Progress June 2015

June 2015 Vol. 36 Issue 6 modchamber.org

Your Chamber at Work

Government Relations

Leadership Modesto

Family owned since 1979 •Exterior & Interior Painting •Commercial Painting •Cabinet Refinishing •Specialty Finishes •Concrete Technology •Garage Floors • Stained Concrete & Concrete Polishing • Interior & Exterior Floors

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1004 Carver Road, Modesto • 209.529.8811

CONTENTS JUNE 2015

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.

Executive Committee

LEADERSHIP

4

Message from the CEO

COVER STORY

6

American Graffiti Takes Over Modesto

GUEST COLUMN

9

Chairman David Gianelli, Gianelli & Associates Chairman-Elect Eric Tobias, F&M Bank

The Birth of Cruising NETWORKING & REFERRALS

Past Chairman Ralph Curtis, Curtis Legal Group

11

Chamber Calender

Vice Chairman, Internal Operations Patricia Gillum, Patricia Gillum, CPA

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Vice Chairman, External Operations Brad Hawn, CHG

12

Announcing the 2015 Central Valley Job Fair & Veterans Summit

Vice Chair, Marketing & Events Laura Ward, Ward Promotional Marketing Solutions

STANISLAUS GREEN TEAM

Directors Jeff Burda, Wells Fargo Mid-Valley Commercial Banking Mike Garcia, Oak Valley Community Bank David Gingerich, TD Gingerich Insurance Solutions, Inc. Warren Kirk, Doctors Medical Center Craig Lewis, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stephen Madison, STANCO Virginia Madueño, Imagen Public Relations Nate Miller, Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, Inc. Tom Nielsen, Beard Land and Investment Co. Peggy O’Donnell, Mid-Valley Promotion Steven Rank, Rank Investigations and Protection, Inc. Kole Siefken, DoubleTree Hotel Lucy Virgen, Bank of the West Jeremiah Williams, Oak Crafts by Jeremiah

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Publisher: Modesto Chamber of Commerce 209.577.5757 • Progress@ModChamber.org www.ModChamber.org Graphic Design: Never Boring 209.526.9136 • www.neverboring.com Printer: The Parks Group 209.576.2568 • mike@theparksgroup.com

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Leadership Modesto to the Rescue!

Chamber Corner

Advisors Keith Boggs, Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office George Boodrookas, Modesto Junior College David Boring, Never Boring Kristopher Helton, Leadership Modesto Jim Holgersson, City of Modesto David White, The Alliance Melissa Williams, Modesto Irrigation District Carlos Yamzon, StanCOG Cecil Russell, President/CEO Modesto Chamber of Commerce CRussell@ModChamber.org

Innovative Partnerships in the Dairy Industry

CHERYL FOOTE & NATALIE NIELSEN

This month marks our first year here at the Modesto Chamber of Commerce. Within the year we have created relationships with many outstanding people in our community and are excited for what comes next. We would like to thank all of our members and partner businesses for making us feel at home. Starting this month, your Chamber will be offering notary services in the office. Contact Cheryl Foote with any questions. Natalie Nielsen is always looking for new ideas, thoughts, articles and advocates to help make Progress and Chamber Happenings even better. We look forward to meeting you if we have not already, and continuing our partnerships with all of those who have made this year great!

Cheryl Foote – cfoote@modchamber.org Natalie Nielsen – nnielsen@modchamber.org

Distribution: The Parks Group 209.576.2568 Advertising Sales: Never Boring 209.526.9136 • progress@neverboring.com © Copyright 2015 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

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

JUNE 2015

3

PUBLI C A DVO CACY

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

By Chamber President and CEO Cecil Russell I am happy to announce that we had a very successful Lemonade Day on Saturday, May 16. We had over 800 kids that signed up to run their own stands. A group of us from the Chamber visited around forty stands. It was a real joy to see these young kids with their parents working their stands. A large number of stands earned over $800. WOW! It was also great to speak to the kids and ask them what charities or causes they were CECIL RUSSELL CHAMBER PRESIDENT going to support with their profits. We thank AND CEO all of the sponsors and the Modesto Bee for their support with the great map detailing the locations of many of the stands. This event could not have been a success without all of our sponsors, supporters and committee members. The kids really appreciated making this a reality. For some fun photos of kids and their stands visit our Lemonade Day Modesto Facebook page.

Another great event that we recently attended was the United Cerebral Palsy Community Garden groundbreaking ceremony.

This is part of their Life Without Limits program. On May 18th we, along with the Mayor, City Manager, Councilwoman Kenoyer, a representative from Congress Denham’s office, and SOS Club Board Members had a ribbon cutting and groundbreaking for the new community garden located at vacant land on SOS property.

This will be a great project to assist this group with a purpose that is steeped in our agricultural heritage. For more information, visit www.ucpstan.org.

The drought continues with mandatory water restrictions becoming a part of our daily lives. As we all move through the drought we need to stand united in conservation efforts and in support of our local elected officials that represent us in Sacramento to help solve the longer term solutions. We simply need more water storage and need to put people, business, and agriculture ahead of the environmental extremists who demand that we continue to release more water to help the fish, even though this “solution” is unsubstantiated by the evidence. MID has studies that point out that non-native predator fish are the single largest threat to the salmon in our rivers, and reducing these predator fish populations will do more good for native salmon than increased water flows. We all need to educate ourselves so we can speak up to support and protect our water.

June is our annual kickoff of Graffiti Summer. The North Kiwanis again will produce the Classic Car Parade and Festival. The Parade will have a new start location this year. It will begin at five points ( J Street and Needham Street) and will continue out on McHenry Avenue to Orangeburg Avenue where they will make the turn coming back down McHenry Avenue to J Street, making the loop to 10th Street, then I Street back to McHenry Avenue. In addition the Festival for Saturday and Sunday will be held at the Municipal Golf Course next door to John Thurman Field. This has always been a great event and should be even grander this year. The Kiwanis have graciously given the Modesto Chamber permission to sell their Official Graffiti T-Shirt to raise funds for both the Stanislaus Boys and Girls Club and the Modesto Mayor’s Top Teens. All of the funds raised by the Kiwanis in this great event are given back to local charities. This has been their philosophy in action and long-standing tradition for the last 16 years. THANK YOU KIWANIS! P

YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK

Introducing As our mission statement says: “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.” In the last five months your Chamber has been hard at work, constantly working towards a better Modesto, dedicated to serving the community in many ways.

Listed below are the events that your Chamber participated in: Regional Airport Planning Meeting DID and Downtown Partnership and Downtown Hospitality Program MLK Celebration at King-Kennedy

formerly Bank of Agriculture & Commerce

Sylvan Schools Board Meeting Certificate Presention Downtown Farm to Table Co-Op Meeting

Stanislaus County Water Summit

2015 Downtown Events Planning Meeting

2015 Best of Turlock Awards (Turlock Chamber)

Destination Graduation Advisory Meeting

· Maintains BAC’s strong brand recognition.

Investiture Ceremony & Reception for Judge Ruben Villalobos

2015 Graffiti Parade & Car Show Planning Meetings

Business Alliance Board Meeting

Stanislaus Business Alliance Executive Committee Meeting

· Reflects BAC is a community bank serving individuals and a variety of business sectors including agriculture.

City Council Meetings Board of Supervisors Meetings Modesto Bee & Stanislaus Community Foundation Book of Dreams Presentation

Governance Council Meeting

Catalyst – City Ministry Network meetings

City of Modesto EDC 2015 Urban Growth Review Meeting

Congressman Denham and Administrator Feinberg on Federal Rail Authority

Mayor’s Top Teens Meeting

Farm Bureau’s 101st Annual Dinner with Speaker Assemblymember Kristin Olsen

2015 Downtown Events Planning Meeting Stanislaus County EDAC Meeting LCR Monthly Meeting Every Student Succeeds Breakfast Chinese New Year Celebration Governance Council Meeting SPIE Meetings & Destination Graduation Meeting

Love Modesto Earth Day at Graceada Park

Lemonade Day – Best Lemonade Tasting Contest at McHenry Village

MODESTO 1625 J Street 209-544-2227

KOVR Channel 13 – Downtown Parking Issues Congressman Jeff Denham Job Summit

City of Modesto EDC 2015 Urban Growth Review Meeting

47th Annual Turlock Government Night

Senator Galgiani’s Open House City of Modesto Planning Commission Interviews

LOCATIONS

KCRA Channel 3 Reports – Lemonade Day

Downtown Parking Community Meeting

“Connecting for Good” Seminar – Stanislaus Community Foundation

bankbac.com

IC Refrigeration’s 75th Anniversary Celebration

7th Street Bridge Project Meetings

Ribbon Cuttings - 25-Year Member Presentations & Re-Grand Openings

· Celebrates our 50th Year Anniversary.

Modesto City Schools/LCAP Advisory Meeting

SPIE Meetings

Stanislaus Business Alliance – Celebrate Stanislaus Event

OUR NEW name…

25th Anniversary Presentation to Modesto City Schools State Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee Hearing on Water Legislation State Capitol Rally for Water Issues for Central Valley

Member FDIC

Your Chamber is working for you. Did we miss something? Let us know: 209.577.5757 or email Natalie Nielsen: NNielsen@modchamber.org Visit our website for upcoming events www.modchamber.org P JUNE 2015

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{ CO VER STO R Y }

Takes Over Modesto

By Alex Cantatore Just think about driving a classic American car under the hot summer sun, cooling down to a breezy perfect night. Pull up to a stoplight, and there’s another classic car revving its engines, ready to race.

And try, just try, to picture that happening anywhere but Modesto.

The city now devotes the entire month of June to its Graffiti heritage. But that month is always highlighted by the Kiwanis Club of North Modesto’s American Graffiti Festival, now in its 17th year.

The basics of the festival have remained the same since its inception. Classic cars parade through Downtown Modesto, and are then displayed at a massive car-focused festival with food and merriment for all.

The American Graffiti Festival has grown dramatically from its first year, when only about 250 cars took part. This year, about 1,200 vintage cars will be displayed, some from as far away as Texas.

Those cars — and the sheer fun of the event — draw more than 10,000 attendees to the festival each year. That figure doesn’t include the paradegoers, an almost incalculable number of which line Modesto’s streets.

“The Central Valley is loaded with car people,” explains John Sanders, chairman of the American Graffiti Festival. “It always has been. They come out of the woodwork.”

It has something to do with the flat land, Sanders supposes, making every street into a perfect drag strip. Part of it has to do with the region’s welcoming evening weather, creating a generation of folks who grew up avoiding the heat by day, and cruising 10th Street by night.

“It’s a heritage thing,” said Brent Burnside, who will take over the chairmanship in 2017.

And, of course, it has a little something to do with a film by Modesto’s most famous son. George Lucas’s “American Graffiti”

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Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

told the world about Modesto’s car culture — and became the first summer blockbuster in the process.

“It’s part of the culture, and Modesto has capitalized on it,” Burnside said.

That car culture developed organically through the years, even as authorities started to frown on it. For years, the first Saturday after high school graduation was marked with an impromptu, informal, unlicensed classic car parade down McHenry Avenue.

Thousands would line the streets to watch the parade – until out-of-towners created trouble in the early 1990s, and cruising was banned.

Now, most Valley cities ban cruising. For one weekend of the year, the American Graffiti Festival brings it back.

“It’s too bad, but it’s one of those things,” Sanders said. “The parade has really brought back that cruising culture.”

There’s an important distinction between classic car culture and cruising culture. Most of the cars in the American Graffiti Festival are driven, not carefully trailered to their destinations.

With the American Graffiti Festival, as with any great heritage event, there’s a sense of “don’t fix what’s not broken.” As the event has taken home Modesto Area Music Awards as the best large, local event for the past two years, there’s no doubt that the American Graffiti Festival is already done right.

But some changes will come to the festival this year — two new venues.

The parade’s start and announcing stand will be located at Five Points this year — the corner of 17th and J Streets, next to the George Lucas ’57 Chevy statue. The parade will follow the route it adopted last year, traveling a portion of McHenry Avenue in addition to traversing the streets of Downtown Modesto.

Wendell Reed, a noted local car enthusiast and the chairman of George Reed Inc., will lead the parade as Grand Marshall.

And the main festival will be held at the Modesto Municipal Golf Course this year, rather than its traditional home of Modesto Junior College.

“We outgrew MJC, and MJC outgrew us,” Sanders said, noting that the college is adding buildings at the same time that the show is attracting more vehicles and vendors.

The golf course will be shut down for the weekend, as the car show takes over the fairways. The new venue will allow the festival to continue its unique setting; the festival is one of the few car shows to be held on grass with shady trees overhead — not in some parking lot.

“We’ve got that quiet, good old-town feel,” Burnside said.

Taking a stroll down an aisle of cars is like stepping back through the generations. Nearly every notable car from 1979 and earlier will be represented, bringing back memories of the cars that dad or grandpa drove.

Of course, the festival is more than just cars. There will be more than 25 food vendors, 75 non-food vendors, live bands, and a fun kids area.

Two of the “American Graffiti” film stars, Candy Clark (“Debbie Dunham”) and Bo Hopkins (“Joe Young”), will attend the event. Gene Winfield, a legendary custom car builder who hails from Modesto, will be modifying a car as attendees watch live.

And “Rock ‘n’” Roli Szabo, host of the History Channel show “Counting Cars” and the shop detailer at Count’s Kustoms, will be a special guest, too.

The festival is more than just a good time for the North Modesto Kiwanis Club. It’s the club’s main fundraiser of the year, raising thousands of dollars that go back to the community.

The event is 100 percent volunteer run. No one is “lining any pockets,” Sanders says. The money raised mainly goes to local youth, and other needy groups.

Because of those needs, the North Modesto Kiwanis Club keeps costs down to maximize profits. A committee of 25 members — more than one-quarter of the entire North Modesto Kiwanis Club — meets twice a month, year round to make the American Graffiti Festival a reality.

Those volunteers couldn’t do it all alone, Sanders notes. He credits the City of Modesto, Modesto Police Department, and Modesto Chamber of Commerce for truly outstanding support that makes the festival possible. He applauds the

Mid-Valley Chevy Club and Modesto Street Rod Association, two organizations that run other major events during Graffiti Summer.

It’s all those efforts combined that make Modesto a summer vacation destination for some travelers in search of the true American Graffiti. And it’s those efforts that turn Modesto into a block party for locals, as small businesses hold parties on their patios that line the parade route and soak in the graffiti culture.

“That’s really what it’s all about,” Sanders said. “Hopefully it gives the community a lot of pride in itself.”

The North Modesto Kiwanis Club’s American Graffiti Festival will be held from June 12 to 14. The parade will take place at 7 p.m. on June 12, tracing a route through Downtown Modesto, out McHenry Avenue, down Orangeburg Avenue, and back downtown. The festival will be held on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and June 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Modesto Municipal Golf Course, 400 Tuolumne Blvd. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The parade is free, while festival admission is $10 for adults and free for children age 12 and under. P For more information, or to register, visit www.americangraffitifestival.com

“

WE’VE GOT THAT QUIET,

good

old-town feel

Graffiti Summer 2015

Fri & Sat Nights (all summer long) A & W Root Beer 1404 G Street. Classic Cars, Elvis, Hula Hoop contest, Karaoke & Root Beer Floats served by Car Hops on Roller Skates.

Wednesday Nights (all summer long) Velvet Creamery 2204 McHenry Ave. Classic Car Show, Activities, Raffles & more!

June 6 American Graffiti Ready for root beer floats, a costume contest & dancing in the aisles to one of the best film soundtracks in history? Don your best duds from the ‘50s & ’60s & enter a costume contest for prizes. Showtime 3:00pm. Tickets: $3. State Theatre, 1307 J Street.

209-527-4697.

June 6 "HOPPING AT THE HANGAR" Sock Hop CAF Central Valley Squadron fundraiser at Hangar 1-S, 700 Tioga Drive. $25 per person, Catered dinner, dance to Rock n' Roll, soda fountain, no host bar & vintage aircrafts! This year will include a Classic Car Show with the Mid Valley Chevy Club! No host bar and soda fountain. Tickets call 209-605-4313. Tickets sold in advance only. No tickets sold at door. 5:00pm-10:00pm.

21+ to attend.

June 6 So Good for the Soul A Tribute to the Music of Motown® What an era! What a show! Performed by a cast of eight Broadway-savvy entertainers and their band, “Forever Motown” is a bonanza of memories. Show starts at 8:00pm at the Gallo Center, 1000 I Street. Call 209-338-2100 for tickets or visit www.galloarts.org.

June 7 10th Annual Graffiti Classic Car Show Modesto Area Street Rod Association's 10th annual classic car show at the McHenry Village Shopping Center. Raffles all day long, music provided by the Hot Rods Band. Free admission to spectators. Car entry fee $25.00, day of show $30.00 includes lunch for two. Sponsor awards and more. A portion of all proceeds go to local charities. For more information call Ray at (209) 521-6607 or visit www.modestoasra.com June 8-11 Mid-Valley Chevy Club Car shows are free & at a different location each night from 5-8pm.

Mon. American Chevrolet 4742 McHenry Ave. Tues. Vintage Faire Mall 3401 Dale Rd. Wed. Downtown Modesto Cars enter at K & 12th Streets Thur. Cool Hand Luke’s 2505 Patterson Rd. Contact Mid Valley Chevy Club at 209-499-2163. www.midvalleychevy.com.

June 10 Historic Graffiti Cruise Route Presentation Presentation and live music. Starting at 7:00pm in the 10th Street Plaza.

June 11 MoBand Concert in the Park Moband's annual summer concerts in the park series, with music from the 50’s & 60’s. Spread out your blankets, bring a picnic & enjoy the sounds of Moband. Admission is free and the concert begins at 8:00pm at Graceada Park, get there early & enjoy. Visit www.moband.org.

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Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

June 12 Official Kiwanis Classic Car Parade The annual Classic Car Parade route has expanded! The route will remain through cool Downtown Modesto and go down McHenry Ave. to Orangeburg & back to downtown. The parade will feature thousands of classic cars, hot rods & street rods starting at 7:00pm in Downtown Modesto. You do not want to miss this amazing event! To enter your hot rod visit www.americangraffitifestival.com.

June 13 Elvis Tribute Get ready to experience the ultimate tribute to the King of Rock n’ Roll himself, Elvis Presley! 7:00pm State Theatre, 1307 J Street. 209 -527-4697 June 13th & 14th American Graffiti Car Show & Festival NEW LOCATION! This 17th Annual event is presented by the North Modesto Kiwanis. Friday night, June 12 the Classic Car Parade Downtown at 7pm. The car show & festival is Saturday June 13 from 9am to 5pm & Sunday June 14 from 9am to 3pm. Check out the classic cars, stroll through hundreds of specially selected food & vendor booths.

Live music throughout the festival each day.

Municipal Golf Course, 400 Tuolumne Blvd. 1-888-746-9763 or www.americangraffitifestival.com. All proceeds go to local charities.

June 19 & 20 22nd Annual Back to Graffiti at the Fruit Yard June 19th kick off of our Annual Back to Graffiti weekend with Mesquite BBQ and live music from the band Threshold as the classic cars start to arrive. Live music at 8pm. Free to the public.

June 20th is the 22nd Annual Back to Graffiti Classic Car Show.

Featuring raffle prizes, music, vendors and more!

Live music from The Sensations 1pm – 4pm along with an Elvis impersonator starting at 4pm. Mesquite BBQ will be available throughout the day. Free to the public.

The Fruit Yard 7948 Yosemite Blvd. 209-577-3093.

June 20 Modesto Nuts Graffiti Night Take me out to the ballgame to enjoy action packed baseball, 50’s and 60’s music, root beer floats and fun contests. Modesto Nuts take on the High Dessert Mavericks. Game time 7:05pm. Fireworks after the game. John Thurman Field, 601 Neece Drive. www.modestonuts.com June 20 Sing-a-long Grease Dress up as your favorite character from the film, compete for prizes, & dance in the aisles with Rydell Highs most famous graduating class. There will be fun giveaways, drink specials, contests and prizes. Showtime 6:30pm. Tickets $5. State Theatre, 1307 J Street.

209-527-4697.

June 28 The 8th Annual Rod & Custom Car Show Classic cars & custom hot rods! Music, food & beverages available for purchase. Breakfast 7:00am-10:00am. Proceeds to benefit Modesto Elks . Free admission. Car show starts at 9:00am.

Car participants parking is 7:00-8:30am. Car registration $25 in advance & $30 day of the show, includes lunch for two. Awards presented at 3:00pm. Elks Lodge 645 Charity Way. 209-524-4421.

Look for the official Graffiti Summer tabloid in the Modesto Bee May 29th!

Modesto Convention & Visitors Bureau 1150 9th Street Ste. C Modesto, Ca. 95354 Ph. 1-888-640-8467 · 209-526-5588 www.visitmodesto.com

GUEST COLUMN THE BIR TH OF CRUISING

By Chris Murphy

It was all about the music and the cars. Oh yeah, maybe it was about dating too.

After World War II, the road opened up. Gas was plentiful, rubber and metal were no longer rationed and people could drive, sometimes for no reason at all. Along with the open road came the drive-in. All along the busy highways, carhops served hungry motorists burgers, fries and shakes. And in the case of Modesto’s Burge’s Drive In on Highway 99, chicken was the CHRIS MURPHY specialty.

This is the birth of cruising: having time, gas, a car, a place to hang out and of course a date. People that grew up in Modesto during the late 50s and early 60s say that George Lucas really got it right in American Graffiti. It was a fun innocent time and even the police officers of the day remember most of the action was pretty tame. Of course, it was all about seeing and being seen. The slow crawl of the cars was a spectacle and whether you were parked or driving, it was a ritual for many.

When Modestans were cruising, then known as “Dragging 10th,” there was only one radio station that played the rock ’ n ’ roll hits. KFIV 1360 AM was, for many, the soundtrack of their lives. Sometimes it was even broadcast live from Burge’s, located at 9th and O Streets.

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American Graffiti was the first movie that was created around a selection of popular music not written for a movie. These songs were integral to the script and securing the rights to the songs consumed 10 percent of Lucas’s $750,000 budget. This was the soundtrack of a generation.

As the cruise evolved over time, from a two-way 10th Street, to a loop of 10th and 11th and then ultimately out McHenry, the music, the cars, the fun and the connections became an important part of our culture. Even though the days of cruising are no longer, our love of classic cars, chrome and rock ’n’ roll shines bright and it comes to life every year during Graffiti Summer.

Modesto Graffiti is not for just for the history books. My generation were the cruisers of the 70s and 80s, and now we are sharing this with our next generation. We have our next generation of car lovers, we have the Rockabilly bands and fans that embrace our retro heritage, the elaborate low-riders that celebrate the Impalas of the 60s, and people in general that want to embrace a positive feeling about Modesto and share in the excitement that we can create. Graffiti is cross-cultural and crossgenerational. Everyone in Modesto needs to see American Graffiti and you will be amazed in what can happen. We need safe and fun events for teens, exciting nightlife for young professionals, we need to attract travel and tourism dollars, and we need reasons to be proud of our city and engage everyone to share in a common thing that makes us all special.

On June 10, we will unveil the 2015 inductees on the Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame in 10th Street Place. The late Bennie Furtado and car-hop Gerry Ramirez will be honored as well as Wendell Reed, Charlie Reynolds, Dennis Wilson and the car-club Century Toppers. Gene Winfield will be here to receive this honor.

So sometime this month, stroll the Modesto Historic Cruise Route and the Walk of Fame and get an overview of our history and share it with someone you know. Show your kids a classic ’57 T-Bird and play some Rockabilly or Roddy Jackson music. Every little bit makes a difference and we can make Modesto, USA, a Classic American City. P

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JUNE 2015

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G OVERN M EN T RELATION S

meeting you where you are

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

By Assemblymember Kristin Oslen

Left: Brian Dugo, PCA/Farmer | Right: Chad Van Houten, CPA

When business moves fast, trust the professionals at Grimbleby Coleman to keep you on course.

Contact us today at 209-527-4220 or gccpas.net. it’s the people behind the numbers.

Your Benefits Plan...Your Way.

KRISTIN OLSEN ASSEMBLYMEMBER

Despite the boastings of an improved economy, California still ranks at the bottom of education outcomes and job readiness nationwide. We should be striving to ensure that every student has access to a quality education that prepares them to enter college or the job market upon graduation. One way this can be done is by allowing more high school students to enroll in community college courses to improve their skills and/or ease their transition to college.

Toward that end, I have joint-authored Assembly Bill 288 with Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena).

AB 288 improves on existing concurrent enrollment policies by establishing the College and Career Access Pathways Act to create partnerships between school districts and community colleges. The goal is to better prepare high school students for college and the workforce through expanded access to quality, college-level programs while they are still in high school, and by accelerating learning in a way that allows high schoolers to earn up to 15 college credits.

We want to give students ample opportunity to further their education and enter the job market fully armed with the necessary skills to succeed and to aid in the future growth of California’s economy. By extending the availability of concurrent enrollment opportunities, we can provide our students with numerable benefits. A study from the James Irvine Foundation observed that through these programs, lowachieving students were better prepared for a college environment and students were more likely to complete their pursued degrees in a shorter amount of time and at lower costs. Additionally, concurrent enrollment programs increase high school students’ interest in pursuing higher education. By making community college opportunities more accessible for students, we are igniting them with a sense of purpose and drive that is essential in today’s fast-paced world.

AB 288 has received overwhelming support from high school and community college districts as well as educational organizations throughout the state. Nevertheless, it is facing opposition from some state teachers’ unions.

Please offer your support for AB 288, speaking to the importance of better matching education to workforce demands and the needs of our business community, by emailing Allison.Wescott@asm.ca.gov.

By working together to modernize the concurrent enrollment process, we can better serve our students as they work toward becoming California’s future innovators and leaders. P Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, is recognized as a solutionfocused reformer. She represents the 12th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.

Follow her on Twitter: @KristinOlsenCA

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Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

CHAMBER CALENDAR JUNE 2015

JULY 2015

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CHAMBER U - SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION**

Modesto Chamber of Commerce 1114 J St. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

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CHAMBER 101 VALUE CLASS** MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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1114 J ST.

TIME: 3:00 P.M. TO 4:00 P.M.

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BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

IT Solutions|Currie 1801 Tully Rd., Ste. E Time: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

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STANISLAUS GREEN TEAM

Kirk Lindsey Center 1020 10th St. Plz., Ste. 102 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

24

SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS

Casa de Modesto 1745 Eldena Way Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Howard Training Center 1424 Stonum Rd. Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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Kirk Lindsey Center 1020 10th St. Plz., Ste. 102 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

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CHAMBER U

CONSTANT CONTACT BASIC TRAINING

IMC CONSULTING

Modesto Chamber of Commerce 1114 J St. Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

STANISLAUS GREEN TEAM

22 SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS Rabobank 3801 Pelandale Ave., Ste. E7 Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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CHAMBER U – COLLEGE PLANNING & SAVINGS

BLOM & ASSOCIATES

Modesto Chamber of Commerce 1114 J St. Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

To become a member of the Chamber visit us at www.modchamber.org or call our Membership Director, John Villines, at 209.577.5757

*MEMBERS ONLY MEETINGS HELD AT THE CHAMBER 1114 J STREET **PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE

© neverboring.com

INFORMATION: WWW.MODCHAMBER.ORG

JUNE 2015

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GO VE R NMENT R ELATIO NS

ANNOUNCING THE 2015 CENTRAL VALLEY JOB FAIR & VETERANS SUMMIT

By U.S. Representative Jeff Denham

JEFF DENHAM CONGRESSMAN

Job seeking is tough. It is often a trying experience for individuals looking for work, their family members and those in their network. My mission in Congress has been to support legislation that empowers workers, strengthens the business community and keeps red tape and regulations out of the way as businesses big and small work to succeed.

On the federal level, that means everything from supporting budgets that balance to voting to stop power grabs from the EPA that get between local farmers, who play a huge role in the Central Valley economy, and their land.

Luckily this month I have an opportunity to help job seekers in the most direct way possible – by partnering with a group of local organizations to host a Central Valley Job Fair. The fair is being put on in partnership with the Stanislaus Business Alliance, the Alliance Worknet, the Alliance Small Business Development Center, the Heavy Equipment College of California, the Vet Center, CALVET, Wells Fargo Bank, Work for Warriors, the Employment Development Department, the Central Valley Human Resources Management Association and the Stanislaus County Veteran Employment Committee.

Stanislaus County Sheriff

1854

Keeping the Peace since

This year’s Job Fair takes place on Thursday, May 7 from 12-4 p.m. at the Sportsmen of Stanislaus Club (SOS), located at 819 Sunset Avenue in Modesto. The Fair includes a Veterans Summit focused on connecting our military veterans in need of work with potential employers.

The event is free and open to veterans, active military, students and the public. Veterans will be given priority entrance from 12-12:30 p.m.

The list of participating employers includes many of the Valley’s thriving companies, and each participating employer is required to have at least one open position – meaning job seekers are meeting face-to-face with those who are guaranteed to need new employees. Commission-based positions do not qualify.

Registered veterans and employers will be invited to attend the Work for Warriors Reception event, which will take place May 6, 2015 at the Gallo Center for the Arts.

Please visit http://denham.house.gov for further information for interested employers and participants.

I hope you can join us at this year’s Job Fair!

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P

Take a stand and help make a difference in your community.

JOIN our team today!

Chaplain Program | Dive Team | Explorers | Correctional Emergency Response Team | K9 Unit | Mounted Unit Deputy Sheriff | Honor Guard | STARS Citizen Volunteers | Air Support Unit | Bomb Squad | SWAT

For information on recruitment please call: (209) 567-4412 or beadeputy.com 12

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

N ETW ORKIN G & REFERRALS

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS BURKE CONSULTING

ROUND TABLE PIZZA

Jessica Burke

Afshin Saffarzadeh

1974 Deborah Cir.

3848 McHenry Ave.

Ripon, CA 95366

Modesto, CA 95356

209.922.1798

209.526.9904

Marketing & Advertising

209.526.0413 www.roundtablepizza.com

COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY

Restaurants & Food

Kristen Santos 251 E. Hackett Rd.

SWITCH TO VAPOR

Modesto, CA 95358

Jack Brackett

209. 558.2500

518 McHenry Ave.

209. 558. 2558

Modesto, CA 95354

www.stanworks.com

209.661.4082

Non-Profit

www.switchtovapormodesto.com Active Life & Recreation

FLINT STRATEGIES 4515 Sun West Dr.

THE HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC

Salida, CA 95368

John Wisena

650.455.1201

2107 E. Monte Vista Ave.

www.flintstrategies.com

Denair, CA 95381

Communications & Media

209.634.7096

Kendall Flint

In the summer, the average student loses approximately one month’s worth of learning. Did you know that we have over 3,000 Clubs with summer programs?

Open the Door for the Kids of Stanislaus County at http://bgc-stanislaus.org/

209.634.7097

MODESTO AUTO & TRUCK PARTS - NAPA

www.larsabanquethall.com Religious Organizations/Churches

Daniel Mart 924 G St.

UNITED RENTALS # 519

Modesto, CA 95354

Samantha Teran

209.529.3330

1331 Coldwell Ave.

209.529.0158

Modesto, CA 95350

www.napaonline.com/ca/modesto/

209.521.6250

modesto-auto

209.521.5379

MODESTO JUNK CO. Recycling Center

Automotive & Vehicles

www.unitedrentals.com

1425 9th Street

1127 12th St. #201

XEROX, INC

Modesto, CA 95354

John Quiroz

209.622.3378

2485 Natomas Park Dr. #250

www.monelladesigns.com

Sacramento, CA 95833

Marketing & Advertisement/Advertising

916.214.6347

Agencies

Professional Services/Business Resources

Radiators • Aluminum • Scrap Appliances Tin • Stainless Steel • Scrap Iron • Copper Brass • Cardboard • E-Waste • Batteries

Downtown Modesto

209-522-1435 Se Habla Español www.modestojunk.com

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-4:30pm • Sat. 9am-3pm Free bins and hauling for commercial and industrial customers.

14

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

Professional Services/Tool &

MONELLA DESIGNS

Equipment Rental

Jessica Ringer

Our Gears are always spinninG

The Parks Group has many “gears” to help power your projects. We provide everything in-house — graphic design, web & mobile development, branded merchandise, printing & bindery, wide format, mailing, fulfillment & warehousing.

Multiple solutions from a single source!

The

PARKS GROUP 209.576.2568 theparksG.cOm Modesto: 209.576.2568 1515 Tenth Street, Modesto, CA 95354 Stockton: 209.466.9026 445 W. Weber Ave, Suite 124A, Stockton, CA 95203

JUNE 2015

15

N E T W OR K I NG & REFERRALS

RIBBON CUTTINGS

WALMART 3848 McHenry Ave Modesto, CA 95356 209.342.0949

VALLEY HEART INSTITUTE OF DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER 1540 Florida Ave., Ste. 100 Modesto, CA 95350 209.222.6133 www.vhamg.com

RESCARE HOME CARE & ADULT DAY PROGRAM 1101 Sylvan Ave., Ste. C-210 Modesto, CA 95350 209.523.9194 www.rescare.com

FAMILY PROMISE OF GREATER MODESTO 2301 Woodland Ave., Ste. 8 Modesto, CA 95358 209.549.9454 www.modestofamilypromise.org

DEANGELOS JEWELRY Wood Colony Plaza 3900 Pelandale Ave., Ste. #70 Modesto, CA 95356 209.545.0600 www. deangelosjewelry.com

SPRINGHILL SUITES

BY MARRIOTT 1901 W. Orangeburg Ave. Modesto, CA 95350 209.526.2157 www.marriott.com/MODSH

{ MAY } B U S I N E SS

AFTER H OUR S

BEFORE HOU R S

Business After Hours hosted by: BRENDA ATHLETIC

Business Before Hours hosted by: F&M BANK

Brenda Athletic Clubs have been helping people change since 1978. That is their mission statement, and they choose to do so in a non-intimidating atmosphere that caters to the majority of the Modesto community. They truly believe in helping people change and will do whatever they can to ensure every member achieves his or her goals. They offer group exercise classes, boot camps, one-on-one personal training, tennis, swimming and youth exercises. For more information. visit their website: www.brendaathletics.com or call 209.571.2582. P

F&M Bank is locally owned and operated. They have provided financial services to individuals, families and businesses in California since 1916, hitting 100 years of service next year. They are dedicated to serving our local communities and committed to fulfilling the needs of business, agriculture and consumer customers. They offer full service banking through a broad array of products, advanced technology and exceptional customer service. With 25 convenient locations in 12 communities, F&M Bank offers mobile banking, online banking and bill pay, cash management services and more. With three locations here in Modesto F&M Bank is recognized as one of the nation’s safest banks by national bank rating firms. Visit a branch today! . P

Business Before Hours, Business After Hours and Showcase Your Business, call today to book yours! 209.577.5757

16

{ MAY } BUSINESS

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

PROTECTION SERVICE HAS A NAME...

RANK .

Our trained, uniformed security officers will patrol our client’s residences, streets and alleys.

Suspicious persons in the vicinity of our clients’ property may be observed or questioned.

Because at Rank Investigation, your protection is our number one priority.

© neverboring.com

Neighborhood Patrol Services

steve rank, owner

Accident investigation | Aerial Photography | Crash Data Retrieval | K9 services Data Research | Evidence Detection & Recovery | Underwater Search & Recovery Background/Pre Employment | Protection Services | Uniform & Patrol Services

© Modesto Irrigation District

1301 K ST. SUITE G, MODESTO, CA | 877.RANKINV 209.526.2025 | RANKINV.COM

Lighting rebates

HVAC rebates

High efficiency Refrigerator motor rebates recycling program

JUNE 2015

17

LENDING IN YOUR COMMNUNITY

Center for Human Services, Executive Director, Cindy Duenas (center) flanked by Oak Valley’s Mike Garcia, Commercial Loan Officer, 209.343.7607, Lupe Rodriguez, 12th & I Branch Manager, 209.343.7609, and four members of the CHS Senior Management team.

“Partnering with such a strong community supporter helps us ensure the majority of our operating budget is employed in service to our community. Oak Valley understands our needs as a local nonprofit. They are responsive and committed to our work.”

- Cindy Duenas, Center for Human Services At Oak Valley Community Bank, we take pride in helping our customers and communities get stronger. The most rewarding opportunities are often those which provide local businesses the ability to grow and help our communities thrive.

Looking for the right employee?

Willing to train?

RELAX...We got this!

We can help with the COST of doing BOTH!

Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches

866.844.7500 • ovcb.com Oakdale • Sonora • Modesto • Turlock • Patterson Escalon • Ripon • Stockton • Manteca • Tracy 18

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

CALL 558.HIRE TODAY!

STAN ISLAUS G REEN TEAM

INNOVATIVE PAR TNERSHIPS IN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

By Tiffany Abend, Corporate Sustainability Manager of Crystal Creamery

Innovative Partnerships in the Dairy Industry Crystal Creamery operates an industrial waste water pretreatment system to remove organic contaminants before the clarified water is discharged to the City of Modesto’s Publicly Operated Treatment Works (POTW ). The wastewater is generated from the facility’s dairy product manufacturing processes. The organic by-products Crystal Creamery removes are transported to a local dairy farm with an TIFFANY ABEND anaerobic co-digestion facility, where it is combined with manure and other food waste to produce electricity and a liquid and solid by-product, which are valuable commodities. The liquid portion is collected and used as the dairy’s only source of fertilizer for all their crops (Fiscalini Farms has not purchased or used any fertilizer other than cow manure for more than 20 years). Some of the solid portion is used as bedding for their livestock, and the remainder they plan to sell as a peat moss substitute to local nurseries and turf grass growers. This partnership was established between Fiscalini Farm’s anaerobic digestion system, operated by Organic Solution Management LLC, and Crystal Creamery in July 2014. This partnership is closing the loop in terms of dairy!

This was an innovative partnership for Crystal Creamery, as it provided a much more beneficial reuse compared to the previous composting method of management.

Subsequent improvement in Crystal Creamery’s treatment system further captured an additional 70 percent of the organic loading normally discharged to the Modesto POTW reducing the city’s cost of treatment and reducing the City of Modesto’s landfilling costs of municipal bio-solids.

There were many positive outcomes from this partnership including improved efficiency of the digester. The organic by-product from Crystal Creamery is an excellent “co-feedstock” which contains fats, oils and proteins having very high biodegradation, and it increases the rate of decomposition, which increases the energy produced. To date, the energy generated from this project is enough to power 38 homes!

Another impact is the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted from hauling the organic byproducts for management. The location of the dairy digester site is closer in proximity and saves over 10,000 miles going on the road a year. In 2.5 years, that would be enough miles to drive around the circumference of the Earth!

REACON Team Investors

Green Sponsors

StanislausGreenTeam.com For more information contact Rikki Keenan Schmeeckle at 209.577.5757 or at RKeenan@ModChamber.org

Finally, the change in chemistry in the pretreatment plant reduced the organic loading on the City of Modesto’s POTW saving the city money and reducing the volume of bio-solids requiring disposal.

This program not only helps the environment, but reduces Crystal Creamery’s environmental footprint while saving the company money.

The cost to manage the by-products and sewage charges have been reduced by at least 10 percent compared to the previous composting method of management and chemical treatment methods, making this a great project from both an environmental and economic standpoint. P

JUNE 2015

19

ASK THE EXPER TS LO O KIN G F O R A N A N S WE R ? A S K T HE E X P E R T S .

Every month, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce takes your questions straight to our local professionals. This month, local human resource experts are here to answer your questions.

JEFFREY ROWE,

N ICOL E TY L ER,

Director, Alliance Worknet

Executive Recruiter/Partner, Availabity Professional Staffing

Q:

HOW CAN THE ALLIANCE WORKNET ASSIST ME WITH RECRUITING AND HIRING THE EMPLOYEES THAT I NEED? The Alliance Worknet will recruit, screen, and refer job candidates who meet your employment requirements. If you are able to train someone who doesn’t have all of the skills necessary to do the job, we may be able to help with those costs by reimbursing 50% of an eligible new employee’s wages during the training period. We also have a limited roster of workers who are eligible to be placed with your business for a limited time at no cost to you. You supervise and train them, we pay their wages and Worker’s Compensation insurance.

Call our Business Development Team for more information. 558.4473

PERSONAL TRAINING | WEIGHT LOSS | WEIGHT TRAINING

LET IT RIP THIS MONTH! 4 sessions for $60.00!

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When you believe in yourself, you're capable of achieving all your goals, whether that's shedding a few pounds for a wedding, running a race or just to stay healthy. We're here to give you the support you need to get the job done, no matter how big or small.

Let us know what you've got planned for yourself this month. We have over 30 years of experience in strength training and weight loss. Let our private studio help you "invest in yourself it is worth a lifetime"

BEFORE

AFTER

Real Client / Melissa Jimenez

Our programs: •1on1 personal training •Gladiator series •Runner 4k program •21 day slim down

GRAND OPEN HOUSE EVENT AUGUST SATURDAY 15,10AM TO 2PM GAMES AND PRIZES

WE PUT PERSONAL BACK IN TO PERSONAL TRAINING

522-9194 • 144 Woodrow Ave. Ste. 6 Modesto 95350

By Appointment Only Visit Unlimitedphysiques.com for more information

20

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

Q : I’M LOOKING TO HIRE

SOMEONE. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT I GET THE RIGHT PERSON WITHOUT PAYING A FORTUNE OR HIRING THE WRONG ONE?

At Availability Professional Staffing we provide top notch talent to organizations of all industries in the Central Valley. For someone that makes a living hiring and recruiting every day I will tell you that is the most common question I get. There are multiple ways to go about hiring: run an ad and do it yourself, hire based on a referral, or use a recruiter. Either way can get the same end result, a warm body in a seat, but the trick is, how do you get the best one? The best insight I can give a client are these three tips: define a process for hiring, use job-relevant behavioral based interview questions, and do not screen out based on the resume alone. Define your process means, decide on who interviews, will you use testing, have a strong job description or list of expectations, and give yourself a deadline. Next look internally at your resources.

Someone up for promotion? Ask people you trust and know well in the business community; ask your best employees who they know. Exhaust all that before you go down the road of going outside the organization.

If you truly do not have the time to commit to a thorough process, properly vet a candidate, and feel you cannot applicants the respect that they deserve, consider hiring a professional that will do it for you. In the long run, you will save time and money by avoiding a hasty, costly, wrong hiring decision. We provide free counseling to companies who are looking to hire. Call us, and decide for yourself what direction fits you the best. We can explain the cost and value based on the resources you have. There is no ONE way to hire. But there is always the right person out there – you just have to take the time to find them

Prime Shine Car Wash presents:

LAND OF OPPORTUNITY ...a series spotlighting entrepreneurial achievement

Name: Jack Robinson Business: McCoy’s Tire Co., Inc.

What challenges have you had to overcome in your professional life? How did you do so?

What is the history of McCoy Tire Co., Inc.?

I’ve had many challenges along the way in having a successful business. I think hard work fixed most of them.

McCoy Passenger Tire Co. started in Bakersfield in 1946. John McCoy moved it to Modesto approximately in the 50s.

How does the company differ from when it started?

The small difference in the company from when we opened is that I own the passenger and small truck business. Jim Barnick owns the large truck and recapping business.

How many employees do you have? Are there any other family members involved, and if yes, what are their roles?

We are a small business with 11 employees. My daughter, Kristy, owns stock in the company and will take over the company in the near future.

What have you done in your professional career that has led you to where you are now?

The tire business has been my life. I was also on the original board of Modesto Commerce Bank.

Are you originally from this area? If not, where are you from and how did you come to the area?

What are some accomplishments that you are particular proud of?

I’m most proud of running a very successful tire business and being on the board of Modesto Commerce Bank.

What is the single biggest reason you have achieved the level of success that you have?

I think I’ve achieved a level of success from hard work and being fair with our customers. We have customers that have been coming to McCoy Tire for generations. We take pride in our customer service that we try to provide.

What do you like about your job?

What I’ve always liked about my job is that I get to meet people.

Do you participate in any community outreach efforts or clubs?

I have been a member at Del Rio Country Club since 1974 and a past president. I was also the president of East Grasslands Duck Club.

What are your plans for the future?

I have lived in Modesto most of my life.

I’m looking forward to retiring, playing golf, and traveling.

When you were younger what goals did you set for yourself and why?

What advice do you have for business people when it comes to achieving their goals?

My goal in life was to be great at what I did and make a good living at it.

My advice for business people would be that your reputation is everything.

Be fair and honest.

Do you have any particular history that has contributed to helping you achieve your goals?

John and Janet McCoy were instrumental in getting me started in the tire business. I will always be grateful for that.

What do you like about doing business in the Modesto community, and why do you think it is the Land of Opportunity?

We have had such a loyal customer base here in Modesto. We have been very fortunate. If you work hard, anything is possible. P

Prime Shine Car Wash is proud to present The Land of Opportunity. Each month this series provides a forum in which to showcase the entrepreneurial achievements of a Stanislaus County business owner. Prime Shine Car Wash is proud to recognize the entrepreneurʼs ability to overcome obstacles and to honor their successes in their industry and in the community.

JUNE 2015

21

ED UCATION

BE RECOGNIZED BE ENTERTAINING BE COMFORTABLE BELONG.

HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORTS & IMPROVES BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

By George Boodrookas, Ed.D., Dean of Advancement & Executive Director of the MJC Foundation Modesto Junior College

FIND OUT WHAT SENIOR LIVING WAS MEANT TO BE

Dale Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community

3900 Dale Road Modesto, CA 95356 209.526.2053 www.dalecommons.com RCFE #507004998

GEORGE BOODROOKAS

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce has been proud to host the annual State of Business and Education event each of the past four years.

The focus of this late-summer event has been the K-12 education system in our county and its relationship to business. The events have been informative and eye-opening. This year, we invite you to take part in the 5th Annual State of Business and Education event on Thursday, Aug. 20 from 7:30am to 9:00am.

This year’s event will focus on the higher education system in our region and how it supports and improves business and industry. Modesto Junior College president, Jill Stearns, and CSU, Stanislaus president, Joseph Sheley will headline the event by sharing campus updates, the institutions’ strengths and challenges, highlights of their partnerships with K-12 education, and how these institutions build the human capital of the region.

In addition to our MJC and CSUS leaders, the chamber will showcase the other higher education providers from the private non-profit and for-profit sectors. Participants at this event will get a better understanding of why a higher education matters to business, how higher education works, and the challenges and opportunities our higher education institutions face.

Also, participants will understand how they might encourage more of our youth to take advantage of the higher education opportunities available locally. Finally, participants will be encouraged to suggest improvements to our local system to better prepare our youth and adults for the world of work.

We encourage all of our member businesses to join us for this event.

Please mark your calendars for breakfast time on Thursday, Aug. 20. P

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STATE OF BUSINESS AND EDUCATION THURSDAY, AUG. 20 7:30 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.

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Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

C O M M UNI TY DEV ELOP EMENT

AGRICULTURE, BUSINESS, AND COMMERCE DAY

By Andrew Rogers, Coit Agriculture, Business, and Commerce Day was an enlightening day on the current state of how all three sectors are performing currently in our local community. The underlying theme was the current drought on everyone’s radar and how we are addressing this problem in our local community.

We started the day at the Chamber offices and heard a fascinating presentation

by Brad Hawn about the current water recycling plant, which is almost complete. When the plant is completed it will take wastewater from the major cities in the county and reclaim it to potable water that can then be used to help supply the west side of the county. It will have the capacity to supply one-third of the water needed for the Del Puerto Water District, which would be a sustainable supply.

SHOW CASE Your BUSINESS Have a new location or renovation to show off ? Host a “Showcase Your Business” and let the community see your new digs!

For more information call Lynda Jost at 209.577.5757 ext. 111.

ANDREW ROGERS LEADERSHIP 4/15

We heard next from Craig Lewis with Economic Development, and how we are just now starting to look towards the future on how we want our county to operate. We learned about the tough decisions needed for a strategic plan to ensure that we are a marketable area that will attract companies and jobs to our region for our future.

Home Oxygen is a progressive thinking, independent and locally owned home medical equipment company located in the Central Valley of California. They know family members on oxygen, worked in the home medical industry and know most companies carry old, loud, heavy equipment that requires lots of service calls. There is a better way. They started this company to help people gain access to the equipment THEY want. Their promise to deliver quality equipment with fast and efficient service will always show in their actions P

We headed on the bus to visit Sciabica Olive Oil, and to see how this 84 year old company started in Modesto. Dan Sciabica gave us an educational presentation on the different varieties of olives and how different times of harvest affect the flavor profile. A trip to Sciabica wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t taste some of the different oils, which we enjoyed.

Next we headed to the Old Fisherman’s Club for lunch and a chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of our valley. Bill Lyons and his son Billy joined us to give us a tour of Mapes Ranch, which was founded in 1923 as a cattle ranch. We had a great tour of the 10,000-acre ranch. We were able to see first-hand how they are constantly innovating and embracing technology in their farming.

We finished our day at Prime Shine Car Wash with Evan Porges. Evan showed how innovation doesn’t always lead to success but it doesn’t stop them from trying and continuing moving forward. We also saw how they are able to recycle 95 percent of the water used for car washes, and the new frontier for sound pollution and how they are combating that.

It was great to see how all sectors in our community are working together to help protect our most important commodity of water, and how to better prepare for the next drought. P

800-44-Mocse www.Mocse.org

JUNE 2015

23

C O M M UNI TY DEV ELOP EMENT

LEADERSHIP MODESTO TO THE RESCUE!

By Jeff Mangar, Deputy District Attorney

OPERATOR: “9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

A call that most people never have to make is a call that public safety officers answer every day in Modesto.

JEFF MANGAR LEADERSHIP MODESTO 14/15

Our homework prior to Public Safety Day was to participate in two “ride-alongs” to observe the shift of a local police officer and firefighter.

We learned firsthand how leaders dealt with diminished resources and fiscal cuts that were made years ago but are still being felt today.

Public Safety Day started with Sheriff ’s Lieutenant Mike Dailey leading us on a tour of the downtown jail. There are currently 1140 inmates, which consist of 823 un-sentenced and 317 sentenced defendants. We learned how Assembly Bill 109, also known as “realignment,” was intended to address the state fiscal emergency by sending non-violent, non-serious, and non-sex offenders to serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prisons. The cost to house inmates in the local jail falls on each individual county instead of being allocated from the state budget.

Thus, the state saves money by reducing their state prison population.

SECURE YOUR LEGACY

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However, sentencing offenders to an already crowded county jail rather than state prison has forced Stanislaus County to release lower level offenders before they have served their full terms.

We then walked to the Modesto Police Department where we were first given a K-9 demonstration by Officer Glenn Graves and his canine partner “Kai” on detecting illegal drugs and apprehending fleeing suspects. Afterwards, the class watched the Force Option Simulator in which officers are faced with various life threatening scenarios that are projected onto a screen. The training simulator requires the officer to make a split-second decision on the appropriate use of force. Upon completion of the simulation, the class discussed the correct response needed in each particular situation.

A question and answer session was then held with Sheriff Adam Christianson, Modesto Police Chief Galen Carroll, and Consolidated Fire Department Chief Randall Bradley. “The key to public safety is to leverage partnerships throughout the community,” stated Sheriff Christianson, “by working together in productive and creative ways between the leaders of service, charitable, and faith based organizations with public health and private enterprises.”

After a bus ride to Hackett Road, Sheriff ’s Lieutenant Greg Clifton showed us the Public Safety Center. The class then discussed the impact of recently enacted Proposition 47 that redefined possession of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, heroin, and thefts offenses under $950 as misdemeanors. Although the outcome of the measure remains uncertain with respect to future crime rates, local law enforcement leaders have to prepare to address the challenges of the lack of meaningful consequences for repeat offenders.

The final activity of the day occurred at the Fire Training Center where Captain Jesse Nicasio demonstrated the use of various firefighting equipment on a fire engine and a fire truck. The fire engine is equipped with hoses, pump, and a water tank so personnel can aggressively fight fires until they can establish a dedicated water supply from a fire hydrant. A fire truck, or ladder truck, is the “tool box” of the firefighter since it carries a fixed aerial ladder used to reach upper floors of a building, and rescue equipment such as the “jaws of life.”

Most people have never been so horrified that they have to frantically dial 911 for assistance. Our Leadership Modesto class is confident that the professionals in our community are prepared to run toward the danger when others might run away in a panic! P

GIANELLI - LAW . COM info @gianelli-law.com | (209) 521.6260 | 1014 16th St., Modesto

24

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

experience

Five decades of service A lifetime of integrity

w ardensworks .com

8 0 0. 6 69. 6 3 21 JUNE 2015

25

N E TW OR K I NG & REFERRALS

PRESIDENT’S CLUB CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE

PLATINUM LEVEL

SILVER LEVEL

English Oaks Nursing &

Rabobank

E. & J. Gallo Winery

AT&T

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Kaiser Permanente

Acme Construction Company, Inc.

First Choice Physician Partners

Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc.

Walmart

American Chevrolet

Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC

Rocha Transportation

Walmart Neighborhood Market

American Medical Response

F & M Bank

Rogers Jewelry Company

Aramark Uniform Services

Galletto Ristorante

San Joaquin Valley College

DIAMOND LEVEL

Atherton & Associates, LLP

Gianelli & Associates

Smile Shine Family Dental

Beard Land and Investment Co.

BIAlytics

Gilton Solid Waste Management, Inc.

Seven Up Bottling Corporation

Capax-Giddings, Corby, Hynes, Inc.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, Inc.

Solecon Industrial Contractors

Doctors Behavioral Health Center-

Brandman University, Chapman

Grover Landscape Services, Inc.

Solar City

Harris Moran Seed Company

Solid Networks, Inc. Stanislaus Distributing

DMC

University System

Rehabilitation Hospital

Doctors Medical Center-DMC

Brunn & Flynn

Heald College

Frito-Lay Company, Inc.

California State University, Stanislaus

I.J. Larsen Pumps, Inc.

MedAmerica Billing Services, Inc.

Central Sanitary Supply Co.

Infiniti of Modesto

Modesto & Empire Traction Co.

Central Valley Ag Grinding

Institute of Technology

Pacific Southwest Container

Central Valley Autism Project Inc

International Paper Company

Physician Referral Service-DMC

Central Valley Automotive

JS West & Company

Central Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge

Kaplan College

GOLD LEVEL

Central Valley Nissan

Mercer Foods

5.11, Inc.

Central Valley Volkswagen Hyundai

Mike's Knock Out Burger & Rays

Bank of the West

Central Valley Medical Group

Bar-B-Que

Crystal Creamery

Central Valley Specialty Hospital

Mocse Credit Union

DoubleTree Hotel

Children’s Hospital Central California

Modesto Commerce Bank

Evergreen Nursing & Rehabilitation

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Modesto Toyota

Clark Pest Control

The Modesto Bee

Fiscallini Cheese Company

COIT Services Inc.

Oak Valley Community Bank

Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC

Collins Electrical

O’Brien’s Market

Memorial Medical Center

Comcast

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Modesto Irrigation District

Comforcare Home Care Services

Panelized Structures Inc.

Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball

Concordia Claims Managers

Papa John’s

RACOR, Division of Parker

Covanta Stanislaus, Inc.

Pepsi Bottling Group

Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios,

PMZ Real Estate

Save Mart Supermarkets

Post Foods, LLC

Seneca Foods, LLC

DeAngelos Jewelry

Prime Shine Car Wash

Switch to Vapor

Del Monte Foods

Prompt Staffing

Sysco Food Services of

Delta Sierra Beverage

The Eberhardt School of Business

Care Center

Hannifin Corporation

Central California

Pacher & Silva

Stanislaus Food Products Company Stanislaus Surgical Hospital Storer Coachways SunOpta Aseptic, Inc. Sutter Gould Medical Foundation Turlock Irrigation District Union Bank US Bank Uno Chicago Grill Valley First Credit Union Valley Lexus-BMW Vintage Faire Mall W.H. Breshears, Inc. Warden’s Office Products Center Warden’s Office Furniture Outlet Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green

Insurance Agency

Yosemite Meat Company, Inc.

D.B.A Courtesy Staffing

Taco Bell

NEW PRESIDENT’S CLUB MEMEBERS

VINTAGE FAIRE MALL 3401 Dale Rd., Ste. 483 Modesto, CA 95356 209.572.3403 www.shopvintagefairemall.com

FISCALINI CHEESE COMPANY 7231 Covert Rd. Modesto, CA 95358 209.545.5495 www.fiscalinicheese.com

BRUNN & FLYNN 928 12th St., Ste. 200 Modesto, CA 95354 209.521.2133 www.brunnandflynnlaw.com

BEARD LAND & INVESTMENT CO. 530 11th St. Modesto, CA 95353 209.524.4632 www.beardland.com

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A BETTER WAY TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS

Programs for health could mean profits for your company.

Employees are your most important asset, and investing in their well-being can pay dividends in productivity.

At Kaiser Permanente, we have a variety of tools available to help you implement health programs to benefit individual employees and your entire firm. Visit us online to find toolkits and resources for transforming the health of your workforce.

kp.org/workforcehealth