Moriconi, EdD, Jack Lackey, Stephen A. Veglia and Steve Collins grace the Men of Community Service page in the 2014 Men of Stanislaus County Put Themselves in Her Shoes calendar, to raise money for Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus.

MODESTO – Getting 63 of Stanislaus County’s most prominent men to model red, high heels for a new calendar to raise money for Haven Women’s Center wasn’t difficult. Watching them try to walk, though? Priceless entertainment. “So many would put (the shoes) on, and stand up and then say, ‘How do you women do this?’” the center’s Executive Director Belinda Rolicheck remembered. “Some brave souls tried to walk. It was very funny to watch.” “My knees hurt for a week, and I was just standing,” said Jeff Cowan of Carpet One, who posed in front of McHenry Museum with other businessmen. The photo sessions might have been humorous, but the money raised from the calendars will go to address a serious problem: violence against women. Please see CALENDAR Page 9

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

Family, community and health in the New Year Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas season spending time with your family and friends. I had the good fortune of having both my sons home for Christmas. Eric returned from Mexico and Blake is on leave from the Navy. What a blessed holiday. Cousins flew in from Florida, others drove in from Los Angeles and Sharon my brother’s Alley Calone family drove from Patterson. Heck, we even enjoyed the company of my special friends, “the regulars” from Stockton and Lodi! All together we had 25 wonderful guests in our barn. I simply love Christmas and all the sharing. Memories, love the memories! The Saturday before Christmas I was blessed to spend time with Pastor Bob Margaron and his family at The Center in south Stockton at their Happy Birthday Jesus celebration. There were more

Publisher’s Notes

than 140 neighborhood children in attendance. The kids received presents and learned about the meaning of Christmas. Margaron runs The Center as part of the Peniel Mission, which is affiliated with World Gospel Missions. He and his wife do amazing things all year long. I encourage you to visit their website, notonemoredeadchild.org to learn more about it and find out how you can contribute. Our focus this January is on health care and it coincides with the first wave of people getting insurance through the Affordable Care Act. That has some serious implications for the hospitals in our area. We talked to CEOs from local hospitals who are working to make the transition from a system in which they’re paid on volume to one in which they’re paid based on quality of care. Crazy! I love how they call it “affordable.” That’s certainly not what we’re hearing from folks. You can read more about how that is changing health care on page 30. The New Year always prompts resolutions and that includes exercising and improving health. It drives people to health clubs in search of a stress-reducing, weigh-losing regimen. Here in the Central Valley, the health club landscape has become much more competitive, and three chains in particular are vying for new members: InShape, Fitness Evolu-

Pastor Bob Margaron greets children at The Center’s Happy Birthday Jesus celebration on Dec. 21.

PHOTO BY SHARON ALLEY-CALONE

Eric (left) greets Blake at the airport as he arrives home from the Navy for Christmas.

Lisa and Pastor Bob Margaron organize a Christmas party every year for children in south Stockton at the Stockton Peniel Neighborhood Center. PHOTO BY SHARON ALLEY-CALONE

tion and Planet Fitness. We’ve compared amenities and costs and have it all laid out for you. If you’re thinking of starting a membership, you’ll want to check out our story on page 12 first. Looks like we’re going to jump on the weight loss wagon again! Geez, you think I’d figure

PHOTO BY SHARON ALLEY-CALONE

this out by now: eat poorly, gain weight! Go figure! See you at the gym! I hope your New Year is off to a great start. Here’s to a prosperous 2014! God bless America, Sharon Alley-Calone

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January 2014

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$60 million available to local businesses for worker training By CRAIG W. ANDERSON Business Journal writer Central Valley businesses can tap into $60 million in training money from a state agency that is virtually unknown: the Employment Training Panel. The Employment Training Panel (ETP) was created in 1982 to provide funds to California employers to “help in upgrading the skills of their workers via training that leads to good paying, long-term jobs,” said Renee Pierce, the panel’s marketing coordinator. “It is funded entirely through employer contributions into the Unemployment Insurance Fund, so these are tax dollars being returned to businesses.” “This is grass roots; we get to businesses directly, no middlemen,” she said. “We do all possible to reduce red tape. People in California tend to think: ‘What’s the catch?’ There is no catch. Businesses must meet the $13.32 minimum wage standard to participate in the program, and they must provide a living wage that affords a career path, and ETP will help with that.” A look at contracts awarded to Central Valley firms since July 2011 in

Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties shows that 57 contracts totaling more than $13.2 million funded the training of more than 15,000 employees. “ETP is a funding agency, not a training agency. Businesses determine their own training needs and how to provide training,” Pierce said. “Also, we’re a transparent agency. All applications can be accessed on our website and we answer all calls and all questions.” Business owners determine what training they need, create the curriculum, choose the trainers, and deliver the training in a way that best suits their needs. The panel meets monthly to discuss and award funds to industries identified as priorities for fiscal year 2013-2014: agriculture, manufacturing, glean/green technology, allied healthcare, construction, goods movement and transportation logistics, information technology services, biotechnology and life sciences, and multimedia entertainment. “We had $60 million in 2013 and we should have more to distribute to businesses in fiscal 2014,” Pierce said. “Businesses with fewer than 100 full-time employees may earn up to $26 per training hour per person

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

Linda Derivi of Derivi Construction & Architecture, Inc. used her grant to train workers in technical and project management.

and trainees for small businesses can be reimbursed for as little as eight hours of training and up to 200 hours in some cases.” Individual businesses support the program, so the recession hurt it between 2008 and 2012. “We had to be innovative, cut awards in half so businesses could receive something and to actively market the program, especially over the last six months, to let the business sector

know we’re here,” Pierce said. Despite all that ETP does, it’s a small agency with only four marketing employees to deal with trade organizations, chambers of commerce, business expos and any organization that works with business to get out the word about the training dollars available to the business community. “We promote the ETP as this skills training program is an incentive Please see ETP Page 9

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

20 10 0 -10 -20 -30

Actual

Projected

2015q4

2015q1

2014q2

2013q3

2012q4

2011q2

2012q1

2010q3

2009q4

2009q1

Quarters COURTESY CSU STANISLAUS

2014 Business Forecast Report

This was Soydemir’s third Business Forecast Report. It provides projections for the San Joaquin Valley labor market; regional housing conditions;

2008q2

2007q3

2006q4

2006q1

2005q2

2004q3

2003q4

2003q1

-40 2002q2

and financial advisors who knew how to help a start-up business succeed and grow,” said John Paoluccio, winner of the 2012 Challenge. “The funding and professional assistance that we received from the Challenge helped to put our product in the marketplace spotlight. We now have sales in Florida, Las Vegas, Canada and even Dubai.” Entrepreneurs who want to participate can apply online until Feb. 9, 2014. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a two-minute drill to describe his or her business in front of an audience and a panel of judges. From there, several selected businesses will move on to the finals and and two winners will be chosen. The semi-finals will be held March 5 and the finals will be held March 26. Both events will be held at the Stockton Golf and Country Club, 3800 W. Country Club Blvd., from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the public presentations. For more information or to register, go online at www.sjchallenge.com.

2001q3

STOCKTON – Do you have a business idea you think is a game-changer? The San Joaquin Angels are inviting you to put it up against other entrepreneurs in the Entrepreneur Challenge. Two prizes of $10,000 in cash and $14,000 in services are up for grabs. The San Joaquin Angels, in coordination with regional educational institutions and economic development groups, is sponsoring the competition for a fifth year. Entrepreneurs from San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties as well as surrounding counties are encouraged to apply. The San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge describes itself as an “American Idol style multi-round business plan competition including audience and expert judging.” Organizers are looking for individuals or start-up companies with a great idea to compete during two public events for selection as the most persuasive business opportunity. “By winning the San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge, I was able to meet with marketing, legal, management,

Yearly Percentage Change in Housing Prices

2000q4

ended, employment grew in all eight counties in the Valley, with Merced and San Joaquin counties growing the most in 2013. The wholesale trade and construction sectors had the fastest employment growth. • Valley total employment grew 2.5 percent in 2013 — more than double the 10-year benchmark rate. The Valley economy is projected to continue at this accelerated pace in 2014 and 2015. • The housing sector showed significant growth in 2013. Single-family building permits increased 37 percent, and home values increased more than 20 percent. • Soydemir found one of the most significant developments in 2013 was the rise in home prices in the Valley where the average yearly increase was 9.55 percent. In parts of the northern and central San Joaquin Valley, the increase was as high as 25 percent. • With inflation rates remaining lower than anticipated, weekly wages are likely to grow at a slower pace. Valley weekly wages are projected to increase at a rate of 2.25 percent from 2014 to 2015.

2000q1

TURLOCK – The San Joaquin Valley economy, which has improved over the past year to the point where it has nearly reached pre-recession levels, will continue to improve in 2014 and 2015, according to a report released in early December from Gökçe Soydemir, the Foster Farms endowed professor of business economics at California State University, Stanislaus. According to Soydemir, rising consumer confidence and wealth have helped increase purchases of goods and services for individual or household use, which has led to greater national demand for wholesale, manufacturing and farm-related goods from the Valley. “There are some questions out there. Home values are rising; interest rates are rising – is that going to prevent the market from improving?” Soydemir said. “We’ll see more buying and selling activity. We won’t see any less. There might be a slower increase, but nevertheless, we’ll see an increase.” Highlights of the report include: • For the first time since the recession

Percentage Change Over the Previous Year

Central Valley economy to continue improving, economist forecasts

prices and inflation; and depositary institutions and capital markets. You can read it for free on CSU Stanislaus’ website at www.csustan.edu.

Region increases jobs by 8,000 over last year Central Valley’s most innovative to go The unemployment rates in San Joa Compared year over year in head-to-head in Entrepreneur Challenge quin and Stanislaus counties edged up November, San Joaquin County in November from October, but they were below the rates posted a year ago, according to the California Employment Development Department (EDD). The region added nearly 8,000 jobs over the past 12 months. It’s an indicator of steady, though not strong, improvement. In San Joaquin County the unemployment rate for November was 12.2 percent. That was up from 11.6 percent in October. There were 257,600 employed people and 35,800 unemployed. In Stanislaus County, November’s unemployment rate was 12.1 percent with 206,700 employed people and 28,500 unemployed. That rate was an increase from 11.6 percent in October. Those job losses came largely in farm-related work. San Joaquin County lost 3,900 farm-related jobs in November. Stanislaus County lost 1,800. On the plus side, trade, transportation and utilities were strong sectors in San Joaquin County where 1,500 jobs were added in November. The same was true of Stanislaus County where 1,400 were added.

posted an increase of 4,900 jobs. In Stanislaus County, there was an increase of 3,000 jobs. California’s unemployment rate decreased to 8.3 percent in November, according to EDD. The nation’s unemployment rate decreased to 6.6 percent in November. On Dec. 20 EDD had notified more than 222,000 long-term unemployed individuals with extension claims in California that they would lose their federally funded extended unemployment benefits at the end of the month unless Congress and the president agreed to renew the extensions. Under the budge being considered in Congress at the end of December, there was no extension of federal unemployment benefits, which were scheduled to end Dec. 28, 2013. The notices advised claimants that the week ending Dec. 28, 2013 would be the last week any federal extension benefits would be paid, even if someone was still unemployed or had a remaining balance on their extension.

AVA I L A B L E N OW 2014 Calendar The Men of Stanislaus County | Put Themselves in Her Shoes Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus is offering a limited edition calendar featuring men from throughout the county sporting red high heels to take a stand against violence. The calendar is the first step in a new effort to raise awareness about sexual assault and promote the 2014 inaugural “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®” event in April. To purchase a calendar or find out more about the walk, please visit www.havenwalkamile.org Calendar photography: Leslee Adams, David Silva and Bill Wood; Design by Martino Graphic Design; Printing: Parks Printing Co.

January 2014

Business Journal STOCKTON • TRACY • LODI • MANTECA • LATHROP MODESTO • CERES • TURLOCK • OAKDALE • SALIDA

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4512 Feather River Dr., Suite E • Stockton, CA 95219 Phone: (209) 477-0100 • General Fax: (209) 477-0211 Web: www.cvbizjournal.com Publisher Sharon Alley Calone

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Columnists Jason Harrel James Dempsey Sheri Aguilar Peter Johnson Jerad Hill David Garcia Linda Nowak Don Jenkins

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This is not your grandma’s cataract surgery New laser technology, robotics make cataract surgery more precise

By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor STOCKTON – If you live long enough, you will get cataracts. Fortunately, cataract surgery has come a long way since the 1970s when it meant hospitalization and a week in bed with sandbags to keep your head from moving. “Now they can resume normal activity the next day,” said Dr. John Zeiter, managing partner of the Zeiter Eye Medical Group. “I have them playing golf three days later.” Zeiter can perform cataract surgery now by hand, which he says gives the patient good results in just a few minutes, or he can use the LenSX Femtosecond laser he acquired in August 2012. It allows him to perform laser surgery with a computer-controlled robot. Zeiter’s office was the first to have a LenSX machine in Northern California. “This way makes of doing it makes our practice unique,”Zeiter said. More than 50 percent of people over 60 years of age have cataracts. The condition is a gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which causes vision to become blurred and distorted. Many patients get along by changing eyeglass prescriptions, but surgery becomes

PHOTO COURTESY ZEITER EYE MEDICAL GROUP

Dr. John Zeiter prepares to perform cataract surgery using the LenSX Femtosecond laser machine.

necessary once cataracts interfere with their lifestyle. Because of advances in standard cataract surgery, patients are opting for it earlier than they did in the past, although patients sometimes will require glasses for reading or driving, especially if they have astigmatism. With the LenSX, which

uses a laser instead of a blade, surgery is even more precise, recovery is a bit faster because there is less inflammation and there are fewer complications, Zeiter said. While LenSX can be used for any cataract patient, economically it makes more sense for those with astigmatism because it’s the only

way those patients can improve their eyesight to the point they won’t needs glasses. LenSX surgery costs $1,200 per eye on top of the $3,000 of regular surgery, but it is considered elective by insurance companies, which means that $2,400 is an out-of-pocket expense for the patient. “If you can afford it, do it,”Zeiter said. “But don’t put yourself in debt.” The high cost of the LenSX Femtosecond laser (about $500,000) has kept many other offices from acquiring one. In fact, Zeiter’s office had one before any practice in the Bay Area. Now there’s one in Sacramento, another in Fresno and a couple in the Bay Area. The fact that Zeiter’s practice has seven offices and 14 doctors made it possible. “For me it was a no-brainer,” Zeiter said. “It was a better way of doing surgery whether I made money on it or not.” Zeiter believes more practices will acquire lasers for cataract surgery. “In five to 10 years, this will be standard of care,” Zeiter said. “That’s my guess.” You can learn more about cataract surgery and the LenSX Femtosecond at Zeiter Eye Medical Group’s website at www.zeitereye.com.

January 2014

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When farmers save energy,

California saves energy.

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

State-of-the-art eye practice sees mission as life-changing By SUSAN MICHENER SPRACHER Business Journal writer MANTECA – Husband and wife eye doctors Derron and Leanne Lee have been delivering optometry services in San Joaquin County since 2006. They describe their practice as eye care 2.0 because they employ state-of-the-art equipment, use technology such as digital eye charts and maintain a paperless office. It was no easy task establishing their office, first in Manteca and then in Stockton in 2007. Taking over a struggling practice from a retiring doctor, the Lees immediately decided a paradigm shift regarding patient care was in order. Instead of continuing the protocol of milling patients through, sometimes up to six an hour, the Lees decided to offer more individualized attention. By booking half the number of patients per hour, they can do the more comprehensive kind of exam their office’s cutting edge equipment provides for. Although insurance requirements make their model difficult, they’ve been successful in treating patients who in turn refer others to them. The offices combined have nearly 30,000 patients. Midtown and Manteca Optometry offers every service possible to fit the eye care needs of their patients. Ser-

vices include routine exams, digital retinal imaging used to detect diseases such as diabetes and management of eye diseases including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Pre and post LASIK care is also offered. Patients’ contact lens and eyeglass needs are met through an in-house optical shop that can often offer one-hour service. A large part of the practice is devoted to pediatric eye care. Leeanne Lee stresses that 1 in 4 children has an undiagnosed eye issue and beginning exams at six months of age helps to ensure good ocular health. She is the only developmental optometrist in San Joaquin County and her focus is helping children with learning-related vision problems. Because of difficulty doing work requiring close attention such as reading, computer work, deskwork, doing crafts, etc., children are often misdiagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia when they may actually be experiencing convergence insufficiency. Symptoms include blurred vision, double vision, inability to concentrate, short attention span, sleepiness during activities, trouble remembering what was read, seeing words that appear to move, jump, or float and motion sickness or vertigo. Convergence insufficiency is not a new disorder yet it often goes

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

Dr. Derron Lee of Midtown Optometry checks the eyesight of C.C. Villanueva at the Stockton office he opened with his wife Leeanne in 2007.

undetected because pediatricians don’t look for it during eye tests, or it wasn’t included in school screenings or basic eye exams. A person can pass the 20/20 eye chart test and still have the disorder. Recognizing the critical link between vision and learning, the Lees expanded their practice a year ago by opening their Vision Development Center in Manteca where they offer vision therapy. After completing a screening survey and testing, an individualized treatment plan is developed that

includes weekly visits with an eye therapist and home exercises. “Through vision therapy kids can really open up their awareness of themselves and their world,” said Leeanne Lee. She also works with children with autism. “We see children on the spectrum whose visual system is overloaded. Treatment helps them make better eye contact and process,” she said. The center maintains a Wall of Success that features encouraging Please see EYE CARE Page 10

Five things you should know for tax season By CHRISTINA CORNEJO Business Journal writer January marks the start of a new year, a season of holiday recovery, resolutions, and tax filing. While some may dread the paperwork and confusion of changing tax law, the IRS and tax preparers have geared up to provide taxpayers with copious information to get through this year’s taxes. Here are five things you’ll need to know to navigate this year’s tax season: 1. Tax season has been delayed. Among many issues involving the government shutdown last October, the IRS fell behind last year during a crucial preparation time. According to the IRS, 90 percent of IRS operations were closed during the shutdown, putting it three weeks behind its schedule for the 2014 tax season. Normally, the IRS would begin processing returns starting Jan. 21, but that date has since moved tentatively to Jan. 31. “It will probably be frustrating for those who file early in the season because it will be slightly delayed,” said Steve Dougherty of Dougherty CPAs Inc. in Stockton. “However, if they plan accordingly – if they e-file – they might not see much of a delay in getting their returns.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Businesses, on the other hand, are less likely to be affected by the delay. “Before the end of the year, we do tax planning with them and they’re generally not in a rush to get a refund, because they generally will need to apply their refund to 2014 for estimated tax purposes,” said Dougherty. It is also important to note that the deadline for filing taxes remains the same. Tax forms should be submitted by April 15 this year, although you can always file for a six-month extension for more time.

2. You should prepare early with your tax preparer. Many employers will have to send W-2 forms before Jan. 31 when filing starts, so getting forms and paperwork in order early can ensure a speedier process. “Hopefully, they’ve been documenting deductible expenses throughout the year,” said Michael Pimentel of Michael A. Pimentel, CPA in Modesto. “They would need to see a tax adviser if they have any complex issues, like equipment purchases for businesses or buying

new property.” 3. Businesses that purchase large equipment may see huge changes. One of the most significant tax changes for people who own their own businesses will dramatically reduce Section 179 deductions that originally allowed a claim of up to $500,000 for property purchased for business use. “Currently tax is slated to reduce that deduction to $25,000 in 2014,” said Dougherty. “It reduces their potential write-off in 2014, and it is a big concern for those companies that can or do purchase a lot of equipment.” Businesses can still take advantage of this tax break for qualifying expenses made during the 2013 year, but the years after now follow the new guidelines, which may become a severe disappointment for many business owners. However, other federal tax changes don’t have as broad an impact and have already happened for the 2013 tax season. “There are a lot of provisions expiring at the end of this year. We’re hoping that they will come up with a tax bill to extend those provisions by the end of the year,” said Pimentel. “This issue the last couple of Please see TAX SEASON Page 16

January 2014

CVBJ

CALENDAR Continued from Page 1

Haven Women’s Center is the only dedicated domestic violence and sexual assault shelter in Stanislaus County. It has 24 beds, provides counseling, case management, legal services, youth services and a 24-hour crisis line. Every year it serves between 1,500 and 2,000 women in Stanislaus County. The center has an annual budget of $1.5 million, a staff of 45 and a presence at five sites.

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The calendar was the idea of Haven Women’s Center board member Lee Davis who came up with it during a meeting about promoting the center’s upcoming Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. “He said, ‘Has anyone ever seen Calendar Girls? We should do a calendar,’” said Rolicheck. The calendar was designed by Marian and Paul Martino and photographers Bill Wood, David Silva and Leslee Adams donated their services. In all, there are more than five dozen men and boys wearing red heels photographed at 12 different locations

around Stanislaus County. Cowan said he was eager to participate. His business is a longtime supporter of Haven and provided flooring for one of the Haven’s shelters. “It’s one of our favorite non-profits because they have a mission,” Cowan said. Rolicheck said she hoped the calendar would raise at least $15,000 on its own, but it was also designed to publicize the Walk in Her Shoes event that will take place April 26 in downtown Modesto. Men will walk a mile-long route in red, high-heeled shoes. “Men will register just like any other

kind of race. They’ll get the shoes when they register,” said Rolicheck. “Women can cheer from the sidelines.” Rolicheck hopes the walk will raise another $15,000 for Haven. Cowan said he’s checking his calendar to see if he can take part and he’s willing to wear some kind of red shoe, but he knows one thing for sure. “I’m not going to wear those doggone spiky things.” Anyone who would like to participate, volunteer, sponsor, be a vendor at the event or buy a calendar can find information at www.havenwalkamile.org.

ETP Continued from Page 3

for new businesses to move into the Central Valley,” said Mike Ammann, president and CEO of the San Joaquin Partnership. “ETP helps increase the skill levels of existing work forces and those of new companies as well.” He added that as Central Valley infrastructure is improved, so too are the skills of the workforce. “Our financial assistance supports customized worker training delivered by the employers themselves,” explained Pierce. “We do not tell the businesses how to train their employees. It’s entirely up to the employer.” “The intent of the ETP program is really good,” said Linda Derivi, president of Derivi Construction & Architecture, Inc. headquartered in Stockton. “The process is very detail specific, very well monitored, and I was impressed with that.” Derivi’s firm used the funding to deliver technical and project management training to staff in sustainable design, code changes, and financial and business strategies. “The ETP process requires a pretty intensive effort to apply and create a contract, but that didn’t present a problem. I understand the attention to detail and monitoring is necessary to ensure the integrity of the process and the use of funds,” Derivi said. The entire process from application to funding took two months. With the help of the San Joaquin Partnership, Amazon used ETP to train employees for the Tracy and Patterson fulfillment centers, Ammann said. “Permitting was fasttracked and these projects required great teams and great tools and ETP was a great tool.” He said the two facilities will use about 1,000 robots and workers need to learn how to work with robotic machines, among other things. “In general a workforce fluctuates with people leaving, retiring and thus training will continue to be needed for their replacements,” Ammann said. “Overall, the ETP program helps to ensure that California businesses will have the skilled workers they need to remain competitive in an increasingly competitive business environment,” said Pierce. Interested businesses can contact Pierce directly at 916-327-5258 or via email at renee.pierce@etp.ca.gov. The ETP website is www.etp.ca.gov.

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January 2014

BUSINESS FEES Continued from Page 1

plan and the fee is based on that number. “For any sort of retail company, we ask for revenue projection,” said Phan. “We accept that as is. Then, in the following year, we validate that and deal with any variance.” Other types of businesses, however have flat fees, such as photographers who pay $150 per year or fortunetellers who pay $500 per year. The complexities can leave many businesses shaking their heads. “Sometimes you have to go on a treasure hunt because you have to go through the municipal code to figure it out,” said Phan. He said that a city as large as Stockton has more complex fee structures than smaller cities such as Lodi, which uses a flatter structure. “You can’t compare us to Manteca or Lodi,” said Phan. ”It’s a little more complex because we’re a bigger city. It’s different on the effort that we put out. It’s not a straightforward comparison.” While a city’s fees are seldom the deciding factor in where a business locates, it can have an impact on what businesses, especially those with large gross receipts, can do. For instance, Big Valley Ford Lincoln in Stockton paid more than $50,000 for its most recent business license thanks to the fact that the city’s fee is based on a mil tax of gross receipts. In Lodi, the same business would pay a fee based on two cents for every square foot of the dealership. That can lead to difference of thousands of dollars for the same business. “If you’re paying $30,000 less per year, there are so many things that you can do,” said Steve Kubitz, who is managing partner at Big Valley Ford Lincoln, along with dealer principal Paul Umdenstock and partner Darlene Gibbons . “And it’s based on gross receipts, not on our profits.” Kubitz said that the city’s fee structure has been a challenge for years. He

CVBJ

said that fee structure was a factor in Big Valley’s decision not to move forward with a new fleet vehicle center. “A few years ago, we were looking at doing a 10,000-foot expansion, for fleet repair,” he said “It was going to be $88,000 to $100,000 on a $1 million project.” Kubitz believes that Stockton’s fee structure is holding it back. “Stockton, if they changed their policies, could be a powerhouse with our location,” said Kubitz. “I know the city has had a lot to deal with crime and the financials, but maybe now is a time to focus on the economy.” One of the key aspects that many area businesses would like to see is more regularity, according to Mike Ammann, president of the San Joaquin Partnership. “My problem, from a business standpoint is that there is no consistency,” said Ammann. “There really is no consistency in how business fees work.” He said the licenses and other fees are sometimes set by city codes that are now outdated. Some city officials even have trouble determining why certain fees are figured in a particular way. “When they were passed, there was a rationale for it,” he said. “But times change, elected officials change. The codes stay the same.” Trying to lead companies through the labyrinth of rules and regulations is a challenge for new businesses. The San Joaquin Partnership focuses on helping larger businesses while the Small Business Development Center focuses on smaller enterprises. “We help larger businesses come here,” said Ammann. “Especially businesses from out of state. They, often, aren’t used to all of these fees structures.” According to Ammann, area cities need to address their fee structure in order to improve their economic climate. “My hope would be that communities would see this as a chance to attract companies by making the fees less complex,” he said.

EYE CARE Continued from Page 8

stories of patients’ progress. Both doctors are keen to share their knowledge with colleagues and the community through lunch and learn meetings and workshops for school educators, nurses and parents to build awareness. Derron Lee is also involved with all of the California optometry schools to encourage and mentor students to join the profession. “There is a shortage of optometrists in San Joaquin County, and we would like to offer our practice as a platform for new doctors,” he said. Giving back to the community is important to Lee and he’s designated two days a week in his office schedule as community outreach days. His community service activities include working with St.

Mary’s Dining Hall, maintaining a Gift of Sight program where eye exams and glasses are given at no charge to those in need and the Comeback Scholarship program that offer scholarships to local area high school students that pledge to return to the area once they’ve finished college. Leeanne and Derron Lee are passionate about fulfilling their practice’s mission statement to “Change Lives Through Vision.” Their success is reflected in the many awards bestowed on their office based on patient voting, favorable testimonials and word of mouth referrals. “Our goal is to deliver above and beyond patient care, great customer service and to treat our patients like family,” said Derron Lee.

January 2014

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

Gyms up their game in competition for new clients Clubs increase amenities, reduce fees as new companies enter marketplace By SUSAN MICHENER SPRACHER Business Journal writer

Planet Fitness member Natalie Mejia checks her progress during an elliptical workout.

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New gyms opening in the Central Valley give residents plenty of choices for membership. But with each promoting a $10 monthly fee, finding the right place can be confusing. Comparing facilities, membership levels, enrollment fees and amenities all play a part in finding the right gym fit. Here’s the skinny on how the biggest chains are competing for your business. Fitness Evolution This is a re-brand of an existing facility located behind Weberstown Mall with a second location open in Stockton near Costco. There are also clubs in Modesto, Riverbank and Oakdale. “Our slogan is ‘Fitness Made Easy’ because we cater to everyone from first time gym users to bodybuilders. We think offering a month-to-month, no commitment membership is best suited to people living in Stockton,” said Operations Director Jordan Garcia. Fitness Evolution amenities include: • Personal HDTVs on most cardio equipment • 30 minute circuit training /Ab and stretch • Cardio movie theatre • Group exercise classes including Zumba© • Free weights • Unlimited Tanning and Hydromassage bed • Kids Club child car • Free guest privileges for limited equipment • (2) Free personal training sessions • Use of all clubs in Northern California (all new members) Fees: • $9.99/month includes access to cardio, circuit training and free weights. • $19.99/mo includes everything in the basic membership plus group exercise classes, unlimited tanning and Hydromassage. • Enrollment fee: $1-$30 (varies) • No contract required Planet Fitness This national, franchised fitness club opened its 700th location in Stockton in November in a secondgeneration retail space formerly occupied by Mervyns. There are also two locations in Modesto. “Planet Fitness appeals to people who haven’t been into a gym before and who just want to feel comfortable. We offer a great experience, with tons of equipment and free fitness training in a clean, friendly environment,” Director of Operations Brian Cassagio stated. Planet Fitness amenities include: • Over 100 pieces of cardio equipment • 30 minute circuit training /Ab circuit with access to (24) 54” TVs • Free weights up to 60 pounds • Unlimited fitness training • Access to locations Nationwide

• Unlimited Tanning • Unlimited guest privileges • Relaxation Zone with massage chairs • Open 24 hours – 7 days a week • Hydromassage beds and Beauty Angel/Total Body Enhancement booth Fees: • $10.00/month includes access to cardio, circuit training, free weights and fitness training. • $19.99/month includes everything in the basic membership plus unlimited tanning, Relaxation Zone, unlimited guest privileges, and nationwide location access. • Enrollment fee: $1 • Annual fee: $29 for $10 membership / $39 for $19.99 membership • No commitment required on $10 membership / 12 month commitment required for $19.99 membership with a $58 buyout fee for early termination. In-Shape Founded in 1981, locally owned and operated In-Shape Health Clubs has grown to include 25 locations in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and 70 locations in California. The newest Stockton location opened in August at March Lane and Pershing Avenue with a total remodel of the space once held by John’s Incredible Pizza. The club markets an abundance and variety of fitness opportunities to provide members all of the benefits of boutique fitness experiences in one location. “We want to change people’s lives with our clubs and help them gain good health. With a diversity of options and friendly staff, we pay attention to serving the community and give members what they want, said Executive Vice-President Rob Farrens. In-Shape amenities include: • 120 pieces of cardio equipment • 29 minute circuit training with access to state-of-the-art cardio • Free weights Theater • Group cycling • Personal fitness training • Indoor pool and spa • Group exercise classes • Racquetball courts • Sauna and steam rooms • Shapes private fitness area • Tanning • Massage chairs • Kids Club child care Fees: • $10.00/month for 3 months plus $29 enrollment fee, then clients must select a regular membership (promotional deal – specific dates apply) • $24.99/month membership at one club only (may be more depending on the club selected) • $34.99/month membership for all clubs in a given city • $44.99/month membership to all InShape clubs • Enrollment fee: $1-$49 (varies) • Membership agreement required. Please see HEALTH CLUBS Page 13

January 2014

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Winegrape growers: Production’s high but no danger of glut By CRAIG W. ANDERSON Business Journal writer LODI – More than a decade ago the Central Valley’s winegrape industry suffered the horror of a winegrape glut that severely upset the supply and demand balance and drove prices down. As a result, growers dug up more than 100,000 acres of grapes and replaced them with other crops. The recent grape harvest in the Central Valley hit a tonnage level that worried some in the industry that perhaps another grape glut could occur. However, the causes of the previous winegrape overproduction are nearly non-existent now, so a surplus is unlikely, according to San Joaquin County Agricultural Commissioner Scott Hudson. “In the previous glut winegrapes were the only profitable game in town if a farmer wanted to plant something other than row crops or orchards,” Hudson said. “So, the acreage of winegrapes boomed and eventually an oversupply occurred and prices collapsed.” Brad Goehring, a winegrape grower and vineyard developer in Clements said back then “winegrapes were doing well but nothing else was.” Peaches had ended their run as a major California crop, sugar beets had vanished, processing contracts for tomatoes had declined in numbers and prices, and alfalfa had seen better times. So, farmers who had open land and wanted to grow a permanent crop had few choices other than planting grapes. Now, however, farmers with land looking for a crop can choose among grapes, walnuts, pistachios and almonds, according to Bruce Fry, vice president of

CVBJ

HEALTH CLUBS Continued from Page 12

Member can choose month-to-month or select a term. While all gyms offer cardio it’s possible to cafeteria-style a selection of amenities to fit personal fitness goals. Being the exclusive gym sponsor of the NBC show The Biggest Loser dovetails with Planet Fitness’ atmosphere for first time fitness seekers. In-Shape offers multiple locations and sought after amenities such as globally known Les Mills BodyPump group classes and Fitness on Request which gives members access to group exercise classes with a fully automated on-demand fitness system. Fitness Evolution offers the ever popular Zumba group classes. The diversity of amenity options coupled with the high population of Stockton, especially, make it possible for all the clubs to offer competitive prices and stay profitable by keeping membership numbers up. The cancellation process of giving 30 days written or in person notice is the same across the board. No excuses. The Central Valley is rich in reasonably priced fitness opportunities. Just in time to meet New Year - New You resolutions.

operations at Lodi’s Mohr-Fry Ranches. “We have different options now that have been and will probably be wellpaying, excellent crops for years to come,” Fry said. “Farmers have different options to choose from now.” With more crops competing for open land, growing an oversupply of grapes, or anything else, is more difficult due to land availability and alternative choices. “We’re not hearing anything about a grape glut,” said Stanislaus County

Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Dan Bernaciak. “The county has more than 2,600 grape bearing acres, and we expect that to increase.” In San Joaquin County grapes were 2012’s top crop with a value of $549 million – a $262 million increase over the $287 million value in 2011. Stanislaus County’s grape crop value in 2012 was a hearty $82.4 million, good for enough for eighth place among the top 10 crops, and a $26.4 million

increase over 2011. “Yield was up on more acres, and prices were good, up from 2011,” Bernaciak said. In 2011 winegrapes garnered $548 per ton; 2012’s price was $616 per ton, all of which encouraged growers considering planting something new to put in grapes. Executive Director of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau Wayne Zipser said, “Price increases to producers, high demand and increased exports led to Please see WINEGRAPES Page 33

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

HOSPITALS In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Ranked by Patient Days. Ties Are Listed in Alphabetical Order.

Rank

Hospital Name Address

Patient Days Top Local Executive Available Local Phone Licensed Beds Web Address Total Discharge

Outpatient Visits Avg Length of Stay (days) Occupancy Rate

Gross Patient Revenue Net Income From Operations

Services and Specialties

Year Est.

Warren Kirk CEO (209) 578-1211 dmc-modesto.com

114,376 459 22,824

128,686 5 68.70%

$3,379,087,226 $50,013,396

DaVinci Robotic Surgical System, Behavioral Health at Doctors Behavioral Health Center, emergency and level II trauma services & transport, imaging services, nuclear medicine, pediatrics, level III nenonatal intensive care unit, Valley Heart Institute, women’s and children’s center

1962

Doctors Medical Center of Modesto 1441 Florida Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

Emanuel Medical Center 825 Delbon Avenue Turlock, CA 95382

John Sigsbury, CEO/President (209) 667-4200 emanuelmed.org

97,341 403 9,906

127,847 5.1 66.00%

$1,028,273,317 ($394,094)

Critical care, imaging, medical and radiation oncology, pediatric, birthing center, women’s health cardiology, rehabilitation and more

1917

Memorial Medical Center 1700 Coffee Road Modesto, CA 95355

Daryn J. Kumar, CEO (209) 526-4500 memorialmedicalcenter.org

86,702 423 18,465

159,375 4.7 56.00%

$2,213,542,606 $76,133,183

24-hour emergency care, inpatient/outpatient surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, nuclear medicine, dialysis therapy, diagnostic imaging, intensive care services, physical therapy and home health

1970

Donald J. Wiley (209) 943-2000 stjosephscares.org

74,143 359 15,955

492,151 4.6 56.40%

$1,819,594,046 $8,165,254

Regional cancer center (ACOC accredited) with radiation therapy and inpatient oncology; cardiac care, cardiothoracic surgery and interventional cardiology (Five-star rated); family birth center with neonatal intensive care nursery; critical care; surgery; 24-hour emergency

1899

John McCormick, CEO (209) 847-3011 oakvalleycares.org

42,202 150 1,828

113,335 2.8 76.90%

$193,777,351 $2,531,980

Emergency services, maternity, imaging and radiology, surgical services and outpatient services

1968

Dave Culberson, CEO (209) 468-6000 sjgh.org

40,132 196 8,857

239,408 4.5 60.60%

$679,069,656 $90,809

24-hour emergency and urgent care, family maternity center, intensive care unit, medical surgical unit, progressive care unit, pediatrics, surgery, intensive care nursery, physical medicine and rehabilitation

1857

Lorraine Auberbach/CEO (209) 944-5550 dameronhospital.org

36,866 202 7,752

98,294 4.8 49.90%

$1,056,141,181 ($1,137,805)

Orthopedic surgery, child birth, level 3 neonatal care, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac care, diabetes management, emergency care, electrophysiology department, rehabilitation and full service community hospital

1912

Corwin Harper, Sr.VP & Area Manager (209) 825-3700 healthy.-kaiserpermanente.org

35,604 239 8,620

61,333 4.1 40.70%

$0 $0

24-hour emergency, adult medicine, surgery clinic, ob/gyn and pediatrics

1945

Joseph P. Harrington, CEO/ President (209) 334-3411 lodihealth.org

30,271 214 6,201

182,587 4.9 45.90%

$1,066,361,033 ($4,930,789)

Acute care, primary care, specialty care clinics, outpatient surgery center and outpatient endoscopy center

1952

Nicholas Tejeda, CEO (209) 823-3111 doctorsmanteca.com

15,339 73 3,900

59,385 3.9 57.40%

$635,111,297 $17,063,021

Maternity, emergency services, pediatrics and comprehensive diagnostic and surgical services

1962

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

Oak Valley Hospital 350 S. Oak Avenue Oakdale, CA 95361

San Joaquin General Hospital 500 W. Hospital Road French Camp, CA 95231

Dameron Hospital Association 525 W. Acacia Street Stockton, CA 95203

Manteca Medical Center A Kaiser Foundation Hospital 1777 W. Yosemite Avenue Manteca, CA 95337

Lodi Memorial Hospital 975 S. Fairmont Avenue Lodi, CA 95240

Doctors Hospital of Manteca 1205 E. North Street Manteca, CA 95336

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital 1420 N. Tracy Boulevard Tracy, CA 95376

David Thompson, CEO (209) 835-1500 suttertracy.org

13,840 82 3,777

90,953 3.7 46.10%

$431,312,637 $26,208,935

Full service and acute care hospital

1948

Stanislaus Surgical Hospital 1420 Oakdale Road Modesto, CA 95355

Douglas Johnson, CEO (209) 572-2700 stanislaussurgical.com

1,918 23 796

25,666 2.4 22.80%

$112,172,028 $872,942

Gynecology, ear, nose and throat, pain management, plastic surgery, oral surgery, gastroenterology and more

2000

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

January 2014

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

Salon Salon celebrates 30 years bringing big city style to Modesto By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor MODESTO – For 30 years Salon Salon in McHenry Village has provided Bay Area style to the Central Valley. It was the dreamchild of Foster Farms heiress Norma Foster Maddy. Maddy said she wanted to bring something to Modesto that was more special than what was already here, so she looked to her passions: fashion and fitness. “I just had a dream of opening a salon,” Maddy said. “I just thought, ‘What do I love? What would I want to give back?’” This was 30 years ago, so she started with the quintessential ‘80s fitness experience: the aerobics studio. “There was so much overhead there. I had 3,000 square feet just in the aerobics,” Maddy said. “It was just for women, and by the time I had insurance and an aerobics instructor, it just wasn’t good use of the space.” And that was Maddy’s first lesson in business: watch your bottom line.

“All of a sudden I was looking at all this red, and I realized I’m not a businessperson, so I had to get people around me like (accountant) Kathy Houret who taught me the bottom line. ‘Norma you can’t do this. You have to look at your bottom line before you can expand.’” Maddy retooled. She put the emphasis on the salon and a clothing boutique. In 1986, she brought on a new partner, Christopher Johnson, and they soon moved to Salon Salon’s present location in McHenry Village. They decided they would run the salon differently from others. For example, stylists at most salons rent their chairs, but at Salon Salon they are employees. The earn commissions and have retirement accounts and health insurance. The salon provides them with education so they can stay on top of current trends. There is also a front desk with receptionists who book appointments, so stylists can focus on serving customer rather than scheduling. Maddy and Johnson say it’s one of the salon’s biggest benefits.

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“They’re like the heart of our business,” Johnson said. The goal is to have everyone working as a team. Maddy and Johnson believe it’s worked. A number of their stylists have been with them since the beginning, many of them have worked there 27 years. Maddy’s daughter, Laurie Wesenberg manages the salon. It’s her job to make sure the salon stays true to her mother’s vision of making the customer feel pampered. “There’s someone for everybody. There’s not just one stylist or one type of customer here,” said Wesenberg. “We have a variety of stylists and four generations of stylists. We have Paulette, who’s 60 and we have 22-yearolds. No matter who comes to our salon, we have someone for them.” Giving back to the community is also important to Maddy and Johnson. They provide gift certificates to local schools and non-profits to help them raise money. They also do cut-a-

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thons, participate in Locks for Love, which provides hair for people who have lost theirs to cancer treatment, and sell tickets to community events. Maddy, Johnson and Wesenberg say a lot has changed in the three decades since Salon Salon opened. They’ve computerized to keep track of inventory, but they still insist on booking appointments with real people over the phone. “So many people want automation. They want to book their own appointments online. They don’t want to wait on a phone call,” said Wesenberg. “I keep telling the front desk, ‘Let’s not get so caught up on hurrying. This is the one gift we can give everyone -- taking the time to talk to them.’ Our front desk is our biggest asset. If we do automation, high-speed, Internet and all that, we’re going to lose that.” Salon Salon and The Boutique are located in McHenry Village, 1700 McHenry Ave., Modesto. Appointments can be made by calling (209) 571-3500 or online at www.salonsalononline.com.

TAX SEASON Continued from Page 8

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Norma Foster Maddy and Christopher Johnson have been partners for 27 years and say they want to provide a “different energy” at their salon.

E S C A L O N

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R I P O N

years is that they didn’t pass many of the tax laws until January of the following year.” 4. The Affordable Care Act will not affect tax filing much this year, but it will next year. One of the major points of confusion with changes in tax law has surrounded the introduction of the Affordable Care Act. Tax filers may not be aware of how the new law affects individual tax returns. Much of the impact currently seems to lie with high-income earners. “We expect to see an increase in tax for high-income individuals due to the increased health insurance tax of 0.9 percent as well as the 3.8 percent surtax on net investment income,” said Dougherty. Individuals with wages and selfemployment income above $200,000,

and those who are filing jointly with a combined income about $250,000 will face the Additional Medicare Tax. Many of the penalties, deductions and tax credits for health care will affect next year’s return. 5. Prepare to see an increase in California state taxes from Proposition 30. High-income earners take another tax hit through the state this year due to Proposition 30 voters passed in 2012. “California doesn’t follow with the federal laws, so some people may be surprised that they pay more on their state taxes. With Prop. 30, high-income clients are paying more. And the state tax maximum went from 0.3 percent to 13.3 percent,” said Pimentel. Those above the annual income threshold of $250,000 will see these higher taxes for the next seven years.

January 2014

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

INSURANCE: LIFE, HEALTH, PROPERTY & CASUALTY In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Ranked by Number of Brokers. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order. Rank

Company Name Address

Percentage of Business Property/ Life/ Casualty for Employee Personal & Benefits Commercial

Number of Brokers Number of Support Staff

Number of Companies Represented

Roland R. Ghazal, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF (209) 955-2400 stocktongo.com

100 16

Mike Ireland Sr., CEO (209) 667-0995 wintonireland.com

33 100

100

Top Local Executive Local Phone Web Address

Other Services Offered Company Headquarters

Year Est. Locally

100%

Retirement and financial services New York City, NY

1960

75%

25%

Risk management Turlock, Calif.

1913

New York Life Insurance 3255 W. March Ln., Ste. 300 Stockton, CA 95219

Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency 627 E. Canal Drive Turlock, CA 95380

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

George & Greg Dohrmann (209) 478-1400 dohrins.com

16 19

101

80%

20%

Claims analysis Stockton, Calif.

1868

TSM Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. 1317 Oakdale Road #910 Modesto, CA 95355

Guy Miligi, Vice President (209) 524-6366 tsminsurance.com

15 22

100+

70%

30%

Financial services Modesto, Calif.

1945

Truex Insurance Agency 2291 W. March Lane, Ste. A-100 Stockton, CA 95207

Larry Lee (209) 477-1111 truexins.com

14 9

20+

80%

20%

Wide array of competitive personal and business insurance products; risk management Stockton, Calif.

2010

DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Agency, Inc. 1560 Cummins Dr., Ste. A Modesto, CA 95353

Matthew D. DeFendis, Principle (209) 578-0183 dibu.com

11 13

100+

98%

Risk management Fresno, Calif.

1960

Daugherty Insurance Services 10100 Trinity Parkway, Ste. 300 Stockton, CA 95219

Scott Daugherty, President/CEO (209) 475-4400 daughertyinsuranceservices.com

10 12

150

90%

10%

5% is personal insurance Non-traditional risk management Stockton, Calif.

2008

Larry Benson Insurance Agency, Inc. Nationwide Insurance 4512 Feather River Dr., Ste. A Stockton, CA 95219

Larry Benson, President (209) 337-0241 larrybenson-insurance.com

10 2

90%

10%

Annuities, bonds and health Columbus, Ohio

2006

USI of Northern California 2021 W. March Lane Stockton, CA 95207

Jon Bush, President (209) 957-6800 usi.biz

8 18

100

20%

80% (health)

Retirment consulting

1997

Micheletti & Associates Insurance Services 515 Lyell Drive, Ste. 102 Modesto, CA 95356

7 8

80%

20%

Alternative market solutionsGroup captives Modesto, Calif.

1990

MBH Insurance and Financial Services 8807 Thornton Road, Ste. D Stockton, CA 95209

Robert Micheletti, CPCU, CIC, CRM, CRIS (209) 576-2808 michelettiins.com Myles Harris, Owner (209) 472-8585 agents.allstate.com/myles-bharris-jr-stockton-ca.html

6 3

90%

10%

Financial services Northbrook, Ill.

2000

Todd Garibaldi Insurance Agency, Inc. 641 S. Ham Lane Lodi, CA 95242

Todd Garibaldi, President (209) 334-3030 garibaldiins.com

6 15

100+

85%

15%

Crop insurance, workers comp, health Lodi, Calif.

2002

Automotive Risk Management & Insurance Services, Inc. 1919 Grand Canal Blvd., Ste. C7 Stockton, CA 95207

Marvin McDougal, President (209) 473-8937 armonline.com

5 12

95%

Web design and software development Stockton, Calif.

1962

Nationwide Insurance-Don Maffei 2540 Pacific Avenue Stockton, CA 95204

Don Maffei (209) 957-9433 maffeid@nationwide.com

4 6

10+

99%

Insurance and financial consulting Columbus, Ohio

2005

Randolph & Klein Financial Solutions 1625 W. March Lane, Ste. 101 Stockton, CA 95207

Phyllis Klein (209) 956-1212 tamingyouroctopus.com

4 3

65%

Index annuities, values-based workshops on health, wellness, weight loss, financial coaching

1991

Ritter Insurance Agency, Inc. 2880 N. Tracy Blvd., Ste. 1 Tracy, CA 95376

Paul G. Ritter, Owner (209) 835-0776 ritteragency.com

4 4

85%

15%

Wide array of personal and business insurance products

1923

Big Valley Insurance Agency, Inc. 1550 Tracy Boulevard, Tracy 95376 310 S. Crescent Ave., #B, Lodi 95240

Bill Crawford (209) 835-5253 (209) 365-9600 bigvalleyinsurance.com

3 4

15+

90%

10%

Insurance solutions for home, farm and more Revenues of more than $900,000

1970

Jeff Kroll/State Farm Insurance 8855 Thornton Rd., Ste. A Stockton, CA 95209

Jeff Kroll, Owner/Agent (209) 473-7104 statefarm.com

3 1

80%

20%

Retirement solutions Northbrook, Ill.

2003

Zeiter Financial & Insurance Services 1111 J St., M-109 Modesto, CA 95354

Michael E. Zeiter (209) 566-1366 zeiterfinancial .com

3 4

100+

100%

Life, disability and long-term care insurance, estate and financial planning, 401K and special needs planning Modesto, Calif.

2001

Arrizon Insurance Agency 884 W. Main Street Turlock, CA 95380

Angela Arrizon Ana Arrizon Cortes (209)632-5180 Fax (209)632-5793

2 1

20+

100%

None Specified

2005

January 2014

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Welcome... Big Valley Insurance Agency, Inc is proud to announce the addition of Ryan Crawford as a member of our staff. Ryan is the son of the agency owner, Bill Crawford. Ryan is appointed as an insurance agent with our firm and will be servicing clients, primarily in San Joaquin County. The agency has two offices: Lodi and Tracy, CA. He will operate out of both offices.

Ryan Crawford

Ryan graduated from Lincoln High School in Stockton. He later received his bachelor’s degree in business administration, from Whittier College in Southern California. Please contact Ryan for any of your insurance needs.

Full Line Insurance Agency • Auto • Home

• Life • Health

• Commercial • Annuities

Lodi | 310 South Crescent, Ste. B (209) 365-9600

• Farm & Ranch • Long Term Care

Tracy | 1550 Tracy Blvd. (209) 835-5253

CA Lic# 0E22532

Visit our website at: www.bigvalleyinsurance.com

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

Personal trainers may provide the key to keeping fitness resolutions Coaches are popular despite tight economy By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer STOCKTON – Among of the most common resolutions people make to start a new year is to join a gym, eat better and get healthier. Unfortunately, for many those New Year’s resolutions often don’t last into spring. One way that some people in the Central Valley stick to those resolutions is by using personal trainer, or coach. It can help many people accomplish their New Year’s goals. “Our company has done studies,” said Gershaom Rosengarden, fitness manager at 24 Hour Fitness on Ben Holt Drive in Stockton. “Someone that spends one hour with a trainer, their membership lasts two years on average. Someone who never sees a trainer lasts 90 days.” Gershaom, a personal trainer for the last eight years, hires all the trainers who work at the company’s location on Ben Holt Drive. He said the industry has changed greatly in the time he has worked as a personal trainer. “I was basically into fitness after the military,” he said. “When I

started, the company had you go for a two-week course and that was it. Today, our trainers have certifications and six of our seven trainers have (college) degrees.” Besides education, the techniques of today’s trainers have changed. “The goal of many trainers used to be to push people and make them go until they faint,” said Kim Villalobos, a trainer with Custom Built Personal Training which provides trainers to In-Shape Health Clubs. “Today we start out easier and try to give people a good base before they get into the more strenuous workouts.” One of the biggest drawbacks to using personal trainers is often the cost. Training sessions can range from $50-$90 per session at a gym like In-Shape or 24 Hour Fitness to more than $100 with specialty gyms. That is a price many in the Central Valley struggle to afford. “In this city it is a struggle to get people to pay and to get clients,” said Rosengarden. “There are a lot of small studios. We cost more. But we’ve survived for 18 years by providing a better service.”

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

Vince Carter, co-owner of Cross Fit 209 Sport in Stockton, instructs Blaze Justine in maintaining proper form while lifting weights.

One of the biggest advantages of using a trainer is that people learn not just what exercises to do, but the correct way to do them. Something as little at learning where to place one’s grip on a weight machine can make a big difference in the result of the workout. “The majority of people don’t know what they are doing in the gym,” said Villalobos. “A lot of people just work on the cardio. They get on the treadmill and think that is it. We help clients get more out of their gym experience.” Finding a trainer that fits a person’s goals and that you can work with is a big part of being successful. Vince Carter, who calls himself a coach instead of a trainer, co-owns Cross Fit 209 Sport. It is one of a group of smaller studios in Stockton that focuses on weights, longevity and helping people in their everyday lives. “We don’t just work on machines,” said Carter. “We try to use exercises that mimic things that we do in our everyday life.” He said that he has worked with clients ranging from judges to housewives. “When you choose a trainer, you need

to look at what is behind his motivation for being a trainer,” said Carter. “I have been living that healthy lifestyle and want to share. We want make sure our client is 110 percent satisfied.” According to acefitness.com, aside from personality, there are a few things that people can look for when choosing a personal trainer: Education A trainer should be certified through a reputable personal training organization. CPR certified Trainers should have an updated certification in CPR and/or first aid qualification. Experience Make sure your trainer has experience, especially in relation to your goals. Finding someone who listens, can accommodate your schedule and someone that you like also makes the experience more successful. “Most people say they want to be healthier,” said Rosengarden. “Most of the people we see are obese. People who eat a lot grease. We can help them improve on these things. There are lots of things that we can help people improve on.”

Board recommends $33.3 million for new San Joaquin County jail San Joaquin County could get $33.3 million toward a new facility under the recommendation from a committee of the Board of State and Community Corrections. The money would help pay for a new Type II, standalone 384-bed facility with classrooms, vocational space, an education program center, interview rooms, medical exam room, library and administration. San Joaquin County is one of 15 counties that would share $500 million for upgrading local jails to include rehabilitative program space that meets Gov. Jerry Brown’s prison and public safety realignment goals. The construction funding is a result of SB 1022, which provided for the issuance of lease revenue bonds to help finance the jail modifications needed to accommodate of-

fenders who otherwise would have been sent to state prisons. In all, 36 counties submitted requests for funding that were ranked according to how closely they met the requirements of AB 109’s landmark reform mandate to house and rehabilitate non-serious, non-violent, non-sexual offenders in their home communities. Realignment seeks to improve rehabilitation results by keeping offenders close to families and support systems. It includes constitutionally guaranteed funding for proven programs that support offenders’ successful transition back into the community. The recommendations are not final. The Board of State and Community Corrections will consider whether to approve them at its Jan. 16 meeting in Los Angeles.

January 2014

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YOU DON’T PROFIT FROM SICK EMPLOYEES. WHY DOES YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER? In an industry built on fee-for-service care, Kaiser Permanente succeeds because we’re built around prevention and the highest quality care. One Harvard Business Review article described our care as “untainted by any economic conflict of interest.” * And in an industry report by The Economist, Kaiser Permanente’s care was described as promoting economy and quality care with “no financial motive to order unnecessary procedures.”†

Discover a better way.

* Lew McCreary, “Kaiser Permanente’s Innovation on the Front Lines,” Harvard Business Review, September 2010. †

”Another American Way,” The Economist, May 1, 2010.

kp.org/choosebetter

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

TAX PREPARATION FIRMS In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Firms are Ranked by Number of Employees. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order. Rank

Name Address

Top Executive Phone Web Address

Total Returns Filed for 2012

Electronic Filings for 2012

Number of Local Employees

Services Provided

Year Est.

Grimbleby Coleman CPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inc. 200 W. Roseburg Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

Clive Grimbleby (209) 527-4220 gccpas.net

2,011

1,949

Accounting, auditing, bookkeeping, taxation, business consulting and estate planning

1973

Bowman & Company, LLP 10100 Trinity Parkway, Ste. 310 Stockton, CA 95219

Gary Daniel (209) 473-1040 cpabowman.com

1,974

1,250

Accounting, audit, business valuation, tax specialties, affordable housing, real estate, tax exempt organizations, agriculture, wine & employee benefits

1949

Kemper CPA Group, LLP 3031 W. March Ln., Ste. 133 Stockton, CA 95219

Lammert Van Laar, Partner (209) 473-2001 kempercpa.com

2,000

1,850

32 3 offices

Accounting, auditing, tax, business valuation and litigation support services, payroll, bookkeeping, investment advisory and employee benefit plans

1958

Iacopi, Lenz & Company 3031 W. March Lane, Ste. 300E Stockton, CA 95219

John Iacopi & Susan Lenz (209) 957-3691 iacopi.com

2,576

2,413

Tax preparation, auditing and accounting services, business consulting, litigation support, forensic accounting, Quickbooks support

1978

DeGregori, Gormsen & Ringer, LLP 1401 N. Hunter St. Stockton, CA 95202

1974

Bill Pollard Jr., CPA 79 E. 11th St. Tracy, CA 95376

All About Numbers 4512 Feather River Dr., Ste. G Stockton, Ca 95219

Schwartz, Giannini, Lantsberger & Adamson, CPAs 4578 Feather River Dr., Ste. D Stockton, CA 95219

De Vaney Business Services 1050 N. Carpenter Road, Ste I Modesto, CA 95351

John H. DeGregori, Partner (209) 944-0740 dgr-cpas.com

1,758

Income tax research and return preparation for individuals, businesses, trusts, estate planning, accounting write-up services, business valuations and accounting consultations

Bill Pollard Jr., Owner (209) 832-5110 billpollardcpa.com

5,711

5,640

Income tax preparation, tax planning and audit representation

1990

Laura Strombom, EA/MBA President (209) 955-2244 allaboutnumbers.com

2,600

2,548

Tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll services, tax problem resolution and audit representation

1995

Tim Schwartz (209) 474-1084 sfgac.com

1,611

1,500

Tax for corps, S-corps, fiduciaries, individuals, partnerships, estates and exempt organizations; auditing, accounting, bookkeeping and business consulting

1988

Karen De Vaney, Owner (209) 524-4345 None

1,200

1,100

Tax preparation, payroll and accounting

1975

Kalfsbeek & Company, Accountancy Corp 4529 Quail Lakes Dr., Ste. C Stockton, CA 95209

Donna Hammel, CPA/Owner (209) 235-1040 kalfsbeek.com

1,031

888

Tax preparation and planning, accounting services and consulting

1983

Blomberg & Griffin, A.C. 1013 N. California St. Stockton, CA 95202

John E. Blomberg, President (209) 466-3894 blombergandgriffin.com

2,328

2,164

Tax, audit and accounting services

1981

Patenieks, Bucheli & Falasco, LLP 1301 L Street Modesto, CA 95354

Eileen Pastenieks (209) 529-5515 pbfcpa.com

852

820

Tax, ligation and audits

2010

Dougherty CPAs, Inc. 3031 W. March Lane, Ste. 210 Stockton, CA 95219

Steve Dougherty, CPA/MS-Tax (209) 476-1111 doughertycpas.com

390

350

Tax preparation, tax planning, Quickbooks training, accounting and financial statements

1978

Rea & Associates, LLP 1937 Coffee Road Modesto, CA 95355

Walter T. Rea Jr., CPA (209) 521-2727 reaassociates.com

800

Individual, partnership and corporate tax preparation, payroll, accounting and consulting

1987

Priest Amistadi CPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1021 14th Street, Ste. 2 Modesto, CA 95354

Howard Priest, CPA, CFP, Senior Parner (209) 544-7090 priestamistadi.com

970

950

Tax preparation, financial planning, audit services, bookkeeping, payroll and Quickbooks support

1974

Wardell & Rall, Accountancy Corporation 3031 W. March Ln., Ste. 320-E Stockton, CA 95219

Michael M. Rall (209) 952-5392 wardellrall.com

750

730

Accounting and tax services, tax planning, business planning and Qickbook consulting

1990

Edward J. Schneider, Jr., CPA 4655 Quail Lakes Drive Stockton, CA 95207

Edward J. Schneider, Jr. (209) 952-4411 ejschneider.com

299

279

Tax preparation, tax planning, Quickbooks accounting, bookkeeping/payroll and financial statements

1984

Richesin Accountancy Corporation 7510 Shoreline Drive, #B-1 Stockton, CA 95219

Chuck Richesin (209) 477-4834 None

490

470

Accounting & tax services and estate & wealth management

1983

Ron G. Rishwain, CPA 3439 Brookside Road, Ste. 201 Stockton, CA 95219

Ron Rishwain, CPA (209) 951-9999 none

500

400

Tax planning & preparation, estate planning and IRS audit presentation

1998

Gary L. Woehl 3439 Brookside Road, Ste. 201 Stockton, CA 95219

Gary L. Woehl, CPA (209) 951-9999

231

206

Tax preparation, auditing and bookkeeping

1989

January 2014

BUILDING TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS • Tax Preparation • Business Consulting • Business Valuations • Family Law Support • Litigation Support • Non-Profit Consulting • Estate & Gift Tax Planning • Payroll Services • Auditing & Accounting Services

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

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Region’s farmers cited as examples of environmental stewardship

SJ COUNTY

BRIEFS Delta College’s Board of Trustees elects president Delta College’s Board of Trustees elected Taj M. Khan as its new president for 2013-14 at its Dec. 17 meeting, the board announced. Khan assumed his duties as board president immediately after the vote, replacing Lisa Turner, who served out her one-year term as president. “I don’t have an agenda or laundry list of things I want to accomplish,” Khan said. “I just want to do a good Khan job for our students, staff and district.” Khan represents Area 4 in Lodi and was first appointed to Delta’s board in 2009. He has lived in Lodi for more than four decades. Khan is a retired engineering manager for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, consultant and community activist.

McCarthy becomes Ports new marketing director STOCKTON— The Stockton Ports has hired Taylor McCarthy to be its director of marketing, the team announced. “We are excited for Taylor to join our front office staff,” said 7th Inning Stretch, LLC President Pat Filippone. “With his previMcCarthy ous experience in the industry, he will quickly become an asset within the organization.” McCarthy will oversee all marketing operations of the Ports, as

The American Farmland Trust has cited a number of farmers in in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties as outstanding examples of environmental stewardship. The group of California agricultural leaders put together a plan a few years ago to help chart a course for the future of agriculture and to reduce the impact on the environment. In December the group released case studies with examples of operations that have successfully embraced the goal of environmental stewardship. Examples in the Central Valley included San Joaquin County raisin grower Eduardo Ramo, who switched from flood irrigation to drip to save water; San Joaquin County winegrape grower Vino Farms, which converted its truck and tractor fleet to biodiesel and runs its operation on solar electricity; Stanislaus County’s Mapes Ranch, which modernized its irrigation and drainage systems and created habitat easements which helped in the recovery of the Aleutian goose. well as assisting in sponsorship sales and relations. McCarthy has worked in Minor League Baseball since 2011 when he started with the public relations and promotions department of the Lowell Spinners, an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. McCarthy spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons as the general manager of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League’s Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide, where he managed marketing and promotions, sponsorship and ticket sales, media relations, and game day operations. McCarthy grew up in Newport, Vt. and graduated in 2010 from the University of Vermont with a Communications degree, where he worked two years in their Athletic Communications Department. “I am honored to join such a great organization, and I look forward to contributing to the successful tradition of Stockton Ports baseball,” said McCarthy.

Applied Aerospace Structures gets honor STOCKTON – Applied Aerospace Structures Corp. of Stockton is one of 32 suppliers honored for outstanding performance by security company Northrop Grumman. This is the 23rd year the company has recognized its suppliers with World Class Team awards for supporting its Socio-Economic Business Programs (SEBP), which strives to ensure that capable small businesses including small disadvantaged, woman-owned, veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned, historically underutilized business

COURTESY PHOTO

Aleutian geese, which migrate through the Central Valley, were aided in population recovery by environmental efforts by Mapes Ranch.

zones, AbilityOne organizations, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender concerns and Historically Black Colleges/Universities and Minority Institutions, receive the most subcontracting opportunities possible. “We recognize the critical role our small business suppliers play in helping us meet our aggressive SEBP goals, and in applying innovation, affordability and top performance to meet the increasingly more challenging global security needs of our customers,” said Harry Q. H. Lee II, vice president, Corporate Contracts, Pricing and Supply Chain, Northrop Grumman. “The awardees demonstrated superior business support and made outstanding contributions to our service-disabled veterans’ outreach, mentor-protege programs, Historically Black Colleges/Universities goals, AbilityOne program, and other initiatives.” Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Crab dinner to benefit visually impaired residents STOCKTON – The Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired will hold its seventh annual crab dinner Jan. 18. The dinner will raise money for services for the blind and low vision residents of San Joaquin County. There will be door prizes, raffle prizes and a silent auction. February 2014

marks the organization’s 65th anniversary as a non-profit that promotes independence for people with impaired vision. The dinner is at 6 p.m., Jan. 18 at the Waterloo Gun & Bocci Club 4343 Ashley Lane in Stockton. For tickets and information call Trina at (209) 466-3836.

Bestolarides appointed to economic organization STOCKTON – Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Steve Bestolarides of Stockton to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. Bestolarides, 57, has served as supervisor for San Joaquin County’s 3rd District since 2009 and was a councilmember for the city of Stockton from 2003 to 2008. The California Partnership for Bestolarides the San Joaquin Valley describes itself as a “publicprivate partnership focused on achieving a prosperous economy, quality environment, and social equality throughout California’s great San Joaquin Valley.” Bestolarides was a general manager at the Eagle’s Nest HarleyDavidson Dealership from 2004 to 2006 and held multiple positions at Washington Mutual Bank from 1981 to 2004, including vice president of construction and development. He is chairman of the San Joaquin General Hospital Interim Board of Trustees and the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association Board of Supervisors. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Bestolarides is a Republican.

January 2014

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Denham nominates 19 Valley students to military academies

STANISLAUS COUNTY

BRIEFS Modesto’s Wenger re-elected president of California Farm Bureau Federation California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger was re-elected unanimously to a new term in office Dec. 11. The vote was held at the end of the 95th CFBF Annual Meeting, held in Monterey. This will make the third twoyear term for Wenger. He is the 15th president of the California Farm Bureau Wenger Federation. A walnut and almond grower from Modesto, Wenger has been a statewide officer of the organization since 1997, when he was elected second vice president. He was elected first vice president in 2005 and president in 2009. “I can’t think of anything more humbling than to work for people that I respect like I respect all of you,” Wenger told Farm Bureau delegates following his re-election. “We’ll make sure to double down and over the next two years do as much as we can to support, protect and promote this great industry and all of you.” The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 78,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.

Wells Fargo hires Valley commercial banking manager MODESTO – Wells Fargo & Company has hired a new regional manager for its Mid-Valley Regional Commercial Banking Office (RCBO) based in Modesto, the bank announced.

Rep. Jeff Denham

COURTESY PHOTO

Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, has nominated 19 students to four of the nation’s military academies. James Ferguson is locating to the Central Valley from his job in Washington state where he was Fargo’s RCBO in Tacoma. “It’s great to welcome James back to the Central Valley,” said Gary Orr, Central Valley Commercial Banking executive vice president. “His talents, passion, Ferguson and commitment to the people we serve will be a great asset to our community.” RCBO will soon open a location in Stockton which Ferguson will also oversee. Ferguson earned his bachelor’s degree in business from University of Oregon and his M.B.A. from University of Washington. He is also a graduate of Wells Fargo’s Credit Management Training Program. Ferguson has also held positions as loan team manager and senior relationship manager in Mid-Valley and Portland RCBOs. He began his financial services career with Transamerica Financial Services in Kirkland, Wash.

Cordova appointed to state justice commission MODESTO – Ricardo Córdova, 59, of Modesto, has been appointed to the California Commission on Access to Justice by Gov. Jerry Brown. Córdova, a Democrat, has been a judge at the Stanislaus County Superior Court since 2003. He served in multiple positions at the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office from 1995 to 2003, including chief deputy public defender and deputy public defender. Córdova was a staff attorney at California Rural Legal Assistance

“These exceptional young people exhibit great character and dedication to serving our country,” said Rep. Denham. “It is an honor to have the privilege of nominating them to our esteemed military academies. Their desire to join our military forces is inspiring, and I commend each of them for their hard work to reach this point in the process.” The nominees come from cities across the California’s 10th Congressional District, including Modesto, Newman, Waterford, Turlock, Tracy, Manteca and Ripon. The nominees are seeking admission to the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Students who want to attend a military must be nominated by a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator or

the Vice President. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination to attend. Nominees are selected through a rigorous application and interview process and are chosen based on factors such as academic achievement, leadership ability, physical aptitude, participation in extracurricular activities and demonstration of character, according to Denham’s office. The full list of this year’s nominees: Keegan Rivera Kyle Azlin Alex Rodin Shane Bell Caleb Rogers Daniel Cota Michael Gallagher Benjamin Smith Joshua Tam Paul Grimaldo Benjamin Smith Joseph Johnson Joshua Tam Maria Martinez Jonas Trevethan John Moody Michala Wyrsch Marco Neves Lennart Zielke Onix Paredes Austin Rice

Inc. from 1979 to 1995. He is an officer at the Wray Ladine American Inn of Court and a member of the Stanislaus County Superior Court executive committee, the California Latino Judges Association and the California Judges Association. The position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation.

ber of Commerce. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her daughter Lexi. Rodriguez is a lifelong resident of Riverbank. Oak Valley Bancorp operates Oak Valley Community Bank & Eastern Sierra Community Bank. They operate through 14 conveniently located branches in Oakdale, Sonora, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, Modesto, Manteca and three branches in their Eastern Sierra Division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes and Bishop.

Oakdale’s State of the City address set for Jan. 29 OAKDALE – Mayor Pat Paul will deliver her State of the City address Jan. 29 at the Gene Bianchi Community Center. The Chamber of Commerce is taking reservations until Jan. 22 from Chamber members and Oakdale residents. The event includes lunch and costs $13 per ticket. Reservations can be made by calling (209) 847-2244.

Oak Valley Bank hires new branch manager OAKDALE – Oak Valley Bancorp has hired Lupe Rodriguez to be its assistant vice president and branch manager for its downtown location in Modesto. “Lupe is a welcome addition to Oak Valley,” stated Ron Davenport, Vice President, Area Manager. “I am confident that her track record of success, vast experience, and Rodriguez commitment to exceptional customer service will ensure her success as the manager of our 12th and I Street branch.” Rodriguez has 26 years of banking experience throughout the Central Valley, the bank said. She is a supporter of Modesto East Rotary and a past member of the Hispanic Cham-

Guerrero becomes CPA firm’s tax manager MODESTO – Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, Inc. has promoted Cynthia Guerrero to tax manager, the firm announced. Guerrero joined Grimbleby Coleman in October 2005 as one of the firm’s first interns and was soon after brought onboard full time as a staff accountant. The firm said she sailed through the CPA exam process and became cerGuerrero tified in 2008. Guerrero is a member of Grimbleby Coleman’s Tax and Estates & Trusts teams and provides expertise when assisting clients with complex tax returns. She’s highly regarded for her training abilities and takes a lead role in the training and development of staff, according to the firm. Outside the office, Guerrero tutors students at her alma mater, CSU Stanislaus. Guerrero is working on her Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University. Grimbleby Coleman is an accounting and business advisory firm headquartered in Modesto and has been serving the Central San Joaquin Valley since 1973.

Central Valley Business Journal

Farm bill amendment seen as threat to state’s egg standards By CHRISTINA CORNEJO Business Journal writer TURLOCK -- Gemperle Family Farms has been a strong fixture in the Turlock community with its vast philanthropic efforts since it was established in 1951. However, there’s a possibility that its presence could be threatened by an amendment attached to the latest farm bill. The Gemperles have a long history of philanthropy, much of it done anonymously. The farms have donated to major public projects such as the Turlock Regional Sports Complex, the Turlock Community Theatre, and California State University, Stanislaus. “It’s always been a mission of our company to give back. It was a philosophy of my father to give back,” said Mike Gemperle. “He came over with $12 in his pocket. At the time, there was not much economic freedom in Europe. He wanted to give back and be a productive citizen.” Possibly the most significant aspect of the company’s philanthropy is its food donation through United Samaritan Foundations and other charities. Gemperle Family Farms said in a press release it donates more than 500,000 eggs each year – about six million eggs since the year 2000.

“Fifty percent of the eggs are donated to United Samaritan Foundations. They have food trucks that distribute food to local communities, and they give out weekly food boxes to communities,” said Gemperle. “The other 50 percent are donated to civic organizations, and charities with fundraisers.” Gemperle believes the benefits his company receives from making donations far outweigh any financial burden. “If it’s not hurting you’re probably not giving enough,” Gemperle said. Its philanthropic mission may be hampered, however, if Congress passes its latest farm bill with the Protect Interstate Commerce Amendment (also known as the King Amendment) attached. The King Amendment would limit states’ powers to supervise their own farming standards. According to California’s Proposition 2, all eggs sold in California must meet a strict set of standards, such as providing adequate space for egg-laying hens to move freely. If the King Amendment passes, it could override that law and allow eggs of differing state standards to be sold in California markets. “The King Amendment could put us out of business because of severe

January 2014

regulatory challenges in California. We would have high standards than others to comply with. Inferior eggs could be shipped into California and sold and could compromise California health,” said Gemperle. Egg farmers may also feel the sting of changing laws through the King Amendment, having already invested in the current system of state standard practices. “Some have already made the big commitment to changing out their cages,” said Dan Bernaciak, assistant agricultural commissioner for Stanislaus PHOTO COURTESY GEMPERLE FAMILY FARMS County. “Those who went Mike Gemperle with his daughters Grace and Audrey. Gemperle’s out to spend the money, father started the family’s egg-producing company in 1951. there might be an economic disadvantage to them.” While Congress decides the fate of farms, Gemperle said his family farm will continue its long-standing tradiThe number of tion of philanthropy. egg-laying hens “We’re definitely investing in the in California MILLION future. We firmly believe that the King Amendment won’t go through,” The number of eggs said Gemperle. “We believe Californians want local fresh eggs. They’re produced in California healthier and fresher because of each year BILLION higher standards. California always had the highest standards for egg Percent of total safety. I think consumers appreciate U.S. flock that that. I think California will support is cage-free local farmers.

BY THE NUMBERS

20 5 5.7

Lodi Health West Occupational Medicine With over 1400 employees of our own, We appreciate the value of a healthy workforce

Lodi Health’s occupational medicine programs have been helping area businesses select and retain healthy employees for 20 years.  Keeping your healthy employees healthy  Helping your injured workers back to health Our practice specializes in  Treatment of occupational injuries  Preemployment physicals  Drug and alcohol testing  DMV exams  Pulmonary function tests  Respirator fittings  Audiograms  Hepatitis B series  Special requests

Convenient Lodi location Call with questions or to schedule a tour 2415 W. Vine St. Ste. 105 Lodi, California 95242 209.339.7441 Tel

lodihealth.org

January 2014

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THE NEW

2014

LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID

B I G V A L L E Y L I N C O L N . C O M 3282 Auto Center Circle • Stockton, CA 95212 • 209-870-4400

The Ford family goes the extra mile! Henry Ford III with fiancée Emily Haigh visit Big Valley Ford owners Jan and Paul Umdenstock with Managing Partner Steve Kubitz

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

Modesto’s kitchen paradise for every kind of cook The Dented Chef helps Central Valley’s home gourmets cook like restaurant pros By COURTNEY JESPERSEN Business Journal writer MODESTO – Imagine cooking with restaurant-grade equipment in the comfort of your own home. All your culinary dreams can come true at The Dented Chef, a restaurant and kitchen supply store tucked away in the heart of downtown Modesto. Judi Rackley and husband Larry first opened The Dented Chef back in 1997. What began as an operation that sold restaurant salvage – hence the name “dented” – at discounted rates soon transformed into a kitchen and restaurant supply store. “It would have a broken glass, a chip out of a plate, or a screw missing in a light that keeps the food hot,” Judi Rackley explained of the shop’s original products. With the help of a friend’s access to a warehouse of restaurant salvage, the Rackleys launched a business that offered high quality kitchenware for a fraction of the price at other stores. “Anybody could shop here, but we were probably 100 percent restaurant

items,” she said. “The restaurants loved us because the prices were right. We were buying it inexpensively and selling it inexpensively.” But when the distribution center moved to Las Vegas, the store evolved into the distinctive combination it remains today. “We just started turning it into what it is today, which is a kitchen and restaurant supply combined,” Judi Rackley said. Now, the shop, which serves amateur and professional chefs alike, has found its niche with a variety of customers. It claims to have “everything for the cook or chef in your life, and more!” The front of the shop features unique trinkets and designer items, while the back is organized like a warehouse. Products include everything from glassware, plates, and flatware to condiment containers, pressure cookers, kitchen decorations, and cookware. Both home chefs and restaurant owners have access to restaurantgrade items. Plus, there is no re-

ELIZABETH STEVENS/CVBJ

The Dented Chef owner Judi Rackley looks over restaurant merchandise at her downtown Modesto store.

quirement to buy in bulk. And even if a particular item is not in stock, the owners also specialize in custom orders. “We do a lot of special orders,” Judi Rackley said. “We try to accommodate the customers.” Just recently, the Rackleys ordered a high quality cutting board for a salmon fisherman. Other stores carry standard cutting board sizes, but The Dented Chef was able to track down a special larger size.

The turnaround time for the order? Just one week. And with more than 45 years of experience in the retail industry, even a devastating fire a few years back could not keep the Rackleys down. “We had piled a bunch of stuff that was in cardboard back against one of the windows,” Judi Rackley recalled. “Somebody set the dumpster on fire, the glass broke out, came in Please see CHEF Page 29

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January 2014

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Stockton launches new tax rebate incentive program STOCKTON – The city of Stockton has established a new incentive program it says will keep the city from losing tax revenue while providing direct benefit to businesses that make large purchases from out-of-state locations. Under the city’s new program, Stockton businesses that make large purchases from out of state may complete a form with the State Board of Equalization that directs the use tax to the city of Stockton, and the city will rebate the business 15 to 25 percent of net new use tax received by the city.

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According to the city, when California businesses make taxable purchases out-of-state, such as fixtures, tools, machinery and materials, for consumption or use within California, a use tax is applied that is equal to the current rate of sales tax. Often, out-of-state retailers do not have a means of determining which California city or county will receive the shipment or where the use of the goods will occur, and the use tax is ultimately forwarded to a pool of money within the county and allocated to local agencies,

based on an established formula. “This program benefits businesses and our city,” said Economic Development Director Micah Runner. “Businesses that participate will receive a rebate. By participating, the city wins and the business wins.” The Board of Equalization allows for direct reporting of use tax for outof-state purchases that total more than $500,000 and for construction projects exceeding $5 million. But directing the use tax is voluntary for the taxpayer.

The state offers no incentive for the business owner or contractor to complete the necessary paperwork and the city cannot mandate that a contractor doing business with the city direct its use tax to the city. Businesses pay the same tax, regardless of whether it goes into a county pool or directly to the city. For additional information or to find out how to participate in the city of Stockton Use Tax Business Incentive Program, contact the Economic Development Department at (209) 937-8539.

CHEF Continued from Page 28

the building, and caught all of that cardboard on fire.” The operation was out of commission for six months. It could have been the perfect time to call it quits, but the Rackleys were not ready to walk away. “We weren’t done yet,” Judi Rackley said. Amazingly, the day the store reopened in September of 2009 remains the most lucrative day the business has ever seen. Maureen Curtis and Robin Robertson have each worked at The Dented Chef for the past 11 years. “It’s just a really nice place to work,” Robertson said. “The bosses are wonderful, and you get to know customers by name,” Curtis added. “It’s nice to see them grow into chefs, too,” Judi Rackley noted of longtime customers. Personal interaction, it seems, is the business’s secret ingredient. Whether it’s locating a product or offering advice, the lifelong Modesto residents – and cooks themselves – are always willing to help. “I’ve always liked more of a mom and pop image in a store where you come in and talk to somebody,” Judi Rackley said. Add helpful service and unique products, and you have a recipe for success. “We offer what nobody else offers,” Judi Rackley said. “I go around to stores and see what they have and try to keep away from that. Everybody asks, ‘Don’t you have Kitchen Aid mixers?’ And I say, ‘No, because every store has Kitchen Aid mixers. I just try to be different.’” “We have new people coming in all the time,” Larry Rackley said. “They always say, ‘We didn’t know this was here.’” Now that the secret is out, this hidden Modesto treasure might not be hidden for much longer. The Dented Chef is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. It is located at 1018 13th Street, Modesto. Before you stop by, be sure to visit The Dented Chef ’s website and print out a coupon for 20 percent off any one regular-priced item. For more information, go to www. thedentedchef.com or call (209) 238-3688.

February 2013: Joint Commission Awards San Joaquin General Hospital Certification as a Primary Stroke Center.

August 2013: San Joaquin County Emergency Medical Services Agency Designates San Joaquin General Hospital as a Level III Trauma Center. For both Stroke and Trauma patients, San Joaquin General Hospital is prepared with physicians and surgeons at the ready 24/7. Frontline medical response teams conduct telecommunication in route with San Joaquin General’s inhouse team. This time saving technology and teamwork greatly increases the possibility for a positive outcome.

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

Business Journal Insight & Analysis CENTRAL VALLEY

From QUANTITY...

to QUALITY

By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor

Hospitals face first big test of health care reform law

STOCKTON – The first of the year brought the biggest test yet for health care reform as insurance kicked in for tens of thousands of newly covered people in California. Local hospital administrators have been keeping a close eye on insurance changes and seeing a lot of question marks. “The crystal ball remains a little bit murky,” said Stephen Forester, vice president for managed care at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton. “We can’t foresee all the potential impacts.” On the one hand, health care reform could mean that because more people have insurance, hospitals will be treating fewer uninsured patients, thereby providing less charity care. On the other hand, hospital emergency rooms could be flooded by patients who are among those who now qualify for Medi-Cal, but still don’t have a doctor because there aren’t enough primary care physicians to take them on. But no one knows for sure. “There are plenty of ideas on how it will impact us, but everyone is eagerly looking for the beginning of 2014 to find out how it manifests itself,” said Doctors Hospital of Manteca CEO Nicholas Tejeda. In California, enrollment efforts for the Affordable Care Act were aimed at 5.3 million people through the state agency Covered California. That included 2.6 million who qualify for subsidies and

another 2.7 million who don’t qualify but could benefit from guaranteed coverage. As of Dec. 23, Covered California said more than 400,000 people had signed up for health plans. In addition, there were 1.4 million who may be newly eligible for Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicare. In San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, those patients are part of the Health Plan of San Joaquin. As of the end of November,179,000 people had enrolled in expanded Medi-Cal. David Hurst, vice president of external affairs for Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ), said HPSJ and Health Net have demonstrated to the state they have the capacity within their primary care networks to serve the new enrollees. He said members will get help finding a primary care provider. “We do recognize that for many of these new eligible members, this may be the first time they’ve had coverage, and if historically their only avenue for care was the ER or Urgent Care, they may be predisposed to use these access points,” Hurst said. “But our care management, customer service, and Please see HOSPITALS Page 31

IN THIS SECTION • Taxes • Real Estate • Management

• Social Media • Finance

January 2014

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HOSPITALS Continued from Page 30

outreach staff all work with new members in transitions such as these to help them understand how to use their new benefits and access care through their primary care providers and other appropriate access points.” Doctors Hospital of Manteca has made some preparations, partly in anticipation of additional patients and health care changes. It is renovating its emergency room and has added another nurses’ station to improve the flow of service. Tenet Health Care, Doctors Hospital’s parent company, has also taken an active role in helping patients enroll in Covered California. “In collaboration with Tenet, we’ve introduced a Path to Health campaign. It’s a comprehensive website that educates the public about how to enroll in health care reform,” Tejeda said. Doctors Hospital also has a certified enrollment counselor on site who can help people enroll. The hospital has worked with the Chamber of Commerce and senior centers to organize community enrollment events. For Modesto’s Memorial Medical Center, the changes called for in the Affordable Care Act fall in line with the alterations in care delivery it’s been making for a number of years in cooperation with its parent company Sutter Health and the Sutter Medical Network. Among those changes are implementing electronic health record-keeping and growing its physician network. “Being part of Sutter Health helps us,” said CEO Daryn Kumar. “As CEO, I can no longer be concerned with just the four walls of my hospital. The question is how do we get a healthier community?” At St. Joseph’s the emphasis has been on educating the staff about new requirements associated with health care reform. “We’ve done a lot education internally about some of the aspects of the ACA. We’ve worked with our admitting staff and done some community outreach,” said St. Joseph’s Forester. “We haven’t changed the operation so much as we’ve done a tremendous amount of education.” Kaiser Permanente has taken education about the Affordable Care Act to the people. It has what CEO Corwin Harper calls a “retail store” in Modesto, a kiosk in Weberstown Mall in Stockton and a mobile van where people can go to learn about Kaiser and health care reform. “We want people to come in and understand what it really is,” said Harper. Another aspect of the Affordable Care Act is the shift away from compensating hospitals based on volume and toward paying based on quality care. The government will offer financial incentives to hospitals that perform well based on a set of quality metrics (readmission rates, for example). Performance will be determined through a combination of clinical outcomes and

patient satisfaction surveys. Hospitals that appear to perform poorly will be penalized. For example, beginning last October, the government started cutting Medicare reimbursement for hospitals with readmission rates it considered too high. In 2015, hospitals that still have high rates of hospital-acquired infections will see further cuts to reimbursements. “There are certain incentives to reduce cost and improve quality,” said Forester. “It’s about the education of our hospital clinicians and physician partners. It’s the right thing to do in addition to being financially beneficial to our hospital.” “By and large, we are still paid on volume, but we do see things shifting,” said Tejeda. “I will tell you, longterm, I love the idea of getting paid on quality. It’s better for the patient, the community and the hospital.” Tejeda said, as an example, at Doctors Hospital in Manteca readmission rates were running at 30 percent a year ago. This year, they’re down to 13 percent. “Incentives matter. We took a step back, worked with our team, worked with our physicians, and we made an improvement,” Tejeda said. “We’ve really focused on those core metrics. It’s the right thing to do,” said Memorial’s Kumar. However, Kumar also said the Affordable Care Act doesn’t fix everything. Heath care is still very costly, and living with one foot in the old volume-based reimbursement system while transitioning to one where hospitals are paid for quality is challenging. “The Affordable Care Act isn’t payment reform,” Kumar said. “We need more creative ways to come up with reimbursement models. It’s still the same commercial health care system.” Kaiser Permanente’s Harper believes the Affordable Care Act will make heath care better. “Absolutely. Because we have to move to a prevention and wellness mindset and away from fee for service,” he said. “Healthy individuals lead to healthy a community.” “I believe in every individual’s right to receive health care in the United States,” said Kumar. “But the way it’s set up, it’s a challenge from the access perspective.” “Hopefully the ACA can get us out of some old mindsets,” said St. Joseph’s Forester. “I hope we can use it as a springboard.” “I can tell you on a grand scale, people might have issues with the ACA, but when you get down to the patient level, for them health care got better,” Tejda said. “On balance I think the legislation is flawed in many ways, but the intent is good. Over time it will be tweaked and improved so that really, the community benefits from it.” One thing hospital administrators agree on is that the emergency room should not be the place where primary health care takes place. “We need to leave the hospital for when (patients) truly need to be in the hospital,” Memorial’s Kumar said.

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Central Valley Business Journal

Common tax concerns that caught IRS attention in 2013 In most of life, bad things happen when you fail to plan. Proper planning can often save you a lot in taxes. Over the past year, in the Internal Revenue Service examination context, a couple of issues we repeatedly experienced had to do with passive versus active losses and the hobby loss rules. In trying economic times, taxpayers tend to incur losses more regularly and get more aggressive in the characterization and deductibility of those losses. Examinations looking at the passive versus active rules and hobby loss rules are the natural result of pushing the envelope and failing to properly plan ahead. Under Internal Revenue Code section 183, a hobby is an activity that is not engaged in for profit. There is a rebuttable presumption that an activity is a hobby if the gross income from such activity is less than the allowable deductions from the activity for two out of the last five tax years ending with the year under examination. An Internal Revenue Service agent will frequently go with the rebuttable presumptions and write the issue

up and not dig very deep. However, even if your activity has experienced losses in more than two tax years out of the last five that does not mean it is a hobby. There are many factors that go into the determination of whether an activity is a business or a hobby. If your business has sustained losses in more than two out of the last five tax years you should raise this issue with your accountant or Jason Harrel tax attorney and Calone & Harrel make sure you Law Group are prepared for the examination that may very well come. The other major issue on examination we have been seeing is the active versus passive loss rules. The passive loss rules are found under Internal Revenue Code section 469. A passive loss is

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a loss from an activity in which the taxpayer does not materially participate – rental real estate, for example. Losses from a passive activity are only currently deductible to the extent of gross income from passive activities. Passive losses in excess of passive income are carried over to subsequent tax years until a qualifying event occurs that allows the realization of the passive losses. The main issue in the passive activity loss examination is material participation. Material participation has seven different tests under Treasury regulations. The common one is whether the taxpayer engaged in the activity for more than 500 hours during the tax year. On examination of this issue, the problem always lies in being able to substantiate the hours worked in the activity to show material participation. If you are running a loss in an activity and you are concerned that the passive versus active loss rules could apply to you, discuss with your accountant or tax attorney what you should be doing to show that the activity is not a passive ac-

January 2014

tivity but an active business so the losses are currently deductible. In the non-examination arena, an issue we frequently saw during 2013 was the proper characterization of lawsuit proceeds. Since 1996, the only lawsuit proceeds that are non-taxable are those from a physical personal injury. However, there are still plaintiff ’s attorneys who are not properly advising their clients regarding this issue. Further, we saw situations where a taxpayer and their attorney thought that emotional distress damages were non-taxable. Under current law, emotional distress damages can only be excluded from gross income in the amount of medical expenses incurred to address those issues. Generally, the taxation of lawsuit proceeds are characterized in one of four ways: they are excludable from gross income when the lawsuit originates from a personal physical injury; they are a return of capital and thus reduce basis when dealing with damages to property; they are treated as capital gain income when dealing with capital assets; or they are taxed as ordinary income. The general rule is that the characterization of the proceeds follows the origin of the claim that gave rise to the lawsuit. Whenever a taxpayer suffers a wrong and is considering litigation to address damages, a consultation with a tax attorney at the very earliest stage Please see HARREL Page 44

January 2014

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Competent, sure. But are you warm? Let me start by wishing you success in all your endeavors in 2014. I hope it is your best year ever. Have you created a vision of what “best” means to you? Do you have a plan to accomplish that vision? Does your plan include SMART goals? If so, great. If not, do it now. I guarantee you 2014 will fly by. Next December you don’t want to look back and regret having another year that was just “OK.” Life is too short. As we look toward the future, let’s look at personality traits of good leaders. I am often asked is about the importance of being liked as a leader. If I remain true to my core values and act in a way that is always honest and fair, it still would be a virtual impossibility to be liked by everyone. Although that is unfortunate, should it matter? The short answer is that it is more important to be respected than liked, although the two often go hand in hand. One of the major challenges that new managers face after being promoted from the ranks is supervising their former colleagues. The challenge is they want to stay liked while being effective at their new position. This only works is if there is respect in the relationship. While it is important the new manager gets along and is friendly,

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in order for them to be successful they need to hold people accountable -- a key ingredient that was absent in their prior relationship. If a new manager comes on too strong trying to exert their new power (or perceived power) it may appear that “they have changed.” Does this fear approach work? How quickly does someone decide if they trust us Peter Johnson and how do we Pacific - Eberhardt build trust? School of Business It turns out that whether we view someone’s personality as warm or cold largely determines if we trust them. If we view a person as cold, we are much less likely to trust them. Going back to a 1946 study by S.E. Asch, subjects in the study where told about the competency (experience and qualifications) of a person while researchers manipulated information about the warmth of the person. The “colder” that the researchers described a person, the more the subjects distrusted that person. If a person wants to build trust, they

Clear Vision

WINEGRAPES Continued from Page 13

the growth in winegrape plantings. I don’t foresee a glut because farmers are smart and with the big investment needed to develop a vineyard, no grower would go into it without having a long-term contract with a winery.” In fact, Zipser pointed out “more nut crops are going in than vineyards, so I doubt there will be winegrape overplanting. The wine industry looks to be stable over the long term.” Hudson pointed to the fact that prices are holding well with contracted grapes, domestic and that export sales are good due to the industry’s marketing programs. He says as long as the export market is good an oversupply is unlikely. It’s possible the industry could have a larger storage inventory entering next season as sales continue to increase the industry will create the facilities to keep up with the burgeoning marketplace. “It all comes back to dollars and cents,” said Phil Brumley, agriculture consultant and grower in Escalon. “For instance, there aren’t enough grapes being grown in Europe because water’s been taken out of service to agriculture, so this could have a positive effect on our exports due to Europe’s need for juice.” He said any oversupply could be used up quickly to keep the markets supplied. “Wine is becoming a world market; some large wineries – Gallo and

Constellation, for example – are importing juice for their wines which establishes a source of supply in case something happens here.” Chile, Argentina, and Australia are among the sources for juice imported to Central Valley wineries. China is an untapped market and California and the U.S. winemaking industry is continuing to promote wines there in conjunction with other commodities such as almonds, walnuts, rice and other in-demand ag products. “Beef and dairy groups are sending industry emissaries there to develop markets and grape people don’t want to be left out.” Fry said the increase in winegrape acreage isn’t to be feared but seen instead as “a good sign that the grape and wine industry is in good shape here in the Central Valley and nationwide.” However, he said, “Exports could fall, a disaster could happen but that’s how it is in ag: there’s a certain amount of uncertainty we have to live with. But as our per-capita wine consumption increases and we send high quality wine into the market and the prices are good, I think the potential for a marketkilling glut are minimal.” Bernaciak noted that domestic and export wine consumption continues to increase. “We’ve experienced 19 years of increased consumption and our quality is consistently excellent. Our product is in demand.”

need to increase the warmth they exude. We may laugh about politicians kissing babies, but in all seriousness, what shows warmth and compassion like a person kissing a baby? A little boy recently wandered onto the stage and hugged Pope Francis while he delivered a speech. He then sat in the Holy Father’s chair. As you watch the video on YouTube, it just melts your heart to see the Pope pat the little boy on the head and continue speaking. Likewise, Nelson Mandela was known to love “playing and chatting with children.” He even published a book of his favorite African folktales for children. Although good leaders are capable of doing this, because of time and resource constraints, we often are forced to rely on other ways to ascertain who is competent and trustworthy. Few people would say, “Oh that person makes me feel warm. I think I will trust them.” More likely we will shrug it off as a “gut feeling.” In addition, while we are assessing others, they are doing the same to us. Much of this evaluation is based on perception of warmth and competence. Over the years as I have taught leadership to management teams, one of the exercises I use involves showing the participants a dozen faces of leaders (all competent and

effective leaders – albeit some are evil). When asked which ones they trust the most, it is always the people that show warm natural smiles. One who was always in the top three was Nelson Mandela. Mandela was a leader who exuded warmth. Have you ever seen a picture of Adolph Hitler where he was smiling warmly at the camera? Even some of the most revered business leaders like Steve Jobs and Jack Welch are not perceived as being as trustworthy as Colin Powell or Bill Walsh. Some might say, “Everyone knows Mandela was a great humanitarian, so of course people would trust him and Hitler was … Hitler, synonymous with evil.” But would it make a difference if you didn’t know anything about the people in the picture. This is hardly scientific but I have shown the same pictures to children and they made choices similar to the adults. As important as warmth is in being seen as trustworthy, we also need to be perceived with some level of competency. Otherwise, we could be looked upon the same way you might look at your grandmother: warm and lovable but not someone you would follow into battle or trust to lead you to success. Until next month, make it a great day toward your best year ever!

Weibel Family Tasting Room

NOW

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13 N. School Street, Lodi, CA 95240 209-370-6013

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUBS In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Ranked by Number of Employees. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order. Rank

Company Name Address In-Shape Health Clubs Stockton locations 1074 E. Bianchi Road 209-472-2100 7920 Kelley Drive Stockton 209-412-2100 2303 W. March Lane 209-472-2105 9545 Embarcadero Drive 209-472-2111 6 S. El Dorado Street 209-472-2190 Modesto and Turlock locations 1234 McHenry Avenue 209-549-0200 1533 Oakdale Road 209-579-3200 2245 Floyd Avenue 209-551-1400 2700 McHenry Avenue 209-338-5476 1800 Prescott Road 209-521-5900 3900 Pelandale Avenue 209-552-7590 Fitness Works 429 W. Lockeford Street Lodi, CA 95240 Twin Arbors Racquetball Club 1900 S. Hutchins Street Lodi, CA 95240 Twin Arbors Tennis Club 2040 Cochran Road Lodi, CA 95242

Top Local Executive No. of Local Phone Employees Web Address

Rob Farrens, VP of Marketing/Sales 209-472-2231 inshapeclubs.com

175

Club Hours

Amenities

Hours vary by club Please call location or see website

Cardio theater, pool, weight machines, free weights, treadmill, stairmaster, elliptical, jacuzzi, sauna, child care available. Group classes include cycling, Zumba, pilates, yoga, kickboxing, weighlifting, boot camp, aquatic classes, dance rhythms, kid’s classes, resistance training, sports conditioning and Silver Sneakers Also Tracy and Manteca locations

Dennis Kaufman, GM 209-334-6224 sparetimeclubs.com Dennis Kaufman, GM 209-334-4897 sparetimeclubs.com Dennis Kaufman, GM 209-334-2993 sparetimeclubs.com Jonathan Wall, Manager 209-848-0348 209-869-0348 209-545-9055 209-474-0348 209-473-4880 goldsgym.com

170

Mon. - Fri. 4 a.m. - midnight Sat. - Sun. 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

4:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Pool, weights, gymnasium, kids club, massage, personal training, group exercise classes including bootcamp, Zumba, pilates, yoga, cycling classes State of the art fitness facilities (cardiovascular, weight machines, free weights, group exercises studios, cycling), tennis, racquetball, pools, spas, steams, saunas, kid’s club

170

Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sat. - Sun. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Pool, tennis courts, fitness center, playgrounds and barbecue and picnic area

125

Hours vary by club Please call location or see website

Cardio cinema, GGX dance, spin room, personal training, tanning, hydro massage and full health club with over 100 pieces of cardio equipment

Mon. - Thurs. 4:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Fri. 4:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat. 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun. 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tai Chi, Zumba, raquetball, yoga, tanning, pool and pilates

7 days a week 24 hrs

Cardio equipment, free weights, basketball court, indoor lap pool, kids club, pro shop, sauna, steam room and whirlpool, and group classes including Ujam, Zumba, pilates, yoga, step, turbo kickboxing, and cycling

Thomas Brenda (209) 668-3838 brendaathletics.com

Mon. - Thurs: 4 a.m. -11 p.m. Fri. 4 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat. 6 a.m. -10 p.m. Sun. 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Spinning, Zumba, pilates, yoga, kickboxing, weightlifting, boot camp, tennis lessons, camps, youth fitness, personal training, pool, weight machines, treadmill, stairmaster, jacuzzi

Marie Henry Holly Covell 209-366-2800 fitlodi.com

7 days a week 24 hours

Personal training, weight machines, free weights, stairmaster, elliptical, sauna, spinnin,g Zumba, yoga, kickboxing, hiphop boot camps, abs, crosstraining, boxing, and kinetic ropes

Brian Cassagio 209-477-7800 planetfitness.com

7 days a week 24 hours

Brand name cardio and strength equipment

Kent White, Owner 209-836-3488 worldgym.com/tracy

Mon. - Fri. 4:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Sat. 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sun. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Jeanne Lenz/Chris Ost 209-952-4000 stocktonkarate.com

5:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Ben Mackie, Owner Jillian Barlet, Manager 209-955-0360 benmackiefitness.com

Mon. - Thurs. 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Fri. 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sat. 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Personal training, group classes, complete bathrooms and showers, towel service and complimentary water

Marcia Fitzgerald, Independent Living Director 209-956-3470 oconnorwoods.org

Monday - Sunday Hours vary

Aquatic programs, strength training, balance training, cardiovasculare training, indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi All comprehensive to the senior adult

Carl Hultgren, Owner (209) 403-2348 pureformpft.com

See website for class schedule

Private, semi-private and group personal fitness training

Helen Monica, Owner Carri Giannecchini, GM 209-948-9642 209-368-9642 bikramyogastockton.com

7 days a week 5:30 a.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Ninety minute yoga series performed in a heated room. The series is a sequence and consists of 26 postures and two breathing exercises

Combine Fitness 1419 Fremont Street Stockton, CA 95203

209-463-2326 combine-fitness.com

See website for class schedule

Personal training, group classes, Zumba

Boom Health Club 2341 Pacific Avenue Stockton, CA 95204

Carri Giannecchini 209-639-4963 facebook.com/ boomhealthclub.com

Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Variety of weight loss activities

Fitness Evolution 1275 E. F Street, Ste 1, Oakdale, CA 95361 2210 Patterson Road, Riverbank, CA 95367 4120 Dale Road, Ste G, Modesto, CA 95356 1822 E. Hammer Lane, Stockton, CA 95210 4950 Claremont Avenue, Stockton, CA 95207

Modesto Court Room Fitness 2012 McHenry Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

24 Hour Fitness 3137 W. Benjamin Holt Drive, Stockton, CA 95219 1090 N. Main Street, Manteca, CA 95336

Brenda Athletic Club, Turlock Sport 201 Tampa Drive Turlock, CA 95382

Fitness System Lodi 512 N. Cherokee Lane Lodi, CA 95240

Planet Fitness 1175 W. March Lane Stockton, CA 95207

World Gym 2340 East Street Tracy, CA 95376

American Martial Arts Academy 6360 Pacific Avenue Stockton, CA 95207

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

How to keep long-term care from wiping out savings Even though the possible need for long-term care is not something people enjoy thinking about, an estimated 70 percent of 65-year-olds will need this type of care at some point in their lives. The average cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home was nearly $75,000 a year in 2012, and it’s been projected that the annual cost could reach nearly $165,000 in 20 years due to inflation. Some wealthy households can afford to pay for long-term care out of pocket. Many others with substantial financial assets might not be sure whether they have saved enough to meet their future needs. Thus, it may be wise to consider whether your financial resources would be adequate for a worst-case situation. What would happen to your retirement savings if you or your spouse became severely disabled and had to enter a nursing home? How would writing a check for $6,000 or more every month affect the standard of living of the healthy spouse, who would still need to pay for his or her normal expenses? One of the following strategies may help prevent your retirement savings from being wiped out by the escalating cost of long-term care and could significantly ease the burden on family and friends.

usually limited to) the death benefit or annuity value, so they could be much less generous than those of a typical long-term care policy. Permanent Life Option If you are considering a longterm care option with life insurance, you should have a need for life insurance and evaluate the policy on its merits as life insurance. Optional benefit riders are available for an additional fee and are subject to the contractual terms, conditions, and limitations outlined in the policy; they may not, however, benefit all individuals. The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Before implementing a strategy involving life insurance, it would be prudent to make sure that you are insurable. As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of life insurance. Policies commonly have mortality and expense charges. In addition, if a policy is surrendered prematurely, there may be surrender charges and income tax implications.

Combining Forces Some insurance companies offer permanent life insurance policies or annuities with long-term care riders, either of which may be more costeffective than a standalone long-term-care policy. The premiums are generally paid as a lump sum up-front or in fixed periodic payments, so Michael Zeiter you wouldn’t MassMutual Financial have to worry Modesto, CA about future rate increases or the issuer canceling the policy as long as your premiums are current. Long-term care benefits typically kick in when the policyholder needs help with two or more activities of daily living (such as eating, bathing, and dressing); payouts are normally tax-free. However, any payouts for covered long-term-care expenses would reduce (and are

Smart Planning

Annuity Option Annuities are insurance contracts that pay a lump sum or an income stream over a certain period of time. Generally, annuities have mortality and expense charges, account fees, investment management fees, and administrative fees. Most annuities have surrender charges that are assessed during the early years of the contract if the contract owner surrenders the annuity. Withdrawals prior to age 59½ may be subject to a 10 percent federal income tax penalty. The earnings portion of annuity withdrawals is taxed as ordinary income. Insurance and annuity products are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency. Any guarantees are contingent on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Michael E. Zeiter is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC, Member SIPC. Reach Michael Zeiter at email mzeiter@financialguide. com / web www.zeiterfinancial.com / Direct (209) 613-7210

What’s ahead for commercial real estate in 2014 The commercial real estate markets in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties are often unfairly overshadowed by the markets of the Silicon Valley and Bay Area. Consider this: our combined population is greater than the population of Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Cleveland combined. There are 220 million square feet of commercial real estate in these two counties and yet very little national and regional attention is given to our area. After looking at information from CoStar Group data, talking to Dr. Jeffrey Michael of the University of the Pacific Business Forecasting Center and taking into account our own firm’s experience, here is a look at state of our commercial real estate market and what we think we can expect in the coming year. Two thirds of the commercial real estate in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties is industrial. Retail makes up 25 percent of the total and just 9 percent is office space. On average, about 10 percent of this space is currently vacant. The national average is 8.6 percent. This means that our market is about 1.4 percent more

vacant than the national average — far from some sort of catastrophe. Since the end of 2010, vacancy rates have been surprisingly steady. While rental rates have suffered to some extent, our vacancy rates have not moved significantly. As we read the data, we see a baseline here. Many might say that our market is starting to stabilize, but as we see it, it has been stable for some time. Joe Muratore As we head into 2014, we are expect- Principal, NAI Benchmark ing some continued improvement. First Commercial

Business Space

The University of the Pacific Forecasting Center recently announced a 3.4 percent projected increase in jobs in San Joaquin County

next year. This is largely being driven by hiring at the new prison healthcare facility, Amazon’s new fulfilment centers and other new facilities near the Altamont Pass. It is also expected that there will be 3,000 housing starts across these two counties in the next year—something we have not seen in several years. We think that our market is beginning to recover and will build momentum until about 2018 before it begins to show signs of softening again. We also think that interest rates will remain low enough in the medium term that they will not significantly impact commercial real estate activity. Our opinion is that a year from today, vacancy rates in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties will have improved 1-2 percent and that prices and lease rates will have increased 4 percent to 7 percent. Given that the process of selling, leasing or buying a building can take between four and six months, it makes sense for businesses and property owners to plan ahead and tackle their commercial real estate needs sooner rather than later.

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January 2014

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Consumers’ ChoiCe for 12 years running! for the 12th consecutive year, we would like to thank you for selecting memorial medical Center as the winner of the Consumer Choice Award. You’ve said we are stanislaus County residents’ most Preferred hospital in overall quality and image for 2013/2014, based on a composite score of four categories: best overall quality, best image/reputation, best doctors, and best nurses. We take very seriously our commitment to provide safe, quality, affordable care to our patients, and put your care at the heart of every decision we make.

01572

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

Home sellers won’t owe income tax on short sales If you sold your house in a short sale this year, the taxman has some good news for you. The California Association of Realtors (CAR) has been working with Sen. Barbara Boxer, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the state’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB) to protect distressed homeowners from the debt relief income tax associated with a short sale in California. As part of that effort, Boxer asked the IRS to provide guidance on whether mortgage debt forgiveness in a lender-approved short sale would be taxable income under federal law, given California’s recent non-recourse laws for short sales, which were hardfought victories by CAR. The IRS has clarified in a letter that California’s troubled homeowners who sell their homes in a short sale are not subject to federal income tax liability on “phantom income” they never received. The IRS recognizes that the debt written off in a short sale does not constitute recourse debt

under California law, and thus does not create so-called “cancellation of debt” income to the underwater homeseller for federal income tax purposes. This clarification rescues tens of thousands of distressed home sellers from personal liability upon expiration of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 on Dec. 31. Following the IRS’s clarificaSheri Aguilar tion, CAR sought President, Lodi a similar ruling Realtors Association by the California FTB, which had been awaiting the IRS action. The letter from the FTB, obtained by Board of Equalization member George Runner, clarified that California families

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who lost their homes in a short sale are not subject to state income tax liability on debt forgiveness “phantom income” they never received in a short sale. Short sales may raise other tax issues and, as always, you should always speak with your tax professional regarding the tax consequences of a short sale. Although short sale sellers of a qualified principal residence were protected against federal debt relief income tax under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, that federal law expired on Dec. 31, whereas the tax exemption set forth in the IRS and FTB letters have no expiration date. However, other exemptions from federal and state taxation of debt relief income are available, such as for bankruptcies and insolvencies. Given that a homeowner in California generally cannot be held personally liable for a short sale deficiency, the IRS stated in its letter that it would consider the mortgage loan as a nonrecourse obligation that is not subject

to federal debt relief income tax. The amount of indebtedness, however, must be reported as the amount realized for capital gains purposes. Of course, a principal residence is generally excluded from capital gains tax up to $250,000 for single taxpayers and $500,000 for married couples filing joint returns (under 26 U.S.C. § 121). As background, California law generally protects a borrower from owing a deficiency after a short sale of a residential property with one-to-four units, including both first and junior trust deeds (Cal. Code of Civ. Proc. section 580e). Exceptions include fraud, waste, cross-collateralized loan, and a borrower that is a corporation, LLC, or limited partnership. For more information and copies of both letters please visit our web site at www.LodiRealtors.org and click on the “For The Consumer” tab in the easy links section of the home page. As always, we will keep you informed and provide additional details as we have them.

Looking after your employees and their families is the right thing to do, but on a practical level, there is a long-term benefit for the company. For example, investing in an employee’s continuing education can pay off through the development of a skilled workforce and the ability to promote qualified people from within the company. Currently, CSU Stanislaus has several students in the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program who are receiving either full or partial tuition assistance from their employers. E&J Gallo Winery, Bank of America, San Joaquin County and PricewaterhouseCoopers are all investing in their employees’ education. Varinder Singh, a human resources specialist for PricewaterhouseCoopers, is one of the students receiving tuition assistance from his company for the EMBA program. He selected the EMBA at CSU Stanislaus because the Saturdays-only schedule worked well for him. It allows him to focus on work during the week and classwork on the weekends. Singh believes that his EMBA experience will make him a better leader and enable him to earn a promotion. “Anything that can differentiate me from my peers will help in my endof-year reviews,” Singh said. ”The EMBA will most definitely do that.” Research has shown that graduates of Executive MBA programs are more loyal to their sponsoring employers and enjoy the benefits that a mutually rewarding work environment can bring. Participation in an EMBA program brings imme-

diate results, as well as long-term benefits that are essential for organizations and employees seeking to achieve their goals. The CSU Stanislaus EMBA program focuses on cutting-edge areas that impact today’s organizations and provides the skills necessary for successful organizational strategies and leadership practices. Students are able to arrive at practical and creative soluLinda Nowak tions to their Dean, College of Business organizational CSU Stanislaus challenges through meaningful dialogues with their faculty and team members. Executive MBA students gain a more in-depth development of their skills in managing people, analyzing difficult situations, oral and written communication, strategic decision making, team building, a global perspective of business, and ethical and social factors. They have the opportunity to build on their leadership skills and directly apply them to their organizational lives. Employers benefit from a highly educated and skilled workforce and the loyalty of their employees. Look around. Do you have some smart people in your company who could benefit from improved leadership and business decisionmaking skills?

Investing in worker education can pay off for businesses

Business Watch

January 2014

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

Make this the year you harness the Internet for marketing It’s 2014, and it’s time to take Internet marketing more seriously. Businesses that have done their homework and have a solid Internet marketing strategy are seeing improvements in the traffic to their websites. This year, there will be a lot of changes to the way marketers reach their target audience through the web, some of these changes are already underway. 1. Start Creating Content You see it in your search results and on YouTube, companies are creating content to drive traffic to their websites. By creating content, you are establishing authority. For years companies have created whitepapers and other documents to deliver relevant industry information to potential clients or customers. These days, companies are publishing this information to the web. People search for content and it leads them to your website or YouTube channel. When we need to research a topic, we go to the search engines and search for content that helps answer our question. Your content should be where these people land. When deciding what to write about or what to make a video about, just think about the information your target audience is searching for to answer their questions or fix their problems. This is a great start. Try to produce at least one article per month. I call them articles, because they need to be informative. Don’t confuse a blog with an article. Most people think blogging is equal to journaling. It is OK to journal about your company in the form of a blog,

but don’t confuse that with producing quality content that serves a purpose. 2. Get More Social You have probably created a Facebook page and perhaps even a Twitter account, but it’s time to start using them to their potential. I also believe it is important to have a presence on multiple social media sites. Each social media website brings people together for different purposes. You can’t be all Jerad Hill things to all Owner people on Face- Hill Media Group book. Sometimes Pinterest or Tumblr might be the answer. The size of the potential audience with some of these sites cannot be ignored. Social media use is growing as more and more people integrate it into their lives. Figure out how you can use each of these social networks to grow your reach. It’s all about providing value and creating top of mind awareness with the users of these social networks. 3. Create Image and Video Content YouTube consumption keeps increasing and so does photo sharing. With that, attention span is decreasing. On Facebook, photos and videos get shared much more often than text only posts. Images and video

Social Maverick

are more engaging because they are more visual. Consider creating visual content that engages the viewer. Create something informative or funny that people would want to share. 4. Keep It Simple As our information feeds continue to be filled with more interests, it is those that stick out that will get our attention. This year, rather than creating in-depth marketing messages and campaigns, keep them short and simple. Your social media posts, videos, blogs and other digital media should be short and easy to consume. With video, people look at the length of the video when determining whether or not they will watch it. If the video is longer than what they perceive they will get out of it, they won’t watch it at all. They won’t even hit play to give it a chance. You only gain the ability to create longer campaigns if you have the authority to do so with your users. Keep it simple and invite them back to your website where they can learn more. Think about how you can compress your message and then turn it into a compelling image or short video. 5. Make Sure It’s Mobile Friendly As mobile devices continue to increase in popularity, so does the consumption of information through their tiny screens. The content you create should easily be consumable through a smartphone. It is important that your company website loOK good and be easy to read on a smartphone. The back button is easy to use, which will take them back to their search where they can click on your competitor’s website.

If you have a brick and mortar location, your website should list name, address, phone number and hours right under your logo. Make it easy for people to get the information they need. Your website designer should be able to help you create a version of your website that is optimized for smartphones. These days, we design websites that conform to the device. This is called “responsive design,” which makes for optimal website performance between desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Final Notes: I mention the above techniques and technologies because I have already begun to see them put into place in 2013. Small companies that are growing fast have applied many of these techniques into their Internet marketing procedures. Whether you decide to hire someone to help you manage the future of Internet marketing or outsource it to an Internet marketing agency, you should carefully be considering how you are going to continue to reach new customers and scale your business in this day and age. There are likely to be many new “best practices” to arise in 2014. Technology moves at lightning fast speeds these days. It is important to stay on top of the technology that is available, especially when it comes to marketing your company. You don’t have to apply each new technique that comes out, but you do need to be aware of them and how they can affect your customers. This will assure you are one step ahead of your competition.

Energy incentives: Solving one problem, causing another? Cities across the country are looking for ways to become greener, implementing various policies to reduce emissions, clear the air and clean up waterways. The Central Valley appears no different, with communities here also considering ways in which we can leave a smaller ecological footprint. However, in our rush to adopt green policies, cities should consider how these policies affect growth and development, which ultimately has a greater impact on our environment than any single regulation. Take Stockton, for example. As part of its 2008 settlement with the Sierra Club, Stockton officials are weighing a new ordinance requiring homeowners to undergo an energy assessment for renovations valued over $20,000, which may in turn require extra costs to make that home more energy efficient. The ordinance seems intuitive for a city looking to reduce emissions. Old, leaky homes waste energy unnecessarily, so a policy that tries to shore up these homes makes sense on the surface. But not all policies intended to lower emissions end up

being good policies. Unfortunately, while well-intentioned, the ordinance could unintentionally hurt development patterns that could actually increase emissions overall by dis-incentivizing neighborhood revitalization and increasing demand for suburban homes where families are more dependent on cars. The amount of energy our David Garcia homes use is not Editor/Blog insignificant, Stockton City Limits but our cars use much more, especially in the Central Valley where most residents need to drive everywhere. According the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles were six times higher than residential uses in 2012. Total energy use by transportation was two

Smart Growth

and a half times greater than what was used in our homes. Because automobiles are the biggest emitters of pollution, it stands that policies should be geared toward encouraging people to take fewer and shorter trips by car. One of the best ways to reduce car trips is to promote infill and revitalization of older areas where walking and biking are easier. However, because existing homes in older areas often require costlier renovations, Stockton’s proposed ordinance may inadvertently stunt revitalization efforts of communities like midtown and Magnolia where walkable neighborhoods could actually take hold. Because an energy assessment will add time and money to an already pricey renovation process, some homeowners may think twice about buying and fixing up homes in these older neighborhoods. Instead, those homeowners may turn move to newer, suburban homes, which in turn increases vehicle miles traveled. That would negate any small gains made by making a handful of homes more energy efficient.

On a broad scale, rather than saddling more costs on people who want to reinvest in existing homes, cities could incentivize green building standards by offering credits or breaks in fees at some level. This would make developers and home buyers more likely to consider better insulation, new windows and other energy-saving techniques. A greater policy that would have a more significant impact on pollution would be to incentivize residential development in the city’s core, whether it’s renovating an old Victorian home or building apartments downtown. Getting more people in older neighborhoods closer to amenities means fewer car trips, which in turn lowers emissions from cars, which would help the city mitigate the environmental effects of a growing population. Greener policies are important, especially here in the Central Valley where we suffer from poor air quality, and city officials should be applauded for trying to find solutions. However, just because a policy is green doesn’t automatically mean it’s good.

January 2014

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Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014

EYE CARE PROVIDERS In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Ranked by Total Number of Local Staff. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order. Name Rank Company Address

Top Local Executive Total Local Phone Number of Web Address Local Staff

Number of Offices Locally

Number of Ophthalmologists & Services Offered Number of Optometrists

Year Est.

John Zeiter, M.D. (209) 461-2151 zeitereye.com

7 6

All medical and surgical diseases of the eye LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, cosmetic surgery and eyeglasses and contact lenses

1962

Brandy Simpson, Clinical Manager (209) 952-3700 cvemg.com

3 2

LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, cosmetic surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses

1974

Michael Martin, O.D., President (209) 575-2020 sylvaneyemodesto.com

3 4

Retina, cataract, diabetic care, as well as routine vision and contact lenses exams

2000

Kenneth Miselis, M.D. (209) 465-5933 heritageye.com

1 2

LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, cosmetic surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses

1985

Amin Ashrafzadeh, M.D. (209) 524-2020 modestoeyecenter.com

1 1

Medical and surgical specialist, routine eyecare and optical. Provides LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses

2010

Tracy Optometry Group 36 W. 10th Street Tracy, CA 95376

David Moline, O.D., Brian Yee O.D. and Doris Wong, O.D. (209) 835-7446 tracyopt.com

1 3

Complete eye exams, dry eye treatment, contact lens fittings and fashion frames

1984

Valley Optometric Group 1401 Sylvan Avenue Modesto, CA 95355

Karen Mando, Office Manager (209) 527-6640 visionsource-valleyoptometric.com

0 4

Eye examinations, glasses, contact lenses, LASIK

2004

Turlock Eye Physicians 880 Delbon Avenue Turlock, CA 95382

Daniel Lee M.D. (209) 634-2925 turlockeye.com

2 0

Opthamology

1979

Dennis R. Brewer, Inc. 991 E. Monte Vista Avenue Turlock, CA 95382

Dennis R. Brewer O.D. (209) 634-8591 drbrewer.net visionsource-mvo.com

0 3

Vision testing, diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease, contact lenses, cataract surgery and co-management for laser vision

1972

All Family Optometric Vision Care 1317 Oakdale Road Modesto, CA 95355

G. Barnard Wilson O.D. (209) 524-7870 drgbwilson.com

0 1

Comprehensive vision examinations, contact lenses, refractive surgery consultants and comanagement of cataract surgery

1974

Manteca Optometric 140 N. Fremont Ave., Ste. A Manteca, CA 95336

Fred Stellhorn, O.D./Owner (209) 823-3151 mantecaoptometric.com

0 4

Eye exams, contact lenses, eye surgery referral, glaucoma testing, contact supplies and designer eyeglasses/sunglasses

1971

Vision Faire Optometry 4213 Dale Rd., Ste. A-2 Modesto, CA 95356

Nancy E. Shoji O.D. (209) 545-3937 visionfaireoptometry.com

0 3

Eye exams for children and adults, contact lenses

1983

Eye Care Associates Optometry 2087 Grand Canal Blvd., Ste. 15 Stockton, CA 95207

Mark Komure O.D./President (209) 477-0296 None

0 2

Eye exams, contact lenses, treatment of ocular diseases and co-management of laser vision correction

1978

Downtown Optometry 319 E. Weber Street Stockton, CA 95202

David J. Benkle O.D. (209) 465-5047 drbenkle.com

0 3

Contact lenses, pediatric vision care, optical, ocular disease, ocular trauma, low vision rehab, surgery co-management, laser vision correction and more

1982

Stanislaus Optometric Center, Inc. 4028 Dale Rd., Ste. 102 Modesto, CA 95356

Edward F. Nuccio O.D. (209) 527-2020 stanopto.com

0 2

LASIK surgery, contact lenses, eye exams, geriatric care and general optometry

1988

Delta Eye Medical Group, Inc. 1617 St. Marks Plaza, Ste. D Stockton, CA 95207

Jeffrey J. Ing, M.D. (209) 478-1797 deltaeyemedicalgroup.com

5 3

Comprehensive eye care and surgery, optical LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses

1973

Beckman Optometry 621 S. Ham Ln., Ste. C Lodi, CA 95242

Kathryn A. Beckman O.D. (209) 367-1000 visionsource-beckmanoptometry.com

0 1

Comprehensive eye examinations, contact lenses, pediatric vision care, vision therapy and optical services

1997

Manteca Optometry 158 N. Maple Avenue Manteca, CA 95336

Leanne Lee O.D. (209) 239-3504 mantecaoptometry.com

0 2

Eye exams, contact lenses, vision therapy and LASIK

2006

Dr. David L. Gallagher Family Optometry 1101 Standiford Ave., Ste. A-1 Modesto, CA 95368

Dr. David L. Gallagher (209) 523-2601 visionsource-drgallagher.com

0 1

Complete eye exams, fitting of contact lenses and spectacle lens. Co-management of LASIK surgery. Fashion eyewear. Most insurance accepted

1977

Northern California Laser Center 1741 Coffee Road Modesto, CA 95355

Amin Ashrafzadeh, M.D. (209) 549-2020 modestoeyecenter.com

1 1

Most advanced form of LASIK eye surgery and cataract surgery which is performed in our onsite surgery center. Also provides eyeglasses and contact lenses

2005

Brookside Optometric Group 3133 W. March Ln., Ste. 2020 Stockton, CA 95219

Craig Hisaka O.D. (209) 951-0820 brooksideoptometricgroup.com

14 1

Eye exams, contact lenses, vision therapy and LASIK

2008

Meyers Optical 858 W. Benjamin Holt Drive Stockton, CA 95207

Ken Meyers (209) 476-0913 meyersoptical.com

0 0

Eyeglasses and contact lenses

1988

Zeiter Eye Medical Group, Inc. 255 E. Weber Avenue Stockton, CA 95202

Central Valley Eye & Laser Medical Group, Inc. 36 W. Yokuts Avenue, #1 Stockton, CA 95207

Sylvan Eye Associates 1011 Sylvan Ave., Ste. A Modesto, CA 95350

Heritage Eye Skin & Laser Center 445 W. Poplar Street Stockton, CA 95203

Modesto Eye Center 1741 Coffee Road Modesto, CA 95355

January 2014

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The Area’s 1st Provider Of Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery

How LenSx Laser Technology Benefits You: • More Precise Procedure Each custom cataract surgery offered at Zeiter Eye is tailored specifically to your eye alone, using ultra high resolution measurements that allow us to be in complete control of your visual outcome.

• Gentler Experience Traditional cataract surgery is performed manually, using blades and forceps. The new LenSx system offers the precision of the laser and the comfort of blade free surgery.

• More Accurate Outcome This state of the art technology allows surgical precision that is not otherwise possible with human hands. With the bladeless cataract surgery offered only at Zeiter Eye, we offer the best refractive result, bringing the joy of clear vision to our patients.

CATARACT SURGERY • GLAUCOMA CARE • RETINAL SERVICES • VISION EXAMS • GLASSES & CONTACTS LASIK • EYELID SURGERY • SKINCARE & LASER REJUVENATION • BOTOX/FILLERS

STOCKTON • LODI • MANTECA • TRACY • SONORA

(209) 466-5566 Visit our website at zeitereye.com

Central Valley Business Journal

Foreclosures continue to drop in Central Valley Foreclosure rates in the Central Valley continued to drop in October, according to data released Dec. 23 from property information, analytics and services provider CoreLogic. Foreclosure rates represent the percentage of loans in some stage of the foreclosure process. In the Stockton-Lodi area, foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans were 1.03 percent for the month of October 2013. That was a decrease of 1.30 percentage points compared

to October 2012 when the rate was 2.33 percent. It was also lower than the national foreclosure rate of 2.15 percent for October 2013. In Modesto, foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans were 0.89 percent for the month of October. That was down from 1.22 percentage points compared to October 2012 when the rate was 2.11 percent. Statewide, the foreclosure rate for California was .74 percent in October. Mortgage delinquency rates were

also down. In the Stockton-Lodi area, 3.99 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent compared to 7.09 percent for the same period last year, according to CoreLogic. In Modesto, 3.70 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent. That was compared to 6.52 percent for October of last year and represented a decrease of 2.82 percentage points.

January 2014

Oct. 2013 Foreclosure Rate by ZIP Code Stockton-Lodi

CHART COURTESY CORELOGIC

CVBJ

HARREL Continued from Page 32

THE JOINT COMMISSION TOP PERFORMER ON KEY QUALITY MEASURES • Heart Attack • Heart Failure

• Pneumonia • Surgical Care

DMC MODESTO THE KEY TO BETTER HEALTH IN THE REGION

Doctors Medical Center Modesto understands what matters most to patients is safe, effective care. That’s why DMC is proud to be among a select group of hospitals nationwide to be recognized by The Joint Commission as a 2013* Top Performer on Key Quality Measures®. By acknowledging our excellence in accountability performance for heart attack, pneumonia and surgical care, you’re assured exceptional treatment from the moment you enter our doors. And, that’s the key to a healthy community. This achievement was made possible by the dedicated physicians, nurses and employees at DMC, who continually raise the bar in healthcare performance. For more details on this important designation, visit dmc-modesto.com

facebook.com/dmcmodesto

*based on 2012 data

For a physician referral, call 1-888-284-6641

of the dispute can help to structure the claim with tax considerations in mind. Often the issue is brought to us after the settlement is reached and documented which severely limits what can be done on the tax consequences of the award. Lastly, we continue to see issues involving the failure to report offshore financial accounts. It is not illegal to have offshore financial accounts, but even innocent failures to properly report the existence of those accounts can have disastrous ramifications. For the past several years, the Treasury Department has been actively pursuing taxpayers with offshore financial accounts that are not being reported properly. Any taxpayer with an offshore financial account that has balance over $10,000 at any time during the tax year is required to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, Form TDF 90-22.1 (FBAR). This return is due June 30th of each tax year and each account must be disclosed. Failure to file this FBAR form can result in civil penalties ranging from zero to $10,000 to the greater of $100,000 or 50 percent of the highest account balance during the tax year for willful failures to file. Say for example, you have a bank account in the Bahamas that has $500,000 in it and you have failed to report that account for the past five years. The highest possible civil penalty, not including possible criminal ramifications, would be a civil penalty of $250,000 for each year it was not reported, which over five years would greatly exceed the amount in the account. To encourage taxpayers to voluntarily report these accounts without criminal ramifications and with a reduced civil penalty, the Treasury Department has had an ongoing Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative in place. If you have such a foreign financial account, you should meet with a tax attorney to discuss your options and the possible ramifications for failing to disclose the accounts. - Jason W. Harrel is a Partner at Calone & Harrel Law Group, LLP who concentrates his practice in all manners of Taxation, Real Estate Transactions, Corporate, Partnership and Limited Liability Company law matters. He is a certified specialist in Taxation. Mr. Harrel may be reached at 209-9524545 or jwh@caloneandharrel.com

January 2014

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A quintessential wine + panini bar, gourmet food + wine shop & restaurant, featuring seasonal small plates; we offer an exceptional selection of eclectic fine wines from around the world + artisan cheese, charcuterie, monthly winemaker dinners, a wine club and weekly wine classes hosted by proprietor and certified sommelier, Paul Marsh. Stop in and discover what our exposed-brick-and-salvaged-wood temple to offbeat wines, craft beer, great food, and jazz music has to offer. Hours Open:

Stockton’ s Premiere Bar + Bistro

Classy Ambiance • Gourmet Cuisine • Favorite Drinks

Make The Ave your premiere destination for Stockton Dine Out Week. Inquire about our dinner specials. Hours Open:

Sunday Brunch 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Live Music: Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7 p.m.

Monday - Wednesday & Sunday 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thurs - Saturday 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.

2113 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204

2333 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204

www.milewinecompany.com • 209.465.9436

aveonthemile.com • 209.462.5283

Welcome to Midtown Crêperie & Cafe!

We are the home of the ...

Stockton’ s Original Locally Owned New Orleans Inspired Restaurant Taste the finest in savory and dessert crepes. We also serve gluten-free crepes.

• Huckleberry Martini • Best Steaks in town • Live music • Homestyle comfort food • Mac n’ cheese • Cabbage rolls

Midtown Cafe will cater your event on-site or off-site. Come enjoy Restaurant Week specials at our new, larger location!

Hours Open:

Breakfast - All day Sunday Lunch and Dinner - 7 days a week

Monday - Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday - Saturday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

151 W. Alder St., Stockton, CA 95204

2319 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204

www.whiskybarrelsaloon.com • 209.938.9192

www.midtowncreperie.com • 209.941.9070

Central Valley Business Journal

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Valvepon Corporation 541 N D St Stockton, CA 95205 Valvepon Corporation Creatico Specials/ Professional Dating Network 541 N D St Stockton, CA 95205 Scott Sargent Accounting Numbers 2215 Bartram Run Way Stockton, CA 95212 Renee/ Adam Stramel

SJ COUNTY

LEGALS Fictitious Business Names Wild Rose Ranch 28082 Nichols Rd Galt, CA 95632 C Ryan/ Elizabeth Voorhees Identify/ Identify Solution 361 W Saint Francis Ave Mountain House, CA 95391 Carlos/ Cynthia Basurto St Teresa Comprehensive Cancer Center 4722 Quail Lakes Dr Ste B Stockton, CA 95207 V. Vongtama, MD, Inc DC Trucking 330 Bella Place Lathrop, CA 95330 David Clouse Wild Horse Designs 5305 Liberty Rd Galt, CA 958632 Heidi Budesilich Golden State Auto Repair 1587 Turnpike Rd Stockton, CA 95206 Andy Chung MILO Consulting/ MILO Short Sale 672 W 11th St Tracy, CA 95376 Milo Lewis

Aranda’s Tortillas Co, Inc 1318 E Scotts Ave Stockton, CA 95205 Aranda’s Torillas Co, Inc Peaches and Cream Skin Care and Retreat 118 E 11th St Tracy, CA 95376 Peaches and Cream Skin Care and Retreat

Divine by Nature 7936 E Collier Rd Acampo, CA 95220 Brandi Parks Valley Trading Post 2294 Waterloo Rd Stockton, CA 95204 Robert Devita A&H Trucking 928 Dry Creek Place Lathrop, CA 95330 Amarjit Singh Red Truck Designs 400 W. Vine St Lodi, CA 95240 Eric Vaughn Sunset Liquors Inc 2355 Parker Ave Tracy, CA 95376 Bhupinoer Sidhu

A Trucking 523 Buena Vida Ct Stockton, CA 95206 Fidel Andrada

49 Trans 1560 Venice Cir Stockton, CA 95206 Amanpreet Singh

Arcade Zone 3250 N Tracy Blvd Tracy, CA 95376 Pacific World Investment, Inc

Country Clips 8150 El Dorado Street French Camp, Ca 95231 Marlee Saun/ Mary Camden

My Home Realty 2700 Mocking Bird Lane Tracy, CA 95377 Jeff Pelletier

Clef Notes Ent 10511 Hollow Tree Lane Stockton, CA 9509 Jesse Clark

Chiro Table Doctor 5504 E Hobart Ave Stockton, CA 95215 Rodolfo Lopez Jr

GV Farms 8181 W Highway 4 Stockton, CA 95206 George Vierra

El Senor Frogs 7217 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95210 Carlos Mercado

The Big Day Planner 1163 E March Lane #458D Stockton, CA 95210 Angela Dennis

Nor Cal Viper 600 Porter Ave Stockton, CA 95209 Eduardo Munoz Jr

Mossdale Farms 5151 E Almondwoor Dr. Manteca, CA 95337 William R and Lucille E Harris Irrevocable Family Trust/ Kirsten Moorehead/ Keeley Duncan/ Constance Liberato/ Martin Harris/ Melissa King/ Marcia Perkins

El Dorado Pure Water 8032 N El Dorado St Stockton, CA 95210 Samul Sous Bud Porter Construction 2070 N Hwy 99 Acampo, CA 95220 Leland Porter

CAVAGNARO’S SHOE REPAIR, LLC “Quality Shoe Repairing Since 1935”

Shining

PROFESSIONAL HAPPY NEW YEAR!

411 Lincoln Center Stockton, CA 95207

Bibs N A Bag/ Skirts N Things 3235 Holly Dr. #2 Tracy, CA 95376 LaTanya Cain

209.477.1578

Valley LP Gas 4695 E Harvest Rd Acampo, CA 95220 Steve Bristow American Promotional Services 1611 Rutledge Way Stockton, CA 95207 Corey Wooden The Auto Lounge 549 E Miner Ave Stockton, CA 95205 McHenry Auto Lounge Inc Mooneez 1120 E March Lane Stockton, CA 95208 Alma Moon

Abstracts of Judgment Antonio Fernandez, aka Antonio C. Fernandez 2187 Sharkon Court Stockton, CA 95210 GCFS, Inc $4,394.12 Angelique Alarcon 1263 Fitzgerald Ave San Francisco, CA 94124 GCFS, Inc $7,572.66 Darshan Singh 280 Lazy Ridge Ave Lathrop, CA 95330 Discover Bank $10,123.24 Pedro G. Gomez, aka Pedro G. Trejo 3610 Oklahoma Ct Stockton, CA 95206 BH Financial Services, LLC $6,869.09 Daniel Rivera, aka Daniel C. Rivera, Sr 1621 Cameron Way Stockton, CA 95207 Unifund CCR, LLC $16,593.66

January 2014 Frank M. Garcia 1118 Graywood Circle Stockton, CA 95209 Portfolio Recovery Associate, LLC $2,117.03 Barbara Small 1734 Palm Ave Stockton, CA 95205 Capital One Bank $3,999.56 Antonio Hernandez 17101 Pacific Oak Ln Lathrop, CA 95330 Capital One Bank $3,796.43 William D. Schmierer 2233 Canyon Creek Drive Stockton, CA 95207 LVNV Funding, LLC $4,407.36 Paul S. Chang 840 Aaron Park Drive Milpitas, CA 95035 Edward Browne $23,440.66 Chen Li Liu 840 Aaron Park Drive Milpitas, CA 95035 Edward Browne $23,440.66

Renee S Kjelaas 1720 E Fremont Street Stockton, CA 95205 CACH, LLC $3,075.74

Steven Ybarra 1732 N. Center Street Stockton, CA 95204 Palisades Collection, LLC $4,475.88

Martin Valencia 3315 Dayton Herzog Lane Stockton, CA 95206 CACH, LLC $12,651.81

Samara R. Isaacs 574 Button Ave., Apt 129 Manteca, CA 95336 Fia Card Services, N.A. $3,168.66

Phillip L. Turturici, Inc 418 Violeta Ct San Jose, CA 95136 Mountain States, etc $111,353.28

Miguel Fajardo 2935 Amherst Drive Stockton, CA 95209 Midland Funding, LLC $3,821.37

Phillip L. Turturici 418 Violeta Ct San Jose, CA 95136 Mountain States, etc $111,353.28

Venus Dutra 2398 Sea Ranch Ct Stockton, CA 95206 Midland Funding, LLC $2,541.93

James E. Williams, dba Metropolitan Press 417 Harrison Oakland, CA 94618 JC Paper $4,455.75

Theodore E. Yaw 517 Park Avenue Manteca, CA 95337 Asset Acceptance, LLC $24,512.72

Tong W. Khamorn 3755 Sanguinetti Lane Stockton, CA 95205 Lobel Financial Corp $6,160.18 Jennifer L. Wilson 543 Liberty Way Stockton, CA 95207 Lobel Financial Corp $8,131.92 Anthony Johnson 4707 Newton Falls Lane Stockton, CA 95212 Atlantic Credit & Finance Inc $7,012.68

Oanh K. Tran 3249 Cathedral Circle Stockton, CA 95212 Citibank, N.A. $6,710.45 Khamphang Vang 9055 Warm Springs Circle Stockton, CA 95210 Discover Bank $10,168.09 Luis Garcia 4378 Roxbury Drive Tracy, CA 95377 Citibank $10,931.26 Nadine Perry 6507 Pacific Avenue #259 Stockton, CA 95207 American Express Centurion Bank $3,834.84

Randall Chan 1830 Bellini Court Stockton, CA 95207 American Express Bank, FSB $11,632.61 Cliff Miller 1910 W. Rose Street Stockton, CA 95203 American Express Bank, FSB $4,955.17 Aida Zamora 6380 Porterfield Ct Stockton, CA 95207 Lobel Financial Corp $3,357.47 Phillip L. Turturici, Inc. 418 Violeta Ct San Jose, CA 95136 Mountain State, etc $111,353.28 James E Williams, dba Metropolitan Press 417 Harrison Oakland, CA 94618 J C Paper $4,455.75 Tong W Khamorn 3755 Sanguinetti Lane Stockton, CA 95205 Lobel Financial Corp $6,160.18 Jennifer L Wilson 543 Liberty Way Stockton, CA 95207 Lobel Financila Corp $8,131.92 Anthony Johnson 4707 Newton Falls Lane Stockton, CA 95212 Atlantic Credit and Finance Inc $7,012.68 Frank M Garcia 1118 Graywood Circle Stockton, CA 95209 Portfolio Recovery Associates $2,117.03 Barbara Small 1734 Palm Ave Stockton, CA 95205 Capital One Bank $3,999.56 Antonio Hernandez 17101 Pacific Oak Lane Lathrop, CA 95330 Capital One Bank $3,796.43 William D Schmierer 2233 Canyon Creek Dr Stockton, CA 95207 LVNV Funding LLC $4,407.36 Paul S Chang Chen Li Liu 840 Aaron Park Dr Milpitas, CA 95035 $23,440.66 Steven Ybarra 1732 N Center St Stockton, CA 95204 Palisades Collection, LLC $4,475.88

January 2014

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Quitito 500 7th Street Modesto, CA 95354 Teresa Oliveira Antonio Hernandez R F Cleaning Services 2513 Cook Avenue Modesto, CA 95358 Roumalda Felix R.M. Financial 332 Motor City Ct Modesto, CA 95356 Randall Martin Raynor Real Estate 204 Bruce Ct Modesto, CA 95350 Christopher Raynor

STANISLAUS COUNTY

LEGALS Fictitious Business Names Paradigm Construction Mgmt 3405 Gisborne Way Modesto, CA 95355 Shawn Hemiller Patterson Irrigator 26 N 3rd Street Patterson, CA 95363 Tank Town Media LLC Paul’s Liquor 1021 East F Street Oakdale, CA 95361 Nobal Enterprises LLC Pedro’s Pallets 583 Crows Landing Rd Modesto, CA 95351 Pedro Casillas Perfect Touch, A 14 South 3rd Street Patterson, CA 95363 Paola Estrada Pete’s Auto Repair 2126 L Street #B Newman, CA 95360 Pedro Ledezma Pop N Cork 1190 East Ave Turlock, CA 95381 Karan Inc Print-Rite 593 Hi Tech Pkwy Oakdale, CA 95361 Paul Birmingham Vicki Birmingham Pristine Automotive 451 Sonora Ave., Ste K Modesto, CA 95351 Yury Grokholsky Professional Finishes 1620 Bryn Mawr Way Modesto, CA 95358 Zachary Butler Pursuit Ready, LLC 2104 Shaddox Ave Modesto, CA 95358 Pursuit Ready LLC

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Reed Auto Sales Inc 5 Reed Rd Oakdale, CA 95361 Reed Auto Sales Inc Rejuvenating Touch 14 3rd Street Patterson, CA 95363 Julee O’Rand Renee’s Day Spa 1212 McHenry Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Renee Matias

Selective Consignments 1325 McHenry Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Kimberly Deneau Servin Services 157 S Sierra Ave Ste C Oakdale, CA 95361 Carolina Servin Shadows Auto Body 522 South 9th Street Modesto, CA 95351 Roberto Ceron Sierra West Land Surveying, Inc 1359 Sand Hill Ct Oakdale, CA 95361 Sierra West Land Surveying Inc Signature Glass Services 1872 Ackley Circle Oakdale, CA 95361 Shower Doors & More, LLC Skinfinite Solutions Medical Spa and Laser Center 220 West Orangeburg Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Lars P Enevoldsen

River View Manor 866 Reinman Ct Oakdale, CA 95361 The Golden Years InHome Care

Skye Residential 524 E Union Ave Modesto, CA 95356 Saudia Whitaker Derek King Jenny Khin

Roadhog BBQ 2954 Rocky Lane Riverbank, CA 95367 Debra D Montez

Smart Stop Food Mart 6943 Maze Blvd Modesto, CA 95358 JSN Foods Corporation

Round Table Pizza 3848 McHenry Ave Modesto, CA 95356 Round Table Development Co

Soderstrom and Sons 331 N Faith Home Turlock, CA 95380 Ramon Gonzalez Bernaldez Jose Angel Soto

Round Table Pizza 2401 E Orangeburg Ave Modesto, CA 95355 Round Table Development Co RPM – Rushing Property Mgmt 600 E Main St., Ste 300 Turlock, CA 95380 Scott James Rushing Sassy My Designs 2013 Floyd Ave Modesto, CA 95355 Mylena Shovelski Scents of Joy 2700 Marina Dr Apt 67 Modesto, CA 95355 Forrest Bertomen Amanda Bertomen Scheuber Farms 2072 Faith Home Rd Ceres, CA 95307 Anita E Duarte Ernest Paul Shecuber, Trustee of the E&M Leo A Scheuber, Trustee for Scheuber Revo John R Scheuber Pius J Scheuber William A Scheuber

Source One Financial 121 Rue De Yoe Modesto, CA 95354 Parcaut Real Estate Group Inc Sparkling Galaxy Projects and Investments 3425 Princeville Ln Modesto, CA 95355 Margaret L Boseh Nelson N Boseh

Strands Salon and Boutique 460 Yosemite Ave Ste 6 Oakdale, CA 95361 Delynn Easley Amber Lynn Gaynor Sugar Freese Cookies 4212 Reunion Ct Modesto, CA 95356 Michael Freese Lois Freese Sunblest Valley Markets 3401 Dale Rd #447 Modesto, CA 95356 Marion Bogdanich

Unlimited Mobility 611 Galaxy Way Modesto, CA 95356 Unlimited Mobility Valley Gadgets 5105 San Michele Drive Salida, CA 95368 Barbara J Zavela

Swirling Arrow Pack and Harness Repair 428 Snow Spring Court Waterford, CA 95386 Edward Costa

Valley Wealth, Inc 1101 Sylvan Ave Ste C203 Modesto, CA 95350 Valley Wealth Inc

Talking 4 U Interpretation 4721 Third Street Empire, CA 95319 Jose L Urzua Taste of the Valley 3401 Dale Rd #447 Modesto, CA 95356 Marion Bogdanich Tbasco 512 River Road Modesto, CA 95351 Rayco Industrial Supply Team Real Estate 3413 Lancashire Lane Modesto, CA 95350 John Patrick Wolfe Amy R Wolfe Tiger Express Chevron 977 S Yosemite Ave Oakdale, CA 95361 Barpy Enterprise Inc Tino & Sons Tree & Yard Service 817 Imperial Ave Modesto, CA 95358 Constantino Cruz Nolasco Top 40 Styles 2915 Nicholas Way Ste A Modesto, CA 95355 Artin Khatchadourian TopTenCellular #2 1940 Crowslanding Rd #5 Modesto, CA 95350 Prisciliano Valencia

Spotlight Security Service 2665 E Canal Turlock, CA 95380 Spencer Davies

Total Care Windows 637 Tully Road Modesto, CA 95350 Albert Ramon Ell

Steelhead Vineyards 502 E Whitmore Ave Modesto, CA 95358 G3 Enterprises Inc

U-Call, I Haul 2133 Park Ridge Drive Riverbank, CA 95367 Tony Dale Phillips

Sunfashion 2915 Nicholas Way Ste A Modesto, CA 95355 Artin Khatchadourian

Speedy Legal 118 W Orangeburg Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Kristin Close

Stacktek 1661 N Raymond Ave Ste 295 Anaheim, CA 92801 Stacked Wines LLC

Turlock Senior Citiazens Apartments 691 Alpha Road Turlock, CA 95380 John George Rowena Ballard Ingrid Balisha

Touch of Earth Sustainable Landscape Services 3708 Affirmed Drive Modesto, CA 95355 Garrett Talbot Williams True North 5718 Rose Hill Ct Riverbank, CA 95367 Lawrence David Finley Matthew David Nethercott

Village Yoga Center LLC 1700 McHenry Ave Ste 66C Modesto, CA 95350 Village Yoga Center LLC Volvo Service 4360 McHenry Avenue Modesto, CA 95356 Mountain View Securities Inc We Pay More Cash 4 Gold 2915 Nicholas Way Ste A Modesto, CA 95355 Artin Khatchadourian West Coast Diesel Repair 1020 Noarco Drive Modesto, CA 95356 Amarjit Singh Bahia Chhinder Kaur Bahia White Fenix Tattoo 6724 E Whitmore Ave Hughson, CA 95326 John Russell Luis White Fenix Tattoo 6724 E Whitmore Ave Hughson, CA 95326 Jason Eddie Shirley Wilkinson Electric 7020 Kings Mill Ct Riverbank, CA 95367 Desiree Joanne Wilkinson Wooldridge Softball Academy 4629 Spyres Way Modesto, CA 95356 Melissa Anne Whitehead Working Man’s Autobody 1555 Whitmore Ave Ste B Ceres, CA 95307 Paul Hernandez Xpress Recycling 1631 Yorktown Ct Turlock, CA 95382 Elizbeth Cabrera Yummy T’s 4763 Dale Road Oakdale, CA 95361 Rodney Duane Koch

1 Ten Fitness 5033 Pentecost Drive Modesto, CA 95356 Giovanni Baptista Podesto 722 Auto Works 827 Stoddard Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Elias Francisco Amaya A & M CPA Group 3509 Coffee Rd #D-11 Modesto, CA 95355 David McCoy A Clear Choice Pool Service 1737 Mark Mead Ln Modesto, CA 95356 Falina Van Lewen A-1 Hanyman’s 10904 Pioneer Avenue Oakdale, CA 95361 Elaine Moreno A.H. Elegant Granite & Stone 1419 Angle Ave Modesto, CA 95351 Philip Chawshin Hermiz Gorges A.S. Carriers 2309 Wise Oak Lane Ceres, CA 95307 Avtar Singh Sangha Abbetter Smog 1100 N. Golden State Blvd Turlock, CA 95380 Mark Robert Greeson Cynthia Lee Greeson Abel’s Smog Repairs 5440 Antique Rose Way Riverbank, CA 95367 Abel Chavez Accurate Claims Service 4220 Pleminin Court Salida, CA 95368 Judy L Wohler Ryan Wohler Advantage Welding and Manufacturing 617 Galaxy Way Modesto, CA 95356 Joshua Baliel Agapeafrica 1011 Enslen Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Hannah Mollath All About Flooring 1006 S Rose Street Turlock, CA 95380 Kathleen J Wichmann All Clear Pool Service 11342 Valley Oak Drive Oakdale, CA 95361 James A Smith Amar Recycling 1536 South First Street Turlock, CA 95380 Amarjit Singh Mamta Bola American Home Stop Tow Truck 1909 Sage Court, #A Modesto, CA 95355 Sayed Ahmad Ahmad

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2014