Women in
Business
2016
2 — Women In Business
Basi Is A Businesswoman Of Many Hats By DENNIS D. CRUZ dcruz@oakdaleleader.com
Oakdale’s Karen Basi is an active woman in the community. She helps run Basi Insurance on East G Street with the help of her fellow employees, continuing a successful business that has been in operation since 1988. And while she’s not working to meet the insurance needs of clients in Oakdale and surrounding communities, she is providing assistance to others in a very concrete way. That way would be through the Karen Basi Wave of Hope MS Foundation. Basi was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, MS, but does not allow the often-debilitating disease to limit her lifestyle or work schedule. Instead, Basi strives each day to help others out and has
worked endless hours on fundraising to help put an end to MS for good. “I have grandbabies and I don’t know if MS is hereditary or not. Just the thought that they may inherit this awful disease, it hurts me to think they may not find a cure. So our sole purpose is to eliminate MS completely in the near future.” The Karen Basi Wave of Hope Foundation hosted its 11th annual charity golf tournament at Oakdale Golf and Country Club earlier this month. As it has been in the past, the 2016 event was also a huge success. Nearly 200 golfers participated in this year’s tournament, with another wave of people showing up after the competition concluded to help raise money for the cause to find a cure. “I cannot thank the com-
munity enough. I am overwhelmed with the support Oakdale residents have shown over the years. Not just for my event, but for other events throughout the year, this town really comes together when it comes to helping out,” Basi said. “I have always been blessed to have a full field (of golfers) for the event, but then we get another 100 or so people to come after to help out with the raffle and auctions and it has been great to have that support over the years.” The Wave of Hope Foundation also helps out the community and surrounding areas with every day needs as well. The foundation has assisted those in need with things like electric ramps for their houses to help them get around; assisted
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with transportation and also contributed to other fundraisers. In recent years they have also hosted a Red and Black Ball, which helped raise funds for the cause. Like any charity or business, it takes more than just one person to run it successfully. Basi has the support of her husband Randy, who she said was the mastermind behind the golf tournament. “This just doesn’t happen. It takes an army to help out with any event, running a business or foundation,” Basi noted. “I am truly blessed to have so many around me that have helped out.” Among those that have been key to the success are board members Jon and Vicki Mutoza and director Sandy Guerra, a co-worker
Founder of The Karen Basi Wave of Hope MS Foundation, Karen Basi takes time out of her busy day at the office to relax with her dog. Photo By Dennis D. Cruz
basi Page 3
A million thanks to my amazing clients, family and friends for their support, as
OUR CLIENTS ARE CHEERING!
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well as the dedicated realtors I’ve had the pleasure of working with! Karen Postma Serpa, Realtor DRE #01217952
Allison Carroll Loan Officer | NMLS #248573
D: (209) 848-8130 | C: (209) 505-0993 102 Grove Avenue, Suite A, Oakdale, CA 95361 allison.carroll@academymortgage.com www.academymortgage.com/allisoncarroll Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act CA #CA-DOC248573 | Corp NMLS #3113 | Corp State Lic CA #4170013 Equal Housing Lender | MAC816-1438577
(209) 605-2010 kserpa@pmz.com, PMZ 190 S. Maag Avenue, Ste. A • Oakdale
Women In Business — 3
basi
Continued From Page 2 at Basi Insurance. “When I first started the foundation, I had heard of this miracle; a woman who
was in a wheelchair with MS and now she is walking,” Basi noted of Guerra. “A true inspiration in the community and she was a true inspiration to me and has helped make the foundation what it is today.”
Also part of the foundation team is Dr. Scott Goodreau, rounding out the group of six that make it work. “Again, I am very fortunate to be in the community that I am in, and that I have the support of these people (board members) and the army of supporters that help us out,” Basi said. With the workload shared by many, the Karen Basi Wave of Hope MS Foundation has not only been possible, but successful as well. LEFT: Karen Basi, right, dressed as Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons during the 11th Annual Wave of Hope Charity Golf Tournament she helped host in early August. Taking a ride with her in the golf cart was the 2016 Inspiration Honoree, Sheila McDonough. Photo Contributed
Just before tee time at Oakdale Golf and Country Club; members of The Karen Basi Wave of Hope MS Foundation gathered for a quick photo. Shown, from left: Dr. Scott Goodreau, Randy Basi, Karen Basi, honoree Sheila McDonough, Sandy Guerra, Vicki Mutoza and Jon Mutoza. Photo Contributed
W
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4 — Women In Business
Firm Footing In Oakdale Woman’s Career Path By RICHARD PALOMA rpaloma@oakdaleleader.com
Growing up around horses provided the foundation for a career that would take Kelly Vella into the professional realm as one of the most sought after farriers in the Oakdale area. Initially self-taught out of necessity, Vella has gone on to carry on her career for the last 29 years. A farrier is a specialist in horse hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses’ hooves and the placing of shoes correctly on their hooves. A farrier combines some blacksmithing skills such as forging and fabricating the metal shoes, but also veterinary expertise with
the anatomy and medical understanding of horses to care for their feet and prevent leg injuries. Because today’s farriers usually specialize in horseshoeing, focusing their time and effort on the care of the horse’s hoof, farriers and blacksmiths are considered to be in separate, but related, trades. Simply put for us city-folk, blacksmiths forge and manufacture horse shoes, farriers shape, fit, customize and then mount the shoes. “I’ve made a good business for myself,” the 49-year-old Vella said between hammer strikes of a red-hot horseshoe. “As long as you have a good back, the work is
good.” After a couple of years doing it herself in the ‘80s, Vella went on to mentor under Emil Carré of the Pioneer Equine Hospital. “I volunteered to come out and assist him,” Vella said. “The experience I gained was priceless.” After nearly three decades and in a field dominated predominantly by men, Vella now has a business with 100 clients, including one day a week at the Pioneer Equine Hospital and other assignments at local stables. Her average charge is about $150 per horse, which can be done in about an hour, but there
Though she uses factory made shoes, farrier Kelly Vella still has to modify the shoe for a custom fit for each horse.
firm footing Page 5
Photo By Richard Paloma
Introducing the professional women of…
Kaylan Aufdermaur Project Manager
Vicky Siegfried Controller
C.T. Brayton and Sons, Inc. is a General Engineering and Building Contractor, established in 1946, incorporated in 1969. We specialize in Educational, Medical, Industrial facilities and Parking Structures. C.T. Brayton & Sons, Inc., has a great team and their present staff is recognized and thanked by current President, Robert Brayton.
Bonnie O’Connor Sr. Accountant
Betty Nelson Staff Accountant
Heather Whitmer Junior Accountant
Jan Tourtlotte Receptionist
Pam Galbreath Project Coordinator
Stacy Granberg Safety Manager
Deanna Shirlock Project Manager
Sandy Azevedo Billing-Payroll Specialist
1804 Jackson Avenue, Escalon • (209) 838-7388 • www.ctbrayton.com License No. 257952
Women In Business — 5
firm footing Continued From Page 4
are other services too. I tell you, she’s good,” said horse owner Mike Osborne, who was having one of his horses shod that day. “She does quite a few of my friends’ horses too. She’s in demand.” The pre-made shoes used by Vella come in a standard shape and each shoe has to be fitted specifically to the horse’s foot. To achieve the final fit, the shoe is heated to a fiery 800 degrees before being forged on an anvil to the correct shape. When the temperature of the shoe has dropped, it’s pressed onto the foot and, once the fit is optimal, the shoe gets nailed onto the hoof, the equivalent of a half-inch thick toenail.
Vella said her craft deals with all the parts of the hoof that do not have active blood flow. There’s no nerve ending or feeling by the horse in the hoof so it’s not as painful to the animal as it looks. “The majority of the horses we are shoeing are with a standard factory shoe,” Vella said as she was working between three horses in a stable. “But everything is custom fit, there’s a science to it. Even shoes that are already made still have to be modified. “You just can’t nail them on,” Vella added. “You can make a horse go lame with the wrong shoes.” Challenges, in addition to stubborn horses, include mismatched feet, making wedges to even out the legs, and other customizations. In her after-hours time,
Vella has used her metal working experience to manufacture knives, a skill that has seen her entered into various competitions, including the History Channel’s ‘Forged in Fire’ competition in New York last June. “Doing the show was my pre mid-life crisis,” Vella said. The new season of Forged in Fire premiered Aug. 23 with the finals of her competition airing Sept. 13.
RIGHT: Kelly Vella nails a fitted shoe onto a horse at Pioneer Equine Hospital. Once the fit is optimal, the shoe gets nailed onto the hoof, the equivalent of a half-inch thick toenail. Photo By Richard Paloma
Since 1892
A.L. GILBERT
Michele Flanagan Human Resource/Office Manager 16 years
Zoe Kilkenny Regulations Coordinator 1 year
Lindsay Harris Accounts Receivable 3 years
Lesly Muncy Accounts Receivable/Sales Asst 13 years
Dr. Marit Arana Nutritionist 13 years
Yvonne Ortega Accts Receivable/Accts Payable 16 years
Judy Bradley Receptionist 39 years
Kayla Machado Nutrition Associate 2 years Not pictured
304. Yosemite Avenue • 847-1751
Serving California’s Agricultural Industry since 1892
6 — Women In Business
Family Farm
Lorina’s Edible Garden Carves Out Niche By MARG JACKSON
Creating a unique experience for Central Valley residents, Lorina Cajias has operated her edible garden business in Escalon for 16 years. From a very small beginning to now hosting several events at the Enterprise Road location throughout the year, Lorina’s Edible Garden has evolved and expanded and the owner said she knows there is still more to come. Here is a question and answer session with the ‘edibles’ businesswoman.
a lifetime of farming and gardening experience with my family but never did a focus on growing herbs. So I started growing everything I could get my hands on! When we moved out to our farm I planted lots of herbs. I had too many fresh cut herbs for our little family to eat. So I found out about Modesto Farmers Market, got accepted and then began the evolution of our little farm business. We sold our fresh cut herb bunches and by request started selling herb plants too.
Q: What prompted you to start your own ‘edibles’ business? A: I started my business because my husband bought me an herb garden gift set one Christmas. I had
You not only have edibles but have ventured into soaps and other items, what are your biggest sellers? While doing markets, our plant sales would drop dur-
mjackson@oakdaleleader.com
ing the hotter months. So I had to figure out how to make money year round. Did some research and figured adding soap to my list of things to sell might be a great idea. Well it was! Listening to my customers, I began creating lots of natural body products over the years – lotions, lip balms, scrubs, body sprays, body wash and more. We even made different arts and crafts with a vintage garden theme to keep our customers interested. Always try new ideas and products to keep things fun! Also we sell our shelled walnuts when they are in season. Look for chocolate walnut clusters at Christmas here at the farm! Our biggest sellers would be lavender and cucumber melon soap. Basil and lav-
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ender would be our bestselling plants.
You also work outside your home business, how do you successfully juggle that? I have worked for Costco in Modesto for 24 years. I have been able to juggle my business and my job because of fantastic support from my management team at Costco. When times were lean I was able to work full time; when business is good I am able to drop down my hours to part time. They also are a blessing to honor time off requests in order for me to attend shows. Love my job there too! But my family is what keeps me grounded to achieve my dreams, great
Homemade soaps, organic lotions and fragrant sachets have helped round out the offerings at Lorina’s Edible Garden, the Escalon-based business expanding to encompass both edible items and specialty products.
lorina’s Page 7
Photo By Marg Jackson
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Women In Business — 7
lorina’s
Continued From Page 6 kids and the most amazing husband. I love them dearly. What are some of the special events you have during the year? We have a few great events every year! Last two summers we have held a Farm to Fork dinner with the Escalon Chamber of Commerce. It is a fundraiser for educational scholarships. Lots of amazing food and drinks, not to be missed. Christmas in Grandpa’s Barn is the first two weekends of December. It’s held at my Dad’s farm down the street from our herb farm. We sell loads of gift items, spa products, walnuts, gift baskets, holiday décor and yummy farm goodies too. Baked goods and candies; we always host great vendors too! Wagon rides,
campfire and hot chocolate make this event a great family outing! We host groups during the week for private shopping and luncheons too in the barn. In spring we also host a Mother’s Day brunch and sale. Various garden classes will come available too. Explain a little about ‘Grandpa’s Barn’ and how it fits in to the garden business. We use my Dad’s barn for special events throughout the year. It’s always been a place of great memories as I grew up playing out there. I needed some place to hold special events and Dad didn’t mind us cleaning it up! Someday we’re hoping to build a barn at our herb farm to better suit our needs for classes and activities but it’s impossible to replicate the character of Grandpa’s Barn. How many of your family
members are involved? My family is very supportive of me! My husband David is always by my side helping me with everything. My daughters LilLana (23), Adalia and Illiana (21) are always making things and working so hard. LilLana even sings at our events since she was a little girl. The twins are away at Chico State. LilLana works for Guitar Center and performs often at local venues. And don’t forget Dad (Grandpa) Don Angle; he always is out working on the farm and letting us use the location. What do you enjoy most about the business? What do I love about my business? I love to teach and share new ideas, tastes and fragrances to my customers. I love that if I work hard, it will pay me back. I have messed up, learned and figured out what works. It’s always an evolving process. I’m nowhere near
Lorina’s Edible Garden owner Lorina Cajias, second from left, gets ready to help a line of patrons at the cash register as daughter Adalia, left, looks on during an annual event, Christmas in Grandpa’s Barn, hosted the first two weekends in December each year at the Enterprise Road location. Photo By Marg Jackson
where I see myself yet but as a family we’re making leaps and bounds to achieve those goals. It’s awesome to see how far we have come!
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Anything else you would like to add? In the future I hope that our farm will have lots to offer to all types of people. We want to evolve into an ag-
ritourism location. Maybe even have a farm stay bed and breakfast or camp out options. We will offer more activities and a U-pick Garden too.
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I am honored to serve the families of this community along- side our funeral director, Jessica Campos. We serve the Escalon and Ripon communities with two locations that offer full service burial, cremation funerals and preplanning. The families we serve are our top priority and we care for them as though they are our own. We are thankful for the opportunity to help others during a time of grief and healing. Please stop by or call our chapel for more information about any of our services.
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8 — Women In Business
Fitness Tips For Busy Moms Working mothers have a lot on their plates. In addition to the responsibilities that come with raising a family, working moms also must focus on their careers. Many mothers find that managing such hectic balancing acts leaves little time for physical fitness. But there are ways for working moms to stay physically fit even as they juggle their commitments to career and family. Work out in the early morning. Working out in the early morning, when the kids are still asleep and the office has yet to open, is a great way for busy working mothers to get their daily exercise. Designate a room in your home where you can spend time each morning doing some light strength training before
hitting the treadmill or elliptical machine. The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week, and women who get up just 45 minutes earlier each morning can meet those requirements and then some. An added benefit to working out in the early morning is that many people who follow such regimens insist they have more energy throughout the rest of the day. Exercise with the kids. Working mothers looking to find time for exercise can turn part of family time into a time to exercise with their children. Play in the yard with youngsters
while dinner is cooking or go for nightly post-meal walks. Exercising with kids is a great way for mothers to get their daily exercise while also instilling a love of physical activity in their children. Have a backup plan on hand. Working out at a gym can be motivational, as many mothers want to make sure their monthly membership fees aren’t going to waste. But there will inevitably be days when working mothers can’t get to the gym. Prepare for such days by purchasing home workout DVDs you can play while the kids are doing their homework or after they have gone to bed. Look for gyms with childcare. Many gyms now offer on-site childcare to parents
of young children who can’t stay home alone while their folks are at the gym. Gyms that offer on-site childcare may prove more reliable and even less expensive than hiring a sitter, and some gyms even offer fitness programs to youngsters, helping to ensure kids
get the daily exercise they need as well. Exercise during lunch breaks. If possible, squeeze in your daily exercise during lunch breaks. Take advantage of on-site exercise facilities if your company offers them. If not, take your lunch outside and then go
for a walk around the campus or a nearby park rather than eating at your desk. Finding time to exercise is a common dilemma for working mothers. But there are some creative ways for moms to stay fit without affecting their commitments to work and family.
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Women In Business — 9
Job Hunting Tips For Young Women Young women preparing to enter the workforce may discover a job market that’s difficult to crack. Getting a foot in the door in your desired field is not always easy, but young women looking to land that first job out of college can consider the following tips to help them take that all-important first step toward a rewarding career. Decide on a path. Blindly searching for work or any old job is a recipe for an aimless search that likely won’t land you a job you enjoy. Choose what it is that you want to do and who you hope to do it for, and then you can proceed with a more refined search that does not include you spending time pursuing positions you don’t want. Don’t be afraid to seek ad-
vice. Once you determine some companies you may want to work for, don’t be afraid to seek advice from people who already work for those companies. Even if such businesses don’t have any current openings, you might be able to schedule informational meetings. Treat such meetings like you would a job interview, asking questions about the industry and what you can do to get your foot in the door. Once such meetings have concluded, send a hand-written thank-you note to the person who took time out of their day to give you the informational meeting. Learn from each job interview. Many people, especially young people just starting out, go through many job inter-
views before finally landing a job. Each interview is not just an opportunity to land a job or hone your interviewing skills, but also a chance to learn what employers are looking for. Many interviews for entry-level jobs are similar regardless of the industry, so make note of your responses that went over well and those that might need a little more work. Be prepared to explain why you should be hired. Job seekers should be able to explain both their enthusiasm for the job and why they are right for that job. Keep your description of your capabilities concise, but don’t be afraid to confidently state why you are the best possible candidate. Look for volunteering opportunities. After
you have targeted a field you want to work in, you may find that there are few paying opportunities within that field. But you might be able to volunteer or even pursue an internship if you only recently graduated from college. Volunteering or accepting an unpaid internship is a great way to start making some contacts and gaining some legitimate experience, and working for free might just indicate to prospective employers that you are serious about pursuing a particular career and not just landing a job. Young women may be met with a difficult job market upon graduating from college. But there are ways to make job hunts easier and land the job of your dreams.
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10 — Women In Business
Right At Home
Country Kids Providing Care For Over 20 Years By MARG JACKSON
mjackson@oakdaleleader.com
After the birth of her first daughter in 1992, Dawn Briggs came to a realization. She didn’t want to leave her daughter to go back to work. So instead, she made her home her workplace, teaming up with her mother to offer an inhome day care. From that humble beginning some 24 years ago grew what has become the Country Kids Child Development Center. Admitting when she first wanted to stay at home with newborn daughter Stephanie, Briggs said she never anticipated that decision to eventually lead to the
full-fledged center the business now occupies on Miller Avenue in Escalon. “Nothing like this,” she admitted of what she thought the future might bring all those years ago. “It’s amazing.” Attending classes at both Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State, Briggs has found her work to be rewarding and ever-changing, balancing the business with raising four daughters. “Since 1996 we have been here,” she said of the Miller Avenue property. “This was an orchard, we built the building here, it all worked.” Interested in child care and development since high school, she started
her career at The Learning Tree in Escalon and then moved on to be assistant director at ECS (Escalon Children’s Services), a summer and after-school program. “My sister (Lori Carpenter) started the ECS,” Briggs explained. “Education is in the family.” While Briggs was struggling with the decision to leave her young daughter, her mother – Charlene Hutson – was learning she would be without a job, as the trucking firm she worked for at the time was closing. “She went back to college,” Briggs said of her mother, doing her coursework in child development as well. country kids Page 11
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Three generations of working women help keep Country Kids Child Development Center running like clockwork, with Dawn Briggs, center, the director of the center, assisted by daughter Stephanie, left, and mom Charlene Hutson, right. Photo By Marg Jackson
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Women In Business — 11
country kids Continued From Page 10
Daughter Stephanie now works at Country Kids while daughter Sarah, studying to be a nurse, also has logged some shifts at the local center. Daughter Samantha is a senior this year at Ripon Christian and Sydney, the youngest, is in seventh grade at Ripon Christian. Husband Jeff Briggs has been active periodically in the center operation but also works as an emergency planner for SMUD. Offering a full day of care for parents that work, Country Kids is both a preschool and a child care center, with emphasis on learning and development. “We are licensed for 78,” Briggs said. “The en-
rollment varies from day to day.” With strong numbers this year, Briggs said the center did have a downturn in about 2006, but weathered that storm and has seen steady improvement. “Our staff is about 16 people,” she explained. “We have four preschool classes, two teachers for Pre-Kindergarten, and we do have structured academics, especially for our Pre-K. They want them to learn so much before they get to kindergarten.” Along with the classes, there are after school students that attend County Kids. For Briggs, part of the benefit is having former students come back to say hello. “We just had a young man in his early 20s, he was always in trouble as a kid, come back,”
noted Briggs excitedly of the visit, with the young adult now doing well. “He wanted to thank us for what we had done.” Open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., some youngsters attend every day, others sporadically and there are also choices of morning or afternoon preschool sessions. “Each has their own age group,” Briggs explained of keeping youngsters together with their peers. During the summer, and as they can during the school year, there are some special activities for the school age children, including walking field trips. “We had a busy summer,” noted Briggs of having plenty of kids enrolled for care during the break from school. Sometimes they also have local police, firefighters or businesspeo-
ple come to the school for special occasions, bringing a field trip in to the younger set. With older daughter Stephanie settling in to work at the center, she makes the third generation of the family to have a hand in running the business. And while they are relatively full right now, Briggs said those with questions about enrolling can contact Country Kids at 209-838-1600. “We hate to turn anybody away,” she said. Children from 18 months to 12 years old can be served at Country Kids and Briggs said though it is a tough job, it has its rewards and there’s one specific reason she enjoys what she does. “Just making a difference,” she said, getting kids pointed in the right direction as they head to school and beyond.
Youngsters enjoy some free play time in the side yard at Country Kids Child Development Center on Miller Avenue in Escalon, a business that has been serving the community for over 20 years. Photo By Marg Jackson
Maribeth Reece Realtor
(L to R) Joan Witt - Store Manager and Leanne Jones Cruz - Owner
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12 — Women In Business
Curves Owner Offers One Stop Shop For Fitness By TERESA HAMMOND thammond@oakdaleleader.com
Colleen O’Connell used to serve people whatever they wanted on the menu. In 2003, however, a paradigm shift would begin, which would eventually alter the course of both her life, as well as her career. O’Connell is the owner of Curves, Oakdale, as well as Curves Valley Springs. The 113 N. Third Ave., Oakdale, location also became home to a third business for O’Connell in 2014 as she became a trained Jenny Craig certified consultant. Sharing that she first became a member of Curves, Valley Springs in 2003, O’Connell said during that time she was
a server in the food industry. In 2007 she purchased the facility, which first got her started moving and in shape. “Being able to access a fitness gym for 30 minutes it was fun and effective,” she said of her initial membership. “I thought this is something I want to do,” she explained. “I want to help other women. I wanted to be in a business where I could help people.” In 2009 O’Connell learned of the Oakdale Curves franchise being offered for resale. She first passed on the offer, convinced she and her partner were too busy for a second location. A short drive from Valley Springs later, she found herself scout-
ing out a 95361 location which she thought would serve the community better. The owner noted the North Third Avenue location was a thought out decision. She mentioned the heavy foot traffic, as community members visit the center of town to shop, bank and dine. The focus was on increasing visibility and becoming accessible to more women. “I remember days where there were 15 women working out in a whole day,” O’Connell said of first coming to the downtown Oakdale location. Now the location has close to 250 members and stays steady during curves Page 13
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Oakdale Curves Coach Terry Wilder-Unruh, left, guides a group of members through a circuit workout to build cardio as well as physical strength. Photo By Teresa Hammond
Oak Valley COmmunity Bank Women in Business
125 North Third Avenue Oakdale 209.848.BANK Elisa Luna Branch Manager 209.343.7632
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Women In Business — 13
curves
Continued From Page 12 daily business hours. “For us 30 minutes is comparable to an hour and a half in the gym in strength training,” O’Connell said of the 30-minute full body workouts. “What’s changed with the Curves workout, is we’ve changed to a system called Curves Smart in 2007,” she continued. “It’s a computer coaching system that ensures you get the maximum benefits from your personal workout.” In addition to the computer coaching guiding the women as they transition through the 30 minute circuit, actual coaches are always on the floor as well. Holding true to her love and drive to help
others and change lives, O’Connell chose to add Jenny Craig to the Oakdale location close to a year and a half ago. “It’s not a merge, I’m a dual brand,” she said. “They are two separate franchises in one building.” The addition of the weight loss program has offered the Curves owner the opportunity to reach a broader range, including men looking for a weight loss program. “It’s been a fantastic combination,” she said. “It’s convenient for Oakdale and the surrounding communities.” O’Connell describes herself as driven, noting: “I mean who has three businesses going? I’m very energetic. I’m definitely energetic. I can go and go and go.” The go getter/owner has Open House events
scheduled for both businesses in September: Sept. 12 through 24 for Curves and Sept. 16 through 25 for Jenny Craig. The community is welcome. For additional information on Oakdale Curves or Jenny Craig, visit www.curveslocal. com/3303 or call 8450553.
RIGHT: Oakdale Curves/ Jenny Craig owner Colleen O’Connell, center, stands among the team of coaches for her downtown business. Photographed, from left: Karen Brainard, O’Connell, Laura Theodore and Terry Wilder-Unruh. Photo By Teresa Hammond
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14 — Women In Business
Riverbank Quilt Company Focuses On Family Ancient sewing equipment is scattered among the fabric bolts and samples throughout the former First National Bank (later Delta Bank) building in Riverbank, now home to the Riverbank Quilt Company. Run by the motherdaughter team of Joan Witt and Leanne JonesCruz, the shop in the heart of Riverbank’s downtown opened for business in mid-June of this year. Housed in an historic building at 3300 Santa Fe that dates back to 1911, the quilters have chosen to retain the fixtures and decor of the bank, including its expansive granite counters and shelves along with the ornate chandeliers. Mom Joan serves as
manager, daughter Leanne is the owner and they trace their quilting history back a few generations. “I am passionate about quilting. This was a family tradition that my grandmother, mother, and aunties all did,” said Jones-Cruz. “I thought that the quilt shop would be something that I would do as part of my retirement but I am not retiring for another five to six years.” In the interim, her mom will run the shop and Jones-Cruz will be there as her schedule allows. “The opportunity arose so I went for it. This is going to be a fun thing for us,” Jones-Cruz noted. “I could not have done it without her (mom).”
The Third Street shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday. The shop offers designer fabrics, quilting notions, and classes, with classes every Saturday that typically fill up fast. A couple of days during the week, you can find “Sewing with Joan” classes at the shop as well. With her ‘day job’ keeping her busy at Enochs High School within the Modesto City Schools District, Jones-Cruz said she definitely enjoys the change of pace the quilt shop offers. “I have been getting to know my downtown business neighbors. I feel like it is a comquilt Page 15
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Riverbank Quilt Company owner Leanne Jones-Cruz, right, shares a laugh with a customer as she wraps some newly purchased fabric. Photo By Virginia Still
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF OAKDALE Celebrating 62 years of service to our community! Please join us for our upcoming events: Evening Mixer at Rivi’s - September 15, 2016 Holiday Craft and Goodie Auction - November 30, 2016 Distinguished Young Women of Oakdale - March 11, 2017 Motor Madness Fundraiser - March 25, 2017 Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. For information regarding membership in Soroptimist International of Oakdale check our web site www.oakdalesoroptimist.org or email us at sioakdale@soroptimist.net
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Women In Business — 15
quilt
Continued From Page 14 munity that looks out for each other. This has been pretty awesome,”
she said of getting the store up and running. “Opening a business is kind of scary at first but sometimes you have to just go for it. Everything fell into place for me so it
was meant to be.” The mother-daughter business pair is also prominently displaying antique sewing equipment, including several old Singer sewing ma-
chines and a White. And whether you are new to the hobby or an old hand, the shop caters to those with all levels of experience. “Quilting really is my passion and it is a stress reliever,” Jones-Cruz explained. “It really is like therapy.” For more information, visit the Riverbank Quilt Company’s Facebook page or call 209-5021957. Reporter Virginia Still and correspondent Ric McGinnis both contributed to this article.
Customers have a variety of materials to choose from at the Quilt Company and manager Joan Witt, at left, is on hand to assist.
There are several quilts displayed around the Quilt Company shop that opened this past June along with some antique sewing machines. Photo By Virginia Still
Photo By Virginia Still
Jan Noble, HHScEd, is the Founder/ Director for Oakdale’s only post-secondary school - the Holistic Life Institute, School of Massage and Natural Health. Now in its 19th year, HLI offers a CA BPPVApproved, CAMTC Approved 500-hour Certified Massage Therapy program and a 500-hour Holistic Health Practitioner program. With a staff of 12 instructors, HLI trains 60-plus CMT and HHP graduates per year, some of whom continue on to become instructors themselves. HLI also provides a 13-office wellness center and spa for graduates to launch their new careers. In addition to directing the institute, Jan has authored “FigureShaping - The Completely Natural Weight-loss Protocol” and “Home with God - The Restoration of Your Spiritual Self”, both available at amazon.com.
730 East F St., Oakdale (office)209-848-8382 • (cell)209-918-0647 www.holisticlifeinstitute.com Find us on Facebook at Holistic Life Institute/Oakdale
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16 — Women In Business
Update Your Skills In A Secure Job Industry The last several years have seen a series of economic ups and downs. Managing careers amid such instability has been challenging for many individuals, but professionals looking for more security can take steps to find careers that promise more long-term stability. Focusing a job search on industries that have shown strong growth and the ability to ride out waves of economic turmoil can tip the odds in your favor. Certain industries have better longterm employment outlooks than others, and women looking for more stability should consider these industries when pondering their next career moves. Accounting Thanks to everchanging financial policies and greater scrutiny placed on lending practices and
bookkeeping, accounting jobs remain solid career choices. Jobs in accounting can range from entry-level to more advanced (and more lucrative) positions requiring certification or a secondary education. Medicine Financial health does not safeguard people against illness, and health services are needed regardless of the state of the economy. That makes medical careers some of the most coveted and stable around. Healthcare professions can be lucrative, and careers in medicine are not restricted to doctors or nurses. Clinicians, medical imaging personnel and medical laboratory technicians also are needed. The United States Department of Labor lists services for the elderly and persons with disabilities,
home healthcare services and other health practitioner positions among the fastest-growing career opportunities. Computer Systems Computer systems analysts and programming experts are highly coveted in today’s digital world. Many company operations are completely overseen by relatively autonomous computer systems. As technology keeps changing, employees who are able to stay abreast of the changes will only grow more valuable. Environment Cleanenergy and other environmental jobs may currently make up a small percentage of employment, but reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate jobs in this sector are growing much faster than other fields, including health-
care. Workers ready to get in on the ground level may benefit from opportunities for advancement and the stability of working in a field that figures to grow considerably over the next several decades. Green jobs include work that is pri-
marily involved in the production of green goods and services, such as renewable energy, pollution reduction and recycling. Green jobs also are those that involve education and training related to environmental compliance.
Entering the job market for the first time or reentering it with a new career direction can be intimidating. Focusing education and skills on careers that are proven winners can be the security and confidence boost professionals need.
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Women In Business — 17
Take A Cue From Successful Women
Women had another successful year in 2015. According to the Fortune 500 list, 2015 tied the record set for the highest number of female CEOs in America’s largest companies by revenue. Twenty-four women, including Mary Barra of General Motors, Meg Whitman of HewlettPackard and Ginny Rometty of IBM, made the list. Although women make up 45 percent of the labor force and only 5 percent head Fortune 500 companies, women are making greater strides than ever before. For example, in 1998, just one woman led a Fortune 500 company, according to Pew Research Center. Certain traits could help propel successful women to the top. Here’s a look at some
of the ways female professionals can overcome professional hurdles and make their mark. Be passionate about what you do. Women who maintain passion about their careers are more likely to overcome any challenges and stand out in the workplace. If your profession is not stoking any passion, explore alternate career opportunities. Recognize your strengths. Today’s professionals are less likely than their predecessors to stick with one company or line of work for their entire working lives. But just because you change jobs or career paths does not mean your past experience is useless. Successful women know what they do best, whether it’s
public speaking, writing or making sales pitches. Apply those strengths when looking for a new job or career. Know when to ask for help. Even the most accomplished women have limitations. Asking for help when you need it can help you overcome those limitations. To be good at what you do, you first have to learn from others. Sometimes the smartest way to overcome an obstacle is having several hands on deck to provide a boost. Thinking that the work is better left to you alone could be a mistake. Enlist help when you need it and never hesitate to ask for another perspective. Make time for exercise. A sluggish body can make for a sluggish mind. Successful people need to be
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sharp, and exercise can help them maintain their mental focus. According to John J. Ratey, Ph.D., a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, muscles send hormones rushing to the brain where they mix with a substance called brainderived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF. BDNF plays a role in brain cell growth and learning. Without it, brains can’t absorb new information or grow and learn. Exercise also helps relieve stress, which can make resolutions easier to see and make tasks less overwhelming. Go easy on yourself. While many successful people strive for perfection, achieving perfection is unlikely, if not impossible. Success-
ful people often admit to being their own worst critics, but don’t beat yourself up if you endure some trial and error. Mistakes can be a great teacher, so use any you make to your advantage. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Successful women are not afraid to take risks. Many may have decided they don’t fit a specific mold and want
to affect change. However, calculated risks are different from reckless decisions, and it is important to recognize the difference. A calculated risk may involve starting your own business after learning the ropes in a specific field and testing the waters. Reckless behavior would be opening that business with no relevant experience.
18 — Women In Business
Be Safe, Healthy And Happy In The Workplace While Pregnant Congratulations, you are pregnant. The next several months are certain to include many changes as you prepare for the arrival of your child. Whether you have been pregnant before or are about to become a mom for the first time, each experience is unique. And while dealing with the unexpected is part of being pregnant, pregnant women should expect their employers to treat them fairly as they continue to work. The first thing pregnant working women should know is that they have the right to work while pregnant. In the United States, it has been illegal to discriminate against pregnant women in the workplace since 1978, when the Pregnancy Discrimination Act was
passed. But in spite of those laws, some employers may be less receptive to their female employees’ pregnancies, with some insisting they harbor good intentions, such as the woman’s safety. Businesses cannot fire employees for being pregnant, and many courts have ruled that decisions about the safety of the woman and fetus are up to the employee and her doctor, not her boss. On the same token, a company cannot refuse to hire a person simply because she’s pregnant. While pregnancy is a natural occurrence and one female bodies can accommodate, in some instances, work requirements may threaten the safety or the health of the fetus. Therefore, employers are under a duty
to accommodate female workers who may need to modify their duties due to their pregnancies. This can be a collaborative discussion, with both the employer and employee coming to a solution that works best for them. It is the employer’s responsibility to accommodate pregnant employees by removing barriers that may limit those employees’ ability to do their jobs. Each instance should be looked at individually. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, women in the United States are entitled to 12 weeks maternity leave. Women can choose to use a portion of that maternity leave even before their children are born if physical limitations are making it challenging for them
Thank you for allowing me to serve you the last 20 Years! Denise Cash Realtor Oakdale Area Specialist
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to continue working. Women should put their health and the safety of their unborn children ahead of their responsibilities at work. In addition, women should not hesitate to speak with their employers about their comfort levels while pregnant. If an issue arises, speak with your boss, who deserves the benefit of the doubt. In some in-
stances, breastfeeding also is protected by law at job sites or at the office. It is best for women to familiarize themselves with breastfeeding policies ahead of time so they can make the proper accommodations. Pregnant women should discuss with their doctors which work activities are permissible and which should be avoided
at particular times in the pregnancy. Every effort should be made to avoid toxic substances, and pregnant women should not lift heavy items or engage in any potentially risky physical activity. For more information about workplace rights, visit the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at www.eeoc. gov.
Women In Business — 19
Great Part-Time Jobs For Retirees
Upon retiring, many newly minted retirees find themselves looking for ways to fill their free time. Hobbies may not take up too much time, and travel can stretch retirees’ budgets. One way that retirees can make great use of their free time and make a little extra money is to find part-time employment. Part-time jobs can help retirees maintain their connections with their communities, whether it’s their professional community or the community in which they live, while also providing a sense of purpose. Retirees interesting in finding part-time work may want to consider the following jobs. Consulting work: Many retirees have long résumés, and that experience is still valuable even after retirement.
Consulting firms often hire experienced businesspeople on a project or contract basis, which can be great opportunities for retirees to fill their time and make sizable amounts of money without having to commit to long-term employment. Teaching: Retirees can also put their professional experience to work in the classroom. Inquire about teaching opportunities at a nearby university or even the local high school. Such opportunities may only be available on a volunteer basis, but some might pay part-time salaries or small stipends. Either way, many retirees find that working with young people helps them stay young, and passing on lessons learned to younger generations can provide a strong sense of purpose. Seasonal
work: Seasonal work is another great way for retirees to fill their time and make a little extra money along the way. Come the holiday season, retirees should have no trouble finding seasonal retail work at their local malls or shopping centers. In warmer months, retirees may find seasonal employment at area beaches, golf courses or parks. Sports teams: Retirees who live in cities with professional sports teams may be able to find work with their favorite franchise. Professional sports franchises often rely on retirees to staff ingame positions like ushers and concessions employees, and some may even hire retirees to greet fans. While the pay might not be great, such positions are ideal for retirees who
happen to be big sports fans. Crafts: Retirees with a love of crafting can turn their hobby into income. For example, Etsy.com makes it easy for creative entrepreneurs to post their
creations and sell them to buyers all over the globe. Sellers often dictate how quickly they can make and ship products, so retirees need not feel worried about being rushed. Many
retirees still work even after calling it a career, and opportunities abound for retirees looking to fill their time and make a little extra money along the way.
River Oak Dental Spa Tourtlotte Dental Corp Christina Tourtlotte, DDS Andrea Pezoldt, DDS
1473 East G St., Ste. C Oakdale, CA 95361 • (209) 848-8074 www.riveroakdentalspa.com
FREE
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CALL FO
River Oak Dental Spa is the dental practice of Dr. Christina Tourtlotte who has been operating her family dental practice in Oakdale since 1994. The office is equipped with state of the art technology for the dental practice and several features to present a relaxing, pleasant and spa like atmosphere for the patient. The dental office has chairs which give the patient a gentle massage, digital radiograph x-rays, in chair patient entertainment systems, and the ability to use nitrous oxide to ease patient anxiety. The office décor includes running water fountains to enhance the soothing atmosphere. Some spa treatments are available on a periodic basis. In February 2013, the office introduced our patients to the newest state of the art technology, the CEREC. The CEREC is a sophisticated CAD/CAM System for the production of all ceramic inlays, onlays, partial crowns, veneers, and crowns for anterior and posterior teeth.
Back Row: L-R: Tiffany Tobias, Hygienist, Andrea Pezoldt, DDS, Christina Tourtlotte, DDS, Korie Whorton, Hygienist, Debbie Acamo, Scheduling Manager, Vita Lara, Office Manager, Stephanie Wheat, RDA Front Row: L-R: Melissa Mora, RDA, Jenna Bonnici, Front Office Coordinator
Dr. Christina Tourtlotte is an Oakdale native and the 1989 Oakdale Rodeo Queen. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry where she graduated with honors in 1992. Dr. Andrea Pezoldt joined our office in January 2009. Andrea graduated from University of the Pacific Dental School, and has been practicing for 21 years. River Oak Dental Spa is welcoming new patients and featuring laser whitening and office bleaching. Free Whitening for life! Call for details. We thank our patients for their business and we appreciate your referrals.
20 — Women In Business• Wednesday, August 31, 2016
How To Make Your Office More Eco-Friendly When adopting more eco-friendly lifestyles, it can be easy to overlook the office. While drivers can drive in ways that conserve fuel and homeowners can take steps to reduce their energy consumption at home, few people may give as much thought to making their offices more friendly to the environment. But there are many environmentally friendly practices that business owners and their employees can adopt around the office. Turn computers off at quitting time. Frequently turning computers on and off can produce small surges of energy each time the computer is turned on. But the United States Department of Energy notes that this energy surge pales in comparison to the
energy consumed when computers are left on for long periods of time. When going home for the day or leaving your desk for more than 20 minutes, whether it’s during lunch hour or to attend a meeting, turn your monitor off. If you expect to be away from your computer for more than two hours, turn both the computer and the monitor off. Employers who make these suggestions to their employees may reduce their office energy consumption and save money along the way. Recycle old equipment. Advancements in technology now occur at a breakneck pace, so the equipment businesses use today may very well be obsolete tomorrow. Businesses that want to be more eco-friendly
should recycle rather than discard old equipment. Simply throwing equipment away might even be illegal depending on where an office is located. Some electronics contain mercury, lead or arsenic, hazardous materials that can do significant damage to the environment when not properly disposed of. Some retailers, including the office supply chain Staples, accept old equipment for recycling at their stores at no charge to business owners. If equipment is still functional but somewhat outdated, look into donating it to local organizations in need. Cut back on printing. Printing documents used to be the most effective way to share them with coworkers and clients. But nowadays printing is one
of the least efficient and least eco-friendly ways to share documents. Instead of printing documents to show coworkers, create PDFs and email the PDFs instead. And rather than mailing contracts to prospective clients, email contracts that accept esignatures, ultimately storing the contracts on your file server rather than in a dusty old filing cabinet. Develop telecommuting policies. In analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2005-2014 American Community Survey, GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com found the population of regular work-athome non-self-employed persons grew by 103 percent between 2005 and 2014. Working from home is often seen as employeefriendly, but it also can
Come in and Meet the Women of
Backk R B Row: Li Lixia i L Lemus, Di Diana J James, R Rene M Moreno, Meranda Ulrich, Yvette Vazquez Front Row: Sara Garcia, Yareli Navarro, Karlie Reep Not Pictured: Jackie Bustos, Jessica Sing, Lupe Ordaz
1080 West F Street, Oakdale
Next to Subway & Sara’s Dry Cleaners
847-2226
benefit employers and the environment. When employees work from home, their employers need not purchase or lease as much office space, saving them substantial amounts of
money. In addition, working from home cuts down on the number of commuters driving to work, decreasing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.
PHARMACY
Lixia Lemus - is our newest staff member. She is a Registered Technician and prides herself on accuracy and efficiency. Diana James - Has been working at River Oak Pharmacy for 17 years. She is an expert at dealing with insurance challenges. She helps our Spanish speaking patients, and enjoys helping all our patients get their prescriptions filled accurately and quickly. Rene Moreno - Is a Registered Technician, has been working for River Oak Pharmacy for 21 years, and is working in our compounding lab making custom prescriptions to meet our patients’ individual needs. Meranda Ulrich - Is a Registered Technician, assists Rene in the compounding lab, and has been helping patients at River Oak Pharmacy for over 4 years. Yvette Vazquez - Is a patient service expert. She is bilingual and is eager to help all of our patients. Sara Garcia - Is a Registered Technician, and has been working at River Oak Pharmacy for 17 years. She is an excellent patient-oriented technician. She also helps our Spanish speaking patients. Yareli Navarro - Is a bilingual patient support expert. She is always helpful to our patients. Karlie Reep - Is a Registered Technician. She is excellent at meeting patient’s needs, from Diabetic Shoes to Wheelchairs to Prescriptions. Jackie Bustos - Is a bilingual patient service expert who works diligently to get your medications in your hand and out the door as quickly as possible. Jessica Sing - Is a Registered Technician and our customer service expert. Lupe Ordaz - Is a Registered Technician and our customer service expert.
Women In Business — 21
Nifty’s Restaurant Serves The Community With A Smile BY VIRGINIA STILL vstill@oakdaleleader.com
Working for over 40 years at a diner in Riverbank called Nifty’s Restaurant and making the move from waitress to owner, Linda Mitchell has seen a lot of change in the food service industry and has met several people she calls her family. Nifty’s opened in 1945 and Bill and Betty Mitchell purchased the restaurant in 1976. When Linda was in high school she would work at Nifty’s after school. She started out waitressing when they used to have car hops. The menus were displayed all around the outside of the building. The cars would pull up and turn their headlights on to request service and a waitress
would go to their car and take their order. Then the driver would turn the headlights off and when they were ready to pay their bill they would turn them back on and the waitress would come out and take their money. “I enjoy the indoor service and the upgraded dining room with tables,� Linda explained of serving customers. “It is more personal when you wait on a table. You really get to know them.� Taking a cruise down memory lane, Linda shared stories of serving a packed restaurant and meeting people from all over the area that would dine at Nifty’s. Back in the early days, the restaurant was open from 4:15 a.m. to 11 p.m. “The clubhouse here in
Riverbank is where Johnny Cash got started and Merle Haggard,� added Linda. “There was an old clubhouse next to the post office but it is gone now.� Feeling that this industry has been dominated by women, Linda has seen more men enter the food service industry in recent years and has had one young man do the job that she states was really outstanding. “I was really proud of him,� expressed Linda. “I love opening up in the morning with everybody coming over for coffee. That is one of my favorite moments.� Currently the restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch from 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. seven days nifty’s Page 22
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Nifty’s Restaurant owner Linda Mitchell has been serving customers for several years, some preferring a seat at the traditional diner counter. Photo By Virginia Still
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22 — Women In Business
nifty’s
Continued From Page 21 a week. A car club rolls into Nifty’s every Friday morning for breakfast, and a room at the restau-
rant has been designated specifically for them. “A lot of them came here when they were in high school back in the ‘50s and ‘60s,”explained Linda. “They remember sitting outside in the
front three cars deep.” Linda was also pictured in the car club calendar a couple years ago where she was ‘Miss January.’ For breakfast the restaurant offers buttermilk pancakes, specialty om-
elets, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit and of course, a hot cup of coffee. At Nifty’s during lunchtime patrons can enjoy hamburgers and fries, potato salad, sandwiches, a chili burger with homemade chili and much more. Friendship is one of the reasons Linda loves what she does, because since she has been working at Nifty’s, she noted, her family has grown. “The relationships built here are so important to me,” stated Linda. “We are family here.”
RIGHT: Serving breakfast and lunch, Nifty’s in Riverbank has several options to choose from like this spinach and avocado omelet with a cup of fresh fruit. A familiar site for many years on Atchison Street in Riverbank, Nifty’s Restaurant continues to serve the community for breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Photo By Virginia Still
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LEADIN’ LADIES
Women In Business — 23
The women of The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times took a quick moment to smile for the camera recently for their photo in the Women in Business special section. Handling everything from photography to ad sales, circulation to classifieds and news gathering to feature writing, the ladies keep the three papers operating smoothly and on schedule. From left, Marg Jackson, Teresa Hammond, Lisa Garcia, Melody Wann, Corey Rogers, Maddie Marhulik, Michelle Kendig, Colette Robison, Virginia Still. Photo By Drew Savage
24 — Women In Business
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