Progress Magazine - Novermber 2019

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

VOL. 40 | ISSUE 11 | NOVEMBER 2019

NEW FACE OF BUSINESS 40 YEARS OF CARING RIBBON CUTTINGS

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

MISSION STATEMENT

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to serving the greater Modesto Area, regional businesses and community prosperity through advocacy, collaboration, access to leaders, economic development, connectivity and business education.

NOVEMBER 2019 | CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman

Steven Rank, Rank Investigations and Protection, Inc.

Past Chairman

Eric Tobias, F&M Bank

Vice Chair, External Operations

Tom Nielsen, Individual Member

Vice Chair, Internal Operations

Patricia Gillum, Patricia A. Gillum,CPA

DIRECTORS

Brad Blakeley, Edward Jones Investments Kirstie Boyett, The State Theater Michael Gaffney, PG&E Michael Howell, Blom & Associates Warren Kirk, Doctors Medical Center Naomi Layland, Huff Construction and Ardis Farming Craig Lewis, Lewis Capital Advisors DeSha McLeod, Community Hospice Inc. Kathy Monday, Squeeze In and Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios, Pacher & Silva Michael Moradian, Jr., Peace of Mind Pest Control & Home Inspections Peggy O’Donnel, Mid-Valley Productions Kristin Reza, Bank of Stockton Bill Robinson, Principal Financial Group Lucy Virgen, Bank of the West David Wright, Wright Insurance Company Pete Zahos, Sysco Central California

ADVISORS

Keith Boggs, Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office George Boodrookas, Modesto Junior College Melissa Williams, Modesto Irrigation District

Sharing Business Space

COMMUNITY

Oktoberfest

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Trish Christensen, Interim CEO/President Modesto Chamber of Commerce tchristensen@ModChamber.org

Publisher: Modesto Chamber of Commerce

209.577.5757 • Progress@ModChamber.org www.ModChamber.org

209.634.9141 • hvanderveen@209magazine.com

VOLT Institute

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Distribution: 209 Magazine 209.634.9141

Advertising Sales:

209 Magazine dsavage@209magazine.com 209.577.5757 Modesto Chamber of Commerce 209.577.5757

Interim CEO Message

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Chamber Calendar

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Gala Nominations

ADVOCACY

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Transit Center

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Green Team

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Member Anniversaries

EDUCATION

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Leadership Modesto

SERVICE

Cover Photo By: Virginia Still © Copyright 2019 Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

Some parts of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted, however, we require that permission be obtained in writing.

209.577.5757, Progress@ModChamber.org

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RELATIONSHIPS

Graphic Design: 209 Magazine 209.634.9141 • www.209magazine.com Printer: 209 Magazine

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Keeping It Local

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Staff: Membership Coordinator, Sabrinna Gonzales Staff Accountant, Jaime Lastra Administrative Assistant, Hope Gyorfi

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Haven Youth Center

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in

this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

Sam And Dave's

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PROGRESS MAGAZINE 1114 J Street • Modesto, CA 95354 209. 577.5757 • Fax 209. 577.2673 www.ModChamber.org • Progress@ModChamber.org

NOVEMBER 2019

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A Message From The Interim President & CEO SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM

By Trish Christensen

It always amazes me how jam-packed autumn becomes the moment summer comes to an end. It quickly becomes filled with fall fun and activities, and tons of events! My friend John Villines commented to me recently, “You can’t throw a rock without hitting a non-profit fundraiser this time of year around here.” That is so true, and a true testament to the compassion and generosity of our community.

Here at the Chamber, over the next several weeks we will be closing in on the last of our fall events schedule! We are excited as we look forward to this year’s Disney Institute – Quality of Service event taking place Thursday, November 21st. Once again this will be held at the Modesto Junior College West Campus.

We have just a few more business before and after-hours events lined up, one of which is a yearly happening at Bank of the West, in conjunction with I.J. Larson Pumps, Inc. as their way of wrapping up their tradition of an annual Toys for Tots drive.

Our last Stanislaus Green Team will take place November 14th, and feature speakers from Blue Diamond Growers. We will then have one more Chamber U in December featuring Rich Matheson. Rich is MNC’s Digital Fulfillment Director and he will be speaking on ‘How Businesses Can Create Audience Engagement Campaigns’ to close out the year. Make sure to glance at the list of calendar dates so you don’t miss any of our great opportunities!

Our annual members choice nomination window is now open! This is your opportunity to nominate businesses, people, and organizations who you feel should be considered for recognition for their time and efforts in 2019. The overview can be found within this edition. Please go to our website to download the form, see Gala sponsorship opportunities, and to reserve your seats. Being nominated alone is such a compliment … I encourage you to take the time to nominate someone you feel is worthy.

As you flip through these pages, you will also find information on the 2020 Business Directory. PLEASE make a point to verify your business listing information. Either log into your member profile, call the office, or email us at mccreception@ modchamber.org. We will help you verify your information and make sure you can access your member profile. Our member’s database is quite a powerful tool. Please let us help you take advantage of what you can do within it.

COMMUNITY

About the time this edition is landing in your mailboxes, a link to a survey will be arriving in your inboxes. One survey, speaking directly to our members, will come to you from the member’s database. A separate community perspective survey will arrive to our broader based members, partners, and followers via our constant contact database. How better for us to learn and understand the needs, wants, and vision of our members and community, than by asking? The staff and I look forward to learning and developing goals from what you share with us.

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As a thank you for your time participating, each name we receive a completed survey from, on or by November 29th, will be entered in a drawing for 4 tickets to a Stockton Heat home game this season, based on ticket availability.

I would very much appreciate hearing from you…

Please don’t forget to register for Disney Institute! Space is limited!

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

We’re Committed to Local and Diverse Suppliers At Kaiser Permanente, we want local economies to thrive.

That’s why we leverage our purchasing power to buy goods and services from local, small and diverse-owned businesses.

Kaiser Permanente spent almost $2 billion with diverse suppliers last year. If you would like to raise your visibility for future procurement opportunities, register your business in our Supplier Portal today!

Register your business at supplierdiversity.kp.org

NOVEMBER 2019

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CHAMBER CALENDAR NOVEMBER AMBASSADOR & WELCOME TEAM MEETING 1 Modesto Chamber of Commerce*

DECEMBER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 4 Update General plan & downtown vision

8:00 A.M.

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CHAMBER U- MNC DIGITAL How businesses can create audience engagement campaigns Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 12:00 P.M.

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AMBASSADOR & WELCOME TEAM MEETING Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 8:00 A.M

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BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS – TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE Bank of the West & IJ Larson Pumps 901 H Street, Modesto, CA 7:30 A.M.

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thomas Reeves- Update strategic plan process Modesto Chamber of Commerce** 12:00 P.M.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Wise Guys PC 3600 Sisk Rd Suite 2F, Modesto, CA 5:30 P.M.

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STANISLAUS GREEN TEAM *Dark for December

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DISNEY INSTITUTE 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto, Ca 95358 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE *Dark for December

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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Veteran’s Foundations of Stanislaus County 3500 Coffee Rd Ste 15, Modesto, CA 5:30 P.M.

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CHRISTMAS EVE- HOLIDAY *Office CLOSED

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THANKSGIVING DAY- HOLIDAY *Office CLOSED

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CHRISTMAS DAY- HOLIDAY *Office CLOSED

HOLIDAY CONT. - DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING *Office CLOSED

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CHAMBER U- HIRE UP STAFFING SERVICES How to react during a hiring crisis: Replacing a key position Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 12:00 P.M.

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VETERAN'S DAY - HOLIDAY *Office CLOSED

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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS External Resources 2937 Veneman Avenue, Suite A-210 5:30 P.M.

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STANISLAUS GREEN TEAM – BLUE DIAMOND GROWERS Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 12:00 P.M..

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COMMUNITY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Update General plan & downtown vision Jaylen French Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 7:30 A.M.

Kelly Talant Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 7:30 A.M.

*See website for more detail. Please note that calendar events and details are subject to change. **The Modesto Chamber of Commerce is located at 1114 J St., Modesto

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

MISSION The Modesto Chamber of Commerce to serving theArea, greater MISSIONSTATEMENT: STATEMENT: The Modesto Chamber of Commerce is dedicatedistodedicated serving the greater Modesto regional businesses community prosperity through advocacy, collaboration, access to leaders, MISSION The Modesto Chamber of Commerce isthrough dedicated to serving the greater Modesto Area,STATEMENT: regional and businesses and community prosperity advocacy, collaboration, economic development, connectivity and business education.

Modesto Area,economic regional businesses and community prosperity through advocacy, collaboration, access to leaders, development, connectivity and business education.

Toour execute our adopted mission have developed an acronym that helps keep us focused. access to leaders, economic connectivity and business education.

That To execute adopted mission we development, havewe developed an acronym that helps keep us focused.

That acronym is “CARES: Community, Advocacy, Relationships, Education and Service.” acronym is “CARES: Community, Relationships, Education andkeep Service.”

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

COMMUNITY

EDUCATION

COMMUNITY

EDUCATION

At its heart the Modesto Chamber is a community of likeminded

The Chamber serves the education community by hosting the

business owners who share the vision for enjoying a thriving economy

annual State of Business and Education event, by fund-raising for local

and creating and maintaining our community as a vibrant place to live,

students at the Ag Aware and Harvest Luncheon annual series, and

work and play. The Modesto Chamber is the go-to resource and

partnering with local schools and colleges to train and educate young

At its heart the Modesto Chamber is a community of likeminded

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. The Modesto Chamber is the go-to resource and

The Chamber serves the education community by hosting the

annual State of Business and Education event, by fund-raising for local

students at the Ag Aware and Harvest Luncheon annual series, and partnering with local schools and colleges to train and educate young

facilitator of ideas and communication for nonprofits, governmental men and women, all in keeping with our pledge to help provide a ready facilitator of ideas and communication for nonprofits, governmental men and women, all in keeping with our pledge to help provide a ready

agencies, and community leaders.

More More than than just ajust business club,club, the the workforce the Chamber Chamber agencies, and community leaders. a business workforcetotoserve serve local local employers. employers. Additionally, Additionally, the Modesto Chamber strives to affect its environment for positive educates its members on practical solutions and best practices through Modesto Chamber strives to affect its environment for positive educates its members on practical solutions and best practices through transformation by supporting change agents in the community. its Progress Magazine articles, monthly Chamber University and Seeds transformation by supporting change agents in the community. its Progress Magazine articles, monthly Chamber University and Seeds ofof Success speaker monthlycommittee committee Success speakerseries, series,workshops workshops and and seminars, seminars, monthly meetings, and SCORE counseling. meetings, and SCORE counseling.

ADVOCACY ADVOCACY

SERVICE SERVICE

Chamber Staff, Board of Directors and many of our topical

Chamber Staff, Board of Directors and many of our topical

committees, such as Economic Development and Government

committees, such as Economic Development and Government

Relations, are engaged and proactively representing our members by

Relations, are engaged and proactively representing our members by

The Chamber believes in service to the community and to its

The Chamber believes in service to the community and to its members. The Chamber Board and staff are active on many nonprofit

addressing business initiatives, addressing issues in our community members. The Chamber Board and staff are active on many nonprofit and government committees, donating their business expertise, time

and working toand relieve regulatory The burdens businesses due as to local statethe governments.

Modesto Chamberendure gets results, to local shown and state Modestomore Chamber gets results, as by governments. recent victoriesThe in forming rational ADA legislation, shown by recent avictories in measure, forming electing more rational legislation, defeating no-growth businessADA friendly candidates, working alongside otherselecting to passbusiness Measure L, a candidates, local self-help defeating a no-growth measure, friendly measure, for our workingtransportation alongside others to and passchampioning Measure L,fora more local water self-help agribusiness, industry citizens. By working together, transportation measure, andand championing for more waterour formembers our are stronger together than they ever be on their own. agribusiness, industry and citizens.

Bycould working together, our members

are stronger together than they could ever be on their own.

RELATIONSHIPS

RELATIONSHIPS

The Modesto Chamber specializes in building relationships among business and serving as the nexus to businesses, nonprofit

The Modesto Chamber in building relationships and specializes governmental agencies.

We hostamong monthly organizations, businessnetworking and serving the special nexusevents, to businesses, nonprofit events, as annual an annual trade show, and our long-running Gala. Membersagencies. also may serve committees or go organizations, and governmental We onhost monthly through the Leadership Modesto program wheretrade they will build longnetworking events, annual special events, an annual show, and term relationships with key leaders in the business world and or go our long-running Gala. Members also may serve on committees

andand government their resources. committees, The Chamberdonating also serves its business individualexpertise, members time by andhosting resources.

Thecuttings Chamber alsointroduce serves itsa individual members ribbon which new business to theby hosting ribbon cuttings introduce new business to the community, valuable and which cost effective (free) amarketing opportunities, community, costworkshops effective (free) marketing exposure valuable to social and media, and training for opportunities, our business partnersto andsocial their associates, and other free andtraining discounted exposure media, workshops and forresources. our business

partners and their associates, and other free and discounted resources.

C - Community

C - Community A - Advocacy

A - Advocacy

R - Relationships

R - Relationships E - Education

COMMUNITY

addressing issues in our community and business working toinitiatives, relieve theaddressing regulatory burdens businesses endure due

ES--Education Service S - Service

throughlocal the community.

Leadership Modesto program where they will build longterm relationships with key leaders in the business world and local community.

NOVEMBER 2019

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CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES OF CARING IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY Community Hospice, a nonprofit hospice provider caring for those facing a serious/life-limiting illness, celebrates their 40 year anniversary, becoming the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider in the Central Valley. From its small, 1979 beginnings in a church attic in Modesto, CA, Community Hospice has grown to meet the needs of our surrounding communities in the Central Valley.

Over the course of 40 years, Community Hospice has provided endof-life hospice care, and developed additional programs, including; palliative care for those facing a serious illness, pediatric care programs, grief support services, children’s schoolbased grief support, Camp Erin® of the Central Valley and community crisis response. The organization also operates the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, a 16 private patient room inpatient hospice facility, a robust education program, Durable Medical Equipment Division, seven Hope Chest Thrift Stores and a Logistics Processing Center. Today, Community Hospice cares for over 3,000 community residents each year through various programs.

“As we celebrate our 40 year anniversary, we are filled with gratitude for all those that have been a part of our organization,” said C. DeSha McLeod, President/ CEO Community Hospice. “Our organization has grown tremendously throughout the years and we are excited for the future and honored to care for our community members in their time of need.”

If you’re not buying crop insurance, you don’t know Jack Farmers and ranchers can now purchase crop insurance for protect themselves against the loss of crops due to natural disasters or the loss of revenue due to declines in the prices of agricultural commodities.

Purchasing crop insurance will reduce your exposure to a variety of risks and bring you piece of mind. If you want to learn more about the programs that are available and how you can benefit, you need to know Jack.

COMMUNITY

MEET JACK Jack Roudebush is a leading crop insurance expert. His combination of industry knowledge and insurance company insight makes him uniquely qualified to help you navigate the intricacies of these programs. Call Jack today to learn how you can minumize your risk and protect your bottom line.

Direct: 209.550.3710 • Mobile: 209.483.0650 jroudebush@capax.com Lic#0B67204

Business Insurance | Group Health | Workers Comp | Home and Auto

capax.com

1.800.94CAPAX • 209.526.3110 Giddings, Corby, Hynes Lic# 0144783

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

What began as an all-volunteer organization has evolved to nearly 300 employees and over 550 volunteers that work together to support the mission of the organization.

To learn more about Community Hospice programs and services or to learn how you can get involved, visit hospiceheart.org or call 209.578.6300.

Kevin Michael Borges

VP, Commercial Banking Officer NMLS #1127551

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce presented its 36th Annual Oktoberfest, October 4th at its new location; The Modesto Centre Plaza. Although some were skeptical of our new location, we had a large welcoming crowd of about 1000 attendees. We may not have been in Bavaria, Germany, celebrating Oktoberfest, but Modesto, California, had eine agroßartige Zeit (A great time).

We had returning live band Gotcha Covered jamming out to a variety of mixed music to keep everyone on their feet. We had a great mix of fantastic brewing companies, a handful of wines to taste, and bratwurst grilled by the Modesto Police Officers Association.

We had a wonderful time watching the fun as our community members came out to enjoy the festival and one another’s company. What a fabulous way to kick start the month. We appreciate everyone who attended and supported our community event, and the many volunteers that participated!

A special thank you is going out to our partners: Rank Investigation Protection Inc., Sysco Central California, The Parks Group, George Reed Inc., and Gotcha Covered. As well as to our sponsors: American Chevrolet, Donaghy Sales, Don FranciscoRizo Lopez Foods, MOCSE Credit Union, PEPSICO, and California Wines. We can’t forget our brewers: Amador Brewing Co., Anchor Brewing Co., Blaker Brewing, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, Dust Bowl Brewing Co., Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Indigeny Reserve, Kona Brewing Co., Lost Coast Brewery, Santa Maria Brewing Co., St. Stan Brewing Co., and Tiogo-Sequoia Brewing Co. Oktoberfest wouldn’t be running 36 years strong if it weren’t for the support of all of you.

Daniel Garcia

(209) 473-6834

Fatima Seward

Commercial Banking Officer

VP, Senior Relationship Manager NMLS #1503193

Barbara M. W. Smith

Sweeny Victoria Youmaran

(209) 333-9648

(209) 373-2531

(209) 944-1520

VP, Senior Relationship Manager NMLS #1568425

(209) 342-5297

Relationship Manager NMLS #883594

A LOCAL BANK HELPING LOCAL BUSINESS SUCCEED

BAC Community Bank MODESTO: 1625 J Street (Downtown at “Five Points”)

COMMUNITY

THREE WORDS …

BEER, BRATS AND MUSIC!

(209) 944-1813

Michelle K. Daniel

VP, Senior Relationship Manager NMLS #1713645

(209) 544-2227

We look forward to seeing you in 2020 for the 37th annual ~ NOVEMBER 2019

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OFFICE SPACE EVOLVES AT NINE3ONE Story And Photos By Virginia Still With the way technology has changed the world we live in today, things continue to evolve with smart watches, smart phones, virtual offices and shared work space. President and Founder Erin Doran has brought this new office concept to downtown Modesto with Nine3One. For those that are working from home or the entrepreneurs that need an office space, this co-working facility may be just what you are looking for. The facility is at 931 10th Street in downtown Modesto.

What is a shared office or a co-working facility? It is a concept that has been flourishing in bigger cities like in Los Angeles or the Bay Area. With frequent trips to LA and San Francisco for business, Doran used similar spaces. She realized that this co-working business works and that there was nothing like it in Modesto. Originally she only needed the first floor of the building and then decided that the upstairs would have their management offices and shared work space.

The co-working facility offers space to multiple businesses with options of private suites, shared areas, and desk nooks. They offer all the amenities that an office should include like private mailboxes, printing station, Wi-Fi, housekeeping, utilities, bathroom supplies, and kitchen that has snacks and beverages.

Doran added that guests can network and collaborate with others at Nine3One and no longer have to work from home alone.

Nine3One has been open now for about a year and has already seen success; there currently is a waiting list to get in on the local concept. The location features a month to month lease with a flat rate that includes all the amenities along with free rental of the conference room. There are 10 private suites, a few small desk nooks and about eight seats available for the shared space.

“We are always considering should we build more nooks, we are always looking at different ways we can accommodate those that are trying to get into our facility,” added Doran. “With coworking it is kind of a stepping stone for a lot of businesses to kind of get their feet wet in being a business owner and running their own business before they can take the plunge and decide that they need their own facility or their own space to take their business to the next level. The others can be lifers and that is okay, too.”

COMMUNITY 10

“It has all the other amenities that otherwise you wouldn’t be able to have like a conference room rental, you have someone who is answering the door all day and directing customers where they need to go,” said Doran. “We are educating people on what co-working is because a lot of people don’t know what it is.”

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

Although the coworking business is her newest venture, Doran is no stranger to business with a photo booth company she started approximately 13 years ago. She previously had a spray tanning company and currently owns a wedding venue right next door called The Century.

The building is multipurpose with a conference room, event room, and a breezeway on the first floor that guests can rent and is available for members. Currently under construction on the first floor is a café and flower shop that is set to open by the end of this year or early next year.

“I feel very fortunate that we have been able to achieve what we have,” expressed Doran. “It has been good and successful and growing.”

COMMUNITY

They also offer virtual offices for those that need a physical address that may be local, out of state or even out of the country.

The building gives these business owners a store front to have mail or packages delivered or for privacy for those that work from home and for business cards, flyers, and websites. Currently they have over 100 active virtual office members.

NOVEMBER 2019

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ANNOUNCEMENTS Kevin And Brian Gini Appointed Co-Ceos Of Collins Electrical Company, Inc. Collins Electrical Company, Inc. (CECI) announced that it has moved to a Co-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) leadership structure, effective October 1, 2019.

After serving nearly 30 years as CEO and President of CECI, Gene Gini will be passing the reins to the next generation of Gini executives. The current ownership consists of Gene & Dianne, Kevin, Brian, and Craig Gini.

Kevin and Brian will succeed their father, serving as Co-CEOs of the large Stockton-based company. Kevin and Brian have been integral members of the Collins team for over three decades and have each served as Vice President and Branch Managers.

“As a family-owned business, it is with great pride that I pass the role of CEO to both Kevin and Brian,” said Gene Gini. “I have no doubt that they will continue to operate CECI with the same core values of Family, Loyalty, Integrity, Reliability, Innovation, Passion, and Social-Consciousness that have driven this company since the beginning. Since 1928, the success of CECI is attributed to the dedication and length of service of our employees.

I am eager to see the new heights that our company will reach under this new generation of leadership.”

Gene, Dianne and Craig Gini will retain their current roles at CECI as Chairman of the Board, Senior Vice President and Vice President/Renewables General Manager, respectively.

Established in 1928, Collins Electrical Company, Inc. is one of the top electrical construction and engineering firms in Northern California with an annual sales volume over $180 million.

2019 Annual Holiday Fundraiser Sponsorship Benefits Presenting Sponsor $5,000 • • • • • •

Represented as our exclusive Presenting sponsorship on all marketing materials and in media outreach Premier logo placement on the back of all event tickets Full page, color ad in event program Digital advertisement at the event Website recognition and link for one year Six tickets to the event

Platinum Sponsor(s) $3,000 • • • • •

Exposure on marketing materials and in media outreach Half page, color ad in event program Color logo displayed digitally at the event Website recognition and link for six months Four tickets to the event

Gold Sponsor(s) $1,500 • • • • •

Exposure on marketing materials and in media outreach Quarter page, color ad in event program Color logo displayed digitally at the event Website recognition and link for three months Two tickets to the event

COMMUNITY

Silver Sponsor(s) $1,000 • • •

Website recognition for three months Quarter page, color ad in event program Two tickets to the event

Bronze Sponsor(s) $500 • •

Company name in event program Two tickets to the event

For additional information about the event or to purchase tickets ($50.00 each), you may contact: Elizabeth Price, Stanislaus Senior Foundation Board President, by telephone (209) 848-2635 or by e-mail stanislausseniorfoundation@gmail.com

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

VOLT INSTITUTE WINS AWARD IN PARTNERSHIPS FOR INDUSTRY & EDUCATION CONTEST

2019 MODESTO CHAMBER’S ANNUAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY & VISITORS GUIDE

The Valley Occupational Learning and Technology (VOLT) Institute was named one of the top 3 programs in the Partnerships for Industry and Education award contest this year, and will be recognized at the 2019 California Economic Summit in Fresno November 7 – 8. In addition to the award, VOLT will have an exhibit during the Innovation Showcase at the Summit and will receive a full page spread in the Partnerships for Industry and Education booklet.

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer its members an annual directory for 2020.

This high-quality table-top edition will serve as an annual magazine, business directory, relocation and resource guide for businesses, visitors and new residents.

“Through our partnership, we now have regional programs that offer specific, technical training currently in high demand,” said Scott Kuykendall, Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools. “By delivering skilled training, VOLT is simultaneously meeting the needs of job seekers and industry.

We are excited to be recognized at the California Economic Summit and also to share the work we are doing with other regions throughout the state.”

With the demand for highly skilled workers increasing, VOLT offers several programs to fill a range of positions, such as industrial maintenance mechanic training, a Supervisor Development Academy, and a Career Accelerator Program, which focuses on communication and ethical standards for employment. The most recent addition to the curriculum is a programmable logic controller training, which is an essential component in the manufacturing industry, and a Senior Leadership Series and Supervisory Development Academy.

“We are honored to receive this award,” said David White, Chief Executive Officer Opportunity Stanislaus. “VOLT Institute has been a great collaboration by partners who are devoted to improving vocational education in our region. The greatest result of our program is the positive impact it's having on families, making it possible for more people to have a great job and better quality of life.”

Each member will receive a FREE print listing, but for additional exposure, print display ads and expanded listings will be available to all Chamber members.

We are pleased to announce that all design, layout and printing is being done by a local Chamber member. The Chamber is proud to “Keep it Local.”

We encourage members to take advantage of this opportunity to bring your business front and center the entire year!

This Business Directory & Visitors Guide will go to print at the beginning of December so it can hit the streets in January. It is imperative that you renew your membership, and verify your information and category is accurate on your member profile by November 30th.

Representatives of our partner, MNC of CA will be in contact with you in the coming weeks to discuss your directory needs. Time is of the essence if you want to advertise. You can also contact the MNC of CA about expanded listings and to advertise by calling one of their offices:

ADVOCACY

The VOLT Institute is a partnership of the Stanislaus County Office of Education, Modesto Junior College, and Opportunity Stanislaus.

The Chamber partners with MNC of CA, publishers of the award-winning 209 Magazine and 209 Business Journal to produce, publish and distribute our annual guide. Thousands of directories will be distributed to local real estate offices, banks, Chamber businesses, new Chamber members, in-room hotel copies and new residents.

Oakdale – 847-3021 Turlock – 634-9141 Manteca – 249-3500

NOVEMBER 2019

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110066tthh AAnnnnuuaall G waarrddss mbbeerrss CChhooiiccee AAw Meem & 22001199 M Gaallaa & NOMINATION FORM Our Mission: The Modesto Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to serving the greater Modesto Area, regional businesses and community prosperity through advocacy, collaboration, access to leaders, economic development, connectivity and business education.

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce “CARES: Community, Advocacy, Relationships, Education and Service.”

To be eligible for a nomination, businesses must be members of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce for at least one full year. Members will be notified of their nomination prior to the event however, winners will not be revealed publicly until the evening of The Gala on February 2, 2020.

A testimonial of 500 words as to WHY your nominee deserves that award is REQUIRED with your recommendation. Once you complete the reverse side of this form and return it to the Modesto Chamber, your nomination is complete. You may also visit our website to submit your nomination online at www.ModChamber.org. The deadline to submit a nomination is December 23, 2019.

Nominee Criteria NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR Nominee must be a consistent example of service to our community in providing goods and services that “improve quality of life.”

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (Awarded to a Company with 25 or fewer on staff) Nominee must show innovation in business practice, have a superior customer service philosophy, and must show overall growth as a company.

COMMUNITY

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (For an Individual) Nominee has displayed exceptional dedication in furthering the mission of the Chamber and enhancing Chamber programs and services.

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CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD (Awarded to a Company) Nominee has shown a continued commitment to promoting the business community’s growth through their donation of time, resources, and personnel, supporting the Chamber’s Mission of business growth.

Please download the nomination form at www.modchamber.org Then Fax: 209.577.2673; Email: tchristensen@modchamber.org; Or Mail: 1114 J Street Modesto, CA 95354;

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

HISTORIC TRAIN DEPOT, TRANSIT CENTER IN MODESTO TO BE RENOVATED

The Transit Center located at 9th and J Streets in Modesto is more than 100 years old, and hasn’t seen a major renovation since 1993 when it was converted to serve the transit system in Modesto. With ACE coming in just a few years, the center will become a true multi-modal center in Modesto providing local and regional bus service and commuter rail service to the Bay Area. The center serves as the main transfer point for MAX, StaRT, Greyhound, and taxi cabs. MAX provides local bus service around Modesto with 17 routes and 2 commuter routes to the ACE station in Lathrop and the BART station in Pleasanton.

The renovation improvements will encompass work on the station and site upgrades outside the building. The intent is to upgrade the facility to make it safer, comfortable, and a pleasant place for people to come and use various public transit options.

MAX Operations Space Expansion The MAX operations center, located in an addition on the south side of the building, will be expanded to accommodate more operations and dispatching space. The single-story addition will have a flat roof, stucco clad walls, decorative vigas. Decorative arches on the east and west sides will repeat those found on the adjacent addition.

Building Interior The building interior involves the most substantial part of the project, which will improve security at the Transit Center, a major concern for people who may be considering public transit. Several interior walls will be removed to accommodate an open floor plan consisting of the current waiting room, the western atrium, the concession area, current women’s restroom, and a portion of the Greyhound operations area. The wall, along with the door and window units, between the public lobby and west arcade will be removed leaving two piers to support the clerestory windows. The modern walls within the northern addition will be reconfigured to provide new restroom facilities and Greyhound operations.

Additional interior cosmetic upgrades will include replacing flooring, repairing and repainting walls and wainscot, updating all light fixtures with LED, retaining the current pendant fixtures, and reconfigure seating in main lobby area. In addition, an electronic display showing real-time route information and other notifications will be installed in the main lobby above the MAX customer service window for passengers.

Building Exterior Several components of the project are planned for the exterior of the building. The building is in need of exterior repair and paint. Color will be selected to be historically appropriate pulling from a natural color palette.

The existing west arcade will become part of the expanded public lobby. The existing exterior doors and wall between the arcade and lobby will be removed, and the arcade will be enclosed with anodized aluminum framed fixed windows in the arches. A pair of aluminum and glass doors installed in the main arch will provide access to the building.

Facility Exterior Spaces The exterior space at the Transit Center between I St and K St will be improved to provide a better venue for waiting passengers. The passenger bus island lighting will be upgraded to LED. The width of the exit into the J St/9th St intersection will be expanded to accommodate another lane. This will enable more buses to depart with each green light. The widening will remove some garden space while retaining the mature trees.

Several technology enhancements will improve the customer experience while waiting for the bus. This includes a new public address system to provide announcements and music, an updated video surveillance system, passenger information displays at each bus bay, and information kiosks. These displays will provide real-time route updates, system announcements and advertising.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

WHEN:November

6 ,2019

WHERE: MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TIME: 7:3OAM SPEAKERS: Topic: Update on Modesto

UPCOMING DATES: DECEMBER: DATE: 12/4/2019 TIME: 7:30 AM SPEAKER: Kelly Talant; General Maerich Properties TOPIC: Update on Comprehensive General Plan and Dowtown Vision

JANUARY: DATE: TIME: SPEAKER: TOPIC:

Transit & AceJaylen French, Community & Economic Director, City of Modesto Topic: Update on Modesto’s Comprehensive General Plan and Downtown Vision

CONNECT WITH US! WWW.MODCHAMBER.ORG

ADVOCACY

The Modesto Area Express system is planning a remodel, rehabilitation and upgrade to the historic Southern Pacific railroad station currently being used as the Downtown Transit Center for Modesto Area Express (MAX), Stanislaus Regional Transit (StaRT) and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) commuter train when it comes by 2023. Funding has been secured from multiple sources, including the Federal Transit Administration, Transportation Development Act and the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

Facebook: Modesto Chamber of Commerce Instagram: @ modchamber Twitter: @ modchamber

NOVEMBER 2019

15

TECHNOLOGY AND SHOP LOCAL: INNOVATION FOR THE FUTURE

By Natalia Budilo In a short period of time the way that Americans conduct daily business and market products has been revolutionized. That is not to say that everything has settled down into a system utilized by all consumers nor is it to say that the foray into the arena of digital marketing has been successful for every business. For the most part the change that has taken place – is here to stay … but is it suitable for every business?

It isn’t just the way we consume products that has been in the limelight. As a society we have been getting educated on recycling, being aware of keeping our air clean and mitigating the use of chemicals in our environment; stopping the usage of paper bags in grocery stores to save a tree – which was quickly followed by the discontinuation of plastic bags to save sea life.

These changes and many other ideas have permeated every level of American life and have spread to nearly every corner of the world.

For the better part of the last 25 years the world has become increasingly conscious of living ‘green.’ So how is consumerism being impacted?

Baby Boomers saw the changes introduced by Big Box stores where the idea was ‘if you drive out of your neighborhood to a distant warehouse, we will sell you items in bulk at sharply discounted prices. We will also sell you luxury goods and large ticket items at a deep discount based on volume purchases made by the store.’ As we all know, ‘Price Club’ took off like a wildfire and as it expanded and grew its offerings and services; it morphed into the big box store we know today as ‘Costco.’

ADVOCACY

The idea was so successful that other competitors appeared in the market place – but none as profitable and as successful as the original. These changes brought about angst in the predecessor businesses that put the local Butcher, Fish Monger and others out of business … the ‘Super Market,’ which in its time also sent small family businesses into panic. To survive against these juggernauts, they too had to change and morph and do a lot of ‘out of the box’ thinking in order to preserve themselves in the American marketplace.

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The entrance of Amazon onto the world stage has sent a reverberation throughout the market that has yet to quell. The flawless and swift incorporation and overlay of its strategy has been built on the monetization of time. The overworked American raising a family while working a 40-hour week – not including commute times – delivers exhausted parents back into their households and if you are a single parent family, more so the exhaustion. If you didn’t spend your entire Saturday cooking for the week, cleaning your residence and running errands all day, you will only have increased your work load for the week ahead and who has time for grocery shopping or any other kind of shopping anyway? Amazon found the loophole in the trap!

It is much easier to sit in your pajamas in front of your computer and scroll page by page looking for the things that will make your life easier, things that you are too tired to actually go out and view for yourself and free shipping begins to bring your goods to your door step.

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

Because you’re not home to receive deliveries, you find yourself at work stressed in a new way that you had not experienced before – counting the minutes and hoping that the porch pirates have not located your stash of goods. If the promised delivery is not there, you now have to deal with customer service provided to you from the Philippines or India and being misunderstood or vice versa, asking them to repeat what they have said to you repeatedly – but almost always, the customer hangs up with frustration and the disappointment of not having been truly acknowledged or the urgency in your voice being disavowed.

Frustration is a component of dealing with the delivery services.

Realizing this is key to how you will promote and develop your small business.

While there is something entertaining about online purchasing, perhaps time isn’t really being saved nor is the environment being helped by the massive use of cardboard boxing which far exceeds paper bags in cost and are made of the same trees as paper. Plastic wrap used to protect the purchases is used in far greater quantities than a single shopping bag that would have carried your store purchases – and must be equally polluting to sea life, one would think.

Every industry and profession are under pressure to change. We have been told that ‘everything’ would one day be online. I don’t know about you, but I am beginning to see the emergence of something different. What is missing is the ‘human connection, personalized service, someone who can assuage your concerns in a meaningful way; the sensory stimulation provided through shopping in person and the satisfaction of selection.’ We want to talk to the Butcher, the Baker and the salesperson who knows their field inside and out. As human beings, we need connection … we thrive with connection!

In my own field there is a movement to eradicate real estate salespeople and use platforms such as Zillow, Redfin and now even Amazon is getting into the arena. I am confident that an excellent Realtor is irreplaceable as much as is an attorney and yes, Web M.D. is NOT your doctor. The personal touch is vital to the successful transacting of real estate! This is an emotional time for all clients. Information on everything can be found on the internet, but knowing how to weave it together and when – can only come through training and experience.

Platforms such as Zillow have a 38% error rate – that’s huge!

Can an Amazon employee coordinate a plethora of services that need to be utilized and additionally know which vendor is vetted and known to be at the top of their field? Do they know who may be problematic? Are they able to access Lenders who are familiar with over 500 loan products available in the market place? Knowing these and other specifics that are derived through local experience and keeping a transaction running timely and smoothly contractually speaking, is a fine art developed over many transaction experiences. Holding an escrow together in a marketplace of back up offers is a major skill built on a foundation of the agents’ personal relationships in the industry! I know that after practicing real estate for 33 years, no two transactions are exactly the same and there is definitely an elegance of practice that results from this knowledge and experience partnered with excellent customer service that no online platform can compete with.

Join us for our up coming Join us for our up coming Green TEAM Meeting Green TEAM Meeting Thursday, November 14th, At NOON Thursday, November 14th, At NOON Taking place in

Join us for ourthe upChamber coming Conference Room

Taking place in

the Chamber Conference Room

Join us for our up coming

Green TEAMLearn Meeting about the Salida Plant

Learn about the Salida Plant

Thursday, November 14th, At NOON Recycling Program

Recycling Program Green TEAM Meeting

Taking place in

Thursday, November 14th, At NOON

the Chamber Conference Room Our guest speaker will be: Our guest speaker will be:

Learn about the Salida Plant

Taking place in

Recycling Program

the Chamber Conference Room

Our guest speaker will be:

Learnthe about the Salida Plant You watch orchard—we’ll Recycling Program watch the numbers.

Our accountants and advisors serve clients in countless fields—including yours. We find unique business solutions so you can focus on the things you do best.

Our guest speaker will be: ADVOCACY

When it comes to growing trust, you can count on us.

Contact us today at 209-527-4220 or gccpas.net NOVEMBER 2019

17

SAM & DAVE’S MARKET BY LA PERLA TAPATIA We invite you to a unique place that has an urban neighborhood market feel in the heart of Downtown Modesto. When you walk into Sam & Dave’s Market you see a variety of snacks, phone accessories, medicine, beverages and so much more! Your nose will be drawn by the aromas from the delicious made to order breakfast burritos and the hot Mexican food in the deli.

As of October 7th, the market opened an hour earlier. Hours of operation are now Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sam & Dave’s Market opened in 2016 by former Councilmember Dave Lopez and Sam Garrett. When Dave Lopez decided to sell the market, La Perla Tapatia’s owner Manuel Villa saw a great opportunity to expand their community footprint by acquiring the market in November 2018. A year later, it is still going strong and evolving their market and menu items to cater to the needs of the downtown community. La Perla Tapatia is a family owned and locally operated authentic Mexican supermarket chain established in 1980. Next year will be their 40th anniversary and what better way to establish their presence in the community than making their mark in downtown Modesto.

Monica Vergara, La Perla Tapatia’s Marketing and Community Relations Manager said, “This unique opportunity has created the ability for La Perla Tapatia to expand into a new market segment.

You can still order the fresh deli sandwiches Sam & Dave’s is known for one day and get a taste of La Perla Tapatia another day.”

The decision to keep the Sam & Dave’s name had a lot to do with keeping things consistent for the market’s loyal patrons, said Vergara. The market has been managed by Vergara to make sure the transition has been as seamless as possible without skipping a beat.

The market brings the convenience of a convenience store to downtown. You can find fresh donuts and pan dulce to complement their signature Sam & Dave’s Market coffee blend created and roasted by Clayton Coffee, a local coffee roaster.

“Our vision for the deli was for it to be an extension of the Crows Landing Road store,” said Vergara.

There’s flavorful carne asada daily and meat options such as chile verde, chile colorado, chicken in creamy chipotle sauce, and chicken fajitas that can be added to tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, or quesadillas. Tamales season is here, but you don’t have to worry when the season is over because you can order your tamales all year around.

Come in and enjoy a book from Sue’s Corner located in the corner in their dining/lounge area while you enjoy your breakfast or lunch. If you are looking for a place to have a meeting, this is a great space. The market also hosts Mornings with the Mayor on the last Friday of every month and provides sponsorship opportunities to promote your business that day. If you are interested in sponsoring a Morning with the Mayor, please email samanddavesmarket@gmail. com.

We recommend for you to stop by Sam & Dave’s Market located at 1111 I Street, Suite 104 in Downtown Modesto.

We assure you that you’ll be greeted with a friendly smile and satisfied with all the food options. If you would like to call in your order for quick grab & go or to cater your downtown office meeting/event, please call 209-408-0633.

RELATIONSHIPS 18

Not to forget to mention, the breakfast burritos in the deli are a hit with the downtown breakfast crowd. The La Perla Tapatia hot food menu options have become very popular with the lunch crowd as well.

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

The Modesto Business Directory and Community Guide is the most anticipated business community publication of the year. The beautiful table top magazine will highlight businesses, development and encourage tourism.

Modesto, the City of Water, Wealth, Contentment and Health warmly welcomes visitors, residents and businesses.

The Business Directory and Community Guide offers the opportunity for businesses to reach thousands of new customers throughout the year.

It is important to have a strong visible presence in our community. Your advertisement in the Modesto Business Directory, Community and Visitors guide makes a solid statement about you and your company.

Distribution: Visit Modesto, Modesto Chamber of Commerce, City of Modesto, Hotels, professional offices, residents and visitors throughout the year.

2020 ANNUAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY A RESOURCE FOR

Business & Industry • Visitors & Tourists Newcomers • Conferences • Non profits

2020

Business Directory and Visitors Guide ReseRve youR aD toDay aD DeaDline DecembeR 15th

Special Features: Modesto Celebrates 150 years Great places Modesto facts Annual events Guide to Modesto products and services What to do in Modesto Education Major employers Growth and development

Modesto Celebrates 150 years MNC of CA, publishers of the award winning 209 magazine is pleased to offer Chamber members an opportunity to participate in this annual guide. Your advertising will be recognized the entire year. DON’T MISS OUT!

RELATIONSHIPS

• • • • • • • • •

Modesto Chamber of Commerce 209-577-5757 Manteca 249-3505

Turlock 634-9141

Oakdale 847-3021

NOVEMBER 2019

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Ribbon C uttings Mobaak Aromatherapy Shoppe 897 W Roseburg Ave, Modesto Sept. 26, 2019

RELATIONSHIPS

People’s Remedy 16537 Highway 33, Patterson Oct. 3, 2019

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McHenry Mansion Foundation 924 15th St., Modesto Oct. 10, 2019

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

Macy’s Modesto 500 Vintage Faire, Modesto Oct. 11, 2019

THE SHIRE CREATES POSITIVE, CREATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Our organization had modest beginnings in a house on Oakshire street in Modesto but has since grown substantially and contributed so much to creating a vibrant artistic and creative community in Modesto. We have held over two hundred music, artistic and gardening-related events in the local community, and with the support of donors, we hope to do even more.

The Shire Community Space is also a physical space focused on fostering local creativity and enabling a multi-disciplinary learning environment by combining an art gallery, c l a s s ro o m s , work areas, a cafe, and a venue space for live performances for people of all ages, including youth.

WE’RE NOT ON KANSAS ANYMORE. We’ve moved.

Visit us at our new location, 526 10th St, Modesto.

Our focus is on creating an all-inclusive space where youth and individuals of all ages can enjoy locally- and regionally-sourced food, beverages, music, visual and performing arts and technology learning. We also seek to contribute to downtown vitality and to preventing the ongoing brain drain of creative and energetic professionals, creatives and technology workers.

Our organization has had several important impacts in our community. One way we measure impact is the number of people who attend our gardening, music, performing arts and art teaching events. In the future, when we have completed our physical space, we will measure impact also by the number of people attending codingrelated technology courses in our co-working space as well interest in our musical performances and art shows.

Amongst our supporters, we count generous donors from Boyett Petroleum, American Chevrolet, Oak Valley Community Bank, Meowwolf DIY Space in New Mexico and so many smaller dollar donors who have contributed to our campaign.

We need your support to! We are actively raising money to complete renovations on our current location and need all of the financial support we can get. To donate, learn more, or get more involved, please contact Joseph Homer at Joe@theshire.space or Andrew Cardoza at Andrew@theshire.space.

When it comes to your Real Estate transaction, it is important to have trust, knowing that your Real Estate professional has the expertise to help you through the process.

NATALIA BUDILO, GRI, Broker, Realtor

BUY • SELL • INVEST • JOIN DRE#00909543 Realtor of Choice since 1986 You have a qualified agent that goes above and beyond for each client, utilizing her expertise and specialized experience to represent you.

LHMS, SRES, RSPS Architectural Specialist and Graduate of Realtors Institute (GRI).

Solid in High End Market.

Multi-lingual.

Locally Owned & Operated Since 1990. #thelastlocalshop 209.521.6570 I BURNSIDEBODYSHOP.COM LIKE US ON:

EXPECT: EXPerience EXPosure • EXPedience

RELATIONSHIPS

Founded in 2015 by Theo Souza and Andrew Cardoza, The Shire Community Space is a 501c3 arts nonprofit focused on live music promotion, cultivation of local artistic and technological skills through workshops and by creating a positive creative and learning environment for anyone who participates in our activities.

realnbgroup@gmail.com • exprealty.com

626-486-5360 cell • 209-214-8285 Text or Call NOVEMBER 2019

21

PRESIDENT’S CLUB CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE DIAMOND LEVEL

Bank of the West (H Street) Bank of the West (McHenry) Bank of the West (Pelandale) Beard Land and Investment Co. Capax - Giddings, Corby, Hynes, Inc. Doctors Behavioral Health Center-DMC Doctors Medical Center-DMC Frito-Lay Co., Inc. Pacific Southwest Container, Inc. Physician Referral Service-DMC

GOLD LEVEL

Crystal Creamery Doubletree by Hilton Modesto EMOE, Division of Parker Hannifin Corp.

Encompass Health Rehabilitation of Modesto Fiscalini Cheese Company IHeart Media Modesto Irrigation District Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball Sutter Health Valley Area Sysco Central California Inc.

PLATINUM LEVEL E & J Gallo Winery Kaiser Permanente Walmart

SILVER LEVEL

American Chevrolet American Medical Response Aramark Uniform Services Atherton & Associates, LLP Audi Modesto Bank of Stockton - Dale Road Bank of Stockton - Modesto Main Branch Bank of the West (Dale Road) BURGERIM

Caliber Collision California State University, Stanislaus Care One Home Health and Hospice, Inc. Central Sanitary Supply Co. Central Valley Automotive Central Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge Central Valley Nissan Central Valley Specialty Hospital Central Valley Volkswagen Hyundai Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino Clark Pest Control COIT Services Inc. Collins Electrical Comcast Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios, Pacher & Silva Del Monte Plant #1 Delta Sierra Beverage English Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Hospital F&M Bank (Carpenter Road) F&M Bank (Dale Road) F&M Bank (McHenry) Flooring Liquidators, Inc. Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC Food Maxx Galletto Ristorante Gianelli Nielsen Gilton Solid Waste Mgmt, Inc. Golden Valley Health Centers Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, Inc. Grover Landscape Services, Inc. Infiniti of Modesto International Paper Co. JS West & Companies Lewis Capital Advisors Maxx Value Foods Mister Car Wash (Prime Shine Car Wash) Mocse Credit Union Mocse Credit Union Modesto Toyota

O'Brien's Market O'Brien's Market O'Brien's Market Oak Valley Community Bank Oak Valley Community Bank 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. Rogers Jewelry Rogers Jewelry Co. Rose Bouquet Round Table Pizza #1033 Round Table Pizza #1034 Round Table Pizza #186 Round Table Pizza #701 Round Table Pizza, Corporate San Joaquin Valley College Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets - Corp Office Seven-Up Bottling Co. of Modesto/Varni Brothers Corporation Solecon Industrial Contractors Solid Networks, Inc. Stanislaus Food Products Co. Stanislaus Surgical Hospital Stifel Investment Services Storer Coachways

Congratulations

TO THIS MONTH'S MILESTONE MEMBERSHIPS

OAK VALLEY COMMUNITY BANK

F&M BANK (MCHENRY)

SIERRA VISTA CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES

F&M BANK (CARPENTER ROAD)

ARAMARK UNIFORM SERVICES

FIVE MINUTE CAR WASH

PENSION MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS, INC.

DON'S MOBILE GLASS

GOLDEN BEAR PHYSICAL THERAPY

SUTCO CONSTRUCTION CO.

40 years +

RELATIONSHIPS

BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

25 years +

KALUNIAN & MILLIKEN LLP CASH-DUDLEY & TORRES PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION

AMSA SEED COMPANY PACIFICA SENIOR LIVING MODESTO ROBERTS AUTO SALES C.A. REDING CO., INC. YOSEMITE LANES STUDIO WARNER ANTHONY DIAZ INSURANCE SERVICES

15 + years

EUROPEAN AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALTIES

COSOL COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

CHIESA RANCH

ACCOUNTEMPS

OAK VALLEY COMMUNITY BANK

TD GINGERICH INSURANCE SOLUTIONS, INC

F&M BANK (DALE ROAD)

COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY

GEORGE REED, INC.

BURKETT'S POOL PLASTERING, INC.

VALLEY OPTOMETRIC GROUP

CHOICE LIGHTING SUPPLY

22

20 + years

50 years +

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation The Century The Farmacy The Modesto Bee TSM Insurance & Financial Services Turlock Irrigation District Union Bank US Bank US Bank US Bank (Modesto Main) US Bank Turlock Valley BMW Valley Children's Healthcare Valley Children's Healthcare Valley First Credit Union Valley First Credit Union (Dale Branch) Valley First Credit Union Administrative Offices Valley Lexus Vintage Faire Mall/Macerich Company W.H. Breshears, Inc. Warden's Office Furniture Outlet Warden's Office Products Center Wells Fargo Bank Wells Fargo Bank Wells Fargo Bank Wells Fargo Bank Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency Yosemite Meat Co., Inc.

CONTACT THE CHAMBER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PRESIDENT'S CLUB LEVEL BENEFITS

10 + years J'S R US TRAVEL CSU STANISLAUS - AGRICULTURE DEPT. DEGRAFF DEVELOPMENT SCORE MODESTO BELKORP AG, LLC J & L COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR INC. HEALTH PLAN OF SAN JOAQUIN REPUBLICAN PARTY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY WENDEL, ROSEN, BLACK & DEAN LLP VALLEY CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE STOCKTON HEAT MODESTO SUBARU

5 + years

CENTRAL VALLEY AUTOMOTIVE INFINITI OF MODESTO PEACE OF MIND PEST CONTROL AND HOME INSPECTIONS INC. GURNICK ACADEMY OF MEDICAL ARTS GET FIT MODESTO AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION TEAM S.O.S. NORTH MODESTO KIWANIS BALANCE STAFFING COMPANY THE PROFESSIONALS AUTO BODY WORKS THRESHOLD COMMUNICATIONS KRVR/KVIN SERVPRO OF EAST & WEST MODESTO WAVE BUSINESS VALLEY KIA BURGERIM

NEW MEMBER HIGHLIGHT EXPLORE A NEW WORLD: OPERA MODESTO Take one Modesto-grown boy and send him around the world to sing opera. Then bring him back home with a dream: to found an opera company. That might have sounded like ‘The Impossible Dream’ in 1982 but Buck Townsend, who made the iconic song from Man of La Mancha his trademark tune, turned the impossible into reality. Townsend Opera now known as Opera Modesto recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, and has launched itself into its next 35 years reinvigorated by energetic new artistic management, a deeply invested Board of Directors, and a vision of community engagement and good corporate citizenship.

Building the community through education and coalition had always been part of Townsend’s vision.

General and Artistic Director Roy Stevens says, “The fact that the area has professional symphony, ballet, and especially opera, proves the existence of a ‘here’ here, rather than existing only as a bedroom community for the Bay Area.”

The Board of Directors reestablished the Kristina Townsend Memorial Competition for young singers, and green-lit the new Summer Opera Institute for teens. January 2020’s ‘Mansfield Park’ marks the climax of the first Story Into Song Literacy Initiative, where Opera Modesto allies with area literacy agencies to promote reading through operas based on beloved literary classics.

Opera Modesto also aims to highlight Modesto as a weekend

destination for visitors, partnering with downtown businesses and attractions.

“People don’t realize how much is going on in Modesto and what a great downtown we have. We all rise together when we show off our city,” says Hillari DeSchane, Opera Modesto board member and chairperson of this year’s event.

Opera Modesto believes community engagement translates into engaging theater for audiences. This May’s ‘Carmen’ received standing ovations thanks in part to the lively contributions of the Portuguese Azorean community. 2021’s Literacy Initiative brings the US premiere of Marucio Sotelo’s ‘Dulcinea,’ and Hector Armienta’s ‘Bless Me Ultima.’

And the company has commissioned a new youth opera from CSUS’ widely respected Dr. Deborah Kavasch and librettist Linda BunneySarhad.

Stevens says what Opera Modesto is doing is, “nationally unique.”

Companies from around the country are watching closely. But for the company founded on one Modestan’s ‘impossible dream,’ it’s a natural outflow of being a part of, and partner with, its community.

Visit Opera Modesto at operamodesto.org For more information on Story Into Song/Mansfield Park, visit ModestoJaneCon.com or fb @ modestojanecon

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE COMMUNITY HOSPICE ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBER

Joining the Community Hospice Board of Directors is Mr. Michael L. Gianelli.

“I am pleased to welcome Michael to our Community Hospice Board and family,” said C. DeSha McLeod, Community Hospice President/CEO. “Michael brings to Community Hospice a wealth of experience in law practice and a vast understanding of our community. We look forward to working together to provide compassionate and quality care, education and support to our community friends and families.”

Michael Gianelli has more than 40 years of law practice and is senior

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS ■ A & A PORTABLES, INC. 201 Roscoe Road, Modesto, CA 95357 aaportables.com (209) 524-0401 mike@aaportables.com ■ CARLOS VIEIRA FOUNDATION 6079 Washington Blvd., Livingston, CA 95334 carlosvieirafoundation.org (209) 394-1444 info@carlosvieirafoundation.org

counsel at Gianelli Nielsen whose practice areas include estate planning, trusts, complex litigation, litigation and appeals, business and MICHAEL L. GIANELLI commercial law and mediation. Michael is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law with the California Board of Legal Specialization and has workshop training in mediation.

The Community Hospice Board of Directors is comprised of community volunteers who provide strategic oversight and governance to the organization’s mission to provide compassionate care, education and support to terminally ill patients and their families, regardless of ability to pay. For more information, please call 209. 578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

■ THE UPS STORE 2100 Standiford Ave. Suite E12, Modesto, CA 95350 theupsstore.com (209) 488-4999 store7100@theupsstore.com ■ STANISLAUS BREWING CO. DBA ST. STAN'S BEER 1028 11th St., Modesto, CA 95354 ststans.com (209) 284-0170 info@ststans.com

■ MANGO CRAZY INC. 3020 Floyd Ave #203, Modesto, CA 95355 mangocrazy.com (209) 613-8887 larry.rivera@mangocrazy.com ■ DOWNTOWN SELF STORAGE PACK N SHIP AND MAILING 1305 10th St., Modesto, CA 95354, modestostorageinc.com (209) 338-6140 manager@modestostorageinc.com NOVEMBER 2019

RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION

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

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MODESTO EXECUTIVE ELECTRIC, INC. CELEBRATES 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Since 1989, Modesto Executive Electric, Inc. has served the Central Valley, Sacramento & Bay Area regions. The company is an electrical contracting firm founded on the simple, powerful concept of performing efficient, quality work. Their loyalty is to their clients, the people that drive their business forward, and to their local communities.

What began as a two-person operation 30 years ago, has grown into a thriving electrical contracting company and is positioned as an industry leader providing the most innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective electrical design-build solutions. At this pivotal 30year mark, the company forges into the future now as a womanowned firm. Now, as a woman-owned company, Tori Simpson, President, took full ownership and is committed to consistently improving their cost-saving techniques, building stringent safety practices, increasing their accuracy in estimating, and implementing cutting-edge technologies to further differentiate the company. The company promises to consistently show up as a powerful partner to their clients.

Their vast pool of experience, resources, and affiliations puts any electrical contracting project work into the most capable hands in the industry.

Tori now drives the business forward with the constant advisement, partnership, and dedicated leadership with her husband, VicePresident/General Manager, Kevin Simpson.

“As we celebrate our 30-year anniversary, we are exceptionally proud of the projects we’ve helped create throughout the Central Valley. Our organization has set the bar high on the quality of workmanship that our highly skilled electricians perform,” said Tori Simpson, President. “From start to finish, our entire team gives a 110%, and we are nothing without each other. Through a continued commitment and dedication to excellence, we look forward to another 30 years!”

Come support our local businesses

For the month of November 05- Autism Behavior Services Inc. 1317 Oakdale Road Suite 610 Modesto, CA 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M.

07- Umpqua Bank 1300 K Street Modesto, CA

RELATIONSHIPS

10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

13- Modesto Executive Electric 446 Charity Way Suite 1 Modesto, CA 11:00 A.M – 12:00 P.M.

19- Jatco, Inc. 4801 Stoddard Road Modesto, CA 5:30 P.M – 6:30 P.M

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

When: Thursday, November 21, 2019 Where: 3500 Coffee Rd Ste 15, Modesto Time: 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the California Department of Veteran Affairs, and the National Association of County Veteran Services Officers, are on the mission to assist veterans, their dependents and survivors in obtaining Federal, State and County benefits. Lets be apart of the mission together and network.

Bring your business cards to be entered in the drawing… and be prepared to network!

HOW DOES A STORY TRANSFORM A COMMUNITY?

By Josh Park, Leadership Modesto The first of ten educational seminars began with challenging questions for our Leadership Modesto Class of 2020: How can we improve the stories we learn and tell about our home? How does art influence culture? How will the act of storytelling transform our city? Arts, Community and Culture Day filled our minds with weighty questions and provoking ideas as we took to the streets of downtown to learn from some of Modesto’s finest artists, dramatists, musicians, and curators.

Poetry changes people and people change places, according to Sam Pierstorff, a professor at Modesto Junior College and creator of The Ill List poetry slam. Sam wrote and performed an expressive, funny, real, and optimistic poem about Modesto. It was a clear challenge to us all: love our city enough to create what we want to see.

A champion of the Latino community—and of people in general— Rebecca Harrington spoke about showcasing what is beautiful about a culture even when no one is paying attention. In 2016, she organized Modesto’s first major Dia de los Muertos event, which is free to the public and has been growing year after year.

If you were walking downtown Modesto on October 11th, you may have heard a sampling of our thriving music scene. Patty Castillo Davis serenaded our class with the tune that won her Best Original Song at this year’s Valley Talent Project. Neil Beuttner’s buttery voice greeted us outside of Fuzio’s as he played and spoke about the many opportunities to hear live music on any given night in Modesto. Joe Barretta—one of the few non-natives on our tour—adopted Modesto as home years ago and has found success as a professional musician here. Dave Rogers, one of our day hosts, accompanied these artists and guided our class through a fun, confidence-building drum circle session.

Our class toured one highly visible transformation of a place: the alley connecting J Street and 10th. Just one week prior, mural artists from around the world participated in DoMo Walls, a joint effort by Fasm Creative and Downtown Modesto Partnership and an expansion of last year’s Fasm Creative Battle 6. Where there was once a common alley, this massive outdoor gallery now invites foot traffic and inspires people of all walks of life to experience and enjoy.

Beyond transforming a physical place, Julie Orona and Chris Murphy have been working to transform ideas about Modesto through their publications—Contentment Health Magazine and Modesto View, respectively. Julie shared the need to curate and tell positive stories instead of negative stories. Chris gave our class a crash course in Modesto history, from the dust bowl to the seeds of rock & roll to today’s music scene.

Karlha Davies expressed a heartfelt desire to make participation in improving our community accessible to all. Her work at Stanislaus Soup, Mujeres Latinas of Stanislaus, and Murals in Mo’Town has helped ensure that art, culture, and community can be enjoyed by all.

Before our day was done, Mistlin Gallery opened its doors to our class and hosted an art project. This was just the beginning. We learned Modesto hosts nine different galleries where local art is not only beautiful but affordable.

But can art change a place? Can it transform a community?

Finally, our day’s education in concluded at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Courtney Hurst, Director of Arts Education, gave us the grand tour and arranged for special performances. Two of the top young performers in this year’s Valley Talent Project played and sang for our class, and members of the Gallo Center Repertory Company played a selection from Children of the Dust Bowl. As we sat in the Foster Theater after a long day full of new insights and information, our class realized that Modesto had changed since when we were young. With the exception of the State Theatre, all that we experienced that day had only been available for less than twenty years.

Stephanie Burtch of Downtown Modesto Partnership spoke on the concept of placemaking. It involves specific urban planning designs and materials to make spaces that humans want to visit.

By creating and leveraging art, design, and cultural events in a place like downtown, community perceptions about that place can change dramatically for the better.

Modesto is a different place from the bad-news headlines of decades ago. It has changed and is transforming even now, before our eyes.

It is our task and privilege to spread the word. Once people in our community go out and participate in the art and culture all around them, our class is confident they will think of Modesto as far more glorious than once believed.

At the Prospect Theatre Project’s intimate and well-equipped performance room, artistic director Jack Sousa leveled another challenge to our perceptions of storytelling. “Art,” said Sousa, “helps us navigate the transitions in life. We view theater through the filter of our own experience, and this form of storytelling helps us understand the subtleties of our own culture, emotions, and decisions.”

NOVEMBER 2019

EDUCATION

Our hosts and organizers for the day, Kate Trompetter and Dave Rogers, opened our eyes to the glorious arts community all around us. We began our tour at the beautiful State Theater. Kristie Boyett and her team shared their 85-year-rich history and highlighted the importance of developing cultural literacy through film. Our class of two dozen young professionals got a backstage tour and a preview of The Jewel—a 25-seat theater that is set to open on Christmas Day, 2019.

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MODESTO PROJECTS ARE RECIPIENTS OF REGION’S BIGGEST EVER EDA GRANT Students at two Stanislaus County schools will be training on cutting-edge equipment, thanks to a grant of nearly one million dollars received from the Economic Development Administration, a bureau within the United States Department of Commerce.

The training is expected to save 453 jobs while creating at least 20 new positions.

The funding, allocated to VOLT Institute and Modesto Junior College (MJC), will be used for the purchase of equipment on par with machines used in industrial settings at local employers. David White, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity Stanislaus, the organization responsible for conceptualizing VOLT Institute, knows the importance of high-tech equipment in the classroom.

“The feedback we keep getting from employers is that our program is solid but that having equipment in the classroom similar to the machines students will be using in the field after graduation is essential to their success,” said White. “We are launching PLC training in our next class and this will allow us to add coursework from the nationally-recognized NIMS system to our offerings. We are especially excited to offer Amatrol’s popular mechatronics course.”

For its part Modesto Junior College, a trailblazer in creating career pathways that lead to local jobs, will be adding equipment that complements its Career Technical Education programs with partner high schools.

EDUCATION

“We are happy to work with Opportunity Stanislaus, the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE), and local employers. This grant helps build a pipeline for local residents to gain technical skills and advance their careers through additional training and education,” remarked Modesto Junior College President Dr. James Houpis.

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state money to assemble a total of $2 million from federal and state grants to train an additional 200 students annually by expanding its certified industrial maintenance program and the industrial electronics, manufacturing, and machine program.”

Gray is not the only legislator associated with support for the project. Congressman Josh Harder has made his support for technical training and VOLT Institute in particular known since taking office, attending several of the school’s events and calling training in key areas a matter of statewide importance.

“This is huge news – we’ve got all these talented people in the Valley who want good-paying jobs close to home, but they don’t always have the skills or experience they need to fill them,” said Representative Harder. “VOLT has already proven they can step in to fix this problem, and now they’re going to have even more capacity to get people prepped and into a good career. It’s good for businesses looking to hire, it’s great for workers, and it’s one more way we can signal to employers outside of our area that we have a highly-skilled workforce ready to get the job done.”

The grant required match funding, a hurdle overcome

by Assemblymember Adam C. Gray’s work to get a million dollars for VOLT Institute and MJC allocated in the 2018-19 California State Budget.

VOLT Institute is a partnership between Opportunity Stanislaus, the county’s economic development organization that is committed to improving economic vitality in the region, and SCOE. Opportunity Stanislaus, SCOE, and Modesto Junior College have collaborated for the last year in a combined effort to build the best collaborative advanced manufacturing training program in California. This new grant will help strengthen the joint effort. SCOE Superintendent Scott Kuykendall was ecstatic upon hearing the news of the grant award.

Of making the project a priority Gray said, “We have a significant shortage of workers with the real skills necessary to get these good-paying jobs. We are encouraged that VOLT and MJC were able to use this

“We are excited to add to VOLT Institute these exciting new programs,” remarked Kuykendall. “The Tom Changnon Education Center is fast becoming a center of excellence for vocational training.”

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

When: Wednesday, November 13, 2019 Where: 2937 Veneman Avenue, Suite A-210 Time: 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM From customization of your existing platform to the Creation of new software, External Resources can provide software solutions, web development, application integration, and other services to meet your demands.

Come out and network with us!

EDUCATION

Bring your business cards to be entered in the drawing‌ and be prepared to network!

NOVEMBER 2019

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ister Today! Space is Limited.

CYBER PATRIOTS IN DEVELOPMENT AT MJC

QUALITY SERVICE

Modesto Junior College is involved in a variety of local partnerships that include workforce preparation, economic development, and community service. One of these exciting new programs is the Cyber Patriot Summer Camp, an MJC partnership with the National Youth Cyber Education Program, Modesto City Schools and Stanislaus County Office of Education. The camp is funded by the state’s Strong Workforce initiative and is free for local students and teachers.

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) including cybersecurity fields. MJC provides support and guidance for the high school teams with plans underway to integrate student mentoring from MJC students. Dual enrollment opportunities are also available for high school students who want to take college-level Computer Science classes and extend their knowledge. Courses are available in day, evening and online formats.

MJC’s first Cyber Camp summer program was held in August of 2018 as a 3-day event that introduced more than 40 high school students to the principles and skills of cybersecurity. This past summer the camp expanded to a 5-day event with lunch and snacks provided for everyone. A train-the-trainer opportunity was available for teachers to learn more about current cybersecurity education initiatives. This summer the camp enjoyed strong attendance and the experience culminated with a live online competition allowing students to challenge other cyber camp attendees who partake in similar events organized at various schools and colleges nationwide each summer.

Parents and community members joined in on closing ceremonies held on the final day of the camp following the live contest. All students received a Cyber Patriots shirt and a Certificate of Completion. Funding for the shirts, and additional prizes awarded to some of the students on the final day of the camp, were provided with donations from Computer Science Advisory Council members and local businesses including Data Path and Tech Heroes Inc.

“We are especially proud of the student success at Enochs High School.” said Brent Wedge, Professor of Computer Science at MJC. “Last spring their team presented a trophy to Modesto Mayor Ted Brandvold during a City Council meeting earned by their victory at the California Mayors Cyber Cup Challenge at Fresno WELCOMES DISNEY INSTITUTE TO City College.”

DISNEY’S APPROACH TO

ow you can drive service differentiation velop quality service standards tools to deliver exceptional service ow to recover from a service failure Attention to detail can be the difference between mediocre

For more information, please contact Brent Wedge, Professor of Computer Science, at 209-575-7760 or Disney strategies that help create world-class service. Spend wedgeb@mjc.edu. one day with Disney Institute and you’ll benefit from our insights

customer service and world-class, memorable experiences that

drive repeat business. In this course, you will examine time-tested

on quality service and learn to think differently. Are you

SAVE THE DATE

ready to D’Think your customer experience?

•Determine how you can drive service differentiation.

•Develop quality service standards.

MODEto STO CHAMexceptional BER OF COMMEservice.

RCE WELCOMES DISNEY INSTITUTE •Utilize tools deliver TO MODESTO, CA

•Learn how to recover from a service failure.

WELCOMES

DISNEY INSTITUTE

DISNEY’S APPROACH TO

QUALITY SERVICE

November 21, 2019 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Modesto Junior College, West Campus, MSR Center

DISNEY INSTITUTE

EDUCATION

e difference between mediocre customer service and world-class, at drive repeat business. In this course, you will examine time-tested reate world-class service. Spend one day with Disney Institute and ts on quality service and learn to think differently. Are you ready to D’Think your customer experience?

The summer camp serves as a catalyst that introduces students and teachers to the national Cyber Patriot program, which trains students for careers in cybersecurity. Local high schools are now actively participating in this nationwide program during their regular school year. Students learn professional ethics, Windows and Linux system security, and how to better understand cyber threats. They work together in teams to compete against students from across the country.

Each school team has the potential to compete at WELCOMES local, regional, state and national levels much like Spelling Bee competitions, Science Olympiads, and Academic Decathlons. The Cyber Patriot program was established by the Air Force Association and is designed to attract participants to careers in Science,

According to CyberSeek.org (https://www.cyberseek. org/heatmap.html) there are more than 300,000 cybersecurity job openings in the United States, including over 36,000 in California. The median salary for professionals in these jobs is $90,120. MJC is preparing to launch new Cybersecurity curriculum and plans to host more Cybersecurity-related events soon.

Register Today! Space is Limited.

Attention to detail can be the difference between mediocre customer service and world-class, memorable experiences that drive repeat business. In this course, you will examine time-tested Disney strategies that help create world-class service. Spend one day with Disney Institute and you’ll benefit from our insights on quality service and learn to think differently. Are you ready to D’Think your customer experience?

•Determine how you can drive service differentiation •Develop quality service standards •Utilize tools to deliver exceptional service •Learn how to recover from a service failure

DISNEY INSTITUTE DISNEY’S APPROACH TO

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As to Disney artwork/properties: © V Disney isit https://www.modchamber.org/event/disney-institute-

Register Today! Space is Limited.

Or Call 209-577-5757

As to Disney artwork/properties: © Disney

As to Disney artwork/properties: © Disney

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

HAVEN WOMEN’S CENTER OPENS NEW YOUTH CENTER Haven is a catalyst for individual empowerment and societal change, advocating for those impacted by domestic and sexual abuse or exploitation and working to end gender-based violence. Sadly, domestic and sexual violence are not just grownup problems and that is why, for over 20 years, the agency has offered programs designed specifically for children and teens. Haven believes that, like adults, all young people deserve an opportunity for healing, growth and increased safety in their lives.

Haven facilitates educational, art-based, peer support groups for youth directly affected by domestic violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking. Interventionfocused youth services include:

Studies on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have shown that children exposed to domestic or sexual abuse are more likely, as adults, to experience:

Youth-centered, individual counseling.

Increased risky behaviors such as smoking and misuse of alcohol and other substances.

Diminished life potential such as decreased academic achievement, lower graduation rates and lost time from work.

Haven’s youth programs serve as a vital protective factor to buffer the negative effects of childhood domestic violence, sexual abuse and exploitation. Youth survivors benefit from validation, access to creative outlets like art, music and movement and opportunities for authentic self-expression in a safe, nonjudgmental space. Haven staff nurture post-traumatic growth by supporting young survivors to process their complicated feelings about the harm they have witnessed or endured.

Haven’s Youth Services Haven is committed to changing societal norms that allow sexual and domestic violence to flourish. Programs are offered to educate youth about safety, boundaries, consent, emotional regulation, self-esteem and alternatives to interpersonal violence. Prevention-focused youth services include: K-12 school-based, violence prevention programs.

High school-based healthy relationships programs focused on adolescent relationship abuse prevention, and physical, emotional, mental and financial wellness.

Community and peer-to-peer education and engagement.

Advocacy, case management and court accompaniment.

Community Impact Haven’s Youth Educators provided 1,646 educational, counseling and other supportive services to 360 youth in 19 distinct locations the 201819 fiscal year.

Haven’s Adolescent Relationship Abuse (ARA) Educators provide yearlong, school-based services to over a thousand local youth in traditional and alternative high schools as well as two Juvenile Corrections facilities and Project YES, a local youth workforce development agency.

Since its inception in 2015, Haven’s Healthy And Responsible Relationships Troop (HARRT) program has trained 72 high school student leaders and peer educators who have, collectively, reached 7,940 Stanislaus County residents (predominately youth) with their ARA educational outreach and healthy relationships campaigns.

Introducing … Haven Youth Center Over the years, Haven’s youth programs have expanded greatly in order to meet community needs—to the point that staff outgrew all available office space. Staff regularly struggled to manage overcrowded workspaces and long program wait lists, but the agency could not add new staff without the physical space to house them. Thanks to generous financial and in-kind contributions from individual community members, small business owners, foundations and corporate donors, Haven opened a dedicated Youth Center in downtown Modesto earlier this year. This opportunity has not only increased the agency’s capacity to provide responsive programming but also enables Haven’s Youth and Prevention staff to further expand services. For example, the center will soon be offering concurrent support groups for non-offending parents/ guardians because Haven believes families that learn and process together can break cycles of violence and grow healthier and stronger together. The new Youth Center would not be possible without the incredible community support that made Haven’s vision a reality. It is true; teamwork really does make the dream work!

If you are interested in a tour of the facility, please email Holly Grace Currie, Youth and Prevention Services Manager at hgcurrie@havenwcs. org.

For more on Adverse Childhood Experiences, visit https://acestoohigh. com/aces-101/

SERVICE

Increased rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Psychoeducational support groups for youth survivors.

For more about Haven’s adult and youth services, visit https://www. havenwcs.org/ NOVEMBER 2019

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MUSIC ON A MISSION: OPERA MODESTO’S STORY INTO SONG LITERACY INITIATIVE “Opera is rooted in the words and music of great masters, often based on the greatest works of literature,” says Roy Stevens, General and Artistic Director of Opera Modesto. On January 11 and 12, 2020, Opera Modesto puts that connection on display when the curtain rises on its first ‘Story Into Song Literacy Initiative’ [SISLI] production, Jonathan Dove’s Mansfield Park based on Jane Austen’s novel. The opera is the centerpiece of a weekend-long Jane Austen ‘Con,’ sponsored by Opera Modesto, featuring lectures and workshops on Austen’s works and the culture of Regency England. The weekend is the climax of a months’ long community-wide campaign to promote reading and literacy-related activities for all ages and educational levels.

SERVICE

The connection between opera and reading may not be obvious to some. Or why an opera company would take on such a challenge. After founder Buck Townsend’s death, the company weathered some contentious years but by the start of its 35th anniversary season in 2017-2018, the newly rechristened Opera Modesto was moving forward again with fresh enthusiasm. What the company needed now was a vision. Opera Modesto’s board of directors turned to the company’s roots for a revitalized sense of its purpose in—and for— Modesto. Education and service had been core values of the company since its founding. The Board reinstituted the Kristina Townsend Memorial voice competition, and the Summer Opera Institute for teens was born.

The literacy initiative was the logical—if audacious— next step.

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The program gathered immediate support.

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

“What is new is…the extensive, unexpected community engagement,” Stevens says.

Partnering agencies signed on early and enthusiastically, including the Stanislaus County Library, Stanislaus County Schools, Learning Quest, Friends of the Library chapters throughout the county, and the Downtown Modesto Partnership [DOMO.] The performance also marks an exciting new partnership between Opera Modesto and the historic State Theatre.

Board member and author Hillari DeSchane says Opera Modesto’s literacy initiative is “a win-win-win idea for the entire community.” As the chairperson for the ModestoJaneCon, her goal is to present Modesto as a weekend destination for visitors.

“We’ll be bringing hundreds of people into downtown not just to see great opera and learn about Jane Austen, but also to eat, drink, shop, visit our museums and galleries, and discover what a great place Modesto is.”

Even so, it’s a lot of work for just two performances.

What’s the bottom line for Opera Modesto?

DeSchane takes the long view.

“An opera company can’t just be about selling tickets. It has to be about what we can do as a member of the community, as a good corporate neighbor, to build things up, contribute to making Modesto the kind of healthy, vibrant city we all want to live in.”

ModestoJaneCon— January 11-12, 2020 Tickets available at TheState.org For more information, visit Modestojanecon.com Or call Opera Modesto at 209.523.6426

Business Before Hours, Business After Hours Events These networking events are opportunities for members to invite all Chamber members to their businesses to mingle, build relationships, and connect outside of the normal workday. They are perfect environments to showcase your office, products, and/or services, and to share your individual “business story”. If you happen to be a based from home business, you are always welcome to host your event here in the Chamber Conference room.

Business Before Hours are traditionally held on the second Thursday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30am. *Sponsorship Investment is $125.00.

Business After Hours are typically held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. *Sponsorship Investment is $250.00.

Included for your sponsorship: *Company Logo on business tailored event flyer *Event and flyer promoted via Chamber Happenings *Event and flyer promoted via all our social media platforms *Event, flyer, and business promoted in Progress Magazine month of event *Pre-event announcements at Chamber events *2 – 3 items to include in a business card drawing *For After-hours events we secure a liquor license, and provide adult beverage As a Host you are responsible for providing: Before – *Location large enough for up to 50 attendees *Continental Breakfast, or other food of your choice *3 plus Door prizes After – *Location large enough for up to 100 attendees *Appetizer/small plate tidbits, or other food of your choice *3 plus Door prizes

For more information on becoming a host in 2019, please call 209-577-5757, or email at mccreception@ModChamber.org

NOVEMBER 2019

SERVICE

An Agreement, which has more details, must be completed, with payment, to secure your date.

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WATER MATTERS Lean about what we’re doing to protect our rivers, our communities and our environment. mid.org/lastdrop

TM

Stay tuned for a feature-length water documentary debuting in early 2020.

OCTOBER 2019

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