Progress November 2022

forGrateful You!

ank you to our loyal customers and friends for your continued trust and patronage. When we opened our doors in 1867, our goal was to provide the highest level of service and innovation for our customers. at commitment remains today.

We are grateful for the relationships we’ve built and are committed to providing you with the tools, convenience and service to help families and businesses grow, succeed and ourish throughout the many communities we have the pleasure of serving.

ank you for being a part of our Bank of Stockton family. Happy holiday season!

Mission stateMent

The

executive coMMittee

Chairman - Michael Gaffney,

Past Chairman - Steve Rank, Rank

Vice Chair, External Operations - Michael Moradian Jr. - Peace

Vice Chair,

Gillum Pat Gillum CPA

-

Chairperson Elect - Kirstie Boyett Zacharias,

Director at American

ForumGreat Valley Chapter

board of directors

Garrett Ardis- Huff Construction

Dennis Bettencourt - Blue Diamond Growers

Brad Blakeley, Edward Jones Investments David Halvorson Jr.

Debra Hendricks - Debra Hendricks Consulting

Amy Jefferies - Gianelli Nielsen

Warren Kirk, Doctors Medical Center

Rachell Le Viege - Lift-A-Hand

Eric Mangal, Grimbleby Coleman CPAS Inc. Brian McDermott

Kymber Miller- Sysco Central California

Peggy O'Donnell, Mid-Valley

Edgar Perez - F&M Bank

Jason Pineda, Freshpoint

Bill Robinson, Principal Financial Group

Kari Santos - I.J. Larsen Pumps

DeJeune Shelton- Modesto Junior College Madhu Singh, Bank of Stockton John Villines- Modesto Gospel Mission

Trish

A Message From The President & CEO

Education, arts and culturE

By Trish Christensen

Canyou believe the “new” school year is in its third month already? Here we are, well into fall. We have autumn colors, cooler temperatures, crisper air, and shorter days surrounding us. Park and school fields have soccer practices and games taking place throughout town. Marching band practices can be heard around our high schools. Football stadiums have stands filled with laughter, cheers, music, and school spirit during football games. It is a fun time of year for our students.

This year, November also marks the end of a robust election season. Leading the Modesto Chamber alongside our Executive Committee, our Government Relations Council leadership, and our Modesto Political Action Committee through such an energetic election was a true learning experience for many of us involved. I’d simply like to say: I am proud of the work we did. This group of current leadership and staff came together and invited the candidates who ran for Modesto Irrigation District seats to in person interviews. We invited the candidates that ran for State Assembly, State Senate, and City Council to participate in our Candidate Forum held jointly with Opportunity Stanislaus.

We invited the above and those running for our new Congress districts to participate in our written interviews. We shared responses in print here last month and on our website. I found all candidates and measure advocates to be passionate about their causes and perspectives.

They were also protective of our community and willing to invest of self to make a difference for their various stakeholders and constituents. We weighed in on Measure H and Measure L, made endorsements, and made contributions. It was a heavy lift of work to add to our usual list of tasks and I feel we accomplished it all positively, professionally, equitably, and respectfully.

This fall season brought us fully back to events season! There were returns of longstanding events, some with new twists, and new and unique events were launched. First Friday’s have been in full swing downtown. Our galleries have been open and visited, musicians have been seen and heard around town. Our theaters have full slates of performances on the books, and our theater companies are playing, singing, dancing, and performing for audiences in person. In other words, there has been plenty of opportunities to stay busy and to socialize.

The Boys and Girls Club, for which I proudly hold a board seat, opened its doors for a Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce mixer. At its new location on Sunset Avenue, they celebrated Hispanic Heritage month with a wonderful variety of food choices and a beautiful performance by Danza Aztecs Kuauthli dance group. Leaving that event, I saw many children of various ages at the top of the Dryden Golf course. They are all participants of First Tee of the Central Valley. I recently learned they serve children in four counties: Stanislaus, Merced, Mariposa and Tuolumne. Such a fun sight with so many kids out there swinging clubs. First Tee and Boys and Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County will be partnering on some shared activities for kids in their programs at that location very soon.

If you have free time and want to get out for fresh air, consider getting a group of family or friends together for a bike ride or walk on the Tuolumne River Trail, Virginia Trail, Dry Creek Trail, or visit any of our other wonderful parks to toss a frisbee or fly a kite on a breezy day. My encouragement to you is to enjoy the season while it is here with us. I wish you and those who matter most to you, a very Happy Thanksgiving~

With warm regards, Trish

Each member of the Chamber is important, no matter the size of business. We desire for local businesses and organizations to succeed and thrive. To reach this goal we provide exposure, opportunities to engage with Regional Electeds and community partners, as well as networking with businesses and organizations across industries. We work to better our community by providing up-to-date education and training, certifying qualifying businesses as Green, and providing advocacy on City, State, and Federal levels. The Chamber is a family of dedicated professionals striving to make a difference in their business and way of life. Whatever your business needs are, we invite you to join us.

C - Community

At its heart, the Modesto Chamber is a community of like-minded business owners who share the vision for enjoying a thriving economy and creating and maintaining our community as a vibrant place to live, work and play. With over 100 years of history and experience in the Greater Modesto Area, we understand what it means to be a business owner and customer in our community, with featured events such as local and regional forums, Ag Aware, Harvest Luncheon, and Family Day. Chamber members get the opportunity to actively engage in and influence the community they live and work in.

A - Advocacy

The Modesto Chamber supports local businesses and is an active advocate for the common interest of its members. The Chamber has an Economic Development Committee and a Government Relations Council. These advocacy committees are dedicated and proactive in representing our members and community. They work to address business initiatives and relieve the regulatory burdens businesses face may face. The Chamber is also honored to certify local businesses and organizations through our California Green Business Network Stanislaus Program. Through this we create more conscientious and sustainable ways of life while lowering the cost of doing business for our community and future generations.

R - Relationships

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce specializes in building relationships and serving as the nexus to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies. With over a dozen Committees, Programs, and Events in which our members can participate, the Chamber offers ample opportunity to meet and connect with other business owners in our community. As a relational organization, the Chamber works with its members to ensure the opportunity to connect and grow in every niche and industry to help build and cultivate long-lasting relationships among business owners and community partners alike.

E - Education

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce values education and offers members the opportunity to stay on the leading edge with new and emerging information and training that will set your business apart from the rest. In partnership with Modesto Junior College, the Chamber is pleased to offer an assortment of trainings applicable to any business or industry for credited completion through our Chamber University platform. Our Chamber also works with members to provide a platform to speak to their own industry expertise and invite other members to learn from those leading our local industries.

S - Service

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce offers its members a wide range of opportunities to promote and engage their business across industry and community lines. The Chamber Weekly E-Blast, Website, and our Progress Magazine provide opportunities to advertise and promote your business, keep up to date with articles about local businesses in our community, and stay in the loop about up-and-coming Chamber and community events. Our Chamber also offers indemand materials, such as Member contact list, Federal and State compliance posters, export document services, and so much more. Chamber members can also personalize their business profile within our website and have access to our Member-Only Information Center, where members can connect with other members, boost their social media presence, promote job postings, public events, and member-to-member discounts.

To execute our adopted mission we have developed an acronym that helps keep us focused. That acronym is “CARES: Community, Advocacy, Relationships, Education and Service.”

People on the Move

Francine Foley is the new Executive Director of Golden Valley Health Centers Foundation. She will lead fundraising, donor and resource development, donor relations, and overall foundation operations. Francine brings over 20 years of experience in non-profit organizations, in addition to 20 years of experience in the medical field. She is a member of Modesto Metro Rotary and serves on the Board of Enrich and Employ.

She has been involved with many committees and collaborations throughout Stanislaus County.

Francine loves non-profit work and thrives on helping improve the lives of those in our community.

Francine Foley

second harvest of greater Valley helps feed Community

BY JESSICA VAUGHAN

What if you didn’t know where your next meal was coming from, let alone how you would provide a traditional holiday meal for your family? For more than 6,000 families last year, that was a stark reality, and this year the need will be even higher as inflation continues to impact food costs. For these families, the holiday help that Second Harvest of the Greater Valley (SHGV) and their food pantry partners provide is much more than a holiday meal.

It’s a chance at normalcy, proof they are not alone, and hope during a dark and difficult time. Thanksgiving at the food bank is a perfect depiction of the good that can be done when the community comes together to meet a specific need.

For more than 30 years, SHGV, in collaboration with local real estate offices, has hosted “Turkeys R Us,” a fundraiser geared at collecting and purchasing more than 6,000 turkeys that are distributed in the community.

This year with rising costs, less disposable income, and an impending turkey shortage, the concern is that SHGV will not be able to continue meeting needs of those families that rely on SHGV services during the holiday season. “Said, SHGV Director

of Development and Communications, Jessica Vaughan, we have been incredibly fortunate over the past decade to have incredible corporate partners like Foster Farms, Walmart, and Raleys come alongside us and start the process of donations. Our community then steps in and helps us close the gap.

Our fear this year is that rising costs will make donations difficult to come by and lessen our buying power as we look to purchase the amounts we need.” CEO, Keenon Krick, explains that since March of this year, we have seen an increase of 40% more people accessing food bank services, which is on top of the 180% increase throughout the last two you years of the pandemic. The need continues to rise as we head into the winter months, and these holiday meals will be necessary well beyond Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Thanksgiving is a symbolic time for families to reflect on what they are grateful for; for many families, the help they receive during the holidays and beyond from our agency partners and programs is at the top of that list. If you would like to help SHGV continue providing for our neighbors in need, please consider donating to our Turkeys R Us program at www.localfoodbank.org or by dropping off a fresh or frozen turkey, or grocery store gift card at one of our many drives, make sure to follow us on social media for updated information.

For businesses that are looking to sponsor Turkeys R Us, please call Dalia Hernandez-Fernandez at 209-490-5183.

blue Diamond Looks to the Future

Almond harvest is wrapping up in the Central Valley, which means it’s been a busy time for the almond industry, including Blue Diamond Growers. Blue Diamond, a grower-owned cooperative, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. The Cooperative is owned by approximately 3,000 growers, most of which are small, multigenerational family farms. This fall, almonds have and will continue to make their way from the growers’ orchards to Blue Diamond’s three facilities - Sacramento, Salida, and Turlock. At these facilities products like Almond Breeze almondmilk, flavored snack nuts, and Nut Thins crackers will be manufactured and sent to grocery stores and markets around the world. Almonds and almond products will also be sent to major food companies for ingredients in cereal, breakfast bars, candy bars, baked goods, health and beauty products and more. All these products source back to one of Blue Diamond’s growers’ orchards.

Blue Diamond was founded in 1910 and since then, has focused on ensuring its growers can continue growing the highest quality almonds possible. Today, that continues to be true, which is partly why Blue Diamond is heavily focused on sustainability.

Beginning in 2020, the cooperative began incentivizing its growers to implement climatesmart practices within their orchards and has seen significant success through the program. To expand the implementation of these practices on farm, Blue Diamond was recently awarded a $45 million grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The cooperative was one of 70 awardees out of 450 applicants to receive funding through the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Program. These funds will help accelerate the stewardship and climate-smart practices of Blue Diamond’s growers.

The funding will be used to assist growers in expanding implementation of cover crops, conservation plantings, hedgerows and whole orchard recycling. The grant will also fund on-theground practices to not only sequester carbon to combat climate change, but also enhance biodiversity of orchards and soil.

Blue Diamond’s position in the market allows the Cooperative to connect climate-smart almond farms to consumers and customers through its branded almond products and almond ingredients.

And, as Blue Diamond looks to the future, its continued commitment to sustainability is a large part of how it will continue to deliver the benefits of almonds to the world with the best, high-quality almonds possible.

Modesto Irrigation district Water and Power Update

By Stu Gilman, MID Director, Division 4

I appreciated the opportunity to attend September’s Government Relations Council meeting to share a highlevel overview of MID activities, emphasize the benefits of public power for our community – including local control, low rates and high reliability – and highlight some of the water and power challenges and opportunities ahead.

MID continuously monitors weather forecasts and power system conditions closely. We rely on a diverse, balanced mix of resources to meet our customers’ electricity needs. In September, we hit record temperatures in Modesto with nine consecutive days of triple-digit heat. Due to MID’s good planning and the energy conservation efforts of our customers, MID’s system held up very well to this heat and I’m proud we were able to keep our community’s lights on.

California continues to move towards reducing its reliance on natural gas generation, which means utilizing more renewable energy – hydropower, wind, solar.

Current state renewable energy targets require MID to reach 60% by the end of 2030. We’re on track to meet this goal, but continue to look for new opportunities to expand our renewables portfolio.

As more customers are purchasing electric vehicles (EVs), MID offers an EV time-of-use electric rate, as well as a rebate to assist with the cost of installing EV chargers. Customers are encouraged to do more energy intensive activities – such as charging their vehicle – during off-peak periods when prices are lower. Check out mid.org to learn more about EVs, rates and rebates.

On the water side, MID continues to work with the state on the Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement which is the preferred alternative to the unimpaired river flow paradigm adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board in December 2018. The Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement is a package of ready-to-implement solutions to improve the fishery and habitat in the river. Solutions include strategically timed river flows, habitat restoration and sciencedbacked governance.

MID has been reviewing our 2023 budget and policies in a series of Board meeting workshops. We continually search for every way to manage and cut costs. Budget and electric rate discussions will continue this fall.

If you’re interested in learning more about MID or these topics I highlighted, a recording of my presentation can be found on at modchamber.org.

Stu Gilman

Stanislaus Green Team meeting-CALSTArT Programs

BY VALERIE THORSEN, San Joaquin Valley Deputy Director of CALSTART

On September 15, 2022, the San Joaquin Valley Deputy Director of CALSTART, Valerie Thorsen, presented to the Stanislaus Green Team of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce. Her presentation featured voucher programs for zero emission (ZE) vehicles, infrastructure, and off-road equipment. These programs are funded by California Capand-Trade dollars and administered by CALSTART.

The Hybrid And Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) provides point-of-sale incentives for medium and heavy-duty (Class 2b-8) battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles ranging from $7,500 to $240,000 depending on the vehicle type.  HVIP still remains open with $22M available for any eligible vehicle and $48M set-aside for public transit buses (as of 09/2022).

EnergIIZE (Energy Infrastructure Incentives for ZeroEmission) Commercial Vehicles is a $69M incentive project funded through the California Energy Commission and administered by CALSTART and our partners at Tetra Tech and GRID Alternatives. EnergIIZE provides infrastructure incentives for public and private commercial fleets that seek to deploy battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology. EnergIIZE includes four funding lanes: EV Fast Track, EV Jump Start, Hydrogen, and EV Public Charging. The project covers 50-75 percent of eligible infrastructure costs of up to $750,000 for EV charging and $4M for hydrogen.

The California Clean Offroad Equipment (CORE) program provides point-of-sale discount vouchers that reduce the purchase cost of equipment operated in California. Funded equipment includes off-road equipment used at ports, rail yards, distribution centers, freight facilities, construction

sites, and agricultural industries. There are $17.4M available within the program (as of 09/2022).

In November 2022, professional landscaping services in California operated by a small business or sole proprietor also have access to $27M of voucher funds to purchase qualifying zero-emission landscaping equipment.

CALSTART is a non-profit organization focused on developing clean transportation solutions. As the San Joaquin Valley Deputy Director at CALSTART, Valerie helps medium and heavy-duty fleets who are switching to electric or hydrogen fueling, works on electrification and microgrid planning projects, runs the SJV Zero Emission Bus Working Group, and supports statewide outreach on the HVIP, CORE, CMO and EnergIIZE programs in the Valley. For more information, please email vthorsen@calstart.org.

Valerie Thorsen

educational opportunities at Cal-trade Welding school

The school administrator, Robert C. Erwin was educated at Modesto Junior College and received an AA degree in 1972, a certificate of completion in Advanced Layout at Hogan Manufacturing in 1979 and certificates of completion were conferred upon him for Ultrasonic Level I & II in 1981 by KaretkramertrBranson. Mr. Erwin is a certified Welding Inspector QCI-88 from American Welding Society and holds a Certificate of Authorization for service from CCPVE for Director as well as one for Instructors.

The mission of Cal-Trade Welding School of Modesto is to provide educational career programs, which prepare students to succeed in a chosen vocation. At Cal-Trade Welding School of Modesto, a student is provided the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills, self-discipline and self-confidence, a professional attitude, and the ability to meet employer expectations. This institution is a private institution, and it is approved to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and approval to operate means compliance with state standards as set forth in the CEC and 5, CCR.

Cal-Trade Welding offers five courses to choose from Welding Inspection, Structural Welding, MIG/TIG Welding, Pipeline Welding, and the Combination Welding Course which covers Stick Welding, Fluxed Core Arc Welding, Mig, and Tig welding. Find out more about their courses and when they start.

Cal-Trade Welding School our students benefit from hands-on training conducted in professional environment. We provide curriculum devoted to career-related subjects and tasks enabling students to acquire knowledge and skill in course work that relate to their future employment.

Kansas

(209)

Phone: (209) 523-0753

Doctors medical Center Looks back on 60 Years of Serving the Central valley

BY KRISTA DEANS, Communications Manager

Doctors Medical Center has been deeply rooted in our community for more than 60 years and remains committed to providing the finest medical care for the Central Valley.

Founded by a group of physicians, Doctors Hospital of Modesto opened its doors with 56 beds on July 7, 1962. Completion of the South Tower in 1970 brought the licensed bed total to 245. Doctors Hospital of Modesto was renamed Doctors Medical Center in 1979. Doctors Behavioral Health Center was acquired in 2007 to provide inpatient psychiatric care. Valley Heart Institute of Doctors Medical Center opened in 2011, providing specialized cardiology care for heart patients. Darroch Brain & Spine Institute of Doctors Medical Center opened in 2016, providing high-level care for patients with brain, spine, neck and back conditions.

Today, Doctors Medical Center is the largest full-care hospital between Stockton and Fresno, and from the Sierras to the San Francisco Bay Area, with 394 acute care beds and 67 inpatient psychiatric beds. The hospital has nearly 3,000 employees and more than 600 physicians on its medical staff.

“For the last six decades, Doctors Medical Center has become well-known for the excellent, high-quality care we deliver to every person who walks through our doors,” said Jay Krishnaswamy, CEO of Doctors Medical Center. “The tremendous efforts of our physicians, employees, governing board members, volunteers and community supporters have made our hospital the outstanding institution it is today.”

Over the last 60 years, Doctors Medical Center has prided itself on being a hospital of firsts:

1967 – First intensive care units in Stanislaus County open

1980 – First CT scanner becomes available in Modesto

2004 – First verified Level II Trauma Center in the region (American College of Surgeons)

2008 – First in Stanislaus County to introduce the da Vinci Surgical System for robotic surgeries

2011 – First in the region to receive accreditation as a Chest

Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers

2013 – First in California to receive the Mission: Lifeline Heart Attack (STEMI) Receiving Center accreditation from the American Heart Association

2020 – First Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center in the Central Valley

Doctors Medical Center houses a Level III NICU, providing one of the highest levels of care for newborns. The hospital is also home to two residency programs –orthopedic surgery and family medicine –training the next generation of physicians right here in Modesto.

Here is a snapshot of Doctors Medical Center over the last 60 years:

800,000 inpatient admissions 160,000 babies born 20,000 NICU babies discharged 450,000 surgeries 21,000 open heart surgeries

2.5M emergency department visits 140,000 cath lab cases

From preventative and diagnostic services, to expertise in some of the world's leading technologies, Doctors Medical Center’s multidisciplinary team of physicians and healthcare professionals have been dedicated to your good health and well-being for the last 60 years. Here’s to another 60 years of providing excellent, high-quality care for our communities.

Modesto Children's Museum to Open in 2023

By Ivey Mayol, Board Member

Imagine this: an epic 11,000sq ft classroom filled with bright, colorful things meant to be experimented with and explored. A space designed from the ground up by celebrated leaders in early childhood education. An experience that reinforces the importance of science, technology, engineering, math and the arts, but does so seamlessly through the world of play. A place where adventure awaits. Now imagine this place in the heart of Modesto.

The Modesto Children’s Museum is coming (to 928 11th St, the former Fat Cat Lounge, to be exact). With the help of Gyroscope Inc., Simile Construction, RED Inc. Architects and the dedicated Board and committee members of the museum, ground has broken on the project and the team behind it is excited to finally share with everyone what they’ve been developing for the last three years.

Guided by input from schools, educators, community stakeholders and early childhood specialists, the museum will feature two floors of dedicated learning zones, including one specifically for children under age two. Each zone will feature child-led learning experiences and exhibits that compliment and reinforce concepts learned at school in new and exciting ways. This layered-approach to learning has been proven to expand critical thinking skills and increase overall comprehension, leading to more academic success down the line.

Access has always been a top priority for the team behind MoChiMu. All exhibits are designed to accommodate mobility devices, with additional plans to offer reduced-stimulation hours for children who thrive in calmer environments. Reducedcost admission programs will ensure that every child who wants to come to the museum will have that opportunity. Additionally, the museum will feature programming that highlights our culturally rich Central Valley environment. All children will feel welcomed and seen at Modesto Children’s Museum.

As the revitalization of downtown Modesto continues, the goal of the Modesto Children’s Museum is to bring the caliber of a “big city” experience that reflects the vibrant and diverse community of the Central Valley. After raising $7.5m in a private campaign, MoChiMu recently launched their Public Capital Campaign to help raise the final $1.5m needed to open their doors in 2023.

The museum is proud to partner with generous local businesses and families who have become Founding Donors. More heroes are needed to complete the project and welcome children into this one-of-a-kind space!

To become a donor, name an exhibit, or for more information about how you can help, visit their website at www. modestochildrensmuseum.org

bIA Greater valley building Communities

By John Beckman, BIA Greater Valley, CEO

The Building Industry Association (BIA) of the Greater Valley is a non-profit trade association chartered in 1954 that is the advocate for home builders, developers, subcontractors, and related professionals dedicated to advancing the home building industry in Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne Counties.

BIA members build the communities and neighborhoods of the region, we make the American Dream of homeownership a reality.

The goal of our members is to meet the housing needs of our communities and enhance the quality of life for all of those who call the Greater Valley region home.

The BIA works with and engages local government agencies, elected officials and policy influencers to ensure that all locally controlled restraints on home building are removed or mitigated. We take on complex issues that affect home building and/or land development, we promote stable and livable wages, and we are advocates for responsible and efficient land-use and building policies.

The BIA also offers several educational, informative and networking opportunities for our members and the public to learn about innovations in construction and planning, local and national economic trends and just to have fun at activity-oriented events.

Membership in the BIA is open for any company, organization or individual engaged in the home building, land development or ancillary business supplying material or services to the building industry.

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce appreciates your 49 years of membership, Happy Anniversary!

Congratulations to this M onth ' s M ilestone M e MB ershi P s

+ years

F&M Bank

+ years

Five Minute Car Wash Don's Mo B ile Glass s ut C o Constru C tion Co.

20 + years

10 + years

Buil D in G i n D ustry a sso C iation

o ak valley Co MM unity Bank s ierra v ista Chil D & Fa M ily s ervi C es Pension Mana G e M ent Consultants, i n C Gol D en Bear Physi C al t hera P y aM sa s ee D Co MPany Pa C i F i C a s enior l ivin G Mo D esto r o B erts a uto s ales C. a r e D in G Co., i n C y ose M ite l anes s tu D io Warner a nthony Diaz i nsuran C e s ervi C es e uro P ean a uto M otive sP e C ialties Chiesa r an C h

+ years

valley Chil D ren's h ealth C are s to C kton h eat Mo D esto s u B aru Pea C e o F Min D Pest Control

5 + years

n orth Mo D esto k i Wanis Carstar t he Pro F essionals a uto Bo D y Works t hreshol D Co MM uni C ations krvr / kvin

1 + years

Cash-Du D ley & t orres Pro F essional l aW Cor P oration Cosol Co MM er C ial r eal e state Co MM unity s ervi C es aG en C y

years

Burkett's Pool Plasterin G , i n C Choi C e l i G htin G s u PP ly

F&M Bank

Geor G e r ee D , i n C valley oP to M etri C Grou P C su s tanislaus - aG ri C ulture De P t. De G ra FF Develo PM ent, i n C Belkor P a G, ll C J & l Co MP lete a uto M otive r e Pair i n C . h ealth Plan o F s an Joaquin r e P u B li C an Party o F s tanislaus County

valley k ia r oa D Warrior l o G isti C s Chil D ren's Choi C e Dental Care t ri Counties Bank i nternational r es C ue Co MM ittee Bee s kinny i n C

PRESIdENT’S cLub CirCle Of influenCe

Elit E E & J Gallo Winery Kaiser Permanente K E yston E

Beard Land and Investment Co.

Capax-Giddings, Corby, Hynes, Inc., a HUB

International Company

Doctors Behavioral Health Center-DMC

Doctors Medical Center-DMC Frito-Lay Co., Inc.

Pacific Southwest Container, Inc.

Physician Referral Service-DMC

Stockton Heat Visionary

Blue Diamond Growers

Crystal Creamery

Doubletree by Hilton Modesto

EMOE, Division of Parker Hannifin Corp.

Fiscalini Cheese Company

IHeart Media

Modesto Irrigation District

Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball

Sutter Health Valley Area Sysco Central California Inc.

E nthusiast

Alpine Protective Solutions

American Chevrolet American Medical Response Astound Business Solutions Powered by Wave

Atherton & Associates, LLP

Audi Modesto Bank of Stockton

California State University, Stanislaus Care One Home Health and Hospice, Inc.

Central Valley Automotive

Central Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge

Central Valley Nissan

Central Valley Volkswagen Hyundai Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino Clark Pest Control

COIT Services Inc.

Collins Electrical Comcast Del Monte Plant #1 English Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Hospital

Exceed GPR & Locating, LLC F&M Bank

Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC

Food Maxx FreshPoint

Gianelli Nielsen

Gilton Solid Waste Mgmt, Inc. Golden Valley Health Centers Grover Landscape Services, Inc.

Infiniti of Modesto International Paper Co. JS West & Companies Maxx Value Foods

Mister Car Wash Mocse Credit Union Modesto Toyota Nine3One O'Brien's Market

Oak Valley Community Bank Opportunity Stanislaus

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Panelized Structures Inc. Pepsi Bottling Group

PMZ Real Estate Residence Inn by Marriott Modesto North Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. Rose Bouquet

San Joaquin Valley College Save Mart Supermarkets

Seven-Up Bottling Co. of Modesto/Varni Brothers Corporation

Solecon Industrial Contractors

Stanislaus Food Products Co. Stifel Investment Services Storer Coachways

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

The Century

The Farmacy

The Modesto Bee

The Parks Group

TSM Insurance & Financial Services

Turlock Irrigation District Union Bank US Bank

Valley BMW

Valley Children's Healthcare Valley First Credit Union Valley Lexus

Vintage Faire Mall/Macerich Company

Walmart

Warden's Office Products Center Wells Fargo Bank

Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency

Yosemite Foods Inc.

Relationships

Maxi’s restaurant Is Not Just for hotel guests

Story & Photos by VIRGINIA STILL

For locals that may not need to stay at the Doubletree but want to indulge in a tasty meal Maxi’s Restaurant may just be what’s for dinner. Executive Chef Faya Flores has created a menu made with the freshest ingredients and seasonal vegetables that will delight your tastebuds.

The restaurant is open to not only the hotel guests but also to the public from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week for dinner. They serve breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. There are no reservations required.

Chef Flores’ love for cooking began at a young age in Syria where she grew up. After junior high school she selected cooking as a career field over there, which was a field that was male dominated. She attended cooking school for three years where she learned the basics. She spent a couple months teaching at the school and then moved to the United States in 2006.

“So, I was like I love cooking so I am going go for cooking,” expressed Flores, with a smile. “Over there, there was no future for culinary for me. I still was like I want to go there. I enjoy just cooking. I remember when I was a kid the first meal I made was rice. It was white rice and I remember it was a little bit crunchy and salty.”

Spending a lot of time in the kitchen with her mom and wanting to help out the dream of becoming a chef grew for Flores.

Chef Flores has created the menu at Maxi’s and has put her own spin on it with some of the creations having a Mediterranean touch. Since they are a hotel, they serve something for everyone including American cuisine, Italian cuisine, and a Mediterranean fusion. People from all over the globe are guests at the hotel, so it is important to Flores that there is a variety with her special touch.

She said, “I want to make sure that on my menu I am pleasing everybody. Everyone will have something on that menu that they will like.”

Some customer favorites on the dinner menu are the Mediterranean Lentil Soup, Hummus, burgers, crispy spicy wings, and the flatbreads.

The Doubletree Caesar salad comes with romaine, parmesan, grilled crostini, and a house made dressing.

Chef Flores noted, “I know for sure the short ribs with the polenta, people love it. The salmon we sell a lot of it. I think it is a very attractive dish.”

A popular entrée on the menu is the Seared Salmon that is cooked to perfection and served with Greek pilaf, roasted carrots, lemon, and gremolata.

Another guest favorite is the Braised Short Rib tshat are tender and flavorful with a thyme glace, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus that is cooked just right.

“A lot of people do not know that we are open to the public,” stated Flores. “We make things from scratch at Maxi’s. We try to keep everything fresh from scratch. We make our own dressings, our own desserts, and we cut our own steaks.”

photo contributed

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For the fall they will offer some specials, seasonal vegetables and some tasty fall house made desserts.

Flores has a passion for cooking and when she has a large event it is a challenge that she accepts with a smile.

“Blue Diamond is one of my favorite events,” remarked Flores. “I enjoy doing it. They bring me their product and I have to create the menu. I make sure I am using their product in that menu. They want to taste the almonds. I love it. When I am working on their menu, I get excited.

I want to see how it is going to taste and how it is going to look. I love the pressure. I like when you have big parties and you feel the pressure. I love it.”

Flores began her career at Maxi’s in 2014 as a night line cook while working two other jobs. She moved into a full-time role and worked her way to the top.

In the kitchen they are like a family that she loves dearly and cooking for her is not a job. There is never a day she dreads going to work because she is doing something she loves with a crew she loves.

“It is really what I tell to whoever want to start in the kitchen,” said Flores. “You can do it. Nothing can stop you if you want to be something. There is room to grow. I started literally from the bottom. This was always my dream. It was meant to be and I have worked so hard for everything.”

“I want to make sure that on my menu I am pleasing everybody. Everyone will have something on that menu that they will like.”

- Maxi’s Executive Chef Faya Flores

How Sweet It Is

BY SABRA STAFFORD

As the founder and owner of The Sweet Potato Pie Company, it may be surprising to learn that Catrice Prince-Claxton was not known as the baker in her family. That honor belonged to her grandmother Delores Prince, who routinely bring out her recipe book and create desserts that delighted her family and friends.

Prince passed in 2003 and her recipe book went to Prince-Claxton, who tucked it away until two years later, when a feeling of nostalgia came over her and she took it down to try her hand at her grandmother’s sweet potato pie and pecan pie. It has proven to be a pivotal moment in her life. It was a hit among those that tasted it and launched her career path into a new direction.

“My whole family and friends were beating down my door to get some for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Prince-Claxton said. “So, I found myself with a whole lot of orders.”

She was still working her full-time job, but when circumstances changed and she began spending more time caring for her granddaughter, the idea of making and selling the pies started to take shape.

Through lots of careful planning and hard work that idea has morphed into a brick-and-mortar retail location with a variety of pies, cakes, cookies and ice creams to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth cravings.

The Sweet Potato Pie Company is located at 2020 Coffee Road Suite C-4 in Modesto. The space may be small, but the taste is big in flavor, from the ever-popular sweet potato pie to new creations, like the ube (purple yam) cheesecake.

With her grandmother’s recipes as the base, Prince-Claxton has made some tweaks and additions to make the pies something unique.

“It’s funny, but I don’t actually remember eating her sweet potato pie,” Prince-Claxton said. “So, I didn’t have any pre-conceived ideas as to how it should taste. Mine are distinctly different. It’s the same recipe but the portions are different.”

And they have been finding favor in the community. Her mixed berry white chocolate cheesecake won the grand prize at the Merced Nut festival.

The sweet potato pies, both the minis and the large, use a graham cracker crust. Some of the treats that can be found in the shop include fruit tarts, carrot cakes, New York style cheesecakes, red velvet Bundt cakes, chocolate chip cookies, cranberry white chocolate cookies, sweet potato pie ice cream, peach cobbler ice cream, pecan pie sweet potato cheesecake and a variety of seasonal selections.

At the shop visitors will find mini pies, cake slices, cupcakes, cookies, and ice cream pints. Whole pies and cakes are typically made to order. Those wishing to order for Thanksgiving should have orders in by Nov. 17 and for Christmas orders need to be in by Dec. 19. To order or learn more about the products, visit https:// thesweetpotatopieco.com.

Holiday Visitors in Modesto: The More the Merrier!

By Kristin Galloway / Business Development Manager for Visit Modesto

Holidays are a time for abundant cheer and good will. This extends out to visitors and travelers as well. The roadways are busier. Retail, event spaces, restaurants, and seasonal activities are bustling. But the extra activity in and around town is not just from locals. It is important to remember why visitors should be embraced and welcomed during the holiday season.

Merriment flows more rampant between November through January. The season of cheer and giving lifts spirits and casts a warm, favorable hue on so many interactions through that timeframe, including visited destinations, organizations, and shops. Modesto has so many unique attractions and events during the holidays including Modesto on Ice, Rockin’ Holidays, Holiday HQ, the Celebration of Lights Parade, and the brilliant arts and entertainment shows done in our venues around town.

Many places within our region and beyond do not and cannot offer the variety and affordability of attractions, shopping, and specialty events/ purchases that Modesto has which is why travelers flock to absorb all the Mo Cheer season has to give.

A merry and bright experience by guests and travelers to Modesto in the holiday season affords a favorable impression for repeat visits.

Therefore, as you are planning your own holiday hustle and bustle, know that visitors will be in and among you through tree shopping, picking the perfect poinsettia, selecting the superb gift, or igniting nostalgic wonder on the ice rink, embrace the holiday magic for you and others and remember that Modesto holiday visitors really means more merriment now and throughout the year.

Why Community Service is Important for your brand Image

By Kathryn Kim Ramos, Sisbro Innovation Online Marketing / Modesto, CA

It doesn't take long to see why community service is essential for your company's brand image. Who wouldn't want to support someone who gives back to their city?

While some argue that any publicity is good, some may differ. Consider these points if you've been on the fence about community service.

Prove Your Passion

Every company says they want to improve their city, but most stop at hiring. Beyond that, maybe a company or two writes a check during the holidays.

Volunteering your time throughout the year proves your commitment and introduces your community. Volunteering could be your "in" to becoming a sponsor or joining events.

Consumers know when they see a genuine commitment from a volunteer versus who is only pretending.

They will respect a company that takes volunteer work seriously over those that don't.

Avoid Looking Greedy

The public doesn't view record profits favorably when only the CEO reaps its rewards. Investing in community service measures goes a long way toward achieving "good guy" status.

You may begin with your immediate staff and partners and which organizations they support. People appreciate supporting local efforts instead of only national charities.

Starting locally also avoids looking like you only support well-funded programs. Your customers will also appreciate seeing their dollars going back to the community.

Welcome Potential Employees

Companies in specialized fields, such as coding, can connect with future employees. By offering in-person or virtual gatherings, you can begin recruitment early.

You can still begin outreach efforts even if you work in a general area. Contact a local school to start an after-school program or even a summer camp.

Most people don't plan for careers from a lack of exposure.

Opportunities to learn valuable skills appeal to any age, making for effective recruitment. No matter how you volunteer, however, the point is your business (and you!) will be better for it.

For more information on managing your online presence, go to www.sisbroinnovation.com or call Sisbro Innovation at (800) 291-9102

Child and Family Services is Here for You

By Tony Jordan, Executive Director, Stanislaus County Office of Education’s Child & Family Services Division

Are you or your employees looking for childcare?

Stanislaus County Office of Education's (SCOE) Child & Family Services (CFS) Division staff has access to a vast network of childcare providers in Stanislaus County! Are you looking for an educational program that provides the fundamentals for a child to succeed in school? CFS can also help with that by enrolling a student in an early childhood education program like Head Start or California State Preschool. Are you new to parenting? SCOE's Home-Based Educators in Early Head Start will support you in gaining critical skills and knowledge to benefit your family's wellbeing. In short, CFS is here for you and the child development needs of your family!

Child & Family Services is a division within the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) that works with families and their children to provide these exceptional and much-needed services to the community. SCOE staff arrive at work each morning dedicated to helping Stanislaus County residents access childcare and other early childhood education services. We provide comprehensive and high-quality early education for young children by providing positive learning experiences that will influence them to become confident and successful future versions of themselves. We embrace partnerships with parents and recognize the crucial importance of parents having a say in their children's education. We provide highly trained and professional staff to help with the needs of families while encouraging an inclusive environment in all our programs.

Services can be at no cost or low cost to a family. Staff can identify programs that best meet a parent's needs.

A family of four making less than $96,000 a year qualifies for the voucher program.

And there is no-cost for families with lower incomes enrolled in Head Start childcare programs.

Apply for one of the programs today!

*Head Start - serves children between the ages of 3-5

*Early Head Start - serves pregnant women and children 6 weeks to 3 years of age

*Migrant/Seasonal Head Start – serves families working in agriculture

*CA State Preschool – serves children between the ages of 2.7 -5

*Child Care – serves children between 6 weeks to 12 years of age

*Resource & Referral – support childcare providers

*California Alternative Payment Program – serves children birth to 12 years of age

To learn more, call 209-238-6400 or look online at www.findchildcarestanislaus.org.

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